Hyderabad kidnapping case: Three including ex-Andhra minister’s aides held

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Hyderabad kidnapping case: Three including ex-Andhra minister’s aides held

Hyderabad police on Monday arrested three more accused in last week’s sensational kidnap of three businessmen while a city court rejected the bail petition of former Andhra Pradesh minister Bhuma Akhila Priya, who is the main accused in the case.

A Secunderabad court rejected her bail petition after Chanchalguda prison authorities submitted a report on her health status.

The court also sent her to police custody for three days. The police had sought seven-day custody but the court granted her custody only for three days.

Businessman Praveen Rao and his two brothers were kidnapped from their residence in Bowenpally by a group of 10 persons, who posed themselves as income tax officials. The trio was let off by the accused in the early hours of January 6.

Hours later, police arrested Akhila Priya from her residence at Kukatpally. Another accused in the case A.V. Subba Reddy was arrested the same day.

According to police, the incident is linked to a dispute over 25 acres of land at Hafeezpet in Hyderabad. Praveen Rao had reportedly purchased the land in 2016 with the help of Subba Reddy who took the assistance of Bhuma Nagi Reddy, a former MP, and father of Akhil Priya who died in 2017. Akhila Priya later approached Praveen for a share after differences with Subba Reddy.

Meanwhile, police arrested three more accused and claimed to have gathered more evidence against Akhila Priya. The arrested include a personal assistant of Akhila Priya and an aide of her husband Bhargava Ram, an accused in the case who is still absconding.

Boya Sampath Kumar, the personal assistant of Akhila Priya, Nagaradoddi Mallikarjuna Reddy, personal assistant of Bhargava Ram and Dorllu Balachennaiah, all residents of Kurnool and Anantapur districts of Andhra Pradesh were apprehended by the sleuths of Commissioner’s Task Force teams along with Bowenpally police.

“During the investigation, it is established that Bhuma Akhila Priya planned and executed the crime along with Bhargava Ram, Guntur Srinu, and other accomplices in order to grab the land or extort money from the victims,” Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said.

He told reporters that police seized items used in the commission of offense including three mobile phones and fake number plates.

According to police, on the instruction of Akhila Priya and her accomplice, Mallikarjuna Reddy purchased six SIM cards and six new mobile phones.

One SIM card was allocated to Akhila Priya, two cards to another accused Guntur Srinu, and the remaining SIM cards were used by their accomplices.

On January 5 when the offense was committed, Akhila Priya used the SIM card while traveling from Vijayawada to Hyderabad and communicated with accused persons from her residence at Kukatpally till the early hours of January 6.

According to police, Guntur Srinu and Bhargava Ram were continuously receiving instructions from Akhila Priya on their mobile phones. One of the kidnappers using a temporary number called Akhila Priya on her regular contact number at 10.42 p.m. on January 5. Later, using the same number kidnappers made the victims call to Deputy Commissioner of Police North zone to communicate their safety at 1.09 a.m. on January 6.

Sampath Kumar confessed before police that in the direction of Akhila Priya, he conducted recce along with Bala Chennaiah on a bike with fake number plate at the residence of victims at Bowenpally and gave information to Bhargava Ram and Guntur Srinu about the presence of victims at the residence.

On January 5, all accused started from Akhila Priya’s apartment in Kukatpally and gathered at MGM School, Yousufguda, which belongs to Bhargava Ram on five four-wheelers and two two-wheelers. They replaced the original number plates of the vehicles with fake ones.

Made in India vaccines most cost effective in the world: Modi

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Made in India vaccines most cost effective in the world: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasized that India is entering into a decisive battle against Covid-19, as the country prepares for the Made in India vaccination drive from January 16.

Making the closing remarks at the meeting with the Chief Ministers on Covid vaccine roll-out, the Prime Minister said that the public representatives are not on the priority list and the first round of vaccines will be given to the frontline workers. He also said that the state governments will not have to pay for the first round of Covid vaccines as the Centre will bear the cost.

“We have to continue creating public awareness, but the maximum awareness is required after the second and third round when we complete three crore vaccinations,” Modi said.

“Public representatives are not on the priority list. Only the frontline and healthcare workers are on the list. The fight against coronavirus is an example of India’s federalism,” the Prime Minister said.

“India is entering into a decisive battle against Covid-19 and we should not let our guard down now. We are going to start the vaccination drive on January 16. It is a matter of pride for us that the two approved vaccines for Covid-19 are both Made in India,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that both the Indian vaccines are more cost-effective than any other vaccine in the world.

“Apart from the two already approved vaccines, four others are in the pipeline. It will help us plan for the future in a better way. Our experts have taken all precautions to provide the countrymen with effective vaccines,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that these vaccines are made keeping in mind the situation of the country. “In the second phase, people above 50 years of age will be vaccinated,” Modi said.

Work on Varanasi-Delhi bullet train project gains momentum

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Work on Varanasi-Delhi bullet train project gains momentum

Over three years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of India’s first 508-km  High-Speed Rail corridor, the work on the second such rail corridor in the country — on the Delhi-Varanasi route — has gained momentum.

An aerial LiDAR survey of the 800-km Delhi-Varanasi High-Speed Rail (DVHSR) corridor has now been undertaken by the Railways as part of the project to connect Modi’s parliamentary constituency with the national capital through the bullet train.

On Sunday, the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) launched the LiDAR survey for the Delhi-Varanasi route from Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida, wherein a helicopter fitted with state-of-the-art aerial LiDAR and imagery sensors will capture data related to the ground survey along the proposed route.

NHSRCL spokesperson Sushma Gaur said that the light detection and ranging survey (LiDAR) technology helps gather all ground details and data in three to four months as against the normal time period of 10-12 months through the traditional method.

She said that the ground survey is a crucial activity for any linear infrastructure project as it provides accurate details of the geographical areas around the proposed railroad alignment. “This technique uses a combination of laser and GPS data, flight parameters and actual photographs to give an accurate survey data,” she said.

Gaur said that the LiDAR survey will capture data of 300 meters (150 meters on either side) of the proposed railroad alignment area. Thereafter, a three-dimensional (3D) topographical map of the 50-meter corridor on either side of the proposed alignment on a scale of 1:2500 will be made available to design vertical and horizontal alignments, structures, location of stations and depots, land requirement for the corridor, and identification of project-affected plots/structures, and right of way, etc.

The NHSRCL official said that as per nine standard benchmarks set by the Survey of India in this field, 86 master and 350 secondary control points have been established. These coordinates are used to fly the chopper on the Delhi-Varanasi HSR corridor route.

“To provide clear pictures of structures, trees, and other minute ground details, 60-megapixel cameras have been used in the LiDAR survey,” she said, adding that the NHSRCL has been entrusted to prepare the Detailed Project Reports for seven high-speed rail corridors.

Gaur said that the first draft of the DPR for the DVHSR corridor was submitted to the Railway Ministry on October 29, 2020. The corridor aims to connect the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi with Mathura, Agra, Etawah, Lucknow, Raebareli, Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Varanasi, and Ayodhya.

The HSR route also proposes to connect the upcoming international airport at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

On September 14, 2017, Modi along with then Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe had laid the foundation stone of the MAHSR corridor, popularly known as the ‘bullet train’ project.

On February 15, 2019, Modi had flagged off an indigenous ‘Train 18’, which was rechristened ‘Vande Bharat Express’ between Delhi and Varanasi, capable of running at 180 kmph.

AP CM, Guv condole veteran journalist Rao’s death

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AP CM, Guv condole veteran journalist Rao’s death

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan condoled the death of veteran journalist Turlapati Kutumba Rao on Monday.

“A prolific writer and good orator, the multi-faceted Kutumba Rao is a winner of numerous awards and his contribution to Telugu literature and journalism is rich,” said Reddy as he conveyed his condolences to Rao’s bereaved family.

Harichandan expressed profound grief and sadness at the passing away of Rao on Sunday night in Vijayawada.

“Rao is well known for his contribution to Telugu journalism with 4,000 biographies and 16,000 public speeches which won him a place in the world records,” he said.

Rao served as the chairman of AP Grandhalaya (library) Parishad and received several awards and honors for his contribution to Telugu journalism and literature.

The Governor prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace as he offered heartfelt condolences to Rao’s family members.

T’gana to resume Covid-19 disrupted sheep distribution

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T’gana to resume Covid-19 disrupted sheep distribution

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday directed his officials to resume the first phase of the sheep distribution program, which was earlier disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The program was launched in the state to distribute sheep on 75 percent subsidy (basis) to the beneficiaries among the Golla Kuruma community,” said an official.

The program was deferred in its last stage due to the pandemic.

According to the official, as many as 30,000 beneficiaries have already submitted the demand drafts for the scheme.

Rao has directed Animal Husbandry Minister T. Srinivas Yadav to immediately roll out the program.

The Chief Minister has also decided to commence the second phase of the program in the next financial year, which is just three months away.

He said funds for the program will be allocated during the state budget in March.

The government aims to enable economic empowerment by distributing sheep to the Golla and Kuruma communities, which is implemented in its earlier term as well, resulting in Telangana recording an impressive growth rate in meat production as well as the sheep population.

From the launch of the scheme until September 2020, more than 76 lakh sheep were distributed to 3.67 lakh beneficiaries.

Sonia holds virtual meet to discuss political situation, farmers’ issue

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Sonia holds virtual meet to discuss political situation, farmers’ issue

Day after the eighth round of talks between the government and protesting farm unions failed to resolve the deadlock over three new agricultural reform laws, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday held a virtual meeting with the party’s General Secretaries and In-Charges to discuss the current political scenario and farmers’ issue, sources said.

Besides Sonia Gandhi, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K. C. Venugopal, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Rajeev Sataval, Manickam Tagore, Tariq Anwar, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jitin Prasada, Pawan Bansal, Rajeev Shukla, Bhakta Charan Das, Ajay Maken, P.L. Punia and several others attended the meeting.

On Friday, Priyanka Gandhi met the party’s MPs and MLAs staging a protest at Jantar Mantar here against the three farm laws for the last 32 days.

Priyanka expressed that Congress whole-heartedly support the farmer unions’ demand.

She further said that we are not going to move back and the only solution to the stalemate is that the government must repeal the three farm laws.

The next round of meetings between farm unions and the government is scheduled to take place on January 15.

India has strongest and most vibrant democracy, says Modi

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India has strongest and most vibrant democracy, says Modi

Emphasizing that the whole of India stands together, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the country has the strongest and most vibrant democracy in the world.

“When India got independence, it was said that the country will break due to its poverty, less education and that democracy is impossible here, but the truth is that India stands together, and has the most strong and vibrant democracy in the whole world,” Modi said while speaking at the 16th ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ convention.

He also said whenever anyone raised eyebrows at the ability of the country and the countrymen, it has turned out to be wrong.

Modi asserted that India’s history is proof that there is no question or doubts about its ability in any circumstances.

“When India stood in the face of terrorism, the world also got the courage to face the challenge. Today, India is using technology to end corruption. Money worth lakhs and crores are directly being credited to the account of the beneficiary.”

“Today, India’s space program and tax start-up eco-system is a leader in the global sphere. Even during Covid-19, several new unicorns and tech start-ups started from India,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that even in the times of pandemic, India has shown its ability.

“The country is ready with two ‘Made in India’ vaccines. The world is not only waiting for India’s vaccines but is observing how India runs the world’s biggest vaccination program.”

Be it PPE kits, masks, ventilators, or testing kits, India used to order them from outside. Now, the country has strengthened itself and is not only self-reliant but has even started exporting these items, the Prime Minister lauded.

“India has done structural reforms from education to enterprise to bring wholesome changes. To promote manufacturing, we have started the Production Linked Incentive Scheme, which has gained a lot of popularity in very little time.”

Yogi meets PM, discusses political situation, UP development

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Yogi meets PM, discusses political situation, UP development

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Thursday and had a discussion on the political situation and development projects in the state.

Prime Minister Modi assured all possible help from the Centre for the development of the country’s largest state. Earlier on Wednesday, Adityanath met President Ram Nath Kovind and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Corona vaccination preparations are going on from Makar Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath assured the Prime Minister of the arrangements made by the state government regarding vaccination. He said that the way the Uttar Pradesh government along with the central government better managed the Covid situation in the nation’s largest state, the same way the vaccination campaign would be carried out.

Sources said that Chief Minister also informed about the progress of the construction of several highway projects in Uttar Pradesh and Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.

In view of the UP Assembly election in 2022, the political equations of the state were also discussed. The biggest challenge is to repeat the 2017 performance in the Assembly polls next year.

The Cabinet expansion of the Yogi government is also pending. In the possible expansion after Makar Sankranti, some new faces in the UP government may get a chance.

Govt fills its coffers while common man suffers: Sonia on petrol hike

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Govt fills its coffers while common man suffers: Sonia on petrol hike

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday attacked the Centre after petrol price breached an all-time high level in the new year in the national capital.

Sonia Gandhi said on Thursday, “I demand the government to keep the prices of petrol and diesel to that of the UPA era and give relief to the people and roll back all the three farm laws.”

She said, “In independent India, the country is at crossroads as farmers are on the Delhi borders for 44 days for their genuine demands while the unbridled, insensitive government is breaking the backbone of the farmers and middle class.”

“Due to covid, all around the economy is already in shambles while the Modi government is putting money into their coffers and making out opportunity in a pandemic,” she added.

The cost of crude is around 51 dollars which means petrol should be around Rs 23 a liter but the prices are more than double which is the highest in 73 years.

Sonia Gandhi alleged that despite less cost of crude in the international market the benefit should go to the consumers but the government is profiteering on it. “In the last six years, the government collected 19,00,000 crore as excise duty from the people. Not only this, the rising costs of the domestic LPG has also disturbed the home budget,” she said.

After the raise on Thursday, the petrol price in Delhi increased by 23 paise a liter on Thursday, the second successive day of fuel price rise, to Rs 84.20 a liter from Rs 83.97 on the previous day. This is the highest level of the retail price of petrol in the national capital after October 4, 2018, when its price had risen to Rs 84 a liter.

In other metros, though the price of petrol has not yet breached the all-time high levels, it has reached very close to that level and may cross it this week if fuel price increases further in coming days.

In Mumbai, petrol price increased to Rs 90.83 a liter on Thursday just 51 paise short of the all-time high level of Rs 91.34 reached on October 4, 2018. In Chennai, the petrol price currently is Rs 86.96 a liter, a shade lower than the historic high level of Rs 87.33 a liter.

Similarly, the petrol price also reached a very close to record level of Rs 85.80 a liter in Kolkata increasing to Rs 85.68 a liter on Thursday.

Freight corridor will lead to rapid development: PM

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Freight corridor will lead to rapid development: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the 306-km Rewari-Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor section and said the modern freight corridor is a “game-changer” for India in the 21st century and it will prove to be a corridor for the rapid development of the country.

Modi also virtually flagged off the world’s first Double Stack Long Haul 1.5 km ‘Container Train’ between Haryana’s new Ateli and Rajasthan’s New Kishangarh.

The event was also attended by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, Haryana Governor Satydev Narayan Arya, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, his deputy Dushyant Chautala, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, and several others.

Japanese Ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki also attended the program.

Speaking on the occasion, Modi said, “The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project is being seen as a game-changer in the 21st century for India. A big chunk of the project has been dedicated to the nation.”

The Prime Minister said the speed of the goods and freight trains has reached 90 km as compared to 25 km, which is thrice more than earlier.

Speaking about the double-stack freight train which he flagged off, Modi said, “Today from Haryana’s New Ateli and Rajasthan’s New Kishangarh, a new double stack 1.5 km-long goods train has been flagged off. This is a big achievement. India is one of the few countries which has such a facility.”

He also hailed the engineers, laborers, and railway officials for their role. He emphasized that the day is important for the farmers and businessmen as this project has brought new hopes and opportunities for them.

“Whether it is the Eastern or Western DFC, this is not only for modern freight trains and advanced freight route, but this is a corridor for the rapid development of the country and it will become the foundation for the new growth center,” Modi said.

Modi pointed out that the newly-inaugurated EDFC corridor has proved to be the new development center and has started showing its results.

“Same work will be done by WDFC in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. This corridor will prove a milestone for the businesses in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Rajasthan,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said that a new pace has been achieved for making the infrastructure of the country modern and advanced.

He said that in the last 10-12 days, through digital transaction Rs 18,000 crore was transferred in over nine crore farmers’ bank accounts, and the foundation stone was laid for an AIIMS in Rajkot, Gujarat, and for a new IIM in Odisha besides many other works.

“When the beginning of the year is good, then the coming days will be much better. The number of inaugurations and new foundation laying is important because India has done all these during the Covid pandemic. India also approved two Made-in-India Covid vaccines and has brought self-confidence,” he said.

He said that from the beginning of 2021, it will provide pace for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

“And the people of India will feel proud of these achievements. Today every Indian has given a call that we will not stop and not get tired, and we will work together with more pace,” he said.

Modi also stressed that the modern infrastructure gives pace to the economy.

The Prime Minister also hailed Japan’s role in the construction of the Dedicated Freight Corridor and said, “Throughout India’s development journey, Japan and its people have stood by us like a trustworthy friend.”

“In the construction of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor as well, Japan provided us with financial and technological assistance. I thank Japan and its people,” Modi said.

He had inaugurated the Khurja-Bhaupur section of EDFC on December 29 last year. The Dedicated Freight Corridor is one of the largest rail infrastructure projects undertaken by the government, entailing a cost of around Rs 81,459 crore.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has been set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle to plan, develop, mobilize financial resources, construct, maintain, and operate the DFCs.

In the first phase, the organization will construct the Western DFC (1,504 km) and Eastern DFC (1,856 km), a total of 3,360 km.

According to railway ministry officials, to make India a five-trillion-dollar economy it is essential to develop transport networks at a fast pace. Development of transport infrastructure will give a major fillip for the growth of industries, commerce, export and import, and agriculture.

The newly-inaugurated section falls in Haryana for 79 km covering districts of Mahendragarh and Rewari with 227 kms in Rajasthan covering districts like Jaipur, Ajmer, Sikar, Nagaur, and Alwar.

According to the railway ministry officials, 40 percent of the WDFC section falls in Rajasthan. In the newly-inaugurated 306 km section of the WDFC, there are nine new DFC stations, six crossing stations — New Dabla, New Bhagega, New Sri Madhopur, New Pachar Malikpur, New Sakun, and New Kishangarh and three junction stations — New Rewari, New Ateli and New Phulera.

The total value of contracts including civil, electrical, and S&T is estimated to be at Rs 5,800 crore in this section excluding land.

According to railways, the opening of this stretch will benefit various industries in Rewari-Manesar, Narnaul, Phulera, and Kishangarh areas of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

The railway officials said that the ports of Gujarat like Kandla, Pipavav, Mundhra, and Dahej will have uninterrupted connectivity to the northern parts of India.

The officials said that DFCCIL will run freight trains at a maximum speed of 100 kmh as against the current maximum speed of 75 km on Indian Railway tracks whereas the average speed of freight trains will also be increased from the existing speed of 26 kmh to 70 kmh on DFC.

Modern dedicated freight corridor is game changer in 21st century: Modi

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Modern dedicated freight corridor is game changer in 21st century: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the 306 km Rewari-Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor section and said the modern Dedicated Freight Corridor is a “game changer” for India in the 21st century.

Modi also flagged off the world’s first Double Stack Long Haul 1.5 km in length ‘Container Train’ virtually between Haryana’s new Ateli and Rajasthan’s New Krishnanagar.

The event was also attended by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, Haryana Governor Satydev Narayan Arya, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, his deputy Dushyant Chautala and Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, and several others.

Japanese Ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki also attended the program.

Speaking on the occasion, Modi said, “The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project is being seen as a game changer in 21st century for India. A big chunk of the project has been dedicated to the nation.”

The Prime Minister said the speed of the goods and freight train has reached 90 kmph as compared to 25 kmph, which is thrice more than earlier.

Speaking about the double-stack freight train, which he flagged off, Modi said, “Today from Haryana’s New Ateli and Rajasthan’s New Krishnagar, a new double stack 1.5 km long goods train has been flagged off. This is a big achievement. India is one of the few countries which has such a facility.”

He also hailed the engineers, labor, railway officials for their role.

He emphasized that the day is important for the farmers, businessmen of the Delhi-NCR as this project has brought new hopes for them.

“Whether it is the Eastern or Western DFC, this is not only for modern freight trains and advanced freight route, but this is a corridor for the rapid development of the country and it will become the foundation for the new growth center,” Modi said.

Modi pointed out that the newly inaugurated EDFC corridor started proving to be the new development center and has started showing its results.

“Same work will be done by WDFC in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. In Haryana and Rajasthan this corridor will prove a milestone for the businesses in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Rajasthan,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said that a new pace has been achieved today for making the infrastructure of the country modern and advanced.

He said that in the last 10-12 days, through digital transaction Rs 18,000 crore was transferred in over nine crore farmers’ bank account, in Gujarat Rajkot’s AIIMS, and in Odisha a new IIM facility foundation stone was laid besides many other works.

“When the beginning of the year is better, then the coming days will be much better. The number of inaugurations and new foundation laying is important because India has done all these during the Covid pandemic. India also approved two Made in India Covid vaccine and has brought self-confidence,” he said.

He said that from the beginning of 2021, it will provide pace for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

“And the people of India will feel proud of these achievements. Today every Indian has given a call that we will not stop and not get tired, and we will work together with more pace,” he said.

Modi also stressed that modern infrastructure gives pace to the economy.

He had inaugurated the Khurja-Bhaupur section of EDFC on December 29 last year.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor is one of the largest rail infrastructure projects undertaken by the government, entailing a cost of around Rs 81,459 crore.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has been set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle to plan, develop, mobilize financial resources, construct, maintain, and operate the EDFC.

In the first phase, the organization will construct the Western DFC (1,504 route km) and Eastern DFC (1,856 route km), a total of 3,360 route km.

Military historian Amarinder remembers family ties with Army

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Military historian Amarinder remembers family ties with Army

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday remembered his father on his 108th birth anniversary by saying his contribution in unifying India post-Independence made him proud.

“Remembering my father, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Ji on his 108th Birth Anniversary. He was the one who inspired me to join the Armed Forces,” the Chief Minister said in a tweet.

“His contribution in unifying India post-Independence and in settling people post-Partition will always make me proud.”

Two-time Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who is a scion of the erstwhile Patiala royal family, is also a military historian.

He had served as an Army captain during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

The Chief Minister is often quoted as saying it is a matter of pride and honor for him and his family to have served the nation as a soldier of the Indian Army, which has always been his first love and would remain so.

He has served in the second battalion of the Sikh Regiment from 1963 to 1969. Though he left for a short period in between, to take over his family responsibilities, his love for the Army brought him back when the India-Pakistan war broke out in 1965, an Army officer close to him told IANS.

His father, Lt. General Maharaja Yadavinder Singh, served in the regiment in 1935 and was the Colonel of the 2/11 Royal Sikhs from 1938 to 1950 and of the 2 Sikhs between 1950-1971.

Amarinder Singh’s grandfather, Major General Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was the Colonel of the 15th Ludhiana Sikhs from 1918-1922 and then of the 2/11 Royal Sikhs from 1922-1938.

WB govt in SC: State machinery not after people with different ideology

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WB govt in SC: State machinery not after people with different ideology

The Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that the state machinery is not going after people having a different political ideology.

The response from the state government came in an affidavit ahead of the Assembly elections, scheduled for early this year, in a case where advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha has sought a CBI/NIA probe into the mysterious death of a BJP MLA Debendra Nath Roy. On July 13, last year, Roy was found hanging from a tree. The incident had happened in the Raiganj police station area.

The affidavit by Atreyi Sen, Deputy SP CID Malda Zone, maintained that Roy had committed suicide. “It is denied that the death of Roy was a political murder or that the state machinery was used or was an accomplice or involved in any manner causing such death”, said the affidavit.

The state government denied that there was the involvement of the state machinery against people having a different political ideology or that it has made it impossible to trust the investigation carried out by the police officials of the same administration as falsely alleged.

The response from the state government assumes significance in the backdrop of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks, during a recent visit to the state, alleging that more than 300 BJP workers have been killed in the state.

Citing Roy’s death, the government denied that this incident has put fear in millions of people who wish to join a political party. The government submitted that the investigating officer in the case had seized a paper from Roy’s shirt pocket, which contained a handwritten note with names and details of two persons: Niloy Sinha and Mahmud Ali. “It is submitted that the petitioners have relied on tweets by high-ranking public officials to wrongly assume that the incident was pre-planned or that the state machinery was involved or that it was a political murder”, said the government.

In the affidavit, the government stressed that allegations and speculations that Roy was first killed and then hanged are false, and also allegations of foul play in the investigation.

Seeking dismissal of Jha’s petition, the government said the petitioner has demanded a CBI/ NIA investigation by relying on unverified statements purportedly given by Chandima Roy, wife of the deceased, and his relatives Khitish Chandra Ray and Poppy Barman. “These statements do not allege foul play by any state personnel or the police and do not impugn the state police in any manner”, added the affidavit.

The top court on Tuesday granted two weeks to Jha and others to bring on record their response to the West Bengal government’s affidavit. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing in February.

One country, one gas grid: Modi after inaugurating Kochi-Mangaluru gas pipeline

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One country, one gas grid: Modi after inaugurating Kochi-Mangaluru gas pipeline

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the goal of the government was to have ‘One country, One gas grid’. He was speaking after virtually inaugurating the GAIL pipeline project from Kochi to Mangaluru.

He said the Centre was on a major initiative to connect all the gas grids across the country.

Modi also said this was a historic moment for the nation and the states of Kerala and Karnataka in particular. He said the project became a reality due to the cooperation of the people and the state governments in Kerala and Karnataka.

The Prime Minister in his speech also stressed the necessity of the Central-state cooperation to implement such major projects required for the development of the state and the people.

The LNG pipeline commissioned at a cost of Rs 3,226 crore and covering an area of 444 kilometers passes through the districts of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod in Kerala and culminates at Mangaluru in Karnataka.

The project commenced in 2009 and should have been completed by 2016 but owing to political opposition in land acquisition, the project got delayed and now stands completed in 2020. This project was a part of the manifesto of the Left in Kerala.

The project has already been supplying gas to the industrial units and residences in Ernakulam city since 2013 after a part of the project was commissioned.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural gas, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The cooperation extended by the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was exemplary and said this model has to be emulated.” He also thanked the Kerala Chief Minister publicly.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during his address said the project had become a reality owing to the support of the people of the state and the joint work with the GAIL and Union government. He said the commissioning of this project was a major election promise of the Left Front and expressed satisfaction on its completion. He said the project was almost decommissioned in 2015 and after the LDF government assumed office in 2016, the project again started functioning.

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa was also present during the virtual inauguration.

All eyes on Jan 5 Georgia elections as Biden, Harris meet 2021’s defining political test

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All eyes on Jan 5 Georgia elections as Biden, Harris meet 2021’s defining political test

US President-elect Joe Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris meet an early 2021 political test as two of their Democratic party colleagues seek to win knife-edge special elections in Georgia on January 5 which will decide Senate control in the incoming administration.

Two Senate races in Georgia are heading into ‘runoffs’ on January 5 because no candidate reached the 50 percent mark needed to win multi-candidate races on election night last year.

Republicans, who are already at the 50 seat mark in the 100 member Senate, need to win only one of those two Georgia seats to maintain Senate control and have the power to block Biden’s legislative agenda.

Both Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock must pull off victories on Tuesday to split Senate control 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats. If that’s the way it turns out, Vice President-elect Harris, in her role as Senate President, becomes the tiebreaker. Democrats control the House of Representatives but with a tenuous 222-211 margin of power.

The stakes are high enough that Biden and Trump both held rallies over the weekend in Georgia. Harris stumped on Sunday. Sandwiched between dates when the US presidential election results are officially certified and Inauguration Day on January 20, the Georgia runoffs are an early defining moment for the Democratic party and the sway of the Biden-Harris brand.

Both Biden and Harris have campaigned hard in the state and raised millions in the quest to flip the Senate. RealClearPolitics poll of polls shows both the runoffs are up for grabs. Razor-thin leads for Democrats fall well within the margin of error.

Biden won the state of Georgia after a 28-year drought for the Democrats here. He beat Trump by about 12,000 votes out of a total of 5 million casts in Georgia. Biden, a Washington long hauler who has pitched his candidacy for president on building consensus, would have an easier path to governing with a Democratic Senate. It would smooth some of the wrinkles in the nomination process for key Cabinet posts and give his party control of crucial committees.

The Georgia polls are set to close at 7 p.m. EST on January 5, after which counting begins. Military and overseas ballots postmarked by Tuesday and received by Friday will be counted. Just like it happened in the November 2020 election, it is entirely possible that Americans will turn in on January 5 without knowing who won Georgia.

Warnock, a senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church — a position once held by Martin Luther King, Jr — has never before run for political office. He is up against Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler. Last November, Loeffler, and Warnock ended up getting 1.3 and 1.6 million votes respectively in a 20 candidate field. Perdue got about 88,000 more votes than Ossoff in the general election but did not top the 50 percent threshold, which is required to win.

More than 3 million Georgians have voted early, setting a runoff turnout record. The 3,001,017 early votes amount to just short of 39 percent of all registered voters in the state, according to the US Elections Project.

7-point agenda for environment protection by Kamal Haasan’s party

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7-point agenda for environment protection by Kamal Haasan’s party

Establishing a circular economy, enforcing pollution standards, strict groundwater regulations, and having an environment atlas is part of the seven-point agenda of the Kamal Haasan promoted Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party, which was announced on Monday.

As per the seven-point agenda for the environment, the MNM announced that it would establish a circular economy, where recycling and reuse will be a norm for water, plastic, and e-waste.

“Incentivise production of non-plastic alternatives by household industries and Self-Help Groups,” the party said.

The party said all pollution monitoring data will be published as a continuous stream through “OCEMS – Online Continuous Emission and Monitoring Systems” as per the Supreme Court directive of 2017.

In order to regulate the exploitation of groundwater, the party said it would bring a comprehensive and stringent groundwater regulation for large-scale harvesting of groundwater. This will be implemented to safeguard the interests of local communities, farmers, and future generations. Wetland rules will be amended to ensure the protection of local water bodies like lakes and other waterways.

A statewide environmental atlas will be developed for the industrial sites on the lines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) siting criteria for industries while encouraging green industries.

According to MNM, “Local Area Environment Committees” involving local community activists, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and District Administration, will be set up in pollution hotspots to monitor industrial compliance of pollution standards.

“Bringing in behavioral change in people for respecting the eco-systems will be instilled through sensitization,” the party said.

The party had earlier announced its seven-point economic agenda.

Kangana on charges of merging flats: Will fight in higher court

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Kangana on charges of merging flats: Will fight in higher court

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut on Saturday tweeted a denial to a news piece reporting that she has allegedly merged three flats into one, which she owns on the fifth floor of a 16-story building in the Khar area of the city.

The actress claimed in a tweet that the building has been constructed in a way that there is one apartment on each floor, and it was like this when she purchased it. The actress in turn alleged that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is harassing her and she also took a dig at the Shiv Sena government.

“Fake propaganda by Mahavinashkari government, I haven’t joined any flats, the whole building is built the same way, one apartment each floor, that’s how I purchased it, @mybmc is only harassing me in the entire building. Will fight in the higher court,” Kangana wrote on Twitter.

In September last year, the BMC had demolished parts of Kangana’s office located in Bandra citing illegal construction. The demolition work was stopped midway after a stay order from Bombay High Court on September 9.

Start-ups future MNCs, to give ‘Brand India’ new global identity: PM

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Start-ups future MNCs, to give ‘Brand India’ new global identity: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed that start-ups be set up in all sectors for building future multinationals which, he said, would give ‘Brand India’ new global identity in the times to come.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of IIM-Sambalpur’s permanent campus in Odisha through videoconference, the Prime Minister said: “This is a perfect time. Today’s start-ups are tomorrow’s multinationals. These start-ups are emerging in Tier 2 and 3 cities. These start-ups will play a big role in establishing multinationals.”

Modi said that the scope for start-ups is expanding. “You have to prepare yourself for new possibilities. Our youths are responsible for giving ‘Brand India’ a new global identity.”

The Prime Minister said that the Indian Institute of Management-Sambalpur has to showcase its strength to the country. The new campus would help strengthen the potential of Odisha’s youths.

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, apart from Union Ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Pratap Chandra Sarangi were present on the occasion.

Yogi govt’s campaign attracts youth towards farming

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Yogi govt’s campaign attracts youth towards farming

The Mukhyamantri Krishak Chhatravratti Yojana, a scheme run by the Yogi Adityanath government, is swiftly changing the scenario in Uttar Pradesh. The younger generation that was almost reluctant to join farming has started showing interest in the traditional occupation of the country. The scheme is not only helping the students to complete their studies by providing them scholarships but also developing their interest in agriculture.

The apex farmers’ body State Agricultural Produce Markets Board is providing scholarships to the children of farmers studying in agriculture colleges and universities. With the help of this scholarship, the students are able to continue with their studies and they are being trained in modern agriculture techniques like soil testing, manure, and seeds quantity measurement, protecting the crop from various diseases, etc.

Under the scheme, the students studying in agricultural universities and colleges are given Rs 3,000 per month as a scholarship. Earlier, the farmers were not aware of this scheme, hence, their children were deprived of this benefit. When Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath got to know about the situation, he ordered the promotion of this scheme. As a result, hundreds of students are now getting scholarships.

The Board has given Rs 91 crore as a scholarship to 2,690 students since 2017. Along with this, hostels are being built in three agricultural universities. Due to such steps being taken by the Board for the education of the children of farmers, the farmers of the state are now encouraging their children to study in agricultural universities.

The main reason for this is the Chief Minister Krishak Scholarship Scheme operated under the Chief Minister’s Farmers Welfare Schemes. Farmer’s welfare schemes include the Chief Minister’s Farmer Accident Assistance Scheme, the Chief Minister’s Farm-Barn Fire Accident Assistance Scheme, the Chief Minister’s Farmer’s Gift Scheme, and the Chief Minister’s Farmers Scholarship Scheme.

Pradeep Verma, an M.Sc student, said that he gets Rs 36,000 as a scholarship annually. I don’t even have to take support from home, he says.

Prabhakar Rao, another student, said that due to the scheme his studies are going smoothly. It is a boon for poor children.

Kumar Vineet, Additional Director at Board-Administration, said that Rs 91 crore has been given to 2,690 students as a scholarship under the scheme so far from the year 2017-18. Also, in the financial year 2020-21, Rs 1.40 crore has been given to 368 students till the last month. These apart, the board is also building hostels in Chandrashekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Narendra Dev Agricultural University, Ayodhya, and University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, for the stay of students studying in agricultural universities.

The construction of these three hostels is going to cost Rs 20.12 crores. Each hostel will have 50 rooms and will house 100 students.

‘For BJP, Modi is the ultimate leader and star campaigner’

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‘For BJP, Modi is the ultimate leader and star campaigner’

A day after Tamil superstar Rajinikanth abandoned his foray into politics, BJP national general secretary, C.T. Ravi on Wednesday said that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has always been led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in every election it contests and in Tamil Nadu too, it is no different.

Addressing reporters, Ravi said that the alliance with the All India AIADMK will continue.

“For us (BJP) he (Modi) is the ultimate leader and we will campaign in his leadership. It is a wrong perception that the BJP is in search of a star campaigner. Modi is our leader and he will be our best bet in any election, we contest,” Ravi told IANS from Chennai.

On Rajinikanth’s announcement that he would not launch a political party, Ravi said that he respects his decision.

“Rajinikanth had always protected the national and Tamil Nadu’s interests. He is a great leader. I hope our party will ask for his support during elections. Everyone knows, how close his relations with Modi are,” he said

It may be recalled that Rajinikanth, who earlier said he would launch his political party in January 2021 promising a brand of ‘spiritual politics’. The superstar’s political advisor Tamilaruvi Manian had earlier said their party will fight on all 234 seats in the next Assembly elections.

But two days after being admitted to the hospital due to fluctuating blood pressure and exhaustion, Rajinikanth was discharged from Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad on Sunday.

He announced on Tuesday that he would not float his party in view of his health condition, having undergone a kidney transplant four years ago, and considering the Coronavirus pandemic situation.

In his three-page statement in Tamil, he said he will continue to serve the people in whatever way he can. The illness, he said, was a “warning from God” that he should not take on more pressures.

High or low BP is bad for me because they affect my transplanted kidney badly. Under doctors’ advice, I stayed at the hospital for three days and was supervised. In view of my bad health, the producer Kalanadhi Maran postponed filming, he stated while announcing his decision to quit.

The actor was shooting for a film titled “Annaatthe” in Hyderabad. The shoot was halted after crew members tested positive for Coronavirus.

The actor’s assertion that he would serve the people in whatever possible ways – without entering electoral politics – has led to an expectation among a section of BJP supporters that he may ‘lend his support’ favoring the party, the way he had supported the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance in 1996.

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