Four Indians were killed and one was critically injured after the vessel – MV Golden Leo – was attacked near the port of Odesa in Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday.

The vessel came under attack on the evening of July 19 when it was departing the Ukrainian port with 17 crew members, including five Indians.

“On the evening of July 19, 2026, the vessel MV Golden Leo was attacked while departing the port of Odesa. At the time of the incident, there were 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals. As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalized in a critical condition,” the MEA said.

According to the Ministry, the Indian Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery,” the MEA said.

India condemned the attack, reiterating that targeting commercial vessels and endangering civilian lives is deplorable.

https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/2079224637880508866

“India condemns such attacks and reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided,” the MEA added.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was allegedly hit by Russian cruise missiles, triggering a fire on deck.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the attack has risen to 10.

Three persons including a forest volunteer were injured in attacks by a strayed leopard in Toda Raisingh town of Rajasthan’s Tonk district on Monday.

A police official said that Van Mitra Rakesh spotted the big cat in bushes along the roadside in the town’s market area at around 8:45 am. He alerted people to the predator’s presence and moved closer to the bushes to assess the situation.

The leopard suddenly charged and pounced on Rakesh. He fell to the ground but somehow managed to fend off the animal, which ran away in confusion before entering a liquor shop about half a kilometre away.

The leopard attacked a middle-aged man, Fateh Lal, who was sitting in front of the liquor counter. It then entered the shop, ransacked the premises and seriously injured 25-year-old salesman Sanjay.

However, the salesman did not lose his presence of mind. He somehow freed himself from the leopard’s grip, jumped out of the shop and immediately pulled down the shutters, trapping the animal inside.

The police and the Van Mitra then informed the wildlife authorities in Jaipur, who dispatched a rescue team to Toda Raisingh to tranquilise and rescue the leopard.

The rescue team tranquilised and captured the leopard at around 2 pm, bringing an end to more than five hours of panic in the town.

The injured were taken to a nearby hospital. Rakesh was discharged after receiving first aid, while Fateh Lal and Sanjay were referred to Jaipur for further treatment.

India’s core infrastructure industries recorded a five-month high growth of 5% in June, driven by a sharp increase in cement, electricity and iron ore production, according to government data released on Monday.

The expansion marks a significant improvement from the revised 3.2% growth recorded in May 2026 and is well above the 1.1% increase registered in June last year, indicating stronger momentum in infrastructure activity at the close of the first quarter of FY 2026-27.

The latest figures are the first to be published under the revised Index of Core Industries (ICI), with 2022-23 as the new base year, replacing the earlier 2011-12 series. The government has also expanded the index by including iron ore, increasing the number of core sectors covered from eight to nine.

The revised series is intended to provide a more accurate reflection of India’s current industrial landscape. As the core sector index serves as a key high-frequency indicator of industrial and infrastructure performance, the updated base year and broader sectoral coverage are expected to improve the quality of economic assessment.

Sector-wise, cement and electricity production each grew 9.8% in June, while iron ore recorded the strongest performance, surging 43.9% after being included in the revised index.

The robust growth in these industries offset weaker performance in other sectors. Output declined in crude oil, natural gas, refinery products and fertilisers during the month, highlighting the uneven nature of the recovery across the core industries.

During the April-June quarter of FY 2026-27, the combined output of the nine core sectors expanded by 3.6%, compared with growth of just 1% during the corresponding period a year earlier. The improvement suggests that infrastructure-linked sectors have begun the new financial year on a stronger footing, although growth remains uneven across individual industries.

With the transition to the new series, future comparisons will be based on the 2022-23 production structure and the expanded nine-sector basket. The upcoming monthly releases will provide a clearer indication of whether June’s stronger performance signals a sustained improvement in industrial activity or reflects temporary strength in sectors such as cement, electricity and iron ore.

The OBC Mahasabha staged a protest march towards the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha in Bhopal on Monday, demanding the immediate implementation of 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the removal of the hold on 13 percent reservation in government jobs.

A large number of protesters gathered at Rangmahal Square and raised slogans in support of their demands.

Police erected barricades to prevent the demonstrators from marching towards the State Assembly, which began its five-day Monsoon Session on Monday.

As several protesters attempted to breach the barricades, police used water cannons and carried out a mild lathi charge to bring the situation under control. Several protesters were also detained at the spot.

The OBC Mahasabha has been demanding that members of the Other Backward Classes be granted 27 percent reservation in government recruitment and promotions.

The organisation has also called for the removal of the current hold on 13 per cent reservation and an increase in the OBC quota from the existing 14 percent to 27 per cent.

Connaught Place and surrounding places of the national capital on Monday witnessed traffic snarls and blockages amid heightened security in wake of the Chalo Sansad March call by the Cockroach Janta Party and their protest at Jantar Mantar.

The New Delhi District Police enforced prohibitory orders u/s 163 BNSS in the district, except designated protest site at Jantar Mantar Road.

According to the police, no permission was sought or granted for any march to Parliament on Monday, while the cops had advised people to not be part of any unauthorised gathering or procession.

Meanwhile, thousands of people, including CJP supporters had gathered in the area to be take part in the demonstration, while they spilled over different places around Connaught Place areas, including outer circle, Feroz Shah Road, Janpath, etc., while the security personnel tried to control the situation.

The protest, which has been ongoing at Jantar Mantar since quite a while, intensified, with the demonstrators trying to walk towards the Parliament.

Metro Station gate closures, and heavy deployment of security personnel was seen on parliament street, and other key locations and the entry points to the central area.

Many people also claimed that they were unable to access internet connection through mobile data on their phones around the Janpath, Jantar Mantar, and Connaught place areas.

Metro gates were shut in the morning due to security reason at stations including Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth, that were later opened.

Towards the evening, many spilled over protestors had reached the Barakhamba Road, Indira Chowk, Connaught Place, which disturbed traffic movement, however, they were disbursed by the security personnel.

Meanwhile, traffic police have also issued advisories asking commuters to avoid Rafi Marg, Motilal Nehru Marg, Maulana Azad Road, Parliament Street, Ashoka Road and Talkatora Road in wake of the arrangements in place due to the Monsoon Session of parliament.

Many people, who said that they had come to support the cause of education, and student welfare, expressed disappointment that there was a lot of confusion, and they could not figure out where to assemble and how to go about it.

Many office goers expressed that they had to face inconvenience due to the traffic situation, due to which they were late to work on a Monday.

Meanwhile, the police have requested people not to fall prey to any rumour, misgivings, and, to assist Delhi Police in maintaining peace and public order at and around the protest site.

The OBC Mahasabha staged a Vidhan Sabha gherao here on Monday on the demand of immediate implementation of 27 per cent reservation and end to the hold on 13 per cent reservation in the government jobs in Madhya Pradesh.

A large number of protesters gathered at the Rangmahal Square and raised slogans.

The police erected barricades to prevent the demonstrators from moving towards the State Assembly, which had its first day today of the five-day monsoon session.

Several protesters tried to jump the barricades, and police had to resort to water cannons and mild lathi charge to bring the situation under control.

The police also detained several protesters on the spot.

The OBC Mahasabha has been demanding that members of other backward classes be given 27 percent reservation in government recruitments and promotions. They are also demanding that the current hold on 13 percent reservation be removed, and the OBC quote be increased from the present 14 percent to 27 percent.

In an initiative to educate citizens about crimes against women and cybercrime, the Kolkata Police has expanded the role of the ‘Durga Suraksha Squad’ on Monday to conduct a city-wide awareness drive from Monday.

While the squad was initially formed to enhance women’s safety through scooter patrols across the city, it has now been assigned a role in conducting public awareness drives.

The Kolkata police headquarters has identified 120 locations across the jurisdictions of 60 police stations for the special awareness drive.

Bengal's Durga Squad pic.twitter.com/KtQ8Jepdk3

— Ashutosh Yadav (@11_ashutosh_11) July 4, 2026

Joint patrol teams have been formed around this squad, comprising personnel from cyber police stations, women’s police stations, local police stations and the detective department’s women’s grievance cell, police said.

These teams will distribute awareness leaflets and make public announcements through loudspeakers at four locations in the jurisdiction of every two police stations. Short awareness videos on crimes against women and cyber safety will also be screened at major traffic intersections, it added.

Moreover, members of the Durga Suraksha Squad will interact directly with citizens, answer queries and provide guidance on women’s safety and cybercrime prevention, police said.

The Kolkata Police have deployed 10 scooters and one vehicle for this initiative, while women personnel from the concerned police stations, cyber police stations and the detective department will assist them throughout the drive.

Haryana has recorded remarkable achievements under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) during the first two quarters of the financial year 2025–26, reinforcing its commitment to creating a tobacco-free society through effective enforcement, awareness generation, cessation services and community participation.

Sharing the achievements, Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Haryana, Dr Sumita Misra, said that Haryana has emerged as one of the leading States in tobacco control, with 12,865 Educational Institutions declared Tobacco-Free under the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines.

She further stated that the State has secured the second position in the country in terms of the number of tobacco control pledges under the National Tobacco Control Programme, reflecting widespread public participation and strong inter-departmental coordination.

She added that the Government is also making rapid progress towards creating Tobacco-Free Villages, with 1,128 villages already declared tobacco-free, demonstrating Haryana’s commitment to protecting future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.

She said that stringent enforcement of tobacco control laws remains a priority of the Health Department. During the reporting period, 3,848 violators were challaned under Section 4 of COTPA, 2003, resulting in the collection of ₹1.82 lakh in fines.

In addition, enforcement agencies registered six cases under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, seizing 33 electronic cigarette stocks. She further informed that Tobacco Cessation Centres, functioning in all District Hospitals and 17 Medical/Dental Colleges, provided counselling and treatment services to 20,414 tobacco users, helping them quit tobacco through professional counselling and pharmacotherapy.

State Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme, Haryana, Dr. Brahmdeep Singh, said that extensive awareness activities have played a significant role in achieving these milestones. During the first half of the financial year, 13,524 educational institutions were evaluated, over 10,500 tobacco-free pledge sessions were organised, 4,255 school rallies and 4,633 awareness competitions were conducted across the State.

He added that under the Tobacco-Free Village initiative, 1,444 Gram Sabha meetings, 2,247 awareness activities, and the constitution of 1,002 Village Level Coordination Committees have strengthened community participation. The programme has also maintained an extensive digital outreach through social media platforms, ensuring continuous public engagement on tobacco control.

The Health Department reiterated its commitment to further strengthening enforcement, expanding cessation services and promoting tobacco-free environments across educational institutions, villages and public places, thereby contributing towards a healthier and tobacco-free Haryana.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wanted to divert attention from his sacrilegious conduct against the Guru Sahiban and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala by summoning him for questioning in an eleven-year-old firing case in Behbal Kalan which was still under investigation after all these years.

Badal, who answered all the questions asked by the SIT during a two-hour questioning session, said, “The SIT is asking the same questions again and again. This is the fourth time I have been called. All questions and my answers have already been recorded on camera and documented in the previous SIT registers.”

“The questions posed today were clearly politically motivated and seem to have been framed by the Delhi AAP team to extract political mileage from an unfortunate incident. Each and every time I have responded promptly to the summons, as I want those guilty in the case to be brought to book. But the Aam Aadmi Party government’s intention isn’t to bring the accused to justice; it formed the SIT only to politicize the issue,” he added.

Thousands of SAD supporters congregated near the Punjab Police Officers Institute (PPOI) to express solidarity with Mr Sukhbir Badal. Speaking to the cadre, Badal thanked them for coming out in the thousands despite heavy rain to give a clear-cut warning to the AAP government that they would not tolerate the politics of lies.

Terming the summons served on him today as a drama, Mr Badal said, “The truth is that this is a diversionary tactic. The Chief Minister is afraid of the SAD. That is why I have been summoned—to shift the focus away from the sacrilegious acts of the CM including sprinkling liquor on the portraits of the Guru Sahiban and trying to urinate on the picture of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.”

“Such acts cannot mitigate the anger and anguish of the people against the Chief Minister. The SAD will continue to expose his misdeeds and will not be intimidated by such tactics. We will hold Bhagwant Mann responsible for all his sins. He will be made to appear at this same place in front of the same police officers and will be held to account.”

Making it clear that Punjabis were fed up with AAP, Mr Badal said, “This party has done nothing but loot the State and its resources. Punjabis are waiting for the forthcoming assembly elections to teach them a befitting lesson.”

He also took on the Chief Minister for doing nothing to contain sacrilege incidents in the State. He said 597 cases of sacrilege had been committed in the State during the last ten years.

“The Chief Minister has not even taken the trouble to get them probed properly leading to large-scale acquittals and cancellation of cases. Bhagwant Mann himself committed the heinous religious crime of sending the police force into a shrine in Sultanpur Lodhi leading to disruption of the Akhand Path.”

The SAD president said Bhagwant Mann had not stopped at this. Now he is confronting the most venerable institution of the Sikhs – the Sri Akal Takht Sahib. I want to make it very clear to him. Whoever confronts Sri Akal Takht Sahib bites the dust. His fate will be the same.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that families of those killed in the 21 July 1993 police firing will be allowed to lodge fresh FIRs, with the state government extending full legal assistance.

Adhikari gave this assurance in the assembly on Monday while tabling the Commission of Inquiry report into the incident.

He also assured that the government would facilitate the process and implement the commission’s recommendations on compensation for the victims’ families.

Meanwhile families of those killed in the 21 July 1993 firing demanded legal action against former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the commission’s report was tabled in the Assembly on Monday.

শহিদ তর্পণের নামে রাজনৈতিক রুটি সেঁকে অনেকেই বিধায়ক, সাংসদ, মন্ত্রী ও মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হয়েছেন, কিন্তু শহিদ ও তাঁদের পরিবারের সদস্যদের এবং আহতদের মিলেছে শুধুই অবজ্ঞা।
এবার বিচারও হবে এবং মর্যাদাও দেওয়া হবে। আজ প্রারম্ভিক অংশ তুলে ধরলাম মাত্র, উপসংহার পর্যন্ত নিয়ে যাওয়ার অঙ্গীকার… pic.twitter.com/pe93WjsxPo

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) July 20, 2026

Speaking to The Statesman, Pinki Rai Sharma, daughter of slain Congress worker Srikanta Sharma said, “Mamata Banerjee deserves the harshest punishment. For 27 years, we trusted her and attended the 21 July programme believing we would get justice. Instead, we now realise we were standing on the same stage as those who concealed the truth.”

Srikanta’s widow, Renu Sharma, said she regretted attending the annual rally for years. “I feel ashamed. We will file an FIR. Even if I have to sacrifice my job, I want justice,” she said.

Bikash Banerjee, elder brother of Kalyan Banerjee, who was killed in the police firing, alleged the report tabled by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari exposed an alleged cover-up of the real culprits and accused Mamata Banerjee of betraying the victims’ families.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday tabled the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the 21 July firing incident in the West Bengal Assembly, alleging that the findings exposed serious inconsistencies in the handling of the case and the subsequent treatment of the victims’ families.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday strongly condemned the police action against students and youth protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged examination paper leaks. The party accused the Narendra Modi-led government of using force to suppress peaceful demonstrations instead of addressing demands for accountability in the education system.

In a statement the CPI(M) Polit Bureau expressed solidarity with the thousands of students and young people who had gathered at Jantar Mantar for a march towards Parliament at the call of the Cockroach Janata Party, with support from several student organisations. The Left party described the mobilisation as a “historic march” and said it was a response to what it termed the Modi government’s “dictatorial approach” towards the month-long agitation seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) congratulates the thousands of students and young people who gathered at Jantar Mantar for a historic march to Parliament at the call of the Cockroach Janata Party and supported by student organisations,” the statement said, adding that the large turnout had given “a befitting answer to the dictatorial approach of the Modi government” over the prolonged protests.

The CPI(M) alleged that the police carried out a “brutal lathicharge and teargasing” against peaceful protesters assembled in and around Jantar Mantar and claimed that several students and youth sustained injuries during the action.

“The Polit Bureau strongly condemns the brutal lathicharge and teargasing of peaceful protesters gathered in and around Delhi’s Jantar Mantar today,” the party said.
It further alleged that police action also took place outside the CPI(M)’s headquarters at Gole Market in the national capital.

“Several students, youth and others have been injured, some seriously, owing to the ferocious attacks carried out by the police on the protesters at the behest of the Union Home Ministry. Lathicharge and teargasing also took place in front of the CPI(M) headquarters in Gole Market,” the statement added.

The party said students and young people had assembled in large numbers after the Union government allegedly refused to fix responsibility for repeated examination paper leaks and reject demands to dissolve the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the NEET examination.

According to the CPI(M), the protests reflected widespread dissatisfaction over repeated examination irregularities and unemployment. It claimed that the month-long agitation had received broad public support across the country.

“The BJP government has refused to heed the demands raised in the month-long protests across the country that saw huge participation, support and solidarity, cutting across large sections of the populace,” the statement said.

The Polit Bureau further alleged that the ongoing hunger strike by protesters and Monday’s police action had triggered fresh demonstrations in different parts of the country.
“The paranoid government instead of being accountable on the growing mess in education and the pathetic situation of unemployment had refused to have a dialogue with the protesters,” it alleged.

Warning the Centre against what it described as repressive measures, the CPI(M) said such actions would not suppress public anger, particularly among young people.
“The CPI(M) would like to warn the Union government that such repressive measures cannot suppress the growing anger and frustration of the people especially the youth against the BJP government’s policies,” the statement said.

The Left party reiterated its key demands, calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the disbanding of the National Testing Agency and the immediate release of those detained during the protests.

“The Polit Bureau demands that the Modi government immediately concede their demands. Dharmendra Pradhan must go. The NTA should be disbanded. All those arrested should be released immediately,” it said.

The CPI(M)’s statement came amid a widening political confrontation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, which has become a major issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Opposition parties have accused the Centre of failing to protect the integrity of competitive examinations and have demanded accountability for repeated paper leaks, while the government has maintained that investigations are underway and that stringent action will be taken against those found guilty. Monday’s protests and the subsequent political reactions have further intensified the debate over examination reforms, youth unemployment and the government’s handling of student demonstrations.

Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra on Monday alleged that the events unfolding in the national capital in the name of a youth movement were nothing but the outcome of negative politics by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Communist and other Opposition parties.

Malhotra said Opposition parties, having suffered repeated electoral defeats across states, are completely frustrated and are now attempting to advance their political interests by misusing youth movements.

He further said that the agitation launched ‘in the name of the NEET examination’ has been reduced to a political conspiracy led by the youth wings of the AAP and other Opposition parties, and it no longer represents the students associated with the NEET movement.

The Delhi BJP President appealed to the country’s youth not to become pawns in the hands of these defeated and frustrated political parties but to remain focused on their education and careers.

Earlier, referring to the protest over the alleged NEET paper leak, Malhotra had on Sunday said that Sonam Wangchuk had joined the hunger strike on June 28, in a demonstration sponsored by the AAP, the Communist parties, and the Congress, even though the satisfactory re-examination of NEET had already been held on June 21.

According to the BJP leader, this was something that clearly demonstrates that the purpose of the hunger strike was not to raise students’ issues, but to create disruption from the streets to Parliament during the Monsoon Session.

The Uttarakhand government wants to focus on improving the national rankings of the state’s universities and educational institutions. Hence, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan directed all institutional heads and vice-chancellors to work toward achieving high rankings for their institutions in the coming days.

Speaking at a high-level meeting of vice-chancellors and heads of educational institutions in the state, Anand Bardhan directed them to focus on the National Education Policy (NEP) to achieve high gradation in National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings. Reviewing the universities’ functioning in the state Bardhan discussed various issues with the Vice-Chancellors and officials of the higher education department seeking detailed information on their institutions’ operations.

The Chief Secretary directed Education Department officials and VCs of government and non-government universities and colleges in the state to work hard to achieve the educational standards set by the country’s National Education Policy (NEP).

He emphasised the need to reform the state’s higher education institutions in line with NEP. “All government universities must prepare their 5-year plans in accordance with the NEP. They must focus on obtaining NAAC and NIRF accreditations and national higher ranks in the country” said Bardhan. He asked vice chancellors “to prepare short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to fulfill and maintain the educational standards of the state. A mechanism should be developed for evaluation and improving the national ranking of all 11 state run universities.”

The Chief Secretary directed them to establish parameters for state-level ranking of the government and aided colleges in the state within next 8–10 days.
He further directed them to integrate internship programs with regular courses and ensure that universities collaborate with industries, NGOs and civil society to achieve this. He also directed the VCs

Focus on foreign language teachings in the universities.

The Delhi Police have appealed to protesters supporting the Cockroach Janta Party’s demonstration to maintain peace, exercise restraint, and cooperate with police personnel in ensuring public order.

In an appeal to the participants, the Delhi Police requested them to conduct themselves peacefully, refrain from indulging in any unlawful or violent activities, and, at the same time, comply with the lawful directions issued by officers and police personnel deployed on duty.

In a video message, Delhi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Additional Commissioner of Police Rajeev Ranjan said that the public is advised not to believe or circulate rumours, misinformation, or unverified content on any platform, including social media.

He said citizens are requested to rely only on authentic sources of information and extend their cooperation to the Delhi Police in maintaining peace, harmony, and public order.

Meanwhile, the police also clarified that there has been no sporadic use of violence or any detentions by the police at Jantar Mantar.

The police stated that the protest is being handled professionally and again requested everyone not to fall prey to rumours.

Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are in force across the New Delhi district, except at the designated protest site on Jantar Mantar Road.

According to the police, no permission had been sought or granted for the proposed march to Parliament on Monday.

The police had clearly advised people not to take part in any unauthorised gathering or procession and to respect the prohibitory orders in the interest of maintaining safety, peace, and security.

Meanwhile, protesters spilled over into areas around Connaught Place, including Indira Chowk and the Outer Circle, where they allegedly attempted to block traffic by placing roadside planters in the middle of the road. They were later dispersed by police personnel.

Near the Kasturba Gandhi Marg turning from the Outer Circle, protesters ran towards the Indira Chowk-Barakhamba Road side while police personnel attempted to disperse them and restore traffic movement.

Similar scenes were witnessed on Feroz Shah Road near Windsor Place and in other areas in the vicinity.

Delhi Police appeals to all protestors to maintain peace, exercise restraint and cooperate with the police in ensuring peace and public order. All participants are requested to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner, refrain from indulging in any unlawful or violent activities… pic.twitter.com/5QBH9dGeha

— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) July 20, 2026

In a major step aiming to overhaul the functioning of the state’s three-tier panchayat system, the West Bengal government is set to introduce a Bill that would transfer the power to sign and approve official documents from elected panchayat heads to government officials.

Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh said that the Bill to this effect would be introduced within the next two weeks. He announcing the proposed legislation in the Assembly on Monday during his reply to the discussion on the Panchayat budget.

Under the proposed amendments, panchayat pradhans will cease to be the “signatory authority” for official files and financial documents. Instead, the responsibility will rest with designated government officers, a move the minister said was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted delivery of public services.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of allegations that a large number of panchayat functionaries have remained absent from their offices since the change of government in the state.

Although the Trinamool Congress continues to control most panchayats, the BJP-led state government has repeatedly accused several elected representatives of failing to discharge their administrative responsibilities.

Responding to criticism from Trinamool (Ritabrata faction) MLAs Sabina Yasmin, Samir Jana and Bina Mondal over his earlier remarks warning absentee panchayat heads, Ghosh defended his position.

“I have only said that if you are a panchayat pradhan, you must serve the people. Come to office and perform your duties, or resign. If someone refuses to attend office, we will ensure they come and sign the files with police assistance if necessary. People cannot be deprived of essential services because of political considerations,” he told the House.

Without naming the previous Trinamool government, the minister also referred to allegations of corruption, irregularities and the practice of collecting “cut money” in rural development schemes over the past 15 years. He said those now speaking of administrative ethics had little moral authority to do so.

Ghosh claimed that nearly 2,000 panchayat pradhans had remained continuously absent from their offices, resulting in delays in approvals and implementation of development projects across rural Bengal.

Since panchayats serve as the primary implementing agencies for most rural welfare and infrastructure programmes, the absence of elected heads has affected the movement of files and execution of works, he said.

Highlighting the scale of the department’s responsibilities, the minister informed the Assembly that the Panchayat and Rural Development Department currently administers welfare benefits for more than 2.048 million beneficiaries.

He also raised concerns over staffing within the department, stating that nearly one lakh employees are currently on its rolls, while the government lacks complete records regarding the manner of their recruitment. Despite this, their salaries continue to be paid regularly, he added.

In another major announcement, Mr Ghosh said the government would fill 11,000 vacant posts in the Panchayat Department through the West Bengal Public Service Commission. Recruitment through the commission, he said, would ensure transparency, merit-based selection and minimise the possibility of corruption.

The minister said the proposed legislative changes and recruitment drive were intended to strengthen administrative accountability, improve public service delivery and bring greater transparency to the functioning of the panchayat system.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of avoiding major issues confronting the country in his remarks at the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. He alleged that the Prime Minister’s address consisted of “worn-out and hollow” statements while failing to address matters the Opposition is determined to raise in both Houses.

In a post on social media platform X, Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister’s customary address ahead of the Monsoon Session did not respond to several controversies that, according to the Congress, warrant urgent parliamentary discussion.
“The Prime Minister began the Monsoon Session of Parliament with his usual worn-out and hollow remarks,” Ramesh said, adding that he “made no mention of the issues that the opposition is committed to raising forcefully in Parliament.”

Listing the issues that the Congress and other opposition parties intend to press during the session, Ramesh alleged that the Prime Minister remained silent on what he described as a donation-related scandal involving the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
He alleged that the “RSS-BJP ecosystem” was linked to what he termed “donation theft and betrayal of faith” in connection with the Ram Temple, claiming the controversy had “shaken the conscience of the entire country.”

Ramesh also targeted the government over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and alleged irregularities in the CBSE Class 12 board examinations, saying these issues had triggered widespread anger among students and young people.
He claimed that while the Prime Minister made only a “formal mention” of the examination crisis in his address, he failed to address the gravity of the situation or provide answers on accountability.

The Congress leader further accused the ruling BJP of employing “dirty tactics” and financial inducements to engineer defections in opposition parties, alleging that such practices were undermining democratic politics.
He also referred to what he described as “credible allegations” of corruption and conflicts of interest involving the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, and the Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, contending that the Prime Minister had ignored these issues.
Ramesh additionally alleged that the Modi government was making sustained attempts to weaken India’s federal structure and constitutional framework through what he called a “compromised delimitation process”, the proposed “One Nation, One Election” initiative and the VBSA Bill.
The Congress indicated that these issues will form the core of its strategy during the Monsoon Session, alongside demands for accountability over examination paper leaks, alleged corruption, and protection of constitutional institutions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his remarks before the commencement of the Monsoon Session, had appealed to all political parties to ensure productive proceedings and highlighted India’s recent achievements in areas such as space, sports and scientific research. However, the opening day of the session witnessed repeated disruptions in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with opposition parties demanding discussions on the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, the alleged crackdown on student protesters and other issues they contend the government has failed to address.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party meeting, now called ‘Mangal Milan’, will be held on Tuesday at Parliament House.

The meetings are traditionally held on Tuesdays during Parliament sessions. This time, however, apart from the new name, the meeting is being viewed with greater interest, particularly for the message that may emerge amid the ongoing protests inside and outside Parliament.

On Monday, proceedings in both Houses were repeatedly disrupted as Opposition MPs demanded discussions on the NEET controversy, the alleged Ram Temple donation scam, the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, and the E20 petrol issue.

Meanwhile, student protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi are being viewed as one of the biggest challenges for the Narendra Modi government since the farmers’ agitation that forced the repeal of the three contentious farm laws in 2021.

Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, are supporting the agitation, which on Monday saw thousands take to the streets demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The day also witnessed several high-level meetings in the national capital.

Government sources said senior leaders are closely monitoring the situation, and a dialogue has also begun with the student leaders.

Regarding its strategy in Parliament, the sources said the ruling alliance has the required numbers in both Houses, including for the passage of a Bill requiring a two-thirds majority.