India

New Delhi/Imphal, Nov 11 (IANS) Months ahead of the Manipur Assembly elections, the Congress has constituted several committees, including the Election Management Committee, to strengthen the party organisation and prepare for the crucial polls.

Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha member K.C. Venugopal said on Wednesday in a statement that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved a proposal for the appointment of additional office-bearers to the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) and constituted various committees for the ensuing Assembly elections in the state.

The newly constituted committees include the Pradesh Election Committee, Campaign Committee, Manifesto Committee, Media and Publicity Committee, and Election Management Committee.

In addition, three new state General Secretaries -- Ifam Badur Rahman, N. Mahananda Singh and Saniba Waikhom -- and a Secretary, Devadutta Singh, have also been appointed by Congress President Kharge, the statement said.

According to the statement, the 28-member Pradesh Election Committee will be led by Manipur Congress President Okram Ibobi Singh, while the 26-member Campaign Committee will be led by senior party leader Lokeshwar Singh.

The 18-member Manifesto Committee will be led by another senior Congress leader, Gaikhangam.

Okram Ibobi Singh served as the 11th Chief Minister of Manipur for three consecutive terms, from March 7, 2002, to March 15, 2017, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister of the state.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in Manipur, Keisham Meghachandra Singh, two Lok Sabha members -- Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and Alfred Kanngam Arthur -- along with most of the senior party leaders, have been accommodated in the important Pradesh Election Committee.

Veteran Congress leader Loken Singh will lead the 16-member Media and Publicity Committee, while the Election Management Committee will be chaired by M. Okendro.

Welcoming the appointments, CLP leader Meghachandra Singh congratulated all the party leaders who have been entrusted with responsibilities in the newly constituted committees.

Taking to social media platform X, the Congress leader said: "Heartiest congratulations to all the leaders appointed to various positions and entrusted with important responsibilities by the AICC."

"Let us work together with unity, dedication and collective commitment to strengthen the Congress Party and work for the betterment of the people and the state of Manipur. Together, let us move forward stronger."

The constitution of the various committees is being seen as part of the Congress' preparations to strengthen its organisational structure and election machinery ahead of the next Assembly polls in Manipur.

The term of the 60-member Manipur Assembly is due to expire on March 13, 2027, making the coming months crucial for political parties as they prepare for the next electoral battle.

The last elections to the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly were held in two phases, on February 28 and March 5, 2022.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is also preparing to conduct Assembly elections in four other states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa -- early next year.

--IANS

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Visakhapatnam, Nov 11 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has invited leading companies from the United Arab Emirates to explore investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh's food processing sector.

UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, who is in Visakhapatnam to participate in the CII Partnership Summit, met the Chief Minister and discussed investment opportunities across various sectors.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister explained that the State Government was developing Rayalaseema as a global horticulture hub with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. He highlighted that fruits grown in the Rayalaseema region were already being exported to international markets.

The Chief Minister invited UAE-based agrifood company Silal to participate in the food cluster proposed to be established by the UAE. He said Andhra Pradesh offered immense opportunities for investment in the procurement, processing and export of agricultural and food products.

The proposed grounding of the Dubai-based Floormaster industry in Chittoor district also came up for discussion. The Chief Minister urged the UAE Minister to facilitate an early decision on the proposed food cluster.

He also highlighted the investment potential in sectors such as maritime, aerospace and defence and called upon UAE companies to make use of the opportunities available in the State.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also met World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Director General Daren Tang to explore ways to secure international recognition for innovation, research and creativity in Andhra Pradesh and enhance awareness of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) among startups and entrepreneurs in the State.

The discussions focused on establishing a WIPO–Andhra Pradesh Academy and conducting joint programmes to provide training on Intellectual Property Rights, patents, trademarks, industrial designs and technology protection to students, researchers, startup founders and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Chief Minister sought WIPO’s support in securing Geographical Indication (GI) tags for the State’s handloom products, handicrafts and other local products. He also requested assistance in expanding markets for existing GI-tagged products and taking their quality standards and branding to the international level.

Chandrababu Naidu said the State Government was encouraging young entrepreneurs and supporting startup companies through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub. He invited WIPO to work closely with the State Government to further strengthen the startup ecosystem and provide greater impetus to innovation.

The Chief Minister also had a meeting with Japanese Ambassador Keiichi Ono. They discussed industrial investments, skill development, critical minerals, steel industry, green energy and other areas of mutual cooperation.

Chandrababu Naidu said the Andhra Pradesh government was implementing a transparent incentive policy to promote industrial investments in the State. He stated that an escrow account mechanism had been introduced to ensure timely delivery of industrial incentives and to implement the Speed of Doing Business initiative.

The Chief Minister also told the Japanese Ambassador that the State was according high priority to skill development. Andhra Pradesh has a large youth population, and by providing them with industry-oriented skill training, they could be transformed into a highly skilled workforce, he said. He sought the cooperation of Japanese companies in this direction.

Responding positively, the Japanese representatives expressed their willingness to provide skill development training to employees working in industries across the State.

The Japanese representatives raised the issue of ensuring a steady supply of rare earth minerals to Japan. They said such cooperation would help further strengthen the India-Japan partnership in the supply of critical minerals.

They also sought support for the uninterrupted import of semi-finished steel products from the parent company in Japan, required for the final-stage processing at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India plant.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Praising the vision of creating what is set to become the world's largest museum display area, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum would transform the historic North and South Block buildings into a magnificent celebration of India's civilisational journey.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "Imagine New Delhi becoming home to the world's largest museum display area. Think scale. Think culture."

He described the museum as a landmark initiative that would bring thousands of years of India's heritage to life through immersive experiences and world-class galleries.

PM Modi said the buildings that once served as centres of governance would now become spaces where millions of people could discover, experience and celebrate the timeless richness of Indian civilisation, calling it "a historic new chapter for India's cultural heritage."

The remarks came after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the development of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum (YYBM) at the North and South Block Complex in New Delhi at an estimated cost of Rs 3,230 crore.

Envisaged as a landmark civilisational museum, the project aims to showcase the continuity, diversity and richness of Bharat's heritage through an integrated narrative of both tangible and intangible cultural traditions.

The museum will be developed through the adaptive reuse of the iconic North and South Block buildings, preserving their heritage and architectural significance while giving them a new public cultural role.

Spread across a proposed built-up area of around 1.78 lakh square metres, the museum will feature contemporary museum practices, immersive technologies and visitor-centric displays.

Once completed, it is expected to have the largest museum display area in the world. The museum will house thematic galleries dedicated to subjects such as Architecture and Cityscapes, Mathematics and Astronomy, Languages and Scripts, Faith and Spirituality, and Bharat Connects: Trade and Ideas, a press release said.

Authorities have identified nearly 1.8 million artefacts and objects from the National Museum, museums under the Ministry of Culture, ASI site museums, state museums and private collections for potential display.

Implementation will take place in phases from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The first gallery, themed "Adornment", is expected to open in North Block in the latter half of 2027.

The government expects the museum to emerge as a major cultural destination, strengthening India's soft power, boosting tourism and promoting research and education.

Designed to accommodate up to one crore visitors annually, the institution is also expected to generate substantial employment opportunities for artisans, researchers, conservation experts, designers, performers and tourism professionals.

First announced by Prime Minister Modi in May 2023, the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum is poised to redefine how India's civilisational story is preserved and presented, turning two of the nation's most recognisable government buildings into a global showcase of its cultural legacy.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday released a series of constituency-specific fact-checks to counter social media claims, alleging large-scale mismatches between votes polled and votes counted in the 2024 Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections.

The Commission has labelled these claims as 'misleading' and has placed official figures from its Index Cards and Statistical Reports in the public domain to clarify the actual position.

The claims, which circulated widely online, primarily focused on seats in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.

In several cases, the social media posts either treated the total number of registered electors as the number of votes polled or misinterpreted other official numbers, creating an artificial gap that does not exist in the records.

One of the most widely shared claims about Mumbai North Parliamentary constituency (Maharashtra) said that 18.11 lakh votes were polled but only 10.33 lakh were counted, implying that 7.78 lakh votes remained uncounted.

Official records show that the constituency had 18,12,115 total electors. Of these, 10,36,496 electors actually voted (10,33,268 on EVMs and 3,228 postal votes). After accounting for 765 test votes and votes not counted from Control Units (CUs) as per ECI guidelines, 10,35,731 votes were counted. Voter turnout stood at 57.20 per cent.

The gap of around 7.75 lakh represents registered electors who did not turn up to vote, not uncounted votes.

Claims suggested that 6,66,046 votes were polled in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency (Jammu and Kashmir) but 6,72,942 were counted, creating an excess of 6,896 votes.

Official data records 17,48,803 total electors and 6,76,408 votes polled (6,72,942 EVM + 3,466 postal). After deducting 1,009 test votes and votes not counted from CUs, the total votes counted stood at 6,75,399 while the voter turnout was 38.68 per cent.

The Commission confirmed that no extra votes were counted.

Social media posts claimed that 3.84 lakh votes were polled in Beed Assembly constituency (Maharashtra) but only 2.39 lakh were counted, leaving 1.45 lakh (37.8 per cent) uncounted.

Records show 3,84,885 total electors and 2,42,983 votes polled (2,38,845 EVM + 4,138 postal). The same number—2,42,983—was counted. Turnout was 63.13 per cent.

The difference of about 1.42 lakh is the number of electors who did not vote.

Similar claims said that 3.01 lakh votes were polled in Dahanu Assembly constituency (Maharashtra) but only 2.21 lakh were counted. Official figures list 3,01,257 electors and 2,21,818 votes polled and counted. Turnout was 73.63 per cent. The gap of around 79,000 represents non-voters.

Claims also alleged that 2.21 lakh votes were polled in Tosham Assembly constituency (Haryana) but only 1.60 lakh were counted.

Records show 2,23,609 electors, 1,61,872 votes polled and 1,61,020 votes counted after minor adjustments for test votes. Turnout was 72.39 per cent.

The difference is again the number of electors who stayed away.

One claim asserted that only 215 citizens voted in Kaithal Assembly constituency (Haryana) yet the ECI counted 1,67,285 votes.

The Commission clarified that 215 is the number of polling stations in the constituency, not the number of voters.

Actual figures show 2,23,449 electors and 1,68,851 votes polled and counted, with a voter turnout of 75.57 per cent.

In Chenani, Kokernag and Pulwama Assembly constituencies (Jammu and Kashmir), claims of the ECI having counted extra votes (ranging from 1,500 to 1,800) were also rejected.

Official data for Chenani shows 85,189 votes polled and counted; for Kokernag, 57,542 votes polled and counted; and for Pulwama, 51,011 votes polled with 50,529 counted after standard deductions.

In each case, the Commission said that no extra votes were counted.

Across all these constituencies, the ECI has underlined a consistent pattern: the figures being projected as "votes polled but not counted" are either the total number of registered electors or other administrative numbers (such as the count of polling stations).

The actual votes polled and votes counted, as recorded in Form 17C and reflected in the Index Cards, match closely after accounting for postal ballots, test votes and votes not retrieved from Control Units as per prescribed guidelines.

The Commission has reiterated that Form 17C remains the sole statutory record of votes cast at each polling station.

Part-I of the form is shared with polling agents at the close of poll, and the figures are matched with Part-II on counting day in the presence of candidates' agents.

All relevant data continues to be available on the ECI website under Statistical Reports and Index Cards.

The ECI has maintained that the official records leave no scope for the kind of large-scale discrepancies being alleged.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Nov 11 (IANS) The government of Telangana will introduce the 10+2 education system in the state from the next academic year.

The decision was taken on Wednesday at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

He stated that reforms are being undertaken with the primary goal of serving the interests of students. He emphasised that the objective is to prepare students for the demands of the modern world by providing quality education from the nursery level through to the university level.

The Chief Minister directed officials that the education structure should consist of primary education (nursery to 4th grade), secondary education (5th to 8th grade), and senior secondary education (9th to 12th grade).

He said students should be groomed to attain complete mastery over language and communication skills by the time they complete the 12th grade. After the 12th grade, students should have the opportunity to choose subjects of their interest and become experts in those fields.

Following a recommendation by the Education Commission, the state government had decided to merge Intermediate education (11th and 12th grade) with the school education system from the academic year 2026.

However, in view of the availability of limited time for admissions and the various technical hurdles currently impeding the process of merger of Intermediate education with the general school education system, the decision was deferred.

The Telangana Education Commission had recommended the abolition of the Intermediate education system and replacing it with Class 11 and Class 12 grades - similar to the CBSE model. The commission emphasised that the new education system would significantly reduce the number of student dropouts.

During the meeting on Wednesday, the officials briefed the Chief Minister on the progress made thus far.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy noted that, on average, 40 per cent of students drop out of education after the 10th grade—a group that consists predominantly of girls, as well as children from Dalit, tribal, and minority communities.

He pointed out that dropout rates are significantly lower in institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, which offer continuous education up to the 12th grade.

He said a system extending education up to the 12th grade is already in place in 18 states across the country.

The Chief Minister further stated that, under no circumstances, should welfare hostels or residential schools in the state continue to operate out of rented buildings.

He directed officials to immediately initiate the necessary action to construct hostels and residential schools equipped with full-fledged facilities. He stated that the required funds for these constructions would be released.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the 'Young India Integrated Residential Schools' (YIIRS) project. He directed engineering officials to accelerate the construction work and ensure that the projects are completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He also instructed officials to select top-tier agencies for landscaping, interior design, the procurement of digital equipment, sports gear, and kitchen facilities. He emphasised that there should be no compromise on quality at any stage.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also reviewed the progress of schools being constructed under the 'CURE' (Comprehensive Urban Redevelopment/Renewal) initiative. He expressed his satisfaction with the progress of these projects and directed officials to pay immediate, focused attention to any areas where construction is yet to commence.

He noted that following the upgrade of ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) into ATCs (Advanced Training Centres), there has been an increase in student enrolment, and all those who received training there have secured employment. He directed officials to expedite the release of funds required for the upgrading of polytechnic colleges.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Nov 11 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and senior advocate H.S. Phoolka on Wednesday sharply reacted to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's account of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, calling it "another attempt to a build a fake narrative".

According to the senior advocate, whatever Sonia Gandhi has written in her memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', is "factually incorrect".

Speaking to IANS, Phoolka said: "She (Sonia Gandhi) has tried to show that Hindus were provoked after coming to know of the assassination of Indira Gandhi. This same narrative was attempted by the Congress in 1984."

"However, we (BJP) have proved this on record that Hindus didn't kill Sikhs, rather it was the Congress, the then-ruling party, which used government machinery to massacre the Sikhs," he added.

Phoolka said that had Hindus being responsible for killing Sikhs at that time, then there was a danger of the situation escalating to Punjab.

"That is why we brought out the truth before the Commissions and have proved it on record," he added, citing the reports of Misra and the Nanavati Commissions.

Further referring to Sonia Gandhi's claim that "by the afternoon, rioting had broken out in different parts of the city and beyond", on October 31, Phoolka challenged the Congress leader to show a single incident that took place in the afternoon on that day in the national capital.

"The President was the first Sikh to be targeted in Delhi, that too around 4:30 or 5 p.m. in the evening," he said referring to the reported attack on the convoy of then-President Giani Zail Singh.

Moreover, Phoolka claimed: "People linked to Congress had themselves started this violence in the area around AIIMS, after the attack on the President (convoy)...another attempt is being made to build a fake narrative."

The BJP leader also rejected Sonia Gandhi's claims that the delay in the deployment of the Army during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was due to certain concerns by the then-Army Chief.

Citing the then-Army Chief General A S Vaidya's statement before the Misra Commission, Phoolka said: "General Vaidya had testified that after coming to know of Indira Gandhi's assassination, he himself had called in troops at 10:30 a.m."

"He (Army Chief) had called in Sikh Light Infantry from the Meerut unit and now Sonia Gandhi is claiming that General Vaidya didn't have faith on the Sikh troops. In reality, it was the Rajiv Gandhi's government which didn't trust the Sikh soldiers," he remarked.

Phoolka added that General Vaidya had also testified before the Commission that 6,100 soldiers were available in Delhi on October 31.

"It was mentioned in the Misra Commission's report that even if 5,000 of them were deployed on November 1 in Delhi, at least 2,000 Sikhs would have been saved. So, who is responsible for the deaths of those 2,000 Sikhs, should be answered by Sonia Gandhi?" he said.

The senior lawyer said that even if then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was unaware of the developments, according to the Congress Parliamentary Committee Chairperson's account, "what steps did he take after coming to know of it?"

Recalling Rajiv Gandhi's speech after the riots, where he had remarked "When a big tree falls, the earth shakes a little", referring to the assassination of late former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, BJP leader Phoolka accused him of justifying the massacre against the Sikhs.

"In fact, leaders linked to the riots like HKL Bhagat, Jagdish Tytler, Kamal Nath and others were promoted in the government," the BJP leader said.

Referring to Sonia Gandhi remark "justice has been hard", Phoolka said: "Judges from lower courts to High Court were transferred...and even chargesheets were not filed in courts."

--IANS

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Amaravati, Nov 11 (IANS) YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has slammed Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for what he called privatisation of government medical colleges and warned that when their government returns to power, it will take legal action against anyone involved.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that government medical colleges, which provide free treatment to the poor, are being handed over to private players in the name of the PPP model.

He recalled that one crore people signed a petition organised by YSRCP to oppose privatisation.

“Yet you are pressing ahead. This is unjust. We completely oppose the privatisation of government medical colleges. When our government returns to power, we will take legal action against everyone involved in this matter and will not hesitate to make arrests. If you try to loot public assets through scams, people will not remain silent. They will teach you a fitting lesson,” Jagan said in a post on ‘X’.

“Our government established 17 new medical colleges. We opened five and prepared another three to begin classes. The remaining nine could also be completed by investing Rs. 1,000 crore a year. Why are you not doing that?” asked the YSRCP chief.

“Doesn’t your PPP plan make it clear that this is a well-planned scam? You are selling off colleges that are already complete and those at various stages of construction. Land worth hundreds of crores is being leased for just Rs. 100 an acre. More than half of the medical seats could be sold at private rates. Rs. 1,630 crore in public money is being given to these colleges in the name of Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The government will also pay the salaries of doctors, professors and staff for two years. What is this, if not exploitation? The cost would be Rs. 5 crore a month, or Rs. 120 crore over two years for each college,” Jagan said.

“The land belongs to the government. The buildings are being constructed with government funds. The VGF will also come from public money. The government will even pay the staff salaries. If this is not a scam carried out in the name of private institutions, then what is it?,” the former CM asked.

Stating that all the colleges which the YSRCP government established are teaching hospitals, he said they would provide quality, free multispecialty treatment to the poor. Half the seats would be filled through the convener quota. The remaining seats would also be available at fees far lower than those charged by private colleges.

“We had developed a strong model to ensure that the revenue generated would help run these colleges without financial difficulty. We had also worked with banks to arrange the required funding. These are teaching hospitals. The professors working there and the medical and nursing students studying there would also take part in providing healthcare services. This would make the colleges viable to operate. With such arrangements already in place, why is there any need to sell them under the cover of a PPP model?”

The YSRCP chief mentioned these medical colleges would also be connected to area hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and village clinics in their respective districts. Together, they could form a network that provides quality multispecialty care down to the village level. As the quality of government healthcare improves, private hospitals would also have to provide treatment at affordable prices. Isn’t it unjust to sell off colleges that can deliver all these benefits?

Jagan told Chandrababu Naidu that his government has already weakened the public healthcare system.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 11 (IANS) Signalling a major strategic shift toward long-term energy security, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state is formulating a dedicated nuclear energy policy with a core focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Speaking to journalists during a Diwali media interaction at his official residence, Varsha, he underlined nuclear energy and pumped storage hydro projects as vital, non-negotiable pillars for supplying clean, baseload power to the state's expanding economy.

Highlighting the physical constraints of conventional installations, CM Fadnavis emphasised the operational agility of Small Modular Reactors, nuclear power units designed to generate up to 300 MW.

"The state will host both large-scale nuclear power projects and small modular reactors through private sector participation alongside state-owned ventures," he stated.

"We are particularly focusing on SMRs due to their compact footprint and reduced land requirement. The Maharashtra government recently dispatched a delegation to the United States to study advanced SMR deployments," he added.

The policy groundwork follows a landmark move on May 20, 2026, when the Maharashtra government signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aiming to generate 25,400 MW of nuclear power through a projected investment of Rs 6.5 lakh crore. State generation utility Mahagenco is set to directly participate in nuclear generation alongside private enterprise partners.

Addressing safety and environmental concerns, CM Fadnavis dismissed opposition to nuclear installations by citing the Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Palghar: "Tarapur has operated smoothly and safely for over four decades without incident."

Commenting on the controversy regarding tree felling for a proposed pumped hydro storage project in Karjat taluka, Raigad district, CM Fadnavis mounted a strong defence of grid-scale energy storage along the Sahyadri mountain range.

He explained that pumped storage operates on a closed-loop system, using off-peak solar power to pump water from lower reservoirs back to upper dams, allowing the same water volume to generate hydroelectricity repeatedly during peak hours.

"Once these projects are operational, citizens will realise their structural benefits," CM Fadnavis noted, assuring that mandatory compensatory afforestation programs enforced on project developers will restore and support local forest ecosystems.

In response to public debate over resource allocation for AI Data Centres in Thane and near Solapur’s Ujani Dam, CM Fadnavis framed digital infrastructure as a priority for national data sovereignty and economic competitiveness.

To mitigate environmental impact, the state will mandate strict water and power efficiency benchmarks.

"Data centres in the Thane and Navi Mumbai belts will be required to utilise treated wastewater or desalinated seawater rather than diverting local municipal drinking water. As high-yield commercial enterprises, data centres will absorb higher power tariffs, effectively cross-subsidising utility rates for domestic and agricultural power consumers," said the Chief Minister.

"Opposition to data centres stems either from misconceptions or pure political posturing," remarked CM Fadnavis.

He added, "These projects are essential to modern national infrastructure, and we will ensure they operate efficiently without burdening public resources."

--IANS

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Raghogarh, Nov 11 (IANS) Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday said his emotional and political bond with the people of Raghogarh went beyond electoral politics and that his commitment to the region would continue until his last breath.

Singh made the remarks after receiving a warm welcome from residents of his home town as his 'Satya Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra' resumed its second phase from Raghogarh following a five-day break for Diwali.

Moved by the reception, the senior Congress leader shared a message on social media, describing Raghogarh as his home and its residents as members of his family.

"Raghogarh is my home, its people are my family, and my commitment to this family will remain until my last breath," Singh wrote in a post on X.

He said his relationship with the people of the region was rooted in generations of affection, trust and mutual attachment rather than politics.

The memories associated with its villages, streets and families remained among the most valuable assets of his life, he added.

Singh also thanked residents, women, elderly people and youth for their affection and support, describing their response as a source of strength and an invaluable legacy. The yatra also received a large public response at a gathering in Raghogarh.

In another social media post, Singh linked the support for the campaign to public concerns over alleged irregularities in donations and offerings made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

He said the campaign aimed to ensure transparent accounting of every rupee donated in the name of Lord Ram, an impartial investigation into allegations of financial irregularities and strict action against those found guilty.

"This yatra is not against any individual or organisation but is a public awareness campaign to protect the sanctity of Sanatan Dharma, the faith of devotees and transparency and accountability in religious institutions," Singh said.

He maintained that corruption in the name of religion was unacceptable and that Sanatan Dharma stood for truth, justice, compassion and good conduct.

The yatra began on October 20, coinciding with Vijayadashami, from the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain. It was undertaken to raise questions over the alleged misuse of donations and offerings received in the name of Lord Ram at the Ayodhya temple.

After a five-day pause during the Diwali festivities, the campaign resumed on November 11 from Raghogarh, a region closely associated with Singh's political career and family.

Singh represented the Raghogarh Assembly constituency for several terms and served as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister from 1993 to 2003. His son, Jaivardhan Singh, has also represented the constituency.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Nov 11 (IANS) The Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (RGSoIPL) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Law Commission of India, marking a major step towards integrating academic research with national policymaking and legal reform.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the Law Commission by Additional Secretary Praveen Srivastava (ILS), in the presence of Law Commission Chairperson Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Member Prof. D.P. Verma, Member Secretary Anju Rathi Rana, and RGSoIPL Dean Prof. Uday Shankar.

Highlighting the scope of the partnership, IIT Kharagpur stated: "The collaboration will foster joint legal and policy research, academic exchanges, capacity-building programmes, publications, impact assessments, and expert contributions to law reform initiatives, including emerging areas such as digital evidence and administrative studies."

The institute noted that the strategic alliance reflects its commitment to interdisciplinary excellence and evidence-based policymaking, providing faculty and students direct opportunities to contribute to India's regulatory framework. "Together, we aim to transform academic knowledge into meaningful legal and policy impact for a stronger, future-ready India," the statement added.

Established in 2006 with the support of distinguished alumnus Vinod Gupta, RGSoIPL was founded to train scientists and engineers as intellectual property law specialists. The school was set up to address the growing intersection between rapid technological advancements and complex legal frameworks.

Recognised by the Bar Council of India, RGSoIPL offers a specialised three-year LL.B. programme in Intellectual Property Law, alongside LL.M. and doctoral programmes. The school features an interdisciplinary curriculum and a faculty body comprising experts with combined technical and legal backgrounds.

Enrolling science and technology graduates from diverse disciplines, the school actively maintains international and domestic academic tie-ups, facilitating student exchange programmes and practical exposure through jurist and industry expert lectures.

--IANS

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