Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the new policies are being framed with a focus on youth empowerment, placing young people at the centre of nation-building. Addressing the Veer Baal Diwas programme at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, he remarked that they represent Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and it is their generation that will lead India to the goal of becoming a developed nation, according to an official release. He stated that he sees and understands their competence and confidence, and therefore places great trust in them. Quoting the adage, PM Modi explained that even if a child speaks wisely, it should be accepted, meaning that greatness is not defined by age but by deeds and achievements. He underlined that young people can accomplish tasks that inspire others, and many have already demonstrated this. However, he stressed that these achievements should be seen only as a beginning, as there is much further to go, with dreams to be taken to the skies. Noting that this generation is fortunate, the Prime Minister said the nation stands firmly with their talent, unlike earlier times when youth feared even to dream due to an environment of despair. He remarked that today the country seeks out talent, provides platforms, and aligns the strength of 140 crore citizens with their aspirations. He highlighted that with the success of Digital India, the youth have the power of the internet and resources for learning, with missions like Startup India for those pursuing science, technology, and entrepreneurship, and Khelo India for those advancing in sports. He mentioned that only two days ago, he participated in the Sansad Khel Mahotsav, underscoring the many platforms available to support youth progress. The Prime Minister urged them to remain focused, cautioning against being trapped in the glitter of short-term popularity, and emphasised that clarity of thought and principles is essential. He called upon them to learn from ideals and great personalities of the nation, and to ensure that their success is not limited to themselves but becomes the success of the country. He highlighted that through platforms like Mera Yuva Bharat, efforts are being made to connect youth, provide them opportunities, and develop leadership skills. PM Modi emphasised that whether it is advancing the space economy, promoting sports, expanding fintech and manufacturing sectors, or creating opportunities for skill development and internships, youth remain at the core of every initiative. He further underlined that new opportunities are opening for youth in every sector. On the occasion of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on 9th January 2022, the Prime Minister had announced that 26th December would be observed as 'Veer Baal Diwas', to commemorate the martyrdom of Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, whose unparalleled sacrifice continues to inspire generations. 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
27 December,2025 10:54 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIAmid the ongoing protests against the atrocities faced by the minorities in Bangladesh, the BJP workers on Friday held a torchlight rally in Siliguri. BJP leader Anita Mahato, who also participated in the rally, stated that until Hindus unite, such violent incidents will continue to occur. "We (BJP workers) held a torchlight rally against the way Sanatani Hindus are being tortured in Bangladesh in Siliguri. We want to send a message that unless we Hindus unite, such situations will continue. The Hindus in Bangladesh have been burnt alive without clothes... We have to fight the same way for religion, like the way we fight for food, shelter, and livelihood," she said The comment follows the lynching of two Hindu Bangladeshis, which sparked a massive political row in India, with protests erupting in West Bengal and Assam demanding accountability from the neighbouring country's government. Multiple organisations, mostly pro-Hindu activists in saffron-clad clothes, dominated the streets of Kolkata on Friday, demanding that the atrocities being committed against minorities, especially Hindus, be stopped. Meanwhile, India raised serious concerns over repeated incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists and said it is closely monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country. Briefing the media in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government was disturbed by the sustained hostility faced by minority communities."India is closely monitoring developments and has expressed grave concern over the continued hostility of minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. We condemn the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice," Jaiswal said. Placing the issue in a broader context, the MEA pointed out that more than 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities have been recorded during the tenure of Bangladesh's interim government. These incidents include killings, arson and land grabbing."These incidents cannot be brushed aside as mere media exaggerations or dismissed as political violence," the spokesperson 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
27 December,2025 10:49 AM IST | Siliguri | ANIThe Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Friday announced the launch of a special Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train titled “Temple Trails of Dakshin”. The train offers passengers a unique spiritual journey across South India. The train will depart from Manmad, Maharashtra, on February 18, 2026. The train marked the first such comprehensive pilgrimage circuit originating from the region. As per IRCTC, the train offers a 12-night, 13-day all-inclusive tour. The initiative aims to provide pilgrims and heritage enthusiasts from Maharashtra and neighbouring states a seamless travel experience to some of South India’s most revered religious and cultural destinations. According to Gaurav Jha, group general manager, IRCTC West Zone, Mumbai, the composite AC and non-AC Bharat Gaurav train will cover iconic spiritual sites, including Murudeshwar, Guruvayur, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kanniyakumari, Trivandrum, Tiruchirappalli, Kanchipuram, and Mahabalipuram. The highlights of the tour include Murudeshwara Shiva Temple, Guruvayur Temple, Meenakshi Amman Temple, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, and the UNESCO-listed Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram. Boarding at various stations Passengers can board and disembark at Manmad, Nashik, Kalyan, Lonavala, Pune, Satara, and Miraj, ensuring wider accessibility. The train can accommodate up to 750 passengers and offers three travel classes. Economy Sleeper (SL) 3AC Comfort 2AC The all-inclusive package will cover train travel, accommodation in budget hotels on a sharing basis, all-vegetarian meals, AC and non-AC local transfers and sightseeing, travel insurance, and the services of dedicated IRCTC tour managers. Officials from the IRCTC West Zone further stated that special emphasis has been placed on health, safety, and passenger convenience, with all necessary precautions being implemented throughout the journey. Tour price The tour is priced at Rs 23,370 for sleeper class, Rs 36,990 for 3AC, and Rs 48,760 for 2AC. Bookings are open on a first-come, first-served basis through IRCTC’s tourism portal. With this initiative, IRCTC continues to strengthen India’s spiritual tourism ecosystem while enhancing regional connectivity, offering devotees a comfortable and curated way to explore the spiritual and cultural soul of India.
26 December,2025 06:05 PM IST | Manmad | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Veer Sahibzadas, praising their courage and valour for standing firm against the “cruel” Mughal Sultanate and for shaking the “very existence of religious fanaticism and terror”, news agency ANI reported. Addressing the national programme to mark ‘Veer Baal Diwas’, PM Modi said the Veer Sahibzadas, despite being very young, confronted the might of the Mughal empire and overcame all circumstances in their fight against oppression. “Today, the nation is observing Veer Bal Diwas. Today, we remember those brave Sahibzadas who are the pride of India. They represent the ultimate expression of India's indomitable courage, valour and bravery. Those brave Sahibzadas broke the limits of age and circumstance. They stood like a rock against the cruel Mughal Sultanate, shaking the very existence of religious fanaticism and terror. A nation with such a glorious past can achieve anything,” PM Modi said. He recalled the historic sacrifices made by the sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. On December 26, 1704, the younger sons, Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, were bricked alive on the orders of Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind, for resisting conversion to Islam during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. The two elder sons, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, attained ‘shaheed’ status after fighting valiantly in the Battle of Chamkaur. Highlighting the significance of Veer Baal Diwas, PM Modi spoke about the ideals for which the Veer Sahibzadas stood, ANI reported. “Veer Bal Diwas is a day of deep emotion and reverence. Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh had to confront the most powerful authority of their time at a very young age, That battle was between the fundamental ideals of India and religious fanaticism. It was a battle of truth versus falsehood,” he said. PM says Sahibzadas’ courage and sacrifice stood firm against Mughal cruelty Elaborating further, PM Modi stated, “This day of Veer Bal Diwas is a day filled with emotion and reverence... Our Sahibzadas were very young in age at that time, but it made no difference to Aurangzeb, to his cruelty... But Aurangzeb and his military commanders had forgotten that our Guru was no ordinary man. He was the living embodiment of penance and sacrifice. The brave Sahibzadas had inherited that legacy from him, so even though the entire Mughal empire was arrayed against them, they could not shake even one of those four Sahibzadas...” (With ANI inputs)
26 December,2025 06:05 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe death toll in the bus tragedy in Karnataka's Chitradurga mounted to seven after the ill-fated bus driver succumbed to injuries in the wee hours on Friday. As reported by news agency IANS, at least six people were burnt alive, and 21 others suffered burns after a sleeper coach bus caught fire following a collision with a container truck in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka on Thursday. Mohammad Rafeeq (42) was driving the bus when the unfortunate accident took place. He was a resident of Shiggaon in Haveri district. Soon after the collision, he was admitted to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi city, where he succumbed to injuries. News agency IANS reported that he was thrown out of the bus along with the assistant following the collision.Police, while addressing the incident, stated, “Mohammad Rafeeq underwent surgery on Thursday night but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours on Friday,” as per IANS. The bus driver, Mohammad Rafeeq, while recalling the unfortunate incident, said that all he remembers is a speeding truck suddenly crashing into his bus. While briefing about the incident, Rafeeq said, "I was driving at a speed of around 60 to 70 kmph. All I remember is a container truck coming and hitting my vehicle. I tried to control the bus, but it was not possible. Even as I attempted to steer the vehicle aside, another bus was moving in the adjacent lane. I don’t know what happened after that. I don’t remember how I got out," as per IANS. While Rafeeq had already lost his life, the condition of another passenger, Manjunath, was serious. He has suffered 30 per cent burns and is currently undergoing treatment in the burns ward ICU of Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, authorities stated that the charred bodies of five passengers would be handed over to their families after the DNA test results are received. The police officials said, “Bone samples have been sent for forensic testing, and the results are expected within a day or two,” as per IANS. While the police have already completed the identification of the deceased, further proceedings will be done as per the protocol. Victims The victim has been identified as 26-year-old A.M. Navya, a software professional working at a private company in Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru. She hailed from Ekalenahalli near Channarayapattana in Hassan district. Another victim was a 27-year-old Manasa, a resident of Teggenahalli Layout in Channarayapattana in Hassan district. She was also a software professional working at HCL in Manyata Tech Park. A twenty-two-year-old IT professional named Rashmi Ratnakara Mahale was also one of the victims who hailed from Shirali village near Bhatkal town in Karwar district. The other deceased include 29-year-old Bindu and her five-year-old daughter, Greya, residents of the Girinagar locality in Bengaluru. Five bodies were recovered from the bus, which was gutted. Another body has been retrieved from the container truck. The authorities had recovered a total of six bodies. Moreover, a total of 32 people, including the driver and conductor, were travelling in the bus. Inspector General of Police (East) B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda said, “The private sleeper coach bus was hit by the container truck coming from the opposite direction, which crossed the divider and hit the bus with full force,” as per IANS. Karnataka CM announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy and Rs 50,000 each to the injured. An investigation will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the accident and to take necessary action, he said. (With inputs from IANS)
26 December,2025 01:34 PM IST | Chitradurga | mid-day online correspondentDelhi witnessed a sharp deterioration in air quality on Friday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 305 at around 8 am, entering the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), reported news agency ANI. The air quality worsened significantly compared to Thursday afternoon, when the AQI was recorded at 234. A thick layer of smog continues to linger over parts of the city, keeping overall air quality at unhealthy levels. In ITO, visibility was reduced due to dense smog, with the AQI recorded at 330, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. Thick smog was also observed in areas surrounding Akshardham and AIIMS on Friday morning. According to CPCB data, several other areas in the capital, including Anand Vihar (390), Bawana (379), Narela (356), and R.K. Puram (320), also saw a drop in air quality, remaining in the 'very poor' category. Sirifort recorded similar conditions, with an AQI of 317. However, some parts of the city fared better. NSIT Dwarka recorded an AQI of 253, placing it in the 'poor' category. Sri Aurobindo Marg (258), Mandir Marg (234), and IGI Airport T3 (239) also recorded relatively better air quality, but it remained in the 'poor' category, reported ANI. According to CPCB categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. Delhi Cabinet action Earlier, the Delhi Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved a series of major decisions to strengthen the capital's fight against pollution and improve environmental governance, reported ANI. The Cabinet approved an allocation of Rs. 100 crore for rejuvenating water bodies that are under the Delhi government. There are approximately 1,000 such water bodies in Delhi, of which 160 fall under the Delhi Government's jurisdiction. According to ANI, Sirsa stated, "The rejuvenation of Delhi's water bodies will play a crucial role in pollution control. The Chief Minister has directed that every possible financial support be extended to complete this work within the year." The Cabinet also approved the establishment of Delhi's first E-Waste Park at Holambi Kalan, covering 11.5 acres, which will adhere to the best pollution norms and operate on a 100% circular, zero-waste model. "This will be India's first state-of-the-art e-waste facility built on zero pollution and zero wastage principles. The plant will fully recycle and reuse water through an advanced recirculation mechanism," Sirsa said, reported ANI. He emphasised that the plant will set a benchmark for sustainable e-waste management, ensuring no water or air pollution and contributing significantly to Delhi's clean industrial infrastructure. Additionally, the Delhi Government has decided to continue the 'No PUCC, No Fuel' campaign even after GRAP restrictions are lifted, reinforcing vehicle emission compliance year-round. Announcing the outcomes, Minister for Environment Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that these initiatives would bring "a decisive reduction in sources of air and water pollution, while creating a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment." (With ANI inputs)
26 December,2025 12:42 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentOne person was killed, and five others were injured when a helium gas cylinder, used to fill balloons, exploded in Karnataka's Mysuru on Thursday, said officials. The incident occurred at around 8.30 pm in front of the Jayamartanda gate of the Mysore Palace in the city. The balloon seller, identified as Salim (40), son of Khamaruddin and a resident of Tofiya village, Kannauj district in Uttar Pradesh, died on the spot. According to the officials, five people who were near the incident spot also suffered injuries. The injured have been identified as Shehnaz Shabbir (54), Lakshmi (45), Kotresh Gutte (54), Manjula Nanjangud (29), and Ranjita (30). They have been admitted to the hospital and are receiving medical treatment. The police are investigating the incident. Further details awaited. 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.
26 December,2025 12:15 PM IST | Mysore (Karnataka) | ANIThe death toll in the bus tragedy in Karnataka's Chitradurga mounted to seven after the ill-fated bus driver succumbed to injuries in the wee hours on Friday. At least six people were burnt alive, and 21 others suffered burns after a sleeper coach bus caught fire following a collision with a container truck in Chitradurga district of Karnataka on Thursday. The bus driver, 42-year-old Mohammad Rafeeq, a resident of Shiggaon in Haveri district, was admitted to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi city. He was thrown out of the bus along with the assistant following the collision. Police stated that Mohammad Rafeeq underwent surgery on Thursday night but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours on Friday. The bus driver, Mohammad Rafeeq, had said from his hospital bed that all he remembers is a speeding truck suddenly crashing into his bus. "I was driving at a speed of around 60 to 70 kmph. All I remember is a container truck coming and hitting my vehicle. I tried to control the bus, but it was not possible. Even as I attempted to steer the vehicle aside, another bus was moving in the adjacent lane. I don’t know what happened after that. I don’t remember how I got out," he recalled. The condition of another passenger, Manjunath, was serious. He has suffered 30 per cent burns and is currently undergoing treatment in the burns ward ICU of Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, authorities stated that the charred bodies of five passengers would be handed over to their families after the DNA test results are received. Bone samples have been sent for forensic testing, and the results are expected within a day or two, police said. Police have completed the identification of the deceased. The victims have been identified as 26-year-old A.M. Navya, a software professional working at a private company in Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru. She hailed from Ekalenahalli near Channarayapattana in Hassan district. Another victim, 27-year-old Manasa, was a resident of Teggenahalli Layout in Channarayapattana in Hassan district. She was also a software professional working at HCL in Manyata Tech Park. Twenty-two-year-old Rashmi Ratnakara Mahale hailed from Shirali village near Bhatkal town in Karwar district. She was an IT professional. The other deceased include 29-year-old Bindu and her five-year-old daughter Greya, residents of Girinagar locality in Bengaluru. The deceased truck driver has been identified as Kuldeep Yadav from Uttar Pradesh. Five bodies were recovered from the bus, which was gutted. Another body has been retrieved from the container truck. The authorities had recovered a total of six bodies. A total of 32 people, including the driver and conductor, were travelling in the bus. According to the police, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. at Gorlattu Cross on National Highway 48 when a container truck coming from the opposite direction jumped the divider and rammed into the bus after the truck driver lost control of the vehicle. The truck driver has been identified as Kuldeep Yadav from Uttar Pradesh. Several passengers managed to escape from the bus after it caught fire. Inspector General of Police (East) B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda said the private sleeper coach bus was hit by the container truck coming from the opposite direction, which crossed the divider and hit the bus with full force. "What we suspect is that the truck directly hit the fuel tank of the bus. Following fuel leakage, the bus caught fire and was completely engulfed," he stated. "Some passengers managed to escape from the bus. However, those who were in deep sleep got trapped inside the vehicle," he added. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy and Rs 50,000 each to the injured. An investigation will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the accident and to take necessary action, he 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.
26 December,2025 12:13 PM IST | Chitradurga | IANSIn a major crackdown on the illegal liquor trade, Pune Police seized cash worth over Rs 1 crore along with a large stock of illicit liquor during a prohibition raid in the Kondhwa area of the city, officials said on Thursday, reported news agency ANI. According to the police, the raid was conducted at Kakade Vasti in Kondhwa under the jurisdiction of Kondhwa Police Station. The operation was carried out by officials from the crime branch unit. During the action, police recovered illicit liquor of various brands worth Rs 2,05,900, including whisky, rum and country liquor, along with 70 litres of liquid stored in cans. Cash amounting to Rs 1,41,050 was also seized from the spot, taking the initial recovery to Rs 3,46,950, reported ANI. The accused have been identified as Amar Kaur alias Madrikaur Dadasing Junnie, Dildar Singh Dadasing Junnie and Devashree Junnie Singh, who were allegedly involved in the illegal sale of liquor. Following further investigation, police conducted a search at the residence of the accused, where cash totalling Rs 1,00,85,950 was found concealed in different compartments of a bedroom cupboard. The amount was seized after conducting a panchnama, officials said, reported ANI. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway to trace the source of the illicit liquor and examine the financial network linked to the illegal trade. Pune Police bust major drug racket in city Earlier, Pune Police had also claimed to have busted a major drug racket after seizing hydroponic cannabis being cultivated inside a rented flat in Pimpri-Chinchwad and recovering narcotic substances worth approximately Rs 3.45 crore, reported ANI. Senior police officials said the investigation indicated the involvement of an international drug trafficking network. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Somay Munde said the racket came to light following the arrest of an accused in a drug sale case, after which coordinated operations were carried out in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mumbai and Goa, reported ANI. “During the raids, various narcotic substances, including mephedrone, hydroponic cannabis (Ozikush), charas and LSD, were seized,” Munde said, reported ANI. Five accused — Tushar Chetan Verma (21), Sumit Santosh Dedwal (25), Akshay Sukhlal Maher (25), Malay Rajesh Deliwala (28) and Swaraj Anant Bhosale (28) — were arrested in the case, reported ANI. Police have also frozen Rs 7.80 lakh from the bank accounts of the arrested accused. All the accused have been remanded to police custody. (With inputs from ANI)
26 December,2025 10:17 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentFour members of a family were reportedly found dead on Thursday morning in Nanded district of Maharashtra, in an incident that police suspect may involve a mass suicide, officials said, reported the PTI. The deceased have been identified as a 51-year-old farmer, his 45-year-old wife, and their sons aged 25 and 23. According to police, the bodies of the man and his wife were discovered around 8 am inside their residence in a village in Mudkhed tehsil in Nanded. They were found dead inside their house, as per the PTI. Sons found near railway tracks According to the police, the bodies of the couple’s two sons were later found at a nearby railway location. Police said that the deaths of the two young men occurred several hours earlier during the night. Police await forensic and post-mortem reports Inspector Dattatray Manthale said a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been called to collect evidence from the scene, according to the PTI. “While the circumstances suggest a coordinated act, the exact cause and sequence of events will be known only after a detailed forensic investigation and post-mortem examination,” he said. Cause yet to be established Police said that the family belonged to the small-scale farming community, but it has not yet been established whether financial distress, domestic issues or other factors led to the incident, the news agency reported. Neighbours described the family as hardworking, noting that they had faced ongoing challenges associated with small landholdings and agricultural uncertainty. Investigation ongoing Post-mortem examinations were conducted at a state-run hospital, and viscera samples have been preserved for chemical analysis, officials said. As all four members of the household are deceased, police are recording statements from relatives and neighbours to reconstruct the sequence of events. The police said that it is also checking whether any note or message was left behind. Case registered The complaint in the case has been filed by the nephew of the deceased farmer, police said, adding that their last rites were conducted in the village following the post-mortem procedures. Officials said that the final post-mortem reports are awaited and are expected to provide further clarity. Need help? below are suicide prevention helplines- Samaritans Mumbai (Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm): 84229-84527 Connecting NGO (From 10 am to 8 pm): 9922004305/9922001122 Snehi (From 10 am to 10 pm): 9376804102 1 Life: 7893078930 Aasra: 9820466726 (with PTI inputs)
25 December,2025 10:35 PM IST | Nanded | mid-day online correspondentHundreds of farmers staged a protest in Beed district in Maharashtra on Thursday, demanding a substantial increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key crops including cotton, soybean and tur dal, reported the PTI. Marching to the district collectorate under the banner of the Farmers’ Rights Movement, the protesters warned that they would launch an indefinite agitation if their demands were not addressed. The farmers demanded an MSP of Rs 12,000 per quintal for cotton and tur, and Rs 7,000 per quintal for soybean, according to the PTI. They also called for the removal of procurement restrictions imposed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). In addition, they sought strict action against market committees and traders accused of purchasing crops below the government-assured prices. Call for compensation The agitators demanded compensation for losses suffered due to distress sales, stating that many farmers are forced to sell their produce at low prices because of delayed or restricted procurement, as per the PTI. Financial distress among farmers According to the protesters, farmers are facing a severe financial crisis as crop prices have remained largely unchanged for over a decade, while the cost of agricultural inputs has nearly doubled. Memorandum submitted to govt A memorandum outlining the demands was submitted to the district administration and addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, Agriculture Minister Datta Bharne, and senior officials, the news agency reported. Rising costs, stagnant crop prices The memorandum highlighted that prices of fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, diesel, electricity and labour have risen sharply over the past 14 years, while farm produce continues to fetch almost the same rates. Man, son dead as tractor overturns in Jalgaon Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 48-year-old man and his son died after their tractor overturned in Varangaon-Kinhi area of Jalgaon district, some 480 kilometres from here, a police official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, the Varangaon police official said. "Sanjay Shravan Sable and his son Bhushan Sanjay Sable, residents of Siddheshwarnagar, were on their way to collect gravel when their tractor overturned. The two were crushed under the vehicle. One person was injured in the incident," he added, as per the PTI. A case has been registered at Varangaon police station, the official added. (with PTI inputs)
25 December,2025 09:59 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
