Senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon assured Mid-Day Meal workers here that he would take up their long-pending demands with Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria as well as H Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration to ensure that their genuine concerns are addressed at the earliest.

A delegation of the Mid-Day Meal Workers led by Gurbax Rawat, Councillor, submitted a memorandum to Tandon here, highlighting the hardships they continue to face despite playing a vital role in preparing and serving nutritious meals to thousands of government school children under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The workers sought revision of their wages as per the prevailing DC rates in Chandigarh, timely payment of salaries by the 7th of every month, and payment of wages for all 12 months of the year. They pointed out that although they work for 11 months annually, they are paid for only 10 months, causing severe financial hardship.

Responding to the delegation, Tandon said, “The Mid-Day Meal Workers are rendering an invaluable service by ensuring that thousands of children receive nutritious meals every day. Their contribution to the health, nutrition and education of our children deserves recognition, dignity and fair treatment.”

He further said, “The demands raised by the workers are genuine and deserve sympathetic consideration. I will take up the matter with the Hon’ble Governor and the Chief Secretary of the Chandigarh Administration and request them to examine these issues on priority so that the workers receive the justice they deserve.”

Tandon also emphasized that workers engaged in welfare schemes should not be subjected to unnecessary financial uncertainty.

“Timely payment of salaries, fair wages in accordance with DC rates and adequate financial security are essential for the well-being of these workers and their families. I am confident that the Chandigarh Administration will consider their demands positively,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Union ministers to become more active on Instagram and use the platform to directly connect with young people, especially Gen Z, across the country. According to media reports sources, the Prime Minister made the suggestion after the Cabinet meeting on Friday, saying Instagram has become the main platform where many young Indians now get their information.

Reports said PM Modi encouraged ministers to increase their visibility on Instagram by growing their follower base and posting content regularly. He reportedly advised them to share reels and short videos highlighting the Central government’s flagship schemes, welfare programmes and important initiatives so that more people, especially the youth, can easily access government information.

Instagram now a key platform for public outreach

During the discussion, the Prime Minister is learnt to have told ministers that a large section of India’s younger population spends most of its time on Instagram. Because of this shift in digital habits, he stressed that ministers should not ignore the platform and should actively use it to communicate government policies and achievements.

To explain why Instagram deserves greater attention, PM Modi reportedly referred to his own social media activity. According to sources, he told ministers that he had first uploaded his video message on Instagram before sharing it on other social media platforms.

Advice comes during student-led online movement

The Prime Minister’s call for stronger Instagram engagement comes at a time when the country is witnessing an ongoing protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The movement has gained attention across multiple social media platforms and has attracted large online following.

Protesters have been demanding greater government accountability over alleged irregularities in education system.

PM’s late-night Instagram message on paper leak issue

On Thursday night, PM Modi addressed the paper leak issue through video message posted on Instagram. In the message, he acknowledged the concerns of students and their families and assured them that the government was taking the matter seriously.

“Friends, I know that the paper leak is not an ordinary issue. It is very painful for lakhs of students and their families,” the Prime Minister said. He added that several steps had already been taken over the past two and a half months to deal with the problem.

The Prime Minister also announced that the government would establish fast-track courts to ensure quick trials and strict punishment for those involved in paper leak cases. He said safeguarding the future and welfare of the country’s youth remains one of the government’s highest priorities.

Rising pistol shooter Sainyam gave India its first medal at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun, currently underway in Hangzhou, China, by winning a silver in the women’s 10m air pistol event.

The 22-year-old delivered a calm and consistent performance in the final, finishing with 243.4 points to secure second place against a strong international field. She had earlier qualified for the final after scoring 579 in the qualification round.

The Chandigarh shooter’s latest success continues her impressive run of form. Earlier this year, she won the 10m air pistol Trial 2 final at the National Selection Trials in New Delhi with a score of 243.1, after also finishing with a silver medal at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha.

She has steadily established herself as one of India’s promising pistol shooters. In 2023, she won gold medals at both the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl and the ISSF Junior World Championships in Changwon. She has also been among the medal winners at the Khelo India Youth Games.

India had another finalist in the event, with Suruchi Inder Singh finishing seventh. She scored 137.6 in the final after qualifying with 579-20x.

Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, competing under Ranking Points Only (RPO) status, recorded the highest qualification score among the Indian shooters with 582-12x. Esha Singh finished 13th with 577-22x, while Lakshita, also competing under RPO status, shot 572-14x in qualification.

Lakhs of devotees from across the country thronged the pilgrim town of Puri on Friday to witness Bahuda Yatra, the return car festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, marking the final phase of the world-famous annual Rath Yatra amid elaborate security arrangements.

The Grand Road (Bada Danda) reverberated with chants of “Jai Jagannath” as devotees pulled the towering wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, transforming the seaside town into a sea of devotion.

The sibling deities had begun their annual sojourn on July 16, travelling from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, regarded as their birthplace. After a week-long stay there, they embarked on the ceremonial return journey to the Srimandir in the Bahuda Yatra.

Authorities enforced an unprecedented multi-layered security arrangement across Puri to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. Security deployment and crowd-management measures were significantly intensified following the stampede during this year’s Rath Yatra in which two devotees lost their lives.

The return procession commenced after a series of age-old rituals at the Gundicha Temple. Amid the rhythmic beating of gongs and cymbals and the blowing of conch shells, the deities were ceremonially escorted to their chariots in the elaborate Pahandi ritual.

Lord Jagannath was seated on the 45-foot-high Nandighosh, Lord Balabhadra on the 44-foot-high Taladhwaja, and Devi Subhadra on the 43-foot-high Darpadalan, each magnificently decorated for the occasion.

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb performed the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual, symbolically sweeping the chariot platforms with a golden broom after offering prayers and sprinkling fragrant water and flowers, reaffirming the belief that all are equal before the Lord.

The deities will remain on their chariots overnight, with priests performing the prescribed rituals. On Saturday, they will appear before devotees in the spectacular Suna Besha, adorned with gold ornaments, one of the most-awaited attractions of the festival that draws massive crowds.

Following the Adhara Pana ritual, in which a sacred drink is offered to the deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will re-enter the Jagannath Temple in the Niladri Bije ceremony and be reinstalled on the Ratna Simhasana (bejewelled throne), formally bringing this year’s Rath Yatra festivities to a close.

Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on Friday. President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation with immediate effect, according to an official communication issued by the President’s Secretariat.

The resignation comes weeks after Bittu’s term as a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan came to an end, bringing his ministerial tenure to a close under constitutional provisions.

President accepts resignation

An official statement from the President’s Secretariat confirmed that the resignation was accepted on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The communication stated that the President accepted the resignation of Ravneet Singh Bittu from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect under Clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India.

With this decision, Bittu is no longer a member of the Union government.

Constitutional rule behind the move

Bittu’s Rajya Sabha tenure from Rajasthan ended on June 21. Although he was not nominated again to the Upper House, he continued to serve as a Union Minister under a constitutional provision.

Article 75(5) of the Constitution allows a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament to remain a minister for a maximum period of six consecutive months. If the person does not become a member of Parliament within that period, they must leave the Council of Ministers.

His resignation follows this constitutional requirement.

BJP plans bigger role for Bittu in Punjab

According to BJP sources, Bittu is now expected to take up a more active political role in Punjab.

The party is preparing for future political campaigns and the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. Sources said his exit from the Union Council of Ministers is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the BJP’s efforts to expand its presence and challenge the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab.

The party reportedly wants Bittu to focus on organisational work and election-related activities in the state.

Amid the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar over paper leaks, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has reportedly terminated 47 officials from service.

The agency responsible for holding the NEET exam would also initiate legal and criminal actions against some of the sacked officials, reported news agency ANI.

Citing unnamed sources, the agency further stated that the action is part of a complete overhaul of the testing agency, which has also been at the centre of the paper leak protest.

The action follows the appointment of two new secretaries in the Education Department. Vineet Joshi, who was the Higher Education Secretary, has been transferred as Secretary of the Department of Panchayati Raj.

Naresh Pal Gangwar has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, and TK Anil Kumar will be the new School Education Secretary.

The government has been facing massive student protests at Jantar Mantar over paper leaks. The protests, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), have also spread to other parts of the country after a brutal police crackdown on students on July 20.

Education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan are among the key demands of the CJP.

Earlier today, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh met with CJP representatives to discuss their demands.

According to the CJP, the government agreed in principle to two of their demands while seeking a day’s time to respond on the third–Pradhan’s resignation.

The meeting, held at a neutral venue after the CJP’s refusal to go to Nadda’s residence, lasted for almost two hours.

“They had three main demands and five reform suggestions for exams. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow afternoon and tell them about the discussion we had within the government,” he said.

In a major development to undo the problem of fake cartificates in the state, the Suvendu Adhikari government on Friday replaced public representatives with government officers as the registration authority of birth and death certificates.

The notification mentioned that the pradhans of Gram Panchayats would no longer function as sub-registrar of births and deaths in rural areas; the district magistrates would assign this task to officers who are in the rank of secretaries.

The Block Medical Officer (Health), the Superintendent of rural hospitals, district level hospitals and sub divisional hospitals, and Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal of medical colleges and hospitals, would be authorised as the Registrar to issue birth and death certificates, the notification mentioned.

The Additional District Magistrates, Sub Divisional officers and Block Development Officers, the Joint Municipal commissioner of the
Kolkata Municipal Corporation would act as Additional District Registrars, it added.

In case of civic bodies, government officers have been tasked with the responsibility of issuing certificates instead of chairpersons or administrators or executive officers.

For areas under the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the Municipal Commissioner would be acting as the district Registrar, who would in turn appoint government officers as registrars, the notification said.

Every sapling planted under its ongoing plantation campaign will be geo-tagged to enable scientific monitoring and improve its long-term survival, said Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday.

The announcement was made during a plantation drive at PBG Ground in the Delhi Ridge, where Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma and senior government officials participated by planting saplings.

Sirsa said the geo-tagging initiative aims to ensure that plants are monitored beyond the initial stage. “The objective is not merely to increase plantation numbers but to create a sustainable green legacy for future generations,” he said.

The minister also said the government has prepared a comprehensive 10-year plantation strategy focused on expanding Delhi’s green cover through native tree species that provide greater shade, generate more oxygen, require less water and help reduce pollution.

He said around 15 lakh trees and saplings are being planted across the Delhi Ridge, and other identified green areas under an eco-restoration programme to strengthen the Capital’s ecological balance.

Highlighting public participation in the campaign, Sirsa said members of the judiciary, government officials, diplomats from more than 70 countries, educational institutions, religious organisations and citizen groups have joined the plantation drive.

The minister also linked the afforestation programme with the government’s waste remediation efforts, saying nearly 60 per cent of Delhi’s legacy waste has been cleared over the past one-and-a-half years. According to him, reclaimed landfill sites are being converted into green spaces through plantation and ecological restoration.

Sirsa said the scientific remediation of legacy waste and the expansion of Delhi’s green cover are complementary initiatives aimed at improving the city’s environment. He added that reclaimed land from erstwhile garbage dumps would continue to be developed as green spaces as part of the government’s ecological restoration programme.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is not going to resign, according to Central government sources. The decision has been taken after an extended meeting held by JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh with the leaders of the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP).

At the conclusion of meeting, Nadda and Singh requested the CJP leaders for 24 hours to respond on their demand for the resignation of Pradhan. However, sources suggest that the education minister is unlikely to step down.

Meanwhile, the Modi government agreed to some of the demands made by the protesting students. There are indications that the government is considering providing financial assistance or compensation to the families of students who committed suicide due to the NEET incident.

The CJP is protesting at Jantar Mantar for over a month now against NEET exam paper leaks and corruption. Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk later joined the protest led by CJP founder Abhijit Deepak. On Friday, during a two-hour-long meeting with Union ministers at flat number 504 of VP House in Delhi, CJP representatives raised many an objection.

After the meeting, Ashutosh Ranka, the national spokesperson for the CJP, stated that they discussed three main demands and five proposals for educational reform. Among these, they received support for the demand to offer compensation to the families of the deceased students and to halt police violence against the protesters. However, their primary and non-negotiable demand is the resignation of the education minister. The Central authorities have requested until Saturday afternoon to make a decision on this matter.

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday stated that the Congress-led UDF government must first resolve the state’s severe unemployment crisis and Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) appointment delays before protesting in New Delhi over the NEET examination paper leak.

Addressing the media here on Friday after meeting with agitating job aspirants, BJP Kerala Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticized the opposition’s actions as a political distraction. “Our Young people are taking Kerala PSC exams to secure jobs, but the employment opportunities they rightfully deserve are being denied to them,” he said.

Chandrasekhar criticized the state government for ignoring Kerala’s high unemployment rates. He urged the Chief Minister to shift focus from “photo opportunities” in Delhi to solving the local youth employment crisis. “Instead of traveling to Delhi for photo opportunities, our Chief Minister must focus on the pressing issues at home. I urge him to prioritize the needs of our youth and tackle the severe unemployment crisis gripping our state,” he said.

He alleged that the UDF government failed to create any new jobs despite being in office for over two months. “We need to see right through the political theater being staged by the CPM and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. While our local youth face a genuine crisis, these leaders refuse to lift a finger to help them at home, yet they travel there just to make empty speeches,” the BJP Kerala chief added.
Expressing solidarity with the PSC rank holders, he said, “Employment is the right of these youth, not a privilege. We stand in total solidarity with the protesting PSC rank holders and pledge our 100 per cent support to their cause.”

Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra’s wife, Archana Mitra, appeared at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office at the CGO Complex in Kolkata on Friday, accompanied by her younger son, Shubharup.

Archana Mitra was spotted entering the elevator of the building refusing to take any questions from reporters. Investigators are also expected to examine the documents related to the case that she was asked to carry with her.

Madan Mitra’s younger son Shubharup Mitra, appeared at the CGO Complex on Wednesday, where officials questioned him for nearly nine hours. The senior leader’s elder son, Swarup Mitra, also faced questioning by investigators at the ED office on Thursday.

The ED had issued summons to Madan Mitra’s wife and sons in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam. Shortly after receiving the notice, Mitra who was one of the most loyalist parted ways with Mamata’s camp and aligned himself with the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.

Mitra had however pledged his full cooperation with the investigation and stated that his wife and sons are ready to be questioned by the central money laundering agency.

The Kolkata Police is conducting a security audit of the State Election Commission office in Kolkata in collaboration with the Public Works Department (PWD) and other relevant departments, police sources indicate.

The State Election Commission office relocated to the new Shipping Corporation building prior to the Bengal assembly elections. Offices of senior officials of the poll body, including the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Additional CEO, are located on the third floor of this building. The office also stores sensitive election-related data and documentation.

Central forces, alongside the police, were previously deployed to secure the Commission’s office. After the change in government in the state, officials from the Kolkata Police’s Detective Department have chalked out plans to further beef up its security.

The Kolkata police headquarters is now reviewing these security measures, with the Detective Department assessing how to make the security arrangements even more robust.

According to sources from the Kolkata police headquarters, while police currently guard the area outside the officials’ chambers, intelligence officers are evaluating where additional personnel should be deployed. They are also determining the required number of police officers and armed personnel that might be needed.

There is also a strong emphasis on increasing CCTV coverage. It has been planned to install CCTV cameras throughout the building, covering the ground floor (both the interior and exterior) and the interior of the State Election Commission office, to ensure every area remains under police surveillance.

In addition to these measures, a review is underway regarding how to enhance police security outside the Commission’s premises. The Public Works Department will collaborate with the police in this effort. PWD officials will also assess the routing for cables and wiring.

Police officials are also accessing whether to implement stricter controls on entry into the poll body’s office. Since the Shipping Corporation building houses various other offices, a large number of people visit the premises. The police have stated that they are taking measures to prevent unauthorised individuals from entering the premises of the building without a valid reason.

The Central government concluded a three-day free health camp on Friday, screening over 1700 government officials and other staff from more than 16 ministries, according to officials from the Health Ministry.

Health parameters, including blood pressure, sugar, chest X-rays, and Body Mass Index estimations, were checked for officers, security personnel, housekeeping staff, and sanitation workers between July 22 and July 24 at the three blocks of Kartavya Bhawan.

The screening drives were organised by the Central TB Division (CTD) in collaboration with the Delhi State TB Cell, National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), and the Swasth Nagrik Abhiyaan (SNA) Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

A team of 60 healthcare providers, including doctors, specialists, laboratory personnel, radiographers, nursing staff, and other programme officials, coordinated the seamless conduct of the camp, officials said.

The government stated that the major highlight of the camp was the deployment of two Ni-kshay Vahans equipped with Digital Chest X-ray, CBNAAT and TrueNat diagnostic facilities. These mobile diagnostic units enabled on-site TB screening, molecular testing and prompt referral of suspected cases, thereby strengthening efforts towards early detection and timely treatment under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).

The camp, named Ayushman Arogya Shivir, commenced at Kartavya Bhawan-I on 22nd July 2026 and was inaugurated by Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. During the inauguration, she emphasised the importance of prioritising preventive healthcare and encouraging individuals to take proactive steps towards their health and well-being.

Officials said the health camp was subsequently organised at Kartavya Bhawan-II on 23rd July, where Shobini Rajan, Deputy Director General, Central TB Division, interacted with participants and highlighted the importance of early detection, timely diagnosis and preventive healthcare in achieving the vision of a TB Mukt Bharat.

The Shivir culminated at Kartavya Bhawan-III on 24th July 2026, ensuring wider outreach among government officials and employees across the three office complexes.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday dismissed allegations of foreign funding to the Abhijeet Dipke-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) which is spearheading the students protest at Jantar Mantar.

“I have no information to share on this issue with you,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing.

The reaction from the MEA came after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that anti-India powers were behind the Jantar Mantar protest.

A similar assertion was also made by BJP’s IT Cell chief Amit Malviya. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had also termed the Jantar Mantar protesters as ‘Dahashadgards’ (extremists).

However, BJP critics questioned their claims, asking if the protests were sponsored by terrorists, why the government was engaging with the CJP leaders.

Union Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State Jitendra Singh earlier today held a meeting with CJP delegation.

The CJP leaders said that the government has agreed in principle to two of their demands and sought a day’s time to consider the third one – Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Another meeting is scheduled to be held tomorrow afternoon.

In an effort to give a boost to West Bengal’ economy, the state Finance Department is likely to make some major announcements concerning the trade and industry sector by 15 August.

State Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said, “An SEZ needs to be developed. We do not have a law for the Global Capability Center (GCC), and that needs to be done. With that, the SEZ would come into being. Many people do this kind of offshore business, but there was no such facility for them. We would have to see that. By 15 August, we would be able to present many things and might also try to incorporate these factors into the industrial policy.”

Dasgupta indicated that the government is emphasising on improved infrastructure that could create a conducive environment for the business community to make investments.

“Singur is a blot for us in terms of commerce and industry. We need to improve that and give it a new form,” said the minister. “We need to have proactive policies for inviting industries in high and deep tech, like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Data centres are also important. We need to aggressively attract these industries, as they do have a multiplier effect,” he said.

Dasgupta was speaking on the sidelines of a session on Friday on ‘Improved Prospects of Bengal’s Economy’, organised by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Elaborating on whether the state government is providing subsidies to businesses while drafting the new industrial reforms, the minister pointed out, “According to me, if the infrastructure is improved, businessmen would be ready to invest. Subsidies are not that important. They are required by only one or two industries. Our priority would be to provide an improved environment and infrastructure.”

Under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, successfully hosted the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in New Delhi on Friday.

“The Meeting was chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, and attended by Ministers and Heads of Delegation from BRICS Member Countries, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening disaster resilience through enhanced cooperation, innovation and sustainable development,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The Meeting marked a significant milestone in the evolution of BRICS cooperation on disaster risk reduction and concluded with the unanimous adoption of the BRICS Joint Statement on Disaster Risk Reduction, reaffirming the collective commitment of Member Countries to accelerate implementation of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan (2025–2028) and deepen cooperation for building resilient societies.

Addressing the Ministerial Meeting, Rai stated that the evolution of BRICS cooperation—from the Udaipur Declaration (2016) to the Kazan Declaration (2024) and the establishment of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group (DRRG)—reflects the growing recognition that disaster risk reduction is central to sustainable development, climate resilience and human security.

He noted that under India’s BRICS Chairship, the Group has adopted a practical and action-oriented approach under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” and appreciated Brazil for elevating the DRR Group to the Ministerial level.

Highlighting India’s leadership in disaster risk reduction, the Minister said that India’s people-centric approach is guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ten-Point Agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction.

He emphasised India’s five strategic priorities under its Chairship to accelerate implementation of the BRICS DRR Work Plan (2025–2028) and called upon Member Countries to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions and community resilience to make disaster risk reduction an integral part of sustainable development.

The Ministerial Meeting featured a High-Level Policy Dialogue on “Advancing Climate-Smart and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure Systems: Partnerships, Innovation and Financing for Resilient Development,” where Ministers deliberated on resilient infrastructure, innovative financing, emerging technologies and international partnerships to address increasing disaster and climate risks.

A Ministerial Roundtable on “Accelerating Implementation of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan (2025–2028)” enabled Member Countries to exchange experiences and identify practical pathways for strengthening institutional cooperation, capacity building, knowledge sharing and implementation of the agreed priorities.

As part of India’s Chairship, six flagship knowledge products were launched to support evidence-based policymaking, institutional strengthening, capacity building and practical implementation of disaster risk reduction initiatives across BRICS Member Countries.

As a way forward, the Ministers emphasised strengthening practical and action-oriented cooperation through regular technical exchanges, joint projects, simulation exercises, technical expert exchanges and annual thematic workstreams to promote knowledge sharing, innovation and measurable outcomes in disaster resilience.

The successful conclusion of the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction reinforces BRICS’ collective commitment to advancing resilient, inclusive and sustainable development through strengthened international cooperation on disaster risk reduction.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s father Amit Banerjee sent his representatives to the Borough IX office of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Friday, in response to the civic body’s summons over alleged violations of building rules.

The Diamond Harbour MP’s father was earlier summons over alleged violations of property norms at his Kalighat residence and at properties under the company Leaps and Bounds, where he was reportedly a director.

The civic body is investigating whether there were any irregularities in the properties at Kalighat and the extent of the violations under the KMC’s building rules.

On 19 May, the municipal corporation sent notices under Section 400(1) of the KMC Act, 1980, to 17 Kolkata properties linked to Abhishek Banerjee.

The civic body sought approved building plans, documents relating to construction work, and clarification on whether mandatory permissions had been obtained for additions or modifications to structures, including installations such as lifts and escalators.

Later, the civic body officials carried out an inspection by taking structural measurements of Abhishek Banerjee’s properties at Kalighat and Harish Mukherjee Road.