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Uttarakhand Cracks Down: Eateries on Kanwar Route Must Show Food Licenses or Face ₹2 Lakh Fine

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Uttarakhand Cracks Down: Eateries on Kanwar Route Must Show Food Licenses or Face ₹2 Lakh Fine 2

The Uttarakhand government has mandated that all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route must prominently display their food licenses or registration certificates to ensure transparency and food safety for lakhs of devotees undertaking the annual pilgrimage.

Hotels, dhabas, food carts, and stalls must now keep a clean, visible copy of their licenses or registration certificates so that consumers can easily verify compliance, Health Secretary and Food Safety Commissioner R Rajesh Kumar announced. Even small traders and food cart operators must carry and display their registration documents.

Additionally, all establishments are required to install a ‘Food Safety Display Board’ in a clearly visible spot, informing customers who is responsible for the food’s quality. Officials warned that violators will face strict action under Section 55 of the Food Safety Act 2006, with fines reaching up to ₹2 lakh.

“There will be no compromise on the quality of food served to devotees at pandals and community kitchens,” Kumar stressed, adding that immediate legal action will be taken against adulterators or those tampering with food standards. “The health of pilgrims is our top priority.”

Special teams of food safety officers have already been deployed in Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, and Uttarkashi districts to collect samples of milk, sweets, oil, spices, and beverages from pandals, which will be tested in labs. If any sample fails to meet safety standards, the concerned establishment will be shut down immediately, said Additional Commissioner of Food Safety Tajbar Singh Jaggi.

BJP MPs Storm Out, Brand Medha Patkar ‘Anti-National’ at Parliamentary Panel Meet

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BJP MPs Storm Out, Brand Medha Patkar 'Anti-National' at Parliamentary Panel Meet 4

A heated confrontation erupted during a parliamentary committee meeting on Tuesday after BJP MPs staged a dramatic walkout over the decision to invite activist Medha Patkar, whom they labelled “anti-national.” The protest forced an early adjournment of the Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj due to lack of quorum.

Former Union minister and BJP MP Parshottam Rupala led the exodus, with several BJP lawmakers expressing outrage that Patkar — known for her leadership of the Narmada Bachao Andolan against the Sardar Sarovar Dam project — was invited to share her views on the 2013 land acquisition law. One furious BJP MP even questioned if the panel might as well invite Pakistan’s leaders next.

Committee chairman and Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka defended the move to invite Patkar, calling it standard practice to consult civil society stakeholders on important legislation. “We wanted to hear diverse opinions, but they [BJP MPs] didn’t allow it,” Ulaka told PTI.

The controversy stems from Patkar’s longstanding opposition to projects like the Sardar Sarovar Dam — a scheme championed by then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi — which BJP leaders claim undermined national development. Modi has repeatedly criticized attempts to stall the dam, citing delays since its foundation in the 1960s.

After BJP MPs exited the meeting, Ulaka declared it adjourned due to the absence of the required quorum of 10 members. Sources said the panel had also called officials from the Environment Ministry and other activists, including actor Prakash Raj, but BJP MPs objected specifically to Patkar’s presence.

Reacting to the abrupt end, Patkar confirmed she had been formally invited and had previously appeared before parliamentary committees without issue. “I have never seen anything like this. It is important to discuss the land acquisition law,” she said, expressing disappointment at the disruption.

BJP Picks Ravindra Chavan as Maharashtra Chief Ahead of Key Civic Polls

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BJP Picks Ravindra Chavan as Maharashtra Chief Ahead of Key Civic Polls 6

Former minister and four-time Dombivli MLA Ravindra Chavan was unanimously elected as the Maharashtra state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, replacing Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule in a key leadership shift ahead of crucial municipal elections.

The announcement was made by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is overseeing the BJP’s organisational polls in Maharashtra as the party’s central observer. Chavan’s appointment as the 12th state BJP president comes at a critical juncture, with local body elections expected later this year.

A close confidant of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chavan had been serving as the working president of the state BJP since January. Despite his previous cabinet experience—including stints as Minister of State in the Fadnavis government (2016-2019) and as Public Works Minister under Eknath Shinde—Chavan was not inducted into the council of ministers when the Mahayuti alliance formed the government last December.

Rijiju praised Chavan’s long service in the party, noting his vital role in expanding the BJP’s footprint in Mumbai’s metropolitan region and the Konkan belt over the past decade. Chavan’s unanimous election followed the party’s internal process of district and mandal-level appointments, Chief Minister Fadnavis said, adding that the Mumbai BJP unit will soon elect a new president in consultation with state leaders.

Chavan’s political journey began in the early 2000s with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). He quickly climbed the ranks, becoming Kalyan district youth wing vice president in 2002, corporator in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in 2007, and winning the Dombivli assembly seat in 2009. He has since secured four consecutive assembly victories, most recently in 2024.

Known for his organisational acumen, Chavan was instrumental in the BJP’s expansion into semi-urban areas like Karjat, Badlapur, and Matheran, and was credited for behind-the-scenes negotiations during the formation of the Eknath Shinde-Fadnavis government in 2022.

As state BJP president, Chavan’s experience in both organisational and legislative spheres is expected to play a decisive role in the party’s strategy for upcoming civic polls.

Maharashtra’s Grim Toll: 767 Farmer Suicides in First Quarter of 2025

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Maharashtra's Grim Toll: 767 Farmer Suicides in First Quarter of 2025 8

A total of 767 farmers died by suicide across Maharashtra between January and March 2025, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil informed the state council on Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing agrarian crisis.

Of these 767 cases, 373 were deemed eligible for government compensation, while 200 were declared ineligible. Investigations remain pending in 194 cases. Jadhav-Patil said compensation has been paid in 327 of the 373 eligible cases, and efforts are underway to clear the remaining payouts, with divisional commissioners directed to expedite the process.

As per a 2006 state decision, heirs of farmers who die by suicide receive ₹1 lakh compensation; however, the minister clarified there is currently no proposal to increase this amount.

Region-wise data showed western Vidarbha districts—Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, and Washim—reported the highest number of suicides with 257 cases in the first quarter alone. Of these, 76 were eligible for aid, 74 were ineligible, and 107 are still under inquiry, with payments completed in 71 cases so far.

In Hingoli district of Marathwada, 24 farmer suicides were recorded between January and May 2025. Thirteen of these cases qualified for aid and have been compensated, while five were ineligible and six are pending investigation.

To combat the rising number of farmer suicides, Jadhav-Patil outlined several ongoing initiatives, including compensation for crop damage from natural disasters, annual financial support of ₹12,000 through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Shetkari Mahasanman Fund, fair pricing mechanisms, expanded irrigation, and counseling centers. He added that widows of farmers who die by suicide receive benefits through various government schemes.

CAT Reverses Karnataka’s Suspension of IPS Officer in Bengaluru Stampede Case

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CAT Reverses Karnataka's Suspension of IPS Officer in Bengaluru Stampede Case 10

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has quashed the Karnataka government’s suspension order against senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was suspended following the deadly stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives.

Vikash had challenged the government’s June 5 suspension order before the CAT, which also named Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP Shekar H Tekkannavar. The Bengaluru bench, comprising Justice B K Shrivastava and administrative member Santhosh Mehra, reserved its verdict on June 24 and delivered the ruling on Tuesday, setting aside Vikash’s suspension.

Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, representing Vikash, said the tribunal annulled the suspension and affirmed that the officer is entitled to all benefits as per service rules. The CAT noted its findings could also extend to the cases of Dayananda and Tekkannavar, potentially paving the way for their reinstatement.

Following the tragedy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had suspended Dayananda, Vikash, Tekkannavar, Assistant Commissioner of Police C Balakrishna, and Circle Inspector A K Girish for alleged lapses in planning and crowd control. The IPS officers were suspended under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, while action against the ACP and PI proceeded under state police disciplinary rules.

According to the government, the police failed to formally reject RCB’s June 4 victory parade plan despite being informed on June 3, and did not prepare adequately for the expected crowd surge after RCB and the Cricket Association publicized the event. The lack of tickets or passes and insufficient crowd management led to chaos, fatalities, and severe criticism of the administration.

Historic Move: Supreme Court Implements Reservation Policy for Its Staff

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Historic Move: Supreme Court Implements Reservation Policy for Its Staff 12

In a historic first, the Supreme Court has introduced a formal reservation policy for the direct recruitment and promotion of its staff members from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The decision was communicated in a circular issued on June 24 to all Supreme Court employees.

According to the circular, the Model Reservation Roster and Register have been uploaded on the Supreme Court’s internal network, Supnet, and made effective from June 23, 2025. Staff members have been asked to report any mistakes or inaccuracies in the roster to the Registrar (Recruitment).

Under the new policy, SC employees will receive a 15% quota and ST employees a 7.5% quota in promotions. The benefits of this reservation will apply to various posts, including registrars, senior personal assistants, assistant librarians, junior court assistants, and chamber attendants.

This landmark move marks the first time India’s apex judiciary has implemented such a reservation framework for its own employees, signaling a significant step towards inclusivity within the institution.

Drama in Maharashtra Assembly: Congress’ Nana Patole Suspended After Storming Speaker’s Podium

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Drama in Maharashtra Assembly: Congress' Nana Patole Suspended After Storming Speaker's Podium 14

Congress MLA Nana Patole was suspended from the Maharashtra legislative assembly for a day on Tuesday after he stormed the speaker’s podium during a heated protest. Following Question Hour, Patole, a former assembly speaker himself, demanded action against BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate for allegedly insulting farmers with their recent remarks.

Patole climbed onto the speaker’s podium and engaged in an argument with Speaker Rahul Narwekar, forcing the House to be adjourned for five minutes. When proceedings resumed, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Patole’s aggressive behavior and called for an apology. Instead of backing down, Patole once again climbed the podium, reiterating his demand for action.

Speaker Narwekar then announced Patole’s suspension for the entire day, citing disorderly conduct. The uproar stemmed from Lonikar’s recent comments to farmers in Jalna district, where he said critics of his party should remember they receive benefits like clothes, shoes, mobiles, and money thanks to the government. Meanwhile, Kokate sparked outrage by suggesting farmers squandered loan waiver funds on weddings and criticized misuse of crop insurance payouts.

Sigachi Blast Horror: Death Toll Hits 35 as CM Revanth Reddy Orders Probe

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Sigachi Blast Horror: Death Toll Hits 35 as CM Revanth Reddy Orders Probe 16

The death toll from the devastating explosion at Sigachi Industries’ pharmaceutical plant in Pashamylaram climbed to 35 on Tuesday, police confirmed. District Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj said 31 bodies had been recovered from the debris, while three victims died during treatment in hospitals. The rescue operation is still underway as authorities search for any remaining victims.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, along with several cabinet ministers, visited the accident site to review the situation and meet with rescue teams. Hospitals in the region remain overwhelmed: Pranaam Hospitals in Miyapur received 21 injured patients on Monday, with two declared dead on arrival and one more succumbing to injuries Tuesday morning. At Dhruva Hospitals in Patancheru, nine patients are still under treatment, five of whom are on ventilators with burns ranging from 40% to 80%.

A revenue department official said only nine victims have been identified so far, with DNA profiling required for the rest due to the severity of the burns. Many of the deceased were migrant workers from Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar.

Initial investigations suggest the explosion was triggered by a chemical reaction inside the plant. Sigachi Industries Limited, according to its website, is engaged in manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients, and other pharma products.

Elon Musk Threatens ‘America Party’ Over $5 Trillion Senate Bill: Real Plan or Rhetoric?

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Elon Musk Threatens 'America Party' Over $5 Trillion Senate Bill: Real Plan or Rhetoric? 18

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk ignited a political firestorm late Monday by threatening to launch a new political movement, the “America Party,” if the U.S. Senate passes a sweeping $5 trillion spending bill. In a post on X, Musk declared, “If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.”

Musk’s remarks come as the Senate debates the controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a legislative package proposing a massive $5 trillion increase in the federal debt ceiling, tax cuts, and revisions to the child tax credit. While the bill mirrors parts of former President Trump’s economic agenda, it has drawn fierce criticism for its projected addition of $3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

A key flashpoint was the Senate’s 56-44 vote to block a measure removing about 1.4 million undocumented immigrants from Medicaid, falling short of the 60 votes needed after Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled it violated the Byrd Rule.

Musk’s call for a third party recalls historic shifts like the 1850s rise of the Republican Party, but the U.S. electoral system’s structural barriers have kept America firmly in a two-party grip for generations. His post offered no specifics on the proposed party’s platform, leadership, or strategy, leaving observers speculating about its seriousness.

Meanwhile, the Senate faces a July 4 deadline to pass the bill after the House narrowly approved it, with key provisions to scrap taxes on Social Security income and tips, boost deductions for seniors, and enact controversial Medicaid changes.

As tensions mount, Musk’s bombshell threat has added fresh drama to the already heated debate, with politicians and voters alike watching closely to see whether the billionaire’s “America Party” becomes a genuine political force or fades as mere online bravado.

Minor Girl Travelling in Car Sexually Assaulted by Two Armed Men on Pune–Solapur Highway

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Minor Girl Travelling in Car Sexually Assaulted by Two Armed Men on Pune–Solapur Highway 20

In a heart-wrenching incident, a minor girl who was travelling with her family in a car was allegedly sexually assaulted by two motorbike-borne men near Bhigwan on the Pune-Solapur highway.

The assailants also robbed three women passengers in the car of their gold ornaments before fleeing the spot.

According to reports, there were seven people belonging to two different families in the car—the 70-year-old driver, three women, the 17-year-old girl and two 17-year-old boys.

The incident took place in the early morning on Monday when the families were on their way to Pandharpur temple town in Solapur district. The two men armed with weapons approached the car when the driver stopped the vehicle for a tea break.

“As the driver felt sleepy, he halted the car near a tea stall. When the driver stepped out to answer nature’s call, two unidentified men approached the vehicle, threatened the occupants with sharp weapons and robbed gold jewellery. One of the accused then took the minor girl out of the car and sexually assaulted her,” a police officer told PTI news agency.

The assailants fled the spot on their motorbike after which the passengers of the car managed to man up and informed the police.

A case has been registered at the Daund police station of Pune rural police under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 64, 309(6), 351(2), 3(5) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) 4 and 6 and Arms Act Section 4, 25.

Pune rural police Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Singh Gill has formed multiple teams to nab the accused.

The incident came a few months after a 26-year-old woman was raped inside a stationary Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus at the Swargate terminus in Pune.

According to police, the victim was waiting for a bus to go to her native place in Satart in the early hours of February 25 when a man approached her posing as a bus conductor, and offered to take her to a waiting bus.

The accused took her to an empty bus and closed both doors and allegedly raped her.

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