logo
JU UG entry process yet to begin, students gherao pro-VC

JU UG entry process yet to begin, students gherao pro-VC

Time of India5 hours ago

1
2
3
K
olkata: Jadavpur University could not open its undergraduate admission portal on Wednesday as the authorities are taking legal opinion on the OBC reservation-related issue.
This follows the high court's stay on the gazette notification, which included 140 subgroups in the new OBC list, of which 80 are Muslims, till July 3.
Sources said officials of JU had an appointment with the lawyer on Wednesday evening for advice on the OBC issue, but due to students' protest, the appointment was postponed.
JU was scheduled to open its portal on Wednesday.
"The students gheraoed the pro-VC and were agitating against the university's granting of Rs 14 lakh to Trinamool Shiksha Bandhu Samiti for renovating their office, which was damaged in a fire on March 1, when education minister Bratya Basu visited the JU campus.
The protest went to such an extent that at one point, the pro-VC expressed his desire to quit," said a source.
A teacher said, "The scheduled appointment with the lawyer could not happen because of the students' agitation. The officials will visit a lawyer to take legal opinion on Thursday." A student said, "When the university is reeling under an acute funds crunch, on what grounds did the authority sanction such a huge amount for renovation?"

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Calcutta HC orders resumption of MGNREGA in West Bengal from Aug 1
Calcutta HC orders resumption of MGNREGA in West Bengal from Aug 1

United News of India

time26 minutes ago

  • United News of India

Calcutta HC orders resumption of MGNREGA in West Bengal from Aug 1

Kolkata, June 18 (UNI) In a major boost to the West Bengal government, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the Central government to resume the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in West Bengal from August 1. The court emphasised that while the Centre is within its rights to impose safeguards or conditions to prevent corruption, it cannot indefinitely halt a public welfare scheme that serves millions. A division bench comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chattopadhyay delivered the order, stressing that the suspension of the 100-day rural job scheme — ongoing for three years — was unjustified despite allegations of financial irregularities. The Central government which funds the scheme entirely had suspended MGNREGA funding to West Bengal in March 2022, citing large-scale misappropriation. The court observed that the grievances of genuine workers cannot be ignored on account of administrative or political concerns marking a major development in the long-standing deadlock over the rural employment programme. Additional Solicitor General Ashok Kumar Chakraborty, representing the Centre, said that Central investigation teams uncovered irregularities in districts like Hooghly, East Bardhaman, Malda, and Darjeeling, involving embezzlement of over Rs 50 crore. A broader audit revealed anomalies amounting to Rs 613 crores, of which Rs 2.1 crores had been recovered by the state as of 2024. 'All the allegations are from before 2022. You are free to take any action regarding those. But the project must be started now,' Chief Justice Sivagnanam observed in response during the hearing. The court further clarified that MGNREGA, as legislated, does not allow for its indefinite suspension even in the face of corruption charges, and that any such action violates the spirit of the Act. The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Paschim Banga Khet Majur Samiti, during which it observed that poor rural labourers should not be made to suffer wage losses and livelihood disruptions due to systemic failures. The bench further suggested that the scheme could be resumed in districts not affected by the alleged irregularities, while investigations continue in the four districts under scrutiny. West Bengal received Rs 7,507.80 crore under MGNREGA in the 2021-22 financial year. However, since then, no funds have been disbursed. The Centre had justified its actions by citing inconsistencies found in 31 out of 63 inspected worksites, according to RTI replies. In earlier observations also, the High Court had noted that the Centre's decision to withhold MGNREGA funds to West Bengal was unprecedented. While several other states had also reported financial irregularities under the scheme, none had faced complete suspension of funds over multiple years. The move, it said, had led to distress migration, financial instability, and stalling of rural development projects in Bengal. In a separate case, leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also sought a CBI investigation into alleged embezzlement of MGNREGA funds in the state. UNI XC PRS

Congress means electricity, says Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka
Congress means electricity, says Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka

United News of India

time26 minutes ago

  • United News of India

Congress means electricity, says Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka

Khammam (Telangana), June 18 (UNI) 'Electricity means Congress… Congress means electricity,' declared Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu while inaugurating 1912 electric ambulance services and a medical camp for electricity department employees at Khammam district headquarters on Wednesday. Highlighting the Congress government's historical contributions to power infrastructure, the Deputy CM said that all phases (I–VII) of the Kothagudem Thermal Power Station were initiated and completed during Congress regimes. In contrast, he alleged that during the decade-long rule of the BRS, not a single additional unit of power was generated, and incomplete energy projects were left abandoned, creating policy confusion in the sector. Bhatti noted a rise in power demand since the Congress came to power. In March 2025, Telangana saw a peak demand of 17,162 MW, up from 15,000 MW in March 2023. He emphasised that uninterrupted power supply was ensured despite the increased demand and said the department is fully prepared to handle further consumption surges. He cited a Central government projection that electricity demand in the state will reach 26,299 MW by 2029-30 and 33,773 MW by 2034-35. The state government is already making plans to meet this future requirement. As part of this effort, the New Green Energy Policy–2025 was launched and production agreements worth Rs 1 lakh crore have been signed. The aim is to generate 20,000 MW of green power by 2029–30. Reaffirming the government's commitment to farmers, the Deputy CM said 24-hour free electricity is being provided to 29,000 agricultural pump sets, costing the state Rs 11,500 crore annually. Similarly, free power up to 200 units is being given to over 50.71 lakh poor households, with the Finance Department covering Rs 2,293 crore in power bills. An additional Rs 198 crore is being paid for electricity in 29,018 government schools, bringing the total support through free power schemes to Rs 13,992 crore per year. The Deputy CM also formally launched the 1912 electric ambulance service, similar to the 108 medical emergency service. Citizens facing power issues can dial 1912 to receive immediate assistance. The service will dispatch a team of engineers, repair personnel, transformers, equipment, and an ambulance within minutes, he explained. Praising the dedication of electricity staff, Bhatti commended their service during floods and high-demand situations. He assured them that the government is committed to their welfare, with accident insurance of Rs 1 crore extended to all linemen — a first-of-its-kind scheme in the country. UNI VV PRS

New Metro variant for Nashik city to be declared before polls
New Metro variant for Nashik city to be declared before polls

Time of India

time36 minutes ago

  • Time of India

New Metro variant for Nashik city to be declared before polls

Nashik: Nashik city is in for some exciting news! Before the upcoming civic polls in Oct or Nov, a new Metro variant is expected to be announced. The city might get either a revised Neo Metro version or a light rail Metro system, with a decision likely by July-end. Maha Metro has shifted gears for Nashik's Metro project, exploring alternatives to the initially proposed 'Neo Metro' after receiving new directives from Centre. The authorities are now considering two Metro options that would best suit the city's needs. In the first option, the revised version of Neo Metro has been shortlisted for the city. This includes the tyre-based articulated AC coaches with a capacity of 250 passengers. These articulated coaches are being operated in Abu Dhabi and also in European countries. In the second option, light rail Metro has also been shortlisted, which is operational in Taiwan. A senior Maha Metro official said they shortlisted the two Metro options after studying the urban transport systems in Abu Dhabi, Taiwan, and other European nations. "There has been a change in the traffic pattern in the city over the last six to seven years, particularly after the Nashik airport became operational. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo We recently conducted the traffic mobility survey in Nashik city to study the traffic pattern and find a new Metro variant suitable for the city. Based on this, we shortlisted these two options, which will be finalised by July-end. Thereafter, the proposal will be submitted to Centre via state govt," the senior official said. Tarun Kapoor, an adviser to PM Narendra Modi, instructed Maha Metro to explore public transport systems in cities like Mexico during an April 18 meeting on Kumbh Mela preparations. The goal was to find an alternative to Nashik's Neo Metro project. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Neo Metro project for Nashik city while presenting the Budget for the financial year 2021-22, making a provision of Rs 2,092 crore. Maha Metro proposed the rubber-tyred Neo Metro project with AC electric coaches.

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