logo
Delhi, Haryana should give BBMB arrears pending for 14 years to Himachal: Sukhu

Delhi, Haryana should give BBMB arrears pending for 14 years to Himachal: Sukhu

India Gazette28-05-2025

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 28 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing a huge public gathering at Dehuri in Banjar development block of Kullu district during his two-day visit on Wednesday announced to open Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School, based on CBSE, and a milk processing unit with capacity of 10,000 liters in Banjar.
He said that the state government was bringing about extensive reforms in the field of education, and these efforts would continue in future as well.
He alleged that former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur looted the wealth of the people of the state and distributed electoral freebies worth Rs 5000 crores to win the assembly elections.
'He opened new institutions but cheated the people of the state by not providing staff and proper facilities. He is responsible for the decline in the level of education. We are not opening new educational institutions, but appointing teachers in schools and providing facilities so that children in rural areas can get better education environment. As a measure of bringing reforms, we created the Directorate of School Education from class 1 to 12, started English medium classes, and will make extensive reforms in the field of education in the coming time,' Sukhu said.
'I went to Delhi with the demands of the people of Himachal Pradesh. We will give water to Delhi and Haryana, but first they should give the BBMB arrears pending for 14 years to Himachal Pradesh. I have clearly said that first the neighbouring states should file an affidavit in the Supreme Court to pay this arrear, then we will move forward on the Kishau dam. I consider the state as my family, so I will not compromise with the interests of Himachal Pradesh,' he added, according to a release.
The Chief Minister said that those who had already been accused of corruption were making false allegations against the present state government to mislead the people of the state.
'Today, they have become the policy makers of the BJP, but first, they should look into their own affairs.'
He alleged that the state BJP is divided into five factions.
'During the natural disaster in the year 2023, the BJP leaders did not go to the Central Government even once to plead for the rights of the affected families, while the Congress government stood with the people. We changed the rules to rehabilitate the affected families and gave a special relief package and increased the compensation for the house being completely damaged from Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, while the compensation for partially damaged house was increased to one lakh,' the CM said.
'I came to Kullu district during the disaster and the state government provided financial assistance for the rehabilitation of 223 completely damaged and 853 partially damaged houses.'
Sukhu said he came to Banjar Assembly constituency under the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' programme and his Cabinet colleagues were also going to the rural areas and trying to solve the problems of the people. The state government's focus was on the development of rural areas. The state government increased the support price of cow milk from Rs 32 to Rs 51 and buffalo milk from Rs 47 per liter to Rs 61. Apart from this, a minimum support price of Rs 40 per kg had been given to maize grown through natural farming and Rs 60 per kg to wheat. Apart from this, a transport subsidy of two rupees per litre was also being given to the farmers.
The Chief Minister further said that under the Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme, participation of Mahila Mandals and Yuvak Mandals in planting and conserving forests was being ensured, for which a budget of Rs 100 crore had been sanctioned. The previous government left the state with a debt of Rs 75,000 crore because it kept working for political gains, he alleged.
MLA Sunder Singh Thakur said that the Chief Minister had given a big gift to the Banjar region. (ANI)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fading memories of freedom
Fading memories of freedom

The Hindu

time19 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Fading memories of freedom

As distance grows from their freedom movements, both India and Bangladesh are reshaping what it means to be anti-colonial The current regime in Bangladesh wants to disconnect the country from its history of freedom struggle against Pakistan. It has removed the portrait of its founding President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from currency notes. It is also seeking new friendship with Pakistan. The people of Bangladesh fought two freedom struggles in the 20th century: the first to liberate themselves from the British, and then from Pakistan. It is a place that won freedom twice within 24 years: in 1947 and 1971. The ideas of the self and oppressor change periodically. Bangladesh, now 55 years away from its second freedom struggle, thinks Islam is a more powerful bond for the people than language, which had separated it from what was then West Pakistan. Correspondingly, the iconography of the nation is being altered. India's collective memory of the freedom struggle is also undergoing a transformation. The most powerful political force of India today, Hindutva, sees independence won in 1947 only as a partial victory. Its more expansive version of anti-colonialism sees Islam and western modernity as vestiges of foreign influence on the nation. It is trying to scrape those influences from public consciousness through various interventions. This new decolonisation drive is directed inward: amending curricula, laws, administrative structures, and more. The euphoria of a newly crossed milestone for a nation lasts for a finite time and its lingering sweetness fades with the passage of generations. The new wave of Islamic radicalism in Bangladesh poses new security threats for India. The Sheikh Hasina government in Dhaka was sensitive to India's security concerns, and that was one of the reasons for the Islamist hostility towards her. Uttar Pradesh and Maine: sister States? What is common between Maine and Uttar Pradesh, States in the United States and India, respectively. Nothing really, you might think, but these States have recently barred or disqualified lawmakers from legislatures for what has been determined as unacceptable speech. Free speech and hate speech remain a vexed tangle in liberal politics world over. Maine Representative Laurel Libby has been barred from voting in the House. The Republican had posted a photo of a transgender student who won a girls' pole vault competition after finishing fifth in the boys' category two years earlier. She stands by her position and is seeking judicial intervention to restore her voting right. In UP, Abbas Ansari, an MLA of a party that is allied to the ruling BJP, has been expelled from the Legislative Assembly after he was convicted in a hate speech case from 2022. He had allegedly threatened the local administration during the Uttar Pradesh election. Simulating war and diplomacy Speaking of speech, there is a new status in fabricating information, which is honourably mentioned as 'narrative building,' in strategic commentaries these days. In love and war, all is fair, including lies. Misinformation has acquired such a halo of virtue. For all the frothing at the mouth about democracy being threatened by post-truth politics until recently, these days, strategists around the world are talking about the imperative of winning the 'narrative war' and poisoning the enemy's information pipelines! War itself is akin to a simulated computer game, as Ukraine's recent attack on Russian targets showed. It is only appropriate that there is also a voiceover of a suitable story to go with it. Many philosophers and thinkers have wondered whether we are living in a simulation. In the emerging landscape of virtual reality and AI, these questions are resurfacing. There are physicists who argue that a table made of wood and a table in VR are both equally real, or equally simulated. If we are already living in a simulated universe, we are creating a simulation within a simulation, as strategy! If what is perceived matters more, the reality as we thought of it until now, will cease to be relevant.

"Census delay is no accident, delimitation plan is no coincidence": Tamil Nadu CM Stalin's fresh attack on Centre
"Census delay is no accident, delimitation plan is no coincidence": Tamil Nadu CM Stalin's fresh attack on Centre

India Gazette

time39 minutes ago

  • India Gazette

"Census delay is no accident, delimitation plan is no coincidence": Tamil Nadu CM Stalin's fresh attack on Centre

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 6 (ANI): Reiterating his attack on the Centre over Census and Delimitation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Friday, said that the Census delay is 'no accident' and the delimitation plan is 'no coincidence'. Despite the assurance from Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Stalin asserted that a clear parliamentary commitment and a suitable constitutional amendment are what are needed to address the concerns of southern states on delimitation. 'The #Census delay is no accident. The #delimitation plan is no coincidence. The danger I warned of is at our doorstep,' Stalin said in a post on X. 'The Ministry of Home Affairs claims that the concerns of affected states will be addressed. But these are vague remarks. What is needed is a clear parliamentary commitment and a suitable constitutional amendment,' he said. The Tamil Nadu CM claimed that there is a 'sinister design' in how the BJP-led Union Government is implementing the national Census and the subsequent delimitation. 'Developed states, especially in the non-Hindi speaking South, which followed population control norms, will now be punished. Meanwhile, states that disregarded population control for decades are set to gain more seats in Parliament. This unfair shift skews the federal balance and rewards irresponsibility,' MK Stalin said. Alleging the track record of the BJP, Stalin cited the example of Jammu and Kashmir, as how the Centre spoke of restoring statehood to J-K, but it still remains a Union Territory. 'Just look at what happened after Article 370 was abrogated. The Union Government spoke of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Elections were held. Assurances were given in the Supreme Court. Yet, Jammu and Kashmir remains a Union Territory. This is the track record of the BJP we are dealing with,' Tamil Nadu CM said. Further, MK Stalin said that if the Union Government proceeds with delimitation based on the 2027 census, the democratic power of peninsular India will be reduced to 'irrelevance.' 'Even if betrayers like the ADMK choose to kneel before the BJP for their political survival, the people of Tamil Nadu, led by the DMK, will never allow our state to be punished for its progress. Tamil Nadu will fight! Tamil Nadu will win!' Stalin emphasised. Earlier on Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on many occasions, has assured that in the delimitation exercise, concerns of Southern states will be taken care of. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, in a post on X, said, 'Budget has never been a constraint for Census as fund is always ensured by the Government. HM Amit Shah has clarified on many occasions that in the delimitation exercise, concerns of southern states will be taken care of and discussed with all concerned at an appropriate time.' On Wednesday, the central government announced that the Population Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases and will also include the enumeration of castes. According to the MHA statement, the reference date for the 'Population Census-2027 will be 00:00 hours on March 1, 2027, for most parts of the country.' However, for the Union Territory of Ladakh and the non-synchronous snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be 00:00 hours on October 1, 2026. (ANI)

Vice President Dhankar demands investigation into 'cash haul' incident involving Justice Yashwant Varma
Vice President Dhankar demands investigation into 'cash haul' incident involving Justice Yashwant Varma

India Gazette

time39 minutes ago

  • India Gazette

Vice President Dhankar demands investigation into 'cash haul' incident involving Justice Yashwant Varma

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 6 (ANI): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday expressed concern over the recent cash controversy involving former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. A substantial amount of unaccounted cash was discovered at Justice Varma's residence after a fire broke out in mid-March. The incident has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny. He questioned the absence of an investigation into the issue and why no FIR was registered for the same. The Vice President said, 'A painful incident happened in mid-March in Delhi at the residence of a sitting judge. There was a cash haul, obviously tainted, unaccounted, illegal. And unexplained!... It appeared in the public domain after 6-7 days....' Interacting with members of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association in Chandigarh today, the Vice-President further added, 'I have raised the issue. Ultimately, is that the answer if a motion is brought to remove a judge? If there has been a crime, a culpable act shaking the foundations of democracy -- the rule of law, why wasn't it punished? We have lost more than three months, and the investigation has not been initiated. Whenever you go to court, they ask why the FIR was delayed.' Earlier on March 22, the Chief Justice of India constituted a three-member committee, comprising Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Justice GS Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, to examine the allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the High Court of Delhi. The committee concluded its investigation and presented its findings in a report dated May 3. Referring to the same, Dhankar questioned if the committee has 'a constitutional sanction.' 'Does the committee of judges have a constitutional sanction? Does it have statutory sanction? Can this report result in any outcome? Can this report, by itself, be actionable? If a judge removal mechanism is there, the Constitution says this removal mechanism can be initiated either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. This is the only way. Then this committee cannot substitute for an FIR investigation...,' Dhankar said. He stressed that 'even the President and Governors' are immune to prosecution 'till they are in office', and that no other body is provided with this immunity. The Vice President further hoped that an FIR would be filed soon. 'I find it very soothing and must congratulate you that the bar associations in the country are active on it. I hope an FIR is filed,' Dhankar stated. On April 5, Justice Yashwant Varma was sworn in as a judge of the Allahabad High Court under unusual and contentious circumstances. Departing from the customary public ceremony, his oath-taking was conducted privately, a decision that has garnered significant scrutiny. This development coincides with an ongoing investigation into allegations concerning the recovery of partially burnt sacks of cash at his residence weeks prior. Despite his formal induction, Justice Varma has not been assigned any judicial or administrative responsibilities, according to court insiders. His transfer from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court has been met with scepticism, particularly following the filing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. The PIL urged the Chief Justice to defer the swearing-in until the inquiry reached its conclusion. The controversy has elicited strong reactions from the legal community. The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has openly criticised the Collegium's decision, expressing its disapproval through a strongly worded letter addressed to the Chief Justice and other judges. The association condemned the appointment, declaring, 'We are not a dumping ground,' and called for enhanced transparency and accountability in judicial appointments. As the inquiry progresses, Justice Varma's future role within the Allahabad High Court remains uncertain. Legal experts and observers continue to monitor developments closely, as the situation has raised broader concerns regarding judicial integrity and the processes governing appointments within India's judiciary. According to the official website of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Varma obtained his Law degree from Rewa University in 1992 and was enrolled as an Advocate on August 8 of the same year. Throughout his career, he primarily practised civil law, handling cases related to Constitutional Law, Industrial Disputes, Corporate Matters, Taxation, Environmental Issues, and related fields. He served as special counsel for the Allahabad High Court from 2006 until his elevation in 2012. (ANI)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store