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Congress’ wait to join the Tamil Nadu Cabinet continues

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Congress’ wait to join the Tamil Nadu Cabinet continues

Three-time Lok Sabha member and Rahul Gandhi loyalist B. Manickam Tagore was appointed president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) on Saturday, June 27, 2026. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu The appointment of Lok Sabha member from Virudhunagar B. Manickam Tagore as the new Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president on Saturday (June 27, 2026) is part of a series of organisational changes that the Congress high command is expected to undertake in the immediate future.Besides Tamil Nadu, Kerala too will get a new Kerala PCC chief as the incumbent, Sunny Joseph, has become a Minister in the State government. Prominent Scheduled Caste (SC) leader and eight-term Lok Sabha member Kodikunnil Suresh, who has served as a working president of the Kerala PCC twice, is seen as the front-runner for the post.In the southern States, the Congress no longer has a prominent SC face as a PCC chief following the change of leadership in Tamil Nadu.In Punjab, where the Assembly election is scheduled early next year, the party has appointed three observers to examine the leadership issue, as factionalism has often spilled into the open.There is also a buzz about a change in leadership in States, including Bihar and Rajasthan, though there is no official word on it.All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charges in several States are also likely to see major changes. Avinash Pande, the AICC in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, where the Assembly election is scheduled early next year, took to social media to announce that his tenure in the State ended on Saturday (June 27).The Maharashtra AICC in-charge, Ramesh Chennithala, is now Kerala’s Home Minister and, therefore, a new in-charge has to be appointed.Jitender Singh has already resigned as the AICC in-charge of Assam after the party faced its worst defeat in the recent Assembly election.Among the frontal organisations, the Congress Seva Dal has got a new chief, with former Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas B.V. being appointed its chief organiser. Published - June 28, 2026 06:57 pm IST

Cabinet meeting to be held in Coastal Karnataka, says Chief Minister

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Cabinet meeting to be held in Coastal Karnataka, says Chief Minister

P. Viswanathan. File | Photo Credit: R. Ravindran Child rights activist body Tamil Nadu Child Rights Watch (TNCRW) has urged the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to take action against Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan for touching the legs of girl athletes at a school programme in Madurai.In a letter to the commission, the TNCRW requested that it take suo moto cognisance of the case, and called for a report from the State government regarding the incident.At an event recently held at the Government School in Melur, the Minister had approached a group of girl athletes, and proceeded to touch their outstretched legs and crack their toes while conversing with them.Stating that the matter concerns the fundamental obligation of the State and all public authorities to protect children, TNCRW convener Jesu Rathinam said, “Every allegation involving the physical boundaries of children deserve prompt, transparent, and independent scrutiny so that public confidence in child protection mechanisms is maintained.”Appropriate protocolsIt also urged NCPCR to recommend appropriate protocols for all government departments, educational institutions, and organisers of public events involving children to ensure that interactions by public officials strictly respect children’s bodily autonomy, consent, dignity, and child protection norms.TNCRW co-convenor A. Devaneyan said the commission should also direct the Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police to ensure that the matter is examined, and if facts disclose a cognisable offence, an FIR should be registered and an impartial investigation conducted in accordance with the provisions of the POCSO Act and other applicable laws.School incidentsAdditionally, the child rights body has written to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay regarding the programmes organised at a few government schools to celebrate Mr. Vijay’s birthday.“The events held in schools were neither educationally appropriate nor consistent with the purpose of schools,” co-convenor Stegana Jency said.TNCRW urged the Chief Minister to direct the School Education Department to inquire into the incidents and take appropriate action in cases where educational institutions were been used for activities inconsistent with established educational norms.“Initiate appropriate disciplinary action against any individuals, including political functionaries or school authorities, who may have encouraged such activities that compromise the neutrality of educational institutions,” the letter added.It also urged the department to issue comprehensive guidelines prohibiting the use of schools for political publicity, personality-centred celebrations, partisan campaigns, or any such activities.“The department must also establish a mechanism for reporting and addressing instances where external individuals or organisations attempt to use educational institutions for purposes unrelated to children’s education,” Mr. Devaneyan added. Published - June 27, 2026 11:37 pm IST

Ayushman Bharat card for West Bengal senior citizens: How to apply online and what all are covered

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Ayushman Bharat card for West Bengal senior citizens: How to apply online and what all are covered

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jun 22, 2026 06:30 PM IST KEA will conduct written examination for the direct recruitment of Armed Police Constable. (image: ai generated)The Karnataka State Police (KSP) has invited applications for 1,600 Armed Police Constable (CAR/DAR) posts across the state. The recruitment drive includes 1,421 vacancies under the General Karnataka division and 179 vacancies under the Kalyana Karnataka division. Interested candidates can submit their applications online from June 22 through the official Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The written examination for these posts will be conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) and is scheduled to be held on September 6, 2026 between 10:30 am and 12 pm.Karnataka Police Recruitment 2026: Eligibility Candidates who have passed PUC or Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board or institution are eligible to apply. Candidates must possess the marks card of PUC/12th or equivalent examination on or before the last date of application submission. Candidates who have appeared for the qualifying examination and are awaiting results are not eligible. The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 33 years as on July 22, 2026. Candidates must also have studied Kannada as a first or second language at the SSLC level or have passed the Kannada language examination conducted by KEA. Karnataka Police Recruitment 2026: How to apply? Follow these steps to fill the application form: Step 1: Visit the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea Step 2: Click on the active recruitment link for Armed Police Constable (CAR/DAR) 2026 Step 3: Register using your mobile number and email ID Step 4: Fill in personal and educational details Step 5: Upload photograph and signature in JPEG format Step 6: Pay the application fee and submit the formStory continues below this ad Step 7: Download and save the confirmation page for future reference Selected candidates will receive a pay scale of Rs 37,500 to Rs 76,100 per month. The last date to submit the online application is July 22, 2026. Age relaxation rules apply for reserved categories: the government has notified a one-time relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit, with an additional 3-year relaxation for ex-servicemen on top of their length of military service. As per existing government orders, 10% of posts are reserved for ex-servicemen under direct recruitment, with eligibility also extended to dependent family members of ex-servicemen who died in service or were permanently disabled. Candidates should note that the last date for fee payment is July 24. General candidates are required to pay Rs 500 while the rest of the candidates, application fee is Rs 250.

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PM Modi greets West Bengal on Paschimbanga Divas

PM Modi greets West Bengal on Paschimbanga Divas Awaz The Voice

SIT to move court for custody of DYFI leader in ‘kafir screenshot’ case

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SIT to move court for custody of DYFI leader in ‘kafir screenshot’ case

Representative image. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto The West Bengal government on Thursday (June 18, 2026) approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order directing the release of Rashid Khan, who is serving a life sentence in the 1993 Bowbazar blast case that left 69 people dead in Kolkata. The State sought urgent intervention from the apex court to prevent his release.The counsel representing the State sought urgent listing of the matter before a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana, contending that the case involved a “very serious offence” and should be heard on Monday (June 22). He also pointed out that the June 5 judgment of the High Court had erred in directing Khan’s premature release despite the State Sentence Review Board (SSRB) having repeatedly declined his requests for remission.During the hearing, the Chief Justice sought to know the period of incarceration already undergone by Khan. In response, the counsel for the State submitted that he had spent nearly 30 years in prison, including the remission earned during his incarceration.Also read: A new lease of life under the sun for death row prisoners The Chief Justice thereafter agreed to consider the State’s request for listing the matter.Khan was convicted on August 31, 2001, for offences under the Indian Penal Code, the Explosives Act, and the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) in connection with the March 16, 1993, blast that struck a densely populated area of Kolkata. Since his arrest in 1993, he has remained behind bars.Also read:For Delhi’s lifers, release after 14 yrs becomes a board gameSeeking remission, the convict submitted that he had spent more than 33 years in custody and was now 77 years old. He relied on his advanced age and various medical conditions, including age-related ailments, in support of his plea. He also pointed out that a co-convict, Pannalal Jaysowara, had been granted premature release in March 2014.The court was apprised that the SSRB had recommended his release on March 25, 2015, but the recommendation was subsequently reviewed and rejected in September that year.The State, however, opposed the plea, maintaining that Khan was the “mastermind” behind the blast and was not entitled to premature release given the serious nature of the crime and its impact on public safety.‘Reformative approach’In a judgment delivered on June 5, the High Court directed Khan’s premature release, holding that the period of incarceration already undergone was sufficient to meet the objectives of punishment and deterrence. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna noted that the SSRB had, in 2015, recommended Khan’s release after assessing his conduct and other relevant considerations.The court observed that the subsequent decision to deny remission was not founded on any fresh material and largely relied on factors that had already been considered while making the earlier recommendation.While acknowledging that the offence had a significant impact on society, the High Court emphasised that the remission framework is premised on the principle of reformation rather than retribution.“There has been a reformative approach taken with respect to convicts in cases of remission rather than a retributive approach. In such a case, to keep the petitioner in jail, when he has already spent over 33 years in prison, may not be fruitful in any manner. The punishment undergone by the petitioner has sufficiently fulfilled the deterrence sought to be induced in a convict who has committed such grave offence,” the court said.The High Court was also unconvinced by the State’s argument that Khan remained a threat to society, noting his conduct during parole, positive assessments by prison authorities and the absence of any adverse reports regarding his behaviour. Published - June 18, 2026 03:02 pm IST

'Rahul Gandhi called me': Mamata says LoP offered to fly Abhishek Banerjee to Hyderabad for treatment

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'Rahul Gandhi called me': Mamata says LoP offered to fly Abhishek Banerjee to Hyderabad for treatment

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. File. | Photo Credit: PTI The Enforcement Directorate questioned Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee for 11 hours on Monday (June 15, 2026), in connection with the alleged primary school jobs scam case.Mr. Banerjee arrived at the ED’s CGO Complex office at 11 a.m. in response to a summons in a money laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of primary school teachers. He left the office at night.“I was questioned for over eight hours yesterday [on Sunday] and for 11 hours today [Monday]. This is a 2023 case and I have appeared before the agency 10-12 times. I won’t say whether there is a political pressure or not. The less said of the BJP, the better. On the one side, they break our party and indulge in post-poll violence. Even if you slit my throat, I won’t cower down... I will appear before the agency if they summon me even in the future,” Mr. Banerjee said, while leaving the ED office.Officials said Mr. Banerjee was questioned over the alleged money trail in the scam. “He was asked questions regarding some financial documents, digital records, and statements of other accused to trace the alleged proceeds of crime. Investigators sought details about who handled the funds, how they were moved across accounts and entities, and whether these transactions were layered to conceal their origin,” said an officer on the request of anonymity.The ED questioning came a day after Mr. Banerjee was quizzed by the West Bengal CID in connection with the alleged forgery of Trinamool Congress MLAs’ signatures on documents related to the appointment of the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly.He is also scheduled to appear before the CID again on Tuesday in connection with the same case. Meanwhile, a court in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district issued an arrest warrant on Monday against Sumit Roy, a close aide of Mr. Banerjee, in connection with an alleged land scam case.Mr. Roy, meanwhile, approached the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory bail. His counsel mentioned the matter before the Bench of Justice Joy Sengupta, and the plea is likely to come up for hearing later this week.Trinamool Congress MLA and former Minister Rathin Ghosh also appeared before the ED on Monday in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam. Former Minister Sujit Bose was arrested in the same case on May 11. Published - June 15, 2026 11:33 am IST

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West Asia LIVE: EU chief hails U.S.-Iran deal to end 'costly war'

West Asia LIVE: EU chief hails U.S.-Iran deal to end 'costly war' The Hindu

Electricity bills to increase by 10% in UP from June, govt cites surcharge on fuel price

Economy

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Electricity bills to increase by 10% in UP from June, govt cites surcharge on fuel price

Fuel prices were unchanged today on Monday, 15 June. The last fuel price hike was on Monday, 25 May, when oil marketing companies (OMCs) hiked both petrol and diesel prices by more than ₹2.50/litre.Petrol, diesel prices on June 15.Petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged across India on June 15, as state-owned oil marketing companies continued to hold fuel rates steady. While domestic fuel prices have not seen any revisions today, global crude oil markets remain volatile amid ongoing tensions in the West Asia crisis, keeping investors and policymakers on alert.Fuel prices were raised in MayPetrol and diesel prices were last revised in May 2026, when rates were increased by ₹3 per litre. Since then, oil marketing companies have been conducting regular price reviews but have opted to maintain current rates. The decision to keep prices unchanged has provided some relief to consumers despite fluctuations in international crude oil prices.Consumers can check the latest petrol and diesel prices in their respective cities through the table below.CityPetrol ( ₹/litre)Diesel ( ₹/litre)Delhi ₹102.12 ₹95.20Mumbai ₹111.21 ₹97.83Kolkata ₹113.47 ₹99.82Chennai ₹107.88 ₹99.65Lucknow ₹101.86 ₹95.36Noida ₹102.12 ₹95.56What determines petrol and diesel prices in India?The prices motorists pay for petrol and diesel are influenced by a mix of global and domestic factors.The most significant driver is the international price of crude oil, the primary raw material used to produce both fuels. Any movement in global crude prices typically has a direct impact on retail fuel rates in India.Another crucial factor is the rupee–US dollar exchange rate. As India imports the majority of its crude oil requirements, a weaker rupee makes imports more expensive, increasing the overall cost of fuel.Why do fuel prices vary from city to city?Fuel prices differ across cities and states largely because of variations in state-level taxes. While the central government levies excise duty, state governments impose their own value-added tax (VAT), resulting in differing retail prices across the country.In addition, transportation and distribution costs, along with local demand and supply conditions, can influence the final price consumers pay at the pump.Govt bars industries from buying petrol, diesel at pumpsMeanwhile, the Centre barred industrial, commercial and institutional consumers from purchasing petrol and diesel through retail fuel outlets and directed them to procure supplies from authorised bulk sellers instead.The move followed an order issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Wednesday. Under the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026, oil marketing companies and fuel retailers were instructed to restrict bulk fuel purchases at petrol pumps for periods of up to 90 days.The government took the step in response to unusually high demand growth, particularly for diesel, in certain regions. Officials noted that several bulk consumers had shifted their purchases to retail fuel stations to take advantage of price differences, putting additional pressure on supplies at petrol pumps.About the AuthorKanishka SinghariaKanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. She also

Wembanyama, Spurs win the West, topple Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 to head to NBA Finals

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Wembanyama, Spurs win the West, topple Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 to head to NBA Finals

43 minutes agoSareen HabeshianGetty ImagesTicketmaster is seeking to reassure Knicks fans that they can still attend Saturday's Game 5 of the NBA finals in Texas, despite its limits on ticket purchases.In a note on its website for the game, Ticketmaster said purchases by those living farther than 150mi (241km) from the San Antonio arena would be cancelled and refunded without notice. Fans coming from New York to see the Knicks take on the Spurs worried they would be locked out.New York Governor Kathy Hochul posted on social media: "Knicks fans finally get within one game of a championship and their reward is having their tickets canceled?"But Ticketmaster said no tickets purchased on its platform "have or will be canceled"."If fans are purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster, they can be confident that they're getting a real, authenticated ticket that will get them into tonight's game," a Ticketmaster spokesperson told the BBC on Saturday.A spokesperson for the Spurs told the BBC that individuals whose billing ZIP code falls outside the designated area "are unable to complete a ticket purchase subject to that restriction". But, "tickets that have been previously purchased are not being canceled or revoked," the spokesperson added.The restriction, meant to give locals better chances of scoring seats to major games, has been in place since the NBA playoffs began in April, according to the Spurs. But panic - and later outrage - grew after US media outlet TMZ reported on the Ticketmaster note on Friday night.Hochul had said fans who bought seats for the game at Frost Bank Center should be able to keep them."Until then, on behalf of Knicks fans everywhere, I'm calling foul," she wrote on social media.New York Attorney General Letitia James too demanded the Spurs remove the policy and allow Knicks fans "and anyone who can buy tickets for tonight's game to be able to attend".After fans were reassured they would be let in, James wrote: "I'm glad our Knicks fans will be able to attend the game tonight in San Antonio. Go Knicks!"A representative for Madison Square Garden Sports Corp - the company headed by Jim Dolan that own the Knicks - said in a statement: "Contrary to prior reporting, we've confirmed with Spurs ownership that they will not be revoking any tickets that Knicks fans have to tonight's game in San Antonio and all ticket holders will be allowed in to Frost Bank Arena."Ticketmaster said it's common for teams to place geographic restrictions on anticipated events to give local fans a chance to attend.Residency is established based on credit card billing address.

Will bring Tatas to Bengal but land at Singur no longer belongs to govt., says Bengal CM

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Will bring Tatas to Bengal but land at Singur no longer belongs to govt., says Bengal CM

File photo of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. | Photo Credit: ANI West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held his Janata Darbar at the BJP office on Saturday (June 13, 2026), listening to grievances of people on several issues and instructing officials to redress them promptly.The first 'janata darbar' was held on May 18. Mr. Adhikari had announced the weekly programme after taking charge as Chief Minister, saying citizens would be able to meet him directly every week.On Saturday (June 13, 2026), families of people suffering from serious ailments, health workers, and job seekers turned up in large numbers to register their complaints and apprise the Chief Minister of their hardships.One of the attendees, Karuna, said she had come to the Janata Darbar seeking financial assistance for her daughter's treatment.Another woman, Tanima Chatterjee, a programme officer of the government's Mission Vatsalya initiative, attended the CM's weekly grievance redressal programme seeking job security."We promote family-based, non-institutional care for children in difficult circumstances. There are 876 staffers in the state, yet we lack job security. We receive only a consolidated payment for our services."The previous government never did anything for us, but we hope the BJP government will make our jobs permanent," she said.Several others said they had come to lodge complaints against the police and administrative authorities, alleging that the previous government had attempted to suppress murder cases and other crimes.The weekly outreach initiative is increasingly emerging as one of the BJP government’s early public-facing governance exercises after coming to power in Bengal. Similar public hearing models have often featured in BJP-ruled states and are projected by the party as instruments of accessibility and quicker grievance redressal. Published - June 13, 2026 02:14 pm IST

ASIA/INDIA - The "Cockroach Janata Party", new hope for young Indians

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ASIA/INDIA - The "Cockroach Janata Party", new hope for young Indians

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has overtaken Jawaharlal Nehru to become India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister, marking a significant milestone in the country’s political history. Having surpassed Nehru’s elected tenure of 4,398 days in office, PM Modi now holds the record for the longest uninterrupted stint by an elected Prime Minister. The achievement comes as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) marks 12 years in power at the Centre. To commemorate the occasion, NDA leaders are set to gather in New Delhi and are expected to adopt a resolution congratulating Modi on the landmark feat, with senior leaders from the BJP and its alliance partners likely to participate in the celebrations. On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition. 👇 🚨 Big Story Supply chains strained A brewing global fertiliser crunch is threatening to sharply increase India’s subsidy burden, highlighting the country’s continued dependence on volatile international markets for key agricultural inputs. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a critical hub for fertiliser production and exports, have pushed up the prices of ammonia, urea, sulphur and other essential nutrients, raising concerns about both supply and affordability. To shield farmers from higher costs, the government may have to substantially increase subsidy support, potentially driving expenditure far beyond budgeted estimates. The situation underscores the delicate balance policymakers must maintain between protecting farmers and managing fiscal pressures. With India importing a significant share of its fertiliser requirements, any prolonged disruption in global supply chains could have far-reaching implications for agricultural productivity, food security and the government’s finances. Shipping disruptions The escalating crisis in West Asia is beginning to take a toll on Indian exporters, who are grappling with rising freight rates, port congestion and mounting logistics costs. Industry players have flagged what they describe as “opportunistic pricing” by some foreign carriers, including steep surcharges and war-risk premiums, as shipping routes face disruptions and delays. With cargo movement slowing and transportation costs climbing, exporters fear a loss of competitiveness in global markets, particularly for time-sensitive shipments. The developments underscore how geopolitical tensions far from India’s shores can ripple through supply chains, creating fresh challenges for trade and commerce. ⚡ Only in Express “Kaise ho aap… theek ho?” A year after the devastating Air India crash that changed countless lives, a simple phone call from London beginning with the words, “Kaise ho aap?” has come to represent resilience, remembrance and an unlikely bond forged through tragedy. The report follows the lives of two men brought together by the disaster, one who survived against extraordinary odds and another who continues to live with the pain of loss. Through conversations, shared grief and the long search for closure, the story captures how survivors and bereaved families are rebuilding their lives while carrying the weight of one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies. At its heart, it is a moving account of human connection that has endured long after the crash and the headlines that followed. 📰 From the Front Page Cockroach power: The rise of the Cockroach Janata Party has emerged as a reflection of growing anti-establishment sentiment among Gen Z voters, posing a challenge not just for the BJP-led ruling establishment but also for an Opposition that has struggled to attract and retain young supporters. The social media-driven movement has resonated with many young Indians frustrated by the political status quo and the lack of compelling alternatives. Through satire, memes and humour, it has channelled concerns around accountability, judicial independence and women’s representation, while creating a space for political expression outside traditional part

Governor to address Kerala Assembly on Friday

Politics

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Governor to address Kerala Assembly on Friday

In the wake of a Shigella outbreak, the Food Safety Department in Kerala has intensified inspections under ‘Operation Clean Kerala’ across Thrissur city limits.Over the past week, special inspections were conducted in 65 establishments, including hotels, restaurants, cool bars and juice stalls. Authorities issued penalty notices to four establishments found to have committed serious violations of food safety norms.Rectification noticesAdditionally, 15 outlets were served rectification notices for minor lapses, directing them to address deficiencies. As part of surveillance, 12 food samples were collected and sent to laboratories for quality testing.Health authorities have urged the public to take strict precautions to prevent the spread of infection. People are advised to drink only boiled and cooled water and exercise caution while consuming salads, chutneys, undercooked food and mayonnaise.Maintaining personal hygiene is critical, officials said, stressing the importance of washing hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet. They also called for regular cleaning and chlorination of drinking water sources such as wells and storage tanks.Authorities further advised that anyone experiencing symptoms should avoid self-medication and seek immediate medical attention. Published - June 09, 2026 01:20 pm IST