Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav rejects Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's charge of Delhi Zoo privatisation
NEW DELHI: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday dismissed Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's criticism regarding the Delhi Zoo's proposed agreement with the Reliance Group's Gujarat-based wildlife facility, saying such collaborations are routine and aimed at improving animal care and management practices.
"Some people have made it a habit to create doubts in the mind of the public at every instance," Yadav said on X in response to Ramesh's remarks.
He clarified that the National Zoological Park (NZP), also known as the Delhi Zoo, had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in January 2021.
The centre is managed by the Reliance Foundation under the Vantara initiative.
"The proposed MoU aims to foster collaboration in wildlife conservation, rescue, rehabilitation, animal health and welfare," Yadav said, adding that key areas of cooperation include veterinary care, exchange of best practices, technical assistance in zoo planning and training of staff.
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Hindustan Times
18 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Tensions in Manipur over arrest rumours of volunteers of Meitei outfit
Two journalists and a civilian were injured as tensions flared in Imphal city late on Saturday evening following unconfirmed reports of the arrest of five volunteers of Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei group, including one of the group's commanders, people familiar with the matter said. An irate mob stormed the Kwakeithel Police Outpost in Imphal West, demanding the immediate release of the arrested individuals. In response, security forces fired several rounds to disperse the crowd. During the incident, at least three people, including two journalists, sustained injuries. According to unconfirmed reports, the arrests were made at around 2.30pm by a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba was also seen at the scene, attempting to speak with senior security personnel regarding the situation. In a purported video circulated on social media groups, Leishemba could be heard saying, 'We tried very hard to bring peace. If you do such things, how will peace come? Arrest me along with the MLA....' There was not official statement from the Manipur police till the time of going to press. ALSO READ | Union Home secretary discusses border fencing, law & order situation with Manipur Governor Separately, officials in New Delhi said that the Union home ministry representatives will hold a meeting with representatives of Kuki-Zo militant groups, who are signatories to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with the Centre. They are expected to meet in the national capital on Monday. This is the first general meeting since the pact was put in abeyance last year. While there was no confirmation from the MHA or the Manipur-based groups, a person aware of the details said all representatives from SoO will attend the meeting. 'All representatives from the SoO groups will be in Delhi. This is the first general meeting called by the MHA. We do not know if Manipur state administration officials will be present or not. It was a tripartite agreement between our groups, state government and Centre to suspend all operations from both sides,' this person said requesting anonymity. The tripartite SoO agreement was signed by the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki militant groups in August 2008, and was renewed every year until February 28 last year when it was kept abeyance. The renewal process was halted after allegations against SoO group cadres indulging in the ethnic clashes in Manipur and training village defence volunteers — the groups have denied both charges. The person cited above said that over the last year, SoO groups have addressed some queries raised by the MHA. 'The ground rules for the pact were set to be revised so MHA has asked SoO groups many questions. All these were presented to the MHA. We expect something positive from the meeting,' the official added. The questions pertained to location of camps, the weapons that are in a double lock system and the need for having new camps. ALSO READ | Protest over 'Manipur' name removal on govt bus; Police fire tear gas, 8 injured While former chief minister N Biren Singh and his MLAs have demanded that the SoO agreement be cancelled, Kuki-Zo groups and their legislators have requested Centre to renew the pact. At the time of the signing of agreement in 2008, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) agreed to cease any form of violence. The central and state governments also agreed that no force (army, paramilitary, or state police) would launch operations against the signatories as long as they abide by the terms of the agreement. However, the SoO was unilaterally suspended by the Biren Singh government on March 2023 — roughly two months before the ethnic clashes broke out — saying that some members of the groups were illegal migrants. The suspension, along with a Manipur high court order that directed the state to ensure Meiteis get the scheduled tribes status, are believed to be triggers for the violence that has roiled the state for over two years. A senior security official, who asked not to be named, said, 'Agencies have regularly given reports about the SoO groups. There have been cases of SoO militants being arrested in some cases of violence during the last two years. It is a critical issue. Whatever happens to the SoO pact will definitely have an impact in Manipur. They are influential and have a lot of clout among not just Kuki-Zo civilians but also their political leaders.' The earlier rules of the SoO pact directed cadres of the militant groups to stay in designated camps, with the routine administration of camps being handled by the groups. The rules also mandated that no more than 20% of cadres will be allowed to leave the camp at any given time. State government and joint monitoring group (JMG) members were to conduct inspections at the camp to check for violations. All weapons were to be held within the camp's armoury in a double locking system, with one key being with the group and other with the concerned security force.
New Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Dynastic feuds may reshape Indian politics
In Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal leans on its OBC and Muslim vote bank, and Lalu Prasad Yadav's anti-elite legacy. His sons, Tej Pratap and Tejashwi, are locked in a clownish feud as Tej Pratap's social media rant about 'Jaichands' and a 12-year romance clash with Tejashwi's steady hand as Lalu's heir. The RJD's political now wobbles as Tej Pratap's antics, in the backdrop of his estranged wife Aishwarya's lament, alienate voters. If the RJD fractures, Bihar's educated youth craving jobs over drama could turn to the BJP's development narrative or Nitish Kumar's JD(U) again. Consolidation under Tejashwi would bolster the RJD's clout, challenging the BJP's dominance and forcing the Congress to play second fiddle in alliances. UP's Samajwadi Party (SP), rooted in Yadav and OBC identity, still stings from its 2016 family feud, when Akhilesh Yadav ousted uncle Shivpal, costing the party the 2017 election. Akhilesh now wields the SP's political clout consisting of its caste-based vote bank. But UP's urbanising youth, less swayed by caste, demand results. If the SP splinters further, the BJP with its Hindutva and development mix will tighten its grip on the state, leaving the Congress to pick up scraps. A unified SP leveraging its Yadav-Muslim base could challenge the BJP's hegemony, forcing national parties to negotiate hard for UP's 80 Lok Sabha seats. Maharashtra's NCP, built on Maratha pride and rural networks, is reeling from Ajit Pawar's 2023 betrayal splitting from Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule to join the BJP. Ajit's grab for the NCP's name, symbol and the Maratha vote bank left Supriya's faction scrambling. If the split persists, the BJP and its ally Shiv Sena will dominate the state, with the Congress gaining marginal urban votes. A reunited NCP, though a long shot, could reclaim its kingmaker status, forcing national parties to vie for its support in coalition games. The BSP, anchored in Dalit empowerment, is Mayawati's fortress. Her anointment of brother Anand Kumar and nephew Aakash screams of nepotism. Its political capital is its Jatav Dalit base, which is slipping as educated Dalits drift to BJP's development promises. If the BSP collapses under dynastic weight, the BJP will absorb its voters, cementing dominance in UP, while the Congress might snag urban Dalits. Consolidation under Aakash, if Mayawati steps back, could revive the BSP's Dalit clout, challenging national parties in UP's caste cauldron. West Bengal's Trinamool Congress, fuelled by Bengali sub-nationalism, is Mamata Banerjee's domain, with nephew Abhishek Banerjee as heir. His rise as MP and party general secretary irks veterans, but Mamata's grip keeps dissent at bay. But Bengal's growing middle class demands merit. If the TMC fractures post-Mamata, the BJP's Hindutva pitch could sway voters, with the Congress a distant contender. A consolidated TMC under Abhishek could dominate Bengal, forcing national parties to cede ground in eastern coalitions. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK thrives on Dravidian identity, championing Tamil pride and social justice. M K Stalin, Karunanidhi's son, rules unchallenged, grooming his son Udhayanidhi Stalin as successor, with hardly any overt pushback from anyone within the family or outside. The DMK's politics, comprising its Tamil base and anti-Hindi stance, is robust, but Tamil Nadu's IT-driven prosperity is breeding a youth sceptical of dynasty. In the unlikely but hypothetical situation of the DMK splintering, the BJP could gain urban footholds while the AIADMK mops up rural votes. A unified DMK, with Udhayanidhi at the helm, would keep Tamil Nadu a regional stronghold by marginalising national parties. The Pattali Makkal Katchi, ensconced in Tamil Nadu's Vanniyar caste silo, faces collapse as S Ramadoss battles son Anbumani, who was sacked from party president's chair in April 2025 over a BJP alliance spat. Anbumani's defiance targets the PMK's political foundation. If the PMK implodes, the DMK and AIADMK will rupture its fountainhead, with the BJP gaining marginal caste votes. But a united PMK could still sway coalitions, forcing national parties to court its niche clout.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Delhi considers building elevated road over ring road to ease chronic congestion
N ew Delhi: With the city's Ring Road catering to heavier traffic than its capacity, Delhi govt is toying with the idea of building an elevated road over the existing 55-km stretch. PWD minister Parvesh Verma said he had already asked for a feasibility of such a project, with the proposed road to be built on pillars and connected with other arterial roads through ramps. Verma said he had discussed the plan with Union minister for road, transport and highways Nitin Gadkari and received a go-ahead from him. "This will be one of the biggest projects of this govt and will be completed within its term," Verma told TOI. The minister said that Delhi's two ring roads bear the maximum load of traffic and remain clogged during peak hours. Adding to the capacity of the existing road would help ease traffic on the existing one while also decongesting other roads that connect with Ring Road. "Since the new road will be entirely elevated, it can be built on pillars along the central verge of the existing road. The project will not require any acquisition of land and so can be completed within a given timeframe," Verma said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo Since a large volume of traffic using the Ring Road disperses on other important arterial roads such as Mathura Road, Aurobindo Marg, DND Flyway or head to the airport, Gurgaon, Rohtak Road and other highways, Verma said traffic movement would become obstruction-free with the construction of the new elevated road. "The cost of the construction of an elevated road comes to about Rs 100 crore per kilometre. This project can easily be completed at a cost of Rs 5,500-6,000 crore," the PWD minister said. Once a relatively efficient arterial corridor designed to decongest central areas and facilitate cross-city travel, Ring Road is now facing chronic congestion. Unlike the newer Outer Ring Road, developed later to redirect peripheral traffic, the inner Ring Road is buckling under mounting pressures. From urban sprawl and flawed planning to infrastructure saturation and enforcement gaps, a confluence of factors has brought the once-speedy corridor to a glacial pace. When Ring Road was originally planned in the 1950s and completed in the following decades, it was meant to serve a very different city — both in population and traffic volume. At the time, Delhi had fewer than three million residents. Today, the metro region is home to over 30 million. The road, however, has not expanded proportionately to accommodate this growth. What was once designed as a bypass route now functions as a semi-central road. As the city grew outward, neighbourhoods like South Extension, Punjabi Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Ashram became dense mid-city urban hubs. Ring Road now cuts through commercial, institutional and residential areas. The corridor is used not just by through traffic but also by local traffic to access shops, markets, schools and hospitals — all of which generate frequent stops and lane intrusions. Intersections like AIIMS, Moolchand, Dhaula Kuan, Ashram and ITO are choke points where arterial routes intersect with heavy local traffic. While flyovers and underpasses have been built at some locations, they often only shift the congestion rather than resolve it. Delhi Traffic Police conducted a survey in 2024 and found that of 134 congestion hotspots, at least 12 were located on Ring Road and Outer Ring Road.
