DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:27:00 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-voting-begins-for-152-assembly-constituencies-in-16-districts-670765.html Kolkata April 23 Polling has begun for 152 assembly constituencies scattered over 16 districts from 7 am on Thursday in the first phase of the twophase crucial West Bengal assembly polls The votersâ enthusiasm over the elections seemed to be quite high this time with the queues of voters being witnessed in front of some polling stations in several assembly constituencies much before the beginning of the polling process at 7 am officiallyThis time the voters are required to go through a twostage verification process the first being by the central armed police CAPF personnel before entering the polling station premises and the second by the boothlevel officer BLO concerned before entering the polling roomThe polling process had been peaceful so far at the time the report was filed However there had been reports of some malfunctioning of electronic voting machines EVMs at certain polling booths at the time of the beginning of the polling processMock polling mandatory before the actual polling process could not start in time at a polling station at the industrial township of Durgapur in West Burdwan district because of the inactive battery of the EVM thereSimilarly mock polling could not be conducted at a polling booth at Siliguri in Darjeeling district in North Bengal and Baharampur in the minoritydominated Murshidabad districtThe 16 districts where polling is being held in the first phase on Thursday are Cooch Behar Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri Alipurduar North Dinajpur South Dinajpur and Malda in North Bengal and Murshidabad East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram Purulia Bankura West Burdwan and Birbhum in South BengalSeven of these 16 districts are under the Election Commission of Indiaâs special scanner due to security concerns on the polling dayThe first phase of the Assembly polls is being conducted under unprecedented security cover with the deployment of 2407 companies of central forces including Central Armed Police Forces the India Reserve Battalion and personnel from armed police wings of other states in addition to personnel from West Bengal Police and Kolkata PoliceWebcasting is being conducted in all polling stationsPrime Minister Narendra Modi posted a social media message in Bengal addressing the people of West Bengal âThe first phase of voting for the West Bengal Assembly elections is today I call upon all citizens to participate with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy I especially urge my young friends and the women of West Bengal to vote in large numbersâ the message from the Prime Minister readThe Chief Election Officer CEO West Bengal Manoj Kumar Agarwal the Election Commission of India ECIappointed special observer Subrata Gupta and the ECIappointed police observer NK Mishra stayed back at the CEOâs office in central observer overnight on Wednesday conducting lastminute supervisions to ensure free amp fair and violencefree polls in the first phase on ThursdayThe second phase of polls in West Bengal for the remaining 142 assembly constituencies will be on April 29 âThe results will be declared on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-voting-begins-for-152-assembly-constituencies-in-16-districts-670765.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/such-disgraceful-conduct-cant-be-normalised-bjp-to-eci-over-kharges-terrorist-remark-670721.html New Delhi April 22 IANS A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP met the Election Commission of India ECI on Wednesday to lodge a strong protest against Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharges terrorist remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to demand exemplary action to serve as a deterrent for others who try to breach political red linesnbspThe highlevel BJP delegation comprised Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju Nirmala Sitharaman and Arjun Ram Meghwal and BJP national General Secretary Arun Singh who all urged the Election Commission to intervene and take action against venomous remarks by the Congress chiefParliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju while speaking to the media said the BJP delegation conveyed the partys deep sorrow and anger over the abominable language used by Congress president against the Prime Minister and called for taking immediate cognisanceRijiju further said For Kharge to call PM Modi a terrorist is not just a remark but a grave insult to the entire nation Such disgraceful conduct cannot be normalisedAccording to him the poll panel has taken note of their concerns and assured them of adequate action over namecalling in the midst of electionsRijiju further informed that they have demanded that the Congress party and Kharge apologise before the nation and exemplary action should follow so that a clear message goes down in the political discourse so that no one dares to cross the limitsNirmala Sitharaman too in scathing criticism of the Congress party called out its pattern and history of abusing the Prime MinisterToday we appeared before the polling commission to bring to their notice that the President of Congress and the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha have spoken in such condemnable words The Congress has shown a pattern of repeatedly using abusive language against the Prime Minister Sitharaman saidTheres no change or correction in their course They have not changed their approach she addedTerming the conduct outrageous she said that this was driven by the Congress partys deep hatred for the Prime Minister and this calls for a firm and stern action against the guiltyBJPs anger and outrage over Kharge follows the latters obnoxious remarks made against the Prime Minister during a presser in Tamil Nadu on the last day of the poll campaignThough Kharge later claimed that this was not what he meant it has failed to convince the BJP which smells a motive and pattern by the Congress leader just ahead of electionsKharges remarks that created a political firestorm read How can these AIADMK people join hands with Modi when their party itself was founded by Annadurai He is a terrorist His party does not believe in equality and justice These people are joining with them it means they are weakening democracyIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/such-disgraceful-conduct-cant-be-normalised-bjp-to-eci-over-kharges-terrorist-remark-670721.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-conduct-security-audit-of-shiv-khori-shrine-surrounding-areas-670722.html Jammu April 22 The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive security audit of the area surrounding the Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi district As part of the visit the district Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Mukund Tibrewal inspected the area and the key police installations including the Domail Checkpoint Special Police Post Ikhni and SPP Jhandi Morh to assess the prevailing security arrangements and operational readinessHe was accompanied by Additional SP of Reasi Iftkhar Ahmed and Deputy SP of Pouni Smriti Sharma At SPP Ikhni and SPP Jhandi Morh SSP Tibrewal carried out a detailed review of deployment patterns and operational preparednessHe directed personnel to maintain a structured roster for daily area domination and longrange patrols Emphasising the use of technology he stressed optimising patrol mechanisms and strengthening engagement with local communities and Village Defence Guards VDGs particularly in remote and mountainous areasThe SSP also reviewed infrastructure availability of ancillary equipment and preparedness for night operations During the inspection of Police Station Ransoo he conducted a thorough review of critical sections including the Malkhana record room lockup facilities and other operational unitsSpecial emphasis was placed on accurate maintenance of records proper storage and handling of case property and improving overall working conditions within the premises He directed officers and staff to ensure meticulous documentation and systematic record management underlining the importance of professionalism accountability and adherence to established proceduresThe inspection underscores the unwavering commitment of Reasi Police to maintaining high standards of policing strengthening institutional accountability and ensuring robust security preparedness Reasi Police said they remain dedicated to the safety and security of residents as well as tourists visiting the districtPolice regularly check the security arrangements in Reasi district as the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is located in Katra town which is part of the same district Each year lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad visit the shrine to pay obeisance at the deityâs shrine atop the Trikuta Hills in KatraIt may be recalled that in June 2024 at least nine people were killed and 33 injured after a bus full of pilgrims was attacked by terrorists and it plunged into a gorge in the Reasi district IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-conduct-security-audit-of-shiv-khori-shrine-surrounding-areas-670722.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/one-year-since-pahalgam-argentina-backs-indias-fight-against-terrorism-670723.html New Delhi April 22 Argentinas Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack expressing his countrys support to India in its right to defend itself India is on Wednesday observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which Pakistanbacked terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion in one of the most brutal incidents targetting civilians in recent yearsIn an interview with IANS Caucino said One year after this terrible terrorist attack we want to commemorate the day and pay tribute to those who were lost to their families to their loved ones and absolutely condemn terror and all forms of terrorism The Argentine government has been so emphatic on this supporting India in its right to defend itself and its people So we are supporting the government of India and we know what terrorism isThe attack in Pahalgam was carried out by The Resistance Front TRF an offshoot of the Pakistanbased LashkareTaiba The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify nonMuslims Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the touristsWhen asked whether peace talks between the US and Iran will lead to any conclusion Caucino responded We hope of course everybody wants this war to be concluded and this conflict to be in a way solved Its not so easy In the Middle East there are a number of conflicts this is one of them But we hope there are peace efforts on the way and we hope this brings stability to the world and to the world economy And of course we are supporting the operation in the sense that some countries are promoting terrorism and that is not acceptableEarlier in the day US President Donald Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely hours before it was to expire even though Tehran refused to attend a second round of talks that Trump had said were imminentAmbassador Caucino stressed that oil is still important in the world and will continue to be a geopolitical factor for the next few decadesI think geopolitically the truth is that oil is still important in this world Although there are numerous countries including mine that have a huge reserve of energy for example gas in the case of Argentina but its a world in which we are still dependent on these types of energy resources So I think although Im not an expert on energy I think for a while it will continue being a geopolitical factor maybe for the time we are going to be alive for the next few decades So I think its still a major issue on the global stageHe praised Indias decision to diversify energy resources and said that Argentina can provide energy security to New DelhiEverybody is trying to diversify the energy resources or the energy provisions I think thats a natural course that every country is trying to do In the case of India you are following a strategy of diversifying your energy resources provisions Argentina has already been doing work in that sense especially since last month since this disruption emerged We think that it is wise from Indian side to diversify and Argentina is a country that can not only provide food security to India but also energy security IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/one-year-since-pahalgam-argentina-backs-indias-fight-against-terrorism-670723.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/life-ended-the-day-we-received-news-of-his-death-father-of-pahalgam-terror-attack-victim-lt-vinay-narwal-670726.html Karnal April 22 A year into one of the worst terrorist attacks on tourists in India life seems to have stopped there itself for families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack Rajesh Narwal father of slain Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal who was one of the victims on Wednesday said that life has never been the same for the family On April 22 last year at least 26 people were killed after Pakistanbased terrorists opened fire on innocent civilians in the Baisaran valley of Pahalgam in Jammu and KashmirA newlymarried woman sitting beside the lifeless body of her husband Lt Vinay Narwal remains one of the most haunting images of the attackSpeaking to reporters at his residence in Karnal the bereaved father said There is a world of difference between our life before receiving the news of the attack to what it is now Before the incident we used to be happy and content but now life has been similar to a huge disaster It is extremely difficult to pass each moment with this pain in our heartsRajesh Narwal shared that being the head of the family it is more tough for him as he has to manage his old parents wife and daughterI cant even express my feelings to any of them because they get emotional whenever we discuss it We are just going along with our lives as long as we have to live otherwise it had ended the day we received the news he saidHe expressed that the void can never be filled and that such wounds dont heal with time There is no ambition no energy nothing left in our lives he saidSpeaking about the dreams of his son who had just got married a few days before the dastardly attack claimed his life Rajesh Narwal said His life as a Navy officer had just begun He had made plans for the future about what all he wished to achieve and even used to maintain a diary for that Sometimes I read that when I am able to gather courage But I still dont have the strength to carry on and fulfill his plansHowever Narwal was optimistic that maybe one day he would be able to fulfill his sons aspiration to work for mankindHe was such an honest child and achieved so much at such a young age He never engaged in fights not even with his siblings Moreover he used to jump into other peoples problems as if his own he addedThe father of the slain officer also spoke about receiving support from the government According to the protocol the government and the administration have helped us They also keep asking about our familys wellbeing from time to time he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/life-ended-the-day-we-received-news-of-his-death-father-of-pahalgam-terror-attack-victim-lt-vinay-narwal-670726.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/atal-pension-yojana-surpasses-historic-9-crore-gross-enrolments-670733.html New Delhi April 22 The Union government said on Wednesday that the Atal Pension Yojana APY has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing total gross enrolments of nine crore subscribers Gross enrolments during the Financial Year 2025â26 crossed 135 crore subscribers marking the highestever enrolments recorded in a single financial year since the inception of the scheme according to a Finance Ministry statementLaunched on May 9 2015 with the vision of establishing a universal social security system for all Indians APY is a flagship social security scheme of the Union government administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority PFRDAAccording to the Ministry APY is designed to provide a Sampurna Suraksha Kavach Complete Security Shield by ensuring benefits like a guaranteed monthly pension ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 for subscribers after attaining 60 years of ageAlso same pension continues to the spouse after the subscribers demise and the return of the corpus accumulated till the age of 60 to the nominee after the death of bothThe pension scheme is open to all Indian citizens between the age of 18 and 40 years except those who are or have been income taxpayersAPY is a voluntary contributory pension scheme primarily focused on the poor the underprivileged and workers in the unorganised sectorOver the past decade the scheme has witnessed remarkable growth driven by sustained efforts of banks Public Sector BanksRegional Rural BanksPrivate BanksSmall Finance BanksCooperative banks State Level Bankers CommitteeUnion Territory Level Bankers CommitteesLead District Managers the Department of Posts and continuous support from the Union government the official statement saidAccording to the Ministry PFRDA has played a proactive role in expanding the schemes footprint across all states and districts in the country through extensive outreach initiatives capacitybuilding programmes multilingual awareness materials media campaigns and regular performance reviews IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/atal-pension-yojana-surpasses-historic-9-crore-gross-enrolments-670733.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/farm-tourism-homestays-to-create-new-jobs-for-youth-in-haryana-670616.html Chandigarh April 21 The Haryana government aims to take tourism in the state to new heights through farm tourism and homestays which will create new employment opportunities for the youth officials said To achieve this issues faced by farm tourism and homestay operators will be resolved on a priority basis Amit Kumar Agrawal Haryana Commissioner and State Tourism Department Secretary said on Tuesday At a meeting here with farm tourism and homestay operators Agrawal said the state government is making efforts to promote tourism activities in the state Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is personally taking keen interest in the development of farm tourism and homestays in the state the Haryana Commissioner and State Tourism Department Secretary was quoted as saying During the meeting farm tourism and homestay operators apprised the department of issues related to various departments and requested their resolution They said that the global annual market for farm tourism and homestays is Rs 5000 crore and is continuously growing If the Haryana government addresses the challenges faced by this sector the state can achieve significant progress in this field they added The operators also highlighted difficulties related to necessary facilities and approvals required from different departments in detail Agrawal directed operators to submit their issues in writing within the next five days Based on these inputs a comprehensive farm tourism and homestay policy will be formulated in coordination with all departments and will be presented for Cabinet approval Once implemented it will ensure smooth functioning of these services Additionally services related to this sector will be notified under the Right to Service Act to ensure timely delivery within a stipulated period Agrawal said the state government is also studying policies implemented by other states related to agrotourism and homestays to make Haryanas policy more effective He added that as per the directions of the Chief Minister tourism and hospitality will be promoted on a par with other industries in the state to generate maximum employment opportunitiesHe also told that the Central government has included farm tourism and homestays under the ease of doing business framework IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/farm-tourism-homestays-to-create-new-jobs-for-youth-in-haryana-670616.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/portals-of-shri-kedarnath-dham-to-open-today-amid-grand-rituals-670620.html Rudraprayag April 22 The portals of Kedarnath Dham are set to open on Wednesday marking a significant moment in the annual pilgrimage season and allowing devotees to offer prayers at one of Hinduismâs most revered shrines The temple has been elaborately decorated with nearly 51 quintals of flowers creating a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere ahead of the opening ceremonyOn April 20 the doli proceeded from Phata to Gaurikund and on April 21 it began its final ascent toward Kedarnath The idol of Lord Kedarnath had been stationed at Omkareshwar Temple for 178 days during the winter monthsThe journey was marked by chants of âJai Baba Kedarâ that reverberated across the valley accompanied by performances by the Indian Armyâs Garhwal Rifles BandThe opening date of Kedarnath Temple is traditionally decided by the Char Dham Temple Committee at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on the occasion of Maha Shivratri In 2026 Maha Shivratri was observed on February 15The reopening of Badrinath Dham on April 23 will mark the full commencement of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 in Uttarakhand Preparations for the reopening of Badrinath Temple are already underwayFrom the Narsingh Temple which serves as the ceremonial seat of Adi Shankaracharya the palanquin of Garuda and other ritual elements have been dispatched toward BadrinathAll ceremonial palanquins are scheduled to assemble at Pandukeshwar for an overnight halt Following rituals on Wednesday they will proceed toward Badrinath expected to reach by evening after covering a 42kilometre journey The temple gates are set to open for devotees on April 23 at 615 amThere is visible enthusiasm among pilgrims with large numbers of devotees arriving from across India and abroad to undertake the sacred journeyThe Char Dham Yatra regarded as one of the most important spiritual pilgrimages in the country has already commenced with the reopening of Gangotri and Yamunotri on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya after a sixmonth winter closureAmid Vedic chants and traditional rituals the temple doors were opened ushering in a new pilgrimage season expected to attract lakhs of devotees The yatra connects four sacred shrines located in the Himalayas Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath each surrounded by snowclad peaks rivers and scenic mountain landscapesTraditionally the pilgrimage begins at Yamunotri followed by Gangotri then Kedarnath and concludes at Badrinath following a westtoeast sequenceAuthorities have made extensive arrangements to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage experience Measures have been implemented for security traffic regulation and healthcare services across the routeFacilities such as sanitation parking and accommodation have been strengthened while both online and offline registration systems are in place to manage the heavy inflow of devotees Police personnel and State Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed at key points with special focus on disaster preparednessHelplines and control rooms have also been activated to assist pilgrims and handle emergencies during the journey IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/portals-of-shri-kedarnath-dham-to-open-today-amid-grand-rituals-670620.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/yellow-alert-for-heatwave-in-delhi-temperature-set-to-touch-44-degrees-670629.html New Delhi April 22 New Delhi is likely to witness heatwave conditions from Wednesday to Friday with the mercury expected to soar to around 44 degrees Celsius in several parts of the national capital In view of the situation authorities have issued a yellow alert Despite gusty winds offering some temporary relief on Tuesday the maximum temperature stood at 388 degrees Celsius which is one degree above the seasonal normal The minimum temperature settled at 205 degrees Celsius and is expected to rise steadily reaching around 26 degrees Celsius by April 25The city experienced intense heat during the day with the base observatory at Safdarjung recording a maximum temperature of 388 degrees Celsius 11 degrees above normal levelsNotably Delhi is yet to officially record heatwave conditions this season even as temperatures continue to climb across various monitoring stationsAmong other key weather stations Palam recorded a maximum temperature of 386 degrees Celsius which is considered normal for this time of the year while Lodhi Road registered a higher reading of 390 degrees Celsius marking a departure of 20 degrees above normalThe Ridge area emerged as the hottest location in the city recording a maximum temperature of 402 degrees Celsius 18 degrees above normal Ayanagar also recorded elevated levels at 398 degrees Celsius which is 14 degrees above the averageOn the minimum temperature front Safdarjung recorded 205 degrees Celsius which is 22 degrees below normal Palam reported a minimum of 222 degrees Celsius 11 degrees below normalLodhi Road recorded a low of 188 degrees Celsius which is 32 degrees below normal levels while the Ridge station logged 223 degrees Celsius 08 degrees below normal Ayanagar recorded a minimum temperature of 212 degrees Celsius which is 12 degrees below the usual averageWith temperatures expected to rise sharply over the coming days residents are likely to face the first spell of heatwave conditions this season even as authorities remain on alert to manage the impact of extreme weather IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/yellow-alert-for-heatwave-in-delhi-temperature-set-to-touch-44-degrees-670629.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-elections-eci-focuses-on-robust-poll-day-arrangements-670631.html Chennai April 22 With polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled on Thursday the Election Commission ECI has put in place extensive arrangements across the state to ensure smooth peaceful and voterfriendly polling Officials said preparations are in full swing with a strong focus on infrastructure accessibility and realtime monitoring at polling stations A total of 75064 polling booths have been set up each equipped with essential facilities and supported by trained personnel The Commission has directed Chief Electoral Officers to ensure that every polling station is fully prepared to handle voters efficiently and without disruption To maintain law and order and ensure peaceful polling microobservers have been deployed at every polling station These officials will closely monitor the voting process and report any irregularities in real time strengthening transparency The distribution of Voter Information Slips VIS has also commenced to help voters easily identify their polling stations and verify their details in advance Minimum facilities at polling stations will include drinking water shaded waiting areas toilets with water supply adequate lighting ramps for persons with disabilities proper signage and wellmaintained booths Seating arrangements will also be made at regular intervals in queues to support voters particularly the elderly and differentlyabled As part of voter awareness efforts four standardised voter information posters will be prominently displayed at all polling stations These will provide details such as polling station information candidate lists voting procedures accepted identity documents and key dos and donâts for voters Voter Assistance Booths will be established at each polling station to help voters locate their polling station number and serial number in the electoral roll Clearly marked guide posters will also be placed along routes leading to polling centres to ensure easy navigation Additionally mobile phone deposit facilities will be provided outside polling stations Voters will be required to switch off their phones and hand them over to designated volunteers before entering the polling booth and can collect them after casting their vote Campaigning for the elections has concluded and the state has now entered the mandatory silence period ahead of voting The Election Commission has reiterated that all arrangements will be strictly monitored with field staff instructed to complete preparations well in advance to ensure a seamless and voterfriendly polling experience IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-elections-eci-focuses-on-robust-poll-day-arrangements-670631.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/direct-train-between-jammu-and-srinagar-to-start-on-april-30-670634.html Jammu April 22 Direct train service between Jammu and Srinagar will start on April 30 the Northern Railway officials said on Wednesday Officials said that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State PMO Dr Jitendra Singh will flag off the service at Jammu railway stationâVande Bharat Express will chug between Jammu and Srinagar on April 30 All preparations have been made The trains and tracks are ready Trials runs have been successful Security arrangements are in place And now the Railways Minister is scheduled to flag off the Vande Bharat Express train directly from Jammu to Srinagar on April 30â officials saidIn addition to Dr Jitendra Singh who is also the Lok Sabha member from KathuaUdhampur seat Jugal Kishore Lok Sabha member from Jammu constituency will also join the railway minister at the flagoff ceremonyAt present two Vande Bharat Express trains are operating between Katra and Srinagar and they will now be extended to Jammu with revised timings to be notified by the Railways DepartmentIn addition to two JammuSrinagar Vande Bharat trains two similar trains also run between New Delhi and Katra The launch of Vande Bharat Express trains will further enhance connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar and also reduce travel time between Jammu and SrinagarThe dream of a rail link between Kashmir and the rest of the country was nurtured for over a century but was finally realised when Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the train from Katra town to Srinagar on June 6 2025On the same day the Prime Minister also inaugurated the UdhampurSrinagarBaramulla Rail Link USBRL project which provided the Valley with allweather rail connectivityWith the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji starting on July 3 yatris can reach Jammu from across the country and then board a train for SrinagarSince all Yatris tourists and commuters cannot be accommodated in the train service the JammuSrinagar National Highway will continue to remain the major source of connectivity between the two divisions of the union territoryHowever in case of adverse weather conditions when the National Highway gets blocked the train services will be a great source of help for the commutersThe premium train service which has been running between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar for past over 10 months will now be extended up to Jammu TawiMarch 1 2026 was earlier announced as the date for the launch of the direct train between Jammu and Srinagar but the date was later deferredThe train currently operating between Srinagar and Katra with an eightcar Vande Bharat rake is now likely to run between Jammu and Srinagar with an upgraded 20car rakeThe Jammu railway division which looks after operational command in the union territory was inaugurated in January 2025 and notified from June 1 2025Since then it has expanded freight operations by setting up goods sheds and handling consignments ranging from military equipment to commercial cargo from different parts of the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/direct-train-between-jammu-and-srinagar-to-start-on-april-30-670634.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pahalgams-reckoning-how-india-crushed-terror-called-pakistans-bluff-670639.html New Delhi April 22 It has been exactly a year since Pakistanâs ISIbacked terrorists carried out one of the most horrific attacks in Pahalgam The victims were 26 innocent people and each one was shot pointblank after they were asked about their religion On the face of it the Pahalgam attack looked like it was executed only to disrupt the booming tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir The industry had started to look up since the abrogation of Article 370 and the death of separatism in the Valley But the officials caution and say that the attack had a large message and was not restricted only to the tourism industryIt was aimed at inciting the people of India over religion The ISI and Pakistanâs army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had blessed the attack and had hoped it would have an impact on Indiaâs communal harmonyCommunal harmony was disturbed but it was brief and the people of India saw the larger picture Counterterrorism officials say that for the Narendra Modi government there were plenty of tough calls to takeâTwo responses that defined Indiaâs response to terror from Pakistan were a change in doctrine and also Operation SindoorOfficials say that Pakistan had long taken advantage of the fact that India would treat every attack as an act of crossborder terrorism The national security planner of the country was firm this time and the doctrine was rewrittenIndia would henceforth treat every terror attack by Pakistan as an act of war This change in doctrine led to Operation Sindoor The brief operation by the Indian armed forces led to massive destruction of the terror infrastructure in PakistanThe most significant hits to be carried out both in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir PoK were the destruction of the LashkareTaibaâs primary training camp at Muridke Another significant hit was on the JaisheMohammadâs headquarters at Bahawalpur This facility was completely razed to rubble and the operation also successfully took out terrorists which included the family members of JaisheMohammad boss Masood AzharThe operation was so hardhitting and swift that it prompted a call from Pakistan seeking a ceasefire An official said Pakistan realised that seeking a ceasefire was the wisest thing to do India had successfully jammed Pakistanâs Chinesesupplied air defence systems that included the HQ9B This was when the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles came into play and proved to be decisive These missiles which travelled at speeds close to Mach 3 managed to evade interception while striking at highprofile targetsThe official said that not only did Operation Sindoor take down terror infrastructure but it also exposed the huge gap between the militaries of India and PakistanIslamabad stood completely exposed With the terror infrastructure being taken down the next important step was to hunt down the killers of PahalgamThe LashkareTaibaâs proxy The Resistance Front had claimed responsibility for the attack twice However it realised that Indiaâs response would be strong and hence it decided to withdraw its claim However for the Indian security forces hunting down these terrorists was extremely crucial both in terms of sending out a clear message to the victimsâ families as well as from a broader perspectiveOperation Mahadev was launched to track down the killers An officer who was part of the operation said it was one of the most comprehensive ones in recent yearsThe challenge was immense as these terrorists had slipped off into the dense forests in Jammu and Kashmir The security forces had to track down these terrorists battling treacherous conditions and also challenging terrains that included dense forests and mountainsThe officer said that they used drones and relied on realtime Intelligence The search area was narrowed down from 300 square kilometres to 25 The forces achieved success on July 28 The Special Para Forces managed to neutralise all three terrorists in the encounter The experts describe the events in the aftermath of the Pahalgam as pathbreaking Pakistanâs military stood exposed and the terror infrastructure was reduced to rubbleThe doctrine had changed and most importantly Pakistanâs nuclear bluff had been exposed thoroughly the experts say IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pahalgams-reckoning-how-india-crushed-terror-called-pakistans-bluff-670639.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mastermind-naseer-6-others-sentenced-in-2023-bengaluru-prison-radicalisation-case-670642.html New Delhi April 22 A total of seven persons including mastermind and LashkareTaiba LeT member T Naseer have been sentenced by a special court of the National Investigation Agency NIA in connection with the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case Apart from Naseer the court sentenced Syed Suhail Khan Mohammed Umar Zahid Tabrez Syed Mudassir Pasha Mohammed Faisal Rabbani and Salman Khan to seven years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 48000 each The sentences were awarded under various provisions of the IPC the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances ActThe accused had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges filed by the NIA in case RC282023NIADLI The case pertains to a terror conspiracy allegedly hatched inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru by Naseer The conspiracy involved the identification recruitment training conversion and radicalisation of vulnerable youth lodged in the prison to carry out terror activities in IndiaThe case was initially registered by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch CCB in July 2023 after the seizure of arms ammunition and digital devices from habitual offenders Investigations revealed that the accused had planned to execute terror strikes in Bengaluru as part of the violent antiIndia agenda of the banned LeT outfitSubsequently the NIA took over the probe and uncovered a larger conspiracy aimed at facilitating Naseerâs escape while he was being transported from prison to court At the time Naseer was an undertrial in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast casesFollowing a detailed investigation the NIA chargesheeted 11 arrested accused and one absconder identified as Junaid Ahmed Among them Salman Khan was extradited from Rwanda through coordinated efforts by Indian and Rwandan authorities Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the absconder Junaid AhmedEarlier on April 18 Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah had been arrested by the National Investigation Agency NIA in connection with a 30yearold case involving alleged attacks on police personnel IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mastermind-naseer-6-others-sentenced-in-2023-bengaluru-prison-radicalisation-case-670642.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/thrissur-fire-tragedy-death-toll-rises-to-13-veteran-firecracker-maker-quits-trade-after-narrow-escape-670648.html Thrissur April 22 The death toll in the Munthathikkode fireworks accident in Thrissur has risen to 13 District Collector Shikha Surendran has confirmed Seven bodies of victims have been recovered so far of which three have been identified while efforts are underway to establish the identity of the remaining deceased through scientific examinationThe identified victims include Sudarshanan 54 of Puthiyannur Vennur Vasudevan 54 of Kumaranellyoor Palakkad and Suvin 39 of KundannurTheir bodies have been handed over to relativesSeveral body parts recovered from the site remain unidentifiable and will require forensic analysisThirteen injured persons are currently under treatment across hospitalsSatheesh 46 and Praveen 45 are on ventilator support while others including Babu Rajesh Hari Anitha Akhil Udayakumar Bhavani and Vishnu are being treated at the Medical College HospitalSajan and Wilson are undergoing treatment at Elite Hospital while two others have been dischargedMedical teams at Thrissur Medical College remain on high alert and authorities have assured that all necessary care is being providedThe District Collector has also set up control rooms for information regarding missing persons or those involved in fireworks work at the site urging relatives and workers to come forward with detailsAmid the tragedy a remarkable story of survival has emerged 70yearold Wilson a veteran fireworks maker popularly known in the trade as âCracker Wilsonâ narrowly escaped the explosion In a moment of presence of mind he also helped four women reach safety before sustaining minor injuries himselfHe is currently undergoing treatment in the hospitalWilson who has been in the fireworks manufacturing business for 45 years said he was never afraid of the work he didHowever under strong pressure from his children he has decided to step away from his lifelong professionâEventually I have to listen to my children After such a long innings I have decided to end my crackermaking careerâ he said marking an emotional end to a decadelong association with the trade IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/thrissur-fire-tragedy-death-toll-rises-to-13-veteran-firecracker-maker-quits-trade-after-narrow-escape-670648.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nadda-bashes-kharges-terrorist-remark-says-cong-gone-berserk-out-of-fear-of-defeat-in-elections-670651.html New Delhi April 22 Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday hit out at Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge over the terrorist remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the people of the country will give a befitting response to the party He said that the Congress chiefs derogatory remarks were a grave insult to the mandate of the countrys 140 crore peopleKharge triggered a major political controversy on Tuesday while attacking AIADMKs alliance with the BJP ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections referring to PM Modi as a terrorist during a press conference He later clarified that he meant the Prime Minister was terrorising people and political parties and not that he was a terroristReacting to this Nadda took to X and said The use of the word terrorist by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji is a grave insult to the mandate of 140 crore countrymenThe issueless and visionless Congress has gone berserk out of fear of the impending defeat in the upcoming elections in five states In its attempt to snatch away womens rights it is facing the wrath of the public across the country irked by its eroding mass base Congress leaders are unable to digest the continuously rising popularity of Prime Minister Modi Ji he saidCondemning Kharges remarks the Union Minister said The shameful and derogatory language used by the Congress President against Prime Minister Modi Ji cannot be condemned enough no matter how strongly it is denouncedThe people of the country will surely give a befitting response to the Congress for its derogatory remark against the Prime Minister he addedEarlier on Tuesday Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X slammed Kharge and accused Congress of repeatedly lowering the standards of public discourse âHe wrote that Kharge had breached every standard of public conduct and brought shame to the nation by calling the elected Prime Minister a terrorist âShah emphasised that PM Modi had curbed terrorism over the past twelve years and described the remark as highly condemnable âHe added that every time Congress hurls abuses at PM Modi the people of India respond and this time too the public will give its answer â IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nadda-bashes-kharges-terrorist-remark-says-cong-gone-berserk-out-of-fear-of-defeat-in-elections-670651.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rtc-buses-go-off-the-roads-in-telangana-as-employees-begin-strike-670654.html Hyderabad April 22 Public road transport services in Telangana came to a grinding halt on Wednesday as employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TGSRTC began their indefinite strike in support of their demands TGSRTC buses went off the roads across the state since midnight as the Joint Action Committee JAC of employeesâ unions decided to go ahead with the strike following the failure of talks with the state governmentWith the RTC buses remaining confined to all 90 depots commuters faced severe hardships across the state including the capital Hyderabad At many places commuters were seen hiring private vehicles to reach their destinations Striking employees staged a protest outside the depots demanding that the government resolve their longpending demands Police tightened security at the depots to prevent any untoward incidentAt a few places TGSRTC was operating electric buses with the help of contract employeesTGSRTC operates about 9500 buses including 2500 hired buses and over 1000 electric buses About 25 lakh people travel by RTC buses across the state every dayMahatma Gandhi Bus Station MGBS in Hyderabad the biggest bus station in the state wore a deserted look A similar situation prevailed at Jubilee Bus Station JBS in Secunderabad and other bus stations in the state capital and all other districts TGSRTC Managing Director Nagi Reddy has appealed to the employees to return to work He stated that the government is ready to resolve its demands in a phased mannerHe alleged that a few unions were misleading the employees The MD said the government constituted a committee of IAS officers to address the demandsThe talks held Tuesday night between the JAC and the committee failed to resolve the deadlockThe committee sought four weeks to resolve the demands JAC leaders said their demands are not new They made it clear that they will continue the strike till their 32 demands are resolved JAC chairman Eeduru Venkanna told media persons that all unions have extended their support to the strike call Merging TGSRTC with the government is the main demand of the JAC The RTC JAC Chairman asserted that the government ignored the issue of merger even after explicitly including it in its election manifestoHe said that the government constituted a committee as a delaying tactic He recalled that the JAC served the strike notice 41 days agoVenkanna stated that they are compelled to resort to a strike due to unavoidable circumstances He alleged that under the pretext of introducing electric buses attempts are being made to transfer employees currently stationed at Hyderabad depots to the districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rtc-buses-go-off-the-roads-in-telangana-as-employees-begin-strike-670654.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/patna-daylight-jewellery-robbery-criminal-shot-in-leg-while-escaping-670657.html Patna April 22 In a significant development the Patna Police on Wednesday morning hunted down the criminal linked to the recent jewelry robbery in the city The accused identified as Dilip Kumar was suffered bullet injuries in the police encounter and is curently under medical supervision at the hospital The encounter broke out after the criminal purpotedly opened fire at the police personnel According to Kartikeya K Sharma Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Dilip was apprehended on suspicion and he later confessed his involvement in the daylight robbery that took place at Shri Lakshmi Alankar Jewelers located at Dhan Colony under the Ramkrishna Nagar police station limits in Patna on April 19During interrogation Dilip revealed that the weapons used in the crime had been concealed Acting on this information the police took him to the location for recoveryWhile at the site Dilip allegedly attempted to escape and opened fire on the police team In response officers acted in selfdefense and returned fireA bullet struck Dilip in the leg injuring him He was immediately taken to Patna AIIMS and is currently undergoing treatmentPolice officials confirmed that four criminals were involved in the robbery with Dilip being the prime accused Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining suspectsThe accused looted gold and fled the scene on a motorcycle which was later found to be stolenThe original owner had already filed an FIR regarding the theftInvestigators examined multiple CCTV feeds from across the city including key routes such as JP Setu Gandhi Setu DighaâAIIMS elevated road and othersA coordinated operation involving the Bihar Police STF and Dial100 teams is ongoing Authorities have intensified raids to apprehend the remaining accused IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/patna-daylight-jewellery-robbery-criminal-shot-in-leg-while-escaping-670657.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kaleshwaram-commission-telangana-hc-bars-govt-from-taking-action-against-kcr-670661.html Hyderabad April 22 In a huge relief to former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and former Minister T Harish Rao the Telangana High Court barred the state government from taking any action against them and two other petitioners on the basis of the report of the Justice PC Ghose Commission which enquired into alleged irregularities in the execution of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme The High Court observed that the Ghose Commission did not follow the procedure under the Commission of Inquiry ActA Bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin on Wednesday pronounced the orders on the batch of writ petitions filed separately by Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR Harish Rao retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary SK Joshi and serving IAS officer Smitha Sabharwal challenging the reportThe petitioners had sought a direction to set aside and quash the report of the CommissionThe petitioners had also challenged the constitution of the Commission but the court held that the government has the power to constitute the Commission However the court found that the findings of the Commission canât be a basis for action against any of the petitioners a lawyer saidDuring the hearing counsels for the four petitioners rebutted the findings of the Commission and contended that their clients were not served the mandatory notices under Section 8B and 8C of the Commission of Inquiry ActAfter hearing the arguments on the petitions the court had reserved its orders last month The orders were to be pronounced on April 8 but the same were postponed to April 22The Bench directed the government not to initiate any coercive action against all four petitioners based on the findings of the Ghose Commission reportSupreme Court senior counsel Dama Sheshadri Naidu had argued for KCR while Advocate General A Sudershan Reddy and senior counsel S Niranjan Reddy had appeared for the state government and the Ghose Commission respectivelyThe Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme KLIS said to be the worldâs largest multistage lift irrigation project was started by the then BRS government in May 2016 Its main component was inaugurated by the then CM KCR in 2019In March 2024 the Congress government constituted a commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose to probe alleged irregularities in planning design construction quality control operation and maintenance of Medigadda Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram projectThe commission submitted its report to the Telangana government on July 31 2025The Commission held KCR directly and vicariously accountable for irregularities in planning execution completion operation and maintenance of the Kaleshwaram project It also indicted Harish Rao then Chief Secretary Joshi and then Secretary to Chief Minister Smitha Sabharwal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kaleshwaram-commission-telangana-hc-bars-govt-from-taking-action-against-kcr-670661.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-ed-plea-against-mamata-banerjee-in-i-pac-raid-case-today-670665.html New Delhi April 22 IANS The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate ED against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday in connection with the Indian Political Action Committee IPAC raid casenbspThe hearing forms part of an ongoing legal dispute over allegations that the Chief Minister interfered in an ED search operation conducted at the premises of the Indian Political Action CommitteeThe matter traces back to raids carried out by the ED on January 8 as part of a multicrore money laundering investigation linked to an alleged coal smuggling scamAccording to the agency Mamata Banerjee accompanied by more than 100 police personnel and senior officials entered the IPAC office as well as the residence of its founder Pratik Jain while the searches were underwayThe ED has alleged that she unauthoritatively removed key evidence during the operation including laptops mobile phones and documents containing electoral dataDuring earlier proceedings the Supreme Court had described the alleged confrontation as very unusual and termed it an unhappy situation raising concerns about the absence of clear legal remedies in cases where a highranking state functionary is accused of obstructing a central investigationAppearing for the ED Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the alleged interference along with appropriate action against the Chief Minister and the states Director General of Police The agency has argued that central investigative bodies cannot be left remediless if their operations are physically obstructedOn the other hand the West Bengal government represented by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi has contested the maintainability of the plea The state has argued that the ED being a government department cannot claim fundamental rights or invoke Article 32 to directly approach the Supreme CourtThe state has also alleged that the raids are politically motivated and aimed at undermining the All India Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly electionsMeanwhile in a related development IPAC cofounder Vinesh Kumar Chandel was arrested on April 13 after which the organisation is reported to have scaled down or paused its operations in West BengalA court at Patiala House Court subsequently remanded Chandel to 10 days of ED custody in connection with the money laundering probe linked to the alleged coal pilferage case He is expected to remain in custody until April 23 for further interrogationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-ed-plea-against-mamata-banerjee-in-i-pac-raid-case-today-670665.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pahalgam-horror-indias-firm-response-forced-isi-to-pause-more-tourist-targeted-attacks-670668.html New Delhi April 22 Pakistan needed a decisive response following the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack and it got the one from India timely and decisively However this was not just one location on terroristsâ radar According to information picked by Intelligence agencies the ISI had planned more such attacks in Jammu and Kashmir with an intent to terrorise the tourists and bleed the tourism industry As tourism remains the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan was looking to hurt the industry and had planned Pahalgam type attacks in various other locations by deploying terrorists of the LashkareTayiba and JaisheMohammad The brief was not to target the locals in JampKThe ISI wanted to continue targeting tourists and wanted to make it appear as though these attacks were carried out by the locals This would have led to the Kashmiris being targeted across the country Ultimately it would have resulted in the people of Kashmir trying to move away from the mainstream and refusing to be a part of India This was apparently the sinister plot behind more Pahalgamstyled attacksFollowing the Pahalgam attack the situation could have turned any way The efforts that the Indian government put in following the abrogation of Article 370 securing peace and bringing the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the mainstream would have all gone down the drain had the ISI gone ahead with the attacksAn Intelligence Bureau official said that post the Pahalgam attack which took place on April 22 2025 the ISI decided to adopt a wait and watch game It wanted to execute more such attacks in a phased manner It had planned at least 3 such attacks with the clear intention of creating a communal divide The response to the Pahalgam attack was strongThe sentiments and anger among the people of India was high and all expected very strong action against Pakistan and its terror proxies the official saidThe government too was clear that it was going to go beyond condemnation and action would need to be taken Pakistan sensed that Indiaâs actions would be strong India was clear that it would hit terror infrastructure and hunt down terrorists Sensing that there would be a nononsense approach by India the ISI decided to keep the rest of its plans on holdAnother official said that the sentiments were so strong that many including Pakistan thought that India would go to war However India decided to execute a measured response and hit back hard with âOperation Sindoorâ During the operation the Indian armed forces took down terror infrastructure both in Pakistan occupied Kashmir PoK and deep within Pakistan The hits that were executed inside Pakistan surprised the ISI and its army This changed a lot within the ISI and terror groupsThe trust that terror groups such as the JaisheMohammad and LashkareTayiba had in the ISI and Pakistan army began to erode Questions were being asked about their protection and why the establishment failed to do so The official said that given the situation and the trust deficit that built up these terror groups would have refused to strike even if the army wanted them to especially Operation SindoorAnother official said that had the response not been so severe then the ISI would have gone ahead with its plans of carrying out three more Pahalgam styled strikes While the abrogation of Article 370 that gave Jammu and Kashmir special status did irritate the Pakistanis the restoration of peace in the Valley came as a surprise to IslamabadMoreover the people of JampK have been gradually moving towards a new development paradigm and lifestyle Livelihood is more important than separatism and terrorism for the younger generationThis is the cycle that the ISI and Pakistan army sought to break and hence had hatched plans for more strikes to hurt the tourism sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pahalgam-horror-indias-firm-response-forced-isi-to-pause-more-tourist-targeted-attacks-670668.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-textile-exports-rise-21-pc-to-over-rs-316-lakh-crore-in-fy26-670669.html New Delhi April 22 Indiaâs textile sector remained resilient in global markets with textile exports including handicrafts rising 21 per cent to Rs 3163349 crore in FY26 from earlier fiscal FY25 when it stood at Rs 3098593 crore an official statement said on Wednesday Readyâmade garments RMGs remained the largest contributor to exports with the segment increasing 29 per cent to Rs 1393496 crore while cotton yarn fabrics madeâups and handloom exports were broadly stable at Rs 1023997 crore an official statement saidManmade yarn fabrics and madeups posted a stronger growth of 36 per cent with exports increasing from Rs 411960 crore to Rs 426878 crore the Ministry of Textiles said in a statementAmong valueâadded segments handicrafts excluding handmade carpets recorded the strongest growth rising 61 per cent to Rs 158551 croreExports reached 120 destinations during April 2025 to February 2026 over the corresponding period of the previous year indicating broadbased geographical expansion in Indiaâs textile export basketA notable growth has been observed in key markets such as the UAE 223 per cent the UK 78 per cent Germany 99 per cent Spain 155 per cent Japan 206 per cent Egypt 383 per cent Nigeria 214 per cent Senegal 544 per cent and Sudan 2056 per cent etcThe government has continued to support the sector through key export facilitation and remission measures including the extension of the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies RoSCTL Scheme and the RoDTEP Scheme beyond March 31 2026Indiaâs FTA agenda also saw major progress during 2025â26 with important implications for the textile and apparel sector The IndiaâEFTA TEPA entered into force on October 1 2025 The IndiaâUK CETA IndiaâOman CEPA IndiaâNew Zealand FTA and the IndiaâEU FTA were notable developments in the last two yearsCollectively these FTA developments are expected to improve preferential market access reduce tariff disadvantages support supplychain integration and open new opportunities for textiles apparel handicrafts and technical textiles thereby aiding market diversification export growth investment technology partnerships and Indiaâs deeper integration into global value chains IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-textile-exports-rise-21-pc-to-over-rs-316-lakh-crore-in-fy26-670669.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-stands-united-will-never-bow-to-terror-pm-modi-remembers-pahalgam-victims-670670.html New Delhi April 22 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday remembered the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on the first anniversary of the dastardly massacre and said that India will never bow to any form of terrornbspHe extended condolences to bereaved families while affirming national unity in grief and a firm resolve that India will never yield to terrorism or allow terrorist designs to succeedIndia on Wednesday is observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which Pakistanbacked terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion in one of the most brutal incidents targeting civilians in recent yearsIn a post on X PM Modi said Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year They will never be forgotten My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this lossAs a nation we stand united in grief and resolve India will never bow to any form of terror The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed the Prime Minister addedEarlier in the day the Indian Army took to social media and warned that any misdeeds against the nation will be met by a responseIn a post on X the Army said For acts against India the response is assured Justice will be served AlwaysIt also shared a photo showcasing Operation Mahadev with the tagline It was only a matter of time in red colour This refers to the intense manhunt and neutralisation of the terrorists involved in the attackOperation Mahadev was launched immediately after the April 22 attack It involved extensive searches in difficult Himalayan terrain near DachigamMahadev Ridge culminating in the elimination of the three main perpetratorsThe Indian armed forces scanned over 300 sq kilometres of treacherous terrain for 93 days and eventually neutralised the terroristsA day ahead of the anniversary the Indian Army reiterated its firm commitment to justice and issued a strong warning that any breach of the boundaries of humanity would invite a decisive responseIn a stronglyworded post on its X handle the Indian Army said When boundaries of humanity are crossed the response is decisive Justice is served India stands unitedThe post was accompanied by a visual message stating Some boundaries should never be crossed featuring a map of India marked with red sindoor powder symbolising the Armys decisive action against terrorists under Operation SindoorThe image also carried the message India does not forget underlining the countrys resolve and unityThe Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22 2025 when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front an offshoot of the Pakistanbased LashkareTaibaThe attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify nonMuslims Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the touristsSeveral victims were newly married and many were shot at close range in front of their familiesIn response to the attack Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7 carrying out what officials described as a focused measured and nonescalatory military action targeting highvalue terror bases in Pakistan and PakistanoccupiedKashmirFollowing the operation Pakistan responded with drone activity and shelling over the next week targeting civilian and religious sites and schoolsIndia subsequently carried out retaliatory strikes including on radar installations in Lahore and facilities near GujranwalaAfter sustaining significant damage Pakistans Director General of Military Operations reached out to his Indian counterpart urging a stop to military action This led to a ceasefire understanding between the two sides on May 10 2025Despite the ceasefire there were continued attempts involving waves of UAVs and small drones entering Indian civilian and military areas These intrusions were intercepted and the Indian armed forces responded firmly with field commanders authorised to take appropriate action in case of any violationsOperation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of Indias military and strategic capability combining both military and nonmilitary measuresThe operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats deterred further aggression and reinforced Indias zerotolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraintIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-stands-united-will-never-bow-to-terror-pm-modi-remembers-pahalgam-victims-670670.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-remains-firm-in-its-commitment-to-fight-terrorism-eam-jaishankar-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary-670671.html New Delhi April 22 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Wednesday remembered the victims of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocent people were killed by Pakistanbased terrorists and reaffirmed Indias resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestationsnbspEAM Jaishankar took to X and said Join the nation in remembering the victims of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack which took place this day last year India stands steadfast in its resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestationsEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary and expressed solidarity with their familiesIn a post on X PM Modi said the victims will never be forgotten describing the April 22 2025 attack as a tragedy that continues to weigh on the nations conscience and asserted that the country will not bow to any form of terrorRemembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year They will never be forgotten My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss he said in a post on XAs a nation we stand united in grief and resolve India will never bow to any form of terror The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed the Prime Minister addedThe Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22 2025 when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front an offshoot of the Pakistanbased LashkareTaibaThe attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify nonMuslims Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the touristsSeveral victims were newly married and many were shot at close range in front of their familiesIn response to the attack Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7 carrying out what officials described as a focused measured and nonescalatory military action targeting highvalue terror bases in Pakistan and PakistanoccupiedKashmirOperation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of Indias military and strategic capability combining both military and nonmilitary measuresThe operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats deterred further aggression and reinforced Indias zerotolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraintMeanwhile the Jammu and Kashmir administration has also stepped up security in Pahalgam deploying additional forces and increasing surveillance to ensure a peaceful commemoration which is expected to be attended by political leaders civil society members and families of the victimsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-remains-firm-in-its-commitment-to-fight-terrorism-eam-jaishankar-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary-670671.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-killed-in-fresh-elephant-attack-in-jharkhands-koderma-herd-wreaks-havoc-in-seraikela-670672.html Ranchi April 22 The menace of wild elephants continues unabated in several districts of Jharkhand In a fresh attack two people were trampled to death by a herd of jumbos in the Koderma district of the state The elephant herd caused damage to property and crops in the SeraikelaKharsawan district officials said on Wednesday In Kodermaâs Jainagar police station area a herd of elephants attacked a brick kiln at Kanjhiyadih village on Tuesday night damaging makeshift houses and triggering panic among workers A 32yearold labourer Rajkumar Manjhi of Fatehpur village in Bihar and a 12yearold boy Lovkush were killed in the attack Three others sustained serious injuries in the incident Rajkumar Manjhiâs wife Gauri Devi Lovkushâs mother Kari Devi and a oneandahalfyearold child They have been admitted to a hospital for treatment Following the incident local residents expressed anger against the forest department alleging that no effective steps were being taken to drive away the pachyderms despite their continuous presence in the areaEarlier on April 19 a youth was killed in an elephant attack in the Satgawan block of Koderma district The incident had led to protests with villagers blocking the GayaDeoghar main road while demanding compensation and enhanced security measuresMeanwhile in neighbouring SeraikelaKharsawan district an elephant created havoc on Tuesday night in Tiruldih village under the Rusuniya panchayat of the Chandil forest area The animal entered a newly upgraded primary school and consumed around one and a half quintals of rice meant for the midday meal scheme It also damaged banana and vegetable crops in Bana village and destroyed cucumber fieldsAccording to local farmers herds of elephants have been camping in the Chandil subdivision area for several years and frequently venture into villages after dusk damaging houses and crops Repeated incidents have created an atmosphere of fear forcing residents to stay awake at night to guard their homes and fields IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-killed-in-fresh-elephant-attack-in-jharkhands-koderma-herd-wreaks-havoc-in-seraikela-670672.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/us-woman-sexually-assaulted-at-ktaka-homestay-minister-says-attempts-to-cover-up-case-foiled-670673.html Madikeri Karnataka April 22 A shocking incident of sexual assault on an American woman tourist has come to light in the Madikeri district of Karnataka Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Wednesday that there were attempts to hush up the case but those attempts were foiled by the policeThe alleged sexual assault reportedly took place at a private homestay in Kutta village Ponnampet taluk and came to light after a delayAccording to police sources the woman had checked into the homestay named Devi Villa on April 19 when she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man identified as Vrujesh Kumar a native of JharkhandFollowing a complaint a case was registered at the Kutta Police Station The accused Vrujesh Kumar has been arrested by the policeIn connection with the same incident the homestay owner Vishal has also been taken into custody on charges linked to the case officials confirmedPolice have stated that a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the sequence of events and examine the circumstances surrounding the incidentResponding to the development Home Minister G Parameshwara stated âAs soon as the matter came to light the police arrested the accused Further action will be taken as per the lawâHe added âIt appears that after the incident there were attempts to cover it up But once the police received information they acted promptly and gathered detailsââAction must be taken accordingly Whoever is running such establishments as homestays must have proper licensing We have already laid down SOPs on what needs to be followed to operate a homestay If such incidents occur in violation of those norms legal action must be takenâ he saidâSuch incidents do not send a good message about the state or society Especially when outsiders or foreigners are involved it reflects on our society and our country That is why strict action is necessary and we are taking itâ he addedIt can be recalled that in early March 2023 a group of tourists including an Israeli woman an Indian homestay operator and three male tourists were stargazing near the Tungabhadra canal in the Hampi region Vijayanagara district KarnatakaDuring the night they were allegedly attacked by a group of menThe assailants reportedly assaulted the male tourists and pushed them into the canal Two women including the Israeli tourist were allegedly gangraped during the attackThe accused were caught and charged under sections related to gangrape attempt to murder robbery and criminal conspiracy under the IPCA court in Karnataka has handed down the death penalty to three men convicted in the horrific case IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/us-woman-sexually-assaulted-at-ktaka-homestay-minister-says-attempts-to-cover-up-case-foiled-670673.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-transport-minister-appeals-to-rtc-employees-to-end-strike-670675.html Hyderabad April 22 Telanganaâs Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday urged employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TGSRTC to call off the strike to protect the public organisation Stating that a strike is not a solution the minister said a highlevel committee formed by the government is looking into their demands and a report is expected in four weeksThe minister appealed to RTC employees and their families to call off the strike in the interest of protecting the organisation and ensuring public welfare He said in a statement that the government has already constituted a fourmember committee of senior officials to address the issues The committee has been instructed to submit its report within four weeks He clarified that this is not a delay tactic Ponnam Prabhakar said that of the 32 issues raised by RTC employees the government has no objection to 29 issues and they can be resolved immediately The remaining issues of the RTC merger and recognition of unions involve technical aspects and require detailed examination These will be discussed with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister he saidThe minister highlighted key steps taken by the government for the welfare of employees He said salaries were being paid on the first of every month despite delays in the RTC merger The longpending 2017 PRC has been cleared along with pending DA dues while the 2013 pending bonds have been settled He stated that PF dues have been reduced from Rs 1205 crore to Rs 600 crore while CCS dues have been reduced from Rs 690 crore to Rs 300 crore Monthly payments of Rs 75 crore are being made towards PF and CCS He promised that the recruitment of 4538 employees would be completed soon to reduce the workload The government has made 1134 compassionate appointments Around 250 employees previously removed from service have been reinstated The minister emphasised that RTC is gradually recovering and disruptions at this stage would harm both the institution and the public RTC serves as a lifeline for rural and economically weaker sections with around 65 lakh daily passengers including 45 lakh women Many depend on RTC for education employment and healthcare He urged employees to use democratic means of protest through their leadership without disrupting public transport He stressed that poor people cannot afford alternative travel options He assured that the government is committed to resolving all issues and stands firmly with RTC employees while urging them to resume duties and avoid inconvenience to the public IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-transport-minister-appeals-to-rtc-employees-to-end-strike-670675.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-judge-recuses-from-pil-against-kejriwal-aap-over-court-proceedings-leak-670677.html New Delhi April 22 IANS A judge of the Delhi High Court on Wednesday recused himself from hearing a Public Interest Litigation PIL against leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party AAP and members of other political parties for allegedly recording and disseminating audio and video clips of court proceedings during the hearing of a recusal plea moved by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy casenbspnbspAfter Justice Tejas Karia withdrew himself from hearing the matter a Bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya directed that the PIL filed by advocate Vaibhav Singh be placed before a different Bench on Thursday for hearingList tomorrow before another Bench of which one of us J Karia is not a member the CJ Upadhyayaled Bench orderedThe petitioner alleged that audio and video clips of the court proceedings conducted on April 13 before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma were made and circulated intentionally and deliberately and with the wilful intention to malign the image of this Court and to mislead the general publicAccording to the plea Kejriwal who appeared in person after being permitted by the Delhi High Court argued his recusal application for around 4550 minutes following which the recordings of the proceedings were widely circulated across social media platformsThe circumstances in which the audiovideo recording of the Court Proceedings was done and shared retweeted and posted by various political leaders and the way it went viral smells of a deep conspiracy by Arvind Kejriwal and various leaders of Aam Aadmi Party to malign the image of this noble institution and to mislead the common people of this nation the petition saidIt also alleged that several political leaders amplified the content online with comments supporting Kejriwal and casting aspersions on Justice SharmaThe plea specifically referred to posts by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh who termed Kejriwals arguments as very courageous and suggested recusal a social media post that was reposted by KejriwalThe petition also referred to posts by AAP leaders including Saurabh Bharadwaj Manish Sisodia Sanjay Singh and others alleging that the court proceedings were shared with misleading remarks to influence public perceptionContending that such acts violate the High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts 2021 and the Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules 2025 the petitioner said quoting the rules Unless expressly permitted by the Court no person shall record or publish the proceedings There shall be no unauthorised recording of the proceedings by any person or entityThe petitioner also claimed that complaints were sent to the Delhi High Court registry and social media platforms seeking removal of the content but no effective measures have been taken till now necessitating the filing of the PILThe development comes amid ongoing proceedings in the Delhi High Court on a criminal revision petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI which has challenged a trial court order discharging all 23 accused including Kejriwal and Sisodia in the corruption case linked to the nowscrapped Delhi excise policyOn March 9 a singlejudge Bench of Justice Sharma had issued notice to the accused on the CBIs plea and stayed certain directions passed by the trial court including adverse remarks against the probe agencySubsequently Justice Sharma had rejected Kejriwals plea seeking her recusal holding that allegations of bias were based on mere apprehension or personal perception and not supported by cogent materialRecusal cannot be used as a tool to forum shop or to create a perception that justice can be influenced the judge had said cautioning that a courtroom cannot be a theatre of perceptionRejecting the allegations of bias as conjectures and insinuations Justice Sharma said that the application arrived with aspersions and doubts cast on my integrity but without any substantive materialThe Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court had also declined on the administrative side a request by Kejriwal to transfer the matter from Justice Sharmas Bench saying that the case had been assigned as per the roster and there was no reason for reassignmentIn his representation Kejriwal had expressed apprehension that the matter may not receive a hearing marked by impartiality if it remained before the same BenchEarlier a group of senior advocates academicians former police officials and members of the Bar had written to Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant expressing concern over allegations made by Kejriwal against a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court and seeking initiation of suo motu proceedingsIt is a settled principle that a litigant cannot choose the Bench or the Judge before whom their case is to be heard the representation said cautioning that imputing motives to judges without substantiated basis strikes at the very foundation of judicial proprietyThe signatories warned that permitting such conduct to go unchecked could erode public confidence in the justice delivery system and urged the CJI as the custodian and guardian of the judicial system to take appropriate action in accordance with lawIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-judge-recuses-from-pil-against-kejriwal-aap-over-court-proceedings-leak-670677.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pachpadra-refinery-blaze-agencies-examining-cctv-footages-to-find-out-reasons-of-fire-670678.html Jaipur April 22 A highlevel inquiry has been initiated into the massive fire that broke out at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthans Balotra district A key aspect under examination is whether the incident points to a security lapse particularly in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs protocol or if it indicates a deeper conspiracy Sources indicate that officers responsible for the security of petroleum installations are also part of the probeHowever it remains unclear which agency will lead the overall investigation Security agencies typically conduct extensive checks ahead of any Prime Ministerial visit In this context the fire has raised serious concernsSources suggest that the Ministry of Home Affairs is treating the incident as a potential breach of established security protocolsOn Tuesday officials and experts from multiple agencies including the National Investigation Agency NIA a team from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and technical experts from the Ministry of Petroleum reached the site to begin a detailed investigationCCTV footage from across the refinery is being closely analysed to identify any suspicious activity Entry protocols have been tightened and surveillance of personnel and outsiders has been significantly enhancedSpread over 4500 acres and built for Rs 79459 crore the refinery employs over 20000 workers and staffAs of now Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL has not released a detailed assessment of the damage Preliminary indications suggest that if the Crude Distillation Unit CDU has not suffered major damage commercial production could potentially resume by July 1Meanwhile CM Bhajanlal Sharma visited the site on Tuesday I inspected the Rajasthan Refinery located at Pachpadra and held a highlevel review meeting with the officials he wrote on XThe CM also held discussions with the firefighting personnel and emergency response teams who played a leading role in promptly extinguishing the fire in the CDU Taking the incident that occurred within the refinery complex with utmost seriousness instructions have been issued for a detailed investigation he saidAccording to preliminary information provided by HPCL officials the damage is confined to a limited area he saidFormer CM Ashok Gehlot said that he had a discussion with a chemical engineer from Australia who said that the new refinery just cant catch fire Technically refineries have been catching fire due to technical failure after 2025 years he addedMeanwhile a multilayered investigation is underway While central security agencies are probing possible security or sabotage aspects HPCL has initiated an internal investigation into technical causesIn its statement HPCL Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL stated that the fire broke out around 155 pm in the Crude Distillation Unit CDU section of the refinery Prima facie findings suggest that a hydrocarbon leak from a valve or flange in the heat exchanger circuit may have triggered the fireThe company confirmed that the fire was quickly contained by the emergency response team with support from local authorities No casualties or injuries were reported The fire remained localised within the heat exchanger stack Key units including CDU and VDU were isolated in time and remain structurally safe No other sections of the refinery were affected The exact cause and impact are currently under investigation by both internal and external expertsThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has constituted a highlevel committee including external experts to determine the root cause and recommend corrective measures on priorityIn its statement officials of the Ministry of Petroleum amp Natural Gas said that they have constituted a highlevel committee comprising external experts to assess and investigate the root cause behind this incident and recommend remedial actions on an urgent basisOn Tuesday around noon a BSF helicopter arrived from Delhi carrying an expert team landing at the refinery helipad The team conducted a detailed inspection questioned staff and fire personnel and reviewed CCTV footage from the time of the incidentA forensic team arrived shortly thereafter and collected evidence from the siteState Minister Jogaram Patel meanwhile stated that expert teams and senior technical specialists from other refineries are being brought in to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the root causes of the leakage with the aim of ensuring a permanent resolutionHe assured that once the repair work is completed the refinery will begin commercial production as per the planned scheduleMeanwhile both administrative and technical teams are maintaining continuous monitoring to prevent any recurrence of such incidentsHe further added that the refinery equipped with stateoftheart technology is expected to become a significant milestone in the regionâs industrial development and will also create substantial employment opportunities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pachpadra-refinery-blaze-agencies-examining-cctv-footages-to-find-out-reasons-of-fire-670678.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pachpadra-refinery-blaze-agencies-examining-cctv-footage-to-find-out-reasons-of-fire-670679.html Jaipur April 22 A highlevel inquiry has been initiated into the massive fire that broke out at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthans Balotra district A key aspect under examination is whether the incident points to a security lapse particularly in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs protocol or if it indicates a deeper conspiracy Sources indicate that officers responsible for the security of petroleum installations are also part of the probeHowever it remains unclear which agency will lead the overall investigation Security agencies typically conduct extensive checks ahead of any Prime Ministerial visit In this context the fire has raised serious concernsSources suggest that the Ministry of Home Affairs is treating the incident as a potential breach of established security protocolsOn Tuesday officials and experts from multiple agencies including the National Investigation Agency NIA a team from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and technical experts from the Ministry of Petroleum reached the site to begin a detailed investigationCCTV footage from across the refinery is being closely analysed to identify any suspicious activity Entry protocols have been tightened and surveillance of personnel and outsiders has been significantly enhancedSpread over 4500 acres and built for Rs 79459 crore the refinery employs over 20000 workers and staffAs of now Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL has not released a detailed assessment of the damage Preliminary indications suggest that if the Crude Distillation Unit CDU has not suffered major damage commercial production could potentially resume by July 1Meanwhile CM Bhajanlal Sharma visited the site on Tuesday I inspected the Rajasthan Refinery located at Pachpadra and held a highlevel review meeting with the officials he wrote on XThe CM also held discussions with the firefighting personnel and emergency response teams who played a leading role in promptly extinguishing the fire in the CDUTaking the incident that occurred within the refinery complex with utmost seriousness instructions have been issued for a detailed investigation he saidAccording to preliminary information provided by HPCL officials the damage is confined to a limited area he saidFormer CM Ashok Gehlot said that he had a discussion with a chemical engineer from Australia who said that the new refinery just cant catch fire Technically refineries have been catching fire due to technical failure after 2025 years he addedMeanwhile a multilayered investigation is underway While central security agencies are probing possible security or sabotage aspects HPCL has initiated an internal investigation into technical causesIn its statement HPCL Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL stated that the fire broke out around 155 pm in the Crude Distillation Unit CDU section of the refinery Prima facie findings suggest that a hydrocarbon leak from a valve or flange in the heat exchanger circuit may have triggered the fireThe company confirmed that the fire was quickly contained by the emergency response team with support from local authorities No casualties or injuries were reported The fire remained localised within the heat exchanger stack Key units including CDU and VDU were isolated in time and remain structurally safe No other sections of the refinery were affected The exact cause and impact are currently under investigation by both internal and external expertsThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has constituted a highlevel committee including external experts to determine the root cause and recommend corrective measures on priorityIn its statement officials of the Ministry of Petroleum amp Natural Gas said that they have constituted a highlevel committee comprising external experts to assess and investigate the root cause behind this incident and recommend remedial actions on an urgent basisOn Tuesday around noon a BSF helicopter arrived from Delhi carrying an expert team landing at the refinery helipad The team conducted a detailed inspection questioned staff and fire personnel and reviewed CCTV footage from the time of the incidentA forensic team arrived shortly thereafter and collected evidence from the siteState Minister Jogaram Patel meanwhile stated that expert teams and senior technical specialists from other refineries are being brought in to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the root causes of the leakage with the aim of ensuring a permanent resolutionHe assured that once the repair work is completed the refinery will begin commercial production as per the planned scheduleMeanwhile both administrative and technical teams are maintaining continuous monitoring to prevent any recurrence of such incidentsHe further added that the refinery equipped with stateoftheart technology is expected to become a significant milestone in the regionâs industrial development and will also create substantial employment opportunities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pachpadra-refinery-blaze-agencies-examining-cctv-footage-to-find-out-reasons-of-fire-670679.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-home-minister-denies-promoting-betting-says-remark-misinterpreted-respects-law-670681.html Bengaluru April 22 Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has responded to a court order directing the registration of an FIR against him in connection with allegations that he placed a Rs 500 bet during a kabaddi match saying that his remarks have been misinterpreted and that he respects the legal process Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Bengaluru Parameshwara said it was not appropriate to comment extensively on the issue He clarified that his earlier statement was made casually in the context of a kabaddi game in a lighthearted manner similar to how people speak in rural settingsâThe context in which I spoke is very important If I had promoted betting that would have been wrong But I am in a responsible position it is completely false to say that I promoted bettingâ he saidHe added that interpretations of his statement were being taken out of context and stressed that he had not encouraged or supported betting in any formReferring to the legal development the minister said a private individual had approached the court in the matter and that neither he nor his office had received any notice before the courtâs orderâNo notice was served to us If we had received a notice we could have explained the context and requested that they not take it seriously But no notice came suddenly an order was passedâ he saidParameshwara further stated that he respects the law and would examine the court order in detail before taking any further steps âI have not fully understood the order yet I will look into itâ he addedThe court has reportedly directed police to register an FIR and conduct an investigation into the allegationsA Special Court in Bengaluru on Tuesday ordered the registration of a First Information Report against Parameshwara over an allegation that he placed a Rs 500 bet during a Kabaddi sports tournamentâTaking serious note of the development and the message it would send to society the court directed the Kodigehalli police in Tumakuru to register an FIR and carry out a comprehensive probe into the matterâThe directive follows a private complaint filed by HR Nagabhushan who argued that even a small bet made or publicly acknowledged by a person holding a constitutional position amounts to promoting an illegal activityResponding to the cabinet reshuffle Parameshwara stated That is entirely up to the Chief Minister and the high command It would be inappropriate for us to comment We will act according to whatever decision they take IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-home-minister-denies-promoting-betting-says-remark-misinterpreted-respects-law-670681.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/terrorist-acts-can-never-weaken-nations-unity-resolve-telangana-cm-670683.html Hyderabad April 22 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday affirmed that heinous terrorist acts such as the attack in Pahalgam can never weaken the unity and resolve of the nation On the solemn occasion marking one year since the tragic incident he paid heartfelt tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives stating that their sacrifice remains an enduring and sacred debt owed by the nationThe Chief Minister emphasised that such reprehensible conspiracies are destined to fail as the people of the country stand steadfast united vigilant and resolute in confronting and defeating all forms of terrorism He also conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families assuring them that the nation stands in solidarity with them in this hour of remembranceUnion Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy also paid tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam attack âRemembering the innocent lives we lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year Their sacrifice will forever remain etched in our collective memory My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who continue to endure this immense loss As a nation we stand united in grief in strength and in our unwavering resolve against terrorismâ Kishan Reddy posted on âXâUnion Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar also took to âXâ to pay his tributes âOne year ago the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam shook the conscience of the nation Innocent lives were lost but their memory will never fade My deepest condolences to the families who continue to live with this pain The entire nation stands with them in grief and solidarity India is united in its fight against terrorism We will never bow to fear and we will never be broken by violence The cowardly agenda of terrorists will never succeed Bharat stands firm and strongâ said the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/terrorist-acts-can-never-weaken-nations-unity-resolve-telangana-cm-670683.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/we-remain-resolute-in-our-determination-to-defeat-terrorism-prez-murmu-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary--670686.html New Delhi April 22 IANS President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday remembered the innocent lives lost in the Pahalgam terror attack saying that such acts of terror cannot deter the countrys unwavering commitment to peace and unitynbspIndia is observing on Wednesday one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which Pakistanbacked terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion in one of the most brutal incidents targeting civilians in recent yearsIn a post on X President Murmu said I pay heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack The tragic loss of innocent lives in that heinous act remains etched in our collective memory I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families The entire nation stands with themnbspSuch acts of terror cannot deter our unwavering commitment to peace and unity We remain resolute in our determination to defeat terrorism everywhere in all its forms she saidEarlier in the day Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also paid tributes to the lives lost in the heinous terror attacknbspI solemnly remember the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack The innocent lives lost in that gruesome and dastardly act of terror remain etched in our collective memory I pay heartfelt tributes to those we lost and stand in solidarity with their families whose grief is immeasurable They will forever be remembered the Vice President said in a post on XSuch acts of brutality can never shake our resolve to uphold peace unity and the enduring values of humanity We remain firm in our determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations he addedThe Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22 2025 when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front an offshoot of the Pakistanbased LashkareTaibaThe attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify nonMuslims Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the touristsSeveral victims were newly married and many were shot at close range in front of their familiesIn response to the attack Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7 carrying out what officials described as a focused measured and nonescalatory military action targeting highvalue terror bases in Pakistan and PakistanoccupiedKashmirOperation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of Indias military and strategic capability combining both military and nonmilitary measuresThe operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats deterred further aggression and reinforced Indias zerotolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraintIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/we-remain-resolute-in-our-determination-to-defeat-terrorism-prez-murmu-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary--670686.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/i-feel-kharge-ji-doesnt-differentiate-between-terrorists-and-terror-to-terrorists-vp-radhakrishnan-670689.html Bidar Karnataka April 22 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan took a dig at Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday saying that he appears unable to distinguish between terrorists and terror to the terrorists His remarks came amid a growing political controversy triggered by Kharges recent statement referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a terrorist which has drawn sharp criticism from the BJPSpeaking at the Amrit Mahotsava celebration of Dr Basavalinga Pattadevaru Mahaswamiji of Hiremath Samsthan at Sri Channabasavashram in Karnatakas Bidar the Vice President made the comment in Kharges presenceI get a little difference between our Kharge ji Sometimes I feel Kharge ji does not differentiate between the black and white sometimes between the terrorists and the terror to terrorists Otherwise I have no problem he is a very good friend of mine VP Radhakrishnan saidThe controversy erupted after Kharge while attacking AIADMKs alliance with the BJP ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections referred to PM Modi as a terrorist during a press conference He later clarified that he meant the Prime Minister was terrorising people and political parties and not that he was a terroristHowever the BJP launched a scathing attack on Kharge calling it a grave insult to the mandate of the countrys 140 crore peopleUnion Health Minister JP Nadda hit out at the Congress chief and said the people will give a befitting response to the partyThe use of the word terrorist by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji is a grave insult to the mandate of 140 crore countrymen Nadda said on XThe issueless and visionless Congress has gone berserk out of fear of the impending defeat in the upcoming elections in five states In its attempt to snatch away womens rights it is facing the wrath of the public across the country irked by its eroding mass base Congress leaders are unable to digest the continuously rising popularity of Prime Minister Modi Ji he saidCondemning Kharges remarks the Union Minister said The shameful and derogatory language used by the Congress President against Prime Minister Modi Ji cannot be condemned enough no matter how strongly it is denouncedEarlier on Tuesday Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X slammed Kharge and accused Congress of repeatedly lowering the standards of public discourse âHe wrote that Kharge had breached every standard of public conduct and brought shame to the nation by calling the elected Prime Minister a terrorist âHM Shah emphasised that PM Modi had curbed terrorism over the past 12 years and described the remark as highly condemnable âHe added that every time Congress hurls abuses at PM Modi the people of India respond and this time too the public will give its answer â IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/i-feel-kharge-ji-doesnt-differentiate-between-terrorists-and-terror-to-terrorists-vp-radhakrishnan-670689.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-denies-maintenance-for-child-after-dna-test-disproves-paternity-670691.html New Delhi April 22 IANS The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by a woman seeking maintenance for her minor daughter after a DNA test established that the respondent was not the biological father holding that such scientific evidence would prevail over the statutory presumption of legitimacy under the lawnbspA Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and NK Singh dismissed an appeal filed by a woman challenging a Delhi High Court order which had refused maintenance for her daughter while remanding her own claim for reconsiderationnbspThe case arose from a dispute where the appellant alleged that the respondent for whom she had worked as a domestic help had established a relationship with her on the pretext of marriagenbspThe parties later married in March 2016 and a child was born the following month Following matrimonial discord the woman sought interim maintenance under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 During the proceedings the respondent denied paternity and sought a DNA test which was allowed by the trial courtnbspThe report concluded that he was not the biological father of the child Relying on the DNA report the trial court had rejected the plea for maintenance for the child a decision subsequently upheld by the appellate court and the High CourtnbspBefore the apex court the primary contention revolved around the presumption of legitimacy under Section 112 of the Indian Evidence Act which treats a child born during a valid marriage as legitimate unless nonaccess is provennbspExamining the legal position the apex court observed that while such a presumption exists to protect children from the stigma of illegitimacy it is not absolute in cases where scientific evidence is available and has attained finalitynbspThe legislative intent is clear Despite technological advancements by leaps and bounds this presumption has been retained to save any child from the stigma of illegitimacy the Justice Karolled Bench observednbspAt the same time the apex court said that where conclusive scientific evidence is available it cannot be ignored Citing precedent it said When there is a conflict between a conclusive proof envisaged under law and a proof based on scientific advancement accepted by the world community to be correct the latter must prevail over the formernbspIn its order the Justice Karolled Bench noted that in the present case the DNA test had been conducted with the consent of the parties and was never disputed thereafter It has in other words attained finality the apex court recordednbspOn this basis the apex court held that the Delhi High Court was justified in denying maintenance to the child and concluded that the appeal was bereft of merit However the Supreme Court expressed concern over the welfare of the child whose parentage dispute had reached the highest court of the landnbspAs such in the interest of wanting to ensure the security and wellbeing of the child in question the Justice Karolled Bench directed the Delhi governments Department of Women and Child Development to assess the childs living conditionsnbspIt ordered that an officer be deputed to visit the appellants residence and evaluate the childs education nutrition health as also the availability of basic material goods required to maintain a minimum standard of livingnbspIt would be expected that wherever the said childs situation is found to be lacking the Department would step in to take remedial measures the Justice Karolled Bench addednbspWhile upholding the denial of maintenance to the child the apex court noted that the issue of maintenance payable to the appellant herself had already been remanded by the Delhi High Court to the trial court for fresh consideration The appeal was accordingly dismissedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-denies-maintenance-for-child-after-dna-test-disproves-paternity-670691.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bombay-hc-quashes-charges-against-four-accused-in-2006-malegaon-blast-case-670692.html Mumbai April 22 In a significant relief to four accused in the 2006 Malegaon bomb blast case the Bombay High Court on Wednesday quashed and set aside a special court order framing charges against them A division bench led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar delivered the verdict while allowing appeals filed by Rajendra Chaudhary Lokesh Sharma Dhan Singh and Manohar Ram Singh NarwariaThe High Court had earlier observed that a prima facie case existed for interference with the order of the special National Investigation Agency NIA courtThe four had been charged with offences including murder and criminal conspiracy under the IPC along with provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act following a September 30 2025 order by the special court Wednesdayâs ruling effectively halts proceedings against them at this stageThe case pertains to the September 8 2006 blasts in Malegaon where explosions near the Hamidia Masjid and adjoining areas shortly after Friday prayers left 37 people dead and over 300 injuredThe investigation has witnessed multiple twists over the years Initially the Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad ATS arrested nine Muslim men who spent several years in jail before being granted bail in 2011 A special court later discharged all nine in 2016 citing insufficient evidenceSubsequently the probe was taken over by the NIA which pursued a different line of investigation The agency arrested the present four accused after alleged disclosures by Swami Aseemanand pointing to the involvement of rightwing elements The four were granted bail by the High Court in 2019The Malegaon blast probe has been marked by conflicting findings between agencies with the NIA diverging from earlier conclusions of the ATS and the Central Bureau of Investigation CBIWith the High Court now setting aside the framing of charges the case takes yet another turn in a long and complex legal trajectory IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bombay-hc-quashes-charges-against-four-accused-in-2006-malegaon-blast-case-670692.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lampt-clinches-long-term-deal-to-supply-green-ammonia-to-japans-itochu-670693.html New Delhi April 22 A subsidiary company of Larsen amp Toubro Ltd signed a longterm deal with Japans ITOCHU Corp on Wednesday to supply three lakh tonnes of green ammonia per annum from its proposed production facility at Kandla in Gujarat ITOCHU will utilise the green ammonia supplied by LampT Energy GreenTech Ltd to support its expanding green bunkering applications in Singapore and other locations aligned with its strategy to develop a global green ammonia ecosystem across key maritime trade routes a statement saidThe deal is a captive longterm takeorpay basis which means LTEGL is assured a customer in the Japanese company for the defined period By securing longterm demand through a reputed global partner like ITOCHU we are strengthening the commercial foundation of our green ammonia platform said Subramanian Sarma deputy managing director and president of LampTGreen ammonia is seen as a nextgeneration marine fuel for decarbonising the maritime sector Combining hydrogen produced through splitting water using renewable energy and nitrogen separated from the air produces green ammoniaThis latest agreement builds on the Joint Development Agreement JDA between the two companies signed in July 2025 and marks a significant progression in the partnership â from joint development to securing longterm demand It reinforces the collaboration between LTEGL and ITOCHU and advances the shared vision of establishing a globally competitive green ammonia value chain the company statement saidLTEGL focuses on accelerating the energy transition through green hydrogen and its derivatives It operates across three core pillars â Green Manufacturing Development and Engineering Procurement and Construction EPC â providing integrated solutions for decarbonisation including building electrolysers and largescale green hydrogen plants The company develops owns and operates green hydrogen projects including Indias largest green hydrogen plant at Indian Oilâs Panipat Refinery designed to supply tonnes annually for 25 yearsWith approximately 90 bases in 60 countries ITOCHU one of the leading sogo shosha Japanese general trading companies is engaging in domestic trading importexport and overseas trading of various products such as textile machinery metals minerals energy chemicals food general products realty information and communications technology and finance as well as business investment in Japan and overseas IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lampt-clinches-long-term-deal-to-supply-green-ammonia-to-japans-itochu-670693.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-police-arrests-17-people-for-cyber-fraud-exploiting-cash-on-delivery-mode-670694.html Kolkata April 22 Police have arrested 17 people in connection with cyber fraud through the Cash on Delivery mode that is used by many people for ordering products online the police said on Wednesday Investigating a case the Cyber ââPolice department of Kolkata Police arrested 17 people including nine women after searching a call centre in GariahatThe police seized 43 mobile phones SIM cards laptops and wireless phonesA police official said that it is not advisable to pay online before receiving the goods ordered through Cash on Delivery The price should be paid only after receiving the goodsMost people who order things online pay in cash after receiving them According to Kolkata Police this time a fraud has started using this Cash on Delivery as a tool Allegedly many buyers are paying money in the wrong place at the behest of the fraudsters even before the goods arrive at their doorstep After that they do not receive the ordered goodsAccording to the police fraudsters steal digital information and see who orders things through Cash on Delivery on various online platforms Before the targeted company or seller delivers the goods to that buyer the fraudsters call After that they request the buyer to pay the money via QR code instead of cash on multiple pretextsAccording to the police all the buyers who fall into the trap of fraudsters and send money to QR code or phone number before receiving the goods are being cheatedAllegedly the fraudsters are not delivering the goods purchased by the buyer onlineLater when the employees of the real online company come to deliver the goods the buyers realise that the person they sent the money to is not a delivery agentThat is how this new type of online fraud is taking placeWhile investigating several complaints in regard to this cyber fraud the police busted the racket and made 17 arrestsA call centre was used to get in touch with the potential targets and scam them by sending QR code or phone numbers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-police-arrests-17-people-for-cyber-fraud-exploiting-cash-on-delivery-mode-670694.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-hc-verdict-exposes-political-conspiracies-of-congress-says-harish-rao-670696.html Hyderabad April 22 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS leader and former Minister T Harish Rao said on Wednesday that the Telangana High Courtâs order barring the state government from taking any action against him and BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on the basis of the PC Ghose Commission report has exposed the political conspiracies of the Congress party Truth always prevailsâ was how Harish Rao reacted to the High Court orders on their petitions challenging the report of the Ghose Commission which probed the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project constructed during the BRSâNo matter how many conspiracies anyone hatches it has once again been proven today that in the end justice prevails in the courts and truth resoundsâ said Harish Rao who is also the nephew of K Chandrasekhar Rao KCRA Bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin on Wednesday pronounced the orders on the batch of writ petitions filed separately by KCR Harish Rao retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary SK Joshi and serving IAS officer Smitha Sabharwal challenging the reportThe High Court observed that the Ghose Commission did not follow the procedure under the Commission of Inquiry ActHarish Rao stated that the High Court has struck down the trial conducted while disregarding fundamental rights and principles of natural justice âIt has clearly ruled that the remarks made by the commission which hurt personal prestige are invalid and no actions should be taken based on that report With this the political conspiracies of the Congress government have been exposedâ he saidThe BRS deputy leader in the Telangana Assembly remarked that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddys true colours setting aside public issues to stage dramas have been laid bare by the High Court judgment âEven now we appeal to him to immediately cease baseless complaints and political smear campaigns complete the repairs to the two piers right away and safeguard the interests of Telanganas farmers Whether anyone praises it or not Kaleshwaram will forever remain Telanganas lifelineâ he added Said to be the worldâs largest multistage lift irrigation project the Kaleshwaram project was started by the then BRS government in May 2016 Its main component was inaugurated by the then CM KCR in 2019In March 2024 the Congress government constituted a commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose to probe the alleged irregularities in planning design construction quality control operation and maintenance of Medigadda Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram projectThe commission submitted its report to the Telangana government on July 31 2025The Commission held KCR directly and vicariously accountable for irregularities in planning execution completion operation and maintenance of the Kaleshwaram project It also indicted Harish Rao then Chief Secretary Joshi and then Secretary to Chief Minister Smitha Sabharwal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-hc-verdict-exposes-political-conspiracies-of-congress-says-harish-rao-670696.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-youth-assaulted-over-harassment-allegation-video-goes-viral-case-filed-670705.html Raichur Karnataka April 22 A young man was allegedly assaulted in Raichur city of north Karnataka after being accused of harassing a woman at a private hospital police said on Wednesday A video of the assault which happened on Tuesday has since gone viral on social media drawing public attentionAccording to reports the youth identified as Mehboob was allegedly confined inside a house and subjected to assault by the womanâs family membersIt is alleged that he was first taken from his residence and later locked inside a room in a house located in the IDSampT Layout in Raichur city where the assault took placeThe incident is said to have stemmed from allegations that Mehboob had harassed the woman at a private hospital Following this members of the womanâs family reportedly confronted him and took him to their residenceIn the viral video the womanâs sister is heard confronting the youth saying that she had been watching his activities at the hospital The video also shows the youth allegedly pleading for forgiveness while being assaultedDespite his repeated apologies the assault reportedly continued The video has sparked discussion on social media after it went viralPolice have registered a case at the Sadar Bazar police station in Raichur and further investigation is underwayIn a similar incident that happened last year on August 11 2025 villagers had beaten up a 25yearold man following allegations against him of harassing a woman Videos of the incident were shared widely on social mediaVithal Naikar was tied to a tree and beaten up by some villagers including the relatives of the woman They complained that the man was teasing the woman and stalking her They tried to counsel him but he refused to pay heedHe was picked up by a friend taken to Godchi village and beaten up in front of a crowd police sources said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-youth-assaulted-over-harassment-allegation-video-goes-viral-case-filed-670705.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-bans-employee-leave-for-three-months-amid-governance-festival-census-670717.html Raipur April 22 The Chhattisgarh government has announced a sweeping ban on employee leave for the next three months citing the dual priorities of the upcoming âSushasan Tiharâ Good Governance Festival and preparations for the national census The directive issued with immediate effect places a moratorium on leave across all departments to ensure maximum workforce availability during this critical period According to an order employees and officials will not be permitted to take leave unless they provide prior intimation and secure approval from a competent authority Even casual leave applications must now be submitted through digital channels reflecting the governmentâs push for transparency and accountability Officials have warned that strict action will be taken against any employee found violating these instructions The decision underscores the stateâs emphasis on effective governance during âSushasan Tiharâ a festival dedicated to resolving public grievances and accelerating the implementation of welfare schemes By restricting leave the government aims to guarantee that administrative machinery remains fully functional enabling swift responses to citizen concerns and ensuring smooth execution of programmes Equally significant is the upcoming Census a nationallevel exercise requiring extensive manpower and coordination State employees are expected to play a pivotal role in data collection and verification tasks that demand the uninterrupted availability of personnel The leave ban is thus seen as a measure to prevent disruptions and maintain efficiency in this massive undertaking Officials have clarified that while the restrictions are stringent they are not absolute Employees facing unavoidable circumstances may still apply for leave provided they follow the prescribed digital notification process and obtain prior approval This balance the government believes will maintain discipline without disregarding genuine needs The announcement has sparked discussions among employees with some expressing concern over the rigidity of the order while others acknowledge the importance of ensuring smooth governance and Census operations For the administration however the priority remains clear uninterrupted service delivery and successful execution of national and statelevel commitments By enforcing this temporary measure the Chhattisgarh government has indicated its determination to strengthen governance enhance accountability and ensure that both the Good Governance Festival and the Census are conducted with maximum efficiency IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-bans-employee-leave-for-three-months-amid-governance-festival-census-670717.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-to-inaugurate-tribal-museum-in-odisha-today-670501.html Bhubaneswar April 21 President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a tribal museum a planetarium and a science centre during a daylong visit to Odisha on Tuesdayâ According to the Presidents Secretariat President Murmu will inaugurate the planetarium and science Centre and the Nirmal Munda Parivesh Path at a public function in Rourkela said a statementâShe will also inaugurate a tribal museum and an Integrated Command and Control Centre at RourkelaâExtensive and robust security measures have been implemented at all venues listed in the Presidents itinerary in view of her visitâOdisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with other senior dignitaries are expected to interact with President Murmu during the visitâEarlier in February President Murmu was on a sixday visit to her home stateShe visited Jajpur and offered prayers at the historic 13thcentury Biraja Temple and participated in some rituals at Nabhi GayaâThe President also visited the Balasore district and attended the 12th convocation ceremony of Fakir Mohan UniversityâLater she travelled to Puri and visited the Shree Jagannath Temple She offered prayers and participated in the aarti at the 12thcentury shrine The President also performed other specific rituals in the holy coastal townâDuring that visit President Murmu also visited Mayurbhanj district and participated in a number of programmes across her home districtâThe President attended a special programme at the Jagannath Temple in Rairangpur and later visit Simlipal Wildlife SanctuaryâThe next day she engaged directly with women and youth from tribal communities at Simlipal one of Odishas premier biosphere reserves known for its rich biodiversity and tribal heritageâLater that day she will grace the Black Swan Summit India in Bhubaneswar an event organised by the Odisha government in partnership with the Global Finance and Technology NetworkâConcluding her visit President Murmu later travelled to Chhattisgarh where she inaugurated the Bastar Pandum 2026 festival in Jagdalpurâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-to-inaugurate-tribal-museum-in-odisha-today-670501.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-to-address-civil-servants-today-highlight-inclusive-development-670504.html New Delhi April 21 On the occasion of the 18th Civil Services Day on Tuesday Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will address officials at an event in Delhi highlighting the governmentâs commitment to inclusive development and citizencentric governance The event planned by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances DARPG Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions at Vigyan Bhawan will be themed âViksit Bharat CitizenCentric Governance and Development at the Last Mileâ said an official statementThe inaugural session will include an address by Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh and a welcome address by Cabinet Secretary TV SomanathanThe inaugural session will be followed by a panel discussion on the âRole and effectiveness of civil services An external perspectiveâ which will bring together eminent personalities from government industry and policy institutions to deliberate on enhancing accountability innovation and service delivery in governanceThe Civil Services Day is observed annually as an occasion for the civil servants across India to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitment to public service and excellence in their workOn this day in 1947 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of the All India Administrative Service where he described civil servants as the steel frame of IndiaThe sessions at the event will bring together senior officials experts and stakeholders for indepth discussions and the exchange of best practices towards strengthening citizencentric governance and improving lastmile service deliveryThe session on âSustainable Livelihood through PM Vishwakarmaâ will be chaired by Minister of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi and the session on âAddressing NonCommunicable Diseases in India From Preventive to Careâ will be chaired by Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-to-address-civil-servants-today-highlight-inclusive-development-670504.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-begin-three-day-germany-visit-today-670507.html New Delhi April 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will begin a threeday official visit to Germany on Tuesday aimed at strengthening the IndiaâGermany strategic defence partnership and deepening bilateral cooperation During the visit Rajnath Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius and other senior leaders of the German government focusing on key areas of cooperationThe discussions will centre on enhancing defence industrial collaboration expanding militarytomilitary engagements and exploring new opportunities in emerging domains such as cybersecurity artificial intelligence and drone technologiesA Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are expected to be signed in the presence of both defence ministers during the visitThese agreements are being seen as key steps to boost joint development and coproduction of defence equipment according to an official press note issued ahead of the visitThe visit will also provide an important platform to review ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and identify fresh avenues for collaboration between the defence industries of the two countriesRajnath Singh is expected to interact with key representatives of the German defence industry to promote joint ventures technology partnerships and coproduction projects aligned with Indiaâs âMake in Indiaâ initiativeThis marks the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Germany in the last seven years underlining the significance of the engagement at the current junctureThe last such visit was undertaken by Nirmala Sitharaman in February 2019 Boris Pistorius had earlier visited India in June 2023 where he held extensive discussions with Defence Minister Rajnath SinghIndia and Germany enjoy a strong and multifaceted strategic partnership rooted in shared democratic values commitment to the rule of law and a common vision for a rulesbased international orderIn recent years defence and security cooperation has emerged as a vital pillar of this relationship with both countries seeking to deepen engagement across multiple domainsThe upcoming visit is expected to further deepen bilateral ties and contribute meaningfully to regional and global peace stability and prosperityWith Germany being a key European partner for India the outcomes of this visit are likely to give fresh momentum to the growing defence collaboration between the two countries across sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-begin-three-day-germany-visit-today-670507.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/voting-underway-in-aizawl-municipal-corporation-under-tight-security-670510.html Aizawl April 21 Voting for the 19member Aizawl Municipal Corporation AMC commenced on Tuesday morning amid tight security arrangements election officials said People including women turned out in large numbers forming queues at most of the 275 polling stations across the civic body urban areasPolling began at 7 AM and will continue uninterrupted until 5 PM A total of 239 lakh voters including 126 lakh women are eligible to cast their votes to decide the electoral fate of 68 candidates of whom 28 are women contesting in the civic body pollsElection authorities along with the state police have put in place elaborate measures to ensure that the polling process remains free fair and transparentThe Mizoram government has declared a public holiday in areas under the AMC on Tuesday to enable voters to exercise their franchiseâAll eligible voters have been urged to exercise their franchise On the day of polling all government offices educational institutions and public sector establishments within the AMC jurisdiction will remain closedâ an official notification statedOfficials of the Mizoram State Election Commission SEC said that nearly 94 per cent of the 2768 senior citizens Persons with Disabilities PwD and individuals with chronic illnesses have already cast their votes through the home voting facilityAccording to an SEC official the candidates comprise 40 men and 28 women representing four major political parties all contesting for seats in the civic bodyThe ruling Zoram Peopleâs Movement the main Opposition Mizo National Front MNF and the Congress have fielded 19 candidates each while the BJP has nominated 11 candidatesThe previous AMC elections were held in February 2021 when the MNF secured a majority by winning 11 seatsThe Zoram Peopleâs Movement won six seats while the Congress secured two seatsAlthough the municipalityâs term ended on March 1 the State Election Commission deferred the election process due to administrative reasons These included the state Assemblyâs budget session which concluded on March 16 as well as ongoing state Board examinationsThe State Election Commission has also enforced the Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates Votes will be counted on April 27 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/voting-underway-in-aizawl-municipal-corporation-under-tight-security-670510.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-to-visit-meerut-today-may-take-namo-bharat-train-670511.html New Delhi April 21 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan is scheduled to visit Meerut Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday where he will attend the third convocation ceremony of IIMT University as the chief guest According to the official itinerary the Vice President is expected to begin his journey from Delhi in the morning boarding the Namo Bharat RRTS train from Sarai Kale Khan station He is slated to arrive at Begumpul station in Meerut from where he will proceed by road to the university campus located in GanganagarAnnouncing the ceremony IIMT University posted on its social media An inspiring presence for a defining milestone IIMT University Meerut is honoured to welcome CP Radhakrishnan Honâble Vice President of India as the Chief Guest for the 3rd Convocation Ceremony 2026The convocation ceremony a significant academic event for the institution will see nearly 3940 students from the 2024 and 2025 batches receiving their degrees Among them 203 meritorious students will be awarded gold medals in recognition of their academic excellenceDuring the event the Vice President will also confer honorary doctorate degrees upon prominent spiritual and social figures including Swami Kailashanand Giri Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Hari Singh RawatIn view of the highprofile visit extensive security arrangements have been put in place across Meerut More than 400 police personnel including senior officers have been deployed and drone surveillance is being carried out to ensure safety Traffic diversions have also been implemented particularly along the route leading to GanganagarSeveral dignitaries including Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Bajpai and MP Arun Govil are also expected to attend the ceremonyThe Vice President just concluded a landmark twoday official visit to Sri Lanka the firstever bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to the country He announced the expansion of the Overseas Citizen of India OCI scheme to include 5th and 6th generation Indianorigin Tamils in Sri Lanka IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-to-visit-meerut-today-may-take-namo-bharat-train-670511.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-extends-greetings-on-civil-services-day-praises-civil-servants-for-strengthening-governance-670513.html New Delhi April 21 President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday extended greetings to civil servants on Civil Services Day and praised their commitment to strengthening governance and building a more equitable and progressive nation In a statement the President said Warm greetings to all civil servants on Civil Services Day Your commitment continues to strengthen responsive governance and reinforce public institutions From the formulation of innovative futureoriented and citizencentric policies to their effective implementation on the ground your work significantly impacts the quality of life of millionsAs Bharat advances with renewed aspirations your integrity and empathy will be instrumental in bridging gaps fostering inclusivity and strengthening trust between the State and its citizens May you continue to uphold the highest standards of public service and contribute meaningfully to the building of a more equitable and progressive nation she addedThe Civil Services Day is observed annually as an occasion for civil servants across India to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitment to public service and excellence in their workOn this day in 1947 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of the All India Administrative Service where he described civil servants as the steel frame of IndiaUnion Home Minister Amit Shah also extended warm wishes to the civil servants on the occasion and said On Civil Services Day greetings to our civil servants Their dedication to implementing policies strengthening governance and serving citizens with integrity plays a vital role in nationbuilding May this occasion further fortify their commitment to contribute to the nationUnion Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also took to social media to wish civil servants on Civil Services DayIn a post on X Gadkari said On this Civil Services Day we salute the dedication integrity and tireless service of our civil service professionals who shape the nations progress Your commitment to governance and public welfare inspires trust and drives change Thank you for being the backbone of a stronger more resilient India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-extends-greetings-on-civil-services-day-praises-civil-servants-for-strengthening-governance-670513.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/char-dham-yatra-2026-dates-routes-registration-details-explained-670517.html New Delhi April 21 The sacred Char Dham temples have reopened marking the commencement of one of Indiaâs most revered spiritual pilgrimages The 2026 Char Dham Yatra officially began in Uttarakhand with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya following a sixmonth winter closure Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns and religious rituals the temple doors were opened ushering in a pilgrimage season expected to attract lakhs of devotees from across the countryThe Char Dham Yatra is considered a deeply spiritual journey guiding pilgrims through four holy shrines nestled in the Himalayas Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and BadrinathSurrounded by majestic snowcapped peaks flowing rivers and scenic mountain paths each destination holds immense religious significanceTraditionally the yatra begins at Yamunotri proceeds to Gangotri then to Kedarnath and concludes at Badrinath following a westtoeast routeThese temples remain open only for a limited period each year before harsh winter conditions force their closure againFor 2026 the schedule is as follows Yamunotri will remain open from April 19 to November 11 Gangotri from April 19 to November 10 Kedarnath from April 22 to November 11 and Badrinath from April 23 to November 13Given the short operating window and unpredictable weather in the region advance planning is essential for pilgrims Most travels begin from base locations such as Haridwar Rishikesh or Dehradun which are well connected by road rail and air From these hubs travelers proceed via mountainous roads often taking several days to complete the entire circuitThe journey to Yamunotri typically starts from Rishikesh passing through Barkot and reaching Janki Chatti which is the last accessible motor point From there pilgrims undertake a 5â6 km trek to the temple Facilities such as ponies palkis and porters are available for those unable to walk the distanceFrom Yamunotri pilgrims head toward Gangotri via Uttarkashi Unlike Yamunotri Gangotri is directly accessible by road making it comparatively easier to reachThe Kedarnath leg of the yatra is considered the most physically demanding Travellers must drive up to Gaurikund after which a steep 16â18 km trek leads to the temple For those seeking convenience helicopter services are available though bookings must be made exclusively through IRCTCThe final destination Badrinath is the most accessible of all four shrines as it is directly connected by road Unlike Kedarnath no trekking is required making it a suitable option for elderly pilgrims and those with limited mobilityFor those with time constraints or seeking a more comfortable journey helicopter packages covering all four shrines are available from Dehradun These packages significantly reduce travel time allowing pilgrims to complete the yatra within a few days instead of over a weekThe 2026 yatra also introduces several new regulations Entry restrictions have been implemented at certain temples including Kedarnath Badrinath and Gangotri where nonHindus may face specific access conditions However Yamunotri remains open to visitors of all faiths Additionally the use of mobile phones and cameras inside temple premises has been strictly prohibited to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage experienceHealth and safety measures have been given heightened priority this year A mandatory medical checkup is required before undertaking the journey especially for individuals above 55 years of age or those suffering from preexisting conditions such as heart disease asthma diabetes or hypertensionTo further enhance safety the state government has significantly upgraded medical infrastructure along the pilgrimage routes According to official sources pilgrims will be monitored through a realtime tracking system supported by doctors paramedical staff and volunteers stationed at various points A fleet of 177 ambulances including advanced life support units has been deployed along with a helicopter ambulance service operated by AIIMS Rishikesh to handle emergenciesRegistration remains a compulsory step for all pilgrims Travellers must complete online registration prior to beginning their journey providing personal and vehicle details Verification is required at each shrine and pilgrims must carry valid documents along with darshan slot tokens to ensure a smooth and organized experienceRegistrations can be completed through the official portal httpsregistrationandtouristcareukgovinDespite improved facilities and administrative preparedness the Char Dham Yatra remains a physically demanding journey Long hours of travel on narrow mountain roads coupled with trekking in regions like Kedarnath require both physical and mental strength Pilgrims are strongly advised to pack essential items such as prescribed medicines rain gear warm clothing and sturdy footwearBeyond its logistical challenges the Char Dham Yatra offers a unique spiritual and visual experience taking travellers through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in India For those planning to undertake the pilgrimage in 2026 careful preparation adherence to guidelines and respect for the fragile Himalayan environment will be key to a safe and fulfilling journey IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/char-dham-yatra-2026-dates-routes-registration-details-explained-670517.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/char-dham-yatra-2026-kedarnath-portals-to-open-on-april-22-helplines-control-rooms-activated-to-assist-pilgrims-670534.html New Delhi April 21 The portals of Kedarnath Dham are set to open on Wednesday allowing devotees to seek blessings at one of Hinduismâs most sacred shrines The opening of Badrinath Dham on April 23 will mark the full commencement of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 in Uttarakhand There is immense enthusiasm among devotees across the state and beyond with pilgrims arriving in large numbers from different parts of India and abroad to undertake the revered journey The Char Dham Yatra one of the most significant spiritual pilgrimages in the country has already begun with the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya after a sixmonth winter breakAmid chants of Vedic hymns and traditional rituals the temple doors were opened ushering in a new pilgrimage season expected to draw lakhs of devotees The yatra takes pilgrims through four sacred shrines nestled in the Himalayas Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath each surrounded by snowclad peaks flowing rivers and scenic mountain routesTraditionally the pilgrimage begins at Yamunotri followed by Gangotri then Kedarnath and concludes at Badrinath following a westtoeast sequence Authorities have made extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe experience for pilgrims Comprehensive measures have been implemented for security traffic management and healthcare servicesFacilities related to sanitation parking and accommodation along the yatra routes have been streamlined Both online and offline registration processes are currently underway to manage the large influx of devotees Police personnel and State Disaster Response Force SDRF teams have been deployed across key locations with a special focus on disaster preparednessIn addition helplines and control rooms have been activated to assist pilgrims and address any emergencies during the journeyThe opening date of the Kedarnath temple is traditionally decided by the Char Dham Temple Committee at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on the occasion of Maha Shivratri In 2026 Maha Shivratri was observed on February 15The opening ceremony of Kedarnath is a grand and spiritually significant event that attracts devotees from across the globe A day prior to the opening the Kedarnath Doli palanquin is carried in a ceremonial procession from Gaurikund to the temple covering a challenging 16kilometre trek on footThe grand opening begins with elaborate Vedic rituals performed by priests following which the idol of Bhagwan Kedarnath is unveiled for darshan With spiritual fervour at its peak and robust arrangements in place the Char Dham Yatra 2026 is witnessing a vibrant and devotional start IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/char-dham-yatra-2026-kedarnath-portals-to-open-on-april-22-helplines-control-rooms-activated-to-assist-pilgrims-670534.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-thwarts-13-child-marriages-on-akshaya-tritiya-after-statewide-crackdown-awareness-drive-670536.html Mumbai April 21 The Maharashtra Department of Women and Child Development on Tuesday said that a series of preventive measures implemented on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya led to the successful prevention of 13 child marriages across the state The department said that special arrangements for online coordination and guidance were put in place under the chairmanship of Meghna Bordikar Minister of State for Women and Child Development in Maharashtra to ensure swift action and monitoringGiven that Akshaya Tritiya is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar and often witnesses a rise in weddings and mass marriage ceremonies the department had stepped up vigilance in advance anticipating a possible increase in instances of child marriageTo address the concern an online review meeting was convened under Bordikarâs leadership attended by senior officials including the Secretary of the department the Commissioner District Collectors and Superintendents of Police During the meeting all agencies were directed to remain alert and to take strict measures to prevent any such incidentsOfficials said that a comprehensive awareness campaign was carried out at the district taluka and village levels across Maharashtra Through District Child Protection Units Child Helpline 1098 Anganwadi workers Village Child Protection Committees and various organisations working in the field of child welfare citizens were informed about the harmful consequences of child marriageThe campaign included a range of outreach activities such as kirtans Bhagwat recitations street plays awareness rallies posters and stickers Authorities also encouraged households to take pledges against child marriage to ensure wider community participationAs part of deterrent measures the administration warned that criminal cases could be registered within 24 hours against marriage hall owners priests musical troupes and relatives involved in facilitating child marriagesAccording to officials these coordinated efforts resulted in the prevention of 13 child marriages across different districts including one in Raigad five in Ahilyanagar one in Buldhana two in Yavatmal one in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar two in Dharashiv and one in ParbhaniAuthorities described the outcome as an example of effective interdepartmental coordination and proactive governanceâThese collective efforts have yielded positive results and the administration successfully prevented 13 child marriages that were scheduled to take place at various locations across the state on the day of Akshaya Tritiyaâ officials said adding that one such case was reported from Yavatmal districtSpeaking on the initiative Minister Bordikar said âThanks to this effective and coordinated action by the Department of Women and Child Development a strong message has been delivered to society regarding the evil of child marriageâShe added that similar campaigns would be carried out with even greater effectiveness in the future to eliminate the practice IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-thwarts-13-child-marriages-on-akshaya-tritiya-after-statewide-crackdown-awareness-drive-670536.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-bizman-duped-of-rs-325-cr-abducted-and-threatened-at-gunpoint-police-hunt-for-10-accused-670539.html Mumbai April 21 A sensational case involving multicrore fraud abductionlike confinement and extortion has surfaced in Mumbaiâs Vile Parle East area where a businessman was allegedly duped of Rs 325 crore by a group that lured him with promises of high investment returns police said According to officials the accused first persuaded the businessman to invest Rs 1 crore with assurances of substantial profits When he later demanded his money back after growing suspicious he and his companyâs General Manager were allegedly held at gunpoint threatened with death and forced to transfer an additional Rs 225 croreA case has been registered at the Airport Police Station Mumbai against 10 accused and a manhunt has been launched to trace and arrest themAs per the complaint filed by the victim Ayush Nakra the alleged conspiracy was executed between July 15 2025 and August 28 2025 The complainant stated that four brokers Lakshminarayan Agarwal Devkumar Roy Sushilkumar Yadav and Chetan Sanghvi approached him claiming links with a major investment network and convinced him to invest in a firm identified as âArchship GroupâThe accused allegedly assured the businessman that his investment would multiply significantly within a short span and repeatedly emphasised that his funds would remain secure gradually gaining his trustThe complaint further states that on August 22 2025 the accused arranged for the transfer of Rs 1 crore from the victimâs company account to an entity named âManav Dharmayog NGOâ claiming that it was part of the investment process and that returns would follow soonHowever when the businessman began questioning the transaction and sought clarity on the promised returns the attitude of the accused reportedly changedPolice said that when the victim demanded a refund the accused allegedly threatened him with a firearm On August 28 2025 one of the key accused Umesh Kumar Suman alias Subodh Ranjan along with around 15 associates allegedly confronted the businessman and his companyâs General Manager Pankaj RawatDuring the incident both men were allegedly assaulted with the attackers using kicks and punches while also pointing a pistol at them The accused are said to have threatened to kill them on the spot if they failed to comply with their demandsFearing for their lives the businessman agreed to transfer an additional Rs 225 crore from his companyâs account to another entity âNai Jeevan Jyoti Foundationâ bringing the total amount allegedly extorted to Rs 325 croreBased on the complaint police on April 18 2026 registered a case against multiple accused including Ramashish Kumar Gupta alias Kumar Sir Umesh Kumar Suman alias Subodh Ranjan Lakshminarayan Agarwal Devkumar Roy Sushilkumar Yadav Chetan Sanghvi Surendra Kumar Sakshi Kumari alias Varsha Swati Goyal and othersInvestigators said efforts are underway to track down the accused and uncover the full extent of the network involvedPolice are examining bank accounts financial transactions and operational links to determine whether the NGOs named in the case were being used as fronts for a larger fraudulent investment racketFurther investigation into the case is ongoing officials said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-bizman-duped-of-rs-325-cr-abducted-and-threatened-at-gunpoint-police-hunt-for-10-accused-670539.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-may-june-like-heatwave-strikes-in-late-april-air-quality-remains-poor-670541.html New Delhi April 21 The weather across the Delhi National Capital Region NCR has taken a sharp and unexpected turn bringing with it intense heatwave conditions more typical of May and June even as April draws to a close After experiencing relatively mild and pleasant weather in March reminiscent of Februaryâs lingering chill residents are now grappling with soaring temperatures and deteriorating air quality According to the India Meteorological Department IMD a continuous heatwave alert has been issued from April 21 to April 24 On April 21 the maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 41 degrees Celsius while the minimum stood at 23 degrees The situation is expected to worsen over the next few days with temperatures likely to rise further The maximum temperature may touch 43 degrees Celsius on April 22 and 23 and similar conditions are expected to persist on April 24 with the minimum temperature hovering around 24 degreesThe IMD has also warned that heatwave conditions are likely to prevail not just during the afternoon but well into the evening hours highlighting the intensity of the current weather pattern However a slight change is expected towards the end of the week On April 25 and 26 the maximum temperature may drop marginally to around 41 degrees Celsius while the minimum could rise to 25 degrees Skies are likely to remain partly cloudy during this period although no specific weather warnings have been issued Despite this any relief from the heat is expected to be minimalAlongside the rising temperatures air quality in the NCR continues to remain a significant concern The Air Quality Index AQI across several areas of Delhi and its neighbouring regions has consistently stayed within the âpoorâ categoryIn Delhi Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 224 while Ashok Vihar reported 173 Bawana and Chandni Chowk registered AQI levels of 196 and 162 respectively In Noida the situation remains similarly concerning with AQI levels of 197 in Sector1 171 in Sector125 147 in Sector62 and 160 in Sector116Meanwhile Ghaziabadâs Loni area recorded an AQI of 301 placing it in the âvery poorâ category Other areas such as Vasundhara Sanjay Nagar and Indirapuram reported AQI levels of 195 189 and 168 respectivelyThe combination of extreme heat and poor air quality has created a challenging situation for residents effectively subjecting them to a double burden of weatherrelated stress Health experts have advised people to avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours stay wellhydrated and use protective masks to minimise exposure to polluted air IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-may-june-like-heatwave-strikes-in-late-april-air-quality-remains-poor-670541.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/major-initiative-for-noida-workers-call-centre-set-up-for-quick-grievance-redressal-670542.html New Delhi April 20 In a significant move aimed at ensuring swift and effective resolution of workersâ issues the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has launched a dedicated call centre for grievance redressal The facility has been established by the office of the Additional Labour Commissioner Noida and will operate from the G25A office located in Sector3 The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of workers across the district Providing details about the development Additional Labour Commissioner Rakesh Dwivedi said that workers often face challenges in communicating their grievances to the concerned departments Keeping this issue in mind the administration has introduced the call centre to make the complaint registration process simpler and more accessible while also ensuring timely resolution of issuesWorkers can now register their complaints by calling the helpline number 0124126892 In addition to the helpline an email facility has also been introduced to make the system more convenient Workers can send detailed descriptions of their grievances to the official email ID complaintdlcnoidagmailcomAccording to the administration this initiative is expected to not only streamline the complaint registration process but also enhance transparency and accountability in addressing workersâ concerns All complaints received through the call centre and email will be closely monitored to ensure prompt action and resolutionThe move is particularly beneficial for workers in the industrial sector many of whom previously had to make multiple visits to government offices to get their issues addressed With the new system in place workers can now directly connect with the administration through a simple phone call or email saving both time and effortThe district administration has urged workers to make full use of this facility and to report any issues without delay so that appropriate action can be taken swiftlyMeanwhile on April 19 the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force STF arrested Aditya Anand alias Rasti the alleged mastermind behind the violent Noida workersâ protest from Tiruchirappalli Railway Station in Tamil Nadu The accused who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh and is a BTech graduate from NIT Jamshedpur reportedly confessed to orchestrating the unrest during interrogation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/major-initiative-for-noida-workers-call-centre-set-up-for-quick-grievance-redressal-670542.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-issues-advisory-of-rain-strong-wind-lightning-in-next-few-hours-670544.html Mumbai April 21 The Maharashtra administration on Tuesday issued an urgent highalert for the next few hours Parts of Mumbai Mumbai Suburbs Palghar Raigad and Thane are expected to experience light rain accompanied by strong winds and intense lightning The governmentâs advisory comes after the Indian Meteorological Department IMD has released a fiveday weather forecast predicting a period of volatile weather across Maharashtra from April 20 to April 24 Residents can expect gusty winds lightning thunderstorms and hailstorms in several districtsAccording to the government sources in Yavatmal after a day of sweltering heat and cloud cover the district witnessed a sudden shift late at night Thunderstorms and unseasonal rain lashed several areas providing muchneeded relief from the humidityHowever the storm led to widespread power outages and raised significant concerns for fruit crops specifically mangoes and summer sesameIn Parbhani intense lightning and heavy unseasonal showers struck the district at midnight While the rain cooled the atmosphere the highvelocity winds disrupted the power supply in various pocketsLocal farmers fear extensive damage to orchards vegetable crops and particularly the indigenous Gavran mango varieties which have already suffered due to consistent weather fluctuations this seasonAuthorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and follow these safety protocols during lightning strikesThe citizens have been urged to move indoors or to a safe structure immediately upon hearing thunder stay away from trees open fields water bodies and metallic objects refrain from using mobile phones or electronic devices in open spaces and if caught in the open with no shelter crouch low with your feet together do not lie flat on the groundThe State Emergency Operations Centre has instructed all relevant agencies to remain on standby Gram Panchayats Police and Health Departments are tasked with immediate local dissemination of warnings Ambulances fire brigades and disaster management teams are to remain alert Schools community halls and public buildings are to be kept open for those seeking refugeFarmers are advised to suspend field operations during lightning warnings Additionally construction activities should be temporarily halted The administration has also appealed for the immediate postponement of fairs religious gatherings and largescale public events to ensure safetyCitizens are requested to follow only official updates and refrain from spreading or believing in rumours during this period of inclement weather said the government release IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-issues-advisory-of-rain-strong-wind-lightning-in-next-few-hours-670544.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/moderate-52-magnitude-quake-jolts-parts-of-manipur-no-damage-reported-670549.html Imphal April 21 A moderate earthquake measuring 52 on the Richter scale shook Manipurâs Kamjong district and adjoining areas as well as neighbouring Myanmar on Tuesday morning officials said Disaster Management authorities in Imphal confirmed that there were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property following the tremorAccording to data from the National Centre for Seismology NCS the earthquake struck at a depth of 62 km below the surface affecting Kamjong and nearby regionsTremors were also felt in neighbouring Ukhrul district and state capital Imphal and even in certain parts of Meghalaya but no casualties or damage have been reported from these areas so farTuesdayâs tremor marks the second earthquake in the mountainous northeastern region within less than a weekEarlier on April 16 a mild earthquake measuring 38 on the Richter scale hit Mizoramâs Mamit district and adjoining areas That tremor occurred at a depth of 22 km with no reported casualties or property damageOn April 15 a mild quake measuring 21 on the Richter scale was recorded in Sikkimâs Mamchi district and surrounding areas The NCS reported that the tremor struck at a depth of 10 km below the surface again without any loss of life or damageOn the same day April 15 another mild tremor measuring 27 on the Richter scale shook Arunachal Pradeshâs West Kameng district and adjoining areas This quake occurred at a shallow depth of 5 km with no reports of casualties or damageAn analysis of NCS data indicates that the Northeastern region has experienced more than one earthquake per week in each month with most tremors ranging between magnitudes 3 and 4 on the Richter scaleEarthquakes are relatively common in the mountainous northeast which comprises eight states and lies within one of the worldâs most seismically active zones Frequent tremors mostly mild to moderate in states such as Assam Mizoram Manipur Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have raised concerns among authoritiesThese recurring events continue to underscore the importance of adopting earthquakeresistant construction practices in both public and private infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/moderate-52-magnitude-quake-jolts-parts-of-manipur-no-damage-reported-670549.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kota-coaching-student-kabir-chhillar-secures-air-1-in-jee-main-2026-with-perfect-300300-670550.html Jaipur April 21 The National Testing Agency NTA has announced the results of JEE Main 2026 with Kabir Chhillar securing All India Rank AIR 1 by achieving a perfect score of 300 out of 300 A classroom student based in Kota Kabir has been preparing for the examination over the past two years He had also secured a 100 percentile score in the January session demonstrating consistent top performance Originally from Gurugram Kabir credited his success to disciplined preparation conceptual clarity and the guidance of his teachers along with strong family supportâWorking hard in the right direction is most important I focussed on understanding concepts made short notes and revised regularlyâ Kabir saidSeveral other students also secured top ranks in JEE Main 2026 Yashvardhan Kadwasra AIR 11 from Sri Ganganagar relied on a mix of selfstudy and online coaching Yashvardhan attributed his success to consistent effort and smart preparationHe is now preparing for JEE Advanced with the aim of securing admission to an IIT Yashvardhan Kadwasra from Sri Ganganagar has secured the 11th All India Rank in JEE Main 2026Yashvardhan attributed his success to dedication and smart preparation He engaged in 8 hours of daily selfstudy alongside receiving coaching through the online platforms of two different institutes Without spending hours at a physical coaching centre he achieved a top rank through consistent daily study at homeYashvardhans father Prof Rajendra Kumar Kadwasra serves as a Professor and Head of the Department of Botany at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Government College Sri Ganganagar Meanwhile his mother Suman works as the Principal at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School SawantsarFurthermore his elder brother Aditya secured the 54th rank in the NEET examination and is currently pursuing medical studies in his fourth semester at AIIMS Delhi His brothers success served as an inspiration for Yashvardhan Yashvardhan has now immersed himself in preparing for JEE Advanced and dreams of securing admission to an IIT JEE Main was conducted in the January and April sessionsAlong with the release of the All India Ranks for students in the JEE Main examination results information regarding the 25 lakh students who have qualified for JEE Advanced has also been publishedThe number of students achieving a 100 percentile across various states and Union Territories of the country has also been releasedLast year in 2025 a total of 24 students achieved a 100 percentile Rajasthan produced the highest number of top scorers 7 students in JEE Main 2025Rajasthan continues to perform strongly in nationallevel engineering entrance exams In 2025 the state recorded the highest number of students achieving 100 percentile Qualified candidates will now appear for JEE Advanced the gateway to premier engineering institutions including the IITs IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kota-coaching-student-kabir-chhillar-secures-air-1-in-jee-main-2026-with-perfect-300300-670550.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-tim-cook-apples-india-story-likely-to-accelerate-under-john-ternus--670551.html New Delhi April 21 Apple CEO Tim Cook who is set to step down in September leaves behind not just a 4 trillion company but a fundamentally repositioned India story that his successor John Ternus will be expected to take forward The companyâs strategic push in India is likely to gather further momentum under Ternus with experts underscoring the countryâs growing importance as both a manufacturing hub and a key consumer marketAccording to experts under Cookâs leadership India has emerged as one of Appleâs most critical markets globally spanning production retail expansion and a rapidly growing user ecosystemThey believe that India will continue to play a dual role for Apple as a major production base and a highgrowth market shaping the next phase of its global expansionTarun Pathak Research Director at Counterpoint Research said Cook played a pivotal role in unlocking Indiaâs potential and positioning it at the centre of Appleâs longterm strategyHe noted that Cook not only drove Appleâs manufacturing push and retail expansion in India but also built strong connections with developers and users deepening engagement with the local marketPathak added that Ternus will need to build on this foundation especially given Indiaâs longterm growth potential with his engineeringled background and leadership style likely to resonate with the countryâs young and aspirational user basePrabhu Ram Vice President at CyberMedia Research CMR said India is increasingly central to Appleâs global supply chain diversification strategyHe pointed out that Apple now assembles about a quarter of its global iPhones in India positioning the country to drive the companyâs future growth trajectory similar to the role China played in the pastRam also highlighted that Cookâs tenure was marked by strong execution and adaptability particularly in navigating geopolitical challenges and reducing dependence on China by scaling up manufacturing in markets like India and VietnamAnnouncing his decision to step down Cook who has led Apple since 2011 said It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of AppleDuring Cookâs tenure Appleâs market capitalisation surged to around 4 trillion from about 350 billion while annual revenues nearly quadrupled to over 416 billion according to the companyHowever in March Cook had dismissed speculation about stepping down calling such reports a rumour and reaffirming his commitment to leading the company IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-tim-cook-apples-india-story-likely-to-accelerate-under-john-ternus--670551.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/daring-midnight-heist-in-bihars-vaishali-armed-gang-loots-jewellers-house-670552.html Patna April 21 In a daring midnight heist around half a dozen armed robbers targeted the house of a jewellery shop owner in Vaishali district of Bihar looting over 50 grams of gold ornaments along with cash The incident took place at around 1230 am in Khanpur village under the jurisdiction of Mahnar police station on Tuesday police officials saidAccording to the police the robbers climbed over the boundary wall of the house belonging to Ranjit Kumar Shah and cut through the main gate to gain entry As the gang attempted to break in the family members raised an alarm and neighbours gatheredHowever no one dared to confront the attackers as they were heavily armed To spread panic and deter resistance the robbers reportedly detonated a crude bomb The assailants remained inside the house for nearly half an hour thoroughly searching the premises before escaping with valuables and cashRanjit Shah stated that despite informing the local police immediately officers reached the spot only around 3 am by which time the robbers had already fledâAs soon as we realised that the robbers were approaching we locked all the doors However they came equipped with ladders climbed onto the rooftop and cut the gate to enter the house They assaulted us during the incident My son was injured in the attack They searched every nook and corner and took away gold and cashâ he saidPraveen Kumar the SDPO of Mahnar confirmed the incident âWe have received information about the robbery from the house owner Ranjit Kumar Shah The robbers detonated at least one bomb during the incident A forensic science laboratory FSL team has been called in to collect evidence and the district police are scanning CCTV footage from the area The robbers failed to take away the DVR which will aid in the investigation The case will be cracked very soonâ Kumar saidâPreliminary investigation suggests that one or two local individuals may be involved in the incident We are probing all angles and the accused will be arrested soonâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/daring-midnight-heist-in-bihars-vaishali-armed-gang-loots-jewellers-house-670552.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/strong-room-row-brews-in-kerala-ceo-orders-no-opening-of-any-rooms-at-counting-centres-670553.html Thiruvananthapuram April 21 Amid mounting controversy over the handling of election materials Keralas Chief Electoral Officer CEO Dr Rathan U Kelkar on Tuesday issued a strict directive that no rooms at votecounting centres be opened under any circumstances The order extends to even beyond the completion of counting with explicit instructions that unsealed rooms too must remain closedThe move follows disputes reported from Perambra in Kozhikode and Nenmara in Palakkad prompting the CEO to seek an explanation over the decision to open a material room in NenmaraThe issue which appeared to be settling in Kozhikodeâs Perambra resurfaced in Palakkad after plans emerged to open a strong room at Victoria College NenmaraThe decision triggered sharp reactions leading authorities to withdraw the move District Collector MS Madhavikutty clarified that the proposal was to access the material strong room not the EVM strong roomShe explained that the material room housing electionrelated documents is located adjacent to the EVM strong room and opening it was not irregularAccording to officials the intent was to retrieve Form 17A to ensure accurate data entry on the Election Commissionâs websiteHowever the process has now been halted and any further action will depend on the CEOâs directionsThe Collector added that such a room would only be opened in the presence of candidates and reiterated that the materials strong room was not sealedMeanwhile the Opposition UDF has intensified its campaign over the Kozhikode controversyIt alleges that strong rooms storing voting machines at the JDT Islam Convention Centre in Vellimadukunnu were opened without due permissionThough officials maintain that only a reserve room was accessed the Opposition argues that procedural lapses have undermined confidenceWith the counting day approaching the Election Commission faces the challenge of restoring trust while ensuring strict adherence to protocols governing the security of voting machines and related recordsKerala went to the polls on April 9 and counting of votes will take place on May 4 when it will be known which political front will rule Kerala for the next five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/strong-room-row-brews-in-kerala-ceo-orders-no-opening-of-any-rooms-at-counting-centres-670553.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-breaks-out-at-private-hospital-in-kolkata-no-casualties-reported-670555.html Kolkata April 21 A minor fire broke out at a private hospital in Kolkatas Salt Lake area on Tuesday but the patients were safely evacuated and no casualties were reported officials said It was learnt that the fire broke out following a short circuit in the airconditioning at one of the operation theatres of the Anandalok Hospital Soon all patients were moved out of the building and shifted to a separate hospital building There was no report of any injury or death in the fire The police said that no patient is stuck in the hospital and the fire has been brought under controlThe fire broke out outside the operation theatres at Anandalok Hospital sparking panic in the area Pedestrians saw the fire and black smoke from the road and informed the fire service Within a few minutes three fire engines reached the spot By then however a part of the operation theatre on the second floor of the hospital was engulfed in fire Along with the fire brigade the locals also swung in to help fight the fire They also successfully brought out the patients and oxygen cylindersHospital employees said that about 70 to 75 patients have been transferred to another building of the hospital and are all safe We have rescued all the patients who were admitted on the second and third floors of the entire building the employee said Another employee said that a total of 7075 people have been rescued The fire was largely brought under control by around 11 am but the firefighters continued their operations to extinguish it fully The administration is also investigating how the fire startedNo official statement regarding the fire has been issued by the hospital authorities The extent of the damage also remains unclear IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-breaks-out-at-private-hospital-in-kolkata-no-casualties-reported-670555.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-arrives-in-germany-to-advance-defence-cooperation-670556.html Berlin April 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday arrived in Germany to discuss advancing defence cooperation between the two nations Indias Ambassador to Germany Ajit Gupte received him at the Munich Airport The visit is significant for advancing IndiaGermany defence cooperation with focus on industrial collaboration military engagement and emerging areas such as cyber AI and drones the Indian Embassy in Germany said in a post on X During his visit Rajnath Singh is set to hold talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius and other senior leaders of the governmentDiscussions will focus on increasing defenceindustrial collaboration strengthening militarytomilitary engagements and exploring opportunities in emerging sectors like cybersecurity artificial intelligence and drones according to the Ministry of DefenceA Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are likely to be signed in the presence of both ministersThe visit will provide an opportunity to review the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and identify new avenues for collaboration between the defence industries of both countries Shri Rajnath Singh is also expected to interact with key representatives of the German defence industry with a view to promoting joint development and coproduction under the MakeinIndia initiative the Ministry of Defence statement saidThe last visit to Germany by any Indian Defence Minister was in 2019 when thenDefence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the European nation Pistorius had travelled to India in June 2023 and held talks with Rajnath SinghIndia and Germany share a strong and multifaceted strategic partnership anchored in democratic values the rule of law and a shared commitment to a rulebased international order Defence and security cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of this partnership in recent years The objective of the visit is to further deepen bilateral ties and contribute to regional and global peace stability and prosperity the Ministry of Defence statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-arrives-in-germany-to-advance-defence-cooperation-670556.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gold-and-silver-prices-slip-up-to-1-pc-amid-global-uncertainty-670558.html Mumbai April 21 Gold and silver prices declined on Tuesday amid prevailing global uncertainty with both precious metals trading lower by up to around 1 per cent On the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold contracts for June 5 were trading at Rs 153415 down 034 per cent or Rs 528 The yellow metal was at Rs 153585 per 10 grams a decline of Rs 358 or 023 per cent at around 1155 am It touched an intraday high of Rs 153992On the other hand silver futures contracts for May 5 were down around 092 per cent or Rs 2335 at Rs 250210 The white metal recorded an intraday high of Rs 251743 and was trading at Rs 250903 per kg down Rs 1642 or 065 per centIn the international markets as well both precious metals were trading in the red COMEX gold fell 043 per cent to 4807 per ounce while silver declined 144 per cent to 78885 per ounceA commodity market expert said that uncertainty surrounding the USIran ceasefire and upcoming macroeconomic events has led to cautious sentiment resulting in a marginal dip in gold pricesAccording to the analyst markets remained on edge over whether fresh peace talks would materialise before the ceasefire expires this week with conflicting signals from both sides adding to volatilityWhile US President Donald Trump confirmed that a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance would travel to Pakistan for negotiations Iranian officials indicated that talks were unlikely as long as the US naval blockade remains in place However reports suggested Tehran may still participate through regional mediators Geopolitical risks were further underscored by recent developments including the US capture of an Iranflagged vesselThe expert added that alongside geopolitical developments investor focus has shifted to domestic factors particularly the Senate confirmation hearing of Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh His relatively hawkish stance on monetary policy and preference for a leaner balance sheet have previously weighed on bullionWith uncertainty around both geopolitics and the policy outlook persisting gold remains under pressureEchoing this trend oil prices also declined by up to 2 per centBrent crude futures fell 171 per cent to 9384 per barrel hitting an intraday low as of 1230 pm while US West Texas Intermediate WTI traded at 855 down 2 per cent from the previous close IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gold-and-silver-prices-slip-up-to-1-pc-amid-global-uncertainty-670558.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/permanent-political-solution-in-bengal-hills-by-next-month-if-bjp-comes-to-power-hm-shah-670560.html Kolkata April 21 IANS A permanent political solution in the hills scattered over Darjeeling Kalimpong and Kurseong in North Bengal will be achieved by next month if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal after the Assembly elections in the state Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on TuesdaynbspOn May 6 we will be deciding the matter and coming out with a solution which will bring smiles on the faces of our Gorkha brothers Be it Congress or Trinamool Congress they have left out patriotic Gorkha brothers who have been deprived for a long time I had been coming to the hills for the last nine years I will announce a solution to the longstanding issue by May 6 That solution will be according to the desire of our Gorkha brothers HM Shah said while addressing a campaign rally at Sukna in Kurseong on Tuesday morningHe also said that since the BJP understands the sentiments and problems of the Gorkha population none other than the saffron force would be able to solve their problemsSpeaking on the occasion he said that the negligence of the Mamata Banerjeeled Trinamool Congress government towards the development of the entire North Bengal is evident from the state governments paltry budgetary allocation for the regionIn the last budget the state government had allocated Rs 2000 crore for the entire North Bengal But for minority and madrasa education development the budgetary allocation is as high as Rs 5800 crore But the people of North Bengal will not tolerate this approach anymore Shah saidHe also accused the Chief Minister of making attempts to destroy the rich heritage of Gorkha culture The Gorkhas have a glorious history Mamata Banerjee is trying to destroy that history and culture The same thing was done first by Congress and then by CPIM It is high time now that such injustice on our Gorkha brothers and sisters should stop said ShahHe also said that the West Bengal government had deliberately and perpetually refrained from sending representatives to the tripartite meeting convened by the Union Home Minister to discuss a permanent political solution in the hillsSince I became the Union Home Minister I have convened at least three meetings on this issue But Mamata Banerjee did not send any representative to the meeting even once I want to tell the Chief Minister that we are not dependent on her to solve this issue I know what is on the minds of our Grokha brothers and sisters Hence the solution would be achieved accordingly he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/permanent-political-solution-in-bengal-hills-by-next-month-if-bjp-comes-to-power-hm-shah-670560.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-tops-global-ai-health-adoption-at-85-pc-far-ahead-of-us-uk-report-670561.html Mumbai April 21 IANS India has emerged as the global leader in the adoption of artificial intelligence for personal health with a striking 85 per cent of consumers already using AIpowered tools far ahead of major developed markets a new report revealed on TuesdaynbspAccording to a study by Boston Consulting Group BCG titled Consumers Are Ready for AIEnabled Health Care Health Systems Need to Be Too Indian users are embracing generative AI at a pace unmatched globallyThe report based on a survey of over 13000 consumers across 15 countries highlighted how Indias adoption rate significantly surpasses that of the United States 50 per cent the United Kingdom 43 per cent and Japan 34 per centGlobally nearly 60 per cent of respondents said they already use AI for healthrelated purposes but India stands out as a frontrunner reflecting a growing comfort with digital tools in healthcareThe findings point to a major shift in how patients view medical care with most preferring a hybrid approach where human doctors are supported by AI rather than replaced by itThis model is particularly popular for tasks such as interpreting test results and managing chronic conditionsThe report also noted that younger generations are driving this rapid adoption Around 78 per cent of Gen Z respondents and 71 per cent of Millennials reported using AI for healthrelated tasks the report saidCurrently the use of AI in healthcare is largely concentrated in chatbots and wearable devices but expectations are quickly evolvingWhile current use is concentrated in chatbots 33 per cent and wearables 19 per cent there is a clear expectation for agentic AI that can book appointments manage referrals and flag drug interactions the report notedConsumers are increasingly looking for more advanced agentic AI systems that can independently perform tasks such as booking appointments managing referrals and identifying potential drug interactionsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-tops-global-ai-health-adoption-at-85-pc-far-ahead-of-us-uk-report-670561.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/authorities-raze-illegal-structures-in-ahmedabads-dhandhuka-disconnect-power-to-accused-670562.html Ahmedabad April 21 Administrative action intensified in Dhandhuka town of Ahmedabad district on Tuesday as authorities launched a demolition drive against illegal structures and disconnected electricity supply to two accused historysheeters days after a fatal stabbing triggered violence and unrest in the area Bulldozers were deployed to clear encroachments across key stretches while the power company disconnected electricity to the residences of Shabbir Chopda an accused in the Kishan Bharwad murder case in 2022 and Imtiyaz PathanOfficials said the process to register cases under Section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003 has been initiated with further legal action underwayAhmedabad Rural DySP Aastha Rana told IANS âThe demolition drive is currently underway in the area and sufficient police personnel have been deployed to assist the process As of now the only action taken against the two accused is that their electricity supply has been cut However this is not going to be the only action in the long run We will verify everythingâA large police contingent was deployed as teams from the Roads and Buildings RampB department revenue authorities police municipality city survey department UGVCL and fire and medical services carried out the operationThe heavy security presence led to parts of the town resembling a policecontrolled zone Encroachments are being removed along the stretch from the railway station to the Ranpur crossroads where around 14 roadside shop sheds have been identifiedIn the Khatkiwad area five residential properties are also being cleared Notices had earlier been issued to multiple units including around 12 along the FedaraâDhandhuka highwayDhandhuka Municipality Chief Officer Raju Sheikh told IANS âAt present the demolition drive is targeting around 15 to 20 illegal structures The structures linked to the two accused are not being razed in this drive the action is focused on properties associated with history sheetersâThe administrative measures follow the recent killing of Dharmesh Gamara who was fatally stabbed after a dispute reportedly triggered by a minor road incident involving motorcycles which escalated into a confrontation in a residential areaThe incident invoked widespread unrest including arson and vandalism with several shops set ablaze and properties damaged in DhandhukaPolice said two accused Samir and Rizwan were arrested in connection with the murder while at least 20 people were detained for their alleged role in the violenceTwo FIRs have been registered one for murder and related offences and another against more than 120 individuals for rioting unlawful assembly and damage to propertyInvestigators have since reconstructed the crime scene to establish the sequence of events taking the accused to multiple locations including the site of the stabbingAuthorities have also formed a Special Investigation Team SIT to probe both the murder and the subsequent unrest and said the situation in the town is now under control with normalcy gradually returning IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/authorities-raze-illegal-structures-in-ahmedabads-dhandhuka-disconnect-power-to-accused-670562.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/emraan-hashmi-starrer-awarapan-2-to-debut-in-cinemas-on-august-14-670563.html Mumbai April 21 IANS The makers of the upcoming film Awarapan 2 have booked August 14 2026 for its release The film is the highly anticipated sequel to one of Hindi cinemas most beloved cult filmsnbspOn Tuesday Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi took to the Stories section of his Instagram The film marks the reunion between filmmakerproducer Vishesh Bhatt and Emraan HashmiOn his decision to make Awarapan 2 producer Vishesh Bhatt said Awarapan 2 is an emotion so large that its meant for the big screen It also presents exotic settings and large scale sequences but fundamentally its built on our core principles of layered storytelling with powerful characters and rich musicHe further mentioned Emraan felt the angst of Shivam so deeply that he stepped into character in a heartbeat And with Disha Patani joining us the world of the film opened up to new possibilitiesMarking her first collaboration with Vishesh Films Disha Patani brings a compelling new dimension to the world of Awarapan Baaghi 2 MS Dhoni The Untold Story and Kalki 2898 AD among her creditsThe film is directed by Nitin Kakkar and written by Bilal Siddiqui created and produced by Vishesh Bhatt The film is currently in its final leg of production in Mumbai Awarapan 2 releases in cinemas worldwide on August 14 2026Awarapan has over the years gained a cult status It is largely driven by its emotional depth and haunting music Initially underappreciated at the boxoffice the film found a second life through television reruns and digital platforms Its melancholic tone themes of redemption and the brooding performance by Emraan Hashmi resonated strongly with audiences over timeSongs like Tera Mera Rishta and Toh Phir Aao have become timeless classics What sets Awarapan apart is its sincerity it doesnt chase mass appeal but instead builds a loyal following connected by the singular thread of cinematic emotions that sit rightIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/emraan-hashmi-starrer-awarapan-2-to-debut-in-cinemas-on-august-14-670563.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-uk-discuss-evolving-nature-of-conflict-and-deepening-military-to-military-cooperation-670572.html London April 21 IANS Chief of Defence Staff CDS General Anil Chauhan met the UKs Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard with their discussions focusing on the evolving nature of conflict and deepening militarytomilitary cooperationGeneral Chauhan also met the UKs Minister of State MoS for IndoPacific Seema MalhotraCDS also held highimpact bilateral talks with Ms Seema Malhotra MoS for IndoPacific to take forward India UK Partnership Defence Industrial Roadmap and Tech and Security initiatives to counter emerging challenges in the IndoPacific the HQ Integrated Defence Staff IDS said in a post on XnbspBoth sides emphasised enhancing cooperation in Cyber Intelligence and Space domains including information resilience and specialised exchanges The exchange reaffirmed a shared commitment to resilient Future Ready forces and a strengthened India UK strategic partnership it addedEarlier General Chauhan led a roundtable conference with leading officials think tanks and intellectuals on Indian military transformation challenges and opportunityGeneral Anil Chauhan Chief of Defence Staff CDS led an engaging roundtable conference with leading officials think tanks and intellectuals on Indian military transformation challenges and opportunity focused on the evolving strategic landscape and the imperatives of modern military transformation during his visit to the United Kingdom the HQ IDS posted on XDiscussions underscored the centrality of advanced technologies in defence enhancement of operational capabilities and closer synergy across industrial intelligence and cyber domains alongside strategic communication and joint engagements to further strengthen a robust futureoriented IndiaUK Defence Partnership it addedOn Monday General Chauhan was accorded a Ceremonial Step Line and received by his UK counterpart Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton in LondonDuring their meeting the two officials held discussions focused on expanding cooperation in cyber intelligence industrial collaboration and joint exercises to reinforce global security stability and resilience the Indian High Commission in London statedThe CDS also interacted with Indias High Commissioner Vikram K DoraiswamiThe visit will further deepen Defence Cooperation and will advance defence industrial ampamp intelligence collaboration cyber cooperation strategic communication and joint exercises This visit reinforces a shared commitment to global security stability and resilience the HQ IDS addedAccording to the UK Defence Ministry senior UK civil and military leaders will also interact with General Chauhan during his threeday visit Representatives of the British defence industry will meet him to progress talks on greater defence coproduction between the two countries General Chauhan will also be given a tour of the Royal College of Defence Studies where he will meet a multinational cohort of studentsThis is the first official visit by an Indian CDS to the UK and marks the fifth senior UKIndia military engagement this year following the UK Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyths visit to India in MarchIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-uk-discuss-evolving-nature-of-conflict-and-deepening-military-to-military-cooperation-670572.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-holds-fuel-prices-steady-as-us-uae-australia-pak-see-sharp-surge-670574.html New Delhi April 21 IANS Even after escalation in West Asia conflict and rise in Brent crude oil prices due to the closure of Strait of Hormuz the fuel prices remain unchanged in India while many countries have witnessed a jump of up to 85 per centnbspData by Kotak highlighted a sharp divergence between India and both advanced and emerging countries where consumers have faced increases in fuel prices so far this year reports NDTV ProfitOn the diesel front prices have witnessed a sharp rise in several countries in recent months amid geopolitical tensionsCountrywise the UAE saw an increase of around 85 per cent followed by Australia and the United States which recorded rises of more than 65 per cent and 62 per cent respectively Meanwhile in Canada Pakistan France Sri Lanka and Britain prices rose between 35 per cent and 53 per centMoreover countries where prices increased more modestly include China and Brazil while Russia stands out as an exception with diesel prices rising only slightly by over 1 per centIn contrast diesel prices in India have remained unchanged at Rs 876 per litre compared to January levels indicating zero increase despite the USIran tensionsA similar trend has been observed in petrol prices Neighbouring Pakistan has seen the highest a 44 per cent jump in petrol prices followed by the United States 42 per cent and the UAE 36 per centMeanwhile petrol prices in Canada Sri Lanka and China have risen by up to 34 per cent while Australia Britain and France recorded relatively moderate gainsAmong countries with modest increases Brazil and Russia reported hikes of over 7 per cent and 1 per cent respectivelyIn India retail petrol prices have been kept at Rs 947 per litre compared to January levels indicating no increase for consumersIndias unchanged fuel prices highlight the degree of price stabilisation enabled by policy interventions and publicsector oil marketing company OMC pricing Despite volatility in global fuel markets Indian consumers have largely been shielded from the immediate passthrough of international price pressuresIn a first since fuel price deregulation staterun OMCs are paying refineries a discounted price for petrol diesel aviation turbine fuel ATF and kerosene in a bid to curb mounting losses arising from a selfimposed freeze on retail fuel prices according to reportsIn another report prominent brokerage Macquarie said that at spot petroldiesel pricing of 135165 per barrel we estimate Indias oil marketing companies incur losses of Rs 18 per litre on petrol and Rs 35 per litre on dieselThe report added that every 10 per barrel increase in crude prices raises marketing losses by around Rs 6 per litreIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-holds-fuel-prices-steady-as-us-uae-australia-pak-see-sharp-surge-670574.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/people-of-tamil-nadu-will-give-massive-victory-to-nda-to-teach-lesson-to-stalin-piyush-goyal-670578.html Chennai April 21 IANS Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said that the people of Tamil Nadu will deliver a massive victory to the NDA to teach a lesson to Mr StalinnbspSpeaking to IANS Goyal said I am at least glad that finally Udhayanidhi Stalin and his father MK Stalin have realised that by hurting Tamil culture Tamil pride Tamil tradition and Tamil heritage and by calling Sanatan Dharma which is a way of life for Tamil Nadu and for Indians something that should be eradicated they have hurt the sentiments of every Tamil Tamil Nadu will not forget and Tamil Nadu will not forgiveHe further said The people of Tamil Nadu will give such a massive victory to the NDA to teach a lesson to Mr Stalin whom I call antiTamil for continuously creating false narratives and hurting our women by depriving them of reservation The Congress and Tamil Nadus DMK are primarily responsible for not ensuring reservationGoyal added It is clearly visible that there is a massive wave in favour of the NDA Edappadi K Palaniswami will be the next Chief Minister of Tamil NaduReferring to regional leadership he said You just heard N Chandrababu Naidu himself He is from South India They have hurt the interests of South India and the Northeast and they have also weakened the goal of ensuring equal opportunities for every part of India and for every woman Stalin has completely failed the people of Tamil NaduMeanwhile in Tamil Nadu Tuesday is the last day of campaigning According to the Election Commission all forms of campaigning will cease after 6 PM With limited time remaining political parties intensified their final outreach efforts across districtsDuring campaigning BJP leaders while canvassing for alliance candidates alleged that the DMK had delivered poor governance in the state and that dynastic politics had permeated even village panchayat levels under its ruleAIADMK leader Palaniswami claimed that the DMK government was responsible for deteriorating law and order and rising crimes against womenOn the other hand AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal stated that Tamil Nadu has progressed under the DMK government He criticised the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP and drew comparisons with the current political situation of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish KumarThe Congress party meanwhile accused the Income Tax Department of obstructing Tamil Nadu Congress President Selva Perunthagai from carrying out his political duties terming the searches a blatant misuse of central agencies by the BJPIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/people-of-tamil-nadu-will-give-massive-victory-to-nda-to-teach-lesson-to-stalin-piyush-goyal-670578.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-powers-arm-sets-up-new-atomic-energy-subsidiary-670582.html Ahmedabad April 21 Adani Power Limited on Tuesday announced the incorporation of a new stepdown whollyowned subsidiary as it strengthens its presence in the atomicnuclear energy space In a regulatory filing the Adani Group company said its whollyowned subsidiary Adani Atomic Energy Limited AAEL has set up RawatbhataRaj Atomic Energy Limited RRAELâWe would like to inform that Adani Atomic Energy Limited AAEL a whollyowned subsidiary of the Company has incorporated a whollyowned subsidiary namely RawatbhataRaj Atomic Energy Limited RRAEL on April 20â Adani Power saidThe entity was incorporated on April 20 2026 in India with an authorised capital of Rs 5 lakh divided into 50000 equity shares of Rs 10 eachâRRAEL has been incorporated with authorised capital of Rs 500000 divided into 50000 equity shares of Rs 10 eachâ it saidThe company clarified that RRAEL is a whollyowned subsidiary of AAEL which itself is fully owned by Adani Power making it a stepdown subsidiary within the groupâs structureâ100 per cent of the shareholding of RRAEL is held by AAEL 100 per cent of the shareholding of AAEL is held by Adani Power Limitedâ it notedIn a parallel development on the same day another group entity Adani Energy incorporated a stepdown wholly owned subsidiary named CoastalMaha Atomic Energy LimitedThis entity will operate in the nuclear energy segment and will be engaged in the generation transmission and distribution of electricity derived from atomic energyâTo generate transmit and distribute power derived from nuclear andor atomic energyâ it said in its stock exchange filingThe backtoback incorporations signal the Adani Groupâs growing interest in the nuclear power sector aligning with Indiaâs longterm energy transition goalsAt present Indiaâs installed nuclear power capacity stands at 87 gigawatts The country has set an ambitious target to scale this capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047 as part of its broader clean energy roadmap IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-powers-arm-sets-up-new-atomic-energy-subsidiary-670582.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-has-potential-to-unlock-rs-78-500-crore-value-from-textile-waste-report-670596.html New Delhi April 21 India has the potential to unlock about 94 billion nearly Rs 78500 crore in value from its textile waste annually by strengthening collection sorting and recycling systems a new report showed on Tuesday The joint report by FICCI and the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition RECEIC said India generates around 725 million tonnes of textile waste annually but a significant share remains underutilised due to fragmented collection systems lack of standardised sorting and limited recycling capacityNearly 94 billion of value is currently unrealised largely due to inefficiencies across collection sorting and recyclingImportantly about 85 per cent of this value lies in reuse pathways which remain underdeveloped said the reportTo unlock the opportunity the FICCIâRECEIC report recommends a national Extended Producer Responsibility EPR framework for textiles investment in collection and sorting infrastructure standardised grading and traceability systems integration of informal sector workers and expansion of recycling capacityPostconsumer textile waste systems are highly fragmented with nearly 45 per cent of waste not entering recovery pathways and instead being diverted to landfill or incinerationâA key bottleneck identified is sorting described as the âvalue gateâ of the textile waste ecosystem However over 95 per cent of sorting in India is manual with limited technology adoption and absence of a standardised grading frameworkâ said the reportThe report also noted policy and infrastructure gaps including the absence of a dedicated Extended Producer Responsibility EPR framework for textiles weak source segregation and inadequate traceability mechanismsOn recycling Indiaâs ecosystem is dominated by mechanical processes with limited chemical recycling capacity constraining the ability to handle blended fabrics and scale circularity it addedâWhile circular materials can significantly enhance supply chain resilience and reduce dependence on virgin resources achieving this will require coordinated action across policy industry and infrastructureâ said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-has-potential-to-unlock-rs-78-500-crore-value-from-textile-waste-report-670596.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nps-clinches-inter-school-alumni-basketball-title-in-chandigarh-670602.html DW Bureau Chandigarh April 21 2026 The ExVivekite Association EVA successfully hosted the second edition of the InterSchool Alumni Basketball Tournament bringing together seven prominent school alumni teams for a spirited display of sportsmanship and competitive excellence Held at the basketball courts of Vivek High School Sector 38 Chandigarh the tournament witnessed highenergy matches impressive teamwork and enthusiastic participation from former studentsWhat made the tournament particularly noteworthy was its inclusive format with teams comprising a mix of both men and women players The event not only celebrated athletic talent but also rekindled schooltime camaraderie among alumni creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and friendly rivalryThe alumni association of New Public School NPS emerged as the champions putting up a commanding performance throughout the tournament to clinch the coveted trophy YPS Mohali OYA secured the first runnerup position after a strong showing while the host team ExVivekite Association EVA finished as the second runnerupIn the final match NPS defeated Yadavindra Old Association OYA with a convincing scoreline of 5842 Divarsh Singh played a pivotal role in NPSs victory scoring an impressive 32 points under the captaincy of Gurinder Singh His sharp shooting and consistent performance kept the opposition on the back foot For OYA Aadesh Singh emerged as the top scorer with 24 points leading his side under the captaincy of Rakshit but his efforts fell short against NPSs dominant gameplayThe contest for third place was equally engaging as EVA faced Guru Nanak Public School GNPS in a closely fought match EVA managed to edge past GNPS with a score of 4236 Gursher led the scoring for EVA with 18 points under the leadership of captain Ronnie Singh while Shahbaaz also scored 18 points for GNPS showcasing commendable determinationEVA President Dr Harkirat Sethi Vice President Tarun Lehal and Sports Secretaries Ronnie Singh and Abhishek Garg congratulated all the participating teams for their sportsmanship teamwork and enthusiastic participation They highlighted the importance of such events in strengthening alumni networks and promoting a healthy active lifestyleThe prize distribution ceremony was graced by Mukul Sharma Vice Principal of Vivek High School Chandigarh who presented trophies and awards to the winning teams and applauded the efforts of all participants and organisersThe tournament featured alumni teams from ExVivekite Association EVA New Public School NPS YPS Mohali OYA Guru Nanak Public School GNPS St Kabir KROS Sanawar OSS and The Doon School making it a vibrant gathering of talent and school spiritDW BUreau https://dailyworld.in/national/nps-clinches-inter-school-alumni-basketball-title-in-chandigarh-670602.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-would-provide-direction-hm-parameshwara-on-concerns-raised-by-ktaka-congs-muslim-leaders-670603.html Bengaluru April 21 Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that concerns raised by Muslim leaders within the Congress party would be examined adding that senior party MP and Leader of the Opposition LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi would provide direction on the matter Responding to questions from reporters he said the Congress has consistently given priority to members of the Muslim community when it comes to electoral representationHe also clarified that the partyâs practice of granting tickets to family members of deceased leaders has been misinterpreted in the present caseâSome have sought tickets citing their voter strength which is not wrong Due to certain reasons a ticket has been given to late Shamanur Shivashankarappaâs family and it should not be interpreted differentlyThis is an internal matter of the Congress party The party president the Chief Minister and all of us will resolve itâ he saidIt can be recalled that a section of Muslim leaders had sought a ticket for a candidate from the community from Davanagere South bypoll After the poll with allegations of antiparty activities surfacing the Congress had stripped MLCs Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Hussain of party positionsAbdul Jabbar was asked to resign from the post of the party minority wing and Hussain was shunted out from the post of CMs Political Advisor as he refused to tender his resignationAddressing another issue Parameshwara said he has directed officials to submit a report regarding allegations of harassment by senior officers against a Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement DCRE Inspector as well as a letter reportedly written by an SP to the DGP against the Mangaluru City Police CommissionerSpeaking to the media Parameshwara said he had taken note of reports highlighting the matterA DCRE Inspector named Srinivas has made several allegations while SP Kashinath has written to the DGP raising concerns âI have sought a report from the DGP on both these matters Action will be taken based on the findings of the reportâ he saidIt can be noted that SS Kashi a Superintendent of Police SP with the DCRE in Karnataka wrote a letter to the Director General and Inspector General of Police DGampIGP MA Saleem in April 2026 alleging mental harassment and bias by Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar ReddyPolice Commissioner Reddy denied the allegations calling them baseless and stating that departmental enquiries against Kashi were initiated based on his performance and upheld by the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-would-provide-direction-hm-parameshwara-on-concerns-raised-by-ktaka-congs-muslim-leaders-670603.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/storm-over-kharges-terrorist-remark-at-pm-modi-ministers-and-mps-rip-into-cong-chief-670604.html New Delhi April 21 IANS Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge found himself in the firing line of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP on Tuesday as Union Ministers MPs and party leaders launched a blistering attack at him for calling the Prime Minister Narendra Modi a terroristThe political storm arising over Kharges comments saw Union Ministers and leaders from the BJP launching a fierce and swift response at the Congress and its ChiefUnion Minister Piyush Goyal while taking a strong objection to the highly deplorable remarks demanded an outright apology and warned that such personal attacks on the Prime Minister wont go unpunished in the electionsI feel ashamed that the Congress and the DMK have stooped so low that they are insulting the Prime Minister who is democratically elected by the people of India by calling him a terrorist Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin must apologise for this downright insult to the Prime Minister Modi as well as the people of India who have voted him in Union Minister Goyal said taking to his official X accountThe Union Minister said that objectionable words against the Prime Minister was an insult to 140 crore Indians including Tamil brothers and sisters and said that such personal attacks against the Prime Minister Modi wont reverse their electoral fate that has already been sealed by the anger of the people who have suffered their misruleBJP MP Sambit Patra called out the abusive mindset of Congress and asserted that this was not a random controversy but a tactfully planned Congress gameplan to attack and humiliate the Prime Minister ahead of electionsHe also warned that Congress not learning from its mistakes will have to pay the price in the ensuing Assembly pollsThe words chosen by Kharge for PM Modi is highly condemnable and shows the vitriolic mindset of Congress party This is not a slip of tongue Their clarification on the issue if any means nothing because its not a oneoff incident but a well thoughtout and planned Congress strategy For past few days Rahul Gandhi and other top Congress leaders have been making abusive and insulting remarks against the Prime Minister Patra saidHe added that Tuesdays incident has breached all limits as Mallikarjun Kharge at the insistence of Rahul Gandhi called the Prime Minister a terroristIssuing a video statement the BJP MP said This is same Congress which is seen standing with separatists this is the same party which addresses terrorist Osama Bin Laden with respect which describes radical preacher Zakir Naik apostle of peace but finds countrys Prime Minister as terroristHighlighting the series of welfare schemes launched by the Narendra Modi government including Mudra Yojana Awas Yojana free ration to countrymen and the push for 33 per cent reservation to women Patra asked Is this the character of Congress partyWarning the grand old party of biting the dust in the ensuing polls he said The way Congress has been making disparaging remarks on PM Modi it must remember that whenever Congress abused the Prime Minister it paid a heavy price and this time also the people of country will give it a befitting replyThe controversy emanated from Kharges statement made during a press conference in Tamil Nadu on TuesdayAddressing the press Kharge said How these AIADMK people who themselves put the photo of Annadurai how can they join PM Modi He is a terrorist His party wont believe in equality and justice These people are joining with them it means they are weakening democracy they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai Kamaraj Periyar Kaliagnar Baba Saheb AmbedkarLater in a clarification the Congress President said I did not mean that PM Modi is a terrorist What I meant was that people are being terrorised and institutions and agencies are being used to intimidate themIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/storm-over-kharges-terrorist-remark-at-pm-modi-ministers-and-mps-rip-into-cong-chief-670604.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-crpf-jawan-on-election-duty-attempts-suicide-670464.html Kolkata April 20 A Central Reserve Police Force CRPF jawan who had come to West Bengal on Assembly election duty attempted suicide in Murshidabad district on Monday According to the police the jawan was rescued from the Shaktipur police station area of the Rejinagar Assembly constituency He is undergoing treatment at the hospitalA few Central Force personnel who arrived in Shaktipur on election duty have been accommodated at Bazarsau Higher Secondary High School It is alleged that the head constable of the Central Reserve Police Forceâs 142nd Battalion attempted suicide thereThe jawan hails from a state in southern India He had also done election duty in Assam a month ago According to a local source he shot himself with a service rifle One bullet hit his left shoulder The bleeding jawan was rescued by his colleaguesThe injured jawan is undergoing treatment at Berhampore Medical College and Hospital According to hospital sources his physical condition is stable However he has been kept under observation for the time beingEarlier a Central Force jawan on Assembly election duty died under mysterious circumstances in Falta of South 24 Parganas district on the night of April 14 The deceased was identified as Kanak KochHe was a constable with the IndoTibetan Border Police The initial assumption of the police is that he fell from the stairs and died after sustaining severe injuriesTwo days later a Border Security Force jawan died in a fire at the camp of the 77th Battalion of the Border Security Force at Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas districtThe deceasedâs name was Jyotiram SinghHe was working as an Assistant SubInspector Jyotiram entered the camps fuel storage room and soon the fire broke outThe fire spread so quickly that the Border Security Force jawan did not get a chance to come out As a result he got trapped in the room and died of burns IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-crpf-jawan-on-election-duty-attempts-suicide-670464.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-132-containers-of-imported-watermelon-seeds-peas-valued-at-rs-139-crore-seized-670465.html Mumbai April 20 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI Mumbai arrested an importer for smuggling âWatermelon Seedsâ and âGreen Peasâ worth Rs 139 crore from Tanzania Sudan and Canada an official said on Mondayâ The illegal consignment was seized at Nhava Sheva Port and the proprietor of the importing firm â a key person behind this organised smuggling was arrested on Sunday said a statement issued by DRIâActing on specific intelligence officers intercepted 132 containers containing approximately 3029 metric tonnes of goods misdeclared as âToor DalPigeon Peasâ The seized consignments are valued at around Rs 139 croreâDetailed examination revealed blatant misdeclaration with recovery of 2710 MT of watermelon seeds originating from Tanzania and Sudan and 319 MT of green peas from Canada instead of the declared goods âToor DalPigeon PeasââThe government has imposed strict import restrictions on these commodities to safeguard domestic farmers from lowpriced importsâImport of melon seeds has been restrictedprohibited post June 2024 DGFT Notification No 052023 dated April 5 2024 while imports of green peas are restricted under DGFT Notification No 372015â20 dated December 18 2019 subject to a Minimum Import Price Rs 200kg CIF and restricted import through Kolkata port onlyâThe DRI continues to intensify intelligencedriven operations against the smuggling of restrictedprohibited goods reaffirming its commitment to protecting the nations economic interests ensuring a level playing field for domestic producers and enforcing compliance with import regulations the statement saidâEarlier under its âOperation Fire Trailâ DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit thwarted a smuggling attempt involving illegal Chineseorigin firecrackers entering IndiaâThe operation resulted in the seizure of contraband worth an estimated Rs 44 crore at the Nhava Sheva Port in OctoberâFollowing detailed intelligence gathering DRI officers identified a suspicious 40foot container that was declared to be carrying âglass bottlesâ from ChinaâFurther analysis of the shipment raised red flags indicating an attempt to conceal hazardous goods within the cargoâThe DRI team examined the container at the port leading to the discovery of 29340 pieces of Chinese firecrackers concealed behind a superficial layer of glass bottlesâThis deceptive concealment strategy was designed to evade detection with the fireworks masked as a legitimate cargo The total value of the seized goods amounts to approximately Rs 44 croreâThe import of firecrackers is âRestrictedâ under the ITC HS Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy with specific licensing requirements from both the Directorate General of Foreign Trade DGFT and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation PESO under the Explosives Rules 2008 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-132-containers-of-imported-watermelon-seeds-peas-valued-at-rs-139-crore-seized-670465.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-rejects-umar-khalids-review-plea-in-delhi-riots-case-670466.html New Delhi April 20 The Supreme Court has dismissed a review petition filed by student activist Umar Khalid challenging its January 5 judgment that had denied him bail in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots After considering the material placed on record a Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria rejected the plea observing that no valid ground for review was made outâHaving gone through the review petition and also the documents enclosed we do not find any good ground and reason to review the judgment dated 05012026 Accordingly the review petition is dismissedâ the Justice Kumarled Bench saidThe top court also declined the request for an oral hearing of the review plea stating âPrayer for oral hearing in the review petition is rejectedâEarlier on April 13 senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Khalid had mentioned the matter before the Justice Kumarled Bench urging that the review petition be heard in open courtâI wanted to make a mention my lords are hearing the review petition in Umar Khalidâs case It is listed on Wednesday I believe My request is it is only for your consideration if you could have it in an open courtâ Sibal had submittedThe Justice Kumarled Bench had responded that it would examine the request stating âWe will look into the paper and if required we will call itâOrdinarily review petitions are decided in chambers on limited grounds such as errors apparent on the face of the record and are rarely listed for open court hearingIn January this year the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Khalid and coaccused Sharjeel Imam in the alleged larger conspiracy case arising out of the 2020 Delhi riotsHowever the apex court granted bail to five other accused Gulfisha Fatima Meeran Haider Shifa Ur Rehman Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmed while declining relief to Imam and KhalidPronouncing the verdict the Justice Kumarled Bench had held that the prosecution material disclosed a prima facie case against the duo attracting the statutory bar on bail under Section 43D5 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention ActThe apex court had observed that the prosecution material and evidence on record did not justify Khalidâs release on bail and indicated his involvement at the level of planning mobilisation and issuance of strategic directionsRejecting the contention that no overt act of violence was attributed to Khalid the top court had said that in conspiracy cases âthe law does not demand that every conspirator execute the terminal act but demands a prima facie nexus between the accused and the unlawful design to be inferred from cumulative conductâThe Supreme Court had clarified that its observations were confined to the question of bail and would not influence the trial IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-rejects-umar-khalids-review-plea-in-delhi-riots-case-670466.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-three-cops-injured-as-mob-attacks-police-team-during-raid-in-jamui-670471.html Patna April 20 A police team in Bihars Jamui district was allegedly attacked by local residents during a raid to arrest an absconding accused leaving three personnel injured According to an official the incident occurred around 10 am on Monday when a police team reached Khairma village to apprehend Dhibu Yadav who had been evading arrest in multiple criminal casesAs the police team moved to arrest him near a brick kiln close to Khairma bridge the accused along with his family members and associates allegedly attacked the police personnel During the assault the attackers used sticks clubs bricks and stones resulting in injuries to two subinspectors and one constableDespite the attack the police team managed to arrest the accusedThe injured officers have been identified as subinspectors Sunil Kumar Sah and Bikram Kumar both posted at the Town police station and constable Ranbir KumarAll three were admitted to the Sadar hospital for treatment where they are currently under medical careThe accused Dhibu Yadav has also been taken to the same hospital for a medical examinationAll injured individuals are being treated under the supervision of Dr Manish KumarPolice sources said several serious cases including dacoity robbery and assault are registered against Dhibu Yadav including cases at the Railway Police StationHe had been absconding for a long time before his arrestFollowing the incident the police have initiated further investigation to identify and take action against those involved in the attack on the police teamEarlier on March 27 2026 a government team conducting an electricity theft inspection was allegedly attacked by locals in Bakharaur village under the Sidhwalia police station areaAccording to the police the Electricity Department team led by a junior electrical engineer had reached the village following repeated complaints of power theftHowever as soon as they began their inspection they faced resistance from locals which quickly escalated from verbal arguments into a violent confrontationThe situation spiralled out of control when an angry mob allegedly assaulted the officialsSeveral employees including the junior engineer were beaten verbally abused and even threatened with death IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-three-cops-injured-as-mob-attacks-police-team-during-raid-in-jamui-670471.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chandrababu-trying-to-create-rift-in-jagans-family-alleges-lakshmi-parvathi-670472.html Hyderabad April 20 YSR Congress Party general secretary N Lakshmi Parvathi on Monday slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu for what she called trying to create a rift in the family of YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy Lakshmi Parvathi the second wife of former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party TDP founder N T Rama Rao NTR said Chandrababu Naidu created a wedge in the family of NTR and alleged that he was playing the same cards with the Jagan Mohan Reddy familySpeaking to the media here she alleged that said Chandrababu made a backdoor entry into politics and usurped the TDP and power from NTR She remarked that Chandrababu never won an election on his ownLakshmi Parvathi criticised Chandrababu for trying to elevate his son Nara Lokesh âLokesh is another unworthy candidate who has no knowledge of any subject but has undeservedly high aspirationsâ she saidThe former MLA said that while Jagan Mohan Reddy championed the cause of womens empowerment and demonstrated it in its finest form by giving 50 per cent reservations to them Chandrababu always betrayed women be it Self Help Groups pensions free bus travel or other schemesShe alleged that Amaravati is a project for Chandrababu to mint money and claimed that MAVIGUN Machilipatnam Vijayawada Guntur suggested by Jagan Mohan Reddy is the most practical and viable oneMeanwhile YSRCP spokesperson and former MLA Rachamallu Siva Prasad Reddy strongly criticised Lokesh saying his newfound respect for Jagan Mohan Reddyâs mother YS Vijayamma exposes his political opportunismHe stated that Lokeshâs sudden birthday wishes to YS Vijayamma were driven by political motives rather than genuine respectThe YSRCP spokesperson said that those who are now claiming to respect Jagan Mohan Reddyâs mother and admire his sister are simultaneously targeting his wife He called it a clear reflection of unethical politicsHe pointed out that Vijayammaâs birthday is a moment of joy for YSRCP cadre and the people who respect the YSR family but Lokeshâs sudden display of affection raises serious doubts especially when he had never shown such regard in the pastSiva Prasad Reddy stated that this ânewfound respectâ is part of a calculated attempt to exploit internal family differences for political gain and to distance YS Jagan from his familyRecalling past incidents he said YSRCP leaders cannot forget how Vijayamma was subjected to humiliating vehicle checks during the previous TDP regime questioning the sincerity behind current greetings from the same quartersHe further criticised the selective nature of such gestures asking whether similar wishes were ever extended to the mothers of other leaders including national figures and allies and termed this as clear hypocrisy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chandrababu-trying-to-create-rift-in-jagans-family-alleges-lakshmi-parvathi-670472.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-performs-bhoomi-puja-for-kaleshwaram-temples-development-works-670473.html Hyderabad April 20 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday laid the foundation stone for the development works of the Sri Kaleshwara Mukteshwara Temple at Kaleshwaram in Jayashankar Bhupalapally district The development works of the temple are being taken up at a cost of â¹198 crore Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also laid the foundation stone for the Kaleshwaram Bus StationMinisters Uttam Kumar Reddy Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy Duddilla Sridhar Babu Ponnam Prabhakar Adluri Laxman Kumar MP Gaddam Vamshi Krishna and others were presentIn May last year the Chief Minister Reddy had announced that the state government will allocate Rs 200 crore for the development of the Kaleshwaram temple as a major tourist destinationHe had promised to release the funds through the green channelOn Monday Chief Minister Reddy reached Kaleshwaram by a helicopter from Hyderabad and after performing puja at the temple and participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the temples development works he visited Annaram barrage a part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation ProjectIrrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy Revenue Minister P Srinivas Reddy National Dam Safety Authority NDSA Chairman Anil Jain and senior officials accompanied the Chief MinisterChief Minister Reddy along with ministers and senior officials inspected the ongoing geotechnical geophysical and GPR surveys â as well as sample collection activities â being conducted using bore rigs at piers 20 21 and 22 of the Medigadda barrageThe government plans to collect samples using 520 bore rigs and send them to the Central Water and Power Research Station CWPRSFollowing laboratory testing at the facility a comprehensive understanding regarding the extent of the damage to the barrage is expected to emergeMinister Uttam Kumar Reddy said last week that the Chief Minister Reddygovernment will undertake the repair and restoration of three barrages part of the Kaleshwaram project scientifically and transparentlyHe met NDSA Chairman Anil Jain in Delhi on April 17 and discussed the state governments action plan for the repair and restoration of the Medigadda Annaram and Sundilla barragesThe minister explained the precautionary measures the government is taking to prevent past errors from being repeatedThe NDSA Chairman expressed satisfaction with the manner in which comprehensive testing is currently being conducted under the supervision of experts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-performs-bhoomi-puja-for-kaleshwaram-temples-development-works-670473.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/us-ramps-up-pace-for-critical-minerals-in-africa-to-counter-china-670474.html New Delhi April 20 The US is stepping up its investments in infrastructure projects in Africa to counter Chinaâs influence as the race for critical minerals such as copper cobalt lithium and rare earth elements gathers pace in the aftermath of the trade war between the two countries Chinese engagement in African mining operations has evolved into comprehensive value chain integration spanning exploration production transport and processing stages Major Chinese companies have established significant operational presence across key mineralproducing regions creating interconnected systems that extend beyond individual mining projectsThe scale of Chinese involvement extends beyond operational control to encompass transportation networks processing facilities and export logistics This vertical integration creates comprehensive systems where African mineral production becomes embedded within Chinesecontrolled value chains increasing technical and economic dependencies for host countriesThe US strategy emphasises infrastructure development as a mechanism for gaining market access and operational influence Transportation corridor development aims to create alternative routing options for African mineral exports reducing dependence on Chinesecontrolled logistics networks while providing competitive export pathways for mineral producersPort modernisation and logistics optimisation focus on increasing throughput capacity and reducing transportation costs The Lobito Corridor represents the primary implementation of this approach targeting 46 million tonnes of annual capacity through railway rehabilitation and port terminal upgrades These improvements aim to reduce transit times by 29 days and transportation costs by 30 per cent compared to existing routesFinancing mechanisms utilise development finance institutions to provide competitive alternatives to Chinese infrastructure financing The US International Development Finance Corporation provides loan guarantees and direct financing for infrastructure projects that create mineral export pathways aligned with US strategic objectives Additionally the US mineral production order has strengthened national security priorities in mineral developmentChinese dominance in critical minerals is most pronounced in downstream processing operations where significant value creation occurs China processes 80 per cent of global cobalt refining 40 per cent of global copper smelting and 60 per cent of global lithium processing according to industry assessmentsThe integrated nature of Chinese operations creates comprehensive dependency relationships Raw ore extracted from African mines typically requires processing in Chinese facilities to achieve batterygrade specifications This processing stage captures 4060 per cent of total value creation while raw ore extraction typically captures only 510 per cent of final product valueTransportation route dependencies reinforce value chain control Chinese companies have invested in railway infrastructure port facilities and logistics networks that channel African mineral exports toward Chinese processing facilities These infrastructure investments create longterm routing dependencies that persist beyond individual mining project lifecycles IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/us-ramps-up-pace-for-critical-minerals-in-africa-to-counter-china-670474.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-lauds-ncb-for-getting-73-drug-offenders-punished-in-3-months-670478.html New Delhi April 20 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday praised the Narcotics Control Bureau NCB for securing punishment for 73 drug offenders in the first three months of 2026 an official saidâ In a message on social media HM Shah said âTo protect our youth from the scourge of drugs the Modi govt is ruthlessly demolishing drug cartels and is also ensuring their convictionâââUnder this mission the NCB has made a breakthrough in getting 73 drug offenders convicted in the first three months of 2026 with the harshest punishments We are determined to shut every breathing space of drug rackets with all our mightâ he saidâAccording to the Home Ministry as many as 950 lakh searchable records of arrested and convicted persons under the NDPS Act are available on the centralised digital database the National Integrated Database on Arrested NarcoOffenders NIDAAN to strengthen enforcement actionâMinister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in a recent statement said that NIDAAN developed by the NCB in collaboration with the InterOperable Criminal Justice System ICJS integrates data of offenders arrested by all Drug Law Enforcement Agencies across the country including information such as identity details photographs fingerprints case particulars and courtrelated informationâHe said NIDAAN facilitates and assists investigating agencies in opposing bail seeking bail cancellation monitoring habitual offenders and supporting the preparation of proposals under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances PITNDPS Act 1988 thereby strengthening coordinated and proactive enforcement actionâSharing details of the countryâs fight against drug trafficking networks he said the government has approved a scheme for Modernisation of Forensic Capacities under which Rs 420 crore has been approved for the component of ModernisationUpgradation of Forensic Science Laboratories FSLs in StatesUnion TerritoriesâHe said under the scheme âAssistance to States UTs for Narcotics Controlâ financial assistance is being provided to eligible States to strengthen enforcement capabilities to combat illicit trafficking in NDPS substancesâRai also highlighted that the government has strengthened interministerial and interagency coordination through the NarcoCoordination NCORD mechanism that provides a structured institutionalised platform for coordination among Central Ministries State Governments and enforcement agencies for monitoring drug trafficking precursor diversion demand reduction and rehabilitation resulting in improved enforcement outcomes and intelligencesharingâSo far nine Apex NCORD meetings and six Executive NCORD meetings have been held to guide policy formulation enhance interministerial coordination and review the overall narcotics control framework he saidâAt the operational level 253 State NCORD meetings and 12471 District NCORD meetings have been conducted across the country the Union Minister addedâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-lauds-ncb-for-getting-73-drug-offenders-punished-in-3-months-670478.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-two-top-rcom-executives-in-rs-19-694-crore-bank-fraud-case-670482.html New Delhi April 20 The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI has arrested two senior executives of Anil Ambanicontrolled Reliance Communications RCom D Vishwanath and Anil Kalya in connection with the Rs 19694 crore bank fraud case registered against the company according to an agency statement on Monday The CBI had registered a regular case against Reliance Communications Limited Anil D Ambani and unknown others on the complaint of State Bank of India SBI on the allegations that the bank had sanctioned credit facilities to the accused company but due to the fraudulent activities of the accused borrowers the bank had to suffer wrongful loss of around Rs 292905 crore As per the complaint filed by the SBI a wrongful loss of Rs 1969433 crore has been caused to 17 public sector banks and financial institutionsInvestigations carried out so far have revealed that RCom Ltd entered into circuitous transactions through shell entities controlled by the companyâs officials and also got discounted letters of credit LCs opened for bogus servicerelated transactions with its group entities which got devolved causing huge losses to the banksRCom Joint President Vishwanath was overall in charge of banking operations of the group and the misutilisation of funds was carried out on his directions He was in coordination with banks for the sanction and disbursal of the facilities to the accused company Kalya who was vice president of the company had actively supported Vishwanth and these two were important functionaries of the RCom group managing corporate finance banking operations payments and utilisation of funds at the relevant timeThe two executives will now be produced before the jurisdictional court according to the CBI statementThe investigation in the case is still ongoing the statement saidThe CBI has in the last few months registered 7 cases against the Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group on complaints lodged by various public sector banks and LIC for fraud running into thousands of crores of rupees IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-two-top-rcom-executives-in-rs-19-694-crore-bank-fraud-case-670482.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-more-held-in-noida-workers-protest-case-670329.html Noida April 20 Two more individuals have been arrested for their involvement in the workers protest that turned violent in Noida last week police said on Monday Both were in regular contact with the alleged mastermind Aditya Anand officials said They were arrested on Sunday nightThe accused have been identified as Himanshu Thakur and Satyam Verma and both have been charged with inciting violence during the agitationAccording to the Gautam Buddha Nagar Police investigations have pointed to the active role played by the two men with crucial leads emerging through electronic surveillancePolice said that the accused were actively involved in instigating and coordinating violent incidents during the protest which escalated into clashesAn FIR had earlier been registered at the Phase 2 police station following the violence officials addedPolice teams tracked the movements of the accused across multiple locations using electronic surveillance and technical inputs before detaining them on April 19 After sustained questioning both individuals were formally arrestedEarlier on April 17 the police had identified three alleged masterminds in the case including Rupesh Roi who claimed to be an autorickshaw driver Manisha Chauhan and Aditya Anand a BTech graduate from National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur Investigators had also flagged the role of two X accounts believed to be operating from Pakistan which allegedly spread misleading information and contributed to the disturbance of public order Subsequently on April 18 a joint operation by the Noida Police and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force led to the arrest of Aditya from Tiruchirappalli Railway StationAll three Aditya Rupesh and Manisha have already been sent to jailOfficials said efforts are currently underway to piece together the network behind the violence and establish further links in the caseFurther legal proceedings against the accused are in progress police said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-more-held-in-noida-workers-protest-case-670329.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-bust-ganja-supply-network-three-arrested-with-over-3-kg-contraband-670333.html New Delhi April 20 In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking the Delhi Police have busted a ganja supply network arresting one supplier and two peddlers with over three kilograms of contraband According to an official press release issued by the SouthWest District âA ganja supply network busted by staff of police station Kishangarh SouthWest Districtâ leading to the arrest of three accused and recovery of â3142 Kg ganjaâ The operation was carried out by the team of Kishangarh Police Station DelhiPolice identified the accused as K Kainaka Rochill 20 a resident of Munirka Orjit Lama 29 a retail seller and consumer from Shani Bazar Road Kishangarh and Puloto 24 a distributor from the same locality All three are originally from Dimapur NagalandDetailing the operation the police said that on April 4 a patrolling team intercepted two suspicious individuals near Aruna Asaf Ali Road IUAC Red Light in Kishangarh âUpon checking and searching the persons contraband ganja was recovered from their possession The accused persons were unable to produce any valid documents or authorisationâ the release statedSubsequently an FIR No 932026 under Section 20 of the NDPS Act was registered and the two accused Orjit Lama and Puloto were arrested on the spot Further investigation led to the arrest of supplier Kainaka RochillThe police also revealed the modus operandi of the network stating âAccused K Kainaka Rochill used to supply contraband substanceâ Puloto used to procure ganjaâ while Orjit Lama used to repack the contraband substance into small packets of approximately Rs 500 each and sell the same at the street levelâ The accused reportedly used discreet courierstyle packaging to avoid detectionInvestigators said the trio leveraged strong mutual trust as all hailed from the same native region to run their illegal operations while keeping activities concealedDeputy Commissioner of Police Amit Goel confirmed the development and said further investigation is underway to identify the broader supply chain and possible links to other networks IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-bust-ganja-supply-network-three-arrested-with-over-3-kg-contraband-670333.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/south-korean-president-lee-jae-myung-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-670334.html New Delhi April 20 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed the South Korean President upon his arrivalChildren in traditional costumes holding the South Korean national flag and the Tricolour also warmly welcomed the visiting leaderSouth Korean President Lee arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a threeday state visit Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra received President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung at the airport in New DelhiThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA noted that the South Korean Presidents visit to India marks an important milestone in advancing the Special Strategic Partnership between the two nationsPresident Lee was received by Shri Harsh Malhotra MoS Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways The visit marks an important milestone in advancing the IndiaSouth Korea Special Strategic Partnership the Ministry said in a post on XExternal Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar also called on the visiting President on Sunday Honoured to call on President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea as he begins his State Visit to India Value his commitment to deepen India Korea relations across multiple domains the EAM said in a post on X expressing confidence that his talks with PM Modi will further strengthen our Special Strategic PartnershipMeanwhile President Lee will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi later in the day and the two leaders will hold discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in various sectors including shipbuilding trade investments AI semiconductors critical and emerging technologies peopletopeople connections and cultural exchanges They will also discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest the MEA stated PM Modi is also scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting leaderPresident Lee will also hold talks with President Droupadi Murmu President Murmu will also host a banquet in his honour at the Rashtrapati BhavanPresident Lee will also pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat later in the dayIndia and the ROK share a multifaceted partnership rooted in ancient civilisational ties and shared values of democracy and rule of law The visit of President Lee underscores the shared aspiration of both countries to further strengthen the existing areas of cooperation while expanding collaboration in new and emerging areas of mutual interest the MEA statedLast November PM Modi held a meeting with the South Korean President on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg This was their second meeting in 2025 following their talks on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/south-korean-president-lee-jae-myung-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-670334.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/feeling-blessed-rajnath-singh-offers-prayers-at-subramanya-swami-temple-in-tn-670337.html New Delhi April 20 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offered prayers at the Subramanya Swami Temple in Tiruchendur Tamil Nadu on Monday Reflecting on his visit Rajnath Singh stated that he felt blessed to experience the divine energy of the ancient temple Rajnath Singh took to social media X and said Prayed at the sacred Sri Subramanya Swami temple in Tiruchendur Tamil Nadu Feeling blessed to experience the divine energy of this TempleSubramanya Swami temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan Son of Lord Shiva and Goddess ParvatiIt is located in Tiruchendur Thoothukudi District Tamil Nadu It is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan and is the only one along the seashore The other five temples are situated on mountains The temple faces the Bay of Bengal and is washed by the sea waves from the Gulf of MannarEarlier on April 19 Rajnath Singh had reiterated the Union governments resolve to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies despite a bill over the quota getting defeated in Lok Sabha a few days agoAddressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu the Defence Minister said the 33 per cent womens reservation bill was not allowed to be passed in Parliament by the DMK Congress Trinamool Congress and the Communist partiesI want to assure you on behalf of the government and on the basis of the pledge taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that we will provide the womens quota at the very first opportunity we get in Parliament Rajnath Singh said in Vasudevanallur Assembly constituencyThe Defence Minister has joined other BJP star campaigners to boost the partys pitch in the Assembly election in the state on April 23Rajnath Singh is spearheading the NDAs campaign in southern Tamil NaduThe Defence Minister had a hectic schedule on Sunday which was packed with addresses in the Radhapuram constituency of Tirunelveli district Puliyangudi in Tenkasi district and a roadshow at Panagudi located about 400 metres from the main venueThe NDAs campaign has already seen highprofile appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Piyush Goyal who have canvassed support for alliance candidates in recent days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/feeling-blessed-rajnath-singh-offers-prayers-at-subramanya-swami-temple-in-tn-670337.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/man-shot-dead-in-delhi-over-parking-dispute-police-launch-hunt-for-accused-670340.html New Delhi April 20 A 34yearold man was shot dead in the wee hours of Monday following a dispute over parking in Delhis Preet Vihar officials said A heated argument broke out between the victims Pankaj Nayyar his brother Paras and Gaurav Sharma over the parkingDuring the argument Gaurav Sharma allegedly opened fire and shot Pankaj Nayyar in the chest officials statedThe altercation occurred at around 220 am Following the shooting Nayyar was rushed to a nearby private hospital however the doctors declared him brought deadAn FIR under charges of murder BNS Section 1031 voluntarily causing hurt Section 1152 and acts done with common intention Section 35 along with Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act has been registered against Gaurav Sharma police saidMeanwhile the Preet Vihar Police have taken custody of Pankajs body and sent it to the nearby Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for a postmortem examination Additionally multiple teams have been constituted to trace and apprehend the accused at the earliest police saidInvestigation is underway and further details are awaited the officials addedThis comes close on the heels of a double murder in the Tara Apartments in Alaknanda CR Park on April 17 A father and son were found dead and another family member was injured in a violent attack by a neighbour officials saidThe victims were identified as Rakesh Sood 62 and his son Karan Sood 27 both of whom were declared brought dead by doctors upon arrival at the Max Super Speciality Hospital Saket Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident stemmed from a longstanding enmity linked to prior disputes Police stated that the accused identified as Asad a neighbour of the victims allegedly attacked the victims with a sharpedged weapon following a confrontationThe accused was arrested by the police IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/man-shot-dead-in-delhi-over-parking-dispute-police-launch-hunt-for-accused-670340.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/char-dham-yatra-2026-why-pilgrimage-begins-from-yamunotri-670354.html New Delhi April 20 The Char Dham Yatra one of Hinduismâs most revered pilgrimages continues to draw thousands of devotees each year to the Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath A distinctive aspect of this spiritual journey is that it always begins from Yamunotri a sequence rooted in both religious tradition and geographical logic The order of the yatra is not arbitrary but follows a clockwise direction known in Hindu customs as Parikrama This directional movement is considered auspicious and is commonly observed in temple rituals and pilgrimages Beginning from Yamunotri aligns with this sacred pattern setting the spiritual tone for the journeyYamunotri the source of the holy river Yamuna holds immense religious significance In Hindu belief the Yamuna is worshipped as a goddess and is regarded as the sister of Yama the god of death It is believed that taking a holy dip in the Yamuna helps devotees overcome the fear of death and cleanses them of sins marking a spiritually purifying beginning to the pilgrimageThe site is also linked to the legend of sage Asit Muni who is said to have resided in the region According to mythology he bathed daily in both the Ganga and Yamuna rivers In his old age when he could no longer travel to Gangotri a stream of the Ganga is believed to have appeared near Yamunotri further enhancing its sanctityBeyond its spiritual importance the sequence of the Char Dham Yatra also has a practical basis Yamunotri is the westernmost shrine among the four From there the route progresses eastward to Gangotri then to Kedarnath and concludes at Badrinath This natural progression makes the journey more manageable through the challenging Himalayan terrainEach dham represents a distinct stage in the path of spiritual evolution Yamunotri symbolises emotional cleansing through water Gangotri represents purity and the cleansing of the mind and karma Kedarnath dedicated to Lord Shiva signifies devotion and liberation while Badrinath associated with Lord Vishnu represents ultimate salvation or mokshaMeanwhile the Char Dham Yatra began on Sunday with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in Uttarakhand on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya after a sixmonth winter breakâApproximately 19 lakh devotees have registered for the pilgrimage so far this year More than 51 lakh pilgrims undertook the Char Dham Yatra last year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/char-dham-yatra-2026-why-pilgrimage-begins-from-yamunotri-670354.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lee-pledges-coordination-with-india-on-efforts-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-670361.html New Delhi April 20 IANS President Lee Jae Myung stressed the need for South Korea and India to work together to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in an interview published on Monday also highlighting the need for joint efforts to stabilise global supply chainsnbspIn a written interview with The Times of India held before his summit talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi he noted that the effective closure of the critical shipping route due to the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran has been driving up global oil prices while also disrupting supply chains for key industrial materials reports Yonhap news agencyBoth the Republic of Korea and India depend on the Middle East for a significant share of their energy supplies including crude oil and natural gas Accordingly ensuring the security of critical maritime routes is essential to the safety of our peoples and the very survival of our nations Lee said referring to South Korea by its official nameLee and Modi were set to hold a bilateral summit later in the day which would mark their third inperson meeting since Lee took office last yearThe president said South Korea will collaborate with India on multilateral efforts to ensure safe passage through the strategic route and diversify energy supply chains to address uncertainties in the global economyKorea will maintain close communication with India to ensure that all vessels can navigate the Strait of Hormuz safely and freely he said We will also continue to work together in relevant international forums to uphold this shared commitmentAs part of efforts to reduce heavy dependence on imported energy and raw materials Lee expressed hope to expand cooperation in critical mineral supply chainsBy moving beyond the traditional model of importing raw material and combining Koreas technology with Indias mining and refining industries we can work together to establish stable criticalmineral supply chains he saidLee also stressed the need to step up collaboration in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence defense and the shipping and shipbuilding industries to deepen economic ties and create synergy between the two countriesBeyond traditional sectors such as electronics and automobiles we will broaden cooperation into shipbuilding finance and the defence industry he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lee-pledges-coordination-with-india-on-efforts-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-670361.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/manipur-shutdowns-hit-life-in-both-valley-hill-regions-21-arrested-after-violence-670366.html Imphal April 20 Normal life in both the Imphal valley and Nagainhabited hill areas of Manipur has been severely disrupted as shutdowns called by different organisations continued on Monday Meanwhile police arrested 21 people for their alleged involvement in violence during a rally in Imphal West district two days ago The shutdown in Imphal valley covering five to six districts was called by Meira Paibis women torchbearers one of the most influential womens bodies along with various Civil Society Organisations CSOsThe protest is against the killing of two minor children and the injury to their mother allegedly by suspected Kuki militants in Bishnupur district on April 7The shutdown which came into effect from midnight on Saturday has led to a nearcomplete halt in daily life across the valleyMembers of the Meira Paibis and groups of women protesters were seen at several locations blocking roads and restricting vehicular movementAccording to police passenger and commercial vehicles remained off the roads while shops business establishments and roadside vendors stayed shut contributing to widespread disruptionIn the hill regions the United Naga Council UNC the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur has separately called a threeday total shutdown across all Nagainhabited areas of the state from midnight on SundayThe UNC announced the shutdown to protest the killing of two Naga civilians including a retired Indian Army personnel in Ukhrul district on April 18 allegedly by suspected Kuki militantsIn a statement the UNC said that in view of the âoutrageous aggression over their homeland and the coldblooded killing of two Naga civiliansâ it convened a joint emergency meeting with various organisations on Sunday at Tahamzam in Senapati districtThe statement added that the total shutdown would continue from midnight on Sunday until midnight of April 23 across all Naga areas both as a mark of mourning and as a collective expression of condemnationDuring this period all public and private institutions business establishments and vehicular movement will remain suspended except for emergency servicesThe UNC also announced that a candlelight vigil would be held on the evening of April 23 in all Nagainhabited district headquarters as well as in Imphal to honour the deceased and reaffirm a commitment to peace with dignityManipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh on Sunday appealed to Civil Society Organisations CSOs and the public to reconsider and withdraw the shutdowns in the interest of public welfare and the normal functioning of the stateMeanwhile police said that at least 21 people were arrested for their alleged involvement in violence during a rally in Imphal West district two days agoAccording to a police statement on April 18 a torch rally was carried out along the ImphalâJiribam road organised by various CSOs from Patsoi to SagolbandDuring the rally the mob reportedly turned violent resorting to stonepelting hurling petrol bombs and using catapults and boulders against police personnel resulting in multiple injuriesOfficial vehicles of security forces were vandalised and three personnel of the 232 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF sustained grievous injuries Police said the mob was eventually dispersed and the situation brought under controlIn another development the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity COCOMI an apex body of the Meitei community accused security forces of using excessive force against protesters and sharply criticised Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh over what it described as a failure to contain the escalating violence in the stateCOCOMI spokesperson Shanta Nahakpam said that recent incidents including the killing of two minors earlier this month and subsequent civilian deaths in fresh attacks have triggered widespread public anger and sustained agitation across the Imphal valleyHe added that despite the deteriorating situation the Chief Minister has continued district visits projecting progress in the peace process a claim the organisation has rejectedMeanwhile the Chief Minister has announced that the state government will hand over both the April 18 Ukhrul district shooting incident and the April 7 deadly bomb attack in Bishnupur district to the National Investigation Agency NIA for a thorough and comprehensive probe IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/manipur-shutdowns-hit-life-in-both-valley-hill-regions-21-arrested-after-violence-670366.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-summons-rice-trader-in-bengal-ration-corruption-case-670367.html Kolkata April 20 The Enforcement Directorate ED has summoned trader Barik Biswas as part of its investigation into the ration scam in West Bengal said the central investigation agency officials on Monday The rice trader has been asked to appear at the EDs CGO Complex office in the Salt Lake area of the city on Monday afternoon According to officials this rice trader Barik Biswas is close to former state food minister Jyotipriya MallickIncidentally in August 2024 the ED conducted searches at Barik Biswass house while investigating the ration corruption case Detectives were looking into Bariks role and influential connections in the huge money transactions in the ration scamAccording to ED officials Rs 20 lakh was recovered during the search ED officials even came across a lot of documents from his rice mill After two years the rice trader is back under the EDs scanner Barik is accused of trying to smuggle rice into Bangladesh The investigators are trying to find out through whom the rice was smuggled into Bangladesh who else is involved in the smuggling ring and whether there is a deal with anyone else from abroad Barik has been summoned again to find out all these thingsEarlier Barik Biswas name had come up in the gold and cow smuggling cases The central agencys sleuths have searched his house an apartment and an office earlier Now the Enforcement Directorate is trying to get more information in the ration case by questioning Barik BiswasIt is worth mentioning that on October 27 2023 the ED arrested senior Trinamool Congress leader and then state Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick in the ration scamThe central investigation agency said that the state minister known by many inside and outside the party as âBaluâ was directly involved in widespread corruption in the distribution of rations in the state during the COVID19 lockdown He was arrested after an interrogation and the collection of evidence After about 14 months of his arrest the court granted him bail in January last year Just a week after his release on bail his close aide Anisur who was also accused in the same case was also granted bail IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-summons-rice-trader-in-bengal-ration-corruption-case-670367.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-seeks-report-on-functioning-of-sir-appellate-tribunals-in-bengal-670368.html New Delhi April 20 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday said it would seek a report from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on the functioning of appellate tribunals constituted to hear electoral roll disputes arising out of the Special Intensive Revision SIR exercise in pollbound West BengalnbspThe issue was mentioned before a Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi by senior advocate Devdatt KamatKamat submitted that the appellate tribunals set up pursuant to the apex courts earlier directions were not functioning effectively and were allegedly not complying with the top courts ordersKamat argued that the appellate bodies were accepting only Internetbased applications and disallowing legal representation thereby depriving individuals of an effective opportunity to pursue their appealsThe appellate tribunals are not working Only computer and Internetbased applications are being taken Representation is not being allowed The orders of this court are not being followed the senior counsel submittedTaking note of the grievance CJI Kant observed that repeated mentions were being made on similar issues and indicated that the Supreme Court would call for a response from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High CourtSome or the other new mention regarding all this Let us take a report from the Chief Justice of the High Court today itself the CJI Kantled Bench saidThe development assumes significance in view of the apex courts earlier orders mandating the creation of an independent appellate mechanism to adjudicate disputes relating to inclusion and exclusion from electoral rolls during the SIR exerciseIn March the top court had directed the constitution of appellate tribunals comprising former High Court Chief Justices and judges to ensure an independent forum for adjudicating electoral roll disputesIt had authorised the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to recommend names for such tribunals with the Election Commission of India ECI tasked with issuing formal notifications and bearing the associated costsSubsequently in an order passed earlier this month the apex court clarified that persons excluded from the revised electoral rolls would be entitled to vote only if their appeals were allowed by the appellate tribunals within the stipulated timelinesIt had also recorded that multiple tribunals had been constituted and were functioning under a Standard Operating Procedure framed by a committee of former judgesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-seeks-report-on-functioning-of-sir-appellate-tribunals-in-bengal-670368.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-nabs-key-conspirator-in-sim-based-cyber-fraud-network-under-operation-chakra-v-670379.html Guwahati April 20 IANS The Central Bureau of Investigation has intensified its nationwide crackdown on cybercrime infrastructure under Operation ChakraV arresting a key conspirator in Guwahati for his role in a largescale SIM card fraud racketnbspThe accused identified as Ubaid Ullah was apprehended in the early hours of April 19 after remaining absconding since August 2025 an official statement said on MondaynbspHe is alleged to have played a pivotal role in procuring and distributing illegally issued SIM cards which were subsequently used by cybercriminal networks to execute a range of financial and socialengineering scamsAccording to investigators the case centres on the misuse of Point of Sale POS agents who fraudulently issued SIM cards without proper verification thereby enabling organised cybercrimenbspThese SIM cards CBI said were reportedly used in offences such as digital arrest scams fraudulent loan schemes and fake investment operations targeting unsuspecting victims across the countryThe CBIs probe revealed that Ubaid Ullah functioned as a key aggregator in Guwahati coordinating the supply chain of illicit SIM cards He is suspected of having transferred nearly Rs 67 lakh through multiple bank accounts to POS agents in exchange for approximately 10000 fraudulently obtained SIM cards Evidence also points to the use of courier services to transport these SIM cards indicating a wellorganised and structured networkAs part of the ongoing investigation the agency has conducted searches at around 45 locations across eight states leading to the arrest of 10 POS agents allegedly involved in the racketnbspCBI Officials believe this network forms a critical backbone of organised cybercrime by providing anonymous communication channels to fraudstersOperation ChakraV is aimed at dismantling such enabling infrastructure that supports cybercriminal activities The agency said the operation reflects a strategic shift towards targeting facilitators and logistics networks rather than just end perpetratorsThe CBI reiterated its commitment to combating organised cybercrime through coordinated action intelligencedriven operations and interagency collaboration Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other key conspirators linked to the networkIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-nabs-key-conspirator-in-sim-based-cyber-fraud-network-under-operation-chakra-v-670379.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-south-korea-eye-cepa-upgrade-talks-deepen-green-energy-cooperation-piyush-goyal-670390.html New Delhi April 20 IANS India and South Korea have discussed ways to resume and revamp negotiations for upgrading their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA while also exploring deeper cooperation in industrial sectors green energy and digital trade Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on MondaynbspSharing details of his meeting with South Koreas Trade Minister Yeo Hankoo on social media platform X Goyal said the discussions focused on strengthening the bilateral economic partnership through renewed engagement on the CEPA upgrade talksDelighted to meet Yeo Hankoo We discussed ways to resume and revamp the IndiaKorea CEPA upgrade negotiations and explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in industrial cooperation green energy and digital trade Goyal saidThe two sides explored avenues to enhance collaboration across key sectors including industrial cooperation green energy and digital trade signalling a broader push to deepen economic ties between the two countriesGoyal highlighted that both countries are keen to expand trade and investment flows leveraging complementarities in manufacturing technology and emerging sectorsThe discussions also reflected a shared intent to align with evolving global trade dynamics and sustainability goalsThe minister expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties noting that India and South Korea are looking to strengthen their partnership further through sustained engagement and cooperation across strategic sectorsWe look forward to strengthening our partnership for greater mutual trade and investment Goyal mentionedMeanwhile earlier in the day South Korean President Lee Jae Myung paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in New DelhiIn a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said For peace harmony and a better world President Lee Jae Myung of Republic of Korea paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat honouring values of peace and nonviolenceBefore heading to Raj Ghat President Lee was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati BhavanIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-south-korea-eye-cepa-upgrade-talks-deepen-green-energy-cooperation-piyush-goyal-670390.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nearly-10-000-rehabilitated-under-smile-beggary-sub-scheme-21-garima-grehs-operational-govt-670393.html New Delhi April 20 As many as 31055 individuals have been identified and 9935 rehabilitated under the beggary subâscheme of the SMILE programme the government said on Monday As many as 21 Garima Grehs are operational across 17 states with three more sanctioned in August 2025 according to an official statementGarima Greh shelter homes provide safe dignified accommodation to transgender persons who face homelessness as a result of family rejection or social stigmaEach home offers food medical care recreational facilities and onsite skillbuilding support and is run by Community Based Organisations CBOs with financial assistance from the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment DoSJESMILE Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise launched in 2022 is Indiaâs first unified national framework to identify rescue and rehabilitate marginalised people and to provide healthcare education counselling skill development and longâterm economic independenceThe government said that health coverage worth Rs 5 lakh per year is provided to every transgender person under Ayushman Bharat TG Plus covering genderâaffirming care hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery at empanelled hospitalsFor 2021â2026 Rs 390 crore was allotted by the government for the SMILE schemeâSMILE represents a decisive shift in how India approaches the welfare of its most marginalised citizens â not through isolated schemes targeting single problems but through a converged architecture that addresses identity health education livelihood and shelter in one coherent frameworkâ the statement saidThe SMILE scheme also offers scholarships for transgender students from Class IX through postâgraduationThe SMILE subscheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging is aimed at achieving the Governmentâs objective of Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat BeggingFree India through comprehensive rehabilitation measuresOn a pilot basis 18 Entrepreneurship Development Programmes have been launched nationwide to train 1800 transgender persons in business planning market assessment regulatory compliance financial access and linkages to incubation centers or banks the statement noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nearly-10-000-rehabilitated-under-smile-beggary-sub-scheme-21-garima-grehs-operational-govt-670393.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/death-toll-climbs-to-21-in-udhampur-bus-accident-61-injured-670413.html Jammu April 20 The death toll in the Udhampur bus accident has risen to 21 confirmed Union Minister of State MoS Jitendra Singh on Monday In a post on X Singh who is also the Lok Sabha MP from KathuaUdhampur seat said 21 casualties so far and 61 injured Injured have been shifted to Udhampur Hospital while the one more seriously injured is being airlifted to Government Medical College Jammu My sincere condolences to the bereaved familiesHe said that all possible assistance is being provided to those in need while adding My office is in constant touchThe accident occurred on Monday morning in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district while the bus was coming from Ramnagar to Udhampur townEarlier Additional Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Prem Singh said that some of the injured persons have been shifted to the government medical college GMC hospital in Udhampur town while others are being treated at RamnagarRight now the priority is to rescue the injured and provide them with all possible medical help the officer saidThe cause of the accident was being ascertained said the officials The bus had turned turtle in the accident and more details were awaitedJampK Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said Tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking My deepest condolences to bereaved families May God grant them strength Praying for speedy recovery of injured I have directed district admin Police SDRF amp Health Dept to provide every possible assistance to those affectedOffice of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic road accident involving a passenger bus travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured The Chief Minister affirmed that the government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief and that all necessary assistance is being extendedOverloading overspeeding rash and negligent driving in addition to bad road conditions are the main reasons for accidents in hilly districts of Doda Rajouri Poonch Ramban Reasi Kishtwar and Udhampur districts of the union territoryThe traffic department has deputed special teams in these hilly areas to check overloading overspeeding rash and negligent driving road rage etc so that precious human lives are not lost to human error IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/death-toll-climbs-to-21-in-udhampur-bus-accident-61-injured-670413.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-condemns-it-raid-on-tn-congress-chief-alleges-attempt-to-disrupt-poll-campaign-670416.html Chennai April 20 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday strongly condemned the Income Tax IT raid conducted at the residence of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai alleging that it was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the Oppositionâs election campaign ahead of the Assembly polls In a post on X CM Stalin accused the BJPled Central government of resorting to intimidation tactics with less than 48 hours remaining for the campaign to endâI strongly condemn the conspiracy to hinder the campaign of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President brother Selvaperunthagai Forgetting that India is a democratic country the BJP government out of fear of defeat is trying to obstruct Opposition parties at the last minute The people of Tamil Nadu will give a fitting reply to such authoritarian actionsâ he saidThe remarks came after IT officials conducted searches at Selvaperunthagaiâs residence in Kilpauk Chennai from Monday morningThe Congress leader who is contesting from the Sriperumbudur Assembly constituency claimed that the officials had unlawfully detained him under the pretext of a house searchTaking to social media Selvaperunthagai alleged that he was being held in custody by IT officials during the raid He further claimed that the operation involved officers who did not speak Tamil raising concerns about the conduct of the searchâUnder the guise of an Income Tax raid I have been illegally detained in the Sriperumbudur constituency using Hindispeaking officersâ he said in his postThe development has triggered sharp political reactions in the State with Opposition leaders accusing the Centre of misusing central agencies to target political rivals during the crucial final phase of campaigningThe timing of the raid has also drawn attention as senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is currently in Tamil Nadu for election campaigningAs the political row escalates the incident is expected to further intensify the already heated electoral atmosphere in the State where campaigning is set to conclude shortly ahead of polling IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-condemns-it-raid-on-tn-congress-chief-alleges-attempt-to-disrupt-poll-campaign-670416.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/south-korean-president-hails-pm-modis-viksit-bharat-2047-vision-670423.html New Delhi April 20 IANS South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agree that India and South Korea can be most ideal partners for comprehensive cooperation to promote mutual growth and innovationWhile addressing a joint press meet with PM Modi following their talks in New Delhi President Lee announced that India and South Korea have agreed to upgrade economic cooperation framework to create new drivers for mutual growth He stated that India and South Korea will establish an industrial cooperation committee the first ministerial platform for economic cooperation between two nations to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment and strategic areas such as critical minerals nuclear energy and clean energyIn the era of hyper uncertainty we share our view that Korea and India can be the most ideal partners for comprehensive cooperation to promote mutual growth and innovation Against this backdrop while we further advance our existing economic cooperation we have also agreed to expand cooperation in strategic industries such as ship building finance AI and defense and promote cultural and peopletopeople exchanges he saidThe South Korean President also expressed gratitude to PM Modi for inviting him to India and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation India is the worlds largest democracy and achieving the most dynamic growth and Im very pleased to pay you state visit to your country for the first time in eight years as president of the Republic of Korea and at the earliest time since taking officeHe noted that India and South Korea have witnessed remarkable advancement in bilateral relations through the signing of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in 2010 and upgrading of relations to a special strategic partnership in 2015 Now we are ushering in a new decade of the special strategic partnership Today the Prime Minister and I had indepth discussions on ways to further promote our relations and exchanged views on the regional and global affairsHe stated that India has emerged as a leader of Global South and hailed Indias remarkable development under the Viksit Bharat 2047 visionWith the worlds largest population and the fourth largest economy India has emerged as a leader in the Global South And under your Viksit Bharat 2047 vision this country is achieving remarkable development and the Republic of Korea has also evolved as a leader in chip building semiconductors and cultural industries and we are accelerating innovation and growth to achieve a great leap forward to ensure that every Korean can grow together South Korean President saidLee Jae Myung expressed gratitude to Indian government for their constant support to building peace on the Korean Peninsula and stated that South Korea looks forward to India continuing to play a constructive role for peace on the peninsula and within the regionsHe said We agreed to maintain close collaboration in addressing regional peace and international issues Prime Minister Modi and I exchanged our views on the recent events unfolding in the Middle East and agreed that restoring stability and peace in the Middle East is crucial to global security and the economy I also spoke to the Prime Minister about the Korean governments efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula and extended our gratitude to the Indian government for their consistent support on this matter Korea looks forward to the constructive role that India will continue to play for peace on the peninsula and within the regionHe emphasised that India and South Korea will sustain cooperation for supply stability of energy resources and key commodities such as NAFTA President Lee announced that he and PM Modi have agreed to speed up the negotiations to upgrade Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA to create a more favourable trade and investment conditions for businesses of two nations and fully reflect new trade norms so that both nations can respond to the changing trade environment concerning supply chains in green growth in a more timely mannerIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/south-korean-president-hails-pm-modis-viksit-bharat-2047-vision-670423.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ngo-operator-arrested-in-nagpur-over-conversion-activities-probe-underway-670425.html New Delhi April 20 A case related to alleged religious conversion has surfaced once again in Nagpur Maharashtra where police have arrested an NGO operator following complaints from victims According to police the accused identified as Riyaz Kazi who runs an NGO named Universal Multipurpose Society UMS was taken into custody from the Mankapur police station area He has been accused of allegedly targeting underprivileged children under the pretext of providing education and introducing them to Islamic teachings Some girls have also levelled allegations of inappropriate behaviour against himOfficials said the action was initiated after multiple complaints were received from victims Based on these complaints police registered a case and moved swiftly to detain the accused The matter is currently under detailed investigation to ascertain the full extent of the activities and whether more individuals were involvedPolice sources indicated that the organisation was operating in local areas and authorities are now examining its functioning outreach and funding patterns to determine if there was any organised effort behind the alleged actsSpeaking on the development Police Inspector Haresh Kalsekar of Mankapur Police Station said âWe received complaints from some victims based on which the accused has been arrested The investigation is ongoing and further action will be taken considering all aspects of the caseâHe added that the police are taking the allegations seriously and are verifying all claims including those related to misconduct and religious influenceAuthorities have also stated that if evidence emerges pointing to the involvement of other individuals or a larger network strict action will be taken against all those found responsibleThe case has once again brought attention to concerns around alleged forced or induced religious conversions with officials emphasising that the investigation will proceed in accordance with the law and due process IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ngo-operator-arrested-in-nagpur-over-conversion-activities-probe-underway-670425.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/people-of-bengal-have-made-up-their-minds-to-bid-farewell-to-mamata-banerjee-jp-nadda-670429.html Murshidabad April 20 Union Minister JP Nadda on Monday asserted that the people of West Bengal have made up their minds to bid farewell to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Speaking to reporters Nadda said âThe enthusiasm I am witnessing across Bengal clearly indicates that the people have decided to say goodbye to Mamata DidiâHe further claimed that there is a growing inclination in favour of the BJP alleging that people are distressed over issues such as corruption and harassmentâIn a way people feel terrorised They have found hope in blooming the lotus on April 23 and May 4â he added referring to the BJPâs election symbol and key poll datesThe West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 with the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP as the principal contenders are shaping up to be an intense political battle centred on promises of better governance Political parties have released detailed manifestos focusing on key sectors such as healthcare education employment and social welfare aiming to connect with voters across the stateIn a significant departure from previous elections that were conducted in multiple phases West Bengal will vote in a streamlined twophase election this year covering all 294 constituencies The first phase of polling is scheduled for April 23 while the second phase will be held on April 29 The counting of votes will take place on May 4During Phase 1 polling will be conducted in 152 constituencies across 16 districts The remaining 142 constituencies spread across seven districts will go to the polls in Phase 2 completing the electoral exerciseThe Election Commission of India ECI has planned an extensive security arrangement for the elections Nearly 24 lakh Central Armed Police Forces CAPFs personnel are set to be deployed marking the highestever deployment in a single state during an election The move underscores the Commissionâs commitment to ensuring free fair and peaceful pollingOfficials said a detailed postpoll security plan is also in place Around 200 CAPF companies will remain stationed in the state after April 29 to guard Electronic Voting Machines EVMs strong rooms and counting centres Additionally 500 CAPF companies will continue law and order duties until further instructionsWith only two days left for campaigning to end for Phase 1 top leaders from various parties are making their final push to woo voters IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/people-of-bengal-have-made-up-their-minds-to-bid-farewell-to-mamata-banerjee-jp-nadda-670429.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarats-udhna-station-returns-to-normal-as-railways-maintain-orderly-ops-after-rush-670430.html Surat April 20 Orderly passenger movement and normal operations were observed at Udhna railway station in Surat on Monday with railway authorities stating that the situation remained under control following the previous dayâs heavy rush According to the latest update geotagged photographs taken around 12 PM showed no signs of overcrowding with passengers moving in a regulated and systematic mannerOfficials said all necessary arrangements were in place to ensure smooth functioning and advised passengers to rely only on official communications cautioning against unverified or misleading informationEarlier in the day structured queue management systems were implemented to facilitate boarding for Train No 19045 Tapti Ganga Express UdhnaâThawePassengers were directed through designated holding areas and guided in organised queues towards platforms to ensure safe and disciplined boardingThe departure of Train No 09039 UdhnaâJaynagar Unreserved Special was also carried out in an orderly mannerThe train left Platform No 6 with approximately 2300 to 2400 passengers onboard with authorities reporting that boarding and movement were wellregulatedAround 20 ticket checking staff and 25 personnel from the Railway Protection Force RPF and Government Railway Police GRP were deployed to manage operations and maintain safetyRailway officials said similar arrangements had been in place earlier in the morning when the same train departed at 0830 AM with passengers guided systematically from holding areas to the platform under controlled conditionsPassengers continued to express satisfaction with the arrangements citing timely operation of special trains availability of seats and adequate onground facilitiesFeedback indicated improved coordination and a smoother travel experience compared with the previous dayThe developments follow a surge in passenger numbers on Sunday when overcrowding and long queues were reported at the station amid peak summer travel demandAccording to Railway officials more than 23000 passengers were facilitated through regular and special train services during the dayTwo additional special trains were departed at 0940 PM and 1130 PM to further decongest the station areaRailway authorities said monitoring would continue with arrangements such as holding areas and regulated queues remaining in place to ensure safe and efficient passenger movement during the ongoing travel season IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarats-udhna-station-returns-to-normal-as-railways-maintain-orderly-ops-after-rush-670430.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/isis-media-wing-steps-up-india-focus-pushes-mass-attacks-and-crypto-funding-for-iskp-670432.html New Delhi April 20 Indian security agencies have flagged a recent spike in activity by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syriaâs media network with a sharper focus on India While propaganda aimed at Europe and the United States has called for highprofile attacks during global events such as the FIFA World Cup messaging directed at India is urging operatives to carry out largescale strikesAn Intelligence Bureau official said the groupâs media channels have been urging largescale attacks at crowded public places At the same time they are appealing for donations to strengthen the Afghanistanbased Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKPThe official said there has been a surge in messages seeking donations Officials noted a surge in fundraising messages in recent weeks with the drive gathering pace this month Contributions are being sought under the label of âsadaqatâ or charity often through cryptocurrency These funds they said are being routed to support ISKP operations in AfghanistanThe ISKP is also seen to be exploiting tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan Earlier sustained pressure from the Taliban had curtailed its activities However the shifting situation in the region has provided the group with space to regroup and rebuild its networkThe ISKP has sought to exploit tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan to its advantage Officials say the conflict created an opening for the group to regain lost ground Earlier sustained pressure from the Taliban had kept its activities in check However with attention diverted by the ongoing situation the ISKP has used the window to reorganise and rebuild its networkâThis urgency explains the renewed push for fundsâ another official saidThe group appears to recognise that conditions in Afghanistan may not remain favourable for long and is trying to build capacity while the window exists According to officials its propaganda misinformation campaigns and fundraising efforts are increasingly focused on India A major attack they assess is seen as a way to draw attention and boost recruitmentThe idea of establishing a Caliphate in India with Jammu and Kashmir projected as its centre has been widely pushed through its propaganda Officials say some individuals have been drawn in by this messaging and believe that the ISKP can achieve these aims To deepen its outreach the group has expanded its presence across multiple social media platformsWhile misleading narratives are circulated openly online appeals for attacks and funding are routed through encrypted channels Agencies are closely monitoring the AlAzaim Foundation for Media Production which is seen as a key hub in this network Officials describe its operations as highly organised with content disseminated in a wide range of languages They deliver messages in Pashto Dari Arabic Urdu Farsi Uzbek Tajik Turkish Russian Hindi Malayalam and English With the use of Artificial Intelligence AI its messaging has expanded to more languagesOfficials say the group has been using AI to produce fabricated videos In some cases ordinary locations in India are depicted as sites of communal violence with visuals suggesting attacks on minority communities Agencies believe these clips are designed to provoke unrest Recent content they note has become sharper in tone and is clearly aimed at audiences in IndiaApart from the AlAzaim Foundation for Media Production the ISKP is also using its Pashtolanguage publication Khurasan Ghag to advance its messaging The magazine is tailored primarily for readers in South Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/isis-media-wing-steps-up-india-focus-pushes-mass-attacks-and-crypto-funding-for-iskp-670432.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ncw-suggests-free-reconstructive-surgeries-disability-benefits-zero-fir-for-acid-attack-survivors-670434.html New Delhi April 20 A provision of free lifelong medical treatment including reconstructive surgeries disability benefits and Zero FIR are among the key recommendations made by the National Commission for Women NCW to the government to strengthen rehabilitation care and justice for acid attack survivors an official said on Monday The NCW recommendations based on the Round Table Consultation titled Navjeevan A Consultation on Care Justice amp Dignity for Acid Attack Survivors held in January also talk of recognising acid attack survivors under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016The Commission suggested issuance of disability certificates integration into the Unique Disability ID system and automatic linkage with welfare schemes reservations and social protection benefitsThe Commission also called for expediting the Victims of Acid Attacks Bill 2022For better medical treatment the NCW suggested the mandatory implementation of the Golden Hour Protocol across all hospitals institutionalised psychosocial support for survivors and fasttrack investigation and trial with defined timelines and simplified FIR proceduresThe NCW has submitted the recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said an official statementThe Commission has suggested mandatory Zero FIR registration â a facility that will enable a survivor to file a case in any part of the country irrespective of the location of the acid attackThe NCW also wants deployment of dedicated legal officers strengthening of legal provisions including improved evidence protocols and expediting the Victims of Acid Attacks Bill 2022Underscoring the need for compensation and financial security of the survivors the NCW suggested establishment of a uniform national compensation framework with timebound disbursal Direct Benefit Transfer linked to FIR registration enhanced compensation based on severity provision of monthly pensions and transparent online grievance redressal mechanismsFor livelihood and economic empowerment the NCW recommended promotion of skill development digital literacy and support for entrepreneurship under government schemes for the survivorsBesides recommending stronger regulation of acid sale through strict licencing the NCW recommended the creation of a National Acid Attack Case Tracking Registry integration of FIR medical and compensation systems development of realtime dashboards and periodic public reporting to ensure transparency and accountability said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ncw-suggests-free-reconstructive-surgeries-disability-benefits-zero-fir-for-acid-attack-survivors-670434.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/isis-low-intensity-tactics-in-punjab-shifts-focus-to-arms-targeted-killings-and-drugs-670439.html New Delhi April 20 Pakistanâs InterServices Intelligence ISI has sharpened its focus on Punjab with a calibrated threepronged strategy built around targeted killings drug trafficking and the supply of arms and ammunition according to intelligence inputs Punjab has seen a series of lowintensity blasts in recent months involving crude bombs and grenades An Intelligence Bureau official has said that these incidents are designed less for damage and more as a diversion The intent they say is to draw security attention while operatives quietly push in weapons expand narcotics networks and execute selective killingsâISIbacked operatives are expected to continue pushing in arms expanding drug networks and carrying out targeted killingsâ officials saidAt the same time the Punjab Police will need to keep close watch on attempts to trigger lowintensity blasts These incidents are not intended to cause largescale damage Their purpose is to create fear and draw security attention away from other activitiesInvestigations show that local recruits mostly young men are being paid substantial sums to execute such attacks Officials say the payment can go up to Rs 4 lakh per operation a level of funding that has raised concern within the security establishmentAn intelligence assessment prepared a few months ago had already indicated a surge in financial inflows This shift is linked to the limited appeal of Khalistanrelated messaging among the youth Efforts to mobilise support on ideological grounds have not found much responseInstead handlers appear to be relying on monetary incentives Officials note that aspirations for a more affluent lifestyle along with the existing drug problem in parts of the state have made some sections of youth more vulnerable to recruitment The scale of funding reflects this change in approachOfficials studying recent trends in Punjab say that the ISI is avoiding large and highimpact attacks The pattern does not point to fidayeen strikes or coordinated serial blasts Instead the focus is on softer targets with limited strategic value This they believe reflects a measured approach aimed at letting the situation develop gradually without drawing an overwhelming responseTargeted killings appear to be preferred over masscasualty attacks Such operations are precise and intended to send a strong message serving as a tool of intimidation At the same time arms and drug smuggling remain central to the networkâs functioning These activities not only generate funds but also help channel weapons towards Jammu and KashmirPolice officials say that while there is no shortage of operatives in Kashmir willing to carry out attacks they face constraints in terms of infrastructure Large quantities of arms and ammunition built up earlier have been seized by Indian security forces In the present conditions officials note drones have made it easier to move weapons and narcotics across the Punjab borderSmuggling along the Jammu and Kashmir border has become extremely difficult at present Much like infiltration attempts movement of contraband across the Line of Control has seen a sharp decline After the Pahalgam attack Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistanoccupied Kashmir In the aftermath border security has been tightened to an unprecedented level resulting in a series of failed attempts by ISIbacked operatives IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/isis-low-intensity-tactics-in-punjab-shifts-focus-to-arms-targeted-killings-and-drugs-670439.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-at-rajasthan-pachpadra-refinery-a-day-before-inauguration-situation-brought-under-control-670440.html Jaipur April 20 Fire tenders were rushed to Pachpadra Refinery in Barmer Rajasthan on Monday as fire broke out in one of its units just a day before its scheduled inauguration The incident triggered brief panic among officials as the refinery is located barely one km from the event venue According to initial reports the fire originated in the CDU Crude Distillation Unit Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the site prompting immediate activation of the refineryâs fire safety systems Employees working in the affected area were swiftly evacuated as a precautionary measureThe officials confirmed that around 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to control the blaze Emergency response teams along with refinery personnel worked to contain the fire using inbuilt suppression systemsPolice control room officials told IANS that the situation was brought under control after sustained efforts as fire tenders were rushed to the venueThe officials in the Chief Ministerâs Office told IANS that the incident is âminorâ stating that the fire was successfully extinguishedThe incident occurred sometime before Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma was scheduled to arrive and review preparations for the highprofile inauguration eventDespite the fire officials indicated that there has been no major disruption reported so far The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined and an investigation is likely to followMeanwhile Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tikaram Jully said The fire at the Pachpadra Refinery in Balotra is extremely serious and concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming tomorrow to inaugurate this refinery built by the Congress party Such an incident just a day before raises serious questions about the governments hasty arrangementsThe BJP stalled this crucial Congress project for years doubling its cost This suggests the refinery isnt complete yet and is being inaugurated hastily for publicity purposes Had the Chief Minister taken the time to avoid false marketing perhaps such a major security lapse around such a crucial project wouldnt have occurred This isnt just an accident but the result of serious government negligence I pray for everyones safety in this accident Jully addedPrime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Rajasthan on Monday marking an important occasion for the countryâs energy and industrial sectorsDuring his visit the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation Indiaâs first greenfield integrated RefinerycumPetrochemical Complex at Pachpadra in Balotra The event is set to take place at around 1130 am after which he will also address a public gatheringThis refinerycumpetrochemical complex represents a landmark achievement in Indiaâs journey towards energy security and industrial growthDeveloped as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL and the Government of Rajasthan the project has been established with a massive investment exceeding Rs 79450 croreWith a capacity of nine Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum MMTPA it stands as one of the most significant greenfield projects in the sector The complex is designed as a stateoftheart facility that integrates both refining and petrochemical production IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-at-rajasthan-pachpadra-refinery-a-day-before-inauguration-situation-brought-under-control-670440.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/japans-new-delhi-desk-signals-recognition-of-indias-strategic-role-in-indo-pacific-report-670441.html New Delhi April 20 Japans move to open a dedicated office in India to help Japanese firms navigate regulatory hurdles and boost investment signals Tokyoâs longâterm bet on Indias economic and strategic role in the IndoâPacific according to a new report The India Narrative report said the office will deepen ties beyond manufacturing linking Japanâs large corporations with Indiaâs startâup ecosystem artificial intelligence sector critical minerals and cleanâenergy chainsThe proposed centre will act as an information clearinghouse policy advocate and coordination platform administered by Japanâs Ministry of Foreign AffairsIt will collect feedback from Japanese companies on issues such as inconsistent stateâlevel rules opaque legal processes and complex tax and approval structures and then channel these concerns directly to relevant Indian agencies the report detailedTokyoâs focus on highâgrowth strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and critical minerals reflects a shift from seeking lowâcost manufacturing to anchoring longâterm technological and supplyâchain partnerships in IndiaThe report highlighted a renewed Japanese interest in Indian partnership for over a decade which has not been fully translated into scaleJapanese companies wanted Indian partnerships to diversify away from Chinaâcentric supply chains but the number of Japanese firms in India has hovered around a modest figure with little change in recent years the report notedThe stagnation stemmed from transaction costs such as varying stateâwise regulations unclear implementation of central laws and administrative bottlenecks that made longâterm fixedâcapital planning difficultJapan remaining a key foreign investor in India gives the new office a builtin credibility the media house said adding Tokyo sees India as indispensable but only if the policy environment becomes more predictable and less opaqueTokyo framed India as a critical node in its evolving IndoâPacific supplyâchain strategy linking it with semiconductorârelated collaborations and cleanâenergy partnerships and the dedicated foreign office signalled India as a highâpotential albeit a highâcomplexity frontier economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/japans-new-delhi-desk-signals-recognition-of-indias-strategic-role-in-indo-pacific-report-670441.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-health-coverage-expands-rapidly-insurance-reaches-nearly-half-the-population-govt-670443.html New Delhi April 20 A government survey showed on Monday that a substantial improvement has been seen in health insurance coverage across India between 2017â18 about 14 per cent in rural and about 19 per cent in urban and 2025 about 47 per cent in rural and about 44 per cent in urban The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation MoSPI released the findings of the survey on health titled âHousehold Social Consumption Healthâ The survey was conducted during JanuaryâDecember 2025According to the findings the estimated average outofpocket medical expenditure per hospitalisation case excluding childbirth during the last 365 days was about Rs 34064 Rs 31484 in rural and Rs 38688 in urban while the median outofpocket medical expenditure was about Rs 11285 Rs 10500 in rural and Rs 12400 in urbanâIn public hospitals the average expenditure per hospitalization case excluding childbirth at allIndia level was Rs 6631 while half of the hospitalized cases treated in public hospitals involved spending of Rs 1100 or lessâ the survey showedFor outpatient care during the last 15 days the average outofpocket medical expenditure in India was about Rs 861 Rural Rs 847 Urban Rs 884 while the median expenditure was about Rs 400 Rural Rs 395 Urban Rs 420In public hospitals the average expenditure per spell for outpatient care during the last 15 days was about Rs 289 and the median was about Rs 0 indicating that half of the treatment episodes in public hospitals were received free of cost according to the surveyâThe average outofpocket medical expenditure per childbirth during the last 365 days was about Rs 2299 in public hospitals while the average expenditure in all hospitals combined was about Rs 14775 Median expenditure for childbirth in public hospitals Rs 801 was less than onethird of the median expenditure in all hospitals Rs 2851The survey further showed that about 131 per cent persons reported illness responded as ailing during the last 15 days preceding the date of survey where persons in urban areas 149 per cent reported illness slightly more than the persons in rural areas 122 per centThe highest proportion of individuals reporting illness was observed in the agegroup 60 years and above 439 per cent followed by those aged 45â59 years 225 per cent and children aged 0â4 years 99 per centInfections and respiratory ailments were most frequently reported during childhood and adolescence while psychiatricneurological and gastrointestinal conditions peaked in young adulthood said the reportNoncommunicable diseases NCDs such as cardiovascular hypertension and endocrinemetabolic diabetes were most frequently reported after the age of 30 years it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-health-coverage-expands-rapidly-insurance-reaches-nearly-half-the-population-govt-670443.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/samsung-chief-clicks-selfie-with-pm-modi-s-korean-president-at-noida-facility-670444.html New Delhi April 20 Lee Jaeyong Executive Chairman of Samsung Electronics on Monday took a selfie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during a state luncheon at the companyâs Noida facility The gesture highlighted Samsungâs local manufacturing capabilities in India and came after the bilateral summit between the two leadersLee and Modi also interacted with business leaders from both countries according to a statement from the South Korean presidential office Ahead of the luncheon the leaders posed for a group photograph with industry representatives with the gathering serving as a platform for continued economic dialogueSamsung has been manufacturing mobile phones at its Noida plant since 1996 producing a range of devices from budget models to flagship smartphones including foldablesPresident Lee is on a state visit to India and Vietnam accompanied by a large business delegationLee Jaeyong was set to attend the KoreaIndia Business Forum which witnessed a participation of 250 Korean businesspeople including the heads of Koreas top four conglomerates with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung SK Group Chairman Chey Taewon and LG Chairman Koo KwangmoMeanwhile during his visit to India the South Korean President paid tribute at a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi honouring one of Indiaâs most influential figures and pledging to carry forward his legacy by promoting global peaceHe also visited Raj Ghat before holding summit talks with Prime Minister Modi on the second day of his threeday state visitâHoping Mahatma Gandhiâs peaceful spirit fills the world with peace I will make joint effortsâ Lee saidEarlier in the day in a post on X Lee expressed hope for developing mutually beneficial relations with IndiaâIf you look carefully there are many things that serve the interests of both countriesâ he said adding that the two nations should work together to build a bright future rooted in peace and democracy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/samsung-chief-clicks-selfie-with-pm-modi-s-korean-president-at-noida-facility-670444.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-man-guns-down-father-over-money-dispute-in-barwani-670446.html BhopalBarwani April 20 In a gruesome criminal act a man shot his father dead at close range in Pichhodi village of Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh following a heated dispute over money Police officials confirmed that the accused 32yearold Chandan Badole had been persistently demanding a sum of Rs 200000 or more from his father Jagan Badole aged 58Speaking to IANS subdivisional officer police Mahesh Sunaiya said Jagan had previously given his son Rs 200000 but refused to provide more leading to escalating tensions between the two Chandan who once worked as a welder had been pressuring his father for additional funds in recent daysOn Monday at around 11 am as Jagan was returning home with his wife Gauri Bai an Anganwadi worker Chandan intercepted them on the road After a heated verbal exchange he allegedly pulled out the weapon probably a countrymade pistol and fired a shot near his fatherâs ear killing him instantlyGauri Bai who witnessed the incident immediately informed the police and narrated the sequence of events Chandan fled the scene after committing the crime and police have since launched a manhunt to apprehend himInvestigators revealed that Chandan had posted a âreelâ on social media or some microblogging platform prior to the incident claiming that his father owned sufficient land but was depriving him of moneyAuthorities are examining the social media post as part of the ongoing investigationInitial investigation also revealed that Jagan had previously given the accused son the same amount by mortgaging a parcel of land the officer further saidFamily sources disclosed that Chandanâs aggressive behaviour had already strained his personal life His wife had left him and he has a younger brother who remains uninvolved in the disputeMeanwhile police officials emphasised that the crime highlights the growing concerns over domestic disputes turning violentThe case has sparked outrage in the local community where residents expressed shock at the brutal killing over financial disagreementsThe police have sent the dead boy for a postmortem and are continuing their search for Chandan and have assured that all angles including his social media activity and past behaviour will be thoroughly investigated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-man-guns-down-father-over-money-dispute-in-barwani-670446.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/posco-jsw-steel-sign-73-billion-deal-to-build-steel-plant-in-india-670448.html Seoul April 20 South Koreas POSCO Group said on Monday it has signed a final agreement with Indias JSW Steel to jointly invest 107 trillion won 73 billion to build a steel plant in India as part of its strategy to establish a production hub in the South Asian country and strengthen its global supply chain The two companies signed a joint venture agreement in India attended by POSCO Group Chairman Chang Inhwa and JSW Steel Chief Executive Officer CEO Jayant Acharya according to POSCO Group reports Yonhap news agencyUnder the agreement POSCO and JSW Steel will each hold a 50 percent stake in the project to build an integrated steel mill encompassing the entire production process at a single sitePOSCO will invest about 53 trillion won in the projectThe plant with an annual capacity of 6 million tons will be built in Odisha eastern India with completion targeted for 2031POSCO and JSW Steel previously signed a memorandum of understanding in 2024 and a nonbinding heads of agreement last year for the projectThrough this joint investment we will combine POSCOs innovative steel technology with JSW Groups strong local competitiveness POSCO CEO Lee Heegeun said We will also strive to create future value and contribute to the industrial development and economic growth of both countriesEarlier South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to cooperate on stabilising energy supply chains to better navigate uncertainties stemming from the war in the Middle EastOutlining the outcomes of his summit with Modi in New Delhi Lee said he and the Indian prime minister focused on expanding trade and investment and exploring new opportunities in critical minerals energy artificial intelligence AI finance and shipbuilding among other sectorsIn light of recent developments in the Middle East we will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation to ensure a stable supply of energy resources and key raw materials including naphtha Lee said during a joint press announcement IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/posco-jsw-steel-sign-73-billion-deal-to-build-steel-plant-in-india-670448.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-hc-gives-state-two-weeks-in-2018-missing-girl-case-warns-of-cbi-probe-670449.html Ranchi April 20 The Jharkhand High Court on Monday took a stern view on the slow pace of investigation into the case of a girl who went missing from Gumla district in 2018 It granted the state government two weeks to show tangible progress failing which the probe may be handed over to the CBIDuring the hearing a division bench headed by Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of meaningful results even after more than seven years since the girls disappearance The court warned that if no concrete outcome emerges within the stipulated time it would consider transferring the investigation to the CBIJharkhand DGP Tadasha Mishra appeared before the court through video conferencing and apprised the bench of the present status of the investigationThe court questioned why the girl could not be traced despite such a long time having passed and sought clarity on the direction in which the probe was progressingThe court also sought details from the Gumla SP regarding the investigation After examining the submissions the bench observed that the inquiry had failed to make expected headway and directed the state government to file a detailed and satisfactory response within two weeksThe court reiterated that if no substantial progress is reported by the next hearing it would consider handing over the case to the CBIThe missing girlâs mother had moved the High Court with a habeas corpus plea In earlier hearings the court had not only questioned the pace of the investigation but had also stressed the need for effective use of technology in tracing missing childrenIt had also underlined the requirement for a clear standard operating procedure SOP for using Aadhaarârelated data in such casesA Special Investigation Team SIT had been constituted to probe the matter and conducted investigations at various locations but the girlâs whereabouts remain unknownThe High Court has earlier too emphasised the need to treat missing children cases with utmost seriousness and ensure prompt action IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-hc-gives-state-two-weeks-in-2018-missing-girl-case-warns-of-cbi-probe-670449.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-acb-traps-lab-assistant-in-bribery-case-sdo-held-in-separate-action-670450.html Jaipur April 20 The Rajasthan AntiCorruption Bureau ACB on Monday arrested a government employee in Dausa district for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15000 The accused Aditya Sharma a laboratory assistant at Government Senior Secondary School Baswa currently on deputation at the SDM office in Bandikui was caught redhanded while taking the bribe in the name of SubDivisional Magistrate SDM Ramsingh Rajawat According to Director General of Police ACB Govind Gupta the bureau received a complaint through its helpline 1064The complainant alleged that a bribe of Rs 30000 was being demanded for granting a stay order in a civil case pending before the SDM court in Bandikui The complaint further stated that Sharma was acting as an intermediary on behalf of the SDM and had been pressuring the complainant for payment The ACB conducted verification on April 17 during which a demand of Rs 15000 was confirmed Acting on this a trap operation was laid by the ACB outpost AlwarI Under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police Bhuvan Bhushan and led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Shabbir Khan the team apprehended Sharma while he was accepting the bribe amountThe operation was carried out under the supervision of Additional Director General of Police Smita Srivastava and Inspector General of Police S Parimala Officials said a case will be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and further investigation is under way to determine the involvement of other individualsEarlier the ACBs Sawai Madhopur unit conducted a trap operation on April 16 in which SubDivisional Officer SDO Kajal Meena of Nadoti subdivision was caught redhanded while accepting a bribe of Rs 60000 from a complainant The bribe was allegedly routed through her reader Dinesh Kumar Saini and senior assistant Praveen Dhakad in exchange for issuing the final decree related to the partition of the complainantâs landAccording to Govind Gupta Director General of Police AntiCorruption Bureau the ACB outpost in Sawai Madhopur had received a complaint alleging that Kajal Meena through her reader was demanding a bribe of Rs 50000 for issuing the final decree The complainant stated that the initial demand was Rs 100000 which was later negotiated to Rs 50000On April 16 a confidential verification was conducted during which the reader demanded Rs 50000 on behalf of the SDO and an additional Rs 10000 for himself totalling Rs 60000 Later that day the complainant was summoned to the SDO office at Nadoti where the bribe amount was handed over The reader accepted the money and passed it to senior assistant Praveen DhakadDuring the operation Dinesh Saini admitted to accepting the bribe on behalf of Kajal Meena A phone conversation between the reader and Meena further confirmed her consent to the transaction Subsequently Praveen Dhakad was called to the office with the money where he arrived carrying the bag containing the bribe amountThe ACB team recovered Rs 60000 as bribe money along with an additional Rs 400000 in suspicious cash from the same bag Kajal Meena Dinesh Saini and Praveen Dhakad were detained on the spot Further investigation in the case is under way IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-acb-traps-lab-assistant-in-bribery-case-sdo-held-in-separate-action-670450.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-grips-mp-thunderstorms-likely-farmer-killed-by-lightning-in-betul-670452.html Bhopal April 20 Madhya Pradesh continues to reel under intense heat conditions with the India Meteorological Department IMD reporting soaring temperatures across several districts According to the Meteorological Centre in Bhopal the highest maximum temperature in the state was recorded at 443 degrees Celsius in Nowgong Chhatarpur while the lowest minimum temperature stood at 194 degrees Celsius in MandsaurHeatwave conditions prevailed in Ratlam Chhindwara Mandla Malanjkhand and Nowgong while warm nights were reported in Bhopal Chhindwara Mandla and NarmadapuramMeanwhile a farmer died after being struck by lightning in a village in the Bhimpur block of Betul district According to the police the incident occurred on Sunday evening near Ghodida village under the jurisdiction of the Titvi gram panchayat while the farmer Kunwarsingh was working in his field The weather suddenly changed bringing heavy thunder lightning and rain it was during this time that he was struck by lightningOver the past 24 hours rainfall was observed at isolated places in the Indore division while the rest of the state remained largely dryMaximum temperatures were above normal by 25 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius in districts of the Bhopal Ujjain and Chambal divisions and appreciably higher by 34 degrees to 38 degrees in the Gwalior Rewa Jabalpur Shahdol and Sagar divisionsMinimum temperatures also rose significantly with the Bhopal Jabalpur and Shahdol divisions recording increases of 24 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees C above normalThe IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning gusty winds of 40â50 kmph and possible hail in several districts including Bhopal Vidisha Raisen Sehore Narmadapuram Betul Harda Khandwa Indore and JabalpurFarmers have been advised to take precautionary measures to protect standing crops fruits and vegetables from potential damage due to hailstorms and strong windsResidents have been urged to remain indoors during thunderstorms avoid sheltering under trees and keep electrical appliances unplugged to minimise risksLooking ahead the IMD predicts no significant change in maximum temperatures over the next two days followed by a rise of 2â3 degrees CelsiusA new western disturbance is expected to affect the western Himalayan region from April 23 which may influence weather patterns in northern IndiaFor Bhopal and nearby areas the forecast indicates partly cloudy skies with chances of light rain wind speeds of 10â12 kmh and temperatures hovering around 39 degrees C during the day and 26 degrees C at nightWith heatwave conditions persisting the IMD has advised people to stay hydrated avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours and take special care of children the elderly and livestock IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-grips-mp-thunderstorms-likely-farmer-killed-by-lightning-in-betul-670452.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/strongroom-opening-row-triggers-tension-in-kozhikode-over-fears-of-election-manipulation-670454.html Kozhikode April 20 A complaint by the Congressled UDF on Monday alleging that a strongroom storing voting machines had been opened triggered brief tension and confusion at Vellimadukunnu in Kozhikode The Congress leaders raised suspicions of possible election manipulation before officials clarified that no breach had occurredThe controversy centres on the strongroom facility at JDT Islam College where Electronic Voting Machines EVMs from seven constituencies in Kozhikode district are stored under tight securityUDF leaders including Congress MP MK Raghavan and District Congress Committee President Praveen Kumar alleged that the opening of the strongroom pointed to a serious lapse and demanded a thorough probeThey reiterated concerns of possible attempts to tamper with the electoral process and called for enhanced security including handing over complete control to central forces and sealing adjacent roomsHowever election authorities moved swiftly to dismiss the allegations stating that the strongroom containing EVMs remained sealed and untouchedOfficials clarified that what had been opened was a separate âmaterials roomâ used for storing pollingrelated items and not the strongroom itselfThe Returning Officer said the room was accessed as part of a routine inspection of polling materials for the Perambra constituency in the presence of representatives from various political partiesUDF candidate from Perambra Fathima Tehlia said she had been informed about the opening earlier in the morning but noted that the process had already been completed by the time she reached the venue adding to the confusionOfficials maintained that the protest and allegations stemmed from a misunderstanding with the materials room being mistaken for the strongroomElections took place on April 9 to the 140 Assembly constituencies in KeralaWith vote counting scheduled for May 4 authorities said a threetier security system remains firmly in place to safeguard the strongrooms underscoring that there has been no compromise in the integrity of the stored voting machines IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/strongroom-opening-row-triggers-tension-in-kozhikode-over-fears-of-election-manipulation-670454.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eight-core-industries-record-04-per-cent-dip-in-production-in-march--670455.html New Delhi April 20 The combined index of Indias eight core infrastructure industries declined 04 per cent in March this year compared to the same month of the previous year according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Monday While the production of natural gas steel and cement went up during the month the output of fertilisers crude oil coal and electricity recorded a negative growth according to a ministry statementThe final growth rate of the eight core industries for February was observed at 28 per cent The cumulative growth rate of the combined index during April to March 202526 now works out to 26 per cent compared to the same period of last yearSteel production recorded a 22 per cent increase in March over the same month of the previous year while the cement sector clocked a 4 per cent growth during the month as demand for these products was maintained due to large government investments in bigticket infrastructure projectsThe production of natural gas increased by 64 per cent during March as the output was stepped up following the disruption in gas supplies from the Middle East due to the Iran war The government has also been encouraging consumers to switch to natural gas from LPG as supplies have been hit due to the closure of the Strait of HormuzThe production of petroleum products also increased marginally by 0 1 per cent during March as the government maintained supplies of petrol diesel and jet fuel at the normal levelCoal production decreased by 4 per cent in March over the same month of the previous year while electricity generation declined by 05 per centCrude oil fell by 57 per cent during the month while fertiliser production declined by 246 per cent in March compared to the same month of the previous yearThe Index of Eight Core Industries ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industriescoal crude oil natural gas refinery products fertilisers steel cement and electricity The eight core industries comprise 4027 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production IIP and are a good indicator of the overall industrial growth in the economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eight-core-industries-record-04-per-cent-dip-in-production-in-march--670455.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-two-top-rcom-executives-in-rs-19-694-crore-bank-fraud-cause-670456.html New Delhi April 20 The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI has arrested two senior executives of Anil Ambanicontrolled Reliance Communications RCom D Vishwanath and Anil Kalya in connection with the Rs 19694 crore bank fraud case registered against the company according to an agency statement on Monday The CBI had registered a regular case against Reliance Communications Limited Anil D Ambani and unknown others on the complaint of State Bank of India SBI on the allegations that the bank had sanctioned credit facilities to the accused company but due to the fraudulent activities of the accused borrowers the bank had to suffer wrongful loss of around Rs 292905 crore As per the complaint filed by the SBI a wrongful loss of Rs 1969433 crore has been caused to 17 public sector banks and financial institutionsInvestigations carried out so far have revealed that RCom Ltd entered into circuitous transactions through shell entities controlled by the companyâs officials and also got discounted letters of credit LCs opened for bogus servicerelated transactions with its group entities which got devolved causing huge losses to the banksRCom Joint President Vishwanath was overall in charge of banking operations of the group and the misutilisation of funds was carried out on his directions He was in coordination with banks for the sanction and disbursal of the facilities to the accused company Kalya who was vice president of the company had actively supported Vishwanth and these two were important functionaries of the RCom group managing corporate finance banking operations payments and utilisation of funds at the relevant timeThe two executives will now be produced before the jurisdictional court according to the CBI statementThe investigation in the case is still ongoing the statement saidThe CBI has in the last few months registered 7 cases against the Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group on complaints lodged by various public sector banks and LIC for fraud running into thousands of crores of rupees IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-two-top-rcom-executives-in-rs-19-694-crore-bank-fraud-cause-670456.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-cm-disburses-rs-83848-crore-to-4168-lakh-farmers-under-key-scheme-670457.html Bhubaneswar April 20 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday released financial assistance of Rs 83848 crore to 4168582 farmers under the CMKISAN scheme on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and State Farmers Day The Chief Minister also made several major announcements for farmers at a grand event held at the Central Rice Research Institute CRRI in Cuttack After performing the Bhoomi Puja on agricultural land near CRRI Majhi ceremonially initiated the âAkhi Muthi Anukulaâ traditional paddy sowing ritual He then visited an agricultural exhibition and flagged off the âAma Bihana Rathaâ Seeds on Wheels and âKrushi RathaâTo ensure the easy availability of quality seeds Majhi launched the âAma Bihana Rathaâ initiative In the first phase these mobile seedselling units will operate in 31 blocks across 10 districts New varieties of paddy seeds will be made available at the gram panchayat level in 5 kg packetsExtending greetings on Akshaya Tritiya the Chief Minister said agriculture is the foundation of Odishaâs economy culture and prosperityâAgriculture is the foundation of our economy The progress of our state depends on the development of agriculture and farmers The growth of agriculture industry and other sectors will ensure the allround development of our state and help realise our governmentâs vision of a âSamruddha Odishaââ Majhi saidHe described âAkhi Muthi Anukulaâ as a proud cultural heritage of the state marking the beginning of the new farming season when farmers ceremonially sow paddyHe said that for the 2026 Kharif season financial assistance of approximately Rs 83848 crore has been disbursed to 4168582 farmers under the CMKISAN scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer DBTHe emphasised that empowering farmers economically is a top priority of the government and that the scheme reflects this commitment Among the beneficiaries 4124241 are small and marginal farmers 41049 belong to landless farmer families and 3292 are from tribal farmer familiesThe Chief Minister said that within 22 months of the new government coming to power the stateâs agricultural growth rate has reached 53 per cent surpassing the national average This year Odisha has achieved a record foodgrain production of over 150 lakh metric tonnesTo ensure fair remuneration for farmers the state government is procuring paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal During the 2025â26 Kharif season 7647 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured from 1855661 farmersAn amount of Rs 558998 crore has been provided as input assistance The Chief Minister said farmers are the driving force behind building a prosperous Odisha and assured continued support to make agriculture more profitable modern and empoweredHe added that with coordinated efforts of the Centre and the state government development in Odisha has accelerated Special emphasis is being laid on quality seeds efficient irrigation and better market linkages to enhance farmersâ income IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-cm-disburses-rs-83848-crore-to-4168-lakh-farmers-under-key-scheme-670457.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/foreign-linked-narcotics-arms-module-busted-in-punjab-670458.html Chandigarh April 20 In a major breakthrough Punjab Police have busted a major interstate foreignlinked narcotics and illegal arms module with the arrest of four operatives and recovered 9925 kg of heroin two 30 bore foreignmade pistols along with eight magazines and 40 cartridges from their possession said Director General of Police DGP Gaurav Yadav here on Monday Those arrested have been identified as Manjinder Singh alias Sonu a resident of Pathralian village in Hoshiarpur Shivam Bhandari a resident of Dhina in Jalandhar Sahil Masih alias Monu of Pakhoke Tahli village in Gurdaspur and Ramel Roger of Garhshankar in HoshiarpurDGP Yadav said preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused were in direct contact with foreignbased gangsters and were acting as their local handlers facilitating drug trafficking and the supply of illegal weapons in the regionHe said further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to dismantle the entire networkSharing operational details Senior Superintendent of Police Hoshiarpur Sandeep Kumar Malik said that following a reliable input police teams have set up a special checkpoint in the jurisdiction of GarhshankarDuring the operation a car was intercepted on suspicion basis leading to the apprehension of the four accused and the subsequent recovery of the heroin and weapons consignment from their vehicle he saidThe SSP further said that one of the arrested accused Sahil Masih is a habitual offender and is also part of a firing case involving a police party in Batala district of the stateMore arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days as the investigation progresses he added In this regard a First Information Report was registered on April 19 under Sections 21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Section 25 of the Arms Act at the police station in Garhshankar in Hoshiarpur IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/foreign-linked-narcotics-arms-module-busted-in-punjab-670458.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-eyes-targets-for-2036-olympics-670461.html Chandigarh April 20 Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Monday chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of government initiatives in sports early childhood education nutrition and higher education Being recognised as Indias leading sporting State Haryana is now setting up ambitious targets for the 2036 Olympics The government has launched Mission Olympic 2036 Vijayee Bhavah a longterm talent identification programme aimed at grooming children aged eight to 10 years into worldclass athletes capable of winning medals Initial funding for the programme has been sanctioned by the Finance Department and implementation will be undertaken by the Sports UniversityDistrictlevel talent identification is being actively pursued under the One District One Sport initiative ensuring that sporting talent from every district from Ambala to Nuh gets equal opportunities The Khelo Haryana App announced in the Budget is also being developed to provide athletes with easy access to sportsrelated information and opportunities The Chief Secretary said the stateâs progress would be measured by its ability to deliver transparent technologydriven and citizencentric governance as it strives to become a leader in the national development agenda in line with the vision of âViksit Bharatâ given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Commissioner and Secretary Women and Child Development Shekhar Vidyarthi highlighted the stateâs significant progress in transforming anganwadi centres into quality early learning institutions for children from birth to six years of age More than 4000 anganwadi centres have been upgraded with preschool education kits educational toys furniture hygiene materials and RO drinking water facilities while 21962 additional centres have received customised education kits A workforce of 25000 anganwadi workers trained across all 22 districts with the support of 88 statelevel master trainers is delivering quality care and early learning to lakhs of children dailyThe Chief Secretary directed the Women and Child Development Department to clearly define measurable targets for each actionable item and ensure their timely completion within the stipulated timelines The meeting was informed that the NIPUN Bharat Mission would be extended to Grade V by March 2027 and highlighted the ongoing transformation of anganwadi centres into highquality preschool education hubs To ensure the health and academic tracking of the stateâs youth the administration is fasttracking the issuance of APAAR and ABHA digital IDs for all children in the zerotosix age groupFurthermore the Health Department has been tasked with developing a repository of regional nutritious recipes and ensuring absolute compliance with health protocols for children with severe acute malnutrition IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-eyes-targets-for-2036-olympics-670461.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sebi-slashes-minimum-investment-in-social-impact-funds-to-rs-1-000-670462.html Mumbai April 20 IANS The Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has drastically slashed the minimum investment requirement for individual investors in social impact funds to Rs 1000 in order to lower the barrier for entry from the Rs 2 lakh level that was in place until now with the aim of increasing retail participation on the Social Stock Exchange SSEnbspThe reduced threshold of Rs 1000 allows small investors to participate in SIFs which are Alternative Investment Funds AIFs focusing on social or environmental impactsThe SEBI amended AIF regulations to enable this change This would align the minimum application size requirement for subscribing to zerocoupon zero principal instruments under its ICDR Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements Regulations 2018 with the minimum investment value requirement for individual investors in the Social Impact FundThe move intends to increase capital flow for NotforProfit Organisations NPOs and social enterprises listed on the NSE and BSE Social Stock ExchangeThe SEBI has amended AIF regulations to enable this change lowering the barrier for entry from the previous mandatory Rs 2 lakh minimumBy slashing the requirement the capital markets regulator aims to make impact investing a democratised space similar to retail equity investing enabling broader participation in funding social causes This initiative is part of broader SEBI efforts to strengthen the SSE ecosystem which also includes easing registration norms for NPOsThe SEBI also said AIFs which do not retain any funds after the expiry of their fund life may be permitted to seek an inoperative status subject to compliance with prescribed normsAn Alternative Investment Fund may be tagged as an inoperative fund in such manner and subject to conditions as may be specified by the Board from time to time according to a SEBI statementThe move is premised on the principle that while entry into the securities market is subject to specified eligibility criteria the regulatory framework for exit where an entity seeks to discontinue its activities should be clear predictable and operationally efficientEarlier the SEBI extended the registration validity for notforprofit organisations on the Social Stock Exchange allowing their enrolment as NPOs for three years without raising funds and lowered the minimum subscription requirement for issuing zerocoupon zeroprincipal instrumentsThe regulator extended the validity period to three years from the existing two during which NPOs can remain registered on the SSE without raising fundsThe SEBI also lowered the minimum subscription requirement for zerocoupon zeroprincipal instruments to 50 per cent from 75 per cent to enhance fundraising flexibility for NPOsThis relaxation would apply only to projects where costs and outcomes can be implemented on a clearly identifiable perunit basis ensuring that partial subscription does not adversely affect project execution the SEBI saidIANSnbsp https://dailyworld.in/national/sebi-slashes-minimum-investment-in-social-impact-funds-to-rs-1-000-670462.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/online-lpg-cylinder-bookings-increased-to-99-pc-amid-geo-political-crisis-govt-670463.html New Delhi April 20 IANS LPG supply continues to be affected by the prevailing geopolitical situation the government said on Monday adding that supply of LPG to domestic households has been prioritised as online LPG cylinder bookings increased to 99 per cent on industry basisnbspDelivery authentication code DAC based deliveries have increased to around 92 per cent to prevent diversion DAC is received on the registered mobile number of the consumerMany of the LPG distributorships were operating on Sunday to ensure delivery of domestic LPG cylinders to households said Petroleum MinistryTotal commercial LPG allocation has also been increased to about 70 per cent of precrisis levels including 10 per cent reformlinked allocationSince March 23 2026 more than 1845 lakh 5kg free trade LPG cylinders have been soldA threemember committee of Executive Directors from IOCL HPCL and BPCL is coordinating with State authorities and industry bodies to plan commercial LPG distribution in the StatesUTs During the last 5 days on an average more than 7000 MTday of commercial LPG has been sold informed the ministryAuto LPG sales were observed to have shifted from private to PSU OMCs To meet the rising demand the sale of auto LPG by the PSU OMCs has been increased The major increase has been observed in the States like Karnataka Tamil Nadu Telangana Rajasthan and West Bengal etcMoreover since March 2026 more than 493 lakh PNG connections have been gasifiedFurther more than 551 lakh customers have been registered for new connections Till April 19 about 39200 PNG consumers have surrendered their LPG connections via MYPNGDin websiteAll refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories while sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are being maintained Domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased to support domestic consumption according to the official statementIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/online-lpg-cylinder-bookings-increased-to-99-pc-amid-geo-political-crisis-govt-670463.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-to-campaign-in-tns-tiruchi-east-gets-conditional-nod-from-authorities-670210.html Chennai April 19 Actorpolitician C Joseph Vijay president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK intensified his election campaign with backtoback outreach programmes in key constituencies contesting from both Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchi East A day after undertaking an extensive doortodoor campaign in the Perambur Assembly constituency Vijay is scheduled to campaign in Tiruchi East on Sunday evening Party sources said he will depart from Chennai at 2 pm in a private aircraft and arrive in Tiruchi shortly thereafter The campaign in Tiruchi East will be held between 3 pm and 7 pm covering several prominent localities under the constituency Vijay is expected to begin his outreach near the airport on Wireless Road followed by a roadshow through Thendral Nagar KK Nagar Bus Stand Kajamalai Road EVR College Road Tamil Nadu Hotel junction Kozhipannai Road and Kottapattu Addressing the public from an open vehicle he will seek support for his partys candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections After completing the campaign schedule Vijay is slated to return to the Tiruchi airport by 7 pm Authorities have granted permission for the campaign subject to strict adherence to election guidelines The Returning Officer has issued clearance after Vijayâs team sought approvals from both the Election Commission and the police However officials have imposed a set of conditions to ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct and to maintain public order Among the key restrictions political flags must not be erected in a manner that obstructs traffic The campaign must not violate any provisions of the election code Unauthorised posters banners or party flags are strictly prohibited at the campaign venues Additionally the use or placement of any hazardous or explosive materials has been explicitly banned Officials also stressed that the campaign must be conducted strictly within the permitted time frame and at designated locations In total 27 conditions have been laid down including directives issued by the police and other concerned departments which the organisers are required to follow without deviation With highvoltage campaigning entering its final phase ahead of polling Vijayâs dualconstituency strategy is being closely watched as TVK looks to consolidate its presence in Tamil Naduâs political landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-to-campaign-in-tns-tiruchi-east-gets-conditional-nod-from-authorities-670210.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-raids-residence-of-kolkata-police-dcp-shantanu-sinha-biswas-670211.html Kolkata April 19 The Enforcement Directorate ED on Sunday conducted raids at the residence of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner DCP Shantanu Sinha Biswas The ED officials reached the DCPs house on Fern Road in Ballygunge at 7 am It is reported that a search is underway at the houseOfficials said the search operation was being held in connection with the Sona Pappu syndicate case in the Ballygunge area of South Kolkata Biswas was once the OfficerinCharge of Kalighat police station which falls under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees Bhabanipur Assembly constituencyAt the same time the ED also raided the house of a businessman in the Behala area of South KolkataThe police have not yet arrested the main accused Sona Pappu alias Biswajit Poddar in the Golpark clash incident Although he has been seen in public and going live on social media he has yet to be arrestedEarlier the ED had called and questioned an IPS officer in this incident This time a search operation was conducted at the DCPs house itselfAccording to officials the ED went to the house of businessman Joy Kamdar in Behala Locals claim that he is mainly involved in the business of promoting real estate development His house was searched earlier too His name came up in the search conducted at Sona Pappus houseThe central investigation agency recovered cash from this house in Behala The ED also summoned the businessman twice for questioning However he avoided appearing both times After that ED officials went to his house again on SundayAccording to officials several teams of ED left from the CGO Complex early in the morning They were accompanied by central force jawans They had to wait for some time in front of the businessmans house in Behala Allegedly despite repeated knocking no one was opening the door of the house After a long time the door was opened and the ED officers entered Officials of the central agency had also reached Ballygunge early in the morningSearches were conducted at multiple addresses in the state capital city on Friday in connection with the illegal construction or syndicate case A few days ago the ED also raided the house of former state Minister Partha Chatterjee in the teacher recruitment corruption caseApart from this the Income Tax Department raided the house of outgoing Rashbehari MLA and Trinamool Congress candidate Debashis KumarThe Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29 The results of the vote will be known on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-raids-residence-of-kolkata-police-dcp-shantanu-sinha-biswas-670211.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/high-voltage-campaigning-peaks-in-tn-as-amit-shah-rajnath-singh-lead-nda-push-670214.html Chennai April 19 With just days left for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled on April 23 political campaigning has reached a fever pitch across the state The campaign will officially conclude on the evening of April 21 leaving parties with limited time to consolidate support in the final hours Senior leaders from both the state and the Centre have intensified their outreach crisscrossing constituencies in a whirlwind of rallies and roadshows Braving the scorching summer heat top leaders and Union ministers are aggressively campaigning for their respective parties and alliance candidatesThe National Democratic Alliance NDA has deployed its seniormost leaders to energise cadres and appeal directly to voters in key constituenciesUnion Home Minister Amit Shah is leading the campaign push on Sunday He is scheduled to address voters at Sivagiri in Erode district followed by a roadshow in support of the BJP candidate contesting from the Modakurichi Assembly constituencyLater in the day HM Shah will travel to Chennai where he will hold a roadshow in the Mylapore constituency at 4 pm backing BJP candidate Tamilisai SoundararajanAhead of the roadshow HM Shah is expected to offer prayers at the historic Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore Authorities have put in place tight security arrangements in view of the highprofile visit and anticipated public turnoutMeanwhile Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is spearheading the NDAâs campaign in southern Tamil Nadu He is slated to address a public meeting in the Radhapuram constituency of Tirunelveli district later in the dayThe Defence Minister will then proceed to Puliyangudi in Tenkasi district for further campaigning and participate in a roadshow at Panagudi located about 400 metres from the main venueThe NDAâs campaign has already seen highprofile appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Piyush Goyal who have canvassed support for alliance candidates in recent daysWith only three days remaining before polling the frequent visits of Union ministers underline the importance the NDA is placing on Tamil Nadu As the campaign enters its final stretch all major parties are leaving no stone unturned to sway undecided voters and maximise turnout in what promises to be a closely watched electoral battle IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/high-voltage-campaigning-peaks-in-tn-as-amit-shah-rajnath-singh-lead-nda-push-670214.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vadodara-students-landmark-research-finds-glowing-bacteria-in-ratnagiri-waters-670217.html New Delhi April 19 Two BSc Microbiology students from MK Amin College in Gujarats Vadodara Arnav Dhamdhere and Hariom Pathak have made a notable scientific discovery by isolating bioluminescent bacteria from seawater samples collected off the Ratnagiri coast in Maharashtra The bacteria are capable of naturally emitting light in darkness a rare biological phenomenon with wideranging scientific applicationsThe discovery was made under the guidance of Prof Devarshi Gajjar and Dr Priya Mishra after nearly 11 months of sustained laboratory research experimentation and microbial analysis The students collected seawater samples from coastal regions including Ratnagiri and successfully isolated the luminous bacteria through a detailed scientific processExplaining the origin of the idea student Hariom Pathak said âWe were reading about molecules and came to know that oceans glow at night because of bioluminescent bacteria That inspired us to take up this experimentâ He also added that samples were collected from coastal waters during field visits including a trip to GoaâIn our institution we have an open house every year where we interact with school students We wanted to do something different to make them curious That is how we thought of working on bioluminescent bacteriaâ He further noted that the research required consistent experimentation over a long periodAnother student Arnav Dhamdhere said âWe were experimenting on different samples to isolate the bacteria We got the successful sample last year in April and the entire process took around one year including identification workâThe research involved meticulous laboratory work and continuous analysis to isolate and confirm the presence of bioluminescent microorganisms Experts say such bacteria have significant potential applications in pollution monitoring environmental diagnostics medical research and biotechnologyThe samples are currently undergoing further pathological analysis to determine broader scientific applicationsThe work was conducted at MK Amin College part of the Maharaja Sayajirao University system in VadodaraThe achievement has been seen as a boost for studentled scientific innovation The Gujarat government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has been actively promoting research and innovation providing encouragement to young scientists engaging in advanced studiesThe discovery is expected to contribute to future research in marine microbiology and open new possibilities in bioluminescencebased scientific applications IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vadodara-students-landmark-research-finds-glowing-bacteria-in-ratnagiri-waters-670217.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/venkaiah-naidu-urges-youth-to-focus-on-agriculture-bring-scientific-research-to-fields-670239.html Hyderabad April 19 Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has called on the youth to focus on agriculture stating that agriculture is the backbone of the country He urged the youth to focus on this vital sector and stressed that research and scientific advancements must reach farmers in the fields rather than remain confined to laboratories The former Vice President was speaking at an event here on Saturday night to present the MS Swaminathan awardHighlighting environmental concerns the former Vice President warned against the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and underscored the importance of soil conservation and protection of nature and livestockVenkaiah Naidu called it a privilege to present the prestigious merit award named after the Father of the Green Revolution Dr MS Swaminathan to Ch Srinivasa Rao Director and ViceChancellor of ICARâIndian Agricultural Research Institute for his extraordinary contributions to the field of agricultureVenkaiah Naidu lauded Dr Srinivasa Raoâs efforts in formulating essential national policies regarding agriculture and climate change He noted that the award recognises his leadership in promoting natural farming practices and guiding the nation towards sustainable agricultureThe presentation ceremony for the 9th Professor MS Swaminathan Award 202425 was jointly organised by the Retired ICAR Employees Association and Nuziveedu Seeds Limited at the Dr Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao Chairman of Nuziveedu Seeds Limited Mandava Prabhakara Rao and the president of Retired ICAR Employees Association Vidyasagar Rao attended the ceremony Agriculture Minister Nageswara Rao expressed happiness that the award was presented during the birth centenary year of Professor MS Swaminathan He highlighted the need for scientific research to be more accessible to farmers and cautioned that neglecting soil health could reverse the gains of the Green Revolution Mandava Prabhakara Rao remarked that the award celebrates Dr Srinivasa Raoâs significant work in climateresilient agriculture and natural resource management He noted that Dr Rao has strengthened agricultural stability by expanding resource conservation technologies across millions of hectares and developing districtlevel contingency plans IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/venkaiah-naidu-urges-youth-to-focus-on-agriculture-bring-scientific-research-to-fields-670239.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cii-bats-for-industrial-land-reforms-to-boost-indias-manufacturing-growth-670243.html New Delhi April 19 Efficient and transparent access to industrial land is critical for accelerating investments reducing project gestation periods and positioning India as a competitive global manufacturing hub a Confederation of Indian Industry CII report said on Sunday The report titled âCII Land Mission Framework to Reform Industrial Land Management in Indiaâ outlines a roadmap to address structural and procedural bottlenecks in Indiaâs industrial land ecosystemâIndiaâs manufacturing ambitions under Make in India National Industrial Corridors renewable energy expansion and modern logistics cannot be realised unless industrial land becomes predictable transparent and investment readyâ said Chandrajit Banerjee Director General CII statedâThe CII Land Mission provides a practical implementationoriented framework that respects social safeguards while enhancing time efficiency predictability and coordination across the land value chainâ he mentionedIndustrial land remains a foundational input for manufacturing infrastructure renewable energy and logisticsHowever the current landscape across states is characterised by fragmented processes regulatory complexity unclear land titles delayed possession and underutilisation of allotted parcelsThese challenges significantly increase the cost of capital delay project commissioning and undermine investor confidence particularly for MSMEs and greenfield investmentsThe report undertakes a detailed assessment of the entire lifecycle of industrial land covering land search and identification application allotment change in land use CLU title and due diligence verification acquisition physical possession postallocation utilisation and institutional capacityA key recommendation of the report is the creation of a unified GISenabled National Industrial Land Bank offering realtime information on land availability zoning status utilities environmental constraints encumbrances and title claritySuch a platform would significantly enhance transparency and enable informed faster investment decisionsThe report also advocates for a fully integrated digital singlewindow system for industrial land applicationsThis system would consolidate approvals across departments standardise documentation enable realtime tracking and introduce clear servicelevel agreements SLAs including deemed approvals for nonsensitive clearances Assigning a designated case owner for each application would further improve accountability and reduce interdepartmental delays according to the reportâThe challenge in industrial land is not only acquisition but readiness and utilisation Even after allotment projects get stuck due to possession issues infrastructure gaps unclear titles and prolonged downstream approvalsâ said TV Narendran Chairman CII Land Mission and Past President CIIThe Land Mission proposals focus on endtoend reform right from clean land banks and faster acquisition to utilisation norms dispute resolution and institutional accountability he addedThe report also draws attention to the wide interstate variation in stamp duty and registration charges which significantly escalates upfront project costs and distorts investment decisions across geographies CII has recommended the adoption of a uniform nationally guided stamp duty for industrial land aimed at reducing transaction costs improving predictability and ensuring that investment location choices are driven by economic fundamentals rather than regulatory arbitrageAt the institutional level CII has proposed the establishment of a National Industrial Land Council NILC modelled on a GSTlike framework to set national standards harmonise landrelated regulations across states monitor implementation and act as a disputeresolution body IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cii-bats-for-industrial-land-reforms-to-boost-indias-manufacturing-growth-670243.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-meets-governor-seeks-early-approval-for-azharuddins-nomination-as-mlc-670254.html Hyderabad April 19 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and requested him to approve the pending nominations of Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin and M Kodandaram to the Telangana Legislative Council Accompanied by Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu and Rajya Sabha MP Vem Narender Reddy the Chief Minister called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan and requested him to clear the nominations under the Governorâs quotaThe Chief Ministerâs meeting with the Governor came a day after Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and Advocate General A Sudarshan Reddy called on the GovernorAccording to Lok Bhavan they discussed administrative and legal matters related to the stateIt has been nearly six months since Azharuddin was sworn in as the minister He is not a member of the Legislative Assembly or CouncilAzharuddin who was sworn in as the minister on October 31 2025 is constitutionally required to get elected to either the Assembly or the Council by April 30 to continue in the CabinetThe Telangana Cabinet had recommended the names of Azharuddin and Kodandaram for nomination to the Council under the Governorâs quota on August 30 2025 The Governor has not yet approved the fileLast month the Chief Minister had exuded confidence that the Governor will give the nod for nomination of both Azharuddin and KodandaramHe noted that the Supreme Court had recently observed that it had no objection in the matter and that the state government was free to pursue the issue with the Governor for clearanceThe Cabinetâs decision to nominate former Indian cricket captain Azharuddin and Kodandaram as Members of the Legislative Council MLCs under the Governorâs quota in August last year came two weeks after the Supreme Court stayed the appointment of Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan as MLCs under the Governorâs quotaBoth Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan were sworn in as MLCs in 2024 The apex court gave a stay on a petition filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS leaders Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana challenging the nominations made by the state governmentThe petitioners had challenged the appointment on the ground that it violated interim orders of the Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court observed that swearingin after the interim orders was improper and made it clear that any appointments made under the Governorâs quota would be subject to the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedingsWhile Kodandaram is the president of Telangana Jana Samithi TJS Amer Ali Khan is the News Editor of the Urdu dailyBoth Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan were nominated to the Council under the Governorâs quota after the State Cabinet again sent the recommendation to the Governor in August 2024They were nominated as MLCs in January 2024 but the High Court set aside the nomination in March on the petitions by Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana whose nomination as MLCs was recommended by the previous government of BRS in July 2023 The same was rejected by thenGovernor Tamilisai Soundararajan on the grounds that the two were âpolitically aligned personsâThe High Court had quashed the Governorâs decision rejecting the nominations of Dasoju Sravan and Satyanarayana and held that the Governor can only return the governmentâs recommendation for reconsiderationFollowing the High Court order the BRS leaders had requested the Governor to nominate them as MLCs However as the BRS had lost power to Congress the Governor rejected the requestSravan and Satyanarayana had challenged the Governorâs refusal in the Supreme Court As the High Court had not passed any orders to the Governor to nominate them they pleaded with the apex court to give a direction to the Governor to appoint them The Supreme Court had declined to pass any orders IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-meets-governor-seeks-early-approval-for-azharuddins-nomination-as-mlc-670254.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/four-killed-in-two-road-accidents-in-telangana-andhra-670270.html Hyderabad April 19 At least four persons including two infants were killed in two separate road accidents in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday A woman and her fourmonthold son died and her husband was injured when a car in which they were travelling collided with a lorry in Telanganaâs Mahabubnagar districtThe accident occurred in Addakula mandal headquarters when the car rammed into the truck parked by the roadsideThe deceased woman was identified as Nandini 26 and her baby as Kannayya Her husband Prakash Reddy was critically injured He was shifted to the Area Hospital in Wanaparthy The victims were residents of Kanchiraopalli village in Wanaparthy district The family was on its way to the Yadagirigutta temple for darshanPolice suspect that the car was being driven at a high speed Such was the impact of the collision that the car was badly mangled The woman and her son died on the spotIn another accident in Andhra Pradesh a man and his fourmonthold daughter were killed and his wife was injuredThe accident occurred when the bike they were riding was hit by a truck at Madanapelle in Annamayya districtThe woman sustained critical injuries and was admitted to a hospitalPolice registered a case and began an investigationMeanwhile 12 people were injured in a bus accident in Andhra Pradeshâs Anakapalli district early SundayA private travel bus travelling from Chennai to Bhubaneswar in Odisha lost control and overturned into a roadside drain on National Highway 16 at Nakkapalli in Anakapalli districtThere were 36 passengers on board the bus at the time of the accident and 12 passengers suffered minor injuries Locals rescued the trapped passengers and shifted them to the government hospital at NakkapalliPolice suspect the driver dozed off at the wheel resulting in the accident Most of the passengers were from Odisha Police have registered a case and are investigating IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/four-killed-in-two-road-accidents-in-telangana-andhra-670270.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/four-youths-killed-as-tractor-trolley-overturns-in-mps-dindori-670271.html BhopalAnuppur April 19 Four young men from Bhimkundi village lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday when the tractortrolley they were travelling in overturned into a deep pit The victims were on their way to collect road metal locally known as gitti from Pauni village in neighbouring Anuppur districtThe incident occurred around 5456 am under the Karan Pathar police station localityAccording to police officials the driver identified as Ankush Uike lost control of the steering while negotiating a sharp turn on the road near a village under Karan Pathar police station area in Anuppur districtThe heavily loaded tractortrolley veered off the path and fell into a deep pit from where earth was being excavatedAll four occupants were trapped under the overturned trolley and suffered fatal injuriesSpeaking to IANS Virendra Badkur the senior investigating police officer from Karan Pathar police station said the deceased have been identified as Ankush Uike aged 24 who was driving the vehicle Brajesh Pendo 18 Ravindra Kumar 18 and Chandra Prakash Marko 17All four were close friends and residents of Bhimkundi village in Dindori districtThey had set out early in the morning to fetch construction material Local residents who reached the spot soon after the accident immediately informed the policeRescue operations were launched and an earthmoving machine was called in to lift the overturned trolley and extricate the bodies It took considerable effort to recover the deceased from under the heavy vehicle âThey all died on the spotâ the officer saidThe bodies were later shifted to a nearby hospital for postmortem examination Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway to determine if there were any mechanical faults in the tractor or if overloading contributed to the tragedySenior police officers visited the spot and expressed deep condolences to the grieving familiesThis unfortunate incident has sent shock waves through the villages of Bhimkundi and the surrounding areas Relatives and villagers gathered at the familiesâ homes as news of the deaths spreadDistrict administration officials assured that all necessary support would be provided to the bereaved families IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/four-youths-killed-as-tractor-trolley-overturns-in-mps-dindori-670271.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/six-peddlers-arrested-in-jampks-anantnag-police-recover-37-kg-narcotics-cash-670272.html Srinagar April 19 Police in Jammu and Kashmirâs Anantnag district said on Sunday that in an intensified antidrug drive they have arrested six peddlers and recovered over 37 kg narcotics and Rs 10450 cash A police statement said that continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking Anantnag Police achieved major success with the arrest and seizures in three separate operationsDuring naka checking at Danter four persons coming towards Anantnag town attempted to flee on seeing the police party but were tactfully apprehended Search led to recovery of 3178 kg ganja powderlike substance and cash Rs 10450The accused have been identified as Shabir Qayoom son of Abdul Qayoom Deva resident of Cheeni Chowk Anantnag Zahid Manzoor son of Manzoor Ahmed Mir resident of Hassnpora Bagh at present Kha Bazar Anantnag and Faizan Lone son of Nazir Ahamed Lone resident of MirDanter AnantnagOne accused Gowher Reshi a resident of Danter managed to flee Case registered and investigation underwayIn the second case a police party during naka checking at Marhama Crossing intercepted a vehicle JK04J5556 Two occupants Mohammad Tufail Hajam son of Abdul Salaam Hajam and Mushtaq Ahmad Khanday son of Mohammad Sidiq Khanday both residents of Badipora Chadoora were apprehendedSearch of the vehicle yielded 329 grams of brown sugarlike substance and 788 grams of charaslike substanceFIR No 972026 US 8202129 NDPS Act has been registered at the concerned police station the officials saidIn the third case during naka checking at Doodhnad Waghama Javaid Ahmad Mantoo son of Wali Mohammad Mantoo resident of Waghama Bijbehara was apprehended and 468 grams of charas powder recovered from his possession by the policeCase FIR No 982026 US 820 NDPS Act stands registered the officials saidAnantnag Police reiterate its zerotolerance policy towards the drug menace Stringent action against peddlers and smugglers will continue to safeguard the youth and society The general public is requested to cooperate with the police and share information regarding drug peddling in their areas Identity of informers will be kept confidential police said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/six-peddlers-arrested-in-jampks-anantnag-police-recover-37-kg-narcotics-cash-670272.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eci-orders-transfer-of-tn-igp-senthil-velan-bars-him-from-election-duties-670274.html Chennai April 19 With just five days remaining for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections the Election Commission of India ECI has directed the state government to transfer senior IPS officer KA Senthil Velan from his post as Inspector General of Police Intelligence and appoint Avinash Kumar in his place with immediate effect In an order issued on Sunday the ECI instructed that Avinash Kumar a 2004batch IPS officer be posted as the new IG Intelligence underscoring the need for administrative neutrality and efficiency in the runup to pollingThe directive signed by ECI Secretary Madhusudan Gupta forms part of the Commissionâs ongoing efforts to ensure a level playing field and maintain the integrity of the electoral processThe Commission has asked the Tamil Nadu government to submit a compliance report confirming Avinash Kumarâs assumption of charge by 500 pm on SundayIt also laid down clear restrictions regarding the outgoing officer stating that KA Senthil Velan should not be assigned any electionrelated responsibilities until the entire electoral process is completedThe order was formally communicated to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu with a copy marked to the Chief Electoral Officer reinforcing the urgency and importance of immediate complianceSources indicated that such lastminute administrative reshuffles are not uncommon during election periods as the Commission exercises its constitutional mandate to oversee free and fair polls Transfers of key officials particularly those in sensitive positions like intelligence and law enforcement are often undertaken to eliminate any potential bias or perceived influence that could impact the conduct of electionsThe Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on April 23 with campaigning entering its final phase The state has witnessed an intense electoral battle with major political parties and alliances ramping up outreach efforts across constituenciesThe ECI has been closely monitoring the preparedness of the state machinery including law enforcement and administrative structures to ensure that polling is conducted in a transparent impartial and orderly mannerSundayâs directive is seen as part of this broader oversight mechanism aimed at strengthening voter confidence and upholding democratic normsFurther administrative adjustments are expected if required as the Commission continues its review in the final days leading up to the polls IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eci-orders-transfer-of-tn-igp-senthil-velan-bars-him-from-election-duties-670274.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-brings-ai-services-to-villages-with-unique-dpi-report-670284.html New Delhi April 19 IANS India is pairing artificial intelligence with digital public infrastructure locallanguage systems and governance safeguards helping farmers women and village institutions can use AI directly rather than through urban intermediaries a report has saidnbspThe report from One World Outlook said Indias approach counter structural challenges such as weak physical infrastructure and high friction in language literacy and accessIt made services legible local and usable by embedding AI into familiar tools such as WhatsAppstyle interfaces voice systems and panchayat systems shifting the technology from urban spectacle to rural serviceThe report cited President of the World Bank Group Ajay Bangas remarks on small AI at IMF Spring Meetings as a testimony of India transforming AI from an urbancentric productivity tool to a rural equaliserIt highlighted that the model focuses on lowcost lowcompute highutility systems to enable rural adoption Thus AI can solve concrete problems such as farm productivity pest detection and market access Banga saidBangas comments at IMF also have a political significance as it frames AI not as a luxury import from the global North but as an instrument of development that can be adapted to Indias social realitiesRural AI in India is becoming a test case for whether emerging economies can shape AI on their own terms the report saidIt outlined two policy pillars underpinning the push strategy and governanceThe National Strategy for AI launched by NITI Aayog positions AI as a tool for inclusive growth in underserved sectors especially agriculture healthcare and education The India AI Governance Guidelines 2025 focus on fairness accountability transparency and Indiaspecific risk assessment it saidIndias approach also linked AI deployment to grievance redressal human oversight and locallanguage accessibility making inclusion systembuilt rather than a later additionIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-brings-ai-services-to-villages-with-unique-dpi-report-670284.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gautam-adani-offers-prayers-at-taranga-jain-temple-on-akshaya-tritiya-670285.html Mehsana April 19 Gautam Adani the Chairman of the Adani Group and his wife Dr Priti Adani visited the Shri Ajitnath Bhagwan Shwetamber Jain Derasar in Gujaratâs Taranga hills on Sunday offering prayers on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya Arriving at the Dabhoda helipad in Mehsana districtâs Kheralu taluka early morning the couple was received by members of the Jain community before travelling to the hill shrineDevotees had begun gathering early marking a day regarded as especially sacred across traditionsThe temple dedicated to Lord Ajitnath the second Tirthankara in Jainism dates to the 12th century and is associated with the Solanki ruler King Kumarpal It remains an important pilgrimage site for the Jain communityGautam Adani offered prayers inside the sanctum before spending time within the temple complexThe couple also briefly visited the canteen where pilgrims gather during their visitDuring the visit Gautam Adani met temple trustee Sachin Ashokbhai Shah to discuss plans aimed at improving facilities for pilgrims with a focus on enhancing access and amenities while preserving the templeâs architectural and spiritual integrityThe Adani Group is also supporting afforestation efforts in the Taranga hills contributing to the ecological restoration and preservation of the region surrounding the sacred siteAkshaya Tritiya is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu and Jain calendars associated with prosperity new beginnings and acts of charity In Jain tradition it marks the day when Rishabhanatha received his first alms after a prolonged fast establishing the practice of offering food to asceticsEarlier this month on Hanuman Jayanti Gautam Adani and his family offered prayers at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya one of Indiaâs most prominent Hindu shrines IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gautam-adani-offers-prayers-at-taranga-jain-temple-on-akshaya-tritiya-670285.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/misinforming-the-nation-assam-cm-hits-back-at-cong-on-delimitation-exercise-670286.html Guwahati April 19 IANS Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hit back at the Congress over its criticism of the states recent delimitation exercise accusing the party of misusing the term gerrymandering to mislead the public and delegitimise a longpending electoral correctionnbspIn a post on X CM Sarma asserted that the delimitation carried out in 2023 was not a conspiracy but a necessary and overdue exercise aimed at correcting decades of political imbalanceHe alleged that earlier governments particularly under the Congress party had ignored significant demographic changes in several regions especially Lower Assam for electoral gainsThe real distortion of representation happened in the past when changing population patterns were overlooked to suit votebank politics the Chief Minister said adding that the current exercise seeks to align constituencies with ground realitiesThe delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam was undertaken by the Election Commission of India under provisions of the Delimitation Act using the 2001 Census as the baseThe process finalised in August 2023 redrew boundaries of 126 Assembly and 14 Lok Sabha constituencies with a focus on rationalising population distribution geographical contiguity and administrative convenienceThe exercise also led to a reconfiguration of reserved seats for Scheduled Castes SCs and Scheduled Tribes STs reflecting their population share more accuratelySeveral constituencies in minoritydominated areas saw boundary changes which triggered political reactions across party linesCM Sarma maintained that the objective of the delimitation was to restore balance and ensure fair political representation for indigenous communitiesHe further described the current arrangement as a stopgap measure to address concerns arising out of illegal migration and demographic shiftsOpposition parties including the Congress have consistently criticised the exercise alleging that it disproportionately affects certain communities and benefits the ruling dispensationThey have termed it an instance of gerrymandering a charge the BJP has strongly rejectedThe Chief Minister said those opposing the exercise were uncomfortable because it disrupted a system that had historically worked in their favour reiterating that the move reflects the aspirations of the people of AssamIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/misinforming-the-nation-assam-cm-hits-back-at-cong-on-delimitation-exercise-670286.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cji-surya-kant-to-launch-ai-powered-notice-verification-chatbot-abhay-designed-by-cbi-tomorrow-670287.html New Delhi April 19 IANS Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant will deliver the 22nd DP Kohli Memorial Lecture at the Bharat Mandapam here on Monday with a focus on the growing challenges of cybercrime and the evolving role of police and the judiciary in addressing themnbspThe lecture organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI will centre on the theme Challenges of Cyber Crime Role for Police and Judiciary reflecting the increasing intersection of technology crime and justice delivery systemsOn the occasion CJI Surya Kant will also launch an AIpowered notice verification chatbot ABHAY designed to enable citizens to verify the authenticity of notices purportedly issued by the CBIThe initiative comes amid a rise in socalled digital arrest frauds and is expected to provide a crucial safeguard against impersonation and cyberenabled deceptionAs many as 24 Medals for Meritorious Service will also be presented during the event recognising distinguished contributions by CBI personnelThe CBI organises the annual lecture series in honour of its founder Director Dharamnath Prasad Kohli whose leadership laid the institutional foundation of the agency Established by a Union government resolution dated April 1 1963 the CBI was mandated to investigate cases of bribery and corruption violations of central fiscal laws and other serious crimes evolving over the decades into Indias premier investigative bodyKohli who led the Delhi Special Police Establishment DSPE before becoming the first Director of the CBI is credited with strengthening investigative processes and institutional integrityWhile delivering the 20th DP Kohli Memorial Lecture on the CBIs Raising Day in 2024 then CJI DY Chandrachud had stressed the need for adequate safeguards to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies He had observed that AI systems are not free from bias and may due to skewed data lead to profiling of marginalised communities potentially infringing privacy rights and resulting in disproportionate targetingAt the same time then CJI Chandrachud had highlighted the transformative potential of AI in law enforcement remarking that agencies such as the CBI can leverage algorithms to analyse vast volumes of data identify patterns and generate actionable intelligence with greater efficiency including in complex cases such as human traffickingIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cji-surya-kant-to-launch-ai-powered-notice-verification-chatbot-abhay-designed-by-cbi-tomorrow-670287.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengals-cultural-identity-might-change-by-trinamools-agenda-to-encourage-illegal-infiltration-pm-modi-670288.html Kolkata April 19 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that West Bengal might lose its original cultural identity because of the Trinamool Congress dangerous agenda to encourage rampant illegal infiltration and pamper the infiltratorsnbspThe forthcoming Assembly election in West Bengal is a battle to protect the identity and the land of the state Trinamool Congress is moving ahead with a dangerous agenda They want to create a government of the illegal infiltrators They want to form a state government that will only protect the culture language and religion of the illegal infiltrators The common people of West Bengal will be the principal enemy of that government of infiltrators That is why the common people of West Bengal this time had decided to bring a change in the state the Prime Minister added while addressing a campaign rally in the tribaldominated district of Jhargram which was his third rally in the state for the dayAccording to the Prime Minister Bharatiya Janata Party BJP had always cared for protecting the cultural heritage of West BengalnbspBengali was given the status of classical language during our time An edition of the Indian Constitution is now available in the Santali language The BJP is proud of the heritage of West Bengal and is determined to protect it at any cost he saidnbspSpeaking on the occasion the Prime Minister also added that at a time when the future of West Bengal and the people of the state are getting plunged into acute darkness the luxurious and highcost vehicles of the ruling Trinamool Congress leaders are shiningI guarantee that those who are responsible for the darkness in your lives will not be spared if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal after the Assembly election All the corrupt leaders of Trinamool Congress will be held accountable he saidnbspAccording to the Prime Minister when new and modern schools are being set up in different tribal dominated places in the country under the Eklavya Model Residential School the tribal people of West Bengal are being deprived of themIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengals-cultural-identity-might-change-by-trinamools-agenda-to-encourage-illegal-infiltration-pm-modi-670288.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-closer-to-expanding-its-nuclear-fuel-base-report-670289.html New Delhi April 19 India may be closer than ever to achieving longterm nuclear selfreliance following a key milestone in its ambitious threestage nuclear programme according to an article The report in the Vietnam Times described the development as a potential turning point in Indiaâs decadesold strategy to overcome fuel constraints and build a sustainable nuclear energy baseAccording to the article India has long faced a fundamental challenge India didnât have much uranium the fuel most nuclear reactors run on Even today it noted the country remains dependent on imports including major agreements with countries like Canada However India possesses vast reserves of thorium or 25 per cent of the global total buried in its sands offering a unique longterm opportunityThe report says that thorium cannot be directly used as fuel and requires conversion prompting India to adopt a longterm approach rather than quick fixesInstead of chasing speed Indian nuclear scientist Dr Homi J Bhabha chose something far more ambitious a system that could turn this resource scarcity into selfreliance even if it took decades to get thereThis vision led to Indiaâs threestage nuclear programmeâbeginning with uranium transitioning to plutonium and eventually unlocking thorium For years the second stage remained incomplete But that changed recentlyOn April 6th Indiaâs Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor PFBR at Kalpakkamâ achieved criticality for the first timeâ The report underscores the importance of this moment noting that âcriticality is the point where a nuclear reactor becomes selfsustaining the article saidWhile fast breeder reactors exist elsewhere the Vietnam Times points out that in most other countries the efforts behind these reactors havenât exactly gone as planned Indiaâs persistence therefore stands out it said âAnd yet India didnât back down from this pursuit It stayed committed to breeder reactors because they were essential The significance of the milestone lies in its longterm implications As per the Vietnam Times by achieving criticality India has shown that it can run a reactor using plutoniumbased fuelâ bringing the country closer toâ expanding its nuclear fuel base These reactors can produce more usable material than they consume effectively transforming limited resources into sustainable fuelThe report also highlights the technological complexity involved including the use of mixed oxide fuel and liquid sodium cooling which has to be sealed monitored and engineered with extreme precisionDespite the breakthrough the report cautions that challenges remain Nuclear energy currently accounts for just over 3 per cent of Indiaâs electricity generation and thereâs still a long way to go However if successful the programme could significantly reduce dependence on imported uraniumSumming up the achievement the report notes that India may finally be realising Dr Bhabhaâs longheld vision Running on fuel it already has instead of relying on the world for it IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-closer-to-expanding-its-nuclear-fuel-base-report-670289.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dual-citizenship-row-allahabad-hc-likely-to-hear-rahul-gandhis-stand-tomorrow-670293.html Lucknow April 19 IANS Leader of Opposition LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is likely to present on Monday his stand in the Allahabad High Court on a petition filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party BJP worker alleging that the Congress leader is a British national enjoying dual citizenshipThe crucial hearing before the singlejudge bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi will come ahead of the operation of the High Courts direction to the Uttar Pradesh Police to inquire into the complaint by BJP worker from Karnataka Vignesh ShishirOn Friday the High Court in an oral order had given a goahead to police to initiate a probe and consider filing an FIR if needed against LoP GandhiOn Saturday the High Court modified its final order saying that the prospective accused must be given an opportunity of hearing before any such direction is issuedEarlier in 2019 a petition seeking disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from contesting the Lok Sabha elections over the issue of alleged dual citizenship was dismissed by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan GogoiOn Saturday Justice Vidyarthi withheld the order after it had already been dictated in open court noting that the judgment could not be finalised without addressing the requirement of issuing notice to the proposed accusedIn the decision uploaded on the High Courts official website on Saturday Justice Vidyarthi recorded that during the hearing all parties had submitted that there is no requirement of issuance of a notice to the proposed accused while deciding an application under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSSHowever before the judgment could be typed and signed the singlejudge bench came across a full bench ruling in Jagannath Verma vs State of Uttar Pradesh which held that an order rejecting a plea for registration of an FIR is not interlocutory and is amenable to revision and that the prospective accused is entitled to an opportunity of being heard before a decision is takenIn view of the aforesaid legal position it appears that the application under Section 528 of the BNSS should not be decided without issuing notice to the opposite party no1 Rahul Gandhi Justice Vidyarthi said adding that the parties need to address this aspectThe development assumes significance as the singlejudge bench had earlier directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to conduct an inquiry and consider registration of an FIR into the allegations that Rahul Gandhi holds dual citizenship while hearing a challenge to a January 28 order of a special MPMLA court in Lucknow that had refused to order an FIRThe petitioner has alleged that LoP Gandhi is a British citizen and therefore ineligible to contest elections or continue as a Member of Parliament relying on purported documents and communications from the UK authoritiesHe has sought action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita the Official Secrets Act the Foreigners Act and the Passport ActThe complaint was initially filed before a special MPMLA court in Raebareli before being brought before the Allahabad High CourtIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dual-citizenship-row-allahabad-hc-likely-to-hear-rahul-gandhis-stand-tomorrow-670293.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-governor-gives-assent-to-anti-sacrilege-bill--670299.html Chandigarh Apr 19 Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has given his assent to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Sunday The Bill proposed stricter punishment including life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 25 lakh for any act of sacrilege against the Guru Granth SahibnbspnbspIt was unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly on April 13 and was sent to the governor for his assentnbspIn a post on X in Punjabi CM Mann said The Bill passed in the Vidhan Sabha against the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji has been signed by the Honourable Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria jinbspNow this Bill has become a law I am very grateful to Waheguru ji for taking this service from a humble person like me Thanks to the entire SangatnbspThe AAP government on April 13 had convened a special session of the Vidhan Sabha to amend the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act 2008 for stricter punishment against sacrilege of the Guru Granth SahibnbspThe Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 proposes stricter punishments to deter incidents of beadbi sacrilege and uphold the sanctity of the Guru Granth SahibThe acts of sacrilege against religious scriptures have been an emotive issue in Punjab There were demands from various quarters for stringent punishment for acts of sacrilege against religious textsnbspAccording to the Bill any person who commits an offence of sacrilege of the Saroops sacred scripture of the Guru Granth Sahib under this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to 20 yearsnbspThere shall also be a fine of not less than Rs 2 lakh but may extend to Rs 10 lakhAny person who in criminal conspiracy commits sacrilege with an intention to disrupt peace or communal harmony shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than 10 years but may extend to imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than Rs 5 lakh but may extend to Rs 25 lakh as per the BillAny person who attempts to commit an offence shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than three years but may extend to five years and shall also be liable to a fine which shall not be less than Rs one lakh but may extend to Rs three lakhSacrilege for the purpose of this Act means any wilful and deliberate act committed with the intent of desecration by way of physical damaging defacing burning tearing or theft of Saroops the Guru Granth Sahib or part thereof or by words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic means or otherwise which is of such a nature as to hurt the religious feelings of persons professing the Sikh faith the Bill saidReacting to the governors assent Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said it was the demand of the sangat that a strict law be enacted against the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib He thanked the governor for giving his assent to the BillFinance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said This historic step by the government led by BhagwantMann ensures strict punishment for sacrilege and sends a clear message Âsuch acts will not be toleratednbspCongress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said the governors assent to the Bill is a welcome step but laws mean little without intent and actionnbspIf CM BhagwantMann is serious this must become a real deterrent against sacrilege not just another headline said BajwanbspHe further said the people of Punjab are still awaiting justice in the 2015 sacrilege incidents and police firing at antisacrilege protestersnbspAgencies https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-governor-gives-assent-to-anti-sacrilege-bill--670299.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-departs-for-sri-lanka-on-landmark-two-day-visit-to-boost-bilateral-ties-670206.html New Delhi April 19 Indiaâs Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday departed for a twoday official visit to Sri Lanka marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations The visit is notable as the first bilateral official trip by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka underscoring the growing momentum in diplomatic engagement between the neighboursConfirming the departure Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X âHonâble Vice President of India Shri C P Radhakrishnan VPIndia has departed for Sri Lanka A rich agenda involving meeting with Sri Lankan leadership and interacting with Indian community lies aheadâDuring the visit VP Radhakrishnan is scheduled to call on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and hold discussions with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya His engagements will also include interactions with leaders of the Indianorigin Tamil community and Tamil representatives from the Northern and Eastern regions of the island nationThe Vice President will also address members of the Indian diaspora at a community event in Colombo At the event he will virtually hand over houses to beneficiaries from Tamil communities constructed under the third phase of the Indian Housing Project With this phase the total number of houses built for Tamil communities will reach 50000 while an additional 10000 houses are currently being developed under the initiatives fourth phaseOn Monday the Vice President will travel to Nuwara Eliya where he will visit project sites and interact with the local Tamil community Indianorigin Tamilians form a significant segment of Sri Lankaâs population numbering around 16 million or approximately 7 per centThe visit comes amid a series of recent highlevel exchanges between the two countries including President Disanayakaâs visit to India in February and Prime Minister Amarasuriyaâs trip in October 2025 It is expected to further deepen the millenniaold civilisational and peopletopeople ties shared by India and Sri Lanka IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-departs-for-sri-lanka-on-landmark-two-day-visit-to-boost-bilateral-ties-670206.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/oppn-has-done-great-disservice-to-nation-chandrababu-naidu-on-womens-bill-669969.html Amaravati April 18 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday that by blocking the Womenâs Reservation Bill the Congressled Opposition has denied India a historic step towards womenâs empowermentâ âThis is not just political obstruction it is a betrayal of millions of women who deserve equal voice and rightful representation in Parliament The nation will rememberâ he posted on âXââIn another post the Telugu Desam Party TDP president said that by defeating the Delimitation and Constitutional Amendment Bill the Opposition parties have done a great disservice to the nationâHe wrote that with the freeze under Article 81 set to end after the first Census conducted post2026 the forthcoming census exercise will reset seat distribution purely on population potentially leading to a steep decline in representation for Southern NorthEastern and smaller statesâNaidu added that the National Democratic Allianceâs proposal was a sincere effort to preserve federal balance protect the voice of Southern NorthEastern and smaller states and ensure 33 per cent representation for women He said it recognised that states which have performed well on key development indicators should not be penalised in the democratic structureâIt is unfortunate that political agendas have prevailed over longterm national interest Those celebrating this outcome must introspect we have lost an opportunity to secure a fair and constitutional safeguard for rightful representationâ he notedâMeanwhile Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan slammed the Opposition parties saying they have squandered a golden opportunity to enhance womenâs empowerment within legislative bodiesâHe said that had the Opposition also supported the Womenâs Reservation Bill they too would have earned respect He expressed hope that in the days to come women will secure their rightful place in the legislatureâAs Jana Sena Party president Kalyan added âAs a partner in the National Democratic Alliance the Jana Sena Party welcomes the initiative taken by the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in bringing this Bill before the Lok Sabha Had this Bill been passed women across the length and breadth of India would have rejoiced immenselyââ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/oppn-has-done-great-disservice-to-nation-chandrababu-naidu-on-womens-bill-669969.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pune-airport-operations-resume-after-iaf-aircraft-snag-halts-runway-overnight-669984.html Pune April 18 Flight operations at Pune Airport resumed on Saturday morning after an overnight suspension triggered by an Indian Air Force IAF aircraft that suffered an undercarriage failure while landing and became stuck on the runway officials said The incident took place late on Friday at around 1025 PM when the technical snag rendered the runway completely unusable forcing authorities to halt all flight movements temporarily Despite the disruption officials confirmed that the crew on board the aircraft remained safe and no injuries were reported in the incidentFollowing the disruption repair and clearance work was undertaken on priority through the night to restore normalcy After ensuring all safety protocols departure flights resumed from 730 AM on Saturday while arrival operations recommenced from 800 AM officials addedUnion Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol also addressed the situation confirming the incident through a social media post He noted that air traffic in Pune is expected to gradually return to normal over the course of the dayThe Indian Air Force had earlier stated that the runway at Pune airport was temporarily unavailable following the incident involving one of its aircraft adding that restoration efforts were already underwayPune runway is temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving an IAF aircraft The aircrew are safe and there is no damage to civil property the force said in a statement shared on social mediaEfforts are underway to operationalise the runway and resume normal operations at the earliest it addedAccording to inputs from the IAF Air Traffic Control it was initially estimated that it would take approximately four to five hours to remove the obstruction and restore normal flight operationsDuring this period the runway remained completely unavailable impacting scheduled services until the situation was brought under control IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pune-airport-operations-resume-after-iaf-aircraft-snag-halts-runway-overnight-669984.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/opposition-floor-leaders-to-meet-at-kharges-office-at-10-am-rahul-gandhi-to-skip-669989.html New Delhi April 18 The floor leaders of the Opposition will meet at Congress National President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharges chamber in the Parliament Complex at 10 AM on Saturday Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will not attend the meeting as he will be travelling to Tamil Nadu for the election campaignThis comes a day after the defeat of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok SabhaThe Bill which aimed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament failed to secure the required twothirds majority triggering a sharp political confrontation between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA blocThe proposed legislation which also sought to expand the strength of the House could not secure the constitutionally mandated twothirds majority despite a daylong debate The Bill received 278 votes in favour and 211 against falling short of the required threshold for passageThe outcome has triggered a sharp political confrontation with the NDA accusing the INDIA bloc of deliberately blocking a historic reform aimed at increasing womens representation in legislative bodiesThe Opposition on its part is objecting to the womenâs reservation Bill being tethered to the expansion of Parliament based on the 2011 Census and the exercise of delimitationEarlier on Friday the floor leaders of the ruling NDA met for a crucial meeting in Parliament following the defeat of the BillIt was decided in the meeting that the constituents will raise the issue of the Oppositions resistance to womens empowerment said sourcesThe message will be delivered to people across the country through protests press conferences and social media to make people aware of the developmentMeanwhile the NDA is set to launch a nationwide protest campaign on Saturday against the INDIA bloc over the issueParty leaders said protests will be organised at district headquarters across the country led by the BJPs womens wing the BJP Mahila MorchaThe campaign is intended to highlight what the NDA describes as an antiwomen agenda of the Opposition while mobilising public opinion around the issue The BJP is also expected to raise the matter prominently in the upcoming elections particularly in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/opposition-floor-leaders-to-meet-at-kharges-office-at-10-am-rahul-gandhi-to-skip-669989.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-first-batch-of-haj-pilgrims-departs-for-mecca-pilgrims-say-everything-is-well-managed-669995.html New Delhi April 18 The first batch of Haj 2026 pilgrims departed from Delhi Airport for Mecca Saudi Arabia on Saturday Chairperson of the Delhi Haj Committee Kausar Jahan was present at the airport to mark their departure A pilgrim leaving for Haj told IANS âBy the will of Allah and the prayers of all of you Allah has blessed us with the opportunity to perform Haj 2026 Today by His will we are taking our first flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport I request all of you to pray for us that Allah makes our journey easy and grants us the ability to complete Haj successfullyâAnother pilgrim said âEverything is well managed Now we look forward to the arrangements in Saudi Arabia India has done very well everything here is good The Haj Committee has provided strong support and the Delhi government has also been very helpful We have not faced any problems from the beginning until nowâA total of 175025 pilgrims are expected to undertake the annual pilgrimage this yearUnion Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday extended his best wishes to the pilgrims and reiterated the governmentâs commitment to ensuring a smooth safe and comfortable Haj experience He said several new initiatives have been introduced this year to enhance the quality of servicesAmong the key initiatives for Haj 2026 are enhanced digital services through the Haj Suvidha App and the introduction of Haj Suvidha smart wristbands to help locate and assist pilgrims For the first time a shortduration Haj option of around 20 days has been introduced offering greater flexibilityThe government has also increased insurance coverage to approximately Rs 625 lakh per pilgrim strengthening financial and health security during the journey Additionally around 60000 pilgrims will benefit from highspeed train connectivity between Makkah and Madinah enabling faster and more comfortable travelAuthorities have also put in place improved realtime monitoring and grievance redressal systems enhanced medical screening and healthcare support and better coordination for accommodation and transport services in Saudi Arabia Hotelstyle accommodation has been arranged in Makkah to provide improved facilities to pilgrimsHaj operations will be conducted through 17 embarkation points across India including major cities such as Delhi Mumbai Lucknow Hyderabad Kolkata Bengaluru and Srinagar ensuring regional accessibility and efficient logisticsThe government said it has accorded the highest priority to the welfare and wellbeing of Haj pilgrims maintaining close coordination with Saudi authorities throughout the pilgrimage period Pilgrims have been advised to follow all guidelines and travel advisories to ensure a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-first-batch-of-haj-pilgrims-departs-for-mecca-pilgrims-say-everything-is-well-managed-669995.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tremors-of-53-magnitude-earthquake-with-epicentre-in-afghanistans-badakhshan-felt-in-kashmir-valley-670001.html Srinagar April 18 Tremors of an earthquake measuring 53 on the Richter scale with its epicentre in Badakhshan province in Afghanistan were felt in Kashmir Valley on Saturday Disaster management officials said that an earthquake measuring 53 on the Richter scale occurred at 824 AM on Saturday with the epicentre in Badakhshan province of AfghanistanâThe earthquake occurred 190 Kms inside the Earthâs crust Its coordinates are Latitude 3655 degrees North and Longitude 7092 degrees Eastâ officials saidSeismologically Kashmir Valley is situated in an earthquake prone regionEarthquakes have wreaked havoc in Kashmir in the past A temblor measuring 76 on the Richter scale hit JampK on October 8 2005 and over 80000 people were killed in that quakeThe epicentre of the earthquake was in Muzaffarabad town of PakistanoccupiedKashmir PoK and the town was completely razed to rubble in that temblorThe border town of Uri in Baramulla district of the Valley also suffered massive damage in the 2005 earthquakeKashmir has a long history of destructive earthquakes due to its location in a highseismic zone with notable historical events including the devastating 1555 and 1885 earthquakes which caused widespread destruction and thousands of deathsMajor welldocumented historical earthquakes include the 1555 Kashmir Earthquake which was a highly destructive earthquake likely of the magnitude of 76 which ruined towns and altered the course of the River VeshaThe 1885 Baramulla earthquake that took place on May 30 was of 68 magnitude and caused over 3000 deaths and severe structural damage in the SrinagarBaramulla regionThe 1828 earthquake is believed to be a strong event causing significant damage based on analysis of the Pandrethan TempleStructural engineers and earthquake experts have advocated construction of earthquakefriendly houses and other structures in KashmirThese experts have strongly opposed cement concrete homes and houses These structural are most vulnerable to temblors as they have little capacity to absorb shocks because of which they cave in IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tremors-of-53-magnitude-earthquake-with-epicentre-in-afghanistans-badakhshan-felt-in-kashmir-valley-670001.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ats-investigates-alleged-pak-link-in-noida-workers-protest-incendiary-social-media-accounts-under-scrutiny-670002.html Noida April 18 The investigation into the vandalism and arson that occurred during the recent violent workers protests in Noida has taken a new turn Following preliminary enquiries that revealed a suspected foreign connection specifically a possible Pakistani link behind the sequence of events the AntiTerrorist Squad ATS has now joined the probe Taking the matter with utmost seriousness the ATS has expanded the scope of its investigation and every aspect of the incident is being examined meticulouslyAccording to reports a large number of workers took to the streets to voice their grievances however the situation quickly spiraled into violence During this period incidents of vandalism arson involving vehicles and damage to public property were reported across several locationsPolice and administrative authorities had to struggle significantly to bring the situation under control Investigating agencies suspect that the entire episode may have been instigated in a premeditated manner In particular they believe a conspiracy may have been hatched to incite unrest and destabilise the atmosphere through social media platformsThe ATS is now conducting a detailed probe into social media and âXâ accounts that shared inflammatory posts videos or messages during the protests According to sources the locations and activities linked to certain suspicious accounts suggest that they may be operated from outside the country raising concerns about a possible connection to PakistanThese accounts were allegedly used to spread rumours circulate misinformation and provoke people into engaging in violence With the help of its digital forensics team the ATS is analysing data IP addresses and network connections associated with these accounts Efforts are also underway to determine whether these accounts have any links to terrorist organisations or organised criminal networksThe administration has stated that the culprits will not be spared under any circumstances and strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in the violence The investigation into the entire matter is ongoing and further significant revelations are expected in the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ats-investigates-alleged-pak-link-in-noida-workers-protest-incendiary-social-media-accounts-under-scrutiny-670002.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/puppet-label-failed-leadership-hafiz-saeed-at-centre-of-lashkar-e-taiba-rift-670007.html New Delhi April 18 Signals of rifts within the Pakistan establishment relating to the revival of terror groups and leadership changes have emerged It is a well known fact that Pakistans Field Marshal and Army Chief Asim Munir is unhappy with the manner in which the ISI has been functioningHe has demanded accountability over the number of mysterious shooting of terrorists within Pakistan a trend that has been visible since 2023Field Marshal Asim Munir is also upset that Pakistans Intelligence has failed miserably when it came to the activities of both the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army BLAHowever for the ISI and Pakistan Army the bigger problem is the major rift that has hit the LashkareTaiba This terror group is Pakistans favourite proxy It prefers the LashkareTaiba over the JaisheMohammad as it has never rebelled against the establishmentAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the rift is over the leadership Many within the outfit are questioning the effectiveness of Hafiz Saeed still leading the outfitThey feel Saeed is past his prime and should make way for a younger leader Further many within the outfit also feel that Saeed is a puppet and once in a way must question the establishment the official saidAt the centre of all is this Saifullah Kasuri the number two within the LashkareTaiba todayKasuri is 58yearsold and feels that he should be leading the group He has on numerous occasions expressed the need to effect a leadership change and says that it is time that the 76year old Hafiz Saeed to goWhile Kasuri does enjoy the support of the younger cadre the old guard is however not keen on letting Hafiz Saeed goAn official said that the tensions have been simmering for nearly two years and all this had been kept under wraps However the lid blew off when the Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack This not only made the LashkareTaiba question the Pakistan establishment but the leadership as wellMany including Kasuri said that Hafiz Saeed ought to have spoken out against the establishment and its lack of ability to protect themDespite the LashkareTaiba losing its primary training facility at Muridke Hafiz Saeed did not utter a wordAnother official said that many within the LashkareTaiba feel that Hafiz Saeed is too old to lead They say he has done his bit and should move on and make way for Kasuri This aspect is also another reason why the ISI and Army are not on the same page on several issuesThe Army wants Kasuri to lead while the ISI wants to stick on to Hafiz SaeedThe ISIs argument is that Hafiz Saeed is tried and tested and his loyalties would never shiftKasuri on the other hand is a loose cannon and has the capability of revolting against the establishment and this is something that the ISI wants to avoid the official saidWhile the leadership change remains the top reason for this major rift there are other issues too which are causing issuesKasuri is of the belief that the LashkareTaibas only focus should be Jammu and KashmirHafiz Saeed on the other hand has meekly surrendered Pakistans changing tactics be it against the TTP or Afghan TalibanOfficials say that Operation Sindoor did manage to expose the faultiness within the LashkareTaibaThe operation only made it worse for the outfit which has been doing all it can to rebuildThis has been another sticking point and the cadre have largely lost faith with the leadership of Hafiz Saeed who proved to be completely ineffective both during and after Operation Sindoor the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/puppet-label-failed-leadership-hafiz-saeed-at-centre-of-lashkar-e-taiba-rift-670007.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-mourns-valparai-tragedy-as-nine-lives-lost-670008.html Malappuram April 18 Kerala on Saturday remains in deep mourning after the devastating Valparai road accident that claimed nine lives leaving an entire village and a school shattered The bodies of the deceased were brought to their hometown in Perinthalmanna near here on Saturday morning where thousands gathered in grief to bid a final farewellThe ambulances carrying the victims reached the Pang Ambalapparamba Government Higher Secondary School at around 915 AM after postmortem procedures were completed in Pollachi in the early hoursA sea of mourners including students colleagues and local residents had already gathered many struggling to come to terms with the lossThe bodies were placed for public viewing for nearly an hour before being taken in funeral processions to their respective homesBurial rites are scheduled to be completed before noonThe tragedy has struck particularly hard at Pangâs educational communityOf the eight teachers at the local school five including headmistress P Ajitha and teacher Abdul Majeed lost their lives leaving the institution reelingWhat was once a closeknit staff has now been reduced to just four members effectively rendering the school orphanedThe victims were part of a 13 member group from Pang Pallipparamba Government LP School on a leisure tripAfter visiting Athirappilly and Valparai on Friday evening their vehicle lost control at the 13th hairpin bend on the ghat road at around 515 PM overturning before plunging nearly 500 feet into a gorgeNine people including seven women and a child died either on the spot or in hospitalFour others sustained injuries with two Mohammed Faiz and Noushad Ali remain in critical condition at Coimbatore Medical CollegeOthers including young survivors are under treatment with doctors closely monitoring their recoveryMinister V Sivankutty and senior leaders including PK Kunhalikutty and Panakkad Sadiqali Shihab Thangal visited the school to pay their respectsThe government has announced that it will bear the medical expenses of the injured provide financial aid to bereaved families and arrange counseling for affected studentsNew teachers will be appointed before the next academic yearAs grief engulfs Pang the silence left behind by those who once filled classrooms and homes with life is overwhelmingA journey that began with joy has ended in unimaginable loss leaving behind memories that will linger long after the final prayers are said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-mourns-valparai-tragedy-as-nine-lives-lost-670008.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-new-rbi-norms-on-allowing-exchange-of-discontinued-currency-pib-fact-check-unit-670009.html New Delhi April 18 IANS The factchecking unit of the Press Information Bureau PIB has dismissed reports circulating online which claimed that the Reserve Bank of India RBI has introduced new guidelines permitting the exchange of discontinued currencynbspThe factchecking unit dismissed these claims as fake clarifying that the RBI has made no such announcementSome news reports claim that the Reserve Bank of India RBI has issued new guidelines to exchange discontinued currency notes This claim is Fake The RBI has made NO such announcement said the PIB unit in a post on XThe official RBI website is the only authentic source for updates on financial regulations and currencyrelated announcements For accurate and verified information users are advised to visit the official website of the Reserve Bank of India the post addedIt further stated that one should never forward unverified messagesnbspStay vigilant and share only information from trusted official sources If you encounter any suspicious message photo or video related to the Central Government report it to the Press Information Bureau for verification via WhatsApp or email the X post mentionedIn October last year the unit had also clarified that reports suggesting the RBI had issued new guidelines to exchange old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes are fake These currencies were discontinued during the demonetisation exercise in November 2016 and no new exchange rules have been announced since thenEarlier the factchecking unit debunked a viral video that falsely shows Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman endorsing a highreturn investment scheme warning citizens against falling for such misinformationIt clarified that neither the Government of India nor Finance Minister is promoting or endorsing any such scheme and urged people to remain cautious of misleading content circulating onlineLast month PIB flagged a fake message circulating on social media that claims State Bank of Indias SBI YONO app accounts will be blocked if users do not update their Aadhaar details immediatelyIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-new-rbi-norms-on-allowing-exchange-of-discontinued-currency-pib-fact-check-unit-670009.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rain-brings-brief-relief-delhi-ncr-air-quality-stays-in-poor-category-670015.html New Delhi April 18 IANS Despite a spell of sudden rain across DelhiNCR that brought temporary relief from the intensifying summer heat air quality levels largely remained in the Poor category on Saturday with a few areas recording Moderate conditions according to official dataThe rain accompanied by cloudy and hazy skies offered residents a shortlived respite from soaring temperaturesHowever it failed to significantly improve pollution levels across the regionThe change in weather has been attributed to a Western Disturbance a meteorological phenomenon that often brings unseasonal rainfall to north India during winter and presummer monthsData released by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB showed varying Air Quality Index AQI readings across monitoring stations in DelhiAnand Vihar recorded a high AQI of 265 followed by Wazirpur at 260 and Mundka at 233 all falling within the Poor category Other areas such as Jahangirpuri 211 and Narela 209 also reported poor air quality levelsMeanwhile several locations registered Moderate AQI levels including Ashok Vihar 186 Bawana 178 DTU 158 IIT Delhi 158 and Dwarka Sector8 192Relatively better air quality was observed in areas such as Sonia Vihar 117 and JNU 125 although these too remained above the Satisfactory rangeEarlier on April 16 the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM invoked StageI of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP with immediate effect after Delhis average AQI reached 226 firmly placing it in the Poor categoryGRAP is a fourstage emergency framework designed to tackle air pollution in DelhiNCR based on AQI levels StageI is implemented when AQI ranges between 201 and 300 Poor followed by StageII 301400 Very Poor StageIII 401450 Severe and StageIV above 450 Severe which entails the strictest measuresAccording to the CPCB AQI is measured on a scale from 0 to 500 and is categorised into six levels based on health impactAn AQI between 050 is considered Good while 51100 falls under Satisfactory The Moderate category 101200 may cause breathing discomfort to sensitive groupsThe Poor category 201300 can lead to breathing discomfort for most people with prolonged exposure Very Poor 301400 poses health risks even to healthy individuals while Severe levels 401500 are considered hazardous for the entire populationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rain-brings-brief-relief-delhi-ncr-air-quality-stays-in-poor-category-670015.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/parliament-special-session-ends-rajya-sabha-lok-sabha-adjourned-sine-die-670022.html New Delhi April 18 IANS The proceedings in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned sine die soon after the session began on Saturday marking an end to the Parliaments Special SessionnbspA day earlier the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 was defeated in the Lok SabhaThe Bill which aimed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament failed to secure the required twothirds majority triggering a sharp political confrontation between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA blocThe proposed legislation which also sought to expand the strength of the House could not secure the constitutionally mandated twothirds majority despite a daylong debate The Bill received 278 votes in favour and 211 against falling short of the required threshold for passageSubsequently the Centre decided not to move forward with two related Bills on delimitation saying that the three Bills could be viewed in isolationMeanwhile the floor leaders of the Opposition met at Congress National President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharges chamber in the Parliament ComplexThe defeat of the Bill has triggered a sharp political confrontation with the NDA accusing the INDIA bloc of deliberately blocking a historic reform aimed at increasing womens representation in legislative bodiesThe Opposition on its part is objecting to the Womens Reservation Bill being tethered to the expansion of Parliament based on the 2011 Census and the exercise of delimitationEarlier on Friday the floor leaders of the ruling NDA met for a crucial meeting in Parliament following the defeat of the BillIt was decided in the meeting that the constituents will raise the issue of the Oppositions resistance to womens empowerment said sourcesThe message will be delivered to people across the country through protests press conferences and social media to make people aware of the developmentThe NDA is set to launch a nationwide protest campaign on Saturday against the INDIA bloc over the issueParty leaders said protests will be organised at district headquarters across the country led by the BJPs womens wing the BJP Mahila MorchaThe campaign is intended to highlight what the NDA describes as an antiwomen agenda of the Opposition while mobilising public opinion around the issue The BJP is also expected to raise the matter prominently in the upcoming elections particularly in West Bengal and Tamil NaduIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/parliament-special-session-ends-rajya-sabha-lok-sabha-adjourned-sine-die-670022.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/raj-si-recruitment-row-selected-candidates-move-sc-against-cancellation-seek-action-against-guilty-670032.html Jaipur April 18 IANS The controversy surrounding the SubInspector SI Recruitment Examination2021 in Rajasthan has reached the Supreme Court with selected candidates filing a Special Leave Petition SLP challenging the cancellation of the entire recruitment processnbspThe petitioners have challenged the Rajasthan High Court decision which annulled the recruitment citing irregularities such as paper leaks and riggingThey have urged the apex court to uphold the recruitment and argued that candidates selected through fair means should not be penalised for the wrongdoing of a fewIn their plea the selected SubInspectors contended that while strict action must be taken against those involved in malpractice cancelling the entire recruitment is unjustThose who secured selection through honesty and hard work should be allowed to continue in service the petition states adding that the High Courts verdict has left their future uncertainThe recruitment was first cancelled by a singlejudge bench on August 28 2025 Later on April 4 2026 a Division Bench upheld the decision reinforcing the cancellation The court had cited largescale irregularities including allegations of paper leaks as the basis for its rulingA hearing in the Supreme Court on this issue is likely in the second week of MayMeanwhile unsuccessful candidates have already filed a caveat to ensure their side is heard before any order is passed Advocate Harendra Neel has filed the caveat on their behalf The Division Bench led by Acting Chief Justice SP Sharma had also set aside the suo motu cognisance taken by the Single Bench against the Rajasthan Public Service Commission RPSCThe selected candidates maintain that the entire process should not be scrapped and have reiterated that accountability must be fixed only on those proven guilty of misconductThe state government has not taken any stand on the issue yetEarlier before the High Court the government had opposed the complete cancellation of the recruitment Its position on whether it will intervene in the Supreme Court proceedings is expected to come soonIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/raj-si-recruitment-row-selected-candidates-move-sc-against-cancellation-seek-action-against-guilty-670032.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/crackdown-on-illegal-immigration-pushes-overground-terror-operatives-underground-670039.html New Delhi April 18 India has been facing the menace of illegal immigration for long Migrants coming in illegally from Bangladesh and Myanmar have settled in various parts of the country and the government in its new policy said that all states must detect and deport such persons The Intelligence agencies say that with such drives ongoing in the country many illegal immigrants roped in by terror groups have been ordered to go underground These persons were specifically sent to India to take part in terror activities They have been instructed to remain underground and wait for further instructionsThese persons who have been told to stay off the radar were pushed into India to be part of terror cells However they operate differently They blend into the migrant population and work as ordinary labour Their brief is to explore places and gather information about sensitive locations they have been told aboutThey have been asked to gather information not about the military or other sensitive departments They are told to scan bus stands railway stations and crowded markets These persons who have now come under the scanner of the agencies are part of either the HarkatulJihadi Islami HuJI or the JamaatulMujahideen Bangladesh JMB Both terror groups report to the ISI and have been tasked with handling operations in West Bengal the northeastern states and certain parts of South IndiaAn official said that what is interesting is that these persons who come in as illegal immigrants and are tasked with carrying out attacks are normally housed in Kerala or Tamil Nadu There are many camps which house Bengalispeaking people These migrants blend in easily and stay part of this groupAnother official said that they maintain a very low profile and go about their work daily Their job to undertake reconnaissance is not a daily chore To avoid detection they carry out such tasks just once a week or once every 15 days Such acts are very hard for the Intelligence agencies to detect When the reconnaissance activity is being undertaken these persons normally go in a group The group would mostly comprise people who are legally living in India This in fact eliminates the risk of detectionOfficials say that these persons who are tasked with gathering information will not be asked to carry out the attack For this the HuJI and JMB have a select set of trained operatives who are yet to cross over Once all the information is gathered the plan is made following which the trained operatives are sent in the official addedThe agencies are currently noticing a pattern whereby many have gone underground This has been done on the instructions of their handlers The JMB had hoped to strike during the West Bengal elections However the scrutiny is too high at the moment and multiple drives are ongoing to identify illegal immigrantsOfficials say that they are just waiting for the heat to reduce before they can resume their activities Counterterrorism experts say that this is not just a problem It is a ticking time bomb and could go on to become Indiaâs biggest security headache if left uncheckedAs part of its new deportation policy the Ministry of Home Affairs has told all states to form a Special Task Force in every district to detect and deport illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar A nationwide verification drive targeted at the border states is also underway to identify and deport illegal immigrants Over 4000 have been identified and deported as part of this drive IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/crackdown-on-illegal-immigration-pushes-overground-terror-operatives-underground-670039.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-shah-to-reach-tamil-nadu-tonight-lead-bjp-roadshows-tomorrow-670043.html Chennai April 18 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to arrive in Tamil Nadu on Saturday night to spearhead the BJPs campaign in the crucial final phase of the Assembly elections with a series of highprofile roadshows lined up for SundaynbspParty sources said HM Shah will land in Coimbatore late tonight and stay there before launching his campaign engagements the next day His visit comes as the BJP intensifies efforts to boost its presence across key constituencies ahead of polling on April 23On Sunday Shah will begin his campaign with a roadshow in Modakurichi Assembly constituency in Erode district where he will canvass support for BJP candidate Kirthika ShivkumarThe western belt is considered strategically important for the party and the leadership is focussing on direct voter outreach in the regionLater in the day Shah will travel to Chennai for another major roadshow in support of BJP nominee Tamilisai SoundararajanAs part of his visit to the city he is also expected to offer prayers at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore before the roadshowSenior BJP leaders said the twin roadshows are aimed at energising party cadres and strengthening lastmile mobilisation in both western and northern Tamil NaduThe focus is on direct engagement with voters and consolidating support in the final stretch a party functionary notedThe visit is part of a broader push by the BJPled National Democratic Alliance NDA with top leaders stepping up their campaign in the StatePrime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to campaign in Tamil Nadu earlier on Saturday With the campaign entering its closing phase the BJP is relying on highimpact public outreach and the presence of senior leaders like Shah to maximise its electoral prospects in the StateIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-shah-to-reach-tamil-nadu-tonight-lead-bjp-roadshows-tomorrow-670043.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-i-have-betrayed-congress-and-guru-adhir-chowdhury-says-trinamool-legislator-biswas-670045.html Kolkata April 18 After winning the Sagardighi bypoll in West Bengals Murshidabad as a Congress candidate three years ago Bayron Biswas later joined the Trinamool Congress Ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections the outgoing MLA and Trinamool Congress candidate from Sagardighi Biswas said on Saturday that he had betrayed the Congress and his political guru and senior party leader Adhir Ranjan ChowdhuryTrinamool Congress leader Bayron Biswas said I am selfish I have betrayed I will not say that I did not betray I got the ticket from the Congress I came into politics by holding Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys hands I will remember him for the rest of my life He is my Guru Adhir Chowdhurys place is after God I respect him as my elder brother As an elder brother he has the right to tell me anything But I have no regretsAlthough Biswas is confident about his victory in Sagardighi in the upcoming state Assembly polls he said Everyone wants to win Everyone goes with hope But social services have to be provided If someone can provide better services than me then make him winAfter Bayron Biswas admitted that he had betrayed his guru Adhir Chowdhury the latter took a jibe at him saying I have nothing more to say He Bayron Biswas himself has admitted that he has betrayed When he himself calls himself a traitor the common people will decide how to deal with that traitor All I can say is that there is no comparison to Manoj Chakraborty as a Congress candidate in Sagardighi Thats all I can sayIn 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls Trinamool Congress leader Subrata Saha won the Sagardighi constituency However he died in December 2022 As a result a byelection was held in this seat In that byelection Bayron Biswas contested as a Congress candidate supported by the Left Front and win the bypoll After his bypoll victory there was a stir in state politics over the LeftCongress Sagardighi model which produced a victory for the alliance as both parties had drew blank in 2021 Assembly electionsHowever three months later Bayron Biswas joined the ruling party by taking the Trinamool flag from the hands of partys General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee Bayron Biswas himself admitted that he had betrayed the Congress by leaving it It remains to be seen what the outcome of Sagardighi in the upcoming Assembly election will be IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-i-have-betrayed-congress-and-guru-adhir-chowdhury-says-trinamool-legislator-biswas-670045.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-naidu-spar-over-womens-quota-delimitation-row-heats-up-670049.html ThiruvananthapuramNew Delhi April 18 A sharp political exchange has erupted between the Kerala unit of the Congress and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu after the latter accused the Opposition of blocking the Womenâs Reservation Bill In a stronglyworded social media post the Congressâ Kerala unit hit back at Naidu alleging that he had betrayed Andhra Pradesh and warning that such a stance would be rememberedThe post asserted that the Womenâs Reservation Bill had already been passed unanimously in 2023 with the support of all parties countering Naiduâs claim that it was being obstructedNaidu in his earlier post had criticised the Congress and its allies for allegedly stalling what he described as a historic step toward womenâs empowermentHe termed the move political obstruction and a betrayal of millions of women who he said deserved equal representation in ParliamentThe Congress response however shifted the focus to the contentious issue of delimitation stating that it had defeated the delimitation Bill for the future of the Indian UnionThe reference is seen as part of a broader Opposition apprehension that delimitation if carried out based on population could disproportionately affect southern states including Andhra Pradesh Telangana and Kerala by reducing their relative political representationThe exchange underscores the growing fault lines ahead of key political battles with womenâs reservation and delimitation emerging as intertwined flashpointsWhile the Womenâs Reservation Bill has been widely projected as a landmark reform to enhance female representation its implementation remains linked to future census and delimitation exercises adding layers of political complexityNaiduâs remarks echoing positions taken by leaders of the ruling alliance appear aimed at consolidating support around the womenâs quota issueThe Congress on the other hand is attempting to raise the debate of federal balance and regional equityWith both sides invoking themes of betrayal and representation the war of words signals an intensifying national debate that goes beyond gender equity to the very structure of political power sharing in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-naidu-spar-over-womens-quota-delimitation-row-heats-up-670049.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/1st-batch-of-431-haj-pilgrims-leave-for-saudi-arabia-from-jampks-srinagar-international-airport-670056.html Srinagar April 18 The first batch of 431 pilgrims for this years Haj pilgrimage left on Saturday from Jammu and Kashmir for Saudi Arabia officials of Haj committee said The pilgrims including 230 males and 201 females left in three flights from the Srinagar International AirportAuthorities had made all arrangements of foreign exchange documentation and baggage handling at the Haj House in Bemina area of Srinagar city The pilgrims left in special buses from the Haj House for the airport as hundreds of families members relatives and friends bid them farewellThis year 4764 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled for perform the holiest Muslim pilgrimage of HajHaj in Islam is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime The Haj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of IslamThe pilgrimage rite begins on the seventh day of Dhualáijjah the last month of the Islamic year and ends on the 12th dayThe Haj is incumbent on all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the pilgrimage but only if their absence will not place hardships on their family A person may perform the haj by proxy appointing a relative or friend going on the pilgrimage to stand in for him or herThe pattern of pilgrimage rites was established by the Prophet Muhammad but variations have arisen in it and the stringent formal itinerary is not strictly adhered to by the mass of pilgrims who frequently visit the various Meccan sites out of their proper order IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/1st-batch-of-431-haj-pilgrims-leave-for-saudi-arabia-from-jampks-srinagar-international-airport-670056.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-joins-bjp-protest-against-oppn-over-womens-bill-defeat-in-ls-670057.html New Delhi April 18 IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Bharatiya Janata Party BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal joined a protest on Saturday along with women workers expressing strong dissatisfaction over the rejection of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok SabhanbspnbspThe protesters raised slogans against the Opposition intensifying the political confrontation over the failed womens reservation legislationDuring the demonstration CM Gupta raised slogans Phool nahi chingari hai hum Bharat ki naari hai Mahilaon ka ye apman nahi sahega hindustan We are not flowers we are sparks we are the women of India India will not tolerate this insult to womenSpeaking on the issue BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal criticised the Oppositions conduct in Parliament saying In the way that yesterday in Parliament Congress and other opposition parties not only voted against the Bill aimed at empowering women but after the Bill was defeated Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders also thumped the tables it was showing how happy they wereThe protest comes amid a broader political backlash following the Bills defeat with ruling NDA leaders accusing the Opposition of opposing a historic measure meant to enhance womens political representationThe Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 had proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies along with an increase in the strength of the Lok SabhaHowever the legislation failed to secure the required twothirds majority in the Lower House despite extensive debateThe Bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against in the Lok Sabha falling short of the constitutional threshold required for passageIts defeat on Friday has triggered nationwide political reactions with the NDA alliance accusing the Opposition INDIA bloc of blocking a landmark reformEarlier the Union government had defended the Bill as a necessary step to address longstanding gaps in womens representation and to restructure Parliamentary seats based on population changes since the 1971 CensusHowever opposition parties said that the proposal was linked to broader electoral restructuring and raised concerns over federal balance and political intentIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-joins-bjp-protest-against-oppn-over-womens-bill-defeat-in-ls-670057.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/oppn-unity-defeated-centres-conspiracy-priyanka-gandhi-on-womens-quota-bill-670064.html New Delhi April 18 IANS Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said that through the unity of the Opposition the Centres conspiracy to allegedly alter the federal structure and weaken democracy was defeatedShe made these remarks during a press conference following the defeat of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok Sabha a day earlierThe Bill which aimed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament failed to secure the required twothirds majority triggering a sharp political confrontation between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA blocThe proposed legislation which also sought to expand the strength of the House could not obtain the constitutionally mandated twothirds majority despite a daylong debate The Bill secured 278 votes in favour and 211 against falling short of the required threshold for passageAddressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee office in New Delhi Priyanka Gandhi said What happened yesterday was a huge victory for democracy The governments conspiracy to alter the federal structure and weaken democracy was defeated and halted This was a victory for the Constitution for the country and for the unity of the Opposition It was clearly visible on the faces of the ruling party leadersReferring to the Lok Sabha speeches delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah she said Both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister several times said that if we did not support the Bill then we would never be able to win and come to power This made it clear what their intention wasThe Congress leader said that the Opposition was shocked that this Special Session was called amid the ongoing Assembly elections I think its a conspiracy that somehow they need to stay in power So this was a plan to stay in power permanently using women she saidThey thought that if it was passed theyd win If its not passed theyll become the messiah of women by calling other parties antiwomen Being a woman I know that becoming a messiah of women isnt easy the Wayanad MP addedCiting incidents such as the Unnao rape the Hathras rape and murder case issues faced by Olympic athletes and developments in Manipur Priyanka Gandhi questioned No one supported those women And today you are standing in the Parliament and saying that you want to become a messiah of womenThis was not about the Womens Reservation Bill but delimitation Everyone saw how they the government can be defeated when the Opposition unites she saidDescribing the day as a Black Day for the Centre she said it was because theyve felt a shock for the first time which they deservedThe problems and struggles of women are growing Women are not fools they see everything The PR and media wont work anymore If you want to do something substantial bring back the Bill that was passed unanimously in 2023 which was supported by all parties You can make a few small amendments to it if you want do it and implement it now she saidGive women their rights right now But dont try to mislead women by twisting it around and attaching it to other things Bring it now Were all ready she addedPriyanka Gandhi further said that recent developments indicate a shift for the government adding that it is clear from their actionsFirstly they are under a lot of international pressure as my brother has said multiple times she said without naming him directlyThe public continues to face multiple challenges the price of gas fruit vegetables everything has gone up The burden of this is on the shoulders of women across class and caste she saidThey can take their Mahila Morcha in front of whoevers house they want They can create as much tamasha as they want This country has now awakened to the fact that they do not stand by their words They cannot be trusted And certainly women cannot trust them because we have seen their attitude and behaviour on multiple occasions she addedThe way they have brought this Bill the provisions attached to it including delimitation and the 2011 census make it very clear that they knew this Bill was not going to be passed They were only seeking political credit Priyanka Gandhi saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/oppn-unity-defeated-centres-conspiracy-priyanka-gandhi-on-womens-quota-bill-670064.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kumaraswamy-criticises-cong-over-womens-reservation-bill-ktaka-hm-counters-allegation--670065.html Bengaluru April 18 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday accused the Congress of maintaining an antiwomen mindsetâ alleging that the party has obstructed efforts to implement womenâs reservation in legislatures through the Womenâs Reservation Bill However Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara countered the allegations by pointing out that during the tenure of former Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh the Congress introduced the Womenâs Reservation Bill Drawing a comparison between 1996 and 2026 Kumaraswamy said that history appears to be repeating itself with the Congress and its allies once again opposing measures aimed at ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State AssembliesReferring to the United Front Government led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda in 1996 Kumaraswamy said a historic step had been taken at the time to introduce a Bill providing 33 per cent reservation for women However he alleged that the effort was derailed by the Congress and its alliesHe further claimed that the present government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a decisive step to correct what he termed a âhistoric injusticeâ but is again facing resistance from the CongressKumaraswamy said that those who have repeatedly opposed the Womenâs Reservation Bill would not be forgiven by the âNari Shaktiâ of the country calling such opposition an affront to womenAppealing to women across the country he urged them not to lose hope and expressed confidence that the goal of 33 per cent reservation for women would be achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister ModiMeanwhile commenting on the BJPâs charge that the Congress is antiwomen in the backdrop of its opposition to the Womenâs Reservation Bill Home Minister G Parameshwara said âFirst I want to make it clear that the Congress party is not opposed to the Womenâs Reservation Bill During the tenure of former Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh we were the first in the country to introduce the Womenâs Reservation BillThere is no question of Congress leaders opposing the Womenâs Reservation Bill The current Union government while bringing the Womenâs Reservation Bill has linked it to increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats he statedThe Lok Sabha which currently has 543 seats is proposed to be expanded to around 850 seats Shouldnât there have been a discussion on this The government should have taken the Opposition parties into confidence and held a proper debate If that had been done before introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha it might have been passed he questionedAll Opposition parties including the Congress would have given their suggestions Instead by clubbing the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats with the Womenâs Reservation Bill it has not been done in the right spirit nor is it a good parliamentary tradition Parameshwara statedHence the Bill was defeated by 54 votes for these reasons If the intention was truly to implement womenâs reservation the government should have consulted the Opposition taken them into confidence and discussed every aspect of the Bill he statedIf the Womenâs Reservation Bill is brought without linking it to delimitation a solution may be found This is my opinionâ he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kumaraswamy-criticises-cong-over-womens-reservation-bill-ktaka-hm-counters-allegation--670065.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-court-grants-default-bail-to-15-accused-in-beldanga-violence-case-670070.html Kolkata April 18 IANS A special court of the National Investigation Agency NIA on Saturday granted default bail to 15 of the 35 accused in connection with the violence that erupted at Beldanga in West Bengals minoritydominated Murshidabad district earlier this yearnbspThe default bail was granted to these 15 accused persons after the investigating agency failed to submit a charge sheet against them within 90 days from the day of their arrest However the court had imposed certain conditions for granting the default bailTo recall violence and riotlike situations surfaced at Beldanga earlier this year over the death of a migrant worker from the region in neighbouring Jharkhand The tension flared up after the body of the migrant worker reached Beldanga from JharkhandThe local protesters alleged that the migrant worker was lynched in Jharkhand because of religious and linguistic reasons The protests started with the blockade of railways and roads at BeldangaWhen the police tried to lift the blockade the protesters set up an ambush with the security personnel Some journalists were also attacked by the protesters some of whom got severely injuredLater the Jharkhand Police issued a statement citing the postmortem report that termed the migrant workers death a case of suicideCricketerturnedpolitician and the local Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Yusuf Pathan faced scathing criticism for not being present in the area or even in the state when the entire place was burningLater the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court demanding deployment of Central Armed Police Forces CAPF at Beldanga and also handing over the investigation in the matter to the NIAThe matter went to the Supreme Court which also agreed with the Calcutta High Court that if the Union Home Minister thought it necessary it might ask the NIA to start the investigation into the matterFinally the NIA started the investigation into the matterIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-court-grants-default-bail-to-15-accused-in-beldanga-violence-case-670070.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/another-student-dies-by-suicide-at-iit-kharagpur-670076.html Kolkata April 18 Another student allegedly died by suicide at the Kharagpur IIT campus in West Midnapore district According to the police the student Jaibir Singh Dodia 21 jumped from the eighth floor of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hall on Saturday morning On receiving the news police personnel from Hijli police station under Kharagpur Town police station went to the spotThe 21yearold youth was taken to BC Roy Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead IIT Kharagpur authorities have informed the family of the deceased student about the tragedyAccording to police officers the deceased students home is in Ghuma area of ââAhmedabad He was studying in the third year of the Mechanical Engineering department and lived in Nehru Hall at the IIT Kharagpur campusHe was found lying on the ground after allegedly jumping from the eighth floor of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hall by other students on Saturday morning He was rushed to the hospital by security guards and other studentsThe police have started investigating all the aspects of the case such as how he went from Nehru Hall to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hall and how he got to the roof thereThe police have started investigating the CCTV footage to find out when the student left Nehru HallQuestions have been raised about the repeated deaths of students on the IIT campus However there has been no official response from the IIT Kharagpur authorities on this tragic incidentConcerns have once again been raised in the education community about the security on the campus and the mental health of the studentsIn 2025 seven students of IIT Kharagpur died and shockingly five of them were found hangingThat year Shoaan Malik died by suicide on January 12 Aniket Walkar on April 21 Mohammad Asif Qamar on May 4 Ritam Mandal on July 18 Chandradeep Pawar on July 22 and Harsh Kumar Pandey on September 20On December 7 the body of Bhattaram Sharan Kumar was recovered from the Puri railway gate in Kharagpur He was run over by a train IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/another-student-dies-by-suicide-at-iit-kharagpur-670076.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ras-recruitment-2024-results-declared-merit-list-for-1-096-posts-released-670078.html Jaipur April 18 The Rajasthan Public Service Commission RPSC on Saturday declared the final results of the Rajasthan Administrative Service RAS Recruitment 2024 concluding the selection process for 1096 posts Candidates can view their results by visiting the Commissions official website Dinesh Bishnoi from Barmer has secured the top rankNotably Bishnoi had earlier achieved the 57th rank in the previous examination and is currently undergoing training for the Rajasthan Police ServiceVirendra Charan from Jaisalmer clinched the second position The son of a Head Constable he is presently serving as a TehsildarThe Commission released a merit list of 2391 candidates following the completion of interviews on April 17 Dinesh Bishnoi hails from Bhalisar village in Barmer His journey reflects steady progress securing the 948th rank in 2021 before rising to 57th and now topping the exam His father Ramdhan Manju is a retired District Education OfficerSecondrank holder Virendra Charan belongs to Rampuriya village in Pokaran Jaisalmer His father Jethudan Charan serves as a Head Constable in the police department Virendra had also been selected as a Tehsildar in the previous cycle and is currently in trainingThe RAS 2024 recruitment process comprised three stages the Preliminary Examination the Main Examination and the Interview Following the Preliminary Examination shortlisted candidates appeared for the Main Examination after which successful candidates were called for an interview The interview process commenced on April 1 2025 and was conducted in multiple phasesThe entire selection process was brought to a close with the completion of the final phase of interviews The Commission selected candidates based on merit Inclusion in the selection list is considered a significant achievement for the candidates as the RAS examination is counted among the most prestigious competitive examinations in the stateMany candidates expressed their joy over their success and extended gratitude to their families and teachersThe Commission has clarified that instructions regarding document verification and appointment as part of the subsequent process will be issued shortly for the selected candidates IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ras-recruitment-2024-results-declared-merit-list-for-1-096-posts-released-670078.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/red-fort-blast-link-surfaces-as-delhi-police-arrests-four-in-multi-state-radical-module-bust-670081.html New Delhi April 18 IANS The Delhi Police Special Cell on Saturday revealed that it had arrested four youths from three states for online radicalising and recruiting others with the aim to establish an Islamic state through jihad officials said According to police a connection to the Red Fort blast was also established which had claimed 11 lives and injured several othersnbspOne of the accused had visited various sensitive installations including the Red Fort in Delhi in December 2025 He also posted a photo of the historical place with a black flag atop it to radicalise others police saidThe official statement highlighted that the youths were radicalised into joining terrorismrelated activities Police have also recovered material used for preparation of Improvised Explosive Devices IED from one of them Along with this the mobile phones of the accused were also seizedA team of Delhi Police Special Cell led by Inspectors Vinay Pal and Manoj Kumar including ACP Ashish Kumar arrested the four accused persons from Maharashtra Odisha and Bihar An FIR was registered under relevant Sections of BNS 2023Among the arrested youths Mosaib Ahmad Jalaluddin Siddiqui and Mohammad Hammad were residents of Maharashtra While Sheikh Imran belonged to Odisha and Mohammad Sohail hailed from BiharPolice confirmed that the accused were part of various closed groups on encrypted social media platforms They were allegedly engaged in radicalising and recruiting others for establishing Islamic state through jihadThe investigation revealed that two members of the module were in the process of collecting locallysourced material for preparing a remotecontrolled IED which could be used for a terrorist attack at an opportune timeRevealing their modus operandi officials said that one member of the module was exhorting others to collect weapons and explosives for participating in GhazwaeHind He shared his bank account details on his social media channel for crowd funding in support of jihadAnother accused promised to arrange arms training for the members of the module and asked other members to send money for the sameOne of the accused Mosaib Ahmad was a part of multiple online radicalised groups Police said that he assisted coaccused Mohammad Hammad by opening the circuit of a remotecontrolled toy car for IED making and sharing its image within a closed groupHammad in turn shared pictures of ball bearings nails remotecontrolled toy cars and boxes as material for preparation of IEDs in a closed group He handed them over to coaccused Mosaib Ahmad who being a mechanic by profession was tasked with assembling the IEDBorn in Bhubaneswar Sheikh Imran worked as a security guard and delivery boy In year 2024 he began listening to lectures takreers of Tareeq Jameel Israr Ahmed Zakir Naik etc and gradually developed radical beliefs He joined his associates through social media Investigators found that Imran discussed targeting Ram Mandir Parliament and military installations He was the one who recced the Red FortA plumber by profession Mohammad Sohail was also influenced by Israr Ahmed He created multiple social media accounts and exhorted youth in the name of jihad In March 2026 he incited followers of his channel to collect weapons and explosives for GhazwaeHind and even shared bank details to collect moneyIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/red-fort-blast-link-surfaces-as-delhi-police-arrests-four-in-multi-state-radical-module-bust-670081.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/day-after-womens-reservation-bill-setback-pm-modi-to-address-nation-tonight-670082.html New Delhi April 18 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 830 PM on Saturday and is likely to speak on the Womens Reservation BillEarlier in the day following the conclusion of the Parliament session leaders from all parties held a formal meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Prime Minister Modi also spearheaded a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security CCS in New Delhi focussing on safeguarding Indias security and economic interests amid the escalating conflict in West AsiaThe Cabinet meeting was held a day after the Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at implementing reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha was defeated in the Lower House While 298 members voted in favour of the Bill 230 voted against it Out of the 528 members who participated in the voting the Bill required 352 votes to secure passageAccording to the proposed legislation the number of Lok Sabha seats was to be increased from the current 543 to a maximum of 850 in order to operationalise the womens reservation law before the 2029 General ElectionsThis expansion was to follow a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census Similarly seats in state and Union Territory assemblies were also to be increased to accommodate a 33 per cent reservation for womenFollowing the Bills defeat in the Lok Sabha the BJP termed the development a black day and accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of betraying women Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress and the Opposition would have to face the anger of women across the country alleging that they had permanently damaged their credibilityMeanwhile the Congress and its allies maintained that the quota law passed in 2023 should be implemented immediately accusing the government of politicising the issue Several Opposition leaders including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated that they were not opposed to womens reservation but objected to its linkage with delimitationCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge also alleged that the governments true intent is to alter the constitutional framework and concentrate executive power He noted that while the Congress had supported the Womens Reservation Bill in 2023 and ensured its passage the Centres decision to link it with delimitation was unacceptable to the OppositionIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/day-after-womens-reservation-bill-setback-pm-modi-to-address-nation-tonight-670082.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/day-after-womens-reservation-bill-setback-pm-modi-to-address-nation-tonight-670094.html New Delhi April 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 830 PM on Saturday and is likely to speak on the Womenâs Reservation Bill Earlier in the day following the conclusion of the Parliament session leaders from all parties held a formal meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Prime Minister Modi also spearheaded a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security CCS in New Delhi focussing on safeguarding Indiaâs security and economic interests amid the escalating conflict in West AsiaThe Cabinet meeting was held a day after the Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at implementing reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha was defeated in the Lower House While 298 members voted in favour of the Bill 230 voted against it Out of the 528 members who participated in the voting the Bill required 352 votes to secure passageAccording to the proposed legislation the number of Lok Sabha seats was to be increased from the current 543 to a maximum of 850 in order to operationalise the womenâs reservation law before the 2029 General ElectionsThis expansion was to follow a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census Similarly seats in state and Union Territory assemblies were also to be increased to accommodate a 33 per cent reservation for womenFollowing the Billâs defeat in the Lok Sabha the BJP termed the development a black day and accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of betraying women Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress and the Opposition would have to face the anger of women across the country alleging that they had permanently damaged their credibilityMeanwhile the Congress and its allies maintained that the quota law passed in 2023 should be implemented immediately accusing the government of politicising the issue Several Opposition leaders including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated that they were not opposed to womenâs reservation but objected to its linkage with delimitationCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge also alleged that the governmentâs true intent is to alter the constitutional framework and concentrate executive power He noted that while the Congress had supported the Womenâs Reservation Bill in 2023 and ensured its passage the Centreâs decision to link it with delimitation was unacceptable to the Opposition IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/day-after-womens-reservation-bill-setback-pm-modi-to-address-nation-tonight-670094.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-minister-visits-wayanad-rehab-project-site-amid-cracks-in-new-homes-670097.html Kalpetta April 18 Mounting concerns over the rehabilitation of landslide survivors in Wayanad have come into sharp focus as Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajans visit on Saturday to the township project at Elston Estate triggered fresh debate over construction quality delays and accountability The Minister inspected a house in the MundakkaiâChooralmala rehabilitation township where cracks were reportedly found even as the local ruling Left leaders accompanied himWith the possibility of protests looming police were deployed in the areaDuring the visit visible seepage marks on the roof drew attention though Minister Rajan dismissed claims of structural cracks saying that only water leakage stains were presentHe clarified that the houses have not yet been formally handed over to beneficiaries and that only land titles have been distributed so farIssues will be taken seriously if they arise after handover The contractor will be held accountable as per agreement he said assuring that the state government guarantees corrective actionThe project which includes 410 houses is expected to be completed by October failing which those responsible will face consequencesMeanwhile the Youth Congress has announced a protest at the site further intensifying the political heatIt was in July 2024 the devastating landslides that left hundreds displacedSurvivors continue to wait for permanent homes with many rehabilitation promises yet to be fulfilledThough more than 1000 families were initially identified for resettlement the list has since shrunk to around 451 raising questions over transparency and eligibilityEqually troubling are allegations regarding the quality of constructionHouses reportedly built at a cost of around Rs 30 lakh each have shown signs of damage even before occupancyWhile official claims suggest more than 170 houses have been completed reports indicate only a fraction are even partially habitable with several lacking basic finishing workQuestions are also being raised over the utilisation of funds that poured in after the disasterWith crores received in aid the absence of clear accounting has fueled suspicions of mismanagementLocals allege largescale irregularities pointing to incomplete infrastructure and poorquality construction as evidenceBeyond housing many indirectly affected small traders and plantation workers who lost their livelihoods remain overlookedAs the state government defends its position and promises corrective steps the visible cracks both literal and administrative continue to deepen the anxieties of a community still waiting to rebuild its future IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-minister-visits-wayanad-rehab-project-site-amid-cracks-in-new-homes-670097.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-bjp-playing-blame-game-k-kavitha-on-womens-quota-defeat-670098.html New Delhi April 18 In the aftermath of the Constitution 131st Amendment Bills defeat in the Lok Sabha Telangana Jagruthi President K Kavitha on Saturday blamed both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP saying they are playing a blame game over the failure of the Womens Reservation Bill Speaking to IANS Kavitha said In the history of India yesterday will be remembered as the black day for women empowerment in this nationHolding both the ruling NDA alliance and the Opposition responsible she added BJP is blaming the Congress and the Congress is blaming the BJP But the point is that the women of this nation have seriously lost out a very long fought battleWomen were a part of Indias freedom movement but they never happened to make in the same proportion into the Parliament or assemblies of the nation Kavitha saidShe said in 2006 it was the Congress which cheated the womenNow after 20 years in 2026 the BJP has again cheated the women of the nation she allegedTerming the Bills failure as unfortunate Kavitha said It is unfortunate that Womens Reservation Bill is time and again being linked with either census caste census or delimitation or something or the other But women are being blockedShe appealed the women that despite the blow to the reservation attempt they should contest the elections without thinking about whether they will win or notI appeal to the women of the nation we need to stand on our own feet and get empowered by ourselves We need to come out and contest Kavitha saidMeanwhile Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra told reporters outside Parliament that the Womens Reservation Bill was passed in 2023 and that all opposition parties were of the view that the Bill will be implemented during 2024 Lok Sabha polls and women would be granted onethird of the 540 seatsBut the BJP didnt do that she allegedMoreover Moitra alleged that this was the Delimitation Bill dressed in the Womens Reservation BillSamajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav added that those who came to power with guarantees of womens security job opportunities and social justice are trying to spread mistruthsThey BJP are attempting this again since they had lost badly in Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls she told reportersYadav alleged They BJP didnt give reservation to OBC women They want to create differences among the women too If they are talking about half of the countrys population they should also include OBC minority and Dalit women too IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-bjp-playing-blame-game-k-kavitha-on-womens-quota-defeat-670098.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-bjp-accuses-dmk-of-undermining-states-representation-in-delimitation-debate-670099.html Chennai April 18 The political debate over delimitation and womenâs reservation has intensified in Tamil Nadu with BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad accusing the ruling DMK of jeopardising the stateâs longterm constitutional and political interests In a statement issued on Saturday Prasad alleged that the DMKâs opposition to the Centreâs proposed delimitation exercise could adversely impact Tamil Naduâs parliamentary representationHe claimed that the BJPled Union governmentâs approach would strengthen the stateâs voice in Parliament while ensuring equitable representationPrasad pointed out that Tamil Nadu currently has 39 Lok Sabha seats and under a proposed nationwide expansion of constituencies the number could increase to 59 He said the Centreâs plan seeks to integrate delimitation with the implementation of 33 per cent womenâs reservation thereby balancing enhanced representation with gender equityCriticising the DMKâs stance he referred to a Private Memberâs Bill introduced by DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson that calls for womenâs reservation without linking it to delimitationAccording to Prasad implementing reservation within the existing 543seat framework would leave Tamil Nadu with only 26 general seats as 13 seats would be reserved for women He further argued that a delimitation exercise conducted strictly on population without increasing the total number of seats could potentially reduce representation for states like Tamil NaduHowever he maintained that the Centre has assured that no state would lose seats under the proposed reforms Highlighting disparities in voter distribution Prasad noted that more than 120 constituencies across India have electorates exceeding 20 lakh with some nearing 40 lakh voters He said delimitation is essential to uphold the principle of equitable representation and ensure effective governanceThe DMK and its allies have consistently opposed delimitation based solely on population raising concerns that such a move could disadvantage states that have successfully controlled population growthWith elections approaching the issue has emerged as a key political flashpoint with both the BJP and DMK positioning themselves as defenders of Tamil Naduâs rights and advocates of womenâs empowerment IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-bjp-accuses-dmk-of-undermining-states-representation-in-delimitation-debate-670099.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/police-in-jampks-srinagar-conducts-drive-against-misuse-of-pharmaceutical-drugs-670100.html Srinagar April 18 The Police in Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar district said on Saturday that it has conducted a drive against the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs A police statement said that continuing its firm commitment towards building a drugfree society under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan Srinagar Police carried out a comprehensive inspection drive targeting chemist shops and druggist establishments located in the vicinity of hospitals across the districtDuring the drive police teams conducted detailed inspections of stock registers sale and purchase records valid licenses and other mandatory documentation at various establishmentsThe primary objective of the exercise was to identify irregularities and curb the illegal sale or misuse of pharmaceutical drugs particularly controlled and prescription medicines that may contribute to substance abuse among the youthOfficials reiterated that any violation involving the illegal possession sale or distribution of controlled substances will invite strict legal action under the relevant provisions of the NDPS ActThe Srinagar Police also emphasised that such inspection drives will continue on a regular basis as part of sustained efforts under the initiative to ensure accountability promote lawful practices and safeguard public health and safetyShopkeepers were advised to maintain proper records strictly adhere to prescribed norms and extend full cooperation with inspection teamsThe Jammu and Kashmir Police and the security forces are carrying out aggressive operations against drug smugglers and drug peddlers It is believed that funds generated by drug smuggling and hawala money rackets are used to sustain terrorism in the Union TerritoryLieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while launching the 100day long Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan said last week that as punitive action against drug smugglers and peddlers the Union Territory government has decided to cancel their passports Aadhaar cards driving licences in addition to attachment of properties created through these unlawful activitiesPolice in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir have been carrying out daily antidrug operations While pushing the drug smugglers the thirst of the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan is to treat the victims of drugs through compassion aimed at their rehabilitation in the society IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/police-in-jampks-srinagar-conducts-drive-against-misuse-of-pharmaceutical-drugs-670100.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cabinet-okays-continuation-of-pmgsy-iii-till-march-2028-with-revised-rs-83-977-crore-outlay-670101.html New Delhi April 18 The Cabinet on Saturday approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak YojanaIII PMGSYIII beyond March 2025 up to March 2028 The revised outlay of the scheme will be Rs 83977 crore The scheme involves consolidation of through routes and major rural links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets GrAMs higher secondary schools and hospitalsThe extension of the timeline of PMGSYIII will enable the full realisation of its intended socioeconomic benefits by ensuring completion of targeted upgradation of rural roads âIt will significantly boost the rural economy and trade by enhancing market access for agricultural and nonfarm products reducing transportation time and costs and thereby improving rural incomesâ said an official statement Improved connectivity will facilitate better access to education and healthcare institutions ensuring timely delivery of essential services particularly in remote and underserved areas it addedThe Cabinet also approved the extension of timeline till March 2028 for completion of roads and bridges in plain areas and roads in hilly areas extension of timeline till March 2029 for completion of bridges in hilly areas and works sanctioned before 31032025 but unawarded till now may be taken up for tenderawardThe Cabinet okayed Long Span Bridges LSBs total 161 with an estimated cost of Rs 961 crore pending for sanction but lying on the alignment of already sanctioned roads may be sanctioned and tenderedawarded along with revision of outlay to Rs 83977 crore from original outlay of Rs 80250 croreThe official statement said that the continued implementation will also generate substantial employment opportunities both directly through construction activities and indirectly by promoting rural enterprises and services âOverall the extension will contribute to inclusive and sustainable development by bridging the ruralurban divide and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047â it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cabinet-okays-continuation-of-pmgsy-iii-till-march-2028-with-revised-rs-83-977-crore-outlay-670101.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/action-cannot-be-taken-without-direction-from-delhi-ktaka-dy-cm-shivakumar-on-suspending-2-leaders-669957.html Bengaluru April 17 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar on Friday said that there was nothing personal in the action taken against the two minority leaders of his party for antiparty activities as action cannot be taken without direction from Delhi Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Friday Deputy CM Shivakumar said âThere is nothing personal in the action taken against minority leaders The party has its own report When action is initiated against a sitting MLA or MLC it cannot be done at our level without direction from DelhiââWe have to act based on guidance They may blame me but I donât bother about such accusations We have to work under party disciplineâ he saidResponding to questions about whether the development sends a wrong signal to the minority community he said âThe Congress party exists to deliver justice to Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes farmers OBCs and minoritiesâWhen asked about reports of differences between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah he said âYou media must be crazy We speak and discuss matters every day You talk about my camp where does my camp exist Has anyone put up a nameplate saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah camp All 139 MLAs are my legislators and they are Siddaramaiahâs legislators too There are no camps between usââThe media keeps talking about Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah camps Do you actually know which MLA belongs to which group There are no contradictions within the party All 139 MLAs belong to one group the Congress groupâIt can be recalled that in a major development the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee suspended Member of the Legislative Council Abdul Jabbar from the primary membership of the party on Wednesday for engaging in antiparty activitiesâDeputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar had signed the suspension orderâThe letter stated âAbdul Jabbar Member of the Legislative Council is hereby suspended from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect in view of his antiparty activities during the recent byelection in the Davanagere South Assembly constituencyââAbdul Jabbar was heading the state partyâs Minority Wing and had earlier been asked to resign from the post After accepting his resignation Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar dissolved the Minority Wing Abdul Jabbar was also aspiring to contest from the Davanagere South Assembly seat as the Congress candidateâIt may be noted that Congress Member of the Legislative Council Naseer Ahmad was also relieved of his position as Chief Minister Siddaramaiahâs Political Advisor on April 14 for similar reasonsâIt can also be recalled that leaders from the Muslim community expressed outrage on Thursday objecting to the action against MLCs Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Ahmad over alleged antiparty activities during the bypolls âAlleging bias by the party they warned the ruling Congress leadership of consequencesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/action-cannot-be-taken-without-direction-from-delhi-ktaka-dy-cm-shivakumar-on-suspending-2-leaders-669957.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-busts-mdma-supply-module-arrests-two-669964.html New Delhi April 17 The Delhi Police Crime Branch on Friday busted an organised MDMA Ecstasy supply module operating in South Delhi arresting two accused and seizing a commercial quantity of narcotics According to officials a total of 1915 grams of MDMA including 29 Ecstasy pills and MDMA crystals was recovered during the operation The accused were apprehended before they could evade arrest exposing a clandestine network that used cabs and concealed packaging to distribute drugsAs part of its nationwide antidrug campaign the Central Range of the Crime Branch has been taking stringent action against narcotics offenders Acting on credible intelligence a raiding team comprising SI Dinesh Kumar and Head Constables Ashwani Pankaj Harender Gaurav Ankur and Karamjeet was constituted The operation was led by Inspector Vinay Kumar under the direct supervision of ACP Central Range Satendra Mohan and overall supervision of senior officersOn the intervening night of April 12â13 the team conducted a raid in the Hargovind Enclave area of Chhattarpur During the operation a taxi was intercepted and the accused Deepak Kumar 37 a resident of Govindpuri Kalkaji was apprehendedUpon search police recovered 25 Ecstasy pills along with MDMA in crystal form weighing 1495 grams from his possession which falls under the category of commercial quantity indicating organised drug traffickingDuring sustained interrogation and technical analysis Deepak disclosed that he was working as a carrier for a supplier Acting swiftly on this information the police team identified and apprehended the supplier Md Farhan alias Sunny 33 a resident of Pariyavaran Complex Saket before he could escapeOfficials revealed that both accused operated in a highly clandestine manner frequently changing mobile handsets SIM cards and locations making their identification and tracking challengingPolice investigations revealed that Farhan was the main conspirator who ran a deliverybased drug distribution network He used his car as a cab during the day to avoid suspicion and utilised the same vehicle for drug distribution at nightFarhan allegedly deployed cab drivers as carriers for doorstep delivery of narcotics The contraband was concealed in Maggi packets to evade detection He maintained contacts within party circuits and supplied drugs to select clients while frequently changing communication channelsIt also emerged that he was procuring MDMA from an African national who has been identified and efforts are underway to apprehend himDuring a followup search at Farhanâs rented premises in Saket an additional 42 grams of MDMA were recovered taking the total seizure to 1915 gramsPolice also seized the vehicle used in transportation and mobile phones used for coordinationA case FIR No 8326 dated April 13 under Sections 22 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the Crime Branch police station Further investigation is underway to trace the source financial trail and the wider network More arrests and recoveries are likelyDeepak Kumar reportedly joined the drug trade due to financial constraints and worked as a carrier responsible for transportation and lastmile delivery He was previously involved in a robbery case registered at the Kalkaji police stationFarhan alias Sunny initially worked as a driver but later entered the narcotics trade due to high profit margins He developed links within party circles and with foreign nationals to run an organised supply network No prior criminal record has been found against him IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-busts-mdma-supply-module-arrests-two-669964.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/natural-farming-boosts-productivity-incomes-by-30-pc-in-andhra-pradesh-report-669965.html New Delhi April 17 IANS A project run by government and UN Environment Programme UNEP promoting natural farming in Andhra Pradesh caused at least 30 per cent increase in productivity and farmer incomes a new report has saidThe initiative has already reached over 3 million farmers with plans to double that number and share lessons globally the report from the UNEP saidThe project namely Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming initiative APCNF which evolved from a 2004 Community Managed Sustainable Agriculture programme forgoes use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides for natural biostimulants made from ingredients such as cow urine and dungThe biostimulant will revive soil microbes which will bolster soil fertility by breaking down organic matter and minerals releasing nutrientsSmall quantities of biostimulants will trigger the soil microbes After some years we will not even need them when the soil becomes fertile Dinesh Kumar a local government official saidDiverse plants will feed the soil and the soil will remain healthy feeding the plants in turn without any need for external fertilisers the report explained the philosophy of the programAndhra Pradesh has suffered from declining soil fertility due to erratic rainfall and rapidly declining biodiversity due to monocroppingMadhuri Nanda Director for South Asia at Rainforest Alliance said monocropping causes soil erosion water runoff and leaching of nutrientsBurudi Kumari a fiveyear local practitioner of natural farming said that the quality of soil has improved and she spends less money on fertiliser increasing his earningsKumari is now a lead farmer in her selfhelp group helping others make the transition I was very proud to be elected as a lead farmer introducing others to natural farming she saidSustainable food cultivation also depends on sufficient earnings for farmers and so the initiative has been engaging with the private sector connecting farmers to markets and increasing consumer confidence through certification and traceabilitynbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/natural-farming-boosts-productivity-incomes-by-30-pc-in-andhra-pradesh-report-669965.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-welcomes-israellebanon-ceasefire-every-step-leading-towards-peace-669966.html New Delhi April 17 India on Friday welcomed the ceasefire announced between Israel and Lebanon expressing support for every step that leads towards peace While addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said We welcome the ceasefire We welcome every step that leads towards peaceMEAs statement comes after the US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon aimed at bringing a temporary coolingoff along another front linked to the Iran conflictLebanon is not directly engaged in a formal war with Israel but Hezbollah controls large parts of southern Lebanon and has carried out attacks on Israel prompting retaliatory strikes Unable to rein in Hezbollah Lebanon has borne the brunt of Israeli retaliationWhen asked about Israel requesting India to designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation and Indias policy about disarming Hamas Jaiswal responded We have a process in place and those issues are addressed under that processOn Thursday Israels Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar stressed the importance of Hamas being designated as a terror organisation by India during his interaction with a group of distinguished Hindu leaders from around the worldI stressed the importance of Hamas being designated as a terror organisation by India Hamas has ties with all other radical Islamist terror organisations including LashkareTaiba Saar during the virtual interactionThe Israeli Foreign Minister stated that he was honoured to brief the group of distinguished leadersI spoke about the positive trends in the strengthening of Israels relations with India and the great importance we attach to this relationship I also spoke about the historic campaign Israel had been forced to fight for the past 25 years against radical Islam Their declared objective is the elimination of Israel and they act to achieve that goal Saar posted on XIsrael demonstrated on all fronts that it has the upper hand It dramatically weakened the terror octopus of radical Islam headed by the Iranian regime This struggle has and will have implications beyond the Middle East he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-welcomes-israellebanon-ceasefire-every-step-leading-towards-peace-669966.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/courts-must-identify-points-for-determination-even-in-ex-parte-proceedings-sc-669967.html New Delhi April 17 IANS The Supreme Court has held that while framing of issues in an ex parte civil suit is not mandatory courts are nevertheless obligated to identify and adjudicate the points for determination and deliver a reasoned judgment in conformity with the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure CPCnbspnbspA bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and AG Masih set aside concurrent findings of the trial court and the Calcutta High Court which had dismissed a suit for specific performance of an agreement to sell holding that the proceedings stood vitiated due to failure to frame issues and consequent prejudice to the plaintiffThe apex court was dealing with a civil appeal filed by Pramod Shroff challenging the dismissal of his suit seeking specific performance of a 1977 agreement to sell a flat in KolkataClarifying the legal position the Justice Karolled Bench said Though the framing of issues where the defendant does not present a defence is not mandated still the importance of framing of issues cannot be underscoredIt added that even in ex parte proceedings courts must structure their judgments around clearly defined questions requiring adjudicationThe court should identify the points for determinationand proceed to construct the ex parte judgment dealing with the points at issue one by one the apex court observedThe Supreme Court said that a valid judgment must reflect compliance with Order XX Rule 42 CPC which requires a concise statement of the case the points for determination the decision thereon and the reasons for such decisionWhether it is a case which is contested or a case which proceeds ex parte the court has to write a judgment which must be in conformity with the provisions of the Code it said cautioning that failure to do so would amount to a material irregularityIn the present case the suit was dismissed by the trial court on the ground that the plaintiff failed to establish the defendants title over the property despite no issue having been framed on that aspectAccepting the appellants contention the apex court said that the absence of such an issue deprived the plaintiff of an opportunity to lead evidenceIn the absence of any issues and especially in the absence of any pleading contesting title the Appellant could not be expected to prove such title the judgment said adding that omission to frame issues had caused prejudice to the plaintiffThe Justice Karolled Bench laid down that while omission to frame issues does not automatically vitiate proceedings the test is whether the parties were aware that a particular question was in issue and had an opportunity to adduce evidence on itThough framing of issues is not mandatory if the omission to frame the same causes prejudice to the parties then the same can vitiate the trial it heldSetting aside the judgments of the courts below the Supreme Court remanded the matter to the trial court for fresh consideration It directed that issues be framed parties be given an opportunity to complete pleadings and lead evidence and the suit be decided expeditiously noting that the matter dates back to 2007The court shall frame issues and accord opportunity to the parties to lead evidence and proceed to decide the same at the earliest the bench directedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/courts-must-identify-points-for-determination-even-in-ex-parte-proceedings-sc-669967.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/voting-today-on-passage-of-womens-reservation-delimitation-bills-669868.html New Delhi April 17 Voting on three bills in the Lok Sabha aimed at amending the womenâs reservation law and establishing a delimitation commission is scheduled to take place on Friday Addressing the House on Thursday Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren 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 womenâs 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 âdivisionâ is conducted In such cases the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under âAyesâ âNoesâ and âAbstainâSubsequently 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 roundâIf any member wishes to change the vote they may call for voting through slipsâ 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 Womenâs Reservation Bill The motion required a simple majority to be carried and the voting process was conducted accordingly amid heightened political engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/voting-today-on-passage-of-womens-reservation-delimitation-bills-669868.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-cm-to-inaugurate-ekatma-parv-at-omkareshwar-today-669869.html New Delhi April 17 Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the fiveday âEkatma Parvâ Festival of Unity on Friday at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district bringing together saints scholars and artists from across India and abroadâ According to an official statement the festival is being organised at Ekatma Dham on Mandhata Hill associated with Adi Shankaracharya the proponent of Advaita Vedanta Scheduled for Vaishakh Shukla Panchami the event aims to spread the message of unity through a blend of spiritual intellectual and cultural activitiesâDuring the inaugural programme the Chief Minister will open the âAdvaita Lokâ and âAkshar Brahmaâ exhibitions and participate in Vedic rituals Prominent spiritual leaders including Swami Sadanand Saraswati will be present on the occasion Nivedita Bhide and Swami Shardanand Saraswati are also expected to attendâA key highlight of the festival will be the âAdvaitamritam â Vimarsh Sabhaâ where scholars and experts will discuss the relevance of Advaita philosophy in the modern world The sessions will cover themes such as âAdvaita and GenZâ artificial intelligence environmental conservation global peace and the Sikh concept of âEk Omkarâ linking ancient philosophy with contemporary issuesâCultural programmes will be held every evening as part of the celebrations On the opening day classical vocalist Jayateerth Mevundi and Odissi dancer Shubhada Varadkar will perform followed by presentations of Bharatanatyam Carnatic music and Nirgun Vani in the coming daysâOn April 21 more than 700 youths from India and abroad will take a pledge as âShankaradootsâ committing themselves to spreading the teachings of Adi ShankaracharyaâOmkareshwar holds special religious significance as it is home to the revered Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva Located on Mandhata Island in the Narmada River the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims underscoring the spiritual significance of hosting the festival at this siteâThe festival is part of the state governmentâs efforts to develop Ekatma Dham as a global centre for spiritual learning The âStatue of Onenessâ and the upcoming âAdvaita Lokâ museum are expected to attract visitors researchers and devotees alikeâThe event is expected to strengthen cultural unity and highlight Indiaâs rich philosophical heritage on a wider platformâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-cm-to-inaugurate-ekatma-parv-at-omkareshwar-today-669869.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/prayagraj-witnesses-sea-of-faith-as-devotees-take-holy-dip-at-sangam-on-vaishakh-amavasya-669873.html Prayagraj April 17 On the sacred occasion of Vaishakh Amavasya thousands of devotees thronged the holy city of Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh on Friday immersing themselves in deep spiritual fervour Revered as the âCity of Faithâ Prayagraj home to the sacred confluence of rivers witnessed devotees taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam from the early hours of Brahma Muhurat The ritual bath considered highly auspicious was accompanied by acts of charity prayers and offerings Devotees were seen distributing food and alms while seeking happiness prosperity and peace for their ancestors According to religious beliefs bathing in holy rivers on this day coupled with charity and rituals holds immense spiritual significance and helps in attaining divine blessingsA devotee told IANS âMaa Ganga is worshipped here On this sacred day we take a holy dip to pray for our ancestors We also perform charity and offer prayers for their peace and blessingsâVaishakh Amavasya which is being observed on Friday this year is regarded as one of the most spiritually significant new moon days in the Hindu calendar It is believed to be an ideal time for selfpurification remembrance of ancestors and earning spiritual merit through disciplined rituals and devotionReligious traditions hold that the month of Vaishakh carries exceptional importance and any virtuous act performed on this day is said to yield results many times greater often believed to be up to 10000fold Ancient scriptures including references from the Skanda Purana emphasise that those who bathe in sacred rivers and perform charity on this day may attain moksha or ultimate liberationThe Amavasya Tithi began at 814 pm on April 16 and will conclude at 524 pm on April 17 Devotees consider the daytime hours on Friday as the most favourable period for performing rituals such as tarpan prayers and donations ideally before the tithi ends in the afternoon IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/prayagraj-witnesses-sea-of-faith-as-devotees-take-holy-dip-at-sangam-on-vaishakh-amavasya-669873.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/people-will-not-tolerate-opposition-to-it-bjp-leaders-on-womens-reservation-bill-669880.html New Delhi April 17 BJP leaders on Friday strongly defended the Womenâs Reservation Bill asserting that opposition to the measure will not be accepted by the people Speaking to IANS from West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said Any bill that is in the interest of the country to become law it is opposed by the Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties But the people of this country will not tolerate the oppositionâs stance on thisBihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav also weighed in saying When this bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha all members had given their consent unanimously Therefore the Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded everyone that they should support it with a common understanding and help ensure womenâs reservation is implementedPrime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Womenâs Reservation Bill on Thursday saying there is âno need to give the bill a political colourâ and calling it an opportunity to add a new chapter to âViksit BharatâThree key bills The Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 The Delimitation Bill 2026 and The Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 were introduced in the special session of Parliament on Thursday with voting scheduled for 4 pm on FridayEarlier on Thursday Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion on the bills would continue for 12 hours with provisions to extend the time if required Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla later indicated that the debate could last 1518 hours ensuring adequate time for all members to speak before votingThe special sitting of Parliamentâs Budget Session began on April 16 and will continue till April 18 during which the three key bills are being taken upThe government has been seeking the oppositions support for the amendment of the bill which aims to implement womenâs reservation in the Lok Sabha from the 2029 general elections based on the 2011 Census IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/people-will-not-tolerate-opposition-to-it-bjp-leaders-on-womens-reservation-bill-669880.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/crucial-democratic-reform-number-of-seats-expected-to-rise-meghalaya-cm-on-women-quota-bill-669882.html Shillong April 17 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday welcomed the Womenâs Reservation Bill as a significant step towards strengthening democratic representation expressing optimism that Meghalaya could gain additional seats in Parliament following the proposed delimitation exercise The Centre introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha on April 16 including measures to amend provisions related to womenâs reservation and to set up a delimitation commissionReacting to the development CM Sangma termed the move a âvery welcome stepâ that addresses a longpending demand for enhanced political participation of womenâThis reform should have come much earlier but credit must be given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking this bold initiativeâ Sangma saidHighlighting the relatively low representation of women in legislative bodies the Chief Minister said the proposed law would help bridge the gap and empower women in decisionmaking rolesHe noted that while Meghalaya follows a matrilineal social structure where women hold important societal roles their presence in formal political institutions remains limitedâThis will be a crucial democratic reform that enables greater participation of women at the highest levels Their involvement in policymaking will benefit society as a wholeâ he addedCM Sangma also pointed to the potential impact of delimitation on smaller and geographically challenging states like MeghalayaHe expressed hope that the state would see an increase in parliamentary representation taking into account its unique terrain and demographic considerationsâI expect that the number of seats for Meghalaya will rise and I am hopeful that both the Government of India and the delimitation commission will take a positive view on this matterâ he saidAt the same time the Chief Minister urged a balanced approach in implementing the reservation and delimitation processesHe stressed that both should progress simultaneously with careful deliberation to avoid disruptionsCM Sangma also dismissed concerns about any reduction in seats for existing states expressing confidence that the overall strength of Parliament would be expanded to accommodate the changes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/crucial-democratic-reform-number-of-seats-expected-to-rise-meghalaya-cm-on-women-quota-bill-669882.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/all-accused-arrested-in-brigadier-assault-case-says-delhi-police-669897.html New Delhi April 17 Delhi Police on Friday said that all remaining absconding accused persons in the assault case involving a Brigadier and his son have been arrested According to the police the following accused who had been on the run have now been apprehended Surjit Singh 36 a resident of Mehram Nagar Sunil Sharma 53 also from Mehram Nagar Ashish 32 a resident of Mehram Nagar and Satender 35 a resident of Bhiwani HaryanaPolice officials stated that Surjit Singh was known to the main accused Satender The group was reportedly sitting together in Mehram Nagar when Satender informed them about a quarrel in Vasant Enclave Following this all of them proceeded to the spot in Surjitâs white car Upon reaching the location an altercation took place after which they returned to their residencesHowever after learning that a case had been registered the accused fled their residences to evade arrest They were later traced and apprehended by the police The car used in the incident has been recovered and further examination is currently underwayEarlier on April 14 the police had apprehended two accused and seized a Mercedes car allegedly used during the incident One of them Satender alias Sonu 49 is the son of Banwari Lal and a resident of Mehram Nagar He is reportedly a director at Chaudhary Aviation Pvt Ltd a company involved in chartered and cargo flight services as well as the sale and purchase of aircraft and related partsThe second accused Sanjay Sharma 56 son of Laxmi Narayan Sharma also resides in Mehram Nagar and runs a local eateryMeanwhile Delhi Lieutenant Governor T S Sandhu expressed deep concern over the incident in Vasant Enclave which involved the assault on the Brigadier his wife and their 23yearold son an IIT Delhi graduate He stated that directions have been issued to ensure full security for the officer and his familyThe incident reportedly took place when the Brigadier stepped out for a walk with his son after dinner Outside their residence they noticed two individuals consuming alcohol in a parked white Mercedes car When the officer objected an argument broke out following which the individuals allegedly called their associates who then attacked the Brigadier and his son IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/all-accused-arrested-in-brigadier-assault-case-says-delhi-police-669897.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sigachi-fire-accident-brs-accuses-telangana-cm-of-reneging-on-rs1-crore-aid-promise-669898.html Hyderabad April 17 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS deputy floor leader in Telangana Assembly T Harish Rao on Friday accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of failing to uphold the promise of Rs1 crore compensation each for the families of 54 workers killed in the fire at Sigachi Industries Limiteds unit in Sangareddy district in June last year The former minister said CM Reddy has failed to deliver even half of the amount promisedHarish Rao alleged in a statement that making grand promises only to subsequently disregard his own words has become a characteristic trait of CM ReddyHe recalled that immediately after the accident Chief Minister Reddy visited the accident site and announced that a compensation of Rs 1 crore would be provided to each of the families of the deceasedHowever a written response submitted by the government in the Assembly made it abundantly clear that this entire exercise was merely a token gesture and that the justice delivered to the victims amounts to absolutely nothing This incident stands as irrefutable proof that breaking promises has become a habit for Revanth Reddy Harish Rao saidHarish Rao alleged that the collusion between the management and the government to manipulate compensation figures constitutes a fraud of staggering proportionsAccording to the official figures submitted by the government in the Assembly if one were to divide the total compensation of â¹2451 crore paid to date among the 54 victims the average compensation received by each workers family amounts to â¹4540 lakh In other words out of the onecrorerupee compensation promised by the Chief Minister this government has reneged on a balance of approximately â¹5460 lakh per family â amounting to a total outstanding sum of â¹2948 crore â thereby leaving the victims in lurch Harish Rao saidâIt is truly deplorable that despite making grandiose claims of providing crores the State Government has so far paid a mere â¹1 lakh to each affected family So who is going to provide the onecrorerupee compensation that the Chief Minister and his ministers promisedâ Harish Rao askedAccording to Harish Rao Sigachi management admitted before the courts that they were providing between â¹40 lakh and â¹42 lakh However the actual truth is that they are inflating these figures by bundling together the â¹25 lakh they provided from their own funds with the statutory entitlements â such as PF ESI and life insurance payouts â that the workers families are legally entitled to receive following the workers demiseHarish Rao also claimed that they have deducted the medical expenses incurred by workers who passed away while undergoing treatment in the hospital directly from this meagre compensation package Moreover this is a callous government that forced the families of eight workersâwho were burnt to ashes in the accident and whose remains could not be tracedâto run from office to office for months on end just to obtain death certificatesâThis was not merely an accident it was a mass murder resulting from the managements gross negligence The investigation clearly establishedâ with irrefutable evidenc eâ that safety standards within the factory were completely disregardedâ the former minister saidHe stated that the police remained inert until a case was filed in the High Court on behalf of the victims and the judiciary issued stern reprimands The perfunctory arrest of the MD â followed by indirect assistance that allowed him to secure bail almost immediately â makes it abundantly clear that there are clandestine agreements in place between the government and the company management Harish Rao addedHarish Rao demanded that the government immediately attach the assets of the directors of Sigachi under the provisions of the Revenue Recovery Act These assets should be liquidated to immediately disburse the compensation of Rs1 crore to each affected family â without any bureaucratic hurdles or preconditions â in accordance with the promise made by the Chief MinisterOn June 30 2025 a huge fire broke out following a major explosion in the manufacturing plant of Sigachi Industries Pashamailaram industrial area unit in Sangareddy district killing 54 workers and injuring 28 othersThe plant manufactures Microcrystalline Cellulose powder which is used in tablets and capsules as a binding agent IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sigachi-fire-accident-brs-accuses-telangana-cm-of-reneging-on-rs1-crore-aid-promise-669898.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/scs-road-safety-committee-reviews-traffic-measures-in-mps-jabalpur-669901.html Jabalpur April 17 Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety Chairman Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre reviewed road safety measures in Madhya Pradeshâs Jabalpur stressing stricter enforcement and sustained awareness to reduce accidents and fatalities At a meeting with senior district officials late on Thursday data presented by Jabalpur traffic ASP Anjana Tiwari showed that 3372 road accidents were reported in 2025 claiming 666 lives and leaving 2471 seriously injuredA comparison of JanuaryMarch figures indicated improvement in 2026 with accidents dropping by 341 per cent to 962 fatalities declining by 901 per cent to 154 and injuries falling by 1389 per cent to 1091During the meeting officials highlighted progress in addressing accidentprone âblack spotsâ Their number has reduced from 47 in 2025 to 41 with no accidents reported at six locations after corrective measuresSo far in 2026 a total of 22 accidents at 12 black spots resulted in six deaths and 10 injuries according to an official statement from Jabalpur district administrationYoung people aged 2535 and twowheeler riders were identified as the most vulnerable groups while rural areas recorded more accidents than urban regions Authorities emphasised helmet and seat belt use as critical to reducing fatalitiesDuring the meeting Justice Sapre directed agencies to improve signage remove encroachments strengthen highway patrolling and expedite black spot rectificationHe also called for road safety audits of new infrastructure installation of cameras to check overspeeding and stricter action against repeat offenders including licence suspensionOfficials informed that action has been initiated against 264 motorists so far in 2026Proposals to mandate helmets for government employees and students were also discussed alongside stricter checks on licences insurance and drunk driving with a focus on wider public awareness campaignsJabalpur Collector Raghavendra Singh said regular monitoring is being carried out through District Road Safety Committee meetingsSuperintendent of Police SP Sampat Upadhyay noted that enforcement has been intensified with over 109 lakh challans issued in 2025 and 28555 till March 2026 along with counselling of violatorsThis review is being held by the Supreme Court vide its April 2014 order to measure and monitor the implementation of various laws relating to motor vehicles Its committee coordinates with all state governments and UTs to monitor the road safety scenario IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/scs-road-safety-committee-reviews-traffic-measures-in-mps-jabalpur-669901.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dgca-begins-inquiry-into-ground-incident-involving-spicejet-akasa-air-planes-669903.html New Delhi April 17 IANS The Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA has initiated an investigation into a ground incident at the New Delhi International Airport involving SpiceJet and an Akasa Air aircraftnbspA ground incident occurred at IGI Airport New Delhi on Thursday involving a SpiceJet B737700 aircraft SG124 LehDelhi and an Akasa Air B737 MAX 8 aircraft QP1406 DelhiHyderabad near bay No 106 at Terminal 1nbspDuring taxiing the right winglet of the SpiceJet aircraft came into contact with the left horizontal stabiliser of the Akasa aircraftnbspBoth aircraft sustained damage and have been grounded for inspection and rectification said Civil Aviation MinistryAs per initial information the Akasa Air aircraft had been pushed back from bay No 104 and was positioned for engine startnbspThe SpiceJet aircraft holding near bay No 108 was cleared by ATC to taxi to bay No 106 after the pilot confirmed separation from the Akasa aircraft During the manoeuvre the SpiceJet aircraft executed a turn without wing walker clearance resulting in the contact according to an official statementPending inquiry the pilots of the SpiceJet aircraft and the concerned Air Traffic Control officer have been taken off dutyThe Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the situation and is taking all necessary steps to uphold safety standards and prevent recurrence said the statementThe incident took place around 215 pm when the SpiceJet aircraft arriving from Leh was taxiing towards its designated gate and made contact with the Akasa Air plane which was preparing for departure to HyderabadPreliminary information suggested that the aircraft was stationary when another airlines plane made contact with itAkasa Airs aircraft operating flight QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad had to return to the bay on April 16 Preliminary information indicates that Akasas aircraft was stationary when another airlines aircraft made contact with it said an Akasa Air spokespersonThe airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely disembarked and alternative arrangements were being made to fly passengers to Hyderabad at the earliestIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dgca-begins-inquiry-into-ground-incident-involving-spicejet-akasa-air-planes-669903.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-seeks-public-comments-to-review-companies-incorporation-rules-filing-framework-rationalisation-669904.html New Delhi April 17 IANS The government on Friday said it is inviting public comments by May 9 for reviewing the Companies Incorporation Rules 2014 and for the rationalisation of the filing framework under the Companies Act 2013nbspA draft notification titled the Companies Incorporation Amendment Rules 2026 proposing amendments to the Companies Incorporation Rules 2014 has been prepared vide a public notice dated April 8The notification is placed on the website wwwmcagovin for information of stakeholders for the purpose of public consultations said Ministry of Corporate Affairs MCAnbspAccording to the ministry suggestions and comments on the proposed amendments along with brief justification may be submitted through the eConsultation Module available on the website by May 9 2026The ministry through the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs IICA is also undertaking consultation to seek stakeholder inputs on the rationalisation of the filingcompliance framework under the Companies Act 2013nbspThe concept note for the same is placed on the website for the information of stakeholders for the purpose of public consultation which covers the full corporate lifecycle across three stages entry operations and exit The last date to submit the comments is May 15 2026 said the ministryLast month the Lok Sabha gave its approval for referring the Corporate Laws Amendment Bill 2026 to the Joint Parliamentary Committee JPC for further scrutinyFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Bill which aims to amend the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2008 and the Companies Act 2013 in the lower house of the Parliament and proposed that it be sent to the JPC for detailed analysisThe Bill aims to facilitate ease of doing business decriminalise minor offences replace certain criminal provisions with civil penalties and reduce compliance burdens for small firms startups and produce companies set up by farmersSitharaman highlighted that this legislation has been brought after two years of full deliberation She said the opinion of the representatives from industry chambers professional institutes legal and accounting experts and the public was taken and examined before introducing the Bill in the HouseIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-seeks-public-comments-to-review-companies-incorporation-rules-filing-framework-rationalisation-669904.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/shows-deep-trust-of-this-house-in-you-pm-modi-congratulates-harivansh-on-rs-dy-chairman-re-election-669908.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Harivansh Narayan Singh on his reelection as the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman praising his leadership discipline and consistent contribution to the functioning of the Upper HousenbspAddressing the House the Prime Minister said I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Harivansh Ji The fact that he has been elected Deputy Chairman for the third consecutive time reflects the deep trust this House places in him Under his deputy chairmanship the House has seen significant improvement This is a symbol of his simple and efficient working style We have all seen under his guidance the House becoming more effective He uses his vast experience to conduct the proceedings making them more accurate and productiveI am confident that in his new tenure he will continue with the same dedication and balance With everyones cooperation this House will achieve new heights said PM ModiHarivansh Ji was born in Jai Prakash Jis village and since his student days he has been actively involved in village development workThe Prime Minister also connected the occasion with history saying Today April 17 1927 marks the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar It is indeed a coincidence that Harivansh Ji is beginning this responsibility on his birth anniversary He has also written a book on Chandrashekhar Ji and has helped introduce his life and ideas to new generationsHe further said Harivansh Jis public life is not limited to parliamentary work he has also achieved significant milestones in journalism He has always placed human values at the core of his work and his language and expression reflect discipline and simplicityI used to read his writings when I was in Gujarat He used to strongly express his views and raise important issues In journalism he always tried to reach the last person Even in the House we can see the reflection of these qualities which is a matter of great satisfaction he saidWhether in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha new Members of Parliament can learn a great deal from Harivansh Ji PM Modi addedPM Modi further stressed Punctuality and dedication towards responsibility are his strengths Since he became a member of the Upper House he has devoted full time to the functioning of the HouseHe listens to every issue carefully and gives full attention which is a valuable lesson for all of us he saidThe Prime Minister said As Deputy Chairman the way he conducts the House and as a member the way he contributes both are always spoken of highly Outside Parliament as well the manner in which he carries out his responsibilities is remarkable and admirableI have seen Harivansh Ji dedicate considerable time to engaging with youth and creating awareness among them He travels across the country for this purpose he addedCiting historical events PM Modi said In 2018 when he began his role as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha he conducted around 300 programmes in colleges and universities This is a significant effort visiting institutions participating in events preparing and motivating students This is truly commendableThe dream of Viksit Bharat 2047 should be a guiding vision for our youth and he consistently works to convey this message the Prime Minister addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/shows-deep-trust-of-this-house-in-you-pm-modi-congratulates-harivansh-on-rs-dy-chairman-re-election-669908.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gautam-adani-becomes-asias-richest-person-surpasses-mukesh-ambani-669911.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani Chairman of the Adani Group has become Asias richest individual overtaking Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires IndexGautam Adanis net worth rose to 926 billion placing him 19th globally while Mukesh Ambani slipped to the 20th position with a net worth of 908 billionThe reshuffle at the top highlights the ongoing volatility in global wealth rankings in 2026 amid rising geopolitical tensions and market fluctuationsIn Thursdays stock market session Adani Group stocks witnessed a sharp rise outperforming benchmark indices which led to an increase of around 356 billion in Gautam Adanis net worth in a single dayGlobally Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues to top the list with a net worth of 656 billion followed by Google cofounder Larry Page at 286 billionOther names in the top 10 include Amazons Jeff Bezos Metas Mark Zuckerberg Oracles Larry Ellison Dell Technologies Michael Dell Nvidias Jensen Huang and LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault among othersNotably seven of the worlds top 20 richest individuals have recorded declines in their net worth so far in 2026Moreover Arnault has seen the steepest drop losing 44 billion during the periodOther billionaires who have witnessed significant erosion in wealth include Steve Ballmer Larry Ellison Bill Gates Warren Buffett and Amancio OrtegaA sectoral analysis of the index shows that technology entrepreneurs continue to dominate the global rich list while industrials energy and retail billionaires have seen relatively higher volatility in their net worthAmong other Indian billionaires Lakshmi Mittal ranked 62nd globally with a net worth of 369 billionHCL founder Shiv Nadar stood at the 70th position with 335 billion followed by Shapoor Mistry and family at 71st with 332 billionSavitri Jindal chairperson emeritus of the OP Jindal Group was ranked 73rd globally with a net worth of 327 billionOther prominent Indian names on the list include Sunil Mittal and family Azim Premji Kumar Mangalam Birla and Radhakishan DamaniMeanwhile Adani Group stocks such as Adani Total Gas Adani Ports and Adani Power climbed up to 3 per cent on Friday during the intraday tradingIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gautam-adani-becomes-asias-richest-person-surpasses-mukesh-ambani-669911.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/by-forcing-delimitation-centre-wants-to-redraw-countrys-electoral-map-dmks-kanimozhi-669912.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Friday launched a strong counter to the governments defence of three proposed legislations including womens reservation bill in Parliament for the operationalization of womens quota and accused of it using the cause to safeguard its own political future by redrawing the electoral map of the countrynbspJoining the debate in Lok Sabha the DMK MP questioned the timing intent and motive of the government behind calling a special session of Parliament and bulldozing the Oppositions concerns and apprehensionsShe slammed the Centre for stalling the implementation of womens reservation despite Parliaments unanimous approval in 2023 and now uses it as a front for furthering their political agendaQuestioning the linkage of delimitation with reservation she said that the BJPled government at the Centre is not serious and considerate towards womens cause and it is rewarding itself by using the 2011 Census data as a basis for delimitationIt is politically convenient for them to redraw the political map of the country by introducing delimitation from the back door she saidStating that the Opposition parties pressed the government to hold a Parliament session after elections but the latter dismissed all requestsFor decades you didnt show any urgency in implementing it But today you are blaming the Opposition for the delay This is not electoral reform but an electoral rescue strategy because of your fear of fairing poorly in upcoming elections Kanimozhi saidnbspThe DMK leader refused to buy Home Minister Amit Shahs assurances on maintaining the status quo on the Southern states share in the Lok Sabha and also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modis civilisational commitment promiseShe said that linking delimitation to womens reservation is a trap and is designed to blame the Opposition if the proposed legislation gets stalledI ask the Home Minister why cant you give a reservation by simply delinking the reservation from delimitation Why cant you give a reservation in the existing number of seats she askedThe Prime Minister called it civilisational commitment but I must state that women have been protecting families they die for the nation but their sacrifices have remained unnoticed for decades she addedThis bill looks like a prelude and facilitator to your future political goals This balance is ambiguous misleading and serves no real purpose she remarkedPointing to the Home Ministers assurances to parties that delimitation wont affect the states legislative representation in Parliament she demanded that these assurances be made part of the draft legislationRecords show that this governments 80 to 90 per cent assurances have never been seen through hence we cant buy your words she saidOn the black colour jibe at the DMK for protesting against the bill they said that they will not bow down to the governments diktats and would stand up to them to safeguard womens rightsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/by-forcing-delimitation-centre-wants-to-redraw-countrys-electoral-map-dmks-kanimozhi-669912.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/six-burnt-alive-as-car-catches-fire-after-head-on-collision-with-bus-in-yadgir-district-669914.html Yadgir Karnataka April 17 A tragic road accident claimed six lives after a headon collision between a car and a private bus resulted in a deadly blaze in Yadgir district of Karnataka on Friday Six people travelling in the car were burnt alive while locals rescued two others from the vehicle They sustained serious injuries and have been shifted to a hospital The condition of one of the injured is criticalAccording to police the incident occurred near Devapur in Surpur taluk within the limits of Surpur Police StationAccording to initial reports the car was travelling from Yadgir towards Raichur when it collided with a private bus coming from Bengaluru towards KalaburagiThe impact of the collision was severe causing the car and the bus to catch fire instantly The car was completely gutted in the blaze leaving all six occupants dead on the spotFire and emergency services personnel rushed to the scene and made efforts to douse the flamesMeanwhile Surpur police also arrived at the spot and initiated further investigation into the incident More details are yet to emergeAuthorities are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the accident The identity of the deceased people is yet to be ascertained Apart from the car the bus was also gutted in the blaze after the collisionOn December 25 2025 a private sleeper bus travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna caught fire after colliding with a truck near Hiriyur in Karnatakas Chitradurga district resulting in multiple deaths The collision occurred around 230 AM on National Highway 48 killing at least 6 passengers who were trapped inside with 28 others were injuredThe deceased are Bindu V her daughter Grema Manasa Navya and Rashmi Mahale They were all heading to Gokarna from Bengaluru Besides them driver of the truck said to be a native of Uttar Pradesh died in the accident IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/six-burnt-alive-as-car-catches-fire-after-head-on-collision-with-bus-in-yadgir-district-669914.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delimitation-will-turn-out-to-be-political-demonetisation-dont-do-it-shashi-tharoor--669915.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday warned in the Lok Sabha that the proposed delimitation exercise could amount to political demonetisation cautioning against linking it with womens reservation and calling it a matter affecting the very soul of our democracynbspAddressing the House Tharoor said This is a matter of the very soul of our democracyFor decades womens reservation has long been promised discussed and partially delayed Today we stand at a threshold where there is a remarkably unanimous political consensus in favour of womens reservation Every major party in the House recognises that the time for tokenism is over and the era of equal partnership must begin and yet I find us deeply perturbed by the legislative exerciseReferring to the governments position Tharoor said The PM said the government has brought Nari Shakti a gift of justice but he has tethered the implementation of womens reservation to the expansion of Parliament based on the 2011 Census and the exercise of delimitationHe argued that the provision could be implemented immediately without linking it to a complex processWomens reservation is ready for harvesting it can and should be implemented immediately based on our existing parliamentary strength To link it to delimitation is to hold the aspirations of Indian women hostage to one of the most contentious and complex administrative exercises in our nations history Delimitation is not mere bureaucratic rearranging of maps it is a profound shift in political power Tharoor saidLinking womens reservation to it effectively holds the aspirations of Indian women hostage to one of the most contentious political exercises in our history It carries risks that could strain the fabric of our federalism he addedIn a sharp remark Tharoor said You have proposed delimitation with the same haste you showed on demonetisation and unfortunately we all know what damage that did to the country Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation Dont do itTharoor stressed the need for wider consultation saying We must be candid about what is at stake Constituencies are redrawn based on either current population figures or the 2011 Census Delimitation requires serious discussionHighlighting regional concerns he said The balance between states particularly southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala which have diligently implemented national goals of population control and invested in inclusive human development and those states mainly in the North who have not under future delimitation states that have failed to curb population growth would be rewarded with greater political weight We must ask if this is the message we wish to send that governance excellence leads to political irrelevanceHe further added The third factor is the balance between the states that are engines of our economy contributing more to the national pool than they receive and those that are net recipients of central funds Delimitation would further marginalise the voices of those statesWe risk creating a tyranny of the democratic majority he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delimitation-will-turn-out-to-be-political-demonetisation-dont-do-it-shashi-tharoor--669915.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pak-linked-drug-flow-via-golden-crescent-increases-india-intensifies-multi-agency-crackdown-669930.html New Delhi April 17 The focus of the Indian security agencies dealing with the menace of narcotic smuggling has been largely on the contraband originating from the Golden Crescent of PakistanAfghanistan The Indian agencies have said that activities through the Golden Crescent have gone up considerably There is a push by Pakistan to smuggle huge quantities of narcotics into IndiaRamping up activities at the Golden Crescent is a clear sign that the Pakistanbased operatives are trying to raise money to fund terror activities against IndiaEstimates by the security agencies show that 65 per cent of the narcotics that come into India are from the Golden Crescent The remaining come in from the Golden Triangle which comprises Myanmar Laos and ThailandOfficials say that the Pakistanbased narcotic smugglers are pushing more drugs into South India today and the drugs are reaching Kerala and Tamil NaduOnce the domestic needs are catered to then the drugs are smuggled into Maldives and Sri Lanka Prior to the drugs reaching the southern states they are smuggled into Gujarat and Maharashtra With this strategy the cartels plan to cover both North and South India significantlyWhen it comes to the northeastern states the cartels operating from the Golden Triangle handle the job an official saidWith Intelligence inputs suggesting that the Pakistanbased narcotic smugglers are ramping up operations a high level meeting was held between the officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau NVB National Technical Research Organisation NTRO and the Indian NavyIt was decided to intensify surveillance to detect drugs coming in from the Golden Crescent The agencies are keeping a close watch on high speed motor boats and smaller fishing boatsOf late the cartels are also relying on commercial shipping containers through which they are attempting to smuggle in larger quantity of drugs The drugs that come in from the Golden Crescent largely comprise charas and methamphetamineWith inputs suggesting a major rise in drug smuggling activity India has also been working closely with international agencies to put a halt to the menaceIt is important that apart from taking steps on our own we coordinate with international agencies as well an official saidIndia would however be taking the lead role as it is a landing point owing to its geographical proximity to the Golden Crescent the official also saidWhile constant attempts are being made to step up drug smuggling activity officials report that in the last three months the activities have been down The vigil has been stepped up and multiple agencies are working in tandem to keep the menace at bayIn addition to disruptions being reported in the Golden Crescent supply chains due to regional stability the Indian agencies too have resolved to fight this problemOfficials say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that the Centre wants India to be drug freeUnion Home Minister Amit Shah said that all departments of the government of India should prepare a road map up to 2029 and establish a timebound review mechanism for its implementationHe said that during the next three years a campaign would be carried out collectively across the country to move fast towards making India drug freeAn Intelligence Bureau official said that if supplies from the Golden Crescent fall then every attempt will be made to scale up operations from the Golden TriangleThe cartels from these regions are interconnected and hence they cannot be treated as separate entitiesThe road map ahead would be to have coordinated efforts by multiple agencies to deal with cartels that operate both from the Golden Crescent as well the Golden Triangle the official also added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pak-linked-drug-flow-via-golden-crescent-increases-india-intensifies-multi-agency-crackdown-669930.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/make-attractive-fuel-option-govt-panel-favours-scrapping-excise-duty-on-cng-669933.html New Delhi April 17 IANS A highlevel government committee supported by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board PNGRB has recommended removing excise duty on Compressed Natural Gas CNG to lower prices and promote consumption of the green fuel to meet Indias target of achieving a 15 per cent share of natural gas in the fuel mix by 2030nbspThe key recommendations include removing the 14 per cent excise duty to make CNG a more attractive fuel option and also lowering GST on CNG vehicles to 5 per cent to bring them on par with electric vehicles to accelerate adoptionThe recommendations favour maintaining a competitive price difference between CNG and petrol so that consumers are encouraged to switch to the green fuelThe tax relief on natural gas is anticipated to impact roughly 19 crore households and 3841 lakh potential usersThese proposals aim to address the currently high taxes such as the 14 per cent excise duty and state VAT which have made CNG less competitive in certain regions particularly in the southern statesnbspMeanwhile the government has also been encouraging households to switch to piped natural gas PNG from LPG as the West Asia crisis has disrupted supply chains The expansion of piped natural gas PNG has gained momentum with about 458 lakh new PNG connections being gasified and about 51 lakh additional customers registering for new connections since March this yearTill April 15 about 35000 PNG consumers have surrendered their LPG connections via MYPNGDin website States have been advised to facilitate new PNG connections for domestic and commercial consumersThe government is encouraging natural gas adoption through synergy between the PNGRB and states as part of Indias transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future As part of the strategy to increase the share of natural gas in the countrys energy mix the expansion of the City Gas Distribution CGD network through Piped Natural Gas PNG connections has emerged as one of the key performing areasSpearheaded by entities authorised by the PNGRB the CGD network now spans 307 geographical areas GAs covering nearly 100 per cent of the countrys geographical area except islands touching around 784 districts across 34 states and Union Territories The government has undertaken a series of policy and regulatory measures to catalyse growth in this sectorThese measures range from allocating administered price domestic gas and easing supply mechanisms to mandating PNG provisions in government and defence residential complexes granting Public Utility status to CGD projects and directing the CPWD and the NBCC to include PNG provisions in all government residential complexesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/make-attractive-fuel-option-govt-panel-favours-scrapping-excise-duty-on-cng-669933.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/where-luxury-meets-the-wild-forest-hill-resort-redefines-nature-led-living-near-chandigarh-669936.html DW Bureau Chandigarh In the quiet embrace of the Shivalik foothills where forest trails meet open skies a new idea of luxury is taking shape The reimagined Forest Hill Resort FHR located next to the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is positioning itself as more than just a getawayits pitching a luxury wilderness lifestylenbspSpread across 2000 acres and bordered by vast stretches of protected forest the resort has unveiled its new clubhousemarking a significant step in its transformation into an ecoluxury destination But the shift is not just architectural it reflects a broader change in how luxury is being definedToday luxury is less about opulence and more about authenticity and connection said Devinder Sandhu Senior Director at FHR We are building a space where sustainability wellness and refined hospitality come together as a way of lifenbspAt the heart of this evolution is The Vańa the resorts new culinary space housed within a striking glassstructured clubhouse Designed as an estate dining experience the menu blends comfort with global flairfrom Old Delhistyle mutton seekh and truffle dal makhani to Europeaninspired desserts like chocolate fondant and millefeuille Much of the produce comes directly from the resorts own farms reinforcing its farmtotable philosophyYet dining is only one part of the experience FHR is betting big on immersive outdoor living With over 50 curated activitiesranging from wildlife safaris and birdwatching to horseback riding offroading and zipliningthe resort encourages guests to engage deeply with the surrounding landscapenbspWhat sets the project apart is its lowimpact development approach Less than 20 per cent of the land has been used for construction with local materials and techniques ensuring minimal ecological disruption The rest remains dedicated to preserving flora fauna and the natural character of the regionThe vision however goes beyond hospitality FHR is in advanced discussions with global hospitality brands to introduce branded residences and expand its luxury offerings A partnership with The Ultimate Travelling Camp TUTC will bring boutique wilderness cottages to the property while future plans include villas curated living spaces and even twin helipads for charter servicesWith its proximity to Chandigarh and the promise of a gated golf estate FHR is also targeting a new class of buyersthose seeking not just a second home but a slower more conscious lifestyle rooted in naturenbspAs the definition of luxury continues to evolve Forest Hill Resorts bet is clear the future may lie not in excess but in experiencewhere the wild is not tamed but thoughtfully lived alongside https://dailyworld.in/national/where-luxury-meets-the-wild-forest-hill-resort-redefines-nature-led-living-near-chandigarh-669936.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/brs-student-wing-stages-protest-at-bjp-office-over-mp-suryas-remarks-669946.html Hyderabad April 17 Bharat Rashtra Samithiâs student wing BRSV on Friday staged a protest near the BJPâs Telangana headquarters here condemning the remarks made by Tejasvi Surya about Telangana in the Parliament Activists of BRSV tried to surround the BJP office in Nampally raising slogans against the BJP MP from KarnatakaThe protestors set a poster of Surya on fire Police intervened to detain the protestorsDuring the debate on Womenâs Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday Surya had allegedly compared bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh with the Partition of IndiaHis remarks have triggered strong condemnation from Congress BRS Left parties and Telangana Jagruti Leaders of all these parties accused him of insulting Telangana by comparing its formation with the creation of Pakistan and demanded an apologyBRSV leaders stated that Surya insulted the sacrifices of Telanganas martyrs and the sentiments of people They demanded that the MP tender an unconditional apology to the people of TelanganaMeanwhile BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar demanded that Surya come to Hyderabad and touch the feet of family members of Telangana martyrs for 24 hours continuouslyThe former IPS officer reacted to a clarification posted by Surya on âXâ This unapologetic AI generated reply wonât do Tejasvi Surya ji You must come along with all your Telangana BJP MPs who were mute spectators in Parliament to your vitriol to Hyderabad and touch the holy feet of family members of all 1300 Telangana Martyrs for 24 hours continuouslyâ demanded Praveen KumarIn a statement posted on Thursday night Surya stated that his statement was twistedâI reject the deliberate insinuation being furthered by the Opposition and firmly state my longstanding respect for the martyrs and protesters who sustained the Telangana movement However my comments must be seen as a reminder of how the Congress has traditionally betrayed the Southern states In the case of the Telangana movement in particular Congressâ betrayal has been starkâ wrote the MP from Bengaluru SouthMeanwhile Telanganaâs minister for transport and backward classes welfare Ponnam Prabhakar urged Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy to take immediate steps to remove Tejasvi Suryas controversial remarks from Parliament recordsPrabhakar said that Surya compared Telangana to the IndiaPakistan PartitionThe minister claimed that Kishan Reddy during his press conference in New Delhi on Friday admitted that Tejasvi committed a mistake Prabhakar told Kishan Reddy to take the initiative to urge the Lok Sabha Speaker to expunge Suryaâs remarks from the record IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/brs-student-wing-stages-protest-at-bjp-office-over-mp-suryas-remarks-669946.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kharge-greets-harivansh-on-re-election-as-rs-dy-chairman-flags-ls-dy-speaker-vacancy-669950.html New Delhi April 17 IANS Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday congratulated Harivansh on his reelection as Deputy Chairman of the House for a third consecutive termnbspnbspKharge expressed hope that Harivansh Singh would ensure fair treatment to the Opposition in the Upper HouseSpeaking in the Rajya Sabha the Congress President underlined the importance of the Opposition in sustaining a healthy democracy and said it was essential that Opposition members be given adequate time to raise their issuesCongratulating Harivansh Singh Kharge noted that his unopposed reelection reflected the confidence of the House in his impartiality and efficiencyHe also highlighted the historic nature of the achievement saying that Harivansh Singh is the first nominated member of the Rajya Sabha to be elected its Deputy ChairmanMr Deputy Chairman I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to you on your third term in this prestigious office Your reelection demonstrates the impartiality and efficiency with which you have discharged your duties It is a privilege for us to work with you once again Kharge saidAt the same time the Congress President raised concerns over the continued vacancy of the Lok Sabha Deputy Speakers post since 2019 calling it contrary to the spirit of the ConstitutionHe urged the Union government to fill such key constitutional positions without delay irrespective of political considerationsEarlier Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda moved the motion proposing Harivanshs name While Opposition parties did not field a candidate they boycotted the election processFollowing Harivanshs unopposed election leaders across party lines extended their greetings to the Rajya Sabha ChairmanPrime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Harivansh on his reelection as the Rajya Sabha ChairmanThe Office of the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman fell vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kharge-greets-harivansh-on-re-election-as-rs-dy-chairman-flags-ls-dy-speaker-vacancy-669950.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-raids-self-styled-godman-ashok-kharats-premises-in-money-laundering-case-669951.html Nashik April 17 The Enforcement Directorate ED on Friday conducted fresh search operations in connection with a money laundering case involving Nashikbased selfstyled godman Ashok Kharat officials said He is also facing serious allegations of sexual exploitation of women and financial fraud in the name of spirituality According to ED sources the agency carried out raids at Kharats commercial premises known as the Oaks Property Office located in the Canada Corner area of NashikThe premises had earlier been sealed by a Special Investigation Team SIT on March 26 after an extensive search operationED is conducting searches in connection with a money laundering case involving Nashikbased godman Ashok Kharat Raids are being carried out at his commercial premises known as the Oaks Property Office located in Canada Corner at Nashik an ED official saidThe latest action comes as part of the agencys ongoing probe into suspected financial irregularities including alleged benami transactions and undisclosed assets linked to Kharat and his associatesOfficials said the ED coordinated closely with the Nashik SIT to gain access to the sealed premises and continue its investigationThe earlier SITled searches had resulted in the seizure of several incriminating materialsDuring those operations authorities reportedly recovered two sacks of documents related to property dealings land transactions and financial records These included details of more than 52 land entries suspected benami properties cheque books receipts and financial registersElectronic evidence was also seized including computers hard disks and multiple pen drives which are now being examined for digital trails and financial linksThe ED had previously carried out searches in the case leading to the seizure of cash worth Rs 42 lakh Additionally assets valued at nearly Rs 24 crore were frozen as part of the probeSources indicated that the agency is now analysing the newly recovered documents and digital evidence to establish the money trail and identify other individuals who may be linked to the alleged laundering activitiesFurther action in the case is expected as the investigation progresses officials added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-raids-self-styled-godman-ashok-kharats-premises-in-money-laundering-case-669951.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:39:00 +0530 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