The Delhi government's 2026-27 budget prioritises social welfare, introducing the 'Vayo Anand' scheme for senior citizens' recreational activities and constructing an integrated complex for children in juvenile reform homes.
Election-related freebies and populist measures are other factors crimping the revenue profile of these states.
The Delhi government's Women and Child Development Department (WCD) has introduced a new internship and research framework, offering students in social work, psychology, and related fields structured field exposure at child care institutions and welfare centres.
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul announced the BJP government's commitment to women's empowerment and the continuation of welfare schemes. The 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme will be accessible through an online portal, ensuring ease of application for all women in Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed officials to implement the scheme and free bus travel for women, while also assuring that existing social welfare schemes will continue.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has accused the West Bengal government of deliberately withholding central allocations for social welfare projects, including Ayushman Bharat and PM Awas Yojana, impacting millions of citizens. He also criticised the state's handling of farmer support and public distribution systems.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to ensure the transparent and timely implementation of welfare schemes announced in the budget, warning of potential fund reductions for departments failing to utilise allocated budgets effectively.
The youth fled the Live Well De-addiction Centre at Madhupur, a day after videos purportedly showing abuse of inmates at rehabilitation facilities in the district went viral on social media.
Nagaland is seeking to implement the Juvenile Justice Act and Adoption Regulations in a way that respects the state's customary laws and traditional systems of care, while remaining legally sound.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini released over 2,115 crore directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries under various welfare schemes, benefiting over 58 lakh eligible individuals.
Karnataka Minister K H Muniyappa has publicly voiced his dissatisfaction with the portfolio allocation in the new D K Shivakumar government, citing a lack of consideration for seniority. He urged the Congress leadership to review the assignments, highlighting his preference for portfolios like Social Welfare or Agriculture, and noted that another senior minister, Ramalinga Reddy, also resigned over the issue.
DMK President M K Stalin has alleged that the ruling TVK won the April 23 Assembly polls by influencing people through social media, without doing any field work. He said social media was used to influence family members through children and that the DMK has realised this and will be very careful from now on. Stalin also mentioned that the DMK has set up a committee to tour all the 234 constituencies in the state to assess the ground situation and find out the reasons for the debacle.
Days after an altercation with a Bharatiya Janata Party block chief, IAS officer Rinku Singh Rahee, posted as sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Jalaun tehsil, has been transferred with immediate effect.
Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar announced that the TVK regime, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, will take steps to ensure fair financial devolution from the Centre, including pursuing the matter in the Supreme Court. The government also plans to conduct a 'Social Justice Survey' and address the state's severe financial deterioration.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has released its manifesto for the West Bengal elections, focusing on welfare politics and women's empowerment with pledges to expand existing schemes, improve healthcare, and develop infrastructure.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has condemned the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, describing the incident as shocking and unsettling.
BJP MLA Dhirendra Singh has urged the Uttar Pradesh government to formulate a comprehensive policy covering education, healthcare, housing and social security for labourers.
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul defended the detailed application form for the 'Annapurna Yojana', stating the government aims to ensure benefits reach only Indian citizens, amidst criticism over excessive documentation.
TVK founder Vijay, upon becoming Chief Minister, approved free electricity units and special forces for women's safety and anti-drug efforts. He pledged a commitment to secularism and social justice, asserting his authority as the sole power centre.
A father and daughter have been arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly defrauding over 40 job seekers of more than Rs 5.30 crore by promising them government jobs through fake connections and training centres.
A social welfare department officer in Tumakuru, Karnataka, allegedly died by suicide, accusing a senior colleague of harassment in a selfie video. Police have launched an investigation into the allegations.
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul defended the detailed application form for the Annapurna Yojana scheme, stating it ensures benefits reach only Indian citizens. She also announced stringent waste-related penalties and a 'Swachh App' to improve urban cleanliness.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced the formation of a Traders' Welfare Board to serve as a platform between traders and the state government.
'Once the numbers come out, they fear that the OBCs would start to demand, and articulate what they are lacking, why they are lacking and what should be done to go forward.'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that central forces will remain deployed in West Bengal for at least seven more days after the assembly elections, assuring voters of security during and after the polls.
The Bihar government has suspended two senior IAS officers, Yogesh Kumar Sagar and Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, following corruption charges based on findings shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU). The officers are accused of obtaining undue monetary benefits through bribery and commissions.
Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav has emphasised the importance of unity, harmony, and collective responsibility among all communities for the state's progress, highlighting Nagaland's rich diversity as its greatest strength.
The Karnataka government intervened to open a salon in Shingatalur village after Dalits were allegedly denied haircuts by upper-caste residents due to discriminatory practices.
The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has completed one year, leading to the deletion of nearly six crore voters across 19 states and Union territories. This exercise, which began in Bihar, has faced opposition criticism but was upheld by the Supreme Court. The purification drive has significant implications, including linking voter data to social security benefits in some states.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay actively participated in a 6 km anti-drug marathon at Chennai's Marina Beach, running alongside thousands of participants. This marks a historic first for a sitting CM in the state to complete such an event for a social cause, drawing praise from political figures and reinforcing the government's commitment to a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced several welfare schemes, including free bus passes for students, a private employment exchange, and initiatives for youth and farmers, shortly after assuming office.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini affirmed the government's commitment to fulfilling its promises to the Dhanak community by 2029, highlighting welfare measures and initiatives already undertaken.
'We ourselves hadn't heard it initially. Many people called us. The entire village was overjoyed.'
The main accused in the Kerala Lottery Welfare Fund fraud case, Sangeeth, has claimed he burnt Rs 6 crore in cash, consisting of demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, after being unable to use them. He is accused of embezzling Rs 14 crore from the welfare fund, prompting a forensic investigation.
A 17-year-old boy was murdered in the car parking area of the Sri Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai, leading to the arrest of five suspects, including two juveniles. Concurrently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay directed police to promptly register and expedite cases related to sexual crimes and other heinous offences, ensuring stringent punishment for culprits.
D K Shivakumar expresses gratitude and respect for Siddaramaiah's leadership as Chief Minister of Karnataka, highlighting his contributions to the state's growth and social fabric.
Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the BJP government of failing to honour promises made to the Rajbanshi community in north Bengal, including recognising their language and raising a 'Narayani Sena' battalion.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of stoking fights among all sections of society and attempting to loot the country by exploiting these divisions. She also criticised the BJP's economic policies and alleged discrimination in welfare schemes.
Kumar Mangalam Birla urged young people to 'build in India, build for India and build for the world'.
The Central Reserve Police Force has suspended a senior DIG-rank officer for sharing content allegedly "against" the government during the recent passage of the Central Armed Police Force bill, which the cadre officers of these forces had called discriminatory.
Few leaders since Independence have been able to establish such a direct connection with the electorate or shape the national conversation to the extent that Narendra Modi has done over the past decade, points out former Union minister Dr Karan Singh.
