Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday hosted a special ‘Samvad’ (dialogue) at the secretariat, to discuss on making the upcoming Delhi Budget 2026 more people-centric and practical, with working women, teachers, sportspersons and students sharing their experiences, expectations, and suggestions with her.

Gupta heard all the stakeholders with keen attention to understand what each of them has to say and noted their inputs. She assured them that all of their suggestions reflect in the upcoming budget, emphasizing that public participation is the strongest pillar for a developed Delhi, and her government’s aim is to ensure that the budget caters to the needs of people coming from all sections of the society.

During the interaction, the students present on the occasion put forward crucial suggestions on strengthening the education system and to improving opportunities in the presence of Education Minister Ashish Sood. They proposed extending the Mid-Day Meal scheme up to Class 12 to ensure continued nutritional support.
The students also called for a structured sports training in the government schools, better academic and sports infrastructure, and increased industry exposure which will enable them to have real-world work environment exposure and suggested that there should be dedicated career counselling sessions and availability of competitive exam resources in the libraries.

The working women and teachers, who were also part of the dialogue, drew attention to several day-to-day challenges faced by them at the workplace. They stressed safer commuting options through more foot overbridges and number of underpasses across the city.
The women drew her attention to the issue of waterlogging and sought long-term solution for the other persistent civic issues as well.

The working women asked for setting up creche facilities in schools, while teachers called for AI-based training programmes for upgrading skills, addressing teacher shortages, and other factors.

Additionally, several women emphasized the need for special schemes to promote women drivers and provisions at workplaces to support women during their menstrual cycles.
Sportspersons have come up with suggestions to bolster the sports culture in the city, and proposed to make sports mandatory in schools, and also setting up residential sports academies.

The Chief Minister said her government aims to present a budget that reflects the needs of all the sections of the society. “This budget will not just be a financial document, but a comprehensive roadmap to improve the lives of Delhi’s people,” she added.
She expressed confidence that the suggestions received by her during the dialogue would be clearly visible in Budget 2026.

Gupta also held a detailed meeting with industry representatives as part of preparations for the 2026 budget.
The aim, she said, is to make the budget more industry-friendly, boost investment, and generate employment.

Entrepreneurs from various industrial sectors attended the meeting and shared their demands, suggestions, and expectations.
Delhi’s Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa was also present, while industry leaders emphasized the need for several policy and structural reforms to speed up industrial development.

They suggested revising capital expenditure norms in industrial areas, converting industrial plots to freehold, and ensuring adequate drinking water supply for industries.
Earlier on Tuesday, she had interacted with doctors and women commercial drivers as part of this outreach. She said the government is working to bring governance closer to the people, ensuring that policymaking is shaped by real experiences and peoples’ feedback.
Gupta added that her discussions with medical professionals focused on making healthcare services stronger, more accessible and people-centric.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday expressed confidence that the people of Uttar Pradesh will vote his party to power in 2027.

Taking a swipe at the BJP, he alleged that it does not function like a political party but rather operates like a “gang,” and is consistently hatching conspiracies to defame the Samajwadi Party.

Addressing a “Digital Democracy Dialogue” programme organised at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Auditorium, located at the party’s state headquarters here, Akhilesh Yadav said that democracy is currently under threat and emphasised that dialogue, social harmony, and a positive mindset are essential to strengthen it.

He asserted that the lives of the country’s citizens are in peril, and that in today’s political landscape, a positive direction can only be charted through the path of PDA (Pichhda—Backward Classes, Dalit, and Minorities). No campaign can succeed without a clear vision and a positive outlook.

Akhilesh Yadav stated that the Samajwadi ideology has always provided direction to the country and society, whereas the BJP governments have created an atmosphere of despair and frustration among the public. He alleged that the government is misusing the administrative machinery to create hurdles for the opposition, but affirmed that the Samajwadi Party is prepared to face every challenge.

He advised party workers to maintain simplicity in their conduct and language, remain disciplined, and refrain from provoking anyone. He emphasised that the Samajwadi Party is a party guided by principles and never compromises on them.

Akhilesh Yadav noted that the Samajwadi Party worked towards digital empowerment by distributing laptops to the youth, whereas the BJP utilises digital platforms solely for its own self-serving interests. He appealed to the party workers to counter the BJP’s “malicious propaganda” with truth and to remain vigilant against rumours.

The Delhi government has started the process of disbursing long-pending electric vehicle (EV) purchase subsidies under the Delhi EV Policy, which signals a renewed push towards clean mobility and environmental protection.

Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh alleged that the previous government failed to give adequate priority to electric mobility and pollution reduction, resulting in delays in the disbursement of incentives meant for EV buyers. He said the present government has taken the matter seriously and has initiated concrete steps to release the pending subsidies in a transparent and time-bound manner.

The Transport Department has started the process of releasing incentives to 3,948 verified beneficiaries from companies and firms, whose documentation and eligibility verification have been completed.

The total subsidy amount to be disbursed among them is approximately Rs 7.95 crore, officials said.

Based on data available on the Delhi EV Incentive Portal, a total of 22,733 EV subsidy claims were pending, and after de-duplication and Aadhaar validation of beneficiary records, 16,892 individual buyer cases were pushed to the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) platform for Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Out of these, 12,877 individual beneficiaries have completed Aadhaar seeding, making them eligible for subsidy disbursement amounting to Rs 24.04 crore.

The remaining 4,015 cases (approximately Rs 7.25 crore) have been re-uploaded on the PFMS platform, and are undergoing Aadhaar verification at present.
According to Dr Singh, the Transport Department has strengthened the subsidy disbursement mechanism by migrating the system to the PFMS-based DBT platform for ensuring transparency, efficiency and seamless transfer of funds to beneficiaries.
He also informed that the Delhi EV Incentive Portal is currently being upgraded and streamlined, and it will soon be re-launched by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
“The Delhi Government is committed to making the capital a leader in sustainable mobility and environmental protection,” the transport minister said, adding that the government will soon bring a new environment-friendly EV policy that will further accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

Bangladesh Sports Minister Aminul Haque has said that any decision regarding the future of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will be taken only after consultations with the International Cricket Council (ICC), while also confirming plans to launch a separate probe into the team’s absence from this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The development comes amid growing tensions between the government and the BCB, after the sports ministry on March 11 formed a committee to investigate alleged irregularities, manipulation and abuse of power in last year’s board elections. The BCB has since pushed back, terming the move as interference in its functioning.

Haque, a former national football captain, said the findings of the five-member panel, expected within 15 working days, will be reviewed before he engages further with the ICC on the matter.

“We are all aware of direct interference from our previous government in the BCB elections last year. I have spoken about it on a number of occasions. Following allegations from Dhaka clubs and the districts, we have formed an investigation committee. I will read their report, but my next step will come after I have spoken to the ICC,” Haque was quoted as saying.

The controversy around the elections had intensified following claims of manipulation, with Tamim Iqbal and several Dhaka club officials alleging interference. Questions were also raised over the role of BCB president Aminul Islam, including reports of a letter seeking changes to councillor nominations. Tamim had also alleged that nomination deadlines were extended twice before withdrawing from the race on October 1. Aminul, however, denied all allegations ahead of the polls.

Haque added that the investigation will examine how district administrators altered their nominations, reportedly after receiving communication from the BCB leadership.

“The investigation committee will speak to the BCB election commissioners, the current board president, BCB directors and the CEO. It will also get in touch with the district administrators who nominated the BCB councillors. There is an allegation that many of these district administrators sent the name of a new councillor after having already nominated one, following receipt of a letter (from Aminul). I believe there has to be a neutral investigation of these matters,” Haque explained.

In addition, the minister confirmed that a separate committee will be constituted after Eid to probe Bangladesh’s absence from the T20 World Cup, focusing on lapses in sports diplomacy.

“We will try to find out why we didn’t go to the World Cup. We have to understand why our sports diplomacy fell short. We will form an investigation committee on this subject after Eid. We have to strengthen our sports diplomacy and make sure we don’t repeat this mistake in the future,” he said.

The Congress high command is considering granting permission to former KPCC president K Sudhakaran MP and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash to contest the upcoming Kerala assembly elections.

Despite a general directive from the Congress High Command that sitting MPs should not contest the Assembly polls, Sudhakaran, who represents Kannur in the Lok Sabha, has remained firm on his demand to contest from the Kannur Assembly constituency.

Sudhakaran has warned that the consequences of sidelining him would be significant for the party’s performance in the Malabar region.

Recent reports suggest that the Congress High Command is reconsidering its stance specifically for Sudhakaran due to his refusal to compromise and strong grassroots support.

UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Attingal, is also gearing up to enter the fray from Konni. Reports also suggest that the Congress high command may grant permission to Adoor Praksh too to contest the Assembly elections.

While the Congress High Command initially insisted that sitting MPs should not contest the Assembly polls to avoid by-elections, reports now indicate the High Command may grant a special exemption for Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash.

In this connection, it has been reported that both K Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash are preparing to contest the upcoming Assembly elections, with both initiating steps to secure mandatory no-objection certificates (NOCs).

Indicating his intent to move forward,Sudhakaran has reportedly sought a liability clearance certificate from Kerala House in Delhi as part of the process for filing his nomination. He has cleared pending dues at Kerala House and is in the process of settling outstanding payments with the CPWD in Delhi. The NOC will be issued only after all dues are fully cleared.

It has been reported that Adoor Prakash has also cleared his pending dues at Kerala House and has approached the state protocol officer seeking a liability clearance certificate from the state government, a mandatory step for filing election nominations.

Earlier, the Congress leadership in Kerala had recommended to the high command that sitting MPs should not be fielded in the Assembly elections.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has claimed that the double-engine government has established a new model of security, development, employment, and good governance over the past nineyears in the state.

On the completion of nine years in office, Chief Minister Yogi launched a book, “Nav Nirman Ke 9 Varsh”, on the nine years of unprecedented development and sustained prosperity in Uttar Pradesh here on Wednesday at Lok Bhawan.

The programmee was attended by top brass of the BJP, including state president Pankaj Chaudhary, who is expected to launch the party’s campaign for the 2027 assembly elections to retain power for a record third term in a row.

Addressing the gathering, the CM said, “The transformation witnessed in the state over the past nine years under the guidance and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the result of the policies of the double-engine government, the tireless efforts of party workers, the service-oriented approach of public representatives, and the support of the people.”

He congratulated the people of the state for these achievements, stating that this transformation reflects the collective strength of 25 crore citizens. Earlier, during festivals, there used to be an atmosphere of fear, tension, riots and curfews. However, now important festivals like Navratri and Ramzan are being celebrated together peacefully and harmoniously. Occasions like Alvida prayers and Eid are also being conducted smoothly, without any disturbance or disorder. This is the transformed Uttar Pradesh, where people are freely visiting religious places without fear and experiencing real security, he said.

“This transformation, he said, is not limited to the environment alone, but is the result of the government’s intent, policies, and continuous efforts. People are now visiting religious places even during New Year and other occasions, which reflects a strong sense of social trust and security. Today, there is no fear, tension, chaos or threat of riots in the state, this has been made possible due to strong law and order.”

However, in the past nine years, the government has provided more than 9 lakh government jobs, including over 2.19 lakh police recruitments. This is a major transformation that has strengthened the state’s security framework. “To understand this nine-year journey, it is important to know the condition of the state before 2017. Uttar Pradesh, despite its immense potential, was facing an identity crisis. Despite having some of the most fertile land and abundant water resources in the world, farmers were driven to distress. Artisans, known for their skills, were forced to migrate as laborers instead of becoming entrepreneurs. Youth faced a crisis of identity and employment, while recruitment processes were affected by corruption and malpractice.”

“The law and order situation was such that neither women, nor traders, nor common citizens felt safe. There was no clear vision for development, leading to frustration among the youth, who either migrated or struggled without direction,” he added.

CM Yogi further said, “Today, the situation has completely changed. Over the past nine years, the double-engine government has worked extensively on security, infrastructure, investment, employment, farmer welfare, women empowerment, and upliftment of the underprivileged. Welfare schemes have ensured that benefits reach Dalits, the underprivileged, and those at the last mile. Significant progress has been made in governance by improving education, healthcare, environment, and service sectors.”

“At the same time, continuous efforts have been made to preserve and promote the state’s faith, culture, and traditions, giving Uttar Pradesh a renewed identity at the national and global level,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that to take these achievements to the people, a nine-day program based on nine themes is being organized, starting from Chaitra Navratri. “The objective is to make it a subject of public discussion and ensure participation from all sections of society, including youth, farmers, workers, women, and the poor. Through dialogue, not only will the achievements of the past 9 years be shared, but a roadmap for future development will also be outlined,” he added.

He said the number 9 is considered auspicious and symbolizes completeness, and this initiative is a step in that direction.

The Chief Minister stated that on the completion of nine years, the state government has proposed a budget of approximately ₹9.12 lakh crore for the upcoming financial year. “This budget will give new momentum to the holistic and balanced development of Uttar Pradesh. It will play a crucial role in strengthening the state’s economy, enhancing infrastructure, and creating new employment opportunities. Uttar Pradesh is setting new benchmarks in security, good governance, and development, and this transformation will become even more expansive in the coming years.”

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday said the previous Congress-led government had handed over the state in such a mismanaged condition that “we have been devoting much of our time and resources to taking remedial and revival measures.

Addressing the Uhyami Samwad Samaroh as part of the Rajasthan Day celebrations, Sharma said, “Until about two and a quarter years ago, the state was bereft of any development and governance policies — in a state of ‘decision-paralysis’. Youths were being cheated, industrialists and entrepreneurs were disappointed, and the funds provided by the Centre were being siphoned off.”

The state was witnessing “Noora Kushti (pre-fixed political tussles), with constant attempts to topple or save the government,” the CM said sarcastically, adding, “One can easily imagine the state of development and governance under such circumstances.

“It was like inheriting a badly dilapidated house, whose repair and renovation was far more difficult than building a new and better one. Since we were mandated to undertake the tougher task, we took it up”, he said.

“In such a tough scenario, we embarked on the mission of Viksit Rajasthan, while simultaneously addressing the flaws and shortcomings left behind by the previous government,” the CM said.

Sharma further said, “We have given the highest priority to augmenting the availability of water and energy, creating employment opportunities, and attracting domestic and global investors for industrialisation in the state. This has been highly successful, enabling us to achieve our goals on all fronts. Nearly 70- 75 per cent of what we targeted for our five-year plan has already been accomplished in just two years.

Earlier at the function, Chief Minister Sharma laid the foundation stones for 46 industrial infrastructure projects involving an investment of Rs 226 crore and inaugurated 40 development works worth Rs 119 crore across various industrial areas.

He also announced three new policies — the Industrial Park Promotion Policy, the Aerospace and Defence Policy, and the Semiconductor Policy.

Sharma also released cheques, sanction letters, and land allotment letters to the beneficiaries of various schemes run by the Industries and Commerce Department.

Industries, Commerce and Sports Minister Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of State for Industries and Commerce K K Bishnoi, and Chief Secretary V Srinivas were present.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva on Wednesday, expressing grief over the tragic fire incident in Palam that claimed several lives, said Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered an inquiry in to the incident.

Sachdeva emphasized that the government would focus on preventing such incidents in future as well as ensuring prompt rescue operations when such unfortunate mishaps take place.
He strongly condemned the statements and press conference held by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Saurabh Bhardwaj on the tragic Palam fire incident calling them inappropriate at a time of the tragedy of this magnitude .
Sachdeva said whether it was the condolence message issued by Kejriwal through in his X post or the statement made by Bhardwaj during a press conference, both reflected less sympathy for the public, more political frustration.

He further stated that every accident is tragic, and every government is accountable to the people in such situations.
However, instead of blaming the BJP government, which has been in power for just one year, it would have been better if the AAP leaders had explained what their government did between 2015 and 2024 to develop fire safety infrastructure in the national capital, despite major incidents such as the one at a hotel in Karol Bagh, Anaj Mandi (Filmistan), commercial building (Mundka), paint factory (Alipur), commercial building (Bhagirath Place), and neonatal hospital (Vivek Vihar).

The BJP leader reiterated that the party does not believe in politicizing tragedies and that the Delhi government will work seriously towards upgrading the Fire Services in the national capital.

He said that the current situation is the result of 27 years of misgovernance by Congress and AAP, as even today not every assembly constituency in Delhi has its own fire station.
He also stated that during the AAP regime, no work was done regarding the Fire Services in Delhi, alleging that the recommendation to open 85 fire stations was not implemented, and in 2023–24 alone, 1,303 deaths occurred due to fire incidents.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the West Bengal government whether the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was left remediless and expected to “look and watch” while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly obstructed raids at I-PAC, a political consultancy firm based in Kolkata.

The State argued that the ED’s petition invoking Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking directions for a CBI probe against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and certain police officers, was not maintainable.

The State government raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the ED, being an arm of the Union government, cannot invoke fundamental rights to approach the Court under Article 32 of the Constitution, as a central agency is neither a “legal or natural person” nor a “body corporate.”

Appearing for West Bengal, senior advocate Shyam Divan told a bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice NV Anjaria that the ED is neither a legal person nor a body corporate capable of claiming a violation of fundamental rights.

He argued that if the Union government had any grievance against a State government, it could invoke the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under Article 131 instead of using the ED as a vehicle to file a writ petition. He cautioned that permitting such petitions would disturb the federal balance by enabling central agencies to initiate constitutional litigation against States.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, supported the objection, contending that investigative powers exercised by agencies like the ED flow from statute and do not amount to enforceable fundamental rights.

He argued that allowing government agencies to invoke Article 32 could open the floodgates for litigation between State and Central entities, thereby undermining the constitutional scheme.

However, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra questioned whether the ED should be left without any legal remedy if its investigation was allegedly obstructed by the Chief Minister.

The Court noted that the situation described by the agency was unusual and raised broader concerns about the ability of investigating bodies to function without interference. It observed that the law must evolve to address new situations and cannot permit a vacuum where no remedy exists.

The ED has alleged that its officials were obstructed during searches conducted at the Kolkata office of I-PAC as part of a money laundering probe linked to an alleged coal smuggling case. The agency has sought a CBI investigation into the incident.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had stayed an investigation initiated by the Kolkata Police against ED officers. The case, the Court noted, involves significant questions regarding the extent of powers of central agencies and the limits of State interference in such investigations.

At the outset of the hearing on Wednesday, the Court declined a request by the West Bengal government for an adjournment, as it sought time to file a response to a rejoinder affidavit filed by the ED.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, opposed the request, calling it a tactic to delay the hearing and pointing out that the rejoinder had been filed four weeks earlier, leaving sufficient time to respond.

The hearing on February 18, 2026, witnessed a sharp exchange between the West Bengal government and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), with the State alleging that the anti-money laundering agency was being “weaponized” against political opponents, and the ED countering that it was, in fact, being “terrorised.”

Earlier, on January 15, 2026, the Court had directed State authorities to preserve CCTV footage and storage devices from the searched premises and surrounding areas. It had also stayed FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police against ED officers involved in the searches.

During the January 15 hearing, the Court observed that the ED’s petition raises larger questions “which, if allowed to remain undecided, would further worsen the situation and could lead to a state of lawlessness in one or another State, considering that different parties govern different regions.”

The ED has also alleged that documents and electronic devices were removed when Chief Minister Banerjee entered the premises during the search. Banerjee has maintained that the materials were related to her political party.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has issued closure notices to 93 industrial units in the Hyderpur Redevelopment Area following rigorous inspections and verifications that revealed they were operating without requisite permissions.

The action underscores Delhi government’s commitment to keeping a check on industrial pollution to safeguard public health.

According to an official, the Department has further intensified its enforcement drive with its teams proactively identifying and acting against non-compliant and polluting industries across the city.

The committee has warned that the units operating in violation of air-pollution norms or found operational without valid necessary permissions will face immediate strict penalties and can be sealed ensuring no leniency for environmental offenders.

Speaking on the issue, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Sirsa said, “The Delhi government is ensuring 100 per cent compliance to protect the city’s air.”

“There is zero tolerance towards polluting industries,” Sirsa emphasized.

The DPCC teams are conducting round-the-clock surveys across the city to monitor compliance, focusing specifically on the industries flouting emission standards and operating permissions. The approach taken by the pollution control agency is aimed at preventing unauthorized units from contributing to hazardous air quality levels.

“The government is working on all fronts through technology, enforcement, and policy to keep air pollution in check, prioritizing source-level interventions,” Sirsa added.

He stated that the teams are working continuously and identifying illegal and unauthorised industrial units, and all such operations are liable for immediate action.“These measures align with broader efforts to dismantle pollution hotspots, fostering a cleaner urban environment without compromising economic activity,” he added.

The government has urged citizens to support its anti- pollution initiatives by reporting violations promptly, as collective vigilance amplifies effective enforcement.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today appealed to Punjabis to beware of agencies that might introduce a new entrant into the electoral fray in Punjab and even support the new political outfit, in the same manner as certain individuals were propped up during the 2024 parliamentary elections to weaken the SAD ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.

Addressing a massive rally here along with senior party leader SR Kaler as part of the SAD’s ‘Punjab Bachao’ movement during which he announced that the next SAD government would grant district status to Jagraon, Badal said, “In the 2024 parliamentary polls, you got emotional and voted for individuals who were propped up by agencies.”

Urging Punjabis to understand this alleged conspiracy, Mr. Badal appealed to them to support the SAD for the welfare of Punjab, Punjabis and Punjabiat.

Stating that the SAD alone was concerned about their welfare, Mr. Badal asked, “Do you think Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi), Arvind Kejriwal, or Rahul Gandhi care about your issues?”

He said parties based in Delhi had consistently discriminated against Punjab, citing how the state was denied its rightful capital, how half of its river waters were diverted to Rajasthan against the riparian principle, and how Punjabi-speaking areas were excluded during the state’s reorganization in 1966.

Asserting that the SAD was committed to correcting these historical injustices, the party president said that once the party formed the government in 2027, it would stop the flow of water into the Rajasthan canal. “We will construct new canals and divert this water to the fields of our farmers,” he said.

Mr. Badal also alleged that the AAP government was undermining the democratic framework in the state. Referring to the election of the Chairman of the Baghapurana Block Samiti held yesterday, he claimed that AAP “stole the chairmanship” despite having only eight members compared to SAD’s 15.

He said a similar situation had occurred in Mansa. “The AAP government is also using gangsters like Jaggu Bhagwanpuria to intimidate political opponents in the election of Block Samiti chairpersons,” he alleged, adding that sections of the media were being forced to toe the government line.

“Those who do not comply are persecuted, as is happening with the Punjab Kesri group, whose hotel boundary was demolished without giving it a chance to appeal.”

Accusing the AAP government of misleading Punjabis, Mr. Badal said it was promising ₹1,000 per month to women in the general category and ₹1,500 per month to those from reserved categories.

“The AAP government has taken a loan of ₹52,000 crore and sold government land to fund this allowance for just six months,” he claimed. He added that the government had also withheld power subsidies to PSPCL, warning that this would spell doom for Punjab and its farmers.

Outlining his vision for the state, Mr. Badal reiterated that the SAD would not allow water to flow into the Rajasthan canal. “All water currently diverted will instead be used for Punjab’s fields,” he said.

He also pledged to prevent industrial and sewage effluents from entering the Sutlej and Beas rivers, warning of strict action against violators. “This is essential to tackle the scourge of cancer in the Malwa belt,” he added.

He further announced the revival of the ‘Rahat’ scheme introduced by the previous SAD government to end what he described as “tax terrorism” faced by traders under both the Congress and the current AAP government.

The SAD president also promised an interest-free loan of ₹10 lakh for youth, the revival and expansion of the ‘Aata Dal’ scheme, an increase in old-age pension to ₹3,100 per month, and a hike in the ‘Shagun’ allowance to ₹1 lakh.

He added that all farmers without tube-well connections would be provided the facility, along with 12 hours of daytime power supply. He also proposed the establishment of a World Skill University with affiliated colleges in every district and reserved government jobs for Punjabis.

Axis Bank informed the stock exchanges in a regulatory filing on Wednesday that it will infuse ₹1,500 crore into its wholly owned subsidiary, Axis Finance.

According to the statement, the Axis Bank board has approved the capital infusion into the non-banking financial company (NBFC) in one or more tranches by March 31, 2027, through subscription to its rights issue.

The investment has been approved by the banking regulator, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), via a letter dated March 10.

The transaction falls within the scope of related-party transactions following the RBI’s revised guidelines, which allow multiple entities within a banking group to undertake the same line of business, subject to board approval and adequate rationale and justification.

Earlier, Axis Bank had been informed that it could not infuse additional capital into Axis Finance to fund its growth, following the RBI’s October 2024 ‘forms of business’ circular. The circular had stipulated that only a single entity within a banking group could undertake a particular form of permissible business.

Consequently, Axis Bank decided to bring in an investor by diluting a portion of its stake in Axis Finance to raise capital for expansion, and even appointed Morgan Stanley to identify potential investors.

However, after the RBI revised its guidelines and removed the clause that had barred banks and their subsidiary NBFCs from operating in the same line of business, Axis Bank regained the option to infuse capital into its NBFC subsidiary.

Accordingly, Axis Bank approached the RBI with a proposal to infuse capital into its wholly owned subsidiary, Axis Finance, which was subsequently approved by the banking sector regulator.

Anticipating a heavy influx of devotees during the auspicious Navratri festival beginning on Thursday, the Jammu Division of the Railways has deployed Scouts and Guides at railway stations to ensure smooth passenger movement and effective crowd management.

Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, said that during Navratri, major stations such as Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra witness a heavy volume of passenger traffic. To manage this situation, trained Scouts and Guides have been deployed on the front lines.

Their primary responsibilities include ensuring orderly queues of passengers at platforms and at entry and exit gates; providing information regarding the correct platforms and trains to devotees, particularly the elderly, persons with disabilities, and women; coordinating with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) in the event of medical emergencies or inconveniences caused by overcrowding; and preventing crowds from congregating in specific areas at stations to avoid obstruction to passenger movement.

The railway administration has requested all pilgrims to remain patient during their journey, minimize the amount of heavy luggage they carry, and strictly adhere to the instructions issued by Scouts, Guides, and security personnel deployed at stations. The safety and convenience of passengers remain the utmost priority.

Meanwhile, an elaborate security cover has been deployed across the 13-km trek leading to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during the Chaitra Navratras. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) CEO Sachin Kumar Vaishya said that the entire shrine area, including the Bhawan and surrounding premises, has been decorated with flowers ahead of the nine-day festival.

The footfall of pilgrims this year has crossed 15 lakh, and it is believed that the yatra will further increase in the coming days, Vaishya told reporters.

The CEO said that multi-layered security arrangements have been made, with personnel from the CRPF, J&K Police, Shrine Board security staff, and the Army deployed in strength. An Integrated Command and Control Centre is functioning round the clock, and high-tech CCTV cameras have been installed to maintain constant surveillance, he added.

He further said that priority is being given to devotees with disabilities, and free battery car services, as well as pony services, will be provided to them as in previous years.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s barging in during Enforcement Directorate’s I-PAC raids was not a “happy situation” and asked the state government if the probe agency can be left “remediless” in such a situation.

The top court made the remarks while hearing the writ petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate under Article 32 of the Constitution. The agency, in its plea, had contended that it lacks the legal remedy to invoke fundamental rights jurisdiction against a State.

Alleging obstruction by West Bengal authorities during its January 28 raids on the office of the political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata, the agency had sought a CBI case against CM Banerjee and the state police officials.

Appearing for the West Bengal Government, Senior Advocate Shyam Divan opposed the maintainability of the petition. Divan argued that allowing a Central government department to file a writ petition against a state government would be “dangerous to the federal structure.”

He further contended that the ED is not a “juristic entity”. “It (ED) is nothing beyond just a department of the Government. It does not have by itself any personality,” said Advocate Divan.

He further cautioned, “If we allow this, a situation can arise where Article 32 is being used by one department against another department, or between the Centre and States. This would completely bypass the checks and balances embedded in the constitutional framework.”

On this, the bench, comprising Justice Pankaj Mishra and Justice NV Anjaria, said that a chief minister “barging” in during ED raids is not a “happy situation”.

“What if tomorrow, some other Chief Minister barges into such a raid? Can the ED be left without remedy?” the Supreme Court said. The matter will continue in the top court during the next hearing on March 24.

The case pertains to the Enforcement Directorate’s January 28 raids on political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata. During the raids, CM Banerjee had allegedly barged in and taken away some documents that she claimed contained information about TMC’s candidates for the upcoming Assembly Elections.

Following this, the ED had moved the top court, alleging obstruction by the Bengal CM and the state police. The probe agency also alleged that CM Banerjee removed crucial evidence, a charge she denied.

Ishan Kishan has been named interim skipper of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the early part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with regular skipper Pat Cummins recuperating from the lumbar stress issue that ruled him out of Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign. Abhishek Sharma will serve as vice-captain during this period.

“Pat Cummins will miss a few games while recovering from injury. Until he recovers, Ishan Kishan will be the captain and Abhishek Sharma will be the vice-captain,” the franchise announced in a social media post.

Cummins is expected to link up with the squad in Hyderabad on March 23 after receiving clearance from Cricket Australia, though there is no confirmed timeline for his return to playing duties. The development comes merely 10 days before SRH open their campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.

In an interesting first for the league, all 10 IPL teams will be led by Indian players at the start of the season until Cummins resumes captaincy duties. The Australian all-rounder has been managing a persistent back issue that also ruled him out of his country’s T20 World Cup campaign and limited his appearances during the home summer, where he featured only in the third Test against England in Adelaide.

Kishan and Abhishek both played key roles in India’s triumph at the 2026 T20 World Cup, though neither has previously captained an IPL side.

SRH had acquired Kishan for INR 11.25 crore ahead of the 2025 auction, and the wicketkeeper-batter repaid the faith with 354 runs in his debut season at an impressive strike rate of 152.58. His performances included an unbeaten century on debut for the franchise and an unbeaten 94 later in the season.

He heads into IPL 2026 in strong form, having recently marked a successful return to India’s T20I setup. Kishan led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Since his comeback at the start of the year, Kishan has amassed 532 runs in 13 T20Is at an average of 40.92 and a striking strike rate of 207.00, including three half-centuries during the World Cup. Both he and Abhishek also made crucial contributions in the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, registering half-centuries in the title clash.

The stock market extended its rally for a third consecutive session on Wednesday, with the Nifty crossing the 23,850 mark, supported by broad-based buying across most sectors.

At the close, the Sensex was up 633.29 points or 0.83 per cent at 76,704.13, while the Nifty rose 196.65 points or 0.83 per cent to 23,777.80.

Further, the broader markets also outperformed, with the Nifty Midcap 100 gaining 2 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 rising 1.6 per cent. The total market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies increased to more than Rs 443 lakh crore from Rs 438 lakh crore earlier.

Among sectors, all indices except FMCG and metal ended higher.

The key sectors, including realty, IT, auto, media, capital goods, consumer durables, telecom, and infra, rose in the range of 1 to 3 per cent.

On the Nifty, key gainers included Jio Financial, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Eternal, and M&M, while losers included Coal India, NTPC, HUL, Cipla and Sun Pharma.

More than 200 stocks touched their 52-week lows on the BSE, including Gujarat State Petro, Cipla, Tata Chemicals, Gujarat Gas, Honeywell Automation, and Procter and Gamble Hygiene and Health Care, among others.

The Indian rupee also registered a sharp fall against the US dollar, breaching the 92.50 mark for the first time and finishing at a record closing low of 92.63.

IT stocks witnessed a sharp rebound in the trading session, with key players like Infosys and HCL Technologies leading the gains, rising over 4 per cent, while Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro jumped 3.6 per cent and 3.17 per cent, respectively.

Among pharma stocks, Mankind Pharma rose 1.7 per cent after acquiring the Rivotril brand for India and Strides Pharma Science’s share price rose 3 per cent after entering into agreements with Sandoz AG, Switzerland.

In the Asian market, Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 2.9 per cent to 55,239.40 after stronger-than-expected export data for February, while South Korea’s Kospi jumped 5 per cent to 5,925.03.

South African batting legend AB de Villiers has underlined the enduring influence of talisman Virat Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, describing him as the driving force behind the defending champions’ identity and success, both on and off the field.

As RCB prepare to begin their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, expectations remain high following their historic title-winning run last season.

Speaking about Kohli’s role within the setup, de Villiers emphasised that his impact extends far beyond runs on the board, highlighting the energy and belief he instils within the squad, particularly among younger players.

“Virat is definitely still the heartbeat of the franchise—not only through his performances and the consistency he has achieved with the bat over the years, but also through his presence and the energy he brings to the squad. The way he conducts himself on and off the field, always fighting for the team, stands out. He brings that energy and makes the youngsters believe that they can ultimately go on and win the trophy, which RCB did last year,” de Villiers told JioHotstar.

De Villiers also pointed to a key shift in RCB’s approach during their successful 2025 campaign, noting that the team moved away from over-reliance on a handful of players and instead thrived on collective contributions.

“What I liked about last season—yes, he was one of the main run-scorers in the team, as openers usually are—but there were other players who stepped in. In the past, RCB were often guilty of relying on just two, three, or four players performing consistently. This time, I felt the entire team chipped in,” he added.

Reflecting on the IPL 2025 final, where RCB secured their maiden title, de Villiers highlighted the importance of contributions from across the lineup, despite Kohli anchoring the innings.

“The final is a great example, with Virat scoring 43 runs off 35 balls. But it was actually Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd who scored at a high strike rate and helped the team post 190-plus, ultimately winning the game. Krunal Pandya also chipped in with the ball.”

He further stressed that a balanced squad has eased the burden on Kohli, allowing him to thrive in a more cohesive team environment.

“That’s my point—players contributing like that throughout the season, and the bowling attack stepping up. Virat can feel that; he can sense that he is not the only one carrying the load anymore. He has a squad of fighters around him, all gunning to win the trophy. I think they are in a really good place. It’s a similar squad—they didn’t have to change much—and they have good reason to believe they can go all the way again this coming season,” he said.