THURSDAY 26 MARCH, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard BILL IN HOUSE TO TIGHTEN OVERSIGHT OVER NGOS X.com/TheMornStandard The government on Wednesday introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha RUSSIA The proposed amendment introduces a new Chapter IIIA to the FCRA Act, which provides for the creation of a powerful new authority that can seize and manage the assets of non-profits that lose their licences. The new authority would have provisional or permanent control over the assets SAYS IT FELL 389 UKRAINE DRONES Russian air defenses downed 389 incoming drones in what was the largest reported overnight attack on Russian regions and Crimea PAGE 9 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00 India is not a ‘dalaal’ nation like Pakistan: Govt at all-party meet US using Pak since 1981, says Jaishankar; Govt’s response unsatisfactory, says Opposition Attendees Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Congress MPs Mukul Wasnik and Tariq Anwar, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav and others leave after the meeting | PTI PREETHA NAIR & RAJESH KUMAR T H A K U R @ New Delhi THE government on Wednesday told an all-party meeting India can’t go after every country and act as a dalaal (broker) in reference to the reported mediation of Pakistan in the ongoing West Asia conflict. The meeting convened at the Parliament complex was attended by key Union ministers and several Opposition members, barring those from the Trinamool Congress, which boycotted the meeting. Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the all-party meet began with a primary briefing on the energy crisis and the measures being taken by India. Members were told about India’s preparedness to address the challenges as well as diplomatic efforts to protect the interest of the nation. Responding to the Opposition’s charge that Pakistan has been performing the mediator’s role while India remains a mute spectator, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Pakistan has been ‘used’ by the US since 1981, and there is nothing new in its mediation efforts in the matter, said sources. “We are not a dalaal nation,” Jais- hankar told the meeting. On the Opposition’s queries on the phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, Jaishankar said the PM has conveyed that the war in West Asia must end soon, as it is hurting everyone. Responding to CPI(M) MP John Brittas’ query on whether the government has ‘converted silence as the state craft’, the minister said India is “commenting and responding”. On another query on Trump’s ‘unprecedented tariffs’ on India, the government said tariffs have always been part of trade between the two countries. On NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule’s question on the tangible benefits of India‘s ties with the US and Israel, Jaishankar asserted that the US and Israel have been the largest business and defence partners of the country. “Iran is also happy with us,” the minister said. The Opposition, however, said the government’s answers were “unsatisfactory”. Lashing out at the government, Congress’s Tariq Anwar told this paper there should be a debate on the situation in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193 and in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 176. From the govt side, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, S Jaishankar, JP Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju attended. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made a presentation. Oppn leaders Tariq Anwar, Mukul Wasnik, Dharmendra Yadav & Sasmit Patra attended The meeting was unsatisfactory. The Opposition’s primary demand is for a debate in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the West Asia situation Congress leader Tariq Anwar Gone too far: UN chief Calling on the US and Israel to end the fighting with Iran, UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres Wednesday said the “war has gone too far and it has broken past limits.” Guterres added, “My message to Iran is to stop attacking their neighbours in the larger interest of all.” Iran rejects US peace plan, sets terms to end war A G E N C I E S @ Dubai IRAN on Wednesday dismissed an American plan to pause the war in West Asia, issuing its own counterproposal instead, as it launched more attacks on Israel and Arab countries. Two officials from Pakistan described the 15-point US proposal broadly, saying it addressed sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear programme, limits on missiles and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped. Iran issued it’s own counter-plan via state TV , which includes a halt to killings of its officials, means to make sure no other war is waged against it, reparations for the war, the end of hostilities and Iran’s “exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.” “Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met,” Iran’s Press TV quoted the official as saying. To the earlier white flag of the US, the official said “heavy blows” across the Gulf will continue DAY and that the “US is talking to itself.” The death toll from the war has risen to more than 1,500 people in Iran, nearly 1,100 people in Lebanon, 16 in Israel and 13 US military members, as well as a number of civilians on land and sea in the Gulf region. Analysts, however, pointed out that the arrival of more US troops in the Gulf and fresh missile strikes between Iran and Israel suggested chances of escalation remained. On Day 26 of the conflict, Iran fired cruise missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, warning of further launches if US advances anywhere near it. “We are closely monitoring all US movements in the region, especially troop deployments. What the generals have broke, the soldiers can’t fix... do not test our resolve to defend our land,” said Iran’s speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The US Department of Defense on Wednesday announced three agreements with defence contractors to boost production of missiles and other parts to replenish dwindling supplies used in the war. P9 CAG slams DJB for failing to repay loans worth `66.5K cr in 10 years A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi THE Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Wednesday rapped the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for failing to repay loans worth Rs66, 595 crore accrued over a period of 10 years. The CAG recommended the DJP should explore ways and means for the collection of the huge amount of dues outstanding from consumers. The audit noted that the outstanding loan of DJB increased from `25,140 crore in April 2017 to `34,540 crore in March 2022. Moreover, the interest on the accumulated loan was `32,055 EXPRESS READ London HC rejects Nirav Modi extradition plea The diamond trader’s petition to reopen proceedings against his extradition was rejected by the court. CBI has been seeking his extradition in PNB scam case. P7 ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS BATTLE FOR MUSLIM VOTE PICKS UP IN BENGAL I P8 CONG WILL OUST CORRUPT HIMANTA GOVT: GOGOI I P8 crore on March 31, 2022. However, the DJB has not repaid any loan to the Delhi government since 2013-14, and the total outstanding loan and interest stood at `66,595 crore as of March 2022. The CAG report on the DJB was tabled in the Delhi Assembly . In its reply to the auditor, the DJB stated that it is a non-profit organisation with the main objective of supplying water to more than 26 lakh consumers of Delhi, which comes under essential household service. To provide water supply the Delhi govern, ment grants loan to the DJB, because the income of the DJB from supply of water is not enough to repay the loan amount. Therefore, it requested the government to conver t the loans into grants. The decision is still pending with the Delhi government. The auditor rejected the reply, saying it did not make efforts to either periodically revise the water/ sewage charges nor made efforts for recovery of dues pending from consumers. The matt e r w a s re f e r re d t o t h e government in July 2023.  PAGES 12 The Opposition has criticised it as a dangerous step that could allow the government to exert excessive control over non-profits THE Congress has been served a notice directing it to vacate its long-time headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, by March 28. The Directorate of Estates issued the eviction notice days ago, asking the party to leave the Lutyens’ bungalow after its relocation to the new headquarters, Indira Bhawan, on January 15 last year. A party functionary familiar with the developments said that an initial intimation had been received around 25 days ago. The notice also covers the Indian Youth Congress office at 5, Raisina Road. Sources say that the party is considering legal options and is likely to seek a stay on the order. A team led by Rajya Sabha MP and senior Supreme Court lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi is examining the matter. Although various Congress organisations, including the Mahila Congress, Youth Congress, and NSUI as well as several party departments, were expected to shift to the new premises after the inaugura- associations are registered under the FCRA Act and receive around L22,000 cr Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai responded to the Opposition’s charge, saying it is indeed dangerous for those involved in forced religious conversions using foreign funds | P7 MODIFIED UDAN SCHEME REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY GETS A `28,840 CRORE BIG PUSH M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi THE Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved measures to expand regional air connectivity and modernise the country’s immigration system with a combined outlay of `30,640 crore. The Cabinet cleared the modified UDAN scheme with a total outlay of `28,840 crore for a 10-year period from April 1 to expand regional air connectivity . Under the new scheme, around 100 new airports would be built in challenge mode with a budgetary support of `12,159 crore. Besides, the Centre will provide 8090% viability gap funding to airlines for operating UDAN routes at an estimated cost of `10,043 crore over the tenyear period. Other measures include the construction of 200 modern helipads at a cost of `3,661 crore. New climate targets approved The Cabinet approved India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031 to 2035 India has committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 47% by 2035 from the 2005 level Will aim to achieve 60% cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035 Will create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes through forest cover Helicopter services are expected to enhance connectivity in the Himalayan region, North-East, island territories and aspirational districts, the government said. The Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “These decisions will strengthen infrastructure, improve ease of travel and support long-term economic growth.” In another deicision, the Cabinet approved a five-year extension of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme, committing `1,800 crore to modernise and secure the country’s immig ration system through March 2031. The IVFRT 3.0 aims to transform India’s immigration and visa ecosystem through next-generation technologies such as AI/ML tools, iris scanning, biometr i c a u t h e n t i c at i o n a n d AI-enabled cameras, the minister said. The current UDAN scheme ends this year. Since the launch of UDAN in 2016, the government said 663 routes have been operationalised across 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes. 26 FINAL JOURNEY Family members of Harish Rana, the first person in India to be allowed passive euthanasia after the Supreme Court’s intervention, bid farewell during his last rites at Green Park cremation ground in New Delhi on Wednesday | SHEKHAR YADAV Int’l arms racket busted, 10 arrested N I T I N R A W AT @ New Delhi DELHI Police has busted a cross-border arms trafficking module involving operations in Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh and arrested 10 key operatives. The police have disclosed the module initially sent weapons consignments West Asian countries from Pakistan, from where they were dismantled and sent to Nepal in scrap and assembled again there before being smuggled into India. The police have recovered one Czech Skorpion sub-machine gun, 20 Italian Beretta pistols, Brazilian Tauras, German Walther, CZ Shadow, Stoeger, Turkish PX- 5.7, and PX-3, Star, a police officer said. Shahbaz Ansari has been identified as the kingpin of this gang. He is an interstate arms trafficker, allegedly involved in supplying illegal firearms to criminal networks in north India, particularly in the National Capital Region and adjoining states. He has been linked with networks that facilitate the procurement, transportation, and distribution of sophisticated illegal weapons to gangsters and organised crime groups. Ansari was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in 2022 in an arms trafficking case and was also linked to murder of prominent Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, in which he is a key accused. He allegedly supplies illegal weapons and ammunition to the Three accused were trapped in Daryaganj DCP (crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said the police laid a trap on March 13 near Brijmohan Chowk, Daryaganj, and apprehended three suspects—Rahil, Haism, and Saim. Three star marked pistols and 14 live cartridges, were recovered from them. Interrogation revealed all three were linked with foreign-based handlers. Cong gets notice to vacate 24 Akbar Road office by Mar 28 P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi 16,000 SHEKHAR YADAV Allotted another property The Congress has been asked to leave the Lutyens’ bungalow after it got the new headquarters at Indira Bhawan on January 15 last year on Kotla Road. As per the rules, parties can’t retain multiple government-allocated properties in Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone. tion of Indira Bhawan at 9A, Kotla Marg, many continue to operate from their old offices. As per the rules by the Directorate of Estates under the Ministry of Housing and Ur- ban Affairs, political parties cannot retain multiple government-allocated properties in the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone. Once allotted a permanent office or land, they are required to vacate earlier or temporary accommodation, say the rules. The 24, Akbar Road, bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi was converted into the AICC headquarters after the party’s defeat in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections conducted after the Emergency . Historically, the property also housed Sir Reginald Maxwell, a member in charge of Home in Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s Executive Council. According to sources, the grandson of British officer Alan Braithwaite had once visited the residence from the UK. members of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which were said to have been used in Moosewala’s murder on May 29, 2022, in Punjab. In 2025, Ansari was released on interim bail, but he fled India and is currently believed to be operating from Bangladesh along with his uncle Rehan. His brother Shahzad Ansari is based in Dubai, who allegedly maintains contact with Pakistan-based handlers. The arrested people include Rahil (37), Hasim (45), Saim (24), Sonu Gupta (31), Ghanshyam Sharma (26), Wasim Malik, Nishant Arora alias Ankit (34), Mohammad Nauman (32), Mohammad Naushad (37), and Nawab (31). SONIA ILL, RAHUL CANCELS KERALA CAMPAIGN Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to launch Congress-led UDF’s election campaign in Kerala on Wednesday, but cancelled his visit due to Sonia Gandhi’s ill health. Instead, he addressed a virtual meet of party workers and asked them to take the party’s message to common people | P5