India

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday began discussion on the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, which seeks to ensure a dominant role for Indian Police Service officers in the top leadership of the country's paramilitary forces.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and retired CAPF officers. They argue that the Bill undermines a Supreme Court judgment delivered on May 23, 2025. In that verdict, the apex court granted Organised Group A Service status to CAPF officers and directed the government to progressively reduce IPS deputation in the forces up to the rank of Inspector General over the next two years.

The Bill aims to bring the five central forces -- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) -- under a unified administrative framework.

It provides that 50 per cent of the total posts in the rank of Inspector General, at least 67 per cent of the posts in the rank of Additional Director General, and all posts in the ranks of Special Director General and Director General in the CAPFs shall be filled by IPS officers on deputation.

Till now, such postings were governed by executive orders. The proposed legislation aims to codify these provisions into law.

The Bill was tabled in the Upper House by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

CPI(M) MP John Brittas strongly opposed the Bill, stating that it travels beyond the legislative competence of the government acting under an ordinary piece of legislation.

He added, "While Parliament is competent, it cannot by mere declaration annul operative judicial orders without genuinely addressing the legal basis."

The Chair asserted that Parliament has the legislative competence to enact the law. However, Brittas countered that Parliament cannot override a judicial order merely by declaration without properly addressing its legal foundation.

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien and other opposition members also voiced their disapproval during the proceedings.

Eight hours have been allocated for the introduction and discussion of the Bill in the Upper House. A member of an opposition party confirmed the schedule.

Retired CAPF officials have termed the Bill unjust, saying it goes against the spirit of the Supreme Court ruling that recognised the cadre strength and aspirations of officers from the forces themselves.

The government maintains that IPS leadership at senior levels is essential for better coordination between the Centre and states, especially in matters of internal security and law and order.

The discussion is expected to continue with spirited exchanges between the ruling side and the opposition.

The Bill, if passed, will have far-reaching implications for the structure and command of the Central Armed Police Forces, including the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Akashvani will begin broadcasting a new and complete six-stanza version of the national song Vande Mataram from Thursday, the government announced on Wednesday, marking a significant shift from the long-followed two-stanza rendition.

Officials said that in addition to the primary version, the full six-stanza composition is also being recorded in multiple regional formats to reflect India's diverse musical traditions.

Since Independence, it has been customary for Akashvani stations to commence their morning transmission with the iconic signature tune followed by a two-stanza version of Vande Mataram, which typically runs for about 65 seconds.

"In view of the Ministry of Home Affairs guideline dated January 28, 2026, on the National Song containing six stanzas, all stations of Akashvani will start broadcasting the new version of the song with effect from March 26, 2026. The new version has a duration of 3 minutes 10 seconds," the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement.

The first version to be aired has been rendered by noted Hindustani classical vocalist Pt. Chandrashekhar Vaze in Raag Des, officials added.

Authorities further stated that additional renditions of the national song are being produced using region-specific instruments and musical styles, and these versions will be broadcast by Akashvani stations in different states to ensure wider cultural representation.

Earlier, on February 11, the Centre issued fresh comprehensive guidelines establishing the official protocol for the rendition of India's national song Vande Mataram, specifying how and when it should be performed at government functions and the expected conduct of the audience, especially concerning the national anthem.

The new directives, issued by the Union Home Ministry, are intended to formalise the status and ceremonial role of the national song in public and official events across the country, placing greater emphasis on its observance during state functions and institutional gatherings.

As per the guidelines, the complete official version of Vande Mataram, comprising six stanzas and lasting approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds, is to be performed or played during major state occasions.

These include events such as the unfurling of the Tricolour, formal arrival and departure ceremonies of the President and Governors at official programmes, and before and after their scheduled addresses at such functions.

A key aspect of the directive stated that whenever both Vande Mataram and the national anthem are part of a programme, the national song must be rendered before the national anthem.

--IANS

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Namakkal, March 25 (IANS) A sharp fall in egg prices in Namakkal, one of India’s largest poultry hubs, has triggered alarm among farmers, with producers reporting heavy financial losses over the past few days.

The price of eggs has dropped by 40 paise within just three days, raising concerns about a prolonged slump in demand.

Namakkal, which produces over seven crore eggs daily, plays a pivotal role in supplying eggs across Tamil Nadu, multiple Indian states, and key export markets. The region also serves as the benchmark centre for egg pricing in the country, making any fluctuation here significant for the national poultry industry.

The current price decline comes amid weakening demand, which industry stakeholders partly attribute to global uncertainties, including the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Export orders have reportedly slowed, while domestic consumption has not been strong enough to absorb the surplus. In response to the situation, the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) convened an urgent meeting in Namakkal to assess market conditions.

Following deliberations, the committee decided to lower prices in an attempt to stimulate demand and clear mounting stock. The benchmark price of eggs, which was 445 paise on March 22, has now dropped to 405 paise.

The most recent revision alone saw a reduction of 20 paise from 425 paise, underscoring the rapid pace of decline.

Farmers say the current price levels are unsustainable, with production costs significantly higher than the prevailing market rate.

According to industry estimates, producers are incurring losses of nearly Rs one per egg. With daily production exceeding seven crore eggs, this translates to an estimated loss of around Rs 7 crore per day for the region.

Poultry farmers have expressed fears that the situation could worsen if demand does not recover soon. Many are calling for government intervention or support measures to stabilise prices and protect the sector from further distress.

Despite the drop in farm-gate prices, retail egg prices in Namakkal remain steady at around Rs 85 per tray. Meanwhile, chicken prices in nearby Palladam have shown resilience, holding firm at Rs 129 per kilogram. Industry observers say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether prices stabilise or continue their downward trend, with demand revival seen as the key factor.

--IANS

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Guwahati, March 25 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday expressed confidence of a strong electoral performance in lower Assam, saying people have come out for the rally in large numbers to support the BJP candidate.

Addressing a public rally in Lumding, Sarma said the enthusiastic turnout reflected public backing for the ruling party’s governance over the past five years. “The people of Lumding have come out in large numbers to bless our BJP candidate Sibu Misra for yet another victory. We are seeking the people’s mandate based on five years of solid work in this constituency,” he said.

The Chief Minister asserted that the response from voters indicated a positive mood on the ground, adding that the BJP was confident of retaining the seat. Lumding Assembly constituency has been a BJP stronghold in recent elections, with Sibu Misra winning back-to-back polls.

In the 2016 Assembly elections, Misra secured victory with 72,072 votes, defeating his nearest Congress rival by a margin of over 30,000 votes. The BJP retained the seat in 2021, although with a reduced margin.

Misra polled 89,108 votes, securing around 51 per cent vote share and defeating Congress candidate Swapan Kar by 11,731 votes.

At the state level, the BJP has maintained a consistent electoral performance over the last two Assembly elections. The party won around 60 seats in both 2016 and 2021, forming the government with the support of its allies in the Northeast Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In 2021, the BJP-led alliance returned to power for a second consecutive term, marking a significant consolidation of its political base in Assam.

With the Assembly elections approaching, the BJP is banking on its governance record and organisational strength, while leaders like Sarma continue to highlight constituency-level performance to consolidate voter support across key seats like Lumding.

Polling for the 126-member Assembly will take place on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Congress MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday criticised the introduction of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, stating that the proposed legislation suffers from “serious constitutional maladies”.

The Bill was introduced by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai during the ongoing Budget Session.

Tewari said that the Congress would request the Speaker to refer the Bill to either a Standing Committee or a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed scrutiny when it comes up for discussion.

Speaking to reporters, Tewari argued that the Bill raises significant constitutional concerns. “The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill suffers from serious constitutional maladies, particularly because Article 300A of the Constitution guarantees the right to property. The provisions of the Bill undermine that constitutional guarantee by allowing immovable property to be disposed of in an arbitrary manner,” he said.

He further alleged that the legislation could have a chilling effect on civil society organisations that receive partial foreign funding.

“It grants arbitrary and unbridled powers to the executive, which could lead to targeted and selective action against organisations that may not align with the government’s agenda,” Tewari added.

Highlighting additional concerns, he said there are several other problematic provisions in the Bill that require closer examination.

“Therefore, when the Bill is taken up for discussion, we will recommend that it be referred to either a Standing Committee or a Joint Parliamentary Committee,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha, MoS Home Nityanand Rai stated that the legislation aims to enhance transparency and ensure the proper utilisation of foreign contributions.

Moving the Bill, Rai said its primary objective is to make the use of foreign funds more transparent and accountable. He emphasised that the government would not tolerate any activities that go against the spirit of the Constitution, the law, or the national interest, and would take necessary action accordingly.

Rai further clarified that the legislation is not intended to hinder genuine institutions. “Any organisation, whether an educational institution or an NGO, that works in line with the sovereignty and integrity of India and seeks to serve the nation will not face any obstruction,” he said.

Responding to opposition criticism that the Bill is “dangerous”, Rai asserted that it would only be “dangerous” for those involved in forced religious conversions using foreign funds or those misusing such contributions for personal gain.

--IANS

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Patna, March 25 (IANS) A major political controversy has erupted within the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar as its Lok Sabha MP from Banka, Giridhari Yadav, faces the threat of disqualification over alleged anti-party activities.

The issue escalated after Dileshwar Kamait, the party’s leader in the Lok Sabha, formally wrote to the Speaker seeking action against Yadav. The complaint accuses him of violating party discipline, particularly during the Assembly elections when his son, Chanakya Prakash Ranjan, contested on a ticket from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Yadav allegedly campaigned in his favour.

Backing the move, Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD(U)’s National Working President and Rajya Sabha MP, confirmed that a petition has been filed and questioned Yadav’s conduct. “Our party’s Lok Sabha leader, Dileshwar Kamait, has filed a petition with the Speaker. During the recent Vidhan Sabha elections, his son contested from the RJD in the same parliamentary constituency from which he is an MP, and he actively campaigned. This raises serious questions about adherence to party discipline. After that, what remains?” Jha said.

The controversy deepened further when Yadav publicly deviated from the party’s official stance on a key issue like SIR, reportedly terming a decision a “Tughlaqi decree”, a remark seen by the leadership as a serious breach of discipline.

Political observers note that although Yadav has long been considered close to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, tensions with the party leadership have been growing since the Assembly elections. His absence from a key event in Banka during Nitish Kumar’s ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ on March 17 further fuelled speculation about internal rifts.

Earlier, the party had issued him a show-cause notice seeking an explanation within 15 days. While Yadav claimed he had not received an invitation to the Banka event, the matter has now escalated, putting his Lok Sabha membership from Banka constituency under direct threat.

The development signals a firm stance by the JD(U) leadership to enforce party discipline, even against senior leaders, adding fresh intensity to Bihar’s evolving political landscape.

Reacting to the controversy, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh clarified that the move to seek action was not a collective decision of the party leadership. He said it was Kamait who independently submitted the application to the Speaker, adding that the party president will examine the matter and take a final decision after due deliberation.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Congress MP, Renuka Chowdhury, on Wednesday said that despite political differences, she personally wants West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, to emerge victorious in the state.

Her remarks come amid recurring discussions within Opposition circles, where several INDIA Bloc leaders have several times suggested Mamata Banerjee as a potential leader of the alliance.

Speaking to IANS, Renuka Chowdhury said, “We want them to win, whoever it may be. Despite whatever political differences we may have, I want Mamata Banerjee to win in Bengal, and for Congress to also move forward there. This is my personal wish. It may or may not reflect the party’s official stance. But I hope that she gives a strong reply to the Centre.”

She also stated that attempts were being made to highlight shortcomings in CM Banerjee’s governance.

“They are trying to bring out her shortcomings. Governors are being changed overnight, and new ones are being appointed. The whole country has seen this. As a woman, she is fighting, so I will support her,” she said.

Reacting to allegations by some party leaders in Haryana regarding ticket distribution, Chowdhury said such claims are not new.

“These kinds of allegations surface frequently. Those who are disappointed after not getting tickets tend to make such statements. This is not the first time we are witnessing this,” she added.

On the Congress party’s prospects in Kerala, Chowdhury expressed confidence, saying, “The situation is very good. We are winning there. We expect to form the government and serve the people effectively.”

Commenting on India’s stance regarding the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict, she said, “We are doing now what should have been done earlier. This has turned out to be a costly situation for us. I hope the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister understand that we are going through a very delicate phase. We will have to see how things unfold going forward.”

--IANS

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Chennai, March 25 (IANS) The DMK is set to contest at least 165 seats in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, as the party finalised its seat-sharing arrangement within the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), comprising 26 political parties.

With 66 seats already allotted to allies, the alliance has entered its final phase of consolidation ahead of the state polls.

Under the seat-sharing agreement, the Congress has been allotted 28 seats, making it the largest ally in the DMK-led front.

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has secured eight seats, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist have been given five seats each.

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) has been allocated four seats, while the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Humanist People's Party have been allotted two seats each.

In a significant strategic move, Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin announced that candidates from both the DMK and its allies would collectively contest in 175 Assembly constituencies under the party's 'Rising Sun' symbol, highlighting the unity and cohesion within the alliance.

In a detailed letter addressed to DMK cadres, Chief Minister Stalin said the seat-sharing process was carried out through extensive consultations with alliance partners, ensuring a democratic and balanced seat distribution.

He added that the inclusion of new political parties in the alliance required careful consideration to maintain fairness while maximising electoral prospects.

Chief Minister Stalin also underscored the achievements of the DMK government over the past five years, saying that the "Dravidian model" of governance had restored growth and stability in Tamil Nadu after what he described as a decade of setbacks under the previous AIADMK government.

He credited alliance partners for their support in advancing policies rooted in secularism, social justice, state rights, and equality.

The DMK leader highlighted the scale of internal participation in candidate selection, noting that more than 16,500 aspirants took part in interviews conducted between March 17 and 23.

He described the process as a reflection of the party's grassroots strength and internal democracy.

Calling for unity, Chief Minister Stalin urged DMK workers to support all alliance candidates irrespective of party lines.

"All 234 Assembly constituencies are ours," he said, emphasising the need for coordinated efforts to secure victory in the upcoming state polls.

With seat-sharing largely completed, the DMK-led alliance is now shifting focus to campaign mobilisation, projecting a united front as it prepares for a high-stakes electoral battle.

--IANS

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Panaji, March 25 (IANS) A 22-year-old man was arrested in Goa's Quepem for illegal possession of suspected ganja worth around Rs. 30,000, officials said on Wednesday.

Quepem Police has registered a case against the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

A police team, led by Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Digamber Bondre of Quepem Police Station, apprehended the accused on Tuesday at Nirmal Nagar area of Quepem in South Goa.

According to the police, around 297 grams of greenish leafy substance with flowering and fruiting tops suspected to be ganja, all worth approximately Rs. 30,000 was recovered.

The accused, identified as Zakir Pirzade, is a local, a resident of Quepem in Goa, police said.

As part of the operation, police also recovered cash worth Rs. 20,000, one mobile phone, and one Fascino scooter, collectively valued at approximately Rs.1,50,000, from the accused.

He was produced before a Judicial Magistrate which sent him to three-days of police custody. Police said that he is being interrogated to ascertain the source of procurement and backward and forward linkages in the matter.

Officials said that further investigation in the case is in progress with PSI Digamber Bondre, under the supervision of PI Prashal Dessai, SDPO Quepem Ashish Shirodkar, and SP South Santosh Dessai.

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in February, had provisionally attached immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 7.17 crore in Goa as part of a major money laundering investigation linked to international narcotics trafficking.

The action, which was carried out by the ED’s Panaji Zonal Office, targeted assets allegedly acquired through the illicit trade of commercial-grade drugs.

The investigation was initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following a complaint filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Goa, in March 2021.

The case named Ugochukwu Solomon Ubabuko, Infinity John (alias David/Valentine Ejezie), and Prasad Prakash Walke as key accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The Congress on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over rising fuel prices, LPG shortages, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from key discussions, accusing the central government of ignoring pressing public concerns.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said that ensuring easy access to LPG cylinders and curbing black marketing should be among the government’s top priorities.

He stated that people in several parts of the country are being forced to stand in long queues or purchase cylinders at inflated prices.

“Today, the country’s priority is that people should not have to stand in queues for LPG cylinders or buy them in the black market. Ensuring access to LPG cylinders is a national priority, along with preventing shortages of petrol and diesel and protecting people from inflation,” Khera told IANS.

He further highlighted the challenges faced by farmers, claiming that nearly 60,000 tonnes of basmati rice remains stuck at sea, adding that multiple economic concerns are currently affecting citizens.

Stepping up his criticism, Khera also targeted Narendra Modi, alleging that the Prime Minister has remained largely absent from election campaigning and key political engagements.

“We are going everywhere to campaign, including Kerala and Assam. However, the Prime Minister has been absent. No state now wants the Prime Minister to come and campaign there,” he claimed, adding that rising fuel prices and LPG shortages are major issues troubling the public.

"Today, the situation has reached a point where the one who aspired to be a 'world leader' is not even being invited by his own party leaders in states where elections are being held," he claimed.

Khera further alleged that despite visible hardships faced by citizens, including black marketing of essential commodities near the national Capital, the government has failed to respond adequately.

“The entire country can see what is happening. The Prime Minister is either deliberately turning a blind eye or choosing to ignore the reality. Just a few kilometres from the Prime Minister’s Office, queues are forming and black marketing is taking place,” he alleged.

On the issue of all-party meetings, the Congress leader questioned the Prime Minister’s absence, stating that the real concern is not the presence or absence of the Leader of the Opposition, but the Prime Minister’s participation.

“The Prime Minister has been absent from the last two or three all-party meetings. He steps away from the Lok Sabha and does not attend these meetings. This is the real issue,” Khera said.

The Congress has been consistently criticising the Centre over inflation, fuel prices, and governance issues, while the government has maintained that it is taking necessary steps to stabilise prices and ensure supply of essential commodities.

--IANS

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