President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar- 2025 at an award ceremony held at Gantantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In the second edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, 24 awards were presented to distinguished scientists in four categories – Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team.

The objective of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is to recognise the notable and inspiring contributions made by the scientists, technologists, and innovators individually or in teams in various fields of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.

Late Prof Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was posthumously awarded Vigyan Ratna.

Padma Vibhushan Late Prof Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was a renowned Indian astrophysicist and cosmologist known for his groundbreaking work in cosmology and for developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory to unify gravitation and matter creation, providing a framework for a steady-state universe in the 1960s.

Prof Narlikar, with Fred Hoyle and Geoffrey Burbidge, proposed the Quasi-Steady State Cosmology model that helps in explaining cosmic background radiation and galaxy formation in a different way.

As the founder director of the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune, he helped in establishing a world-class research and education hub in India.

Under the Vigyan Shri category, the awards were given in the fields of Agricultural Science, Atomic Energy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Science, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Space Science and Technology.

The Kerala Home Department has placed M K Vinod Kumar, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Prisons, who is accused of accepting bribes from jail inmates and their relatives for facilitating parole and to provide additional facilities within the jail.

The suspension came after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Director recommended disciplinary action against the accused DIG, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the likelihood of the officer influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence.

The VACB has registered a case against Vinod Kumar on December 17 for alleged bribery. It found that the accused had taken money to arrange parole to convicts and to provide facilities in the prison.

The vigilance case has been registered under Sections 7(a) and 7(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, which deal with public servants accepting undue advantage.

The investigation had found that he had provided facilities in prison for prisoners including Kodi Suni and Annan Sijith, accused in the TP Chandrasekharan murder case, in exchange for money, and had granted parole to many others. It is reported that evidence has been found that he took money from eight prisoners. In addition to the illegal acquisition of wealth, Vinod Kumar is also being investigated in a corruption case.

The VACB had reportedly found that a retired officer of Viyoor Jail is the DIG’s agent and that the money is being received through this officer. The DIG has also received money through Google Pay.

The VACB also found that in addition to his salary, Rs 35 lakhs arrived in his bank account in just one month. His wife’s account also got Rs 40 lakhs.

The Adani Group has officially announced that the board of Ambuja Cements has approved the amalgamation of its subsidiaries ACC Ltd and Orient Cement with the company to create a larger cement company.

The transaction will be entirely share-based, with no cash payout. ACC shareholders will receive 328 Ambuja shares of face value Rs 2 each, for every 100 ACC shares of face value Rs 10, while Orient Cement shareholders will get 33 Ambuja shares of face value Rs 2 each for every 100 Orient shares of face value Rs 1.

According to the statement, “The merger will unlock greater operational efficiencies, optimise manufacturing and logistics, and enable efficient capital deployment.”

“These improvements will boost profitability, support capacity expansion, and enhance long-term shareholder returns. The merger will simplify and rationalise the network, branding and sales promotion-related spends. This will help optimise costs and improve margin by at least Rs 100 per metric tonne,” the statement mentioned.

According to the statement, the amalgamation would also eliminate “structural duplication, reduce administrative costs and enable faster, more agile decision-making”.

The Adani Group’s announcement that it plans to merge its cement business, which presently consists of three separate entities namely, Ambuja Cements, ACC and Orient Cement, into one pan-India entity (Ambuja Cements) will help the Group streamline the Rs 35,000 crore business operationally, as well as through reduced costs, as it prepares to compete nationally with giant cement companies like the Aditya Birla Group-owned UltraTech as well as smaller and regional cement players across India.

The Adani Group had acquired Switzerland-based Holcim’s entire stake in ACC and Ambuja Cement back in 2022, marking its entry into the cement business. The Adani Group ran Ambuja and ACC together through a common management, as well as a master services agreement for manufacturing.

Later, in 2024, the Adani Group also acquired Orient Cement. Between 2023 and 2024, it also acquired Penna Cement and Sanghi Industries, and their scheme of amalgamation is also at different stages of approval.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) Tuesday officially released the draft electoral rolls for Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The announcement to this effect marks the beginning of the Special Summary Revision (SIR) process, a vital effort to ensure the national voter database is accurate, inclusive, and ready for upcoming democratic exercises.

To promote transparency, the ECI is using several methods to make these lists available for public scrutiny:

For Political Parties: District Electoral Officers (DEOs) are distributing physical copies to all recognized parties to assist with local-level verification.

For the Public: Citizens can instantly view the rolls online via their specific State or Union Territory’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) website.

Targeted “ASDD” Lists: The ECI has specifically published lists of voters who are Absent, Shifted, Deceased, or Duplicate (ASDD). This allows the community to help identify names that need to be removed to prevent fraud.

This “data cleaning” serves three primary functions to protect the integrity of the vote:

New Enrollments: It opens the door for young citizens who have recently turned 18 to join the voter list.

Purging Errors: It removes names of the deceased or those who have relocated, ensuring “ghost voters” don’t remain on the books.

Correcting Details: It provides a window to fix typos in names, addresses, or ID numbers.

The ECI is urging residents in these four regions to verify their registration status immediately. If you find an issue, you have two primary options:

File a Claim: If you are eligible but missing from the list, submit a request for inclusion.

Raise an Objection: If you notice an entry is incorrect or should be deleted (such as a deceased relative), alert the authorities.

All claims and objections must be submitted to the local Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or DEO within the specific timeframe outlined in the respective state’s election calendar.

Vinod Kumar Shukla, one of Hindi literature’s most original and understated voices and a recipient of the Jnanpith Award, passed away on Tuesday at the AIIMS Raipur after a prolonged illness. He was 89.

Shukla had been admitted to the hospital on December 2 following respiratory complications and was on ventilator support when he died, family sources said.

Born on January 1, 1937, in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, Shukla combined a lifelong commitment to teaching with an unwavering dedication to literary creation. His writing, marked by simplicity, restraint, and a deep emotional undercurrent, set him apart in an era often dominated by rhetorical flourish. Over decades, he emerged as a poet, novelist and short-story writer whose work quietly reshaped the contours of modern Hindi literature.

In 2024, Shukla was awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian letters. The honour carried special significance, as he became the first writer from Chhattisgarh and the 12th Hindi author to receive the country’s highest literary recognition.

Shukla’s first poem, Lagbhag Jai Hind, was published in 1971. His novels—’Naukar Ki Kameez’, ‘Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi’ and ‘Khilega To Dekhenge’—are regarded as landmarks for their nuanced portrayal of ordinary lives and quiet existential tensions. ‘Naukar Ki Kameez’ was adapted into a film by noted filmmaker Mani Kaul, while ‘Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi’ earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Critics have often noted that Shukla’s strength lay in his ability to express complex inner worlds through unadorned language. His works brought a fresh sensibility to Indian fiction, blending the rhythms of everyday life with subtle philosophical enquiry.

During his long literary career, Shukla received several major honours, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Raza Award, Shikhar Samman, and the Maithilisharan Gupt Samman. In 2021, the Sahitya Akademi conferred on him its highest distinction, naming him an Honorary Fellow.

Vinod Kumar Shukla’s death leaves a profound void in the world of Hindi literature. His writing—quiet, humane, and enduring—will continue to speak to generations of readers, affirming the power of simplicity and sensitivity in storytelling.

Congress MP Imran Masood’s remarks projecting Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a potential prime ministerial face appear to have triggered a new debate over the grand old party’s leadership future.

Speaking to a news agency on Tuesday, Masood said that had Priyanka Gandhi been the Prime Minister of India, she would have retaliated strongly like her grandmother, Indira Gandhi.

Referring to Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks on violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, Masood said, “Is Priyanka Gandhi the prime minister? Make her the prime minister and see how she will retaliate like Indira Gandhi. She is Priyanka Gandhi.”

He further added, “She has Gandhi added behind her name. She is the granddaughter of Indira Gandhi, who inflicted so much damage on Pakistan that those wounds still haven’t healed. Make her the prime minister and see how she will retaliate. You won’t dare to do that.”

Condemning the brutal murder of a Hindu worker in Bangladesh, Priyanka had demanded that the Narendra Modi government strongly raise the issue of violence against Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh.

After Masood floated the idea of Priyanka Gandhi being the face of the Congress party instead of her brother Rahul Gandhi, her husband, Robert Vadra, backed it.

“There are demands from everywhere that Priyanka should come forward,” Vadra was quoted as saying by a news agency.

He also expressed his long-held desire to enter politics, claiming, “There are also demands that I should enter politics.”

But right now, he added, “We should focus on the real issues that concern the people.”

In a bid to address concerns of farmers pertaining to seeds, including their quality, availability and cost, the NDA government at the Centre will make a special law, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

Addressing a Kisan Sammelan at Dangawas near Merta town of Nagaur district, Tuesday afternoon, Chouhan also assured of making another law for addressing the cheating on availability and quality of fertilizers and manure.

The Agriculture Minister said that there are plans to introduce two more important Bills in the next session of Parliament, one for the Seed Act and the other to prevent the use and availability of fake fertilisers and spurious manure.

He said that stringent penalties will be imposed on those who dupe farmers.

While highlighting the advantages and benefits of the VB-G RAM-G Act 2025 over the phased-out MNREGA, Chouhan said, “An important provision has also been included to ensure that if workers are not paid their wages on time, interest will also have to be paid to them”.

“It is not about workers, farmers; due care has also been taken to serve the interests of those who did manage and administer the scheme. For this, the administrative expenditure has been increased from 6 per cent to 9 per cent to ensure timely payment of salaries to employment assistants, panchayat secretaries, technical assistants and other staff,” he added.

ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting believes England batter Harry Brook must rethink his approach if he is to succeed in Australian conditions, warning that raw talent alone will not be enough Down Under.

Brook’s Ashes campaign has reflected England’s wider struggles in the series, with flashes of brilliance undermined by mistimed lapses as Australia surged to an unassailable 3-0 lead. While the stylish right-hander has accumulated 173 runs, second only to Joe Root among England batters, his returns include just one half-century from six innings, with several dismissals arriving at decisive moments.

Ponting, a long-standing admirer of Brook’s ability, feels the England No.5 has yet to fully appreciate how much responsibility his talent carries in challenging conditions.

“Look, I love Harry Brook. He’s one of the best players in the world to watch, but I think with some of his dismissals, he’s almost selling himself a bit short on how good he is,” Ponting told The ICC Review.

“He doesn’t need to do some of the stuff that he’s doing. And I guess, I’m sure it’s going to be frustrating for an English fan as well, or even some of his teammates. You know, he’s had a chance to sit back and watch Joe Root go about his cricket for the last 15 years. And to be fair, and this is no knock on Joe Root.

“Harry Brook’s got every bit as much talent as Joe Root has. You see him trying to play little lap shots off Scott Boland against a yorker that could have easily knocked his middle and leg stump out of the ground when his team needs him to make a hundred and chase down 435.”

The former Australia captain suggested that Brook’s shot selection would be causing concern within the England camp, even if those frustrations are not voiced publicly.

“I’ll be critical on that, but I don’t think I’ll be any more critical than what his teammates would be or what his coach would be, because they should be critical of those sorts of mistakes, because it’s those sorts of things that have cost them this Ashes series,” Ponting said.

“They probably won’t admit it. They won’t talk about it. They won’t bring it up. They’re very defiant with that sort of criticism.

“They’ll always come back and say, ‘Oh, that’s the way that we play, and we encourage them to play their natural games’. But you can’t do that in Australia, and you can’t do it against Australia because if you give them an opportunity, you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.

“And we’ve seen that right the way through the series,” he added.

Trailing 0-3 in the five-match rubber, England will be desperately looking to bounce back in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, as every win is crucial to keep them in the race to the World Test Championship final.

Pointing out that Madhya Pradesh has provided leadership to the country in the field of health, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda expressed happiness on Tuesday that through innovative thinking and public participation, the first medical college in the country based on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model is being started in MP.

Nadda was speaking at the foundation stone laying event of the Medical College in Dhar district of MP. Later in the day, Nadda also laid the foundation stone of another medical college to be built in Betul district of MP.

At the function in Dhar, Nadda noted that the foundation stone laying ceremony of the medical college on PPP mode in Dhar is a historic occasion for the country, and Madhya Pradesh has led the country in this matter.

The Dhar Medical College would be built on 25 acres of land at a cost of Rs 260 crore under an agreement with the ‘Swami Vivekanand Shiksha Dham Foundation’.

Nadda emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a major transformation has taken place in the country’s healthcare system. “Now, the country is emphasising preventive care over curative treatment, focusing on prevention and lifestyle changes before the onset of illness”, he pointed out. He informed that 181,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational across the country for holistic medicine.

The Union Minister said that in 2014, the country had 387 medical colleges and 51,000 MBBS seats, while today there are 819 medical colleges and 129,000 MBBS seats. He informed that PM Modi has set a target of increasing the number of seats by 75,000 before 2030.

Nadda informed that the foundation stone for medical colleges in Katni and Panna in Madhya Pradesh will also be laid next month. The Union Minister congratulated Sunita Kapoor and Shruti Kapoor of the ‘Vivekananda Knowledge Foundation’ for starting a medical college and hospital on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He said that the Government of India and the state government stand with the Foundation in this innovative initiative.

He said that with the opening of the medical college in Dhar, doctors will reach every village. The postgraduate doctors graduating from here will also serve Madhya Pradesh. “We have come to serve, not to enjoy power”, he stated.

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is achieving a historic and unprecedented milestone in the healthcare sector, as foundation stone laying ceremonies for medical colleges are being held in two tribal-dominated districts of the state, namely Dhar and Betul.

The CM said that in the PPP model, society and the government will work together to strengthen healthcare services and ensure better treatment for every individual. He emphasised that service and development are the core principles of the MP BJP government, and the last two years have been unprecedented in terms of public welfare and development. “Madhya Pradesh is the only state in the country where metro train services have been launched in two major cities – Bhopal and Indore – within a year”, Dr Yadav stated.

Dr Yadav informed that in August this year, agreements were signed for the establishment of four new medical colleges in Betul, Katni, Dhar, and Panna under the PPP model, and today, the foundation stones for Dhar and Betul are being laid. He said that the foundation stones for medical colleges in Katni and Panna will also be laid soon. After these districts, preparations are underway to establish similar medical colleges in Bhind, Morena, Khargone, Ashoknagar, Guna, Balaghat, Tikamgarh, Sidhi, and Shajapur.

The MP CM said that until 2002-03, there were only five medical colleges in the state. Now, the number of medical colleges in the state has increased to 33. In the last two years, six government medical colleges have been started in the state.

These include medical colleges in the tribal areas of Singrauli and Sheopur. The state government has sanctioned 354 posts for Senior Resident doctors. Continuing the sickle cell anaemia campaign in the state, more than 1.25 crore people have been screened. In Dhar, more than 15 lakh people have been screened under the sickle cell program. Upgradation of 800 beds and sanctioning of 810 new posts for doctors are being provided in the hospitals of Tikamgarh, Neemuch, Singrauli, Sheopur, and Dindori districts of the state.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that the PM Shri Air Ambulance service has become a boon for remote areas of the state, and now needy people are receiving free treatment and air ambulance facilities through the Ayushman Card. He informed that the state government has launched the Rahveer Yojana to help those injured in road accidents, in which the state government is providing an incentive of Rs 25,000 to those who help transport the injured to the hospital on time. Additionally, to encourage organ donation in the state, a tradition of giving a Guard of Honour to organ donors and their families has been started.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that today, Dhar district has also received a gift of 93 development projects worth a total of Rs 626 crore.

Amid a row over new H-1B and H-4 visa rules that have left hundreds of Indians stranded, the US Embassy on Tuesday shared US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assessment of India–US ties.

“India is one of the top relationships the United States has in the world today in terms of what the future of the world is going to look like,” Rubio was quoted as saying during Ambassador Sergio Gor’s Senate hearing in September 2025.

While the embassy did not clarify the context of the remarks, they appear to underscore the importance of the bilateral relationship between India and the US, which has been facing headwinds since early this year, when US President Donald Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

The comments also come amid ongoing disruptions in H-1B and H-4 visa renewals following the launch of “online presence reviews” starting December 15.

According to reports, hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders who had returned to India to renew their US work permits have been left stranded due to the new social media vetting rule. Their visa appointments are reportedly being rescheduled by US consular offices.

On Monday, the US Embassy advised Indian nationals to expect delays in the issuance of H-1B and H-4 visas due to the rollout of expanded “online presence reviews” beginning December 15. The embassy said these screenings are being conducted for all applicants of all nationalities worldwide.

The US Embassy further stated that applicants seeking non-immigrant visas should apply as early as possible, given the increased processing times for H-1B and H-4 visas.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday inaugurated the commercial operation of Unit–2 (250 MW) of the 2000 MW (8×250 MW) Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project through virtual mode.

He said the commissioning of this unit is “not just a technical achievement, but a testament to years of hard work, dedication, and teamwork.”

Manohar Lal further emphasised that the Subansiri Project stands as a symbol of India’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy, supporting North-East India’s growth, strengthening the national grid and advancing India’s ambitious Net Zero goals.

The event was also attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Bhupender Gupta, CMD, NHPC, and other officers of the Ministry of Power and NHPC.

Agarwal lauded NHPC’s achievement, highlighting that the Subansiri Lower Project will greatly improve energy supply in the North-East and serve as a testament to India’s commitment to state-of-the-art, sustainable power systems.

He emphasised the timely commissioning of the remaining units, noting that the Subansiri Project will continue to play a pivotal role in India’s transition to a Net Zero energy future while generating substantial socio-economic benefits for local communities.

Gupta expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Power, the Governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, former NHPC leadership, the entire Subansiri Project team, all key stakeholders and partners for their dedicated support in making this milestone achievement possible.

He further said the project will strengthen the national grid, support sustainable development in the North-East and provide reliable renewable energy to meet growing demand.

With the commissioning of Unit-2, the Project is moving swiftly towards commissioning of 3 Units of 250 MW each shortly, followed by phased commissioning of the remaining four units during 2026-27.

Upon full commissioning, the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project will make a significant contribution to India’s renewable energy capacity, enhance national grid resilience and usher in a new era in massive clean energy contribution.

As India’s largest hydropower project, the Subansiri Lower Project comprises 8 units of 250 MW each and is designed as a Run-of-the-River scheme with small pondage, diverting water through eight Head Race Tunnels (HRTs) to generate 7,422 million units (MU) of renewable electricity annually, contributing significantly to India’s green energy future.

The project features the largest dam in North-East India, a 116-metre-high concrete gravity dam, which not only strengthens regional infrastructure and grid resilience but also enhances flood moderation and water management in the Subansiri River basin.

It is located 2.3 km upstream of Subansiri River in Arunachal Pradesh.

Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan on Tuesday made serious allegations against Kerala Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). He said the CMO is putting pressure on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold heist case through two senior IPS officers.

Speaking to media persons in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, he alleged that the two senior IPS officers, at the behest of the CMO, are exerting intense pressure on the SIT probing the case. “Two senior IPS officers are putting a lot of pressure on the SIT at the behest of the Chief Minister’s Office. Out of propriety, I will not mention their names. Please do not compel me to name them. The two officers assigned by the CMO are putting undue pressure on the SIT and trying to influence the probe. Both of them should be withdrawn from the case, otherwise the names of the two senior IPS officers will be revealed,” Satheesan said.

He said the Congress is closely monitoring the probe and would point out any lapses in the investigation. “This is a case of looting Ayyappan’s gold. The investigation should proceed honestly. We will monitor the investigation carefully. We will point out wherever there is a lapse. The court has given a clear opinion on the slow progress of the investigation. It is expected that the investigation will proceed in the right earnest with the court’s intervention. Let’s move forward. I do not express any distrust in the SIT yet. There is pressure on them. There was pressure before Vasu was arrested. But they overcame it. We believe that the big sharks will be brought to justice,” he said

Satheesan further said that the Congress was the first to demand a CBI investigation in the gold loot case, but did not insist on it, because the high court took the matter seriously. “We were the ones who had demanded a CBI investigation in the Sabarimala gold robbery case. The reason we did not insist on it is because the Keral a High Court took the matter seriously. If the court had not intervened, this theft would have continued. The theft in 2019 would have happened in 2024 as well. The SIT was appointed with the direct intervention of the High Court. That is why we supported it.,” he said

The Congress leader further said that during the local body elections, the investigation slowed down under pressure from the CMO. “The observation made by the high court confirms the allegations we made in this regard. The court can know more accurately than us where the investigation is standing and where it is stalling. Now that the High Court has intervened, I think the investigation will move forward in a good manner,” VD Satheesan said.

“We will wait for a few more days to assess how the SIT probe progresses and we expect that the situation should not reach a stage where a CBI investigation becomes inevitable,” he added.

Meanwhile, the CBI has informed the Kerala High Court that it would investigate the case if the court directs it. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar approached the high court demanding a CBI investigation into the Sabarimala gold looting. The court had sought responses from the state government, CBI and CAG on the petition.

Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has categorically stated that the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), the reformed and new version of MGNREGA, will neither be a threat to farmers, workers, or unemployed ruralites, nor would it be detrimental to the process of rural development and seasonal agro-farm activities.

Addressing a Kisan Sammelan at Dangawas village near the historic Merta town in Nagaur district on Tuesday, Chouhan said, “Contrary to the wrong notion and negative narrative being raked up by the Opposition Congress, the ground reality is that the scheme has been reformed to provide additional benefits to rural India and its denizens, especially farmers, workers, and unemployed people from the weaker sections. It will also ensure the sustainable development of villages in accordance with the needs, aspirations, and opinions of villagers.

The Union Minister assured that all necessary clauses and provisions have been included in the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, in a legitimate manner. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Agriculture Minister Dr Kirodi Lal Meena, Social Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot, and several dignitaries were present.

Elaborating on the nitty-gritty of the new version of the scheme, Chouhan said that the government has expanded the scope of benefits, increased the ceiling on man-days of employment for the needy, and also raised the budgetary allocations to an all-time high.

He said the needy would now get employment for 125 days instead of the 100-day provision in the phased-out MGNREGA. During the Congress reign, budgetary spending on the erstwhile scheme was around Rs 40,000 crore, while in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule, the figure has already crossed the Rs 1,00,000 crore mark, as Modi Ji has raised the allocation to Rs 1,51,282 crore in the new scheme.

There were general complaints about a shortage of labourers for farm activities during the crop sowing and harvesting seasons, as manpower preferred to join MGNREGA works. To address this situation, the new Act empowers local rural administrators to suspend in-progress works during crop seasons as per the local needs.

Union Minister Chouhan further said that decisions on development work proposals, based on the needs of the village, would also be made by local villagers at the Gram Sabha.

He also assured that the villages would witness sustainable development at a faster pace, following the hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of crops sown by local farmers.

“As per the needs and demands of the farmers, the Modi government will do all that is necessary. Over the past two years, more than Rs 29,000 crore has been provided to farmers in Rajasthan under various schemes, initiatives, and budgetary heads. Today, a budgetary sanction of Rs 2,000 crore has also been approved for laying more than 200 village roads,” he said.

Chief Minister Sharma also provided a detailed account of the state government’s pro-people welfare initiatives, which have been given higher priority in terms of employment generation.

The CM said that as many as 20,000 unemployed individuals would receive appointment letters for state government service within a week or so.

“My government has so far provided employment to 90,000 youngsters and is targeting to employ 4 lakh more during the current term in office. We are introducing a new youth policy that will give a boost to employment creation through a hassle-free, fair, and impartial recruitment process. We have so far formulated 28 new policies aimed at pro-people and development-centric governance,” the CM added.

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a significant step towards giving permanent legal backing to property records prepared under the Government of India’s SVAMITVA Scheme.

During the Winter Session 2025 of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the Uttar Pradesh Rural Population Records Bill, 2025 was introduced to provide a statutory framework for the management, updation and protection of rural residential property records prepared through drone-based surveys.

State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said here on Tuesday that the objective of the SVAMITVA Scheme is to carry out accurate surveys of areas with rural population and provide residents with clear ownership records.

These records enable rural households to access bank loans, financial services and other economic benefits using their residential property as proof. The scheme also supports better land record management, property taxation, preparation of GIS-based maps and improved planning for village-level development.

Under SVAMITVA, around 1,10,344 villages in the state were notified, of which drone surveys have been completed in 90,573 villages, excluding villages without populated. As of May 9, 2025, more than 1.06 crore Gharauni records have been prepared, and over 1.01 crore Gharaunis have already been distributed to rural residents.

He explained that once Gharauni records are issued, changes are required over time due to inheritance, succession, sale, or other lawful transfers. Until now, there was no clear legal mechanism for such updates. The new Bill addresses this gap by providing a structured process for maintaining and updating rural population records.

The Bill provides that the record of rural residential areas will be known as the Gharauni, which will include the owner’s name and address, details of the plot, area, layout sketch and location-related information. The collective record of all Gharaunis of a village will be maintained as a Gharauni Register, along with a separate population area map. The Bill clearly defines the process for survey operations, record maintenance, and updates, including the roles of survey officers, record officers and the procedure for issuing official notifications.

According to Minister Jaiveer Singh, once implemented, the Bill will bring greater transparency to rural property records, reduce disputes related to ownership, improve taxation systems, and strengthen systematic and planned development in rural population areas. He said the government believes this legislation will have a long-term and far-reaching impact on rural governance and property management in Uttar Pradesh.

The positive impact of the Yogi Adityanath government’s policies regarding the admission of economically weaker and underprivileged children to private schools under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) is clearly visible in Uttar Pradesh now.

In the last five years, a continuous record increase has been registered in the number of children admitted to private schools under the RTE. So far, more than 1.40 lakh children have been admitted in the 2025-26 academic year. Moreover, the number of admissions has more than doubled in the last five years.

In a written reply to a question asked in the Legislative Assembly, state Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh stated here on Tuesday that the provision of 25 per cent reserved seats in unaided recognized schools under the RTE Act is in effect. Due to the effective implementation, transparent selection process, and digital system of the UP9 government, the reach of this scheme has continuously increased.

Under this scheme, while 61,403 children were admitted to private schools in the academic year 2021-22, this number increased to 70,406 in 2022-23. In the 2023-24 session, 1,00,249 children benefited, while 1,13,991 children were admitted in 2024-25. In the current session 2025-26, 1,40,007 children have been admitted to private schools under the RTE so far.

The reply also clarified that the allocation is done school-wise based on the number of seats reserved by the government and the applications received. Admission of children to the respective schools is ensured according to this allocation.

The basic education minister said under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the government’s objective is to achieve the goal of equal opportunities and inclusive education by connecting children from economically weaker and underprivileged sections of society with quality education.

The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Tuesday convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the 2025-26 term at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here, where key resolutions on governance, financial matters and institutional appointments were taken up and approved by the members.

Among the key highlights of the meeting was the appointment of Justice M.M. Kumar, former Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, as the Association’s Ombudsman and Ethics Officer through a special resolution. The AGM also cleared four routine agenda items with an overwhelming majority, among them the adoption of the audited accounts for the 2025 financial year and the reappointment of the Association’s Chartered Accountants, along with other statutory matters.

DDCA President Rohan Jaitley underscored the significance of the AGM in ensuring institutional accountability.

“The Annual General Meeting is central to the democratic functioning and governance framework of the DDCA. The decisions taken today, including the appointment of the Ombudsman-cum-Ethics Officer, reflect our commitment to transparency, accountability, and robust institutional processes,” he said.

In a gesture of appreciation, the DDCA also handed over 20 motorcycles to the Delhi Police, Central District, acknowledging their continued support in maintaining security and facilitating smooth conduct of cricket matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The formal transfer of the vehicles took place later in the day.

Expressing gratitude to the police force, Jaitley said, “The successful conduct of major cricketing events in Delhi is made possible through close coordination with the Delhi Police. Their professionalism and timely assistance are vital to maintaining safety and order during match days. This initiative is a small token of our appreciation and a step towards strengthening operational efficiency on the ground.”

The motorcycles were received on behalf of the Delhi Police by Rishi Kumar Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central District, who noted that the additional vehicles would aid mobility and enhance law-and-order management during sporting events as well as routine policing duties.

The AGM and the handover ceremony were attended by DDCA Vice President Shikha Kumar, Secretary Ashok Sharma, Treasurer Harish Singla, Joint Secretary Amit Grover and other members of the Apex Council, who thanked the Association’s members for their participation and continued support.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the phone-tapping case is all set to issue notices to former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and former finance minister T Harish Rao. The notices are likely to be issued after the winter session of the state Legislative Assembly in December.

BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, said the phone-tapping case was dragging on so long that television serials that had started during this period wound up their episodes by this time.

The investigators would now be probing the angle of who ordered the phone tapping during the BRS regime. The former head of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB), T Prabhakar Rao, who remains in police custody after the Supreme Court extended it, named former DGP Mahender Reddy and senior officer Anil Kumar during his interrogation. The newly constituted SIT, headed by Hyderabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar, has already recorded the statements of former DGP Mahender Reddy and also former chief secretary Somesh Kumar. Prabhakar Rao had said the phone tapping was done over suspicion that the individuals, including opposition leaders, had links with Maoists.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, welcomed the decision to question the former chief minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao. He said, “I welcome the SIT’s decision to issue notices to BRS chief KCR and BRS working president KTR in the phone tapping case. Not only did they order the tapping of the phones of many leaders, including myself, but they also sowed discord in numerous families and ultimately went so far as to tap the phones of daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, thereby corrupting the esteemed SIB system.”

He added, “There are also allegations that they misused the SIB system. There are also allegations that they misused the SIB to blackmail and extort money from contractors and leaders. A thorough investigation must be conducted in those as well.” However, the BJP leader questioned the progress of the investigations in the long-drawn case, drawing a parallel with episodes of TV serials.