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Guwahati, Jan 12 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that the Panchayat elections will be held in April.

Sarma told reporters here, “The High Court (Gauhati) has given the permission today to conduct Panchayat elections. However we have lost the time as if we start from today, the elections can be held in mid-February. But we have examinations of class 10 and 12 in the next month and conducting an election at that time will create a lot of troubles for the students in the villages. Moreover, it will be difficult to get halls for counting of votes.”

The CM said that the state administration will look into the possibility of conducting Panchayat elections in April. “The panchayat polls will likely to happen around Bihu in April,” he added.

The High Court had previously ordered that no notification for the Panchayat elections should be issued until January 8. However, the state government has sought reconsideration of this decision, citing concerns over the need to proceed with the elections as planned.

In response, the court has instructed the plaintiffs to submit their replies by Sunday (January 12). Additionally, the court has directed that those copies of the government’s application be served to the parties involved today, ensuring transparency in the legal proceedings.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier announced that the Panchayat elections would be held as per the original schedule. But the administration could not proceed with the notification of polls due to bar from the court. The government requested the court to allow the elections to take place without further legal entanglements, emphasising the need for the polls to proceed in panchayats despite ongoing cases.

The court’s decision follows multiple petitions filed due to discrepancies in the constituency redetermination process. These petitions argue that the elections should be postponed until these errors are rectified.

--IANS

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Dumka, Jan 12 (IANS) The mobile phone of a Rajasthan High Court judge was stolen at the famous Basukinath temple in Jharkhand's Dumka on January 1, despite tight security at the spot, prompting immediate action by the police.

Within days, the case was cracked, leading to the busting of an inter-state gang of mobile thieves and the recovery of eight stolen mobile phones, including the judge's device.

According to Shyamanand Mandal, officer-in-charge of the Jarmundi police station, the theft took place during New Year’s Day at the Basukinath Dham temple, a popular pilgrimage site which attracts thousands of devotees, making it an attractive target for organised theft.

Along with the judge, several other devotees also reported stolen mobile phones. An FIR was promptly registered at the Jarmundi police station, and a special investigation team was formed under senior police officials.

Leveraging technical evidence and intelligence inputs, the team launched a series of raids across multiple locations. The first breakthrough came with the arrest of two suspects from Babupur village in the Teenpahar police station area of Sahibganj district. Their interrogation provided leads that resulted in the arrest of two more gang members from areas near the Bihar-West Bengal-Bangladesh border. In addition to the judge's mobile phone, several other stolen devices were recovered.

The investigation revealed that the arrested thieves were part of a larger inter-state mobile theft network operating out of the Tinpahar area in Sahibganj district. This region has gained notoriety as a hub for mobile theft operations, with multiple gangs running "Pathshalas" (training schools) to train children in pickpocketing and theft techniques.

After completing their training, the children are deployed to crowded places such as temples, markets, and railway stations, both locally and in big cities across the country. These operations are meticulously planned, with gang leaders assigning specific tasks and closely monitoring the young recruits.

The Tinpahar gangs have been implicated in similar incidents in the past, with police records showing that Ranchi police recently apprehended members of a similar gang from the same area.

The arrested individuals were produced in court and subsequently sent to jail. Meanwhile, the police are continuing their investigations to trace other members of the gang and recover additional stolen items.

The theft, which occurred despite the presence of heightened security measures due to the judge's visit, raises serious concerns about the safety of devotees at prominent religious sites. The police have assured the public that measures are being strengthened to prevent such incidents in the future.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large gathering of the youth at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue on National Youth Day on Sunday. The interaction marked the event with several unprecedented initiatives.

Addressing the young India, PM Modi stressed the significance of setting big goals for India’s development by 2047. He also urged the youth to step out of their comfort zones to achieve these objectives.

The event was remarkable for its many “firsts”. PM Modi spent a remarkable six hours with the young leaders, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., engaging in discussions and interactions on various topics and subjects.

The event started off with an exhibition where PM Modi held interactions with the youth and witnessed a range of innovative ideas that showcased their creativity and problem-solving abilities.

During the event, 10 young leaders presented their ideas on diverse topics, including sustainable development, integrating technology with agriculture, and strategies to transform India into a manufacturing and startup hub.

PM Modi shared his insights with the leaders, offering suggestions and urging them to work towards these goals. He emphasised the importance of their contributions in realising a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

Around 3000 young minds from across the country participated in these enriching discussions, providing a platform for open dialogue and idea exchange.

In a unique first, PM Modi also had lunch with the young leaders, engaging in thought-provoking conversations at the lunch table. During the lunch, young girls from the Northeast interacted with the Prime Minister, offering a chance for regional representation and inclusion in the discussions.

The event concluded with PM Modi delivering an inspiring speech, presenting his vision for India’s future and calling on the youth to join the journey towards a prosperous and developed nation. He urged them to become catalysts for change, drawing from the innovative ideas shared throughout the day.

This dialogue not only set a new precedent in youth engagement but also reflected the government’s commitment to empowering the younger generation as leaders of the future.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Underscoring the role of youth in shaping the nation's future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked them to step out of their comfort zones and embrace risks to achieve the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

Addressing 3,000 young leaders on the occasion of National Youth Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, PM Modi said while the goal of Viksit Bharat is significant, it is not impossible, dispelling the views of naysayers.

“With the collective efforts of millions of young people driving the wheels of progress, the nation will undoubtedly reach its target,” he said.

PM Modi warned against complacency, urging the youth to step out of their comfort zones.

"We must avoid getting used to our comfort zone. Comfort zones can be dangerous. Progress requires taking risks and pushing boundaries. The youth participating in this dialogue have already demonstrated this by stepping out of their comfort zones to be here. This life mantra will take you to new heights of success," PM Modi said.

"Many of the world's largest companies are being run by Indian youth. The entire world admires the potential of Indian youth. We have a 25-year golden period, an Amrit Kaal, and I am fully confident that India's Yuva Shakti will make India a developed nation," he said.

"Achieving big goals is not solely the responsibility of government machinery but requires the collective effort of every citizen," PM Modi said, highlighting the importance of deliberation, direction, and ownership in achieving national objectives.

The Prime Minister remarked that the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue exemplifies this process, led by the youth who participated in quizzes, essay competitions, and presentations.

He commended the youth for their expansive thinking and active participation in discussions with experts, ministers, and policymakers.

The Prime Minister announced that the ideas and suggestions from the Young Leaders Dialogue will now become part of national policies, guiding the country's development.

He congratulated the youth and reiterated his commitment to bringing one lakh new young people into politics, encouraging them to participate actively in implementing their suggestions.

PM Modi praised the achievements of the younger generation over the past decade, stating: "In just 10 years, you have propelled India to become one of the top three startup ecosystems globally, advanced India in the manufacturing sector, popularised the Digital India initiative worldwide, and made significant strides in sports. If India's youth can make the impossible possible, they will undoubtedly make Viksit Bharat a reality."

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to empowering youth, emphasising efforts to expand educational infrastructure.

"Every week, a new university is being established in India. Every day, a new ITI is being set up. Every third day, a new Atal Tinkering Lab is being opened. Additionally, two new colleges are being established daily. Today, there are 23 IITs in the country. In just one decade, the number of IIITs has increased from nine to 25, while the number of IIMs has risen from 13 to 21. The number of AIIMS has tripled, and medical colleges have nearly doubled," he said.

He also pointed to the growing global recognition of India's educational institutions.

Highlighting that India is now nearly a $4 trillion economy, the Prime Minister said that the current infrastructure budget is over Rs 11 lakh crore, nearly six times higher than a decade ago, and more is being spent on railways alone than the entire infrastructure budget of 2014.

He noted that this increased budget is evident in India's changing landscape, with Bharat Mandapam being a beautiful example.

“India is rapidly moving towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, which will greatly expand development and facilities,” said PM Modi.

Expressing confidence that by the end of the next decade India will surpass the $10 trillion economy mark, PM Modi said that the young generation will not only drive the greatest transformation in the country's history but also be its biggest beneficiary.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Politics over slum dwellers intensified in election-bound Delhi on Sunday with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal telling jhuggi residents that voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would amount to signing their “own suicide notes”. Hitting back, the BJP called him a habitual liar.

Calling the BJP 'a party of the rich', Kejriwal said it would take away the land of slum dwellers and displace residents of 4 lakh jhuggis in the national capital.

Kejriwal's allegation, which came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assurance of a pucca house to slum dwellers in Delhi, was refuted by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri who claimed that the AAP government never allowed implementation of PM AWAS scheme for affordable housing in Delhi in the past 10 years.

"BJP deals with slums through rehabilitation," said Puri, asserting that the BJP delivers what it promises.

Hardeep Puri described Kejriwal as a "factory of lies", saying when the latter was the Delhi Chief Minister, he did not allow the implementation of PM AWAS Yojana under which the Central government has built 4 crore houses for the poor in urban and rural areas in the country since 2015.

“The BJP does what it promises. You can check out poll manifestos for 2014, 2019 and 2024. We have built 4,000 flats for Delhi slum dwellers – in Kalkaji, Jailorwala Bagh and Kathputli colony," Puri said, adding that 3 crore more affordable homes for the poor are going to be built under PM AWAS in coming days.

On Kejriwal’s allegation that the BJP only loves the land of slum dwellers and its leaders spend nights in slum clusters just before elections, Puri said: "Kejriwal's story is over. Delhi deserves better."

"Kejriwal has some kind of problem due to which he has been making statements on the BJP's behalf. Sometimes he says reservations will end if BJP comes to power... who is he to make the announcement about our CM candidate face?" Hardeep Puri questioned.

Kejriwal has not fulfilled even a single guarantee he had made before the elections and is blocking the Central government's plans to give homes to slum dwellers, he said.

Hardeep Puri also hit out at the AAP government for the Rs 2,026 crore bungling in the liquor scam, adding that apart from the corruption, what is shocking is that they built vends at places that were close to religious places and educational institutions.

They are the same party or government who assaulted their own chief secretary, took away files from an official's room after a raid and undertook vigilante raids against foreign students.

“So, my answer is that they only indulge in gimmickry. They have mismanaged funds in Delhi Jal Board also,” he said.

--IANS

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Shirdi, Jan 12 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday claimed that Maharashtra's grand victory of BJP-led MahaYuti has brought the country's politics back on track as it buried the politics of betrayal played by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

Maharashtra witnessed instability during 1978 and 2024 but the BJP workers did the work of giving a stable government at this time, the Home Minister added.

“You taught a lesson to those who opposed Hindutva and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development politics. You made the real Shiv Sena and the real nationalist win the Assembly elections. You rejected those who did dynasty politics,” he said while addressing the state party meeting organised to celebrate the landslide victory of BJP-led MahaYuti in the Assembly election.

At the beginning of his speech, HM Shah targeted Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. “Sharad Pawar had rebelled in 1978. The people of Maharashtra have taught him a lesson for the politics of betrayal that he had practised at that time. After that Uddhav Thackeray also betrayed us in 2019. He abandoned the thoughts of Balasaheb Thackeray. You did the work of teaching Uddhav Thackeray a lesson. You showed him his place in the Assembly elections,” he said.

The Home Minister heaped a praise over the party karyakartas for their work and contribution in the BJP’s thumping win. “The architects of this great victory are the workers of BJP. I salute all of you. I also thank the people of Maharashtra on behalf of BJP workers. All of you have given a hard slap on the face of those who do dynasty politics and play politics of betrayal and deception and sent them home. The people of Maharashtra have decided that Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena is Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP is the real NCP,” he remarked.

“We all know that the basis of our party's work is organisation. The foundation of our winning elections is our strong organisation. Our warrior at the booth is our commander. I want to tell my workers that the chain of development is possible only when you unfurl the saffron flag from the Panchayat to the Parliament -- BJP from the Panchayat to the Parliament, BJP in Maharashtra and BJP in the country. It is the tradition of BJP that we do what we say,” Shah thundered.

He praised the state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule for leading the party during election and its stellar performance.

HM Shah exhorted the party workers to work hard and with same dedication to continue the victory march of BJP-led MahaYuti in the upcoming local and civic body elections defeating the Maha Vikas Aghadi. “BJP from Panchayat to Parliament, is our goal and for that the BJP-led MahaYuti should be in each and every seat for the crushing defeat of the Maha Vikas Aghadi,” he said.

“We have fulfilled countless promises, whether it is building the Ram temple in Ayodhya, whether it is removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, whether it is about providing houses to 4 crore poor people, whether it is about providing electricity, water or health security. The left wing extremism will be eliminated by April 2026,” said Shah.

Shah praised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who led the party to the grand victory in Maharashtra, saying that he will strive to fulfil a slew of promises made to the people of state including making Maharashtra drought free in the next five years.

He criticised Sharad Pawar saying that the state continues to reel under drought and witness farmers suicides despite he had been the agriculture minister, chief minister and associated with agriculture and cooperative movement for a long period. “During the third term, Devendra Fadnavis with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in a position to provide water in every farm,” he claimed.

HM Shah said that the BJP-led NDA is getting stronger while the disintegration of INDI Alliance has begun. He predicted BJP’s grand victory in Delhi Assembly elections, asking the cadres to be ready on February 8 for mega celebration.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) The poor state of roads in Okhla constituency in south Delhi has left the area residents angry with a few Jasola villagers on Sunday pointing to frequent accidents taking place due to potholes and water-logging.

“We have seen repairs taking place in other areas of the constituency but Jasola village has just been ignored by legislator Amanatullah Khan,” area resident Mohd. Shahdab told IANS.

He said accidents are frequent on this stretch. “Road repairs have taken place in nearby colonies like Shaheen Bagh and Abul Fazal Enclave but in Jasola village the repairs have been few and far between.”

After rains, slush gets collected on the road which adds to the problem as potholes are difficult to detect, he said, adding that about a week ago some repair had started but it stopped abruptly.

“There are accidents taking place in the area every day,” he alleged.

Ameen, an e-rickshaw driver, said, “Our three-wheeled vehicles overturn due to the pot-holed roads in the area. I am not the only one complaining, everyone here is suffering from poor roads in Jasola village.”

Another e-rickshaw driver said residents have been putting up with broken roads for the past one year.

The AAP legislator is not paying any attention towards the plight of residents, he said.

“Just two days ago, an e-rickshaw overturned and those travelling on the vehicle received injuries in the head,” he said.

The residents’ complaints about the poor condition of roads in Jasola village come in the backdrop of the local legislator facing allegations of wrongdoing related to corruption and money laundering during his tenure as the chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board between 2016 and 2021.

The Enforcement Directorate’s case against Amanatullah Khan was related to a CBI FIR against him for alleged illegal appointments of employees in the Board.

The CBI alleged that the illegal appointments in the Board caused significant financial losses to the government.

Khan was arrested on September 2, 2024 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 but was granted bail later.

-- IANS

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Ranchi, Jan 12 (IANS) The Delhi and Jharkhand Police have uncovered a plan to establish a training camp for the terrorist organisation Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) on Nakata Hill, located at the border of Ranchi and Latehar districts in Jharkhand.

This revelation emerged during the interrogation of AQIS operatives arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Delhi Police's Special Cell and the Jharkhand Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) two days ago.

Shahbaz Ansari, a key operative arrested two days ago from the Senha police station area of Lohardaga, provided crucial information about AQIS's activities in Jharkhand during the interrogation.

The mastermind behind the AQIS plans in the region was Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed, a radiologist at a private hospital in Ranchi. Dr Ahmed, who was apprehended by the Delhi Police Special Cell in August, had formed a terror module named the "Ranchi Radical Group" (RRG) to recruit and train individuals for extremist activities.

The raid in August last year had also uncovered AQIS's plans to expand its influence across multiple Indian states, including Jharkhand.

Ansari revealed that the module primarily targeted less-educated and working-class persons, who were indoctrinated to join the AQIS. He has also disclosed the names of several other suspects, prompting ATS efforts to gather further intelligence on these individuals.

To indoctrinate recruits, AQIS provided various propaganda materials and speeches. Four individuals from Jharkhand were sent to Rajasthan for training in handling weapons and planning attacks. Upon their return, a plan was in place to establish a training camp under their supervision in Ranchi.

In connection with this case, several arrests have been made so far, including Dr Ahmed (Ranchi), Faizan Ahmed (Hazaribagh), Mohd Modavir, Mohd Rizwan, Mufti Rahmatullah Majhiri, Matiur Rahman, Iltaf Ansari, and Enamul Ansari.

These arrests were made from the Chanho police station area in Ranchi.

Investigations are still going on to dismantle the terror network and prevent further activities in the region.

The AQIS is a regional branch of Al Qaeda, active in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The group has been involved in various terrorist activities and plots, posing a major threat to regional stability and security.

Authorities are intensifying their efforts to dismantle AQIS networks and prevent further attempts to radicalise vulnerable individuals.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, is set to inaugurate 40 livestock projects worth more than Rs 545 crore on Monday.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is organising an ‘Entrepreneurship Development Conclave’ in Pune where the Union Minister will be the Chief Guest, it was announced on Sunday.

The objective of the event is to unite policymakers, federations, cooperatives, industry associations, entrepreneurs and financial institutions to unlock the potential of the livestock sector.

“It provides a platform to the stakeholders to discuss challenges, share solutions, promote entrepreneurship, provide value addition and sustainable practices to catalyse growth for the sector,” said the ministry.

The government is implementing flagship schemes such as the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) with an outlay of Rs 29,110.25 crore and National Livestock Mission (NLM) with an outlay of Rs 2,300 crore.

“By showcasing opportunities under NLM and AHIDF, the conclave seeks to drive inclusive growth and empower rural farmers and small enterprises,” the ministry informed.

The conclave will also entail the inauguration of the National Livestock Mission - Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NLM - EDP) Dashboard that provides an organised summary of key information of the entire project to the public.

The event will also see the release of National Livestock Mission Operational Guidelines 2.0 and success story booklets.

The conclave will also have panel discussions that will witness participation from government, industry leaders along with financial institutions, banks, cooperatives, and representatives from federations and industry associations.

The Cabinet-approved National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) scheme also marks a transformative shift in Indian agriculture.

The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 2,481 crore of which the government of India's share is Rs 1,584 crore while the state share is Rs 897 crore, till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).

The government has launched the NMNF to promote natural farming in a mission mode across the country under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

—IANS

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Chennai, Jan 12 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Sunday criticised Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over his ‘chlidish’ jibe, saying the latter’s arrogance was not appropriate.

The Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan, in a post on the social media platform X, said: “Stalin asserts that insisting on due respect for the National Anthem and performing the fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution is ‘absurd’ and ‘childish.’ Thanks for betraying the true intentions of the coalition of interests and ideologies to which he is a leader that does not accept or respect Bharat as a nation and Her Constitution.”

“Such arrogance is not good. Please do not forget that Bharat is the supreme Mother, and the Constitution is the supreme faith for her children. They will not like or tolerate such brazen insults,” Governor R.N. Ravi added.

The Governor’s response came a day after Chief Minister Stalin criticised him, calling his decision to skip the customary Assembly address “childish.” The controversy began on January 6 when Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly without delivering the customary inaugural address.

According to the Raj Bhavan, the Governor left “in deep anguish” because the National Anthem was not played.

In his rebuttal during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, Stalin alleged that Ravi’s actions stemmed from his inability to “digest” Tamil Nadu’s progress.

He remarked: “The Tamil Nadu Assembly has been witnessing strange scenes ever since Ravi assumed office as Governor. In 2022, he delivered his address without altering the speech, but in the following years, he avoided the customary address, citing absurd reasons.”

Stalin further stated, “I may be an ordinary person, but this Legislative Assembly came into existence because of the aspirations of crores of people. I believe the Governor cannot tolerate the state’s development.”

--IANS

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