Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday said his government had already implemented several austerity measures, including reducing convoy sizes, cutting salaries of ministers and MLAs, and promoting the use of electric vehicles for official travel.

Speaking to reporters in Mandi, Sukhu welcomed recent efforts to reduce official expenditure and said the state administration had been pursuing similar measures for some time.

“I have already reduced the size of my convoy vehicles. It is a good thing that the governor has also reduced his convoy,” the chief minister said.

He added that the state government had cut ministers’ salaries by 30 per cent and reduced the salaries of MLAs by 20 per cent as part of wider cost-saving initiatives.

“We have tightened finances and taken several such decisions,” Sukhu said, adding that officials had also been directed to further scale down his convoy.

Highlighting the government’s emphasis on sustainable transport, the chief minister said he personally travelled in a small electric vehicle.

“I travel in a small electric car,” he remarked.

Sukhu also took aim at the opposition BJP, accusing the previous administration of wasteful spending on infrastructure projects with limited practical value.

“They constructed buildings worth thousands of crores, but many of them are not useful today,” he said.

The chief minister further stated that the state government would review the court verdict concerning KNH Hospital before deciding on future action.

Escalating his criticism of the BJP, Sukhu accused the party of failing to adequately support the people of Himachal Pradesh while still seeking to regain power in the state.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he questioned the status of financial assistance previously announced for Himachal Pradesh.

“Prime Minister Modi had announced Rs 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh, but BJP MPs and leaders do not have the courage to ask where that money is,” Sukhu said.

He added that his government remained committed to fulfilling its promises and strengthening the state’s economy through self-reliance.

The remarks came shortly after Prime Minister Modi reportedly directed that the number of vehicles in his official convoy be reduced by 50 per cent in an effort to lower fuel consumption amid global economic and energy concerns.

The prime minister has also instructed the Special Protection Group (SPG) to increase the use of electric vehicles within his security fleet, while making it clear that no new vehicles should be purchased specifically for the transition.

With IANS inputs

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday urged the Uttar Pradesh government to intensify relief and rescue operations on a “war footing” after severe storms and rain-related incidents claimed at least 56 lives across the state.

In a post on X, the Samajwadi Party chief described the devastation caused by strong winds and heavy rain as “extremely saddening” and said districts including Bhadohi, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra and Badaun were among the worst affected.

“Fifty-four people have died due to severe storms and strong winds, while lakhs of people have been badly affected after houses, trees and walls collapsed,” Yadav said.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister demanded immediate medical assistance for the injured and called on the government to ensure adequate arrangements for food, drinking water and temporary shelter for affected families.

He also urged authorities to conduct a swift assessment of losses to lives, homes, crops and vehicles so compensation and insurance claims could be processed without delay.

“Proper and dignified last rites should be conducted for those who lost their lives,” Yadav said, while extending condolences to bereaved families.

Appealing to party workers to step in, the Samajwadi Party leader asked cadres in unaffected areas to assist victims “in every possible manner” during the crisis.

The appeal came amid widespread destruction caused by unseasonal storms and heavy rain across Uttar Pradesh, where uprooted trees, collapsed structures and lightning strikes disrupted normal life in multiple districts.

With PTI inputs

India has imposed a ban on sugar exports until 30 September 2026 in a bid to safeguard domestic supplies and keep prices under control amid concerns over lower-than-expected production.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, announced the decision through a notification revising the country’s export policy for sugar.

Under the new rules, the export status of raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar has been changed from “restricted” to “prohibited”. The restrictions will remain in place until the end of September next year or until further government orders are issued.

The government said the move was aimed at ensuring adequate domestic availability of sugar in one of the world’s largest producing and consuming nations.

However, exports to the European Union and the United States under existing CXL and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangements will continue through established procedures outlined in official public notices.

Authorities also clarified that exports carried out under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) would still be permitted in line with the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and the associated Handbook of Procedures.

India, the world’s second-largest sugar producer after Brazil, had previously approved exports of around 1.59 million metric tonnes after estimating that production would comfortably exceed domestic demand.

The latest restrictions are expected to tighten global sugar supplies and could support international raw and white sugar prices. Analysts believe the curbs may create opportunities for competing exporters such as Brazil and Thailand to increase shipments to markets across Asia and Africa.

The announcement comes shortly after an industry report showed that sugarcane production in India had risen by roughly 10 per cent compared with the previous year, providing support for both sugar manufacturing and ethanol production.

However, the report noted that growth across the sector remained uneven, with stronger gains largely concentrated among mills that have integrated ethanol production facilities.

With IANS inputs

US President Donald Trump entered high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday amid growing political pressure at home to adopt a tougher stance on China over trade, human rights, Taiwan and national security.

The summit, taking place at the Great Hall of the People during Trump’s three-day visit to China, marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since their encounter on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea. The discussions are expected to focus heavily on trade tensions, technological rivalry, the war involving Iran and regional security issues.

Before the meeting, Trump received a ceremonial welcome featuring military honours, national anthems and greetings from children waving Chinese and American flags. Opening the talks, Trump described Xi as a friend and expressed optimism about future relations between the two countries.

“It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,” Trump said.

The summit comes as bipartisan voices in Washington intensify demands for stronger action against Beijing. In one of the most prominent appeals, Congressman James Walkinshaw and Senator Tim Kaine urged Trump to confront China over its treatment of North Korean refugees.

The lawmakers accused Beijing of violating international obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention by forcibly repatriating North Koreans despite the severe risks they face upon return, including torture, imprisonment, forced labour and execution.

Their intervention followed reports from the Congressional-Executive Commission on China alleging that Chinese authorities deported around 600 North Korean refugees in October 2023 — described as the largest such operation on record — followed by a further 200 in April 2024.

The appeal drew support from several Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch, alongside Representatives Ami Bera, James McGovern and Suhas Subramanyam.

Trade disputes also remain central to the talks. Republican lawmakers led by Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington called on the administration to push for the removal of China’s 10 per cent tariff on American cotton, arguing that Chinese retaliation had caused US cotton exports to China to plunge by 87 per cent this year.

The lawmakers stressed China’s importance to global textile production, noting that China and India together account for more than half of worldwide textile mill consumption.

Meanwhile, senior Senate Democrats accused Trump of weakening America’s strategic position ahead of the summit. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the administration’s handling of export controls, alliances and efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer warned against any concessions that could undermine US manufacturing, semiconductor development or Taiwan’s security.

“Donald Trump may have no interest in helping the American people get ahead, but he certainly seems willing to give China a leg up,” Schumer said.

At the same time, the US House of Representatives prepared to vote on a resolution urging Trump to raise the cases of political prisoners during the talks. The resolution, introduced by Congressman Chris Smith, highlighted jailed Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, detained religious leaders, Uyghur detainees and imprisoned American citizens in China.

“America will not be silent while the Chinese Communist Party imprisons the innocent and reaches across borders to threaten their families,” Smith told lawmakers during debate on the measure.

Beyond trade and human rights, the summit is expected to address the escalating conflict involving Iran and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil and global commodities. Trump is reportedly seeking Chinese cooperation in efforts to stabilise the region and restore secure maritime passage.

Taiwan and technological competition, particularly in artificial intelligence and semiconductor development, are also expected to dominate discussions.

Some analysts believe North Korea may feature in the talks as well, given Trump’s repeated interest in reviving diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and China’s continued influence over Pyongyang.

Following Thursday’s formal meetings, Trump and Xi are scheduled to visit Beijing’s Temple of Heaven before attending a state banquet. Further discussions are planned over tea and a working lunch on Friday before Trump departs for Washington.

With IANS inputs

At least 59 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon over the past week despite an ongoing ceasefire, UNICEF said, warning of escalating physical and psychological suffering among children caught in the conflict.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire took effect between 16 and 17 April. Since 2 March, the total child toll has risen to 200 dead and 806 injured.

The warning came as Israeli strikes intensified across southern and central Lebanon on Wednesday, killing at least 33 people, including women and children, according to Lebanon’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center and local media reports.

“Children are being killed and injured when they should be returning to classrooms, playing with friends, and recovering from months of fear and upheaval,” said Edouard Beigbeder.

Beigbeder said the ceasefire agreement had failed to shield children from repeated violence and trauma, cautioning that the psychological scars could have lifelong consequences.

UNICEF said more than 770,000 children across Lebanon are grappling with severe emotional distress caused by repeated displacement, bombardment and loss. Reported symptoms include anxiety, fear, nightmares, insomnia and feelings of hopelessness among both children and caregivers.

Meanwhile, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said a series of drone explosions near and inside its positions in southern Lebanon endangered peacekeepers and damaged UN infrastructure.

In a statement, UNIFIL said several presumed Hezbollah drones detonated on Monday and Tuesday near its headquarters in the southern town of Naqoura, an area where Israeli troops were believed to be operating nearby.

Three drones exploded within metres of the headquarters on Monday evening, followed by another blast in the same area on Tuesday. Minutes later, an additional drone detonated inside the compound, damaging several buildings. No injuries were reported.

UNIFIL expressed growing concern over the activities of both Hezbollah operatives and Israeli soldiers near UN positions, saying it had formally protested the movement of Israeli military vehicles near its headquarters as well as the presence of non-state armed actors around peacekeeping sites.

With IANS inputs

At least 89 people were killed after powerful storms, heavy rain, hail and lightning battered several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and electricity poles, collapsing houses and leaving widespread destruction in their wake, according to the relief commissioner’s office.

The state government said 53 people were injured, 114 livestock deaths were reported and 87 houses were damaged in the extreme weather that swept across the state on Wednesday.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the large-scale loss of lives and property and directed officials to ensure relief reaches affected families within 24 hours.

In a post on X, the relief commissioner’s office said, “Due to bad weather on May 13, including storms, rain, hailstorm and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 injured persons, 114 livestock losses and damage to 87 houses have been received in the state.”

The office said Adityanath had instructed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify incidents “with full sensitivity” and ensure immediate financial assistance and support for affected families.

Officials said the state administration was maintaining direct coordination with district authorities and releasing funds for relief operations.

The worst-hit districts included Prayagraj, Bhadohi and Fatehpur.

According to the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported from Handia, four from Phulpur, three from Soraon, two from Meja and one from Sadar due to storm- and rain-related incidents.

In Bhadohi, district officials said at least 16 people died in separate storm-related incidents. Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said extensive damage was reported across the district.

“Trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas while many houses were damaged in the storm,” Maurya said.

Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in the district.

“Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while another woman died after a house wall collapsed in Sadar tehsil,” he said.

In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents involving collapsed walls, cemented sheds and lightning strikes.

Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said 25-year-old Bhim Yadav died after being trapped under the debris of a collapsed cemented shed in Ojha Ka Purwa village under Lalganj Kotwali limits.

Bhukar said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village under Baghrai police station area, while Shanti Devi (46) and Lal Bahadur (44) also lost their lives in separate storm-related incidents.

In Kanpur Dehat, a 19-year-old woman identified as Ruchi was killed after lightning struck a neem tree under which she had taken shelter with goats during heavy rain in Bhauthari village under Rasulabad area. Several goats also died in the incident, police said. A 60-year-old man standing nearby sustained injuries.

Additional District Magistrate Dushyant Kumar said local officials had been directed to submit reports on human and livestock losses so compensation could be processed under government norms.

In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62) and Ramnath Prasad (65) died in separate lightning strike incidents, while two others were injured.

In Sonbhadra, Madhav Singh (38) died after being trapped beneath a tree uprooted during the storm.

Adityanath also directed officials from the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct a detailed survey of the damage and submit reports to the government to expedite compensation and rehabilitation measures.

With PTI inputs

Vinesh Phogat’s comeback plans have plunged into further uncertainty with United World Wrestling (UWW), the world governing body of the sport, saying that it’s the national sports federation’s prerogative to allow an athlete to compete in any domestic event. The controversial wrestler, who has had repeated showdowns with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), is back in the news after being barred from participating at the just concluded senior open ranking tournament in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.

While the decorated wrestler’s back-up team is preparing to reply to a sudden WFI showcause to her within the deadline of 14 days, the national body got a shot in the arm with UWW saying it doesn’t 'interfere in internal affairs of national federations'. Speaking to New Indian Express, UWW chief Nenad Lalovic said it was not the prerogative of the International Testing Agency (ITA) to clear Vinesh for any tournament in India.

On being informed about the ITA’s mail (which the wrestler posted on her X handle to build her case) and the permission it has given to Vinesh to compete, Lalovic said: ‘’I don’t know what ITA is saying. Everything depends on the NF, the organiser of the competition.’’

Clarifying further, he said the international testing agency can only suspend someone on UWW’s behalf in case of a doping offence. ‘’ITA may only suspend someone on our behalf in case of doping, but it has nothing to do with the organiser of the competition. I don’t even know what competition is in question.’’

Lalovic emphasised that the selection is the prerogative of a national federation: ‘’If she is cleared to compete by ITA/UWW, that is the first part. The second is selection by NF. In that case (ranking series criteria), she (Vinesh) has to be selected and announced by the federation,’’ he added.

The UWW’s stance is not unusual, and in sync with International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines so that there is no interference in the operations of an NF, but there are still a number of points in the showcause notice which questions the neutrality of the WFI.

A contentious issue, of course, is the WFI demanding an explanation from Vinesh about her being found overweight by 100 grams in the weigh-in ahead of the final bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The distraught wrestler, who was agonisingly close to winning at least a silver, had appealed to the Court of Arbitration (CAS), a decision which ostensibly had the backing of both the WFI and IOA. The appeal was rejected and with it, Vinesh’s hopes.

Informed WFI sources, meanwhile, say the ranking event in Gonda was by no means a trial for either the Commonwealth Games or Asian Games. Asked by PTI on Wednesday whether a response by Vinesh to the showcause can pave her way for a return to competitive wrestling (the WFI embargo on her ends on 26 June), WFI president Sanjay Singh reiterated that the matter would depend on the outcome of the disciplinary process.

“I am telling you, she (Vinesh) should give us her clarification. If that clarification is satisfactory, then her return will be accepted,’’ Singh said. Given the history of Vinesh’s face-offs with the WFI (read erstwhile president Brij Bhushan Singh), the episode seems destined for the long haul, with the federation enjoying a clear cut edge.

At least 11 people were killed and several others injured after a powerful storm accompanied by heavy rain lashed parts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction in Bhadohi and Budaun districts, officials said.

The storm uprooted trees and electricity poles, damaged houses and disrupted communication networks, complicating rescue and restoration efforts in several affected areas.

In Bhadohi district, six deaths have been reported so far, according to Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya.

Maurya said district authorities had received reports of extensive damage from multiple areas, including uprooted trees, fallen power poles and damaged residential structures.

“Restoration and rescue operations are facing difficulties because mobile networks have been disrupted due to the storm,” he said.

He added that sub-divisional magistrates, tehsildars, police personnel and other district officials had been deployed across all three tehsils of Bhadohi to conduct relief and inspection work.

“So far, we have received information on six deaths, but the number may rise,” Maurya said.

Officials said the exact number of casualties and injured persons would become clear after detailed field reports were compiled.

Five killed in Budaun

In neighbouring Budaun district, five people, including two minor girls, died in separate incidents linked to the dust storm and heavy rain.

According to police officials, 10-year-old Mausami and nine-year-old Rajni were killed in Siddhpur Kaitholi village under Bisoli police station limits after a mud wall of a hut collapsed during the storm.

The girls had reportedly taken shelter inside the hut along with two women identified as Kallo and Neha after strong winds intensified.

The wall collapsed suddenly, trapping all four under the debris. While the two girls died on the spot, the women sustained serious injuries, officials said.

In another incident in Tark Paroli village under Faizganj Behta police station area, a 40-year-old woman identified as Laxmi died after a tree crashed onto a tubewell room where villagers had gathered for shelter during the storm.

The roof of the structure collapsed, injuring three others, including a woman named Geeta, whose condition remains critical.

Police said truck driver Yogesh, 32, was killed near Bilsi Road after a eucalyptus tree fell on his vehicle during the storm.

In a separate incident, 22-year-old Anshul Sharma died after a tree collapsed on him while he was reportedly on his way to deliver food to his father.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Hridesh Kumar Kataria said five people had died in storm-related incidents in Bisoli and Faizganj Behta areas, while around five others were injured.

Sharad Pawar faction MLA Rohit Pawar on Wednesday, 13 May has made the sensational claim that the BJP is running 'Operation Lotus' (the political strategy allegedly used by the BJP to 'capture' opposition leaders) against its own allies in the ruling alliance — the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP and the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena. He also alleged that the operation is being carried out with the support of senior Ajit faction leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare.

According to Rohit Pawar, around 22 MLAs associated with the Ajit Pawar camp are preparing to contest the 2029 Assembly election on BJP tickets. Similarly, preparations are underway for nearly 18 MLAs from the Shinde faction to contest on the BJP symbol as well.

Media reports suggest that leaders and workers in the Ajit Pawar camp are internally pushing for his widow and deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar to be elevated further in the power structure. At the same time, there are murmurs within the Shinde faction projecting deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde as the next chief minister. These developments have reportedly caused unease within the BJP leadership.

According to Rohit Pawar, the BJP has therefore begun using 'Operation Lotus' to weaken both factions from within. He also claimed that Ajit Pawar’s ambition of becoming chief minister had remained unfulfilled after the plane crash in January that killed him and altered Maharashtra’s political equations. However, Shinde, he alleged, has been quietly working towards the top post, something the BJP leadership is closely watching.

At present, the possibility of a merger between the two NCP factions appears remote. However, Rohit Pawar had earlier also accused Patel and Tatkare of weakening Ajit Pawar’s party from within.

As party chief, Sunetra Pawar is now said to be closely monitoring developments within the organisation. Recently, the party submitted a list of its executive committee members to the Election Commission from which the names of several senior leaders, including Patel and Tatkare, were missing. The move was seen not only as an internal clean-up exercise but also as an attempt to promote younger faces within the party.

The new list included names such as national general-secretary Parth Pawar and national secretary Jay Pawar. However, amid speculation of internal rebellion, Sunetra Pawar quickly issued a clarification on X, saying the omission of senior leaders’ names was due to a “technical and clerical error” and would be rectified.

After the list became public, Tatkare visited Sharad Pawar at his residence, Silver Oak, triggering fresh political speculation. Tatkare later clarified that he had only gone to inquire about Pawar senior’s health and that no political discussion had taken place during the meeting.

Rohit Pawar also claimed that some MLAs who had joined the Ajit Pawar camp under pressure now wanted to return to the Sharad Pawar faction.

Leaders from the Ajit Pawar camp, however, have outright rejected Rohit Pawar’s allegations and asserted that the party remains united under Sunetra Pawar’s leadership. Local BJP leaders too dismissed Rohit Pawar’s remarks as politically motivated statements aimed at creating confusion within the ruling alliance.

The controversy surrounding the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination intensified on Wednesday, with the Congress accusing the BJP government in Rajasthan of attempting to shield those allegedly linked to the paper leak, while student organisations across Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh demanded sweeping reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) and resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The NTA on Tuesday cancelled the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, conducted on 3 May following allegations of a paper leak and examination irregularities. The Centre has handed over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Congress attacks Rajasthan BJP

In Rajasthan, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that one of the accused in the leak case, Dinesh Binwal, was associated with the BJP and questioned why the state government had not registered an FIR earlier despite receiving inputs about the alleged leak.

“The accused arrested in the NEET-UG paper leak case, Dinesh Binwal, is a functionary of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” Gehlot claimed in a post on X while sharing a purported poster identifying Binwal as a district office-bearer of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in Jaipur Rural.

Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully also questioned the BJP government over the delay in filing an FIR and alleged attempts to suppress the case.

The Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group has detained more than 150 people and handed around 20 individuals to the CBI for questioning.

However, Rajasthan BJP vice-president Mukesh Dadhich denied that Binwal held any official position in the party.

Binwal’s family members have claimed he was falsely implicated.

Student protests intensify

In Ranchi, members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) staged a demonstration demanding accountability for the leak and calling for the dismantling of the NTA.

Protesters carried placards reading “Scrap National Testing Agency” and “Re-Examination is not a solution to corruption”.

AISA Ranchi district president Vijay Kumar alleged that the leak had exposed “deep-rooted corruption” within the NTA and affected more than 22 lakh candidates nationwide.

AISA activist Sonali Kewat demanded Pradhan’s resignation and called for creation of a transparent and autonomous examination body.

Meanwhile, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) described the NEET controversy as a “systemic failure” that had shaken public trust in the country’s medical entrance examination system.

AAPSU president Meje Taku demanded structural reforms in the NTA, including independent audits and stronger question paper security mechanisms.

The Arunachal students’ body also highlighted the limited number of NEET centres in the state, noting that only four centres — Itanagar, Basar, Namsai and Pasighat — had been allotted for NEET 2026, forcing many students from remote districts to travel long distances at high cost.

AAPSU demanded additional examination centres in districts including Tawang, Bomdila, Tezu, Ziro and Roing, besides reimbursement for candidates who had already travelled for the now-cancelled examination.

The widening political and student backlash has intensified pressure on the Centre and the NTA, with growing calls for accountability and reforms to restore credibility in India’s competitive examination system.

Despite repeated assurances from the newly elected BJP government that all welfare schemes introduced under the previous Mamata Banerjee administration would continue without interruption, the situation on the ground across West Bengal appears very different. From healthcare to subsidised meals and direct cash transfers, many beneficiaries are already facing uncertainty and disruption.

Serious concerns have emerged regarding the future of the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ health scheme. The West Bengal Doctors’ Forum has written an urgent letter to newly appointed chief secretary Manoj Agarwal, warning that confusion over whether the scheme will continue or be replaced by Ayushman Bharat is already affecting critically ill patients.

The organisation stated that patients dependent on regular haemodialysis, blood transfusions, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, emergency cardiac treatment and life-saving surgeries are facing uncertainty due to administrative confusion. In its letter, the forum stressed that 'no life-saving medical treatment may be halted, postponed, or denied due to administrative uncertainty, for illness does not wait'.

The doctors’ body urged the government to issue immediate written instructions to all hospitals and nursing homes, making it clear that treatment under Swasthya Sathi must continue until any official policy change is announced.

Meanwhile, many private hospitals and nursing homes have reportedly stopped accepting Swasthya Sathi cards altogether. Arindam Mukherjee of Narayan Hospital said, “We are experiencing a technical snag in the Swastha Sathi portal and hence we are not accepting the card for the time being.”

A patient co-ordinator at B.P. Poddar Hospital said, “We have to see the condition of the patient and the status of the card before admitting. In many cases, the cards are showing up as inactive and there are very few seats allotted for the scheme.”

Doctors across Kolkata say their patients are also being denied treatment under the scheme. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr A.K. Roy said, “I have sent two surgery cases to Jagannath Gupta Hospital in Budge Budge and Kasturi Nursing Home in Thakurpukur, but both of them were asked to pay for treatment in cash as hospital authorities said their cards were not active. However, my patients have not received any message regarding their cards being inactive.”

At the same time, the state’s popular ‘Maa canteen’ scheme has also been hit by disruptions. Hundreds of these canteens across West Bengal have reportedly shut down amid uncertainty regarding payments and the continuation of the project under the new administration.

According to government sources, at least 392 Maa canteens across the state have remained closed in recent days. In Kolkata alone, 52 canteens have reportedly stopped functioning, though a few reopened on Wednesday, 13 May, including canteens inside government hospital premises such as Vidyasagar Hospital and SSKM. The canteens, launched by the TMC government during the Covid-19 pandemic, provided rice, dal, vegetables and eggs for just Rs 5 and were widely used by daily wage earners, pavement dwellers and poor families.

Although the BJP government has clarified that the scheme will continue under a different name and that only photographs of former chief minister Mamata Banerjee would be removed, operations remain suspended in many places because of confusion over reimbursements and supplies.

One voluntary organisation involved in food supply said it had stopped cooking because fresh supplies of rice, lentils and eggs had not arrived for several days.

In Cooch Behar district's Mekhliganj, a Maa canteen near the sub-divisional hospital has remained closed since last week because of a shortage of cooking gas. The closure has caused difficulties for poor residents and families visiting patients at the hospital.

Local resident Toton Barman said, “Many people bring patients to the hospital for medical treatment. They used to have their lunch for just Rs 5 at this canteen, conveniently located near the hospital. Many destitute individuals also relied on this place for their meals. However, with the canteen currently closed, they are now forced to spend more money to eat at local hotels.”

Questions are also being raised over the continuation of the TMC government's flagship Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Many women across the state say they have not received their monthly payments for May, causing anxiety among families dependent on the money.

Jyotsna Das, a domestic worker, said, “I have opened a recurring deposit account in my bank where I save this money given by Mamata Banerjee’s government every month. I have two daughters who are studying now. I have been saving this money for their future and marriage. But this month, I have not been able to deposit Rs 1,500 and am now worried whether I will be able to continue this recurring deposit anymore.”

The BJP government has announced that Lakshmir Bhandar will be replaced with a revised scheme called ‘Annapurna Bhandar’, under which women would receive Rs 3,000 through direct benefit transfer. However, ministers have said beneficiary lists will first be verified to remove deceased persons and non-citizens before fresh payments begin from 1 June.

Following the first cabinet meeting of the new government, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari had said, “No existing social welfare schemes will be discontinued.” He also stated that all pending work would be completed and that the state would now join Central schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and PM-Kisan.

However, despite these assurances, disruptions in healthcare services, the closure of subsidised canteens and delays in welfare payments have left many ordinary people worried about whether these schemes are truly continuing without interruption.

Amul has increased the price of fresh pouch milk by Rs 2 per litre across India, with the hike set to take effect from 14 May, the company announced on Wednesday.

The decision was announced by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets dairy products under the Amul brand and is headquartered in Anand, Gujarat.

In a statement, GCMMF said the increase would apply to major milk-selling variants and packs across the country.

The cooperative said the price rise translates to an increase of around 2.5 to 3.5 per cent per litre, which it claimed remained lower than the prevailing average food inflation levels.

“The price hike is being done due to an increase in the overall cost of operation and production of milk,” GCMMF said.

The federation cited a substantial increase in the cost of cattle feed, milk packaging film and fuel during the year as the primary reasons behind the revision in retail milk prices.

GCMMF also said its member unions had increased milk procurement prices paid to farmers by Rs 30 per kg of fat, representing a rise of around 3.7 per cent compared with May 2025 levels.

The cooperative stated that the higher procurement prices were intended to support dairy farmers facing rising input costs.

Impact on consumers

The latest revision is expected to affect household budgets across urban and semi-urban areas, where Amul remains among the country’s largest milk suppliers.

Amul is one of India’s biggest dairy brands and supplies milk and dairy products to millions of consumers daily through an extensive cooperative network spanning several states.

The price hike comes at a time when consumers are already facing pressure from rising food prices and inflation in essential commodities.

Milk prices in India have seen periodic increases over the past few years because of higher fodder costs, rising transportation expenses and fluctuations in dairy procurement rates.

Industry observers say sustained increases in cattle feed prices and fuel costs continue to put pressure on dairy cooperatives and private milk producers alike, making periodic retail price revisions increasingly common.