India

Kolkata, Dec 25 (IANS) Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Kolkata to avert any untoward situation during Christmas festivities on Wednesday.

Since Tuesday night, 1,000 police personnel have been deployed on the streets of the state capital and Kolkata Police has decided to double the number to over 2,000.

Sources from the city police said that the entire security arrangements will be monitored by eight police officers in the ranks of Deputy Commissioner who will also be on the streets along with their forces throughout the day.

They will be seconded by 30 officers in the ranks of Assistant Commissioner, 27 Inspectors and 250 Sub-Inspectors.

A total of 11 watchtowers have been installed at different locations in the city, from where the cops will watch the crowd assembling in different pockets of the city. A total of three quick response teams (QRTs) will be deployed throughout the day in the city to promptly address any emergency situation.

At the same time, there will be a total of 40 police assistance booths scattered over different parts of the city. Heavy radio flying squads (HDFS) have also been deployed for elaborate security arrangements on the occasion.

"There will be an adequate number of women police personnel, plain-dress sleuths and combat team. Special protection and surveillance arrangements have been made in the important churches in the city. Checking points will be there at several entry points to the city," a senior police official said.

Besides the police, the state Disaster Management Department had kept their teams ready for any emergency. Trauma-care ambulances at different points of the city, and deployment of life-saving disaster management teams at the river-points in and around the city are some such arrangements.

The personnel of the River Traffic Police of the city will conduct constant patrolling on the water through speedboats.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Dec 25 (IANS) The Central intelligence agencies have alerted the West Bengal government of a possible terror attack on Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, by the associates of a Bangladesh-based fundamentalist outfit who have already entered the Indian territory through the porous borders with the neighbouring nation.

Sources said in two successive inputs from the central agencies sent to the state secretariat, it has been clearly stated that the LoP has become the target of two Bangladesh-based fundamentalist associations namely Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT).

It has also been claimed in the intelligence reports, sources added, that there is a possibility of the LOP being targeted in any of the several public programmes that he is attending daily where he had constantly been vocal on the recent crisis in Bangladesh, especially the attack on the minorities and Hindu religious establishments there.

Threat perception on this count was already there and in view of that the Union government decided to expand the ambit of security for Adhikari last month.

Till November this year, Adhikari was entitled to “Z” category security only within the state of West Bengal. However, considering the threat perception as highlighted in the central intelligence report, henceforth the same security will be provided to the LoP wherever within India he will be travelling.

Earlier Adhikari was entitled to “Y” category security in any state other than West Bengal.

Sources said that the West Bengal Police is also taking the latest alerts from the intelligence agencies quite seriously and has advised the state’s intelligence agencies to act accordingly and adopt all security measures on their part on this count.

Already the security and intelligence agencies, both central and state, are on high alert over inputs of HUT associates trying to be active in different India-Bangladesh bordering districts and making attempts to open sleeper cells there.

As per intelligence inputs two active HUT associates recently came to West Bengal with valid Bangladeshi passports posing as students and had meetings with some local youths in Malda and Murshidabad districts.

These two HUT activists, as per intelligence inputs, initially picked up conversations with the local youths in these two districts discussing religious issues and thereafter carried on the conversation to the level of opening sleeper cells in the bordering districts. The two Bangladeshi citizens have been identified as Ridwan Maruf and Sabbir Amir.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Delhi BJP Vice President Kapil Mishra on Wednesday slammed Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal for misleading the people on two schemes recently launched by AAP.

Taking to X, Mishra wrote, "What a big fraud Kejriwal is committing with the sisters of Delhi. On one side, Kejriwal is getting women to fill forms; on the other side, the Delhi government's notice in today's newspapers says there is no such scheme, and these forms are fake."

Mocking the AAP leader, he said, "Wah re Farjiwal."

His reaction comes after the Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of Health and Family Welfare issued a public notice refuting claims regarding the existence of the 'Sanjeevani Scheme' and 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.'

The Women and Child Development Department stated it has been alerted through media and social media reports that a political party is claiming to offer Rs 2,100 per month to women in Delhi under the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.'

The department clarified, "No such scheme has been notified by the Delhi government."

The public notice, published in national newspapers, emphasised, "Since no such scheme is in existence, the question of accepting forms or applications for registration under this non-existent scheme does not arise. Any private person or political party collecting forms or information under this name is committing fraud and has no authority."

Similarly, the Health and Family Welfare Department denied the existence of claims promising free medical treatment for individuals aged 60 and above at all government or private hospitals in Delhi, regardless of income criteria.

The department urged citizens to disregard such promises, terming them "misleading and unauthorised". It also declared it would not bear responsibility for any liabilities or fraudulent activities arising from these false claims.

The AAP had recently launched a door-to-door registration drive for two alleged welfare schemes -- the 'Mahila Samman Yojana', which promises Rs 2,100 monthly to women, and the 'Sanjeevani Yojana,' which assures free medical treatment for individuals aged above 60 years.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday claimed that there were plans to arrest Delhi Chief Minister Atishi by framing her in fake cases in the next few days and plans were also underway to conduct raids on senior party leaders ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly election.

This comes after the national capital's Health and Family Welfare department red-flagged the ruling AAP's registration drive for Sanjeevani Yojana, a scheme to provide free treatment to Delhi's residents over 60 at private and government hospitals. In a public notice published in newspapers on Wednesday, the department said that it does not have "any such supposed Sanjeevani scheme in existence". It added that it had not authorised anyone to collect personal data from elderly citizens and is not providing any card. The department said any individual or political party collecting such forms under the name of this scheme is "fraudulent and without any authority".

Kejriwal claimed that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi would soon be arrested in a fake case as some people were rattled by the AAP government's announcement of welfare initiatives like the Mahila Samman Yojana and the Sanjeevani Yojana.

“These people are badly upset by the Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana. They have planned to arrest Atishi ji in the next few days by making a fake case. Before that, raids will be conducted on senior AAP leaders. I will hold a press conference on this today at 12 o'clock,” Kejriwal said in a post on X.

The two AAP flagship schemes -- Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana -- were announced in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly Elections scheduled early next year. Kejriwal started the registration process of the two schemes aimed at women and senior citizens on Tuesday and held the door-to-door campaign.

Non-tax-paying eligible women will get Rs 1,000 per month in the Mahila Samman Yojana. The Sanjeevani Yojana promises free healthcare in government and private hospitals for senior citizens if AAP comes to power.

This comes after AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Atishi and party convener Arvind Kejriwal, visited several areas and launched doorstep registration for the Sanjeevani Yojana and Mahila Samman Yojana.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) The Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi, on Wednesday issued a public notice refuting claims regarding the existence of the 'Sanjeevani Scheme' and 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.'

The Women and Child Development Department stated it has been alerted through media and social media reports that a political party is claiming to offer ₹2,100 per month to women in Delhi under the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.'

The department clarified, "No such scheme has been notified by the Delhi government."

The public notice, published in national newspapers, emphasised, "Since no such scheme is in existence, the question of accepting forms or applications for registration under this non-existent scheme does not arise. Any private person or political party collecting forms or information under this name is committing fraudulent and has no authority."

Similarly, the Health and Family Welfare Department denied the existence of claims promising free medical treatment for individuals aged 60 and above at all government or private hospitals in Delhi, regardless of income criteria.

The department urged citizens to disregard such promises, terming them "misleading and unauthorised." It also declared it would not bear responsibility for any liabilities or fraudulent activities arising from these false claims.

These statements come in the wake of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) door-to-door registration drive for two alleged welfare schemes: the 'Mahila Samman Yojana,' which promises ₹2,100 monthly to women, and the 'Sanjeevani Yojana,' which assures free medical treatment for individuals aged above 60 years.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized the opportunity to bash AAP and its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Delhi BJP vice president Kapil Mishra slammed Kejriwal for misleading the public, stating, "What a big fraud Kejriwal is committing with the sisters of Delhi. On one side, Kejriwal is getting women to fill forms; on the other side, the Delhi government's notice in today's newspapers says there is no such scheme, and these forms are fake."

Mocking the AAP leader, he concluded, "Wah re Farjiwal."

--IANS

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Bhopal, Dec 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Rs 49,000 crore Ken-Betwa river-linking project in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to arrive at Khajuraho Airport by 12:30 p.m., from where he would travel to Chhatarpur to lay the foundation stone for the project.

The event coincides with the 100th birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who envisioned the national river-linking initiative in 2002.

The project, the country's first river-linking initiative under the national river interlinking policy, aims to address drought and migration issues in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

The project is expected to benefit more than 8.11 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 59,000 hectares in Uttar Pradesh, impact around seven lakh farmers, and stabilise existing irrigation facilities.

It also aims to provide drinking water to 44 lakh people in Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh in Uttar Pradesh, generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy, and restore 42 Chandela-era heritage ponds to enhance groundwater.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav after reviewing arrangements for the event, said, "Hearty welcome, salutations and greetings to the honourable Prime Minister Modi, who is arriving on the sacred land of Khajuraho for the bhoomipujan of the Ken-Betwa project. Bundelkhand will create new dimensions of development, prosperity and progress."

CM Yadav said Ken-Betwa is the largest irrigation project in the country, adopting an underground pressurised pipe irrigation system.

The project involves constructing a 77-metre-high Daudhan Dam on the Ken River within the Panna Tiger Reserve, transferring surplus water to the Betwa River via a 221-km canal. It is expected to improve forest ecosystems and mitigate floods in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district.

The Daudhan reservoir will provide drinking water to wild animals in the Panna Tiger Reserve throughout the year, improve the forest ecosystem and bring relief to UP's Banda district from the flood menace.

"Prime Minister Modi has taken the initiative to realise former PM Vajpayee's dream for the river linking campaign," CMYadav added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) On the joyous occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt greetings on Wednesday, emphasising the values of compassion, peace, and unity.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi shared his warm wishes and reflected on the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ. In his post, he wrote:

"Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity."

PM Modi also shared a video from his recent visit to the Christmas programme organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). In the video, he highlighted the enduring significance of Jesus Christ’s teachings:

"Jesus Christ showed the path of compassion and selfless service to the world. We celebrate and remember Jesus so that we can imbibe these values in our lives. I believe this is our personal responsibility, a social obligation, and also our duty as a nation."

"Today, the country is taking this spirit forward through the resolve of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas.' The teachings of the Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony, and brotherhood. It is important that we all work together to make this spirit stronger," said PM Modi.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his Christmas greetings, focusing on the ideals of forgiveness, service, and compassion. In his post on X, he wrote: "To my fellow citizens, I extend warm wishes on Christmas, which embodies the ideals of forgiveness, peace, and unity.

The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ underscores the need to follow the ideals of sacrifice, service, redemption, and amity. The values of compassion for all living beings and concern for those in need imbue this joyous occasion with a unique spirit of sharing," said Kharge adding "May these festivities usher in a new era of hope, happiness, and prosperity for all. Merry Christmas!"

--IANS

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Guwahati, Dec 25 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday while paying tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary said that he laid out the vision of Viksit Bharat and gave the due recognition to the state.

Taking to X, CM Sarma wrote, “Today, we remember one of the most extraordinary leaders of our country, our guiding light, a man who laid out the vision of a Viksit Bharat, Shraddheya Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his jayanti. Atal ji's contributions to Maa Bharti will remain unparalleled.”

“His special love and affection towards Assam and North East has led to many firsts for the region and the people of Assam will always be indebted to him for his unstinted support to the State and its ambitions. It is due to the efforts of Atal ji that Assam received its due recognition and we shall always celebrate the legacy of this great statesman. I bow down to him on this special occasion of #AtalJanmShatabdi,” he added.

The CM listed out 12 specific contributions to the development of Assam.

These are: Bharat Ratna to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi, East West Corridor connecting Silchar to Saurashtra, Bogibeel Bridge, Set up DONER Ministry, Supported the Assam Agitation, Mandated Union Ministries to spend 10% of budget allocation in North East, Recognition of Sattriya as a Classical dance of India, Recognised Nameri as a National Park, Pushed Broad Gauge Railway lines in Barak valley, Introduced non-lapsable pool of funds for the North Eastern Region, Introduced Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and Introduced Mobile Phone Services.

The state unit of the BJP was celebrating the birth anniversary with a series of programmes at the party's state headquarters in Guwahati. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and leaders of the party will take part in the event.

The day is observed as Good Governance Day. The Assam government also conducted 12 days of development program in December where various schemes were launched in different districts in the state.

Earlier, CM Sarma said, “The present government has been working very dedicatedly to bring about all-round development to the state and people belonging to every section of the society.”

The Chief Minister also said that the state government’s 12-day development campaign was an initiative to help the targeted people through government interventions. During this period, CM Sarma and his Council of Ministers visited different districts and participated in the development campaign. He said that in the last 12 days, a total of 20 lakh new ration cards were distributed. 48,673 students have been covered under the Dr. Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Scholarship. CM Sarma stated that since the inception of the Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Scholarship, the programme benefitted one lakh nine thousand students.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the "architect of India's transition" and lauded his contributions towards political stability, nation-building, and good governance on the occasion of Vajpayee's 100th birth anniversary.

Born on December 15, 1994, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Vajpayee, a poet and politician, served as the Prime Minister of India for three terms -- first for a term of 13 days in 1996, second, for a period of 13 months from 1998 to 1999, third, a full term from 1999 to 2004 -- becoming the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve a full term in the office.

He left an indelible mark on the country's political and social fabric. His birth anniversary is also celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' in India.

In a heartfelt blog post, PM Modi described December 25 as a special day for the nation, marking the centenary of Vajpayee's birth.

"Today, 25th December is a very special day for all of us. Our nation marks the 100th Jayanti of our beloved former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. He stands tall as a statesman who continues to inspire countless people," he wrote.

Highlighting Vajpayee's pivotal role in shaping India's future, PM Modi wrote, "Our nation will always be grateful to Atal Ji for being the architect of India's transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998, our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about nine years, we had seen four Lok Sabha elections."

"The people of India were getting impatient and sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal Ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance."

PM Modi highlighted Vajpayee's achievements across sectors, stating, "His era marked a gigantic leap in the world of Information Technology, telecom, and communications. The NDA Government under Atal Ji made the first serious attempt to make technology accessible to the common citizens. Even today, most people recall the Golden Quadrilateral Project, which connected the length and breadth of India. Equally notable were the efforts to enhance local connectivity through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. His government also laid the groundwork for the Delhi Metro, which stands as a world-class infrastructure project."

Touching upon Vajpayee's contributions to social reforms, PM Modi said, "An initiative like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan highlights how Atal Ji dreamt of building an India where modern education is accessible to people across the nation, particularly for the poor and marginalised sections. At the same time, his government presided over many economic reforms which set the stage for India's economic surge after decades of stagnation."

PM Modi also cited the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests as an example of Vajpayee's resolute leadership.

"On 11th May, India conducted the Pokhran tests, known as Operation Shakti. Any ordinary leader would have buckled under international pressure, but Atal Ji was made differently. India stood firm and resolute, conducting another set of tests on 13th May. This was a message to the world that India would no longer buckle under threats or pressure," he wrote.

Despite facing international sanctions, Vajpayee articulated India's right to safeguard its sovereignty while advocating for world peace.

PM Modi further noted, "Atal Ji presided over the creation of the NDA, redefining coalitions in Indian politics. He brought people together, making the NDA a force for development and national progress. His Parliamentary brilliance was evident throughout his political journey."

Slamming the Congress, PM Modi remarked, "As Prime Minister, he blunted the criticisms of the Opposition with style and substance. Despite spending much of his career in Opposition, he carried no bitterness, even though the Congress stooped to calling him a traitor. He preferred to resign in 1996 rather than resort to horse-trading. In 1999, despite losing by one vote, he upheld integrity and returned with a resounding mandate."

Recalling Vajpayee's commitment to democracy, PM Modi wrote, "He was deeply impacted by the martyrdom of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and was a pillar of the anti-Emergency movement. He agreed to merge the Jan Sangh into the Janata Party in 1977, prioritising the Constitution over personal or party interests."

The Prime Minister also praised Vajpayee's pride in Indian culture, citing his speech in Hindi at the United Nations as External Affairs Minister, which showcased his immense pride in India's heritage and identity.

Calling Vajpayee's persona "magnetic," PM Modi wrote, "A prolific writer and poet, he used words to inspire, provoke thought, and offer solace. His poetry, reflective of his inner struggles and hopes for the nation, continues to resonate with people across generations."

Concluding his tribute, the Prime Minister acknowledged Vajpayee's foundational contributions to the BJP and his unwavering dedication to ideology over power.

"On his 100th Jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India. Atal Ji's unwavering belief in the potential of our nation continues to inspire us to aim higher and work harder," he wrote.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Dec 25 (IANS) The Assam unit of the BJP was celebrating the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with a series of programmes at the party's state headquarters here on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will be present on the occasion along with senior leaders of the party.

The day is observed as the Good Governance Day. The Assam government also conducted 12 days of development programme in December where various schemes were launched in different districts in the state.

CM Sarma said, “The present government has been working very dedicatedly to bring about all-round development of the people of the state belonging to every section of the society.”

The Chief Minister also said the state government’s 12-day development campaign was an initiative to help the targeted people through government interventions.

During this period, CM Sarma and the Council of Ministers visited different districts and participated in the development campaign.

He said that in the last 12 days, 20 lakh new ration cards were distributed. 48,673 students are covered under the D. Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Scholarship.

CM Sarma stated that since the inception of the Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Scholarship, the programme benefitted one lakh nine thousand students.

He said that as per NEP 2020, one high school should be located every five kilometres. Considering the provision, the state government is distributing bicycles to every student studying in Class 9.

Stating that a new horizon has been created in education, the Chief Minister said that the state government is spending Rs 2,000 crore annually for the benefit of the students.

He also said that if the students take education as their vocation, Assam will progress in leaps and bounds.

The Chief Minister also said that if the pace of development remains like what it is now, a lot of investments will come to Assam.

“Steps have been taken to ensure that in the new Assam, there will be no dearth of employment avenues in the state. In view of Industry 4.0, new disciplines like AI, Robotics, 3D technology etc have been introduced in the academic landscape of the state,” he added.

--IANS

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