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The Odisha government has announced a Rs 74.78 crore welfare package for lakhs of people associated with the state's kendu leaf sector, including pluckers, binders and seasonal staff. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved higher procurement rates, bonuses and incentives aimed at boosting incomes for workers engaged in the collection of the forest produce, often referred to as Odisha's "Green Gold".

Under the package, the government has increased the procurement price by 10 paise per kerry (20 leaves) and 20 paise per phala (40 leaves), a revision that will cost the state Rs 10.78 crore. The chief minister also sanctioned a 25% bonus for kendu leaf pluckers and a 5% incentive for binders and seasonal staff, with these benefits accounting for Rs 64 crore of the total outlay.

Kendu leaves are among Odisha's most important minor forest produce and provide seasonal employment to lakhs of people, particularly tribal communities, generating over 100 lakh person-days of work every summer when agricultural employment is limited. The welfare measures are expected to strengthen rural livelihoods while supporting one of the state's key forest-based industries.

Writer Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, economist Jayati Ghosh and several other eminent citizens have appealed to educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other protesters on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to end their fast, while reiterating support for their demand seeking Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, the signatories said they were "immensely grateful" to the protesters for leading the agitation but expressed concern over their deteriorating health. They urged the protesters to end the hunger strike, saying the movement was "a marathon, not a sprint" and that their leadership would be needed for the longer struggle ahead.

The appeal came on the 24th day of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest and the 16th day of Wangchuk's indefinite fast. According to the organisers, Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg since beginning the hunger strike, while AISA activist Deepak, who had also been fasting since June 28, was admitted to Delhi's RML Hospital after his health worsened.

West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh on Monday said July 21 Martyrs' Day should not be seen as a Trinamool Congress (TMC) programme, describing it instead as a significant day in the state's political history commemorating those killed in police firing during a political protest.

Addressing reporters, Ghosh said the day is observed as a "black day" to remember political workers who lost their lives, adding that people across political parties have the right to pay tribute. He alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had appropriated the occasion for the TMC and claimed there was now infighting within the party over who should lead the tributes.

Ghosh also noted that those killed were Congress workers and said the Congress, along with others wishing to honour their memory, would pay their respects on the occasion.

Gujarat has intensified its response to the Chandipura virus, stepping up surveillance, fogging and medicine distribution after a high-level review chaired by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, while directing hospitals to ensure timely treatment of suspected cases.