The Assam government on Friday unveiled its ₹2,85,084 crore Budget for the financial year 2026-27, announcing a series of measures aimed at promoting economic growth, supporting small tea growers, reducing energy costs, and improving fiscal management. Presenting his first Budget as Assam’s Finance Minister, Jayanta Malla Baruah said the government would continue major welfare and development schemes introduced over the past five years while focusing on maintaining financial discipline. He set a target of reducing the state’s Budget deficit to ₹419 crore by the end of the fiscal year.

According to the Budget estimates, Assam’s consolidated fund is expected to receive ₹1,51,843.23 crore during 2026-27. Including projected receipts of ₹1,34,466.22 crore under the public account and ₹2,000 crore from the contingency fund, the state’s total estimated receipts stand at ₹2,88,309.45 crore. On the expenditure side, the government has estimated spending of ₹1,56,714.88 crore from the consolidated fund. After including public account expenditure of ₹1,26,369.57 crore and ₹2,000 crore under the contingency fund, the overall expenditure projection for the year is ₹2,85,084.45 crore.

The Finance Minister said the opening deficit of ₹3,644.26 crore, combined with the year’s financial projections, would result in a closing Budget deficit of ₹419.26 crore for 2026-27. The state has also targeted a fiscal deficit of 3 per cent of its projected Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). In a major relief measure for small tea growers, the government proposed increasing the agricultural income tax exemption limit from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. The move is expected to benefit thousands of small tea producers across Assam.

The Budget also announced a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on piped natural gas (PNG) from 14.5 per cent to 5 per cent. Baruah said the decision was aimed at lowering household energy expenses, encouraging the use of cleaner fuel, and expanding city gas distribution networks.

Highlighting Assam’s economic progress, the Finance Minister noted that the state’s per capita income has grown significantly, rising from ₹60,817 in 2015-16 to ₹1,85,429 in 2025-26. He said the figures indicate that Assam’s economic development is becoming more inclusive and reaching a wider section of the population. The 2026-27 Budget places emphasis on continued welfare initiatives, infrastructure development, energy reforms, and measures to strengthen the state’s financial position while supporting long-term growth.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

The investigation into a major child trafficking racket in Delhi has reached a critical stage, with police facing one of their toughest challenges yet—identifying the biological parents of several rescued newborns. While law enforcement agencies have made significant progress by dismantling the alleged trafficking network and rescuing multiple infants, the absence of reliable records has slowed efforts to reunite the babies with their families.

The case first came to light after Delhi Police uncovered an alleged interstate child trafficking syndicate that is believed to have operated through a private hospital in Rohini. Investigators claim the network purchased newborns from financially distressed families and illegally sold them to childless couples across several states for substantial sums of money. The operation led to the arrest of multiple suspects, including the hospital owner, alleged middlemen, transporters and buyers, while several newborns were rescued from different locations.

Although the crackdown has been widely viewed as a major breakthrough, the investigation has now entered a far more complicated phase. According to officials, tracing the biological parents of the rescued infants has proved extremely difficult because many hospital records are either incomplete or missing. Without proper documentation, establishing the identity of each child and reconnecting them with their families becomes a lengthy and sensitive process.

Police teams have expanded their investigation to states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, where the trafficking network is suspected to have sourced many of the newborns. Investigators have identified several couples whose babies were reported missing, but DNA testing and verification have so far failed to establish links with the rescued infants. Officials, however, say they have developed fresh leads and are hopeful that at least some of the children may soon be reunited with their biological parents.

The case has also exposed the darker side of illegal adoption networks operating outside the country's legal framework. Authorities believe traffickers exploited the desperation of economically vulnerable families while simultaneously targeting couples seeking to adopt children quickly. In some instances, investigators suspect prospective parents may have been misled into believing they were participating in legitimate medical or adoption procedures, making the investigation even more complex.

Child rights experts say such cases highlight the importance of strengthening India's legal adoption system and increasing awareness about authorized adoption channels. They argue that transparent procedures, stricter monitoring of healthcare institutions and better coordination between states can significantly reduce opportunities for trafficking networks to operate.

The rescued newborns are currently under the care of the appropriate child welfare authorities while police continue collecting evidence and conducting forensic examinations. Their immediate priority remains ensuring the safety, health and rehabilitation of the infants before any decision regarding custody is taken. Every child must undergo proper legal verification before being reunited with family members or placed through authorized adoption procedures.

Investigators are also examining the financial trail of the alleged trafficking syndicate to determine how payments were made and whether additional individuals or organizations were involved. Digital records, mobile communications and banking transactions are expected to play a crucial role in identifying the full extent of the network.

Beyond the ongoing investigation, the case has once again drawn national attention to the broader issue of child trafficking in India. Experts believe stronger surveillance, improved birth registration systems, regular audits of private healthcare facilities and faster interstate information sharing can help prevent similar crimes in the future. Public awareness also remains essential, particularly among vulnerable communities that may become targets for traffickers.

As the investigation progresses, authorities remain optimistic that continued forensic analysis and fresh intelligence will help identify the remaining biological parents and expose every individual connected to the alleged racket. While the rescue of the infants marked an important victory for law enforcement, ensuring that each child is safely reunited with the right family remains the investigation's most significant and emotionally important objective.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Thelogicalindian

Fresh protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have once again drawn international attention, with demonstrations highlighting long-standing grievances over governance, economic hardship, and political representation. While the movement is primarily focused on local issues, some activists and political voices have also appealed to India and the international community to take note of the situation, bringing the region back into the geopolitical spotlight.

The current wave of unrest did not emerge overnight. Public dissatisfaction has been building for several years over rising electricity tariffs, inflation, unemployment, and what many residents describe as inadequate development despite the region's natural resources. Protest groups, including the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), have organised demonstrations demanding lower utility costs, better governance, and greater political accountability. More recently, arrests of protest leaders and allegations of police action against demonstrators have intensified tensions, leading to larger rallies across several towns.

Another issue adding fuel to the protests is political representation. A section of residents has objected to the constitutional arrangement under which 12 seats in the regional assembly are reserved for migrants from the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir who now live in different parts of Pakistan. Critics argue that this system reduces the influence of local voters, while Pakistani authorities maintain that the arrangement is rooted in the region's constitutional framework. The disagreement has become one of the major flashpoints in the ongoing agitation.

Amid the unrest, a few activists from PoK have publicly appealed to India, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to raise concerns over alleged human rights violations and the treatment of protesters. Others have called for moral or diplomatic support rather than direct involvement. These appeals have attracted significant media attention, but they should not be interpreted as representing the views of the entire population. The protests involve a wide range of participants with differing political opinions and objectives.

India has consistently maintained that the entire region of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is an integral part of India. At the same time, New Delhi has criticised reports of violence against protesters and urged Pakistan to respect the rights and welfare of people living in the region. Pakistan, on the other hand, has defended its actions and has often accused external actors of attempting to influence developments in the territory.

Beyond the political narrative, the protests also reflect everyday economic concerns. Residents have repeatedly voiced frustration over the rising cost of living, limited employment opportunities, electricity pricing, and shortages of essential commodities. Analysts note that these socioeconomic issues have played a major role in sustaining public discontent, making the movement about more than just constitutional or geopolitical questions.

The situation in PoK remains fluid, and developments are being closely watched across South Asia. Whether the protests lead to policy changes, political dialogue, or further confrontation will depend largely on how the authorities respond to the demands of demonstrators. For now, the unrest serves as a reminder that economic challenges, governance issues, and political representation remain central concerns for many people living in the region.

As events continue to unfold, experts believe the focus should remain on verified information rather than speculation. While individual activists may call for support from India or other international stakeholders, the broader movement encompasses multiple demands and viewpoints. Understanding that complexity is essential for anyone seeking to follow one of the region's most closely watched developments.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Pakistantoday

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), one of India's most influential socio-cultural organisations, has once again become the subject of public debate over its organisational transparency. The discussion has intensified following criticism from political leaders and commentators who argue that an organisation with significant influence on public life should be more open about its structure, finances, and decision-making processes. Supporters, however, maintain that the RSS operates within the bounds of Indian law and is under no legal obligation to adopt a particular organisational framework or disclose information beyond what is required by applicable regulations.

The debate goes beyond legal compliance and touches upon the broader issue of public accountability. While Indian law does not require every voluntary association to register as a society or trust, critics argue that organisations with a wide social and political footprint should embrace greater transparency to foster public trust. They contend that openness regarding governance, funding, and organisational functioning can help address concerns about accountability, particularly when an organisation's ideas and members influence national discourse. Supporters counter that voluntary organisations have the right to determine their internal structure and that transparency standards should not be selectively applied to one organisation while overlooking others with comparable influence.

This discussion also reflects a larger democratic question: how should societies balance the freedom of association with the public's expectation of transparency? Across the world, institutions that play an important role in shaping public opinion are increasingly expected to communicate openly about their functioning. Political parties, corporations, charities, and non-governmental organisations are all subject to varying degrees of disclosure, and many observers believe similar principles should guide any organisation that occupies a significant place in public life. Others argue that additional regulatory requirements should be introduced only through uniform legal reforms that apply equally to all organisations, rather than through political pressure directed at individual groups.

Ultimately, the debate surrounding the RSS is part of a much broader conversation about institutional credibility in a democratic society. Transparency is often viewed not merely as a legal obligation but as a means of building public confidence and reducing speculation. Whether or not existing laws change, expectations around openness and accountability are likely to continue growing as citizens demand greater clarity from organisations that influence public discourse. The discussion, therefore, is not solely about one organisation but about the evolving standards of accountability that many believe should accompany influence in a modern democracy.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from thewire

On Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Singaporean singer-songwriter Frances Tan, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Song Contest — an international music competition featuring participants from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Tan shares her experience of being chosen as a Grand Finalist, representing Singapore alongside six other finalist nations. She also discusses her original track, Just Me, which she submitted as her contest entry.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.

Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.