Monday, June 29

Politics

Delhi to Strengthen Safety Protocols After Fire Incidents in Government Buses
DELHI (national capital territory), Politics, State

Delhi to Strengthen Safety Protocols After Fire Incidents in Government Buses

New Delhi: Following multiple fire incidents in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses over recent months, the Delhi government has announced a comprehensive safety audit to prevent future accidents. Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh held a high-level review meeting on Monday to address the issue, emphasizing strict safety and maintenance protocols for all buses. Audit and Safety MeasuresThe minister directed a full technical audit of all buses manufactured by companies whose vehicles were involved in fire incidents. The review will cover overcharging, overheating, and compact-area diagnostics, ensuring that no bus is operating with compromised safety standards. Buses experiencing battery heating issues will adopt low-voltage charging to minimize risk and extend battery life. ...
Bihar: Official Social Media Account of Government Department Posts Hitler-Mussolini Praise for 9 Months Before Deletion
Bihar, Politics, State

Bihar: Official Social Media Account of Government Department Posts Hitler-Mussolini Praise for 9 Months Before Deletion

Patna: In a bizarre incident, the official social media handle of Bihar’s Water Resources Department posted content praising dictators Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Shockingly, the post remained live for nine months before it was finally deleted following public backlash. The Controversial PostThe post, made in February 2025, displayed pictures of Hitler and Mussolini alongside a caption claiming: “Two of the most influential politicians of the 20th century stand together; their ideology was absolutely correct.” The post went unnoticed for months, sparking concern over the department’s social media oversight. Hack or Negligence?According to reports, the account had been hacked. Department officials confirmed that cybercriminals allegedly took control of the handle, changing its ...
Bihar: New Nitish Government Eases Eligibility for Bus Conductors; 7th Pass Youth to Drive Their Careers Forward
Bihar, Politics, State

Bihar: New Nitish Government Eases Eligibility for Bus Conductors; 7th Pass Youth to Drive Their Careers Forward

Patna: In a move aimed at providing greater employment opportunities for underprivileged and academically lagging youth, Bihar’s newly appointed Transport Minister, Shravan Kumar, has reduced the minimum educational requirement for the post of bus conductor (Khalasi) from 10th pass to 7th pass. Minister Kumar, who assumed office recently, said the decision is intended to connect students who could not complete higher studies with government jobs, ensuring broader access to employment. Upon taking charge, Minister Kumar held a high-level review meeting with senior departmental officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Mihir Kumar Singh and State Transport Commissioner Abhishek Dwivedi. Following the discussions, the historic decision to lower the qualification for bus conductors...
Is This Modi-Nitish Magic?” Tej Pratap Takes a Jibe at Deepak Prakash’s Ministerial Appointment
Bihar, Politics, State

Is This Modi-Nitish Magic?” Tej Pratap Takes a Jibe at Deepak Prakash’s Ministerial Appointment

Patna: Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and founder of Jan Shakti Janata Dal (JJD), has taken a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the appointment of Deepak Prakash, son of Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) leader Upendra Kushwaha, as a minister without contesting an election. Posting on social media platform X, Tej Pratap sarcastically remarked that Deepak Prakash’s elevation is “Modi-Nitish magic.” He highlighted that Deepak had previously served as the counting agent for independent candidate Ram Narayan Paswan in Sasaram, whose election deposit was forfeited after securing only 327 votes. Political Background Tej Pratap also shared a photo of Deepak Prakash’s ID card, showing his role as a counting agent....
Ghaziabad BJP Councillor’s Alleged Attack Found to Be Staged, Police Reveal
Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

Ghaziabad BJP Councillor’s Alleged Attack Found to Be Staged, Police Reveal

Ghaziabad: The sensational claim of a firing attack by BJP woman councillor Sheetal Chaudhary on October 29 has been debunked by the police. Forensic analysis confirmed that no shots were fired, and the shattered car glass was broken from the inside, raising serious questions about the authenticity of the incident. Investigation Uncovers Staged Drama Late on the night of October 29, Sheetal Chaudhary had alleged that two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on her car on NDRF Road, shattering the windshield and putting her life at risk. The claim caused a major stir, prompting immediate attention from Ghaziabad police, and hundreds of BJP workers, including city and Muradnagar MLAs, rushed to the Madhuban Bapudham police station, demanding strict action. A special police team w...
Ghaziabad Administration Announces Bumper Rewards for SIR-2025 Supervisors and BLOs
Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

Ghaziabad Administration Announces Bumper Rewards for SIR-2025 Supervisors and BLOs

Ghaziabad: In a unique move to boost motivation among field staff, the Ghaziabad administration has unveiled exciting incentives for Supervisors and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) working under the Voter List Revision Campaign (SIR-2025) in Assembly Constituency 56. The scheme aims to ensure timely and high-quality completion of form distribution and digitization tasks while reducing stress associated with election duties. Five-Star Rewards for Top Performers Officials announced that employees who complete their assigned work first and on time will receive cash rewards and a chance to enjoy luxurious stays and dining experiences with their families at the city’s top hotels. The initiative, introduced by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Ghaziabad, has been divided into three cat...
Who Holds the Real Power in Nitish Kumar’s Government? Decoding the Key Portfolios and Influence
Bihar, Politics, State

Who Holds the Real Power in Nitish Kumar’s Government? Decoding the Key Portfolios and Influence

Patna: After the formation of Bihar’s new government, debates are swirling over who really wields power. While the BJP claims that Nitish Kumar remains the ultimate authority, insiders suggest that the real “key” lies with the Chief Minister himself. Here’s a closer look. Though the BJP has secured the Home Department after decades of effort, some observers suggest that this is more a symbolic win. Nitish Kumar, while handing over the Home Ministry to the BJP, has retained the Department of General Administration under his control—a strategic move that keeps the proverbial “keys to every lock” in his hands. Clout Over BureaucracyThe Home Minister may hold authority in theory, but in practice, any dispute between the Home Secretary and the Home Minister ultimately reaches the Chief Mi...
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Unveils Plans for Mumbai’s “Paatal Lok” Underground Road Network
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Unveils Plans for Mumbai’s “Paatal Lok” Underground Road Network

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has revealed ambitious plans to decongest Mumbai’s traffic by creating an extensive network of underground tunnels across the city, which he has playfully dubbed “Paatal Lok”. Speaking at the IIMUN Youth Connect Session, Fadnavis said the parallel underground road network will complement the existing metro system and drastically improve connectivity across the metropolis. Full Story: The Chief Minister highlighted that Mumbai’s current average traffic speed is just 20 km/h, and the new infrastructure aims to raise it to at least 80 km/h in key corridors. “We are preparing a network of tunnels, a parallel underground system, which will free Mumbai from congestion,” Fadnavis said. Under the project, the government plans to achieve...
From Guns to Cradle: Naxal Veteran Sammi Embraces Motherhood After Surrender
Maharashtra, Politics, State

From Guns to Cradle: Naxal Veteran Sammi Embraces Motherhood After Surrender

Nagpur: For 25-year-old Comrade Sammi, life has come full circle. Once a guerrilla fighter in the forests of Abujhmad, Sammi now cradles her newborn son, marking a profound personal transformation. After surrendering to government authorities in January under Maharashtra’s rehabilitation program, she and her husband, former Naxal commander Arjun, are embracing family life for the first time. Full Story: Sammi, a former member of the Naxal guerrilla medical and women’s teams, gave birth to her son at Gadchiroli District Women’s Hospital. Overcome with emotion, she shed tears as she held her child for the first time. Married to Arjun, who served as a personal bodyguard to senior Naxal leader Bhupati, Sammi had never imagined raising a family inside the Naxal organization. While guerril...
Haryana Extends Working Hours to 10 Hours for Shops and Companies; Overtime Limit Increased
Politics, PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Haryana Extends Working Hours to 10 Hours for Shops and Companies; Overtime Limit Increased

Chandigarh, Haryana: The Haryana government has amended the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, increasing working hours in companies and shops from 9 hours to 10 hours per day. Alongside this, the maximum overtime limit has been raised from 115 hours to 144 hours per quarter, with all overtime being voluntary and compensated at double the normal wage rate. Key Amendments Mandatory Appointment Letters & ID Cards: Large establishments and companies must now issue appointment letters and identity cards to all employees. Two-Tier Registration Framework: Businesses employing up to 20 employees and those employing more than 20 employees must register online under the new framework. Compliance & Penalties: First-time violations related to registration or documenta...