The Week It Was” | April 1–7, 2026
* National Milestones: Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy made history this week, being sworn in as India’s first openly queer Rajya Sabha MP.
* Digital Highways: The Ministry of Road Transport announced that from April 10, FASTag and UPI will be the only way to pay tolls; cash payments at booths will be officially phased out to ensure seamless traffic.
* Governance in West Bengal: The Supreme Court declined to withdraw Central Forces from West Bengal, citing ongoing law and order concerns ahead of the upcoming local shifts.
* Weather Watch: A massive temperature dip across North India this week resembled February conditions, with the IMD warning of hailstorms that may impact the early harvest.
* Gujarat Election Mode: The State DGP held a high-level security meeting as the Model Code of Conduct is now in force for 15 Municipal Corporations and 84 Municipalities. Final nominations are due by April 11.
* Surat & Ahmedabad Wages: New Minimum Wage standards came into effect this week (Oct 2025–Mar 2026 cycle), with a ₹48.50 VDA hike that all local businesses must now reflect in their payroll.
* World Health Day: Today, April 7, marks World Health Day. Ahmedabad hospitals reported a significant milestone this week, adding 2,000 new beds in a post-pandemic infrastructure push.
* Civic Alert: While Ahmedabad prepares for its 2041 Development Plan, a new civic audit revealed that 10% of outskirts like Gota and Vastral are still awaiting formal drainage networks.
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