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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: October 28, 2025

Bihar Elections: Mahagathbandhan Unveils Ambitious Manifesto, Pledges Job Guarantee and Women’s Aid

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Patna: The opposition INDIA bloc’s Mahagathbandhan alliance on Monday released its Bihar election manifesto titled “Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran”, unveiling a series of ambitious promises focused on employment generation, women’s welfare, and economic revival.

The manifesto, released in Patna by leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, outlines the alliance’s roadmap for transforming Bihar into a state of opportunity and inclusive growth.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who skipped the presser, emphasised the concerns of Bihar’s youth in a post on X, saying he recently interacted with young people on issues of education, health, and employment. “There is only one culprit responsible for the state of affairs in Bihar,” he wrote, signalling that the opposition intends to make youth aspirations a central campaign theme in the upcoming Assembly polls.

Key highlights of the manifesto

Within 20 days of forming the government, the alliance promises to bring a law guaranteeing one government job per family. The process of granting employment will begin within 20 months.

The employment of all Community Mobiliser (CM) Didis will be made permanent, with a monthly salary of ₹30,000. Their outstanding loan interest will be waived, and no new interest will be charged for the next two years.

All contractual and outsourced workers will be absorbed as permanent employees.

Large-scale job creation has been promised across IT parks, SEZs, dairy, agro-based industries, healthcare, logistics, renewable energy, food processing, manufacturing, and tourism.

The alliance plans to develop Education City, industry clusters, and five new expressways on 2,000 acres to boost investment and connectivity.

The Old Pension Scheme (OPS) will be reinstated.

Women will receive ₹2,500 per month as economic aid — amounting to ₹30,000 annually for the next five years.

Two flagship initiatives, BETI and MAI, will be introduced — the former focused on providing benefits, education, training, and income for daughters, and the latter ensuring house, food, and income for mothers.

While the manifesto’s sweeping promises underline the alliance’s focus on social justice and economic empowerment, the ruling NDA has dismissed them as unrealistic. However, political analysts say the INDIA bloc’s emphasis on jobs and welfare directly addresses Bihar’s longstanding issues of unemployment and migration.

The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in multiple phases beginning November 6, with results scheduled for November 14.

Cabinet Clears Terms of Reference for 8th Central Pay Commission

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New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), paving the way for a comprehensive review of pay structures, allowances, and pension benefits for central government employees.

The 8th CPC, to be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, will also include Professor Pulak Ghosh as Member (Part-Time) and Pankaj Jain as Member-Secretary. The Commission has been mandated to submit its recommendations within 18 months of its constitution and may issue interim reports if required.

According to the ToR approved by the Cabinet, the panel will take into account the country’s overall economic condition, fiscal prudence, and the financial implications of its recommendations on both the Centre and state governments. It will also consider pay structures and service conditions in public sector undertakings and the private sector while framing its proposals.

The recommendations of the 8th CPC are expected to take effect from January 1, 2026, in line with the decadal revision pattern followed since the first Pay Commission.

The government had earlier announced the formation of the 8th CPC in January 2025 to review the salaries of about 50 lakh central government employees and 69 lakh pensioners across various departments.

Odisha on High Alert as Cyclone Montha Nears; CM Majhi Reviews Preparedness

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Bhubaneswar: With Cyclone Montha inching closer to the Odisha-Andhra coast, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the preparedness at Lok Seva Bhavan, directing officials to ensure “zero casualty” through swift evacuation and coordinated response.

According to the state government, extensive preparations have been made across eight southern districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur — expected to be affected by the storm. A total of 2,048 cyclone and flood shelters have been readied, while 11,396 people have already been evacuated to safer locations. Authorities remain prepared to relocate another 30,554 if required.

So far, 1,871 pregnant women have been shifted to healthcare centres, with arrangements to move a total of 2,693 women to ensure their safety. Thirty ODRAF units, 123 fire service teams, and five NDRF teams have been deployed across vulnerable zones.

The government has also restricted tourist movement in coastal and hilly regions for the next few days and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea. All schools and Anganwadi centres in the eight districts will remain closed till October 30. Engineering departments are on alert to maintain uninterrupted power and drinking water supply, with backup generators in place.

Hospitals in the affected areas have been stocked with anti-snake venom, essential medicines, and emergency kits. The Agriculture Department has been instructed to carry out immediate crop loss assessments and extend necessary assistance post-cyclone.

Chief Minister Majhi emphasised that the state machinery is fully geared up to tackle the cyclone’s impact, reiterating that the government’s primary goal remains “zero casualty.”

According to the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal and is likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada later tonight, with wind speeds reaching up to 110 kmph. A red alert has been issued for several districts in southern Odisha as authorities evacuate residents from low-lying areas amid heavy rain and gusty winds.

Updated at 16:00 hrs.

Centre clears major pulses and oilseeds procurement in Odisha for Kharif 2025–26

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New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has approved the procurement plan for pulses and oilseeds in the states of Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh for the Kharif 2025–26 season. According to a press release issued by PIB Delhi, the total approved procurement amount for these states is pegged at ₹15,095.83 crore, which will immensely benefit lakhs of farmers across the respective states.

The minister granted these approvals under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan, and other schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, during a high-level virtual meeting with agriculture ministers and senior officials of these states.

After detailed discussions, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Chouhan approved the procurement of 4,430 metric tonnes of moong (green gram), accounting for 25% of the state’s total production in Telangana, under the Price Support Scheme at a cost of ₹38.44 crore. A 100% procurement of urad (black gram) will be undertaken, while 25% procurement of soybean has also been approved. Similarly, in Odisha, 18,470 metric tonnes of arhar (red gram), representing 100% of the state’s production, has been approved under PSS with a budget allocation of ₹147.76 crore.

Chouhan stated that these approvals have been granted to ensure that farmers receive better returns for their produce and to safeguard their incomes while protecting them from market fluctuations – an important step toward building an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India).

The minister further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central government’s top priority is to secure the income and dignity of farmers. The record procurement of pulses and oilseeds in these states for the Kharif 2025–26 season will boost agricultural production, ensure assured income for farmers, and help achieve the goal of a Self-reliant India, he said.

PM Modi, President Murmu Extend Greetings on Chhath Mahaparv

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu today extended warm greetings to devotees on the conclusion of Chhath Mahaparv, the four-day festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.

In his message, Prime Minister Modi said that the festival concluded with devotees offering arghya to Bhagwan Suryadev at sunrise, showcasing the divine splendour of India’s age-old Chhath Puja tradition. He conveyed his best wishes to all devotees and their families, praying that the blessings of Chhathi Maiya bring light and happiness to everyone’s lives.

“भगवान सूर्यदेव को प्रात:कालीन अर्घ्य के साथ आज महापर्व छठ का शुभ समापन हुआ… छठी मइया की असीम कृपा से आप सभी का जीवन सदैव आलोकित रहे,” the Prime Minister posted on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also joined the celebrations at the President’s Estate, where she offered arghya to the setting Sun along with devotees. She prayed for the well-being, peace, and prosperity of all citizens.

Odisha aims for port-led growth with ₹50,000 crore boost

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Mumbai: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transforming the state into a leading port-driven economy while speaking at the India Maritime Week 2025, held at Nesco Grounds in Mumbai. He emphasized that Odisha’s rapidly growing port sector would be a key driver of India’s economic progress over the next 25 years.

During the event, the state signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹50,000 crore to strengthen its maritime ecosystem. According to a post on X by the Chief Minister’s Office, the agreements include plans to set up a shipbuilding cluster through a collaboration between the Paradip Port Authority and the Odisha Maritime Board, develop a satellite port at Bahuda in Ganjam district’s Chikiti area, establish a cruise terminal in Puri, and build a maritime museum and logistics park.

All these agreements will further strengthen the state’s connectivity, coastal tourism, logistics, and green energy initiatives.

On his official X handle, Majhi shared that he was deeply impressed by the Odisha Pavilion’s showcase of the state’s maritime legacy.

“Visited the Odisha Pavilion at #IndiaMaritimeWeek2025 and witnessed an impressive display showcasing the State’s remarkable maritime journey, when our sailors navigated distant shores fostering trade and cultural exchange, to the present day marked by world-class ports, robust coastal infrastructure, and expanding investments in the blue economy. Odisha’s strategic location, progressive port policy, and integrated approach to maritime development are positioning the State as a leading hub in India’s eastern maritime corridor. Our vision is to honor the legacy of our maritime heritage while steering a modern, sustainable, and globally connected future for Odisha’s blue economy,” he wrote.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant, Union MoS Shantanu Thakur, Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde and DCM Ajit Pawar are attending the five-day event.

Shreyas Iyer stable after spleen injury during Sydney ODI: BCCI

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India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is recovering in a Sydney hospital after sustaining a serious injury during the third and final ODI against Australia on October 25. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed in a statement that Iyer suffered a laceration injury to his spleen while fielding.

The incident occurred when Iyer took a diving catch to dismiss Alex Carey at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Though the catch was successful, he immediately appeared in pain and was helped off the field before being taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

According to the BCCI’s medical update, Iyer sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region and remains medically stable and recovering well. The board stated that its medical team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his condition. The Indian team doctor will stay in Sydney to oversee his day-to-day progress.

According to media reports, the injury could have been life-threatening had it not been for the BCCI medical team’s swift intervention. Reports suggest Iyer was briefly placed in the ICU due to internal bleeding caused by the spleen injury. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, head of the ICC Medical Committee and the BCCI Medical Panel, was reportedly sent Iyer’s scans from Sydney and later praised the medical staff for their timely response, which, he noted, saved Iyer’s life.

The Mumbai batter, a key part of India’s middle order, will remain under observation for a few more days. His return to cricket will depend on medical clearance and his recovery timeline.