Private university Galgotias has been asked to vacate its stall at the AI Impact Summit after a controversy over display of a made-in-China robotic dog as its own innovation. Following the controversy, IT Secretary S Krishnan said the government does not want any exhibitor to showcase items that are not their own. "We do not want such exhibits to continue," he said, after organisers asked Galgotias University to vacate its stall. Later in the day in a statement, Galgotias University apologised for the confusion created at the AI Impact Summit, stating that the person "manning the pavillion was ill-informed". "She was not aware of the technical origins of the products and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press," the university said. Stating that there was "no institutional intent to misrepresent this innovation," the university said it remains firmly committed to academic integrity, transparency and responsible representations of its work." It said it has vacated the premises "understanding the organiser's sentiment". The controversy erupted after Neha Singh, a professor of communications at the University, on Tuesday showed to DD News a robotic dog Orion, saying it "has been developed by the Centre of Excellence at Galgotias University." As the video went viral, social media users highlighted that the robot was actually a Unitree Go2, manufactured by China's Unitree Robotics and commonly used in research and education worldwide. As the episode snowballed into a controversy, the university was asked to vacate the stall. Facing backlash, both Galgotias and Singh on Wednesday said the robot was not a university creation and that the institution had never claimed otherwise. IT Secretary Krishnan, however, emphasised that the government would not tolerate exhibits misrepresented as original creations. "If you mislead... we do not want a controversy (and) so we do not want a controversial agency... whom people believe are exhibiting something which is not theirs," he said. Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary in Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, said the intention is not to stifle innovation but it should not be misleading. The controversy "should not overshadow the kind of effort that the others have put in," he said. As Galgotias University drew sharp criticism and accusations of misrepresenting imported technology as its own, the Greater Noida-based institution issued a statement saying, "the robotic programming is part of our endeavour to make students learn AI programming and develop and deploy real world skills using globally available tools and resources, given developing AI talent is the need of the hour." Stating that its faculty and students were "deeply pained by the propaganda campaign" against the institution, the university said its vision is focused on student learning and innovation, and that it provides students access to modern technologies to help them gain practical experience and prepare for the future. "Spreading negativity can harm the morale of students, who are working hard to innovate, learn and build their skills using global technologies," it said. The university maintained that the exercise was aimed at imparting hands-on AI programming skills using globally available platforms and tools. On ground, the university's stall at the expo had no display on Wednesday. Some students of the university continued to occupy the stall. Responding to the controversy, Singh told PTI that, "The controversy happened because things may not have been expressed clearly and the intent may not have been properly understood." "Regarding the robot dog, we cannot claim that we manufactured it. I have told everyone that we introduced it to our students to inspire them to create something better on their own. Our university contributes to building future leaders by providing cutting-edge technologies in the field of AI, and it will continue to do so." On reports that the government had asked the university to vacate the expo area, she said, "I do not have any information about that. What I know is that today we are all present here." 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.
18 February,2026 11:55 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIMaharashtra's Nalasopara Railway Station, known for its heavy passenger footfall during peak hours, witnessed a coordinated crowd management operation on Wednesday. Under the supervision of Virar’s Assistant Security Commissioner, divisional staff ensured smooth and safe commuter movement between 6 AM and 11 AM. The operation involved personnel from various posts alongside Nalasopara station staff. Passengers were guided to stand in two orderly lines and advised to allow sufficient space for those alighting from trains before boarding. Staff ensured boarding and alighting occurred smoothly to reduce congestion and enhance commuter safety. A total of 22 personnel participated in the operation, including 12 Railway Protection Force (RPF) members and 10 Mumbai Suburban Force (MSF) staff. The coordinated effort successfully maintained order on the platform, providing a safer and more organised experience for commuters during the busy morning hours.
18 February,2026 11:07 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarNITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery shared a vision connecting India’s economic growth, women’s workforce participation, and energy self-sufficiency at Mumbai Climate Week. He emphasised that clean technology and strong infrastructure could reinforce the country’s development. Bery drew on insights from Nobel laureates to highlight the role of women in economic growth. “One of the Nobel Prize laureates a couple of years ago, Claudia Goldin, has documented even in the United States that there is a gender gap, a wage gap," He also referenced Sir Arthur Lewis, whose work connects growth and labour mobilisation. “What Sir Arthur Lewis basically said… if economies grow, they will look for labour resources,” Bery explained. Bery also noted that in the US, the pattern was that women first entered the labour force, followed by migrants. In a way, these factors interact, as the economy grows faster, more women are drawn in. It’s about priming the pump, encouraging female participation to accelerate growth. That’s the “magic circle,” the upward spiral we should aim to create. Renewable energy and self-reliance Bery aligned his remarks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of energy self-sufficiency. He noted that the underlying theme of Mumbai Climate Week reflects the PM’s Red Fort address on India’s push for energy independence. “We should celebrate the fact that technology now gives us a competitive edge in harnessing abundant resources like the sun and wind. That’s where our advantage lies,” he said as per ANI reports. He noted the challenge of integrating renewable energy into India’s existing grid. “The question of integrating these new resources… into the existing grid is the challenge,” Bery said. Infrastructure and manufacturing advantage Highlighting India’s cost competitiveness, Bery said, “A data centre in India… is much cheaper than a data centre in the US, for all kinds of reasons. So if we can be competitive in both the grid, and in mobilising, it plays to our comparative advantage.” He stressed the importance of reliable power for advanced manufacturing, particularly chip production. “Quality of power supply… is incredibly important for our ambitions in chip manufacturing,” Bery noted, adding that data centre operators could help ensure uninterrupted supply. Bery pointed to the fast expansion of global capability centres (GCCs) and data infrastructure. “Who would have thought the GCCs would be growing like mushrooms, or data centers might grow like mushrooms,” he said. (With ANI Inputs)
18 February,2026 08:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to grant anticipatory bail to a chartered accountant in a money laundering investigation linked to a Rs 640-crore cyber fraud case. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Augustine George Masih upheld the order of the Delhi High Court which had denied pre-arrest bail to Bhaskar Yadav and directed him to surrender in 10 days. The high court on February 2 dismissed anticipatory bail applications by Yadav and Ashok Kumar Sharma. In the 22-page judgement, the high court had said there was an "intricate mesh of laundering of money", and the need expressed by the Enforcement Directorate to interrogate the two accused in custody was not unreasonable. "The accused/applicants, being skilled professionals, have allegedly crafted laundering of proceeds of crime across multiple layers, and to unearth the same, I find substance in the submission of learned counsel for DoE (Directorate of Enforcement) that custodial interrogation is much required," the HC said. "It is not a case of mere dealing in cryptocurrency, which per se is not a crime in this country and the liability of the accused persons is confined to paying tax on the crypto transactions. The present cases exhibit a vast intricate mesh of movement of money, fraudulently extracted out of pocket of gullible investors, who appear to be primarily belonging to middle class," it had added. The high court had stated that individual liberty was sacrosanct, but it could not brush aside the requirement to carry out a meaningful interrogation and investigation in the larger interest of the country's economy. It had noted there were fresh complaints of the accused allegedly assaulting the investigating officers, bribing the local police to settle cyber fraud complaints and destroying electronic evidence. The money laundering probe stems from two FIRs filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police that were registered to probe charges of cyber fraud to the tune of Rs 640 crore generated through betting, gambling, part-time jobs and phishing scams, the ED has earlier said in a statement. As per the agency, the money of gullible people was siphoned off by layering funds cheated from them through more than 5,000 mule Indian bank accounts and subsequently uploaded on PYYPL, a UAE-based payment platform. Part of the cyber fraud money was withdrawn in cash in Dubai through debit and credit cards issued by various Indian banks, it said.According to the probe agency, the alleged scam was being run through a nexus of certain CAs, company secretaries and crypto traders who worked in tandem to launder the proceeds of crime. 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.
18 February,2026 07:12 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suffered a setback ahead of the mayoral elections in the Bhiwandi-Nizampur municipal corporation. Nine of its 22 corporators broke away to form a separate group, the Bhiwandi Secular Front (BSF), and extended their support to the Congress-led alliance. This move paves the way for the Congress to elect its own mayor. Congress-NCP-SP alliance gains strength With the support of the BSF, the Congress-NCP-Samajwadi Party (SP) alliance has crossed the halfway mark in the 90-member body. A Congress functionary said on Wednesday, “The nine corporators have decided to support us.” The development comes amid differences between the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the functionary added. Notably, the Samajwadi Party had previously supported Shiv Sena. In the municipal elections held last month, the Congress emerged as the single largest party, securing 30 seats. The BJP won 22 seats, Shiv Sena 12, NCP-SP 12, Samajwadi Party 6, Konark Vikas Aghadi 4, and Bhiwandi Vikas Aghadi 3. One independent candidate also won a seat. Thanks to the support of the breakaway corporators, the Congress-NCP-SP alliance now has the numbers to comfortably install its mayor and deputy mayor. Fractured verdict and political shifts The elections had produced a fractured verdict, with no party having a clear majority. The recent realignment highlights growing political shifts within the BJP and Shiv Sena in the region. “The political landscape in Bhiwandi-Nizampur is changing fast,” said a local Congress leader. “This support ensures stability and allows us to move forward with our plans for the city.” Arrested former Mayor Vilas Patil was allowed to file nomination for BNMC elections A Thane court on Monday allowed arrested corporator Vilas Raghunath Patil for alleged involvement in a 2025 financial fraud case to be escorted by police to file his nomination papers for the upcoming mayoral elections of the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC). According to a BNMC release, nine candidates, including Patil, filed nominations for the post of mayor, while six candidates filed for deputy mayor which were scheduled on February 20. The court imposed conditions that Patil should not interact with anyone outside the EOW premises, cannot use any phone or communication device, cannot address or engage with the media and must bear police escort expenses and return immediately after filing. “The right to contest elections is the constitutional right of every person which cannot be denied,” the court observed. (With PTI Inputs)
18 February,2026 06:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court (SC) of India on Tuesday adjourned to March 18 the hearing on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging obstruction by the West Bengal government, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during search operations at the I-PAC office and the residence of its director in connection with an alleged coal pilferage scam, news agency PTI reported. A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan deferred the proceedings after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that a rejoinder would be submitted later in the day. On January 15, the top court observed that the West Bengal Chief Minister’s alleged “obstruction” of the ED’s probe was “very serious” and agreed to examine whether a state’s law enforcement agencies can interfere with a Central agency’s investigation into a serious offence. The court also stayed FIRs registered against ED officials who had raided the political consultancy I-PAC on January 8. While staying the FIRs filed in West Bengal against ED officials, the apex court directed the state police to preserve the CCTV footage of the raids, reported PTI. The court had issued notices to Banerjee, the West Bengal government, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, and other senior police officers on the ED’s petitions seeking a CBI probe against them for allegedly obstructing the raids at the I-PAC premises. West Bengal CM accused of taking away crucial evidence from premises The ED has alleged that Banerjee entered the raid sites and removed “key” evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices, from the I-PAC premises, thereby obstructing and interfering with the investigation. The agency further claimed in its plea that the chief minister’s presence at the search site and the alleged removal of documents had an intimidating effect on officers and seriously compromised the federal probe agency’s ability to discharge its statutory functions independently, reported PTI. The ED’s plea in the apex court follows events of January 8, when the agency conducted searches at the premises of I-PAC and its director, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata as part of a money-laundering probe into the alleged multi-crore coal pilferage scam. During the search operation, Banerjee reached the I-PAC office along with senior TMC leaders, confronted ED officials, and allegedly took away documents from the premises. The chief minister has accused the central agency of overreach. According to PTI, the West Bengal Police has also registered an FIR against ED officers. TMC denies obstruction charges, questions ED’s intent The TMC has denied the ED’s allegations of obstruction. It has further been alleged that the ED’s action against I-PAC, the party’s election consultant, was aimed at accessing confidential election strategy material. The party has maintained that I-PAC functions as its election strategist and that the ED’s action was intended to disrupt its electoral preparations rather than pursue a bona fide investigation. Assembly elections in West Bengal are due in a few months. (With PTI inputs)
18 February,2026 06:16 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a series of high-level meetings with global leaders and industry heads on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The discussions focused on strengthening India’s leadership in artificial intelligence and deepening international partnerships. The summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20. PM Modi meets Google CEO Sundar Pichai During the summit, PM Modi met Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, to discuss India’s growing AI ecosystem. Sharing details of his meeting on social media platform X, PM Modi said, “It was a delight to meet Mr. Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. Talked about the work India is doing in AI and how Google can work with our talented students and professionals in this field.” The meeting focused on collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) and opportunities for Indian talent. India-Finland aim to double trade, says PM Modi PM Modi also held extensive discussions with his counterpart from Finland, Petteri Orpo. A key topic was the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). “Thanked him for his personal support to the India-EU FTA, which ushers in a golden era in India-Europe relations. India and Finland aim to double trade,” PM Modi posted on X. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in emerging sectors such as 6G, innovation, clean energy, biofuels, and the circular economy. '2026 to be observed as India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI' PM Modi later met Spanish President Pedro Sánchez to explore ways to expand bilateral cooperation. “Had a productive meeting with President Pedro Sanchez in Delhi. Discussed ways to boost the India-Spain friendship, especially in areas such as defence, security, technology and more,” he said. PM Modi also announced that 2026 will be observed as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI. “This will deepen people-to-people linkages,” he noted, welcoming a large delegation of universities from Spain. PM Modi added that the EU-India FTA would create new economic opportunities for both countries. India's IT sector a key driver of economic growth, says PM Modi The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South. It has brought together representatives from over 110 countries and 30 international organisations, including heads of state, ministers, policymakers, industry experts, and academics. The summit is guided by three core principles — 'People, Planet, and Progress' — and promotes human-centric and sustainable AI development. It aligns with India’s vision of “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya (welfare for all, happiness for all)" and the broader goal of AI for Humanity. In a special interview with ANI, PM Modi spoke about AI’s growing impact on India’s IT sector. “India's IT sector has been the backbone of our services exports and a key driver of economic growth,” he said. “AI presents both a tremendous opportunity and a challenge.” He added that projections show India’s IT sector could reach USD 400 billion by 2030, driven by AI-enabled outsourcing and automation. Highlighting the government’s approach, he emphasised preparing the workforce for the future, ensuring that innovation leads to inclusive and sustainable growth. Through these engagements at the summit, India has underlined its ambition to play a leading role in shaping the global future of artificial intelligence. (With ANI inputs)
18 February,2026 04:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAtharva Avinash Chauhan, a student from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon, has secured an impressive 99.78 percentile in the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE)-Main 2026 (Session 1) examination, breaking a 10-year record at his coaching centre and registering one of the best results in the entire Khandesh region. Speaking to ANI, an elated Atharva credited his parents, teachers, and friends for his achievement, while emphasising the importance of honesty and regularity in exam preparation. "I am very happy today. Seeing such good marks from me, my parents, teachers, and friends are all happy... I used to be in class from 7 am to 7 pm, attending lectures and studying both... I credit my success to my teachers, friends, and parents... Honesty and regularity are essential in exam preparation," Atharva said. His father, Avinash Chauhan, expressed confidence in his son’s abilities, citing his consistent academic performance over the years. "I'm very happy today. I was fully confident that he'd score so many marks... His scores in school have always been good. In class 10th, he also scored 97 per cent and came first in the district... He was always a topper in studies," Avinash said. He added that while Atharva maintained a disciplined study routine, he also took short breaks to refresh himself. "Whenever he came home from coaching, he would play games on his mobile for 15-20 minutes or look at his laptop for a little while. But it was limited to that much, and after that, he would sit down to study on his own," Avinash noted. Atharva’s coaching teacher, Savita Vani, highlighted that he broke the 10-year-old record at her centre, calling it a golden moment. "I am very happy that Atharva has broken the 10-year record at my coaching centre. He got 99.78 percentile in the January shift of JEE Mains... He has achieved such a good result in the entire Khandesh region. That is a golden moment for me," Vani said. Speaking to reporters, she also praised Atharva’s passion and focus, expressing confidence in his performance in upcoming exams. "He possessed the qualities necessary for a good result... Atharva has passion, and he will perform equally well in the upcoming exams," she added. Atharva’s success has brought pride not only to his family but also to the Jalgaon district and the wider Khandesh region. With JEE-Main Session-2 and JEE-Advanced still ahead, Atharva is now preparing to maintain his momentum and secure a seat at one of India’s premier engineering institutions. (With ANI inputs)
18 February,2026 04:13 PM IST | Jalgaon | mid-day online correspondentThe India AI Expo Summit 2026 will remain closed to the public on February 19. Expo will also remain closed for an additional day on February 21, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said on Wednesday. As reported by news agency IANS, the decision comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the summit on February 19. Due to the high-level presence and security arrangements for the inaugural session, authorities have decided to keep the expo closed for general visitors on that day. Krishnan further said that the event has been extended by one day because of the overwhelming response and enthusiasm from the public. He stated, “The expo will now remain open on Saturday, February 21, allowing more visitors to attend and explore the exhibits,” as cited by news agency IANS. The minister further informed that around 20 heads of state will be present at the inaugural session. “Among them will be French President Emmanuel Macron highlighting the global importance of the summit,” he added. The AI Summit is to be closed for an additional day on Feb 21 The Minister further said that the government does not want to cause any inconvenience to the public due to security restrictions and traffic arrangements on the opening day. Therefore, it was decided that the expo area would remain closed on February 19 and instead operate for an additional day later in the week. The India AI Expo Summit has drawn significant attention for showcasing cutting-edge artificial intelligence innovations from across the country and abroad, with strong participation expected from industry leaders, startups and international delegations. Spread across 10 arenas covering more than 70,000 square meters, it will bring together global technology firms, startups, academia and research institutions, Union Ministries, state governments, and international partners. The event will also feature 13 country pavilions, showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem. These include pavilions from Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, and African countries. (With inputs from IANS)
18 February,2026 04:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt has lashed out the national federation after returning from a tumultuous tour of Australia during which his side didn't just have to roam the streets for lack of accommodation but also "wash dishes before going to play a match". Butt told the media at the Lahore Airport early this morning that the Pakistan Hockey Federation had been telling them lies and "enough was enough"."We can't work with this current management of the federation. When players have to clean the kitchen and wash dishes before going to play a match what result do you expect from us?" a livid Butt asked angrily. The PHF has drawn severe criticism after the state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed it had given them more than 10 million rupees to arrange hotel accommodation of the national team in Australia. The Pakistan hockey team had to wait for 13-14 hours at Sydney airport before their onward flight to Canberra. More disturbing reports came in when the team checked into its hotel ahead of the FIH Pro League matches. The players were told that they had no bookings since no advance payment was made to the hotel management. The players had to wait for hours and roamed the streets before an accommodation was arranged for them. The next afternoon, they had to play their first match against Australia which the team lost 2-3. Pakistan all its matches during the Australia leg, losing to the hosts as well as Germany. "What was pathetic was that even the Airbnb accommodation was arranged for 10 days when we had to stay for 13 days. We had to move into a cheaper residence after 10-days," Butt said. The PSB Director-General Noor us Sabah told the media that they were preparing a detailed report for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after he ordered an inquiry into the whole fiasco. The Sharif is the patron-in-chief of the PHF. Butt disclosed that the PHF had warned the players of disciplinary action if they spoke to the media "I am speaking up because of what we have been through in Australia," he said. "We need a foreign coach if we have to move forward. We have a good combination of players but we need a foreign coach and good management," he 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.
18 February,2026 03:23 PM IST | Karachi | PTIMadhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jagdish Devda presented a Rs 4.38 lakh crore budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the state Assembly on Wednesday, placing strong emphasis on welfare measures for women, farmers, and marginalised sections while outlining ambitious plans for infrastructure, industry, and sustainable growth. The budget also includes the recruitment of 15,000 teachers to strengthen the education system and 22,500 in the police department. The flagship 'Ladli Behna' Yojana received the largest single allocation of Rs 23,882 crore, continuing to provide direct financial assistance to women and reinforcing the government's focus on gender empowerment and household economic stability. In the agriculture sector, Devda announced the distribution of subsidised solar irrigation pumps to one lakh farmers, fulfilling Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's commitment to promote renewable energy in farming, cut electricity expenses, and boost productivity through eco-friendly practices. A target of Rs 25,000 crore in Kisan loans was set, alongside efforts to promote natural farming methods. Rural development emerged as a priority with Rs 40,000 crore earmarked for comprehensive rural infrastructure. The G Ram G scheme for Gram Panchayat advancement received Rs 10,428 crore, while Rs 9,000 crore was allocated for the PM Janman scheme targeting tribal and underprivileged communities. The Jal Jeevan Mission was provided Rs 4,454 crore to accelerate piped drinking water coverage across households. Infrastructure saw substantial investments, including Rs 12,690 crore for road repairs and connectivity enhancements in rural and urban areas. Housing for all received Rs 6,850 crore under the PM Awas Yojana. Urban development was allocated over Rs 21,561 crore, with a dedicated Rs 3,600 crore for preparations related to the upcoming 'Simhastha Mahaparva', supported by Rs 13,851 crore overall for the event and ongoing work on the six-lane Indore-Ujjain Highway. The energy sector was strengthened with a provision of Rs 34,650 million and the establishment of a 604 megawatt power unit. The state has implemented its Space Policy and is developing 48 industrial parks, while a special package was approved to spur industrial growth in Bundelkhand. Telecom manufacturing initiatives have commenced in Gwalior. Education and youth development featured free tetra pack milk for students up to Class eight in government schools to enhance nutrition and school attendance. Rs 530 crore was set aside for PM Shri Yojana, Rs 800 crore for sports and training infrastructure, and hostels will be built for working women. The Devi Ahilyabai Lok development project has begun, while Rs 793 crore was allocated for Dharti Aba Yojana and Rs 1,335 crore for labour welfare. Environmental conservation received Rs 6,151 crore, religious and cultural activities secured Rs 2,055 crore, and the Mukhya Mantri Teerth Darshan Yojana got Rs 50 crore to support senior citizens' pilgrimages. The presentation was briefly disrupted by opposition Congress MLAs, who entered the House with placards and symbolic empty piggy banks to protest the absence of an increase in legislators' funds, creating momentary chaos during the speech. This budget reflects the government's vision for inclusive, sustainable, and self-reliant progress in Madhya Pradesh, balancing welfare commitments with long-term developmental goals amid global economic uncertainties. 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.
18 February,2026 03:00 PM IST | Bhopal | IANSADVERTISEMENT
-1771427783917_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "Private university Galgotias stall at the AI Impact Summit. Pic/PTI")
-1771414428556_d.png "NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery. Pic/X (@NITIAayog)")
-1771416055117_d.png "The money laundering probe stems from two FIRs filed by EOW of Delhi Police. Representational Image")
-1771421037508_d.png "Biwandi Secular Front members. Pic/X (@rais_shk)")
-1771409347230_d.png "PM Narendra Modi with Sundar Pichai, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Pic/PTI")
-1771407683677_d.png "Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt. Pic/X (@AmmadButt96)")
