New Delhi, Jan 30: Fertiliser movement from the Centre to the states on Indian Railways, during the first nine months (April-December) of the financial year 2025-26, reached an all-time high with total supplies crossing 530.16 lakh metric tons to surpass the 500 lakh metric ton mark for the first time during this period, an official statement said on Friday.

This represents a 12.2 per cent increase over the corresponding period of FY 2024–25 and is 8.5 per cent higher than the previous record of FY 2023–24, it said.

The Centre has ensured sufficient availability of all major fertilisers across states, including the supply of 350.45 lakh metric tons of urea, against a requirement of 312.40 lakh metric tons in the first nine months (April-December) of the financial year 2025-26. Similarly, in the case of major P&K (phosphorous and potassium) fertilizers including DAP, MOP & NPKS, the total supply reached 287.69 lakh metric tonnes against the requirement of 252.81 lakh metric tonnes, consistently exceeding the assessed requirement and ensuring uninterrupted availability, the statement said.

Faster and smoother movement of fertiliser rakes enabled timely supplies to states, ensuring that farmers did not face any shortages during the critical stages of cultivation. Department of Fertilisers worked in close cooperation with the Ministry of Railways and stated that such coordinated efforts have helped ensure adequate availability of fertilisers across the country, the statement added.

During this period, average rake loading on Indian Railways increased to 72 rakes per day in July 2025, rose to 78 rakes per day in August 2025 and reached 80 rakes per day in September 2025, according to the official figures.

Urea rake movement rose to 10,841 rakes, registering an 8 per cent increase over last year, while P&K fertilisers recorded 8,806 rakes, marking an 18 per cent growth. Enhanced coordination with the Ministry of Railways, ports, state governments, and fertiliser companies ensured seamless and timely supply to states during peak agricultural seasons, the statement said.

Ensuring the timely availability of fertilisers to farmers has remained one of the government’s highest priorities. In this direction, the improved coordination between the Ministry of Railways and the Department of Fertilisers during Kharif 2025 and the ongoing Rabi season was clearly visible at the ground level. The states also took concerted measures to ensure last-mile availability to farmers, the statement added.

Patna, Jan 10: The Income-Tax Department sleuths conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations linked to a prominent businessman in Bihar’s Raxaul on Saturday.

The raids are currently underway in Raxaul in East Champaran district, even as the state continues to reel under a severe cold wave and dense fog.

Despite the harsh weather conditions, Income Tax teams reached the town with a convoy of more than a dozen vehicles and launched coordinated search operations.

According to sources, the raids are being held at several establishments connected to businessman Mohammad Kaleem, including his ancestral residence in Bishnupurwa village of Adapur block, a business establishment near Pankaj Chowk on Raxaul Main Road, as well as a jewellery showroom and an automobile showroom in Laxmipur.

The Income Tax officials first cordoned off all the locations before beginning the searches early in the morning.

Following this, teams started verifying documents, scrutinising financial records, and questioning individuals present at the premises.

As news of the raids spread, panic and speculation gripped the city, with discussions dominating public and business circles in the day. The sudden action has drawn widespread attention in the border town.

At present, the Income Tax Department’s investigation is ongoing. Officials have not issued any official statement, maintaining strict confidentiality regarding the nature of the probe.

The reasons behind the raids and the extent of alleged tax irregularities are expected to become clear once the investigation concludes.

Earlier, on January 8, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Patna Zonal Office, had conducted extensive searches in connection with a fake government job scam involving an organised gang that cheated aspirants by offering fraudulent appointments in government departments.

Initially detected in the name of the Indian Railways, the investigation has revealed that the scam extended to more than 40 government organisations and departments.

United Nations, June 6: The Security Council demanded the immediate and unconditional release of personnel from the United Nations, nongovernmental and civil society organizations and diplomatic missions who were detained by the Houthis in Yemen.

In a press statement on Thursday, the members of the Security Council reiterated that all threats to those delivering humanitarian aid and assistance are unacceptable. They reiterated their demand that the Houthis ensure respect of international humanitarian law with regard to safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to ensure assistance can reach civilians in need.

The council members welcomed the continued work of the United Nations through all possible channels to secure the safe and immediate release of those detained.

According to media reports, Council members acknowledged that the Eid al-Adha holidays would be particularly difficult for those detained, their families and others who are themselves living in fear of detention.

This week marks one year since the wave of detention by the Houthis. According to the world body, 23 UN staff members and five personnel from international nongovernmental organizations remain detained. One UN staff member and another from Save the Children have died in detention.

In the past few days, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as well as heads of UN agencies and programs have called for the release of the detained personnel.

Earlier on June 3, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for the immediate and unconditional release of UN staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen.

“This June marks one year since the arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organisations, and diplomatic missions by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen,” he said in a statement.

“I renew my call for their immediate and unconditional release, including those held since 2021 and 2023, and most recently this January.”

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners should never be targeted, arrested or detained while carrying out their mandates for the benefit of the people they serve, said Guterres.