Pune scores above Mumbai in happiness report

15 Jan 2021 CW Staff

Pune has emerged the happiest city in Maharashtra in the India Cities Happiness Report 2020 compiled by Rajesh K Pillania, a professor of strategic management at Management Development Institute, Gurugram. The city ranked 12th across India and has been classified a ‘new metro’. The study covered 13,000 people across 34 major cities of the country during October-November 2020.

Insights on factors to determine happiness were gathered from global thought leaders such as John F Hellwell, co-editor, the World Happiness Report, Richard Florida, leading urbanist, Padma Bhushan awardee MB Athreya, known as the founder of the Indian management movement, Jamie Lerner, world renowned architect and urban planner, among others.

As happiness is a subjective concept, six components were identified-- work and related issues such as earning and growth, relationships, including family and friends, health, including physical and mental, philanthropy, including social concerns, religious or/and spiritual orientation, and the impact of Covid-19 on happiness -- in the regression analysis across 36 states and Union territories to determine the results.

Infrastructure Urban

03 Apr 2026

Centre Disburses Over Rs 24,610 mn in XV Finance Commission Grants

The Union Government has released XV Finance Commission tied grants during the financial year 2025–26 to rural local bodies in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim and has released withheld portions of tied and untied grants to Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Tripura. The total disbursal exceeded Rs 24,610 mn, with figures expressed in million (mn) thereafter. The releases cover allocations pertaining to different financial years and aim to strengthen rural local governance. State-wise disbursements included Rs 3,324.6 mn for Punjab, Rs 9,432.7 mn for Madhya Pradesh, Rs 3,47..

Centre Releases Over Rs 15 bn as XV FC Grants to Rural Bodies

The Union Government has released over Rs 15 bn in grants recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in six states. The funds comprise tied and untied grants disbursed in FY 2025–26. Telangana received Rs 2.48 bn as the first instalment of untied grants for FY 2025–26, benefitting 12600 Gram Panchayats (GPs). Uttarakhand received Rs 913.1 mn as the second instalment and an additional Rs 18.4 mn of a withheld first instalment was released to a further 216 GPs. Mizoram is included among beneficiary st..

Government Assures Fuel Supplies And Seafarer Safety Amid West Asia Developments

The Government of India has stepped up coordinated measures to maintain stability in critical sectors as developments in West Asia continue to unfold. It has prioritised uninterrupted energy supplies, safeguarded maritime operations and extended consular assistance to nationals. Central authorities are working with State and Union territory administrations to ensure timely information dissemination and operational continuity. Refineries are reported to be operating at high capacity with adequate inventories of petrol and diesel, and domestic LPG production has been increased to support consump..