Asheville, Sep 1: India strongly supports the US G20 presidency’s focus on economic growth, global imbalances and financial literacy, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said after holding a “positive, constructive” bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

In an exclusive interview with media on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting here, FM Sitharaman said New Delhi and Washington shared common ground on the central issues being discussed under the US presidency.

“The US presidency has spoken about growth as a priority. It has spoken about the global imbalances as a concern,” she said.

“The US has also very clearly placed high importance on financial literacy, which is a very personally dear point for the Secretary of Treasury, Scott Bessent,” the Finance Minister said.

“So in all these, we are very much with the United States,” she added.

FM Sitharaman said India wanted G20 members to have candid discussions about the challenges affecting the international economy.

“These are the points on which we also want fair, open discussions,” she said.

“Growth is a central point for the G20’s financial track. Equally, the imbalances, global imbalances will have to be sorted out,” she said.

The Finance Minister welcomed the priorities identified by Washington and said India was making an active contribution to the deliberations in Asheville.

“I appreciate the US presidency in taking up these points, and we’ve been contributing in the discussions which happened today,” she said.

FM Sitharaman also met Bessent during the day for bilateral talks on economic and financial issues.

“I may also add here that I’ve had a very positive, constructive bilateral discussion with Secretary Bessent today,” she said.

She did not disclose specific details of the meeting in the interview. Her remarks, however, indicated broad agreement between India and the United States on the need to place growth at the centre of the G20 financial track and address imbalances in the global economy.

FM Sitharaman held separate bilateral meetings with representatives of Poland, Qatar, South Korea and Russia during the G20 gathering.

“I’ve had bilaterals also with Poland, with Qatar, with Korea, with Russia. All of them happened today, and on a very positive note,” she said.

“Everyone has had facts about India in their hands, and they’re looking forward to deepening their relationship with India,” she added.

The Finance Minister said some of the discussions would be followed by further bilateral economic engagements. A dialogue with South Korea would be held later this year, she said, adding that a dialogue with Qatar would also take place during the year.

“There are quite a few activities that we’ve tied up for India and the bilateral engagement on economy and finance,” she said.

FM Sitharaman’s participation in the G20 meeting comes as India reported economic growth of 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year. She said manufacturing had grown by 9.2 per cent, while the financial and professional services sector expanded by 12.1 per cent.

The Finance Minister described the figures as evidence of India’s economic resilience despite continuing global challenges. She said the government would work to position India advantageously whenever new challenges emerged.

FM Sitharaman began her overseas visit in Canada, where she held talks with the Canadian Finance Minister. She then travelled to Chicago for discussions with funding agencies before arriving in Asheville for the G20 meeting.

After completing her engagements here, FM Sitharaman is scheduled to travel to New York, where she will meet investors interested in entering the Indian market.

Mumbai, Sep 1: Kharif sowing in Maharashtra reached 1.36 crore hectares as of August 31 for the 2026-27 season, covering 95 per cent of the average area. Deficit rainfall and prolonged dry spells during the monsoon season led to a reduction of approximately eight lakh hectares compared to the five-year average. Significant regional disparities have emerged across the state, with Konkan, Marathwada, and parts of Western Maharashtra trailing notably.

Agriculture department officials have noted that since Kharif sowing typically concludes by the end of August, further increase in these figures is unlikely.

According to data from the State Agriculture Department, the five-year average Kharif area (2019-20 to 2023-24) stands at 1.44 crore hectares. The 1.36 crore hectares sown this year is lower than last year’s coverage of 1.42 crore hectares recorded by August 29. While overall coverage reached 95 per cent, the district-wise performance remains uneven, ranging from over 100 per cent in some regions to barely 70-80 per cent in others.

The monsoon season got off to a slow start with a dry June. Sowing picked up pace following satisfactory rains in early July, but a largely dry August halted further progress. The dry spell in August severely impacted Marathwada, where crops are beginning to wither due to water scarcity. Farmers fear widespread crop loss if rain does not resume within a week.

According to the agriculture department data, Pune division led the state, achieving 101 per cent of its average sowing area with 12.66 lakh hectares covered. Within the division, Solapur reached 104 per cent, Pune recorded 100 per cent, and Ahilyanagar touched 99 per cent.

Nashik division achieved 98 per cent coverage across 19.85 lakh hectares, led by Nashik district at 101 per cent, followed by Dhule (98 per cent), Jalgaon (97per cent), and Nandurbar (90 per cent).

In the Vidarbha region, Amravati division completed 94 per cent of its target (29.83 lakh hectares), with Yavatmal (93 per cent) and Washim (93 per cent) registering steady numbers. In the Nagpur division (overall 94 per cent), Gondia district crossed its average to hit 113 per cent, whereas Chandrapur lagged at 88 per cent, and Nagpur and Bhandara recorded 90 per cent each.

Sowing reached 93 per cent in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division (with Jalna at 90 per cent) and 94 per cent in Latur division. Within Latur, Nanded reached 97 per cent, while Hingoli lagged significantly at 81 per cent.

Western Maharashtra saw an average of 93 per cent across 6.72 lakh hectares. Satara performed well at 99 per cent, but Sangli (89 per cent) and Kolhapur (87 per cent) recorded notable shortfalls.

The coastal Konkan region recorded the lowest sowing turnout in the state at just 83 per cent (3.23 lakh hectares). Raigad was the worst affected at 67 per cent, followed by Ratnagiri (71 per cent) and Sindhudurg (84 per cent). Thane and Palghar performed better, both reaching 96 per cent.

The department has listed key districts with higher sowing, including Gondia: 113 per cent, Solapur: 104 per cent, Nashik: 101 per cent, Pune: 100 per cent, Nanded: 97 per cent, Sangli: 89 per cent, Kolhapur: 87 per cent, Hingoli: 81 per cent and Raigad: 67 per cent.

Meanwhile, the weekly cabinet to be chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday will review sowing operations, water levels in over 3,000 irrigation reservoirs, emerging drought-like situation in Marathwada and relief measures, including availability of fodder for animals.

Patna, Sep 1: Sanjeev Mukhiya, whose name surfaced prominently in connection with the Patna NEET-UG question paper leak case in 2024, has received relief from a special court, which ordered his release from judicial custody after the CBI did not file a chargesheet against him.

The order was passed during a hearing on Monday evening, when Mukhiya appeared before the court through video conferencing.

The court directed his release after considering the status of the CBI investigation and the absence of a chargesheet against him.

However, he will stay in jail in another case.

Mukhiya had come under the scrutiny of investigating agencies after his alleged links to the NEET-UG paper leak surfaced.

The CBI had interrogated him and examined his possible role in the network allegedly involved in the leakage and distribution of the question paper.

However, during the course of its investigation, the agency did not file a charge sheet against Mukhiya.

The absence of sufficient evidence to proceed against him was taken into consideration during the court proceedings.

The CBI has investigated the roles of several accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case and, according to reports, has filed charge sheets against 45 accused persons.

The agency examined the alleged chain of events from the leakage of the question paper to its distribution among candidates.

The NEET-UG paper leak case came to light in 2024, following which the Bihar Police initially investigated the matter.

The Central government subsequently handed over the investigation to the CBI.

The CBI registered its own case on June 23, 2024, as RC-224/2024. A separate case had earlier been registered by the Bihar Police at Shastri Nagar police station in Patna as Case No. 358/2024.

After taking over the probe, the CBI questioned several suspects, examined documents and investigated the alleged network involved in the paper leak and the subsequent distribution of the question paper.

Sanjeev Mukhiya’s name emerged during the investigation, leading the agency to examine his alleged role.

He was questioned and subjected to remand proceedings, prompting speculation that he could eventually be chargesheeted.

However, the CBI ultimately did not file a chargesheet against him.

Based on the current status of the investigation, the special court has now ordered his release from judicial custody after the required bail bonds were furnished.

The court’s order provides Mukhiya relief from continued judicial custody in this case.

However, the order should not be interpreted as a judicial finding that all allegations surrounding the broader NEET-UG paper leak case have been disproved.