Puducherry government initiates changes in Department of Drugs Control

On Saturday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of Punjab distributed appointment letters for 866 government positions in an event held in Mohali. He highlighted that this initiative reflects an increased trust in the government’s recruitment process. Mann asserted that the state’s recruitment system has transformed from one previously characterised by corruption and nepotism to a more [...] The post Bhagwant Mann Announces 866 Government Jobs, Claims Decrease in Youth Migration appeared first on The CSR Journal .

Expectations mount high as Lad begins second innings as minister

Jaipur, Aug 8 (IANS) Nearly 10 months after labourers allegedly discovered valuables while demolishing an old haveli in Jaipur’s Tripolia Bazaar and divided the haul among themselves, Manak Chowk police have arrested five persons and recovered 66.4 kg of silver. Investigators are now probing the whereabouts of the remaining valuables and the possible involvement of others. According to DCP (North) Jaipur Karan Sharma, demolition work had been undertaken at House No. 630, Vidyadhar Ka Rasta, Tripolia Bazaar, in connection with new construction. A report regarding the demolition was lodged at Manak Chowk police station on July 15, 2026. During the demolition, a labourer allegedly discovered valuables concealed in the old structure and debris. Instead of informing the house owner, he allegedly shared the valuables with his associates. Police investigation revealed that the group allegedly found around 10 to 15 silver ingots weighing approximately 40–45 kg, besides old gold and silver coins. Officials suspect that around 8,000 to 10,000 old silver coins and other valuables were part of the haul. The labourer, identified as Mahesh Malhotra alias Chhotu, allegedly divided the valuables among himself and his associates. Investigators noticed significant changes in the financial circumstances and lifestyles of some suspects, prompting closer scrutiny. The accused, who had previously worked as ordinary labourers, allegedly began displaying changes in spending patterns and living standards. As the incident had taken place nearly 10 months earlier, CCTV footage was no longer available, and the house had been completely demolished. The Manak Chowk police team, along with the District Special Team (DST), Jaipur North, relied on technical investigation, call detail records, informant networks and surveillance of the suspects. Investigators examined mobile records and the suspects' movements in Jaipur and surrounding areas, gathering information on their activities and financial status. Police said these leads helped establish connections between the suspects and eventually identify the alleged participants. The arrested accused have been identified as Mahesh Malhotra (46), Jagdish Rajoria (51), Omprakash Khichi alias Pappu (54), and Rajni Malhotra (36), all residents of Mandi Khatikan, Ramganj, and Anuj Arora (28), a resident of Lakshminarayanpuri, Ramganj. Police recovered 66.400 kg of silver from their possession. Interrogation of the accused is underway to determine the whereabouts of the remaining valuables and establish whether others were involved in the alleged misappropriation. The investigation is continuing. --IANS arc/dan

Kolkata, Aug 8 (IANS) The Eastern Railway (ER) general manager Gitika Pandey on Saturday inspected parts of the Sealdah division, one of the busiest in Indian Railways, to ensure operational efficiency, safety and passenger amenities. The Sealdah division handles millions of passengers daily, operating over 700 EMU locals and passenger trains, along with several mail and express services to North Bengal and North India. During her inspection, Pandey interacted with passengers and frontline railway staff at Sealdah and Kalyani stations. She also reviewed ongoing station development projects in the Sealdah–Kalyani section. The general manager personally evaluated passenger amenities, safety arrangements and security measures at Sealdah station. She inspected the crew lobby, examining the booking management system for loco pilots and assistant loco pilots to maintain operational efficiency. Demonstrating her commitment to workplace safety, Pandey interacted directly with frontline safety staff to discuss operational field conditions and reinforce strict safety adherence. She then conducted a window‐trailing inspection along the Sealdah–Kalyani section to assess track conditions, signalling integrity and overall route safety. Upon reaching Kalyani, she inspected transformation works under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, including foot overbridge construction, car parking expansion, passenger amenities, updated station facades and passenger interaction zones, a senior ER official said. Since taking charge on August 1, Pandey has emphasised zero tolerance for safety and efficient train running. A few days ago, she interacted with over 780 frontline staff from all four ER divisions via video‐conferencing to discuss operational challenges. She has also been closely monitoring safety, security and operational efficiency during the ongoing Shravani Mela, which sees millions of pilgrims travelling to Deoghar and Tarakeswar. “ER remains dedicated to modernising infrastructure while prioritising safety and passenger comfort. Regular inspections ensure high operational standards and prompt action on passenger feedback,” ER CPRO Shibram Majhi said. --IANS jg/dan

Kanpur, Aug 8 (IANS) The Kanpur Superstars are fully prepared to launch their bid for the title in the upcoming edition of the UP T20 League. The franchise will begin its campaign on August 15, squaring off against the Noida Kings at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. As the 24-day cricketing extravaganza unfolds, the action will eventually shift to the Superstars' home turf. The Green Park Stadium in Kanpur will host the second phase of the tournament starting August 28, culminating in the playoffs and the grand finale on September 6. Following a highly productive player auction, franchise owner Ayush Lalwani expressed his confidence in the newly constructed squad, emphasizing that the management successfully executed its primary strategy. “We are very happy with the way the auction went," said Lalwani. "Our aim was to build a balanced squad by covering all the key areas, and I believe we have achieved that. We have a good mix of quality batters, bowlers, and all-rounders, and overall we are pleased with the team we have assembled.” The squad features a dynamic blend of proven IPL stars and emerging local talent. The batting lineup is bolstered by explosive and experienced batter Sameer Rizvi. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by premier left-arm fast bowler Mohsin Khan. In addition to sheer talent, the franchise strategically invested in leadership and tactical maturity during the auction. “We are delighted to have experienced players like Karn Sharma and Mohammed Amaan in our squad," Lalwani noted. "Amaan has also captained the India Under-19 team, so both of them bring valuable experience and leadership. We believe they will play an important role in guiding the younger players and strengthening the team.” Recognizing the crucial role of state-level cricket in nurturing grassroots talent, the Kanpur Superstars owner commended the UPCA Speed Hunt, a talent-scouting initiative aimed at discovering raw fast-bowling prospects across Uttar Pradesh. “The UPCA Speed Hunt is a fantastic initiative. It gives raw and talented players an opportunity to showcase their skills and get noticed," he explained. "The UP T20 League provides them with the perfect platform to perform, and from here they can dream of progressing to the IPL and even representing India. Initiatives like these are very important for the future of cricket in the state.” He further elaborated on the broader impact of state T20 leagues on the domestic cricket ecosystem. “The growth of state leagues has created healthy competition among players. While opportunities in the IPL and the Indian team are limited, these tournaments motivate youngsters to improve their game and perform consistently," Lalw. "They know that one good season can open bigger doors for them, and that is what makes these leagues so valuable.” As the Superstars head into their pre-season preparations, the ownership has set clear expectations for the squad. “The most important qualities I expect from my players are focus, discipline, and commitment. If everyone gives their hundred percent and plays for the team, the results will take care of themselves,” Lalwani concluded. Kanpur Superstars squad: Sameer Rizvi, Mohsin Khan, Karn Sharma, Adarsh Singh, Aaqib Khan, Vineet Panwar, Shubham Mishra, Mohd. Amaan, Pankaj Kumar, Shivam Bansal, Ajay Kumar, Yashovardhan Singh, Inzamam Hussain, Priyanshu Pandey, Satyam Sangu, Arjun Kumar Singh, Saubhagya Mishra, Shakti Verma --IANS hs/

Madrid, Aug 8 (IANS) Document checks have been initiated for all passengers arriving from Italy to Spain, and these measures are valid until September 7, local media reported. According to El Pais, about a hundred National Police Corps officers are manning ports and airports. Each flight is checked by two to four agents who randomly verify 5-10 per cent of travellers, equivalent to an average of 15 people on medium-sized planes and about 25 on larger ones. Operations started after midnight at Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat airports, then extended to Seville, Malaga, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. In the coming hours, it will also affect the Balearic and Canary Islands. Among the Italian airports most involved in the checks: Fiumicino, Ciampino, Malpensa, Naples, Venice, and Florence, Italian News Agency Adnkronos reported. The Spanish government said Italy had unilaterally reintroduced border checks on travellers arriving from Spain on August 1 without prior notification, describing the measures as "unjustified, discriminatory and contrary to the interests of the European Union (EU)." Spain has called on Italy to withdraw the measures immediately. Earlier Friday, the Italian government said it would maintain temporary checks on third-country nationals arriving from Spain until at least Aug. 15, citing national security and border-management concerns. Rome said it "does not accept ultimatums or external pressure" on matters concerning national security and border management. It also stressed that the controls do not apply to Spanish or other EU citizens travelling by air or sea, adding that Italian border authorities would seek to minimise disruption to legitimate cross-border travel, reports Xinhua news agency. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the border control measures on July 31 following a massive influx of migrants into Ceuta. About 80,000 people entered the Spanish enclave at the end of July, nearly 75,000 of whom subsequently returned voluntarily. Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the enclave, overwhelming reception facilities and creating a severe humanitarian emergency, Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas said on Thursday. The influx has fueled tensions among EU member states over border controls and the possible onward movement of migrants within the Schengen area. --IANS ksk/dan

Jaipur, Aug 8 (IANS) The three-day series of BRICS meetings on culture, held under India's chairmanship, concluded in Bhopal on Saturday with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration. At the 11th BRICS Meeting of Ministers of Culture, member and partner countries agreed on a practical and forward-looking framework to strengthen cooperation in culture, heritage, arts, creative industries and cultural exchange. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the Bhopal Declaration was not merely a statement of intent but an outcome-oriented document that lays down specific objectives and a roadmap for their implementation. Briefing the media on Saturday, Shekhawat added that the first meeting of the BRICS Culture Group was held virtually on April 29–30, followed by the second meeting of the working group in Varanasi on June 4–5. The Ministerial meeting in Bhopal built upon the deliberations held during these earlier meetings, culminating in the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration. He said that 14 countries, including India, participated in the Ministerial meeting in Bhopal, comprising 10 BRICS member countries and four partner countries. A total of 55 delegates attended the meeting. During its chairmanship, India anchored the Culture Group's agenda around "building a strong foundation for resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainable development". Shekhawat said the objective was to promote cultural cooperation that is sustainable, practical and capable of effective implementation. The restitution of cultural assets was among the key issues discussed at the meeting. Countries reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation for the repatriation of archaeological and cultural artifacts that have been stolen or illicitly trafficked from their countries of origin. Shekhawat said cultural assets are not merely of economic value but represent the sentiments, history and heritage of nations, societies and communities. "Their (cultural assets) return, therefore, is also a matter of cultural justice." The Union Minister highlighted India's efforts in this regard, saying that before 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, only 13 archaeological and cultural treasures had been successfully brought back to India from abroad. The number has now crossed 700, Union Minister Shekhawat said, expressing confidence that the figure could reach 1,000 by the end of this year at the current pace of efforts. A significant feature of the Bhopal Declaration is its outcome-oriented approach. Shekhawat said that, unlike declarations that often remain confined to broad principles, the present document focuses on specific targets, implementation pathways and future action. The declaration seeks to strengthen the institutional framework for cultural cooperation among BRICS countries and establish a shared roadmap covering traditional and contemporary areas of culture and heritage. Special emphasis has been placed on cultural and creative industries. The discussions also focused on creating new opportunities for artists, creators and craftspeople in the expanding global creative economy. Member countries discussed sharing best practices, strengthening artist networks, learning from each other's experiences and exploring ways to connect artists and craftspeople with new markets through digital platforms. The objective, Shekhawat said, extends beyond government-to-government cooperation and aims to strengthen connections between artists and people, thereby taking cultural diplomacy to the grassroots. A proposal put forward by India to establish a Voluntary Artist Registry received the support of all partner countries at the Bhopal meeting. The proposed registry will help connect professionals from the cultural and artistic sectors across BRICS countries. It is expected to facilitate opportunities for artists to work in other member countries, showcase their work and explore new avenues for collaboration. Shekhawat said the initiative would strengthen networks among artists and promote a sustained process of cultural exchange. It would also enable artists from BRICS countries to learn from one another's traditions and experiences while creating opportunities for joint creative projects. The Bhopal Declaration also places emphasis on strengthening cooperation in UNESCO's multilateral nomination process. Shekhawat said greater opportunities for collaboration could emerge when countries jointly nominate cultural and historical heritage sites that have shared significance. Against this backdrop, BRICS countries will seek to strengthen cooperation for the preservation, promotion and international recognition of shared cultural heritage. The initiative is expected to further deepen cultural ties among member and partner countries while contributing to the protection of heritage of common historical and cultural value. The Bhopal Declaration, Shekhawat said, is expected to provide a new direction to cultural cooperation among BRICS nations by combining institutional collaboration with practical initiatives for artists, cultural practitioners, heritage conservation and the creative economy. --IANS arc/khz

A man was apprehended after reportedly conducting a tantrik ceremony using a photograph of the Chief Justice, allegedly in hopes of assisting a relative with bail in a stabbing incident. Villagers stumbled upon this suspicious act at a cremation site in the dead of night. Law enforcement responded by detaining one suspect and confiscating the items used in the ritual.

T DGP warns police against online betting addiction

PM Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with US Vice President JD Vance to discuss advancing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Beyond official diplomatic discussions, the Prime Minister extended warm personal congratulations to Vice President Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on the birth of their son.

New Delhi, Aug 8: Against the backdrop of widespread concerns, the government today insisted that the MDR charges on UPI payments, as and when introduced, will apply only to a limited set of merchant transactions, above a certain threshold, at a nominal rate, far lower than debit or credit card MDRs. It said consumers making UPI [...] The post Govt says MDR charges on UPI transactions will be nominal as and when introduced appeared first on Business Vibes of India (BVI) .

Agartala, Aug 8: Amid speculation over the future of the BJP-Tipra Motha alliance, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Saturday declined to divulge details of the recent high-level meetings in New Delhi, saying discussions were yet to reach a final stage. Asked about the deliberations attended by senior BJP leaders from Tripura, Saha urged reporters [...] The post BJP-Tipra Motha Alliance Talks Continue: Manik Saha appeared first on Aguli .

Live | UPI ଟ୍ରାଞ୍ଜାକସନ ନେଇ ବଡ଼ ଖବର | | Person-to-person transactions to remain free | OTV #UPI_ଟ ୍ରାଞ୍ଜାକ୍ସନ୍_ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ_ମାଗଣା UPI ୟୁଜର୍ସଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଲାଗୁ ହେବନି କୌଣସି ଟ୍ରାଞ୍ଜାକ୍ସନ୍ ଚାର୍ଜ। ଏ ନେଇ ଆଜି ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟୀକରଣ ରଖିଛି କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଅର୍ଥ ମନ୍ତ୍ରଣାଳୟ। ସାଧାରଣ ୟୁଜରଙ୍କୁ UPI ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ଟଙ୍କା ପଠାଇବା କିମ୍ବା ପେମେଣ୍ଟ କରିବା ପାଇଁ କୌଣସି ଟ୍ରାଞ୍ଜାକ୍ସନ୍ ଚାର୍ଜ ଦେବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବନି ବୋଲି ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ କରିଛନ୍ତି କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସରକାର। ଅର୍ଥାତ୍, ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଅନ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କୁ UPIରେ ଟଙ୍କା ପଠାଇଲେ, ଏହି P2P ଟ୍ରାଞ୍ଜାକ୍ସନ୍ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ମାଗଣା ରହିବ। ଅଧିକାଂଶ ମର୍ଚ୍ଚାଣ୍ଟ ଟ୍ରାଞ୍ଜାକ୍ସନ୍ ମଧ୍ୟ ଚାର୍ଜମୁକ୍ତ ରହିବ ବୋଲି ଅର୍ଥ ମନ୍ତ୍ରଣାଳୟ ପକ୍ଷରୁ କୁହାଯାଇଛି। The Union Finance Ministry has clarified that UPI users will not have to pay any transaction charges for sending money or making payments through UPI. Person-to-person (P2P) transactions will remain completely free, meaning users can transfer money to another individual without any additional transaction fee. The Finance Ministry has also stated that most merchant transactions will remain free of charge. The clarification comes as the Centre seeks to make the position on UPI transaction charges clear for ordinary users, ensuring that routine digital payments and P2P transfers continue without a transaction fee. #UPI #UPIPayments #DigitalPayments #FinanceMinistry #UPICharges #CashlessIndia #DigitalIndia #OnlinePayments #UPITransaction #UPIUsers #IndiaPayments #OdishaTV #OTV For latest news updates follow us on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaYNIW78qIzrtKKZiD3M OdishaTV is Odisha's no 1 News Channel. OTV being the first private satellite TV channel in Odisha carries the onus of charting a course that behoves its pioneering efforts. Accordingly its charter objectives are FREE, FAIR and UNBIASED. OTV delivers reliable information across all platforms: TV, Internet and Mobile. Stay tuned for all the breaking news ! Visit Our Website https://odishatv.in/ News In Odia: http://otvkhabar.in/ Android App: https://bit.ly/OTVAndroidApp iOS App: https://bit.ly/OTViOSApp Watch Live: https://odishatv.in/live-tv YouTube: https://goo.gl/Ehz6OP Watch our latest news in English: https://bit.ly/3wTgKxc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/otvkhabar OTV English Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/otvnews Telegram @otvtelegram @otvkhabar Twitter: https://twitter.com/otvnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otvnews/ #OdishaTV #OTV

Jammu Tawi, August 8: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday reviewed preparations for the second phase of Census-2027, involving population enumeration in snow-bound and otherwise inaccessible areas of Jammu and Kashmir, and directed officials to ensure complete and error-free coverage. Chairing the Union Territory Level Census Coordination Committee meeting, Dulloo directed district administrations to appoint [...] The post J&K gears up for Census-2027 enumeration in snow-bound areas appeared first on Northlines .

Under the new appointments, C Vijayabaskar has been named Pudukkottai district organisational secretary, while M R Vijayabhaskar will serve as Karur district organisational secretary.