New Delhi, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) A trainee pilot and flying instructor were killed in a plane crash near Ganga Barrage, approximately 5 nautical miles from Kanpur Civil Airport, on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The Tecnam P2006T twin-engine aircraft, bearing registration VT-NBV and operated by M/s Garg Aviation Ltd., Kanpur, was on a training flight in the local flying area of Kanpur Civil Airport. There were two persons on board, a trainee pilot and an instructor. Both sustained fatal injuries in the accident, the statement said.

The two deceased have been identified as Sachin Bhatia from Gujarat and Abhishek Pujari from Karnataka.

The plane took off at 11:30 am from the Garg Aviation training centre in Kanpur, and the incident took place around 11:50 am when they were flying back to the training centre.

A team of three officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is proceeding to the site for necessary regulatory oversight and coordination.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been informed and will undertake a detailed investigation into the accident in accordance with the applicable rules. The circumstances and cause of the accident will be determined through the investigation, the statement added.

"We have got information about the instructor. He had an experience of around 3,000 hours. The DGCA has been informed. Their team will conduct a thorough investigation. The police have protected the entire area," Police Commissioner, Kanpur Nagar, Raghubir Lal, said.

Emergency services and authorities immediately rushed to the spot.

Visuals from the incident site showed a completely wrecked plane in a grassy, wooded area. The exact cause of the crash is not yet known. Officials said it occurred after the plane lost control.

The training aircraft was brought to the centre in 2023, officials added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of the pilots killed in the accident. He also prayed for the peace of the departed souls and for the strength of the families to bear the immense loss.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) India is not facing a sugar shortage as adequate stocks are available to meet domestic demand until the new crushing season begins in October, the government said on Wednesday.

It clarified that the share of sugar diverted for ethanol production has declined from around 12 per cent in 2022-23 to around 9 per cent in 2025-26. Moreover, nearly three-fourths of the ethanol produced in the country now comes from grains, particularly maize, it said, refuting claims that the diversion of sugar for producing ethanol was leading to the price rise of the sweetener.

Simultaneously, retail sugar prices for consumers have also remained broadly stable, increasing by only around 3 per cent annually between August 2024 and July 2026, according to the government factsheet.

Sugar prices have increased in recent weeks, from Rs 48.18 per kg on July 20 to Rs 55.70 per kg on August 20. This reflects an increase of around 15.6 per cent within one month. This suggests the current uptick largely reflects short-term supply and market factors, rather than a shift in the underlying price trend, the factsheet states.

The present increase in sugar prices is due to a combination of factors, including lower-than-expected domestic production, increased demand ahead of the festive season, and weather-related damage to the sugarcane crop. Besides, tightening global sugar supplies and rising prices, as well as speculation and hoarding by some sections of the industry, are other factors behind the price rise, the statement said.

Sugar production during the current season is expected to be around 306 LMT, compared to the initial estimate of around 343 LMT. Production has been affected by two factors: Red Rot and Top Borer disease, and waterlogging caused by excess rainfall. However, despite the lower-than-estimated production, adequate sugar stocks are available in the country to meet domestic demand. The new crushing season will begin in October.

The tightening of sugar supplies is a global phenomenon and is not limited just to India. The global sugar deficit for 2026-27 is estimated at around 33 lakh MT. As a result, international sugar prices have risen sharply from $474/tonnes on June 30, 2026 to $552/tonnes on August 20, 2026. This marks an increase of over 16 per cent in less than two months, the factsheet points out.

It also states that the ethanol programme has helped sugarcane farmers and strengthened sugar mills. On average, India produces around 300-340 lakh MT of sugar annually and its domestic sugar consumption is around 280-290 lakh MT each year.

In years of surplus production, excess stocks block the funds of sugar mills and delay payments to sugarcane farmers. Diversion of excess sugar towards ethanol has helped address this structural problem and improved the financial health of sugar mills. The area under sugarcane cultivation has also increased from 49.27 lakh hectares in 2015-16 to 58.87 lakh hectares in 2025-26.

As of August 20, 2026, 97 per cent of sugarcane dues for the 2025-26 sugar season have already been paid to farmers. The improved financial position of sugar mills has reduced their dependence on government support, the statement added.

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticised the Allahabad High Court's decision dismissing a petition filed by a minor student from a school in Prayagraj, who had sought permission to wear a hijab along with the prescribed school uniform.

Addressing a grand Jalsa-e-Rahmatul-lil-Alameen gathering at the AIMIM headquarters in Darussalam on Tuesday, Owaisi described the court's verdict as an "attack on Islam" and questioned whether the High Court should have delivered such an order. He said that the Sabarimala case remains pending before the Supreme Court, where the issue of essential religious practices is being considered.

"I disagree with this High Court judgment; I do not concur with it... Today's verdict violates Articles 25 and 19 of the Indian Constitution. Who are you to decide what is essential to Islam? Girls are wearing hijab on their heads, not on their minds. It is an attack on Islam," he said

On Tuesday, the Allahabad High Court observed that the petitioner had failed to produce any religious scripture or other material establishing that wearing a scarf was an "essential" part of her religion, without which her faith would be adversely affected. The court also pointed out that photographs submitted in the case showed other students belonging to the same religious community attending school without wearing scarves.

Owaisi also launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the organisations had historically shown a preference for Manusmriti over the Constitution of India.

"I am asking those associated with the RSS about Manusmriti. Is it not true that on November 26, 1949, we adopted the Constitution? However, four days later, on November 30, a mouthpiece of the RSS published a complaint against it, stating that it 'wasn't a Constitution at all and it should have been the Manusmriti'. They had issues with the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar," Owaisi said.

The AIMIM President further targeted Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar, drawing a comparison between his conduct during his imprisonment in the Andaman Cellular Jail and that of Muslim freedom fighters who endured imprisonment without seeking concessions from the British.

"Savarkar supported Manusmriti. While imprisoned in Andaman, he was writing letters to the British, saying, 'I am with you, please release me'. On the other hand, what were we (Muslims) doing? Allama Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi was also in jail; he endured hardships but never wrote a 'love letter' to the British. Instead, he issued a fatwa for Jihad against them. Even today, his grave stands in Andaman as a testament," he asserted.

"Listen, BJP and RSS people, who was the first prisoner in Andaman? It was not your father or grandfather. It was Hyderabad's Maulvi Alauddin, the Imam of Mecca Masjid. He was the first prisoner," Owaisi told the gathering.

Speaking about the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, Assam and Gujarat, Owaisi questioned whether laws based on existing Hindu personal laws could genuinely be described as a uniform code applicable to all communities.

"Uniform Civil Code has been implemented in Uttarakhand, Assam and Gujarat. But if the laws being enforced are essentially based on provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Divorce Act and Hindu Succession Act, then how can they genuinely be called a Uniform Civil Code? Why should these laws be imposed on Muslims when they are rooted in Hindu personal laws?" he said.

Owaisi further asserted that attempts to separate Muslims from their religious beliefs would not succeed and said that those who follow Islam would continue to adhere to the Quran and Sunnah.

"Remember, attempts to distance us from our faith will, Insha Allah, fail. Those who profess faith in Islam will continue to follow the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. We will not abandon our Deen," he said.

The AIMIM chief also emphasised his commitment to India, stating that Muslims would continue to protect the country while remaining committed to their faith and contributing to India's development.

"We love this country, we will protect this country, and while remaining committed to our faith, we will work to make India a superpower. India's freedom struggle also belongs to those who sacrificed their lives for the country, including freedom fighters like Turrebaz Khan. Their sacrifices must not be forgotten," he added.

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, Aug 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Telangana Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Planning Board Vice-Chairman G. Chinna Reddy are likely to face the axe as the Disciplinary Committee of the state Congress unit has recommended strict action against them for indiscipline.

The Disciplinary Committee, in its report submitted to the state unit, is understood to have recommended that the party drop Surekha from the Cabinet and also remove Chinna Reddy from his post.

The action was recommended against Surekha and Chinna Reddy for their remarks considered damaging to the party and its leadership.

Chinna Reddy, a senior leader, enjoys the Cabinet rank in his capacity as the Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board.

Disciplinary Committee Chairman Mallu Ravi and Vice-Chairman Shyam Mohan on Tuesday submitted the report to state party President Mahesh Kumar Goud, and he has forwarded the report to AICC in-charge for Telangana, Meenakshi Natrajan.

Party sources said the AICC leadership will take a final decision on the action to be taken against the two leaders.

The Disciplinary Panel reportedly observed that Surekha should have condemned the remarks made by her daughter Konda Sushmita against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The report also mentioned that this was not the first time that she violated party discipline.

In her reply to the show-cause notice issued by the Disciplinary Committee, Surekha had distanced herself from the comments made by Sushmita at an event at Parkala in Warangal district.

The minister stated in her reply that she should not be held politically responsible for remarks made against the Chief Minister, and that those were personal views of her daughter.

She had urged the Disciplinary Committee to withdraw the notice issued to her.

Chinna Reddy had also urged the Disciplinary Committee to withdraw the notice issued to him. He said in his reply that the comments made by him recently were only an expression of the grievances of long-standing party leaders and workers.

The Planning Board Vice-Chairman had made the remarks against the party leadership and Wanaparthy MLA T Megha Reddy during the inauguration of the mandal Congress office at Gopalpet in Wanaparthy district on August 16.

At a press conference on Monday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had declined to comment on the controversy involving Surekha and her daughter.

He said he would not like to speak on the party’s internal matters before the media as the issue was already being handled by the Disciplinary Committee.

The Chief Minister, while underlining the importance of discipline in the party, said that the party high command’s decision would be final and all leaders have to abide by it.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, August 24 (IANS): India has crossed the 300 GW milestone in installed non-fossil fuel capacity, reaching 300.50 GW as of July 31, 2026, even as Rajasthan hosted the first regional roadshow ahead of the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo (BRE Summit) 2026. The Jaipur roadshow, organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), brought together senior government officials, renewable energy companies, investors, industry associations and other stakeholders to build momentum for the flagship summit, which will be held from November 2 to 5 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The milestone marks a significant step towards India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. According to MNRE, the 300.50 GW capacity represents more than 54% of the country’s total electricity generation capacity and accounts for over 60% of the 2030 target. Rajasthan, one of India’s leading renewable energy states, showcased its strategy for expanding clean energy deployment and attracting investment. Delivering the inaugural address, Rohit Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL), outlined the state’s roadmap for accelerating renewable energy development.

He said Rajasthan is moving beyond standalone solar projects towards an integrated clean energy ecosystem encompassing wind-solar hybrid projects, battery energy storage systems and emerging green fuels such as green hydrogen. The roadshow brought together representatives of the Government of Rajasthan, RRECL, Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), Wind Independent Power Producers Association (WIPPA) and Sustainable Projects Developers Association (SPDA). In his welcome address, Dinesh Jagdale, Secretary, IWTMA, highlighted the role of the BRE Summit in creating a structured platform connecting central and state governments, investors, financiers, technology providers and industry associations.

Naveen Khandelwal, Treasurer, WIPPA and CEO of Yanara, said wind power can complement daytime solar generation and contribute to round-the-clock renewable power configurations. He said the Jaipur roadshow provides an important platform to connect India’s renewable energy ambitions with the commercial and investment conditions required to deliver them. Rajesh Kulhari, Joint Secretary, MNRE, said India’s clean energy transition depends on close collaboration between the Centre and resource-rich states such as Rajasthan. “India’s clean energy transition is a shared national mission that thrives on the leadership of resource-rich states like Rajasthan,” Kulhari said, adding that the 300 GW milestone demonstrates the country’s progress towards its 2030 target. He said the BRE Summit 2026 will bring the renewable energy value chain together on a single platform, with the objective of translating policy priorities into bankable projects, international investments and technology partnerships. The Jaipur programme included presentations and sessions outlining the objectives, themes and participation framework of BRE Summit 2026. Two films showcasing India’s Renewable Energy Journey and the upcoming BRE Summit & Expo 2026 were screened during the event. Dr P.K. Dash, Scientist, MNRE, made a detailed presentation on the summit’s strategic objectives, key themes and participation opportunities for domestic and international stakeholders.

A dedicated session also focused on business opportunities and commercial engagement models for original equipment manufacturers, project developers and investors. Participants were given a live demonstration of the official BRE Summit digital portal and mobile application. The programme concluded with remarks and a vote of thanks by Ravi Verma, Member of the Governing Council, SPDA. The Jaipur event marks the launch of a nationwide roadshow campaign ahead of the November summit. Further roadshows are scheduled in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Kolkata in the coming weeks.

The Ministry and organising partners have invited state governments, utilities, investors and industry stakeholders to participate in the upcoming regional engagements. The Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo (BRE Summit) 2026, organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from November 2 to 5, 2026, under the theme “Invest. Innovate. Inspire.” The summit is expected to bring together participants from more than 75 countries, including over 20 state governments and 250 high-level delegates. (IANS-arc)

Source: IANS

India crosses 300 GW non-fossil capacity as Rajasthan hosts first BRE Summit 2026 Roadshow

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Odisha Vigilance on Monday conducted simultaneous house searches at six locations linked to a revenue department official over allegations of accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The raids follow the recent arrest of the accused official, Bhanja Kishore Behera, former Senior Revenue Assistant (SRA) of Tirtol Block in Jagatsinghpur district, for allegedly misappropriating over Rs 3 crore in government funds.

Behera, presently posted as SRA at Naugaon Tahasil of Jagatsinghpur district, was arrested by the Vigilance Department on August 12 in connection with the alleged misappropriation of Rs 3,02,95,000.

“During an extensive investigation spanning financial years 2011-12 through 2021-22, Odisha Vigilance uncovered a systematically executed financial fraud centred at the Tirtol Block office by Bhanja Kishore Behera, Ex-SRA, the main accused. Sri Behera was also found to have misappropriated by fabrication and tampering of government salary registers and disbursal documents,” Odisha Vigilance informed.

The vigilance sources added that during further interrogation, accused Behera admitted having acquired assets, including a palatial building of 7,000 sqft, a tent house, and other valuables, with misappropriated amount around Rs 2 crore.

Acting on the information elicited during the interrogation, the Odisha Vigilance on Monday initiated searches at six locations associated with Behera on the alleged possession of disproportionate assets (DA).

The searches were conducted at his residential buildings and tent house at Patenigaon, his present office at Naugaon Tahasil, his previous place of posting at Tirtol Block office, and the house of a relative at Sanakorkora village under Raghunathpur police station area in Jagatsinghpur district.

During the searches, Vigilance officials have so far unearthed a triple-storeyed building measuring around 7,750 sq ft, a double-storeyed building and a tent house measuring around 8,400 sq ft at Patenigaon. Assets and articles worth Rs 30.44 lakh, purchased in 2019 for running the tent house, were also found. The searches also led to the detection of 210 grams of gold jewellery and a Mahindra pick-up van.

The Vigilance Technical Wing is conducting the measurement and valuation of the buildings and tent house. Bank and postal deposits and other investments of Behera and his family members are also being ascertained.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, Aug 19 (IANS)

The Karnataka government on Wednesday has ordered the cancellation of around 1,100 alternative site allotments made by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) under the controversial 50:50 scheme, with the sites estimated to be worth more than Rs 2,000 crore.

The Urban Development Department has directed authorities to cancel allotment orders issued in violation of the government's March 14, 2023 directive and initiate steps to reclaim the sites already allotted.

The order, issued by Under Secretary Latha K. on behalf of the Secretary, Urban Development Department, has been communicated to the Deputy Commissioner and President of MUDA, Commissioner of Urban Development Authorities and Urban and Rural Planning Commissionerate, Director of the Directorate of Municipal Administration and Commissioner of MUDA.

The department has directed the concerned authorities to submit an implementation report to the government immediately and warned that action would be initiated under the law in case of non-compliance.

According to the order, allotment orders issued in violation of the March 14, 2023 government directive will be cancelled.

Where sale deeds have already been registered, the authorities have been directed to challenge them through civil suits and take steps to reclaim the sites.

In cases where sale deeds have not yet been issued, MUDA has been barred from executing fresh sale deeds until the government issues clear guidelines.

For sites where sale deeds have already been executed at sub-registrar offices, the concerned city corporation, Mysuru City Corporation, municipalities and gram panchayats have been instructed to halt the issuance of khatas.

Existing khatas are also to be cancelled in accordance with the Karnataka City Corporations Act, 1976, the Karnataka Municipalities Act and the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, the order stated.

The government has outlined a two-phase process for reviewing the 50:50 site allotments.

In the first phase, allotments made after March 14, 2023, in violation of government rules and directions will be cancelled.

In the second phase, allotments made before March 14, 2023, will be scrutinised for irregularities. Further action will be taken if violations are detected.

Officials have been directed to submit an immediate compliance report to the government. The department has also warned that officials could face action if they fail to implement the directions.

Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the government's decision followed the recommendations of the inquiry commission and the report of a high-level technical committee.

The order comes amid controversy surrounding MUDA's 50:50 scheme, under which alternative sites were allotted to landowners in lieu of land acquired for development.

RTI activist and complainant in the MUDA case, Snehamayi Krishna, welcomed the government's decision, describing it as a major victory in his campaign against alleged irregularities in MUDA.

“There has been a major victory in the MUDA scam. I had said that all the sites allotted under the 50:50 ratio would eventually return to MUDA and that I would continue my fight until that happened,” he said.

Snehamayi Krishna said the government had issued an official order to reclaim around 1,100 sites valued at more than Rs 2,000 crore.

He thanked media organisations, well-wishers and others who had supported his campaign directly or indirectly.

“I sincerely thank all the media persons and well-wishers who extended their full support to my fight, as well as everyone who supported me directly or indirectly,” he said.

IANS

mka

Source: IANS

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Kolkata (August 17, 2026): Eastern Railway (ER) celebrated the 164th anniversary of the heritage Barrackpore station through a colourful event. The Barrackpore railway station was built in 1862, primarily to connect the country's first military cantonment to the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata). The military garrison and cantonment was created at Barrackpore in 1772 by the British East India Company. The formal announced of a cantonment board there was made under Warren Hastings in 1775. Since then, it has been witness to several important events in Indian history, including what the British called the "Barrackpore Mutiny of 1824". Led by Sepoy Bindee Tiwari, troops of the 47th Bengal Native Infantry refused to travel to Burma (now Myanmar) to participate in the first Anglo-Burmese War. The troops were eventually massacred by the British, using artillery. In 1857, Mangal Pandey led his colleagues to rise against the British. Some historians believe that this was the start of the country's first War of Independence. "Though the station came up a few years later, it was witness to several interesting events in India's history thereafter. The station was used by freedom fighters extensively," a senior railway official said. The celebrations were part of the ‘Station Mahotsav’ initiative launched by the Ministry of Railways to celebrate heritage stations in accordance with their respective years of inception. More than 100 stations across the Indian Railways network have been identified for these celebrations to highlight their historical legacy and their deep contributions to the development of the railway system and the surrounding regions. "Barrackpore station stands among the oldest suburban stations in the country, having witnessed the remarkable transformation of Barrackpore from the colonial era into modern India while continuing to serve as a vital transit hub," the official said. During the event, local school students enthusiastically recited poems composed by their teachers, focusing on the theme of India's Independence and the hardships endured during the freedom struggle. Those present were also treated to a special video screening that illustrated the journey of Barrackpore railway station from its historical origins to its modern-day role, giving the audience a clear insight into its evolution over more than a century and a half. Members of the Bharat Scouts & Guides staged a moving play portraying the historic struggle of Mangal Pandey and the spirit of resistance, paying tribute to him and other unsung freedom fighters whose sacrifices shaped the nation. Retired railway employees were also felicitated during the event in recognition of their dedicated service, adding a special dimension to the event by connecting the station's glorious legacy with its present. The entire initiative served not just as an anniversary commemoration, but as an opportunity to reconnect the younger generation with the heritage of Indian Railways and the values of courage and patriotism. The festivities drew to a solemn and patriotic close as the crowd joined together for a spirited rendition of the National Anthem, leaving the historic platforms echoing with pride. "Barrackpore Station is not just a transit point of iron and concrete; it is a living monument to India’s heritage and freedom struggle. Through Station Mahotsav, we are not only honoring 164 years of rail service but also passing the torch of our rich history to the next generation," Shibram Majhi, CPRO, ER, said. - IANS jg/

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to discuss key development roadmaps, infrastructure progress and Centre‑State initiatives.

During his visit, CM Fadnavis submitted a comprehensive memorandum requesting central assistance for state projects and held strategic discussions with Union ministers. He also dismissed speculation about shifting to national politics.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Fadnavis said the interaction with Prime Minister Modi focused on accelerating major developmental and infrastructure works in Maharashtra.

“I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the administration and various ongoing projects in Maharashtra. I also submitted updates on joint Centre‑State initiatives and detailed the support expected from the Central Government. Whenever we seek assistance and hold discussions, it yields positive outcomes, and today’s discussion was equally fruitful,” he stated.

The discussions centred on highway networks, railway links, metro expansion and river‑linking projects. Fadnavis outlined the progress of several major state projects and sought extended assistance from the Government of India for joint schemes.

He delivered a status report on infrastructure, industrial and social sector projects and requested enhanced support to accelerate implementation.

Highlighting the significance of the Prime Minister’s guidance, Fadnavis described the meeting as “motivating” and filled with positive energy.

He said: “I called on and met our global leader, the nation’s beloved PM Hon Narendra Modi Ji in New Delhi today. We had a detailed discussion on various topics. I briefed him on the progress of numerous developmental projects and requested more support from GoI on the joint Centre‑State projects. Meeting our PM Sir was motivating, and it invoked positive energy. I’m ever grateful to Him for the perpetual and precious guidance on developmental issues and for the strong support to Maharashtra.”

The Prime Minister’s Office also acknowledged the meeting in an official release: “Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri @Dev_Fadnavis met Prime Minister @narendramodi.”

When asked about opposition speculation over his trip to Delhi, Fadnavis said Prime Minister Modi and the people of Maharashtra had entrusted him with the responsibility of serving the state, and he remained committed to serving its citizens from Mumbai.

He brushed aside rumours of a shift to central politics, remarking that gossip was inevitable.

“Whether I am in Delhi or Mumbai, rumours inevitably start. Many idle people take pleasure in gossiping about me, so let them enjoy themselves. Whatever wild assumptions they want to make, or kites and balloons they want to fly, let them go ahead,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

With Sitharaman, he submitted a proposal concerning the JICA‑funded project and confirmed that the state would incorporate the ministry’s suggestions.

In his meeting with Yadav, Fadnavis submitted reports and followed up on crucial environmental and forest‑related clearances needed for state developments.

Source: IANS

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Chennai, Aug 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Vice-President (V-P) C.P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday called upon graduating B. Tech students to use their knowledge, skills and innovation for nation-building, guided by the principle of 'Nation First – Rashtra Pratham'.

He said that the greatest strength of Bharat is its people, particularly its youth, and told the young graduates, "Do not merely prepare yourself for the future; prepare yourself to shape the future."

Addressing the 22nd Convocation of S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) at Kattankulathur in Chengalpattu near Chennai, the Vice-President added that research becomes truly appreciable when it produces the right results, creates a meaningful impact on society and translates into practical benefits for people.

Recalling India's response to the pandemic, Vice-President Radhakrishnan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India provided vaccines to more than 100 countries.

He said that India did not seek to commercialise the humanitarian assistance.

Recalling a conversation with the Speaker of Kenya recently, who had expressed gratitude for India's vaccine assistance, Vice-President Radhakrishnan said many Western countries had not provided similar support to poorer nations.

He added that India's efforts helped safeguard humanity and reiterated that India stands for peace, development and the welfare of humanity.

The Vice-President said a convocation is much more than the award of degrees.

"It celebrates years of perseverance, discipline and learning while marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of responsibility and service."

Vice-President Radhakrishnan appreciated the Institute for creating an academic ecosystem that promotes interdisciplinary learning, creativity, entrepreneurship and critical thinking.

He noted the Institute's growing focus on Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, semiconductor research, robotics, biotechnology and sustainable development, saying these fields would shape future economies and societies.

The Vice-President appreciated the Institute's emphasis on translating research into practical solutions that improve lives, strengthen industry and contribute to sustainable development.

He highlighted the expansion of higher education in the country since 2014.

He said that 16 IIITs, eight Central Universities, eight IIMs, seven IITs, two IISERs, one NIT and 12 AIIMS have been established during this period.

Bharat today has more than 1,425 universities, 54,000 colleges and 16,850 standalone institutions, he added.

He highlighted the substantial increase in women's enrolment in higher education, from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.24 crore in 2023-24, an increase of 42.2 per cent.

He said the increasing number of women receiving degrees and medals at convocation ceremonies was a welcome development.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, Aug 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Karnataka Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan has sought exemption from hoisting the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations in Vijayanagara district on August 15, citing his inability to attend the programme, triggering criticism from the Opposition BJP on Friday. The BJP has urged the Chief Minister to dismiss him from the cabinet for ignoring a sacred duty such as hoisting the Tricolour.

Zameer, in a letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said he had been assigned the responsibility of hoisting the national flag in Vijayanagara district in North Karnataka on the occasion of Independence Day. However, he said the upcoming Bengaluru civic polls, other local body elections, Assembly bypolls and party organisational responsibilities had left him with limited time.

He also requested the Chief Minister not to assign him the responsibility of District In-charge Minister for Vijayanagara or any other district.

"In the state, in the coming days, including Bengaluru civic polls, various local body elections, bypolls of Assembly segments and also in view of organisation of the party, there is shortage of time to take on the responsibility of district in-charge minister of Vijayanagara district," Zameer said in the letter.

He further said that he had been assigned the responsibility of hoisting the national flag on August 15 but was unable to attend the programme and therefore sought exemption from the duty.

Zameer also referred to the drought situation in Vijayanagara district, stating that he had already submitted the report assigned to him in this regard.

The request comes just two days after portfolios were allocated to ministers in the Karnataka government following the recent Cabinet expansion.

Reacting sharply to the development, senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka accused the Congress government of putting party politics ahead of national interests.

"Congress shamelessly puts party politics above the nation," Ashoka said in a statement on Friday.

He alleged that Zameer's decision to seek exemption from hoisting the Tricolour showed "total disrespect" for the country and criticised the minister for citing election-related and party organisational responsibilities as the reason for being unable to attend the Independence Day programme.

Ashoka said hoisting the national flag on Independence Day was a "sacred duty" and accused Zameer and the Congress government of giving greater importance to electoral calculations and party activities.

He also demanded that CM Shivakumar dismiss Zameer from the Cabinet, alleging that the minister's decision had brought "shame" upon the state and disrespected the national flag.

The BJP leader further targeted the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, and demanded an apology over the issue.

The controversy comes as Karnataka gears up for Independence Day celebrations across the state on August 15.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, Aug 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) A youth has been arrested in Islampur of North Dinajpur district on charges of making offensive comments about freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, said the police on Thursday.

The arrest came a day after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had said that no one will be spared for posting such comments. He ordered action against everyone regardless of political affiliation.

Today, the youth was caught in Islampur. Allegedly, he had made objectionable posts against Netaji on social media. The police have begun identifying similar posts across different parts of the state.

The youth arrested in Islampur is Kiran Kumar Das. He is a resident of Jharbari in Chakulia police station area of North Dinajpur. Allegedly, he had recently posted on social media that was disrespectful to Netaji.

On Wednesday, Suvendu Adhikari said from the state secretariat (Nabanna) that the Government is adopting a “zero tolerance” policy for disrespecting Netaji. The Chief Minister also instructed the Cyber Cell accordingly.

After that, activities started in the administrative circles in the districts, and the objectionable comments made against Netaji on social media were tracked. Subsequently, the person responsible for them was identified.

However, it is not yet known under what sections a case has been registered against him. The Chief Minister had said on Wednesday that a case will be registered under the relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in case of such posts and the accused will be arrested.

He had said, “I would like to tell those who have shown such audacity that this audacity is not good. Our West Bengal police are not taking it well. I want to say that they should apologise immediately. Those who have made such posts should delete them. However, deleting the post will not give them relief from the law.”

It is worth noting that a new controversy has arisen regarding Netaji in the wake of the comments made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP in the Rajya Sabha, Nagen Roy alias Anant Maharaj. Recently, he claimed that Netaji had no contribution to India’s independence. Anant even claimed that he misused the Azad Hind Fauj, also known as the Indian National Army (INA).

A controversy erupted after his comments. In this regard, the Chief Minister said, “The law is equal for everyone. The police will find out who is behind such propaganda about Netaji. This will not happen on the soil of West Bengal. Action will be taken against those who made such posts, regardless of political affiliation.”

After that, the first arrest was made in North Dinajpur.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, Aug 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Nadia district court in West Bengal has ordered a police probe against Trinamool Congress general secretary and the party’s Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee and 29 others in connection with a case of illegal land grabbing in Nadia and its adjacent Murshidabad district.

Among others named in the case are the Trinamool Congress legislator from Kaliganj Assembly constituency in the district; Alifa Ahmed, former Trinamool Congress legislator from Beldanga Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district; Hasanuzzaman Sheikh and several other leaders from the state’s previous ruling party from both these districts.

Bapan Ghosh, a resident of Kaliganj, filed a case in the Krishnanagar District Sessions Court on July 15 alleging that since 2016 huge plots of government land had been illegally grabbed and sold both in Kaliganj block in Nadia district and Shaktipur village under Bendanga-2 block in Murshidabad district.

In his complaint, he also alleged that in the process of illegal land grabbing and selling, the greenery in both the areas in these two districts was destroyed, with several trees being cut off, causing damage to the environment and government property.

Ghosh also claimed that though he had reported this matter at several places, including the police and the forest department, there were no results and, on the contrary, he was threatened by Trinamool Congress activists.

After the change in regime in West Bengal in the recently held Assembly polls, he filed a petition at the Krishnanagar District Sessions Court in Nadia district in the matter. Finally, the said court, on Thursday, ordered a police probe on the basis of the complaint registered by the petitioner.

The comments from Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of the former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Hasanuzzaman Sheikh in the matter were not available.

Alifa Ahmed, however, gave her reactions to the media persons, denying all the charges labelled against her in the matter.

“I was never involved with such activities. Such allegations are being made against me only out of political vendetta,” she said.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) A Class 11 student in Kota committed suicide after his father stopped him from playing games on his mobile phone and took the device away.

The 16‑year‑old student, identified as Mayank Nagar, consumed a poisonous substance at his home in the Hanuman Nagar area under Dadabari police station on Sunday night. Family members rushed him to a private hospital after his condition deteriorated. He died during treatment on Monday morning.

Following the death of his only son, Mayank’s father, Chauthmal Nagar, who is a heart patient, also suffered a deterioration in his health.

According to the family, Mayank frequently spent time on his mobile phone. His father said the family was at home on Sunday when he found Mayank playing a game.

He asked him to stop, but Mayank did not listen. The father then took the phone away. A short while later, Mayank consumed poison. Chauthmal said he had never imagined that taking the mobile phone away would result in such a tragic outcome.

Mayank’s uncle, Sant Ram, said the teenager’s condition suddenly worsened and he collapsed. When family members asked him what had happened, he reportedly told them he had consumed poison.

After Mayank’s death, the family initially refused a post‑mortem examination. Police officials persuaded them to allow the procedure, which was conducted at the mortuary of New Medical College Hospital on Monday morning. The body was later handed over to the family.

Family members said Chauthmal works as a painter and suffers from a heart condition. His health deteriorated after learning of his son’s death. They said Mayank was their only son and his mother was inconsolable.

Baldev Ram, SHO of Dadabari Police Station, said the family was initially reluctant to consent to the post‑mortem but agreed after persuasion.

Police have registered a case and begun an investigation based on the family’s complaint. The incident has left the family and local community deeply shocked.

Source: IANS

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Chandigarh, Aug 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Punjab is set to get its own IPL-style T20 league, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday unveiling the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, featuring six franchise teams and star Punjab cricketers, comprising Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh.

The league will be played from August 30 to September 13 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali, with more than 450 Punjab players set to enter the auction on August 9, giving emerging talent a major platform alongside established players.

Chief Minister Mann said that Punjab has always produced talented players for the country and that the state government is working continuously to connect young people with sports and further strengthen the state in the sporting arena.

He also highlighted sports as a principal weapon in the campaign against drugs.

Calling the league "Punjab's own IPL", CM Mann said, "During a meeting with representatives of the Punjab Cricket Association and national-level players here today, the league will feature six franchise teams."

"Indian Cricket Team Captain Shubman Gill will represent Fazilka Falcons, Arshdeep Singh will play for Ludhiana Lions, Abhishek Sharma for Amritsar Soormaaz, Prabhsimran Singh for Jalandhar Warriors, Ramandeep Singh for Mohali Kings, and Gurnoor Brar for Bathinda Royals."

"The players who have brought glory to India will add to the prestige of the tournament. The league will be held from August 30 to September 13, with all matches to be played at the PCA Cricket Stadium in Mohali."

The Chief Minister also said that Punjab is currently the backbone of the Indian cricket team, with 21 players from the state featuring in the IPL.

"All of them will now be among the major attractions of Punjab's own league. All players participating in the Punjab Cricket League will be from Punjab."

He said that a pool of more than 450 players from Punjab has been created, who will participate in the auction on August 9.

The prominent names among these players include Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Naman Dhir, Vihaan Malhotra, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Ashwani Kumar and Krish Bhagat.

The league will be played on a round-robin basis, with each team playing eight league matches.

The league will provide young players from Punjab with experience of playing on a major platform.

Likewise, it will give them an opportunity to share the dressing room with established players thereby giving them experience.

Source: IANS

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Ranchi, Aug 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Election Commission of India has released the draft electoral roll for Jharkhand following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with a total of 4.36 million names from the previous voter list omitted, a statement said on Wednesday.

Those excluded include deceased voters, duplicate entries, people who have permanently shifted elsewhere, untraceable voters, and individuals who did not sign the enumeration forms.

The Election Commission clarified that this is only a draft list and not the final electoral roll. Eligible voters whose names are missing can apply for inclusion between August 5 and September 4, it said.

According to the statement, the SIR exercise was conducted across the state from June 30 to July 29, during which 22.10 million of the state’s total 26.46 million registered voters, representing 83.51 per cent of the electorate, submitted their enumeration forms. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) collected forms through door-to-door visits, while digitally submitted forms were also accepted.

The Commission stated that a total of 43,61,987 names from the previous electoral roll have not been included in the draft list. Of these, 4,38,596 were identified as duplicate entries, while 7,63,903 voters were found to be deceased.

Another 15,92,194 voters were recorded as having permanently shifted to other locations.

In addition, 14,50,810 names were excluded because the individuals could not be traced during the verification process. Further, 1,16,484 people were left out after they refused to sign the enumeration forms.

The Election Commission emphasised that voters whose names were included in the 2026 electoral roll but whose enumeration forms could not be submitted for any reason need not worry. Such eligible voters can submit Form 6 along with a declaration between August 5 and September 4 to seek re-inclusion in the electoral roll.

Voters can verify their names in the draft electoral roll through the Chief Electoral Officer’s website, the Voters’ Portal, the ECINet mobile application, or by visiting their respective polling stations.

Alongside the draft roll, the ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate) list has also been published, detailing the names of persons categorised as deceased, duplicate, permanently shifted or untraceable, along with the reasons for their exclusion.

The Commission said that officials across all 24 districts participated in the exercise, including 81 Electoral Registration Officers, 29,571 Booth Level Officers, an equal number of volunteers, and 77,430 Booth Level Agents representing various political parties.

To improve voter convenience, 2,389 new polling stations have also been established across the state, taking the total number of polling booths in Jharkhand to 31,892.

The Election Commission has said that no individual’s name has been permanently deleted at this stage. Before any deletion is finalised, the concerned voter will be issued a notice, given an opportunity to present their case, and the matter will be decided in accordance with established procedures.

The final electoral roll will be published on October 7 after the completion of the claims and objections process.

Source: IANS

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Vadodara, Aug 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Construction of the Vadodara Bullet Train station has reached another milestone, with slab casting at the concourse, track and platform levels completed and structural steel erection now underway, according to the latest project update.

The station is being built near Vadodara Railway Station, close to Pandya Bridge, as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor.

It has been designed to provide better connectivity between the bullet train network and the railways by being constructed above the existing Platform No. 7 of Vadodara Railway Station.

The integrated layout is intended to allow passengers to transfer directly between conventional rail services and high-speed trains.

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) said the station's location will also offer multimodal connectivity with the Western Railway station as well as the city's local and interstate bus depots, allowing easier access for passengers using different modes of transport.

The architectural design of the station draws inspiration from the banyan (Vat) tree, from which the city derives its name.

Its interiors have been planned to maximise natural daylight while providing views of the open sky in passenger areas.

Once completed, the station will include waiting lounges, a baby care room, restrooms and retail outlets. Separate parking facilities and designated pick-up and drop-off areas have also been planned for cars, buses and auto-rickshaws to improve passenger movement.

The latest construction update states that slab casting for the concourse, track and platform levels has been completed, while structural steel erection is progressing on site.

The work forms part of the broader station superstructure before architectural finishing and installation of passenger facilities.

Vadodara is one of the 12 stations planned along the 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, India's first bullet train project.

The corridor will connect Mumbai in Maharashtra with Ahmedabad in Gujarat through a dedicated high-speed rail network.

Recent works across the project have included station construction, bridge launches, viaduct development and track infrastructure at multiple locations in Gujarat and Maharashtra as construction advances on the corridor.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Shweta Tiwari has reacted to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Saturday, the actress took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and shared a video of CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke.

In the video, Dipke can be heard saying that now Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned, they can seek anyone’s resignation from the cabinet, who under-performs.

Responding to the same, the actress wrote, “Now, when is the Punjab Education Minister resigning? And when are you protesting there, Cockroach Janta Party?”.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, after weeks of massive student protests and consistent people’s movement in the heart of the national capital. The students sought his resignation over exam irregularities, particularly the NEET-UG paper leak.

His resignation comes after the brutal crackdown by Delhi Police against protestors at Jantar Mantar on July 20. The action by the cops flared up the entire nation, and angry citizens poured in huge numbers to support the students at Jantar Mantar. The protests also spread from Delhi to first the metro cities, and eventually small towns.

The protests intensified after Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed by Delhi Police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in the early hours of July 18 after completing 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice and compliance with a Delhi High Court order. Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive exams.

Source: IANS

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Dehradun, July 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Uttarakhand government has issued a significant transfer and posting order for several senior Indian Administrative Service and Indian Forest Service officers. The order takes immediate effect to reorganise key administrative positions across various departments.

According to the notification, multiple officers have been relieved from their current responsibilities and assigned new roles. Lalrinliana Fanai, a 1997-batch IAS officer, has been relieved of the charge of the Excise Department while continuing other responsibilities.

Nitesh Kumar Jha, a 2002-batch IAS officer, has been moved from Information Technology, Suraj and Science and Technology to the Panchayati Raj Department as secretary. Ravinaath Raman, a 2004-batch IAS officer, has been assigned the charge of the Transport Department and Commissioner Transport after being relieved from School Education.

Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey, a 2005-batch IAS officer, has been posted as Secretary of Information Technology, Suraj and Science and Technology Department. Brijesh Kumar Sant, a 2006-batch IAS officer, has been given the charge of the Excise Department after being relieved from Transport-related responsibilities. Dr Surendra Narayan Pandey, a 2007-batch IAS officer, has been posted as Secretary of Sugarcane Development and Sugar Department.

Jyoti Yadav, a 2009-batch IAS officer, who was waiting for posting, has been appointed Secretary of School Education (Primary and Secondary). Yugal Kishore Pant, another 2009-batch IAS officer, has been moved to the Secretariat Administration Department. Ranveer Singh Chauhan, also from the 2009 batch, has been assigned the Finance Department by relieving him from responsibilities of Secretary, Sugarcane Development, Sugar Department.

In the Indian Forest Service, Dr Parag Madhukar Dhakate has been relieved of certain responsibilities in the Panchayati Raj Department. Abhishek Ruhela, a 2015-batch IAS officer, has been posted as Additional Secretary in the State Property Department and State Property Officer.

The order directs all concerned officers to immediately assume charge of their new assignments and submit compliance reports.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, July 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal Government will be placing the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on the income and expenditures from the state exchequer on the floor of the Assembly on July 25, which will be the last day of the ongoing extended Budget Session of the House.

Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari made an announcement on this count while addressing the floor of the House on Wednesday afternoon while giving his reply on discussions on the budgetary allocation of the state home department, which is also under his control.

The announcement for placing the CAG report was made by the new state finance minister, Swapan Dasgupta, a journalist-turned-politician, while he was placing the state budget for proposals for the financial year 2026-27 on the floor of the House last month.

Finally, on Wednesday, the Chief Minister announced July 25 as the date when the CAG report will be tabled on the floor of the House.

“As development will happen, the question of accountability will also be established. No matter how great a leader you are, if your name is implicated in corruption, there will be an investigation," said the Chief Minister after announcing the date of tabling of the CAG report.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Adhikari also said that in the next session of the House, there will be discussion on the CAG report and accordingly decisions will be taken based on that discussion.

“Corruption in any sphere will surface from the CAG report. Be it the Chief Minister, or minister, or any big leader, none will be spared and the state government will recommend to the Governor giving clearance to register an FIR against the ministers involved in corruption,” CM Adhikari said.

Recalling the alleged corruption in relief after the Amphan super-cyclone in 2020, the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi then granted Rs 3,750 crore in two installments for Amphan relief.

“There was major corruption in the Amphan relief exercise. A Public Interest Litigation was also filed in the matter at Calcutta High Court. A special CAG investigation was conducted in the wake of that corruption. The report of that investigation was not made public, nor was it presented on the floor of the House. The investigation report recommended taking legal action against those who were accused. But no action was taken,” the Chief Minister said.

Source: IANS

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Bhopal, July 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday said the state government is making efforts to secure a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Barwani’s famous red chilli to give it a distinct identity in national and international markets.

Addressing the ‘Balram Krishi Mahotsav’ in Barwani through video conferencing from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the Chief Minister urged farmers to adopt modern farming methods and use technology to improve production and income.

“We are working to get a GI tag for Barwani’s red chilli. Once it is granted, the product will get a unique identity in global markets,” Yadav said.

He added that Barwani has emerged as a leading agricultural district because of the hard work of its farmers.

“The district is setting new benchmarks in agriculture, entrepreneurship and innovation. I urge young farmers to adopt modern technology, start agri‑based enterprises and take advantage of government schemes,” he stated.

The Chief Minister said the government is spending nearly Rs 5,000 crore on irrigation projects, including the Sendhwa, Niwali, Pati and Nagalwadi lift irrigation schemes and the Shaheed Bhima Nayak Sagar (Lower Goi) project.

He said these projects will provide irrigation to more than 1.21 lakh hectares of farmland in 319 villages after completion.

“There is no shortage of fertilisers and seeds in the state. Farmers should not pay attention to rumours. A 50‑acre Model Seed Production Centre is also being developed in Barwani,” Yadav said.

Highlighting the district’s agricultural strength, Yadav said Barwani’s cotton, banana and chilli crops are gaining recognition across the country.

He further stated that the ‘PM MITRA’ textile park in neighbouring Dhar district will benefit cotton growers, while the Mega Food Processing Cluster coming up at Rajpur will help banana farmers through better processing, storage and marketing facilities.

The Chief Minister also said the government has increased compensation for land acquired for development projects in rural areas to four times the market value and is working to provide rail connectivity to Barwani to boost trade and economic growth.

Source: IANS

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Amaravati, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday clarified that 'Registration Seva Kendras' (Registration Service Centres) are being established solely to provide better services to the people and directed officials to counter the misinformation that Sub-Registrar offices are being privatised.

He asked officials to inform the public of the facts regarding the deliberate misinformation campaign.

The CM reviewed the performance of various departments at the RTGS Centre in the State Secretariat on Monday.

The issue of alleged privatisation of Sub-Registrar offices came up during the review. Speaking on the occasion, CM Chandrababu said, "The government is firmly committed to providing better registration services to the public. We are establishing Registration Seva Kendras (RSKs) to make registration services much easier. This is by no means privatisation.”

Stating that these centres will function similarly to Passport Seva Kendras, he directed officials to explain how Passport Seva Kendras operate and how the subsequent processes are handled. Passport processing became very easy after Passport Seva Kendras were introduced; Registration Seva Kendras will function in the same manner.

The Chief Minister alleged that some people are deliberately spreading false propaganda regarding these centres. "Officials must take responsibility for explaining the facts to the public and highlighting the benefits of registration service centres. Furthermore, document writers need not worry; we will devise ways to ensure their livelihoods remain unaffected,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the subsidy for 'Deepam-2.0' scheme beneficiaries needs to be disbursed systematically, and officials should consider scheduling these payments for specific dates. Officials from the Civil Supplies and Finance departments must coordinate on this matter, examine the technical aspects, and ensure implementation, he said.

He also called for addressing the issue of 'litigant petitioners.' “Individuals who file complaints without any genuine public interest should be identified and counselled. We have identified 81 such litigant petitioners across the state; on average, each of them files 246 petitions. Their details should be forwarded to the District Collectors. While petitions containing genuine public interest should be examined, we must identify those filed with the sole intent of maligning the government or officials,” he said.

CM Chandrababu Naidu said non-financial grievances should be resolved immediately, while financial issues will be addressed based on priority.

Stating that there is 49 per cent rainfall deficit due to the impact of El Nino this year, he called for exploring alternative strategies to mitigate this impact and raise awareness among farmers accordingly. Naidu said farmers should be encouraged to cultivate dryland crops.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Campaigning for the upcoming Bankipur Assembly by-election gathered momentum on Sunday, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders expressing confidence of retaining the constituency and highlighting the party’s strong organisational network ahead of the July 30 polling.

Addressing the media in Patna, Bihar Minister Shailendra Kumar said the BJP approaches every election with the same seriousness, irrespective of its scale.

He said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party works continuously, and whether it is a small or large election, a general election or a by-election, the party treats every election as a challenge. With the strength of its organisation, it remains active at every booth. There are booth-level committees, mandal committees, and district teams that stay active, along with Shakti Kendras…”

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha intensified his campaign in Harishchandra Nagar, interacting with residents and seeking support ahead of the bypoll.

Expressing confidence over the response from voters, Sinha said, “I am receiving people’s love and a good response…”

Backing the BJP candidate, JD(U) MLA Shyam Rajak asserted that Bankipur has traditionally been an NDA stronghold and expressed confidence that the alliance would retain the seat.

Speaking on the bypoll, Rajak said, “This is an NDA seat. Earlier, Nitin Nabin was the MLA from here before becoming a minister and later the BJP National President. Before him, his father, our friend Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, also represented this constituency for several terms. This seat belongs to the NDA. The people are eagerly waiting for the 30th, when they will press the lotus symbol on the EVM and ensure Neeraj Sinha’s victory by a huge margin, setting a new record in Bankipur.”

Rajak also took a swipe at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav over his absence from the Bankipur campaign.

He remarked, “There are a large number of candidates in the fray, and everyone in Bankipur is claiming victory. Whether Tejashwi Yadav is coming or not is something their candidate, Rekha Gupta, can answer. She can explain why he is not coming and why he has left the candidate on her own while he is enjoying himself elsewhere. The candidate is left struggling. This is not how elections are fought. They are only interested in their own politics and then leave after pursuing their own interests.”

The Bankipur Assembly by-election, scheduled for July 30, has emerged as one of Bihar’s closely watched electoral contests. The bypoll has attracted political attention as parties intensify campaigning to consolidate support in the prestigious urban constituency.

Source: IANS

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Chandigarh, July 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described Chandigarh not just as a city, but as a model of development in healthcare, education and connectivity.

“Chandigarh is known for its planned development, better lifestyle and ease of living. Chandigarh is also recognised for its excellent healthcare facilities. Above all, it is blessed by Maa Chandi. That is why the development of Chandigarh has always been a priority for the NDA government,” PM Modi said after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for development projects of Rs 4,700 crore.

Highlighting the major reforms in the past 12 years by the BJP-led NDA government, PM Modi told the gathering, “We replaced the colonial-era penal laws with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita also began in Chandigarh. Over the past few years, several projects, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre, smart traffic management, smart parking and digital governance initiatives, have been undertaken to make Chandigarh a high-tech city. More than Rs 2,500 crore has been spent under this mission. Today, several new development projects related to healthcare, education and infrastructure are also being launched here. I congratulate the people of Chandigarh on these initiatives.”

The Prime Minister said the healthcare, education and road infrastructure projects in and around Chandigarh will also improve the ease of living for residents of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir because it connects the entire region.

Recalling his regular visits to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) here, PM Modi said when he stayed in the city, he used to visit the PGI as patients from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana frequently came here for treatment. “I remember visiting PGI Chandigarh in 2015 to attend its convocation ceremony. I am delighted that today, even though virtually, I have the opportunity to reconnect with many of my old colleagues there,” he said.

“Over the past decade, the PGI has significantly expanded its capabilities. I commend the management of the PGI, its professors and its young doctors for their outstanding work, and extend my best wishes to them,” he said.

PM Modi said that today the number of medical colleges in the country has nearly doubled, and there has been a record increase in MBBS and postgraduate medical seats.

He laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects. The inaugurated projects were the advanced neuroscience centre and mother and child centre at the PGIMER, a multipurpose auditorium at Panjab University’s South Campus in Sector 25 and road infrastructure projects in the tricity region, comprising Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali.

Before reaching here, PM Modi launched the country’s first 10-coach hydrogen-powered train named NaMo Green Rail and several projects worth Rs 14,700 crore, strengthening connectivity, healthcare and cultural heritage, from Haryana’s Jind.

Accompanying Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, PM virtually inaugurated PGI’s Advanced Mother and Child Centre that has been designed to provide comprehensive tertiary healthcare services for high-risk pregnancies, critically ill newborns and children requiring specialised treatment.

Equipped with 300 beds and state-of-the-art medical facilities, the centre will significantly strengthen maternal and child healthcare services and benefit thousands of families across the region.

The Advanced Neurosciences Centre will provide integrated services in neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-critical care and advanced diagnostic facilities under one roof. It will ensure timely and world-class treatment for patients suffering from complex neurological disorders while strengthening medical research, education and training in neurosciences.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of a 150-bed state-of-the-art Critical Care Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) in PGI.

The facility will significantly enhance emergency preparedness, intensive care services and disaster response capabilities while strengthening the overall healthcare infrastructure of the region.

PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several infrastructure projects pertaining to educational institutions in Chandigarh.

These include the inauguration of Kurukshetra Boys Hostel and Mess at Punjab Engineering College, the Hostel Block in the Government College in Sector 46 and the foundation stone of Research Scholars' Hostel in Punjab Engineering College.

These facilities will strengthen academic infrastructure, improve residential facilities for students and researchers, and create a better environment for higher education.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of major road infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity in the region.

He inaugurated the six-lane Greenfield Highway from IT City to Kurali in Mohali district, an important infrastructure project for the region. The highway will reduce travel time between Mohali, Kharar and Kurali while providing improved connectivity for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the PR-7 Spur of the Ambala-Chandigarh Greenfield Highway (NH-205A), a 10.3-km Greenfield corridor that will enable long-distance traffic to bypass the urban areas of Zirakpur and connect the Zirakpur Bypass directly to Aerocity on the outskirts of Chandigarh.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India's first hydrogen-powered train from Haryana's Jind on Friday, marking India's entry into a select group of nations exploring hydrogen for cleaner rail transportation.

The hydrogen train, which will run between Jind and Sonipat, is a major achievement as the project reflects Indian Railways' broader commitment to innovation, energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable transportation, and supports India's national clean energy and net-zero carbon emission goals.

The Jind-Sonipat section has been identified as the pilot route for these operations. An indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility has been set up in Jind for the train set. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has granted the required licence for the storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas at the site.

With the launch of the hydrogen-powered train, India joins a select group of countries, including Germany, Japan, China, and the United States, that are exploring the use of hydrogen for cleaner rail transportation. As the technology is still at a nascent stage, only a limited number of countries are currently operating or testing such systems, an official statement said.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology generates electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen, with water vapour as the only emission, making it a clean alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based traction systems. Hydrogen-based rail systems are increasingly being recognised globally as a promising solution for sustainable mobility.

A hydrogen compression system has been provided for refuelling operations, along with the necessary technical support and critical spares to ensure reliable, fail-safe operation. Provision of a standby compressor unit is also being ensured.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi will virtually inaugurate the redeveloped Tikamgarh railway station under the Centre’s Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, according to an official statement issued by the Madhya Pradesh government.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will attend the programme in Tikamgarh and participate in the inauguration ceremony of the railway station.

He will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth more than Rs 189 crore in the district and distribute benefits to beneficiaries of various government welfare schemes, the statement said.

Source: IANS

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Chennai, July 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has extended its special property tax collection drive until July 31 after nearly half of the city’s property owners failed to pay their dues for the current assessment period.

According to corporation officials, out of the 14.23 lakh assessed properties in Chennai, only 6.98 lakh owners have paid their property tax so far. The remaining 7.25 lakh property owners are yet to remit the tax, prompting the civic body to intensify its collection efforts over the next two weeks.

The special collection camps, which began on July 3, were initially scheduled to conclude on July 17. However, considering the large number of pending payments and the need to improve revenue collection, the corporation has decided to continue the camps until the end of the month.

Officials said the extended campaign will be carried out across all 15 zones of the city through dedicated tax collection camps.

Corporation staff have also been instructed to step up awareness efforts and encourage residents to clear their dues before the deadline to avoid the levy of penal interest.

Property tax remains one of the most important sources of revenue for the Greater Chennai Corporation, generating around Rs 1,800 crore annually. The civic body depends heavily on these collections to fund a wide range of public services and infrastructure projects across the city. Between July 3 and July 15 alone, the corporation collected approximately Rs 96 crore through the special camps, indicating a positive response from residents.

Officials, however, noted that a substantial amount is still pending and urged defaulting property owners to make use of the extended deadline.

Revenue generated through property tax is utilised for maintaining essential civic infrastructure and services, including solid waste management, road maintenance, street lighting, stormwater drainage, parks, and other public amenities.

Timely payment of property tax, officials said, is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted civic services and the smooth functioning of the corporation.

Residents can pay their property tax online through the Greater Chennai Corporation’s official portal or visit any of the special collection camps operating across the city.

The corporation has appealed to all property owners with pending dues to complete the payment before July 31 and avoid additional financial penalties arising from delayed payment.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) A Delhi Police constable, who had allegedly shot his wife dead in east Delhi's Kalyanpuri area following a domestic dispute and went absconding, committed suicide on Tuesday, police said.

The accused had been absconding since the incident.

According to investigators, at around 6.10 p.m. on Tuesday, the Mayur Vihar Police Station received a call reporting that a man was lying in a pool of blood in a park behind the Crowne Plaza. A police team rushed to the spot, where the deceased was identified as Manish Bhati.

The cop's service revolver was found lying beside him. According to the police, the accused constable died by suicide after shooting himself with his service weapon.

The deceased constable was posted with the Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of the East district at the time of the incident. Police said he is believed to have shot himself at around 6 p.m.

A crime team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were called to the scene. The body has been taken into custody and sent to the mortuary at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Preliminary investigation into the woman's murder had suggested that the couple had been experiencing frequent marital discord for some time and were often involved in arguments over personal issues.

According to the police, the incident took place after another altercation broke out between the couple on Sunday.

The officials said the husband and wife had left their residence together on a scooter, but the argument reportedly continued while they were travelling.

During the course of the investigation, police recovered CCTV footage that allegedly captured the couple stopping their scooter on the roadside before stepping off the vehicle.

The footage is said to show them engaging in a heated argument moments before the shooting took place.

According to sources, the CCTV footage shows the constable and his wife stopping their scooter and stepping off the vehicle. They were seen arguing when the constable took out his service pistol and shot his wife.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's net direct tax collections recorded a robust 16.4 per cent year-on-year growth to Rs 6.51 lakh crore as of July 13 in the current financial year, driven by higher corporate tax, non-corporate tax, and securities transaction tax (STT) collections, according to figures released by the Income Tax Department on Tuesday.

Net corporate tax collection grew over 22 per cent to around Rs 2.40 lakh crore, while net non-corporate tax collection recorded an increase of around 12 per cent to Rs 3.85 lakh crore. Securities Transaction Tax (STT) jumped over 44 per cent to over Rs 26,000 crore, the figures showed.

Gross direct tax collections increased 16.11 per cent to Rs 7.74 lakh crore during the period, while refunds issued rose 14.57 per cent to Rs 1.22 lakh crore, the data showed.

On a gross basis, corporate tax collections increased to Rs 3.35 lakh crore from Rs 2.90 lakh crore, while non-corporate tax collections rose to Rs 4.12 lakh crore from Rs 3.58 lakh crore.

Gross STT collections also increased to Rs 26,428.96 crore from Rs 17,875.88 crore.

The figures include taxes paid by corporates as well as non-corporate entities such as individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), firms, associations of persons (AoPs), bodies of individuals (BoIs), local authorities, and artificial juridical persons.

The government has budgeted to collect Rs 26.97 lakh crore from direct taxes in the current fiscal year, a 15 per cent growth over the Rs 23.40 lakh crore collected in FY26.

Meanwhile, India’s fiscal deficit stood at Rs 1.624 lakh crore in April-May of financial year 206-27 which accounts for 9.6 per cent of the full-year target, according to the latest data compiled by the Controller General of Accounts.

The government has fixed a fiscal deficit target of Rs 16.96 lakh crore for the full financial year, which shows that the figures for the first two months reflect a strong fiscal position with the country on track to meet the target set in the Budget for 2026-27.

Source: IANS

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Chennai, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Samantha's 'Maa Inti Bangaram' has become the first female-led Telugu film to gross a whopping Rs 100 crores worldwide, its makers claimed on Sunday.

Tralala Moving pictures, the production house of actress Samantha which has produced this film, took to its Instagram timeline to announce that the film had emerged a blockbuster.

It wrote, "GOLDEN CENTURY FOR #MaaIntiBangaaram. #MiB creates HISTORY by becoming THE FIRST EVER FEMALE LED TELUGU FILM to gross 100 CRORES Worldwide."

The action enterainer, which hit screens on June 19, featured Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead and was directed by Nandini Reddy.

In fact, Samantha, just before the release of the film, had disclosed how she had taken quite a few blows while performing the action sequences in the film and how she had even bled while performing the stunts in the film.

At a pre-release event that was held at Chennai, Samantha was asked about the action sequences in the film being realistic. Responding to the question, Samantha had said, "If you see in the film, there are no slow motion sequences, no flying shots, no build up shots. It's extremely realistic. It's real punches. I too have suffered blows. I've bled. They are extremely realistic action sequences. I did all the action sequences myself. That is why everybody likes the action and it looks like I did it."

'Maa Inti Bangaaram' is a family action comedy drama created by Raj Nidimoru and directed by Nandini Reddy.

Apart from Samantha, the film featured Diganth and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles. Actors Sree Mukhi, Gautami, Anand, Lakshmi, Srinivas Gavireddy, and Manjusha too were seen in pivotal roles in the film.

Samantha, in January this year, had said: “Maa Inti Bangaaram tells the story of a woman whose strength comes as much from her vulnerability as from her courage. Playing this character and nurturing this film as a producer has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for me.”

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Launching a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Thursday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of running a "rumour-manufacturing factory" to cause political instability and deflect attention from core issues plaguing the state.

In a strongly worded editorial in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Thackeray camp reacted sharply to the Chief Minister’s recent announcement that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) layout in Maharashtra will remain unchanged, with no new parties joining. It claimed that the statement exposed how "helpless and confused" the Chief Minister has become due to commands dictated by central leaders in Delhi.

The editorial directly accused the BJP camp of deliberately spreading a narrative that the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) was considering an entry into the NDA.

Labelling the BJP as a "rumour-manufacturing factory" and naming the Chief Minister as its "Chairman", the editorial took aim at the ruling party’s IT operations. "At least two thousand salaried individuals work in this factory, commonly known as the IT Cell, costing millions of rupees monthly. It is because the Chief Minister has successfully built these rumour factories that he has ironically earned the title of 'Inframan'. Whenever there is a need to deflect from Maharashtra's core issues, this factory pumps out misinformation to trigger chaos in the state," the editorial stated.

The Thackeray faction outlined what it called a calculated sequence of false narratives generated by the "Devendra Factory" concerning the NCP(SP). “First, claiming that NCP(SP) Members of Parliament (MPs) were breaking away. When that failed, generating rumors of a total party merger with the NDA. Finally, claiming a merger between both factions of the NCP while excluding Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar,” it said.

The editorial asserted that only Sharad Pawar himself could state the absolute truth, while dismissing the narrative surrounding recent political meetings. Addressing specific reports of political crossovers, the editorial clarified recent interactions involving top Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders. It stated that a recent meeting between Sharad Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis was an official assembly dedicated entirely to the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, attended by a 20-to-25-member delegation, including the Maharashtra Ekikiaran Samiti of Belagavi.

The editorial termed the narrative of secret NDA merger talks taking place during such a meeting as "ridiculous". Similarly, the editorial defended NCP(SP) leader Jayant Patil following rumours regarding his brief interaction with BJP leader Vinod Tawde at a Mumbai hotel. Quoting Patil’s clarification, the editorial explained that Patil had simply gone to meet MP Supriya Sule during a recess of a Parliamentary Committee meeting, where Tawde was also present as a member.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction lamented that standard public interactions among elected representatives are being weaponised with fake news to sow seeds of suspicion within the MVA alliance. It noted that Shiv Sena(UBT) MP Arvind Sawant is also on the same committee, meaning leaders routinely sit next to each other as part of standard parliamentary

The editorial underscored what it described as a fundamental, deteriorating shift in Maharashtra's governance, claiming that decisions are dictated entirely from Delhi while local leaders are merely instructed at the final hour. It alleged that the BJP breaks opposition parties and splits sitting MPs and MLAs not through goodwill, but through "fund bullying", financial muscle, and the deployment of central investigative agencies.

The editorial declared that aligning with the National Democratic Alliance at this stage would be nothing short of "political suicide" for any regional force. It dismissed the possibility of Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcoming the original NCP(SP) while Ajit Pawar’s faction is already part of the Mahayuti alliance, calling the logic "senseless".

Turning its focus to national and local governance, the Thackeray camp highlighted a broader decline for the ruling party, alleging that the BJP is facing nationwide embarrassment over corruption and looting accusations related to the Ram Temple, which it claims has alienated its core voter base. It further took aim at federal leadership, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity is "sliding down like the rupee" while Amit Shah faces internal opposition.

The Thackeray camp expressed astonishment at the Chief Minister's functioning style. It strongly criticised Fadnavis for remaining tight-lipped on serious issues, specifically pointing to a recent "murderous assault" on a female doctor in the Thane district by individuals allegedly linked to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Instead of prioritising critical law-and-order and ethical situations, the editorial concluded, the Chief Minister is speaking "with relish" on trivial political manoeuvres, a behaviour it attributed to intense frustration over being bypassed by high-command decisions made in Delhi.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Kerala government has removed V.A. Arun Kumar, son of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, from the post of Director of the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD), ending a tenure that had been mired in controversy over his eligibility.

Prof. M.V. Rajesh, Principal of the IHRD College of Engineering at Poonjar, has been appointed as the new Director.

Rajesh, an alumnus of IHRD, replaces Arun Kumar, who had been serving as Director-in-Charge for the past three years.

Arun Kumar's appointment had triggered widespread criticism and multiple petitions before the Kerala High Court, questioning whether he possessed the qualifications prescribed for the post.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, the High Court had last June ordered an inquiry into his eligibility and whether political influence had enabled him to secure the appointment by bypassing the prescribed norms.

The court observed that the post of IHRD Director is equivalent to that of a university Vice-Chancellor and noted that, under the 2018 University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, a candidate must have a minimum of seven years of teaching experience to be eligible for appointment.

It expressed doubts over whether Arun Kumar fulfilled these criteria.

The court also directed that the investigation examine whether political influence had played a role in the appointment, remarking that appointing a person who had been serving in a clerical post to a position equivalent to that of a university Vice-Chancellor appeared highly unusual.

The observations came while considering a petition filed by Dr Vinu Thomas, former Principal of the Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara, and currently Dean of Kerala Technical University.

This was not the first time Arun Kumar's appointment had come under legal scrutiny.

His earlier appointment as Assistant Director of IHRD and subsequent promotion, made during the tenure of the E.K. Nayanar-led Left government, had also been challenged.

In that case, however, a Vigilance inquiry concluded that the appointment and promotion had been made in accordance with the prescribed norms.

Based on the investigation report, the Vigilance Court accepted the agency's closure report and gave Arun Kumar a clean chit.

He was also acquitted by a special court in Thiruvananthapuram in the related proceedings.

The latest government decision brings to a close a prolonged controversy over the leadership of the higher education institution.

Source: IANS

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