News Broadcasting
UPA government kept security lapses secret: Finance Ministry Enquiry Report
MUMBAI: TV18’s news English news channel CNN IBN acquired possession of an internal enquiry report by the finance ministry, which reveals that during the printing of Indian currency, security features were compromised. The lapses were also kept under wraps by senior officials working under Ministry of Finance. The incident happened during the previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) regime in 2012.
The use of a security thread is the most distinguishing feature of bank notes. The enquiry report, which says the security thread inserted in currency paper at the Hoshangabad Security Paper Mill were from an Islamic nation. The defect in the paper intended for 10 rupee notes was reported on 8 November, 2012, but was kept a secret.
The report says:
Examination of the 10 rupee notes showed indecipherable text on the security thread.
The notes either had Arabic text inscribed on the security thread or did not have any security thread at all.
The security thread was also found to be non-magnetic when examined on a quality control device.
The currency paper with the defective security thread initially escaped at least four to five quality checks.
It was later found that four boxes of sheets had defective currency paper.
At 5,000 sheets to a box, and 50 notes printed on each sheet, it works out to a whopping 10 lakh defective notes printed.
The company, which supplied the defective security thread, New Delhi-based Aristocraft International, faced no action. The MD of Aristocraft refused to comment.
The serious lapse was also kept under wraps by senior officers at Security Paper Mill and Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India for over three months. No report was sent to Home Ministry or Finance Ministry. In fact, officers allowed the supplier to change the security thread stock without punitive action. Even now no action has been taken against the officers or the supplier.
It is yet to be verified if there was any corruption involved. But clearly the lapses were so serious that it could have impacted national security exposing the country to allegations of counterfeiting its own currency.
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
