Bhubaneswar, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Odisha government has intensified its crackdown on black marketing and hoarding of fertilisers during the ongoing Kharif 2026-27 season, conducting over 11,600 raids and taking penal action against hundreds of corrupt dealers across the state, said an official.

The state government, in an official statement on Wednesday, said Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who also holds the Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment portfolio, has laid out a zero-tolerance strategy to deal with black marketing and diversion of fertilisers.

The officials also said district-level and block-level Enforcement Squads have been constituted to prevent unfair practices such as black marketing, hoarding, and the supply of substandard fertilisers.

“Inspection teams and flying squads comprising senior officers from the Revenue Department, Agriculture Department, and Police Department have been constituted in the field, and regular raids are being conducted at different wholesale and retail fertiliser shops with the order of Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav,” the officials said.

Wherever any irregularity is detected, immediate action is being taken under the Fertiliser Control Order, 1985 and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The state government revealed that during the current financial year, raids have been conducted at 11,684 fertiliser shops across various districts of Odisha.

Meanwhile, show-cause notices have been issued to 2,774 persons, while fertiliser sales by 321 dealers have been temporarily suspended. In addition, the licenses of 170 dealers have been suspended for allegedly resorting to unfair practices, while the licenses of 96 dealers have been cancelled.

Further, fertiliser stocks belonging to 12 erring dealers have been seized, and criminal cases have been registered against seven of them. Last year, in 2025-26, raids were carried out at 9,017 fertiliser shops. Show-cause notices were sent to 2,373 individuals, sales by 48 dealers were halted, and licenses of 53 dealers were suspended or revoked. Additionally, fertiliser stocks from 15 dealers were seized due to serious allegations, and legal cases were filed against nine people.

“Adequate quantity of fertilisers is available in each selling point, and there is no cause for panic. The government is committed to effectively regulating the supply of fertilisers this Kharif season and is closely monitoring the situation. Farmers are advised not to panic over rumours and to buy fertilisers only from authorised shops at controlled prices,” the state government emphasised.

The officials also highlighted major raids conducted at fertiliser shops and penal action taken against errant traders in different parts of the state during the last couple of days.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi-NCR is likely to witness predominantly cloudy skies with intermittent spells of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather is expected to remain relatively moderate, although residents may experience sudden showers and lightning during periods of heightened rainfall activity.

The showers recorded in parts of the national capital on Wednesday evening brought some respite from the prevailing humid conditions. The rainfall also resulted in a noticeable drop in temperatures across several areas.

According to the weather forecast, Delhi may receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at different places. Another spell of rainfall is likely from afternoon to evening, while isolated areas could witness heavy showers during the night.

The national capital is expected to remain mostly cloudy throughout the day. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 32 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may remain close to 26 degrees Celsius. The IMD has forecast further rainfall and thunderstorm activity across Delhi-NCR and advised residents to remain alert for sudden weather changes.

Noida is also likely to experience overcast conditions with intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms. Light to moderate showers are expected during the morning, followed by another spell of very light to light rain between afternoon and evening.

In Gurugram, cloudy skies are expected to persist with chances of rain and thunderstorms. The IMD has issued a heavy-rain warning for Haryana, including Thursday. Rainfall activity is likely to continue at intervals through the day.

Ghaziabad is expected to remain cloudy, with intermittent showers and the possibility of thunderstorms. High humidity may continue to make the weather uncomfortable despite the rainfall, prompting residents to carry umbrellas while stepping out.

Faridabad could witness cloudy weather followed by spells of rain during the afternoon. Thunderstorms are also possible, indicating that weather conditions may change rapidly through the day.

Meanwhile, several parts of Delhi recorded light to very light rainfall during the past 24 hours. Some locations witnessed moderate showers accompanied by thunder and lightning. The rainfall contributed to a decline of around 1-2 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures and 3-5 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures, providing temporary relief from the humid weather.

Source: IANS

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Mathura, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will arrive in Mathura on Thursday for a two-day visit to mark the occasion of Janmashtami.

During his visit, the Chief Minister will inaugurate the newly constructed Swami Haridas Auditorium in Vrindavan and inaugurate as well as lay the foundation stone for several development projects with a combined value of around Rs 1,051 crore.

According to the schedule, CM Yogi will land at the Pawan Hans helipad in Mathura at around 1 p.m. on Thursday. After arriving, he will travel by road to inspect the Bhakti Marg established along the Panigaon link road.

Following the inspection, the Chief Minister will proceed to the Geeta Research Institute. At around 2:30 p.m., he will chair a review meeting of the Braj Tirtha Vikas Parishad at the institute. During the meeting, various issues related to the development of Braj and ongoing projects are expected to be reviewed.

At around 3:30 p.m., CM Yogi will inaugurate several development projects and lay the foundation stones for a number of other projects worth approximately Rs 1,051 crore. The projects include the Shri Haridas Auditorium, which is being developed in Vrindavan.

Preparations for the Chief Minister's arrival are underway at the Geeta Research Institute and the Shri Haridas Auditorium, with both venues being decorated ahead of the programme. The Chief Minister will also address the gathering at the newly developed auditorium.

The Shri Haridas Auditorium has been equipped with seating arrangements for around 1,000 people and is expected to provide a significant venue for cultural and religious programmes in Vrindavan.

After completing the day's engagements, CM Yogi will spend the night at the Veterinary University in Mathura.

On Friday morning, the Chief Minister is scheduled to visit the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, where he will offer prayers on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for his three-day visit to India.

This will be PM De Wever's first visit to India after assuming office in February last year. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken is also part of the visiting delegation.

Later in the day, the visiting Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Taking to X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Welcome to India! A very warm welcome to Prime Minister Bart De Wever of Belgium as he arrives in New Delhi on an official visit. He was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth."

"The visit provides an opportunity to further strengthen the close and multifaceted India-Belgium partnership," the MEA added.

The visit is focused on strengthening bilateral trade, defence cooperation, renewable energy, technology, and deepening broader India-EU engagement.

While announcing his visit earlier, the MEA said that Bart De Wever and PM Modi will meet on Thursday, during which both will discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. PM De Wever will also deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) business event, in the context of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

After concluding his engagements in New Delhi, Bart De Wever will travel to Mumbai, where he will engage with various stakeholders, including from the diamond, ports and logistics sectors.

"The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the India-Belgium partnership and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, defence and security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties, as well as to further deepen India-EU and India-Europe engagement," the MEA mentioned.

Belgium was one of the first European nations to establish diplomatic ties with independent India in September 1947. The strong bilateral relationship between India and Belgium is rooted in shared values, including a commitment to the rule of law, federalism, and pluralism, according to the Indian Embassy in Brussels.

Belgium also supports India's bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Karnataka Leader of Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka has demanded that the state government immediately dismiss two Ministers allegedly involved in a seven per cent commission racket in the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) and hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Congress MLA from Puttur, Ashok Kumar Rai, had urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to order an impartial inquiry into alleged misconduct by two KRIDL officials in Mangaluru.

He alleged contractors were harassed, threatened and pressured to pay up to seven per cent of project costs in the name of senior Ministers and "KRIDL charges".

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Ashoka said the allegations were not being made by the Opposition BJP or JD-S but by Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, who had officially written to the state government seeking action against corruption in KRIDL.

"Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had said that anyone who takes a bribe should call him. Now, a Congress MLA himself has officially written a letter alleging that an additional seven per cent is being collected in KRIDL and that contractors who question it are being threatened. This is an important piece of evidence as the allegation has come from a legislator belonging to the ruling party (Congress)," the LoP added.

He alleged that the Congress government had turned the administration into a "commission government", claiming that officials had also begun behaving like "rowdies" after the Congress came to power in Karnataka.

"If Rs 100 is released, only Rs 30 worth of work is carried out, while the remaining 70 per cent goes towards commission," he alleged.

Ashoka said the Opposition BJP and JD-S had earlier been asked to produce documentary evidence when it raised allegations of corruption, but a Congress MLA had now himself raised the issue of commissions.

He alleged that the District In-charge Minister and the concerned departmental Minister were collecting commissions every month.

"One Minister has already resigned over corruption, yet these two Ministers have no fear. This seven per cent commission even reaches Rahul Gandhi," the LoP alleged.

Ashoka claimed that around Rs 800 crore could have been collected through the alleged commission system and reiterated his earlier allegation that Karnataka had been turned into an "ATM".

He cited previous allegations raised by Congress leaders, saying B.R. Patil had spoken about commissions in the Housing Department, while Basavaraj Rayareddy had written a letter regarding alleged corruption in the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB).

He also said he had personally submitted audio recordings and documents regarding alleged irregularities involving R.B. Thimmapur.

"If the state government has any sense of responsibility, it should have dismissed the two Ministers. The case based on the allegations made by Congress MLA Rai should be handed over to the Lokayukta or the CBI for investigation," Ashoka demanded from the state government.

The LoP also opposed the proposed legislation concerning the use of park land, alleging that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was allowing encroachment of parks through the Bill under pressure from the real estate lobby.

He urged both the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP and JD-S to protect public parks and demanded that the state government withdraw the Bill instead of merely allowing a debate on it.

Ashoka recalled that a Congress government had brought in legislation around 40 years ago allowing parks and playgrounds to be used for other purposes, but withdrew it following protests.

The LoP also questioned the state government's plans for the tunnel road project, alleging that there was no need for parking facilities and that the state government had decided to use space at Lalbagh for constructing a mall.

Ashoka announced that the BJP would hold protests across Bengaluru's parks on September 5 and September 6 against the proposed changes.

"We will collect signatures from citizens and submit them to the Governor. We will launch a campaign with the message 'Save Parks, Save Bengaluru'," he said.

Responding to criticism of the BJP's ongoing padayatra, Ashoka said the Congress, to, had undertaken padayatras when it was in Opposition and that such programmes were not by its very nature political.

Source: IANS

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Ahmedabad, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) India will host the Hyundai World Archery Para Series for the first time, when more than 100 athletes from 20 countries compete at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad from September 5 to 9, bringing a major international para-archery event to the city.

The Ahmedabad event will be the third stage of the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series, following the opening stage in Bangkok in April and the second stage in Nove Mesto, Czechia, from June 30 to July 4.

The fourth and final stage is scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile, in October.

Organised by the Archery Association of India (AAI) with the support of the Gujarat government, Sports Authority of Gujarat and Sports Authority of India (SAI), the tournament will feature competitions in the Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1 and Visually Impaired categories.

The participating countries are India, the People's Republic of China, Great Britain, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Slovakia, the United States of America, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cyprus, Czechia, Iraq, the Russian Federation and Sri Lanka.

India will field several prominent para archers, including Paris 2024 Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh, world para archery champion and Paralympic medallist Sheetal Devi, Arjuna Awardee and World Para Archery medallist Rakesh Kumar, and Paralympian Shyam Sunder Swami.

The Indian squad comprises 29 archers and has been preparing at SAI's National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar.

Eleven members of the squad have also been selected for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the event would provide a platform for para-athletes to compete internationally while highlighting Gujarat's growing role in hosting major sporting events.

“The opening ceremony, themed ‘every arrow tells a story of courage,’ will celebrate the determination, resilience and sporting excellence of para-athletes, with the tournament showcasing precision and perseverance on an international platform,” Sanghavi said.

“Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat has emerged as a major hub for hosting international sporting events. The hosting of the international series in Ahmedabad is expected to further highlight Gujarat's growing profile as a destination for major sporting events and provide a global platform for para-archery,” he added.

The tournament will be formally inaugurated on September 4.

AAI president Arjun Munda said hosting the series would give Indian archers an opportunity to compete against leading international athletes on home soil.

“It is a matter of great pride for the Archery Association of India to host the Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad. Bringing the world's best Para Archers to India will provide our athletes with a world-class competitive opportunity while inspiring a new generation of athletes,” Munda said.

He added that Ahmedabad's selection reflected India's growing ability to host major international sporting events and its commitment to inclusive and accessible sport.

AAI secretary general Virendra Sachdeva said the event would contribute to the development of the para-archery ecosystem in India by bringing athletes, coaches and members of the international archery community together in the country.

“Hosting the World Archery Para Series in India is a significant milestone for the sport and for the growth of the Para Archery ecosystem,” Sachdeva said.

“Bringing a global field to India creates an opportunity to showcase the quality of Para Archery to a much wider audience, while bringing athletes, coaches and the international archery community together on Indian soil,” he added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Syed Asim Waqar, who joined the Congress, said that Muslims have faith on all those who possess the ability to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in elections.

Speaking to IANS on Wednesday after joining the Congress, Waqar said: "Muslims have faith in everyone who has the ability to take on and defeat the BJP. I believe that across India, if there is anyone who wants to defeat the BJP the most, it is Muslims...I am also a Muslim, and I have the same inclination to defeat the BJP. I stand with whoever appears strong."

On being asked about the ongoing debate surrounding reservation, he stressed that those who deserve and are in need of reservation, should get it.

"Every caste and religion that is deserving of reservation should get it. Those who cannot manage without reservation should get it. If I cannot afford food and am dying of hunger, if my children cannot study, if I do not have a house, clothes or shoes, then I expect that I should get reservation," he said.

Syed Asim Waqar also noted that he has been vouching for the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to become the next Prime Minister, even while being in the AIMIM.

"For the past five years, I have been saying that Rahul Gandhi is the country's future Prime Minister... I considered Rahul Gandhi the country's future Prime Minister even when I was in AIMIM. Questions were raised over this. I fought for Congress despite being in the AIMIM at that time. I stand with the country, and I want the country to have a good Prime Minister, and that is Rahul Gandhi," he asserted.

Earlier on Wednesday, Waqar joined the Congress at the party headquarters in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Congress In-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, State Congress President Ajay Rai, and Congress Minority Department Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi.

Welcoming him into the Congress, Pratapgarhi told IANS: "We welcome Asim Waqar ji to the Congress family. He is an articulate spokesperson. His joining will strengthen the voices of secular forces."

Ajay Rai echoed, saying: "We welcome him (Syed Asim Waqar) and extend our greetings to him. He puts forward his views strongly. He trusted Rahul Gandhi and has joined us."

Source: IANS

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Gwalior, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has called for strengthening the cooperative sector to make credit and government schemes more accessible to farmers and boost the rural economy.

Addressing a farmers' cooperative conference in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior on the birth anniversary of Lord Balram Dau Ji on Wednesday, Scindia said cooperatives have a key role in economically empowering farmers and taking government initiatives to villages.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar also joined the programme, while Chief Minister Mohan Yadav addressed it virtually.

"Cooperation is an important means of reaching every village and economically empowering farmers," Scindia said.

Several initiatives were launched during the programme, including the Kisan Credit Portal, Kavach scheme, simplification of the zero per cent interest crop loan scheme and 200 new Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) offices.

Scindia said these initiatives would make it easier for farmers to access loans, facilities and welfare schemes.

These initiatives would also strengthen the rural economy, he added.

He said that increasing farmers' income and creating better opportunities for them remained a key priority of the government.

"Our resolve is clear — to increase farmers' income, provide them with better opportunities and ensure that the benefits of cooperatives reach every village," Scindia added.

He said that farmers were not only responsible for feeding the country but were also an important foundation for building a self-reliant and prosperous India.

Scindia added that several measures were being taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen the agriculture sector and expand opportunities for farmers.

The Madhya Pradesh government has declared 2026 as the 'Year of Farmers' Welfare', reflecting its focus on farmer-centric initiatives and schemes.

During the programme, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced Rs 60 lakh for construction of a new rest house for farmers at the Krishi Upaj Mandi.

The conference focused on expanding the cooperative network and ensuring that farmers receive institutional credit and government benefits more easily at the grassroots level.

The launch of 200 new PACS offices is expected to further expand the cooperative network in rural areas and strengthen the delivery of financial and other services to farmers.

The programme was organised as part of events marking the birth anniversary of Lord Balram Dau Ji, traditionally associated with agriculture and the farming community.

Source: IANS

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Raichur (Karnataka), Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The BJP's 10-day Ballari Chalo padayatra, led by state president B.Y. Vijayendra, completed its second day on Wednesday after covering around 22 km, with the party targeting the Congress government over alleged corruption, commission practices, drought mismanagement and diversion of funds meant for Dalit and other marginalised communities.

The second day of the padayatra included visits to drought-hit areas and inspection of crop damage, interactions with Dalit leaders, garlanding of Dr B.R. Ambedkar's statue in Maski, a public meeting and the release of documents relating to funds allocated by the government to various development corporations.

Addressing the gathering, Vijayendra demanded that the Congress government issue a white paper on the alleged diversion of funds earmarked for Dalit welfare.

He alleged that funds under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) had been diverted to other departments and accused the government of failing to adequately fund development corporations for various communities.

Vijayendra claimed that the previous BJP government under B.S. Yediyurappa had allocated Rs 850 crore to various development corporations, while the Congress government had provided only Rs 450 crore.

"A government that has done injustice to Dalits has no moral right or credibility to speak about their welfare," he said.

Vijayendra expressed confidence that a BJP-led NDA government would return to power in Karnataka, saying the people were waiting to remove the Congress government.

"Just as it is certain that the sun and moon exist, it is certain that a BJP-led NDA government will come to power in the coming days. No one can stop it," he said.

He said the Congress had already implemented five guarantee schemes and described the BJP's return to power as the "sixth guarantee".

"The people have decided to send this government home. A government committed to farmers will come to power," Vijayendra said.

He added that the 10-day padayatra would not mark the end of the BJP's campaign.

"The padayatra will conclude in Ballari, but our fight will continue until the NDA government comes to power," he said.

Vijayendra said the BJP would construct the proposed Navali reservoir, which he described as essential for the region, if it returned to power.

He accused the Congress government of neglecting North Karnataka and alleged that it was more focused on real estate activities.

Vijayendra also criticised the government's handling of the drought situation, alleging that ministers and legislators had failed to respond adequately to farmers' problems.

"Farmers are unable to harvest the crops they sowed. Those who have suffered losses have reached a situation where they are contemplating suicide. We have to take the fight to the streets against the government's failure," he said.

He claimed that the government had moved towards declaring additional taluks drought-affected only after the BJP announced its padayatra.

Former minister B. Sriramulu, who addressed the padayatra in Maski, also expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power in Karnataka in 2028.

He accused the Congress of shedding "crocodile tears" over Dalit issues while allegedly diverting SCSP and TSP funds and neglecting the Kalyana Karnataka region.

Sriramulu also alleged that farmers demanding water were facing police cases amid severe drought conditions.

"When the BJP comes to power in 2028, all cases registered against farmers will be withdrawn," he said.

MLA Doddangouda Patil described the padayatra as a campaign aimed at ensuring the BJP's victory in the 2028 Assembly elections. He said the programme was receiving public support across the region and expressed confidence that better days would come under Vijayendra's leadership.

Source: IANS

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Thane, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Working President and MP Supriya Sule on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra state government and the ruling NCP faction, raising sharp questions over the lack of progress and non-registration of an FIR in the fatal plane crash of her brother and former Deputy Chief Minister, late Ajit Pawar.

Addressing a press conference at the party office in Thane, Sule drew a stark contrast between the swift police action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray and the perceived official apathy surrounding Ajit Pawar's tragic death.

Reacting to the case registered against MNS leader Amit Thackeray for removing a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sule questioned the government's priorities. "When a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed, a case is registered against Amit Thackeray within two hours. On the other hand, no FIR has been lodged yet in the death case of my brother Ajit Pawar," she remarked.

She further expressed deep distress over the complete lack of transparency in the investigation. "My brother met with such a major aviation accident. He was the sitting Deputy Chief Minister of the state, yet the government has not filed a single case. We have no idea where the probe stands or what its status is," she stated.

Targeting the ruling NCP MLAs and ministers who were close associates of the late leader, Sule slammed them for enjoying political power while remaining silent on the investigation.

"The Ajit Pawar faction is part of the ruling government. Yet, not a single one of their 40 MLAs or 9 ministers has uttered a single word demanding an FIR or a probe into my brother's death. My brother is gone, but these people continue to enjoy the fruits of power without seeking justice for him," she alleged.

Expanding her criticism beyond political issues, Sule touched upon key public grievances across Maharashtra. She ridiculed the state of roads across Maharashtra, stating that commuters can no longer tell whether roads have potholes or potholes have roads.

She highlighted opposition from Kolhapur farmers against the Shaktipeeth Highway project, accusing the government of forcefully imposing costly projects on citizens.

Opposing the proposed Thane Ring Metro, Sule demanded that the government focus on improving basic bus services instead. "Why execute a project worth Rs 1,00,000 when work can be done efficiently for Rs 500? The government only favours expensive mega-projects, leaving no funds for essential, low-cost public needs," she charged.

Commenting on the rising cost of living, Sule noted that milk prices have crossed Rs 100 per litre. She questioned how common taxpayers are expected to survive when the government offers no relief despite collecting heavy taxes.

Sule revealed that her party is closely reviewing voter lists daily to track names that have been arbitrarily deleted or modified.

Speaking on ongoing legal battles regarding party legitimacy, she lamented the continuous deferrals in court, asking, "When will this cycle of 'tareekh pe tareekh' (endless dates) finally end in our lives?"

Source: IANS

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Guwahati, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday asserted that his government would adopt a "zero tolerance" approach towards crimes against women and pledged a relentless crackdown on drug traffickers and perpetrators involved in the illegal trade.

Sarma said there would be no compromise on the safety and security of women in the state and warned that offenders would face the full force of the law irrespective of their identity or influence.

"There will be no compromise on the safety and security of our Nari Shakti. No matter who the offender is, our law will catch up," the Chief Minister said in a post on X. "We have a clear motto: ZERO TOLERANCE on crimes against Women," he added.

Sarma's remarks came as he participated in a two-day brainstorming session with Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to review Assam's law and order situation. The conference is focusing on key policing challenges, including crimes against women and children and the fight against drugs.

The Chief Minister also issued a strong warning to drug traffickers, saying Assam would not be allowed to become a "safe haven or transit route" for drugs or drug lords. "We will not allow Assam to be a safe haven or transit route for drugs or drug lords. We will be ruthless in executing our mission of #AssamAgainstDrugs and CRACK DOWN relentlessly on the perpetrators," Sarma said.

The government has made the campaign against drugs a major priority, with the Assam Police intensifying operations against trafficking networks, suppliers and distributors across the state. The Chief Minister's emphasis on women’s safety also comes amid continuing efforts by the state police to strengthen investigation and enforcement in cases involving crimes against women and children.

During the SSP conference, district-level policing strategies and measures to improve law and order are being discussed, with greater emphasis on prevention, intelligence gathering and coordinated action.

Sarma has repeatedly called for a strong and responsive police force capable of dealing with organised crime and emerging security challenges.

The two-day deliberations are expected to focus on strengthening policing mechanisms, improving coordination among districts and ensuring faster action against offenders.

The Chief Minister's latest message signals that the Assam government intends to pursue a hardline approach on both crimes against women and the drug menace, with enforcement agencies being tasked with ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Emphasising that Shiv Sena is a party for the common man fighting for public rights, party's Chief leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called upon every office-bearer and worker to take the party to the last person in society through welfare initiatives.

He also announced on Tuesday that Shiv Sena will donate ambulances across 25 states in the country.

He made these remarks while addressing a review meeting of State Shiv Sena Presidents from various states.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde instructed party leaders to work effectively on critical issues such as education, sports, employment, women's welfare, healthcare, water, roads, and agriculture.

He gave clear directions that if needed, office-bearers should step up and lead agitation in "Shiv Sena style" in their respective states to secure justice for the public.

To further strengthen the party's base at the grassroots level, Eknath Shinde advised organising state-level sports competitions across various states over the coming months.

To accelerate party growth, Deputy CM Shinde directed that appointments of key functionaries be completed immediately across all states.

"This primarily includes selecting state-level office-bearers, women's wing chiefs, Yuva Sena leadership, and leaders for other affiliated organisations. State chiefs were instructed to submit a concrete "Action Plan" to the party leadership within the next two months, tailored to the political and social conditions as well as upcoming elections in their respective states."

Deputy CM Shinde suggested that office-bearers take direct initiative in resolving daily civic issues, including drinking water supply, road repairs, healthcare services, solid waste management, school maintenance, and clean public toilets.

To expand the party's footprint, he clarified during the meeting that a widespread "Shiv Sena Membership Drive" must be launched across all states to ensure the party reaches the last village and household.

All state chiefs expressed their determination to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and his 25 years of successful public service on a grand scale through various social welfare programs.

During this dedicated service week, blood donation camps, health drives, and job fairs for youth will be organised nationwide, alongside the distribution of notebooks and educational materials to underprivileged students, the statement said.

"Shiv Sena office-bearers work not just for politics, but for social welfare. Strengthening the party network down to the booth level and rushing to the aid of people in their times of need is our ultimate goal," Deputy CM Shinde reiterated to the state leaders.

Source: IANS

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Imphal, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking networks, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with other security forces, seized brown sugar worth around Rs 80 crore and arrested a drug peddler in Manipur on Wednesday, officials said.

A defence spokesman said that continuing their relentless crackdown against narcotics trafficking, the Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Manipur Police dealt another major blow to drug trafficking networks operating in the Northeast.

The joint forces recovered a huge consignment of brown sugar from Makha Basti along J.T. Road in Manipur’s Jiribam district, which shares an inter-state border with southern Assam.

The spokesman said that the operation resulted in the seizure of 10 packets containing approximately 10.891 kg of brown sugar, with an estimated market value of around Rs 80 crore. In addition to the narcotics, Rs 1,500 in cash and one mobile handset were also recovered during the joint operation.

A suspected drug peddler was also apprehended by the joint team in connection with the seizure. The apprehended individual and all the recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police for further investigation and necessary legal proceedings.

The operation showcased exemplary inter-agency synergy, seamless coordination and operational effectiveness among the Assam Rifles, CRPF and Manipur Police, the defence spokesman said.

Manipur Police officials suspect that the narcotics were smuggled from Myanmar and were intended to be trafficked to other parts of the country. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the contraband, identify others involved in the trafficking network and determine the intended destinations of the seized drugs, officials said.

Manipur and Mizoram have emerged as major drug-trafficking corridors in the Northeast due to their long and porous international borders with Myanmar and their proximity to the Golden Triangle, one of the world's major illicit narcotics-producing regions.

Myanmar shares a 1,643-km-long border with four Northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km) -- with substantial stretches remaining unfenced, making the region vulnerable to cross-border trafficking of drugs, particularly heroin and methamphetamine tablets.

Five districts of Manipur -- Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong and Ukhrul -- share the state's 398-km-long international border with Myanmar, much of which remains unfenced. The porous international border and difficult terrain have posed significant challenges for security agencies in curbing the smuggling of narcotics and other contraband from across the border.

Security forces and law-enforcement agencies have intensified their coordinated operations against drug trafficking networks in the region as part of the government's continuing efforts to curb the menace of narcotics and dismantle transnational smuggling networks.

Source: IANS

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Jalna, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Manoj Jarange Patil, who is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding Maratha reservation, on Wednesday finally agreed to drink water and get an IV saline drip following an emotional appeal by BJP legislator Prasad Lad.

However, maintaining the intensity of the protest, Jarange Patil stated, "I am drinking water and accepting the IV saline, but I will not call off the hunger strike until our demands are fulfilled."

During his address, he launched a scathing attack on the ruling leaders, making serious allegations that the issue of Maratha reservation has become trapped in a credit war between the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Ministers.

Speaking about legislator Prasad Lad, who came to meet him at Antarwali Sarati, Jarange Patil said, "Our Lad Saheb has arrived. There is no point in blaming him; he genuinely cares from his heart for the children of our community."

In front of legislator Prasad Lad, Jarange Patil remarked that the Maratha reservation issue is stuck in credit-seeking, with a battle ongoing over whether DCM Eknath Shinde or CM Devendra Fadnavis should take credit. Furthermore, he launched a sharp critique referencing Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who was mediating.

Jarange Patil stated that they trusted Minister Vikhe Patil, but he was playing games with them ("our school is being taken"). He raised the question of why Minister Vikhe Patil was not coming for discussions and alleged that Minister Vikhe Patil was working to instigate conflicts between DCM Shinde and CM Fadnavis.

Expressing his severe physical exhaustion, Jarange Patil said, "If I speak for too long, my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth." At legislator Lad’s insistence, he drank a sip of water and agreed to medical treatment. However, he warned that until an official Government Resolution (GR) is handed over and a final decision is reached, he will not withdraw the hunger strike from Antarwali Sarati.

Interacting with journalists and the crowd, Jarange Patil laid down explicit conditions for the government. "The certificates that ministers Sanjay Shirsat and Chandrashekhar Bawankule cancelled, I will retrieve them at any cost. I will not end the fast without them," he asserted.

Representing the Maharashtra State Government, legislator Prasad Lad gave a major assurance to quota activist Jarange Patil, promising that all demands of the Maratha community will be fulfilled before Marathwada Liberation Day on September 17, and all OBC concessions will be extended to Marathas. Lad also announced that the distribution of Kunbi certificates under the Hyderabad Gazette will commence starting tomorrow, September 3. ​

Seeking an end to the fast, legislator Lad appealed to Jarange to call off his protest, offering to bring a cabinet delegation of ministers to Antarwali Sarati the following day. ​During the meeting, legislator Lad conveyed positive assurances on behalf of the government regarding various long-pending demands of the Maratha community, giving his word that all issues would be resolved prior to Marathwada Liberation Day.

​Legislator Lad reiterated that the official process of issuing Kunbi caste certificates based on the Hyderabad Gazette will begin tomorrow (September 3) at 12:00 PM.

Regarding the four students whose Kunbi certificates were revoked, immediate instructions have been issued to the concerned administrative officials to ensure justice is served. Of the total 1,376 legal cases filed during the Maratha reservation agitation, a majority have already been withdrawn. Legal and technical evaluations are underway to drop the remaining charges. In accordance with decisions made in last week's meeting, a dedicated 1,250-square-foot office space is being provided for the Maratha Reservation Committee, said legislator Lad.

Marathas previously relied solely on the Social Justice Department for redressal. Moving forward, direct coordination with the Mantralaya (State Secretariat) will be established to expedite all issues. Justice Shinde Committee, tasked with tracing genealogical records and caste verification, will receive a one-year extension along with a 3,000-square-foot facility in Mumbai for its operations. All educational and financial concessions currently granted to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category will be extended to the Maratha community, assured legislator Lad. ​

No Maratha student's academic admission will be cancelled pending the final decision on reservation. Additionally, the state government will bear their full tuition fees. The remaining funding allocation of Rs 300 crore for the Annasaheb Patil Economic Backward Development Corporation is being released immediately, with an assurance of no future financial shortfalls for the body, said legislator Lad.

Source: IANS

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Ayodhya, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The appointment of Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was welcomed by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and seers in Ayodhya, even though the latter objected to the appointment of the three new Trust members.

The Ram Temple Trust on Wednesday also elevated Swami Govind Dev Giri as the General Secretary and appointed Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey, and Nirmala Yadav as the new trustees, filling three vacant positions within the temple body.

Speaking to IANS, VHP International President Alok Kumar said: "We have seen the work and contribution of Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra during Operation Sindoor. He has a long experience of administration and defence", while hoping that the appointment of the CEO will keep the administration on its toes.

Referring to Swami Govind Dev Ji Maharaj, as a devoted follower of Lord Ram, Kumar expressed his happiness on the former's elevation as General Secretary, saying: "His life has been dedicated to penance, service and awakening society."

On Mahesh Bhagchandka's appointment as the Trust's treasurer, Alok Kumar said: "We know how he was on the frontline during the Ram Janmbhoomi movement...we believe that he will set up a transparent system at the Trust, as has been sought by all of us."

Moreover, the VHP Chief added that Nirmala Yadav's induction will reflect the representation of women in the Trust.

While welcoming the appointment of new CEO, saint Mahant Raju Das said that it would have been better if a seer had been chosen instead, "as a seer can offer a level of devotion to the deity that others cannot".

"Nevertheless, we extend our best wishes and gratitude for appointing such CEO to the Ram Temple," he told IANS.

Mahant Sitaram Das of Ayodhya's Saket Bhawan temple also congratulated Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra, saying: "Having served the nation, he will now serve Ram Lalla. I offer my best wishes for this role."

However, regarding the appointment of the three trust members, he said: "Saints have objections because these individuals were not involved in the historical struggles of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement."

Mahant Deveshacharya Ji Maharaj of Siddh Peeth Hanumangarhi said even though the seers were initially reluctant to the appointment of the CEO, what brings them joy is "instead of appointing an IAS or IPS officer, they have appointed a former armed forces member".

"We are happy about this because it guarantees that the temple will function with purity and sanctity, as he comes from the armed forces," he told IANS.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also hailed the appointment of the new CEO, offering his "heartiest congratulations".

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress Chief Ajay Rai remarked: "The CEO has been appointed to legalise the theft of temple offerings", while asserting that a religious scholar should have been appointed to the post instead.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Wednesday that repeated attempts by opponents to obstruct development, spread misleading propaganda and make indecent remarks had not weakened public trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

Patel made the remarks at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state-level workshop in Gandhinagar ahead of the party's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', scheduled from September 17 to October 17 to mark "PM Modi completing 25 uninterrupted years as a head of government".

"Despite attempts by opponents to obstruct the country's development, spread misleading propaganda and make indecent remarks, public faith in PM Modi's leadership remains intact," the Chief Minister said.

He added that the continued public support was linked to the positive changes and work carried out across different sectors.

"Today, under PM Modi's leadership, India's influence is being felt across the world," Patel said.

He added that PM Modi had provided leadership over the past 25 years that made citizens proud, first as Gujarat Chief Minister and later as the country's Prime Minister.

He also linked Gujarat's current development trajectory to the foundations laid during PM Modi's tenure as Chief Minister, saying the state's development journey continued under his direction.

"Gujarat today is a leader in financial discipline and the first choice for investors," Patel said.

The Chief Minister urged BJP workers to take information about the work carried out by BJP governments in the state and at the Centre to the people as part of the campaign.

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan will run for a month from September 17, PM Modi's birthday.

The state-level workshop was held to discuss the campaign's programmes and their organisation across Gujarat.

State BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma chaired the workshop, which was attended by State BJP In-charge Tarun Chugh, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, national campaign team zone in-charge Ashish Shelar and state organisation general secretary Ratnakar.

Patel's remarks came as the BJP prepares a series of public-participation programmes for the campaign.

According to the party, these include activities at booth level, school competitions, programmes at Anganwadi centres, marches carrying 'Seva Jyoti', exhibitions, street plays and an innovation challenge for young people, students, start-ups, professionals and grassroots innovators.

Ratnakar said beneficiary families would light lamps at every booth under the 'Ashirwad No Divdo' programme. The campaign will also include a collective pledge for 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.

A bike journey carrying water collected from Gujarat's holy rivers will travel from Vadnagar to Varanasi for an offering at Kashi Vishwanath, with Ganga water to be brought back to Vadnagar for an offering at Hatkeshwar Mahadev.

The campaign will also feature a large 'human rangoli' at major public places and activities intended to communicate government welfare schemes and development work to beneficiaries and the wider public.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called for increasing the social security pension to Rs 3,000 per month and expanding the number of beneficiaries, while criticising the BJP-led Central government over the amount of pension provided under its share of the scheme.

Gehlot alleged that the Modi government had not increased the central pension amount for elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities by even a rupee since coming to power.

"The Modi government waives off lakhs of crores of rupees owed by wealthy industrialists in one stroke, yet is unwilling to increase the pension for poor and needy elderly citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities by even a single rupee," Gehlot wrote.

He said the Congress government in Rajasthan introduced a monthly social security pension of Rs 500 in 2013 for elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities. According to Gehlot, the amount remained unchanged for the subsequent five years under the BJP government. After the Congress returned to power in 2018, he said, the pension was increased to Rs 750 per month, followed by a further increase to Rs 1,000 in 2023.

He said the Congress government also introduced a legal provision for a 15% annual increase in the pension to prevent future governments from keeping the amount stagnant. "Today, this pension serves as a lifeline for lakhs of needy families in the state," Gehlot said.

He claimed that Congress-led governments at the Centre had introduced social security pensions for elderly people, persons with disabilities and widows and had increased the central contribution to Rs 300 per month by 2013.

He alleged that the amount had not been increased during the subsequent 12 years under the Modi government, despite rising inflation.

Gehlot also claimed that the number of beneficiaries covered under the central pension had not been increased since the Modi government came to power.

He referred to recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, which he said had repeatedly called for an increase in the pension amount, describing the existing amount as inadequate.

Gehlot said providing social security pensions places a significant financial burden on state governments and argued that the Centre has greater financial resources to support the programme.

He called for the Central and state governments to jointly raise the monthly pension to Rs 3,000, saying the move would help poor and needy families cope with inflation and live with greater dignity.

Gehlot proposed that the financial burden of the increased pension be shared equally between the Centre and state governments on a 50:50 basis. "The central government should collaborate with state governments to immediately raise the pension amount to Rs 3,000 per month and expand the number of beneficiaries," he said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Delhi government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the mandatory requirement of obtaining an MP/MLA endorsement or recommendation letter for availing benefits under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, which provides financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women from economically weaker sections.

A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notice on the petition filed by Shabana Hussain and tagged it with a pending petition raising a similar issue.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 17. The PIL has challenged the requirement under which an otherwise eligible woman seeking benefits under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana is required to approach an elected MP or MLA, obtain an endorsement/recommendation letter and upload it on the registration portal.

The petitioner has contended that the requirement introduces an “unguided and discretionary political interface” between the government and beneficiaries of a welfare scheme.

The plea stated that the scheme does not prescribe any objective criteria governing the grant or refusal of such endorsement, any time limit for issuing it, reasons for refusal, an appellate or review mechanism, or any alternative administrative procedure.

“The limited issue before this Hon’ble Court is whether an elected representative’s endorsement, which may appropriately be provided as voluntary assistance, can lawfully be converted into a mandatory condition precedent for an otherwise eligible citizen to access a State welfare benefit,” stated the petition, filed through advocate Ashu Bidhuri.

It further argued that the condition could result in similarly situated women being treated differently depending on their ability or inability to secure such an endorsement, despite fulfilling all substantive eligibility criteria.

The petitioner has also submitted that the requirement is particularly burdensome for economically vulnerable women, as it may involve repeated visits to political offices, expenditure on printing, cyber-café and scanning facilities, loss of wages and dependence on intermediaries.

The plea has sought deletion or quashing of the mandatory MP/MLA endorsement/recommendation requirement and directions for implementation of the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana through an “objective, transparent, accessible and non-discriminatory mechanism”.

The petitioner's grievance is confined to the political endorsement requirement and does not challenge the beneficial object of the scheme or the financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month.

The PIL has also stated that the petitioner had submitted a detailed representation to the concerned authorities on August 21, 2026, but no effective remedial action was taken. The plea was filed after the Delhi government published a Gazette notification on August 6, 2026.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday began its two-day ‘Jal Manthan’ programme in New Delhi, bringing together Water Resources Ministers from BJP-ruled states for discussions on inter-state coordination, water management and the exchange of best practices.

The programme began with a special meeting at the residence of BJP national president Nitin Nabin, followed by a dinner hosted by him. The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between the Centre and states on water-related issues.

In a post on X, Nabin said a “highly meaningful” meeting had been held with Water Resources Ministers of BJP-ruled states under the ‘Jal Manthan’ programme to promote inter-state coordination and the exchange of best practices.

Nabin highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and said the country had undertaken the historic task of providing tap water to crores of families under the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ initiative. He said the limited approach of five-year planning that existed after the formation of the NITI Aayog was now a thing of the past.

According to Nabin, planning is now being undertaken in line with PM Modi’s vision with a long-term perspective extending 25 to 50 years into the future. He said such an approach would be important for building a stronger and more sustainable water management system.

Nabin further said that achieving the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ would require three-way coordination among the government, elected representatives and party workers. Such coordination, he said, would help ensure better planning, implementation and monitoring and enable people to receive the maximum benefits of government schemes.

Union Jal Shakti Minister CR. Patil, BJP national organisation general secretary B.L. Santosh and national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also attended the meeting.

On Thursday, a larger meeting of Water Resources Ministers from all BJP-ruled states is scheduled at the BJP central office under Nabin’s chairmanship. Discussions will cover irrigation, water management, groundwater conservation, water security and the efficient utilisation of water resources, with states expected to share successful models and experiences.

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday paid rich tributes to former Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), saying he gave his whole life to the Congress Party and to the poor of his state.

He said YSR believed that the purpose of government was to give ordinary people dignity, security and opportunity.

“Then when he got power, he did not forget what he strove for. He brought healthcare within the reach of poor families through Aarogyasri, built homes for poor families through Indiramma Indlu, worked to give land to the landless, and gave free electricity to farmers while ensuring that farm loan relief reached thousands of families,” said Kharge.

The Congress chief was speaking at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Award 2026 programme in New Delhi.

The award was presented to M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.

“17 years ago, on this very day, we lost Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, a man who gave his whole life to the Congress Party and to the poor of his state. So, there could be no better way to pay tribute to him than to honour, in his memory, an institution that shares his deepest belief that no farmer and no poor family should be left behind or deprived of their basic needs,” said Kharge.

The AICC President also paid tribute to Dr M. S. Swaminathan. He said Dr Swaminathan transformed Indian agriculture, but his vision went way beyond producing more food.

“I had the privilege of knowing Dr Swaminathan personally for many years. I first came to know him when I was a minister in Karnataka. We invited him to speak to students and faculty as a chief guest for programmes at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore. I had the opportunity to interact with him on several occasions. I knew him as a great scientist, and later as a nominated Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha (2007 to 2013), but what stayed with me was his commitment to science and his belief that scientific knowledge must ultimately improve the lives of ordinary people,” said Kharge.

Addressing the award ceremony, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said there was an urgent need to make Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister of India.

The Chief Minister asserted that Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is a historical necessity for the country in the difficult and challenging times.

Revanth Reddy remembered YSR’s leadership qualities and recalled his final wish of making Rahul Gandhi as the PM. After taking the oath of office as CM for the second time, YSR announced that his life's goal was to see Rahul Gandhi become the Prime Minister. However, he passed away before that wish could be realised.

CM Revanth Reddy said that the people of the country were facing hardships and a leader must stand by them during such times. The country needs a leader to stand by the people at this historic juncture and Rahul Gandhi is the strong leader.

“Making Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister is a tribute to YSR. To fulfil his final wish, we must ensure Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister in the upcoming elections,” the Chief Minister. He called for working together under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister.

Stressing the need to take forward YSR's vision, the CM said that YSR deserved the credit for launching projects like Pranahita-Chevella, Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation, and the SLBC tunnel to provide irrigation water in Telangana. Now, these projects are stalled. We will complete the projects and dedicate them to the people of Telangana, the CM announced.

CM Revanth Reddy also recalled the services rendered by the country's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who accorded top priority to education and irrigation sectors. The nation transformed from a state of hunger and distress to becoming a food exporter under Nehru's leadership. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had taken measures to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers' produce for the first time in the country. Sonia Gandhi introduced the Food Security Act to ensure food security for every citizen in the country. Former PM Indira Gandhi also introduced agricultural reforms, distributing assigned lands to the poor.

It was when the Congress party launched the Public Distribution System (PDS), supplying essential commodities through ration shops. The Chief Minister said 3.48 crore people in Telangana were getting fine quality rice.

Source: IANS

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Yamunanagar (Haryana), Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Soil Health Card scheme, launched by the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is helping farmers determine the nutrient status of their fields through soil testing and make informed decisions about fertiliser use.

Officials and soil-testing experts told IANS that the initiative can help reduce unnecessary expenditure on fertilisers while improving soil health and crop productivity.

Soil samples are tested to identify which nutrients are adequately available in the soil and which are deficient. So based on the results, farmers are advised on the type and quantity of fertilisers required for specific crops.

At the Soil Testing Laboratory in Jagadhri, Analytical Associate Yogesh told IANS that 12 parameters are examined during soil testing, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, zinc, manganese, iron, copper and boron.

“Testing helps farmers understand which nutrients are deficient, adequate or present in excess, allowing them to use fertilisers accordingly,” Yogesh said.

He pointed out that farmers often apply certain fertilisers without knowing whether the corresponding nutrients are already sufficiently available in their soil. Such indiscriminate use not only increases cultivation costs but can also adversely affect soil health.

Yogesh further explained that pH indicates whether the soil is acidic or alkaline, while EC provides an indication of the salt content in the soil. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur are among the major nutrients required by crops, while zinc, manganese, iron, copper and boron are micronutrients needed in smaller quantities.

According to him, symptoms such as fruit cracking can sometimes be associated with boron deficiency, while yellowing or reddening of leaves may be linked to zinc deficiency. However, soil testing provides a more reliable assessment of nutrient availability than relying solely on visible symptoms.

Once testing is completed, farmers receive information on the nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on the quantity of fertiliser required per acre for a particular crop. This information is provided through the Soil Health Card.

The Agriculture and Soil Testing Department also conducts awareness camps every year. Department teams visit villages at the block level to educate farmers about soil testing, reducing cultivation costs and maintaining soil health.

Yogesh said soil testing is provided free of cost. Farmers can bring soil samples directly to the laboratory, while under initiatives such as “Har Khet Swasth Khet” (Every Field Healthy Field), agriculture department employees also collect samples from fields and send them to laboratories for testing before providing farmers with Soil Health Cards.

District Agriculture Officer Aditya Dabas said the department receives annual targets for soil testing in Yamunanagar district. Farmers can submit samples themselves, while field-level employees and officers also collect samples from agricultural land.

“The primary objective of soil testing is to assess the health of the field. Continuous cultivation of the same crops and prevailing crop cycles can lead to deficiencies of certain essential nutrients in the soil,” Dabas said.

Yamunanagar is known for the cultivation of crops such as wheat, paddy and sugarcane, while mustard is grown in some areas. Poplar cultivation is also undertaken in the district.

Dabas said farmers traditionally tend to rely on fertilisers such as DAP, urea and zinc. However, soil testing can reveal the status of other nutrients and help determine the actual requirements of a crop.

“This makes it possible to decide how much of which fertiliser should be applied to a particular crop. When farmers know which nutrients are deficient and which are already adequately available, they can use fertilisers in a balanced manner,” he said.

According to Dabas, 1,10,158 soil samples were received in Yamunanagar last year. All the samples were tested in laboratories, and farmers were provided with soil reports in the form of Soil Health Cards.

The cards contain details of the nutrient status of the soil and recommendations on the quantity of manure and fertilisers required according to the crop. Dabas said balanced fertiliser use could reduce unnecessary expenditure while ensuring that crops receive the nutrients they need.

He urged farmers to get their soil tested regularly and make use of the free facility provided by the government. “Knowing the actual condition of the soil enables farmers to make better decisions about fertiliser application. This can help improve both the health of the soil and crop production,” he said.

Source: IANS

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Pune, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Pune City Police's Chaturshingi Police Station on Wednesday arrested Ashish Sable, a worker of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), in connection with the high-profile controversy surrounding the forcible removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph from a government institution.

The arrest comes as part of an expanding police crackdown following an FIR registered against Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) president Amit Thackeray—son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray—and 20 to 25 other party functionaries and workers.

The case stems from an incident at the Government Polytechnic College in Ganeshkhind, Pune.

Amit Thackeray, who heads the student wing of the party, had visited the campus to interact with students and review campus facilities, including the hostel, mess, and sanitation conditions. During the visit, some students drew attention to a wall in the principal's office where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph was placed alongside portraits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dr B R Ambedkar.

Raising strong objections, Thackeray questioned the placement, asserting that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar are revered icons of Maharashtra and cannot be equated or placed on the same footing as political leaders. Prompted by the objection, MNS workers allegedly took down the Prime Minister's photograph despite resistance from college authorities.

Following the incident, the college principal, Dr Rajendra Kashiram Patil, lodged a formal complaint at the Chaturshingi Police Station. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered against Amit Thackeray and 20–25 unidentified workers under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—including charges for unlawful assembly, criminal trespass, obstructing a public servant, and criminal intimidation—along with sections of the Maharashtra Police Act.

Police subsequently launched a manhunt and apprehended multiple MNS workers, including Ashish Sable.

Investigators are examining CCTV footage and statements to identify all participants involved in the disruption.

The incident has triggered a sharp political debate across the state.

MNS leaders have defended the action, with party functionaries stating they consider it a matter of pride to stand up for the honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Conversely, political opponents, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, have condemned the move, labelling it as a stunt driven by political immaturity.

Further investigations into the case are currently underway.

Source: IANS

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Asheville (North Carolina), Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) India has moved to deepen economic partnerships with the European Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and several major economies, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman using the G20 meeting in Asheville to seek greater investment, stronger supply chains and wider access to advanced technologies.

Sitharaman held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.

Her discussions covered critical minerals, infrastructure financing, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, trade and cross-border payment systems.

In talks with European Commissioner for Economy and Financial Affairs Valdis Dombrovskis, the two sides discussed strengthening the India-EU Economic and Financial Partnership. They also reviewed cooperation through the macroeconomic dialogue and the Trade and Technology Council.

The meeting covered negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement. Both sides expressed a commitment to advance the negotiations.

They also discussed resilient and diversified supply chains, including cooperation on critical raw materials and technologies.

Sitharaman stressed the need to build processing and value-addition capabilities rather than focus only on sourcing critical minerals.

India and the EU will also explore greater cooperation in FinTech, artificial intelligence and generative AI.

The discussions included efforts to foster closer engagement between Indian and European start-ups.

In a separate meeting with World Bank President Ajay Banga, Finance Minister Sitharaman welcomed the speedy processing of $1.5 billion in Development Policy Financing.

She also noted the International Finance Corporation's support to micro, small and medium enterprises through the Small Industries Development Bank of India.

The two discussed a larger role for the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency in India. Its guarantees could help deepen corporate, infrastructure and municipal bond markets while mobilising private capital.

They also considered political risk insurance for Indian companies investing overseas and credit enhancement for infrastructure projects.

Sitharaman raised India's work with the World Bank Group to establish a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Knowledge Hub in the country.

The initiative could explore the use of technology in sectors such as agriculture.

The meeting also covered plans to develop globally competitive tourism destinations under the new India-World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework.

The proposed model would combine policy and infrastructure support, private investment and guarantees.

Sitharaman and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in their meeting reviewed the global economic outlook and India's growth trajectory, a media statement said.

Georgieva noted India's strong economic performance and the resilience built by its economy.

The Finance Minister stressed the need for evidence-based surveillance frameworks that adequately capture structural shifts in emerging market and developing economies.

The two also discussed IMF initiatives to strengthen institutional capacity, policymaking and statistical systems.

Sitharaman's meeting with South Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol focused on investment, critical minerals and resilient supply chains. They agreed to advance working-level consultations for the India-Korea Finance Ministers' Meeting.

India welcomed greater Korean investment in emerging sectors and proposed stronger cooperation through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, a press statement said.

The two sides also discussed a concessional credit line for infrastructure and green-transition projects.

Efforts to make India and South Korea's QR-based payment systems interoperable were also reviewed. Such a system could make payments easier for travellers and strengthen commercial and people-to-people links.

In other meetings, Sitharaman discussed multilateral development banks with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, investment and energy cooperation with Qatari Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, and trade, defence, energy security and emerging technologies with Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski.

India and the EU have been negotiating a broad trade agreement alongside an investment protection pact, with market access, regulatory standards and resilient supply chains among the central issues. Their Trade and Technology Council provides a platform for cooperation in digital technologies, clean energy and trade.

Source: IANS

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Amaravati, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday asked Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to stop what he called dramas over Polavaram.

He urged the Chief Minister to focus on the works and complete Polavaram at its stipulated height of 45.72 metres instead of restricting it to 41.15 metres.

“This will make full-scale storage possible, thereby enabling water to be stored to the full capacity and supplied through both the Right and Left Main Canals entirely by gravity. Then, without any dependence on the Purushothapatnam and Pushkara lift schemes, abundant water can be supplied by gravity through both the Polavaram Left Main Canal and the Right Main Canal. Instead of doing this, why all these dramas?” asked YS Jagan in a post on X.

The former Chief Minister was referring to the Chief Minister inaugurating the Polavaram Left Main Canal in Anakapalli district on Wednesday.

“Chandrababu garu, what is this about lifting Godavari water from the already existing Purushothapatnam project using the already existing pumps, releasing it into the already existing Polavaram Left Main Canal, and then beating the drum claiming, “We have brought Polavaram waters”? You know, and everyone knows, that this is not water flowing by gravity from the Polavaram reservoir. But the publicity is at an entirely different level. The water is from Purushothapatnam, the canal was constructed during YSR’s tenure, but the desperation to claim the credit is yours? What kind of magic is this?” asked Jagan.

“Aren’t all the publicity events you have been conducting one after another over irrigation projects meant only to mislead the people? The other day it was Veligonda, today it is the Polavaram Left Main Canal, and another day it will be something else. Claiming credit for projects that you neither started nor completed, and getting your friendly media to sing your praises as though you were their creator, has become a habit for you. Even when you undertake some incomplete works, you inflate the estimates only to loot. Whichever irrigation project one looks at, this has been your modus operandi, your approach and your nature,” reads the post.

“The water that you now say will be released through the Purushothapatnam pumps is 3,500 cusecs. This project and these pumps are not new, are they? They already exist, don’t they? Then why this drama? In fact, when 79% of the major works relating to the Polavaram Left Main Canal were completed during YSR garu’s tenure itself, standing on all those works today and claiming, “I did everything,” is something only you, Chandrababu garu, can do! There is no need to specifically explain how the dramas you staged, the lies you told, the mistakes you committed, and the corruption and loot that took place during 2014–19 in relation to the Polavaram project turned into a curse for the State. Because of the mistakes you committed without foresight, proper planning, prioritisation or a systematic approach, our government had to struggle immensely during its five-year tenure to rectify them. You left the project in disarray by carrying out the spillway and cofferdam works only partially. Ultimately, without completing the spillway works and without diverting the river flow, you went ahead with the diaphragm wall, which forms part of the foundation works of the main dam. Because of your mistakes and mismanagement, not only was the project delayed, but during the floods, the water could not be diverted through the spillway as it was only partially completed. Due to the partially constructed upstream cofferdam, water entered through the gaps and damaged the foundations beneath the main dam, including the diaphragm wall,” added Jagan.

The YSRCP chief demanded that Chandrababu Naidu clarify the issue of Polavaram’s height. “While the FRL of Polavaram is 45.72 metres, water storage is being restricted to only 41.15 metres. The Centre says it will provide funds only up to the 41.15-metre level. Then how will the project be completed to its full extent? How will water be stored to its full capacity? When will the package be paid to the displaced families? What is your answer to these questions, Chandrababu garu?” he asked.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Residents of Gandhinagar district will now have access to Aadhaar enrolment and update services seven days a week with the inauguration of a new Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) in the Kudasan area, as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) expands its citizen-facing services in Gujarat.

The new centre, inaugurated on Wednesday by Gandhinagar MLA Alpesh Thakor, is located at Swagat Rain Forest-2, Shops 6, 7 and 8 on the ground floor, near Axis Bank on the Gandhinagar-Koba Highway in Kudasan.

The Aadhaar Seva Kendra will provide a range of services, including Aadhaar enrolment, demographic corrections and biometric updates.

It will also offer free biometric updates for children aged between five and 17 years and provide on-site grievance redressal. The centre has been equipped with modern facilities, including wheelchair access and accessible restrooms.

A dedicated ASK Manager will also be available to oversee service delivery and assist residents.

Residents can pre-book appointments through the UIDAI Appointment Portal, while the locations of Aadhaar Seva Kendras can be accessed through the geo-tagged Bhuvan Aadhaar Portal.

The inauguration was attended by Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Director, SO Ahmedabad, UIDAI Regional Office Mumbai, along with senior officials from UIDAI's service provider, Protean eGov Technologies.

Speaking at the inauguration, Thakor said the new centre would make Aadhaar-related services faster and more convenient for residents.

“This modern ASK in Gandhinagar will ensure faster, more convenient and transparent Aadhaar services for our residents. It is another milestone in realising the vision of Digital India and expanding our national footprint,” he said.

UIDAI is also organising specialised biometric update camps in schools to facilitate timely updates for children and help maintain their Aadhaar records.

The authority said all Aadhaar Seva Kendras are directly operated by UIDAI through its partners, with uniform service standards, data security measures and grievance-redressal mechanisms in place.

Source: IANS

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Visakhapatnam, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday that no water shortage will be caused by upcoming data centres in Visakhapatnam.

He alleged that the opposition YSR Congress Party was creating a fake narrative over the issue.

He said the government can bring up to 500 TMC of water from the Godavari to Visakhapatnam via the Polavaram canal, while data centres would need only 5 TMC.

Inaugurating the Polavaram Left Main Canal works and releasing the Godavari waters into Anakapalli, CM Chandrababu Naidu confirmed the availability of water for data centres through this project. He categorically clarified all the misinformation and concerns over water availability for data centres.

The Chief Minister said that after the inauguration of the project, 2 TMC of water will be brought through the Polavaram canal, but it is not the limit.

He asserted that Andhra Pradesh now has the capacity to bring not only 5 TMC but even 50, 100 or 500 TMC of water to the region.

He stated that if all five proposed data centres come up, they would require around 5 TMC of water.

CM Chandrababu Naidu further said that once the Polavaram project is completed and water flows through gravity, Visakhapatnam will not face a water shortage, and appealed to people to recognise the long-term benefits of the project.

He also said that YSRCP is trying to create a fake narrative surrounding the data centres and water scarcity.

He welcomed the Godavari waters by offering Jala harathi at Payakaraopeta cross regulator.

The government has planned to provide irrigation water to 2.87 lakh acres and drinking water to 9.23 lakh people in East Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema and Anakapalli districts through the water released into the Left Canal.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that 23.44 TMC of water has been planned for diversion to meet industrial, drinking and irrigation requirements in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.

Addressing a public meeting, the Chief Minister said that Godavari waters had reached North Andhra and that the barren lands in the region would now turn into fertile agricultural fields.

The Godavari, which reaches the sea through its three tributaries – Gautami, Vasishta and Vainateya – has now travelled to Anakapalli through the Polavaram Left Canal, he said.

The Chief Minister said the Godavari had crossed the Eastern Ghats, forests, rivers, streams, highways and other obstacles to reach the region. “We will take Godavari waters to the feet of Lord Varaha Narasimha at Simhachalam next year and subsequently to Sri Suryanarayana Swamy at Arasavalli, taking the Godavari waters up to the Vamsadhara,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Rs 4,192 crore had already been spent on construction of the Polavaram Left Canal and another Rs 800 crore would be spent to complete the remaining works. He said siphons had been constructed on the Yeleru Canal and aqueducts across the Pampa, Tandava and Varaha rivers, completing the canal works. He also said a land dispute at Tallapalem had been resolved and rehabilitation provided to displaced families.

The Chief Minister alleged that the opposition party was indulging in false propaganda, claiming credit for every development taking place in the State.

Source: IANS

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Nashik, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday met senior Maharashtra party leaders in Nashik and discussed a whole range of issues, including alleged corruption in Kumbh Mela works and other infrastructure projects, the ‘commission raj’, as well as protests by tribal students and other communities.

In addition, the ongoing SIR exercise and the exclusion of 2.07 crore voters in the draft list published on August 31 also came up for discussion.

Gandhi was in Nashik on the final day of the Congress’s 10-day study workshop under its Sangathan Srujan Abhiyan, where he addressed district presidents of the party. After arriving in Nashik, Gandhi held a meeting with senior state Congress leaders.

Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said Gandhi sought details about alleged corruption in preparations for the Kumbh Mela and infrastructure projects, including the proposed Shaktipeeth Highway.

During his over three-hour interactive session with the district presidents, Gandhi asked them to focus on four major elements, including women, youth, farmers and middle class during the strengthening of the party organisation ahead of next Assembly and Lok Sabha polls slated for 2029.

He told them that they can do wonders for the party and play a major role in poll victories. Gandhi also interacted with their family members. He also asked the district presidents to work hard, sticking to party ideology, especially while taking on the BJP and RSS.

He claimed that high GDP figures do not translate into adequate job creation, inflation relief, or rising real wages for the public.

Amid ongoing protests by tribal students, Gandhi met their representatives and assured them of the party's support.

Sonu Gaikwad, who was part of the delegation, said Gandhi assured them of the party’s support for their demands.

Meanwhile, BJP women leaders staged a protest in Nashik against Gandhi, accusing him of opposing the women’s reservation legislation.

BJP MLA Devyani Farande, Nashik Mayor Himgauri Aher Adake and other women activists participated in the demonstration, with some raising “Go back Rahul Gandhi” slogans. Farande questioned why the Congress was opposing the women’s reservation legislation and said Gandhi and his party should support greater representation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

Aher Adake also criticised Gandhi over his alleged opposition to the Nari Shakti Vandan legislation, saying the measure was aimed at increasing women’s representation in elected bodies.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chhattisgarh has emerged as a national frontrunner in water conservation, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said while presenting the state’s achievements at the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s departmental summit held in New Delhi on September 1–2, 2026.

The state secured the top position in the third phase of the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ (JSJB) and ‘Catch the Rain’ campaigns, underscoring its leadership in rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, he said.

Highlighting the state’s model, CM Sai said that Chhattisgarh, which accounts for nearly 4% of India’s geographical area, has transformed water conservation into a mass movement by involving farmers, panchayats, and local communities alongside government initiatives.

“Instead of limiting water conservation to government programmes alone, the state has empowered local communities,” he said while showcasing the participatory approach that has driven success. Under JSJB 1.0 and 2.0, Chhattisgarh consistently ranked second nationwide, completing millions of conservation structures.

In the latest JSJB 3.0 phase, the state rose to the top, recording extensive rainwater harvesting and recharge structures. Districts such as Surajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara, and Kabirdham secured places among the top 10 districts in the country, reflecting the widespread adoption of water-saving practices, he said.

The impact of these efforts is visible in the decline of groundwater-stressed blocks in Chhattisgarh, which fell from 26 to a significantly lower number, indicating improved water availability.

Retaining rainwater in fields and villages has boosted irrigation potential, supported crop production, and reduced the burden on women who traditionally spend long hours collecting water.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of “Catch the Rain — Where It Falls, Let It Be Stored” has been implemented in Chhattisgarh with region-specific strategies, the chief minister said.

The state’s experience demonstrates that convergence among schemes, geo-tagging of structures, and regular monitoring can make water conservation sustainable and scalable.

The summit also noted India’s target of creating 2 crore new water structures by May 2027, with Chhattisgarh’s participatory model serving as a blueprint for other states.

Senior officials, including Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh and Water Resources Secretary Rajesh Sukumar Toppo, accompanied the Chief Minister at the event, reinforcing the state’s commitment to long-term water security.

Source: IANS

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Shimla, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed the Himachal Pradesh State University (Amendment) Bill of 2026 by a voice vote.

With the passage of this Bill, the path has been cleared for the recruitment of professors and other staff across all six government universities in Himachal Pradesh through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and the state Selection Commission.

However, the recruitment of Associate Professors will continue to be handled by the universities themselves.

As per the Bill, the Himachal Pradesh Finance Secretary Abhishek Jain will serve as the Chairperson of the Finance Committees of all six universities.

The Executive Council (EC) will be required to accept the recommendations of the committee led by the Finance Secretary regarding financial matters.

While replying to the discussion, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government should consider conducting recruitment for Class III and Class IV posts through the Selection Commission or another similar agency.

He added that the state government is also contemplating conducting examinations for private universities through a nodal agency.

He said the passage of the Bill would establish financial accountability for the finance committees.

The Chief Minister asserted that recruitment through the Selection Commission would ensure transparency and that candidates would be selected based on merit, ultimately benefiting the youth.

Earlier participating in the discussion on the Bill, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Randhir Sharma termed it an assault on university autonomy.

He said that universities receive grants not only from the state government but also from the University Grants Commission (UGC).

"Therefore, the state government needed to consider the implications for UGC grants following the Bill's passage," he added.

Participating in the discussion, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur remarked that the Bill would not withstand legal scrutiny, noting that several of the government's previous Bills had been struck down by courts.

Responding to the LoP's remarks, the Chief Minister acknowledged that one or two of their Bills had been struck down and that some were pending with the Governor, but said that the Opposition was forgetting how many Bills had been struck down during the tenure of the previous BJP government.

Similarly, a verbal political exchange took place between the Chief Minister Sukhu and the Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur regarding several issues, including the paper leak.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, and MLAs Vipin Singh Parmar, Trilok Jamwal, Harish Janartha, and Suresh Kumar also participated in the discussion.

Source: IANS

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Raipur, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Raipur witnessed a momentous occasion on Wednesday as Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan attended the third convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur.

Addressing the gathering, he called upon the graduating students to uphold their responsibility of safeguarding the health, faith, and lives of the people of India with devotion and integrity.

The Vice President reminded the graduates that convocation is not merely a celebration but a solemn occasion of responsibility. In his keynote, he reminded the graduating doctors that their degrees symbolise not only achievement but also responsibility.

“Today you are receiving your degrees, and tomorrow you will be entrusted with an even more valuable responsibility—the health, faith, and lives of the people of India,” he said, urging them to serve with devotion and dedication.

Tracing the journey of AIIMS Raipur since its inception in 2012, the Vice President highlighted its role in bridging regional disparities in healthcare, education, and research across Central India. Within a short span, the institute has become a major tertiary care centre for Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states, extending advanced medical services to rural and tribal communities.

He described the institution as a symbol of Chhattisgarh’s transformation from an era of fear and deprivation to one of peace, progress, and possibilities.

Reflecting on the state’s past challenges, Radhakrishnan noted that difficult terrain, poor connectivity, and left-wing extremism once hindered development. Roads, schools, and hospitals were scarce in remote tribal areas. Today, he said, Chhattisgarh is emerging into a new era of prosperity, thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

“The decades-long Naxalite threat has ended, and areas once known for violence are now known for roads, schools, hospitals, connectivity, investment, and opportunities,” he remarked.

The Vice President praised AIIMS Raipur’s clinical milestones, including the state’s first kidney transplant, a success rate of over 95 per cent in renal transplants, and achievements in corneal and ear transplants. Approval of a heart transplant programme, he said, marks another leap forward in advanced medicine.

He also emphasised balanced development as the cornerstone of India’s vision for 2047, noting that higher education expansion and rising female enrolment—up 42.2 per cent since 2014—are vital indicators of progress.

At the convocation, 376 women and 313 men received degrees. Radhakrishnan urged them to firmly say “no to drugs” and to harness technology for inclusive growth.

“May your knowledge bring health, your research bring innovation, and your service inspire,” he concluded before presenting gold medals and certificates to meritorious students.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in-charge Tarun Chugh on Wednesday said that the Congress-led UPA government had left India facing corruption, misgovernance and terrorism between 2004 and 2014, and credited Narendra Modi's leadership since 2014 with putting the country on a path of "development and good governance".

Chugh was speaking at a BJP state-level workshop in Gandhinagar organised ahead of the party's month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, which will run from September 17 to October 17 to mark PM Modi completing 25 uninterrupted years as a head of government, first as Gujarat Chief Minister and subsequently as Prime Minister.

Referring to the period between 2004 and 2014, Chugh said the country had been "in a state of helplessness" in the face of corruption, misgovernance and terrorism, while an atmosphere of disappointment and frustration had prevailed.

"When there was a perception that nothing could be done for the country, Gujarat gave India a strong, decisive and farsighted leader in PM Modi in 2014. The country elected a full-majority government after three decades, with the results now visible in India's economic and developmental progress," he said.

Chugh said India had made "unprecedented progress" across sectors over the past 12 years and had moved from being the world's 11th-largest economy to the fourth-largest.

He described India as the world's fastest-growing major economy and said its growth rate had remained at 7.8 per cent despite global conflicts affecting several economies. "This is the new India," Chugh said, referring to India's response to terrorism.

He said the country is now giving a "befitting response" to terrorist attacks and carrying out operations against terrorists across the border.

He attributed India's progress amid global challenges to PM Modi's leadership and diplomacy, and said: "The government has continued its development agenda despite the Covid-19 pandemic and global wars."

Chugh also highlighted the government's welfare and development initiatives, saying the PM Modi-led administration had worked towards fulfilling the aspirations of poor people, farmers, youth and women.

He said several long-standing problems had been addressed and India had made progress in development, good governance, security and welfare.

Turning to Gujarat's experience under PM Modi, Chugh said: "After becoming Chief Minister in 2001, PM Modi had worked to address problems relating to electricity, water and roads, making the state a 'leader' across sectors and a symbol of peace, security and development."

He said the "Gujarat Model" had generated confidence across the country and contributed to Modi receiving a historic mandate to become Prime Minister.

"PM Modi is also working to place India's interests first and to showcase the country's culture and heritage internationally," he emphasised.

The workshop was chaired by state BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma and attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, BJP national Seva Sankalp Abhiyan team zone in-charge Ashish Shelar and state organisation general secretary Ratnakar, among others.

Chugh also guided party workers on organising programmes involving public participation during the month-long campaign marking 'PM Modi's 25 years of service and dedication'.

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Telangana’s main opposition party Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) released a ‘chargesheet’ on Wednesday, describing 1,000 days of the Congress party in the state as incompetent, corrupt and anarchic.

Releasing the chargesheet at Telangana Bhavan, BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao claimed that it was 1,000 days of public oppression.

He accused the Congress government of failure on all fronts. He said the Congress promised a paradise within 100 days but instead subjected the state to a daily living hell.

He said top Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sonia Gandhi, had guaranteed the execution of all promises within 100 days, but even after 1,000 days, not a single promise has been fully implemented.

He alleged that the government’s performance over the past 1,000 days had resulted in growing difficulties for farmers, students, unemployed youth, women, employees and other sections.

Alleging that the rift between the Chief Minister and his ministers is driven entirely by commission distribution, tenders, and corruption, KTR likened the ruling dispensation to a story of 'Ali Baba and 40 Thieves', stating their only conflict is over the division of looted public funds.

The BRS leader accused the government of running a 30% commission racket under the guise of Section 22-A and the prohibited property list, noting that private and government lands across 1.20 crore acres are being manipulated.

He stated that the BRS has documented the major failures of the Congress government and would take these issues to the people.

KTR announced a 7-day intense outreach programme across all 119 constituencies, involving dedicated sessions and protests alongside farmers, women, youth, and welfare beneficiaries.

He asserted that the opposition will aggressively corner the government in the upcoming Assembly session over unfulfilled declarations, economic mismanagement and a deteriorating law and order situation.

On the economy, KTR alleged that Telangana’s financial position had weakened during the Congress government’s tenure. He questioned the utilisation of what he described as Rs 4.5 lakh crore in borrowings and demanded greater transparency on how the borrowed funds had been spent.

KTR further alleged corruption and irregularities in contracts, land transactions and government projects. He said the chargesheet contains details of around 30 alleged scams and controversies and demanded that the government address the allegations transparently.

The BRS leader declared that when his party returns to power in 2008–29, every single rupee of public money swallowed during the past 1,000 days will be thoroughly investigated and recovered.

On agriculture, KTR alleged that farmers had been let down on several fronts, including Rythu Bharosa, crop procurement, fertiliser availability, farmer insurance and loan-related support. He said delays in welfare payments and procurement had added to the problems faced by farmers and alleged that agrarian distress had increased under the Congress government.

He said the education sector was also facing serious problems, particularly due to mounting fee reimbursement dues. He questioned the government’s approach towards government schools and universities and alleged that students were being forced to bear the impact of administrative failures. He also criticised the government’s handling of student protests.

On employment, KTR questioned the implementation of the Congress job calendar and sought clarity on the promise of filling 2 lakh government vacancies. He said unemployed youth who had supported the Congress during the elections were now seeking answers on recruitment and employment opportunities.

KTR alleged that women had also been disappointed by the government’s failure to implement several assurances, including monthly financial assistance. He raised concerns over pending payments under welfare schemes and demanded that the government clear the dues without further delay.

He accused the Congress government of failing to meet its commitments towards BCs, SCs, STs and minorities. KTR alleged that promised financial support, reservations and welfare measures had either not been implemented or had fallen short of the assurances made during the elections.

On government employees and workers, KTR alleged that PRC and DA-related benefits remained pending. He also criticised the government’s handling of Anganwadi and ASHA workers, RTC employees, Singareni workers and other sections seeking better working conditions and financial support.

KTR also raised concerns over Hyderabad’s civic administration. He alleged deterioration in sanitation, infrastructure and public services and criticised the government’s handling of HYDRAA-related actions and property disputes. He also questioned decisions concerning major infrastructure and public transport projects in Hyderabad.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch a month-long nationwide campaign, 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', to mark 25 years of public service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The special campaign will begin on September 17, the Prime Minister's birthday, and continue until October 7, the day that completes 25 years of his journey in public life.

Through this campaign, the party aims to take the key achievements of these 25 years directly to the people and highlight the transformative work undertaken under PM Modi's leadership.

The BJP will organise a series of programmes across the country to showcase the journey from grassroots service to national governance.

The campaign will begin on September 17 with a major event titled "Public Representatives, Public Servants Mahakumbh: From Panchayat to Parliament".

Prime Minister Modi will address the gathering on this occasion.

The programme is designed to bring together public representatives and public servants from the panchayat level to Parliament, underlining the continuum of service and accountability.

A wide range of activities has been planned under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. These include the 'Ashirwad Ka diya (Lamp of Blessings)', 'India of 25 Crore Children's Dreams', 'Namo Seva Gatha', 'Angan Ka Utsav (Festival of the Courtyard)', 'Kahani Badlav Ki (Story of Change)', 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (Developed India Sankalp Yatra)', and the 'Seva Jyoti Yatra'.

Special thematic programmes such as 'Vadnagar se Varanasi', which traces PM Modi's journey from his hometown to the cultural capital, and 'Sewa Mera Yogdan (Service My Contribution)' will also form part of the outreach.

Other key initiatives include the 'Seva Setu Abhiyan – Sarkar Aapke Dwar (Government at Your Doorstep)', aimed at taking governance closer to citizens, along with 'Rangoli Rashtra (Nation)', a 'National Innovation Challenge', and the 'Jansewak (Public Servant) Mahakumbh – from Panchayat to Parliament'. These events are expected to engage citizens, youth, women, and local representatives in large numbers.

BJP leaders said the campaign will not only celebrate the milestones of the past 25 years but also renew the commitment to public service and the vision of a Developed India.

Preparations are in full swing to ensure the message of Seva Sankalp reaches every section of society through creative and participatory programmes.

The month-long "Abhiyan" is being positioned as both a retrospective of achievements and a forward-looking pledge of continued service.

PM Modi charts roadmap for water-secure India, calls for continuous review and people's movement.

Source: IANS

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Kohima, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Authorities in Nagaland are increasingly using drone technology to support natural rubber cultivation, where large-scale plantations have been undertaken with the assistance of the Rubber Board and other organisations, officials said on Wednesday.

Officials said that drone technology is also being utilised to combat Abnormal Leaf Fall disease, which has been affecting rubber plantations, helping in the timely monitoring and management of the disease.

Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Wednesday held a review meeting with officials of the Rubber Board Regional Office, Dimapur, at Lok Bhavan, Kohima.

During the meeting, the Governor reviewed the progress and initiatives undertaken by the Rubber Board for the development and expansion of rubber cultivation in Nagaland.

The officials presented an overview of the status of rubber plantations, production, infrastructure development, farmer training and welfare initiatives across the state. As of March 31, 2026, Nagaland has a total rubber planted area of 29,794.39 hectares, comprising 11,977.71 hectares of mature plantations and 17,816.68 hectares of immature plantations.

The state recorded a total production of 13,617.21 MT of rubber, with a productivity of 1,166.03 kg per hectare, the officials said.

The meeting also reviewed key initiatives of the Rubber Board, including the INROAD Project, Group Processing Centres (GPCs), Farmer Education and Training programmes, Tappers' Intensive Skill Improvement Programme (TISP), skill development initiatives and disease intervention measures.

Under the INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) Project, efforts are being made towards large-scale plantation development and strengthening the rubber ecosystem in the Northeast.

The project aims to promote sustainable expansion of rubber cultivation and improve the livelihoods of rubber growers.

The Governor was also apprised of the establishment of Group Processing Centres aimed at facilitating collective processing, improving the quality of rubber sheets and reducing processing costs for individual growers.

Emphasis is also being placed on capacity building through on-field training, practical demonstrations, awareness programmes and exposure visits for rubber growers.

The Rubber Board has further intensified efforts to address the shortage of skilled tappers through the Tappers' Intensive Skill Improvement Programme, which provides hands-on training in scientific rubber tapping practices.

Drone-based spraying of Copper Oxychloride has been undertaken across selected areas of Wokha, Peren and Niuland districts, covering a total of 171.15 hectares.

The meeting deliberated on the challenges confronting the rubber sector, including poor rural road connectivity, shortage of skilled tappers, dependence on outside labour, inadequate marketing channels and damage to plantations caused by wildlife.

According to the officials, the future plans of the Rubber Board include the continuation of Farmer Education and Training programmes, expansion of skill development initiatives, establishment of additional Group Processing Centres and close coordination with the Nagaland government Department of Land Resources, Government of Nagaland.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) With the two successive hotel fire incidents in West Bengal last month killing a total of 18 persons, nine in each case, the state Fire services on Wednesday had announced major reshuffle within the department.

Of the two hotel fires, one was at Tarapith in Birbhum district and the other was at Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata.

The state Fire Services department had announced the transfers of a total of 17 Divisional Fire Officers (DFOs).

The 17 transferred DFOs include Subhankar Ghosh, who was till date the DFO South Kolkata Division, under whose jurisdiction the hotel at Mirza Ghalib Street came.

Ghosh had been replaced by Nihar Ranjan Roy, the erstwhile DFO of North 24 Parganas district.

The current DFO of Birbhum Division of the state Fire Services department, Arindam Debnath, under whose jurisdiction the Tarapith Hotel came, had been transferred as the DFO of Bankura Division.

The erstwhile Bankura Division, Shyam Sundar Dey had replaced Debnath as the Birbhum Division DFO.

Recently, a hotel fire broke out in the areas under both South Kolkata and Birbhum divisions of the state fire services department.

A fire broke out in a hotel in Mirza Ghalib Street area of ​​New Market last month. A total of nine people, among which Bangladeshi citizens were also those who were killed.

A couple of days before that, a similar fire broke out at a Hotel at Tarapith in Birbhum district, which also took a toll of nine lives.

In both cases, gross negligence in the fire safety norms were detected by the state fire services department.

In the backdrop of these two mishaps, these large-scale transfers of the DFOs, especially those at South Kolkata and Birbhum divisions appeared quite significant.

The state government, however, described such transfers as routine ones.

Amid two successive hotel fire events at Tarapith and Mirza Ghalib Street, the state government has started the exercise of reviewing and correcting the internal flaws in the chain of granting different licenses for hotels, lodges and guesthouses in the state.

The Bharatiya Janata Party government had decided to tighten norms for granting of two crucial permissions namely "fire safety certificates" and "fire licenses".

Source: IANS

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