Delhi Civic Centre receives bomb threat; no suspicious items found
The News Mill
Rahul Gandhi Expresses Condolences to Family of Manipuri Musician Vikram Singh
Rahul Gandhi reaches out to the family of Manipuri musician Vikram Singh, expressing condolences after his tragic death in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi Expresses Condolences to Family of Manipuri Musician Vikram Singh
Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta dies by suicide in Noida
The News Mill
Delhi BJP President Expresses Condolences Over the Death of Manipuri Singer, Promises Swift Justice
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra visits the family of slain Manipuri singer, ensuring swift justice and condemning political exploitation of the tragedy. Delhi BJP President Expresses Condolences Over the Death of Manipuri Singer, Promises Swift Justice
In response to a deadly building collapse in Delhi, Odisha is ramping up efforts to identify and demolish unsafe structures statewide. Odisha Government Launches Statewide Campaign to Identify and Demolish Unsafe Buildings After Delhi Tragedy
Delhi Minister Reviews Industry Promotion Plans to Foster Economic Growth
Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reviews initiatives aimed at boosting Delhis industrial ecosystem and promoting job creation. Delhi Minister Reviews Industry Promotion Plans to Foster Economic Growth
HC seeks Delhi govt.s action plan to eliminate rabies in stray dogs
Raghav Chadhas name added in Delhi electoral
Falling edifice: On the Delhi private hostel building collapse
Delhis ambition as an education hub is at odds with its civic infrastructure
Delhi CM meets injured students, hands aid to kin; building contractor held in U.P.
Gupta visits AIIMS, gives 5 lakhcompensation each to families of students being treated for collapse injuries, orders razing of an unsafe structure in Satya Niketan; owner began work on basement while building was occupied, says Chief Fire Officer
The Delhi High Court dismissed UltraTech Cement's appeal regarding the Builders Association of India's involvement. The court affirmed the association's impleadment to aid the antitrust regulator's assessment. This impleadment helps the Competition Commission of India reach a correct conclusion on allegations. The Builders Association of India had also alleged cartelization by grey cement manufacturers. The Competition Commission of India initiated an investigation after receiving market participant complaints.
SC gives govt two weeks to file list of black money cases pending in HCs
The Supreme Court granted the government two weeks to list cases. These cases challenge provisions of the Black Money Act, including Anil Ambani's petition. The government seeks consolidation of these cases from Bombay High Court to Delhi. The court questioned the preference for one high court over another. The government aims for expeditious disposal of these significant revenue cases.
Not enough room: inside thedabba gharsfor students in Delhi
Ladakh-Centre talks to resume today
LAB, KDA to press for Sixth Schedule safeguards, stronger hill councils Jammu Tawi, Sep 08:Talks between representatives of civil society groups in Ladakh and the Centre are set to resume in New Delhi on Wednesday, with both sides returning to the negotiating table after a series of fresh confidence-building measures in the Union Territory. According [] The post Ladakh-Centre talks to resume today appeared first on Northlines .
Raghav Chadha's name added to voter list, AAP cries foul
A political controversy has erupted over the inclusion of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha's name in Delhi's electoral rolls. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged procedural irregularities, questioning how his name appeared in the Rajinder Nagar constituency's voter list despite the draft rolls showing fewer entries. Poll officials confirm Chadha's name was added through the updation process after being removed from Punjab's rolls, while Chadha dismisses AAP's claims as a 'bitter ex' reaction.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated it may examine building safety and construction norm violations on a pan-India basis following the five-storey building collapse at Delhis Satya Niketan that killed seven people. The bench is also considering transferring proceedings on the incident from the Delhi High Court to itself.
Punjab MP Raghav Chadha's Name Added To Delhi Voter List
AAP leaders, in a press conference, raised the issue and alleged that Raghav Chadha's name was included in the electoral rolls of the Rajinder Nagar Assembly constituency without following the due procedure.
National Nutrition Month to be launched today at Varanasi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) In keeping with the observance of Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) every September, mobilising communities and reinforcing key nutrition, health and caregiving behaviours among pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, adolescents, and their families, the ninth edition this year will be launched on Wednesday at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. Over successive Poshan Maah campaigns, awareness and positive behaviour change have been strengthened on maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, growth monitoring and hygiene, alongside broader efforts to improve nutrition outcomes across the country. Last year's event was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, along with the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA). This year's campaign aims to recognise the importance of Anganwadi centres, the world's largest childcare network delivering essential care and support to children in even the most remote communities. The central theme this year is Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari, calling upon every citizen to take shared ownership of such centres. It seeks to place these centres at the heart of community-led action for nutrition, care and early childhood development, while strengthening collective ownership and accountability for Poshan. The 2026 event is proposed to be anchored in five mutually reinforcing priorities. These include promotion of dietary diversity, with a focus on adequate protein intake, diverse food groups and local foods. It also ensures that beneficiaries get fresh, diverse, and nutritious hot cooked meals as central to improving the quality, utilisation, and effectiveness of Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP), while encouraging regular attendance at Anganwadi centres. Additionally, it is aimed at strengthening community ownership and accountability for Poshan through the newly constituted Anganwadi Management Committees and the display of SNP Menu Boards. The campaign also seeks promoting cognitive development and adequate nutrition as fundamental pillars of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), highlighting the inseparable link between what a child eats and how a child learns. Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 will also commemorate 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), India's flagship maternity benefit programme. It will highlight PMMVY's contribution in supporting maternal nutrition, promoting health-seeking behaviours, and providing income support during pregnancy, while reinforcing the critical importance of maternal nutrition and care during the first 1,000 days of life for healthy growth, cognitive development, and lifelong well-being. Meanwhile, the Poshan Tracker, launched on March 1, 2021, serves as the primary governance tool for monitoring infrastructure and service delivery that has facilitated near real-time data collection for Anganwadi Services. At present, the system monitors a universe that consists of pregnant women, lactating mothers, children up to the age of six years, and adolescent girls. As of July 31 this year, India's nutrition infrastructure spans nearly 13.99 lakh Aanganwadi centres with a strength of 13.30 lakh workers, forming a vast grassroots network reaching around 8.94 crore beneficiaries. Children remain the primary focus, with those aged between six months and six years accounting for more than 7.2 crore of all beneficiaries, underscoring the emphasis on early childhood nutrition and development. Meanwhile, pregnant women and lactating mothers together number nearly 1.1 crore, reflecting sustained attention to maternal health during the critical first 1,000 days. Malnutrition remains one of India's most significant public health challenges, affecting the health, growth, learning and productivity of women and children across the life cycle. To mount a coordinated response, the Union government launched POSHAN Abhiyaan in March 2018 as a multi-ministerial convergence mission placing nutrition at the centre of the development agenda. In the Union Budget 202122, these interventions were integrated under Mission Poshan 2.0 India's unified National Nutrition Mission anchored by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. This consolidates three core schemes into one framework, Poshan Abhiyaan which includes technology-driven monitoring, Jan Andolan or mass mobilisation, and behavioural change. Also, Anganwadi services and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) see to supplementary nutrition, hot cooked meals, and early childhood care. Additionally, scheme for adolescent girls provide nutritional support for out-of-school, and adolescent girls.
Tripura Records Zero Primary-Level Dropout Rate, Says CM Dr Manik Saha
Agartala, September 09, 2026: Tripura has achieved a zero dropout rate at the primary level during the 2025-26 academic year, Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha said while highlighting the state governments efforts to strengthen foundational learning and improve school education. Dr. Saha made the statement while addressing an event in New Delhi organised to... The post Tripura Records Zero Primary-Level Dropout Rate, Says CM Dr Manik Saha first appeared on Northeast Today .
J&K, Ladakh agencies step up joint fight against drug trafficking
Srinagar, Sep 8: The second UT-level Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting on narcotics control for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh was held at the Police Control Room in Srinagar on Tuesday, with enforcement agencies calling for stronger coordination to combat drug trafficking networks. The meeting was chaired by the DDG (NWR), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and IG Crime/ANTF of J&K Police. Senior officers from the ED, BSF, State Drug Controller, IB, Customs, DRI, Income Tax, NIA and police, including SSPs of Jammu, Srinagar and Ganderbal, participated. The agencies discussed emerging trends in drug trafficking, inter-State linkages, illicit cultivation, information sharing, joint investigations, financial probes and effective prosecution. Officials also reviewed measures for implementing the Vision Document on Drug Control (20262029) announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the 10th apex-level NCORD meeting in New Delhi on June 26. The meeting stressed a network-centric approach, along with greater inter-agency coordination, joint interrogation, financial investigation and use of information-sharing mechanisms. The meeting concluded with a call for sustained cooperation and a whole-of-government approach to detect, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks across J&K and Ladakh.
Delhi PG collapse: Contractor held, rent pact under lens
A labour contractor has been apprehended in connection with the collapse of a five-storey building in Delhi's Satya Niketan, which resulted in seven deaths. The building owners are in judicial custody, and investigations are scrutinising construction work and a controversial rent agreement that disclaimed liability for tenant casualties. Authorities are also planning new policies to regulate PGs and ensure safety.
CEO Delhi clarifies electoral roll process amid AAP allegations on Raghav Chadhas inclusion
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Delhi, on Monday issued a detailed press note clarifying the process of inclusion, deletion and modification of names in the electoral rolls, following allegations raised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding the name of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha in the draft electoral roll of Assembly constituency-39 (Rajinder Nagar). In its press note, the CEOs office said that names of electors are added, deleted or modified in the electoral roll only on the basis of Form-6, Form-7 and Form-8 respectively. These forms are processed by the Electoral Registration Officers strictly in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and instructions issued by the Election Commission of India. Any eligible citizen can submit these forms at any time during the year. The CEO informed that the draft electoral roll for Delhi was published on August 31, 2026, on the basis of Enumeration Forms submitted by electors to Booth Level Officers during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) period from June 30 to August 17, 2026. The draft list is available for viewing and download on the CEO Delhi website. The claims and objections period is currently underway from August 31 to September 30, 2026. During this window, electors who could not submit their forms earlier or who wish to seek inclusion, deletion or correction can file the relevant forms. Form-6 is for enrolment of new electors, Form-7 for objecting to inclusion or seeking deletion, and Form-8 for shifting of residence, correction of particulars or other modifications. Applications can be submitted physically to the Electoral Registration Officer, Assistant Electoral Registration Officer, Booth Level Officers (BLO) or at designated polling stations, as well as online through the voters.eci.gov.in portal or the ECINET mobile app. The press note further said that the electoral roll remained frozen from June 16 to August 31, 2026, for the preparation of the SIR. During this period, approximately 2.14 lakh Form-6 applications (apart from Forms 7 and 8) were received. In the first eight days of the claims and objections period alone (up to September 7), another 25,011 Form-6 applications were submitted. As on September 8, around 700 forms across various Assembly constituencies had already been approved by the Electoral Registration Officers for inclusion of names. The CEO clarified that all approved additions will be published in the supplementary electoral roll on November 4, 2026, while modifications and deletions will be reflected against the existing serial numbers in the updated roll. The Election Commission reiterated its commitment to a transparent, participative and inclusive revision process, ensuring that no eligible citizen is left out while no ineligible person is included in the Electoral Roll.
Russia Praises Indias BRICS Presidency, Anticipates Successful Summit
Russia commends Indias leadership in BRICS, expressing confidence in the success of the upcoming summit in New Delhi. Russia Praises Indias BRICS Presidency, Anticipates Successful Summit
Why Are National Film Awards Leaving Delhi? Gujarat Venue Sparks Political Row
The National Film Awards are moving beyond Delhi, with the Centre announcing that the prestigious ceremony will now be hosted in different parts of the country. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting says the new policy is aimed at reflecting India's diversity and bringing the country's cinematic talent together.
FIR in Haldwani over 'purification' after Kharge's rally
An FIR has been registered in Haldwani against unknown persons following an alleged purification ceremony at Ramlila Maidan after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's public meeting. The complaint, filed by Congress leader Anju Arya, alleges caste discrimination and social humiliation. The Uttarakhand High Court has been assured of an investigation, and Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallu Ravi, have demanded action, with Ravi filing a separate complaint in Delhi.
Gardener dies of electrocution at DU campus, family stages protest
How luxury hotels, IGIA are gearing up for Brics Summit
Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta Commits Suicide at Noida Home
Rakesh Mehta, a former chief secretary of Delhi, took his own life at his Noida residence, citing health and mental issues in a note. Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta Commits Suicide at Noida Home
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha slams AAP for incessantly targeting him
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for incessantly targeting him since he quit the party soon after its leaders questioned his status as a voter registered in the state of Punjab in a press conference held on Tuesday. I seem to be haunting Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party. Day and night, all they think about is Raghav Chadha and how to attack him, he said in a statement issued late on Tuesday. Ever since I left the corrupt Aam Aadmi Party, its leadership has been unable to cope with it. They are behaving like a bitter ex who has just been dumped, he stated. Chadha was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab as an AAP member in 2022. In April this year, he joined the BJP with six other AAP MPs, complying with the stipulated requirement under the anti-defection merger laws. Earlier also, AAP leaders had claimed that Chadha lives in Delhi, and not Punjab, and that his name can be deleted as a voter in Punjab if he was not found residing at the declared address. Alleging that Chadha was trying to get his name included as a voter in Delhi through a backdated process, they claimed that he did not have a moral right to be in Parliament, nor occupy government accommodation allotted to him as a Rajya Sabha member. Taking to the social media platform X, Chadha last week claimed the Punjab AAP governments politics of revenge to be behind his name being marked as permanently shifted in his voter record in Mohali. The draft electoral rolls were prepared after the Election Commissions recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state going to polls next year. On Tuesday, calling out AAP over baseless allegations, Chadha alleged his former organisation had opened a full-time department just to target me, claiming his voter registration is now its latest assignment. Their formula is always the same: decide on an allegation first, scramble to find an argument to fit it later, he said. The facts are simple and straightforward. I have followed all applicable ECI guidelines and procedures and availed the prescribed remedies, he claimed, adding, AAP has confused electoral rolls with its party membership register. It wants to cut out everyone who walks away from Kejriwal and his corrupt AAP.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan pushes MP's Vidisha towards regional cancer-care hub with new centre
Digital Desk | Vidisha, Sep 8 (IANS) A new cancer day-care facility was inaugurated at the government medical college in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha on Tuesday, marking the first phase of a larger plan to provide advanced cancer treatment closer to patients in the state's smaller cities and surrounding districts. Union Agriculture Minister and Vidisha MP Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who inaugurated the facility along with Minister of State Jitendra Singh, said the initiative would help patients avoid repeated trips to major cities such as Mumbai and Delhi for treatment. Cancer does not affect only the patient; it causes financial and mental distress to the entire family. When patients have to travel to Mumbai or Delhi for treatment, the cost of travel and accommodation itself can run into lakhs of rupees, Chouhan said. The facility at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College has been developed with technical support from Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), with an MoU also signed between the medical college and AIIMS Bhopal. The centre will provide chemotherapy, diagnostics and specialist consultation, while serious cases will be linked to AIIMS Bhopal for further treatment. The initiative is also being expanded into a comprehensive cancer-care programme. Minister of State Jitendra Singh said a radiotherapy facility with a Linear Accelerator is expected to become operational at the medical college within two to three years. He added that two doctors and seven nursing officers from Vidisha had already undergone specialised oncology training at Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) in Mumbai. Surgeons and other surgical staff will also receive advanced training in oncology procedures. A regional cancer registry and a local data centre are planned to help generate reliable data on the cancer burden in the area and support prevention and treatment strategies. The cancer-care programme began with a gap analysis conducted by a multidisciplinary TMC team in June, followed by a screening and awareness camp. According to the Department of Atomic Energy, 586 cancer patients and 254 suspected cases were identified during the screening programme. The proposed expansion will cover medical and surgical oncology, radiotherapy, pathology, early detection, prevention, cancer registration and palliative care. Getting cancer treatment in Vidisha itself will be a major relief for patients and their families. Our effort is to ensure that people do not have to travel to big cities for every stage of treatment, Chouhan said. Minister of State Jitendra Singh said the Vidisha initiative was part of a wider national effort to take specialised cancer-care facilities beyond major metropolitan centres through the Department of Atomic Energy and TMC. The programme was attended by Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, doctors, medical college officials and representatives of TMC and AIIMS Bhopal.
Delhi govt mulls proposal to make registration, licensing mandatory for PG facilities
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) In the backdrop of the Satya Niketan PG building collapse, the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is considering a proposal under which registration and licensing could be made mandatory for all such facilities used by students, an official source said on Tuesday. The terms of registration may include elaborate provisions for CCTV and compulsory posting of a night guard and a warden, said the source. A provision to regulate rents in PG facilities may also be included in a policy framework that the Delhi government is planning to introduce, on the lines of the one it introduced for Bread and Breakfast guest houses after the deadly fire at Malviya Nagar. The proposed framework may also include a facility to lodge complaints or rate a PG facility on the GovPG Portal, said a source. A monitoring committee, comprising representatives of colleges and coaching institutions, may also be set up to maintain supervision on PG facilities. The government is also considering offering tax rebates and other incentives to PG operators who follow the regulatory framework and help it achieve a safe environment for students who use such facilities, said a source. Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police arrested a labour contractor who was overseeing repairs in the ill-fated Satya Niketan PG buildings basement from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh. Labour contractor Sanoj was apprehended in Kasganj and is being brought to Delhi for examination, the police said. Initial questioning of Sanoj revealed that on the day of the building collapse, the basement floor was being repaired as the waste was getting accumulated during the rainy season for the past eight to 10 days, said the police, adding that the Ground Floor of the building was being repaired for extension for commercial purposes. Meanwhile, the building owner Urmila, 75, and her retired husband Hariram, 81, were produced in court which sent them to 14 days of judicial custody. Their son Mahesh was sent to police custody for two days, said an official. The police said that during questioning, Mahesh told interrogators that he used to manage the maintenance of the building on behalf of his parents. They had given the building on lease to the PG Operators Hostel Daze in August 2025. In another development, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Tuesday that the civic agency will demolish a dilapidated building next to the site of the ill-fated paying guest (PG) building that collapsed in Satya Niketan, killing seven people two days ago.
Satya Niketan reaction: Students shout VC go back at Yogesh Singh
Man robbed of Rs 1.5 crore at gunpoint on Netaji Subhash Marg
City calamities: Magisterial probes flag systemic lapses, but action mostly taken against jr staff
CM visits AIIMS centre, assures families of all help
Cong dissidents stage dharna in Delhi, seek change in Bihar unit
Stuck under rubble, student sent live location to friends
Cant live here anymore: Collapse sends Satya Niketan students packing
Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta dies by suicide at Noida residence
Digital Desk | Noida/New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, 74, died by suicide at his home in Noida. Police recovered a note in which he mentioned health and mental issues as the reason for taking the extreme step. His body was discovered on September 6, and the last rites were performed on Sunday. A 1975-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service, Mehta had a long and distinguished association with the Delhi administration. He served under former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in different capacities over the years. Before becoming Chief Secretary, he had also held the important post of Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, where he dealt with a wide range of civic issues in the capital. Mehta assumed charge as Chief Secretary of Delhi in 2007 and remained in the position for more than three years. During this period, he was closely associated with the planning and execution of several major projects in the transport, power and civic infrastructure sectors. These initiatives were aimed at improving public services and modernising the citys basic amenities at a time when Delhi was preparing for a high-profile international event. The Commonwealth Games of 2010 were organised in the national capital during his tenure as Chief Secretary. The successful conduct of the games required extensive coordination across multiple departments of the Delhi government, and Mehtas role in the administrative machinery during that phase was widely acknowledged by those who worked with him. Those familiar with his career remembered him as a senior officer who had spent a significant part of his professional life in the service of Delhi. According to police, the case is being treated as suicide on the basis of the note found at the residence and the circumstances of the death. Further formalities are being completed as per procedure.
Crack in Chirag Dilli PG forces 50 students to vacate building
Students seek web portal for PGs; Sood promises to frame policy in two months
Delhi Police orders regular outreach to students in PGs
MCD faces questions as crackdown begins
MCD starts physical safety survey, covers 1,150 PGs housing 20k people
Owners of 40 Buildings Told to Carry Out Minor Repairs; 6 to 8 Structures Need Major Work
BRICS summit: Delhi hotels fully booked, rates soar
Luxury hotels in Delhi are experiencing a significant room crunch and a sharp increase in tariffs ahead of the BRICS Summit. Many marquee properties show no availability or are quoting rates exceeding six figures per night around the September 12-13 event, highlighting a gap in India's hospitality infrastructure.
Satya Niketan building collapse: Whats in Delhis proposed PG policy? CCTV, wardens, rent regulation
Govt restores CRCS-Sahara refund portal to expedite claims of genuine depositors
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Ministry of Cooperation announced on Tuesday that it has restored the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS)-Sahara refund portal to expedite the claims of genuine depositors of Sahara through a secure, transparent and online mechanism. Till date, a total amount of Rs 9,267 crore has been refunded to 41,56,711 depositors directly into their Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. Approximately 20 lakh applications are still remaining for processing through the CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal. With the portal now restored, verification and refund processing of these pending applications has resumed, the ministry said. The functioning of the Sahara cooperative societies was affected in November 2025 after their premises were sealed due to certain matters disconnected to the Sahara societies. The Societies also faced operational and administrative constraints, including outstanding dues related to hardware and Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs), renewal of essential IT infrastructure and licenses, and human-resource and other administrative issues. Collectively, these factors disrupted the systems required for verification and processing of refund claims. The Ministry of Cooperation played a pivotal role in addressing the administrative, financial, operational and technology-related impediments of the Sahara Societies affecting the refund mechanism. Through sustained institutional intervention and coordination with stakeholders, including the officials and Authorities of the Govt of Uttar Pradesh, the CRCS facilitated resolution of the hurdles relating to essential systems, infrastructure and administrative functioning, enabling restoration of the portal and its associated verification systems. This has restarted the processing of legitimate dues of genuine depositors of the Sahara Group cooperative societies, namely, Sahara Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Lucknow; Saharayn Universal Multipurpose Society Ltd, Bhopal; Humara India Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Kolkata; and Stars Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, Hyderabad, the statement said. The refund process is being administered by the CRCS through the CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal, ensuring that the entire mechanism remains transparent, digital, paperless and verification-based. The dedicated online portal, launched by the Government on 18 July 2023, enables depositors to submit refund applications without physical paperwork, making the process accessible and convenient while maintaining a clear digital trail. Claims are processed through Aadhaar e-KYC and by matching depositor, membership and account details with data provided by the respective societies. Deposit certificates or receipts and other prescribed documents are scrutinised in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved under the Supreme Court-directed monitoring mechanism. Upon successful verification, eligible refund amounts are credited directly to the depositors Aadhaar-seeded bank account. Depositors are advised to use only the official CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal (https://mocrefund.crcs.gov.in) for submission of fresh claims and the Resubmission portal (https://mocresubmit.crcs.gov.in) for rectification of errors in submitted claims, whenever communicated and to follow the prescribed process and document requirements while submitting or re-submitting their claims. This will help ensure timely verification and protect applicants from unauthorised channels or misleading claims, the statement added.
Indian mens hockey team departs for Japan to defend its Asian Games gold medal
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Indian Mens Hockey Team departed for Japan on Tuesday evening to defend their continental crown at the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4. The hockey competition will be played in Kakamigahara, located approximately 35 km from Nagoya. Led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian side will be determined to put behind their disappointing eighth-place finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, held last month in the Netherlands and Belgium, and shift focus towards the crucial continental assignment. With the Asian Games gold medal offering direct qualification to the LA 2028 Olympic Games, India will aim to successfully defend the title they won at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. The Indian team showed glimpses of its quality at the World Cup but struggled to maintain consistency at key moments, ultimately paying the price in closely-contested encounters. The team will now look to draw from that experience and deliver a more composed and consistent performance in Japan. India have established themselves as the dominant force in Asian hockey over the past decade, with the team comfortably securing the gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games and Asia Cup. The defending champions will be keen to maintain that supremacy and secure another Olympic berth by retaining their gold medal. We dont want to think too far ahead and will focus on one game at a time, said India captain Harmanpreet. There are no easy games because you want to play well consistently throughout the competition and not let up. The aim is to keep improving with every match and hit peak form when it matters the most during the knockout phase. Chief coach Craig Fulton would also want the players to remain focused on execution of plans rather than thinking about the eventual outcome. Four-time champions India have been drawn in Pool A alongside hosts Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The defending champions will open their campaign against Indonesia on September 20 and conclude their pool engagements against Bangladesh on September 28. The knockout phase will see the semifinals played on October 1, while the final is scheduled for October 3. With qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic Games at stake, the Indian team will aim to maintain its stronghold and return home with a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal.
SC To Examine Petition On Safety Audit Of PGs
Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta commits suicide: Officials
Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta, who served during Sheila Dikshit's tenure, allegedly died by suicide at his Noida residence on September 6, officials said. Police recovered a purported suicide note citing mental and health issues. Mehta, a 1975-batch IAS officer, served as Delhi chief secretary from 2007 to 2010.
CM Khemchand Singh seeks high-level probe into Manipur musician's murder in Delhi
Digital Desk | New Delhi/Imphal, Sep 8 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday requested his Delhi counterpart Rekha Gupta to expedite a high-level probe into the murder of a musician from the state in the national capital and ensure stringent prosecution of the accused. The Manipur Chief Minister urged Rekha Gupta to ensure that the investigation is conducted expeditiously and that the culprits responsible for the murder are brought to justice through stringent prosecution. Should circumstances warrant, the feasibility of transferring the case to an independent, specialised agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) be proactively explored to reinforce complete public confidence, Manipur Chief Minister's letter to his Delhi counterpart said. Khemchand Singh's letter to Delhi CM comes a day after Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh died after allegedly being assaulted by a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff outside his apartment in Delhi after he objected to them making noise. The Manipur Chief Minister in his letter to Delhi CM said that the tragic and deeply disturbing incident involving the brutal assault and subsequent demise of Vikram Singh, a 54-year-old Manipuri musician residing in New Delhi's Kilokari village during the early hours of Monday. He said that Vikram Singh is a respected artist belonging to the Meitei community was violently assaulted after he objected to disorderly conduct, shouting, and public alcohol consumption outside his residence. He later succumbed to severe injuries sustained during the attack, Khemchand Singh noted, and said that local police have initiated an investigation and detained certain suspects, the gravity of this crime calls for prompt, stringent, and visible action. This heinous incident has triggered widespread grief, anger, and anxiety among the people of Manipur and the wider Northeastern diaspora. Given the prevailing socio-political sensitivities and past concerns surrounding the safety of people from the Northeast residing in metropolitan centres, any perception of laxity, bias, or delay in delivering justice risks exacerbating public unrest, the Manipur Chief Minister said. He added that visible confidence-building and security measures are reinforced across localities with significant populations of students and working professionals from Manipur and the Northeastern states. I trust that under your leadership, the Government of NCT of Delhi will act with utmost urgency to ensure that justice is rendered swiftly and decisively to the bereaved family. I shall be deeply grateful for your immediate attention and intervention in this matter, CM Khemchand Singh said in his letter.
NCSC seeks report from Punjab govt over death in Sangrur
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued a notice to the Punjab government in connection with the death of Gulzar Singh, a resident of Sangrur district, and sought a report within five days, an official said on Tuesday. According to the complaint received by the Commission, Gulzar Singh had raised questions before the Finance Minister of Punjab regarding the problem of narcotic substances in the state, the official said in a statement. In a video circulated on social media before his death, he reportedly claimed that he had consumed poison due to fear of the Minister and also levelled serious allegations against certain members of the village panchayat, the statement said. Exercising the powers conferred upon it under Article 338 of the Constitution of India, the Commission ordered an inquiry into the matter. The notices have been issued to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Punjab, directing them to submit the facts of the case and a report on the action taken regarding the allegations within five days of receipt of the notice. The Commission initiated action on a complaint filed by Sheetal Angural, former MLA and State President, BJP SC Morcha, Punjab. NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana described the matter as extremely serious and sensitive. He said that allegations made against a Minister and certain members of the village panchayat by name in a video recorded before the death warranted an impartial, independent and high-level inquiry. Makwana said that a detailed report has been sought from the Punjab government. He also announced that he will visit Sangrur on September 10 to examine the matter and ascertain the veracity of the allegations. He added that the Commission remains committed to ensuring justice for the family of the deceased and safeguarding the constitutional rights of members of the Scheduled Castes.
Rakesh Mehta, former Delhi chief secretary, dies by suicide; cites 'mental health issues' in note
Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta, who served during the tenure of former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, allegedly died by suicide at his residence in Noida, officials said on Tuesday.
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reviews schemes to promote industries
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday reviewed the status of schemes, programmes and projects aimed at establishing non-polluting enterprises with a focus on employment generation and economic growth, an official said. The review covered several key initiatives aimed at strengthening Delhis industrial and startup ecosystem, improving ease of doing business, promoting exports, supporting MSMEs and artisans, encouraging innovation, and ensuring faster, more efficient delivery of government services, said the official in a statement. During the meeting, Sirsa reviewed the progress of the proposed Delhi Industrial Policy 20262036, which envisages the development of a future-ready, innovation-driven and sustainable industrial ecosystem. The proposed policy identifies several priority areas, including frontier technologies, Global Capability Centres, data centres, research and innovation services, healthcare and medical wellness, urban logistics, the circular economy, industry-linked skilling, MSME modernisation, and the green transition, the statement said. The Minister also reviewed the progress of the proposed Delhi Startup Policy 20262031, which seeks to position Delhi as a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The policy focuses on sectors such as FinTech, R&D, IT and ITeS, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, DeepTech, Frontier Technologies, IoT and precision manufacturing. The review further covered the proposed Go-Delhi Foundation, envisioned as a flagship startup, innovation and commercialisation institution of the Delhi government. Sirsa also reviewed initiatives related to the development of a comprehensive Industrial Survey and Unified Industry Registry, which proposes the use of digital and QR-code-based systems for better identification and governance of industrial premises. The meeting also focused on Export Promotion, with plans for capacity-building workshops across districts, training programmes for exporters, and preparation of a comprehensive Delhi State Export Action Plan and District Export Action Plans. Reviewing the progress of the Delhi Single Window System, Sirsa emphasised the need to further simplify and digitise approvals and clearances for businesses and investors. The redevelopment and integration of the system are aimed at making Government processes more seamless, transparent and business-friendly.
Delhi High Court declines urgent hearing on plea for Delhi University hostels
SC to consider issues linked to Delhi PG collapse on Thu
The Supreme Court will consider issues related to the Satya Niketan building collapse, which killed seven students, and has called for a time-bound inspection and safety audit of PG accommodations and similar establishments across Delhi. The court noted the overlap with its ongoing pan-India monitoring of unauthorised constructions and safety violations.
Social Justice Ministry officials plan pledge against drug abuse by 10 crore citizens
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Officials of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Tuesday discussed the strategy to mobilise over 10 crore citizens through both physical and online participation to undertake the National Mass Pledge Against Drug Abuse later this month. The pledge has been planned to mark the 6th anniversary of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), said an official statement. As part of ongoing preparations, the third high-level coordination meeting chaired by Joint Secretary (Drug Prevention) Sandeep Rewaji Rathod discussed the plan and the comprehensive strategy to ensure the targeted participation. Rathod briefed the participants about the importance of adopting Whole of the Govt and Whole of the Society approach to mobilise all stakeholders in pursuit of sensitising the common people about the dangers and challenges posed by substance abuse, the meeting said. The meeting was also attended by Director, DoSJE (DP) Astik Kumar Pandey, Under Secretary Arun Kumar Karn, besides other officials of the Ministry. The meeting discussed organising pledge ceremonies across all affiliated offices, educational institutions, autonomous bodies, PSUs and field formations under respective Ministries and Departments, including Railways, Defence, Civil Defence, Youth Affairs and Sports, School and Higher Education, Post, Police, CAPF, NCC, AYUSH, Rural Development, Health and Family Welfare, Revenue, besides social, voluntary, spiritual organisations and social influencers. The Uniform Reporting Mechanism for submission of participation details and outreach was also discussed in the meeting. The NMBA Pledge is an initiative to volunteer for reaching out to the victims of substance abuse. The pledge aims to encourage responsible behaviour to instil a sense of responsibility among people to stay away from drugs, to promote and foster sense of Unity and Commitment for encouraging stakeholders to work together towards a common goal, the statement said. The Pledge further seeks to empower youth to contribute actively to developing a drug-free society. The meeting focused on the evolving spirit among citizens to act as volunteers by registering as Nasha Mukti Mitr through the Departments official website: https://nashamukt.dosje.gov.in/nasha-mukti-mitr. The Union Ministry launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on August 15, 2020, to combat drug demand in the country. Recognising the urgent need for collective action, the Ministry coordinates various initiatives including prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare, public information dissemination, and community awareness. The Ministry is implementing a comprehensive and evidence-based strategy under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). The strategy is based on the findings of the first National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at AIIMS, New Delhi. Under NAPDDR, the Ministry provides financial assistance to State Governments, Union Territories, NGOs and Government hospitals for preventive education, awareness generation, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation. As on date, the campaign has reached more than 34.42 crore citizens, including over 13.64 crore youth and 10.58 crore women, through nationwide awareness activities. More than 1.65 Lakh Nasha Mukti Mitras (NMM) have also joined the campaign to strengthen community participation.
Private gardener dies from electric shock at Delhi University campus
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Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Football in Kerala is deeply rooted in the state's culture. For decades, the fans of the state throng the stadiums, stick to their TV screens and dive into the euphoria of the beautiful sport. With the Super League Kerala set to enter its third season, the organisers feel that the league has all that it takes to further transcend the emotions of the fans and fuel the love more. Speaking exclusively to IANS, the league's CEO and Director Mathew Joseph detailed how the SLK has been working 365 days for a tournament which is only two and a half months long and how they have been working behind the scenes for the success that glares on the screens. The league has caught the eyeballs after the first two seasons, and with the deeply rooted culture of football in Kerala, it only promises to get better and better. We finished season 1 in 2024 and then season 2 last year. And the jump between the first season and the second was huge in terms of the spectators as well as in terms of all the participants and the aspirants to actually be a part of this league. So we could see that huge level of interest which came in, Mathew told IANS. Now we've been constantly putting in a lot of efforts on the grassroots as well as on the other side, putting up reasonably good games. We are trying to bring in a good quality of game here, wherein our local talent also gets a chance, he added. The league might run for two and a half months, but Mathew highlighted that the work behind the tournament and scouting remains a 365-day thing. He revealed how the league introduced a grassroots programme called the Game Changer Project and a special tie-up with Spanish legend and former footballer Andres Iniesta in the scouting work. And that (finding grassroots players) doesn't just come by holding the league, because our intervention into society and the people and the players is 365 days. So, I don't know if you're aware of it, we do close to about 2000 matches in a year, you know, which is not a small number. I think we are one state which can proudly say that we are engaged with the people 365 days a year. We just don't do a league and disappear and then come back for three or four months. The work goes much beyond the tournament and extends to holding matches at small levels to find more talent, Mathew emphasised. So we do close to about 2000 odd matches, okay, which also includes about 200 matches of Kerala Premier League, which is also another property which we hold. Apart from that, the university-level matches, the college-level matches. So a lot of that happens. We do scouting round the year with all these tournaments that happen. And we have a structured scouting, which is called the programme game changer. So we started with Andres Iniesta, who is one of the world's well-known footballers, a Spanish player who played in the World Cup twice. So, we tied up with Iniesta, and we had the first session (Game Changer project) with him. And with those learnings, we've rolled out the project Game Changer for the next two years. Following their collaboration with Iniesta, the League is also taking inputs from the German football association, the DFB. And (from) second year onwards, we have rolled out our own programme taking into account all the best practises. Also taking inputs from the German Football Association because we are tied up with DFB, he added. Meanwhile, the League Director also stated that the league is setting up a Centre of Excellence, through which hundreds of talents will be trained. Each of our club has been involved in academies. And Super League Kerala is also setting up a Centre of Excellence, where in about 200 talents every year will be taken into the Centre of Excellence. And from there on, we give them further training with the residential academics mixed together. The League has six teams with matches taking place at home and away bases before the semifinals kick in. This time, however, the league has brought in a couple of notable changes that might fascinate the fans even more. One is to hold penalty shootouts for even tied group stage games to break the deadlocks, and the other is two-legged semifinals, at home and away bases, similar to what is seen in the Champions League knockouts. So, this year, what we are looking at is a penalty shootout. And at the end of the (league) game, there will be a definitive winner. So, that is rule number one, which we are implementing. This is accepted by FIFA and the All India Football Federation. We have taken the approvals for that. So, I think for the first time in the country, we will have a league which has implemented a penalty shootout at the end of the match. We are also going to have a home and away, leg 1 and leg 2 of the semifinals. So, that is the first time we are introducing this thing. So, earlier we had two semifinals and the final. This year, what we are doing is there will be the first leg of the semifinal. And the same team will go and play against the opposite team on their home turf. So, they get two chances, Mathew said. But with the changes, there should be another important addition to the target, and that is to expand the teams. Mathew said that they are in the process of adding teams, but want a team from a region which has a stadium of decent capacity to enthral the fans and give them matches to watch. Yes, we are currently in the process of talking to two more teams. We should have two new teams introduced by next year. We were trying to do it this year. But the infrastructure requirements will not be met. So that we have a decent enough stadium, he said. The seating capacities in the current stadium are over 15,000 at every venue, with the Calicut Stadium holding 40,000 people. Mathew said that they would want a team which has a stadium size of at least 15,000 and are open to have only one team if the other does not meet the criteria. So, we are looking at two teams which will have a stadium size of at least 15,000 plus. Because otherwise it becomes small for us to host a game. So, by next year we will have two teams. (But) If we are able to do one team, one good venue, we will go for one. Because we don't want to have a team without a home stadium. That is a must. That is mandatory for a team. Otherwise, there is no fun for the home fans, he added. Mathew also provided a roadmap for the future of the league, stating that they have a 10-year roadmap and if all pieces fall into place, then here is no limit to the growth. We have made a 10-year plan roadmap, and things really look good with the support of the government and the federation. So, I am assuming that the government supports it, which the Kerala government has always been very supportive of, and even with the new government coming in, they have come up with many plans to support and take this thing quite forward. So, I see that there is a huge amount of interest anyways in Kerala. And if we are able to put all the pieces together in a structured manner, I think there is no limit to it. And one good thing is that we have never treated this as a regional league. We have always looked at it from a nation's point of view. He highlighted that they always intend to cater to Indian fans all around the world, with broadcasting across lengths and breadths available. That is the reason why we have always worked with a national broadcasting channel like Star Sports or Hotstar in year one. We worked with Doordarshan, Sony, and Etisalat in the UAE. This year we are with Unite 8 and Zee, which are again the World Cup hosting channels. So, we have looked at this as a thing which the whole country can actually look at, he said.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadhas name added to Delhi voter list; AAP questions procedure
Delhi CEO outlines procedure for electoral roll changes amid AAP claims
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Delhi Deputy Mayor Monika Pant orders action on encroachments and illegal dairies in Gharoli ward
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Paying guest accommodation in some of Delhi's biggest education hubs could soon come under a formal regulatory framework. A proposed Paying Guest Accommodation Regulation and Welfare Bill seeks to bring PGs in areas such as...
Putin-Modi to meet ahead of BRICS in New Delhi: Why some key India-Russia talks may stay private
NIA arrests key accused in Rs 17.29 crore fake currency case at PNB Saharanpur
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Amit Kumar, a bank employee and key accused who was absconding in connection with a major counterfeit currency conspiracy at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) currency chest in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur. Amit Kumar is a named accused in the First Information Report (FIR) and was taken into custody in the case. His arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing probe into the large-scale recovery of fake Indian currency notes, the premier investigation agency said. The case originated on August 29, 2026, when police at Sadar Bazar police station in Saharanpur district received credible information about the presence of counterfeit notes inside the PNB currency chest. Subsequent checks led to the recovery of fake currency with a total face value of Rs 17.29 crore. Preliminary inquiry also revealed the involvement of three bank employees, all of whom were suspended by the bank authorities, the NIA said in a press statement. An FIR was registered on the same day at Sadar Bazar police station under Section 178 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against the three accused persons. Given the seriousness of the offence and the quantum of counterfeit currency involved, the NIA re-registered the case on September 3, 2026, and took over the investigation, the central agency said. NIA officials said that Amit Kumar had been absconding after the registration of the case. His arrest is expected to help investigators piece together the larger conspiracy behind the circulation and storage of high-value fake notes within a bank's currency chest a sensitive facility meant for the secure handling of genuine currency. The central agency has said that the investigation remains active. Efforts are continuing to identify and arrest other co-accused persons and to fully unravel the network involved in the counterfeit currency operation. Further details about the modus operandi and the roles of the accused are expected to emerge as the probe progresses.
Delhi: Deleted votes exceed winning margin in 68 seats
A report by 'Voter Adhikar Manch' has revealed that the number of excluded electors in Delhi's draft electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exceeded the winning margin in 68 of 70 Assembly constituencies in the 2025 polls. The audit found over 47 lakh electors marked as absent, shifted, dead, or duplicate, raising serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the accuracy of voter lists.
HC declines urgent hearing to PILs on hostels
Bihar Leaders Protest In Delhi, But Congress Has To Sort Out 4 Other States First
Bihar is currently not a priority for the Congress party as no election is due there in the near future. Several states are proving a source of headaches for the Congress' Central leadership, and resolving this situation is crucial.
Ladakh-Centre Talks To Resume Tomorrow Amid Fresh Confidence-building Measures
SRINAGAR: Talks between representatives of civil society groups in Ladakh and the Centre are set to resume in New Delhi on Wednesday, with both sides returning to the negotiating table after a series of fresh confidence-building measures in the Union Territory. According to the details, the meeting between the Leh Apex Body (LAB), Kargil Democratic []
Alleges conduct of Delhi police and political executive not only contrary to constitutional guarantees but also manifestly criminal in character
Delhi building collapse: Contractor held, CM announces aid
New Delhi: A labour contractor has been apprehended from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the collapse of a five-storey building in Delhis Satya Niketan that left seven people dead, as investigators scrutinised construction and repair work at the building and a rent agreement that reportedly disclaimed liability for tenant casualty, police said on Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
NHRC sends notice to Delhi govt, UGC seeks report on hostels
New Delhi: In the wake of the Satya Niketan building collapse, the NHRC has issued notices to the Delhi government and the UGC, directing them to furnish a comprehensive report related to hostels and other accommodation facilities for students, in consultation with the Delhi University officials, said on Tuesday, September 8. The exercise shall not Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Rahul Gandhi's Air India flight performs go-around amid gusty winds at Lucknow airport
Air India flight AI-1717, travelling from Delhi to Lucknow, had to abort its landing just before touching down at Lucknow's Amausi Airport on Tuesday. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was among the passengers on...
Congress accuses Tribal Affairs Ministry of abdicating responsibility due to Modani pressure
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asks if mining interests are dictating the Centres stance that there is no provision in the FRA requiring Gram Sabha consent to divert forest land; cites FCA rules, guidelines to challenge Ministry claim
Congress accuses Tribal Affairs Ministry of abdicating responsibility due to Modani pressure
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asks if mining interests are dictating the Centres stance that there is no provision in the FRA requiring Gram Sabha consent to divert forest land; cites FCA rules, guidelines to challenge Ministry claim
Centre launches portal for data harmonisation across Ministries
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Centre on Tuesday launched a Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) portal on Data Harmonisation for use by all Union Ministries, departments and organisations with the aim of fostering greater coordination for data-driven governance and evidence-based policymaking across the government. The report was launched at a workshop organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) with the objective of strengthening the National Data System, promoting effective use and harmonisation of administrative data. The QPR Portal is a technology-enabled platform for use by all Union Ministries, departments and organisations to report progress in identification and cataloguing of datasets made ready for dissemination, its metadata preparation, use of national and international standards, classifications and common unique identifiers in machine readable data, and performing quality checks as per Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (SQAF) by respective Ministries, departments and organisations of the Central government. The QPR portal has automated validation, dashboards, cross-verification with the National Metadata Structure (NMDS) web portal and will provide analytical insights across Ministries, Departments and Organisations. Launching the portal, Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasised that trusted, timely and interoperable data is essential for evidence-based policymaking and data-driven governance. He called for greater use of administrative data and statistical expertise across Ministries for policy formulation, monitoring and outcome assessment. Speaking on the occasion, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S. Krishnan highlighted the importance of effective data sharing, harmonisation and interoperability across Ministries to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and improve governance. He emphasised that the availability of high-quality data is fundamental to the successful deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for governance. He also stressed upon optimal utilisation of government data in view of rapid digitisation and the increasing availability of administrative data. Efforts should focus on utilising such data effectively for improved welfare outcomes, policy formulation and delivery of government services. Whole-of-government approach should be adopted. Existing resources, including statistical officers, India AI Mission experts, NIC personnel and other data professionals working across Ministries and Departments, should be leveraged, he added. MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg, underscored the need to move from siloed departmental data systems towards an integrated, interoperable and government-wide data ecosystem. He emphasised harmonisation of concepts, definitions, classifications, identifiers, geographies, metadata and data structures for effective data utilisation. He highlighted the complementary roles of Statistical Advisers in statistical leadership and quality assurance and Chief Data Officers in data governance and interoperability, supported by the National Data Governance Committee and the QPR on Data Harmonisation.
A proposed bullet train corridor is set to help boost tourism, trade, and economic activity, according to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra condoles death of Manipuri singer, assures swift trial
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Minister of State and Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra on Tuesday met the family of Manipuri singer Chongtham Vikram Singh killed by some miscreants in south east Delhi and expressed grief over the incident. He said that all of Delhi stands with the bereaved family of the 54-year-old musician. Malhotra said that he had spoken with senior police authorities and expressed confidence that investigators, who have already arrested all the accused, will present chargesheet in trial court at the earliest. Delhi BJP President added that the killing of the Manipur singer is a horrifying incident but has no racist angle. I request opposition parties to not to indulge in dirty politics and trying to give it a racist colour, he said. He assured the victim's family that the Delhi government, on its part, will recommend speedy trial in a Special Court. A Manipuri musician died after a group of delivery workers and an eatery's staff allegedly assaulted him when he objected to their shouting and consuming alcohol outside his apartment in Kilokari village near Ashram in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The police have arrested seven men and apprehended a juvenile in connection with the case. The Sunlight Colony Police Station received a PCR call regarding the assault on Vikram Singh, a native of Manipur who had been living in Kilokari village for several years. A preliminary enquiry revealed that Singh had objected to a group of men allegedly creating nuisance outside his residence. Singh sustained injuries after the men allegedly assaulted him, police said. Singh's son, Yaiphaba, rushed him to Holy Family Hospital but he succumbed to his injuries, according to officials. The police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and Singh's death. The North East Students Society, Delhi University (NESSDU), condoled Singh's death and described him as a 'respected Manipuri musician' who had built his life in Delhi around music for the last 20 years.
Meta ran 300+ ads featuring AI-generated child sexual abuse material, investigation finds
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Metas Facebook and Instagram platforms carried more than 300 paid advertisements featuring child sexual abuse material (CSAM) this year, including AI-manipulated images of real children, according to an investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). The investigation found that many of the advertisements used photographs of real children that had been taken from social media posts and websites. The images were subsequently manipulated using artificial intelligence to make it appear as though the children were involved in explicit sexual acts. In one particularly disturbing case, a photograph of a minor member of a European royal family that had been publicly released last year appeared in an advertisement on Facebook and Instagram. The image was digitally transformed into a video depicting the child performing a graphic sex act. The advertisement promoted a Chinese AI application and was reportedly targeted at adult male users. According to TTP, the more than 300 advertisements identified in its investigation featured children ranging from toddlers and preteens to young teenagers. Most followed a similar format, beginning with a snippet of adult pornography before showing an image of a child that had been manipulated with AI. The advertisements also appeared to use recurring captions, voiceovers and background music. TTP said it was able to identify multiple photographs of actual children used in the advertisements, raising concerns that images publicly shared online can be appropriated and transformed into abusive material using generative AI tools. The investigation also found that several of the advertisements had been placed by Metas advertising partners in China, including a Chinese state-controlled company. The vast majority of the ads directed users toward AI applications developed in China, with many of the apps offering or enabling so-called nudification capabilities that digitally remove clothing or create sexually explicit versions of images. Meta did not initially respond to TTPs request for comment. However, after the organisation shared its findings with the company, Meta carried out a rapid cleanup of its advertising ecosystem. About 150 advertisements that were still available in Metas Ad Library were removed, according to TTP. Meta also updated records for more than 100 advertisements that had already been taken down, newly classifying them as violations of its child-exploitation policies. TTP said those advertisements had previously been categorised under Metas adult-oriented policies without explicitly identifying the involvement of children. The discrepancy has raised questions over whether Metas existing systems may be undercounting cases involving child sexual exploitation, particularly when AI-generated or manipulated imagery is involved. A Meta spokesperson said the company does not tolerate nudify apps or any kind of child exploitation, whether real or AI-generated. The spokesperson added that many of the advertisements identified by the investigation had already been removed and that Meta continues to strengthen its detection and enforcement systems.
Delhi Satya Niketan PG collapse: Dilapidated structure next to site to be razed
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta has ordered the MCD to demolish a dilapidated building adjoining the Satya Niketan PG collapse site, where seven people were killed. The move comes as authorities remove students belongings and probe safety lapses in the area
Cricket contingent is fully prepared: BCCI VP Shukla confident of Team India completing Asiad double
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has backed both the Indian mens and womens cricket teams to successfully defend their Asian Games titles at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, expressing complete confidence in Indias chances of securing gold medals in both events. We are fully prepared for the Asian Games. The cricket continent is going there fully prepared. There will be a good show. We will win for sure and get the gold medal, both men and women. There is no doubt about it, Shukla told IANS at the Asian Games send-off ceremony here in Delhi. India head into the continental tournament as defending champions in both mens and womens cricket, having won gold in both events at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. The womens competition will get underway with India entering directly at the quarter-final stage on September 18. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 20, with the medal matches to be played on September 22. The mens team will also begin its campaign in the quarter-finals, with their match scheduled for September 28. The semi-finals will take place on October 1, followed by the medal matches on October 3. The BCCI has also finalised the coaching arrangements for the two teams. VVS Laxman, Head of the Centre of Excellence, will take charge of the mens side for the continental event. Regular head coach Gautam Gambhir is set to take a break ahead of Indias white-ball series against the West Indies, which begins on September 27. Laxman will be assisted by former India spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, while Amol Muzumdar will coach the womens team. The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. India will compete across multiple disciplines, with a strong contingent featuring several Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists. With cricket returning as one of the key team sports at the continental showpiece, India will look to retain its dominance in the discipline and build on the success achieved in Hangzhou.
PM Modi's Gen Z Push: 'Jhooth Ki Goonj' Attack, 'Naaraaz Fufaji' Jibe In Vadodara
Days after his headline-making address at Delhi's SRCC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his message to Vadodara, the Gujarat city central to his political journey since 2014. In a speech aimed heavily at young Indians, PM Modi invoked Vadodara's educational legacy and urged youngsters to stay focused on ruth amid what he called the Opposition's jhooth ki goonj.
National Film Awards In Gujarat: A Venue Change Or A Bigger Message?
For decades, the National Film Awards have largely been associated with New Delhi, with Vigyan Bhavan serving as the traditional venue. But this year, the 72nd National Film Awards will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, breaking a long-standing convention.
Manipur CM Expresses Grief Over Murder of Renowned Musician in Delhi
Manipurs Chief Minister condemns the murder of musician Chongtham Vikram in Delhi, calling for swift justice and enhanced community safety. Manipur CM Expresses Grief Over Murder of Renowned Musician in Delhi
Odisha steps up safety checks of unsafe buildings after Delhi hostel tragedy
Digital Desk | Bhubaneswar, Sep 8 (IANS) In the wake of a recent 5-storey students' hostel building collapse in Satya Niketan of New Delhi that claimed the lives of seven persons, the Odisha Government has intensified its drive to identify, assess and take action against buildings posing a threat to life and property across the State. The Odisha Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Tuesday said that the government has already undertaken an assessment of unsafe government buildings and notices have been issued wherever required. He said the department has undertaken a fresh review of the situation and directed officials to expedite necessary action against buildings found to be unsafe. Based on the assessment, all government buildings identified as unsafe have been examined, and notices have also been issued. I had called for another review with the Department yesterday. Very soon, notices will be issued for demolition of those buildings which have been found unsafe, Dr Mahapatra said. The Minister made it clear that the Government would take firm and timely action against unsafe structures falling under its jurisdiction. Buildings under the H&UD department will be dealt with by the department itself, while structures belonging to other government departments will be brought to the notice of the respective authorities for appropriate action. Importantly, the Government has also decided to bring unsafe private buildings under the ambit of the ongoing safety assessment. The Minister said that notices would be issued to owners of private buildings found to be in a dangerous or structurally vulnerable condition, as per applicable rules and statutory provisions. To ensure a comprehensive and time-bound assessment, a 15-day inquiry and inspection team has been constituted. The team will undertake detailed inspections of buildings identified as potentially unsafe, examine their structural condition and submit its findings within the stipulated period. The inquiry team will conduct a thorough inquiry and investigation into the matter. After inspection, whichever buildings are found to fall under the unsafe category will be demolished, the Minister stated. The officials stated that the initiative assumes particular significance in cities such as Kataka and Puri, where a number of old and privately owned structures require closer examination. The concerned Urban Local Bodies and other authorities will undertake necessary inspections and identify buildings that may pose risks to residents, pedestrians and the general public. The Government has emphasised that the exercise is essentially preventive and safety-oriented, aimed at identifying structural risks before they result in loss of life or property. The authorities will accordingly assess the condition of buildings and initiate action wherever structures are found to be beyond safe occupation or repair. The H&UD Department will coordinate with Urban Local Bodies and other concerned government departments to ensure that notices, inspections and subsequent action are undertaken in a systematic and time-bound manner.
NIA Raids Qazigund Home of 'White-Collar' Terror Accused; Samba Put on High Alert Over Drone Threat
The NIA conducted a search at the Qazigund residence of Adeel Majid Rather, an accused white-collar terrorist linked to the Delhi Red Fort blast case. Separately, security forces intensified surveillance along the Samba border following intelligence inputs about suspected Pakistani drone activity, with BSF and SOG conducting searches across several sensitive sectors.
Delhi PG Horror: Seven Dead In Satya Niketan Collapse, Owner Arrested Amid Safety Questions
A deadly building collapse at a paying guest accommodation in Delhis Satya Niketan has killed at least seven people and injured several others. Twelve people were rescued, while the PG owner Hariram Gupta, his wife and son have been arrested. Police have also arrested labour contractor Sanoj over alleged construction activity at the building. The Delhi High Court has sought accountability, while MCD suspended five officials and began inspecting unsafe structures. The government has announced a proposed PG regulation policy. Meanwhile, an AAP allegation of a mobile jammer at the rescue site has been denied by Delhi Police.
