The Defence Ministry on Thursday approved the Rs 3.25 lakh crore proposal to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for the Indian Air Force. As per the IANS sources, the clearance for buying Rafale jets was granted by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. As per the reports, the deal was accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to the programme. The clearance has come through ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's forthcoming official visit to Delhi, reported IANS. After the Defence Ministry’s approval, the deal will eventually need clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India to purchase 18 off-the-shelf Rafale jets from France According to the proposal, India will purchase 18 off-the-shelf Rafale fighter jets from French defence giant Dassault Aviation. As reported by IANS, the remaining 96 fighter jets will be made in India. Furthermore, some of these jets will be twin-seater aircraft to be used for training. The deal will involve the transfer of state-of-the-art fighter jet technology and a strategic partnership to give a fillip to the 'Make in India' programme. Indian Air Force already has 36 Rafale jets The Indian Air Force already has 36 Rafales in its fleet, comprising two squadrons, with the last delivery of the 'C' variant taking place in December 2024. Whereas, another 26 Rafale jets of the 'M' version have also been ordered for the Indian Navy in a deal worth Rs 63,000 crore. The naval variants will be operated from the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. That deal includes facilitation of fleet maintenance, logistics support, and personnel training under an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) agreement. Rafale Jets were used in Operation Sindoor The Rafale jets were successfully used in Operation Sindoor to hit precision targets in Pakistan as part of India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025. They were used to launch the SCALP, an air-launched cruise missile developed that can strike hardened targets over 250 km away with extreme precision. The state-of-the-art fighter jet, Rafale, can also carry Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, the Hammer, a stand-off strike weapon, and the Spectra, an advanced e-warfare suite, as well as advanced radar and targeting systems. (With inputs from IANS)
12 February,2026 04:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIndia's medical devices industry is projected to reach USD 50.1 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 26.9 per cent from the current valuation of USD 15.2 billion in 2025, said a report by Rubix Data Sciences on Wednesday. Currently, India ranks the fourth-largest medical devices market in Asia and among the top 20 globally. According to the report, growth is being propelled by government initiatives such as National Medical Devices Policy (NMDP), Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Scheme for Promotion of Medical Devices Parks, and MedTech Mitra. The study assumes greater significance in the light of the Union Budget-FY27's renewed focus on bio-pharma research in the country. The report highlights that rising income levels, expanding health insurance penetration, increasing healthcare infrastructure and the growth of medical tourism, are boosting demand for both affordable mass-use devices and advanced solutions for specialised care. Medical devices exports have reached USD 4.1 billion in FY25 with the government targeting to raise India's global market share from 1.6 percent to around 12 percent in the coming years. The US and Germany are the key export destinations, while the US and China are major import sources. The study shows that despite strong export performance, the sector remains largely import-dependent, with 70-80 percent of domestic demand being met through imports, particularly for technologically-advanced devices. As compared to exports, imports were more than double at an estimated USD 8.6 billion, growing at a 7.1 percent CAGR over the same period. The report highlighted that India's export strength is in consumables, which accounted for nearly 47 percent of exports between April-September FY25, and shows India's strengths in cost-efficient manufacturing, scale production, and price competitiveness in low- to mid-technology products. In contrast, the report says, electro-medical equipment accounted for nearly 60 percent of imports, driven by India's continued reliance on advanced, technology-intensive devices. The report flags the India–US interim trade agreement as a near-term inflection point for the sector. The reduction in US import tariffs on Indian medical devices from 50 per cent to 18 per cent is expected to improve export competitiveness for Indian manufacturers, particularly in high-volume, price-sensitive segments, enhancing India’s positioning relative to competing suppliers such as China. At the same time, India’s commitment to easing non-tariff barriers for US medical devices could intensify competitive pressure on domestic players in high-end and technology-intensive segments, where local manufacturing capabilities remain limited. The net impact on the industry, the report notes, will depend on regulatory reciprocity and the pace of domestic capability-building. The domestic manufacturing base consists of approximately 800 medical device manufacturers in a broad but fragmented industry landscape. The report reveals that the average deal size for PE/VC funding has increased nearly 2.5 times from USD 56 million in 2022 to USD 137 million in 2024. Four states, namely UP, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Karnataka are playing a critical role in strengthening the industry by enabling shared infrastructure, skilled manpower, and supplier networks, particularly for small and mid-sized manufacturers, according to the report. 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.
12 February,2026 03:46 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIJamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani has strongly criticised the Union government’s directive to play all six stanzas of Vande Mataram before the national anthem at official events, calling it a “blatant attack on freedom of religion.” He said the move violates the constitutional rights of religious minorities in India. Government directive on Vande Mataram The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently issued detailed guidelines stating that whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed at an official event, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram must be presented first. This decision has sparked debate over religious freedom and citizens’ rights to choose which patriotic expressions they participate in. Politics over patriotism? Madani criticised the decision as politically motivated rather than patriotic. “Making this song mandatory and attempting to impose it on citizens is not an expression of patriotism; rather, it reflects electoral politics, a sectarian agenda, and a deliberate effort to divert public attention from fundamental issues,” he said. He added, “The true measure of love for one's country lies not in slogans but in character and sacrifice. Such decisions weaken the country's peace, unity, and democratic values and undermine the spirit of the Constitution.” In a post on X, Madani said the directive is coercive and unconstitutional. “The Central Government's unilateral and coercive decision to make Vande Mataram the national song and to mandate all its stanzas in all government programmes, schools, colleges, and functions is not only a blatant attack on the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution of India but also a systematic attempt to curtail the constitutional rights of minorities,” he wrote. He explained that while Muslims do not prevent anyone from singing or playing the song, some verses describe the homeland as a deity, which contradicts monotheistic beliefs. “Since a Muslim worships only one Allah, forcing him to sing this song is a clear violation of Article 25 of the Constitution and several judgments of the Supreme Court,” Madani said as per ANI reports. Religious beliefs must be respected Madani emphasised that Muslims worship only one God and cannot accept associating partners with Him. “Therefore, making Vande Mataram compulsory is a clear assault on the Constitution, religious freedom, and democratic principles,” he said. His statements highlight the ongoing debate over balancing patriotic expression with constitutional protections for religious freedom in India. (With ANI Inputs)
12 February,2026 03:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwo people died after a car rammed into a truck near Ghazipur Toll Plaza on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on Thursday morning. Rajvir Singh Baghel, Station Officer (SO) of Laxmi Nagar Fire Station, said: "We received a call about an accident near Ghazipur MCD Toll at 7:05 am. We reached the spot and pulled out two people from the car. Before we reached here, three people, including two kids and a driver, were rushed to the hospital. There was no one else inside the car." "A total of five people were present in the car when the accident took place. The truck driver has fled the scene..." he added. An investigation is underway, and further details are awaited. Earlier, two people died, and three were left injured in a road accident on the Meerut-Delhi Highway late Monday night, the police said. At about 06:43 AM, a PCR call was received at PS Ghazipur regarding a fatal road accident near MCD Toll, NH-9, in front of Vinod Nagar Depot, Delhi. It was found that a car, coming from the Ghaziabad side, had collided with a container truck near the toll booths. In the incident,… https://t.co/5d1sXYGhgF — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2026 Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Noida, Manisha Singh, stated that a crash occurred between a truck and another vehicle. When passersby, including truck drivers, came to the aid of the truck driver involved in the accident, another speeding vehicle struck them. She informed that the bodies of the two deceased have been sent for post-mortem, adding that further investigation is ongoing in the fatal accident. "On the night of 9 February, at around 11 PM, we received information about a truck that had been hit by another vehicle. When other truck drivers arrived to rescue the driver, another vehicle, coming at high speed, rammed into those people. Police reached the spot after receiving the information. Five were injured and taken to the hospital, of whom two later died. Their family members have been informed. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, and further inquiry is being conducted...," the ADCP stated. 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.
12 February,2026 03:02 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and said that in her Lok Sabha speech, she presented a comprehensive picture of how this year’s Union Budget will contribute to India’s economic transformation. Taking to the social media platform X, PM Modi shared the speech and wrote, “In her speech in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Ji gave a comprehensive picture of how this year’s Budget will contribute to our nation’s economic transformation. She emphasised on Reform Express, the support to MSMEs, skilling, push to next-gen infrastructure, efforts to boost healthcare, education and more." Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the total resources to be transferred to the states, including the devolution of state share in taxes and releases that are made under the centrally sponsored schemes in the Budget for 2026-27 is estimated to be Rs 25.44 lakh crore, which is a Rs 2.7 lakh crore increase compared to 2025-26. Finance Minister says states receiving full 41 percent tax share According to IANS, FM spoke in the Lok Sabha that she refuted the opposition charge that the Centre has reduced the transfer of resources to the states, pointing out that the allocation to states has gone up. All the money due to the states has been transferred to them, and there is no scope for doubt on this issue, she remarked. The Finance Minister said the Centre was transferring 41 per cent of the net proceeds of taxes to the states in accordance with Constitutional norms. The figure is also audited by the CAG, she added, She also said that this cess amount, which is not included in the net taxes, also makes its way to the states. For instance, the cess collected under various heads, such as health, education, and roads, eventually gets transferred to the states. The Finance Minister said that the Budget for 2026-27 provides for a total capital investment of Rs 17.15 lakh crore, which has a 4X multiplier force that will accelerate economic growth in the march for Viksit Bharat. She pointed out that the Centre's capital expenditure was Rs 12.22 lakh crore, which amounted to 3.1 per cent of GDP, and represented an increase of 11.5 per cent compared to the corresponding figure for 2025-26. After including the transfer to the states under various Centrally sponsored schemes, the capex of Rs 17.15 lakh crore works out to 4.4 per cent of GDP. FM dismisses deficit cut claims, invites states to join mega projects The Finance Minister said this disproved the opposition's claim that the fiscal deficit has been kept cut to 4.3 per cent in the Budget by reducing developmental expenditure. She further stated that the Centre has opened its schemes to all states and did not intend to leave out any state. She welcomed state governments to approach the Centre for aid in establishing mega food parks, IT parks, smart cities and waterways, etc. "Any state can aspire -- by going through the PM Gati Shakti filters -- if they have a viable proposition. Any state can request the establishment of Allied and Health Services hubs, where we intend to set up medical centres. States can seek to be part of this initiative, under which all aspects of medical education and hospitals for patient treatment can be concentrated in one area. So any state can qualify," Sitharaman said. This is a major, forward-looking proposition, given the medical tourism advantage that India possesses. It will become a centre for multi-purpose, multi-speciality Allied Health Services, through which we can further promote medical tourism, she added. FM says states can set up mega skill hubs; budget focuses on jobs, agri boost Similarly, all states can participate in the scheme for establishing mega centres for clubbing education and skilling centres for youth. "These mega centres will enable students to become entrepreneurs, and this kind of a mega centre can be kept next to any industrial cluster that any state has," she observed. “So, these mega entrepreneurship building centres as education hubs can also come up in any state. We are willing to work with states so that this mammoth higher education centre can be propped up,” Sitharaman added. The Finance Minister pointed out that the emphasis in the budget is on labour-intensive sectors so that they can have more resources to improve, and it is also looking at the legacy industries, which are waiting for rejuvenation, and have been funded. She pointed out that the emphasis of the budget on high-value agriculture and horticulture crops, such as coconut promotion, will benefit one crore farmers. The Finance Minister further stated the agricultural sector was being accorded priority with digital support in the form of Agri stack, which will contain all details of soil and fertiliser to boost productivity and enhance the earnings of farmers. The stack will contain information on scientific agricultural practices such as the use of quality seeds and timely irrigation. (Inputs from IANS)
12 February,2026 02:48 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the name of the building complex Seva Teerth on February 13 at 1:30 pm. PM Modi will also be inaugurating the Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2. As per the official statement, PM Modi will also be addressing a public programme at Seva Teerth at 6:00 pm in New Delhi. The inauguration of Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan will mark a transformative milestone in India’s administrative governance architecture while also reflecting PM Modi’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, accessible and citizen-centric governance ecosystem. For decades, several key government offices and ministries functioned from fragmented and ageing infrastructure spread across multiple locations in the Central Vista area. This dispersion led to operational inefficiencies, coordination challenges, escalating maintenance costs and sub-optimal working environments. The new building complexes address these issues by consolidating administrative functions within modern, future-ready facilities. Seva Teerth houses PMO and several other key offices Seva Teerth will house the Prime Minister’s office, the National Security Council Secretariat, and the Cabinet Secretariat, which were earlier located across different locations. Bringing all the key premises in one enclosure, the Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 will also be accommodating several key ministries. Digitally integrated offices Both buildings feature digitally integrated offices, structured public interface zones and centralised reception facilities. These features will foster collaboration, efficiency, seamless governance, improved citizen engagement and enhanced employee well-being. Designed in accordance with 4-Star GRIHA standards, the complexes incorporate renewable energy systems, water conservation measures, waste management solutions and high-performance building envelopes. Safety and security at Seva Teerth At the same time, safety and security inside the premises will be paramount. Comprehensive frameworks have been embedded into the architecture of these complexes to create secure yet accessible spaces. Seva Teerth has been integrated with smart access control systems to regulate entry and exit, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access sensitive areas. Furthermore, the integrated surveillance around the central vista premises network will provide real-time monitoring, enhancing situational awareness and deterrence. Also, the advanced emergency response infrastructure, including fire detection, alarm systems and evacuation protocols, strengthens preparedness and response capabilities.
12 February,2026 02:42 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Class 10 and 12 examinations for the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education began on Thursday, ahead of which students underwent stringent security checks. According to Ajmer Field Supervisor Sumanlata, 127 Class 10 students are scheduled to sit for the English examination across seven schools. All examination instructions have been provided, and measures to prevent cheating have been implemented. The examination began at 08:30 am, whereas the students were allowed to enter the examination hall at 08:15 am. "Today is the 10th-class English exam, and 127 students from 7 schools are coming here to sit the exam. All instructions for the board exam have been provided. All arrangements are in place to prevent cheating... The board has issued two new guidelines this time, one of which is that the question paper envelope will be shown after it is signed by two children as witnesses... This time, the board has provided copies with barcodes for all subjects except Hindi and English... The exam will start at 8:30 am... At 8:15 am, students were permitted to enter their exam halls. The exams for children are 3 hours and 15 minutes long," Sumanlata told ANI. Meanwhile, the Central Board for Secondary Education exams for Class 10th and 12th are set to begin from February 17, after the board released the final date sheet in October 2025. The CBSE also stated that the 2026 Board examinations for Class 10 will be conducted in accordance with the recommendations made in the NEP-2020. As per the notice, CBSE released a tentative date sheet for the 2026 examinations for the first time on September 24, 2025, based on registration data for Class 9 and Class 11. This was 146 days before the exams were set to begin, allowing stakeholders enough time to plan and prepare accordingly. CBSE stated that careful consideration has been given, and all relevant factors have been taken into account to ensure that no exam dates overlap with competitive exams. 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.
12 February,2026 02:01 PM IST | Ajmer (Rajasthan) | ANIEmployees and workers associated with a joint forum of central trade unions observed a day-long strike on Thursday to protest against what they described as “anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government”. The forum claimed that around 30 crore workers were mobilised for the “general strike”, primarily to oppose the four new labour codes, among other issues. All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told PTI that the strike began across the country on Thursday morning. She said reports of the agitation had come in from states including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Odisha and Bihar. Processions had started in industrial areas of New Delhi, and traffic on the roads was relatively light, she added. Kaur said banking, insurance, postal, transport, health, coal and non-coal mines, gas pipeline and electricity sectors would be affected by the strike. She further said farmers’ unions would also hold protests in their respective areas. The immediate demands of the unions include scrapping of the four labour codes and rules, withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill and Electricity Amendment Bill, and the “Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act”. They are also demanding restoration of MGNREGA and scrapping of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. The joint forum includes INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC. Bharat Bandh: Confederation of All India Traders says its business as usual Meanwhile, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) clarified that markets across the country were open and business was proceeding as usual. National Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal, who is also a Member of Parliament, said no major national traders’ organisation had called for a Bharat Bandh. “No major national traders’ organisation has called for a Bharat Bandh. Therefore, all commercial establishments, markets, wholesale and retail trade centres across India will remain fully open, and routine business operations will be carried out without disruption,” Khandelwal said. He added that the trading community formed the backbone of the nation’s economy and had always ensured that consumers did not face inconvenience. “The organised trade sector does not support any such bandh,” he said, urging the public not to pay attention to rumours or misleading information. Public sector banks, government offices, transport services and markets in several states are likely to be partly affected due to the strike. Some schools and colleges may also remain closed in protest-hit areas depending on local conditions. The strike call has been given by a joint platform of central trade unions, with strong backing from farmer groups opposing the new labour codes and related policies. Bharat Bandh: How has the strike impacted daily life Tamil Nadu-Kerala As part of the nationwide general strike (Bharat Bandh) observed across several states on Thursday, government bus services between Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been completely suspended, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling between the two states. VIDEO | Chennai: Police detain protesters as AITUC holds rail roko protest as part of nationwide Bharat Bandh against the centre's anti-labour policies. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/XjQkjsW16t — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 VIDEO | Kerala: Trade unions march in Kochi during Bharat Bandh; passenger bus services affected.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/jxDWmCjxIx — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 West BengalIn West Bengal, the call for a nationwide strike failed to evoke any response in West Bengal as vehicles plied normally and state government and private offices recorded usual turnout. Goa The nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre's policies on Thursday drew a mixed response in Goa, with banking operations affected while essential services remained undisrupted. VIDEO | Goa: Hundreds in Panaji join one-day strike supporting the Bharat Bandh. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/Ffho0mWv70 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 Punjab In Punjab, transport workers have joined the strike in Moga. Bus services have been affected in parts of the state. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regime has extended support to the nationwide strike called on February 12 by the central trade unions and farmer bodies. VIDEO | Punjab: Transport workers join strike in support of the nation-wide Bharat Bandh in Moga. Bus services have been affected in parts of the state due to the strike.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/EOFPBAS6In — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 (With PTI and IANS inputs)
12 February,2026 01:27 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a significant shift in evaluation methodology, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to reintroduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 Board examinations beginning 2026, aiming to enhance efficiency, transparency and accuracy in the assessment process. OSM is a digital system in which scanned answer sheets are evaluated by teachers on computers, with marks calculated automatically by software. In a circular dated February 9 addressed to principals and heads of all CBSE-affiliated schools, the Board said that while Class 12 answer books will be evaluated through the digital system from 2026, Class 10 answer books will continue to be evaluated in physical mode for now. CBSE is conducting the Secondary and Senior Secondary Board Examinations 2026 for the students of more than 31,000 schools affiliated to it in India and 26 countries abroad from February 17 to April 10. About 46 lakh students will appear for these examinations at more than 8074 centres across the country and abroad. "In its continuous effort to enhance efficiency and transparency, the Board has decided to introduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for the evaluation of Class XII answer books beginning with the 2026 examinations. Evaluation of Class X answer books will continue in physical mode as before in 2026," the circular stated. On-Screen Marking is a digital system under which scanned copies of students' answer sheets are evaluated by teachers on computers, with marks calculated automatically through software, thereby eliminating manual totalling errors. CBSE said the system is expected to bring multiple advantages, including "elimination of totalling errors," "automated coordination reducing manual intervention," and "faster evaluation with wider teacher participation." The Board further noted that under the OSM system, teachers would be able to evaluate answer sheets while remaining in their respective schools and continuing regular duties, leading to savings in transportation time and costs. It also stated that "post-result verification of marks will no longer be required" and that the digital evaluation process would reduce manpower requirements and promote environmental sustainability. Highlighting broader participation, CBSE said the new system would enable "involvement of teachers from all affiliated schools globally," expanding the evaluation pool across its network in India and 26 countries. The Board currently conducts Class X and XII examinations for nearly 46 lakh students annually. To ensure smooth implementation, schools have been asked to ensure readiness of necessary infrastructure, including a computer lab with a public static IP, computers or laptops running Windows 8 or above with minimum 4 GB RAM and 1 GB free space on the C drive, updated browsers, Adobe Reader, reliable internet connectivity of at least 2 Mbps, and uninterrupted power supply. CBSE said it would facilitate the transition by allowing teachers with OASIS IDs to log in and familiarise themselves with the system, conduct multiple dry runs, organise training programmes, establish a call centre for issue resolution, and release instructional videos. "Detailed instructions for each activity will be issued separately to ensure timely action by all stakeholders," the circular 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.
12 February,2026 12:54 PM IST | New Delhi | ANICongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that the government ignored the voices of workers and farmers while making decisions concerning their future and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will listen to them now or if there is a "grip" on him too strong. Gandhi's attack on the government came a day after he alleged that the India-US interim trade deal was a "wholesale surrender", with India's energy security handed over to America and farmers' interests compromised. In a post on X in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Today, lakhs of workers and farmers across the country are on the streets to raise their voices for their rights." He said that the workers fear that the four labour codes will weaken their rights. "Farmers fear that the trade agreement (with the US) will harm their livelihoods. And weakening or eliminating MNREGA could take away the last source of support for villages," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said. "Will Modiji listen now? Or is there a 'grip' on him that is too strong? I stand firmly with the issues and struggles of workers and farmers," Gandhi said. In a no-holds-barred attack on the Modi government, Gandhi, while participating in the debate on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, claimed that Indian interests had been "surrendered" under the trade deal to protect the BJP's financial architecture. Slamming the Indo-US deal, Gandhi drew an analogy of how in martial arts after securing a grip, the next step is a chokehold, and then the opponent taps to give up. Gandhi underlined the need to protect the country's people, data, food supply and energy system. He said that had an INDIA bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told President Donald Trump that he must treat India equally. 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.
12 February,2026 12:54 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA court in Maharashtra's Thane has acquitted three men accused of conspiring to cause harm using explosives hidden in a vehicle in 2017, citing lack of eyewitnesses and the prosecution’s failure to establish a clear link between the accused and the seized material. Additional Sessions Judge AS Bhagwat passed the order on January 29 but the order was made available on Wednesday. The case dates back to August 6, 2017, when the police conducted a raid at Gousiya Compound in the Mumbra locality in Thane. Authorities found a bag of explosive powder and nine detonators hidden inside an out-of-use sports utility vehicle (SUV). The prosecution alleged that the accused - Mahinsa Rajesab Ganur alias Mahesh (57), Shahalam Mehmud Sheikh (49) and Arif Nawabali Khan (40) - had conspired to cause damage to life and property and specifically aimed to harm the landowner, Ismail Mohammed Sheikh. They were charged under sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act. After spending over two years in custody, they were released on bail in late 2019. The court highlighted significant gaps in the prosecution's evidence, and noted that it failed to provide any eyewitnesses to the alleged crime. "From the above testimony, it is established that there are no eyewitnesses to the incident. Also, no witness has testified regarding the seizure of explosives from the possession of the accused," it said. It concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, granting the accused the benefit of the doubt. "In the above circumstances, there is no solid evidence against the accused.The prosecution has failed to prove that the accused committed crimes.Therefore, the accused are entitled to be acquitted," the court 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.
12 February,2026 11:17 AM IST | Thane | PTIADVERTISEMENT
-1770811555850_d.png "India strengthens medical devices sector amid rising exports and investment. Representational Image")
-1770889118946_d.png "Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani. File Pic")
