Bihar: Nitish Kumar transfers Rs 113 crore to farmers affected by flood, Cyclone Montha

Patna, Feb 21, 2026
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday transferred Rs 113 crore directly into the bank accounts of 22,000 farmers under the Agricultural Input Subsidy Scheme.

The amount was disbursed as compensation for crop losses caused by floods and Cyclone Montha in 2025.

The transfer was carried out through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from the Sankalp Auditorium, located at the Chief Minister’s residence, 1 Anne Marg, Patna.

After releasing the assistance, the Chief Minister said that the state government is fully committed to supporting farmers affected by natural disasters.

He reiterated that relief to disaster-hit citizens remains the government’s top priority.

Nitish Kumar also shared his message on the social media platform X.

“The state government is continuously working for the welfare of farmers. We have always stood with farmers affected by natural disasters. We believe that people affected by disasters have the first right over the state treasury,” the Chief Minister said.

In 2025, heavy rainfall, floods, and Cyclone Montha caused extensive crop damage across 13 districts of Bihar — Begusarai, Bhojpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Kaimur, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, and Supaul.

As many as 53 blocks and 493 panchayats were affected by the calamity.

The Agriculture Department invited online applications from farmers in the affected regions.

After due verification of applications, a total of Rs 113 crore and 16 lakh was credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible farmers.

The programme was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with Agriculture Minister Ramkripal Yadav, Water Resource Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and other ministers.

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department Narmadeshwar Lal, Secretary to the Chief Minister Kumar Ravi, Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Chandrasekhar Singh, and senior officials from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and the Agriculture Department.(Agency)

Row over bulk message sent to Kerala govt employees in CM Vijayan’s name

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21, 2026
With Kerala gearing up for the upcoming Assembly elections and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) eyeing a rare third consecutive term under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a controversy has emerged over an alleged bulk message campaign targeting state government employees.

R.S. Sasikumar, Chairman of the State United Confederation of Employees (SUCC), alleged that a message issued in the Chief Minister’s name was circulated widely to the personal WhatsApp accounts of government employees drawing salaries from the state government.

The message reportedly highlighted the sanctioning of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) increases, the reinstatement of housing construction advances, and assured employees that the government would continue to safeguard their welfare and rights.

Sasikumar described the development as a serious breach of privacy. He alleged that phone numbers submitted by employees to official government databases, including the Service and Payroll Administrative Repository for Kerala (SPARK), which are meant strictly for official purposes, had been used without consent for bulk messaging and outreach activities.

“This raises grave concerns about the safety and protection of personal data held by the government,” he said.

He further argued that no authority, including the government, has the right to intrude into an individual’s privacy without consent.

According to Sasikumar, the alleged misuse of official data amounts to a violation of privacy safeguards guaranteed under applicable data protection laws.

He demanded legal action against officials in the Chief Minister’s Office if any unauthorised access or leakage of IT records had occurred and called for the immediate registration of a police case and a time-bound investigation into the matter.

The controversy has surfaced at a politically sensitive time, with the state preparing for Assembly elections.

The Congress-led Opposition has been criticising the government’s outreach initiatives, alleging that such efforts are aimed at influencing public opinion ahead of the polls.

The latest row is expected to further intensify political exchanges in the state as election preparations gather momentum.(Agency)

‘He covered for us all year, now it’s our turn’: Suryakumar on Abhishek’s poor form

Ahmedabad, Feb 21, 2026
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has backed opener Abhishek Sharma, who is enduring a lean patch in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, as India gear up for their first Super 8s clash against South Africa to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of the match against the 2024 T20 World Cup runners-ups, Suryakumar expressed strong faith in Abhishek’s comeback and said that the team management is not worried about the opener’s form at all. Surya also feels that the No.1 T20I batter will end his lean patch and deliver for the team as the tournament progresses.

“I worry for the people who are worried about Abhishek’s form; I worry about them. Why are they so worried about Abhishek’s form? But I think about those teams who are going to play against him, now that he has not yet scored a run, you know the rest of the answers.” Surya said in the pre-match conference.

“It’s a team sport, it keeps going on. Now the team has a requirement that the boy should play with his identity. So he is trying to play. If it happens, then it’s fine; if it doesn’t, then we are there to cover. Last year, he covered for us fully; now we will cover for him as well,” he added.

Abhishek is yet to open his account in the tournament. He began his campaign with a golden duck against the United States, followed by early dismissals against Pakistan and the Netherlands. On each occasion, he fell within the first two overs, without scoring a run.

Earlier, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel also backed the 25-year-old star and said that there have been no discussions regarding his place in the side.

“Absolutely no discussion in our team group about that. Abhishek is a world-class player. So far in the tournament, fortunately, there have been guys stepping up while Abhishek hasn’t been able to score the runs he would like,” Morkel said at the pre-match press conference on Friday.

“But we are entering a very important phase of the World Cup now, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to deliver, not just for the team, but also for the viewers watching the game, because he’s entertaining and we love to see that. He’s hitting the ball well in the nets; it’s just about getting started and building his innings,” he added.

Abhishek has featured in eight matches against South Africa, scoring 200 runs against the Proteas, including one half-century against the 2024 World Cup runners-up.(Agency)

Over 200 Panjab University students join BJP

Chandigarh, Feb 21, 2026
In a significant boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, more than 200 students and youth of Panjab University in Chandigarh associated with the Hindustan Students Association joined the party on Saturday here.

The induction took place in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, senior BJP leaders, and party workers.

Addressing the gathering in the presence of State Vice-President Kewal Singh Dhillon and Dr Subhash Sharma, State General Secretary Parminder Brar, State Media Head Vineet Joshi, State Co-Cashier Sukhwinder Goldy, State Protocol Secretary Khushwant Rai Gigga, Charanjit Brar, N.K. Verma and Sanjiv Vashisht, the Chief Minister warmly welcomed the youth into the BJP family and said their decision reflected growing confidence in the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that over the past 11 years, India has witnessed unprecedented growth in infrastructure, connectivity, and global recognition under Modi’s leadership. From the expansion of highways and railway networks to transformative initiatives such as Mudra Yojana, Start-Up India, Stand-Up India, and Make in India, the Centre has focused on empowering youth and generating employment opportunities.

Highlighting Haryana’s model of transparent governance, CM Saini said that over two lakh government jobs have been provided in the state in the past decade without “parchi and kharchi”, ensuring merit-based recruitment. He added that the government has taken strict action against drug traffickers while prioritising youth empowerment through sports, skill development, and overseas employment initiatives.

Calling upon Punjab’s youth to stay away from drugs and actively participate in nation-building, CM Saini expressed confidence that the BJP would emerge as a strong alternative in the state. He urged the newly inducted members to strengthen the party at the grassroots and contribute towards building a progressive and corruption-free Punjab.(Agency)

Atishi video: Delhi Privileges panel summons Punjab Police chief, 2 others on Feb 27

New Delhi, Feb 21, 2026
In Delhi’s Leader of Opposition Atishi’s video row, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat on Saturday issued summons to Punjab Police chief, Jalandhar Police commissioner and a senior Punjab Home Department official to appear before it on February 27.

The identical letter issued to Alok Shekhar, Additional Chief Secretary, Home-II, Punjab government, Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav and Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat asked them to appear at 3 p.m. at the MLA Lounge-I in Delhi Assembly to attend the meeting of the Committee of Privileges.

The notice for appearance was issued under Rule 172 and 220 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi in the matter of complaints regarding breach of privilege and contempt in the matter of alleged remarks of LoP Atishi against Sikh Gurus.

The summons sent to Punjab officials said, “It may be noted that non-compliance of this summons could… lead to initiation of proceedings for breach of privilege/contempt of the Assembly.”

Earlier, the Punjab government justified the registration of an FIR in Jalandhar over the Atishi video row and told the Delhi Assembly that a video clip, which is created/modified/altered, cannot be treated as the property of the House.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Assembly, the Punjab government’s Home Affairs department asserted that the FIR registered by Jalandhar Police did not amount to breach of privilege.

The letter written by Punjab’s Under Secretary, Home, Kailash Gautam, said that “privilege provided to the member of the House under Article 194(3) of the Constitution of India cannot be extended for an act whereby a video clip has been created/modified/altered with caption added outside the House”.

“The Registration of an FIR for a cognizable offence committed outside the House and the ongoing investigation of a cognizable offence under the BNSS does not constitute breach of privilege,” said the Punjab official.

“A video clip which is created/modified/altered with caption added and independently circulated cannot under any circumstances be treated as the property of the House or anything said in the House. Registration of such an FIR is not on publication of the proceedings of the House and operates on a different plane under the watchful supervision of courts and is subject to judicial review,” said the letter sent by the Punjab’s Under Secretary, Home.

“The Secretariat of the Legislature of a State does not possess authority to request for the documents which are subject matters of the investigation of an FIR which is registered in another state on the issue which has no connection to the proceedings of the House,” said the letter.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Assembly’s Committee of Privileges on Saturday took on record the replies filed by Punjab’s senior officials.

The Committee took note of the letter sent by Punjab’s Under Secretary, Home, Kailash Gautam, and advised him to take the opinion of the Advocate General, Government of Punjab, on record on the issue.

A letter sent to Gautam from the Delhi Assembly Secretariat said, “The Committee of Privileges, Chairperson, has directed to take the opinion of the Advocate General, Government of Punjab, on record and inform that it does not appear to correctly appreciate the concerns of the Legislature in this matter.”

“It is requested that a copy of the complete opinion as received from the Advocate General may be sent to this Secretariat on or before February 27, 2026, for the appraisal of the Committee,” said the letter.

The FIR was registered by the Jalandhar Police on January 9 over a complaint that alleged circulation of a “doctored” version of a video clip related to Atishi’s statement in the Delhi Assembly, which was perceived as objectionable and disrespectful towards Sikh Gurus.

The matter pertains to complaints of breach of privilege and contempt arising from statements made on the floor of the House and the subsequent action initiated by the Punjab Police.

The Committee of Privileges is presently examining the matter, including the conduct of the authorities and the handling of communications and information sought by the Delhi Assembly Secretariat.(Agency)

India captain among ICC Player of the Month nominees for January

Dubai, Feb 21, 2026
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Daryl Mitchell, Joe Root, and Suryakumar Yadav as contenders for the Men’s Player of the Month for January. These players have been exceptional, making notable contributions with both bat and ball during a busy month of cricket.

New Zealand star Mitchell had a strong start to the year, guiding his team to a 2-1 victory in India during the ODI series. The all-rounder scored consecutive centuries in the second and third matches, enabling New Zealand to come back from a 0-1 series deficit.

Mitchell scored 352 runs at an average of 176 against India, earning him the Player of the Series award and the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Additionally, he scored 125 runs at a strike rate of 186.56 in the five-match T20I series against India.

Joe Root played a crucial role in England’s comeback victory against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series. Improving with every game, Root scored 61 in the first match, increased his contribution with 75 in the second, and scored an unbeaten 111 in the final, helping England overcome a 0-1 series deficit to win 2-1.

He was named Player of the Series, scoring 242 runs and taking two wickets. Root also brought a rare spark to the challenging Ashes 2025/26 series against Australia. Although the hosts ultimately secured a 4-1 series victory, Root’s 160 in the first innings of the Sydney Test highlighted his brilliance.

Suryakumar Yadav found his rhythm just before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, delivering an outstanding performance against New Zealand in the five-match T20I series.

After a period of poor form where he couldn’t score 50 in 25 matches, Yadav ended it by making three half-centuries, helping India secure a 4-1 victory. He scored a total of 242 runs across five games, with a strike rate of 196.74, earning him the Player of the Series award.

The key performance occurred in the second match, where Suryakumar scored an unbeaten 82, guiding India to surpass New Zealand’s total of 208 in only 15.2 overs. This marked India’s second-highest successful chase in the shortest format of the game.(Agency)

Court remands K’taka MLA Basavaraj to judicial custody till Feb 26 in murder case

Bengaluru, Feb 21, 2026
A court in Karnataka on Saturday remanded BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, representing Bengaluru’s KR Puram constituency, to judicial custody till February 26 in a murder case.

Basavaraj was arrested in connection with the murder of a man and was questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The order was passed by the 42nd Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court. Basavaraj will be shifted to the Bengaluru Central Prison located on the outskirts of the city.

Basavaraj, an accused in the murder case of rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva, was taken into custody upon his arrival at the Kempegowda International Airport after the Karnataka High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

The Supreme Court also refused to grant him relief.

The BJP has alleged foul play and claimed that the government in Karnataka targeted him for political reasons.

BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra visited Basavaraj’s residence and stated that he had helped the BJP come to power in Karnataka by quitting the Congress.

He told supporters that his own family had allegedly faced false cases in the past and claimed that Basavaraj had been falsely implicated in the present case.

The murder of Biklu Shiva occurred on July 15 last year in the Halasuru area of Bengaluru.

Investigators have reportedly gathered key evidence against the MLA. CID sources said custodial interrogation of Basavaraj is necessary to further the probe and to uncover the larger conspiracy behind the murder.

Basavaraj has been booked on murder charges and named as the fifth accused in connection with the killing of Biklu Shiva, who was hacked to death in front of his residence.

The Bharatinagar police in Bengaluru registered an FIR against the BJP MLA based on a complaint filed by the victim’s mother.

The case later took a dramatic turn when the deceased’s mother claimed that she had never mentioned the name of the BJP MLA in her complaint and did not know how his name was included in the FIR.

However, the police said they subsequently established Basavaraj’s links with the prime accused in the case.

Basavaraj had direct links with rowdy Jagadeesh alias Jagga, the prime accused in the case, and had met Biklu Shiva several times prior to the killing.(Agency)

Karnataka Lokayukta takes legislator into custody in bribery case

Gadag (Karnataka), Feb 21, 2026
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Chandru Lamani, representing the Shirahatti Assembly constituency, was caught red handed and taken into custody by the Karnataka Lokayukta on Saturday in connection with an alleged bribery case in Laxmeshwar town of Karnataka’s Gadag district, the official statement by the Lokayukta said.

The development is seen as a setback to the BJP, which targeted the Congress-led government in the state for demanding bribes, commissions from contractors and not releasing their payment.

The Karnataka Lokayukta said that a successful trap has been laid down by Gadag Karnataka Lokayukta Police under the Section 7 (a) read with 7 (A) of the Prevention of the Corruption Act.

The accused is secured and further investigation is progress, the Lokayukta added.

The Lokayukta team caught BJP MLA Lamani while he was allegedly accepting Rs 5 lakh from a contractor as part of a larger bribe demand.

His government personal assistant, Manjunath Valmiki, and private assistant, Guru Lamani, were also detained and questioned during the operation, the official statement by the Lokayukta added.

According to Karnataka Lokayukta, MLA Chandru Lamani had allegedly demanded Rs 11 lakh from a Class One contractor, identified as Vijay Poojar, in connection with the allotment of a contract under the Minor Irrigation Department.

The bribe was reportedly linked to roadside wall construction work of retaining wall on both sides of the road, Lokayukta officials said.

The operation was conducted under the leadership of Dharwad Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Siddalingappa.

Officials are said to have laid a trap and apprehended the MLA Chandru Lamani and his aides while they were accepting Rs 5 lakh as part of the alleged deal.

Following the trap, Lokayukta officials also carried out a search at the Balaji Hospital in Laxmeshwar town, which is owned by MLA Chandru Lamani.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

More details are yet to emerge regarding the incident.

Madal Virupakshappa, former Karnataka BJP MLA, was arrested in a bribery case in 2023.

The Lokayukta Police had tracked BJP MLA to Channagiri town in Davanagere district, where he was to address a public meeting.

MLA Virupakshappa allegedly evaded police before being intercepted at a toll gate near Bengaluru.

His anticipatory bail was rejected by the Karnataka High Court.

The BJP MLA was named as the main accused in the bribery scam in Karnataka State Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL).

MLA Virupakshappa was named the main accused in a corruption case lodged by the Karnataka Lokayukta after his son was caught taking a bribe of Rs 40 lakh.

In the raids that followed, Lokayukta authorities recovered Rs 6.1 crore in cash from his Sanjay Nagar residence and Rs 2.2 crore from his office.

A total of Rs 8.23 crore in cash, a huge quantity of gold and silver ornaments, and large investments in land in Karnataka were uncovered.(Agency)

Several injured as BJP and Congress workers pelt stones during protest in Indore

Bhopal/Indore, Feb 21, 2026
Several people, including media and police personnel ,were injured when workers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress allegedly indulged into an ugly clash and pelted stones at each other.

Violent clash occurred during a state-wide protest organised by the Yuva Morcha of the BJP’s Madhya Pradesh unit to express anger against Congress workers’ “semi-nude” protest during the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on Friday.

The violence occurred after the BJP workers were staging protest near Congress official (Gandhi Bhavan) in Indore.

The protest was organised in Bhopal and several other parts of Madhya Pradesh, during which, BJP workers burnt Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s effigies, including in Bhopal, Gwalior, Rewa and Indore.

According to preliminary information from officials, the situation escalated during BJP’s a Yuva Morcha’s protest when Congress and BJP workers pelted stones at each other. Water bottles, oil bags, stones, as well as oranges and tomatoes were also thrown, the officials said.

Videos that surfaced on social media showed that the clash broke out in the presence of police personnel. Additional forces and water cannons were deployed to control the violent crowed.

Videos also showed a Sub-Inspector (SI) rank police officer and a media person (cameraman) sustaining injuries in stone pelting, and they have been admitted for treatment.

After the violent clash, BJP and Congress charged each other for stone pelting.

“Congress workers pelted stones during a peaceful demonstration organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha at Rajwada in protest against the Bharat Mandapam incident,” Madhya Pradesh, BJP media in-charge, Ashish Agarwal said.

He claimed that the BJP officials and women workers were injured in this violence.

“Stones and bricks scattered on the road outside the Congress office clearly indicate that the Congress party came prepared to incite violence. The stone pelting was initiated by the Congress party itself, which exposes its chaotic and intolerant mindset,” he alleged.

However, state Congress president Jitu Patwari, who is from Indore, came out with a bunch of allegations against the BJP, stating that, “BJP workers openly pelted stones in front of the Congress office, seriously injuring Indore District President Vipin Wankhede and several Congress colleagues. Many civilians and journalists were also injured.”

Indore police said the law and order was brought under control and further action will be initiated following the investigation int othe matter. Meanwhile, the security out side the Congress offices in Bhopal and Indore has been strengthened further.(Agency)

Shah Rukh Khan to shoot for his portions in Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer2’ in March?

Chennai, Feb 21, 2026
If sources in the industry are to be believed, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is to shoot for Superstar Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer 2’ in March this year.

Sources in the unit say that only Shah Rukh Khan’s portions remain to be shot and that the Bollywood star will begin shooting for his portions in the film in March this year. Once Shah Rukh’s portions, which will be shot over a period of seven to eight days, are shot, the film will be wrapped.

Sources also inform that Shah Rukh Khan’s role in the film will be like an extended cameo.

Director Nelson Dilipkumar’s ‘Jailer 2’ has triggered huge anticipation among fans and film buffs for several reasons.

One of the prime reasons is that ‘Jailer 2’ promises to have loads of action and entertainment just like the first part which went on to emerge a blockbuster, raking in a whopping 650 crores worldwide.

‘Jailer 1’, which opened to positive reviews, took a strong opening. In fact, the film’s overseas distributor Ayngaran International confirmed that the film had made a whopping 33 crores on its very first day, the highest in Superstar Rajinikanth’s career!

Sources close to the unit say that ‘Jailer 2’ is shaping up well on the lines of ‘Jailer 1’.

It may be recalled that Superstar Rajinikanth had celebrated his 75th birthday on the sets of ‘Jailer 2’ last year.

Shooting of the second part of ‘Jailer’ began in Chennai first. Sun Pictures, the production house producing the action entertainer, had announced that shooting for the film had commenced on March 10 last year.

Interest in the film peaked when Sun Pictures released an exceptionally interesting teaser that was both funny and thrilling.

Not long after this, actress Ramya Krishnan shared a story on her first day of shooting for the second part of the film which was going on at Attapaadi in Kerala.

She said, “26 years of Padayappa and the first day shoot of Jailer 2.”

Ramya Krishnan plays the character of Vijaya Pandian a.k.a Viji, the wife of Rajinikanth’s character Muthuvel Pandian, in the film.

Sources say that actress Mirnaa, who plays Swetha Pandian, Rajinikanth’s daughter-in –law in the film, too will have a pivotal role in the sequel. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi too have shot for ‘Jailer 2’.

Anirudh, whose music played a vital role in making the first part emerge a blockbuster, is scoring the music for the second part as well.(Agency)

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