QUICKREADS

Unions allege exploitation of contractual sanitation workers at RMH
Labour unions allege exploitation of sanitation workers at Regional Mental Hospital, citing wage violations, unpaid salaries, and fraudulent practices by contractors. They have complained to the health minister, demanding immediate action and potential criminal investigation.

Delhi forest dept to crack down on illegal pet shops selling protected species
Delhi's forest department is cracking down on illegal pet shops selling protected wildlife species. They will inspect shops citywide, seize unauthorized exotic and native animals, and prosecute violators under the Wildlife Protection Act. Only domesticated pets like dogs and cats are permitted.

State honours Ahilyadevi Holkar, woos Dhangars
The Maharashtra government honors Ahilyadevi Holkar with numerous initiatives, including a medical college, memorial conservation, biographical movie, and water structure restoration, aiming to win support from the Dhangar community ahead of potential elections.

Contractors fined ₹20 lakh per day for delay in Carnac Bridge revamp
Mumbai's BMC imposed steep ₹20 lakh daily fines on contractors delaying Carnac Bridge reconstruction. The crucial bridge's girders must arrive by May 10, with completion targeted before monsoon, ensuring timely connectivity between key city areas.

DU panel suggests dropping Marx, Malthus from Sociology syllabus
Delhi University's sociology panel recommends removing Marx and Malthus from a 'Population and Society' paper, sparking debate about foundational population theories. Other proposed changes include syllabus modifications across various departments, with final decisions pending academic council approval.

Political parties gear up for local body polls in Pune
Supreme Court orders Maharashtra to hold Pune municipal elections within four months. Political parties are preparing, with potential ward restructuring due to merged villages. Parties welcome the directive and are ready to contest, with plans for joint alliances.

Storm-worn flags to be replaced in one month
PWD has removed 500 damaged Indian flags across Delhi due to thunderstorms and will replace them within a month. A new private firm will manage flag maintenance, with approximately ₹27 crore allocated for repair and replacement.

17-year-old student dies by suicide at home in Pune
A 17-year-old student died by suicide at home after allegedly performing poorly in Class 12 exams, scoring 55%. Her parents were at work when the incident occurred. Police registered an unnatural death case, with investigations ongoing.

Artificial rain, crackdown on aged vehicles under Delhi govt’s air action plan
Delhi government unveils comprehensive air quality plan, including rooftop sprinklers, water sprinklers, ANPR cameras to track old vehicles, mandatory site registrations, e-rickshaws, and potential cloud seeding to combat pollution and improve environmental conditions.

Sangam city enhances pilgrim comfort amid rising footfall
Sangam city is enhancing pilgrim experience with golf carts for elderly visitors, a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus service, and new facilities like floating jetties and waste removal boats to improve accessibility and comfort for increasing numbers of tourists.

UP extends mega security drill across all 75 districts
Uttar Pradesh will conduct a comprehensive security drill across all 75 districts, following MHA directives. The exercise focuses on civil defense, emergency response, and preparedness against potential hostile attacks, involving multiple agencies and simulating wartime scenarios.

Allahabad HC issues notices to Centre, state on PIL over monkey menace
Allahabad High Court issued notices to government bodies regarding the escalating monkey menace, seeking urgent action plans to address human-monkey conflicts, monkey welfare, and public safety in Uttar Pradesh districts.

Early class 12 results trigger rush for college admissions; cut-offs for degree courses may decrease
Early class 12 results have triggered college admission rush. Cut-off marks expected to drop by 1-2%. Universities like SPPU and PERA will conduct online entrance exams in May, aiming to complete admissions by June.

Ludhiana: PABI-PAU startup unveils refrigerated cargo vehicle
Yotuh Energy's eRIL 200, an electric refrigerated cargo vehicle developed by PABI-PAU startup, can maintain temperatures to -20°C. Targeting food, pharma, and dairy sectors, it reduces operational costs by 80% with lithium-ion battery-powered refrigeration.

U.P. Cabinet decision: Nod to policies for streamlining parking, regulation of bus terminals
Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approves new policies for parking and bus terminals in 17 municipal corporations, focusing on modern facilities, private-public partnerships, and regulated parking spaces with specific guidelines for implementation and management.

Ludhiana: Property rights for 990 households in Lal Lakir areas under government scheme
Property rights granted to 990 households in Ludhiana's Lal Lakir areas under Mera Ghar Mere Naam scheme, enabling residents to sell properties, secure loans, and resolve long-standing ownership challenges.