Telangana State Sees Decline in Cultivated Area Due to Unpredictable Rainfall
Unpredictable Rainfall Causes Significant Decline in Telangana’s Kharif Crop Area
Telangana‘s agricultural sector has faced adverse consequences over the past few months due to erratic rainfall patterns, resulting in a reduction of nearly 6.5 lakh acres in the sown area for the kharif season compared to the previous year, as reported by the agriculture department.
The region experienced heavy rain followed by a delayed monsoon period, followed by another bout of heavy rains, which disrupted farming activities.
As the southwest monsoon prepares to withdraw, this year’s kharif crop sown area decreased to 1.25 crore acres, down from 1.32 crore acres in 2022. However, paddy cultivation remained stable, accounting for 44.22 lakh acres, the largest among all other crops.
Telangana State Sees Decline in Cultivated Area Due to Unpredictable Rainfall
According to the agriculture department’s report submitted to the state government, the total sown area for kharif crops in TS as of September 20 stood at 1,25,77,607 acres, in contrast to 1,32,25,878 acres the previous year, marking a decline of 6,48,271 acres.
Bandi Alleges KCR Used Donations for Ganesh Pandals to Attract Voters:
BJP’s National General Secretary and Karimnagar MP, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, accused Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) of employing various tactics to secure votes in upcoming elections. Sanjay Kumar alleged that KCR’s party had contributed substantial amounts of money to establish Ganesh pandals in each assembly constituency and was using Ganesh Chaturthi festivities for political gains. He made these claims during a media interaction after visiting Ganesh pandals in different Karimnagar city neighborhoods.
The MP further accused KCR of allegedly distributing sums ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 per vote during past by-elections in the state, criticizing KCR’s tenure as ten years of mismanagement and political maneuvering, devoid of significant achievements for the people.
Sanjay Kumar condemned KCR for suspending Group-I examinations, impacting the lives of numerous students, and expressed concerns about the state’s inability to conduct 10th and intermediate examinations effectively. He underscored the adverse consequences of KCR’s rule on youth, highlighting the tragic suicide of a student named Murali Mudiraj at the university.
The BJP MP called for the state government to grant Rs 1 lakh to each Group-I examination candidate and requested age relaxation for future exam attempts to enable all unemployed youth to participate. He also advocated for financial support of Rs 3,116 for every unemployed individual until they secure employment.
Bandi Alleges KCR Used Donations for Ganesh Pandals to Attract Voters
Bandi Sanjay Kumar expressed concern about the high prevalence of drug use in the state and criticized KCR’s promotion of liquor, which, he claimed, was contributing to alcohol addiction.
He emphasized the BJP’s efforts to challenge and potentially unseat CM KCR, urging the public to join forces with the BJP in opposing the BRS government.
Jana Sena and Telugu Desam to Collaborate Closely: A Unified Effort:
Nara Brahmani, the spouse of Telugu Desam General Secretary Nara Lokesh, emphasized on Sunday the need for Jana Sena and Telugu Desam to collaborate closely, akin to a fraternal bond, in order to collectively remove the YSRC from power.
During their meeting with Brahmani in Rajamahendravaram, Jana Sena leaders such as Kandula Durgesh, East Godavari president, Tummala Babu, in charge of Peddapuram, Varupula Tammayya, and others expressed their solidarity with the family of the detained TD chief, Chandrababu Naidu. They vehemently criticized the arrest, deeming it unlawful.
They stressed that a unified effort was imperative to confront the YSRC. Brahmani shared her perspective on the deteriorating conditions in the state under the current administration. She mentioned having thoroughly reviewed all the CID documents and reports pertaining to N. Chandrababu Naidu, concluding that no incriminating evidence against him had been found.
Brahmani asserted that the case against Chandrababu was politically motivated and an act of vengeance. She also lamented the lack of employment opportunities for the youth, alongside the prevalent use of ganja and drugs in Andhra Pradesh.
In attendance at the meeting were Jana Sena leaders like Mootha Sashidhar, Thota Sudhir, Pithani Balakrishna, Tangella Udaya Srinivas, Polisetty Chandrasekhar, Ganta Rani, Bathula Balaramakrishna, Vasireddy Siva, Marreddy Srinivas, and others.
Former Home Minister and senior Telugu Desam leader introduced the Jana Sena leaders to Brahmani.
Jana Sena and Telugu Desam to Collaborate Closely A Unified Effort
Jana Sena leader Kandula Durgesh disclosed that a coordination committee comprising representatives from both parties would be established to organize protests against the ruling YSRC. The committee would also make decisions regarding seat allocation in upcoming elections.
The Manipur government has called for the termination of the free movement agreement with Myanmar, which enables residents living near the India-Myanmar border to travel up to 16 km into each other’s territory without documentation.
This move, with potential international implications, comes as mobile internet services, suspended since May 3 due to ethnic violence, are set to be reinstated on Saturday. Manipur’s Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, explained that the suspension aimed to curb the spread of fake news and hate speech during the unrest. Internet services have been resumed there.
He emphasized that the ongoing situation is a consequence of previous governments’ poorly planned policies, rather than a recent decision. Singh also noted that his government has urged the Union Home Ministry to cancel the free movement agreement and highlighted that security forces were not effectively guarding the border, often stationed 14-15 km within Indian territory instead of at the zero point.
Manipur’s Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, has disclosed that the Union Home Ministry is actively implementing measures to secure 60 km of the international border in Manipur. He emphasized his government’s commitment to addressing the issue of “illegal immigrants” and highlighted the importance of completely fencing the India-Myanmar border. Singh also confirmed the ongoing collection of biometric data from “illegal” immigrants in the state and Internet sericies too.
Furthermore, the chief minister criticized the prevalence of strikes (bandh culture) and incidents involving widespread verbal abuse directed at MLAs, ministers, and police officials. He expressed concern about these issues diverting people from genuine concerns and generating conflicts among residents.
Singh reported improvements in the security situation over the past two months, with a reduction in the frequency of firing incidents thanks to heightened security force presence in vulnerable areas.
He emphasized the rising problem of drug and substance abuse among the state’s youth and reiterated his government’s commitment to the ‘war on drugs’ initiated in 2018. Singh emphasized the need to intensify efforts to eradicate poppy plantations in the hills, facilitated by a committee established in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Narcotics & Affairs of Border (NAB). This committee will employ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones for poppy plantation surveillance and eradication.
Mobile Internet Services Resume in Manipur
The chief minister also noted the resettlement of people from Torbung, Serou, and Koutruk, who were displaced due to ethnic violence, and the completion of prefabricated house construction in various locations.
Singh highlighted the surge in extortion, kidnappings, and other crimes committed by individuals posing as police officers and stressed that his government has initiated several measures to establish the rule of law in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, and Imphal.
Supreme Court to Review High Court Verdict on Naidu’s Quash Petition:
Chandrababu Naidu’s Legal Team Files Supreme Court Petition Challenging High Court Ruling Counsel representing N. Chandrababu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has submitted a petition to the SC challenging the decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
The Supreme Court registry has received a copy of the petition, and it is expected to be scheduled for a hearing on Monday. The Andhra Pradesh High Court rejected the quash petition, citing its inability to intervene in the late stages of the investigation.
The court also noted that the petition, filed under Section 482, cannot serve as a mini-trial. Additionally, the court expressed concerns that releasing funds to Siemens with certain recommendations could potentially lead to the misuse of public funds, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive examination by experts.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asserted on Friday that the BJP would secure a historic mandate in the year-end assembly polls, ensuring their continued rule in the state.
He attributed his confidence to the overwhelming response received during the ongoing ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra,’ a large-scale outreach initiative initiated by the Bharatiya Janata Party on September 3, which has garnered tremendous enthusiasm among the people across the state.
Mr. Chouhan declared, while addressing party workers here, that the Jan Ashirwad Yatra is generating an unparalleled and enthusiastic response from the people across the state. He added that he could sense the sentiments of the people during the yatra, leading him to assert confidently that it would result in the party’s most significant victory in the upcoming state assembly elections.
The chief minister remarked that the yatra received acclaim from the people wherever it traversed, and he had never witnessed such fervor among the people for the party’s yatra before.
BJP initiated five yatras across the state, which began on September 3 and are set to converge in a grand event on September 25, coinciding with the birth anniversary of BJP ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a Bharatiya Janata Party rally on that day.
The BJP’s mass outreach program has already reached approximately two crore people in the state, according to a party spokesperson.
Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, leading one of the yatras in Budhni, which is currently represented by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, asserted on Friday that Bharatiya Janata Party would secure a two-thirds majority in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. He noted that in previous assembly elections, BJP only launched one yatra before the polls in the state, but this time, they opted for five yatras to ensure extensive coverage of the state’s population.
BJP to Win Big: Shivraj Chouhan
In response, the opposition Congress dismissed the claims made by the two senior BJP leaders, stating that they were indulging in wishful thinking. Congress spokesperson K K Mishra confidently stated that Congress would secure a majority in the upcoming state assembly elections.
Kamal Nath Unveils Statue of Shivaji in Pandhurna, Madhya Pradesh:
Kamal Nath, the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the district headquarters of Pandhurna, Madhya Pradesh, on Friday. Aditya Thakre, a leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) and former Maharashtra minister, attended the event. Pandhurna, a newly formed district, was carved out of Chhindwara district, which is considered Mr. Nath’s political stronghold. The district shares a border with Maharashtra and has a significant Maharashtrian population.
Mr. Nath had previously represented the Chhindwara parliamentary constituency nine times before winning the polls from the Sauser seat under the Lok Sabha constituency in the last assembly elections. Currently, Chhindwara LS constituency and all the assembly seats under it are held by Congress.
During the event, Mr. Nath mentioned his long-standing association with the Thakre family and their old bond. He recounted how he was asked by the late Sanjay Gandhi to meet the founder of Shiv Sena, the late Balasaheb Thakre, to seek his support for the government at the Centre during the imposition of the emergency. According to Mr. Nath, Balasaheb Thakre had supported the Congress on the issue at that time.
Mr. Thakre expressed his desire to see Mr. Nath return as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. He criticized the Centre for failing to control inflation and referred to the Maharashtra Chief Minister as an “illegal Chief Minister.”
In a post on social media, Mr. Thakre announced the unveiling of the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in Pandhurna, Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, by former Chief Minister Kamal Nath. He mentioned that there was an atmosphere of change in Madhya Pradesh.
Kamal Nath Unveils Statue of Shivaji in Pandhurna, Madhya Pradesh
Notably, the unveiling of the Shivaji statue in Pandhurna by Mr. Nath has sparked a political controversy, with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan describing it as “double standards” by the Congress leader. Mr. Chouhan stated that Mr. Nath had previously opposed the installation of a Shivaji statue in Sauser, which he currently represents. He accused Mr. Nath of showing a fake face and hiding his true intentions.
Women’s Group Calls for Reintroduction of Bill with 50% Reservation:
The All India Coordination Committee of Progressive Organisation of Women (POW), Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan (PMS), and Istri Jagriti Manch (IJM) have called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reintroduce the Women’s Reservation Bill with an increased reservation for females, raising it from 33 percent to 50 percent.
The committee criticized the current version of the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill proposed by the BJP-led government, likening it to a mere political tool. They accused the BJP of using it for election propaganda and noted that government-owned media outlets are already promoting it as a gift to females from the Modi government.
Women’s Group Calls for Reintroduction of Bill with 50% Reservation
The All India Coordination Committee urged for the immediate implementation of the bill, emphasizing its inclusion in the 2024 elections. They suggested disconnecting it from census and delimitation, as these factors are unrelated to the implementation of women’s reservations. The committee also proposed accommodating sub-quotas for OBCs, SCs, and STs within the bill.
Furthermore, the committee advocated for the bill’s applicability to seats in both the Rajya Sabha and legislative councils.
Assess Success of Schemes,” Urges CM MK Stalin to Planners:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has urged the State Planning Commission’s deputy chairperson and members to assess the effectiveness of government welfare schemes, provide reports on their impact, and ensure that the advice they offer to various government departments is being properly implemented.
During the fourth meeting of the State Planning Commission, Stalin also encouraged the commission to expedite the development of policies related to waste management, agricultural land use, water resources, employment and skill development, and housing.
Assess Success of Schemes, Urges CM MK Stalin to Planners
He expressed gratitude for the commission’s contributions to policy decisions in areas such as gender dysphoria, medical rights, tourism, and more, emphasizing its role in guiding the government’s progress. Stalin also called for a study on the impact of the “Naan Mudhalvam” (I am Leader) scheme, which aims to prepare students for post-education careers and has helped 1,74,183 youth secure jobs.
BRS Secures Advantage by Announcing Early Assembly Election Candidates:
The BRS has taken the lead by announcing its candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections ahead of other parties. Most of these candidates have already covered all the manuals, with some even campaigning in villages. Meanwhile, other parties are still in the process of finalizing their candidate lists.
In addition to promoting the government’s welfare and development initiatives, several party candidates have already begun distributing voter slips, a task typically reserved for closer to the polling day.
BRS Secures Advantage by Announcing Early Assembly Election Candidates
This early announcement has allowed the party leadership to address concerns among aspirants who were not selected and potentially prevent rebellions or defections to other parties. Party President and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has renominated nearly all sitting MLAs, minimizing the chances of discontented aspirants seeking alternatives
