Tuesday, June 30

Politics

CM Dhami Hails Union Budget 2026-27 as a Roadmap for “Developed India and Self-Reliant Uttarakhand”
Politics, State, Uttarakhand

CM Dhami Hails Union Budget 2026-27 as a Roadmap for “Developed India and Self-Reliant Uttarakhand”

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has lauded the Union Budget 2026-27, describing it as a development-oriented and inclusive blueprint that will create new opportunities for all sections of society. CM Dhami congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a budget that emphasizes the welfare of farmers, women, marginalized communities, youth, small entrepreneurs, and backward classes. He said the budget focuses on accelerating economic growth, fulfilling public aspirations, and ensuring “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (collective progress for all). The Chief Minister highlighted that the budget makes significant provisions for employment, education, healthcare, tourism, skill development, women’s empowerment, industry, and inf...
Governor’s Firm Stand: Why Charge Universities Higher Interest Than Banks? Hints at Fee Hike and Pension Reforms
Politics, Rajasthan, State

Governor’s Firm Stand: Why Charge Universities Higher Interest Than Banks? Hints at Fee Hike and Pension Reforms

Jaipur, Rajasthan: Governor Haribhau Bagde has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating financial condition of the state’s government universities and outlined a roadmap for urgent reforms. In a high-level meeting with vice-chancellors, he emphasized that without strict measures, maintaining both academic quality and financial stability would be challenging. Fee Revision After 12 Years The Governor pointed out that tuition fees at several universities have remained unchanged for the past 10–12 years. He noted that failing to adjust fees over time is hollowing out these institutions from within. While suggesting fee revisions, he cautioned that increases should be gradual and announced before the start of the admission process, so as not to provoke student protests. Discrepanc...
CM Mohan Yadav Announces Mandatory ‘Garbha Sanskar’ Rooms in All New Government Hospitals; 13 New Ayurvedic Colleges to Open
Madhya Pradesh, Politics, State

CM Mohan Yadav Announces Mandatory ‘Garbha Sanskar’ Rooms in All New Government Hospitals; 13 New Ayurvedic Colleges to Open

Bhopal/Indore: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday announced a major initiative under the ‘Divya Santan Prakalp’ program, aimed at promoting ‘Garbha Sanskar’—the ancient practice of prenatal education and wellness—across the state. The program will be implemented in coordination with the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and the Ministry of Ayush, with the goal of strengthening the physical, mental, and moral development of children even before birth. As part of this initiative, all future government hospitals in Madhya Pradesh will be required to include dedicated Garbha Sanskar rooms. The Chief Minister emphasized that this practice combines modern medical science with India’s traditional knowledge systems and should be considered a long-term investment in nation-building. Pro...
Ajit Pawar Never Discussed NCP Merger with Me, Claims CM Devendra Fadnavis; Advises NCP to Consult BJP
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Ajit Pawar Never Discussed NCP Merger with Me, Claims CM Devendra Fadnavis; Advises NCP to Consult BJP

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed claims by leaders of Sharad Pawar’s faction regarding a planned merger with Ajit Pawar’s group in the NCP. Fadnavis stated that the late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar never discussed any merger with him, adding that if the talks had reached a final stage, Ajit would have shared it. “The NCP is an independent party, but as an NDA ally, it is expected to consult us before taking any major decisions,” Fadnavis said. He emphasized that Ajit Pawar always shared relevant information with him and would not have kept such a significant matter hidden. Fadnavis also expressed that he has no knowledge of Ajit Pawar’s conversations with Sharad Pawar or the reported merger announcement scheduled for 12 February. Setting a condition for any...
Fierce Contest in Navi Mumbai: BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Sena Field Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral Candidates
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Fierce Contest in Navi Mumbai: BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Sena Field Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral Candidates

Mumbai: The political rivalry in Navi Mumbai has intensified as the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena announced their candidates for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts following the municipal election results. The BJP kept its nomination process confidential, with senior party leader and former minister Ganesh Naik declaring the candidates: Sujata Suraj Patil for Mayor and Dashrath Sitaram Bhagat for Deputy Mayor. On the other side, Shinde’s Shiv Sena nominated Saroj Rohidas Patil as Mayor and Akash Madhvi as Deputy Mayor. The election for both positions will now be held on 5 February. In the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, the BJP won 65 of the 111 seats, while Shinde’s Shiv Sena secured 42 seats. Despite BJP’s clear majority, expectations had been that the party might...
CM Devendra Fadnavis to Skip Campaigning for Maharashtra Zilla Parishad Elections
Maharashtra, Politics, State

CM Devendra Fadnavis to Skip Campaigning for Maharashtra Zilla Parishad Elections

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has decided not to participate in campaigning for the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, following the tragic death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. Fadnavis informed local leaders and party officials that while he will abstain from election rallies, they are expected to carry out campaign activities for the elections scheduled on 7 February 2026. Originally, Fadnavis was slated to address 22 election meetings in seven days, but in light of the three-day state mourning declared after Ajit Pawar’s death in Baramati on 28 January, he chose to refrain from public campaigning. Revised Election ScheduleThe State Election Commission amended the schedule: voting, initially set for 5 Februar...
Sunetra Pawar Sworn in as Deputy CM: Will NCP Get Finance Ministry? CM Fadnavis Responds
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Sunetra Pawar Sworn in as Deputy CM: Will NCP Get Finance Ministry? CM Fadnavis Responds

Mumbai: Following the tragic demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Maharashtra’s 11th Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, becoming the first woman to hold the post. While she has been assigned key portfolios—including Excise, Sports, Minority Development, and Wakf—questions have emerged about whether the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will receive the Finance Ministry, previously held by Ajit Pawar. Reacting to this, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that he has retained the Finance and Planning Departments for himself. “Presently, the budget preparation is under way. It is not just a speech; it involves multiple departmental meetings. It was not feasible to hand such a significant responsibility to Sunetra Pawar immediately,” he said. Fadnavis...
Power Game in Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar’s Rajya Sabha Term Ends, 7 Seats Including Priyanka Chaturvedi’s to Fall Vacant
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Power Game in Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar’s Rajya Sabha Term Ends, 7 Seats Including Priyanka Chaturvedi’s to Fall Vacant

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s political landscape is in flux following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. While it was initially expected that the Pawar family and both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would unite in grief, divisions appear to be resurfacing. Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, has assumed his Deputy Chief Minister responsibilities, but the real power struggle is far from over. Leaders of Ajit Pawar’s faction, including Sunil Tatkare, have set conditions that make a merger of the two NCP factions challenging. Tatkare emphasized that the NCP is aligned with the NDA, welcoming anyone willing to join the coalition. Meanwhile, Sunetra Pawar has resigned from the Rajya Sabha, opening the stage for discussions about succession. Aji...
“The Ocean Never Begs for Water”: PM Modi Shares Sanskrit Shloka on Budget 2026
Nation, Politics

“The Ocean Never Begs for Water”: PM Modi Shares Sanskrit Shloka on Budget 2026

Following the presentation of Budget 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a Sanskrit shloka, conveying a special message to India’s youth about self-reliance and empowerment. Addressing Parliament during the budget session, PM Modi said that self-reliance is a lamp that illuminates the path of dignity and capability. He emphasized that this year’s budget aims to play a crucial role in making young Indians empowered and self-sufficient. The shloka shared by PM Modi reads: “Nāmbhodhirarthitāmeti sadāmbhobhiśca pūryate. Ātmā tu pātratāṁ neyaḥ pātramāyānti sampadaḥ.” The meaning of this verse is that just as the ocean never begs for water yet remains full, similarly, if a person equips themselves with knowledge, skills, and capability, wealth and prosperity naturally come to t...
Union Budget 2026 Lays Strong Foundation for ‘Viksit Bharat’: Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary
Bihar, Politics, State

Union Budget 2026 Lays Strong Foundation for ‘Viksit Bharat’: Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary

Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday said that the Union Budget for 2026–27 has laid a strong foundation for realizing the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047. He described the budget as inclusive and growth-oriented, strengthening public participation under the guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” The Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 was presented earlier in the day by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. This marks her ninth consecutive budget presentation. Speaking to reporters, Choudhary said the budget would accelerate India’s journey towards prosperity by ensuring balanced development across regions and sectors. He highlighted several key proposals that are expected to directly benefit Bihar. ...