Nanded/Nagpur, Sep 19: A massive political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra on Saturday after a video went viral on social media showing ministers, leaders and senior officials consuming cashews and almonds during an official drought review meeting in Nanded.

The incident occurred at the District Planning Hall, where officials had gathered to assess the severe agricultural crisis and crop loss across Marathwada, triggering widespread public outrage over the administration’s apathy toward struggling farmers.

Speaking to the media in Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the customary administrative practices involved in such situations while stressing the need for greater empathy during times of crisis.

“It is a standard administrative protocol to provide dry fruits during official meetings. No one does this intentionally to mock the drought situation. However, the administration must keep ground realities in mind and act with greater sensitivity. Such practices should be avoided under these circumstances,” he noted.

Shiv Sena Minister Sanjay Shirsat, who was absent from the meeting due to prior commitments, shifted the accountability to bureaucratic arrangements.

“I did not attend as I had pre-scheduled engagements, and Agriculture Minister Datta Bhaarne was handling the responsibilities alongside the attending officers. It is the officials who arrange cashews and almonds, but elected representatives end up facing public criticism. I will issue strict directives to the divisional commissioner regarding this matter.”

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar launched a scathing attack on the government, accusing it of a lack of seriousness regarding the severe drought conditions.

“While the drought crisis across the state is extremely grave, the government shows zero seriousness and is busy relishing cashews and almonds. The state government must immediately convene a special legislative assembly session to address the drought and offer concrete relief to farmers.”

In response to the dry spell, crop failure, and impending water shortages, Fadnavis outlined several emergency relief steps initiated by the state government.

“Cabinet ministers have been assigned to conduct ground-level reviews in their respective districts. Preliminary reviews and loss assessments (panchnamas) will be finalised within a week to expedite financial assistance. Process for the loan waiver is progressing rapidly; three beneficiary lists have already been published, and the remaining lists are being compiled on priority,” he said.

“Leveraging planning under the fodder development program launched in response to the El Nino threat, fodder and drinking water are being arranged for heavily affected zones,” the CM said.

Fadnavis further stated that to help save standing crops, the state is providing extra electricity to farmers during evening hours, even in single-phase supply zones where wells still hold water. He added that water reserves in major reservoirs are being strictly reserved for drinking purposes to prevent shortages, especially in areas dependent on smaller, depleted dams.

Kolkata, Sep 19: The body of a 16-year-old girl was recovered from an empty house in West Bengal Purulia district on Saturday morning, with her family alleging that she was murdered by a minor boy with whom she was reportedly in a relationship and his family members.

The police have launched an investigation following a complaint lodged by the girl’s family. The body was recovered from an empty house in the jurisdiction of Purulia Mufassil Police Station in Purulia town.

The girl’s brother-in-law told local media persons that she had gone missing on Friday night.

“The girl had been missing since last night. We searched throughout the night but could not find her. This morning, she was found dead,” he said.

“We came to know that the girl was in a relationship with a local teenager. She used to go to their house for tuition. But later, she refused to go there for tuition. We suspect that the girl was murdered. We have appealed to the government to ensure that she gets proper justice,” he alleged.

According to the family, the girl had been missing since around midnight. Her body was found on Saturday morning inside an empty house belonging to the family. Her headscarf was allegedly tied around her neck.

The incident triggered mourning in the area, with local residents gathering near the spot. Officers from Purulia Mufassil Police Station reached the location, recovered the body, and sent it to Purulia Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy.

The police said the exact cause of death would be established only after the autopsy report is received. A case of unnatural death has been registered, and an investigation is underway.

The police are also examining the allegations made by the girl’s family.

“The body has been recovered and has been sent for autopsy. A complaint has been lodged by the girl’s family. The allegations made by the family are being looked into. No one has been arrested as of yet. Investigation is on,” a senior officer of Purulia district police said.

The incident comes days after a young man was arrested in Purulia for allegedly killing his girlfriend and carrying her body in a bag on a motorcycle. According to police, the accused rode around with the woman’s body for nearly three to four hours before he was caught by personnel from Balarampur Police Station on September 12.

Indore, Sep 19: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left Delhi for Indore on Saturday morning to address a large gathering of students, mostly college-goers, under the ongoing ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ series. However, ahead of the event, he showed interest in Poha-Jalebi through a social media post.

Party workers had worked extensively to complete the necessary organisational and security arrangements for the event. His programme is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. while he is expected to reach Indore by 1.30 pm.

According to official information, approximately two lakh participants have registered for the programme.

A day before the event, LoP Gandhi shared a post on his Instagram account asking, “What is Indore serving up—‘poha-jalebi’ or something else?”

The light-hearted query quickly sparked conversations on social media. Since Instagram remains particularly popular among the youth, the post was shared exclusively on that platform.

Indore, widely regarded as the culinary capital of Madhya Pradesh, is famous across the country for its poha, a staple breakfast made from locally procured rice flakes.

By referring to the city’s food culture, LoP Gandhi sought to connect with young audiences ahead of the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (Students’ Resonance) event.

There is also speculation that he may visit the popular ‘56 Dukan’ area. Five years ago, during an election rally in Indore, LoP Gandhi had visited the food street.

While no additional official engagements have been announced alongside the main student event, Congress leaders have not ruled out the possibility of a brief visit to other locations after his arrival in the city.

Indore’s Sarafa Chaupati and ‘56 Dukan’ remain well-known landmarks for food lovers.

Four years ago, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan was held in Indore and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the city as one of the new era and specifically mentioned Sarafa Chaupati.

Indore’s poha has long enjoyed special recognition. Even late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, during a visit to the city, had praised the local preparation extensively.

The uniqueness of Indore’s poha lies in its distinctive steam-cooking method, which produces a light, fluffy texture with grains that remain separate.

LoP Gandhi’s visit focusses primarily on engaging with students through the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ platform, while the culinary reference has added a local flavour to the build-up for the event.