India

Jammu, April 6 (IANS) MoS (PMO) and Lok Sabha member from J&K’s Udhampur constituency, Jitendra Singh, on Monday announced a slew of developmental milestones for Udhampur, including an ATR flight within six months and subsequently a full-fledged airport.​

Jitendra Singh said on X today, “Udhampur DISHA meeting highlights:​

“Aviation milestone: Process of land transfer for a full-fledged civilian airport has begun. Meanwhile, tenders were floated for the construction of an interim block on the existing premises to start the ATR flight within the next six months or so.​

“Healthcare boost: Army Command Hospital to extend regular super-speciality services to civilians, significantly enhancing access to advanced medical care in the district.​

“Local economy upliftment through food entrepreneurship: An ambitious project of traditional milk product ‘Kaladi’ taken up by the state-of-the-art ‘Food Technology and Research Institute’, Mysuru, Karnataka, to develop a range of Kaladi’s extended shelf-life delicious recipes to be served through leading food chains within India and abroad.​

“Agri Start-ups: Lavender cultivation, started from Bhaderwah, reaches the upper reaches of Latti.​

“Connectivity: Dhar Road upgradation started.​

“Express Road Corridor from Delhi to Katra is in the last phase of completion.​

“From the MP Fund, an ambulance was donated to the Government Medical College, Udhampur.”​

Singh has been serving as the 18th Minister of Science and Technology and 12th Minister of Earth Sciences since 2024.​

He is the MoS for the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; and Department of Space.​

He was elected to the 18th Lok Sabha from Udhampur with a majority of 124,373 votes. He has won all three Lok Sabha elections that he fought from Udhampur for the Bharatiya Janata Party. He won this seat consecutively in 2014, 2019, and 2024.​

He is a Bharatiya Janata Party national executive member and was the chief spokesperson for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. ​

He won the Udhampur seat in the Indian general elections of 2014 and 2019, with the highest-ever margin of votes for the 16th and 17th Lok Sabhas. ​

He retained the seat in 2024 for the 18th Lok Sabha.​

--IANS

sq/dan

Agartala, April 6 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday asserted that people are increasingly aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) due to its development-driven agenda, while sharply criticising opposition parties ahead of the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.

Addressing an election rally at Dasda Bazar in North Tripura in support of BJP candidate Shailendra Nath, Saha said the party’s guiding principle is “nation first, then party, and finally the individual”, contrasting it with parties like the Tipra Motha Party and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), which he claimed prioritise individuals or party interests over the nation.

“In this TTAADC election, the Tipra Motha Party must be reduced to zero. There is no difference in policy between the All India Trinamool Congress and Tipra Motha,” he said.

Highlighting the BJP’s growth, the Chief Minister said the party, founded in 1980 with the involvement of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has risen from having just two Members of Parliament to leading the country for three consecutive terms under PM Modi.

Calling the 2026 TTAADC elections significant, Saha said the BJP is set to contest 28 seats in the council, describing it as a historic move. “For years, politics dominated the TTAADC without meaningful development. The communists, who once claimed strong electoral dominance, have now lost public support,” he said, alleging corruption during the long tenure of Left rule in the state.

Saha also appealed to voters to ensure a decisive victory for BJP candidate Shailendra Nath from the Dasda-Kanchanpur constituency in the April 12 polls.

Referring to local issues, the Chief Minister said he has taken up concerns related to displaced Bengalis in Kanchanpur with Home Minister Shah, expressing hope for a permanent solution soon.

Drawing parallels with West Bengal politics, Saha alleged similarities between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Tipra Motha, and claimed that incidents of political violence have increased since the BJP announced candidates for 28 seats. “Reports of attacks, including on party workers and properties, have emerged from around 40 locations. The situation mirrors that of West Bengal,” he said.

The rally was attended by local leaders, including party MLA Jadab Lal Nath, North District BJP President Kajal Kumar Das, and other party members.

The 30-member TTAADC, comprising 28 elected representatives and two members nominated by the state government, is scheduled to go to the polls on April 12.

Since 2021, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), BJP’s ally, has governed the strategically important council, which administers nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km geographical area.

Ahead of the upcoming TTAADC polls, major political parties, including the BJP, TMP and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), as well as opposition parties such as the CPI(M) and Congress, have intensified efforts to consolidate support among tribal voters. Both the TMP and the IPFT are tribal-based regional parties.

--IANS

sc/pgh

Gandhinagar, April 6 (IANS) With less than three weeks remaining for Gujarat’s extensive local body elections, the state’s top police leadership has directed an intensified crackdown on criminals and preventive action across districts to ensure a “free and fair” polling process.

The directive was issued at a high-level review meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Dr K.L.N. Rao on Monday, who convened all Police Commissioners and District Police Chiefs via video conference from Police Bhavan.

The meeting focused on reviewing law and order arrangements ahead of polling scheduled for April 26.

According to officials, the elections will cover a wide spectrum of local bodies, including 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats and 260 taluka panchayats, with counting set for April 28.

Voting is expected to take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. using electronic voting machines, with over 4 crore voters eligible to participate.

During the meeting, Rao instructed all police units to undertake preventive measures and register the maximum possible cases under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA).

He directed strict action against long-absconding accused and history-sheeters, emphasising the need to curb potential threats ahead of polling.

“Free and fair voting must be ensured in the state,” Rao said, calling for heightened vigilance and coordinated enforcement.

The Model Code of Conduct has been in force since April 1, and the police have been tasked with providing the final operational push to the election process.

ADGP (ATS) Amit Vishwakarma has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate security and enforcement measures.

The election schedule stipulates that nominations will close on April 11, with April 15 being the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

In addition, a by-election to the Umreth Assembly constituency is scheduled for April 23.

Senior officers have been directed to intensify combing operations in sensitive districts and closely monitor illegal arms movement and prohibition-related offences.

Rao also ordered the immediate execution of non-bailable warrants and enhanced surveillance of identified troublemakers.

Security arrangements are being scaled up significantly, with around 9,000 trained LRD recruits and personnel from the Forest Department to be deployed on election duty.

Officers recently transferred have been instructed to assume charge within 24 hours and carry out ground inspections of polling stations and sensitive locations.

Authorities are also factoring in past incidents, including offences reported during the 2021 elections in districts such as Dahod, with additional forces to be deployed in vulnerable areas.

Intensive checking will be conducted along interstate borders.

The police have been asked to maintain close coordination with District Election Officers and Collectors, strengthen VIP security protocols, and upgrade communication systems.

Following the publication of the final list of candidates after April 15, foot and mobile patrolling will be further intensified.

Teams from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) based in Gandhinagar will carry out continuous monitoring to prevent any untoward incidents, with officials stating that all measures are aimed at ensuring that voters can exercise their franchise without fear.

--IANS

mys/uk

Jaipur, April 6 (IANS) As a division bench of the Rajasthan High Court upheld a single bench order cancelling the Sub-Inspector (SI) Recruitment Exam 2021 over allegations of paper leak and impersonation, veteran Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Monday asked the ruling BJP government to “do their job” and stop blaming the previous Congress government.

Speaking to the media, Gehlot said, “Proceed in accordance with the law. We were in power then; they are in power now. At that time, incidents of question paper leaks were being reported across the country -- in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar -- almost everywhere. There was a nationwide environment in which organised criminal gangs involved in such activities were operating across multiple states.

“Now, how long will they keep blaming us? Two years have already passed. It is difficult to understand when they will actually begin taking responsibility and doing their job,” he added.

Gehlot said the current government should focus on fulfilling its responsibilities. “Let them do their work. Let the judiciary function independently; let the SOG do its duty; let the ACB act as required. Those who deserve punishment should be punished; those who belong in jail should be sent to jail. Who is stopping them? Instead, they are merely wasting time by targeting the previous government with the sole aim of maligning its image. How long do they intend to continue like this?” he questioned.

Responding to a question regarding a statement made by the son of Kanhaiya Lal, the Udaipur-based tailor killed by terrorists, who claimed that he has not yet received justice, Gehlot said, “I have never witnessed such shamelessness. The Home Minister claims that the state government has failed to constitute a special court. But were we ever asked to do so? Our government demitted office just a few months later. So what is the point of raising this issue now?

“Those who deserve to be jailed should be sent to jail; who is stopping them? Instead, they are wasting time targeting the previous government in an attempt to malign its reputation. How long will this continue?” he asked.

--IANS

arc/pgh

Porbandar, April 6 (IANS) Union Sports Minister and Porbandar MP Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday expressed grief over the deaths of four youths in a road accident near Porbandar airport, describing the incident as “extremely shocking and heart‑wrenching”.​

In a post on X, Mandaviya said: “The news of the untimely demise of promising youths in a road accident near Porbandar airport is extremely shocking and heart‑rending. I pray that God grants peace to the departed souls and gives strength to the bereaved families to bear this unbearable loss.”​

The accident occurred in the early hours on Airport Road in Porbandar when two motorcycles collided head‑on.​

Five youths were travelling on two bikes that were reportedly speeding at the time of the crash.​

The impact threw all of them onto the road, leaving them critically injured.​

Local residents and emergency responders rushed to the scene and transported the injured to the hospital via an 108 ambulance.​

Three of the youths were declared dead on arrival, while another succumbed to injuries during treatment at Bhavsinhji Hospital in Porbandar.​

One survivor remains under treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar.​

Those who lost their lives have been identified as 26‑year‑old Milan Badarshahi, 18‑year‑old Dipesh Dhakecha, 17‑year‑old Vanraj Jhala, and 24‑year‑old Piyush Lodhari.​

The injured, 14‑year‑old Pratik Nilesh Jethwa, is reported to be undergoing treatment, with his condition said to be stable.​

Preliminary information indicates that three of the victims were returning from a condolence bhajan programme in Ranavav when their motorcycle collided with another bike travelling in the opposite direction.​

The collision, which occurred between around 5.00 a.m. and 5.40 a.m., left debris scattered across the road, and both motorcycles were severely damaged.​

Police personnel reached the scene shortly after the incident and registered a case of accidental death.​

Investigators are examining CCTV footage and questioning witnesses to establish the cause of the collision. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post‑mortem.​

--IANS

mys/dan

Baramati, April 6 (IANS) In a sharp rebuke to the Congress party, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar on Monday expressed strong displeasure over its recent political manoeuvres in Maharashtra, especially its move to contest the Baramati bypoll, warning that the “mature party” may face a significant backlash from the public.​

He characterised the Congress party’s recent actions as a sign of decline. “It is extremely wrong for such a mature party, which has such senior leaders, to take this decision. I feel this is the downfall of Congress in Maharashtra,” he commented.​

Speaking to the press regarding the current political friction, Parth Pawar clarified that there has been no formal dialogue between the two sides recently. ​

He questioned the strategic direction of the Congress high command, stating, “I haven’t spoken to anyone. They [Congress] should understand what needs to be done. I don't know about their national leadership; they are all big people, and everyone knows what is happening.”​

He warned that the party might be underestimating the public’s affection for “Dada” (Ajit Pawar). “If they have made a decision, let them. But they will later see the trouble it causes them in Maharashtra. People do not forget.”​

“We cannot stop anyone. When the time comes, you have to face it. We will face it; we aren’t going to call anyone. Whatever is written in fate, we shall see. I just feel bad for the state of the Congress party,” said Parth Pawar.​

Pawar’s comment suggested a deepening rift within the alliance, signalling that the NCP is prepared to move forward independently of Congress’s current stance. ​

By invoking “fate” and refusing to initiate further negotiations, he signalled a “wait and watch” approach, placing the onus of any future fallout squarely on the Congress leadership.​

Meanwhile, the Congress party has shot back, sharply attacking Parth Pawar over his comment. ​

“Isn't it a bit too much for a son, who can't even deliver a speech properly and has just become an MP thanks to the accumulated merits of his family, to be talking about the downfall of the Congress party?” asked the Congress party.​

In its post on X, the Congress party further stated: “It would be better if this ungrateful son, who stayed silent as a political convenience to escape scrutiny in the land scam investigation right after his father's suspicious accidental death, and who surrendered before the superpower, simply refrained from speaking about the Congress party altogether.”​

“To secure justice, the Karnataka government filed an FIR in their state; there, the government belongs to the Congress party, and the official candidate of the Congress party in the Baramati Assembly by‑election is demanding that the suspicious accident be registered as a crime in Maharashtra, threatening to withdraw from the election. Shouldn't this ungrateful son speak up about this, too?” asked the Congress party.​

--IANS

sj/dan

​

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) The government on Monday said that Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment and operation of a dedicated indigenous Testing Centre for conducting trials, performance evaluation and certification of Full Body Scanners (FBS) and other security screening equipment used at Indian airports.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said this a natural extension of the NDA government’s twin focus on security research and capacity building.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strengthening security through focused research, innovation and capacity building has remained a core priority. It is primarily about building an Atmanirbhar Bharat, Atma-Surakshit Bharat,” the minister said.

The partnership creates a formal institutional framework for cooperation between BCAS and RRU in the areas of testing, certification, research, training and standards development relating to aviation security equipment.

It is aimed at strengthening India’s aviation security ecosystem through a credible, independent and scientifically rigorous mechanism for assessment and regulatory support.

Under the MoU, RRU, in collaboration with BCAS, will establish and maintain a dedicated Testing Centre for conducting trials of Full Body Scanners and other aviation security equipment in accordance with directives issued by BCAS.

The Centre will undertake independent evaluation, verification and certification of the specifications and performance of equipment supplied by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and submit impartial and scientifically robust assessment reports for regulatory consideration.

“I strongly believe that by combining the regulatory authority of BCAS with the technical prowess of RRU, we will build an indigenous ecosystem for security equipment certification, which will resonate with international practices such as those overseen by the TSA in the United States and ECAC in Europe,” said Naidu.

The MoU also provides for the establishment of state-of-the-art testing laboratories at RRU, aligned with global standards, to carry out rigorous performance, safety and interoperability assessments.

This will support the development of an institutionalised accreditation framework to ensure that only equipment meeting prescribed technical and operational benchmarks is considered for deployment in critical aviation security environments.

The MoU further envisages cooperation in academics, research, extension and training programmes for mutual benefit.

Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Rajesh Nirwan, DG, BCAS and Dr. Bimal Patel, Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Raksha University, were also present at the event.

—IANS

na/

Kolkata, April 6 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has placed the Inspector-in-Charge (IC) of Naihati police station under the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal under suspension for allegedly carrying the Chairman of Naihati Municipality, a political leader, to the SDO office during the nomination process, an ECI insider said on Monday.

The move by the ECI came after BJP leader Arjun Singh, a former Lok Sabha member from Barrackpore constituency, highlighted the incident and shared a video on social media, urging the poll panel to take action.

In the post, the BJP leader wrote, “The @ECISVEEP is trying very hard to ensure that the @WBPolice performs in a very impartial manner, but habit is a habit. Ashok Chatterjee, the Chairman of Naihati Municipality and a leader of @AITCofficial in Naihati, gets down from a police vehicle at the SDO office in Barrackpore.”

According to him, the vehicle is used by the Naihati police station under the Barrackpore City Police.

He further wrote, “Mr Chatterjee was there to attend the nomination process of the @AITCofficial candidate from Naihati. I would like to draw the attention of the office of @ECISVEEP and @CEOWestBengal about the misuse of a police vehicle by TMC leaders and take necessary action.”

This is not the first instance of the ECI suspending police officers in West Bengal for alleged dereliction of duty during Assembly polls.

Four police personnel of Kolkata Police were recently suspended following disruption of law and order in the aftermath of unrest during a roadshow ahead of the filing of BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari’s nomination in the presence of Home Minister Shah in the Bhabanipur constituency last week.

Earlier, the ECI had also suspended the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kasba police station over the omission of Sona Pappu alias Biswajit Poddar’s name from the list of active criminals.

Ahead of the Assembly polls, the Commission had directed the state and Kolkata Police to prepare a list of absconding and declared criminals and had assigned responsibilities to OCs of all police stations in this regard. The OC of Kasba police station was suspended for not complying with these directions.

--IANS

sch/pgh

Bhubaneswar, April 6 (IANS) Senior Sasmit Patra, a leader of the Biju Janata Dal and Rajya Sabha MP, on Monday wrote to Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, seeking his immediate intervention to ensure that the proposed Metro Rail project, initiated during the previous government, is not scrapped by the state government. ​

In his letter, Patra argued that the project envisioned during the previous Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government is a critical mass-transit backbone for the Bhubaneswar—Cuttack—Khurda— Puri corridor.​

“I write to urgently seek your intervention to ensure that the proposed Metro Rail Project in Odisha is not scrapped by the Government of Odisha. Envisioned under the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik ji, the project is a critical mass transit backbone for the Bhubaneswar—Cuttack-Khurda—Puri corridor," wrote the BJD MP.​

He further alleged that scrapping the Metro Rail project would undermine a well-planned infrastructure initiative and deprive the people of Odisha of a vital mobility and economic lifeline. ​

The senior BJD leader noted that as governance is continuous, such projects must be sustained in the public interest. ​

He emphasised that the Metro project envisioned by the previous BJD government was entirely State-funded.​

“As the Odisha Government is scrapping the project, your Ministry can ensure its revival as Metro Project development is being governed by the National Urban Transport Policy and the Metro Rail Policy 2017,” noted Patra.​

He stated that these policies explicitly provide for a 50:50 Centre–State equity participation model through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), central assistance including Viability Gap Funding (VGF), and policy assurance that states need not abandon metro projects due to fiscal constraints.​

“In line with these frameworks, I urge your Ministry to prevail upon the Government of Odisha to not scrap the project; and facilitate its implementation through a 50:50 cost-sharing arrangement or equivalent support. This is essential to uphold national policy, ensure continuity in infrastructure development, and protect the long-term interests of the people of Odisha. I request urgent and appropriate action,” urged the senior BJD leader.​

Notably, the state cabinet led by Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday resolved to terminate its agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, thereby finally scrapping the Bhubaneswar metro rail project. ​

It also decided to transform Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited into a nodal body for planning and implementing sustainable urban mobility initiatives in the state.​

--IANS

gyan/dan

​

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party-SP president Sharad Pawar on Monday said that the Pawar family decided not to contest the Baramati by-election out of grief over the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar, but refrained from criticising the Congress for choosing to contest the bypoll.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi after taking oath as a Rajya Sabha member, Pawar noted that while the Congress party has decided to field a candidate in Baramati, it is within its right to do so.

When asked about his grandnephew Parth Pawar, who claimed that the downfall of the Congress has begun due to its decision to contest the bypoll, Pawar remarked that he was unsure whether Parth Pawar possessed the political maturity required to comment on the Congress party.

Sharad Pawar maintained that fielding a candidate in Baramati is the Congress party’s prerogative and that it likely made the decision based on the prevailing situation. He noted that while they are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, such issues occasionally arise in specific constituencies and are not matters of national significance.

Responding further to criticism by Parth Pawar, Sharad Pawar said that making such political statements requires maturity. “I do not know whether he (Parth Pawar) possesses that level of political maturity,” the veteran leader said.

Following the vacancy created by Ajit Pawar’s passing, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar filed her nomination for the Baramati by-election on Monday. While the NCP-SP did not field a candidate, Congress — a member of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi — has entered the fray.

Sharad Pawar said, “To contest any election, one must accept that there will be an opponent. We chose not to field a candidate. Many people contest many elections, but as a family, we are grieving the untimely loss of Ajit Pawar. As the head of the family, it is my responsibility. Therefore, we decided that we would not contest this election.”

Regarding the Rahuri Assembly bypoll, Sharad Pawar said he was unaware of why former minister and NCP-SP leader Prajakt Tanpure withdrew. He stated that the party had instructed local leaders to take a decision if Tanpure was not contesting, leading to the nomination of Govind Mokate.

On merger discussions, Sharad Pawar clarified that talks regarding the merger of both NCP factions had previously taken place between NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. At that time, Ajit Pawar had a different stance. “Now that he is no longer with us, there is no longer any discussion regarding a merger within our party,” he said.

--IANS

sj/pgh