DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sun, 04 Jan 2026 08:42:44 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/politics/offensive-remark-on-women-from-bihar-sparks-political-storm-mla-announces-rs-10-lakh-reward-656896.html Patna Jan 3 An offensive remark allegedly made by Girdhari Lal Sahu husband of Uttarakhand Minister Rekha Arya regarding women from Bihar has triggered a major political uproar in the eastern state In a viral video Sahu is purportedly heard saying that women from Bihar are easily available for marriage for Rs 20000â25000 a statement that has drawn sharp condemnation across political linesFollowing the circulation of the video political activity intensified in Bihar IP Gupta MLA from Saharsa and president of the Indian Inclusive Party announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for anyone who apprehends Girdhari Lal Sahu if he enters BiharHis announcement further escalated the controversyLeaders from both the ruling alliance and the opposition strongly condemned the remarkPurnea MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav reacted sharply expressing outrage over the commentHe said âThe tongues of such people should be cut off and thrown away These people are worthless This is the real character of BJP leaders They do not want to give respect to anyone outside their family and partyâEven leaders of the NDA in Bihar distanced themselves from the remarkBihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal also strongly criticised Girdhari Lal Sahuâs commentHe said âJust because he is a ministerâs husband does that mean he can say anything This statement is completely wrong and we condemn it unequivocallyâUnion MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also condemned the remark saying that putting a price on a womanâs marriage is shameful and unacceptable and demanded that the Uttarakhand BJP government take strict action in the matterLeader of the Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav who is currently abroad on a family vacation reacted via social media on Friday targeting the BJP and stating that such a mindset reflects the true thinking of BJP leaders towards women and people from BiharThe controversy has now taken on a crossstate political dimension with growing pressure on the Uttarakhand government to respond decisivelyThe incident has reignited the debate on womenâs dignity responsible speech and political accountability especially by those associated with people holding public office IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/offensive-remark-on-women-from-bihar-sparks-political-storm-mla-announces-rs-10-lakh-reward-656896.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/for-establishing-ram-rajya-one-will-have-to-behave-like-lord-ram-ami-ganatra-656897.html New Delhi 3 Jan The second day of Delhi Shabdostav 2026 being organised at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium witnessed a wideranging discussion including one centred around âhistory of Hinduismâ Several writers as well as historians presented their views on Indian literature and cultureAmi Ganatra a management professional and also noted writer shared her views on the concept of âRam Rajyaâ and elaborated on what it would entail for societyâIf the society wants to establish Ram Rajya then one should start acting and behaving like Lord Ramâ she saidShe also flayed the critics and doubters of Lord Ram as an imaginary figure and said that his life serves as a guiding principle for every person even todayâLord Ram is a historical figure for us He has always been there upholding and strengthening the values for societyâ he remarkedâI donât think that anyone has ever raised questions on Lord Ramâs existence till the countryâs Independence The questions whenever raised were merely for scoring political points The courts also demanded testimonials regarding Lordâs existence This shows the extent of the Hindu communityâs tolerance that they provided the courts with evidenceâ she elaboratedRSS Delhi general secretary Anil Gupta another prominent guest on the panel discussion said that earlier it was difficult for people to understand religion and culture but in the present times it has been simplifiedâIt has become easy even for the âGenZâ to comprehend Today the youth are actively taking part in religious programs There used to be a time when bhajan singers used to be in the age group of 4050 but today they are much younger in the bracket of 2025 years of ageâ he addedAnil Gupta further said that the current generation is doing a tremendous job realising the importance of bhajan and religion IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/for-establishing-ram-rajya-one-will-have-to-behave-like-lord-ram-ami-ganatra-656897.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/nfr-achieves-major-milestone-with-first-full-rake-freight-loading-in-meghalaya-656902.html Guwahati Jan 3 The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR has achieved a significant milestone in freight operations with the successful completion of the firstever loading of a full freight rake at Mendipathar railway station in Meghalaya officials said on Saturday NFRs Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the coal loading operation commenced on December 28 from Mendipathar to Jalalgarh in Purnia district of Bihar as a full rake consisting of 42 body covered wagons was loaded within eight hours and 30 minutes demonstrating efficient planning coordinated teamwork and operational readiness of railway staff This landmark achievement marks the first ever railway freight loadings for the state of Meghalaya CPRO Sharma added He said that Mendipathar being one and the only station in Meghalaya marked its existence in the railway freight map with the first freight unloading on February 4 last year Since then freight unloading operations at the station Mendipathar have shown steady growth with a total of 29 minirakes and 6 full rakes equivalent to 205 full rakes unloaded between February and December 2025 With commencement of freight loading it will signify the operational preparedness of Mendipathar station to handle largescale freight traffic in a complete manner CPRO Sharma added Freight loading and unloading operations at Mendipathar is expected to provide a major boost to the local economy of Meghalaya by facilitating the outward and inward movement of goods in an easy reliable and economical manner particularly for hilly and otherwise not easily accessible areas These operations will support regional industries improve market access for commodities originating in the region and enable costeffective transportation of essential goods the CPRO said The NFR headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati operates across the Northeastern states as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of Bihar IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/nfr-achieves-major-milestone-with-first-full-rake-freight-loading-in-meghalaya-656902.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/worker-is-our-ambassador-officers-must-act-on-their-call-vasundhara-raje-656903.html Jaipur Jan 3 Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party is incomplete without its workers and emphasised the need to empower them at every level She said that booth presidents mandal presidents and district presidents are the partyâs true ambassadors and public work should be carried out with their involvement and consentAddressing the BJP State Organisational workshop held at the Constitution Club Raje said that officers must answer calls from party workers and ensure work is completed at the first instance âIf officers fail to do so they should be prepared to face the consequencesâ she warned She stated that the voice of a BJP worker is the voice of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister and that neglect of workers would not be tolerated under any circumstancesHighlighting the partyâs growth Raje said that there was a time when the Congress dominated the country but today the BJP is visible across Indiaâan achievement made possible by the tireless dedication and sacrifices of party workers âThe workers worked day and night without caring for hunger or thirst with only one goalâto make the lotus bloomâ she saidThe former Chief Minister also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on India becoming the worldâs fourthlargest economy and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on completing two years in office On the occasion she also recited a couplet reflecting the spirit of service âJust wipe the tears from a crying face become a support for someone helpless Do not search elsewhere for Godâ He resides on this very earth in the act of healing someoneâs woundsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/worker-is-our-ambassador-officers-must-act-on-their-call-vasundhara-raje-656903.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/maha-15-931-candidates-in-fray-for-elections-to-29-municipal-bodies-656904.html Mumbai Jan 3 A record 15931 candidates for 2869 seats in 893 electoral panels are in the fray for the elections to the 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra slated for January 15 According to the State Election Commission SEC a total of 33427 nominations were received of which 24771 were declared valid after scrutiny while 8840 withdrew their nominations on January 2 which was the last date for nominations Ultimately 15931 candidates are contesting the electionsThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC remains the largest battlefield with 227 seats and 1700 final candidates Other major hubs like Pune and Nashik also show high levels of competition The smallest contest by volume will take place in Ichalkaranji which has 65 seats and 230 final candidates while Panvel saw the lowest number of withdrawals at just 88The data reveals a significant trend in candidate withdrawals Of the 24771 candidates whose applications were found valid more than 35 per cent 8840 individuals chose to pull out of the political fight due to internal party negotiations or tactical alliances formed before the final deadlineWith the final lists now established the 893 electoral panels across the state are moving into the active campaigning phase The state gears up for a highstakes election that will determine the local governance for Maharashtras most critical urban centresBased on the SEC data across all 29 corporations there are 2869 seats and 15931 final candidates resulting in an overall average of 555 candidates per seat Cities with a higher average candidates per seat indicate a more fractured political landscape or a higher number of independent challengers Mumbai BMC and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar lead the state in competition intensity with more than seven candidates vying for every single seat Ichalkaranji and Dhule represent the lower end of the spectrum with an average of nearly 35 candidates per seat suggesting more consolidated or direct contests between major blocsPune stands out as a highstakes battleground with significant strategic withdrawals About 3061 nominations were filed but after scrutiny 2134 were found valid However a massive 968 candidates withdrew their names Despite the withdrawals Pune still maintains a high ratio of 707 candidates per seatThe SEC data further shows that Nomination Withdrawal is a major factor in shaping the final battlefield Nashik saw the highest number of withdrawals 661 followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 552 and Solapur 532 This usually points to heavy rebel management by major political parties Panvel has the least crowded ballot in the state with only 327 candidates per seat suggesting a very focused contest between two primary sides IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/maha-15-931-candidates-in-fray-for-elections-to-29-municipal-bodies-656904.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sadanand-date-takes-over-as-maharashtra-dgp-656905.html Mumbai Jan 3 Sadanand Date an IPS officer from the 1990 batch on Saturday took over the Maharashtra Director General of Police from the incumbent Rashmi Shukla whose tenure concluded on January 3 Date will have been appointed to the post for two years irrespective of his retirement date He will turn 60 in December next year âThe Maharashtra Police Force will become even more capable with his leadership and experienceâ said the DGP office in a post on XThe state government on December 31 had issued an order announcing the appointment of Date who is a former National Investigation Agency NIA director general as Maharashtraâs director general of police DGP on a twoyear termAccording to the government order Date has been appointed to the post for two years irrespective of his retirement dateDate was the chief of the Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad ATS until March 2024 when he moved to New Delhi to lead NIA Indiaâs antiterrorism agencyHe was repatriated back to Maharashtra two weeks ago at the request of the state government which wanted to appoint him as the stateâs DGPDate is widely hailed as one of the heroes of the 2611 Mumbai terror attacks On November 26 2008 during the Mumbai terror attacks Date was serving as the Additional Commissioner of Police Central Region 2008He had led a police team that pinned down LashkareTaiba terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail on the rooftop of Cama Hospital and despite being severely injured by grenade splinters he continued to engage the terroristsHe was later honoured with the Presidents Police Medal for GallantryDate had served in the Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad ATS and was the first Commissioner of Police for MiraBhayandar VasaiVirarHe also served the Mumbai Police as Joint Commissioner of Police Law and Order and Crime DIG in the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI and IG Operations in the Central Reserve Police Force CRPFDate who holds a doctorate in Economic Offences from Pune University takes over as the state DGP when local body elections are being heldBorn into a humble household Date spent his childhood delivering newspapers to make ends meetAccording to media reports his mother worked as a domestic helper A bright student he cleared the UPSC exam and joined the IPS He went on to specialise in economic and organised crime earning a doctorate in economic offences from Pune University IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sadanand-date-takes-over-as-maharashtra-dgp-656905.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-dang-farmers-migrate-from-traditional-to-modern-farming-incomes-rise-656906.html Gandhinagar Jan 3 A transitional shift in agricultural practices from traditional farming to modern farming is visible across the spectrum today as farmers are increasingly cutting their reliance on the conventional means and adopting sustainable and cuttingedge techniques for higher productivity as well as better financial security For bringing this change they are not hesitant to bring a turnaround in the way they pursue farmingIn Gujaratâs Dang district farmers have made a conscious choice of shifting from growing conventional crops to incomeboosting produce And this has been augmented by monetary support from the state administrationJignesh Bhoi a tribal youth from the Dang district is in the spotlight for picking modern farming techniques over traditional farming methodsBeing a school dropout he took advantage of the government schemes to start modern strawberry cultivation and today he is earning a handsome income His quick success has also spurred other farmers in the village to adopt this route and turn to strawberry cultivation with the administrationâs supportIn the Dang district surrounded by mountains traditional crops like finger millet sorghum barnyard millet and rice have been cultivated for years But now the farmers are shifting towards modern farmingJignesh Bhoi a resident of the remote village of Motamalunga in the Dang district was among the first ones to experiment with modern practices and achieve successHe deserves the credit for bringing this significant change to the village He first contacted the horticulture officer learned about government subsidy schemes and then started cultivating strawberriesFor the past four to five years he has been cultivating strawberries tomatoes and white musli using modern methods Initially he cultivated a small plot but today he manages a plantation on two acres of land from which he earns earning annual income running in lakhsHe says that the government is providing a 75 per cent subsidy on plants 75 per cent on mulching paper and 75 per cent on drip irrigation for strawberry cultivationFor marketing his strawberries he sends his produce to local markets in Ahwa and Saputara and also to wholesale markets in Ahmedabad Vadodara Surat and Rajkot IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-dang-farmers-migrate-from-traditional-to-modern-farming-incomes-rise-656906.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-l-g-unveils-poster-of-anti-drug-abuse-film-the-last-dose-656908.html Jammu Jan 3 Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday unveiled the poster of an awareness film titled âThe Last Doseâ on drug abuse at Lok Bhawan The film has been produced by Khwaish Gupta ProductionsA Lok Bhawan press communique said the Lt Governor congratulated the entire team and conveyed his best wishes to themKhwaish Gupta Founder of Khwaish Gupta Productions Shivdeep Gupta and Priya Gupta Producers of the film along with other team members were present at the unveiling ceremonyEarlier in the day Divisional Commissioner Kashmir highlighted drug abuse as a major challenge in Jammu and KashmirSpeaking to reporters in Srinagar the Divisional Commissioner described drug addiction as a grave social issue facing JampK todayHe said the problem has intensified rapidly multiplying three times in the last three and a half years which is alarmingThe Divisional Commissioner said the government is expanding its antidrug awareness campaign by involving all stakeholders including religious leadersA very big awareness campaign is going on in JampK and the Chief Secretary is personally monitoring it he saidHe added that extensive programmes are being organised by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences IMHANS where counsellors are being trained across health and educational institutionsFiveday training sessions are being held to build a strong network for early intervention and preventionHe said all sections of society are joining the effort and religious leaders of Srinagar are being involved to inform people about the menaceHelpline numbers of IMHANS are being widely circulated to assist those seeking helpThe government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital in Srinagar has two components a 100bedded Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences IMHANS at Rainawari and a 30bedded Community General Hospital Unit within SMHS premisesThe hospital provides diagnostic services including routine haematology biochemistry serum electrolytes serology EEG and ECT IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-l-g-unveils-poster-of-anti-drug-abuse-film-the-last-dose-656908.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-administrative-team-attacked-during-land-survey-in-west-champaran-5-injured-656909.html Patna Jan 3 A violent attack on an administrative team during a land dispute in Dubaulia village under the Lauriya police station area in West Champaran district has created panic in the region Five people including Lauriya Station House Officer SHO Ramesh Kumar Sharma and Circle Officer CO Nitesh Kumar Seth were injured in the incidentAll the injured have been admitted to a nearby health centre for treatmentAccording to official sources the incident is linked to Case No 1092025â26 which involves a land dispute between Manoj Jaiswal and Banshraj Ram over approximately two acres of landActing on the orders of the Land Reforms Deputy Collector LRDC an administrative team reached Dubaulia village on Saturday to conduct a land surveyDuring the survey process members of one party to the dispute began protesting which soon escalated into violenceIt is alleged that the attackers assaulted the administrative team with sticks and other weapons resulting in injuries to several officers and personnelIn the course of the violence a house was also set on fire by the miscreantsAs the situation deteriorated rapidly the administrative team was forced to withdraw from the spot without completing the surveyNotably a team that had arrived to survey the same land on December 17 had also faced resistance though the situation remained under control at that timeThe latest incident however has raised serious concerns over law and order and administrative functioning in the areaFollowing the attack fear prevails in the village and surrounding areasPolice deployment has been increased and senior administrative officials are closely monitoring the situationThe administration has assured that strict legal action will be taken against those responsibleThe process of registering an FIR has been initiated and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused involved in the attack IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-administrative-team-attacked-during-land-survey-in-west-champaran-5-injured-656909.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-orders-free-packed-sugar-for-65-883-antyodaya-families-656911.html New Delhi Jan 3 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has approved the free distribution of branded sugar packs to all beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana AAY an official said on Saturday The decision was taken by CM Guptachaired Delhi Cabinet meetingIt is aimed to serve as a New Year gift from the Chief Minister for the poor and marginalised sections the official said in a statementThe scheme will be implemented from January 2026 to March 2027 covering a total period of 15 months ensuring sustained support and enhanced food security for the most vulnerable sectionsSharing details of the decision Chief Minister Gupta said that under this initiative all AAY beneficiaries in Delhi will be provided one kilogram of sugar per month free of cost in properly branded and standardised packetsThis initiative marks another concrete step in the Delhi governments propoor policies ensuring both food security and access to quality suppliesAt present sugar is distributed in loose form through fair price shops which often leads to issues such as dust moisture contamination and short weighingThe shift to one kg packaged and branded packets will ensure improved hygiene safe storage ease of handling and accurate measurementAs per official estimates 65883 AAY families in Delhi will benefit from the scheme with each eligible household receiving one kg of sugar per monthUntil the finalisation and approval of a new tender for branded packaging distribution will continue under the existing system to ensure uninterrupted supply to beneficiariesChief Minister Gupta said that the Delhi government is working in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has consistently placed the welfare of the poor at the centre of governanceShe added that the Delhi government remains committed to translating this vision into tangible outcomes through sustained efforts for the upliftment of the poor and disadvantagedThe Chief Minister said that this commitment is reflected in initiatives such as affordable and nutritious meals through Atal Canteens housing for economically weaker families free ration and accessible healthcare servicesThe Delhi government firmly believes that no needy citizen should be deprived of basic necessities and essential public services IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-orders-free-packed-sugar-for-65-883-antyodaya-families-656911.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mos-harsh-malhotra-holds-public-hearing-at-delhi-bjp-office-656912.html New Delhi Jan 3 Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra on Saturday held a public hearing at the Delhi BJP State Office to strengthen public service and direct public interaction Malhotra listened to the problems of citizens who had come from various parts of the capital making sincere efforts to ensure their speedy resolution said a Delhi BJP statementOn this occasion Malhotra stated that the core foundation of the Bharatiya Janata Partyâs organisation is service and dedicationHe emphasised that the BJP is not limited to politics but is an organisation that works continuously to address the problems of every section of societyâService is the foremost duty of the BJP organisation and with this resolve we remain among the people and work towards resolving their issuesâ he saidAccording to the Delhi BJP Cooperation Cell a total of 38 different grievances were heard during todayâs public hearingA large number of people raised issues related to electricity supply water shortage sewer blockages damaged roads poor sanitation conditions delays in social security pensions availability of health services ration cards and other civic amenitiesBy placing their longpending problems directly before a public representative citizens expressed hope for early resolution said a BJP leaderListening attentively to each individual Malhotra immediately coordinated with officials of the concerned departments and in several cases initiated the resolution process on the spotHe instructed officials to register the complaints received during the public hearing on a priority basis and ensure their disposal in a timebound mannerMatters that could not be resolved immediately were forwarded in writing to the concerned departments with directions for prompt actionMalhotra stated that resolving the problems of the common people is not merely an administrative responsibility but the very essence of public serviceHe clarified that both the BJP government and the organisation are fully committed to the public and through programmes like public hearings common citizens are being provided an opportunity to convey their concerns directly to the leadershipThe public hearing is organised every week by the Delhi BJP Cooperation Cell and Saturdayâs hearing was conducted by Cell Head Gulshan Virmani IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mos-harsh-malhotra-holds-public-hearing-at-delhi-bjp-office-656912.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/workers-soul-of-bjp-respect-for-them-paramount-madan-rathore-656915.html Jaipur Jan 3 Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Rathore on Saturday described party workers as the âsoulâ of the BJP asserting that respect for them is paramount as the organisation is built by its workers Speaking to the media after a statelevel organisational workshop at the Constitution Club in Jaipur Rathore said the primary objective of the event was to connect party workers with values ideals and the spirit of public service rather than political manoeuvringHe said detailed deliberations were held on various subjects including family management which he described as the foundation of an ideal societyRathore emphasised that the BJPâs politics are rooted in service with every member entering public life as a servant of the people to dedicate their lives to public welfareHe stressed the need for restraint balance and mutual coordination within the organisation urging workers to avoid unnecessary disputes over trivial issues and work with a positive mindsetHe also called on party workers to foster restraint compassion and dialogue among the public seeking solutions through conversation wherever bitterness existsHe said safeguarding nationalism national unity and democratic values is a collective responsibility and the BJPâs politics should be guided by economic social and cultural valuesRathore advocated adopting a Gandhian approach respect for all religions and the spirit of âSarve Bhavantu SukhinahâHe urged citizens to take pride in the nationâs heritage history and ancestors while discarding any colonial mindset and moving forward with independent thinkingRathore said it is the responsibility of every citizen and party worker to instil a sense of duty in society and work towards achieving a Developed India by 2047He clarified that the workshop was organised solely to educate workers about public service organisational discipline and life valuesThe workshop was jointly inaugurated by BJP National General Secretary Organisation BL Santosh Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and State President Madan RathoreThe inaugural session was addressed by Chief Minister Sharma Rathore and SantoshThe event was attended by BJP National Vice President and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje National Joint General Secretary Organisation Shiv Prakash BJP National Secretary Dr Alka Gurjar Chairman of Rajasthan Finance Commission Arun Chaturvedi former BJP State Presidents Satish Poonia and Ashok Parnami General Secretary Bhupendra Saini Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore along with several other party officebearers and workersRathore expressed gratitude to the workers for their patience dedication discipline and active participation IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/workers-soul-of-bjp-respect-for-them-paramount-madan-rathore-656915.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/magh-mela-opens-grandly-in-prayagraj-amid-tight-security-and-devotion-656916.html Prayagraj Jan 3 The countryâs largest annual spiritual and cultural congregation Magh Mela 2026 commenced on Saturday at Prayagraj with the auspicious Paush Purnima bathing festival From the early hours of dawn an overwhelming wave of faith was witnessed at the Sangam and other ghats as lakhs of devotees gathered to take the holy dip Despite severe cold conditions the enthusiasm of pilgrims remained undiminished By 700 PM more than 31 million devotees had performed the ritual bath at the SangamOn the occasion of Paush Purnima devotees continued bathing throughout the day at the confluence of the Ganga Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati rivers as well as at various other ghatsPilgrims from across the country described the experience as deeply divine Nisha who travelled from Rewari in Haryana said that taking a dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni had spiritually fulfilled her life She also praised the governmentâs arrangements for smooth movement and safe bathingSimilarly Kalpana Tomar from Sehore Madhya Pradesh said that her longcherished wish of bathing at the Triveni which remained unfulfilled during the Mahakumbh was finally realised this time She appreciated the cleanliness and efficient management of the fairSaints and seers from various Sanatan traditions also participated in the first holy dip of the Magh Mela adding to the spiritual grandeur of the occasionWith the start of the Magh Mela the entire religious area resonated with an atmosphere of celebration and devotion According to officials more than 22 million devotees had completed the sacred bath by 500 PM They also informed that the flow of pilgrims was continuingExtensive security measures were put in place following the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Over 1500 CCTV cameras have been installed across the city and the mela area with roundtheclock monitoring from a centralised command centre officials said Modern equipment public address systems watchtowers and active water police patrols ensured effective crowd management and safety at the ghatsThe traditional Kalpavas observed every year during the month of Magh on the banks of the holy Ganga also began with the first bathing festival More than 400000 Kalpavasi devotees took the holy dip and formally took vows of austerity prayer and selfdiscipline which will continue until Maghi PurnimaThe newly developed Prayagwal Nagar established for Kalpavasis for the first time came alive with spiritual activities and devotion transforming the mela area into a vibrant tent cityWith a massive turnout elaborate arrangements and deep spiritual fervour the grand beginning of Magh Melaâ2026 has once again reaffirmed Prayagrajâs status as a timeless centre of faith and culture IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/magh-mela-opens-grandly-in-prayagraj-amid-tight-security-and-devotion-656916.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-appoints-dcc-presidents-for-andhra-pradesh-656917.html Amaravati Jan 3 The All India Congress Committee has appointed presidents of District Congress Committees of Andhra Pradesh AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the proposal for the appointment of presidents of the District Congress Committees of Andhra Pradesh AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal said in a statement on SaturdayThe party has named presidents for 25 DCCs and 16 city unitsStaka Bullibabu has been appointed as the president of Alluri Sitarama Raju DCC while Boddu Srinivas has been named as the president of Anakapalli DCCThe presidents of other DCCs are Y Madhusudhan Reddy Anantapuram Gajula Bhaskar Annamayya Amanchi Krishna Mohan Bapatla Deyyala Ramesh Babu Chittoor Kothuri Srinivas Dr Ambedkar Konaseema Boda Lakshmi Venkata Prasanna East Godavari Rajanala Rammohan Rao Eluru Sudheer Babu Yennam Guntur Madepalli Satyananda Rao Kakinada Ande Sriram Murthy Krishna Kranti Naidu Kurnool Vangala Dali Naidu Manyam Dr Garlapati Maddulety Swamy Nandyal Borra Kiran NTR Alexander Sudhakar Palnadu Shaikh Sajeedah Prakasam Narpareddy Kiran Kumar Reddy SPS Nellore Sanapala Annaji Rao Srikakulam Balaguravam Babu Tirupati Addala Venkata Varma Raju Visakhapatnam Maripi Vidya Sagar Vizianagaram Ankem Seetharam West Godavari and YSR Kadapa Vijaya JyothiG Tika Ram has been appointed as the president of the Chittoor city unit of the Congress party Eluru city will be headed by P Bala Venkata SubrahmaniamThe presidents of other city units are Shaik Mohammed Ifthikar Ahmed Guntur city Syed Ghouse Peer Kadapa city Chekka Nooka Raju Kakinada city S Jilani Kurnool city Abdul Mateen Machilipatnam city Shaik Allahabakash Nellore city Devireddy Adinarayana Ongole city B Muralidhar Rajahmundry city Rella Suresh Srikakulam city Gowdaperu Chitti Babu Tirupati city Narahari Setti Narasimha Rao Vijayawada city and Sanamuneti Srinivasa Rao Vizianagaram CityMallikarjun Kharge on January 16 2024 had appointed Y S Sharmila as APCC president a few days after she merged the YSR Telangana Party YSRTP with the Congress partySharmila is the sister of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and the daughter of former chief minister late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy YSRShe led the party in the simultaneous elections to the state Assembly and Lok Sabha held in May 2024 However in the third consecutive election the Congress party drew a blank in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-appoints-dcc-presidents-for-andhra-pradesh-656917.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-govt-issues-safety-guidelines-for-school-vehicles-656921.html Patna Jan 3 Bihar Transport Minister Shravan Kumar has issued stringent guidelines to ensure the safety of schoolchildren travelling across the state Emphasising that childrenâs safety is the governmentâs top priority the minister warned that strict punitive action will be taken against school managements and vehicle owners who fail to comply with prescribed safety normsTo enforce these measures the Transport Department will launch a statewide inspection campaign in JanuaryAll District Transport Officers DTOs have been directed to conduct thorough checks of vehicles operated by schoolsUnder the new guidelines every school vehicle must be equipped with a Vehicle Location Tracking Device VLTD panic button GPS and CCTV camerasSchool managements will be responsible for securely storing at least 60 days of CCTV footageTo prevent overspeeding speed governors have been made mandatory in all school buses limiting the maximum speed to 40 km per hourKumar stated that strict norms have also been laid down for drivers They will be penalised even once for speeding dangerous driving or drunk drivingâDrivers fined more than twice in a year for redlight violations or lane indiscipline will also be disqualifiedâ he saidâAnyone convicted under the IPC CrPC or POCSO Act will not be allowed to drive school vehicles Police verification of the driverâs permanent address and two close relatives is mandatory before appointmentâ Kumar saidAccording to a transport department official drivers must hold a valid Heavy Motor Vehicle HMV license and have at least one year of driving experience and all school buses must be fitted with a firstaid box fire extinguisher and retroreflective tapeAdditionally all documentsâregistration certificate insurance pollution certificate fitness certificate and permitâmust be valid and up to dateThe Transport Department stated that these measures are aimed at ensuring greater transparency accountability and safety in the transportation of schoolchildren across Bihar IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-govt-issues-safety-guidelines-for-school-vehicles-656921.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 01:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tripura-identifies-10-river-sites-for-hydrokinetic-power-projects-power-minister-656922.html Agartala Jan 3 Tripura is moving steadily towards power selfsufficiency by adopting new technologies including hydrokinetic power generation from flowing rivers and largescale rooftop solar installations Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said here on Saturday Addressing the âBhoomi Pujanâ inauguration ceremony of the upcoming Super Energy Conservation Building Code ECBC building at Banamalipur the Minister said the Power Department has decided to generate 185 MW of electricity using Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology with 10 river locations already identified across the stateStressing the importance of technological adoption Nath said development is closely linked with electricity availabilityâIf we fail to adopt new technology we will be left behind Our government is focused on efficient use of power and modern solutionsâ he saidThe Minister said Rs 1233 crore would be spent on the Super ECBC building one of five such projects being constructed across the country aimed at promoting energy efficiencyHe said Tripura currently requires around 378 MW of electricity during peak hour which is projected to rise to 650 MW by 2031At present the state provides an average of 23 hours and 54 minutes of power supply with occasional trippings he said adding that the number of electricity consumers has increased to 1057 lakh up from 721 lakh before 2018 reflecting growing developmentHighlighting the stateâs solar push under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Nath said that if five lakh households install 2 kW rooftop solar panels Tripura could generate 1000 MW of power daily significantly boosting selfreliance and power selfsufficiencyHe said the Power Department is also installing solar power systems in 2000 government buildings a project expected to be completed by next year and generate 80 MW of electricitySo far 15000 consumers have installed rooftop solar systems producing 6 MW of power he addedPointing to the stateâs move away from depleting gas reserves the Minister said hydrokinetic power offers vast potentialHe informed that the identified river sites include Chakmaghat Maharani Dumbur Natunbazar Kalsi Manu Kulai Feni Dhalai and Sangan in Ampi Lakhipur and that work on the project would begin from next monthRajya Sabha member Rajib Bhattacharjee Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder and other dignitaries were present at the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tripura-identifies-10-river-sites-for-hydrokinetic-power-projects-power-minister-656922.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/trekking-camping-amp-hiking-prohibited-in-jampks-kokernag-656709.html Srinagar Jan 2 Authorities in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district on Friday prohibited trekking camping hiking and similar outdoor activities in high altitude and forested areas ok Kokernag citing security reasons An order issued by the Kokernag SDM cited recent incidents where certain persons have attempted to cross nakacheckpoints during late night hours thereby raising serious security concerns relating to public safety and that unrestricted movement and activities like trekking camping hiking and similar outdoor pursuits in the areas of Margan Top Chauher Nag and Sinthan Top are likely to adversely affect public safety and securityNow therefore I Prince Kumar Kokernag SubDivisional Magistrate in exercise of powers conferred upon me under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sinhita BNSS 2023 hereby order as under Trekking camping hiking and all other similar outdoor activities are prohibited in the area of Margan Top Chauher Nag and Sinthan Top with immediate effectThe Larnoo Station House Officer shall ensure strict implementation of this order and regulate movement of nakacheckpoints the SDM order said adding that the general public is directed to strictly comply with this order Any violation shall invite action as per lawThe order shall remain in force for a period of two months from the date of issuance unless withdrawn earlier or extended as per law the SDM order addedThe order comes as joint security forces are carrying out large antiterror operations in the higher reaches of Poonch Rajouri and Kishtwar districts of Jammu divisionThe Valley is connected with the Kishtwar district through the Sinthan Top in the Kokernag areaThe joint operations are targeting terrorists their overground workers OGWs and sympathisersThis coordinated approach is aimed at dismantling the complete support system of terrorism rather than going after just the gunwielding terrorists IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/trekking-camping-amp-hiking-prohibited-in-jampks-kokernag-656709.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/govt-busts-fake-claim-on-rbi-withdrawing-rs-500-notes-from-atms-by-march-2026-656715.html New Delhi Jan 2 The Central government on Friday rebutted fake information being circulated on social media platforms claiming that the Reserve Bank of India RBI would stop Rs 500 currency notes from ATMs by March 2026 PIB Fact Check a factchecking arm of Press Information Bureau PIB posted on X that such posts are completely fakeRBI to stop Rs 500 notes from ATMs by March 2026 Some social media posts claim that the Reserve Bank of India will discontinue the circulation of Rs 500 notes by March 2026 This claim is fake according to the X handleIt further stated that the Central Bank has made NO such announcementRs 500 notes have NOT been discontinued and remain legal tender Donât fall for such misinformation Always verify news from official sources before believing or sharing it PIB Fact Check saidIn August last year the government termed untrue a WhatsApp message that claimed the RBI had ordered banks to cease issuing Rs 500 notes via ATMs by September 30 saying no such instruction had been issued The deceptive message also claimed that 90 per cent of ATMs will cease issuing Rs 500 notes by March 31 2026 and 75 per cent will do so by September 30The PIB Fact Check unit had then said that the RBI has not issued any such instructions and Rs 500 notes are still legal tender In a post on X it clarified that the widely shared claim is untrue and advised people not to believe such false informationThe Fact Check Unit stressed the significance of confirming any financial updates from official sources and cautioned that such messages are intended to deceiveA similar claim went viral on social media in July claiming that the RBI had a phased plan to stop issuing Rs 500 notes to ATMs by 2026 PIB Fact Check had denied the allegation at that time as well claiming that no such directive had been issued IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/govt-busts-fake-claim-on-rbi-withdrawing-rs-500-notes-from-atms-by-march-2026-656715.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/justice-ms-sonak-appointed-as-chief-justice-of-jharkhand-hc-656717.html New Delhi Jan 2 The Centre on Friday notified the appointment of Bombay High Court judge Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice on January 8 A notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice said that the President in exercise of powers conferred by the Constitution of India and in consultation with the Chief Justice of India CJI was pleased to appoint Justice Sonak as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High CourtThe appointment comes in line with the recommendation of the CJI Surya Kantled Supreme Court Collegium which had earlier proposed the elevation of Justice Sonak a judge of the Bombay High Court as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court in view of the impending retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice Tarlok Singh ChauhanBorn on November 28 1964 Justice Sonak completed his schooling at Don Bosco High School Panaji Goa He obtained his BSc degree from Dhempe College of Arts and Science and his LLB from MS College of Law Panaji affiliated to Bombay UniversityBefore elevation to the Bench Justice Sonak enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in October 1988 and practised at the Panaji Bench of the Bombay High Court in civil and constitutional law labour and service law environmental law commercial and tax laws company law and public interest litigationsDuring his career at the Bar he served as Additional Standing Counsel for the Central government and Special Counsel for the State government and statutory corporationsHe was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on June 21 2013On Thursday the Centre notified the appointment and transfer of Chief Justices of High Courts of Kerala Patna and Meghalaya However the apex court Collegiumâs proposal to appoint Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta of the Allahabad High Court as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court is yet to be acted upon by the Centre IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/justice-ms-sonak-appointed-as-chief-justice-of-jharkhand-hc-656717.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/shabdotsav-2026-begins-at-dhyan-chand-stadium-delhi-cminaugurates-ceremony-656719.html New Delhi Jan 2 Shabdotsav 2026 a threeday cultural and literary festival celebrating âBharat Abhyudayaâ kicked off at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in the national capital on Friday The event was inaugurated with the lighting of a lamp in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra and other noted and distinguished dignitariesThe event began with the rendition of Vande MataramThe Shabdotsav 2026 shedding light on the countryâs cultural literary and ideological consciousness will see several noted thinkers speakers and ideologues share their views during the threeday programmeThe festival being organised by Suruchi Prakashan in collaboration with Hindi Academy is set to host over 100 authors filmmakers thinkers cultural performances youth events book discussions and Bharatinspired cuisineNational Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval RSSâ Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar and Manmohan Vaidya are among the noted speakers at the eventEarlier Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra shared an update about the event on his X handle saying âThe ideology of those who want to break the nation will no longer be able to fly their flagsâHe wrote on X in Hindi Lord Nataraja Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maharana Pratap Ji Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj These are our heroes and this is our festival ShabdotsavDays ago the Art and Culture Minister informed that the countryâs largest literature and cultural festival at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium will see students from nearly 40 universities across the DelhiNCR participateThe festival is expected to see a slew of book releases and also feature programmes such as Bharatnatyam Kathak Bhajan Sandhya Kavi Sammelan and Somnath Jyotirlinga DarshanThe poster of Delhi Shabdotsav 2026 was earlier launched by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta along with her cabinet ministers including Kapil Mishra Ashish Sood and othersâThe threeday cultural and literary festival from January 2 to 4 will bring together literature culture and intellectual discourse on a single platform for the first timeâ says the Shabdotsav on its portal IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/shabdotsav-2026-begins-at-dhyan-chand-stadium-delhi-cminaugurates-ceremony-656719.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-vijayan-manipulating-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-says-kerala-lop-satheesan-656720.html Kochi Jan 2 Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan on Friday launched a blistering attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accusing the Chief Ministers Office CMO of actively interfering in the High Courtâappointed Special Investigation Team SIT probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case contrary to the Chief Ministers public claims Rejecting CM Vijayans assertion that the investigation has not been obstructed Satheesan alleged that the CMO has repeatedly attempted to derail the probe by exerting pressure on the SITThe recent induction of two officials allegedly linked to the CPIM into the SIT was cited as evidence of a systematic effort to infiltrate the investigation and leak confidential details to the ruling party The governments intent is to shield senior CPIM leaders from legal scrutiny said SatheesanHe said the SIT is not probing who merely posed for photographs with prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti but is focused on identifying who stole the gold from Sabarimala where it was sold and the source of the Dwarapalaka sculpture donationBeing in a photograph does not make one an accused added Satheesan and he pointed out that three CPIM leaders are already in jail and that more influential figures could followOn the Chief Ministers claim of resisting the RSS Satheesan dismissed it as political theatre recalling past instances that allegedly point to tacit understandings with the BJPThe disruption of the Thrissur Pooram indirectly benefited BJP candidate Suresh Gopi a claim even the CPI has alluded to by alleging a conspiracyHe also pointed out that the series of thefts dating back to 2019 had come to light only due to judicial intervention warning that even the Ayyappa idol could have been stolen otherwiseThere should be equal scrutiny for all including the Chief Minister if questioning is based on proximity to the accused added Satheesan as Vijayan also was seen in a picture with PottiIn a related development the SIT on Monday will inform the High Court that a CBI probe is not required on a plea filed by State BJP president Rajeev ChandrasekharAlso one of the accused and presently in jail N Vasu CPIM leader and the one who held the post of both Commissioner and President of Travancore Devasom Board has filed a plea seeking bail after the Kerala High Court rejected it IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-vijayan-manipulating-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-says-kerala-lop-satheesan-656720.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-key-delhi-high-court-judgments-656721.html New Delhi Jan 2 From protecting personality rights in the digital age to reaffirming access to electricity as a basic human necessity the Delhi High Court delivered a series of landmark judgments throughout the year Here is a yearend wrap of some of the most significant High Court rulings Protecting Personality RightsThe Delhi High Court has taken the lead in protecting personality and publicity rights amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and online commercial exploitation In December a singlejudge bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora granted an adinterim injunction in favour of actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan restraining online marketplaces AI platforms websites and unidentified entities from misusing his name image voice likeness and other attributes for commercial gainIn a similar court ruling the Delhi High Court protected the personality rights of former India captain Sunil Gavaskar directing social media intermediaries and ecommerce platforms to take down unauthorised content and merchandise misusing his identityIn recent months several public figures including actors Nagarjuna Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Abhishek Bachchan filmmaker Karan Johar podcaster Raj Shamani and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar secured similar reliefsElectricity as a Fundamental RightReaffirming the constitutional protection of basic amenities the Delhi High Court directed BSES Rajdhani Power Limited to restore electricity to a tenants premises without insisting on an NOC No Objection Certificate from the landlords It ruled that electricity is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 and cannot be denied due to a pending landlordtenant dispute The Delhi High Court rejected the argument that the absence of an NOC could justify continued disconnection observing that possession cannot be termed unlawful until a competent court orders evictionNo citizen can be expected to live a life devoid of basic necessities such as electricity it said while directing restoration through the existing meter and allowing police assistance if requiredUnnao rape case Sentence Suspension Public Outcry and SC interventionOne of the most debated rulings of the year came when the Delhi High Court suspended the life sentence of expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case and granted him bail pending appeal Though it imposed stringent conditions the decision triggered widespread criticism and protests Sengar was not able to walk out of the jail due to a separate conviction linked to the death of the survivors fatherSubsequently the Supreme Court stayed the operation of the Delhi High Court order citing peculiar facts and clarifying that Sengar would not be releasedMandatory eKYC for Domain RegistrationsIn a sweeping 248page judgment the Delhi High Court issued stringent directions mandating strict eKYC verification of domain name registrants holding that anonymity in registrations had flared up online fraud phishing and consumer deception Deciding a batch of suits filed by Dabur India Limited a singlejudge bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh rejected the practice of privacy by default observing that masking identities without verification had become a key enabler of financial fraudThe Delhi High Court directed all domain name registrars operating in India to verify registrant details at registration and periodically thereafter in line with CERTIn norms and to disclose verified data to authorities within 72 hours when sought It warned that noncompliance could result in loss of safe harbour protection and even blocking under the IT Act The judgment also urged the Union government to explore a uniform eKYC framework balancing fraud prevention with data protection while ensuring compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection ActNational Herald CaseThe Delhi High Court issued notice to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi Rahul Gandhi and others on a criminal revision petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate ED challenging a trial courts refusal to take cognisance of its money laundering complaint in the National Herald case A singlejudge bench of Justice Ravinder Dudeja listed the matter for March 2026 reopening a debate on the scope of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLAThe ED said that the trial courts order if allowed to stand would render the PMLA redundant asserting that the antimoney laundering law does not prescribe any specific mode for initiating proceedings The case involving the alleged acquisition of assets worth more than Rs 2000 crore continues to remain one of the most politically sensitive before the Delhi High CourtRelief to Mahua MoitraIn another significant ruling the Delhi High Court set aside a Lokpal order granting sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a charge sheet against the Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in the alleged cashforquery case It held that the Lokpal failed to consider the public servants submissions before granting sanction Directing reconsideration within one month the Delhi High Court reaffirmed that statutory safeguards and principles of natural justice cannot be diluted even at the stage of sanction under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas ActReinstatement of HIVPositive BSF ConstableThe Delhi High Court ordered reinstatement of a BSF constable discharged solely for being HIVpositive holding that the termination violated the HIVAIDS Act 2017 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities RPwD Act 2016 A bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla observed that there was not even an attempt to comply with the statutory mandate requiring an independent medical assessment and consideration of reasonable accommodationThe Delhi High Court held that an HIVpositive employee falls within the definition of a person with disability and is entitled to protection against discrimination While denying back wages it granted continuity of service and benefits reinforcing workplace equality and dignityMutual Consent Divorce Courts Can Waive Statutory TimelinesIn a landmark Full Bench ruling the Delhi High Court clarified that courts are not bound to mechanically enforce statutory waiting periods in divorce by mutual consent It held that both the oneyear separation requirement and the sixmonth coolingoff period under the Hindu Marriage Act can be waived in cases of exceptional hardship or depravityRefusal of Conjugal Relations Constitutes Mental CrueltyThe Delhi High Court upheld a decree of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty noting that the marriage had remained unconsummated from inception Relying on documentary evidence and communications it held that persistent denial of conjugal relations amounted to cruelty under the Hindu Marriage ActRelease of Rolex WatchThe Delhi High Court directed the Customs Department to release a seized Rolex watch after authorities failed to issue a mandatory showcause notice within the statutory period Holding continued detention impermissible it reiterated that bona fide personal effects of travellers are not dutiable imports and that procedural lapses automatically trigger releaseThe Delhi HC Rejects Bail in 2020 Larger Conspiracy CaseThe Delhi High Court in September dismissed the bail pleas of student activists Umar Khalid Sharjeel Imam and several others accused in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur had reserved its decision after hearing extensive submissions from the accused and Solicitor General SG Tushar Mehta appearing for the Delhi PoliceOpposing bail the SG said that prolonged incarceration could not justify release asserting that the accused were part of a wellorchestrated criminal conspiracy timed to coincide with the visit of US President Donald Trump in 2020 Terming it a premeditated attack on the sovereignty of the nation SG Mehta said the accused were not protesting against a law but planning something sinisterIn December the Supreme Court reserved judgment on petitions challenging the Delhi High Courts order with the accused facing Unlawful Activities Prevention Act charges and having spent more than five years in custody IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-key-delhi-high-court-judgments-656721.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-delegation-meets-ktaka-dgp-over-ballari-violence-issue-seeks-protection-for-party-mlas-656722.html Bengaluru Jan 2 The Karnataka BJP delegation led by the Leaders of the Opposition R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday met the State Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police MA Saleem in connection with the incidents of violence in Ballari in which a Congress worker has died in a shootout and demanded protection for the BJP MLA and mining baron Janardhana Reddy and other leaders Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru after the meeting Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka has demanded that immediate police protection be provided to former Ministers and MLAs Janardhana Reddy and B Sriramulu saying that their lives are under threatHe also demanded a judicial inquiry into the Ballari incidentBJP leader Ashoka said that Congress workers who allegedly trespassed illegally into the houses of supporters of former Minister and MLA Janardhana Reddy should be immediately arrested under the Goonda ActHe alleged that Ballari MLA Nara Bharat Reddy was responsible for the chain of events that led to the death of a Congress worker Rajashekhar and demanded his immediate arrestHe also accused the Congress of having decided to eliminate former Minister Janardhana ReddyOpposition leader Ashoka said the firing allegedly carried out by Congress supporters targeting BJP leaders Janardhana Reddy and Sriramulu in Ballari has shocked the entire stateHe added that during the New Year celebrations the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had assured that the police would ensure no untoward incidents take place However firing incidents occurred in Ballari on Friday which he said reflected the complete collapse of law and order in the stateHe alleged that on the one hand police personnel are getting caught in theft cases and on the other an Andhrastyle blood history has entered KarnatakaHe said that political firing was never part of Karnatakas culture but the present Congressled state government has now set a precedent for itBJP leader Ashoka said a flex banner was installed inside Janardhana Reddys compound following which his family lodged a complaint and the police removed it Later supporters of MLA Bharat Reddy allegedly arrived sat in protest on the road barged through the gate and reinstalled the flex bannerBJP leader Ashoka asked what was the fault of Janardhana Reddy regarding the entire incidentHe alleged that the year 2026 has begun with bloodshed and accused the corrupt government referring to Congress government of sending a message that Karnataka is moving towards an Andhrastyle model Responding to a query BJP leader Ashoka said that Janardhana Reddy was not present at his residence when the incident occurredLeader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said the first day of the New Year itself has claimed a life sending out a message that Karnataka has become a goonda stateHe added that complaints should have been registered against the Congress MLA Bharat Reddy and his party workers but instead attempts were being made to file cases against Janardhana Reddy and Sriramulu He asked how they were involved in the incident and asked who actually fired the bulletHe said that the police fired bullets into the air and asked whether Satish Reddy an associate of MLA Bharat Reddy who allegedly indulged in largescale hooliganism had been arrested He criticised the state government for not arresting Satish Reddy and said that Congress leaders and MLAs should be arrested not Janardhana Reddy and SriramuluLegislative Council Opposition leader Narayanaswamy alleged that all acts of mischief were carried out by Congress workers and not by BJP MLAs and demanded that such hooliganism be stopped immediatelyWhat began as a dispute over banners in Ballari on Thursday night escalated into a violent clash between two groups allegedly linked to MLA Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Nara Bharat ReddyThe situation further intensified after Janardhana Reddy alleged that there was a conspiracy to assassinate him allegedly orchestrated by the family of Congress MLA Bharat Reddy Following the incident the police imposed prohibitory orders in the area as a precautionary measureThe situation continues to remain tense and volatile in Ballari city IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-delegation-meets-ktaka-dgp-over-ballari-violence-issue-seeks-protection-for-party-mlas-656722.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tiff-between-ex-dgp-turned-bjp-councillor-and-cpi-m-legislator-takes-new-turn-656733.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 2 A political storm that broke out in Sasthamangalam in the heart of the state capital has taken a fresh turn with BJP ward councillor R Sreelekha and CPIM MLA VK Prasanth continuing to trade barbs on Friday The row traces its roots to last monthâs Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections when the BJP registered a stunning victory ending more than four decades of CPIMled Left rule in the civic bodySreelekha who retired from the Kerala Police as Director General of Police DGP on Friday installed her name board directly above that of MLA VK Prasanth at their local office in SasthamangalamThe move has drawn sharp attention not merely for reviving an old tiff but also for the symbolic challenge it poses to political protocol under which an MLA ranks significantly higher than a ward councillorThe controversy centres on an ongoing dispute over the ownership and use of the Sasthamangalam office a space that has repeatedly emerged as a flashpoint for public confrontation between the two leadersBy placing her name board above that of the MLA Sreelekha is being seen by political observers as making a pointed statement that goes beyond signage and enters the realm of political oneupmanshipThe building is owned by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and Sreelekha has objected to Prasanth operating his office from the premises arguing that the MLA already has space allotted at the legislatorsâ hostel in the citySreelekha herself brought the episode into the public domain by sharing photographs of the newly installed name board on her Facebook page ensuring immediate political traction and debateThe images quickly went viral triggering discussions on hierarchy decorum and the optics of elected representatives asserting authority in shared public spacesThis is not the first time the Sasthamangalam office has generated controversy Earlier disputes between Prasanth and Sreelekha over the premises had escalated into wider political arguments drawing party leaderships and the public into the frayThe latest development therefore is being viewed as a continuation of a rivalry that has shown little sign of settlingAdding another dimension to the row Sreelekha released a video statement responding to a complaint reportedly filed against her with Chief Minister Pinarayi VijayanAccording to her the complaint submitted by a lawyer alleges that she trespassed into the MLAâs office She said the Chief Minister forwarded the complaint to the State Police Chief for further actionQuestioning the intent behind the move Sreelekha alleged that the complaint was filed by a âCommunist lawyerâ and described the escalation as an attempt to intimidate herTogether the name board controversy and the complaint have once again thrust Sasthamangalam into the political spotlight underscoring how unresolved personal and political rivalries can spill into symbolic acts that challenge convention and keep tensions alive IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tiff-between-ex-dgp-turned-bjp-councillor-and-cpi-m-legislator-takes-new-turn-656733.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-bjp-mla-shyam-bihari-lal-dies-of-heart-attack-after-attending-official-meeting-in-bareilly-656739.html Bareilly Jan 2 Bharatiya Janata Party BJP MLA from Faridpur constituency in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh Dr Shyam Bihari Lal passed away on Friday after suffering a sudden heart attack He was 65 Dr Lal had earlier in the day attended a meeting chaired by Uttar Pradeshâs Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh at the Circuit House in BareillyThe meeting attended by public representatives and senior divisional officers was convened to discuss and outline development projects for this yearAccording to those who attended the meeting the MLA began feeling unwell during lunch following the meeting Soon his condition worsened Those present in the meeting rushed him to Medicity Hospital on Pilibhit Road However doctors declared him dead on arrivalForest Minister Arun Saxena who was also present at the meeting said Dr Lalâs health suddenly deteriorated during the meeting âHe was immediately taken to the hospital but unfortunately he could not be saved His demise is a great loss to the party and public lifeâ Saxena saidChief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the sudden demise of the senior BJP leaderIn his condolence message CM Yogi said âThe sudden demise of MLA Dr Shyam Bihari Lal from the Faridpur Assembly constituency of Bareilly district is extremely sad My humble tribute to him I extend my condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed soul a place at his feet and give strength to the family to bear this immense sorrowâDr Shyam Bihari Lal was a respected figure in academic and political circles He had earlier served as a professor at Rohilkhand University and was known for his scholarly background He was elected MLA from the Faridpur Assembly constituency for two consecutive termsNews of his death sent a wave of grief across the Faridpur constituency with party workers supporters and local residents expressing shock and mourning the loss of a senior leader IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-bjp-mla-shyam-bihari-lal-dies-of-heart-attack-after-attending-official-meeting-in-bareilly-656739.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-gears-up-for-digital-census-2027-656741.html Chandigarh Jan 2 The Haryana government has formally initiated comprehensive preparations for the digital Census 2027 which will be the first fully digital census to be conducted in the state officials said on Friday The first meeting of the statelevel census coordination committee was chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi during which detailed administrative logistical and operational arrangements were reviewed to ensure the smooth and timely conduct of the national exercise To ensure accuracy uniformity and credibility of data the Chief Secretary said that all administrative boundaries in Haryana have been frozen No changes will be made until the completion of census operations he added In line with the Indian governments guidelines the houselisting and housing census which constitutes PhaseI of Census 2027 that will commence from May 1 To strengthen preparedness at the district level a oneday conference of Deputy Commissioners will be convened shortly to sensitise Principal Census Officers about timelines responsibilities and detailed operational planning Emphasising the importance of meticulous preparation the Chief Secretary underlined that strong interdepartmental coordination and timely decisionmaking will be key to the successful execution of Census 2027 and called upon all departments to extend full cooperation To ensure continuity and avoid disruption it has been decided that census functionaries will not be transferred during the census period and necessary instructions will be issued in this regard For close monitoring and coordination at the grassroots Census 2027 will be included as a standing agenda item in monthly districtlevel review meetings Chief Secretary Rastogi added Census Director Lalit Jain told the committee that Census 2027 marks a transformational milestone as the entire exercise will be conducted in digital mode Demonstrating Haryanas technological readiness he said that a 100 per cent digital pretest using mobile applications was successfully carried out in Panchkula Hisar and Faridabad covering a population of more than one lakh The state completed the pretest within the stipulated timeframe for which it received appreciation from the Registrar General of India For the conduct of census operations around 60000 government employees preferably teachers and other government staff will be deployed as enumerators and supervisors during the first phase reflecting the scale and importance of the exercise The meeting also took note of changes in the administrative and demographic profile of the state since the 2011 Census For Census 2027 Haryana will have 23 districts as compared to 21 in 2011 while the number of subdistricts has increased from 75 to 94 Statutory towns have increased from 80 to 88 whereas census towns have declined from 74 to 51 Urban agglomerations have increased significantly from 12 to 20 The number of villages now stands at 6523 compared to 6841 in 2011 Houselisting blocks which were 45361 in 2011 are estimated to be around 51000 for Census 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-gears-up-for-digital-census-2027-656741.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-school-job-case-ed-confiscates-assets-worth-rs-360-crore-of-state-minister-656744.html Kolkata Jan 2 The Enforcement Directorate ED has seized assets worth Rs 360 crore owned by West Bengal Minister incharge of micro small and medium enterprises and textiles department Chandranath Sinha in connection with his alleged involvement in the cashforschool job case in the state Sources aware of the development said that a total of 10 properties owned by the minister his wife and his son had been confiscated by the ED and the total market value of the properties is around Rs 360 croreâThe valuation has been fixed based on the price prevailing when these properties were registered However the current market price of these properties is almost double of what it was at the time of registration If the minister is unable to give definite proof of the source of funds for purchasing these properties then the same will be put on auctionâ said an insider from EDSinha also the West Bengal correctional services department minister had already been named as an accused in the chargesheet filed by the ED in the school job case The main charge against him was that he had collected a sum of Rs 1275 crore from different ineligible candidates promising them jobs of primary teachers in staterun schools of West BengalIn the chargesheet the ED had also claimed that the minister recommended a total of 159 ineligible candidates for jobs of primary teachers and on average he collected Rs 800000 from each of these candidatesâThere is a need for further questioning of the minister in the matter and hence there is a need to take him into custodyâ the central agency insider saidTo recall West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose had approved the EDâs chargesheet against Sinha in August last yearThe ED officials first secured the name of the Minister from the diary of the middleman and now suspended Trinamool Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh who was later arrested by the central agency officialsIn March 2024 the ED officials conducted a raid and search operations at the ministers residence at Bolpur in Birbhum districtAfter the raid the ED officials seized cash worth Rs 41 lakh and a mobile phone from Sinhas residenceSinha is known to be close to Trinamool Congress strongman and former Trinamool Congress district president in Birbhum Anubrata Mondal IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-school-job-case-ed-confiscates-assets-worth-rs-360-crore-of-state-minister-656744.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/agri-stack-farmer-registry-bihars-revenue-department-cracks-whip-over-slow-progress-656745.html Patna Jan 2 The Revenue and Land Reforms Department of Bihar government has adopted a hardline approach over the sluggish progress of the Farmer Registry under the Agri Stack project Departmental Secretary Gopal Meena has directed all Circle Officers Revenue Officers and revenue staff to complete bucket claims and Jamabandi land record verification in mission mode warning that negligence will not be toleratedDeputy Chief Minister and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha described the farmer registry as one of the state governmentâs most important and priority schemes stating that it will provide farmers with a digital identity ensure transparent implementation of agricultural schemes and enable timely delivery of benefitsThe department has expressed grave concern over the extremely low progress in land record verificationAccording to official data eKYC verification by the Agriculture Department is 31 per cent completed and bucket claims and Jamabandi verification by the Revenue Department are only 48 per centOfficials termed this performance unacceptable directing that the farmer registry be given topmost priority across all districtsThe Deputy CM made it clear that any laxity at any level will invite accountabilityHe emphasised that reviews being conducted in two phases under the Chief Secretaryâs supervision demonstrate the governmentâs seriousnessThe aim is to achieve 100 per cent farmer registry coverage statewideA statelevel review meeting will be held on January 3 2026 via video conferencing chaired by the Chief Secretary of BiharThe meeting will include District Collectors officials from the Agriculture Department and officials from the Revenue and Land Reforms DepartmentNotably the progress of this project is also being monitored at the central government levelTo accelerate implementation a twophase review schedule has been finalised The first phase will be held between January 69 and the second phase will be held on January 1821As per the instructions daily online work on bucket claims and Jamabandi verification is compulsory daily monitoring at the Circle Officer and Additional Collector levels and daily review at the headquarters levelTo remove technical hurdles the department has circulated districtwise and circlewise progress reports along with training videos and user manualsSecretary Gopal Meena reiterated that the success of the farmer registry is a missioncritical priority for the state government and instructed all officers to ensure speed accuracy and full compliance IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/agri-stack-farmer-registry-bihars-revenue-department-cracks-whip-over-slow-progress-656745.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-emerging-as-knowledge-economy-rajnath-singh-656746.html Jaipur Jan 2 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the purpose of education is not limited to professional success alone but it also aims to shape character morality and a humane personality âThis is the core spirit of the Indian philosophy of education which strengthens harmony and peace in societyâ said the Union Minister while speaking at a ceremony organised by Vidya Pracharini Sabha and BN Institute on the occasion of their 104th Foundation Day in UdaipurHe said that knowledge without values is incomplete adding that today India is emerging as a knowledge economy âIn the Global Innovation Index Indiaâs ranking has improved significantly from 76 in 2014 to 39 in 2024â he said adding Our universities are no longer just producing skilled human resources they are also earning global recognition and prestigeThe Defence Minister said that teachers are the strongest pillars of any effective education system adding that this is why the National Education Policy places special emphasis on empowering teachers making them capable confident and autonomous because empowered teachers are the foundation of a strong IndiaHe said that since ancient times the Indian knowledge system has been unique reflecting a harmonious balance between faith and science the material and the spiritual action and duty enjoyment and renunciation âThis balance makes Indian thought not only intellectually rich but also deeply relevant to practical lifeâ he said The Defence Minister said that India is progressing rapidly and is on track to become one of the top three global economies by 2030 He emphasised that the country has achieved significant selfreliance in the defence sector and weapon manufacturingâEarlier Indiaâs voice was often ignored globally but today when India speaks the world listensâ he said Sharing a personal reflection Rajnath Singh said that his entry into politics was coincidental and likened it to the phrase âHar Har Gangeâ symbolising an unexpected turn in life He added that despite being in politics the teacher within him remains alive He highlighted the importance of the New Education Policy which places teachers at the centre of nationbuilding He said values such as humility respect and selfdiscipline are essential for personal and national growth âOnly those who bow with humility truly riseâ he remarked Rajnath Singh also spoke about the traditions of unity and equality in the Armed Forces mentioning community meals and the importance of breaking hierarchical barriers to build trust and camaraderie During the event MLA Vishvraj Singh Mewar spoke about the historical contribution of the Mewar royal family to education especially girlsâ education Without naming anyone he called for strict action against those who misuse the names of great historical figures for political purposes After the programme the Defence Minister visited the City Palace where he was welcomed by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar a member of the former royal family IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-emerging-as-knowledge-economy-rajnath-singh-656746.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rajasthan-mla-praises-police-action-in-chomu-incident-656748.html Jaipur Jan 2 Rajasthan BJP MLA Balmukundacharya on Friday commended the police administration for its prompt and decisive action against unruly elements involved in stonepelting and creating disorder regarding the recent Chomu incident He stated that such elements deliberately attempted to disturb peace social harmony prosperity and the ongoing development process in RajasthanThe action taken by the state government and the police he said sends a clear message that unlawful activities will not be tolerated under any circumstances MLA Balmukundacharya emphasised that those who follow rules and regulations will always benefit while individuals who choose to operate outside the framework of law will face strict action from the administration He added that maintaining peace and harmony is essential for progress and any attempt to disrupt the social fabric of the state will be dealt with firmly by the police Appealing to the public he urged citizens to actively participate in the development and prosperity of Rajasthan and to make full use of the welfare schemes launched by the central and state governmentsAccording to him these initiatives are designed to uplift every section of society and ensure inclusive growth He stressed that cooperation between citizens and the administration is crucial to achieving longterm development goals Referring to the transformation witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir MLA Balmukundacharya said that there was a time when stonepelting incidents were frequent in the region He said that however under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah a shift in approach replaced violence with opportunitiesHe said that by promoting education skill development and employment many youths were encouraged to choose constructive paths âAs a result Kashmir today is witnessing improvements in education trade and overall economic developmentâ he said He further stated that under the guidance of the central government and the leadership of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma the state has seen historic development work over the past two years âInfrastructure projects welfare initiatives and administrative reforms have strengthened the foundation for future growthâ he saidHe also warned that if anyone attempts to derail this progress disturb public order or violate the law the administration will respond with firmness and responsibility Concluding his statement he reiterated that peace discipline and adherence to the rule of law are the keys to a prosperous Rajasthan and the government remains fully committed to safeguarding these principles IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rajasthan-mla-praises-police-action-in-chomu-incident-656748.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ballari-violence-gunshots-fired-at-janardhana-reddy-ex-ktaka-minister-sriramulu-seeks-probe-into-cong-workers-death-656749.html Ballari Karnataka Jan 2 Former Karnataka Minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party BJP leader B Sriramulu on Friday alleged that gun shots were fired at mining baron and party MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy and that a petrol bomb was also hurled during the bannerrelated clash in Ballari which resulted in the death of a Congress worker We are not running away and will not seek anticipatory bail If a judicial probe is not possible a CBI inquiry should be ordered The guilty must be punished Sriramulu urgedHe was addressing a joint press conference at MLA Janardhana Reddys residence in Ballari with the latterSriramulu described the incident as deeply disturbing and unprecedented in recent timesCalling for an immediate probe into the Ballari violence Sriramulu demanded a judicial inquiry led by a sitting High Court judgeHe demanded that authorities ascertain whose weapon fired the fatal bullet and that bullets belonging to all gunmen including those providing security to the BJP leaders be accounted forHe also sought an immediate Forensic Science Laboratory FSL reportDemanding accountability from the Congressled state government for the death of the innocent youth in the Ballari violence Sriramulu asked why a large mob had gathered near Janardhana Reddys residenceHe alleged that more than 2000 people had assembled some carrying beer bottles showing utter disregard for the law and order system in the stateAppealing directly to Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy Sriramulu cautioned the former against aggressive politics saying You have a bright future but this kind of speed will only lead to an accidentHe asserted that the BJP would stand firmly with Janardhana Reddy and warned against giving the incident a political colourSriramulu said the incident that occurred on Thursday had caused immense pain to everyoneThings that should never have happened have taken place An innocent youth Rajashekar has lost his life Irrespective of whether he belonged to the BJP or the Congress he died in the firing I express my condolences and pray that his family gets the strength to bear this loss he addedSriramulu said there was no objection to the installation of banners but space had been sought for the movement of vehiclesHe alleged that the violent clash between the supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy and BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy was premeditatedThey supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy came with the intention of creating a fight When BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy arrived the situation suddenly turned violent Gunshots were fired at him which he himself narrated about Soon after the police arrived and dispersed the mob Sriramulu said adding that slogans intensified as the enraged mob gathered in huge numbersHe also alleged that even before the police intervention bodyguards of Congress MLA Satish Reddy an associate of Congress MLA Bharat Reddy had opened fire in a cinematic mannerSuch an incident had occurred in Ballari only once earlier in 1982 Now it has happened again Firing took place in public places Who gave the permission to fire Prima facie it appears the firing was carried out by them supporters of Congress MLA Bharat Reddy the BJP leader chargedSriramulu claimed that stones were hurled indiscriminately injuring several BJP workers and leadersWhen they Congress pelted stones our BJP workers also retaliated It was their gunmen who fired the bullets Satish Reddy is neither a sitting nor a former MLA yet he was carrying a gun This shows the extent of their Congress arrogance he allegedSaying that the BJP had appealed for peace Sriramulu said the firing was not carried out by the police but by private individualsSriramulu also alleged that Congress MLA Bharat Reddy had made provocative statements including threats to burn down BallariWhen statements are made about burning Janardhana Reddys house and turning Ballari into ashes it raises serious suspicion about who brought petrol bombs he saidHe appealed against dragging Maharshi Valmiki or any particular community into the controversy saying that no one was opposed to the installation of the statueThe situation in Ballari remains tense following the violent clash with police maintaining heightened security in the areaMeanwhile State BJP President and MLA BY Vijayendra visited the residence of former Minister Janardhana Reddy and the site where the clash occurred on Thursday in BallariWhat began as a dispute over installing party banners in Ballari on Thursday night escalated into a violent clash between two groups allegedly linked to BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy resulting in the death of a Congress workerThe situation intensified after Janardhana Reddy alleged that there was a conspiracy to assassinate him allegedly orchestrated by the family of Congress MLA Bharat ReddyFollowing the incident police imposed prohibitory orders in the area as a precautionary measureThe deceased has been identified as Rajashekar a supporter of Congress MLA Bharat Reddy IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ballari-violence-gunshots-fired-at-janardhana-reddy-ex-ktaka-minister-sriramulu-seeks-probe-into-cong-workers-death-656749.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/only-marathi-mandatory-in-maharashtra-cm-fadnavis-656754.html Satara Jan 2 Amid the ongoing election process for the 29 municipal corporations the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday clarified that in Maharashtra only and strictly Marathi is mandatory He further noted that the tendency to oppose Indian languages while rolling out the red carpet for foreign languages is not rightHe explained that Marathi will remain the only mandatory language in school education within the stateâNo other Indian language will be compulsory they will remain optional The decision regarding the grade from which other languages should be introduced will be taken after receiving the report from the committee chaired by Dr Narendra Jadhav Marathi is not just a medium of communication it is the soul of Maharashtraâ said Fadnavis while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 99th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan All India Marathi Literary MeetHis clarification comes when the Shiv Sena UBT led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena founded by Raj Thackeray joined hands in July last year opposing the state governmentâs move to introduce Hindi as a third language in addition to Marathi and English from grade oneIn the wake of strong protests the government withdrew its two government resolutions in this regard saying that Hindi is an optional while Marathi is compulsory in the stateThe Chief Minister said that Marathi has always been a classical language adding that the Narendra Modi government has provided it with Classical Language Status for MarathiNow we must work to ensure this language gains public acceptance across all of India he addedHe added that âwhile we welcome foreign languages like English French and German we tend to oppose Indian languages This approach is incorrect while we must respect our own mother tongue we should also remain open to welcoming other languagesâHe credited the Warkari sect and Saint literature for truly enriching Marathi literatureMarathi is a language that connects hearts It is not just a language of devotion but a language of values he remarked adding that the role of writers is to provide direction to society and protect democratic expression within the literary worldThe Chief Minister stated that literature that remains loyal to the soil of Maharashtra while centring history society and humanity is the true identity of Marathi lettersHe reminded the audience that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave Marathi its administrative status by creating the Rajyavyavahar Kosh Administrative LexiconHe emphasised that the government is committed to the conservation of the Marathi language IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/only-marathi-mandatory-in-maharashtra-cm-fadnavis-656754.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/karnataka-govt-mulls-menstrual-leave-for-college-students-656755.html Bengaluru Jan 2 Karnataka Minister for Higher Education MC Sudhakar on Friday said that an announcement on granting menstrual leave for college students would be made if directions are issued by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah The Minister made the statement in Bengaluru while responding to a media query on the issue He said that if the Chief Minister issues directions the government would announce menstrual leave for female students studying in colleges as well as postgraduate programmes in universitiesâOnce directions come from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah a decision will be taken and his word will be finalâ Sudhakar saidIt may be recalled that the Karnataka government recently announced oneday menstrual leave for working women under which women aged between 18 and 52 years are entitled to one day of paid leave every monthThe policy provides for a paid holiday to allow women to rest during menstruation and applies to permanent contractual and outsourced employeesThe government order in this regard was issued on November 12 2025 directing employers to provide a total of 12 paid menstrual leaves annuallyHowever the Karnataka High Court on December 9 issued an interim order staying the government notification directing registered industrial establishments to provide oneday menstrual leave for working womenThe interim order was passed while hearing petitions filed by the Bangalore Hotels Association and the management of Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems Limited challenging the government notificationLater the same day the High Court recalled its interim stay on the State governmentâs notification The matter is scheduled to be relisted after the winter vacation with the High Court resuming work from January 5The government notification issued on November 20 2025 mandated industrial establishments to provide paid menstrual leave to women employeesThe petition seeking to quash the government order stated that the establishments are registered under various labour laws including the Factories Act the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act the Plantations Labour Act the Beedi and Cigar Workers Conditions of Employment Act and the Motor Transport Workers Act under which employees are entitled to only 12 days of leave per yearThe Karnataka Cabinet had approved the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025 in October last year granting women one paid leave per month IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/karnataka-govt-mulls-menstrual-leave-for-college-students-656755.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/centre-rolls-out-two-key-finance-schemes-to-boost-msme-exports-656758.html New Delhi Jan 2 As part of the initial rollout of the Export Promotion Mission two key interventions under the Niryat Protsahan subscheme have been launched to strengthen MSME exports by providing affordable and easier access to trade finance the Commerce Ministry said on Friday The first intervention relates to interest subvention for pre and postshipment export credit aimed at reducing the cost of export credit and easing workingcapital constraints faced by MSME exporters a Commerce Ministry statement saidUnder this intervention interest subvention will be provided on pre and postshipment rupee export credit extended by eligible lending institutionsA base interest subvention of 275 per cent has been provided with a provision for additional incentive for exports to notified underrepresented or emerging markets subject to operational readinessThe interest subvention will be applicable only to exports covered under a notified positive list of tariff lines at the Harmonised System sixdigit level covering approximately 75 per cent of Indiaâs tariff lines and reflecting high MSME participation An exporterwise annual cap of Rs 50 lakh for each firm has been prescribed for FY 2025â26 The applicable rates will be reviewed biannually in March and September taking into account domestic and global benchmarks the statement saidThe positive list has been prepared using a transparent and datadriven methodology prioritising labourintensive and capitalintensive sectors MSME concentration and value addition while excluding restricted and prohibited items waste and scrap and products covered under overlapping incentive schemes Defence and SCOMETnotified products have been included to support strategic exports Detailed operational guidelines for this intervention will be issued by the Reserve Bank of India A pilot rollout will be undertaken with scope for refinement based on implementation feedback the statement saidThe second intervention under Niryat Protsahan relates to collateral support for export credit aimed at addressing constraints faced by MSME exporters and improving access to bank financeUnder this intervention a collateral guarantee support for export credit is being introduced in partnership with the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises CGTMSE Guarantee coverage of up to 85 per cent will be provided for micro and small exporters and up to 65 per cent for medium exporters with a maximum outstanding guaranteed exposure of Rs 10 crore per exporter in a financial yearThis intervention is designed to complement existing credit guarantee mechanisms and to increase bank lending to exportoriented MSMEs Detailed guidelines will be notified by the CGTMSE followed by a pilot phase and subsequent integration into a comprehensive revision of export promotion frameworksThe two interventions will be implemented on a pilot basis with continuous monitoring and datadriven refinementsThrough the Export Promotion Mission the government aims to lower the cost of exporting expand access to finance strengthen Indiaâs export brand and diversify export markets thereby enabling Indian exporters particularly MSMEs to integrate more deeply into global value chains and contribute to sustained exportled growth the statement saidThe Centre has launched a range of interventions under the Export Promotion Mission a flagship initiative approved by the Union Cabinet on November 12 2025 with a total outlay of Rs 25060 crore for the period from FY 2025â26 to FY 2030â31 The Mission seeks to strengthen Indiaâs export competitiveness with a sharp focus on MSMEs firsttime exporters and labourintensive sectors while supporting market diversification and promotion of valueadded exportsThe Export Promotion Mission is jointly implemented by the Department of Commerce the Ministry of MSME and the Ministry of Finance The Mission is structured around two integrated subschemes namely Niryat Protsahan which focuses on enabling access to affordable and diversified trade finance and Niryat Disha which supports nonfinancial enablers such as market access branding regulatory compliance logistics and trade intelligence IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/centre-rolls-out-two-key-finance-schemes-to-boost-msme-exports-656758.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/revanth-reddy-spreading-falsehood-on-musi-rejuvenation-ktr-656759.html Hyderabad Jan 2 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president K T Rama Rao on Friday accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of spreading falsehoods in the Assembly on the Musi River rejuvenation Rama Rao alleged that the Chief Minister is using the project as a cover for what he termed the âbiggest corruption conspiracy in Telanganaâs historyâKTR as the BRS leader is popularly known said the Chief Minister had no vision whatsoever to cleanse the Musi and remarked that poison runs through every nerve of Revanth Reddy driven by anger against those questioning his alleged illegal wealth and opposing the Musi project in its present formKTR also remarked that the language used by the Chief Minister was more foulsmelling than the polluted Musi itselfThe BRS leader questioned the credibility of the Chief Ministerâs claims asking how Revanth Reddy could announce expenditure figures touching Rs 15 lakh crore when the Detailed Project Report DPR by the governmentâs own admission would take at least another year to be preparedâIf the DPR is not ready how were such massive estimates announcedâ he asked demanding an explanation for why bulldozers were deployed to demolish the homes of the poor even before statutory planning and approvals were in placeThe statement alleged that under the guise of Musi âbeautificationâ the Congress government was preparing for a massive financial lootKTR accused the government of attempting to hand over key aspects of the project to Mainhardt a company allegedly blacklisted and facing Red Corner NoticesâHow can a firm with such a background be entrusted with a project of this scaleâ he asked calling it a deliberate conspiracy to facilitate corruptionKTR further charged that the Chief Minister had officially declared plans to demolish the houses of over one lakh people living along the Musi and render them homelessThis he said exposed the true character of the Congress governmentâCongress rule means demolitions not constructionâ KTR stated adding that while illegal guest houses allegedly built by ministers near Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar were left untouched poor families were being evicted without compassionHolding the Congress and TDP responsible for decades of neglect KTR said it was these parties who ruled the united state for nearly 60 years that polluted the Musi and turned it into a sewage drainHe pointed out that Revanth Reddy himself had served in both parties and could not disown their legacyHe also blamed previous governments for subjecting Nalgonda district to prolonged suffering due to polluted water and fluoride contamination asserting that it was only under BRS rule through Mission Bhagiratha that the fluoride menace was effectively addressedKTR challenged the Chief Ministerâs claim of bringing 20 TMC of Godavari water to the Musi asking him to clearly state whether that water was from KaleshwaramâIf it is he should bow his head and admit itâ KTR said accusing Revanth Reddy of running false propaganda against the Kaleshwaram project while silently depending on it for Musi rejuvenationThe BRS working president alleged that the real objective behind the Musi project was largescale real estate exploitationHe accused the government of forcibly evicting poor and middleclass residents from valuable lands in central Hyderabad to benefit benamis and loyalistsâFor this Chief Minister governance has been reduced to real estate dealingsâ he saidKTR said global tenders were earlier invited at minimal cost for Musi rejuvenation with nine reputed companies submitting detailed designsA comprehensive master plan was prepared at an estimated cost of about Rs 16000 croreâWith ready designs in hand restarting the process makes sense only if commissions are the motiveâ he alleged noting that estimates were being arbitrarily escalated from Rs 50000 crore to Rs 75000 crore and now to Rs 15 lakh crore even before execution began IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/revanth-reddy-spreading-falsehood-on-musi-rejuvenation-ktr-656759.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-captures-253-pc-of-all-proposed-investments-in-india-656760.html Amaravati Jan 2 Andhra Pradesh has firmly established itself as Indiaâs leading investment destination capturing a remarkable 253 per cent of all proposed investments in the first nine months of the financial year 202526 according to a report by Bank of Baroda The state now stands well ahead of peers such as Odisha 131 per cent and Maharashtra 128 per cent signalling a decisive shift in Indiaâs industrial and investment momentum toward the eastern and southern corridorsThe report highlights that over half of Indiaâs total proposed capital investment 512 per cent is now concentrated in just three states Andhra Pradesh Odisha and Maharashtra with Andhra Pradesh emerging as the clear frontrunnerOverall investment announcements across the country during the first nine months of the current fiscal touched Rs 266 lakh crore marking an 115 per cent increase compared to the same period last yearCommenting on this milestone on social media platform X Minister for IT Electronics and Communications Human Resources Development and RTG Nara Lokesh said âAndhra Pradesh isnât catching up itâs pulling ahead This is the result of consistent reforms speed in decisionmaking and an unambiguous commitment to investors Our focus has been clear create a predictable policy environment enable industry at scale and deliver on the groundâThe government attributed this performance to its investorfriendly governance emphasis on speed of approvals sectorfocused policies and strong infrastructure push across ports industrial corridors logistics energy and digital infrastructure Andhra Pradeshâs proactive engagement with global and domestic investors coupled with stable policies and executionoriented administration has translated into largescale investment commitments across manufacturing renewable energy electronics data centres mobility and core infrastructureReaffirming the governmentâs approach Nara Lokesh added that Andhra Pradesh would continue to build longterm partnerships with investors prioritise job creation and ensure that investments convert swiftly into onground projectsâEvery investment announcement must translate into factories jobs and economic opportunity for our peopleâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-captures-253-pc-of-all-proposed-investments-in-india-656760.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ysrcp-mp-urges-centre-to-ensure-safe-release-of-nine-fishermen-detained-by-bangladesh-656762.html Amaravati Jan 2 YSR Congress Party YSRCP MP Maddila Gurumoorthy on Friday urged the Union government to ensure the safe release of nine fishermen who were detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard In a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the MP said that nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh were apprehended by the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the mid sea of Bay of Bengal on October 21 2025 while they were operating a mechanised fishing vesselThe fishermen hail from Vizianagaram district and their families are in distress and undergoing mental agony he said and urged the Union government to use their offices to seek the release and safe return of the fishermenAccording to Gurumoorthy the fishermen inadvertently crossed the international maritime boundary near the West Bengal coast due to navigational lapses but were detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard He said that there was no criminal intent involvedHe added the fishermen depend entirely on traditional fishing for their livelihood and that their prolonged detention has caused severe mental and financial distress to their familiesThe YSRCP MP from Tirupati added that Bangladesh is a signatory to international maritime laws and that provisions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allow for the release of detained fishermen and vessels in such casesCiting humanitarian concerns Gurumoorthy appealed to the Centre and the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and ensure the fishermens early releaseThe state government had said that eight fishermen from Vizianagaram district were detained by the Bangladesh Navy after their boat allegedly strayed into the neighbouring countrys territorial watersThe state government contacted the MEA through the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi to secure the release of the fishermenA special legal team of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is providing legal aid for their releaseA charge sheet has been filed in Bangladesh against the fishermen prompting the Andhra Pradesh government to appeal to the Bangladesh Embassy for cooperation to allow continuous contact with the fishermens familiesUnion Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu took up the matter with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requesting steps for their swift return IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ysrcp-mp-urges-centre-to-ensure-safe-release-of-nine-fishermen-detained-by-bangladesh-656762.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pragati-driving-accountability-accelerating-project-implementation-cabinet-secretary-656765.html New Delhi Jan 2 Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs flagship platform for ProActive Governance and Timely Implementation PRAGATI system has accelerated the implementation of mega projects and key welfare schemes The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the structured Project and Issue Escalation Mechanism under the PRAGATIled ecosystem which enables systematic monitoring and resolution of issues across multiple levels and state governmentsAccording to a Cabinet Secretariat statement Somanathan highlighted that initially issues are addressed at the Ministry level while complex and critical issues are escalated through defined institutional mechanisms for higherlevel review culminating at PRAGATI meetings chaired by Prime Minister ModiThe escalation framework ensures coordinated interministerial action timely decisionmaking and focused resolution of implementation bottlenecks in projects of national importanceSomanathan underscored that PRAGATI continues to serve as an effective platform for driving accountability and accelerating project implementation through close monitoring and review at the highest levelIn the last decade the PRAGATI platform has helped speed up projects worth more than Rs 85 lakh crore and resolved longpending issues through close coordination between the Centre and states PM Modi said on WednesdayWhile chairing the 50th meeting of PRAGATI PM Modi said the completion of 50 PRAGATI meetings reflects a major shift in Indiaâs governance culture where decisions are taken on time accountability is fixed and coordination between departments and states is strengthenedThe milestone meeting highlighted how technologybased monitoring and regular followup have changed the way governance works in IndiaThis approach has directly improved delivery on the ground and made government action more visible in peopleâs daily lives PM Modi saidDuring the meeting the Prime Minister reviewed five major infrastructure projects related to roads railways power water resources and coal These projects are spread across five states and involve a total investment of more than Rs 40000 crorePM Modi stressed the need to ensure timely execution and remove bottlenecks through continuous monitoring IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pragati-driving-accountability-accelerating-project-implementation-cabinet-secretary-656765.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-recorded-lowest-average-pm10-pm25-concentration-levels-in-2025-centre-656767.html New Delhi Jan 2 In 2025 Delhi recorded its lowest ever average concentration levels of Particulate Matter PM10 and PM25 since in 2018 Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change said on Friday It claimed that the daily average of PM10 in Delhi in 2025 was 198 µgmm3 as compared to 212 in 2024 and 242 in 2018The Ministry in a statement said the daily average of PM25 in Delhi in 2025 was 97 as compared to 105 in 2024 and 114 in 2018The Ministry shared data for eight years and said the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas CAQM since its inception in 2021 through a series of directionsadvisories and orders has initiated various policy measures and field actions towards abatement of air pollution in DelhiNCRThe Ministrys statement coincided with the decision of the CAQM SubCommittee on Friday to revoke restrictions under StageIII of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAPDelhis Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the citys improving air quality reflects persistent groundlevel efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha GuptaDelhis Air Quality Index AQI which stood at 380 on Thursday was recorded at 236 on Friday marking a significant declineMinister Sirsa emphasised that even though GRAP StageIII restrictions have been lifted onground operations will continue with the same rigour and priorityThis is not the time to relax this is the time to double our efforts and consolidate the gains weve made Each small win fuels our motivation to make Delhis air cleaner every single day he addedIn the past year Delhi has advanced new pathways of pollution control from accelerating legacy waste biomining 35 MT per day to expanding cleantech interventions on industrial and transport fronts The unified effort is showing measurable impact Minister Sirsa saidIn the last 24 hours the Environment Department and associated civic agencies have reported a substantial increase in antipollution activities During this period 6596 challans were issued for vehicular emission violations 12000 MT of garbage was removed across city zones and 6261 km of roads were mechanically swept to reduce dust loadThe Minister noted that Delhis fight against pollution is ongoing and determined Each day we are learning adapting and improving The citys progress today inspires us to aim higher tomorrow he saidHe added that under Chief Minister Rekha Guptas leadership Delhis civic work on field has strengthened multifoldPollution control teams have focused on addressing sources directly from ensuring compliance at industrial clusters to deploying smog guns and antismog vehicles at trafficheavy stretches and hotspots Minister Sirsa said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-recorded-lowest-average-pm10-pm25-concentration-levels-in-2025-centre-656767.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vibrant-kutch-district-event-inaugurated-rs-8-500-crore-mous-signed-with-334-msmes-656769.html Gandhidham Jan 2 The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference marked another milestone on Friday with the grand inauguration of the Vibrant Kutch DistrictLevel Programme at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Convention Centre in Gandhidham of Kutch district The event was inaugurated by the Gujarat Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia in the presence of the Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education Trikam B Chhanga and several prominent dignitariesDuring the ceremony 334 MSME units signed the Memorandums of Understanding MoUs worth Rs 8500 crore setting a strong tone for industrial and economic growth in the regionAddressing the gathering Minister Modhwadia said that the Vibrant GujaratâVibrant Kutch programme will infuse new energy into the entrepreneurial ecosystemHe lauded the resilience of the people of Kutch who despite natural calamities have turned the region into a thriving centre of developmentHe noted that under the Prime Minister Narendra Modis visionary leadership Kutch has transformed into a model of progress offering employment to lakhs of people across the countryKutch has immense potential to emerge as a global hub in renewable energy green hydrogen and the blue economy Minister Modhwadia saidHe added that with nearly 40 per cent of Indias cargo handled through Kutchs ports the region is also set to become a key centre for electronics manufacturing green hydrogen data centres and marinebased industriesHighlighting Gujarats preparedness for the future Minister Modhwadia said the state is building research and excellence centres in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence quantum computing and biotechnologyCalling this the Golden Period of Kutch the Minister urged industries to actively participate in green initiatives and contribute to increasing the regions green coverMinister of State Trikam B Chhanga in his address said that the Vibrant Gujarat initiative was first launched by the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and has now successfully reached district levelsHe commended the Kutch administration and entrepreneurs for their contributions to development noting that challenges such as the 2001 earthquake and unemployment were transformed into opportunitiesKutch once known for its handicrafts and cottage industries is now becoming an industrial powerhouse he saidThe Minister of State also pointed out the trend of reverse migration with people returning to Kutch for new employment opportunitiesBJP Member of Parliament Vinod Chavda praised the Prime Minister Modis foresight saying that the Vibrant Gujarat vision has brought remarkable industrial progress to Kutch especially in ports minerals and chemicalsHe described Kutch as Gujarats unique district blessed with the confluence of desert sea and mountains and urged young entrepreneurs to support the Make in India and Vocal for Local movementsDeendayal Port Chairman SK Singh emphasised Kutchs key role in the Developed India Vision noting that the port is leading advancements in green hydrogen and shipbuildingIndustrialist Manish Kiri described Kutch as the economic powerhouse of Gujarat highlighting its potential in digital infrastructure seawater agriculture and advanced marine chemical industriesDP World Director Parag Kochar spoke about the significance of the blue economy and the vast opportunities for port development in the regionKutch District Collector Anand Patel said that Vibrant Gujarat once a small initiative has now grown into a banyan tree of industrial progress turning Kutch into the Land of Opportunity IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vibrant-kutch-district-event-inaugurated-rs-8-500-crore-mous-signed-with-334-msmes-656769.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistan-army-again-overrides-civilian-govt-in-pursuing-agenda-656771.html New Delhi Jan 2 Ongoing actions on Imran Khan and his Pakistan TehreekâeâInsaaf PTI party may formally be seen as being initiated by the civilian govt but the sustained operation points to a wellcrafted design and execution a campaign of legal security and institutional pressure designed and configured by the allpowerful army Pakistanâs military has repeatedly overridden elected governments through coups constitutional manipulation and intelligenceâled political engineering At present the army has trained its guns on Imran Khan and his political party including arrests trials and restrictions on party activity Pakistanâs history is marked by full military takeovers 1958 1977 1999 as well as periods of dominant military influence in politics governance and foreign policy The militaryâs toolkit has included the removal of governments the manipulation of party structures intelligence operations against opponents and legal or extraâlegal pressure on media and civil society Institutional levers including appointments promotions and control over security policy have been used to institutionalise influence across successive governments Interventions have taken place not only as direct coups dismissal of assemblies or states of emergency but also as legal and administrative restrictions on parties and intelligenceâled political engineering The GovernorâGeneralâs dismissal of provincial and federal governments and the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in the early 1950s set an early precedent for extraâconstitutional removal of civilian authority and constrained party development In October 1958 the military removed the civilian leadership and General Ayub Khan assumed power imposing martial law suspending political partiesâ normal operations and introducing a controlled political system that limited their influence He was replaced by General Yahya Khan in 1969 who dissolved the thenexisting political structures and postponed elections a sequence that contributed to the 1971 crisis and the loss of East Pakistan In another episode General Zia ulâHaq overthrew Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in July 1977 imposed martial law banned political activities for extended periods and used legal and constitutional changes to weaken party structures and civil liberties Throughout the 1990s successive civilian governments were dismissed under constitutional provisions by presidents and governors often with the military and intelligence establishment playing influential behindâtheâscenes roles party fragmentation and coâoptation were common General Pervez Musharraf seized power in October 1999 and his removal of an elected government still hangs in the memories He suspended parts of the constitution introduced measures like emergency rule and judicial changes holding back constitutional protections He removed judges and curtailed party activities and media freedom In recent times since Imran Khanâs ouster in April 2022 the relationship between PTI and the security establishment has deteriorated sharply Following mass protests in May 2023 authorities launched a broad crackdown Thousands of PTI activists were arrested military courts and antiâterror laws were used against protesters and party offices were raided Imran Khan himself was arrested in August 2023 and has since faced multiple criminal convictions and sentences across several cases including highâprofile graft and verdicts handed down in 2025 Courts have issued long prison terms military and antiâterror tribunals have tried PTI supporters and journalists and commentators linked to the movement have faced severe sentences even in absentia The campaign against PTI combined legal prosecution administrative bans and security operations to fragment the partyâs organisational capacity and deter mass mobilisation The use of military courts and antiâterror legislation to try civilians has raised concerns among rights groups about due process and the militarisation of law enforcement At the same time the armyâs public posture â desperately trying to portray itself as defending state institutions â has been reinforced by episodes of confrontation with India and by highâprofile promotions that signal institutional consolidation In the May 2023 unrest attacks on military installations triggered mass prosecutions and military trials of alleged perpetrators Imran Khanâs multiple convictions and the 2025 ToshakhanaâII sentence are emblematic of the legal pressure on PTI leadership Meanwhile journalists and social media figures linked to PTI have been sentenced in highâprofile cases curbing dissenting voices IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistan-army-again-overrides-civilian-govt-in-pursuing-agenda-656771.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/trump-shops-marble-for-white-house-ballroom-656774.html Washington Jan 2 President Donald Trump on Friday made a lowkey visit to a Florida stone supplier as part of preparations for a new White House ballroom with officials confirming he is personally purchasing materials for the project âPresident Trump is purchasing marble and onyx at his own expense for the White House Ballroomâ a White House official saidThe presidential motorcade arrived at a shopping centre in Lake Worth Florida at 946 am according to pool reports Reporters were held in vans and the President was not immediately seenThe shopping centre includes several businesses among them A1 Plus Stone Design a retailer that specialises in stone products such as marble and onyxOfficials did not provide details on the quantities or specific varieties of stone being considered during the visitLake Worth is located in Palm Beach County a short drive from Trumpâs MaraLago residence where he frequently stays while in FloridaThe White House officialâs statement underscored that the materials would be paid for personally by the President not with public funds The visit followed earlier indications from the White House that Trump has taken a direct interest in the design of the new ballroom including materials and finishesThe ballroom project has been presented by the administration as a response to longstanding space constraints at the White House particularly for hosting large formal events and state functions Officials have said the new structure is intended to blend with the existing architectural character of the White House complexImages previously released by the White House depict a classically styled building with ornate interiors The administration has said the ballroom would accommodate significantly more guests than current reception spaces and reduce the need for temporary outdoor tents during major eventsIn recent months Trump has held several meetings with White House staff and federal agencies to discuss design features and planning for the ballroom according to official statements The project is expected to involve outside architects construction firms and engineering teams working in coordination with the White House and the US Secret ServiceThe ballroom is planned for the site of the existing East Wing which has been renovated and altered multiple times over the past century Private donations including contributions from Trump are expected to cover construction costs which the White House has estimated to run into the hundreds of millions of dollarsFor decades US presidents have relied on the East Room or temporary structures to host large gatherings Trump has described the new ballroom as a longterm addition intended to serve future administrations and major international events at the White House IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/trump-shops-marble-for-white-house-ballroom-656774.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/special-voter-registration-camps-across-tn-for-two-days-656792.html Chennai Jan 3 Special camps to facilitate voter registration are being held across Tamil Nadu for two days beginning on Saturday as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR of the electoral rolls The initiative comes in the wake of a largescale revision exercise that has resulted in the removal of a significant number of names from the states voter listAccording to official data around 9737 lakh names have been deleted from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision carried out in Tamil NaduAs a result the total number of registered voters in the State has declined to approximately 543 croreThe revision exercise aims to ensure greater accuracy in the voter database by removing duplicate deceased or ineligible entriesIn this context the process for adding new names to the voter list began on December 19As part of this drive special registration camps were organised earlier on December 27 and 28 at nearly 75000 polling booths across the State enabling eligible citizens to submit applications for inclusion or correction of their detailsOfficials said that the response so far has been encouraging Up to now 737 lakh people have applied for inclusion of their names in the electoral rolls while 9535 applications have been received seeking deletion of namesTo further widen outreach and ensure maximum participation special camps are once again being conducted today and tomorrow at all polling booths across Tamil NaduElection authorities have urged eligible citizens to use this opportunity particularly those who have recently attained voting age or whose names were removed during the revision processIndividuals who completed 18 years of age on January 1 this year as well as those whose names were deleted during the SIR exercise have been advised to submit Form 6 for inclusion in the voter listOfficials also outlined the upcoming schedule for the revision processSpecial correction camps will be held on January 18 to allow voters to seek rectifications in the draft electoral rolls Following this the final voter list will be published on February 17The Election Department has reiterated that an accurate and uptodate voter list is essential for free and fair elections and has appealed to all eligible citizens to actively participate in the revision process and verify their electoral details within the stipulated timelines IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/special-voter-registration-camps-across-tn-for-two-days-656792.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/eci-gives-breakup-of-9146-lakhs-of-logical-discrepancy-cases-during-sir-in-bengal-656802.html Kolkata Jan 3 The Election Commission of India ECI has furnished a breakup of the 9146 lakh logical discrepancy cases identified in the course of progenymapping during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR in West Bengal Voters identified as logical discrepancy cases are those in whose records unusual familytree data have been detected during progeny mappingAlthough initially at the end of the enumeration phase which was the first stage of the threestage SIR exercise the ECI had identified 136 crore logical discrepancy cases currently the number has been scaled down to 9146 lakhs after thorough evaluation of the initial listThese 9146 lakhs of logical discrepancy cases are in addition to 5820 lakhs of excluded voters and 30 lakhs of unmapped voters that is voters unable to establish any link with the 2002 voters list either through selfmapping or through progenymappingCurrently the cases of these unmapped voters are being heard by the Commission and in the next stage the logical discrepancy cases will be heardAccording to sources in the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West Bengal of the 9146 lakhs of identified logical discrepancy cases the maximum have been name mismatches with the 2002 list the last time when the SIR was conducted in West Bengal The figure on this count was 51 lakhsThe secondhighest category 24 lakh cases was related to six or more voters linked to a single fatherThe number of voters with age differences of just 15 years or even less than the age of their fathers was 475 lakhs Similarly the number of voters with age differences of 50 years or above than the age of their father is 841 lakhsIn addition to that there are three lakh voters whose age difference from their grandfather is 40 years or even lessTrinamool Congress had claimed that instead of clandestinely leaking information to the media persons about such logical discrepancy cases the Commission should issue a formal release giving the details of the matterThe draft voters list in West Bengal was published on December 16 last year The final voters list will be published on February 4 Soon after that the commission will announce the polling dates for the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal scheduled this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/eci-gives-breakup-of-9146-lakhs-of-logical-discrepancy-cases-during-sir-in-bengal-656802.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/eci-gives-breakup-of-9146-lakh-logical-discrepancy-cases-during-sir-in-bengal-656828.html Kolkata Jan 3 The Election Commission of India ECI has furnished a breakup of the 9146 lakh logical discrepancy cases identified in the course of progenymapping during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR in West Bengal Voters identified as logical discrepancy cases are those in whose records unusual familytree data have been detected during progeny mappingAlthough initially at the end of the enumeration phase which was the first stage of the threestage SIR exercise the ECI had identified 136 crore logical discrepancy cases currently the number has been scaled down to 9146 lakhs after thorough evaluation of the initial listThese 9146 lakhs of logical discrepancy cases are in addition to 5820 lakhs of excluded voters and 30 lakhs of unmapped voters that is voters unable to establish any link with the 2002 voters list either through selfmapping or through progenymappingCurrently the cases of these unmapped voters are being heard by the Commission and in the next stage the logical discrepancy cases will be heardAccording to sources in the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West Bengal of the 9146 lakhs of identified logical discrepancy cases the maximum have been name mismatches with the 2002 list the last time when the SIR was conducted in West Bengal The figure on this count was 51 lakhsThe secondhighest category 24 lakh cases was related to six or more voters linked to a single fatherThe number of voters with age differences of just 15 years or even less than the age of their fathers was 475 lakhs Similarly the number of voters with age differences of 50 years or above than the age of their father is 841 lakhsIn addition to that there are three lakh voters whose age difference from their grandfather is 40 years or even lessTrinamool Congress had claimed that instead of clandestinely leaking information to the media persons about such logical discrepancy cases the Commission should issue a formal release giving the details of the matterThe draft voters list in West Bengal was published on December 16 last year The final voters list will be published on February 4 Soon after that the commission will announce the polling dates for the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal scheduled this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/eci-gives-breakup-of-9146-lakh-logical-discrepancy-cases-during-sir-in-bengal-656828.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-mp-accuses-cong-of-engineering-1969-companies-act-donation-ban-reviving-it-in-1985-to-enable-black-money-656830.html New Delhi Jan 3 BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday accused the Congress party of orchestrating the 1969 Companies Act amendments to ban chequebased donations after parliamentary exposure of 19601969 corporate funds exclusively benefiting the party in exchange for favours He alleged the party then reversed it in 1985 to facilitate both traceable and black money flows Sharing the copies of both the Bills in a post on X Dubey said Congress Party and Corruption in Donations When it came to light in Parliament that from 1960 to 1969 all businessmen had given donations only to the Congress party in exchange for getting work done then in a great hurry in 1969 the law was amended to increase the use of cash ie black money and cheques were shut downThen 16 years later in 1985 the law was changed again to restart the game of cheques and black money History itself is Chunar Fort he addedAttached images include scans of the 1969 Act prohibiting corporate political contributions under Section 293A a 1985 parliamentary debate transcript debating the bans repeal and the 1985 Act reinstating donations up to 5 per cent of average net profits with disclosure requirementsBefore 1969 companies were legally allowed to donate to political parties and during the 1960s most corporate donations went to the Congress party which was then politically dominantParliamentary discussions and public criticism highlighted quid pro quo links between business houses and the ruling party under the licenceâpermit systemIn response the Companies Amendment Act 1969 introduced Section 293A imposing a complete ban on corporate political donations officially to curb corruption and business influence in politicsHowever the ban did not stop money from entering elections Instead political funding increasingly moved underground with companies and parties relying on unaccounted cash and indirect channelsElection costs continued to rise through the 1970s and early 1980s exposing the limits of an outright prohibition without strong enforcement or transparency mechanismsIn 1985 the Rajiv Gandhi government amended the law again allowing companies to donate up to 5 per cent of their average net profits with board approval and disclosure in accounts IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-mp-accuses-cong-of-engineering-1969-companies-act-donation-ban-reviving-it-in-1985-to-enable-black-money-656830.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/towards-legacy-waste-free-state-gujarat-govt-targets-100-pc-waste-disposal-by-march-656848.html Gandhinagar Jan 3 Not just in the development index Gujarat is leading other states in setting up new milestones in waste management and is expected to realise its target of 100 per cent legacy waste disposal in the next two months The state government is marching steadfastly towards legacy wastefree Gujarat with a target of 100 per cent disposal by March 2026 with an aim to make the cities greener cleaner and livable guided by the mantra that urbanisation is not a problem but an opportunityA total of 30409 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste has been identified across the urban areas of which 27333 lakh metric tonnes have been scientifically disposed of so far The state government has intensified its cleaning drive and aims to achieve 100 per cent legacy waste remediation by March 2026The Urban Development Department has focused on improving cleanliness modern and sustainable infrastructure and the overall ease of living for people in cities contributing significantly to urban development Notably Gujarat has consistently led among major states in the scientific disposal of legacy waste accumulated in dumpsitesEffective legacy waste management a crucial aspect of urban development not only reduces pollution and health hazards but also converts reclaimed land into productive spaces supporting development projects and expanding green spacesBy clearing dumpsites across municipal areas the state government has reclaimed an estimated 902 acres of land The land will be put to productive use including constructing processing plantsNotably authorities have scientifically disposed of the BopalGhuma dump site in Ahmedabad and the Nakravadi dump site in Rajkot and established a Miyawaki forest This scientific disposal has significantly reduced methane emissions and effectively addressed the problems caused by waste burning at these sitesThe state government is taking decisive steps to strengthen environmental protection public health and urban development by scientifically disposing of accumulated legacy waste in cities said a government officialNotably under the Nirmal Gujarat 20 scheme Rs 75 crore has been allocated to Urban Local Bodies for legacy waste management Aligned with Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 20 the initiative is driving the state towards Garbage Free Cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/towards-legacy-waste-free-state-gujarat-govt-targets-100-pc-waste-disposal-by-march-656848.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/less-probe-more-propaganda-how-osman-hadi-killing-was-used-to-stoke-anti-india-sentiment-656849.html New Delhi Jan 3 The killing of antiIndia student leader Osman Hadi has turned into a spectacle with less probe and more propaganda The agencies have found that following the murder the game in Bangladesh was not to probe the incident but to externalise the issue Immediately after the murder the focus of Bangladesh was not on the probe Instead without any investigation being conducted Dhaka issued a statement stating that the accused had fled to IndiaAt the time of issuing that statement the probe had not even commenced and yet such a sweeping remark was madeThe Bangladesh foreign ministry then went on to summon the Indian High Commissioner and sought New Delhiâs cooperation to prevent the suspects from fleeing IndiaSyeda Rizwana Hasan the adviser at the Information Ministry said that India has assured Dhaka of extraditing Hadiâs killers if they had crossed over to IndiaThe statement came at a time when the Indian authorities and the West Bengal Police were making it clear that no such individuals had been arrested and there was no proof to suggest their presence on Indian soilAn official said that going by the sequence of events it became clear that these reactions by Bangladesh were deliberate They were aimed at fanning violence and launching a massive antiIndia campaign This was wellplanned and had the blessings of the ISI which is all over Bangladesh today the official saidSuch claims that Dhaka had made immediately ignited a wave of violent protests in the country Wellcoordinated mobs were already on standby to carry out these violent actsIn no time there were protests in Chittagong Dhaka and Rajshahi All the protests witnessed antiIndia slogans being raised They also demanded the extradition of Hadiâs killers A mob also marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka while in Chittagong the residence of the Indian envoy was surroundedAn Intelligence Bureau official said that this was all staged to drum up an antiIndia rhetoric During this period several deepfake videos were in circulation that further contributed to the antiIndia sentimentDuring this period the Bangladesh foreign ministry continued to summon the Indian High Commissioner and reiterate the concern that India was sheltering Hadiâs killers This worsened the situation and the protests worsened and a huge antiIndia rhetoric was drummed upIt did not just stop at with antiIndia protests There was also sudden rise in the number of Hindus being attacked during this period This however continues till dateAdding fuel to the fire was a video which was promoted aggressively on X by a handle named Pakistan Defence This video had falsely claimed that Al Jazeera had confirmed Indian involvement in the Hadi killingAnother TikTok video also did the rounds in which two random people were shown and the claim was that they were Hadiâs killersIt was claimed that the killers were at Garo Hills in Meghalaya The false narrative was however busted when Faisal Karim Masud who has been branded as the killer released a video statement He claimed that he had run away from Bangladesh for the fear of being targeted He clarified that he had travelled to Dubai and not DelhiHe also said that it was the operatives of the JamaatShibir who carried out the murder He also said that the association with Hadi was purely related to business and nothing moreOfficials say that while all this took place the investigation into the killing was never the top focus The idea was to fan an antiIndia and antiHindu sentiment and the ISIbacked elements successfully managed to do just thatAnother official said that this entire drama was coordinated by the ISIâs Dhaka Cell The idea behind creating this false narrative is to ensure that every Bangladeshi turns antiIndia Further there is an attempt to create a volatile situation so that the elections are postponed The ISI wants to make it appear that all of Bangladeshâs problems are because of India officials say IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/less-probe-more-propaganda-how-osman-hadi-killing-was-used-to-stoke-anti-india-sentiment-656849.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/new-assured-pension-scheme-for-govt-employees-teachers-in-tn-656857.html Chennai Jan 3 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced the implementation of a new Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme TNAPS for State government employees and teachers a move expected to impose an additional annual financial burden of around Rs 11000 crore on the State exchequer The announcement comes against the backdrop of longstanding demands by government employees and teachers for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme OPSAhead of the 2021 Assembly elections the DMK had promised to reinstate OPS if voted to powerHowever nearly fourandahalf years after assuming office the government had not fulfilled that promise leading to growing discontent among employees and teachersThe issue had escalated in recent weeks with various employees and teachers organisations declaring an indefinite strike from January 6 making pension reform one of their primary demandsWith the Assembly elections approaching the government appears to have moved swiftly to defuse the situation by unveiling a new pension framework that it says incorporates key features of the old systemAccording to the Chief Minister the newly announced Assured Pension Scheme guarantees enhanced financial security for retirees while ensuring longterm fiscal sustainability for the StateUnder the scheme eligible State government employees will receive an assured pension equivalent to 50 per cent of their last drawn monthly salaryTo ensure this guaranteed payout the state government will bear the entire additional financial liability required for the pension fund along with the employees 10 per cent contributionThe scheme also provides for periodic dearness allowance DA revisions similar to those granted to serving government employeesPensioners will receive DA hikes every six months ensuring that pensions keep pace with inflationIn the event of a pensioners death 60 per cent of the pension last drawn will be paid as the family pension to the nominee or eligible family membersAdditionally upon retirement or death during service government employees will be entitled to a gratuity of up to Rs 25 lakh calculated based on the length of their serviceAnother significant feature of the scheme is the provision of a minimum pension to employees who retire without completing the qualifying service period after the new scheme comes into effect This is aimed at ensuring that no retiring employee is left without basic pension supportThe government has also announced special compassionate pensions for employees who joined the Contributory Pension Scheme CPS and for those who retired during the interim period without receiving any pension before the implementation of the new assured schemeBy introducing TNAPS the DMK government hopes to address employee concerns while balancing fiscal constraints even as opposition parties and employee unions closely scrutinise whether the new scheme truly matches the benefits of the Old Pension Scheme that many continue to demand IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/new-assured-pension-scheme-for-govt-employees-teachers-in-tn-656857.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cong-bjp-slam-uttarakhand-ministers-husband-over-bihar-girls-available-for-marriage-for-rs-25-000-remark-656858.html New Delhi Jan 3 A political storm erupted on Saturday after the husband of Uttarakhand Minister Rekha Arya allegedly made a controversial remark claiming that âBihar girls are available for marriage for Rs 20000 to 25000â Leaders from across political parties including the Congress BJP Samajwadi Party and JDU condemned the statement saying it has deeply hurt the sentiments of Biharâs population of 13 to 14 crore people The controversy follows a video that has gone viral on social media in which the ministerâs husband identified as Sahu is seen addressing a group of young people In the video he is allegedly heard saying âWill you get married in your old age If you are unable to get married we will bring a girl for you from Bihar you can get one there for Rs 20000 to 25000âThe remark has drawn widespread outrage for being derogatory misogynistic and insulting to women and the people of BiharSpeaking to IANS Congress MP Manoj Kumar said the statement has caused immense pain and anger among the people of BiharâOn the issue you are asking about Biharâs population of 13 to 14 crore has felt deeply affected We are all concerned and disturbed We want to hear from the Chief Minister â what he thinks what his reaction is and what action he intends to take This statement reflects extreme shamelessness Such remarks are not made unknowingly they are made deliberatelyâ he saidThe Congress MP further criticised the double standards of the BJPâThey should not stoop so low On one hand slogans like âBeti Bachao Beti Padhaoâ are raised and on the other hand such degrading statements are made about the daughters of Bihar Because his wife is a minister the law appears weak That is why we say the Constitution and democracy are under threat By making such statements they expose their real mindset No action has been taken so far and the administration seems to be ignoring the issue It is unacceptable We are waiting to see what the Chief Minister of Bihar the newlyappointed BJP National President and other senior leaders will sayâ he addedCongress spokesperson Surendra Rajput also strongly condemned the remark stating that it reflects the BJPâs mindset towards womenâThis incident clearly shows how the Bharatiya Janata Party views women They treat women as objects of exploitation and even talk about their buying and selling Otherwise after such a disgraceful statement both the man and his wife should have been behind bars by nowâ he saidSamajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said the incident raises serious questions about the BJPâs attitude towards women especially as the party is in power in both Uttarakhand and BiharâUnderstand that the BJP is ruling in both states Think about what BJP leaders have in their minds regarding women What is even more shocking is the silence of BJP leadership whether in Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand or Bihar Such persecution has already begun I repeatedly say that women in this country have never faced such attacks on their dignity as they have under BJP leaders History bears witness to this Despite repeated incidents and statements against women leaders like Rajnath Singh have openly said they do not believe in taking resignations which is why such people feel emboldenedâ he saidResponding to the controversy Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal said such language cannot be justified under any circumstancesâA person who speaks in such a manner is neither worthy of being called someoneâs son nor someoneâs husband We strongly condemn such individualsâ he saidUnion Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey distanced the BJP from the remark and said such language does not reflect party valuesâSuch a statement could not have come from a BJP worker I am certain it has been influenced by someone else because no BJP worker can speak in this manner Today the daughters of Bihar and the honour of Bihar stand tall across the worldâ he saidBihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary described the statement as âcheap wrong and extremely objectionableââMaking such remarks in public life is unacceptable especially when the individual is connected to someone holding a respected public office This kind of language cannot be toleratedâ he saidBJP MP Yogendra Chandolia went a step further questioning the mental state of the person who made the remarkâRekha Aryaâs husband appears to have lost his mental balance and needs immediate medical attention I would advise Rekha Arya to take care of her husband at home and handle the matter personallyâ he saidJDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar also condemned the statement and confirmed that formal action has been initiatedâThe language used by the husband of an Uttarakhand minister is unacceptable Even medically it is said that the brain can overheat in cold weather Such language is likely used by him even in personal spaces Therefore the State Womenâs Commission has written to the Uttarakhand government urging it to take appropriate action in this matterâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cong-bjp-slam-uttarakhand-ministers-husband-over-bihar-girls-available-for-marriage-for-rs-25-000-remark-656858.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/indore-gets-new-municipal-commissioner-district-admin-starts-water-inspection-in-bhagirathpura-656863.html Indore Jan 3 Chief Minister Mohan Yadavled Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday appointed Kshitij Singhal a 2014 batch IAS officer as the new Commissioner of Indore Municipal Corporation A notification for appointment of Kshitij Singhal as the new Municipal Commissioner of Indore was issued by the State Chief Secretary Anurag JainSinghal has replaced Dilip Kumar Yadav who has been transferred from Indore on FridayThe development came a day after the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered to suspend the Indore Additional Commissioner Rohit Sisoniya and Sanjeev Shrivastava who is the Superintendent Engineer Incharge of the Public Health Engineering departmentMeanwhile Indore district administration on Thursday started a survey to check the water quality being supplied through tankers in Indores Bhagirathpura area where contaminated water killed several people in the past one week and more than 200 were still admitted in multiple hospitals across the cityAlong with an extensive checking of water quality teams of district administration are also making residents of Bhagirathpura area aware about the use of safe drinking water to ensure the safety of people especially children and senior citizens who were the most affected due to the contaminated water supply tragedy in IndoreThe awareness campaign and inspection led by the Indore District Collector Shivam Verma began early morning on Saturday and it will continue till the eveningDuring the doortodoor visit officials are also inspecting water stored in underground and rooftop tanks built in the areaSpeaking to IANS District Collector Verma said that multiple teams of staff members have been deployed to conduct doortodoor inspection in BhagirathpuraA close monitoring is being carried out at the spot where the most number of people have been severly affectedOur team is continuously conducting investigations Wherever cases of food poisoning have been reported and patients have tested positive we have instructed all departments to carry out thorough inspections in the surrounding areas Along with this our water supply lines are also being checked District Collector Verma told IANSVerma also told that people admitted in hospitals are being provided better treatment and are recovering fastHe said that the condition of two out of 27 patients admitted in ICU wards were in critical state till Friday however they have recovered on SaturdayOver 200 people are admitted in more than 30 hospitals both government and private health care institutions in different parts of IndoreOn the other side more than 22 teams of medical staff are conducting health checkup through camps in the Bhagirathpura area IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/indore-gets-new-municipal-commissioner-district-admin-starts-water-inspection-in-bhagirathpura-656863.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/police-in-jampks-budgam-act-against-24-people-for-violating-vpn-ban-order-656866.html Srinagar Jan 3 Police in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district said on Saturday that they have acted against 24 people for violating the ban order on the use of virtual private networks VPNs A police statement issued on Saturday said âIn continuation of efforts to enforce lawful orders and prevent the misuse of digital platforms Budgam Police have acted against the use of unauthorised Virtual Private Network VPN services across the districtâFollowing prohibitory orders issued by the District Administration on December 29 2025 banning unauthorised VPN usage Budgam Police carried out systematic verification and monitoringâDuring the period from December 29 2025 to January 2 2026 24 individuals were identified for violating these orders Based on investigation and technical analysis two FIRs were registered against individuals with adverse terrorrelated backgrounds underscoring the security risks posed by the misuse of encrypted platformsâAdditionally security proceedings were initiated against 11 individuals aged between 18 and 40 years for noncompliance with the prohibitory ordersâThey were bound down under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS and later released after due warningâBudgam Police reaffirm their commitment to maintaining public order enforcing lawful directives and preventing misuse of digital platformsâThe public is advised to strictly comply with all orders issued by the District Administration and to use digital services responsiblyâ the statement addedMost of the 20 districts in JampK have banned the use of VPNs with the concerned district magistrates stating that such networks were being used by antinational elements and that their misuse constitutes a security threatVPN stands for Virtual Private Network and refers to a technology that enables users to establish a secure network connection while using public networks VPNs encrypt internet traffic and disguise online identityThis makes it more difficult for third parties to track online activity and steal data as the encryption takes place in real time IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/police-in-jampks-budgam-act-against-24-people-for-violating-vpn-ban-order-656866.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/indias-glorious-past-shaping-its-global-future-says-eam-jaishankar-656641.html Chennai Jan 2 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Friday challenged young minds at the IIT Madras to see India not just as a nation of the present but as a civilisation shaping the global futurenbspWhile addressing the students and faculty at IIT Madras on various subjects including democracy diplomacy and Indias growing international role his address painted a powerful picture of a country rooted in ancient wisdom yet confidently navigating modern global challengesEAM Jaishankar also outlined Indias unique trajectory as a civilisational power and its role in shaping a modern multipolar worldnbspIndia is among the very few ancient civilisations that has successfully evolved into a modern nationstate the EAM saidnbspHe noted that this continuity provides the country with a strong historical consciousness and a distinct global outlook differentiating it from nations that emerged more recentlyThe Union Minister emphasised that Indias decision to adopt the democratic political mode at the time of Independence transformed the system from a Westernexclusive model into a universal conceptnbspHe said that Indian democracy remains deeply linked with cultural and social diversity ensuring the nation stays both inclusive and representativenbspOn the front of foreign policy and regional security the EAM maintained a firm stance on national sovereigntynbspHe asserted that India possesses the right to defend itself and will independently determine its response to any threats or acts of terrorism that endanger its citizensnbspClear communication in diplomacy is essential to prevent misunderstandings between nations the Union Minister added highlighting Indias preference for partnerships based on mutual respect and transparent dialogueReflecting on recent global challenges EAM Jaishankar pointed to Indias humanitarian efforts during the Covid19 pandemicnbspHe described the provision of vaccine assistance to other nations as a significant global contribution showcasing Indias commitment to international stabilitynbspEAM Jaishankar urged the academic community to maintain a global perspective while remaining rooted in Indian values https://dailyworld.in/politics/indias-glorious-past-shaping-its-global-future-says-eam-jaishankar-656641.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-says-remarks-abroad-show-disconnect-from-indias-roots-656647.html New Delhi Jan 2 IANS Those politicians or leaders who speak ill about India while being on foreign soil bringing embarrassment for the country as well as countrymen remain disconnected and detached from the countrys roots said Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta taking a dig at the Leader of the Opposition LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on FridayDelhi CMs critical remarks for the Congress leader came while addressing the inaugural event of Delhi Shabdotsav the threeday literary and cultural festival underway at the citys Major Dhyan Chand StadiumnbspAddressing the gathering the Delhi CM spoke at length about the importance of staying connected and taking pride in the countrys civilizational legacy and its ethos and mocked any attempts to show the nation in bad light abroad a direct reference to Congress MP Rahul Gandhis controversial and contentious remarks made during his visits to universities and public forums interactions in the Western worldIts only when you are disconnected from the countrys roots and its civilisation you tend to use unwelcome and disrespectful words against the nation otherwise there is no reason to do this she said without taking the Congress leaders nameThe Chief Minister sharing her delight over the organisation of Shabdotsav one of the largest cultural and literary festivals in the country said that such a grand event has never been held on a government platformnbspToday India is engaging with its past present and future simultaneously And it has undertaken a historic journey from the Vedic age to the digital age and this festival of words is a witness to it she remarkedFurther admiring the countrys rich legacy and civilisational strength she said that India has been attacked many times but it has always stood tall and withstood all challenges with braverynbspThe world tried many times in many forms to attack our knowledge civilisation and culture But our roots were very strong which is why we still stand solid today she addednbspShe also underlined her governments focus in the past year on celebrating every festival with full fervour and holding historical icons in high esteem https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-says-remarks-abroad-show-disconnect-from-indias-roots-656647.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/illegal-ward-delimitation-by-state-govt-punjab-bjp-tells-guv-seeks-intervention-656648.html Chandigarh Jan 2 IANS A highlevel delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP Punjab led by Ashwani Sharma MLA and working state President on Friday called on Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria here and submitted a memorandum seeking intervention against the allegedly arbitrary hasty and illegal ward delimitation being carried out by the state government for Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils across the statenbspThe BJP delegation told the Governor that the ongoing ward delimitation exercise is being conducted in undue haste without transparency and in blatant violation of statutory rules and constitutional principlesThe party in its memorandum claimed that no proper doortodoor population survey has been conducted and that the proposed wards show an unnatural and unexplained decline in population figures across urban local bodies raising serious doubts about the authenticity of the data usedThe delegation further pointed out gross violations of the principles of continuity and contiguity with geographically disconnected areas being arbitrarily clubbed togetherSerious concerns were also raised regarding the alleged misuse of reservation norms wherein wards with lower Scheduled Caste and Backward Class populations have been reserved while areas with their higher concentration have been declared general wardsImportantly the BJP delegation drew attention to the Census notifications issued in connection with the 16th Census of India which clearly mandate the freezing of municipal and ward boundaries during census operations notifications issued under the authority of the Governor himselfDespite this the state government is proceeding with delimitation in clear violation of these directions the BJP said The delegation requested the Governor to summon the complete record from the Department of Local Government and direct the state government to strictly adhere to census notifications statutory provisions and constitutional norms thereby safeguarding democratic values and the rights of the people of Punjab https://dailyworld.in/politics/illegal-ward-delimitation-by-state-govt-punjab-bjp-tells-guv-seeks-intervention-656648.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bulldozer-action-in-rajasthans-chomu-after-stone-pelting-incident-656666.html Jaipur Jan 2 A largescale bulldozer drive is underway in Rajasthans Chomu following notices issued to 20 illegal slaughterhouses in Pathansâ Mohalla with the administration also preparing action against unauthorised constructions Heavy police deployment has been put in place to maintain law and order with senior officers monitoring the situation on the ground The action comes in the wake of a dispute over alleged encroachment near a mosque in Chomu during which incidents of stonepelting were reportedFollowing the violence the police pasted notices on the houses of 24 accused stonepelters directing them to submit their response within three days The deadline expired on December 31 after which the municipal council was authorised to initiate demolition proceedings Two companies of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary RAC along with district police forces remain deployed in the area under the supervision of DCP Hanuman Prasad Meena to prevent any breach of peaceMost of the houses were locked while residents present at a few locations declined to speak to reportersLocals expressed mixed reactions some supported strict action against those involved in violence while others demanded that innocent residents should not be targetedSpecial Police Commissioner Jaipur Rahul Prakash said that efforts are ongoing to identify all those involved in the stonepelting incident Nineteen accused have been arrested so far and more names have surfaced during interrogationPolice collected video footage from the night of the incident which is being examined to identify additional suspects Authorities have not ruled out the involvement of people from outside the state and investigations are underway to ascertain their presence and motive if anySunil Kumar Swami Assistant Accounts Officer of the Chomu Municipal Council said that on December 29 the council issued a threeday notice regarding 20 illegal slaughterhouses and four unauthorised constructionsHe had stated that if the concerned parties fail to respond submit valid documents or remove the illegal structures themselves the council will proceed with demolition and sealing actions as per rulesChomu police have arrested the following individuals in connection with the stonepelting case Mukhtar Ali 32 Aakib 24 Mohsin Khan 35 Umar Beg 30 Zaheen Khan 19 Haider Ali 28 Sameer 21 Abid 22 Salman 22 Arbaz 26 Kamran 24 Tahir Alam 40 Jabaz 28 Fardeen 24 Shahrukh 19 Faizan Khan 19 Javed Khan 31 Javed Qureshi 23 and Wasim Qureshi 36The authorities have made it clear that strict action will continue against those involved in violence and illegal activities while security forces remain on alert to ensure peace in the area IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bulldozer-action-in-rajasthans-chomu-after-stone-pelting-incident-656666.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/touches-of-his-south-asian-heritage-sparkedat-mamdanis-inaugurationas-new-york-mayor-656669.html New York Jan 2 Zohran Mamdani brought touches of his South Asian heritage to his formal inauguration as this multicultural citys Mayor on New Years Day While acknowledging his parents during his speech he also gave a shoutout to relatives in DelhiHe is the son of Mira Nair a movie director and Mahmood Mamdani a Columbia University Professor from Uganda who claims Indian ancestryThank you to my parents Mama and Baba for raising me for teaching me how to be in this world and for having brought me to this city he said in his inaugural address on City Hall steps after being sworn inThank you to my family â from Kampala to Delhi he addedTwo of the three Korans that he used to take the oath of office belonged to his grandfather and his grandmotherBefore his swearingin a Hindu Arun Khosai and a Sikh Sandeep Kaur stood by with Christian and Jewish religious leaders as an imam from New York invoked Allah in a prayerMamdani made a culinary reference to his heritage in his speech while talking about making the city work for workers like those who feed us biryaniAnother nod to his heritage came from singer Babbulicious who sang Gaddi Red Challenger in a mix of Punjabi and English during the inauguration ceremonyBabbu Singh whose stage name is Babbulicious is also a social media influencer comedian artist and author of childrens booksMamdani clapped in rhythm to Babbulicious song as the singer wearing a pink turban jumped around the stageâNEW YORK VICH MUNDA RENDAAAAAâ Babbulicious posted on InstagramMaamdani had a line in his speech Logon ke dil badal gaye hein which he translated as softness in peoples heartsHe said a Pakistani Auntie named Samina told him that was how she perceived the effect of his movement on the cityWhile Mamdani mentions his fathers religion which he has embraced as his own he has been silent on the religion his mother was born into HinduismMamdani had a trifecta of firsts as he became the 111th or 112th Mayor the city is unable to count the number of Mayors before him and he acknowledged that in his speechHe is the first Muslim the first South Asian as he is generally referred to and the first born in AfricaHe spent his first five years in Uganda where he was born and the next two in South Africa where his father taught before landing in New York at the age of seven when the professor joined Columbia UniversityHe was given the middle name Kwame after the late Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah showing his link to AfricaMamdani is married to Rama Sawaf Duwaji an artist and illustrator of Syrian originShe was born in the US but spent her childhood in the Persian Gulf countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/touches-of-his-south-asian-heritage-sparkedat-mamdanis-inaugurationas-new-york-mayor-656669.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-to-visit-bhopal-today-656674.html Bhopal Jan 2 The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will be on a twoday visit to Bhopal beginning Friday to attend events at two venues Kushabhau Thakare Convention Centre and Ravindra Bhavan During the visit which is part of the 100year journey of the RSS Mohan Bhagwat will be addressing the gathering of social and religious leaders youth and women in Bhopal in different sessions on January 2 and 3The RSS chief will hold Yuva Samvad interaction and a Pramukhjan Goshthi interaction with prominent citizens on Friday followed by a Samajik Sadbhav Baithak social harmony meeting and a Shakti Samvad interaction with women the next day SaturdayAccording to a senior RSS functionary in Bhopal youths from all 31 districts of the prants 16 districts as per the administrative structure who have made notable contributions and achieved distinction in various fields will participate in the programmeThe RSS functionary said that interaction with prominent citizens will be held at an auditorium in Ravindra Bhavan in which reputed personalities from various fields from the Bhopal division have been invitedBhagwat will also address a Samajik Sadbhav Baithak that will be organised at the Kushabhau Thakre Convention Centre on Saturday with participation from prominent members of different communitiesThis will be Bhagwats fifth visit to Madhya Pradesh in the past 10 months according to a statement issued by the RSS office recentlyNotably on Wednesday Bhagwat urged citizens to rise above divisions of caste wealth and language and to treat everyone as ones ownThe RSS chiefs comments assume significance when outrage had been growing over the killing of Angel Chakma a student from Tripura in Dehradun following alleged racial abuseBhagwat reiterated the need for social unity and equality stating that the entire country belongs to everyone and that harmony is central to Indiaâs identity IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-to-visit-bhopal-today-656674.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cong-worker-death-case-ktaka-police-say-bullet-fired-from-private-revolver-656682.html Ballary Karnataka Jan 2 Tension escalated in Karnatakaâs Ballari district after a Congress worker was shot dead and the police said that the bullet was fired from a private revolver The deceased was identified as Rajashekar Incharge Superintendent of Police SP Ranjit Kumar Bandaru stated on Friday that the police have registered four cases in connection so far including a murder case that has been filed following a complaint by Congress workers The family of the deceased has filed a complaint against some BJP leadersThe Congress MLA from Ballari city Nara Bharat Reddy has alleged that the firing was carried out at the behest of mining baron and BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and demanded his immediate arrestThe police have imposed prohibitory orders in the areas surrounding the residence of mining baron and MLA Gali Janardhana ReddyIt may be recalled that supporters of MLAs Janardhana Reddy and Bharat Reddy clashed over the installation of banners to celebrate Valmiki Jayanti in front of Janardhana Reddyâs residence on Thursday night Janardhana Reddyâs supporters opposed the installation of the banners resulting in a quarrel that escalated into stone pelting lathi charge and firing by both police and private gunmenIn the ensuing chaos Congress worker Rajashekar sustained a bullet injury and later died The police had earlier stated that it was not clear who fired the fatal shotSpeaking to the media SP Ranjit Kumar stated âThe postmortem of the deceased Congress worker has been completed According to preliminary information the bullet that hit the Congress worker was not fired by the police Preliminary investigations have revealed that it was fired by a private person We are further investigating and awaiting the report from the Forensic Science Laboratory FSL Further inputs will be shared laterââWe have made all security arrangements for his funeral The situation is peaceful now Additional forces have been called in from neighbouring districtsâ he saidâThe bullet that killed Rajashekar was fired from a private revolver The investigation is ongoing and we are gathering detailsâ the SP statedâWe have collected all CCTV footage and are analysing it So far four cases have been registered Supporters of MLA Bharat Reddy have filed a complaint of murder in connection with the death of Congress worker Rajashekar From the side of MLA Bharat Reddyâs close aide Satish Reddy another complaint has been registered for attempt to murderâ SP Ranjit Kumar saidAnother individual has filed an atrocity case against Janardhana Reddy The police have also registered a suo motu case against all those involved Further investigation is underway he addedGiving details of the incident SP Ranjit Kumar said âYesterday January 1 in the Ahambhavi area in front of Janardhana Reddyâs residence a quarrel broke out over the installation of a flex banner in connection with the Valmiki statue inaugurationâThere was stone pelting between supporters of MLAs Janardhana Reddy and Bharat Reddy An accidental firing incident also occurred in which a Congress worker died This led to an escalation of tension The police have taken control of the situation and dispersed the crowdââIt cannot be termed a police failure The police responded immediately when the incident occurred There was a sudden development of events and people gathered quickly Initially the situation could not be brought under control but it was later reined inâ the SP statedPolice sources said that more than 12 rounds were fired during the clashes The police also found chilli powder and piles of stones on the roadsThe deceased Rajashekarâs father had worked for the BJP while Rajashekar was associated with the Congress MLA Bharat Reddy had staged a protest in front of Janardhana Reddyâs residence after the shootingEshwar Reddy brother of the deceased Rajashekar said the incident occurred when his brother was with MLA Bharat Reddy âMy brother Rajashekar was with the Congress party My father was a follower of BJP leader Somashekara Reddy We have filed a complaint against the BJPâ he saidThe situation continues to remain tense and volatile in Ballari city IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cong-worker-death-case-ktaka-police-say-bullet-fired-from-private-revolver-656682.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kavitha-reacts-strongly-to-revanth-reddys-kcr-deserves-hanging-remark-656686.html Hyderabad Jan 2 Reacting strongly to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddys remark that it would not be wrong even if his predecessor K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR is hanged for the injustice caused to the State in utilisation of river waters Telangana Jagruthi leader and Raos daughter K Kavitha said on Friday that Revanth Reddy should be hanged twice Kavitha took strong exception to Chief Minister Reddys remark She said that her blood is boiling to hear that the leader who led the Telangana movement should be hangedRevanth Reddy should be hanged not once but twice she saidShe said this while talking to reporters on the premises of the Telangana Legislative CouncilKavitha said KCR should speak in the Assembly on the Krishna river water issue to shut the mouths of the Chief Minister and his ministers who are criticising himShe said that for BRS to survive KCR should come to the Assembly and speak She feels that KCR should not leave the issue of river water to young leaders of the partyCriticising her cousin and former minister T Harish Rao she remarked that bubble shooter in BRS has been made deputy leader of the party in the AssemblyKavitha said he came to the Council to request Chairman G Sukhender Reddy to accept her resignationKavitha had submitted her resignation as a Member of the Legislative Council in September Her action came after KCR suspended her from BRS for antiparty activitiesFollowing her suspension she also resigned from the party and has been carrying on her political activities under Telangana Jagruthi a cultural organisation she had floated during the Telangana movementChief Minister Revanth Reddy had said on Thursday that it would not be wrong if KCR and his nephew Harish Rao were hanged for the injustices caused to Telangana in the utilisation of river waters during the BRS regimeThe Chief Minister made the remarks at a PowerPoint presentation made by Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy to the ruling Congress leaders on river water issues on Thursday evening IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kavitha-reacts-strongly-to-revanth-reddys-kcr-deserves-hanging-remark-656686.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/isi-backed-khalistan-network-expands-to-milan-injects-bangladesh-into-propaganda-656688.html New Delhi Jan 2 A poster has been in circulation in Milan Italy calling for a lockdown by the proKhalistan elements While one was aware of the presence of Khalistanis in Canada the United Kingdom Germany and Australia the poster featuring a protest in Italy signals a new shift Intelligence Bureau officials say that intercepts clearly suggest the Khalistanis are attempting to expand into more countries thereby increasing the reach of their messaging There is a clear attempt being made to project a transnational narrative relating to the Khalistan movementWhile the broader messaging is all about the creation of a separate Khalistan nation carved out of Punjab the new poster also speaks about the situation in Bangladesh The protest or lockdown in Milan is being promoted by Jagroop Singh and Gurpal Singh who are part of the proscribed outfit Sikhs for Justice SFJ This is the group that is heading the propaganda wing of the Khalistan movement It has been responsible for the various referendums that have been held in Canada the UK and AustraliaThe SFJ is headed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who has on many occasions called for the assassination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while also circulating videos in which he has shown the Indian national flag being desecrated The organisers of this protest have linked the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with the murder of antiIndia student leader Osman Hadi The Khalistan elements had blamed the Indian agencies for the killing of Nijjar in CanadaEven after the killing of Hadi a narrative was built up stating that it was India that was behind the murder The linking of the two cases by the Khalistani elements clearly shows that they are playing the script written by the ISI These elements are trying to get the attention of the international audience to suggest that India has been meddling in the affairs of other countries and carrying out extrajudicial killingsAn Intelligence Bureau official said that this is clearly the doing of the ISI Both the murders of Nijjar and Hadi are clearly an ISI hit job The ISI was aware that both these persons were antiIndia After carrying out the hit job the ISI is clearly trying to spread a narrative that India was behind both these murdersThe event in Milan is yet to take place and the agencies are on highalert to prevent the same Indian officials say that the expansion into Milan shows how the Khalistan movement is trying to expand It is also a sign of an evolving strategyThe ISIbacked Khalistanis are aware that the heat on them is rising especially in Canada and the UK They have already been making inroads in Australia and now want to enter Italy as well Officials say that these elements would try to enter other countries as well They are waging a narrative war against India and hope they will get support from as many countries as possibleIndian Intelligence agencies have found a surge in the number of propaganda materials being circulated on social media This is the first time that the Khalistanis have brought up the Bangladesh issue This has been done at the insistence of the ISI which wants to defame India in as many countries as possibleIn the runup to the elections in Bangladesh more such attempts would be made and the ISI would use the Khalistanis even more The idea is also to create an impression in the minds of the Bangladeshis that all their problems are courtesy of India IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/isi-backed-khalistan-network-expands-to-milan-injects-bangladesh-into-propaganda-656688.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/brs-mla-booked-for-encroachment-on-hyderabads-durgam-cheruvu-656691.html Hyderabad Jan 2 Cyberabad Police have registered a case against Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS MLA Kotha Prabhakar Reddy for allegedly encroaching Durgam Cheruvu in the Information Technology hub of Madhapur On a complaint by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency HYDRAA Madhapur Police registered a case against Prabhakar ReddyThe case has been booked under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property PDPP ActThe complaint mentions that in 2014 Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority HMDA issued a Full Tank Level FTL primary notification in respect of Durgam CheruvuDespite this two persons Kotha Prabhakar Reddy and Venkat Reddy have encroached upon about 5 acres of Durgam Cheruvu by filling the lake area with soil and stones They are illegally earning money by using the encroached land for STS private transport parking The encroachment of Durgam Cheruvu has been continuing since 2014 said HYDRAA in its complaintTwo days ago HYDRAA launched a major drive to clear encroachments at Durgam Cheruvu As part of this initiative about five acres of encroached lake area have been cleared near the Inorbit Mall MadhapurThe encroached portion was reportedly filled with soil and illegally used as a parking area for school buses and IT company vehiclesThe encroachers were allegedly earning Rs 50 lakh every month HYDRAA officials removed the vehicles erected fencing around the lake boundary and initiated steps to remove the dumped soilHYDRA Commissioner A V Ranganath ordered immediate action after receiving a complaint during the Prajavani programmeAccording to officials Durgam Cheruvu which was once spread over 160 acres has shrunk to 116 acres due to systematic encroachments and dumping activity Illegal filling with soil to depths of 1015 metres has resulted in the gradual occupation of the lake area obstructing even the proposed walking track around the lake IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/brs-mla-booked-for-encroachment-on-hyderabads-durgam-cheruvu-656691.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/criticism-of-muslim-league-and-cpi-is-issue-based-sndp-strongman-natesan-656696.html Alappuzha Jan 2 SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan on Friday reiterated his criticism of the Muslim League and the CPI stressing that his comments are issuebased and directed at party policies not at any community Speaking to the media in Alappuzha he clarified that attempts to portray him as antiMuslim are misleadingVellappally accused the Muslim League of failing to implement social justice while in power and of attempting to turn the Muslim community against the Ezhava communityHe also said that the CPIâs positions have created an impression of disunity within the Left Democratic Front LDF urging that differences be addressed internally and reminding that backward communities remain the backbone of the LeftHe alleged that the League while in power failed to implement social justice allowing generous educational opportunities for the Muslim community in Malappuram while the Ezhava community received only one aided collegeHe said the party is now attempting to turn the Muslim community against the Ezhavas warning that this could lead to communal tensions similar to the Marad riotsVellappally also criticised the CPI saying its positions have created an impression of disunity within the Left Democratic Front LDFHe urged that right and wrong be discussed internally within the front emphasising that the backing of backward communities forms the true strength of the Left which the CPI must recogniseOn the Sabarimala issue he defended the governmentâs stance as sincere adding âLet those who ate the salt drink the waterâ stressing accountability and fairnessHe addressed a recent personal incident involving a journalist explaining that the confrontation was a result of provocation and insisting he acted within his rightsâI am 89 years old and I asked if a reaction was necessary at that timeâ he said defending his actions He referred to the journalist as a âterroristâ in context clarifying it was meant in terms of awareness not personal attackOn governance Vellappally said the Congressled UDF denied approvals to educational institutions during its tenure while the LDF only followed policy in granting permissionsHe reiterated that his remarks on Chathiyan Chandu stand and that he has no plans to travel in Binoy Viswamâs car though leaders such as MN Govindan have ridden in his car in the pastVellappally emphasised his personal friendship with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan refuting suggestions that travelling in the Chief Ministerâs car amounted to wrongdoingHe said attempts to portray the act as treason are unfounded adding that had the passenger been from an upper caste or minority community there would have been no controversy at allThrough these statements Vellappally has not only reaffirmed his political positions but also highlighted the delicate balance of caste community and party dynamics within Keralaâs Left front reiterating that backward communities remain the backbone of its supportMeanwhile Binoy Viswam â the CPI state secretary said he is not going to make any comments about Natesanâs remarksâEveryone knows everything and hence I will not make any comments He Natesan need not do the task of assessing the performance of the Left governmentâ said Viswam IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/criticism-of-muslim-league-and-cpi-is-issue-based-sndp-strongman-natesan-656696.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-puts-new-sand-quarry-operations-on-hold-till-2026-assembly-elections-656512.html Chennai Jan 1 The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department has decided not to open any new river sand quarry until the conclusion of the upcoming Assembly elections officials have confirmed The decision comes amid administrative hurdles political considerations and ongoing investigations related to sand mining operations in the State Twelve river sand quarries had been functioning under the control of the Water Resources Department These quarries supplied sand to designated yards through private contractors However operations were disrupted after the Enforcement Directorate registered cases against the contractors for alleged money laundering linked to illegal sand miningFollowing this the quarries operated by these contractors were sealed effectively bringing legal river sand extraction under the department to a standstillAs a result no river sand quarry is currently functioning under the Water Resources Department across Tamil NaduWith construction activity continuing across the state demand for sand has risen sharply To meet the shortfall a portion of the requirement is now being met through sand transported from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh leading to higher costs for builders and consumersIn an attempt to address the shortage the Water Resources Department had earlier identified around 30 new locations where sand quarrying could be taken up excluding environmentally sensitive and problematic zonesEnvironmental clearances were also obtained for these sites However despite these approvals none of the proposed quarries have been operationalised so far Officials said that last month preparations were made to open sand quarries at eight locations However these plans were stalled following intervention at the ministerial levelAccording to sources differences emerged between the department and the minister concerned over the selection of contractors to operate the quarriesWhile officials reportedly preferred appointing new contractors the minister was said to have insisted on continuing with existing ones resulting in a deadlockRepresentatives of lorry owners and sand traders said the stalemate has led to severe supply constraintsWith Assembly elections approaching in the coming months officials have now decided that no new quarry operations will be initiated until the polls are overA final decision on reopening or awarding quarry contracts is expected only after the electionsIn the meantime builders and house owners continue to bear the brunt of rising construction costs as they are compelled to depend on costlier sand transported from neighbouring states IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-puts-new-sand-quarry-operations-on-hold-till-2026-assembly-elections-656512.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/more-than-law-awareness-needs-to-be-created-ktaka-minister-on-honour-killing-case-656516.html Bengaluru Jan 1 Commenting on the recent honour killing case reported from Hubballi in which a father hacked his pregnant daughter to death for marrying a Dalit man Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that more than laws there is a need to create awareness among the people Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Thursday Parameshwara said âWe are living in a modern world Society must change Intercaste marriages are not new Hundreds of years ago Basavanna had conducted intercaste marriagesââEven today the occurrence of honour killing incidents indicates that society is not receiving the right messages More than laws awareness must be created among the people We will complete the investigation and legal procedures in this case at the earliestâ he saidThe minister said that he visited Hubballi on Wednesday In the honour killing incident in which a father hacked his pregnant daughter to death I met the family and spoke to the family members The mother of the victim is in critical condition and is still hospitalised I also visited herâ he statedOn the Dharmasthala case he stated that the government will complete the procedures and also in the cases which have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department CIDWhen asked about the tasks to be assigned to officers in the new year based on incidents from the previous year Parameshwara said âI have reviewed the survey report We will discuss the incidents that took place last year I have explained to them the sensitivity of the issues I trust they will deliverâMeanwhile Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa visited the house of Vivekananda Doddamani at Inamveerapura village near Hubballi whose pregnant wife was hacked to death by her father over an intercaste marriage He consoled the family members and handed over a cheque for Rs 17 lakhIt may be recalled that on December 21 2025 in an honour killing incident reported from Inamveerapura village a father brutally murdered his own daughterThe girlâs father and relatives also assaulted the victimâs husband Vivekananda Doddamani and his family members Mareppa Doddamani Sunil Harijan Sangeetha Harijan Renavva Ananya Doddamani Yallappa Doddamani and Huvamma Doddamani sustained injuries in the attackAccording to the police Manya Patil a Lingayat had married Vivekananda a Dalit Both hail from the same village They knew each other and fell in love while pursuing their graduation They became closer through Instagram and later developed a relationship The couple got married on June 19 at the registrarâs office in HubballiPreliminary investigation revealed that Manya Patil had earlier threatened to commit suicide if Vivekananda did not marry her After the marriage the police had called both families and brokered a compromise Manya and Vivekananda later shifted to Haveri They returned to their village on December 8 believing their relationship would be accepted as Manya was pregnantHowever tensions resurfaced between the two families The Hubballi Rural police again called the families and instructed the elders not to trouble each other Despite this Manya Patilâs father and relatives allegedly barged into her house in the village and hacked her to death The police arrested the father and two others in connection with the caseVivekananda has demanded the death penalty for those responsible IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/more-than-law-awareness-needs-to-be-created-ktaka-minister-on-honour-killing-case-656516.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/political-sparring-over-sabarimala-gold-theft-probe-as-cpi-m-minister-counters-satheesan-prakash-clarifies-656526.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 1 Political sparring over the Sabarimala gold theft case intensified on Thursday with State Local SelfGovernment Minister MB Rajesh launching a sharp counterattack against Opposition Leader VD Satheesan even as UDF convener and Congress Lok Sabha member Adoor Prakash reiterated that he has not been summoned by the Special Investigation Team SIT Responding to Satheesanâs allegations against the SIT Rajesh said the Opposition leader had âperformed a complete voltefaceâHe recalled that Satheesan had earlier publicly expressed confidence in the SIT investigation into the Sabarimala gold theftâHas that confidence evaporated now simply because the SIT indicated it may question the UDF convenerâ Rajesh askedDrawing a contrast the minister pointed out that the Opposition had celebrated when former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran was summoned for questioningâNow that Adoor Prakashâs name has surfaced the Opposition Leader is displaying clear double standardsâ Rajesh said and asked why there was panic when âoneâs own leadersâ were called for questioningIn a sarcastic swipe he said that if the Opposition was fearful of the course of the investigation they could âsing parody songs togetherâ turning it into a collective wailRajesh also questioned the Congress partyâs claim that there was nothing suspicious in its conductHe asked why two Congress leaders had met senior party leader Sonia Gandhi in the company of the accused person in the gold theft case suggesting that the party owed the public an explanationHe further alleged that from the party high command to the grassroots the Congress had its âeyes fixed on the BJPâ claiming that there were tacit CongressâBJP understandings at multiple levelsMeanwhile Adoor Prakash firmly denied media reports that he had been summoned by the SITHe said he learnt of such claims only through television channels and insisted that no official notice had been issuedAlleging political interference Prakash claimed the controversy was being orchestrated by the Chief Ministerâs political secretary P SasiPrakash maintained that he would fully cooperate if formally summoned and had nothing to fearHe clarified that his participation in a Sabarimala annadanam programme was purely religious and that he had no prior knowledge of any individualâs alleged involvement in gold smugglingThe ministerâs remarks were in direct response to Satheesanâs demand for urgent High Court intervention after he alleged that the induction of two CPIMlinked Circle Inspectors into the SIT was an attempt to sabotage the probeâan allegation the Kerala government has strongly rejected IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/political-sparring-over-sabarimala-gold-theft-probe-as-cpi-m-minister-counters-satheesan-prakash-clarifies-656526.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistans-textile-industry-plunges-into-deep-crisis-report-656527.html New Delhi Jan 1 Pakistanâs textile industry which was once the driver of economic growth in the country has plunged into a deep crisis with factories shutting down due to high production costs Once celebrated for its export potential and capacity to drive industrial growth Pakistanâs textile sector is now grappling with a convergence of structural economic and logistical shocks that have eroded competitiveness shuttered factories and destabilised livelihoods across the value chain From collapsing cotton production to soaring energy costs from regional competition to policy missteps and now a nationwide transport strike the industry stands at a critical inflection point a report in the UKâs Daily Mirror saidThe Pakistan Textile Exporters Association PTEA has pointed out that textile exports have declined for the fourth month in a row raising concerns about the sectorâs longterm viabilityThe article cites PTEA General Secretary Azizullah Goheer saying that Pakistan has failed to surpass or even maintain the FY2021 export benchmark of 193 billion Instead exports slipped to 18 billion then 17 billion and continue to fall Between July and November 2025 alone exports dropped by 639 per cent from 13721 billion to 12844 billion signalling a persistent downward trajectoryPakistanâs textile sector is losing ground to regional competitors as the high cost of energy tariffs taxes and financing costs has hit the countryâs competitiveness Exporters have pointed out that Bangladesh India China and Vietnam have all gained market share at the cost of Pakistan as they have lower production costs and the governments of these countries have put more stable policies in placeAt the heart of the crisis lies the collapse of Pakistanâs cotton economy Outdated agricultural practices poor seed quality and inadequate research investment have led to a dramatic decline in cotton production and quality the article statedAccording to the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq more than 100 spinning mills and 400 ginning factories have already shut down National cotton output has fallen from 15 million bales to 55 million balesCotton prices have crashed to Rs 8000 per 40 kg pushing farmers into financial distress and accelerating the shift from cotton to sugarcane cultivation This shift threatens to increase Pakistanâs reliance on edible oil imports further straining foreign exchange reserves the report statesThe ginning sector is reported to be struggling under a hefty 86 per cent combined sales tax on cotton cottonseed oil and oilcake Meanwhile textile units are being asked to clear decadeold gas dues compounding liquidity pressures The situation has been worsened by recent amendments to the Export Facilitation Scheme EFS which have resulted in exporters having to pay more taxesEnergy costs are a major burden with electricity tariffs projected to reach 12 cents per kWh by FY26 which is much higher than the 5â9 cents per kWh paid by competitors in the region Exporters claim that this disparity alone makes Pakistani textiles uncompetitive in global markets Frequent power outages voltage fluctuations and grid instability which damage machinery and disrupt production schedules are adding to the problem IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistans-textile-industry-plunges-into-deep-crisis-report-656527.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-to-receive-its-1st-bullet-train-on-august-15-next-year-ashwini-vaishnaw-656536.html New Delhi Jan 1 Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday indicated that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15 2027 The country is going to witness its first Bullet Train running on tracks next year Vaishnaw saidBuy a Bullet Train ticket as on the Independence Day in 2027 the country will get its first Bullet Train he saidVaishnaw also said that the Vande Bharat Express chair car has created a new sense of confidence across the country and people have appreciated it a lotRequests are now coming in from all over India to run Vande Bharat trains and almost every MP wants one With the same comfort safety and standards a new overnight journey will begin with the Vande Bharat Sleeper he mentionedIndiaâs first Bullet Train project spans 508 kms between Mumbai and Ahmedabad Of this 352 km lies in Gujarat and Dadra amp Nagar Haveli and 156 km in MaharashtraAccording to the government the corridor will connect major cities such as Ahmedabad Vadodara Bharuch Surat Vapi Thane and Mumbai and is expected to cut travel time between the two metros to around two hours significantly boosting intercity mobilityAs per the National HighSpeed Rail Corporation Ltd NHSRCL over 85 per cent of the corridor âaround 465 km â is being built on elevated viaducts with 326 km already completedIn November Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a detailed review of the MumbaiâAhmedabad HighSpeed Rail MAHSR project during his visit to Gujarat marking a key moment in Indiaâs push towards nextgeneration transport infrastructureDuring the visit the Prime Minister inspected the Surat station â a structure inspired by the cityâs globally renowned diamond industry With a height of 263 metres and a builtup area of 58352 square metres the station includes three levels The ground floor for parking and security checks the concourse level for lounges restrooms kiosks and ticketing and the platform level for passenger boardingWhile structural work is complete finishing touches such as interiors and station amenities are currently underway Track works including RC trackbed construction and temporary track installation have also been completed at the siteProgress on river bridges is also substantial with 17 of 25 bridges constructed The 47km SuratâBilimora section is among the most advanced stretches where civil works and trackbed preparation have been fully completed IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/india-to-receive-its-1st-bullet-train-on-august-15-next-year-ashwini-vaishnaw-656536.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/debt-figures-alone-dont-reflect-economic-strength-says-p-chidambaram-in-defence-of-tn-656544.html Chennai Jan 1 Senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday asserted that assessing a stateâs financial health solely on the basis of its total debt is fundamentally flawed as such comparisons ignore broader economic realities In a statement where he extended New Year greetings Chidambaram said that rising public debt is a global phenomenon and should not be selectively used to criticise individual states like Tamil Nadu Developed economies such as the United States the United Kingdom Japan France and Canada continue to witness an annual increase in their overall public debt he noted The same trend is visible in India as well Both the countryâs total debt and the combined debt of all states rise every year This by itself is not abnormal he said According to the former Union Finance Minister the correct indicator for assessing financial health is not the absolute quantum of debt but the ratio of debt to Gross Domestic Product GDP That is the accepted and meaningful yardstick he said adding that Tamil Naduâs debttoGSDP ratio has remained stable from 2021â22 through 2025â26 Chidambaram further noted that fiscal projections indicate a steady reduction in the stateâs fiscal deficit with Tamil Nadu expected to meet the National Institution for Transforming India NITI Aayog target of limiting the deficit to three per cent by 2025â26 This is a commendable achievement and reflects responsible fiscal management he said While acknowledging that there is always scope for improvement in financial governance he strongly opposed comparisons between Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh calling them misleading and inappropriate given the differing economic structures revenue bases and development trajectories of the two states His remarks came against the backdrop of political controversy triggered by comments made earlier by Congress leader and data analyst Praveen Chakravarty who had criticised Tamil Naduâs rising debt levels in comparison to Uttar Pradesh The remarks drew sharp reactions from the DMK prompting Chidambaramâs intervention to clarify the partyâs position and ease tensions within the INDIA bloc Chidambaramâs statement is being viewed as an attempt to reaffirm confidence in Tamil Naduâs fiscal management while also maintaining unity within the opposition alliance ahead of crucial political developments IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/debt-figures-alone-dont-reflect-economic-strength-says-p-chidambaram-in-defence-of-tn-656544.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/indias-gst-collection-jumps-61-per-cent-to-cross-rs-174-lakh-crore-in-december-656547.html New Delhi Jan 1 Indiaâs GST goods and services tax collection recorded a 61 per cent increase to Rs 174550 crore in December 2025 compared to Rs 164556 crore the same month of the previous year reflecting the increase in economic activity during the month official figures released on Thursday showed Central GST collections rose to Rs 34289 crore state GST collections to Rs 41368 crore and integrated GST collections to Rs 98894 croreThe government raised Rs 4551 crore via the GST compensation cess which is continuing only as a transitory arrangement till the entire loan and interest liability are settled The fullyear collection was Rs 88385 crore compared to Rs 11 lakh crore in 2024While there are new higher GST slabs like 40 per cent for luxury items the cess continues on tobacco and pan masalaTotal GST refunds in December amounted to Rs 28980 crore compared with Rs 22138 crore in the same month of the previous yearThe GST collection has registered a growth despite the cut in tax rates that kicked in on September 22 as this has resulted in an increase in the demand for goods and services by consumers leading to an increase in economic activityMeanwhile the Finance Ministry on Thursday also issued a series of notifications that would bring into effect the new tax regime for tobacco products from February 1 2026It was notified that the Central Excise Amendment Act 2025 passed in the recentlyconcluded Winter session of Parliament would come into force from February 1 2026 This Act specifies new rates of excise duty on tobacco products It also notified that the provisions of the Health Security Se National Security Act 2025 which currently levies a cess on the manufacture of pan masala will come into force from February 1 2026The ministry also released an FAQ list to explain that under the Goods and Services Tax regime the excise duty on cigarettes had so far been rendered a nominal amount of a fraction of a paisa per cigarette stick and that the GST compensation cess rate on tobacco products had not been increased since it was implemented in July 2017 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/indias-gst-collection-jumps-61-per-cent-to-cross-rs-174-lakh-crore-in-december-656547.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kharsawan-firing-anniversary-jharkhand-cm-announces-judicial-panel-to-honour-martyrs-656551.html Ranchi Jan 1 While January 1 is celebrated across the world as the beginning of a new year the day remains a symbol of grief and sacrifice for Jharkhands Kharsawan Seventyseven years ago on January 1 1948 a few months after India attained independence the soil of Kharsawan was soaked in blood during a brutal firing on tribal protesters an incident often compared to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre On that fateful day thousands of tribals had gathered to oppose the proposal to merge the princely states of Kharsawan and Seraikela with the then Orissa The protest was triggered by the demand for a separate state and was met with indiscriminate police firing leaving scores deadAs every year large numbers of people assembled at the Martyrsâ Memorial in Kharsawan on Thursday to pay homage to those who laid down their livesJharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren former Chief Minister Arjun Munda Minister Deepak Birua Singhbhum MP Joba Majhi Chakradharpur MLA Sukhram Oraon Kharsawan MLA Dashrath Gagrai and Ichagarh MLA Sabita Mahato were among the leaders who visited the memorial on Thursday morning and paid floral tributes The Chief Minister announced the formation of a judicial panel to identify and honour those martyred during the massacreAfter paying tribute Soren said Today is Martyrsâ Day as well as the first day of the year For the world it is New Yearâs Day a day of celebration But for the tribals indigenous people farmers and labourers of Jharkhand January 1 is Martyrsâ Day Jharkhand is steeped in the history of sacrifice perhaps no other state has witnessed so many martyrsA draft has been prepared for this purpose A judicial inquiry commission will be constituted with retired judges as its members The martyrs of this firing will be honoured before the next Martyrsâ Day he saidThe firing was linked to the reorganisation of princely states following Independence A proposal to merge Kharsawan and Seraikela with Orissa had triggered strong opposition from the local tribal population who instead demanded a separate state To press their demand a massive public meeting was organised at the Kharsawan Haat ground on January 1 1948 under the leadership of renowned tribal leader Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh MundaTribal activists from Jamshedpur Ranchi Chaibasa Simdega Khunti Tamar and other areas had gathered in Kharsawan to participate in the meeting However Jaipal Singh Munda could not reach the venue for some reasonSubsequently the gathering decided to proceed towards the Kharsawan royal palace to convey their demands to the king Anticipating unrest the Orissa government had deployed a heavy police forceAs the crowd moved towards the palace police issued warnings to stop When these warnings went unheeded the police opened fire indiscriminately on the unarmed protestersThe Kharsawan firing is remembered as one of the most brutal episodes of repression in the history of Indiaâs tribal movementsIn a speech delivered on January 11 1948 Jaipal Singh Munda recounted that bodies were strewn across the Kharsawan market area while the wounded cried out for help and waterHe alleged that the administration sealed off the area preventing entry or exit and that by evening bodies were loaded onto trucks and disposed of in forests and riversEven after more than seven decades the exact number of those killed in the firing remains unknown The report of the tribunal constituted to investigate the massacre has also not been made public to date IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kharsawan-firing-anniversary-jharkhand-cm-announces-judicial-panel-to-honour-martyrs-656551.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/inspired-by-shubhanshu-shukla-youth-to-lead-viksit-bharat-march-in-2026-vice-prez-656558.html New Delhi Jan 1 Hailing Group Captain Shubhanshu Shuklaâs space sojourn in 2025 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday hoped that in the New Year the energy of our youth rooted in our rich cultural ethos will lead the countryâs march towards the vision of Viksit Bharat2047 In a message for citizens on the first day of 2026 âI call upon the youth of India the custodians of the nationâs future to take five pledges for Bharat Mata on this New YearâThe pledges are To remain completely free from drugs to adopt technology responsibly and ethically using innovation and digital tools for nationbuilding and inclusive development to focus on physical and mental health by embracing an active lifestyle to uphold constitutional values integrity and social harmony and to contribute selflessly to the progress of the nation he saidDuring 2025 Operation Sindoor underscored Indiaâs determination to protect its citizens and sent a strong message to terrorists and their sponsors that justice and security will prevail and that any threat to our sovereignty will be met with firm and resolute action he saidHe said during the year Parliament enacted historic legislation reflecting the nationâs determined march towards Viksit Bharat while also witnessing significant deliberations including the commemoration of the 150th year of Vande MataramThe nation solemnly observed several landmark occasions including the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur the 150th birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Vallabhbhai Patel the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee said RadhakrishnanHe also listed the nationâs achievements in the year gone byâIndiaâs achievements in science technology and space during 2025 further strengthened its position as a global innovation hub Under the leadership of the ISRO the successful SPADEX mission demonstrated satellite docking capabilities while the LVM 3M6 launch showcased Indiaâs growing heavylift capacityââThe mission of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station marked a significant step in Indiaâs expanding human spaceflight ambitionsâ he saidâIn the field of sports 2025 brought many moments of national pride Our Menâs Cricket Team lifted the ICC Champions Trophy while the Indian Womenâs Cricket Team created history by winning the ICC Womenâs Cricket World Cup for the first time India also won both the menâs and womenâs titles at the Kho Kho World Cupâ he said detailing achievements in the field of sportsMeanwhile Radhakrishnan will undertake a twoday visit to Tamil Nadu starting Friday for events including a university convocation a civic reception and a templeâs Golden Jubilee in VelloreâOn Friday the Vice President will preside over the 34th Convocation of Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute University Chennaiâ said a statementLater in the day the VicePresident will attend the Ram Nath Goenka Sahitya Samman ceremony at Taj Coromandel In the evening he will participate in a Public Reception at Kalaivanar Arangam Chennai This will be followed by a Civic Reception hosted by the Governor of Tamil Nadu at Lok Bhavan it saidOn Saturday the Vice President will attend the 50th Golden Jubilee Jayanthi Celebrations of Sri Sakthi Amma at Vellore Golden Temple In the afternoon he will attend the 9th Siddha Day Celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam Triplicane Chennai IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/inspired-by-shubhanshu-shukla-youth-to-lead-viksit-bharat-march-in-2026-vice-prez-656558.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rajasthan-daily-newspaper-reading-mandatory-in-govt-schools-656562.html Jaipur Jan 1 The Education Department has launched an innovative and commendable initiative aimed at strengthening reading habits enhancing language skills and developing an understanding of current affairs among students studying in government schools across the state Under this new effort daily newspaper reading has been made mandatory for all government school students in RajasthanAs per the instructions 10 minutes will be dedicated during the morning assembly each day for reading important national international and sports news including editorials and major developments In addition five new words with their meanings will be introduced daily to enrich studentsâ vocabularyThis responsibility will be carried out by students from classes 6 to 12 Orders to this effect have been issued by the School Education SecretaryThe Education Department believes that this initiative will increase studentsâ interest in news expand their general knowledge and bring about improvement in their language and expression skills The step aims to nurture aware informed and confident citizens Further on âNo Bag Dayâ a collective assembly will be organised to discuss current eventsSenior secondary schools must subscribe to a minimum of two newspapers one English and one Hindi Every government upper primary school must subscribe to two Hindi newspapers Englishmedium government schools should subscribe to at least two newspapers one English and one Hindi During the morning assembly one English and one Hindi nationallevel newspaper must be read aloud âThis initiative of the Education Department will provide students with national international and sportsrelated information while also developing their reading habitsâ said the School Education Secretary IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rajasthan-daily-newspaper-reading-mandatory-in-govt-schools-656562.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sabarimala-gold-theft-case-cm-vijayans-office-rejects-fabricated-story-claim-as-oppn-targets-p-sasi-656563.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 1 The office of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday strongly refuted allegations by UDF convener and Congress MP Adoor Prakash that reports about the Special Investigation Team SIT likely to summon him in the Sabarimala gold theft case were fabricated by the CMO or the Chief Ministers political secretary P Sasi describing the claim as completely baseless and factually incorrect In an official statement the CMO clarified that the Kerala High Court appointed the SIT and operated under the supervision of a Division BenchThe investigation reports are submitted directly to the High Court and a strict court directive prohibits any disclosures of case detailsNeither the Chief Ministers Office nor the political secretary has any involvement in the investigation or in spreading information regarding it the release saidHowever the Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan questioned the narrative asking if Adoor Prakash was a minister when the Sabarimala theft occurredHe highlighted that Kadakampally Surendrans questioning was kept secret while news circulated that Prakash might be summonedSatheesan emphasised that if the police summon him for evidence or testimony he will appearHe also pointed out that when Pinarayi Vijayan was Chief Minister and CPIM leaders held positions in the Devaswom Board it was the CPIM leadership not Congress who allegedly misappropriated gold and that recent claims are attempts to balance this realityMeanwhile Prakash told the media that if he gets a notice to present himself before the SIT he will first tell the media and wish that they accompany himI have nothing in this and will appear if the notice is served Whats in it for me in this asked PrakashThe Sabarimala gold theft case which has already revealed a largerthanexpected theft of gold from multiple sacred structures continues to intensify politicallyThe SITs courtmonitored probe remains ongoing and further reports and questioning are expected in the coming daysAs the government reiterates that it has no role in the investigation the controversy underscores a growing tension between judicial processes and political narratives with both sides seeking to shape public perception even as the High Courtsupervised investigation continues IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sabarimala-gold-theft-case-cm-vijayans-office-rejects-fabricated-story-claim-as-oppn-targets-p-sasi-656563.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-over-258-lakh-beneficiaries-provided-homes-in-three-years-656564.html Gandhinagar Jan 1 Gujarat has provided over 258 lakh beneficiaries with homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana â Gramin PMAYG over the last three financial years including 93000 houses constructed in the current year alone The scheme aims to provide dignified pucca housing to rural families previously deprived of adequate shelter improving living standards health sanitation and overall wellbeingThe PMAYG scheme is funded jointly by the Centre 60 per cent and the State 40 per cent providing Rs 120 lakh per house in phased assistance along with an additional Rs 50000 during the roofcast stage directly credited to beneficiariesâ bank accountsFurther around 3000 landless families have received assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh for purchasing plots ensuring they too can access a permanent homeUnder the guidance of Rural Development Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and State Minister Sanjaysinh Mahida the Gujarat government continues to ensure that rural and landless citizens can fulfil their dream of owning a pucca houseâThese homes are not just structures they are the foundation for dignity security and prosperity in rural areasâ officials saidRecently in Narmada an ehome handover ceremony was held to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda with the special presence of Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe event witnessed the allocation of homes worth Rs 100819 crore to 61125 beneficiaries setting a benchmark for rural development and housing transformation in the StateThe PMAYG initiative continues to act as a beacon of hope for homeless families in rural Gujarat contributing significantly to the Stateâs vision of a developed India by 2047 by enabling citizens to move from temporary shelters to secure permanent homesThe Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana â Gramin PMAYG is a flagship rural housing scheme launched by the government of India to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to rural families living without adequate shelterFunded jointly by the Centre 60 per cent and the state 40 per cent the scheme offers phased financial assistance of Rs 120 lakh per house with an additional Rs 50000 provided at the roofcasting stage to help beneficiaries complete constructionPMAYG also extends support to landless families offering up to Rs 1 lakh for plot purchase ensuring access to a permanent home The programme emphasises dignity safety and improved living standards contributing to better health sanitation and socioeconomic upliftmentOver the past three years states like Gujarat have successfully provided homes to over 258 lakh rural families with special ehome handover events marking milestones often in the presence of national leadersBy enabling rural citizens to transition from temporary or inadequate shelters to secure wellconstructed homes PMAYG serves as a cornerstone of Indiaâs vision for inclusive rural development and a âHousing for Allâ mission significantly impacting livelihoods and community wellbeing IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-over-258-lakh-beneficiaries-provided-homes-in-three-years-656564.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/us-shifted-toward-realism-on-ukraine-conflict-eu-moved-the-opposite-way-report-656569.html New Delhi Jan 1 Washingtonâs âchange in approachâ towards the war in Ukraine and United States President Donald Trump becoming âthe first Western leader to engage Russiaâ were termed the most consequential political developments of the year by Moscowâs global television network âFor the first time since the conflict escalated in 2022 Ukraine went through an entire year without launching a major theatreshaping offensive The contrast with previous years is starkâ according to an article published on the website of RT the statecontrolled international news television network âAfter three years in which politics tried to outrun the battlefield 2025 marked a significant reversal Ukraine has begun to collapse narratively economically and militarily For the first time since the conflict escalated there was no Ukrainian offensive whatsoever never mind one capable of reshaping the front linesâ said the article However the most consequential political development of the year was not Russiaâs breakthrough on the front lines but a change in Washingtonâs approach The commentary referred to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyâs recent US visit where he sought President Trumpâs backing for a revised 20point peace plan Sundayâs meeting ended after more than three hours of talks in Florida with neither leader announcing any breakthrough âTrumpâs initiative effectively doorstepping Zelensky with a peace proposal just as his international reputation slumped over a 100 million corruption scandal involving his close associates was not about sympathy for Moscow but on the reality that wars between major powers end through negotiated settlement not narrative victoryâ claimed the unsigned article Incidentally Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Zelensky meeting While the US President appeared noncommittal in backing Zelenskyâs peace plan even before the meeting Russia had termed it âradically differentâ from the one it was working on with Washington The article emphasised Ukraineâs position and WashingtonMoscow relations stressing the security interests of the US and Russia âThe âspirit of Anchorageâ as it came to be described rested on a simple premise peace in Ukraine is inseparable from a broader stabilisation of USRussia relations and any settlement must respect the security interests of both sidesâ the report said referring to the TrumpPutin meeting in the Alaskan city The report was critical of Europeâs stand noting âWhile Washington shifted toward realism the European Union moved in the opposite directionâIt claimed that under the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and VicePresident Kaja Kallas the European Union has âfully fused its political identity with Ukraineâs maximalist position moving from stakeholder to partisanâAccording to earlier reports Ursula von der Leyen has been emphasising the importance of Ukraines accession to the European Union as a guarantee of peace where the blocâs enlargement will benefit not only the countries that join but also Europe itself âEurope insisted on framing the conflict primarily in ideological terms â democracy versus authoritarianism good versus evil â and treated compromise as moral failure rather than diplomatic necessity That posture placed Brussels fundamentally at odds with the logic emerging from Washington after Anchorageâ asserted the article It said that the gambit to steal Russian assets frozen in the bloc failed rubberstamping the blocâs diplomatic irrelevance to any peace process it continuedIt added that the EU was not removed from negotiations by conspiracy or hostility it removed itself by making meaningful mediation impossible In an apparent reference to Moscowâs own peace plans the article stated âZelensky is no longer âwinningâ and the war will not be fought âfor as long as it takesâ Peace frameworks have been drafted elsewhere Texts have been exchanged between major powers before Kiev sees them It is invited to comment amend and react â not to define the processâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/us-shifted-toward-realism-on-ukraine-conflict-eu-moved-the-opposite-way-report-656569.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/you-are-my-greatest-inspiration-tej-pratap-on-his-mother-rabri-devis-birthday-656570.html Patna Jan 1 As people across the country welcome the New Year the day also marks the birthday of Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi On the occasion Rabri Devis elder son Tej Pratap Yadav extended heartfelt birthday wishes to his mother through a social media postDescribing her as his greatest inspiration Tej Pratap praised her strength sacrifice and unconditional loveIn his message Tej Pratap wrote Happy Birthday Mom You are the soul of our family Every smile every prayer every moment that feels like home is because of you You held things together even when we didnt know what it meant to hold things togetherHe further added You are my greatest inspiration You gave without counting loved unconditionally and stood strong even when no one saw how heavy the burden was They say when God cannot be everywhere He sends a mother and we are fortunate to have youHowever unlike previous years a notable silence prevailed at her official residence at 10 Circular Road PatnaIt is noteworthy that Rabri Devis residence is usually filled with visitors and celebrations during festivals and family occasions This year however the atmosphere remained subduedRabri Devi is currently alone in Patna though RJD leaders and wellwishers have been visiting the residence with bouquets to extend birthday greetings but there were no largescale celebrationsRabri Devis husband Lalu Prasad Yadav is currently in Delhi and recuperating after eye surgery while her son and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav is reportedly on a foreign trip with his wife Rajshree and their two childrenDespite being expelled from the party for six years and living separately from the family Tej Pratap Yadavs emotional message reflected his bond with his mother highlighting the personal dimension of the occasionRJD performed miserably in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly election securing only 25 seats IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/you-are-my-greatest-inspiration-tej-pratap-on-his-mother-rabri-devis-birthday-656570.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/committed-to-aravali-mountain-range-conservation-haryana-minister-656577.html Chandigarh Jan 1 Haryana Environment Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Thursday said the government is committed to the conservation of the Aravali mountain range With this objective the government is implementing the Haryana Aravali Green Wall Project which focuses on addressing major environmental challenges such as desertification land degradation and drought A detailed action plan has been prepared to implement this project by 2030 Expressing gratitude to the Central government he said Haryana is getting the opportunity to host this important event at the IUCN Pavilion is a matter of pride for the state He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi landmark initiatives such as Mission LiFE Lifestyle for Environment and âEk Ped Maa Ke Naamâ have been launched which have transformed environmental conservation into a mass movement These initiatives are inspiring people at the global national and local levels to adopt sustainable lifestyles Inspired by the Prime Ministerâs vision and under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini the government has launched innovative initiatives such as Oxy Van Pran Vayu Devta Yojana and Van Mitra Yojana to promote community participation These schemes will prove to be a strong pillar in the direction of Aravali conservation The Forest Minister said a proposal has been prepared to provide an annual honorarium to farmers for the conservation of native tree species such as Jati and Roheda in the southern Haryana regions of Mahendragarh Rewari Narnaul Charkhi Dadri Badhra and Loharu on the lines of the Pran Vayu Devta Yojana This initiative aims to maintain greenery in the Aravali region and directly involve local communities in conservation efforts Rao Narbir Singh said the Aravali mountain range holds immense ecological significance for Haryana It acts as a natural barrier against desertification and is a vital source of biodiversity water security and climate balance The Aravali plays a crucial role in groundwater recharge improvement of air quality mitigation of climate change impacts and supporting livelihoods in arid and semiarid regions He said the Aravali range is globally recognised as a landscape of cultural and historical significance symbolising the deep relationship between humans and nature The Forest Minister said through the Aravali Green Wall Project Haryana is committed to cooperation with all Aravali states including Rajasthan Gujarat and Delhi Projects such as the Gurugram Aravali Biodiversity Park are successful models of ecosystem restoration and have been declared Indiaâs first OECM Other Effective AreaBased Conservation Measure validating IUCNâs global guidelinesRao Narbir Singh said that Haryana welcomes the new definition of the Aravali mountain range given by the Supreme Court He said the government has prepared a proposal to conserve nearly 90 per cent of the Aravali area The government aims to create green employment enhance public participation and strengthen biodiversity conservation and environmentally friendly resource management in the Aravali region IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/committed-to-aravali-mountain-range-conservation-haryana-minister-656577.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/indore-dirty-water-death-toll-remains-uncertain-illnesses-rage-amid-govt-claims-656581.html Indore Jan 1 As residents of Bhagirathpura slum in Indore grapple with a deadly outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea linked to contaminated water the Madhya Pradesh government has yet to release exact data on the number of fatalities Local claims suggest the death toll could be as high as 13 while official acknowledgments remain stuck at just four leaving families in anguish and no authority able to provide a definitive count Meanwhile new cases of illness are still emerging with more than 50 people currently hospitalised and reports of fresh admissions on Thursday The crisis which has unfolded over the past week highlights a stark discrepancy between ground realities and administrative reports Between December 25 and 31 2025 locals reported at least 12 deaths including recent claims from two families on Thursday The deceased include Arvind the son of Hiralal Kulkarni and Shankar both succumbing to symptoms of severe vomiting and diarrhoea local sources said Despite these accounts the district administration insists only four deaths are directly attributable to the outbreak caused by contaminated water This ambiguity has fuelled public outrage and political bickering Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari lambasted the Bharatiya Janata Partyled government saying Indore has consistently voted the BJP MPs and MLAs to power but they have poisoned Indores water The question arises 13 deaths have occurred and the Chief Minister says that only four deaths have occurred Was it the Chief Ministers responsibility to hide the death toll We have formed a committee and a complete investigation is underway We demand that the families of the deceased be given a compensation of one crore rupees each The Chief Minister should punish those responsible for this incident Reacting to State Congress President Patwaris claims against the BJPled state government State Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya who also serves as the local MLA visited the affected families on Thursday to distribute government relief cheques of Rs 2 lakh each However the gesture was met with resistance a victims family refused the aid expressing frustration over the state governments inaction A video of the protest has gone viral on social media capturing the Ministers encounter with angry residents who surrounded him complaining that dirty water has been supplied for the past two years despite repeated complaints If our complaints had been heard earlier so many people would not have died women in the area told Minister Vijayvargiya Vijayvargiya who left the spot on a scooter with BJP Corporator Kamal Waghela later addressed the controversy over the death toll before the media saying The administration officials have informed me that four people have died due to this outbreak but there are reports of eight or nine deaths here in Bhagirathpura We will verify this information and if found to be true the families of the deceased will be provided with financial assistance as announced by the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav He added that around 200 people have been admitted to hospitals with no one currently in immediate danger one patient remains on a ventilator but is stable Our effort is to save peoples lives and provide maximum service We are going to help those who are economically weak We will provide assistance from the government as well as from society The outbreak has prompted urgent interventions from local authorities Following initial reports of three deaths and about 149 hospitalisations the Indore District Magistrate Shivam Verma and District Municipal Commissioner Dileep Kumar Yadav inspected the area The municipal corporation is now supplying clean water directly to homes and ambulances have been stationed for symptomatic residents Minister Vijayvargiya said Minister Vijayvargiya also convened a meeting with the Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav and officials to address the water contamination issue Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered an inquiry directing the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department Sanjay Dubey with investigating the matterDubey visited the Bhagirathpura slum on Thursday morning to assess the situation Doctors treating the affected note that individuals with weaker immune systems including children and the elderly have been hit the hardest Most cases involve stomach infections manageable with medication but the persistence of new infections underscores the ongoing threat As Indore the cleanest city in India faces this public health scandal residents demand transparency and swift action With no exact death toll forthcoming and illnesses unabated the state governments response remains under scrutiny raising broader questions about water quality management in urban slums IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/indore-dirty-water-death-toll-remains-uncertain-illnesses-rage-amid-govt-claims-656581.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/west-bengal-face-of-rg-kar-movement-resigns-from-junior-doctors-body-656582.html Kolkata Jan 1 Aniket Mahato one of the prominent faces of the protest movement by junior doctors in West Bengal against the ghastly rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of the staterun RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata within the hospital premises in August 2024 on Thursday tendered his resignation from the post of president of the âboard of trusteesâ of the West Bengal Junior Doctorsâ Front WBJDF the umbrella body spearheading the movement In his resignation letter addressed to the board of trustees Mahato said that although the decision was painful he was constrained to step down from the postWhile Mahato did not spell out the exact reasons behind his resignation in the letter he hinted at his dissatisfaction with certain decisions related to the formation of the executive committee of the frontAccording to Mahato the executive committee was constituted without establishing any defined relationship with the board of trustees and in disregard of legal advice He described the decisions related to the formation of the committee as âundemocraticâ and âinconsistentâ with the spirit of the movement seeking justice for the victimHe also claimed that he had repeatedly raised objections to the manner in which the executive committee was formed but his concerns were ignoredSources said that the executive committee of the WBJDF comprises 37 members and that differences between members of the board of trustees and the executive committee had emerged over the division of responsibilitiesHowever Mahato declined to offer detailed comments on his resignation when approached by the media He said that since he had quit before the formal voting on the new committee it would not be fair on his part to comment on the internal developmentsMahato said that the WBJDF had launched the movement on the RG Kar issue after receiving spontaneous support from millions of people âNow it is up to the front to decide on the future course of actionâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/west-bengal-face-of-rg-kar-movement-resigns-from-junior-doctors-body-656582.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 07:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-governor-hosts-new-year-celebrations-at-lok-bhavan-656592.html Hyderabad Jan 1 Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Thursday hosted New Year 2026 Open House celebrations at Lok Bhavan here Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy several Cabinet Ministers senior bureaucrats and other prominent personalities called on the Governor and extended New Year greetingsHundreds of people from various walks of life across the state also participated in the celebrations exchanging warm New Year wishes with the GovernorGovernor Varma conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the people of Telangana wishing them a healthy happy safe and prosperous New YearPrincipal Secretary to the Governor M Dana Kishore and other senior officials of Lok Bhavan were present on the occasionMeanwhile several ministers called on Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at his residence and conveyed New Year greetings to himMinisters Ponnam Prabhakar Seethakka Konda Surekha and Mohammed Azharuddin along with Members of Parliament Members of the Legislative Assembly Members of the Legislative Council and senior officials met the Chief Minister and greeted him on the occasionThe Chief Minister also released the diary and calendar of the Prison Department in the presence of senior officials from the departmentEarlier in the day Governor Jishnu Dev Varma virtually inaugurated the Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship Development IIED Cell at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies RGUKT BasarThe Governor sanctioned funds from his discretionary quota for the establishment of the IIED Cell at RGUKT BasarNoting that RGUKT was established to provide technical education to rural youth the Governor said the new cell would help foster innovation and entrepreneurship among studentsHe said the IIED Cell would provide mentorship infrastructure support industry linkages and startup assistance to address challenges in agriculture healthcare and sustainability sectorsThe Governor urged students to pursue innovation with ethical values for inclusive growth and expressed confidence that RGUKT Basar would emerge as a leading innovation hub contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat He also assured all possible support to the IIED Cell in the futureMeanwhile Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer along with First Lady Sameera Nazeer participated in New Year celebrations held at the Durbar Hall of Andhra Pradesh Lok Bhavan in Vijayawada where they cut a cake to mark the occasionChief Secretary K Vijayanand along with his wife presented a bouquet to the Governor and the First Lady and extended New Year greetings IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-governor-hosts-new-year-celebrations-at-lok-bhavan-656592.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/over-73-lakh-claims-and-objections-filed-during-sir-of-electoral-rolls-in-tn-656593.html Chennai Jan 1 The ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR of the electoral rolls has witnessed a significant response from political parties and the general public with more than 73 lakh claims and objections received across Tamil Nadu during the review period from December 19 2025 to January 18 2026 top poll panel officials said on Thursday According to official data released by the Election Commission of India ECI authorities the figures reflect the level of public engagement in ensuring an accurate and inclusive electoral roll ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections During the claims and objections window which was open until 8 pm on December 31 a total of 272148 representations were submitted by recognised political parties through their Booth Level Agents BLAs Among national parties the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP accounted for the highest number submitting 61438 claims along with 20 requests for inclusion and one objection seeking deletionThe Congress followed with 30592 claims while the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist CPIM submitted 3719 claims The Aam Aadmi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party filed 64 and 125 claims respectively and the National Peoples Party submitted 57 claims Among statelevel political parties the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK recorded the highest number of submissions with 68260 claims The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMK followed closely with 67286 claims including 24 requests for inclusion and 63 for deletion The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam DMDK submitted 36375 claims while the Communist Party of India CPI Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK and Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK submitted 1442 245 and 2545 claims respectively In addition to submissions from political parties a large number of individual electors participated in the SIR process A total of 735191 applications were received for inclusion of names through Form6 and Form6A while 9505 applications seeking deletion of names were submitted using Form7 after the publication of the draft electoral roll Election officials noted that no claims or objections were received prior to the publication of the draft roll and no affidavits were submitted under Section 2g of the Representation of the People Act 1950 Authorities clarified that only properly submitted forms with valid declarations will be considered and the final electoral roll will be published after completing verification and scrutiny procedures IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/over-73-lakh-claims-and-objections-filed-during-sir-of-electoral-rolls-in-tn-656593.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jal-shakti-ministry-expands-odf-net-in-rural-india-during-2025-656595.html New Delhi Jan 1 The Jal Shakti Ministry made significant strides in 2025 under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase II with over 83 per cent of villages declared as ODF Plus Model more than 527 lakh villages having arrangements for solid waste management and 541 lakh villages having arrangements for liquid waste management an official said on Thursday The Swachhata Hi Seva SHS 2025 campaign conducted during September and October witnessed mass participation and Jan Bhagidari from over 18 crore people including more than 13 crore individuals from rural IndiaInspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs nationwide call Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil led a Shramdaan programme at Kalindi Kunj under Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 as part of the âEk Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saathâ initiativeThe Minister of State for Jal Shakti also engaged in a dialogue with more than 150 sarpanches ahead of the 79th Independence Day celebrations in 2025According to the official the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitationâs DDWS âHamara Shauchalay Hamara Bhavishyaâ campaign led to the repair and beautification of over one lakh Individual Household Latrines IHHLs and more than 550 Community Sanitary Complexes CSCsThe campaign also recorded over 49000 information education and communication IEC and behaviour change communication BCC events which saw participation from more than 32 lakh individuals the official saidSharing details on the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen the official said it is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2 2014âThe mission aimed to make India Open Defecation Free ODF by October 2 2019 the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi The focus of SBMG Phase I was to provide access to toilets for all rural households across the countryâ the official said in a statementAs a result by October 2019 all villages nationwide had declared themselves ODF with rural sanitation coverage increasing from 39 per cent in 2014 to 100 per cent in 2019SBMG Phase II was launched in 2020 after India was declared ODF with the objective of achieving Sampoorna Swachhata and ensuring that no one is left behind in gaining access to individual household toilets and proper waste management systems while progressing towards ODF Plus Model village statusThe key objective of SBMG Phase II is to ensure that all villages sustain their ODF status and move towards becoming ODF Plus Model villages The programme focuses on ODF sustainability solid waste management liquid waste management and visual cleanlinessIn 2025 the total programme outlay for SBMG Phase II stood at over Rs 140 lakh crore As per the SBMG IMIS portal as of December 16 2025 more than 12 crore Individual Household Latrines and 267 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes have been constructed since October 2 2014Over 489 lakh villages have been declared ODF Plus Model of which more than 415 lakh villages have been verified as ODF Plus Model More than 527 lakh villages have arrangements for solid waste management over 5300 blocks have arrangements for plastic waste management and more than 541 lakh villages have arrangements for liquid waste management the statement saidUnder the GOBARdhan initiative more than 970 community biogas plants are currently functional As many as 21306 training programmes have been conducted covering 115274 gram panchayats the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jal-shakti-ministry-expands-odf-net-in-rural-india-during-2025-656595.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistan-surviving-on-imf-reviews-but-economy-remains-vulnerable-as-ever-report-656596.html New Delhi Jan 1 Pakistan is witnessing the institutionalisation of a survivalist economy where every policy choice is dictated by the need to pass the next International Monetary Fund IMF review regardless of whether that policy erodes the tax base for the next decade while the economy remains vulnerable as ever headed nowhere except most likely into another IMF programme as per a news report The report in Business Recorder by Shahid Sattar reveals that Pakistan suffers from a chronic twin deficit a fiscal gap spending more than it collects and a balance of payments crisis consuming more foreign exchange than it earnsFor fifty years our imports have hovered at double the rate of our exports as a percentage of GDP Simply Pakistan is a country that has failed to produce it addedThe report argued that the fundamental flaw in the IMFâs approach is a dogmatic adherence to revenue extraction at the cost of value creationBy forcing the government to meet rigid fiscal targets and through any means necessary at this point the Fund has encouraged policies that stifle the very exportled growth required to break the debt cycle it further statedThe historic economic model of state patronage was flawed and resulted in suboptimal allocation of resourcesBut there is a difference between weaning an addict off drugs and starving a healthy person The IMF programme appears unable to distinguish between withdrawing support and subsidies and actively destroying the ecosystem required for legitimate businesses to function the report further arguedOn paper the IMF deals with the Finance Minister and the Governor of the State Bank Technically all policies within the Letter of Intent are the governmentâs own ideasIn reality the programme reflects the behest of those holding the greatest political and economic leverage When policies fail the IMF claims the government designed them the government claims the IMF demanded them This ambiguity serves everyone but the country and its citizens the report lamentedUnless we reclaim our policymaking from the narrow revenuecentric confines of IMF programmes we are not just managing a crisis but rather our own decline it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistan-surviving-on-imf-reviews-but-economy-remains-vulnerable-as-ever-report-656596.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/door-to-door-anaemia-prevention-drive-launched-in-jampks-ramban-656598.html Ramban Jan 1 The Health Department on Thursday intensified the Anaemia Mukt Bharat campaign in Jammu and Kashmirs Ramban district by organising a special awareness and training programme involving trained doctors ASHA workers and other female health staff During the programme ASHA workers were sensitised about effective strategies to prevent and manage anaemia among women and children Trained doctors educated participants on the identification prevention and management of anaemia while emphasising the crucial role played by ASHA workers in reaching out to communities at the grassroots levelMedical experts stressed that ASHA workers should regularly visit their assigned areas spread awareness identify anaemia cases at an early stage and ensure proper guidance and followupThe initiative aims to strengthen interventions at the ground level so that through collective and sustained efforts Ramban district can be made anaemiafreeSpeaking to IANS Dr Reyaz said that continuous efforts are being made under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat campaign in the district and gaps are being identified he added that an open discussion was held during the Ramban programme and work on the campaign would now begin at the grassroots levelHe also said that ASHA workers will administer Iron Folic Acid syrup to children aged between six months to five years at a dose of one millilitre per week The intake will be closely monitored and records will be maintained Once mothers are adequately informed they will be encouraged to administer the syrup themselves For children aged between five to nine years pink tablets will be given while blue tablets will be provided to children aged between 10 and 19 yearsDr Ankula said that ASHA workers were thoroughly briefed about the Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme during the event She said that the ASHA workers were trained on how to conduct doortodoor visits and ensure proper distribution of medicines to childrenThe campaign reflects the Health Departments commitment to combating anaemia through awareness early detection and sustained communitylevel intervention across the Ramban district IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/door-to-door-anaemia-prevention-drive-launched-in-jampks-ramban-656598.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/special-intensive-revision-gains-momentum-in-kerala-656605.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 1 The ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR of the electoral rolls saw a good response from political parties and the general public with around 60061 claims and objections received in Kerala Keralaâs Chief Electoral Officer on Monday released the daily bulletin of the Special Intensive Revision SIR covering claims and objections up to December 31 2025 against the draft electoral roll of 25442352 electorsThe claims and objections period opened on 23rd December and will go on till 22nd January 2026The representations were submitted by recognised political parties through their Booth Level Agents BLAsThe various political parties which submitted include six national partiesThe CPIM with 21246 led from the front Congress â 20278 BJP â 7249 AAP 175 Bahujan Samaj Party 5 and National Peopleâs Party9Among the state parties which submitted include CPI 5120 IUML 4289 JD S 27 Kerala Congress â 474 Kerala Congress M â 493 and RSP 596 A total of 405308 applications were received for inclusion of names through Form6 and Form6A while 2419 applications seeking deletion of names were submitted using Form7 after the publication of the draft electoral rollBefore the publication of the draft roll 359 lakh applications for inclusion and 30202 applications from overseas electors were receivedIn the same period 2419 objections seeking the deletion of names were filedAfter the publication of the draft roll an additional 28529 applications for inclusion and 6242 overseas elector applications were received directly from voters along with 37 objections seeking deletionsThe Election Commission has clarified that only applications submitted in prescribed forms are treated as valid claims or objections and that general complaints or representations without the required documentation are not countedThe claims and objections window will remain open until January 22 after which the final electoral roll will be prepared IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/special-intensive-revision-gains-momentum-in-kerala-656605.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-govt-approaches-police-to-expose-conspiracy-behind-fake-narrative-on-teachers-dog-count-duty-656608.html New Delhi Jan 1 The Delhi governmentâs Education Department has filed a formal police complaint against attempts to spread falsehoods and create a fake narrative that school teachers in the city are proposed to be deployed for counting stray dogs an official said on Thursday Director of Information Publicity Sushil Singh told mediapersons that though the department had issued a âFake newsâ alert such doctored videos and social media content it was necessary to uncover the conspiracy behind itâThe complaint has been filed to look into the role of individuals who have amplified the conspiracy through social media platformsâ he saidHe said the culprits were trying to achieve objectives other than political criticismSingh criticised the misuse of social media for spreading falsehoods and said the police have been requested to investigateSingh said The Directorate of Information and Publicity is addressing the media today to highlight the misuse of social media platforms and how falsehoods about government decisions are created through fake reels and videosââThe objective of the Directorate of Education and the Directorate of Information and Publicity is to set the record straight explain how misinformation spreads and outline the governmentâs response A false narrative was circulated alleging that government school teachers were directed to count stray dogsâ he said blaming some vested interestsMany reels were circulated on social media and in some clips some people were impersonating teachers and giving false and misleading statements related to dog count duty he saidâThis claim was baseless and fabricated and it presented an impression that there was an official order whereas there was no such directiveâ he saidThe false claim originated from the misrepresentation of a routine circular by the Directorate of EducationThe Directorate has clarified that no such circular was issued âThis was not routine political criticism It created public outrage and undermined the position of the Directorateâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-govt-approaches-police-to-expose-conspiracy-behind-fake-narrative-on-teachers-dog-count-duty-656608.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/election-commission-interacts-with-jana-sena-delegation-on-electoral-reforms-656609.html Amaravati Jan 1 The Election Commission of India ECI on Thursday interacted with a delegation of the Jana Sena Party to seek its suggestions on electoral reforms Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi held discussions with the Jana Sena delegation at Nirvachan Sadan in New DelhiThe Jana Sena Party delegation comprised its representatives E Pratap Kumar and RMV Sumanth However the party has not issued any statement detailing the suggestions it submitted to the ECI during the interactionThe Jana Sena Party JSP headed by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is a constituent of the Telugu Desam Partyled ruling coalition in the stateThe Election Commission has been holding meetings with leaders and representatives of recognised political parties as part of its efforts to further strengthen electoral processes within the existing legal framework The Commission has invited suggestions from all national and state political partiesIt was in March 2025 that the Commission had envisaged interactions with party presidents and senior leaders at mutually convenient times to discuss measures to strengthen electoral processes in accordance with established lawThe ECI has also urged political parties to proactively utilise the mechanism of decentralised engagement with election authoritiesIn July the Commission had interacted with a delegation from the Telugu Desam Party TDP during which the party suggested strengthening electoral roll verification through annual thirdparty audits conducted under the Comptroller and Auditor General CAG of India to identify anomaliesThe TDP delegation had also urged the ECI to initiate the Special Intensive Revision SIR process in Andhra Pradesh at an early stage and advocated that deletion of any voter name should be based on a reasoned order proper notice and an opportunity for the elector to respondThe party further called for the use of AIdriven tools to flag duplication migration and deceased entries in real time to improve electoral roll managementThe TDP a partner in the BJPled NDA government at the Centre had made these suggestions with the aim of enhancing transparency and strengthening the electoral processTDP Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Krishna Devarayalu had submitted a letter containing the partyâs suggestions to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/election-commission-interacts-with-jana-sena-delegation-on-electoral-reforms-656609.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-lauds-bjp-legislator-suresh-kumars-bengaluru-kanniyakumari-cycling-feat-656610.html New Delhi Jan 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised senior BJP leader S Suresh Kumar an MLA from the Rajajinagar Assembly constituency in Bengaluru for his feat of cycling from the Karnataka capital to Kanniyakumari describing the effort as commendable and inspiring particularly in view of the health challenges he overcame at the age of 70 In a post on social media platform X PM Modi on Thursday said Suresh Kumars achievement highlighted grit determination and the importance of fitness He also said he spoke to Suresh Kumar and personally congratulated him for the effortShri S Suresh Kumar Jiâs feat of cycling from Bengaluru to Kanniyakumari is commendable and inspiring The fact that it was done after he overcame health setbacks highlights his grit and unyielding spirit It also gives an important message of fitness Spoke to him and congratulated him for the effort the Prime Minister wrote on XSuresh Kumar a former Karnataka minister and senior BJP leader completed a 702km cycling journey from Bengaluru to Kanniyakumari in five days The journey drew attention for being undertaken at the age of 70 and after he recovered from serious health issuesIn a separate post on X Suresh Kumar said he was thrilled to receive a call from PM Modi congratulating him on the cycling expedition He said the Prime Minister was keen to know about the details of the journey and its significanceI was really thrilled to receive a call from none other than Honble PM of Bharath narendramodi congratulating me for my 702 kms cycling to Kanyakumari He was happy to know that after 51 years this was my second cycling to Kanyakumari that too after suffering a serious ailment Suresh Kumar postedThis was Suresh Kumars second cycling journey to Kanniyakumari the first having been undertaken over five decades ago His latest effort has been widely shared on social media with many highlighting the message of perseverance and physical fitnessPM Modi has on several occasions emphasised the importance of physical fitness and an active lifestyle encouraging citizens to adopt healthier habits through initiatives such as Fit India IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-lauds-bjp-legislator-suresh-kumars-bengaluru-kanniyakumari-cycling-feat-656610.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kcr-creating-water-disputes-to-save-brs-says-tgana-cm-revanth-reddy-656612.html Hyderabad Jan 1 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday alleged that the former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR is creating water disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to keep his party afloat The Chief Minister accused KCR of trying to save Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS by inciting regional sentiments and raking up the name of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in TelanganaHe also accused the BRS President KCR of skipping the state Assembly due to fear of being questioned over siphoning of funds in the name of irrigation projectsThe Chief Minister was speaking at a meeting where State Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy made a powerpoint presentation on irrigation projects and river water issues before Ministers Congress legislators other public representatives and senior officialsThe powerpoint presentation was made to prepare Ministers and MLAs to counter the attack by Opposition BRS in the state Assembly during the debate on irrigation and river water issuesThe Chief Minister dared KCR to come to state Assembly and participate in the debateRevanth Reddy recalled that the Telangana movement was mainly for the water rights If the water of Krishna and Godavari rivers was fully utilised during the 10year rule of BRS Telangana would have made huge progressSaying that 811 TMC of Krishna water was allocated to undivided Andhra Pradesh and after bifurcation Andhra Pradesh was allocated 512 TMC while Telangana was earmarked 299 TMC the Telangana Chief Minister saidHe claimed that the then Chief Minister KCR signed documents accepting 299 TMC for Telangana KCRs signature became an advantage for Andhra Pradesh He agreed for 66 per cent water share for Andhra Pradesh and 34 per cent for Telangana he saidChief Minister Revanth Reddy added that if the course of Krishna river is analysed Telangana should get 71 per cent of its water KCR did not make strong arguments in this regard Today Krishna River Management Board is saying that KCR had accepted 299 TMC he saidRevanth Reddy added that since the very existence of BRS is at stake following the defeat in the state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections and state Assembly bypolls Realising this KCR is again trying to create water dispute between the two states to save his party As part of this he is making false propaganda against the Congress government he saidThe Chief Minister claimed that KCR did not submit detailed project report DPR for the PalamuruRangareddy Irrigation Project for seven years Without preparing DPR he spent Rs 27000 crore Since DPR was not prepared there was no environmental clearance for the project he saidRevanth Reddy said when cases were filed in the Supreme Court to stop construction of Palamuru project without approvals the KCR government filed an affidavit saying that it is not an irrigation project The Supreme Court was told that the project will utilise only 715 TMC for drinking water purpose he addedHe alleged that KCR paid Rs 27000 crore to pump and lift companies for commissions He KCR conspired to make it a lift project so that he can make more commissions CM Revanth Reddy saidHe added that Palamuru project was originally designed to draw water from Jurala but KCR realised that if this was done there will be no need for lifting the water Hence KCR changed it to Srisailam However only 025 TMC could be drawn from Srisailam back waters he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kcr-creating-water-disputes-to-save-brs-says-tgana-cm-revanth-reddy-656612.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/odisha-government-announces-major-ias-reshuffle-656619.html Bhubaneswar Jan 1 A day after 1991 batch IAS officer Anu Garg took charge as the new Chief Secretary the state government on Thursday announced a major reshuffle in the senior IAS cadre The reshuffle marks one of the first major administrative moves under Chief Secretary Anu Gargâs leadership signalling an active restructuring of roles for improved governance and departmental coordinationAmong significant changes effected by the state government the 1993batch IAS Deoranjan Kumar Singh will replace Garg as the new development commissioner of the state Singh currently holding the post of Additional Chief Secretary ACS Revenue amp Disaster Management RampD department Member Board of Revenue Special Relief Commissioner SRC Managing Director Odisha State Disaster Management Authority OSDMA and Chairman Odisha Forest Development Corporation OFDC has been appointed as the Development CommissionercumAdditional Chief Secretary and Secretary Planning amp Convergence Department He will remain in additional charge of the Additional Chief Secretary to the government Revenue amp Disaster Management DepartmentSimilarly 1991batch Satyabrata Sahu the incumbent ACS Home Department and Forest Environment amp Climate Change has been posted as Member Board of Revenue Odisha CuttackThe 1995batch Hemant Sharma ACS Industries Department with additional charge of I ampPR Department and Chairman IPICOL has been assigned the additional charge of ACS Home Department Shubha Sarma the 1999batch IAS officer currently serving as Principal Secretary Women amp Child Development has been given additional charge of Principal Secretary Water Resources DepartmentThe 1999batch Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma incumbent Principal Secretary Excise department and CMD Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited OPTCL Chairman Odisha State Beverages Corporation Limited OSBCL has been assigned additional charge as Principal Secretary Forest Environment amp Climate Change Department The 2005batch officer Rajesh Prabhakar Patil CommissionercumSecretary Cooperation department Chairman Odisha State Warehousing Corporation OSWC and Special Secretary Housing amp Urban Development has been given additional charge of SRC and MD OSDMAMadhumita Rath IAS SCS2015 Additional Secretary to the Government School amp Mass Education Department has been appointed as Collector and District Magistrate Nayagarh Meanwhile the incumbent Nayagarh collector the 2019 batch IAS Akshay Sunil Agrawal has been transferred and posted as the Collector amp District Magistrate Gajapati The General Administration amp Public Grievance Department issued a detailed notification on Thursday in this regard IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/odisha-government-announces-major-ias-reshuffle-656619.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bhupendra-patel-govt-fast-tracks-satellite-cities-under-gujarat2047-vision-656621.html Gandhinagar Jan 2 IANS In a step towards achieving the vision of Developed India by 2047 and Developed Gujarat2047 the Bhupendra Patel government has accelerated plans for the strategic development of Tier2 and Tier3 citiesnbspAligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of strengthening smaller urban centres the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has initiated the process to develop five satellite towns by 2030 and has invited urban planners to prepare comprehensive master plans for these citiesAs part of the implementation process tenders have been floated to appoint experienced national and international urban planning consultants The selected planners will be tasked with preparing master plans within a year aiming to equip these towns with metropolitanlevel infrastructure and civic amenities The move is expected to reduce pressure on major cities while creating new economic and employment hubs closer to urban centresUnder the states Earning WellLiving Well urban development approach Sanand near Ahmedabad Savli near Vadodara Kalol near Gandhinagar Bardoli near Surat and Hirasar near Rajkot were identified as the first five satellite towns These cities will be developed as economically vibrant centres with integrated planning for transport industry tourism education and healthcarenbspA satellite town is defined as a city located within approximately one hours travel from a major urban centre developed to absorb population growth and economic activity By strengthening these towns the government aims to create balanced urbanisation generate local employment opportunities and ease infrastructure stress on major citiesThe proposed satellite towns will feature worldclass infrastructure organised public transport including electric buses advanced water supply and waste management systems ring roads urban forest parks developed lakes model fire stations and mixeduse zones where residential commercial and office spaces coexistnbspTo ensure swift execution dedicated approval and monitoring committees have also been constituted Highlighting the importance of urban areas Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that cities are the growth engines of the nation and must be developed as centres of economic activity to build a developed IndiaHe has noted that a large number of Indias startups are emerging from Tier2 and Tier3 cities many of them led by women and represent the vast untapped potential of smaller urban centresnbspWith this initiative Gujarat is positioning its smaller cities as key drivers of future growth marking a decisive leap towards inclusive and sustainable urban development in the decades leading up to 2047 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bhupendra-patel-govt-fast-tracks-satellite-cities-under-gujarat2047-vision-656621.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/-priyanka-chaturvedi-seeks-urgent-govt-attention-on-ai-apps-on-x-sexualising-women-656622.html New Delhi Jan 2 IANS Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday urged the government to pay urgent attention to the rising incidents of AI apps especially on Elon Muskled social media platform X sexualising womennbspIn a letter to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw she asked for guardrails to be implemented on AI chatbots like Grok to make social media platforms a safe space for women She also urged better education of men from an early age to not become sick pervertsHave sought urgent attention and intervention of the IT Minister to take the issue of increasing incidents of AI apps being prompted to sexualise and undress women by unauthorised use of their images on social media Chaturvedi shared in a post on social media platform XnbspThere have to be guardrails put in place by features such as Grok that do not violate womens dignity big tech firms need to take the onus And I wish men indulging in such behaviour were educated better at their homes ampamp schools so as to not become such sick perverts in their adulthood she addedIn the letter posted on X the Shiv Sena UBT MP called out on an emerging trend on social media especially on X where men with fake accounts are misusing the AI Grok feature to post womens photos and pushing out prompts to Grok to minimise their clothing and sexualise themnbspIt is not just limited to sharing photos through fake accounts but are also targeting women who post their own photos she saidnbspCalling it unacceptable and gross misuse of an AI function Chaturvedi also lashed out at Grok for enabling this behaviour by adhering to such requestsChaturvedi called it breach of womens right to privacy as well as a criminal act She stated that similar incidents are going absolutely unchecked on other platformsnbspI write to you as an active member of the Standing Committee on IT ampamp Communication to urge you as a minister to take this up strongly with X to ensure safeguards are built in their AI apps to make the platform a safe space for womenOur country cannot be a bystander to womens dignity being violated publicly and digitally with zero consequences under the garb of creativity and innovation condone such prompts While we welcome AI and its role in making lives easier for the world we will not allow a proliferation of such demeaning acts towards women the Rajya Sabha MP said https://dailyworld.in/politics/-priyanka-chaturvedi-seeks-urgent-govt-attention-on-ai-apps-on-x-sexualising-women-656622.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/clean-water-isnt-favour-its-right-to-life-lop-rahul-gandhi-targets-mp-govt-over-indore-water-crisis-656623.html New Delhi Jan 2 IANS Leader of the Opposition LoP in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJPled government over the deaths linked to contaminated drinking water in Indore calling the incident a murder of the right to life and accusing the administration of negligence arrogance and a complete failure of accountabilitynbspIn a post on X LoP Gandhi said In Indore there was no water just poison being distributed while the administration slumbered like KumbhakarnanbspHe said mourning had spread from home to home with the poor left helpless Those whose hearths have gone cold needed solace the government served up hubris instead he added criticising statements made by BJP leaders in the aftermath of the tragedyThe Congress leader said residents had repeatedly complained about dirty foulsmelling water but alleged that authorities failed to act in timenbspRaising a series of questions Rahul Gandhi asked how sewage mixed with drinking water why the supply was not shut off immediately and when action would be taken against responsible officers and leaders These arent freebie questions theyre demands for accountability Clean water isnt a favour its a right to life he said holding the BJPs doubleengine government responsible for the deathsnbspIndore often showcased as Indias cleanest city for its sanitation achievements is currently grappling with a serious public health emergency In the Bhagirathpura locality residents reported foulsmelling bittertasting and discoloured water being supplied through municipal pipelines Soon after consuming the water people began suffering from vomiting diarrhoea dehydration and high fever leading to a surge in hospital admissionsThe situation quickly escalated into a waterborne disease outbreak According to officials at least nine deaths have been confirmed so far while around 200 patients have been admitted to hospitals for treatment Preliminary assessments suggest that sewage may have mixed with the drinking water supply due to infrastructure lapses triggering the crisisnbspWater contamination is a major global public health concern The World Health Organization WHO has warned that consuming unsafe water can cause serious illnesses such as bacterial gastroenteritis cholera typhoid and dysentery particularly affecting vulnerable populationsLinking the Indore incident to what he described as a broader pattern of misgovernance in Madhya Pradesh LoP Gandhi said the state has become an epicenter of administrative failure citing deaths linked to cough syrup in one place children dying due to rats in government hospitals in another and now fatalities caused by sewagemixed drinking water He also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that every time the poor die Modi ji as always remains silentnbspAuthorities have launched an investigation into the contamination while residents continue to demand accountability and assurances of safe drinking water https://dailyworld.in/politics/clean-water-isnt-favour-its-right-to-life-lop-rahul-gandhi-targets-mp-govt-over-indore-water-crisis-656623.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cong-seeks-govt-reply-on-bangladeshi-player-in-ipl-bidding-row-656638.html New Delhi Jan 2 IANS As renowned Kathavachak Devkinandan Thakur on Friday criticised Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan after his Indian Premier League IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders KKR bought a Bangladeshi cricketer the Congress on Friday said that the government must be questioned on the issue of allowing Bangladeshi players to participate and also pointed out that soon after the Pahalgam terror attack an IndiaPakistan cricket match was playednbspParty leaders further alleged that Shah Rukh Khans name and identity were being deliberately targeted which is why Devkinandan Thakur Ram Bhadracharya and several BJP leaders were making such statementsnbspThe controversy follows Thakurs claim that KKRs decision has hurt the sentiments of Hindus across the country especially in light of alleged atrocities against minorities including Hindus in BangladeshnbspSpeaking to IANS Congress National Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said I do not know who this person is or what kind of individual he is but the government must be questioned Hindus in Bangladesh are allegedly being brutally targeted continuously Something happened just yesterday and similar incidents have occurred earlier as well In one instance a person had to jump into a pond to save his life What is the government doing about this Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not speaking on the issue The government is neither using diplomatic channels nor taking concrete stepsShe further questioned the authorities saying The question should be directed at Jay Shah as to why the Bangladeshi player was allowed to participate The question should also be asked of Amit Shah Why was this permitted No one is discussing these issuesnbspCongress leader Rakesh Sinha alleged selective outrage and said His name is Shah Rukh Khan That is why Devkinandan Thakur Ram Bhadracharya and several BJP leaders are making such statements When the incident happened in Pahalgam where 26 women lost their husbands they were also Hindus Immediately after that incident and right after the ceasefire an IndiaPakistan cricket match was playedQuestioning the silence of religious leaders he added Where were these kathavachaks then Where were Devkinandan Thakur and other socalled spiritual leaders Why did they not oppose playing cricket with Pakistan If they had objections why did the BCCI permit this in the IPL Why are they not questioning the Home Minister on this issuenbspHe further alleged They are reacting now only because it is Shah Rukh Khans team That is why all this noise is being created These are planted saints of the ruling party That is why such statements are being made with the backing of the government There was no statement or objection during the IndiaPakistan cricket match They are instructed that if names like Javed or Shah Rukh Khan are involved then make an issue out of it If Shah Rukh Khan is being called a traitor then those who made IndiaPakistan matches possible should also be questionedCongress leader Harish Rawat dismissed the controversy saying This is like bringing together two incompatible things one mute and one deaf What can be said about it This is not even a matter worthy of commentnbspNCP SP Rajya Sabha MP Fauzia Khan also criticised the selective targetingnbspShe said Why did you play a match with Pakistan after Operation Sindoor If playing a match with Pakistan is acceptable then why does it become wrong if Shah Rukh Khan signs a Bangladeshi player This HinduMuslim politics must stop It is extremely backward primitive and uncivilised to discuss such matters in the name of religionnbspShe further said Now that you are in power you should stop these things Why are you spreading hatred across the worldnbspCPIM leader Hannan Mollah condemned the mixing of religion politics and sportsI always condemn any leader who mixes religion and politics with sports games and culture Sports and culture should be kept completely separate from such influences Religion and politics are often used for dubious and unhealthy purposes he saidnbspSamajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma also criticised the remarksDevkinandan Thakur or any baba should first pay attention to their own followers Do they even know what is happening in the country When Operation Sindoor was going on the Indian government later played matches with Pakistan At that time Devkinandan Thakur was probably busy with his devotees he saidnbspVerma added The influence of such babas lasts only as long as they stay away from politics Our humble request is that they focus on public welfare talk about peoples issues and stay away from the countrys politics and international affairsResponding to the criticism BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo said Sports should not be linked with politics However when it comes to national interest emotions naturally rise Hindus in Bangladesh have been facing continuous atrocities The central government has summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner twice and strongly demanded that these atrocities be stopped Arrests were made and an SIT was formed These statements reflect personal views based on concerns over atrocities against HindusBJP MP Yogendra Chandolia said Devkinandan Thakur may be speaking from a religious perspective but when Hindus are being targeted emotions are natural If Shah Rukh Khan wants to stay in Mumbai or in the country there are many Indian players he could have chosen Deliberately signing a Bangladeshi player appears to provoke controversy This is wrong and the contract should be terminated https://dailyworld.in/politics/cong-seeks-govt-reply-on-bangladeshi-player-in-ipl-bidding-row-656638.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kharge-rahul-priyanka-extend-new-years-greetings-pray-for-happiness-prosperity-656468.html New Delhi Jan 1 The Congress party extended warm New Years greetings to the nation on Thursday wishing for the happiness good health and prosperity for the countrymen Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge extending his greetings on X called on the people to fight for their fundamental rights and safeguard the Constitutional valuesLet us make this year a mass movement to protect the rights of the vulnerable the right to work the right to vote and the right to live with dignity Together let us safeguard our Constitution and democratic values empower citizens and strengthen harmony in society he saidEmployment for our youth safety for women prosperity for farmers dignity for those on the margins and a better quality of life for all these must be our shared resolve May the year ahead bring happiness prosperity and progress to every one of you Kharge addedLeader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also took to social media and extended his wishesHeartfelt New Year greetings to all of you May the new year bring abundant happiness good health and success into your life Rahul Gandhi saidCongress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to X and wished the countrymen on the occasionHeartfelt New Year wishes to all of you May the New Year be filled with happiness peace prosperity and joy for everyone May there be mutual affection cooperation and goodwill among all fellow citizens she saidIndia welcomed the New Year with grand celebrations countdown parties and festive gatherings as state governments across the country stepped up security measures to ensure that the celebrations passed off smoothly and without incidentIn major metropolitan cities including Delhi and Mumbai large crowds thronged iconic landmarks such as India Gate Connaught Place and Marine Drive to usher in the New Year creating a vibrant and festive atmosphereMeanwhile authorities across the country issued traffic advisories guidelines for restaurants and hotels and deployed additional security forces in anticipation of massive footfall in public places IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kharge-rahul-priyanka-extend-new-years-greetings-pray-for-happiness-prosperity-656468.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-govt-announces-major-administrative-promotions-on-first-day-of-2026-656478.html Gandhinagar Jan 1 The Gujarat government on Thursday announced a major reshuffle and promotion exercise in the state administration granting promotions to senior IAS and IPS officers across multiple batches The decision taken on the very first day of 2026 was formalised through an official notification issued by the General Administration Department GADAs per the notification five senior IAS officers of the 1996 batch have been promoted from the rank of Principal Secretary to Additional Chief Secretary ACSRajiv Topno has been appointed ACS in the Health and Family Welfare Department Mona K Khandhar in the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Dr T Natarajan in the Finance Department Mamta Verma in the Industries and Mines Department and Mukesh Kumar in the Higher and Technical Education Department In another key decision the state government approved the selection grade for 13 IAS officers of the 2013 batch with the benefit coming into effect immediatelyOfficers currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of WASMO Collectors of Bhavnagar Navsari Dahod KhedaNadiad and Gir Somnath as well as the Municipal Commissioner of Vadodara have been granted the selection gradeSeveral Joint Secretaries and senior secretariat officers have also been redesignated as Additional Secretaries following the approvalThe GAD has also promoted seven IAS officers of the 2010 batch to the Super Time Scale Among those promoted are KutchBhuj Collector Anand Patel Ahmedabad Collector Sujit Kumar Bhavnagar Municipal Commissioner Dr Narendra Kumar Meena Technical Education Commissioner BH Talati Information Department Commissioner KL Bachchani Patan Collector Tushar Y Bhatt and Prime Ministerâs Office Private Secretary Dr Hardik ShahPromotions were also announced in the police cadre Seven IPS officers of the 2013 batch have been elevated to Selection Grade Level 13 carrying a pay matrix of Rs 215 lakhOfficers from Ahmedabad City SOG and Economic Wing CID Crime Western Railway Cell State Monitoring Cell Vadodara Central Jail and an officer on central deputation Manish Singh are among those promotedIn addition 14 IPS officers have received further promotions IPS officer Narasimha Komar has been promoted while Dr Vipul Agarwal has been elevated to the rank of Additional Director General of Police ADGP and Dr Rajkumar Pandian to the rank of Director General of Police DGPSeveral officers of the 2012 batch have been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General DIG with some officers upgraded assigned new responsibilities and intercadre deputation officers also granted promotions as per rulesThe largescale promotion exercise is seen as a move to strengthen administrative leadership and streamline governance across key departments in Gujarat at the start of the new year IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-govt-announces-major-administrative-promotions-on-first-day-of-2026-656478.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pmk-leader-urges-direct-procurement-of-sugarcane-for-pongal-gift-scheme-656481.html Chennai Jan 1 PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to directly procure sugarcane from farmers and distribute two canes per family as part of the Pongal gift hamper warning that delays and unclear policies were pushing cultivators into distress In a statement on Thursday Anbumani said that with barely two weeks left for the Pongal festival the government was yet to announce clear details about the gift package or confirm whether sugarcane would be includedThis uncertainty he said had created anxiety among farmers who had cultivated paneer karumbu or SengKarumbu expecting assured procurement by the stateHighlighting the financial strain on cultivators Anbumani said the cost of growing sugarcane had risen to nearly Rs 225 lakh per acre covering planting maintenance harvesting and labour However farmers were being paid only Rs 18 to Rs 19 per cane even though the official procurement price stood at Rs 35He alleged that middlemen were exploiting farmers by taking a share of the produce and charging high transport and handling costs leaving cultivators with little or no profitThe PMK leader also criticised what he termed as impractical procurement norms particularly the requirement that only sugarcane longer than seven feet would be accepted Such conditions he said result in the rejection of large quantities of produceDistributing only one sugarcane per family he added goes against tradition and reduces demand further affecting farmersâ incomes Anbumani pointed out that the area under sugarcane cultivation in Tamil Nadu has been shrinking steadily over the past few years due to recurring losses To reverse this trend he urged the government to fix the procurement price at Rs 50 per cane eliminate middlemen and ensure the supply of two sugarcanes per ration card as part of the Pongal packageIn a separate statement he also expressed concern over growing law and order issues referring to a recent violent attack on a migrant worker at Tiruttani railway stationThe incident he said highlighted the rising menace of drug abuse and alcoholrelated violence in the stateMeanwhile CPIM state secretary P Shanmugam also called on the government to strengthen the Pongal gift scheme by including one kilogram of jaggery along with rice and sugar He stressed that direct procurement from farmers would not only support cultivators but also uphold the spirit of the harvest festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pmk-leader-urges-direct-procurement-of-sugarcane-for-pongal-gift-scheme-656481.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/poor-show-in-local-body-polls-rocks-cm-vijayans-boat-voices-grow-for-course-correction-656485.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 1 For nearly a decade Pinarayi Vijayan has dominated Keralaâs political landscape with an authority that a few Chief Ministers in the stateâs history have wielded Within the CPIM he has emerged as the unchallenged helmsman and within the government the final arbiter That aura of invincibility however is beginning to fray and the most telling sign is not coming from the opposition but from within the Left Democratic Front LDF itselfThe first salvo was fired by the CPI which is the secondlargest ally in the ruling coalitionIts leadership convened a meeting to review the LDFâs disappointing performance in the recent local body elections which arrived at an unusually blunt conclusion the need for correction and that responsibility rests squarely with CM VijayanIn Keralaâs Left politics where allies traditionally choose euphemism over confrontation this was no minor departure It marked a clear shift from whispered discontent to open signallingMore significantly similar sentiments have echoed within the CPIM At its own threeday stocktaking meeting on the electoral reversal a section of the party conveyed in unambiguous terms that the time has come for a course correction and that Vijayan himself must lead itThe subtext is hard to miss the leadership style that once delivered stability and electoral success may now be part of the problemAge and health have inevitably entered the conversationVijayan is past 80 and has been grappling with health issues even as he continues to project his trademark tough demeanourWhile age alone has never been a disqualifier in Kerala politics the demands of what could be one of the most stressful election campaigns the state has seen raise legitimate questionsThe carefully crafted narrative of a third consecutive Vijayan government after the Assembly polls scheduled for AprilMay is beginning to look less assuredThis dilemma exposes a deeper structural problem for the CPIM which is regarding successionThe party has faced this conundrum before also In 2016 it was VS Achuthanandan then Leader of Opposition and a mass leader with unmatched popular appeal who fronted the campaign that led to a decisive LDF victory Yet soon after the triumph Achuthanandan was eased out making way for VijayanFive years later in 2021 Vijayan himself became the face of the campaign armed with the advantages of incumbency a strong administrative image forged during crises such as the Covid19 pandemic and his handling of controversies including the gold smuggling case involving Swapna SureshHe triumphed securing a rare second consecutive term for the LeftThe past five years however have been markedly different Governance under Vijayan has become increasingly centralised with the Chief Minister seen as the last word both in the party and governmentThis concentration of authority once praised for decisiveness has now bred stagnation and resentmentControversies from the lingering shadows of the gold smuggling and Sabarimalalinked cases to allegations of administrative opacityâhave chipped away at the moral high ground the Left traditionally claimsThe result is a sense that the Vijayan model has reached a culdesacFor perhaps the first time in his tenure the Chief Minister appears to be navigating genuinely rough waters with criticism coming not just from rivals but from comradesYet the CPIM leadership is not ready to concede groundParty state secretary MV Govindan has struck an openly defiant note projecting confidence that the LDF will secure a sure 60 of the 140 Assembly seats enough in his assessment to form a third consecutive Left governmentHe has pinned hopes on a systematic doortodoor campaign to recover what was lost in the local body polls which will enable them to cross the magical figure for governanceThat optimism however does little to answer the central question now animating Keralaâs political discourse who after PinarayiThe absence of a clear successor underscores how deeply the party has tied its fortunes to one individualIf Vijayanâs health or political capital falters further the CPIM may find itself scrambling not just for votes but for leadershipThe waning of the âPinarayi magic if that is indeed what is unfolding does not automatically spell defeat for the Left But it does signal the end of complacencyWhether the CPIM can reinvent itself decentralise authority and present a credible postVijayan vision may well determine not just the outcome of the next election but the future trajectory of the Left Front in Kerala its only bastion in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/poor-show-in-local-body-polls-rocks-cm-vijayans-boat-voices-grow-for-course-correction-656485.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-cabinet-approves-amendments-to-deen-dayal-lado-lakshmi-yojana-for-women-empowerment-656498.html Chandigarh Jan 1 IANS The Haryana Cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini here on Thursday approved significant amendments to the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana of 2025 with the objective of strengthening womens financial empowerment and promoting longterm savingsnbspUnder the proposed amendments the monthly benefit under the scheme will remain Rs 2100 per eligible woman However from the second month onwards the assistance will be released in two parts Rs 1100 will be credited directly to the beneficiarys savings bank account while Rs 1000 will be deposited in a governmentoperated recurring deposit RD or fixed deposit FD accountThe accumulated amount along with interest will be paid to the beneficiary on maturity The tenure of the RD and FD will be decided by the government and will not exceed five yearsnbspThe amendments also propose integration of social developmentlinked eligibility criteria In addition to incomebased eligibility mothers whose children studying in government schools have demonstrated academic excellence by securing more than 80 per cent marks in Class 10 or 12 Board examinations or have achieved gradelevel competency under the NIPUN Bharat Mission in Classes 1 to 4 will be considered eligibleSimilarly mothers who have successfully rehabilitated their children from Severe Acute Malnutrition SAM or Moderate Acute Malnutrition MAM as verified by the Women and Child Development Department will also be covered under the schemenbspExisting criteria related to age and domicile will continue unchanged The income limit for this additional criterion is extended up to Rs 18 lakh as per FIDRAligning objectives of Viksit Bharat to socio economic development and family size mothers who have more than three children will not be eligible under this categorynbspTo enhance transparency and community participation the proposed amendments include validation of beneficiaries through local selfgovernance institutionsnbspAfter initial verification the list of beneficiaries will be shared with concerned Gram Sabhas in rural areas and area sabhas or ward committees in urban areas for communitylevel validationIn cases where any beneficiary is found ineligible or nongenuine during validation the financial assistance will be discontinuednbspNotably the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana was launched on September 25 2025 to enhance the social security of women in the state Within two months of its launch around 10 lakh women registered under the scheme reflecting its wide acceptanceThe proposed amendments aim to further evolve the scheme from a cash assistance programme into a holistic outcomeoriented initiative aligned with the vision of Viksit BharatnbspThe Cabinet also approved the proposal to provide a government job on compassionate grounds to Santosh Kumari wife of late Sandeep Kumar Lather Assistant Sub Inspector ASI of police as a special and as onetime measure The Cabinet approved appointment to Kumari on the post of PGT Mathematics GroupB in the Campus School Maharshi Dayanand University Rohtak https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-cabinet-approves-amendments-to-deen-dayal-lado-lakshmi-yojana-for-women-empowerment-656498.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modis-2025-in-frames-from-op-sindoor-to-ram-mandir-dhwajarohan-656399.html New Delhi Dec 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modis journey through 2025 unfolded as a sweeping narrative of defining moments blending national security governance diplomacy spirituality and deeply human connections From Operation Sindoor to the Dhwajarohan Utsav at Ayodhyas Ram Mandir the year emerged as a vivid mosaic of devotion decisive leadership development milestones and peoplecentric engagementThe Prime Ministers calendar was marked by heartfelt interactions with citizens visits to sacred temples strategic outreach to border regions inauguration and inspection of major infrastructure projects and participation in programmes aimed at empowering people at the grassrootsMany of these moments were captured in photographs shared on narendramodiin that resonated widely and defined the visual memory of the yearOne of the most politically significant developments of 2025 was the landslide victory of the Bharatiya Janata Partyled National Democratic Alliance in the Bihar Assembly electionsThe NDA secured 202 of the 243 seats comprehensively defeating the Rashtriya Janata Dalled Mahagathbandhan which managed to win just 35 seats Incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took oath for a recordPhotographs of Prime Minister Modi with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar including the nowfamous gamcha moment at the BJP headquarters following the sweeping victory dominated headlines and social media discussionsOn the national security front Operation Sindoor stood out as a defining chapter of the year Following the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack India launched decisive military action against highvalue terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistanoccupied KashmirDuring this critical phase Prime Minister Modi chaired and attended a series of highlevel meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan the Chiefs of the Armed Forces and other senior officials He gave a free hand to the Armed Forces to act against terror targetsAfter the successful culmination of Operation Sindoor the Prime Minister shared warm moments with personnel at the Adampur Air Force Base in Punjab expressing his gratitude for their courage and professionalismHe also witnessed a spectacular air power demonstration aboard INS Vikrant in Goa during Diwali a moment that symbolised Indias growing maritime and aerial strengthInfrastructure and strategic connectivity featured prominently in PM Modis 2025 journey One of the most striking images was of the Prime Minister waving the national flag during his visit to the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and KashmirLocated in Reasi district the Chenab Bridge is the worlds highest railway arch bridge standing 359 metres tall about 35 metres higher than the Eiffel TowerSituated close to the border with Pakistan the bridge provides allweather rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India marking a transformative milestone for the regionFaith and cultural heritage formed another powerful thread of the year Prime Minister Modi along with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hoisted the sacred Dharma Dhwaja atop the spire of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in AyodhyaThe historic Dhwajarohan Utsav filled devotees across the country with emotion devotion and a sense of fulfilment Beyond Ayodhya the Prime Minister visited several revered religious sitesHe offered prayers at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu visited the Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in GoaThe PM also sought blessings from the Chief of the Anuradhapura Atamasthana Pallegama Hemarathana Thera in Sri LankaHe took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj meditated and performed darshan and puja at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam in Srisailam Andhra Pradesh and visited the Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi KarnatakaOn the global stage several photographs of PM Modi with world leaders generated intense international attentionAmong the most talkedabout images were those featuring the Prime Minister alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping The three leaders were seen sharing warm moments a visual that stirred significant buzz online amid tariff threats from Washington and shifting global economic dynamicsAnother widely discussed moment came during PM Modis visit to Washington in February where he met US President Donald Trump The camaraderie between the two leaders was captured vividly when President Trump gifted a book to the Prime Minister at the White House inscribed with the words Mr Prime Minister You are GreatBeyond protocol striking gestures of personal warmth also stood out including when Jordans Crown Prince AlHussein bin Abdullah II personally drove PM Modi to the Jordan Museum in Amman and when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali drove him to see him offPM Modis interactions with the family of US Vice President JD Vance also attracted attention particularly his lighthearted banter with Vances children at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan MargHis engagements with other global leaders included a ceremonial welcome by Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam in Port Louis Saudi Air Force jets escorting his aircraft during his visit to Saudi Arabia meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Johannesburg and interactions with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit at Kananaskis CanadaThe Prime Minister also received a standing ovation in the Ethiopian Parliament and a respectful welcome upon his arrival in Johannesburg He was also awarded the highest honours of several nations in 2025Throughout the year PM Modis interactions with children and students frequently went viral reflecting a softer more personal dimension of his leadershipFrom moments when young girls tied rakhi on his wrist during Raksha Bandhan to his meetings with JD Vances children these images resonated widelyDuring Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 he interacted with students at Sunder Nursery in New Delhi while brief meetings with students in Chhattisgarh also drew attentionOne particularly adorable moment showed a young child folding her hands in a Namaste as she met the Prime Minister In another instance PM Modi shared a fun exchange with a child and treated him at his officeHis fondness for animals was also evident during the year A photograph of the Prime Minister with a calf at his official residence left social media users in awe He also visited Gir National Park in Gujarat on World Wildlife Day underlining his commitment to wildlife conservationSporting achievements and social inclusion featured in PM Modis interactions as well He met members of the Indian Womens Cricket Team following their World Cup triumph and also interacted with players from the Indian Womens Blind Cricket Team celebrating their achievements and resilienceAt the grassroots level the Prime Minister continued to engage directly with beneficiaries of government programmes In 2025 he interacted with residents of Swabhiman Apartments in Delhi farmers during a Krishi programme in the national capital visitors at the Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum in Nava Raipur Chhattisgarh and a divyangjan during an event in Gaya BiharHe also met women from Bhuj who had rebuilt the local airbase within 72 hours during the 1971 war despite Pakistani attacks acknowledging their courage and contributionOne of the most emotionally charged moments of the year was an event marked by gratitude and humility when PM Modi gifted a pair of shoes to Rampal Kashyap in Haryana Kashyap had pledged 14 years ago not to wear footwear until Modi became the Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister also met a family member of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in Dediapada Gujarat paying tribute to the legacy of the tribal iconMass outreach through roadshows continued to be a key feature of PM Modis public engagement He held several roadshows during the year including a massive one in Patna ahead of the Bihar Assembly electionsAnother memorable moment occurred during a roadshow in Ahmedabad when a woman holding an aarti thali broke down in tears of joy upon seeing the Prime Minister a scene that quickly went viralThe year also saw the Prime Minister participate in events marking 100 years of the RSS and its selfless service to the nationOn the occasion he released a specially designed commemorative postage stamp and coin in New DelhiDuring his visit to Nagpur he paid floral tributes to RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at Smruti MandirTowards the end of the year PM Modi attended the Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi The gathering prayed for his healthy life bringing his eventful 2025 journey to a reflective and inclusive close reinforcing images of leadership that spanned power faith diplomacy and deep connection with people IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modis-2025-in-frames-from-op-sindoor-to-ram-mandir-dhwajarohan-656399.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/thanks-to-pm-modi-we-witnessed-this-occasion-says-up-dy-cm-on-ram-temples-2nd-anniversary-656406.html New Delhi Dec 31 Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday extended his heartfelt greetings to the nation on the second anniversary of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya Highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of the temple for devotees across India Pathak said âOn the completion of two years of the grand Ram Lalla temple I extend my heartfelt greetings to all citizens of the country Thanks to PM Modi we have been able to witness this occasion of Sanatan culture Many thanks to PM Modi for thisâThe Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust commemorated the historic event originally performed on Paush Shukla Paksha Dwadashi in 2024 with elaborate ceremonies led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi The Pran Pratishtha marked the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol and the culmination of centuries of devotion and aspiration among the Hindu communityBJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also spoke on the occasion saying âToday is a very auspicious day a very holy day that Ram Mandir Prana Pratishtha is two years old and we saw how the work of the Hindu society which was waiting for this for 500 years was completed and a great Ram Mandir was built Ram Lalla got his great Mandir and flag hosting was done on it and the penance of so many years was completedââJDU National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad added âIndia is the spiritual guide for the entire world Lord Shri Ram is not only worshipped by millions of Hindus but is also revered with respect and devotion by people of all religions During the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi a historic milestone was achieved with the establishment of Lord Shri Ramâs temple in Ayodhya Now as we celebrate the second anniversary it is a momentous occasion eagerly awaited by devotees and followers of HinduismââThousands of pilgrims from across India thronged Ayodhya to offer prayers filling the town and temple premises with chants of âJai Shri Ramâ and devotion From the temple entrance to the streets of âRam Nagariâ the celebrations reflected the collective faith and spiritual fervour of devotees The anniversary underscored the templeâs significance not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of Indiaâs rich cultural and spiritual heritage inspiring generations of followersThe second anniversary of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha was marked by reverence devotion and gratitude celebrating the historic milestone that fulfilled a centuriesold aspiration of Hindu devotees across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/thanks-to-pm-modi-we-witnessed-this-occasion-says-up-dy-cm-on-ram-temples-2nd-anniversary-656406.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/celebrate-new-year-responsibly-says-ktaka-home-minister-656421.html Bengaluru Dec 31 Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday appealed to the public to celebrate the New Year responsibly and also stated that security has been enhanced Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru Parameshwara said âCelebrate the New Year with responsibility âCelebrate responsiblyâ is the message we want to give today and the Bengaluru Police have taken steps accordingly We will ensure everyoneâs safety and see that the New Year is celebrated peacefullyââWe have taken several measures and steps and informed the public as well We have appealed and requested people to celebrate but peacefully That is our appeal to the people of Bengaluruâ he saidParameshwara said the police have identified 150 locations across Bengaluru for checks âCelebrations will be allowed up to a certain limit Once it crosses that limit it becomes difficult People who drive will lose reflexes and will not be able to drive properly which can result in accidents Unnecessarily they may lose their lives and also pose a threat to othersâ he saidâIf such activities are controlled for a few days we will be saving lives In this backdrop these exercises are necessary When there is overcrowding it has to be viewed from multiple angles including the threat of terrorism With all this in mind the Bengaluru Police are prepared to take actionâ he saidHe said police personnel have been strictly instructed to wear bodyworn cameras âEverything will be recorded and directly connected to the command centre If extra force is required it will be deployed All arrangements have been made systematically and scientificallyâ he saidParameshwara said bars have been given specific timings âThey have been instructed to close by 1 am If they do not comply cases will be registered against themâ he saidâWe have imposed restrictions in certain areas where people celebrate openly on the streets In Bengaluru many people come from outside the city to celebrate the New Year and locals often become a minority Naturally people drink celebrate and greet each other At midnight when crowds gather to exchange wishes there can be pushing and jostling which may lead to other incidents Keeping this in mind the police have taken precautionary measuresâ he saidSpeaking on governance Parameshwara said âBy 2026 Karnataka should become a model state There may be some aberrations but we must deliver good governance We have made several promises and all of them must be fulfilled We have performed well in the last twoandahalf years and the next twoandahalf years should reflect even better governanceâCommenting on a BJP delegation visiting the demolition site at Kogilu Layout in Bengaluru amid the demolition row he said âLet them go and see Instead of politicising the issue they should give suggestions to the government We have taken steps in the interest of poor people If they want to make it political we are ready Whenever poor people are given houses or benefits the opposition raises such issuesââThey do not like it when poor people who are sufferers are helped Yes the land was occupied unauthorisedly Now they have been evicted and on humanitarian grounds the government is rehabilitating them What is wrong with that Sometimes they claim outsiders or Pakistanis have come I do not think any responsible person would make such commentsâ he saidAnswering another question Parameshwara said an investigation by the National Investigation Agency NIA was not required âOur state is capable of handling this matter Both are opposition leaders and they have a certain responsibility Making such comments without proper information or documentation is not responsibleâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/celebrate-new-year-responsibly-says-ktaka-home-minister-656421.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sit-to-take-statement-from-udf-convener-adoor-prakash-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-656423.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 31 The Special Investigation Team SIT probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has stepped up its probe and will now take a statement from UDF convener and Congress MP Adoor Prakash Prakash is being summoned to clarify his alleged association with the prime accused in the case Unnikrishnan PottiThe investigators are seeking greater clarity on the nature of their relationship including details of a Delhi trip undertaken by Prakash along with PottiThe SIT is in the process of collecting and verifying information related to this visit and other linked interactionsWhen the media approached the Congress MP to find the date he would appear before the SIT an irritated Prakash said I do not know of any such thing maybe you media would have got the notice I have not got anything He then got into his car and drove awayPictures of Potti along with Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were shared on social media in a bid to counter the narrative of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan being seen alongside PottiThis fresh development comes on the day when Potti and two other accused were handed over to the probe team for a dayâs questioning on WednesdayThe investigation team plans to crosscheck Pottiâs testimony with the statement recorded by senior CPI M legislator and former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally SurendranThe SIT has already recorded Surendranâs testimony and is now seeking corroboration from Potti on the points raised thereinThe questioning of both the former minister and a senior Congress leader comes amid allegations that they maintained close ties with the prime accusedInvestigators said the focus of the probe is on uncovering the larger conspiracy behind the theft of gold plates linked to SabarimalaAs part of this effort the SIT is examining whether individuals with highlevel political or institutional connections played any role in facilitating or shielding those involved in the crimeThe investigation team has given enough hints that further questioning and summons could follow as the probe progresses depending on the evidence and statements recorded in the coming daysSince the probe began so far 10 people including three top CPIM leaders are now in jail IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sit-to-take-statement-from-udf-convener-adoor-prakash-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-656423.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bus-row-intensifies-between-kerala-minister-and-thiruvananthapuram-mayor-656434.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 31 Kerala Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar on Wednesday hit back at Thiruvananthapuram Mayor VV Rajesh in the ongoing controversy over the operation of city ebuses urging that his remarks should not be distorted The controversy erupted after Rajesh alleged that KSRTC had shifted the Corporationâs ebuses to other parts of the state under pressure from various political leadersThe filmstarturned Minister said it was incorrect to claim that the ebuses were procured under a Central government scheme pointing out that the stateâs share in the project amounted to Rs 500 crore accounting for 60 per cent of the total costHe said that the Corporation purchased 113 ebuses under this very arrangement and that the procurement was based on an agreement involving three partiesClarifying operational issues Ganesh Kumar said KSRTC buses attached to the Corporation were not being operated in other districts citing the complexity of maintenance as the reasonâAt present they are not being run outside the district because of the complicated maintenance requirementsâ he said adding that replacing a damaged battery alone would cost Rs 28 lakhThe Minister said that if the Thiruvananthapuram Mayor demanded the return of all 113 ebuses they would be sent back within 24 hoursâAll that is required is a letter to the KSRTC CMDâ he said adding that in return KSRTC would deploy 150 buses in the cityHowever he made it clear that if the Corporation buses were handed back they would not be allowed to be parked on KSRTC premisesGanesh Kumar said the Mayor has not spoken to him directly about the issue and suggested that he has been misinformed by someoneâWe are ready to return the vehicles without any hesitationâ he said explaining that the drivers conductors and workshop facilities for the buses were all provided by KSRTCEarlier Mayor VV Rajesh had said that ebuses should operate only within the city limits and that the buses deployed outside the city should be brought back immediatelyHe alleged that political pressure was behind the decision to operate them elsewhere and said the Corporation must receive its rightful share of profitsThe Mayor said the agreement could not be altered at the discretion of one or two individuals and reiterated that the buses have been provided by the Centre to the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation He said the buses should benefit residents within the Corporation limits and added that the contract documents with KSRTC would be examinedThe BJP created history early this month when it won the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation for the first time displacing the CPIMled Left Front which ruled the Corporation for over four decades IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bus-row-intensifies-between-kerala-minister-and-thiruvananthapuram-mayor-656434.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/as-aqi-worsens-delhi-minister-says-govt-making-serious-efforts-to-deal-with-pollution-656438.html New Delhi Dec 31 IANS Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday said the government is making serious efforts to address the worsening pollution problem in the national capital while also pointing out that environmental conditions in neighbouring states are significantly affecting the citys air qualitynbspThe capitals air quality deteriorated further on Wednesday slipping into the severe category with the Air Quality Index AQI recorded at 408 Dense fog combined with heavy pollution sharply reduced visibility across large parts of the city adding to commuter woesSpeaking to reporters during an inspection at Janakpuri C2C Block Sood said This pollution is not caused only by current factors or solely by Delhi The environment in neighbouring states also plays a major role in Delhis pollution That is why the Delhi government is in talks with neighbouring statesnbspHe said the government is working on multiple fronts to tackle the crisisnbspEfforts are being made to control dust strengthen public transport and reduce emissions from vehicles etc to reduce the pollution levels Last year apart from the oddeven formula if something had been done maybe today there would not have been such problems in Delhi The previous government did not do anything and now we are dealing with the work they had ignored Sood saidEmphasising that the government is taking concrete action rather than relying on slogans the Minister said We are working day and night to deal with the pollution problem Serious steps have to be taken to reduce the pollution rather than just slogans that the previous government used to makenbspApart from the oddeven formula we are working on a new EV policy efforts are underway to control dust on roads and Phase V of the metro is also being introduced for public transportation All these things will take some time but we are continuously working to find solutions for the pollution problem of DelhiSood also highlighted regular monitoring and inspections being carried out by the governmentnbspEvery week the Delhi Ministers and senior government officials visit around three places to inspect cleanliness and other development works he saidnbspIn the past year I have addressed several issues as an MLA I want to assure the public that whether it is the Municipal Corporation or any other department under the Delhi government we will resolve all problems Passing the responsibility onto others is now a thing of the past We will take responsibility ourselves and work to reduce the difficulties faced by the people of Delhi he addedMeanwhile air quality remained alarming across several parts of the capitalnbspThe persistent foggy conditions coincided with worrying projections from air quality forecasters who warned that pollution levels across the national capital region are likely to worsen further as the year draws to a close https://dailyworld.in/politics/as-aqi-worsens-delhi-minister-says-govt-making-serious-efforts-to-deal-with-pollution-656438.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rajnath-singh-cm-yogi-offer-prayers-at-hanuman-garhi-and-ram-lalla-temple-in-ayodhya-656439.html Ayodhya Dec 31 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday visited Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya where they offered prayers to Lord Hanuman amid devotional chantsnbspAfter paying obeisance at Hanuman Garhi the two leaders proceeded to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex where they offered prayers at the Ram Lalla temple and the Ram DarbarnbspThey performed aarti circumambulated the temple and prayed for peace prosperity and the welfare of the nation and Uttar PradeshnbspDefence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Ayodhya earlier in the day to participate in the Pratishtha Dwadashi programme He was received by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport from where they travelled together to Hanuman Garhi and later to the Ram Janmabhoomi complexAmid chants of Jai Shri Ram and Vedic mantras the Defence Minister and the Chief Minister participated in temple rituals and hoisted the religious flag atop the Maa Annapurna temple within the complexnbspAs they emerged from the temple devotees greeted them with loud chants of Jai Shri RamnbspChief Minister Yogi Adityanath waved to the crowd and blessed children gathered at the sitenbspA deeply devotional and festive atmosphere prevailed across the temple complex throughout the dayA large number of devotees from across the country and abroad thronged Ayodhya on the occasion of Pratishtha Dwadashi to have darshan of Lord Shri RamnbspLong queues were witnessed as the temple complex echoed with devotional slogans with devotees describing the experience as spiritually uplifting and peacefulnbspAs part of the religious observances Tatvakalash rituals havan mantra chanting and special prayers were conductednbspThe temple administration had made elaborate arrangements deploying additional security personnel and volunteers to ensure smooth crowd management and convenience for devotees https://dailyworld.in/politics/rajnath-singh-cm-yogi-offer-prayers-at-hanuman-garhi-and-ram-lalla-temple-in-ayodhya-656439.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/they-are-humans-not-robots-or-bonded-labourers-aap-leader-backs-gig-workers-strike-656453.html New Delhi Dec 31 IANS Aam Aadmi Party AAP Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha on Wednesday extended support to the nationwide strike by gig workers associated with leading delivery and ecommerce platforms asserting that their voices and demands deserve to be heard as they are humans not robots or bonded labournbspThousands of gig workers linked to major delivery and ecommerce platforms observed a nationwide strike on Wednesday impacting services across several statesnbspDelivery partners working with companies such as Zomato Swiggy Blinkit Zepto Amazon and Flipkart logged off their applications or substantially reduced work triggering concerns over delays cancellations and service disruptions on one of the busiest commercial days of the yearThe protest has been jointly called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union TGPWU and the Indian Federation of AppBased Transport Workers IFAT with backing from several regional collectives operating across Maharashtra Karnataka DelhiNCR West Bengal and parts of Tamil NadunbspSpeaking to IANS Chadha who has been consistently raising the issue over recent months said I express my solidarity with the delivery boys and riders who are on strike today Their demands in this protest are completely justified They are lodging a symbolic protest so that their voices are heard I also urge the instant commerce companies to take care of these delivery partners they are also humans they are not robots or bonded labour They are also someones father son husband or brotherHighlighting their grievances he added They are saying that they are very overworked and underpaid Their core demands include better social security improved working conditions financial compensation and PF benefits Additionally this 10minute delivery torture because of which their physical and mental health is deteriorating should also end When delivery partners fail to deliver orders within 10 minutes they have to deal with the customers angernbspChadha who raised the issue during the Winter Session of Parliament further appealed to companies to allocate a small fraction of their valuation or gross revenue towards improving the lives of delivery partners saying that such steps would make the workers proudFollowing todays protest it is essential that these issues are addressed collectively through meaningful dialogue involving all stakeholders he addedThe AAP MP recently met Himanshu Thapliyal a Blinkit delivery partner who had gone viral after speaking about the meagre earnings of gig workersnbspThapliyal was invited to Chadhas residence for lunch after the MP raised concerns about the gig economy in Parliament During the interaction the rider detailed the pressures of delivery work pointing to unpredictable shifts algorithmdriven targets inconsistent income and limited access to grievance redressal mechanisms as routine challenges faced by ridersSpeaking about the meeting Chadha said I believe a detailed discussion must first be held with these delivery partners the riders and delivery boys There are many issues that perhaps you and even we were not fully aware of until now When I invited a rider named Himanshu from Blinkit to my home and spent around 25 to 3 hours with him sharing a meal and talking I understood their concerns After that their charter of demands and concerns was communicated to the management of these companiesChadha also alleged that delivery partners were being threatened by companies and team leaders for participating in the protestnbspFor the past two to three days every delivery boy and rider who has met me has been saying one thing for sure when they plan to go on strike they are being intimidated by some team leaders and some companies I wont say everyone is doing this but I believe that it is wrong he saidnbspThe AAP MP further said that in a democracy everyone has the right to raise their voice and protestnbspTheir voice should be heard They have gone on strike for a reason a symbolic oneday strike so that their voice reaches the right ears he addedExpressing confidence in a resolution Chadha added I am confident a positive solution will emerge because these gig workers these delivery boys are the backbone the pillar of this entire ecommerce industry I feel this pillar deserves attention Now that voices are rising from across the country the issue has been raised in Parliament and outside as well We will surely find a solution together and things will improve https://dailyworld.in/politics/they-are-humans-not-robots-or-bonded-labourers-aap-leader-backs-gig-workers-strike-656453.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/education-key-to-tribal-and-regional-development-prez-murmu-in-gumla-656292.html Gumla Jharkhand Dec 30 President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday called upon the tribal community especially the youth to remain rooted in their cultural heritage while embracing modern education science and technology for overall development Addressing the interstate sociocultural gathering âKartik Jatraâ at Raidih block in Jharkhandâs Gumla district the President emphasised that preserving tribal identity and traditions is essential even as society progressesEducation is the greatest asset for development The holistic progress of society and the state is possible only through its expansion and dissemination she saidPaying tributes to eminent tribal leader Pankhraj Saheb Kartik Oraon a native of Gumla President Murmu described him as a source of inspirationDespite receiving education abroad he devoted his life and thoughts to his land and people viewing education as the most powerful instrument of social change she said adding that the Kartik Jatra reflects the same spirit even todayShe noted that Kartik Oraonâs dream of establishing a university in Gumla would soon be realisedHighlighting the regionâs significance the President said the area connecting Jharkhand Chhattisgarh and Odisha is rich in rivers forests plateaus and mountains and has preserved some of the countryâs oldest traditionsCalling her visit to Jharkhand a pilgrimage she said it was the birthplace and workplace of Lord Birsa Munda who is revered nationwide as a symbol of social justice and tribal prideShe also recalled renowned social reformer and freedom fighter Jatra Tana Bhagat who was born in Gumla and led a nonviolent movement against British rule inspired by Mahatma Gandhiâs idealsRemembering Param Vir Chakra awardee Shaheed Albert Ekka she said his unparalleled bravery during the 1971 IndiaPakistan war remains a matter of national pridePresident Murmu praised the rich cultural heritage of the tribal community noting that its music dance drama and art traditions are exceptionally vibrantThis richness is reflected in the fact that more than 100 tribal artistes from across the country have been honoured with the Padma Shri she saidThe programme featured colourful performances by tribal dance troupes from various states creating a festive atmosphereA large gathering attended the event held at Pankhraj Saheb Kartik Oraon Chowk Barrier Bagicha Manjhatoli in GumlaThe event was attended by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on SCST Affairs Faggan Singh Kulaste and Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/education-key-to-tribal-and-regional-development-prez-murmu-in-gumla-656292.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-maharashtra-sees-political-consolidation-growth-push-amid-fiscal-pressure-656299.html Mumbai Dec 30 For Maharashtra 2025 unfolded as a year of political consolidation steady on governance ambitious on economic growth but strained socially and fiscally The state navigated the year under the dominance of the ruling Mahayuti coalition a weakened Opposition sustained infrastructure momentum and recurring concerns around agrarian distress public safety and fiscal discipline The year was marked by political realignments a strong push for infrastructure and industry persistent rural stress and recurring questions around law and order From local body elections to budgetary pressures and from marquee investment announcements to climatelinked disruptions Maharashtra experienced a complex year shaped by both continuity and churnPolitics in the state was largely defined by the continued dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Partyled MahaYuti alliance Local body elections including municipal councils and nagar panchayats highlighted the organisational strength of the ruling parties particularly the BJP even as Opposition parties struggled to regain lost ground at the grassroots levelThe year also witnessed sustained political churn with leaders and workers switching allegiances especially at the district and taluka levels While these shifts did not immediately alter the balance of power they reinforced the perception of a fragmented Opposition and a politically consolidated ruling dispensation The Opposition in particular is yet to recover from its defeat in the Assembly elections as well as recent losses in Nagar Parishad and Nagar Panchayat pollsAgitations over Maratha and OBC reservations dominated the political discourse ProMaratha quota activist Manoj JarangePatil and senior OBC leader and Mahayuti minister Chhagan Bhujbal emerged as prominent voices articulating their respective positions The government moved swiftly to pacify JarangePatil by implementing decisions related to issuing Kunbi certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community while also forming a Cabinet committee to address OBCrelated concernsOn the economic front Maharashtra retained its position as one of Indiaâs key growth engines The state continued to attract investments in manufacturing logistics renewable energy and services backed by industrial corridors urban infrastructure projects and investor incentivesThe government claimed that most Memoranda of Understanding worth over Rs 15 lakh crore signed at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos earlier this year are at various stages of implementation It also expressed confidence in signing additional highvalue MoUs at the next WEF summit scheduled for January 2026Maharashtra continued to lead the country in attracting foreign direct investment accounting for over 34 per cent of the national shareHowever fiscal pressures remained a persistent undercurrent Rising public debt of Rs 934 lakh crore a revenue deficit of Rs 45891 crore a fiscal deficit of Rs 136235 crore along with increasing expenditure on salaries pensions and interest payments kept the stateâs finances under scrutiny Supplementary demands presented during the year reflected the governmentâs effort to balance development spending with revenue constraintsMaharashtra also remained among the top contributors to Goods and Services Tax GST collections nationally underlining the strength of its formal economy At the same time concerns over revenue sustainability and longterm fiscal discipline continued to engage economists and policy watchersFor rural Maharashtra 2025 proved to be a mixed year Erratic weather patterns including uneven rainfall and localised flooding impacted crop yields across several regions Farmers in Vidarbha Marathwada and parts of western Maharashtra faced distress due to crop losses and price volatility The state government announced relief measures including a package of nearly Rs 32000 crore financial assistance and insurance claims However farmer organisations continued to demand more comprehensive support including loan waivers and improved procurement mechanismsLaw and order remained a challenge Crime statistics and highprofile cases kept public attention focused on safety particularly crimes against women and children Urban centres such as Mumbai Pune and Nagpur grappled with organised crime cybercrime and drugrelated offences while rural areas witnessed incidents linked to social tensions and land disputesThe state police pursued recruitment drives and modernisation efforts with lakhs of aspirants competing for limited government jobs reflecting both employment aspirations and underlying economic uncertainty among the youth The government was compelled to intensify efforts to curb the growing menace of cybercrimeAntiMaoist operations in parts of eastern Maharashtra showed progress though officials acknowledged that longterm solutions would require sustained development and governance interventions The government reiterated its commitment to eliminating Left Wing Extremism by next year in line with the Centreâs stated objectiveInfrastructure remained one of the governmentâs strongest talking points in 2025 Major road projects metro expansions coastal road works and urban transport upgrades progressed across Mumbai and other cities Renewable energy and power transmission projects also gained momentum aligning with national climate and energy goalsDespite these advances urban governance challenges persisted Heavy monsoon rains once again exposed deficiencies in drainage systems particularly in Mumbai and its surrounding regions Housing affordability traffic congestion and environmental concerns continued to trouble urban residentsIn the social sector health and education demanded sustained attention While improvements in public health infrastructure were underway gaps in service delivery especially in tribal and remote areas drew criticism Incidents related to malnutrition and access to healthcare underscored persistent inequalitiesOn the education front the governmentâs proposal to introduce Hindi as a third language triggered strong opposition from political parties educationists and civil society groups The move was eventually withdrawn but it led to a rare political moment as estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray came together to assert Marathi pride The rapprochement resulted in an alliance for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections aimed at checking the BJPâs influence and protecting the interests of the Marathi âmanoosâ and MumbaiAs Maharashtra steps into 2026 the year gone by leaves a sense of guarded continuity The coming year will test whether the lessons of 2025 translate into deeper reforms or whether the state continues on a path of incremental change as it pursues the ambitious âViksit Maharashtra 2047â mission to become a fivetrilliondollar economySanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjayjiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-maharashtra-sees-political-consolidation-growth-push-amid-fiscal-pressure-656299.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/kerala-minister-accuses-cong-of-saffronisation-warns-media-against-acting-as-bjp-rss-mouthpiece-656305.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 30 Keralaâs Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress alleging that the party has completed its âsaffronisationâ both at the national level and in Kerala and has effectively turned into a recruitment agency for the RSS Addressing the media Sivankutty cautioned sections of the press against functioning as public relations platforms for what he described as an âunholy CongressBJP allianceââAt a time when Indian democracy is under severe strain the Congress has chosen silence and submissionâ he alleged drawing parallels with former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Raoâs silence during the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 âThat silence was for whom The same obedience continues even todayâ he saidHe pointed out that after Shashi Tharoor and Digvijaya Singh senior leader Salman Khurshid had also come out in praise of the RSS underscoring what he termed the Congressâs ideological driftTurning to Kerala politics Sivankutty alleged that the CongressBJP nexus had moved beyond rhetoric and was manifesting through âpractical experimentsâ on the ground He cited the Mattathur grama panchayat election results as evidence of what he termed blatant vote tradingâNumbers do not lieâ he said listing instances where Congress votes collapsed sharply in wards won by the BJP In Nooluvalli ward he said the BJP won while the Congress secured just 44 votes in Korechal ward the Congress got 58 votes when the BJP emerged victorious and in Murikkungal ward where the UDF won the BJP polled only 66 votesâThis is not adjustment politics this is blatant vote tradingâ Sivankutty alleged accusing the Congress of sharing votes with anyone to defeat the LDFDespite this he pointed out the LDF emerged as the single largest party in Mattathur with 10 seats dealing a setback to what he called a communal allianceThe Minister also referred to the revelation by Mattathur panchayat member KR Ouseph who claimed that DCC leaders had asked cadres to go slow on boothlevel work during the Thrissur Lok Sabha electionAccording to Sivankutty the BJPâs victory and improved vote share in Thrissur were facilitated by this âcovert vote transferâHe further alleged that Congress leaders such as K Muraleedharan and Sabarinath had come out in support of BJP demands including the call by a BJP councilor for CPIM MLA VK Prasanth to vacate his office in ThiruvananthapuramBranding the allegation that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was an âagent of the Prime Ministerâ as an RSS narrative Sivankutty said it was shameful that Congress leaders were amplifying it IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/kerala-minister-accuses-cong-of-saffronisation-warns-media-against-acting-as-bjp-rss-mouthpiece-656305.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mini-khel-mahakumbh-to-be-held-in-surat-from-january-9-to-12-656309.html Gandhinagar Dec 30 At a time when children are increasingly glued to mobile phones and digital gadgets Gandhinagarbased Childrenâs Research University has taken a commendable initiative to bring Gujaratâs young talent back to the playground and nurture their abilities through a scientific approach The university will organise the Statelevel âUnder11 Athletics Meet Season 40â in Surat from January 9 to 12 2026 The event has generated enthusiastic participation with more than 4500 child athletes registering from across the state Envisioned as a âMini Khel Mahakumbhâ the meet is not merely a competition but a concerted effort to identify and provide a platform for Gujaratâs hidden sporting talent at an early age A total of 11 athletic events will be held during the meet As many as 1056 winners will be awarded prize money amounting to Rs 22 lakhIn addition winning athletes will get a direct opportunity for admission to the District Level Sports School DLSS run by the Sports Authority of Gujarat SAG a move expected to be a gamechanger for their sporting careersThe competition will be hosted at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Surat and will feature separate categories for boys and girls in Under9 and Under11 age groups Events include 60m 100m 200m and 400m races hurdles tennis ball throw medicine ball throw standing broad jump long jump high jump and javelin throwOrganisers highlighted that sports are not limited to physical exercise alone but play a crucial role in a childâs mental development and character buildingDeveloping sports skills through a scientific framework they said will help children become physically fit mentally resilient and better prepared for the future Gujarat has steadily built a strong and modern sports infrastructure over the past decade positioning itself as one of Indiaâs leading states for sports developmentThe state hosts worldclass facilities such as the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad the worldâs largest cricket stadium along with internationalstandard arenas for football athletics swimming and indoor sportsThrough initiatives like the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave districtlevel sports complexes and a wide network of District Level Sports Schools DLSS Gujarat has ensured access to quality training facilities at the grassrootsContinuous investment in stadiums synthetic tracks hostels sports science support and talent identification programmes under the Sports Authority of Gujarat has helped nurture young athletes while successfully hosting national and international events reflecting the stateâs growing focus on sports excellence and athletecentric development IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mini-khel-mahakumbh-to-be-held-in-surat-from-january-9-to-12-656309.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-tribal-politics-shapes-tripura-as-bjp-consolidates-indigenous-base-656317.html Agartala Dec 30 Tribal politics which has traditionally played a decisive role in Tripuraâs electoral process continued to shape the stateâs political landscape in the outgoing year with the ruling BJP focusing on consolidating its organisational base among indigenous communities while gradually reducing its dependence on tribalbased allies particularly the Tipra Motha Party TMP Ahead of early next yearâs elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council TTAADC the most important constitutional body after the Tripura Legislative Assembly tribalbased politics has intensified across the stateSince 2021 the TMP has been governing the politically significant 30member TTAADC which covers nearly twothirds of Tripuraâs 10491 sq km geographical area and is home to over 1216 lakh people about 84 per cent of whom belong to indigenous communitiesIn the runup to the TTAADC polls all major political parties including the ruling BJP its allies TMP and the Indigenous Peopleâs Front of Tripura IPFT and opposition CPI M and Congress have intensified efforts to consolidate their support among tribals who constitute nearly onethird of Tripuras 42 million populationTo lessen its reliance on tribalbased parties TMP and IPFT the BJP has since early this year stepped up organisational activities in tribaldominated areas Both TMP and IPFT are currently allies of the BJPAs part of this strategy the BJP on July 17 organised a key meeting titled Janajati Chintan Shivir bringing together elected representatives and organisational leaders from indigenous communitiesChief Minister Manik Saha state BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma former MP Rebati Tripura all tribal MLAs TTAADC members and other tribal leaders attended the daylong conclaveSenior tribal leader and BJP state general secretary Bipin Debbarma claimed that around 14000 people mostly from indigenous communities had joined the BJP over the past three to four monthsHowever as the BJP intensified public outreach programmes tensions escalated between the party and its ally TMP BJP leaders alleged that TMP workers attacked BJP karyakartas functionaries in several areasAt least 23 BJP karyakartas were injured in more than 10 attacks by TMP activists across different districts Debbarma told IANSIn one of the major incidents on July 27 at least seven BJP Janajati Morcha members were seriously injured when TMP supporters allegedly attacked them at Asharambari in Khowai district while they were gathered at a residence to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs monthly radio programme âMann Ki BaatâSimilar incidents were reported later at Takarjala in Sepahijala district and other parts of the state resulting in injuries to several BJP workersMeanwhile the TMP Congress and CPI M also claimed that several thousand people had joined their respective parties during the yearAfter prolonged negotiations the tribalbased TMP then in the opposition signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government on March 2 last year 2024 in the presence of Home Minister Amit ShahSubsequently the party which has 13 MLAs joined the BJPled coalition government on March 7 adding a new dimension to the states political dynamicsTwo TMP MLAs Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma were inducted into the Chief Minister Manik Sahaled ministryDespite being part of the government the TMP led by Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma continued to press its demands organising demonstrations in Delhi on September 9 and staging a series of agitations in TripuraThe party has been demanding âGreater Tipralandâ a separate state for tribals under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution early conduct of the longpending Village Committee elections in TTAADC areas deportation of illegal migrants implementation of the Inner Line Permit ILP and execution of the tripartite agreementAmid what observers describe as a âsweetandsourâ relationship between the BJP and TMP the opposition Congress announced its willingness to support all âlegitimate demandsâ of the tribalbased party if it withdrew from the ruling coalitionThe TMP however did not respond to the appealPradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma a former state Congress President had quit the party in September 2019 primarily over differences related to filing a petition in the Supreme Court seeking implementation of the National Register of Citizens NRC in Tripura to safeguard indigenous rightsIn a surprising political turn Chief Minister Manik Saha launched sharp attacks on the BJPâs ally TMP warning that politics based on blackmail and threats would no longer be tolerated in TripuraAddressing a party programme at Baijal Bari in Khowai district last week CM Saha asserted that no force could prevent the BJP from working in tribal areasâOur guardians are Prime Minister Narendra Modi BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah We believe in dialogue and peace not unrest Law and order will be maintained strictly through constitutional meansâ the Chief Minister had saidReferring to TMPâs demands CM Saha remarked âFirst it was Tipraland then Greater Tipraland and now One Northeast Anyone can raise demands but they must follow democratic processesâHe also highlighted increased budgetary allocations and infrastructure development in TTAADC areas under the BJP governmentOn the Kokborok language script issue Saha accused parties of hypocrisy saying earlier committees had discussed multiple script options but failed to reach a decisionâNow they selectively raise the issue to create confusion and provoke peopleâ he allegedCiting examples of the BJPâs tribal affinity the Chief Minister said that seven eminent personalities mostly tribal scholars and artists from Tripura received Padma Shri awards while senior tribal leader Jishnu Dev Varma was appointed Governor of TelanganaDevelopments in neighbouring Bangladesh also impacted TripuraPolitical turmoil and violence there triggered heightened security along the international border with the Border Security Force BSF intensifying vigil since JuneâJuly last year particularly after the fall of the Sheikh Hasinaled Awami League government on August 5 2024Reports of attacks on minorities especially Hindus in Bangladesh prompted widespread protests across Tripura by political parties civil society and nongovernment organisationsIn a major boost to religious tourism Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22 inaugurated the redeveloped 524yearold Mata Tripura Sundari temple at Udaipur 54 km south of AgartalaThe redevelopment carried out under the PRASHAD Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive scheme at a cost of over Rs 54 crore enhanced facilities at one of the 51 Hindu Shakti PeethasAdditionally replicas of all 51 Shakti Peethas are being constructed at the underconstruction 51 Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati district at a cost of Rs 9770 croreThe original 51 Shakti Peethas are spread across various states in India and also in Pakistan Nepal and BangladeshChief Minister Manik Saha laid the foundation stone for the park project on July 13Like other northeastern states Tripura intensified its war against drugs during the yearThe Tripura Police in coordination with central forces and intelligence agencies including Assam Rifles seized narcotics worth over Rs 500 crore mostly smuggled from Myanmar and arrested around 200 drug peddlersChief Minister Saha who also holds the Home portfolio reiterated the governments zerotolerance policy towards drugs stating that the administration remains committed to securing a drugfree future for Tripuraâs youthSujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortynegmailcom IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-tribal-politics-shapes-tripura-as-bjp-consolidates-indigenous-base-656317.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-fear-grips-revenue-dept-after-dy-cms-crackdown-656318.html Patna Dec 30 A stir has been created in the Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Department following strict action initiated by Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha The situation has escalated to the extent that some officials fearing action have written to the Governor and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seeking interventionHowever Vijay Kumar Sinha has categorically stated that he will not bow to any pressureResponding to the unrest and resentment among officials the Deputy Chief Minister on Tuesday said that the government is working solely in the interest of the people and has no intention of hurting anyoneâOur intentions are absolutely clear The objective is to reform the Revenue and Land Reforms Department so that it serves the public betterâ he saidReferring to the Muzaffarpur land scam Vijay Sinha said that agricultural land was illegally transferred with the connivance of officialsHe recalled that during his tenure as Agriculture Minister he had ordered action against the Circle Officer CO involved and directed that an appeal be filed in courtâI have now taken fresh cognisance of the matter as Revenue Minister and those responsible for creating unnecessary disputes over undisputed government land will not be sparedâ Sinha saidOn officials going on leave during public interaction programs of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department in districts Vijay Sinha said âOnce systemic reforms are implemented the welfare of everyoneâincluding honest officialsâwill be ensuredâAfter assuming charge of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department Vijay Kumar Sinha is in action modeHe has been taking meetings of the department districtwise and making decisions on the spotResponding to a question on Naxalism Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah Naxalism has been almost completely eradicated from the countryHe added that if governance under such leadership is ensured across all states the menace of Naxalism and extremism would be eliminated IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-fear-grips-revenue-dept-after-dy-cms-crackdown-656318.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/govt-inks-contracts-worth-rs-4-666-crore-for-close-quarter-battle-carbine-heavy-weight-torpedoes-656320.html New Delhi Dec 30 The government on Tuesday announced it has signed contracts worth Rs 4666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle CQB Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes The contract for over 425 lakh CQB carbines along with accessories worth Rs 2770 crore for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy was signed with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt LtdThe CQB carbine provides a critical edge in close combat through its compact design and high rate of fire ensuring rapid decisive lethality in confined spacesThe contract highlights the synergy between the government and the private sector which will further give impetus to the âMake in Indiaâ initiative the Defence Ministry saidThis project will also play a pivotal role in boosting the overall economy increasing employment avenues and will also empower indigenous defence industries by encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing and raw material supply it addedThe contract for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes along with associated equipment for Kalvari Class Submarines P75 of the Indian Navy at an approximate cost of Rs 1896 crore was signed with WASS Submarine Systems SRL ItalyThe acquisition will enhance the combat capability of the six Kalvari Class submarines The delivery of torpedoes will commence from April 2028 and will be completed by early 2030 said the ministryThese torpedoes have significant operational capabilities and advanced technological featuresThis achievement marks the culmination of an extraordinary persistent effort to equip Indian soldiers with worldclass lethality replacing legacy systems with cuttingedge indigenous technology under the âAatmanirbhar Bharatâ vision the Defence Ministry statement saidThe contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar SinghThe Ministry of Defence has signed capital contracts amounting to Rs 182492 crore for the modernisation of the Armed Forces in the financial year 202526 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/govt-inks-contracts-worth-rs-4-666-crore-for-close-quarter-battle-carbine-heavy-weight-torpedoes-656320.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/chhattisgarh-ed-files-supplementary-prosecution-complaint-nails-top-bureaucrats-and-politicians-in-liquor-scam-656323.html Raipur Dec 30 The Enforcement Directorate has filed a supplementary prosecution complaint that details a meticulously planned liquor scam generating proceeds of crime worth approximately Rs 2883 crore between 2019 and 2023 The probe exposes a powerful criminal syndicate that systematically undermined the states excise policy through multiple illegal channels to siphon off massive funds According to the investigation agency the latest complaint filed on December 26 arraigns 59 new individuals bringing the total number of accused to 81 These include senior bureaucrats such as retired IAS officer Anil Tuteja former Excise Commissioner Niranjan Das and ITS officer Arun Pati Tripathi who served as Managing Director of the state marketing corporation alongside around 30 fieldlevel excise officials who received fixed commissions for enabling illicit sales Political executives feature prominently with former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma Chaitanya Baghel son of the then Chief Minister and Saumya Chaurasia a deputy secretary in the Chief Ministers office who allegedly coordinated cash handling and officer postings all named for approving policies and channelling illicit funds into personal ventures The scam operated via four main streams âillegal commissionsâ on official liquor sales financed by inflating prices borne by the state exchequer a parallel offthebooks system for âselling unaccounted country liquorâ using duplicate holograms and cashpurchased bottles that evaded all duties Also annual âcartel paymentsâ from distillers to retain market dominance and licenses and extortion through a newly created license category that diverted substantial profits from foreign liquor manufacturers to the syndicate a statement of the investigation agency said Private players form the backbone of the operation led by Anwar Dhebar and Arvind Singh with distilleries and merchants actively participating in unaccounted production and commission payments supported by facilitators supplying duplicate holograms and collecting cash the probe agency said Nine key figures have been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act including Anil Tuteja Arvind Singh Trilok Singh Dhillon Anwar Dhebar Arun Pati Tripathi Kawasi Lakhma Chaitanya Baghel Saumya Chaurasia and Niranjan Das though some are presently on bail the agency said in a statement The agency has provisionally attached properties worth Rs 38232 crore covering over a thousand assets ranging from luxury hotels to extensive holdings linked to the involved families and entities it said The investigation continues to unravel the depth of this conspiracy that infiltrated the highest levels of administration and politics causing colossal losses to public revenue while enriching a select nexus of power and profit the agency said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/chhattisgarh-ed-files-supplementary-prosecution-complaint-nails-top-bureaucrats-and-politicians-in-liquor-scam-656323.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-assembly-opens-its-doors-for-crpf-jawans-their-families-656324.html New Delhi Dec 30 Interacting with visiting CRPF personnel Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday praised them for operating in some of the most challenging security environments forming the backbone of Indiaâs internal security During the meeting with jawans and officers of the 103rd Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF held in the presence of their families and children Gupta highlighted the forceâs vital contributions in countering militancy and insurgency addressing Left Wing ExtremismThe Speaker also appreciated their role in ensuring security during elections protecting vital installations and dignitaries and assisting civil authorities during emergencies and natural calamitiesHe also acknowledged the CRPFâs participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions underscoring Indiaâs commitment to global peace and stabilityDuring the interaction the Deputy Commandant Assistant Commandant and other officers of the 103rd Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force were also presentGupta specially acknowledged the service of CRPF personnel who have previously served in challenging regions such as Jammu and Kashmir Dantewada Sukma Bijapur and other sensitive areas commending their dedication courage and professionalism while operating under demanding conditionsGupta highlighted the historic significance of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha noting that the institution dates back to 1911 when the Third Delhi Durbar marked King George Vs announcement of the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to DelhiHe noted that the Assembly has evolved over 113 years with early nationalist leaders such as Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Lala Lajpat Rai raising Indian concerns in legislative forums during the colonial periodRecalling the impact of the Rowlatt Act the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 and Indiaâs substantial contribution during the First World War the Speaker noted that the Central Hall of the Assembly has hosted several defining moments including the first convocation of Delhi University in 1923 and the passage of significant legislation in 1925He stated that although legislative proceedings shifted after the completion of the new Parliament building in 1927 the Delhi Vidhan Sabha remains a living symbol of Indiaâs democratic heritage and constitutional journeyAs part of the programme the jawans and officers were given a guided tour of the Assembly House during which they were familiarised with its functioning traditions and parliamentary heritageThe families of the CRPF personnel also participated in the tour where they were acquainted with the 113yearold legislative heritage of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha and its role in Indiaâs constitutional and democratic journeyOn the occasion the Speaker also presented a Coffee Table Book titled âDelhi Legislative Assembly presents ShatabdiYatra Veer Vithalbhai Patelâ as a mementoDescribing the publication as a significant historical document he said the book chronicles Indiaâs parliamentary journey from 1925 to 2025 capturing a century of legislative evolution and democratic transformation through rare archival photographs historic documents and defining moments of parliamentary historyThe Speaker noted that Vice President CP Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Coffee Table Book which was also presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscoring its national significance and paying tribute to the enduring legacy of Veer Vithalbhai Patel whose leadership laid the foundation of Indiaâs modern parliamentary traditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-assembly-opens-its-doors-for-crpf-jawans-their-families-656324.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-ntk-condemns-tiruttani-killing-slams-dmk-over-drug-menace-and-lawlessness-656328.html Chennai Dec 30 Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK chief coordinator Seeman on Tuesday strongly condemned the brutal killing of a migrant labourer in Tiruttani describing the incident as a shameful blot on Tamil society and a direct consequence of the State governmentâs failure to curb drug abuse and crime Seeman referred to the murder of Siraj a migrant worker from Odisha who was allegedly attacked and killed by four drugaddicted youths while travelling on a suburban train to Tiruttani He said the horrifying visuals of the assault reflected the dangerous extent to which narcotics had poisoned Tamil Naduâs youth under the âDravidian model of governanceââThe brutal killing of Siraj by intoxicated youths is not just a crime against an individual but a disgrace to the entire Tamil nation It exposes how deeply drugs have penetrated our society under the DMK governmentâ Seeman said He asserted that the unchecked spread of narcotics had turned Tamil Nadu into a hub of crime leading to a sharp rise in murders sexual assaults and violent attacksâThe governmentâs failure to control drug trafficking has destroyed social order The root cause of todayâs lawlessness is the unchecked sale of alcohol and narcoticsâ he said Seeman pointed out that crimes were being committed daily often by young people under the influence of alcohol or drugs âFamilies are being torn apart Even blood relatives are killing each other over trivial disputes This moral collapse is the result of statesponsored liquor salesâ he alleged The NTK leader also condemned violence against migrant workers stating that attacks on labourers who come to Tamil Nadu in search of livelihood were equally unacceptable âWhether it is migrants being attacked or local people being harmed every such incident is a stain on our societyâ he said Questioning the DMK governmentâs priorities Seeman asked why the ruling party which once opposed liquor sales during the previous AIADMK regime was now reluctant to implement prohibition âWhy does the government remain silent on the unchecked sale of ganja Is revenue from liquor more important than the lives of our peopleâ he asked He further questioned whether mere awareness videos could stop drug abuse warning that without decisive action more young lives would be destroyed âHow many more lives must be lost before this government actsâ he asked adding that the current situation had turned Tamil Nadu into a state gripped by fear and lawlessness Calling the situation âa moral and administrative failureâ Seeman demanded immediate steps to ban liquor and crack down on narcotics asserting that only then could peace and safety be restored in the State IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-ntk-condemns-tiruttani-killing-slams-dmk-over-drug-menace-and-lawlessness-656328.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-cik-cracks-down-on-digital-propaganda-ring-656332.html Srinagar Dec 30 The CounterIntelligence Wing Kashmir CIK on Tuesday cracked down on the digital propaganda ring as the NIA court declared the accused as absconding A CIK statement claimed that in a decisive action against antinational propaganda and secessionist misinformation the CIK has tightened the noose around a digital network involved in spreading destabilising content across social media platformsâThe Special Judge designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar has proclaimed under Section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure CrPC against the accused persons in FIR No 072020 registered by CIKâ it saidIt said that the case involves serious offences under Sections 153A and 505 of the IPC along with Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act UAPAâThe FIR was lodged following credible intelligence inputs indicating a coordinated conspiracy by antinational and antisocial elements operating at the behest of secessionist forces within and outside the Kashmir Valleyâ it saidThe CIK added that the investigations revealed that the accused were posing as journalists freelancers and news portals while systematically misusing social media platforms such as Facebook X and WhatsAppâThese platforms were allegedly used to circulate fake exaggerated and misleading narratives aimed at inciting street violence disturbing public order damaging public property and fostering disaffection against the Union of Indiaâ it addedThe CIK further pointed out that the accused were actively disseminating content prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India with the intent to fuel unrest and advance a secessionist agendaâFollowing the issuance of arrest warrants all three went underground and are currently abscondingâ it saidTaking serious note of their deliberate evasion of the law the CIK said that the Special NIA Court has directed the accused to appear before it on or before January 31 2026 âThe court has warned that failure to comply will invite proceedings under Section 83 CrPC including attachment of propertyâ it saidThe CIK said that despite being declared absconders the accused are continuing their activities on social media persisting with hostile and provocative propaganda aimed at destabilising peace in Jammu and KashmirâCounter Intelligence Kashmir has reiterated its firm resolve to act against antinational propaganda digital subversion and misuse of social media warning that such activities will be dealt with strictly in accordance with lawâ it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-cik-cracks-down-on-digital-propaganda-ring-656332.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-govt-tightens-security-ahead-of-new-year-celebrations-656333.html Patna Dec 30 The Bihar government and state police will maintain strict vigilance against anyone attempting to disrupt the law and order in the state during the New Year celebrations Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit chaired a highlevel review meeting on Tuesday with all District Magistrates DMs and Superintendents of Police SPs to ensure a peaceful and secure environment across the stateThe meeting was conducted via video conferencing and focused primarily on maintaining effective law and order on December 31 and January 1 2026Addressing the officials the Chief Secretary issued clear instructions for the strict enforcement of law and order during the festive periodHe directed district administrations to maintain special vigilance at crowded areas public places markets major intersections parks and picnic spotsImmediate and effective action must be taken in case of any untoward incident disturbance or dispute Chief Secretary Amrit saidTo further strengthen security arrangements Chief Secretary Amrit instructed that CCTV cameras be installed at all sensitive and identified locations and that the functionality of existing cameras be regularly monitoredIn view of the prevailing cold wave he also directed district authorities to make adequate arrangements for bonfires for people in needEmphasising the importance of health services Chief Secretary Amrit instructed officials to inspect hospitals to ensure the availability of blankets for patients and the timely presence of medical staffAdequate police deployment was also ordered at tourist spots and public gathering areas to avoid any security lapsesDuring the meeting Bihar Director General of Police DGP Vinay Kumar also said that alcohol and drug consumption tends to increase among youth during the New Year celebrations which could affect law and order in the stateThe police were directed to conduct regular raids wherever information regarding illegal liquor or drugs is received and to take strict action against offenders DGP Kumar addedThe DGP also directed that adequate police force be deployed at pilgrimage sites due to the expected increase in devoteesSenior police officers were directed to brief and debrief their subordinates properly to ensure clarity of duties and responsibilitiesSpecial emphasis was laid on monitoring biker gangs which often become active during such occasionsThe CCTV surveillance in streets intersections and sensitive areas was highlighted as a key preventive measureAdditionally instructions were issued to launch deaddiction awareness campaigns at the block district school and institutional levels to encourage public cooperationIntensive checking and frisking operations were ordered in border areas to prevent the smuggling of drugs and illegal weapons and immediate questioning of suspicious individuals was mandatedThe meeting was attended by Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh Additional Director General Law and Order Pankaj Darad and other senior officialsIt was concluded that with coordinated efforts across all districts peace security and law and order will be effectively maintained in Bihar during the New Year celebrations IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bihar-govt-tightens-security-ahead-of-new-year-celebrations-656333.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/illegal-betting-case-bengaluru-court-grants-bail-to-congress-mla-veerendra-656338.html Bengaluru Dec 30 The Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Tuesday granted bail to Congress MLA KC Veerendra aka Veerendra Pappi in connection with illegal betting case MLA Veerendra was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate ED under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA He was imprisoned at the Bengaluru Central Jail for four months Veerendra represents Challakere Assembly constituency in Chitradurga districtMLA Veerendra was nabbed on August 23 in Gangtok where he had gone with his associates in connection with leasing land for running a casinoEarlier R D Chaitra wife of MLA Veerendra had filed a Writ Petition in the High Court of Karnataka on several grounds to declare his arrest by ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA 2002 as illegal arbitrary and violative of fundamental rightsHowever the High Court had upheld the arrest of KC Veerendra by ED and dismissed the Writ PetitionThe ED sleuths had recovered Rs 21 crore in cash and a large quantity of other valuables from Veerendras residence in KarnatakaThe ED stated The arrest of MLA Veerendra follows raids at 31 locations on August 22 23 in 2025 at 31 locations across India including Gangtok Chitradurga Bengaluru city Hubballi Jodhpur Mumbai and Goa The accused MLA Veerendra is running several online betting sites in the name of king567 Raja567 among othersThe ED had stated that accused MLAs brother KC Thippeswamy is operating three business entities from DubaiThe investigation into the illegal betting scam by the ED has revealed that Karnataka Congress MLA K C Veerendra and his associates collected over Rs 2000 crore through a single gateway from websites in a short span The ED had uncovered Rs 2000 crore transactions and seized hundreds of crores worth gold bars and cash from his residence and offices so far across the countryThe Karnataka BJP had alleged that accused Congress MLA Veerendra had sent more than Rs 300 crore funding for the upcoming Bihar electionsThe Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka had stated MLA Veerendra had sent gold bars and more than Rs 300 crore for Bihar elections Karnataka has become ATM for the Congress They calculate how much money each MLA gives and allocate positions accordingly IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/illegal-betting-case-bengaluru-court-grants-bail-to-congress-mla-veerendra-656338.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/viksit-bharat-has-turned-into-a-mass-aspiration-pm-modi-656343.html New Delhi Dec 30 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the vision of a Viksit Bharat Developed India by 2047 has transcended government policy to become a genuine mass aspiration Addressing a group of eminent economists and experts at NITI Aayog PM Modi said that this shift is evident in the evolving patterns of education consumption and global mobility necessitating enhanced institutional capacity and proactive infrastructure planning to meet the needs of an increasingly aspirational societyThe Prime Minister called for missionmode reforms across diverse sectors to sustain longterm growth He stressed that Indiaâs policymaking and budgeting must remain anchored with the vision for 2047 He also spoke about the need to ensure that the nation remains a vital hub for the global workforce and international marketsThe Theme of the interaction was âAatmanirbharta and Structural Transformation Agenda for Viksit BharatâDuring the interaction the economists shared strategic insights on enhancing productivity and competitiveness across the manufacturing and services sectors The discussions focused on accelerating structural transformation through increased household savings robust infrastructure development and the adoption of cuttingedge technology The group explored the role of Artificial Intelligence AI as an enabler of crosssectoral productivity and also discussed the continued scaling of Indiaâs Digital Public Infrastructure DPI according to an official statementThe participants noted that the unprecedented flurry of crosssectoral reforms in 2025 and their further consolidation in the coming year will ensure that India continues to chart its path as one of the fastestgrowing global economies by strengthening its foundations and unlocking newer opportunitiesSeveral renowned economists and experts were part of the discussion including Shankar Acharya Ashok K Bhattacharya N R Bhanumurthy Amita Batra Janmejaya Sinha Amit Chandra Rajani Sinha Dinesh Kanabar Basanta Pradhan Madan Sabnavis Ashima Goyal Dharmakirti Joshi Umakant Dash Pinaki Chakraborty Indranil Sen Gupta Samiran Chakraborty Abhiman Das Rahul Bajoria Monika Halan and Siddhartha Sanyal IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/viksit-bharat-has-turned-into-a-mass-aspiration-pm-modi-656343.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/odisha-cm-hands-over-jobs-to-1-543-youths-reiterates-zero-tolerance-for-corruption-656345.html Bhubaneswar Dec 30 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday distributed appointment letters to 1543 candidates across 11 government departments during the 14th edition of the âNijukti Melaâ Speaking at the event the Chief Minister said that while a government job ensures financial security for families it also brings greater responsibility towards serving the people of OdishaEmphasisng the governmentâs commitment to employment generation CM Majhi said the state has organised 14 job fairs in the last 18 months facilitating 39459 appointments so far Tuesdayâs event was the fifthlargest in the seriesâToday you and your families are happy because you have secured your future But with this job comes a new responsibility You are not just doing government work you are working for the people of this stateâ the Chief Minister said while addressing the new recruitsCM Majhi also asked the new appointees to stay away from corrupt practices highlighting the state governmentâs zero tolerance towards corruptionReferring to the recovery of huge amounts of disproportionate assets during vigilance raids at the residences of government officials in the state he advised the newly appointed employees to avoid humiliation by not getting involved in corrupt practices that could lead to exposure in electronic and print mediaThe Chief Minister also outlined the stateâs development roadmap reiterating that Odisha is progressing towards âSamrudha Odishaâ Prosperous Odisha by 2036 coinciding with the stateâs centenary year He added that the vision aligns with the national target of achieving âViksit Bharatâ Developed India by 2047 under Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs leadershipProviding recruitment targets Majhi said the government aims to fill 150000 vacancies in five years including 65000 posts by June 2026 Nearly 40000 positions have already been filled in the last one year and a half he added Wishing the appointees success the Chief Minister urged them to discharge their duties with sincerity and contribute to Odishaâs growth story IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/odisha-cm-hands-over-jobs-to-1-543-youths-reiterates-zero-tolerance-for-corruption-656345.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rabri-devi-bungalow-row-rjd-questions-jdu-leaders-over-occupation-of-govt-residences-656346.html Patna Dec 30 The political controversy surrounding the eviction of former Chief Minister Rabri Devi from her official residence at 10 Circular Road Patna continues to intensify in Bihar While the JDU BJP and other NDA allies have been targeting the Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD and the Lalu Prasad family over the issue the RJD has now countered by raising serious questions about the alleged misuse of government bungalows by ruling party leadersThe Bihar governmentâs Building Construction Department has formally issued an order directing Rabri Deviâcurrently the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Councilâto vacate the government bungalow at 10 Circular RoadShe has been allotted an alternative government residence in its placeFollowing this NDA leaders have made various allegations against the RJD regarding the prolonged occupation of government propertyIn response the RJD has accused JDU National Working President and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha and JDU MP Devesh Chandra Thakur of illegally occupying government bungalows in Bihar despite being allotted official residences in New DelhiRJD National Spokesperson Nawal Kishore Yadav has written a letter to the Building Construction Department seeking clarification on the rules under which these two MPs continue to occupy Bihar government residencesIn the letter he stated that both Sanjay Jha and Devesh Chandra Thakur were earlier allotted bungalows from the Bihar Central Pool due to their positions as ministers or chairpersonsHowever despite subsequently receiving official accommodations in Delhi they have allegedly continued to occupy the Bihar residencesThe letter questions why the department has not clarified the current status of these bungalows and under which rules the MPs are allowed to retain themIt further asks whether they are paying ten times the prescribed rent as mandated under government norms or whether they are occupying the properties by exerting political influenceRaising sharp questions the RJD spokesperson asked why the two MPs remain attached to these bungalows and even made a pointed remark questioning whether there is any secret chamber inside the premises that they are attempting to protect or useThe letter also raises concerns regarding Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi questioning in what capacity he is residing in a bungalow from the Patna Central PoolIt further asks whether such a bungalow can be allotted to his daughterinlaw and whether seniority or protocol permits such an arrangementThe RJD has demanded that the Building Construction Department clarify the complete factual position specify by what date the bungalows will be vacated and disclose the additional rent recovered from the occupants for extended useThe party has urged the department to take the matter seriously and respond transparently IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rabri-devi-bungalow-row-rjd-questions-jdu-leaders-over-occupation-of-govt-residences-656346.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/maha-bmc-elections-set-to-be-a-multi-cornered-contest-656347.html Mumbai Dec 30 The BMC elections scheduled for January 15 will be a multicornered battle as the contest is no longer between two major alliances but has fractured into five power centres The BJP and Shiv Sena MahaYuti alliance comprising their allies will be a dominant alliance with a resolve to unfurl saffron flag atop BMC with the Mahayuti mayor BJP is contesting 137 seats leaving 90 seats to Shiv Sena Further the BJP proposes to flag off its development agenda while appealing to the voters to vote for a tripleengine government in BMC to further push the cityâs growthOn the other hand Shiv Sena plans to eat into the traditional votes of Marathi Manoos with a resolve to prove that they are the ârealâ Shiv Sena which is following the ideology of party founder Balasaheb ThackerayInterestingly BJPâs ally the Republican Party of India A led by Ramdas Athawale has entered into the fray alleging it was denied respectable seats during the seatsharing arrangementShiv Sena UBT and MNS have allied to consolidate the Marathi Manoos vote focusing on emotional heritage and local pride This is a reunion of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray after almost 20 years Both cousins will cash in on Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackerayâs legacy and plan to checkmate the BJP exposing its plan to isolate Mumbai from MaharashtraBreaking away from the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA Congress is contesting independently in a strategic alliance with Prakash Ambedkarâs Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi VBA to target Dalit Muslim and North Indian votesDespite being in the statelevel Mahayuti Ajit Pawarâs NCP is going solo after it did not find a place in the BJPled coalitionAAP and the Samajwadi Party will be the new disrupters targeting a specific pocket AAP on Delhistyle civic transparency and SP in minorityheavy wards like Govandi and Mankhurd Traditionally the undivided Shiv Sena held a monopoly over the Marathi vote Now that vote is split three ways comprising Eknath Shinde State Power Uddhav Legacy and Raj Thackeray Linguistic IdentityAgainst this backdrop the BJP hopes to get mileage with their core voter base comprising North Indians Gujaratis and the cosmopolitan elite which remains largely consolidated while the Marathi vote is cannibalised by the three SenaMNS factionsParties like the VBA and AAP may not win many seats but by pulling 2000â3000 votes in a ward they can effectively spoil the chances of the frontrunners leading to unexpected dark horse winnersBy contesting independently Congress risks losing its relevance in Mumbai if it fails to cross its 2017 mark of 31 seats However they believe that staying with the Sena UBTMNS alliance would have alienated their Muslim and North Indian supporters due to the MNSs sonsofthesoil rhetoric This makes them a wild card in the suburbsHowever Congress insiders claimed that by joining hands with Prakash Ambedkarâs VBA they are attempting to rebuild a coalition of Dalits and Muslims that was once their strongholdFor the BJP the BMC elections are an opportunity to prove they are the dominant force in Mumbai For both Sena factions it is an existential battle for the Bow and Arrow legacy For Mumbaikars the multicornered contest means a wider variety of choices but a higher likelihood of a fractured mandateSanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjayjiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/maha-bmc-elections-set-to-be-a-multi-cornered-contest-656347.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/spoke-about-kerala-govts-interference-in-karnataka-not-about-keralites-deputy-cm-shivakumar-656350.html Bengaluru Dec 30 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday clarified that his remarks were directed at the Kerala Chief Minister and the Kerala governmentâs interference in Karnatakaâs administration and not at the people of Kerala He alleged that BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar had twisted his statement to mislead the publicResponding to media queries at the Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday Shivakumar said âI only stated that the Kerala Chief Minister and the Kerala government should not interfere in the administration of the Karnataka government I did not speak about Keralites Rajeev Chandrasekhar is misrepresenting my statement and misleading peopleâAsked about Rajeev Chandrasekharâs comments he said âI share a good relationship with the people of Kerala They have great affection for me and I hold them in high regard I will be campaigning in Kerala during the elections and our government will come to power there That is why the BJP is trying to create confusion They should not indulge in such sour politics Leaders of our party give us advice and we accept itâSpeaking about a meeting held at the Vidhana Soudha Shivakumar said the board meetings of the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam and the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam were held on Tuesday âWe are taking up works worth around Rs 5000 crore in these corporations In the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam we have given priority to land acquisition for the Upper Krishna Project This will require funding of about Rs 70000 crore Other works will be taken up in the next phaseâ he saidWhen asked about his resolutions for the New Year 2026 Shivakumar said âOur goal is to keep everyone happy and provide good governance to the state Just as this year saw good rainfall we hope for good rains next year as well filling tanks and reservoirs and improving farmersâ lives Our guarantee schemes will continue and empower the people Local body elections will also be held next yearâAsked whether good governance would continue under his leadership in 2026 he said âGood governance will continue under the leadership of the Congress government This administration will continue for the next sevenandahalf yearsâResponding to a question about a statement by MLA Iqbal Hussain that he will become CM on January 6 or 9 Shivakumar said âPlease do not give importance to his remarksâWhen asked whether one could expect his leadership in 2026 he said âI will speak about that in 2026âIt can be recalled that demolition row issue gained traction after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the Karnataka government was adopting a âbulldozer modelâ similar to Uttar Pradesh to evict Muslims in parts of BengaluruReacting strongly Shivakumar asked the Kerala Chief Minister not to interfere in Karnatakaâs internal affairs and dismissed the allegations as politically motivatedâWithout knowing the facts Mr Pinarayi should not interfere in our stateâs affairs These are political gimmicks ahead of electionsâ Shivakumar saidLater taking objection to the Congressled Karnataka governmentâs demolition drive against unauthorised constructions in Bengaluru the AICC on last Saturday raised concerns saying such actions should have been carried out with greater caution and sensitivityAICC General Secretary and Congress Lok Sabha member KC Venugopal made the remarks after speaking to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/spoke-about-kerala-govts-interference-in-karnataka-not-about-keralites-deputy-cm-shivakumar-656350.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ndmc-to-hold-new-years-first-suvidha-camp-to-resolve-grievances-on-jan-3-656352.html New Delhi Dec 30 The New Delhi Municipal Council NDMC will organise the New Years first Suvidha Camp on January 3 2026 for improving service delivery and ensuring prompt grievance redressal an official said on Tuesday The camp will be held at the NDMC Convention Centre at Jai Singh Road near Palika Kendra in New Delhi from 1030 am to 1230 pmAn official added that the initiative forms a key component of NDMCs sustained citizen outreach programme aimed at strengthening direct engagement improving service delivery and ensuring prompt grievance redressalThe Suvidha Camp is designed as a singlewindow facilitation platform where residents and stakeholders can seek information submit requests and resolve issues related to a wide spectrum of municipal servicesResidents service users resident welfare associations market traders associations and NDMC employees both serving and retired are encouraged to participate and benefit from onthespot assistance an official statement saidDuring the camp citizens will be able to address matters pertaining to electricity services including new connections disconnections load enhancement or reduction and name changetransfer property tax birth and death certificatesServicerelated issues of NDMC employees waterlogging and sanitation waste disposal and road repairs pension schemes widow old age and disability as well as booking of Barat Ghars and public parks among other NDMC services will also be taken up at the campDedicated helpdesks manned by officials from various NDMC departments will be available to provide direct timebound and efficient assistance ensuring swift resolution of grievances and clarity on proceduresThe Suvidha Camp is held regularly on the first Saturday of every month at the NDMC Convention Centre reinforcing NDMCs commitment to transparent responsive and citizenfriendly governance the statement addedIn addition to physical Suvidha Camps NDMC has also introduced the Jan Suvidha Portal a digital and contactless grievance redressal platform that enables citizens to submit complaints online track their status and provide feedback on the quality of resolutionThe portal is accessible through the official NDMC website offering a convenient and accountable mechanism for service deliveryThe NDMC reaffirms its commitment to delivering efficient responsive and citizencentric services through both physical and digital platforms ensuring ease of access transparency and improved quality of life for all residents an official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ndmc-to-hold-new-years-first-suvidha-camp-to-resolve-grievances-on-jan-3-656352.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjd-slams-odisha-govt-over-collapsed-paddy-procurement-656356.html Bhubaneswar Dec 30 Senior BJD leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition Prasanna Acharya on Tuesday hit out at the Odisha Government alleging that the paddy procurement system in the state has âcompletely collapsedâ pushing farmers into distress sale Addressing a press conference Acharya said that although the procurement season has begun most market yards across Odisha are yet to open and the administration is âunpreparedâ to purchase paddy from registered farmers âFarmers are in severe distress They are unable to sell their produce at the Minimum Support Price MSP In many places even input subsidies are not reaching themâ he allegedAcharya claimed that due to government apathy farmers are being forced to protest on the streets He cited comparative procurement figures stating that around 41 per cent of registered farmers in Chhattisgarh have already sold their paddy to the government while in Odisha the figure stands at only 8 per cent âThis shows the precarious condition in Odisha Farmers need money for the next crop Dalua cultivation but without procurement at MSP they are compelled to sell in distress at lower pricesâ he said The BJD leader further added that his party had raised the issue strongly during the last Assembly session but the government refused to listenâWe have no option left Along with the farmers we will take to the streets to fight for their rightsâ Acharya declared accusing the government of being indifferent to the crisis unfolding in rural OdishaAlthough paddy procurement has begun in 13 districts of the state the BJD alleged that the process has completely collapsed The senior leader alleged that the state government is busy patting itself on the back for paying an input subsidy of Rs 800 per quintal of paddy however this appears to be a joke and a betrayal of farmers in view of the ground reality of the paddy procurement situation Acharya further added that the paddy procurement target for Odisha has been set at 73 lakh metric tons while it is 80 lakh metric tons for Chhattisgarh despite the latter being a smaller stateHe criticised the state government for remaining silent on the issue and not demanding that the central government increase Odishas paddy procurement target IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjd-slams-odisha-govt-over-collapsed-paddy-procurement-656356.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/indian-army-to-showcase-unique-animal-force-at-republic-day-parade-656357.html New Delhi Dec 30 The Indian Army while rapidly modernising with cuttingedge technology continues to strengthen its capabilities by blending tradition with innovation This unique approach will be on full display at the upcoming Republic Day parade where for the first time doublehumped Bactrian camels and Zanskari ponies will march along Kartavya Path symbolising resilience and adaptability in extreme terrainsThe Remount Veterinary Corps RVC contingent will be one of the main attractions of the parade The contingent will be led by a woman officer in which will add to the significance of the parade This will mark another milestone in the Indian Armyâs evolving leadership landscapeFor the first time doublehumped Bactrian camels will participate in the Republic Day parade These camels have been inducted into the Indian Army for lastmile logistics delivery and patrol duties in the cold desert of eastern Ladakh close to the Line of Actual Control LACOver the past two years Bactrian camels have proven to be invaluable in some of the harshest operational environments They can comfortably operate at altitudes ranging from 15000 to 18000 feet carry loads of 150â200 kilograms and function efficiently in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees CelsiusApart from logistics they are also used for longrange patrols in terrain inaccessible to vehiclesIn the initial phase more than a dozen Bactrian camels have already been inducted into service During the parade two Bactrian camels will be seen marching on Kartavya Pathâpossibly the first time these animals will be seen in DelhiTraditionally found in Mongolia and Central Asia these camels are believed to have reached Ladakh centuries ago via the ancient Silk Route and are now bred in Hunder village of the Nubra ValleyAlongside the camels four Zanskari ponies mules will also march during the parade These ponies which are widely used by local communities in Ladakh have gradually been inducted into the Army over the last two years due to their âexceptional enduranceâThese ponies can carry over 70 kilograms of load operate smoothly at altitudes of up to 18000 feet and survive temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees CelsiusThe role of the ponies has been crucial in maintaining supply lines in remote and rugged areas Normally mechanised transport is not feasible in such areas so these animals are useful thereAccording to reports the DRDOâs Defence Institute of High Altitude Research DIHAR in Leh in collaboration with the Armyâs Remount Veterinary Corps conducted extensive research on both Bactrian camels and Zanskari ponies before formally inducting them into military serviceApart from this the RVC contingent will also showcase a unique blend of traditional and modern warfare capabilities To counter enemy drones trained eagles have been introduced as part of an innovative antidrone strategy These birds are capable of reconnaissance and can intercept small drones midair Four such eagles will be on display during the Republic Day paradeIn fact these eagles had been showcased for the first time during the IndiaâUS joint military exercise âYudh Abhyasâ in 2022 This exercise was held in Auli UttarakhandSimilarly the Army Dog Squad will also participate in the parade Around 10 military dogs including some Indian breeds will participate These breeds include Mudhol Hound Rampur Hound Chippiparai Kombai and Rajapalayam Three conventional foreign breeds will also be thereThis yearâs Republic Day parade will not only celebrate military might but also showcase sustainable and innovative methods that support soldiers in some of the worldâs toughest conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/indian-army-to-showcase-unique-animal-force-at-republic-day-parade-656357.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/shahbag-movement-leader-appeals-for-peace-return-of-sonar-bangla-in-bangladesh-656360.html Kolkata Dec 30 The persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh continues unabated An atmosphere of fear prevails and the killing of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das has not brought the violence to an end in the South Asian countryAmid the helpless state of affairs in Bangladesh the Sanatani Sansad held a press conference at the Kolkata Press Club on Tuesday presenting instances of several Hindus who had taken refuge in India either on medical visas or through other means after fearing for their lives in the neighbouring countryAmong them was Bappaditya Basu a prominent face of the 2023 Shahbag movement in Bangladesh who had demanded for the restoration of Sonar Bangla golden BengalI have been living in hiding for the last fourteen months Ansarullah Bangla organisation had threatened to kill me I do not know whether I will see the sun tomorrow after speaking out today I came to this country on a medical visa But I and people like me who are currently in this country and this state want to return to our homeland Basu said at the press conferenceAt the same time Basu appealed that since Hindus like him have taken shelter here due to religious persecution the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi should consider granting them citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act CAACalling upon the intellectual community of West Bengal to stand by them he said The situation in Bangladesh today is worse than during the 1971 Liberation War The current situation must end and peace should be established once again We want a Sonar BanglaBharatiya Janata Party BJP leader Shankudev Panda said The BJP stands with the persecuted Hindus of Bangladesh They must apply through Sanatani Sansad following the legal process for the demand of citizenshipThose present at the press conference were the organisations President Gobinda Das General Secretary and Journalist Raktim Das Professor Mohit Roy Advocate Joydeep Mukhopadhyay among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/shahbag-movement-leader-appeals-for-peace-return-of-sonar-bangla-in-bangladesh-656360.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/multiple-firearms-seized-from-two-places-in-kolkata-ahead-of-new-year-celebrations-656362.html Kolkata Dec 30 The Kolkata Polices Special Task Force STF on Tuesday recovered multiple firearms and arrested two persons in connection with it police said According to the police acting on a tipoff officers of STF detained two youths from the Strand Road in KolkataSeveral firearms were seized which were in the possession of the accused duo Following the recovery of firearms questions have been raised about the origin of these weapons and their intended destination Police have launched an investigation into the matter The two youths were later arrestedAccording to a senior Kolkata Police officer the two accused youths were carrying large bags After detaining the accused duo the police officers opened their bags which were filled with firearms following which they were subsequently arrested under the Arms ActThe recovered firearms include a singleshot pistol a 7mm pistol and improvised firearms Additionally 20 to 22 rounds of ammunition were recoveredMeanwhile another man has been arrested in connection with a similar incident in Alipore area in Kolkata The arrested individual has been identified as Rajesh Kumar Sau According to police sources the accused is an acquaintance of a Bharatiya Janata Party BJP leader Nearly 11 firearms have been recovered from him The police are questioning to find out more about the recovered firearmsIt may be noted that since Christmas the city of Kolkata has been under tight security Strict surveillance is being maintained especially in areas where large crowds gather to celebrate the festive seasonRecently several incidents of shootings have occurred in various parts of West Bengal Last month a shooting took place in Kasba area of Kolkata where a youth was left injured Earlier miscreants had fired gunshots in front of the house of Trinamool Congress Councillor Sushanta Kumar Ghosh in the same area of ââKasbaShootings are also frequently reported in various districts including Malda and Murshidabad Now with the recovery of these firearms in Kolkata just before the New Year celebrations questions have been raised about the availability of firearms in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/multiple-firearms-seized-from-two-places-in-kolkata-ahead-of-new-year-celebrations-656362.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mp-cm-expresses-grief-over-indore-water-tragedy-jitu-patwari-seeks-action-against-mayor-656368.html Indore Dec 30 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of three residents of Bhagirathpura in Indore following the consumption of contaminated water âThe incident that occurred in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore is extremely tragic While paying tribute to the deceased persons I pray for the swift recovery of all those undergoing treatmentâ Yadav wrote on XThe Chief Minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each deceased and reiterated that the state government would bear the cost of treatment for all affected persons He assured that the administration would ensure their safetyThe tragedy has triggered panic in Bhagirathpura after three deaths and a rising number of hospitalisations linked to allegedly contaminated tap water More than 66 people have been admitted to various hospitals including government and private institutions To contain the crisis 22 medical teams comprising senior doctors have been deployed in villages suspected to be affected by the water supplyResponding to the incident Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari demanded accountability âThree people have died and the Indore Municipal Commissioner and Mayor should be held responsible for itâ Patwari said during a hospital visit on Tuesday evening IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mp-cm-expresses-grief-over-indore-water-tragedy-jitu-patwari-seeks-action-against-mayor-656368.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/providing-houses-to-encroachers-can-lead-to-mini-pakistan-ktaka-lop-656370.html Bengaluru Dec 31 Karnataka Leader of the Opposition LoP R Ashoka on Tuesday alleged that the Congressled government has set a bad precedent by deciding to construct houses for land encroachers thereby encouraging the land mafia âProviding houses to encroachers could lead to the creation of mini Pakistanâ he warnedAddressing a press conference on Tuesday he said a solid waste management unit was planned at the site for Rs 100 crore He said Survey No 99 comprises nine acres of rocky land that later became a stone quarry and was subsequently identified for waste disposal He claimed that while it was being said that residents who are Muslims had been living there for 20 years Google Maps imagery from 2023 showed the area was waterlogged and vacant with no habitationâEven 15 acres of land was completely vacant Only in the last six months have people begun living there in temporary structuresâ he saidAshoka said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had spoken about the eviction of encroachments on government land at Kogilu Cross He questioned under which scheme Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was proposing to allot houses and asked whether the land mafia was being encouraged He warned that this could lead to the creation of a âmini Pakistanâ and growth of the drug mafia and said the identity of the occupants must first be verifiedHe alleged that a Congress leader named Wasim had collected Rs 45 lakh and constructed houses terming it a Congresssponsored illegal activity He criticised Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda for saying the encroachments would be cleared while houses had been built on land meant for waste disposalâLand worth Rs 650 crore has been handed over to themâ he allegedHe alleged that Muslims who had come from Bangladesh were living there and had obtained âfakeâ Aadhaar cards âChief Minister Siddaramaiah citing humanitarian grounds has decided to provide them houses under the Ashraya schemeâ he saidAshoka said due process under the Ashraya housing scheme had not been followed âIn Bengaluru alone encroachments have been cleared at 40 locations If houses are to be built on humanitarian grounds everywhere it amounts to encouraging encroachersâ he saidâThe Chief Minister himself has said they are migrantsâ he addedHe said the state has 1731 lakh people without residential sites and three lakh homeless persons âA total of 3748 lakh people are waiting after applying for houses There is no opportunity for local poor people but the government says it will build houses for outsiders I have never seen housing schemes approved at such speed in Karnatakaâs historyâ he saidAshoka further alleged that compensation was being given in Kerala in cases of death due to elephant attacks or floods and questioned whether Karnataka had been mortgaged to the Kerala governmentHe claimed that even spokespersons from Pakistan had commented on the issue alleging atrocities against Muslims âThe situation has deteriorated to that extent There must be a highlevel probe to determine whether these people are Kannadigas or foreigners Until then houses should not be allotted to themâ he demanded IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/providing-houses-to-encroachers-can-lead-to-mini-pakistan-ktaka-lop-656370.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-governor-begins-5-day-visit-to-ooty-extensive-security-arrangements-in-place-656380.html Chennai Dec 31 Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has embarked on a fiveday visit to the Nilgiris with extensive security arrangements put in place across the hill district The visit comes after a twoday conference of ViceChancellors of State Universities held on April 25 and 26 at Raj Bhavan Lok Bhavan in Ooty which was presided over by the Governor and focused on reforms and quality enhancement in higher education Although the Governor had earlier planned to visit Ooty earlier this month the trip was postponed due to administrative reasons He resumed his travel schedule on Tuesday embarking on a road journey from Rameswaram to Coimbatore Governor Ravi reached the Government Guest House at Race Course Road Coimbatore at around 1010 pm on Tuesday and stayed there overnight This morning the Governor departed by road at around 7 am and will reach Lok Bhavan in Ooty where he is scheduled to stay during the course of his visit During his stay he is expected to hold informal interactions and also visit select locations in and around the hill town Sources said the visit is largely official in nature though the Governor is also expected to spend time with family members during his stay According to the itinerary Governor Ravi will leave Ooty early on Friday at around 5 am and travel by road to Coimbatore from where he will fly to Chennai to attend official engagements He is scheduled to return to Coimbatore again on the 3rd of the month and proceed to Ooty by road After completing the remaining engagements he will return to Chennai from Coimbatore by air on January 4 In view of the Governorâs visit elaborate security arrangements have been put in place across Ooty and along the travel routes More than 500 police personnel have been deployed to ensure foolproof security with special focus on traffic regulation route security and crowd management Senior police officials are overseeing the arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the visit The visit has drawn attention in the Nilgiris district with authorities maintaining heightened vigil throughout the Governorâs stay IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-governor-begins-5-day-visit-to-ooty-extensive-security-arrangements-in-place-656380.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/odisha-congress-protests-against-additional-security-deposit-demands-free-power-for-farmers-656150.html Bhubaneswar Dec 29 The Odisha Congress on Monday staged a protest against âillegalâ collection of Additional Security Deposit ASD and demanded free electricity to farmers and households The Congress workers led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das protested outside TP Central Odisha Distribution Limitedâs TPCODL Bhubaneswar office hereThe demonstrators also raised their voices against the installation of new electricity meters alleging that the move is part of a larger plan to burden consumers with inflated power tariffs Das alleged that the state government are âharassing consumersâ and questioned the BJPâs promise of 300 units of free electricity Congress demanded stop additional security deposit free power for farmers 300 units free for households and withdrawal of smart meters Das warned of statewide agitation effigy burning on December 31 and gherao of the CMâs residence and offices if demands arenât metSenior leaders including Srikant Jena Suresh Routray Ananta Sethi MLA Pabitrananda Sahu and Minakshi Bahinipati joined Senior Congress leader Srikant Jena strongly criticised the state government stating that ordinary households small businesses and farmers will suffer the most if the new meter system and revised billing slabs are fully implemented Addressing the protestors Jena said that the revised meter and tariff policy would sharply increase electricity bills in the domestic and commercial sectors âConsumers will be forced to pay more Domestic users shopkeepers and small industries will face heavy financial pressure The government is favouring big industrial houses while common citizens are being pushed towards hardshipâ he alleged He further questioned the transparency of the system claiming that the new consumption slabs are designed in a way that even moderate usage will lead to higher billing âYou pay Rs 2 now soon it will become Rs 450 or more What will happen to households and small traders How will they survive This policy is against the peopleâ Jena warned Stating that the Congress will intensify its agitation Jena urged people across rural and urban areas to join the movement âThis is not a small issue If this continues electricity will become unaffordable for many families We will take this protest to every district and village The government must roll back the new meter system and tariff policyâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/odisha-congress-protests-against-additional-security-deposit-demands-free-power-for-farmers-656150.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/revanth-reddy-stalling-irrigation-project-to-please-former-boss-ktr-656155.html Hyderabad Dec 29 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Monday alleged that Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy stalled the PalamuruRangareddy lift irrigation project to appease his âold bossâ and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Rama Rao said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy fears that completion of the project would bring credit to former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR and invite the displeasure of his former political mentor N Chandrababu NaiduInteracting with the media in the Assembly premises KTR said it was a standard practice for any government to initiate irrigation projects in the name of drinking water needs and subsequently obtain statutory approvals but this reality was rarely acknowledged openlyHe recalled that the Polavaram project has been discussed for over 70 years and is still incomplete whereas the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project was completed during KCRâs tenure due to his unwavering commitmentâKaleshwaram stands as testimony to KCRâs dedication Even if investigations are carried out endlessly the state will only sufferâpolitically we will not People know very well who ensured water for Telanganaâ KTR assertedOn the PalamuruRangareddy project KTR stated that accepting an allocation of only 45 TMC would be detrimental and reminded that it was the earlier Congress government that had agreed to 299 TMCs in Krishna Based on that understanding the BRS government had approached the Centre for enhanced allocations Despite this he alleged Revanth Reddy has deliberately stalled the projectOn the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC KTR said there was widespread speculation about splitting GHMC into three parts and even converting the socalled âFourth Cityâ into a separate corporation Any restructuring he insisted must be done scientificallyHe accused the Congress government of undertaking arbitrary delimitation purely for financial gains allegedly on the advice of merchant bankers and brokers âThis entire exercise is aimed at raising money Such reckless actions will not go unansweredâ he warned adding that the BRS would demand a detailed discussion on the issueResponding to allegations of phone tapping KTR said intelligence systems have existed since the Nehru era and are meant for maintaining law and order and safeguarding the state âCan anyone honestly claim that surveillance mechanisms do not exist todayâ he askedHe questioned whether the Chief Minister could categorically state that opposition leadersâ phones are not being tapped If the tapping was untrue KTR asked why were officials not holding press briefings to clarify matters He also noted that the present DGP had served during earlier regimes and was well aware of how intelligence systems functionKTR criticised the Congress government for using SITs inquiries and cases as tools of distraction âWhat has been achieved through so many investigations Has even one allegation been conclusively provenâ he asked adding that people clearly see through these diversionary tacticsReferring to recent sarpanch elections KTR said the results amounted to a referendum on Congress governance Despite attempts to inflate numbers by including sarpanches from other parties the people had clearly rejected the Congress government within just two years of its rule IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/revanth-reddy-stalling-irrigation-project-to-please-former-boss-ktr-656155.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rbi-to-auction-govt-bonds-worth-rs-32-000-crore-on-jan-2-656159.html New Delhi Dec 29 The government of India on Monday announced the sale reissue of â648 per cent Government Security 2035â for a notified amount of Rs 32000 crore through pricebased auction using the multiple price method The auction will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs Mumbai Office on January 2The Government will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs 2000 crore against the security according to a Finance Ministry statementUp to 5 per cent of the notified amount of the sale of the security will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for NonCompetitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities the statement saidBoth competitive and noncompetitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution EKuber system on January 2 2026 The noncompetitive bids should be submitted between 1030 am and 1100 am and the competitive bids should be submitted between 1030 am and 1130 am the statement explainedThe result of the auction will be announced on January 2 and payment by successful bidders will be on January 5The Security will be eligible for âWhen Issuedâ trading in accordance with the guidelines on âWhen Issued transactions in Central government Securitiesâ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular dated July 24 2018 as amended from time to timeGovernments sell bonds to borrow money from investors essentially taking loans to fund public spending like infrastructure social programs and to cover budget deficits acting as a lowrisk way for citizens or institutions to lend to the government in exchange for regular interest and principal repayment thus financing national needs without immediately raising taxes These bonds are considered lowrisk investments since they are backed by the government and are considered safe because of their relatively low risk Government bonds typically pay low interest rates IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rbi-to-auction-govt-bonds-worth-rs-32-000-crore-on-jan-2-656159.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-public-service-commission-submits-annual-report-to-l-g-manoj-sinha-656160.html Jammu Dec 29 Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission JKPSC on Monday submitted its 66th annual report for the year 20242025 to the Lieutenant Governor LG Manoj Sinha a press statement said The press statement said that JKPSC has submitted its 66th Annual Report for the year 202425 to LG Sinha at Lok Bhavan in JammuThe delegation of the Members of the Commission Rajiv Singh Tariq Ahmad Zargar Yashpal Kotwal and Asaf Mehmood Sagar was led by JKPSC Chairman Arun Kumar ChoudharyThe report was submitted in terms of Article 3232 of the Constitution of IndiaThe report outlines a year of significant administrative reforms and presents a comprehensive review of the functioning of the CommissionThe LG commended the JKPSC for upholding the highest standards of integrity and ensuring a fair meritbased speedy and transparent selection processJKPSC Chairman Choudhary briefed LG Sinha on technological interventions including the upcoming SMS notification initiative designed to provide aspirants with updates at various stages of the selection processThe report provides details of the selections made Departmental Promotion Committee meetings held promotions effected and the recruitment rules of the departments approved among other important mattersThe JKPSC is the constitutional body responsible for recruiting officers for civil services and posts in the Union Territory UT of Jammu and Kashmir conducting competitive exams like the JKPSC combined competitive exam CCE for prestigious administrative roles managing recruitment processes setting policies and advising the government on service matters with its official website being jkpscnicin for notifications applications and resultsJKPSC was recently in news during the conduct of the CCE for various posts of officers in the UT administrative serviceThe commission decided to go ahead with the CEE despite a letter by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to the JKPSC Chairman to postpone the exam as the age relaxation issue had still not been finally decided and the Chief Minister wanted the exam deferred till the age relaxation was applicable to the examination IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-public-service-commission-submits-annual-report-to-l-g-manoj-sinha-656160.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/nitin-nabin-on-3-day-bihar-visit-several-meetings-to-be-organised-656161.html Patna Dec 29 Bharatiya Janata Partyâs National Working President Nitin Nabin will be on a threeday visit to Bihar starting Monday during which he will participate in several organisational and local programs Nitin Nabin is scheduled to arrive in Patna late on Monday eveningOn Tuesday beginning at 930 AM he will attend various local programs and hold meetings with BJP workers and leadersA key highlight of his visit will be on Wednesday December 31 2025 when Nitin Nabin will pay tribute to his late father Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha on his death anniversaryNaveen Kishore Prasad Sinha was a former popular MLA from Patna West and is remembered as a dedicated soldier and strong pillar of the BJP organisation in BiharAt 900 AM on Wednesday the BJP National Working President will visit Naveen Sinha Park in Rajvanshi Nagar Patna where he will offer heartfelt tributes to his revered father and honour his life personality and contributions to public service and the BJPNabinâs tour is being seen as significant for strengthening party organisation and worker morale in BiharOn December 14 the Bhartiya Janata Party BJP appointed Nitin Nabin as the partyâs National Working President At the age of 45 Nabin is the youngest National Working President of the BJPNotably this will be Nitin Nabinâs second visit to Patna after being appointed as the National Working President of the BJPEarlier on December 23 Nitin Nabin arrived in Patna for the first time receiving a grand welcome from party leaders and thousands of supportersFollowing his arrival a massive roadshow was organised from Patna Airport to Miller High School Ground and the BJP state officeNitin Nabin is a fivetime MLA from the Bakipur Assembly constituency in PatnaHe defeated RJD candidate Rekha Kumari in the Assembly election held last month IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/nitin-nabin-on-3-day-bihar-visit-several-meetings-to-be-organised-656161.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/undeterred-by-protests-eci-special-roll-observer-murugan-vows-to-complete-assigned-task-656165.html Kolkata Dec 29 Election Commission of Indiaâs ECI Special Roll Observer SRO C Murugan on Monday appeared undeterred by repeated attacks on his vehicle and vowed to complete the task entrusted to him by the poll panel Speaking to media persons after facing another round of protests in South 24 Parganas district the Special Roll Observer said âThe Election Commission has entrusted me with a specific responsibility I came here to work and I will finish that work regardless of these actionsâThe statement from the senior ECI officer came after his vehicle was attacked when an agitating crowd gheraoed him during his visit to a Special Intensive Revision SIR hearing centre at Magrahat in South 24 Parganas districtThe protesters mostly women blocked the exit route of the SROâs vehicle and banged on the car bonnet and window panes while police personnel attempted to clear the mob During the protest the door handle on the driverâs side of the vehicle was damagedMurugan was first gheraoed when he reached Shirakol High School the venue for the ongoing hearing where protesters alleged improper planning in the implementation of the SIR exercise claiming that sick elderly and pregnant voters were being asked to appear in person for hearing sessionsIt was learnt that a group of local protesters led by Trinamool Congressrun Zilla Parishad president Mujibar Rahaman Mollah gheraoed the Special Roll Observer and demanded that the partyâs Booth Level Agents2 BLA2 be allowed entry into the hearing sessions Subsequently Murugan faced further protests during which his vehicle was damaged while he was attempting to leave the venueâI am here to do a job assigned to me by the Election Commission and I will complete that task no matter the attempted disruptionsâ the IAS officer saidThis was not the first time that the Special Roll Observer faced public anger while overseeing the ongoing SIR exercise On two earlier occasions in Falta in South 24 Parganas district and at Haldarpara in Howrah district he encountered protests from local residentsA senior official at the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer CEO said a detailed report on Mondayâs incident would be sought from the SRO and forwarded to the Election Commission IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/undeterred-by-protests-eci-special-roll-observer-murugan-vows-to-complete-assigned-task-656165.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-hc-inaugurates-three-day-event-resolving-disputes-to-ensure-speedy-justice-656167.html Srinagar Dec 29 As an alternative dispute resolution mechanism Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Monday inaugurated a Conduct of mediation advanced course An official statement said In a significant step towards reinforcing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday inaugurated a threeday Conduct of Mediation Advanced Course Capsule Course Training of Trainers Programme simultaneously at Jammu and SrinagarHeld under the patronage of Jammu amp Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Chief Justice Arun Palli the programme aims to enhance professional mediation skills and build a robust cadre of trained mediators across the Union Territory strengthening access to timely and effective justice the statement addedUnder the patronage of Jammu amp Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Chief Justice Arun Palli the Mediation and Conciliation Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in collaboration with the Jammu amp Kashmir Judicial Academy and the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority on Monday inaugurated a three day Conduct of Mediation â Advanced Course Capsule Course Training of Trainers Programme simultaneously at Jammu and Srinagar campuses of Jammu and Kashmir Judicial AcademyThe programme scheduled from December 29 to 31 2025 is a 20hour advanced mediation training course aimed at enhancing the skills of mediators across the union territory the statement saidAt the Jammu campus the inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Naseer Ahmad Dar JampK Judicial Academy Director who highlighted the growing importance of mediation in strengthening the justice delivery system He emphasised that advanced and practiceoriented mediation training plays a crucial role in equipping mediators with the skills required for effective conflict resolutionDuring his address the JampK Judicial Academy Director also introduced the resource person and welcomed participants to the threeday programmeAt the Srinagar campus the programme opened with a welcome address by Tabasum Qadir Parray Srinagar District Legal Services Authority Secretary who underscored the relevance of mediation training in enhancing dispute resolution mechanisms the statement addedShe Srinagar District Legal Services Authority Secretary encouraged participants to actively engage with the course content and practical exercises The inaugural session at Srinagar was also attended by Mir Sayeem Qayoom Anantnag District Legal Services Authority SecretaryThe inaugural day featured Rita Das Mouzumdar advocate at Assams Gauhati High Court as the Resource Person the statement saidShe is also an accredited mediation trainer with the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee of the Supreme Court As per the course curriculum the first day included structured theoretical and practical modules focusing on advanced mediation concepts Session I dealt with Understanding Conflict and Conflict Resolution covering the perception of conflict causes of disputes and resolution mechanismsThis session included a role play exercise followed by group discussion and reflection the statement addedSession II focused on mediation including its definition components and the role of the mediator with emphasis on core mediation principlesSession III addressed conduct of mediation covering joint sessions individual sessions techniques to break deadlocks and methods of closing mediation proceedingsThe session provided participants with a comprehensive starttofinish overview of the mediation process The sessions combined lectures roleplays and interactive discussions enabling participants to apply theoretical principles to practical mediation scenarios the statement saidThe threeday advanced course aims to deepen participants understanding of mediation processes enhance practical skills and strengthen the capacity of trained mediators across the Union Territory Across both centres participants appreciated the handson simulationbased approach noting that the structured roleplays offered practical clarity on how mediation tools can be integrated into everyday workThe simultaneous conduct of the programme at Jammu and Srinagar reflects the ongoing efforts of the JampK and Ladakh High Court to broaden mediation awareness and strengthen advanced dispute resolution capacity across the Union Territory the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jampk-hc-inaugurates-three-day-event-resolving-disputes-to-ensure-speedy-justice-656167.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mha-approves-state-of-the-art-forensic-institute-for-jampk-656168.html Jammu Dec 29 After a proposal was submitted by the AIIMS Jammu to the Union Home Ministry MHA the ministry on Monday approved the setting up of a stateoftheart forensic institute in JampK An official statement said today that the MHA has approved a proposal of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS Jammu for a stateoftheart Forensic Institute in JampKThe proposal had been sent to establish an institute to consolidate evidence collection increase conviction rates and help in better investigation and diagnosis in the health sector officials saidâA forensic institute is coming up in JampK AIIMS has submitted a proposal for setting up the institute in JampK to the Ministry of Home Affairs They have approved itâ Executive Director amp CEO AIIMS Jammu Prof Shakti Kumar Gupta saidGupta said the CBI has also been involved in it âThere are only a few forensic institutes in the country This institute will come up in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmirâ he saidHe added that in the future AIIMS will work with the institute helping in early investigation and diagnosis for medical healthJammu and Kashmir which has been battling terrorism for the past 35 years has two forensic science laboratories at Jammu and Srinagar with its headquarters at JammuIt was created in the year 1964 under the Home Department The geographical location of Jammu and Kashmir with its proximity to the International Border and three state borders makes it sensitive to terror narcoterror and gunrelated crimes officials saidâThe possibility of involvement of criminals from different states and different nations is always anticipated This poses a major challenge to the police and defence forces and the same has been well knownâ Professor and Head Forensic Medicine and Toxicology AIIMS Dr Dinesh Rao saidHe said it is essential that JampK is prepared to address this by establishing a stateoftheart forensic institute wherein all the services discussed above are made available under one roofâThis will be a onepoint facility for the investigation agencies This will help secure the evidence examine the evidence and at the same time analyse it through different scientific laboratories available under one roofâ he saidDr Rao said that with the support of the government AIIMS can establish a stateoftheart forensic institute in the region to cater to the needs of the police and defence forces in their efforts to fight the menace in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mha-approves-state-of-the-art-forensic-institute-for-jampk-656168.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-cabinet-approves-formation-of-two-new-districts-656169.html Amaravati Dec 29 The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Monday approved formation of two new districts taking the total number of districts in the state to 28 The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu approved formation of Polavaram and Markapuram districtsPolavaram district will have Rampachodavaram as its headquartersBriefing the media on the Cabinet decisions state Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad said that the Cabinet approved proposals for changes in 17 out of the total 26 districtsA total of 25 changes were made in these 17 districts Minister Satya Prasad addedHe said that there were no changes in the remaining nine districts Vizianagaram Parvathipuram Manyam Visakhapatnam Eluru NTR Krishna Guntur Palnadu and AnantapurThese changes were made based on the requests received from the public after the gazette notification was issued on November 27 2005 he addedHe said the decision to reorganise the districts was done as per the aspirations of the peopleFinal notification will be issued immediately and all the changes will come into effect from December 31 2025There were some emotional moments during the Cabinet meet over the contentious issue of shifting Annamayya district headquarters from RayachotiTransport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy who represents Rayachoti Assembly constituency reportedly broke down after the Cabinet approved the proposal to make Madanapalle the headquarters of Annamayya districtChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu intervened immediately to console the Minister and explained the technical and administrative challenges involved in retaining Rayachoti as the district headquartersThe Chief Minister said that the reorganisation was necessary due to unavoidable circumstances and in the larger public interestHe added it was not viable to create a district around a single Assembly constituencyHe reassured Minister Ramprasad Reddy that the state government would address all concerns relating to the towns future developmentChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu assured the Minister that the Rayachoti Assembly constituency would be developed as a major districtlevel growth centreAs per the decisions taken by the state Cabinet Rajampet will be integrated with Kadapa district while Railway Koduru will become part of Tirupati districtGudur will be transferred from Tirupati district back to Nellore districtFive new revenue divisions were also approved by the CabinetAfter bifurcation in 2014 the truncated Andhra Pradesh was left with only 13 districts The previous YSRCP government doubled that number to 26 in 2022The current Telugu Desam Partyled state government had promised during last years election that districts would be reorganised and new revenue divisions would be formed to correct the unscientific formation of new districts during the previous YSRCP governmentChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had said that the illconceived decision of the previous YSRCP government on the formation of new districts caused regional differences as it had not taken into account the aspirations of the people IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-cabinet-approves-formation-of-two-new-districts-656169.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ensure-weight-loss-medicines-are-safe-legitimate-before-new-year-resolution-uks-health-agency-656175.html New Delhi Dec 29 New Year is the time for many people to pledge reforms in habits and lifestyle something resorting to drastic measures but UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MHRA has urged the people to make sure any weightloss medicines they use are safe effective and legitimate The MHRA has warned about the serious risks linked to buying weightloss products from unregulated websites or through social media where products sold illegally may be fake contaminated incorrectly dosed or contain powerful ingredients not listed on the packaging Britains Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said in a press statement on MondayThese can lead to dangerous side effects including heart problems psychological effects and dangerously low blood sugar it addedSafe appropriate licensed obesity drugs can greatly benefit those with a clinical need but should be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription the statement quoted UKs Health Minister Zubir Ahmed himself a practising doctorThe MHRA has advised to not buy prescriptiononly medicines without a prescription and procure medicines from registered pharmacies or legitimate retailersIt also urged people to avoid weightloss products promoted on social media especially those promising quick fixes miracle results or unusually low prices which it ascribed as being common signs of illegal sellersIf considering weightloss treatment one should talk to the general practitioner or qualified medical doctor pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professionalPeople often look for ways to support their health at this time of year but buying medicines from illegal online sellers can put your health at real risk Always make sure you are using authorised products from legitimate sources and speak to a healthcare professional for advice on safe evidencebased options the statement added quoting Jenn Matthissen from the MHRAs Safety and Surveillance teamThe MHRA an executive agency of UKs Department of Health and Social Care is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the country by ensuring they work and are acceptably safeEarlier the US Food and Drug Administration FDA had also warned about unapproved versions of certain drugs as an option for weight lossIt termed such drugs risky for patients as unapproved versions do not undergo FDAs review for safety effectiveness and quality before they are marketed IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ensure-weight-loss-medicines-are-safe-legitimate-before-new-year-resolution-uks-health-agency-656175.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/maha-congress-releases-first-list-of-87-nominees-for-bmc-polls-656177.html Mumbai Dec 29 The Congress party on Monday announced the first list of 87 candidates for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC This comes a day after the party announced its alliance with the Prakash Ambedkarled Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi VBA for the civic polls The list includes candidates from key areas of the city including Colaba Mumbadevi Malabar Hill Byculla Versova Andheri Jogeshwari Dindoshi Goregaon Kurla Kalina Dharavi Bandra Chandivali Walada Sion Koliwada Chembur Mulund Bhandup Malad Mankhurd Dahisar and KandivaliThe Mumbai unit President Varsha Gaikwad said We will fight for every Mumbaikars right With unity organisation and commitment on the ground the Mumbai Congress enters this election prepared and determined We will fight for the common Mumbaikar and to save democracy along with our allies The journey ahead is demanding but the people are with us and we shall winOf the 87 candidates Congress has fielded 36 women candidates from the Open SC and OBC categories From Ward No 212 Byculla Congress has fielded Nazia Ashfaque Siddiqui who is set to contest against Geeta Gawli the elder daughter of gangsterturnedpolitician Arun GawliGeeta Gawli has submitted her nomination from Ward No 212 on the ticket of the Akhil Bharatiya SenaThe Congress party had earlier announced to go solo but joined hands with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi The party distanced itself from aligning with the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena following its tieup with the Raj Thackerayled Maharashtra Navnirman SenaMeanwhile the state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said âCongress and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi VBA are natural allies with a common agenda of safeguarding constitutional values Congress and VBA in its earlier form of Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh have fought together before 1999 and the results were such that we swept the majority of Lok Sabha seats That tradition was discontinued in between I am happy to announce that we have now decided to fight the Mumbai elections in allianceâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/maha-congress-releases-first-list-of-87-nominees-for-bmc-polls-656177.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mumbai-bus-accident-cm-fadnavis-announces-rs-5-lakh-aid-to-families-of-deceased-656231.html Mumbai Dec 30 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced financial assistance of Rs five lakh to the families of the deceased in the Bhandup bus accident At least four people were killed and nine others injured when a BEST BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport bus ran over pedestrians on the crowded station road in Bhandup West in northeast Mumbai on Monday night The chief minister in his post on X said âThe tragic incident in which 4 people lost their lives in a fatal accident near Bhandup railway station in Mumbai is extremely unfortunate I pay my heartfelt tribute to them In this incident 9 people were injured and I pray at the feet of God for their speedy recovery The state government will provide financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees to the heirs of the deceasedâAccording to the police the BEST bus lost control while reversing and crashed into pedestrians standing nearbyAt least four people including three women were killed while nine were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment The deceased are identified as Pranita Sandip Rasam 35 Varsha Sawant 25 Mansi Meghshyam Gurav 49 and Prashant Shinde 53The bus driver identified as Santosh Ramesh Sawant 52 has been taken into custody and an FIR is being registered The accident happened in a busy pedestrian area just outside the Bhandup suburban railway station where people often wait for busesEyewitnesses at the scene said the bus appeared to be speeding moments before it veered off course and struck pedestrians walking along the road Police said these claims are being verified as part of the investigationThe Bhandup BEST bus accident has inevitably revived memories of the Kurla bus tragedy in which nine people were killedAccording to the transport sector experts the Bhandup and Kurla bus accidents have exposed longstanding concerns including inadequate pedestrian infrastructure lack of protective barriers near bus stops and questions over driver training fatigue and vehicle handling in congested areasThey pointed out that until bus stops are redesigned pavements cleared and traffic movements better regulated accidents like those in Bhandup and Kurla will remain a recurring risk IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mumbai-bus-accident-cm-fadnavis-announces-rs-5-lakh-aid-to-families-of-deceased-656231.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/keralas-first-bjp-mayor-strikes-combative-note-orders-probes-into-civic-irregularities-656250.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 30 Days after assuming office as Keralaâs first BJP Mayor VV Rajesh has adopted an uncompromising stance launching a scathing attack on decades of CPIMled Left governance in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and alleging deeprooted corruption in civic administration In his first major intervention Rajesh flagged what he termed the âmisuseâ of electric buses allotted to the capital city signalling a clear departure from past practices On Tuesday Rajesh demanded that all ebuses operating outside the city limits be recalled immediately and confined strictly to routes within the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation areaRajesh has already pointed out that the buses were being run in other locations due to political pressure and not in keeping with the spirit of the original allocation âThe ebuses were sanctioned to the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and should benefit city residents Those sent outside must be brought back at onceâ he saidRajesh also emphasised that the Corporation must receive its fair share of revenue from the services He made it clear that the agreement with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation KSRTC would be scrutinised and that no individual or small group had the authority to alter contractual termsâWhat the Corporation has received should be used for the benefit of people within its jurisdictionâ he said asserting that the buses were provided by the Centre specifically for the capital cityThe Mayorâs assertive stance has coincided with a growing political confrontation between the BJP and the CPIM in the Corporation Tensions escalated further after former DGP and BJP councillor R Sreelekha demanded that former Mayor and current CPIM MLA VK Prasanth vacate an office he continues to occupy in a Corporationowned buildingThe issue has added to the sharp exchanges between the two parties in the immediate aftermath of the mayoral changeoverBeyond the transport issue Rajesh has announced that a comprehensive inquiry will be done into alleged largescale irregularities in the leasing of Corporation buildings and commercial spaces Preliminary findings he said indicate that several shop rooms and buildings have been unofficially transferred to third parties for hefty sums with original allottees no longer in occupationRajesh has directed the Corporation Secretary to submit all relevant documents related to such leases signalling that further action is imminent IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/keralas-first-bjp-mayor-strikes-combative-note-orders-probes-into-civic-irregularities-656250.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sambhal-measurement-of-graveyard-near-jama-masjid-to-begin-shortly-police-on-high-alert-656251.html Sambhal Dec 30 The measurement of the eightbigha graveyard located near the Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradeshs Sambhal is set to begin shortly on Tuesday Administrative preparations for the measurement of the cemetery situated near the Jama Masjid and opposite the Harihar Temple have been completed though the actual measurement process had not started at the time of filing this reportThe designated land surveyor has not yet reached the site According to administrative sources the surveyor is expected to arrive shortly along with other relevant officials The measurement of the cemetery will officially commence only after the arrival of all concerned authoritiesThe exercise is being conducted following complaints alleging illegal construction of approximately 20 to 25 shops and houses on the cemetery land The purpose of the measurement is to address these complaints and ascertain the actual status of the landIn view of the sensitive nature of the issue the police administration has been put on high alert to prevent any untoward incident or tension A large number of police personnel have been deployed in and around the cemetery premises For security reasons entry into the cemetery has been restricted and no one is currently being allowed inside the areaTo maintain law and order RPF and PAC personnel have been deployed at every major street and intersection in the city As a result the area has effectively been turned into a cantonment More than 500 police personnel are deployed on the ground including forces from eight police stations In addition three companies of the PAC and one company of the Rapid Action Force RAF are maintaining a strict vigil over the entire areaThe administration has placed the entire locality under close surveillance and the movement of people is being carefully monitored Officials have assured that the entire measurement process will be carried out in a peaceful fair and transparent mannerA clear warning has been issued that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order or spread rumours The administration has reiterated that no tolerance will be shown towards any individual or group trying to create unrest during the process IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sambhal-measurement-of-graveyard-near-jama-masjid-to-begin-shortly-police-on-high-alert-656251.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sambhal-survey-of-cemetery-adjacent-to-jama-masjid-begins-after-complaints-of-illegal-encroachments-656257.html Sambhal Dec 30 Following complaints of illegal encroachment on cemetery land adjacent to the Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradeshs Sambhal the administration on Tuesday initiated a survey One of the government officials Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh said that a complaint had been received alleging that some people had illegally constructed shops and houses on the cemetery land and action is being taken in accordance with the lawThe Tehsildar stated that the land spans approximately 4000 square metres and bears plot number 32 Only after the completion of the survey will it become clear how much construction has taken place and the nature of such construction on the cemetery land Prima facie it appears that shops and houses have been constructed on the siteHe further said that the survey is being conducted on the basis of old revenue records The same official document known as the NZA record which establishes the existence of the Jama Masjid is also being used for the survey of the cemetery land According to officials this is the only valid document for the villageA joint team of 20 revenue officials has been deployed by the administration to carry out the survey Officials clarified that if any illegal encroachment is found during the survey strict action will be taken against the concerned individuals as per the lawThe administration has adopted a vigilant approach to ensure that the survey is conducted smoothly and peacefully A heavy police force has been deployed at the site under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police ASP Kuldeep Singh and Circle Officer CO Alok Bhati Women police personnel have also been deployed to help maintain peace and order in the areaFor security purposes continuous monitoring of the site is being carried out using weapons CCTV cameras and drones The entire area has been placed under close surveillance to prevent any untoward incidentA joint team of revenue officials arrived at the site shortly to carry out the surveyASP Kuldeep Singh who is present at the site said that police deployment is fully active and alertHe informed that Station House Officers SHOs from eight to nine police stations four to five inspectorrank officers along with teams from the Provincial Armed Constabulary PAC Rapid Response Force RRF and Local Intelligence Unit LIO were deployed at the site In addition the entire civil police force was on dutyThe ASP stated that the entire area is being monitored through drone cameras and the Integrated Command and Control Centre ICCC He also said that the social media monitoring unit is fully active and immediate action is being taken against any misleading or false information Communication has been established with local residents to prevent the spread of rumours and to maintain peace in the area IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sambhal-survey-of-cemetery-adjacent-to-jama-masjid-begins-after-complaints-of-illegal-encroachments-656257.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/with-khaleda-zia-gone-bnps-surge-threatens-isis-jamaat-centric-strategy-656259.html New Delhi Dec 30 The death of Bangladeshâs First Lady Prime Minister Khaleda Zia comes at a time when the country is gearing up for a very crucial election on February 12 Zia 80 died this morning after a prolonged illness She was on life support for the last couple of weeks and breathed her last at 6 am on December 30 While Khaleda Ziaâs Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP has been on course to win the elections experts say the chances now are that it will get a larger number of seats A sympathy wave would surely be a factor during the elections and this is bound to help the BNP considerably experts sayBangladesh watchers say that owing to health reasons Zia has been out of the mainstream for quite some time While the BNP and JamaateIslami were together during the events that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina the two parted ways afterwards Despite being coalition partners when the BNP ruled the nation this time both parties decided to go solo in the upcoming electionsAnother event that bolstered the BNPâs chances was the return of Tarique Rahman the son of the late Khaleda Zia He drew an impressive crowd and the fact that he returned to Bangladesh has infused fresh life into the cadres of the BNP experts also sayExperts feel that Rahman who filed his nomination papers from two constituencies is the frontrunner to be the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh When he returned from London after a 17year exile it became clear that he would play a big role in Bangladesh politicsRecent opinion polls have shown that the BNP is ahead of the Jamaat and the newly formed National Citizen Party NCP However these polls also indicated that the Jamaat was not far behind the BNP The NCP which was a distant third is expected to be pushed down further owing to the multiple splits within the partyZiaâs death is expected to change much of the situation as the BNP would clearly ride on the sympathy wave The outpouring of grief across the country following her death only shows that she remained a popular leader in the countrySince Bangladesh plunged into crisis after Sheikh Hasina fled the country India has been reaching out to the BNP leadership Both sides have agreed to have cordial ties and share a workable relationship This however has not gone down too well with the ISI which has been rooting for the Jamaat which it controlsOfficials say that the BNP although it has had an antiIndia stance is a workable partner when compared to the Jamaat The BNP has been antiIndia while in power but unlike the Jamaat it has not made any open call to hurt India Rahman who is likely to be the next PM has in the past been accused of being proISI However analysts say that there are signs of change and he too feels that India and Bangladesh should share a workable relationshipIntelligence Bureau officials say that the fastchanging situation in Bangladesh has made the ISI go into overdrive mode It has been reaching out to the BNP leadership as it seeks to control the party The ISI fears that the BNP may not be as easy to manoeuvre when compared to the JamaatIntelligence agencies have learnt that the ISI has been trying to pump money into the BNP so that it shares similar ties with Pakistan like the Jamaat Officials say that the legacy of Khaleda Zia would be used heavily by the BNP during the election campaign There is no doubt that her death would benefit the BNP hugely and this is why the ISI feels that the chances of the Jamaat being in power are gradually vanishingIndian agencies are keeping a close watch on the activities within the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka The ISI cell within the commission has been meddling in the electoral space of the country and is trying to control the results It has now realised that there is a dire need to get the BNP on its side so that any outreach by New Delhi could be blockedExperts say that a lot would depend on Rahman He has indicated that he wants good ties with India but that again depends on whether or not the ISI can break him If he is sensible and wants the country to progress then the best bet for him is to have a workable relationship with India experts also sayOfficials however add that what Rahman would do is hard to tell On his arrival he first dialled Muhammad Yunus and thanked him for facilitating his return His next event is something that would require careful analysis He visited the site when student leader Sharif Osman Hadi was buried and paid homage Hadi was an open India hater and called for the destruction of the country He has also blamed India for every problem that Bangladesh has been facing IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/with-khaleda-zia-gone-bnps-surge-threatens-isis-jamaat-centric-strategy-656259.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bangladesh-lynching-unpardonable-but-growing-extremism-in-india-is-worrying-jamiat-chief-656264.html New Delhi Dec 30 Jamiat UlamaiHind President Arshad Madani on Tuesday said that the situation in Bangladesh is extremely bad and completely against the teachings of Islam however India too is witnessing an alarming rise in religious extremism and hatred Reacting to recent developments in Bangladesh Madani described the situation there as deeply disturbing and in total violation of Islamic principlesWhat happened in Bangladesh was extremely bad It is not just a murder but the height of brutality and savagery No matter how much it is condemned it is not enough Islam does not permit this in any way absolutely not Those who have done this have not only violated Islamic teachings but have also tarnished the image of Islam Therefore such people should be given the harshest of punishments Madani said in a post on XWhile condemning the violence across the border the Jamiat chief also expressed serious concern over what he termed the growing climate of intolerance within India He asserted that religious extremism and hatred are also destroying the countryReferring to incidents involving the Christian community Madani said What the communal elements did to the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas cannot be justified in any way It is a direct attack on the religious freedom granted to citizens in the Constitution Churches were attacked in various places and attempts were made to stop the Christian community from celebrating their festival he claimedHe further cited a series of violent incidents from different parts of the country to underline his concernsA few days ago in Bihars Nalanda Madani said that a person was beaten to deathSome people beat a Muslim man who was selling clothes so brutally after asking his name and religion that he died in the hospital Madani saidDrawing attention to similar cases elsewhere he added A similar incident came to light in Kerala where a Dalit youth from Chhattisgarh was killed after being labelled a Bangladeshi Just a few days later in Odisha three Muslim labourers from West Bengal were subjected to mob lynching in which one died and two are undergoing treatment in the hospitalTaking a swipe at the Centre Madani expressed disappointment over what he described as official silence on such incidentsBut the sad thing is that neither the government has condemned these incidents nor has any cabinet member issued a statement on this The discussion on TV channels about the Bangladesh incident and the silence on the mob lynchings happening in the country is extremely regrettable What should this double standard be called he askedHe concluded by saying that the prevailing situation goes against the core values on which the nation was foundedCertainly this is not the India dreamed of by Mahatma Gandhi SheikhulHind Motilal Nehru Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and our elders Madani said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bangladesh-lynching-unpardonable-but-growing-extremism-in-india-is-worrying-jamiat-chief-656264.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/avoid-negative-remarks-spread-happiness-bjps-danish-azad-ansari-on-up-clerics-new-year-fatwa--656266.html New Delhi Dec 30 Political reactions have poured in following a controversial statement and fatwa issued by All India Muslim Jamaat AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi urging Muslims in India not to engage in New Year festivities Leaders across party lines have criticised the statement stressing social harmony constitutional values and individual freedomReacting to clerics unsolicited advice UP minister Danish Azad Ansari said such remarks should be consciously avoided âIn my view many people celebrate and enjoy the New Year so it is not appropriate to make negative remarks about it We should all consciously avoid such statements The focus should be on moving forward together as a society spreading happiness and ensuring that people of all communities and religions live peacefully The aim should be this and unnecessary criticism should be avoidedâ he saidBJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a sharper tone questioning the Maulanaâs credibility âFirst tell the Maulana sahib that if he claims on television every day that he has issued a fatwa then appearing on TV itself is prohibited under Shariat He is himself doing what is considered haram by regularly coming on television and issuing fatwas He should first fully follow Shariat and stop appearing on TVââThe confidence of this hateful Maulana is high because the Congress party and a particular group form an ecosystem that claims Shariat is above the Constitution It is the Congress ecosystem that is emboldening such Maulanas which is why they want to run the country through fatwas and Shariatâ Poonawalla addedBJP Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal also dismissed the fatwa asserting constitutional supremacy âWhat the Maulana says may be unlawful for him but people in this country celebrate and enjoy New Year His fatwas hold no importance India is governed by the Constitution not Sharia and such statements have no authority hereâ he saidSamajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma echoed similar sentiments emphasising democratic values âIndia is a democratic country and such statements are unnecessary I donât think any fatwa of this kind is needed in a democratic country like India Anyone who earns and lives with their family can welcome the New Year and celebrate happiness with their spouse and childrenâ he saidThe controversy arose after AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi issued a fatwa advising Muslims not to celebrate the New Year claiming it violates Islamic law Sharia which is derived from the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet provides moral and legal guidance for religious duties and aspects of daily lifeIn his fatwa Razvi stated that activities like singing and dancing are completely haram in Islam and therefore New Year celebrations are also haram He said such acts are considered criminal under Shariat and urged Muslim youth to stay away from these celebrationsSpeaking to IANS Razvi said âCelebrating the New Year is not permissible according to Sharia On the night of December 31 New Year celebrations take place which involve many inappropriate activities such as dancing singing shows alcohol consumption chaos misbehaviour and other immoral acts Islam forbids all of these actionsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/avoid-negative-remarks-spread-happiness-bjps-danish-azad-ansari-on-up-clerics-new-year-fatwa--656266.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-clerics-fatwa-on-new-year-celebrations-draws-ire-across-political-spectrum--656267.html New Delhi Dec 30 Political reactions have poured in following a controversial statement and fatwa issued by All India Muslim Jamaat AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi urging Muslims in India not to engage in New Year festivities Leaders across party lines have criticised the statement stressing social harmony constitutional values and individual freedomReacting to clerics unsolicited advice UP minister Danish Azad Ansari said such remarks should be consciously avoidedâIn my view many people celebrate and enjoy the New Year so it is not appropriate to make negative remarks about it We should all consciously avoid such statements The focus should be on moving forward together as a society spreading happiness and ensuring that people of all communities and religions live peacefully The aim should be this and unnecessary criticism should be avoidedâ he saidBJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a sharper tone questioning the Maulanaâs credibilityâFirst tell the Maulana sahib that if he claims on television every day that he has issued a fatwa then appearing on TV itself is prohibited under Shariat He is himself doing what is considered haram by regularly coming on television and issuing fatwas He should first fully follow Shariat and stop appearing on TVââThe confidence of this hateful Maulana is high because the Congress party and a particular group form an ecosystem that claims Shariat is above the Constitution It is the Congress ecosystem that is emboldening such Maulanas which is why they want to run the country through fatwas and Shariatâ Poonawalla addedBJP Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal also dismissed the fatwa asserting constitutional supremacy âWhat the Maulana says may be unlawful for him but people in this country celebrate and enjoy New Year His fatwas hold no importance India is governed by the Constitution not Sharia and such statements have no authority hereâ he saidSamajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma echoed similar sentiments emphasising democratic values âIndia is a democratic country and such statements are unnecessary I donât think any fatwa of this kind is needed in a democratic country like India Anyone who earns and lives with their family can welcome the New Year and celebrate happiness with their spouse and childrenâ he saidThe controversy arose after AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi issued a fatwa advising Muslims not to celebrate the New Year claiming it violates Islamic law Sharia which is derived from the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet provides moral and legal guidance for religious duties and aspects of daily lifeIn his fatwa Razvi stated that activities like singing and dancing are completely haram in Islam and therefore New Year celebrations are also haram He said such acts are considered criminal under Shariat and urged Muslim youth to stay away from these celebrationsSpeaking to IANS Razvi said âCelebrating the New Year is not permissible according to Sharia On the night of December 31 New Year celebrations take place which involve many inappropriate activities such as dancing singing shows alcohol consumption chaos misbehaviour and other immoral acts Islam forbids all of these actionsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-clerics-fatwa-on-new-year-celebrations-draws-ire-across-political-spectrum--656267.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/extremely-saddening-pm-modi-condoles-loss-of-lives-in-ukhand-bus-accident-656268.html New Delhi Dec 30 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the bus accident in Uttarakhands Almora and offered his condolences over the loss of lives At least six people were killed after a bus carrying around 18 passengers lost control and plunged into a deep ravine on the BhikiyasainVinayak road in Uttarakhands Almora district on Tuesday morning officials saidIn a post on X the Prime Ministers Office PMO quoted PM Modi as saying The loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Almora district of Uttarakhand is extremely saddening Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones May the injured recover at the earliestEarlier Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also expressed deep grief over the tragic bus accident and said that rescue and relief efforts were being carried out on a priority basisI have received the extremely distressing news of a bus accident on the BikhiyasainVinayak Motor Road which was en route from Bikhiyasain to Ramnagar in Almora district resulting in casualties among the passengers This incident is profoundly painful and heartwrenching the Chief Minister said in a post on XWe pray to God to grant eternal peace to the souls of the departed at His divine feet and provide strength to the bereaved families to endure this immense sorrow he said while also wishing a speedy recovery for those injuredThe injured passengers in the accident are being promptly admitted to nearby hospitals by the district administration The seriously injured have been referred to advanced medical centres for better treatment The entire matter is under continuous monitoring and I am in constant contact with the local administrative authorities CM Dhami saidAccording to official sources the accident took place near Shilapani on the BhikiyasainVinayakJalali motor road The bus was travelling from Bhikiyasain to Ramnagar and had departed from Dwarahat at around 6 amWhile en route the bus reportedly went out of control and fell into a deep gorge Six passengers were declared dead on the spot officials confirmedIt is believed that around 17 to 18 people were on board the bus at the time of the accident Several passengers sustained injuries and have been admitted to the nearest government hospital in Bhikiyasain for treatmentAfter receiving information about the mishap teams from the police district administration and the State Disaster Relief Force SDRF rushed to the accident siteRescue operations are currently underway and authorities have expressed apprehension that some passengers may still be trapped inside the vehicleSenior district officials have also left for the spot to oversee the rescue workThe accident location is situated nearly 100 kilometres away from the district headquarters posing additional challenges for relief operationsOfficials said that the driver and the conductor of the bus are safe and in stable condition IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/extremely-saddening-pm-modi-condoles-loss-of-lives-in-ukhand-bus-accident-656268.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/personal-intervention-by-cm-dhami-brings-timely-support-to-angel-chakmas-grieving-family-656130.html Dehradun Dec 29 IANS The Uttarakhand government on Monday announced that it will bear all medical expenses incurred during the treatment of Angel Chakma a student from Tripura who was tragically killed In this moment of profound grief the state government has assured that it stands firmly with the bereaved family and will extend every possible assistancenbspThe government made it clear that ensuring justice for Chakma is its top priority Moreover preventing the recurrence of such incidents also remains a key responsibility of the Uttarakhand governmentMeanwhile under the direct instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami immediate financial assistance has been sanctioned to Angel Chakmas father Tarun Prasad ChakmaAs the first instalment an amount of Rs 412500 has already been released This financial aid has been approved under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 and the Civil Rights Protection Act 1955As a result of the Chief Ministers directions the case was promptly forwarded through the Senior Superintendent of Police Dehradun to the District Social Welfare Officer Dehradun to ensure swift approval of compensation for the victims familyBased on the joint investigation report submitted by the SubDivisional Magistrate Vikasnagar and the Deputy Superintendent of Police Vikasnagar the districtlevel committee completed the approval process without delay Consequently the financial assistance was sanctioned and the first instalment cheque was sent to Angel Chakmas fatherCM Dhami demonstrated personal involvement and sensitivityHe spoke directly with Tarun Prasad Chakma over the phone on MondayExpressing deep sorrow over Angel Chakmas murder the Chief Minister informed the family that five accused have already been arrested in connection with the caseHe further stated that efforts are under way to apprehend another accused on whom a reward has been announcedThe Chief Minister assured the grieving family of full support from the Uttarakhand governmentHe also emphasised that he is personally saddened by the incident He said he understands the familys pain and reaffirmed that the state government is committed to ensuring the strictest punishment for the culprits https://dailyworld.in/politics/personal-intervention-by-cm-dhami-brings-timely-support-to-angel-chakmas-grieving-family-656130.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/graduating-students-are-architects-of-viksit-bharat-2047-vp-radhakrishnan-656135.html Puducherry Dec 29 Vice President and Chancellor of Pondicherry University C P Radhakrishnan on Monday exhorted graduating students to shoulder the responsibility of nationbuilding describing them as the architects of Viksit Bharat2047 Addressing the 30th Convocation of Pondicherry University Radhakrishnan drew from the ancient Tamil text Naladiyar and reminded students that while knowledge is limitless the time available to acquire it is limitedHe urged graduates to discern and absorb what is valuable ethical and meaningful from the vast ocean of informationThe VicePresident also inaugurated the Mahakavi Subramania Bharati International Convention Centre on the University campusOn Monday Radhakrishnan began his twoday visit to Puducherry Kerala and Tamil Nadu said an officialAs part of his engagements in Puducherry the Vice President inaugurated the Senior Secondary Block of Petit Seminaire CBSE School a statement saidThe Vice President appreciated the schoolâs commitment to holistic education and valuebased teaching built upon its 181year legacyHighlighting education as the only imperishable wealth the Vice President urged students to pursue knowledge with depth integrity and social responsibilityHe observed that Viksit Bharat2047 will be realised through the integration of knowledge character and serviceLt Governor of Puducherry K Kailashnathan Chief Minister N Rangasamy and other dignitaries were present on the occasionRadhakrishnan also unveiled the statue of Mahakavi Subramania Bharatiyar at the Bharatiyar Memorial in PuducherryHe paid rich tribute to the legendary poet who awakened a nation with fearless words revolutionary ideas and boundless love for Tamil and BharatExpressing deep pleasure the Vice President said it was a matter of great pride to unveil the statue of Bharatiyar on the very soil where Mahakavi Subramania Bharati lived for nearly a decade with free thought and creative brillianceRecalling Bharatiyarâs years in Puducherry the Vice President noted that the poet immersed himself deeply in philosophical inquiry and the pursuit of wisdom a period widely regarded as the golden age of modern Tamil literature IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/graduating-students-are-architects-of-viksit-bharat-2047-vp-radhakrishnan-656135.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/saurashtrakutch-records-15-lakh-tonnes-of-okra-production-in-202425-horticulture-sector-gets-boost-ahead-of-vgrc-2026-656137.html Gandhinagar Dec 29 Gujarats horticulture sector is emerging as a powerful engine of agricultural growth driven by progressive policies adoption of modern farming practices and active participation of farmers This upward trajectory has set an encouraging backdrop ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC KutchâSaurashtra 2026 to be held in Rajkot where the regions achievements in agriculture and horticulture will be prominently showcasedAccording to the State Directorate of Horticulture Gujarat ranked first in the country in terms of area under okra cultivation as well as total production during 2023â24The crop was cultivated across nearly 93955 hectares in the state yielding a production of 1168 lakh tonnesSaurashtraâKutch has made a significant contribution to these figuresThe region accounts for nearly 15 per cent of Gujarats total okra cultivation area and around 13 per cent of total productionDuring 2024â25 okra was cultivated across 14000 hectares in 12 districts of Saurashtra and Kutch resulting in an estimated production of nearly 15 lakh tonnesGujarats share in Indias total vegetable production stood at 766 per cent in 2024â25In the same period the SaurashtraâKutch region cultivated vegetables over 232584 hectares achieving a production of 4791504 metric tonnesThe average productivity of 2060 metric tonnes per hectare reflects improved efficiency among farmers better agronomic practices and a strengthening agricultural support systemHorticultural crops have become an integral component of Gujarats agricultural development due to their higher productivity and better income potential for farmersBacked by sustained policy support and farmerfriendly initiatives horticulture today accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the states total cultivated area underlining its growing importance in the rural economyThe states horticulture department is effectively implementing centrally sponsored schemes such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture MIDH and the National Horticulture Mission NHM alongside several statelevel incentive programmesThese initiatives focus on clusterbased development protected cultivation postharvest infrastructure coldchain facilities clean planting material and capacitybuilding programmesUnder MIDH farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations FPOs receive subsidies for hitech horticulture polyhouses packhouses grading and packing lines training programmes market linkages and demonstration projects strengthening the entire value chain from farm to marketThe sectors strong performance comes at a crucial juncture as Gujarat prepares to host the VGRC KutchâSaurashtra in Rajkot in the second week of January 2026Alongside the conference the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition will also be organised at the same venueVGRC 2026 will reaffirm the state governments commitment to balanced regional development offering a dedicated platform to showcase achievements and unlock new investment opportunities in key sectors of the SaurashtraâKutch regionThe conference is expected to bring together policymakers industry leaders global experts innovators and stakeholders from India and abroadThrough focused sectoral sessions exhibitions and collaborative platforms VGRC 2026 will highlight how Saurashtra and Kutch are poised to lead the next phase of agricultural advancement and sustainable development in Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/saurashtrakutch-records-15-lakh-tonnes-of-okra-production-in-202425-horticulture-sector-gets-boost-ahead-of-vgrc-2026-656137.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rekha-gupta-discusses-details-of-delhi-shabdotsav-with-organising-team-656138.html New Delhi Dec 29 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday interacted with a team constituted to organise the newlyannounced âDelhi Shabdotsavâ cultural programme at National Stadium next month After the poster launch of the event CM Gupta apprised Art and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra apprised her of the eventâs schedule and other related campaign activitiesCM Gupta wrote on X âFollowing the launch of the poster for the âDelhi Shabdotsavâ program the organisersâ team met under the leadership of Cabinet colleague Shri KapilMishraIND jiââFrom January 2 to 4 esteemed thinkers writers and speakers from across the country will participate in âDelhi Shabdotsavâ organised by the Delhi Government and Suruchi Prakashan at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium During the programme book releases cultural presentations and a poetsâ conclave will also be heldâ wrote the Chief Minister on XOn this occasion the Chief Ministerâs Cabinet colleague Ashish Sood MLAs Abhay Verma and Rajkumar Bhatia along with other distinguished guests were presentEarlier Mishra told reporters that the Art and Culture Department of the Delhi government and a publishing house will jointly organise the countryâs largest literature and cultural festivalâThe Delhi Government is organising the countrys largest cultural and literary festival on January 2 3 and 4 From now on it will be held annually under the Ministry of Culture and branded as the Delhi Shabdotsav Mishra told reportersThe event will feature over 100 prominent speakers including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Sunil Ambekar Manmohan Vaidya and Sachchidanand Joshi along with more than 40 book releases six cultural performances and two poetsâ meetsâStudents from the nearly 40 universities from Delhi NCR will also participate in the cultural eventâ he saidMishra said the event will feature programmes like Bharatnatyam Kathak Bhajan Sandhya Kavi Sammelan and Somnath Jyotirlinga DarshanHe said the Delhi Chief Minister will inaugurate the festival while Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma will also attend the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rekha-gupta-discusses-details-of-delhi-shabdotsav-with-organising-team-656138.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-govts-revenue-reforms-speed-up-delivery-of-services-to-people-656145.html Gandhinagar Dec 29 A raft of revenue reforms have been undertaken in Gujarat under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel leading to digitisation of more than three dozen services thereby providing fast accessible and transparent services to the citizens The digitisation of land records landholdings by farmers and city residents has made it easier to access their ownership details thereby facilitating its sale transfer and also maintaining records of changing ownershipsJan Seva Kendras Citizen Service Centres have been set up across the state for peoples convenience making it easier for them to procure their property recordsMany residents of Gandhinagar visiting the local Jan Seva Kendra praised the reforms under current government and thanked it for simplifying the procedureAccording to official estimates since 2022 179 lakh applications have been processed 40000 queries addressed and 1152 lakh property cards distributed via drone surveys while advanced mapping cleared 3990 hectares of encroachmentOnline platforms like the Revenue Departments iORA portal and eDhara have been further strengthened making it easier for citizens to access land records mutations and necessary approvals from multiple government departmentsThe highlight of this is that more than 36 revenue services including hereditary records nonagricultural land approvals and land measurement can now be accessed from the confines of home through the iORA portalThese initiatives have gone a long way in strengthening the ease of living and also the ease of doing business making Gujarat a model for good governanceBy mapping land using stateoftheart technology more than 3990 hectares of land worth Rs 3339 crore have also been freed from the encroachmentIndeed the revenue reforms have given new momentum to states development strengthened the ease of living index and fulfilled the commitment of minimum government maximum governance IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/gujarat-govts-revenue-reforms-speed-up-delivery-of-services-to-people-656145.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bdesh-jamaats-true-face-drives-ncp-to-the-brink-before-polls-under-isis-shadow--656146.html New Delhi Dec 29 The Muhammad Yunusled interim government in Bangladesh has promised to hold the muchanticipated elections on February 12 The road ahead is not an easy one as political alignments are changing rapidly while the country is also dealing with a wave of violence The National Citizens Party NCP which was formed by the students who led the protest to oust Sheikh Hasina is currently in disarrayThe NCP during its formation was completely aligned towards the JamaateIslami and now many within the party are questioning it While some want to align with the Jamaat ahead of the elections others feel that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP would be a better bet However there is one section which does not want to be a part of both and has decided to contest the elections independentlyBangladesh watchers say that the shift away from the Jamaat is not a sudden one They have realised that with the Jamaat in control it would be as good as giving the country away to Pakistan They are not wrong in their thinking the experts sayThe welcoming of the ISI easing of visa norms and opening of the sea route to Pakistan are seen by many as a dangerous trend They realise that the ISI is looking to make Bangladesh a terror launch pad against IndiaExperts also say that the same students who led the protests against Sheikh Hasina citing anarchy now realise that under the Jamaat the country would be in a worse conditionThe country has been getting negative press for its failing economy welcoming of Pakistan targeting of the minorities and the unending violence These students feel that if the Jamaat is at the helm this would become a new normal in the country There would be very little progress and more attempts would be made to implement the Sharia law and turn the nation into an Islamic stateIn addition to the ideological differences and what the Jamaat would turn the country into there are a few who have political differences The Jamaat had offered the NCP just 30 seats in the 350member Jatiya Sangsad The NCP was always aware that it would be a junior partner with the Jamaat But they had never anticipated that the offer of seats would be this poor They feel that they were used by the Jamaat to fulfil its large goal and that was to throw Hasina out of powerSome experts say that the way in which things are panning out within the NCP the party may cease to exist before the elections are held There are reports daily of internal discord resignations and difficult negotiations There is also opposition to one group wanting to align with the BNPExperts say that the BNP will be careful before it accepts any such offer by a faction of the NCP The BNP is in a comfortable position as of now Moreover it broke its alliance with the Jamaat as it did not want to adhere to a violent ideology The NCP is largely perceived to be proJamaat and the BNP would not want to engage with them The rift within the NCP began following the resignation of Asrhadul Haque a top leader of the party He was upset that the Jamaat was controlling the party and even offered Rs 15 crore Taka to the NCP for each of the constituencies it would fight the elections as an allyMost of the students who led the protest to oust Hasina believed that they needed better leadership However they realised that under a Jamaat leadership no good can happen in Bangladesh and it would just be a puppet of Pakistan where the focus would not be on developmentNCP leaders had initially decided to contest 125 seats but the fact that the Jamaat offered only 30 seats has angered many They questioned some of the NCP leaders for trying to give away too much to the Jamaat when the original part of the plan was to contest the elections aloneTanjuva Jabeen joint convener of the NCP after resigning took to social media and said that she would contest as an independent from Dhaka9 She also said that she is opposed to the alliance with the JamaatBangladesh watchers say that the Jamaat has effectively managed to break the NCP up as it does not want any vote split as it would prefer a direct contest with the BNPThe experts point out that the Jamaat will eventually end up finishing the NCP after the elections or probably sooner IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bdesh-jamaats-true-face-drives-ncp-to-the-brink-before-polls-under-isis-shadow--656146.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/criminals-on-bail-should-be-monitored-haryana-dgp-tells-officials-655980.html Chandigarh Dec 28 Haryana Director General of Police DGP OP Singh on Sunday directed that the criminals involved in multiple cases particularly those currently on bail must be kept under surveillance besides the continuation of âTrack Downâ and âHotspot Dominationâ drives Chairing the highlevel review and strategy meeting convened in Madhuban to finalise the crime control roadmap priorities and plan for 2026 the DGP reviewed challenges achievements and operational experiences of 2025Detailed deliberations were held on strengthening crime prevention mechanisms intelligence gathering public outreach and enforcement strategies for 2026 an official statement saidThe DGP emphasised that policing must evolve into a more resultoriented proactive and public trustcentric system aligned with emerging security challenges The DGP directed that criminals involved in multiple criminal cases particularly those currently out on bail must be kept under continuous surveillance In cases where repeat involvement in crime is apprehended concrete legal action should be initiated to seek cancellation of bailHe stressed that the monitoring of notorious offenders must be personally reviewed at the level of District Superintendents of Police DSPs Emphasising continuity and consistency the DGP said the level of effectiveness and success achieved by Haryana Police in recent years must not only be maintained but further strengthenedWith a focus on NDPS cases and attachment of illicit properties the DGP directed that detailed history sheets of offenders be prepared Their illegally acquired properties should be identified and frozen under due legal process to dismantle the economic backbone of drug networksHe also instructed that rehabilitation and deaddiction centres be periodically reviewed to assess successful recovery outcomes The meeting reviewed terrorrelated incidents reported in recent years and noted with satisfaction that recent cases have been successfully traced without any loss of lifeThe DGP stressed the need for stronger coordination with central and other investigating agencies to ensure swift coordinated and resultoriented responses to any future threatsThe DGP directed that special operations such as âTrack Downâ and âHotspot Dominationâ must continue in a sustained and effective manner to instil fear among criminals and reinforce public confidence Absconders must be traced and sent behind bars and continuous police presence and raids should be ensured at identified crimeprone hotspots Also special emphasis should be laid on identifying and monitoring antisocial elements who attempt to lure children and youth into drugs gambling or criminal activitiesHighlighting the growing challenge of cybercrime the DGP instructed that districtlevel cyber units be further strengthened on the lines of specialised cyber cellsIn his address DGP Singh underlined that public trust remains the greatest strength of the police force He expressed confidence that in the coming year the police will continue to work with greater dedication discipline and professionalism âYour work defines your excellenceâ he remarked urging officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and performance IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/criminals-on-bail-should-be-monitored-haryana-dgp-tells-officials-655980.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/karnataka-residentsrejoicepm-modis-praise-for-kannadalanguage-655981.html New Delhi Dec 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 129th radio programme Mann Ki Baat spoke at length about importance of preserving Indias linguistic and cultural heritage and praised efforts to promote the Kannada language PM Modi said that the efforts to remain rooted in culture is not confined to India alone and that Indians living abroad are also playing an active role in preserving their heritageCiting the example of Kannadaspeaking families living in Dubai he said The families living there asked themselves an important question Our children are moving ahead in the tech world but arent they moving away from their language This is where Kannada Pathshale was born An initiative where children are taught to read write learn and speak Kannada Today more than a thousand children are associated with it Truly Kannada Nadu Nudi Namma Hemme roughly translated as The land and language of Kannada are our prideThe Prime Ministers praise for Kannada and Kannadigas in preserving their heritage has left the residents of state ecstatic and overjoyed who called it a moraleboosterBidarbased professor Siddarampappa Mahashimade and former President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat address spoke about the richness and heritage of the Kannada language which is a matter of great pride for all Kannadigas His emphasis on giving international recognition to a regional language like Kannada reflects his respect for Indias linguistic and cultural diversityKannada was accorded Classical Language status in 2008 and has a literary history of more than 2000 years The language has been nurtured by great poets saints and scholars and has received the highest number of Jnanpith Awards The Prime Ministerâs reference to Kannada education and cultural activities among Kannadigas living abroad further highlights its global presence His practice of beginning speeches in Kannada during visits to Karnataka reflects his commitment to promoting the language the retired professor of Kannada at Bomaradi College addedMG Deshpande a resident of Karnatakas Bidar district said I felt proud and happy listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak about the Kannada language in DubaiWith a history of nearly 2000 years and eight Jnanpith Awards Kannada is one of the finest languages in the world When Prime Minister highlights Kannada on an international platform it brings great pride and confidence to all Kannadigas he addedPrime Minister Narendra Modis appreciation for Karnataka brought happiness to the people of the state said Vidyananda a research student at Karnataka UniversityHe also told IANS there was a feeling among the people that regional languages were not getting priority in Central governments administrative system and there was a concern among the people about whether Kannada language would get a chance or not but Prime Minister has dispelled this concernSaadhvi Amma reacting to PM Modis praise for Kannada language said Its really a honour that where PM Modi mentioned our Kannada languageIn Karnatakaâs Kalaburagi BJP leader Ambaray Ashtagi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his happiness about Karnataka and our Kannada language I congratulate him and also thank him for his praise of Kannada language and Kannada culture IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/karnataka-residentsrejoicepm-modis-praise-for-kannadalanguage-655981.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-panjab-university-gets-seven-patents-amid-fight-for-autonomy-655984.html Chandigarh Dec 28 Despite fighting for institutional autonomy and retaining identity closely entwined with Punjabi culture and ethos more than 200 patents have been granted and published by 143yearold Chandigarhbased Panjab University PU where 75 per cent of graduating students are women In 2025 seven patents were published 10 were granted and four were filedBeing the alma mater of former Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and IK Gujral and former President Shankar Dayal Sharma the teaching community and students of the apex educational institute are proud of its signing a total of 225 memoranda of understandingOf these 21 were signed in 202425 and 15 in 202526 The late Dr Manmohan Singh not only completed his postgraduation from this university originally established in Lahore now in Pakistanâs Punjab in 1882 but also started his teaching job with it He became an economics professor at the young age of 32The illustrious alumni of PU among others are Olympian Neeraj Chopra cricketer Kapil Dev Nobel laureate Dr Har Gobind Khorana actors Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj whose achievements continue to inspire future generationsA spokesperson for the university told IANS that the institution crossed 31000 highimpact research publications with around 2400 papers published during 2025 alone The universityâs overall Hindex stands at 272 Also the University Grants Commission conferred PU with the prestigious CategoryI status besides it achieved NAAC A accreditation with a score of 368 out of fourThe university a living centre of learning rooted in Punjabâs culture language and regional aspirations has a unique status as both the central and Punjab governments provide funding to it predominantly by the former with the stateâs contribution rarely crossing 20 per centPunjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has often blamed the BJP government at the Centre for attempting to change its legal and administrative status besides institutional autonomy However he says they would not allow any such move in the larger interests of the students and their democratic governance original identity and purposeMann has been quoted as saying 175 colleges of the state are affiliated with this premier university due to which generations of Punjab are emotionally attached to it After Partition the PU was shifted from Lahore the then capital of Punjab to Hoshiarpur and then to Chandigarh the present capital of PunjabThe VicePresident of India serves as the Chancellor unlike other state universities where the Governor holds the position In November PU students were on a warpath mainly against the Centreâs attempts to restructure its governing bodies Senate and Syndicate and for abolishing the decadesold election system of the Senate the universityâs primary decisionmaking body leading to clashes shutdowns and subsequent postponements of examsAfter weeks of massive protest and political opposition from Punjab the Vice President approved the dates for elections to the Senate to be held next year A majority of political parties in Punjab saw it as the Centreâs attempt to dilute PUâs autonomy and a âchallenge to the stateâs rightsâThe Senate has 91 members and elections are held for 49 seats The term of the previous Senate ended in October 2024 The Centre then tried to do away with the poll process though that move has since been taken backThe Centre in a notification of October 28 had reduced the number of Senators and abolished polls for the Graduates constituency This constituency chooses 15 members from among the alumni and the polls are held in Punjab Chandigarh and in neighbouring states The elections for constituencies of the Senate the main demand of the protesters will be held from September 9 to October 4 2026On the positive side the PU has a long and distinguished history In NIRF Rankings 2025 the PU ranked 35th in the university category and third among state public universities The University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences UIPS ranked third among pharmacy institutions The Centre for World University Rankings 2025 placed Panjab University among the top 39 per cent of universities globally ranking 12th in India and 837th worldwideViceChancellor Renu Vig says the university continues to strengthen its academic and research profile in alignment with national priorities Highlighting achievements she said 33 patents major research grants expansion of national and international collaborations strong alumni support and an impressive performance at the Khelo India 2025 eventsIn Chandigarh the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana a beautiful red sandstone campus was designed for the PU by Pierre Jeanneret under the guidance of SwissFrench architect Le Corbusier The university moved here from 1958 to 1960 Till the reorganisation of Punjab in 1966 the university had its regional centres at Rohtak Shimla and Jalandhar and its affiliated colleges were located in Punjab Haryana Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of ChandigarhWith the reorganisation of Punjab the university became an InterState Body Corporate catering to the newly organised states of Haryana Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and Chandigarh Gradually the colleges of Himachal and Haryana were affiliated to the universities in the respective states and Panjab University was left with the affiliated colleges in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and parts of PunjabThe Panjab University Campus located in Sector 14 and Sector 25 spreads across 550 acresVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-panjab-university-gets-seven-patents-amid-fight-for-autonomy-655984.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/scs-crucial-suo-motu-hearing-on-aravalli-definition-tomorrow-655985.html New Delhi Dec 28 The Supreme Courtâs crucial suo motu hearing on issues relating to the definition of the Aravalli Hills on Monday is likely to address concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile range in the light of the governmentâs commitment As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih will hear the suo motu writ petition titled âIn Re Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issuesâ on December 29The Supreme Court has taken up the issue on its own motion amid growing concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile Aravalli range and the governmentâs repeated assurance to protect itIn a decisive move to curb illegal mining and strengthen ecological protection the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFampCC has directed state governments to impose a âcomplete banâ on granting any new mining leases in the AravallisThe Ministry said the prohibition will apply uniformly across the Aravalli landscape covering the mountain range from Delhi to Gujarat It underscored that the objective is to âpreserve the integrity of the range as a continuous geological ridgeâ and to put an end to unregulated mining activitiesFurther tightening the conservation framework the MoEFCC has instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education ICFRE to identify additional areas and zones across the entire Aravalli range where mining must be prohibited over and above the areas already restricted by the CentreIn a related development Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday wrote to Union Minister for Environment Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav raising serious concerns over the recent redefinition of the Aravalli HillsHe claimed that the new definition restricts their classification to landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or moreSharing the letter on the social media platform X on Sunday Ramesh said âHere is my most recent letter to the Union Minister of Environment Forests amp Climate Change asking fourpointed questions on the disastrous redefinition of the AravallisâIn the letter dated December 28 the Congress leader flagged what he described as widespread concerns over the new definition and sought clarity from the minister by posing four specific questions Addressing Minister Yadav he wrote âThere are understandably widespread concerns with the redefinition of the Aravalli Hills that restrict them to landforms having an elevation of 100 meters or more In this connection please permit me to raise four specific questions for your considerationâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/scs-crucial-suo-motu-hearing-on-aravalli-definition-tomorrow-655985.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/curtain-of-darkness-how-british-empire-denied-light-of-knowledge-to-further-its-despotism-655987.html New Delhi Dec 28 The British occupation of India was built upon a great lie the assertion that foreign dominion served the welfare and happiness of the inhabitants The East India Company EIC a vast trading corporation that had morphed into a territorial sovereign continually boasted of establishing courts of justice and creating new and valuable property for the natives claiming to have replaced a chaotic precarious past Yet this veneer of benevolence barely concealed a system weighed down by colossal debt maintained through military force and psychological manipulation and structured to systematically drain the resources of the conquered landBy 1813 as the EICâs charter approached its renewal a fierce internal debate raged in Britain should the gates of India be opened to Christian missionaries From the perspective of India this debate exposed the profound hypocrisy at the heart of British rule the administrators who claimed to bring enlightenment and justice actively suppressed the very spiritual and intellectual freedom that the petitioners sought to impartThe question of missionary access was not about faith it was about power control and the inherent fragility of a government that survived because its 60 million subjects remained unaware of the peculiar tenure by which they were ruled by a mere one million BritonsThe Suppressed Voice A Conspiracy of SilenceBefore addressing the explicit petition for Christian propagation one must grasp the absolute control the EIC exercised over all forms of intellectual and political discourse within India The British understood that stability rested on moral influence and in a great degree even by prejudice To maintain this delicate balance they implemented a rigorous system of censorship that rendered the press in India perfectly fetteredThe regulations required that newspapers receive the sanction of the secretary of the government before publication under the penalty of immediate embarkation for Europe The rationale for this draconian measure was openly discussed in Parliament the administration feared publications that could criticize native religion and customs thereby stirring up irritation and hostility Crucially they feared that uncensored information would expose the truth to the people informing natives of the peculiar tenure by which the British government held their powerCritics of the policy such as Sir Thomas Turton articulated the brutal clarity of this despotism Nothing could be more dangerous than freedom of discussion under a government founded upon blood and supported by injustice He noted the absurdity of speaking of press liberty in India where the government was not inferior to that of Tunis or Algiers Another critic Mr Whitbread observed that the ultimate objective was to keep the people of India in darkness as to the nature of their governmentThis climate of intellectual suppressionâa government that had usurped authority and power through conquest by compact and by forfeiture and possibly fraudâcreated the perfect environment to impede any unwelcome ideas including Christianity if those ideas threatened the political status quo The denial of the âlight of the Gospelâ as one observer noted was a move to support a political despotismThe Petition of Scorn Deplorable IgnoranceIt was against this backdrop of political fear and intellectual control that the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge SSPCK submitted its powerful petition to the House of Commons on February 19 1813The petition was twofold in its appeal it sought parliamentary provision in the Charter renewal to allow the Society to impart the benefits of Christianity to the natives of India and simultaneously to afford religious worship and instruction to Scottish members of the Church of Scotland residing in that part of the British empireThe urgency of their mission was justified by a severe moral indictment of the Indian populace The SSPCK noted that the native inhabitants have long been and still continue in a state of deplorable ignorance They further claimed that the people were addicted to various idolatrous and superstitious usages of the most degrading and horrible descriptionThis characterizationâin realityâwas not humanitarian concern but profound colonial arrogance It was an imperial judgment passed upon a civilization that had established complex political systems profound philosophical traditions and thriving industries long before the EIC arrived The accusation of deplorable ignorance was particularly galling coming from a nation whose own control over India rested on keeping the native population ignorant of their political statusThe petitioners also highlighted the impediments faced by Scottish members themselves Although official policy claimed perfect toleration prevailed in India the EICâs licensing system ensured that members of the Church of Scotland who were employed in civil and military departments were precluded from enjoying the ordinances of Christianity agreeably to the forms of the Church to which they are attached This exclusion occurred because the EIC was not in the habit of granting licenses to clergy outside of the established Anglican Church demonstrating that even British subjects were denied religious freedom if they belonged to a nonAnglican denominationThe Irony of Moral SuperiorityThe Scottish Societys zeal to correct Indias idolatrous and superstitious usages stood in sharp contrast to the actual moral landscape created by the British administration itself The records reveal that the EIC governance had produced an increase of crime enormous and widespread depravity1 Justice Denied Despite the Companyâs claims of established justice the judicial system was effectively inaccessible for many Civil justice was virtually denied to suitors due to exorbitant fees and stamped paper requirements sometimes amounting to 50 down to 7 and 6 per cent on the amounts claimed The overall cost of administering justice was even claimed to be higher in British India than in the whole of Europe2 Economic Devastation The system imposed by the British was a systematically engineered process of colonial underdevelopment Exploitative land revenue policies led to agrarian stagnation the growth of absentee landlordism and peasant misery Peasants were forced into debt traps and coerced by high arbitrarily fixed tax rates even when crops failed This deliberate economic destruction was the true deplorable ignorance concerning how to govern justly3 Moral Hypocrisy of War The British policy itself tolerated acts of barbarity that contradicted any claim to moral superiority The execution of the Killedar of Talnier fort after his surrender an act deemed questionable by European standards of justice even in war demonstrated that the British military apparatus could disregard principles of justice and humanity when convenientIn this context the argument that India needed saving from its own religious practices rings hollow The British government while censoring religious tracts that criticized native religion to avoid tumultuous proceedings was simultaneously funding its territorial acquisitions by incurring massive debts totaling around Â26 million by 1813 absorbed largely by military activities The perceived need to protect native customs was merely a tool to safeguard the fragile financial and military basis of their dominationThe TradeOff Commerce Over ConversionThe core issue preventing unrestrained missionary activity was the EICâs commercial monopoly itself which was up for renewal in 1814 The EIC feared that extensive European interaction particularly under the guise of religious instruction would destabilize the lucrative trade especially the vital commerce with ChinaThe policy of restricting religious influence was directly analogous to the EICs attempts to stifle Indias economic potential The use of Indianbuilt ships which utilized Indiaâs great natural advantages like durable teak wood was resisted primarily to protect the British shipbuilding industry and British seamen Preventing the use of Indian ships and sailors was an act of injustice and oppression that denied India the reward of its industryThe EIC argued that unrestricted importation from India would endanger any pledge on their part for the good government of India This meant the continuation of the colonial system military control revenue extraction and commercial privilege was paramount The government wisely thought that it should abstain from openly exerting itself to further Christianity lest they should be represented to the people as attempting to impose upon them a new religionThe resistance was thus purely pragmatic The introduction of Christianity was seen as a potential trigger that could unhinge the whole frame of Indian society a framework painstakingly erected upon military dominance and economic servitudeConclusion The Despots DilemmaThe debate over the impediments to Christian missionary activity in 1813 reveals a government caught in a terrible dilemma of its own making Having gained political and territorial control through means critics described as resting on blood and injustice the East India Company could only maintain its rule by stifling two things the freedom of political expression through the perfectly fettered press and the freedom of religious propagationThe irony is acute The EIC justified its presence by claiming to alleviate the deplorable ignorance of the native population Yet Parliament was told that giving the people access to even simple legal proceedings was dangerous and that spreading Christian light was risky because it might lead to tumultuous proceedingsUltimately the source of the impediment was not the hostility of the native population but the inherent instability of the colonial administration By restricting the clergy and suppressing Christian outreach the British were attempting to prevent any intellectual or moral force from exposing the raw nerve of their dominion They chose political survival over said spiritual outreach military security over so called moral consistency The door to âspiritual and intellectual freedomâ remained closed guarded not by religious conviction but by the overwhelming practical fear of imperial collapseThe Author is a researcher specialising in Indian history and contemporary geopolitical affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/curtain-of-darkness-how-british-empire-denied-light-of-knowledge-to-further-its-despotism-655987.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bangladesh-reports-71-blasphemy-linked-attacks-on-hindus-from-june-dec-report-655989.html Dhaka Dec 28 At least 71 incidents related to blasphemy allegations against Hindu minorities were reported in Bangladesh from JuneDecember this year Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities HRCBM said in a report The HRCBM documented cases from more than 30 districts including Chandpur Chattogram Dinajpur Lalmonirhat Sunamganj Khulna Comilla Gazipur Tangail and Sylhet according to the report Rights group said that the spread and similarity of these cases showcase systemic vulnerability of minorities to religiously framed allegations rather than isolated incidentsAccording to the report blasphemy allegations in Bangladesh frequently led to police action mob violence and punishmentOn June 19 Tamal Baidya 22 was arrested in Barishals Agljhara over alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad according to a report in Thailandbased Page 3 NewsAfter three days Shanto Sutradhar 24 faced protests and unrest in Chandpurs Matlab after facing similar allegationsA report in Page 3 News said One of the most violent episodes was reported on July 27 when Ranjan Roy 17 was arrested in Betgari Union Rangpur Following his detention 22 Hindu homes were vandalised highlighting how accusations often escalate beyond the individual to target entire communities Overall the report lists 71 distinct incidents including police arrests and FIRs mob beatings vandalism of Hindu homes suspensions and expulsions from educational institutions and deaths following mob attacks between June 2025 and December 2025It notes that over 90 per cent of the named accused are Hindu including minors as young as 15 to 17 years The HRCBM says many cases stem from alleged Facebook posts which are often disputed fabricated or traced to hacked accounts Other incidents are based on verbal accusations made without forensic verification In several cases arrests were carried out under mob pressure even before any formal investigation it addedA number of complaints were lodged under the Cyber Security Act especially against students Universities and colleges with students such as Pranaya Kundu PUST Bikorno Das Divvya Tonoy Roy Khulna University and Apurbo Pal North South University facing suspension expulsion or police action after allegations of insulting IslamOn December 18 Dipu Chandra Das 30 was beaten to death and his body set on fire by a mob in Bhaluka over allegations of blasphemyA report in Thailandbased Page 3 News stated Human rights observers quoted in the HRCBM report stress that the recurring pattern â social media accusations rapid arrests mob mobilisation and targeting of Hindu localities â suggests blasphemy allegations are increasingly being used as a trigger for persecution intimidation and social exclusion The report concludes that minors and economically vulnerable individuals are disproportionately affected and warns that without accountability and safeguards such accusations will continue to endanger minority communities in BangladeshOn December 19 a leading international human rights organisation condemned the recent series of âhorrific extremistâ violent incidents that occurred across Bangladesh In its statement Justice Makers Bangladesh in France JMBF stated that coordinated attacks at multiple locations on Thursday nights demonstrated that Bangladesh has plunged into a state of extreme insecurity and has gravely failed to fulfill its fundamental responsibilitiesThese attacks targeted the offices of the countryâs leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star the national cultural institution Chhayanaut members of minority communities the remaining structures of the Bangabandhu Museumâan important symbol of the nationâs history and the office of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram The unrest broke out following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab ManchaAccording to the JMBF the planned vandalism arson and looting of the offices of The Daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka were not merely attacks on two media outlets but constituted a direct assault on freedom of expression the pursuit of truth and independent journalismâThe endangerment of journalistsâ lives and the attempt to rescue them using cranes operated by the Fire Service instead of deploying helicopters exposed a stark and disturbing picture of state negligence The harassment of the President of the Editorsâ Council a senior journalist during the incident further proves that extremist forces are now emboldened to openly suppress democratic voicesâ the rights body statedâOn the same night the attack and stonethrowing at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram not only reflected a severely deteriorated lawandorder situation but also raised serious questions about the governmentâs irresponsibility and its disregard for international diplomatic norms An attack on a foreign diplomatic mission has gravely damaged Bangladeshâs international image for which the current government bears full responsibilityâ it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bangladesh-reports-71-blasphemy-linked-attacks-on-hindus-from-june-dec-report-655989.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-pm-modis-guarantee-at-work-as-chhattisgarh-nears-maoist-eradication-655991.html New Delhi Dec 25 Proud of our forces for this remarkable success Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on his official social media account in May 2025 praising security forces after the neutralisation of 27 Maoists including CPIMaoist General Secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju This sentiment captured the years momentum as PM Modi repeatedly emphasised the nearing end of the insurgencyThe roots of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh trace back to the 1967 Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal inspiring armed MarxistLeninist rebellion against exploitation After Chhattisgarhs formation in 2000 the dense forests of Dandakaranya became a stronghold for the Communist Party of India Maoist formed in 2004 through mergers of various groupsMaoists exploited grievances over land rights displacement due to mining and lack of development to recruit from indigenous communities establishing liberated zones with parallel governance The Jhiram Ghati ambush on May 25 2013 in Sukma epitomised the violence Maoists killed 32 including Congress leaders Nand Kumar Patel and VC Shukla and Salwa Judum founder Mahendra Karma intensifying national antiNaxal resolveOne of the most brutal incidents highlighting early Naxalite audacity in central India was the murder of Likhiram Kavre also spelled Kanware or Kawre the then Transport Minister in the erstwhile undivided Madhya Pradeshs Congress government under Digvijaya SinghOn the night of December 1516 1999 or February 16 in some reports a group of 1012 armed Peoples War Group PWG Naxalites stormed Kavres native Sonpuri village in Balaghat district After reconnaissance the previous day and confirming his identity by calling villagers they hacked him to death in a planned retaliation for a police encounter in Andhra Pradesh that killed four PWG cadresThe killers left a poster claiming revenge marking one of the most gruesome political assassinations in the regions history and underscoring the spread of Maoist violence into Madhya Pradeshs border areasThe year 2025 began grimly with a Maoist IED attack on January 6 in Bijapur killing eight DRG personnel and a civilian driver the largest such assault in two years However security forces quickly gained momentum On February 9 a major clash in Bijapurs Indravati National Park eliminated 31 Maoists with two security personnel also losing their livesSpring brought landmark victories Operation Black Forest or Operation Kagar launched on April 21 2025 along the ChhattisgarhTelangana border in Karreguttalu Hills lasted until May 11 and neutralized 31 Maoists including key PLGA battalion members carrying bounties totalling Rs 172 crore Forces destroyed arms factories and dismantled infrastructure in this erstwhile impregnable strongholdThe biggest blow came on May 21 in the Abujhmarh forests of Narayanpur where 27 Maoists including Basavaraju with a Rs 153 crore bounty were killed This decapitation strike involving DRG units shattered the Maoist central leadership and was hailed as a turning point Operations continued relentlessly In December alone encounters in Bijapur on December 3 killed 12 Maoists while ongoing gunfights in the BhairamgarhIndravati region further weakened cadresOverall 2025 saw over 280 Maoists neutralised statewide predominantly in Bastar with Bijapur accounting for 144 eliminations Surrenders surged to record levels over 10001300 cadres laid down arms including senior leaders driven by rehabilitation policies and mounting pressure Arrests exceeded 500680 with hundreds of weapons seizedThese gains reflect enhanced intelligence forward operating bases drone surveillance and coordinated multiforce deployments by central forces CRPF CoBRA BSF and state police under the March 2026 eradication target Civilian and security force casualties declined sharply compared to previous decades while Maoist violence waned amid internal disillusionmentI guarantee that the day is not far when every corner of Chhattisgarh and India will be completely free from Maoist terror PM Modi declared in November at Chhattisgarhs silver jubilee celebrations in Nava Raipur He noted Maoist influence shrinking from 125 to three districts adding The day is not far when India will be totally free from Naxalism and Maoist violence this too is Modiâs guaranteeUnion Home Minister Amit Shah reinforced this in December at the Bastar Olympics closing He said Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership we have resolved to make Bastar and India Maoistfree By Bastar Olympics 2026 Red terror will be eradicatedHe said We are on the cusp of fulfilling the resolve to eliminate Left Wing Extremism before March 31 2026PM Modi blamed past Congress policies for fueling Naxalism through neglect stating in March Over the decades Naxalism got encouragement due to policies of Congress while praising development bringing peace Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai echoed The backbone of Naxalism is broken with Deputy CM Vijay Sharma declaring 80 per cent of the state MaoistfreeEnhanced intelligence camps drones and rehabilitation drove success Violence plummeted opening areas for roads schools and electricity As PM Modi affirmed Chhattisgarh is steadily freeing itself from the grip of Maoist terrorism 2025 positioned the state and India on the brink of a Maoistfree era honouring decades of sacrificesAs 2025 ends Chhattisgarh stands on the cusp of becoming Maoistfree with officials confident of meeting the 2026 deadline ahead of schedule The years operations have not only decimated ranks but also opened remote areas for development indicating the insurgencys twilight after decades of conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-pm-modis-guarantee-at-work-as-chhattisgarh-nears-maoist-eradication-655991.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/aiadmk-will-protect-people-restore-tns-pride-palaniswami-at-tiruporur-campaign-655993.html Chennai Dec 28 As part of the AIADMKâs statewide campaign titled âLet Us Protect the People Let Us Save Tamil Naduâ party General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami EPS on Sunday campaigned in the Tiruporur and Sholinganallur Assembly constituencies launching a sharp attack on the ruling DMK government and Chief Minister MK Stalin Addressing a public meeting in Tiruporur Palaniswami referred to Chief Minister Stalinâs earlier challenge questioning whether the AIADMK had achieved even âfive per centâ of its promises while in powerâIt was the AIADMK government that created Kallakurichi district We did not fulfil just five per cent â we fulfilled 95 per cent of the promises made to the peopleâ he saidIn contrast he alleged that the DMK government had failed to implement even five per cent of its own election promises The AIADMK leader also criticised the ruling partyâs handling of employment schemesHe recalled that the DMK had promised to increase the number of workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme MGNREGS from 100 to 150 after coming to powerâNot only did they fail to keep that promise but today they are projecting the continuation of the 100day scheme itself as a major achievementâ he saidPalaniswami asserted that it was the AIADMK government that persuaded the Centre to increase the guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125âWhen we return to power we will further raise it to 150 days ensure uninterrupted employment and increase wagesâ he saidReferring to the Covid19 pandemic Palaniswami said the AIADMK government had efficiently managed the crisis and safeguarded the peopleâDuring the pandemic we ensured that every ration card holder received Rs 2500 so families could celebrate Pongal with dignity Under the present government not even a single rupee was given during the last Pongalâ he allegedOutlining future welfare measures the AIADMK leader promised that his party would provide Rs 5000 to all ration card holders during Pongal Rs 25000 as financial assistance to women subsidised twowheelers Rs 50000 as marriage assistance and free silk sarees for women during DeepavaliConcluding his address Palaniswami said the AIADMKâs mission was to protect the people of Tamil Nadu restore good governance and bring the state back onto the path of development and stability IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/aiadmk-will-protect-people-restore-tns-pride-palaniswami-at-tiruporur-campaign-655993.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sc-to-hold-crucial-suo-motu-hearing-on-aravalli-definition-today-655997.html New Delhi Dec 29 The Supreme Courtâs crucial suo motu hearing on issues relating to the definition of the Aravalli Hills scheduled for Monday is expected to address concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile range in light of the governmentâs commitments As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih will hear the suo motu writ petition titled âIn Re Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issuesâ on December 29The Supreme Court has taken up the issue on its own motion amid growing concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile Aravalli range and the governmentâs repeated assurance to protect itIn a decisive move to curb illegal mining and strengthen ecological protection the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFampCC has directed state governments to impose a âcomplete banâ on granting any new mining leases in the AravallisThe Ministry said the prohibition will apply uniformly across the Aravalli landscape covering the mountain range from Delhi to Gujarat It underscored that the objective is to âpreserve the integrity of the range as a continuous geological ridgeâ and to put an end to unregulated mining activitiesFurther tightening the conservation framework the MoEFCC has instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education ICFRE to identify additional areas and zones across the entire Aravalli range where mining must be prohibited over and above the areas already restricted by the CentreIn a related development Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday wrote to Union Minister for Environment Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav raising serious concerns over the recent redefinition of the Aravalli HillsHe claimed that the new definition restricts their classification to landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or moreSharing the letter on the social media platform X on Sunday Ramesh said âHere is my most recent letter to the Union Minister of Environment Forests amp Climate Change asking fourpointed questions on the disastrous redefinition of the AravallisâIn the letter dated December 28 the Congress leader flagged what he described as widespread concerns over the new definition and sought clarity from the minister by posing four specific questions Addressing Minister Yadav he wrote âThere are understandably widespread concerns with the redefinition of the Aravalli Hills that restrict them to landforms having an elevation of 100 meters or more In this connection please permit me to raise four specific questions for your considerationâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sc-to-hold-crucial-suo-motu-hearing-on-aravalli-definition-today-655997.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/-sc-stays-delhi-hc-order-suspending-sengars-sentence-in-unnao-rape-case-656031.html New Delhi Dec 29 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the operation of the Delhi High Court order that had suspended the life sentence and granted bail to expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape casenbspWe are conscious of the fact that when a convict or an undertrial has been released such orders are not ordinarily stayed by this court without hearing such persons But in view of peculiar facts where the convict is also convicted for a separate offence we stay the operation of the Delhi High Court ordered a threejudge Bench led by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya KantThe bench also comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih issued notice to Sengar in the Central Bureau of Investigations CBI plea and directed that a counteraffidavit be filed within four weeksnbspThe apex court clarified that Sengar will not be released pursuant to the impugned Delhi High Courts ordernbspThe CJIled Bench agreed to examine the submission of Solicitor General SG Tushar Mehta who argued that the Delhi High Courts interpretation would mean a police constable could be treated as a public servant under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act while a member of the legislature would stand excludednbspAppearing for the CBI SG Mehta said the Delhi High Court erred in concluding that a legislator would not fall within the category of a public servant for the award of sentencenbspPlacing on record the trial courts conviction order the Centres secondhighest law officer highlighted that the victim was below 16 years of age approximately 15 years and 10 months at the time the offence of rape was committed on hernbspnbspThe SG also added that Sengar could not walk out of jail as he is serving a separate 10year sentence in cases linked to the death of the survivors father in 2018 This convict was held guilty of murdering the father of the survivor He is still in jail for that I urge the conscience of this court to stay this order for the sake of the child who was a victim of this he submittednbspIn its order the Supreme Court clarified that the survivor may file a separate special leave petition SLP before the apex court if required and that the SC Legal Services Committee would provide legal aidnbspEarlier on December 23 a Division Bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar of the Delhi High Court had suspended Sengars life sentence and granted him conditional bail during the pendency of his appeal subject to strict conditionsnbspThe bail order had triggered protests by the survivors family and womens rights activists who said it had shaken public faith and sent a wrong message on crimes against womennbspIn December 2019 the trial court had convicted Sengar of kidnapping and raping a minor girl and sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh The Supreme Court had earlier transferred all cases related to the incident from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and directed that the trial be conducted on a daytoday basisnbsp https://dailyworld.in/politics/-sc-stays-delhi-hc-order-suspending-sengars-sentence-in-unnao-rape-case-656031.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/further-clarification-needed-sc-puts-revised-aravalli-hills-definition-in-abeyance-mulls-fresh-expert-committee-656036.html New Delhi Dec 29 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday kept in abeyance its earlier directions prescribing a revised definition of the Aravalli HillsnbspObserving that the expert committees report as well as the top courts observations were being misconstrued a threejudge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant said that further clarification was required before the recommendations or judicial directions could be implementednbspThe Bench also comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih issued notice in the suo motu writ petition titled Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues making it returnable on January 21nbspWe deem it necessary that the committee recommendation and directions of this court be kept in abeyance This stay shall remain in effect till the constitution of the fresh committee the apex court orderednbspThe CJIheaded Bench mulled constituting a fresh highpowered expert committee to holistically assess the recommendations of all earlier panels on the definition of the Aravalli rangenbspnbspThe proposed committee will examine whether regulated mining can be permitted in the 500metre gaps between hills and if so what structural parameters would be required to ensure that ecological continuity is not compromisednbspThe apex court stressed that it must be assessed whether the 100metre elevation threshold is scientifically sound and if a detailed geological inquiry is needednbspDuring the hearing Solicitor General SG Tushar Mehta informed the bench that directives have already been issued to the Aravalli states to halt all mining activitynbspThe Centres secondhighest law officer also clarified that directions are in place to ensure that no fresh mining licences are granted in the Aravalli regionnbspIn its order the Supreme Court also requested Attorney General R Venkataramani and senior advocate PS Parmeswar to assist it including on the composition of the proposed expert committeenbspAfter the apex court in an order passed on November 20 ruled that only landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or more would be classified as Aravalli hills widespread concerns were triggered over the protection of the ecologically fragile rangenbspFollowing protests across several districts of Rajasthan including Udaipur Jodhpur Sikar and Alwar against the approval of mining activities in the Aravalli mountain range the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change imposed a complete ban on the grant of new mining leases across the Aravalli landscape It tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education ICFRE with identifying additional nomining zones and preparing a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining for the entire rangenbsp https://dailyworld.in/politics/further-clarification-needed-sc-puts-revised-aravalli-hills-definition-in-abeyance-mulls-fresh-expert-committee-656036.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-farmers-seek-extension-of-mettur-water-release-as-samba-crop-faces-delay-656073.html Tiruchy Tamil Nadu Dec 29 Farmers across the Cauvery delta districts have urged the Tamil Nadu government to extend the release of water from the Mettur dam until the end of February citing widespread delays in Samba paddy cultivation caused by adverse weather conditions and crop damage earlier this season Traditionally water from the Mettur reservoir is released on June 12 every year for Kuruvai and Samba cultivation and is mandatorily stopped by the end of JanuaryHowever farmers say the current agricultural cycle has been severely disrupted making the usual schedule unviableAccording to farmersâ representatives at least 175 TMC of water is required every day to sustain the standing Samba cropThis year the total Samba cultivation target stood at around 14 lakh acres Of this Tiruvarur district alone accounts for nearly 360 lakh acres followed by Thanjavur with 326 lakh acres Nagapattinam with 255 lakh acres and Tiruchy with around 150 lakh acres In addition nearly 3 lakh acres have been brought under Thaladi cultivation across the delta region However the northeast monsoon and the impact of Cyclone Michaung caused extensive crop damage forcing farmers to delay land preparation and transplantation As a result the sowing schedule was pushed back significantly leading to a corresponding delay in the water requirement cycle Due to the prolonged rains and delays in assessing crop damage farmers could not begin cultivation on time Naturally the demand for water has also shifted said P Ramasamy a farmer from Tiruvarur district He said that while water is normally released from Mettur on June 12 and stopped by January 28 this yearâs situation is different The samba crop is still in its critical stages Harvesting which usually begins in January may extend till March If the water supply is stopped now tailend regions will be the worst affected he said Farmers have therefore appealed to the state government and the Water Resources Department to extend the water release at least until the end of February stressing that such a move is essential to safeguard standing crops and prevent largescale losses across the delta IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-farmers-seek-extension-of-mettur-water-release-as-samba-crop-faces-delay-656073.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-cleric-again-issues-fatwa-asking-muslims-not-to-celebrate-new-year-656081.html Bareilly Dec 29 All India Muslim Jamaat AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi has again issued a fatwa urging Muslims in India not to celebrate the New Year as this goes against the tenets of the Sharia Sharia is the system of Islamic moral and legal guidance derived from the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet and it governs both religious obligations and aspects of daily lifeIn the fatwa Maulana Razvi stated that activities such as singing and dancing are completely haram in Islam and therefore New Year celebrations are also considered haramHe said that such acts are deemed criminal under the Shariat and advised Muslim youth to stay away from these celebrationsSpeaking to IANS Razvi said Celebrating the New Year is not permissible according to Sharia On the night of December 31 New Year celebrations take place which involve many inappropriate activities such as dancing singing shows alcohol consumption chaos misbehaviour and other immoral acts Islam forbids all of these actionsHe further said that the New Year is essentially a festival associated with Christians and that it is strictly prohibited for Muslims to celebrate itThe fatwa noted that the New Year begins in January marking the start of the English calendar year and therefore it is considered a religious observance of Christians to celebrate the first day of their yearI would like to request all the young men and women not to celebrate the New Year nor attend any such event If they do then they will be considered a culprit This is European not Islamic or Indian culture For Muslims the New Year is marked by Muharram and for Hindus it is marked by Chaitra That is why I would like to urge everyone not to adopt European traditions he addedThis is not the first time that the AIMJ chief has issued such a fatwa Last year as well Razvi had cautioned Muslim youth against participating in New Year celebrations IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-cleric-again-issues-fatwa-asking-muslims-not-to-celebrate-new-year-656081.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/my-father-will-get-justice-when-unnao-rape-victim-demands-death-sentence-for-kuldeep-sengar-656084.html New Delhi Dec 29 With the Supreme Court staying the bail granted to Unnao rape convict and former UP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar the survivor on Monday demanded the death sentence for him saying that only then would her father receive justice Speaking to IANS the survivor said she has not performed the terahvin funeral rituals of her father to dateMy father was killed in 2018 and since then his soul has not been at peace My father will get peace only when the killers and the rapist are hanged Only then will my father get justice she saidApart from the rape case Sengar was also accused of involvement in the death of the survivors father in 2018 and was convicted and sentenced in the caseExpressing faith in the apex court the victim said she continued to believe that justice would ultimately prevailI have faith in the Supreme Court and will continue to have faith that it will deliver justice I do not know what was going on in the judgeâs mind while granting him bail Only the judge knows how much sympathy was shown towards him the woman told IANSShe further said that the accused was shown undue leniency while the victim continued to sufferThere was so much sympathy that the judge granted him bail while the victim remained confined to her home Rapists are roaming freely The law should be the same for everyone she addedThe victim also expressed gratitude to those who stood by her throughout her struggleâI am thankful to everyone who supported me and helped me in my fight for justiceâ she saidReiterating her resolve the victim stated I had faith in the Supreme Court that justice would be delivered My struggle is ongoing and will continue I will pursue this case until he is awarded the death penalty Only then will my father and I get justiceMeanwhile the victimâs mother also thanked the apex court for its intervention âI thank the Supreme Court The court specially opened to hear our case and we are very grateful for that I want to thank the Supreme Court for delivering justiceâ she saidEarlier in the day the Supreme Court stayed the operation of the Delhi High Court order that had suspended the life sentence and granted bail to expelled BJP leader Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape caseWe are conscious of the fact that when a convict or an undertrial has been released such orders are not ordinarily stayed by this court without hearing such persons But in view of peculiar facts where the convict is also convicted for a separate offence we stay the operation of the Delhi High Court ordered a threejudge Bench led by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya KantThe bench also comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih issued notice to Sengar in the Central Bureau of Investigationâs CBI plea and directed that a counteraffidavit be filed within four weeksThe apex court clarified that Sengar will not be released pursuant to the impugned Delhi High Courtâs orderThe CJIled Bench agreed to examine the submission of Solicitor General SG Tushar Mehta who argued that the Delhi High Courtâs interpretation would mean a police constable could be treated as a public servant under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act while a member of the legislature would stand excludedAppearing for the CBI SG Mehta said the Delhi High Court âerredâ in concluding that a legislator would not fall within the category of a âpublic servantâ for the award of sentencePlacing on record the trial courtâs conviction order the Centreâs secondhighest law officer highlighted that the victim was below 16 years of age approximately 15 years and 10 months at the time the offence of rape was committed on herThe SG also added that Sengar could not walk out of jail as he is serving a separate 10year sentence in cases linked to the death of the survivorâs father in 2018 This convict was held guilty of murdering the father of the survivor He is still in jail for that I urge the conscience of this court to stay this order for the sake of the child who was a victim of this he submittedIn its order the Supreme Court clarified that the survivor may file a separate special leave petition SLP before the apex court if required and that the SC Legal Services Committee would provide legal aid IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/my-father-will-get-justice-when-unnao-rape-victim-demands-death-sentence-for-kuldeep-sengar-656084.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jharkhand-prez-murmu-sings-in-santhali-at-ol-chiki-centenary-stresses-preservation-of-language-and-culture-656085.html Jamshedpur Dec 29 IANS President Droupadi Murmu on Monday called for the preservation of traditional knowledge language culture and tribal identity at the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script of Santhali at the Dishom Jaherthan place of worship complex in Karandih in Jharkhands East Singhbhum districtnbspPaying tribute to Pandit Raghunath Murmu the creator of the Ol Chiki script the President described his work as foundational to the cultural selfrespect and identity of the Santhali communitynbspBefore beginning her address President Murmu sang a traditional Santhali Nehor prayer song for nearly three minutes She said she had learned the song in her childhood and that it invokes Jaher Ayo Mother Nature to guide society on the path of lightThe President delivered her entire speech in the Santhali language at the event jointly organised by the All India Santhali Writers Association and the Dishom Jaherthan CommitteenbspShe described her visit to the sacred site as an emotional moment saying she felt the love of her people and the blessings of the deitiesnbspAppreciating the role of Santhali writers and social workers the President said they have been relentlessly working to preserve the Ol Chiki script and the Santhali language carrying forward the unfinished vision of Pandit MurmunbspShe termed the publication of the Constitution in the Ol Chiki script by the Union government on the occasion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees birth centenary as a landmark step towards empowering the Santhali communityStressing the importance of linguistic inclusion President Murmu said that after Santhalis inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution it is essential that information related to laws governance and administrative systems reaches the community in their own languagenbspAt the ceremony the President honoured 12 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of the Santhali language and the Ol Chiki scriptnbspGovernor Santosh Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren also addressed the gathering The Governor said Raj Bhavans doors are always open to the people and assured full cooperation in initiatives for tribal developmentnbspThe Chief Minister reiterated the state governments commitment to preserving the Santhali language culture and tribal identity https://dailyworld.in/politics/jharkhand-prez-murmu-sings-in-santhali-at-ol-chiki-centenary-stresses-preservation-of-language-and-culture-656085.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/controversy-over-vacating-of-10-circular-road-bungalow-in-patna-jdu-seeks-clarification-656088.html Patna Dec 29 A political controversy has erupted in Bihar over the vacating of the government bungalow at 10 Circular Road in Patna with the Janata Dal United raising serious questions about the manner in which the residence was vacated JDU MLC and party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar has written to the Building Construction Department seeking a detailed inventory and assurance regarding the safety of all government property at the bungalowIn his letter Kumar has sought clarification on the status of various fixtures and fittings including fans air conditioners bathroom fittings taps geysers toilet commodes as well as window and door curtains installed by the departmentReferring to media reports the JDU leader claimed that the bungalow was allegedly vacated late at night and in the absence of Rabri Devi and her family He also cited reports suggesting that flowerpots and plants were removed from the premises in a pickup truck raising questions over accountability and authorizationKumar has sought clarification on whether the plants and flowerpots belonged to the Horticulture Department or were privately owned He also questioned who permitted the entry of a pickup vehicle into the bungalow premises when the former Chief Minister and her family were not presentThe letter further notes that Rabri Devi and her family had been residing in the government bungalow since 2006 despite owning other large residential properties in Patna During their stay they allegedly availed of facilities equivalent to those provided to a cabinet ministerEmphasising that government assets must be handed over in a safe and intact condition Kumar said it was the responsibility of the occupants to return all departmentprovided items to the Building Construction DepartmentNeeraj Kumar has also shared the letter along with a video message on the social media platform appealing to the Building Construction Minister to personally monitor the entire process and ensure that all government property is handed over securely and remains in its original conditionThe issue has further sharpened the political debate over the vacating of the 10 Circular Road bungalow adding a fresh dimension to the ongoing war of words between the ruling alliance and the opposition in Bihar IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/controversy-over-vacating-of-10-circular-road-bungalow-in-patna-jdu-seeks-clarification-656088.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/thiruvananthapuram-former-dgp-turned-councillor-faces-off-against-former-mayor-turned-cpi-m-mla-over-office-space-656089.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 29 The controversy surrounding the office of CPIMs Vattiyoorkavu CPIM MLA and former Mayor VK Prasanth in a Thiruvananthapuram Corporationowned building at Sasthamangalam has escalated into a larger political and administrative issue with the state capital civic body deciding to launch a comprehensive probe into alleged largescale irregularities in the leasing of its buildings to private individuals The move comes amid a political row triggered by now Sasthamangalam ward councillor and former DGP R Sreelakhaâs demand that the MLA vacate his office a development that the BJP is now seeking to leverage against the CPIM which previously controlled the CorporationThe new BJPled governing committee has alleged that widespread malpractice occurred under earlier CPIMled administrations in the leasing of Corporation propertiesAccording to preliminary findings many Corporationowned buildings and shop rooms have been transferred multiple times and are currently being used by individuals who are not the original tenantsThese transfers are said to have taken place for substantial sums despite the official rents being nominalIn some cases shop rooms were leased out at rents as low as Rs 250 per month while the occupants allegedly sublet them at market rates earning lakhs of rupeesThe Corporation has decided to reclaim all unauthorised transfers and has resolved to conduct a detailed scrutiny of lease arrangementsThe decision to initiate a fullscale probe coincides with mounting political tension over the Sasthamangalam office disputeWhile Mayor VV Rajesh has sought to play down the political angle stating that the issue need not be politicised he has confirmed that all lease documents will be examined and that the Corporation will investigate whether public revenue including rent and taxes has been properly realisedJoining the issue former Congress legislator and now newly elected councilor KSSabarinathan said it is now for the Corporation to decide further matters including the rent amount after examining the agreement between the Corporation and PrasanthThe offices of the majority of MLAs in Kerala function from rented buildings within their respective constituencies When I was an MLA myself I too functioned from a rented room at Aryanad paying monthly rent However Prasanth enjoys a particular advantage and two wellfurnished rooms at the MLA Hostel have been allotted in his name When the government is providing such a wellequipped MLA Hostel free of cost why should he give that up and continue to occupy this room at Sasthamangalam In my opinion it would be better for him to shift to the MLA Hostel for the remainder of the current Assembly term he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/thiruvananthapuram-former-dgp-turned-councillor-faces-off-against-former-mayor-turned-cpi-m-mla-over-office-space-656089.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-inaugurates-rs-227-crore-redeveloped-birthplace-of-srimanta-sankardeva-in-assam-656092.html Guwahati Dec 29 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday inaugurated the Rs 227crore redeveloped Batadrava Than the birthplace of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva in Assams Nagaon districtnbspHe said that the teachings of Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankardeva continue to guide Indias cultural and spiritual unitynbspAddressing a large public gathering at Batadrava Than HM Shah said the great saints ideals of harmony inclusiveness and cultural renaissance remain deeply relevant even today He praised the people of Assam for preserving their traditions and values despite historical challenges and said Sankardevas philosophy played a vital role in shaping Assams civilisational identityThe Home Minister who arrived in Nagaon district earlier in the day was accorded a warm and traditional welcome by local residents After landing at Borduwa by helicopter from Guwahati HM Shah was greeted with vibrant Assamese cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of the statenbspTraditional GayanBayan and Diha Naam performances were presented during the reception drawing visible appreciation from the Home Minister who was seen clapping along in rhythm as the devotional music echoed across the historic siteThe newly redeveloped Batadrava Than complex has been designed to preserve and promote the spiritual and cultural legacy of Srimanta Sankardeva while significantly improving facilities for devotees and visitorsnbspOfficials said the project aims to transform the site into a major spiritual and cultural centre strengthening religious tourism and cultural awarenessnbspFollowing the inauguration HM Shah is scheduled to return to Guwahati where he will pay homage to the martyrs of the Assam Movement at the newly constructed Swahid Smarak Kshetra The memorial commemorates those who laid down their lives during the historic AntiForeigner AgitationLater in the day the Home Minister will inaugurate a series of major infrastructure projects in the state capital including the Rs 111crore new building of the Guwahati Police Commissionerate and the Rs 189crore Integrated Command and Control System ICCS aimed at strengthening urban policing and public safetynbspHM Shah will also inaugurate the Rs 291crore Jyoti Bishnu Cultural Complex in Guwahati a stateoftheart auditorium with a seating capacity of 5000 which is expected to become a major hub for cultural and public events in the NortheastnbspThe Home Ministers visit underlined the Centres focus on cultural heritage security and infrastructure development in Assam https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-inaugurates-rs-227-crore-redeveloped-birthplace-of-srimanta-sankardeva-in-assam-656092.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/environment-minister-welcomes-sc-order-on-aravalli-issue-reiterates-govts-commitment-to-save-the-hills--656093.html New Delhi Dec 29 IANS Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court order on the Aravalli issue and reiterated that the NDA government was committed to saving the hill rangenbspHours after the threejudge bench of the apex court decided to stay its own order regarding the 100metre height definition of the Aravallis the Union Minister took to his X handle and said that the government was committed to the protection and restoration of the Aravalli rangeI welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range and the formation of a new committee to study issues he said hailing the apex courts decision to review its order and resolve all ambiguities by forming a new expert panelnbspHe added that the government stands committed to extending all assistance sought from the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change MOEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli rangeAs things stand a complete ban on mining stays with regards to new mining leases or renewal of old mining leases Bhupender Yadav said further in the postnbspThis comes days after the Centre announced a complete ban on mining in the Aravallis and directed the state governments concerned to impose a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the entire hill rangenbspIn its order the CJI Surya Kantled bench mulled the constitution of a fresh highpowered expert committee to holistically assess the recommendations of all earlier panels on the definition of the Aravalli rangeThe proposed committee will examine whether regulated mining can be permitted in the 500metre gaps between hills and if so what structural parameters would be required to ensure that ecological continuity is not compromisednbspThe Congress has also welcomed the SCs directives for redefining the Aravallis and stated that the verdict offers a flicker of hope as the 100metre definition would have opened the sprawling green cover in Delhi and adjoining states to abuse and misuse by mining mafiasnbspIt is a rejection of all the arguments that the Minister has been giving in favour of the redefinition party leader and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X https://dailyworld.in/politics/environment-minister-welcomes-sc-order-on-aravalli-issue-reiterates-govts-commitment-to-save-the-hills--656093.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ukraine-has-become-loss-making-asset-in-americas-geopolitical-portfolio-expert-656095.html New Delhi Dec 29 IANS Among the US President Donald Trumps biggest surprises this year has been Washingtons change of course on Ukraine said one of Russias prominent figures in international relations and political science perhaps reflecting a global majoritarian viewnbspnbspWriting for the RT website of the statecontrolled international news television network formerly known as Russia Today Ivan Timofeev the Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council and member of Valdai Discussion Club also commended Indias resilience in face of US tariff pressurenbspThe Valdai Discussion Club is a nonprofit Russian thinktank and international discussion platformCommenting on the sharp shifts triggered by Trump after his return to the White House in January Timofeev said The US has moved from being Kievs closest political patron to a calculating actor focused squarely on its own interestsnbspUnderscoring the tectonic shift since the last regime he said The rhetoric of Russias unconditional defeat has been discarded in favour of negotiations and compromise If Ukraine has become a lossmaking asset in Americas geopolitical portfolio Trump has signalled then the loss must be recognisednbspWhile admitting that though the shift comprising a series of gestures that shocked many Western observers has not yet resolved the conflict but the door to diplomacy has been left ajar Moscow supports negotiations but does not intend to retreat from its positions he assertedHe began saying that if there were a competition for Breaking the Mould of the Year the US would be the runaway winner in 2025nbspThe international relations expert also mentioned Trumps decision to launch a trade war against more than seventy countries as another dramatic break with past practicenbspWhile China responded with serious countermeasures like retaliatory tariffs and strengthening Beijings negotiating hand by introducing export controls on rareearth metals vital to the US economy while at the same time seeking a negotiated deescalation he saidnbspIndia also refused to bend US tariffs on its purchases of Russian oil barely affected Delhis stance The same is broadly true of Brazil In several cases Washing ton applied tariffs for openly political reasons even where the trade balance was to its advantage he addedCommenting further on the shifting sands within White House Timofeev said that Trumps trade measures increasingly took on the character of sanctions which were on occasions accompanied by military strikes although the White House avoided sliding into a fullscale confrontation with IrannbspHe further pointed to the most unexpected development being deepening estrangement between the US and its traditional allies where Trumps revived talk of buying Greenland part of Denmark was symbolic in that respectnbspHe referred to US VicePresident JD Vances earlier criticism of European democracy and early Decembers new US National Security Strategy that urges Western Europe to return to its civilisational roots warns of the risks of war with Russia and casts Washington less as a belligerent and more as a mediator Even the EU has found itself targeted by American tariffsThe article largely reiterates Moscows current stand amidst its war in UkrainenbspIt also coincided with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskys US visit where he wanted President Trumps backing for a revised 20point peace plannbspIncidentally after more than three hours of talks in Florida neither leader announced any major breakthroughnbspInterestingly Trump spoke over phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of his meeting with ZelenskynbspA Kremlin Foreign Policy Aide described the telephonic discussion as a friendly wellwishing and businesslike conversation for an hour and 15 minutes where Putin stressed the need to rely on the understandings reached between the Presidents at the summit in Alaska earlier this year https://dailyworld.in/politics/ukraine-has-become-loss-making-asset-in-americas-geopolitical-portfolio-expert-656095.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/jolt-to-sharad-pawar-as-mumbai-ncp-656098.html Mumbai Dec 29 The Sharad Pawarled NCP on Monday received a major blow after the partyâs Mumbai unit chief Rakhi Jadhav quit the party and joined the BJP Her move has stunned the Sharad Pawar camp as she herself was one of the key contestants for the BMC elections and was leading the party for the same Jadhav joined the BJP in the presence of Mumbai BJP chief Amit Satam the BJP in charge of BMC elections and Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar Ghatkopar East legislator Parag Shah among othersIncidentally former minister and prominent BJP leader Prakash Mehta who had represented the Ghatkopar East constituency earlier was conspicuous by his absence when Jadhav joined the BJPJadhav is expected to get the BJP nomination from the N ward from where she was elected earlier and will be nominated this time too She chose to desert NCPSP and enter the BJP on the second last day of filing of nominations The last date is December 30 while the polling is scheduled for January 15 and counting on January 16Jadhav was reportedly unhappy with the seatsharing arrangement within the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA alliance She had expressed frustration over the NCP SP having to concede several wards in Mumbai to the Shiv Sena UBTJadhav is a prominent figure in Mumbai politics having served as a threetime corporator from Ghatkopar and the leader of the NCP in the BMC house She also contested the 2024 Assembly elections against Parag Shah in Ghatkopar East Jadhavs exit follows other recent departures from the NCP SP including former Pune city chief Prashant Jagtap who recently joined the CongressJadhavs decision comes when NCPSP has yet to arrive at a seatsharing arrangement with the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT The veteran NCPSP legislator Jayant Patil held talks last week with the Shiv SenaUBT chief Uddhav Thackeray for an alliance but they have yet to reach a consensusEarlier the BJP released a first list of 66 candidates for the BMC elections which includes a mix of Marathispeaking as well as North Indians and also veterans and youth The party has nominated Tejaswini Ghosalkar who recently quit the Shiv Sena UBT and joined the BJP Neel Somaiya son of former MP Kirit Somaiya Navnath Ban a state party media coordinator and Ravi Raja the former Leader of Opposition in the BMC who recently defected from the Congress to join the BJPRaja will contest from Ward No 185 in Dharavi a move seen as a direct challenge to the Congress stronghold in that region The list also includes Makarand Narvekar Ward 226 and Harshita Narvekar Ward 227 both are family members of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar and Tejinder Singh Tiwana Ward 47 IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/jolt-to-sharad-pawar-as-mumbai-ncp-656098.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/shouldve-been-corrected-in-1971-sadhguru-calls-siliguri-corridor-78-year-old-anomaly-656101.html Coimbatore Dec 29 Sadhguru founder of the Isha Foundation has described the Siliguri Corridor as a 78yearold anomaly created by Indias Partition saying it should have been corrected decades ago and that the time has now come to nourish the chicken and allow it to evolve into an elephant He made the remarks while responding to an audience question on comments made by Bangladeshs interim government regarding the Siliguri Corridor also known as the Chickens Neck during a satsang at Sadhguru Sannidhi in Bengaluru on SundaySharing a video of the interaction on X Sadhguru said Siliguri Corridor is a 78yearold anomaly created by Bharats Partition which should have been corrected in 1971 Now that there is an open threat to the nations sovereignty it is time to nourish the chicken and allow it to evolve into an elephantDuring the interaction Sadhguru pointed to what he called missed opportunities in the aftermath of the 1971 Liberation War stating that the issue should have been addressed at a time when India had the authority to do soMaybe in 194647 we didnt have the authority to do that but in 1972 we had the authority we did not do that Now this Chickens Neck that people have started talking about its time we nourish this chickenâ so that it evolves quickly into an elephant he saidCalling for firm steps to strengthen Indias territorial integrity Sadhguru stressed that fragility cannot be the basis on which a nation is sustainedSo nations cannot be made just by being chicken It has to grow into an elephant Maybe it needs nourishment Maybe it needs some steroids Whatever is needed we must doâ anything that we try to do has costs has a price to pay always he saidPlacing the issue in a wider global and civilisational perspective Sadhguru observed that while a world without borders may be an ideal aspiration it cannot be forced prematurely in the present circumstancesIt would have been wonderful if there were no nations in the world no borders in the worldâ but we are still in that level of existence Suddenly we cannot imagine tomorrow were going to embrace everybody and live wonderfully That is a foolhardy thinking right now he saidReferring again to the Siliguri Corridor Sadhguru concluded Anyway this anomaly happened only 78 years ago Some correction is needed Correction must happen I think we need to feed the chicken well and make it into an elephant An elephants neck would be easy to handleSadhguru has on several occasions in the past spoken publicly about developments in Bangladesh particularly voicing concern over repeated incidents of violence against Hindu minorities and the destruction of templesHe has also questioned what he sees as prolonged silence over attacks on Hindus damage to places of worship and demographic pressures forcing minorities to flee arguing that such issues cannot be dismissed as internal matters when they arise from unresolved civilisational and geopolitical fault lines created during Partition IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/shouldve-been-corrected-in-1971-sadhguru-calls-siliguri-corridor-78-year-old-anomaly-656101.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-bihar-polls-marked-by-sir-row-nda-unity-amp-opposition-discord-656109.html Patna Dec 29 The year 2025 is being seen as a defining phase in Bihars political history largely due to the recent Assembly elections in which the National Democratic Alliance NDA emerged victorious However the road to the election was marked by several major political developments the most significant being the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls conducted just two months before pollingUnder the SIR exercise more than 65 lakh voters were removed from the electoral rolls while around 24 lakh new voters were addedThe massive electoral roll exercise was carried out by the Election Commission of India ECI with the help of Booth Level Officers BLOs and boothlevel agents of political parties registered with the CommissionThe ECI described the process as a routine but largescale revision aimed at ensuring the accuracy of voter listsThe exercise however triggered a major political controversyOpposition leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav Vikassheel Insaan Party VIP Chief Mukesh Sahani Communist Party of India MarxistâLeninist Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya and others accused the ECI and ruling parties of vote theft Vote ChoriThey alleged that the deletion of such a large number of voters disproportionately affected poor migrant and marginalised communitiesIn contrast leaders of the ruling NDA strongly defended the ECIPrime Minister Narendra Modi Union Home Minister Amit Shah Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Ministers Chirag Paswan Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha said that the SIR exercise was necessary to identify illegal infiltrators particularly from Bangladesh and the Rohingya Muslim communitiesOpposition leaders however questioned this claim Tejashwi Yadav repeatedly pointed out that the Election Commission did not mention any infiltrators in its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court He also questioned why the Commission had failed to provide figures on the number of alleged infiltrators identified during the SIR exercise despite repeated demandsDespite this NDA leaders continued to raise the issue of illegal infiltration during election rallies accusing the Opposition of shielding infiltrators and undermining national security The issue became a key talking point throughout the campaignTo counter the narrative and raise public awareness the Opposition led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav launched a monthlong Voter Adhikar Yatra which covered more than 25 districts across BiharThrough rallies and roadshows opposition leaders highlighted alleged irregularities in the SIR process and warned voters about what they termed systematic disenfranchisementThe 2025 Bihar Assembly election will also be remembered for the stark contrast between NDA unity and internal discord within the Grand Alliance Even after the Model Code of Conduct came into force Grand Alliance partners failed to resolve seatsharing disputes In the 243member Bihar Assembly the RJD Congress and VIP were unable to finalise a mutually acceptable seatsharing formulaAs a result friendly contests occurred on more than 12 seats a situation that directly benefited the NDASeveral rounds of meetings were held in Patna and New Delhi involving RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Congress Bihar incharge Krishna Allavaru and VIP Chief Mukesh Sahani but no breakthrough was achieved largely due to Congresss firm stanceThe Congress sought to contest over 70 seats while the RJD was unwilling to offer more than 60 seats Additionally the Congress leadership initially hesitated to project Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate Eventually after prolonged negotiations the INDIA Bloc alliance reached a late consensusVeteran Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot formally announced Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate and Mukesh Sahani as the Deputy Chief Ministerial candidateDespite this late agreement the damage caused by internal disagreements had already impacted the oppositions electoral prospects contributing significantly to the NDAs decisive victory During the election campaign Opposition Grand Alliances Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav announced a series of welfare promises aimed at attracting votersHis key assurances included one government job for every family in Bihar 200 units of free electricity Rs 2500 per month pension for women under the Mai Bahin Maan Yojana Rs 1500 social security pension three dismil of land for landless families and several other populist measures These commitments were formally included in the Grand Alliances election manifesto Sankalp PatraOn the other hand the NDA led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar countered with its own set of promises The alliance announced Rs 10000 as cash assistance to women associated with selfhelp groups 125 units of free electricity Rs 1100 social security pension and a promise to create one crore jobs over the next five yearsNitish Kumar also said that women beneficiaries receiving Rs 10000 would be eligible for additional financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh in the future Notably the Bihar government transferred Rs 10000 to more than 156 crore women across the state even while the Model Code of Conduct was in force and just ahead of voting in the second phase of the electionThis move triggered sharp political controversy with opposition leaders accusing the NDA government of distributing cash to buy votes The ruling NDA alliance rejected these allegations maintaining that the transfers were part of previously approved welfare schemesAmid intense allegations and counterallegations between the NDA and the Grand Alliance polling in Bihar was conducted in two phases on November 6 and November 11 and the results were declared on November 14The NDA secured a resounding victory winning 202 of the 243 Assembly seatsBJP won 89 seats JDU won 85 seats LJP Ram Vilas led by Chirag Paswan won 19 seats Hindustani Awam Morcha HAM led by Jitan Ram Manjhi won five seats and Rashtriya Lok Morcha led by Upendra Kushwaha won four seatsThe results proved to be a major setback for the Grand Alliance which was reduced to just 35 seats Of these RJD won 25 seats Congress won six seats CPIML secured two seats the Indian Inclusive Party IIP and CPIM won one seat eachOutside the two major alliances All India MajliseIteehadul Muslimeen won five seats while the Bahujan Samaj Party secured one seatWith this sweeping mandate Nitish Kumar returned to power once again as Chief Minister of Bihar reinforcing NDA unity and marking one of the most decisive victories in the states recent political history IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-bihar-polls-marked-by-sir-row-nda-unity-amp-opposition-discord-656109.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/draft-notification-on-minimum-wages-for-pvt-hospital-staff-within-a-month-kerala-minister-656116.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 29 The Kerala government will issue a draft notification revising the minimum wages of employees in the private hospital sector within a month State Labour and Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Monday signalling a decisive move to ensure wage security for thousands of healthcare workers across the state Chairing a review meeting on the issue the Minister said officials of the Labour Department have been directed to complete all formalities for issuing the draft notification under the Minimum Wages Act 1948The proposed revision is aimed at protecting the interests of nearly 113 lakh employees working in around 2200 private hospitals across KeralaSivankutty said the move had become necessary as most private hospitals are currently paying wages based on the 2013 minimum wage notification after the Kerala High Court struck down the 2018 notificationThe continuation of outdated wage rates he said has adversely affected the livelihood security of healthcare workers at a time when the cost of living has risen sharplyTo address the issue a Minimum Wages Committee headed by the Labour Commissioner held multiple rounds of discussions between December 2023 and May 2025However the Minister said no consensus could be reached due to what the government described as the uncooperative stance of representatives of private hospital managementsWhile management representatives proposed only a marginal increase over the 2013 wage rates the Labour Department recommended a 60 per cent hike based on the same notificationThe proposal was welcomed by trade unions but rejected by management representativesSivankutty pointed out that even a meeting of the Industrial Relations Committee convened on December 27 2025 under his chairmanship failed to make any progress as management representatives stayed awayThe government he said was of the firm view that the wage structure suggested by hospital managements was inadequate to meet the basic living requirements of workers and their families in the present economic climateâIn these circumstances the government has decided to proceed under Section 51b of the Minimum Wages Act 1948â Sivankutty said adding that the department secretary had been given clear instructions to publish the draft notification in the official gazette within a monthThe Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring fair periodic and sustainable wages for workers and would take all necessary steps to safeguard the rights of employees in the private healthcare sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/draft-notification-on-minimum-wages-for-pvt-hospital-staff-within-a-month-kerala-minister-656116.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-chandrababu-naidu-jagan-condole-demise-of-eminent-islamic-scholar-656121.html Amaravati Dec 29 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have expressed grief over the demise of eminent Islamic scholar Maulana Mufti Abdul Wahab The Chief Minister took to X to pay his tributes to Mufti Abdul Wahab who passed away on SundayI am deeply shocked to learn that the renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Islamic jurist and esteemed guide to society Hazrat Maulana Mufti Abdul Wahab Saheb Qasimi Rashadi from Nellore has departed from us He dedicated over 60 years of his life to Islamic education teaching the Qurâan and Hadith and serving Jamia NoorulHuda Madrasa he postedHe noted that for 50 years Mufti Abdul Wahab served as the President of the Andhra Pradesh State TabligheJamaat and from 2008 onward as the honorary President of the Andhra Pradesh State JamiatulUlama He attained mastery in Arabic literature Fiqh Hadith and other Islamic sciences A jurist of complete understanding in numerous Islamic educational fields he devoted himself to religious and social services I pray to the Almighty that his soul finds eternal peace he addedLaw and Minorities Welfare Minister NMD Farooq also condoled the passing away of the prominent Islamic scholar recalling Mufti Abdul Wahabs distinguished services in the fields of Islamic religion and education and his valuable teachings that contributed to the development of society He stated that the death of Abdul Wahab who trained many people across the state with discipline and moral values is an irreparable loss to the Muslim communityExpressing his condolences he said that he prayed to Allah to grant him a high place in heaven and to give strength to his family membersYSRCP President and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed deep grief over the passing away of eminent Islamic scholar and spiritual leaderIn a condolence message he said the death of Maulana Abdul Wahab is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community and the field of Islamic spiritual service He noted that the Maulana had been unwell for some time and breathed his last on Sunday evening in NelloreMaulana Abdul Wahab was a highly respected Islamic scholar and jurist who dedicated more than six decades to Islamic education and the teaching of the Quran and Hadith He served for many years at Jamia Noorul Huda Madrasa and played a key role in shaping thousands of students Jagan Mohan Reddy saidHe also pointed out that the Maulana served as the state president of Tablighi Jamaat for nearly 50 years and later as the honorary president of the State JamiatulUlama from 2008 Remembering him as the first Mufti of Nellore district he said his services to Islam and education will always be rememberedHe conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family followers and students and prayed for strength for them to bear the loss IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-chandrababu-naidu-jagan-condole-demise-of-eminent-islamic-scholar-656121.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/chhattisgarh-govt-employees-on-three-day-strike-656122.html Raipur Chhattisgarh Dec 29 Around 450000 government employees across Chhattisgarh began a threeday statewide strike on Monday under the banner of the Chhattisgarh Employees and Officers Federation pressing for the fulfilment of their 11pronged charter of demands The protest described as a complete work stoppage and pendown agitation will continue until December 31 and is expected to disrupt administrative functions at the block and district levels throughout the state Federation leaders have warned that if the demands remain unaddressed after this phase a more intense movement will followThe strike comes after previous representations to the government including memorandums submitted earlier in the year went unanswered on key issues affecting employees and pensioners Central to the demands is the implementation of dearness allowance and dearness relief at par with central government rates from the due date in line with what employees term as Prime Minister Narendra Modis guaranteesThey also seek adjustment of pending dearness allowance arrears since 2019 into employees general provident fund accounts Another major grievance involves making public the report of the Pingua Committee formed to resolve pay anomalies affecting various cadres such as teachers clerks health department staff and women and child development employeesThe federation is calling for a fourtier timebound promotional pay scale after 8 16 24 and 32 years of service Assistant teachers and assistant veterinary officers should receive a threetier scale while urban local body employees demand regular monthly salaries and timebound promotionsOther points include introducing cashless medical facilities similar to those in other BJPruled states issuing permanent orders for unconditional compassionate appointments without the current 10 per cent ceiling and extending them to all direct recruitment posts and increasing earned leave encashment to 300 days on the lines of Madhya PradeshEmployees further want all service benefits calculated from the date of first appointment regularisation of Panchayat Secretaries raising the retirement age to 65 years due to staffing shortages and permanent regularisation of workcharged irregular daily wage and contractual staffAs offices remained largely empty on the first day routine government work ground to a halt in many departmentsThe federation has been conducting outreach campaigns to mobilise support emphasising that the agitation is aimed at securing longpending rights and benefits for the states workforce The government has yet to respond officially to the ongoing strike IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/chhattisgarh-govt-employees-on-three-day-strike-656122.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pmk-leader-dr-ramadoss-says-alliance-decision-soon-launches-sharp-attack-on-son-anbumani-656126.html Chennai Dec 29 The Pattali Makkal Katchi PMK witnessed high political drama on Monday as party founder Dr S Ramadoss announced that a crucial decision on the partyâs electoral alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections would be taken soon while launching a scathing attack on his son and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss amid deepening internal rifts Addressing party cadres after PMKâs Executive Committee meeting Ramadoss said 27 resolutions were adopted during the session as he noted that the yearend meeting traditionally serves as a platform to assess the partyâs direction and future course The discussions reflected the true sentiments of the cadre Everyone spoke openly about how the party should move forward he said Referring to mounting curiosity over the partyâs alliance strategy for the upcoming elections Ramadoss said the responsibility of taking that decision rested with him You have given me that responsibility I will take a decision that ensures victory We will form a strong and successful alliance and we will secure the 105 per cent reservation that our people have been fighting for he asserted The veteran leader grew emotional while speaking about internal divisions within the party The very person whom I nurtured guided and trusted has turned against meâ he said referring to his son Anbumani Ramadoss Recounting a deeply personal moment Ramadoss said he once dreamt of his late mother asking him why he was crying I told her that the one I raised is now hurting me he said visibly moved He alleged that certain sections within the party were deliberately undermining senior leaders including veteran leader GK Mani I have worked for decades to build this movement Yet today I am being attacked from within he said Asserting his authority Ramadoss claimed overwhelming support from the party cadre Ninetyfive per cent of the workers are with me A small group may hold flashy meetings and spend money but the people will give them their answer in the election he said In conclusion Ramadoss reiterated his resolve to lead the party forward The people of Tamil Nadu are my family I will not betray their trust The final decision will be taken in their interest he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pmk-leader-dr-ramadoss-says-alliance-decision-soon-launches-sharp-attack-on-son-anbumani-656126.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-stalin-names-coimbatore-flyover-after-bharat-ratna-c-subramaniam-655899.html Chennai Dec 28 Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday announced that the highlevel flyover connecting Aathupalam and Ukkadam Junction on Oppanakara Road in Coimbatore will be named the C Subramaniam paying tribute to one of Indias most respected national leaders and the architect of the Green Revolution Making the announcement the Chief Minister said that honouring leaders who transcended political differences and devoted their lives to the nation was a meaningful gesture of respectHe noted that C Subramaniam earned the admiration of people across the country through his visionary leadership commitment to public welfare and unmatched contribution to Indias agricultural transformationCM Stalin said the decision was taken in response to a request by Dr PK Krishnaraj Vanavarayar and expressed happiness in dedicating a major infrastructure project in Coimbatore to a leader who played a decisive role in shaping modern IndiaThough he followed a different political path his service to the nation and the people remains exemplary It is an honour to commemorate such a towering personality the Chief Minister saidC Subramaniam widely regarded as the architect of Indias Green Revolution was instrumental in transforming the country from a fooddeficient nation into a selfreliant agricultural powerHis visionary policies laid the foundation for increased food grain production and national food securityBorn on February 15 1910 in Senguttai Palayam near Pollachi in Coimbatore district Subramaniam had a long and distinguished public careerHe served as Union Minister for Agriculture Finance and Defence and later as Governor of MaharashtraHe also represented the people in both the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the ParliamentA freedom fighter who actively participated in the Quit India Movement Subramaniam was imprisoned in 1942 for his role in the struggle against British ruleIn recognition of his immense contribution to the nation he was awarded the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian honour in 1998By naming the flyover after C Subramaniam the Tamil Nadu government has paid tribute to a visionary leader whose legacy continues to inspire generations and whose work remains deeply embedded in the nations progress IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-stalin-names-coimbatore-flyover-after-bharat-ratna-c-subramaniam-655899.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 12:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-bjp-attacks-dmk-over-criminal-negligence-after-water-contamination-deaths-in-tiruttani-655904.html Chennai Dec 28 A deadly water contamination incident in Karlambakkam village near Tiruttani Tamil Nadu has triggered a fierce political backlash with BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad accusing the DMK government of âcriminal negligenceâ and administrative collapse The incident which claimed the lives of two residents and left several others hospitalised has once again brought Tamil Naduâs drinking water safety and governance standards under scrutinyThe victims Ezhumalai 65 and Sudha 50 both from Scheduled Caste families reportedly consumed drinking water supplied by the local panchayat that was contaminated with sewage More than ten others suffered severe vomiting and diarrhoea forcing their admission to nearby hospitalsAngered villagers staged road blockades demanding accountability and immediate actionIn a strongly worded statement ANS Prasad said the tragedy exposed the âhollowness of the Dravidian Modelâ and accused the DMK government of failing to ensure even the most basic public service safe drinking waterâThis is not an accident but a consequence of administrative negligence When governance collapses the poor pay with their livesâ he saidPrasad pointed out that the Centreâs Jal Jeevan Mission has invested heavily in Tamil Nadu with official figures showing over 89 per cent rural household tap coverage as of November 2025âDespite receiving thousands of crores in central assistance how are Scheduled Caste families still dying after consuming contaminated waterâ he asked demanding answers from Chief Minister MK StalinCalling for immediate action the BJP leader demanded the suspension of the Tiruvallur District Collector and a highlevel judicial probe into the incidentHe also urged the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to take suo motu cognisance of the deathsPrasad further criticised DMKâs allies accusing them of remaining silent despite projecting themselves as champions of social justiceâTheir silence in the face of such suffering exposes the hypocrisy of their politicsâ he saidAs investigations continue residents of Karlambakkam await accountability and assurance that access to safe drinking water a basic human right will no longer be denied to them IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-bjp-attacks-dmk-over-criminal-negligence-after-water-contamination-deaths-in-tiruttani-655904.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-assembly-may-see-heated-debates-over-irrigation-river-water-sharing-655911.html Hyderabad Dec 28 The Telangana Legislative Assembly session beginning Monday is likely to be a stormy one with heated debates on irrigation and river watersharing disputes The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS is gearing up to corner the Congress government over the PalamuruRangareddy irrigation project and the sharing of Godavari and Krishna river waters while the ruling party is preparing for a counterattackThe session is being held amid the ongoing bitter war of words between the two parties over the river water issuesBRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR recently announced that he would launch a mass movement over the Congress governments failure to complete the longpending PalamuruRangareddy Lift Irrigation ProjectMaking a public appearance after a long time KCR accused the Congress government of failing to protect the states interestsAddressing a press conference on December 21 accused both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP of betraying Telanganas interests He alleged that the Congress government had compromised the States rightful share of Krishna river water in the PalamuruRangareddy ProjectChief Minister A Revanth Reddy has hit back at KCR blaming him for the injustice in Telangana in the sharing of Godavari and Krishna waters due to policies adopted by the BRS government for nearly 10 yearsHe claimed that Telanganas rights were handed over to Andhra Pradesh by KCR during the BRS regimeRevanth Reddy has once again challenged KCR to attend the session and participate in the debate on irrigation projects and river water disputesThe Chief Minister repeatedly slammed KCR for staying away from Assembly sessionsWhy is KCR running away from the Assembly asked Revanth ReddyKCR the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly briefly attended the sessions in July 2024 and March 2025 but stayed away from participating in any debatesThe seventh session of the Legislative Assembly will begin on Monday The House will adjourn for a threeday New Year break and resume sittings on January 2The sessions were also likely to witness heated debates on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project and the controversial phone tapping and Formula E car race casesThe Congress government has already decided to hand over the case to the CBI related to alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project built by the BRS government The ruling party has been targeting the BJPled government at the Centre for the delay in the CBI taking up the investigationThe phone tapping case has also entered a crucial stage with the government constituting a fresh Special Investigation Team SIT under the supervision of Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar and questioning of former Special Intelligence Bureau SIB chief Prabhakar Rao who is the prime accused in the caseThe session assumes significance in view of reports that SIT is planning to summon KCR his son K T Rama Rao KTR and nephew T Harish Rao both former ministers in the phone tapping caseThe previous BRS government had allegedly created a special team in SIB to tap phones of opposition leaders rebels within BRS officials journalists celebrities and even judgesGovernor Jishnu Dev Varma recently permitted the AntiCorruption Bureau ACB to prosecute KTR in the Formula E car race IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-assembly-may-see-heated-debates-over-irrigation-river-water-sharing-655911.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-govt-selling-industrial-land-worth-rs-5-lakh-crore-ktr-655916.html Hyderabad Dec 28 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president KT Rama Rao reiterated that the Congress government in Telangana is selling away 9300 acres of industrial land worth almost Rs 5 lakh crore âThe Congress Govt in Telangana is indulging in not just sale of one chunk of industrial land but 9300 acres of land worth almost 5 Lakh croresâ Rama Rao posted on âXâ while reacting to an X post by Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram about Infosys selling its prime land in Attibele in Karnataka to Puravankara for Rs 250 croreChidambaran wrote that if the land was given at a concession for a specific purpose and the land wasnt utilised for that purpose Infosys has no right to sell it for a commercial rate today âReturn the land amp proceeds to the Government of Karnatakaâ he postedReacting to this the BRS leader reiterated his allegation that the Congress government in Telangana is selling industrial land worth Rs 5 lakh croreâThese prime lands were given by Govt at a concession for a specific purpose employment generation Our demand is also the same They have no right to sell the land and make money for their kith amp kinâ wrote KTRâReturn the land to the Govt and put it to effective use for the benefit of people of Hyderabad and Telangana We need land for schools hospitals housing for poor parks bus stands and parkingâ added the former ministerEarlier this month KTR alleged that the Congress government in Telangana is committing a huge land scam of Rs 5 lakh crore in the name of the Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation PolicyHe claimed that the lands that were once given by the government to industries to create jobs for people are now being given to private individualsThe BRS leader alleged that the government is giving industrial lands to build apartments villas and commercial complexes as it does not want industriesKTR claimed that while the market price for these lands is Rs one lakh per square yard the government is handing them to private individuals for just Rs 4000He urged the real estate developers not to get cheated with the sale offer by the government and warned that once BRS returns to power it would take back these lands IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/telangana-govt-selling-industrial-land-worth-rs-5-lakh-crore-ktr-655916.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-police-detain-humayun-kabirs-son-for-assaulting-pso-655924.html Murshidabad Dec 28 West Bengal Police on Sunday detained Ghulam Nabi Azad also known as Robin the son of Janata Unnayan Party JUP founder Humayun Kabir for allegedly assaulting Kabirs Personal Security Officer PSO Humayun Kabir a suspended Trinamool Congress leader and Bharatpur MLA who had earlier sparked controversy by announcing plans to construct a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad once again found himself in the spotlight after his PSO Constable Jumma Khan lodged a complaint at the Saktipur Police Station accusing Robin of assaultAccording to the complaint the incident took place on Saturday morning at Kabirs groundfloor office located in the Shaktipur Police Station area Khan alleged that he was beaten by Robin after he requested leave from duty He further stated that several people were present at the spot when the assault took placeFollowing the complaint a police team from Saktipur police station reached Humayun Kabirs residence for questioningThe police subsequently detained RobinOfficials said the entire matter is under investigation and that further action will be taken after examining all aspects of the caseFurther details are awaitedHumayun Kabir has already been in the news for his controversial claim of constructing a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad which drew sharp reactions across political linesHe had laid the foundation stone for the proposed mosque on December 6 the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition triggering widespread backlash In the wake of these developments the Trinamool Congress suspended him from the partySubsequently Kabir floated his own political outfit the Janata Unnayan Party and announced plans to contest 182 seats in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly electionsHe has also indicated his willingness to explore an alliance with Asaduddin Owaisis AIMIM and Naushad Siddiquis Indian Secular FrontEarlier on Sunday Humayun Kabir speaking to IANS said he would respond firmly if anyone attempted to incite trouble over his vision of building a Babri Masjid in MurshidabadStressing that he was not intimidated by opposition Kabir claimed that Murshidabad has a 72 per cent Muslim population unlike Ayodhya where according to him only a small number of community members reside On that basis he questioned the resistance to his proposal to construct the Babri Masjid in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-police-detain-humayun-kabirs-son-for-assaulting-pso-655924.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 15:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/mann-ki-baat-reveals-how-blurred-photos-in-french-museum-brought-forgotten-buddhist-ruins-in-jampk-village-to-life--655928.html Srinagar Dec 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modis âMann Ki Baatâ on Sunday brought into sharp focus the rich and vibrant heritage and archaeological wealth of Kashmir PM Modi spoke of ancient Buddhist ruins at Zehanpora village in Baramulla district where the famous Kushanperiod Buddhist ruins the Zehanpora mounds were discoveredThis significant archaeological site is believed to be remnants of a large ancient Buddhist complex from the Kushan period with excavations revealing stupas walls pottery and artefacts highlighting a flourishing Buddhist centre in ancient Kashmir and offering crucial insights into the regions cultural and religious heritagePM Modi spoke of blurred photographs in a French museum which brought the Zehanpora mounds into the worlds focusThe mounds are identified as a significant early historic Buddhist site potentially dating back 2000 years Discoveries include multiple stupas ancient walls terracotta art like Gandharastyle heads pottery and copper artefactsThe finds point to a major Buddhist centre during the Kushan dynasty 1st3rd centuries CE a period when Buddhism thrived in Kashmir This excavation provides a new understanding of Kashmirs rich past connecting to historical accounts by Chinese monks like Xuanzang who visited similar sites like Ushkur HushkapurThe discovery followed extensive surveys using drones and groundpenetrating radar to identify the mounds before excavationThe site is located near Zehanpora in the Baramulla district Zehanpora mounds are a major archaeological find uncovering a significant Kushanera Buddhist settlement crucial for understanding ancient Kashmirs history and Buddhist heritageDr Harmeet Singh Soodan professor and head of the political science department of Government Degree College Katra wrote in a recent article that the Zehanpora story begins not with excavation tools but with dronesâFor years locals had noticed the unusual mounds but assumed they were remnants of past settlements or simply geological features Dronebased aerial surveys changed everything The mounds revealed symmetrical circular and rectangular shapespatterns unmistakably manmade What followed was a methodical ground exploration Brick foundations emerged forming what appears to be a stupa base Adjacent sections showed monastic structures cells platforms and pathways that mirrored the layout of Buddhist monastic complexes found across the Gandhara region he saidâThe discovery was so precise that even the layering of construction matched known Kushanera patterns In an interesting twist the findings also corroborate early archaeological notes made in 1869 by colonialera explorers Their observations largely forgotten mentioned structural remnants near the area that bore resemblance to Gandhara architecture But lacking modern tools they could only speculate Today their marginalia stand vindicated Zehanpora is thus both a rediscovery and a realisation a heritage overlooked for more than a century has finally spoken Soodan wrote in the articleHe said that to understand the importance of this discovery one must place it in the larger historical canvas of the Kushan Empire Between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE the Kushans ruled a vast territory stretching from Central Asia to northern India They were among the greatest patrons of Buddhism nurturing its institutions and facilitating its spread along the Silk Routes One of the most influential Kushan rulers was Emperor Huvishka who is believed to have shifted part of his administrative and religious activity to KashmirâAncient coins inscriptions and historical accounts point repeatedly to a royal centre named Huvishkapura whose location has long remained a mystery Scholars have proposed several sites but none have been definitively proven Could Zehanpora be part of this elusive capitalâs landscape The evidence is suggestive The sheer scale of the structures their chronological placement and their artistic affiliations align with the Kushan architectural footprint The presence of stupasmonumental symbols of Buddhist patronageadds weight to the idea that Kushan influence here was not peripheral but central Soodan said in his articleâIf Zehanpora was not the capital itself it might well have been a satellite settlement a monastic extension or a spiritual hub within the capitalâs broader domain What is certain is that this discovery strengthens Kashmirâs position in the history of early Buddhism revealing a valley deeply engaged with the currents of Kushanera culture politics and spirituality he saidKashmirâs historical connection to Gandhara is often referenced in texts the Nilamata Purana is an ancient Sanskrit text which gives us detailed information about the pilgrimage spots rituals and ceremonies observed by people of KashmirThis text provides information about the origin of Kashmir The details obtained from the Nilamata Purana help us to reconstruct the social and religious history of ancient Kashmir but the visible archaeological evidence within the Valley has been comparatively limited Zehanpora changes that notion alsoThe architectural features uncovered so farcircular stupa bases brick patterns rectilinear monastic cellsmirror those found in key Gandharan sites such as Swat Taxila and TakhtiBahiAdditionally the siteâs strategic location would have placed it directly along ancient routes linking Srinagar to Gandhara via Baramulla and onwards to the passes of the northwest This route was not merely a road It was a cultural arteryMonks traders sculptors and pilgrims traversed it carrying ideas and images that helped shape the Buddhist world Zehanpora in this light was not an isolated communityâIt was a part of a thriving exchange systema place where ideas blossomed where teachers debated and where scriptures may have been copied translated or composed For Kashmir the discovery is a reaffirmation of its historical role as a meeting point of civilisations not just a frontier zoneWhat makes the Zehanpora discovery profoundly meaningful is not simply its age or its architectural value or even its link to the Kushans It is a reminder that Kashmirâs story is not onedimensional It is a tapestry woven from diverse civilisational threads Hindu Buddhist Islamic Persian Central Asian and local Himalayan For too long the valleyâs early Buddhist period has been overshadowed by later chapters This discovery reopens that chapter with clarity and urgency Professor Soodan said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/mann-ki-baat-reveals-how-blurred-photos-in-french-museum-brought-forgotten-buddhist-ruins-in-jampk-village-to-life--655928.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/trinamool-leader-humayun-kabirs-son-detained-for-assaulting-security-guard-655929.html Kolkata Dec 28 Bharatpur MLA and suspended Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabirs son Ghulam Nabi Azad was detained on charges of assaulting the leaders security guard in West Bengal on Sunday The police went to Kabirs residence in Murshidabad districts Shaktipur and detained AzadFollowing the development Kabir went to the Shaktipur police station to mark his protest and threatened to gherao the office of Murshidabad Superintendent of Police on ThursdayAccording to local sources Kabir was holding a meeting with party workers at his office when a state police constable in charge of the leaders security asked for leaveAs Humayun refused to grant the constable leave an argument ensued between the two At that point Azad alias Sohel arrived at the office and assaulted the security guard who also retaliatedAfter that the constable went straight to the police station and filed a written complaintFollowing this officers from Shaktipur police station went to Kabirs residence and detained his son Kabir was not at home when the police went to his residence the sources saidLater Kabir alleged that his security guard all of a sudden barged into his office and asked for leaveWhy did the security guard enter my office and for what purpose My son thrashed him and pushed him outside the office The security guard also assaulted my son He was asking for leave all of a sudden But my question is what was the need to enter my office for this They police went to my house and detained my son I am going to the Shaktipur police station to talk to the police said KabirThe police should not act vindictively I will wait If the police do anything at my house if they behave indecently with my son wife or daughterinlaw I will announce within two hours that from 12 pm on Thursday I will gherao the office and demand answers I will bring Berhampur to a standstill Let them try to stop me he addedHowever a senior officer of Murshidabad district police said The constable did not ask for leave An investigation is underway into the incident of assaulting a police officer on dutyReacting to the development Trinamool Congress spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said He Kabir himself has admitted that his son assaulted the security guard If someone assaults a police officer the police will naturally take action He cannot even keep his own partys candidate in line nor can he control his security guardNotably Kabir was suspended from the Trinamool Congress for antiparty activitiesFollowing this he formed JUP and vowed to contest the West Bengal Assembly polls However his son Ghulam is still with the Trinamool Congress He is the chairman of the Public Works Committee of the BeldangaII Panchayat Samiti blocklevel council for the Trinamool Congress IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/trinamool-leader-humayun-kabirs-son-detained-for-assaulting-security-guard-655929.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-police-issue-public-warning-about-fake-social-media-ads-using-cms-photo-655931.html Kolkata Dec 28 The West Bengal Police on Sunday warned people that fake government loan advertisements using Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees name and photographs are being circulated on social media In a public advisory the state police said anyone who falls for this trap could lose thousands of rupees Using its official X handle West Bengal Police identified this online scam and provided information on what to look out for to avoid falling into the trap and what to do if they become a victimIt has come to the notice of West Bengal Police that fraudsters are circulating misleading advertisements and socialmedia content falsely using the name and photograph of Mamata Banerjee Honâble Chief Minister of West Bengal to lure people by offering Instant loans Loans without CIBIL score Governmentapproved financial schemes and Guaranteed loans with no verification said the state policeThe police clarified that no such loan scheme has been announced endorsed or approved by the Chief Minister or the West Bengal governmentThese advertisements are completely fake and fraudulent The use of the Honâble Chief Ministerâs name or image is unauthorised and illegal it saidAccording to the advisory fraudsters typically circulate FacebookInstagramWhatsApp ads or reels redirect users to fake apps websites or WhatsApp numbers ask for personal details Aadhaar PAN OTP bank details demand processing fees or advance payments and disappear after receiving money or misuse the victimâs identityThe police advised people not to trust loan offers claiming No CIBIL Instant approval or Government backed on social media Not click on suspicious links or install unknown loan apps not share OTPs bank details or identity documents and verify loan offers only through authorised banks NBFCs or official government websites it saidThe police also warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone misusing the Chief Ministerâs name or image to run such advertisementsDo not respond or make any payment report immediately to cyber Crime Helpline 1930 cybercrimegovin and preserve screenshots links phone numbers and transaction details for investigation Strict legal action will be taken against persons involved in impersonation cheating cyber fraud misuse of public authority names and images it further said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bengal-police-issue-public-warning-about-fake-social-media-ads-using-cms-photo-655931.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ratan-tata-reshaped-indian-enterprise-with-integrity-hm-amit-shah-655932.html New Delhi Dec 28 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation on Sunday paid tributes to Ratan Tata on his 88th birth anniversary crediting him for reshaping Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion In a post on X HM Shah said âTributes to Ratan Tata Ji on his Jayanti who reshaped Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion From building indigenous industry to selfless philanthropy he showed that true success lies in service to the nation His legacy will inspire a selfreliant BharatâEarlier HM Shahâs Cabinet colleague and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal remembered Ratan Tata saying that the institutions he nurtured and the values he championed continue to guide generationsBorn December 28 1937 in Mumbai Ratan Tata led the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012 and briefly until 2017 turning it into a global institutionRatan Tata who passed away on October 9 2024 was not just a business leader but a symbol of ethical leadershipâOn his Jayanti I fondly remember Shri Ratan Tata ji with deep admiration and respect His leadership seamlessly blended innovation with compassion redefining the role of Indian enterprise in national developmentâ Goyal said in an X postâThe institutions he nurtured and the values he championed continue to guide generationsâ the minister addedUnion Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that leadership is not about being in charge it is about taking care of those in your chargeâRemembering Ratan Tata on his birth anniversary His life of integrity humility and compassion along with his extraordinary commitment to philanthropy and nationbuilding set a benchmark for ethical leadershipâ Scindia posted on XDelhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid tributes to Ratan Tata âOn the birth anniversary of Shri Ratan Tata ji the pride of the Indian industrial world honoured with the Padma Vibhushan I offer my humble respectsâ she wrote on XâThrough his visionary leadership he brought global recognition to Indian industries and through his philanthropy and ethical values provided new direction to countless lives His dedication to nationbuilding will always remain memorableâ said CM Gupta on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ratan-tata-reshaped-indian-enterprise-with-integrity-hm-amit-shah-655932.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/be-prompt-in-reporting-vigilance-matters-linked-to-directors-govt-tells-public-sector-banks-655933.html New Delhi Dec 28 The Finance Ministry has directed public sector banks and financial institutions such as insurance companies to promptly report vigilancerelated matters concerning wholetime Directors on their boards The directive from the Finance Ministryâs Department of Financial Services DFS states that omission of any significant information relevant for decisions relating to appointments promotions boardlevel postings and placement of wholetime Directors is a matter of serious concern and strict compliance in such matters is expected from all public sector undertakings PSUsThe order comes in the wake of several instances of information about boardlevel appointees not being reported in time The directive points out that in many cases such critical adverse inputs like private complaints court observations references or inputs from the CBI or other law enforcement agencies are being reported only when vigilance clearance is specifically sought from the Chief Vigilance Officers CVO of PSUs at the time of promotion or appointmentThe advisory issued this month points out that in certain cases even crucial information relating to whiletime Directors is omitted in the vigilance clearance formats on the ground that no specific column exists for such disclosureThe DFS has directed public sector banks and financial institutions to immediately report adverse inputs regarding boardlevel officials even though the alleged lapse pertains to any other capacity other than the boardIt has also asked them for submission of comprehensive disclosures in vigilance clearance which would include observations or directions of courts or tribunals internal committee findings audit observations of a serious nature and communications from any department or agencyCVOs must ensure that the vigilance clearance reflects the most updated and accurate status as on date of issuance and that no material should be suppressed it addedEarlier this year the government had to reverse its decision on the promotion of Union Bank of India Executive Director ED Pankaj Dwivedi to General Manager of Punjab amp Sind Bank as vigilance clearance had not been provided in the caseThe Centres decision was taken due to an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court in which it was alleged that his appointment as Executive Director of Union Bank of India violated norms as there was no vigilance clearance IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/be-prompt-in-reporting-vigilance-matters-linked-to-directors-govt-tells-public-sector-banks-655933.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sexual-misconduct-case-survivor-alleges-pressure-to-protect-filmmaker-pt-kunhummuhammed-655935.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 28 A woman film professional who has accused veteran filmmaker PT Kunhummuhammed of sexual misconduct has alleged that she is facing intense pressure from multiple quarters to withdraw her complaint and protect him The survivor has claimed that intermediaries approached her urging her to reconsider the case citing Kunhummuhammedâs age and health condition as reasons to show leniency According to the complainant the alleged incident occurred during the selection process for films at the International Film Festival of Kerala IFFK She stated that the filmmaker and former CPIM lawmaker behaved in an inappropriate and offensive manner prompting her to approach the authorities However she now alleges that instead of receiving support she has been subjected to emotional pressure and intimidation aimed at silencing her The survivor said that several individuals attempted to intervene on behalf of the accused requesting her to withdraw the complaint arguing that he is elderly and unwell I am being told repeatedly to let this go The pressure has become unbearable she said adding that she feels isolated and unsupported despite coming forward with a serious allegation She further alleged that from the very beginning the system appeared to be siding with the accused According to her the police delayed registering the case despite repeated complaints Even after I approached the authorities no action was taken for several days It was only after the issue became public through media reports that the police finally registered an FIR she said The survivor also alleged that even after the case was registered authorities deliberately allowed time for the accused to seek anticipatory bail indicating a lack of urgency and seriousness in handling the matter The Women in Cinema Collective WCC has publicly criticised the handling of the case In a statement the organisation pointed out that despite the survivor approaching the Chief Ministerâs Office no direct response or intervention was forthcoming The WCC also questioned the delay in registering the FIR stating that the police took nearly eight days to act despite having recorded the survivorâs statement The controversy has reignited discussions on institutional apathy power imbalance within the film industry and the challenges faced by survivors who come forward with allegations against influential figures Calls are growing for an impartial and timebound investigation to ensure justice is delivered without fear or favour IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sexual-misconduct-case-survivor-alleges-pressure-to-protect-filmmaker-pt-kunhummuhammed-655935.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/amid-pm-modis-praise-for-kannada-pride-bjp-calls-out-congress-high-command-culture-in-karnataka-655937.html nbspNew Delhi Dec 28 IANS The Bharatiya Janata Party BJP on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal accusing the partys high command of humiliating the Karnataka leadership and calling it an affront to the people of the statenbspnbspTaking to X BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya drew a parallel between past and present leadership styles within the Congress recalling what he described as the public humiliation of former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerendra Patil during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv GandhiFirst it was Rajiv Gandhi who publicly humiliated the towering Karnataka leader Shri Veerendra Patil Now decades later the pattern repeats with AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal lecturing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on how to run the state Malviya saidnbspIt is astonishing that a Chief Minister elected by the people of Karnataka is being publicly admonished by a party functionary sitting in Delhi If all decisions must be cleared by Rahul Gandhis coterie why have a Cabinet chosen by the people of Karnataka at all This highcommand culture is not just an insult to Karnatakas leadership it is an insult to the people of Karnataka themselves he addedThe remarks came in response to Venugopals post on X detailing his conversation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar regarding the demolition of unauthorised constructionsnbspVenugopal said he had spoken to the two leaders about the recent demolition drive in Kogilu village near Yelahanka in Bengaluru and urged them to act with compassion while keeping the human impact at the centre of the exerciseThe BJPs attack also came against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modis monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat during which he spoke at length about the importance of preserving Indias linguistic and cultural heritage and praised efforts to promote the Kannada languagenbspDuring the programme PM Modi said that the effort to remain rooted in culture is not confined to India alone and that Indians living abroad are also playing an active role in preserving their heritageCiting the example of Kannadaspeaking families living in Dubai he said The families living there asked themselves an important question Our children are moving ahead in the tech world but arent they moving away from their language This is where Kannada Pathshale was born An initiative where children are taught to read write learn and speak Kannada Today more than a thousand children are associated with it Truly Kannada Nadu Nudi Namma Hemme roughly translated as The land and language of Kannada are our prideThe political exchange has also unfolded amid the continuing tugofwar between Kannada and Hindi in Karnataka The Congressled state government has been pushing for Kannada language to be prominently displayed on shop signboards setting deadlines that have triggered controversy negative publicity and tensionnbspIn late 2025 the Chief Minister continued to criticise the Centre over what he termed Hindi imposition portraying it as an injustice to Kannada The Centre has repeatedly rejected the charge maintaining that opting for Hindi in schools is a matter of choice https://dailyworld.in/politics/amid-pm-modis-praise-for-kannada-pride-bjp-calls-out-congress-high-command-culture-in-karnataka-655937.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-blasts-manickam-tagore-over-rss-remarks-warns-of-defamation-suit-655938.html New Delhi Dec 28 BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party and its MP Manickam Tagore over his remarks against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS warning that the leader should introspect or be prepared to face a defamation suit The reaction came after Tagore responding to senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singhs praise for the RSS mounted a fierce attack on the organisation asserting that the Congress has nothing to learn from what he described as a hatedriven bodySpeaking to IANS Manickam Tagore had said The RSS is an organisation of hatred It spreads hatred breeds hatred and carries out propaganda based on hate There is nothing to learn from the RSS In the way alQaeda operates through bloodshed the RSS too does the same work inside the country spreading hatredReacting strongly to the statement BJP spokesperson RP Singh told IANS Manickam Tagore should think ten times before speaking otherwise hell have to face a defamation case laterSingh backed Digvijaya Singhs remarks praising the RSS for its organisational strength and said that unlike the Congress the BJP and RSS focus on their grassroots workersHe is correct this is possible only in the BJP where a grassroots worker can become a states chief minister and even the countrys prime minister In their party Congress there was no thinking beyond the family first it was Sonia Gandhi then Rahul Gandhi now Priyanka Gandhi and then her kids and husband Robert Vadra In their party everything works according to that specific family while in the BJP everything works according to the party workers Singh saidThe BJP spokesperson further claimed that the Congress currently has no credible leader left within its ranks and lacks any concrete policy to present before the peopleThe few issues they take up people clearly reject And today people have even started doubting Congress intentions So there is no leader no policy and their intentions are not right That is why people are rejecting them They may have a working committee they may have a foundation day but this is not the same Congress which contributed during the freedom struggle but is only focused on the greed for power Singh added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bjp-blasts-manickam-tagore-over-rss-remarks-warns-of-defamation-suit-655938.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-leads-bjp-in-remembering-arun-jaitley-on-73rd-birth-anniversary-655939.html New Delhi Dec 28 Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shah on Sunday remembered former Union Minister Arun Jaitley on his 73rd birth anniversary In a post on X Home Minister Shah said Remembering Arun Jaitley ji on his Jayanti A peerless constitutional and legal expert and an orator par excellence Jaitley ji left an indelible legacy as a parliamentarian and will be remembered for his contribution to several landmark legal issuesThe Union Minister added His dedicated role in strengthening the party with his sharp legal acumen will live on withstanding every test of timeJaitleys wife Sangeeta joined a small gathering at a park in south Delhi to pay tribute to the late Union MinisterTalking to IANS she said He used to come to this park for his daily walks and his supporters later got it named âArun Jaitley Parkâ Today is his birthday and since he loved celebrating it we are arranging tea today which he greatly enjoyedEarlier Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh paid floral tributes to the Padma Vibhushan awardee and former Union Minister who was born on December 28 1952Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also hailed Jaitleyâs contribution to nationbuilding and the nurturing of BJP leadersThe unparalleled contribution of the revered Shri Arun Jaitley ji to nationbuilding his farreaching economic vision sharp foresight and unwavering commitment to democratic values remain unforgettable she said in a post on XGupta said âHe provided Indiaâs economy with longterm stability and clear direction by laying the foundation of fiscal discipline transparency and institutional strengthening His service and dedicated approach towards the nation will forever remain a source of inspiration for generations to comeâBJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also paid glowing tributes to Jaitley âHe was a very senior leader and I shared a close and respectful relationship with him like that of an elder brother Most importantly he played a key role in bringing the NDA government to power in Biharâ Prasad told IANSâAs the National General Secretary he was in charge of Bihar and later proposed Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister in 2005 Before that he served as the Railway Minister in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeâs governmentâ he addedIn Patna Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a state ceremony on Jaitleyâs birth anniversary garlanding his statue along with several Bihar government ministers to pay tribute to the late leader IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-leads-bjp-in-remembering-arun-jaitley-on-73rd-birth-anniversary-655939.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/fairpoint-a-year-of-perfect-signals-for-rahul-gandhi-and-congress-655941.html New Delhi Dec 28 As 2025 draws to a close Rahul Gandhi finds himself confronting perhaps the most unsettling phase of his political career The Congress leader has weathered many storms before but the developments of this year carry the potential to force a serious internal reckoning within the grand old party one that strikes at the very heart of its leadership structure Rahul Gandhi may never have imagined that a routine foreign trip and his absence from a Parliament session could trigger turbulence not from political opponents but from within his own party His frequent overseas visits have long been a point of criticism but this time the consequences have gone beyond predictable BJP attacks and entered the far more dangerous territory of internal comparison and open questioningGandhi travelled to Germany on December 17 even as Parliament was in session for a threeday visit at the invitation of the Progressive Alliance a network of 117 progressive political parties worldwide Predictably the Bharatiya Janata Party accused him of engaging with elements holding an antiIndia agendaThe Congress and its allies rushed to defend him insisting that foreign travel was no crime and that global outreach was part of opposition politicsThat defence however missed the larger point Rahul Gandhis physical absence from Parliament created a political vacuum and nature especially politically oriented abhors a vacuum Into that space stepped Priyanka Gandhi Vadra inadvertentlyPriyankas presence during the Winter Session did not go unnoticed The buzz around her has always existed but this time it was sharper louder and more consequential Her conduct inside and outside Parliament sent subtle but unmistakable signals Unlike her brother she appeared relaxed approachable and politically agile in her interactions even with BJP leadersHer decision to attend the customary tea hosted by the Speaker after the session ended was particularly striking While Rahul Gandhi and several opposition leaders had earlier chosen to boycott such gatherings Priyanka participated without hesitation Images and videos of her sharing tea and laughter quickly went viral Seated next to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh alongside Speaker Om Birla and Prime Minister Narendra Modi she looked every bit the insider comfortable confident and visibleThis optics mattered And all took the necessary noticeSoon after the Congress leaders began saying the quiet part out loud Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood known to be close to Rahul Gandhi publicly described Priyanka Gandhi as a potential prime ministerial candidate and compared her to Indira GandhiIf that was not enough veteran leader Digvijaya Singh delivered a far more direct message On December 27 during a meeting of the partys Working Committee Singh shared a blackandwhite photograph of a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor near LK Advani at a public event in Gujarat reportedly from the 1996 swearingin ceremony of Shankersinh Vaghela as Chief MinisterSinghs accompanying message was unambiguous He praised the organisational strength of the RSS and BJP noting how grassroots workers could rise to occupy the highest constitutional officesThis is the power of the organisation he wrote signing off with Jai Siya RamFor a Congress leader of Singhs stature this was nothing short of a political grenade lobbed at the partys high command The message echoed the longsuppressed frustrations articulated earlier by the G23 group and later by Ghulam Nabi Azad who had openly questioned Rahul Gandhis leadership and hinted that Priyanka Gandhi might be better suited to steer the partyThat Singh chose this moment was no coincidence The Congress was simultaneously celebrating its 140th Foundation Day At the party headquarters in Delhi Mallikarjun Kharge Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi stood together smiling for the cameras and greeting workers The public display of unity however could not conceal the undercurrent of discontent Remarks like Singhs inevitably lingered in the air unspoken but deeply feltThe larger question now confronting the Congress is unavoidable Will 2025 finally force a genuine course correction Among supporters and political observers there is little disagreement that the party is in deep trouble And increasingly the blame is being laid not at the door of Mallikarjun Kharge the nominal president but squarely at Rahul Gandhi and his leadership styleElectoral failures continue to pile up The Bihar Assembly elections and the muchhyped SIR activism have exposed the partys strategic emptiness Rahul Gandhi launched the SIR campaign with dramatic rhetoric alleging massive vote chori after a fiery press conference in Delhi The campaign was meant to be backed by sustained ground mobilisation in Bihar Instead it collapsed spectacularlyThe Congress not only suffered a humiliating defeat but also contributed to a significant setback for its ally Tejashwi Yadavs RJD The Opposition now has just 35 MLAs in the state with the Congress reduced to a paltry six What was projected as a revival moment turned into another selfinflicted woundYet the most troubling aspect is not defeat it is denial There is little introspection no admission of strategic failure and no willingness to course correction Instead the leadership continues to deflect blame targeting election authorities and the ruling party while refusing to confront its own shortcomingsRahul Gandhi and his inner circle appear intent on constructing a parallel reality one where accountability is optional and electoral rejection is always someone elses fault Following the SIR debacle the party has now latched onto the MGNREGAâG RAM G issue hoping to manufacture momentumWhether this will resonate with voters remains doubtful What is clear however is that 2025 has exposed a leadership crisis that Congress can no longer ignore The question is not whether the party needs a change but whether it has the courage to confront itDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/fairpoint-a-year-of-perfect-signals-for-rahul-gandhi-and-congress-655941.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/fake-gandhi-led-congress-is-weakest-link-of-powerful-democracy-says-bjp-655942.html New Delhi Dec 28 IANS As the Congress marked its 140th Foundation Day on Sunday the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP launched a sharp attack on the grand old party accusing it of lacking internal democracy and claiming that the very building of the party is in a dilapidated statenbspDuring the Foundation Day flaghoisting ceremony at Indira Bhawan Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the Congress represents an ideology and that ideologies never die He said India emerged as the worlds largest democracy due to the contributions of great leaders from the CongressReacting to the celebrations BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told reporters The Congress is celebrating its 140th Foundation Day It is indeed ironic that a party whose very foundation is shaken and whose building is in a dilapidated state is celebrating its Foundation DayTargeting Kharge over his remarks at the ceremony Bhatia said Today the remotecontrol president of the Congress party Mallikarjun Kharge was trying to highlight what the Congress has given to the country I must tell the remotecontrol president Mallikarjun Kharge that the legacy of the Congress is Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK Partition is the legacy of the Congress Party and its incompetence The 1984 riots trying to justify the lives lost during that giving our land to China Emergency all these are part of the legacy of CongressThe BJP spokesperson also referred to recent remarks by senior Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shashi Tharoor which he said did not align with the partys official line He accused what he described as the fake Gandhis of running the party in a dictatorial styleCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge is completely helpless All he does is serve the fake Gandhi parivar Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi without even caring about the country or its people Just yesterday senior Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shashi Tharoor also spoke about the lack of internal democracy in the Congress Party Mallikarjun Kharge is also aware of that but he is so helpless He cant even speak a word about the dictatorial style of the fake Gandhis within the Congress party Bhatia saidHe went on to describe the Congress as the weakest link of a powerful democracy and said the party needs serious introspectionThey should be connected to the masses in India and take forward the vision of Viksit Bharat that PM Narendra Modi has envisioned and is also implementing on the ground Therefore there is no foundation left for a foundationless Congress party which is celebrating its Foundation Day Bhatia added https://dailyworld.in/politics/fake-gandhi-led-congress-is-weakest-link-of-powerful-democracy-says-bjp-655942.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistan-rights-groups-lawyers-express-concern-over-enforced-disappearances-of-baloch-women-655946.html Quetta Dec 28 Rights groups activists lawyers and student organisations have expressed concern over rising cases of enforced disappearances of Baloch women warning that cases reported in recent months showcase a troubling phase in the human rights crisis of Pakistans Balochistan a report has stated The Baloch Students Organisation BSO Azad termed rising enforced disappearances of Baloch women by Pakistani agencies as the most brutal form of Baloch genocide adding that the silence of international human rights groups was deeply alarming The Balochistan Post reportedIn its statement BSO Azad said that the violation of Baloch traditions the sexual violence against women and the forced abduction of women as a form of collective punishment were intolerable The organisation stressed that women faced torture fabricated charges and public humiliation through media trials while elderly and ill women were being thrown into torture cellsThe group termed the disappearance of Baloch women a deliberate effort to intimidate people silence activists and suppress resistance It warned that Pakistan wanted to normalise abuses against Baloch women to avoid scrutiny and urged international institutions to hold the state accountable and called on people of Balochistan to adopt strong resistance to ensure that women can live a safe and dignified life free from oppression and violenceThe Makran High Court Bar Association termed what it called the abductionstyle arrests of Baloch women as the worst atrocity in history warning that Balochistan was passing through the most delicate phase in its history The Bar Association stated women were being disappeared after young men were primarily targeted for years terming the pattern a violation of human rights and a violation of the ConstitutionBaloch Yakjehti Committee BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch stated that new cases of enforced disappearances were being reported in which women were taken from their homes in front of their families without warrants and without any charges adding that what was once unimaginable has now become normalisedBaloch stated that enforced disappearances of underage girls pregnant women and young mothers demonstrated that no one is safe anymore in the face of state violence She stated that cases of enforced disappearances showcased a systematic way to terrorise society silence dissent and punish families She urged people to raise their voices and support efforts demanding the safe recovery of Baloch womenThe Human Rights Council of Balochistan HRCB expressed concern over what it termed as rising cases of enforced disappearances of Baloch women In its statement HRCB stated that cases of enforced disappearances showcased a dangerous expansion of a practice that had already become normalised through years of disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch men The group stated that actions violated Pakistans constitution and the countrys obligations under international human rights treaties and demanded the recovery of all disappeared women and an end to enforced disappearanceOn Tuesday several Baloch families held a protest in Kech district against the enforced disappearance of four members of the same family by Pakistani forces According to the BYC the victims two women and two men identified as Fareed Ijaz Mujahid Dilwash Hani Dilwash and HairNisa Wahid were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani agencies The rights body stated that their families have taken to the streets of Tejaban village in Kech demanding the safe return of their loved onesTheir protest is peaceful yet their voices are being ignored and no clear information has been given about where the missing family members are being held The families say they will not end their protest until all four are safely recovered They are calling on the people of Tejaban and nearby areas to stand with them and speak out against enforced disappearances a practice that has torn apart countless families across Balochistan the BYC posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pakistan-rights-groups-lawyers-express-concern-over-enforced-disappearances-of-baloch-women-655946.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-inaugurates-rs-330-crore-civic-projects-in-ahmedabad-western-trunk-main-drainage-project-unveiled-655947.html Ahmedabad Dec 28 IANS Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 330 crore undertaken by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC marking a significant milestone in the citys urban infrastructure journeynbspThe event was held in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and included the unveiling of Lord Ganeshs idol and the distribution of land ownership certificates sanads to rehabilitated residents of New Vanjar villagenbspA key highlight of the programme was the inauguration of the Western Trunk Main Line project a longawaited drainage initiative of critical importance to the western and southwestern parts of AhmedabadThe project is expected to provide a permanent solution to sewage overflow and wastewater management issues faced by nearly 15 lakh residents across multiple localitiesnbspAddressing the gathering HM Shah described the event as small in scale but deeply significantnbspRecalling the 1973 Sabarmati floods which devastated the lives of several families he noted that after nearly five decades 173 affected families have finally received legal ownership of their residential plotsnbspWhile the number may appear small in a city the size of Ahmedabad for these families this moment is historic and emotionally profound he saidThe Union Minister congratulated local MLA Amitbhai Thakar the Mayor of Ahmedabad and the Municipal Commissioner for taking a sensitive and decisive step to resolve an issue pending for over 50 yearsnbspHe said the resolution of such longstanding problems reflects the spirit of compassionate and responsive governancenbspHM Shah highlighted that for years nearly 15 lakh residents in western and southwestern Ahmedabad lacked a systematic drainage systemnbspRapid urbanisation between 2000 and 2005 particularly in areas stretching from Shela to Chandkheda had outpaced infrastructure developmentAs a Member of Parliament it was painful to witness sewage overflowing in several areas he remarkednbspUnder the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi urban development schemes such as AMRUT have been effectively leveraged to improve living conditions in cities he saidnbspAs part of this effort large RCC pipelines with diameters ranging from 1200 mm to 1800 mm have been laid at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 400 crorenbspThis infrastructure will benefit areas including Gota Chandlodia Science City South Bopal Bhadaj Hebatpur Thaltej BopalGhuma Bodakdev Vejalpur Sarkhej Maktampura Juhapura Fatehwadi Shantipura and Sanathal offering a longterm solution to drainagerelated issuesThe reason decadesold demands are being fulfilled with sensitivity is the politics of compassionate development envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Amit Shah saidnbspWhether or not people raise their demands identifying and resolving public issues has become the governance culture from Gujarat to the rest of the countrynbspChief Minister Patel in his address said that as 2025 draws to a close the year will be remembered as one of unprecedented development and global recognition for AhmedabadnbspHe said the state government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Shah is committed to ensuring that necessities such as food clothing and housing are accessible to every citizenEvery decision taken by Narendra Modi places the welfare of the poorest citizen at its core the Chief Minister said adding that this approach has consistently translated into improved quality of life and enhanced civic amenitiesnbspHe also noted that the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency has emerged as one of the greenest regions with initiatives such as Miyawaki forests and oxygen parks significantly increasing green covernbspReferring to the distribution of sanads to Vanjar village residents the CM said the gesture embodies the principle that a true public servant is one who understands and alleviates peoples sufferingHe informed that the urban development budget has been increased by 40 per cent to Rs 30000 crore and 2025 is being celebrated as the Year of Urban Development Looking ahead he said Ahmedabad is poised to become a hub for international sporting events and urged citizens to collectively commit to keeping the city clean beautiful and greennbspAhmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain expressed gratitude to Union Home Minister Shah also the Gandhinagar MP and Chief Minister Patel for their continued support towards strengthening urban infrastructure and civic facilities in the citynbspThe event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Narhari Amin local MLAs Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani Collector Sujit Kumar senior AMC officials other dignitaries and a large number of city residents https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-inaugurates-rs-330-crore-civic-projects-in-ahmedabad-western-trunk-main-drainage-project-unveiled-655947.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-cm-chandrababu-naidu-offers-prayers-at-ayodhya-temple-655949.html AmaravatiAyodhya Dec 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday offered prayers at Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya Taking to X Naidu shared his thoughts saying Today I was blessed to have darshan and offer prayers at the divine and magnificent Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya It was a peaceful and spiritually uplifting experience to be here once again Lord Shri Ramâs values and ideals are timeless lessons for us all May they continue to guide and inspire us alwaysOn his arrival in Ayodhya officials of the Uttar Pradesh government welcomed the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Temple officials received him at Ram MandirTemple authorities also briefed Chandrababu Naidu on various architectural and spiritual features of Ram MandirLater speaking to media persons the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said that in another two years the Ayodhya temple would emerge as a major spiritual hub of the country He said the temple would play a significant role in strengthening spiritual valuesHe stated that governance is always measured by the ideals of Ram Rajya âRam Rajya is the best way of governance That is the benchmark for any governmentâ he saidThe Chief Minister said that many people worked towards the construction of the temple following reconciliation and consensus achieved through the judicial process âI appreciate all those who contributed to building this great and historic templeâ he saidNaidu also appreciated the performance of the Uttar Pradesh government and Chief Minister Yogi AdityanathThis was Chandrababu Naiduâs first visit to the temple in his personal capacity after assuming office as Chief MinisterThe Telugu Desam Party TDP had attended the inauguration Pran Pratishtha of the temple on January 22 2024Naidu was among the few prominent nonBJP political leaders who attended the event after receiving an official invitation from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra TrustHe later joined the BJPled National Democratic Alliance NDA and contested the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the BJP and Pawan Kalyanled Jana Sena Party JSPFollowing the massive victory of the alliance in Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu became the Chief MinisterNaiduâs TDP also emerged as a key partner in the BJPled government at the Centre IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-cm-chandrababu-naidu-offers-prayers-at-ayodhya-temple-655949.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/afghan-police-arrest-eight-for-drug-production-smuggling-655950.html Kabul Dec 28 Afghan police have arrested eight individuals on charges of production and smuggling of narcotics in the northern Jawzjan province local media outlet Tolo News reported on Sunday According to the report provincial police conducted targeted operations that led to the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of a significant quantity of illicit drugs including hashish and heroin The drugs were reportedly discovered at locations linked to the detained individualsThe arrests are part of ongoing efforts by Afghan authorities to combat illegal production trafficking and distribution of narcotics across the country Xinhua News Agency reportedOn December 21 provincial police headquarters stated that Afghan counternarcotics police have destroyed a drug processing laboratory and arrested one suspect in connection with the case in the eastern Laghman provinceActing on a tipoff police carried out an operation in Mehtarlam district on December 20 where they uncovered a drug processing facility A large quantity of materials and equipment used for heroin production was seized and destroyed at the site the statement saidOn November 14 provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said that Afghan police have arrested a suspected drug smuggler and confiscated illicit narcotics during an operation in the northern Takhar provinceAccording to the official the suspect was detained while attempting to transport crystal methamphetamine and other chemicals used in heroin production to Taluqan the provincial capital where he allegedly planned to sell the materialsThe suspect has been placed in custody for further investigation the spokesman addedAfghanistan has intensified counternarcotics measures in recent years launching targeted operations against trafficking networks clandestine laboratories and illegal marketsOn November 9 provincial police spokesman Gul Mohammad Qudrat said that Afghan counternarcotics forces had confiscated 170 kg of opium poppy and apprehended two suspected smugglers in the western Nimroz provinceThe seizure took place during a targeted operation in the Zanjer Sharqi area along the ZaranjDelaram highway the official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/afghan-police-arrest-eight-for-drug-production-smuggling-655950.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-guv-anandiben-patel-visits-gujarats-thol-bird-sanctuary-reviews-migratory-bird-conservation-efforts-655952.html Mehsana Dec 28 Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Sunday visited the Thol Bird Sanctuary near Kadi in Gujarats Mehsana district where she reviewed the ecological significance of the wetland and interacted with forest officials local bird experts and visitors During the visit the Uttar Pradesh Governor observed birdwatching activities across the sanctuary and received detailed briefings from officials of the Forest Department and local ornithologists on the migratory birds that arrive at Thol every winterBird experts told Governor Patel that species such as Barheaded Geese Greylag Geese Dalmatian Pelicans Common Cranes Brahminy Ducks Ruff and Reeve migrate to Thol from distant regions including Siberia Russia Mongolia Kazakhstan and ChinaThe Governor also undertook a nature walk within the sanctuary premises along with senior officialsDuring the nature walk she interacted informally with tourists visiting the sanctuary discussing their experiences and the importance of protecting natural habitatsShe held detailed discussions with the Deputy Conservator of Forests Sakkira Begum on future initiatives aimed at strengthening conservation measures for migratory birds and enhancing biodiversity protection at TholAs part of her visit Governor Patel carried out plantation at the Thol sanctuary complex under the national Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign underscoring the importance of environmental conservation and community participation in protecting natural resourcesThol Bird Sanctuary spread over 699 hectares 699 sq km is centred around an irrigation reservoir that has evolved into a vital habitat for thousands of resident and migratory waterbirdsThe wetland serves as an important winter refuge for migratory species and has been officially declared an Important Bird AreaOn August 12 2021 the sanctuary received international recognition as a Ramsar Site acknowledging its global ecological importance as a wetlandAccording to the latest bird census as many as 55587 birds belonging to around 74 species were recorded at the sanctuaryAs of now more than 320 bird species have been documented at Thol including 78 migratory speciesThe sanctuary also provides sensitive and critical habitat for 118 bird species highlighting its role as one of Gujarats key biodiversity hotspotsSenior officials present during the visit included Deputy Conservator of Forests Sakkira Begum Assistant Conservator of Forests NM Patel District Supply Officer Biren Patel Deputy Superintendent of Police Hardik Prajapati Kadi Mamlatdar Madhavi Patel the Sarpanch of Thol village local leaders and officials and staff of the Forest DepartmentThe visit reaffirmed Gujarats commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism with Thol Bird Sanctuary continuing to play a crucial role in preserving migratory bird populations and wetland ecosystems IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/up-guv-anandiben-patel-visits-gujarats-thol-bird-sanctuary-reviews-migratory-bird-conservation-efforts-655952.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-government-destroyed-golden-telangana-claims-brs-655953.html Hyderabad Dec 28 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Sunday accused the Congress government and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of destroying a âgolden Telanganaâ built during ten years of BRS governance He said it was due to BRS policies that land values in Hyderabad had risen to as high as Rs 150 crore per acreHe also accused the Congress government of reversing the development achieved in Palamuru Mahabubnagar district and pushing it back into distress and largescale migrationAddressing a meeting of newly elected sarpanches in Nagarkurnool he said the Congress government had failed to carry forward key irrigation and development projects undoing years of progress made during the BRS regime He alleged that despite being in power for two years the Congress government had not completed even 10 per cent of the works initiated earlierâPalamuru was made green and prosperous under KCRâs leadership Today without even lifting a handful of soil the Chief Minister is indulging in irresponsible and abusive rhetoric Congress has once again turned Palamuru into a migration district by stalling projects and drying up irrigationâ said KTR as the BRS leader is popularly knownHe stated that nearly 90 per cent of the PalamuruRangareddy Lift Irrigation Project works were completed during the KCR government However after coming to power the Congress government cancelled approved tenders and crippled the project KTR also alleged that the Revanth Reddy government had compromised Telanganaâs rightful water allocations severely impacting farmersKTR announced that former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR is preparing for another phase of struggle to protect the PalamuruâRangareddy project safeguard Telanganaâs water interests and stand with farmers He said KCR would soon visit Palamuru and appealed to the people of the region to support the movementHighlighting the agrarian crisis KTR said the Congress government had replaced the âRythu Bandhuâ era with what he termed âRaBandhuâ Vulture rule He alleged that farmers were being forced to plead for urea fertiliser standing in long queues even during cold conditions âRevanth Reddy has no concern for farmers During KCRâs tenure there was never a shortage of urea and farmers received fertilisers as per their needsâ he saidKTR accused the Congress of coming to power with unrealistic promises and cheating the public after assuming office He said the Chief Minister resorted to abusive language whenever questioned about the implementation of poll promises even after completing two years in powerStating that Revanth Reddy was obsessed with criticising KCR wherever he went KTR remarked that the Chief Ministerâs frustration was evident He challenged Revanth Reddy to publicly take an oath assuring uninterrupted supply of urea to farmers and implementation of the promised Rs 4000 pension schemeReiterating that âwherever Congress is in power there is no progressâ KTR said Telangana was witnessing the same reality He expressed confidence that the Congress government had only two more years left and that BRS would return to power thereafter âOnly a KCRled government can restore development prosperity and dignity to villagesâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/congress-government-destroyed-golden-telangana-claims-brs-655953.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-chandrababu-naidu-thanks-pm-modi-for-appreciating-narsapuram-lace-craft-655956.html Amaravati Dec 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for appreciating Narsapuram lace craft The Chief Minister took to X to thank the Prime Minister who mentioned Narsapuram lace craft in his Mann Ki Baat programme on SundayThank you for your appreciation of the Narsapuram lace craft Honble Prime Minister Modi Ji Andhra Pradesh is home to many traditional arts that have been preserved by families and communities over generations One such beautiful art form is crochet lace making which originated in Narsapuram posted CM NaiduI sincerely appreciate the skill and dedication of the women who have not only preserved this art but also taken it to the world It is heartening to see their work flourish again and receive the recognition it truly deserves We will continue to cherish and support this art and empower the artisans associated with it he addedCM Naidu responded to a post by the Prime Minister This effort in Narasapuram has brought back to life the local lace craft and thus empowered several people reads the post by the Prime MinisterDuring his speech PM Modi mentioned that traditional arts not only empower society but also become a major means of economic progress for people The lace craft from Narsapuram district in Andhra Pradesh is now gaining recognition across the country This lace craft has been in the hands of women for many generations he saidThe Prime Minister noted that the women of the country have preserved the lace craft with great patience and finesse Today this tradition is being carried forward with a new look and energy The Andhra Pradesh Government and NABARD are working together to teach artisans new designs provide better skill training and connect them to new markets he saidPM Modi also mentioned that Narsapuram lace has received a GI tag Today more than 500 products are being made from it and in over 250 villages nearly one lakh women are getting employment through it he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-chandrababu-naidu-thanks-pm-modi-for-appreciating-narsapuram-lace-craft-655956.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/holistic-health-ecosystem-taking-shape-in-india-says-hm-amit-shah-655957.html Gandhinagar Dec 28 Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that India is steadily building a holistic health ecosystem with a strong emphasis on preventive care wellness and accessible healthcare for all He was speaking at the swearingin ceremony of newly elected officebearers of the Indian Medical Association IMA held in Ahmedabad Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also attended the eventAddressing doctors on the IMAâs centenary year Amit Shah said that achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat requires a healthy demography and doctors have a decisive role to play in shaping the nationâs future âThe focus of healthcare must gradually shift from illness to wellnessâ he saidHighlighting the transformation in the health sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Home Minister said initiatives such as the Swachhata Mission Fit India Movement Khelo India International Yoga Day Ayushman Bharat Yojana ABHA Mission Indradhanush promotion of generic medicines telemedicine and video counselling have laid the foundation for a peoplecentric healthcare system He noted that Rs 165 lakh crore has been allocated for strengthening health infrastructure across the countryHM Shah pointed out that Indiaâs health budget has seen a sharp riseâfrom Rs 37000 crore in 201314 to Rs 128 lakh crore todayâleading to visible and positive changes in healthcare delivery He lauded the medical fraternity for its dedicated service during the COVID19 pandemic and expressed confidence that doctors would continue to build public awareness about Ayushman Bharat and the use of affordable generic medicinesStressing the need to keep pace with changing times the Home Minister said medical ethics must also evolve He urged institutions like the IMA to take the lead in redefining medical ethics and called upon medical colleges to inculcate strong ethical values among future doctors He also sought active cooperation from IMA doctors in expanding telemedicine and video counselling services especially to reach underserved populationsCongratulating Dr Anil Nayak on assuming office as the new National President of the IMA HM Shah described him as energetic and expressed hope that the association would gain renewed momentum under his leadership not only in raising doctorsâ concerns but also in strengthening the countryâs healthcare ecosystemChief Minister Bhupendra Patel in his address said that over the past decade Indiaâs healthcare services have been significantly strengthened through advanced facilities modern infrastructure and the adoption of the latest medical technologies He noted a rapid increase in the number of AIIMS institutions medical colleges and superspeciality hospitals across the countryOn the occasion IMA Chief Patron and former President Ketan Desai congratulated the association on completing 100 years and spoke about the rapid transformation underway in the healthcare sector Dr Anil J Nayak took the oath as the National President of the IMA and in his inaugural address thanked the medical fraternity and outlined the associationâs expectations from the governmentThe book â100 Steps for a Healthy Lifeâ was released during the event and a world record certificate was also presentedThe ceremony was attended by former National President Dr Dilip Bhanushali Secretary General Sarvari Dutta and senior members including Dr Piyush Jain Dr Anil Patel and Dr Mehul Shah along with officebearers and member doctorsMore than 5000 doctors from across the country participated in the threeday national conference organised by the Indian Medical Association IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/holistic-health-ecosystem-taking-shape-in-india-says-hm-amit-shah-655957.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-manipur-edges-toward-normalcy-under-prez-rule-after-prolonged-ethnic-unrest-655958.html Imphal Dec 28 After months of prolonged ethnic violence Manipur has shown signs of a gradual return to normalcy following the promulgation of Presidents Rule nearly 11 months ago The Northeastern state has been under Presidents Rule since February 13 four days after N Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister Since then no major violent incident has been reported indicating an improvement in the law and order situationIn a bid to promote peace and development Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on September 13 and unveiled 31 development projects worth about Rs 8500 croreFrom the Peace Ground in the tribalinhabited Churachandpur district the Prime Minister laid foundation stones for 19 projects worth Rs 7300 crore and stressed that peace is essential for developmentOn the same day September 13 from the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 17 infrastructure projects worth Rs 1200 crore asserting that a Viksit Bharat would be strengthened by a Viksit ManipurThe Prime Minister described violence in Manipur as unfortunate given the states rich historical traditions of fighting injustice and called for united efforts to restore peace prosperity and development noting that Manipur had witnessed accelerated development over the past 11 yearsWithin three months of the Prime Ministers visit President Droupadi Murmu undertook a twoday visit to Manipur on December 11 and 12During President Murmus visit she participated in the 86th Nupi Lal Day observance in Imphal and laid foundation stones as well as inaugurated several development projects in Imphal and in the Naga tribalinhabited Senapati districtThe KukiZo Council KZC the apex body of the KukiZo tribals welcomed the Prime Minister as well as the Presidents visitPresident Murmu also witnessed a polo exhibition match at the historic Imphal Polo Ground Mapal Kangjeibung regarded as one of the oldest polo grounds in the world underlining the Centres focus on cultural heritage and development in the regionOn December 12 she visited the Senapati district addressed a public gathering and inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projectsThe recovery and surrender of a large cache of arms and ammunition has been a significant development during the Presidents RuleTill March 6 around 1000 looted and illegally held weapons including sophisticated arms along with large quantities of ammunition were returned to security forces following appeals by Governor Ajay Kumar BhallaOfficials estimate that more than 6000 arms and lakhs of rounds of ammunition were looted from police stations and outposts during the violence that erupted on May 3 2023Before former Chief Minister Biren Singhs resignation 3422 firearms were voluntarily surrenderedSince the imposition of Presidents Rule more than 3000 arms mostly sophisticated and more than 22000 rounds of ammunition have been surrendered or recovered by joint security forces so farBetween June 14 and July 28 alone more than 870 arms and 12820 rounds of ammunition were recovered from both valley and hill districtsJoint teams of Manipur Police Commando Army Assam Rifles Border Security Force BSF the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF and the IndoTibetan Border Police ITBP continued their search and counterinsurgency operations both in the valley and mountainous regionsA senior police official said that the Army Assam Rifles CRPF BSF Narcotics Control Bureau NCB and Manipur Police in separate joint operations have destroyed more than 1000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Manipurs mountainous districts in November and December effectively foiling an attempt to manufacture opium worth several croresThe illegal poppy cultivation was destroyed mostly in Manipurs six mountainous districts Kangpokpi Ukhrul Tamenglong Chandel Tengnoupal and SenapatiThe police official said that 1000 acres of destroyed illegal poppy cultivation had the potential to yield around 9000 kg of opium worth several hundred crores of rupeesA Defence Spokesman said the intensive operation against the unlawful poppy farming was conducted under challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions and the crackdown highlights the unwavering efforts of Assam Rifles and other forces to curb illicit narcotics cultivation and dismantle the financial networks that fuel insurgency and other antinational activitiesManipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh said that the reduction of weaponisation of society is crucial for restoring peace stressing that dialogue between communities would further help normalise the situationMeanwhile Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs held a series of meetings with civil society organisations including the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity COCOMI and the KukiZo Council KZC the apex bodies of the Meitei community and KukiZo tribal communities respectively to address the crisisA significant step was the signing of a tripartite agreement on September 4 in New Delhi between the Centre the state government and KukiZo armed groups under Suspension of Operations SoOManipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel said the governments priority remains the restoration of peace and normalcy adding that the September 4 agreement would be implemented in letter and spirit including steps such as reopening the ImphalDimapur National Highway NH2 a key lifeline of the stateThe Centre has also virtually rejected demands for the creation of a separate Union Territory with a legislature for the KukiZo communityNearly all organisations of KukiZo tribals and the apex body KukiZo Council KZC 10 tribals MLAs belonging to the KukiZo community since the ethnic violence broke out have been demanding a separate administration or a Union Territory for the tribals in ManipurTo revive public life and boost confidence the state government after twoyear break resumed major cultural and sporting events including the Shirui Lily Festival May 2024 in Ukhrul district 10day long November 21 to 30 Sangai Tourism Festival fiveday long Sangai Film Festival November 2428 and 134th edition of Durand Cup tournament Asias oldest football tournament from July 30National Socialist Council of Nagalim NSCNIM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah visited his birthplace at Somdal village in Manipurs Ukhrul district for the first time in 50 yearsDuring his weeklong stay in Manipur nonagenarian Naga leader Muivah also the Ato Kilonser Prime Minister of the NSCNIM visited the Naga tribaldominated Senapati district and addressed a public gatheringFormer Chief Minister Biren Singh has said that the law and order situation in Manipur has improved under Presidents Rule Political activity has also intensified with BJP MLAs holding meetings with Central leaders in New Delhi even as the opposition Congress criticised the move calling it a âcrash courseâ amid the ongoing crisisBiren Singh who along with other 33 MLAs recently went to Delhi on the invitation of the BJP Central leaders said that they discussed various issues of Manipur during the meeting on December 14Manipur BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also attended the crucial meeting where two senior Union BJP leaders National General Secretary Organisation BL Santhosh and the partys Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra were presentManipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh in a post on X said Instead of restoring law and order in Manipur the BJP has reduced its MLAs to students attending crash courses in Delhi on how to justify administrative failures back homeThe nontribal Meiteis account for around 53 per cent of Manipurs about 32 million population and live mostly in the valley regions while the tribal Nagas Kuki Zo and Hmar constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts which cover around 90 per cent of the geographical areas of ManipurThe ethnic violence which began on May 3 2023 left over 260 people dead around 1500 injured and more than 70000 displacedMore than 300 relief camps continue to shelter nearly 59000 displaced people across the valley and hill districtsDespite lingering challenges officials and political leaders agree that Manipur is slowly moving towards stability with sustained efforts underway to restore peace rebuild trust and revive development in the violencehit stateSujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortynegmailcom IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-manipur-edges-toward-normalcy-under-prez-rule-after-prolonged-ethnic-unrest-655958.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/bangladesh-jamaat-e-islamis-attempts-to-rebrand-itself-an-eyewash-655963.html New Delhi Dec 28 The forced ouster of the Sheikh Hasinaled Bangladesh government last year created conditions that allowed radical fundamentalist and Islamist forces to rear their heads pushing the nation towards instability and chaos Bangladesh JamaateIslami BJI a radical outfit has since worked aggressively towards its political resurgence attempting to project itself as a moderate and inclusive party while rebranding its image through antifascist rhetoric However Jamaatâs claims and proposals have only exposed its dark underbelly bringing to light its open support for radical elements and criminal groups alongside deepseated hostility towards minoritiesToday Bangladesh under the interim regime of Muhammad Yunus stands at a crossroads with citizens confronted by a stark choice between moderate voices and radical forces Despite Yunusâ repeated advocacy of peace and harmony the countryâs political trajectory continues to tilt towards Islamic radicalism with mainstream discourse increasingly marred by bigotry and vitriol elements that form the ideological core of Bangladesh JamaateIslamiWhile Jamaat has sought to shed its hardline image and present itself as a âprouprisingâ force such efforts remain an eyewash The radical outfit has been unable to abandon its violent legacy and continues to foster what observers describe as an âenvironment of hatredâ against the countryâs minoritiesThe party has also attempted to position itself as an âantifascistâ and âprouprisingâ force by equating the sacrifices of 1971 with those of 2024 while projecting the latter as Bangladeshâs âsecond and true independenceâHowever JamaateIslamiâs commitment to Shariabased governance and its disregard for constitutional or manmade laws remain well documentedâJamaat has been a strong proponent of Islamic governance over electoral outcomes and has repeatedly stated that the state would be run on the basis of Islam if Jamaat secures an electoral majority as the current constitution and laws are manmadeâ said a report by International Science for Peace Studies a research centre focused on South and West AsiaOver the past year Bangladeshâs political upheaval has coincided with a resurgence of Jamaat and a pronounced shift towards Islamic rhetoric in mainstream politicsâThe country has been witnessing increasing mob violence driven by the rise of Islamist radicalism If Jamaat gains political strength it is likely to further Islamicise Bangladeshâs political landscape and legitimise such violenceâ the report saidNotably Bangladeshâs national elections have been announced for February 12 next year the first since the fall of the Sheikh Hasinaled government With the Awami League barred from electoral participation the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP Bangladesh JamaateIslami BJI and the National Citizenâs Party NCP remain the principal contendersWhile the BNP is expected to contest the elections on its own JamaateIslami has entered into an electoral arrangement with seven âlikemindedâ parties for the polls IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/bangladesh-jamaat-e-islamis-attempts-to-rebrand-itself-an-eyewash-655963.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/uddhav-thackeray-alleges-bjp-wants-to-devour-mumbai-calls-bmc-polls-as-prestige-battle-655964.html Mumbai Dec 28 The Shiv SenaUBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP is on a mission to finish off his party and devour Mumbai He described the upcoming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC as a battle for the soul of the state capital asserting in a veiled reference to the Central BJP leadership are attempting to swallow the stateAddressing party workers and officebearers Uddhav Thackeray justified his recent alliance with Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS as a necessary step for the welfare of the Marathi peopleThe Shiv SenaUBT Chief expressed deep resentment toward those who defected from his party saying Those whom we helped grow are now stabbing us in the backWe have fought this battle for years no one can snatch Mumbai away from us he declaredHe reiterated Before our very eyes the BJP Central leadership individuals want to devour Mumbai a city won through the sacrifices of martyrs If we prioritise personal ambitions and internal conflicts others will take advantage of the rift None of you should break away I am not speaking out of helplessness but try to see things from my perspectiveUddhav Thackeray accused the BJP of transactional politics claiming the party had merely used the Shiv Sena for yearsThe BJP has not just broken the alliance they have set out to eliminate us Until now they have only exploited our support for their own gain he remarkedSpeaking on the strategic tieup with the MNS Uddhav Thackeray admitted that seatsharing in an alliance is never perfectCommenting on making sacrifices while forming an alliance for the upcoming BMC polls the Shiv SenaUBT Chief said I know that when there is an alliance or a front things dont go 100 per cent according to your wishes nor do they go 100 per cent according to theirs Some seats that are rightfully ours have to be given up out of necessityOn maintaining unity within the Shiv SenaUBT Uddhav Thackeray urged his supporters to look past internal bickeringIf we keep fighting amongst ourselves while the BJPs Central leadership are out to devour us then it is better not to fight the battle at all he notedIn an emotional appeal to the Shiv SenaUBT workers Uddhav Thackeray asked his cadres to remain steadfast and not sell their loyaltyHe took personal responsibility for the difficult decisions regarding the candidate selection for the upcoming BMC pollsI ask the partys Vibhag Pramukhs to let me take the heat for these decisions I am willing to be seen as the bad guy for the sake of Maharashtras welfare but I cannot have a single one of you defecting the party Uddhav Thackeray saidMeanwhile Uddhav Thackeray released a booklet at the Shiv Sena Bhavan detailing the public service work carried out by him during the Covid19 pandemicHe called upon the party cadres to increase outreach with the voters with these booklets explaining what the party has done during its rule in the BMC and also leading the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/uddhav-thackeray-alleges-bjp-wants-to-devour-mumbai-calls-bmc-polls-as-prestige-battle-655964.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/another-blo-dies-by-suicide-in-bengal-abhishek-banerjee-holds-ec-responsible-for-death-655965.html Kolkata Dec 28 Another Booth Level Officer BLO died by suicide in ââthe Ranibandh Assembly constituency in Bankura district in West Bengal on Sunday The hanging body of a BLO was recovered from a school classroom in the Rajakata area of ââthe districtPreliminary investigations suggested that Haradhan Mandal a primary school headmaster by profession died by suicideA suicide note was recovered from the scene In the note the teacher wrote about the excessive work pressure due to the Special Intensive Revision SIR exercise Upon receiving the news the Ranibandh police recovered the body and sent it to Bankura Sammilani Medical College for postmortemAccording to local sources Haradhan Mandal was the headmaster of Rajakata Majherpara Primary School in Bankura He was also assigned the responsibility of a BLO for booth number 206 in the Ranibandh Assembly constituency of Bankura He was called to attend a hearing regarding some voters in his booth He left his home around 10 am to collect documents for these voters When he did not return for a long time his family members became worriedLater his family members went to the school looking for him They found Haradhans body hanging from a ceiling fan in a classroom with a rope around his neck A suicide note was recovered from the sceneAccording to the police the note read I cant take the pressure anymore Goodbye I am responsible for this No one else is involvedThe family claimed that Haradhan Mandal was suffering from depression due to the pressure of the SIR work His son Soham Mandal said My father couldnt handle the pressure of the SIR work Thats why he committed suicide There is immense work pressure There is no trainingFollowing the death of the BLO Trinamool Congress AllIndia general secretary Abhishek Banerjee lashed out at the Election Commission for conducting Special Intensive Revision SIR of the states electoral rolls in a hurried and politicallymotivated mannerUsing his X handle Banerjee claimed that the BLO died by suicide due to the alleged pressure of SIRrelated workThe death toll keeps mounting Another BLO appointed and engaged by the ECISVEEP has taken his own life under the inhuman pressure of a HURRIED CHAOTIC and POLITICALLYMOTIVATED SIR process Shri Haradhan Mondal of 249 Ranibandh AC Part No 206 died by suicide In his suicide note he explicitly held the inhuman nature of the task responsible for his decision said BanerjeeThe Trinamool Lok Sabha leader claimed that over 50 lives have been lost for various reasons since the SIR process started in West BengalOver 50 lives have already been lost to panic anxiety exhaustion and fear engineered by a votercleansing operation designed for the BJPâs electoral gain What should have been a methodical process has instead been bulldozed through by a pliant complicit Election Commission bending its spine to serve the political arithmetic of ONE PARTY and the ego of ONE MAN he saidSlamming the BJP over the death of the BLO Banerjee said And as for the BJP if people drop dead from fatigue despair or terror it is an acceptable collateral cost a convenient footnote in their power play History is watching Bengal will not forgive and Bengal will not forget IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/another-blo-dies-by-suicide-in-bengal-abhishek-banerjee-holds-ec-responsible-for-death-655965.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hyderabads-annual-trade-fair-numaish-to-begin-with-new-year-655968.html Hyderabad Dec 28 The 85th All India Industrial Exhibition the popular annual trade fair of Hyderabad will begin on January 1 Numaish as one of the worlds oldest annual consumer exhibitions is popularly known will be inaugurated by Telanganas Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti VikramarkaState Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu told media persons on Sunday that 1050 stalls will be set up on the sprawling Numaish Maidan for the annual 45daylong exhibitionAll India Industrial Exhibition Society AIIES has allotted stalls to traders and various business organisations from different parts of the country to sell their products at the fairThe organisers have hiked the entry fee to Rs 50 from Rs 40 per headAdmission will be free for children below five yearsThe Industries Minister noted that Numaish carries forward a legacy built on enterprise culture and shared public lifeIt remains a space where artisans MSMEs families and communities come together to experience innovation tradition and affordability in one place he saidThis years Numaish reflects a strong focus on safety accessibility and opportunity especially for women entrepreneurs while preserving the spirit that has made it a mustvisit annual tradition for generations Sridhar Babu saidEvery day the exhibition will be open for visitors from 4 to 1030 pmIt will be open till 11 pm on Saturdays and SundaysNumaisheMasnuaateMulki or Numaish in short made a humble beginning in 1938 as an event to promote locally produced goodsThe seventh Nizam of Hyderabad State Mir Osman Ali Khan inaugurated the first NumaishEnthused by the good response it was decided to make it an annual event and use the earnings to promote educationBeginning with just 50 stalls and a capital of Rs 250 it has today evolved into one of the biggest industrial exhibitions in the countryIt was a group of graduates from Osmania University who came up with the idea of an exhibition to conduct an economic survey of the stateNumaish could not be organised in 1947 and 1948 due to the turmoil in the aftermath of Indias IndependenceWith Hyderabad acceding to the Indian Union the event bounced back in 1949The exhibition could not be held in 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemicFrom amusement rides to shopping with good bargains and a variety of lipsmacking food the annual event offers loads of fun and frolicIn its 85th year it is considered the mother of all carnivals and an integral part of Hyderabads rich cultureIt draws people not just from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad but from other parts of Telangana and even neighbouring statesThe fair begins on January 1 every year and continues for 45 daysTraders from various parts of the country set up their stalls during the exhibition which is visited by 45000 people every dayA unique blend of economy and culture the event is organised on the sprawling grounds and revenues from the fair are spent on a group of educational and charitable institutions run by the Society IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/hyderabads-annual-trade-fair-numaish-to-begin-with-new-year-655968.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/unnao-rape-case-cji-led-sc-bench-to-hear-cbis-plea-against-sengars-sentence-suspension-tomorrow-655969.html New Delhi Dec 28 IANS A 3judge Bench of the Supreme Court will on Monday hear the Central Bureau of Investigations CBI plea against the Delhi High Court order that suspended the life sentence and granted bail to expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape casenbspnbspAs per the causelist published on the website of the apex court a vacation bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih will take up the matter for hearing on MondayThe CBI has moved the apex court against the December 23 order of the Delhi High Court allowing Sengars application for suspension of sentence during the pendency of his appealIt was learnt earlier that the CBI and the victims family had indicated their intention to challenge the Delhi High Courts decision before the Supreme CourtThe family members of the survivor along with womens rights activists have protested against the suspension of Sengars sentence saying the bail order had shaken public faith and sent a wrong message on crimes against womenIn the Delhi High Court the CBI had strongly opposed Sengars plea highlighting the gravity of the offence and the potential risks involvedIn its order a division bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar had suspended Sengars life sentence and granted him conditional bail during the pendency of his appeal subject to strict conditionsThe Unnao rape case had triggered nationwide outrage In December 2019 the trial court convicted Sengar of kidnapping and raping a minor girl and sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life along with a fine of Rs 25 lakhThe Supreme Court had earlier transferred all cases related to the incident from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and directed that the trial be conducted on a daytoday basis https://dailyworld.in/politics/unnao-rape-case-cji-led-sc-bench-to-hear-cbis-plea-against-sengars-sentence-suspension-tomorrow-655969.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vice-president-radhakrishnan-to-begin-kerala-tamil-nadu-visit-tomorrow-655971.html New Delhi Dec 28 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan will be on a twoday visit to Puducherry Kerala and Tamil Nadu starting Monday an official said On December 29 the Vice President will attend a civic reception unveil the statue of Mahakavi Bharathiar and launch a housing project under the Smart City Mission in PuducherryHe will also participate as the Chief Guest at the 30th Convocation of Pondicherry University PuducherryLater the same day the Vice President will travel to Kerala and attend the Trivandrum Fest 2025On December 30 Radhakrishnan will participate in the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage at Varkala KeralaHe will also inaugurate the public meeting at the conclusion of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Mar Ivanios College ThiruvananthapuramLater the same day the Vice President will participate as the Chief Guest at the valedictory ceremony of KashiTamil Sangamam 40 in Rameswaram Tamil NaduEarlier addressing a national conclave on Artificial Intelligence Radhakrishnan said India has the talent vision and values to not only adopt Artificial Intelligence responsibly but also lead the world in shaping its futureHe underlined that AI must always serve humanity and be guided by strong ethical principlesâIndia has emerged among the leading nations in Artificial Intelligenceâ the Vice President saidHe was speaking at the Flagship National Conclave on âAI Evolution â The Mahakumbh of AIâ organised by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education AICTE and Outlook magazine at Dr Ambedkar International CentreâArtificial intelligence is no longer a technology of the future but a reality of the present already influencing areas such as healthcare climate studies governance education finance and national securityâ he saidHe cautioned against fear and pessimism around new technologies noting that similar concerns were raised when computers were first introducedâOver time computers transformed the world and created new opportunitiesâ he said adding that every technological change brings both benefits and challengesâThe key lies in using technology in a positive and constructive wayâ the VicePresident explainedHighlighting Indiaâs growing strength in Artificial Intelligence the VicePresident said the country has emerged as one of the leading nations in this field IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vice-president-radhakrishnan-to-begin-kerala-tamil-nadu-visit-tomorrow-655971.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 20:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/manipurs-solar-man-moirangthem-seth-thanks-pm-modi-for-recognition-in-mann-ki-baat-655974.html New Delhi Dec 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the efforts of a young entrepreneur from Manipur Moirangthem Seth who has helped bring solar power to hundreds of households in the state In his monthly radio address âMann Ki Baatâ PM Modi referred to Sethâs work and said that the initiative demonstrated how local solutions could address longstanding challenges such as the lack of electricity in remote areasâThere is an old saying where there is a will there is a way A young man from Manipur has shown this through his workâ PM Modi saidThe Prime Minister noted that the parts of Manipur face persistent power shortages and that Seth identified solar energy as a viable alternative given the regionâs favourable conditions for renewable power generationMoirangthem Seth the man who popularised solar energy in his region spoke to IANS sharing his joy and excitement on earning accolades directly from the Prime MinisterIANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned grassroots changemakers like you in Mann Ki Baat Does this show the governmentâs thrust on taking development to the grassrootsMoirangthem Seth Yes absolutely The recognition itself is a very positive sign Our work at the grassroots level being acknowledged by the Prime Minister shows that we are moving in the right directionIANS How did you feel on getting recognition for your solar energy initiative directly from the Prime MinisterMoirangthem Seth I feel extremely happy and grateful It shows that even a simple idea can make a big impact on peopleâs lives Recognition by the Prime Minister gives us hope that small initiatives can also bring meaningful changeIANS Does your initiative give strength to schemes like PM Surya Ghar YojanaMoirangthem Seth Yes Our solution is focused on remote areas and healthcare centres lacking proper electricity PM Surya Ghar mainly addresses rural households with existing grid connections Both approaches complement each other working towards a single visionâpower for every home and communityIANS How do you see the PM Surya Ghar Yojana impacting people at the grassroots levelMoirangthem Seth Both our initiative and PM Surya Ghar are helping communities People in remote areas benefit from our offgrid solutions while rural households gain from PM Surya Ghar Together these efforts are improving access to electricity and enhancing livelihoodsIANS With your name mentioned in PMâs Mann Ki Baat do you think that it inspires youth towards innovation selfreliance and the vision of a Viksit BharatMoirangthem Seth Definitely Being recognised by the Prime Minister is a strong encouragement It shows that with a humble approach and a focus on community welfare even simple ideas can reach thousands and inspire young people across the countryIANS Based on your experience how effective are Prime Minister Modiâs schemes on the ground and how beneficial are they for common citizensMoirangthem Seth The effectiveness depends on how well the solutions are implemented at the local level From my observation initiatives like PM Surya Ghar are working well in many parts of the country including Manipur People are receiving tangible benefits and these programmes are gradually improving access to electricity and services IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/manipurs-solar-man-moirangthem-seth-thanks-pm-modi-for-recognition-in-mann-ki-baat-655974.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 20:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rs-915-crore-gst-refunds-issued-to-delhi-traders-in-4-months-cm-rekha-gupta-655977.html New Delhi Dec 28 IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday reiterated her governments commitment to promoting an Ease of Doing Business framework and said GST refunds amounting to Rs 915 crore had been issued to traders in the national capital over the past four monthsnbspnbspAddressing the centenary celebrations of the Friends Colony Industrial Area the Chief Minister said the government is focused on accelerating enterprise growth and enhancing employment generationnbspShe said three new industrial areas are set to be developed in Delhi in the coming period which will generate employment opportunities for lakhs of peopleGupta said that in just 10 months the government has implemented several major reforms for the industrial sector including simplification of licensing procedures and the introduction of a singlewindow clearance system to ensure faster and more transparent approvalsnbspThe event was attended by Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa MLAs Anil Goyal and Sanjay Goyal along with representatives from various industrial bodiesnbspDescribing the industrial sector as the backbone of Indias development the Chief Minister said running an industry is not merely about setting up a business but about strengthening the economy and providing livelihoods to lakhs of familiesShe said the government is making sincere efforts to promote and sustain industries in the capital through continuous practical and industryfriendly measuresnbspGupta said Delhis first Traders Welfare Board has been established enabling traders and industrial stakeholders to directly convey their concerns and suggestions to the governmentnbspShe noted that the approval period for Green Category industries has been reduced from 120 days to 20 days and if approval is not granted within this timeframe it will be deemed as selfpermissionThe Chief Minister also said collateralfree loans of up to Rs 10 crore have been made available for micro and small enterprisesnbspShe added that directions have been issued to the GST Department to adopt faceless operations and expedite the refund process As a result GST refunds worth Rs 915 crore have been issued to Delhi traders in the past four monthsnbspEmphasising the dignity and social security of workers Gupta said labour forms the backbone of the industrial sectornbspShe expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the implementation of new labour laws aimed at providing enhanced social security to workersThe Chief Minister also urged industries to fulfil their social responsibilities by contributing to cleanliness environmental protection and green initiatives across the citynbspShe assured that her government is working round the clock with dedication and commitment to transform Delhi into a developed capital During the programme she also visited stalls set up by various industries and interacted with exhibitorsnbspSpeaking on the occasion Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said it was a matter of pride that the historic Friends Colony Industrial Area has completed 100 yearsnbspHe said that while the area initially had only 80 factories nearly 2000 industrial units are operational todaySirsa added that the region has consistently adhered to environmental norms through individual Effluent Treatment Plants ETPs as well as a Common ETP for which the business community deserves appreciationnbspHe said industrial areas in Delhi had suffered from neglect of infrastructure for decades but the situation is now changing under the leadership of Chief Minister GuptaIn the first year of her tenure the Chief Minister has approved more than Rs 1000 crore for roads stormwater drainage and street lighting in industrial areas he saidnbspDescribing it as a historic step taken after 2025 years Sirsa said the move would give a new direction to Delhis industrial potentialnbspThe Industries Minister also said that three new industrial areas will be developed in the coming period creating employment opportunities for lakhs of people https://dailyworld.in/politics/rs-915-crore-gst-refunds-issued-to-delhi-traders-in-4-months-cm-rekha-gupta-655977.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/president-murmu-to-begin-goa-karnataka-visit-today-655811.html New Delhi Dec 27 President Droupadi Murmu will begin a fourday visit to Goa Karnataka and Jharkhand from Saturday an official said She will leave for Goa on Saturday evening On Sunday the President will undertake a sea sortie aboard a submarine from Karwar Harbour in KarnatakaThe following day December 29 the President will grace the centenary celebrations of Ol Chiki at Jamshedpur Jharkhand On the same day she will also address the 15th convocation ceremony of NIT JamshedpurOn December 30 the President will address an Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh Kartik Jatra at Gumla Jharkhand said an official statementEarlier on Friday the President presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 20 children from 18 states and union territories recognising their exceptional achievements and contributions in various fields including art culture sports and innovationAddressing the gathering President Murmu extended her blessings to the awardees and congratulated their familiesâI extend my blessings to all the children These young achievers have brought pride to their families and communities I also congratulate their parents and family members for their supportâ she saidSpeaking about the significance of the day the President said Veer Bal Diwas is observed every year on December 26 to honour the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzades the sons of Sikhismâs tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh JiâDo you know why we celebrate Veer Bal Diwas There is a long and inspiring history behind itâ she said while also commending Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi and her team for organising the award ceremony for such talented childrenRecalling the historical significance President Murmu said that around 320 years ago Guru Gobind Singh and his four sons made supreme sacrifices for righteousness and faithâOn this day we especially remember his two younger sons Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Their courage continues to inspire generations and their names are remembered with great respect in India and across the worldâ she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/president-murmu-to-begin-goa-karnataka-visit-today-655811.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 07:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cong-leader-subramanian-taken-into-police-custody-over-image-row-involving-cm-vijayan-and-potti-655841.html Kozhikode Dec 27 Senior Congress leader and KPCC Political Affairs Committee member N Subramanian was taken into police custody on Saturday in connection with a controversy over the circulation of an allegedly distorted image of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan along with Unnikrishnan Potti the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold heist case The Chevayur police took Subramanion into custody from his residence and booked him under sections related to promoting enmity and public mischief alleging that the social media post could incite communal disharmony Police said he is eligible for station bailThe case relates to a social media post in which Subramanian shared images purportedly showing CM Vijayan standing with Potti accompanied by a caption questioning a âdeep connectionâ between the two CPIM state secretary MV Govindan was the first to flag the image as AIgenerated and allegedly circulated with the intent to mislead the public and provoke unrestSoon after being taken into custody Subramanian reportedly felt uneasy and was taken to a hospital for medical attentionFollowing repeated claims by CPIM leaders that the image was fabricated using artificial intelligence the Chevayur police registered a case and took Subramanian into custody as part of the investigation A police team led by the Circle Inspector is probing the matter Police said Subramanian had posted two images and later deleted one with the investigation focusing on this aspectReacting sharply AICC general secretary KC Venugopal termed the police action âstrangeâ and alleged selective targetingâChief Minister Vijayan and Prime Minister Modi appear to have the same attitude of using agencies against political opponents We do not question the law but why is it being applied selectively Why is there laxity in taking into custody those involved in the Sabarimala gold heist caseâ Venugopal saidFormer Kerala Home Minister and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the party would challenge the police action both legally and politicallyResponding to the case Subramanian maintained that the action was politically motivated He claimed the image he shared was a screenshot from a video released by the Chief Ministerâs Office and not an AIgenerated fabrication He said he was unaware whether the police would formally arrest him but added that he would âwillingly go to jailâ if arrestedThe incident has triggered sharp political reactions across the state While CPIM leaders argued that strict action was necessary to curb the misuse of AIgenerated and fake images that could disturb public order opposition parties criticised the move as an attempt to suppress free expression and intimidate political opponentsThe controversy has once again brought the issue of AIgenerated content in political discourse into focus amid increasing scrutiny of social media activity by law enforcement agenciesMeanwhile the image row took a fresh turn after another picture purportedly showing former Devaswom Minister and senior CPIM MLA Kadakampally Surendran with Potti began circulating on social media adding a new dimension to the political fallout IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cong-leader-subramanian-taken-into-police-custody-over-image-row-involving-cm-vijayan-and-potti-655841.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/karnataka-honour-killing-case-minister-santosh-lad-visits-affected-family-assures-security-655843.html Hubballi Dec 27 Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh S Lad on Saturday visited the family members of Vivekanand Doddamani whose pregnant wife was allegedly killed by her father in a suspected case of honour killing in Hubbali The minister assured security to the family members of Doddamani who were allegedly assaulted by his wifes father and were undergoing treatmentHe assured the family of security assistance and compensation from the government The minister stated that necessary action would be taken in accordance with the lawMinister Lad obtained information from doctors about the condition of the injured and the treatment being provided and instructed officials to ensure the best possible medical careThe minister also visited Inanveerapur village where the incident took place and gathered information about the caseMLA N Konareddy Police Commissioner of HubballiDharwad N Shashikumar Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhuvanesh Patil and District Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya were present on the occasionOn December 21 in an honour killing incident reported from Inanveerapur village a man brutally murdered his own daughterThe girls father and relatives also assaulted the victims husband Vivekanand Doddamani and his family membersMareppa Doddamani Sunil Harijan Sangeetha Harijan Renavva Ananya Doddamani Yallappa Doddamani Huvamma Doddamani and sustained injuries in the attackPolice stated that Manya Patil a Lingayat had married Vivekananda a Dalit Both hail from the same village They knew each other and fell in love while pursuing their graduation They became closer through Instagram and later developed a relationshipThe couple got married on June 19 at the registrars office in HubballiPreliminary investigation revealed that Manya Patil had earlier threatened to commit suicide if Vivekananda did not marry her After the marriage the police had called both families and brokered a compromise Manya and Vivekananda later shifted to Haveri They returned to their village on December 8 believing their relationship would be accepted as Manya was pregnantHowever tensions resurfaced between the two families The Hubballi Rural police again called the families and instructed the elders not to trouble each otherDespite this Manya Patils father and relatives allegedly barged into her house in the village and hacked her to deathPolice have arrested Manya Patils father and two others in connection with the caseVivekananda has demanded the death penalty for the accused IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/karnataka-honour-killing-case-minister-santosh-lad-visits-affected-family-assures-security-655843.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/govt-not-intimidated-by-chomu-violence-will-continue-action-against-encroachments-giriraj-singh-655865.html Begusarai Bihar Dec 27 IANS Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday said that the Rajasthan government will not be intimidated by the Chomu violence and will continue to take action against the illegal encroachments across the statenbspThe violence reportedly erupted on Friday over the removal of stones and installation of iron railings and a boundary wall near a religious place close to the main bus stand of Chomu in JaipurnbspAccording to officials an agreement had been reached with a local community to remove stones lying on the roadsideHowever tensions flared when iron railings were later installed at the site When police and administrative teams arrived around 3 am on Friday to remove what they termed an illegal encroachment a crowd allegedly turned violent and began pelting stones injuring six policemennbspReacting to this Singh said The Rajasthan government was taking action against the illegal encroachments If there is an illegal construction outside a mosque that does not mean that it will not be removedThe violent incident that took place there shows that some people want to display their strength but today the government is not intimidated by such demonstrations The work to remove encroachments will continue he addednbspThe situation remains tense in Chomu town near Jaipur on Saturday following violence triggered by a dispute over the installation of railings outside the religious placenbspTo prevent the spread of rumours and ma intain law and order the administration has extended the suspension of WhatsApp and social media services for another 24 hours till 7 am on SundayDivisional Commissioner Poonam issued orders extending the internet shutdown after receiving a report from the Police CommissionernbspThe ban scheduled to end at 7 am on Saturday has been extended in view of the sensitive situation Officials believe misinformation circulating on social media could further escalate tensionsnbspThe police have so far arrested 110 accused including 11 women in connection with the violence The arrests were carried out following the identification of stonepelters who were detained at their homes Special Commissioner Rahul Prakash is personally monitoring the casenbspAuthorities have stated that strict action will be taken against anyone found disturbing communal harmony https://dailyworld.in/politics/govt-not-intimidated-by-chomu-violence-will-continue-action-against-encroachments-giriraj-singh-655865.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-cm-rekha-gupta-races-to-deliver-bjp-promises-after-historic-win-655867.html New Delhi Dec 27 IANS The current year will go down in the annals of Delhi politics as a turning point for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party BJP which returned to power from a 27yearlong political exilenbspChief Minister Rekha Gupta a firsttime MLA is undoubtedly the rising star of the year In her initial 10 months in office the citys fourth woman CM has strived to deliver poll promises on multiple fronts including Ayushman health insurance yojana Arogya Mandirs law to check school fee hikes new ebuses free bus rides for women and Atal Canteens for affordable mealsInterestingly there was a visible presence of Union Ministers at all major events and announcements related to development projects in the city be it houses for slum dwellers Ayushman Yojana and Arogya Mandirs expansion of Delhi Metro introduction of ebuses piped cooking gas for villagers Atal canteens and pollution mitigation effortsThe attempt appeared to be Prime Minister Narendra Modis way of taking care of Delhiites a promise he made during the Assembly election campaign through his team of Union MinistersChhath PujaCM Gupta also impressed the Poorvanchali community with memorable Chhath Puja celebrations on Yamuna banks But the legacy problems of the Yamuna air pollution and waterlogging tested her administrative skills under the critical eye of the outofpower Aam Aadmi Party AAP leadersThe Chief Minister also made the right moves to impress the youth by restarting University Special buses in Delhi University which were stopped almost five years ago and organising Industrial Ideathon for promoting technical innovation and engaging young minds For young sportspersons she announced an enhancement in official rewards for medal winners in international sports eventsSamridhi YojanaThe fulfilment of the election promise of delivering Rs 2500 monthly financial assistance to women appears to have been pushed to 2026 though within the current financial year All eyes would be on the next International Womens Day on March 8 2026 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had guaranteed during the election campaign that women would get the dole on IWDSome BJP leaders believe that if the Mahila Samridhi Yojana MSY money starts reaching the bank accounts of Delhi women in March the move could boost the BJPs electoral chances in the Punjab Assembly elections in AprilMayThe AAP is in power in Punjab and struggling to fulfil its promise of paying Rs 1000 to women there In such a scenario the BJP may want to showcase its successful delivery of MSY in Delhi under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said a party leaderThe Delhi government allocated Rs 5100 crore for the MSY in its 202526 Budget Apart from this promise the government has plans to install 50000 CCTV cameras for womens safety and provide Rs 21000 for pregnant womenPollution challengeWhile the Rekha Gupta government took initiatives on cleaning the Yamuna its actions on air pollution remained inadequate as the citys air turned very poor for several days during the Winter The valiant attempt to trigger artificial rain with the help of experts from IITKanpur generated excitement in the city though it did not yield results to the expected levelLieutenant Governor VK Saxena encouraged CM Gupta to continue the fight against pollution including the pollution check certificate drive for vehicles and hit out at former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for trivialising the fight against pollution He also exposed the AAP leader by writing to him and recalling their 2022 discussion in which he showed little interest in countering the problem while he was the Chief MinisterAdministrative reformsWith the swearing in of the Rekha Gupta government the practice of weekly Cabinet meetings was revived in Players Building the riverside secretariat of the Delhi government The AAP government had done away with this crucial decisionmaking exerciseThe city also got a new Chief Secretary in Rajeev Verma and a new Police Commissioner in Satish Golcha energising the welfare delivery and security setupsThe Chief Minister also reorganised Delhis 11 districts into 13 new administrative units for efficient governance She also announced that the Delhi Government will establish modern multidepartmental Mini Secretariats in all 13 districts where citizens will be able to access numerous services such as Revenue Offices SDM ADM Tehsil and SubRegistrar Offices at a single locationAfter relaxing the age and educational qualification norms CM Gupta handed over government job letters to survivors of the 1984 antiSikh riots and their family members The gesture tried to bring some sort of closure to the pain and suffering the victims and their kin endured for 40 long yearsMCD byelectionsBJPs electoral success in the Assembly elections in February continued to reflect in its performance in the MCD byelections Chief Minister Guptas popularity saw the party win 7 out of the 12 wards She herself was an MCD councillor before being fielded as a candidate from the Shalimar Bagh Assembly seatApart from the BJPs dominance in the civic polls the Opposition parties especially the Congress got their muchneeded political oxygen by winning a few seats The Congress won just one ward but it marked the opening of an account in an election after a long time The AAP won three wards and others oneWorst terror attack in a decadeThe November 10 car bomb blast near Red Fort which claimed 11 lives was the first significant terror strike in the Capital since the 2011 explosion near the Delhi High Court Despite the gruesome incident the security agencies led by the NIA managed to foil a bigger plot to carry out serial blasts by a cell of highlymotivated terrorists mostly professionals like doctors At an AntiTerror Conference Union Home Minister Amit Shah even praised the investigators who exposed the larger conspiracyAssembly goes paperlessDuring the year Delhi MLAs relished the infusion of technology in the legislative process They got new tablets as the Assembly switched to paperless business transactions in record time under Speaker Vijender GuptaWith some assistance from the Union Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Gupta saw the introduction of NeVA National eVidhan Application through which the Assembly has become a fully digital and paperless HouseHe also steered the conversion of the Assembly into a completely solarpowered green legislature and initiated steps to develop the Delhi Legislative Assembly as a Heritage SiteA seasoned legislator himself Gupta took initiatives like full operationalisation of the Audit Para Monitoring System APMS within the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi making Delhi arguably the first State Assembly in the country to implement a comprehensive realtime audit monitoring portalThe year aheadThe BJP came to power in Delhi by winning 48 seats in the 70member Assembly Upon taking oath Chief Minister Gupta promised to prioritise the interests of women the poor and the middle class Her government has focused on increasing administrative transparency reviewing pending projects and investigating allegations of corruption but a lot more is needed to achieve the goal of Viksit Delhi2047As the Chief Minister prepares to lead the city into another exciting year with mega EV policy initiatives to clean the air Rekha Gupta has also learnt some tough lessons in the last 10 months in officeShe endured a bid to physically attack her at a camp office and faced personal comments and memes on social media from rivals especially AAP supporters The threetime councillor also faced heat when rivals questioned the presence of her husband at some official meetings attended by her On the whole CM Gupta has tried her best to serve the people and return political punches to rivals at every available opportunityPrime Minister Narendra Modis promise to serve Delhiites and the Yamuna personally also holds out hope for citizens who are expecting better improved civic and welfare services and significant change in the pollution scenario in 2026 https://dailyworld.in/politics/ians-year-ender-2025-cm-rekha-gupta-races-to-deliver-bjp-promises-after-historic-win-655867.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-single-handedly-destroyed-mgnrega-carried-out-devastating-attack-on-states-rahul-gandhi-655868.html New Delhi Dec 27 Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of singlehandedly destroying MGNREGA without consulting his Cabinet or the states and without studying the matter terming it an attack on the democratic structure that will ruin the rural economynbspAddressing a press conference after the crucial CWC meeting he targeted the BJPled NDA government over the VBG RAM G Act alleging that the PM carried out a devastating attack on states and the poor much like demonetisationHe said the Congress has vowed that it would resist the governments action and expressed confidence that the entire opposition would be aligned with itnbspThe prime minister singlehandedly destroyed MGNREGA without asking his Cabinet and without studying the matter the former Congress chief saidnbspWe are going to resist it we are going to fight it and I am confident that the entire opposition will stand united against this action he said referring to the Congress MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan that it plans to launch nationwide on January 5nbspIn a post in Hindi on X Gandhi later said There is only one purpose behind the end of MGNREGA to erase the right to employment for the poor to steal economic and political power from the states and to hand over that money to billionaire friends The entire country will bear the cost of the whims of the lone ranger Prime Minister Jobs will end and the rural economy will collapse When villages weaken the country will weaken he also saidClaiming that the UPAera MGNREGA was not just a work programme but a development and conceptual framework appreciated around the world Gandhi claimed that its repeal was an attack on a rightsbased approach and on the countrys federal structurenbspIt is a devastating attack on states and the poor people carried out by the prime minister singlehandedly much like demonetisation The PM singlehandedly destroyed MGNREGA without asking his Cabinet without studying the matter he said at the press conferenceThe MGNREGA apart from being a rightsbased programme also strengthened our panchayats It allowed political action in the panchayats it injected money into the panchayats and it allowed the decisionmaking power at the panchayat level Gandhi explainednbspHe termed the VBG RAM G legislation on rural employment an attack on the democratic structure on the third tier of government and our basic architecture of our countrynbspThis is an attack on the states of India because they are simply taking away money that belongs to the states and decisionmaking power that belongs to the states It is an attack on the infrastructure of the states because MGNREGA was used to build infrastructure Gandhi claimedThe Congress leader linked the decision to scrap MGNREGA to the decimation of Indian labour saying that MGNREGA guaranteed a minimum floor below which Indian labour could not fallnbspIt is going to cause tremendous pain to the weaker sections to Adivasis to Dalits to OBCs to poor general castes and to minorities At the same time it is going to benefit Mr Adani in full measure That is the purpose of this exercise to take money away from poor people and hand it to people like Mr Adani Gandhi allegedThe VBG RAM G Bill replacing the 20yearold MGNREGA was passed in Parliament during the recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament amid vociferous protests by the opposition The new act has a provision for 125 days of wage employment for rural workersnbsp https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-single-handedly-destroyed-mgnrega-carried-out-devastating-attack-on-states-rahul-gandhi-655868.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 18:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-to-lead-veer-baal-diwas-commemoration-at-bharat-mandapam-today-655717.html New Delhi Dec 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the national event marking âVeer Baal Diwasâ on Friday The programme is scheduled to begin at around 1215 PM at Bharat Mandapam where the Prime Minister will also address attendeesâVeer Baal Diwasâ is observed to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the Sahibzades Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji the young sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh JiTheir martyrdom at a tender age remains one of the most poignant chapters in Indiaâs history symbolising unwavering courage in the face of tyrannyThe annual observance was first announced by PM Modi during the Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in January 2022To mark the occasion the government of India is rolling out a series of participatory events across the countryThese include storytelling sessions poetry recitations postermaking and essaywriting competitions all designed to engage children and young people with the legacy of the SahibzadesActivities will be held in schools Anganwadi centres Child Care Institutions and other learning spaces with additional online programmes hosted on the MyGov and MyBharat portalsThe event at Bharat Mandapam will also see the presence of recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar PMRBP adding a special touch to the dayâs proceedingsâVeer Baal Diwasâ is observed to honour the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzades whose martyrdom remains a defining chapter in Indiaâs history and continues to be remembered across generations IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/pm-modi-to-lead-veer-baal-diwas-commemoration-at-bharat-mandapam-today-655717.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/public-comments-show-sharp-divide-over-us-wage-based-h-1b-rule-655727.html Washington Dec 26 Public comments submitted on the US governmentâs new H1B visa rule show a sharp split over how the changes could reshape highskilled immigration and the technology workforce The Department of Homeland Security DHS summarised hundreds of submissions received during the rulemaking process in its final rule published in the Federal Register The comments reflect competing views on whether the H1B programme helps or harms the US economySeveral commenters stated that H1B professionals play a crucial role in driving innovation productivity and entrepreneurship in the United States They argued that foreignborn workers make significant contributions to economic growth particularly in technology and research fieldsSome comments focused on international students These submissions said limiting job opportunities for graduates of US universities would weaken innovation and reduce the countryâs global competitivenessStartups and small businesses featured prominently in many responses Commenters said these firms are major sources of innovation but often lack the resources to compete with large companies on salaries They warned that a wageweighted selection system could shut startups out of the H1B programmeSeveral submissions said many breakthroughs come from earlycareer professionals and research institutions These commenters cautioned that higher wage thresholds could favour established firms and reduce diversity in innovationOne commenter said that startups depend on the H1B programme to recruit workers with âniche expertiseâ The submission warned that the rule would make the programme more expensive and harder to use limiting growth and global leadership in technologyOther commenters took the opposite view They questioned claims of a STEM labour shortage and cited studies suggesting the US has more qualified tech workers than available jobsSome comments pointed to unemployment data among the recent US graduates in computer science and related fields They argued that job prospects for domestic workers have weakened even as employers continue to seek H1B hiresSeveral submissions said the technology industry has overstated skills shortages One comment described the US IT labour market as âawash with supplyâ Others said American students are both interested in and capable of doing highskilled tech workWage trends were another focus Some commenters cited research showing flat or declining real wages in computer and mathematical occupations over several years They argued this suggests an oversupply of labour rather than a shortageOther comments accused tech and outsourcing firms of exploiting the H1B programme These submissions said companies continued hiring H1B workers during periods of mass layoffs of US employeesSeveral commenters said the programme has been used to replace domestic workers or hold down wages They argued that stronger controls were needed to protect US labour standardsSome public submissions supported DHSâs approach These commenters said discouraging the hiring of lowerwage foreign workers would push employers to recruit qualified US workers who are unemployed or underemployedOthers raised concerns about the integrity of the system Comments pointed to possible wage manipulation inconsistent job descriptions and the use of multiple registrations to increase selection chancesDHS said it reviewed the public input and disagreed that the rule would harm innovation or economic growth The department said the changes would help employers attract and retain âhighly skilled and highly paidâ workersThe public comments highlight longstanding tensions around the H1B programme which sits at the centre of US debates on jobs wages and immigrationThe H1B visa capped by Congress each year has drawn intense scrutiny for decades particularly in the technology sector where foreignborn professionals form a significant share of the workforce IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/public-comments-show-sharp-divide-over-us-wage-based-h-1b-rule-655727.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hindutva-patriotism-of-bjp-and-cm-fadnavis-is-hypocrisy-shiv-sena-655738.html Mumbai Dec 26 The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray UBT on Friday criticised the BJP and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying that their version of Hindutva and patriotism was hypocrisy Referring to Fadnavisâ statement after the formal announcement of alliance between the Thackeray cousins that the BJP does not wear the saffron shawl merely for votes the Thackeray camp termed it as âthe pinnacle of double standards It further claimed that the BJPâs Hindutva is a shamThe Thackeray camp in the partys mouthpiece Saamana said that during the riots following the demolition of the Babri Masjid only the Shiv Sena protected Hindus in Mumbai and Maharashtra While numerous Shiv Sainiks sacrificed their lives the BJP did not suffer even a scratch in this great battle for HindutvaAccording to the editorial Fadnavis claimed that the BJPâs Hindutva is not just a method of worship but a way of life However the editorial said that Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have always maintained what Fadnavis is saying now as they have rejected the Hindutva that is limited to rituals and bellringingThe editorial questioned the NewHindutvavadis while referring to the BJP supporters saying that they have created national tension and claimed lives over peoples eating habitsâAfter the demolition of Babri Masjid the BJP was paralysed by fear and drenched in sweat The then BJP VicePresident Sundar Singh Bhandari hurriedly issued a statement distancing the party from the act calling it an unfortunate incident and suggesting it was likely the work of the Shiv Sena The BJP was terrified at the time and would never have been able to recover if the Shiv Sena had not been by its sideâ said the Thackeray campStepping up the attack against the BJP the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena said that despite being in a Hindutva state Hindus lack jobs and food with 80 crore people still dependent on the governments free 10kg ration adding that it clearly shows the economic failures âWhat is the use of such Hindutva where rapists like Asaram Ram Rahim and Kuldeep Sengar are released while a staunch patriot like Sonam Wangchuk is sent to jailâ it askedThe editorial has questioned the utility of the BJPâs brand of Hindutva which it claimed is built on spreading hatred against Muslims and Christians to instil fear in Hindus IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/hindutva-patriotism-of-bjp-and-cm-fadnavis-is-hypocrisy-shiv-sena-655738.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 13:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cpi100-a-party-of-firsts-fractures-and-a-long-search-for-relevance-655751.html New DelhiThiruvananthapuram Dec 26 The Communist Party of India CPI marks its centenary on December 26 tracing its origins to the founding conference held in Kanpur in 1925 Centenary celebrations are underway in New Delhi where General Secretary D Raja will hoist the party flag at Ajay Bhavan The programme includes a seminar titled â100 Years of the CPI Tradition and the Futureâ cultural events and an exhibition chronicling the partyâs long political journeyFew political formations in India can claim a legacy as consequential as the CPIâs formative years The party etched its name in global political history in 1957 when EMS Namboothiripad led the worldâs first democratically elected communist government in Kerala The moment placed the CPI at the forefront of parliamentary Left politics blending ideology with electoral legitimacyThat trajectory however altered sharply after the ideological split of 1964 which led to the formation of the CPIM In Kerala the CPIM steadily surged ahead to emerge as the dominant Left force while the CPI struggled to retain its organisational depth and political influenceDespite this the CPI continued to play a significant role in Keralaâs power politics through shifting alliances Under C Achutha Menon the party joined hands with the Congress to form governments in 1969 and again in 1970 It was part of the AK Antonyled Cabinet in 1977 and in 1979 PK Vasudevan Nair briefly headed a CPIled ministry before resigning amid political instabilityA decisive turn came in 1980 when the CPI severed ties with the Congress and aligned firmly with the Left Democratic Front LDF emerging as its secondlargest constituent a position it retains to this day The party is currently part of the ruling LDF in Kerala holding four Cabinet berths and the Deputy Speakerâs post and remains in power in Tamil Nadu as a constituent of the DMKled allianceNationally however the CPIâs footprint has steadily contracted As of 2025 it has two MPs each in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha around 20 MLAs across three states and a marginal presence in Legislative Councils Recognised as a state party only in Kerala Tamil Nadu and Manipur the CPI enters its second century diminished in scale yet still grappling with the question of political relevance in a transformed and fragmented Left landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cpi100-a-party-of-firsts-fractures-and-a-long-search-for-relevance-655751.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/sps-afzal-ansari-criticises-up-minister-over-sengar-bail-remarks-655755.html New Delhi Dec 26 Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari on Friday criticised Uttar Pradesh Minister Daya Shankar Singh for his comments on the bail granted to former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case Ansari questioned the ministerâs statement asking âIn the first place he was convicted by the court It is the judiciary that decides guilt or innocence Has the minister become bigger than the court that he is making such a statementâSpeaking to the media Ansari said the remarks reflect a disturbing mindset within the ruling party âIn our country the ruling party has the misunderstanding that they are above the judiciary Those who are granted bail are called convicted and those who are innocent are termed accusedâ he addedHe further alleged that government officials often assume they will not face legal consequences while ordinary citizens are subjected to legal scrutiny âIn this government people have a mindset that any FIR against them or any verdict will not lead to trial but for others if there is no such claim they create false cases to drag them to courtâ Ansari saidThe remarks come after the Delhi High Court recently granted bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar who was convicted in a highprofile case involving the sexual assault of a minor in Unnao Minister Daya Shankar Singh had commented on the decision saying âThe judiciary did the right thing He got bail a little late but we welcome the decisionâ The ministerâs statement sparked criticism from opposition leaders who accused him of undermining judicial authorityThe Unnao case which drew nationwide attention had earlier seen Sengar convicted for his role in the crime and sentenced to life imprisonmentThe recent bail granted by the Delhi High Court was part of his legal appeals Legal experts have pointed out that bail is a constitutional right and does not reflect on the ultimate determination of guilt a nuance that Ansari highlighted in his criticism IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/sps-afzal-ansari-criticises-up-minister-over-sengar-bail-remarks-655755.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/as-ttp-militarises-pakistan-faces-escalating-internal-security-crisis-655760.html New Delhi Dec 26 There is fresh trouble brewing for Pakistan as the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP has decided to expand the outfit to resemble a military unit The expansion which has already been set in motion is a cause of concern for Pakistan as terror attacks are bound to increase in the coming year Intelligence Bureau officials say that the TTP has inflicted massive damage on the Pakistan Army and in the coming year the hostilities are likely to double Pakistan is already struggling to contain the TTP and the challenges are expected to intensify in the coming yearIn the runup to these expansion plans the TTP has strengthened its propaganda wing The outfit is using a lot of the online space to spruce up its propaganda against the Pakistan army In November 2022 the TTP ended the ceasefire with Pakistan following which attacks have gone up multifold in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPThe TTP has targeted both the army and law enforcement personnel in large numbers since the ceasefire ended in 2022 The TTP has added new provinces to its administrative control which include GilgitBaltistan Changes have been made to the military leadership with the appointment of Ehsanullah Ipi the greatgrandson of Faqir Ipi as the head of the Southern Military ZoneFurther the appointment of Hilal Ghazi as the head of the Central Military Zone is also another major change that the TTP has effected The political commission would now be headed by Azmatullah Mehsud while Maulvi Faqir would remain as a member of the commissionOfficials say that the TTP is also planning its own Air Force The plan is under discussion but is likely to get operational only by the end of 2026 Earlier this month a roadside bomb killed three Pakistani police officials near the Afghan border The incident occurred in the northwest region of KP Pakistan was quick to blame the TTP for the attackOfficials say that the TTP headache for Pakistan shows no signs of ending anytime soon The TTP has big plans and is hellbent on beating down the Pakistan establishment Courtesy the TTP ties between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan have soured considerably Pakistan has without proof blamed the Afghan Taliban for backing the TTP and also letting them use their soil to launch attacks on PakistanPakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has told the Afghan Taliban to choose between the TTP and Pakistan The Taliban has however said that the TTP is Pakistanâs problem and it is Islamabad that should be dealing with the outfitPakistan on its part has tried forging alliances between the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP and the LashkareTaiba to fight against the TTP Pakistan had hoped that this alliance would largely contain the TTP but the outfit has no signs of slowing down The ISKP had readily agreed to this alliance as it needed Pakistanâs help to fight against the Afghan Taliban in AfghanistanThe ISKP has been looking to dislodge the Taliban and seize control over Afghanistan but its efforts have largely failed While the ISKP had agreed to this alliance many within the LashkareTaiba were unhappy with this decisionMany within the Hafiz Saeedfounded outfit think that it would be unfair to fight against the TTP or Afghan Taliban This explains the reason why this alliance has been a slow starter an official saidPakistan watchers say that the TTP is gaining strength much to the concern of the Pakistani army It is a group that would be difficult for Pakistan to contain and in the coming year the TTP would prove to be much more lethal than what one got to witness this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/as-ttp-militarises-pakistan-faces-escalating-internal-security-crisis-655760.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/facilities-far-outweigh-minor-hike-jd-655761.html New Delhi Dec 26 The increase in railway fares has triggered a political debate with the ruling coalition defending the move as necessary and beneficial while the opposition has criticised it as an added burden on the public amid rising inflation and safety concerns Reacting to the fare hike JDU National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said the increase was marginal and should be viewed in the context of the significant improvements made by Indian Railways in recent years âThere have been some minor increases in ticket prices but the facilities provided by Indian Railways to the common people far outweigh these changesâ Prasad saidHighlighting infrastructure upgrades he added that Indian Railways has consistently enhanced services across the country âWhether in terms of railway stations tracks or modern trains Indian Railways in recent times has offered remarkable services and amenities to the people of India which are truly commendableâ he said defending the governmentâs decisionHowever the Congress strongly opposed the move accusing the Centre of ignoring public hardship Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu said the fare hike comes at a time when inflation is already hurting ordinary citizens âInflation in the country is continuously rising I cannot even call him the Railway Minister because travelling by train is no longer safe Daily accidents have shaken the nationâ Lallu saidHe alleged that the government was preparing to burden people unnecessarily by raising passenger fares âBy increasing passenger fares unnecessarily the government is preparing to burden the people I believe this is neither in the public interest nor in the national interestâ the Congress leader addedThe political reactions followed the increase in ticket prices for longdistance train travel on Friday which took effect after the Ministry of Railways raised fares for the second time in six months The ministry said the decision was taken with âthe objective of balancing affordability for passengers and sustainability of operationsâAccording to the revised fare structure there is no change in ticket prices for suburban services and season tickets covering both suburban and nonsuburban routes The fare revision applies only to longdistance travel and is aimed at ensuring the financial health of railway operations while continuing infrastructure developmentThe ministry clarified that the revised fares will apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26 Tickets booked before this date will not attract any additional charges even if the journey is undertaken after the new fares come into effectWhile the government maintains that the increase is modest and justified by improved services and infrastructure opposition parties argue that fare hikes combined with safety concerns and rising prices place an undue burden on passengers IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/facilities-far-outweigh-minor-hike-jd-655761.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/vv-rajesh-scripts-history-as-bjps-first-mayor-in-kerala-655763.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 26 Fortynineyearold V V Rajesh on Friday entered record books as the first Bharatiya Janata Party BJP leader to become Mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation marking a watershed moment in Keralas political landscape While Rajesh on Friday won with 51 votes the CPIM led Left candidate RP Shivaji got 29 and the Congressled UDF and former legislator KS Sabarinathan secured 19 votes and one independent councillor abstained from the votingRajesh now joins a short list of BJP trailblazers in Kerala after O Rajagopal the partys first MLA in 2016 and actorturnedpolitician Suresh Gopi who became the BJPs first Lok Sabha MP from the State in 2024Rajeshs mayoralty signals a new chapter for the BJP in Keralas urban politicsThe breakthrough came late on Thursday night when the BJPled National Democratic Alliance NDA secured the support of independent councillor P Radhakrishnan taking its tally from 50 to the crucial majority mark of 51 in the 101member corporationWith this Rajeshs victory in the mayoral election became a foregone conclusionThe NDAs emergence as the single largest bloc itself was unprecedentedIn the December 9 local body elections the BJP stunned the political establishment by winning 50 of the 100 wards that went to polls ending nearly 45 years of CPIM dominance in the State capitals civic bodyThe Left Democratic Front LDF was reduced to 29 seats while the Congressled United Democratic Front UDF managed 19Two wards were won by independents and polling in one ward was postponed following the death of a candidateAt a meeting of newlyelected councillors at the BJP office on Thursday party general secretary S Suresh announced Rajesh as the mayoral candidate and Asha Nath as the Deputy Mayor nomineeAt the meeting Asha Nath a threetime councillor was announced as the partys Deputy Mayor candidateRajeshs elevation follows days of intense internal deliberations within the BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar made two trips to New Delhi for consultations highlighting the national leaderships involvementThe party was reportedly divided between Rajesh and former Director General of Police R Sreelekha before consensus emerged in Rajeshs favour with strong backing from the RSSPresent on the occasion to greet the new Mayor included Union Minister Suresh Gopi State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar his predecessors KSurendran Kummanam Rajasekharan former MoS V Muraleedharan and several othersThis should have happened last time Now that we are here slowly things will change across the state said GopiEarlier in the day Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called Rajesh to congratulate himBJP supporters were present in large numbers and as soon as the results came there was intense sloganeering and bursting of crackers IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/vv-rajesh-scripts-history-as-bjps-first-mayor-in-kerala-655763.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/oppn-accuses-govt-of-vendetta-as-former-bihar-cm-rabri-devi-vacates-official-residence-655765.html Patna Dec 26 As former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi vacated the government residence at 10 Circular Road the opposition on Friday accused the state government of pursuing personal vendetta The ruling JDU and the BJP however maintained that the law applies equally to everyone and that due process was followed Reacting to the development Purnia MP Pappu Yadav said the move reflected personal animosity in politicsSpeaking to IANS he said âWe do not understand why personal enmity is pursued in politics From a security perspective that house is important Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi lived there for a long time No one should be forced to vacate a house because of political differences I did not expect this from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and I still do notâCongress spokesperson Surendra Rajput also criticised the government accusing it of vendetta politicsâThe BJPled government always indulges in politics of enmity and revenge which is why such actions are takenâ he saidHe further alleged that the move was aimed at harassing the RJD leadershipâDespite rules the BJP is conspiring to trouble an elderly couple Lalu Prasad Yadav is seriously ill This hostile approach towards the opposition reflects the BJPâs policy Through such actions they want to weaken democracy and the Constitutionâ Rajput told IANSResponding to the allegations JDU National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad dismissed the claims and said there was no question of discriminationâWhy do they need a government house They have several properties and assets registered in the names of family members making them one of the wealthiest families in Bihar They can live anywhere whether on Gola Road or elsewhere There is no justification for retaining a government residenceâ he saidBihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav also defended the decision asserting that rules apply uniformly âThe law is the same for everyone You are no longer entitled to the official residence You have already been provided with all facilities applicable to a former Chief Minister No one has been deprived of lawful entitlementsâ he saidThe process of vacating the 10 Circular Road residence of former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi in Patna has been underway for the past several daysEven late on Thursday night plants and household belongings were seen being shifted from the premises in a pickup vanWhen asked about the destination of the items those present at the site did not provide a clear responseHowever sources speculate that the belongings are being gradually shifted to the underconstruction residence of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav at Mahua Bagh localityIt may be recalled that on November 25 the Bihar governmentâs Building Construction Department issued a notice to Rabri Devi asking her to vacate the bungalow at 10 Circular RoadSubsequently a new government bungalow Number 39 on Harding Road Patna was allotted to herThe 10 Circular Road bungalow was modified to suit the familyâs needs including additional rooms and a conference hall for political engagementsLeader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Tejashwi Yadav also stays in the 10 Circular Road bungalow and the 1 Polo Road bungalow is mainly used as his office where his close aide Sanjay Yadav staysAccording to reports the LaluRabri family is now shifting to the Mahua Bagh residence and the newly allotted bungalow Number 39 on Harding Road will mainly be used for official work IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/oppn-accuses-govt-of-vendetta-as-former-bihar-cm-rabri-devi-vacates-official-residence-655765.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/rss-chief-making-huge-contribution-to-nation-building-says-chandrababu-naidu-655769.html Tirupati Dec 26 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday praised Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat saying he is making a huge contribution to the national progress Sharing dais with Mohan Bhagwat at the inaugural session of âBharatiya Vigyan Sammelan 2025â the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the RSS chief for his âcontributions to nation buildingââI want to acknowledge the services of Mohan Bhagwat Over several decades he has worked across regions making this organisation strong through his experience and dedication while remaining above political or constitutional positionsâ said the Telugu Desam Party TDP chiefâSince 2009 he has overseen steady expansion of the RSS while preserving its discipline cadrebased structure and nationwide presence Under his leadership the RSS continues to strengthen voluntarism and extend grassroots service across the countryâ he saidCM Naidu also noted that Bhagwat promoted public engagement and outreach by opening spaces for dialogue and understanding âThough his speeches and interactions he consistently speaks for social harmony national identity and cultural cohesion He is making a huge valuable contribution to national progress and preserving our traditional values through discipline and continuity of servicesâ he saidThe Chief Minister termed the event a platform where âwe speak with pride about our nation and about Bhartiyata our civilisation ethosâChandrababu Naidu also supported the RSS chiefâs call for every Indian family to have at least three children saying this was important to ensure that India continues to have the demographic dividendHe believes that if India focuses on population it will dominate the world for centuries beyond 2047He also stated that if India manages its population 2025 crore Indians will migrate all over the world and play a crucial role in public and political governanceCM Naidu whose TDP is a partner in the BJPled NDA government at the Centre also stated that India has a stable government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi âPeople like Mohan Bhagwat Ji are preparing the ground with values and ethicsâ he saidHe also claimed that India alone has family values He noted that family provides financial health and personal securityExuding confidence that India will become the number one economy in the world by 2047 he stated that for this Mohan Bhagwat is âgoing on promoting preparing without expecting any positionâ âAll of us have to sync with his ideology and then it is possibleâ he addedHe said his request to people like Mohan Bhagwat is to think about what type of society India should have in future âThe gap between haves and havenots has to be reduced Every citizen should live with respect and dignity and also have a better living standard Then only can we say India is greatâ he saidHe noted that Bharatiya Vigyana Sammelan is playing a vital role in taking Indian knowledge forward as a national movement Six such seminars have been held in different parts of the country and Tirupati is hosting the seventh seminarStating that Indiaâs knowledge is not new he said as early as 4500 years ago India had demonstrated to the world the principles of urban planning and engineeringCM Naidu said that India had been a superpower in the knowledge economy and at one time it accounted for 40 per cent of the worlds DGP That was the golden era Though there was a period of decline because of colonial rule and also because of economic policies he saidThe CN pointed out that India started economic reforms in 1991 and the mid1990s had a firstmover advantage in information technologyRecalling the push he had given to the IT sector 25 years ago as the Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu said that today Telangana has the highest per capita income and Hyderabad is the most livable cityCM Naidu said he was now focusing on quantum computing âWithin six months first quantum computer will be operated from Amaravati and within two years quantum computers will be manufactured here and supplied to the worldâ he addedUnion Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh NSA Board member G Satheesh Reddy Vijnana Bharati President Sekhar C Mande and others also addressed the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/rss-chief-making-huge-contribution-to-nation-building-says-chandrababu-naidu-655769.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tripura-assembly-speaker-amp-four-time-mla-biswa-bandhu-sen-passes-away-655778.html Agartala Dec 26 Tripura Legislative Assembly Speaker and fourtime MLA Biswa Bandhu Sen passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Friday after undergoing medical treatment for over four months He was 72 Sen a Congress turned BJP leader is survived by his wife one son and a daughterThe Tripura government has declared three days of state mourning from Friday as a mark of respect to the departed leaderDuring the period of state mourning December 26 to 28 the National Flag will be flown at halfmast across the state and there will be no official entertainment programme during this periodThe state government also decided that all the offices of the government including those located outside the state Public Sector Undertakings PSUs and educational institutions will remain closed on FridayThe Tripura government has announced that a state funeral will be accorded to Biswa Bandhu Sen on Saturday December 27Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha seniormost minister Ratan Lal Nath Leader of Opposition LoP and CPI M Tripura state Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly Ram Prasad Paul Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman and many other leaders condoled the deathThe Chief Minister in a social media post said I am deeply saddened by the passing away of the Honâble Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly Bishwa Bandhu Sen His untimely demise is an irreparable loss to the people of the state I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family members and followers I pray to the Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed soul and for strength to his family to overcome this difficult timeAs Speaker of the Assembly Sen discharged his responsibilities with efficiency and conducted the house proceedings with fairness and exemplary competence the Chief Minister later told the mediaAssembly Speaker Sen who underwent an emergency surgery at a private hospital in Agartala after he suffered an internal brain haemorrhage on August 8 was taken to Bengaluru for better medical treatment on August 11An official said that on the initiative of Tripura Chief Minister two doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi came here and they examined Sens health condition and treatment protocols first conducted at the Tripura Medical College and then at a private hospital in AgartalaThe Assembly Speakers son Arijit Sen who is also a doctor had earlier said that they have decided to shift his father to a Bengalurubased hospital for further medical treatmentArijit Sen thanked Chief Minister Manik Saha and other doctors for properly managing the initial treatment in Agartala of his 72yearold fatherThe Assembly Speaker suffered a brain haemorrhage at Agartala railway station on August 8 when he just boarded a train to go to his hometown Dharmanagar in North Tripura districtSen was elected to the Tripura Legislative Assembly four times twice from the Dharmanagar constituency on a Congress ticket in 2008 and 2013 and later twice in 2018 and 2023 as a nominee of the ruling BJP from the same seat IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tripura-assembly-speaker-amp-four-time-mla-biswa-bandhu-sen-passes-away-655778.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/president-murmu-presents-pradhan-mantri-rashtriya-bal-puraskar-to-20-children-on-veer-bal-diwas-655781.html New Delhi Dec 26 IANS President Droupadi Murmu on Friday presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 20 children from 18 states and union territories recognising their exceptional achievements and contributions in various fields including art culture sports and innovationnbspAddressing the gathering President Murmu extended her blessings to the awardees and congratulated their familiesnbspI extend my blessings to all the children These young achievers have brought pride to their families and communities I also congratulate their parents and family members for their support she saidnbspSpeaking about the significance of the day the President said Veer Bal Diwas is observed every year on December 26 to honour the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzades the sons of Sikhisms tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh JiDo you know why we celebrate Veer Bal Diwas There is a long and inspiring history behind it she said while also commending Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi and her team for organising the award ceremony for such talented childrennbspRecalling the historical significance President Murmu said that around 320 years ago Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four sons made supreme sacrifices for righteousness and faithnbspOn this day we especially remember his two younger sons Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Their courage continues to inspire generations and their names are remembered with great respect in India and across the world she saidI offer my respectful homage to the Sahibzades Veer Bal Diwas is a day of remembrance and a celebration of patriotism bravery and national unity the President addednbspPresident Murmu said that the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar plays an important role in motivating young minds By presenting this award today you have been encouraged This recognition will inspire children across the nation to strive for excellence she saidnbspShe also praised the abilities of the awardees noting that all children are equal in the eyes of the nationI have interacted with these children and found them extremely talented Some of the award recipients are as young as seven years old she saidnbspMeanwhile 14yearold cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi one of the award recipients was in Delhi to receive the honour and was therefore not participating in his teams Vijay Hazare Trophy match against ManipurAnother awardee Shravan Singh from Ferozepur was recognised for his selfless service in providing tea and breakfast to soldiers stationed at the border during Operation SindoornbspVeer Bal Diwas is observed to honour the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Jis four sons Sahibzada Ajit Singh Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh To commemorate their sacrifice Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in 2022 that December 26 would be observed annually as Veer Bal Diwas https://dailyworld.in/politics/president-murmu-presents-pradhan-mantri-rashtriya-bal-puraskar-to-20-children-on-veer-bal-diwas-655781.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/family-members-of-unnao-rape-survivor-activists-protest-outside-delhi-hc-against-sengars-bail-655782.html New Delhi Dec 26 IANS The family members of the Unnao rape survivor along with womens rights activists on Friday staged a protest outside the Delhi High Court against the suspension of the sentence of Kuldeep Sengar who was convicted in the Unnao rape case The demonstrators raised slogans and expressed anger over the courts decision to grant him conditional bailnbspProtesters gathered near the court premises holding placards and chanting slogans such as Peedit rahe asurakshit aur balatkari kare aish Humein nahi manzoor in support of the survivor and demanding strict action against the convicted former MLA The protesters said the decision had shaken public faith and sent a wrong message regarding crimes against womenSpeaking to IANS the survivors mother said she still had faith in the justice system and the Supreme CourtnbspIf the Public Prosecutor stands with me and supports my lawyer and if the CBI Public Prosecutor also takes a firm stand there is hope Honestly I do not have much faith in the CBI but I do have faith in the Public Prosecutor I trust the Supreme Court and will keep knocking on its doors she saidnbspShe further added that the bail should be cancelled and demanded the strictest punishment for the guiltyAny MLA irrespective of religion or caste who commits such a crime against a girl or a minor should be given capital punishment That is all we want I believe we will get justice she saidnbspSocial activist Yogita Bhayana also criticised the system stating that the survivor had been failed at multiple levelsnbspFirst she was raped and then gangraped by a powerful person It was not an ordinary criminal but someone with influence When a powerful person is involved the system is often manipulated It is very unfortunate that someone like Mr Sengar who was extremely powerful managed to get relief she saidBhayana added that activists would continue their fight for justicenbspWe are seeking relief and we should get it If we do not get relief here we will approach the Supreme Court she saidnbspThe Delhi High Court on Tuesday suspended the jail sentence of SengarnbspA bench comprising Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar granted him bail directing him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 15 lakh along with three sureties of the same amount https://dailyworld.in/politics/family-members-of-unnao-rape-survivor-activists-protest-outside-delhi-hc-against-sengars-bail-655782.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/your-generation-will-sail-us-to-new-heights-pm-modi-to-gen-z-alpha-on-veer-bal-diwas-655783.html New Delhi Dec 26 IANS In an inspiring address to young Indians on Veer Bal Diwas at Bharat Mandapam on Friday here Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Gen Z and Gen Alpha generations to soar with their dreams stay focused on principles and lead India towards developed nation statusnbspDrawing from the unparalleled bravery of the Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh the Prime Minister emphasised that age is no barrier to greatness and called on youth to draw inspiration from national idealsAddressing members of the Yuva Bharat organisation PM Modi said All of you are Gen Z associated with the organisation and you are Gen Alpha too Your generation will sail us to new heightsnbspQuoting a shloka in Sanskrit If a small child talks about wisdom we must adopt it he praised the young achieversnbspYou can do big work at a small age you have done it But these achievements should be seen differently take your dreams to the sky The country is with you with strong determination the PM saidContrasting past despair with current opportunities the Prime Minister noted Earlier youth were scared of dreaming because the old system instilled an atmosphere of despair But now the country searches for talent and provides platforms fortified with the power of 140 crore citizensnbspHe highlighted resources like the Internet startup missions and platforms for focused growthA key focus was the New Education Policy NEP which prioritises practical learning critical thinking and questioning over rote memorisation For the first time the government is focusing more on new learning and developing the thinking process PM Modi said lauding Atal Tinkering Labs for fostering innovation and design thinkingnbspEvoking Veer Sahibzada Zorawar Singhs recognition of difficult paths he advised youth Maintain your wisdom this leads to the nations progress Be very focused dont get carried away by shortterm popularity glamour Your thinking must be clear based on principles Learn from ideals and great personalitiesPM Modi stressed that personal success should inspire others with youth at the centre of policies like skill development internships sports encouragement fintech manufacturing and Yuva Bharat platformsnbspNew opportunities are opening in every sector because India is one of the youngest countries he added linking NEPs multidisciplinary approach and technology use to shaping a Viksit BharatnbspThe event marking the Sahibzadas sacrifice underscored youth empowerment as vital for Indias aspirations amid global expectations he said https://dailyworld.in/politics/your-generation-will-sail-us-to-new-heights-pm-modi-to-gen-z-alpha-on-veer-bal-diwas-655783.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/-punjab-to-roll-out-insurance-cover-after-crop-loss-cost-cuts-655795.html Chandigarh Dec 26 IANS The AAPruled Punjab government has been providing free 600 units of electricity to every household per billing cycle since 2022 enabling 90 per cent of them to avail the facility besides releasing Rs 968 crore for crop loss in monsoon floods reducing the cost of doorsteps delivery of services from Rs 120 to just Rs 50 clearing dues of six lakh employees and geared up to start an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh for 65 lakh familiesnbspnbspIn his yearend report Punjabs Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema showcased a year of robust fiscal management infrastructure investment and landmark digital reformsSaying the Finance Department is no longer a distributor of funds but a driver of innovation he remarked that the priority of the government remains ensuring the state exchequer which serves the common man directly Whether it is the Rs 968 crore released for crop loss compensation to our farmers who faced severe floods this year or loan waiver for 4650 beneficiaries under the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation PSCFC we are committed to providing a safety net for every Punjabi he saidnbspWe have even reduced the cost of doorstep delivery of government services from Rs 120 to just Rs 50 with the government absorbing the remaining cost to ease the burden on citizens he explainedTalking about the provision of free 600 units of power to domestic consumers for every twomonth bill cycle that started in July 2022 Finance Minister Cheema said the government is not only providing free power to more than 90 per cent households but has also cleared all payments related to power subsidy up to September 2025 including pending duesnbspHe said the Sixth Punjab Pay Commission was implemented on July 1 2021 and the government is committed to clearing the outstanding dues of Rs 14191 crore left unpaid by the previous government The government has already started releasing arrears as per the structured liquidation plan in 202526 benefiting six lakh employees and pensioners Cheema saidTo bolster grassroots development the Finance Minister said the government has released Rs 292 crore under the Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme ensuring every constituency receives Rs 25 crore to address immediate local needsnbspHe said this year marked a massive surge in connectivity and sports infrastructure A mammoth project to construct 2832 km of Plan Roads and 7767 km of Link Roads is underway for Rs 5338 crore The Mandi Board is executing the construction of 12361 km of new rural link roads with an investment of Rs 4275 crore and Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for developing worldclass playgrounds to foster a culture of fitness and sports he saidnbspStressing the governments focus on education and health the Finance Minister said in a significant move for the education sector the government concluded negotiations for the World Banksupported POISE programme Punjab OutcomesAcceleration In School Education OperationHe said with a total outlay of Rs 2520 crore 7030 costsharing with the state this fiveyear initiative aims to revolutionise learning outcomes and governance in school education He said the state would soon provide an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh to approximately 65 lakh families under Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana with an estimated outlay of Rs 600 crore in this fiscalnbspThe Finance Minister said his department has undergone a digital metamorphosis through the Integrated Financial Management System IFMS introducing several good practices that enhance transparency and efficiencynbspHe said Punjab became a pioneer in implementing the SNASPARSH fund flow mechanism He said the state has earned an incentive of Rs 450 crore in 202425 and is eyeing another Rs 350 crore this fiscal year by optimising cash liquidity and reducing unutilized fundsA dedicated Pensioner Sewa Portal PSP now allows pensioners to track their cases submit life certificates and lodge grievances online ensuring ease of living for senior citizensnbspMoving away from slow manual processes the new audit management system portal allows realtime tracking of audit memos and reports ensuring accountability at the highest administrative levels By shifting to electronic vouchers for all bills across Punjab the government has significantly reduced stationary and logistical costs while streamlining the accounting process with the Accountant General AG he said adding for the first time the Punjab Treasury Rules PTR have been completely overhauled to incorporate modern FinTech and IT applications with the new rules set to be published shortlynbspConcluding the yearender the Finance Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann the state has successfully balanced grassroots development with cuttingedge financial technology https://dailyworld.in/politics/-punjab-to-roll-out-insurance-cover-after-crop-loss-cost-cuts-655795.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cec-gyanesh-kumar-meets-vice-president-radhakrishnan-655796.html New Delhi Dec 26 IANS Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar called on Vice President C P Radhakrishnan at the Vice Presidents Enclave on Friday and shared experiences related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and Chairship of International IDEAnbspEarlier in the month CEC Kumar was in Sweden to assume the Chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance International IDEAnbspHe also met the Committee on the Constitution at the Swedish Parliament and held discussions on various aspects of democracyEarlier the CEC also unveiled the plaque at International IDEA Headquarters in Sweden and met Dr Kevin CasasZamora SecretaryGeneral of International IDEAnbspThe CEC took over the Chairship of IIDEA in the meeting of the Council of Member States of International IDEA to be held in Stockholm SwedennbspAs Chair he will be presiding over all council meetings in 2026nbspInternational IDEA established in 1995 is an intergovernmental organisation committed to strengthening democratic institutions and processes across the world With a current membership of 35 countries and the United States and Japan as Observers the organisation promotes inclusive resilient and accountable democraciesThe Chairship marks a significant milestone reflecting global recognition of the Election Commission of India as one of the worlds most credible and innovative Election Management Bodies EMBs the ECI saidnbspIndia a founding member of IIDEA has consistently contributed to the organisations governance democratic discourse and institutional initiativesnbspAs Chair the CEC will leverage the countrys unmatched experience of conducting the worlds largest elections to shape IIDEAs global agenda The collaboration will strengthen knowledgesharing reinforce professional networks among EMBs and support evidencebased global electoral reforms the ECI saidnbspBeing the worlds largest electorate of nearly a billion electors and with welllaiddown and documented transparent electoral processes India will endeavour to share its best practices with the EMBs across the world during the year https://dailyworld.in/politics/cec-gyanesh-kumar-meets-vice-president-radhakrishnan-655796.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-ka-ghajini-suits-arvind-kejriwal-not-l-g-bjp-slams-aap-on-air-pollution-655797.html New Delhi Dec 26 IANS BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva on Friday hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party AAP for dubbing Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena as Delhi ka Ghajini over air pollution asserting that the character from the film actually suits former Chief Minister Arvind KejriwalnbspThe remarks come days after Delhis Lieutenant Governor wrote a detailed letter to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal holding him and his party responsible for the national capitals deteriorating air quality and poor infrastructure In response the AAP launched a poster attack on the LG portraying him as Delhi ka GhajiniSpeaking to IANS Virendra Sachdeva said The LG has written a letter of around 15 pages It is quite shocking for me that in the letter the LG is reminding the Chief Minister of 201718 that pollution is a serious problem However the response at that time was even more shocking as Arvind Kejriwal reportedly said that pollution lasts for only 1520 days and should not be taken so seriouslynbspHe further alleged that Kejriwal had downplayed the issue by claiming that a few media houses and activists would raise the matter for a short period and that people would eventually forget about itThe government led by Arvind Kejriwal which ruled Delhi for 12 years has pushed the city into this miserable condition Why should the BJP government which has been in power for just 10 months be held responsible for their misdeeds Sachdeva addednbspSachdeva said the current government was making sincere efforts to improve the situation after decades of neglectnbspMy government is trying very hard to improve things after 27 years of bad governance We are working on roads infrastructure and several measures to control pollution At least our government is working What they did was loot the national capital and destroy Delhi he saidTaking a swipe at the AAPs poster campaign Sachdeva said the comparison with the character Ghajini was misplacednbspI remember the character of Ghajini very well He forgets everything Even the poster used by AAP has mistakes After losing the election the person who has forgotten Delhi is Arvind Kejriwal So the character of Ghajini suits him not the LG They should at least use a proper picture he saidnbspMeanwhile air quality in the national capital showed marginal improvement on Friday but continued to remain in the poor category A day earlier the opposition AAP had stepped up its attack on Lieutenant Governor Saxena after he wrote to Kejriwal recalling his earlier attempts to raise concerns about pollution when Kejriwal was the Chief MinisterIn the letter Saxena stated that he had flagged the issue of pollution before Kejriwal but his concerns were dismissed According to the LG Kejriwal had said Sir this happens every year The media raises it for 1520 days Activists and the courts make it an issue and then everyone forgets You too should not pay much attention to itnbspReacting sharply the AAP accused the LG of shifting blame instead of addressing the ongoing pollution crisis In a cinematic jibe the party shared an edited image of Saxena on social media platform X on ThursdayThe image showed Saxenas face morphed onto a poster of the Aamir Khanstarrer Ghajini a film whose protagonist suffers from shortterm memory loss The AAP alleged that the LG was forgetting that the BJP is currently in power in Delhi and that fixing the pollution crisis is its responsibilitynbspL Low Quality G Ghajini the AAP post read The edited image also carried tattoos stating Kejriwal is responsible Pollution in 2025 and AQI at 750 further intensifying the political sparring over Delhis worsening air quality https://dailyworld.in/politics/delhi-ka-ghajini-suits-arvind-kejriwal-not-l-g-bjp-slams-aap-on-air-pollution-655797.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-lays-foundation-for-1-655-industrial-units-to-create-nearly-2-lakh-jobs-in-mp-655649.html Gwalior Dec 25 IANS Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit on Thursday marking the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari VajpayeenbspIn a major boost to industrial development HM Shah performed the groundbreaking ceremony for 1655 industrial units involving investments exceeding Rs 2 lakh crore expected to generate approximately 193000 direct employment opportunities across the stateThe summit held at the Mela Ground under the theme Nivesh Se Rojgar Atal Sankalp Ujjawal Madhya Pradesh Employment from Investment Atals Resolve a Bright Madhya Pradesh highlighted the states progress in converting investment proposals into tangible job creation over the past two yearsnbspLand allocation letters were distributed for projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore while foundation stones were laid and several initiatives worth more than Rs 10000 crore were dedicated to the publicSectorwise highlights included significant investments in energy with three projects totalling Rs 60000 crore poised to create 12600 jobsnbspThe mining sector attracted Rs 7050 crore across 13 projects projected to employ 9505 people Renewable energy drew Rs 35581 crore for 496 projects offering 5535 employment opportunitiesnbspTourism secured Rs 386 crore through two projects expected to generate 2700 jobs while the health sector saw Rs 240 crore in investments yielding 240 positions with an additional Rs 40 crore focused on healthcare advancementsProminent industrialists from leading groups participated in the event underscoring national confidence in Madhya Pradeshs industrial ecosystemnbspThe event also featured incentives disbursement to investors via a singleclick mechanism honouring successful entrepreneurs for employment generation and announcements on divisionallevel land allocations to ensure balanced regional growth Exhibitions showcased Vajpayees life and vision alongside the states recent industrial reforms and achievementsChief Minister Yadav emphasised the summits role in fostering local industries through new clusters and plugandplay units directly linking youth to livelihoodsnbspThe programme aligns with declaring 2026 as the Year of Agriculture while reinforcing Madhya Pradeshs emergence as a hub for sustainable development and selfreliance echoing Vajpayees principles of good governance and national progress https://dailyworld.in/politics/hm-shah-lays-foundation-for-1-655-industrial-units-to-create-nearly-2-lakh-jobs-in-mp-655649.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/confident-in-securing-majority-whenever-assembly-polls-are-held-karnataka-bjp-655656.html Bengaluru Dec 25 The Karnataka BJP has stated that it is confident of attaining a majority whenever Assembly polls are held in the state as public anger is rising against the Congressled government in the state BJP state president and MLA BY Vijayendra made the statement in this regard while speaking at the 101st birth anniversary programme of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Atal Bihari Vajpayee held on Thursday at the partys state office Jagannath Bhavan in BengaluruHe added that the deteriorating condition of the Congress party was evident from the recent town panchayat election results in the state âWhether it is EVMs or ballot papers the fate of the Congress party will not changeâ he assertedHe said the BJP has been blessed with the leadership of stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani and that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Amit Shah and JP Nadda the BJP is steadily advancing He also expressed confidence that the BJP would come to power in West BengalVijayendra said the BJP was currently in the opposition due to its own shortcomings and that party workers need not be anxiousHe alleged that public anger was rising against the antipeople and antipoor Congress government in Karnataka âWhether elections are held in 2028 or even tomorrow the BJP will come to power in Karnataka with a clear majority of 130140 MLAs on its own strength We must all work to strengthen the partyâ he saidHe said that merely uttering the name of Atalji fills people with excitement and inspiration adding that such was the greatness of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari VajpayeeRecalling Vajpayeeâs association with Karnataka Vijayendra said that Atalji had visited the state on several occasions and was a great leader who inspired the growth of the BJP organisation in Karnataka Leaders such as BS Yediyurappa Shankaramurthy Ramachandregowda and Jagadish Shettar drew inspiration from him he saidVajpayee had the foresight that Karnataka would one day become a strong bastion of the BJP in South India Vijayendra said adding that Atalji had immense faith in party workers He recalled that when Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister he had remarked after listening to Vajpayeeâs speeches in Parliament that Atal would one day become Prime MinisterâAtalji had once said there is no question of fearing defeat He instilled confidence among party workers to build the BJP firmlyâ Vijayendra saidVijayendra said Vajpayeeâs patriotism and vision should continue to inspire the partyâWith Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs âSabka Vikasâ vision we must move forward Despite the Congress partyâs propaganda the NDA government at the Centre under Narendra Modi has provided corruptionfree governanceâ he saidRefusing allegations that the BJP is antiminority Vijayendra said that Vajpayee Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are not against minorities âThe BJP opposes those antinational elements who raise slogans like âPakistan Zindabadââ he saidFormer Chief Minister and BJP MP Jagadish Shettar released a booklet on Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion Recalling his association with Vajpayee Shettar said the Pokhran nuclear tests were a matter of pride for the nation and credited Vajpayee for the achievement He said Vajpayee continues to live in the hearts of the people and highlighted his emphasis on the welfare of backward classes and DalitsLeader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said Vajpayeeâs leadership was spotless and exemplary Referring to recent election results held through ballot papers he said the BJP had emerged victorious and urged party president Vijayendra to distribute sweetsâIf that is the case who committed vote theftâ he asked alleging that the Congress is a party of vote thieves while the BJP is a âdil choriâ heartswinning partyHe expressed confidence that the BJP would emerge victorious in the stateLegislative Council Chief Whip N Ravikumar BJP state general secretary P Rajeev state vicepresident N Mahesh state chief spokesperson Ashwath Narayan state executive special invitee Purnima Srinivas former MLA MD Lakshminarayana former MLC YA Narayanaswamy former minister Pramod Madhwaraj Atal centenary celebrations state coordinator Jagadish Hiremani and other party leaders were present IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/confident-in-securing-majority-whenever-assembly-polls-are-held-karnataka-bjp-655656.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-naidu-misusing-institutions-to-withdraw-cases-against-himself-ysrcp-655667.html Hyderabad Dec 25 Andhra Pradeshâs main opposition party YSR Congress has accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of misusing institutions to withdraw all the cases against himself YSRCP General Secretary and former Additional Advocate General Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy said the issue would be taken to the highest courtSpeaking to the media here on Thursday he said Chandrababu Naidu has been behaving like a monarch and has breached the bail condition by influencing institutions to close cases against himselfâWe will take the issue to the highest judicial body and expose his misdeeds and those officials who resorted to dereliction of dutyâ he saidSudhakar Reddy said that Chandrababu Naidu has been manipulating systems as he is playing multiple roles of the accused investigator advocate and sitting in judgment as well and closing cases on the ground of mistake of fact which does not fall in line with democratic principlesThe same police who filed cases against Chandrababu Naidu for various scams have now started giving him a clean chit taking cover under mistake of fact which shows how Chandrababu Naidu has been influencing institutions he saidHe pointed out that Chandrababu Naidu was in jail for 53 days in the Skill Development case and police filed a charge sheet after questioning 150 witnesses and recording statements of 18 officials in the Rs 371crore scamCentral agencies too were involved and some of the accused had served jail sentences The case was closed despite the quash petition being pending before the Supreme Court the YSRCP leaderSudhakar Reddy said Chandrababu Naidu was also involved in the Inner Ring Road Assigned Lands Liquor and other cases involving scams running into crores of rupeesHe alleged that the Chief Minister was misusing the police to close the cases thinking that he was not accountable to legal scrutinyâBut we will knock on the doors of the apex court and take the issue to its logical conclusion The cases were closed by the police on his behest which is a breach of bail conditions Chandrababu Naidu has turned some institutions into puppets but this act will not last longâ he saidâA day will come when Chandrababu Naidu and all the officials involved will be brought to book as we will not give up and will keep exposing his manipulations at every given avenueâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-naidu-misusing-institutions-to-withdraw-cases-against-himself-ysrcp-655667.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-to-name-public-places-after-ex-pm-vajpayee-655672.html Chandigarh Dec 25 IANS Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday paid tributes to Bharat Ratna late Atal Bihari Vajpayee describing him as a visionary statesman and announced to name at least one public place in each of 87 Urban Local Bodies after the late leader as his life symbolised integrity democratic values and peoplecentric governancenbspThe Chief Minister while remembering former Prime Minister Vajpayee said he was not only steadfast in his thoughts but also unwavering in his values and principlesnbspHe emphasised that though governments may come and go Atalji always remained firm in his idealsnbspDescribing his life as a source of continuous inspiration the Chief Minister said Vajpayees journey teaches the nation the importance of values integrity and principled leadershipThe Chief Minister said the state government is firmly following the path shown by Vajpayee whose ideals of good governance continue to inspire policies and public service in HaryananbspMaking a major announcement on the occasion of Good Governance Day CM Saini said to commemorate the birth centenary of Vajpayee the state government has decided to name at least one public place in each of the states 87 Urban Local Bodies after himnbspAddressing the gathering at the statelevel Good Governance Day programme held in Panchkula near here the Chief Minister announced that statues of Vajpayee would also be installed at these locations so that his ideals of democracy national unity and transparent governance continue to guide societyIn addition the Chief Minister said several institutions will be established in the name of Vajpayee to spread awareness about his life thoughts and invaluable contributions especially among the youthnbspHe said a suitable community asset has already been identified in every Urban Local Body which may include a community centre park library auditorium oldage home or a commercial sitenbspHe said the process of renaming and development in memory of Vajpayee would be completed in six months These initiatives he said reflected the governments unwavering commitment to preserving and carrying forward the legacy of a great leader whose principles continue to strengthen governance based on transparency inclusiveness and public welfareCM Saini digitally launched several digital projects and portalsnbspThe initiatives include a portal for Security of Tenure of the Human Resources Department a portal for submission of application for declaration of InfrastructureDeficient Industrial Area of the Town and Country Planning Department Press Release Management System PRMS and Online Press Accreditation Portal of the Information Public Relations Languages and Cultural DepartmentnbspThe Chief Minister also launched the Instant Registration of Commercial Establishments of the Labour DepartmentnbspThese initiatives aim to enhance transparency efficiency and speed in government processes while making public services more accessible and citizenfriendly https://dailyworld.in/politics/haryana-to-name-public-places-after-ex-pm-vajpayee-655672.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-stalin-condemns-attacks-on-minorities-655676.html Chennai Dec 25 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday issued a strong condemnation of attacks on minorities asserting that such incidents are unacceptable in a democratic society and warning that unchecked hate poses a serious threat to national harmony Emphasising the responsibility of those in power and society at large he said curbing riotous and divisive groups must be treated as a shared and urgent duty enforced with firm resolveIn a statement shared on social media CM Stalin said the true strength and moral character of the majority community lie in ensuring that minorities are able to live without fearWhen a few rightwing violent groups acting in the name of the majority indulge in attacks and riots even as the Honâble Prime Minister participates in Christmas celebrations it sends a disturbing message to the nation he saidReferring to recent incidents from different parts of the country CM Stalin said that after Manipur reports of attacks on minorities in places such as Jabalpur and Raipur were alarming and unacceptable to anyone who values social harmony and pluralismThese developments should concern every citizen who believes in peaceful coexistence he saidThe Chief Minister stressed that allowing extremist or riotous groups to operate with impunity would only deepen divisions in societyThose who divide people along religious or communal lines must be dealt with firmly without ambiguity he noted adding that maintaining law and order and protecting constitutional values is not optional but an essential obligation of the StateHe also cited data to underline what he described as a worrying trendClaiming a reported 74 per cent rise in hate speech against minorities since the Bharatiya Janata Party assumed office at the Centre he warned that such an increase signalled grave danger ahead if left unaddressedConcluding his remarks the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister reiterated that Indias unity rests on mutual respect equality before the law and the assurance that every citizen irrespective of faith or identity can live with dignity and without fear IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/cm-stalin-condemns-attacks-on-minorities-655676.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-bjp-urges-cm-stalin-to-act-on-kolathur-water-body-encroachments-cites-hc-order-655678.html Chennai Dec 25 The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP has called upon Chief Minister MK Stalin to fulfil longpending electoral promises made to the people of Kolathur particularly with regard to the removal of encroachments on water bodies in the constituency In a press release issued on Thursday ANS Prasad State Spokesperson of the Tamil Nadu BJP said the issue had acquired renewed urgency following a recent order of the Madras High Court directing authorities to clear encroachments from Vannankulam lake in Kolathur The High Court order came in response to a petition filed by Advocate Devaraj a resident of Kolathur who sought the removal of encroachments on nearly 350 acres of land in the Peravallur area The petition highlighted illegal occupations on Vannankulam lake several ponds and tanks and government poramboke lands which serve as crucial catchment areas during the monsoon A division bench comprising Chief Justice MM Srivatsava and Justice G Arul Murugan directed the Revenue Department the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board and the Greater Chennai Corporation to remove the encroachments on a âwarfootingâ basis The BJP has now urged the Chief Minister to issue clear instructions to these departments to ensure swift and timebound implementation of the courtâs directive The party noted that as both the MLA of Kolathur and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Stalin carries a moral responsibility to personally intervene and resolve the longstanding issue of water body encroachments It is alleged that despite repeated and consistent rulings by various courts mandating the protection and restoration of water bodies successive directives have not been acted upon with seriousness While acknowledging improvements made in Kolathur between 2021 and 2025 in areas such as hospitals playgrounds and bus stands the BJP pointed out that several core promises remain unfulfilled These include the widening of Paper Mills Road from Perambur Church to Retteri Junction a commitment made over 15 years ago The BJP also alleged that many encroachments were carried out during earlier regimes with the involvement of political cadres and recalled Stalinâs 2011 assurance to completely clear encroachments restore ponds and tanks and protect drinking water sources in Kolathur Calling for immediate action the party appealed to the Chief Minister to set an example by enforcing the High Court order without delay and ensuring the full restoration of Kolathurâs water bodies IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/tn-bjp-urges-cm-stalin-to-act-on-kolathur-water-body-encroachments-cites-hc-order-655678.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-marching-towards-quantum-yug-shivraj-singh-chouhan-655682.html Amaravati Dec 25 Union Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that Andhra Pradesh is marching towards âQuantum Yugâ and expressed hope that Amaravati will emerge as a great capital city in future He said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is marching ahead to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047 Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is taking the initiative to establish a healthy wealthy and happy Andhra Pradesh to achieve Swarnandhra PradeshAddressing âGood Governance Dayâ celebrations organised by the state government he remarked that the PM Modi and Chandrababu Babu combination will make the country number oneâFor Andhra Pradesh to become healthy wealthy and happy under the leadership of the esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji the central government will leave no stone unturned We will walk shoulder to shoulderâ he saidEarlier the Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Venkatapalem in the Amaravati capital region on the occasion of Good Governance Day Atal Bihari Vajpayee centenary celebrations Later they planted saplings in the Vajpayee Memorial ParkSpeaking on the occasion the Union Minister described Vajpayee as a great patriot and Ajata Satru He stated that Vajpayee has left such an imprint on Indias politics that it will remain etched for centuriesâAtal Ji is our inspiration When I was studying in Bhopal I heard Atal Ji for the first time His words still echo in my earsâ he saidHe said former Prime Minister Jawaharlal had also recognised the efficiency of Vajpayee and predicted that one day Vajpayee would become Prime Minister He said Vajpayee also played a constructive role while in opposition and supported Indira Gandhi to protect the interests of the country He said Vajpayee demonstrated Indiaâs power through the Pokhran atomic testsChouhan said that the relationship between Vajpayee and Chandrababu Naidu was not merely political but it was a partnership of trust vision and developmentChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described Shivraj Singh Chouhan as a practical politician who plants saplings daily to protect the environment He said that the government can develop the Vajpayee memorial park in Amaravati with the sacrifice of capital region farmersBJP state president PVN Madhav Union Ministers Srinivas Varma Pemmasani Chandrasekhar Ministers Satyakumar Yadav P Narayana and Kandula Durgesh addressed the gatheringEarlier Union Minister Chouhan met Chandrababu Naidu at the latterâs residence âWe had a detailed discussion on key aspects of agriculture and rural development in the state focusing on policy initiatives infrastructure enhancement farmer welfare and sustainable agricultural practicesâ Chouhan posted on âXâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/politics/andhra-marching-towards-quantum-yug-shivraj-singh-chouhan-655682.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:52:00 +0530