SC refuses urgent listing of TN's plea accusing Centre of withholding funds under Samagra Shikhsa Scheme
In its original suit filed under Article 131 of the Constitution, the DMK government sought a direction to the Union government to pay it Rs 2,291.30 crore, with interest at 6 per cent per annum on the principal sum of Rs 2,151.59 crore, from May 1, 2025, until realisation of the decree.
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Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Resume direct flights, reduce hotel tariffs to revive tourism in Kashmir'
Srinagar: The travel trade industry has appealed to airlines to resume flights to Srinagar that were discontinued after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 so that tourism in Kashmir can revive. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While all flights to Srinagar, Jammu and over two dozen other areas were suspended in May, as India conducted air strikes against terror hubs in Pakistan, some services including direct flights from Kolkata to Srinagar by IndiGo Airlines and Air India Express have not resumed after hostilities ceased on May 10. IndiGo has indicated that it will resume the direct flight from June 16. Last month, TOI wrote about the 'Chalo Kashmir' campaign, a strong community-tourism industry connect initiative launched by the Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI), which handles around 4 lakh tourists from Kolkata in a year, around 40,000 of whom travel to Kashmir. Taking the campaign forward, TAAI started a new campaign called Rally for Valley to boost tourism in Kashmir. "We are in talks with the Union govt as well as airlines and hotel bodies to put a cap on tariffs that can help us shape attractive packages for tourists," said TAAI president Sunil Kumar. "As for safety, we are visiting the valley with our families. Tourists have nothing to fear. People here are among the most hospitable. This is the best time to visit the Valley," he added. Over 15 lakh tourists visited Kashmir last year. The Valley was packed with tourists again this year before the terror attack triggered mass cancellations. The downturn in tourists has hit Kashmiris hard. "In April, we were charging Rs 5,000 for a round trip to Pahalgam from Srinagar. Now we are taking tourists even for Rs 3,000," said Md Rouf, a driver. Restaurants like Lazeez, which had to turn down guests two months back, are now giving special offers to fill tables. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Very few rooms have been booked across several hotels. Had it not been for the terror attacks, these hotels would have been packed. These hotels should take a Covid-time-like approach and cut down on tariffs. We have set ourselves a target until Sept this year by when we intend to revive tourism back in Kashmir," said TAAI chairman (east) Anjani Dhanuka. The newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Express, travelling through the landmark Chenab Bridge, is also being promoted as a game changer. "Kolkata will host the first roadshow promoting Kashmir as a safe destination. We are also regularly updating our social media handles with snippets and current activities in popular destinations in Srinagar, Pahalgam, Jammu, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and other places to encourage tourists from Kolkata," said Manav Soni, TAAI national committee member.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt marks first anniversary with Vikas Mela
Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated the state-level Vikas Mela 2025 at IDCO Exhibition Ground, marking the completion of his govt's first year in office. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The week-long fair, running until June 18, features over 75 departmental stalls showcasing various welfare schemes and govt initiatives. A special food festival highlighting Odia cuisine is being organised with 40 stalls managed by Subhadra Shakti women's groups. "We successfully transformed our promises into reality within a year," Majhi said during the inauguration. "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, we achieved significant milestones across various sectors," he added. Majhi highlighted key achievements, including the implementation of the farmer welfare schemes, which increased annual farm household income by Rs 30,000, and the steps to create employment opportunities for 12.90 lakh youngsters through the Utkarsh Odisha 2025 initiative, which attracted investment intents of close to Rs 17 lakh crore. "Other notable accomplishments include the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme, raising the govt recruitment age limit to 42 years and reserving 11.25% of seats in higher education for SEBC category students. The govt also provided over 27,000 govt jobs during this period," he said. "We launched a decisive war against corruption," Majhi emphasised, noting that strict action was taken against corrupt officials at all levels. Speaking separately at an intellectuals' meet, Majhi highlighted his govt's achievements during its first year in office, emphasising the administration's commitment to public feedback and cultural preservation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "This year was about fulfilling people's aspirations and bridging the gap between the govt and citizens," he said, underlining the govt's focus on transparency in budgeting and policy-making. He stressed that public opinion remains central to the govt's decision-making process. The administration announced ambitious plans to install statues of 21 prominent personalities across the state. Additionally, the govt will develop memorial museums, lecture centres and children's parks at the birthplaces of these historical figures. "We aim to transform 100-150 villages associated with these personalities into model villages," Majhi added.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Relief for Gali: HC suspends conviction, grants him bail in illegal mining case
Hyderabad: Telangana high court Wednesday suspended both the conviction and sentence of Karnataka former minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy in an illegal mining case while also giving him bail, an order that would save Gali's position as an MLA. Following the conviction and seven-year sentence imposed by a special CBI court, Gali stood disqualified as an MLA and the election authorities would have held a bypoll soon for his seat (Gangavathi). Agreeing with the arguments of the legislator's lawyer, senior counsel S Nagamuthun, that damages from the conviction were irreversible, Justice K Lakshman also ordered his release from jail with certain conditions. Gali was told not to leave the country or commit unlawful acts anywhere and to furnish two sureties worth Rs 10 lakh. He has already served half of the seven-year sentence while being a remand prisoner. Along with Gali, three other individuals – BV Srinivas Reddy (Obulapuram Mining Company MD), VD Rajagopal (former director, AP mines and geology department) and Mehfuz Ali Khan (PA to Gali) – and one entity, the company OMC, were convicted by the special CBI court last month. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Amazon's Hottest Selling Hearing Aid Is Back On Sale Oricle Hearing Aid Learn More Undo On Tuesday, apart from Gali, Justice Lakshman stayed the conviction of the entity OMC. The judge also granted bail to the other three with the same conditions. The criminal appeals of these three against their conviction will be heard on Aug 11. Srilakshmi issue to be heard on June 19 The judge also sought a counter from the CBI in the criminal revision plea filed by senior IAS officer and former AP industries secretary Y Srilakshmi and posted her case to June 19. The HC had earlier discharged her from the case but the CBI had appealed in the Supreme Court, which directed the HC to hear the CBI version also before arriving at a conclusion. On Tuesday, senior counsel P Venugopal, appearing for Srilakshmi, said she has an apprehension about Justice Lakshman hearing her revision plea in view of last year's judgment delivered by him where he had refused to quash the case against her. When CBI counsel Srinivas Kapatia sought a week's time to file their counter, the judge reminded him that the CBI could not dodge filing a counter now, saying, "You complained to the apex court about the HC not hearing your version. But here you have not filed your counter despite a three-month deadline fixed by the Supreme Court asking the HC to decide the issue." Srilakshmi had succeeded Kripanandam as industries secretary. The special court, while convicting Gali and the others, had acquitted Kripanandam as well as then industry minister Sabitha Indra Reddy in the illegal mining case.
