India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Chandigarh, July 17 (UNI) In a significant move aimed at curbing child exploitation and human trafficking, the Punjab government has issued strict instructions to all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across the state to conduct DNA tests on children found begging, especially those accompanied by adults. The directive was confirmed by Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, who emphasized the state's responsibility to protect vulnerable children and ensure their rehabilitation through institutional support. "If such acts are happening even in a progressive state like Punjab, it becomes our moral and administrative duty to intervene," said Dr. Kaur, highlighting the gravity of the issue. According to Dr. Kaur, the government has decided that any minor found begging on the streets, especially with an adult, will undergo a DNA test to verify the relationship between the child and the accompanying individual. DNA tests will be conducted to establish whether the child is biologically related to the accompanying adult. Until the DNA results are confirmed, children will be placed under the care of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and shifted to child care institutions (bal ghar). Adults claiming to be parents will be temporarily allowed to contact, but kept under scrutiny. In cases where the DNA test fails to confirm parentage, legal action will be initiated. This may include imprisonment of individuals found to be exploiting children for begging. Dr. Kaur clarified that these steps are not only meant to rescue children from exploitative environments but also to redirect them toward education and mainstream society. "We are taking this initiative with utmost seriousness. Our goal is to remove children from street begging entirely and bring them into the school system," she added. This initiative is part of the Punjab government's broader efforts to clamp down on organized begging rackets and human trafficking rings that often use children as pawns. The move also aligns with national child protection mandates under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. Dr. Kaur further stated that any resistance or obstruction in the process of identifying and rescuing such children would be dealt with strictly under the law. The government's action comes amid growing concerns about the use of children for illegal activities under the guise of poverty, and is being hailed by child rights groups as a landmark decision in child welfare enforcement.
Nagpur: More than 260 children have found their way back home over the past 16 months thanks to Operation Nanhe Farishte, an initiative run by Railway Protection Force (RPF) under the Central Railway's Nagpur division. The initiative focuses on spotting and saving children who've run away, been trafficked, gone missing, or been abandoned at railway platforms and trains.From January 2024 to April 2025, RPF teams rescued 239 children -- 116 boys and 85 girls in 2024, and 15 boys and 23 girls so far in 2025. Most had run away from home. Others were found wandering alone or had been deliberately l ...Read More >
Pune: Expressing disappointment over nearly 8,000 workers still being involved in manual scavenging, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said it was against Maharashtra's stature as a progressive state.Raising the issue of manual scavenging, BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar expressed concern for workers involved in it. "This is really a socially sensitive issue. Such an inhuman practice is still going on in the state. According to an audit of the central govt, a total of 18 workers died while cleaning septic tanks manually in the state from 2021 to 2024. We call Maharashtra a progressive state, ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Easing inflation and favourable monsoon boosted rural demand in India in the April-June period this year, outpacing urban consumption once again, according to a new report. According to the report by global research firm NielsenIQ, rural markets and small manufacturers propelled the packaged consumer goods sector in Q2 2025. Rural markets grew twice as fast as cities, as urban areas showed signs of recovery, particularly in smaller towns. According to the report, e-commerce also rose significantly, led by increased shopper penetration and spending, especia ...Read More >
According to officials, the released water is expected to reach Fazilka by Tuesday midnight or Wednesday morning, posing a threat to already flooded villages. After Harike Headworks released 1.7 lakh cusecs of water on Monday afternoon, the Fazilka district administration cautioned people living in low-lying villages along the Sutlej Creek and appealed to them to immediately move to safer locations. According to officials, the released water is expected to reach Fazilka by Tuesday midnight or W ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged five individuals, including goldy Brar, in relation to the 2024 Gurugram club bombing plot, as revealed in a recently filed chargesheet. This case involves a conspiracy to bomb two clubs, aiming to disrupt communal harmony in Haryana, with the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) implicated. The NIA's investigation highlights the severity of the plot. Those charged include satinderjit Singh (Goldy Brar), Sachin Talian, Ankit, Bhavish, and Randeep Singh. News Directory 3 provides crucial updates on sensitive cases such ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the state govt was consistently working to provide better resources to the doctors and quality healthcare services to the citizens.He mentioned that medical colleges were being established in every district.While there were only six medical colleges in 2014, the number has now increased to 15, and nine new colleges are under construction. As a result, MBBS seats in the state increased from 700 in 2014 to 2,185, at present. The state govt aims to increase the MBBS seats to over 3,400 by 2029, said Saini.The CM was addressing a ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said on Saturday that abuse of children on social media must be dealt with strictly, and offenders should not be shown any leniency. He stated that his government was prepared to take all necessary steps to ensure justice and compassion for children, not only in courts but also at police stations, child centres and at every stage of the process. Addressing the inaugural session of the State-Level Stakeholders' Consultation Meet - 2025 on Voice for the Voiceless: Rights and Protection of Children of Sexual Abuse, the chief minister said the POCSO Act ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has reaffirmed that the personal liberty of two consenting adults to marry and live together peacefully is protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. In a recent ruling, the court emphasised that family opposition cannot override this autonomy. Justice Sanjeev Narula stated that the Supreme Court has consistently upheld this principle, directing law enforcement to protect couples from threats or coercion. In this case, the court ordered police protection for a young couple who feared harassment from the woman's family. The couple had solemnised the ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharas ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who was last seen in 'The Miranda Brothers', is heaping praise on the recently released film 'Saiyaara', and its team. On Saturday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and penned a special note for the film and its makers after it witnessed a stellar opening day. He wrote, "Another melodious example of a love story shattering all myths and formulas of the industry. Honest heart wrenching love story wins again in 2025! #Saiyaara". 'Saiyaara', which stars Aneet Padda, and marks the debut of Ahaan Panday, is helmed b ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police is taking concrete steps to strengthen its Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Units (IAHTUs) by enhancing manpower and using new technology to combat human trafficking in the state. This was stated by Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania after inaugurating a state-level conference on human trafficking in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Speaking at the event attended by officers of police, labour and other departments working against human trafficking, the DGP said human trafficking is a matter of utmost concern and urgency not just for Odisha, but for the entire ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: Adilabad police arrested a couple from Maharashtra on Saturday for trafficking a minor tribal girl for Rs 10,000.A rape case has also been registered against a man in Rajasthan under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act for repeatedly sexually abusing the girl. He has not yet been arrested. The couple has been charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.Bheempur police registered a case on June 22 after the girl's family reported her missing, having failed in their attempts to trace her.You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays ...Read More >
MUMBAI - Police have arrested a 40-year-old female English teacher at a well-known Mumbai school, accusing her of sexually abusing a 16-year-old male student several times over the past year. The teacher, who is married and has children, faces charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The school has not released a statement about the incident as of this report. Investigators said the woman worked as an English teacher and taught the boy during his time ...Read More >
Patna, Aug 1 (PTI) Healthcare services were affected at AIIMS-Patna on Friday as resident doctors went on an "indefinite strike" in protest against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand. According to a press statement issued by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS-Patna, on Friday, "The RDA expresses deep disappointment and anguish over the lack of action by the administration following the violent and traumatic incident that occurred on Wednesday, when MLA Chetan Anand, his wife and their armed guards breached hospital security, physically assaulted staff, and thr ...Read More >
New Delhi: The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has announced the rollout of its first made-in-India electric vehicle - the e-Vitara SUV - in a major boost to the green segment from its upgraded Gujarat plant, which is now set to become one of the world's largest automotive manufacturing hubs with a projected annual capacity of one million units. Crucially, this facility will serve as Suzuki's global production base for electric vehicles (EVs), exporting to over 100 countries, including advanced markets in Japan and Europe, which is aligned with India's vision of becoming a global aut ...Read More >
Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday interacted with industrialists in Bengaluru, pitching Punjab as a preferred investment destination. The CM, during his interaction, said that since March 2022, Punjab has received investment proposals worth ₹1.23 lakh crore, which will generate employment for around 4.7 lakh youth. "Sectors such as food processing, textiles, auto components, hand tools, bicycles, IT, and tourism are positioning Punjab as a role model for other states. Tata's second-larg ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Dec 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) A high-level delegation of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will travel to Japan and South Korea as partners of its global engagement ahead of the Sixth Progressive Punjab Investors' Summit scheduled from March 13-15 at the ISB campus in Mohali. The delegation, comprising Minister for Industries and Commerce Sanjeev Arora and officials and Invest Punjab team, will visit Tokyo on December 2-3, Osaka on December 4-5 December and Seoul on December 8-9 to strengthen economic partnerships, interact with global companies, and extend person ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday underlined the need to deal strictly and without mercy with the culprits involved in sexual assaults on children via social media. He affirmed that the state government is fully prepared to take all necessary actions in this regard. The Chief Minister highlighted the need to combat emerging threats such as child pornography and online exploitation and stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration to ensure holistic rehabilitation and justice delivery. He was addressing the state-level conference ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jul 17 (PTI) In a move aimed at checking child trafficking and their exploitation for begging, the Punjab government directed all Deputy Commissioners (DC) to conduct DNA tests on children found begging with adults on the streets to verify their relationship, officials said on Thursday. Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Baljit Kaur issued the orders. If a child is found begging with an adult, a DNA test will be conducted to verify their family ties. Until the results are made available, the child will stay in a child care institution under the supervision of c ...Read More >
Bareilly (UP), Jul 17 (PTI) A teacher from Bahedi district, who went viral recently after reciting a poem mentioning Kanwar Yatra, approached the police on Thursday stating a threat to his life from anti-social elements. A case has been registered at Bahedi police station based on a complaint from Dr Rajneesh Kumar Gangwar, a teacher at MGM Inter College in the district. According to Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh, Gangwar's complaint says that ever since his recitation of the poem 'Tum Kanwad Lene Mat Jana, Gyaan Ka Deepak Jalaana' (You don't go get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge inste ...Read More >
NEW DELHI/BATHINDA: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday conducted searches at 22 de-addiction centres across Punjab, including in Chandigarh, Barnala and Ludhiana, after its investigation revealed illegal sale of drugs by these centres. The agency also searched a premise in Mumbai linked to the accused.Dr Amit Bansal, who runs these 22 centres, is prime accused in the case, sources said. Bansal, against whom Punjab Police has registered multiple FIRs, is alleged to be engaged in illegal sale of drugs from his de-addiction centres.Privately-run drug de-addiction centres in Punjab are ...Read More >
Chandigarh, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Signer-turned-politician and former Cabinet minister Anmol Gagan Maan, 34, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmaker from Kharar, has resigned from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and quit politics as well. She met party convenor and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal four days ago for what she described as an "in-depth discussion." Opting for social media platforms X and Facebook to announce her resignation, she wrote on Saturday in Punjabi: "My heart is heavy, but I have decided to leave politics. My resignation from the post of MLA should be accepted by the Speake ...Read More >
The Nampally criminal court has granted five days' custody of Athaluri Namratha, owner of Universal Srushti Fertility Centre, and her son Pachipala Jayanth Krishna - to the Gopalapuram police, in connection with the ongoing investigation into a baby-selling racket. Police said the two will be questioned on the nature of the racket, the scale of the operation, and the number of couples allegedly duped under the pretext of surrogacy. Namratha and her son are key accused in a wider probe into ille ...Read More >
New Delhi: Traffic in central Delhi will be affected on Thursday as the traffic police has issued an advisory due to the Janmashtami and Tazia processions.According to police, the traffic movement in Paharganj is likely to be affected from 1.30pm in view of the shobha yatra for Janmashtami and the Tazia procession.The Janmashtami procession will start from Mandir Shri Banke Bihari Ji in Paharganj's Sangatrasan Bazar and pass through Desh Bandhu Gupta Road, Chuna Mandi, Main Bazar, Munja Chowk and Arakashan Road. The Tazia procession will start from Ajmeri Gate and proceed through Pul Paharganj ...Read More >
Ajnala: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday handed over relief cheques worth Rs 5.70 crore to 631 flood victims in Amritsar district.Addressing a gathering during a function held to disburse cheques to the flood victims, Mann said on Sept 11, he had announced that after conducting girdawari (special survey), the compensation distribution would begin within 45 days. "Although the 45-day deadline ends on Oct 28, the state govt has started distributing compensation," he said.The CM said it ...Read More >
On Sunday, a significant turning point unfolded in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, as twenty-one Maoist militants laid down their arms. This dramatic surrender, part of the 'Poona Margem' program, saw the group yielding 18 weapons to local officials. Among them was a key Division Committee Secretary and a notable contingent of 13 women fighters from the Kuemari/Kiskodo Area Committee. As many as 21 Maoist cadres surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Sunday after handing over 18 weapons to autho ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a country where childhood is often idealized but rarely protected, one law stands as a beacon of hope the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Enacted in 2012, this landmark legislation was designed to shield children under 18 from sexual abuse, assault, harassment, and exploitation. More than a decade later, while its legal structure remains strong, its true impact depends not only on enforcement, but on public awareness, societal responsibility, and moral courage. Because no law, however progressive, can protect a child if society chooses to stay silent. Re ...Read More >
Kerala Lottery Result SAMRUDHI SM 12 Results Live: The first winner of today's lottery game- SAMRUDHI SM 12 lottery- takes home Rs 1 crore as a cash prize. The Kerala lottery is one of the most trusted games in the country. Kerala Lottery Result Sunday 20-07-2025: The Kerala lottery is back with another fun game- that may lead you to win Rs 1 crore! The results for today's Kerala lottery games- SAMRUDHI SM 12 Sunday- are announced. The Kerala lottery results are announced here, so people with tickets for today's game can stay in touch with this live blog. Samrudhi Lottery Series: MN, MO, MP, ...Read More >
Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 7.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.96 lakh crore in July (for sales in June), data released by the government on Friday showed. Even though the pace of growth in gross GST collections picked up to 7.5 per cent in July from 6.2 per cent, this is the second consecutive month wherein the growth rate has been in single digits and much lower after posting double-digit growth in the first two months of the ongoing financial year. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO Net GST collections, after accounting for refunds, took a hit by growing by just 1.7 per ...Read More >
Gurugram, Sep 29 ( IANS) In a strategic move to attract domestic investments, the Government of Punjab hosted its inaugural roadshow in Gurugram on Monday, setting the stage for the Progressive Punjab Investors' Summit 2026. Spearheaded by Invest Punjab, the event showcased the state's evolving industrial landscape and its investor-friendly policies. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led a high-profile delegation comprising Minister for Industries and Commerce and Investment Promotion Sanjeev Arora, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Administrative Secretary KK Yadav, Vice Chairperson PDC Seema Bansal, a ...Read More >