Keep focusing on fighting Covid: PM

On World Health Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday urged citizens to keep focusing on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic by adopting all safety measures like wearing masks and washing hands.

“The government of India is taking numerous measures including Ayushman Bharat and PM Janaushadhi Yojana to ensure people get access to top quality and affordable healthcare. India is also conducting the world’s largest vaccination drive to strengthen the fight against Covid-19,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

“On World Health Day, let us keep the focus on fighting Covid-19 by taking all possible precautions including wearing a mask, regularly washing hands, and following the other protocols.”

At the same time, the Prime Minister advised taking all possible steps to boost immunity and stay fit.

He said that World Health Day is a day to reaffirm our gratitude and appreciation to all those who work day and night to keep our planet healthy.

“It’s also a day to reiterate our commitment to supporting research and innovation in healthcare.”

World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on April 7 under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as other related organizations.

In 1948, the WHO held the First World Health Assembly.

Modi’s coins ‘Chalo Paltai’ slogan, says Trinamool will fade away

Referring to a new audiotape that the BJP had released a few days back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s defeat is on the cards, as he coined a new slogan — ‘Chalo Paltai’ (let us make the change) — and urged the people to vote for the saffron party in the ongoing Assembly elections for a new and better government.

Modi was perhaps referring to the three tapes that had surfaced in relation to the coal smuggling in which money was allegedly being received (up to Rs 35 crore) by Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee every month as part of ‘cut money via a syndicate racket.

In the alleged audiotapes, a conversation between Ganesh Bagadiya, who is said to be a close aide of one Anup Majhi, an accused in the coal smuggling case, and a government official is claimed to be heard.

Addressing a public meeting in Cooch Behar, the Prime Minister said, “For 10 years, women, Dalits, backward classes, farmers and tea garden workers were subjected to injustices, but ‘Didi’ (Mamata Banerjee), you were just an onlooker. There is a new tax that has started in Bengal — ‘Bhaipo Service Tax’! When the women have to struggle for their food, when a youth has to struggle for a penny here, Rs 35-40 crore is coming every month. For this reason, today a voice is coming from every corner of the state — ‘Chalo Paltai, Chalo Paltai’.”

“When your party announces that Didi will now contest from Varanasi, then anyone can easily understand that Trinamool is going to fade away. Every day you have to say that you are winning Nandigram. But after the game you played on the polling day in Nandigram, the entire country got to know that you have lost. Didi, your anger, your resentment, your behavior, and your speech describe that you have lost the elections,” Modi said.

Taking a jibe at Banerjee, the Prime Minister said, “I heard that Didi is asking questions these days about whether the BJP is God so that it comes to know about the big victory in the first two phases. Oh, Didi…We are ordinary people, and with the blessings of God, we are committed to serving the nation.

“There is no need to trouble God to find out who is losing in the elections and who is winning. ‘Janata Janardhana’ (public) in the form of God. On seeing the temperament of the people, one can gauge which way the wind is blowing.”

Rationalizing Banerjee’s defeat, the Prime Minister said, “When she says ‘Sab Muslim Ek ho jao’ (All Muslims should come together), it proves that the vote-bank which she considered as hers is no more with her. This proves that she is going to lose the elections.

“Just come to think of it, had I said that all Hindus should come together and vote for the BJP, it would have not only made headlines, but the Election Commission would have sent me a notice for violation of model code of conduct. She is abusing the Election Commission every day, but it has not even sent her a notice for this,” he added.

“In the first two phases of polling, Didi’s departure has already been confirmed. People in huge numbers have come out and voted in our favor. The wave of the BJP in Bengal has cornered Didi’s goons and her nephew,” the Prime Minister said.

Rs 3,500 crore for drainage network on Hyderabad’s outskirts

Hyderabad, April 6 (Telugu Bullet) Telangana’s Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Monday announced that a comprehensive drainage network would be constructed at the cost of Rs 3,500 crore in the municipalities around Hyderabad.

Addressing a meeting of officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), he said the sewerage and drainage infrastructure in the municipalities will be improved, while the government had already started works to improve drinking water supply in these areas at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore.

KTR, as the minister is popularly known, said a Chief Engineer will be appointed as supervising officer in every GHMC zone to monitor work on cleaning ‘nalas’ (drains), widening them and removing encroachments.

Reviewing the works relating to sanitation, development of roads and widening of nalas, he directed the officials to use human resources and machines to complete the cleaning. Considering the importance of the work, he also asked officials to create a ‘green channel’ to ensure early release of funds.

The minister asked the officials to clear the encroachments on nalas and if the drive is resulting in people being rendered homeless, they should be allotted houses under the double bedroom housing scheme of the government.

He noted that the construction of link roads and works under Comprehensive Road Maintenance Programme (CRMP) were in full swing.

KTR said Hyderabad was ahead in the entire country in providing infrastructure facilities and taking up innovative works. Under the Strategic Road Development Project (SRDP) 21 projects already completed while another 17 projects will be completed soon.

Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi, Deputy Mayor M. Sreelatha Sobhan Reddy, Municipal Administration Secretary Arvind Kumar, GHMC Commissioner Lokesh Kumar and other officials attended the meeting.

CM KCR announced free power supply to Hair salons, laundry shops, dhobi ghats

Hyderabad, April 5,(Telugu Bullet):  Yesterday  Telangana CM KCR announced his decision to provide quality power supply up to 250 units per month free of cost to hairdressing salons, laundry shops, and dhobi ghats across the State. The free power supply started this month.

 CM took the decision to provide free power supply after examining the representations submitted by representations of Rajaka and Nayi Brahmin communities earlier. Principal Secretary for BC Welfare Burra Venkatesham issued the necessary orders in this regard. The decision will enable hairdressers and washermen to use modern electric equipment in their professions which will reduce both physical labor as well as a financial burden.

 Telangana government was implementing numerous schemes for the welfare and empowerment of the most vulnerable sections in the State.  CM gave a free water supply across Hyderabad.

 

Kamal Haasan ready to sacrifice cinema for politics

Chennai, April 5,(Telugu Bullet)  Superstar-turned-politician and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan on Sunday asserted that he is ready to quit cinema for the sake of politics.

Addressing media persons at Coimbatore, Kamal, who is contesting from the Coimbatore South seat in the April 6 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, said that he would complete all his movie assignments and contracts and is contemplating to walking off the silver screen if politics demands it.

“I am ready to quit the film world and show business for politics if it demands so. However late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and popular actor MGR had continued to act in movies even after becoming an MLA to communicate his ideas to the people of Tamil Nadu and to serve the people,” he noted.

Kamal also told media persons that he had received several threats during the election campaign but did not further elaborate.

He said that several political leaders had called upon him to quit politics and continue with cinema.

“Let us see who will quit politics… and as I said earlier, I will continue with politics.”

Kamal also said that his party has provided proper details to Election Commission officials on the details of the money spent during the campaign.

TDP announces boycott of Andhra local polls

Amaravati, April 3,(Telugu Bullet)   Andhra Pradesh’s opposition Telugu Desam Party on Friday announced its decision to boycott the upcoming Zilla and Mandal Parishad polls, with party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu expressing doubts over them being held in a free and fair manner.

Interacting with the media at Mangalagiri following the party’s politbureau meet, Naidu, who is also the former Chief Minister, objected to the election notification being issued in haste by the newly-appointed State Election Commissioner Neelam Sahni, who took over charge on Thursday and issued the election notification the same evening.

“The SEC has been reduced to a mere rubber stamp in the Parishad polls,” Naidu alleged.

The TDP has been asking for fresh notification of local body elections on account of the Tirupati Lok Sabha bypoll.

Noting that the SEC was to announce the polls after taking the opinion of all political parties, he said it had announced the dates on its own. “I don’t think these polls will be held freely and fairly. Therefore the party has decided not to participate in these polls,” Naidu said.

On Thursday, the SEC announced that the ZPTC and MPTC polls would be held on April 8, and results declared on April 10. The polls, originally scheduled to be held in 2020, were put on hold by then SEC Ramesh Kumar, citing the Covid pandemic.

The BJP and Jana Sena parties also boycotted Friday’s all-party meet convened by the SEC.

Revenue collection in Punjab up by Rs 10,382 crore in 2020-21

The revenue collection in Punjab has witnessed an upward trend during 2020-2021 to the tune of Rs 10,382.08 crore in comparison to the corresponding period of last fiscal due to the efficacious fiscal consolidation measures, said Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday.

A spokesperson for the Chief Minister’s office said during 2020-21 the total revenue collection was Rs 42,918.34 crore reflecting a hike of 31.91 percent as compared to Rs 32,536.26 crore collected during FY 2019-20.

Pertinently, the collection from VAT and CST amounted to Rs 6,113.54 crore during 2020-21 while the last year’s figures stood at Rs 5,408.12 crore thus showing an increase of Rs 705.42 crore (13.04 percent).

Similarly, the excise collection pegged at Rs 6,091.21 crore during the last fiscal showing an increase of Rs 1,068.35 crore (21.27 percent) over the collection of Rs 5,022.86 crore during the corresponding period for 2019-20.

Meanwhile, the GST collection and compensation cess during 2019-20 was Rs 22,105.28 crore while the corresponding figure during 2020-21 stood at Rs 30,713.59 crore which shows a surge of Rs 8,608.31 crore (38.94 percent).

The state government through fiscal consolidation coupled with economic prudence and budget management has led to the marked improvement in excise collection.

Modi slams both Left and Congress, seeks vote for BJP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took on both the ruling Left and the Congress-led opposition in Kerala and said enough is enough with both the outfits ruling the state and its against this that the BJP is putting forward a development agenda for the state.

He said like what happened in the country during the emergency under Jayaprakash Narayan, a similar situation is now being seen in Kerala.

“People have started to speak against misgovernance and tyranny and a message is being sent out to those in power. Kerala is now seeing the presence of a large number of respected professionals coming to the BJP just like Metroman Sreedharan and this time it’s going to be the BJP-led NDA,” Modi said.

Modi arrived at Konni near here and was greeted by a mammoth gathering of BJP supporters.

Slamming the traditional rival fronts, Modi said over the years these fronts have committed seven sins.

“The sins include false pride and arrogance and they feel they can never be defeated and hence they behave with arrogance. The second sin is both are greedy and we have seen solar, dollar, gold, land, and bar scams and over the years both these fronts have looted the state,” Modi added.

“I fail to understand which government will use lathis against devotees and this shows their anger towards their own people. The rival fronts have envy and are jealous of one another and they suffer from competitive corruption. Each of them is trying to beat the other in corruption and wants to make money. Then they have a lust for power and for that they will have an alliance with communal and criminal forces,” Modi further said.

“The next sin is, both promote dynastic politics. Everybody knows what a Left leader’s son is doing, but I am not naming as all know who it is. Then there is laziness in work but when it comes to making money, there are no issues and as a result, governance is paralyzed in Kerala,” said Modi.

He said the BJP-led NDA government has always been considerate to Kerala and in the latest Union Budget an extensive highway plan worth Rs 65,000 crore for 1100 km of road, besides Phase 2 of Kochi Metro and a fishing harbor at Kochi, has also been announced.

“I am sad to say that while access to drinking water under the PM Jalyojana scheme in the country has covered 20 percent, in Kerala it stands at just 4.5 percent. This is because of the poor attitude of the state government. In order to deny credit to Modi, they deny water to the people. Please take the credit but don’t make people suffer,” said Modi.

Modi said the BJP-led NDA has worked for a FAST development program for Kerala and to implement that, all should vote for the BJP, this time.

He left Konni to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and would come to Thiruvananthapuram for his last election rally in Kerala, which goes to the polls on April 6 to elect 140 legislators.

Partial lockdown order fake, says Telangana government

Hyderabad,  April 2 (Telugu Bullet)   A fake Telangana government order about partial lockdown in the state went viral on social media on Thursday, leading to rumors and confusion among people.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar subsequently issued a statement Thursday night denying that any such GO was issued.

“It has come to the notice of the government that an unsigned document claiming to be a GO issued on 1st April 2021 providing for the closure of shops and commercial establishments etc. is circulating on social media. It is hereby clarified that the above-said document is fake. No such order has been issued by the Government of Telangana,” he said.

The Chief Secretary also clarified that a lockdown is not under consideration.

Telangana’s Director, Digital Media, Konatham Dileep, said some miscreants created fake government order about a partial lockdown and urged people not to forward or share this. Action will be initiated on anyone who spreads such rumors, he said in a tweet.

The fake GO, issued in the name of Somesh Kumar but without his signature, states that all shops and commercial establishments including play zones will remain closed between 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. till April 30.

As the ‘GO’ sent people into a tizzy, the government immediately issued a statement clarifying that no such order was issued.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had categorically told the Assembly on March 26 that lockdown will not be imposed in Telangana.

“No hasty decision will be taken in this regard, considering the adverse impact the pandemic had on everyone during the lockdown last year,” he had said while advising people to strictly follow Covid-19 safety norms and avoid mass gatherings.

People of Assam showed red card to Cong: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the people of Assam showed the “red card” to the Congress-led grand alliance during the first phase of the Assembly polls on March 27 and gave their approval stamp to the state’s incumbent “double-engine government”.

Addressing an election rally in Kokrajhar, Modi, without naming the Badruddin Ajmal-led All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), said the Congress must be punished for forging an alliance with an inimical force.

“People of Assam in the first phase of elections like in a football match showed the ‘red card’ to the Congress-led ‘Mahajot’ (grand alliance) and gave their ‘mohar’ (stamp) for the double engine government for a second time.”

“The prospects in today’s election scenario were also very encouraging,” he said while referring to the ongoing polling in the second phase of the elections for 39 seats on Thursday.

Terming the 10-party ‘Mahajot’ as ‘Mahajhooth’ (grand lie), Modi said the Congress has betrayed all ethnic communities in Assam and during their rule, “bomb, bandook (guns) and blockade raj” was the order of the day.

“We would never allow them to loot the hard-earned peace in Assam. Congress has joined a party that is certain to destroy Assam’s identity,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that after a long time, peace has been restored in Assam and development was underway at a rapid speed.

“For those extremists who have shunned the path of violence and surrendered, the government would do everything as promised. Congress’ misgovernance led to the violence and unrest besides backwardness in the Bodoland areas.”

Detailing the Bharatiya Janata Party led government’s developmental initiatives in Assam, the Prime Minister said: “A medical college, university, engineering institutes, and various other establishments are being set up in Kokrajhar. A package of Rs 1,500 crore has also been provided for development.

“Besides giving “pattas” (land rights) to over 3.25 lakh families, increase of the rates of daily wages of the tea garden workers, setting up of educational institutions for all class and communities including women, changing the lives of all people very fast.

“With the mantra of peace, progress, and protection for Bodoland areas, the NDA government is working h for your welfare.”

The Prime Minister also announced that the Bodo language is being included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution ensuring its further development.

The Prime Minister, who addressed many election gatherings in the past one month, is likely to visit Assam once again before the third and final phase of the Assembly elections on April 6.

Punjab CM launches free travel facility for women

Chandigarh, April 1 (Telugu Bullet)  Taking another major step towards women empowerment, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday virtually launched a free travel facility for women in government buses running within the state.

“With this, we have fulfilled another poll manifesto promise,” said the Chief Minister, adding that after the record-making 85 percent promises implemented, his government was now moving forward towards the realisation of all 100 percent of the commitments.

Pointing out that other parties were promising free travel for women now in states going to polls, he said that while everyone talks about women empowerment, his government had taken several concrete measures to achieve it.

In fact, while the promise of his government was to reduce ticket price for women by 50 per cent, it had gone ahead to make it totally free, he said, urging private bus operators to also understand their social responsibility and reduce tariff.

Under the free travel scheme, which will benefit over 1.31 crore women and girls across the state, all women, irrespective of their financial status, will be able to travel free of cost in all non-AC buses, intra-state, just by showing Aadhaar or voter card or some other valid identity card.

Expressing concern over crimes against women, the Chief Minister said his government was committed to their safety, and the Transport Department was installing GPS systems in all government and private buses, to enable easy tracking of the vehicle, in addition to panic button for emergency use.

The process was nearly complete for government buses, and the private operators had been asked to complete it by August 31, he said.

He lauded the Transport Department for the innovative initiatives towards women safety.

Amarinder Singh further announced 25 more bus stations to be built in the state to improve road connectivity.

The free travel scheme, said the Chief Minister, will be a boost to the realisation of his government’s vision for inclusive growth and development of women and girls, who have already been provided 50 per cent reservation in Panchayati Raj and Local Body institutions in the state, along with 33 per cent reservation in government jobs.

In line with this commitment, 33,000 women will get jobs this year in the state, the Chief Minister pointed out, adding that a large number of girl students had also been provided smartphones to help them study during the pandemic.

During the virtual launch, connected live to 30,000 people across 1,036 locations, Surinder Kaur, travelling from Bagapurana to Jalandhar to fetch her medicines, said she was pleasantly surprised this morning to discover about the scheme on boarding a bus.

The scheme will be very helpful to women from the poor families.

One Naina said the move would make it much easier for her now to travel to meet her family and friends without worrying about the expenses.

Another woman commuter dubbed it a great decision for the empowerment of women.

Transport Minister Razia Sultana said her department would continue to work towards women safety in both public and private transport, while Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Aruna Chaudhary termed the scheme yet another key initiative by the Amarinder government for the welfare and development of women.

Calling it a true women’s day gift, Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar contrasted the state government’s mindset with that in Uttar Pradesh and some other states, which were becoming notorious for crime against women.

Punjab Youth Congress chief Barinder Dhillon lauded the move, which he said reflected the women empowerment ethos of the state government, which also has its first woman Chief Secretary now.

He also mooted free travel for students, to and fro to their educational institutes, to promote education.

UP Cong team gets 69 new members

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday approved the expansion of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee by adding 69 new members.

Sonia Gandhi has named Vishwa Vijay Singh, Ghyasuddin Anuragi, and Deepak Kumar as vice presidents.

The party president has also named 13 new general secretaries and 53 secretaries.

All veterans and senior leaders have failed to find a place in the new expansion and the party had inducted young blood into the organization.

This is the second expansion of the state Congress committee and is crucial since it comes on the eve of the Panchayat elections in the state.

Pawan Kalyan 100% CM candidate in next polls: Janasena

Following the statement by Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party chief Somu Veerraju that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘likes’ Pawan Kalyan, and called the party cadre to ‘revere’ him, Janasena leaders have started claiming that the actor-politician is a 100 percent chief ministerial candidate in the next Assembly elections.

“Kalyan is 100 percent the chief minister candidate, the national party BJP’s state president has said it. We hail the statement of Veerraju and welcome it,” said Janasena leader P. Hari Prasad.

He claimed that the state ‘needs’ the actor’s leadership who can work with dedication for the people with honesty.

“All of you must work hard in that direction to bring change to the people. For that, just writing posts on social media is not enough. All you shall come out and reach every house,” Prasad addressed Janasena party cadres.

The Janasena founder, however, continues to act in movies, dividing his time between politics and acting.

Veerraju and Janasena leaders’ statements assume significance because several party members wanted a Janasena candidate to contest the Tirupati bypoll but a candidate chosen by the BJP, Ratna Prabha, and not associated with Janasena hitherto filed the nomination.

Similar was the case with the party’s plans in Hyderabad civic body polls recently.

Meanwhile, Nadendla Manohar, Janasena second-in-command said that Kalyan has agreed to hold a victory roadshow for the BJP-Janasena candidate Ratna Prabha after the Tirupati Lok Sabha bypoll.

“A public meeting would be organized after the roadshow and all the active members of the party should take responsibility and make it a success,” said Manohar.

He spoke at a meeting of the party’s Tirupati constituency’s active members and doled them out membership kits with insurance certificates.

According to Prasad, Kalyan spoke to insurance companies and arranged health policies worth Rs 50,000 and accident insurance worth Rs 5 lakh through the membership, which will help them if they meet with minor accidents during rallies.

“All of you must use the facility. Your family will have assurance with this policy,” he claimed.

Reaching out to Balija caste members, Prasad told them not to lose courage and claimed that people are vexed with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government.

“Say it to all Balija brothers. Let’s instill courage among them. The people’s representatives are directly swinging into action and threatening them,” he claimed.

He claimed that there is no need for them to fear as Janasena founder and actor-politician Kalyan will personally come for their rescue and stay in their support.

MLA Roja undergoes surgery in Chennai

 Chennai, March 30 (Telugu Bullet): APIIC Chairperson, MLA RK Roja underwent surgery. She underwent two major operations at a private hospital in Chennai. Moved from ICU to ward today. Doctors said Roza needed complete rest for another two weeks during the procedure. In this context, her husband Selvamani released an audiotape on Roza’s health. 

Telangana to procure paddy from farmers in villages

Hyderabad, March 30 (Telugu Bullet)   Like last year, the Telangana government will procure paddy from farmers by setting up procurement centres in villages, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced on Monday.

With this, the state government has reversed its earlier decision not to set up procurement centres in villages this year.

The Chief Minister said in view of the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was decided to procure paddy during the summer season through 6,408 centres in the villages all over the state.

The decision was taken at a high-level review meeting he held with ministers and top officials of Agriculture, Marketing, and Civil Supplies Departments.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, instructed Principal Secretary, Finance, Ramakrishna Rao to make all arrangements to give a Rs 20,000 crore bank guarantee by Tuesday evening. He also asked Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to conduct an emergency videoconference with all the Collectors for the setting up of the procurement centres.

The CM asked Agriculture Minister Niranjan Reddy to be in Hyderabad and monitor the setting up of the procurement centres and procurement of the paddy. The minister and the Chief Secretary were asked to take all precautions so that farmers were not put to any difficulty while the paddy is procured.

The procurement centres will comprise 2,131 Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP) centres, 3,964 Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society (PACS) centres and 313 others.

In December, the government had said that it will not be able to set up procurement centres in villages. It said the procurement was taken up during the pandemic on a humanitarian consideration that farmers should not suffer losses.

“It is not possible to do the same thing every time. The government is not a business organisation or trader. It is not a rice miller or a dal miller. Sale and purchase is not the responsibility of the government. It is not possible to set up a purchase centre in the village from next year onwards,” the officials had said.

They had also noted that the new farm laws being implemented in the country allowed the farmers to sell their crop anywhere and hence, the state government need not set a purchasing centre in the villages.

On Monday, KCR asked officials to ensure that Minimum Support Price (MSP) conditions are implemented during the procurement. He wanted the farmers to ensure that the paddy they are bringing in to the centres should have not more than 17 per cent moisture. The farmers should ensure that the moisture percentage is less and they should follow the conditions of the MSP. The CM instructed the officials to keep the 20 crore gunny bags ready at the procurement centres.

The CM said in this summer season, paddy is cultivated in 52.76 lakh acres, and it is expected that the yield would be 1.17 crore metric tonnes of the coarse variety paddy and 21 lakh metric tonnes of the fine variety paddy.

KCR noted that the cotton produced in Telangana state had a better price in the international market. Since the cotton produced in the state has better quality and has a higher price as well as higher yield, in the coming monsoon season, the farmers should be ready to grow cotton in 75 to 80 lakh acres. In this regard, the CM asked Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Janardhan Reddy, to make arrangements for the procurement of the seed. In a similar way, arrangements should also be made to cultivate red gram in 20 to 25 lakh acres in the State. The CM said if cotton and red gram crops were given water periodically, the yield would be more.

The CM instructed the Chief Secretary to identify lands to be given on lease to the Central Warehousing Corporation which are ready to construct additional warehouses to store the food grains.

Tirupati LS bypoll: BJP, YSRCP candidates to file nominations

The candidates of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- Janasena are expected to file nominations for the forthcoming Tirupati bypoll on Monday.

“With the blessings of Lord Venkateshwara and support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire BJP-JSP family, I am going to file my nomination on Monday.,” said Ratna Prabha, the BJP candidate.

Before her nomination, she visited the Tirupati temple early on Monday morning to seek the deity’s blessings.

On Saturday, the former Karnataka chief secretary met with actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and invited him to canvass for her in the run up to the big bypoll scheduled on April 17.

“Met Kalyan and invited him to canvass at Tirupati. His instant positive response makes our campaign stronger and closer to victory,” claimed Prabha.

She also discussed the election road map with BJP national secretary and Anchra BJP co-incharge Sunil Deodhar, party state president Somu Veerraju, Purandeswari, and Madhukar.

“Suddenly a big challenge before me. Gearing up to be a passionate Parliamentarian touching the heart of every voter and reaching out to the last mile of my constituency. God give me strength and stamina,” the former IAS officer said.

Prabha said that she was flooded with phone calls and messages on being selected as the BJP candidate and observed that there is so much of expectation from her.

“Will work day and night with the people of the constituency and never let them down,” she added.

Despite being retired, Prabha has been active in public life in Karnataka, keeping herself busy with several programmes aimed at empowering women, promoting skills and others.

Likewise, YSRCP candidate M. Gurumoorthy is also scheduled to file his nomination on Monday.

Several top leaders and ministers were expected to accompany Gurumoorthy while filing his nomination.

Rahul Gandhi extends Holi greetings to the nation

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi greeted people on the occasion of Holi on Monday and urged the nation to adhere to the Covid norms.

Rahul tweeted: “Our country is full of festivals and best wishes for Holi to each one of you. Follow the Covid-19 guidelines and be safe.”

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill, who had posted a video of him celebrating Holi with his family, tweeted: “Laughter, joy, colors – festival of Holi teaches us about the importance of most vital elements of life. Play a “Covid safe” Holi with your loved ones.”

Congress General Secretary Organisation tweeted: “Let the colors of Holi bring you joy, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you all a Happy Holi!”

The whole nation is celebrating Holi with Covid guidelines being enforced at various places in the country.

Jagan relaunches refurbished Spandana portal

Hyderabad, March 27 (Telugu Bullet)  Andhra Pradesh government launched a refurbished Spandana portal, a one-stop public grievances redressal platform.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy relaunched the modernized portal on Friday and directed the officials to keep a track of the grievances being addressed by the concerned departments.

The renovated portal comes with the option of reopening grievances.

“Citizens can reopen the grievances in case they are not satisfied with the redressal. Reopening of grievances can be done twice, first at the district level and second at the head of the department level,” said an official.

They can be categorized into critical, high, and general.

Public grievances can be raised at the village and ward secretariats through call centers, self-service through the portal or app.

Likewise, citizens can check the status of grievances through a web link provided to them, calling at 1902 or visiting the nearby village or ward secretariats.

The new Spandana portal enables citizens to give feedback through a link or over a phone call from a call center agent.

As part of the new system, regular field-level surveys will be carried out to ensure grievances are thoroughly redressed.

On the submission of a complaint by a citizen, officials are required to directly track and resolve it. Officials are required not to leave grievances unresolved and when rejecting a grievance, they should point out the exact reason why a grievance is being rejected.

“There should be a fortnightly review by the secretaries at the state level and district collectors at the district level to monitor the quality redressal and effectiveness of Spandana portal,” said Reddy.

He approved the erection of a digital screen at his camp office which displays Spandana dashboards.

President Ram Nath Kovind referred to AIIMS

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has been shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday for further treatment. His condition is stated to be “stable”.

“He is being referred to AIIMS, Delhi for further investigation,” Indian Army’s Research and Referral Hospital said in a statement.

He was admitted to the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi on Friday morning after a chest discomfort.

The 75-year-old President had complained of chest discomfort in the morning and thereafter he was rushed to the military hospital.

The President, who underwent routine tests and was put under observation, is now in a stable condition, the hospital said.

In a statement, the hospital authorities said: “He is undergoing routine check-up and is under observation. His condition is stable.”

Modi offers prayers at Kali temple in B’desh

Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the Jeshoreshwari temple dedicated to Goddess Kali in Bangladesh’s Satkhira district.

The temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site located in Ishwaripur, a village in Shyamnagar Upazila.

According to Hindu mythology, the Jeshoreshwari temple is one of the 51 ‘Shakti Peeths’ scattered across India and the neighboring countries.

Modi, the first foreign head of state to visit the temple, was received by devotees with conch shells.

The Prime Minister offered a gold crown and a red Banarasi saree to the deity.

After this, Modi, who arrived in Bangladesh on a two-day visit on Friday, will head to the Orlandi temple in Gopalganj district, where he will also pay tributes at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara.

Orakandi is the holiest place for more than five crore people of the Matua community living in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal.

Meanwhile in Tungipara, the birthplace of Rahman, the Prime Minister will be accompanied by his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina.

This is Modi’s first foreign visit after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic earlier last year.

On Friday, he participated in the celebrations of the country’s 50th year of liberation from Pakistan.

Modi and Hasina enjoyed the music of legendary classical vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakravarty at the National Parade Square in Dhaka, along with President Abdul Hamid, and others.