The electoral prospects of Swapna Barman have come under a cloud following a disciplinary dispute with her employer, the Railways. Barman, an Asian Games gold medallist and recent entrant into the All India Trinamool Congress, has been named as a candidate from the Rajganj Assembly constituency in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district. Key Highlights Dispute Over Service Rules The issue stems from Barman’s entry into active politics while still employed with the Railways. She joined the Trinamool Congress on February 27 and was later announced as a candidate without formally resigning from her government…

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The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch in Kashmir conducted raids at multiple locations in Srinagar and Budgam on March 26 as part of an investigation into alleged siphoning of government funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Highlights Investigation and Allegations According to officials, the case was registered following a complaint by a Delhi-based trading firm, which alleged it was misled by two individuals on the pretext of supplying medical equipment during the pandemic. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused used fraudulent methods to obtain funds, including payments…

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The annual Chaitra Navratri pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple has witnessed a significant surge in footfall this year, with over 2.69 lakh devotees visiting the shrine so far. The nine-day festival, which began on March 19, continues to draw large numbers of pilgrims to the hill shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. Key Highlights Heavy Footfall During Navratri According to officials from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, 2,69,716 pilgrims had offered prayers at the temple by March 25. The yatra has been proceeding smoothly despite the heavy…

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The Odisha government has assured residents that there is no shortage of LPG, petrol, or diesel in the state, amid rising concerns over fuel availability. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said the situation is under control and urged citizens not to engage in panic buying. Key Highlights Government Assures Adequate Supply Addressing concerns, the minister stated that fuel supplies across Odisha remain stable and well-managed. He emphasised that current stock levels are sufficient to meet both domestic and commercial demand. According to official estimates, the state currently has…

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Indian stock markets continued their upward momentum on March 25, with both the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 closing sharply higher for the second consecutive session. The rally was driven by improving global sentiment, particularly signs of easing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Key Highlights Broad-Based Market Rally Markets opened on a strong note and maintained momentum through most of the session, supported by sustained buying across sectors. Both benchmark indices climbed close to their recent highs during midday trading before witnessing some profit booking in the afternoon. Despite this…

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Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level review meeting in New Delhi on March 25 to assess preparedness for the upcoming kharif season. The meeting focused on ensuring uninterrupted supply of key agricultural inputs and strengthening systems to support farmers amid global uncertainties. Key Highlights Focus on Timely Supply of Farm Inputs During the meeting, the minister instructed officials to ensure that fertilizers, seeds, and other essential inputs reach farmers without delay. He stressed that any disruption could affect crop planning and productivity, especially during the kharif…

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BJP spokesperson Gaurav Gupta met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu on March 25, presenting a roadmap to position Jammu & Kashmir as an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven and future-ready Union Territory. The proposal outlines the use of AI across key sectors such as education, governance, healthcare and agriculture, with a focus on inclusive development. Key Highlights Vision for AI-Led Development During the meeting, Gupta stressed the importance of adopting artificial intelligence to keep pace with global technological advancements. He proposed expanding digital infrastructure so that even remote areas in Jammu & Kashmir can access…

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Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged both the Centre and the Odisha government to accelerate the implementation of the proposed Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) project at Chandikhole. The appeal comes amid growing concerns over global energy supply disruptions and geopolitical instability. Key Highlights Push for Faster Implementation In separate communications to the Centre and the state government, Pradhan stressed the urgency of advancing the Chandikhole SPR project. He called for coordinated efforts to ensure that administrative approvals and technical processes are completed without delay. The minister underlined that timely execution is critical…

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