Regional

Panaji, June 4 (IANS) To discourage activities of touts in the coastal belt, the Goa Police have decided to create a 'database' of arrested touts to take further action against them.

Calangute Police have arrested more than 34 touts, operating in its jurisdiction since the last few days under the Tourist Trade Act 1982.

Calangute Police Inspector Paresh Naik told reporters that they have arrested around 34 touts and the drive to nab more touts was on.

"We are receiving complaints from local panch members about touts that they loot tourists. Hence we have started a drive to nab touts who cheat tourists," he said.

"We are in the process of creating a database of arrested touts, so that we can take action against them under the Trade and Tourism Act," he said.

According to him, under this Act the first time offender is fined Rs 5,000, while if the same accused commits crime second time then the amount goes up to Rs 50,000 and there is provision of imprisonment if the person commits crime third time.

"We are taking action to discourage touts from operating in Calangute area," he said.

In January, around 500 locals from the coastal belt of Calangute and Baga in North Goa had protested against the touts, 'dance bars' culture, drugs and prostitution in the locality and demanded action on it.

Senior citizens and women, who participated in the rally along with youths, demanded that the 'dance bar' culture along with activities of touts should be stopped immediately as it is spoiling the name of Goa.

--IANS
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Panaji, June 2 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that a report regarding the demolition of temples by the Portuguese regime will be made public soon.

Sawant said this during a live interaction with the people through a phone-in programme, 'Hello Goenkar' on Doordarshan-Panaji.

A question regarding restoration of the temples demolished by the Portuguese regime was asked by one Kripa Pirankar from Merces in North Goa.

"We have set up a committee (to study claims). It has prepared a report after going through all letters, sent by the public, received in regards to temples demolished by the Portuguese regime. The report is ready. We will publish it soon," Sawant said, replying to Kripa Pirankar.

The Goa government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 20 crore in 2022 to restore the temples demolished by the Portuguese regime.

Earlier, Minister for Archaeology, Subhash Phal Dessai, had said that these committee members were vetting the details by visiting the sites and speaking to the villagers.

"Once, it is confirmed that the temple was destroyed by the Portuguese, the restoration work will begin. We want to do it in a fair way," he said.

"The Portuguese regime used to send orders in writing (about destroying structures). Their documentation used to be perfect, which is there (with us). Archival sources will be converted into claims and archaeological remains will be studied to confirm them," Dessai said.

There is also a demand from the public to take up the restoration work of several other historical sites of the coastal state.

--IANS
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Bhopal, June 2 (IANS) Putting an end to the speculations on change of guard in Madhya Pradesh BJP ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled later this year, former Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said on Friday that the party will contest the polls under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Sahasrabuddhe, a former national vice-president of the BJP and president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), said this during his visit to Bhopal on Friday.

Responding to queries from the press over the buzz of possible changes in state BJP unit, Sahasrabuddhe said the central leadership of the party has never mentioned about any change.

"The central leadership has never mentioned about any change in Madhya Pradesh BJP. We will contest the Assembly elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan," Sahasrabuddhe said, adding that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the face for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024".

However, Sahasrabuddhe avoided queries from the media regarding state BJP chief V.D. Sharma.

He also said that the BJP will contest the Assembly elections on the basis of the development works done in the last nine years.

Sahasrabuddhe also accused the opposition of announcing freebies for wining the elections.

"BJP is very different from the other political parties. We are not like those who are just announcing freebies. BJP is an organisation where the leaders might change, but the ideology will remain the same. PM Modi is working for the poor, but he is not making announcements of freebies," he added.

--IANS
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Hyderabad, June 2 (IANS) YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader Y. S. Sharmila on Friday said that there is a need for another movement in Telangana to fulfill the aspirations of those who fought and achieved separate state.

On the occasion of Telangana formation day, she recalled that the Telangana state became a reality after three crore people united and fought for water, funds, and jobs. She stated that Telangana is the result of the martyrs' sacrifices and the struggle of all sections of the society.

Sharmila, along with her party leaders and workers, celebrated Telangana formation day at the party office in Hyderabad.

She said that YSR Telangana Party was born at a time when the aspirations and ambitions of the movement were disappearing in the separate state, when "feudal rule" was returning and the opposition parties had sold them off.

Sharmila, sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, said that the YSRTP was the first to fight for recruitments and was successful.

She claimed that it was her YSRTP which raised its voice when the funds were being diverted and Telangana became "a hostage in the hands of the wealthy KCR family". The party also questioned the government over the debts mounting to Rs 5 lakh crore.

Sharmila said by undertaking the 3,800 km long padyatra, she exposed the "false promises" of KCR.

"I salute the selfless battles waged by the people of all sections that helped realise the decades-old dreams of Telangana state formation. As I extend my greetings, we reiterate YSRTP's unflinching commitment for the state's progress and well-being," she said.

On the occasion, the party office witnessed the aroma of Telangana snacks and desserts wafting all over. Sharmila also took part excitedly in the making of typical Telangana dishes that included Double ka meetha and Sakkinalu.

--IANS
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New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) The Appeal Committee has rejected Kerala Blasters FC's appeal against the Rs 4 crore fine imposed on them for misconduct and abandonment of their game against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs on March 3, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Friday.

The committee, headed by its chairperson Akshay Jaitly, also rejected Ivan Vukomanovic's appeal against the fine of Rs 5 lakh and a 10-game ban imposed on him. In both cases, the Appeal Committee upheld the earlier decisions of the Disciplinary Committee.

Both Kerala Blasters and the coach are required to pay the respective fines within two weeks.

"In its initial decision on March 31, 2023, the Disciplinary Committee had also stated that the club and the coach needed to make public apologies, in the absence of which the fines would be increased to Rs 6 crore and Rs 10 lakh, respectively," the AIFF said in a statement.

In its appeal, the Kerala Blasters FC had argued for levity with regards to the fine and asked that it be reduced to the minimum amount for abandoning the match. On the other hand, Vukomanovic's appeal said that the fine and the ban be removed entirely upon review by the Appeal Committee.

In its decision on June 2, 2023, the Appeal Committee said: "… the appeal of the appellant team is denied and that Kerala Blasters FC is instructed to pay the fine of Rs. 4 crore imposed by the Disciplinary Committee."

On the appeal made by Ivan Vukomanovic, the Appeal Committee said: "….this Committee holds that the appeal of the Appellant Coach is denied and that Mr. Ivan Vukomanovic is instructed to pay the fine of Rs. 5 lakh and serve the suspension for 10 matches and the ban from being a part of the team dressing room and team bench, irrespective of the team he is contracted with.Any match for which such suspension and ban have already been served shall count towards compliance with this decision."

--IANS

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Bengaluru, June 2 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday declared that all five guarantees would be implemented within this financial year, and also announced the dates for the same.

He said the free bus travel scheme for women will come into effect by June 11, free power up to 200 units will be given from July; women heads will get Rs 2,000 from August and free 10 kg rice for all members of BPL card holders will be given from July 1.

Addressing a press conference after a three-hour cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah said all the schemes would be implemented without any bias of caste, religion and language for the people of Karnataka.

"The first guarantee -- 200 units of free electricity -- will be given to all people from July. The people need not pay for the first 200 units of electricity used in the month of July, for which the bill will be generated in August. To avoid the misuse, one years' average consumption in the previous year is considered with 10 per cent addition," Siddaramaiah stated. He added that the arrears will have to be paid.

The Gruha Laxmi scheme under which all women heads are given Rs 2,000 will be launched on the occasion of 76th Independence Day on August 15. The beneficiaries will have to submit an application from June 15 and July 15 through online with bank account and Aadhaar card details. From July 15 to August 15, the applications would be processed. On August 15, the scheme would be launched and it is for both APL and BPL card holders, Siddaramaiah stated.

The Annabhagya scheme under which 10 kg rice or foodgrains will be given to all members of BPL card holders from July 1. The scheme is extended to the Antyodaya card holders as well, he said.

Siddaramaiah explained that under Shakthi programme, irrespective of status including students, women can travel in state owned buses from June 11. They can travel free of cost within the state in KSRTC and city buses. This will exclude AC buses.

Under Yuva Nidhi, for those graduates, including professional courses who studied in the academic year 2022-23 and passed out, Rs 3,000 allowance for graduates and Rs 1,500 allowance for diploma holders would be given for 24 months. The applications would be invited from June 3, he said. This scheme is implemented irrespective of caste, religion and sex. The transgenders are also included.

Deputy CM D.K.Shivakumar stated that this was a historical day and Congress has kept its promises made to the people during the elections.

--IANS
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Hyderabad, June 2 (IANS) Amid continued friction with the Telangana government, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said on Friday that people of the state are with her.

She declined to comment on whether the state government invited her for Telangana formation day celebrations or not.

"I am not going to comment on whether the invitation extended or invitation came or not. I am with the people of Telangana and people of Telangana are also with me. I celebrated with them. That's all I can say," she told media persons after the formation day celebration at Raj Bhavan.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao hoisted the national flag at the main formation day event held at the newly constructed state Secretariat.

The governor had earlier complained that she was not invited by the state governments for many key events, including inauguration of Secretariat and unveiling of 125-feet statue of Dr B. R. Ambedkar.

Tamilisai said she had invited those who had fought for Telangana in 1969. "I celebrated formation day with them and I was proud to felicitate them," she said.

"Today's celebrations are the answer," she quipped when asked about Chief Minister KCR's recent remark that the post of governor is only ornamental. "People were so affectionate to participate. My doors are always open for people," she said

Tamilisai said that she was overwhelmed with the people's support and their love and affection. She stated that her heart was filled with joy to watch the cultural programmes reflecting the pride of Telangana.

Tamilisai, who is also Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, later left for the union territory to participate in Telangana formation day celebrations. She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suggested that state formation day should be celebrated in all states.

At the event held at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad, she delivered her speech in Telugu. She noted that the movement for Telangana has a special place as all sections of people participated in it. Recalling that it was a non-violent movement, she paid tributes to those who laid down their lives for Telangana.

The governor pointed out that over 300 people had sacrificed their lives in the 1969 agitation and said she was happy to felicitate some of those who had participated in the first phase of the movement.

She stressed the need to ensure that the fruits of development reach people in remote areas of Telangana.

--IANS
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Mumbai, June 2 (IANS) Superstar Rajinikanth and Tamannaah Bhatia have wrapped up shooting for their next film titled 'Jailer'.

The film's maker Sun Pictures took to Twitter, where they shared a bunch of pictures from the celebrations of the wrap up. In the images, Rajinikanth along with Tamannah and director Nelson Dillipkumar are seen cutting a cake.

Sun Pictures took to their official Twitter page and wrote: "It's a wrap for #Jailer! Theatre la sandhippom #JailerFromAug10."

The film, which will be releasing on August 10, will have Rajinikanth play a prison jailer. The film has been shot inside a prison.

Apart from Rajinikanth and Tamannaah, it also stars Shivrajkumar, Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff and Ramya Krishnan.

This will be the second time Rajinikanth will be seen working with Jackie. The two have previously worked in 'Uttar Dakshin' in 1987.

--IANS
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Hyderabad, June 2 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday launched state formation day celebrations by hoisting the national flag and paying tributes to the Telangana martyrs.

The chief minister took the salute from police contingents at a colourful ceremony held at the newly-created state secretariat.

Attended by about 15,000 people, the ceremony marked the beginning of 21-day celebrations across the state.

The decennial celebrations will highlight the progress achieved by Telangana in various sectors during the last nine years.

Telangana came into being as the 29th state on June 2, 2014, following mass agitation led by K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), who had revived the movement in 2001 by floating Telangana Rashtra Samithi.

State ministers and district collectors led the celebrations held in all 33 districts. They unfurled the national flag and reviewed the parade by police. During their speeches, they highlighted the rapid strides made by the state in a short span of time.

Earlier, KCR offered tributes to Telangana martyrs at Martyrs' Memorial at Gun Park near state Assembly.

Ministers, legislators, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Director General of Police (DGP) Anjani Kumar and other senior officials also offered tributes.

The formation day celebrations were also organised at Raj Bhavan, where Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan unfurled the national flag.

For the first time, the government of India also organised Telangana formation day. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism G. Kishan Reddy unfurled the national flag at Golconda Fort.

Telangana formation day celebrations were also held at Telangana Legislative Assembly and Council. Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy hoisted the national flag at the Assembly. Council chairman G. Sukhender Reddy unfurled the national flag at Council premises.

Formation day was also celebrated at Telangana High Court. Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan hoisted the national flag.

--IANS
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