Browsing: India

Pune has 61,521 lifts, but only 16,022 were inspected in 2025-26, data shows Pune: Mandatory annual safety inspections of over 70% of total 61,521 lifts remained pending in the city till the end of 2025-26 financial year as assistant engineers from the electrical inspectorate are increasingly diverted to approvals and inspections of newly installed elevators, officials in the state energy department said on Thursday.The delay has left thousands of residents using elevators that may not have undergone crucial safety checks for years, exposing them to risks. Only 16,022 lifts were inspected in 2025-26, data showed. The issue has come under…

Panaji: The Goa Investment Promotion Board moved to declare a 7,800sqm privately-owned parcel at Majorda in Salcete taluka as an investment promotion area to facilitate an expansion project proposed by JMJ Beach Resorts, according to a notification published on Thursday. The land corresponds to Survey No. 67/2.The notification followed an application submitted to the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board on Feb 27, 2024, seeking expansion of 60 room keys at an existing resort. The Goa IPB granted in-principle approval and recommended that govt declare the specified area an investment promotion area under Section 42(1) of the Goa Investment Promotion…

Chandigarh: UT police have booked owners and employees of several immigration firms in the city for allegedly duping job aspirants of around ₹1 crore in visa fraud cases. Seven separate FIRs have been registered at Sector 17 police station, and investigations are underway.In one case, Mora Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran, alleged that Anubhav Garg of World Walk Immigration Company in Sector 17 took Rs 14.85 lakh from him on the promise of sending him abroad for work, but neither arranged the visa nor returned the money.Another complainant, Kawaljeet Singh from Gurdaspur, told police that Iqbal Singh Sandhu, owner…

Lucknow: Ayush students in select UP colleges will get an opportunity to study human anatomy using state-of-the-art anatomy tables, or digital cadaver labs.The pilot project will begin at Govt Ayurveda College and Govt Homeopathy Medical College in Lucknow.“This is a forward-looking move to provide better learning opportunities to our Ayush students,” said Chaitra V, director general, UP, and mission director, National Ayush Mission, UP.She said the initiative would place UP Ayush colleges among a select group of institutions using the technology, including the All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi; National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur; and SDM Ayurveda College, Karnataka“These…

Patna: Bihar is set to roll out a new unified billing system for electricity consumers across the state from Friday, replacing its decade-old infrastructure with an advanced digital platform aimed at streamlining services for nearly 2.25 crore users. The new system is expected to be fully operational across the state by June.Officials said the existing billing framework, introduced in 2014, was designed for around 70 lakh consumers and operated through separate software systems for urban and rural regions. Over the past 10 years, the number of consumers has more than tripled, leading to delays and inefficiencies in service delivery. To…

Mati Kala board chairman Prahlad Rai Tak announcing the the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Bichoon industrial Area Thursday Jaipur: The state govt will establish a Mati Kala Centre of Excellence in Bichoon industrial area near Jaipur to strengthen traditional industries.Mati Kala board chairman Prahlad Rai Tak Thursday said that the centre will provide training and exposure to modern technology for clay artisans. Camps will be organised across the state to issue artisan cards to workers, ensuring formal recognition and access to welfare schemes.Tak added that the initiative would open new employment opportunities and improve production standards. He…

Nagpur: The Delhi high court has ordered a status quo till the next hearing in the Multimodal Logistics Park (Sindi dry port) case. Delta Corp, whose contract for developing the dry port was terminated in Sept last year, had moved the court after Hyderabad-based AMR India emerged as the successful bidder in the fresh tender. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 16. This means signing of the final contract for the project will have to wait till then. Sindi dry port, the pet project of Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, is being…

Varanasi: As the holy city experienced hottest day of the season at 45 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the city roads as well as ghats wore a deserted look, as residents shielded themselves against heat and humidity with fans, coolers and ACs and stayed indoor even in the evening hours. Last time the city recorded 45 degree Celsius was on Apr 25.According to IMD, the city recorded 45.6 degree Celsius maximum temperature, 4.8 degree Celsius above normal temperature. The minimum temperature was 29 degrees Celsius, 2.4 degrees Celsius above normal.It was one of the most severe days of the summer season,…

Kolkata: Since its implementation in March 2024, a little less than 400 migrants have been granted citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), say sources. However, the process is expected to gain substantial momentum in Bengal, with CM Suvendu Adhikari’s announcement of enforcement of the Act that aims to grant citizenship rights to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.CAA faced considerable pushback from the previous state govt, with then-CM Mamata Banerjee protesting its implementation.As state govt’s stance changes with a new party in office, CAA focus in the country shifts heavily to Bengal, home to an estimated 30…

Aatif Qayoom Srinagar, May 21: Young footballer Ayaan Bilal has earned a call up for the U20 Men’s National Team trials ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026, marking a major achievement for football in J&K. Ayaan received the national recognition while representing J&K in the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship 2026. His selection for the national trials is being seen as a reward for years of hard work, discipline and consistent performances on the field. The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council congratulated the young footballer and described his selection as a proud moment for the Valley’s…