The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday gave its formal approval to the Union Budget 2026, clearing the way for its presentation in Parliament later in the day. Following the Cabinet’s nod, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to table the Budget in the Lok Sabha, marking her ninth consecutive Budget presentation—a record in itself. The Budget is being presented at a time when the global economy is facing uncertainty, with slowing exports and external headwinds posing challenges for growth. The Union Budget 2026 will be the third financial blueprint of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in its third term in office. Expectations are high that the government will continue to balance fiscal discipline with measures aimed at boosting domestic demand, infrastructure spending and economic resilience amid volatile global conditions. Since assuming office as finance minister in 2019, Sitharaman has introduced several symbolic and procedural changes to the Budget presentation. In her very first Budget, she replaced the decades-old leather briefcase traditionally used to carry Budget papers with a red cloth-wrapped ‘bahi-khata’, signalling a break from colonial-era practices. Continuing with that shift, the Union Budget 2026 will also be presented in a completely paperless format, in line with the government’s push towards digitisation and sustainability. The approval by the Cabinet is the final step before the Budget is formally laid before Parliament, where it will outline the government’s estimates of receipts and expenditure for the coming financial year, along with its broader fiscal and economic priorities. Sitharaman creates history with 9th consecutive Budget, longest serving FM Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday makes history as she presents a record ninth consecutive Budget that is expected to unveil measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline, and contain reforms that could buffer the economy from global trade frictions, including US tariffs. This will take Sitharaman closer to the record of 10 budgets that were presented by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai over different time periods. Desai presented six budgets during his tenure as finance minister from 1959 to 1964, and four budgets between 1967 and 1969. Former finance ministers P Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee had presented nine and eight budgets, respectively, under different prime ministers. Sitharaman, however, will continue to hold the record of presenting the maximum number of budgets on the trot -- nine straight budgets under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She was in 2019 appointed as India's first full-time woman finance minister when Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a decisive second term. After PM Modi came back to power in 2024 for the third time, Sitharaman continued to retain her finance portfolio. Sitharaman took charge of the Finance Ministry on May 31, 2019, and has steered the economy through the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical turmoil, making India the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Sitharaman completed six years and eight months in office on January 31, 2026. On February 1, she will present a record ninth budget in a row.
01 February,2026 11:00 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAir pollution levels in the national capital continued to remain a serious concern on Sunday, with Delhi recording a 'very poor' Air Quality Index (AQI) of 318 around 8 am, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). IMD issues yellow alert, warns of thunderstorms and gusty winds At the same time, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Delhi, warning of unstable weather conditions. The forecast includes the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds blowing at speeds of 30–40 kmph in isolated areas of the city. Similar weather conditions are likely to prevail across neighbouring regions, including Haryana and Chandigarh. In Haryana’s Karnal district, a hailstorm was reported earlier in the day. Rainfall marks onset of active weather phase across north India According to the IMD, the rainfall marks the onset of an active weather phase, with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and hail expected to impact several parts of north and central India over the course of the day. Light rain was recorded in multiple parts of Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) during the early morning hours. Rain and fog fail to bring immediate relief to air quality The weather department said the maximum temperature in the capital is expected to hover between 17 and 19 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to remain in the range of 10 to 12 degrees Celsius. Thunderstorm activity, along with strong winds, may continue through the afternoon and night. Residents across Delhi woke up to damp conditions and light to moderate fog. However, despite the rain and improved atmospheric mixing, air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, offering little immediate relief from pollution. Fog disrupts visibility at airports; AQI varies across Indian cities Air quality levels across other major Indian cities showed wide variation. Ahmedabad reported an AQI of 171, while Pune recorded 161 and Lucknow 156—placing all three in the ‘moderate’ category. Patna (121) and Jaipur (118) also logged moderate air quality. In contrast, Mumbai recorded an AQI of 104, while Bengaluru (96), Chennai (92) and Hyderabad (95) remained in the 'satisfactory' range, CPCB data showed. On Saturday morning, Delhi’s air quality had been slightly better but still unhealthy, with the AQI recorded at 271, categorised as 'poor'. Several monitoring stations across the city had reported readings ranging from poor to very poor, including Ashok Vihar (309), Dwarka Sector 8 (329), Mundka and Wazirpur (331 each), and RK Puram (322). Relatively lower readings were observed in Narela (232) and Alipur (227). Meanwhile, fog continued to affect visibility at several airports across north and central India. IMD data showed very dense fog, with visibility dropping below 50 metres, at locations including Ambala in Haryana; Agra, Bareilly, Saifai and Hindon in Uttar Pradesh; and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. Dense fog conditions were also reported in Varanasi, Lucknow and Prayagraj, while moderate to shallow fog affected airports in Assam, West Bengal, Punjab and Bihar. As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as 'very poor', indicating potential health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.
01 February,2026 10:43 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday tabled the Economic Survey of India in Parliament for the financial year 2025-26, setting the stage for the Union Budget, which will be presented on Sunday, February 1. https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/live-blog/union-budget-2026-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-full-union-budget-speech-highlights-from-parliament-18331577 This year, the Budget presentation falls on a weekend. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present a record ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, marking a significant milestone in India's parliamentary and economic history. The tabling of the Economic Survey ahead of the Budget follows the long-standing tradition of outlining the state of the economy before detailing future fiscal plans. The Economic Survey of India is regarded as the nation's official annual "report card" on the economy. It provides a comprehensive, data-backed review of the economy's performance over the previous year and offers a broad roadmap for future policy direction. As the government's flagship annual report, it reviews key developments in the economy over the past 12 months. The Survey plays a crucial role in the lead-up to the Union Budget. While the Budget focuses on future government spending, taxation, and policy measures, the Economic Survey explains why those decisions are necessary by analysing past economic performance and trends. The Economic Survey is prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the leadership of the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA). It is presented in two parts, each focusing on different aspects of the economy. Part 1, also known as Volume 1, provides a macroeconomic overview and future outlook. This section offers a broad, thematic, and analytical review of the Indian economy. It is forward-looking in nature and helps set the policy direction for the coming year. It includes a detailed analysis of major economic trends such as GDP growth, inflation measured through CPI and WPI, fiscal deficit, and trade balance. It also examines key conceptual and structural issues facing the economy and offers policy recommendations. Additionally, it provides projections for the next financial year and suggests reforms aimed at driving economic growth. Part 2 of the Economic Survey is more detailed and data-driven, focusing on the performance of specific sectors during the previous financial year. This section covers sectoral analysis of agriculture, industry, services, and infrastructure. It also addresses socio-economic issues, including health, education, poverty, and climate change. The report includes extensive data and statistics, with detailed tables, charts, and appendices highlighting the economy's performance. The tabling of the Economic Survey marks a key step in the Budget process, offering lawmakers, policymakers, and the public a clearer understanding of India's economic condition ahead of the Union Budget presentation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
01 February,2026 10:32 AM IST | New Delhi [India] | ANIUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, shortly before presenting the Union Budget 2026. https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/live-blog/union-budget-2026-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-full-union-budget-speech-highlights-from-parliament-18331577 Sitharaman continues ‘digital bahi-khata’ tradition Ahead of the crucial address, Sitharaman was seen carrying her now-familiar ‘digital bahi-khata’—a tablet wrapped in a red cloth embossed with the national emblem—continuing a tradition she has followed since moving away from the colonial-era briefcase. #WATCH | Delhi | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with her team, calls on President Droupadi Murmu before presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget pic.twitter.com/96H5JV5obv — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2026 Ninth consecutive Budget places Sitharaman among longest-serving FMs The upcoming Budget will be Sitharaman’s ninth in a row, placing her on par with former Finance Minister P Chidambaram and ahead of Pranab Mukherjee in terms of consecutive Budget presentations. Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai continues to hold the all-time record. Union Budget 2026 to be tabled in Lok Sabha at 11 am As per the Lok Sabha’s agenda, proceedings will begin at 11 am. Sitharaman will table estimates of the Union government’s receipts and expenditure for the 2026–27 financial year. She will also place before the House two mandatory statements under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003—covering the medium-term fiscal and policy strategy, along with the macroeconomic framework. In addition, the Finance Minister will seek permission to introduce the Finance Bill, 2026, and formally present it in the Lok Sabha. The Bill is essential to give statutory backing to the government’s taxation and spending proposals outlined in the Budget. Economic Survey sets context for Budget amid global uncertainties Earlier this week, Sitharaman had presented the Economic Survey of India for 2025–26 in Parliament, in keeping with the convention of reviewing the economy’s performance ahead of the Budget. The Survey, prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the Chief Economic Adviser, offers a detailed assessment of economic trends and policy challenges, and is released in two volumes. Commenting on the Survey, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the First Advance Estimates project real GDP growth of 7.4 per cent in 2025–26, underscoring India’s status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy for the fourth straight year. He also pointed to easing inflation—estimated at 1.7 per cent during April–December 2025—and highlighted the government’s push to strengthen domestic manufacturing and economic resilience. The Budget Session of Parliament will run for 30 sittings spread over 65 days, concluding on April 2. Both Houses will adjourn on February 13 and resume on March 9, allowing parliamentary committees to scrutinise the Demands for Grants of various ministries. The Finance Minister will present her ninth straight Budget, which is expected to unveil measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline, and announce reforms that could buffer the economy from global trade frictions, including US tariffs. The Union Budget 2026 comes against a complex backdrop. While domestic demand has held up and inflation has moderated from recent highs, global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, volatile commodity prices and uneven monetary easing by major central banks, continue to cloud the outlook. At home, the government faces pressure to boost consumption, accelerate job creation and step up capital spending, while keeping the fiscal deficit on a downward path.
01 February,2026 10:31 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentWhat appeared to be a story of wildlife rescue on social media has turned into a major drug bust on the ground. Chhattisgarh Police on Friday exposed a Rs 2.6 crore ganja trafficking network under ‘Operation Nishchay’, allegedly led by a man who projected himself online as a snake rescuer and wildlife conservationist. Police seized 520 kg of ganja and arrested nine people from Odisha and Maharashtra, uncovering a well-planned supply chain that used multiple routes and local contacts to move drugs across state lines. The key accused, Akash Jadhav from Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, known online as “Sarpamitra Akash Jadhav”, had built a large social media following through snake rescue videos. Investigators allege that he played a central role in coordinating the transportation of consignments from Odisha to Maharashtra, while maintaining a public image centred on conservation work. The case came to light following specific intelligence inputs about a large drug consignment headed for Maharashtra. Acting on the tip-off, teams from the Anti-Narcotics Task Force and Mahasamund district police intercepted the network, leading to the seizure of ganja worth approximately Rs 2.6 crore. Police said the racket had been active for at least a year and had moved several consignments during this period. Further investigation is underway to identify additional links in the network.
01 February,2026 10:27 AM IST | | Ranjeet JadhavUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to create a landmark moment in India’s parliamentary and economic history as she presents her ninth consecutive Union Budget, a feat never achieved by any finance minister before her. Continuity in fiscal leadership since 2019 under Modi government With the presentation of the Union Budget for 2026, Sitharaman becomes the first finance minister in independent India to deliver nine budgets in an unbroken sequence. This milestone underlines her continuity and central role in shaping India’s fiscal policy since 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Follow the live updates of Union Budget 2026 with real-time coverage of major announcements, tax reforms, economic priorities and policy decisions. Surpasses Chidambaram, Mukherjee; closes in on Morarji Desai’s record In terms of overall numbers, Sitharaman now surpasses former finance ministers P Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee, both of whom presented nine budgets during their political careers, but across non-consecutive tenures. Chidambaram’s budgets, for instance, were spread over three decades and multiple governments, making Sitharaman’s uninterrupted run especially significant. She now stands just one budget short of equalling the all-time record held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who presented 10 Union Budgets during two separate stints between 1958–63 and 1967–69. If Sitharaman presents the Budget again in 2027, she will match Desai’s record—doing so in a single continuous tenure, something unprecedented in Indian fiscal history. Sunday Budget presentation breaks long-standing convention Adding another historic dimension, this is the first time the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday since Independence. Traditionally, if February 1 fell on a weekend, the presentation was deferred, as seen in 1999 during the tenure of Yashwant Sinha. By sticking to the date, Sitharaman continues the trend of breaking long-standing conventions, much like her earlier decision to replace the colonial-era briefcase with the now-iconic ‘digital bahi-khata’. To ensure immediate market response, both the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India are holding a special full trading session despite it being a weekend. High expectations amid global uncertainty and domestic reform push The record-setting Budget comes against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions and concerns over trade policies, particularly potential US tariff measures that could impact Indian exports. Domestically, expectations from the Union Budget 2026 are high. A key focus is likely to be the transition to the New Income Tax Act, 2025, which is set to replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act of 1961 from April 1, 2026. Middle-class taxpayers and salaried professionals are looking for targeted relief, including an enhanced standard deduction and possible expansion of the Section 87A rebate under the new tax regime. According to the Economic Survey of India 2025–26, tabled earlier this week, India’s economy is projected to grow between 6.8 per cent and 7.2 per cent in the coming financial year, reinforcing its position among the world’s fastest-growing major economies. Significant allocations are also expected for capital expenditure, infrastructure development, railways—including advanced safety systems such as Kavach 4.0—defence preparedness and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, as the government balances growth ambitions with fiscal discipline.
01 February,2026 10:26 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentOil marketing companies increased the price of 19 kg commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 49, with the new rates coming into effect from Sunday. In the national capital, the retail price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has been revised to Rs 1,740.50, while the price of the 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder remains unchanged. This follows a price hike in January, when commercial LPG cylinder rates were increased, adding to the cost burden for hotels, restaurants and other commercial users. Last month, oil marketing companies raised the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder by Rs 111, taking its retail price in Delhi to Rs 1,691.50. Along with the increase in commercial LPG rates, the price of 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders was also raised by Rs 27, effective January 1. However, household consumers continue to receive relief, as there has been no change in domestic LPG cylinder prices. The revision in commercial LPG prices is significant for sectors that rely heavily on such cylinders, including eateries, catering services and small businesses, as fuel forms a major component of their operating costs. Earlier, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the transformative impact of India's clean cooking initiatives, emphasising that the true success of the program lies in the regular use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) rather than just the number of connections provided. In his post on X, he noted that India currently operates a massive nationwide LPG system with 33 crore connections. He also mentioned the achievement of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which has provided LPG access to 10.41 crore households. The government is now nearing its total target of 10.60 crore connections under the scheme. Minister Puri pointed out that the shift in consumer behaviour is evident through substantial refill statistics. Approximately 276 crore LPG refills have been delivered to PMUY households to date, and in the 2024-25 fiscal year, an average of 13.6 lakh refills are being delivered daily to Ujjwala families. Across the entire country, more than 55 lakh LPG cylinders are delivered every single day. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
01 February,2026 10:10 AM IST | New Delhi [India] | ANIThe Chhari-Dhand Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Kutch district has been included in the list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, state minister Arjun Modhwadia said on Saturday. After Nal Sarovar, Thol, Khijadiya, and Wadhwana, Chhari-Dhand has become Gujarat’s fifth and Kutch’s first Ramsar Site, said the state forest and environment minister. “The Ramsar status granted to Chhari-Dhand Bird Sanctuary will bring positive transformation in areas such as environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, local development, and global recognition. It will also be a preferred destination for eco tourism,” he added. An official release said more than 21 per cent of the country’s total wetland area is in Gujarat, the highest among all states. Gujarat’s wetlands are spread over approximately 3.5 million hectares, accounting for 17.8 per cent of the state’s total geographical area, it added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 February,2026 08:29 AM IST | Kutch | AgenciesPolice in Hyderabad have arrested a 27-year-old bike taxi driver for allegedly impersonating a cybercrime official and extorting large sums of money from unsuspecting victims through online scams, officials said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Jala Sai Ram Reddy, a resident of Telangana’s Karimnagar district, was apprehended by the SR Nagar police following a complaint registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Investigators said Reddy created fake profiles of women on social media platforms, primarily ShareChat, to initiate conversations and build rapport with users. After gaining their trust, he would obtain their phone numbers and make calls posing as a cybercrime officer. He allegedly threatened victims with arrest and legal action, claiming they had committed digital offences, and demanded money as a so-called “fine”. Fearing consequences, several victims transferred funds via UPI and other online payment modes. According to police, the accused also instructed victims to reset their mobile phones in an attempt to erase digital evidence. In one case, a student reportedly lost nearly Rs 1 lakh. During interrogation, Reddy is said to have confessed to his role in the fraud. Further investigation revealed his alleged involvement in at least 44 cybercrime cases across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Police said he used multiple SIM cards, phones and bank accounts, including those belonging to local shopkeepers, to route the stolen money. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 February,2026 08:27 AM IST | Hyderabad | AgenciesThe BJP on Saturday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the recent fire at WOW! Momo company warehouse and manufacturing unit in West Bengal and raised questions about the police investigation. The devastating fire on January 26 claimed at least 27 lives and reduced to ashes a godown and a manufacturing unit of the momo company at Anandapur in South 24 Parganas district. Addressing a massive BJP workers’ meeting at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas, Home Minister Amit Shah came down harshly on Mamata Banerjee. Shah alleged it was “not an accident but the result of the corruption of the her government”. He questioned why the factory owners had not yet been arrested and wondered whether their “proximity” to the ruling party was the reason. (From left) Amit Shah. PIC/PTI; Guru Prakash Paswan. PIC/BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY “Has the administration completely ceased to exist in Bengal?” Shah asked, adding that the TMC would have reacted differently had the victims belonged to a “particular community”. He challenged Banerjee to prove her seriousness about the menace by denying tickets to “tainted ministers” in the assembly polls. Raising doubts on the police investigation, BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan alleged that the state police have arrested a few people (manager Raja Chakraborty and deputy manager Manoranjan Sheet) merely as a formality while the “big sharks” are still out of the law’s hands. “It was a man-made disaster. No fire safety norms were followed. The mandatory NOC [no objection certificate] was not obtained. As many as 27 people have died so far. Police have just done a formality by arresting a few people,” Paswan said at a press conference at the BJP headquarters. Mamata Banerjee and Sagar Darayani. PIC/X@SAGAR_DARYANI “Where are the big sharks? Where is the CEO of WOW! Momo? Why has no action been taken against him? When will the accountability be fixed?” he asked. The BJP spokesperson showed a picture of the company’s CEO Sagar Daryani with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and claimed, “WOW! Momo CEO Sagar Darayani was with Mamata Banerjee when she visited Madrid. The BJP demands a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the Anandapur fire incident so that the truth comes out,” Paswan added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 February,2026 08:24 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesA special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted to probe a serious case involving the creation and circulation of fake birth certificates, registered at Yavatmal City Police Station in Maharashtra. The case has been filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The SIT will be headed by Yashasvi Yadav, additional director general of police (cyber), Maharashtra. A review meeting was held on Friday to assess the progress of the investigation and outline the future course of action. During the meeting, Yadav noted that birth certificates are foundational documents used for establishing citizenship as well as for obtaining passports, Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, educational records, and access to various government schemes. The misuse of forged birth certificates, he said, could facilitate anti-national activities, illegal immigration, organised crime, and actions that pose a direct threat to national security. Preliminary investigation and analysis of digital evidence have revealed that the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal was misused to generate fake birth certificates not only in Yavatmal district but also in Jalgaon. It was also found that forged certificates were created using records linked to Bhavani gram panchayat in Yavatmal and Ratale gram panchayat in Jalgaon. Following these findings, a separate offence has been registered in Jalgaon district. Police said the accused gained unauthorised access to the government-run CRS portal by misusing login credentials. Personal details such as names, dates of birth, and addresses were collected and used to generate fake birth certificates in exchange for money. These forged certificates were then circulated in digital portable document format (PDF) format. The investigation has also revealed the use of mobile phones, internet services, social media platforms, and digital payment systems, including unified payments interface (UPI) and digital wallets, to facilitate the racket and collect illegal financial gains. SIT ordered to trace financial and digital links Officials said initial evidence indicates that the operation was organised in nature and spread across multiple districts, raising concerns about the existence of a larger inter-district or inter-state network. The SIT has been directed to carry out technical tracing of all accused persons, conduct a detailed financial analysis of bank accounts and digital transactions, and identify the full extent of the conspiracy. Yadav has instructed investigating agencies to ensure close coordination across cyber, financial, technical, and intelligence units, and made it clear that if the offence is found to have been committed in an organised manner or with intent to compromise national security, strict and uncompromising legal action will be taken against all those involved. Senior police officers from Yavatmal and Jalgaon, along with officials from the health and statistics departments, were present at the review meeting.
31 January,2026 10:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerADVERTISEMENT
