Latest news with #Congress-ruled
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Guv assent to two bills for naming PwDs to local bodies
Chennai: Governor R N Ravi has given assent to bills amending the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act and Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, enabling the state govt to nominate persons with disabilities (PwDs) to local bodies, a highly placed source told TOI. The amendments, passed by the assembly in April, aimed at increasing inclusivity and ensuring the voices of PwDs are heard, will result in the nomination of 650 PwDs in urban local bodies, 12,913 in village panchayats, 388 in panchayat unions, and 37 in district panchayats. "The Governor gave his assent to these two important pieces of legislation. The state govt will soon notify the rules defining the qualifications, rights, and responsibilities of these nominees, with the legislation taking effect from that date," an official said. The govt will nominate one PwD as a member in each of the local bodies. Councils exceeding 100 members will have two PwD nominated members. The term of office for these nominated members will be co-terminus with the duration of the council. Rajasthan was the first to nominate PwDs in urban local bodies; Chhattisgarh did so in rural local bodies. "Chief Minister M K Stalin realised our long-pending demand. From the days of a PwD getting rejected in Navamalkapper village in Villupuram in 2010, to 14,000 PwDs to be nominated soon, our struggle has come a long way. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo If only the PwDs form part of decision-making bodies, their rights will become a reality," said T M N Deepak, a disability rights activist. Disability groups want quotas for PwDs in assemblies and Parliament too. In its 2024 election manifesto, the Congress party pledged to provide reservation for PwDs in local bodies. TNCC Chief K Selvaperunthagai recently sent a communique to the chief ministers of the Congress-ruled states, Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh to follow Tamil Nadu.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Chinna Reddy calls for farmer welfare dept. within Agriculture dept.
HYDERABAD Telangana State Planning Board vice-chairman G. Chinna Reddy has emphasised the need for a separate 'Farmer Welfare Department' within the Agriculture Department, modelled after the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare. He also called for reservation in education, healthcare, and other fields for the families of farmers. Speaking at a training session for government junior assistants at the MCRHRD on Saturday, Mr. Reddy highlighted the importance of enhancing farmers' welfare. He pointed out that during the previous Congress governments, there was a Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and the same system continues in the neighboring state. However, during the previous BRS government in the State, the Farmers Welfare Department was removed from the Agriculture Department, and even in the current Congress-ruled government, there is no Farmers Welfare Department in the Agriculture Department. Mr. Reddy suggested that the department should be renamed as the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department. He also said that the children from farming families who have endured many hardships and losses to grow crops should be provided reservations in admissions in educational institutions and subsidies in medical care. He also underscored the importance of technology in agriculture, mentioning that artificial intelligence (AI) can help in accurately spotting diseases affecting crops. Centre for Telangana Studies Head Capt. Panduranga Reddy, Faculty B. Srinivas, and others were present.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong blames PM, CM for Bihar's special status delay
1 2 3 Patna: Congress national social media in charge and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate on Tuesday held PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar jointly responsible for the state's failure to receive special category status. "The demand for special category status to Bihar has been a burning issue during the 20-year tenure of CM Nitish Kumar and the 11-year rule of PM Modi. If the status hasn't been granted, both PM Modi and CM Kumar must be held accountable," Shrinate said while responding to media queries at the party's state headquarters at Sadaquat Ashram. Her remarks came ahead of PM Modi's two-day visit to Patna starting Thursday evening. During the visit, he is expected to address a rally at Bikramganj in Rohtas district on Friday and announce several major infrastructure and development projects for the state. However, Shrinate was in Patna primarily to conduct an internal meeting with the party's Mahila Congress wing and to brief the media on the state Congress's Mai Bahin Samman Yojana. This scheme promises the transfer of Rs 2,500 per month into the bank accounts of eligible women, aimed at ensuring their empowerment, economic upliftment, and security. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo She said that around 70 women party workers had conducted 1,000 meetings across the state to gather and articulate women's demands for inclusion in the Congress election manifesto for the 2025 assembly elections. Shrinate also cited findings from the caste-based headcount and economic survey conducted in the state, which showed that 94 lakh families in Bihar earn less than Rs 6,000 per month. "This data reinforces the Congress's commitment to implement the Mai Bahin Samman Yojana if elected to power," she said. Interestingly, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had earlier announced the same scheme. "This shows that the Congress and RJD, the two key partners of the grand alliance, are united in their stance on women's issues," Shrinate said. She added that unlike the BJP's inconsistent promises, the Congress's pledge was credible and already in effect in Congress-ruled states. "In contrast, the BJP has either altered or withdrawn the scheme in states governed by it, such as Delhi, or drastically reduced the promised funds after elections," she added.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Siddaramaiah betrayed K'taka's interests by skipping NITI Ayog meet: BJP
Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP has slammed the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for skipping the NITI Aayog Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he (Siddaramaiah) betrayed the interests of the state. State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra said that the Congress government under Siddaramaiah repeatedly make irrational decisions. He questioned Siddaramaiah's absence from a NITI Aayog meeting, pointing out that even the Chief Ministers from other Congress-ruled states like Himachal Pradesh and Telangana participated. 'By skipping the meeting, Siddaramaiah disrespected and betrayed the interests of Karnataka,' he claimed. He demanded clarification from Siddaramaiah on whether he represents the people of Karnataka or merely the Congress party, and condemned the state government's frequent confrontation with the Centre, calling 'unforgivable offence.' Vijayendra also criticised the state government for struggling with financial consolidation. He remarked that Karnataka has an excise policy unlike any other state in the country, pointing out that taxes have been raised by 200 per cent to 250 per cent. He questioned the outcome of such a policy, asking whether the government's goal to increase revenue was actually aimed at increasing the number of alcohol consumers. Vijayendra condemned the government's decision to shut down Jan Aushadhi centres in state-run hospitals, allegedly for technical reasons, calling the move foolish. He stated that Prime Minister Modi launched these centres in 2014 to provide affordable medicines to the poor. Former Union Minister late Ananth Kumar had helped implement the programme, and the country's first generic medicine store was opened in Karnataka. 'The centres have saved the poor Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 crore nationwide and created jobs for hundreds of youth,' said Vijayendra. He accused the state government of opposing central schemes and doing injustice to the poor. He asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi's background of hailing from a backward caste and his photo at the Janaushadi centres were intolerable to the current government. Vijayendra also criticised the decision to rename Ramanagara district as Bangalore South, questioning whether decisions were being made just to please individual ministers, and called it irrational and careless policymaking. Vijayendra also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 11 years of service as Prime Minister. He praised Modi's governance both as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and as India's Prime Minister, highlighting that he has led the country effectively. Vijayendra said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bold leadership in the past 11 years has introduced many people-centric schemes, helping India surpass Japan to become the fourth-largest economy. 'Initiatives like Digital India, Jan Dhan Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, Make in India, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Startup India have significantly contributed to India's growth,' he said. He emphasised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support for Karnataka, mentioning that since 2014, the state has received Rs 2,702 crore for railway development, with over Rs 5,000 crore spent during NDA-2, including electrification. 'Karnataka has also been granted 10 Vande Bharat Express trains and assistance in several sectors, including highway development,' he said. Vijayendra also mentioned a tragic incident in Mandya, where a child died after falling while the parents were being stopped by police for a traffic check while rushing for treatment after a dog bite. He blamed the incident on high-pressure targets set for traffic police and demanded accountability.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vijayendra objects to Siddaramaiah not attending NITI Aayog meeting
BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra took strong exception to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's absence at the NITI Aayog meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Delhi on Saturday. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Sunday, Mr. Vijayendra asked Mr. Siddaramaiah to reveal before the public why he stayed out of an important meeting that was convened to gather opinion from different States for making India into a developed country by 2047. 'He should give a statement before the people of the State why he stayed out of the meeting or boycotted it,' the BJP leader asked. When Chief Ministers of other Congress-ruled States like Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, besides Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin, could attend the NITI Aayog meeting, it is unfortunate that Karnataka Chief Minister chose against participating in the meeting, Mr. Vijayendra said. Contending that Mr. Siddaramaiah's decision to stay out of the meeting amounted to injustice to the people of Karnataka, Mr. Vijayendra said the Chief Minister was adopting a 'confrontationist' approach with the Centre ever since the Congress government came to power in the State. 'Is the Chief Minister sacrificing development for the sake of politics?', he asked. Mr. Vijayendra also criticised the State government's decision to appoint actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) by paying a remuneration of ₹6.2 crore for a two-year-deal. Questioning whether the State government could not find any actors or actresses or any other personalities from Karnataka, Mr. Vijayendra pointed out that KSDL was not started by the Congress government to take such arbitrary decisions. KSDL was started in 1916 by the then Maharaja of Mysore and the Congress government's decision was an insult to the late Maharaja's vision, he said. With regard to Minister for Industries M.B. Patil's statement that the decision to choose Ms. Bhatia was based on advise by experts, Mr. Vijayendra urged the Minister to identify the experts. Reacting to the State government's decision to rename Ramanagara district as Bengaluru South district, Mr. Vijayendra alleged that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was functioning like a real estate agent. Mr. Vijayendra also questioned Mr. Shivakumar whether he was embarassed about 'Rama' in the name of Ramanagara district. 'Is developing real estate the only priority of this government?', he asked. The BJP leader also alleged that the development of national highways in the State was not keeping pace with the progress of work in other parts of the country on account of the lack of interest by the State government to acquire land for the projects. And the reason why Karnataka was lagging behind in the development of national highways is because of the delay in land acquisition, he added.
