SAME DAY ENGLISH DAILY

Amaravati (Same Day): In a significant relief to the handloom sector, the Andhra Pradesh government will implement a free electricity scheme for handloom and power loom units starting April 1. Under the scheme, handloom weavers will be provided up to 200 units of electricity per month free of cost, while power loom units will receive up to 500 units monthly. The initiative is aimed at reducing the operational burden on weavers and supporting the traditional textile sector. According to official estimates, the State government will incur an annual expenditure of around ₹150 crore towards the scheme. It is expected to benefit approximately 93,000 handloom families and 11,488 power loom families across the State. The government stated that the scheme would provide financial relief of up to ₹8,640 per annum for each handloom unit and up to ₹21,600 per annum for each power loom unit. Officials noted that the initiative is part of broader efforts to revitalise the handloom industry, improve...

Bengaluru (Same Day): In a significant anti-corruption operation, the Karnataka Lokayukta officials on Tuesday arrested a Deputy Commissioner of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department, Bharath Hegde, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹6 lakh from a businessman. According to Lokayukta sources, the officer had allegedly demanded a total bribe of ₹10 lakh in exchange for “helping” the businessman evade a GST liability of approximately ₹60 lakh. Acting on a complaint filed by the businessman, Lokayukta officials laid a trap and caught the  GST officer red-handed while accepting part of the demanded amount. Officials said that GST officer had assured the complainant that he would manipulate official records and provide relief in the pending tax assessment, thereby reducing or nullifying the tax burden. Unwilling to comply with the illegal demand, the businessman approached the Lokayukta authorities, who then initiated a covert operation. The trap was executed after due verificati...

Bengaluru (Same Day): In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the city, a young tech couple from Telangana died within minutes of each other at their apartment in north Bengaluru on Monday, in what police suspect to be a case of suicide triggered by mental stress and domestic discord. The deceased have been identified as Bhanu Chander Reddy and his wife, Bibi Shazia Siraj, both natives of Siddipet district. The couple, employed in private firms as technicians, had been living in an apartment under the Kothanur police station limits. According to police sources, Bhanu Chander Reddy allegedly died by suicide inside a room while his wife was out. When Shazia returned home and found the door locked from inside, she grew suspicious. Despite repeated calls, there was no response. She then alerted security personnel, and the door was forcibly opened. On entering, she found her husband lying lifeless. Unable to bear the shock, Shazia reportedly ran out and jumped from the 17th f...

Mumbai (Same Day): In a relief to thousands of pilgrims, the Haj Committee of India has extended the deadline for depositing the third instalment of the balance Haj amount for Haj-2026 to April 6. The earlier deadline was March 31, but the extension comes following multiple requests and representations from State Haj Committees, organisations, and intending pilgrims seeking additional time to complete the payment formalities. According to a circular issued under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, pilgrims must verify the exact payable amount before making the payment through the official Haj portal or the Haj Suvidha mobile application. They can also generate the payment challan online. The balance amount can be paid either through online modes such as debit card, credit card, and net banking, or by submitting a pay-in-slip at designated branches of State Bank of India and Union Bank of India. Authorities have instructed that the unique Bank Reference Number should be clearly mentioned...

Hyderabad (Same Day): The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously decided to refer the Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2026 to a Select Committee for detailed examination, in a move aimed at strengthening legal measures against hate speech and related offences. Welcoming the decision, Adviser to the State Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir described it as a “bold and decisive step” to curb hate speech and safeguard social harmony. He also congratulated Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for what he termed a progressive initiative. The Bill, introduced by Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu on behalf of the Chief Minister, seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to address hate speech and hate crimes. It proposes stringent penalties, including imprisonment ranging from one to seven years and a fine of ₹50,000 for first-time offences. For repeat violations, the draft legislation prescribes enhanced punishment, with jail terms extending...

Hyderabad (Same Day): As part of the ongoing preparations for Haj-2026, Syed Ghulam Afzal Biyabani Khusro Pasha, Chairman of the Telangana State Haj Committee, conducted visits to various government hospitals in the city to review the arrangements for medical screening and vaccination of intending pilgrims. The Chairman inspected facilities at Ameerpet Government Area Hospital, Golconda Government Area Hospital, and Barkas Area Hospital, where special camps have been organised to ensure that pilgrims meet the mandatory health requirements prior to undertaking the pilgrimage. He was accompanied by Mohammed Layeeq, Member of the Committee, along with Mohammed Mujeebuddin and Irfan Shareef, Assistant Executive Officer of the Committee. Doctors, medical staff, and hospital officials were also present during the inspections. During the visit, the Chairman reviewed the screening procedures, vaccination protocols, and overall arrangements being provided to Haj aspirants. He emphasised the im...

Hyderabad (Same Day): Condemning the pre-emptive arrests and house detention of Telangana movement activists, senior leader Kappati Panduranga Reddy on Monday termed the actions “undemocratic and unethical,” alleging that the government is curbing the fundamental right to protest. Mr. Reddy, who is also the Telangana Jagruti Ranga Reddy district president and a former chairman of the district library body, criticised the authorities for detaining activists at their residences ahead of planned protests. He said such measures reflected an attempt to suppress dissent rather than address the concerns raised by those who had played a role in the Statehood movement. Addressing the media, he questioned the rationale behind early morning detentions. “What message does the government intend to send by visiting activists’ homes at dawn and placing them under house arrest? Is this what is meant by ‘people’s governance’?” he asked, adding that silencing voices of protest would not ensure effectiv...