JMM likely to go it alone in Bihar Assembly polls

Days after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) was left out of two INDIA bloc meetings held recently to discuss seat-sharing for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, the party has decided to go it alone.
Party spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya has exuded confidence in the JMM's ability to hold its own in the polls and stressed that it has its own identity. The party has also expressed dissatisfaction with the INDI alliance's preparation for the polls, which are due later this year. The JMM has already identified 12 seats where it wants to field its candidates in Bihar Assembly polls.
Police to seek Google help for traffic updates
What's worse than being stuck in a traffic snarl while heading for work or running late for a class? Luckily, some relief is in the offing. The Ranchi Police is set to have an audience with Google India on how to keep the public updated about the latest traffic and road conditions. All congestion points, road blockades and disturbances will be depicted on Google Maps to warn the motorists beforehand and avoid further snarl-ups. This is not the first initiative by cops to ease traffic woes. The Ranchi traffic police have also issued helpline numbers that commuters can call up or message to highlight the cause of snarl-ups across the city.
Now, cough up Rs 1,000 if found smoking in public
Have you non-smokers ever found yourself enjoying a pleasant day out when the acrid whiff of cigarette smoke spoilt your mood? Well, worry not. President Droupadi Murmu recently gave her assent to an amendment Bill passed four years ago in the Jharkhand Assembly, enhancing the fine for smoking cigarettes at a public place from a measly Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. The fivefold rise in the penalty is likely to deter even the most notorious public smokers. Notably, just a month before the Bill was passed, the state Cabinet had also cleared a proposal to ban hookah bars. The government had clarified that violators would face jail or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

United News of India

13 minutes ago

• United News of India

MEA revokes denial, grants Priyank Kharge clearance for US visit

Bengaluru, June 21 (UNI) In a sharp turn of events, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has revoked its earlier decision and granted him clearance for an official visit to the United States, five days after his scheduled departure and following public outcry. Taking to social media platform X, Kharge wrote, 'So in a U-turn, the Ministry of External Affairs has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me a clearance for an official visit to the United States.' Kharge said he had applied for permission on May 15 to travel between June 14-27 to represent the Karnataka government at two major global forums and participate in over 25 official meetings with top companies, universities, and institutions to pitch for investments and explore collaborations. The minister highlighted that his initial delegation request was rejected, while subsequent applications — first for officials and later for the KEONICS chairman — were approved, showing a selective clearance process over three separate submissions between May 15 and June 14. Kharge said no official explanation was provided for the denial of his own application. On June 19, he held a press conference highlighting the chronology and alleging political interference. By the same evening, the MEA issued a fresh No Objection Clearance dated June 19, effectively reversing its earlier stance. '36 days after my original application, 15 days after the denial, and five days after my scheduled departure, they 'revoke' their decision,' he noted, questioning the timing and intent behind the clearance. He further asked, 'Why was the clearance denied in the first place? Was it revoked only after the matter became public? What is the point of a clearance after the key events are over?' Criticising the Centre, Kharge said while the Union Government promotes slogans like 'Make in India', 'Digital India', and the 'India AI Mission', it is states like Karnataka that are driving real progress. He alleged that despite leading on innovation and job creation, Karnataka is being obstructed politically. Referring to the Prime Minister's statement, MAGA + MIGA = MEGA', Kharge asked, 'What does that even mean in practice, when the very state driving India's tech and innovation engine is denied the support it needs to lead globally?' Demanding accountability, Kharge concluded: 'These questions warrant an urgent response. Karnataka deserves answers.' UNI BDN PRS

News18

20 minutes ago

• News18

News18 Afternoon Digest: Bihar Govt Raises Social Security Pension To Rs 1100 & Other Top Stories

Last Updated: We are also covering: : FATF Flags Ballistic Missile Development By Pakistan, Who Was Saeed Izadi, Iranian Commander Behind Hamas' Oct 7 Attack, and other top stories. In today's afternoon digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on the Bihar government's announcement regarding the increase in the pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1100 under the Social Security Pension Scheme, and other top stories. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced that state government has increased the pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1100 under the Social Security Pension Scheme. The decision is taken in view of the Assembly elections in Bihar, set to take place by the end of 2025. Read More Not So 'Nobel'? Why Pakistan's Push For Trump Reeks Of A Strategic Gamble | Exclusive In a diplomatic move, Pakistan has formally nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Official sources within Pakistan's government have confirmed that the nomination stems from their belief that Trump played a pivotal role in defusing the tensions during the India-Pakistan crisis of May 2025. Read More A new report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has called out Pakistan for violating international norms by engaging in ballistic missile development, citing a shipment that was seized by Indian customs officials in 2020. Read More It seems as if Gukesh Dommaraju has stiff competition brewing for his throne, and it is none other than his Indian compatriot R Praggnanandhaa, who is aiming to dethrone the reigning World Champion. Read More First Published: June 21, 2025, 14:43 IST

The Wire

44 minutes ago

• The Wire

Priyank Kharge Asks Why MEA First Denied Him Clearance to Visit the US, Before Granting Permission Later

New Delhi: Congress leader and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday (June 21) said after initially denying him a clearance to visit the US, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has now granted him a clearance. Kharge questioned the reasons for this back and forth by the MEA and demanded an explanation. 'So in a U-turn, the Ministry of External Affairs has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me a clearance for an official visit to the United States. I had sought permission on 15 May to travel between 14–27 June to represent the Government of Karnataka at two major global forums and over 25 official meetings with top companies, universities and institutions for collaborations and pitch for investments,' Kharge wrote on X on Saturday. Kharge added that the application for the visit of minister and officers' delegation to the US made on May 15 was rejected on June 4. Thereafter, another application for officers' delegation without Minister made on June 6 was cleared on June 11. 'My application was denied without any official explanation. On 19 June, I addressed a press conference, laying out the full chronology, questioning the basis of the denial and raising concerns about possible political interference. The matter was widely reported in the media. By the evening of the same day, the MEA revoked its earlier denial and issued a No Objection clearance dated 19 June,' said Kharge. He added that the clearance was received 36 days after his original application, 15 days after the official denial and five days after his scheduled departure. 'The timing raises serious questions: Why was the clearance denied in the first place? Was the previous order revoked to avoid accountability after the matter became public? What is the point of granting clearance after the key events are either over or nearing completion? Will the MEA now avoid explaining the original decision by pointing to the belated approval?' asked Kharge. Kharge was scheduled to attend the BIO International Convention in Boston and the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in San Francisco, Deccan Herald had earlier reported. 'While the Centre gives us slogans like 'Make in India,' 'Digital India', 'National Quantum Mission' and 'India AI Mission,' the real work to realise these aspirations is happening here in Karnataka. They coin the vision, but when we do the work to bring investments, create jobs and position India as a global leader – they block us,' he added. Kharge said that Karnataka deserves answer on the issue. 'The Prime Minister once said MAGA MIGA = MEGA. But what does that even mean in practice, when the very state driving India's tech and innovation engine is denied the support it needs to lead globally?' said Kharge.