Government proposes immediate suspension of manufacturing licences of substandard drugs
Proposed amendment provides for mandatory corrective measures before revocation of the suspension; suspension shall continue until the manufacturer undertakes corrective action
What NDAs clean sweep in local body polls means for Andhra Pradesh politics
NDAs thumping success in the local body elections is on the expected line, say political analysts, adding that though results show no hint of anti-incumbency, the alliance partners need to focus on ironing out the rifts
Woman pedestrian killed after being hit by bus in Kochi
Celebrations among NDA alliance leaders after landslide victory
Kochi police yet to complete verification of private bus employees
The police launched the background verification drive following a series of incidents of criminal behaviour involving private bus crew
ZPTC, MPTC Elections postponed due to rains in Agency mandals
SandeS to replace SMS OTPs for PROOF App
Srinagar, Nov 04 :The Jammu and Kashmir Government's Finance Department has introduced an alternative mechanism for delivering One-Time Passwords (OTPs) through the SandeS App for users of the PROOF App, following the discontinuation of the earlier SMS-based OTP service. In an official circular issued by the Finance Department, Civil Secretariat, Jammu and Kashmir, all Administrative Departments have been directed to implement the revised OTP delivery mechanism to address difficulties being faced by officials in receiving authentication codes required to access the PROOF App. The circular said that the SMS-based OTP service, which was previously used by the PROOF App, has been discontinued, creating inconvenience for users who rely on OTPs for authentication. To resolve the issue and ensure uninterrupted access to the application, the Finance Department has introduced an alternative OTP delivery mechanism through the SandeS App instead of the earlier SMS-based system. The department has instructed all Administrative Departments to inform concerned officers and officials about the revised arrangement and advise them to install the SandeS App on their mobile devices to receive OTPs required for accessing the PROOF App. It further emphasised that the instructions should be circulated widely among all concerned officers and officials to ensure administrative control, smooth implementation and compliance. The circular has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and signed by Shailendra Kumar, IAS, Financial Commissioner (ACS), Finance Department.
Govt forms panel to monitor intensive care services
Srinagar, Nov 04: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a committee of specialists and stakeholders to oversee the implementation of Supreme Court-mandated Guidelines for Organization and Delivery of Intensive Care Services across healthcare institutions in the Union Territory. According to Government Order issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, the committee will ensure coordinated, time-bound and institution-wise implementation of prescribed standards for Level-I, Level-II and Level-III Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The committee will be chaired by the Head of Department of Anaesthesiology/Critical Care, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, while representatives from the Critical Care Medicine Department of SKIMS and heads of Anaesthesiology/Critical Care departments of GMC Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Rajouri, Doda, Udhampur and Handwara will be its members. Additional Secretary (Law), Health and Medical Education Department, Deputy Secretary (MR), General Manager JKMSCL, Deputy Directors of Health Services Jammu and Kashmir, and a representative from the Accounts Service will also be part of the panel. Two representatives from selected private hospitals having established ICU and critical care facilities in J&K will also be nominated as members. The committee has been tasked with reviewing the existing compliance matrix and gap analysis report to identify institution-wise deficiencies against the prescribed standards for different levels of ICUs. It will prepare a comprehensive, time-bound roadmap to address shortcomings in critical care manpower, nursing and allied healthcare personnel, equipment, infrastructure, medical utilities, infection control, safety arrangements and critical care training. A key responsibility of the committee will be to recommend measures for strengthening Tele-ICU and tele-consultation facilities, including mechanisms for real-time information on ICU bed availability and improved referral linkages between healthcare institutions. The panel will also examine the adequacy of ambulance and referral services and recommend measures to ensure the availability of appropriately equipped ambulances for the transportation and stabilisation of critically ill patients. Besides government institutions, the committee will assess compliance of private hospitals offering ICU and critical care services with the prescribed guidelines and identify deficiencies requiring corrective measures. It will also examine the status of healthcare institutions located in hilly, remote and geographically difficult areas, identify specific challenges and recommend remedial measures with appropriate timelines. It has been tasked to explore permissible funding support, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), assistance from NGOs and other sources, for strengthening ICU infrastructure and critical care facilities across the Union Territory. Importantly, the committee has been asked to submit a consolidated, institution-wise draft Action Plan and Roadmap to the Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, within 15 days from the issuance of the order. The roadmap will detail existing deficiencies, corrective measures, resource requirements, responsible implementing agencies and specific timelines for execution. The Health and Medical Education Department will examine the proposed roadmap for technical feasibility, administrative implications, financial requirements and conformity with the Supreme Court's directions before placing it before the competent authority for approval. Once approved, the roadmap will be circulated to all Government Medical Colleges, SKIMS, Directorates of Health Services, JKMSCL and other concerned institutions for implementation. The committee will also periodically monitor the implementation, identify bottlenecks and submit progress reports to the department, highlighting improvements, pending deficiencies and issues requiring government intervention. The order states that the committee may co-opt specialists, technical experts and officers from other departments or institutions whenever required. The Health and Medical Education Department will provide necessary secretarial and logistical support to facilitate its functioning. The move comes in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No. 8402/2016, titled Asit Baran Mondal and Another versus Dr Rita Sinha and Others, particularly its orders dated May 20 and September 21, 2026, concerning the implementation of the guidelines for the organisation and delivery of intensive care services.
Two 17-year-old students sexually assaulted at party, two booked under PoCSO
Police Inspector awarded two-month imprisonment in contempt case
Police ARSI suspended for allegedly reporting for duty drunk, misbehaving with public
Chief Minister virtually inaugurates Odugathur Fire Station in Vellore
Officials of the Fire and Rescue Services said that prior to the opening of the building, the fire station was functioning on the premises of the Government Veterinary Clinic for nearly three decades
Expert team assesses safety of Sathanur Dam in Tiruvannamalai during monsoon
WRD officials said that among 20 major dams in the State, Sathanur dam is the third largest after Mettur and Bhavani Sagar, in terms of storage capacity and height
Police seize 72 kg of ganja, gutka in Vellore, Tirupattur
Cases were registered and arrested persons were lodged in prison
State will integrate all its skilling efforts into a single unified system: CM
To reshape States workforce pipeline, government will allocate 5,000 crore to streamline its fragmented skilling initiatives spread across various departments and entities and also train 30 lakh beneficiaries over the next seven years
MSME training programme held at VIT in Vellore
In his presidential address, Mr. Viswanathan said that the MSME sector forms the backbone of the Indian economy
Subroto Bagchi calls for immediate overhaul of Indias vocational ecosystem
Subroto Bagchi condemns the pervasive middle-class habit of labelling household helps as servant maids and laments the persistent stigmas that treat vocational institutions as destinations only for youth who have gone astray
Trump says Republicans harmed byIran war, inability to transfer the love for him
Donald Trump said the war has been worth it to stop Tehran from having a nuclear weapon
CPI(M) and Congress skirmish over 'hasty issuance' of liquor licencesin Keralam
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Excise Minister M. Liju blame the LDF government for the 'liberal granting' of bar licences by ceding the authority to lower-level excise officials, possibly to evade political responsibility;CPI(M) State Secretariat member and former Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh accuses Satheesan and Liju of 'lying' to save face, and the LDF had granted liquor licences only with the Ministers sanction
MLA Budgam reviews Developmental works, emphasises timely completion
Budgam, Nov 04: Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Budgam, Advocate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of various developmental works being executed under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) across Budgam Constituency. During the meeting, the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD), Budgam, briefed the MLA on the physical and financial achievements registered by the Rural Development Department (RDD) under the CDF, presenting a detailed block-wise account of the works taken up, approved and completed across the constituency. The ACD informed the chair that 96.41 percent of the proposed works have received Administrative Approval, while 95.03 percent of the works have been taken up for execution. He further apprised that 83.85 percent of the sanctioned works have been completed, reflecting the progress made by the department towards strengthening grassroots infrastructure and addressing local developmental needs. The meeting also reviewed the progress of works being executed by other key departments.
Science should move past top 2% label
India needs both fundamental research and practical solutions without making inclusion in the top 2% scientists database the primary goal
J.D. Vance, who has said he would decide after the election whether to run for President in 2028, issued a lengthy social media post blaming the unpopular conflict with Iran for the Grand Old Partys drubbing
CM Vijay virtually inaugurates completed projects across Tamil Nadu
Illegal discharge of sewage into drains may attract penalty of up to 5 lakh
Public spaces and democratic citizenship
Recent restrictions on protesters at Jantar Mantar and other public spaces undermine the historical relationship between civic arenas and democratic citizenship
Man arrested for pelting train with stones near Vyasarpadi station
Street vendors might reduce UPI use if merchant discount rate is introduced, finds study
MGM Healthcare treats 15-month-old Russian boy with rare lung disorder
The condition had caused extensive cystic changes in both lungs, recurrent pneumothorax (collapse of the lungs due to air leaking into the space around them) and breathing difficulties
Over 18,000 police personnel to be deployed for Deepavali in Chennai
Over 18,000 police personnel drawn from the Law and Order, Crime, Traffic, Armed Reserve, Tamil Nadu Special Police, and Home Guard units would be deployed
Complete trial in Ajith Kumars custodial death case in nine months, HC tells Madurai court
Stalin dubs TVK government a circus controlled by corporate interests
Chief Minister is unable to take independent decisions, and corporate interests are influencing the functioning of the government, says DMK president
Letters to The Editor November 5, 2026
What the BRICS carbon market partnership needs
BRICS can turn fragmented carbon markets into a coordinated trading framework
Anaemia burden iron alone is no solution
India must tackle its anaemia burden through targeted nutrition, better diagnostics and comprehensive public health measures, not salt fortification alone
Damning report: on Justice Muralidhars report on Israeli atrocities
The world must act on Justice Muralidhars report on Israeli atrocities
Helping hand: on Cyclones Arnab and Murasu
States need help to rebuild public infrastructure after damage in cyclones
Court grants bail to driver of bus in Bhandup accident case
After milk and curd, prices of ghee, butter and paneer too up
HC summons Madurai Commissioner of Police
Need for a unified urbanisation plan
The Union Budget, Economic Survey and Finance Commission recognise that India is urbanising across a rural-urban continuum. Yet Census 2027 will use the 2011 definitions, deepening the undercount of urban India; a National Urbanisation Policy can recognise this gap and build the institutional and fiscal mechanisms to bridge it
NVS-03 reaches geosynchronous orbit; satellite in good health
Four orbit manoeuvres have been successfully completed with a cumulative LAM engine burn of 6164 seconds; with this the satellite has reached Geo Synchronous Orbit at an inclination of 29.980, said ISRO
Political activities have no place in educational institutions: Keralam HC
A Division Bench quashed a Single Bench order that had allowed 16 SFI activists to appear for semester examinations at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady
PAC pulls up NHAI over slow pace of NH works in Keralam
LDF alleges leakage of personal information of applicants at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
LDF leader says personal details such as the addresses of individuals who submit applications to the Corporation for various purposes are being misappropriated to file fraudulent complaints or for other unauthorised uses
Who filed 77% of Form 7s in Delhis Mustafabad? BJP BLAs named as objectors deny them
Of the 20 BJP-appointed Booth Level Agents named in 787 deletion applications, 16 deny submitting or signing the forms, while one says he filed over 500
Nirmala Lakshmans book wins Sharjah award
David Davidar, publisher of Aleph Book Company says Nirmala Lakshman brings erudition, insight and a deep personal engagement to this expansive portrait of the Tamil people
Russian attacks disrupt power in Kyiv, while death toll in a stricken village rises to 40
Russia attacked overnight with 310 drones, including 81 jet-powered drones, according to Ukraines air force. In its daily social media report, the air force said it downed or suppressed 272 drones of various types
North Korea fires missiles after rejecting U.S. claims over Binance hack
Pyongyang said it had no need to resume diplomacy with Washington after the FBI blamed North Korean hackers for a cryptocurrency theft
South Africa President Ramaphosa says US midterm results will usher in a new era of world relations
Rajnath Singh: Maritime future of the Indo-specific cannot be saved by single country acting alone
South Africa votes as ANC faces further losses and coalition rule looms
The ANCs support could fall below 40%, while the Democratic Alliance is projected to gain ground in Johannesburg
ED raids three locations linked to Aryan Hometec in 90-crore fraud case
Gaddam Vamsi Krishna launches KGF to turn Telanganas youth into job creators
Watch: Agniveer policy update: what extended tenure means for young recruits
Foundation laid for over 300 new infrastructure works in Theni
Foundation laid for over 300 new infrastructure works in Theni
Tehran demonstrators cheer Donald Trumps midterm election defeat
Pro-government demonstrators in Tehran celebrated Republican losses in the U.S. midterm elections, calling the results a defeat for Donald Trump and a victory for Iran amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Tehran demonstrators cheer Donald Trumps midterm election defeat
Pro-government demonstrators in Tehran celebrated Republican losses in the U.S. midterm elections, calling the results a defeat for Donald Trump and a victory for Iran amid the ongoing regional conflict.
SCCoRS Chairman reviews road safety in Coimbatore
Cess levied as increment to sales tax remains within States scope, says Supreme Court
But the Constitution Bench notes that sales tax regime has changed with VAT and GST over the years
India secures $400-bn investment commitments in renewables; ALMM review in 15 days
Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy told reporters that overseas investors have exuded confidence in India being a safe place for their investments.
At the centre of a State-wide agitation is the proposed transfer of the George Everest estate in Mussoorie, named after Sir George Everest, Indias first Surveyor-General, to private entities
KTR accuses Congress, BJP of compromising Telanganas self-respect
Two arrested for possession of ebony logs
Inflows surge at Velagaleru regulator after heavy rain in NTR district
Transnational crypto fraud: CID court orders 15 crore return to Tenali woman
A Tenali-based woman of Tenali transferred cryptocurrency worth Rs.15 crore expecting higher returns, which was routed to cryptocurrency exchange of Cayman Islands, said CID DGP Ravi Shankar Ayyanar
Two Navy officers face court martial over 2024 INS Brahmaputra mishap
A conviction, in the 2024 fire and capsize incident, could attract punishments ranging from reprimand and loss of seniority to imprisonment of up to two years
Two killed in road accidents in Dindigul
United Nations report says genocide continues in Gaza
The Israeli violations include widespread or systematic attacks directed against the civilian population, state policy, and the fact that the security forces knew the acts constituted part of an attack against the civilian population and so intended them (mens rea)
Democrats win control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress in the midterm elections, flipping key Senate seats and governorships. What do the results mean for President Donald Trump and the 2028 elections?
Odisha officials intimidating tribal people in Kotia villages, says A.P. Minister
SSI injured in accident succumbs to injuries
U.S. VP Vance says Iran war was the reason Republicans lost midterms
The U.S. vice-president said the conflict doomed Republicans, as he sought to distance himself from the war ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run
Kedartal avalanche claims lives of two sisters from Lucknow who shared passion for trekking
Toll touches four as two more bodies are found on the Kedartal trekking route; four trekkers, all friends from West Bengal, are still missing
Two taken into custody for assaulting Pradeep Poojary
TDP sweeps four Municipal Corporations in A.P. local polls
Ruling party emerges victorious in Tirupati, Kadapa, Nellore and Ongole; YSRCP, which swept across wards in 2021 Municipal polls in Kadapa and Nellore, won just one ward in each corporation
Athlete Parvejs sanction reduced on technical grounds
Pangappara Abhiram murder case: police suspect double murder plot
The disappearance of several Instagram chats belonging to the victim has added another layer of mystery to the investigation
Power to revoke licences used sparingly, Kerala HC expresses dissatisfaction at MVD inaction
TMB Foundation extends support for 500 more cataract surgeries
Revanth asks officials to collect student feedback on school uniforms
Chief Minister reviews distribution of uniforms and student kits under various departments; directs officials to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure for the procurement and distribution of uniforms and other student supplies for the next academic year
541 women SHGs in Kanniyakumari receive 76.38 crore in bank loan linkages
Peaceful life a mirage for commoners under Congress rule: MP
Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta criticses Karnataka govenrment for hiking travel fares of government buses
Agnipath review aimed at addressing youth discontent ahead of key polls
The BJP-led government had announced the review after the 2024 Lok Sabha election; it signals the ruling partys intent ahead of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with the 2029 Lok Sabha polls too firmly in its sights
Digital arrest: 76-year-old man loses 70.90 lakh to Delhi youth
Telangana is an enabler for industry, business: Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka
Operation Toofan: 15,515 arrested, 14,369 cases registered in 5 months
DMK functionary hacked to death in Dindigul
