In a significant step towards sustainable urban sanitation, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday declared Kaka Nagar as its sixth Anupam Colony, making it Delhi’s first residential colony to adopt a mechanised and dust-free cleaning system.

The declaration was formally made by NDMC Chairman, Keshav Chandra, who described the initiative as a transformative leap in urban cleanliness and environmental stewardship, marking a decisive shift from traditional manual cleaning to modern mechanized sanitation practices.

Under this pioneering model, sweeping operations in Kaka Nagar are now carried out using five push-back mechanical sweepers and one gobbler machine, significantly reducing dust emissions and contributing to improved ambient air quality.

Addressing the gathering, Chandra stated that with this declaration, Kaka Nagar joins five other residential colonies previously designated as Anupam Colonies within the NDMC area. He emphasised the unique distinction of Kaka Nagar, where all cleaning activities are undertaken exclusively through mechanized means, establishing it as a model for environmental friendly cleaning by reducing air pollution.

“This initiative marks the beginning of a new era in colony-level sanitation across the NDMC area,” the Chairman said. He added that the project is currently being implemented as a pilot initiative, and based on its success, the mechanized cleaning model will be expanded to other colonies under NDMC jurisdiction. He further noted that NDMC is actively working towards reducing dependence on traditional broom-based sweeping, reaffirming its commitment to cleaner air and healthier living environments.

Chandra appreciated the proactive support of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and acknowledged the dedication and hard work of sanitation workers and field staff responsible for operating and maintaining the systems on the ground.

Providing technical insights, Advisor (SWM), NDMC, Rajiv Kumar Jain, informed that 12 wire-mesh composting rounders have been installed at various locations across the colony to process wet and horticultural waste generated within the premises. The organic compost produced will be utilised for maintaining colony parks and will also be distributed among residents. He further stated that under the initiative “Geela Kuda Lao – Khaad Le Jao”, compost has been distributed to residents over the past seven days, encouraging waste segregation and sustainable practices at the household level.

To further strengthen citizen engagement and participation, an RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Centre and “Neki Ki Diwaar” have been set up in the colony, enabling residents to donate reusable items such as clothes, books, and household goods. This center was inaugurated by members of the RWA. Residents are also encouraged to place recyclable materials in designated bins to facilitate effective recycling.

Earlier, the NDMC had conferred the title of “Anupam Colony” on five residential colonies as D-1, D-2 and Satya Sadan Officers’ Flats, Bharti Nagar, Aradhana (Burmah Shell Cooperative Housing Society Ltd.), Bapu Dham and New Moti Bagh and all of which serve as exemplary benchmarks of environmentally responsible and sustainable urban living.

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday again witnessed fierce political confrontation amid accusations of double standards in parliamentary conduct by Opposition parties over Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi “not being allowed to speak”, and the suspension of eight MPs. Matters escalated after alleged derogatory remarks by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Congress prime ministers—late Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi—and senior leader Sonia Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to respond to the ongoing motion of thanks to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha around 5 PM. However, amid sustained and heated exchanges, the Lok Sabha was adjourned just minutes before his address.

The BJP alleged that opposition MPs were moving towards the PM’s chair in an “attacking” mode.

According to BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, several Opposition women MPs entered the well of the House and moved towards the chair used by the Prime Minister. “The opposition came with the intention to attack us at 5 PM sharp, (as the House assembled). They surrounded the Prime Minister’s chair,” he was quoted as saying.

Gandhi, however, said, “As I said, PM Modi will not come to Parliament because he is scared and doesn’t want to face the truth.”

Earlier, speaking to the media outside the House, he had said that he would personally present former Army chief General MM Naravane’s memoir to the Prime Minister when he speaks in the House. “I don’t think the PM will have the guts to come to the Lok Sabha today because if he comes, I am going to give him this book. If the PM comes, I will go physically and hand him this book so he can read it and the country can get to know the truth,” he had said.

A meeting of opposition parties has been called for tomorrow morning to discuss strategy.

The origins of the turmoil trace back to Monday, when Gandhi was barred from quoting an article referencing Naravane’s memoirs concerning the 2020 India-China conflict, followed by the suspension of eight MPs. Congress MPs also strongly protested controversial comments made by Dubey during the motion of thanks to the President’s Address, in which he made “objectionable references” to Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Heated exchanges were also reported from Speaker Om Birla’s chamber, where MPs from both sides engaged in a prolonged argument, underlining the seriousness of the standoff and the deteriorating relations between the Treasury and Opposition Benches.

Dubey had brought six books into the House and quoted from them while making remarks about Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Despite attempts by the presiding officer to stop him, the BJP MP continued speaking, prompting loud protests from Opposition members and eventually leading to the adjournment of the House.

Opposition leaders accused the government of allowing ruling party members greater leeway while restricting their voices.

Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of applying different rules to the Leader of the Opposition and BJP MPs. While Opposition leaders were frequently interrupted, restrained from speaking, or even suspended, BJP MPs were permitted to make provocative statements and quote freely from books without facing consequences, she said, calling it a reflection of a “systematic effort to suppress dissent in Parliament.”

Priyanka also questioned why the government objected when an Opposition member cited a published book, while a BJP MP was allowed to bring multiple books into the House and quote from them uninterrupted.

Rahul Gandhi, who for the past two days had been seeking to quote in the Lok Sabha from the “memoirs” of the former Army chief—which Birla and the Treasury Benches said was against House rules—referred to excerpts of the book outside Parliament to detail how General Naravane “felt isolated during the crisis after what the Prime Minister told him ”.

“The main line is what the PM said – ‘jo uchit samjho wo karo’. When the (former) Chief of Army Staff General Naravane called up Rajnath Singh ji and said that Chinese tanks have reached the Kailash Ridge, so what should we do? First, Rajnath Singh did not respond to him. He asked Jaishankar ji, NSA and Rajnath Singh but received no reply. He then called up Rajnath Singh once again. Rajnath Singh told him that he would ask the ‘top’. The standing order of the ‘top’ was that if Chinese forces come in, we should not fire on them without permission. Naravane ji and our Army wanted to fire on those tanks because they had entered our territory. Narendra Modi ji gave a message that ‘jo uchit samjho wo karo’. It means he told the Army chief to do whatever he wants as ‘mere bas ki nahi hai.’ Naravane ji writes, ‘I felt really alone, I was abandoned by the entire establishment.”

He also alleged that while the memoir had been published abroad, the government was preventing its publication in India.

Uttar Pradesh Congress strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday over different issues. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai announced that a ‘Samvidhan Samvad Mahapanchayat ’ will be held on February 8th at Shastri Ghat near Varuna Bridge in Varanasi.

Speaking at his camp office in Lahurabir, Rai alleged that the situation in the country and the state has become such that common people, farmers, women, and people from all sections of society are troubled. ”The Prime Minister of the country has bowed down before America. Rahul Gandhi is being prevented from speaking about the book he is referring to. The Speaker in Parliament is not allowing the Leader of the Opposition to speak,” he claimed.

He said people of Varanasi will gather at Shastri Ghat on February 8 to discuss these issues. Five MPs and members of the Congress national leadership will also participate. ”The agreement that Narendra Modi ji is celebrating and beating drums about was made while bowing down to America. Now they will get oil from Venezuela. Does America have influence here?” he asked.

The five MPs include Imran Masood from Saharanpur, Rajesh Rathore from Sitapur, Ujjwal Raman Singh from Prayagraj, Kishori Lal from Amethi, and Tanuj Punia from Barabanki, along with several other leaders.

He said the Uttar Pradesh government has announced an inquiry into madrassas, but there should also be an inquiry into the massive funding and gold offerings at the Gorakhnath Peeth. He further charged that children are losing their lives due to online gaming, and questioned who was responsible for this. ”Private jobs are disappearing, and under this pressure, children are turning to gaming. Who is responsible for the deaths of the three girls?”

Rai further said, ”The idols that were broken at Manikarnika Ghat – where did they go? A false narrative was spread that the video was generated using AI. The government should tell the truth about where the idols went. Every issue will be raised at the conference on February 8th, and several major revelations will be made that day.” He alleged that the country was being mortgaged to the US, benefiting the Gujarat lobby.

”Land was being seized in several places in Varanasi without compensation. Land near the Ganjari Stadium was being given to people from Gujarat,” he claimed further.

India enjoyed a commanding start to its campaign at the BOXAM Elite International 2026, producing a series of impressive performances on the opening day of the prestigious tournament, which has attracted 214 boxers from 21 countries.

World Boxing Cup Finals champions Hitesh Gulia (70kg) and Preeti (54kg) led the charge for India, both registering emphatic victories as the hosts tasted success across multiple weight categories.

Hitesh was in complete control in the elite men’s 70kg bout, outclassing Finn Bos of the Netherlands with a unanimous 5:0 decision. Displaying trademark composure and tactical awareness, the Indian boxer dictated the pace throughout, using sharp timing and ring intelligence to remain firmly on top from start to finish.

Earlier, Preeti set the tone for India in the elite women’s 54kg division, securing a comprehensive 5:0 win over Kazakhstan’s Aliaskar Symbat. She combined crisp combinations with disciplined defence to dominate the contest and leave her opponent with little room to respond.

India’s women continued their strong showing as Prachi (57kg), Priya (60kg) and Kajal (65kg) also advanced with confident performances. Prachi and Priya cruised to identical 5:0 victories against Vanesa Morell Ramirez of Spain and Alessia Mansuetto of Canada, respectively, while Kajal edged past Assem Tanatar of Kazakhstan in a closely contested bout, winning 4:1.

The Kerala Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution against alleged neglect and discriminatory treatment of the state by the Centre across multiple sectors “as reflected in the Union Budget 2026-27”.

The resolution sought the Centre’s urgent attention to the demands made by Kerala, including an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and approval for a high-speed rail corridor that were ignored in the Union Budget. It called on the Centre to respect cooperative federalism and ensure balanced development for Kerala.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who moved the resolution, launched a scathing attack on the Central government, accusing it of enforcing a “financial embargo” on Kerala. He termed the Centre’s approach as politically motivated and inhumane, citing the denial of ‘Point of Call’ status for foreign carriers at Kannur International Airport despite repeated pleas to the prime minister.

The resolution asserted that a country can stand tall in the global community only when all its states are secure, developed and prosperous, and warned that weakening states amounts to weakening the nation itself.

It said the Union government’s refusal to consider several long-pending and reasonable demands of Kerala had disappointed the entire Kerala society and raised doubts about the spirit of cooperative federalism and democracy.

The Assembly further condemned the Union government’s response to natural disasters in Wayanad, cuts in borrowing limits, discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grants by the 16th Finance Commission, withholding of IGST dues, and additional financial burdens imposed on Kerala for national highway land acquisition.

Describing the perceived indifference to Kerala’s demands as “an insult to democratic federal principles”, the resolution demanded urgent correction of the Centre’s approach and appealed for justice, balanced development and true cooperative federalism, reflecting a sentiment that transcends political divisions in Kerala.

The resolution was adopted in the absence of the Opposition, which boycotted the proceedings following a standoff with the treasury benches and an alleged altercation with the Watch and Ward staff. Opposition leaders said that they had not been formally informed about the resolution’s introduction. They had boycotted the day’s proceedings earlier, protesting what they alleged was the state government’s manipulation of the Sabarimala gold heist case.

Amid rising concerns over childhood nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and early onset of lifestyle-related diseases, Sesame Workshop — the nonprofit behind Sesame Street — has partnered with healthcare company Abbott to roll out a healthy habits initiative in India.

The programme focuses on helping children and families build simple, age-appropriate routines around balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and proper sleep. Adapted to Indian contexts, the initiative provides Hindi-language resources designed to make health concepts easy to understand and practice at home and in communities.

As part of the outreach, a Hindi version of the family special Elmo’s World: Dance Party has been released on Sesame Workshop India’s YouTube channel. Featuring music and playful movement, it encourages children and caregivers to explore healthy behaviours together. The programme combines digital engagement with on-ground community efforts, working closely with Anganwadi centres and ASHA workers.

According to Sesame Workshop India, the initiative is expected to directly reach over 10,000 children and caregivers through grassroots networks, while also connecting with a much larger audience online.

The initiative was recently launched in Lucknow by Leena Johri, Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development, Uttar Pradesh. The launch event brought together government representatives, Sesame Workshop India, Abbott India, and frontline health workers. Anganwadi workers were provided with educational materials, underlining the importance of community-based systems in shaping early childhood habits.

The resources include storybooks, activity books, yoga guides, flashcards, calendars, and games built around familiar Sesame Street characters and play-based learning methods.

Officials at the launch highlighted the broader goal of strengthening children’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing from an early age. They stressed that developing healthy routines — such as nutritious eating, regular exercise, structured daily habits, and positive thinking — is essential, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

The initiative aligns with ongoing government programmes in nutrition, health, and early childhood development, and emphasizes collaboration between public systems, local communities, and frontline workers to promote lifelong wellness among children.

The Bihar government has decided to develop the state’s old and prestigious educational institutions as Centres of Excellence. Under this initiative, a total of 55 educational institutions have been selected.

Making the announcement on Wednesday in a post on X, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that planned and systematic action is being taken for the upgradation of these prestigious institutions.

“Instructions have also been given to consult experienced former teachers and students of these institutions and to seek their suggestions before proceeding further,” he added.

Besides, the government has also decided to open degree colleges in every block of the state so that students can conveniently pursue higher education. The Chief Minister said that the establishment of degree colleges in every block of the state will greatly facilitate girls in pursuing higher education.

He said, “Under the fourth resolution, ‘Advanced Education-Bright Future’, of ‘Saat Nishchay 3’ (Seven Resolves 3) programme, it has been decided to open degree colleges in all blocks of the state so that students, especially girls, can conveniently pursue higher education. Even now, out of the state’s 534 blocks, 213 blocks do not have any constituent or affiliated degree college. In this regard, we have directed that in the first phase, degree colleges be opened in all these 213 blocks and that teaching begins by July 2026.”

Nitish Kumar said, “At the same time, developing prestigious educational institutions into Centres of Excellence will make it easier for youth to obtain employment-oriented education and will also restore the glory of these institutions. This will significantly contribute to the all-round development of the state.”

Presenting the state’s budget for 2026-27 on Tuesday, Bihar Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav had said that there is an emphasis on opening degree colleges and engineering colleges in every block, to upgrade district hospitals to super-speciality level.

The Bihar government has allocated a major share of the budget for the education sector. The combined expenditure for the education and higher education departments is estimated at Rs 68,216 crore, which is 19.63 per cent of the total budget estimate.

Among the major projects that would be taken up in the education sector are setting up a model school and a degree college in every block across the state, upgrading the existing reputed educational institutions as the Centres of Excellence, and the construction of a new education city in Bihar.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate on Wednesday alleged that the deaths of 32 people due to contaminated drinking water from the Narmada river, supplied through household taps by the Indore Municipal Corporation in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, were “state-sponsored murders.”

Interacting with media persons at the Indore Press Club, Shrinate claimed that at least 32 people had died so far after consuming contaminated drinking water.

She demanded the removal of Madhya Pradesh Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, the registration of a murder case against Indore’s BJP Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, and compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of all the deceased.

The Madhya Pradesh BJP government has announced compensation of Rs two lakh to the kin of each deceased.

“The deaths of 32 people due to the consumption of contaminated water in the city are, in fact, state-sponsored murders committed by the government and the system. The government will have to answer for this,” the Congress social media and Digital Platforms chairperson said.

Bhagirathpura falls under the Indore-1 State Assembly constituency, which is represented by Kailash Vijayvargiya.

She alleged that the BJP was so intoxicated with power that it had no concern for the suffering of the people.

Drawing a comparison, the Congress leader said that even Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had come to Indore from Delhi to understand the pain of the victims of the drinking water tragedy, but Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Indore Lok Sabha MP Shankar Lalwani of the BJP had not found time to visit Bhagirathpura.

Shrinate further charged that the Centre had allocated Rs 67,000 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission in the Union Budget for the 2025–26 financial year, but only Rs 17,000 crore had been spent under the scheme, while Rs 50,000 crore was “saved.”

A latest report prepared by experts analyses the impact of the new excessive excise duties on the tobacco farming sector.

The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), a non-profit organisation representing the cause of millions of farmers and farmworkers of commercial crops across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat, etc, released the report at a press conference on Wednesday.

Titled “New Tax Regime on Cigarettes and Its Impact”, and developed by FAIFA and Artha Arbitrage Consulting LLP, the report estimates that the new tax is likely to reduce the offtake of FCV crops by nearly 20 per cent and cause an additional loss of approximately 2.6 million man-days of employment in farming and affiliated activities.

This will be a severe blow to FCV (Flue-Cured Virginia) tobacco cultivators, agricultural labourers including women, and those labourers engaged in warehousing, auctioning, transportation, and other associated activities of tobacco cultivation, at a time when the employment situation in India is already under sharp distress.

Speaking on the occasion Murali Babu, President, FAIFA, said, “More than any other stakeholder, the new tax disproportionately hurts tobacco farmers in India, especially FCV growers in South India. The share of Indian FCV farmers in the overall tobacco market has already fallen sharply, from 21 per cent to 10 per cent, due to punitive and discriminatory taxation and the rapid growth of illegal tobacco. This share will shrink further, leaving FCV growers with an increasingly narrow and unsustainable space to operate.”

“This taxation policy will not reduce consumption; instead, it will push consumers toward cheaper, unregulated, and illegal tobacco products. That undermines public health objectives and further distorts the market. If left
uncorrected, FCV tobacco farmers in South India risk being pushed into permanent marginalisation. We urge the government to urgently address and rectify this anomaly.”

FAIFA’s report further warns that the tax shock would disrupt the tobacco value chain severely, by sharply fuelling the growth of illicit trade. Rising prices are expected to push up demand for illegal tobacco products by nearly 39 per cent, taking total illicit consumption of cigarettes to over 46 billion sticks. This will be a severe blow to the legitimate tobacco growers’ fraternity, besides demolishing the entire industry and destroying livelihoods.

Naveen Srivastav from Artha Arbitrage Consulting LLP, who carried out the research for the report, said, “The FCV tobacco agri-sector is experiencing intensifying structural stress. Even before the new tax regime, products derived from FCV leaf were taxed disproportionately, over 30–50 times higher per kilogram than non-FCV tobacco used in bidis and chewing products, translating to more than Rs 6 per dose compared to less than one paisa for other forms.”

“This persistent tax asymmetry has contributed to a steady contraction in FCV acreage and a decline in the number of growers, as evidenced by data spanning 2011–12 to 2023–24. The latest excise hike is likely to exacerbate this imbalance, accelerating a shift toward revenue-inefficient and informal consumption channels. From a fiscal standpoint, the resulting revenue gains risk being outweighed by the broader economic costs of reduced farm incomes, employment losses, and downstream livelihood impacts,” Srivastav said.

Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Prvati Parida on Wednesday flagged off caravan tourism initiative, offering visitors an exclusive and immersive way to explore destinations, providing greater flexibility, privacy and freedom of movement.

Speaking on the occasion at the famous Dhauli peace pagoda here, she said these caravans will enable tourists to experience Odisha’s serene natural landscapes at their own pace, supported by well-designed amenities that combine convenience with sustainability.

Caravan tourism is well-established in several European countries and Odisha’s venture into this segment aims to attract young travellers, adventure seekers and offbeat explorers who seek experiential and nature-based travel, she added.

Addressing the gathering, Bhubaneswar-Ekamra MLA Babu Singh said that this will help the tourists to explore the new destinations with more comfort and safety. He lauded such initiatives of the government.

Delivering his welcome address, Director of Tourism Department Deepankar Mohapatra said that caravan tourism will also facilitate tourist dispersal beyond conventional destinations, supporting balanced regional development and reducing pressure on traditional tourism hubs.

The initiative has been launched by the Department of Tourism under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mode, operated and managed by Sand and Pebble Tours.

The department has identified destinations with significant tourism potential such as Hirakud, Similipal, Daringbadi, Deomali, Talsari, Pentha, Mangalajodi, Jiranga and other pristine locations across the State for caravan-based tourism experiences.

Odisha’s commitment to shaping India’s digital and economic future was underscored on Wednesday with the announcement of the inaugural Black Swan Summit India, to be held in Bhubaneswar on 5-6 February.

It is being organised by the government of Odisha under the BharatNetra initiative in partnership with the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN). The Summit is set to position Odisha as a nation-building platform for India’s next phase of digital-led growth.

President Droupadi Murmu and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will grace the Summit, which reflects Odisha’s transition from policy articulation to execution in AI, FinTech, and InsurTech.

With participation from over 1,700 delegates from across 24 countries and nearly 100 speakers from 5 continents (North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa) will attend the summit. Black Swan Summit India will convene global and national policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, technology leaders, startups, investors, and academics for an execution-oriented dialogue.

It reinforces the role of states as engines of national transformation, aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Rather than focusing on technology adoption alone, Odisha is reframing digital policy around measurable outcomes — jobs, skills, enterprise creation, and global competitiveness.

“Odisha is not preparing to merely participate in the global digital economy; we intend to help shape it, as a frontline contributor to Viksit Bharat,” said Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary, Electronics & Information Technology.

“Our focus is on operationalising AI and digital finance in ways that deliver real economic value and long-term institutional capacity.”

Odisha’s approach is to convert this national advantage into local execution with global relevance, demonstrating how states can lead digital-led growth, employment creation, and global integration.

This includes deploying AI, FinTech, and InsurTech as workforce multipliers, particularly beyond Tier-I cities, and positioning Odisha as a credible destination for global capability centres, digital finance infrastructure, and long-horizon investment.

BharatNetra was forged during the January 2025 visit of the President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, to Odisha.

While several MoUs were signed during that visit, the partnership with GFTN has moved decisively into execution, in close collaboration with the state, and is already delivering tangible outcomes.

For Odisha, GFTN’s global ecosystem spanning innovators, entrepreneurs, capital providers, and policymakers acts as an institutional bridge into trusted global digital finance networks. The partnership aligns skilling with real industry demand, accelerates ecosystem maturity in FinTech, InsurTech, and AI, and ensures that policy ambition translates into skills, jobs, enterprises, and long-term capital.

Odisha’s partnership with GFTN through BharatNetra offers a blueprint for how state governments can strengthen national competitiveness by connecting to the global digital economy. Through GFTN’s network across more than 130 countries, Odisha gains direct access to innovators, investors, and policymakers enabling the state to scale digital finance with a strong focus on investment attraction, workforce readiness, and the establishment of global capability centres, said Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, GFTN.

The Black Swan Summit India marks a decisive step in Odisha’s ambition to establish Bhubaneswar as a nationally and globally connected centre for AI-enabled FinTech, InsurTech, and global capability services.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during a meeting of the Housing and Urban Planning Department on Wednesday, directed the implementation of a new ‘One Time Settlement’ scheme (OTS-2026) for the speedy disposal of pending residential and commercial allotment cases.

He directed, “Dues and disputed cases pending for years not only affect the progress of schemes but also cause unnecessary hardship to common citizens. The objective of the government is to introduce a system in which resolution is fast, transparent and practical for all”.

The Chief Minister said pending payments or disputed allotments in any scheme of the state slow down the pace of development. Therefore, the Housing Department should implement a solution-oriented system that ensures the department receives the required revenue while also providing relief to allottees.

He said that the scheme should be people-centric, offering clear and simple options to every genuine allottee.

During the meeting, it was informed that a large number of cases were resolved under the OTS-2020 scheme implemented in the year 2020, but due to Covid-19, many allottees were unable to make the final payment.

The data presented by the department provided a detailed account of all such defaulter cases existing in various residential and commercial complexes across the state.

The Chief Minister added, “One Time Settlement-2026′ scheme should be made more practical and beneficial. Appropriate concessions should be provided on dues for allottees opting for ekmusht payment. At the same time, the facility of payment in instalments should also be made available”.

He said that while finalising the provisions of the scheme, it must be ensured that the core spirit of the scheme is to provide relief to the common man.

The Chief Minister also added, “It should be ensured that every application is disposed of by the department within the prescribed time limit. The implementation of the new scheme will provide relief to thousands of allottees and will also generate revenue for the department”.

The Chief Minister directed the department to make special arrangements for the wide publicity of the scheme so that a maximum number of people can be made aware of it.

He said information about the ‘One Time Settlement’ scheme should be actively disseminated among the general public so that all eligible people can avail its benefits. He also directed that the entire process of the scheme should be online, transparent and user-friendly.

Olympian Esha Singh produced a composed and clinical performance to claim the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol at the Asian Shooting Championship 2026 on Wednesday, while reigning world champion Samrat Rana secured bronze in the men’s event at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.

India also struck gold in the women’s team event and picked up silver in the men’s team competition, taking the hosts’ overall tally to four medals — two gold, one silver and one bronze on the opening day of pistol finals.

Esha, the Asian Games silver medallist and Paris 2024 Olympian, showed remarkable composure in a high-quality final to finish on 239.8 points, sealing her second individual gold medal at the Asian Shooting Championships. The 21-year-old had also topped the podium in the same event at the 2024 edition of the championships.

Cheng Yen-Ching of Chinese Taipei claimed silver with 235.4, while her teammate Yu Ai-Wen won bronze after finishing on 217.7.

World No. 2 Suruchi Inder Singh remained in medal contention for much of the final before finishing fourth with 197.7, while twin-Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker finished seventh after an early dip halted her progress. Bhaker is also set to compete in the 25m pistol and the 10m air pistol mixed team events.

Earlier, Suruchi (576), Manu (575) and Esha (575) combined for a total of 1726 to deliver gold for India in the women’s team event. Sainyam, who topped the qualification round with 584, was competing under Ranking Points Only (RPO).

Samrat takes bronze

In the men’s 10m air pistol final, Samrat Rana finished on the podium with a bronze medal, scoring 220.3 points. The world champion opened with 49.6 in the first competition stage and stayed in medal contention through the middle phase with a series of high-value shots, including 10.6s, 10.8s and 10.3s.

Rana maintained his edge over compatriot Sharvan Kumar, who exited in fourth place with 198.6.

Vladimir Svechnikov of Uzbekistan clinched gold with 242.0, while Kazakhstan’s Valeriy Rakhimzhan took silver with 241.0.

In qualification, Rana (581), Sharvan (578) and world No. 2 Varun Tomar (573) combined for 1732, earning silver for India in the men’s team event.

Organised by the Asian Shooting Confederation, the New Delhi championship features rifle and pistol competitions and runs until February 13, with 311 shooters from 20 countries in action.

Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne has outlined fitness and team cohesion as his immediate priorities as the side builds towards the Asian Games 2026 and the larger Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.

Marijne, who returned to the women’s programme in December 2025 after a four-year break, said the initial focus is on raising fitness levels while ensuring the squad functions as a united group before shifting attention to technical aspects.

“Our first priority right now is fitness, which is a very important aspect for us. Alongside that, the focus is on coming together and functioning as a strong unit,” Marijne told SAI. “From there on, we can work on all the other things like techniques.”

The Indian women’s team is preparing for a packed international calendar, including the FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14, the Asian Games 2026, and other key tournaments in the run-up to LA 2028.

Under Marijne’s guidance, India had registered a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and he wasted little time in taking charge of the ongoing national coaching camp at the Sports Authority of India’s regional centre in Bengaluru, which runs until February 18. The camp began with 49 players (43 seniors and six juniors) before being trimmed to 29 following selection trials conducted by Hockey India.

Reflecting on his initial weeks back with the squad, Marijne stressed the importance of understanding players at an individual level.

“We are still getting to know each other. While I am familiar with a few of the players from before, not everyone is known to me yet. It is important for us to work at an individual level and understand what is best for each player. We are receiving strong support from the strength and conditioning coaches, who are playing a key role in guiding this process,” the Dutchman explained.

He reiterated that physical readiness remains the cornerstone of the current phase of preparation.

“Right now, the most important thing is managing the players’ bodies and overall fitness. The tactical framework is already clear, and that is not what will make the difference at this stage. We are working together towards a common goal, and that is precisely why I decided to return,” he said.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will launch India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, “Bharat Taxi,” here on Thursday.

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’, this launch will be a significant milestone in the government’s continued efforts to strengthen the cooperative sector and promote inclusive, citizen-centric mobility solutions.

During the programme, top six performing Sarathis will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to the cooperative-based mobility ecosystem. The minister will distribute share certificates to these Sarathis, further reinforcing the core principle of ‘Sarathi Hi Malik’.

Each honoured Sarathi will be provided with a personal accident insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh and a family health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh, reflecting Bharat Taxi’s commitment to driver welfare and long-term social security.

On this occasion, nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged with key public and private stakeholders to strengthen operational integration, digital empowerment, safety, and service delivery.

Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and was established on 6 June 2025. The platform operates on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model, with direct distribution of profits to drivers, presenting an indigenous alternative to foreign investment-based aggregator platforms.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday took oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur, a day after being elected as the leader of the Manipur BJP legislative party. Singh was administered the oath of office and secrecy at the Lok Bhavan by Governor Ajay Bhalla. Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho also took oath as the Deputy Chief Ministers of Manipur.

Yumnam Singh told the media after his swearing-in, “Manipur will play an important role in the Viksit Bharat 2047. Manipur consists of 36 communities, and we hope to bring a peaceful atmosphere in the state.”

Earlier in the day, Singh met the Governor and staked a claim to form the BJP-led NDA government in the state.

Singh was chosen to become the next chief minister of the northeastern state at a meeting of the Manipur BJP Legislative Party at the BJP headquarters in Delhi yesterday.

The oath ceremony took place after earlier in the day today, the President’s Rule was revoked in Manipur. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification to revoke President’s Rule in Manipur, effective immediately.

#WATCH | Imphal: BJP Manipur Legislature Party leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh takes oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur

Governor of Manipur Ajay Bhalla administers the oath at the Lok Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/Ri1Et4J0Oa

— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2026

As per the ‘proclamation’ published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), President Droupadi Murmu has revoked the Proclamation issued under Article 356(2) of the Constitution in relation to the state of Manipur. The earlier proclamation was issued on February 13, 2025.

The fresh proclamation, signed by the President on Wednesday (February 4, 2026), states that the President’s Rule in Manipur stands withdrawn.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of article 356 of the Constitution, I, Droupadi Murmu, President of India hereby revoke the Proclamation issued by me under the said article on the 13th day of February, 2025, in relation to the State of Manipur with effect from the 4th day of February, 2026,” reads the proclamation.

Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025, after N Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister following months of intermittent violence in the northeastern state. The violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, following ethnic tensions between the Kuki Zo and Meitei ethnic groups.

The Home Ministry has set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the ethnic violence in Manipur. The Commission has to submit its report “as soon as possible, but no later than May 20, 2026”.