LG Ladakh sets up UT-level Panel for operationalisation of new districts

May 12, 2026

Comm to recommend admn, financial, logistical issues

Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, May 11: Following creation of five new districts in Ladakh last month, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the constitution of a UT-Level Committee to examine and recommend measures related to the effective and efficient operationalisation of the districts.

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The Committee will recommend measures for the establishment and operationalisation of key offices in the new districts and examine any consequential administrative, financial or logistical issues arising out of the creation of the five districts.
The constitution of the Committee follows the approval given by Saxena, for the notification of five new districts in Ladakh, on April 27. The development marks a significant step towards strengthening grassroot governance and ensuring efficient administrative functioning in the newly constituted districts of Changthang, Nubra, Sham, Zanskar and Drass, an official statement said.
The Committee has been entrusted with the responsibility to examine and recommend measures for operationalisation of the newly created districts, including reorganisation and rationalisation of the jurisdiction of subdivisions, tehsils, niabats, girdawar/qanungo circles and patwar halqas in conformity with the notified territorial limits. This will ensure a smooth administrative transition and help establish a robust governance framework in the newly created districts.
“The creation of the new districts is aimed at decentralising governance and ensuring that administrative services reach the doorsteps of the people, particularly those living in remote and far-flung areas. It is, therefore, crucial that the operationalisation of these districts must be carried out in a structured, transparent and time-bound manner, so that the benefits of the new administrative framework reach the masses effectively and efficiently. The UT Administration is committed to building a responsive, efficient and people-centric governance system in Ladakh,” said Saxena.
He also directed the Committee to recommend the distribution and re-deployment of staff, records, assets, infrastructure and other resources between the existing and newly created districts. In addition, the Committee will assess the requirement for creation, redeployment and upgradation of posts for the effective functioning of the new districts, including revenue, development and other essential administrative cadres.
The UT-Level Committee will be headed by the Divisional Commissioner/Secretary, Revenue Department, as Chairperson. The Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department, will serve as Member-Convenor, while the Secretary, General Administration Department, and the Deputy Commissioners of Leh and Kargil will serve as members of the Committee.
This development will significantly improve administrative outreach, strengthen service delivery mechanisms, facilitate faster grievance redressal and ensure more focused developmental planning in remote and underserved areas of Ladakh.

Tribute paid to Ashok Sodhi on his martyrdom day

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 11: Media fraternity and journalists today paid floral tribute to Late Ashok Sodhi- Chief Photographer of the Daily Excelsior, on his martyrdom day on Monday.
The Excelsior team, led by Editor-in-Chief Kamal Rohmetra and Executive Editor, Neeraj Rohmetra, assembled at the office and paid tribute to Ashok Sodhi, who lost his life while covering an encounter between security forces and terrorists at Samba on May 11, 2008.
President of Press Club Jammu and the Excelsior Bureau Chief, Sanjeev Pargal highlighted dedication of Ashok Sodhi to duty and his courage in reporting from high risk scenarios. A two minute silence was also observed on the occasion for eternal peace of late Sodhi.
Association of Print and Electronic Media also remembered Ashok Sodhi on his martyrdom day. A number of photojournalists assembled near the Exhibition Ground and paid floral tribute to Ashok Sodhi.
In Kathua, MLA Dr Bharat Bhushan along with local media fraternity, paid floral tribute to late Ashok Sodhi on his death anniversary. Dr. Bharat Bhushan recalled the qualities of head & heart of late Ashok Sodhi and said that his commitment for professional assignments will continue to inspire the upcoming journalists. Members of media fraternity representing various print and electronic channels and newspapers joined in paying tributes.
It was on 11th May,2008 that Ashok Sodhi attained martyrdom while discharging his professional duties during a terrorist attack on an Army Camp in Samba.

Wheat production to surpass last year’s level, says Agri Minister Shivraj Chouhan

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

NEW DELHI, May 11: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said the country’s wheat production in the ongoing 2025-26 crop year (July-June) is likely to surpass last year’s 117.94 million tonne despite localised damage caused due to unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms.

“We believe wheat production to be better than last year,” Chouhan told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

The crop is good and there would be a record procurement, he added.

Harvesting of wheat — the main rabi (winter) crop – is almost completed in major growing states. Its procurement is in full swing. The agriculture ministry had projected a wheat production of 120.21 million tonnes in 2025-26 prior to unseasonal rains, higher than last year’s actual output.

However, the Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India (RFFI) projected on April 14 that output would decline marginally, factoring in recent weather damage.

Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra sought to bridge the gap between the two estimates. “While the federation has estimated wheat production of 110 million tonnes, the figure given by the agriculture ministry prior to the rainfall is 120 million tonnes. The reality will be somewhere between 110 and 120 million tonnes,” he had said. (PTI)

DPS Junior Kathua students shine at Inter-State Karate C’ship

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

Students of DPS Kathua posing along with school management.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
KATHUA, May 11: Delhi Public School Junior Kathua students delivered an outstanding performance at the Inter-state Karate Championship held at S.M.D.R.S.D College Pathankot. Students from Classes II to V participated enthusiastically and showcased exceptional discipline, confidence and sportsmanship in Kata and Kumite events.
The young athletes brought laurels to the institution by securing 6 Gold, 8 Silver and 34 Bronze medals. School Incharge Monika Singh expressed pride over the achievement and stated that the success reflected discipline, courage and self-confidence of the participants. Principal Vivek Arora lauded the students for their dedication and sportsmanship.
School Administrator Gauri Thakur congratulated the winners and appreciated their efforts, highlighting that sports help develop leadership, teamwork and perseverance. She also thanked parents for their continuous support and encouragement.

TN CM Joseph Vijay, newly elected MLAs take oath in Assembly

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

CHENNAI, May 11 : Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, nine other ministers, former CMs including Edappadi K Palaniswami, ex- deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin and the newly elected MLAs on Monday took the oath of office in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Pro-tem Speaker M V Karuppaiah, praising Vijay’s leadership and victory, initiated the proceedings on administration of the oath of office for MLAs in the first session of the 17th Assembly.

The chief minister was the first to take oath as MLA and ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, KG Arunraj, KA Sengottaiyan, P Venkataramanan, R Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan and TK Prabhu followed suit.

Following this, DMK legislature party leader and former deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, former CMs Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam (DMK), and other MLAs took oath of office.

Vijay, Udhayanidhi and Panneerselvam were among those who “solemnly affirmed” and took oath. Palaniswami and PMK’s Sowmya Anbumani were among those who took oath in the name of God.

Panrutti AIADMK MLA K Mohan while taking oath suddenly broke down and hailed late chief minister J Jayalalithaa and with folded hands paid tributes to the portrait of the late AIADMK matriarch in the Assembly hall.

Initially, Minister S Keerthana could not take oath of office as MLA as she did not present her Certificate of Election, a prerequisite for taking oath, an official said.

When the Assembly Principal Secretary K Srinivasan invited Keerthana, announcing her name in the microphone, she walked to the podium, which was right in front of the chair of the CM from one side. Also, MLAs who take oath would face the chair of the pro-tem speaker.

While Keerthana neared the podium, Srinivasan raised his hand and asked her the certificate, which could be seen in the live coverage of the Assembly proceedings. However, she could not produce the certificate and what she replied to Srinivasan was not known.

Asked what transpired, an official told PTI: “It seems she did not have her certificate of election with her ready. Since she could not submit the certificate, the senior official politely declined to allow her to take oath. She may take oath whenever she submits her certificate of election.”

Sometime later, Keerthana brought her certificate to the House and submitted it to the top official and took the oath of office.

The official said that MLAs were told to bring their certificates without fail and the government made this clear even in a press note. While initiating the proceedings on Monday, the pro tem speaker too announced that certificate of election must be presented for taking oath and Karuppaiah himself submitted his certificate to Srinivasan.

When Velachery TVK legislator R Kumar was about to begin taking oath after submitting the certificate, Srinivasan stopped him. He pointed out to Kumar that the certificate submitted by him featured the name of someone else.

It later emerged that Kumar had brought the certificate of his party colleague seated next to him and had given it to Srinivasan. Immediately, Kumar went back to his seat and brought his certificate of election and gave it to the official. Kumar collected the colleague’s certificate from him and gave it back to his party colleague. Later, Kumar was allowed by the official to take oath.

When Tirunelveli TVK MLA RS Murughan did not specify if he solemnly affirmed or took oath in the name of God, the top official intervened and asked him to either make affirmation “solemnly” or take oath in the “name of God.” The MLA’s reply appeared to be in a rough tone and he made affirmation in the name of God.

VCK’s Vanni Arasu, after taking oath said:”Velga Tamizh (Let Tamil win), Valga Tamil Nadu (Hail, long live TN), Velga Tamil Eelam (Let Tamil Eelam win), Thanthai Periyar Vazhga (Hail Periyar EV Ramasamy), Puratchiyalar Dr Ambedkar Vazhga (Hail revolutionary leader Dr Ambedkar) Eluchi Tamizhar Vazhga (Hail VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan).”

An official release said AIADMK legislator C Ve Shanmugam (Mailam constituency), took oath at the chamber of the Assembly Speaker on Monday.

TN Assembly’s current strength is 233 while the actual full strength is 234. Vijay won from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East and he has resigned from the latter. (PTI)

Pak: Lawmakers slam Punjab govt for lack of funds for minority communities

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

LAHORE, May 11: Lawmakers in Pakistan’s Punjab have criticised the provincial government for allocating no funds for the restoration of worship places belonging to minority communities and for failing to earmark adequate development funds for areas inhabited by these communities.

“Not a single penny was allocated in the provincial development budget for 2025-26 for the restoration of churches or temples in Punjab. Likewise, hardly any funds were set aside for the uplift of Christian neighbourhoods,” Punjab Assembly lawmaker Baba Falbous Christopher said during a recent assembly session.

Christopher, who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, urged the government to allocate substantial funds in the upcoming 2026-27 budget not only for the restoration of churches and temples but also for the provision of basic facilities to minority communities.

Hindu lawmaker Basro Jee of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said a large Hindu population resides in south Punjab, yet no meaningful welfare projects have been launched for their communities.

“Even the limited funds allocated in the 2025-26 budget for the development of Hindu localities were later withdrawn,” he alleged, adding that the government of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz needed to pay greater attention to the welfare of minority groups.

During the debate, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan questioned the performance of the Minority Affairs Ministry, led by Punjab’s first Sikh minister, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora.

“The minority population, deprived of basic facilities, continues to face acute shortages of drinking water, sanitation and healthcare. Development funds should therefore first be directed towards these essential human needs,” Khan said.

Defending the government’s performance, Arora said the problems faced by minorities had persisted since the creation of Pakistan in 1947 and “could not be resolved overnight”.

He said the chief minister had increased the budget of the Minority Affairs Department by 300 per cent over the past two years.

“The government is working on the restoration of historic religious sites and will ensure greater development funding for minority communities across the province,” he added.

According to the Minority Rights Group, religious minorities in Pakistan – including Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Sikhs and smaller communities such as the Kalasha – often live in impoverished and marginalised conditions marked by systemic discrimination, economic hardship and security concerns.

“Although they collectively make up around four per cent of the population, these groups frequently live under a constant sense of fear and are often treated as second-class citizens,” the organisation says. (PTI)

Ruhullah accuses Omar of arrogant response on liquor issue

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 11: Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi today lashed out at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his remarks on liquor prohibition, accusing him of responding “arrogantly” and deviating from the promises made by the party during the election campaign.

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Ruhullah said the National Conference had promised people that liquor shops opened in Kashmir would be shut down and prohibition enforced.
“He was asked a question about that, but unfortunately, he replied arrogantly, and that answer had no logic. Instead of fulfilling the promises made to the people in this regard, he ended up rebuking them,” he told reporters.
The MP was reacting to Omar’s remarks on the demand for a liquor ban in J&K, in which the Chief Minister had said, “Who is forcing youth to consume alcohol?”
Mehdi said Governments often take measures against social evils even when enforcement cannot be absolute.
“We cannot pursue people for drugs, but despite that, we take measures against the drug menace. There are many things we cannot force people against, but still we work towards prohibiting such things,” he said.
He further alleged that the language used by Omar resembled the rhetoric employed by the BJP after the abrogation of Abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
“After 2019, we were called names – termed thieves, corrupt, anti-national, terrorists and addicts – and now this Chief Minister has started taking the same line,” he said, adding that Abdullah had been elected “to fight arrogance, not display it before the people.”
Ruhullah also said CM’s remarks were against the commitments made by the National Conference during the Assembly election campaign.
“The reply he gave yesterday was unethical, arrogant and illogical,” he said.
The MP also raised the issue of restoration of Article 370 protections, saying people had voted for the return of constitutional safeguards and not merely for restoration of statehood.
“If votes were only for statehood, people could have voted for the BJP and its allies, who had also promised statehood. But the National Conference had promised the return of constitutional protections,” he said.

CS reviews Census-2027 preparedness, emphasizes public participation in Self-Enumeration

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

CS chairing a meeting at Srinagar on Monday.CS chairing a meeting at Srinagar on Monday.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 11: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired the 3rd meeting of the UT Level Census Coordination Committee to review the preparedness for the initial phase of Self-Enumeration and House Listing activities for Census 2027 across the districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Secretary took this occasion to emphasize on the need for conducting vigorous and comprehensive training programmes for both Enumerators and Supervisors to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in data capturing during the Census process.
He further directed that the formation and demarcation of House Listing Blocks (HLBs) be completed well before the commencement of enumeration so that the process remains seamless, exhaustive and free from any lacunae.
The Chief Secretary reviewed district-wise preparedness and stressed upon all Deputy Commissioners and concerned officers to ensure seamless coordination, timely completion of preparatory activities and extensive public outreach for achieving maximum participation in Self-Enumeration. He emphasized the importance of regular monitoring at district and charge levels to ensure smooth conduct of the House Listing phase.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar stressed upon conducting multiple rounds of trainings for Enumerators and Supervisors keeping in view the critical and sensitive nature of the Census exercise. He also emphasized that no household, particularly in remote and hilly areas, should be left out during the formation of House Listing Blocks, calling for meticulous planning and field verification to ensure complete coverage.
During the meeting, Director, Census Operations J&K and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, gave a detailed presentation outlining the progress achieved in training of field functionaries, formation of House Listing Blocks (HLBs), appointment of enumerators and supervisors, publicity plans, administrative preparations and fund utilization for the upcoming Census operations.
The Director further informed that all districts and Municipal Corporations have identified the required field staff and the process of appointment and registration on the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal is underway.
Regarding House Listing Block formation, the meeting was apprised that more than 24,000 HLBs have been created across Jammu and Kashmir. Out of these, more than half have already been geo-tagged and demarcated. The meeting was apprised that certain districts have sought updation and correction in administrative units, following which related issues have been taken up with ORGI for early resolution.
The meeting was also informed that Self-Enumeration of VVIPs would commence on May 17, 2026, the first day of Self-Enumeration, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures issued by ORGI for encouraging general public. Extensive media coverage and public awareness messaging would also be undertaken during the campaign.
The meeting also reviewed the status of updation of administrative units on the CMMS portal. It was divulged that administrative boundaries had been frozen as on December 31, 2025, in accordance with notifications issued by the Government of India and the J&K Government. However the requests for updation of villages, wards and locality names have been received from districts and submitted to ORGI for earlier approval.

Tuljabhawani Temple has 253 kg gold and 4.6 tonnes silver: Report

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

MUMBAI, May 11: The Tuljabhawani Temple in Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district possesses 253 kilograms of gold and 4,614 kilograms of silver as on March 31 this year, the trust managing it said on Monday.

In a report, Tuljabhawani Temple Trust said it holds 253.30 kilograms of gold and 4614.52 kilograms of silver.

“In 2023-24, the trust received 16.49 kilograms of gold and 260.66 kilograms of silver. The donated quantity increased in 2024-25, reaching 17.62 kilograms of gold and 255.99 kilograms of silver,” the report said.

In the 2025-26 fiscal, gold donation decreased but silver increased, it added.

The donated gold figure dropped to 10.78 kilograms but silver increased by nearly 10 kilograms reaching 267.26 kilograms, as per the report.

Tuljabhawani Temple, in Tuljapur, is one of the key places of worship in the state and is considered the main deity of the Bhosale family, the descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. (PTI)

They want me to quit: Vinesh targets WFI after being denied competition entry

Daily Excelsior

May 12, 2026

GONDA (UP), May 11: A defiant Vinesh Phogat’s attempt to compete in the National Open Ranking tournament after replying to WFI’s show-cause notice was on Monday categorically rejected by the federation, triggering a dramatic fresh confrontation, with the decorated wrestler calling it a “pre-planned conspiracy” to stop her comeback.

Vinesh arrived at the venue and claimed she was eligible to return to competition despite the federation declaring her ineligible till June 26, 2026 due to the mandatory six-month notice period for athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules. But the federation refused to accept her documents.

“What do you expect me to do? Shall i take sanyaas and stay away? Accept defeat? So that their conspiracy against me succeeds?” Vinesh told reporters after meeting WFI President Sanjay Singh.

“They are not allowing me. They want to see me tried and retired. All I am asking is a fair chance to compete but they are insisting that first I reply to their notice. This is all conspiracy.”

Vinesh said she had not violated any rule of NADA or WADA, and had come out clean in dope tests.

“If I had violated any rule, NADA or WADA would have given me a show-cause notice or banned me. Even after that, I underwent doping tests and came clean. I have always been clean in sports. ITA conveyed to me that I am eligible to compete from January 1, 2026.

“They can directly say they don’t want me to play or step on the mat. Instead, they are troubling me so much that I get tired and leave myself,” she said.

Calling the show-cause notice a “pre-planned conspiracy”, she alleged that the timing was deliberately chosen to leave her with little legal recourse before the tournament.

“I got the notice on Friday night. Saturday I was reducing weight and doing paperwork. They knew exactly when to send the notice, when courts would be closed and when filing would become difficult. This is all pre-planned,” she alleged.

The WFI maintained that she could not compete in the event till the completion of disciplinary proceedings conducted by a panel.

When PTI asked Sanjay Singh why they have issued show-cause notice now, he said, “She only recently said that she plans to compete in Gonda. Before that we did not know when she plans to come back. Only when she registered she came under WFI. So we acted accordingly.”

“She did not reply when I asked why she competed in two weight divisions. She blamed it on ad-hoc panel. Once she replies and it is a satisfactory reply, we will think about our next move,” he said.

Vinesh said she had informed the WFI on December 12 that she intended to return to the sport.

“Why did you have to wait for six months to give me show cause notice just two days before the competition?” she said.

Still, she gave a short reply initially and will give a full reply within the stipulated 14 days.

As soon as the verification process for women began ahead of competition on Monday, Vinesh came with her husband but her documents were not taken.

The two-time World Championships medallist also expressed anger over being labelled anti-national during the prolonged wrestlers’ protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his associates.

“I have represented this country in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships, and now they are calling me part of the ‘Tukde Tukde gang’. Maybe tomorrow they will call me a terrorist or Khalistani,” she said emotionally.

“I am a respected citizen of this country. The Constitution has given me the right to speak and the right to go anywhere in this country. Sanjay Singh has not given me these rights.”

The most dramatic scenes unfolded after the media interaction ended. Looking for a place to train ahead of the women’s weigh-in scheduled between 5pm and 7pm on Monday, Vinesh searched for a warm-up area inside the venue only to find it locked.

“Ab training bhi nahi kar sakti kya? Lock toh khulwa do kam se kam (I can’t even train now. At least open the lock),” she said in frustration.

She then moved to the SAI Khelo India Centre hoping to find mats to train on, but there were none available there either. At one point, she requested a police officer stationed nearby to help get the facility opened, but he politely replied that his duty was only to provide security and that he had no authority over the premises.

“We are trying in every way but they are not letting me wrestle. I came here putting my life and mind at stake,” she said before leaving the venue.

Despite the setback, Vinesh asserted that she would continue fighting.

“I am working hard honestly and truthfully. God knows I am clean. If I am right, he will give me strength. We will fight for our rights,” she said.

The federation has sought her explanation on several charges, including her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Games after failing to make weight, alleged whereabouts failures under anti-doping rules, and competing in two weight categories during the March 2024 selection trials conducted by the then IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel.

The women’s competition at the Ranking Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday. The medal winners at the event are likely to get a chance to compete at the World Championship trials later this year but they won’t be allowed to compete in Asian Games trials as per the WFI policy. (PTI)

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