Punjab govt moves HC against ED raids; court-appointed warrant officer to submit report today
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 24 (IANS) The Punjab government has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the ongoing Enforcement Directorate searches at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and other locations in the state, prompting the court to appoint a warrant officer to monitor the operations. The matter came up for an urgent hearing before Justice Sanjay Vashisth late Wednesday night, with the proceedings continuing till early hours. The high court appointed a senior-rank warrant officer and authorised him to visit the search locations at any time. He has been directed to submit a status report to the court by 2 p.m. on Thursday. The court was informed during the hearing that ED search and seizure operations were underway and that some senior government functionaries had allegedly been detained. The state also submitted that the ongoing action had brought government functioning to a standstill. The court directed the Chandigarh Director General of Police and the Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police to make necessary security arrangements for the warrant officer. The ED searches, being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, began at the GMADA headquarters in Mohali, near here, on Tuesday and were extended to several other locations in Punjab, Chandigarh, Panchkula and Delhi. The agency is probing alleged irregularities in land acquisition, changes in land use and financial concessions extended to private real estate entities. The ED has alleged that the suspected undue gains to private entities and corresponding loss to the exchequer could exceed Rs 100 crore. The searches have also covered premises linked to Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd and associated companies. The agency has been examining records relating to land acquired by GMADA and decisions concerning changes in land use and dues payable to the authority. The ED action has triggered a political confrontation between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP-led Centre. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Central government of using investigative agencies to put pressure on Punjab officials, allegations which have not been established by the court. The AAP on Wednesday said the BJP has lost political ground in Punjab, and is now resorting to Central agencies to intimidate Punjabis and AAP leaders. It said the Centre is trying to disrupt GMADAs functioning and create hurdles for the Bhagwant Mann governments welfare schemes, including the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna. Central agencies cannot manufacture political support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP in Punjab, the party said. In a statement, the AAP said Arvind Kejriwals exposure of the Election Commissions functioning had further rattled the Modi government, which was now resorting to pressure tactics against Punjabis. It said the BJP and the Centre were simultaneously trying to create hurdles in the functioning of GMADA and obstruct the governments welfare initiatives. The BJP is unable to stop the welfare schemes through political means, so attempts are now being made to create administrative pressure and obstacles. The people of Punjab will not allow these tactics to succeed, the AAP said. The party said the BJP could deploy as many agencies as it wanted, but neither raids nor intimidation could weaken the resolve of Punjabis. AAP will stand with Punjab and fight every attempt to obstruct the functioning of the Bhagwant Mann government, stop its welfare schemes or suppress the voice of the people, the party added.
Vivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who Raised Objections Over SIR, Form-6
Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, two of Indias three Election Commissioners, are in the spotlight amid the ongoing debate over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. A report by The Indian Express said the two Commissioners had raised objections over issues including voter registration, deletion of names, electoral database access and changes to Form 6. Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer, joined the Election Commission in February 2025 after holding senior positions in the Haryana and Central governments. Sandhu, a 1988-batch IAS officer, joined the poll panel in March 2024 after serving as Uttarakhand Chief Secretary and NHAI Chairman. Sandhu was also issued a notice during the SIR exercise in Delhi over a mismatch between his name on the enumeration form and the electoral roll.
Archana Gupta Welcomes Smriti Irani as Haryana In-Charge
Archana Gupta praises Smriti Iranis appointment as Haryana in-charge, highlighting her leadership and connection with women in the country. Archana Gupta Welcomes Smriti Irani as Haryana In-Charge
Prepared for another fight, says Hooda, seeks support from voters in his Assembly constituency
Former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition makes it clear that he is not ready to hang up his political boots
Jammu Police arrest fugitive after seven-month manhunt
Jammu, Sep 23: Jammu Police have arrested Karanjeet alias Gugga, a wanted criminal who had escaped from the Juvenile Home at R.S. Pura in February this year, after a nearly seven-month-long manhunt, SSP Jammu said on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, the SSP said Karanjeet was among three inmates who escaped from the juvenile home following an incident in February. The other two, both Pakistani nationals, were later arrested in Ambala with the assistance of Punjab and Haryana Police. Following the escape, the investigation was handed over to the DSP SOG and a Special Investigation Team headed by the SP Operations was constituted to trace those involved. Eight people were arrested in that case. The investigation continued and at the same time we were trying to arrest Karanjeet alias Gugga, the SSP said. He said Karanjeet was involved in around 12 to 13 FIRs and police tracked his movements by developing information about his associates and gang links. Police teams followed leads in several locations, including Gorakhpur, Kolkata, Delhi and Maharashtra, but he managed to evade arrest. The SSP said police recently received information that Karanjeet was staying with some associates in Chandigarh. A team raided the suspected location but did not find him there. During the follow-up investigation, police learnt that he was staying at a hotel in Delhi. An SOG team subsequently travelled to Delhi and arrested him, the SSP said. He said the arrest was significant for the ongoing investigation into the juvenile home incident, as police had identified additional persons linked to the case. The SSP said Karanjeets interrogation would help establish missing links in the investigation, including how weapons and mobile phones reached the juvenile home. Police had earlier arrested the person who allegedly supplied the weapons, while further investigation is underway to establish the complete chain, he said. The SSP said Karanjeet had been moving between different locations to evade arrest, with police following leads across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Delhi. On security arrangements at the juvenile home, the SSP said the police had taken up the matter with the concerned department and another location had also been identified for housing inmates. He said further details would emerge as the interrogation of Karanjeet progresses.
RTI right statutory, but doesnt permit repetitive proceedings: Haryana panel
Nabins new BJP team takes shape as party redraws state organisational map
The BJP has revealed its list of state in-charges and co-in-charges for upcoming assembly elections. Nitin Nabin leads the organizational restructuring, highlighting the inclusion of 21 women leaders in the team. Key appointments include Smriti Irani for Haryana and Chhattisgarh, and Ram Madhav for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. The party aims for better coordination within its media team through this restructuring.
BJP appoints new state in-charges; Nitin Nabin congratulates appointees
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Tuesday announced a fresh set of appointments of state in-charges and co-in-charges for various states and J&K. The appointments, detailed in an official press release from the partys central office, take effect immediately and cover organisational responsibilities across nearly all states and J&K. In a post on X, Nabin congratulated the newly appointed State Prabharis and Sah Prabharis. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, their efforts would strengthen the organisation and help realise the collective dream of Viksit Bharat 2047. Notable appointments include Smriti Irani as in-charge for both Chandigarh and Haryana, with Siddharth Shambhu as co-in-charge for Chandigarh and Bhola Singh for Haryana. Baijayant Jay Panda has been named state in-charge for Maharashtra, assisted by co-in-charges Amit Malviya, Sadanand Shet Tanavade and Kamaljeet Sahrawat. In Uttar Pradesh, Vinod Tawde will serve as state in-charge, with Jagadish Patel, Medha Kulkarni, Pradeep Verma and Anant Ojha as co-in-charges. Sunil Bansal has been assigned to both Telangana and West Bengal. For Telangana, Abhay Patil and Rekha Sharma are co-in-charges, while West Bengals co-in-charges are Lal Singh Arya, Rajendra Singh and Pinki Kushwaha. Other key assignments include Biplab Kumar Deb as in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, with Rekha Verma as co-in-charge; Ram Madhav for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand; Harish Dwivedi for Bihar and Karnataka; and Satish Poonia for J&K and Punjab. Mangal Pandey has been named for Assam, while Arvind Bhadauria will head Andhra Pradesh with Vanathi Srinivasan as co-in-charge. Nabin has also appointed Ashish Usha Agrawal as convenor of the media department and Anil Baluni as co-ordinator of the communication department. The list further covers smaller states and J&K, including assignments for Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura. Several leaders hold dual or multiple responsibilities. The circular, issued by national office in-charge Tarun Chugh to all state presidents and organisational general secretaries, aims to strengthen the partys organisational network ahead of future electoral and organisational programmes.
Haryana ACB Arrests Education Department SDO and JE in Sonipat Over Rs 2.93 Lakh Bribe Trap
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday appointed Sanjay Bhatia as its new in-charge for Rajasthan, with Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar and Delhi BJP leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal named as Co-in-charges. The appointments are part of a wider organisational reshuffle covering 28 states and eight Union Territories. The new assignments were announced by BJP President Nitin Nabin and take effect immediately. Bhatia will now oversee the party's organisational affairs in Rajasthan, while Patidar and Chahal will assist him as Co-in-charges. The appointments come as the BJP prepares for the next phase of political activity in Rajasthan, including the state's Panchayati Raj elections. The BJP has also been undertaking organisational preparations at the grassroots level ahead of the upcoming polls. Bhatia, a senior BJP leader, has been given responsibility for Rajasthan as part of the latest national organisational reshuffle. His appointment places him at the centre of the BJP's organisational coordination in the state, where the party is currently in government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Bhatia will be responsible for coordinating with the State BJP leadership and monitoring organisational activities across Rajasthan. The BJP has appointed two Co-in-charges to assist Bhatia in managing the party's organisational affairs in Rajasthan. Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar has been appointed one of the two Co-in-charges. She hails from Madhya Pradesh and is a member of the BJP's national-level political organisation. Patidar will work alongside Bhatia as part of the new Rajasthan organisational team. Kuljeet Chahal, a Delhi BJP leader and member of the New Delhi Municipal Council, has been appointed the second Co-in-charge for Rajasthan. Chahal has been associated with the BJP's youth organisation and has held organisational responsibilities in Delhi. The Rajasthan appointments are part of a larger BJP organisational exercise covering 36 states and Union Territories. The BJP has appointed new in-charges and Co-in-charges in several states. Among the other major changes, Baijayant Jay Panda has been appointed Maharashtra In-charge, Vinod Tawde has been given charge of Uttar Pradesh, Smriti Irani has been assigned Chhattisgarh and Haryana, and Ram Madhav has been given responsibility for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. For Rajasthan, the new organisational team is In-charge: Sanjay Bhatia, co-in-charge: Kavita Patidar and co-in-charge: Kuljeet Chahal. The new appointments assume significance as the BJP continues to strengthen its organisational machinery in Rajasthan ahead of the next round of elections and grassroots-level political activity.
Delhi HC notice on PIL challenging 3-year Bar practice for Assistant Public Prosecutor posts
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the mandatory requirement of three years practice at the bar for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) in Delhi. A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sought responses from the Union government, the Delhi government, and the Directorate of Prosecution on the plea filed by Bhumika Trust through advocate Jayant Singh Raghav. The petition challenges the three-year Bar experience condition prescribed under the Directorate of Prosecution, Government of NCT of Delhi, Assistant Public Prosecutor Recruitment Rules, 2025, notified on January 19, 2026. The petitioner contends that the requirement excludes otherwise qualified law graduates and newly enrolled advocates from even participating in the recruitment process solely because they have not completed three years of practice at the Bar. The petition argues that while professional competence and preparedness are legitimate objectives for recruitment to prosecutorial posts, three years of prior Bar practice cannot necessarily be treated as the only means of achieving those objectives. It contends that less exclusionary mechanisms, including structured induction training, probation, practical attachments and supervised prosecutorial training, could be considered to ensure professional preparedness. The plea states that an eligibility criterion which completely excludes an otherwise professionally qualified class from even participating in a competitive selection process must withstand scrutiny under the constitutional guarantees of equality and equality of opportunity in public employment. According to the plea, the Supreme Court, in its judgment in Ayush Yardi v. State of Madhya Pradesh, held that additional requirements relating to three years practice at the Bar or securing the prescribed marks in the first attempt could not operate against candidates with disabilities and struck down the requirements qua PwD candidates. The petition also refers to the Supreme Court's subsequent judgment in Bhumika Trust v. Union of India, which modified its earlier directions prescribing three years' practice for recruitment to the Civil Judge (Junior Division) cadre. The petitioner has submitted that the Supreme Court's modified framework demonstrates that professional preparedness for legal and judicial public office can also be achieved through structured institutional training and practical exposure, rather than exclusively through a fixed period of prior Bar practice. The petitioner has also cited recruitment practices in other states, referring to recruitment for Assistant District Attorney posts in Haryana and Assistant Prosecution Officer posts in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where three years prior practice at the Bar was not prescribed as an essential eligibility condition. The petition contends that these recruitment models demonstrate the existence of alternative approaches to entry-level prosecutorial recruitment. The plea has also raised concerns regarding candidates with disabilities, particularly in view of the eight vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the ongoing Delhi APP recruitment. It submits that reservation by itself may not ensure substantive equality if an antecedent eligibility condition unjustifiably excludes otherwise qualified candidates from entering the zone of consideration. The petitioner has sought a declaration that the three-year practice requirement for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Public Prosecutor is unconstitutional and arbitrary. It has also sought interim protection in relation to the ongoing recruitment, including a direction to provisionally permit otherwise educationally qualified candidates to submit applications and participate in the selection process, subject to the final outcome of the PIL.
PM SVANidhi scheme transforms lives of street vendors and small traders; beneficiaries thank govt
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, launched in June 2020 as a first-of-its-kind micro-credit initiative for empowering street vendors, has brought notable change in the lives of small traders and street vendors, with beneficiaries from across the country - from J&K to Haryana to Madhya Pradesh, thanking the Central government for the benefits. A couple of street vendors from Tral in J&Ks Pulwama district told IANS that the financial assistance proved immensely beneficial for them and their small businesses. A vendor stated that the assistance greatly helped them in sustaining their livelihood and also urged the Kashmir youth to avail themselves of the loan facility provided by the government to either start or strengthen their own small businesses. In Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch, the PM SVANidhi scheme is transforming the fortunes of small traders. Pushcart operators and small shopkeepers, who previously struggled with a shortage of funds, are now obtaining loans without any hassle. The scheme has become a strong vehicle for self-reliance, particularly for women. Neemuch CMO (Chief Municipal Officer) Durga Bamaniya told newsmen, The PM SVANidhi scheme was implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower street vendors and small retail traders financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that women vendors benefited significantly from the scheme. A beneficiary named Priyanka Jain said, I live in Neemuch. I received a loan of Rs 10,000 from the municipality. With that loan, I procured raw materials for incense sticks and started a new business. It has been very beneficial for me. As a woman, I would like to say that what the Prime Minister is doing for women is excellent; he has empowered women from middle-class and impoverished backgrounds. Another beneficiary, Rekha Prajapati, shared, I received a loan of Rs 10,000 under the PM SVANidhi scheme. We manufacture and sell earthenware. This scheme has greatly benefited me and many other women like me. We used to stay at home, but now we have the opportunity to step out and work. Beneficiary Gopal Krishna Chhabra said, I repaid the Rs 10,000 loan on time. Earlier, I was operating on a small scale, but receiving the loan has been beneficial; I have expanded my market reach. I deal in whole spices, selling packets ranging from 10 grams to 100 grams. In Haryanas Panipat, the PM SVANidhi has given small businesses a chance to stand on their own feet. The story of Govind, a vegetable vendor, serves as a prime example. Govind, who used to work as a labourer before the lockdown, started selling vegetables afterwards. Under the scheme, he received loans of Rs 10,000, then Rs 20,000, and subsequently Rs 50,000. He shared that he operates his cart daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. After covering all expenses, he manages to save between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 a month. He uses these savings to pay the loan instalment of Rs 3,100 and cover his family's living expenses. His family consists of eight members, including two children, two daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. Govind further shared that in recognition of his work, he was invited to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister on Republic Day. Similarly, Sunita established a livelihood through the scheme. She initially started a tea cart, but it did not succeed. She then took another loan to set up a chowmein cart. She availed loans of Rs 10,000, then Rs 20,000, and finally Rs 50,000 in 2024, and she has been repaying all instalments on time. Expressing gratitude to PM Modi, Sunita noted that she used to do odd jobs previously and the cart now covers the household expenses as well as her children's needs.
Farmers end stir after Haryana govt says farmers may bring paddy to mandis
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], September 23: Lamose Infra LLP conducted the grand Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of its ambitious project, Gratitude 84, in Sector 84, Gurugram. Designed around the evolving needs of senior citizens and modern families, the project is envisioned as a secure, comfortable and enriching community where senior citizens can enjoy an independent lifestyle or live together with their children and grandchildren.
Bhupinder Hooda accuses BJP of malpractice in 2024 Haryana polls
Digital Desk | Rohtak, Sep 23 (IANS) Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Wednesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the 2024 Assembly elections through electoral malpractice. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has exposed this with facts. Therefore, our next battle is not only against the BJP but also against such electoral malpractice, Hooda said. He claimed that two of the three Election Commissioners had themselves exposed how the election process was undermined. Fourteen objections to unilateral decisions in 10 months, manipulation in voter lists and illegal changes in Form VI clearly show that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is sitting alone and fixing elections, Hooda alleged. He said LoP Rahul Gandhis warning about vote theft was true, and that power was stolen in Haryana through it. The deletion of the names of 13 crore voters in the name of SIR is proof of this dictatorship. The institution entrusted with protecting democracy has today become a puppet of the ruling party and is carrying out anti-people activities. This is the darkest and most critical period of Indian democracy, Hooda remarked. Meanwhile, Hooda began a tour of villages in his Assembly constituency, Garhi Sampla-Kiloi. On his arrival, the people welcomed him warmly. At meetings, he consulted villagers regarding his future political course. You are my real strength. If you permit me, I want to begin an all-out struggle against the BJP across the state, he told them. One villager urged him: You should go across the entire state and do not stop until the BJP is removed from power. Hooda thanked them for their support and said the Congress was leaving behind the disappointment of its 2024 defeat and beginning a new battle. After building the organisation, we have been continuously holding workers meetings at the block level. But I felt it was necessary to consult the people of my constituency once regarding the future course of politics, he added. Starting his visit at Brahmanwas village, Hooda said: The blessings of this village have always been with our family. Before me, my father and grandfather also received immense love and support here. After seeking blessings, I will go across the constituency and then across the state, and I will not stop until the Congress flag of victory is unfurled. He also visited Basantpur, Dhamar, Rithal, Kanhi, Jasia, Ghilour Khurd and Ghilour Kalan villages, where residents unanimously pledged their support. Replying to journalists, Hooda said people had become disillusioned with the BJP. During the Congress government, Haryana was the number one state in the country on every parameter of development, including per capita income, per capita investment and employment. But the BJP has made it number one in drugs, corruption and crime, he alleged.
BJP appoints State in-charges; Smriti Irani gets Haryana, Chhattisgarh; Ram Madhav T.N., Uttarakhand
In a reshuffle, the BJP has elevated Anil Baluni as coordinator of its communication department, which includes the party's national media cell and social media unit
Smriti Irani appointed BJP in-charge for Haryana and Chhattisgarh, Vinod Tawde to look after UP
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party National President Nitin Nabin on Tuesday announced a fresh set of appointments of state in-charges and co-in-charges for various states and union territories. The appointments, detailed in an official press release issued from the partys central office, take effect immediately. According to the circular, the party has assigned organisational responsibilities covering nearly all states and UTs. Notable appointments include Smriti Irani as in-charge for both Chhattisgarh and Haryana, with Siddharth Shambhu as co-in-charge for Chhattisgarh and Dr Bhola Singh as co-in-charge for Haryana. Baijayant Jay Panda has been named state in-charge for Maharashtra, assisted by co-in-charges Amit Malviya, Sadanand Shet Tanavade and Kamaljeet Sahrawat. In Uttar Pradesh, Vinod Tawde has been appointed state in-charge, with Jagadish Patel, Medha Kulkarni, Dr Pradeep Verma and Anant Ojha as co-in-charges. Sunil Bansal will serve as state in-charge for both Telangana and West Bengal. For Telangana, Abhay Patil and Rekha Sharma are co-in-charges, while West Bengals co-in-charges include Lal Singh Arya, Rajendra Singh and Pinki Kushwaha. Other key assignments feature Biplab Kumar Deb as in-charge for Madhya Pradesh with Rekha Verma as co-in-charge, Ram Madhav as state in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, Harish Dwivedi as state in-charge for Bihar and Karnataka, and Dr Satish Poonia as state in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. Mangal Pandey has been named state in-charge for Assam, while Dr Arvind Bhadauria will head Andhra Pradesh with Vanathi Srinivasan as co-in-charge. Meanwhile, BJP national president Nitin Nabin has appointed Ashish Usha Agrawal as convenor of the media department and Anil Baluni as co-ordinator of the communication department. The list also covers smaller states and UTs: Jay Prakash (Andaman and Nicobar), Dr Devesh Kumar (Arunachal Pradesh), Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (Delhi), Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar (Goa), Tarun Chugh (Gujarat), Shrikant Sharma (Himachal Pradesh), Gajendra Patel (Jharkhand), Prof M Nagaraja (Kerala), Rajkumar Bhatia (Ladakh), George Kurian (Lakshadweep), Dr Rajdeep Roy (Manipur), Kanad Purkayastha (Meghalaya), Dr Bhagwat Karad (Mizoram), Anil Antony (Nagaland and Goa Sah Prabhari), D Purandeswari (Odisha), K Surendran (Puducherry), Raju Bista (Sikkim) and Mriganka Deb Barman (Tripura). Several leaders hold dual or multiple responsibilities under the partys organisational restructuring. The circular has been issued by national office in-charge Tarun Chugh to all state presidents and organisational general secretaries for information and necessary action. The appointments aim to strengthen the partys organisational network ahead of future electoral and organisational programmes.
'Bihar, Maha, Delhi, Haryana & Bengal': Oppn seeks repolls after EC 'dissent' report
Tejashwi Yadav has accused the Election Commission of being under BJP's influence to achieve electoral victories across various states. He also expressed his worries regarding the modifications to the voting records' retention period. Additionally, DMK chief MK Stalin has joined the call for the ousting of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing election discrepancies, while former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the Commissions management of voting lists.
Technology reduces a farmers input costs, manual labour, says Haryana CM
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 23 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said that technology reduces a farmers input costs, lowers the need for manual labour and increases returns from crops and is the real innovation for farmers. The true success of any technology should be reflected in the farmers account book, he said, adding technology is useful for farmers only when it is affordable, easy to use and can also be repaired locally in or around villages. The Chief Minister was addressing the closing session of the fifth Innovative Farmers Meet organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Ladwa town in Kurukshetra. On the occasion, he inaugurated and visited an exhibition of agricultural machinery and interacted with progressive farmers. He said the distinctive feature of the Innovative Farmers Meet was that discussions were not confined to big cities or conference halls, but were being taken directly to farmers. The Chief Minister said agriculture today faces serious challenges such as weather uncertainties, increasing water scarcity and deteriorating soil health. Therefore, there is a need to move towards farming practices that can withstand changing conditions while increasing farmers income. He said paddy and wheat cultivation has particular significance in the region. Measures such as direct seeding of rice, crop-specific micro-irrigation and land levelling can prove useful. He urged farmers to get their soil tested and use fertilisers according to the requirements of their land. Saini also emphasised maintaining soil fertility through crop diversification, organic matter and scientific advice. The Chief Minister said small farmers cannot afford to purchase every expensive machine individually. Therefore, farmer groups, cooperative societies and centres providing machinery on rent have an important role to play. The benefits of one machine should reach multiple farms. He said youth in villages should be trained to operate and repair farm machinery and provide agriculture-related services. This would help reduce farmers costs while also creating new employment opportunities in villages. The Chief Minister also called for greater focus on crop diversification. He said that wherever conditions are suitable, possibilities for cultivating pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and other appropriate crops should be explored. He urged industries to support farmers by providing training on quality and food safety standards and helping them connect with better markets. The Chief Minister said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, farmers welfare is a priority of the government. The government is committed to increasing farmers income, expanding irrigation facilities, promoting natural farming, encouraging crop diversification and integrating agriculture with technology. He said around 2 lakh farmers have registered 3 lakh acres of land on the portal launched to promote natural farming. Of these, verification of 23,930 farmers for adopting natural farming on 44,000 acres has been completed. In 2025-26, natural farming was undertaken on 20,727 acres in the state. The Chief Minister said under the PM-KUSUM scheme, farmers are provided a 75 per cent subsidy for installing solar pumps, and 1.95 lakh solar pumps have been installed so far. He said Rs 1,200 per acre has been provided for proper management and baling of paddy stubble. So far, Rs 907 crore has been provided as subsidy to 10 lakh farmers.
Smriti, Bholas capabilities will provide direction: Haryana BJP chief
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 23 (IANS) Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Smriti Irani was on Wednesday appointed the partys in-charge for Haryana, while national secretary and MP Bhola Singh has been named co-in-charge, as part of organisational changes announced by the BJPs central leadership. Welcoming the two leaders on behalf of the Haryana BJP, state president Archana Gupta said their experience and organisational capabilities would bring new energy and direction to the state unit. In a statement, she said Iranis extensive experience in national politics, government and the organisation would provide important guidance to the state BJP. She added that Bhola Singhs long organisational experience and ability to work closely with party workers would further strengthen the unit. Gupta said the BJPs organisation is continuously working to expand and strengthen its network from the booth level to the state level, adding that the process would gain further momentum under the guidance of the new in-charge and co-in-charge. Meanwhile, Gupta said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strengthened the countrys unity and integrity while undertaking the historic task of connecting Kashmir with Kanyakumari through the railway network, often described as the poor mans mode of transport. She noted that the transformation of Indian Railways over the past 12 years, ranging from indigenous hydrogen-powered trains to the worlds highest railway bridge over the Chenab, has strengthened public confidence in the national transporter. As part of the Kahani Badlav Ki (story of change) campaign under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, which marks 25 years of PM Modis public life of service, dedication, sacrifice and commitment, Gupta travelled by a hydrogen train from Gohana to Jind on Wednesday. Accompanied by members of the BJP state executive, she interacted with youths, women, children and other passengers during the journey and sought their experiences and suggestions. She also discussed issues including womens safety, modern railway facilities, cleanliness and the expectations of young people. She said the hydrogen train introduced in Haryana was not merely a new train but a symbol of Indias progress towards a clean, green and self-reliant future.
DA row: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the state chief secretary to appear before it on 5 October for not complying with its previous order regarding payment of pending DA arrears of state employees and pensioners.
BJP Appoints In-Charges For All States, UTs; Irani Gets Haryana, Chhattisgarh
Anil Baluni Elevated As Coordinator Of BJP Communication Department
The BJP has strategically appointed Sanjay Bhatia as the in-charge for Rajasthan, supported by co-in-charges Kavita Patidar and Kuljeet Chahal. For Maharashtra, Baijayant Jay Panda leads the charge alongside a team of co-in-charges. Sunil Bansal will manage Telangana and West Bengal, with carefully appointed co-in-charges. Vinod Tawde has been assigned the Uttar Pradesh in-charge role, and Smriti Irani is set to oversee the strategies in Chhattisgarh and Haryana.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed new state in-charges and co-incharges for various states and Union Territories as part of an organisational reshuffle. Former Union Minister Smriti Irani has been appointed BJP in-charge for Haryana and Chhattisgarh, while Vinod Tawde has been given charge of Uttar Pradesh. Satish Poonia has been appointed in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir, Tarun Chugh will oversee Gujarat, and Harish Dwivedi has been appointed Bihar in-charge.
Supreme Court: Re-Arrest After Article 22(1) Breach Needs Magisterial Sanction
THE SUPREME COURT has ruled that once an arrest of an accused is quashed for want of non-supply of grounds of arrest, the accused could only be re-arrested with the permission of the magistrate. A Bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Atul S. Chandurkar handed down the ruling on a petition challenging the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissing the petition filed by the appellant by holding that the investigating agency cannot be prohibited from seeking warrants of arrest against the appellant or from re-arresting him or seeking his custody. The Bench observed that once there is a breach of Article 22(1) of the Constitution, the power to re-arrest the accused must not be left to the discretion of the very same authority who had violated the said provision of the Constitution. It must have the judicial imprimatur. It is only when the Magistrate is satisfied that for bona fide reasons the grounds of arrest could not be furnished to the arrestee at the first instance but furnished subsequent to his release and on further satisfaction that the accused needs to be re-arrested, he may pass an order permitting the investigating agency to rearrest, the Bench ruled. In this case, an FIR was registered by an informant against the appellant on May 13, 2026, before the Mataur Police Station in the district of SAS Nagar (Punjab), alleging that his wife had left his company and started living with the accused-appellant from about October-November 2024, taking with her both his daughters, including the alleged victim girl, being his elder daughter. On May 9, 2026, the elder daughter (alleged victim) came back to the company of the informant. It was stated that she narrated to the informant physical and sexual abuse committed on her by the accused-appellant from October 25-26, 2024 onwards, off and on. The FIR was registered under Sections 64, 65(1) and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) read with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, as amended (POCSO Act). The Magistrates Findings On May 17, 2026, at around 07:54 a.m., the appellant was arrested by the police, whereafter he was produced before the Judicial Magistrate In-Charge (Duty) on the next day, i.e., on May 18, 2026, at around noon for obtaining police remand for one day. The Judicial Magistrate noted that though the appellant was arrested on May 17, 2026, and produced before her on May 18, 2026, no written grounds of arrest were provided to the appellant. After referring to the judgment of the Supreme Court in Mihir Rajesh Shah vs. State of Maharashtra (2025), the Magistrate held that the investigating agency had miserably failed to comply with the mandate of law of providing written grounds of arrest. Therefore, appropriate action should be taken against the officers at fault. For non-furnishing of written grounds of arrest, which was in violation of Article 22(1) of the Constitution read with Section 50(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr.P.C.) and Section 47 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the appellant was directed to be released immediately since his arrest was rendered illegal. However, the Magistrate clarified that if the investigating agency finds it necessary, they can move an application for remand or custody, if required, along with the reasons and the necessity for the same after supplying the grounds of arrest in writing to the appellant, setting forth the explanation for non-supply of grounds. The Magistrate further clarified that her order would not preclude the investigating agency from proceeding in accordance with law and in strict compliance with the statutory and constitutional mandate. On the same day itself, i.e., May 18, 2026, the same Station House Officer Rupinder Singh, who had caused the arrest of the appellant without furnishing the grounds of arrest and who had moved the earlier remand application, again moved a fresh application for custody and remand of the accused-appellant. This time the subsequent custody/remand application was assigned to the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, who passed an order dated May 22, 2026, dismissing the said application as being not maintainable at that stage. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate noted that the said application was moved by the prosecution without supplying the grounds of arrest to the accused and before the arrest of the accused. Referring to the decision of the Supreme Court in Mihir Rajesh Shah , the Magistrate observed that such an application could be moved only after supplying the grounds of arrest to the accused. According to him, in the present case, grounds of arrest have not been provided to the accused till then. Moreover, custody and remand of the accused can only be granted by the court after the arrest of the accused and it cannot be granted in the absence of the accused. The Bench said in such cases the investigating agency has to file an application before the concerned Magistrate for custody, mentioning therein the reasons for re-arrest of the accused and the necessity for the same. The High Courts Order The accused-appellant approached the High Court seeking to: (i) quash the observations made in the order dated May 18, 2026, by the learned Magistrate; (ii) prohibit and restrain the investigating agency from re-arresting the appellant under any circumstances; (iii) prohibit and restrain the respondents from seeking custody of the appellant and his remand; and (iv) prohibit and restrain the respondents from seeking a warrant of arrest of the appellant. The High Court dismissed the petition, observing that even though the arrest of the appellant was declared illegal by the Magistrate for non-furnishing of written grounds of arrest, the investigating agency was not precluded from seeking his re-arrest, provided that the subsequent arrest made is strictly in accordance with the procedure established by law. The High Court further observed that for the illegal detention beyond 24 hours before production before the learned Magistrate, the appellant may take appropriate legal action against the defaulting police officials. However, the appellant, who is accused of serious and grave offences against a minor child, cannot claim blanket immunity from future arrest. The investigating agency cannot be prohibited or restrained from seeking a warrant of arrest of the appellant or from re-arresting him or seeking his custody/remand. The Framework of Article 22(1) Article 22(1) of the Constitution mandates that No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice. Its sub-clause (2) states that Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the magistrate and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a magistrate. The constitutional mandate of Article 22(1) has been provided for as a statutory protection to an arrestee under Section 50 of Cr.P.C. Section 50 Cr.P.C. reads thus: 50 Person arrested to be informed of grounds of arrest and of right to bail. (1) Every police officer or other person arresting any person without warrant shall forthwith communicate to him full particulars of the offence for which he is arrested or other grounds for such arrest. (2) Where a police officer arrests without warrant any person other than a person accused of a non-bailable offence, he shall inform the person arrested that he is entitled to be released on bail and that he may arrange for sureties on his behalf. Section 50 Cr.P.C. is reproduced in BNSS in the form of Section 47. The protection of clause (2) of Article 22 finds manifestation in Section 57 Cr.P.C., which reads: 57. Person arrested not to be detained more than twenty-four hours. - No police officer shall detain in custody a person arrested without warrant for a longer period than under all the circumstances of the case is reasonable, and such period shall not, in the absence of a special order of a Magistrate under section 167, exceed twenty-four hours exclusive of the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the Magistrates Court. Section 58 BNSS is the present provision corresponding to Section 57 Cr.P.C., providing for the same time frame of twenty-four hours. The Supreme Courts Ruling The Bench observed that it could not tinker with the most important safeguards provided under Article 22, adding that even subsequent filing of a chargesheet and an order of cognizance will not validate such an arrest. Article 22(1) applies across the spectrum including offences under the IPC or under special enactments. It is not statute specific. It is not a mere formality or a matter of procedure. It is a mandatory binding constitutional safeguard, the Bench ruled. The Bench noted that safeguards adumbrated in Article 22(1) are not mere procedural safeguards; these are fundamental principles which are required to be followed in the event liberty of a person is sought to be curtailed. Therefore, it is not correct at all to say that procedural lapses in furnishing grounds of arrest do not ipso facto render custody illegal or entitles the accused to bail. When an accused is released for violation of his fundamental rights under Article 22 (1), he is not enlarged on bail, the Bench added. But what if the investigating agency is of the opinion that custodial interrogation of the accused is required, and whether the accused could be re-arrested? The Bench said in such cases the investigating agency has to file an application before the concerned Magistrate for custody, mentioning therein the reasons for re-arrest of the accused and the necessity for the same. The application, the Bench said, should also contain the explanation for non-supply of the grounds of arrest to the accused at the first instance. The Bench further held that such an application can only be moved after furnishing the grounds of arrest to the accused. To rule out any foul play or collusion, such an application must have the endorsement of the immediate superior authority. This is because the immediate superior authority should know that the concerned officer has committed an unbecoming act of violating a constitutional provision for which necessary remedial, the Bench said. The Bench also held that the superior authority, when presented with the application seeking his endorsement for custody of the accused who has been released for violation of Article 22(1), should hand over the investigation of the case to another officer, further directing a departmental enquiry for such a serious lapse. If the enquiry culminates in an adverse finding against the erring police officer(s), it would entail departmental action with an entry in the service book of such officer(s), the Bench said. On the facts of the case, the Bench set aside the High Court order. The Bench held that the gravity of the evil to the community resulting from anti-social activities can never furnish an adequate reason for invading the personal liberty of a citizen except in accordance with the procedure established by the Constitution and the laws. When a certain procedure is prescribed by the Constitution or the laws for depriving a citizen of his personal liberty, it is the duty of the court to ensure that such procedure is rigorously observed, howsoever, strange this might sound to some ears, the Bench underscored.
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J&K FDA bans sale of 4 ghee brands after samples fail food safety tests
Srinagar, Sep 22: The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu & Kashmir, has prohibited the sale, storage, distribution and display of specified batches of four ghee brands across the Union Territory after samples collected from different districts were found to be Unsafe, Sub-standard or both during laboratory analysis. The prohibitory order has been issued by Khalid Jahangir, Commissioner, Food Safety, J&K, under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with immediate effect. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. According to the order, samples of various ghee brands were lifted by Food Safety Officers from Anantnag, Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Pulwama and analysed by notified food laboratories, including the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, and Food Testing Laboratory, Srinagar. The reports found that the affected products did not conform to prescribed food safety standards. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. The FDA said the analytical findings included the detection of beta-sitosterol, vegetable fat and foreign fat, along with positive Baudouin test results and deviations in prescribed parameters including Reichert-Meissl value, Polenske value, saponification value, B.R. reading, iodine value and fatty-acid profile. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. Four Ghee Brands Under Prohibition As per the order, the following affected batches have been prohibited throughout J&K:Cow Ghee Milk Bite Desi Ghee Manufactured by M/s Mahadev Industries, Rajasthan. The sample was collected from Jammu, batch No. 143, dated July 2026, with April 2027 as the best-before date and net content of 500 ml. The product was declared Sub-standard. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands.Pehalwan Desi Ghee Manufactured by M/s Comfy Agro Pvt. Ltd., Gidderbaha, District Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab. The sample was collected from Anantnag, batch No. PW-005, dated May 2026, with a best-before period of nine months and net content of 500 ml. The analytical opinion classified it as Unsafe. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands.Swift Desi Ghee Manufactured by M/s Suneja Food Products, SICOP Industrial Estate, Hisar, Haryana. The sample was collected from Anantnag, batch No. M-92, dated April 2026, with April 2027 as the best-before date and net content of 450 ml. The product was declared Unsafe. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. Sangath Desi Ghee Manufactured by M/s Akshar Dairy Product, Santhal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The sample was collected from Anantnag, batch No. AD-05/01, dated May 2026, with February 2027 as the best-before date and net content of 200 ml. The analytical opinion classified it as Unsafe/Sub-standard. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. FBOs Directed To Immediately Stop Sale The FDA has directed Food Business Operators, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and other persons dealing in the affected products to immediately discontinue their sale, storage, distribution and display across J&K. The concerned operators have also been directed to segregate the affected batches and keep them in safe custody. They have been prohibited from disposing of, selling, transferring or otherwise dealing with the affected stock without approval or directions from the competent Food Safety Authority. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. The order further requires all concerned FBOs to submit the complete stock position of the affected batchesincluding quantities received, sold/distributed and presently availableto the concerned Designated Officer within 48 hours of issuance of the order. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. Inspections, Surveillance Ordered The concerned Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers have been directed to ensure immediate implementation of the order and conduct necessary verification and inspections of premises and supply chains. The enforcement authorities have also been asked to maintain strict surveillance over the movement, storage, sale and distribution of the prohibited food articles and take immediate action wherever the affected batches are detected. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. The FDA has warned that anyone found violating the prohibitory order will be liable for action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed thereunder, besides any other action permissible under law. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. The order also states that the action has been taken as a precautionary measure in the public interest and does not prevent the concerned Food Business Operators from exercising their statutory right to seek re-analysis through an FSSAI-notified referral laboratory in accordance with law. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands. The prohibitory order was issued on September 22, 2026, and signed by Khalid Jahangir, JKAS, Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration, J&K. PROHIBITORY ORDER of Various Ghee Brands.(KNC)
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Haryana Board October 2026 Hall Ticket Out - Download Online @ bseh.org.in
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CUH Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for Research Assistant, Field Investigator and More Posts
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Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) The political tussle over the Tijara Municipal Council Chairperson election, which began on Monday morning, continued late into the night. Following intervention by the Rajasthan High Court, the voting deadline was extended, first to 8 p.m. and later to 10 p.m., amid delays in councilors reaching the polling station. The election result was declared after 10 p.m. with Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini winning the Chairperson's post with 18 votes. Returning Officer and SDM Divya handed him the certificate of election. The Tijara Municipal Council has 35 councilors, and 18 votes were required to secure the Chairperson's post. The dispute reached the Rajasthan High Court following allegations that Congress-backed councilors were stopped in Haryana while returning from a camp in Himachal Pradesh. Congress leaders alleged that the councilors were intercepted near Panchkula while entering Haryana and were unable to reach Tijara in time for the scheduled voting. The matter was heard by a single Bench of the Rajasthan High Court presided over by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand. The court directed the ADM of Bhiwadi to submit a report on the incident to the State Election Commission. Following the developments, the voting deadline was extended to allow the election process to continue. Voting, initially scheduled until 8 p.m., was subsequently extended until 10 p.m. because of delays in the arrival of the councilors. The State Election Commission's instructions stated that if all councilors completed voting before 10 p.m., counting would begin immediately after polling concluded. Earlier, at around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, former MLA Sandeep Yadav, District Congress President Balram Yadav, and Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini, accompanied by party workers, reached the Returning Officer's residence. They demanded that the election be postponed until the detained councilors were brought safely to Tijara. A complaint was subsequently lodged with Tijara police station SHO Jaiprakash. Congress leaders claimed that some councilors had expressed concerns through video messages, saying they had been taken to an undisclosed location and feared for their safety. Congress workers later staged a protest near the police station. Congress leaders also alleged that former MLA Sandeep Yadav was detained for several hours at Farrukhnagar near Gurugram. The police version of events regarding the allegation had not been released at the time of the filing of the report. The Congress questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged detention of the councilors, while the developments surrounding the election were taken up before the Rajasthan High Court and the State Election Commission. On Monday morning, former MLA Sandeep Yadav, District Congress President Balram Yadav, Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini, Block President Dharmpal Gurjar, and Deputy Pradhan Dayaram Chavda, along with women and other party workers, gathered near the police station. The protesters raised slogans demanding that the councilors be brought safely to Tijara and allowed to participate in the election. By 2 p.m., reports indicated that 16 of the 35 councilors had cast their votes. Meanwhile, the matter was taken up by the Rajasthan High Court. In compliance with the State Election Commission's order, voting for the Tijara Municipal Council Chairperson election was allowed to continue until 10 p.m.. The order stated that if all councilors completed voting before the deadline, counting would begin immediately after polling ended. The election result was subsequently declared after 10 p.m., with Ramavatar Saini securing the Chairperson post with 18 votes.
Delhi-NCR to remain dry as IMD forecasts clear skies; mercury to touch 34 degree Celsius
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS) The national Capital is likely to witness clear skies and relatively pleasant weather on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a minimum temperature of around 24 degree Celsius and a maximum of nearly 34 degree Celsius. According to the weather agency, Delhi is expected to remain largely dry throughout the day, marking a change from the cloudy conditions and occasional showers witnessed recently. The forecast of clearer skies could provide some relief from the persistent humidity experienced across the city over the past few weeks. The relative humidity is likely to remain around 60 per cent, while weather conditions are expected to be generally comfortable for residents. However, temperatures are likely to rise during the afternoon before easing later in the day. Among the weather stations in the national Capital, Palam is likely to record a minimum temperature of around 23 degree Celsius. Lodi Road and Ayanagar may register minimum temperatures of 24.3 degree Celsius and 24.2 degree Celsius, respectively. The Ridge could witness a comparatively cooler morning, with the minimum temperature expected to settle at around 22.5 degree Celsius. While Delhi-NCR is likely to remain dry on Tuesday, several other parts of the country are expected to experience rainfall and thunderstorms in the coming days due to a weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal. Odisha is likely to witness some of the most intense weather activity as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal becomes more organised. The system is expected to move towards the South Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coast and reach the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal near the coast around the morning of September 23. The IMD has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri on September 23. A similar red alert has been issued for Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Rayagada for September 24. Rainfall is expected to remain active across Odisha until September 27, with different districts placed under red, orange and yellow alerts depending on the anticipated intensity of rainfall. Kerala is also likely to experience wet conditions during the week. Light to moderate rainfall has been forecast in several areas between September 21 and 25, while isolated heavy showers are possible in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur. The IMD has advised residents in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and landslides to remain alert and follow instructions issued by local authorities. Weather activity is also expected to increase across parts of the Northeast and eastern India. Assam and Meghalaya may experience thunderstorms and lightning on September 22, followed by heavy rainfall between September 23 and 25. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim could witness thunderstorms, lightning and squally conditions on September 22. Heavy rainfall is likely in these areas on September 23 and 24, while very heavy showers are possible on September 25. East Uttar Pradesh is expected to see increased rainfall activity from September 24, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and squall-like conditions. Similar weather is likely to develop over West Uttar Pradesh from September 25. In contrast, Delhi-NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad, is unlikely to receive significant rainfall on Tuesday. The region is expected to remain predominantly dry as the southwest monsoon continues to withdraw from northwest India. However, weather conditions could become more active towards the end of the week, with the IMD forecasting thunderstorms, lightning and squall-like conditions over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi between September 25 and 27. The developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to remain the primary factor influencing rainfall and thunderstorm activity across several parts of the country in the coming days.
'To preserve social fabric', Haryana's Hisar village bans love marriages
Party-backed councillors detained in Haryana ahead of Rajasthan local body poll, alleges Congress
The councillors were returning from Himachal Pradesh, where the party had moved them in a bid to prevent defections ahead of the election
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Cong alleges 18 Raj councillors detained in Haryana
Congress leaders have accused the Haryana Police of illegally detaining 18 municipal councillors from Rajasthan's Tijara in Panchkula, allegedly to prevent them from voting in a crucial municipal council chairperson election. While police deny the claims, Congress has staged protests, calling the incident a murder of democracy and demanding a high-level inquiry into the alleged political interference.
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Why the Pandavas Waited 12 Years at Haryanas Pandu Pindara for Kauravas' Pind Daan
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Fight against drugs must be peoples movement: Haryana CM
Digital Desk | Fazilka, Sep 21 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said Punjab was once known for its prosperity, vibrancy and hardworking youth. Still, today the drug menace has emerged as a major challenge to the future of its young generation. He stressed that turning the campaign against drugs into a peoples movement is the need of the hour. Addressing a gathering after joining the fourth phase of the Nasha Mukti Yatra in Fazilka, Saini said the fight against drugs is not a political party's fight, but a fight to save the youth and future generations. He said the Yatra, which began on September 18, will continue till September 30 and cover around 4,000 km across all 117 Assembly constituencies of Punjab. Saini added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is fighting the drug menace with determination and every section of society should ensure its participation in this campaign. Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party government, he said it had promised to eradicate drugs within six months. Still, the problem remains serious even as the government enters the final phase of its tenure. He also said the government had not fulfilled its promises to employ youth. Saini recalled that when industrialists from Punjab met him at his residence in Chandigarh and expressed their desire to set up industries in Haryana, he advised them to establish industries in Punjab itself to provide employment opportunities to the youth there. He claimed that the people of Punjab had made up their minds for change and that the coming time would belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Highlighting Haryanas governance, Saini said the state government has provided jobs to youth through a transparent system. He added that he meets many people at his residence daily and works to resolve their problems. He said the Haryana Government has fulfilled 70 of the 217 commitments made before the elections and has advanced several schemes for the welfare of women, farmers, people with low incomes and youth. He emphasised that the fight against drugs cannot be confined to law enforcement alone. Treatment, rehabilitation, sports and employment opportunities must also be taken forward simultaneously. He said Haryana is providing free treatment facilities at de-addiction centres, while special emphasis is being laid on connecting youth with sports and other positive activities.
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'I can now die happily...' History-Maker Suchika Tariyal Turns Emotional
Suchika Tariyal has made history by becoming India's first Asian Games medal winner in Mixed Martial Arts, securing a bronze in the women's traditional 60kg event. The 36-year-old fighter, who hails from Haryana, expressed immense joy and dedicated her medal to her family, acknowledging the financial struggles and personal sacrifices made throughout her career. Despite initially considering retirement, her performance has inspired her to continue her professional fighting journey.
Suchika Tariyal made history as Indias first Asian Games medal winner in Mixed Martial Arts, taking bronze in the womens traditional 60kg event in Nagoya. The 36-year-old Haryana fighter, who drew her semifinal before losing on a weight countback, dedicated the medal to her parents and husband.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Center and state governments regarding multiple FIRs against comedian Pranit More. Supreme Court Issues Notice to Center, Maharashtra, and Haryana Over FIRs Against Comedian Pranit More
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The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, Maharashtra and Haryana governments on comedian Pranit Mores plea to club FIRs filed over the controversial Rs 370 biryani remark at a Gurugram show. Mores counsel told the court he had apologised, deleted the video and was willing to face trial.
SC issues notice on Pranit Mores plea to club FIRs in 370 biriyani controversy
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Political Tensions Rise as Haryana Police Detains Congress Councillors Ahead of Key Election
Congress alleges Haryana Police detained 18 councillors before a crucial election, raising concerns over political interference. Political Tensions Rise as Haryana Police Detains Congress Councillors Ahead of Key Election
A political controversy erupted after 18 Congress councillors from Rajasthan's Tijara Municipal Council went missing in Haryana while returning from Himachal Pradesh ahead of the chairperson election on Monday.The councillors had reportedly been staying together...
Haryana D.El.Ed October 2026 Admit Card - Check Status Online @ bseh.org.in
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Haryana reshuffles IPS, HPS officers: new DCPs for South Gurgaon, Manesar
Repeated paper leaks behind frustration among Haryana youth: Selja
Haryana CID inspector caught taking Rs 5 lakh bribe to let mining vehicles operate
Haryana : State Reshuffles 7 IPS and 39 HPS Officers with Immediate Effect
Junior Coach Warns Ex-Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh as Legal Battle Escalates
Chemical-laden tanker catches fire in Haryanas Behal; blaze spreads to roadside stalls
Missing eight-month-old from Nashik found safe by officials after three days
Digital Desk | Nashik, Sep 20 (IANS) An eight-month-old baby girl who went missing in Maharashtra's Nashik district three days back was found safe on Sunday, police said. The infant, who had gone missing from the Manyad police outpost region in Nandgaon taluka of Nashik on September 17, was found abandoned near the Vaibothi village in neighbouring Yeola taluka. Yeola taluka police reached the spot and took her into their custody. Subsequently, the infant was taken to the Yeola Sub-District Hospital for a medical examination after being identified by her mother and the Nandgaon police. Her safe recovery brought relief to the family and the police. However, the circumstances under which the baby reached Vaibothi, who brought her there, and why she was abandoned at the spot remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the infants disappearance and subsequent recovery. In Odisha, Operation Anweshan, conducted by the state's Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAW & CW) Department, along with the state police, rescued 101 missing children. The children included 54 boys and 47 girls. The teams conducted field-level searches, verified the leads, and coordinated with local authorities, along with various child care institutions during the operation. As part of the operation, as many as 17 specialised teams were deployed to several states and Union Territories where Odia children are frequently found. The youngest among those rescued was a three-month-old infant found institutionalised alongside her minor mother. Another child who was found was institutionalised for the longest duration and had spent more than five years away from home. The states in which the children were found include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup begins in Leh
Leh, Ladakh: The 10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup 2026 is being held at the NDS Indoor Stadium in Leh, bringing together Pencak Silat athletes, coaches, officials, team managers and sports administrators from across the country. More than 850 athletes and participants are taking part in the national championship, which has emerged as a major sporting gathering in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Teams from various States, Union Territories and Paramilitary Forces are participating in the championship. The event also features more than 100 technical and federation officials and State/UT representatives, along with over 70 coaches and team managers. The opening ceremony will be attended by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena as the chief guest. Administrative Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh Bhanu Prabha; Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh Shashanka Ala; Joint Director, Youth Services & Sports, Ladakh Tsering Paldan; Additional Deputy Commissioner to the Lieutenant Governor Shekh Aadil; President, Indian Pencak Silat Federation; President, Ladakh Pencak Silat Association; and District Youth Services & Sports Officer, Leh, will also be present. The championship has brought together sporting delegations from Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, CISF, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, ITBP, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, SSB, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The participation of State and UT teams along with Paramilitary Forces has added diversity to the championship, bringing athletes from different sporting backgrounds onto one national platform. Besides athletes, the championship includes technical officials, federation representatives, coaches, team managers, referees, judges, delegation representatives and members of the organising and support teams. The event has brought together more than 1,000 athletes, officials, coaches, managers, representatives and other sporting stakeholders. Hosting a national-level Pencak Silat championship in Leh at the high altitude of the Himalayas gives the event a distinctive setting. The championship provides athletes from across India an opportunity to compete at the national level while also experiencing the culture and hospitality of Ladakh. The event also highlights Ladakh's potential to host major sporting competitions and provides a platform for promoting sports and sporting activities in the region. The 10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup 2026 brings together athletes and sporting delegations from different regions of the country on a common platform. With more than 850 participants, 100 technical officials and representatives, and over 70 coaches and team managers, the championship provides a significant platform for Pencak Silat athletes to compete and showcase their skills.
From Lal Ded to Article 370: CM Sainis Kashmir pitch to Pandits in Haryana
From the legacy of Kashmirs mystic poet Lal Ded to the political changes following the abrogation of Article 370, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday framed his governments outreach to Kashmiri Pandits around culture, welfare and the communitys post-migration concerns. Addressing a gathering in Gurugram to mark the 705th birth anniversary of Mata Lalleshwari, popularly known as Lal Ded, Saini highlighted what he described as measures taken by the Haryana government for Kashmiri Pandit families, including 10 per cent reservation in education for their children. The Haryana government has provided 10 per cent reservation in education for the children of Kashmiri Pandits in Haryana, Saini said. The Chief Minister said a sizeable Kashmiri Pandit population lives across Haryana, particularly in Gurugram, Faridabad and Panchkula, besides Ambala, Karnal, Panipat and Bahadurgarh. Saini also referred to the allocation of plots in Bahadurgarh to Kashmiri Pandit families who had purchased land decades ago. The allotment followed a long-running dispute involving land acquired by displaced families in the early 1990s. Beyond education and land, Saini said his government was working towards creating housing and employment opportunities for Kashmiri Pandits living in Haryana. The Chief Minister also linked his governments approach towards the community to the broader political changes in Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modis government with strengthening what he described as the unity and integration of the country. The event was organised by the Kashmiri Hindu Prakosth and Bani Mandir. A delegation of the Kashmiri Hindu Prakosth had met Saini earlier this month and invited him to the programme, raising issues concerning the Kashmiri community and seeking government intervention. According to the organisers, the choice of Lal Deds birth anniversary provided a cultural backdrop to an address that largely focused on the contemporary concerns of Kashmiri Pandits living outside the Valley. These sorts of functions give us an opportunity to connect to our community and the roots, Pankaj Dhar, an organiser said. Lal Ded, also known as Lalleshwari, occupies a central place in Kashmirs medieval literary and spiritual tradition. Her Kashmiri vaakhs remain an important part of the regions cultural heritage and are associated with the broader Shaivite and Sufi traditions of Kashmir.
Doctors out, vacancies up: Haryanas public hospitals face manpower squeeze
Anti-snake venom saves 473 lives in Haryana this year
More than 2,500 farmers in Punjab and Haryana are receiving over Rs 2.9 crore in Indias first farm-level soil-carbon payments. The farmers adopted practices such as direct-seeded rice, reduced tillage and crop-residue management, which were measured and independently verified before carbon credits were issued. The initiative shows how climate-friendly farming can create an additional income stream while also helping conserve water, improve soil health and reduce emissions from crop-residue burning.
At 85, Haryana veteran completes MA with 965 marks, now eyes PhD or law degree
80 Haryana athletes to represent India at 2026 Asian Games in Japan
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Haryana set to frame policy as 24m roads hit urban connectivity
Check Chandigarh HC Safai Sewak and Mali Recruitment 2026 interview-cum-DV date, admit card release date, 167 vacancy breakup, age limit, fee, and selection process verified from the official notice.
Fight decisive battle against drugs: Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Punjabis
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 19 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday called on the people of Punjab to fight a decisive battle against drugs. Punjab is currently going through a serious drug crisis. Drugs have devastated many families and ruined the lives and futures of numerous young people, Chouhan said in a video message posted on X. Under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slogan Eradicate Drugs, the party is organising the Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra across Punjab. The campaign began on September 18 in Madhopur, Pathankot. As part of the campaign, yatras are being taken out from four locations. After offering prayers at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, Chouhan and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will flag off the fourth yatra on September 21. Expressing concern over the drug crisis ahead of his Punjab visit, Chouhan said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab had failed badly in addressing the problem. He said the time had now come for the people of Punjab to wage a decisive battle against drugs. With this objective, the BJP is organising its Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra from September 18 to September 30. Appealing to the people of Punjab, Chouhan said, My sisters and brothers of Punjab, elders, sons and daughters, come forward and participate in this yatra in large numbers to make Punjab drug-free. Let us fight a decisive battle against drugs so that Punjab can be made drug-free. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday flagged off the second Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra from Fatehgarh Sahib town. She said, When Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann came to power in Punjab, they promised to eliminate drugs from the state within three months. The deadline was extended, first by three months and then by four months, and has now been extended six times. A government that keeps giving new deadlines cannot be expected to eradicate drugs. Gupta added that the 13-day yatra would become a campaign to free Punjab from the AAP government. Before launching the yatra, she paid obeisance at a historic gurdwara located on the sacred land that witnessed the martyrdom of the younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh.
Haryanas Athletes Set to Shine at Asian Games 2026, Says Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam
Haryanas Sports Minister expresses confidence in athletes performance at Asian Games 2026 in Japan, emphasizing sportsmanship over politics. Haryanas Athletes Set to Shine at Asian Games 2026, Says Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam
Haryana PSC Recruitment for Food Safety Officers: Apply Now
The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) is set to recruit 45 Food Safety Officers (FSO) with applications opening on September 28, 2026. Candidates aged between 18 and 42 with relevant educational qualifications in food safety and related fields are encouraged to apply by October 19, 2026. The application fee varies by category, and the selection process includes multiple stages. This recruitment presents a significant opportunity for those looking to advance their careers in food safety.
Not in favour of FIRs against farmers over stubble burning: Punjab CM Mann
Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for increased air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. Due to the short window for the Rabi crop (wheat) after the paddy harvest in October and November, many farmers burn their fields to quickly clear the crop residue
