Friday, July 17

State

Chandni Chowk Encroachment: High Court to Form Committee for Daily Monitoring
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Chandni Chowk Encroachment: High Court to Form Committee for Daily Monitoring

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has taken a strict stand against encroachments and traffic violations in the Chandni Chowk area. The court has decided to form a committee that will monitor the situation on a daily basis. The move came after the Chandni Chowk All Traders’ Association petitioned the court, urging immediate action against traffic violations and illegal activities in the area. Traders’ Association Demands:The association highlighted that despite the area being designated as a non-motorized zone, a large number of vehicles continue to operate there. They also raised concerns over fines being settled in Lok Adalats, which undermines enforcement. Currently, a fine of ₹20,000 is reduced to ₹200 in Lok Adalats, leading to widespread disregard for traffic rules. Court’s Dec...
UGC Bill Sparks Rebellion: BJP MLA Anil Singh Protests, Says ‘No Discrimination Against General Category’
Bihar, Politics, State

UGC Bill Sparks Rebellion: BJP MLA Anil Singh Protests, Says ‘No Discrimination Against General Category’

Nawada, Bihar: Senior BJP legislator Anil Singh, four-time MLA from Hisua, has openly revolted against the UGC Equity Regulations 2026, criticizing the central government and the Education Ministry while remaining part of the ruling party. Singh joined youth protests in Nawada, raising concerns that the bill discriminates against students and teachers from the general category. Speaking to the media, Singh asserted, “This bill unfairly favors SC, ST, and OBC communities while leaving general category students and teachers vulnerable. I stand fully with the general category, and I will continue to protest on the streets until justice is done.” ‘Bill is one-sided, blackmail risk rises’The legislator termed the notification issued on 15 January 2026 as “one-sided.” He highlighted that w...
Factionalism Rocks Bihar Congress: Tension Between Former Minister Shakeel Ahmed and State Chief Rajesh Ram
Bihar, Politics, State

Factionalism Rocks Bihar Congress: Tension Between Former Minister Shakeel Ahmed and State Chief Rajesh Ram

Patna: The Bihar Congress is witnessing intense factionalism and internal strife, with senior leaders openly trading barbs. The latest flashpoint has emerged between former minister Shakeel Ahmed and Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee President Rajesh Ram, highlighting growing tensions within the party. Rajesh Ram has accused Shakeel Ahmed of being someone who seeks positions without undergoing genuine political struggle. In response, Ahmed pointed out that Ram’s political career is largely built on the legacy of his father, Dilkeshwar Ram. The unrest comes in the wake of the Congress party’s crushing defeat in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, which not only shook the patience of senior leaders but also intensified intra-party rivalries. Observers note that the party’s internal disci...
Nitish Kumar’s ‘Samridhi Yatra’ Reaches Samastipur, Announces Projects Worth Over ₹800 Crore
Bihar, Politics, State

Nitish Kumar’s ‘Samridhi Yatra’ Reaches Samastipur, Announces Projects Worth Over ₹800 Crore

Samastipur: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday arrived in Samastipur as part of his ongoing ‘Samridhi Yatra’. During the visit, he inaugurated and laid the foundation for various development projects worth over ₹800 crore, aimed at accelerating the district’s growth. As part of the visit, CM Kumar inaugurated the newly constructed building at the Government Engineering College and oversaw several key developmental initiatives across the district. Following the inauguration, popularly known as ‘Sushasan Babu’, inspected the stalls of Jeevika and other departments, interacting with officials and beneficiaries. The visit marks the second phase of the Samridhi Yatra, which will conclude later today. Through these initiatives, the state government aims to strengthen infrastruct...
Uttar Pradesh Preserves Fading Musical Heritage, Protects Over 200 Traditional Instruments
State, Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Preserves Fading Musical Heritage, Protects Over 200 Traditional Instruments

Lucknow, Jan 29, 2026: Amid the rising tide of modern music and digital sounds, the traditional musical instruments of India’s tribal communities are gradually fading into obscurity. Recognizing this cultural loss, Uttar Pradesh’s Folk and Tribal Culture Institute has taken significant steps to preserve these endangered treasures. The institute is currently safeguarding over 200 traditional instruments, ensuring that future generations remain connected to their rich cultural roots. Once resonating across forests, hills, and riversides, instruments like the dholak, nagada, daf, dhafli, and been are now on the brink of extinction. Following directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the institute is not only preserving these instruments but also showcasing them through exhibitions an...
Ghaziabad Residents Hit by Thousands of Wrong Electricity Bills Every Month; Power Department Fails to Act
State, Uttar Pradesh

Ghaziabad Residents Hit by Thousands of Wrong Electricity Bills Every Month; Power Department Fails to Act

Ghaziabad, Jan 29, 2026: Electricity consumers in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, are facing growing difficulties as erroneous electricity bills continue to arrive. From incorrect meter readings to inflated load calculations, over 2,000 wrong bills are being issued every month, forcing residents to repeatedly visit power department offices for corrections. In the past four months alone, more than 9,000 incorrect bills have been reported. With around 2.5 lakh electricity consumers in the city, bills are generally issued between the 7th and 22nd of each month. Residents allege that meter readers frequently enter incorrect readings, sometimes higher than actual consumption, leading to inflated bills. Complaints lodged with the electricity department are often delayed or ignored, leaving frustrat...
From 2600-Year-Old Legacy to Global Recognition: Uttar Pradesh’s Black Salt Rice Connects to Lord Buddha
State, Uttar Pradesh

From 2600-Year-Old Legacy to Global Recognition: Uttar Pradesh’s Black Salt Rice Connects to Lord Buddha

Siddharthnagar, Jan 29, 2026: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated projects worth over ₹1,000 crore in Siddharthnagar on Wednesday, highlighting the district’s cultural and economic significance. While the region is renowned as the spiritual land of Lord Buddha, it is increasingly gaining attention for its historic and unique agricultural product—Black Salt Rice. Known locally for centuries, Black Salt Rice has now become a symbol of both tradition and modern economic growth, thanks to the state government’s One District-One Product (ODOP) initiative. The crop is helping local farmers increase income and strengthening the district’s economy. A 2600-Year-Old LegacyThe cultivation of Black Salt Rice in Piprahwa, Siddharthnagar, dates back over 2,600 years, around 60...
Ghaziabad SIR Centers Overwhelmed as Crowd Turns Unruly, Officials Struggle to Maintain Order
State, Uttar Pradesh

Ghaziabad SIR Centers Overwhelmed as Crowd Turns Unruly, Officials Struggle to Maintain Order

Ghaziabad, Jan 29, 2026: In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, centers set up for responding to notices under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process were overwhelmed on Wednesday as large crowds gathered, leading to chaos and unrest. The situation escalated when citizens were asked to provide proof from the 2003 voter list, creating confusion and frustration among residents. The administration had established 14 centers across various assembly constituencies to facilitate verification of documents. However, many visitors faced difficulties as booth level officers (BLOs) were absent, leaving people unsure about where to submit or verify the required documents. Several residents expressed their anger over the sudden demand for documents that are over 20 years old. “We were asked to provid...
Tragic Accident in Sambhal: 9-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Water-Filled Excavation
State, Uttar Pradesh

Tragic Accident in Sambhal: 9-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Water-Filled Excavation

Sambhal, Jan 29, 2026: A heart-wrenching incident occurred in Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh, where a 9-year-old boy drowned in a deep, water-filled pit near a brick kiln. The pit, dug recently with a JCB machine, had collected rainwater, and the tragedy has sparked outrage among locals demanding strict action against the kiln owner. According to reports, the incident took place near Gauri Brick Kiln in Barbari Madhiya village, under Hayatnagar police jurisdiction. The child, Priyansh, son of laborer Rohtas from Saijna village, was playing near the kiln when he accidentally slipped into the pit, approximately 9 feet deep, filled with water. Upon realizing his son was missing, Rohtas rushed to search for him. Seeing Priyansh struggling in the water, he jumped into the pit to rescue h...
Mob Beats Young Couple in Saharanpur Over Love Affair, Victims Plead for Mercy
State, Uttar Pradesh

Mob Beats Young Couple in Saharanpur Over Love Affair, Victims Plead for Mercy

Saharanpur, Jan 29, 2026: In a disturbing incident in a village in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a young couple was brutally beaten by a mob in front of the village council (panchayat) for engaging in a romantic relationship. The victims reportedly begged for mercy, folding their hands in prayer, but their pleas went unheard. Authorities say no formal complaint has yet been filed with the police. According to local reports, the incident occurred around ten days ago. A young man had gone to meet his girlfriend when villagers learned of their meeting and apprehended both. Without involving law enforcement, the couple was brought to the house of the village head, where a panchayat session was held. During the session, not only were their personal relations questioned, but the couple was also ...