Andhra CM flags off 2,500 MDUs for doorstep ration supplies

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Andhra CM flags off 2,500 MDUs for doorstep ration supplies

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday flagged off a fleet of 2,500 ‘Mobile Dispensing Units’ (MDUs) as part of the public distribution system, which will supply ration and quality rice at the doorstep of the beneficiaries across the state.

Official Said, From February 1, quality rice and ration provisions will be delivered by 9,260 vehicles at the doorsteps. In this scheme, the government will be spending Rs 830 crore more.

The Civil Supplies department has incorporated changes in procuring rice to reduce husk and chipped rice. It will also supply sortex rice to beneficiaries without stones or damaged grains.

He Said, At the doorstep of the cardholders by taking their fingerprints and supplying ration in reusable bags with precise weight, quality rice will be distributed with the volunteer system.

Besides, the delivery vehicles are also fitted with GPS devices, requiring each of the vehicles to deliver goods within 18 days of each month.

The state government has bought the 9,260 vehicles at a cost of Rs 539 crore to supply ration and quality rice at the doorstep of the beneficiaries. These will be supplied to the eligible ration cardholders at a subsidy of 60 percent through various corporations under the employment guarantee scheme for unemployed youth.

With each vehicle costing Rs 5.8 lakh, the subsidy works out to Rs 3.48 lakh. As many as 700 vehicles will be allotted through ST corporation, 2,300 through SC corporation, 3,800 through BC corporation, 660 through minorities corporation, and 1,800 through the EWEB corporation.

Civil Supplies Minister Kodali Sri Venkateswara Rao and other senior officials accompanied the Chief Minister during the flagging off ceremony.

‘Tirupati should vote for TDP to teach Jagan Reddy a lesson’

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‘Tirupati should vote for TDP to teach Jagan Reddy a lesson’

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) State President and senior leader Kinjarapu Atchannaidu exhorted people in Tirupati to vote for his party to teach Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy a lesson.

“So let us keep politics aside and teach the current Andhra CM a lesson to perform better. If we make the TDP win in Tirupati, he will definitely behave well for the rest of the time, whether he will rule for three months or six months and go to jail, that we will leave aside,” claimed Atchannaidu.

He said a TDP victory in the yet to be announced forthcoming Parliamentary by-elections is necessary to ensure that Reddy performs well.

The TDP state President said his party has set everything in order, including appointing party committees, to start canvassing for the election.

“We will expose the YSRCP government’s evil deeds in all the villages and win. Everybody should cooperate with us in this. Journalists should also cooperate,” Atchannaidu opined.

Calling the election a battle between good and evil, justice and injustice, he said the TDP is taking the political contest as a matter of prestige.

“We are taking this election as a prestige issue. We are doing all that we could. If you talk to anyone in Tirupati, they are ready to vote for TDP,” he added.

According to Atchannaidu, whatever has happened in Andhra Pradesh was only because of TDP National President N. Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership.

He reminded the people of Tirupati that the party has respect for the town as it is the abode of Lord Venkateswara Swamy.

Atcahnnaidu alleged that Reddy is intentionally destroying and making the deity unholy and also destroying the entire system.

He referred to pastor Praveen Chakravarthy, arrested for featuring in an alleged seven-year-old derogatory video in which he talked about destroying tree and stone gods, adding that one needs no proof any more of his crime which he had himself confessed.

Atchannaidu claimed that Chakravarthy belongs to Reddy’s brother-in-law’s organisation and works under his leadership.

Reddy’s brother-in-law, Brother Anil, is a popular evangelist in the Telugu state.

The TDP leader alleged that the YSRCP government did not announce if it had arrested Chakravarthy or what action it took against him.

However, he asserted that the TDP is not against Christians but only against people who try to corner it.

‘Letters to Kamala’ pour in, Harris says they ‘fuel’ her with hope

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‘Letters to Kamala’ pour in, Harris says they ‘fuel’ her with hope

“I have been waiting for a girl vice president since…forever,” girl scout Amelia Phillips tells Kamala Harris, in a handwritten note. Another child has drawn a dog, in red ink, “to keep you company”, yet another has sketched Harris standing in front of the Capitol, the scene of the deadly attack by a pro-Trump mob on January 6.

Harris smiles as she reads from the first rush of letters tumbling into the Biden Inaugural Committee’s inbox in response to the “Letters to Kamala” digital campaign.

“Our young leaders fuel me with hope for a better tomorrow,” Harris posted on her social channels, hours before she takes over as America’s first woman Vice President.

From pleas for racial equality to simple words of praise and awe or just sketches of Harris, a sampling of the letters floating online offer glimpses into the ways that young people are processing the historic nature of Harris’ barrier shattering political rise.

“I cannot believe you’re of Indian descent, just like me,” writes a girl who signs off as Sahana. Reading it out in a short video is a little Indian girl dressed in a traditional Indian orange dress. “Here’s my dog to keep you company,” reads the last line of Sahana’s letter.

“Aww that’s so great. That dog looks really lovely and so comforting. Thank you, Sahana,” says Harris.

There’s no last date. At least not just yet, so kids can continue sending letters to letters@bideninaugural.org or post them online with the hashtag #LetterstoKamala.

Centre urged to set up vax testing lab in Hyderabad

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Centre urged to set up vax testing lab in Hyderabad

Telangana’s Industry Minister K.T. Rama Rao has urged Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to establish a vaccine testing and certification laboratory and government medical store depot in Hyderabad.

In a letter to the Union minister, Rama Rao demanded the establishment of a vaccine testing and certification laboratory on the lines of Central Drug Laboratory in Kasauli.

He stated that Hyderabad is known as the ‘vaccine capital of the world’, manufacturing more than 6 billion doses each year contributing one-third of the global vaccine output. He wrote that the vaccines manufactured in Hyderabad are being sent to Central Drug Laboratory in Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh for testing and certification.

The logistics and the time involved were constraining the industry in being a more effective and competitive destination, the state minister said.

Rao also mentioned that Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is establishing the country’s largest national animal resource facility for biomedical research in Genome Valley, Hyderabad. “The state government has provided the required land for the project free of cost to ICMR to facilitate the establishment of this facility,” he added.

“I am happy to note that this facility already has a mandate of testing and certifying drugs including vaccines, medical devices and to certify them on behalf of the Government of India. I would like to request that the establishment of this facility be expedited, and this institution is strengthened further to conduct testing and pre-release certification of Immuno biologicals meant for human use in India,” read the letter.

Rao also stated that establishing a Government Medical Store Depot (GMSD) facility of the Government of India in Hyderabad with state-of-the-art data monitoring and tracking system would go a long way in supporting the vaccine manufacturing efforts in the country. Currently, such facilities are only available in Karnal, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Andhra CM hails India after fairytale victory at Gabba

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Andhra CM hails India after fairytale victory at Gabba

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has congratulated the Indian cricket team for winning the fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba on Tuesday, thus retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-1 series victory Down Under.

“What a magnificent victory! Hearty congratulations to Team India for breaching the Gabba fortress after three decades. An outstanding display of prowess and perseverance, that has made the entire nation proud today,” said Reddy.

For India, Shubman Gill (91), Rishabh Pant (89*), and Cheteshwar Pujara (56) played brilliant knocks as the Men in Blue chased down a mammoth 328 on the final day of the fourth Test at the Gabba, thus winning the series 2-1 with the third Test in Sydney ending in a draw.

The Chief Minister urged the team to stretch its winning streak as he joined the nation in celebrating the victory.

Andhra cricketer Hanuma Vihari, a native of the East Godavari district, played a crucial role in drawing the third Test of the series before being ruled out for the fourth Test owing to an injury.

I’m a clean person, not scared of PM Modi: Rahul

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I’m a clean person, not scared of PM Modi: Rahul

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said he was not scared of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he was a “clean person” and he would continue to fight alone even if no one-sided with him.

He made the remarks while addressing a press conference here at the party headquarters, after releasing a booklet on the three farm laws titled “Kheti Ka Khoon.

Rahul Gandhi said, “I have character. I am not scared of Modi or anyone. I am a clean person, and they cannot touch me. They can shoot me. I am a patriot and I protect my country. I will stand alone even if everyone is standing on the other side but will fight as it is my religion.”

“I am more fanatic than them. India is once again fighting for independence,” he said.

He was responding to a question about BJP chief J.P. Nadda’s remarks that he was distracting the farmers.

He said that even during the UPA government, Congress stood with the farmers in Bhatta Parsaul. “Nadda was not standing there nor was the BJP standing with the farmers then,” he said.

Lashing out at the Centre, Rahul Gandhi said the three farm laws were meant to destroy the Indian agricultural system.

He said, “A huge tragedy has unfolded and I am not talking about just farmers because that is not the only thing happening. Youngsters, who believe in this country, they need to listen carefully.”

He said, “What we have seen in industry after industry, when it comes to the airports, telecom, power, retail, across the board, what we are watching is the development of massive monopolies.”

He alleged that ‘three-four-five people are owning this country’, they are owning it as a small group of people who are close to the Prime Minister and have media support.

“And now we have seen that the last bastion of agriculture that was not touched by industries is also going away,” he said.

Rahul said that now three-four people will own the whole system and the farmers will not get their price and the middle class will be hurt by the prices.

“This is an assault on the middle class,” he said.

The Congress leader said that the farmers of Punjab and Haryana are fighting on behalf of 65 crore farmers of the country.

“They are the patriots of the country, who are protecting livelihoods of 65 crore people. I support them, they are fighting for us,” Rahul Gandhi said.

To a question about China’s intrusion, Rahul Gandhi said, “China is noticing the weakness of India. China has a strategic vision as it wants to shape the entire world. China has tested India twice. If India won’t create a strategy against China, it will take benefit of that and at that time no one would be able to stop the damage.”

He said that the job of safeguarding the country is not being done properly.

“China is testing India and it wants to dominate. I am raising red flags, you can’t manage China with event management,” he said.

He added that whoever speaks against the government is described as an anti-national or a criminal.

“We are saying because we are seeing the problems. When we speak about China we are enemies. When we are giving warning signals, we are enemies. Even if the farmers’ protest is sorted out, then its result will come from somewhere else like from youths or someone else.

“Their approach is wrong, they don’t want to learn and accept. They only want to speak, it is the training by the RSS, they are top grade in this,” he added.

Andhra CM expected to meet Amit Shah in Delhi

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Andhra CM expected to meet Amit Shah in Delhi

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is scheduled to visit Delhi on Tuesday, his third visit to the national capital in the last four months.

Reddy is expected to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discuss various issues concerning the southern state such as releasing state funds and the Polavaram project.

He will leave for Delhi at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday after reviewing the implementation of the ‘YSR Cheyutha Scheme’ and the ‘Andhra Pradesh-Amul project’.

The Andhra CM last visited Delhi in December 2020 and called upon Shah and discussed various issues about the state, including releasing funds for the Polavaram project.

Reddy had submitted a memorandum on the Polavaram project and urged Shah to consider the second revised cost estimate to release Rs 55,656 crore expenditure funds and issuing the required directives to the Finance and the Jal Shakti departments.

He had also requested the Central government to reimburse the land acquisition, relief, and rehabilitation packages as per the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

He had also visited Delhi in October and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the development of the state.

In October 2020, Reddy had complained to the Chief Justice of India S. A. Bobde about the alleged intervention of a sitting Supreme Court judge to protect the interests of the opposition Telugu Desam Party.

Law student held for objectionable post on Modi, Yogi

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Law student held for objectionable post on Modi, Yogi

The Gorakhpur police have arrested a 24-year-old law student for allegedly uploading offensive posts against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on social media.

The accused, Arun Yadav, had allegedly morphed the faces of Modi and Adityanath in a video and then uploaded it on Facebook.

The Gorakhpur University has also suspended Yadav, a first-year law student, and formed a disciplinary committee to look into the matter.

The police spokesman said that they came to know about the post two days ago and on inquiry found that that video was uploaded on the Facebook account of Arun Yadav.

“We found that the accused had morphed faces of the two leaders in an objectionable manner. He was arrested from a village in the Chauri Chaura area,” said the spokesman.

Yadav has been booked under IPC section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation).

Anil Upadhyay, Station House Officer of Cantonment police station, said that the accused has also been booked under the Information Technology Act.

Meanwhile, Gorakhpur University’s Public Relation Officer Mahendra Kumar Singh said that the university has taken a serious note of the incident and suspended Yadav for violating University’s Act and Ordinance.

“The university has prohibited Arun Yadav’s entry into the campus and has formed a disciplinary committee to inquire into the matter. The committee attempted to contact Arun and made calls on his cell phone but it was found switched off. The committee has written a letter to Arun Yadav to give his side of the story,” an official of the university said.

Law student held for objectionable post on Modi, Yogi

Arm-twisting tactics won’t work: Punjab CM again warns Centre

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Arm-twisting tactics won’t work: Punjab CM again warns Centre

Condemning the NIA notices issued to several farmers and their supporters amid the anti-farm laws agitation, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday said such arm-twisting tactics will not weaken the resolve of the farmers fighting for their rights and future.

“Do these farmers look like secessionists and terrorists?” asked the Chief Minister, slamming the BJP-led government at the Centre for resorting to ‘such reprehensible and oppressive tactics in their desperation to undermine the peacefully protesting farmers’ fighting spirit’.

But these measures will not succeed in destroying the resolve of the farmers, rather the Centre will only end up provoking them into stronger reaction, he said, questioning the intent of the Government of India, which he said seemed bent on pushing the farmers over the edge through such intimidatory tactics.

Amarinder Singh warned that BJP’s most powerful minds will not be able to control the situation if things get irretrievably out of hand.

Instead of resolving the crisis triggered by the draconian legislations, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government was resorting to victimization and harassment of the protesting farmers and their supporters, the Chief Minister pointed out, dubbing it a regressive step that would lead to further hardening of the farmers’ stance.

It was obvious, said the Chief Minister, that the BJP government neither cared for the farmers and their concerns nor understood their psyche.

“Punjabis are fighters by nature, they are imbued with the fighting spirit which makes them among the best warriors in the world,” he said, adding that the Centre’s coercive actions will only provoke the farmers from Punjab to react negatively.

Amarinder Singh expressed shock over the Centre’s unrelenting opposition to the farmers’ genuine and justified demands and its total failure to empathize with the cause and concerns of the farmers who have been braving the record cold of Delhi, with many of them succumbing to the harsh weather and prolonged exposure.

Not only had the Centre been adamant in their refusal to repeal the contentious farm laws, but it was also actively and shamelessly indulging in strong-arm tactics to suppress the voice of the farmers, he said, pointing to the income tax notices issued to several big ‘arhtiyas’ of Punjab about a month ago and now the NIA notices that were clearly aimed at pressurizing the farmers into withdrawing their stir.

These stooping to low-level actions will not suppress the voice of the farmers, or those millions of Indians who are supporting the ‘annadaatas’ in their battle for survival, said the Chief Minister, adding that if the Central government had any shame left it should immediately withdraw the farm laws and sit down across the table with all the stakeholders, especially the farmers, to usher in an era of genuine agricultural reforms.

Mamata to contest from Suvendu’s ‘home turf’ Nandigram

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Mamata to contest from Suvendu’s ‘home turf’ Nandigram

In an open challenge to her once confidante and ex-minister Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced that she will contest the upcoming state Assembly elections from the Nandigram seat.

The announcement came at her rally held in Nandigram — the Assembly constituency earlier represented by rebel Trinamool leader Suvendu Adhikari who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bengal last month.

“I will contest from Nandigram. It’s lucky for me. Think I won’t be able to give much time to Nandigram as I will have to campaign in all 294 seats. You will have to ensure that ‘thing’ (her victory) and the rest I will take care later,” Banerjee told the rally.

The Chief Minister said that she would contest the election from two constituencies, including Bhabanipur in Kolkata, which is her home turf. “I don’t want to neglect Bhabanipur also,” she added.

All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) state president Subrata Bakshi also announced Mamata’s name from Nandigram constituency in the coming election that is due by April-May this year.

Nandigram came to the political spotlight in 2007 after 14 villagers were killed in a police firing for protesting against a proposed SEZ project, cleared by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front government.

Previous govts worked without Metro policy, lacked modern vision: PM Modi

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Previous govts worked without Metro policy, lacked modern vision: PM Modi

While carrying out the virtual groundbreaking ceremonies of the Surat Metro project and the second phase of the Ahmedabad Metro project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that due to lack of modern vision and any metro policy in previous governments, works of only 225 kilometer Metro network were operational, while the present government’s modern vision had helped complete more than 450 km of Metro line and work was in progress in more than 1000 km in 27 cities.

PM Modi said, “The difference between the work of previous governments and our government is clearly seen. In the 10 to 12 years of previous governments, only 225 kilometers of Metro line were operational, while in 6 years of our government, more than 450 kilometers of Metro line in 27 cities are operational. There was a time in the country when there was no modern thinking, no policy even for Metro. There was no uniformity between various Metros being developed across the country and there was no coordination with other modes of transport in the cities.”

“Now, we are approaching Metro work with an integrated approach, where the other modes of transport like bus and railways will work in unison with the Metro in an integrated approach. The National Common Mobility Card launched in Ahmedabad is another feature that will help in this integration in the future. We are working with not only looking at the current requirements but the requirements 10 years later,” said Modi.

The Prime Minister virtually carried out the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Surat Metro which consists of a 40.35 km Metro line consisting of two corridors, between Sarthana and DreamCity and Bhesan and Saroli lines. He also carried out the groundbreaking ceremony of the second phase of Ahmedabad Metro, which also comprises two corridors, one from Motera to Mahatma Mandir and the second from Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) to GIFT City.

The PM said that Surat and Ahmedabad are cities that will strengthen Atma Nirbharta (self-reliance). “Earlier, two decades back, Surat was known more for disasters such as plague, rather than its development. Now, Surat is the fourth rapidly developing city in the world. 40% of the man-made fabric production in the country comes from Surat and about 30% of the man-made fiber is also from Surat. Today, Surat is the second cleanest city in the country. All this has been possible due to better planning. Earlier, 20% of the population lived in huts and shanties, now due to affordable housing schemes, only 6% live in shanties. Surat is the best example of Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat, where aspiring people from across the country have made it home,” added the PM.

Similarly, the PM said that Gandhinagar’s image has also transformed in recent years. “Gandhinagar earlier had the image of a town of Government employees and retired persons…It could not even be called a city. Now, we have seen the transformation of its image in recent years and we see youth everywhere nowadays. Today, Gandhinagar is known for the IIT Gandhinagar, GNLU, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), Indian Institute of Teachers Education, the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Communication and Technology, the National Institute of Design, Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG) … Company campuses have increased here, raising employment. New modern infra projects have livened up Gandhinagar and in a way made it a dream City,” the PM added.

“Today India is taking decisions with confidence. It is not only doing things bigger but also better. India is coming out with the largest affordable housing program and the biggest healthcare services. More than six thousand villages will be connected to the internet shortly,” the PM further said.

The PM talked about a program that was rarely discussed and that was the Pragati program. “n the Pragati meetings, I discuss with the government and administration officials, in detail about all the various projects which have been stalled, lingering on for decades. Projects worth 13 lakh crore have been discussed, where we are trying to solve the glitches,” added the PM.

The Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project Phase-II is 28.25 Kms long with two corridors. Corridor-1 is 22.8 Kms long and is from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir. Corridor-2 is 5.4 Kms long and is from GNLU to GIFT City. The total completion cost of the Phase-II project is Rs 5,384 crores.

The Surat Metro Rail Project is 40.35 kms long and comprises two corridors. Corridor-1 is 21.61 kms long and is from Sarthana to Dream City. Corridor-2 is 18.74 kms long and is from Bhesan to Saroli. The total completion cost of the Surat Metro project is Rs 12,020 crores.

Rajini’s party members are ‘free’ to join any outfit

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Rajini’s party members are ‘free’ to join any outfit

With three of its District Secretaries and a couple of other officials joined DMK on Sunday, Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM) on Monday said its members are free to join any political party of their choice after submitting their resignation.

In a statement issued here, RMM leader V.M. Sudhakar said those who are in RMM wanting to join a political party can do after submitting their resignation.

He also said RMM members should not forget that those persons who resign and join a political party are fans of actor Rajinikanth.

On Sunday, three District Secretaries of RMM joined DMK after the actor categorically said he will not be entering active politics.

On December 29, 2020, Rajinikanth announced his decision not to get into Tamil Nadu politics, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as it would risk his health condition.

His volte-face came a few days after he, earlier in December, sounded his poll bugle against the ruling AIADMK as well as the major opposition party DMK.

On January 10, fans of Rajinikanth held a peaceful demonstration here demanding their screen idol take a plunge into Tamil Nadu politics.

Responding to that the actor had reiterated his earlier decision not to enter politics on health grounds.

CAG interference in KIIFB was inappropriate: Kerala FM

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CAG interference in KIIFB was inappropriate: Kerala FM

Kerala Finance Minister and senior Communist Party Of India (Marxist) leader, T.M. Thomas Issac has said the interference of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in the affairs of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) was inappropriate. The CPI(M) leader made this statement in the Kerala Assembly on Wednesday.

He said a major conspiracy is being hatched in the state to destroy the KIIFB. The affairs of KIIFB are transparent, adding, that anyone could inspect the proceedings in the organization.

Issac said the KIIFB has planned projects worth Rs 65,000 crore, adding, that the priority of the Pinarayi Vijayan government is to complete these projects.

The Minister said the KIIFB has supported several development initiatives in the state, adding, that these projects have helped in changing the development perspective of the state.

The Minister said the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has installed the best software for the Treasury in the state. Audits and systematic audit functions have now taken place in the Treasury.

We’ll provide free Covid vax if Centre doesn’t: Kejriwal

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We’ll provide free Covid vax if Centre doesn’t: Kejriwal

 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced that his AAP government will provide free Covid-19 vaccine to city residents if the Centre “failed” to do so.

Kejriwal made the announcement amid preparations for the world’s largest vaccination drive, to be launched across the country on January 16 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kejriwal said that he had earlier appealed to the Centre to provide vaccines free of cost to the people across the country, considering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“There are a lot of people who won’t be able to afford the vaccine. I had appealed to the Centre to provide free vaccine to all the people of this country. If required, and if the Centre doesn’t do it, my government will provide free vaccine to all Delhi residents,” Kejriwal said.

He said the vaccine would first be administered to ‘Corona Warriors’ like health and frontline workers in the national capital.

Kejriwal hoped that the people’s struggle in 2020 will come to an end and they would get some respite from the pandemic, which has so far infected 1,04,95,147 Indians, including 15,968 in the last 24 hours.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader appealed to the countrymen to not spread any misinformation on the two approved coronavirus vaccines, believing that the Centre along with scientists concerned has followed all protocols and safeguards before launching them.

“There should be no doubt regarding it (vaccine).”

Kejriwal’s announcement comes days after the drug regulator gave the nod to ‘Covishield’ and ‘Covaxin’ for emergency use. The Oxford University and AstraZeneca have developed ‘Covishield’, which is manufactured in India by Serum Institute of India. Bharat Biotech has developed ‘Covaxin’.

Former Trinamool MP KD Singh sent to ED custody till Jan 16

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Former Trinamool MP KD Singh sent to ED custody till Jan 16

A Delhi court on Wednesday sent former Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker K.D. Singh to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till January 16.

In a major action, the ED arrested Singh in connection with a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) earlier on Wednesday.

Singh was a Rajya Sabha member of the Trinamool Congress from 2014. His term got over in April last year. The Trinamool leaders have claimed that they had no contact with Singh for a long time.

The arrest is being seen as a major action ahead of the Assembly elections in Bengal scheduled later this year.

In September 2019, the ED had carried out searches at the premises of Singh in a money-laundering probe related to the Alchemist Infra Realty LLC in the Rs 1,900 crore money laundering case.

The ED had registered a case of money laundering against Alchemist Infra Realty LLC, a firm related to Singh and others, on the basis of a prosecution complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on March 18, 2016.

In January 2019, the ED had attached properties to the tune of Rs 239 crore of the group.

The ED investigations revealed that funds mobilized by the Alchemist Infra Realty Limited from various investors were never utilized for the purpose for which they were collected.

The funds were transferred to the bank accounts of other group companies which were mainly paper companies from where they were systematically siphoned off by the accused and were used to purchase properties at various locations in the country, as ED official had said earlier this month.

Singh had resigned as the Chairman of Alchemist Group in 2012. In August 2019, Singh was also questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Narada sting operation case.

Naidu burns Andhra govt orders in Bhogi bonfire

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Naidu burns Andhra govt orders in Bhogi bonfire

Giving a political twist to ‘Sankranti’ festivities, TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday burned copies of some Andhra Pradesh government orders in a ‘Bhogi’ bonfire.

“Naidu participated in ‘Bhogi’ event at Paritala in Krishna district. He joined the locals who burned draconian, anti-people, and anti-farmers orders issued by the Jagan Mohan Reddy government,” said a Telugu Desam Party statement.

The customary event to burn old wood on ‘Bhogi’, which symbolizes burning of the old and ringing in the new, was shared on social media in the early hours of Wednesday.

A large number of TDP activists were in attendance at the event as Naidu was welcomed by some priests. Joining TDP supporters, Naidu also tossed order copies into the fire.

The TDP supremo later alleged that people could not celebrate Sankranti, the biggest Hindu festival in Telugu culture, last year because of the news about the trifurcation of the state capital.

“After a series of cyclones, heavy rains, and floods, farmers suffered losses but the government did not rescue them, taking the sheen off Sankranti celebrations this time also,” claimed Naidu.

The former Chief Minister alleged that the festivities suffered this fate for two years as the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) was in power.

“As rulers do not have the resolve that people should be happy, these kinds of things are happening. I wish prosperity to farmers this year and extend my Bhogi greetings,” he added.

Haryana CM launches govt job portal

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Haryana CM launches govt job portal

In a major relief to aspirants of government jobs, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday launched ‘One Time Registration Portal’ for Group C and D category posts and non-gazetted teaching posts in government departments.

Also, the Chief Minister announced a Common Eligibility Test (CET) to be conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for filling posts of Group C and D.

Khattar told the media that with the launch of the ‘One Time Registration Portal’, aspirants would be required to apply and submit fees only once which would be Rs 500 for the general category candidates and Rs 250 for candidates belonging to reserved categories.

He said this decision would not only bring more transparency but also speed up the recruitment process.

The Chief Minister said the registration on the portal would commence on Tuesday and would continue till March 31. He said the students who are appearing for Class X and XII examination this year could also provisionally apply on the portal.

The Chief Minister said each candidate registering on the portal would be issued a unique identification number on basis of which he or she could apply as per their educational qualification and experience.

He said a separate CET would be conducted for the Group C and Group D posts and it would be valid for a period of three years.

The selection for the Group D posts would be made on the basis of merit of the CET, including marks under socio-economic criteria and experience, whereas in the case of Group C posts, the candidates would also have to clear the departmental examination in addition to the CET.

The weightage under socio-economic criteria would not be more than 10 percent for Group D posts and five percent for Group C posts.

He said the ‘One Time Registration Portal’ would be integrated with the Parivar Pehchan Patra and the details of family members of the candidate would be automatically generated while filling the form.

The candidates would also have the facility to update the family details on the portal. If any candidate does not have Parivar Pehchan Patra, he could get it prepared from any nearby authorized center.

PM, Shah to launch Assam poll campaign next week

TB Team
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PM, Shah to launch Assam poll campaign next week

As the ruling BJP kicks off its Assembly poll campaign in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other central leaders would hold a series of election rallies in the northeastern state next week, BJP leader and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday.

BJP National President J.P. Nadda, who left here on Tuesday for Delhi, addressed a public gathering in southern Assam’s Silchar on Monday and claimed that the saffron party has been winning all the elections in the country from Jammu & Kashmir to Telangana, and it would return to power in Assam once again with 100-plus seats in the upcoming state Assembly polls.

Sarma, who is the convener of the BJP-led alliance of regional parties — North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) – said that Prime Minister Modi is likely to visit Assam on January 23 and Home Minister Shah is also likely to address two public rallies at Kokrajhar and Nalbari on January 24. The Prime Minister’s detailed program is yet to be finalized.

Nadda who was on a two-day Assam visit held meetings with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Sarma, state BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass and other senior leaders in Guwahati on Monday and Tuesday and discussed the strategies for the Assembly polls likely to be held in April-May.

Accompanied by his wife Mallika Nadda, the BJP President on Tuesday visited the famous Kamakhya Devalaya in Guwahati on Tuesday and prayed at the famed ‘Shakti Peetha’ atop the picturesque Nilachal hills in Assam’s main city. The 126-member Assam Assembly will go to the polls along with West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

In the last Assembly polls in 2016, the BJP defeated the Congress and formed the government in Assam for the first time winning 60 seats after forging an alliance with the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), who won 14 and 12 seats, respectively. The ruling alliance also has the support of an independent MLA.

Rakesh Tikait welcomes SC order, but says farmer protests will continue

TB Team
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Rakesh Tikait welcomes SC order, but says farmer protests will continue

Farmer leaders on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court decision to suspend the three farm laws but said they will not leave the protest site till the three laws were repealed.

Speaking to media after the Supreme Court order, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said, “Our protest will continue. We are demanding that the government repeal the three laws and also make a law to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) for our produce.”

He also said farmers will continue the protest, regardless of the number of days it takes.

Tikait also said he will discuss the Supreme Court order of putting the three farm laws on hold with other farmer leaders.

Asked if farmers will participate in the panel formed by the Supreme Court, Tikait said, “We will discuss the issue in the core committee of farmers. And we will also go for the meeting with the government scheduled for January 15.”

Asked about the plans of taking out a tractor parade on January 26, he said, “Protests will continue, the Republic Day parade will go as planned.”

Tikait’s remarks came soon after the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of three farm laws and formed a committee comprising mostly agriculturists to hear the grievances of the farmer unions against the laws.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S. A. Bobde said, “We are going to suspend the implementation of the three farm laws until further orders.”

The Chief Justice mentioned the names of agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, Dr. Pramod Kumar Joshi, Anil Dhanawat, and B.S. Mann to be on the committee to hear the farmers’ issues regarding the laws.

The top court also issued a notice on the Delhi Police application seeking to stop farmers from entering the national capital to hold a tractor rally on Republic Day.

Speaking to media, Jaspreet Singh, a farmer leader said at the Singhu border, “We are demanding for the repeal of these farm laws. Farmers have been agitating for the last four months, at least 70 people have died.”

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh have been protesting at several borders of the national capital for the last 48 days demanding the repeal of the three farm laws and the guarantee of MSP.

Earlier, seven rounds of talks of farmers with the government have remained inconclusive. The next round of talks with the government is scheduled for January 15.

Political dynasts weakening democracy: PM

TB Team
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Political dynasts weakening democracy: PM

Without taking names of political rivals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday said that political dynasts posed the biggest threat to democracy and appealed to the youth to enter politics to redress the situation.

“There are still people who want to do politics only to save their family’s name in politics. This sort of politics keeps ‘nation first’ in second place and ‘my family and my benefits’ as first priority.

“The youth need to enter politics to end this practice of family-based politics. It is important to save our democratic practices,” he said at a valedictory function of the second Youth Parliament here.

“Dynasts are the biggest threat to democracy and this leads to social corruption; more youths should come forward to curb this problem.”

The Prime Minister maintained that people nowadays supported those who worked with honesty and sincerity.

Modi said that the politics of nepotism was nearing its end, adding that it hadn’t ended completely though.

“Those who have corruption as part of their legacy now are not able to come out of that burden.”

Invoking Swami Vivekananda, the Prime Minister advised the youth to believe in themselves and take the nation forward. The new National Education Policy 2020 will take the youth towards modern education and learning, he added.

The PM also listened to the prize winners of the National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF)that aims to lend a voice to youths between the age of 18 and 25.

NYPF is based on an idea put forth by the Prime Minister in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address on December 31, 2017. The first NYPF was organized from January 12 to February 27, 2019, with the theme of ‘Be the Voice of New India and Find Solutions and Contribute to Policy’.

The second NYPF was held on December 23, 2020, through the virtual model, in which 2.34 lakh youths from across the country participated in the first stage. It was followed by state Youth Parliaments through the virtual mode from January 1 to 5, 2021. The final of the second NYPF was held in the Central Hall of Parliament on January 11, 2021.

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