Rupali Chakankar, a leader of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, resigned as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission late Friday night after controversy erupted over her alleged links with arrested godman Ashok Kharat.

Her resignation came shortly after meetings with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.

The move followed the circulation of photographs by the opposition purportedly showing her association with Kharat, who is linked to the Shree Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple Trust in Nashik district.

In a statement, Chakankar said she had submitted her resignation to Sunetra Pawar, taking “moral responsibility” to ensure a fair and transparent probe into the allegations.

She maintained that her association with the trust was in a social and religious capacity and denied any knowledge of alleged wrongdoing by Kharat.

She also alleged that misinformation was being spread against her and said she would initiate legal action against those defaming her.

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said the decision regarding her constitutional post was taken after discussions between the Chief Minister and Deputy CM, while a decision on her party position would be taken after a complete investigation.

The controversy has triggered a wider political storm, with opposition leaders raising serious allegations.

Sushma Andhare of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) accused Chakankar of being part of an alleged organised crime network linked to Kharat and demanded her arrest under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

Speculation has also intensified around senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare after a photograph showing his bandaged finger went viral, with unverified claims linking it to alleged occult practices.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has questioned Deepak Londhe, reportedly a close aide of Deepak Kesarkar, an MLA from the Shiv Sena and former school education minister. Investigators suspect possible business links between Londhe and Kharat, particularly in land transactions.

Further controversy arose after photographs surfaced showing Kesarkar with the godman.

Reacting to the development, Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut alleged that Kharat had influenced transfers and postings in the Education Department during Kesarkar’s tenure.

Kesarkar, however, denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and asserting that his interactions with Kharat were limited to social and religious events linked to the temple.

He urged that no political conclusions be drawn merely on the basis of photographs and said the matter should be left to the courts following a thorough investigation.

The case has widened into a multi-layered political controversy, with multiple leaders across party lines facing scrutiny over alleged links to the godman.

Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing, and further developments are expected as the probe progresses.

In a move aimed at improving traffic flow and air quality in the national capital, the Delhi Government has approved the clearance of its pending share for land acquisition related to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision is expected to ease congestion caused by heavy vehicles and help reduce pollution levels in the city.

She noted that these expressways were designed to divert non-destined traffic—particularly trucks and goods carriers—away from Delhi, thereby reducing pressure on city roads and improving air quality.

Criticising the previous administration, Gupta alleged that the project had suffered due to a lack of seriousness and political differences with the Centre, leading to delays in clearing dues and adversely affecting Delhi’s interests.

She said the Cabinet had recently approved a proposal by the Public Works Department to clear the outstanding amount in a phased manner.

As part of the plan, ₹500 crore will be released in the financial year 2025–26 from revised budget estimates to the Centre or the National Highways Authority of India.

The remaining ₹3,203.33 crore will be paid in instalments in the coming years, depending on budgetary provisions, she added.

According to the Chief Minister, the expressways—operational since 2018—have created a protective traffic ring around the national capital through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

She said clearing the dues would resolve long-pending inter-state financial issues and improve coordination with the Centre for future infrastructure projects.

Gupta also accused the previous government of neglecting long-term development and focusing more on disputes with the Centre than on infrastructure growth.

She said delays in releasing funds had stalled progress for years, and asserted that such projects would no longer suffer due to financial constraints or political deadlock.

Notably, both the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) and Western Peripheral Expressway (WPE) are approximately 135 km long and six-lane corridors, designed to keep lakhs of heavy and commercial vehicles from entering Delhi if they are only passing through.

These expressways connect key regions in Haryana—Kundli, Manesar and Palwal—and in Uttar Pradesh—Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Baghpat—making them a crucial backbone for logistics and trade in North India, while also helping reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the capital.

Former Indian cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has clarified that neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) nor current International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah had any role in his decision to step away from commentary duties ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, stating that his concerns were limited to an issue with a specific individual within the system.

“Don’t bring the BCCI Administration into the picture. It’s a one-on-one with an employee of the BCCI. Jay Shah and Co. have nothing to do with this issue. I am taking control of my life, and I think I am entitled to do it,” Sivaramakrishnan said..

The former leg-spinner had recently announced his decision to quit his long-standing role as a commentator with the BCCI. In a series of posts on social media, he alleged that he had faced discrimination and a lack of adequate opportunities despite being associated with the commentary panel for over two decades.

Sivaramakrishnan revealed that he was often overlooked for key on-air assignments such as toss presentations and post-match segments.

“I am retiring from commentary for BCCI. If I have not been used for TOSSES and PRESENTATION for 23 years, and newcomers come in to pitch report Tosses Presentation even when (Ravi) Shastri was coaching, what do you think could be the reason?” he wrote.

“How does a company owning BCCI rights go down? Any guesses. My retirement is nothing great. But a story of TV production unfolds. Soon you will see the bigger picture,” he added.

When a user suggested that his skin colour was an issue, Sivaramakrishnan replied, “You are right. Colour Discrimination.”

Following his initial remarks, several fans directed criticism towards the BCCI and its administration. However, Sivaramakrishnan moved to end the speculation, reiterating that his decision was personal and aimed at regaining control over his professional life.

Sivaramakrishnan played nine Tests and 16 ODIs for India between 1985 and 1987, famously taking 12 wickets against England in 1984 and playing a key role in India’s triumph at the 1985 World Championship of Cricket.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday participated in Sarhul celebrations at two locations in the state capital, invoking the festival’s deeper connection with nature, community life and tribal identity.

Accompanied by MLA Kalpana Soren, the Chief Minister attended the festival at the Adivasi College hostel campus in Karamtoli and later at the Sarna Sthal in Sirmatoli, where he offered prayers following traditional rituals.

At the Sarna site, the customary sal flower was placed behind his ear by a pahan, symbolising the enduring relationship between nature and human existence.

Addressing gatherings, Soren said Sarhul is not merely a festival but a reminder of the ecological and cultural foundations of life. “Nature is the source of all creation and ultimately where everything returns,” he said, adding that preserving traditional practices is a shared responsibility across generations.

He observed that in a rapidly changing and material-driven world, such traditions serve as anchors that bring communities together under a shared cultural and environmental consciousness.

Describing Sarhul as a living expression of Jharkhand’s tribal heritage, the Chief Minister said the state government remains committed to protecting and promoting indigenous traditions, culture, and sacred natural sites.

The celebrations were marked by traditional music and participation from local communities, with Soren briefly joining the festivities by playing the mandar, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Merely a week ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, three-time title-holders Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered another major setback to their pace attack with India fast bowler Akash Deep ruled out of the tournament.

According to sources within the KKR set-up, the 29-year-old Bengal pacer will miss the entire season. Akash, who was bought by the franchise at his base price of Rs 1 crore during last year’s mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, has not joined the team’s training camp here, which began on March 18.

It is understood that the pacer has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, although the exact nature of his injury has not been disclosed. Reports suggest that the Centre’s medical staff have been in communication with the franchise regarding the player’s status.

Akash has struggled with injuries throughout his career, which has often limited his availability for both India and his IPL teams. Since making his IPL debut in 2022, he has played only 14 matches across four seasons, taking 10 wickets.

Last season, he was part of Lucknow Super Giants, who had signed him for Rs 8 crore at the 2025 auction before releasing him after just one season.

With Akash now unavailable, KKR may be forced to look for a replacement. The franchise had earlier been undecided about signing a substitute for Harshit Rana, who was ruled out before the start of the camp after undergoing knee surgery.

KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar had on Friday hinted at the possibility of a replacement signing earlier, likely aware of the uncertainty around Akash’s availability.

“Hopefully soon, in a couple of days I think. Obviously Harshit is with the BCCI at the CoE. Once we get an update the medical team will communicate to us. We’ll try to evaluate what we are picking before we make the announcement. (We) will take us a few more days, most probably before we leave for Mumbai,” Nayar said.

Akash Deep’s absence has only further compounded KKR’s bowling concerns. The franchise had made a significant investment in Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, signing him for Rs 18 crore, but he is still awaiting a No Objection Certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket.

At present, the franchise’s Indian pace options include Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi. The team management could also rely on Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a few overs if required.

However, KKR team mentor Dwayne Bravo insisted that it has enough depth to cope with the setbacks. “In any tournament with any team, once you lose some of the key bowling options, these are not things you plan for, but these are things you have to accept,” Bravo said on Friday.

“The good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, there’s a lot of depth. There’re the likes of Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora… they are young, exciting talents. We lost some key players, but I feel comfortable to know that we have what it takes to replace those guys. From a bowling point of view, I think we will be fine,” he said.

KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign with an away match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

Amid mounting political criticism over the forcible eviction of United News of India (UNI) from its Delhi headquarters, Dhirendra Pratap, Senior Spokesperson and Senior Vice President of the Uttarakhand Congress, on Saturday termed the incident an “assassination of democracy” and a “black day” in history.

Speaking to journalists here on Saturday, Pratap expressed his shock upon learning of an unexpected turn of events on Friday evening, wherein the Delhi premises of the news agency United News of India were forcibly dragged by Delhi Police personnel. He asserted that the sudden eviction of the office of the country’s premier news agency, executed without notice and backed by a heavy police force, amounts to an assassination of democracy. Alleging misconduct, he remarked that the manner in which working journalists were forcibly removed from the UNI newsroom under the Modi regime could be classified as an act of anarchy.

It is noteworthy that for several decades, UNI had been operating from its premises located at 9 Rafi Marg, near Parliament Street. On Friday, just hours after the Delhi High Court delivered its verdict on a pending petition regarding the cancellation of the premises’ allotment by the Ministry of Urban Development, some government officials, acting in haste and without any prior notice, entered the premises accompanied by approximately 300 personnel and officers from the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, along with a few lawyers. They proceeded to pressure the journalists and other employees working there to immediately vacate the newsroom and exit the premises, even though that particular time of day typically marks the peak period for news transmission activities.

Terming this a “black day,” Dhirendra Pratap observed that while significant measures are taken globally to uphold press freedom, in this instance, the UNI office was forcibly cleared in a hasty manner before its management board could even approach the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s verdict, an occurrence that does not bode well for democracy. Describing the press as the fourth pillar of democracy, he stated that for decades, UNI has been regarded, not merely in India but across the globe, as the largest news-gathering agency in Hindi, English, and Urdu; in this context, the misuse of the police is deeply distressing and unfortunate.

As declared earlier, members of the Shia community in Madhya Pradesh observed a sombre Eid on Saturday in mourning for the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, and raised slogans against the United States and Israel at various places across the state.

According to reports, Khamenei was killed on February 28 at the onset of the ongoing conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran in West Asia, in bombings carried out in Tehran.

More than 4,000 Shia families in Madhya Pradesh are largely concentrated in cities such as Bhopal, Jabalpur, Indore, Vidisha, Ujjain, Burhanpur, Itarsi, and Jaora.

The main namaz of the Shia community was offered at the Fatehgarh Imambara in the state capital, Bhopal. A photograph of Ayatollah Khamenei was placed at the Imambara in his remembrance.

Addressing the gathering after the namaz, Shia cleric Maulana Razi-ul-Hasan spoke about the importance of standing up against oppression. Slogans against the US and Israel were raised following the prayers.

Some devotees were seen wearing black armbands and dressed in simple, old clothes as a mark of mourning. Shia children were also observed wearing black armbands across the state.

“All India Shia Samaj state president Iftikhar Ali said, “After offering namaz at Sidhipura Imamiya Masjid and raising slogans against the US and Israel, I returned home. My community and I are not celebrating Eid.”

He added that the community chose not to celebrate the otherwise joyous festival in protest against what he described as excesses by Israel and the US on Iran.

Senior Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday raised concerns over the weakening of the Indian rupee and rising industrial fuel prices, warning that these trends indicate a possible surge in inflation that could significantly impact households and small businesses.

In a message posted on his WhatsApp channel, Gandhi said the rupee’s slide against the US dollar towards the 100 mark, along with a sharp increase in industrial fuel costs, should not be viewed as routine fluctuations. “These are not just numbers; they are clear signs of upcoming inflation,” he said.

Taking aim at the Centre, Gandhi alleged that the government was downplaying the seriousness of the situation. “The government may call this ‘normal’, but the reality is that production and transport will become expensive, MSMEs will take the biggest hit, prices of everyday goods will rise, and FII money may flow out rapidly, increasing pressure on the stock market,” he said.

He cautioned that the cumulative impact of these developments would be widespread. “That means every family will feel a direct and deep impact on their pockets,” Gandhi said, adding that further increases in fuel prices could be on the horizon. “It is only a matter of time—after the elections, petrol, diesel, and LPG prices may also be hiked,” he claimed.

India has witnessed periodic inflationary pressures in recent years, driven by global commodity price volatility, exchange rate movements, and supply chain disruptions. The rupee–dollar dynamic remains a key indicator, as a weaker rupee raises import costs—especially for crude oil—thereby impacting fuel prices and transportation costs across sectors.

Gandhi also criticised the broader economic approach of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing it of lacking a clear roadmap. “The Modi government has no direction, no strategy—only rhetoric,” he said, adding, “The question is not what the government is saying; the question is what is left on your plate.”

The remarks come amid an intensifying political debate over inflation, employment, and economic management, with opposition parties increasingly focusing on cost-of-living concerns ahead of key electoral contests.

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Saturday called for the adoption of a “Compassion Quotient” (CQ) in society, stressing that compassion must guide technology, governance and public life.

Delivering a centenary lecture at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Satyarthi said compassion should go beyond empathy and translate into responsible, action-oriented engagement with societal challenges.

“Compassion is not merely sympathy or empathy, but a force that drives conscious action,” he said, urging individuals to cultivate awareness, emotional connectedness and accountability in addressing the suffering of others.

Cautioning against growing indifference in contemporary society, he emphasised that compassion must guide decision-making across sectors, including business, judiciary and governance. He also advocated the idea of “compassionate AI”, underlining the need to embed ethical responsibility in technological advancement to ensure inclusive and humane progress.

Encouraging students to become change-makers, Satyarthi said knowledge must be complemented with empathy to create meaningful social impact.

The lecture marked the launch of the Abanish Chandra and Binapani Sinha Memorial Lecture Series, instituted through an endowment by alumnus Mihir Sinha. The initiative aims to promote interdisciplinary dialogue at the intersection of science, technology and the humanities, according to institute officials.

Presiding over the programme, IIT (ISM) Director Sukumar Mishra described the occasion as significant for the institute and highlighted the role of technology in advancing societal welfare.

The event witnessed participation from faculty members, students and staff at the Penman Auditorium.

The government has introduced a Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0).

The scheme aims to provide guarantee cover to Banks/ Financial Institutions through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) against expected losses on the financial assistance extended by them to Non-Banking Financial Company-Microfinance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs) and MFIs for on lending to small borrowers.

Salient features of the scheme include:

–Eligible borrowers: Existing or new small borrowers within the regulatory definition of micro finance as prescribed by RBI from time to time;

–Guarantee coverage: 80% of amount in default for small, 75% for medium and 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/ MFIs;

–Guarantee Fee: 0.50% p.a., on sanctioned amount (1st year) & outstanding amount (thereafter); and

–Interest Rate: Capped at EBLR or MCLR + 2% p.a., on loans by MLIs to NBFC-MFIs or MFIs. While on-lending to small borrowers, these lenders shall cap the interest rate at 1% below the average rate of lending in the past 6 months.

The scheme will facilitate increased credit flow to the MFI sector. It is estimated that the scheme will facilitate on-lending by NBFC-MFIs/ MFIs to approximately 36 lakh small borrowers.

Microfinance plays a key role in Financial Inclusion by delivering credit to people at the bottom of the economic pyramid. NBFC-MFIs and MFIs are the key participants in the microfinance lending business.

In view of ongoing financial stress in the microfinance sector, there has been a slowdown in lending by banks to MFIs due to which smaller MFIs are struggling to get loans.

The scheme aims to encourage lending institutions to provide funding to NBFC-MFIs or MFIs for lending to small borrowers within the regulatory definition of micro finance as prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.

Leaders from various political parties gathered at Rishra Wellington Ground today to exchange Eid greetings following the namaz.

Owing to rain, the Eid namaz could not be held in the open grounds at Wellington Jute Mill grounds and instead was conducted under the shed of a jute mill godown.

Among those present were Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee, Trinamul Congress (TMC) candidate for Serampore Assembly Tanmoy Ghosh, Rishra Municipality chairman Vijay Sagar Mishra, vice-chairman Zahid Hasan Khan, Serampore chairman-in-council Santosh Singh and others.

TMC leaders exchanged Eid greetings and wished people. On the occasion, Mr Banerjee refrained from making political remarks, stating that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has set an example of communal harmony in West Bengal. He said the state reflects the true spirit of “Dharma jar jar, utsav sobar”, where people of all religions, faiths and beliefs coexist in mutual respect and brotherhood, participating in each other’s festivals without ill feeling. He also cautioned against divisive forces seeking to exploit religious sentiments and urged people to remain vigilant.

The CPI-M candidate for the Serampore Assembly constituency, Nabanita Chakraborty, said she attended the gathering not as a political figure but as a citizen to exchange Eid greetings. She stressed that communal harmony and brotherhood are essential for a united and strong nation, and called for resistance against divisive forces.

Ms Chakraborty also highlighted the closure of Rishra Wellington Jute Mill and Serampore Jute Mill, which has rendered thousands jobless. She questioned how people could celebrate wholeheartedly under such circumstances and criticised the ruling party for failing to ensure industrial development and keep mills operational.

The chief cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Saturday announced that he has been detained at home, while Srinagar’s Jama Masjid has been locked down for worshippers for seven straight years for Eid prayers.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed anguish over the denial of permission for Eid prayers at the Jama Masjid, asserting that restrictions at the city’s largest mosque raise questions about the normalcy claimed by security agencies.

The Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid strongly condemned continued restrictions on Eid congregational prayers at the Jama Masjid, stating that for the seventh consecutive year, Muslims of the Valley have been deprived of offering Eid prayers at one of the most revered places of worship.

The Auqaf termed the situation as deeply unfortunate and unjustified, stating that such measures hurt the religious sentiments of millions and undermine the fundamental right to practise one’s faith freely.

Mirwaiz posted pictures of the locked Jama Masjid and wrote on X: “For the seventh consecutive year, amid restrictions and house arrests, Eid prayers remain barred at Jama Masjid. A day of celebration turned to grief and denial for Muslims. It’s an irony of our times that those who lock our mosques and Eidgahs are the first to wish us Eid Mubarak!”

Mirwaiz was expected to deliver Eid sermons from the pulpit of the Jama Masjid. The management of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid had announced congregational prayers at 10 am, with the Eid sermons to be delivered by Mirwaiz at 9 am.

Early in the morning, people gathered at mosques and Eidgahs across Jammu and Kashmir to offer congregational prayers amid festivities. The biggest congregational gathering in Srinagar was held at the Hazratbal mosque on the banks of Dal Lake. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with his father and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, joined the prayers there.

The Chief Minister said he was “saddened” that worshippers were not allowed to offer prayers at the centuries-old mosque in the city centre.

CM Omar Abdullah told reporters, “Peacefully, Eid prayers have been offered across Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, once again, Eid prayers have not been allowed at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar. I feel very saddened by this.”

He said there was a disconnect between the ground situation and the assessment of law enforcement agencies.

“The security and law enforcement officials repeatedly claim that the situation is normal. But what kind of normalcy is this? Eid prayers are not allowed at the largest mosque in Srinagar,” he said.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that the authorities would revisit such decisions. “I hope that such decisions will be changed and people will be allowed to offer their prayers freely,” he said.

The CM also referred to the impact of rising prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products, saying the economic burden was affecting households across the country.

“We are seeing the effects of rising LPG and oil prices all over the country. Tomorrow, prices may further rise. How much negative impact will it have on our country? It will definitely have an impact,” he said.

He added that the issue had both an economic and a sentimental dimension. “First of all, it will have an impact on sentiments. It will have a sentimental impact on the entire Muslim community. Along with that, it will have an impact on the whole country. Our sentiments are hurt. But for those who find it difficult to run their homes because of LPG and diesel, it will have an impact on them as well,” he said.

Omar called for an end to the conflict. “That is why I said that we should have only one prayer from us today—that this unjust war should end as soon as possible, and that peace should emerge again,” he added.

Ruling National Conference MP, Aga Ruhullah, also condemned the locking of the Jama Masjid and detention of Mirwaiz.

Ruhullah wrote on X, “The police state has once again disallowed @MirwaizKashmir from performing Friday prayers and giving the Friday sermon at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar. The BJP regime, which is in control of this police state, is so consumed by servility that they now fear Muslims supplicating to Allah.”

The Uttarakhand State Congress has condemned the incident that occurred late Friday evening at the national headquarters of UNI and UNI Varta, the country’s oldest multilingual news agency, located on Rafi Marg in New Delhi, where a large police contingent arrived and sealed the premises without any prior intimation, while also engaging in misconduct towards female journalists.

State President Ganesh Godiyal termed the incident undemocratic, characterizing it as both dictatorial and unfortunate. He stated that, under the pretext of enforcing a court order, the police’s decision to visit the UNI office late in the evening constitutes a violation of human values. Furthermore, he noted that preventing journalists from even retrieving their personal belongings and physically manhandling a female journalist runs contrary to all ethical norms. He asserted that the current government is making continuous attempts to stifle the voice of the media.

Former Congress Secretary Mahesh Joshi condemned the police for forcibly entering the UNI office and resorting to the use of force. He described this action as an assault on the freedom of the media, often referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy. He pointed out that since the matter was still sub judice (under judicial consideration), and even following the court’s verdict, there remained other legal avenues that were actively being explored. Under such circumstances, he argued, a forcible eviction carried out at the behest of the government is entirely unjustifiable.

The party’s outgoing State Spokesperson, Sheeshpal Singh Bisht, strongly denounced the incident, alleging that the current Central Government is determined—by any means necessary,to hand over this news agency (widely regarded as a source of national pride) to its corporate allies, Adani and Ambani, just as it has done with various other institutions. He claimed that this explains why the government became rattled after the Adani Group’s bid was rejected by the Company Tribunal, with the contract subsequently being awarded to the ‘Statements Group’, leading to the cancellation of the UNI premises’ allotment. He characterized this entire episode as a direct assault on the independent media.

Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren alleging underutilisation of recently procured bulletproof vehicles meant for VIP security and movement.

In a letter dated March 21, Marandi said the state Home Department had purchased 17 bulletproof vehicles in late 2024 for use by the Chief Minister, former chief ministers, the Governor and other dignitaries.

He said three vehicles have been allocated to the Chief Minister and two to Raj Bhavan, while the remaining vehicles are with the headquarters.

Marandi claimed that only a few of these vehicles are currently being used for VIP movement, while others remain idle.

He said prolonged non-use could lead to deterioration and result in wastage of public funds.

The BJP leader also pointed out that vehicles allotted to former chief ministers are over a decade old and have covered around two lakh kilometres, often leading to breakdowns.

He suggested that the unused vehicles be allocated to senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, the Home Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary, to ensure their utilisation.

Reigning world champions India will take on Ireland in a two-match T20 International series in June, with the fixtures scheduled for June 26 and June 28 in Belfast. The series will serve as a preparatory assignment for India ahead of their white-ball tour of England. Both matches will be played in Belfast, marking India’s return to the venue for the first time since 2007.

“Team India (Senior Men) will travel to Ireland for a two-match T20I series in June 2026. Having toured Ireland three times in the past eight years (2018, 2022 and 2023), this tour will mark India’s return to Belfast for the first time since 2007,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement.

The announcement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India came shortly after Ireland’s director of high performance Graham West confirmed the series while also revealing that veteran Paul Stirling had stepped down as Ireland’s T20I captain.

India are set to host Afghanistan for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series that will conclude on June 20, before travelling to England for five T20 Internationals and three ODIs from July 1 to July 19.

In recent years, India have toured Ireland three times — in 2018, 2022 and 2023 — with all matches held at Malahide near Dublin drawing strong crowds.

West had earlier indicated that the India series forms part of Ireland’s plans for the upcoming summer, which also includes a one-off Test against New Zealand and five ODIs against Afghanistan.

India have a strong record in T20Is against Ireland, having played seven matches and winning six, while one game was abandoned due to rain. India’s only previous international match in Belfast came in an ODI, which they won by nine wickets in a rain-affected contest. Batting first, Ireland had posted 193 in 50 overs, with Niall O’Brien scoring a half-century.

Stirling steps down as T20I captain

Stirling stepped down as Ireland’s T20I captain on Thursday after his campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was cut short by a knee injury sustained during a group-stage match against Australia. Wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker took over the captaincy duties for the remainder of the tournament.

Stirling will, however, continue to lead Ireland in the ODI format as the team builds towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

During his tenure as T20I captain, Stirling led Ireland in 48 matches, registering 20 wins and 26 losses, while two games ended without a result. Under his leadership, Ireland featured in the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026, though the team exited in the group stage on both occasions.

Stirling is also Ireland’s most-capped player in T20 Internationals, having appeared in 163 matches. The right-handed batter is the country’s leading run-scorer in the format with 3,895 runs.

In a major breakthrough in the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state, as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Ferozepur, in close coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), has foiled a cross-border smuggling attempt and recovered 6.5 kg of heroin near Border Outpost (BOP) GG-2 at village Mahtam Nagar in Fazilka.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday said that preliminary investigations have revealed that Pakistan-based smugglers crossed the zero line and operated close to the border fence, attempting to exploit darkness to push narcotics into Indian territory.

Alert BSF troops fired several rounds to prevent the breach, followed by a thorough joint search operation that led to the recovery, he added.

Sharing operational details, AIG CI Ferozepur Gursewak Singh said that, acting on reliable inputs, police teams along with BSF Fazilka planned a special ambush early on Saturday morning and executed a joint, well-coordinated operation in the area of village Mahtam Nagar.

Pakistani smugglers attempted to push the consignment, but BSF personnel responded promptly and successfully thwarted the attempt. He added that the operation resulted in a substantial recovery of narcotics from the spot.

The AIG said that further investigation is underway to trace local operatives and unravel the entire smuggling network.

In this regard, a case FIR No. 7 dated 21-03-2026 has been registered under Sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station SSOC Fazilka.

With the sustained and coordinated efforts across the coal sector and the invaluable contribution of all stakeholders, India has successfully achieved the landmark of one billion tonne (BT) coal production on March 20 for the second year in a row.

This significant milestone underscores India’s growing self-reliance in the energy sector and its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply to key industries, an official press release said on Saturday.

This enhanced and sustained coal production level has enabled the country to effectively meet rising energy demands while supporting the power sector in maintaining record-high coal stock levels at coal-based thermal power plants.

The achievement reflects robust planning, efficient execution, and strengthened coordination across the coal value chain, thereby contributing meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth trajectory.

The Ministry of Coal continues to remain steadfast in its commitment to fostering a stable, transparent, and performance-driven ecosystem.

Through proactive policy interventions, rigorous performance monitoring, and close engagement with stakeholders, the Ministry is ensuring reliable coal availability and seamless operations across sectors, the release added.

It said that aligned with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” these efforts reinforce the government’s resolve to build a resilient energy framework, enhance domestic production capabilities, and drive sustainable economic development.