28 July 2026

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Bengal Police launch four helplines to fight corruption

28 July 2026 colorsnews.in

Kolkata, July 28 (IANS) West Bengal Police on Tuesday launched four dedicated toll-free helpline numbers for public involvement in preventing corruption in administrative functioning in the state.

The helpline numbers were officially launched at the state police headquarters of Bhavani Bhaban in South Kolkata on Tuesday afternoon by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Altogether four broader areas of corruption in administrative functioning have been identified, and each helpline number is dedicated to one of these areas.

For complaints against any public servant seeking cut-money (commission) against service, the helpline number is 155334. For syndicated corruption, the number is 155335.

The next helpline number, 155337, has been dedicated to instances of road-tax or toll-tax collection in unauthorised or illegal manners. The fourth number, 155339, is for complaints related to illicit liquor dens in any area of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal said that through these toll-free helpline numbers, anyone can register complaints on these four issues from any corner of the state.

“This control room where these four numbers will be operational will be open 24 hours. Every call will be recorded. There will be a specific time limit for resolving every complaint. A review report will be submitted to the Chief Minister’s office on the steps taken based on the complaint. Standard Operating Procedures have been prepared. This step is to solve the cancer of corruption that has spread in the state,” Agarwal said.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the initiative is to establish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a corruption-free administration in the state.

“We want to establish a united fight against corruption. The common people are invited to come forward in that fight. Our clear message is that in the fight against corruption, prompt action will be taken if complaints are received,” Adhikari said.

He also announced that during the next few hours, a total of 1,00,000 police personnel will be appointed to improve the police-to-public ratio in the state.

–IANS

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CWG 2026: Nataraj seals 100m backstroke SF berth; Sajan exits butterfly events

28 July 2026 colorsnews.in

Glasgow, July 28 (IANS) Srihari Nataraj extended India’s campaign in the Commonwealth Games 2026 swimming competition by advancing to the men’s 100m backstroke semifinals, while veteran Sajan Prakash’s challenge came to an end after he missed qualification in the men’s 50m butterfly on Tuesday.

Nataraj, a two-time Olympian and India’s national record holder in the event, safely progressed after finishing among the fastest 16 swimmers across the heats. The Bengaluru swimmer stopped the clock at 55.58 seconds to place fifth in his heat and 13th overall, comfortably securing a place in the semifinals scheduled later in the day.

The 25-year-old covered the opening 50 metres in 26.26 seconds before completing the race in 55.58. Although well outside his personal best of 53.77 seconds, set in 2021 and still the Indian national record, the timing proved sufficient to keep his medal hopes alive.

The qualification comes a day after Nataraj featured in India’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team, which reached the final before finishing sixth.

In contrast, it proved to be another difficult outing for Sajan Prakash, whose Commonwealth Games campaign concluded without another appearance beyond the preliminary rounds.

Competing in the ninth and final heat of the men’s 50m butterfly, the 32-year-old touched the wall in 24.94 seconds, placing eighth in his race and 28th overall. The performance left him well short of the qualification places and significantly outside his national record of 23.83 seconds.

The result followed another disappointing swim for the two-time Olympian, who had finished eighth in Monday’s men’s 200m butterfly final with a time of 1:58.05. That effort also fell below his personal best and national record of 1:56.38, highlighting a challenging campaign for one of India’s most experienced swimmers.

With Nataraj progressing to the semifinals, India’s hopes in the pool now rest largely on the backstroke specialist as he looks to become only the second Indian swimmer to win a Commonwealth Games medal.

To date, Prasanta Karmakar remains the country’s lone medallist in Commonwealth Games swimming, having claimed bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle S9 para event at the 2010 Delhi Games.

–IANS

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