Cong meets governor, urges special assembly session
"You are requested to invoke Article 175 of the Constitution in light of the deteriorating law and order and misgovernance in Bihar, and convene both houses to deliver a strong message," the Congress delegation demanded through their memorandum submitted to the governor.
The Congress delegation also demanded a high-level probe into the incident to punish the guilty, besides providing justice and compensation to the victim's family.
They also sought concrete and effective steps to prevent injustices against the dalit community and to ensure their social, economic, and security-related rights. The memorandum stated that currently, 6,799 crimes against SC-ST communities occur annually in Bihar, accounting for 13.16% of the country's total crimes.
"The conviction rate for these crimes is only 8.6%, meaning nearly 90% of offenders go unpunished," it alleged.
Citing the recent report of the Auditor General of India, the memorandum further raised serious concerns about Bihar's healthcare services and urged the governor to intervene in the matter. Later, Congress workers protested outside the residence of the health minister, Mangal Pandey, over the issue.
A delegation of Jan Suraaj, led by its state president Manoj Bharti, also met the governor and handed over a memorandum.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Disability guidelines for NEET 2025 admission fall short, defy Supreme Court directives
NEET 2025 disability guidelines fall short of Supreme Court directives, say activists. (AI Image) Candidates will be assessed based on the benchmark disability criteria outlined in their respective UDID cards The National Medical Commission (NMC) recently released the disability guidelines for MBBS admissions for the academic year 2025-26. Disappointed that the guidelines do not adhere to the Supreme Court (SC) directives, disability rights activists wrote a letter to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), calling for the need to rectify the guidelines. However, the NMC says that the interim disability guidelines will be updated regularly in a phased manner based on the feedback collected from the students falling under the Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) category. Dr Vikrant Sirohi, activist, Doctors with Disabilities, Agents of Change organisation, stated in the letter to the DGHS, "In the case of Omkar Ramchandra Gond vs Union of India, the SC directed an increase in the number of medical boards across the country, mandating at least one medical board in each state and Union Territory for proper medical examinations. However, the list of medical boards notified for the 2025 counselling includes only 16 centres located in 11 states. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo " Furthermore, the SC directives also required that enabling units and equal opportunity cells, as mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), be included in MBBS admission booklets and college websites. Additionally, a database on accessibility and reasonable accommodations at medical colleges should be created. Dr Sirohi added, "These directives remain unimplemented. Moreover, the UGC's accessibility guidelines and standards for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) 2024 also mandate the establishment of enabling units." A NEET-qualified candidate from Malda, West Bengal, who cleared NEET 2025 with 338 marks and a PwBD rank of 496, says, "I have to travel to Varanasi to get the screening done as there are no medical boards available in my state and the nearest one is in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh." He has low vision disability of approximately 60%. Speaking to Education Times, Dr BN Gangadhar, chairman, NMC, says, "To improve accessibility of medical boards for PwBD candidates, the NMC is working to increase the number of medical boards. These reforms are part of our commitment to service and welfare. The commission will seek feedback from PwBD students admitted to MBBS colleges to gather information and build a database on accessibility and reasonable accommodations. For now, the NMC has refrained from fully implementing this, as each disability is unique and requires special attention." Dr Satendra Singh, disability rights activist and faculty member at University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), Delhi, says, "NEET 2025-qualified PwBD students have contacted us, reporting the difficulties they face. For example, a PwBD candidate who uses a motorised wheelchair went to a medical board in Tamil Nadu for the required screening and assessment for medical college admission. She was taken aback when questioned about her ability to save a patient bleeding on the roadside. Her guardians were told to take her home and get her treated by a physiotherapist instead." Dr Gangadhar says, "We have conducted awareness programmes for these medical boards, sensitising them to the needs of PwBD candidates and their screening process. Furthermore, medical assessment officials are now required to submit a report specifying the candidate's disability and the reasons for denial of admission." Self-declaration Form Under Appendix D of the new disability guidelines, PwBD students must declare their locomotor disabilities. This appendix contains a list of activities related to their functional abilities, such as whether they can bear weight and stand on both legs, bear weight and stand on the affected leg, walk on plain surfaces, climb stairs independently, go downstairs independently, and other similar tasks. Dr Sharad Philip, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS Guwahati, who has 70% permanent disability due to retinitis pigmentosa in both eyes, was disheartened with the type of functional abilities students are required to declare for admission. He says, "Self-declaration is acceptable if it ends there, but it does not. The self-declaration form requires learners with disabilities to comment on abilities such as 'I can stand on my affected leg,' 'I can hold and drink a glass of water,' and more. None of these is relevant to medical training or education. These guidelines fail to adhere to the universal design for PwBD education, assistive technology, or reasonable accommodations. Instead, the onus is on the learner with disabilities to essentially screen themselves." Dr Gangadhar says, "The assessment form is used to declare the type of disability. However, candidates with disabilities will be evaluated by designated medical boards, where the assessment will focus on functional ability rather than a technical evaluation. Furthermore, candidates will be assessed based on the benchmark disability criteria outlined in the Unique Disability Identification (UDID) card." The UDID card is a mandatory document for individuals with disabilities and serves as an essential and authoritative proof for determining the eligibility of NEET-qualified candidates under the disability category. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
Trump On Russia Ukraine War SIR Storm Indus Water Treaty J&K Floods Cong vs BJP
MORNING BREAKING 1: Signed Without Parliament Nod, How Congressmen, Vajpayee Accused Nehru of a Sell-Out on Indus Water Treaty | EXCLUSIVE from Parliament Archives from 1960MORNING BREAKING 2: India is turning decisively to Japan, China, and the UK to secure new markets for its seafood, specially prawn and shrimp exports after Trump's move to slap a 50% tariff on Indian products. talks are already underway to scale up seafood imports, Union Minister George Kurien POINT BY POINT REBUTTAL TO RG AND ALL OPPOSITION LEADERS • Coming out strongly against senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of 'vote fraud', the Election Commission of India has said that using "improper words" such as "vote chori" amounts to insulting the Constitution.• Addressing a press meet in New Delhi this afternoon, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that the Election Commission was being used as a launchpad to target India's voters for political motives. Mr Kumar said the poll body stands firmly with the voters.• Flanked by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the Chief Election Commissioner said that for the poll body, there is no difference between the ruling party and the Opposition.• "Every party is the same for us," he said, adding that the Election Commission will not step back from its constitutional responsibility.• The Election Commission's response came on a day Mr Gandhi launched the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar to target the poll body over the raging issue of Special Intensive Revision in the poll-bound state.• Opposition to take call on protests against Bihar SIR on August 18Sub Stack'Fake' voters' row: Bengal Govt likely to take call on EC order• THE State government is likely to decide on Monday regarding the Election Commission of India's (ECI's) order to suspend and register cases against five officials over the alleged fraudulent registration of voters in two Assembly FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI ON TWO-DAY VISIT TO INDIA BEGINNING MONDAY • First high level visit after Galwan Clash • India and China are expected to discuss new confidence-building measures for durable peace and tranquillity along their contested border during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's two-day visit to India beginning Monday.• Wang's visit is largely seen as part of ongoing efforts by the two neighbours to rebuild their relationship after it came under severe strain following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.• The trip assumed greater significance in view of increasing tensions in India-US relations following President Donald Trump doubling tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent that included an additional penalty of 25 per cent for purchasing Russian LEADERS TO JOIN ZELENSKY AT TALKS WITH TRUMP AT WHITE HOUSE • US President Donald Trump is preparing to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tomorrow. Several European leaders, including Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Finland President Alexander Stabb are also attending• Trump Backs Putin's Proposal to Take Full Control of Donbass Regions, Freeze Front Lines Elsewhere – Fox News Citing European FURY • Heavy rainfall triggered a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district during the intervening night of August 16 and 17, leading to flash floods and landslides that caused significant destruction. • At least seven people have died, including five in Jodh Ghati village due to flooding and two in Janglote from a landslide while several others were injured. • Water inundated the industrial area, Kendriya Vidyalaya campus, and a local police station in Janglote, while railway tracks and sections of National Highway-44 were waterlogged or washed away. • Rescue efforts are underway, involving the Army, State Disaster Response Force, police, and local teams. Helicopters have been deployed to airlift the injured and stranded families, with operations focused on evacuating people. • Meanwhile, in Kishtwar district, rescue operations are continuing into following a devastating cloudburst on August 14 which triggered flash floods during the Machail Mata Yatra pilgrimage in Chisoti village. • Around 60 people have died, with over 100 people injured and many still missing..• Red alert issued for Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts on Aug. 18 and 19NDA TO FINALIZE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE n18oc_podcastNews18 Mobile App -
Hans India
38 minutes ago
- Hans India
Disciplinary panel warns Rajgopal over his diatribe against CM
Hyderabad: The Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) of the state unit of the Congress party on Sunday asked Munugode legislator Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy to mend his ways, with the committee chairman, Mallu Ravi, warning him that action would be initiated if the MLA continues to issue statements critical of the Chief Minister. A day after Pradesh Congress Committee president B Mahesh Kumar Goud referred the matter to the DAC, Nagarkurnool MP and committee's chairman Mallu Ravi deliberated the matter with the panel's members inGandhi Bhavan. He said that PCC chief on Saturday had an elaborate discussion with Rajagopal Reddy about his comments in question. He said that they discussed the possible options 'before the issue goes out of hand'. Accordingly, it was decided that 'the Committee should speak to him at this juncture and ask him not to repeat this', Mallu Ravi told the media, adding 'if this is repeated, action will definitely be taken against Rajagopal Reddy'. He hinted at potential disciplinary action, if the MLA persists in his diatribe. For the unversed, Rajgopal Reddy had expressed his displeasure with the Congress administration in Telangana, particularly regarding the allocation of funds to his constituency. He had alleged that funds were being diverted to the constituencies of key leaders and that Munugode was being neglected. His comments, made publicly during the Independence Day celebrations, raised eyebrows within the party and were construed as indirect criticism of the Chief Minister. On Saturday, the TPCC referred the issue over Rajgopal Reddy's remarks to the party's disciplinary committee, chaired by senior leader Mallu Ravi. Mahesh Kumar Goud then stated that the committee would examine the context of the MLA's statements before determining any further action. According to political analysts, Rajgopal Reddy's open expression of dissatisfaction with the party leadership, resulting in the involvement of the disciplinary committee headed by Mallu Ravi, signifies internal tensions within the Telangana Congress. Regarding resolution of differences among Warangal's top leaders, Mallu Ravi said that four party men would be sent to Warangal to analyse the ground situation. Their names will be finalised by the party high command. In the wake of allegations and counter allegations by Warangal's leaders, the party would be examining the responses from both the warring groups before arriving at a conclusion.
