
Flood relief approved: Amit Shah says Modi govt ‘stands resolutely' with states; Rs 1,066 crore released to states
In a post on X, Shah wrote, 'Modi govt stands resolutely beside the states in all situations. Today the central government has approved Rs 1066.80 crore for flood- and landslide-affected states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Kerala, and Uttarakhand as part of the Central share under SDRF.'
He added that over Rs 8,000 crore from SDRF/NDRF funds has been released to 19 states this year, and said that 'providing all logistic assistance, including deployment of requisite NDRF, Army, and Air Force, has been our priority.'
The announcement comes as several states continue to struggle with the aftermath of intense monsoon rainfall and landslides. The Indian Army has ramped up humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations under *Operation Jal Rahat-2*, particularly across the northeastern states. In total, 40 relief columns have been deployed, rescuing 3,820 people so far, supplying more than 15,000 water bottles and 1,361 food packets, and offering medical care to over 2,000 people.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Deze handgemaakte boekmok verovert op dit moment heel Nederland
Delavou
Meer lezen
Undo
In Himachal Pradesh, the army has mobilised its columns in the flood-hit Mandi district. A brigade commander is currently stationed there to oversee operations, with relief supplies already reaching cut-off villages like Degi, Rushad, and Chapad. Himachal Pradesh has suffered damages exceeding Rs 740 crore since June 20 due to excessive rain, with multiple cloudbursts and landslides claiming lives and destroying property.
Despite some areas seeing water levels recede, the army remains on alert in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, where rivers like Dhansiri and Nambol breached danger levels earlier this week.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
10 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ukraine's Alaska agenda: Kiev wants a lasting ceasefire, NATO-backed security, reparations, and sustained sanctions on Russia
As US President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15, Ukraine hopes for an agreement that will meet its demands of stopping the war and preventing future aggression. But since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not attend this meeting, Kyiv fears being left out of negotiations that could decide its fate. Ukraine and its European allies also fear that Friday's Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could yield a settlement that sacrifices Kyiv's interests for the appearance of peace. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program President Zelensky will hold a pre-summit call with Trump alongside European leaders on Wednesday, August 13, to lay out non-negotiable red lines, including a durable ceasefire, full participation in talks, and compensation for war damage estimated at up to $1 trillion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Safest Cities Where People can Live in Peace Undo Ukraine's core demands ahead of the Alaska talks Zelensky has warned that any decisions made without Ukraine 'are at the same time decisions against peace,' as quoted by Politico. Ukrainian officials say Putin's ultimate goal is not just holding territory but ending Ukraine's independence. These are Kyiv's longstanding demands, which they are eagerly hoping to meet. Live Events A sustainable ceasefire Kyiv insists on a durable ceasefire before discussing any territorial issues, rejecting US suggestions of 'land swaps' involving the Donbas. Zelenskyy says ceding the region would invite future offensives and undermine Ukraine's sovereignty. NATO 's Mark Rutte has floated a possible compromise in which some areas remain under Russian control but are legally recognized as Ukrainian. 'When it comes to this whole issue of territory, when it comes to acknowledging, for example, maybe in a future deal that Russia is controlling de facto, factually some of the territory of Ukraine, it has to be effectual recognition, and not a political de jure recognition,' he told ABC. Russia must pay for the damage Ukraine insists that Moscow must bear the financial burden for the destruction it has inflicted (by starting a war), a toll estimated between $500 billion and $1 trillion in damages to infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference last month, underlined this demand: 'Russia must pay for the approximately €500 billion in damages caused. Until this happens, Moscow must not be granted access to its frozen assets.' Ukraine points to the fact that close European allies hold significant Russian state assets, with almost €200 billion frozen in Belgium alone, as a major source of leverage. Kyiv believes these funds must remain inaccessible to Moscow until full reparations are made. Binding security guarantees via NATO and the EU President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made clear that only full membership in NATO and the European Union can guarantee Ukraine's long-term security: A Politico article quotes Zewleanskey, 'Will we be in NATO? In the EU? I haven't heard anything — simply not a single proposal that would guarantee that a new war won't start tomorrow. We need security guarantees that will preserve, first of all, our state, a sovereign state, our independence.' However, Ukraine faces pushback: US President Donald Trump has ruled out NATO membership, a stance quietly backed by some European capitals, and Moscow demands a permanent NATO veto for Ukraine. Zelenskyy also criticizes EU member states that are hesitant to admit a large, poor country with a vast agricultural sector. For now, European partners, not the US, are Ukraine's primary source of military assistance. Since the war began, Europe has provided at least €73.9 billion in military aid, compared to €64 billion from the US, according to the Kiel Institute. Return of abducted children and prisoners of war Ukraine demands the immediate return of nearly 20,000 children, who it says were abducted by Russia. Only 1,453 have been returned so far, often through mediation by Qatar and other states. Moscow claims these transfers are evacuations to safety, but refuses to return the children to their families, instead placing them in adoption systems and subjecting them to Russian propaganda. In 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin over the unlawful deportation of children from occupied Ukraine to Russia. On prisoners of war, there has been more progress: more than 2,000 POWs have been exchanged under Trump's mediation, but thousands remain in Russian custody without access for international human rights monitors. No lifting of sanctions on Russia Kyiv, backed by European allies, demands that existing primary and secondary sanctions remain in place and even be strengthened. They argue that easing sanctions or resuming trade with Russia would allow Moscow to rebuild its war machine. Economist Timothy Ash estimates the war has already cost Russia about $2 trillion, nearly equivalent to its annual GDP. The risks for Ukraine are clear. As he told Politico, 'Ukraine could survive the war, but not survive the peace,' if a bad deal undermines its security and sovereignty.


Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Danve alleges rice meant for schoolchildren diverted abroad, seeks criminal action
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Ambadas Danve, the leader of opposition in the legislative council, launched an attack on state govt on Wednesday, alleging large-scale corruption in the transportation of govt-supplied rice intended for schoolchildren, with a portion of the stock allegedly diverted to African countries. Danve challenged the state to send a responsible representative for an open "discussion on corruption" at a time and place of its choosing. "Let us see if this govt even knows who is diverting rice from the mouths of our children and smuggling it straight to Africa," he said, calling it a "new model of corruption." Danve also sent a letter regarding the issue to civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Chhagan Bhujbal, however, said he had not received any letter from Danve on the issue raised. "Had I received a letter I would have immediately responded," Bhujbal said. He added, "I think that the issue that he has raised concerns the child and women development dept. The issue is not connected with my department," said Bhujbal. In his letter, Danve wrote that a registered charitable trust was awarded a transport contract for rice in the Mumbai district despite the transport contract being a commercial activity, while the trust was originally established for social work. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Finland: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House Search Now Undo He claimed the trust's majority shareholder also acted as its sub-contractor for transportation, in violation of rules. Vehicles purchased with the trust's funds were allegedly owned by the same individual, and profits from operations were diverted to his personal account instead of being used for social causes. Danve further alleged that funds received by the trust were transferred into the shareholder's account as an unsecured loan without the charity commissioner's approval. "This shows he has treated the organisation like his personal household," he charged. The leader of opposition also accused the contractor of under-pricing services in Mumbai, raising suspicion over the source of the balance payments. He alleged that rice supplied under the Prime Minister's Nutrition Scheme for school students was being siphoned off to the black market and exported abroad. "I have credible information that a network has been set up to send this rice overseas, especially to African countries," Danve claimed. He added that no social work was carried out under the trust's banner and pointed out that Railways terminated the trust's contracts prematurely in Oct 2023, and the Railways even went ahead and forfeited the trust's deposit. "Such organisations should not be awarded any tenders. How, then, did these people become the beloved beneficiaries of Mahayuti govt?" he asked. Danve demanded a forensic audit of the organisation's accounts and the cancellation of its registration. He also sought criminal action against those found guilty in what he described as a tender scam. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hard-hit export sectors need govt support: Icrier
NEW DELHI: While estimating that nearly 70% of India's exports are exposed to Trump's 50% tariffs, think tank Icrier has suggested govt support for hard-hit sectors, such as textiles and gems and jewellery, along with sharp duty cuts in non-sensitive farm goods and addressing US demands on genetically modified products. The recommendations on farm goods fly against the stand taken by govt in negotiations with the US, even though the paper maintained that India should not buckle under pressure. "The US remains too large and too important to write off, especially as India advances trade deals with the UK and EU. Instead, India must work to re-engage the US with smart, tactical negotiation, next rounds of which are scheduled this month-end. The key sticking point has always been agriculture. US demands on GM products should be addressed on the basis of science rather than ideology," said a paper by economists Ashok Gulati, Sulakshana Rao and Tanay Suntwal. It suggested that GM corn can be used for ethanol blending or poultry feed, while pointing out that India did not allow GM soya but imported it in the form of soya oil. It also proposed steep duty cuts for agricultural products, especially those that are not sensitive and with low domestic production, such as walnuts (120% tariff), cranberries and blueberries and breakfast cereals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Have No Words For Dog The Bounty Hunter's Transformation Cash Roadster Undo Even in the case of dairy, the paper has argued for tariff rate quota to allow certain quantities at lower duty, while imposing "prohibitive tariffs" beyond that. Further it said: "On dairy, India could explore a certification system - similar to halal - that assures buyers the cattle are non-meat fed or pasture-grazed." Citing items with over 50% customs duty in India, the economists have made a case for "reforms", arguing that "high protectionist tariffs breed inefficiency". "The fact is India needs major reforms in rationalising its import duties, irrespective of Trump's pressures. Rather than shielding agriculture with blanket protections, India should invest in R&D, improve supply chain efficiency and modernise infrastructure reforms on the scale of the 1991 liberalisation. This adversity should be converted to an opportunity through domestic reforms and India must focus on innovations, high productivity and R&D to enhance our export competitive strength, globally," the paper said. Overall, it said, due to tariffs in the US, agriculture stands to face smaller losses compared to other sectors, although semi-milled rice will have to compete with produce from Thailand and Pakistan. Similarly, herbal and nutraceutical exports face disadvantages. Arguing that the tariff gap with competing countries is too large in the case of textiles and apparel, the paper made a case for "targeted, time-bound support through subsidies, rebates or incentives to bridge the gap and keep orders flowing. In case of shrimps it said there was a possibility of loss of orders in short-term, which will impact producers in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha. It has also called for reducing dependence on the US and suggested that the trade deal with the UK and European Union and other countries must be advanced. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .