Janhvi Kapoor has finally spoken openly about her relationship with Shikhar Pahariya. Appearing on the latest episode of Koffee With Karan 9 with Varun Dhawan, the actor confirmed that she is officially dating Shikhar and also shared when she sees herself getting married. Janhvi Kapoor confirms she is dating Shikhar Pahariya During the conversation, host Karan Johar directly asked Janhvi if she was officially dating Shikhar Pahariya. The actor responded, Yeah, I am. Janhvi went on to explain why she has generally been cautious about discussing her personal life publicly. She said, Ive always thought about why everyones so cagey about this. Obviously, I dont want Nazar and I dont want to be overly explicit about whats happening in my personal life. But I also dont think people give that much of a fuck for us to be like, Lets never let anyone know. The actor added that she does not see a reason to be overly secretive about her relationship. I just think its overrated to be like, Let no one ever know ever. Its just kind of boring to be tiptoeing around, and its not a big deal, Janhvi said. Later in the episode, Karan Johar asked Janhvi when she planned to get married. The actor gave a straightforward answer, making it clear that marriage is not on the immediate horizon. Not for another 2-3 years for sure, Janhvi said. Janhvi Kapoor and Shikhar Pahariyas relationship Janhvi and Shikhar have known each other for several years. They reportedly first met when Janhvi was around 15 or 16 and have had an on-and-off relationship over the years. The two were reportedly close during their teenage years before taking a break around the time of Janhvis acting debut in 2018. Their relationship reportedly rekindled by 2022, and Shikhar has since been a regular presence in Janhvis life. The two have also been spotted together on several occasions, although they had largely avoided giving an official statement about their relationship. Shikhar Pahariya is an entrepreneur and polo player. He is also the grandson of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and the brother of actor Veer Pahariya. Also Read:Koffee With Karan 9: Janhvi Kapoor says she lost 6 kg after fallout with Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan recalls calling him a child; says, You became Amitabh Bachchan from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Delhi Crime Branch arrests wanted mother-son duo in MCOCA, NDPS cases
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested a wanted mother-son duo linked to an organised drug syndicate and facing cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, officials said on Thursday. The accused have been identified as Neelam Rana, 47, wife of Rajesh Rana alias Bunty, and her son Rahul Rana, 27. Both were wanted in FIR No. 74/2026, registered under Sections 3 and 4 of MCOCA at Tilak Nagar police station, and FIR No. 968/2021, registered under Sections 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act at Khyala police station. Proceedings under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) had been initiated against both accused by the concerned courts. Rajesh Rana, who is the head of the syndicate, has already been charge-sheeted in the MCOCA case and is currently in judicial custody. According to police, a team from the Western Range-II unit of the Crime Branch was constituted on the directions of DCP Harsh Indora following specific intelligence received by Head Constable Pramod Kumar. The team was led by Inspector Satish Malik under the supervision of ACP Raj Pal Dabas. The team included Sub-Inspectors Anuj Chhikara and Pradeep Dahiya, Assistant Sub-Inspector Shreeom, and Head Constables Ravinder Singh, Pramod Kumar and Azad. SI Anuj Chhikara and HC Ravinder Singh conducted technical surveillance to trace the accused. Following sustained efforts, the team located them at their residential premises in Bindapur and Mahavir Enclave, Delhi, on October 27. After the court proceedings and completing the necessary legal formalities, both were arrested under Section 35(1)(c) of the BNSS. Police said Neelam Rana had been involved in 13 criminal cases since 1995, including cases under the Excise Act and the NDPS Act. Non-bailable warrants were also pending against her in two NDPS cases. Rahul Rana is also an accused in an NDPS case and a separate case registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to investigators, Neelam Rana began selling liquor illegally in the Khyala and Tilak Nagar areas with her husband and his family. She later allegedly became involved in procuring and selling heroin, also known as smack. Her son Rahul Rana allegedly joined the illegal drug trade. The police further alleged that the family operated an organised syndicate led by Rajesh Rana, generating substantial proceeds from drug trafficking. Following his arrest, Neelam and Rahul went into hiding and frequently changed locations to evade arrest.
BJP Gains In Maharashtra MLC Polls, But Alliance Strength Tested To Its Limit
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People rewarded my work: Congress' Abhijit Wanjari on Nagpur Graduates' win
Digital Desk | Nagpur, Oct 29 (IANS) Abhijit Govindrao Wanjari, the Congress candidate who secured the party's sole victory in the MLC elections, said the mandate he received from voters in the Nagpur Graduates' constituency reflected the development work he had undertaken during his previous term. Wanjari defeated his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rival, Sudhakar Kohle, by a margin of 3,271 votes after a prolonged counting process in the Nagpur Graduates' constituency, a region widely regarded as a stronghold of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Speaking to IANS after his victory, Wanjari said he had been confident of winning the election because of the work he had carried out over the past six years and the support he believed he enjoyed among voters. He also credited the Congress and its allies for working alongside him during the campaign. I was very confident about my win. I have done significant work in the past six years, so I knew that the voters were with me. Our party and allies worked with me. People have rewarded me for the development work carried out by us, Wanjari said. Just gathering a crowd does not bring votes. However, we have worked for the public, for development, and on that basis, I contested this election and subsequently won, he added. Wanjari also expressed concern over the growing doubts surrounding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), saying that some voters had begun questioning whether their votes were being counted in favour of the candidates they had chosen. People have now started doubting the EVMs. They feel that their votes are going to the wrong person. That is why the elections should be held through ballot papers. This practice has been followed by several developed nations too, Wanjari said. With this win, the Congress opened its account in the elections held for 28 Legislative Council seats across four states -- Karnataka, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The outcome assumes particular significance as Nagpur is the home city of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and also falls within the Lok Sabha constituency represented by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Nagpur is also the national headquarters of the RSS, an organisation with a strong ideological and organisational presence in the region. Reacting to his defeat, BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohle maintained that his party had performed well when the overall results of the MLC elections were taken into account. He defended the BJP's campaign, saying that the party's senior leadership, including the Chief Minister, had actively participated in the election process. When we look at the bigger picture, the BJP has won these elections. There was no shortcoming in the election campaign. Our Chief Minister and other top leaders campaigned by going to every booth. I thank them for this, Kohle told IANS.
Neet paper leak case: Delhi court reserves order on framing charges
A Delhi court on Thursday reserved its order on framing of charges against 14 accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case. Special Judge Ajay Gupta said the order would be pronounced on November 18. Earlier this year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a chargesheet against 13 accused in the present fast-track court dealing with criminal cases arising from paper leaks as well as the use of other unfair means in public examinations. The agency also filed a supplementary chargesheet against the 14th accused, Sheshrav Bajrang Suryawanshi alias Raj Suryawanshi, a resident of Nanded in Maharashtra, who was arrested on September 2. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, is conducted by the NTA for medical aspirants. On May 12, the NTA cancelled the NEET-UG held on May 3 amid allegations of paper leak. A re-examination was conducted on June 21.
MLC poll results show people disillusioned with BJP, claim Opposition leaders
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Opposition leaders on Thursday claimed that the results of the Legislative Council elections in four states reflected growing public disillusionment with the BJP, pointing to the Samajwadi Party's gains in Uttar Pradesh and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi's victory in three of the five seats in Maharashtra. Speaking to IANS, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad claimed the results had sent a message that the BJP government's days were numbered, alleging that its policies had troubled every section of society, including the youth, farmers and business community. He also claimed that people believed the election process had been conducted forcefully. The MLC election results send a message that the days of the BJP government are numbered. It will remain in power only until the elections are declared, as every section of society is troubled by its policies, actions and decisions, he said. Samajwadi Party Spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said the party had secured decisive victories in five of the 11 seats in Uttar Pradesh, arguing that its winning margins demonstrated organisational preparedness. On the question of alliances, he said the party would follow the approach adopted in the 2024 elections and support candidates contesting their respective seats. In places where some people fail to get even 2,000 votes, the Samajwadi Party is winning by margins of 17,00018,000 votes. This shows Samajwadi Partys preparation, he said About the coalition, we will follow the same pattern of 2024. This is for sure that we want people to win seats they fight on. This is Akhilesh Yadavs motto too, he added. Congress MP Mallu Ravi congratulated voters in Nagpur for electing the party's candidate and pointed to the victory in the RSS headquarters as a significant political development. He also expressed confidence that the Congress would win more seats in the coming general elections. I want to tell PM (Modi) and HM (Shah) that Congress is getting elected in Nagpur which is the headquarters of the RSS. Similarly, another important constituency is the PM's constituency which the BJP lost, he said. Both were won by the Congress and its allies. That shows that in the coming general elections Congress is going to win, he added. Meanwhile, RJD MLA Bhai Virendra called for introspection among Opposition parties, saying the Congress, as the senior partner, should have taken the initiative to resolve differences through dialogue. He alleged that the party had appeared inclined to dictate terms rather than take regional parties and smaller allies along. Congress leads the Opposition at the Centre, while we are a major party in Bihar and hold the Leader of Oppositions post. It is Congress responsibility to coordinate with regional parties and smaller allies across states, he said. NCP(SP) National Spokesperson Clyde Crasto described the Maharashtra results as encouraging, saying his party had won two seats and the Congress one, giving the MVA three of the five seats. He said the outcome was disappointing for the ruling alliance despite its governments at the Centre and in the state. The elections to 28 Legislative Council seats were held across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka on October 23, with counting beginning on October 27.
NEET Paper Leak Case: Court Reserves Order on Framing Charges'
The agency also filed a supplementary chargesheet against the 14th accused, Sheshrav Bajrang Suryawanshi alias Raj Suryawanshi, a resident of Nanded in Maharashtra, who was arrested on September 2
NEET-UG 2026 paper leak: Rouse Avenue court fixes Nov 18 for order on framing of charges
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) A specially designated Fast Track Court at the Rouse Avenue Courts Complex in Delhi on Thursday reserved its order on framing of charges against the accused in the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak case. The Fast Track Court, constituted to deal with offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, will pronounce its order on November 18. The case relates to the alleged leakage of confidential question papers ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was held on May 3 and subsequently cancelled following the paper leak controversy. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against 13 accused on July 28, claiming that the question papers were leaked through a network involving National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts, intermediaries, coaching operators and others. According to the probe agency, three NTA subject experts entrusted with translating, back-translating and proofreading the question papers allegedly took confidential examination questions out of the NTA's office in Delhi by exploiting security lapses. The CBI has claimed that one of the accused, P.V. Kulkarni, wrote down all 135 Chemistry questions, along with their answer options, on small slips of paper and concealed them while leaving the confidential section. The agency also flagged shortcomings in CCTV surveillance at the NTA office, stating that only 20-25 days of CCTV backup were available and that there was no dedicated control room to monitor the live feed from the confidential section. The chargesheet against the 13 accused cited 360 witnesses, 422 documents and 43 material objects in support of the prosecution's case. The accused have been charged under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The CBI subsequently filed a chargesheet against Sheshrao Bajrang Suryavanshi, the 14th accused arrested in the case, before the special court in October. The probe agency claimed that Suryavanshi was linked to another accused, Shubham Khairnar, a career counsellor arrested in Nashik, Maharashtra, for allegedly circulating the question paper on social media. The CBI registered the case on May 12 following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education over alleged irregularities and leakage of confidential NEET-UG question papers. The original examination was cancelled, and a re-examination was conducted on June 21 under heightened security arrangements.
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In blow to BJP in Fadnavis bastion, Cong wins Nagpur MLC seat
The Congress candidate's victory in the Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency marks a significant upset for the BJP in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.
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Congress's Abhijeet Wanjari has retained the Nagpur bastion by defeating his closest rival of the BJP by 3,271 votes. The Congress candidate MLC Wanjari secured 67,231 votes, while BJP's Sudhakar Kohale got 63,960 votes.Reacting on...
Maharashtra MLC Elections: Maha Vikas Aghadi Wins Three Graduate Seats, Mahayuti Secures Two
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BJP MLA Ram Kadam on Thursday criticised the Congress over its performance in the recent MLC elections, asking the opposition party to introspect on its electoral defeats instead of blaming Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or the Election Commission of India (ECI). Speaking to ANI, Kadam noted that despite the elections being conducted through paper ballots, Congress managed to win only one seat in Maharashtra.
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Cong no longer relevant, should stop politicising every issue: BJP MP on MLC election results
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Thursday said that the results of the Legislative Council elections had made it clear that the Congress is no longer relevant in Indian politics, adding that the party should introspect and stop politicising every issue. His remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Congress over the results of the Legislative Council elections held across four states using ballot papers. Speaking to IANS, Khandelwal said, This has made it clear that the Congress is no longer relevant in politics. Earlier, it used to be said that EVMs were hacked, and the blame was pinned on the Election Commission. Then allegations of vote theft were made, which had no basis. Now, the Congress was demanding elections through ballot papers, and the MLC elections were held using the same ballot papers. The Congress has now been wiped out, and the party should introspect and realise that there should not be politics over every issue. People give a befitting reply when the time comes and deliver their verdict, he added. Backing Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement regarding the MLC election results, the BJP MP said that demanding resignations had become a habit of the opposition parties. What the Home Minister said is right because demanding resignations has become a habit for them. They demand resignations over every small or big issue, turn every matter into a controversy and call for resignations. So, when will they resign over the ballot box? What Home Minister Amit Shah said is completely right, Khandelwal said. He further alleged that Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and other opposition leaders would avoid taking responsibility for the election results. Now, Rahul Gandhi and all the opposition parties will run away, hiding their faces, but the public is watching all of this, he added. Khandelwal also reacted to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's remarks targeting the BJP over the Varanasi Legislative Council election results and said that the SP chief was also gradually losing his relevance in politics. Akhilesh Yadav, too, like other parties, is gradually losing his relevance. Consequently, while he used to speak with some sense occasionally in the past, he is now making baseless statements that have no foundation, Khandelwal said. The BJP won 13 of the 28 Legislative Council seats contested across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka.
Following his victory in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division Graduate Constituency MLC election, NCP (SP) leader Pratap Singh Patil asserted that a 100 per cent wave of change is sweeping Maharashtra. He said educated voters have delivered a resounding message that the electorate can no longer be taken for granted. Speaking to reporters here after defeating the ruling Mahayuti candidate and sitting NCP MLC Satish Bhanudasrao Chavan, Patil attributed the Maha Vikas Aghadi
Congress candidate Abhijit Wanjari has won the Maharashtra Legislative Council election from the Nagpur Division Graduates' Constituency, securing a total of 67,231 votes through first- and second-preference voting. His nearest rival, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sudhakar Kohale, secured 63,960 votes. Wanjari defeated Kohale by a margin of 3,271 votes. Following the declaration of the result, Returning Officer and Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari presented the certificate of election to Wanjari. After winning the election, Wanjari said that the BJP had exerted all its might, with all its leaders present in Nagpur, but voters had stood with the Congress. He added that his party remained united and that the leaders and workers of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) stood together. Wanjari further said that several organisations had supported him and that he had mentioned in his campaign materials that 48 organisations were backing him. He credited the workers and leaders of...
Maharashtra MLC election: Congress trumps BJP in Nagpur, MVA leads 3-2 in State
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Nagpur MLC result: Congress' Abhijeet Wanjari beats BJP in RSS turf, MVA wins 3 seats
Abhijeet Wanjari of the Congress party secured victory in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections from Nagpur. He defeated BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale by a margin of 3,271 votes. The counting process extended over 40 hours and concluded in the early hours of Thursday. This win is significant as it reflects a setback for the BJP in their stronghold.
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Maharashtra MLC elections: Congresss Abhijeet Wanjari defeats BJP in Nagpur
Congresss Abhijeet Wanjari retained the Nagpur Division Graduates constituency in the Maharashtra MLC elections, defeating BJPs Sudhakar Kohale by 3,271 votes after more than 40 hours of counting. The Maha Vikas Aghadi won three of the five seats, while the ruling Mahayuti secured two
Congress Flips MLC Polls Script In Nagpur, Jabs PM Modi, Devendra Fadnavis Over Posts
Overall, the Maharashtra results also gave the opposition MVA reasons to cheer as the alliance romped home with three out of the five seats that went to polls in the state.
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Congress wins Nagpur MLC poll; MVA gets three seats, BJP, Shiv Sena one each
Mumbai, Oct 29 (PTI) Congress candidate Abhijeet Wanjari was on Thursday declared the winner in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections from Nagpur after a keenly-watched vote counting exercise that stretched for more than 40 hours. Wanjari defeated BJPs Sudhakar Kohale by 3,271 votes to retain the Nagpur Division Graduates constituency seat, which has been a traditional stronghold of the saffron party. The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning and concluded in the wee hours of Thursday. Wanjari, a sitting MLC, secured 67,231 votes, while Kohale, a former MLA, got 63,960 votes. It is a big setback for the BJP
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Nagpur MLC Election Result: Congress' Abhijeet Wanjari Defeats BJP's Sudhakar Kohale
The Congress has defeated the BJP in the Nagpur graduates' constituency of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, with sitting MLC Abhijeet Wanjari winning the seat by 3,271 votes. Wanjari secured 67,231 votes, while BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale finished with 63,960 votes. The
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In setback to BJP, Congress retains Nagpur MLC seat; Wanjari wins
In a nail-biting contest, Congress candidate and sitting MLC Abhijeet Wanjari defeated his closest rival of the BJP by 3,271 votes to retain the Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency seat. The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning and concluded in the wee hours of Thursday. The Congress had fielded sitting MLC Wanjari who secured 67,231 votes. The BJP had fielded former MLA Sudhakar Kohale, who secured 63,960 votes. It is a big setback for the BJP as it has lost in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari who had campaigned extensively for Kohale. Kohale was leading his Congress rival by 4,294 votes after the second round of counting on Wednesday. After round two of the counting with reference to first preference votes, Kohale had polled 60,924 votes while Wanjari secured 56,630. Independent candidate Nitesh Karale received 24,249 votes. However, as no candidate secured the required quota of votes, the counting went into
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After a nail-biting contest, Congress candidate Abhijit Wanjari wins Nagpur seat
Kashmir Pashmina testing rises sharply as GI certification demand grows
The Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) at the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, has recorded a sharp rise in the testing of Geographical Indication (GI) products, especially Kashmir Pashmina, Kani and Sozni embroidered shawls, during the current financial year. The surge reflects stronger institutional capacity, upgraded laboratory infrastructure and growing demand for authentic GI certification and QR coding. In a detailed press statement issued here today, a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, stated that the testing rate, which was 40-45 per day in 2024-25, has now risen to 170 per day in 2026-27. In 2024-25, PTQCC conducted 13,369 tests at an average of 40-45 tests per day. This rose to 22,351 tests in 2025-26, with the daily average increasing to 75-85 tests. In the current financial year, PTQCC has already performed approximately 21,000 tests. With another 21,000 tests projected between November 2026 and March 31, 2027, the annual total is expected to reach around 42,000 tests, nearly doubling the testing rate achieved in the previous year, the spokesman explained. To support this expansion, the spokesman further stated that Pashmina Laboratory has been strengthened with advanced equipment, including a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and two High-Resolution Digital Microscopes. The Department is in the process of procuring another OFDA 2000 fibre analyser and an additional digital microscope during FY 2026-27 under CAPEX. These additions are expected to further accelerate testing, improve precision in fibre identification and quality assessment and meet the rising demand for GI testing and QR coding of certified products, he said, adding that those GI Authorised Users who submit hand-spun, hand-woven Pashmina products with Sozni embroidery are being given preferential treatment. In order to bring greater transparency in GI testing, certification and QR coding at PTQCC, the Department has developed an in-house Online Appointment Token Management System to further streamline the operations across all testing labs of the Department, including IICT and QCD (Quality Control Division). The web application has been developed by the Resource Cell of the department, which shall be operational shortly on a pilot basis, he added. The Directorate is in the process of augmenting additional manpower to operate the machines, for which technical staff is being sent to Wool Research Association (WRA), Thane, Maharashtra, for technical training. With trained manpower, we shall have more teams in place to conduct tests in PTQCC so that the rising demand for GI testing and QR coding post aggressive media campaign, by GI Authorised Users is met. The enhanced testing capacity strengthens the authentication of Kashmirs prized handicrafts, protects the interests of artisans and weavers and builds greater consumer and buyer confidence in genuine GI-tagged products, the spokesman stated. Faster and more reliable certification is particularly important for exports and premium domestic markets, where authenticity is a key differentiator for Kashmir Pashmina and related handicraft products, the spokesman concluded.
Maharashtra MLC elections 2026: BJP suffers setback as Congress wins Nagpur graduates' seat
In a big setback for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress has won the Nagpur graduates' seat, the sitting MLC Abhijeet Wanjari defeated his closest rival of the BJP by 3,271 votes. The Congress candidate MLC Wanjari secured 67,231 votes, while BJP's Sudhakar Kohale got 63,960 votes.Kohale was leading his Congress rival by 4,294 votes after the second round of counting on Wednesday. After round two of the counting with reference to first preference votes, Kohale had polled 60,924 votes while Wanjari secured 56,630. Independent candidate Nitesh Karale received 24,249 votes.
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PTQCC boosts testing capacity for Kashmir handicrafts
Srinagar, Oct 28: The Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) at the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, has significantly expanded its testing capacity for Geographical Indication (GI) products, including Kashmir Pashmina, Kani and Sozni-embroidered shawls, with the daily testing rate rising from 40-45 in 2024-25 to around 170 in the current financial year. According to a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, PTQCC conducted 13,369 tests in 2024-25, which increased to 22,351 in 2025-26. The centre has already conducted approximately 21,000 tests in the current financial year, with the annual tally projected to reach around 42,000 by March 31, 2027. The increase has been attributed to strengthened laboratory infrastructure, improved testing facilities and growing demand for GI certification and QR coding of authentic handicraft products. The Pashmina laboratory has been equipped with advanced instruments, including a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and two high-resolution digital microscopes. The department is also procuring an additional OFDA 2000 fibre analyser and another digital microscope under the CAPEX budget for 2026-27 to improve testing efficiency and accuracy. The department is also developing an online appointment and token management system to bring greater transparency to GI testing, certification and QR coding. The system, developed by the department's Resource Cell, will initially be launched on a pilot basis and will cover its testing laboratories, including the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) and the Quality Control Division (QCD). To meet the growing demand, the Directorate is augmenting its technical workforce and sending staff to the Wool Research Association in Thane, Maharashtra, for specialised training in operating the testing equipment. The department is also giving preferential treatment to GI-authorised users submitting hand-spun and hand-woven Pashmina products with Sozni embroidery. The enhanced testing capacity is expected to strengthen the authentication of Kashmir's traditional handicrafts, safeguard the interests of artisans and weavers, and improve consumer confidence in genuine GI-tagged products. The department said faster and more reliable certification would also benefit exporters and manufacturers catering to premium domestic and international markets, where authenticity is a key factor in determining the value of Kashmir's renowned handicrafts.
Mahayuti & MVA win 2 seats each in MLC polls; Nagpur down to the wire
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Rebel Karale: From Wannabe King To Kingmaker
MLC polls: MVA & Mahayuti win 2 seats each, Nagpur on knife edge
Nagpur Grads Poll Goes Down To The Wire, Congs Wanjarri Declares Victory
84 Tables, 1.65L Ballots & Prolonged Suspense Keep Supporters On Edge
MLC poll: Sarnaik wins Amravati teachers seat by 8,000 votes, big boost for Shinde Sena
HC: Police Can Probe GST Fraud If FIR Filed For Criminal Offences
Bandhan Bank to face a Rs 200 crore hit from insurance norm change
Facing an anticipated Rs 200 crore dip in income from proposed cuts to insurance commissions, Bandhan Bank's managing director, Partha Pratim Sengupta, warns of potential ripple effects across the banking industry. To counter these challenges, the bank is set to reshape its business model and focus on enhancing mutual fund distribution. Moreover, its limited exposure to drought-impacted regions in Karnataka and Maharashtra helps mitigate overall financial risks.
Meenakshi Shinde Faces Heat From Within Shiv Sena Over Purnekar Murder Probe
Maharashtra minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik said on Wednesday that Meenakshi Shinde should step down till the completion of the probe into the murder of Purnekar.
STPs Save 390 MLD Of Pench Water As Power Plants Use Recycled Sewage
No Diwali bonus for NMC staff, one-day pay cut for drought relief sparks resentment
Diwali homecoming gets costlier: Trains full, airfares cross Rs19,000, bus fares touch Rs7,000
5,948 Borewells & Wells In Nagpur, But Is The Water Safe To Drink?
Brain-dead homemakers organs give new life to 3
27-year-old man dies after bike crashes into truck on Jabalpur-Hyderabad highway
6-hour curbs on goods carriers in major markets
Clouds Hover, But Rain Eludes Nagpur
Act Fast, Protect The Brain: Every Minute Counts After Stroke
