Following his removal as Deputy Leader of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Rajya Sabha, Raghav Chadha on Friday said that he has been “silenced, not defeated”. Taking to X, Chadha shared a video message for his party with a short line saying, “Silenced, not defeated. My message to the aam aadmi." In the video message, he questioned the decision to restrict his voice in Parliament, asking whether raising issues concerning the public had become a crime. Chadha alleged that his party had communicated with the Secretariat to prevent him from speaking in Parliament. He expressed concern over being denied opportunities to raise matters affecting citizens. “Whenever I get a chance, I speak about issues related to the people. Why should anyone stop me?” he asked. Focus on public issues Raghav Chadha stated that he has consistently raised concerns such as challenges faced by delivery workers, high food prices at airports, food adulteration, toll charges, middle-class tax burdens and telecom recharge practices. He maintained that these issues directly benefit ordinary citizens and questioned why the party would object to such interventions. Silenced, not defeatedMy message to the ‘aam aadmi’—खामोश करवाया गया हूँ, हारा नहीं हूँ'आम आदमी’ को मेरे संदेश pic.twitter.com/poUwxsu0S3 — Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) April 3, 2026 Chadha concluded his message by thanking the public for their continued support, stating that he remains committed to serving them. He added a poetic note, saying his silence should not be mistaken for defeat and likened himself to a river that could turn into a flood when the time comes. AAP appoints new deputy leader The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has appointed Ashok Mittal as its new Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, effectively replacing Chadha. The party has also formally informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat of the change. At present, Sanjay Singh serves as the party’s leader in the Upper House and also heads its parliamentary wing. Reports suggest the party has also requested that Chadha not be allotted speaking time in Parliament. Speculation over internal rift While neither side has openly acknowledged tensions, there are indications of strained relations between Chadha and the party leadership, reported the IANS. Political circles have also been abuzz with speculation about a possible shift in his political alignment ahead of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, the news agency reported.
03 April,2026 12:51 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, after it was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal emphasised that the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, is designed to foster trust-based governance. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, he said, "There will be fear in those who break the law knowingly." The Minister highlighted that with this reform, they have attempted to "provide protection through adequate civil mechanisms" and " tried to bring swift and proportionate penalties." Clarifying that the Bill does not dilute essential regulations like the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Goyal assured the House that "very strict and severe criminal punishment" is imposed for those who manufacture, import, or sell spurious drugs without approval from the drug controller. The legislation aims to promote a governance model based on trust and proportionate regulation, while reducing compliance burden and decriminalising minor offences to facilitate smoother business operations and improve citizens' quality of life. The Bill seeks to amend 784 provisions of 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries, decriminalise 717 provisions to promote Ease of Doing Business and amend 67 provisions to facilitate Ease of Living. The Bill seeks to rationalise more than 1000 offences, remove outdated and redundant provisions and improve the overall regulatory environment. It envisages a shift from criminal penalties for minor, technical, or procedural defaults to civil and administrative enforcement mechanisms. Key measures include replacing imprisonment provisions with monetary penalties or warnings, graded enforcement mechanisms, including warnings for first-time contraventions and rationalisation of fines and penalties in proportion to the nature of the offence. To ensure efficient and time-bound enforcement, the Bill provides for the appointment of Adjudicating Officers and the establishment of Appellate Authorities. Officials said that the measures aim to facilitate the speedy disposal of cases and reduce litigation burden on courts, while ensuring adherence to principles of natural justice. The Bill also proposes 67 amendments under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. 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.
03 April,2026 12:18 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's stance on ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, amidst escalating tensions in West Asia. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India stands for free and open commercial shipping and maritime security, in line with international law. Speaking at a media briefing, Jaiswal said that the UK has invited India to talks on the Strait of Hormuz, and India's Foreign Secretary will attend the meeting. He added that India is in touch with Iran and other countries to ensure unimpeded transit and safe passage for Indian ships carrying LPG, LNG, and other products Jaiswal said, "The UK side has invited several countries, which also include India, for talks on the Strait of Hormuz. From our side, the Foreign Secretary is attending the meeting this evening. We are in touch with Iran and other countries there to see how best we can get unimpeded transit and safe transit for our ships, which are carrying products including LPG, LNG and other products. Through this conversation that we have had over the last several days, we have had six Indian ships which have been able to safely cross the Strait of Hormuz, and we continue to be in touch with relevant parties." Regarding the safety of Indian citizens, Jaiswal said, "Approximately 10 million Indian citizens reside in the GCC countries. All of them are safe. Our embassies in all these countries remain in constant contact with them." Eight Indian citizens have lost their lives in the conflict, and one remains missing. "Eight Indian citizens have been casualties in this conflict so far, and one remains reported as missing. Ministry of External Affairs, in coordination with our Ministry of Shipping and all our Indian embassies in the region, we are dedicated to safeguarding the security and interests of our citizens. We are closely monitoring all developments and activities related to the Gulf region, this ongoing conflict, and the Strait of Hormuz," he added. India has also facilitated the exit of 204 nationals from Iran through the land border to Azerbaijan, with more expected to return in the coming days. Jaiswal thanked the government of Azerbaijan for its support. He said, "Several of our Indian nationals, 204, to be precise, have been able to leave Iran for Azerbaijan through the land border, and from there, they will be coming back home. Several of them have returned, and others will be returning in the course of the next few days. We are thankful to the government of Azerbaijan for the support that they render for the exit of Indian nationals from Iran through the land border..." Regarding the Bahraini resolution at the UN Security Council, Jaiswal said, "This particular resolution is under consideration in the UN Security Council. We are aware of the resolution. We also know that relevant parties, which means the members of the Security Council, are currently negotiating this particular text. As far as India is concerned, we stand for free and open commercial shipping and for maritime security in keeping with international law. We continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority. And also, we are closely following all developments in regard to this West Asian conflict. So that is how we look at the Bahraini resolution." India is gearing up for its BRICS presidency, with several meetings lined up in the coming months, the MEA spokesperson said on Thursday. Responding to queries on the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting, Jaiswal said, "Next month, we are still some distance away. We'll keep you informed well in time as to what we have, what we are planning, so on and so forth." On India's role in BRICS, Jaiswal stated, "We are the chair. We are doing several of these meetings. You would have followed the recent working-level meetings that we've done. We will be organising a series of meetings going into our presidency. We'll keep you updated with the Foreign Ministers' level meeting as also other tracks in which we'll have ministerial interaction." 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
03 April,2026 11:56 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Central government has raised concerns over the persistence of rumours regarding LPG availability, noting that only 17 states are currently conducting regular press briefings to mitigate public anxiety. In a formal letter to all State and Union Territory Chief Secretaries, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has urged local administrations to intensify their communication strategies to prevent panic buying and hoarding across the country. "It is observed that rumours and misinformation continue to circulate in certain areas, leading to avoidable public concern and instances of panic buying. As per information provided by State-level Coordinators of OMCs, only 17 States/UTs are presently conducting regular or intermittent press briefings," Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal stated in the letter, ANI reported. Seventeen states currently hold regular LPG briefings The states currently conducting these briefings include Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The Centre has requested the remaining states to immediately adopt similar measures to stabilise the situation. States urged to enhance proactive public communication "In this regard, States/UT Governments are requested to intensify proactive and regular public communication. Daily press briefings at an appropriately senior level, along with timely dissemination of accurate information through social and electronic media, may be ensured to reassure citizens regarding adequate availability and smooth distribution of LPG and to effectively counter misinformation," the Secretary wrote, the news agency reported. Beyond this communication, the Ministry has also called for strict enforcement against those exploiting the situation for profit. Centre stresses crackdown on hoarding and black market activities "Necessary action may also continue to be taken to curb malpractices such as hoarding and black marketing," the letter added, ANI reported. This directive follows an earlier warning issued by the Ministry on March 27, which highlighted how geopolitical developments in West Asia had disrupted global supply chains. These external factors contributed to a surge in fake news regarding the pricing and availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG on social media platforms, further straining the domestic distribution network. (With ANI inputs)
03 April,2026 11:52 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a major operation, an inter-state gas theft racket was busted by the Maharashtra State Level Vigilance Cell in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where officials seized LPG worth approximately Rs 1.26 crore, including two large tankers, an official statement said. The state-level vigilance team uncovered an inter-state network accused of stealing LPG meant for public distribution. Officials said the racket was depriving nearly 2,480 economically weaker households of their rightful monthly gas supply, it said. Officials conduct raid, seize LPG The action was initiated following confidential information received about an LPG smuggling syndicate by rationing controller Chandrakant Dange. A team led by Ganesh Bellale laid a trap near a hotel on Vaijapur Road in the Gangapur area to bust the racket. On the night of April 2, officials raided the spot and caught the accused allegedly red-handed while siphoning LPG after breaking the seal of a tanker belonging to Hindustan Petroleum. The seizure The officials said that they seized the following items during the operation - - Two large LPG tankers (MH 43 K 5921 and MH 43 CK 5747) carrying a total of 35,220 kg of gas - 26 illegally stored cylinders, including both commercial (19.2 kg) and domestic (14.2 kg) units - Total estimated value of seized goods: Rs 1.26 crore Impact on public supply Officials highlighted that the confiscated LPG could have met the monthly needs of around 2,480 poor families. The operation exposed how illegal fuel diversion directly affects essential supply for ordinary citizens. Amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia, which has disrupted energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the government has warned of strict action against those stealing cooking gas, as well as individuals involved in hoarding, unauthorised storage, or illegally reselling LPG cylinders. A case is being registered at the MIDC Waluj police station. The officials have begun a detailed investigation to trace the full extent of the network and identify other individuals involved, the official statement said. Speaking on the crackdown, Chandrakant Dange reiterated that strict action will continue against those involved in illegal hoarding and theft of essential commodities. He stressed that such offences would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
03 April,2026 11:40 AM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe government has suspended its earlier direction to airlines to offer at least 60 per cent of seats on any flight free of additional charge, which was set to come into effect from April 20. The Civil Aviation Ministry, in a communication to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), said the matter had been reviewed following representations from the Federation of Indian Airlines and Akasa Air, which flagged operational and commercial implications of the provision, including its potential impact on fare structures and consistency with the prevailing deregulated tariff regime. The government noted that in view of the above, and pending a comprehensive examination of the issue, it has been decided that the provision relating to offering at least 60 per cent of seats free of charge shall be kept in abeyance till further orders. At present, 20 per cent of seats on a flight can be booked free of charge, while the remaining seats are subject to a fee. Airlines currently charge between Rs 200 and Rs 2,100 for seat selection, depending on factors such as front-row positioning and extra legroom. The original direction announced by the Civil Aviation Ministry on March 18 was aimed at addressing rising passenger complaints over high charges for services including seat selection. The ministry had issued fresh guidelines through the DGCA mandating that passengers travelling on the same PNR be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats, among other passenger-friendly measures. The rollback comes even as India has emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, with Indian airports handling over five lakh passengers daily. The ministry said it remains committed to passenger facilitation, transparency and upholding safety standards across the aviation ecosystem. 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.
03 April,2026 11:02 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSThe Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday issued an advisory addressing misleading information circulating regarding QR codes printed on its question papers. The board clarified that the QR codes are part of internal systems and are not designed to function as direct internet hyperlinks. In an official advisory, CBSE explained, "These codes are part of internal systems for authentication, tracking, and examination integrity, and do not open as web links when scanned. Rather, they only show the intended text. However, if a user opts to use Google search on the text, Google search suggests certain other words. This doesn't occur if standard browsers such as Chrome." The board also cautioned against the spread of misinformation. "It has been observed that when users attempt to interpret or manually search QR-related strings online, unrelated search results--including references to any individual or entity are shown. Such web results are algorithm-driven and bear no connection to CBSE or its examination processes," the advisory stated. Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations, CBSE, warned that certain elements deliberately misrepresent unrelated search results to malign the board's image. "The linking of QR codes to unrelated individuals or content is factually incorrect and misleading," he said. The board further advised students, parents, educators, and media platforms to exercise caution. Stakeholders are urged to "refrain from sharing unverified claims or speculative interpretations, verify facts through official CBSE communications before dissemination, and exercise caution against amplifying content that may distort institutional credibility." CBSE concluded the advisory by emphasising the importance of responsible information sharing to maintain the integrity of public institutions. Earlier, the CBSE warned teachers involved in the Class X and Class XII evaluation process of strict disciplinary action for sharing misleading information on social media. The Board observed that some evaluators were posting opinions and experiences online, which could trigger confusion and rumours among students and stakeholders. 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
03 April,2026 09:41 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIIndia’s annual defence exports touched an all time high of Rs 38,424 crore in the financial year 2025-26, marking an over 62 per cent growth over the previous fiscal. The “big jump” in the defence exports reflected the growing “global trust” in India’s indigenous defence capabilities, Union Defence Minister Singh said. 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
03 April,2026 08:23 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesUpset at not being served liquor, a group of guests at a wedding in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district allegedly assaulted the bride, groom and their family members, police said. Some members of the groom’s family suffered injuries in the incident that occurred on Tuesday night in Patai village under the Aron police station area. The accused also allegedly stole household items and money during the assault, a police official said on Wednesday. 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
03 April,2026 08:14 AM IST | Gwalior | AgenciesCommercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder prices have been increased by Rs 195.50 from April 1, 2026, owing to rising global oil prices amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. Following the price hike, a 19-kg commercial cylinder in Mumbai now costs Rs 2,031.00, while in Delhi, it is priced at Rs 2,078.50. The last hike of Rs 114.50 was announced on March 1. The price rise is likely to affect hotels, restaurants, and small businesses that depend heavily on commercial gas. The latest revision comes against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global transit route for crude oil and energy supplies. Since late February, global oil prices have risen by nearly 50 percent due to the conflict. Commercial LPG cylinder rates (19 kg) Delhi – Rs 2,078.50 Mumbai – Rs 2,031.00 Kolkata – Rs 2,208.00 Bengaluru – Rs 2,246.50 However, in some respite to domestic LPG consumers, the government has kept the prices of domestic cylinders unchanged. The price of domestic cylinders was last increased by Rs 60 in March 2026. In Delhi, a 14.2-kg cylinder continues to cost Rs 913, while in Mumbai, it is available for Rs 912.50. Domestic LPG cylinder rates (14.2 kg) Delhi – Rs 913.00 Mumbai – Rs 912.50 Kolkata – Rs 939.00 Chennai – Rs 928.50 Bengaluru – Rs 915.50 Hyderabad – Rs 965.00 Jaipur – Rs 916.50 Lucknow – Rs 950.50 Patna – Rs 1,002.50 Chandigarh – Rs 922.50 Thiruvananthapuram – Rs 922.00 Meanwhile, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices have also seen an increase following the April 1 revision. In Delhi, ATF prices rose to Rs 1,04,927 per kilolitre from Rs 96,638.14 in March, while in Mumbai, rates increased to Rs 98,247 from Rs 90,451.87. The Central government reduced excise duty on petrol to Rs 3 per litre and brought it down to zero for diesel, as per a Gazette notification issued under the provisions of the Central Excise Act, 1944. Additionally, a windfall tax of Rs 21.5 per litre has been imposed on diesel exports. Fuel prices in India are revised monthly by government-run oil companies based on international rates and currency exchange changes. (With ANI inputs)
02 April,2026 11:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday expressed strong confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form the government in Keralam in the near future, citing growing public support and the party's expanding grassroots presence in the state. Addressing public meetings in Varkala and Attingal, Fadnavis described Keralam as a sacred land and stated that the time has come for the BJP to take charge to protect its culture, heritage, and ensure all-round development under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. Highlighting the BJP’s steady growth in the state, Fadnavis noted that the party has progressed from a phase where it used to lose elections to now having one Member of Parliament, a mayor, two municipal chairpersons, 32 panchayat heads, and over 600 corporators. He added that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is steadily expanding and people are increasingly supporting the BJP because it focuses on development rather than appeasement politics. Fadnavis pays tribute to slain workers The Maharashtra CM paid rich tributes to BJP workers who faced violence, stating that more than 300 karyakartas have been killed and many others injured in the state. He expressed happiness that Sadanandan Master, who lost both his legs in a political attack, has now become a Rajya Sabha member. Drawing parallels with states such as Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal — where the BJP has brought about political change —Fadnavis asserted that all eyes are now on Keralam. Development push under PM Modi The Maharashtra CM credited the Central Government under PM Modi for significant infrastructure growth in Keralam. He particularly highlighted the rapid progress of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, which has seen a sharp rise in container traffic and is now ranked 83rd globally. Operations at the port began in 2024 after years of delay, and it is expected to generate large-scale employment in the coming years. Fadnavis also mentioned ongoing projects including: Strengthening of bunkering facilities Expansion of railway infrastructure with modern trains such as Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Redevelopment of railway stations Development of a dedicated rare earth corridor and logistics park Major highway expansions under the Bharatmala Project, including National Highway 66. He added that smart city projects in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, along with pipeline infrastructure in Kochi, are improving urban life and ensuring better access to basic services. Criticism of LDF and UDF Fadnavis sharply criticised both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) governments and said that they have failed to fulfil even a single promise made to the people. He pointed out unfinished projects in Varkala such as a high-tech market, an Ayurvedic hospital, and the proposed “Ayurveda Global Village” on 63 acres. The Maharashtra CM further highlighted the severe drinking water crisis in Varkala, lack of medicines and doctors in local hospitals, and the absence of progress on the Dakshin Kashi project despite central funding. Fadnavis also accused the state government of not acting on a joint report prepared for the protection and rehabilitation of Varkala. Fadnavis says corruption cases should be handed over to CBI Referring to corruption allegations in the state, Fadnavis demanded that all such cases be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for impartial investigation. He accused certain Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders of having proximity to opposition figures and mismanaging community properties. Grassroots campaign Fadnavis informed that an extensive padyatra covering nearly 160 kilometres was conducted across every panchayat in the Attingal Constituency over the past 10 days in which thousands of people, including women and children, participated despite challenging weather. He claimed that even the traditional supporters of CPI(Marxist) and the Congress are now seeking change. Senior BJP leaders including Manoj Kotak, candidate Advocate Smita Sundarasan, and several others were present on the stage during the meetings. Fadnavis urged the people of Keralam to support educated and capable representatives who can ensure transparency, inclusivity, and real development in the state. The address comes as the BJP intensifies its campaign ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, focusing on development, good governance, and welfare schemes like Mudra Yojana for women and youth empowerment.
02 April,2026 10:28 PM IST | Kerala | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1775198855460_d.png "Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal. File Pic")
-1775194261648_d.png "Civil Aviation Ministry puts seat free directive on hold. Representational Image")
