VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Daily Nadi Horoscope for Virgo (25th August 2026): An Idea May Deserve a Second Attempt with Better Planning H-1B visa shock: Trump admin proposes hiking fee to over $100,000 The Danube has fallen so low that a 1,600-year-old Roman bridge is emerging from the river, revealing a piece of history hidden underwater for centuries Additionally, Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay announces free LPG cylinders, expanded bus travel; BJP-Congress clash over alleged fish feast at Ajay Rai’s Ayodhya welcome event Centre clarifies India’s position on media access during PM Modi-Trump meetHeavy rain disrupts Delhi-NCR, diverts 15 Delhi-bound flightsTamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay announces free LPG cylinders, expanded bus travelBJP-Congress clash over alleged fish feast at Ajay Rai’s Ayodhya welcome eventRevanth Reddy accuses Centre of discriminating against Telangana over US visitHere are the top five stories of the dayCentre clarifies India’s position on media access during Modi-Trump bilateralThe government said discussions regarding arrangements for leaders’ public appearances are a “normal practice”, after US Ambassador Sergio Gor said India had specifically requested that reporters not be allowed to ask questions after PM Modi-Trump bilateral in June. Gor said Trump initially agreed to the request but later opened the floor to reporters, turning the interaction into a 45-minute press conference. The meeting also covered the safety of Indian seafarers and bilateral trade negotiations. Read full storyHeavy rain disrupts Delhi-NCR, 15 Delhi-bound flights divertedHeavy rain lashed Delhi-NCR, causing widespread waterlogging, traffic snarls and flight disruptions, with 15 Delhi-bound flights diverted, including two international flights. The IMD issued red and orange alerts for heavy to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms and winds of up to 40 kmph. Waterlogging was reported across several parts of Delhi, Gurugram and Noida, while Air India and IndiGo advised passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. Read full storyTamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay announces free LPG cylinders, expanded bus travelTamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay announced three free cooking gas cylinders a year for eligible beneficiaries, with the amount to be credited directly to their bank accounts. He also announced the Vetri Payanam scheme, expanding fare-free bus travel for women across the state. The scheme will cover specified government bus services and come into effect from October 2, with no income ceiling or restriction on the number of trips.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines Transgender persons will also be eligible. Read full storyBJP-Congress clash over alleged fish feast at Ajay Rai’s Ayodhya eventThe BJP and Congress traded barbs over an alleged fish feast at a welcome programme for newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai in Ayodhya during Sawan. BJP leaders, including chief minister Yogi Adityanath, criticised the event, calling it inappropriate during the holy month. Rai denied involvement in the food arrangements and challenged Yogi to provide evidence. Congress defended Rai, saying the event was organised by members of the Nishad community. Read full storyRevanth Reddy accuses Centre of discriminating against Telangana over US visitTelangana chief minister Revanth Reddy accused the Centre of “insulting” four crore people of the state after the MEA denied political clearance for his proposed US visit. Reddy questioned why Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel was allowed to visit the US and Canada while his Telangana Rising 2047 trip was rejected. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that the proposed programmes for chief ministers are assessed before clearance and that Reddy’s programme was not considered appropriate to the office and purpose of the visit. Read full storyGet 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’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell5 Morning lessons Sadhguru wants children to learn: From waking up with a smile to practising yoga, taking responsibility and more5 Plants to grow now for beautiful blooms through fallBigg Boss Tamil: From Bindu Madhavi to Divya Ganesh; a look at wildcard entries across all seasons123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Elite Education: Why royals and billionaires, the world’s 1%, send their children to Swiss boarding schools Quote of the day by James Clerk Maxwell: “Happy is the man who can recognise in the work of today a connected portion of…” Ukraine marks 4th I-Day amid war: How drones & defiance stopped Russia’s war machine in its tracks In 1999, an American teacher donated $5,000 to a Chinese woman fighting desertification; with his support, she planted a 50,000-tree forest, and 27 years later, they reunited in tears | World News NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the growing partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.While meeting external affairs minister S Jaishankar, Putin said that his visit “underscores the level of relations that has been established between Russia and India for decades.”“Your visit today underscores the level of relations that has been established between Russia and India for decades. We continue to work in almost all areas, including at the government level, inter-parliamentary relations and among economic participants,” Putin said.”I am pleased to note that our trade turnover has increased this year. If last year it decreased, this year it is growing. This is partly, and perhaps primarily, the merit of the Prime Minister, who pays close personal attention to the development of Russian-Indian relations,” he added.During the meeting, Jaishankar said that economic cooperation between the two countries has grown significantly.”Let me begin by conveying the good wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has given me a personal communication which I would like to hand over to you. We had a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission. I think overall we have a good report to give to you. I think our economic cooperation, trade, energy, fertilisers, nuclear, and other dimensions as well, I’d be pleased to speak about them in detail,” Jaishankar said.”Overall, I think our economic cooperation has grown very significantly. Prime Minister Modi looks forward to meeting you at the SCO Summit, then welcoming you to India for the BRICS Summit, and, in due course, as per your mutual convenience, having the annual summit, so we have a very strong picture of cooperation to present,” he added.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesEarlier in the day, Jaishankar held talks with Russian First Deputy PM Denis Manturov on ways to further expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation.“The India-Russia partnership has consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability,” Jaishankar said at an event which he co-chaired with Manturov. “Even amidst a complex international landscape, our engagement has continued to deepen, reflecting the mutual interest and confidence that define our bilateral partnership.”During his visit, Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to exchange views on regional and global issues, the external affairs ministry said in a statement on Saturday.The meeting comes ahead of Putin’s expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit on September 12-13.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell5 Morning lessons Sadhguru wants children to learn: From waking up with a smile to practising yoga, taking responsibility and more5 Plants to grow now for beautiful blooms through fallBigg Boss Tamil: From Bindu Madhavi to Divya Ganesh; a look at wildcard entries across all seasons123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Bengaluru vs Gurgaon: Viral post sparks debate over which city is better to live in | Daily Nadi Horoscope for Leo (25th August 2026): A Small Work Habit Could Multiply Into a Bigger Result Why is Leon Draisaitl backing Mike Babcock as Edmonton Oilers head coach for 2026-27 NHL season? In 1982, Larry Walters floated in the sky for 45 minutes in his lawn chair tied to 42 balloons; 11 years later, he shot himself to death NITI Aayog estimates India’s platform workforce could rise from 12 million in 2024-25 to 23.5 million by 2029-30. NEW DELHI: Despite the flexibility offered by platform work, women’s participation in India’s growing platform economy remains constrained by limited access to formal financial services, gaps in digital literacy, safety concerns and restrictive social norms, an ILO-NCAER policy brief said on Monday.The brief, “Advancing Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in the Platform Economy”, said women need access to a range of financial services throughout their platform-work journey, including start-up capital, short-term credit, insurance, savings and financial planning tools.It highlighted cashflow-based lending as a key lever for inclusion, particularly because women are less likely to own land or property that can be used as collateral. Digital records of platform payments can provide lenders with verifiable evidence of income and repayment capacity.Addressing a Roundtable at the release of the Policy Brief, NCAER director general Suresh Goyal said, “A woman’s best protection is a little money of her own and access to credit and mobility are important conditions for women to have better employment opportunities. Platform economy has given that opportunity.”The brief identified two ways to leverage women’s digital footprints: using India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, including the Account Aggregator framework, to make financial data portable, and enabling platforms to partner with lenders to offer loans, savings and insurance through their apps.ILO country director Michiko Miyamoto said, “Digital financial inclusion must enable women to build income security, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.”ILO Senior Specialist Radhicka Kapoor said integrating financial DPI with e-Shram records could further expand access, provided safeguards against algorithmic bias are built in.The brief also flagged device ownership as a barrier, noting that women’s digital access is often mediated through family members.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesNITI Aayog estimates India’s platform workforce could rise from 12 million in 2024-25 to 23.5 million by 2029-30.Director of NCAER’s Centre for Gender and Macroeconomy, Prof. Ratna Sahay, summed up the key takeaway, “Digital footprint in platform economies can be a game-changer for women to access credit, underpinned by regulation that encourages innovation while ensuring consumer protection and financial stability.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell5 Morning lessons Sadhguru wants children to learn: From waking up with a smile to practising yoga, taking responsibility and more5 Plants to grow now for beautiful blooms through fallBigg Boss Tamil: From Bindu Madhavi to Divya Ganesh; a look at wildcard entries across all seasons123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash ‘My grandfather was a farmer, my father a soldier’: Dhruv Jurel on viral ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ celebration Should married women avoid keeping Ekadashi fast? Here’s what Hindu scriptures and traditional beliefs actually say | Meet Vick Tan: The Minnesota student who turned a teabag into a low-cost filter that removed more than 90% of arsenic from water ‘UK participating in Ukraine war’: What triggered Russia’s ‘outrageous threat’ to Britan Cops used electrocution gloves to subdue high school students in Omaha, now the school district and parents are pleading with police to stop: ‘Supposed to be a safe space for students’ India’s piped gas netword. Photo credit: IANS NEW DELHI: Trying to accelerate the adoption of piped gas for cooking and industrial purposes, the Centre has asked states and Union Territories to provide district-level administrative support and appoint nodal officers to coordinate with gas distributors and oil marketing companies to expand the network.Govt has also directed authorised city gas distribution companies and public sector oil marketing companies to establish PNG coordination committees to identify eligible housing societies and households and conduct outreach camps to accelerate piped gas connections.In a letter to state chief secretaries, petroleum secretary Neeraj Mittal said PNG was crucial for India’s energy transition and could help reduce dependence on cooking gas cylinders.“PNG brings a safer, cleaner and more efficient cooking fuel, playing a critical role in advancing the country’s energy transition objectives. Its accelerated adoption contributes to reducing the logistics burden associated with LPG distribution, enhancing consumer convenience, and improving utilisation of CGD infrastructure created through substantial public and private investment,” Mittal said in the letter.While the potential for PNG is huge, its adoption so far has not matched the govt’s expectations. During the West Asia conflict, when energy supplies were disrupted and an LPG shortage loomed large, govt made concerted efforts to push PNG adoption by seeking the help of states and UTs and easing the regulatory framework for faster laying of pipeline networks. Govt is also trying to prevent households from retaining both LPG and PNG connections in areas where piped gas is available.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOfficials said administrative support at the district level was vital for securing right of way or right of use in housing societies, supporting consumer outreach and verification, and resolving consumer grievances.Mittal has also asked chief secretaries to direct their respective food and civil supplies departments to nominate one nodal officer at the district level to be associated with the local PCC.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell5 Morning lessons Sadhguru wants children to learn: From waking up with a smile to practising yoga, taking responsibility and more5 Plants to grow now for beautiful blooms through fallBigg Boss Tamil: From Bindu Madhavi to Divya Ganesh; a look at wildcard entries across all seasons123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Aug 24, 2026, 18:10 IST IIT Bombay puts an 8-year cap on PhDs: A necessary reform or a threat to research? Who is Sriya Reddy playing Mahakali opposite Akshaye Khanna? Know about her cricketing family and ‘Salaar’ connection DIY: Turn an old sock into a handy mop cover for dust-free floors | Daily Nadi Horoscope for Cancer (25th August 2026): Tripushkar Yoga Warns Against Making the Same Commitment Twice ‘Govt has played delay games’: CJP announces march from India Gate to Delhi Police HQ on Sept 5 HasanAbi vs xQc and Asmongold: Hasanabi calls streamers “worm-like” over Charlie Kirk song controversy How to strengthen the Sun (Surya) without fear-based remedies ‘Free water parks for kids’: Saurabh Bharadwaj takes dig at Rekha Gupta govt over Delhi waterlogging Doja Cat steps in to support Nitro Camden after his shocking viral moment with his mom Dipke asked the state education ministers to publicly disclose details on infrastructure, teacher vacancies, funding, digital facilities and the workload of teaching staff. NEW DELHI: Abhijeet Dipke, founder and convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has demanded transparency on government school funding, infrastructure and staffing. Addressing an open letter to the education ministers across states, he said citizens have a right to know what steps are being taken to improve public education.He posed six questions to the ministers regarding the condition and facilities inside the government schools. He also asked them to publicly disclose details on infrastructure, teacher vacancies, funding, digital facilities and the workload of teaching staff.Dipke posted a letter on his X account with the caption, “Letter to the Education Ministers of all states. The country needs to know what steps are being taken to improve government schools.”He asked the ministry to disclose spending on government schools and the number of additional schools required to provide children with reasonable access to quality education.The six questions raised by Dipke are:School renovations: How many government schools in the state have been renovated in the last five years, and how many currently require repairs or complete renovation?Teacher vacancies: How many teaching positions are currently sanctioned, how many are filled, and how many remain vacant?School funding: How much money has been allocated for government schools in the last five years, and how much of it has actually been spent?Need for more schools: How many additional government schools are required to ensure that every child has reasonable access to quality education?Non-teaching duties: Apart from teaching, what non-teaching duties and responsibilities are assigned to government school teachers?Basic and digital facilities: How many government schools currently have adequate access to computers and digital learning facilities, clean and functional toilets, and proper sports facilities and equipment for children?Dipke’s questions came against the backdrop of concerns over basic facilities in government schools. In his letter, he said children in many government schools still lack access to safe drinking water, functional washrooms and proper classrooms, while some reportedly do not even have basic benches to sit on.”The visuals emerging from government schools and circulating on social media should make all of us deeply concerned. No child in this country should be forced to study in such conditions. They are being treated worse than animals,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe argued that improving public education should be treated as an urgent priority and called for schools to be improved “on a war footing”. At the same time, he said the public should first be given a clear picture of the existing situation.Dipke stressed that his questions were not aimed at any particular political party or government.”This is not about politics or any one government. This is about the future of our children,” he said, adding that every child deserves “a safe classroom, clean drinking water, a functional washroom, a bench to sit on, and a teacher to teach them.”He urged the ministry to make the requested information public and take urgent measures to ensure that inadequate infrastructure does not deny children access to dignified education.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell5 Morning lessons Sadhguru wants children to learn: From waking up with a smile to practising yoga, taking responsibility and more5 Plants to grow now for beautiful blooms through fallBigg Boss Tamil: From Bindu Madhavi to Divya Ganesh; a look at wildcard entries across all seasons123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Dhruv shines like a jewel in Colombo; makes the opportunity(ies) count Study showing when LLM acceleration helps, and when it backfires, wins Best Paper at INCECT 2026 Salman Khan praised ‘Batwara 1947’ and Sunny Deol, says Karan Deol At 14, he left his home in Bihar with just ₹1,000 and an old laptop: Six years later, Adarsh Kumar won a scholarship from Georgetown University worth ₹3.5 crore Daily Nadi Horoscope for Gemini (25th August 2026): Don’t discuss sensitive financial information in casual conversations ‘Insult to 4cr people of Telangana’: CM Revanth Reddy flays Centre over US visit block US professor faces possible termination after ‘word salad’ remark during faculty meeting sparks discrimination probe | World News Former union minister P Chidambaram opposes the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework. Photo credit: ANI NEW DELHI: Former union minister P Chidambaram has opposed the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework before a joint parliamentary committee, calling the initiative “unconstitutional”, “monstrous” and “mindless”.Chidambaram, who appeared before the panel examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, argued that synchronising Lok Sabha and state assembly elections could violate the constitutional framework governing elected legislatures.Sources, quoted by news agency PTI, said the former home and finance minister told the panel that since legislatures are elected for five-year terms, curtailing their tenure would amount to a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution.Chidambaram also said his conscience did not allow him to support the proposed legislation and argued that the government does not have the required two-thirds majority to pass the bills, sources told PTI.The Congress leader described the proposal to hold nationwide elections simultaneously as a “mindless” exercise and strongly opposed the government’s push for simultaneous polls.Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sagarika Ghosh, who is also a member of the committee, separately opposed the bills. Ghosh said the proposal could give “unbridled” power to the Election Commission, sources said.The joint committee, headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, also heard representations from around 10 Padma awardees, including Tarlochan Singh, Navin Khanna, Meenakshi Jain and Niru Kumar. While some supported simultaneous elections, others opposed the proposal, warning that it could lead to “chaos” in the country.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe two bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 and subsequently referred to the joint committee for detailed examination.The proposal followed recommendations from a high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, which suggested holding Lok Sabha, state assembly and local body elections simultaneously in a phased manner. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also a member of the panel.India had earlier held Lok Sabha and state assembly elections together from 1951-52 through 1967. The cycle was disrupted after premature dissolutions of some state assemblies in 1968 and 1969, followed by the early dissolution of the Fourth Lok Sabha in 1970 and fresh general elections in 1971.Since then, staggered election cycles have become the norm, with several Lok Sabha and state assembly terms ending before their full five-year tenure.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. 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