IMD issues red alert in U'khand; heavy rain likely in Himachal, UP
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 27 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a warning regarding torrential rain and thunder strikes in Uttarakhand. Heavy rainfall is also anticipated in Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh. IMD has predicted rainfall in Delhi over the next three days. As rains lashed Uttarakhand on Saturday, the Meteorological Department issued a 'red alert' for the districts of Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, and Pauri. The Char Dham Yatra has been suspended in view of the adverse weather conditions. Meanwhile, temperatures have dropped sharply due to snowfall in the high-altitude areas of Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi. Due to the impact of a depression formed over north-eastern Madhya Pradesh and adjoining northern Chhattisgarh, heavy to very heavy rainfall -- and in some places, extremely heavy or exceptionally heavy rainfall -- is expected in Uttarakhand and parts of northern Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. According to the information shared by the IMD on the social media platform 'X', the depression formed over south-eastern Uttar Pradesh has moved north-northwestwards at a speed of 12 km/h over the past six hours. Consequently, it was located approximately 40 km southeast of Lucknow, 80 km east-northeast of Kanpur, 110 km south-southwest of Bahraich, and 260 km southeast of Bareilly. There is a high probability that it will continue moving north-northwestwards across eastern Uttar Pradesh and gradually weaken into a 'well-marked low-pressure area' in the same region over the next six hours. According to the Meteorological Department, the weather pattern in Delhi-NCR underwent a change following rainfall on Saturday evening. People experienced a slight chill on Sunday morning. The IMD has forecasted rain in the national capital over the next three days. Meanwhile, an 'orange alert' for rain has been issued for Jharkhand for Sunday. Additionally, a 'yellow alert' for rain has been issued for Madhya Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Marathwada, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. For Monday, a 'yellow alert' for rain has been issued for Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, while strong winds are expected in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Centre assures support to farmers battling drought, floods amid climate change
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the government is aiding farmers facing drought and floods. The Maharashtra government has declared drought in 74 percent of the state, prompting contingency plans. These plans recommend suitable crops for low rainfall areas and include established seed banks. Support will be coordinated with state governments to help farmers recover. Chouhan reassured farmers in flood-affected areas that assistance is on the way.
Govt to support farmers hit by drought, floods, says Shivraj Chouhan
The Centre will provide all possible support to farmers reeling from drought and floods in various states, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said, noting that the country is witnessing adverse effects of climate change. Contingency plans had been prepared and shared with states to guide farmers on suitable crops to grow in a shorter time during low rainfall, with seed banks and alternative arrangements in place, along with advisories issued to state governments, Chouhan told PTI Videos in Nagpur on Saturday. The Maharashtra government has declared drought in 74 per cent of the state. Chouhan said his ministry was in constant touch with the Maharashtra government over the drought situation. He said contingency plans for the affected districts were ready. We will provide every possible support to the farmers in coordination with the state government, he said. While some states in the country were dealing with floods, others have drought, the minister noted, addi
'The game against Japan was a good pinch for India': Sunil Gavaskar
The mens team were one good strike away from being beaten. That should keep them in fine fettle when they begin their Asian Games campaign. Theyll have to be watchful as the pitch will be uncertain and the outfields softness can be a concern
Man assaulted, robbed by two brothers in Maharashtra's Daund
Digital Desk | Pune, Sep 27 (IANS) A 29-year-old man was assaulted and robbed in the Daund area of Pune in Maharashtra, police said on Sunday. According to officials, Dinesh Bharat Dhanve was robbed, assaulted and threatened by the accused at Nehru Chowk area of the city. The latter was later joined by his brother, who verbally abused the victim. A case has been registered against both the brothers at the Daund Police Station under Sections 119(1), 118(1), 115(2), 324(4), 351(2), 352, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, officials said. The accused have been identified as Adarsh Anil Jadhav and Aman Anil Jadhav. According to the information received, the complainant was standing near the railway ground and talking on his phone. The accused allegedly approached him at that time and demanded money, asking, Why have you come to our area? When the complainant refused to move away, the accused damaged his mobile phone and slapped him, causing the victim to fall to the ground. Subsequently, accused Adarsh Jadhav attacked Dhanve, injuring his back, thigh, and head with an iron rod. Investigators said that during the assault, Rs 3,500 was forcibly taken from the victim's trouser pocket. Further, when the complainant called his relatives, the accused summoned his brother, Aman Anil Jadhav, to the scene; together, they verbally abused Dhanve and threatened to kill him. A case has been registered against both Adarsh and Anil. Further investigation into the case is underway. Meanwhile, in May, a case of medical fraud was reported from Daund, where a fake doctor illegally practising medicine was apprehended. Medicines, injections and cash amounting to Rs 6.54 lakh were seized from him, police said. According to the official information, the accused, identified as Omprakash Bansilal Swarnkar, had allegedly started an illegal clinic in the Akhadevasti area of Kasurdi village in Yavat without possessing any valid medical degree, registration with the Maharashtra Medical Council, or a license to sell medicines. The illegal operation was exposed after police personnel raided the clinic. During the raid, allopathic medicines of various companies, injections, syringes, bottles filled with suspicious unlabelled liquids, and cash were recovered from the place.
Guinness record: Turkey community cooks 6,840 litres of baked beans in giant pot
The city of Kelkits Chamber of Commerce and Industry worked alongside the Gumushane Governorship, to create the largest pot of baked beans in the world
Zelenskyy urges Trump to press Xi to help end Russia-Ukraine war
Zelenskyy told reporters he has not yet received feedback from the White House about Trumps talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping but expects to learn the outcome
Trump posts map labelling Strait of Hormuz as Trump Strait
The White House officials on Saturday only said that the US officials were having quite positive and constructive conversations about peace deals with mediators on the Iran war.
ECI extends Delhi SIR claims deadline to October 30, Maharashtra to October 12
The controversy spans objections raised by Joshi and Sandhu on issues such as changes to Form 6 used for new voter enrolment, the functioning of the online system ECINET, the redistribution of work in the IT division, appeals in the West Bengal SIR, and the handling of cases involving voters in Goa, for instance
Delhi govt plans police posts at subways, under flyovers after gang rape
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Saturday directed officials to finalise the project in coordination with the Delhi Police and implement it as soon as possible
The tragedy of Nandi and Surabhi
Even the hump, once associated in India with Shivas sacred symbol, the linga, is prized there as a delicacy.
If were being honest, Dhurandhar bhai, it is because of you that we may have lost out.
Search Continues for Missing Tourist in Uttarkashi After Fall on Gangotri-Gaumukh Trek
A tourist from Maharashtra remains missing after falling into a gorge on the Gangotri-Gaumukh trek, with rescue efforts hampered by bad weather. Search Continues for Missing Tourist in Uttarkashi After Fall on Gangotri-Gaumukh Trek
ECI clarifies: SIR decisions unanimous, upheld by SC
New Delhi, Sep 26: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturdayaddressed the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls,asserting that all major decisions, including the SIR order issued on June 24, 2025, for all States and Union Territories, were taken with the unanimous approval of the full Commission. The Commission also clarified that the letter to the Cabinet Secretary was ot related to any policy matter of the Commission or IT division but related to the working of an officer on deputation to ECI. Addressing the controversy directly at the Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr S S Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi,stated that the work re-distribution orders issued by the concerned officer were not actually implemented after the orders of the two Commissioners, and the oversight over the IT division by the DEC was never actually withdrawn. This clarification appears to counter the narrative that there was a breakdown in the Commission's internal functioning or that the IT division's oversight had been compromised. The Commission said the order for SIR issued on June 24, 2025, for all States and UTs, starting with Bihar, followed by West Bengal and 30 other States and UTs, was issued with the unanimous approval of the Commission. The same has been upheld by the Supreme Court of India vide its order dated May 27, 2026. The schedule for SIR for 12 States and UTs was issued on October 27, 2025, and for 19 States and UTs on May 14, 2026, again with the unanimous approval of the Commission. The final figure of the number of electors will be known only after final publication in the remaining 12 states of Phase-III, the CEC said. The Commission said SIR has already been completed in 20 States and Union Territories, including Bihar and West Bengal. Any person whose name has been left out during SIR or thereafter, and any person, including young and first-time voters, may apply to the concerned ERO for inclusion of their names in the electoral rolls under the process of continuous updation. The ECI said the CEOs have been directed to facilitate the same. The CEOs, DEOs and EROs will immediately launch a special drive for enrolment of these electors. The Commission extended the period for filing claims and objections in Delhi till October 30, 2026, and in Maharashtra till October 12, 2026. The period for disposal of notices and claims and objections has been extended till November 30, 2026, in Delhi and till November 10, 2026, in Maharashtra. BLOs will visit the homes of persons issued notices for being unmapped and for logical discrepancies, for collection of documents and uploading them on ECINet. Such persons need not be called for hearing to ERO/AERO offices. Only in exceptional circumstances, as decided by the ERO, will a hearing be held, preferably online, the CEC said. He said DEOs will create adequate help desks and hold special camps for people living in night shelters, labourers, poor people and homeless persons. A Committee headed by the Senior Deputy Election Commissioner and including an independent expert from IIT/IIIT will review ECINET to double-check that it complies with the provisions of the Acts and Rules.
Baramati among eight tehsils in Pune district in states list
11 tehsils reel, activists seek crop inspections
Maharashtra Congress Launches Statewide Protest Against Election Commission
The Maharashtra Congress plans a statewide protest on September 28, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner amid allegations of bias. Maharashtra Congress Launches Statewide Protest Against Election Commission
Blast of music outside anti-noise activists home in Narayan Peth
Safe visarjan procession matters more than short one: Pune CP Amitesh Kumar
PMC collects over 900 tonnes of waste during Ganeshotsav, over 6.7L idols immersed
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Demands Apology from Rahul Gandhi Over Election Commission Allegations
Maharashtras Deputy CM Eknath Shinde calls for a public apology from Rahul Gandhi for spreading false allegations against constitutional bodies. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Demands Apology from Rahul Gandhi Over Election Commission Allegations
As Ganapati celebrations end, work to dismantle intricate & grand pandals begins
20-year-old returning after visarjan dies after tractor runs over him
Solapur farmers turn failed crops into fodder after monsoon dries up
Visarjan roar hits jet engine level at 115.4 dB
ARAI starts certification service for drone manufacturers
Cop shoots self with service pistol; police suspect suicide due to family issues
Public sector & regional rural banks to stay open today for retailers
17-week rain deficiency scripts Maha drought story
Earthquake Strikes Palghar, Maharashtra with Magnitude of 3.6
A 3.6 magnitude earthquake hit Palghar, Maharashtra, on September 26, causing brief panic but no reported damage. Earthquake Strikes Palghar, Maharashtra with Magnitude of 3.6
EC extends Maharashtra SIR claims and objections deadline to Oct 12, final roll on Nov 16
Chandrakant Handore, a Congress MP, faces criticism for offensive comments about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid election disputes. Maharashtra Congress Leader Chandrakant Handore Faces Backlash Over Remarks Against Chief Election Commissioner
Bappas visarjan procession begins with 30-min delay, ends over 33 hours later
From idol immersions to funeral rites, Maharashtra faces the drought pinch
525 evacuated as floods hit63 villages in Bhamragarh
17-week rainfall deficiency scripts Maha drought story
Container with gelatin sticks explodes, 4 die in Umarkhed
Teen dies after biker hits cycle new Indora-Dighori Flyover
Traders rob onion-laden truck on Samruddhi Expressway, nabbed within an hour
DMIHER gets nod to become Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research
With Water Bodies Running Low, Should Nagpur Rethink Tall Ganesh Idols?
10,000 cotton farmers died by suicide due to price mechanism, says Gadkari
Court issues process against Yashovardhan Birla, 12 others in IPO funds diversion case
Mihan among 3 sites for drone manufacturing clusters under new state policy
The Heavy Lift Behind Ganpati Visarjan
Three youths drown in farm pond near Ramtek
70-year-old retiree duped of Rs20 lakh
Cotton output may fall 50% in drought-hit Yavatmal, soyabean impacted in Amravati
Deluged & Dry: Twin Face Of Gadchiroli In 24 Hours
Bappa Bids Adieu, Devotion Hits Crescendo
CJP to launch nationwide agitation from Mumbai on Oct 2 as its deadline for CECs resignation ends
Revenue min Bawankule assures accurate panchnamas in all 265 drought-hit talukas
95 Of 265 Drought-Hit Talukas Are In Vidarbha
24-year-old drowns in Kalamb creek in Nalasopara
Thackerays to hold protest in Mumbai against EC on Oct 4
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, are organising a mass protest march in Mumbai on October 4 against the Election Commission. They accuse the EC of acting as a ranch of the ruling party and allege gross deception of voters, calling for broader political and public participation.
20-year-old woman raped on pretext of film role, FIR against four in Maharashtra
Merely 11% of IIT-B faculty from reserved categories: RTI
Abetment of suicide: When words and actions become a criminal offence
Deceased youths parents to resume fast, ask IIT Bombay students to protest too
Tissue paper Ganesh idol dissolves under sprinklers in 30 minutes in Mumbai
Mumbai bids farewell to Ganpati; nearly 2 lakh idols immersed
Drought Declared in 265 Talukas Across Maharashtra
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed district collectors to immediately begin crop surveys and conduct panchnamas in the affected areas.
Maharashtra Man Missing After Falling Into Gorge During Gangotri-Gaumukh Trek
According to officials, search and rescue operations are underway for the second consecutive day while heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions continue to persist.
Maharashtra: Lalbaugcha Raja Immersion Marks End Of 21-Hour Procession
Had prayed for happiness, prosperity and good health for everyone: Anant Ambani
Thane netas donate to Maharashtra drought relief funds
Mumbai Metropolitan Region could get 30 lakh new homes in 20 years, says deputy CM
Maha Dy CM demands apology from Rahul Gandhi, slams INDIA Bloc
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 26 (IANS) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, demanding an unconditional public apology from Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and leaders of the INDIA alliance for spreading what he termed false and baseless allegations against constitutional institutions. Shinde asserted that the alliances politics relied on fake narratives to mislead citizens and malign national leadership. Referring to recent claims of internal rifts within the Election Commission of India (ECI), he said the Oppositions attempt to celebrate false news had backfired, as the unanimous joint statement issued by all three Election Commissioners had completely deflated the propaganda. Using these false claims, Rahul Gandhi and his allies attempted to defame and target Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Spreading calculated misinformation to weaken faith in democratic processes has become the habit of the Opposition, Shinde said. He added that Rahul Gandhi must apologise to the nation for indulging in smear campaigns. Shinde alleged that the INDI alliance consistently targeted democratic institutions, including the Election Commission and courts, whenever election results did not favour them. He accused opposition leaders of stoking mistrust, spreading rumours and attempting to confuse voters. He asserted that 140 crore citizens stood firmly behind PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, rendering false allegations ineffective. The aware public of the country clearly recognises these political games and will give a fitting reply at the appropriate time, Shinde said, warning that attempts to undermine constitutional sanctity would lead to further political isolation of the Opposition. Meanwhile, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and present BJP MP Ashok Chavan also criticised Rahul Gandhi over his statements on the poll panel. In his post on X, Chavan wrote: One frustrated opposition leader, with a plethora of lies. Rahul Gandhi: SIR was a unilateral decision. MeanwhileECI Press Note: unanimous approval of the Commission. Plot twist: the receipts came from the institution itself.
10,281 Ganpatis immersed as Thane noise nears 100 dB
8,573 Ganesh idols immersed at 189 spots as Navi Mumbai marks peaceful visarjan
Eknath Shinde Rushes to Aid Collapsed Traffic Cop in Thane Convoy
Raigad police registers 4 FIRs over child sexual abuse on social media
Navi Mumbai Thieves Burgle Jewellery Store via Wall Tunnel, Flee with Silver
'All SIR orders had unanimous nod': EC clarifies amid row
The Election Commission of India has addressed reports of internal dissent among its commissioners and clarified that all Special Intensive Revision (SIR) orders and Form 6 updates for voter enrolment received unanimous consent and were upheld by the Supreme Court. The EC also announced measures to ease the process for voters issued notices, including doorstep document collection and extended deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra, while affirming its commitment to transparent decision-making and meticulous compliance with directives.
Watch: Protestors at IIT B seek systemic reforms
In the latest episode of Pulse Maharashtra, we look at the growing protests at IIT Bombay, the demands of Sahil Wakodes parents and student groups, and the questions being raised over caste discrimination and systemic reforms on campus.
Deccan Odyssey begins 202627 season with new look, heritage-themed coaches
The Deccan Odyssey has begun its 202627 season with a new exterior vinyl wrap, Maharashtra heritage-themed coach names and QR codes offering information on the states history, culture, food traditions and tourist attractions
ECI extends SIR deadline in Maha, final roll on Nov 16 (Lead)
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 26 (IANS) In a major relief for voters across Maharashtra, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday extended the deadline for filing claims and objections under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to October 12, 2026. The decision followed a formal request from Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S. Chockalingam. Under the updated timetable, the ECI will continue disposing of claims, objections, and notices until November 10, 2026, with the final electoral roll scheduled for publication on November 16, 2026. The ECI announced operational measures including door-to-door document collection, exemption from mandatory physical attendance, relief in virtual hearings, family representation and dedicated help desks for vulnerable groups, according to a statement issued by the State CEOs office late Saturday. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit the homes of citizens flagged as Unmapped or with Logical Discrepancies to collect verification documents. Voters will no longer need to attend hearings in person at Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) or Assistant EROs offices. In unavoidable cases, hearings will be conducted online, and any adult family member may represent the voter. District Election Officers (DEOs) have been instructed to set up help desks and outreach camps for homeless citizens, migrant labourers, pavement dwellers and night shelter occupants to ensure inclusive enrolment. The current SIR campaign, launched earlier this year, is the first comprehensive door-to-door electoral roll overhaul in Maharashtra since 2002. Rapid urbanisation, migration, unrecorded deaths and duplicate entries over two decades necessitated full-scale verification. BLOs initially cross-checked voters against historical rolls from 20022004 to establish eligibility cut-offs. However, heavy monsoon rains in Konkan and Mumbai, civic disruptions and large numbers of unmapped voters created operational bottlenecks, prompting calls from political parties and civil society groups for more time. The extension and home-visit protocols aim to prevent accidental omission of genuine voters, reduce red tape and ensure an accurate, verified voter list ahead of upcoming local body and state elections, sources at the State CEOs office said.
Watch: Investigators hit a digital deadlock in IIT- B student suicide probe
In the latest episode of Pulse Maharashtra, we decode the questions surrounding the suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, including the forensic hurdles in the investigation, allegations of caste discrimination, and the reforms being sought by his family, students and the NCSC.
Maha: Congress protests demanding Gyanesh Kumars dismissal
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 26 (IANS) The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Saturday escalated its confrontation with the Election Commission of India (ECI), announcing a statewide agitation on September 28. The party is demanding the dismissal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of acting in a partisan manner to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and undermining democratic institutions. The announcement comes amid mounting political friction following allegations by the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, regarding widespread Vote Chori (vote theft). Congress claimed these allegations were substantiated by reports of internal dissent within the poll panel, where fellow Election Commissioners reportedly flagged procedural irregularities. At the centre of the partys offensive is the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The MPCC alleged that over 3 crore eligible voters have been erased from Maharashtras electoral rolls under the SIR process. Nationwide, the party alleged 13 crore voters have been deprived of their rights. Congress highlighted that while Maharashtras voter base expanded by 47 lakh electors before the 2024 Assembly elections, the Commission has not verified the current status of these newly added voters. Similar purges of legitimate voters were allegedly carried out in other non-BJP-ruled states, including West Bengal and Bihar. Deleting the names of legitimate, eligible voters from the electoral rolls is an outright assault on the Constitution. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars authoritarian conduct is a direct attack on Indian democracy, MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal said in an official statement. The agitation follows media reports revealing that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally recorded dissent on at least 14 occasions over the past 10 months regarding decisions made during the SIR rollout.
Ball-girl turned partner Rutuja eyes Asiad encore, this time with Bhambri
Maharashtra Tourist Missing After Falling into Gorge on Gangotri-Gaumukh Trek
A 65-year-old tourist from Maharashtra is missing after falling into a gorge on the Gangotri-Gaumukh trek in Uttarkashi, as rescue efforts continue. Maharashtra Tourist Missing After Falling into Gorge on Gangotri-Gaumukh Trek
Thane Police Sub-Inspector Killed in Attack by History-Sheeter
4 Killed, 5 Injured As Container With Gelatin Sticks Explodes In Maharashtra
When welding work was in progress, a metal container carrying gelatin sticks and attached to the tractor exploded, triggering a fire.
Maharashtra has activated Trigger-1 under its Drought Management Code 2016 to initiate relief measures in drought-affected areas. We take a look at the financial relief measures announced by the state government.
Influence carries responsibility: Maha FDA backs Prez Murmus message to film stars
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 26 (IANS) Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Saturday said celebrities and advertisers have a responsibility to ensure that products they endorse do not compromise public health, backing President Droupadi Murmus recent appeal to film personalities to refrain from promoting substances harmful to health. Mundhe made the remarks during an interaction with students at Karnavati University, where he was speaking during his first visit to Gujarat. The discussion covered food safety, public health, regulation and the responsibilities of public figures. President Murmu had urged successful film artists at the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on September 22 to promote a disciplined lifestyle and avoid endorsing products harmful to health, noting the influence popular artists have on children and young people. Asked about steps beyond such an appeal, Mundhe said Maharashtra had already started acting on existing legal provisions. The law is very clear; you cannot endorse anything that is not as per the law. We cannot endorse anything where you can claim something which is not truthful, he said. Mundhe referred to Section 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which restricts misleading advertisements and claims relating to food. He also cited the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, which are part of the regulatory framework governing food advertisements and claims. FSSAI lists the 2018 advertising and claims regulations among its food safety regulations. If you speak to the drug sector, there is an MDR Act 1954, which is a magical remedies act. It also prevents claims about purity or magical remedies; this will be done, this will be cured, he said, referring to the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. Mundhe said the issue was therefore not the absence of laws but their implementation. So, the acts do exist, rules do exist; what we need to do is implement them and implement them very, very stringently, he said. His comments came amid regulatory action involving Bollywood actors over a Vimal Elaichi advertisement. The Maharashtra FDA had issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff in August in connection with the advertisement. Mundhe also stressed that responsibility did not end with regulators. Ethically and morally, everybody, every citizen, every endorser, every advertiser has a responsibility if they don't act just in the commercial interest, he said. People of India are not because of somebody. So, we as a nation need to practise what is right, which is correct, which is ethically also correct, he added. Mundhe said public health had to remain central to decisions involving food, drugs and advertising, and that celebrities could not be treated separately from the legal and ethical responsibilities applicable to others.
ECI on defensive, refuses to relent on demand for CECs resignation: Congress
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 26 (IANS) Claiming that the ECI has been forced into a defensive posture, the Congress on Saturday reiterated its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and sought the immediate suspension of the SIR of electoral rolls. Criticising a press release issued by the ECI after its afternoon meeting to quell reports of internal differences, the Congress described SIR as a drive for massive disenfranchisement of several crores of electors. Nothing short of the CECs resignation or prosecution will suffice, said Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and General Secretary (Communications), referring to the alleged big differences within the Election Commission. In a message on X, Ramesh said that in the wake of media reports exposing disagreement among ECI functionaries and the nationwide protests that have followed, seeking the removal of Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the Election Commission of India (ECI) has now come out with a press note on September 26th, 2026. First, the Press note does not directly deny the story or its findings. It makes a defensive attempt to downplay the same in paragraph 3(i) and 3(ii) but does not say that the allegations are baseless, said Ramesh, pointing to the issues flagged in media reports. Second, in the case of Goa, after having been caught out, the ECI has sheepishly stated that Form 6 has already been filled out for inclusion by 81 of the 97 deleted voters. To put this another way, you disenfranchise voters through a broken and corrupt system, and when caught, say that they are being added back, he said. Third, it seeks to justify the Commissions actions by appealing to the Order of the Supreme Court dated May 27th, 2026. The Order, which was pronounced well before the recent revelations, will not save the CEC from the malicious deletion of targeted voters, from the incompetence that has resulted in citizens being wiped off the rolls, for the crores lost in both expenses and person-hours due to the confusion and harassment caused to entire families, said the Congress MP. Fourth, it extends the deadlines for voter registration in Delhi and Maharashtra. But what happens to the voters of Karnataka and Telangana? What happens to the voters disenfranchised in Bihar and West Bengal? Do the voters of these and other states who were deleted due to one mans corruption not deserve answers? he said. Fifth, the Press Release also states the ECI will now involve experts from IIT/IIIT to review the ECINET portal and submit a report to ensure it complies with rules. Aside from being a meaningless safeguard (since the concern is not about the technical soundness but rather the centralisation which prevents voter addition at ground level), this confirms the concerns attributed to the two other Election Commissioners per the reportage, said Ramesh. Sixth, the Press Note avoids answering the questions regarding the deliberate targeting of Gen Z voters. The ECI has no answer for its targeted disenfranchisement, beginning mid-July 2026 through wholly illegal changes made to Form 6 (unseen and unapproved by Parliament) which placed an unfair burden on them to find and disclose their parents and/or grandparents details, he said. The revelations regarding (1) the unilateral nature of decision-making by the CEC, (2) his open hatred and bias against the Opposition resulting in a clear bias, (3) his willing participation and abetment in Vote Chori by the ruling regime, (4) his specific attack to prevent the enrollment of Gen Z voters, (5) his corruption exposed ironically by his negligence in purging and pruning voter lists, need to be answered for, he said. Ramesh added, The CEC thinks he can hide behind bureaucratise and protocol. He stands exposed and is now petrified as an entire country seeks to hold him accountable. The ongoing SIR, which has turned out to be a method of massive disenfranchisement of several crores of Indians, must be suspended immediately without delay. In the meantime, nothing short of the CECs resignation or prosecution will suffice, said Ramesh.
Food safety laws exist, but compliance remains a challenge: Maha FDA
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 26 (IANS) Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Saturday said Indias food safety framework has several laws and regulations, but compliance remains a major challenge, arguing that enforcement systems must evolve with new forms of food businesses and changing consumer habits. Speaking to students at Karnavati University, Mundhe said the central problem is not necessarily the absence of rules but their implementation. In food safety, the major concern is that we are not following regulations that are there. Rules do exist. Acts do exist. Regulations are there. By-regulations are there, he said. Mundhe said that apart from licensing and registration requirements, several other food safety regulations were not being followed properly, with consequences for public health. He said Indias food safety regime also needed to respond to businesses that did not exist in their current form when the Food Safety and Standards Act was enacted in 2006. E-commerce did not exist then. Today we have e-commerce. We did not have dark godowns then, dark stores; today we have those. We did not have cloud kitchens then; we have cloud kitchens. Do we require legislation and regulation on that? he said. Mundhe said suggestions on such emerging issues had been made at the national level through the Central Advisory Committee, of which state food commissioners are members. New challenges come; we have to come up with the solutions for that, we have to anticipate and work on that, he said. He also described a year-round approach Maharashtra adopted for food safety enforcement during festivals. Instead of issuing separate orders before individual festivals, the state had moved to a standing order covering festivals throughout the year, he said. The framework categorises festivals at state, regional and local levels. It provides for enforcement beginning 21 days before an event, followed by action in the period immediately preceding it, during the festival and legal proceedings after the event. Mundhe said the approach had already produced results during the Ganesh festival. He said, Around 250 to 300 licences or registrations had been suspended during the period for violations including operating without the required licence or registration, while nearly 30,000 kg of food had been seized and destroyed. He also said food products worth around Rs 10 crore had been seized and FIRs registered in cases where violations were found. Mundhe said enforcement also needed to become more transparent and technology-driven. Maharashtra has started a complaints portal through which consumers can register complaints, track them and have them automatically assigned to officers. We need to use IT to the best possible extent, he said, adding that the state was working towards end-to-end digital platforms. He said the ultimate objective was continuous enforcement rather than ad-hoc action. If we make SOP with a continuous process, automatic process, it will work. It cannot be an ad-hoc approach, Mundhe said. He added that food safety had to involve food businesses, regulators and consumers, with compliance becoming part of everyday food practices rather than something pursued only when enforcement agencies intervene.
Maharashtra: Man on rampage kills 2, injures 6 at old-age home
Ahilyanagar: Two persons, including a security guard, were killed and six others injured when a man allegedly attacked inmates with a support stick at an old-age home in Maharashtras Ahilyanagar district on the morning of Saturday, September 26, police said. The accused, who was also staying at the facility near the Vihad area, was apprehended 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 .
