Daily Briefing: NTA overhaul, Tata succession battle, Nalanda meal scare

Good morning, A deadly fire erupted at a hotel in central Kolkata around 2 am, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives, including a child. The majority of the guests were asleep when flames and smoke spread rapidly through the building, hindering their attempts to evacuate. Firefighters utilized ladders and windows to rescue 28 individuals and transport them to hospitals, while six others sustained injuries.

Police reported that the hotel lacked proper firefighting equipment, while a survivor alleged the absence of adequate fire-safety measures. The deceased included nationals from Bangladesh, Meghalaya, and West Bengal. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and identifying the victims.

In other news, India's buffalo meat exports have hit a record $5.1 billion in 2025-26, a 25.6% increase from the previous year. The surge has continued this year, with exports surging 66.6% year-over-year to nearly $1.5 billion between April and June. Vietnam remains the top importer, but India is also selling to markets such as Egypt, Malaysia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.

The surge is driven by India's push for retail-ready packs instead of bulk exports, which can generate income for dairy farmers who sell old or low-yielding buffaloes. The industry is now seeking greater policy stability as five meat-processing plants in Uttar Pradesh were shut down.