Chhattisgarh News

Rs 1,500 Crore Allegation Against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Sparks Row

A series of viral posts and videos have surfaced on social media alleging that BJP senior leader and National Working President Nitin Naveen collected Rs 1,500 crore from Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

Walayar mob lynching: rights activists allege bid to trivialise crime, demand 25 lakh compensation

Protest meeting in Thrissur calls the killing of Chhattisgarh native Ram Narayan a chilling reflection of growing Islamophobia in the State

From insurgency to bricklaying, surrendered Maoists help build PMAY-G houses in Chhattisgarhs Sukma

RAIPUR: In Chhattisgarhs Sukma district, long affected by Maoist violence, surrendered cadres are now playing a role in rural development by constructing houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas YojanaGramin (PMAY-G), reflecting a shift from armed insurgency to livelihood-based rehabilitation. Several surrendered Maoists, after undergoing professional training at the district rehabilitation centre, have become skilled masons and are engaged in building partially completed and new PMAY-G houses across the district. The initiative is part of the States Naxal surrender, relief and rehabilitation policy aimed at mainstreaming former cadres through skill development and employment. Muchaki Ranvati, a surrendered cadre from Purvarti village, said her life had changed in every way after acquiring masonry skills. She added that she was also given an opportunity to participate in the recently held Bastar Olympics. Similarly, Pordium Bhima, a native of Polampalli who was associated with the Maoist organisation for nearly 30 years, said his future felt more secure and dignified at the rehabilitation centre compared to his earlier life spent in inhospitable forest terrain. Where guns have fallen silent for cadres who renounced the violent path of the CPI (Maoist), foundations for a new future are now being laid through bricks and mortar. Initially, 35 surrendered Naxalites were trained as masons at the Sukma district rehabilitation centre. The hands that once caused violence are now engaged in shaping structures, gaining an understanding of construction materials, manual dexterity, the use of tools and productive work methods. With more surrendered cadres joining the local skilled workforce, the long-standing shortage of trained masons in Maoist-affected and remote areas is also being addressed. The core objective of our rehabilitation policy is to connect surrendered youths to the mainstream by providing them skills, employment and respect, said Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The trained personnel were provided with mason kits to help them secure self-employment in the construction sector. Providing skill development, employment opportunities and basic facilities to youths living in rehabilitation centres remains a top priority of the district administration. Such an initiative is a significant step towards social transformation, said Sukma Collector Devesh Dhruv. Skilled human resources are crucial to support the effective implementation of government construction schemes, including PMAY-G, said Mukund Thakur, Chief Executive Officer of the Sukma district panchayat. A new and optimistic chapter of the rehabilitation programme focusing on skill development is unfolding in Sukma. At the rehabilitation centre, surrendered Naxalites, including 15 women, were given professional masonry training, enabling them to move towards self-reliance as skilled workers. They were imparted structured, hands-on training in essential aspects of building construction, including foundation work, bricklaying, plastering, roof casting, adherence to standards and basic safety practices, allowing them to work competently in both government and private construction projects. The initiative goes beyond routine skill training, emerging as a medium to provide a new direction to the lives of surrendered youths. In addition to vocational training, surrendered cadres in the district were also provided with mobile phones, utility kits, Aadhaar-Ayushman cards, ration cards and job cards.

Two Chhattisgarh Based Ganja Peddlers Arrested In Bolangir

Police investigation is underway to ascertain possible links to a larger inter-state drug trafficking network

How Codewords, WhatsApp Groups Exposed Coal Scam In Chhattisgarh

Secret codewords, WhatsApp chats, and seemingly harmless group names have emerged as the hidden language of corruption in Chhattisgarh, exposing multiple layers of power, money, and influence in the coal and liquor scams that have rocked the state.

Chhattisgarh: Tension Prevails In Bastar Village Over Burial Dispute

Prayer room set on fire, sarpanch house vandalized

DSP stabbed by couple in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada over old dispute

The woman had registered a case of rape against the police officer in Durg district late last year but the latter was acquitted this September

Chhattisgarh: Maoist, Carrying Rs 5 Lakh Bounty, Gunned Down in Bijapur Encounter

The slain Naxal has been identified as Fagnu Madvi, a member of Bhairamgarh area committee of Maoists

Mosquitoes Take Detour To Civic Body As Raipur Man Delivers Biting Protest

In a protest that was as sharp as the sting that triggered it, a young man in Chhattisgarh's capital literally carried his complaint to the authorities sealed in a plastic bag.

Migrant worker lynched to death in Kerala over false theft charge, autopsy reveals over 80 injuries

A 31-year-old migrant worker from Chhattisgarh died after being brutally assaulted by a group of local residents near Walayar in Palakkad district, allegedly on suspicion of theft. The deceased was identified as Ramnarayan Bhayar (31), a native of Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, who had been residing in Kanjikode. Police said the incident occurred at Attappallam East on Wednesday (December 17) evening, when a group of persons allegedly attacked Bhayar with the intention of causing grievous harm. He sustained multiple injuries in the assault and was taken to the Palakkad District Government Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that night. Local residents claimed the incident occurred around 3 pm after Bhayar allegedly entered multiple houses in the area in an attempt to commit burglary. They said he was injured during an altercation and was taken to hospital by the police around 4.30 pm. Police on Friday said five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. The arrests were formally recorded late Thursday night and all the accused were booked for murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. They were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. Police initially stated that Bhayar hailed from Jharkhand, but later clarified that he was a native of Chhattisgarh. A relative of the deceased told reporters that Bhayar had arrived in Kerala only four days ago in search of work and was planning to return home after failing to find suitable employment. He was new to the area, did not know the routes and got lost. That is how he landed at the place where the incident occurred, the relative said, adding that Bhayar had no criminal record and is survived by two children aged eight and 10. Bihar man lynched over religious identity in Nawada; four arrested, police probe underway According to police, Bhayar was attacked on allegations that he was involved in a theft at Kizhakeattappallam near Walayar. As per the FIR, the incident occurred before 7.40 pm. Police said a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events. According to a report by Onmanorama , the autopsy revealed that Bhayar was brutally assaulted with a stick and had sustained more than 80 injuries from head to toe. The post-mortem report confirmed that he died due to severe assault and excessive bleeding caused by head injuries, and also noted internal bleeding. The report said Bhayar, who was intoxicated at the time, had not committed any theft. Following the assault, he collapsed after vomiting blood and was allegedly abandoned on the roadside for nearly four hours before being taken to hospital by the police. Onmanorama further reported that after visuals of the brutal assault surfaced, police took around 10 people into custody, following which the arrests of five accused were formally recorded. Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the State Human Rights Commission ordered a probe and directed the Palakkad district police chief to submit a report within three weeks. The killing has revived memories of the 2018 lynching of Madhu, a tribal youth from the Kadukumanna settlement in Attappady, who was beaten to death by a mob after being accused of theft. Disturbing visuals of that assault had triggered nationwide outrage, and 13 of the 14 accused were later sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh each.

Shree Cement locks out Baloda Bazar plant in Raipur

Shree Cement has announced a lockout at its Baloda Bazar plant in Chhattisgarh starting December 18. This action is due to non-cooperation from workmen. The company anticipates a daily loss of approximately 10,000 tonnes in cement production. Shree Cement is monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as developments occur.

Cops injured after burial dispute spark violence in Chhattisgarh

Kanker: Violence erupted in Amabeda village in Chhattisgarhs Kanker district after a burial dispute between different tribal communities, leaving several police personnel injured. The issue began on December 16, when Rajman Salam, sarpanch of Badetevda village under the Amabeda police station area, buried his father Chamra Ram Salams body on his familys private land. Villagers 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 .

Chhattisgarh's Bijapur encounter: Naxalite with 5 lakh bounty killed

A Naxalite carrying a Rs 5 lakh reward was killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. The exchange of fire occurred during an anti-Naxal operation. The killed cadre was identified as Fagnu Madvi. Security forces also seized weapons and explosive materials. This incident brings the total Naxalites killed in Chhattisgarh this year to 285.

Encounter breaks out between security personnel and Maoists in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur

The exchange of fire started in the morning in the forested hills of Bhairamgarh-Indravati area when a District Reserve Guard team was out on an anti-Maoist operation, according to a police official

Migrant worker lynched on suspicion of theft near Walayar in Kerala

PALAKKAD: In a suspected case of lynching, a 31-year-old migrant worker from Chhattisgarh died after being brutally assaulted by a group of local residents near Walayar in Palakkad district, allegedly on suspicion of theft. The deceased is Ramnarayan Bhayar, 31, a native of Chhattisgarh, who was residing in Kanjikode. Police said the incident occurred at Attappallam East on Wednesday (December 17) evening, when a group of persons allegedly attacked Bhayar with the intention of causing grievous harm. He suffered multiple injuries during the assault. Severely injured and in a critical condition, he was shifted in an ambulance to the Palakkad District Government Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that night. Local residents claimed that the incident occurred around 3 pm, after the deceased allegedly entered multiple houses in the area in an attempt to commit burglary. They further stated that he was injured during an altercation and was later taken to hospital by the police around 4.30 pm. Police have taken three persons into custody in connection with the incident and are questioning them to ascertain their role in the assault. Further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.

Raipur Diary | High-tech Nava Raipur; ifs and buts

Nava Raipur, the much-publicised new capital of Chhattisgarh, has been in the spotlight since it was declared the countrys first completely debt-free city. Planned and developed from the ground up by the Naya Raipur Development Authority since 2006, the city showcases broad avenues, neatly laid sectors and impressive infrastructure. However, the everyday experience of the city reveals a different, more grounded reality. People visiting government offices often struggle to find basic amenities. There are hardly any medical stores, drinking water outlets, first-aid facilities or vehicle repair garages. Ex-CMO officer under scam scanner Soumya Chaurasia, former deputy secretary in CMO during the previous Congress government, is facing mounting legal trouble. After securing interim bail from the Supreme Court in May in the coal levy scam, she is now being questioned by the ED in an alleged liquor scam. Investigating agencies have earlier linked her name to the multi-crore District Mineral Fund scam as well. Currently under ED custodial remand in Raipur, officials claim to have gathered evidence suggesting she received proceeds of crime worth Rs 115 crore. The states Economic Offences Wing has also filed a charge sheet, alleging misuse of official position during her tenure. Rakshak curriculum for child protection Chhattisgarh has launched the Rakshak curriculum, a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Child Rights and Protection. The programme has been introduced through MoUs signed between the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and six state universities. Aimed at creating trained professionals, the course focuses on child welfare laws, government schemes, institutional processes and hands-on exposure with child protection units. With a strong mix of classroom learning and hands-on training, the programme aims to nurture sensitive, well-trained professionals who can actively protect childrens rights. Ejaz Kaiser Our correspondent in Chhattisgarh ejaz@newindianexpress.com

Faith And Tribal Tradition Faultline Cracks, Burial Turns Into Battleground In Chhattisgarh

Months after a burial dispute from Bastar reached the Supreme Court, exposing the deep fault lines between law, faith, and tribal tradition, a fresh and violent clash erupted in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district.

Chhattisgarh Agriculture University Granted IPR for Rice Variety with Anti-Cancer Properties

The rice variety has its origin in tribal region in Sukma district under south Bastar in Chhattisgarh.

SC adjourns till January Bhupesh Baghel's son plea against arrest in liquor scam case

The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on a plea by Bhupesh Baghel's son challenging his arrest in a Chhattisgarh liquor scam. The court stated the matter cannot be heard piecemeal. The son is also challenging provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The hearing is now scheduled for January.

3 Naxalites Killed in Encounter with Security Personnel in Chhattisgarh

The bodies of three Naxalites, including a woman, have been recovered from the encounter site so far, he said, adding that the operation is underway and further details are awaited.

Chhattisgarh: 3 Maoists killed in encounter with security personnel

Sukma: Three Maoist, including a woman, were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarhs Sukma district on Thursday, police said. The exchange of fire broke out in the morning on a forested hill under the Golapalli police station area when a team of District Reserve Guard was out on a search operation based 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 .

Three Maoists killed in encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarhs Sukma

The exchange of fire broke out on a forested hill under the Golapalli police station area when a team of District Reserve Guard was out on a search operation, Sukma SP said

Congress protests in Chhattisgarh against misuse of investigating agencies

Congress party staged protests outside the BJP office following the courts dismissal of the EDs charge sheet in the National Herald case.

ED Arrests Ex-CMs Aide In Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam

The ED produced her in the Special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) here on Wednesday which sent her to two-day remand, ED sources said.

34 Congress Members Suspended From Chhattisgarh Assembly Amid Uproar Over Probe Agency 'Misuse'

The Congress created an uproar in the Chhattisgarh assembly, alleging that central and state probe agencies were being misused to suppress the Opposition, and demanded a discussion on the issue by moving an adjournment motion.

Chhattisgarh Assembly session: 34 Congress members suspended after uproar over probe agency 'misuse'

Congress legislators trooped into the well of the House, leading to the suspension of 34 MLAs of the Opposition party

Chhattisgarh liquor scam: ED arrests ex-CMO deputy secretary Soumya Chaurasia

RAIPUR: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Soumya Chaurasia, a suspended state administrative service officer who was deputy secretary in the CMO during the previous Congress government, in connection with an alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh. The ED's counsel, Saurabh Kumar Pande, told PTI that Chaurasia was arrested late Tuesday evening and will be produced before a special court on Wednesday. Chaurasia served as deputy secretary in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) during Bhupesh Baghel's tenure as CM. She is also an accused in the alleged coal levy scam and was arrested in 2022. She was released from jail earlier this year after being granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in May. In the liquor scam case, the ED earlier arrested Congress MLA and former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma on January 15 this year, and Chaitanya Baghel , son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, on July 18 as part of its money-laundering investigation. The ED has alleged that Lakhma, 71, was the main recipient of the proceeds of crime, receiving large amounts of cash during his tenure as excise minister. It further claimed that Chaitanya Baghel was at the helm of the syndicate behind the alleged liquor scam and personally handled nearly Rs 1,000 crore generated from the scandal. According to the ED, the alleged scam was orchestrated between 2019 and 2022 during the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government, resulting in a loss of more than Rs 2,500 crore to the state exchequer and illegal gains for members of the liquor syndicate.

Chhattisgarh liquor scam: ED arrests former CMO Deputy Secretary Soumya Chaurasia

Chaurasia served as Deputy Secretary in the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) during Bhupesh Baghels tenure as CM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates Signifys Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR, Dec 16: In line with its #BrighterLivesBetterWorld vision, Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, announced the launch of its flagship Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh. The momentous inauguration was graced by the Honble Union Home Minister of India, Shri Amit Shah, marking a powerful new chapter in rural transformation. Implemented in partnership with the Government of Chhattisgarh and Bharat Cares, this initiative will bring the glow of modern, energy-efficient LED streetlights to 70 villages across [] The post Union Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates Signifys Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

12 members of an inter-state fraud gang posing as IT officials busted in Chhattisgarhs Dhamtari

RAIPUR: Dhamtari police on Tuesday arrested twelve members of an inter-state fraud gang who posed as Income Tax officers, conducting a fake raid in Raipur. According to authorities, An inter-state gang involved in organised crime had entered the house of a doctor without carrying any valid search warrant or identification cards and pretended to be IT officials. Following a complaint,the Kotwali police registered a case and launched an investigation. Separate police teams were dispatched to different districts of Chhattisgarh and adjoining Maharashtra. With consistent efforts, searches and technical analysis of available details gathered, all the accused were taken into custody and brought to Dhamtari, said Suraj Singh Parihar, the district police chief. During interrogation, the accused persons admitted that they had learned about Rs 200 crore reportedly kept at the house of complainant Dilip Rathore. They planned to carry out a fake IT raid but failed to locate the cash and fled in their vehicles. The complainant identified all the accused involved in the incident. Based on substantial evidence, the police arrested the gang members and sent them to jail. Vehicles, mobile phones, and a jute sack allegedly used to carry cash were also seized. Dhamtari Police urged citizens to verify identification cards and valid orders or warrants when approached by officials of any government department and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

34 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur

Twenty-six of them carried a cumulative bounty of 84 lakh

Oppositions forest, mining claims trigger Assembly uproar in Chhattisgarh

Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP Government working for the benefit of industrialists and capitalists: Opposition

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Inaugurates Signify's Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, announced the launch of its flagship Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh. The momentous inauguration was graced by the Hon’ble Union Home Minister of India, Shri Amit Shah, marking a powerful new chapter in rural transformation. Implemented in partnership with the Government of Chhattisgarh and Bharat Cares, this initiative will bring the glow of modern, energy-efficient LED streetlights to 70 villages across the Indravati Tiger Reserve area, paving the way for safer, more vibrant communities.   Signify I Har Gaon Roshan   Guided by the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this milestone mirrors India’s ambition of Viksit Bharat, a developed, empowered nation. Har Gaon Roshan initiative aids in strengthening rural infrastructure, enhances community safety, and stimulates local economic growth. Signify’s expertise in sustainable lighting innovation, the Government of Chhattisgarh’s rural development priorities, and Bharat Cares’ deep community engagement form the foundation of this powerful collaboration, blending technology, governance, and grassroots action.   Hon’ble Union Home Minister of India, Shri Amit Shah inaugurating the Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh   Nikhil Gupta, Head of Marketing, Strategy, Government Affairs & CSR, Signify, Greater India,  said,  “ Light is more than just illumination, it’s an enabler of safety, opportunity, and social connection . Har Gaon Roshan  in Chhattisgarh demonstrates how government, industry, and community can unite to drive inclusive progress.  At Signify, we are committed to using the power of light to support inclusive development and contribute meaningfully to India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat, ensuring every village shines brighter . T his partnership reflects the power of collective action in creating sustainable, long-term impact. ”     Bhomik Shah, Founder, Bharat Cares, said, “Chhattisgarh, with its rich natural resources and proud tribal heritage, stands at the cusp of meaningful change. Through our collaboration with Signify and the Government of Chhattisgarh under the Har Gaon Roshan initiative, we are enabling safer communities, supporting inclusive development, and strengthening harmony between people and nature.”   Built on a  community-first model and implemented with support from district administrations and village representatives, ensuring that every installation meets local needs and achieves maximum impact. The new LED streetlights will boost public safety, unlock extended hours for commerce and community activities using energy-efficient technology. By enhancing accessibility after dark, the initiative enables more inclusive participation in social, educational, and economic life.   Across multiple states, Har Gaon Roshan has already illuminated numerous villages, underscoring Signify’s unwavering dedication to rural advancement. With each installation, the company reaffirms its mission: to transform lives, one village at a time, through sustainable lighting solutions that empower communities and inspire progress.   About Signify Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. Our Instagram . Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.

Opposition boycotts Chhattisgarh Assembly proceedings over paddy procurement issue

Congress members alleged that the scale of mismanagement and the problems faced by farmers since the beginning of the season were unprecedented

Chhattisgarh: Archery gives DRG jawan a new lease of life

Kishan Kumar Hapka lost his leg in an anti-maoist operation

Two commandos injured in IED blast during anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh

Bijapur: In an incident highlighting the persistent threat of Naxalite tactics in Chhattisgarhs Bastar region, two commandos from the Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit have sustained minor injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. The explosion occurred on Monday in the dense forests of the Pillur-Kandlaparti 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 .

Chhattisgarh HC Upholds Divorce Over Concealment Of Reproductive Health Issue By Wife

The man approached the family court, alleging that medical exams after marriage revealed his wife had not had menstrual cycles for several years and faced difficulties conceiving

Two security personnel injured in IED blast in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur

During the operation, two Cobra personnel sustained minor injuries in an IED blast and have been sent to Raipur for better treatment, a police said

BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar flags lack of reliable data in Chhattisgarh Anjor 2047 vision

RAIPUR: Senior BJP legislator Ajay Chandrakar questioned his own governments vision document Chhattisgarh Anjor 2047, scrutinising its basis, during the discussion in the Assembly on the states comprehensive roadmap that aims to achieve various ambitious goals on development. Chandrakar, who was a minister twice during the BJP government led by Raman Singh, said the focus remains largely on education and health sector but lacks reflection of the Chhattisgarh state in the industrial policy. No attention has been given to Make in Chhattisgarh in the industrial policy of the vision document. One cannot understand if the industrial policy was made for implementation or amendment as seen happening in every 15-20 days, said BJP leader Chandrakar. He also questioned how the states irrigation capacity declined by three percentage points despite huge expenditure on projects, as reflected in the 202425 Economic Survey, and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. He also alleged that the policy document lacked a clear focus on womens empowerment and poverty alleviation, while several other critical issues appeared to have been overlooked. Responding to the criticism, State Finance Minister O P Choudhary said Chhattisgarh Anjor 2047 was not merely a policy document but a pledge to steer the state towards multidimensional and holistic development over the next 25 years. Chandrakar further claimed that barely three per cent of the population was skilled, that there was no clarity in the definition of employment, and that official functioning in the state appeared to be operating in auto-mode. The BJP-led Chhattisgarh government had unveiled the comprehensive roadmap Chhattisgarh Anjor in July this year, aiming to align the states development vision with Viksit Bharat 2047. The state government maintains that Chhattisgarh is envisioned as a key powerhouse in energising the broader national goal of building a developed India by 2047.

Branded outsider, Rajeev emerges power player after Thiruvanthapuram show

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The NDA wresting control of Thiruvananthapuram corporation on December 13 from over two decades of LDF rule has drawn national attention, marking a rare breakthrough for the BJP in a state traditionally dominated by the CPM-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF. Eight months earlier, in April, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded to critics branding him an outsider unfamiliar with Keralas culture and language. I know how to wear a mundu (dhoti) and tuck it. I know how to speak development politics in Malayalam to people and also know how to respond in strong language. I dont need lessons in Malayalam, Chandrasekhar declared at a party convention, signalling his determination to establish himself in Keralas political arena. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Thiruvananthapuram mandate as a watershed moment in Keralas politics, and sources indicate that he may visit the city soon and announce central projects for the corporation. Party insiders noted the unusual level of attention from the PM, describing it as a rare acknowledgement of a local body victory, particularly as the BJP lost power in some local bodies. For the LDF government and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the outcome is a political reality they must accept they will now have to share the dais with the Kerala capitals first BJP mayor. The victory also marks a turning point for Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who became the BJP state president in March this year. Once viewed as a billionaire businessman-turned-politician, he has emerged as a shrewd political strategist. The result also shows BJPs paradigm shift from traditional hardline Hindutva politics to development politics. The public and political opponents will be watching closely how Modis mantra of double engine sarkar is going to be unveiled in Kerala for the first time. Though Chandrasekhar lost in the 2024 Lok Sabha election to Congress Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram, 10 months later he was appointed the BJP state president. Sources attributed his appointment to the central leaderships realisation that by achieving around 20%vote share in the parliamentary election, the party reached a saturation point, forcing it to find new allies outside its traditional fold. Chandrasekhar seamlessly and effectively fitted the slot. The result in the state capital shows that his development politics attracted Gen Z, technocrats, middle class, upper class, government employees, and civil servants. The non-hardcore leader brand also had an appeal with the powerful Christian community. The appointments of Anoop Antony and Shone George as state general secretaries sent effective messages to the community. Interventions in the Munambam waqf land issue, arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh for alleged human trafficking, and the hijab issue in a Christian management school in Kochi paid dividends in Thiruvananthapuram. With assembly elections just months away, this victory underscores the partys strategic evolution and cements Rajeev Chandrasekhar as a key player in the states political landscape.

From Patna to Delhi, BJPs new president keeps low profile, delivers smartly

PATNA: Fifth-term BJP MLA and minister Nitin Nabin was a surprise pick as the partys national working president. Considered the youngest to be elevated to the BJPs key post, the 45-year-old Bihar road construction and urban housing development department minister dedicated his appointment to party workers, as celebrations broke out in the party office in Patna and congratulatory messages poured in. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the central leadership, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and everyone in the central leadership for giving me this opportunity. I have the Prime Ministers blessings, and I will further advance the guidance and leadership he has provided, he said. We will work to strengthen the BJP as per the directions of our senior leadership with the approach of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. I also thank all party workers. It all happened because of the hard work of the party workers, added Nabin who has worked in coordination with the SS. Born on May 23, 1980 in Patna, Nabin began his political career with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). As the national general secretary and Bihar state president of BJYM, he worked to connect young people with the organisation. He entered electoral politics after his father Navin Kishore Prasad Sinhas death in 2006 following a cardiac arrest. Sinha, a veteran BJP leader and MLA from Patna West, had earlier served as a cabinet minister in the NDA-I government led by CM Nitish Kumar in 2005. The BJP fielded Nabin in a by-election and he emerged victorious. After delimitation, Patna West was named as Bankipur assembly constituency. Nabin has won elections in 2010, 2015 and 2020 from this seat. In 2025 election, he defeated RJDs Rekha Kumari by over 51,000 votes. He was made a minister in the NDA government for the first time on February 9, 2021 and was allocated road construction department. As a minister, he got appreciation from Nitish. Nabin is one of the youngest leaders of the state BJP, who has served as minister of road construction and urban development department twice. He belongs to Kayastha community, which constitutes nearly 0.60% of the states population. As BJPs in-charge of Chhattisgarh, he had focused on booth-level management, organisational expansion, and electoral coordination, leading to the partys decisive victory in the state. As a leader, he has shown his organisational skill not only in Bihar but also in other states. Although he has proven his organisational capabilities in the past, his appointment to the partys key post assumes special significance, showing how partys top leadership is ready to take bold steps and poses faith in the young leaders. Congratulating the 45-year-old leader, JD(U) president Nitish said, Nabin is a dedicated and disciplined politician, who will lend strength to the BJP with the new responsibility. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, This is a moment of pride for the BJP. As an ordinary worker from Bihar, Nabin has worked in the organisation with dedication.

New BJP national working president Nitin Nabin dedicates appointment to party workers

PATNA, Dec 14 : Bihar minister Nitin Nabin on Sunday dedicated his appointment as the BJP national working president to party workers, as celebrations broke out in the party office here and congratulatory messages poured in. Nabin, a fifth-term MLA, has been the partys in-charge for Chhattisgarh. As journalists reached his residence after the news of his new appointment reached here from Delhi for his reaction, the BJP leader initially told them to meet him at the party office. However, [] The post New BJP national working president Nitin Nabin dedicates appointment to party workers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Concealment Of Menstrual Issue, Ground For Divorce: Chhattisgarh HC

Chhattisgarh high court has held that concealing menstrual issues (by a woman) is ground for divorce.

News in Frames: The enduring tribal beats of Bastar

The Bison Horn Maria dance of the Dandami Madias in Chhattisgarh carries echoes of ancient Gondwana; despite modern influences, the art form endures, as an affirmation of the identity and living cultural soul of the tribal community

SIR issue: Congress steps up vote chor, gaddi chhod campaign with Ramlila Maidan rally today

The Congress party is set to hold a major rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on December 14, protesting alleged vote chori and the SIR issue. This event, a significant step in their campaign against the BJP-led government, will see participation from leaders and workers across several states, including Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Kopra Reservoir Becomes Chhattisgarhs First Ramsar Site; Sai Hails Global Recognition of Water Body

Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai has hailed the development, saying that Declaration of Kopra reservoir as Chhattisgarhs first Ramsar Site is a moment of pride for the state.

Union Minister Amit Shah vows to make Bastar Indias most developed tribal region

RAIPUR: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday affirming that the country will eliminate outlawed Maoism by March 2026, pledged to make the Bastar region in south Chhattisgarh as the most developed tribal division in India. Addressing the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics in Jagdalpur, Shah said that the country stands on the verge of completely wiping out the red terror and the Bastar Olympics next year will be organised in a Naxal-free Chhattisgarh. Previous year 1.65 lakh players participated in the Bastar Olympics, while this year, 3.91 lakh players got registered, and the participation of women has increased by almost three times. A team from Sports Authority of India was in Bastar to spot the talent of players in the Bastar Olympics. Recognising the brilliance, our government has made arrangements to take such talented players from Bastar to the level where they can participate in the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, said Shah. We must not stop here, rather ensure that the seven districts of Bastar division become the most developed tribal region by December 2030. Our governments resolve is to provide every person in Bastar with a house, electricity, toilet, drinking water, gas cylinder, 5 kg food grains and free medical treatment upto Rs 5 lakh, a dense network of primary and community health centres, the home minister said. He asserted that with the end of Maoism, there will be a new development in the area, establishing of new industries, scope for higher education, excellent sports complex and state-of-the-art hospitals will be set up in Bastar. We will bring a very attractive rehabilitation policy for those who have surrendered and the injured due to Maoists violence. Even now, the misled with weapons should lay down their arms, take advantage of the rehabilitation policy and be a part of a developed Bastar. Only peace can pave the way for development, Shah averred. Referring to the participation of 700 surrendered Naxalites as players in the Bastar Olympics as a powerful and inspiring example for the entire country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah applauded them for choosing hope over fear, unity over division, and development over destructioncalling it a true reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a New India. Citing the growing enthusiasm for sports across the Bastar region, Shah said the Prime Minister has chosen Chhattisgarh to host the Khelo India Tribal Games. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, speaking on the occasion, said that a couple of years ago no one could have imagined organising such a mega sports event in a region long associated with Maoist terror. PM Modijis virtuous leadership and Amit Shah jis decisive pledge have given Bastar a new ambitious identity.

Naxalism benefits nobody, only peace can pave way for development: Amit Shah

Raipur, Dec 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Naxalism does not benefit anyone neither those who take up arms nor the security personnel, and asserted that only peace can pave the way for development. Reiterating the Narendra Modi governments resolve to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026, he said the Centre has decided to transform Chhattisgarhs Bastar division, comprising seven districts, the most developed tribal region in the country in the next five years. Addressing the [] The post Naxalism benefits nobody, only peace can pave way for development: Amit Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Rs 92 crore seized through anti-Naxal operations, severe psychological damage inflicted on 'urban naxals': Centre

The Union Government on Saturday announced it has so far seized assets worth Rs 92 crore through a multi-agency coordinated action against Naxalite movements across the country. In a statement, the BJP-led Centre said it had inflicted severe moral and psychological damage on what it described as urban naxals by tightening control over their information networks. To meet the firm target of making the country completely Naxal-free by March 2026, the government has created a dedicated vertical in the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has seized Rs 40 crore, state authorities have seized an additional Rs 40 crore, while the Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth Rs 12 crore, the statement said. Simultaneous action has inflicted severe moral and psychological damage on urban Naxals and tightened control over their information warfare networks, it added. Giving exhaustive details of action taken against the Maoist extremists, the government said only three districts remain most-affected by Naxalism in 2025 compared to 36 in 2014. In 2025 so far, 317 Naxals have been neutralised, 862 arrested and 1,973 surrendered, it said. A total of 28 top Naxal leaders have been neutralised, including one Central Committee Member in 2024 and five in 2025, it said. Listing out major successes by security forces, the government said 27 hardcore Naxals were killed in Operation Black Forest, 24 surrendered in Bijapur on May 23, 2025, and 258 surrendered in October 2025 across Chhattisgarh (197) and Maharashtra (61), including 10 senior Naxals. Total Naxal-affected districts have been reduced from 126 in 2014 to just 11 in 2025. Fortified police stations increased from only 66 until 2014 to 586 constructed in the last 10 years, it said. Police stations recording Naxal incidents dropped sharply from 330 across 76 districts in 2013 to merely 52 in 22 districts by June 2025. In addition, 361 new security camps have been established in the last six years and 68 night-landing helipads have been built to strengthen operational reach. The government has adopted a unified, multi-dimensional and decisive strategy against Naxalism, replacing the scattered approach of previous governments, the statement said. The government has also given a parallel push to improve infrastructure in the Naxal-infested zones with 12,000 km of roads constructed in the areas between May 2014 and August 2025. Projects for a total of 17,589 km have been approved at a cost of Rs 20,815 crore, ensuring all-weather connectivity and mobility in previously inaccessible areas, it said. A major project to improve mobile connectivity was also undertaken with 2,343 (2G) mobile towers installed at a cost of Rs 4,080 crore in the first phase, followed by 2,542 towers sanctioned in the second phase with an investment of Rs 2,210 crore, of which 1,154 are already installed. Additionally, under the Aspirational Districts and 4G Saturation schemes, 8,527 (4G) towers have been approved, with 2,596 and 2,761 towers, respectively, now functional, dramatically improving communication and intelligence reach in core Naxal zones, it said. Banking services were promoted in the Naxal zones with the setting up of 1,804 bank branches, 1,321 ATMs and posting of 37,850 banking correspondents to give deep financial inclusion a boost. The government also opened 5,899 post offices across 90 districts with coverage at every 5 km, bringing banking, postal and remittance services directly to remote communities previously under Naxal influence, it said. The actions of the government in the last 11 years have ensured that the naxal violence has fallen over 70 per cent, civilian and security-force casualties have plummeted, top Maoist leadership has been systematically neutralised, and thousands of cadres have chosen mainstream life over armed struggle, the statement said. While pockets of resistance remain and complete eradication demands sustained vigilance till the declared deadline of 31 March 2026, the trajectory is unmistakable: the ideological and territorial backbone of the Naxal insurgency has been broken, paving the way for lasting peace and development in regions long deprived of both, it said. (With inputs from PTI)

Need to take development to Maoist-affected areas, says CM Sai

In the past two years, 505 Naxalites have been neutralised, 2,386 have surrendered, and 1,901 have been arrested, says Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Congress to boycott first day of Chhattisgarh Assembly session: LoP Mahant

I have made a decision. I am telling my colleagues in front of you that we are completely boycotting the Assembly session on December 14, says Senior Congress leader Charandas Mahant

Ten Naxalites surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district

Ten Naxalites, including six women, surrendered in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. They carried a collective reward of Rs 33 lakh on their heads. This surrender brings the total number of Maoists who have quit violence in the district this year to 263. The surrendered cadres also handed over several weapons. The police initiative aims for rehabilitation and social reintegration.

MP CM hails naxal cadre elimination as top achievement ahead of two-year government milestone

BHOPAL: A day before his government completes two years in power, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav termed the end of naxal cadres through the elimination and surrenders policy as the biggest achievement of his government so far. The naxal menace is as old as 37-38 years. Various naxal dalams had been formed way back in 1988-89. In 1995, an entire bus carrying 17 police personnel was blown into pieces. Four years later, a minister in the then Congress government (transport minister Likhiram Kanware) was brutally hacked to death by the outlaws. Despite Congress governments ruling the centre and states for decades since independence, the naxal problem wasnt adequately addressed, Yadav told journalists in Bhopal on Friday. In the three naxal-affected districts of MP, Dindori, Mandla and Balaghat, eliminating the naxals was a cumbersome task. Searching for and acting against 35-40 outlaws in the vast forests was difficult. They ran parallel courts, police stations, and councils of ministers. The fear of the Laal Salam extremist ideology among forest dwellers made anti-naxal operations even more difficult, Yadav added. But the situation dramatically changed when Union Home Minister Amit Shah set a March 2026 deadline for eliminating the naxal menace. I was initially sceptical about whether it was achievable, but he was confident, and the results are for all to see. The numbers in the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Zone dropped to zero on Thursday the biggest and most historic development. Ten hardcore naxals were gunned down in 2025, the maximum in any year. First Dindori, then Mandla were freed from left-wing extremism (LWE), and on Thursday, Balaghat also recorded zero listed naxal cadres, Yadav said while congratulating the police forces involved in the operations. All credit for eliminating naxal cadres through the surrender or get killed policy goes to our brave cops. For the first time, IPS officers volunteered for postings in naxal-infested areas and set targets to uproot naxalism. Our IG in Balaghat Range, Sanjay Kumar, moved on a motorcycle like a regular jawan such was the commitment and dedication of our police force. We also pay rich tribute to all cops who sacrificed their lives, including young Inspector Ashish Sharma. The 42 surrenders in 42 days wouldnt have been possible without the proactive approach of our brave cops. Salute to their efforts, he added. They once ran a parallel regime in the jungles and terrorized villagers. Now, the same outlaws were competing among themselves to surrender first to save their lives. Mobile phone conversations between them reveal their urgency. With naxal cadre numbers now down to zero in Balaghat, Mandla, and Dindori, we will now ensure a proper framework and system to prevent naxalism from reviving, Yadav said. The MP CM also highlighted inter-state river linking projects like Ken-Betwa, Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal, and the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project as other major achievements of his two-year tenure. The river linking projects, once implemented, will enhance irrigated land from 52 lakh hectares to 100 lakh hectares in five years, he maintained. While reiterating his governments commitment to ending drug abuse in MP, Yadav said, We have begun by banning liquor in 19 religious towns and cities. With cooperation from society and social organisations, we are confident of eliminating the drug menace completely within the next three years.

10 Maoist cadres surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma

RAIPUR: Ten cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) on Friday surrendered in Sukma in south Chhattisgarh. After surrendering, the red rebels handed over one AK-47 rifle, two self-loading rifles, one .303 rifle, one BGL launcher, and one Sten gun to the security forces. Among those who surrendered were six women Maoists, collectively carrying a bounty of Rs 33 lakh. They later planted saplings at Vayan Vatika (meaning Garden of Hope and Future in Gondi) rehabilitation centre in Sukma as a symbol of reintegration. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the surrender under the Poona Margham: Rehabilitation for Social Reintegration initiative as a symbol of positive transformation. The pledge to build a Naxalism-free Chhattisgarh is no longer just an aspiration but it is becoming a fast-emerging reality, the CM said, adding that the fight against Maoists in the state has reached a critical and defining phase under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The series of surrenders demonstrate a significant shift in Bastar, where the ideology of violence, fear, and misguidance is weakening, while the path of development, trust, and dialogue is growing stronger, CM Sai affirmed. Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) December 12, 2025 Sundarraj Pattilingam, Bastar Inspector General of Police, said the rehabilitation of the 10 cadres in Sukma indicates the end of the violent and anti-people Maoist ideology is near. Maoist cadres willing to join the mainstream are placing their trust in the Poona Margham initiative by choosing the path of peace, dignity, and sustainable progress. In the past 11 months, around 1,520 Maoist cadres in the Bastar Range have chosen to renounce violence and join the social mainstream. The Centre, Chhattisgarh government, Bastar police, district administration and security forces are fully committed to establishing peace in the region ensuring inclusive development, the IG said. The remaining Maoist cadres including Politburo member Devji, Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member Pappa Rao, Deva (Barse Deva), and others have no option left but to abandon violence and join the mainstream, he asserted. The 10 Maoist cadres who surrendered in Sukma include : Platoon Commander (CyPCM rank) of PLGA Battalion No. 01 Two Area Committee Members (ACM) of the Darbha Division One PPCM member of PLGA Military Platoon No. 31 One PPCM member of PLGA Military Platoon No. 26 Two members of Gollapalli LOS Three Party Members (PM)

Ten Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district

With this, a total of 263 Maoists have quit violence in the district this year, said Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan

J&Ks Poonch Authority In Bizarre Order Asks Teachers To Track, Report Stray Dog Population

Poonch district orders schoolteachers to monitor stray dogs, sparking criticism over privacy and role boundaries. Similar opposition arose in Chhattisgarh after a related move.

ECI extends SIR timeline in six states, Union Territories

The Election Commission of India has extended deadlines for electoral roll revisions in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Uttar Pradesh. New dates for draft roll publication have been set. This revision process is crucial for upcoming electoral activities. Citizens are encouraged to stay informed about the updated timelines.

Chhattisgarh CM Inaugurates Divisional-Level Bastar Olympics

The participants included surrendered Maoists and victims of Naxal violences in Bastar

Two top Naxals surrender in Balaghat; MP now free of all listed MMC zone cadres, says CM Yadav

BHOPAL: Continued surrenders by armed Naxal cadres in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, driven by surrender or get eliminated anti-Naxal operations, resulted in two more hardcore Naxalites laying down arms in the forests of MPs Balaghat district on Thursday. Two wanted Naxals carrying a combined reward of 43 lakh surrendered at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in the Korka area of Balaghat district. They were identified as Deepak Uike, a Gondia-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRB) divisional committee member carrying a reward of Rs 29 lakh, and Rohit, who had a Rs 14 lakh bounty. With their surrender, Madhya Pradesh is now free of all listed CPI (Maoist) cadres from the Maharashtra-MP-Chhattisgarh (MMC) special zone. Based on interrogation of the armed Naxal cadres who surrendered recently, after the latest two surrenders, all listed Naxal cadres of the MMC zone have now been eliminated or have surrendered. This is a historic development, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav announced on Thursday evening. Deepak Uike was considered the poster boy of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in Balaghat district, as he hailed from Palagondi village in the same region. Both Deepak and Rohit were part of the Malajkhand Dalam of the GRB divisional committee, which operated largely in the southern stretches of the MMC Zone. The dalam, led by CPI (Maoist) central committee member and MMC Zone chief Ramder Majji, saw 12 cadres surrender in Chhattisgarh on December 8. However, Deepak and Rohit had stayed away from the December 8 surrender. In the last 42 days, as many as 42 hardcore Naxalites carrying a collective bounty of Rs 7.75 crore have surrendered in MP, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, the MP CM said, congratulating anti-Naxal police personnel. The chief minister also paid tribute to the 38 police personnel who have died in anti-Naxal operations in undivided and divided Madhya Pradesh since 198889. The elimination or surrender of all listed cadres in MP assumes special significance as it comes just two days before the Mohan Yadav-led BJP government completes two years in office. In 202324, four wanted Naxalites, including a woman cadre carrying a total reward of 71 lakh, were gunned down in encounters. In 2025 so far, ten armed Naxal cadres all of area committee rank carrying a total bounty of 1.46 crore have been killed, marking the highest Naxal casualties in any year, Yadav added.

CM Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurates Bastar Olympics; Amit Shah to attend closing ceremony

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday inaugurated a 3-day divisional-level annual Bastar Olympics at Indira Priyadarshini Stadium in Jagdalpur, where the athletes from all seven districts of the Bastar division presented an impressive march past. Around 3,500 athletes from districts of Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Sukma and Jagdalpur, along with those from the Nua Baat category, are participating in the divisional-level Bastar Olympics. Maoists who have surrendered and joined the mainstream are included in the Nua Baat category. In the regional language of Bastar, Nua Baat means a new path. Speaking at the event, the CM said, The winners of the Bastar Olympic games will become role models for future athletes. The state government will provide better opportunities and training to the youth of Bastar, preparing them for international competitions. Chhattisgarh government provides an honorarium of rupees three crore, two crore, and one crore to competitors who win gold, silver and bronze medals respectively at the Olympics. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Jagdalpur on December 13 to attend the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics event. He is also likely to review the security situation and the ongoing anti-Maoist campaign. The Bastar Olympics is providing a platform for talent through three levels of competitionsblock, district, divisional. Compared to 165,000 participants last year, more than 392,000 participants have registered this year, including over 227,000 female participants this is a new wave of change in Bastar region, said Tanuja Salam, Director, Sports and Youth Welfare department. Besides the surrendered Maoists, Divyang (persons with disabilities) players affected by Naxal violence are also competing, making the event not just a sports festival but a symbol of harmony, social inclusion, and transformative change in Bastar.

Chhattisgarh panel signs MoUs with six universities to launch PG Diploma in child rights & protection

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has signed MoUs with six state universities to launch a new academic course named Rakshak Curriculum that will focus on child rights and protection. Cited to be the first academic programme of its kind in India, the initiative is a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Child Rights & Protection. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that Rakshak Curriculum will play a significant role in creating a safer and more responsible future for students. The course will generate job opportunities creating trained professionals equipped to work in the given stream of child rights and protection. Its our collective responsibility to guide children who fall into vulnerable citations owing to innocence back on the right path, he added. The curriculum is described as a milestone in developing compassionate, aware and service-oriented youth. Until now, no university offered a curriculum dedicated to child rights and protection alongside the career opportunities. Realising the need, the Commission has developed 'Rakshak Curriculum that will provide students with theoretical and legal knowledge, understanding of government schemes and institutions, insights into departmental processes, and practical exposure to child protection units, a government spokesperson said. Designed to cultivate awareness and emotional sensitivity, the programme will build efficient, committed and trained human resources for the field. Training, mentorship and course support will be provided to universities free of cost by the Commission. The universities that have entered into the agreement to run the course are Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Sant Gahira Guru University, Surguja, Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism & Mass Communication, Raipur, Anjaneya University, Raipur, Amity University, Raipur, Shri Shankaracharya Professional University, Bhilai-Durg. During the signing of an MoU, the CM elucidated that with over 350 administrative reforms enacted, Chhattisgarh is progressing swiftly on the path of good governance. In the same sequence, the state government has also set up the Department of Good Governance and Convergence.

ECI Revises Electoral Roll Revision Schedule for 6 States and UTs; UP Gets 2-Week Extension

The Election Commission of India has revised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) schedule for Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman & Nicobar, and Uttar Pradesh. UP receives a two-week extension as over 18% voters remain ...

Election Commission's BIG move on SIR, extends deadline for 6 states; check new dates here

New dates have been set for the exercise in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. No extension was given for Goa, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where elections are due to be held early next year.

Election Commission Extends SIR Deadline In 6 States, No Change In Bengal

The SIR deadline in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Uttar Pradesh has been extended by a week.

Election Commission revises SIR schedule for six states and Union territories

The Election Commission of India has updated the schedule for electoral roll revision in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This revision aims for accuracy. Eligible citizens, especially new voters, should register by submitting Form 6.

Coal Remains India's Energy Backbone, House Committee Report Reaffirms 1.5 Bn Tonne Target For 2030

Odisha is expected to produce 494 MT by 2030, followed by Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra by 2030

Chhattisgarh to set up Cabinet sub-committee to review cases against surrendered Maoists

The Opposition Congress has criticised the move and asked the States BJP government to clarify its stance regarding Maoists involved in serious criminal incidents

Maharashtra nears Maoist elimination as 11 top cadres surrender in Gadchiroli

MUMBAI: Maharashtra moves closer to eliminating the Maoist threat by March 2026 as 11 senior Maoist cadres, including four commanders with a combined bounty of Rs 82 lakh, surrendered before state police chief Rashmi Shukla in Gadchiroli. Among the surrendered leaders were divisional committee members Ramesh alias Baju Lekami and Bhima alias Kiran Hidma Kowasi. Lekami, associated with the movement since 2004, served as president of the Edasgondi Gaon Panchayat Janatana Sarkar before becoming a divisional committee member in Bhamragad. Kowasi joined the Maoist ranks in 1998 and became a divisional committee member in 2019. Gadchiroli police said the surrenders deliver a major blow to Maoists in the Dandakaranya region, spanning Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana, marking one of the biggest successes since the surrender of Maoist Politburo member Bhupathi alias Mallojula Venugopal Rao in October, along with 60 others. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had handed over a copy of the Indian Constitution instead of weapons during that program. Police Chief Shukla described the fresh surrender as the beginning of the end of Maoism in Gadchiroli and reaffirmed the commitment to the Union governments March 31, 2026, deadline to eliminate the Left-wing insurgency. She said 112 Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli this year alone. The surrender ceremony at Eklavya Hall also saw officers and personnel of the elite C-60 anti-Naxal unit felicitated for operations in the remote Laheri forest, which led to 61 Maoists surrendering and the recovery of 54 firearms. Other surrendered Maoists included Poriye alias Lucky Adama Gota, Ratan alias Sanna Masu Oyam, Kamala alias Rago Iriya Veladi, Poriye alias Kumari Bhima Veladi, Ramaji alias Mura Lacchu Pungati, Sonu Podiyam alias Ajay Sanu Kato, Prakash alias Pandu Kundra Pungati, Sita alias Jaini Tonde Pallo, and Sainath Shankar Made. The surrenders follow intensified anti-Maoist operations across India, with security forces killing over 270 Maoists in the past year in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. So far, more than 1,225 Maoists have surrendered, and 680, including top leaders, have been arrested. The killing of Maoist chief Nambala Kesava Rao, alias Basavaraju, on May 20, marked a major milestone in the fight against the insurgency. According to the Union government, the number of Left-Wing insurgency-affected districts has fallen from 18 in April to 11, signalling significant progress in curbing the movement.

Chhattisgarh Initiates Move to Withdraw Criminal Cases Against Surrendered Naxals, with a Rider

After receiving opinions from the law department, the cases will be presented before the Cabinet Sub-Committee.

Who is DSP Kalpana Verma, Chhattisgarh officer accused by businessman of 'love trap' and extracting Rs 2 crore?

A Raipur-based businessman alleged that DSP Kalpana Verma took cash, a diamond ring, a gold chain, and even a luxury car from him.

CG Police Constable Result 2025: Check trade test and PET scorecard at cgpolice.gov.in

CG Police Constable Result 2025: The Chhattisgarh Police Constable Result 2025 has been released on cgpolice.gov.in, covering the trade test and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) scores. Candidates who passed the written exam and PET appeared for the trade test conducted from November 17 to 19, 2025. The CG Police Constable scorecard provides detailed marks, overall ranking, and merit positions. Candidates can check results online by entering their registration or roll number and are advised to monitor official websites for further recruitment updates.

Weather today: IMD warns of cold wave in Delhi, Telangana, Chandigarh; dense fog likely in UP, Odisha. Check latest forecast

Weather update today: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi might experience cold wave conditions from December 9, the IMD said in its latest bulletin. The weather agency has also warned of cold wave conditions in several districts of Telangana. Dense fog is likely to prevail in Assam, Manipur and Odisha.

10 held after fight erupts at Pilar Jharkhand Day event

Panaji: Agassaim police have arrested 10 personsone from Chhattisgarh and nine from Jharkhandfor allegedly creating a ruckus and fighting in a public place, disturbing the peace during a musical event organised on the eve of Jharkhand Day at a ground belonging to an educational institution in Pilar on Sunday. They have also been booked for [] The post 10 held after fight erupts at Pilar Jharkhand Day event appeared first on The Navhind Times .

Chhattisgarh govt amends provisions on land valuation guidelines amid Opposition backlash

A good government is one that occasionally amends its decisions in the public interest. Certainly, there are some concerns regarding the guideline rates; they are being reviewed, says Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

MP ministers brother held as police bust inter-state ganja racket in Satna

BHOPAL: An alleged inter-state ganja smuggling racket has been busted in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh with the arrest of two men, including Anil Bagri, the elder brother of MPs minister of state for urban development and housing Pratima Bagri. Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team from Rampur Baghelan police station raided the house of one Pankaj Singh in Marahuan village late Sunday night and seized more than 46 kg of ganja worth over Rs 9 lakh, stashed in sacks under a tin shed. The seizure led to Pankaj Singhs arrest. He later told police that Anil Bagri had brought the ganja consignment to his house in an SUV on December 4. A subsequent probe led the Rampur Baghelan police to Anil Bagri, the ministers brother. Both Pankaj Singh and Anil Bagri have been arrested and booked under the NDPS Act. They were produced in court on Monday and sent to judicial custody, Rampur Baghelan police station in-charge Sandeep Chaube told TNIE . Bagris questioning revealed that he transported the consignment to Pankajs house at the behest of his brother-in-law, Shailendra Singh Shibbu, who was recently arrested in a ganja smuggling case in Uttar Pradesh and is currently lodged in Banda jail. Shailendra is no stranger to narcotics cases - he was arrested in September 2024 in a cough syrup smuggling case in Satna district. We will bring Shailendra Singh on a production warrant from Banda Jail to investigate this racket further, the police officer added. Further investigation suggests the ganja consignment was sourced from Beohari (Shahdol) and that key players in the racket may have links to Chhattisgarh.

End Of 'MMC' Zone: From Red Bastion To Only 6 Maoists Running For Cover

Ten days. 33 surrenders. And for the first time in more than three decades, the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) special zone, once the toughest Maoist theatre in central India, has shrunk to a single-digit count.

Top CPI (Maoist) leader, 11 others surrender in Chhattisgarh

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that in the past two years, over 4,000 Maoists had either surrendered or were killed by the security forces in Chhattisgarh

NBDSA slams TV news for love jihad spin on Class 3 NCERT lesson

The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) reprimanded multiple mainstream TV news channels for converting a fictional Class 3 NCERT story into a communal love jihad narrative, and immediately directed them to take down the broadcasts. The news channels that aired the story were India TV, News 18 Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, Zee Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, Zee 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 .

10 days, 33 surrenders leave Naxal ranks in MMC Zone on brink of collapse

BHOPAL: Ten days and 33 surrenders have shrunk the number of armed Naxal cadres to single digits, for the first time in more than three decades in the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Special Zone. The CPI (Maoist) MMC Zone comprises bordering districts of the three neighbouring states MP, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh including Balaghat district and parts of Mandla district (MP), Rajnandgaon, KCG, MMA and Kabirdham districts of Chhattisgarh, and Gondia district of Maharashtra. Around 40-45 armed Naxal cadres were active in two major parts of the MMC Zone. Three Dalams, Khatiya Mocha, Bhoramdev and Borla, formed the Kanha-Bhoramdev Division in the northern MMC Zone, covering Balaghat and Mandla districts of MP and Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh. At least two Dalams, Malajkhand (including the defunct Tanda Dalam cadres) and Darre Khasa, formed the Gondia-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRB) division in the southern MMC Zone, where cadres armed with AK-47s, INSAS rifles and Under Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGLs) remained active. A series of bulk surrenders began on November 28, when 11 Darre Khasa Dalam cadres, led by MMC Special Zonal Committee spokesperson Vikas Nagpur alias Anant, surrendered in Gondia (Maharashtra). Nagpure had recently appealed for an end to armed struggle and sought time from the CMs of the three BJP-ruled states to surrender, amid intense pressure from joint anti-Naxal operations. Just nine days earlier, on November 19, cadres of the same Darre Khasa Dalam had killed Ashish Sharma, a young inspector of MP Polices elite Hawk Force, in an encounter at the tri-state border. Before surrendering with 10 cadres, Nagpure had left behind four armed cadres, likely to persuade other Dalam members. who later surrendered in Chhattisgarh on Monday. Nine days later, Madhya Pradesh reported its biggest-ever Naxal surrender when ten cadres of the KB Division surrendered before the MP Chief Minister in Balaghat district on Sunday (December 7). They collectively carried a bounty of Rs 2.36 crore, including two top leaders MMC Zone secretary Surendra alias Kabir Sodi and Special Zonal Committee Member Rakesh Odi alias Manish. This surrender ended the northern MMC Zones KB Division and its three Dalams, effectively freeing the non-tourist forest areas of the Kanha National ParkTiger Reserve from the LWE presence. On Monday, the surrender of MMC Zone head and CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Ramder, along with 11 cadres of the Malajkhand Dalam (GRB division), nearly cleared the southern MMC Zone of Naxals, leaving only six armed cadres on the run. Two cadres from Ramders Malajkhand Dalam and four from Nagpures Darre Khasa Dalam are still absconding. They may also surrender soon due to mounting pressure under the Surrender or Get Eliminated policy, a senior MP police officer told TNIE. Earlier, between November 1 and 6, eight other wanted cadres including two women, Sunita and Taruna had surrendered in MP and Chhattisgarh. In the last 38 days, around 40 LWE cadres have surrendered in the MMC Zone. Only six remain. Once they surrender or are neutralised the armed Naxal presence, already nearly wiped out in MP due to the 22 surrenders on Sunday and Monday, will disappear from the entire MMC Zone, the officer added.

Chhattisgarh: Maoist CCM Ramdher Surrenders Along With 11 Others

Cumulatively, they carry Rs 2.95 crore reward; Naxal structure in MMC zone flounders; Kanha Tiger Reserve freed of ultras

Twelve Maoist cadres led by CCM surrender in Chhattisgarhs Rajnandgaon

RAIPUR: A total of 12 cadres renounced the ideology of the CPI (Maoist) and surrendered with their weapons in Rajnandgaon district, around 100 km west of Raipur, in the early hours of Monday. Among those who laid down arms was a senior Maoist leader of the MaharashtraMadhya PradeshChhattisgarh (MMC) zone and Central Committee member, Ramdher Majji, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. Four Divisional Committee members and several other cadres also surrendered. The surrender of these senior figures, led by the Central Committee member, is being viewed as a major setback for the MMC unit of the banned CPI (Maoist). Six of the 12 cadres are women, who, according to a police officer, were evidently encouraged by the state governments lucrative surrender and rehabilitation policy. The cadres handed over an AK-47 rifle, an INSAS assault rifle, a self-loading rifle (SLR), a .303 rifle, and other weapons. Official legal procedures will now follow to ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Since the BJP came to power in December 2023 in Chhattisgarh, approximately 2,300 Maoists have surrendered in the state.

Rajasthan dominates 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Cship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATRA, Dec 7: The 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Championship 2025 concluded at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex, Katra, after three days of spirited competition and exemplary sportsmanship. The championship, organised by J&K Lacrosse Association under the aegis of the Lacrosse Association of India, witnessed participation from 15 States including Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Delhi, and J&K. Around 280 male and female players showcased talent, [] The post Rajasthan dominates 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Cship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

10 Maoists surrender before CM Mohan Yadav in MP's Balaghat district

BHOPAL: In a landmark development in Madhya Pradeshs anti-Naxal operations, ten hardcore Maoist cadres, including four women, surrendered before Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Sunday in Balaghat district. The group, associated with the CPI (Maoist) Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) special zone, carried a combined bounty of Rs 2.36 crore and laid down two AK-47s and two INSAS rifles at a special programme attended by the CM. Addressing journalists in Balaghat, Dr Yadav said, Today is a big day for the success of anti-Naxal operations of MP Police. Though Dindori and Mandla district had already become free of LWE, todays big development will result in Balaghat district also getting majorly free of the outlaws. This speaks volumes about the success of the targeted anti-naxal operations based on the prime principle of surrender or get eliminated and will go a long way in freeing Kanha National Park-Tiger Reserve and Bandhavgarh National Park-Tiger Reserve of any remnants of the naxal cadres. The ten surrendered cadres belonged to the Kanha-Bhoradev (KB) division of the MMC Zone, which operated in northern parts of the zone covering Balaghat and Mandla in Madhya Pradesh and Kabirdham in Chhattisgarh. Among them were MMC Zone secretary and special zonal committee member Surendra alias Kabir Sodi (50), SCZM Rakesh Odi alias Manish, and area committee members Lalsingh Marawi, Salita alias Savitri, Navin Nuppo alias Hidma, Jaisheela alias Lalita Oyam, Vikram alias Hidma Vatti, Zarina alias Jogi Musak, and Samar alias Somaru. The cadres, aged between 26 and 50, hailed from Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, with the two SZCMs having been linked to multiple past killings of villagers suspected of being police informers. Key sources in the state polices anti-Naxal establishment said that with this surrender, the northern part of the MMC Zone running through Kanha National Park is now free of Naxal activity. This development is expected to allow anti-Naxal camps of the MP Police and central paramilitary forces to shift focus to the southern MMC Zone, which includes the Gondia-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRP) division, where 18 armed Naxals, including a 14-member group led by central committee member Ramder, are still active. The surrender comes just a day after an encounter between MP Police and Ramders group along the MP-Chhattisgarh border and 36 days after another hardcore Naxalite, Sunita, became the first cadre to surrender under the states special surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy of 2023. In 2025, MP Police also eliminated 10 hardcore Naxalites, who carried a total bounty of Rs 1.86 crore. The mass surrender in Balaghat marks the largest-ever surrender by armed Naxals in Madhya Pradesh, significantly strengthening the states efforts to curb left-wing extremism and secure sensitive areas, including Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves.

After decades under Maoist shadow, Kondapalli in Chhattisgarh steps into connectivity with first mobile tower

RAIPUR: For the approximately 150 tribal families in Kondapalli gram panchayat, located in the edgy district of Bijapur, south Chhattisgarh, the last six months have rewritten their reality. After years of isolation under the influence of left-wing extremism, the arrival of mobile connectivity and the supply of electricity has signalled a profound decline in Maoist influence and the beginning of a connected life. The villagers, whose home is deep within the forested terrain 70 km from the Bijapur district headquarter along the TelanganaChhattisgarh border, didn't let the moment pass quietly. When the new mobile tower was installed in April, they celebrated this turning point with the beat of the traditional Mandar hand drum and dancing in colourful tribal costumes. For decades, the region had been deprived of basic necessities. As Lakshmi Yasam, 40, sarpanch of the gram panchayat (which covers three villages), recounted to the New Indian Express , Under the shadow of Maoist terror, our region remained deprived of basic amenities like roads, electricity and mobile connectivity. That era is fading. Now, Asam proudly states, Over 60 percent of households have mobile phones subscribed to the Jio network operator, he added. When the new mobile tower was installed in April, they celebrated this turning point with the beat of the traditional Mandar hand drum and dancing in colourful tribal costumes. As Asam explains, the convenience is transforming daily life: These days every essential service including banking to government welfare schemes to Aadhaar, the mobile phone number is linked. The convenience of mobile services is promoting rural residents happiness. The immediate, tangible benefits are already being felt. Baldeo Nekho, 24, a local farmer, describes the change as a fundamental shift, Its like the beginning of a good life as we are witnessing how the use of mobile phones doing good during health emergencies, education of children and remains a symbolic connection of our village to the outside world, he said. The difficulties faced by Kondapalli, acute challenges in accessing communication, transport, and public services, were severe. Administrative teams struggled to reach the area owing to inhospitable terrain and Maoists obstruction. The changing scenario was driven by continuous security operations, improved administrative outreach, and focused government interventions. This local success is a symbol of a broader strategy, according to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, The arrival of network connectivity in Kondapalli is not merely an expansion of communication infrastructure but a revival of aspirations that were suppressed for years. The state government is committed to ensuring digital services and welfare schemes reach every village of Bastar. Such transformations will become even more widespread in the coming years, he said. The communication sector has indeed registered remarkable growth in the state. A total of 728 new mobile towers have been installed recently. Crucially, 116 of these are in Maoist-affected areas and 115 in Aspirational districts. Currently, 467 towers are operational with 4G services, while 449 older towers have been upgraded from 2G to 4G.

Severe cold grips north India; IMD warns of cold wave, fog across multiple states

NEW DELHI: Cold conditions prevailed across north India on Sunday, with the Amarnath yatra base camp being the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius and parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan reporting minimum temperatures between three and seven degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said cold wave conditions were very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on Monday and Tuesday. In Delhi, the minimum temperature was recorded at eight degrees, up from 6.8 degrees a day ago and yet 1.6 notches below normal. The maximum temperature was 24.7 degrees Celsius, 0.1 notch below normal, while the relative humidity was 92 per cent in the morning. For Monday, the weather department forecast a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius, with mist expected. Pollution levels in Delhi remained in the very poor category on Sunday, prolonging the spell of toxic air that has hung over its residents for several weeks now. The city logged a 24-hour average AQI of 308. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and 401 and 500 severe. Further in the north, the night temperatures in Kashmir rose by several degrees but stayed below the freezing point, officials said. The Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir as the minimum settled at a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- settled at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, a rise of 3.2 degrees compared to the previous night. The gateway town to the valley, Qazigund, recorded a low of minus one degree Celsius, while the minimum settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius in north Kashmir's Kupwara, and 1.1 degrees Celsius in south Kashmir's Kokernag, according to officials. The meteorological department said the weather would remain generally cloudy but dry on Sunday, and a brief spell of light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir is likely on December 8. In Himachal Pradesh, The IMD predicted dense fog in parts of the state until Wednesday. A yellow alert for dense fog was also issued in parts of the reservoir area of the Bhakra dam in Bilaspur district and over some parts of the Balh valley in Mandi district during early morning till Monday. In Punjab, Faridkot remained the coldest place, with the minimum temperature settling at 4.4 degrees Celsius, while in Haryana, Narnaul saw the lowest temperature at 4.6 degrees Celsius, according to the local meteorological department. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Bathinda and Gurdaspur recorded a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Ferozepur recorded 6 degrees, Amritsar 6.1 degrees, Ludhiana 6.8 degrees, and Patiala 8.9 degrees. In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded a low of six degrees, Hisar 6.2 degrees, Sirsa 6.6 degrees, Karnal seven degrees, Rohtak 7.8 degrees, and Ambala 9.8 degrees. Rajasthan, similarly, reeled under intense cold, the Meteorological Centre here said. Fatehpur in the Sikar district continued to record the lowest minimum temperature, albeit at 3.5 degrees Celsius, slightly up from 2.3 degrees a day ago. According to the weather department, Lunkaransar (Bikaner) recorded a low of 5 degrees Celsius, followed by Dausa at 6 degrees, Churu at 6.3 degrees, Vanasthali (Tonk) at 6.4 degrees and Jhunjhunu at 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning. The department said a fresh but weak western disturbance is likely to cause partly cloudy skies in some parts of the state over the next few days. Under its influence, the minimum temperature is expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius, providing relief from the cold wave, it said. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, eight districts recorded minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, noting a cold wave in parts of the state. Gumla recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 3.5 degrees Celsius up from three degrees Celsius while Khunti logged five degrees Celsius, the IMD weather bulletin stated. The minimum temperature in Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, was 7.5 degrees Celsius, while Daltonganj recorded 6.5 degrees and Jamshedpur recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius. Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, said, North-westerly winds prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels over Jharkhand have caused the drop in mercury. Dry weather conditions are likely to prevail across the state over the next five days.The minimum temperature may rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next 72 hours, he added. In West Bengal, the mercury dipped below the 10-degree mark for the first time this winter in the state's plains with Sriniketan in Birbhum districts recording a minimum temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the IMD said. Its forecast for West Bengal suggested dry weather across all districts of West Bengal for the next week, with shallow to moderate fog likely in the northern districts. Darjeeling was the coldest in the hills at 6.2 degrees Celsius, while the other Himalayan tourist town of Kalimpong was warmer at 10.5 degrees Celsius. The other places which recorded low night temperatures are Alipurduar (11 degrees), Kalyani (11.4 degrees), Purulia (11.4 degrees) and Panagarh (11.9 degrees). Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, forecasting mist in the morning on Monday. IMD further predicted dense fog conditions in isolated pockets of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura between December 8 and 12. It was also very likely in parts of west Madhya Pradesh on Monday and in Odisha until Tuesday. In west India, a gradual fall by two to three degrees over the next three-four days is expected, and no significant change is anticipated thereafter, the IMD said.

Two Maoists from Chhattisgarh surrender before ASR police in Paderu

FRK rice supply rules spark fresh tussle between Punjab millers and FCI

CHANDIGARH: The new instructions regarding the production and supply of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) rice by the Union Government has led to fresh tussle between rice shellers of Punjab and the Food Corporation of India (FCI). After the union government had stated this year, out of the 104 lakh tonnes of rice to be generated from the 156 lakh tonnes of procured paddy from Punjab, at least 25 lakh tonnes will be taken as upgraded rice, which has just 10 per cent broken grains. The remaining 80 lakh tonne will be accepted only as FRK-mixed rice for the central pool. With delays in the supply of FRK rice, milling operations have not started, although the units are stacked with procured paddy. The Punjab government has written to the Centre requesting it to accept 25 lakh tonnes of non-FRK CMR, but so far, no action has been initiated. A letter dated November 28, sent to Chairman of Food Corporation of India by Secretary-cum-Director, Food and Civil Supplies, Punjab, reads, `To ensure grain integrity, DFPD from this Kharif has introduced more elaborate testing protocols for pre-testing of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRKs), which is likely to result in comparatively slower pace of supply of FRK by manufacturers to rice millers. In view of slower than expected pace of FRK supply during KMS 2025-26, it is likely that slow supply of FRK may impact rice delivery of Fortified Rice (FR) to FCI during KMS 2025-26. During KMS 2024-25 also, the state was constrained to seek extension in delivery period of milling and delivery of rice during previous Kharif till September 15, 2025 well beyond the March 31, 2025 deadline. Accordingly, to avoid being constrained to seek extension in milling period of delivery of rice during KMS 2025-26, it is requested that Punjab be allocated a quota of Non-Fortified Rice of minimum of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes, on lines of a similar quota being allocated by FCI to Uttar Pradesh Region. It is assured that the state is fully geared up to deliver rice at the earliest with Closure Physical Verifications (PVs) of paddy stocks stored during KMS 2025-26 have almost been completed, it added. As per the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) norms, chalky grain above 5 per cent is considered unfit for human consumption that FCI as rejected the rice samples and recently suspended its two technical officers, a field assistant, and a quality manager as freshly milled 10 per cent of the upgraded rice supplied to the FCI has been found to be defective. Also the laboratory of the corporation has rejected the rice sample because the amount of chalky was more than 5 per cent thus panic spread in rice millers. The millers have warned that further delays in milling will lead to deterioration in the quality of rice with each passing day, leading to financial losses. Bharat Bhushan Binta president of Punjab Rice Industry Association said that a virtual meeting held last month between FCIs Executive Director (Quality), senior quality officials, and DFPDs Under Secretary made it blatantly clear that the improved rice supplied by Punjab under last years ilot project did not meet the prescribed standard. Thus they are facing serious challenges in selling this stock under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), he claimed. Binta said that they were told that the quality of improved rice procured last year from Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra is considerably better than the stock received from Punjab. argued that despite these concerns, FCI can easily sell such rice across India under OMSS, as is being done with stocks from other states, he said. This decision has mounted more pressure on millers in the state. The orders give no deadline or timeline for the samples to be cleared, said Ranjit Singh Jossan, Vice President of the Association. He said, Punjab has been grappling with acute storage shortages for three consecutive years. If FCI lifts the estimated 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of improved rice from the state, the space crisis will ease significantly. But if FCI delays or refuses to accept this stock, Punjab may again face a severe storage crunch, potentially delaying delivery of the seasons total commitment of 105 LMT by more than a year. A high-level meeting between state authorities and rice millers associations will be held on Monday, where the issue will be discussed in detail. The Punjab government and the associations are expected to formally raise the matter with the central government to find a resolution. Fortified rice are enriched with micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, B-complex vitamins, vitamin A and zinc.

Chhattisgarh: Mobile tower installed at Kondapalli village in Naxal-affected Bijapur

Raipur: A mobile tower has been installed for the first time at Kondapalli village in Chhattisgarhs Naxal-affected Bijapur district, an area long cut off from the outside world, officials said on Sunday. The village, about 450 km from state capital Raipur and located in the dense forests along the border with Telangana, did not have 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 .

Five killed in car-truck collision in Chhattisgarh's Jashpur

JASHPUR: Four men and a 17-year-old boy were killed when the car they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck in Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday, police said. The accident occurred near Patratoli village under Duldula police station limits in the early hours while the victims were returning to their native village, Khatanga, after watching an orchestra show at a fair in nearby Manora. The car collided head-on with the truck, and the impact was so severe that the vehicle was completely crushed. All five occupants died on the spot, Duldula Station House Officer KK Sahu said. Villagers rushed to the scene and informed the police. With local help, Duldula police retrieved the bodies and sent them to the Community Health Centre for post-mortem. The deceased were identified as Ramprasad Yadav (26), Uday Kumar Chauhan (18), Sagar Triki (22), Dipak Pradhan (19), and Ankit Tigga (17), all residents of Khatanga. The truck driver fled the scene, leaving the vehicle behind. Police said efforts are underway to trace him.

Low sittings, key legislations: 25 years on, three state Assemblies present a mixed record

NEW DELHI: Twenty-five years after they were carved out of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, respectively, the Legislative Assemblies of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand have entered a milestone year with a troubling record: some of the lowest numbers of sitting days in the country. Data compiled since their formation in 2000 shows that Chhattisgarhs Assembly met for an average of just 29 days a year, while Jharkhand averaged only 23 sitting days, among the lowest for any State legislature in India. Uttarakhands records remain incomplete for long stretches, including the years 20002015 and 2025, making long-term assessment difficult. These figures fall far short of the recommended national benchmark of 60 sitting days for State legislatures, raising concerns about legislative scrutiny and democratic engagement. The challenges extend beyond sitting days. In all three State Assemblies, the post of Deputy Speaker remained vacant for prolonged periods, signalling what legislators describe as institutional neglect and a weakening of bipartisan norms. Jharkhand has gone over 20 years without a Deputy Speaker, an absence that many members believe undermines legislative balance and accountability. Despite these structural gaps, some States have taken important legislative steps worth emulating. Chhattisgarh, which has 21% women MLAs, one of the strongest representations in the country enacted notable laws in its early years. A 2002 law that enabled private universities to be created through simple notification resulted in over 100 universities being established, but critics point out that many existed only on paper. The Supreme Court struck it down in 2004, flagging serious quality concerns. A decade later, Chhattisgarh passed its own Food Security Act (2012), which became a reference point and model for the national legislation enacted in 2013. Jharkhand was among the first States to introduce 75% reservation for local candidates in private-sector jobs, a move later mirrored by Andhra Pradesh and Haryana. Courts struck down Haryanas law in 2023, and challenges remain pending in other States. Uttarakhand, meanwhile, passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in 2024, becoming the first State to implement it. Supporters hailed it as a step toward equality, while critics warned that it risked disrupting social equilibrium and overlooking community practices. Legislators across the three States agree that democratic functioning demands consistent sittings, procedural stability and open debate. Many acknowledge that confrontational politics, repeated adjournments and legislative delays have eroded the Assemblys core responsibilities. As the three States complete 25 years, expectations from State legislatures are rising. Citizens increasingly demand more time spent in the House, faster decisions on longstanding issues, stronger oversight and dependable forums where public concerns can be voiced and debated. The next quarter-century, lawmakers say, must be defined not by institutional gaps but by a renewed commitment to democratic performance.