The 2026 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards served up drama, glamour, and a whole lot of winners, and it was the supernatural folk horror film ‘Bring Her Back’ that walked away with the biggest haul of the night.

The chilling thriller ‘Bring Her Back’ didn’t just scare audiences. It conquered the AACTAs. With ten wins from sixteen nominations, the film took home trophies for Best Film, Best Direction, and Best Lead Actress for Sally Hawkins.

Not far behind, the miniseries ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’ raked in nine awards, including Best Lead Actor for Jacob Elordi. Drama series ‘The Newsreader’ continued its streak of wins with four awards, while Netflix’s ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ was crowned Best Miniseries.

It wasn’t just the stars of 2025-26 who got recognition. Legendary filmmaker Bruce Beresford received the prestigious Longford Lyell Award. Visionaries Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings picked up the Byron Kennedy Award, while Kate Armon and Craig Smith were recognised with the Reg Grundy Award. The Brian Walsh Award went to Clare Hughes, honoring her exceptional contributions to Australian film and television.

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Here is the full list of winners:

In film

Best Casting in Film: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Cinematography in Film: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Costume Design in Film: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Direction in Film: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Editing in Film: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Film: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Indie Film: ‘Lesbian Space Princess’

Best Lead Actor in Film: Richard Roxburgh (‘The Correspondent’)

Best Lead Actress in Film: Sally Hawkins (‘Bring Her Back’)

Best Original Score in Film: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Production Design in Film: ‘The Correspondent’

Best Screenplay in Film: ‘The Correspondent’

Best Sound in Film: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Supporting Actor in Film: Julian McMahon (‘The Surfer’)

Best Supporting Actress in Film: Deborah Mailman (‘Kangaroo’)

In Television

Best Acting in a Comedy: Miranda Tapsell (‘Top End Bub’)

Best Casting in Television: ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’

Best Children’s Program: ‘Play School: All Together’

Best Cinematography in Television: ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’

Best Comedy Entertainment Program: ‘Hard Quiz’

Best Comedy Performer: Tom Gleeson (‘Hard Quiz’)

Best Costume Design in Television: ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’

Best Direction in Drama or Comedy: ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’

Best Direction in Nonfiction Television: ‘The People vs Robodebt’

Best Documentary or Factual Program: ‘The People vs Robodebt’

Best Drama Series: ‘The Newsreader’

Best Editing in Television: ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’

Best Entertainment Program: ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’

Best Factual Entertainment Program: ‘Alone Australia’

Best Lead Actor in a Drama: Jacob Elordi (‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’)

Best Lead Actress in a Drama: Anna Torv (‘The Newsreader’)

Best Lifestyle Program: ‘Grand Designs Australia’

Best Miniseries: ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’

Best Narrative Comedy Series: ‘Bump’

Best Original Score in Television: ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’

Best Production Design in Television: ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’

Best Reality Program: ‘The Great Australian Bake Off’

Best Screenplay in Television: ‘The Newsreader’

Best Sound in Television: ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’

Best Stand-Up Special: Celia Pacquola (‘I’m As Surprised As You Are’)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama: Daniel Henshall (‘The Newsreader’)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama: Heather Mitchell (‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’)

In Documentary

Best Cinematography in a Documentary: ‘The Kimberley’

Best Documentary: ‘Journey Home, David Gulpilil’

Best Editing in a Documentary: ‘Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story’

Best Original Score in a Documentary: ‘Journey Home, David Gulpilil’

Best Sound in a Documentary: ‘Yurlu | Country’

Short film

Best Short Film: ‘I’m The Most Racist Person I Know’

Online

Best Online Drama or Comedy: ‘A Series of Unfortunate Dates’

Others

Best Hair and Makeup: ‘Bring Her Back’

Best Original Song: ‘Here I Go’ from ‘Lesbian Space Princess’

Best Soundtrack: ‘Mix Tape’

Best Visual Effects or Animation: ‘Tron: Ares’

Individual

2026 AACTA Longford Lyell Award Recipient: Bruce Beresford

2026 AACTA Byron Kennedy Award Recipients: Kristina Ceyton, Samantha Jennings

2026 AACTA Reg Grundy Award Recipient: Kate Armon, Craig Smith

2026 AACTA Trailblazer Award Recipient: Sarah Snook

2026 AACTA Brian Walsh Award Recipient: Clare Hughes

Audience Choice Awards

Favourite TV Show: ‘Stranger Things ‘(Season 5)

Favourite Film: ‘Wicked: For Good’

Favourite Australian Actress: Margot Robbie

Favourite Australian Actor: Jacob Elordi

Favourite Media Personality: Robert Irwin

Favourite Australian Podcast: Shameless

Favourite Australian Music Video: The Kid LAROI – A Cold Play

Favourite Online Channel: Norris Nuts @norrisnuts

Favourite Digital Creator: Bridey Drake @brideydrake

Rabanne Breakthrough Artist: Mekonnen Knife

In a setback to actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay, the Madras High Court on Friday dismissed his plea challenging a penalty of Rs 1.5 crore imposed by the Income Tax Department for undisclosed income relating to the financial year 2015–16.

Justice Senthilkumar Ramamurthy found no infirmity in the penalty notice and declined to interfere, holding that Vijay had disclosed the additional income and paid taxes only after a search and seizure operation conducted by Income Tax officials in September 2015. The Court also ruled that the notice had been issued within the statutory limitation period prescribed under the Income Tax Act.

However, the Court granted liberty to the actor to challenge the penalty order before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal on grounds other than limitation. The writ petition was dismissed solely on the issue of limitation.

The case pertains to alleged tax evasion connected with the Tamil film Puli (2015), which marked the return of veteran actress Sridevi to Tamil cinema and was her last film before her death.

Counsel for the Income Tax Department submitted that search and seizure operations conducted at Vijay’s premises on September 30, 2015 yielded incriminating documents. The Department found that the actor had received Rs 4.93 crore in cash and Rs 16 crore by cheque from the producers of Puli. While tax was deducted at source for the cheque payments, no TDS was deposited for the cash component.

When confronted with the evidence, Vijay reportedly admitted to receiving Rs 5 crore in cash and agreed to pay tax on it. Subsequently, to resolve the matter, he disclosed additional income of Rs 15 crore for the financial year 2015–16, which included the cash transaction, and paid the applicable taxes.

In his income tax return filed in July 2016, Vijay declared a total income of Rs 35.42 crore, including the additional amount. He also claimed depreciation on assets worth Rs 17.81 lakh and sought exemption for fan club expenses amounting to Rs 64.71 lakh. Disallowing these claims, the Department assessed his taxable income at Rs 38.25 crore in its order dated December 30, 2017 and imposed the penalty.

Amid allegations of irregularities in the Intensive Revision of the voter list (SIR) raised by Uttar Pradesh government minister Ravindra Jaiswal himself, the Congress party on Friday accused the process of being marred by serious and widespread irregularities.

A delegation of the Varanasi Metropolitan Congress Committee submitted a detailed memorandum to the ADM (Supply), alleging biased practices and serious lapses during the second phase of the ongoing intensive voter list revision in the City North Assembly constituency (388).

Metropolitan Congress President Raghavendra Chaubey said that the concerns expressed by state minister Ravindra Jaiswal regarding the final voter list published after the intensive revision conducted at 451 booths in City North constituency expose the wide gap between the BJP’s claims and its actual governance.

“When the BJP government is in power both at the state and the Centre, and the entire administrative machinery is under its control, then the responsibility for any irregularity in the voter list lies squarely with the BJP government and its ministers,” Chaubey said.

He alleged that serious irregularities are continuously surfacing under the guise of SIR. “In several places, names of eligible voters are being deleted; in others, genuine voters are being excluded, while in many areas there is a complete lack of transparency in the revision process,” he added.

Accusing the BJP government of creating confusion to cover up its failures, Chaubey strongly condemned the use of terms such as “vote jihad” by Minister Ravindra Jaiswal, calling it “extremely unfortunate and condemnable.”

“Kashi is not merely a city; it is a living symbol of the Ganga-Jamuni culture. It is the land of Sant Kabir and Nazir, the city of Mother Ganga, and the holy abode of Lord Vishwanath,” he said.

The Congress leader further claimed that, according to reliable sources, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are allegedly deleting voter names under pressure from the ruling party during the second phase of SIR, in violation of established rules.

He expressed serious concern over reports that voter names—particularly in Muslim-majority areas—are being removed on a large scale in the name of revision.

“Names of voters from Muslim localities, as well as from other communities, are being struck off en masse using pre-printed Form-7s, which is completely against democratic norms,” Chaubey alleged.

The Congress party demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the matter and strict action against those found responsible.

The Union government has released over Rs 1,133 crore as 15th Finance Commission grants during FY 2025-26 to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)/Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana.

In Madhya Pradesh, an amount of Rs 652.55 crore has been released as the second installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024-25. The funds will benefit all 52 eligible District Panchayats, 312 eligible Block Panchayats and 23,001 eligible Gram Panchayats in the state. Additionally, Rs 77 lakhs representing the withheld portion of the first instalment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25, has also been released to three additionally eligible Block Panchayats and 6 Gram Panchayats.

For Punjab, the Union government has released Rs 222 crore as the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2025-26. These funds will support all 13,262 eligible Gram Panchayats, 150 eligible Block Panchayats and 22 eligible District Panchayats across the State.

For Telangana, Rs 256.0295 crore has been released as the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024-25, benefiting 12,702 eligible Gram Panchayats. Further, Rs 233.18 lakhs, being the withheld portion of the second instalment of Untied Grants for FY 2023–24, has also been released to 11 additionally eligible Gram Panchayats and 40 Block Panchayats.

The Rajasthan state budget for fiscal year 2026-27 will be presented in the state assembly on Wednesday. Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, who holds the Finance portfolio, will deliver her third successive budget speech in the House at 11:00 am.

The size of the budget last year (2025-26) was Rs 5.37 lakh crore. Keeping this in mind, analysts and economists are speculating on the growth of 7 to 10 per cent in the budget funds compared to last year. They are expecting the finance minister to conclude the process of finalising the budget size at around Rs 5.70 to Rs 6 lakh crore, with a major boost to the infrastructure development.

The budget session of the state assembly began here on January 28 with an inaugural address by Governor Haribhau Bagade on the opening day.

In the six sittings so far, besides the routine business of the Question Hour and the Zero Hour, the House also debated and adopted the Vote of Thanks to the Governor for delivering his inaugural speech. After Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s reply to the five-day debate on vote of thanks, Speaker Vasudev Devnani had adjourned the house until 11:00 am on February 11, 2026.

Although intermittent verbal clashes, witty pot-shots, forced adjournments, and on a couple of occasions during the debate and discharge of other routine business marred the proceedings, the house by and large discharged business smoothly, compared to the experience during the previous sessions.

The SC/ST and OBC Rights (Equality) Front and other student organizations held a march and protest at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth on Friday in support of the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.

During the protest, students were allowed entry to the campus only after their identity cards were checked by the university administration. Security forces have been deployed on the campus as a precautionary measure.

Hundreds of students, carrying posters and banners, raised slogans in support of the new UGC regulations. The police were also monitoring the situation with the help of drones.

The protesters stated that the new regulations ensured equal rights for all, but the Supreme Court had stayed their implementation.

The protest had been announced beforehand on social media platforms. Semester examinations are also underway at the university. As a result, the campus has been turned into a virtual fortress. Under the instructions of the Chief Proctor, entry of any outside student or individual has been prohibited.

Student Rohit Kumar said that SC/ST and OBC students often face caste-based discrimination and other problems. Student Nirmala Kumari said that no one should object to the new UGC regulations. The new rules will put an end to exploitation in the university.

The university administration stated that the march was peaceful. A sufficient number of security personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. Any suspicious person is being questioned.

At a meeting here with Central observers for the forthcoming Assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday asked them to ensure that the electoral exercise is held as per the law and the instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Briefing meetings were held in three batches on Thursday and Friday at the ECI for 1444 officers, including 714 general observers, 233 police observers and 497 expenditure observers for the Assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The observers were briefed on various aspects of preparation of electoral rolls, conduct of elections, and expenditure, information technology and media-related matters. They were also given a demonstration of the EVMs.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, briefed the third batch of central observers, on the second and final day of the briefing meetings. The ECI also interacted with the observers in a doubt-clearing session.

The CEC reiterated that elections are held as per the law and cautioned there is no scope of deviation. He impressed upon the observers to follow the ECI’s instructions. He also informed that in addition to the new initiatives already taken by the Commission in the past one year, certain new initiatives are being taken for the coming Assembly elections. He called upon the observers to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

In his address, Election Commissioner Sandhu said that the Central observers have a big responsibility on their shoulders and when they are on the field, the observers are the representatives of ECI. He called upon the officers to observe highest levels of conduct while carrying out their duties and ensure a level playing field for all.

Addressing the observers, Dr. Vivek Joshi called upon them to promptly address the grievances and complaints received by them. This, he said, helps build the trust of the people and the political parties in the electoral process. He also apprised them about the various new initiatives taken by the Commission in the past one year, which, he said were successfully implemented during the Bihar Assembly elections.

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken the problem of stray dogs and the increasing incidents of dog bites in the state very seriously.

Taking concrete steps on this issue related to public safety, the state government has expedited the process of establishing dog shelter homes and Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers in municipal corporations and district headquarters.

Giving priority to this at the government level, the processes of land identification, budget allocation, and project approval are being advanced simultaneously. It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court had issued guidelines in this matter.

The state government’s objective is to resolve the stray dog issue in a humane, scientific, and sustainable manner. It believes that an effective system of dog shelter homes and ABC centers will ensure the safety of the general public on one hand, and strengthen animal welfare on the other.
The dog shelter homes will be developed alongside the ABC centers, already operating or proposed in municipal corporation areas. Each municipal corporation has been directed to provide suitable land and complete the necessary administrative formalities expeditiously. The government has clarified that this entire process is being carried out in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines and animal welfare standards.

Officials here on Friday said that the UP government has directed the preparation of a separate Detailed Project Report (DPR) for dog shelter homes.

According to the proposals received, the estimated cost per shelter home ranges from ₹470 lakh to ₹531 lakh. The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) include all important aspects such as the capacity of the shelter home, infrastructure, veterinary facilities, food, sanitation, security arrangements, and deployment of trained staff. These DPRs have been given in-principle approval at the government level, and the next phase of the process has now begun in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directives.

Love is in the air, and if your wallet is feeling light, don’t worry. Delhi is full of hidden gems, quirky cafes, serene gardens, quirky streets perfect for a Valentine’s Day that’s romantic, fun, totally affordable.

Forget the overpriced restaurants and crowded malls. Here is how you can steal a memorable date for under ₹1000.

Coffee, chai & food

If you want a low-key date that still feels special, nothing beats sipping warm drinks with someone you like.

Javed ki Famous Nihari – Okay, hear me out. It’s winter (just about) and nothing says “I care” like sharing a bowl of spicy, soul-warming nihari. Bonus: it’s totally budget-friendly.

Humayunpur Cafes – Go adventurous with Nepali or North Eastern cuisine and sip on boba tea. Cheap, cheerful, and absolutely Instagram-worthy.

AMA Cafe, Majnu Ka Tilla – Himalayan vibes, cozy corners, and cute candids for your social feed. Long chats guaranteed.

Triveni Terrace Cafe – Rooftop feels, low prices, and enough space to talk without feeling rushed.

Cha Bar, Connaught Place – Chai and chatter after a little shopping or park walk.

Street Food Crawl – Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, or Lajpat Nagar. Momos, chaat, jalebis, kulfi; all under ₹500 for two if you pace yourselves.

And then, share a dessert or two instead of ordering full meals. Cheap, sweet, and intimate. Thank us later.

Walks, gardens & nature

Want romance without spending a fortune? Delhi’s greenery (whatever is left) is your best friend in this AQI.

India Gate at night – Grab a homemade snack picnic, sit by the fountains, enjoy the lights, and maybe sneak a selfie together.

Sunder Nursery – Cheap entry, wander lakesides, hidden paths, and gardens. Take photos, talk, relax. Cheap thrills.

Dilli Haat (INA) – Regional foods, colourful stalls, fun shopping. Expect to spend around ₹700 for two and still have some for chai.

Sarojini Nagar – Shopping for summer clothes or quirky finds. Because nothing says fun like bargaining together.

Garden Hopping – Buddha Jayanti Park, Talkatora, or Kamla Nehru Ridge. Free, quiet, and perfect for sunsets.

Cycling Dates – Rent a bike in Nehru Park or Deer Park. Add a mini picnic mid-ride for extra points.

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Art, street walks & hidden museums

For couples who love culture or Instagram moments:

Street Art in Lodhi Colony – Colourful murals, fun poses, and no entry fee. Follow it with tea at a nearby cafe.

Mini museums – Crafts Museum or Rail Museum. Entry under ₹100 per person. Small but charming and perfect for curious minds.

Craft & DIY Workshops – Pottery, painting, or other fun classes for ₹400-₹700 each. Create something together to remember the day.

Music & performance vibes

Add a little live energy to your Valentine’s Day without emptying your pockets:

Live music at cafes – Find some low-cost acoustic nights in your neighbourhood. Romantic + easy on budget.

Open Mic or Poetry Nights – Entry ~₹200–₹300. Bonus: you can read a poem together (or embarrass each other, up to you).

Interactive & creative fun

Want your date to be memorable, interactive, and full of giggles?

Couple Sketch Challenge – Draw each other in the park or cafe. Supplies ₹100. Memories priceless.

Photo Treasure Hunt – Pick 5 to 6 fun spots around Delhi (murals, monuments, quirky alleys). Take photos at each. Cheap, creative, and Instagram-ready.

Board Games in Cafes – Some cool cafes out there let you play for free or with a small coffee bill. Total fun for ₹300-₹400 for two.

Romantic moments without spending much

Some of the sweetest experiences are free.

Rooftop Sunset Watch – Any safe terrace with drinks (~₹150 each). Instant magic.

Monuments by Night – India Gate, Red Fort, Connaught Place lit up. Walk, talk, soak it all in.

DIY Star Gazing – Qutub Minar lawns or Aravalli Ridge. Bring a blanket, maybe a telescope, and just lie under the sky.

Keep it simple, keep it cozy, and let the memories do the magic.

The Silver Jubilee Maha Milan of Indian Navy Batch 01/2001 was organized recently at Puri temple town with around 450 batch-mates from different parts of the country coming together to mark 25 years of friendship, service, and shared experiences in the Indian Navy.

The first day of the event focused on welcoming all the batch-mates and reconnecting with former instructors of INS Chilka (2001 batch).

It was a deeply emotional occasion as the gathering also paid tribute to the departed batchmates by observing two minutes of silence, honouring their memory and sacrifice.

On the second day, the batchmates visited INS Chilka, where they had undergone their initial naval training. The visit brought back fond memories of their early days in service. The Commanding Officer of INS Chilka hosted a warm welcome and lunch for the group. A memento was presented to INS Chilka by the batch representatives as a mark of respect and gratitude.

The celebrations concluded with a colourful and lively Gala Night, adding joy and festivity to the Silver Jubilee reunion. The event was conducted by the Navy veterans of Batch 01/2001 from Odisha. Sujit Giri, Sushil Kar, Taraprasad Behera, Prakash Kumar Swain, Sujit Misra, Debadatta Das, Bibhu Jena, Sukant Behera, Thakur Jena, and Sushil Patra were among the key organisers of the event.

The Allahabad High Court ordered immediate release of builder Abhay Kumar, who was arrested by the police in a case of software engineer Yuvraj Mehta’s death after falling into a pit in Noida.

The decision was delivered by a division bench of Justices Siddharth and Jai Krishna Upadhyay on Friday.

Petitioner builder Abhay Kumar had filed a habeas corpus writ petition in the Allahabad High Court. The court accepted the writ petition.

In compliance with the order of February 3 on the petition filed by the engineer, a counter-affidavit was filed in the High Court by the AGA on behalf of the investigating officer of the case, which the court took on record.

In his petition, Abhay Kumar had requested the court to issue an order or direction to the respondents to produce and release the petitioner from their illegal custody.

The petition stated that the petitioner’s arrest, detention, and remand should be declared illegal, void, and invalid.

His counsel submitted to the court that the requirement of Clause 13 of the arrest memo was not followed in this case, nor was the petitioner informed of it before the arrest.

The court observed that the arrest rules were disregarded in this case.

Considering this, the court directed the concerned authorities to immediately release Abhay Kumar.

The court directed the AGA to immediately inform the concerned authorities about this order to ensure its compliance and not to wait for the certified copy of the order to be issued.

27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta was drowned in a Noida ditch on January 18 night when he was returning home from his office Guguram.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the state has played a significant role in the country’s food security. However, with changing times, agriculture and the rural economy are facing several new challenges, including declining groundwater levels, deterioration of soil health, shrinking landholdings, climate change and rising cost of production.

He emphasized that these challenges cannot be addressed through conventional methods alone, but require innovation, technology and strong institutional financial support.

The Chief Minister released the NABARD State Focus Paper for the year 2026-27, in which Haryana’s priority sector credit potential has been assessed at over ₹3.67 lakh crore, reflecting an increase of about 17 percent compared to the previous year. During the event held on Thursday, the Chief Minister also felicitated several committees for their commendable performance.

Speaking on the occasion, he said rural prosperity is not possible without making agriculture profitable. Therefore, there is a need to implement the principles of “more production with less land” and “Per Drop – More Crop” in practice.

He further said that just like credit facilities, infrastructure is equally crucial for rural development. Irrigation, storage, warehousing, rural roads, electricity and digital connectivity form the foundation of development.

Saini informed that special focus would be given to Smart Agriculture Zones in the upcoming budget, and separate clusters are being developed for this purpose. Clusters for kinnow, guava, strawberry, litchi and other horticulture crops are being created to encourage farmers to shift from traditional farming to modern agricultural practices. He also urged farmers to adopt sugarcane cultivation as part of crop diversification.

He said that the state government is making concerted efforts to strengthen the linkage from “soil to machine and farm to market” so that farmers can get better market access for their produce as well as fair and remunerative prices.

The Chief Minister urged banks to ensure that timely, simple and transparent credit facilities reach every eligible farmer so that our food providers can become self-reliant and free themselves from the clutches of middlemen. He said that NABARD is playing a significant role in this direction and is continuously supporting the development of agricultural and rural infrastructure.

The Chief Minister stated that MSMEs, Self-Help Groups, women entrepreneurship and cooperative institutions play a crucial role in strengthening the rural economy. He said 710 PACS are functioning in Haryana and cooperative banks have been computerized. Farmers have complete faith in PACS, but in recent times there have been concerns regarding their functioning.

He emphasized that it is necessary to restore farmers’ trust in PACS as they play a vital role in rural development.

Saini said Haryana is consistently taking several steps to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi”. He added that through the “Meri Fasal Mera Byora” portal, information regarding farmers’ cultivation has been uploaded. The state government ensured the availability of fertilizers as per farmers’ demand, curbed black marketing of fertilizers and saved approximately ₹700 crore in subsidies.

The Chief Minister said all of us together have to fulfill the resolve of “Viksit Bharat – 2047.” Banks have a significant role in this mission. He urged all banks to provide easy credit facilities so that farmers can become self-reliant. He stated that the path to “Viksit Bharat” passes through “Viksit Haryana” and that through the collective efforts of NABARD, banks, the State Government and all stakeholders, Haryana will be developed in such a way that prosperity reaches the last person in queue.

NABARD Chief General Manager Nivedita Tiwari informed that NABARD has assessed Haryana’s Priority Sector Lending potential for 2026-27 at ₹3.67 lakh crore, which is 17 percent higher than the previous year. Out of this, ₹1.32 lakh crore has been earmarked for the agriculture sector and ₹2.11 lakh crore for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

She stated that the state government is working in coordination with banking and financial institutions to empower farmers, entrepreneurs and the rural economy so as to achieve the goal of “Viksit Haryana – Viksit Bharat.” She added that NABARD is laying special emphasis on women empowerment.

She further informed that under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), NABARD has so far sanctioned ₹18,393 crore for rural infrastructure development in Haryana, out of which ₹14,066 crore has been released. These funds are being utilized in sectors such as roads, irrigation, renewable energy, grain storage, drinking water, sanitation and electricity.

She said that the State Focus Paper 2026-27 has prioritized areas such as crop diversification, water conservation, micro-irrigation, horticulture, value addition, climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), promotion of rural MSMEs, renewable energy and social infrastructure in order to realize the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi.”

The Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Friday underlined the necessity of providing institutional support for the establishment of an Integrated Command and Control Centre in Leh, aimed at enhancing real-time coordination, communication, and disaster response capabilities.

The chief secretary chaired a meeting of the Ladakh Disaster Management Authority (LDMA) to review disaster preparedness, mitigation measures, and disaster initiatives in the UT.

The meeting was attended by the GOC of Army’s Fire and Fury Corps, Lt General Hitesh Bhalla, Lt General Chhabra, officers from Air Force, BRO, ITBP and Police. Officers from NDMA joined online.

During the meeting, Administrative Secretary, Disaster Management, Shashanka Ala, made a detailed presentation outlining Ladakh’s hazard profile, with special emphasis on earthquake and flash flood risks.

The presentation also included a rainfall and snowfall report of Leh town, along with an overview of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Acts and their implementation.

The meeting deliberated on several key agenda items, including the procedure for seeking post-disaster relief, a review of relief and reconstruction works undertaken by DDMA Leh, and the proposal for preparing a shelf of projects under the proposed Disaster Mitigation Fund of UT Ladakh.

The Chief Secretary emphasised the need to further strengthen disaster mitigation and preparedness mechanisms across the UT. He stressed the importance of robust inter-agency coordination and directed that the Army, Air Force, and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) should operate through an integrated control room to ensure a coordinated and effective response during emergencies.

He stressed the need for identification of disaster vulnerable spots and also modalities of mitigation and relief operations. He stressed upon the need for an integrated disaster management plan which would incorporate requirements of the Army, BRO, ITBP and other agencies.

He also urged the police to create a unified disaster mitigation force including civil defence, home guards and ex-servicemen. He underscored the need for identification of helipads and temporary landing grounds for helicopters in the eventuality of disaster.

The meeting further discussed decisions and approvals sought from the State Executive Committee (SEC), with emphasis on timely action and adherence to established disaster management protocols.

Amid the massive operation of the security forces to flush out the hiding Pakistani terrorists from the mountains of the Jammu region, Home Minister Amit Shah arrived late last night here for a two-day visit during which he will visit the border posts and also hold a security review meeting. He will take stock of the security situation at two border posts along the India-Pakistsn border.

The home minister was received at the airport by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “Arrived in Jammu for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Here, along with reviewing security and development works, I will inspect the Gurnam and Bobia BOPs on the border and inaugurate several welfare schemes for the soldiers,” he wrote on X.

“I will also have the privilege of meeting families of martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for national security and handing them appointment letters”, he added.

‎The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of overseeing “massive deletions” from the voter list in West Bengal, alleging that the removals were the result of a “mysterious faulty software” deployed by the poll authority.

‎In a statement, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale said ECI officials had now acknowledged that software-related errors were responsible for the deletion of names of legitimate voters from the electoral rolls. He asserted that the issue had been repeatedly raised over the past several months by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

‎“Finally, even ECI officials accept that massive deletions in the Bengal voter list happened due to a mysterious faulty software,” Gokhale said. “This has been pointed out by our leaders for months, and yet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has remained silent.”

Questioning the functioning of the alleged software, Gokhale sought clarity on its origin and continued use. “Who made this mysterious software for ECI that deletes legitimate voters? Why has ECI not stopped using this software despite knowing that it’s faulty,” he asked.

‎The TMC MP further alleged political interference in the functioning of the poll body, accusing the BJP of influencing the Election Commission. “After failing in their attempts to manipulate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on the ground, BJP-controlled ECI is using a software to delete voters while sitting in Delhi by bypassing election officials,” Gokhale said, describing the alleged actions as “dirty tricks of the highest level.”

‎The allegations came amid heightened scrutiny of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a routine exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to update voter lists by removing duplicate, shifted or deceased voters and enrolling newly eligible electors. The process often draws close attention from political parties, particularly ahead of elections, amid concerns that errors could lead to voter disenfranchisement.

‎The Election Commission has not issued a detailed response to Gokhale’s claims so far. In earlier instances, the ECI has maintained that electoral roll revisions are conducted strictly in accordance with established procedures, with multiple layers of verification involving booth-level officers and representatives of political parties.

‎The TMC has called for greater transparency from the Election Commission and demanded that the use of the alleged software be halted until a full explanation is provided.

The tragic death of a biker in the national capital due to an “open pit” has caught the attention of the Congress party, and its Delhi unit has demanded “impartial investigation.”

“Kamal was returning home from his office in Delhi. An open pit on the way became the cause of his death. This pit had been dug by the Delhi Jal Board but was neither covered nor barricaded, nor was any warning sign put up,” said the Delhi Congress on Friday.

“A few days ago, a 27-year-old engineer, Yuvraj, had also died after falling into a water-filled pit in Noida. These are not accidents, but gross negligence by the system. Strict action should be taken against the guilty officials, and the entire matter should be impartially investigated,” the party said.

Delhi Congress also questioned the “Smart City” claim of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Amid claims of ‘Smart City,’ the BJP’s incompetent system is taking the lives of ordinary people,” it added.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma visited the site in west Delhi’s Janakpuri where the biker lost his life after falling into a pit at the Line Rehabilitation Project area on Thursday.

“Visited the Janakpuri accident site where sewer line work was underway. The tragedy is deeply regretted and our thoughts are with the grieving family. Executive Engineer, AE and JE have been suspended with immediate effect. Strict action is being taken against the responsible agency. Delhi Jal Board has constituted a high-level Inquiry Committee to fix responsibility,” the minister said.

Nearly a month after software engineer Yuvraj Mehta drowned when his car fell into a water-filled pit in Sector 150, Noida, Kamal died on Thursday night after his bike fell into a pit reportedly dug for construction work linked to the Delhi Jal Board and left open without guardrails, barricades, or warning signs.