Congress has demanded an inquiry into Vishwas Nagre Patil, who was appointed as Nagpur Commissioner from Mumbai Anti-Corruption Bureau, after a video of him reciting the homily of its founder Dr. Krishna Hegdewar and describing the RSS as a patriotic organisation, went viral.

The Congress has written on Twitter and Facebook that an IPS officer enters the service by taking an oath on the Indian Constitution and accepting the responsibility of treating all citizens equally. He does not identify with any religion, caste, party or ideology. He identifies only with the Constitution. However, after watching the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh stage and Nangre Patil’s speech praising the Sangh, Hindutva and Dr. Hedgewar, a fundamental question arises: was he appointing as a constitutional post? Or was he representing a particular ideology? Now the question is not limited to Nangre Patil alone but is directly related to Maharashtra Home Minister and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Therefore, as Chief Minister/Home Minister, Fadnavis should give clear answers to some questions before the people of Maharashtra. As per Rule 13(2)(f)(iii) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, an IPS officer requires prior permission from the government to attend a private media video or similar event. Did Vishwas Nangre Patil take prior permission from the Maharashtra Home Department or the state government to attend this event? If so, under which rule was it given, will a copy of it be made public? If permission is not taken, will the government take action for violation of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968? Violation of Rule 3(1)?. The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 clearly states that an officer should not indulge in any conduct that is unbecoming of his post. It would be appropriate for a common citizen to go to the forum of a particular ideological organization and publicly praise that ideology. But is it appropriate for an IPS officer in the service? A police officer is a guardian of the law, not a propagator of ideology.

Political neutrality or political loyalty?
Rule 3(1A)(ii) clearly states that every member of the service shall maintain political neutrality. “Political neutrality is the soul of the IPS service. So the question is whether to go to the forum of the Sangh and praise the ideology of neutrality or to express public loyalty to a particular political ideology? If tomorrow a senior police officer goes to the forum of any other religious or political organisation and starts praising them in the same way, how will the public have faith in the administration? Is the Constitution supreme or the ideology of the Sangh?

Rule 3(2B)(ii) binds every officer to the supremacy of the Constitution. The Constitution does not belong to any one religion, caste or ideology. It belongs to all Indians. So is it constitutional neutrality for a constitutional officer to go to the forum of a particular ideological organisation and publicly praise it? Rule 3(2B)(vi): “Suspected of being influenced” This rule prevents an officer from being influenced by any organisation or person that may affect his official duties.

Today, millions of citizens of Maharashtra are asking that if an officer openly praises a particular ideological organization on a platform, who will guarantee that his decisions tomorrow will not be influenced by that ideology? This is the most serious question. Rule 5(1): says,

“No member of the service shall be associated with any organization participating in politics.” “No officer in the service shall be associated with any organization participating in politics.” This rule is not limited to membership alone. The word “with affiliation” has been used deliberately. Then, will going to the platform of the Sangh and openly praising it not be considered “association”? Today, the question is not of one person.

The question is of the credibility of the Indian administrative system.

The question is of the supremacy of the Constitution.

The question is of maintaining the dignity of the khaki uniform. Therefore, this matter should be investigated, the permits should be made public and the government should be clear whether there has been a violation of the rules in this. Because there is no person, institution, or ideology greater than the Constitution. When IPS officer and Nagpur Commissioner Vishwas Nagre Patil was contacted to know his stand on this matter, he did not receive the call. After this viral video, there has been a stir among IPS officers as most IPS officers are part of any event from time to time, in such a situation, will action be taken against these IPS officers too?

Mumbai: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi today took a strong stand in the Assembly on the recession of the powerloom industry in Bhiwandi and the increasing dangerous toxic pollution, as well as the major threat to the health of the local people due to the ‘SMS’ waste processing project and cement plant in Mankhurd Shivaji. He took the government to task, pointing out the collusion between the Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the concerned authorities in both the areas. Speaking in the Assembly, MLA Azmi raised the following important issues and demands. The textile industry in Bhiwandi is in crisis. Paperwork is being taken against companies burning plastic and toxic waste instead of coal. Bhiwandi is a major hub of the textile business in the country, but at present this business is very slow. The pollution level in Bhiwandi is getting dangerous day by day. Due to the increase in coal prices, some sizing and dyeing companies here are burning plastic pieces, wires and biochemical waste in the open instead of coal. This is spreading highly toxic smoke in the area and has created a serious health problem for the citizens. With the connivance of the Pollution Control Board officers, no real action is being taken against these companies. It has been reported that action has been taken against 430 companies, closure orders and show cause notices have been issued to 107 companies. But in reality, these companies are still running in a chaotic state. Demand for government subsidy for green fuel (PNG/CNG/LPG) for small industries.

The minister has directed the companies to use expensive fuels like PNG, CNG or LPG to curb pollution. However, power loom industries in Bhiwandi are small and medium sized and cannot afford this expensive fuel. Therefore, Azmi directly asked the government whether the government will provide any special subsidy or financial assistance to these small industries so that these industries can survive and pollution can be stopped. He also demanded strict action against the officers who mislead by giving wrong information. When will the ‘SMS’ company and cement plant in Mankhod Shivaji Nagar be closed? The government should clarify. MLA Azmi drew the attention of the House to the extremely bad situation in Mankhod Shivaji Nagar constituency. All the garbage of Mumbai is dumped in this area due to which insects are reaching the houses of people and even the kitchens. There are 4 cement (RMC) plants and marriage halls in the constituency close to each other. Thousands of people come there and the dust from this cement has made it impossible for people to live. Earlier, the then minister had promised to completely shut down this ‘SMS’ company (biomedical waste plant) by December 2022 and a board was also installed there. However, despite the change of governments, this company has not been closed yet. MLA Azmi, while presenting live pictures of this pollution in the House, asked the government, “When will this SMS company actually close and when will the local people get relief from this problem? The government should give a clear and concrete answer to this.” MLA Abu Asim Azmi has strongly demanded that the health of the people of both the areas has become a matter of life and death and the government should not just make paper promises on this but should take strict action on the ground and immediately impose a ban on the polluting elements.

New Delhi, June 26: The Government of India has announced a revision in passport application fees, with the updated charges scheduled to come into effect from July 1, 2026. The revised fee structure applies to various passport services, including fresh applications, renewals, Tatkal services, and replacement of lost or damaged passports.

Under the new rates, adults applying for a standard 36-page passport through the normal process will pay ₹2,500, while applicants opting for the Tatkal service will be charged ₹5,000. The fee for a 60-page passport has also been increased, with higher charges applicable under both the normal and expedited categories.

The revised schedule also includes updated fees for passport services for minors, replacement of lost or damaged passports, and certain related documents such as Police Clearance Certificates and miscellaneous passport certifications. Officials have indicated that emergency certificate provisions remain unchanged within India.

According to government notifications, the validity period for adult passports continues to remain up to 10 years, while passports issued to minors will generally remain valid for five years or until they attain the age of 18 years, subject to applicable rules. Existing concessions for eligible categories, including young children and senior citizens, are also expected to continue under the revised framework.

The updated fee structure is part of amendments notified under the Passports Rules and will apply to passport applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026. Applicants planning to obtain or renew their passports are advised to verify the latest charges before submitting their applications.