Kolkata: In the narrow lanes and old mansions of Bhabanipur, where Gujarati businessmen, Bengali families, Punjabi households and Muslim residents have lived side by side for decades, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is preparing to send out a political message as layered as the constituency itself.

If BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's nomination filing last week, during which he was accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was designed as a show of political strength and a saffron call for 'paribartan' (change), Banerjee's nomination on Wednesday is being choreographed as its ideological counterpoint -- a public assertion of Bhabanipur being a "mini India", and West Bengal's pluralist identity.

Raipur: In remote pockets of south Bastar, once administered by the jantana sarkar (parallel government run by Maoists), tribal children are set to get the opportunity to go to the school for the first time with the local administrations proposing to establish new schools in these areas.

The tribal children in these pockets have been deprived of basic education for almost two decades with the schools in some of these areas either closed due to the Naxal threat or demolished by the Maoists.

Besides, lack of access of the administration to some other areas in these former Naxal strongholds, no school could be opened in the last two decades.

In some of these areas, Maoist schools were run in the Naxal camps where the children used to be indoctrinated with the Maoist ideology.

“The Maoists had established their schools in the remote pockets of south Bastar, once their stronghold, primarily to develop them as their key source of recruitments. The children in the Maoist schools used to be indoctrinated with Maoist ideology and given arms training”, a senior police officer said.

The district administrations in south Bastar have developed some Anganwadi centres as temporary schools for the local tribal children till new schools are established, a senior state government officer said.

In Sukma district, which had witnessed some major Naxal incidents such as Tadmetla massacre of 76 CRPF jawans by the Maoists, new schools are being proposed in the interior areas.

A proposal has been sent to the state government to establish 22 schools in Konta block in Sukma district, according to the district education officer G R Mandavi.

Tribals in the remote pockets of south Bastar now want their children to go to school as sounds of Naxal guns have been silenced, a senior district officer said.

Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu is likely to undertake a day-long visit to Odisha's Rourkela and attend several programmes in the steel city, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said on Tuesday.

Oram, a Lok Sabha MP from Sundergarh, which includes Rourkela city, was speaking to reporters after holding a discussion with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan here.

New Delhi: Amid a tense global scenario, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has landed in United States for a three-day visit to Washington DC that begins on Wednesday to review bilateral trade and defence ties, and discuss the escalating crisis in West Asia.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Mr Misri's April 8-10 trip will provide an opportunity to review the full spectrum of India-United States bilateral relations and advance ongoing cooperation across key areas.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will hold discussions with senior officials of the U.S. administration on a wide range of issues, including trade, defence, science and technology, as well as regional and global developments of mutual interest. The visit follows the External Affairs Minister’s visit to Washington D.C. in February 2026 and is in keeping with the regular high-level exchanges between the two sides, the MEA said.

The two sides are expected to deliberate on moving forward on the proposed bilateral trade deal during Mr Misri's trip.

Guwahati: The high-voltage campaigning for Assembly elections in Assam came to an end on Tuesday with union home minister addressing three rallies for BJP led alliance candidates in Barrak Valley claiming to get third term for the BJP government in the state while Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge who was in Guwahati also expressed hope that Congress-led alliance will win 72 to 73 seats of 126 assembly constituencies in Assam assembly elections.

With polling scheduled in a single phase on April 9, political parties are making their final push to connect with voters across 126 constituencies in Assam.

The last day of campaigning has seen a flurry of rallies and roadshows led by top leaders. Narendra Modi addressed multiple gatherings, highlighting development initiatives and projecting his party’s vision for continued growth in the state.

At the same time, the Congress stepped up its attack, with senior leader Kumari Selja accusing the BJP of raising divisive issues during elections. Regional outfits such as the Asom Gana Parishad, Assam Jatiya Parishad, and Raijor Dal also intensified their outreach to voters in the final hours.

The 48-hour “silence period” under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 has come into force, prohibiting public meetings, rallies, and election-related broadcasts. Political advertisements during this period will require prior clearance, and leaders from outside constituencies must leave once campaigning concludes.

Officials have urged all parties to adhere strictly to the guidelines to ensure a smooth and fair voting process.

Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Anurag Goel, said that all preparations are in place for the polling scheduled on April 9, with special focus on encouraging young voters and ensuring foolproof security and accessibility at polling stations.

Mr Goel told reporters, “For polling in Assam on 9 April, preparations are in place. Polling parties are trained, and stations are identified with facilities like ramps, wheelchairs, electricity, toilets, drinking water, and a new mobile deposit pouch system.”

He said that special arrangements have been made for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, including separate queues and volunteer support.

He said that 800 CAPF companies have been deployed and entire borders would be sealed 48 hours before polling.

He informed, “Around 2 lakh civil polling personnel and 1 lakh police personnel will be on duty, supported by 800 CAPF companies and Assam Police.”

He said that they have also made large seizures of drugs, illegal liquor, and cash. However, seized cash have been returned after verification, he added.

Bhubaneswar: Bathing in the sea at Puri Beach, one of Odisha’s most visited coastal destinations, is turning increasingly hazardous, with a spike in drowning incidents raising alarm among authorities and locals alike.

In the past three months alone, at least six tourists have lost their lives, while several others sustained injuries after being caught in strong waves and underwater rip currents, officials said on Tuesday.

Data from recent years points to a worrying trend. In 2024, as many as 416 people were rescued from drowning situations, with six fatalities recorded. In 2025, rescues rose to 445, but the death toll climbed to ten. The current year has already reported six deaths in just the first quarter, underscoring the growing risk.

Officials attribute many of these incidents to negligence among visitors. Tourists are frequently seen venturing into the sea during high tide or straying into unsafe zones, often ignoring warnings. Sudden rip currents and powerful waves can pull swimmers into deeper waters within seconds, leaving little time for rescue.

Puri district fire services department has acknowledged the concern and plans to deploy additional lifeguards to improve response time. However, gaps in on-ground infrastructure continue to be flagged.

Experts and local stakeholders said the shortage of trained lifeguards, absence of watch towers, and inadequate warning systems are compounding the problem. They have called for a comprehensive safety overhaul, including better signage, modern rescue equipment, and stricter regulation of tourist activity along vulnerable stretches.

Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik stressed the need for a structured action plan to regulate sea bathing and enhance tourist safety.

Local resident Saroj Kumar Behera pointed to systemic shortcomings, saying the current arrangements fall short of what is needed for a high-footfall destination. He advocated the installation of watch towers for real-time monitoring, increased lifeguard deployment, and the introduction of rapid-response options such as jet skis for emergency rescues.

Behera also flagged risky behaviour among tourists, including entering the sea under the influence of alcohol, and suggested enforcement measures such as fines to deter violations.

The issue gained renewed attention after two tourists drowned on March 30, once again highlighting the vulnerabilities at the beach.

Bhubaneswar: In the heart of Odisha’s Dhenkanal, Tuesday was not just another day—it was a celebration of taste, tradition, and togetherness. As the town observed Biswa Bara Divas (World Bara Day), its streets transformed into vibrant corridors of aroma and affection, where food became both memory and identity.

From early morning, the sizzle of iron in iron kadhais signalled the start of festivities. At street corners, marketplaces, and makeshift stalls, vendors worked tirelessly, shaping and frying batches of bara (called Bada in other states—the humble yet iconic savoury that has come to define Dhenkanal’s culinary pride. The air was thick with the scent of freshly fried delicacies, drawing in residents and visitors alike.

But this was more than a food festival. It was a day when the town paused to celebrate something deeply local, almost intimate. Families stepped out together, friends gathered in clusters, and strangers struck up conversations over shared plates of hot, crispy baras.

What sets Dhenkanal’s bara apart is not just its taste, but its authenticity. Prepared using a careful blend of black gram (urad dal) and raw rice—often sourced from the fertile basin of the Brahmani River—the snack carries a texture and flavour that locals insist cannot be replicated elsewhere. Unlike variants found in other regions, which may use semolina or mixed flours, Dhenkanal’s version is rooted in simplicity and purity.

That pride was palpable among residents. Debasmita Sahu, who had come out with her family to join the celebrations, summed up the sentiment: for them, bara is not just food—it is the first choice, the emotional default. “No matter what else is available, we look for bara first,” she said, echoing a feeling shared by many in the town.

As the day unfolded, vendors reported brisk business, with some struggling to keep up with demand. Yet, beyond the commercial buzz, what stood out was the sense of collective ownership. Every bite seemed to carry a story—of local ingredients, inherited recipes, and a community that takes quiet pride in its culinary heritage.

“In an age where food trends often chase novelty, Biswa Bara Divas offered a refreshing counterpoint. It reminded us that sometimes, the most enduring flavours are the ones closest to home—served not in fine-dining settings, but on roadside plates, seasoned with familiarity and shared joy,” said Tapan Swain, a resident of Bhubaneswar.

Kolkata: Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that the BJP government at the Centre has hurt the "pride and self-esteem" of Rajbanshi community in north Bengal by "failing" to honour the earlier promise given during election campaigns.

Addressing a meeting at Natabari assembly constituency in Coochbehar district, the TMC national general secretary said the BJP at the Centre is yet to respond to the demand by the West Bengal government to recognise Rajbanshi language under the eighth schedule of the Constitution and thus hurt the "pride and self esteem" of members of the community who have their unique, indigenous culture and identity.

New Delhi: The third and final phase of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will be delayed by nearly a month as the Election Commission may roll it out after assembly elections in five states this month. Total of 22 states and Union Territories, including Delhi, were to go for SIR in April which as of now stands delayed.

Assembly elections are taking place in Kerala, Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal this month and counting will take place on May 4. So far, SIR has been carried out in 10 states and three Union Territories. A 'special revision' of electoral rolls was carried out in Assam.

The staff that was to conduct SIR is at present being diverted for census, said sources. The census in the country began from April 1 and in the second phase it will be held from May.

Except for Uttar Pradesh, final voters' lists have been published where SIR was carried out. As many as 60 crore of the nearly 99 crore voters have been covered in these voters' list clean up exercises. The remaining nearly 39 crore electors will be covered in the proposed exercise in 17 states and five Union Territories. On February 19, the poll authority had asked 22 states and Union territories including Delhi to complete preparatory work related to SIR at the earliest as the exercise is "expected to start from April".

Once the exercise is completed, all states and Union territories will be covered.

New Delhi: The government on Tuesday said that over 10,000 flights by Indian carriers to West Asia have been cancelled since the war broke out in the region. The move of the government comes at a time when widespread closures of key transit corridors have forced airlines to suspend or reroute services, particularly on long-haul routes to Europe and North America, according to a senior civil aviation ministry.

New Delhi : Sebi on Tuesday extended the validity of IPO and rights issue approvals till September 30 to provide companies more time to launch their offerings, amid ongoing tensions in West Asia. The markets regulator's observation letters expiring between April 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 will now remain valid till September 30, 2026, according to a Sebi circular.

Under the existing norms, companies are required to launch their public issues within 12 months or 18 months, as applicable, from the date of issuance of Sebi's observations.

However, the regulator said it has received representations from industry bodies highlighting difficulties faced by issuers in mobilising resources and accessing capital markets due to the prevailing uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions in West Asia and subdued investor participation.

"Considering the representation of the industry body, the prevailing uncertain market conditions due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and subdued investor participation, Sebi has decided to grant one-time relaxation to extend validity of the Sebi's observations letters, expiring between April 1, 2026-September30, 2026 till September 30, 2026, " the regulator said.

The move is expected to benefit several companies that had deferred or recalibrated their IPO plans due to volatile market conditions, thereby avoiding duplication of regulatory processes.

New Delhi : A Delhi court on Tuesday granted bail to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar in a money laundering case related to the AIADMK's "two leaves" election symbol. Special Judge Vishal Gogne granted the relief to him on a personal bond and surety bond of Rs 5 lakh each.

Chandrasekhar will, however, remain in jail in other pending cases lodged against him.

"Liberty being the most sacrosanct norm in our Constitution, the court cannot preach liberty from its decisions while playing footsie with the state upon the bogey of special legislation or economic offences," Judge Gogne said.

He said while the offence of money laundering remains grave in nature, a special legislation like PMLA is not a grouse of the state to be exacted upon the liberty of an accused through the court.

"Thus, the existence even of 31 cases (including the present case) against the accused does not defeat his right to bail in this particular case when the period of detention has crossed the threshold of half of the period of proposed imprisonment under section 4 of the PMLA, more so, when he is already on bail in 26 out of the 31 cases," the judge said.

"With the proceedings effectively being under stay, both in the predicate offence and the present complaint under PMLA for the past several years, the accused has not only served excessive detention during trial but also stands to suffer further prolonged detention without trial," he added.

Guwahati: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a frontal attack on the Congress, positioning the upcoming Assam Assembly elections 2026 as a decisive battle over identity, security, and governance.

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea by the father of an accused in the Venjaramoodu mass murder case to restrain the release of a film which he claimed was based on the incident.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas rejected the plea of Abdal Rahim, father of A R Afan, who was arrested for allegedly murdering his brother, uncle, aunt and girlfriend at Venjaramoodu in Thiruvananthapuram on February 24, 2025.

New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that all issues concerning the installation of CCTVs in police stations across the country would be sorted out within two weeks. Attorney General R Venkataramani told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that he was taking stock of the issue and a lot of things were happening.

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in the state, after two children were killed in a bomb attack in Bishnupur district.

Singh said his government is committed to restoring peace and stability at the earliest.

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that names of people belonging to the Matua and minority communities were deleted from the post-SIR voter rolls in the state.

Addressing a rally at Chakdaha in Nadia district, Banerjee said that the TMC will stand by those whose names were excluded from the voter rolls, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

New Delhi: Cash payments at toll plazas will be discontinued for travellers on national highways from April 10, the road transport and highways ministry has said.

In a gazette notification, the ministry has said that in cases where a vehicle enters a fee plaza without a valid FASTag, users can still pay via Unified Payment Interface (UPI), but at a higher charge of 1.25 times the applicable toll fee.

Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) has deleted a total of 90,83,345 voter names in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral roll ahead of the April 23-29 Assembly polls in West Bengal. The total number of voters has been reduced to 6,77,20,728 from 7,66,37,529, according to data released by the poll panel early on Tuesday.

Patharkandi (Assam): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asserted that a 'parivartan' is inevitable in West Bengal, and said once the BJP comes to power in the state, all infiltrators will be sent back to their countries. Addressing an election rally here, he also claimed that the Congress gave shelter to illegal immigrants in Assam's Barak Valley, making them "predominant" in Sribhumi, Silchar and Cachar districts.

HYDERABAD: A ‘Super’ El Nino is on the cards this year that could disrupt the crucial life-giving southwest monsoon over India and also result in increased heat over much of India. This is the result of the warming of sea surface waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for linking the development of the Madurai Metro to the election of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA.

Stalin's remarks came after Fadnavis, while filing the nomination of BJP candidate Rama Sreenivasan from Madurai ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, claimed that the Metro project would reach the city only if the BJP candidate won.

Reacting to this, Stalin on X wrote, "Is it the job of the Maharashtra Chief Minister to bargain and blackmail by saying that a Metro will be provided to Madurai only if a BJP MLA is elected? A Chief Minister who has taken an oath on the Constitution should be ashamed to visit an opposition-ruled state and speak in such a manner."

The Tamil Nadu CM also highlighted the state's governance achievements, pointing out the contrast with Fadnavis' claims. "Does he know how many landmark projects the Tamil Nadu government is implementing despite the Union government's neglect in fund allocation? If not, he should find out the facts before speaking," Stalin added.

Referring to the state's economic performance under the DMK government, Stalin said, "Let it be remembered that it is Tamil Nadu, governed by the #DravidianModel, which has achieved double-digit economic growth, surpassing the 'junk-engine' states you boast about as 'Double Engine' states."

He shared a video on X in which, while filing the nomination of BJP candidate Rama Sreenivasan from Madurai ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, Fadnavis said, "Once Rama Sreenivasan ji is elected as MLA, we will take him to honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji. And all of us know how much faith Modi ji has on this great city of Madurai. So I am sure that once Rama Sreenivasan ji reaches Modi ji, the metro will reach Madurai."

Fadnavis also commented on law-and-order issues, alleging a rise in child sex abuse and drugs in Tamil Nadu, and accused the DMK of colluding with criminals, claiming, "People see that there is a connivance between DMK and all these criminals. And that is why I think people will give the answer, and people will vote NDA."

The remarks come ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, which will be held in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

New Delhi: In a significant procedural directive, the Supreme Court has said that "exceptionally urgent matters" that cannot wait for the listing process have to be mentioned only before the Chief Justice of India, even if he is busy presiding over a constitution bench. According to the usual practice, urgent matters are mentioned for listing and hearing before the seniormost judge of the apex court if the CJI is either unavailable or busy heading a constitution bench.

New Delhi : The government is considering a Rs 2.5 lakh crore credit guarantee scheme to support businesses, especially MSMEs impacted by the West Asia crisis, sources said.

Under the scheme, a credit guarantee of about 90 per cent on loans of up to Rs 100 crore would be provided to lenders in case of default by borrowers due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

The guarantee on bank loans would be provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the government.

The government would have to provide about Rs 17,000 crore to Rs 18,000 crore for the scheme.

Sources said the scheme was a huge success during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped many businesses across various sectors to stay afloat and clear their dues.

The government in May 2020 announced the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan to support eligible Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other eligible business enterprises in meeting their operational liabilities and restarting their businesses in the context of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ECLGS covered almost all the sectors of the economy, and a 100 per cent guarantee was provided to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) in respect of the credit facility extended by them under the scheme to eligible borrowers.

The structure of the scheme permitted easy access to credit as the lenders offer pre-approved loans based on the borrower's existing credit outstanding, and there is no fresh appraisal undertaken by lenders since additional credit was sanctioned over and above the credit facilities already assessed.

Further, the interest rate was also capped with a view to lowering the cost of credit and loans are sanctioned without any processing charges, pre-payment charges and guarantee fees. The Scheme continued till March 31, 2023.

Besides, the government has taken a slew of measures in the recent past to mitigate the hardship of the common man, including slashing of excise duty on petrol and diesel.

India has reduced the excise duty on diesel and petrol, and specific exemptions were given on critical petrochemical products and SEZs to operate in the Domestic Tariff Area.

The government had on March 26 slashed excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 a litre as it looked to shield consumers from the impact of rising global crude prices amid the ongoing war.

Global crude prices have risen by almost 50 per cent since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, triggering sweeping retaliation from Tehran.

The government also imposed an export duty of Rs 21.50 per litre on diesel and Rs 29.50 per litre on aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Excise duty on petrol has been slashed to Rs 3 a litre, while on diesel it is zero currently.

On April 2, India exempted the import of critical petrochemical products from customs duty to ensure supply stability and provide relief to consumers of final products amid disruption in shipping routes due to the West Asia conflict.

Besides crude, India is a major importer of fertiliser and natural gas.

Imphal: Two children were killed and their mother was injured in a bomb attack in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Tuesday, triggering protests by locals, police said. The incident occurred at around 1 am when a bomb was hurled by suspected militants at a house in Moirang Tronglaobi area, killing a 5-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl, a senior officer said.

Chandigarh : The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked judicial officers not to use AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot to write judgments and conduct legal research. A letter issued by the high court registrar-general on Monday to all district and sessions judges in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh stated that the Chief Justice has asked them "to direct the judicial officers working under your control not to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Meta, et cetera, for writing of judgments and legal research. Any violation of these instructions will be viewed seriously."

Earlier, the Gujarat High Court had prohibited the use of AI for any form of decision-making, judicial reasoning, order drafting, judgment preparation, bail sentencing considerations, or any substantive adjudicatory process.

According to the Gujarat High Court's AI policy, unveiled at a conference of district judiciary judges on Saturday, artificial intelligence should be used to improve the speed and quality of justice delivery, rather than as a replacement for judicial reasoning.

Kolkata : Nearly 91 lakh voters have been deleted from the electoral rolls in West Bengal following the Special Intensive Revision exercise in the state, according to data released by the Election Commission. The poll panel is yet to announce the finally altered voter base for the state after the roll revision process.

According to official data released on February 28, 63.66 lakh names, around 8.3 per cent of the electorate, were deleted since the SIR process began in November last year, reducing the voter base from about 7.66 crore to just over 7.04 crore.

More than 60.06 lakh electors, who were placed in the "under adjudication" category, were part of the 7.04 crore voter base.

Over 27.16 lakh of 60.06 lakh 'under adjudication' voters have been deleted during a scrutiny by judicial officers, the EC data said.

More than 32.68 lakh of those in the 'under adjudication' category have been retained and included in the final rolls.

The final deletions, since the beginning of the SIR process, were around 90.83 lakh, according to the EC data.

"The revision exercise has been carried out in a phased and transparent manner. District-wise data has now been placed in the public domain to ensure complete accountability," a senior EC official said.

Of 60.06 lakh voters under adjudication, data for 59.84 lakh has been published, and the remaining 22,163 cases have been disposed of but are yet to be e-signed, he said.

"Once the pending procedural formalities, including e-signatures, are completed, there may be marginal changes in both deletion and inclusion figures," the official said.

The entire exercise has been undertaken in compliance with established guidelines, he said.

"Any further inclusion at this stage will be subject to legal provisions and directions, if any, from competent authorities," the official said.

Meanwhile, with the publication of the final supplementary list, the electoral roll for the first phase of West Bengal assembly elections has been "frozen" after midnight on Monday in accordance with prescribed norms, he said.

Of the 294 seats in the assembly, 152 seats will go to the polls on April 23 in the first phase, and the remaining 142 seats will vote in the second phase on April 29. The rolls for the second round will be frozen on April 9.

"There will be no further inclusion in the electoral roll at this stage. The list stands frozen as per law following the last date of nomination for the first phase," a senior Election Commission official told PTI.

"Any change hereon will depend solely on fresh directions, if any, from the Supreme Court," he said.

The Apex court, before which the SIR matter for West Bengal is being argued, will be hearing the case next on April 13.

Bhubaneswar: Even as Koraput district has been declared free of Maoist influence, concerns are emerging over the alleged failure of authorities to rehabilitate several surrendered cadres in accordance with government promises.

Washington: India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra met US envoy to New Delhi Sergei Gor here and said both sides are pursuing robust efforts to achieve the goals set by their leaders for the strategic relationship between the two countries. "Good to catch up with my friend, Amb Sergio Gor @USAmbIndia, during his visit to Washington DC," Kwatra said in a social media post on Monday.

"Respect and value his partnership, as we continue our robust efforts to achieve the goals agreed by our two leaders for the India-US strategic ties," he said.

New Delhi: Air India Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Campbell Wilson has resigned, sources said on Tuesday. Campbell Wilson was appointed on a five-year contract. His tenure as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air India is scheduled to conclude in July 2027.

Campbell Wilson was appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Air India in 2022. With over 30 years of rich experience in the aviation industry, he has worked across both full-service and low-cost carriers.

Prior to joining Air India, Wilson served as CEO of Scoot, the wholly-owned low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA).

He began his career with SIA in 1996 as a Management Trainee in New Zealand. He subsequently held various roles with SIA in Canada, Hong Kong, and Japan, before returning to Singapore in 2011 as the founding CEO of Scoot, a position he held until 2016.

He then served as Senior Vice President - Sales & Marketing at SIA, where he oversaw Pricing, Distribution, eCommerce, Merchandising, Brand & Marketing, Global Sales, and the airline's overseas offices. In April 2020, he returned for a second stint as CEO of Scoot.Wilson holds a Master of Commerce (First Class Honours) in Business Administration from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Berhampore: Trinamul Congress scion Abhishek Banerjee on Monday accused the BJP of fielding three players--- Election Commission (EC), Aam Janata Unnyan Party founder Humayun Kabir and Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury--- to tackle chief minister Mamata Banerjee's party in Murshidabad in the West Bengal Assembly Election.

He told a poll campaign rally at Jalangi in Murshidabad, “BJP has deployed 3 agencies in this district and 3 agents are in charge of it. The first is the EC, headed by Gyanesh Kumar, who is busy in deleting voters' names. The two others are Mr Chowdhury and Mr Kabir who enjoy central forces’ security cover. Mr Kabir is also backed by Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM.”

The Diamond Harbour TMC MP also blamed Mr Kabir, Mr Owaisi and Mr Chowdhury for triggering unrest to split votes to help BJP and hence they did not get summoned by central agencies. Mr Banerjee later attacked the Left.

He claimed, “In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, many voted for CPI(M) and Congress believing that it would not affect the TMC government then. But this election is not only about giving TMC a fourth term but also about ousting BJP’s B and C teams and teaching a lesson to those who have stopped your rightful funds.”

The TMC national general secretary also alleged, “I challenge CPI(M), which was in power for 34 years, to reveal the number of roads they built, submersible tube wells they installed or any other development they brought to Jalangi and Domkal. CPI(M) is past. Do you ever buy spoiled vegetables?”

He added, “CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim himself lost in 2024 to our Abu Taher Khan by over 1.6 lakh votes. Do not waste your vote on them. CPI(M) never fought against the special intensive revision. Only Ms Banerjee did.”

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in Maharashtra and is set to question him, officials said.

The agency’s Mumbai zonal office filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, based on multiple FIRs registered by Maharashtra Police.

Officials said Kharat and his associates would be summoned for questioning as part of the probe.

Kharat, described as a godman-cum-astrologer, was arrested in March following allegations by a married woman that he had repeatedly raped her over a period of three years.

Police have registered eight FIRs against him so far. Investigations have also revealed alleged financial irregularities, including transactions linked to land deals, cooperative credit societies and other properties.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said all accounts linked to Kharat had been identified and were under scrutiny.

"All accounts of Kharat have come to our notice, and the transactions through them have been identified," he said.

"It is my firm belief that all illegal assets and wrongdoing will be exposed," he added.

Bhopal: A female tiger and a cub were found dead in two separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh reserve forests in a span of 24 hours.

Prima facie, it appears the two big cats died in territorial fights, a forest officer said on Monday.

However, the autopsy reports can only point out the exact causes of their death, the forest officer said.

Carcass of an adult tigress was found in the Kanhari forest beat under Kanha range of Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) in Mandla district in the state late on Saturday.

The deceased tigress, Sunaina (T-22), had injury marks in some parts of her body but all her organs were found intact, indicating that the big cat was killed in a territorial fight with another tiger, a forest officer of the KTR said.

In another incident, a tiger cub was found dead in the Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR) in Narmadapuram district on Sunday.

Pugmarks of a male tiger and a tigress were found at the spot, indicating that the cub might have been killed in the territorial clash between the big cats, a forest officer of the STR said.

With this, the death of tigers in the state increased to 16 in the current year so far.

Mumbai: The Congress’s decision to field Akash More against Sunetra Pawar in the Baramati bypoll has exposed fresh cracks within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday attacked the grand old party saying the Baramati result is a foregone conclusion. However, the Congress slammed Raut saying statements made through party platforms should not create confusion within the alliance.

“Baramati is the Pawar family’s stronghold and everyone knows what the outcome there will be,” said Raut on Monday. He also extended best wishes to NCP leader Sunetra Pawar ahead, before adding that party chief Uddhav Thackeray would make the final decision on MVA support.

The Rajya Sabha MP slammed Congress accusing it of taking the decision to field its candidate without taking the allies in confidence.

“This is not a decision of one party. There are several parties in the alliance and such calls cannot be taken unilaterally. Some elections must be approached through mutual understanding,” Raut said.

The Sena (UBT) leader stated that the party chief Uddhav Thackeray would make the final decision on MVA support. “Today, Sunetra Pawar is merely filing her nomination papers. There is still time before the election takes place; by then, the Shiv Sena’s stance will become clear,” he said.

However, the Congress hit back at Raut, accusing him of undermining partners within the alliance. Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said statements made through party platforms should not create confusion within the alliance.

He mocked Raut saying the latter was conflating things while fulfilling the dual roles of a journalist and a political spokesperson.

“He (Raut) harbours the misconception that whatever he says is inherently correct. He does not seem to recognize the necessity that in the ‘coalition dharma’ other parties may hold differing views and prior consultation with them is essential. Is it fair with the spirit of coalition politics to unilaterally announce decisions and only subsequently seek out Congress leaders? Had this not occurred, the Maha Vikas Aghadi would currently hold power in the Mumbai and Chandrapur Municipal Corporations,” said Sawant.

Mumbai: The rupee traded within a tight range against the dollar on Monday, appreciating to a two-week high of 92.7925 in early trade on central bank measures to curb speculative and arbitrage trades but lost most of it as oil marketing companies, importers bought dollars to hedge their payments.

The rupee closed up 4 paise at 93.06 against the dollar, after closing at ⁠93.10 in the previous session (on Thursday). Markets were closed on Friday on account of Good Friday. The rupee had appreciated 173 paise on Thursday, its best single day gain in 13 years on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) measures aimed at curbing speculative activity.

The RBI last week took a series of steps to defend the ongoing weakness in the currency by barring banks from offering rupee non-deliverable forwards to resident and non-resident clients and said companies cannot re-book cancelled forwards. The move followed tighter limits on banks' forex positions in the ‌domestic market to $ 100 million by the end of each business day. The banks have to comply with this directive by April 10, 2026.

Traders said that the cost of hedging against rupee weakness has risen as importers rushed to lock in stronger rupee levels for their forward dollar purchases. The premium for buying the dollar surged to 7.30 per cent for the first month which was 6 months high last seen in September on liquidity concerns and rate hike expectations by the RBI.

According to Reuters, Indian companies' activity in the non-deliverable forwards (NDF) market surged to over $7 billion on March 30, around seven times the average, signaling a rush to ‌capture arbitrage opportunities created by banks’ unwinding positions following regulatory curbs.

“The ongoing geopolitical conflict has brought heightened volatility across financial markets. We expect that given the challenging global environment, the rupee to trade in the range of 93-95/$ in the near term, with downside risks. We also expect India’s 10 year yield to trade in the range of 6.9-7.10 per cent in the near term, with an upward bias,” said Sonal Bandhan economist at Bank of Baroda in a report.

All eyes are now on the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that began its three day deliberations on Monday with the outcome known on Wednesday.

Globally, a lot has changed since the RBI announced its last policy in February 2026. With the outbreak of the United States-Israel war with Iran (on Feb 27), Brent crude prices which were below USD 70/bbl just a month back have touched almost USD 120/bbl briefly. Global central banks (Fed, ECB, BoE, BoJ) have held rates in March and signaled an increased probability of rate hikes due to inflation risks.

Says Deepak Agrawal, chief investment officer debt at Kotak Mutual Fund, “While headline inflation at 3.21 per cent remains within the 4 per cent target and GDP growth holds steady at 7.8 per cent, supply-side pressures from energy costs pose durability risks. Capital flows to emerging markets have turned cautious, pressuring current accounts and financial stability. Against this backdrop, the MPC likely faces a status quo decision, maintaining the 5.25 per cent repo rate and neutral stance while preserving flexibility to respond should external pressures intensify further."

Raipur: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai is going to present the roadmap for the development of Bastar in Chhattisgarh post-Maoist period during his scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah at Delhi on Tuesday.

According to a spokesman of the Chhattisgarh government, Mr. Sai is scheduled to leave for Delhi from here late on Monday night.

He is scheduled to meet Mr. Modi at Delhi at 11 am on Tuesday.

On the same day, he is also scheduled to meet Mr. Shah.

“This Delhi visit by Mr. Sai may prove to be crucial for shaping the future of Bastar in the post-Maoist period”, a senior officer of the state government said, requesting not to be quoted.

Sources disclosed to this newspaper that the key focus of these meetings will be ‘post-Maoist scenario’, with detailed discussions expected on the comprehensive development roadmap for Bastar following the decline in Maoist influence.

According to sources, Bastar’s development is now emerging as a national priority.

With significant gains achieved on the security front, the focus has shifted towards integrating the region into the mainstream of development rapidly.

During these meetings, Mr. Sai is scheduled to present a detailed roadmap outlining expansion of basic infrastructure, promotion of industries, and investments in Bastar, sources said.

The progress in the implementation of the ongoing infrastructure development projects in Bastar is also expected to be reviewed in these meetings, sources said.

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Monday rejected separate notices moved by the Opposition seeking removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The notices, submitted on March 12, 2026, were signed by 130 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha members, alleging partisan conduct, obstruction of electoral fraud investigations and disenfranchisement. In separate orders, both presiding officers declined to admit the motions under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, read with relevant provisions of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, and other applicable laws.

A notification issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat said the Chairman, after examining all aspects, refused to admit the motion under powers vested in him. A similar notification from the Lok Sabha Secretariat stated that the Speaker had also declined to admit the motion after due consideration.

Reacting to the decision, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "We know what happened to the last Chairman of the Rajya Sabha who accepted a petition moved by Opposition MPs".

His remarks were seen as a reference to former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Opposition parties have accused the Chief Election Commissioner of favouring the ruling party during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Under the law, the removal of a Chief Election Commissioner follows a process similar to that of a Supreme Court or High Court judge, requiring proof of misbehaviour or incapacity.

Raipur: The Madhya Pradesh high court has ruled that the condition of working for 80 days in 12 months for women employees to be eligible for maternity leave benefit does not apply to the establishments of the state government.

Disposing of a petition in a case related to the matter, the bench of Justice Vishal Dhagat has held that ‘Section 5 (2) of the Act of 1961, bars benefit of maternity leave unless a woman has worked for 80 days in 12 months. Said bar of working 80 days in 12 months for availing benefit of grant of maternity leave shall not be applicable over establishment of State Government. State is required to take welfare measures for its citizens.

The case relates to a petitioner, working as a guest faculty, who filed a petition in the Madhya Pradesh high court challenging the trial court’s order of June 16, 2023, denying her honorarium but was granted leave from April five, 2023 for a period of six months.

She was denied the maternity leave benefit by the court under Section five of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

The bench has held that the employee was engaged on contractual basis, and the nature of appointment under the category is temporary.

Hence, they cannot be said to be a government employee.

Therefore, the MP (Madhya Pradesh) Civil Services Leave Rules do not apply to the petitioner, the bench has held.

The court noted that the Section 2 (1) of the Act is a wide provision and covers any establishment belonging to the state government and also establishments where ten or more people are employed on any day preceding 12 months.

Hence, the petitioner can avail the maternity benefit.

“As per said Act, every woman has right to payment of maternity benefit according to provisions of Act of 1961”, the bench said.

Taking into account the spirit of the constitution, which expects the state to promote welfare of the people, the court has held that the bar of working 80 days in 12 months for availing the benefit of the grant of maternity leave shall not apply to the establishment of the state government.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just a day left for campaigning, Kerala heads into the 2025 assembly polls amid a charged atmosphere of claims and counterclaims by the principal political fronts.

Over the past 22 days, candidates of the CPM led LDF, Congress-led UDF and BJP-led NDA have braved the summer heat to reach voters, offering promises that range from social welfare expansion to vision of a "Viksita Keralam".

On April 9, a majority of the 2.71 crore registered voters will line up at polling stations - many having already made their firm choices, others deciding at the last moment. The slogans echoing across the state capture the mood: The LDF's "Mattarund LDF allathe (Who else but LDF?), UDF's "Keralam jayikkum, UDF nayikkum (Kerala will win, UDF will lead) and NDA's Maarathathu marum, Keralam Valarum (This time change will come and Kerala will progress).

Do or die battle for LDF

For the LDF, this election is nothing short of a do-or-die battle. With West Bengal and Tripura lost, Kerala remains its last stronghold. At 90, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dominates the campaign trail, his towering cutouts and posters symbolising the push for a third term.

The LDF banks on its record, as was evident on Monday when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan released the government's report card, listing the achievements; declaring Kerala free of extreme poverty, building nearly five lakh homes for the homeless, infrastructure development, NH development, ensuring uninterrupted welfare pensions, advancing education and maintaining communal harmony. Confident there is no anti-incumbency, the front insists voters will contrast its decade in power with what it calls the "dark period" of the 2011-2016 UDF government.

Women's welfare is a central plank, with promises of safe travel, childcare, skill training, and rural economic initiatives aimed at empowering 20 lakh housewives.

Prestigious battle for UDF

The Congress-led UDF entered the fray brimming with confidence, aiming for a decisive comeback. Opposition Leader V D Satheeshan, 61, who spearheaded the campaign, has boldly set a target of 100 seats in the 140-member assembly.

"People have made up their mind for change," he asserts, pointing to the UDF's string of victories since 2021- dominance in assembly by-elections, a sweeping win with 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 and control of over 60 per cent of wards in 2026 local body polls. He believes anti-incumbency will translate into a landslide.

The UDF manifesto leans heavily on welfare guarantees; the Indira Guarantee promises free KSRTC bus travel for women, Rs 1000 monthly support for college -going girls, and a hike in welfare pensions to Rs 3000. The Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme pledges Rs 25 lakh coverage per family, while youth are offered Rs 5 lakh interest-free loans to start ventures. Added to this is Rahul Gandhi's flagship NYAY scheme, assuring Rs 6000 to BPL families.

Slow yet Steady growth for BJP

The BJP-led NDA, gradually carving space in Kerala's traditionally bipolar politics, is eying a breakthrough with hopes of winning around half a dozen seats. The party has concentrated its efforts on constituencies such as Nemom, Palakkad, Manjeshwaram and Thrissur.

Though its vote share dipped from nearly 20 per cent in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to 14.7 per cent in the 2025 local body elections, BJP leaders insist the tide will turn in the assembly polls.

"People are fed up with the match fixing of LDF-UDF; they want a change. We are promising fast-paced development," says BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign visit energised cadres, reinforcing the party's vision of a "Viksita Keralam" (Developed Kerala).

The BJP's promises include a Rs 3000 monthly welfare pension, Rs 3000 support for women heads of poor households, widows, and senior citizens above 70, and a Bhakshaya Arogya Suraksha Card offering Rs 2500 monthly recharge for BPL women and a high-speed rail corridor to transform connectivity.

Undercurrents of change

While no clear wave is visible on the ground, observers sense an undercurrent for change, driven by fatigue with years of

Left rule. The UDF argues that the trend from local body polls will carry into the assembly elections. "The fear of defeat has forced LDF to have a secret deal with the BJP," says Satheeshan.

The Congress-led front is banking on strong minority support - Muslims and Christians together make up nearly 47 per cent of Kerala's population - along with a growing share of Hindu votes. "Even in constituencies where Hindus form over 50 per cent, we performed strongly in the Lok Sabha and local body polls," says Satheeshan, pointing also to the Sabarimala gold theft case as a factor alienating Hindus from the Left.

The LDF counters that minorities will remain loyal, citing its

uncompromising stand on secularism. "The Congress, which is the principal opposition party in Chhattisgarh, watched silently as Christians were attacked there. They are not ready to repeal draconian laws targeting minorities," Pinarayi Vijayan reminded Congress.

Meanwhile, the BJP hopes to consolidate Hindu support and make inroads among Christians, buoyed by its 19.7 per cent vote share in the Lok Sabha polls. Yet, concerns over the FCRA Bill and reported attacks on the nuns and church leaders in states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh leave the party cautious.

A close contest ahead

Despite the claims and counterclaims of political parties, pollsters believe that whichever front wins, the margin will be narrow. Unlike 2021, when LDF swept 99 of 140 seats, there is little sign of a landslide this time.

One reason even ordinary voters find it hard to predict the outcome is the break from Kerala’s old "revolving door" pattern of governments. The LDF's repeat victory in 2021disrupted that rhythm, making the current contest harder to read.

Much has changed since then, and with shifting political currents, Kerala's 2026 assembly polls remain nearly too close to call - at least for the pollsters.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Congress on Monday said it may consider withdrawing from the Baramati Assembly by poll if a first information report (FIR) is registered in connection with the plane crash that killed former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

New Delhi: A security breach was reported at the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Monday after an SUV forced entry into the premises and rammed into the vehicle of Speaker Vijender Gupta.

Police said the vehicle, driven by a masked man, entered through Gate No. 2 around 2 pm, broke past barriers and proceeded towards the Speaker’s office, where a bouquet was placed before the driver fled.

At the time of the incident, the Speaker was inside his chamber. Officials said the accused also attempted to run over security personnel during the intrusion.

According to police, the white vehicle bearing a UP-26 (Pilibhit) registration number approached from the Delhi University side at high speed and breached the gate, where security deployment was limited.

The accused has been identified as Sarabjit Singh, 37, a resident of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh. Senior officers, including Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha and Special Commissioner (Law and Order) Ravindra Yadav, visited the spot and supervised the probe.

Three persons have been detained and are being questioned. Police said Singh had travelled from Pilibhit and was not staying in Delhi.

Bomb disposal and dog squads carried out searches of the premises, and forensic teams examined the bouquet. No explosives were found.

The vehicle was intercepted near Roop Nagar around 4.15 pm after alerts were issued across the city and neighbouring states.

Police have registered a case at Civil Lines police station under sections related to attempt to murder, criminal trespass and damage to public property. The motive is under investigation.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Tourism Department will promote lesser-known rural destinations by organising tourism festivals as part of its efforts to draw more visitors to the state. Tourism Minister Shambhuraje Desai said on Monday that the department is identifying rural locations that can be showcased to strengthen Maharashtra’s tourism brand and attract international travellers.

PUDUCHERRY: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday unveiled a series of development promises for Puducherry, including plans for an industrial corridor and positioning the region as a hub for the Blue Economy, while launching a sharp attack on the INDIA bloc.

Addressing an election rally at Thirukkannur, in the Mannadipet Assembly constituency, Shah said the NDA was committed to transforming Puducherry into a “fully developed” region with strong backing from the Centre. He highlighted that a laptop manufacturing unit with an annual capacity of 3 lakh units has already been established, signalling growing industrial investment.

On employment, Shah claimed that the unemployment rate in the Union Territory had drastically reduced under the NDA government, alleging that the previous Congress regime, led by V. Narayanasamy, had left the region economically weakened.

He announced welfare measures aimed at key voter groups, and promised that women farmers would be provided livestock to boost rural incomes.

Taking a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah criticised his remarks on rising fuel prices and said the steep petrol and diesel rates cited by Rahul were in Pakistan, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Emphasising political stability and development, Shah urged voters to re-elect the NDA government.

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday claimed that there is a strong undercurrent against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the ensuing Assembly polls in West Bengal.