India

Madikeri, April 9 (IANS) Karnataka Leader of the Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka claimed on Wednesday that Hindu workers are always killed whenever comes to power in the state.

“Whenever Congress comes to power, workers of Hindu organisations get killed. Prashant Poojari, RSS’s Raju, Rajesh Kotian, Praveen Poojari, Charan Poojari, Vishwanath - these are just a few of the many Hindu workers murdered by Muslim organisations like PFI and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI),” claimed the Karnataka LoP while addressing the Janakrosh Yatra in Madikeri city.

He added that Vinay Somaiah, of Kodagu, has been harassed to the point of committing suicide, adding that targeting Hindus will not go on for long.

“In Kodagu, during the earlier Tipu Jayanti celebrations, an elderly person Kuttappa was killed. The Congress government is trying to divide Hindus. Reservations have been given to Muslims in government contracts. If Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remains in power, he will hand over Karnataka to Pakistan,” he further claimed.

He also claimed that in the past, attacks by Muslims on Hindus used to happen in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that if Siddaramaiah continues as Chief Minister, Kodagu will also become like Kashmir.

He alleged that even when young women are raped in the state, Home Minister G. Parameshwara says these incidents are routine, adding that police officers obey whatever Congress leaders tell them.

“Police should not engage in such acts of hushing up crimes against Hindu workers and women for the sake of transfers or money,” he claimed.

He said that due to tax hikes and rising prices, people are suffering, adding that if ministers or Congress MLAs come to the public, they should be heckled.

“The government wants people to say everything is fine even when there are no medicines in hospitals. Congress leaders want people to praise them and say it’s a great hospital,” he alleged.

He added that Siddaramaiah has taken loans and burdened the people, claiming that no previous Chief Minister has ever taken on so much debt.

“Siddaramaiah is sucking the blood of the people. Congress is collecting money from the people to provide guarantees,” he alleged.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received an invitation for participation in Russia's Victory Day celebrations next month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Wednesday.

"Our Prime Minister has received an invitation for the participation in the Victory Day celebrations. We will be announcing our participation in the Victory Day celebration at the appropriate time," Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Russian media reported that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to attend the celebrations next month.

"[Singh's visit to Moscow for the parade] is possible," reported Russia's state-run news agency Tass, citing Indian government sources.

The celebrations on Red Square in Moscow will mark the 80th anniversary of Russia's victory in the Great Patriotic War.

"On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told journalists that Moscow was expecting Modi at the parade on May 9, and the visit was being worked out," reported Tass.

The report indicated that participation of a ceremonial detachment of the Indian armed forces in the parade on Red Square is also being worked out.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that many countries have confirmed their participation in the upcoming events on May 9 in Moscow, with invites going out to several foreign leaders from different countries and not just the CIS members.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier invited Prime Minister Modi to attend the celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow in May 2020.

Last month, while citing that the political dialogue between India and Russia is "developing dynamically" and is facilitated by the fact that Moscow and New Delhi "have close or even coinciding views on the objectively emerging multipolar world order", Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that preparations are being made for Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to India.

"Relations between our countries have a long history. It can be said that they have stood the test of time more than once. Today, Russia and India are developing equal cooperation based on sincere, mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests," Lavrov told the participants of the first international conference 'Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations' which was also addressed by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar.

"It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of our leaders to this process. It is symbolic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first bilateral foreign visit after his re-election last year to Russia. Now it is our turn. Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted the invitation of the head of the Indian government. The visit of the head of the Russian state to the Republic of India is being prepared," he added.

Earlier, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov had confirmed that Putin is expected to visit India in early 2025 following an invitation from Prime Minister Modi.

The visit is being planned as part of the ongoing commitment to annual meetings between the two leaders.

"Our leaders have an agreement to meet once a year. This time, it is our turn," Ushakov had said during a press briefing.

The last visit by the Russian President to India took place on December 6, 2021, during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, PM Modi held two high-profile visits to Russia last year, attending the 22nd Russia-India Summit in July and later participated in the BRICS Summit held in Kazan in October.

--IANS

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Amaravati, April 9 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for his house in the state capital, Amaravati.

He, along with his family members performed the Bhoomi Puja amid elaborate religious rituals by priests amid chanting of Vedic hymns.

Chief Minister’s wife Nara Bhuvaneswari, son and Education Minister Nara Lokesh, his wife Brahmani, and their son Devansh attended the ceremony held behind the State Secretariat at Velagapudi.

Naidu had last year acquired a 5-acre residential plot in the Velagapudi revenue area from a local farmer's family. Recently, the plot registration process was completed.

The residence is coming up next to E9 Road in the core area of the capital. The ground plus one house will be spread over 1,455 square yards.

The Chief Minister plans to complete the work and move in within a year. Following the groundbreaking ceremony, representatives from the construction company shared plans for the house, which is expected to incorporate modern features tailored for future needs.

The plans reportedly include a mini conference hall and servant quarters. A large portion of the land is proposed to be developed into a garden. Adequate parking space will be earmarked.

Local farmers are elated over the Chief Minister's decision to build his house in their vicinity. They decorated the site with flowers and rangoli. The women farmers presented new clothes to the two couples.

He will be one of the first persons from outside the capital city to have his house in the core area of the state capital.

Naidu purchased the house site after criticism from his political opponents that he had not built his own house in Amaravati despite his ambitious plans to develop it as a world-class city.

The YSR Congress Party had been taunting Naidu for not building his own house in Amaravati, though Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had constructed his own house in Tadepalli close to the Amaravati region.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President had been living in a rented house at Karakatta road on the banks of Krishna River ever since the administrative capital was shifted from Hyderabad in 2015.

After leading the TDP-led NDA to power last year, the Chief Minister revived his plans to build Amaravati as the only state capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Amaravati later this month to re-launch capital development works.

The PM laid the foundation for Amaravati in 2015 when the TDP was in power. After YSRCP came to power in 2019, it decided to develop three state capitals. The Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government wanted to develop Visakhapatnam as the administrative capital, Kurnool as the judicial capital, and Amaravati as the legislative capital.

However, the plans could not take off due to legal problems and stiff opposition from farmers of Amaravati who had given their lands for the development of the capital city.

Chandrababu Naidu’s decision to build his own house in the Amaravati core area is seen as an attempt to create confidence among prospective investors in the capital city.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, April 9 (IANS) Two prominent Kerala politicians and former film co-stars -- State Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar and Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi -- are locked in a public spat that has spilled onto the streets.

Both actors-turned-politicians, known for their fiery temperaments and sharp tongues, have acted together in several Malayalam films. But in real life, they are now on opposing political fronts -- and clashing openly.

The latest row began after Suresh Gopi, who is also Lok Sabha MP from Thrissur, got into heated exchanges with the media. Gopi, for the last few days, has been in the news for his skirmishes with the media. Last week, he lost his cool when a reporter from CPI(M)-backed Kairali TV asked him a question.

A day later, he asked journalists to leave the premises at a public function, further drawing criticism.

Taking a swipe, State Minister Ganesh Kumar remarked that ever since Gopi played a police officer in a blockbuster film, he started keeping an IPS cap in the rear of his car. “Maybe it’s time for someone to shout ‘cut’ on his act,” Kumar quipped.

Gopi’s supporters responded by circulating an old video from 2014, in which the actor gifted that same police cap to a young boy who had been in the news after being assaulted. Gopi had fulfilled the boy’s wish to meet him and joined in his birthday celebrations.

Kumar wasn’t impressed. “What should have been done was to auction that cap and give the proceeds to the boy. What will the child do with a police cap?” he retorted.

The exchange sparked protests in Pathanapuram, Ganesh Kumar’s constituency, where BJP workers marched to his official residence on Wednesday, shouting slogans and clashing with the police.

The political theatrics between the two stars have added a dramatic twist to Kerala’s political landscape, blending cinema and politics in true Kerala style.

--IANS

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Jaipur, April 9 (IANS) The Union government has taken a serious note of the drinking water crisis in Rajasthan following former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s sharp criticism.

In response, the Centre has demanded an immediate and detailed report from the Rajasthan government. Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil posted on social media, “Vasundhara Raje’s concern regarding the water crisis in Jhalawar has been taken seriously. A factual report has been sought from the Rajasthan government.”

Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had recently visited several areas in Jhalawar district, where she reprimanded officials over the ongoing water crisis.

During her visit to Raipur town, she expressed dissatisfaction over the administration’s inaction, saying: “Does the public not feel thirsty? Only the officers feel thirsty? The people are suffering due to the drinking water crisis in this scorching summer, while the officials remain indifferent. Water should reach the people, not just exist on paper. The officers are asleep, the people are crying. I will not let this continue.”

Reacting to the situation, Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully posted on social media, “When even a former Chief Minister feels helpless, what must be the condition of the common man?”

Vasundhara Raje also demanded transparency regarding the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

“The Prime Minister has allocated Rs 42,000 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission. Provide a detailed account, how much of Jhalawar’s share has been used, and where? Our government is committed to resolving the water crisis, but implementation at the ground level is lacking. The people of Rajasthan are still suffering. If this is the situation in April, what will happen in June and July?” she said.

Deepak Jha, Superintending Engineer (SE), PHED Project, acknowledged the situation, saying that significant work has been done in the district, and wherever there are shortcomings, efforts are underway to fix them.

“Most of the work is near completion, though tenders for the Parwan Akavad project are still pending,” he said.

However, visibly displeased, the former Chief Minister warned, “Do not test the patience of the people.”

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) India on Wednesday once again raised concerns over the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, hoping that the interim government in the country led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus will take strong action against the perpetrators of violence.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue of safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, during his meeting with Yunus, held on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

"On the question of minorities, this particular issue came up for discussion. We have conveyed our concerns regarding the treatment of minorities and the kind of violence that has happened against them. We have been raising this in several of our conversations, including our meeting in Bangkok, that this violence and atrocities against minorities cannot simply be wished away or dismissed as political reasons or media agitations. We hope that the Bangladesh government will take strong action against those responsible for these atrocities," Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Bangkok meeting was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since the ouster of the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and formation of the interim government under the leadership of Yunus in the neighbouring country, last August.

During the discussions, Prime Minister Modi had urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided and expressed his conviction that all issues of mutual interest between the two countries would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive discussions in the interest of the long standing bilateral relationship between the two countries.

"Prime Minister also underlined India's concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating all cases of atrocities committed against them," said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri after the BIMSTEC Summit.

During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He also underlined that India believes in a people-centric approach to the relationship and highlighted the cooperation between the two countries over a long period of time that has delivered tangible benefits to people of both countries.

"In this spirit, he once again underlined to Prof Yunus India's desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on the spirit of pragmatism. The Prime Minister also urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided.

"On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, is necessary for maintaining border security and stability. There are a number of mechanisms between the two countries and these mechanisms could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties," remarked Foreign Secretary Misri.

-- IANS

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Chandigarh, April 9 (IANS) Haryana’s Energy Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said an 800 MW supercritical thermal unit will be established in Yamunanagar, and it will employ cutting-edge technology and will help reduce pollution.

Interacting with the media after inspecting the facility, Vij said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone of the third 800 MW unit of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Plant on April 14.

This will enhance the state's electricity generation capacity and provide significant benefits.

The government, he said, is planning to set up a similar plant in Khedar and two in Panipat.

These thermal units will boost our power generation and reduce dependence on external power sources. He said that he reviewed all the arrangements relating to PM Modi’s visit and ensured.

“I’ve given various instructions based on my experience of attending such rallies during my 40 years in politics,” he said.

He also shared all the important points that came to his attention with the officers.

Vij instructed the officers to ensure proper arrangements for drinking water, toilets, parking, security, and seating for the public attending the event.

He also discussed at length with officials the Prime Minister's route plan, VIP toilets, media centre setup, stage seating and other relevant issues.

In response to a question about electricity prices, Vij said there has been no increase in tariffs for consumers using up to 300 units.

“Since 2014, price hikes have been 72 per cent lower compared to earlier trends, with only a 15-20 paise increase, which is not significant.”

When asked about the increase in petrol and diesel prices, he clarified that the burden of this hike would not be passed on to the public.

Regarding the strike by Haryana Roadways employees, Vij, who also holds the Transport portfolio, said: "I regularly listen to the concerns of employees in all departments under me and help them as much as possible. No such issue from roadways employees has been brought to my notice."

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) The government on Wednesday okayed the modernisation of command area development and water management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) with an initial total outlay of Rs 1,600 crore in FY26.

The projects will be made sustainable by Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to the Water User Society (WUS) for management of irrigation assets, according to the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The water user societies will be given handholding support for linking them with existing economic entities like Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) or a Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) for five years.

The youth will also be attracted to farming, to adopt the modern method of irrigation.

The scheme aims for modernisation of the irrigation water supply network to supply of irrigation water from existing canals or other sources in a designated cluster.

According to a Cabinet statement, it will make robust backend infrastructure for micro-irrigation by farmers from an established source to the farm gate up to 1 hectare with underground pressurised piped irrigation.

"The use of SCADA, Internet of Things technology will be used for water accounting and water management. This will increase the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) at the farm level, increase agriculture production & productivity; and thereby increase the income of farmers," the government said.

According to the Cabinet, the initial approval is for taking up pilot projects across various agroclimatic zones in the country by challenge funding to the states.

Based on the learnings in design and structuring of these projects, the National Plan for Command Area Development and Water Management will be launched starting from April 2026 for the 16th Finance Commission period, it added.

Late last month, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the inclusion of the Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). The CCEA also approved Central support of Rs 3,652.56 crore to Bihar for completion of the project by March 2029, at an estimated cost of Rs 6,282.32 crore.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, April 9 (IANS) The Special Court for MLAs and MPs has reserved its order on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) objection to the closure report in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others.

Following the conclusion of arguments and counterarguments, Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat on Wednesday reserved the matter for judgment on April 15.

The ED has challenged the Karnataka Lokayukta’s closure report by filing a petition in the Special Court.

The ED in its petition had urged the court not to accept the closure report filed by the investigating agency, Karnataka Lokayukta, Mysuru, in the interest of justice and issue necessary directions as deemed fit for investigation in the case.

The ED, while presenting its arguments in connection with the MUDA scam at the Special Court for MLAs and MPs in Bengaluru, had appealed that the accused involved in money laundering should not be let off easily.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been named as the prime accused in the MUDA case. His wife, Parvati, is the second accused, and his brother-in-law, Mallikarjunaswamy, is the third.

The Karnataka Lokayukta had earlier submitted a closure report citing a lack of evidence against them.

Senior counsel Madhukar Deshpande, appearing for the ED, said: “The Karnataka Lokayukta has submitted a ‘B Report’ against the four accused in the MUDA scam. Therefore, the ED has the right to question this closure report. The Supreme Court has stated that those involved in money laundering should not be let off easily.”

The counsel said that the ED had shared all the details of its investigation into the MUDA case with the Lokayukta police, but those findings were not taken into consideration, adding that the report shared by the ED will also be submitted to the court.

The counsel submitted that the ED, as an independent investigative agency, has the authority to question the findings of the Lokayukta. Even if the investigative team files a ‘B Report’ in the original case, the Supreme Court has, in certain cases, held that the ED can still challenge it.

The MUDA case is related to the alleged illegal allotment of 14 sites to the Chief Minister’s wife under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of land gifted to her by her brother, the third accused. It is alleged that the Chief Minister’s wife had no legal title to this 3.16 acres of land.

The Special Court directed the filing of the PCR on September 25, 2024. The Lokayukta police in Mysuru had filed an FIR naming Siddaramaiah and his family members and others. The ED had registered a case on October 1, 2024, and an investigation under the PMLA was taken up.

The Lokayukta had filed a closure report against CM Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvati, brother-in-law Mallikarjunaswamy and land owner J. Devaraju.

The Karnataka High Court on March 7 quashed the summons issued by the ED to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, B.M. Parvathi and state Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh in connection with the MUDA case.

The petitioner Snehamayi Krishna has filed a complaint with the Commissioner of the Central Vigilance Committee (CVC) on March 12 against senior IPS officers serving in the Karnataka Lokayukta, questioning the clean chit to the CM and his family members.

The petitioner had also filed a writ petition before the division bench of the Karnataka High Court, questioning the single bench order quashing his appeal for the CBI investigation into the MUDA case.

The ED filed an objection to this closure report on April 2, and petitioner Snehamayi Krishna also submitted a plea to the court questioning the Lokayukta’s investigation.

The investigating agency, in its objections, said: “The investigation undertaken revealed illegalities in the land acquisition, allotment, generation of proceeds of crime and routing/layering of the same, undue influence in allotment.”

“The evidence/information collected during the investigation under the PMLA, 2002, was shared with the Lokayukta police, Mysuru, through a letter. Presently, the Lokayukta has filed a report in this respect. The perusal of the report reveals that the evidence on illegalities in the process of denotification, the 3 acre 16 gunta land at Survey number 464 of Kesare village shared by this directorate to the Lokayukta police has not been considered in the report,” the ED said.

--IANS

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Bhopal, April 9 (IANS) In the wake of scorching heat in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal, the district administration has changed timings of all private and government-run schools for students up to Class 8 on Wednesday.

A notification issued by the Education Department said that all schools up to class 8 will operate between 7 am and 12 pm.

“Due to the continuous increase in temperature in Bhopal, all schools up to class 8 will operate til 12 pm only. The decision has been taken considering the health of students. This order will come into effect from Thursday onward,” reads the notification, which was issued by Bhopal District Education Officer, N. K. Ahirwar.

However, there were no changes in timing for classes beyond Class 8, and they will operate as per their scheduled time.

Schools in Madhya Pradesh will shut from April 30 onwards, as the state government has already declared summer vacation for all schools from May 1 to June 15.

The state Education Department has issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday, stating that the school holidays have been announced in view of the scorching heat wave across Madhya Pradesh.

Day temperature in Bhopal and several other parts of Madhya Pradesh has reached between 41 and 43 degrees Celsius only in the second week of April.

Earlier, the government had also issued a warning about the heat wave in the state.

On Wednesday, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the highest temperature was recorded in Guna at 43.4 degrees Celsius.

The department said that in Narmadapuram, the day temperature was recorded at 43.2 degrees Celsius, while in Dhar district, it was recorded at 42.9 degrees Celsius. In Tikamgarh, the day temperature was 42.7 degrees Celsius.

However, there was some respite from the heatwave on Wednesday as the sky remained partially cloudy in most of the state, including Bhopal.

--IANS

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