Home Minister Amit Shah Aims to Eradicate Left Wing Extremism Within Two Years

Home Minister Amit Shah Aims to Eradicate Left Wing Extremism Within Two Years:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Friday that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be completely eradicated from the country within two years. He emphasized the importance of maintaining constant surveillance in areas that have been cleared of Naxals to prevent the problem from resurfacing. Shah chaired a meeting to assess the security situation in LWE-affected states and underscored that the Modi government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against LWE since 2014. As a result, 2022 witnessed the lowest levels of LWE violence and deaths in four decades.

The review meeting was attended by the chief ministers of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand, among others. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde highlighted the positive changes occurring in Naxal-affected areas due to development initiatives. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed that LWE activities were limited to a few pockets in the state.

Amit Shah emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among affected states to dismantle the financial support network of LWE. He also stressed the importance of preventing Naxals from taking shelter in other states once the problem is eliminated in one area.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, progress has been made in curtailing LWE, with a decline in violence, deaths, and security force casualties. The government has also increased ex-gratia payments to victims of LWE violence and focused on development in affected regions, including infrastructure, telecommunications, financial inclusion, and education.

Amit Shah expressed that the fight against LWE is reaching a decisive phase, with the establishment of new Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) camps in vacuum areas and a significant reduction in violence. The government is committed to eliminating LWE and ensuring the security and development of affected regions.

Home Minister Amit Shah Aims to Eradicate Left Wing Extremism Within Two Years
Home Minister Amit Shah Aims to Eradicate Left Wing Extremism Within Two Years

The initiative to eradicate LWE in Telangana was inspired by a study conducted in Tamil Nadu, which served as a successful model for the program. By accelerating development and enhancing security, the government aims to create a safer and more prosperous environment in LWE-affected states.

Also read: Telangana Chief Minister Launches Breakfast Scheme for 23 Lakh Students

Telangana Chief Minister Launches Breakfast Scheme for 23 Lakh Students

Telangana Chief Minister Launches Breakfast Scheme for 23 Lakh Students:

Led by IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, the inauguration of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme for government schools took place on Friday. This initiative will later be extended to encompass all state-run schools for students in Classes 1 to 10 following the Dasara vacation.

The scheme was officially launched at the Zilla Parishad High School in Raviryala, Rangareddy district, with the presence of Education Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy, Patnam Mahender Reddy, Ministers T. Harish Rao, Simultaneous launches occurred in select schools spanning all 119 constituencies. After the launch event, the ministers joined the students in partaking in the breakfast.

During the inauguration at a government high school in West Marredpally, Hyderabad, IT Minister Rama Rao highlighted that this groundbreaking initiative would positively impact approximately 23 lakh students. He emphasized the importance of upholding high-quality food standards and conducting regular quality checks to ensure that students receive nutritious and appetizing meals.

Finance Minister T. Harish Rao expressed that this move would transform school education by ensuring that students have access to nourishing meals, enabling them to concentrate on their studies. He underscored its particular significance for children from low-income backgrounds, as it alleviates the concern of sending their children to school on an empty stomach.

Education Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy pointed out that the scheme not only guarantees students’ daily access to nutritious meals but also addresses the issue of school dropouts. She shared a concerning statistic, revealing that only two out of every ten students had breakfast before coming to school. She extended gratitude to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao for his understanding of these students’ challenges.

In addition to this, the Telangana government decided to expand the initiative to include students in Classes 9 and 10, going beyond the conventional mid-day meal program that typically caters to students up to Class 8. The breakfast menu offers two options, featuring a variety of dishes such as idli, pongal, poori, upma, vegetable pulao, and wheat rawa upma, accompanied by sambar and chutney.

Telangana Chief Minister Launches Breakfast Scheme for 23 Lakh Students
Telangana Chief Minister Launches Breakfast Scheme for 23 Lakh Students

This comprehensive scheme will encompass 23 lakh students across nearly 28,000 schools, encompassing aided and model institutions and madrasas under the education department’s purview. The Akshaya Patra Foundation will manage the breakfast program in urban areas, while self-help groups will oversee it in rural areas. The scheme is expected to incur an annual cost of approximately Rs 400 crore.

The decision to introduce the CM Breakfast Scheme in Telangana was informed by a study conducted by a team of officials who visited Tamil Nadu to observe a similar program there. Following their assessment and report submission, the Telangana government decided to implement the scheme for students in the state.

Also read: Kavitha’s Two-Day Visit to London Commences

Kavitha’s Two-Day Visit to London Commences

Kavitha’s Two-Day Visit to London Commences:

BRS Member of Legislative Council (MLC), K Kavitha, embarked on a brief two-day trip to London. Upon her arrival at Heathrow Airport on Friday, she was warmly welcomed by fellow BRS party members residing in London.

Kavitha’s visit to London has been primarily motivated by her role as a keynote speaker at the Bridge India event hosted at Central Hall, Westminster. This event gathers UK politicians, members of the Indian diaspora, civil society organizations, and students to discuss various topics, including the recent passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. Additionally, she will participate in a panel discussion alongside distinguished panelists.

Kavitha's Two-Day Visit to London Commences
Kavitha’s Two-Day Visit to London Commences

During her first day in London, She will commence her visit with a trip to the Ambedkar Museum, a place of historical significance. Subsequently, she will engage as a keynote speaker at the Bridge India session, followed by the panel discussion. On the second day of her visit, she will partake in a round table discussion with a student delegation from NISAU.

Kavitha’s London itinerary encompasses a series of engagements and events, making the most of her two-day visit to the city.

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Priyanka Gandhi Alleges Oversight of Corruption in Shivraj Government by ED

Priyanka Gandhi Alleges Oversight of Corruption in Shivraj Government by ED:

AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday of disregarding allegations of corruption within the Madhya Pradesh government.

While addressing a public gathering in Mohankheda, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, Ms. Gandhi claimed that the ED was selectively targeting Congress-led governments in the state and was not investigating allegations of corruption within the BJP government in the state.

She alleged that during Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s 18-year tenure as Chief Minister, around 250 corruption scandals had come to light.

In response, the BJP dismissed these allegations, asserting that Priyanka Gandhi lacked knowledge about Madhya Pradesh and merely recited a speech provided to her by the state’s Congress leader, Kamal Nath. BJP spokesman Dr. Hitesh Vajpayee stated, “She (Ms. Gandhi) is not familiar with Madhya Pradesh. She makes unfounded allegations without any basis. She visited the state as a visiting politician and recited the speech prepared for her by Mr. Nath.”

Priyanka Gandhi Alleges Oversight of Corruption in Shivraj Government by ED
Priyanka Gandhi Alleges Oversight of Corruption in Shivraj Government by ED

Priyanka Gandhi expressed skepticism regarding the implementation of the women’s reservation bill recently passed in Parliament, suggesting it may not be enforced for at least a decade.

She also pledged that if the Congress were to come to power in Madhya Pradesh in the upcoming year-end assembly elections, they would fulfill their promises of providing a monthly incentive of Rs 1500 to women and waiving crop loans for farmers.

Also read: Siddaramaiah Briefs Central Team on Drought Situation in Karnataka

Siddaramaiah Briefs Central Team on Drought Situation in Karnataka

Siddaramaiah Briefs Central Team on Drought Situation in Karnataka:

Three Central Government teams arrived in Bengaluru on Thursday for a four-day visit to assess the drought situation in Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appealed to these Central teams to support the distressed farmers during this challenging period.

During discussions with the Central teams, the Chief Minister highlighted that Karnataka had experienced exceptionally low rainfall this season, a rare occurrence in the past 122 years. As a result, crops have suffered damage across approximately 42 lakh hectares of land.

Siddaramaiah informed the Central teams that the State Government had already declared 195 taluks as drought-affected, while 32 other taluks in the state did not meet the Central Government’s criteria for declaring drought. He emphasized the critical situation by explaining that even though fields may appear green at first glance, they lack the necessary water to thrive.

The Chief Minister also drew attention to the low water levels in the Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir due to reduced rainfall in Madikeri district, which serves as the catchment area for the reservoir. He stressed that Karnataka is facing significant challenges due to the season’s inadequate rainfall, requiring approximately 33 tmc feet of water solely for drinking water needs.

Siddaramaiah Briefs Central Team on Drought Situation in Karnataka
Siddaramaiah Briefs Central Team on Drought Situation in Karnataka

Siddaramaiah pointed out that the number of small and marginal farmers in the state has increased in recent years and expressed the need for an increase in crop compensation for these farmers, as the current compensation levels, in accordance with NDRF guidelines, are insufficient.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma, Secretary of the Revenue Department Rashmi Mahesh, and other relevant officials.

Also read: Tamil Nadu Government Issues Compensation Orders for Delta Farmers

Tamil Nadu Government Issues Compensation Orders for Delta Farmers

Tamil Nadu Government Issues Compensation Orders for Delta Farmers:

Chief Minister M K Stalin has declared compensation of Rs 13,500 per hectare for Kuruvai paddy crops that have withered in the delta region this season due to the River Cauvery’s water scarcity.

An official press release issued on Thursday explained that Kuruvai cultivation in the Cauvery delta commenced after the Chief Minister initiated water release from the Mettur dam on June 12, ahead of the usual schedule.

Unfortunately, the Cauvery’s water levels were depleted when the Karnataka government failed to honor its commitment to supply water to Tamil Nadu.

The press release further noted that more than 40,000 hectares of paddy crops have been adversely affected by the water shortage.

Tamil Nadu Government Issues Compensation Orders for Delta Farmers
Tamil Nadu Government Issues Compensation Orders for Delta Farmers

Despite the State government’s persistent efforts to secure its rightful share of Cauvery water through forums such as the Cauvery River Water Authority, the Supreme Court, and the Union Water Resources Ministry, Karnataka remained steadfast in its refusal to release water, citing scarcity as the rationale.

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Lokesh to Visit Incarcerated Naidu Today

Lokesh to Visit Incarcerated Naidu Today:

Telugu Desam’s national general secretary, N. Lokesh, departed from Delhi on Thursday, where he had established his base to address the aftermath of his father, former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu‘s situation.

He has been engaged in discussions with leaders from national parties and legal experts as part of his endeavors to secure his father’s release from incarceration. Upon arriving in Vijayawada, the TD leader is scheduled to pay a visit to the Central Prison in Rajahmundry on Friday, accompanied by other family members of the former CM.

Lokesh to Visit Incarcerated Naidu Today
Lokesh to Visit Incarcerated Naidu Today

He is expected to return to Delhi soon since the Supreme Court is slated to hear Chandrababu Naidu’s plea for the dismissal of the FIR related to the AP skill development scam on October 9. Additionally, the YSRC government has leveled accusations against the TDP leader in connection with the AP Fibernet and Amaravati Inner Ring Road scams.

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Priyanka Questions Delayed Implementation of Women’s Quota Bill

Priyanka Questions Delayed Implementation of Women’s Quota Bill:

On Thursday, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her criticism of the BJP-led Union government, stating that the recently passed legislation reserving seats for women in legislatures cannot be put into effect for a decade.

Addressing a rally in Mohankheda, Dhar district, which is gearing up for elections in Madhya Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the government’s timing in introducing the bill when the women’s quota couldn’t be implemented right away.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her disappointment, stating that the women’s reservation bill was introduced by the BJP-led Union government, with the support of all Opposition parties. However, the revelation that it wouldn’t be enforced for a decade and would be preceded by a census left her questioning the purpose of this announcement, feeling that it undermined the importance of Female representation.

The Congress leader pointed out that the government must conduct the delimitation exercise before enforcing the new Act, which reserves 33 percent of seats for females in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, and this process will span a decade.

Priyanka Questions Delayed Implementation of Women's Quota Bill
Priyanka Questions Delayed Implementation of Women’s Quota Bill

Gandhi further questioned why a caste census is not being conducted if everyone truly has equal rights. She highlighted the Bihar caste census, which revealed that 84 percent of the population comprises OBCs and Dalits, yet these communities are not adequately represented in government positions. When asked about this issue, the BJP remains silent, according to Gandhi.

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PM Modi Unveils Projects in Poll-bound Rajasthan

PM Modi Unveils Projects in Poll-bound Rajasthan:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a series of development projects worth Rs 5,000 crore in Rajasthan, a state gearing up for elections. These projects span various sectors including transportation, healthcare, and education.

During the event, Modi laid the foundation stones for several initiatives, including a 350-bed trauma center and critical care hospital block at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Jodhpur, and seven critical care blocks as part of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.

He also initiated the construction of a new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, marking a significant investment in infrastructure. Additionally, Modi flagged off two new train services and unveiled road development projects. The prime minister highlighted the importance of these endeavors in propelling Rajasthan towards greater development and prosperity.

PM Modi Unveils Projects in Poll-bound Rajasthan

He noted that significant progress has been made in electrifying railway lines in the state over the past nine years, emphasizing the commitment to infrastructure development. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was also present at the event.

Also read: Karnataka Requests Review of Cauvery Body’s Order in Petition

Karnataka Requests Review of Cauvery Body’s Order in Petition

Karnataka Requests Review of Cauvery Body’s Order in Petition:

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced that the state has submitted a petition to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) requesting a review of its directive regarding water release to Tamil Nadu. He also stated that preparations are underway for constructing the Mekedatu balancing reservoir on the river.

Despite recent rainfall in some areas, Shivakumar emphasized the water scarcity in Cauvery basin reservoirs. He mentioned the government’s efforts to safeguard standing crops and expressed hope for more rain in the coming days.

The state has appealed to the CWMA, expressing its inability to release even 3,000 cusecs of water. Regarding the Mekedatu project, he assured me that legal preparations are being made.

When asked about the possibility of approaching the Supreme Court, Shivakumar indicated a step-by-step approach, emphasizing the need for careful consideration.

Regarding the formulation of a distress water-sharing formula during deficit rainfall years, he suggested addressing the issue after the current year.

The CWMA had previously directed Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu until October 15, despite Karnataka’s claims of inadequate reservoir storage.

Shivakumar reiterated that the Mekedatu balancing reservoir is the state’s preferred solution to resolve inter-state water disputes during periods of water scarcity. However, Tamil Nadu opposes the project, citing concerns for its interests and those of its farmers.

Shivakumar noted the current water deficit, with 106 tmc of water required and only 56 tmc available in Cauvery basin reservoirs. While there was an increase in inflow due to recent rainfall, it has since decreased.

Karnataka Requests Review of Cauvery Body's Order in Petition
Karnataka Requests Review of Cauvery Body’s Order in Petition

He highlighted the protection of standing crops thanks to the available water, considering the drought declaration. The state has advised against fresh crop planting until sufficient water availability is confirmed, with expectations of further rain next month guiding future decisions.

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