Tree Funeral March: AAP protests irregularities in tree cutting in Pune
AAP leaders and volunteers accused PMC and other authorities of turning a blind eye to rampant tree felling across the city. 'Between April 2022 and December 2023 alone, official data accessed through the RTI Act shows that permissions were granted to cut 10,502 trees and transplant 11,860 trees,' the party stated in its press release.
While agencies were mandated to plant 3.4 lakh compensatory trees and deposited a total of Rs 22.5 crore for the same, AAP alleged that there is no credible or publicly accessible record to confirm whether these plantations have actually taken place.
'The Tree Authority is functioning in a non-transparent manner. Citizens are left in the dark about how decisions are made, where compensatory plantations happen, or if they survive,' said one of the party volunteers during the protest. The party has demanded an immediate halt to illegal tree cutting, a complete audit of past permissions, and the creation of a publicly monitored dashboard to track compensatory plantations.
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If not Russia, from where can India buy its oil?
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8 minutes ago
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Delhi Assembly's mysterious chamber really a phansi ghar for executions?
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Later, it was repurposed for the Delhi Legislative Assembly following the creation of Delhi as a Union Territory with a legislative body in the Safvi, a Delhi-based historian who has authored several books on the capital city's mediaeval past, had, in 2021, disputed the Speaker's claims."The Delhi Vidhan Sabha building was constructed in 1912, and it seems very improbable that there would be a tunnel which connected it to the Red Fort," Safvi told India Today."The Red Fort was built between 1639 and 1648. And any construction activity that took place there, including tunnels, would have happened in the first 100–200 years of its existence. So, the tunnel that has been discovered must have been for some other use and is much shorter. It can't be connected all the way to the Red Fort," added Safvi, the author of the acclaimed 2016 book, The Forgotten Cities of and author Sohail Hashmi said it was "highly unlikely" that the Legislative Council acted as both judge and executioner, regularly carrying out executions on its own premises."I would think that the story of a phansi ghar at the present-day Delhi Assembly is nothing more than a little fanciful fable," Hashmi told The Indian Express.A Delhi Archaeology Department official told the newspaper that it has neither investigated the claims regarding the existence of a phansi ghar or a tunnel, nor has it been asked to do so by any the Kejriwal government announced the existence of a phansi ghar, but didn't provide any supportive evidence to the public, the claims remain speculative and are being questioned. A thorough examination by the Archaeological Survey of India or other Delhi State Archaeology Department is still awaited. 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14 minutes ago
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Madhya Pradesh To Get Rs 1,800 Crore ‘Brahma' Rolling Stock Plant, Foundation Stone Ceremony On August 10
Last Updated: The facility is expected to be a game changer for the country's rail and defence manufacturing capabilities as it will facilitate indigenous design and testing of Vande Bharats A state-of-the-art Greenfield Rolling Stock Manufacturing Plant named 'Brahma' is coming up in Umaria, Bhojpur, in Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh. The plant will be built by BEML Limited—a leading public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. The development was officially announced by Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who highlighted the plant's strategic importance in transforming the country's mobility and defence landscape. The 'Brahma" facility—with an estimated investment of Rs 1,800 crore—is expected to be a game changer for the country's rail and defence manufacturing capabilities as it will facilitate indigenous design, production, assembly, and testing of Vande Bharat trains, modern metro coaches, and critical defence equipment. Beyond reducing reliance on imports, a modern plant like this will help in India's broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, or a self-reliant India, Chouhan stated. In a video message, he lauded the initiative as a 'historic step toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat"—opening doors for innovation, local enterprise, and a new era for India's manufacturing prowess. The plant will also accelerate infrastructural upgrades in the area. On August 10, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lay the foundation stone, in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav. 'This isn't just an event; it's a celebration of nation-building, regional progress, and new opportunities. We are fully committed to taking our region to greater heights," Chouhan added. According to Chouhan, the Lok Sabha MP from Vidisha, the new plant will not only reinforce India's rail and defence sectors but will also bring transformative growth to Madhya Pradesh. 'Beyond strengthening our rail and defence sectors, the project will create local jobs and boost the regional economy by encouraging micro and small enterprises," he asserted in a social media post. Speaking to News18, a Railway Ministry official said the plant will directly generate substantial employment opportunities—from skilled technicians and engineers to local support services and will boost Vidisha's economy, leading to the growth of Madhya Pradesh and ultimately India's growth. 'Once operational, Brahma could become a hub for next-generation train and defense manufacturing in India's heartland," they added. view comments First Published: News india Madhya Pradesh To Get Rs 1,800 Crore 'Brahma' Rolling Stock Plant, Foundation Stone Ceremony On August 10 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
