Alvida Ahmedbhai: Sibal pens poem for Cong stalwart

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Alvida Ahmedbhai: Sibal pens poem for Cong stalwart

Congress leader Kapil Sibal has penned a poem in the memory of Congress stalwart Ahmed Patel, who passed away early on Wednesday morning.

He wrote:

“I never thought
you’ll go so soon
will feel the loss
for long

Congress has lost
it’s Northern Star
who guided it
for long

dotted the i’s
untied the knots
when Congress
needed help

for you the Party
was your first love
you never thought
of self

Alvida Ahmadbhai.”

As condolences pour in, his body will be flown to Gujarat to his native place and the last rites will be performed there.

Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to Patel’s family and said: “Ahmed Ji epitomized courage and loyalty in public life. He stood by the Congress party through its most difficult times. I will miss his wisdom, his intellect, and his unwavering commitment to the Congress party. He will continue to guide us and inspire every Congress worker to carry forward our mission. My thoughts, prayers, and love are with you and your family in this difficult time.”

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “I am saddened to hear the shocking news of the untimely death of Shri Ahmed Patel Ji. Shri Ahmed Patel ji was one of the most trusted leaders of the Congress Party and a great friend of mine. His passing away is an irreparable loss to the Congress Party.”

Telangana ready to administer Covid vaccine: KCR to PM

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Telangana ready to administer Covid vaccine: KCR to PM

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced that the state government is ready to administer the “scientifically approved vaccine” for Covid-19 to the people.

He felt that it should be verified whether the vaccine has any side effects before its administration. Rao expressed the opinion during a videoconference meet which Prime Minister Narendra Modi held with all the Chief Ministers to discuss the method pertaining to distribution and administering of the vaccine to people.

“People are eagerly waiting for the vaccine. A scientifically approved vaccine is the need of the hour. The Telangana state government is ready to distribute and administer the vaccine to people on a priority basis. Accordingly, we have drawn an action plan. However, one has to take into consideration whether the vaccine has any side effects,” said KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known.

“There are different weather and climatic conditions in the country. Coronavirus also did not affect the country in a uniform manner. Vaccine too may give different side effects in different regions,” he said.

KCR suggested that initially a batch of vaccine doses be sent to the states, which can be administered to some people. “Let us assess the situation after administering vaccine on these people and then administer it to the rest,” he added.

After the videoconference, he held a meeting with the officials and directed them to prepare an action plan to administer the vaccine in the State and also instructed them to create the required infrastructure facilities.

KCR also instructed the officials to put in place a cold chain all over the state. He said committees should be formed at the state, district, and Mandal levels to conduct the vaccination program.

He said the vaccine should be given first to the Covid warriors and frontline workers like the police and other departments, people above 60 years of age, and those people suffering from acute diseases. He asked them to prepare a list.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Principal Secretary, CMO, S Narsing Rao, Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Murtuza Rizvi, Medical Health Director Srinivas Rao, Medical Education Director Ramesh Reddy, Health University VC Karunakar Reddy, Covid Experts Committee member Gangadhar and others participated.

Karnataka well prepared for Covid-19 vaccine delivery: Minister

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Karnataka well prepared for Covid-19 vaccine delivery: Minister

Karnataka has identified 29,451 vaccination sites and 10,008 vaccinators as per the norms of the Universal Immunization Programme, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister K Sudhakar said here on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after the Karnataka Task Force members’ meeting on the state’s preparedness here, the minister said that the state had already initiated the necessary action for Covid-19 vaccine delivery, distribution, and administration as per the union government’s advice.

“Health Care Workers data has already been compiled for all the government facilities. 80% of the private health facilities have also shared their data. Compilation of data for the remaining 20% private facilities is likely to be completed in a week’s time,” he informed.

The minister that Karnataka has around 2855 cold chain points for storage and distribution of vaccines. The state government had also proposed setting up three new regional vaccine stores — Bengaluru Urban, Shivamogga, and Bellary, he added.

These newly proposed regional vaccine stores will also require additional walk-in-coolers and walk-in-freezers.

“Karnataka already has 10 walk-in-coolers and four walk-in-freezers. Besides this, the union government is going to supply three walk-in-coolers and two walk-in-freezers for which necessary civil works are being initiated,” the minister said.

He added that Karnataka had sought exact information about the total storage capacity required for the vaccines. “We have already requested the union government to provide information to have an exact assessment of the cold storage capacity required for Covid-19 vaccine programme, the number of doses in each vial, the volume of a vial, etc,” he said.

The union government also helped Karnataka to get a dry storage facility space assessment for the vaccine programme. “Union government has already allocated certain deep freezers and ice-lined refrigerators as per the Universal Immunization Programme norms,” he said.

BJP leaders are cousin brothers of Goebbels claims KTR

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BJP leaders are cousin brothers of Goebbels claims KTR

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Tuesday described BJP leaders as cousin brothers of Goebbels.

Launching a scathing attack on BJP leaders for their false propaganda against the TRS government in Telangana, he also said that if the saffron party is voted to power in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) it will even sell away Charminar, Golconda, and GHMC in the name of disinvestment.

Addressing a news conference, he slammed the BJP for releasing the charge sheet against TRS. “How many charge sheets people of this country will have to present against BJP,” he asked referring to the party’s unfulfilled promises of Rs.15 lakh in the bank account of every citizen.

Reacting to the release of the charge sheet by central minister Prakash Javadekar, Rama Rao said as a central minister he should at least check what he is releasing. “It is full of half-truths, lies, and utter lies,” he said.

KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, ridiculed BJP for calling the TRS government TRS-MIM government. “Since the formation of Telangana state, it’s only the TRS which is in power. No other party is sharing power,” he said alleging that this shows the BJP’s bias and hatred against Muslims.

“It was you who formed a government with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. You shared power with separatists,” said KTR, who is also the minister for municipal administration, urban development, industry, and information technology.

The TRS leader said it was ironic that the ministry of the central government praised Telangana for its success in ensuring drinking water supply but the same party which is in power at the center is releasing a charge sheet.

KTR remarked that the same party had no shame in copying the schemes of Telangana like Rythu Bandhu and give it the name of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

The TRS leader reminded BJP of its unfulfilled promise of creating two crore jobs every year. “For this 12 crore charge sheets should be presented against you,” he said.

He also slammed the BJP government for canceling the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) project for Telangana which deprives job opportunities to lakhs of youth.

KTR also came down heavily on BJP for demonetization and unplanned lockdown saying this rendered lakhs of people jobless.

“Your inefficient and bankrupt economic policies led to eight consecutive quarters of slowdown. From slowdown, the economy was thrown into lockdown and from lockdown to the recession. It was your inefficiency and you blame God for this by calling it an act of god,” he said.

KTR claimed that India is lagging behind Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in GDP growth. He also flayed the BJP government for disinvestment in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and the move to privatize even railways.

Cyclone Nivar: Modi dials TN & Puducherry CMs, assures support

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Cyclone Nivar: Modi dials TN & Puducherry CMs, assures support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry ahead of the impending cyclone that is going to cross into the state and UT by Wednesday.

“Spoke to Tamil Nadu CM Shri E Panneerselvam and Puducherry CM Shri V Narayanasami regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas,” the PM tweeted.

Earlier on Monday, Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the status of impending Cyclone through video conferencing with the Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

The Cabinet Secretary had told the officials that the Crisis Management Committee is aiming at “zero loss of life” and early restoration of normalcy in the affected areas. He has ordered strict implementation of the advisories. Fishermen are not to venture into the sea.

Jagan launches women’s safety app Abhayam in Vizag

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Jagan launches women’s safety app Abhayam in Vizag

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday launched Abhayam, an app that tracks the movements of 1,000 auto-rickshaws in Visakhapatnam, aimed at enhancing the safety of women and children who use local transportation to commute.

Reddy virtually launched the first phase of the Abhayam project, based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which was sanctioned by the Government of India under the Nirbhaya scheme.

“The application helps passengers travel around the city safely and securely, the vehicles are attached with IoT devices to track their movement and make sure no illicit acts take place,” said an official. Through Abhayam, a driver’s behavior can also be monitored on the dashboard at the command control center. In Visakhapatnam, 1,000 auto rickshaws equipped with GPS have been linked to Abhayam.

“Before boarding the vehicle, a passenger will need to scan the QR code affixed on the vehicle. The details of the driver and the photo will be displayed on the application,” he said.

Once a passenger boards an auto-rickshaw linked to Abhayam, three possible routes will be geo-fenced, enabling the passenger to share the trip details with any three pre-selected confidants.

“If the passenger does not have a smartphone or any phone in hand, she can press the panic button in the IoT device fitted in the vehicle. Once alerted, the intimation will reach the command control center, and officials from the nearest police station will be assigned,” said the official in case of an emergency.

Additionally, the vehicle’s engine will also be immobilized, along with the sounding of an alarm for the nearest police officials to take action.

“Women’s safety and security have been given the topmost priority, be it 50 percent reservation to women or by major schemes like Amma Vodi, YSR Cheyutha, and YSR Asara launched to support women’s empowerment. Apart from Disha police stations, the government is taking several steps to set up special courts in every district,” the Chief Minister said.

He said that the government has also ensured that a lady police officer is appointed in every village and ward secretariat.

“With the new application launched by the state government, women and children can now travel safely in the local transport. We are setting up devices to thousand vehicles in Visakhapatnam as the first installment, aiming to increase the number of vehicles to one lakh by November 2021,” Reddy added.

DMK warns TN CM and state Police of serious consequences

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DMK warns TN CM and state Police of serious consequences

Tamil Nadu’s principal opposition party DMK on Monday warned the state police and Chief Minister K. Palaniswami of serious consequences if its election campaign is stopped.

A resolution to this effect was passed at the party’s high-level working committee meeting that was held at the party’s headquarters here.

According to DMK, Palaniswami has been touring the state on the pretext of reviewing coronavirus prevention measures and converting government functions into political rallies.

Similarly, other ministers are also doing the same.

The DMK said the state police is not arresting the Chief Minister, Ministers, lawmakers, and others as they covert government functions into political functions.

On the other hand, the police are not giving permission to the DMK to meet the people and hear their problems. The DMK had kickstarted its massive pre-assembly poll outreach program on November 20.

The police had arrested DMK’s youth wing leader Udayanidhi Stalin for holding a program without police permission.

DMK said 15 party leaders will hold 15,000 meetings, travel 15,00 km, hold 10 lakh discussions to spread DMK President M. K. Stalin’s message ‘Towards the Dawn’, in four phases.

‘Nominated’ leaders should avoid making statements publicly: Congress

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‘Nominated’ leaders should avoid making statements publicly: Congress

The Congress has launched a counter-attack against the senior leaders who have made statements about the party in public.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, “The nominated senior leaders have access to the party leadership and should refrain from speaking publicly.

Khera pointed out that Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is pushing for CWC elections, is a CWC nominated member who can just pick the phone and call anybody instead of making public statements.

Maintaining that every party has an internal system to discuss each issue, including the Bihar election results, Khera said, “I hope the senior leaders will put forward the best example.

Azad, who is one of the dissenters who had questioned the party leadership and functioning, has demanded that the party should hold elections to strengthen the organization and make it more responsible.

Dismissing allegations of rebellion leveled against the dissenters, Azad, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said, “We are reformists and want a revival of the party.”

Azad, the second senior Congress leader after former Union minister Kapil Sibal to speak about the party’s dismal show in the Bihar Assembly polls, said that the Congress should shed the five-star culture, at least during elections, and insisted that the leaders should reach out to the people. Azad also insisted that elections should be held at different levels of the party so that people become responsible and work for the party.

Azad also said that there are no issues with the first family in the Congress and gave a clean chit to interim party chief Sonia Gandhi and former President Rahul Gandhi.

He also noted that the party should be more active at the ground level during elections, a statement that has been perceived as a direct criticism of the leaders involved in the Bihar elections.

Sibal too had raised similar concerns. Contending that he was “compelled to speak publicly” as there is “no forum in the party to discuss party issues”, he said the Congress needs efficient and senior leaders to manage elections.

TRS promises free drinking water in Hyderabad

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TRS promises free drinking water in Hyderabad

Following in the footsteps of Delhi, the government of Telangana has promised a free drinking water supply to every household in Hyderabad using up to 20,000 liters per month.

Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday announced that people in the state capital will get free water from December.

The promise form part of the TRS manifesto for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls released by the TRS chief.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said Hyderabad will become the second city in India after Delhi to provide free drinking water. “This move will benefit 97 percent of consumers in the city,” he said.

The TRS chief said he spoke to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal about the implementation of the scheme. “The government of Delhi is providing Rs 200-300 crore subsidy for the scheme and we estimate it will be on similar lines in Hyderabad,” he said.

KCR appealed to people to cooperate in ensuring that the water is not wasted. He said if the scheme is successfully implemented in Hyderabad, it will be extended to other municipalities.

The chief minister also announced free electricity to saloons run by Nayee Brahmin (barbers) community and to dhobi ghats and laundries of the Rajaka (washermen) community across the state.

TRS also promised a waiver of Motor Vehicle tax to the tune of Rs 267 crore for transport vehicles during the COVID-19 period (March to September).

The Chief Minister said all commercial establishments and industries in HT and LT categories will be exempted from minimum demand charges from March to September.

NDA has rolled out many projects waiting in queue for years, says PM

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NDA has rolled out many projects waiting in queue for years, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated a multi-storeyed residential complex for Members of Parliament, the complex has been built after demolishing eight bungalows, which will now be replaced by 76 flats.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said: “The problem which has persisted for years should not be overlooked but the solution should be found, not only residential complex of MPs, many projects which were stuck for years have been completed.”

“Many projects started in this government has been completed in due time, Ambedkar National Center which was discussed during Ataljis time have been built during this government,” he gave examples.

The PM said that building of the Central Information Commissioner has also been built, the police memorial was also built-in recognition of the police personnel who laid their lives.

The Prime Minister said the concepts of the green building like a solar plant, rainwater harvesting, sewage treatment were used while constructing the multi-storeyed flats for the MPs.

“Accommodation for the Members of Parliament has been a long-standing problem but it is now solved. Decades of old problems don’t end by avoiding them, but by finding solutions,” the PM added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was also present during the inaugural ceremony that took place virtually.

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