Haryana farmers elated as premium basmati rates cross ₹5k/quintal in mandis

Haryana’s premium basmati prices have topped ₹5,000 per quintal during harvest, with Pusa 1121 reaching ₹5,500 in Matlauda and growers earning an estimated ₹20,000–₹30,000 more per acre than routine rates. Traders link the surge to stronger export demand and international prices; last year, rates were ₹3,500–₹4,600. Basmati is export-oriented and largely sold outside government procurement.

Modi remark: Vij slams Kharge

Haryana Minister Anil Vij and BJP chief Archana Gupta condemned Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks at a Patna rally, calling them an insult to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vij warned a proposed November 1 Delhi rally could threaten law and order, while Gupta joined a protest in Rohtak. Vij urged Congress to respect national culture.

Jind: 3 revenue officials booked for recording land mutation

Three revenue officials, including former naib tehsildar Ranbir, were booked for alleged forgery and cheating after recording a land mutation despite a commissioner’s court stay in Jind district, police said. The three-acre parcel was allegedly transferred to Badal Singh on July 9, 2025, during litigation over a 33-acre holding; an inquiry led to the FIR.

I would like to come in and put a structure in place: Mahesh Bhupathi

Mahesh Bhupathi will contest the All India Tennis Association’s November 7 Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit elections for federation posts, aiming to build player-development programmes across 10–15 states. He says Sports Ministry funding could produce top-100 players, though progress may take 10–15 years. His bid comes amid Indian tennis’s decline, including a 40-year Asian Games medal drought.

Purnekar’s family claim husband of ex-mayor was with accused before murder

Pradeep Purnekar’s family released footage they say shows Rajendra Shinde with three accused shortly before the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader’s September 29 murder, threatening a protest at Eknath Shinde’s residence unless Rajendra and Meenakshi Shinde are arrested within 24 hours. Five were arrested; the couple questioned. The family alleges a political conspiracy, while police did not respond.

Paddy arrivals from UP: Another FIR registered in Karnal

Karnal police have filed another FIR over suspected illegal paddy arrivals from Uttar Pradesh, alleging Haryana Meri Fasal Mera Byora details may have been misused for e-procurement. Three tractor-trolleys reportedly entered Gharaunda’s grain market without gate passes; investigators will examine records and CCTV. The case follows a similar FIR registered Sunday in Indri, and allegations remain unproven.

AAP leader criticises Jhakhar over remarks on drug menace

AAP challenged former Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar to explain his record on drugs under Congress Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, accusing him of staying silent then but now lecturing Punjabis. Media in-charge Baltej Pannu cited the Neha Shori murder case and Rajjit Singh controversy while backing Bhagwant Mann’s anti-drug campaign. Jakhar joined the BJP in 2022.

Mumbai redevelopment: Maharashtra bars society committee members, relatives from becoming developers

Maharashtra has barred housing society committee members, office-bearers and their relatives from serving as developers in their society’s redevelopment, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest and improve transparency. Revised guidelines under Section 79A also require 51% member approval, competitive bids and project completion within two years, extendable to three in exceptional cases. The rules govern cooperative society redevelopment.

Jhota protest case: Open part of key road, says beopar mandal to protesters

Mansa traders urge protesters seeking justice for slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh alias Jhota to reopen one lane of the main road, saying the blockade hurts businesses and commuters. Supporting the campaign, they cite hospital noise. Protesters say Jhota’s funeral awaits demands, including officials’ resignations, and dispute claims they were met. He was shot exposing illegal drug sales.

Maha forms study group to prepare MMR water security plan till 2051

Maharashtra has appointed a group led by retired water resources secretary Sanjay Belsare to prepare a climate-resilient water plan for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region through 2051, with a report due in three months. It will forecast demand, assess supply gaps and alternatives, and recommend projects and funding, as urbanisation, industrial growth and climate change intensify pressure.

NIA takes over Sangrur BJP office attack probe

The National Investigation Agency has taken over the probe into the July 26 petrol-bomb attack on Sangrur’s BJP office, citing wider international ramifications, and inspected the scene Monday after police transferred records. Four suspects have been arrested; investigators say two attackers acted for a foreign-based handler. The NIA is probing blasts in Chandigarh and Jalandhar.

Norway visit: SGPC jathedar urges local Sikhs to strengthen religious values

During a Norway visit, Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj urged Sikhs to unite, preserve Sikh values and strengthen children’s religious upbringing, while addressing school harassment over kes through dialogue with education authorities. He advocated adherence to Panth-approved rehat maryada, Sikh marriages and constructive social-media use, recalling Baba Buddha’s service to six Gurus.

Red tape stalls Punjab’s ₹35-cr forest mapping project

Punjab’s ₹35-crore forest-boundary mapping project remains stalled by pending memorandum-of-understanding formalities, months after in-principle approval, delaying a three-year effort covering nearly 5,818 sq km. The revised plan combines LiDAR, drone surveys, satellite imagery and ground verification to detect boundary discrepancies and encroachments, as thousands of hectares remain encroached. First approved in 2024, the project was initially budgeted at ₹21 crore.

16 pistols recovered: 2 juveniles among four held as arms supply modules busted

Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantled two illegal arms networks, arresting four individuals, including two juveniles, and seizing 16 pistols and seven live cartridges. DGP Gaurav Yadav said suspects allegedly received consignments from a foreign-based handler and supplied weapons to criminal elements. Two cases followed intelligence-led operations; investigations continue tracing backward and forward links across both networks.

Modi’s key aide Patil to steer BJP’s Punjab poll campaign

BJP has appointed Union minister Chandrakant Raghunath Patil, a trusted Narendra Modi aide and seasoned election manager, to lead its Punjab campaign for the 2027 polls, as the party plans to contest all 117 seats alone. Already directing surveys, candidate selection and media strategy, he aims to rebuild after BJP’s two-seat showing in 2022.

Govt has accepted all legitimate demands of Jhota’s family: Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the government accepted all legitimate demands from Jhota’s family and justice committee, leaving them to decide when to hold his last rites. His body remains at Mansa hospital pending post-mortem consent, while the CBI investigates the murder. Mann made the announcement while launching 100 minibuses to improve rural connectivity.

2021 Thane fake currency case: Doctor, 2 businessmen tell NIA court ‘D-Company aide Javed Chikna’ threatened them over WhatsApp

Three witnesses told a special NIA court fugitive gangster Javed “Chikna” Patel contacted them on WhatsApp, while businessman Firoz Shaikh said he was threatened with death over extortion demands. Investigators traced calls to Pakistan, bolstering allegations that Chikna directed a D-Company-linked counterfeit-currency racket. The case began after Thane police seized 149 fake ₹2,000 notes in 2021.

Champions Trophy starts today: Hockey heartland Jalandhar gears up to welcome Asian stars

Punjab welcomes international hockey back after 17 years as the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy begins Tuesday in Jalandhar, before knockout matches shift to Mohali. Six teams, including India, compete October 27–November 5, with free entry. Eight Punjab players feature, while injured star Manpreet Singh misses out. The return celebrates Punjab’s hockey heritage and its Olympians.

SIT to probe Jarange-Patil’s audio clips, ₹500-crore bribe allegations

Mumbai police formed a three-member Special Investigation Team to examine recordings alleging ₹500 crore was paid to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil before the 2024 election, with investigators tasked to verify the clips, identify voices and trace transactions. Jarange calls them genuine, while the BJP alleges AI fabrication; the controversy has exposed tensions within ruling alliance.

Fall in line or face music: High command to Punjab Cong leaders

Congress leaders warned Punjab’s faction-ridden unit to end infighting or face discipline ahead of the 2027 election, with Rahul Gandhi set to launch the campaign in Sangrur on November 4. The party will contest without a chief-ministerial candidate and target 100,000 rallygoers, blaming AAP for governance failures amid persistent party infighting and recent leadership changes.

Water outage a ploy to garner support for desalination plant, say Gorai residents

Gorai, Madh, Manori and Uttan residents accuse Mumbai’s civic body of withholding water to pressure them over a proposed Manori desalination plant; they report four-day outages affecting 25,000 people. The BMC denies a planned 50% local cut, citing a citywide 10% reduction and possible distribution problems. A rights group seeks inquiry; residents consider legal action.

As row over hacking trees for hydro project escalates, CM calls for SOP on localised afforestation

Protests intensified in Karjat over clearance to fell 32,000-plus trees for Torrent Power’s 3,000-megawatt hydroelectric project, with Aaditya Thackeray demanding disclosure of alternative sites and Sayaji Shinde urging statewide opposition. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an SOP requiring compensatory planting near felled trees and transparent afforestation audits. The controversy erupted after videos showed large-scale tree-felling.

SUV-borne assailants shoot 2 dead in Moga

Two cousins were killed and three others injured in a Sunday evening shooting in Moga. Police arrested five people after a family complaint, but the suspected gunmen remain at large. Investigators suspect old enmity and are pursuing leads. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann vowed exemplary punishment, as Opposition parties criticized the AAP government over law and order.

Students to get two attempts at all state CETs from this year

Students taking Maharashtra’s Common Entrance Tests will get two attempts across all 19 examinations from this academic year, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil announced, extending a facility previously limited to engineering and MBA/MMS. The extra sitting lets candidates improve scores. The state is considering higher Class 12 eligibility marks and preparing standardized procedures for all CETs.

Shelar proposes weekly bar on construction to curb air pollution

Mumbai guardian minister Ashish Shelar urged the BMC to halt construction and demolition one day weekly and adopt a city-specific pollution response plan, warning winter air quality could worsen. Proposals include road washing, anti-smog equipment, stricter vehicle checks and public complaint channels. Despite PM10 falling 48% since 2017-18, he says stronger action is needed.

State Wildlife Board clears proposal to grant 136 ha in tiger corridor for Adani Power project

Maharashtra’s State Board for Wildlife recommended an Adani Power transmission line through a tiger corridor, requiring 136 hectares of forest and felling 5,152 trees, amid protests over Karjat tree felling. The 400-kV line is intended to deliver 1,600 MW to the state; Adani must pay Rs 4.47 crore for mitigation. The Board approved conservation measures.

Eight farmers died by suicide a day from Jan 2022 to June 2026 in Maharashtra: RTI

More than eight farmers died by suicide daily in Maharashtra from January 2022 to June 2026, with 13,128 deaths recorded, official RTI data show. Of these, 8,145 families qualified for ₹1 lakh compensation, but 295 eligible households still await payment; 4,042 applications were rejected and 941 remain under review. Activist Ghadge sought doubled aid and targeted reforms amid drought.

A century-old anthem for a 70-year-old state

“Jaya He Karnataka Maate,” Kuvempu’s song, remains central to Kannada Rajyotsava despite disputes over its lyrics and tune. Written in 1924, it placed Kannada identity within India; Mysore Ananthaswamy popularized a shortened setting in 1960. Karnataka adopted it as its anthem in 2003, and the High Court upheld Ananthaswamy’s tune in 2024, following 1956 unification.

Ludhiana: Industry body urges state govt to clear pending GST, VAT refunds

Punjab’s industry groups urged Bhagwant Mann to clear overdue GST and VAT refunds, warning delays are draining MSME working capital. Firms struggle to buy raw materials and meet costs, while Ludhiana bicycle makers say GST refunds stuck for eight to 10 months threaten salaries. They seek time-bound clearance; pre-GST VAT claims have gone unpaid for years.

Two Mathura men nabbed for killing sister over inter-faith marriage

Mathura police arrested two brothers accused of strangling their sister over her inter-faith marriage after an exhumed-body postmortem contradicted the family’s claim that she died by electrocution. Her husband, who filed a murder complaint in Rajasthan, grew suspicious after relatives summoned her to Mathura and later reported her death. Police are searching for other suspects.