Babus, mantris & buzz: Will there be more raids?

Informed sources suggest additional Income Tax and Economic Crime Division (ED) raids could occur nationwide over the following few months. Why did Prime Minister Narendra Modi confer privately with a government minister following the Cabinet meeting? The answer may lie in the fact that two Cabinet ministers hold dual portfolios.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan serves as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, while Lallan Singh oversees Panchayati Raj and Animal Husbandry & Fisheries. Currently, eight Cabinet ministers juggle at least two roles each.

Prime Minister Modi leads his peers in social media engagement, as demonstrated by a recent digital performance appraisal during a Union Cabinet meeting. The evaluation encompassed activities on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn between May 1 and August 15. Minister Modi achieved the highest score in terms of follower counts, posting frequency, engagement, average interactions per post, and the effectiveness of highlighting government initiatives, policies, and accomplishments.

In response to the rise of misinformation on social media, ministries across the Government of India are establishing Quick Response Teams (QRTs). Each QRT will be led by a Joint Secretary tasked with combating fake news and misleading narratives. Meanwhile, the Union government is reviewing UGC guidelines regarding caste-based discrimination on college campuses, and a five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee has been appointed to investigate violence and excessive force during student protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations.

Kerala's State Beverages Corporation is rewarding its employees with a substantial bonus exceeding ₹1 lakh per person, including security and housekeeping staff. Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas has been granted a six-month extension in his position, effective from September 1, 2026. The Supreme Court has not yet received the Collegium's recommendation for elevating certain advocates to judges of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Additionally, the Public Enterprise Selection Board has advertised the post of Chairman & Managing Director at AI Assets Holding Limited, with applications due by September 10, 2026.