Author: Indmedia

Chandigarh: Long overdue, the Chandigarh licence-permit-inspector raj is finally getting dismantled, with the Chandigarh administration charting a road map for UT departments to either do away with or simplify the multiple permissions, compliances, approvals and non-objection certificates (NOC) required across different fields impacting the citizenry.The initiative came after a strong nudge from the central govt, which also delineated the issues and the steps to be taken.Chandigarh: Murder Outside Gurdwara, Roads Shut, Trees Saved and moreA key area of reforms is easing the process of getting the NOC from different departments.The Centre directed the rationalisation of NOCs. For this, UT departments…

Lucknow: Election Commission has approved a one-month extension of the deadline for filing claims and objections against the Uttar Pradesh draft electoral roll published on Jan 6 this year as part of phase-2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters’ list exercise. The final electoral rolls of the state will now be published on April 10 instead of March 6. The revised schedule comes amid a surge in claims, objections and correction requests filed during the month-long window that began after the draft electoral roll was published on January 6. Clarifying the timelines, Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)…

Patna: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Thursday directed all districts to launch a special drive against the playing of obscene and double-meaning songs in public places. He warned that strict legal action—including FIRs and seizure of sound systems—will be taken against violators. Issued ahead of Holi, the directive underscores zero tolerance for such content at events, ceremonies, and in vehicles, citing its impact on women’s dignity and children’s safety.Choudhary said, “Playing such songs in public places, events, and vehicles will not be accepted under any circumstances. Cheap double-meaning and obscene songs have become a serious problem for society. They affect…

Jaipur: Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said in the state Assembly Thursday that his govt was drafting a law to protect the khejri tree, which he described as the state’s “Kalpavriksha”.”In Aug, saints from Bikaner, Phalodi, Jodhpur and Nagaur met me. Following that, I instructed officials to prepare the draft legislation. The process is underway and it will soon be presented in the Assembly,” he said.The CM said he accepted the Opposition’s challenge to an open debate on “5 years versus 2 years” of his and the previous Congress govt’s performance. “Relevant documents detailing our work have been tabled before…

Nagpur: The tottering Maoist headquarters of Abujmarh turned into a battleground after C-60 commandos and central paramilitary forces were locked in a fierce encounter with guerrillas for over 48 hours now. While a critically injured commando was being evacuated after taking a bullet in close combat, one guerrilla was confirmed killed after a body was retrieved from the encounter site. The rebel toll is likely to rise, say sources, who also confirmed difficulty in evacuation of the injured commando due to treacherous terrain and near-total darkness.Nagpur: Neeta Thakre New Mayor, C-60 Commando Critical In Gunfight, Cab-Auto Strike Tomorrow And MoreThe…

Palanpur: For the past five years, hundreds of villagers in Sabarkantha and Mehsana districts have unknowingly consumed milk and buttermilk adulterated with detergent powder, urea and other toxic chemicals.On Friday, the Sabarkantha Local Crime Branch (LCB) busted a factory allegedly manufacturing adulterated milk near Salal village in Prantij taluka and arrested five people, including a juvenile.The raid was conducted at a unit named Shree Satya Dairy Products, where milk was reportedly prepared by mixing water, milk powder, caustic soda, refined palmolein oil, refined soybean oil, detergent powder and urea fertiliser.”Using 300 litres of genuine milk, the accused used to produce…

In a bold move to reclaim substantial funds, Dhanbad’s mining department has served notices to prominent coal and steel giants such as BCCL, ECL, SAIL, and Tata Steel, totaling over Rs 18,425 crore. This decisive action is a direct response to Supreme Court rulings regarding unauthorized coal mining activities that occurred from 2000 to 2010. Dhanbad: The district mining department on Thursday issued notices to major coal and steel companies, including Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL-Mugma) Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL–Chasnala) and Tata Steel Limited (Jharia Division), directing them to deposit more than of Rs…

Surat: At least four persons were hospitalized after a gas leak at a pharmaceutical unit in Sarigam GIDC in Valsad district on Friday. Officials said all those affected are out of danger and recovering.Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred after liquid leaked from one of the reactors at Sainex Met Chem Pharma. Officials said evaporation of the leaked liquid led to the formation of gas, triggering eye irritation among those present on the premises. Among those who fell ill was Vinod Patel, the owner of the unit. To prevent the gas from affecting others in the surrounding area, police…

Vadodara: A day after the Gujarat high court (HC) came down heavily on the state govt for failing to conduct elections to the board of Baroda Dairy, the Vadodara district administration issued the notification for the election.According to the notification issued on Friday, the election for the board of the Baroda District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited (Baroda Dairy) will be held on March 18.The notification states that nominations can be filed for the 13 seats on the dairy’s board from Feb 21 to 26. Candidates can withdraw nominations between March 3 and 7, while scrutiny of nomination forms will…

Varanasi: Ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup starting Saturday, weavers and artisans in Varanasi are creating unique, handwoven Banarasi silk sarees as a cultural gift for the families of Indian cricket team players.This is a heartfelt initiative to honour Team India, promote the city’s legendary handloom heritage and blend tradition with national pride.The designs were prepared under initiatives of Kashyam Srijan Foundation, with input from local designer Lakshmi Vishwakarma. “The key features of these T20 special saree designs include pure silk (often Katan or fine Banarasi silk) with rich, intricate zari work (gold/silver threads), cricket-inspired motifs, like…