Wednesday, July 15

State

Over 4 Lakh Traffic Fines Issued on Delhi-Chandigarh Highway in a Year, Overspeeding Tops the List
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Over 4 Lakh Traffic Fines Issued on Delhi-Chandigarh Highway in a Year, Overspeeding Tops the List

Chandigarh, Haryana: Strict enforcement of traffic rules and technology-driven monitoring has yielded positive results on National Highway-44 (NH-44) in Haryana. The installation of CCTV and ANPR cameras has not only enhanced transparency in issuing fines but also strengthened road safety and law and order. Traffic Fines Statistics:Haryana Police Director General Ajay Singhal revealed that in 2025, a total of 4,84,617 online fines were issued on NH-44 through ANPR systems. Overspeeding accounted for the majority, with 6,64,054 fines issued. In addition, 12,126 fines were imposed for mobile phone usage while driving, a sharp increase from 6,733 cases in 2024. These strict measures have significantly improved adherence to traffic regulations among drivers. Monthly Trends:During the ini...
Surajkund Mela 2026 to Begin on January 31: Traffic Advisory and Highlights
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Surajkund Mela 2026 to Begin on January 31: Traffic Advisory and Highlights

Faridabad, Haryana: The 39th edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela will be held from 31 January to 15 February 2026 in Faridabad. The event will be inaugurated by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, with Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini attending as special guests. The closing ceremony on 15 February will see Haryana Governor Prof. Ashish Kumar Ghosh as the chief guest. Traffic Advisory for Heavy Vehicles:To ensure smooth traffic flow during the mela, no-entry restrictions for heavy vehicles will be in place from 7:00 AM to 12:00 midnight on key routes, including Gurugram, Pali, Ankhir, Shooting Range, and Surajkund roads. Faridabad Traffic Police have advised drivers from Gurugram to use alternative routes such as S...
Punjab Police Thwart Major Cross-Border Smuggling Attempt, Seize Weapons, Ammunition, and 2 kg Heroin
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Punjab Police Thwart Major Cross-Border Smuggling Attempt, Seize Weapons, Ammunition, and 2 kg Heroin

Fazilka, Punjab: In a significant joint operation, the Punjab Police, in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), foiled a major cross-border smuggling attempt in Fazilka district on Thursday. The crackdown led to the seizure of a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and narcotics. Reports indicate that BSF personnel fired at Pakistani smugglers attempting to infiltrate Indian territory. Details from the DGP:Punjab Police Director General Gaurav Yadav informed that the Faridkot Police’s Counter-Intelligence Unit, working closely with the BSF, intercepted the smugglers near Teja Rahela village in Fazilka. During the operation, authorities recovered a Ghaffar pistol, 20 other pistols, 39 magazines, 310 rounds of ammunition, two bags, and 2.160 kilograms of heroin. Smugglers Ex...
From Liquor Revenue to Cow Welfare: Rajasthan Doubles Funds for Gaushalas
Rajasthan, State

From Liquor Revenue to Cow Welfare: Rajasthan Doubles Funds for Gaushalas

Jaipur: In a surprising revelation, the Rajasthan government disclosed in the state Assembly that revenue from a 20% surcharge on alcohol over the past two years has played a major role in supporting gaushalas and cattle protection programs across the state. While the liquor surcharge generated ₹1,380.7 crore, the government spent an even larger amount — ₹2,340 crore — on cow shelters and bovine welfare initiatives. Revenue from liquor: Numbers in perspectiveResponding to a question from Congress MLA Rafeeq Khan, the government reported that in FY 2023-24 and 2024-25, the 20% “cow protection” surcharge on alcohol sales generated total revenue of ₹1,380.7 crore — ₹631.04 crore in 2023-24 and ₹749.66 crore in 2024-25, reflecting an increase of approximately ₹118 crore year-on-year. Exp...
Diya Kumari Holds Up a ‘Mirror’ to Congress in Assembly: “Your Development Was Only on Paper, Ours Is Backed by Data”
Politics, Rajasthan, State

Diya Kumari Holds Up a ‘Mirror’ to Congress in Assembly: “Your Development Was Only on Paper, Ours Is Backed by Data”

Jaipur: In a fiery session of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, asserting that the public has not forgotten the previous government’s “deceptions and betrayals.” While presenting detailed development statistics of her administration, Diya Kumari’s statements sent the opposition reeling and ignited a heated debate in the House. “The public hasn’t forgotten the last betrayal”Diya Kumari criticized the former Congress government, saying that for five years, Rajasthan’s citizens were subjected to nothing but empty promises and political gimmicks. Speaking in a firm tone, she said:"Under the previous government, development existed only in the form of populist announcements. On the ground, there was no trace o...
“They’re Picking at Them, Clear Their Seats!” Senior Congress Leader Scolds BJP MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly
Rajasthan, State

“They’re Picking at Them, Clear Their Seats!” Senior Congress Leader Scolds BJP MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly’s budget session has recently been making headlines less for policy debates and more for heated arguments and controversial remarks. On Thursday, a tense situation arose when senior Congress MLA Rajendra Pareek lashed out at BJP legislators, using words that the ruling party called “improper and unhealthy”. Incident in the HouseThe episode began as Harimohan Sharma, Congress MLA from Bundi, was addressing the House. During his speech, several BJP legislators repeatedly interrupted him with interjections and objections. Frustrated by the disruptions, Rajendra Pareek, senior MLA from Sikar, addressed the Speaker, saying:"Mr. Speaker, clear their seats. They’re picking at them. This is a house of disease. These people stand up every two minutes." ...
Mission 2028: Congress Reshuffles District Presidents from Rajasthan to Punjab, Sunil Sharma Among Key Appointments
Rajasthan, State

Mission 2028: Congress Reshuffles District Presidents from Rajasthan to Punjab, Sunil Sharma Among Key Appointments

Jaipur: The Congress party has announced a major reshuffle of district presidents in Rajasthan as part of its ‘Sangathan Sarjan’ (Organizational Revamp) campaign, aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2028 elections. Among the most talked-about appointments is Sunil Sharma, who has been named the new Jaipur City Congress President. From controversy to leadershipSunil Sharma, who had previously faced backlash during the Lok Sabha elections due to his alleged involvement in the ‘Jaipur Dialogue’ controversy, had ultimately lost his ticket amid protests both within and outside the party. His new appointment as city president is being viewed as a reward for his loyalty and dedication to the party organization. New appointments across RajasthanApart from Jai...
Health of Sonam Wangchuk Deteriorates in Jodhpur Jail; Wife Seeks Supreme Court Intervention Over Contaminated Water
Rajasthan, State

Health of Sonam Wangchuk Deteriorates in Jodhpur Jail; Wife Seeks Supreme Court Intervention Over Contaminated Water

Jodhpur: The health of Sonam Wangchuk, who has been imprisoned in Jodhpur Central Jail under the National Security Act (NSA) since September 2025, has come under scrutiny. His wife, Geetanjali Wangchuk, has approached the Supreme Court, raising concerns that her husband is suffering from serious gastrointestinal problems due to contaminated water in the prison. Supreme Court orders expert medical examinationDuring a prompt hearing on the petition, the Supreme Court recognized the seriousness of Wangchuk’s condition and directed that he be examined by a specialist doctor, particularly a gastroenterologist, to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment. Arguments presented in courtSenior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Geetanjali Wangchuk, informed the court that the quality of water p...
Crackdown on JE Recruitment Exam: Engineer Arrested Over Paper Leak
Rajasthan, State

Crackdown on JE Recruitment Exam: Engineer Arrested Over Paper Leak

Jaipur: Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG) has made a major breakthrough in the Junior Engineer (JE) Combined Recruitment Exam-2020 paper leak case. The authorities revealed that even the September 2021 re-conducted exam was compromised due to a paper leak. In connection with this case, Assistant Engineer Ganpat Lal Bishnoi of the Public Works Department (PWD) has been arrested. Repeated paper leak led to re-examThe original JE exam, held in December 2020, was allegedly canceled following a paper leak. According to Additional Director General Vishal Bansal, during the subsequent investigation, suspicions arose regarding how certain candidates managed to succeed in the re-conducted exam held on 12 September 2021. Upon questioning, the accused admitted that the exam papers for the...
“Why Are You Getting Agitated?” Diya Kumari Clashes With MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly
Rajasthan, State

“Why Are You Getting Agitated?” Diya Kumari Clashes With MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly

Jaipur: A heated exchange unfolded in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Thursday during the Question Hour, as Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and Congress MLAs engaged in a tense debate over road construction and crop compensation. The controversy began when Chetan Patel, Congress MLA from Peepalda in Kota, raised questions about the government’s failure to release compensation for crops damaged by heavy rainfall and the delay in constructing non-pencheable and missing-link roads in his constituency. Diya Kumari respondsDeputy CM Diya Kumari responded by comparing the performance of the previous government with the current administration, which sparked a row in the Assembly. Members from both sides clashed, leading to a chaotic scene in the House. “Why are you getting agitat...