A second exam, a second burden: Inside Sikar's NEET crisis – video

It also asked Centre to prevail upon six states to close border check posts that they are still operating. NEW DELHI: The Centre should scrap all existing inter-state border check posts within six months and replace the All India Tourist Permit with a unified All India Passenger Permit within a year, a parliamentary panel has recommended, pitching for a sweeping overhaul of the country’s bus transport system.The committee headed by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha made the recommendations after consultations with govt departments, bus operators, passengers and other stakeholders to identify key hurdles facing the sector, which transports more passengers daily than Indian Railways.The panel noted that India has around 4.4 lakh buses, but only about 1.1 lakh are owned by govt entities, mainly state road transport undertakings. Ten states account for nearly 90% of these govt-owned buses, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.Calling for an overhaul of the permit regime, panel urged road transport ministry to replace the All India Tourist Permit with an All India Passenger Permit. The new permit should reflect the number of passengers actually carried, ensuring that enforcement does not hinge on whether a traveller qualifies as a “tourist”.“The rights of the permit holder, including the right to halt, to board and set down passengers at notified points, and to enter public terminals on payment, should be stated exhaustively on the face of the permit,” panel said.It also asked Centre to prevail upon six states to close border check posts that they are still operating.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesPanel further recommended that all bus terminals provide private operators “non-discriminatory access” to pick up passengers on payment of an entry fee, following the model at Delhi’s ISBT.It also proposed establishment of a National Bus Terminals Authority to develop and standardise terminal infrastructure and, where states agree, manage bus terminals and intermodal passenger hubs.Panel further recommended a unified online ticketing platform covering state-run and private bus operators for passenger convenience.It has proposed a citizen vigilance channel, modelled on Election Commission’s cVIGIL app, allowing passengers to file geo-tagged, time-stamped complaints—with photos or videos—about overloading, unsafe transport of schoolchildren, faulty safety equipment and poor sanitation in buses, terminals and halting points.Complaints would be automatically forwarded to the enforcement authority concerned for action within a prescribed timeframe, it said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPrashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’123PhotostoriesExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15’s Ruhaanika Dhawan on being the youngest contestant, on-screen mom Divyanka Tripathi’s reaction to her stunts and moreBaluchari saree: The forgotten Bengali handloom that nearly disappearedKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them away123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani

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Pan masala may now only be packaged in paper, paperboard, cellulose, or other naturally derived materials (Photo: Agencies). NEW DELHI: India’s food safety regulator has barred the use of plastic and plastic-laminated packaging for pan masala, under an amendment aimed at tightening existing packaging norms, according to a press release.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified that pan masala may now only be packaged in paper, paperboard, cellulose, or other naturally derived materials. Such materials must be entirely free of plastic, including polyethene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and other synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates, as well as aluminium foil or metallised layers, the release said. Tin and glass containers continue to be permitted, it added.The press release further stated that packaging will also need to conform to clauses (f) and (i) of sub-rule 1 of rule 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, framed under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.The amendment has been incorporated as a new entry in Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, which lists suggested packaging materials. It has been placed right after the existing entries at Serial Number 10, the release said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesNotified as the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, the amendment will come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, according to the release.The regulations were issued by FSSAI in exercise of powers conferred under clause (k) of sub-section (2) of Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and with prior approval of the Central Government, the release said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPrashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’123PhotostoriesBaluchari saree: The forgotten Bengali handloom that nearly disappearedKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them awayThe parenting lessons children learn without being taught: 7 agreements every couple should make123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani

Vamsikrishna2 hours ago 0

NEW DELHI: West Bengal officials on Tuesday registered an FIR against former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh in connection with the alleged hurried cremation of the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year.Additionally, Panihati Municipality councillor Somnath Dey and Sanjeev Mukherjee, a neighbour of the victim’s family, were also named in the FIR.The case was registered on the basis of a complaint by the deceased doctor’s father, who alleged that the cremation was carried out in undue haste under the supervision of the three accused.The FIR was registered at Khardah police station and alleged that the victim’s cremation was carried out in haste to prevent the possibility of an autopsy and thus conceal evidence.”The CBI is probing the rape and murder case at RG Kar hospital, which falls under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police. The new FIR lodged at Khardah police station is based on a complaint by the family of the deceased that the body was cremated in a hurry without the consent of the family members to hush up evidence,” the officer told news agency PTI.This comes days after chief minister Suvendu Adhikari directed the police to register a separate case into the circumstances surrounding the cremation.”The role of Ghosh, Dey and Mukherjee in the cremation needs to be investigated. I have ordered the registration of a new case separately, apart from the court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). I have asked the Barrackpore Police Commissioner to take necessary steps in this regard,” he had said on August 8.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.Investigators subsequently established that she had been raped and murdered the previous night.According to the police, the body was taken to a crematorium in Panihati and cremated in haste, allegedly overtaking two other bodies waiting in the queue.Police have also raised questions over the signatures on the cremation consent documents, saying they were allegedly those of neighbours and not the victim’s parents or other family members.The CBI is separately investigating the rape and murder case following the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police. One person was convicted in the case, and the matter is now pending in the Calcutta High Court.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam Row123PhotostoriesKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them awayThe parenting lessons children learn without being taught: 7 agreements every couple should makeBefore cholesterol reaches the heart, it may leave clues elsewhere: 7 changes doctors say not to overlook123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani

Vamsikrishna3 hours ago 0

Pothole-related deaths in India rose by over 53% in five years, from 1,555 in 2020 to 2,385 in 2024. Do you also have a “work in progress” sign permanently living outside your house?One day, someone digs up the road to lay a water pipe. A few days later, another team arrives to fix a cable. Then comes the patchwork. And just when you think the road is finally back to normal, congratulations, it is dug up again.The road outside your house may technically be the same road, but it has seen so many rounds of digging, filling, breaking and repairing that it almost has a career history.And then, inevitably, the potholes arrive.We often blame potholes on bad roads, heavy rain or poor construction. But a pothole is rarely born overnight. In fact, that annoying crater that makes your car suspension groan or sends a two-wheeler rider swerving usually has a long backstory.A crack appears. Water gets in. The road weakens. Traffic keeps pounding it. The surface finally gives way.And if the underlying problem isn’t fixed, filling the hole may only be a temporary solution.The road gets dug up. Again. And again.Before we get to the pothole itself, there is another character in this story: road digging.Roads don’t just carry vehicles. They carry water pipelines, sewage lines, electricity cables, telecom networks and other utilities underneath them. Whenever something needs to be repaired, replaced or newly installed, the road may have to be opened.The problem begins when the road is not restored to the same standard after the work is completed.From a tiny crack to a full-blown pothole, here’s how road damage turns into a recurring cycle of patch and repair.A poorly compacted patch can become weaker than the surrounding pavement. Water can seep into the edges. Traffic repeatedly hits the repaired section. Eventually, cracks appear.And suddenly, the “temporary” patch becomes the next pothole.This is one reason why road maintenance cannot simply mean filling visible holes. What happens underneath the road matters just as much as what you see on top.Every pothole starts smallThe first warning sign is usually something you wouldn’t give a second glance: a tiny crack.Road surfaces are constantly under pressure. India’s roads have to handle enormous traffic volumes, heavy vehicles and, in many parts of the country, intense heat followed by heavy monsoon rain.Temperature changes cause pavement materials to expand and contract. Repeated traffic loads create fatigue. Overloaded vehicles put additional stress on the surface.Then the monsoon arrives.A police officer fills a pothole with stones on a road, at Edappally, in Kochi. (Image credit: PTI)That tiny crack suddenly becomes a doorway.Water is the real troublemakerRain itself isn’t necessarily the villain. Water getting beneath the road is.Once water enters through a crack, it can reach the layers beneath the asphalt. If drainage is poor, clogged or badly designed, the water may remain there instead of being carried away.The result is gradual weakening of the road’s foundation.The surface may still look fine from above. Underneath, however, the supporting layers can lose strength and material can be washed or displaced, creating weak spots and voids.And then traffic does what traffic does best: keeps coming.Then the tyres take overImagine standing on a floor that has suddenly become slightly hollow underneath. Now imagine thousands of vehicles repeatedly pressing down on that same spot.That is essentially what happens to a road whose underlying layers have weakened.With every passing vehicle, the damaged surface experiences another load. Bits of asphalt loosen, the depression grows and eventually the surface collapses.That is your pothole.And once it forms, it can become a vicious cycle.Rainwater collects in the depression. More water finds its way into the surrounding pavement. The edges weaken. Vehicles hit the damaged section. More material breaks away.A small pothole can therefore become a much bigger one surprisingly quickly, especially during the rainy season.Why does the pothole come back after it is fixedNow comes the question every commuter has asked at least once:“Didn’t they just repair this?”Yes. But repairing the hole and repairing the road are not always the same thing.If workers simply fill the visible depression while the layers underneath remain damaged, the surface may fail again.It is a bit like filling a dent in a wall without fixing the leak behind it.The road may look perfect for a while. Then water gets in again, traffic starts pounding the weak section and — hello, pothole.Potholes on Bengaluru roads (Image credit: PTI)This is why preventive maintenance matters. A small crack can often be dealt with before it becomes structural damage. Once the road base itself has deteriorated, the repair becomes more complicated, expensive and disruptive.And not all potholes are equally dangerousA pothole’s danger isn’t determined by its size alone.A small hole on a busy, high-speed road can be far more dangerous than a giant one on an empty lane.For two-wheelers, an unexpected depression can destabilise the vehicle. On a crowded road, a driver trying to avoid a pothole may suddenly brake or swerve. At night, poor lighting can make the defect difficult to spot. During rain, water can completely hide its depth.So the real danger is a combination of the pothole, speed, traffic, visibility and road conditions.What data showsPotholes claimed 9,438 lives across India between 2020 and 2024, with annual fatalities rising from 1,555 in 2020 to 2,385 in 2024 — a jump of more than 53% in five years.Uttar Pradesh accounted for more than half of the national toll, reporting 5,127 deaths. Madhya Pradesh followed with 969 fatalities, while Tamil Nadu recorded 612, Odisha 425, Punjab 414 and Assam 395. Among Union Territories, Delhi reported the highest toll at 50.But the numbers also raise questions about how pothole-related crashes are recorded. States such as Andhra Pradesh and Bihar reported zero crashes, injuries or deaths under this category, even as states such as Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura reported fatalities. Experts say gaps in objective crash-cause reporting could mean the data does not fully capture the scale of the problem.The toll, however, remains below the 2017 peak of 3,597 pothole-related deaths. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue in 2018, observing that authorities responsible for maintaining roads were failing in their duties.Can we stop pothole before it becomes a pothole?Fortunately, the answer isn’t simply “keep filling holes”.A 2021 IIT Madras study found that nearly 78% of urban potholes reported by citizens remained unfixed for more than two weeks, with delays particularly serious in high-traffic areas.Technology can help road agencies identify damage earlier through road-condition monitoring, GIS mapping and scanning systems. Quick repair methods can deal with certain defects before they expand.Citizen reporting can also help — provided complaints actually lead to inspection and action.Because the person who encounters a dangerous pothole may not be a road engineer inspecting the highway once a month. It may be a delivery rider passing through it ten times a day.But technology alone won’t solve the problem.Road agencies need better coordination too. If one department digs up a road to lay a cable and another has to repair it later, someone needs to ensure the road is restored properly. Otherwise, the same stretch can enter an endless loop of dig → patch → crack → pothole → repair → dig again.How speed, rain, poor visibility and heavy traffic can turn a road defect into a serious hazard.The pothole is only the final chapterSo, the next time you see a pothole outside your home, remember: that hole probably didn’t just “appear”.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIt may have started as a tiny crack.Then came rainwater. Maybe a badly repaired utility cut. Maybe years of heavy traffic. Maybe poor drainage. Maybe all of them.By the time you notice the crater, the real damage may already be underneath.Which is why the real solution isn’t simply asking, “Who will fill this pothole?”It is asking a much more important question:“Why did this road fail in the first place — and why wasn’t it fixed before it got this bad?”Because if the answer remains unclear, that freshly filled pothole may just be waiting for its next monsoon comeback.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAastha JhaAastha Jha is a writer at The Times of India, covering politics. She also writes on business, global affairs, social issues, with a focus on policy, governance and their impact on everyday lives. Her work brings together reportage and analysis, tracking developments in India and abroad while examining the broader social and economic currents shaping public discourse.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor123PhotostoriesKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoonTrying to lose thigh fat by walking? Doctor explains how to walk smarter, not just longer, for better fat-loss resultsHow to walk smart to reduce thigh fat5 stylish ways to recycle your old denim jeans instead of throwing them awayThe parenting lessons children learn without being taught: 7 agreements every couple should makeBefore cholesterol reaches the heart, it may leave clues elsewhere: 7 changes doctors say not to overlook123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani

Vamsikrishna3 hours ago 0