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: As part of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's 'Shandaar Chaar Saal Bhagwant Mann De Naal' series, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann presented a comprehensive report card highlighting his government's performance across key sectors, positioning it as a decisive shift towards transparent, accountable and people-centric governance. Setting a new benchmark in public employment and governance, Bhagwant Mann's government has delivered a record 65,264 government jobs in just four years, the highest ever in Punjab's history, while extending a 5-year age relaxation to compensate for the lost opportunities caused by previous regimes. Backed by transparent recruitment across key sectors, including education, police, power, health and local bodies, the Bhagwant Mann government has positioned itself as a clean break from past practices of favouritism, asserting that jobs are now being given to common citizens without bribes or recommendations. At the same time, the rapid expansion of Digital Punjab, with 30 lakh monthly footfall at Sewa Kendras and over 8.20 crore services delivered, underscores a broader push towards transparent governance, skill development and systemic reform aimed at reshaping Punjab's future. Presenting the report card of various departments, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Punjab is emerging as a new digital hub which has brought transparency in its functioning, thereby opening new vistas of government jobs and opportunities for the youth." The Chief Minister highlighted that for the first time in Punjab's history, 65,264 government jobs have been provided within four years, adding, "In Education departments 6,308 jobs have been given, in Punjab Police 12,966 jobs, in Power Department 8,765 jobs, in Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education 6,320 jobs, 5771 in Local Government Department and others." He added, "This has checked the brain drain from the state and youth from every village, town, and city in Punjab have benefited by getting jobs." Emphasising transparency in recruitment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "All jobs were given purely on merit and eligibility, without any bribery or favouritism. No paper leaks occurred, and no recruitment was challenged in court." He further stated, "Several candidates secured jobs multiple times across departments, and many of them even returned from abroad to take these jobs." He noted that earlier recruitment processes were delayed in courts, often causing candidates to cross the age limit, adding, "Now, youth prefer preparing for government jobs instead of going to IELTS centres." Contrasting the present governance model with earlier regimes, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Previous governments favoured their own families instead of common people, but the state government has worked for the well being for all, due to which around seven lakh have got jobs even in private companies." He added, "The Hunar Vikas Mission has been started under which five Multi-Skill Development Centres have been established in Amritsar, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana." He further stated, "In these centres 1.25 lakh youth have been trained, out of which 73,250 have been placed," adding that MoUs have been signed with companies like Microsoft and IBM for training in AI, cybersecurity and cloud technologies. Detailing employment initiatives, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "1,799 self-employment camps helped 1,99,000 youth get loans for starting businesses, and 6,724 placement camps and job fairs helped lakhs of youth to secure employment." He added, "Modernisation of 11 training centres and establishment of three new ones has taken place," and further stated, "36,342 youth have been trained for Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces, out of which 5,509 have been recruited." Highlighting defence training institutes, he said, "Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute has trained 218 boys, out of which 106 joined NDA and academies, and 85 became commissioned officers, while Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute trained 199 girls, of whom 24 became commissioned officers. A new institute in Hoshiarpur will be started soon." Underscoring digital governance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Punjab is moving towards becoming a Digital Punjab as 544 Sewa Kendras are providing over 465 services." He added, "Around 30 lakh people benefit monthly from these centres, meaning one lakh people are getting benefits daily, and 82 million digital services have been delivered so far." He further stated, "Certificates such as birth, death and marriage are sent via SMS and WhatsApp, and over one crore certificates have been delivered digitally." He noted that the pendency rate has been drastically reduced, adding, "It has come down from 14% to just 0.52%." Highlighting citizen-centric initiatives, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "The Bhagwant Mann Tuhade Dwar Scheme was launched in December 2023 from Ludhiana, under which citizens can avail 437 services from home via 1076 helpline." He added, "This scheme is especially helpful for the elderly and those unable to visit offices and 2.66 lakh people have benefited so far." On disaster relief reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Punjab has introduced the first-of-its-kind Digital Flood Compensation System in the country." He added, "Compensation has been distributed digitally in 3,700 villages, ensuring transparency and eliminating wrongful claims." Talking about land reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Easy Registry has eliminated corruption in Tehsil offices and over six lakh documents have been registered since July 2025." He added, "The middleman system has been removed, and registration can now be done online with a single click." He further stated, "Sub-Registrar can raise objections within 48 hours and higher authorities can review them, while people can register property from any Sub-Registrar office in the district and receive real-time updates via WhatsApp." He added, "Complaint options for bribery and 'Draft My Deed' feature have also been provided." Highlighting transport reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Faceless RTO Services have been introduced in Punjab, marking a major digital transformation." He added, "Now there is no need to visit RTO offices as 56 services, including license and RC, have been made fully faceless and are available via 1076 and Sewa Kendras, benefiting 25,236 people so far." Reiterating the government's anti-corruption stance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "The state government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, and Anti-Corruption Action Line was launched on March 23, 2022." He added, "12,218 complaints were received, of which 10,820 were sent to departments and 1,398 to the Vigilance Bureau." He further stated, "275 FIRs have been registered and 341 accused arrested, including 16 gazetted officers, 161 government employees, 88 police personnel and 77 civilians." He added, "The Vigilance Bureau has conducted 487 raids and registered 534 cases against 1,215 accused." Giving further details, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Investigations are underway against 357 individuals including 112 gazetted officers, 162 government employees and 83 private individuals." He added, "143 cases have resulted in convictions and several officials have been dismissed from service." He asserted, "This is only a report card of four years and work for public welfare will continue in the coming time too." Responding to a query, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "It is a paradoxical situation that Nehru is responsible for everything bad that has taken place in the country, Arvind Kejriwal for Delhi and I for Punjab and Chandigarh." He added, "BJP is running away from its responsibility by shifting this onus to political rivals, whereas from ₹15 lakh promise to MSP, nothing has been delivered." He asserted, "BJP should not evade responsibility by playing word games and using stooges to target opponents." On farmer welfare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "The government is exploring the feasibility of putting high tension wires passing through farmers' land underground." He added, "This ambitious scheme will be implemented soon to benefit farmers and reduce risks to crops." He further stated, "The project will begin from my native village where 413 tube wells and 1,100 electricity poles exist across 2,000 acres, and work to shift them underground will start soon." On the upcoming legislative agenda, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "A special Assembly session has been convened on the occasion of Vaisakhi to amend the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008." He added, "Anyone attempting sacrilege will face strict punishment ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment." He noted that consultations are underway with Sant Samaj and legal experts regarding the proposed amendments. Addressing concerns of Aarthiyas, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Aarthiyas are welcome to do business in Haryana, but their issues can only be resolved by the Centre." He added, "I have raised their genuine demands multiple times before the Government of India, but no attention has been paid." He reiterated, "The state government is fully committed to ensuring smooth and hassle-free wheat procurement with all arrangements already in place." Cabinet Minister Aman Arora and others were also present on the occasion.
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 19 (ANI): With the Maharashtra elections approaching, wrestler and Congress MLA from Haryana's Julana, Vinesh Phogat, held a roadshow in Pune to support Congress candidate Datta Bahirat from the Shivajinagar Assembly constituency. She urged voters to ensure a victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticising the Mahayuti government for "injustice" by toppling the government elected by the people. "Everything is going well... If people shower their blessings on us on the 20th, we will win with a bigger margin this time. I appeal to voters to respond to ...Read More >
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
The Cure SMA Foundation of India has praised the government’s recent efforts to address rare diseases, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), with over Rs 900 crore allocated for treatment procurement. The foundation urges swift action to implement the procurement process within 45 days, following the Delhi High Court’s directive. SMA, a life-threatening genetic disease, has limited treatment access in India. While the drug Risdiplam has brought hope, collaborative efforts are needed to ensure wider availability. Experts stress the importance of a holistic approach to SMA care, citing Kerala ...Read More >
Small-cap Stock: Krystal Integrated Services Limited (Krystal) share price rose 5 per cent to ₹779.3 on Tuesday, November 26 after the company announced receiving a ₹106.3 crore contract from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The contract, valued at ₹1,062.99 million ( ₹106.3 crore), covers three years and involves providing comprehensive attendant manpower services to BMC's Education and Security Departments. This initiative is aimed at improving public sector operational efficiency in Mumbai. Small-cap stock Krystal Integrated Services share was trading in the green, up 3.07 pe ...Read More >
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday instructed officials to formulate proposals for constructing an iconic Deep-Technology building in the capital city of Amaravati. "I had built Hi-Tech City structure in Hyderabad to promote information technology. Now, it is time to embrace Deep-Tech and Artificial Intelligence to take advantage of the opportunities arising out of the latest technology," he underlined while reviewing the New IT Policy at the state secretariat. The Chief Minister announced that the state government will provide Rs 25 lakh as seed fundin ...Read More >
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, citing concerns over the legitimacy of election results. Ranjan raised doubts about the EVM's accuracy, suggesting that the results may be influenced and advocating for a ballot paper system like many other countries. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed similar sentiments, accusing EVMs of wasting votes from marginalized communities. This comes after the Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed a petition seeking th ...Read More >
From hospitals to exams, people's distrust of public institutions is growing because of past mistakes and broken promises In Prayagraj, student protests outside the UPPSC office slowed down after the government agreed to hold the provincial civil services exam on a single day. The decision to split the exam across two days was not a big issue in itself -- officials explained it was because there were so many applicants. This is a common practice both in India and around the world. However, what really upset students was the intense competition for government jobs, which are hard to get, along ...Read More >
The Indian government launched the Rs. 1,435 crore PAN 2.0 project. Announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the project aims to establish the PAN number as a common business identifier across all government digital systems. PAN 2.0 Project Launch The Rs. 1,435 crore PAN 2.0 the project aims to establish the PAN number as a common business identifier across all government digital systems. CCEA Approval The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the project under the Income Tax Department. As per Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaish ...Read More >
Mumbai Indians (MI) made strategic moves in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, securing New Zealand pacer Trent Boult for ₹12.50 crore. MI owner Akash Ambani praised Boult’s invaluable skill in swinging the new ball, acknowledging the team’s struggles when he wasn’t playing for them in recent years. The franchise also acquired England’s Reece Topley for ₹75 lakh and New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner for ₹2 crore. MI further strengthened their spin department by signing young Afghan talent Allah Ghazanfar for ₹4.80 crore, who has impressed with his performances in international cricket. ...Read More >
Hit by economic slowdown and poor infrastructure, industrialists from Jharkhand's key industrial districts -- East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Seraikela-Kharsawan -- are looking to the newly formed state government for revival and support. The industrial zones of Adityapur, Gamharia, Kandra, and Chandil have been grappling with inadequate infrastructure, including poorly maintained roads, lack of bridges, erratic water supply, and unreliable power. Entrepreneurs in these regions hope the new administration will address these issues and work toward improving the state's industrial ecosystem ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and in-charge of the party's National IT Department, Amit Malviya, on Monday, criticised the Congress party's 'hypocrisy' over their stance on the Adani Group, pointing to past investments and agreements made with the corporate conglomerate by Congress-ruled states. Taking to social media platform X, Malviya referenced Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent "public admission of accepting money" from the Adani Group on November 10, 2024, pointing out that this acknowledgment contradicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party MP K Laxman slammed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress party of 'misleading' people. He further said that the people of Maharashtra know "how to teach a lesson" to Congress. "Revanth Reddy as a CM of Telangana and as a Congress leader is misleading the public. Maharashtra people are clever enough they know how to teach a lesson to these Congress people and Revanth Reddy you will come to know what has happened in Haryana that is going to be repeated in Maharashtra, and Jharkhand also," K Laxman ...Read More >
Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the third edition of Nayi Chetna - Pahal Badlaav Ki, a national campaign against gender-based violence, at Rang Bhawan Auditorium, New Delhi yesterday. Delivering his address, Shri Chouhan stated that the Government has taken a slew of initiatives for women's economic and social development. He stressed that gender-based violence is not an issue that persists in rural areas, but in urban areas as well. He said with the presence of Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurn ...Read More >
Bigg Boss 18: Shilpa Shirodkar is termed 'biggest backstabber' after Vivian Dsena... Deepak Kalal fights with passenger in flight? Know the truth behind viral video Delhi court fixes Nov 28 for hearing former CM Arvind Kejriwal's plea over sanction copy in... Where will the Champions Trophy 2025 be played? ICC to take final call on THIS date Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan recalls telling Amitabh Bachchan he made 'big mistake' by... Deepinder Goyal's Zomato opens Rs 8500 crore QIP share sale, sets floor price at Rs... Delhi Capitals co-owner pens emotional fare ...Read More >
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is now gearing up for a national protest after losing Maharashtra state elections. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which suffered a crushing defeat in last week's Maharashtra state elections, is now gearing up for a national protest against the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which it blames for its loss. The MVA, led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (led by Sharad Pawar), is planning to challenge the use of EVMs in court and demand a return to ballot paper voting. Fo ...Read More >
Infosys has announced an average 85% performance bonus for eligible employees in Q2 FY25, reflecting its strong financial performance. The bonus, paid to mid- and junior-level staff, will be credited with the November salaries, with individual payouts varying based on performance. This follows Infosys' impressive 4.7% rise in Q2 net profit and a revenue increase of 5.1%, leading to an upward revision of its FY25 revenue guidance. The bonus payout surpasses the previous quarter's 80%, with Infosys outpacing rivals like TCS. Employees are also awaiting salary hikes, with revisions expected from ...Read More >
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, has accused two top AAP leaders of backing separate candidates for the Barnala assembly bypoll on November 20. Bajwa claimed that while one leader is supporting the official AAP candidate, the other is backing a rebel candidate. He urged the public to reject both and vote for the Congress candidate. Bajwa also took a jibe at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, suggesting he could become Punjab's "Eknath Shinde" after reportedly being in contact with the Union Home Ministry through a Punjab-based Union minister. ...Read More >
During Tuesday's trading session, the shares of a global leader in glass-lined equipment surged nearly 3 percent to Rs. 1,247.5 on BSE, after a foreign portfolio investor (FPI) bought shares worth a total of around Rs. 167.4 crores in the company via a bulk deal. With a market capitalisation of Rs. 5,524 crores, at 02:19 p.m., the shares of GMM Pfaudler Limited were trading in the green at Rs. 1,228.7, up by nearly 1.4 percent, as compared to its previous closing price of Rs. 1,211.3. As per the latest block deal available with the NSE, foreign portfolio investor Amansa Holdings Private Limi ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the government at the Centre has strengthened the spirit of the Constitution over the last 10 years. Addressing the Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, PM Modi highlighted that in the last 10 years, more than 53 crore bank accounts were opened, more than 4 crore pukka houses were given and more than 10 crore free gas connections were given. "In the last 5-6 years, by providing tap water facilities in more than 12 crore houses, the government made the lives of citizens easy, particularly of women," he sai ...Read More >
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, campaigning to invite global investors to the Global Investors Summit to be held in Bhopal in February 2025, addressed an interactive session with industrialists during a roadshow in London, UK, on Tuesday. Yadav praised the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the rapid industrial development seen across India. Inviting the industrialists to invest in Madhya Pradesh, he highlighted that the state possesses one of the largest land banks in the country. Madhya Pradesh has transparent and investor-friendly policies and is a leader in the mining and ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Singles, Doubles, and the Team Championship - the 18-year-old Chennai girl, the daughter of an auto driver from Kasimedu, left nothing for competitors from around the world at the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup held in the US which Team India swept. The Women's Singles final was a hard-fought contest, where the 18-year-old M Khazima kept her nerves to defeat 12-time national and multiple World Cup winner Rashmi Kumari from Bihar. With this victory, Khazima became the youngest Carrom World Champion. Khazima, whose father Mehaboob Basha is an auto driver from Kasimedu, had been ...Read More >
Campaigning for the November 20 assembly bypolls to four seats in Punjab ended on Monday evening with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party making last-ditch efforts to mobilise support for their respective candidates. Hours before the campaign ended at 6 pm, major political outfits intensified their efforts to woo the voters. Bypolls to four assembly segments -- Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala -- will be held on November 20 from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be out on November 23. The bypolls were necessitated afte ...Read More >
A crucial meeting of Manipur's National Democratic Alliance, chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, saw significant absences, with only 27 out of 45 MLAs attending. The meeting, convened amidst rising ethnic violence, resulted in a seven-point resolution demanding immediate action on issues like the reimposition of AFSPA and mass operations against Kuki militants. Tensions within the ruling coalition were evident, as several lawmakers, including a cabinet minister, skipped the meeting without explanation. The resolution included a threat of political consequences if decisions were not implem ...Read More >
HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IBSAT 2024, the proctored online aptitude test conducted by The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, is MBA aspirants' gateway to premier MBA, PGPM offered at nine ICFAI Business School (IBS) campuses. With applications closing in the third week of December, this is the perfect time for the candidates to secure their future with IBS and explore its Rs. 10 crore scholarship program. IBSAT is designed to reduce the stress on aspirants unlike CAT, XAT as the test does not have negative markings or sectional time limits, allowing candidates to foc ...Read More >
Delhi Capitals made a strong impression at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, assembling a well-balanced squad for the upcoming season. Key signings included former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis (Rs 2 crore), India pacer Mukesh Kumar (Rs 8 crore - RTM), and Sri Lankan bowler Dushmantha Chameera (Rs 75 lakh). The team also secured uncapped talents like Donovan Ferreira and Ajay Mandal. Co-owner Parth Jindal hailed the squad as “balanced,” while head coach Hemang Badani expressed confidence in their Indian core. Delhi Capitals’ full squad now includes big names like KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc, and T ...Read More >
Major blast outside Badshah's nightclub in Chandigarh, glass window shatters; no casualty Amid linkup rumours with Abhishek Bachchan, Nimrat Kaur says 'that spotlight belonged to you': 'Main ta bahut lucky..' 'One Nation One Subscription': Centre's scheme to ensure access to research articles, journals EXPLAINED Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 26, 2024: Check winning numbers here Meet woman who has become the youngest to travel all 195 countries, she is from... Kerala lottery TODAY November 26 Live Sthree Sakthi SS 443 Tuesday, check winning ticket, prize money here The Matrix villa ...Read More >
Defying pollsters, exit polls, and predictions, the BJP scored a hat trick in Haryana, albeit with a narrow lead in the recent Assembly election. It formed a government on its own sans any ally, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assumed office for a second consecutive term with relative ease. But the euphoria did not last long. In the first Assembly session convened after the new government took over, the opposition, led by the Congress and the electorally diminished Indian National Lok Dal, attacked the government on the issue of fertilizer shortages in the sowing season. The government d ...Read More >
Two men, including the victim's cousin, have been arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 14-year-old tribal girl in Palghar district, Maharashtra Two men have been arrested for gangraping a 14-year-old tribal student in Palghar district. The case was initially registered under Zero FIR at Mandvi police station in Virar East and later it was transferred to Manor police station on Monday. One of the accused is the victim's cousin, a senior officer in the Palghar police stated. He added, "The incident occurred in October when the minor girl, a Class VIII student, and her 21-year-old cousin return ...Read More >