Raipur – The arrival of monsoon in the state is not far away. The India Meteorological Department has indicated that the southwest monsoon may enter Chhattisgarh in the next few days. Along with this, a period of rain and strong winds has also been predicted. Amidst the continuously increasing heat and humidity in Chhattisgarh, the latest forecast from the Meteorological Department has brought relief to the people. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), conditions are rapidly becoming favorable for the advance of the southwest monsoon in the state.

The Meteorological Department says that the monsoon may arrive in parts of Chhattisgarh within the next three to four days. Starting June 11th, most districts in the state may experience increased thunderstorm activity, light to moderate rain, and strong winds. According to experts, the increased monsoon activity is expected to bring a drop in temperatures, providing relief from the intense heat and humidity. However, the Meteorological Department has also advised people to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions during inclement weather.

A special action plan will be prepared to deal with the increasing addiction to mobile phones and drugs, unemployment and social challenges.

Vice President Mr. Mishra directed UNDP to prepare employment oriented training project for rural youth.

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Mr. Ganesh Shankar Mishra, Vice Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Policy Commission, said that the biggest challenges facing the state today include unemployment among rural youth, mobile phone addiction, growing drug addiction, health problems, and increasing criminal activity. These challenges can only be addressed through job creation and skill development.

Addressing the induction program for SSM PIU and M&E units held at the Chhattisgarh State NITI Aayog in Nava Raipur, Mr. Mishra said that today there are a large number of youth in villages who do not want to join farming, but they also do not have adequate employment opportunities. In such a situation, the state government's goal is to connect youth aged 15 to 29 with skill development programs and provide them with employment and self-employment opportunities.

Vice President G.S. Mishra stated that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)'s largest team to date is working in Chhattisgarh, and a concrete action plan will be developed within the next six months to enhance youth skills and create employment. He directed UNDP experts to develop a comprehensive project to provide training in plumbers, gardeners, carpenters, electricians, TV mechanics, mobile repairers, and other employment-oriented occupations tailored to the needs of rural youth.

Mr. Mishra stated that training programs will not be limited to skills alone, but rather a model will be developed that will provide immediate employment opportunities to youth who complete the training. To this end, special employment programs will be organized in each district in collaboration with industries, private institutions, and civil society organizations, where trained youth will be provided with appointment letters. He stated that the state government's objective is to empower youth and connect them with respectable livelihoods. This will not only reduce the unemployment rate, but also strengthen the economic status of youth, overcome social challenges, and provide new impetus to the state's overall development.

Vice President Shri Mishra expressed confidence that through skill development, participation of industries and effective implementation, Chhattisgarh will emerge as a successful model of youth empowerment in the country.

Ask Kamli how happy she is to wake up every morning and see clean water flowing from the tap. Her eyes welled with joy as she showed Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao the stream of water flowing from the tap in her courtyard. The Jal Jeevan Mission has brought priceless happiness to thousands of women like Kamli. Once worried about drinking and wastewater, the taps in their homes have transformed their lives.

During his four-day visit to Bastar, Deputy Chief Minister and Public Health Engineering Minister Shri Arun Sao visited Kamli village to see the work of the Jal Jeevan Mission. In Kamli village, Duganpal, Tokapal development block, Bastar district, he also visited a few other homes to see water coming from the taps. The joy of having water in their homes through the Jal Jeevan Mission was evident on the faces of all the women.

Jal Jeevan Mission is bringing about a profound change in the lives of women in remote villages and forest areas. A significant portion of the population previously struggled daily to access drinking water, especially during the summer, when the journey with a pot of water on their heads would stretch from a few hundred meters to several kilometers.

The provision of water, an essential necessity for life, used to make life difficult for women in summer. In Duganpal too, women had to go to the village hand pump or well every day to arrange water for everyone in the house. Now, with the installation of taps in the houses, this problem has been resolved. As the work of Jal Jeevan Mission is getting completed, the worries and troubles of women about bringing water from outside are getting resolved. So far, more than eight and a half thousand schemes have been completed in Chhattisgarh and handed over to the Panchayats for operation.

Jal Jeevan Mission is not just a scheme to provide drinking water to every household. It is also bringing about a profound change in the daily routine and lives of women. In villages, women have traditionally been responsible for providing drinking water and other household needs. Without access to water at home, they must collect water daily for the entire family from hand pumps, public taps, wells, or other sources.

This laborious and time-consuming daily task becomes even more difficult during the rainy season and the scorching heat. In many areas, water sources dry up in the summer, forcing people to fetch water from long distances. Providing water for their families becomes a daily struggle. Women spend many hours of their day engaged in this task.

The Jal Jeevan Mission, by providing tap water to every household, is relieving women of many problems. Access to clean and safe drinking water has relieved them of many worries. They no longer have to expend significant time and effort daily searching for water. This gives them more time to devote to other household chores, such as raising children, farming, and other livelihood activities, enabling them to devote more time and attention to these tasks.

The Jal Jeevan Mission's 24-month water supply at home eliminates the hassle of fetching water during the summer and the constant rains during the summer. Water quality is affected by the water table dropping in the summer and the continuous rains during the monsoon. Poor quality drinking water poses a risk of stomach ailments, and the use of contaminated water for sanitation poses a risk of skin diseases. The Jal Jeevan Mission has also eliminated these health risks.

Emphasis on departmental coordination, data-driven policy making and effective implementation to achieve the goals of Anjor Vision-2047

Innovative efforts will be made to make Bastar the most developed tribal division of the country through Bastar Anjor.

Raipur, Chhattisgarh State Policy Commission Vice Chairman Shri Ganesh Shankar Mishra said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai is committed to establishing Chhattisgarh at the forefront of developed states through "Anjor Vision-2047." He said that building a developed Chhattisgarh will be possible not only through the formulation of plans, but also through better coordination between departments, policy making based on accurate data and a result-oriented work culture.

Addressing the induction programme of State Support Mission (SSM), Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) units organised at Chhattisgarh State NITI Aayog, Nava Raipur, Shri Mishra said that "Anjor Vision-2047" prepared by the State NITI Aayog is a comprehensive roadmap for the long-term development of the state, in which clear goals related to economic development, good governance, social progress, investment promotion and human development have been set.

He stated that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Anjor Vision 2047 complement each other, and the fundamental objective of both is to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last person. To achieve the goal of becoming a developed state by 2047, all departments must implement their plans and programs in accordance with these goals. The SSM, PIU, and M&E units established under the State Policy Commission will play a crucial role in this direction.

Mr. Mishra stated that Chhattisgarh has made significant progress in the NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24. The state's goal now is not limited to improving the indices, but to bring positive and lasting change to the living standards of every citizen. Citing targets set in sectors such as agriculture, health, education, industry, women's empowerment, skill development, and technology, he said, "Our priority is to make Chhattisgarh a national leader in agricultural productivity, industrial development, female labor force participation, the digital economy, and employment generation."

He said that the expert teams working with the State Policy Commission should coordinate with departments to accelerate the pace of development through KPI-based reviews, policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and evidence-based recommendations. He called on officials and experts to adopt innovative, accountable, and results-oriented approaches.

Vice President Shri Mishra expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of the State Government, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and State Policy Commission, the goals of Anjor Vision-2047 will be achieved within the stipulated time period and Chhattisgarh will establish a new identity as an inclusive, sustainable and developed state.

He said that March 31, 2026, marked a significant milestone in the state's history, when Chhattisgarh became free from Naxalism. He cited Union Home Minister Amit Shah's pledge to make Bastar the most developed tribal division in the country. Mishra stated that the Bastar division is among the state government's top priorities, and the "Bastar Anjor" initiative will achieve holistic development in the region through seven key innovations. This will empower Bastar to establish a new identity in the fields of development, good governance, education, health, employment, and infrastructure.

During this, Member Secretary of State Policy Commission, Mr. Ashish Kumar Bhatt, Member Dr. K. Subrahmanyam and experts from various fields of UNDP were present.

Chief Minister Expresses Gratitude for Centre’s Support in Chhattisgarh’s Development Through a Letter to the Prime Minister

CM Appreciates Central Government’s Role in Naxal Eradication, Infrastructure Development, and Empowerment of Farmers, Tribals, Women and Youth

Raipur,Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai extended his congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the completion of 12 years of his leadership at the Centre. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, he expressed gratitude for the unprecedented support extended by the Central Government towards the development of Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the visionary, decisive, and welfare-oriented leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has accelerated development in Chhattisgarh and played a significant role in ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reach the last person in society.

In his letter, the Chief Minister mentioned that under the Central Government’s policy of prioritising security and development in Naxal-affected areas, Chhattisgarh has received Rs. 2,080.29 crore under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme. He noted that initiatives such as the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Security Related Expenditure (SRE), modern weapon systems, jungle warfare training and air support have strengthened security forces and provided the state with a decisive advantage in the fight against Left Wing Extremism.

The Chief Minister stated that the Union Ministry of Rural Development has approved 391 roads covering 3,222 kilometres and 88 major bridges in Naxal-affected regions at a cost of Rs. 2,377 crore. These projects have strengthened both development and security while connecting remote areas, including Bastar, with the mainstream.

Highlighting financial reforms under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the Chief Minister said that increasing the state’s share in central taxes from 32 per cent to 42 per cent has provided Chhattisgarh with unprecedented fiscal autonomy. He informed that over the past 12 years, the state has received Rs. 3,46,806 crore through central tax devolution and Rs. 1,43,328 crore under various central schemes. In addition, Chhattisgarh received Rs. 22,021 crore under the Special Assistance for Capital Investment Scheme and Rs. 22,600 crore as GST compensation.

Describing road infrastructure development as one of the major achievements of the Central Government, Shri Sai said that approvals worth Rs. 4,468 crore were granted under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). In comparison, Rs. 35,766 crore was sanctioned for National Highway development. These investments have accelerated projects such as the Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor, Bilaspur–Dhanbad connectivity, the Raipur–Durg Bypass and several other strategic road projects, significantly improving connectivity across the state.

In the rural development sector, the Chief Minister stated that 24.50 lakh eligible beneficiaries have been sanctioned houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), of which nearly 19.70 lakh houses have already been completed. Under MGNREGA, an expenditure of Rs. 39,123 crore over the past 12 years generated 152 crore person-days of employment. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), Rs. 2,398 crore in assistance enabled the construction of toilets for 36.44 lakh families.

Raipur, Chhattisgarh Government, School Education Department has issued transfer orders for 28 officers, carrying out a major administrative reshuffle across the state with the aim of tightening the administration and making the educational system more effective. According to the order, District Education Officers, Block Education Officers, Assistant Directors and Principals have been assigned new responsibilities in various districts and offices. This order will be effective immediately until further orders.

According to the transfer list issued by the Under Secretary of the Chhattisgarh School Education Department, new postings of District Education Officers in charge have been made in several districts including Mahasamund, Raipur, Bilaspur, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Raigarh, Gariaband, Dhamtari, Bemetara, Bijapur, Narayanpur and Balod. New postings of officers have also been made in the Directorate of Public Instruction, Joint Director offices and other administrative units.

According to the order issued, Mr. B.L. Dewangan, the In-Charge Deputy Director of the Directorate of Public Instruction, has been appointed the In-Charge District Education Officer, Mahasamund. Mr. Himanshu Bhartiya, the In-Charge District Education Officer, Raipur, has been appointed the In-Charge Deputy Director of the Directorate of Public Instruction. Mr. M.G. Satish Kumar, Assistant Director, has been appointed as the In-Charge District Education Officer, Raipur, and Mr. Rameshwar Jaiswal, the In-Charge District Education Officer, has been appointed in place of Mr. Vijay Kumar Tande, the In-Charge District Education Officer, Bilaspur. Similarly, new In-Charge District Education Officers have been appointed in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Raigarh, Gariaband, Dhamtari, Bemetara, Bijapur, and Narayanpur districts. Several Block Education Officers and Assistant Directors have been promoted and given district-level responsibilities, while some officers have been transferred to Directorate and divisional offices.

School Education Minister Gajendra Yadav stated that the administrative restructuring in the School Education Department is aimed at accelerating departmental work, effectively implementing educational plans, and strengthening administrative coordination across districts. The order will see widespread changes in the state's education administration.

Raipur, June 10, 2026/ Governor Ramen Deka was met today at Lok Bhavan by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Arun Kumar Pandey, Raipur Collector Dr. Gaurav Kumar Singh, Raipur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sambit Mishra, Chief Conservator of Forests Raipur Circle Manivasagan S, and Raipur Forest Division DFO Loknath Patel. During the meeting, the Governor emphasized the need to pay special attention to the conservation and protection of trees planted in the city and Naya Raipur.

The Governor directed officials to ensure the safety and care of trees after planting them. He stated that tree felling should be permitted only in urgent circumstances. The Governor placed special emphasis on removing tree guards from large trees in the city and removing concrete structures built around trees where trees have been planted. He emphasized that adequate water and air must reach the roots of trees for their proper growth.

Governor Mr. Deka stated that campaigns like "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" (Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam) are being implemented extensively. Adequate attention should be paid to tree care after planting. Regular monitoring and protection of planted trees should be ensured so that they can grow and play an effective role in environmental protection. The Governor urged officials to make coordinated efforts to increase the city's green cover and increase the survival rate of planted trees.

Raipur, June 10, 2026/ Secretary of the School Education Department, Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, paid a courtesy call on Governor Shri Ramen Deka at Lok Bhavan today. During the visit, the Governor discussed in detail the state of education and the educational facilities available in the state's particularly backward tribal areas.

The Governor emphasized the need to take necessary steps to provide quality education to children from particularly backward tribes and directed the prompt resolution of related problems. He said that special attention should be paid to connecting students living in remote and mountainous areas to education and developing the necessary infrastructure for them.

The Governor said that issues related to education of children of special backward tribes, hostel facilities, school infrastructure and availability of teachers should be resolved with sensitivity, so that the students of these areas can get better educational opportunities and their all-round development can be ensured.

Distribution of medicines to health centres only after quality testing through a standards-based process

Raipur, According to information received from CGMSC, the firm Unicure India Ltd. has provided information to Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited on 18 May 2026. According to this, the firm has been “blacklisted” by Madhya Pradesh Public Health Services Corporation Limited, Bhopal on 08 May 2026 as a result of 3 batches of the medicine Lactulose Solution IP 10 gm/15 ml -100 ml bottle being declared substandard in the quality test by government laboratories.

As a result of product blacklisting of a batch of the said medicine by Madhya Pradesh Public Health Services Corporation Limited, Bhopal, the rate contract of the medicine Lactulose Solution IP 10 gm/15 ml -100 ml bottle was blocked as per the tender rules of Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited and action was taken to cancel the related purchase orders.

The blacklisting order, enclosed with the communication sent by the firm Unicure India Ltd., also states that the said order will not apply to previously purchased or placed purchase orders, provided they conform to the quality standards. The medicines supplied by the said firm have been distributed after receiving standard quality reports from the NABL laboratories contracted by Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited.

The firm Unicure India Ltd. also stated in the notice that they have filed a suit before the Hon'ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Principal Bench, Jabalpur, the hearing of which is scheduled for June 10, 2026. Further proceedings in Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited will be determined subject to the orders passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh in the said suit.

After receiving the information regarding the blacklisting order, no new rate contract or fresh purchase order has been issued to the said firm, which is a quality oriented process based on drug regulatory standards of Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited.

Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited reiterates that the drug procurement and supply process is based entirely on quality standards. The Corporation reiterates that drugs are distributed to health centers only after undergoing quality testing under a validated and standards-based process before being distributed to the public.

Wrote a letter to the Prime Minister expressing gratitude for the support of the Central Government in the development of Chhattisgarh.

The role of the Centre in Naxal eradication, infrastructure, empowerment of farmers, tribals, women and youth was appreciated.

Raipur, June 10, 2026/Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai has congratulated and wished Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the completion of 12 years of his leadership. He has written a letter to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, thanking him for the unprecedented support provided by the central government in Chhattisgarh's development.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the schemes run under the visionary, decisive and public welfare leadership of the Prime Minister have given new impetus to the development of Chhattisgarh and have played an important role in providing the benefits of government schemes to the last person of the state.

Chief Minister Shri Sai noted in the letter that as a result of the central government's policy of prioritizing security and development in Naxal-affected areas, Chhattisgarh has received ₹2,080.29 crore in assistance under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme. Additionally, initiatives such as the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Security Related Expenditure (SRE), the availability of modern weapons, jungle warfare training, and air support have strengthened the security forces and given the state a decisive advantage against Naxalism.

The Chief Minister said that the Union Rural Development Ministry has approved 391 roads and 88 major bridges, totaling 3,222 kilometers, at a cost of ₹2,377 crore in Naxal-affected areas. These projects have strengthened both development and security by connecting remote areas, including Bastar, to the mainstream.

In the letter, the Chief Minister, while referring to the reforms done under the leadership of the Prime Minister in the field of financial consolidation, said that Chhattisgarh has got unprecedented financial autonomy by increasing the share of states in central taxes from 32 percent to 42 percent. He told that in the last 12 years, the state has received assistance of ₹3,46,806 crore in central taxes and ₹1,43,328 crore in various schemes. Apart from this, additional assistance of ₹22,021 crore under the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment and ₹22,600 crore in the form of GST compensation has also been received.

Describing road infrastructure development as a major achievement of the central government, the Chief Minister said that ₹4,468 crore has been approved under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and ₹35,766 crore for the development of national highways. This has accelerated the Raipur-Visakhapatnam, Bilaspur-Dhanbad, Raipur-Durg bypass and other important road projects, and has led to a historic improvement in the state's connectivity.

In the area of ​​rural development, the Chief Minister reported that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), houses have been approved for 24.50 lakh eligible beneficiaries in the state, of which approximately 19.70 lakh houses have been completed. Under MNREGA, ₹39,123 crore has been spent over the past 12 years, generating 152 crore man-days. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), toilet facilities have been provided to 36.44 lakh families with assistance of ₹2,398 crore.

The Chief Minister said that under various phases of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, ₹7,951 crore has been approved for the construction of 13,040 kilometers of roads and 347 bridges. Under the PM Janman Mission, ₹2,007 crore has been approved for 2,902 kilometers of roads, and ₹2,246 crore for 2,427 kilometers of roads under PMGSY-4.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday launched the 'Singappen Special Force', taking a major step towards strengthening the security of women.

The purpose of this special force is to prevent crimes against women and children. The Chief Minister also announced that drone-based patrols would be introduced for the first time in the state, allowing aerial surveillance of sensitive areas.

Speaking at the Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai's Egmore, Chief Minister Vijay said his government was following a "zero tolerance" policy towards crimes against women.

He clarified that strict legal action will be taken against those who compromise the safety of women and the justice process will be strengthened by filing charge sheets expeditiously in such cases.

The Chief Minister said that the real progress of any state is not measured only by economic development, but is determined by how safe and respectable the women are living there.

The government will also crack down on drug trafficking, he said, noting the link between crimes against women and drug networks.

The government has approved a budget of over 354 crore rupees for the first phase of the Singappen Special Force. In the second phase, 2,500 new positions will be created for the force. The force will be equipped with modern vehicles, state-of-the-art equipment, and technical resources.

This special force will focus on preventing incidents such as stalking, sexual harassment, human trafficking, and harassment of women in public places and on public transport. The government claims that drone surveillance and the use of modern technology will strengthen women's safety.

Delhi. The All India Bar Examination (AIBE), conducted for the award of a permanent charter, has once again been embroiled in controversy. Candidates have raised serious questions about the validity, accuracy, and relevance of several questions in the question paper. The matter has now taken a legal turn, and preparations are underway to file a petition in the High Court.

Indore-based lawyer Rajesh Khandelwal stated that the exam was conducted in 55 cities across the country, attracting thousands of candidates. Approximately 3,200 candidates appeared in Indore alone. Candidates allege that some questions in the question paper were outside the prescribed syllabus, while many questions contained ambiguities and technical errors in their language and answer options.

According to Khandelwal, a large number of junior lawyers have contacted him and registered their objections. Preparations have been initiated to take the matter to court. A complaint in this regard has also been submitted to the Bar Council of India. Candidates are demanding an impartial review of the controversial questions and an appropriate decision.

It is worth noting that after obtaining an LLB degree, the State Bar Council issues a temporary license to new lawyers for two years. During this period, they are required to pass the All India Bar Examination conducted by the Bar Council of India. Only after passing the examination do advocates receive a permanent license.

If a lawyer fails to pass the exam within the stipulated time, they may be barred from practicing law. Therefore, any discrepancy in the exam directly impacts the careers of thousands of young lawyers. All eyes are now on the Bar Council of India and the court's upcoming action

Delhi. The southwest monsoon is advancing rapidly across the country. In just six days, it has reached 16 states, and now its next arrival is expected in Mumbai, the country's financial capital. According to the Meteorological Department, the monsoon is currently about 150 kilometers from Mumbai and could enter the city within the next 48 hours.

The monsoon entered West Bengal on Tuesday, having already reached several states including Kerala, Telangana, Tripura, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. The Meteorological Department forecasts that the monsoon will also reach Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and the rest of West Bengal by next week.

Monsoon winds and pre-monsoon activities have altered the weather in several states. A strong storm in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, uprooted trees at several locations. Heavy rain in Belagavi and Bengaluru, Karnataka, submerged roads, and vehicles were seen floating in some areas.

Rain and strong winds are expected to continue for the next two days in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the northeastern states. The Meteorological Department has predicted winds of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Thunderstorms and rain are also expected in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh on June 11th.

However, heatwaves continue to linger in some parts of the country. Heatwave conditions persist in many areas of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh. Sriganganagar in Rajasthan recorded a maximum temperature of 45.6 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country. The Meteorological Department has advised people to remain vigilant and follow weather warnings.

Delhi. Small payments using UPI, which has become the most popular digital payment method in the country, are rapidly increasing. People are now using UPI to make transactions of even five, ten, or twenty rupees. However, this growing trend has raised concerns for banks, as they are incurring additional costs to process each transaction.

According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials, people are increasingly using UPI due to the shortage of smaller denomination notes in the market. According to the RBI's annual report, the share of two and five rupee notes in circulation has declined to 6.4 percent by March 31, 2026. Similarly, the availability of 10 and 20 rupee notes has also declined.

Banking sources say that the average cost to banks per UPI transaction is 1 to 2 rupees. The ever-increasing number of transactions is forcing banks to invest more in their IT infrastructure and server capacity. Since no fees are charged to customers, banks bear the entire cost.

For this reason, many banks are urging the RBI to allow them to charge fees on UPI payments above a certain threshold. However, the RBI has clarified that there is currently no proposal to impose any fees on UPI. The RBI Governor has also stated that UPI users will not currently be charged any additional fees.

Meanwhile, the RBI has instructed banks to increase the availability of 50 and 100 rupee notes. This will require upgrading ATM machines, but many banks are reluctant to do so due to the additional cost.

According to NPCI data, UPI transactions exceeded ₹314 lakh crore in fiscal year 2025-26. More than 20 billion transactions are processed each month, with most payments being less than ₹500. This is why the growing use of UPI is also posing new challenges for the banking system.

Delhi: In another significant step towards making India a global education hub, the central government has given permission to two prestigious universities from Britain and one from Australia to set up their campuses in the country.

This approval given under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is being considered a major achievement for the Indian higher education sector.

According to the Ministry of Education, Britain's University of Bristol and University of York will set up their campuses in Mumbai, while Australia's University of New South Wales (UNSW) will start its teaching campus in Bengaluru.

These universities were given formal approval to operate in India in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

On this occasion, Higher Education Secretary and University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Vineet Joshi handed over the acceptance letters to the representatives of the concerned universities.

Senior officials from the British and Australian High Commissions in India also attended the event.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the arrival of these universities in India will give global recognition to the country's higher education system.

He said that these campuses, to be set up in major cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, will provide international level education and will play an important role in making India a global knowledge hub.

Notably, this will be the University of York's first international campus outside the UK. It will offer advanced courses in finance, computer science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, business, economics, creative industries and management.

Experts believe that with the arrival of foreign universities in India, international quality education will be available to the students within the country itself.

This will reduce the need to study abroad, reduce expenditure on education and also give a new impetus to research and innovation.

Jashpurnagar . In accordance with the visionary thinking and instructions of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, a modern and well-organized housing project is being developed by the Chhattisgarh Housing and Infrastructure Development Board under the Atal Vihar Yojana in the village of Ginabahar in the Kunkuri development block. This project is an important initiative towards planned urban development in the area, which is being prepared with the aim of providing quality, safe and affordable housing to the common citizens. The special thing is that this will be the first modern and planned residential colony in the Kunkuri area, where a total of 97 houses will be constructed for different income groups.

Government committed to provide better housing facilities to citizens: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai

Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai stated that the Chhattisgarh Housing and Infrastructure Development Board is continuously working to expand housing schemes in all 33 districts of the state and provide better housing facilities to the citizens. In this regard, this project in village Ginabahar will not only give a new direction to the residential development of the area, but will also bring positive changes in the overall development of Kunkuri and surrounding areas and the living standards of the people. The Chief Minister informed that in the coming time, housing projects will also be started in Balachhapar, Pathalgaon under the Atal Vihar Yojana and in Mahua Toli Kandora under the Atal Housing Scheme in Jashpur district. It is noteworthy that no organized colony has been developed in Kunkuri before by the Board or private builders.

The project will be developed at a cost of Rs 17.15 crore in an area of ​​approximately 7 acres.

This ambitious project is being developed on approximately 7 acres of land in village Ginabahar, Tehsil Kunkuri, at the initiative of Housing Minister and District In-Charge Minister O.P. Chaudhary. Administrative approval of ₹17 crore 15 lakh 71 thousand has been granted for this project. A total of 97 houses will be constructed for various income groups under the project, including 91 houses in the EWS and LIG categories. Under the Atal Vihar Yojana, the state government has allotted land to the Housing Board and Infrastructure Development Board at a rate of just one rupee per square foot. Eligible beneficiaries are also provided a grant of ₹80,000 for the EWS category and ₹40,000 for the LIG category.

The colony will be built with modern facilities and better planning.

Anurag Singh Deo, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Housing and Infrastructure Development Board, stated that the colony will be developed in accordance with modern amenities and improved town planning standards. The colony will feature wide and well-maintained roads, effective drainage, a green and clean environment, necessary security measures, and other basic infrastructure. Developed as a well-planned residential complex, this project could become one of the region's most attractive residential colonies in the future, providing residents with a better quality of life.

Just 2 km from NH-43, suitable for both development and investment

The project site is located just 2 kilometers from National Highway (NH-43) on the Kunkuri-Bagchi Road. The geographical location of this area adjacent to the city makes it ideal for residential development. Major institutions such as Asia's second largest church, Holy Cross Mission Hospital, Loyola School, and Loyola College are located within a distance of approximately 3 to 3.5 kilometers. In addition, future construction of government hospitals, government offices, and other important government buildings is also planned in this area. Currently, construction of a government hospital is underway near the project site. These developments will accelerate the planned expansion of the area and increase the potential for land value appreciation. Therefore, this project will not only meet the housing needs but also prove to be an attractive investment option.