‘One-man’-ruled Akali Dal faces lowest ebb in Punjab politics

TB Team
-
0
‘One-man’-ruled Akali Dal faces lowest ebb in Punjab politics

With the mass exodus of leaders, even veterans with grey flowing beards, and the sudden rise of its once two-decade-old coalition partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, the fractured Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which marked its centennial commemoration in 2021, is facing its worst crisis “structurally, organisationally, and even in terms of ideological leadership”.

People have rejected the SAD in the recent state Assembly polls for the second consecutive term. Its legislators in the present Legislative Assembly of 117 were reduced to a mere three, down from 15 seats in 2017-22, the lowest-ever number.

The BJP, which had won three seats in 2017 when it had contested in alliance with the Akali Dal, secured two seats this time.

The saffron party is strengthening its roots in the Sikh-dominated state under the leadership of two-time Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who is seen as a nationalist and widely respected Sikh leader in politics, and prominent Hindu face Sunil Jakhar.

Both Amarinder Singh and Jakhar, former Congress leaders, are prominent rebels.

In this year’s Assembly polls, the Akali Dal, which becomes a “one-man-ruled” party now, five-time Chief Minister and party patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, 94, and his only son Sukhbir Singh Badal faced humiliating defeat from their respective seats.

This was the party’s worst-ever performance in the state Assembly elections, results for which were declared on March 10.

All the Badals as well as their kin lost to Aam Aadmi Party’s greenhorns.

Despite the drubbing, the elderly Badal, who firmly believes the farmers’ issue relates to the overall national interest, expresses “immense satisfaction and pride” over the strong and principled stand taken by the party “to save the beleaguered peasantry”.

He’s often quoted as saying, “Sometimes parties face ups and downs. It happens in politics. The Akalis have a long history of rejecting the lure of office and standing up for principles.”

Snapping over two-decade-long ties, the Akali Dal pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September 2020 after sharp differences emerged over the three controversial farm laws.

The Congress, which was out of power in Punjab for a decade (2007-17), got 77 seats in the 2017 Assembly elections after drubbing the Akali Dal-BJP combine.

At that time, the elderly Badal had won the Assembly elections from Lambi by defeating Congress candidate Captain Amarinder Singh by 22,770 votes.

In one of the recent interviews, senior Badal, a founder member of NDA who wants the guilty of both Gujarat and anti-Sikh riots should be punished, told media that he’s confident that the outstanding and proud legacy of the Akali Dal will be carried forward with aplomb.

The Akali Dal was one of the oldest allies of the BJP. It was among the first to support the 13-day Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, the shortest Prime Minister’s stint in India’s history, in 1996.

To rebuild the beleaguered party Akali Dal and prevent a further exodus of leaders, the younger Badal, who was known as the “Super Chief Minister” when the party was at the helm and has business and agricultural interests, is on toes.

Known as ‘Kaka-ji’, a term used in political circles to refer to the sons, mostly spoilt, of Punjab’s political elite, Sukhbir, 60, was Minister of State for Industries in the Vajpayee government in 1998-99. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2001.

His wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who held the portfolio of the Food Processing Industry in both Modi-led Central governments, is raking up state-specific issues in the Parliament.

The husband-wife duo won the parliamentary polls in 2019.

Despite facing successive electoral defeats under his leadership, in the 2019 parliamentary elections and the 2022 Assembly polls, both with huge margins, and the most recent exodus of veterans like Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) first woman President Bibi Jagir Kaur, party President Sukhbir Badal reconstituted a nine-member advisory board this month to assist him.

Earlier in 2020, Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and his legislator son Parminder Singh Dhindsa were expelled for publicly questioning SAD’s top leadership.

“Most of the senior leaders want a change in party leadership. They want to revamp the party. The rebel voices are getting louder. It is high time for the party to introspect,” said a senior party functionary.

Interestingly, Akali Dal legislator Manpreet Singh Ayali questioned the party for acting against Bibi Jagir Kaur over her alleged links with the BJP while it supported Droupadi Murmu’s candidature for the post of President even though she was the nominee of the NDA government, that is not concerned about the issues of Sikhs.

In his recent statements, Sukhbir Badal said the Akali Dal would never swerve from its core ‘pro-Punjab’, ‘pro-minority’, ‘pro-farmers’, and ‘pro-poor’ agenda.

He says several issues related to the Sikh community and Punjab remain unresolved and the party is committed to doing its utmost to ensure they reach their logical conclusion.

The issue included securing the release of all Sikh detenues whose sentences have been commuted by the Central government on the occasion of the 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev, handing over Chandigarh to Punjab as well as other issues like ensuring the status of Panjab University.

Sounding an alarm in the Lok Sabha, Harsimrat Kaur Badal this week said the drug mafia-politician nexus coupled with the rise of narco-terrorism in the AAP government in Punjab has the capacity to destroy not only the state but even the country.

Asserting that Punjab is akin to a burning volcano and on the brink of civil war due to a combination of drug trafficking coupled with the breakdown of law and order and destruction of peace and communal harmony, she added, “Never has such a situation arisen in the state earlier.”

She was making a statement under Rule 193 on the increasing menace of illicit drugs in Parliament.

She said AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised to wipe out drugs in 10 days before the 2022 Assembly election, but in the last nine months, the drug menace was destabilizing Punjab and posing a threat to national security.

She added that drugs were being smuggled into Punjab along with weapons and this has witnessed the rise of narco-terrorism with the state now witnessing RPG attacks for the first time.

The Akali Dal-BJP (earlier Jana Sangh) alliance has been described as the oldest and strongest alliance in contemporary politics.

No other coalition has weathered so many political battles since March 27, 1970, when Parkash Singh Badal became the country’s youngest Chief Minister for the first time.

To date, Congress enjoyed seven full-term governments — 1952, 1957, 1962, 1972, 1992, 2002, and 2017 — in the state.

The Akali Dal made history in 1997 by becoming the first non-Congress party to complete its first full term in office since independence and has repeated this feat in 2007 and 2012.

PM Modi to chair high-level meeting on Covid situation

TB Team
-
0
PM Modi to chair high-level meeting on Covid situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday will chair a high-level meeting to review the situation related to Covid-19 in the country.

On Wednesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the situation in the wake of the Covid surge in China and other countries. He chaired a meeting of top officials and later asked people to follow Covid-appropriate behavior, including wearing masks in crowded places, and getting vaccinated.

As per reports, the national capital on Wednesday reported five Covid cases in the last 24 hours, while one new Covid-related death was also reported, per the government health bulletin. The Covid positivity rate in Delhi has recorded 0.19 percent and the total number of active cases stood at 27.

With eight Covid patients recovering in the last 24 hours on Wednesday, the total number of recoveries has gone to 19,80,555. The number of patients being treated in home isolation stands at 19.

With the new Covid cases, the total caseload of Delhi has jumped to 20,07,102 while the death toll is now 26,520.

2,642 new tests — 1501 RT-PCR and 1,141 Rapid Antigen – were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 4,05,70,041 while 470 vaccines were administered – 42 first doses, 131-second doses, and 307 precaution doses.

The total number of cumulative beneficiaries vaccinated so far stands at 3,73,46,397, according to the health bulletin in the national capital.

Northeast youth now have computer in hand in place of guns: Centre

TB Team
-
0
Northeast youth now have computer in hand in place of guns: Centre

The Centre on Monday informed Parliament that since 2014 it has provided ample employment opportunities to the youth of the northeastern region, with Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy saying that they now have computers in their hands in place of guns, which was the case before 2014 when the erstwhile UPA regime was in power.

Replying to a series of questions by Congress MPs from the northeast Vincent Pala and Pradyut Bordoloi on employment opportunities for the youth of the region and development works undertaken there during Question Hour in Lok Sabha, Reddy said that contrary to the situation which prevailed in the region before the BJP-led NDA government came to power at the Centre on 2014, when insurgency and curfews were the norms, now crores of rupees have been spent for the region’s development and even need-based employment has been generated.

Congress MP Pala while asking the question, sought to know why the government was giving “lip service” in the name of claiming the development of the Northeast.

To this, Reddy listed various schemes related to infrastructure development undertaken for the region and the amount of money spent in the past eight years for the purpose.

He even compared the quantum of funds spent on the region’s development by the NDA government since 2014 and those spent by the erstwhile regimes prior to 2014.

“Now the youth of the region has computers in their hands, unlike earlier when they had guns in their hands,” Reddy said while pointing to Opposition benches.

At this, Opposition Congress leaders raised objections to his comments. Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was also present in the House.

When Pala sought to know about the region-based employment generation schemes initiated by the Centre and Bordoloi raised the issue of ill-treatment of the region’s youths in various parts of the country despite their expertise in various vocations, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman intervened and informed that prior to the previous budget, she had met all the Finance Ministers of the northeast and sought details about the kind of initiatives needed for the region.

She listed a few schemes started by the Centre, which are aimed at providing region-based employment opportunities to the people of the area.

Telangana building IT hubs in five more tier II towns

TB Team
-
0
Telangana building IT hubs in five more tier II towns

As part of its efforts to decentralize the growth of Information Technology (IT), the Telangana government is building IT hubs in five more districts.

State Information and Technology Minister K. T. Rama Rao said on Saturday that the IT hubs are coming up in Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, Siddipet, and Adilabad.

The IT hubs in Warangal, Khammam, and Karimnagar have already been set up and are running successfully, he said.

‘As part of the 3 D Mantra – Digitise, Decarbonise and Decentralise; the state government is taking IT to District Headquarters,” the minister tweeted.

KTR, as the minister is popularly known, revealed that Nizamabad IT Hub is almost ready to be inaugurated.

He complimented MLA Ganesh Bigala for his persistent efforts along with bringing in NRI-led enterprises to invest in providing employment opportunities to locals.

The minister shared that Mahbubnagar IT Hub is also almost a month away from being inaugurated. He praised the efforts of Excise Minister V. Srinivas Goud.

KTR noted that Siddipet IT hub with focused efforts of Finance and Health Minister T. Harish Rao is also shaping up well. He said the Siddipet hub will be unveiled in a few months.

“Nalgonda IT hub is under construction and efforts are being made to complete it expeditiously in four-six months,” he said.

The state government has already formulated a policy to take IT to tier-II towns. On many occasions, KTR said that till a couple of years ago, IT was confined to Hyderabad.

Mumbai: BJP starts ‘maafi maango’ agitation, targets MVA leaders

TB Team
-
0
Mumbai: BJP starts ‘maafi maango’ agitation, targets MVA leaders

Accusing the Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders of making controversial remarks on the birthplace of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the ruling ally Bharatiya Janata Party started its ‘maafi maang’ (Beg Forgiveness) demonstrations in Mumbai, here on Saturday.

The agitation is happening simultaneously as the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and around 50 parties and groups also launched their mega-procession in south Mumbai on various issues.

State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP Mumbai President Ashish Shelar, senior leader Pravin Darekar, and others are spearheading the protests along with thousands of party workers waving black flags and placards, raising slogans and condemning the Sena (UBT) at different places in the city.

They have condemned the Sena (UBT)’s attempts to raise doubts about the birthplace of Dr. Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution and champion of the depressed classes.

“We have sent Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut a couple of official publications authored by BJP MLC Bhai Girkar on the life of Dr. Ambedkar and urge him to read it to understand history… There are attempts to rewrite history and it is not acceptable to us. They must ask for forgiveness from the people,” said Shelar.

The BJP leaders also slammed the comments of Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader and firebrand orator Sushma Andhare for ridiculing Hindu Gods, saints, the Varkaris, etc, and demanded to know “why is Uddhav Thackeray keeping mum on all this”.

The MVA leaders like Raut and Congress state President Nana Patole have dismissed the BJP’s ‘maafi maango’ agitation as “laughable” and intended to throw a spanner in the Opposition parties’ mega-procession today.

Be prepared against tariff walls on exports by nations undergoing green transition: FM to industry

TB Team
-
0
Be prepared against tariff walls on exports by nations undergoing green transition: FM to industry

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday asked the Indian industry to be prepared against “tariff walls” which are likely to be imposed by nations undertaking green transitions, on Indian exports, especially steel products.

“Many nations want to fund their green transition and are imposing tariff walls on products from other nations. If we export steel to such places, it is likely to face this tariff wall or tax for the green transition. Indian industry needs to reset itself accordingly,” she said while addressing the industry body FICCI’s annual general meeting (AGM).

Sitharaman further noted that with many European nations looking to relocate to other countries for setting up manufacturing facilities, out of China, India should look to make use of this opportunity and present itself as a viable manufacturing hub for Europe. She urged the industry to prepare strategies for bringing manufacturers to India.

The minister said that during the tenure of India’s G20 presidency, Government would showcase the country as a destination to go for, investors from G20 nations, especially for manufacturing.

Stating that India continues to remain a resilient economy amid a fluid geopolitical situation, Sitharaman quoted World Economic Forum’s data, saying that by 2030, there would be 140 million middle-income households and 14 million high-net-worth households in the country.

This, she highlighted, shows the scale of India’s growth in the future. In this context, the focus of the industry should be on widening technological growth, making use of the robust framework provided by the Government, the finance minister suggested.

Jagan will decide on BRS request for support, says YSRCP leader

TB Team
-
0
Jagan will decide on BRS request for support, says YSRCP leader

With Telangana’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) planning to open an office in Andhra Pradesh, a top leader of the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Monday made some interesting comments.

YSRCP General Secretary and political advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said if the BRS makes a request for support from his party, party President and Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will take a decision after discussing the proposal in the party.

He made it clear that the interests of Andhra Pradesh are of paramount importance to the YSRCP. He also ruled out an alliance with any party.

“We have clarity. Our leader has been saying that the interests of Andhra Pradesh are the number one priority for us. We work for this independently,” he said while interacting with media persons.

Replying to another query, Ramakrishna Reddy said the YSRCP has no plans to contest elections in Tamil Nadu or Karnataka.

“Our party is dedicated to the people of Andhra Pradesh and their welfare and development. This is our only agenda. After fulfilling this, we may think of any other issue,” he said.

Ramakrishna Reddy’s comments came amid reports that BRS (earlier known as TRS) is looking to expand its footprint in Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana’s ruling party was rechristened as the BRS and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao formally launched it in Hyderabad on December 9.

BRS leaders are scouting for a suitable site in Vijayawada to establish the BRS office for Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav is likely to visit Vijayawada later this week to select one of the three land sites proposed by sympathizers of the BRS.

KCR is expected to visit Vijayawada to lay the foundation stone for the BRS office.

After the formal launch of the BRS, a huge billboard proclaiming “Jai Ho KCR” came up in Vijayawada. Hoardings to welcome the new national party have also come up in the city.

Proceeds of crime of over Rs 1000 cr of cyber and crypto assets frauds attached: Govt in LS

TB Team
-
0
Proceeds of crime of over Rs 1000 cr of cyber and crypto assets frauds attached: Govt in LS

Proceeds of the crime of more than Rs 1000 crore related to cyber and crypto assets frauds have been attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), the Government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Besides, estimated GST evasion by such companies was nearly Rs 22,936 crore between April 2019 and November 2022, it added.

Ministry of Finance, in a written reply, said that the Enforcement Directorate is investigating several cases related to cyber and crypto assets frauds wherein online gaming, etc. have been used for committing fraud and siphoning the proceeds generated thereof.

“In these cases, as on December 6, 2022, proceeds of crime of more than Rs.1000 crore have been attached/seized / freezed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). Also, 10 Prosecution Complaints (PCs) including 02 supplementary PCs have been filed before the Special Court, PMLA,” it said.

Furthermore, it said that in so far as evasion of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is concerned, CBIC formations have initiated investigations against some gaming companies (including Online gaming companies) located in India as well as abroad. The estimated evasion of GST by these companies works out to Rs 22,936 crore, relating to the period April 2019 to November 2022.

Minister of State, Ministry of Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary said, “Assets amounting to Rs 289.28 crore have been seized under section 37A of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.”

On a question of whether the Government proposes to ban such gaming companies, the reply said, “Necessary action as per provisions of law is taken against such companies, as mentioned above.”

On a question of whether online gaming companies are not paying income tax and whether the Income Tax Department has issued notices to many gaming companies, the reply said, “The information regarding online Gaming companies, which are not paying income tax and where the Income-tax Department has issued notices to such gaming companies, is not available, since no specific identification code for online gaming entities is available in Income Tax Return. The disclosure of information about specific taxpayers is prohibited except as provided under section 138 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.”

PM inaugurates satellite centre of All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa

TB Team
-
0
PM inaugurates satellite centre of All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the satellite center of All India Institute of Ayurveda at the World Ayurveda Congress, thereby unveiling opportunities for ayurvedic education and the establishment of Goa as a medical tourism hub.

Speaking on the occasion at the World Ayurveda Congress, Modi said that the All India Institute of Ayurveda can play an important part in promoting medical tourism in India.

The Prime Minister said, “The spirit of Sarve Bhawantu Sukhina, Sarve Santu Niramaya meaning wellness for all can help India get ahead in the field of providing medical facilities, especially in the Ayush sector, which is full of opportunities for everyone. Goa being a hub of international tourism has the potential to become a medical tourism hub with the help of the All India Institute of Ayurveda satellite center in Goa.

“For the world, Ayurveda is a strong medium to communicating India’s deep roots in the field of traditional medicine, wellness, and holistic treatment therapies. We now need to work on the data-backed evidence to prove the effectiveness of Ayurveda to the world.”

Counting begins for Gujarat Assembly polls

TB Team
-
0
Counting begins for Gujarat Assembly polls

The counting of ballots cast in the Gujarat Assembly elections started on Thursday across 37 centers amid tight security. For the first half an hour, ballot paper votes will be counted. The counting of EVM votes will begin at 8.30 a.m. Candidates with their supporters and counting agents have reached the stations.

Chief Electoral Officer P. Bharathi said a total of 3,16,06,968 votes will be counted. There are 3 centers, Surat (2), and Anand (2), and in the rest of the districts, counting will take place in one center each.

She added that there are 182 counting observers, 182 election officers, 494 assistant elections officers, 78 additional elections officers, and 71 additional election officers Electronically Transmitted Postal ballot system. All counting centers are equipped with CCTV cameras.

Out of a total 4,91,35,400 eligible voters, 64.33 percent cast their ballots, of which 1,69,26,152 were men and 1,46,80,371 were women.

In the 2017 general elections, 2,94,64,326 votes were polled, with a voter turnout of 68.39 percent, of which BJP polled 1,47,24,031, 49.05 percent votes, and 99 seats, whereas Congress polled 1,24,37,661 votes, 41.44 percent, and 77 seats.

Why UP bypolls are crucial for these leaders

TB Team
-
0
Why UP bypolls are crucial for these leaders

The results of the by-elections to two Assembly and one Lok Sabha seat will not change the complexion of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly or the Lok Sabha but they will definitely decide the fate of some leaders.

The by-election to the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat, which was declared vacant following the demise of Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, is extremely crucial for the party and the Yadav clan.

Dimple Yadav is contesting the Manipuri by-elections to claim Mulayam’s legacy.

The entire Yadav family joined hands to ensure that the seat remains in the family, estranged leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav also patched up, much to the relief of family members.

For Akhilesh, this election is extremely crucial because ever since he took over the reins of the party, he has been facing a series of defeats. From the 2017 Assembly polls to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, then the 2022 Assembly polls, and the following bypolls in Azamgarh and Rampur, the party has faced losses.

A victory in Mainpuri will not only strengthen his position as the party leader but will also boost the morale of the cadres.

These by-elections are even more crucial for senior SP leader Mohd. Azam Khan has not only been disqualified from the state assembly — which necessitated the bypoll — but has also lost his right to vote.

Azam Khan has fielded his protege Asim Raza as the SP candidate and has been making highly emotional speeches in the campaign. He knows that the victory in Rampur may ensure his survival in politics while a defeat will mark the end of his reign in Rampur.

Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) Chief Jayant Chaudhury, and Bhim Army Chief Chandra Shekhar have campaigned in Rampur.

The by-election in Khatauli is crucial for RLD, which is contesting the seat in alliance with the SP. Its candidate Madan Bhaiyya is a well-known face in the region and RLD’s victory would serve as elixir for the party and reinforce its position in western Uttar Pradesh.

BJP’s victory in these by-elections, on the other hand, will further enhance Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s position as an invincible leader and give a befitting answer to his detractors within the BJP.

Meanwhile, three-tier security arrangements are in place for the counting of votes on Thursday for the bypoll in the high-profile Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat, where the SP is locked in a battle of prestige against the BJP.

The Central Para Military Force (CPMF) will guard the isolation cordon while the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) will take care of security in the inner ring and the police are managing the outer cordon at the counting venue in Mainpuri.

Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur and Khatauli are the Assembly seats where results will also be declared on Thursday.

“Security at the venue is divided into three cordons — the isolation cordon, where entry will be totally restricted, and will be taken care of by the CPMF. PAC men will be stationed in the inner ring and the outer area will be manned by civil policemen,” said Superintendent of Police (Mainpuri), Kamlesh Dixit.

Ruling BJP all set to invite PM, other bigwigs for poll campaign in K’taka

TB Team
-
0
Ruling BJP all set to invite PM, other bigwigs for poll campaign in K’taka

The Karnataka BJP, in an upbeat mood, after post-poll surveys indicated victory in the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, is all set to invite party bigwigs to the state for campaigning.

Assembly elections in Karnataka are scheduled tentatively before May 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will discuss the development and national security, whereas Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would focus on Hindutva during the campaigning, said sources.

The party has planned a series of public meetings of the central leaders as the Shri Rama Sena has announced that it would ensure the defeat of the BJP in the assembly elections.

Party insiders confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being invited to the inauguration of the Metro Phase II project in Bengaluru soon. PM Modi, who was in Bengaluru to inaugurate the Kempe Gowda International Airport Terminal 2 recently, has agreed to come again, sources said.

The 15-kilometre-long Metro route between Byappanahalli and Whitefield, which connects tech hub ITPL to the central business district, is much sought after by commuters.

This development and Modi’s appeal would boost the prospects of the BJP in the state, say, insiders. Party sources say that Yogi Adityanath would tour three coastal districts and the southern part of Karnataka.

The central leaders would tour with former CM Yediyurappa while others would focus on the north Karnataka region.

UP is a model for the whole world: Melinda Gates

TB Team
-
0
UP is a model for the whole world: Melinda Gates

Melinda Gates, Co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), said on Wednesday that Uttar Pradesh is not just a model for India, but for the entire world.

Melinda Gates met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the latter’s official residence on Wednesday and discussed enhancing technical cooperation in the fields of health, nutrition, and agriculture.

After the meeting, Adityanath tweeted, “Had a wonderful meeting with co-chair and trustee of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at my official residence in Lucknow today. We had a fruitful discussion regarding better technical cooperation in the fields of health, nutrition, social security, and agriculture in UP.”

During the meeting, Gates lauded the work done by the Uttar Pradesh government in recent years, underlining the Covid management and encephalitis control despite a dense population.

“Amid the challenges of Covid, the way the state leadership tackled the issue of dense population and various social challenges is highly commendable,” she said. “Uttar Pradesh is a model not only for India but for the whole world,” she said.

Gates also congratulated women’s self-help groups (SHGs) for the success of the nutrition mission and praised the efforts being made to increase the income of farmers by promoting the formation of FPOs in the largest agricultural state of the country.

The Chief Minister said that he has closely seen the works of the BMGF, which has made a commendable contribution to the field of health and nutrition. Uttar Pradesh received logistics and technical support from the Foundation amid the challenges of Covid.

The Chief Minister said, “Uttar Pradesh has achieved satisfactory success in health and nutrition in recent years. About 95 percent of the deaths of innocent children caused by a disease like encephalitis have been controlled. Besides, the Foundation has cooperated with us for effective control of communicable diseases like Chikungunya and Kala-azar. We have received good cooperation from global organizations such as UNICEF, WHO, BMGF, and PATH in the field of public health, including in controlling various waterborne diseases such as encephalitis, as well as Covid management.”

Jagan calls BCs ‘backbone classes’ at massive outreach conclave

TB Team
-
0
Jagan calls BCs ‘backbone classes’ at massive outreach conclave

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Wednesday that BCs are not backward classes but they are the ‘backbone classes’ of the society.

In a massive outreach to the BCs, the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) organized a massive conclave ‘Jayaho BC Mahasabha’.

In what is claimed to be the first of its kind gathering, over one lakh BC leaders of YSRCP from all 175 Assembly constituencies and public representatives of the party from ministers to village heads participated in the conclave.

Leaders and representatives of 139 BCs participated in the Mahasabha, where the chief minister highlighted his government’s various welfare measures for the BC community.

He revealed that the government has disbursed Rs 1,63,000 crore to the BC community through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Non-DBT methods in the last three years.

Through DBT alone, Rs 86,000 crore was distributed to the people.

“We have taken steps to empower every sector. Of the total expenditure of Rs 3,19,227 crore spent by the government in the last 3 years under DBT & Non-DBT (for all the schemes), Rs 2,50,357 crore or 80 percent of the total amount has been spent for the SCs/STs/BCs and minorities,” he said.

Coming down heavily on Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu, the chief minister said TDP went to court to stall the housing scheme and English medium in schools.

“To ensure self-respect in all areas, we brought in three capitals but they went to court against that as well. Ours’ is a social justice party, TDP is social injustice party,” Jagan Mohan Reddy said.

The chief minister recalled that in 2014, Chandrababu Naidu had made 114 promises to BCs but he did not fulfill 10 of them.

Jagan said while Chandrababu Naidu did not send even one BC member to Rajya Sabha between 2014-2018, YSRCP sent four BCs to Rajya Sabha, and in the state legislative council out of the 32 MLCs, 18 are from the BC community.

“The Assembly speaker is from the BC community, the Council Chairman is from the SC community and the council deputy chairman is from the minority.

“Our government has empowered BCs, SCs, STs, and minorities even in the cabinet. 11 BC MLAs have been made ministers in this government and if you combine BCs, SC, STs, and minorities, the government has given 70 percent of the ministries to them,” he said.

Jagan claimed that the YSRCP government fulfilled the promises made in 2019. He announced that the BC Corporation will be constituted. The government has already formed 56 corporations.

“Permanent BC commission has been established as promised. This is the first in the country. In nominated posts, temple boards, and Agri marketing committees, our government has given 50 percent reservation for BC, SC, ST, and minorities. In the nominated contract works, we have promised 50 percent of the work to BC, SC, ST, and Minorities. We announced this by bringing an Act in the first assembly session,” he said.

For those not into traditional business, YSRCP promised welfare schemes for them. The government brought Jagananna Thodu and Cheythodu.

He pointed out that under the TDP rule, the government was spending only Rs 35,000 as fee reimbursement and the rest was borne by the parents. But now, the government is paying 100 of the fees.

YSRCP government also paid the fee reimbursement arrears of the previous govt. As of now, the government has spent Rs 9,052 crore on Jagananna Vidya Deevana.

Hostel and Mess charges have been taken care of by Jagananna Vasathi de event. The government has so far spent Rs 3,349 crore on this scheme.

MCD polls: AAP takes lead over BJP in 126 wards

TB Team
-
0
MCD polls: AAP takes lead over BJP in 126 wards

The AAP is leading in 126 wards, while the BJP is ahead in 96 seats as the counting is underway in 42 centers for the December 4 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections, as per the initial official trends at 10.30 am.

Meanwhile, the Congress is leading in 11 wards, Independent on 3 while Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are ahead in one each.

As the trends showed AAP leading, scores of party workers started gathering in the party’s headquarters here.

BJP has won in six wards, while AAP has emerged victorious in four. The second round of counting of EVM votes is on.

Counting for the 250 wards of the civic agency began at 8 a.m. on Wednesday amid tight security arrangements at 42 centers.

There are a total of 1,349 candidates in the fray.

The exit polls have predicted a big win for the AAP. The BJP has been at the helm for the past 15 years in the MCD and it ran a high-pitched campaign as senior leaders of the BJP campaigned in the elections.

As per exit polls released on Monday, in Chandni Chowk, which has 30 wards, 20 may go to AAP while BJP is projected to win 10 wards.

In East Delhi, where there are 36 wards, AAP may win 22, followed by BJP at 14. Out of the 25 wards in New Delhi, AAP may win 21 followed by BJP at 4.

The exit poll further predicted that of the 41 wards in the North-East district, 21 will go to BJP, followed by AAP at 17, Congress at 2, and 1 ward will go to others.

PM Modi to attend World Ayurveda Congress in Goa

TB Team
-
0
PM Modi to attend World Ayurveda Congress in Goa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the valedictory session of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress to be held in Goa on December 11.

The four-day event will commence on December 8 with the participation of around five thousand delegates. More than 200 foreign delegates from 30 countries will also attend.

There will be 150 invited keynote speakers from 35 countries and 600 overseas Ayurveda stakeholders.

This event will bring together leading practitioners of Ayurveda and a whole spectrum of stakeholders from around the world.

Union Minister for Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, and Union Minister of State for Ayush Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai will be present on the occasion.

The conclave is being organized by the World Ayurveda Foundation, an initiative of Vijnana Bharati, with the support of the Union Ministry of AYUSH and the government of Goa.

Major topics to be deliberated include, ‘Expanding the Scope of Ayurveda’, ‘New Age Prospects’, Innovations and Entrepreneurship, Ayurveda Education, Ayur Informatics, Innovation Ecosystem, Health and Environment and Heal in India.

Congress leaders pay tributes to Ambedkar

TB Team
-
0
Congress leaders pay tributes to Ambedkar

Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury paid tributes to B.R. Ambedkar at the Parliament lawns in the national capital on his death anniversary. Kharge tweeted, “We are Indians, firstly and lastly.”

” Babasaheb Dr. B R Ambedkar “On the Mahaparinirvan Diwas of Babasaheb, it is time to reaffirm the ideals of – liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice, which he truly championed. Social transformation is the foundation for any progress.”

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also tweeted, “Humble tributes to Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on his Punya tithi. As the chief architect of the Constitution of India & as a social reformer, he dedicated his life to upholding the ideals of social justice & equality. His life & principles would always be a guiding light.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is in Rajasthan for his ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra. December 6 is observed as the Mahaparinirvan Diwas, or the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution.

SIT to probe old cases against SP MLA in UP

TB Team
-
0
SIT to probe old cases against SP MLA in UP

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to investigate old cases against Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Irfan Solanki, has flagged four of the 13 complaints received by the police as ‘serious’ after a preliminary investigation.

Irfan and his brother Rizwan Solanki were sent to jail in connection with a case of arson last week.

The complainants have given concrete evidence to support the charges against the MLA to the police.

The police will first investigate these four complaints. If charges are found to be true, cases will be registered against the MLA.

Irfan and his brother Rizwan, after remaining elusive for 24 days in the arson case, had surrendered before the commissioner of police B.P. Jogdand on Friday morning after a case was registered at the Jajmau police station. They were sent to jail thereafter.

SIT sources said joint commissioner of police Anand Prakash Tiwari held a meeting with the SIT and the scrutiny of the allegations in all the 13 complaints was done minutely. After an initial investigation, SIT has decided to investigate four out of 13 complaints considering them to be serious in nature.

These complaints are allegations of fraudulently taking money and threatening by misusing the position to pressurize for returning, fraudulently extorting money in the purchase of land, and demanding extortion. However, the identity of the complainants has not been divulged by the police.

Bangladesh’s reserves increased to $48 bn, says PM Hasina

TB Team
-
0
Bangladesh’s reserves increased to $48 bn, says PM Hasina

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Monday that the country’s reserves have increased to $48 billion during the tenure of her government.

Rubbishing rumors, the premier said: “Some words will spread rapidly and you (people) might be misled. But, I will say there is nothing to be misled.”

She urged the countrymen not to pay heed to any propaganda over foreign reserves and bank liquidity as Bangladesh is economically stable despite many developed countries facing global crisis for the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Inflation has increased globally. Many developed countries are at stake economically and facing trouble — their reserve is declining. But, we can say that we have been able to keep Bangladesh in a stable condition,” she said while addressing a graduation ceremony of the National Defence Course-2022 and Armed Forces War Course-2022 at the Sheikh Hasina Complex in Dhaka’s Mirpur Cantonment.

She said the reserves were only $2.5 billion when the Awami League assumed power for the first time in 1996 and it was a mere $5 billion when her party came to the power for the second time in 2001.

The premier said her government has taken every possible measure including purchasing Covid-19 vaccines, giving stimulus packages to industries and business establishments, and reaching cash to every person up to a grassroots level to protect Bangladesh’s economy and its people from the wrath of the pandemic.

She said they purchased the Covid-19 vaccines by giving 12,000 crore taka in advance while the development of the vaccine was in the research stage.

Bangladesh has administered the Covid-19 vaccines to its people free of cost despite the fact that no rich or developed country did it, the Prime Minister said.

Hasina reiterated her call to bring all lands under cultivation so Bangladesh never falls into a food crisis as the world is approaching a serious food problem.

She also said her government did not show any stinginess in spending money to protect Bangladesh and its people, urging people to show austerity in using electricity, gas, and water.

Summoned by CBI in liquor scam, Kavitha meets KCR

TB Team
-
0
Summoned by CBI in liquor scam, Kavitha meets KCR

A day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought clarifications on the Delhi liquor policy scam, TRS MLC K. Kavitha on Saturday met Telangana Chief Minister and her father K. Chandrashekar Rao.

Kavitha drove to Pragati Bhavan, the residence of CM KCR. They are believed to be discussing the strategy to counter what they believe is a political vendetta by the BJP government at the Centre by targeting them through Central agencies.

She is likely to discuss the latest developments with brother and state minister K. T. Rama Rao and other family members.

The TRS leaders are also believed to be discussing the political strategy of the party to counter investigations by Central agencies like the CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax against state ministers, MPs, state legislators, and other leaders.

Meanwhile, a large number of TRS workers reached Kavitha’s house to show solidarity with her a day after she confirmed that the CBI has issued a notice to her.

“I’ve been issued a CBI Notice under Section 160 of Cr. P.C., seeking my clarification. I have informed the authorities that I can meet them at my residence in Hyderabad on Dec 6th as per their request,” Kavita said in a statement on Friday.

The CBI notice dated December 2, stated, “During the course of investigation of the subject cited case, certain facts have emerged which you may be acquainted with, hence your examination on such facts is required in the interest of investigation.”

On November 30, Kavitha’s name surfaced in the remand report filed by the ED in a Delhi court on Wednesday for the remand of businessman Amit Arora in the Delhi liquor policy scam.

According to the remand report, businessman Vijay Nair, who has already been arrested in the case, received kickbacks of Rs 100 crore on behalf of AAP leaders from a group, called ‘South Group’.

The group is controlled by Sarath Reddy, Kavitha, and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, it added.

Sarath Reddy, one of the directors of pharma major Aurobindo Pharma, has already been arrested.

Srinivasulu Reddy is a member of Parliament belonging to Andhra Pradesh’s ruling party YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

The CBI is likely to seek information from Kavitha based on the remand report. The ED stated in the report that the TRS leader changed 10 phone devices between December 2021 and October 2022.

Kavitha had said on December 1 that she will fully cooperate with the central agency and is not scared of anything.

She alleged that the BJP government at the Centre is playing cheap tricks to damage her reputation through media leaks.

“We have already said we are ready to face any probe. If an agency comes and questions, we will definitely give a reply but if you resort to media leaks to damage the reputation of leaders, people will definitely fight back,” she said.

Kavitha, a member of the Telangana Legislative Council, also dared the Modi government to put her in jail. “If you want to put me in jail, do it. There is no problem but we will not stop working for the people and we will continue to expose the failures of the BJP,” she said.

The former MP alleged that the ED, CBI, and IT cases against ministers, MLAs and other TRS leaders were BJP’s reaction to TRS exposing its conspiracy to topple the democratically elected government.

“You conspired to topple the government and since we exposed this before people, as a reaction ED, CBI, and IT cases are booked against ministers, MLAs, and MLCs,” she said.

1...282930...281Page 29 of 281