2 Dy Mayors, vice chairmen part of admin reforms: YSRCP

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2 Dy Mayors, vice chairmen part of admin reforms: YSRCP

Senior Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP V. Vijayasai Reddy said on Thursday that municipal corporations and municipalities will have two deputy mayors and an equal number of vice-chairmen as part of administrative reforms.

“As part of administrative reforms, a decision was made after the Governor’s approval of the ordinance for corporations and municipalities to have two deputy mayors and two vice-chairmen,” said Reddy.

He said this move is aimed at enabling the greater representation of various castes and called it another step that validates Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s exemplary leadership.

Meanwhile, the MP met with the newly elected municipal councilors from Visakhapatnam corporation at this camp office.

Reflecting on the recent thumping triumph in the local bodies polls, Vijayasai Reddy said the southern state’s people once again reposed their faith in Jagan Mohan Reddy.

He said they did this because of the welfare and developmental programs he has been implementing.

The YSRCP leader highlighted that the CM is ensuring that welfare activities are being extended to all communities.

Stalin promises completion of AIIMS Madurai

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Stalin promises completion of AIIMS Madurai

DMK president M.K. Stalin has said that if voted to power, he will commence construction of premium health institute the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Thoppur in Madurai.

He was speaking to the media at Madurai on Wednesday. Stalin said that while the announcement of the premium medical institute was made in 2014, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone only in 2019 just before the general elections.

The DMK leader said that both the state and the central government failed to complete the construction of AIIMS at Thoppur in Madurai.

Stalin said that once the DMK comes to power, the National Cooperative Sugar mills at Pandiyarajapuram and Alanganallur will be reopened.

The DMK leader lashed out against AIADMK’s Nathan R. Viswanathan who was alleged to have bribed voters at Natham constituency.

Stalin said that J. Jayalalithaa as AIADMK supremo had taken action against a similar charge against Nathan R. Viswanathan. The DMK leader also alleged that the police have registered an FIR against Viswanathan citing that he has not filed his nomination papers.

Elections for mayor, municipal chairperson underway in Andhra

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Elections for mayor, municipal chairperson underway in Andhra

Amaravati, March 18 (Telugu Bullet) Elections for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor for 11 municipal corporations and for the posts of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of 75 municipalities are underway in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.

According to the schedule, the swearing-in ceremony for the corporators will start first, followed by the elections for mayor, deputy mayor, municipal chairperson and vice chairperson will follow.

The results of these elections will be declared immediately after their completion.

For the election of mayor and chairperson, at least 50 percent members quorum is needed. In the event quorum is not achieved, the election will be postponed.

Municipal commissioner M.M. Nayak and district collectors will monitor the arrangements via video conference.

For the Tadipatri municipality, Dharmavaram RDO R. Madhusudan is acting as the presiding officer.

Anticipating a tough fight between the ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Anantapur’s Tadipatri, security has been heightened with heavy police presence.

Announcement on pay revision panel in couple of days: KCR

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Announcement on pay revision panel in couple of days: KCR

Hyderabad, March 18 (Telugu Bullet) Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday told the Assembly that an announcement on the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) recommendations for government employees will be made in the next couple of days.

He said the announcement will be made in the Assembly after the results of elections to two Legislative Council seats are declared.

KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, assured the government employees that the PRC implementation will meet their expectations. “In fact, Telangana government employees will feel proud to be among the highest-paid in the country,” he said.

Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, he promised that all the issues of the employees will be addressed.

The Chief Minister also told the Assembly that an unemployment allowance is under the consideration of the government. He pointed out that the Covid pandemic put a burden of Rs 1 lakh crore on the state exchequer.

KCR said the government was in the process of framing guidelines to pay unemployment allowance to the unemployed youth but due to the pandemic, the government could not even pay full salaries to the employees, and thus in such a difficult situation, it could not pay unemployment allowance.

He, however, assured the house that the unemployment allowance is under the consideration of the government and nobody should have any doubts about its implementation.

Replying to the issues raised by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, the Chief Minister said the government was focusing on the allotment of double bed-room houses to applicants in the old city of Hyderabad and problems faced by minority residential schools.

KCR reiterated that the places of worship damaged during the demolition of the old state Secretariat will be rebuilt on their original sites.

When BJP member Raghunandan Rao stated that the eligible people are not getting ration cards, KCR said the government issued a large number of ration cards. He pointed out that the number of ration cards before 2014 was only 14 lakh and the number has now gone up to 39 lakh.

Stating that the government is working with an aim to help the poor, he said the pension for various categories of beneficiaries which were just Rs 200 per month in the past has been raised to Rs 2,016. The number of beneficiaries also increased from 29,21,520 to 39,36,520.

Jagan recommends retired HC judge Seetharama Murti as SHRC chair

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Jagan recommends retired HC judge Seetharama Murti as SHRC chair

Amaravati, March 17 (Telugu Bullet)  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday recommended retired high court judge M. Seetharama Murti as the chairperson of the state human rights commission (SHRC).

He chaired the SHRC meeting and recommended retired district judge Dande Subramanyam as judicial and advocate G. Srinivasa Rao as non-judicial members of the commission.

The meeting was held at the secretariat to finalise the names of the chairperson and members of AP SHRC.

Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharita proposed the names and the selection committee approved them.

Legislative council chairman MA Sharif and Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram, along with Sucharita were present in the meeting.

All eyes on Tirupati bypolls

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All eyes on Tirupati bypolls

All eyes in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh will be on the Tirupati by-poll as it will be the first major election after the 2019 polls.

Mattila Gurumoorthy, the 36-year-old physiotherapist who has been confirmed as the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) candidate for the forthcoming Tirupati Lok Sabha by-poll has been a lifelong follower of Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy family.

Born to Maddila Munikrishnaiah, Gurumoorthy comes from a humble Dalit background from the Mala caste. Both his parents are uneducated and the family practices the Hindu faith.

The agricultural family hails from Mannasamudram village in Yerpedu Mandal of Srikalahasti constituency.

The physiotherapist is married to C. Navya Kiran and is blessed with a boy and a girl.

He pursued physiotherapy at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Science (SVIMS) and secured 56th rank in the entrance examination and got qualified for manual therapy as well.

Gurumoorthy’s association with Reddy and his family started around 2006 when he met the then chief minister requesting him to establish the AP state physiotherapy council.

Following a favorable outcome with his request, Gurumoorthy became a strong supporter and follower of Rajasekhar Reddy from then on.

He accompanied Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was his personal physiotherapist all through his 3,648-km-long Praja Sankalpa Yatra padayatra (marathon walkathon).

Walking along with Jagan Mohan Reddy gave him an opportunity to see the realities of the state across its length and breadth, including observing the socio-economic conditions.

Gurumoorthy was a team member of the YSRCP’s 2014 election campaign. In the 2019 polls, he served as a team member of Jagan Mohan Reddy’s mother Y.S. Vijayamma’s election campaign.

As YSRCP’s candidate, he will compete with principal opposition Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) challenger Panabaka Lakshmi and yet to be named Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate.

The candidate announcement comes at a time when the ruling party is on a high with the recent thumping triumph in the urban and rural local body polls.

Tirupati Lok Sabha seat (reserved for SC) fell vacant after incumbent Balli Durga Prasad succumbed to coronavirus in 2020.

Following his death, Reddy accommodated his son Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy is an MLC.

No night curfew, lockdown needed in UP: Minister

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No night curfew, lockdown needed in UP: Minister

Lucknow, March 17 (Telugu Bullet) Despite a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state, the Yogi Adityanath government has ruled out any night curfew and lockdown in any part of the state.

UP Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh said that the government machinery is concentrating more on the preventive steps like focus and contact/target testing to arrest the cases before it takes an alarming proposition.

He said that the Integrated Control and Command Centre of the Health department has been put on high alert to monitor the situation.

“In view of the Holi festival, air travellers and other passengers coming from outside will be tested at the airport, railway platforms and bus stations. Directions have been issued to make micro containment zones within an area of 250 metres even if one case was reported from any part,” he said.

He said that the situation in Uttar Pradesh is not as alarming as in other states so there is no need to impose any night curfew or lockdown.

People in the state, however, are being advised to follow the Covid-19 protocol and guidelines.

The police and district authorities have been directed to ensure that people wear masks when in the public and maintain social distancing.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked health officials to adopt a two-pronged strategy to deal with the surge in Covid-19 cases.

He has directed the health department not only to launch a 15-day focus testing drive and step up contact testing but also set a target of 10 million vaccinations by March 31 to check the spread of the deadly virus.

In the last 24 hours, 42 cases have been reported from Prayagraj and 28 cases from Lucknow.

BJP MLC says Vikas Dubey’s kin being harassed, seeks CM’s help

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BJP MLC says Vikas Dubey’s kin being harassed, seeks CM’s help

A BJP legislator has written a letter to chief minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing the UP police of harassing and torturing the family of slain gangster Vikas Dubey.

BJP MLC Umesh Dwiwedi, who is also the president of the All India Brahminothan Mahasabha, has said that Deep Prakash Dubey, brother of Vikas Dubey, and his wife Anjali Dubey, were being implicated in false cases by the police.

The MLC has urged the chief minister to order an inquiry into the cases against the family members and ensure justice to them.

Vikas Dubey was killed in a police encounter in Kanpur on July 10 last year, a week after he and his men killed eight policemen in an ambush in Bikru village.

The police had launched extensive investigations against his family members and associates to unearth his financial dealings.

AAP to protest at Jantar Mantar

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AAP to protest at Jantar Mantar

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday announced that it will protest against the Centre’s move to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill-2021, at the Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.

“AAP will hold a massive protest against (the) BJP’s anti-Constitution move of trying to curtail the powers of Delhi’s elected govt by amending the GNCTD Act,” the party said in a tweet.

Senior AAP MLA and chief spokesperson Saurav Bharadwaj told IANS that the party will oppose the Centre’s unconditional and undemocratic move to derail the elected government of the national capital.

“We will protest in and outside Parliament against this Bill. AAP will expose the BJP’s hidden agenda to rule in Delhi by giving more power to the Lieutenant-Governor. If the Centre succeeds in its plan, the Delhi government will have to wait for the L-G’s approval on every development issue and the elected Government will run on mercy his office for public service,” he added.

On Monday, the Centre tabled the new Bill in the Lok Sabha, which is an amendment to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and also seeks to better define the role of the Council of Ministers and the L-G in Delhi.

The Bill gives discretionary powers to the L-G even in matters where the Legislative Assembly of Delhi is empowered to make laws.

Sooner after the Centre’s move, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Siosida accused the BJP-led Central of an attempt to run the Delhi government from the back door, giving more power to the L-G.

KishanReddy counters Cong on Sedition Law, says it has ‘no right’ to speak on democracy

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KishanReddy counters Cong on Sedition Law, says it has ‘no right’ to speak on democracy

New Delhi, March 16(Telugu Bullet) Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy hit out at the Congress on Tuesday after it had accused the central government of misusing Sedition Law, saying the party has no right to speak on democracy.

Reddy’s remarks came in the Lok Sabha while replying to a question raised by senior Congress leader and MP from Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib constituency Manish Tewari.

“The less Congress speaks of misuse, the better it is. You (Congress) jailed J.P. Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani and others by misusing MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act). Congress has no right to speak on democracy,” Reddy said.

“You have jailed so many people in 1980 under TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act). You jailed journalists, students, politicians under MISA.”

Speaking during the Question Hour, Reddy was replying to question on details of the number of cases registered under the offense of sedition across the country during the last ten years including the current year.

Reddy said that Centre has no direct involvement in applying cases. “From investigation to the filing of charge sheets and conviction is handled by state governments. The Centre has no direct involvement in it. It is the responsibility of the state governments only. The Centre government is only informed about the details so as it is put before the Parliament based on NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau).”

The Minister said that there is only one case of sedition registered in Delhi in 2019, one in 2018, and two cases in 2016.

Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) states “whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which a fine may be added; or, with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which a fine may be added; or, with fine.”

Section 124A has been challenged in various courts in specific cases. The validity of the provision itself was upheld by a Constitution Bench in 1962, in Kedarnath Singh vs the State of Bihar.

That judgment went into the issue of whether the law on sedition is consistent with the fundamental right under Article 19 (1) (a) which guarantees each citizen’s freedom of speech and expression. The Supreme Court laid down that every citizen has a right to say or write about the government, by way of criticism or comment, as long as it does not “incite people to violence” against the government established by law or with the intention of creating public disorder.

‘Yogi govt transferred Rs 56K cr through DBT last year’

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‘Yogi govt transferred Rs 56K cr through DBT last year’

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh had last year transferred Rs 56,000 crore directly into bank accounts of beneficiaries of various schemes being run by the central and state government.

A government spokesperson said that due to the direct bank transfers (DBT), the government had saved more than Rs 4,402.05 crore in a single year.

The spokesman said: “Many irregularities were committed earlier in transferring funds under the various government schemes. This practice has been stopped now. With the DBT, middlemen have been eliminated from the process and the entire procedure has been made transparent.”

The state government transferred money directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries of 136 schemes of 27 departments.

During the Covid-induced lockdown last year, the government transferred funds to accounts of lakhs of farmers, MNREGA workers, migrant laborers, women, students, and pensioners.

The government also transferred Rs 2,806.10 crore as subsidy on gas cylinders, Rs 1,412 crore for ration cards made under the National Food Security Scheme, Rs 162.58 crore under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, Rs 16.69 crore under the Old Age Pension Scheme, Rs 1.55 lakh under National Agricultural Development Scheme, Rs 1.92 lakh under Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme and Rs 4.63 crore under Divyang Pension Scheme.

“DBT helped us to verify a beneficiary’s Aadhaar and mobile number easily and money is transferred into the Jan Dhan account without hassles. The practice helps in eradicating middlemen as well as ensuring that the money goes to the real beneficiaries,” the spokesperson said.

The government said that over the past four years, Rs 2.53 lakh crore has been paid to farmers through DBT under various schemes. This includes Rs 36,000 crore as loan waivers, Rs 64,000 crore as minimum support price, Rs 1.22 lakh crore to sugarcane farmers, and Rs 27,101 crore to 2.42 crore farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

The rural development department has said that over 1.14 crore workers were given employment under MNREGA till March 5, 2021. During this period, Rs 7,669.34 crore was paid to them.

A sum of Rs 445.92 crore was transferred through DBT to women help groups and their organizations working under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.

Another Rs 1,625.47 crore was transferred to OBC students in the last four years as scholarship, Rs 27.95 lakh to beneficiaries of the destitute women pension, and Rs 112.22 crore under Kanya Sumangala Yojana.

PM calls a meeting of chief ministers on March 17 to discuss rising Covid cases

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PM calls a meeting of chief ministers on March 17 to discuss rising Covid cases

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a virtual meeting of Chief Ministers on March 17, in view of the rising cases of Corona in the country.

The virtual meeting will begin at 11 am on Wednesday. During the meeting, among other topics, effective management of the vaccination programme to tackle Covid-19 will be discussed with the Chief Ministers.

In the past, too, Prime Minister Modi has held meetings with Chief Ministers several times during the Corona period through video conferencing and discussed strategies for the prevention of the global pandemic.

In the meeting to be held on March 17, feedback and suggestions about the ground situation in the respective states will be taken from the Chief Ministers. Based on the suggestions, a strategy will be prepared to stop the resurgence of Coronavirus cases in the country.

On Sunday, 26,386 new cases of Corona were registered. This is the highest incidence of pandemic in the last 85 days.

At present, the number of active corona cases in the country is 2,19,262, while the total number of corona cases in the country stands at 1,13,85,339.

Projects to be launched to curb floods in Assam, NE states: Amit Shah

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Projects to be launched to curb floods in Assam, NE states: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that to permanently solve the chronic problem of flooding in Assam and other northeastern states, ambitious projects would be undertaken for which satellite survey is presently underway.

Addressing a Town Hall meeting in Guwahati, Shah said that after the satellite survey, large water reservoirs and water channels would be created to divert the floodwaters of Assam and other northeastern states.

“We’ve laid foundations for strong infrastructure that would lead to a prosperous Assam. For this, we would have to free the state of floods. Around 38 percent of Assam is affected by floods during the monsoon. The BJP government would solve the problem of flooding in Assam and other northeastern states permanently,” he said at the gathering organized at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra.

The Home Minister said that many large water reservoirs and water channels if created would also facilitate tourism in Assam and other northeastern states.

“To create a golden Assam, the BJP in alliance with the AGP and the UPPL is banking on five pillars to fight the Assembly elections — ‘Suraksha aur Samman’ (protection and respect), ‘Samriddhi aur Judav’ (prosperity and connection), ‘Sanskriti our Sabhyata’ (culture and civilization), ‘Shanti aur Samvad’ (peace and dialogue) and ‘Swanirbharta aur Atmanirbharta’ (empowerment and self-reliance),” Shah said.

Lambasting the Congress-All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) alliance in Assam, Shah said that AIUDF President Badruddin Ajmal is setting on Congress’ lap.

“They (Congress-AIUDF alliance) would not be able to check infiltration, neither will they fulfill the dreams of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and Bhupen Hazarika,” the Home Minister said.

Srimanta Sankardeva was a 15th-16th century Assamese saint, scholar, poet, playwright, social-religious reformer, and a figure of importance in Assam’s cultural and religious history.

Shah also said the NDA government has strengthened border vigil electronically and virtually in areas where barbed wire fencing was not possible along the international borders to check infiltration and border crime.

“The Congress in 20 years constructed a bridge in Assam, but the Modi government in five years has built six big bridges, over 20,000 km roads, and many strong infrastructures,” the Home Minister said.

Saying that his party is not doing vote bank politics, the BJP leader said that Assam elections would not just ensure that the BJP stays in power, but would also ensure the preservation of the state’s culture and traditions.

The BJP in alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) is contesting the Assembly elections against the Congress-led 10-party ‘Mahajot’ (grand alliance).

The 126-member Assam Assembly will go to the polls in three phases on March 27 (47 seats), April 1 (39 seats), and April 6 (40 seats). The results will be declared on May 2.

Yadadri temple will be known for its uniqueness: Telangana CM

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Yadadri temple will be known for its uniqueness: Telangana CM

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said on Friday that after the completion of the ongoing renovation works, the Sri Yadadri Laxmi Narasimha temple will show its exclusivity among all the temples in the world.

He said the entire Yadadri temple renovated with ‘Krishna Sila’ (black stone) is going to become known for its uniqueness. “After the reopening, devotees in lakhs would visit the temple. Measures should be taken in such a way that these devotees do not face any difficulties during their holy visit,” he told the officials at a meeting to review the temple renovation works.

The CM directed the concerned officials to give final touches to the renovation works in the complex before the scheduled date for its reopening. He discussed with the temple authorities the precautions to be taken and the action plan for the ornamental look of the temple.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, took feedback from the officials on the progress of works in the backdrop of his recent visit to the temple and the suggestions he made after a thorough examination of the works going on there.

The officials put forth before the CM the model designs of the ‘Kalash’ (metal pots) to be placed along the queue lines. After examining four models, the CM selected one design.

KCR wanted the compound wall on the north side to be demolished to have a queue line there. He asked the officials to complete the queue lines by April 15. He wanted the brass designs to be used for the ‘Deepa Sthamba’ (light pole), compound wall, and even the pedestal of the light pole.

While inquiring about the ‘Sivalayam’, KCR wanted brass tridents to be placed on the compound walls. He wanted the demolition of the structure on the north side and that the area should be covered with grills and railings for a better view of the temple. The CM said that nothing should obstruct the temple view and it should appear like an iconic element.

Like the Sudershan Chakra is placed for view during the Brahmotsavam, the trident should appear all along with the Siva Temple. Radhasala should be in consonance with the temple elevation, he said. KCR wants the compound wall to be constructed around the Vishnu Pushkarini Hills to be illuminated on either side of the wall. The 80 feet lamp post should be placed at the center of the lawn.

The CM appreciated the construction of the ‘Addala Mandapam’ (mirror hall) and said it is coming up very beautifully. The CM watched a demo on the lighting of the temple complex and the surrounding.

The Chief Advisor to government, Rajiv Sharma, Advisor Anurag Sharma, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, CM’s Secretary Smita Sabharwal, CM’s Special Secretary Bhoopal Reddy, YTDA Special Officer G Kishan Rao, temple architect Ananda Sai, architect Madhusudhan and others were present on the occasion.

Delhi Budget session adjourned indefinitely

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Delhi Budget session adjourned indefinitely

Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Nivas Goel on Friday adjourned the Budget session for an indefinite period four days ahead of the scheduled date due to Covid-19.

On Thursday, AAP legislator and senior spokesperson Raghav Chadha were reported Covid-19 positive. He had attended the very first day of the Budget session on Monday (March 8).

On the last day of the session, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress for criticizing the ‘Deshbhakti’ budget presented by the AAP Government on Monday.

“Since the day our government has presented Deshbhakti budget for 2021-22, both the BJP and the Congress are criticizing it. I want to ask them what is wrong with it? Patriotism is for all, it is not only for a single party. If the National Flag won’t be unfurled in Delhi then will it be done in Islamabad?” Kejriwal said.

He appreciated Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is also the Finance Minister, for presenting a budget with a surplus of 6 percent despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kejriwal reiterated the achievements of his government and highlighted the initiatives in the field of education and health in the national capital.

‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ launch in Telangana

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‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ launch in Telangana

Hyderabad, March 12 (Telugu Bullet)  Elaborate arrangements are in place in Telangana for ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ on Friday to mark 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will unfurl the national flag at Public Garden in Hyderabad to formally launch the celebrations which will continue for 75 weeks till August 15, 2022.

Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan will hoist the Tricolour at another programme to be held at Warangal.

Officials have made large-scale arrangements for both the events. Flag hoisting will be followed by the police march-past and releasing of the balloons in air. These programmes would be held following the Covid guidelines.

In Hyderabad, police imposed traffic diversions around Public Gardens to facilitate proper regulation of traffic.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said the traffic diversions will be in place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The police also announced parking arrangements for the invitees for the programme.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar asked the officials to make all arrangements to make the event a very successful one. All government buildings and junctions will be illuminated on March 11 and 12.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the celebrations.

The Chief Minister has already directed the officials to organise the celebrations in a big way. He noted the Telangana region played a unique role in the then freedom movement.

KCR also wanted essay writing competitions, debates, elocution, drawing competitions, poets gatherings and other such programmes should be conducted all over the state on the occasion.

BJP unleashes star power, Khushboo to contest against Udayanidhi at Chepauk

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BJP unleashes star power, Khushboo to contest against Udayanidhi at Chepauk

BJP will field Khushboo Sundar, the Tamil and South Indian movie star against Udayanidhi Stalin, actor-turned-politician and son of MK Stalin at Chepauk, the fiefdom of DMK. The Chepauk seat was represented by M. Karunanidhi the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and father of MK Stalin.

Karunanidhi had won from the seat in 1996,2001 and 2006 and Chepauk assembly seat is considered as a DMK bastion and a safe seat.

Sundar, while speaking to IANS said,” I am contesting on the basis of party’s programs and policies and not as a star. Jumping into the sea, doing pushups with schoolchildren are not matters which a political leader should do to connect with people. The people will give a fitting lesson to the Congress-DMK combine”.

Actor Gauthami will contest from Rajapalayam assembly seat in Virudhunagar district and transgender activist and former journalist Apsara Reddy will also contest the election.

Stars such as Vaidehi and Namitha will also contest on a BJP ticket in the ensuing assembly elections scheduled for April 6.

The BJP, AIADMK, PMK combine will contest the elections together with the AIADMK allocating 20 seats to the BJP and 23 seats to the PMK.

PM to inaugurate 4th Global Ayurveda Festival on Friday

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PM to inaugurate 4th Global Ayurveda Festival on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the fourth Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) via videoconferencing on Friday. The festival will culminate on March 19.

The event was earlier scheduled in May 2020, at Angamaly, but was later postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The eight-day festival includes an international seminar, a global exhibition, and a business meet and will feature lectures by 35 internationally renowned scientists and over 150 Indian scientists.

Around 650 of the 1,150 selected research papers will be projected live, while 500 research papers will be a poster presentation.

LS passes Bill to regularise Delhi’s unauthorised colonies

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LS passes Bill to regularise Delhi’s unauthorised colonies

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed by voice vote a bill to amend the National Capital Territory of Delhi laws to identify the unauthorized colonies for regularisation amid ruckus by the joint Opposition on the fuel price hike.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri moved the National Capital of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill 2021 in the House for consideration and passage hitting out at the Opposition for delaying the process which began in 2006.

Puri said that the process of identifying unauthorized colonies in Delhi was started in 2006 but all the ruling governments between 2006 and 2014 here did nothing for the people of the national capital.

“This problem is very known as Delhi’s population increased from 8 lakh in 1947 to 1.6 crore as per latest census,” Puri said, adding he expects that the population of Delhi will be close to 2 crore or more in the next census this year.

The Bill was passed by the Lower House after a brief discussion.

Puri said the Bill aims to provide relief to the citizens of Delhi who were neglected for years on the issue by the previous governments.

The government introduced the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on February 8, which seeks to replace the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.

The Ordinance was promulgated by President Ram Nath Kovind on December 30, 2020. It amended the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011 which was valid till December 31, 2020.

The Ordinance extended the deadline to December 31, 2023.

The 2011 Act provided for the regularisation of the unauthorized colonies that existed in the national capital as of March 31, 2002, and where construction took place till June 1, 2014.

The Ordinance amended this to provide that the unauthorized colonies will be identified for regularisation in accordance with the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Act, 2019 and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Regulations, 2019.

Therefore, the unauthorized colonies that existed as of June 1, 2014, and had witnessed 50 percent development as of January 1, 2015, will be eligible for regularisation.

PM asks for all BJP members’ help to get people inoculated

TB Team
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PM asks for all BJP members’ help to get people inoculated

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday gave a clarion call to all the BJP MPs and party workers to help eligible people in receiving Covid-19 vaccines as well as help them to reach vaccination centers.

India has expanded the world’s largest vaccination drive to the next stage and entered a fresh phase on March 1, covering all aged over 60 years and those above 45 years suffering from comorbidities.

Modi, who took the vaccine on March 1 as the new phase of vaccination took off in the country, urged his party workers on Wednesday during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary board meeting here inside Parliament premises.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi shared Prime Minister’s views after the one-hour meeting ended.

“Addressing our (BJP) MPs, the Prime Minister appealed them to join people and help the eligible candidates in receiving vaccines as well as helping them in reaching vaccination centers. A clarion call has been given by the PM for all MPs and BJP workers,” Joshi said.

Joshi applauded the efforts of the Prime Minister in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, saying, “When the entire world was stunned, perplexed and not able to understand what to do in this crisis, India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji achieved success in facing the crisis on both levels — in saving the lives of the people and also in bringing back the economy on track”.

For his efforts, Joshi said, “He not only saved the lives of Indians through Covid vaccine but also dispatched vaccine dozes to various foreign countries offering the much-needed helping hand.”

Thousands queued up at government and private medical facilities across the country as the country further opened its vaccination program that started on January 16 for healthcare and sanitary workers.

Indigenously developed Covaxin vaccine from Bharat Biotech and Covishield from the Oxford-AstraZeneca are being administered to people in India since the inoculation drive begins here.

To commemorate 75 years of Independence, Joshi further announced that a 75-week long program will be organized from March 12 at 75 places. The Minister said that Prime Minister has called upon all the MPs to participate in the program being started from Gujarat.

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