India

Lucknow, April 7 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government is setting new milestones in revitalising the healthcare landscape of the state, while also implementing the Central healthcare schemes with precision and penetration in distant and remote areas.

Tele-Manas, a mental healthcare system, has seen extensive success in Uttar Pradesh much like Ayushman Bharat scheme, and today it is catering to more than 500 patients, requiring assistance with mental health conditions.

Currently, 525 individuals are receiving free and confidential mental health support on a daily basis in the state, said an official statement. A total of 64 trained counselors are responding to an average of 525 callers daily and tending to them, providing counselling and physiological assistance.

Uttar Pradesh’s Tele-Manas service was also recognised by the Central Government recently, as one of the best in the country, awarding it third place among large states.

A standout feature of Tele-Manas is its round-the-clock availability, offering free and confidential counseling from trained mental health professionals.

Presently, four Tele-Manas centers are operational in Uttar Pradesh—at the Department of Psychiatry, BRD Medical College (Gorakhpur), Mental Health Institute and Hospital (Agra), Mental Hospital (Bareilly), and Mental Hospital (Varanasi). Through these centers, callers receive primary consultation, guidance, and referrals to further medical support when required.

The Yogi Adityanath government had launched the Tele-Manas helpline in October 2022, extending mental health services to both urban and rural areas. Since then, over 3.45 lakh people have benefited from the initiative.

To ensure easy access, the state government launched two helpline numbers — 14416 and 1800-891-4416 (toll-free) — through which anyone in need of mental health support can connect with expert counselors. The entire consultation process is confidential, providing a safe and supportive environment for callers to express their concerns freely.

The Tele-Manas mental health counseling service has not only helped raise awareness about mental well-being but has also emerged as a lifeline by offering free and high-quality consultations to those struggling with mental health challenges.

Meanwhile, the Yogi government is considering expanding this initiative to reach even more people, ensuring that mental wellness becomes a priority for every citizen in the state, thereby guiding millions toward a healthier and more positive life.

--IANS

mr/pgh

Patna, April 7 (IANS) After the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s sharp criticism against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during his Bihar visit, senior NDA leaders, including Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and JD-U National Working President Sanjay Jha, launched a counterattack, terming LoP’s outreach as a “fashionable tour.”

“If Rahul Gandhi wants to do a fashionable tour, let him. Nowadays, roaming around with a copy of the Constitution in hand has become his new political fashion. His family has a history of tearing the Constitution to shreds,” claimed the Union Minister.

Taking a dig at LoP Rahul Gandhi’s attire during the padayatra (foot-march), Singh added: “When he’s in India, he wears white T-shirts and jeans, and abroad, it’s kurta-pajama. Does this change in clothes prove anything? This drama isn’t going to make any difference in Bihar.”

He also questioned LoP Rahul Gandhi’s knowledge about employment and development in Bihar. “He talks about jobs. Does he even understand the definition of employment? Appointment letters are being distributed every day here in Bihar. He knows nothing and is simply wandering aimlessly,” he further claimed.

He said that there is no curfew in Bihar, adding that anyone can visit, but let the public decide. “The people have already made up their minds in favour of NDA,” he also claimed.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha, who is also the national working president of JD-U, echoed similar sentiments and questioned LoP Rahul Gandhi’s political motives behind frequent Bihar visits.

“What does Rahul Gandhi have to do with Bihar? We hear him talking about migration. But let’s not forget — maximum migration from Bihar happened under RJD-Congress rule. Businessmen, doctors — everyone had to leave the state during their tenure,” Jha alleged.

He emphasised that the situation in Bihar has changed under the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government, which has prioritised development, employment, and law and order.

“Everyone is welcome in Bihar. But Rahul Gandhi’s sudden concern seems more like a political stunt than a commitment to the people of the state,” Jha added.

--IANS

ajk/dan

Shimla, April 7 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday launched the registration form for the farmers to sell raw turmeric grown through natural farming practices at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 90 per kg.

This initiative, announced in the 2025–26 Budget, aims to strengthen the rural economy by providing a guaranteed price for turmeric and encouraging natural farming across Himachal Pradesh, an official statement said.

The registration will be carried out by the Department of Agriculture, which will also provide training to farmers on natural farming techniques. The raw turmeric procured from registered farmers will be processed at the upcoming Spice Park in Hamirpur. The processed turmeric will be branded and marketed as ‘Himachal Haldi’, offering both quality assurance and a unique identity in the market.

"For the first time, government agencies will directly procure raw turmeric from farmers, which will be a game-changer for their livelihoods and ensure immediate cash flow in the rural sector,” said the Chief Minister.

He said the government is also procuring naturally grown wheat at Rs 60 per kg and maize at Rs 40 per kg. Additionally, over the last two years, the state has increased the milk procurement price by Rs 21 per litre. Cow milk is now procured at Rs 51 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 61 per litre.

Currently, turmeric is cultivated across approximately 2,042.5 hectares in the state, yielding around 24,995 metric tons annually. The major turmeric-producing districts include Hamirpur, Kangra, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Mandi, and Solan.

Turmeric has emerged as a promising livelihood option due to its high medicinal value, especially post-Covid-19, and growing demand in both domestic and International markets. Given its natural resistance to wild and stray animals, especially monkeys, and its lower labour requirements and longer post-harvest shelf-life, turmeric cultivation aligns well with the challenges faced by Himachali farmers.

--IANS

vg/vd

Raipur, April 7 (IANS) As many as 26 Maoists, including three carrying rewards totaling ₹4.5 lakh, surrendered before the security forces on Monday, along with five women Maoists in Narayanpur.

This brought the total count of surrenders on Monday to 31, as per officials.

The five female Maoists who surrendered in Narayanpur were active in various regional committees and each of them carried a reward.

These women expressed a desire to shun violence and return to the mainstream due to years of hardship in forests and disillusionment with Maoist ideology.

Officials hailed this as a positive step and hoped it would inspire others to follow suit.

These Maoists, once involved in Naxal-related activities such as road sabotage and disseminating propaganda, have renounced violence under the ‘Lon Varratu (Come Back Home)’ campaign.

Since its inception, the campaign has seen 953 Naxalites in Dantewada district surrender, 224 of whom had rewards on their heads.

The Bastar region, heavily affected by Naxalism, has witnessed a significant number of Maoists giving up arms, driven by sustained efforts to reintegrate them into society.

Led by senior officials, the Dantewada district administration and police force, supported by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have actively promoted the state's rehabilitation policy.

Their efforts include outreach in villages to guide misguided youth and hardcore Maoists towards reintegration into society.

The 26 surrendered Maoists included individuals with rewards, such as Rajesh Kashyap, Kosa Madvi, and others.

Women like Kumari Oyam and others from Narayanpur also joined the mainstream.

As part of the rehabilitation policy, the government will provide financial assistance, skill development training, and other support to help them build a new life.

“The Maoists have decided to surrender and leave the path of Naxalism and return to the mainstream. These women who surrendered before the police and administration said that they now want to leave the path of violence and live a normal life,” officials said.

The officials have called this surrender a positive sign and expressed hope that other Maoists will also be inspired by this and adopt the path of peace and surrender.

--IANS

sktr/rad

Mysuru (Karnataka), April 7 (IANS) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi launched the ‘Janakrosh Yatra’ in Mysuru, the home district of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Monday. He stated that the BJP is organising the yatra in protest against the anti-people policies of the Congress government in Karnataka.

Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the yatra by beating a drum. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Council Chalawadi Narayanaswamy, former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, and other senior leaders also joined him in beating the drum.

Union Minister Joshi and other leaders then led a protest march, accompanied by thousands of BJP workers.

Before arriving at the site, Union Minister Joshi and all BJP leaders visited the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill in Mysuru and offered special prayers.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Joshi said, "Prices have reached record highs. On the other hand, even though the law does not permit religion-based reservations, the government has allotted 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, which is the height of appeasement."

He criticised the government for acting against the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings.

He further alleged that funds allocated for Dalits under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) are being diverted to fulfil guarantee schemes. “If that's the case, is the government providing guarantees only to Dalits?” he questioned.

He stated that the yatra is being carried out with the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari. It will be led by the state BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra and two opposition leaders, R. Ashoka and Chalawadi Narayanaswamy. He further announced that the party has consulted legal experts regarding the religion-based reservation and will challenge it in court.

Responding to the central government’s hike in petrol and diesel taxes, Joshi said, “The state government has hastily reacted. The Rs 2 increase will be borne by government-run companies-essentially the Union Government. We are not passing that Rs 2 burden onto consumers.”

He added that even the state government would benefit from the tax hike, as it would receive a share. “They too will get Rs 1,” he noted.

On April 7, the yatra will cover Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, followed by Mandya in the morning and Hassan in the afternoon on April 8.

On April 9, protests will take place in Kodagu and Mangaluru, while on April 10, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru will witness the first phase of protests.

The second phase of the protest will begin on April 13 in Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts. Vijayendra stated that the yatra would cover all districts of the state, with 2-3 km-long foot marches and public meetings in every major city. Senior BJP leaders will participate in the events.

--IANS

mka/uk

Kohima, April 7 (IANS) The Nagaland University, the only central varsity in the state, has been sanctioned an ‘Indian Knowledge Systems’ (IKS) Research Centre to study indigenous knowledge systems of water management in agriculture and ethnic culinary practices among the tribal communities of the northeastern state.

With two million population, as per the 2011 census, 86.5 per cent of which are tribals, Nagaland is home to various indigenous tribes, each with their own distinct cultural practices, including unique approaches to water management and traditional cooking methods.

A university official said that these systems are crucial for the community’s agricultural livelihoods and cultural identity.

He said that the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) is an innovative cell under the Union Ministry of Education at AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), New Delhi.

He said that the IKS works towards spreading the rich heritage of the country and traditional knowledge in the field of Arts and literature, agriculture, basic sciences, engineering and technology, Architecture, management, and economics, among other fields.

Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik said that the state is home to diverse indigenous tribes, each with unique cultures and practices, including traditional water management systems and ethnic cuisine.

“This traditional knowledge of water-managed systems in agriculture and ethnic cuisine among the tribal community of Nagaland will be a resource for documentation and dissemination for further adoption for sustainability,” he said.

Prof Patnaik said that furthermore, based on the findings, the University can also make suggestions to the local communities on improving the system.

“Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the existing system is vital for understanding its sustainability, profitability, societal impact and replicability, under the present scenario of climate change,” he added.

The traditional water management practices in Nagaland are diverse and deeply rooted in the community's culture. These include rainwater harvesting through ponds or wooden tanks, terracing for agricultural erosion control, spring water management, and the use of bamboo to create pipes for long-distance water transportation. These practices are vital for both agriculture and the preservation of the environment.

Nagaland’s cuisine is characterised by bold flavours and local ingredients, with traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations.

Elaborating further on the upcoming Research Centre, its Principal Investigator, Chitrasen Lairenjam, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering, said that the project idea is to study the fundamentals involved in the practice done by the farmer in managing and sustaining the system.

“This project also aims to document and disseminate knowledge about these practices for future sustainability. Through research, education, and mentoring, the project will assess the relevance of these traditional systems in today’s climate and agricultural context, identify potential gaps, and suggest improvements,” Lairenjam said.

He is optimistic that the study would contribute to understanding the role of indigenous knowledge in sustaining agriculture in Nagaland amidst changing environmental conditions.

The academician said that the focus area of this IKS Research Centre is the indigenous knowledge of water-managed systems in agriculture, and traditional ethnic culinary among the tribal community of Nagaland for documentation, research, mentoring and dissemination of this knowledge.

--IANS

sc/dan

Kochi, April 7 (IANS) Malayalam actor Sreenath Bhasi withdrew his anticipatory bail plea just hours after filing it before the Kerala High Court. The move comes in the wake of allegations linking him to a drug case involving arrested peddler Tasleem Sultana.

Earlier in the day, Bhasi had moved the High Court, expressing apprehension that he might be arrested by the Kerala State Excise Department following media reports that Sultana had named him as a client.

His petition cited a potential threat of arrest and sought protection. The court had admitted the plea and directed the Excise to file its response within two weeks.

However, by Monday evening, Bhasi decided to withdraw the petition, apparently because the Excise Department had not yet named him as an accused in the case.

In his plea, Bhasi acknowledged knowing a woman named Christina, whom he met in Kozhikode a few months ago. He claimed that during their interactions, he received a message asking if he wanted "ganja," to which he had responded with “wait.”

He also stated that he recognized the arrested peddler by the name of Tasleem.

The Excise Department had arrested Tasleem Sultana and an accomplice on April 1 from a resort near Alappuzha, acting on a tip-off.

The operation led to the seizure of hybrid ganja worth around Rs 2 crore in the open market. Officials said the arrest came after a three-month-long surveillance operation.

During interrogation, Sultana allegedly revealed the names of several clients from the Malayalam film industry, including actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi.

While neither actor has been officially named as an accused, officials have indicated they may be questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.

Sources say that digital forensics experts are now assisting the Excise team in retrieving deleted chats and messages from the phones of the accused, which could be key to establishing the client network.

Sultana, originally from Kannur, is said to have operated from Chennai, frequently traveling to Kochi and Alappuzha -- hubs for her distribution network.

Apart from her alleged involvement in narcotics, she is also known to have worked in minor acting roles and assisted with film script translations, giving her access to the film fraternity.

This is not her first brush with the law. She has a prior record of involvement in a sex racket.

Actor Shine Tom Chacko, too, has faced scrutiny in the past. In 2015, he was arrested with four models for alleged cocaine possession but was acquitted nearly a decade later due to lack of evidence.

Meanwhile, Bhasi had also faced questioning last year in connection with an NDPS case linked to alleged gangster Om Prakash.

With the Excise Department intensifying its investigation into the film industry’s possible drug links, more developments are expected in the coming days.

--IANS

sg/skp

Bengaluru, April 7 (IANS) The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the remarks of Home Minister G. Parameshwara over the incident of molestation of two women in Bengaluru and termed the words as "irresponsible".

Reacting to the rise in incidents of sexual assaults and harassment in Bengaluru during the night hours, Parameshwara, said on Monday with reference to the latest episode that "such incidents happen here and there in a big city".

State unit BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday said: "Regarding the recent assault incident on a young woman in BTM Layout, Bengaluru, the irresponsible statement made by Home Minister G. Parameshwara amounts to an open admission that law and order in the state has completely collapsed."

Since the Congress came to power in Karnataka, there has been a continuous series of crimes including murder, robbery, extortion, assaults, and rapes targeting women and children, he slammed.

The administration’s approach to such incidents appears to suggest that there is nothing unusual about them, and they do not need to be taken seriously. This is the sorry state of law and order in the state. The Home Minister’s statement downplaying the harassment of a young woman in broad daylight as a "routine incident" has tarnished the image and dignity of the state on an international level. His remarks reflect nothing but his incompetence, Vijayendra slammed.

"It is extremely unfortunate that the Home Minister routinely brushes off serious incidents with casual remarks, as he has done with the BTM Layout case. The Chief Minister must take moral responsibility and make a public statement about the failure of law and order in the state.

“This statement by the Home Minister clearly proves that the Congress government has completely failed in maintaining law and order and in protecting women. As long as this government remains in power, peace and safety for the people of the state will remain a distant dream," he added.

Responding to a media query about the sexual harassment case that came to light on Sunday, Parameshwara said, “I have advised the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to remain vigilant every day. Police patrolling must be carried out effectively and in a disciplined manner in all localities of Bengaluru city.”

He added: "Public attention naturally gets drawn when such incidents are reported. We will not ignore them -- the police department is working continuously."

“Such incident happens here and there in such a big city, but we will take appropriate legal action in each case,” he stated.

A video showing two young women being targeted by a man in the early hours in a residential locality went viral on social media, raising serious concerns over women’s safety in Bengaluru.

The 17-second video shows two women walking down a deserted street flanked by houses on both sides. A tall, well-built man approaches from behind, pushes one of the women aside, sexually harasses the other, and then escapes. The video also captures the visibly shaken women standing briefly to catch their breath before quickly leaving the scene.

The incident occurred at around 2 a.m. on April 4 in the jurisdiction of the Sadduguntepalya police station. The video went viral on Sunday. Police have registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by a local resident and have launched a search for the accused while collecting additional evidence.

--IANS

mka/pgh

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate has attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 25.16 crore in a case of money laundering by a company allegedly linked to illegal mining in Haryana, an official said on Monday.

The search operation against Sunder Marketing Associates, conducted by the ED Headquarters in New Delhi, involved seizure of assets including cash, agricultural lands, residential plots, residential house, flat and commercial office.

The ED also proceeded against company officials and partners Raman Sokhal s/o Vinod Sokhal, Satbir Chhikara and others under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002.

The company allegedly used deception and forged documents to get mining contracts.

The searches on Monday were a follow-up to a matter which cropped up during investigation into a complaint filed by Haryana State Pollution Control Board against another company, Govardhan Mines and Minerals, for illegal mining in Dadam Hill in Bhiwani district.

In August 2023, the ED had conducted searches against both Sunder Marketing Associates and Govardhan Mines and their associates in the illegal mining case. Both the companies had been slapped with a penalty of Rs 65 crore by the National Green Tribunal for illegal mining.

In July 2024, the ED searched premises of Govardhan Mines and Minerals at various locations in Hisar, Bhiwani, Gurugram, Panchkula and Delhi. The persons whose premises were raided included Ravita, Pankaj Singh, Jagat Singh, Sanjay Gupta, Sombir Singh, Naveen Kumar and others.

During the search operations various incriminating documents, digital devices, Rs 5 lakh in cash and a BMW car worth Rs 1.50 crore were seized, and the bank accounts of the firm having a balance of Rs 41 lakh were frozen.

The ED investigation revealed that Govardhan Mines and Minerals was involved in large scale illegal and unscientific mining in the Dadam area of Haryana, causing damage to the environment and huge loss to the exchequer.

The unscientific mining in the area also led to slope instabilities killing five people.

--IANS

rch/rad

Srinagar, April 7 (IANS) Peoples Conference (PC) chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Monday slammed the National Conference (NC) government of Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the single Muslim-majority province in India failed to condemn the Waqf Bill.

“The single Muslim-majority province in India failed to collectively condemn the Waqf Bill and instead allowed three bills on statehood to lapse. The behaviour of NC leadership is also contradictory. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah went on a morning walk with Union Minister Kiran Rijiju, the one who presented the Bill in Parliament. I fail to understand this judge, jury, and executioner role of NC,” said Handwara MLA.

Lone also questioned how the NC could simultaneously protest against and socialise with the proponents of the Bill.

In what he characterised as the most audacious snub to Muslims all across the country, Lone expressed dismay that the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister of the only Muslim-majority province in India is seen in the company of a Union Minister who presented this Bill in Parliament.

He also raised serious questions about the ruling party NC’s commitment to both opposing the contentious Waqf Bill and pursuing the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

Lone dissected what he described as the contradictory actions of the NC, questioning the authenticity of their opposition to the Waqf Bill while highlighting procedural inconsistencies in their approach.

“If NC’s song-and-dance performance in the Assembly is not theatre - why is NC not bringing a no-confidence motion against its own Speaker for disallowing their adjournment motion?” Lone asked, drawing attention to the fact that the Speaker who rejected the NC’s motion belongs to their own party.

On the procedural front, Lone provided clarification, saying: “Let me tell my friends in NC that an adjournment motion is a censure motion against the government. It is brought to discuss the failures of the government. You cannot bring an adjournment motion on the Waqf Bill.”

He elaborated on appropriate legislative mechanisms, stating, “The only legislative device to condemn the move was a resolution. It was the only tool available to us to express our collective disapproval of this law.”

He said that the most concerning issue is the revelation that three resolutions seeking restoration of statehood lapsed on Monday.

He drew parallels to a similar situation in 2013 when a resolution brought on Afzal Guru lapsed when the NC Speaker adjourned the House after Congress, then an ally of the NC-led government, created a pandemonium out of the blue.

“So was this song and dance about the Waqf, or about stalling and delaying statehood resolutions?” he asked.

--IANS

zi/dan