All NE state capitals to be linked by air, rail by 2023-24: Amit Shah

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All NE state capitals to be linked by air, rail by 2023-24: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here on Saturday that the northeastern region would be the countrys growth destination and all the state capitals of the eight states of the region would be connected by air and railway network by 2023-24.

On Day 1 of his two-day visit to Meghalaya, Shah inaugurated several projects, including the inter-state bus terminus at Mawiong in Shillong. Funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC), the ISBT was built at a cost of Rs 48.31 crore.

The Home Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier announced that before 2022, all the capital cities of the eight northeastern states would be connected by air and railway network.

“But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the works have got slightly delayed though the projects are on the pipelines. By 2023-24, all the state capitals of the eight states of the region would be linked by air and railway network, though some of the state capitals are already connected,” the Home Minister said.

Shah said that improving connectivity of the northeastern states is the top priority of the Modi government, as without connectivity, development would not be possible.

“The works are being carried out with utmost priority to develop and further expand the road, rail, air and waterways networks of all the northeastern states to connect them with the rest of the country,” he said.

Shah also said that the Central government led by Prime Minister Modi has done a lot of development and welfare works in all the sectors for the all-round development of the region and economic prosperity of the people of the eight states.

The Home Minister said that the Central government has three important focus points for the region — protection and development of the region’s culture and tradition; resolving internal disputes among the northeastern states; and making the region a development hub and a destination of growth for India.

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), in collaboration with all the northeastern states, would take all steps to achieve the desired purposes, Shah said.

The Home Minister also chaired a review meeting of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) at Umiam, 20 km from Shillong.

He said that NESAC has been playing a key role in stimulating the overall growth of the northeastern region by using space science and technology.

He applauded the efforts and dedication of ‘Team NESAC’ and assured that the Centre is committed to providing advanced technology support to the region, which can transform the lives of the people of the northeastern states.

“Mapping of forest gap areas, expansion of land area for horticulture development, identification and rejuvenation of wetlands, diversion of floodwater and assessment of bamboo resources for livelihood needs are a few key ideas that were discussed during the meeting,” Shah said in a tweet after the NESAC meeting.

The NESAC, which is a joint venture between the Department of Space and the North Eastern Council, a regional planning body, helps and guides the northeastern states in undertaking various development projects and schemes, including estimating natural resources.

Set up in September 2000, it is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in the areas of remote sensing and geographical information system, disaster management, satellite communication and space and atmospheric science research.

The Chief Ministers of all the eight northeastern states, DoNER Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K. Sivan also attended the NESAC review meeting.

Shah also inaugurated a cryogenic oxygen plant at Umsawli, an afforestation project at Wahshari in Sohra, the Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme at Khliehshnong, besides visiting the headquarters of Assam Rifles in Shillong.

BJP high command mulls final list in K’taka, but it’s a tough call

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BJP high command mulls final list in K’taka, but it’s a tough call

As the stage is being set for a possible change of guard in Karnataka, the BJP high command is yet to finalise the successor of chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa. However, the high command is mulling over three candidates from the final list prepared in consultation with the RSS unit of Karnataka Pranth (region).

The final list included the names of Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Coal Pralhad Joshi, National General Secretary C.T. Ravi, MLA and former union minister Basavanagouda Patil Yatnal, the Speaker of Legislative Assembly Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri, Minister for Mining Murugesh Nirani and MLA Aravind Bellad, sources said. The name of National Organising Secretary B.L. Santhosh is also doing the rounds, they added.

The high command is thinking of various possibilities in Karnataka as it is being hailed as the gateway to South India. This include caste, region, loyalty to Hindutva principles, ability to take the party out from the shadow of Yediyurappa, etc.

The party is also focusing on winning the next assembly elections scheduled to be held in 2023. The strategy is said to be to install a candidate in the form of a chief minister, who could cut through caste politics and bring all castes under the Hindutva umbrella.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been a party president in Karnataka and is credited to enrol as many as 1 crore members for BJP in the state. His participation in ‘Save Kashmir movement’ and ‘Flag hoisting movement in Edgah Maidan of Hubli’ is an added advantage. The caste factor, however, seems to put him on the negative side.

The party is also keen on C.T. Ravi, a former minister, who was snubbed by Yediyurappa and is now elevated to the higher ranks by the party. If the high command decides to give leadership to a candidate from other than the Lingayat community, he stands a better chance, say party insiders.

Basavanagouda Patil Yatnal, known for his fiery speeches, is a Lingayat from north Karnataka. The party thinks he could be the person to sideline Yediyurappa by taking independent pro-party decisions. However, the party will have to take a chance with his temperament, sources say.

Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri, a senior leader is among the most loyal party men in the state. His clean image might help him to get the CM’s post.

Though the name of Murugesh Nirani, a Lingayat is also doing the rounds, the high command is said to be considering corruption charges and court cases against him before taking a call.

The names of BJP Lingayat MLA Aravind Bellad, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, National Organising Secretary B.L. Santhosh are also being considered for the post, as per the party sources. However, it is said that Santhosh, considered as the bete-noire of Yediyurappa in state political circles, is said to be vouching for candidates who carry aggressive Hindutva in the state.

However, the party is also expected to spring a surprise by announcing a new face as the BJP top leadership has experimented in other states.

Punjab crisis has been resolved: Rahul

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Punjab crisis has been resolved: Rahul

Days after the Congress appointed Navjot Singh Sidhu as the party’s Punjab chief, Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the crisis has been resolved.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said, “Punjab crisis has been resolved.”

His remarks came a day after Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said that he shall attend the ceremony of the new state Congress team taking charge led by Sidhu.

Earlier, the camp of the Chief Minister was adamant on its demand that Sidhu should first apologise publicly over his purported remarks against the government over the power crisis and the sacrilege issue and then only Amarinder Singh would meet him.

In a first show of solidarity and strength, Sidhu, accompanying 62 legislators, comprising four Cabinet ministers, on Wednesday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

However, the Chief Minister and his close confidants were absent from Sidhu’s maiden visit to his constituency Amritsar (East) and religious places there.

That was Sidhu’s first visit to Amritsar after being appointed to the post by Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on July 18, ending days of hectic lobbying within the Congress in Punjab.

KCR directs ministers, officials to stay alert amid heavy rains

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KCR directs ministers, officials to stay alert amid heavy rains

Amid heavy rainfall in Telangana and massive inflows from upper riparian states into Godavari and Krishna rivers, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday instructed ministers and MLAs to remain in their districts to monitor the flood situation from time to time.

Due to heavy inflows from the catchment areas, projects’ gates have been lifted in the upper riparian states, leading to waters reaching into Telangana.

Rao issued his directions to legislators especially in the constituencies through which these rivers flow.

Likewise, he also directed Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leaders and cadres to be available at the Telangana Bhavan to monitor the situation.

“Along with officials in the catchments areas, TRS leadership from gram sarpanch to the ministers should ensure that people are not put to any hardship,” said the Chief Minister.

As heavy rain forecast is there for the next two days, Rao suggested people not to venture out and exercise caution.

The CM urged public representatives to be on high alert and take necessary measures.

Rao highlighted that the intensity of flood is increasing in the Godavari catchment areas due to heavy rains in the upper reaches of SRSP.

He instructed Minister Vemula Prasanth Reddy to monitor preventive measures at Balkonda Assembly segment and Nizamabad district where heavy rains are being witnessed.

Similarly, Rao directed chief secretary Somesh Kumar to depute NDRF teams to Nirmal town which is submerged in water.

District collectors, superintendents of police, revenue officials and R&B officers have been directed to undertake preventive measures in the Godavari catchment areas.

The CM urged people to watch out for swollen lakes and rivulets which are overflowing and breaching due to heavy rains.

Andhra Guv, CM extend Bakrid greetings

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Andhra Guv, CM extend Bakrid greetings

Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday extended Eid-al-Adha greetings to the people in the state.

“On the solemn occasion of Bakrid (Id-ul-Azha), I extend my cordial greetings and good wishes to all my Muslim brethren in Andhra Pradesh,” said Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.

Bakrid holds immense significance in the Islamic faith and is celebrated with special prayers and great reverence, he added.

“Bakrid symbolizes sacrifice, absolute devotion to God and compassion for the poor and emphasises the principle of sharing,” said Harichandan.

As people celebrate Bakrid, the Governor wished for the spirit of charity and goodwill towards all be cherished and nourished.

However, Harichandan cautioned the people celebrating the festival to be wary of Covid-19 pandemic and advised them to strictly follow Covid protocols.

“I appeal to the people of Andhra Pradesh to strictly adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour by wearing masks and maintain social distance at all times and cooperate with the authorities to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he added.

Likewise, the Andhra Chief Minister said Bakrid is a symbol of faith, grace and unity.

“My greetings to Muslims who celebrate Bakrid meditating upon the sacrifice of holy prophet Ibrahim,” Reddy added.

The CM prayed for the blessings of Allah on all of us at all times.

However, inclement weather and coronavirus have proved to be the dampener this Bakrid.

Actor, BJP leader Khushbu Sundar’s Twitter account hacked

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Actor, BJP leader Khushbu Sundar’s Twitter account hacked

Noted actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar has complained to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police Sylendra Babu as her official Twitter account was hacked.

She said that the account was found hacked since Tuesday morning and the name on the account was changed to “briann”. The actor also said that except for the photos and videos all her tweets were deleted.

The actor also said that she was not able to access her account for the past three days and that tweets were also found missing.

Khushbu told media persons that after her Twitter handle was inaccessible she had filed an online complaint and had met the DGP at his office on Tuesday and filed a complaint.

The actor said that the DGP has promised to take action on her complaint and added that some miscreants were trying to tarnish her image in politics.

Punjab CM seeks 40 lakh vaccine doses on priority

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Punjab CM seeks 40 lakh vaccine doses on priority

Citing a current demand of more than two lakh Covid-19 vaccine doses for the second dose alone, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday demanded 40 lakh more doses from the Centre on an urgent basis to inoculate the state’s eligible population.

The state was expecting 2.46 lakh vaccines to arrive on Tuesday but the Chief Minister, during a Covid review virtual meeting, noted that vaccines remain in short supply, having run out of Covishield vaccine and left with a mere 3,500 Covaxin doses as of Monday.

Punjab has already vaccinated more than 90 lakh eligible people (nearly 37 per cent of eligible population) and has been utilising the stock without any wastage, said the Chief Minister.

While the first dose has been administered to 75 lakh people, 15 lakh had got the second dose too.

The Centre needs to arrange for immediate delivery to the state to meet the shortfall and enable inoculation of all those needing the second dose, while continuing with the vaccination of other eligible persons, said the Chief Minister.

Pointing out that the doses being supplied to private hospitals were getting wasted as people preferred to go to government hospitals for free inoculation, Health Secretary Hussan Lal informed the meeting the state has sought diversion of the stocks from the private hospitals but had not received any response so far from the Centre.

Some can’t digest Dalits, women, SC/ST as ministers: PM Modi

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Some can’t digest Dalits, women, SC/ST as ministers: PM Modi

Due to the ruckus created by opposition parties in both houses of parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not introduce his recently inducted Council of Ministers on Monday but he launched scathing attack on opposition memmbers and alleged that some people can’t digest Dalits, Women, SC/ST and OBC made ministers.

“I thought that there would be enthusiasm in the Parliament as so many women, Dalits, tribals have become Ministers. This time our colleagues from agricultural and rural background, OBC community, have been given a berth in Council of Ministers,” the Prime Minister said while he introduced his new Ministers in the lower House.

Taking congnisance of huge pandemonium created by the Opposition on different issues, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House for the day.

The parliamentarians from Congress, Trinamool Congress were among other Opposition leaders who started sloganeering against the government and trooped near the Speaker’s podium after the Prime Minister started introducing his ministers.

Earlier, Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of the House Rajnath Singh raised an objection against the Opposition uproar while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was introducing his Council of Ministers in the House. However, Lok Sabha had to be adjourned till 2 p.m. amid continuous uproar.

Several Trinamool Congress MPs cycled to Parliament on Monday to protest against the rise in prices of fuel and other commodities before the House assembled at 11 a.m.

Yogi to remain boss in UP as party gears up for assembly polls

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Yogi to remain boss in UP as party gears up for assembly polls

Words of appreciation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief J.P. Nadda have not only silenced the critics of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, but it also shows that he will be the choice of party leadership to lead in the next year’s assembly polls.

A senior party functionary of Uttar Pradesh told in ians that now all the doubts among cadres about the party’s face in next year’s assembly polls have been removed. “Recent moves of the party have shown that the central leadership have full faith in the Yogi Adityanath government and the BJP will contest the assembly polls under his leadership,” he said.

A party insider pointed out that removal of Santosh Gangwar from the union cabinet also cemented Adityanath’s position in the state even before the words of praise came from the Prime Minister and the party chief.

In May, then union labour minister Gangwar had written to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister pointing out mismanagement in handling of the second wave of Covid in his parliamentary constituency Bareilly. During a reshuffle in the union cabinet this month, Gangwar was dropped.

Recent thumping victory of the saffron party in zila panchayat and block head elections has also established the political skills of chief minister Adityanath. A senior party leader said, “Despite allegations by the opposition party of misuse of state machinery, one thing is clear that he (Adityanath) knows how to play the game. Results show that he knows all the tricks of politics.”

Words of Prime Minister and Nadda have given a boost to the Adityanath government which was facing criticism from the opposition and within the party over its handling of the second Covid wave.

A senior party functionary told IANS that back to back words of appreciation sent a strong message against the Adityanath detractors that they must get themselves ready to fight the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls under his leadership.

“Message is loud and clear that there is no change of guard in the state and Adityanath will be leading the elections under the leadership of Prime Minister and central leadership. He will be the face of the party in the state,” he said.

On July 14 during a visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, Prime Minister Modi lauded the efforts of Adityanath’s government in managing the second wave of Covid. He said efforts made by the Uttar Pradesh government to tackle the coronavirus situation are commendable. The Prime Minister also appreciated the development oriented approach of the Adityanath government and ensuring rule of law in Uttar Pradesh.

On July 15, addressing Uttar Pradesh BJP state executive meet, Nadda lauded Adityanath’s style of governance and said he had turned Uttar Pradesh into a ‘leading state’. “While PM Modi had given a new direction to the country, Yogi Adityanath had put Uttar Pradesh on the path to development,” Nadda had said.

Amid speculation of his removal in June, union defence minister Rajnath Singh was the first one to appreciate the works of the Adityanath government.

A senior party leader said that Prime Minister Modi and Nadda have also silenced the chief minister’s criticism on the social engineering front by giving representation of different castes in organizational appointments made recently. “All the recent organizational appointments have taken all the factors of social engineering and given representation to all the caste and region,” he said.

Vietnamese parliament to elect top leaders at new session

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Vietnamese parliament to elect top leaders at new session

The 15th National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, the country’s top legislature, will gather for its inaugural session from July 20-31, focusing on decisions about high-ranking personnel of the state apparatus, an official said on Saturday.

Bui Van Cuong, Secretary-General of the NA, made the remarks at a press briefing held here about the agenda of the session, reports Xinhua news agency.

At the sitting, Vietnamese lawmakers will spend three working days to review and decide on 50 high-ranking positions of the state apparatus, Cuong said.

In particular, the NA will elect the NA chairperson, the state president, the prime minister and the vice state president among other top positions, and decide on the number of cabinet members as well as approve appointments for those positions.

At the last session of the 14th NA in late March, lawmakers elected Vuong Dinh Hue as the NA chairman, Nguyen Xuan Phuc as the state president, and Pham Minh Chinh as the prime minister, among other personnel decisions.

During the upcoming session, the NA will also review important reports including the country’s five-year socio-economic development plan, the five-year financial plan, and medium-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period.

Compared to a previous plan, the duration of the session will be shortened by five days to ensure utmost safety for participants amid the complicated development of Covid-19 in the country, Cuong said.

On May 23, Vietnam held a general election where 499 deputies to the 15th NA for the 2021-2026 tenure, were elected.

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