Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the INDIA bloc's protest march to the Supreme Court aims to ensure the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Ahead of the protests, Haryana Congress leaders assembled at Hooda's house. Congress MP Jebi Mather emphasised that the protests are aimed at protecting democracy rather than representing a denomination.
Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Monday said the INDIA bloc
Waterlogging damages paddy stocks in Fazilka, Ambala as farmers blame poor drainage
Heavy rainfall has caused severe waterlogging in grain markets across Punjab and Haryana, resulting in significant damage. Farmers have reported that lakhs of quintals of stored paddy are now soaked and ruined. Lack of drainage infrastructure has been identified as a primary issue contributing to this situation. Continued rainfall is forecast, raising concerns about additional damages to crops already affected.
Heavy rainfall has triggered severe waterlogging in grain markets across Punjab and Haryana, leading to significant damage to lakhs of quintals of stored paddy. Visuals from the site show rows of grain sacks lying submerged in rainwater, sparking outrage among local farmers. In Fazilka, the grain market was inundated following recent rains, leaving vast quantities of harvested grain soaked and damaged. Farmers at the site highlighted the lack of drainage infrastructure as the primary cause of the destruction. Speaking to ANI, Naresh Kumar, a farmer affected by the flooding, expressed deep frustration over the recurring issue. There is no outlet for the water to recede, which caused us a lot of damage. Several of these sacks belong to me. You can see the condition now. It always rains and water always enters here; had it receded, things would not have been bad, he said. Lamenting the loss of six months of hard work, Kumar added, We have suffered losses. We grew crops for six months,...
Haryana Congress leaders gather at Hooda's residence ahead of INDIA bloc's march to SC
Ahead of the INDIA bloc's march to the Supreme Court on Monday, Haryana Congress leaders, including Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), gathered at the residence of senior party leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The legislators and senior party functionaries assembled at Hooda's residence in New Delhi to formulate their strategy before joining the INDIA bloc's mega demonstration heading towards the apex court. Speaking to reporters, Haryana Congress MLA Manju Choudhary asserted that the entire opposition has mounted concerted pressure on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government through sustained agitation under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. The entire Opposition has surrounded the BJP Government. Rahul Gandhi led numerous protests. CJP and others protested on the 10th. Today, the entire Congress party will protest, Choudhary said. Issuing a strong remark against the Election Commission, the Congress legislator...
Removing Inconsistencies, Reducing Friction
The 57th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, held on 8 October 2026 in New Delhi under the chairpersonship of Honble Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, marked a decisive shift in Indias indirect tax journey. The participants included Chief Ministers of Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Meghalaya, Deputy Chief Ministers of Manipur and Telangana, the Finance Ministers and senior members of States/Union Territories with Legislative Assembly, Secretary, Department of Revenue, Chairman and Members of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance. Coming roughly a year after the major rate rationalization that introduced a predominantly two-rate structure (The Next-Gen or GST 2.0 Reforms of September 2025), this meeting deliberately set rate changes aside. Instead, it focused on reforms, refunds, registrations, returns, process, compliance, enforcement, and ease-of-doing-business reforms that many observers are describing as the operational backbone of GST 3.0. Finance Minister made it clear that rate-related matters would henceforth be taken up only once a year in a dedicated meeting. The 57th Council concentrated on removing inconsistencies, reducing friction for genuine taxpayers, speeding up cash flows, and recalibrating enforcement towards a more trust-based system while retaining deterrence against fraud. Most of the recommended process reforms are slated for implementation from 1 April 2027, giving businesses and tax administrations time to prepare. From Rate Rationalization to Process Maturity The 2025 rate reforms had simplified the multi-slab structure, reduced rates on a large number of items, and aimed to correct inverted duty structures in several sectors. Early data presented around the meeting indicated healthy growth in taxable supplies and improved reporting of supplies to consumers, suggesting the rate changes had broadened the base without collapsing revenue. With the rate architecture largely settled, the natural next phase was to address the day-to-day pain points that still plagued businesses like delayed refunds, complex registration amendments, blocked or disputed input tax credit (ITC), high compliance burden on small taxpayers, and an enforcement framework that sometimes felt disproportionate. Enforcement Reforms The most widely reported decisions concerned enforcement. The Council recommended the complete removal of the power of arrest under GST (by omitting the relevant provision, commonly referred to as Section 69 of the CGST Act). Arrest powers had long been a source of anxiety for the business community, their withdrawal signals a clear preference for prosecution only after a proper case is built, rather than anticipatory action. Complementing this, the monetary threshold for launching prosecution was raised five-foldfrom `1 crore to `5 crore. Minimum mandatory punishments were also recommended for removal, leaving the nature of penalty (fine, imprisonment, or both) to judicial discretion. The general penalty under section 125 was proposed to be reduced from `25,000 to `10,000. A materiality threshold of `10,000 was introduced for the issuance of show-cause notices & no notices for demands below this amount (covering CGST, SGST/UTGST, IGST and Cess combined), with existing low-value notices to be withdrawn. These changes collectively aim to reserve criminal and heavy civil proceedings for serious cases while treating routine errors and delays through recovery, interest, and proportionate penalties. Automated Refunds Refunds have historically been one of the biggest sources of working-capital stress, especially for exporters and businesses facing inverted duty structures. The Council approved significant process improvements. The time limit for acknowledging a refund claim (or issuing a deficiency memo) was cut from 15 days to 10 days, with deemed acknowledgement, if the tax authority fails to act. A large proportion of eligible refundsreports mention around 90 per cent in many casesare to be sanctioned automatically within a few working days of acknowledgement on a risk-based basis. Cash-ledger refunds are expected to become fully automatic. Crucially, the inverted-duty-structure refund facility was expanded. Refunds of accumulated ITC on input services will be available for credit availed on or after 1 November 2026. Refunds relating to plant and machinery (for both exporters and inverted-duty cases) are proposed from 1 April 2027, to be spread over 60 months. These measures should free locked-up capital for manufacturers and exporters. Expansion of Input Tax Credit Scope The Council broadened the scope of eligible ITC. Credits will now be available on health and life insurance premiums paid for employees, telecommunication towers, and pipelines laid outside factory premises. Certain other previously restricted items, such as free samples and goods requiring destruction on expiry, also received relief. These changes reduce the cost of doing business and improve the integrity of the credit chain. A standing officers committee was recommended to examine residual issues around ITC eligibility, particularly protection of genuine buyers from supplier defaults under Section 16(2)(c) of GST Act, 2017. Registration, Returns and Small-Taxpayer Relief Registration & cancellation processes are to become more automated. Routine amendments (including addition of places of business) will see a high percentage of automatic approvals. Low-risk registrations already benefit from three-day automated processing, the system is expected to cover a larger share of applicants. Small e-commerce sellers received facilitative norms, including possible use of the operators warehouse as the principal place of business under certain ITC limits. For the smallest businesses, the Council approved in principle an optional scheme under which taxpayers with turnover up to `5 crore, who supply only to consumers (B2C), may file a single annual return while paying tax quarterly. This is estimated to benefit a large number of the smallest filers who collectively contribute a very small share of total tax liability, thereby reducing compliance costs without significant revenue risk. Detailed rules are to be finalized at a subsequent meeting. Movement of Goods and Other Facilitation Physical interception of goods in transit is to be restricted and vehicles may be stopped only by officers of the suppliers or recipients state, and only on the basis of specific intelligence and proper authorization. This should reduce harassment and delays at check-posts. Measures to facilitate export of services and improve GST Seva Kendra support for multi-jurisdictional taxpayers were also endorsed. Faceless assessment for certain CGST taxpayers registered across states is on the roadmap. Significance & Conclusion: In summary, the 57th GST Council decisions represent a maturation of the GST system. After nearly a decade of implementation and a major rate overhaul, the focus has shifted to making the tax administration itself simpler, faster, more predictable, trust based tax regime, and less adversarial for compliant taxpayers. The reforms address long-standing trade & industry grievances while preserving the ability to pursue serious evasion. Implementation from April 2027 will test the systems capacity to deliver automated processes reliably and to maintain revenue buoyancy. Businesses should watch for the detailed notifications, circulars, and statutory amendments that will give legal force to these recommendations. Early preparationupdating internal processes, training staff on new ITC eligibility, and monitoring refund claimswill help capture the intended benefits. For Indias broader ease-of-doing-business agenda and formalization drive, the 57th meetings emphasis on process excellence under the GST 3.0 umbrella is a welcome and necessary evolution. In the 10th. Year of GST since its implementation in July, 2017, the GST 3.0 Process Reforms has moved to much maturity phase for a trust based tax regime. Author is All India Master Trainer in GST & writes on Indirect Taxes. Presently works as State Taxes Officer in Srinagar.
Community-led model to tackle drug abuse in 300 Haryana villages
The voluntary, non-political initiative has been launched by the Haryana Professional Forum and Jind Social Forum, a network of volunteers with roots in Haryana
The Missing Industry Behind Kashmirs Apple Economy
Jammu and Kashmir's has written well its apple production success. But created a value-capture problem. The region has steadily expanded orchard productivity through high-density plantations, planting material and production subsidies, but downstream processing has not kept pace. J&K produced around 21.4 lakh tonnes of apples in 2023, yet only 23 per cent of production is processed locally, according to NITI Aayog (2026). The central question for the horticulture economy, therefore, is no longer how to produce more apples, but how to ensure that a greater share of the value generated by those apples remains within J&K. The uncomfortable part is that this is not a newly discovered problem. A study covering the 201112 apple economy estimated that 3.22 lakh tonnes of surplus Grade-C apples were available for processing, while only around 30,000 tonnes of Grade-C and culled apples were being processed into apple concentrate (Bhat et al., 2019). More than a decade later, NITI Aayog still reports that only 23 per cent of the crop is processed, together they reveal a persistent structural gap that J&K has repeatedly expanded its capacity to produce apples without building a comparable capacity to transform them. This exposes a limitation in a production-centred policy approach. Subsidising orchards and increasing productivity are relatively straightforward interventions can all be measured. Industrial value addition is more demanding. It requires processing plants, reliable electricity and logistics, quality standards, assured procurement, cold chains, skilled labour, market development and investment that can survive beyond a single harvest season. The success of horticultural policy cannot therefore be measured only by how many tonnes Kashmir produces. The farmer's position in the value chain also needs greater attention. Research on Kashmir's apple marketing system has shown that market channels, infrastructure and access to market information influence growers' share of the consumer price (Rashid et al., 2024). This means that improving production without improving the institutions through which produce is aggregated, stored, processed and sold may leave the basic distribution of value largely unchanged. While around 1520 per cent of total apple production is culled and only about 23 per cent of culled apples are processed for concentrate production, (NITI Aayog, 2026). The NITI Aayog also estimates in its 2026 report Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, that about 60 per cent of apples are marketed outside the Union Territory. While land and policy attention have increasingly moved towards high-value horticulture, Jammu and Kashmir remains food-grain deficient. A review of the ricewheat system in Kashmir notes that the Union Territory imports around 7 lakh metric tonnes of food grains annually and links the problem partly to the shrinking area under rice and other food crops. More recent reporting puts the imbalance in sharper terms. Kashmir is reported to produce around 0.45 million tonnes of food grains against an annual requirement of 1.34 million tonnes, leaving a gap of nearly 0.89 million tonnes. The report says the gap is being met through supplies from Punjab, Haryana and other grain-producing states. The contradiction is difficult to ignore. Kashmir is increasingly specialised in a high value crop whose raw produce is extensively marketed outside the region, and it remains dependent on outside supplies for a substantial share of basic food grains. If Kashmir exports fresh and graded apples but imports a substantial share of its food grains, the region risks remaining concentrated at the lower end of multiple value chains, producing agricultural raw material while purchasing higher-value products from outside. The distinction between production and value capture is therefore central. A tonne of apples sold as raw fruit generates one set of economic returns. The same tonne transformed into concentrate, juice, pectin, cider, processed food or branded products can support a much wider industrial ecosystem. The economic objective should be to move a greater share of that transformation into Kashmir. For years, the emphasis of agricultural policy has been on increasing production new plantations, high-density orchards, improved planting material and higher yields. But an orchard cannot be the endpoint of an agricultural strategy. Every additional tonne of apples should raise a second question, where will the additional value be created? The emerging policy framework does recognise some of these requirements. NITI Aayog's Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir @2047 proposes processing facilities, small-scale minimal-processing units, branding and GI promotion, private-sector participation and a proposed Horticulture Development Fund (NITI Aayog, 2026). The significance of the roadmap will ultimately depend on implementation. After years in which production expansion has been easier to see than downstream industrialisation, the test is whether these proposals can create a functioning value chain on the ground. The 2047 horticulture vision should therefore adopt a different set of indicators. Alongside production, J&K should track value added per tonne, the share of apples processed locally, farmer share in the final consumer price, utilisation of processing capacity, the quantity of C-grade fruit absorbed by industry, post-harvest losses, horticultural employment and the number of producer-owned enterprises operating downstream. These measures would tell us whether the region is merely producing more apples or actually building a stronger apple economy. Otherwise, the paradox remains stark: a region producing millions of tonnes of high-value fruit, processing only a tiny fraction of it locally, while importing a substantial quantity of food grains for its own consumption. The question, then, is not whether Kashmir should produce more apples. It is whether Kashmir can move beyond producing and grading apples to processing, branding and industrialising them and retain a much larger share of the value its orchards already create. (The author is a Climate Reality Leader and Masters Student at the Department of Economics, IUST. He can be reached at tuhaq220@gmail.com)
Haryanas first tourist police post opens at Mansa Devi temple on Navratra Day 1
A problem of plenty in Haryana, Punjab as paddy glut sparks farmer distress
A bumper paddy harvest has led to procurement delays, mandi congestion and storage pressures in Haryana, while Punjab faces similar challenges as its procurement season gathers pace.
Jantar Mantar police action sparks political storm in Haryana
Merit hiring brought transparency, replaced corruption in Haryana: CM Saini
Haryana opens first tourist police post at Mansa Devi temple
Haryana approves Rs 40 crore for Agroha Dham excavation, says minister
Jantar Mantar police action triggers political storm in Haryana; women leaders allege misconduct
Lad leads Mumbai's Ranji fight as Jaiswal falls for a duck
Skipper Siddhesh Lad's unbeaten 80 and Musheer Khan's 65 guided Mumbai to 249 for five against Chandigarh. Karan Lamba's unbeaten 103 and Rohan Rajbar's 95 propelled Rajasthan to 286 for 4 against Tamil Nadu. Elsewhere, Anshul Kamboj took four wickets for Haryana, and Devendra Singh Bora claimed five wickets for Uttarakhand.
Weather Tomorrow: The India Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory for various Indian regions for October 12. While Delhi anticipates a pleasantly warm day with minimal chances of rain, states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh will bask in mostly dry weather amid hazy sunshine. On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh may experience rain and thunderstorms, with warnings also issued for Haryana regarding possible thunderstorms and strong winds in the evening.
Haryana cabinet gives nod to amendments to Agniveer policy for gainful employment
Under the approved amendments, Ex-Agniveers will be exempted from all types of examinations prescribed for direct recruitment to Group-C posts covered under the policy, says CM Nayab Singh Saini
Haryana Cabinet Celebrates PM Modis 25 Years of Public Service
The Haryana Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Saini, passes a resolution honoring PM Modis 25 years of service and discusses state development. Haryana Cabinet Celebrates PM Modis 25 Years of Public Service
Women police personnel lead crowd control efforts during protest
Around 3,500 women personnel, including those from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, were deployed across central Delhi; officers took the lead in negotiating with protesters and carrying out detentions
After high deletions, Gurgaon logs most Form 6 applications in Haryana
Punjab BJP Promises Minimum Support Price for All Crops, Echoing Haryanas Model
Punjab BJP pledges to implement MSP for all crops, criticizing the AAP government for neglecting farmers needs. Punjab BJP Promises Minimum Support Price for All Crops, Echoing Haryanas Model
Haryana transfers Rs 1,634 cr to 50L beneficiaries; CM sets 10-day deadline for road plaints
Haryana raises Lado Lakshmi income ceiling to 1.8L, relaxes recruitment rules for ex-Agniveers
Deepender Hooda alleges vote theft in Haryana, slams BJP over police action against youth
Haryana Cabinet passes resolution highlighting PM Modis 25 years of public service
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 10 (IANS) The Haryana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on Saturday passed a thank-you resolution on the completion of 25 years of public service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the head of the government. While interacting with the media after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Saini said Haryana used to be number one from the bottom in the country, but thanks to the Prime Minister's visionary thinking and welfare policies, it is now number one from the top. During the Prime Minister's Sankalp Yatra, people were informed in detail about benefits for every individual, empowering poor people, and making life simple and convenient. He said the Congress ruled for 55 years, while PM Modi prepared the vision of a Viksit Bharat in 12 years. On this occasion, the Chief Minister appealed to farmers not to burn stubble during the paddy season. Stubble pollutes the environment. The government has made arrangements for stubble management. Farmers should take advantage of them. The Chief Minister said the Prime Minister had benefited crores of citizens by providing GST relief during the previous year, which was widely discussed across the country. In this way, the Prime Minister has worked to take the country to greater heights at the global level. Only a visionary leader can do this work. However, the Opposition made fun of this as well. He said people with vision never make fun. By making fun, the Opposition has harmed humanity. The BJP has also won the recent municipal and by-elections, and the condition of Congress is going to deteriorate further in the 2029 elections. The Chief Minister said the Congress is only misleading the youth. However, the youth know their character and face very well. He said today's youth need to be informed in detail about PM Modi's policies. The youth do not have complete information about the misdeeds of the Opposition. Chief Minister Saini said a few days ago, while a protest was taking place at Jantar Mantar on one side, one lakh youth participated when he launched the anti-drug campaign in Yamunanagar. There is no shortage of talent among the youth of Haryana, and it should be utilised positively. Only with their cooperation will the resolve of a Developed India be fulfilled, he added.
Haryana Cabinet approves continuation of Sixth Finance Commission recommendations
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 10 (IANS) The Haryana Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini here on Saturday, approved the continuation of the recommendations of the Sixth State Finance Commission for the devolution of funds to rural and urban local bodies from 2026-27 until the recommendations of the next Finance Commission come into force. The decision has been taken as the Seventh Finance Commission has not yet submitted its report to the government. Accordingly, as per the established precedent, the approved recommendations of the Sixth State Finance Commission will continue to serve as the basis for the distribution of funds to local bodies during this period. Under the approved framework, seven per cent of the states Own Tax Revenue (SOTR), on an actual basis, will be devolved to local bodies. The distribution of funds to Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies will be based on a weightage of 80 per cent for population and 20 per cent for area. For Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis, the distribution will also be based on population data available on the Parivar Pehchan Patra Portal as of December 31 of each year. The inter-se distribution among Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads will be maintained in the ratio of 75:15:10, respectively. As per the approved framework, the local bodies will be permitted to utilise not more than 30 per cent of the devolved funds for pavement of streets. The framework also stipulates that the actual revenue of Urban Local Bodies must be at least 85 per cent of their budgeted revenue, as reflected in the audited accounts of the previous year. In case of non-compliance, the Urban Local Bodies concerned will face a 20 per cent reduction in their recommended share of the state Finance Commission grant due to them in the current year. The Cabinet also approved key amendments to the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana to extend the benefits of the scheme to more eligible women, simplify its implementation and strengthen the delivery of financial assistance. Under the approved amendments, the annual family income eligibility limit under the scheme will be increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh. The scheme aims to promote womens empowerment by strengthening their financial independence and providing social security. At present, more than 10 lakh women are benefiting from the initiative.
INDIA bloc leaders in J&K hold protest under Save Democracy Week campaign
Digital Desk | Srinagar, Oct 10 (IANS) INDIA Bloc leaders belonging to different political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday carried out a joint protest under the nationwide Save Democracy Week and Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao campaign. For the first time, political rivalries belonging to the Congress, National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday came out together to stage a joint protest here. The protesters attempted to start a protest march from the Congress headquarters on the Maulana Azad Road, but were stopped by police personnel deployed in strength to prevent the march. They were forced to withdraw into the compound of the Congress, where they subsequently staged a symbolic protest within the office premises. The INDIA bloc protesters were carrying flags of the Congress, NC and PDP. Congress leaders accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of undermining the Constitution and democratic institutions. Protesters said they were holding a joint peaceful protest and that there is one united voice from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari that Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister and Home Minister, should go. The leaders also criticised restrictions imposed in Delhi, including curbs on movement and internet services, and alleged that democratic freedoms were under threat. The INDIA bloc leaders urged people across the country to unite in defence of the Constitution and democratic institutions. The Save Democracy Week campaign (also known as the Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao or Save Vote, Save Country campaign) is a nationwide political movement launched by the opposition INDIA bloc, being held from October 2 to October 8, 2026 (with extended regional demonstrations following into mid-October). The protests and rallies target the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, following reports that millions of voters faced exclusion or list modifications. The demands include the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, halting or reviewing the SIR process of voter lists, restoring the selection process for Election Commissioners based on the Supreme Court's committee model (comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Justice of India), and protecting Article 326 and citizens' universal adult suffrage. Opposition parties organised marches and protests aimed at the ECI and Parliament, demanding institutional transparency. In J&K, joint protests by the INDIA bloc (including Congress, NC, and PDP) took place in Srinagar and Baramulla, featuring rallies and effigy-burning demonstrations outside party offices. Rallies, press meets, and collectorate marches were organised across states including Jharkhand (Ranchi), Telangana (Hyderabad), Assam (Diphu and Karbi Anglong), Haryana (Chandigarh) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Major INLD Reshuffle in Haryana: Ex-MLA Raghu Yadav Named National General Secretary
Star Power Meets Exuberance Of Youth As 92nd Ranji Trophy Season Kicks Off From Sunday
T20 World Cup: The 92nd edition of the Ranji Trophy begins from Sunday, with much-needed star power meeting the exuberance of youth in India's premier domestic red-ball competition. The first round will see a handful of high-profile India internationals feature before joining the India A squad for the shadow three-game red-ball tour of New Zealand. With everyones attention on India's T20 World Cup defence at home, the Ranji Trophy happenings initially flew under the radar before exploding on to the spotlight as Jammu & Kashmir clinched their historic maiden title triumph in Hubbali led by Auqib Nabis 60 scalps, which led to him getting an international debut against the West Indies in Guwahati ODI last month. As J&K prepare to defend their crown and whether they will be able to do it will make for an interesting watch. The Paras Dogra-led side will be aiming to bounce back against Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar after suffering a defeat to Rest of India in the Irani Cup. The opening round of the 2026/27 season is set to be a blockbuster. KL Rahul (Karnataka), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai), Ravindra Jadeja (Saurashtra), Mohammed Siraj (Hyderabad), Manav Suthar (Rajasthan), Washington Sundar (Tamil Nadu), Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep (Bengal) are set to feature in the first round for their respective teams. For some, the Ranji Trophy will be a crucial window for pressing claims for being back in national reckoning like for Mumbais Sarfaraz Khan and Karnatakas Karun Nair. Youngsters such as Mumbais Ayush Mhatre and Jharkhand's left-handed opener Shikhar Mohan will look to enhance their reputation in red-ball cricket. Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who toiled hard to claim 37 wickets last season, is also back in action. Shami, who along with Mukesh and Akash, will be in Bengal, who take on Delhi in Kalyani, will be eager to break back into the Test set-up after seeing his India new-ball partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar earn a T20I recall for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. Delhi, meanwhile, restart their race for red-ball glory by sporting a revamped support staff following the appointments of former India wicketkeeper-batter Vijay Dahiya as head coach and Rajkumar Sharma, childhood coach of batting stalwart Virat Kohli, as the team mentor. Eyes of the four-member selection panel will also be on Vidarbha's Harsh Dubey, Praful Hinge, Yash Rathod, and Uttar Pradesh leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari. Seasoned campaigners such as Umesh Yadav (Punjab), Harshal Patel (Gujarat), Mandeep Singh and Hanuma Vihari (both Tripura) will shoulder vital mentorship roles. While the opening round belongs to India's marquee names, the coming weeks will test if a new crop of domestic heroes can rise from the relative obscurity to reshape the national red-ball talent pool. With Arunachal Pradesh at risk of forfeiting their game against Nagaland due to the ongoing legal dispute between two factions of the Arunachal Cricket Association (ACA), it remains to be seen when the legal deadlock will end so that the states cricketers dont miss out on a season of showcasing their talent. Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season groups: Group A: Bihar, Baroda, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Pondicherry, Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha. Group B: Karnataka, Andhra, Saurashtra, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Tripura, Punjab, and Assam. Group C: Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Services and Odisha. Group D: Mumbai, Rajasthan, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Railways. Plate Group: Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. First Round games to be broadcasted: - Jammu & Kashmir vs Madhya Pradesh JioHotstar and Star Sports Khel First Round games to be broadcasted: - Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Rohtak Police stop protesters, end up surrounded by villagers
Haryana: With large-scale police detentions occurring across New Delhi, neighbouring Haryana has pulled an uno-reverse: Villagers in Rohtak district are refusing to let police personnel leave after they arrived to detain people associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). A video from Kabilpur village has surfaced where police officers are surrounded by the villagers. The 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 .
IMD Weather Alert: Thunderstorms and Gusty Winds to Hit Delhi-NCR and North India Today
The IMD has issued urgent thunderstorm and lightning alerts for Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Haryana for October 10-11, 2026. Expect gusty winds of 30-50 kmph. Follow these essential safety tips for commuters and students to stay safe during the weather event.
Video Of Panipat Garbage Truck Dumping On Road Falsely Linked To Delhi Protest
BOOM found that the video is from Panipat, Haryana, where sanitation workers staged a protest and dumped garbage on the road in August, 2026.
Drones, Bodycams, Detention Centres: Delhi Police Deploys High-Tech Surveillance Amid CJP Protest
Delhi is on high alert ahead of the Cockroach Janata Partys proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Delhi Police has deployed over 35,000 police and paramilitary personnel, with around 7,000 protesters expected despite the denial of permission. Security measures include drones, body cameras, CCTV cameras, facial recognition systems and rooftop spotters. Police have identified six detention centres and directed personnel to maintain restraint while handling demonstrators. Additional women police personnel have been called in from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Authorities have also announced traffic diversions across central Delhi, while Metro station closures and internet restrictions have been reported in parts of the capital. The protest concerns alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Legistify Crosses 350+ Enterprise Clients as AI Adoption Reshapes Indias Legaltech Market
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], October 9: Indias legal technology market is entering a different phase. Enterprise buyers who once treated legal software primarily as a back-office utility are increasingly evaluating AI-enabled
Haryana Cabinet to Discuss Increasing Income Limit for Ladli Laxmi Scheme
The Haryana Cabinet will consider raising the income limit for the Ladli Laxmi Scheme in an upcoming meeting focused on social welfare initiatives. Haryana Cabinet to Discuss Increasing Income Limit for Ladli Laxmi Scheme
No Coaching, Used ChatGPT: Haryana Woman Ranks 5th In Civil Services Exam
Haryana Civil Services Exam 2025 Result: Chhavi said she stayed away from social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram during her preparation. She also used ChatGPT to understand subjects and gather information while studying.
Police visit mosques, ask people to avoid going to Jantar Mantar
Holding centres set up in all districts for protesters detained en route; women police personnel from U.P., Haryana called in to handle female demonstrators; shops in C.P., Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh to remain shut today; schools, colleges go online
CAQM summons officers as Haryana fails to install ANPR cams at 2.7k fuel stations
SC Justice Sheel Nagu recuses from Punjab plea against CBI probe
Supreme Court Justice Sheel Nagu recused himself from hearing the Punjab government's appeal against a high court order. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed a CBI probe into corruption allegations involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office. Justice Dipankar Datta noted the current challenging circumstances facing the judiciary. The case will be reassigned to a different bench by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
Security tightened along Haryana-Delhi border ahead of CJP protest
Congress decries crackdown on 'Vote Bachao' stir; Haryana cadre to march to Delhi
Haryana pushes 28-point reform agenda to woo investors, ease business rules
Opposition urges President to sack CEC, suspend SIR and restore '13.30 crore deleted' voters (Lead)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that President Droupadi Murmu asked the Opposition delegation to submit evidence to substantiate its allegations of vote chori (vote theft), as INDIA bloc leaders met her and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots. A 10-member delegation of INDIA bloc MPs, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and including Rahul Gandhi and Mamata All India Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee, met the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum alleging widespread electoral irregularities and an attempt to undermine India's democratic framework. The other members of the delegation were Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby, RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, and VCK President and MP Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan. In the memorandum, the Opposition claimed that elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal had been stolen, alleging large-scale manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral rolls in several Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The delegation, which said it represented Parliamentary parties accounting for more than 60 per cent of the country's population, urged President Murmu to intervene, describing the alleged electoral irregularities as a threat to the constitutional right to vote and the foundations of representative democracy. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said: I sat in quite an unbelievable meeting. First, we took a memorandum to the President of India. In that memorandum, we clearly stated that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar had conspired to destroy Indian democracy. We submitted a memorandum to the President of India, informing her that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are conspiring to destroy Indian democracy, LoP Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi also claimed: The President (Droupadi Murmu) in no way denied what we said, questioned what we said, or argued what we said. She accepted our statement and then told us that we needed to provide her with proof of 'election chori'. He added that the President had asked the delegation to furnish evidence backing its claims. She (President Murmu) asked us to provide evidence to substantiate what we have said. We will submit the evidence to her whenever she is available, he said. Rahul Gandhi described the meeting as satisfactory and announced that the Opposition would approach the Supreme Court on October 12 with a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The memorandum placed four major demands before the President: 1. Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and repeal of the 2023 law that, according to the Opposition, provides lifelong immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. 2. Immediate suspension of SIR and restoration of all 13.30 crore voters whom the Opposition alleges were illegally deleted from electoral rolls. 3. A return to paper ballots for all elections, replacing the existing EVM-based voting system. 4. Repeal of Assembly elections held over the preceding two years in which, the Opposition claimed, conclusive evidence of vote theft had been presented. The memorandum said that the right to vote, enshrined in Article 326 of the Constitution, was central to representative democracy. It maintained that the Election Commission was the constitutional custodian of this right and should be accountable for its decisions rather than operate without scrutiny. The Opposition also accused the Chief Election Commissioner of misleading the Supreme Court to cover up alleged electoral wrongdoing. The memorandum called for accountability and urged the President to use her constitutional position to ensure that its demands were addressed without delay. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said President Murmu had listened to the delegation patiently. Kharge said the INDIA bloc leaders had apprised the President Murmu of the agitation launched four days earlier over alleged vote theft and concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission. Mamata Banerjee said President Murmu had indicated that she would examine the memorandum and wanted supporting evidence. She (President Murmu) has asked us to send evidence, which we said we (INDIA bloc leaders) will do, Banerjee said, adding that the country was concerned about the state of democracy. The meeting followed several days of Opposition protests against the Election Commission, the SIR exercise and alleged electoral irregularities, with INDIA bloc leaders demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
No complaints in Keralam about deliberate denial of voting right, says Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
He says the present allegations against the ECI concerns removal of cores of names, adding Keralam has not seen complaints filed in this regard unlike States such as Maharashtra, West Bengal or Haryana
CM Mann's OSD Summoned By CBI Over Corruption Allegations
The CBI has issued fresh summons to Rajbir Ghuman, OSD to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in an alleged corruption case involving pecuniary benefits for managing postings of IAS and IPS officers. Ghuman failed to appear for questioning on Friday, leading CBI teams to paste summons on his premises. The case, registered on Tuesday following Punjab and Haryana High Court orders, also led to raids at eight locations.
Congress Can Defeat BJP in Haryana if Workers Unite Behind Rahul Gandhi, Says Kuldeep Sharma
Kuldeep Sharma believes Congress can defeat BJP in Haryana if party workers rally behind Rahul Gandhis leadership. Congress Can Defeat BJP in Haryana if Workers Unite Behind Rahul Gandhi, Says Kuldeep Sharma
Pro Wrestling League returns with blockbuster Season 6 in Delhi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) A total of 86 elite grapplers, including World leaders and Asian Games medallists, will feature in Season 6 of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) to be held at the KD Jadhav Arena from January 9 to 26, 2027. The launch of the much-anticipated next season will herald the return of the league to New Delhi with high-octane bouts to be held at the iconic KD Jadhav Wrestling Arena at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. Asian Games winners feted The launch event was headlined by the grand felicitation of Indias wrestling contingent following their medal-winning campaign at the Asian Games 2026. Star grapplers Sujeet Kalkal, who clinched a historic gold in the Mens Freestyle 65kg category, and Aman Sehrawat, fresh from adding an Asian Games gold to his Paris 2024 Olympic bronze, were honoured alongside fellow medallists Antim Panghal, Nitesh Siwach, Deepak Punia and Sunil Kumar. The six-member medal-winning contingent was felicitated, celebrating one of Indias strongest wrestling campaigns at the Asian Games in decades. Hosting Season 6 in Delhi is a key part of the Leagues plan to be staged in a different franchise city every season, taking PWL to varied fan bases across the country. Season 6 will feature six high-calibre franchises competing for the coveted crown: Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals, Haryana Thunders, Delhi Dangal Warriors, Maharashtra Kesari, Punjab Royals, and UP Dominators. Season 6 will showcase 86 world-class men and women grapplers, including 34 Olympians and Commonwealth, Asian Games, and World Championship medallists. The roster features global luminaries such as Japanese Olympic champion Yui Susaki, alongside Indias finest marquee names. The competition will be staged across nine Olympic weight divisions -- 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, and 125kg in the men's category, while the women's competition will be held in 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, and 76kg. To enhance television and digital engagement, PWL Season 6 will continue with the broadcast-optimised match structure of two rounds of three minutes (2 x 3). The format will once again feature the Power Minute, with all scoring points doubling during the final 60 seconds of a bout, creating high-leverage climaxes and adding further intensity to the action on the mat. Dayaan Farooqui, Chairman, Pro Wrestling League, said, Wrestling is deeply embedded in Indias sporting culture, and our wrestlers have consistently carried the nations pride onto the global stage. Season 6 of the Pro Wrestling League is a celebration of that rich legacy, while also taking the sport towards new global benchmarks. Our vision has always been to take the League to a different franchise city each season, bringing world-class wrestling closer to fans across the country. We are delighted to welcome some of the worlds finest wrestlers to Delhi and look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for fans while further strengthening the sports presence in India, he said. Akhil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Pro Wrestling League, said, Our objective for Season 6 has been clear: to build an elite, fan-first product that matches the expectations of todays sports audiences. Delhi is the perfect setting for this, bringing together Indias rich wrestling heritage with the energy of a city that has always embraced the sport. Bringing Season 6 to Delhi, the capital of India and a city with a deep-rooted wrestling culture, is therefore especially significant for us. Todays felicitation is a tribute to the athletes whose dedication continues to elevate Indian wrestling, while January will provide the stage for them to showcase their world-class talent and deliver an unforgettable experience for fans, he added. Aman Sehrawat, Olympic Medallist and Asian Games 2026 gold medallist, said, Winning medals at the Olympics and the Asian Games has been the reward for years of sacrifice, discipline and hard work. To be felicitated for these achievements and to receive this honour in Delhi, in front of the wrestling community and fans, feels truly special. Moments like these remind you of the journey you have undertaken and the people who have supported you along the way. As a wrestler, it is also exciting to see the Pro Wrestling League return to the capital, and I look forward to seeing the sport reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of wrestlers. Sujeet Kalkal, Asian Games 2026 gold medallist, said, The Pro Wrestling League has played an important role in my journey as a wrestler and has given me opportunities that have helped me grow both on and off the mat. Competing alongside and against some of the best wrestlers in the world gave me the confidence, exposure and belief to take on bigger challenges. To now be felicitated as an Asian Games gold medallist is a very special feeling, and it makes me realise how far the journey has come. PWL has been an important part of that journey, and I am excited to see it return to Delhi and continue giving young Indian wrestlers the platform to dream bigger. Building on a rich legacy, the Pro Wrestling League has delivered premier combat sports entertainment since its inception in 2015. Over five fiercely contested editions, the tournament has witnessed iconic rivalries and celebrated champions. Following the leagues high-octane Season 5, which culminated in defending champions Haryana Thunders edging Delhi Dangal Warriors in a thrilling 54 final, Season 6 is poised to set a new benchmark for competitive wrestling in India.
JP Nadda reviews major infrastructure projects in Himachal
Digital Desk | Shimla, Oct 9 (IANS) Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Friday reviewed major infrastructure and development projects in Himachal Pradesh, including national highway projects involving investments of Rs 55,103 crore and the Rs 15,624 crore Kishau Multipurpose Project, which has gained fresh momentum following its declaration as a national project. The comprehensive review covered national highways, rural roads, railway connectivity, healthcare infrastructure, hydropower, water resources and industrial development, with a focus on accelerating execution, resolving pending issues and ensuring that sanctioned funds translate into tangible benefits for the people. Nadda said the Union Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains committed to strengthening connectivity, expanding modern healthcare services and creating economic opportunities in the hill state through sustained investment and support. He emphasised that the state government must ensure effective utilisation of approved funds, timely administrative decisions and regular monitoring to prevent delays in projects of public importance. Highlighting the importance of infrastructure in a mountainous state, Nadda said road and rail connectivity were critical not only for mobility but also for enabling patients to reach hospitals, helping farmers and horticulturists access markets, promoting tourism and employment, and facilitating relief operations during natural disasters. He stressed that safety, construction quality and adherence to timelines must remain key priorities. The Rs 15,624 crore Kishau Multipurpose Project emerged as a key focus of the review following its declaration as a national project in September. An agreement signed on September 15 among Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi has paved the way for taking forward the long-pending project. Located on the Tons River along the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, the project is expected to boost water storage, irrigation and hydropower generation. Under the national project funding arrangement, the Centre will bear approximately 90 per cent of the financial burden, while the remaining cost will be shared by the participating states. Once implemented, the project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to around 97,000 hectares and generate an estimated 1,476 million units of clean hydropower. The review also took stock of other major water resources and energy projects, including the approximately Rs 7,000 crore Renukaji Dam Project and the Rs 1,800 crore Luhri Stage-I Hydropower Project.
Chief Secys apology exposes employee betrayal: Punjab BJP on DA case
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 9 (IANS) With Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha offering an unconditional apology before the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the ongoing dearness allowance (DA) case, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Kewal Singh Dhillon on Friday targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. He said the Chief Secretary's apology exposes the government's betrayal of employees. Dhillon said the BJP had consistently raised the issue of employees' pending dues and alleged that the Bhagwant Singh Mann government deliberately made mistakes in its petition before the Supreme Court against the High Court's order. He claimed that the move was aimed at delaying the matter until the Assembly elections, likely to be held in early 2027. Dhillon said the government was avoiding its responsibility. Instead of clearing employees' legitimate dues, it prolongs the legal battle, he said, adding that this was just the beginning and that more of the government's failures would come to light in the coming days. He said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann would eventually have to apologise to employees for betraying their trust. Dhillon questioned the government's spending priorities. He said the government spends crores of rupees on advertisements but has no money to clear pending DA arrears. He accused the AAP government of failing on several fronts, including payment of DA, tackling drugs, and maintaining law and order in Punjab. Dhillon said the government made tall promises to every section of society before coming to power but failed to fulfil them. Employees now approach the courts to secure their rightful dues, he said. He added that people recognised the gap between the government's promises and its performance. Dhillon said voters would hold the AAP government accountable in the upcoming elections. He said people were questioning its unfulfilled promises, treatment of employees and failure to address Punjab's worsening situation.
SC seeks response of States, UTs on plea alleging prolonged vacancies in power regulatory bodies
New Delhi, Oct 9: The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from 15 states and the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on a PIL filed by NGO Energy Watchdog seeking directions to ensure that their state electricity regulatory commissions are properly constituted under the law. The bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notice on the PIL filed by the NGO through lawyer Pranav Sachdeva. The petitioner has sought the apex court's directions directing the states and UTs to take all steps to comply with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, and with the directions of the apex court in a verdict of April 2018 regarding composition of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). The plea said there were several statutory infractions, such as prolonged vacancies in the offices of chairperson and members and the complete absence of a person of law on the Commission, across 230 SERCs in the 15 states and the UTs. In the 2018 ruling, the Supreme Court held that SERCs have the rappings of the court and must have a suitably qualified person of law as a member, the plea said. It said the commissions across several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, continue to lack a person of law despite this ruling. The plea said in Tamil Nadu, all three offices are vacant, while in Andhra Pradesh, the chairperson and member (technical) posts are vacant, and the Commission functions with a sole member (finance). It said that in West Bengal, only the chairperson's office has been created, and the incumbent does not have the required legal background. The plea said the failure strikes at consumers' access to justice under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution and, without the mandated person of law, consumers cannot get lawful adjudication of complaints under the Electricity Act. Consumers' access to that remedy cannot be made dependent upon indefinite executive inaction, the plea said. It sought directions to the states of West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim, and to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, directing the authorities concerned to file a reply disclosing the steps taken to ensure that their SERCs had been constituted in compliance with the Electricity Act provisions.
Haryana Teen Found Hanging In Classmate's House, Violent Protest Erupts
The incident took place in Shiv Shakti Enclave in the Titu Colony area on Thursday night, when Arjun, a resident of Sai Nagar Part-2 area, was found hanging at the girl's house, police said.
Eventions IPO to Open on September 30, 2026; Company Aims to Raise Rs. 38.12 Crore
IPO proceeds to support debt repayment, investment in subsidiary, working capital requirements and business growth Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], September 28: Eventions Limited (Company), a growing player in the MICE and
Of the 13 trains cancelled by North Western Railway, most are from Haryana
Thirteen Delhi-bound trains have been cancelled by North Western Railway for October 10 due to potential protests. These cancellations primarily affect trains originating from Haryana. The Cockroach Janata Party is leading the protests at Jantar Mantar, urging the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Allegations have been made that the government is restricting transport to curb participation in the demonstrations.
Haryana Approves Ballabgarh-Palwal Metro Extension Feasibility Report, DPR Sent To Centre
CUH Lab Assistant Recruitment 2026
Central University of Haryana (CUH) has published the Recruitment 2026 notification for the post of Lab Assistant. Applications by email will be accepted till 13 October 2026.
Delhi-NCR's toxic air may have role in gynaecological cancers, say experts
New Delhi, Oct 9: Long-term exposure to air pollution may have a role in development of gynaecological cancers, Delhi-NCR experts said, citing emerging research on the possible links between PM2.5 exposure, reproductive health and cancers of the female reproductive system. Experts explained that gynaecological cancers do not have a single cause, adding that environmental factors may contribute to the biological processes involved in cancer development. PM2.5 is of interest because prolonged exposure is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and systemic biological effects, Dr Rama Joshi, gynae onco surgeon and chairman, Gynae Oncology and Robotic Surgery, Fortis Gurugram, said. She said recent studies have reported associations between air pollution and certain aspects of women's reproductive health, raising questions about whether environmental exposure may also have a role in the broader cancer-risk environment. She said an association between pollution exposure and cancer does not mean that pollution directly causes cancer, adding that such evidence in gynaecological cancers is still evolving and findings have not been uniform across studies. More India-specific data is needed before drawing conclusions about causation, she said. Women should focus on the risk factors that we already know can be modified or monitored. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, managing diabetes and other metabolic conditions, understanding family history and seeking timely evaluation for abnormal bleeding remain important. Environmental pollution is an additional concern that deserves further scientific investigation, Joshi said. The experts also referred to a recent India-wide study that examined the relationship between environmental exposure and reproductive health among Indian women. The study reported that women exposed to PM2.5 levels above 40 micrograms per cubic metre had 24 per cent higher odds of delayed menarche and a 23 per cent higher hazard of early menopause. The researchers analysed National Family Health Survey data along with satellite-derived PM2.5 estimates and other environmental indicators. The analysis included nearly 1.8 lakh women aged 15-24 for menarche and nearly 3 lakh women aged 30-49 for menopause, with stronger associations reported in northern India, including areas such as Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and parts of Uttar Pradesh. Such findings are adding to scientific interest in how prolonged exposure to air pollution may influence hormonal and reproductive pathways in women. Researchers are also examining whether biological effects associated with PM2.5, including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular damage, could potentially contribute to conditions affecting hormone-sensitive tissues and the female reproductive system. Endometrial cancer, which develops in the lining of the uterus, is strongly associated with established risk factors such as obesity, prolonged oestrogen exposure, diabetes, increasing age and certain genetic conditions. Ovarian cancer has a different set of risk factors, including age, family history and inherited genetic mutations. The possibility that chronic environmental exposure could add to these established risk factors is an area of growing scientific interest. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter may have systemic effects beyond the lungs, potentially influencing inflammatory, hormonal and cellular processes that are relevant to cancer biology. The issue assumes greater relevance in Delhi-NCR, where women may be exposed to elevated PM2.5 concentrations repeatedly over many years. Fine particulate matter has been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress and other systemic effects, prompting scientists to examine whether these biological pathways could influence tissues beyond the lungs, including hormone-sensitive organs. Dr Joshi stressed that women should not interpret air pollution as a standalone cause of gynaecological cancer. Abnormal uterine bleeding, bleeding after menopause, unusually heavy or prolonged periods, persistent pelvic or abdominal discomfort, unexplained bloating and changes in urinary or bowel habits warrant medical evaluation, particularly when symptoms persist. With gynaecological cancers remaining an important health burden among women, experts said larger, long-term Indian studies involving Indian women are needed to further determine pollution as the important risk factor for gynaecological cancer. Dr Aditya Sarin, vice chairman, Medical Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, said the emerging evidence provides a reasonable basis to consider air pollution as a potential contributing factor in the cancer-risk environment. Chronic exposure to PM2.5 can promote inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular changes, which are mechanisms relevant to cancer development. The emerging association with reproductive health makes it important to investigate whether prolonged pollution exposure may also contribute to gynaecological cancers. While causation is yet to be established, the signal is important and deserves further study, particularly in highly polluted regions such as Delhi-NCR, Sarin said.
Haryana Civil Services Exam 2025 Result: Check Who Made It To The Final List
Haryana Civil Services Exam 2025 Result: The Commission has released the marks of candidates along with the roll numbers of all 316 candidates who appeared for the interview from October 3 to October 8.
Kabaddi Star Ritu Negi's Award Snub Sparks Outrage In Himachal
Arjuna Awardee and Indian kabaddi team member Ritu Negi was controversially dropped from Himachal Pradesh's cash award list for Asian Games gold medallists, reportedly due to her marriage in Haryana.
Delhi Police arrests two absconding MCOCA accused; recovers Rs 30 Lakh
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The Outer North District Police has arrested two absconding accused in a case registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) at Narela police station and recovered Rs 30 lakh, allegedly proceeds of crime, along with a Mahindra Thar vehicle, officials said on Friday. The police also busted a gambling den operated by one of the accused in the Lampur area, leading to the arrest of 10 people and the registration of a separate case under the Gambling Act. The case pertains to FIR No. 411/2020, registered under Sections 3 and 4 of MCOCA at Narela Police Station against an organised crime syndicate active in the area. Four accused had been arrested in the case before the latest arrests, according to the police. A dedicated team from Narela police station, acting on specific Intelligence and working under the supervision of senior officers, conducted raids following sustained efforts to trace the absconding accused. The arrested men have been identified as Vinod alias Khalifa, 39, son of Ishwar, and Vikas alias Vikky, 43, son of Naresh Kumar. Both are residents of Bakner in Delhi's Narela area. According to the police, Vinod has been previously involved in 10 criminal cases, while Vikas has six cases registered against him. During the investigation, police conducted a raid at the alleged gambling den in the Lampur area following Vinod's disclosure. Ten people were apprehended from the spot, and a separate case was registered under the Gambling Act. Acting on further information provided by Vinod, the police also raided his residence in Murthal, Sonipat district, Haryana. During the operation, they recovered Rs 30 lakh in cash, proceeds of crime, and seized a Mahindra Thar vehicle. The police said further investigation is underway to identify and trace other properties and assets acquired through criminal activities.
Justice Nagu was the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court immediately before his appointment on the Bench of the Supreme Court
Mann govt makes Gaurav Yadav regular DGP of Punjab after serving as acting chief since 2022
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 9 (IANS) The Punjab government on Friday appointed 1992-batch IPS officer Gaurav Yadav as the regular Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, issuing an official notification and ending the prolonged arrangement of having an officiating police chief. Yadav, 57, who has been heading the Punjab Police as officiating DGP since July 2022, was selected from a panel of three senior IPS officers recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The other two officers on the panel were Sharad Satya Chauhan and Harpreet Singh Sidhu. The appointment concludes a lengthy selection process that had remained pending for several months after the UPSC forwarded its panel to the state government in July. The issue had also come under judicial scrutiny. On October 1, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the state government to take an appropriate decision on appointing a regular DGP and sought a compliance affidavit from Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha by October 13. Yadav was initially assigned additional charge of the state police chief in July 2022, when the then DGP, V.K. Bhawra, proceeded on leave. At the time, Yadav was serving as Special DGP (Administration) and was also associated with the office of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. During his tenure as officiating DGP, Yadav led the state police force amid continuing challenges involving drug trafficking, gangster networks and law and order. Tackling organised crime, strengthening the anti-drug campaign and improving policing have remained key priorities for the state police. On consideration of the panel received from the Union Public Service Commission, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to appoint Shri Gaurav Yadav IPS as Director General of Police (Head of Police Force), Punjab, reads the order signed by Alok Shekhar, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home Affairs. It says Yadavs tenure will be for a minimum of two years from the date he assumes charge. It refers to the Supreme Courts directions dated September 22, 2006, and July 3, 2018, in the Prakash Singh and Others vs Union of India and others case on police reforms. His appointment as regular DGP formalises his position at the helm of the Punjab Police after more than four years in the officiating role. The development is also significant for the states police administration, which had faced questions over the prolonged continuation of an additional-charge arrangement.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Supreme Court judge, Justice Sheel Nagu, on Friday recused himself from hearing the Punjab government's plea challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order directing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of corruption involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajvir Ghuman and others. A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu was to hear the matter when Justice Datta observed that the case could not be heard by Justice Nagu. The Justice Datta-led Bench said it would sign an order directing that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for the constitution of another Bench. CJI Surya Kant, who is the master of the roster, will constitute a fresh Bench to hear the Punjab government's plea. The development comes a day after the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on the Punjab government's plea till Friday, after Justice Datta said the case file had reached the Bench late and Justice Nagu had not had the opportunity to examine the papers. During Thursday's hearing, senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the Punjab government, had sought protection against any precipitative action in the meantime. However, the Justice Datta-led Bench questioned how it could pass an interim order without examining the case file. When we haven't read the file, how can we? it had remarked. The Punjab government has challenged the High Court's October 5 order directing the CBI to take over the investigation into allegations of corruption arising from three letters written by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. The High Court had directed the CBI to register a case and submit a status report within two months, while asking the Punjab government and police to extend full cooperation to the central investigating agency. The ED had claimed that Ghuman and his associates, Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder, were interfering in administrative transfers and postings as well as government tenders, and had called for the registration of an FIR. After the Punjab Police did not register an FIR on the basis of the ED's communications, advocate Nikhil Saraf approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), seeking an independent probe by the CBI. The petition alleged that the communications contained serious allegations concerning persons linked to the Punjab Chief Minister's Office and sought a fair investigation free from the influence of the Punjab Police and Punjab Vigilance. The CBI has already registered an FIR in the matter and initiated an investigation pursuant to the High Court's directions. The agency also conducted searches at eight locations across Chandigarh and Punjab on Tuesday, including the Chief Minister's camp office in Chandigarh and premises linked to Ghuman in Sangrur and Mohali. On Wednesday, Ghuman and other associates were summoned to appear before the CBI's Chandigarh office in connection with the probe.
Raj saint death case: Body exhumed after 50 hours, autopsy to determine cause of death
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 9 (IANS) The body of a saint, Bannanath, was exhumed from his samadhi (burial site) in Sangasar village of Ratangarh tehsil in Rajasthans Churu district, nearly 50 hours after his burial. The body was shifted to the district hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination following allegations that he had been murdered. Police have registered a murder case against seven people and launched an investigation. The exhumation was carried out on the orders of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate under the supervision of Tehsildar Ankit Mimani, in the presence of medical and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams on Thursday. The post-mortem examination is expected to help establish the cause of death. According to the police complaint filed by Hansraj, son of Mohanlal and a resident of Dhaulpalia village in Haryanas Sirsa district, his younger brother Bannanath had renounced worldly life and become a sadhu in 2004. He had reportedly been living at Balaknaths ashram in Rawatsar for the past two years. Bannanath arrived in Sangasar village on September 30. According to the complaint, Balaknath called Hansraj on October 2 and asked him to attend a satsang (spiritual gathering), following which Hansraj travelled to Rawatsar on October 3. A day later, on October 4, Hansraj learned that Balaknath had left Bannanath with Bajrangnath in Sangasar village, reportedly saying he would return to take him back within a week. The complaint states that contact with Bannanath was subsequently lost. Hansraj alleged that his brother had a dispute with Balaknath and was beaten to death. He further alleged that the accused buried Bannanath in a samadhi without informing anyone, in an attempt to conceal the crime. These allegations are yet to be established through the investigation. Police have registered a murder case against Balaknath, Bajrangnath, Mukeshnath, Loonnath, Lakshminarayan and two other individuals, and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Bannanaths death. A police team led by Circle Inspector Sandeep Kumar was deployed at the site during the exhumation. A large number of villagers gathered at the spot as officials carried out the procedure. The incident triggered protests in the area, with villagers blocking the Salasar road and demanding action. Police personnel reached the spot and persuaded the protesters to clear the blockade. Traffic was restored after approximately an hour. The cause and circumstances of Bannanaths death will become clearer after the post-mortem examination and further police investigation.
Haryana Civil Services Examination 2025 Result Out, Sonipat's Abhishek Saroha Tops
Haryana Civil Service Exam 2025 Result: Abhishek Saroha from Sonipat secured the first rank with 394.50 marks out of 675. Kuldeep secured the second rank with 392.90 marks, while Isha Kala finished third with 388.60 marks.
Digital Desk | Noida, Oct 9 (IANS) The Emperia Marathas continued their impressive run in the Volleyball Champions League (VCL) as they registered another victory, defeating the Rajasthan Spikers 2-1 at the Noida Indoor Stadium. The Marathas started strongly and took control of the contest by winning the opening two sets 21-18 and 21-19. With a 2-0 lead, they needed just one more set to complete a clean sweep. However, the Rajasthan Spikers fought back in the third set and showed greater intensity to win it 21-18. Despite the comeback, the Marathas had already done enough in the first two sets to secure the match and register another important victory in the tournament. Rajasthan Spikers Aniket was named the Player of the Match, while Ashique V Alan of Emperia Marathas was adjudged the Impact Player. Reflecting on the victory, Ashique said, It feels really good to contribute to the teams win. We started the match well and were able to take control by winning the first two sets. Rajasthan fought back strongly in the third set, but we stayed composed and made sure we finished the match with the result in our favour. We will take the positives from this game and look to continue the same momentum in our upcoming matches. Haryana Hurricanes produced a strong performance to register a 2-1 victory over Delhi Dynamites in the second fixture of the day. The Hurricanes made a confident start, winning the opening two sets 21-20 and 21-19 to take a decisive lead in the match. With the match already in their favour, Haryana looked in control, but Delhi Dynamites fought back in the third set. The Dynamites showed good character to win the set 21-14, but it was not enough to prevent the Hurricanes from sealing the overall victory. Haryanas Chirag Yadav was adjudged the Player of the Match for his impressive performance, while teammate Tariq Saqlain was named the Impact Player of the match. Reflecting on the teams performance, Chirag said the side stayed composed during the crucial moments and executed their plans well. It was a good team effort. We knew Delhi would come hard at us, especially in the crucial points, so our focus was to stay calm and play each point on its merit. Winning the first two sets gave us confidence, and although we lost the third, we had done enough to secure the match. We are happy with the win and will look to build on this performance in the next game.
Delhi-NCR likely to witness light rain, strong winds; AQI remains moderate to poor
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The plains of North India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, may experience light rain, overcast skies, and strong winds over the next few days as weather conditions change amid the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. Cyclonic activity associated with the retreating monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall over the next three days, particularly across Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for 14 states, warning of heavy showers in several regions. The effects of the retreating monsoon are likely to be felt across West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days. Meanwhile, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to receive heavy rainfall between October 9 and 11. Delhi, Punjab and Haryana are likely to witness cloudy skies and light rain till October 14. Western and eastern Uttar Pradesh may receive rainfall from October 9 to 11. Light rain is expected in eastern Rajasthan on October 12, while Delhi-NCR may experience light showers accompanied by strong winds on October 10 and 11. Western Rajasthan is also likely to witness strong winds on October 11. According to the IMD, Uttarakhand is likely to receive heavy rainfall till October 14, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may experience heavy showers on Friday and Saturday and again on October 13 and 14. In Uttarakhand, districts including Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Rudraprayag have been placed under a heavy rain alert. The department has advised pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, particularly those visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath, to remain vigilant. In Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kullu, Manali and Shimla are likely to receive rainfall on October 13 and 14. Jammu and Kashmir may also witness significant weather changes, with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds forecast in areas including Doda, Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Udhampur and Srinagar. Bihar and Jharkhand are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas till October 11. Patna, Ranchi and Dhanbad are among the places where thunderstorms and lightning are possible. The IMD has also warned of heavy rainfall in Bihar and the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. Rainfall is expected to continue in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura until October 14. Eastern Madhya Pradesh may receive rain till October 11, while Chhattisgarh is likely to witness showers on October 14. Rewa, Satna and Shahdol in eastern Madhya Pradesh may experience rainfall accompanied by winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate to poor categories, with monitoring stations recording varying levels of pollution. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 231, followed by R.K. Puram at 219, Punjabi Bagh at 211, Narela at 210, and Pusa and NSUT Jaffarpur at 203 each. Other stations, including Burari, Badarpur, Mandir Marg, Aya Nagar, CRRI Mathura Road, Chandni Chowk, JNU, Burari Crossing, Ashok Vihar, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Jahangirpuri and Rohini, recorded AQI readings ranging from 115 to 198.
NDA States To Pass Cabinet Resolutions Celebrating Modis 25 Years In Power
NDA-ruled states are preparing to pass cabinet resolutions marking Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years as head of government. The resolutions will acknowledge his contributions and highlight central government schemes and achievements relevant to individual states. Uttar Pradesh and Assam are expected to lead the initiative, followed by Haryana and Delhi. In states without BJP or NDA governments, resolutions will be moved during meetings of BJP/NDA legislative parties. The Union Cabinet has already passed a resolution congratulating Modi on his 25 years of continuous leadership.
Mr. Manns remark came after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to probe corruption allegations linked to his office.
Bhagwant Mann Aide Goes To Court, Says Raid Illegal, Agency Had No Approval
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the CBI investigation and search conducted at his residence in Sangrur.
Gurugram rapid metro ridership jumps 11.6% to 88.8L; Haryana pushes mega transit expansion
Haryana GST mop-up hits Rs 10k crore in Sept, CM pitches relief for old disputes
Haryana CEO launches three-day drive to clear pending SIR notices
As part of the drive, 57,339 pending hearing cases were disposed on October 7 and 8, reducing the number of cases awaiting hearings to 2,85,834 of the total notices generated in the State
Haryana govt schools to face safety audit after students death
Ensure Regular Inspections Of Schools Through District & Block-level Officials: HHRC
CBI Arrests 4 in Multi-State Exam Racket
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four people, including a CGST inspector, in connection with an alleged impersonation and cheating network operating across Delhi, Bihar, Haryana and West Bengal.
Four Arrested As CBI Busts Exam Impersonation Ring
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dismantled an alleged impersonation and cheating network spanning Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, and West Bengal. Four individuals, including a CGST inspector, have been arrested for fraudulently infiltrating public examination selection processes by posing as candidates. The CBI's investigation is ongoing to identify further accomplices.
Dismiss poll commissioner after SC sets aside elections in Punjab, demands Akali Dal
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 8 (IANS) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to dismiss State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari following the Supreme Court's observations that the December 2024 nomination process and subsequent municipal elections were severely affected by violence, intimidation and obstruction. SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema also demanded that responsibility be fixed on all officials who allegedly assisted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in manipulating the municipal elections and called for exemplary action against them. Giving details, Cheema said a court-appointed fact-finding commission headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nirmaljit Kaur had confirmed that Opposition candidates were physically assaulted, prevented from filing nominations, or subjected to forced withdrawals and bogus voting. He alleged that Raj Kamal Chaudhari had ignored complaints regarding the alleged misuse of civil and police machinery during the elections. Now it has been proven beyond doubt that the State Election Commissioner murdered grassroots democracy under his watch. He does not have any right to remain in office, Cheema said. Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision, Cheema said the apex court's appointment of a monitoring committee headed by a retired judge to supervise re-elections in 28 wards in Patiala, all 15 wards in Baghapurana and seven wards in Dharamkot reflected a lack of confidence in the State Election Commissioner's ability to conduct free and fair elections. The SAD leader also criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the registration of cases against farmers accused of burning paddy stubble. He said the Chief Minister had earlier stated that no action would be taken against such farmers and that they would receive Rs 1,500 per acre to manage stubble. Cheema alleged that surveillance drones were now being used to identify stubble-burning incidents and cases were being registered against farmers. Seeking clarification from the Chief Minister, Cheema said farmers wanted to know whether any notification had been issued regarding the promised Rs 1,500 per acre compensation and when the amount would be released. He alleged that the AAP government had failed to provide farmers with either adequate machinery for stubble management or compensation.
Can Claim Delay Compensation Even After Possession, Rules Punjab & Haryana High Court
Strict Loan Norms in Haryana: Govt Staff Must Now Answer 24 Mandatory Questions to Secure Advances
Weather Tomorrow: On October 9, the Meteorological Department has raised alarms for heavy rain and thunderstorms in numerous areas. The Delhi-NCR region anticipates overcast conditions paired with light precipitation. Himachal Pradesh might encounter scattered showers, thunderstorms, and lightning. Meanwhile, Bihar and Haryana are expecting partly cloudy skies and occasional rain. Notably, several states, including Uttarakhand, will experience considerable rainfall on this date.
Women and Child Development Department, Haryana (Haryana Anganwadi) has released the official notification for Anganwadi Worker (AWW) and Anganwadi Sahayika (AWH) posts. The offline application process will begin on 08 October 2026, and the last date to apply is 30 October 2026.
CMs chopper parked on athletics track disrupts training of Haryana athletes in Gurgaon
State-level athletes in Haryana are experiencing significant disruptions in their training due to VIP helicopter landings. Recently, a helicopter was parked at the stadium, blocking access to the athletics track for four days. This has caused frustration among athletes who rely on the facility for practice and competition preparation. Coaches suggest that alternative landing areas should be identified to avoid further interruptions.
Court extends Judicial custody of three accused for 14 days in Astha Kunj Gang rape case
The Saket court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of three accused arrested in the Astha Kunj Park gang rape case. Delhi Police arrested three accused, namely Hemant, Mukesh and Asif, in a POCSO case. Special POCSO Judge Swati Sharma extended the judicial custody for 14 days. They were produced before the court through video conferencing after the expiry of the earlier judicial custody. Another case has been registered against Asif for the attempt to murder of the police team. The investigating officer moved an application seeking extension of judicial custody of all accused persons. He sought time to examine the call detail records (CDR) of the accused persons. Senior Public Prosecutor Wasi Ur Rehman Chaudhary appeared for the State and submitted that, as the investigation is ongoing, the judicial custody may be extended. All three accused are stated to be residents of Faridabad, Haryana. One of the accused is pursuing a law course. Accused Asif was arrested after an encounter...
CCS HAU Young Professional-II Recruitment 2026
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU) is conducting a Walk-in Interview for the post of Young Professional-II (YP-II). Candidates meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria can attend the interview on 22 October 2026 at office of Director of Research, CCS HAU, Hisar. Candidates should report at 10:00 AM.
Mann Links CBI Raids To BJP's Election Strategy In Non-BJP States
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the CBI raids on his OSD and others, alleging it's part of the BJP's election campaign strategy in non-BJP ruled states. The CBI registered a corruption case following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which noted prima facie evidence of corruption. Mann dismissed the allegations, stating his government is not involved in corruption and will cooperate with investigations.
Battle between two ideologies in country, Oppn wants to spread anarchy: Gaurav Bhatia
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Opposition parties, saying the country is currently witnessing a battle between two ideologies. He claimed that on one side is an ideology that respects constitutional values and serves the people, while on the other is the Opposition, which, he alleged, is weakening the Constitution and creating an atmosphere of anarchy. Addressing a press conference, Bhatia said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has served the people of the country within the constitutional framework for the last 25 years, first as Chief Minister and then as Prime Minister, while respecting the basic spirit of the Constitution. He said PM Modi's political journey was a source of inspiration and contrasted it with what he claimed was the Opposition's attempts to create an atmosphere of anarchy through its statements. The BJP spokesperson also raised the issue of municipal elections held in Punjab and levelled serious allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Citing a Supreme Court decision, he said a three-member Bench of the apex court had cancelled elections held in 50 municipal wards in Punjab. Bhatia said the development raised questions about the direction in which a party that had entered politics with the slogan of 'Swaraj', was heading. He alleged that under the AAP government in Punjab, the election process involved the misuse of government machinery and that Opposition candidates were not even allowed to file their nomination papers. He said the state government was responsible for the municipal elections held in May 2026. Taking cognisance of complaints and facts that emerged during the election process, the Supreme Court constituted a one-member fact-finding committee headed by a retired judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, he said. According to Bhatia, after examining and investigating the complaints, the committee submitted its findings to the Supreme Court. He said the findings raised serious concerns regarding the functioning of the democratic system. He alleged that people associated with the AAP had misused government machinery to prevent candidates from Opposition parties from contesting the elections. Bhatia said that if a candidate was not even given an opportunity to file nomination papers, it directly raised questions about the democratic process. He also questioned allegations made by Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, that democracy in the country was in danger or being murdered. He asked the Opposition to explain the basis of such allegations. The Opposition is making allegations regarding the 'end of democracy', but what is the basis of these allegations? When the Supreme Court itself takes cognisance of serious matters related to the election process and takes necessary action, the Opposition should have faith in constitutional institutions, Bhatia said. Those who talk about protecting democracy and the Constitution should also take a look at the functioning of their states and their political parties, he added. He said the Opposition's allegations lacked a solid basis and maintained that strengthening democracy required all political parties to respect the electoral process, constitutional institutions and the rule of law. He appealed to Opposition parties to present their views on the basis of facts and evidence rather than making allegations. Bhatia's remarks came amid a broader political confrontation between the ruling BJP and Opposition parties over issues concerning democratic institutions, elections and the functioning of the Election Commission. The Opposition has repeatedly raised concerns over the electoral process, while the BJP has rejected the allegations and accused Opposition parties of undermining constitutional institutions.
Gurugram stadium turns parking lot for Haryana CM's chopper, athletes lose access
Gurugram stadium turns parking lot for Haryana CM's chopper, athletes lose access
