2 killed, few hurt in Manipur polls, over 68% voting till 3 pm

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2 killed, few hurt in Manipur polls, over 68% voting till 3 pm

At least two people were killed and a few others injured in Manipur as over 68 percent polling was recorded till 3 p.m on Saturday in the second and final round of the Assembly elections underway in 22 of the 60 constituencies amid heavy security, officials said.

The Police said that one person was killed and another injured in police firing at Karong in Senapati district while a BJP activist succumbed to his injuries in Thoubal district.

A police official said that police had to open fire at Karong when some people tried to snatch an EVM from a polling station, thrashing the polling personnel.

In another incident in Thoubal district, some BJP workers went gone to the residence of a Congress worker late on Friday night and after an altercation, the Congress worker reportedly fired at the BJP activists injuring a few of them who were shifted to the hospital, where one person succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.

Election and police officials said that activists of political parties clashed in Mao, Moreh, and other places, halting the polling briefly.

Political parties are accusing each other of disturbing free and fair election processes in many places. However, details of these incidents are awaited.

Men, women and first-time voters in large numbers queued up in front of the polling stations well before the voting started at 7 a.m. in six electoral districts.

According to election officials, over 68 percent of voters have voted till 3 p.m. in the 22 assembly constituencies where polling will continue till 4 p.m. without any break. According to officials, more than 20,000 Central paramilitary force troopers have been deployed in the second phase in the six electoral districts — Thoubal, Jiribam, Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, and Tamenglong.

While the Thoubal district falls in the valley area, the other five electoral districts are in the mountainous areas bordering Assam and Nagaland, as well as Myanmar, making security forces maintain maximum vigil along with both the international and the inter-state borders. Manipur Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Agrawal said that 4,988 personnel have been posted in 1,247 polling stations in the six electoral districts to conduct the exercise. He said that in all, 8,38,730 voters, including 4,28,679 females and 31 transgenders, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the second phase to decide the electoral fate of 92 candidates, including two females.

Of the 92 candidates, 17 have criminal antecedents, the election official said.

No harm in KCR-Soren meet but Cong cautious

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No harm in KCR-Soren meet but Cong cautious

The Congress on Friday said there is no harm in the KCR-Soren meeting scheduled to be held later in the day, but it is cautious as it was unaware of the said move despite being an ally in the Jharkhand government.

Avinash Pande, Congress General in Secretary Incharge of Jharkhand said: “There is no harm in the meeting as Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has been with the UPA in the past and anybody who is trying to defeat the BJP is a good move, but there is writing on the wall that without Congress no government in the center could be formed.”

Ironically, despite Congress being a junior partner in the Hemant Soren-led government, it was not aware of the meeting. KCR is meeting non-BJP and non-Congress chief ministers to prepare for the 2024 elections.

On Thursday, the Telangana CM met BJP MP Subramanian Swamy (who has been taking on Modi on a lot issues of late) and farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in the national capital. The three leaders discussed the current political situation in the country, party sources said.

Chandrashekhar Rao has lately intensified his efforts to take on the ruling BJP at the Centre. He has been reaching out to regional leaders in different states as part of his plans to forge an anti-BJP alliance at the national level.

As part of his exercise to reach out to political leaders in other parts of the country, KCR had recently traveled to Mumbai where he met Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray. He had also met NCP chief Sharad Pawar on that occasion.

With the BJP trying to emerge as an alternative to the ruling TRS in Telangana, relations between the two have taken a turn for the worse over the last few months.

Centre committed to completing Polavaram: Shekhawat

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Centre committed to completing Polavaram: Shekhawat

Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday inspected Polavaram project works and assured Andhra Pradesh that the Centre is firm in its commitment to complete the scheme by bearing its entire cost.

He, along with Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, visited the Polavaram site and inspected the works on various components of the project, which has been declared as a national project by the Centre.

Addressing meetings in resettlement colonies in East Godavari and West Godavari districts, he said they were taking all steps to ensure that the first phase of the project is completed in a span of one year.

Shekhawat assured people that the Narendra Modi government will complete the project by bearing the entire cost as promised in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

He assured the state government that the Centre would provide whatever assistance the state required will stand by the government unless the project was completed in all manners.

He also assured displaced people that their rehabilitation and resettlement are the responsibility of both the central and state governments.

He recalled that the project was first proposed in the 1970s, and the work progressed when Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was the chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh but unfortunately even after 40-50 years the project could not be completed.

The central minister said the chief minister during his recent meeting with the Prime Minister discussed everything about Polavaram for its early completion.

He said that justice will be done to the families displaced by the project by accommodating them in resettlement colonies.

Shekhawat, along with the chief minister, visited Polavaram resettlement colonies including Indukuru in East Godavari district and Taduvai in West Godavari district.

They interacted with the relocated families and directed the R&R officials to pay more attention to rehabilitation works. Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that Polavaram is a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh. He said with the completion of the project the state would become more fertile and prosperous.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the state government is committed to the promise made to the displaced families. The state government will provide Rs 3 lakh to each family in addition to Rs 6.8 lakh being provided by the Centre. He assured people that this promise will be fulfilled at the earliest.

He also promised to provide Rs 3.5 lakh to those families who initially gave their lands for Rs 1.5 lakh in 2006 during the YS Rajashekar Reddy regime. Besides these, he stated that livelihood training and employment programs will also be taken up in the R&R colonies to improve employment opportunities.

Shekhawat expressed satisfaction over the development of resettlement colonies and advised officials to focus more on quality. He called for providing livelihood opportunities and training in R&R colonies.

He said that the authorities have to be considerate in providing facilities to the displaced families until they get settled in the new place.

Speaking at Taduvai R&R colony in West Godavari district, Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the construction of 3,905 houses in the colony is going on full swing and soon every displaced family that contributed towards the Polavaram project will receive a house with all basic infrastructure facilities. He said that livelihood training programs will also be conducted in the R&R colonies taking support from the Centre.

The central minister and the chief minister visited the spillway, cofferdam, powerhouse, and Earth-cum-Rock Fill (ECRF) dam.

Shekhawat took stock of the progress of the project and funds were released with the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) comprising officials from the Jal Shakti ministry and state irrigation department.

The state government reportedly urged the union minister to give final clearance for the Revised Cost Estimates (RCE) to the tune of Rs 47,725 crore. The Centre kept the RCE pending for three years resulting in a delay in the completion of the works.

The state government is keen to complete the project by June 2023 and has been urging the Centre to keep releasing the required funds.

UP records 53.31% turnout till 5 pm in sixth phase of polls

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UP records 53.31% turnout till 5 pm in sixth phase of polls

Over 53 percent voter turnout was registered till 5 p.m. in the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the Election Commission of India said on Thursday.

The Election Commission also said that 53.31 percent of voter turnout figures were an approximate trend as the data from some polling stations takes time to reach.

As per the EC data, Ambedkar Nagar has registered 58.68 percent, Balia 51.74 percent, Balrampur 48.41 percent, Basti 54.07 percent, Deoria 51.51 percent, Gorakhpur 53.86 percent, Kushinagar 55.1 percent, Maharajganj 57.48 percent, Sant Kabir Nagar 51.14 percent and Siddharthnagar recorded 49.83 percent till 5 p.m.

The Ambedkar Nagar constituency has recorded the highest voter turnout (approximate trend) of 58.68 percent till 5 p.m. while the constituency of Balrampur has recorded the lowest with 48.41 percent so far.

The sixth phase of polling in 57 constituencies, spread over 10 districts, was held on Thursday. Over 2.14 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise. A total of 676 candidates are in the fray.

AIADMK Theni district committee passes resolution to bring Sasikala back

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AIADMK Theni district committee passes resolution to bring Sasikala back

The Theni district committee of the AIADMK has unanimously passed a resolution at a meeting to bring former interim general secretary of the party V.K. Sasikala back to the party fold.

The meeting also wanted her nephew T.T.V Dhinakaran and his party Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) back.

Held at the farmhouse of AIADMK chief coordinator and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday, the meeting was presided over by the Theni district secretary of the party Syed Khan.

Sources in the party, who attended the meeting, told in an interview that when the district committee leaders spoke about reinducting the two, Panneerselvam asked them to pass a resolution on the same, so that it could be taken forward to the party high command.

News had earlier reported that the powerful Thevar community to which both Sasikala and Panneerselvam belong, had been putting pressure on the AIADMK leadership to bring Sasikala back to the party fold.

With a sizeable vote bank in Southern Tamil Nadu, the Thevar community has always been a strong base of the AIADMK. In the recent Urban local body polls, AIADMK had lost heavily in the Southern belt with the party candidates even losing in the homeward of Panneerselvam.

Party Theni district secretary Syed Khan, while speaking to an interview, said: “The AIADMK is a political party which always fights for the people and we want to take the legacy of late leaders M.G.R. and J. Jayalalithaa back to the party and to move forward. As part of this process, we want everyone who has gone out of the party to return. The electoral debacle has several other factors but the reunion of these leaders will give the party the much-needed support base and fillip.”

The passing of the resolution to induct back Sasikala in the presence of the party chief coordinator has raised eyebrows in the political circles of Tamil Nadu.

Dr. R. Padmanabhan, Director of Socio-Economic Development Foundation, a think tank based out of Madurai while speaking to IANS said: “The writing on the wall is clear and Sasikala will soon be back in the AIADMK fold and emerge very powerful. The AIADMK urgently needs a powerful leader and not a dual leadership and this will infuse adrenalin into the veins of cadres giving the party the much-needed fillip. The pressure exerted by the Thevar community is a major reason for this resolution and it is only a matter of time for her to be back into the day-to-day affairs of AIADMK.”

Naidu calls for imparting CPR training to youth

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Naidu calls for imparting CPR training to youth

Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday urged the schools, local bodies, panchayats, and NGOs to organize regular camps on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to acquaint the youngsters with the life-saving procedure.

The training must also form a part of the high school or college curriculum, Naidu added.

CPR is a lifesaving technique that is useful in many emergencies, such as a heart attack or near drowning, in which breathing or heartbeat can be brought back by pressing the chest of the person with hard and fast chest compressions to get the heartbeat re-started.

At an awareness program conducted at Swarna Bharat Trust, Vijayawada, where a demonstration was showcased on CPR and the use of AED (Automated External Defibrillator) by doctors from the Indian Resuscitation Council Federation (IRCF), Naidu stressed the importance of knowing these life-saving techniques.

Lauding the IRCF for their efforts in imparting training in basic life support, comprehensive cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support courses, the Vice-President called upon students from medical colleges to visit nearby schools and villages to spread awareness on CPR and the use of AED.

He also said that performing CPR in time can help in emergency situations where immediate medical help is not available.

Naidu further suggested that private institutions, apartment complexes, and resident welfare associations must keep an AED device ready at hand and train their members with the technique of CPR. “If people know how to perform CPR, they can save many lives”, he said.

Former Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Mandali Buddha Prasad, Chairman of the Indian Resuscitation Council Federation, members of IRCF, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Pvt investment in higher education gets green signal from Kerala CPI-M

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Pvt investment in higher education gets green signal from Kerala CPI-M

The CPI-M in Kerala has given the green signal for private investment in the higher education sector during the 23rd Party Conference, in its policy document which was presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Incidentally, in the 2018 Conference, the CPI-M had strongly opposed the same.

Further, the Chief Minister has said that the concept of “gawking wages” (often referred to as ‘noku kooli’ in local parlance that means wages collected by loading and unloading workers without doing any work) not be allowed under “any circumstances” as a lot of damage has already been done by this practice.

Reacting sharply to the development, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy — who had witnessed “huge protests” from the CPI-M on several occasions whenever it came to taking up some new initiative by the Congress party — said, “First, the CPI-M opposed mechanization in agriculture, then in the early 90s they went berserk against computers, and when the concept of promoting education in the private sector came, it was all opposed by them.”

“All of these are now one by one being promoted by the very same people and the party who had once opposed it. In Kerala what really matters is who is doing it, and not what’s being done,” Chandy asserted.

Modi accuses Congress of nurturing militancy in Manipur

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Modi accuses Congress of nurturing militancy in Manipur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused the Congress of “nurturing and encouraging militancy in Manipur”.

Addressing an election rally in Manipur virtually from Delhi, Pm Modi hit out at the Congress accusing it of the instability, backwardness, and corruption in Manipur. He said people would not support the party again in this election. “In the first round of assembly elections in Manipur (on Monday), people gave their blessings to the BJP. With the enormous support in the second round of elections, the people would facilitate the double engine government in Manipur.”

The Prime Minister said that the people of Manipur sacrificed for India’s Independence, but the Congress did not give any importance to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the other freedom fighters even as the Indian National Army first hoisted the national flag in Manipur’s Moirang.

The Prime Minister said that Manipur will be the export and international gateway of India and the state would be connected to the Asian and European countries through the Asian Highway project.

The Prime Minister said that under the Act East policy, the northeastern states would be linked with the Asian countries to boost trade and business.

Addressing an election rally in Manipur virtually from Delhi, Modi said that the under-construction of India’s first Sports University in Manipur would be made an international institute.

He said an AIIMS and a Skill University would be set up in Manipur and added that Indian boxing legend M.C. Mary Kom and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu from Manipur is India’s sports iconic personalities.

Modi said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the all-around development of the northeastern region, established a separate ministry – Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) – but the Congress-led previous UPA government kept the ministry inactive as they do not want the development of the region.

Saying that to take forward the development of the northeastern region, Central ministers are frequently visiting the region. He said the Manipur government’s “Go to Hills” and “Go to Village” programs exposed the Congress conspiracies and anti-development agenda.

We are ‘triumphant Telangana’, says KTR

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We are ‘triumphant Telangana’, says KTR

“We are not just vibrant Telangana, we are triumphant Telangana.” This was how Telangana’s Industries and Information Technology Minister K. T. Rama Rao reacted to the latest statistics about the state’s growth.

The minister tweeted that the State Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) of Telangana increased by 130 percent between 2014 and 2021 while per capita income grew by 125 percent during the same period.

The GSDP increased from Rs 5 lakh crore in 2014 to Rs 11.54 lakh crore in 2021. The per capita income increased from Rs 1,24,104 in 2014 to Rs 2,78,833 in 2021.

The minister posted a clipping of a report in a leading Telugu daily which quoted the statistics released by the Union Ministry of Statics and Programme Implementation. “The numbers speak for themselves,” tweeted KTR, as the minister is popularly known.

According to the report, Telangana registered the highest growth rate in GSDP in the country during 2021-22. While the GSDP increased by 19.10 percent over the previous year, the per capita income grew by 18.78 percent.

“This is the growth trajectory of the youngest state of India. This is despite massive hurdles such as bifurcation blues, demonetization, Corona pandemic, and zero support from the government of India,” tweeted KTR, who is also the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development.

“Thank you KCR Garu for your amazing leadership,” added KTR who is the son of Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao, who is popularly known as KCR.

The news statistics came as a boost for Telangana ahead of the budget for 2022-23. Finance Minister T. Harish Rao is scheduled to present the budget in the Assembly on March 7.

Inclusive, equitable & quality education every child’s right: VP

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Inclusive, equitable & quality education every child’s right: VP

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday stressed that inclusive, equitable, and quality education is every child’s right and called upon private schools to come up with policies to help underprivileged and needy children.

Emphasizing the need to inculcate the spirit of service at a young age, the Vice President said: “Schools must include community service in their curriculum so that children develop an attitude of giving back to society at a young age.”

Naidu was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the state-of-the-art Indoor Sports Arena and L’atelier, a dedicated block for Arts, Drama & Music at a school in Bengaluru, a release from his office said here.

He also highlighted the need for water conservation by stressing on 3Rs- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Underlining that National Education Policy (NEP-2020) lays emphasis on extracurricular activities, Naidu urged all states to give priority to sports, co-curricular activities, and inculcating ethical values among students.

Expressing his concern over the erosion of values, the Vice President urged students to imbibe our civilizational values and strive to protect India’s glorious cultural heritage and appealed: “We must restore values, preserve heritage, promote our culture and feel proud to be a Bharatiya.”

Reiterating his call for promotion and propagation of mother tongue, the Vice President opined that one must learn as many languages as he or she wants but the priority must always be given to learning mother tongue.

Highlighting the importance of physical fitness in our daily lives, Naidu wanted the ‘Fit India’ movement to reach every school, college, university, panchayat, and village.

Referring to India’s unique and diverse dance forms, Naidu mentioned Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Kuchipudi as some of the many ancient art forms that have been passed on from generation to generation.

Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and Karnataka Minister, Muni Rathna were among those present.

Bommai speaks to students in Ukraine, assures them of help

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Bommai speaks to students in Ukraine, assures them of help

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said that he has spoken to students from the state who are stuck in war-torn Ukraine, and assured them of providing all the necessary assistance.

“I have spoken to those students. I have assured them of all help and asked them to be courageous,” he said.

Many Indians are stuck in various cities of Ukraine.

“Everyone is fine, but I have requested the authorities to provide food and shelter. I have already spoken in length with Union Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishakar and we have also sent a list to him,” he said.

More students are in the western side of Ukraine and they have been told to be careful. All the students will be evacuated by road and air.

“We will get information on whether anyone from Karnataka is returning to the country today,” he said.

Those who are in the western part of Ukraine are safe, the efforts are on to bring them back. They will be evacuated through the road. Many of them are on their way, he stated.

The students stuck in the Western part of Ukraine will be brought to India through Romania. In a few days, all Indian students would be evacuated. Those students who are in the eastern, south-eastern part of Ukraine should not take risks and stay wherever they are until they are directed to, Bommai said.

More than 200 people have made calls to the helpline set up by the state government. “Many parents of students who are stuck in Ukraine have met me,” he said.

Stalin speaks to Tamil students in Ukraine, enquires about their well-being

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Stalin speaks to Tamil students in Ukraine, enquires about their well-being

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin on Saturday spoke to Tamil students stranded in Ukraine and enquired about their well-being in the war-torn nation. He enquired about their safety and availability of drinking water and food.

In a video call, lasting for a few minutes, the Chief Minister assured the students that the government is in coordination with the Centre and taking steps to bring them back.

Speaking to students from Tiruchi who are stranded in Ukraine, Stalin said that he was disturbed on seeing the ongoing developments in that country.

However, a student who interacted with the Chief Minister, said that at present he and his friends are “safe” and “the area where they live is not under shelling”.

The Chief Minister, according to his office, told the student, “Be strong. The government is taking steps to bring you all back.”

The Chief Minister’s office has already started a helpline for the students stranded in Ukraine as well as their parents and relatives to communicate. A similar helpline is set up at the Tamil Nadu Bhawan in New Delhi.

According to information, more than 1,500 people have reached out to the Tamil Nadu government through the helpline since the crisis unfolded in Ukraine. There are around 3,500 students from different parts of the state in Ukraine with a majority being students.

There were reports that for evacuation, Indians have to reach the borders of Romania and Hungary and the first batch of evacuation is taking place from western Ukraine as other borders have already been sealed by the Russian forces.

Indian students are permitted to travel in vehicles up to borders by tying the national flag on their vehicles. On Saturday morning several Tamil students who were to catch a flight from Budapest complained that they were not allowed to cross the border.

Soumya Nathan, a third-year MBBS student in Ukraine, told IANS: “It is a tough situation and we are living in bunkers. Waiting to get back home and hope we will be supported by the Government of Tamil Nadu and Government of India to get evacuated from here.”

Budget expands efforts to reform, transform healthcare system: PM

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Budget expands efforts to reform, transform healthcare system: PM

The health budget expands the government’s efforts to reform and transform the healthcare system over the past seven years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

“We have adopted a holistic approach in our healthcare system. Today our focus is not only on health, but equally on wellness. When we talk about holistic and inclusiveness in the health sector, we are including three factors in it. The first is an expansion of infrastructure and human resources related to modern medical science.

“Second is the promotion of research in traditional Indian system of medicine like AYUSH and its active engagement in the healthcare system. And third is to provide better and affordable healthcare facilities to every person, every part of the country through modern and futuristic technology”, said PM Modi while inaugurating the post-Union Budget webinar of Health Ministry.

He underlined that the critical healthcare facilities should be extended at the block level, at the district level, and near the villages. This infrastructure needs to be maintained and upgraded from time to time. He called upon private and other sectors to come forward with more energy for this endeavor.

To strengthen the primary healthcare network, construction of 1.5 lakh health and wellness centers are also on at a fast pace, he said, adding that till now, more than 85,000 centers are providing the facility of a routine check-up, vaccination, and tests. Mental healthcare has also been added to this year’s health budget, he highlighted.

“Therefore, the budget for health education and human resource development related to healthcare has made a considerable achievement compared to last year. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission provides an easy interface between consumers and healthcare providers. With this provision, both — getting the treatment and giving the treatment — in the country will become very easy”, PM Modi said.

He further said that it will also facilitate global access to India’s quality and the affordable healthcare system.

Today the whole world is accepting the role of Ayush. It is a matter of pride that the WHO is going to start its only Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in the world in India, said PM Modi.

BJP betrayed the nation, alleges Kharge

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BJP betrayed the nation, alleges Kharge

Slamming the Union government over the foreign policy “failures” amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Congress accused the Centre of making one strategic blunder after another and betraying the nation.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday posted on Twitter: “The Modi govt’s foreign policy failures have ensured that our adversaries are successfully weaning away our friends. Beijing Janata Party (BJP) govt has committed one strategic blunder after another. They have betrayed the nation.”

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the government, saying, “This government’s strategic mistakes will prove to be very costly.”

Both the leaders were reacting to reports that Russia and Pakistan have come closer.

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said: “Looking at the sudden expansion of Russian troops in Ukraine, the BJP government can no longer avoid the debate on China inside Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must discuss the Indo-China border conflict in the Parliament with different political parties and state his position.”

Prime Minister Modi chaired the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Thursday evening as the crisis between Russia and Ukraine intensified into conflict.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar attended the meeting.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P.K. Mishra, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were also present in the meeting.

Third list of defence items banned for import to come out soon: Modi

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Third list of defence items banned for import to come out soon: Modi

Indian Defence Ministry will come up with a third list of defense items banned for import very soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday stressing self-reliance in the sector.

“A total 70 percent has been allocated for domestic defense industry this budget,” said Prime Minister while addressing a post-budget webinar titled ‘Aatmnirbharta in Defence – Call to Action on the announcements made in the budget.

The webinar was organized by the Ministry of Defence.

Prime Minister Modi recalled that India’s defense manufacturing was quite strong even during the period of slavery and in the immediate aftermath of independence.

Indian-made weapons played a major role during the Second World War. “Though, in the later years, this prowess of ours declined, still it shows that there has been no dearth of capabilities, neither then nor now”, he said.

Underscoring the importance of customization and uniqueness of the defense system for a surprise element over the adversaries, PM Modi said: “Uniqueness and surprise elements can only happen when the equipment is developed in your own country.”

This year’s budget, the Prime Minister mentioned, has a blueprint for developing a vibrant ecosystem from research, design, and development to manufacturing within the country. About 70 percent of the defense budget has been kept for domestic industry only, he added.

The defense Ministry has, so far, released Positive Indigenisation Lists of more than 200 defense Platforms and Equipment.

After this announcement, the Prime Minister informed that contracts worth Rs 54,000 crore have been signed for domestic procurement.

Apart from this, the procurement process of more than Rs 4.5 lakh crore worth of equipment is at various stages. The third list is expected soon, he said.

The Prime Minister lamented the long-drawn process of weapon procurement which often results in a scenario where weapons are outdated by the time they are commissioned.

“Solution for this lies is in Aatmnirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives”, he emphasized. The Prime Minister lauded the armed forces for taking decisions while keeping the importance of Aatmnirbharta in mind.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to keep the pride and feelings of the jawans in matters of weapons and equipment. “This is possible only when we are Aatmnirbhar in these areas,” he said.

He noted that cyber security is no longer confined to the digital world but has become a subject of national security. “The more we deploy our formidable IT power in the defense sector, the more confident we will be regarding our security”, he said.

Noting the competition among the defense manufacturers for contracts, the Prime Minister said it often led to money-focus and corruption. A lot of confusion was created with regard to the quality and desirability of weapons. Aatmnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan tackles this problem also, he said.

He lauded the ordnance factories for being a shining example of progress with determination. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that seven new defense undertaking that was incorporated last year are rapidly expanding their business and reaching new markets. “We have increased defense exports six times in the last 5-6 years. Today, we are providing Made in India Defence equipment and services to more than 75 countries”, the Prime Minister added.

As a result of the government’s encouragement to ‘Make in India’, the Prime Minister said that more than 350 new industrial licenses have been issued for defense manufacturing in the last seven years. Whereas in the fourteen years from 2001 to 2014, only 200 licenses were issued. The Prime Minister also said that the private sector should also come on a par with DRDO and defense PSUs, hence 25 percent of the defense R&D budget has been kept for Industry, start-ups, and academia. The Special Purpose Vehicle model has also been arranged in the budget. “This will establish the role of the private industry as a partner beyond just a vendor or supplier”, he said.

Transparent, time-bound, pragmatic, and fair systems of trial, testing, and certification are essential to the growth of a vibrant defense industry, Modi noted. For this, an independent system can prove useful in solving problems, he added.

Will Pinarayi be able to stamp his ‘continued’ authority at CPI-M state party conference?

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Will Pinarayi be able to stamp his ‘continued’ authority at CPI-M state party conference?

With the CPI-M state party conference set to kick-off from March 1 in Kochi, the political circles are abuzz with conversations about whether Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan be able to stamp his continued authority in the party.

As things stand, there appears no doubt about it, as he always has the last word not just in governance, but also in the party, contrary to his predecessors who played “second fiddle” to the party’s state secretary.

A media critic, on condition of anonymity, said the only reason why Vijayan, ever since he took over as chief minister in 2016, has the last and final word is because of the way he ran the party as its state secretary from 1998 to 2014 and holds the record of having sat on the chair for the longest period.

“It was his 16-year tenure as state secretary, which gave him the absolute confidence he displays now, that he is not just the final word in Kerala, but also at the national level. During the period he kept a close watch on all the leaders and handpicked leaders of his choice. He showed it again when the party prevented stalwarts like Thomas Isaac, G.Sudhakaran, A.K.Balan from contesting in the 2021 Assembly polls. The biggest surprise came when he decided not to give a second term to popular Health Minister K.K.Shailaja. There was not even a slightest of noise from any quarters,” said the critic.

When Vijayan decided to move out as state secretary in 2014, he made sure that the wings of the Achuthanandan faction in the party were clipped forever.

“In the run-up to the 2016 Assembly polls, there were more posters of Achuthanandan than Vijayan portraying the former as the team leader. But it ended the day votes were counted and when the CPI(M)-led Left had an easy victory, in came Vijayan and then, as they say, there was no looking back for him,” added the critic.

One big advantage that Vijayan has is the party’s second-in-command Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who was the Home Minister in the Achuthanandan cabinet 2006-11 but does not appear to be in a mood to move up the ladder. In all likelihood, he will be getting his third and final term as the state secretary, he said.

Unlike the factional feud between Achuthanandan and Vijayan when the former was active, there are none at the moment who dare to oppose him, and hence the four-day event at Kochi would go the way he wants.

With aging leaders like Vaikom Viswan, Anathalavattom Anandan, and K.P.Karunakaran in the state secretariat, it remains to be seen if they will be replaced.

Hence the only thing that will be of any significance is whether there be new faces in the 21-member state secretariat, the 88-member state committee and not to mention to decide the party’s Kerala contingent to the Party Congress to be held at Vijayan’s home turf Kannur in April.

Indian govt contemplating to evacuate students through land routes: K’taka CM Bommai

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Indian govt contemplating to evacuate students through land routes: K’taka CM Bommai

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said that the Indian government is contemplating bringing back Indian students stranded in war-torn Ukraine through land routes.

While interacting with reporters, CM Bommai stated that he had spoken to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar this morning in detail about the crisis. “Indian government is initiating all possible measures for the evacuation of students from Ukraine. Russian language-speaking diplomats are being sent to Ukraine.

“Options are being explored for bringing back Indian students from Ukraine through land movement since airlifting is impossible currently. The diplomatic channels are being opened in this regard. The possibility of taking out students from the west direction in Ukraine is being thought about,” he explained.

“The Foreign Minister has got all the information regarding Indian students in Ukraine. Many Karnataka students are pursuing medical courses there and a majority of them are staying in Kharkiv city. Presently all are safe,” CM Bommai stated.

“The students have been asked by the embassy not to make any movement unless asked. Clear information would be given to students during evacuation and they are in constant touch with the student community,” he said.

“I have requested him to arrange for their food, shelter, and other basic arrangements. We have opened a helpline and there is another helpline by the Government of India to coordinate between students and parents. The foreign affairs ministry has asked the students to be careful. No one is in trouble yet. However, bombing is happening near the region where the students are staying presently, that is a matter of concern,” he said.

70% polling in last phase of panchayat polls in Odisha

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70% polling in last phase of panchayat polls in Odisha

Barring a few incidents, the last phase of panchayat elections in Odisha was completed smoothly with approximately 70 percent voter turnout, an official said on Thursday.

As per preliminary reports, about 70 percent out of 41.88 lakh voters exercised their franchise in this phase. However, the final polling percentage will be known on Friday, said State Election Commissioner, Aditya Prasad Padhi.

The elections were held in five phases on February 16, 18, 29, 22, and 24. In the last phase, elections were held for 131 Zilla Parishad (ZP) seats in 975-gram panchayats of 25 districts on Thursday.

In this phase, the election process was disrupted in some places due to the law and order situation. After getting detailed reports from the concerned district collectors, the Commission will examine them and take further action, Padhi said.

He said all arrangements were made for 2.79 crore voters to elect 1,06,353 representatives for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) at 91,913 booths in the rural polls.

Of which, 36,523 ward members, 126 sarpanches, 326 panchayat Samiti members, and one Zilla Parishad member were elected unopposed, while about 2.20 lakh candidates contested for the remaining posts, Padhi informed.

Over 1 lakh polling personnel and nearly 40,000 policemen were deployed for the smooth conduct of the elections.

Stating that 78 percent polling was recorded during the first four phases of the rural polls, Padhi said that the participation of a large number of voters in the elections is a good sign for democracy.

For the first time, the Maoist-hit Malkangiri district recorded over 70 percent polling during the first four phases. The elections also passed peacefully in the Maoist hot belt, Swabhiman Anchal (erstwhile cut-off area), under Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri district, he added.

Padhi said the elections could not be conducted in the Chitrakonda block in 2017, while very few voters had participated in the elections held prior to that.

The counting of votes will be taken up on February 26, 27, and 28.

Sawang takes charge as APPSC chairman

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Sawang takes charge as APPSC chairman

Damodar Gautam Sawang took over as the chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) on Thursday.

He was last week shunted out as Director General of Police (DGP).

After taking charge as the APPSC chairman, Sawang called on Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was appointed on the new post on February 18, three days after he was removed as the police chief.

Governor of Andhra Pradesh made the appointment under Articles 316 (1) and 316 (2) of the Constitution of India.

Sawang succeeded incharge of chairman A V Ramana Reddy who was holding the post after the exit of former chairman Uday Bhaskar.

Sawang will hold the post of APPSC chairman for a period of six years. However, as per the APPSC’s regulations, he will be deemed retired from IPS.

Sawang’s new appointment is being seen by many as an honorable exit along with the extension of service as the 1986-batch IPS officer is due to retire in July next year.

The Andhra Pradesh government on February 15 shunted out Sawang as DGP and appointed Kasireddy V. R. N. Reddy as the new police chief.

KVRN Reddy, Director General of Police (Intelligence) was placed in a full additional charge of the post of DGP (head of police force) until further orders.

Sawang’s transfer came nearly two weeks after government employees held a huge protest in Vijayawada despite police denying permission and imposing restrictions in the city. Thousands of employees from across the state managed to reach the city for ‘Chalo Vijayawada’ on February 3. This was seen as a big failure by the police.

Jagan Mohan Reddy had reportedly taken serious note of the incident. The next day he had called DGP and sought an explanation from him.

After assuming office as the chief minister in May 2019, Jagan Mohan Reddy had picked Gautam Sawang as the police chief.

Sawang, a 1986-batch IPS officer, had succeeded R. P. Thakur, who was transferred and posted as Commissioner, Printing and Stationery and Stores Purchase.

Before Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh, Sawang worked in various positions including Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) of Maoist-hit Warangal district.

In 2015, he became the Commissioner of Police in Vijayawada and three years later, he was appointed as Andhra Pradesh’s DG, Vigilance and Enforcement.

During 2009-12, he served as a Commissioner for UN Police in Liberia.

More than 10 K’taka students stranded in Ukraine, says CM Bommai

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More than 10 K’taka students stranded in Ukraine, says CM Bommai

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said that about 10 students from the state are stranded in Ukraine after Russia launched an all-out attack on the country.

“As many as 100 Indian citizens, students are stranded in Ukraine due to war. They got stranded while going to the airport. The flights have been suspended after the war broke out. Right now they are in two buses and we have learned that there are more than 10 students from Karnataka among them. We are getting information on their whereabouts,” he said.

“We are in touch with the Indian Embassy and our Chief Secretary is in touch with the foreign affairs secretary. The Embassy has been contacted and it has been learned that priority is given to their safety. We are doing everything for their safety and we are in touch with the central government also,” Bommai said further.

“I have been trying to get in touch with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. He is attending a meeting and as soon as possible, I will be speaking to him on the issue,” he stated.

Though many returned to India from Ukraine last week, some students wanted to leave the country at their convenience. This was supposed to be the last batch of arrival to India from Ukraine. “Today, they had almost reached the airport and then it (war) happened. We are in touch with the Indian embassy and they are in turn in touch with the students and working out measures to keep them safe. They have informed students about safety measures,” Bommai explained.

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