Regional

Gaya (Bihar), June 7 (IANS) The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, continues to be a lifeline for countless Indians. Offering free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary hospital care, the scheme has emerged as a game-changer in India's healthcare landscape—especially for the poor and lower-middle-class population.

In Bihar’s Gaya district, the impact of this flagship scheme is evident in the story of Lalan Chaudhary, a farmer originally from Nalanda district. Currently undergoing treatment at Magadh Medical College in Gaya, Lalan is receiving all his medical services—surgery, medicines, accommodation, and food—completely free of cost through his Ayushman Bharat card.

Speaking to IANS, Lalan Chaudhary, a beneficiary, said, “The hips of both my legs were damaged. I’ve been under treatment for the last one and a half months, and it’s all being done free of cost through the Ayushman card. Where would poor people like us get Rs 5 lakh for treatment? We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Medicines, food—everything is taken care of. This is a very good scheme.”

Chaudhary learned about the scheme when a government outreach team visited his village.

“They helped us make the Ayushman card at home itself. Now, many people in our village are benefiting from it,” he added.

Such personal accounts reflect the broader transformation in India’s healthcare ecosystem over the last decade. Through a combination of digitisation, public sector engagement, and targeted welfare initiatives, the Government has brought quality healthcare within reach for millions who previously struggled with high costs and red tape.

Crucially, Ayushman Bharat addresses the needs of the "missing middle"—families who neither qualify for traditional subsidies nor can afford costly private insurance. By enabling access to timely hospitalisation and treatment without pushing families into debt, it has shifted the narrative around medical affordability.

As of May 30, 2025, more than 41 crore Ayushman cards have been issued across 33 States and Union Territories. These have enabled over 8.5 crore hospital admissions, translating into Rs 1.19 lakh crore worth of treatment covered. A robust network of nearly 32,000 empanelled hospitals, including both public and private facilities, ensures that beneficiaries like Lalan Chaudhary receive uninterrupted medical care.

The scheme’s reach was further expanded in October 2024, when the Government extended coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income status. This has particularly benefited elderly citizens in the middle-income group, offering peace of mind to families burdened by rising medical expenses.

In tandem with Ayushman Bharat, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is revolutionising access to affordable medicines. What began with just 80 outlets in 2014 has now grown into a network of 16,469 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. These stores provide high-quality generic medicines at 50-80 per cent lower prices than their branded counterparts, all certified by WHO-GMP standards.

Together, these schemes are ushering in a silent but powerful healthcare revolution in India—bridging the gap between policy and people, and turning the right to health into a lived reality.

--IANS

jk/uk

New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) achieved a breakthrough of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) at the Tughlakabad Railway Colony Underground Metro Station site, an official said on Saturday.

This milestone was achieved as part of work on the Golden Line (Tughlakabad–Aerocity corridor) under Phase-IV of the Delhi Metro network.

The breakthrough was achieved in the presence of Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh who lauded the engineering precision.

He said that such breakthroughs reaffirm the Central government’s commitment to modern, sustainable urban infrastructure that enhances ease of living, reduces road congestion, and contributes to environmental sustainability.

“Ever since our government came to power in Delhi, we have worked to restore the public’s trust — and this is now clearly visible in the progress of long-delayed metro phases,” he said.

“What was once stalled is now moving at full speed. Today’s breakthrough is not just a technical achievement, but a symbol of renewed momentum. In many ways, this event serves both as an inspection and a celebration,” said Singh.

“Going forward, we will further accelerate metro expansion and ensure that Delhi’s citizens receive the quality infrastructure and services they truly deserve,” said the Minister.

Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, DMRC, along with other senior officials and engineers were also present on the occasion.

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) completed the excavation of a 0.792-kilometre-long tunnel, breaking through at the Tughlakabad Railway Colony station using a 96-metre-long tunnel boring machine.

This is one of the two parallel circular tunnels being constructed for the up and down movement of metro trains. The second parallel tunnel is expected to see a breakthrough by July 2025.

The tunnel has been built at an average depth of 18 metres, with an inner diameter of 5.8 metres, and comprises approximately 566 precast concrete rings produced at a fully mechanised casting yard in Mundka.

As of now, under Phase-IV, about 40.109 kilometres of underground lines are being constructed, with the Aerocity–Tughlakabad corridor alone contributing 19.343 km of underground sections, said a statement.

--IANS

rch/pgh

Patna, June 7 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has once again accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of electoral malpractice, claiming that the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections "could be fixed, just like the Maharashtra polls last year".

The Congress MP's statement has triggered a flurry of sharp reactions from leaders across the NDA, including the BJP and JD-U in Bihar.

Reacting strongly to the allegation, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that Rahul Gandhi’s comments reflect his pre-emptive acceptance of defeat.

“It is natural for a person who has consistently lost to make such statements. If someone does not trust the democratic system, he should resign and leave it,” Choudhary said, underscoring that elections in India are conducted under a robust and impartial framework.

“He holds a good record of continuous defeat. His statement reflects deep frustration at not being able to digest the country’s progress,” Choudhary said.

Adding to the criticism, Union Minister Lalan Singh (JD-U) questioned Rahul Gandhi’s 'political consistency', stating: “When his party wins in Telangana or Karnataka, then the election is fair. But when Congress loses, it becomes match-fixing. This clearly shows his double standards.”

Earlier, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also expressed a similar view and said Rahul Gandhi has accepted defeat.

Notably, Rahul Gandhi's latest allegations came just months ahead of the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections.

His reference to the post-poll developments in Maharashtra -- where the government formation process faced accusations of manipulation and political engineering -- has reignited the debate over electoral fairness.

However, NDA leaders argue that such statements are part of a narrative built to delegitimise institutions and distract from the Congress party’s repeated electoral setbacks.

Political analysts believe that with campaigning intensifying, these war of words between the Opposition and ruling alliance signals a fiercely contested election season in Bihar.

--IANS

ajk/pgh

Chamoli (Uttarakhand), June 7 (IANS) Farmers in Uttarakhand’s district of Chamoli are witnessing tangible economic improvements, thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, a flagship initiative of the Central Government that provides direct financial support to small and marginal farmers.

Under this ambitious scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs 6,000 annually in three equal installments of Rs 2,000, directly credited to their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). To date, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released 19 installments under the scheme, and Chamoli has not remained untouched by its impact. According to official data, 48,664 farmers in the district are actively benefiting from PM-KISAN.

The scheme has not only eased the financial burden of farmers but has also contributed significantly to agricultural productivity and self-reliance.

IANS visited Chamoli and spoke with several beneficiaries to understand how this initiative has impacted their lives.

Hori Lal, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude for the assistance: “I am getting money under this scheme. I want to thank the central government. It has really helped us.”

Harish Lal, another farmer, said, “This money helps us buy seeds and pesticides. I want to thank PM Modi for bringing such a scheme to life.”

Pradeep Kumar echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I am receiving the money in regular instalments. It’s a big help for farmers like us. Thank you to the Prime Minister.”

PM-KISAN, launched in 2019, is designed to supplement farmers’ incomes. It aims to ensure dignified livelihoods, reduce dependence on informal credit, and boost agricultural efficiency. The transparency and reliability of DBT ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries on time, without middlemen or delays.

The latest, 19th instalment was released in February 2025 and benefited more than 9.8 crore farmers across the country, including 2.4 crore women. Earlier, instalments were disbursed in October 2024 and June 2024.

With the 20th instalment expected in June 2025, anticipation is building among farmers as the scheme continues to support their efforts on the ground. Though the official release date and location are yet to be announced, it is expected that Prime Minister Modi will again preside over the disbursement ceremony.

--IANS

jk/uk

Chennai, June 7 (IANS) Union Minister of State L. Murugan on Saturday accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of raising the issue of delimitation only to divert public attention from the state government’s failures.

Addressing reporters in Coimbatore, Murugan said the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister have already assured that the delimitation exercise, when undertaken, would not harm any state or its population balance. “No one from the Centre has brought up the issue recently, yet Stalin continues to speak about it repeatedly. It is nothing more than a political distraction,” Murugan alleged.

He criticised the DMK government’s performance over the past four years, claiming that the common people of Tamil Nadu are suffering due to rising property taxes, increased electricity tariffs, and corruption within the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). “The DMK government has failed to address core issues affecting the people. Instead of focusing on governance, Stalin tries to pin the blame on the central government for everything,” the Union Minister added.

Murugan also questioned the state government’s stance on conducting a caste census. Citing the examples of Bihar and Telangana, where caste-based surveys have already been completed, he alleged that Stalin lacks the political will to carry out such an exercise in Tamil Nadu.

“If the governments in Bihar and Telangana can successfully conduct caste surveys, what is stopping the DMK? It’s clear that they are only interested in rhetoric, not action,” he said.

Murugan’s remarks come at a time when the BJP is making renewed efforts to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The Centre’s position on sensitive issues like delimitation and caste census has gained prominence in recent debates, with opposition leaders voicing apprehensions about potential impacts on southern states. However, the Union government has maintained that any future delimitation exercise will be handled with due consideration and consensus, without adversely affecting any state.

--IANS

aal/uk

Nagpur, June 7 (IANS) Education is a key factor in women empowerment, and to support this, the state government is implementing several schemes to encourage girls’ education, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday.

Against this backdrop, the initiative by a bank under the “Umeed” CSR programme to distribute bicycles and school supplies to needy girl students is commendable, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at an event held on Saturday.

Under the initiative, the Chief Minister distributed bicycles and school kits to girl students. He also inaugurated the Dhanwantari Health Camp at the event.

CM Fadnavis stated that one of the major hurdles in girls’ education is the long-distance travel to school.

The bicycles will not only make commuting to school easier but also help in maintaining regular attendance. This initiative is particularly beneficial in enhancing educational outcomes for girls in rural areas.

He further praised the bank for being socially responsible and understanding the educational challenges faced by underprivileged and needy girl students.

The Chief Minister mentioned that the bank also undertakes various such initiatives every year. Through the Dhanwantari Health Camp, free eye check-ups, distribution of spectacles, and other health screenings are conducted. This will certainly help in maintaining the good health of girl students.

The Chief Minister also recalled a recent event in Kawande village, a remote area in Gadchiroli district, where bicycles were distributed to girl students. He shared the joy he felt seeing the happiness on their faces. He expressed hope that such initiatives will help fulfill the higher education dreams of girls deprived of modern facilities and resources.

He urged the bank to continue organising such programmes in the future.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis said that diabetes can be prevented through an ideal lifestyle. “Traditional dietary habits developed through conventional lifestyles have undergone improper changes due to urbanization. As a result, various diseases are affecting people at a younger age. By adopting an ideal lifestyle, it is possible to stay away from diabetes,” he added.

He was speaking at the 2nd International Conference 'Hello Diabetes', jointly organised by the Diabetes Care and Research Center and the Diabetes Care Foundation of India.

Highlighting the serious and concerning spread of diabetes and obesity in India, the Chief Minister said that such awareness conferences contribute significantly to ensuring that India does not become the diabetes capital of the world. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched several initiatives such as the Fit India Movement to address lifestyle-related diseases, prioritising health awareness.

Stressing the need for in-depth research on diabetes, the Chief Minister said that public awareness about the causes, remedies, and ideal lifestyle practices to prevent diabetes is essential. He emphasized that awareness is the first and most effective treatment against this disease that weakens human physical abilities.

Preventing gestational diabetes in pregnant women and thereby reducing the risk to newborns is a major challenge before medical experts. He expressed confidence that if positive outcomes emerge from this conference, future generations can remain diabetes-free.

He also pointed out that one of the biggest problems is the reluctance to accept the disease after its diagnosis. Hence, such conferences should provide proper guidance on not only medication but also necessary lifestyle changes. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the expert discussions at the conference would offer direction for diabetes treatment in the country.

--IANS

sj/pgh

Kolkata, June 7 (IANS) Trinamool Congress state general secretary Kunal Ghosh has been served with a show cause notice by the Calcutta High Court in connection with a contempt of court case.

The notice has been issued in a harassment case of advocates and for making derogatory comments against a judge of the same court during a protest against senior advocate and CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya in front of the latter’s chamber near the Calcutta High Court premises in April this year.

The contempt rule against Ghosh and six others was issued by a special three-judge bench of Justice Arijit Banerjee, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj, which was constituted specially to hear this particular case, for failing to file affidavits to the court in the matter within the stipulated period.

In the notice issued by the Calcutta High Court and served through Narkeldanga Police Station, Ghosh had been asked to be physically present in front of the three-judge special division bench at noon on June 16 and explain why punitive action, including imprisonment, would not be initiated against him for contempt of court.

Legal brains pointed out that in such cases, if the first explanation from the individual concerned does not satisfy the court, then the latter might issue another notice to him seeking a fresh explanation.

However, legal brains added that in case of no reply from the individual or in case of his or her absence from being physically present at the court, the court might order his imprisonment.

Recently, the Calcutta High Court ordered a four-day imprisonment for an advocate for making slanderous comments against a judge.

In April this year, a group of candidates for teaching posts in the upper-primary section protested in front of the chamber of Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya.

Their grudge against Bhattacharya was that his legal arguments often led to the cancellation of school jobs in West Bengal. During those protests, the protesters also used derogatory comments against Justice Biswajit Basu because of some negative observations by the latter in certain cases on the alleged school job scam.

Calcutta High Court’s Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam took cognisance of the matter and directed Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma to investigate the matter and identify the protesters. Calcutta High Court also registered a suo motu contempt-of-court case in the matter.

--IANS

src/uk

New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) The political storm stirred by Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over alleged irregularities in Maharashtra electoral rolls was dismissed as ‘baseless’ by an Election Commission source on Saturday.

“The Maharashtra electoral roll revision process was undertaken under the full glare of 1,03,727 Booth Level Agents appointed by the political parties, including 27,099 BLAs by the Indian National Congress (INC) themselves,” said an official source, claiming that there was no basis for the Congress leader to insinuate vitiation of the electoral process.

According to the Election Commission’s elaborate procedure on the updating of electoral rolls, any deletion and addition is done strictly as per the given framework under Article 324 of the Constitution and the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of the Electors Rules, 1960 and the extant instructions issued by the Commission from time to time

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in an article published in a national daily, alleged "match-fixing" by the BJP in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

His article ignited a political controversy, with opposition parties claiming that it exposes the alleged scale of electoral manipulation in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections and points to the Election Commission's "silence" on critical questions raised by the opposition alliance.

Election Commission sources, however, disagreed with Rahul Gandhi’s claim and questioned why no appeals were filed in case the allegations about manipulation carried any weight.

After the finalisation of these electoral rolls during the Maharashtra elections, out of 9,77,90,752 electors, only 89 appeals were filed before the first appellate authority (District Magistrate) under Section 24(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, said a source.

Only one appeal was preferred before the second appellate authority (Chief Electoral Officer) under Section 24(B) of the same Act, he said.

To counter Rahul Gandhi’s attack on alleged election rigging, BJP leader Amit Malviya on Saturday posted on social media a news clip headlined: ‘Misleading’, ‘baseless’, says EC, rejects Congress' claims on Maharashtra voter lists.

The EC said there was no irregular pattern in voter deletions in the state and rule-based process was followed with transparency in preparation of the electoral rolls, according to the clip.

--IANS

rch/pgh

Raipur, June 7 (IANS) Five Maoists were killed in two encounters with security forces in an ongoing operation in the Indravati National Park area of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police officials said on Saturday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has hailed the success and expressed his wish to meet the brave soldiers who are engaged in anti-Maoist mission.

With the latest casualties, seven Maoists, including top leaders Sudhakar and Bhaskar, were neutralised in the operation in the last three days, they said.

"Security forces have recovered the bodies of seven Maoists during the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the Indravati National Park area of the district," a police officer said.

Security forces have intensified their anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, leading to the elimination of seven Maoist cadres over the past three days.

Among those killed are Central Committee Member Gautam, also known as Sudhakar, and Telangana State Committee Member Bhaskar.

The encounters, which unfolded between June 5 and June 7, resulted in multiple casualties among insurgents.

The first confrontation on June 5 led to the death of Sudhakar, a senior Maoist leader who had established Maoist education centres in the Dandakaranya region.

His body was recovered following an intense exchange of fire.

The following day, security forces neutralised Bhaskar, a commander associated with the Telangana State Committee.

His elimination marked another significant blow to the insurgent network.

As operations continued into the intervening night of June 6 and 7, three more Maoist's bodies were found, including two women and one man.

Later, on June 7 (Saturday), two additional male Maoist cadres were killed in another encounter.

The identities of these five insurgents remain unknown, and efforts are underway to confirm their details.

Security personnel recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter sites, including two AK-47 rifles and various Maoist documents.

The operation has been physically demanding, with several soldiers sustaining injuries due to snake bites, honeybee stings, dehydration, and other operational hazards.

Medical teams have ensured their treatment, and all injured personnel are reported to be in stable condition.

Search and area domination efforts continue in the dense forest terrain to track any remaining Maoist operatives and secure the region.

Officials have stated that a comprehensive report on the recovered weapons and materials will be released once all field inputs have been consolidated.

The ongoing crackdown against Maoist insurgents in Bijapur underscores the government’s commitment to dismantling their presence and restoring stability to the region.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma acknowledged the success of the operation, confirming that the bodies of seven insurgents, including top leaders Sudhakar and Bhaskar, have been recovered.

--IANS

sktr/pgh

Thiruvananthapuram, June 7 (IANS) In a dramatic turn of events, Reshma Chandrasekeran, a woman in her 30s accused of duping at least seven men by marrying them and fleeing with their gold mangalasutras, was arrested just hours before what would have been her eighth wedding, officials said on Saturday.

Reshma, who also has a two-year-old child, was taken into custody by the Aryanadu Police on Friday from a beauty parlour where she was getting ready for the wedding.

The prospective groom -- a local body member from Pothencode -- had grown suspicious of her behaviour and alerted the police.

"She is now in our custody. Her arrest has been formally recorded, and she will be produced before the local court soon," a police official told IANS.

The groom told police he first connected with Reshma through a matrimonial website last month.

After initial conversations with a woman who introduced herself as a mediator, Reshma was presented as a potential match. They later met in a mall in Kottayam, where Reshma told him she had grown up as an orphan and had very few relatives, which is why she wouldn’t have anyone from her side attending the wedding scheduled for June 6.

However, doubts were raised when she visited the groom's friend’s house the previous evening. The friend's wife noticed her suspicious conduct and warned the groom.

On Friday, as Reshma arrived at the parlour, her handbag was discreetly searched, and documents relating to several past marriages were discovered. The police were immediately called, and she was detained.

According to police officials, Reshma's modus operandi was simple yet effective -- after the wedding ceremony, where the groom would traditionally present the mangalasutra, she would vanish within days, cutting off all contact.

"We have started contacting the men she previously married based on the information we've obtained during questioning," the official said, adding, “She appears to have been planning at least two more weddings in the coming months.”

The incident has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns over matrimonial fraud. Further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of Reshma’s deception and identify any possible accomplices.

--IANS

sg/skp