Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Duronto Express to get 3 more coaches: Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced that the Centre has approved the addition of three sleeper coaches to the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Duronto Express, fulfilling a long-pending demand. This addition, effective from August 2, will increase ticket availability and ease travel for numerous passengers on this busy route. The train will now operate with 22 modern coaches.
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NDTV
44 minutes ago
- NDTV
Bhupesh Baghel, Son Move Supreme Court Over CBI, Probe Agency Role In Liquor Case
New Delhi: Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel have approached the Supreme Court, seeking the legal authority and jurisdiction of central investigative agencies-the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED)-in probing alleged irregularities linked to the multi-crore liquor scam in the state. The petition, according to reports, filed amid escalating political tensions, seeks clarity on whether the agencies have overstepped their mandate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and other statutes. The matter is scheduled for hearing on Monday before a bench comprising Justice Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The move comes days after Chaitanya Baghel was arrested by the ED in connection with a Rs 2,160 crore liquor scam that allegedly operated during Bhupesh Baghel's tenure as Chief Minister. The ED claims that a parallel liquor distribution network siphoned off massive sums through unaccounted sales and illegal commissions, implicating several political and bureaucratic figures. Bhupesh Baghel has publicly denounced the arrest and subsequent raids at his Bhilai residence, calling them politically motivated and designed to suppress dissent. "The ED is being used as a tool to target opposition leaders," Baghel said, alleging that the timing of the arrest-on his son's birthday-was symbolic of the Centre's vendetta politics. The Congress party has backed Baghel's stance, staging protests across Raipur, Jagdalpur, and other districts, accusing the BJP-led Centre of weaponising investigative agencies to intimidate political opponents. Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 18, 2025, which was also his birthday. The arrest was part of an ongoing investigation into a Rs 2,160 crore liquor scam allegedly involving a nexus of politicians, bureaucrats, and liquor contractors operating during Bhupesh Baghel's tenure. ED officials conducted raids at the Baghel family residence in Bhilai, Durg district, early in the morning on July 18. Chaitanya was taken into custody under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED cited non-cooperation during the search as grounds for immediate arrest. Bhupesh Baghel publicly condemned the timing, calling it a "birthday gift" from the Central government and alleging political vendetta. The first ED raid at Bhupesh Baghel's Bhilai residence occurred on March 10, 2025. Baghel claimed that this earlier raid was timed to prevent him from participating in the state budget session, alleging that it was politically motivated and aimed at silencing opposition voices. Between the March raid and the July arrest, Baghel stated that no formal notice or inquiry was issued to his son, raising questions about procedural fairness. The ED alleges that Chaitanya Baghel received Rs 16.70 crore in illicit funds and played a key role in laundering over Rs 1,000 crore through real estate and other channels. The case has since become a flashpoint in the broader debate over the use of central agencies against opposition leaders.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Palaniswami hits out at DMK for running ‘advertisement-model government' in Tamil Nadu
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Saturday that the DMK has been running an 'advertisement-model' government, which gave new names to old schemes every day. As part of his Makkalai Kappom Tamizhagathai Meetpom campaign, the Leader of the Opposition addressed a public meeting in Tiruchendur. He said the AIADMK government's schemes were being rebranded with new names, including the Amma Arogya Thittam introduced in 2016, which had now been rebranded as Nalam Kaakkum Stalin. Referring to the DMK's Ungaludan Stalin grievance redress camps, he said: 'For the past 50 months, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has never thought about the people. Now, he is conducting camps where people can submit petitions for 46 types of grievances. If these could not be resolved in four years, how will they be resolved in eight months?' Mr. Palaniswami emphasised that the 2026 Assembly election would be crucial in putting an end to dynastic rule and family politics. 'The DMK made 525 announcements during its election campaign. However, till today, they have not been fully implemented. Whenever the Chief Minister is questioned on this matter, he lies and claims that 98% of the promises announced by the DMK have been fulfilled,' he added. 'They also promised to extend the 100-day employment scheme to 150 days. But has it increased?' he asked, and added that not only was the extension never implemented but the wage disbursement was also delayed. In reality, it was the AIADMK that negotiated with the Centre to get ₹2,999 crore in the first phase for wage disbursement, he claimed. Stating that Tiruchendur, a sacred, spiritual land known across the world, has many farmers, fishermen and palmyra climbers, he highlighted the various welfare schemes launched for them during the AIADMK regime and assured them that once the party returned to power, banana farmers would be compensated for crop damage caused due to strong winds. In addition, he said fishing ban period assistance would be increased and relief funds would be provided to salt pan workers during the monsoon. He added that a separate welfare board would be established for salt pan workers. He alleged that the price of essential commodities and construction materials had skyrocketed under the DMK government. Stakeholder interaction As part of the campaign, Mr. Palaniswami held a meeting with industrialists, farmers, and salt manufacturers in Thoothukudi on Saturday. The meeting saw the participation of the lorry owners' association, country boat fishermen's union, small traders' association, Cruz Fernandez People Forum, and SPIC Workers' Welfare Union, among others. He said after the AIADMK formed the government in Tamil Nadu, drug trafficking would be eradicated and sale of narcotics would be curbed. During the meeting, representatives put forth demands such as the establishment of a commercial hub in Thoothukudi, a skill training centre for workers, development of industrial parks, designated parking facilities for lorries, increase of relief during fishing ban period, improving the functioning of the fishermen cooperative society, construction of flyover at the VVD junction, and desilting of 53 irrigation tanks connected to the Tamirabharani. Responding to them, Mr. Palaniswami said that during the AIADMK regime, about 750 acres of land had been acquired and funds had been allocated for a new airport terminal in Thoothukudi. After the DMK came to power, some additional land was acquired, but the groundwork had already been laid by the AIADMK government. Noting the growth of the palm industry, he said his government would extend all possible support to those involved if voted to power and assured them that his government would desilt irrigation tanks under the Kudimarathu Scheme.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Nagaland CM Rio bats for permanent school infrastructure
Kohima, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday said the state must move away from temporary school structures and focus on building permanent, quality infrastructure to ensure long-term educational progress. Nagaland CM Rio bats for permanent school infrastructure He was speaking during the virtual inauguration of 51 school infrastructure projects funded under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, held at the chief minister's residential complex here. The projects include 15 new school buildings, additional classrooms in 17 schools, 18 teachers' quarters, and one residential hostel, spread across various districts, a DIPR statement here said. Calling it a "significant step" in strengthening the education sector, Rio expressed gratitude to the Centre for its continued support and praised the State Samagra Shiksha Mission, led by Mission Director L. Jamithung Lotha, for effectively implementing the projects across the state. The CM said despite the state's difficult geographical terrain, particularly in remote areas, efforts were being made to consistently improve school infrastructure. He said, "While infrastructure is critical, it is not enough on its own. Community participation and ownership are equally vital to ensure proper maintenance and effective use of the facilities." Rio also stressed that quality education is central to development. "It empowers citizens, drives economic growth, creates opportunities, and helps build a responsible and prosperous society," he said. He urged all stakeholders to work together to create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for students' holistic development. Advisor for School Education and SCERT, Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, shared detailed statistics on government school infrastructure, stating that of the 16,087 rooms in government schools, 13,767 are used for instructional purposes, while the rest serve as laboratories, libraries, and teachers' rooms. Yhome emphasised that funding under Samagra Shiksha has been instrumental in addressing infrastructure gaps and said the department's goal of bringing back one lakh out-of-school children by 2030. This, he said, would improve both educational outcomes and economic conditions for families. In his introductory remarks, State Mission Director L. Jamithung Lotha outlined the objectives of the scheme, which integrates previous centrally-sponsored schemes—Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan , Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan , and Teacher Education —in line with the National Education Policy 2020. He highlighted key interventions such as school building development, provision of textbooks and uniforms, teacher training, and smart classrooms, while also raising implementation challenges. The virtual event was also attended by MLA A. Pongshi Phom; Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mohammad Ali Shihab, Commissioner and Secretary for School Education and SCERT, Kevileno Angami, and officials from various departments. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
