Taj Mahal Gets Rs 1 Cr Water Bill | Lokmarg

Agra: Taj Mahal Gears Up Ahead Of US Vice President JD Vance’s Visit

The world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal, is being prepared for the upcoming visit of US Vice President JD Vance to India.

The monument, which has welcomed many global leaders over the years, will now see Vice President Vance and his wife walking through the mausoleum and admiring its timeless beauty.

Earlier, in 2020, US President Donald Trump visited the Taj Mahal along with First Lady Melania Trump.

During his visit, Trump had described the monument by saying, “Taj Mahal inspires awe, a timeless testament to the rich and diverse beauty of Indian culture! Thank you, India.”

Sunil Shrivastava, a local, while speaking to ANI on the visit of the US Vice President, said, “It is a matter of good fortune for the residents of Agra that US Vice President JD Vance is coming to Agra. He will also visit the Taj Mahal, and we will get a very good response because of this.”

He also expressed hope that a meeting between JD Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on trade issues such as tariffs would bring positive outcomes for India. He said this could open up new opportunities and help control inflation.

Shrivastava added that Vance’s visit might also bring benefits to the tourism and visa sectors.

According to the official website of the Taj Mahal, the monument is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture–a style that blends Persian, Indian, and Islamic elements. In 1983, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and described as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”

Vice President JD Vance will be in India from April 21 to 24. He is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Monday, April 21. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said he will be received at the Air Force Station in Palam at 10:00 am. A formal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled the same day at 6:30 pm at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

On Tuesday, April 22, Vance will visit Jaipur, and on Wednesday, April 23, he will travel to Agra. He will leave India on Thursday, April 24, at 6:40 am.

Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the MEA, said that India is confident the visit will further strengthen India-US bilateral ties. (ANI)

Delhi: BJP Holds Legislative Party Meet To Discuss ‘One Nation One Election’

The BJP held a legislative party meeting at its headquarters in the national capital on Sunday to discuss the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’.

The meeting was led by BJP’s National General Secretary Sunil Bansal, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, and State Organisation General Secretary Pawan Rana. It was attended by Delhi BJP MLAs, including Yogendra Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat, State General Secretary Vishnu Mittal, former Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay, Delhi Government Ministers Dr. Pankaj Singh and Ravindra Indraraj, Delhi Coordinator for One Nation, One Election Gajendra Yadav, Co-coordinator Ashok Goel Devrha, Yogendra Lakda, and other officials.

After the meeting, Virendra Sachdeva told the media that ‘One Nation, One Election’ is a necessity for the country. He said, “Through today’s workshop, we received guidance from National General Secretary Sunil Bansal, and we discussed how to turn One Nation, One Election into a national campaign.”

Sachdeva explained that frequent elections hinder the country’s development. “If you look at the data from the past 30 years, you’ll find that elections are held in some state or the other every year, and state elections are also held alongside the Lok Sabha elections every five years. This creates many problems in the electoral process,” he said.

The Delhi BJP President added that such elections lead to a waste of time, money, and resources. “For example, in the last Lok Sabha elections, about one crore (10 million) government employees were involved in the election process. If we want to turn India into a developed nation, we need to conserve our resources, money, and time. Every time the Model Code of Conduct is enforced, developmental work comes to a halt.”

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat also backed the idea, saying that One Nation, One Election is the need of the hour as it will save both the country’s and Parliament’s time.

Sachdeva further stated that the BJP would take this campaign to every household in Delhi and launch a public awareness drive to explain how the nation and society can benefit from it. He emphasised that this is not the first time the country has seen ‘One Nation, One Election’. “From 1952 to 1967, elections were held simultaneously. It was only after a government collapse in 1968 that the system broke down. Hence, a One-nation, one election is needed by the country.”

BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia added, “From 1952 to 1967, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections were held simultaneously. After that, this tradition was broken and in the last 30 years, there has not been a single year when elections were not held. This affects the country’s economy, GDP… Crores of rupees are spent on elections, so if One Nation, One Election is implemented, then India’s economy will be strong.” (ANI)

Farooq Abdullah On Ramban Landslides, Flash Floods

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Sunday expressed concern over the heavy damage caused by landslides and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district.

He said lives were lost, infrastructure was damaged, and many vehicles were trapped under debris and urged the central government to provide support and compensation.

“A huge loss has occurred in Ramban. There is a report of three deaths. Many vehicles are stuck under the debris. A lot of damage has been incurred. A bridge near a tunnel is damaged. There is a huge loss in Banihal as well. The Deputy Chief Minister has left for Ramban. Our ministers are also reaching out from Kashmir,” Farooq Abdullah told the media.

He assured that all help would be provided by the Jammu and Kashmir government and requested help from the Centre.

“This is a disaster and we will provide all the possible assistance we can. We have also requested that the centre help us in managing this disaster and compensate for the loss to some extent,” he said.

Several vehicles and people were feared trapped after a landslide hit the Shan Palace area in Ward No. 2 of Ramban following heavy rains.

Local police and hotel staff quickly reached the spot and rescued those who were trapped.

Visuals from the site showed vehicles buried under mud, stones, and debris. Shops and a restaurant were also damaged. Locals were seen standing on rooftops, trying to assess the extent of the damage.

So far, there is no official confirmation on the exact number of people trapped or any further casualties.

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his grief over the situation and said that restoration and relief work would be reviewed later in the day.

In a post on X, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Office quoted Omar Abdullah as saying, “Extremely anguished by the tragic landslide and flash flood in Ramban, which has caused considerable damage to life and property. My thoughts are with the affected families in this difficult hour. We are in touch with the local administration to ensure immediate rescue efforts wherever needed. Later today, I will be reviewing restoration, relief, and repair plans. For now, the focus remains on managing the situation on the ground. Citizens are advised to follow travel advisories and avoid non-essential movement in vulnerable areas.”

He offered his condolences to the affected families and assured them that rescue work was underway.

Due to the landslides, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remains completely blocked. Commuters have been advised not to travel on this route until the weather improves and the debris is cleared.

Deputy Traffic Inspector Javed Kataria told ANI,”The national highway (Jammu-Srinagar NH in Ramban district) is completely blocked (due to landslides). Avoid this highway till the weather improves. Clearance work is ongoing, but it does not seem that the highway will open before evening or tomorrow because it is raining continuously.” (ANI)

Eight Committees Formed To Implement Ayushman Bharat In Delhi

In a major step towards implementing the central government’s flagship health scheme, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the national capital, Delhi government’s Department of Health and Family Welfare has formed eight committees for the effective implementation of the scheme.

With this implementation, Delhi becomes the 35th state or Union Territory to implement this health scheme.

Eight committees have been formed by the department to ensure the smooth functioning of the scheme, covering the entire process from enrollment to completion, said an official.

Out of the eight committees formed, the major one is the State Empanelment Committee, along with seven other committees, which are as follows:The State Empanelment Committee will be chaired by the CEO of AB-PMJAY and will oversee hospital registrations, disciplinary actions, and inspections of registered hospitals.

The second one is the District Empanelment Committee, which will handle timely hospital registrations, document verification, and field verification.

The third one is the District Implementation Committee, which will assist in creating Ayushman cards, conducting awareness campaigns, and resolving grievances of beneficiaries.

The fourth one is the State Grievance Redressal Committee (SGRC), which will provide a final resolution to complaints related to beneficiaries and hospitals.

The fifth one is the State Anti-Fraud Cell, which will frame policies to prevent misuse of services and monitor fraud.

The sixth one is the State Claim Review Committee (CRC), which will review rejected claims and conduct random audits.

The seventh one is the State Medical Committee, which will help in decision-making by reviewing Unclear Surgical Packages (USP).

The eighth one is the State Appellate Authority, which will serve as the final decision-making body for complaints.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme will cover 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialities and will provide patients with free and cashless treatment in hospitals. Delhi has become the 35th state/union territory in the country to implement the said scheme.

Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Delhi government and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in Delhi on April 5, 2025.

After signing the MoU, the Delhi government officially launched PM ABHIM and started distributing Ayushman Bharat cards under PM-JAY on April 10, 2025.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, along with other leaders and officials of the Delhi Government. The Delhi government would be giving an additional top-up of 5 lakh over and above the 5 Lakh cover being provided by the Central government. (ANI)

Sadhguru Condemns Killing Of Hindu Minority Leader In Bangladesh

Following the killing of Hindu minority leader Bhabesh Chandra Roy in Bangladesh, Spiritual guru and founder of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev called the incident “a blot on the subcontinent” and on “humanity,” urging that the “savage persecution of the minority community” must come to an end.

In a post on X on Sunday, Sadhguru wrote, “This savage persecution of the minority community in Bangladesh must stop. This is a blot on the subcontinent and on Humanity. Unacceptable.”

A day earlier, India expressed strong concern over the abduction and brutal killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy in Bangladesh, calling it part of a troubling pattern of persecution. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the incident and urged the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure protection for all minorities.

“We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh,” Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson for the MEA, posted on X.

“This killing follows a pattern of systematic persecution of Hindu minorities under the interim government, even as the perpetrators of previous such events roam with impunity. We condemn this incident and once again remind the interim government to live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities, including Hindus, without inventing excuses or making distinctions,” MEA official added.

The postmortem of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, who was allegedly abducted and beaten to death earlier this week in Dinajpur district’s Biral upazila, Bangladesh, has been completed, police said on Saturday.

Roy was a resident of Basudebpur village under Shatagram Union and served as vice-president of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad. He was widely respected within the local Hindu community.

Bhabesh’s son, Sapan Roy, told ANI, “It is not yet known what the postmortem report contains,” Abdus Sabur, officer-in-charge of Biral Police Station, told ANI over the phone. “We will take action after getting the postmortem report,” he said, noting that no case had been filed by the family. “We are busy with our father’s funeral. That’s why no case has been filed.” (ANI)

Arijit Singh Offers Prayers At Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple

Singer Arijit Singh on Sunday visited the revered Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, where he participated in the sacred rituals along with his wife.

The couple participated in the early morning Bhasma Aarti, one of the temple’s most revered ceremonies, known for its spiritual significance.

The ‘Tum Hi Ho’ singer was seen immersed in devotion as he donned an orange kurta and applied a chandan tilak on his forehead. His wife, dressed in a traditional red saree, accompanied him throughout the ritual.

The Mahakaleshwar Temple, situated on the banks of the Shipra River, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and holds immense spiritual significance for Lord Shiva devotees.

It attracts pilgrims throughout the year, with the Bhasma Aarti being a highlight, particularly during auspicious occasions such as Mahashivratri and the month of Shravan.

The Bhasma Aarti takes place during the Brahma Muhurta, which falls between 3:30 am and 5:30 am. As part of the ritual, the temple doors are opened, and Baba Mahakal is bathed with Panchamrit, a sacred mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar, and honey.

Following this, the deity is adorned with cannabis and sandalwood before the Bhasma Aarti begins. The sounds of drums and conch shells add to the grandeur and sanctity of the ceremony.

For devotees, participating in the Bhasma Aarti is believed to fulfil wishes and invoke blessings from Lord Shiva. (ANI)

Jitendra Singh: 3 Dead, Property Loss In Udhampur Calamity

As hailstorms and landslides wreak havoc in Udhampur, Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jitendra Singh on Sunday apprised of three casualties and loss of property to a couple of families.

As National Highway (NH) 44 in the Ramban area remains blocked, Singh said he was in touch with the Deputy Commissioner and informed that relief was being provided to those who were facing hardships due to the hailstorm.

“There was a heavy hailstorm, multiple landslides and fast winds throughout the night in the Ramban region, including the areas surrounding the Ramban town. The National Highway stands blocked, and unfortunately, there have been three casualties and loss of property for a couple of families. I am in constant touch with Deputy Commissioner Mr Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary,” Singh posted on X.

The Union Minister said that the district officials have been directed to ensure that assistance and relief are provided to those who need it. Singh urged the public not to panic amid the ongoing chaos over the natural calamity.

“The district administration deserves appreciation for timely and prompt action, which helped save several precious lives. Every kind of relief, both financial and otherwise, is being provided. The DC has been conveyed that, if need be, whatever more is required, can be provided from MP’s personal resources as well. The request is not to panic. We shall all, together, overcome this natural calamity, he added.

The parts of National Highway (NH) 44 in the Ramban area of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir were blocked due to heavy rains in the area on Sunday.

Heavy rains lashed parts of Udhampur on Saturday night, blocking traffic in various parts of National Highway 44 in the Ramban area.

The heavy rains come just a few days after strong winds and rain caused widespread damage in Jammu and Udhampur.

On April 17, a sudden spell of strong winds and rain wreaked havoc across parts of the union territories, leading to structural damage, uprooted trees, and disruptions in road connectivity and power supply.

Udhampur district witnessed widespread damage as multiple trees were uprooted, severely disrupting traffic movement. Roads in many areas of the district were blocked, and power outages were also reported across several areas.

In Jammu, too, a section of the boundary wall of the Civil Secretariat collapsed due to intense winds, bringing down barbed wire with it.

Several parked vehicles were damaged by the falling debris. A JCB machine was deployed to clear the rubble and restore access to the area.

Former Sarpanch of Sateni Panchayat in Udhampur, Parshottam Gupta, confirmed extensive damage in his area. “I have inspected my Panchayat, and there were several trees uprooted. The traffic and electricity have been affected in the area… After 4-5 years, such strong winds have affected the area… We will be able to assess the damage tomorrow morning.” (ANI)

Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin

Zelenskyy Condemns Russia For Violating Easter Ceasefire With 387 Shellings

Following President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a 30-hour ceasefire in observance of Easter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russian forces carried out attacks, citing a total of 387 shelling incidents and 19 assaults.

Zelenskyy further said that despite Russia’s declared truce, Ukrainian frontline units recorded 59 cases of shelling and 5 assaults, along with multiple combat engagements across the Donetsk, Starobilsk, and Zaporizhzhia sectors.

In a post on X on Sunday (local time), Zelenskyy wrote, “A report by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi on the frontline as of 6:00 a.m. Across various frontline directions, there have already been 59 cases of Russian shelling and 5 assaults by Russian units. In the sector of the Starobilsk Operational Tactical Group, one combat engagement was documented. In the Donetsk OTG sector, there were three combat engagements – in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions, and one combat engagement took place near Stepove in the Zaporizhzhia direction. The enemy carried out dozens of FPV drone strikes.”

“In the Kursk region, Russian forces conducted artillery strikes and used drones. Everywhere, our warriors are responding as the enemy deserves, based on the specific combat situation. Ukraine will continue to act symmetrically. Between 6:00 pm yesterday and midnight today, there were 387 instances of shelling and 19 assaults by Russian forces. Drones were used by Russians 290 times,” he added.

The Ukrainian President further emphasised that while Russia seeks to create the impression of a ceasefire, Ukraine will continue to respond accordingly.

“Overall, as of Easter morning, we can state that the Russian army is attempting to create the general impression of a ceasefire, while in some areas still continuing isolated attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine. Russia must fully comply with the conditions of the ceasefire. Ukraine’s proposal to implement and extend the ceasefire for 30 days after midnight tonight remains on the table. We will act in accordance with the actual situation on the ground,” Zelenskyy added.

Zelenskyy on Saturday (local time) alleged that the Russian offensive has not “subsided” despite Moscow declaring a ceasefire on the occasion of Easter.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said that Russian assault operations are ongoing on several frontline sectors and there is no “trust” in Moscow’s words.

“As of now, according to the Commander-in-Chief reports, Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided. Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow. We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Zelenskyy also stated that Russia has rejected the proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, noting that the 30-hour Easter ceasefire is insufficient for building “genuine confidence”.

In a video shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia on X, President Putin said, “The Russian Side announces an Easter ceasefire from 06:00 pm today to 00:00 am Monday. This is done for humanitarian reasons. I hereby order all military operations ceased for this period.”

This is the second ceasefire to be announced since the conflict began in 2022. A previous attempt at a ceasefire during Orthodox Christmas in January 2023 failed after both sides were unable to agree on a proposal. (ANI)

‘Enforcement Directorate Is Being Misused To Silence Opposition, Media, Dissent’

Prabal Pratap Shahi, national coordinator of the All India Kisan Congress, says ED must be dismantled if the country is to be saved from becoming a dictatorship. His views

Recently, the All India Congress Committee led a nationwide protest against the Enforcement Directorate (ED). And honestly, it wasn’t just another political rally—it was a cry of frustration, resistance, and unity. As someone deeply connected to the farmers’ movement and the grassroots, I felt the pulse of thousands who are tired of seeing democratic institutions being misused.

The ED recently filed a chargesheet against the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Mr Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case—a case we believe is completely fabricated. It’s not the first time we’ve seen this. Every time an election approaches, the Narendra Modi-led government seems to dust off some old files, twist a few facts, and try to pin something on opposition leaders. It’s a pattern. And we’re calling it out.

That’s why we—members of the All India Kisan Congress—stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow Congress workers today at 24, Akbar Road, the party’s headquarters. But before we could even begin our march to the ED office, we were surrounded by police barricades. They tried to block us in, silence us. But we didn’t back down. Our people peacefully broke through the barricades, and yes, there were clashes. Many of our colleagues were detained. But none of that stopped the message from getting through.

Let me be clear—this isn’t just about Rahul Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi. This is about the kind of country we’re becoming. A place where anyone who dares to ask tough questions or hold those in power accountable is suddenly under investigation. We’ve seen how farmers, students, journalists, and now opposition leaders are targeted. It’s a dangerous trend, and we can’t be quiet about it anymore.

ALSO READ: ‘Suppression of Dissent Under Modi Govt Is Worrisome’

The National Herald, the publication at the center of this so-called case, is not some shady business deal—it’s a newspaper born out of India’s freedom struggle, founded by Pandit Nehru himself. It is a not-for-profit organisation, meant to serve the people, not make money. And yet, the government is treating it like some criminal enterprise. Why? Because they are scared. Because the truth threatens them.

Today, Rahul Gandhi is actively engaging with people—traveling across states, talking about real issues like unemployment, inflation, and the plight of farmers. He’s gaining support. And that’s what truly worries the Modi government. Instead of fighting him politically, they’re using the Enforcement Directorate to try and wear him down.

But here’s what they don’t realize—we’re not afraid. We’re angry, yes. Determined, absolutely. But not afraid.

We’ll keep fighting—for our leaders, for our rights, and for democracy. The ED might be their tool, but the truth is our strength. And in the end, it’s truth that always wins.

As told to Deepti Sharma

IndiGo Flight Carrying JK CM Abdullah Lands In Delhi After Diversion To Jaipur

The Delhi-bound IndiGo flight carrying Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah landed in the national capital in the early hours on Sunday after it was reportedly diverted to Jaipur on Saturday night.

According to reports, the flight departed from Jaipur at 2:00 am on Sunday. As per the J&K Chief Minister, the flight landed here after 3:00 am.

“In case anyone is wondering, I got to Delhi just after 3:00 AM,” Abdullah said in reply to a previous post on X, where he sharply criticised the Delhi Airport, calling it a “bloody shit show”.

“Delhi airport is a bloody shit show (excuse my French but I’m in no mood to be polite). 3 hours in the air after we left Jammu we get diverted to Jaipur & so here I am at 1 in the morning on the steps of the plane getting some fresh air. I’ve no idea what time we will leave from here,” he said in a post on X, expressing his frustration over the ordeal.

Abdullah also shared a selfie standing on the aircraft’s steps after deplaning briefly for fresh air.

Meanwhile, IndiGo had not issued an official statement at the time of filing this report.

Earlier on Saturday, Jammu airport also witnessed chaotic scenes, with hundreds of passengers complaining of inconvenience due to flight delays and cancellations.

Bad weather conditions in Srinagar disrupted flight operations, affecting several connecting flights.

In a post on X, IndiGo issued a travel advisory, stating, “6ETravelAdvisory: Unfavourable weather in Srinagar is impacting flights, but we’re here to keep you informed!”

“Weather conditions in Srinagar are impacting flight operations. We understand this may cause inconvenience and truly appreciate your patience… Our teams are actively monitoring the situation and will have smooth operations back on track as soon as the weather plays nice,” the advisory further added. (ANI)