LoP questions Himcare ‘scam’ claims, accuses Sukhu govt of targeting BJP schemes

Shimla, Apr 9 (UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday accused the Sukhu government of making contradictory claims regarding alleged irregularities in the Himcare health scheme and attempting to create grounds to shut down the programme introduced during the previous BJP regime.

AP: Ex-Minister Botsa Satyanarayana slams Minister Atchannaidu for baseless remarks

Visakhapatnam, Apr 9 (UNI) The opposition YSR Congress on Thursday slammed Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu for what it termed were "baseless and unwarranted remarks" on past events related to the demise of its party founder Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, stating that "TDP is stooping too low" to divert the attention from the merits of the three-capital MAVIGUN proposal made by former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy instead of designating Amaravati as the sole capital.

Maharashtra shifts CMRF medical aid process fully online from April 7

Mumbai, April 9 (UNI) The Maharashtra government has transitioned the entire medical assistance process under the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) to a fully online system, with the new mechanism coming into effect from April 7, 2026. Under the revised framework, an official said on Thursday that all applications will now be accepted exclusively through a designated digital portal.

Maha: Appeals by Fadnavis, other leaders make Congress withdraw from Baramati contest

Mumbai, Apr 9 (UNI) Appeals by several political leaders cutting across party lines as well as phone call by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to State Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal today ensured that the Congress withdrew its candidate Advocate Akash More from contesting the Baramati by-election against Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar.

Massive protests in Manipur against killing of children

Imphal, April 9 (UNI) Thousands of people came out on the streets of Manipur defying curfew on Thursday to protest the killing of two children by suspected Kuki militants. Chief Minister of Manipur Yumnam Khemchand Singh also chaired a security meeting at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Hooda accuses BJP of ‘procurement scam’ in Haryana

Chandigarh, April 9 (UNI) Former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP government, accusing it of orchestrating a scam under the guise of crop procurement.

Two held with heroin in Shimla, 9.32g chitta seized

Shimla, April 9 (UNI) Shimla Police have arrested two persons and recovered 9.32 grams of heroin (chitta) from their possession as part of the ongoing campaign against drug trafficking in the district.

Polling in Pondy passes off peacefully, in historic first all time high 90.35 pc turnout recorded so far

Puducherry, Apr 9 (UNI) In a historic first in its annals of electoral politics, a recored all time high of 90.35 per cent turnout was recorded as the single phase polling to elect the new 30-member Puducherry Territorial Assemby ended on Thursday evening.

Congress alleges large-scale scam in paddy procurement and distribution in Gadchiroli, seeks high-level probe

Gadchiroli, April 9 (UNI) Senior Congress leader Nana Patole on Thursday levelled serious allegations of a large-scale irregularities in paddy procurement and rice distribution in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, and demanded a high-level probe into the matter.

Bareilly to launch ‘Dastak’ campaign from April 10 to curb seasonal diseases

Bareilly, April 9 (UNI) In a massive push to fortify the district against seasonal diseases, Bareilly is set to launch the ‘Dastak’ Campaign from tomorrow and will end on April 30.

Maha: Dhanajay Munde's wife Karuna firm on contesting against Sunetra Pawar

Mumbai, Apr 9 (UNI) Hours after the Congress withdrew its candidate against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar after hectic appeals made by top NCP leaders and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to allow an unopposed by-election from Baramati assembly constituency, Karuna Munde, the estranged wife of former state minister Dhananjay Munde of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, who had to resign from his post in 2024, due to his alleged involvement in the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, today announced her determination to contest against Sunetra Pawar.

After flagging irregularities, Himacahal CM orders reforms in Himcare

Shimla, April 9 (UNI) After irregularities were flagged in the implementation of the Himcare Scheme, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has suggested reforms in the payment mechanism to ensure transparency, efficiency and curb the possibility of corruption.

Punjab SC Commission seeks action against SP for defiance of orders

Chandigarh, Apr 9 (UNI) Taking a serious view of administrative non-compliance, the Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, S. Jasvir Singh Garhi, has formally written to the Punjab Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) seeking disciplinary action against a Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officer. The Commission’s directive comes after the officer reportedly failed to adhere to repeated summons and orders issued by the statutory body.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 9 (UNI) The anti-corruption Vigilance Wing of Odisha Police today arrested an Additional Chief Engineer, Central Irrigation Circle, for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets to the tune of 241 per cent more than his known sources of income.

AP: Ex-CM Jagan Reddy expresses grief over drowning of three girls

Vijayawada, Apr 9 (UNI) Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the tragic death of three girls in an accident at the Mulagummi waterfall in Ananthagiri mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district.