NEW DELHI: India was estimated to record 15.33 lakh new cancer cases in 2024, while one in nine people faces a lifetime cancer risk. Against this backdrop, a Rajya Sabha panel has invited public and expert inputs on the latest interventions in affordable cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, care and management with proven outcomes. The exercise comes amid concerns over late diagnosis, rising treatment costs and access to newer cancer technologies.The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, chaired by Samajwadi Party MP Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, has taken up the subject for detailed scrutiny and sought memoranda from healthcare professionals, researchers, patient groups, industry representatives and citizens.The exercise comes at a time when cancer care is undergoing rapid transformation, with advances in screening, diagnostics and treatment improving outcomes for many patients. However, access to these interventions remains uneven and affordability continues to be a challenge for a large section of patients.”India has made significant progress in expanding cancer care infrastructure and access to treatment. The next challenge is ensuring that proven advances in screening, diagnostics and therapy reach patients early and at an affordable cost. Through this exercise, the committee hopes to gather evidence-based suggestions that can strengthen early detection, improve treatment outcomes and reduce the financial burden of cancer care,” said Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, Rajya Sabha MP and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.Lack of awareness and screening remains the biggest reason why many cancers in India are still diagnosed at stages III and IV. While affordability affects outcomes, delayed diagnosis is the single biggest driver of cancer mortality. The most effective intervention would be stronger awareness, wider screening and faster access to diagnostic services so patients can begin treatment before the disease advances,” said Prof Chintamani, chairman and head, department of surgical oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.The exercise comes amid concerns over late diagnosis and the high cost of cancer care. Many patients continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, while newer therapies, though improving outcomes, often remain beyond the reach of many due to their cost.”The affordability of cancer treatment is a major concern. Many patients simply cannot afford the cost of care. The committee is seeking inputs to identify ways of improving access to affordable treatment before making its recommendations to Parliament,” said Gautam Buddha Nagar MP Dr Mahesh Sharma and member of the committee.Stakeholders have been given 15 days to submit suggestions, which could help shape recommendations on improving access to affordable and effective cancer care amid India’s rising cancer burden.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosISRO Successfully Tests New Motor For Gaganyaan SOLVE RocketMadhya Pradesh First To Include Hindu Members In Waqf Board Under New Law’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 Days123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? Psychologists explain the silent feeling millions of mothers experience every dayFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoon123Hot PicksRam temple donationNATO SummitKhamenei funeralJoSAA Counselling 2026Mumbai school holidayMumbai rainBank holidayMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainNainital Sex RacketFIFA World Cup 2026Bengal rapeRam temple donationMumbai rainBank holiday todayIndian rupeeKCET mock seat allotment

NEW DELHI: India was estimated to record 15.33 lakh new cancer cases in 2024, while one in nine people faces a lifetime cancer risk. Against this backdrop, a Rajya Sabha panel has invited public and expert inputs on the latest interventions in affordable cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, care and management with proven outcomes. The exercise comes amid concerns over late diagnosis, rising treatment costs and access to newer cancer technologies.The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, chaired by Samajwadi Party MP Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, has taken up the subject for detailed scrutiny and sought memoranda from healthcare professionals, researchers, patient groups, industry representatives and citizens.The exercise comes at a time when cancer care is undergoing rapid transformation, with advances in screening, diagnostics and treatment improving outcomes for many patients. However, access to these interventions remains uneven and affordability continues to be a challenge for a large section of patients.”India has made significant progress in expanding cancer care infrastructure and access to treatment. The next challenge is ensuring that proven advances in screening, diagnostics and therapy reach patients early and at an affordable cost. Through this exercise, the committee hopes to gather evidence-based suggestions that can strengthen early detection, improve treatment outcomes and reduce the financial burden of cancer care,” said Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, Rajya Sabha MP and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.Lack of awareness and screening remains the biggest reason why many cancers in India are still diagnosed at stages III and IV. While affordability affects outcomes, delayed diagnosis is the single biggest driver of cancer mortality. The most effective intervention would be stronger awareness, wider screening and faster access to diagnostic services so patients can begin treatment before the disease advances,” said Prof Chintamani, chairman and head, department of surgical oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.The exercise comes amid concerns over late diagnosis and the high cost of cancer care. Many patients continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, while newer therapies, though improving outcomes, often remain beyond the reach of many due to their cost.”The affordability of cancer treatment is a major concern. Many patients simply cannot afford the cost of care. The committee is seeking inputs to identify ways of improving access to affordable treatment before making its recommendations to Parliament,” said Gautam Buddha Nagar MP Dr Mahesh Sharma and member of the committee.Stakeholders have been given 15 days to submit suggestions, which could help shape recommendations on improving access to affordable and effective cancer care amid India’s rising cancer burden.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosISRO Successfully Tests New Motor For Gaganyaan SOLVE RocketMadhya Pradesh First To Include Hindu Members In Waqf Board Under New Law’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 Days123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? Psychologists explain the silent feeling millions of mothers experience every dayFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoon123Hot PicksRam temple donationNATO SummitKhamenei funeralJoSAA Counselling 2026Mumbai school holidayMumbai rainBank holidayMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainNainital Sex RacketFIFA World Cup 2026Bengal rapeRam temple donationMumbai rainBank holiday todayIndian rupeeKCET mock seat allotment

NEW DELHI: India was estimated to record 15.33 lakh new cancer cases in 2024, while one in nine people faces a lifetime cancer risk. Against this backdrop, a Rajya Sabha panel has invited public and expert inputs on the latest interventions in affordable cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, care and management with proven outcomes. The exercise…

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SG Mehta informed the court that the government would submit its reply to the applications. NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday sought the Centre’s response to applications filed by members and staff of the Delhi Gymkhana Club challenging a show-cause notice proposing their eviction from the club’s 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road.Justice Avneesh Jhingan issued notice to the central government on the applications seeking a stay on the operation of the eviction notice. The court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that the hearing before the Estate Officer, scheduled for July 7, is deferred until after the high court takes up the matter again on July 28.Appearing for the Centre, SG Mehta informed the court that the government would submit its reply to the applications.Referring to the proceedings before the Estate Officer, he said, “They can seek an adjournment there.”Justice Jhingan, however, directed the law officer to ensure that the hearing does not proceed before the High Court has considered the matter. “Mr Mehta, we are keeping this for the date already fixed (in the main case). Just see it (Estate Officer’s hearing) is adjourned beyond that date,” the judge observed.The applications have been moved by club member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd Staff Welfare Association as part of their pending challenge to the Land and Development Office’s May 22 decision. The L&DO had terminated the club’s perpetual lease and directed it to hand over possession of the land by June 5, citing the need to strengthen and secure defence infrastructure.On June 29, the L&DO, functioning under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, issued a show-cause notice asking the club to explain why eviction proceedings should not be initiated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.The notice, issued by Estate Officer Bipin Kumar Singh, directed the club and all other occupants of the premises to file their replies by July 7 and appear for a personal hearing at 2.30 pm the same day.The latest development follows the Centre’s assurance before the Delhi high court on May 26 that it would not take forcible possession of the property by June 5. At the time, the government had maintained that the land was required for “strengthening and securing defence infrastructure”.Mehta had then told the court that the government would take possession of the property only in accordance with the procedure established by law.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 MediaVideosISRO Successfully Tests New Motor For Gaganyaan SOLVE RocketMadhya Pradesh First To Include Hindu Members In Waqf Board Under New Law’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 Days123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? Psychologists explain the silent feeling millions of mothers experience every dayFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoon123Hot PicksRam temple donationNATO SummitKhamenei funeralJoSAA Counselling 2026Mumbai school holidayMumbai rainBank holidayMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainNainital Sex RacketFIFA World Cup 2026Bengal rapeRam temple donationMumbai rainBank holiday todayIndian rupeeKCET mock seat allotment

SG Mehta informed the court that the government would submit its reply to the applications. NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday sought the Centre’s response to applications filed by members and staff of the Delhi Gymkhana Club challenging a show-cause notice proposing their eviction from the club’s 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road.Justice Avneesh Jhingan issued notice to the central government on the applications seeking a stay on the operation of the eviction notice. The court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that the hearing before the Estate Officer, scheduled for July 7, is deferred until after the high court takes up the matter again on July 28.Appearing for the Centre, SG Mehta informed the court that the government would submit its reply to the applications.Referring to the proceedings before the Estate Officer, he said, “They can seek an adjournment there.”Justice Jhingan, however, directed the law officer to ensure that the hearing does not proceed before the High Court has considered the matter. “Mr Mehta, we are keeping this for the date already fixed (in the main case). Just see it (Estate Officer’s hearing) is adjourned beyond that date,” the judge observed.The applications have been moved by club member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd Staff Welfare Association as part of their pending challenge to the Land and Development Office’s May 22 decision. The L&DO had terminated the club’s perpetual lease and directed it to hand over possession of the land by June 5, citing the need to strengthen and secure defence infrastructure.On June 29, the L&DO, functioning under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, issued a show-cause notice asking the club to explain why eviction proceedings should not be initiated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.The notice, issued by Estate Officer Bipin Kumar Singh, directed the club and all other occupants of the premises to file their replies by July 7 and appear for a personal hearing at 2.30 pm the same day.The latest development follows the Centre’s assurance before the Delhi high court on May 26 that it would not take forcible possession of the property by June 5. At the time, the government had maintained that the land was required for “strengthening and securing defence infrastructure”.Mehta had then told the court that the government would take possession of the property only in accordance with the procedure established by law.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 MediaVideosISRO Successfully Tests New Motor For Gaganyaan SOLVE RocketMadhya Pradesh First To Include Hindu Members In Waqf Board Under New Law’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 Days123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? Psychologists explain the silent feeling millions of mothers experience every dayFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoon123Hot PicksRam temple donationNATO SummitKhamenei funeralJoSAA Counselling 2026Mumbai school holidayMumbai rainBank holidayMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainNainital Sex RacketFIFA World Cup 2026Bengal rapeRam temple donationMumbai rainBank holiday todayIndian rupeeKCET mock seat allotment

SG Mehta informed the court that the government would submit its reply to the applications. NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday sought the Centre’s response to applications filed by members and staff of the Delhi Gymkhana Club challenging a show-cause notice proposing their eviction from the club’s 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road.Justice Avneesh…

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Sonam Wangchuk continues protest (Abhijeet Dipke X) Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has entered day 9 on Monday, with supporters raising fresh concerns over his health.The latest update was shared by Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who posted on X: “Day 9 of @Wangchuk66’s hunger strike.”The protest is demanding accountability in India’s education system and action against Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.’Still alive, though not kicking’A day earlier, marking Day 8 of the fast, Wangchuk posted a health update on X, writing: “Still alive”He said around 7,000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar throughout the day, with leaders from various social and political movements extending their support to the ongoing agitation.”Some 7,000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar today from morning to evening. Leaders of various social and political movements spoke in support,” Wangchuk wrote.’Trolls are my success-o-meter’In the same post, Wangchuk suggested that the growing number of online critics reflected the impact of the movement.”A clear indication of how effective this movement is can be judged from the number of trolls in the comments below. Over the years I’ve seen that this number is directly proportional to the impact. I’ll be so sad & dejected the day they go missing. Thank you, my success-o-meter, for your hard work,” he wrote.The hunger strike has drawn support from opposition leaders, activists and members of civil society in recent days, with demonstrators continuing to gather at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with Wangchuk’s demands.There has been no official response from the Union government to Wangchuk’s latest remarks or to the continuing hunger strike.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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? Psychologists explain the silent feeling millions of mothers experience every dayFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoon123Hot PicksRam temple donationNATO SummitKhamenei funeralJoSAA Counselling 2026Mumbai school holidayMumbai rainBank holidayMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainNainital Sex RacketFIFA World Cup 2026Bengal rapeRam temple donationMumbai rainBank holiday todayIndian rupeeKCET mock seat allotment

Sonam Wangchuk continues protest (Abhijeet Dipke X) Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has entered day 9 on Monday, with supporters raising fresh concerns over his health.The latest update was shared by Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who posted on X: “Day 9 of @Wangchuk66’s hunger strike.”The protest is demanding accountability in India’s education system and action against Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.’Still alive, though not kicking’A day earlier, marking Day 8 of the fast, Wangchuk posted a health update on X, writing: “Still alive”He said around 7,000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar throughout the day, with leaders from various social and political movements extending their support to the ongoing agitation.”Some 7,000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar today from morning to evening. Leaders of various social and political movements spoke in support,” Wangchuk wrote.’Trolls are my success-o-meter’In the same post, Wangchuk suggested that the growing number of online critics reflected the impact of the movement.”A clear indication of how effective this movement is can be judged from the number of trolls in the comments below. Over the years I’ve seen that this number is directly proportional to the impact. I’ll be so sad & dejected the day they go missing. Thank you, my success-o-meter, for your hard work,” he wrote.The hunger strike has drawn support from opposition leaders, activists and members of civil society in recent days, with demonstrators continuing to gather at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with Wangchuk’s demands.There has been no official response from the Union government to Wangchuk’s latest remarks or to the continuing hunger strike.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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? Psychologists explain the silent feeling millions of mothers experience every dayFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoon123Hot PicksRam temple donationNATO SummitKhamenei funeralJoSAA Counselling 2026Mumbai school holidayMumbai rainBank holidayMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainNainital Sex RacketFIFA World Cup 2026Bengal rapeRam temple donationMumbai rainBank holiday todayIndian rupeeKCET mock seat allotment

Sonam Wangchuk continues protest (Abhijeet Dipke X) Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has entered day 9 on Monday, with supporters raising fresh concerns over his health.The latest update was shared by Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who posted on X: “Day 9 of @Wangchuk66’s hunger strike.”The…

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear plea which alleged that some of the accused in the Tamil Nadu’s Karur stampede case are trying to influence witnesses after being appointed as minister in the Vijay-led government.A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu has agreed to hear the matter on Tuesday.The stampede occurred last year during the political rally of TVK.Earlier on July 3, DMK moved the apex court seeking a judicial direction to bar TVK leader including chief minster Joseph Vijay and minister Adhav Arjuna from making “threatening” public statements or public statements in connection with the Karur stampede during the ongoing CBI investigation/The application has been filed by RS Bharathi, Organising Secretary of the DMK, seeking to be impleaded as a respondent in the proceedings arising out of the September 27, 2025 Karur stampede, in which 41 people lost their lives, and 142 others were injured during a TVK rally.Referring to a speech delivered on July 2 by Aadhav Arjuna, who is also an accused in the case, the application alleged that the minister publicly declared there was “a score to settle” and accused the previous DMK government of being responsible for the deaths in Karur.According to the plea, such statements by a sitting Cabinet Minister who is himself facing investigation are “wholly impermissible during the pendency of the investigation and are liable to prejudice the fairness of the ongoing process monitored by this Hon’ble Court.”The application further alleged that the speech “is intended to interfere with the investigation of CBI appointed by this Hon’ble Court and calculated to create a public perception that DMK and its leadership is responsible for the incident for political gains.”It also referred to media reports indicating that chief minister Vijay is likely to visit Karur on July 10 to distribute government benefits, including compassionate appointments, to the families of those who died in the stampede.(This is a developing story)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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? Psychologists explain the silent feeling millions of mothers experience every dayFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoon123Hot PicksRam temple donationNATO SummitKhamenei funeralJoSAA Counselling 2026Mumbai school holidayMumbai rainBank holidayMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainNainital Sex RacketFIFA World Cup 2026Bengal rapeDelhi ozempic caseMumbai rainBank holiday todayIndian rupeeKCET mock seat allotment

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear plea which alleged that some of the accused in the Tamil Nadu’s Karur stampede case are trying to influence witnesses after being appointed as minister in the Vijay-led government.A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu has agreed to hear the matter on Tuesday.The stampede occurred last year during the political rally of TVK.Earlier on July 3, DMK moved the apex court seeking a judicial direction to bar TVK leader including chief minster Joseph Vijay and minister Adhav Arjuna from making “threatening” public statements or public statements in connection with the Karur stampede during the ongoing CBI investigation/The application has been filed by RS Bharathi, Organising Secretary of the DMK, seeking to be impleaded as a respondent in the proceedings arising out of the September 27, 2025 Karur stampede, in which 41 people lost their lives, and 142 others were injured during a TVK rally.Referring to a speech delivered on July 2 by Aadhav Arjuna, who is also an accused in the case, the application alleged that the minister publicly declared there was “a score to settle” and accused the previous DMK government of being responsible for the deaths in Karur.According to the plea, such statements by a sitting Cabinet Minister who is himself facing investigation are “wholly impermissible during the pendency of the investigation and are liable to prejudice the fairness of the ongoing process monitored by this Hon’ble Court.”The application further alleged that the speech “is intended to interfere with the investigation of CBI appointed by this Hon’ble Court and calculated to create a public perception that DMK and its leadership is responsible for the incident for political gains.”It also referred to media reports indicating that chief minister Vijay is likely to visit Karur on July 10 to distribute government benefits, including compassionate appointments, to the families of those who died in the stampede.(This is a developing story)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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesWhat is mom guilt? Psychologists explain the silent feeling millions of mothers experience every dayFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoon123Hot PicksRam temple donationNATO SummitKhamenei funeralJoSAA Counselling 2026Mumbai school holidayMumbai rainBank holidayMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainNainital Sex RacketFIFA World Cup 2026Bengal rapeDelhi ozempic caseMumbai rainBank holiday todayIndian rupeeKCET mock seat allotment

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear plea which alleged that some of the accused in the Tamil Nadu’s Karur stampede case are trying to influence witnesses after being appointed as minister in the Vijay-led government.A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu has agreed to hear the matter on Tuesday.The…

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Illustration: Uday Deb So, you’ve been using AI to make office work a bit easier. Or perhaps you’re using it to help stick to your healthy-eating goals. But did you know that AI has also made it easy — frighteningly easy — to pull off all sorts of digital scams? The fraudsters were always there, and so were their targets. It’s the cloak of credibility, the air of plausibility in which AI has helped dress up digital scams that’s scary. Thanks to AI, potential defrauders don’t have to actually know any of the tech stuff themselves. They just need a Telegram account, a few thousand rupees, and the ‘right’ places to go on the web: the “Fraud-as-a-Service” (FaaS) platforms.It is as easy as e-commerce. Dissatisfied customers even get their money back.Cybersecurity experts who scour the shadowy corners of the dark web say the FaaS model borrows directly from the ‘software-as-a service’, or ‘SaaS’, economy. And platforms with names that leave little to the imagination — FraudGPT, WormGPT, EvilGPT, DarkBard and DarkWizardAI — are all part of a growing ecosystem in which fraud tools are packaged, updated and sold.The way it works is simple: a potential scammer goes to the site and subscribes to the scam toolkit required. From AI-generated phishing mails tailored by a victim’s job, location, role, geography or financial behaviour, to sending out fake emergency calls from relatives, and from deepfake KYC videos to using AI voices or deepfakes to impersonate officials who threaten digital arrest, it’s possible to pull off any scam for a small fee.‘Industrialisation of fraud’“FaaS schemes are almost indistinguishable from how normal, legal businesses operate — constantly optimising their return on investment through scalable tactics,” says a report by Juniper Research, a UK-based market intelligence and analyst firm.QuoteIt’s the “industrialisation of fraud”, says Srinivas L, joint MD and joint CEO of 63SATS Cybertech, a cybersecurity solutions firm. “If you have about Rs 2,000 and a Telegram account, you can easily perpetrate fraud — and you don’t have to write a single line of code,” Srinivas explains.Vishal Gauri, CEO of data security company Seclore Technology, says the biggest change is the collapse of the skill barrier. “The attacker no longer needs technical knowhow; they just need to subscribe. These FaaS platforms come with documentation, customer support and version updates. The operating model is enterprise SaaS for criminals,” he says.AI has also made scaling up easier. A fraudster can now generate thousands of personalised phishing emails in different languages, clone voices from short audio clips, create deepfake KYC videos, and automate messages tailored to a victim’s job, location or financial behaviour.“AI generates personalisation at scale,” Gauri says. “The same FaaS platform can produce one lakh tailored phishing emails or 1,000 deepfake calls in hours, each targeted by role, geography and language.”Citing US-based cybersecurity firm DeepStrike’s 2025 report, he says FaaS offerings on the dark web marketplaces grew by more than 120% year-on-year. These marketplaces processed .4 billion in transaction volume in 2025, while daily Tor (The Onion Router, a free, open-source software network designed to enable anonymous internet communication, not illegal in itself) users rose from 3 million in 2024 to 4.6 million in 2025.Scamsters’ paradiseAcross FaaS platforms, the commonest product sold is the phishing kit. In underground circles, some of these packages are known as ‘SCAMA’. They include fake login pages designed to mimic those of banks, e-commerce companies, govt-facing platforms and public services such as IRCTC. Depending on the number of templates and services bundled, such kits can cost between Rs 500 and Rs 8,500 a month.Once bought, they are used to send texts, emails or links that appear to come from legitimate companies. Victims are directed to fake pages, where they enter usernames, passwords, card details, UPI PINs or other credentials. The fraudster does not need to build the page or understand how the backend works. The kit does it all.But phishing is only one part of the larger business. The fraud supply chain now includes identity datasets, mule account networks, SIM cards, OTP interception tools, fake customer care centres, deepfake video tools, KYC bypass services and payment-routing systems.Ranjan Reddy, founder and CEO of Bureau, a US-based fraud prevention and identity intelligence platform, says the underground market has evolved from merely selling leaked data to selling complete fraud modules. “If you want to launch a romance scam, you can buy the entire module,” he says.A basic subscription may cost  (Rs 1,902) a month for templates, while  (Rs 4,755) may include live support over Telegram or WhatsApp. Deepfake KYC subscriptions, he said, can cost about 0 (Rs 15,220) and allow users to create large numbers of fake accounts.India’s weak spotsMule accounts are among India’s most serious problems, Srinivas says. Young jobseekers are lured through Telegram and WhatsApp groups with offers of quick money — sometimes Rs 5,000 a week — for allowing transactions through their bank accounts. Many do not realise they are helping launder the proceeds of cybercrime.India’s vulnerability is amplified by the speed of its digital adoption. UPI has made transfers instant, and millions of first-time digital users from Tier-2 and -3 markets now transact online daily. But digital literacy, experts say, has not kept pace with access. “India has become a big target. UPI is the Ferrari car that we built without brakes,” Srinivas says, pointing out that nearly 86% of Indian households are online, while many users still lack what he calls a “fraud reflex”.Bureau data shows that a complete identity profile can be assembled for under Rs 400.“What once required technical expertise and established criminal connections now requires only a payment,” Bureau says in its report ‘India Fraud Report 2026: Digital Fraud at Scale’. According to data provided by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, India lost Rs 22,495 crore to cybercrime in 2025, a 24% increase over 2024. The country registered 28.15 lakh cybercrime cases. Investment scams accounted for 76% of losses, while digital arrest scams made up 9%.QuoteBanks have shared 18.43 lakh suspect identifiers and 24.67 lakh mule accounts through the I4C registry, helping prevent fraud worth about Rs 8,031 crore. But industry executives say attacks continue to rise.Fraud hubs have also spread beyond Jamtara, with locations such as Nuh, Alwar, Bharatpur, Mathura, Bokaro, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Guwahati and Visakhapatnam under increased scrutiny.Companies under attackConsumer platforms, too, are increasingly being hit — by refund abuse, reseller fraud, fake accounts and account-takeover attacks. Bureau estimates reseller-driven leakage at 2% to 5% of gross merchandise value for large e-commerce platforms. Food delivery platforms alone see fraud volumes of Rs 10 crore to Rs 30 crore a month per platform.Images generated using AI are being used to fake damaged products or incorrect deliveries, enabling fraudulent refunds. In other cases, a single device cycles through hundreds of accounts to harvest promotions before targeting accounts with saved payment instruments.Citing research data, Gauri says 82.6% of phishing emails are now AI-generated. Around 47% of Indian adults have either been victims of, or know someone who has been a victim of, an AI voicecloning or deepfake scam, he adds, citing BioCatch data.Defences are catching upCybersecurity firms are trying to respond to the threats at different points in the chain.Ashish Tondon, CEO and founder of Indusface, says AI is helping attackers discover vulnerabilities in existing applications at machine speed. “These are not new classes of vulnerabilities,” he says. “Because of machine speed, what was found in days and months is now being found in minutes.”Digital scams, in 11 easy stepsHyderabad-based Blue Cloud Softech Solutions is focusing on dark-web monitoring through Blutor, while 63SATS Cybertech is targeting citizen-facing defence through CYBX, a cybersecurity app with embedded insurance.Seclore is focusing on enterprise data protection. Gauri says every exposed file, credential, prompt history or unmasked record inside an AI pipeline can become raw material for fraud.Identifying the real threatLawenforcement agencies are also trying to catch up. Hyderabad cybercrime police say they have not yet come across scamsters directly using such AI tools in local cases, but acknowledge that the ecosystem has become much more organised and transnational.“Previously, cybercrime involved isolated incidents with most of the players from India. But now it is becoming more organised, modernised and international. Fraudsters seem to be using new technologies and modernised tools and networks such as AI tools, mule accounts, SIM networks and digital platforms to exploit loopholes in our systems,” says Arvind Voleti, DCP Cybercrime, Hyderabad.Voleti says data leakage is a major concern and that enforcement of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act would strengthen accountability.For cybersecurity firms and law enforcement agencies, the lesson is clear: fraud can no longer be treated as scattered crimes investigated after victims lose money. It is now an industry with subscriptions, infrastructure, service desks, upgrades and global payment channels.“The question is not about being Digital India. We have to be a trusted Digital India, and that requires treating fraud as an industry to dismantle and not as a crime that just needs to be looked at,” Srinivas says.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorSwati BharadwajSwati Bharadwaj is a business journalist with 30 years of experience covering a host of sectors – right from technology, GCCs, talent, cybersecurity, pharma & biotech, aerospace & defence, BFSI, gems & jewellery to automotive, hospitality, infrastructure, retail, among others. She has worked with TOI and ET across multiple cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune and Ahmedabad.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heart123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Illustration: Uday Deb So, you’ve been using AI to make office work a bit easier. Or perhaps you’re using it to help stick to your healthy-eating goals. But did you know that AI has also made it easy — frighteningly easy — to pull off all sorts of digital scams? The fraudsters were always there, and so were their targets. It’s the cloak of credibility, the air of plausibility in which AI has helped dress up digital scams that’s scary. Thanks to AI, potential defrauders don’t have to actually know any of the tech stuff themselves. They just need a Telegram account, a few thousand rupees, and the ‘right’ places to go on the web: the “Fraud-as-a-Service” (FaaS) platforms.It is as easy as e-commerce. Dissatisfied customers even get their money back.Cybersecurity experts who scour the shadowy corners of the dark web say the FaaS model borrows directly from the ‘software-as-a service’, or ‘SaaS’, economy. And platforms with names that leave little to the imagination — FraudGPT, WormGPT, EvilGPT, DarkBard and DarkWizardAI — are all part of a growing ecosystem in which fraud tools are packaged, updated and sold.The way it works is simple: a potential scammer goes to the site and subscribes to the scam toolkit required. From AI-generated phishing mails tailored by a victim’s job, location, role, geography or financial behaviour, to sending out fake emergency calls from relatives, and from deepfake KYC videos to using AI voices or deepfakes to impersonate officials who threaten digital arrest, it’s possible to pull off any scam for a small fee.‘Industrialisation of fraud’“FaaS schemes are almost indistinguishable from how normal, legal businesses operate — constantly optimising their return on investment through scalable tactics,” says a report by Juniper Research, a UK-based market intelligence and analyst firm.QuoteIt’s the “industrialisation of fraud”, says Srinivas L, joint MD and joint CEO of 63SATS Cybertech, a cybersecurity solutions firm. “If you have about Rs 2,000 and a Telegram account, you can easily perpetrate fraud — and you don’t have to write a single line of code,” Srinivas explains.Vishal Gauri, CEO of data security company Seclore Technology, says the biggest change is the collapse of the skill barrier. “The attacker no longer needs technical knowhow; they just need to subscribe. These FaaS platforms come with documentation, customer support and version updates. The operating model is enterprise SaaS for criminals,” he says.AI has also made scaling up easier. A fraudster can now generate thousands of personalised phishing emails in different languages, clone voices from short audio clips, create deepfake KYC videos, and automate messages tailored to a victim’s job, location or financial behaviour.“AI generates personalisation at scale,” Gauri says. “The same FaaS platform can produce one lakh tailored phishing emails or 1,000 deepfake calls in hours, each targeted by role, geography and language.”Citing US-based cybersecurity firm DeepStrike’s 2025 report, he says FaaS offerings on the dark web marketplaces grew by more than 120% year-on-year. These marketplaces processed $3.4 billion in transaction volume in 2025, while daily Tor (The Onion Router, a free, open-source software network designed to enable anonymous internet communication, not illegal in itself) users rose from 3 million in 2024 to 4.6 million in 2025.Scamsters’ paradiseAcross FaaS platforms, the commonest product sold is the phishing kit. In underground circles, some of these packages are known as ‘SCAMA’. They include fake login pages designed to mimic those of banks, e-commerce companies, govt-facing platforms and public services such as IRCTC. Depending on the number of templates and services bundled, such kits can cost between Rs 500 and Rs 8,500 a month.Once bought, they are used to send texts, emails or links that appear to come from legitimate companies. Victims are directed to fake pages, where they enter usernames, passwords, card details, UPI PINs or other credentials. The fraudster does not need to build the page or understand how the backend works. The kit does it all.But phishing is only one part of the larger business. The fraud supply chain now includes identity datasets, mule account networks, SIM cards, OTP interception tools, fake customer care centres, deepfake video tools, KYC bypass services and payment-routing systems.Ranjan Reddy, founder and CEO of Bureau, a US-based fraud prevention and identity intelligence platform, says the underground market has evolved from merely selling leaked data to selling complete fraud modules. “If you want to launch a romance scam, you can buy the entire module,” he says.A basic subscription may cost $20 (Rs 1,902) a month for templates, while $50 (Rs 4,755) may include live support over Telegram or WhatsApp. Deepfake KYC subscriptions, he said, can cost about $160 (Rs 15,220) and allow users to create large numbers of fake accounts.India’s weak spotsMule accounts are among India’s most serious problems, Srinivas says. Young jobseekers are lured through Telegram and WhatsApp groups with offers of quick money — sometimes Rs 5,000 a week — for allowing transactions through their bank accounts. Many do not realise they are helping launder the proceeds of cybercrime.India’s vulnerability is amplified by the speed of its digital adoption. UPI has made transfers instant, and millions of first-time digital users from Tier-2 and -3 markets now transact online daily. But digital literacy, experts say, has not kept pace with access. “India has become a big target. UPI is the Ferrari car that we built without brakes,” Srinivas says, pointing out that nearly 86% of Indian households are online, while many users still lack what he calls a “fraud reflex”.Bureau data shows that a complete identity profile can be assembled for under Rs 400.“What once required technical expertise and established criminal connections now requires only a payment,” Bureau says in its report ‘India Fraud Report 2026: Digital Fraud at Scale’. According to data provided by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, India lost Rs 22,495 crore to cybercrime in 2025, a 24% increase over 2024. The country registered 28.15 lakh cybercrime cases. Investment scams accounted for 76% of losses, while digital arrest scams made up 9%.QuoteBanks have shared 18.43 lakh suspect identifiers and 24.67 lakh mule accounts through the I4C registry, helping prevent fraud worth about Rs 8,031 crore. But industry executives say attacks continue to rise.Fraud hubs have also spread beyond Jamtara, with locations such as Nuh, Alwar, Bharatpur, Mathura, Bokaro, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Guwahati and Visakhapatnam under increased scrutiny.Companies under attackConsumer platforms, too, are increasingly being hit — by refund abuse, reseller fraud, fake accounts and account-takeover attacks. Bureau estimates reseller-driven leakage at 2% to 5% of gross merchandise value for large e-commerce platforms. Food delivery platforms alone see fraud volumes of Rs 10 crore to Rs 30 crore a month per platform.Images generated using AI are being used to fake damaged products or incorrect deliveries, enabling fraudulent refunds. In other cases, a single device cycles through hundreds of accounts to harvest promotions before targeting accounts with saved payment instruments.Citing research data, Gauri says 82.6% of phishing emails are now AI-generated. Around 47% of Indian adults have either been victims of, or know someone who has been a victim of, an AI voicecloning or deepfake scam, he adds, citing BioCatch data.Defences are catching upCybersecurity firms are trying to respond to the threats at different points in the chain.Ashish Tondon, CEO and founder of Indusface, says AI is helping attackers discover vulnerabilities in existing applications at machine speed. “These are not new classes of vulnerabilities,” he says. “Because of machine speed, what was found in days and months is now being found in minutes.”Digital scams, in 11 easy stepsHyderabad-based Blue Cloud Softech Solutions is focusing on dark-web monitoring through Blutor, while 63SATS Cybertech is targeting citizen-facing defence through CYBX, a cybersecurity app with embedded insurance.Seclore is focusing on enterprise data protection. Gauri says every exposed file, credential, prompt history or unmasked record inside an AI pipeline can become raw material for fraud.Identifying the real threatLawenforcement agencies are also trying to catch up. Hyderabad cybercrime police say they have not yet come across scamsters directly using such AI tools in local cases, but acknowledge that the ecosystem has become much more organised and transnational.“Previously, cybercrime involved isolated incidents with most of the players from India. But now it is becoming more organised, modernised and international. Fraudsters seem to be using new technologies and modernised tools and networks such as AI tools, mule accounts, SIM networks and digital platforms to exploit loopholes in our systems,” says Arvind Voleti, DCP Cybercrime, Hyderabad.Voleti says data leakage is a major concern and that enforcement of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act would strengthen accountability.For cybersecurity firms and law enforcement agencies, the lesson is clear: fraud can no longer be treated as scattered crimes investigated after victims lose money. It is now an industry with subscriptions, infrastructure, service desks, upgrades and global payment channels.“The question is not about being Digital India. We have to be a trusted Digital India, and that requires treating fraud as an industry to dismantle and not as a crime that just needs to be looked at,” Srinivas says.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorSwati BharadwajSwati Bharadwaj is a business journalist with 30 years of experience covering a host of sectors – right from technology, GCCs, talent, cybersecurity, pharma & biotech, aerospace & defence, BFSI, gems & jewellery to automotive, hospitality, infrastructure, retail, among others. She has worked with TOI and ET across multiple cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune and Ahmedabad.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heart123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

So, you’ve been using AI to make office work a bit easier. Or perhaps you’re using it to help stick to your healthy-eating goals. But did you know that AI has also made it easy — frighteningly easy — to pull off all sorts of digital scams? The fraudsters were always there, and so were…

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Khawaja Asif being mentally unstable is a “known fact”, sources told ANI NEW DELHI: India Sunday mounted a strong rebuttal to Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif after he questioned the international honour conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Seychelles, with government sources dismissing his remarks as uninformed and describing him as “mentally unstable”.The sharp response came after Asif cast doubts on the legitimacy of the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” Presidential Distinction awarded to Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to Seychelles.Reacting to the remarks, government sources said Asif’s comments reflected ignorance and underscored the state of Pakistan’s political leadership.”That he could be entrusted with his current responsibility says much about today’s Pakistan. Clearly, he has no day job and passes time by making silly comments on matters of which he has little knowledge. Envy is always a bad motivation, particularly so from someone steeped in hate speech,” government sources told news agency ANI.The sources also described Khawaja Asif being mentally unstable as a “known fact”.Prime Minister Modi received Seychelles’ newly instituted “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” Presidential Distinction in recognition of his leadership in environmental conservation and his support for the aspirations of Small Island Developing States.He became the first recipient of the award after Seychelles revamped its national honours system. Accepting the honour, the Prime Minister thanked the people and government of Seychelles and dedicated the distinction to countries working together to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of a series of international recognitions conferred on Prime Minister Modi for his initiatives on sustainability, climate action and environmental protection.Khawaja Asif has previously faced criticism over his public remarks from regional leaders as well. In November 2025, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration criticised the Pakistan minister after he reportedly threatened military action against Afghanistan.Noorullah Noori, the Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, described Asif as a “mentally ill” person at the time.Addressing a gathering, Noori said, “Your history against Bangladesh and India is clear. Our history against Russia, America and Britain is clear. You judge.”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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heart123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Khawaja Asif being mentally unstable is a “known fact”, sources told ANI NEW DELHI: India Sunday mounted a strong rebuttal to Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif after he questioned the international honour conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Seychelles, with government sources dismissing his remarks as uninformed and describing him as “mentally unstable”.The sharp response came after Asif cast doubts on the legitimacy of the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” Presidential Distinction awarded to Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to Seychelles.Reacting to the remarks, government sources said Asif’s comments reflected ignorance and underscored the state of Pakistan’s political leadership.”That he could be entrusted with his current responsibility says much about today’s Pakistan. Clearly, he has no day job and passes time by making silly comments on matters of which he has little knowledge. Envy is always a bad motivation, particularly so from someone steeped in hate speech,” government sources told news agency ANI.The sources also described Khawaja Asif being mentally unstable as a “known fact”.Prime Minister Modi received Seychelles’ newly instituted “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” Presidential Distinction in recognition of his leadership in environmental conservation and his support for the aspirations of Small Island Developing States.He became the first recipient of the award after Seychelles revamped its national honours system. Accepting the honour, the Prime Minister thanked the people and government of Seychelles and dedicated the distinction to countries working together to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of a series of international recognitions conferred on Prime Minister Modi for his initiatives on sustainability, climate action and environmental protection.Khawaja Asif has previously faced criticism over his public remarks from regional leaders as well. In November 2025, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration criticised the Pakistan minister after he reportedly threatened military action against Afghanistan.Noorullah Noori, the Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, described Asif as a “mentally ill” person at the time.Addressing a gathering, Noori said, “Your history against Bangladesh and India is clear. Our history against Russia, America and Britain is clear. You judge.”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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesFrom Chilla to Dosa: 7 high-protein desi breakfasts made with oats and paneerDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heart123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderMumbai schools holidayMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingOzempic ShaadiDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Khawaja Asif being mentally unstable is a “known fact”, sources told ANI NEW DELHI: India Sunday mounted a strong rebuttal to Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif after he questioned the international honour conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Seychelles, with government sources dismissing his remarks as uninformed and describing him as “mentally unstable”.The sharp…

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NEW DELHI: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to hold a crucial meeting on Monday in Ayodhya amid the ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations.According to temple administration assistant Gopal Rao, the meeting will take place at 3 pm inside the Ram Temple premises. The Trust has asked all regular and ex-officio members to attend the deliberations.”The trust meeting will take place at 3 PM within the temple complex. Everyone has been notified; we expect everyone to attend,” he said.Trust president Nritya Gopal Das is also expected to attend the meeting after being discharged from the hospital.The meeting will take place for the first time since the theft allegations surfaced. It comes as two parallel investigations into the alleged embezzlement are under way.The controversy has intensified after allegations surfaced that donations made to the Ram Temple were misused. The opposition has demanded an independent investigation, while BJP leaders have accused it of politicising an issue linked to the faith of millions of Hindus.What’s on agendaChampat Rai and Anil Mishra’s resignationsThe Trust is expected to discuss the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, both of whom stepped down after being linked to the donation theft row.Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned from the Trust on June 26 after allegations of irregularities in donations surfaced, with questions being raised over their alleged role in the matter.Meanwhile, the Ayodhya Sant Mandal has extended its support to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and urged the Trust not to accept his resignation.New administrative structure for the Trust’s operationsIf the resignations are accepted, the meeting is expected to consider plans for a new administrative structure for the Trust’s operations. The role of special invitee Gopal Rao is also expected to be discussed, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.Deliberations regarding the appointment of a chief executive officer to oversee the management of the Ram Temple are also expected to take place during the meeting, the sources added.Currently, the Trust comprises 11 regular members, including president Nritya Gopal Das, Vasudevanand Saraswati, Vishwaprasannatirth, Parmanand Giri, treasurer Govind Dev Giri, Krishna Mohan, Dinendra Das, and K Parasaran.With the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, and the recent death of trustee Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the Trust currently lacks a vice president to preside over meetings in the president’s absence, sources said.Briefing on donation embezzlement probeAdditionally, the meeting is likely to include a briefing on the interim findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement case and address the future management framework for the Ram Temple.The SIT is conducting an administrative probe, with its tenure extended till the end of July, while the police are carrying out a parallel investigation after an FIR was lodged on the Trust’s complaint.According to sources, statements of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and special invitee Gopal Rao have been recorded by both the SIT and the police. However, no FIR has been filed against any of the three Trust functionaries.Sources added that an unaudited income and expenditure statement, balance sheet, and other financial details for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be presented for approval.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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strength123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

NEW DELHI: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to hold a crucial meeting on Monday in Ayodhya amid the ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations.According to temple administration assistant Gopal Rao, the meeting will take place at 3 pm inside the Ram Temple premises. The Trust has asked all regular and ex-officio members to attend the deliberations.”The trust meeting will take place at 3 PM within the temple complex. Everyone has been notified; we expect everyone to attend,” he said.Trust president Nritya Gopal Das is also expected to attend the meeting after being discharged from the hospital.The meeting will take place for the first time since the theft allegations surfaced. It comes as two parallel investigations into the alleged embezzlement are under way.The controversy has intensified after allegations surfaced that donations made to the Ram Temple were misused. The opposition has demanded an independent investigation, while BJP leaders have accused it of politicising an issue linked to the faith of millions of Hindus.What’s on agendaChampat Rai and Anil Mishra’s resignationsThe Trust is expected to discuss the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, both of whom stepped down after being linked to the donation theft row.Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned from the Trust on June 26 after allegations of irregularities in donations surfaced, with questions being raised over their alleged role in the matter.Meanwhile, the Ayodhya Sant Mandal has extended its support to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and urged the Trust not to accept his resignation.New administrative structure for the Trust’s operationsIf the resignations are accepted, the meeting is expected to consider plans for a new administrative structure for the Trust’s operations. The role of special invitee Gopal Rao is also expected to be discussed, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.Deliberations regarding the appointment of a chief executive officer to oversee the management of the Ram Temple are also expected to take place during the meeting, the sources added.Currently, the Trust comprises 11 regular members, including president Nritya Gopal Das, Vasudevanand Saraswati, Vishwaprasannatirth, Parmanand Giri, treasurer Govind Dev Giri, Krishna Mohan, Dinendra Das, and K Parasaran.With the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, and the recent death of trustee Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the Trust currently lacks a vice president to preside over meetings in the president’s absence, sources said.Briefing on donation embezzlement probeAdditionally, the meeting is likely to include a briefing on the interim findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement case and address the future management framework for the Ram Temple.The SIT is conducting an administrative probe, with its tenure extended till the end of July, while the police are carrying out a parallel investigation after an FIR was lodged on the Trust’s complaint.According to sources, statements of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and special invitee Gopal Rao have been recorded by both the SIT and the police. However, no FIR has been filed against any of the three Trust functionaries.Sources added that an unaudited income and expenditure statement, balance sheet, and other financial details for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be presented for approval.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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strength123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

NEW DELHI: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to hold a crucial meeting on Monday in Ayodhya amid the ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations.According to temple administration assistant Gopal Rao, the meeting will take place at 3 pm inside the Ram Temple premises. The Trust has asked all regular and…

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The Madhya Pradesh government has reorganised the 10-member Wakf Board. NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to reconstitute its Wakf Board under the Wakf (Amendment) Act, 2025, with the newly formed body including two Hindu members for the first time. The move follows changes introduced under the amended law, which allows non-Muslim members to be part of state Wakf Boards.The Madhya Pradesh government has reorganised the 10-member Wakf Board, with chief minister Mohan Yadav appointing Sanwar Patel as its chairman.The newly constituted board includes Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava as Hindu members, making it the first state-level Wakf Board in the country to include non-Muslim members under the amended Act. A gazette notification notifying the new board was issued on Sunday.”Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to reorganise the Wakf Board under the new Act,” an official told news agency PTI.Exercising its powers under Section 13(1) of the Wakf Act, 1995, as amended in 2025, the state government constituted the board in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Act.The Wakf Board is a statutory body responsible for administering and safeguarding Wakf properties in the state. Its responsibilities include maintaining records of Wakf properties, overseeing their use and income, protecting them from encroachment and ensuring that they are utilised for religious, educational and social welfare purposes.Besides chairman Sanwar Patel, the newly constituted board comprises Najma Heptulla from New Delhi, Atif Aqueel from Bhopal, Faizan Khan from Ujjain, Fatema Choudhary from Indore, Shaista Sultan, Shabana Khan, Manoj Malpani from Indore and Animesh Bhargava from Raghogarh in Guna. The Commissioner of the Backwards Classes and Minority Welfare Department will serve as an ex-officio member.According to the state government, Najma Heptulla, who was appointed under the elected category through a notification issued on April 19, 2023, under Section 14 of the Wakf Act, 1995, as amended in 2013, will continue as a member until April 18, 2028. Her name has therefore been retained in the reconstituted board for the remainder of her tenure, an official spokesperson 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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strength123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

The Madhya Pradesh government has reorganised the 10-member Wakf Board. NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to reconstitute its Wakf Board under the Wakf (Amendment) Act, 2025, with the newly formed body including two Hindu members for the first time. The move follows changes introduced under the amended law, which allows non-Muslim members to be part of state Wakf Boards.The Madhya Pradesh government has reorganised the 10-member Wakf Board, with chief minister Mohan Yadav appointing Sanwar Patel as its chairman.The newly constituted board includes Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava as Hindu members, making it the first state-level Wakf Board in the country to include non-Muslim members under the amended Act. A gazette notification notifying the new board was issued on Sunday.”Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to reorganise the Wakf Board under the new Act,” an official told news agency PTI.Exercising its powers under Section 13(1) of the Wakf Act, 1995, as amended in 2025, the state government constituted the board in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Act.The Wakf Board is a statutory body responsible for administering and safeguarding Wakf properties in the state. Its responsibilities include maintaining records of Wakf properties, overseeing their use and income, protecting them from encroachment and ensuring that they are utilised for religious, educational and social welfare purposes.Besides chairman Sanwar Patel, the newly constituted board comprises Najma Heptulla from New Delhi, Atif Aqueel from Bhopal, Faizan Khan from Ujjain, Fatema Choudhary from Indore, Shaista Sultan, Shabana Khan, Manoj Malpani from Indore and Animesh Bhargava from Raghogarh in Guna. The Commissioner of the Backwards Classes and Minority Welfare Department will serve as an ex-officio member.According to the state government, Najma Heptulla, who was appointed under the elected category through a notification issued on April 19, 2023, under Section 14 of the Wakf Act, 1995, as amended in 2013, will continue as a member until April 18, 2028. Her name has therefore been retained in the reconstituted board for the remainder of her tenure, an official spokesperson 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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesDaily weight loss pill available in UK pharmacies: Who can buy and how, how much they cost, how to take them, and more — all you need to knowQuote of the day by Neem Karoli Baba: “God will give you everything you need for your spiritual development. Hold on to nothing.”; What Maharaj ji advices on having faith in God and leaving attachment to material possessions5 most common cancers affecting men in India and the early symptoms that could save livesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strength123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

The Madhya Pradesh government has reorganised the 10-member Wakf Board. NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to reconstitute its Wakf Board under the Wakf (Amendment) Act, 2025, with the newly formed body including two Hindu members for the first time. The move follows changes introduced under the amended law,…

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Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, accused the former Delhi chief minister of allowing political frustration to turn into arrogance. NEW DELHI: The political slugfest between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party over the Ram Mandir donation controversy intensified, with Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta launching a blistering counterattack against AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal after he dismissed BJP national president Nitin Nabin with a “Who are you?” remark.The sharp exchange is part of an escalating political battle over allegations surrounding the Ram Mandir donation row, with both sides trading sharp attacks as the investigation continues.The war of words began after Nitin Nabin targeted the opposition over what he described as its “silence” whenever Hindu deities were insulted.Addressing the BJP’s Shakti Kendra Sanyojak Sammelan in Lucknow, Nabin said, “Today, I want to tell Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Kejriwal that you do not consider the Hindu religion so weak that people will fall for your rhetoric.””Because when your people insult Hindu deities, you all remain silent. The people of UP and the country will never tolerate the insult to Sanatan. We have preserved our heritage, for which our ancestors even made sacrifices,” he added, as the BJP stepped up its outreach ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.Kejriwal responded to Nabin’s remarks with a terse retort: “Who are you?”The comment prompted a strong response from Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, who accused the former Delhi chief minister of allowing political frustration to turn into arrogance.In a post on X, Gupta first introduced Nabin while highlighting his political journey and credentials.”Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, Mr. Nitin Nabin, aged 46, is the youngest-ever national president of the world’s largest political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has had the honor of representing the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar for four consecutive terms. Starting as an activist in the Yuva Morcha, he has journeyed all the way to becoming the party’s national president. Currently, he has been elected as a member of the upper house of Parliament in the world’s largest democracy. This is a brief introduction to him,” the chief minister said.She then launched a direct attack on Kejriwal, saying: “Everyone knows you’re feeling desperate and disheartened. But it seems your ego is still riding high in the seventh heaven!” she said.Drawing a parallel with a similar remark once made by former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee about Union home minister Amit Shah, Gupta added, “By the way, Mamata ji once asked too, ‘Who is this Amit Shah?’ Time answers every question. Even Ravana’s arrogance couldn’t hold; who are you to think yours will?”The political confrontation comes against the backdrop of the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Ram Mandir donations, an issue on which the AAP has repeatedly sought to corner the BJP and the Centre.The investigation also moved forward on Saturday after police sources said the Ayodhya Police had secured court permission to question five of the eight accused currently lodged in jail in connection with the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case.The accused, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Manish Yadav, are expected to be questioned inside the jail, with investigators set to formally record their statements. Police sources said custodial interrogation could be sought later if required.Amid the controversy, the Ayodhya Sant Mandal has extended its support to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and urged the Trust not to accept his resignation.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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, accused the former Delhi chief minister of allowing political frustration to turn into arrogance. NEW DELHI: The political slugfest between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party over the Ram Mandir donation controversy intensified, with Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta launching a blistering counterattack against AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal after he dismissed BJP national president Nitin Nabin with a “Who are you?” remark.The sharp exchange is part of an escalating political battle over allegations surrounding the Ram Mandir donation row, with both sides trading sharp attacks as the investigation continues.The war of words began after Nitin Nabin targeted the opposition over what he described as its “silence” whenever Hindu deities were insulted.Addressing the BJP’s Shakti Kendra Sanyojak Sammelan in Lucknow, Nabin said, “Today, I want to tell Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Kejriwal that you do not consider the Hindu religion so weak that people will fall for your rhetoric.””Because when your people insult Hindu deities, you all remain silent. The people of UP and the country will never tolerate the insult to Sanatan. We have preserved our heritage, for which our ancestors even made sacrifices,” he added, as the BJP stepped up its outreach ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.Kejriwal responded to Nabin’s remarks with a terse retort: “Who are you?”The comment prompted a strong response from Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, who accused the former Delhi chief minister of allowing political frustration to turn into arrogance.In a post on X, Gupta first introduced Nabin while highlighting his political journey and credentials.”Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, Mr. Nitin Nabin, aged 46, is the youngest-ever national president of the world’s largest political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has had the honor of representing the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar for four consecutive terms. Starting as an activist in the Yuva Morcha, he has journeyed all the way to becoming the party’s national president. Currently, he has been elected as a member of the upper house of Parliament in the world’s largest democracy. This is a brief introduction to him,” the chief minister said.She then launched a direct attack on Kejriwal, saying: “Everyone knows you’re feeling desperate and disheartened. But it seems your ego is still riding high in the seventh heaven!” she said.Drawing a parallel with a similar remark once made by former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee about Union home minister Amit Shah, Gupta added, “By the way, Mamata ji once asked too, ‘Who is this Amit Shah?’ Time answers every question. Even Ravana’s arrogance couldn’t hold; who are you to think yours will?”The political confrontation comes against the backdrop of the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Ram Mandir donations, an issue on which the AAP has repeatedly sought to corner the BJP and the Centre.The investigation also moved forward on Saturday after police sources said the Ayodhya Police had secured court permission to question five of the eight accused currently lodged in jail in connection with the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case.The accused, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Manish Yadav, are expected to be questioned inside the jail, with investigators set to formally record their statements. Police sources said custodial interrogation could be sought later if required.Amid the controversy, the Ayodhya Sant Mandal has extended its support to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and urged the Trust not to accept his resignation.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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, accused the former Delhi chief minister of allowing political frustration to turn into arrogance. NEW DELHI: The political slugfest between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party over the Ram Mandir donation controversy intensified, with Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta launching a blistering counterattack against AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal…

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EAM Jaishankar and Qatar PM “reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations”. NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday praised Qatar’s proactive mediation efforts in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran as the two countries resumed negotiations after months of military confrontation and cross-border strikes.The remarks came as international attention turned to Qatar’s behind-the-scenes diplomatic role in helping revive the dialogue. According to a Financial Times report, when the fragile US-Iran ceasefire appeared close to unravelling earlier this year, it was Qatar’s quiet and sustained shuttle diplomacy, rather than Pakistan’s hoped-for role, that helped steer the negotiations back towards the table. The report said Doha combined discretion, access and persistent engagement to emerge as the key mediator, while the talks eventually returned to the traditional venue of neutral Switzerland.During his visit, Jaishankar met Qatari prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and “reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with a focus on energy, trade, investments and people to people ties. They also discussed regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest”. Jaishankar’s Gulf visit was in the backdrop of fast-evolving political dynamics in West Asia following the signing of an agreement aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict, with the resumption of the talks to keep the diplomatic process on track and resolve long standing disputes between Washington and Tehran.The technical talks are expected to take place on July 11, although a final decision on the venue has yet to be made.The discussions are also expected to address regional security issues, including efforts to preserve stability in the Strait of Hormuz. The July 11 meeting is intended to advance the framework established under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed two weeks ago, which gave both sides 60 days to negotiate a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme and related issues.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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

EAM Jaishankar and Qatar PM “reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations”. NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday praised Qatar’s proactive mediation efforts in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran as the two countries resumed negotiations after months of military confrontation and cross-border strikes.The remarks came as international attention turned to Qatar’s behind-the-scenes diplomatic role in helping revive the dialogue. According to a Financial Times report, when the fragile US-Iran ceasefire appeared close to unravelling earlier this year, it was Qatar’s quiet and sustained shuttle diplomacy, rather than Pakistan’s hoped-for role, that helped steer the negotiations back towards the table. The report said Doha combined discretion, access and persistent engagement to emerge as the key mediator, while the talks eventually returned to the traditional venue of neutral Switzerland.During his visit, Jaishankar met Qatari prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and “reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with a focus on energy, trade, investments and people to people ties. They also discussed regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest”. Jaishankar’s Gulf visit was in the backdrop of fast-evolving political dynamics in West Asia following the signing of an agreement aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict, with the resumption of the talks to keep the diplomatic process on track and resolve long standing disputes between Washington and Tehran.The technical talks are expected to take place on July 11, although a final decision on the venue has yet to be made.The discussions are also expected to address regional security issues, including efforts to preserve stability in the Strait of Hormuz. The July 11 meeting is intended to advance the framework established under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed two weeks ago, which gave both sides 60 days to negotiate a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme and related issues.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 MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

EAM Jaishankar and Qatar PM “reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations”. NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday praised Qatar’s proactive mediation efforts in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran as the two countries resumed negotiations after months of military confrontation and cross-border strikes.The remarks came as international attention turned…

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Representative image NEW DELHI: Indonesia is set to become the latest country to integrate with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and tap deeper into India’s digital public infrastructure. Unlike several other countries, such as France, Singapore and the UAE, which have adopted UPI primarily to facilitate cross-border payments for Indian travellers and businesses, Indonesia’s ambitions extend much further.It is looking at using India’s digital public infrastructure as a blueprint for building its own sovereign digital ecosystem. Beyond integrating UPI, it aims at developing interoperable platforms for commerce, digital identity and public services that can eventually be exported across the Asean region.The growing collaboration is expected to feature prominently during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia, starting Monday with digital cooperation emerging as one of the key pillars of the bilateral partnership.”From food security and digital governance to healthcare, agriculture and defence, India’s successful public policy models are becoming valuable reference points for Indonesia’s own development journey,” said an official.Several Indonesian delegations have visited India to study flagship public policy initiatives, including Public Distribution System (PDS), AgriStack, rice fortification, fertiliser subsidy reforms, PM POSHAN and Jan Aushadhi programme, as Jakarta looks to strengthen food security, agriculture and healthcare delivery.Indonesia’s ambitious Free Nutritious Meals programme has drawn inspiration from India’s Mid-Day Meal (PM POSHAN) scheme. Similarly, its Red and White Village Cooperatives initiative is exploring cooperation with India for affordable medicines through the Jan Aushadhi model, helping strengthen healthcare access in rural areas, an official said.Indonesia is also working with New Delhi on defence manufacturing, technology transfer, military training and maritime cooperation with India’s experience in indigenous defence production under Atmanirbhar Bharat creating new opportunities for long-term collaboration.At the centre of the digital public infrastructure partnership is the proposed UPI-QRIS linkage, which will enable seamless cross-border payments between the two countries, benefiting businesses, tourists and merchants. For nearly 1.7 million Indian tourists who visit Indonesia annually, particularly Bali, the payments corridor is expected to simplify transactions while boosting tourism and trade.The country is also building the Indonesia Open Network (ION), an open digital commerce platform inspired by India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Representative image NEW DELHI: Indonesia is set to become the latest country to integrate with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and tap deeper into India’s digital public infrastructure. Unlike several other countries, such as France, Singapore and the UAE, which have adopted UPI primarily to facilitate cross-border payments for Indian travellers and businesses, Indonesia’s ambitions extend much further.It is looking at using India’s digital public infrastructure as a blueprint for building its own sovereign digital ecosystem. Beyond integrating UPI, it aims at developing interoperable platforms for commerce, digital identity and public services that can eventually be exported across the Asean region.The growing collaboration is expected to feature prominently during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia, starting Monday with digital cooperation emerging as one of the key pillars of the bilateral partnership.”From food security and digital governance to healthcare, agriculture and defence, India’s successful public policy models are becoming valuable reference points for Indonesia’s own development journey,” said an official.Several Indonesian delegations have visited India to study flagship public policy initiatives, including Public Distribution System (PDS), AgriStack, rice fortification, fertiliser subsidy reforms, PM POSHAN and Jan Aushadhi programme, as Jakarta looks to strengthen food security, agriculture and healthcare delivery.Indonesia’s ambitious Free Nutritious Meals programme has drawn inspiration from India’s Mid-Day Meal (PM POSHAN) scheme. Similarly, its Red and White Village Cooperatives initiative is exploring cooperation with India for affordable medicines through the Jan Aushadhi model, helping strengthen healthcare access in rural areas, an official said.Indonesia is also working with New Delhi on defence manufacturing, technology transfer, military training and maritime cooperation with India’s experience in indigenous defence production under Atmanirbhar Bharat creating new opportunities for long-term collaboration.At the centre of the digital public infrastructure partnership is the proposed UPI-QRIS linkage, which will enable seamless cross-border payments between the two countries, benefiting businesses, tourists and merchants. For nearly 1.7 million Indian tourists who visit Indonesia annually, particularly Bali, the payments corridor is expected to simplify transactions while boosting tourism and trade.The country is also building the Indonesia Open Network (ION), an open digital commerce platform inspired by India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

NEW DELHI: Indonesia is set to become the latest country to integrate with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and tap deeper into India’s digital public infrastructure. Unlike several other countries, such as France, Singapore and the UAE, which have adopted UPI primarily to facilitate cross-border payments for Indian travellers and businesses, Indonesia’s ambitions extend much further.It…

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NEW DELHI: Fifteen out of 20 India-bound ships in the Persian Gulf carrying fertiliser cargo have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, which will help augment the country’s soil nutrient stocks, govt said Sunday. In addition, for three consecutive months – April to June – domestic urea production has surpassed the target, with 71.6 lakh tonnes having been produced in these months as against the target of 67.9 lakh tonnes.The two developments will ensure adequate fertiliser availability for farmers during the ongoing kharif crop cultivation, officials said. Fertiliser minister J P Nadda said govt had focused on getting soil nutrients through alternative routes during the crisis. He added that Indian missions abroad had actively assisted the department in establishing contact with potential global producers and suppliers. “As a result, both our fertiliser imports and domestic production are in a very strong position today,” he said.Urea supplies have been successfully arranged from Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Georgia, Nigeria, Russia, Finland, Egypt, Algeria, Turkiye and the Netherlands; in the case of DAP and NPK fertilisers, supplies have been secured through Red Sea route from Russia, Morocco, Egypt, the United States, Jordan, South Korea, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.The department said that in April, urea production had reached 21 lakh tonnes as against the target of 20.3 lakh tonnes and in May 2026, it stood at 25.2 lakh tonnes, exceeding the target of 22.5 lakh tonnes. Similarly in June, production reached 25.4 lakh tonnes as against the target of 25 lakh tonnes.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

NEW DELHI: Fifteen out of 20 India-bound ships in the Persian Gulf carrying fertiliser cargo have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, which will help augment the country’s soil nutrient stocks, govt said Sunday. In addition, for three consecutive months – April to June – domestic urea production has surpassed the target, with 71.6 lakh tonnes having been produced in these months as against the target of 67.9 lakh tonnes.The two developments will ensure adequate fertiliser availability for farmers during the ongoing kharif crop cultivation, officials said. Fertiliser minister J P Nadda said govt had focused on getting soil nutrients through alternative routes during the crisis. He added that Indian missions abroad had actively assisted the department in establishing contact with potential global producers and suppliers. “As a result, both our fertiliser imports and domestic production are in a very strong position today,” he said.Urea supplies have been successfully arranged from Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Georgia, Nigeria, Russia, Finland, Egypt, Algeria, Turkiye and the Netherlands; in the case of DAP and NPK fertilisers, supplies have been secured through Red Sea route from Russia, Morocco, Egypt, the United States, Jordan, South Korea, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.The department said that in April, urea production had reached 21 lakh tonnes as against the target of 20.3 lakh tonnes and in May 2026, it stood at 25.2 lakh tonnes, exceeding the target of 22.5 lakh tonnes. Similarly in June, production reached 25.4 lakh tonnes as against the target of 25 lakh tonnes.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

NEW DELHI: Fifteen out of 20 India-bound ships in the Persian Gulf carrying fertiliser cargo have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, which will help augment the country’s soil nutrient stocks, govt said Sunday. In addition, for three consecutive months – April to June – domestic urea production has surpassed the target, with 71.6 lakh…

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NEW DELHI: Childcare and household chores keep around 69% women out of the labour force in India’s top 46 cities with million-plus population, highlighting the gender-bias in nature of care work even among the more affluent areas of the country, a new National Statistics Office survey has shown.The survey on labour market indicators for the large cities, first reported by TOI on Tuesday, showed that just 1% of the women cited “social reasons” for being out of the labour force, although the report did not elaborate on it.In contrast, 1% of men cited childcare and household work as the reason for being out of the labour force.India has among the lowest female labour force participation rates among the world’s major economies, estimated at 30.7% in 2025, although it has shown an upward trend in recent years.’Women earn 23% less than men in big cities’Within the country, the trends vary across cities. For instance, 83% women in Howrah cited childcare and household chores as the reason for being out of the labour force, followed by Surat (81%), Pimpri Chinchwad and Bhopal (78%), and Dhanbad (77%). In Coimbatore (38%), the share was much lower, as was the case in Agra (41%), Kota (57%), Hyderabad (58%), and Visakhapatnam and Srinagar (60%).There were other reasons cited as well. For instance, 16% opted out as they wanted to pursue further studies, and 10% attributed staying out of the labour force to health and age-related factors.Among men, more than half (53%) attributed higher studies as the reason for not being part of the labour force, followed by health and age-related reasons (39%).The survey also showed the quality of work for women improved in the large cities as compared to other urban areas: 65% reported salaried employment compared with 51% in urban areas, wh-ile 3% reported casual work, as against 9% in urban areas.However, these cities which enjoy a wage premium reflected the gender inequality in wages too. While a salaried male earned Rs 30,700 a month in million-plus cities, a female earned Rs 23,700 – 23% lower. This gap was more pronounced in the case of cities such as Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai and Nagpur, where women earned nearly half as much as their male counterparts. Prayagraj seemed to defy the trend, with women shown to be earning more than men.In case of self-employm-ent, men (Rs 33,880) had over double the monthly earnings of women (Rs 16,160).Workers in million-plus cities on average worked for 49.5 hours a week compared with 47.1 hours in urban India. Both male and female workers in million-plus cities reported higher average ho-urs than those in urban India.Women with salaried jobs in Rajkot (51.5 hours), followed by Faridabad (50 hours) clocked in the maximum time at the workplace.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

NEW DELHI: Childcare and household chores keep around 69% women out of the labour force in India’s top 46 cities with million-plus population, highlighting the gender-bias in nature of care work even among the more affluent areas of the country, a new National Statistics Office survey has shown.The survey on labour market indicators for the large cities, first reported by TOI on Tuesday, showed that just 1% of the women cited “social reasons” for being out of the labour force, although the report did not elaborate on it.In contrast, 1% of men cited childcare and household work as the reason for being out of the labour force.India has among the lowest female labour force participation rates among the world’s major economies, estimated at 30.7% in 2025, although it has shown an upward trend in recent years.’Women earn 23% less than men in big cities’Within the country, the trends vary across cities. For instance, 83% women in Howrah cited childcare and household chores as the reason for being out of the labour force, followed by Surat (81%), Pimpri Chinchwad and Bhopal (78%), and Dhanbad (77%). In Coimbatore (38%), the share was much lower, as was the case in Agra (41%), Kota (57%), Hyderabad (58%), and Visakhapatnam and Srinagar (60%).There were other reasons cited as well. For instance, 16% opted out as they wanted to pursue further studies, and 10% attributed staying out of the labour force to health and age-related factors.Among men, more than half (53%) attributed higher studies as the reason for not being part of the labour force, followed by health and age-related reasons (39%).The survey also showed the quality of work for women improved in the large cities as compared to other urban areas: 65% reported salaried employment compared with 51% in urban areas, wh-ile 3% reported casual work, as against 9% in urban areas.However, these cities which enjoy a wage premium reflected the gender inequality in wages too. While a salaried male earned Rs 30,700 a month in million-plus cities, a female earned Rs 23,700 – 23% lower. This gap was more pronounced in the case of cities such as Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai and Nagpur, where women earned nearly half as much as their male counterparts. Prayagraj seemed to defy the trend, with women shown to be earning more than men.In case of self-employm-ent, men (Rs 33,880) had over double the monthly earnings of women (Rs 16,160).Workers in million-plus cities on average worked for 49.5 hours a week compared with 47.1 hours in urban India. Both male and female workers in million-plus cities reported higher average ho-urs than those in urban India.Women with salaried jobs in Rajkot (51.5 hours), followed by Faridabad (50 hours) clocked in the maximum time at the workplace.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

NEW DELHI: Childcare and household chores keep around 69% women out of the labour force in India’s top 46 cities with million-plus population, highlighting the gender-bias in nature of care work even among the more affluent areas of the country, a new National Statistics Office survey has shown.The survey on labour market indicators for the…

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Stop child sex abuse ads on Insta at once: Govt to Meta | India News

Stop child sex abuse ads on Insta at once: Govt to Meta | India News

Representative image (AP) NEW DELHI: Govt Saturday evening issued a stern notice to Meta, directing it to immediately disable all paid advertisements and content on Instagram that promote or facilitate access to child sexual exploitative and abuse material (CSEAM), sources said.Ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) has given Meta seven days to submit a…

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Representative image (PTI) NEW DELHI: Govt is set to make driving tests mandatory for motorists seeking renewal of their driving licences if they have a history of traffic-rule violations, as reflected in challans. Road transport ministry has also proposed empowering Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACTs) to award interim compensation to road crash victims and their families, instead of making them wait until the final disposal of their claims.After consultations with states and ministries spanning almost two years, the proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act were placed before the informal Group of Ministers (iGoM) headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh last week. TOI has learnt that the panel has given the ministry the go-ahead to finalise the bill, which may be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.The proposals are aimed at reining in errant drivers and use of uninsured vehicles and also seek to go back to the earlier practice of insurance regulator IRDAI fixing the third-party premium based on vehicle age and challan history. In the 2019 amendment, this power was vested with the road transport ministry.The amendments linked to compensation in case of death or grievous injuries in road crashes are significant. At present, MACTs can’t provide any interim relief. The ministry has proposed that a claims tribunal may “grant such interim relief that it may deem fit”. It has also proposed that in case an insurer or offending party challenges the order of a claims tribunal, it would have to pre-deposit Rs 10 lakh or 50% of the awarded amount, whichever is less. Currently, it’s Rs 25,000 or 50% of the awarded amount, whichever is less.The ministry has also proposed increasing the bar for filing appeals in high courts from current Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. “The move to allow interim compensation by MACT tribunals is welcome considering that such cases often face delays in final disposal,” said Amarjeet Singh, an advocate and a road safety expert.Experts also lauded the proposal that makes fresh driving tests mandatory for drivers who have a history of flouting traffic rules. Tightening the screws on errant drivers, the ministry has also proposed that no fresh DL would be issued to an applicant for three years in case of revocation of earlier DL.The ministry has further proposed to increase the age bar for requirement of medical certificate for fresh DL or licence renewal from the current 40 years to 60. “In the name of ease of living and ease of doing business, we must not compromise with the fundamental parameters that are necessary for making roads safe,” said Anil Chhikara, a former deputy transport commissioner of Delhi.Experts also said that the proposal of “double fine or penalty” for drivers violating traffic rules would increase the risk of misuse by traffic police. Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Representative image (PTI) NEW DELHI: Govt is set to make driving tests mandatory for motorists seeking renewal of their driving licences if they have a history of traffic-rule violations, as reflected in challans. Road transport ministry has also proposed empowering Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACTs) to award interim compensation to road crash victims and their families, instead of making them wait until the final disposal of their claims.After consultations with states and ministries spanning almost two years, the proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act were placed before the informal Group of Ministers (iGoM) headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh last week. TOI has learnt that the panel has given the ministry the go-ahead to finalise the bill, which may be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.The proposals are aimed at reining in errant drivers and use of uninsured vehicles and also seek to go back to the earlier practice of insurance regulator IRDAI fixing the third-party premium based on vehicle age and challan history. In the 2019 amendment, this power was vested with the road transport ministry.The amendments linked to compensation in case of death or grievous injuries in road crashes are significant. At present, MACTs can’t provide any interim relief. The ministry has proposed that a claims tribunal may “grant such interim relief that it may deem fit”. It has also proposed that in case an insurer or offending party challenges the order of a claims tribunal, it would have to pre-deposit Rs 10 lakh or 50% of the awarded amount, whichever is less. Currently, it’s Rs 25,000 or 50% of the awarded amount, whichever is less.The ministry has also proposed increasing the bar for filing appeals in high courts from current Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. “The move to allow interim compensation by MACT tribunals is welcome considering that such cases often face delays in final disposal,” said Amarjeet Singh, an advocate and a road safety expert.Experts also lauded the proposal that makes fresh driving tests mandatory for drivers who have a history of flouting traffic rules. Tightening the screws on errant drivers, the ministry has also proposed that no fresh DL would be issued to an applicant for three years in case of revocation of earlier DL.The ministry has further proposed to increase the age bar for requirement of medical certificate for fresh DL or licence renewal from the current 40 years to 60. “In the name of ease of living and ease of doing business, we must not compromise with the fundamental parameters that are necessary for making roads safe,” said Anil Chhikara, a former deputy transport commissioner of Delhi.Experts also said that the proposal of “double fine or penalty” for drivers violating traffic rules would increase the risk of misuse by traffic police. Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Representative image (PTI) NEW DELHI: Govt is set to make driving tests mandatory for motorists seeking renewal of their driving licences if they have a history of traffic-rule violations, as reflected in challans. Road transport ministry has also proposed empowering Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACTs) to award interim compensation to road crash victims and their…

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Syama Prasad Mookerjee devoted his life to India’s unity and progress: PM Modi | India News

Syama Prasad Mookerjee devoted his life to India’s unity and progress: PM Modi | India News

Today, 6th July, is a special day for countless people who cherish the ideals of nationalism and selfless service. We commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whose life remains a timeless example of courage and unwavering commitment to Maa Bharti. Few leaders in modern India embodied the seamless confluence of intellect,…

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Representative image NEW DELHI: For the second time in the past 11 months, country’s automobile majors have come to back govt’s mandatory 20% blending of ethanol in petrol (E20) — amid some genuine concerns and some misinformation surrounding the adverse impact of E20 on vehicles that were manufactured before April 2023. TOI looks at why the controversy is on.Mileage/Consumers complaintsFor most vehicle owners, mileage still remains the key factor while buying a vehicle. There have been numerous complaints that the mileage of vehicles has dropped since the full roll out of E20 — an issue not just flagged on social media, rather a common talking point in workplaces, and at social gatherings. Govt and automobile companies have maintained that there is 3-4% reduction in mileage due to E20 fuel in vehicles that are non-compliant. They refer to findings of a study conducted by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil Corporation and SIAM in 2021. It said fuel consumption of vehicles with E20 increases 2-6% compared to E10, and the percentage varies from vehicle to vehicle.However, vehicle owners don’t buy this, as the real mileage loss is more. They need to buy more E20 and that too without any reduction in price to compensate for mileage loss. Automobile companies and govt have maintained that mileage depends on factors, including tyre pressure, driving pattern, gear selection, and vehicle maintenance.Impact on vehicle engine and materialsGovt and vehicle manufacturers have referred to ARAI report of 2021 to refute claims of impact of E20 fuel on vehicles. The report said there was “no significant discoloration or pitting or any other type of corrosion” in any metallic components tested. The full report, which TOI has seen, concluded that “fuel system material coupons made of a certain elastomer (rubber) like NBR-PVC blend performed inferior with E20 compared to E10”. It added that as per SIAM, “rubber parts for fuel system components used in vehicles, such as hoses, gaskets/ seals and O-rings are showing deterioration and may need replacement for using E20”.India’s E20 programmeIndia achieved 20% ethanol blending in April 2025, ahead of the earlier target of 2030, meaning normal petrol at every pump has 20% ethanol. People involved in govt’s ethanol blending programme say had the target not been pushed, almost all E0 (100% petrol) vehicles manufactured prior to 2012 and a large share of E10 (10% ethanol) compliant vehicles manufactured from 2013 onwards would have completed 15 years.However, the significance and benefit of E20 caught attention after the US-Israel attack on Iran disrupted global fuel supply and pushed crude prices. Govt has said ethanol blending programme has reduced oil imports by 4.5 lakh barrels per year and saved foreign exchange.Why controversy at peak nowWhile some parts of the country started getting E20 early, availability across the nation was achieved only in April 2025. So, the number of complaints about drop in mileage and other negative impacts have increased. The impacts are more in case of vehicles manufactured before 2012.Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notifying fuel standards for E22, E25, E27 and E30 has further raised the speculation of govt increasing mandatory blending. Officials are tight-lipped about where and when this decision was taken. However, govt has maintained any further increase in ethanol blending will be done after proper research and due consultation with stakeholders. Higher blending would even impact E20 vehicles.Can govt give option of 100% petrol & E20 at pumps for consumers to optAfter going for mandatory 20% ethanol blending there is hardly any possibility of going back. However, experts say govt should go for higher blends of ethanol as an optional fuel at stations so that vehicles that are compatible can go for them, something similar to the practice in Brazil. Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Representative image NEW DELHI: For the second time in the past 11 months, country’s automobile majors have come to back govt’s mandatory 20% blending of ethanol in petrol (E20) — amid some genuine concerns and some misinformation surrounding the adverse impact of E20 on vehicles that were manufactured before April 2023. TOI looks at why the controversy is on.Mileage/Consumers complaintsFor most vehicle owners, mileage still remains the key factor while buying a vehicle. There have been numerous complaints that the mileage of vehicles has dropped since the full roll out of E20 — an issue not just flagged on social media, rather a common talking point in workplaces, and at social gatherings. Govt and automobile companies have maintained that there is 3-4% reduction in mileage due to E20 fuel in vehicles that are non-compliant. They refer to findings of a study conducted by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil Corporation and SIAM in 2021. It said fuel consumption of vehicles with E20 increases 2-6% compared to E10, and the percentage varies from vehicle to vehicle.However, vehicle owners don’t buy this, as the real mileage loss is more. They need to buy more E20 and that too without any reduction in price to compensate for mileage loss. Automobile companies and govt have maintained that mileage depends on factors, including tyre pressure, driving pattern, gear selection, and vehicle maintenance.Impact on vehicle engine and materialsGovt and vehicle manufacturers have referred to ARAI report of 2021 to refute claims of impact of E20 fuel on vehicles. The report said there was “no significant discoloration or pitting or any other type of corrosion” in any metallic components tested. The full report, which TOI has seen, concluded that “fuel system material coupons made of a certain elastomer (rubber) like NBR-PVC blend performed inferior with E20 compared to E10”. It added that as per SIAM, “rubber parts for fuel system components used in vehicles, such as hoses, gaskets/ seals and O-rings are showing deterioration and may need replacement for using E20”.India’s E20 programmeIndia achieved 20% ethanol blending in April 2025, ahead of the earlier target of 2030, meaning normal petrol at every pump has 20% ethanol. People involved in govt’s ethanol blending programme say had the target not been pushed, almost all E0 (100% petrol) vehicles manufactured prior to 2012 and a large share of E10 (10% ethanol) compliant vehicles manufactured from 2013 onwards would have completed 15 years.However, the significance and benefit of E20 caught attention after the US-Israel attack on Iran disrupted global fuel supply and pushed crude prices. Govt has said ethanol blending programme has reduced oil imports by 4.5 lakh barrels per year and saved foreign exchange.Why controversy at peak nowWhile some parts of the country started getting E20 early, availability across the nation was achieved only in April 2025. So, the number of complaints about drop in mileage and other negative impacts have increased. The impacts are more in case of vehicles manufactured before 2012.Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notifying fuel standards for E22, E25, E27 and E30 has further raised the speculation of govt increasing mandatory blending. Officials are tight-lipped about where and when this decision was taken. However, govt has maintained any further increase in ethanol blending will be done after proper research and due consultation with stakeholders. Higher blending would even impact E20 vehicles.Can govt give option of 100% petrol & E20 at pumps for consumers to optAfter going for mandatory 20% ethanol blending there is hardly any possibility of going back. However, experts say govt should go for higher blends of ethanol as an optional fuel at stations so that vehicles that are compatible can go for them, something similar to the practice in Brazil. Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? Doctor reveals the warning signs you should never ignoreSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidity123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

NEW DELHI: For the second time in the past 11 months, country’s automobile majors have come to back govt’s mandatory 20% blending of ethanol in petrol (E20) — amid some genuine concerns and some misinformation surrounding the adverse impact of E20 on vehicles that were manufactured before April 2023. TOI looks at why the controversy…

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Who owns the real TMC? Election Commission set to decide high-stakes battle NEW DELHI: The battle for control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to enter a decisive phase on Monday, with the rival camps led by West Bengal former CM Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee expected to submit documents before the Election Commission (EC) to stake claim over the party’s name, election symbol, organisational structure and assets.The confrontation marks one of the biggest political crises in the party’s 28-year history and is expected to determine which faction will be recognised as the ‘real’ Trinamool Congress.The Election Commission has directed both camps to submit organisational records, supporting documents and evidence of control over the party by 5.30 pm on July 6, after hearing preliminary submissions from both sides last week.Battle over symbol, headquarters and organisational controlAt the centre of the dispute is the TMC’s iconic grass-and-flowers election symbol, along with the party’s organisational assets, finances and headquarters, all of which have become subjects of competing claims following an escalating rebellion after the party’s defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections.The Mamata Banerjee-led faction is expected to rely on the party’s founding legacy, organisational continuity and existing structure. The rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee is expected to argue that it enjoys majority support among elected representatives and therefore represents the legitimate leadership.The crisis, which began as a legislative revolt, has now evolved into a full-fledged organisational battle.Last month, the rebel camp convened a special session, elected senior MLA Arup Roy as its chairperson and announced a parallel national leadership structure, claiming that the existing leadership had lost the confidence of the majority of elected representatives.The dissident faction first demonstrated its strength when 58 of the TMC’s 80 MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee’s claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition instead of the candidate supported by Mamata Banerjee. The faction now claims it has the support of around 65 MLAs.The rebellion has also spread to Parliament. 20 Lok Sabha MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), weakening Mamata’s position in Parliament and strengthening the dissidents’ claim of political legitimacy.Trinamool Bhavan takeover escalates disputeThe organisational battle intensified further on Friday when the Ritabrata-led faction took control of Trinamool Bhavan, the party’s operational headquarters in Kolkata.The rebel leaders changed the locks, installed fresh posters and declared that the office would now function as their organisational headquarters.The takeover came a day after the faction met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two Election Commissioners in New Delhi to press its claim over the party’s leadership, symbol, organisational structure and assets.”We have gathered all documentary evidence and will place it before the commission. We are confident the decision will be based on facts, numbers and organisational legitimacy,” a senior leader of the Ritabrata camp said.The Mamata Banerjee camp has strongly objected to the rebels’ claims, arguing that leaders expelled from the party cannot represent it before the Election Commission.Senior leaders from the Kalighat camp are expected to present their counter-claims before the poll panel on Monday.A senior leader from the Mamata Banerjee faction said the party’s organisational structure remained intact despite the rebellion.”The TMC was built by Mamata Banerjee and continues to be led by her. A temporary numerical shift among some elected representatives cannot erase the party’s organisational continuity or its connection with workers and supporters across Bengal,” the leader said.The dissident camp, however, maintained that the dispute would ultimately be decided by the ‘test of majority’.”We have compiled all documentary evidence and are ready to place it before the commission. The facts and numbers speak for themselves. We have nothing to fear from a transparent process,” another senior leader of the rebel faction said.Mamata Banerjee confident of retaining party symbolSpeaking during a Facebook Live interaction on Saturday, Mamata Banerjee dismissed concerns over the party symbol and expressed confidence that the faction would retain it.”I don’t care about the party symbol, although I know they won’t be able to snatch it away. They will not succeed since I will dangle the symbol from my neck and reach out to the people. Many have betrayed the party and walked away. They won only because I signed on their nomination papers. At the BJP’s behest, they have betrayed the party,” she said.In an apparent reference to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, she added, “But even if they use ‘Vanish Kumar’ to snatch away the party symbol, they will not be able to silence my voice. Individuals may leave, but an institution does not cease to exist.”Background: How the crisis beganThe dispute intensified after the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction approached the Election Commission seeking recognition as the legitimate Trinamool Congress and staking claim over the party’s name and election symbol.The crisis has deepened steadily since the TMC’s defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections.On Friday, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction accused the rival camp of illegally taking over Trinamool Bhavan and lodged a police complaint alleging criminal trespass.TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee described the dissidents as ‘criminal trespassers’ and warned that the party would pursue legal action. “They are criminal trespassers. They started the game and we will finish it. We will go to court,” he said.Senior leaders, including Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra, accused the police and central forces of allowing the rebel faction to occupy the office and alleged that the dissidents were acting at the BJP’s behest.Meanwhile, the Ritabrata Banerjee faction maintained that it had completed all formalities with the owners of the premises and declared that Trinamool Bhavan would function as its organisational headquarters.With both camps now claiming control over the party’s organisation, assets and symbol, Monday’s submissions before the Election Commission are expected to mark the beginning of a crucial legal and political battle that could determine who carries forward the legacy of the Trinamool Congress.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 MediaVideosMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s .4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political RowWhy the NDA Still Faces an Uphill Battle to Pass the Women’s Reservation Bill Despite Higher Numbers8 Officials Suspended After Books Allegedly Glorifying Separatists : J&K School Book Row123PhotostoriesSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidityPersonality test: The first detail that you spot in this optical illusion reveals a surprising truth about you123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Who owns the real TMC? Election Commission set to decide high-stakes battle NEW DELHI: The battle for control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to enter a decisive phase on Monday, with the rival camps led by West Bengal former CM Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee expected to submit documents before the Election Commission (EC) to stake claim over the party’s name, election symbol, organisational structure and assets.The confrontation marks one of the biggest political crises in the party’s 28-year history and is expected to determine which faction will be recognised as the ‘real’ Trinamool Congress.The Election Commission has directed both camps to submit organisational records, supporting documents and evidence of control over the party by 5.30 pm on July 6, after hearing preliminary submissions from both sides last week.Battle over symbol, headquarters and organisational controlAt the centre of the dispute is the TMC’s iconic grass-and-flowers election symbol, along with the party’s organisational assets, finances and headquarters, all of which have become subjects of competing claims following an escalating rebellion after the party’s defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections.The Mamata Banerjee-led faction is expected to rely on the party’s founding legacy, organisational continuity and existing structure. The rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee is expected to argue that it enjoys majority support among elected representatives and therefore represents the legitimate leadership.The crisis, which began as a legislative revolt, has now evolved into a full-fledged organisational battle.Last month, the rebel camp convened a special session, elected senior MLA Arup Roy as its chairperson and announced a parallel national leadership structure, claiming that the existing leadership had lost the confidence of the majority of elected representatives.The dissident faction first demonstrated its strength when 58 of the TMC’s 80 MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee’s claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition instead of the candidate supported by Mamata Banerjee. The faction now claims it has the support of around 65 MLAs.The rebellion has also spread to Parliament. 20 Lok Sabha MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), weakening Mamata’s position in Parliament and strengthening the dissidents’ claim of political legitimacy.Trinamool Bhavan takeover escalates disputeThe organisational battle intensified further on Friday when the Ritabrata-led faction took control of Trinamool Bhavan, the party’s operational headquarters in Kolkata.The rebel leaders changed the locks, installed fresh posters and declared that the office would now function as their organisational headquarters.The takeover came a day after the faction met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two Election Commissioners in New Delhi to press its claim over the party’s leadership, symbol, organisational structure and assets.”We have gathered all documentary evidence and will place it before the commission. We are confident the decision will be based on facts, numbers and organisational legitimacy,” a senior leader of the Ritabrata camp said.The Mamata Banerjee camp has strongly objected to the rebels’ claims, arguing that leaders expelled from the party cannot represent it before the Election Commission.Senior leaders from the Kalighat camp are expected to present their counter-claims before the poll panel on Monday.A senior leader from the Mamata Banerjee faction said the party’s organisational structure remained intact despite the rebellion.”The TMC was built by Mamata Banerjee and continues to be led by her. A temporary numerical shift among some elected representatives cannot erase the party’s organisational continuity or its connection with workers and supporters across Bengal,” the leader said.The dissident camp, however, maintained that the dispute would ultimately be decided by the ‘test of majority’.”We have compiled all documentary evidence and are ready to place it before the commission. The facts and numbers speak for themselves. We have nothing to fear from a transparent process,” another senior leader of the rebel faction said.Mamata Banerjee confident of retaining party symbolSpeaking during a Facebook Live interaction on Saturday, Mamata Banerjee dismissed concerns over the party symbol and expressed confidence that the faction would retain it.”I don’t care about the party symbol, although I know they won’t be able to snatch it away. They will not succeed since I will dangle the symbol from my neck and reach out to the people. Many have betrayed the party and walked away. They won only because I signed on their nomination papers. At the BJP’s behest, they have betrayed the party,” she said.In an apparent reference to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, she added, “But even if they use ‘Vanish Kumar’ to snatch away the party symbol, they will not be able to silence my voice. Individuals may leave, but an institution does not cease to exist.”Background: How the crisis beganThe dispute intensified after the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction approached the Election Commission seeking recognition as the legitimate Trinamool Congress and staking claim over the party’s name and election symbol.The crisis has deepened steadily since the TMC’s defeat in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections.On Friday, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction accused the rival camp of illegally taking over Trinamool Bhavan and lodged a police complaint alleging criminal trespass.TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee described the dissidents as ‘criminal trespassers’ and warned that the party would pursue legal action. “They are criminal trespassers. They started the game and we will finish it. We will go to court,” he said.Senior leaders, including Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra, accused the police and central forces of allowing the rebel faction to occupy the office and alleged that the dissidents were acting at the BJP’s behest.Meanwhile, the Ritabrata Banerjee faction maintained that it had completed all formalities with the owners of the premises and declared that Trinamool Bhavan would function as its organisational headquarters.With both camps now claiming control over the party’s organisation, assets and symbol, Monday’s submissions before the Election Commission are expected to mark the beginning of a crucial legal and political battle that could determine who carries forward the legacy of the Trinamool Congress.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 MediaVideosMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political RowWhy the NDA Still Faces an Uphill Battle to Pass the Women’s Reservation Bill Despite Higher Numbers8 Officials Suspended After Books Allegedly Glorifying Separatists : J&K School Book Row123PhotostoriesSonam Kapoor’s Punit Balana look had more drama than Anshula Kapoor’s mehendi playlist, and we loved every bit of itTop 5 most active dog breeds5 grasslands in India where the monsoon feels magical5 things to expect at India’s widest waterfall during the monsoonHigh cholesterol often has no symptoms, says AHA: These 10 guidelines could help protect your heartPersonality test: Only the first thing you notice in this illusion reveals your true hidden strengthAamir Khan weds Gauri Spratt: Before saying ‘I Do,’ Aamir Khan dropped these 5 surprisingly honest quotes on loveFrom Krushna Abhishek’s California house to Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore home: Celebrities who own several luxurious properties5 best hair oils for frizzy locks during monsoon that actually tame humidityPersonality test: The first detail that you spot in this optical illusion reveals a surprising truth about you123Hot PicksNHL Trade RumorHarrison ButkerTaylor and Travis Wedding PhotosIndia Passport Ranking SlipsBSUSC applicationsMumbai rainDelhi MurderBrittany MahomesTrumpTop TrendingNHL TradeDelhi rainBrittany MahomesFIFA World Cup 2026Mamata BanerjeeBengaluru Capgemini DaycareKetan AgarwalFrance FIFA World CupNFL Trade RumorVozinha

Who owns the real TMC? Election Commission set to decide high-stakes battle NEW DELHI: The battle for control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to enter a decisive phase on Monday, with the rival camps led by West Bengal former CM Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee expected to submit documents before the Election Commission…

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‘Political vendetta’: Congress vows to block Bill seeking automatic removal of PM, CMs after 30 days in jail | India News

‘Political vendetta’: Congress vows to block Bill seeking automatic removal of PM, CMs after 30 days in jail | India News

The Congress on Sunday said it would ‘strongly oppose’ the proposed Constitution amendment Bill that seeks the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, chief ministers and ministers if they remain in judicial custody for 30 consecutive days in cases involving serious criminal offences.The party also expressed confidence that the BJP-led government would fail to secure…

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