India

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Very light rain or drizzle is expected in Delhi on Tuesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which forecasts a generally cloudy sky and intermittent weather activity throughout the day.

Rain is likely during the afternoon or evening hours, and may be accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.

According to the IMD, wind speeds could range between 20–30 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 40 kmph. A “yellow alert” had earlier been issued for the national capital, warning of possible thunderstorm activity and sudden changes in weather conditions.

The advisory comes after Delhi and surrounding regions witnessed rainfall and strong winds on Monday, shortly after the weather department predicted light showers. As conditions intensified, the IMD upgraded its alert from yellow to orange, indicating the likelihood of moderate rain, lightning, and stronger gusty winds. The orange alert remained in place until 6 p.m. on Monday.

The IMD has stated that there are chances of scattered light rain on Tuesday, keeping skies mostly cloudy with brief sunny intervals. Residents have been advised to remain cautious, especially during periods of strong winds and thunderstorms.

Earlier forecasts from the IMD had also warned of dust storms followed by thunderstorms, light rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds of 60–80 kmph across parts of Haryana—including Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Sohna, Rewari, Palwal, Narnaul, Bawal, and Nuh—as well as Bhiwadi and Khairthal in Rajasthan.

The weather department attributed the current conditions to a western disturbance over north Iran and the Caspian Sea region, along with active cyclonic circulation over northwest Rajasthan. Another western disturbance is expected around April 2, which may bring very light rainfall to Delhi on April 3 and 4.

Meanwhile, air quality levels in Delhi are also expected to see temporary improvement due to rainfall and stronger winds, which help disperse pollutants.

Recent trends show that even light rainfall can bring short-term relief. For instance, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has previously improved after rain spells, though it often remains in the “poor” to “very poor” category, indicating only partial relief. Strong winds accompanying such weather systems also play a key role in dispersing pollutants, leading to noticeable but temporary improvement in air quality.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Tuesday to inaugurate the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar, and launch several significant development projects across the state, covering cultural, technological, and infrastructural milestones.​

Speaking ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said in a post on social media: “The Samrat Samprati Museum is a testament to the rich legacy of Jainism and India’s civilisational traditions. It will provide visitors with a chronological understanding of the evolution of Jainism and its contributions to humanity.”​

At around 10:00 a.m., on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Museum on the campus of the Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra.​

Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Emperor Ashoka and a revered figure in Jain history, the museum features seven wings, each dedicated to a distinct aspect of India’s civilisational traditions.​

Visitors can view over 2,000 rare artefacts, including intricately crafted stone and metal idols, large Tirth Patta and Yantra Patta, miniature paintings, silver chariots, coins, and ancient manuscripts.​

The exhibits, complemented by modern audio-visual and digital installations, provide an immersive experience for scholars, researchers, and visitors.​

The Prime Minister noted, “The museum not only preserves our heritage but also showcases the exemplary Jain culture and its enduring influence on society.”​

At 12:45 p.m., Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Kaynes Semicon Plant at Sanand GIDC in Ahmedabad, marking a key milestone in India’s semiconductor journey.​

"This adds more momentum to India’s efforts to become a hub for semiconductors. It will give impetus to India being self-reliant in high technology manufacturing," PM Modi said.​

The facility will begin commercial production of advanced Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs), critical components for automotive and industrial applications.​

Each module contains 17 chips and will be supplied to California-based Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (AOS).​

This plant will be the second semiconductor facility in India to commence commercial production under the 'India Semiconductor Mission', following Micron Technology.​

Once fully operational, it will produce up to 6.33 million units per day, strengthening domestic semiconductor packaging capacity and advancing India’s vision of self-reliance in high-technology manufacturing.​

In the afternoon, PM Modi will travel to Vav-Tharad, where he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate multiple development projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore.​

These projects cover Power, Railways, Roads & Highways, Health, Urban Development, Tribal Development, and Rural Development.​

Among the key road projects, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, an access-controlled highway costing over Rs 5,100 crore, which will improve connectivity and support industrial development in the Dholera Special Investment Region.​

He will also lay the foundation stone for the 4-lane Idar-Badoli bypass and upgrade the Dholavira-Mauvana-Vav-Santalpur NH-754K section to a two-lane paved shoulder carriageway.​

Flyovers at Bhaijipura Junction and PDPU Junction will be inaugurated to ease traffic congestion on roads handling over 1,40,000 vehicles daily.​

In the power sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Khavda Pooling Station-2 and associated transmission systems, enabling the evacuation of 4.5 GW of renewable energy with an investment of around Rs 3,650 crore.​

Railway projects to be dedicated include the Kanalus–Jamnagar doubling (28 km), part of the Rajkot–Kanalus doubling (111.20 km), and the Gandhidham–Adipur quadrupling (10.69 km).​

The Himmatnagar–Khedbrahma gauge conversion (54.83 km) will improve regional connectivity, and the Khedbrahma–Himmatnagar–Asarwa train service will be flagged off.​

In urban and health infrastructure, the Prime Minister will inaugurate 44 Urban Development projects worth Rs 5,300 crore, 858-bed Rain Basera facilities at Civil Hospitals in Asarwa in Ahmedabad, and Gandhinagar, and the Government Boys Hostel at Vejalpur for tribal students.​

Tourism initiatives include a Light and Sound Show at Rani ki Vav in Patan, a Water Screen Projection Show at Sharmishtha Lake in Vadnagar, and the foundation laying for tourism infrastructure at Balaram Mahadev and Vishweshwar Mahadev in Banaskantha.

In the water sector, key projects include the Kasara–Dantiwada and Dindrol–Mukteshwar pipelines, along with a water supply scheme for Ambaji and nearby villages, expected to benefit around 1.5 lakh people.

Additionally, expansion work on the Sabarmati Riverfront in Gandhinagar, with an estimated investment of about Rs 1,000 crore, will also be launched.

--IANS

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Indore, March 31 (IANS) With summer heat intensifying, incidents of fire, especially due to electrical short circuits, have been increasing across Madhya Pradesh in recent days, particularly in urban areas.

One such fire incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, when a devastating blaze transformed the peaceful skyline near Indore’s Regional Park into a scene of chaos and destruction.

The fire erupted at approximately 4:00 am, rapidly engulfing two prominent furniture showrooms situated just beyond the park’s boundaries.

Multiple firefighting vehicles battled for several hours to control the blaze, which grew increasingly dangerous. After a gruelling effort by firefighters and civic employees, the fire was finally doused. The heat was so intense it threatened to spread to adjacent structures.

Luckily, no casualties were reported by the concerned authority. However, it was notable that more than 27,000 litres of water were required to extinguish the fire.

Additionally, a couple of municipal corporation tankers assisted in fetching water from a nearby pump.

Authorities said the exact cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained. Initial investigation suggested it started with a spark from a short circuit and quickly escalated into a towering inferno.

Before this incident, Indore city had witnessed a tragic fire a few days ago when a suspected short circuit at an electric vehicle charging point triggered a blaze in a house, killing seven persons.

That incident also occurred during the early morning hours, around 3:30 to 4:00 am. Within minutes, flames spread rapidly from the vehicle into the three-storey residential building, turning it into a death trap for those inside.

A sudden short circuit led to an explosion at the charging point, setting the vehicle on fire. The blaze quickly escalated as it reached a stockpile of over a dozen liquefied petroleum gas cylinders stored inside the house.

--IANS

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New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, March 31 (IANS) BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Monday clarified his remarks linking veteran Odisha leader and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik to the CIA during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, insisting that he had not spoken against Biju Babu personally and that he holds the legendary leader in high esteem. ​

In a post on X, Dubey defended himself and said, “What have we said against Biju Babu in it? I am doing a 365-day series on the misdeeds of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Biju Babu is revered by us as well. Politics against Biju Babu is not right. Esteemed individuals are always entitled to respect.” ​

He appealed to the people of Odisha not to become victims of politics and saluted Biju Patnaik’s immense contributions to the nation. ​

Dubey also claimed that when the Congress did injustice to Biju Babu, it was the Jan Sangh and later the BJP that stood firmly by him. ​

The controversy had erupted after Dubey, while running his daily series on the alleged misdeeds of the Nehru-Gandhi family, described Biju Patnaik as a “link” between Jawaharlal Nehru, the US government, and the CIA during the Chinese conflict. ​

The remarks drew sharp criticism from Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, son of Biju Patnaik. Naveen Patnaik expressed shock and called Dubey’s statements “outrageous” and “baseless.” ​

He questioned the BJP MP’s understanding of history and sarcastically remarked that Dubey “needs a mental doctor’s attention” for making such irresponsible comments against a towering personality revered across Odisha. ​

Naveen Patnaik countered by highlighting that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had given Biju Patnaik an office next to his own in Delhi, while Biju was still Chief Minister of Odisha, to assist in the strategy against China. ​

He described his father as a fierce patriot who was deeply angered by Chinese aggression. ​

The controversy has also caused unease within BJP circles in Odisha. Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Baijayant Panda described Biju Patnaik as “one of the greatest patriots of modern Bharat” and strongly defended his legacy.​

--IANS

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Lucknow, March 30 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government has swung into full action mode to ensure uninterrupted supply and prevent black marketing of petrol, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) outlets across the state.

Since March 12, authorities have conducted a massive 17,581 raids and inspections to curb illegal activities and hoarding. So far, 33 First Information Reports have been registered specifically against liquefied petroleum gas distributors, while 189 have been filed in other cases, leading to the arrest of 17 individuals.

Additionally, prosecution proceedings have been initiated against 224 people involved in irregularities.

The government has assured citizens that the supply situation remains completely normal. At present, the state has a comfortable stock of approximately 91,000 kilolitres of petrol and 115,000 kilolitres of diesel.

There are 12,888 operational petrol pumps across Uttar Pradesh, and fuel sales between March 27 and March 29 were recorded in thousands of kilolitres.

The government has appealed to the public not to panic or hoard fuel, stating that adequate quantities are available. The LPG supply position is also satisfactory.

Cylinders are being delivered to consumers as per their bookings through a network of 4,107 gas distributors, with sufficient stock maintained at all levels.

The government has also decided to rapidly expand the City Gas Distribution network. In a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, officials were directed to fast-track pending permissions and issue as many piped natural gas connections as possible.

The Central Government has also approved an additional 20 per cent allocation of commercial LPG cylinders, effective from March 23, which will further ease pressure on domestic supply.

To ensure strict monitoring, a 24-hour control room has been set up at the Commissioner of Food and Civil Supplies' office. Similar control rooms are operational in all districts, where the situation is reviewed round the clock.

District Supply Officers and local administration have been instructed to conduct regular field inspections to ensure consumers receive fuel and gas cylinders without delay or harassment.

The government has made it clear that strict action will continue against black marketing, hoarding, or any attempt to disrupt the supply chain. Officials have been directed to maintain zero tolerance towards such malpractices.

With proactive measures, adequate stock, and continuous vigilance, the Uttar Pradesh government has assured citizens that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG in the state, and normal supply will be maintained at all costs.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, March 30 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday directed district collectors across Odisha to keep enforcement squads on a 24-hour action mode and regularly monitor market conditions to curb black marketing, illegal hoarding, and price rise.

In view of the prevailing situation in West Asia, CM Majhi also reviewed the supply of essential commodities in the state during a high-level virtual meeting with district collectors.

According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, Majhi reviewed the steps taken at the district level to address the evolving situation.

He instructed collectors to closely monitor market conditions, curb black marketing and hoarding, and take strict action against unscrupulous traders.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that all essential commodities are adequately available in the state.

He said the government is ensuring that the supply chain remains well-streamlined and advised the public not to panic. CM Majhi further instructed collectors to regularly disseminate information regarding the availability of essential commodities to reassure the public.

Referring to the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 27, the Chief Minister said that the PM had advised all Chief Ministers to work in the spirit of “Team India”.

He emphasised that in the current situation, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work in a coordinated manner with a sense of team spirit.

The Chief Minister also advised collectors to take strict action against individuals spreading rumours and creating panic among the public, and stressed the need to closely monitor social media.

CM Majhi noted that crisis management groups have been formed at both the state and district levels, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential commodities.

The collectors were also instructed to regularly monitor the availability of petrol, diesel, LPG, fertilisers, and other essential commodities in their districts. The Chief Minister also called for sustained awareness campaigns to prevent panic among the public.

Principal Secretary of the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department Sanjay Kumar Singh presented details of the measures being taken by the state government. District collectors also briefed the Chief Minister on the steps being taken in their respective areas.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, March 30 (IANS) The Telangana Assembly on Monday passed two key Bills - one aimed at ensuring social security for gig workers and the other to protect advocates.​

The Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2026, and the Telangana Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, were passed by the House by a voice vote.​

The Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2026, introduces a structured system to provide social security and legal recognition to thousands of platform-based gig workers.​

The Bill mandates the creation of a dedicated Social Security and Welfare Board to register workers and oversee benefits. Each registered worker will be assigned a unique ID, enabling better tracking of benefits and ensuring transparency across platforms.​

Labour Minister G. Vivek Venkataswamy, who piloted the Bill, stated that app-based delivery, mobility and service workers will be brought under a structured welfare and social security framework.​

If gig workers are not protected, penalties will be levied on aggregators. Aggregators are also required to contribute 1 to 2 per cent of their transaction value to the welfare fund, which will be used to finance insurance, accident cover, pensions and maternity benefits.​

A structured grievance redressal mechanism will also be developed, with platform-level committees and district authorities empowered to resolve disputes.​

Digital platform companies will be required to regularly submit operational data. Strict penalties have been outlined for non-compliance, with fines increasing for repeated violations to ensure compliance.​

The companies will also have to clearly inform workers about payments and deductions.​

The Assembly also passed the Telangana Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, to protect advocates amid increasing attacks on them.​

This legislation aims to provide police protection for advocates; safeguards against false cases, conspiracies, and harassment; a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism; and protection from threats and retaliatory attacks while discharging professional duties.​

Minister for industries, information technology and legislative affairs D. Sridhar Babu, who introduced the Bill, termed it a big step for the safety of advocates.​

He said the Bill was drafted following the Bar Council of Telangana's resolution and input from high court bar associations, legal forums, and the legal community.​

He stated that this law ensures professional safety and security for advocates while strengthening their confidence. This step reinforces the importance of the legal profession and empowers advocates to serve justice without fear, he said.​

Sridhar Babu said that after Karnataka and Rajasthan, Telangana is among the states to introduce such a law. The Bar Council of India also prepared a draft in 2021 to address advocate safety, and the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court had emphasised the need for a special law.​

--IANS

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Patna, March 30 (IANS) Governor-cum-Chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain held a high-level meeting with Vice-Chancellors of universities across Bihar at Patna Lok Bhawan, focusing on improving the quality of higher education, administrative efficiency, and safeguarding student interests.

During the meeting, Syed Ata Hasnain, who was recently appointed as the Governor of Bihar, underscored the critical role of Vice-Chancellors, urging them to act as competent, empowered, and confident leaders.

He emphasised that they should take independent decisions without external pressure, leveraging their experience and ground-level understanding to resolve institutional challenges effectively.

Highlighting a key concern, the Governor directed universities to ensure the timely conduct of examinations, prompt declaration of results, and quick distribution of certificates.

He warned that delays in these processes negatively impact students’ futures, calling for greater accountability and vigilance from university administrations.

The Governor also stressed the need to establish Journalism and Mass Communication departments in universities.

He noted that Bihar has made significant progress over the past two decades, and a strong communication framework is essential to showcase these achievements at national and global levels.

Speaking on leadership values, he highlighted that mutual trust is the foundation of any successful institution.

Vice-Chancellors were encouraged to foster a positive work environment by building trust and collaboration among faculty and staff.

Education Minister Sunil Kumar, present at the meeting, shared updates on ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the education sector.

He also addressed concerns raised by Vice-Chancellors and provided suggestions for resolving administrative challenges.

He noted that Bihar ranks fourth in India in terms of expenditure on higher education, reflecting the government’s commitment to the sector.

The Secretary of the Higher Education Department delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation, outlining the current status of higher education in Bihar, key challenges, strategic priorities, and emphasis on a trust-based institutional culture for future development.

Apart from Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Education Minister Sunil Kumar, Principal Secretary to Governor Dr Robert L. Chongthu, Secretary of the Higher Education Department Rajiv Ranjan, President of Bihar State University Service Commission Girish Kumar Chaudhary, Education Director Prof. (Dr) Rekha Kumari, Vice-Chancellors of various universities of Bihar, Principal Secretary to the Governor cum Principal Secretary to the Governor's Secretariat and other people were present at the meeting.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, March 30 (IANS) The Gujarat government has outlined a set of proposed measures targeting irrigation support, farm equipment regulations, and crop protection following consultations with farmer organisations, Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said on Monday.

The minister said that the administration “stands firmly with farmers” and that “there is no need for farmers to worry”.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and Kisan Morcha, Vaghani said the Chief Minister had granted in-principle approval to increase subsidies for sprinkler and drip irrigation systems.

“This system helps farmers save water and achieve better production with less water. The proposal to increase subsidy has received in-principle approval, and the government will take a decision after discussions with the concerned departments,” he said.

He said the state had also granted in-principle approval to exempt tractor trolleys from Regional Transport Office (RTO) passing requirements for three to five years to address difficulties faced by farmers.

“To resolve the problems faced by farmers regarding tractor and trolley passing, the state government has given in-principle approval to provide exemption from RTO passing for three to five years,” he said.

Vaghani said a committee comprising himself, Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel, and Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia, along with other officials, had been constituted to address farmers’ issues.

The panel holds regular meetings with farmer representatives and consults with the Chief Minister.

“The government has consistently taken a positive approach towards resolving farmers’ issues and will continue to do so,” he said.

Referring to earlier decisions, the minister said the state had approved exemption from stamp duty for legal heirs in cases involving ancestral property.

He added that such decisions were taken under the direction of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel after consultations with farmer representatives.

“Important decisions for farmers have been taken promptly under the Chief Minister’s guidance and will continue to be taken in future,” he said.

On water management, Vaghani said that under the ‘Sujalam Sufalam’ and ‘SAUNI’ schemes, the government had filled check dams, ponds, and major reservoirs in response to farmers’ demands.

“Village ponds have been filled to bring a green transformation, and water bodies will be filled in phases up to around seven kilometres, which will help raise groundwater levels, provide irrigation water, and ensure drinking water supply,” he said.

He added that plans were being prepared to fill more ponds through pipeline networks and to extend the high-control canal system.

Addressing other issues raised by farmer groups, the minister said the government would formulate a policy to resolve concerns related to power transmission towers on agricultural land and ensure appropriate compensation.

He also said the fertiliser distribution system, in place since 1999, would be improved through a more farmer-oriented policy.

“Necessary improvements will be made based on current requirements so that the system becomes simpler for farmers,” he said.

On crop protection, Vaghani said the government had implemented a fencing scheme to prevent damage to standing crops by wild animals.

He said subsidy benefits would be extended to small and marginal farmers with up to two hectares of land, and fencing support would be allowed up to one hectare.

“The assistance for fencing has been increased from Rs 200 per running foot to Rs 300 per running foot as per the Chief Minister’s direction,” he said.

He added that the government was also working to promote indigenous seeds and cotton cultivation.

The minister said strict compliance with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) norms would be enforced in private agricultural colleges.

A committee headed by Nitin Sangwan has been formed to monitor implementation.

“Approval has been given to private agricultural colleges subject to compliance with ICAR norms. Institutions that do not follow the rules will have their admission process cancelled. There will be no relaxation in these rules,” he said.

He also said that around 14 settlement villages in Junagadh, Amreli, and Gir Somnath districts had been brought under the revenue framework.

Issues related to eco-sensitive zones in these areas would be taken up through consultations with the forest department, farmer representatives, and the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh.

“The government will adopt a positive approach to ensure that farmers do not face difficulties,” he said.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, March 30 (IANS) Ridiculing the Congress-led government in Karnataka over its decision to negotiate IPL tickets for legislators and parliamentarians and eventually settle for three tickets to watch Royal Challengers Bengaluru matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, BJP Yuva Morcha National President and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya said, “This will go down as the biggest achievement of this government.”

Taking to social media platform X, Tejasvi Surya further said sarcastically, “Truly historic day for Karnataka.”

He added, “Congratulations to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister for successfully concluding such a difficult and complex negotiation process involving so many stakeholders. This will benefit the six crore people of Karnataka.”

“Hope their expertise is made use of to conclude the Ukraine-Russia and Iran-Israel conflicts,” he added.

It may be recalled that Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said that the issue of ticket allocation for Indian Premier League matches has been resolved amicably, with a revised quota for legislators and Members of Parliament.

He made the statement after addressing the media following a meeting with members of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and DNA Event Management Company.

Shivakumar said he had earlier held discussions with the Speaker and senior leaders on the matter.

It has been decided that three tickets will be provided to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) for Indian Premier League matches, instead of the earlier four. For international matches, the KSCA will provide two complimentary tickets, while additional tickets will have to be purchased.

He explained: “Two tickets will be given free, and if they want two more, they will have to purchase them.”

Representatives from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the DNA network, and KSCA management had met him regarding the issue.

Karnataka State Cricket Association President and former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad was also present during the discussions.

“If anyone does not want tickets, they can submit a letter. MLAs make several demands, and not all can be fulfilled. The issue has now been settled,” he said.

Shivakumar noted that in states such as Rajasthan, Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, a significant percentage of tickets — over 50 to 60 per cent — are allocated to government officials and related categories.

“Compared to those places, there is less interference here,” he said, adding that the matter has been closed.

The issue of tickets for Karnataka MLAs for IPL matches at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was raised in the Assembly last Thursday, with Speaker U.T. Khader urging the government to take up the matter with the authorities concerned.

The Speaker suggested that the authorities be called for discussions and a clear policy be put in place. He recommended that at least four tickets be issued to each MLA and that proper arrangements be made to ensure they are treated with respect. His remarks were welcomed by legislators, who thumped their desks in support.

--IANS

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