Andhra CM writes to Jaishankar about ill-treatment of workers in Bahrain

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Andhra CM writes to Jaishankar about ill-treatment of workers in Bahrain

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has written to external affairs minister S. Jaishankar about several Indian workers being ill-treated by their employers in Bahrain.

The Chief Minister sought the assistance of the Centre for the return of the workers to their respective home towns.

In a letter to the central minister on Monday, Jagan Mohan Reddy pointed out that among the impacted workers, a sizeable number belongs to Andhra Pradesh.

“In this regard, I would like to bring to your kind notice that the Government of Andhra Pradesh will extend all possible support to Government of India in repatriating the affected workers, belonging to Andhra Pradesh, from Bahrain,” he wrote.

“I request the officials from your good office to reach out to Resident Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh Bhavan or officers from my office (Chief Minister’s Office, Andhra Pradesh) for any assistance needed for repatriating affected workers belonging to Andhra Pradesh,” he added.

Modi to lay foundation stone of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh university in Aligarh

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Modi to lay foundation stone of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh university in Aligarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh state university in Aligarh on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister will also visit the exhibition models of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University in Aligarh.

The university is being established by the state government in the memory and honour of the great freedom fighter, educationist and social reformer, Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh.

The University will be set up in a total area of over 92 acres in the Lodha village and Musepur Kareem Jarouli village of Aligarh’s Kol tehsil.

The university will provide affiliation to 395 colleges of the Aligarh Division.

In February 2018, the Prime Minister had announced the establishment of a Defence Industrial Corridor in the state during the inauguration of the UP Investors Summit in Lucknow.

A total of 6 nodes — Aligarh, Agra, Kanpur, Chitrakoot, Jhansi and Lucknow — have been planned in the Defence Industrial Corridor.

In the Aligarh Node, land allocation process has been completed and land has been allotted to 19 firms, who will invest Rs 1,245 crore in the node.

The Defence Industrial Corridor of Uttar Pradesh will help in making the country self-reliant in the field of defence production and promoting ‘Make in India’.

Priyanka in Rae Bareli to meet party workers, leaders

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Priyanka in Rae Bareli to meet party workers, leaders

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has extended her visit to Uttar Pradesh by two days and will be in Rae Bareli on Sunday.

According to party sources, Priyanka, who is in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, will discuss election strategy, organisation status, names of potential candidates and many other issues with senior leaders in Rae Bareli which is also her mother, Sonia Gandhi’s parliamentary constituency.

She will address meetings with the district Congress committee, block presidents, Nyaya Panchayat presidents and city president on Sunday morning.

Thereafter, she will meet the PCC members and later in the evening, Priyanka will interact with former legislators and senior party members of the area.

A meeting with zila panchayat members is also on the cards.

She will have an interaction with eminent citizens in the evening and another one with social organisations, including representatives of industry, JCC, Rotary Club, IMA, Rae Bareli Club and chemist association will be there.

The Congress has been facing tough times in Rae Bareli-once considered a party bastion.

Sonia Gandhi has been unable to devote much time to her constituency, reportedly due to health issues.

The two Congress legislators, Aditi Singh and Rakesh Singh, have revolted against the party leadership and their loyalties now lie with the BJP.

PM, Odisha CM greets people on Nuakhai festival

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PM, Odisha CM greets people on Nuakhai festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other senior leaders of the country on Saturday extended their greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Nuakhai festival.

Nuakhai, an agricultural festival, is usually celebrated one day after the Ganesh Chaturthi in Western Odisha.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said: “Nuakhai Juhar! Greetings to everyone on this auspicious occasion. On Nuakhai we laud the outstanding efforts of our industrious farmers and their role in nation building. I pray for everyone’s good health and well-being.”

In a video message, Patnaik said that Nuakhai is not only a festival but an identity of the state’s art, culture and tradition.

“I pray to Maa Samaleswari that you all have a happy and prosperous life,” he said.

Also extending his greetings, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: “My deepest gratitude to our farmer friends whose hard work has ensured food security to the nation. May this auspicious occasion bring about prosperity and good health to everyone.”

Similarly, BJP President J.P. Nadda wished the people of Odisha, saying: “I extend my warm wishes on the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai Juhar! The ancient festival marks the worship of foodgrains and celebrate our farmer’s hardwork. May this festival brings good health, happiness, peace and prosperity.”

Many other senior leaders including Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and Union Ministers Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan, Arjun Munda and Aswini Vaishnaw also greeted the people of the state.

Meanwhile, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P.K. Jena has appealed to the people to celebrate the festival while strictly adhering to the Covid-19 norms and must avoid gatherings.

He requested people not to overcrowd temples during the festive period.

Telangana becomes first state to launch drone trials for deliveries

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Telangana becomes first state to launch drone trials for deliveries

Telangana became the first state in the country to launch a trial run for delivering vaccines by drones to healthcare centres in remote areas.

The two-day trial run of drones under the state government’s ‘Medicine from the Sky’ project began on Thursday in Vikarabad town.

Vikarabad District Collector K. Nikhila formally inaugurated the trial run in the parade ground.

Boxes weighing 2-3 kgs took off from the Vikarabad district hospital for primary healthcare centres 500 metres away, flying to an altitude of up to 400 feet.

“This is the first time in India that trial run is being conducted to use drone technology to deliver vaccines or medicines to remote areas,” she said.

The three-phase trial will see six flights a day, with each drone carrying 175 vaccines in temperature-controlled boxes.

The project will be formally launched on September 11 by Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Telangana Industries and Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao.

The ‘Medicine from the Sky’ is an initiative of the Telangana government, spearheaded by the Emerging Technologies Wing of the ITE&C Department, in partnership with World Economic Forum, NITI Aayog, and HealthNet Global (Apollo Hospitals).

The project entails undertaking experimental Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights for delivery of vaccines using the identified airspace of the Vikarabad district.

The project has received the final regulatory nod from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Three of the eight selected consortia, namely Bluedart Med Express Consortium (Skye Air), Hepicopter Consortium (Marut Drones), and CurisFly Consortium (TechEagle Innovations), have already reached Vikarabad and have started testing of their drones, via VLOS and BVLOS flights.

With the launch, the consortia would continue to further test the endurance of their drones over increasing longer distances and heavier payloads to establish the reliability, officials said.

The project is first of its kind in India as it is the first organised BVLOS drone trials in the country and the same are being conducted in healthcare as the domain.

Indian drone delivery start-up firm Skye Air Mobility, which is a part of the consortium for the project, will conduct the majority of drone flights. Skye Air has joined hands with Blue Dart Express to provide drone-based delivery and drone flights to conduct these trials.

MFTS Project’s first two days of the trials will be flying in the visual line of sight, which involves drones flying between 500 to 700 meters from the base and they can be seen with the naked eye.

From September 11 onwards, BVLOS drone flights will take place for 9-10 km distances. These flights will be with consignments of vaccine, medical samples, and other healthcare items.

“We are extremely delighted to be a part of this project with the Telangana government and our tie-up with leading firms to give the first live demonstration trials which are being conducted in real time with real vaccines & medicines being carried,” Skye Air Mobility Co-Founder Swapnik Jakkampundi said

KTR highlights Telangana’s IT initiatives before Parliamentary panel

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KTR highlights Telangana’s IT initiatives before Parliamentary panel

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology was on Wednesday briefed on Telangana’s initiatives in the sector.

Information Technology and Industries Minister K.T. Rama Rao highlighted the state’s IT ecosystem and the IT initiatives taken up by the government.

The committee, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, had the meeting with the state minister and other officials as part of their study tour to Hyderabad.

The committee members included Karti P. Chidambaram, Jayadev Galla, Tejasvi Surya, Mahua Moitra, Chandan Singh, and G. Ranjith Reddy.

KTR, as the minister is popularly known, also felicitated Tharoor and other members of the committee on the occasion.

The panel on Tuesday visited T-Hub (Technology Hub), an innovation hub and ecosystem enabler, and the Telangana State Data Centre.

It got a glimpse of Telangana’s innovation ecosystems. Start-ups at T-Hub showcased their innovative solutions and shared how the state’s ecosystem has enabled them create impact.

Principal Secretary, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Jayesh Ranjan, briefed the parliamentary panel on the activities of T-Hub and its achievements.

Meanwhile, Tharoor on Wednesday shared on Twitter his views about the visit to ‘very impressive’ T-Hub. The panel also visited the second phase of the facility coming up at HITEC City.

“The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology visited the very impressive T-Hub in Hyderabad (Phase-2 under construction, hence the hard hats) which is already India’s largest incubation centre &will soon be the world’s second largest. Listened to the innovators,” tweeted the Congress leader.

“Some of the brains behind the T-Hub, the women leading key Verticals with IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, & the young men who have invented new rockets that will expand the frontiers of space, bring satellite launches into the private sector &are working on reusable rocket technology,” wrote the MP who also posted photographs taken during the visit.

“Heard from some remarkable innovators at the T-Hub, inspiring & heartwarming tales from Indians responding to Indian needs. A schoolgirl who made a biodegradable planter, a computerised incubator to combat infantile jaundice, a digital payment system, visual aid for the blind,” he added.

EC announces crucial bypoll for Mamata on Sep 30

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EC announces crucial bypoll for Mamata on Sep 30

After much speculation, the Election Commission of India announced the date for the bye-elections in Bhabanipur and elections in two other assembly constituencies – Samsergunj and Jangipur in Murshidabad district on Saturday. The elections in these three constituencies will be held on September 30 and counting will be held on October 3.

The elections in Samsergunj and Jangipur were withheld because of the death of the candidates before polls during the recently concluded assembly election in West Bengal. On the other hand, a bye-election in Bhabanipur assembly constituency is scheduled because the existing MLA Sovondeb Chattopadhyay resigned to make room for chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Banerjee lost to the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhiakri in Nandigram in the recently concluded polls and is still not an elected member of the legislative body.

The commission in its notification quoting chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi said, “under Article 164(4) of the Constitution of India, a Minister who is not a member of the Legislature of the State for a period of six consecutive months shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister and there will be a constitutional crisis and vacuum in the top executive posts in the Government unless elections are held immediately”.

“He has also informed that in view of administrative exigencies and public interest and to avoid vacuum in the state, bye-elections for Bhabanipur, Kolkata from where Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister intends to contest elections may be conducted,” the notification said.

“Taking into consideration the inputs and views of the Chief Secretaries of the concerned States and respective Chief Electoral Officers, while the Commission has decided not to hold bye-elections in other 31 Assembly constituencies and 3 Parliamentary Constituencies and considering the exigency and special request from the State of West Bengal, it has decided to hold bye-election in 159- Bhabanipur AC,” the notification said.

“Further, the Commission has also decided to hold polls in 3 Assembly constituencies namely 56-Samserganj, 58- Jangipur of West Bengal and 1 Assembly Constituency 110-Pipli of Odisha where the adjourned poll was deferred,” the notification said.

The election in these two constituencies of West Bengal was deferred because of the death of the candidates before the election. The commission has allowed a campaign time of seven days from September 20.

However, there are four more assembly constituencies – Khardah in North 24 Parganas, South Dinhata in Cooch Behar, Santipur in Nadia and Gosaba in South 24 Parganas where bye-election is scheduled but the election commission has kept the elections on hold considering the Covid pandemic situation.

The Trinamool Congress has been pressing for the election for quite a long time and recently a five-member delegation of Trinamool MPs including Sougata Roy, Jwahar Sircar, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy Sajda Ahmed and Mohua Moitra met the election commissioner and demanded for the polls. The announcement is a huge relief for the party.

BJP likely to return to power in Uttar Pradesh

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BJP likely to return to power in Uttar Pradesh

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is likely to return to power in the electoral contest of 2022 in Uttar Pradesh, the state with significant influence on countrys political landscape, as per the ABP-CVoter-IANS opinion poll.

Other key political players in the state — the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress are not in a position to dislodge the Yogi Adityanath government in 2022, as things stand today.

The latest round of opinion poll has revealed that incumbent Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath continues to be the most preferred choice for the post of chief minister. Yogi Adityanath continues to be much ahead of his competitors – Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Priyanka Gandhi in the race for top job in the state.

According to the survey data, the ruling BJP is expected to grab 41.8 per cent of vote share in the upcoming assembly polls in the state. Notably, the saffron party has been continuously maintained it vote share of around 41 per cent in the state; in 2017 Assembly elections BJP had garnered 41.4 per cent of the votes polled in the state.

As for other key political players in the state while the vote share of SP is expected to witness a jump of 6.6 per cent from 23.6 per cent in 2017 to 30.2 per cent in 2022, BSP’s vote share is likely to witness a slump of 6.5 per cent from 22.2 per cent in 2017 to 15.7 per cent in 2022. Country’s grand old party — the Congress, out of power in the state since 1989 is expected to get 5.1 per cent of the votes, the party had secured 6.3 per cent votes in 2017.

Translated into seats, BJP+ is likely to grab 263 seats in 2022 Assembly polls. Though BJP and its allies will witness a dip of 62 seats from the figure of 325 seats they had won in 2017, the alliance is expected to cross the majority figure comfortably.

The Samajwadi Party, emerging as main contender is expected to improve its tally from 48 seats in 2017 to 113 seats this time. The survey further shows that the Bahujan Samaj Party is continuously losing the political ground in the state as the party is expected to get 14 seats this time, it had won just 19 seats in 2017. Congress will be reduced to single digit figure of 5 seats.

The survey data revealed that there isn’t much anti-incumbency against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as 40.4 per cent of the respondents said that Yogi Adityanath is their preferred choice for the post of Chief Minister in upcoming assembly elections. During the survey, while 27.5 per cent opined in favour of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for the top job in the state, 14.6 per cent of the respondents said they waant to see BSP supremo Mayawati as next chief minister.

Interestingly, only 3.2 per cent of those interviewed during the survey wanted Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi to be the next chief minister of the state.

Notably, during the survey, a large proportion of respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of BJP government in the state. While 45.3 per cent of the respondents said that they were very much satisfied with the performance of the BJP government in the state, 19.9 per cent opined that they satisfied to some extent. 33.7 per cent of those interviewed during the survey said they were not satisfied with the performance of the state government.

As for the performance of the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while 43.6% of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of incumbent chief minister, 18.1% said they were satisfied to some extent with his performance; 37.0% of the respondents stated that they were not satisfied the ruling chief minister of the state.

Notably, a large proportion of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with sitting MLAs of their constituencies. During the survey, while 43.8% of the respondents said they were not satisfied at all with the performance of sitting legislators of their constituencies, only 29.0% stated that they were very much satisfied with their work; 20.9% opined that they were satisfied to some extent.

The survey data revealed that unemployment and spiraling inflation are key issues of concern for the electorate at the moment. Out of those interviewed, while 38.6 of the respondents said that unemployment was the main issue for them, 25.7% felt that price rise is the main issue affecting them.

The sample for the poll is 81,006 in five states covering 690 assembly seats. This State Poll is part of the largest and definitive independent sample survey tracker series carried out in India over the last 22 years, conducted by independent international polling agency CVoter, a globally renowned name in the field of Socio-Economic research.

May 2009 onwards, the CVoter Tracker has been carried out each and every week, 52 waves in a calendar year, in 11 national languages, across all States in UTs in India, with a target sample size of 3,000 samples each wave. The average response rate is 55%. Starting 1st January 2019, C Voter is carrying the tracker on DAILY basis, using the rollover sample of 7 days (last 6 days + today) for tracker analysis.

Sonia Gandhi’s popularity declining in poll-bound states

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Sonia Gandhi’s popularity declining in poll-bound states

The popularity of interim Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is on the decile in the five states going to the polls next year — Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur — as per the latest ABP-CVOTER-IANS BATTLE FOR THE STATES – WAVE 1.

In the very much satisfied category with Sonia Gandhi, 11.9 per cent are in Goa, 17.6 per cent in Manipur, 14.2 per cent in Punjab, 25.2 per cent in UP, 19.1 per cent in Uttrakhand, while the all-India average is 18.7 per cent.

In the satisfied to some extent category, the respondents in Goa gave 40.6 per cent to Sonia Gandhi, followed by Manipur at 25.9 per cent, Uttrakhand at 20.1, UP at 15.8 per cent, and Punjab at 15.4 per cent. The overall average is 19.8 per cent.

A total of 41.6 per cent respondents are not satisfied with Sonia Gandhi in Goa, 37.6 per cent in Manipur, 39.7 per cent in Punjab, 51.2 per cent in UP, and 44.6 per cent in Uttrakhand.

The sample size for the survey was 81,006 in five states covering 690 Assembly seats. This state poll is part of the largest and definitive independent sample survey tracker series carried out in India over the last 22 years, conducted by independent international polling agency CVoter.

In the era of social media, voices are suppressed: Rahul

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In the era of social media, voices are suppressed: Rahul

Rahul Gandhi on Friday released a video about how his late father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used to meet people, but now in the era of social media, the people’s voices was suppressed, he alleged.

He said, “So the tragedy of politics of today is that, in a world of media, in a world of WhatsApp, in a world of Twitter, in Facebook, that voice is basically suppressed.”

In the second video released within two days, he showed the picture of Rajiv Gandhi, where he can be seen talking to people, “This picture here. He’s listening. Right, so it was constantly listening and he would make these connections — he would be in this crowd, listen and then suddenly, he would say okay this can be transformed with this instrument,” he said.

Rahul said it was a journey where he would go and listen and then go and look around to find instruments that could transform the voice of this nation that he was hearing.

“There is this tremendous voice here, but it is struggling to speak. Of course, that’s been magnified today, it’s not being allowed to speak, and it is being crushed with monopoly, you know media… it’s been crushed with an authoritarian system,” he alleged.

Rahul said, “This voice is… call it God. There’s nothing more than this voice. It’s not a singular voice. It’s millions and millions of voices that speak together… have huge power when they speak and tremendous amount of nuance.”

He said that his father Rajiv Gandhi during the tours was not only connecting with the people, he was actually trying to understand their needs and it was about listening to what they were trying to tell him and I remember a lot of it was just going there and listening.”

Modi address 6th Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok

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Modi address 6th Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday virtually addressed the plenary session of the sixth Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) held in Vladivostok.

He was the Chief Guest for the fifth EEF in 2019, the first by an Indian Prime Minister.

Applauding President Vladimir Putin’s vision for the development of the Russian Far East, Modi reiterated India’s commitment as part of its “Act East Policy’ of being a reliable partner of Russia in this regard.

He underlined the natural complementarities of India and Russia in the development of Russian Far East.

The Prime Minister stressed on the importance of greater economic and commercial engagement between the two sides in line with the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’.

He highlighted the importance of health and pharma sectors as important areas of cooperation that have emerged during the pandemic.

He also referred to other potential areas of economic cooperation including diamond, coking coal, steel, timber etc.

Recalling the visit of Chief Ministers of Indian states to EEF-2019, the Prime Minister extended an invitation to the Governors of the 11 regions of Russian Far East to visit India.

An Indian delegation led by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri comprising leading Indian oil and gas companies are attending the India-Russia Business dialogue within the framework of EEF.

An online meeting between Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani and Governor of Sakha-Yakutia province of Russia was held on September 2 on the sidelines of EEF.

Over 50 representatives from reputed Indian companies from various sectors will also be participating in the online format.

Yogi orders surveillance teams in all UP districts

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Yogi orders surveillance teams in all UP districts

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials in the health and allied departments to launch a special disease prevention and surveillance survey across all districts from September 7.

An official statement issued by the chief minister’s office said that health teams must go door-to-door to identify those with viral fever, Covid-19 symptoms and other diseases arising out of the seasonal vagaries.

Under this drive, nodal officers will be appointed in every district of the state to monitor the relief work in areas affected by floods and heavy rains.

Preventive measures such as spraying of anti-larval and antimalarial sprays in localities must also be undertaken.

According to the government spokesman, the chief minister has also instructed officials to ensure supply of pure drinking water and distribute chlorine tablets in the flood-affected districts.”

“Special efforts should be made to improve surveillance. The health department, rural and urban development and child development departments should stay alert and run special cleanliness campaigns with inter-departmental coordination,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister advised people to take precautionary measures to check the breeding of mosquitoes in and around their houses.

Administrative officials have been asked to keep a constant watch on arrangements of ambulance operations in their respective districts.

Telangana to implement Dalit Bandhu in four mandals

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Telangana to implement Dalit Bandhu in four mandals

The Telangana government on Wednesday decided to implement Dalit Bandhu scheme in four mandals in addition to Huzurabad constituency where it is currently being implemented on pilot basis.

The government has selected four mandals in four Assembly constituencies, which are represented by the Dalit MLAs (Constituencies reserved for scheduled castes) in the north, east, west and southern parts of the state.

The selected mandals are Chintakani in Madhira constituency of Khammam district, Tirmalgiri mandal in Tungaturthy constituency of Suryapet district, Charagonda mandal in Achampet constituency of Nagar Kurnool district, Nizamsagar mandal in Jukkal constituency of Kamareddy district.

The move is part of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s efforts to understand and comprehend in detail the sentiments, needs of the Dalits and also the intricacies of the scheme, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a statement.

The scheme will be implemented for all Dalit families In these mandals. The chief minister, after his visit to New Delhi, would convene a review meeting in Hyderabad, with ministers, MLAs, district collectors from these areas.

The government has taken up Dalit Bandhu as a movement. It has already released Rs 2,000 crore for implementation of the scheme for all Dalit families in Huzurabad constituency.

Under Dalit Bandhu, every beneficiary Dalit family will get Rs 10 lakh as grant and they will be free to chose their profession, self-employment or businesses for utilising the funds.

Addressing a public meeting on August 16 in Huzurabad constituency to launch the scheme, KCR had announced that the government will disburse over Rs 2,000 crore to 21,000 Dalit families in Huzurabad in next two months.

He said there will be no selection of beneficiaries in Huzurabad Assembly segment, as the scheme will be implemented for all the SC families in a saturation mode.

He also declared that all the 17 lakh Dalit families in the state will be benefited from the scheme.

The scheme implementation across the state for all Dalit families will cost Rs 1.7 lakh crore. He said the government will allocate Rs 30,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore in the budget every year for 3 to 4 years.

Reticent Pawan Kalyan compliments Stalin on his governance style

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Reticent Pawan Kalyan compliments Stalin on his governance style

Telugu film star and political leader has complimented Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on his governance style.

In his message, late on Tuesday, the Telugu ‘Power Star’ tweeted, “Your governance and party functioning style are the role model and inspiring, not just in your state, but for all the states and political parties in the country. My compliments to you.” The message in Telugu and Tamil languages was addressed to Stalin.

The tweet, comes after a long time, from the usually reticent politician whose Jana Sena Party is in a tie-up with the BJP. The alliance is trying to position itself as an alternative to the ruling YSRCP and the opposition TDP in Andhra Pradesh.

However, Pawan Kalyan’s observation at the beginning of his message to Stalin sounds intriguing. “Any political party can play politics to come to power, but not after coming to power. You have proved this with your actions, not words,” he begins cryptically.

His tweet comes after quite some time and has netizens agog with curiosity over the intent and timing of the message. While political players are yet to respond on Pawan Kalyan’s message,

Some quarters are interpreting it as a salvo at the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who is being accused of political vendetta against his rival TDP.

Stalin had led the DMK to power in Tamil Nadu after being in the opposition benches for ten years. He has recently completed hundred days in his maiden stint as chief minister of the state.

Punjab CM enhances social security pension threefold

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Punjab CM enhances social security pension threefold

Fulfilling a major poll promise, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday launched the enhanced social security pension of Rs 1,500 per month, a threefold increase from Rs 500 earlier given by the SAD-BJP alliance government.

At the very outset, Amarinder Singh joined the people in paying glowing tributes to the late Chief Minister Beant Singh on his 26th death anniversary by observing two-minute silence.

Addressing the people on the occasion, the Chief Minister said Sardar Beant Singh laid down his life for peace, which ultimately led to a congenial atmosphere to ensure economic development in the state.

He said out of 547 poll promises made in the manifesto, 422 have already been fully implemented, 52 partially, while 59 are yet to be implemented. “Thus, we have fulfilled 90 per cent of the implementable promises which is the highest ever in any state after Chandrababu Naidu’s government in Andhra Pradesh,” said Amarinder Singh, adding 14 promises are difficult to fulfil as these are related to VAT that has been replaced by the GST regime.

Elaborating on the other welfare measures undertaken by his government in line with the several promises made with the people, Amarinder Singh said the amount under shagun scheme (Aashirwad) has already been enhanced to Rs 51,000.

Likewise, relief of Rs 4,700 crore has been disbursed to small and marginal farmers under Kisaani Karza Raahat, besides Rs 520 crore as debt relief to farm labourers and landless farmers.

As promised, the state has already given smartphones to Class 12 students, said Amarinder Singh.

The Chief Minister further said his government had already revived the Scheduled Caste scholarship to enable the poor and needy students to pursue higher learning. Similarly, loans up to Rs 50,000 of the SC/BC Corporation have also been waived towards debt relief for disadvantaged sections of society.

Towards empowerment of women, the state government has already ensured 50 per cent reservation for them in Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies besides 33 per cent reservation in jobs along with free bus travel facility.

As many as 17 lakh jobs have been facilitated as part of Ghar Ghar Naukri initiative, apart from free medical insurance to 38 lakh persons, he added.

Haryana Governor, CM extend Janmashtami greetings

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Haryana Governor, CM extend Janmashtami greetings

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday extended greetings on Janmashtami and wished that the festival brings happiness, health and prosperity in everyone’s life.

“Lord Krishna worked for the entire humanity. Therefore, we should also follow his teachings and work for the welfare of society,” Dattatraya said in a message.

The Chief Minister said the people should follow the life and teachings of Lord Krishna on this holy occasion.

Cong MP says Vijayan’s love for Scheduled Caste is fake

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Cong MP says Vijayan’s love for Scheduled Caste is fake

Senior Congress Lok Sabha member Kodikunnil Suresh slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, saying that he is having no concern for the Scheduled Castes (SC) and his claims to be the leader of renaissance is humbug and if he was genuine he should have married his daughter to someone from the SC community.

Suresh made this tongue-in-cheek remark while taking part in a meeting here on Saturday which is the 158th birth anniversary of hugely popular social reformer Ayyankali, who worked for the advancement of deprived and untouchable people in the princely state of Travancore.

Suresh, a seven time Lok Sabha member, took on Vijayan and said if Vijayan was a true champion of the SC community, what he should have done was he should have got her daughter married to some CPI-M leader from that community, who are there in large numbers.

“Ever since the Sabarimala issue surfaced a few years back (opening up of the temple to women of all groups), Vijayan suddenly tried to take up the leadership of the renaissance movement. This is nothing but a fake position that he has taken as he has no love for that community. He now has a member from the SC community as a Minister (K. Radhakrishnan — Minister of SC, ST and Devasoms) and see which portfolio has he given to him. And moreover there has been someone posted at his office also to oversee his functioning. The love that Vijayan claims to have for the SC is nothing but humbug,” said Suresh in his speech.

After the meeting got over, when the media got around him, Suresh reiterated what he said and stood by his remark and what he actually meant was if Vijayan was really serious the renaissance should have started from his family.

Reacting angrily to Suresh’s statement was the top youth wing leader of the CPI-M — A.A. Rahim who said this was an unwarranted remark which will only take the state backwards and it is in no way acceptable.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan when asked about Suresh’s remark, said he has no knowledge about it and added the party does not have such a view.

Incidentally Vijayan’s daughter Veena Vijayan after divorcing her first husband had married P.A. Mohammed Riyaz at the official residence of Vijayan, here, last year.

Riyaz, later was given an assembly seat to contest, which he won and eyebrows was raised when he was made the State PWD and Tourism Minister.

BJP divided over Yediyurappa’s state tour plan

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BJP divided over Yediyurappa’s state tour plan

The ruling BJP in Karnataka is divided over the former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s plan for state-wide tour to strengthen the party. Yediyurappa had announced the tour plan while submitting his resignation. Now, he is all set to take up the tour after Ganesh Chaturthi and the leaders in the party think that the tour by the veteran leader will create unnecessary confusion.

Sources in the BJP say that at a time when Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s government is taking off to a good start, the tour by Yediyurappa will send out a different kind of message. The high command after failing to convince Yediyurappa with the governor’s post, has given the responsibility to Bommai to broker peace in this regard and convince Yediyurappa to take up a state-wide tour in accordance with the party’s plan.

The family of Yediyurappa has gifted him Rs 1.3 crore worth Toyota Vellfire for touring the state. The fully automatic luxury vehicle was chosen to make the 78-year-old travel more comfortably. The vehicle also has an outlet on the top to help him wave at the crowd, without meeting the people.

Sensing the discontent within the party, Yediyurappa stated that there is no question of taking up the tour all by himself. “We will all go together for a state tour after Ganesh Chaturthi. Collective decision will be taken in this regard,” Yediyurappa stated to assuage detractors.

Yediyurappa reached his hometown Shivamogga on Friday for a four day visit. The people gave him a warm welcome. He said he is there for anyone in the party and his doors are open for all party men.

The detractors however want him to discuss travel plans and issues he is going to raise during the tour. They fear that Yediyurappa might use the opportunity to launch his son, BJP Vice President B.Y. Vijayendra. They also think that the tour will enhance the charisma of Yediyurappa and make the party more dependent on him in the next assembly elections.

Yediyurappa supporters say that he wouldn’t care for anyone and won’t wait for any orders. If at all the party wants to control him by putting roadblocks to his state wide tour plan, the party will be the loser. The detractors want Yediyurappa’s name for everything and they don’t like to give him any credit.

Will fight for development of Dalits till last drop of my blood: KCR

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Will fight for development of Dalits till last drop of my blood: KCR

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday vowed to fight for the comprehensive development of Dalits till the last drop of his blood.

He said he would fight for the success of ‘Dalit Bandhu’ like he fought for statehood to Telangana and was ready to sacrifice his life.

KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, urged the Telangana society to come forward for the economic and social development of the Dalits, eradicating the discrimination against them.

He was speaking at a meeting to review implementation of ‘Dalit Bandhu’, which has been launched on pilot basis in Huzurabad constituency in Karimnagar district.

Under ‘Dalit Bandhu’, a brainchild of the Chief Minister, every beneficiary Dalit family will get Rs 10 lakh as grant and they will be free to chose their profession, self-employment or businesses for utilising the funds.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief said that no one knows who started the discrimination against Dalits but it is a very heinous act.

He reiterated that with strong will and commitment anything can be achieved. He recalled that with a strong will and commitment, the Telangana state was achieved and with the same will, Telangana is being developed with determination. With the same determination, comprehensive development of Dalits would also be achieved, the CM added.

KCR observed that the conditions of Dalits all over the country are pathetic. “If one observes the condition of Dalits in north India, everyone who has humanity… their heart melts. At least now the economic and social discrimination against the Dalits should go in the country. We need government that dedicate themselves for the development of Dalits,” he said and reiterated that he wants to make Dalit Bandhu a torchbearer for the entire country.

He said that the Telangana government was giving an opportunity to Dalits which they were lacking. “This is not a scheme taken up to garner votes. There is no hurry. The scheme will continue till every Dalit family is developed. Comprehensive Family survey pointed out that there are 17 lakh Dalit families, in the state. There are about 75 lakh Dalit population in the state. In other words, there are 18 per cent Dalits among the state’s population.”

He hoped that the way financial help given to farmers under Rythu bandhu transformed the agriculture sector, Dalit Bandhu too will change the lives of Dalits for better.

Stating that several lakh crore were spent to revive the irrigation and farm sectors, KCR said in the same manner, Rs 1.75 lakh crore will be spent on Dalit Bandhu in a phased manner. Every year, Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 crore would be spent on 2 to 3 lakh Dalit families.

The CM directed the officials to prepare a pamphlet on programmes being implemented under the Dalit Bandhu and explain the salient features, and opportunities to the beneficiaries. He also made it clear to the officials that beneficiaries themselves should select their work.

He promised that reservations would be provided for Dalits for issuing licenses to start fertiliser, medicine, and wine shops. Opportunities would also be given to Dalits in supplying materials to hostels, hospitals and electricity agencies. Reservation in the contract sector will also be examined.

Claiming that Rs 2.20 lakh crore investment in the industries sector in the state created 15 lakh employment opportunities, he said investment to the tune of 1.75 lakh crore on Dalits will create employment for lakhs of Dalits.

He announced that Dalit Bandhu committees would be formed at village, mandal, Assembly segment, and district and state levels. Through Dalit Security Fund a supportive structure is created to help the Dalit families in case of any eventuality.

Smriti Irani addresses 1st ever G20 ministerial conference on women’s empowerment

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Smriti Irani addresses 1st ever G20 ministerial conference on women’s empowerment

Addressing the first ever G20 ministerial conference on Women’s Empowerment, Union Minister Smriti Irani reaffirmed India’s commitment towards addressing gender and women centric issues through mutual cooperation.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Irani addressed the first ever G20 Ministerial Conference, which was held in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy in a hybrid format.

She reaffirmed India’s commitment towards addressing gender and women centric issues through mutual cooperation.

The minister highlighted the various initiatives undertaken in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government towards fostering gender equality, ensuring better healthcare and strengthening women’s safety and security.

During her address, Smriti Irani also conveyed India’s solidarity with the G20 for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment amongst partner countries and joined the Gender Equality Ministers of the G20 in committing to promote gender equality and empowerment of women through cooperation and coordination at all relevant fora.

The G20 conference on Women Empowerment acknowledged the common objectives and shared responsibilities to advance the goals of equality and development of women and girls in all spheres including STEM, financial and digital literacy, environment and sustainability.

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