TOP STORIES

Shillong, Oct 28 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday underscored that strengthening administrative infrastructure remains a core priority of his government to ensure efficient delivery of services to citizens.He was speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed Block Integrated Development Complex (BIDC) at Pynursla C&RD Block in East Khasi Hills district. “Improving administrative facilities has been one of our top priorities since 2018. While the schemes may not change, our focus is on ensuring that they reach the people more efficiently and effectively,” Sangma said. He added that good governance can only be achieved when public service institutions are equipped with the right facilities and environment to serve citizens. The Chief Minister expressed g...

Mumbai, Oct 28 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced that India will host the inaugural edition of Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) in February 2026.“Mumbai Climate Week aims to become a major platform for climate action across the Global South, with India taking a leadership role. The event will bring together the best minds from across the Global South to find practical solutions for our climate challenges,” said the Chief Minister. He added that this platform will help developing nations work together and make their voices heard on the global stage.The Chief Minister, joined by leading climate experts, shared details of the event, saying that representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to participate. “They will come to Mumbai to create a prac...

Mumbai, Oct 28 (IANS) The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on Tuesday said that it has organised a seminar on its consultation paper titled "Enhancing the National Pension System: Proposals for Flexible, Assured and Predictable Pension Schemes".The purpose of the event was to gather expert insights and stakeholder feedback on three proposed pension schemes under the National Pension System (NPS), designed to make retirement benefits more flexible, predictable, and assured.The seminar, which was organised at the Insurance Institute of India, here, brought together academicians, retirement income experts, and representatives from pension funds, annuity and life insurance service providers, along with senior PFRDA officials.The consultation paper proposes three new pe...

Jaipur, Oct 28 (IANS) Rajasthan Congress has accused the state government of deliberately delaying the municipal and Panchayati Raj elections under the pretext of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.Addressing a press conference at the State Congress Headquarters in Jaipur, Congress state chief Govind Singh Dotasra said that the BJP government’s actions clearly show that it intends to postpone elections in the state. Dotasra said that the SIR process is meant only for states where Assembly, Panchayati Raj, and Municipal elections are not scheduled. However, despite pending local elections, the Election Commission has announced the conduct of SIR in Rajasthan.The Congress leader alleged that the government is using the “One State, One Election” slogan as an excuse to st...

Jaipur, Oct 28 (IANS) The Rajasthan government on Tuesday said that the ill-fated sleeper bus which caught fire after coming in contact with a high-tension electric wire near Jaipur had taken an unpaved road to reach a brick kiln. Officials said the off-road route brought the vehicle dangerously close to the overhead power lines, leading to a fatal blaze.According to officials from the Jaipur collectorate, the bus -- carrying around 65 labourers from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh -- was on its way to a brick kiln in Todi village when the accident occurred, barely 300 metres before the destination. The bus had gas cylinders, motorcycles, and household goods loaded on its rooftop. When the luggage brushed against an overhead high-tension wire, it triggered a massive fire followed by a series of ...

Hyderabad, Oct 28 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday directed the Irrigation Department officials to come out with constructive plans for the repairs of Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram barrages, which are part of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project built by the previous BRS governmentHe also directed officials to ensure that the contract agencies are held responsible for the damage to the three barrages.He asked Irrigation officials to prepare plans to bring 80 tmcft of water from Tummidihatti to Sundilla and also finalise estimations for the repairs of the Sundilla barrage.The barrage is being repaired to bring water to the Sripada Yellampalli project.At a high-level review of the irrigation projects, the Chief Minister enquired the officials about the status o...

New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said he had "intense but very productive" engagements with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on advancing a comprehensive India–EU free trade agreement (FTA).The minister held high-level discussions with Sefcovic in Brussels during his two-day visit, as both sides have intensified efforts to conclude a comprehensive, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade agreement at the earliest."Concluded my visit to Brussels, after intense but very productive engagements with Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, on advancing a comprehensive India–EU FTA. The talks have significantly reduced our outstanding issues and allowed us to create the framework that will help ...

Jaipur, Oct 28 (IANS) In a major update on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, 70.55 per cent of Rajasthan’s voters will not be required to submit any documents for verification.State Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan said the Election Department has streamlined the process. “We had already started voter mapping in advance. More than 70 per cent of voters will not need to provide documents from the day SIR is announced,” Mahajan said. He added that this figure could cross 80 per cent once Booth Level Officers (BLOs) begin door-to-door verification.As of October 27, Rajasthan has 5,48,84,570 registered voters. After reviewing electoral rolls from 2002 to 2005, the department confirmed that 70.55 per cent of names matched previous SIR records. Among them, 79.32 per...

Itanagar, Oct 28 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday inaugurated the newly commissioned Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) LPG bottling plant in Naharlagun, marking a major step towards energy self-sufficiency and industrial development in the northeastern state. Inaugurating the IOCL’s LPG bottling plant at Papu Nallah (Jullang Road) in Naharlagun, the Chief Minister described the project as a symbol of “Atma Nirbhar Arunachal in action,” noting that it will generate employment, spur local economic activity, and strengthen the region’s industrial base.He extended his heartfelt congratulations to IOCL and B.A. Enterprises, the project partner, for their dedication and efficiency in completing this state-of-the-art facility in record time.The plant, established ove...

Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal, the groundwork for which will begin on November 4, will be conducted with complete transparency and no scope for confusion, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal assured on Tuesday.“The time for SIR in Bihar was too limited. But in West Bengal, we have ample time to conduct the exercise, so there will be no room for confusion,” Agarwal said, addressing the media.He explained that the increase in voter numbers compared to 2002 is normal, as many names have been transferred. The upcoming door-to-door survey will commence on November 4, during which Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit every household to distribute and collect enumeration forms.“All information will be uploaded in the BLO app an...