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Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
State to spend ₹25 crore on govt scheme publicity during Ashadhi Wari
MUMBAI: As the bugle for the upcoming local body elections is sounded — dates for which are yet to be officially announced — the Maharashtra government is set to spend over ₹21 crore on publicity for various schemes during the 21-day Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage from June 18 to July 8. The Wari, a 700-year-old annual pilgrimage of the Warkari sect, sees over 2.5 million devotees (Warkaris) walking nearly 240 km from Alandi and Dehu to the temple town of Pandharpur. The yatra culminates on Ashadhi Ekadashi, which falls on July 6 this year. This year, the state's publicity blitz during the Wari is pegged at ₹25.17 crore — a figure that notably exceeds the ₹12.82 crore allocated for essential sanitation services such as portable toilets for pilgrims. Tenders have been floated across departments to promote government initiatives during the yatra. The campaigns will use Chitraraths (decorated floats), street plays, mobile LED vans, exhibitions, and social media drives to communicate various schemes to the Warkaris. In contrast, the sanitation plan involves daily deployment of over 1,800 portable toilets to cater to the massive footfall. The toilet facilities alone cost: Dehu to Pandharpur route: ₹7.83 crore and Alandi to Pandharpur route: ₹4.99 crore. Vitthal Patil, president of the Warkari Sahitya Parishad, welcomed the state's efforts but raised a pointed concern, 'The facilities have been improving every year, which is commendable. However, while the government uses the Wari for heavy publicity, the real question is whether these schemes truly reach the people.' Brijesh Singh, director general, information and public relations, said, 'The information and education campaign is being implemented to reach out a natural assembly of lakhs of citizens from rural area. We take the opportunity to interact to the people, especially farmers on their issues and take the schemes meant for them to them in their own language. This has been happening for years and has nothing to do with the ensuing elections.' Break-up of the publicity budget: Employment guarantee scheme department: ₹9.39 crore Health department: ₹2 crore Disaster management cell: 3.48 crore Transport department: ₹21.93 lakh Special assistance department: ₹43.96 lakh Information and Public Relations (DGIPR): ₹5.36 crore for the 'Sanwad Wari' campaign Other departments: Undisclosed amounts
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh Cabinet amends labour laws; approves 10-hour workday for labourers
The State Cabinet, in its recent meeting, approved proposals to amend several provisions in the Factories Act of 1948 — Sections 54, 55, 56, 59, 64, 65, and 66 — related to labour, factories, boilers, and insurance medical services. It also approved amendments to Sections 9, 10, 16, 17, and 73 of the Andhra Pradesh Shops and Establishments Act (1988). Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister Kolusu Parathasarathy said these amendments were being made to be more favourable to investors as part of the Ease of Doing Business reforms. He also said the decision to allow women to work in night shifts was part of removing gender discrimination in the industrial sector and promoting empowerment. The working hours for labourers were increased, he said. While the practical workday had already shifted from eight hours to nine, the Cabinet decision increased it further to 10 hours. Currently, workers are entitled to a 30-minute break after every five hours of work. Under the new rule, they will have to work six hours to earn a break. Previously, workers were allowed to work 50 to 75 hours of overtime per quarter. Now that limit has been extended to 144 hours. In reality, overtime is supposed to be voluntary extra work. But in practice, it has long become a compulsory burden dictated by employers. With the new decision, the pressure of overtime on workers will only increase. The State government has also made night shifts mandatory for women. The Cabinet recommended that corporations provide facilities such as CCTV cameras, lighting, and security to enable women to work at night. However, no mention was made regarding arrangements for women with children. The Cabinet also failed to clarify whether night work would be compulsory or voluntary for women.
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Distribution of textbooks begins in govt schools
Eluru: The coalition government has initiated reforms to improve the school education system, said Housing, Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy. The minister distributed textbooks to students at Edara High School in Agiripalli mandal on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the education department has made arrangements to distribute kits with nine types of items under the name of Sarvepalli Radhakrishna Vidyarthi Mitra on the day of the opening of schools. Similarly, midday meals with fine variety rice will be provided to students. He said that due to this, 1,17,598 students studying in 1,768 government schools and 19,993 students in 132 hostels in the district will benefit. The government has prepared 6,73,00 textbooks, 7,62,338 notebooks etc to be supplied to students in the district. He said that the government is giving top priority to the education sector. As part of this, steps have been taken to fill 1035 teacher posts in the district through the DSC. Several education department officials, local public representatives, coalition leaders, and others participated in the programme. Participating in various development programmes in Agiripalli mandal, Parthasarathy said that many successes have been achieved in the first year of his rule. He laid the foundation stone for the Yadava Community Hall to be built with MPLADS funds of Rs 30 lakh at Nekkalam Gollagudem in Agiripalli mandal, and for the development work of the road from Eedara to Sobanapuram with NABARD funds of Rs 1.5 crore. He said that the development of roads has been given top priority during the rule of the coalition government across the state. He said that construction of roads and drains has been undertaken under the ZP in Nuzvid constituency with Rs 3.55 crore. The Roads & Buildings department has allocated Rs 30 crore on filling potholes apart from Rs 5 crore for the construction of Panchayat Raj roads. As part of welfare, pensions are being given in a large amount that has never been seen anywhere else in the country. He said that Rs 170 crore of NTR Bharosa pension was distributed in the Nuzvid constituency in a year. He said that the government deserves credit for reviving 204 Anna canteens across the state and satisfying the hunger of the poor. He said that from today onwards, the state government is implementing 'Talliki Vandanam'. He said that as part of the filling teacher posts, a Mega DSC has been announced with 16,347 posts and examinations are also being conducted. Many officials, dignitaries, and local public representatives were present at the event.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘No time for life': Andhra Pradesh's new 10-hour work rule slammed by employees
The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to raise the maximum working hours from nine to 10 per day in a move that has led to outrage and backlash on social media. This decision from the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh will allow private companies and factories to increase their maximum working hours to 10 per day, up one hour from the earlier nine. The decision to increase working hours from 9 to 10 has drawn criticism (Representational image) {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} As per a PTI report, the Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister K Parthasarathy said that it has been decided to amend labour laws to make them 'favourable' to workers and investors. {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} However, workers on social media struggled to see how increased working hours would be 'favourable' for them. The move has also drawn the ire of trade unions, Criticism of 10 hours per day policy {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} On social media, users said that increased work hours would benefit only business owners at the cost of employees. Many were of the opinion that private companies would implement 10 hours as mandatory policy, further affecting work-life balance. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} On social media, users said that increased work hours would benefit only business owners at the cost of employees. Many were of the opinion that private companies would implement 10 hours as mandatory policy, further affecting work-life balance. {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} 'Good for financial growth. What about mental health? 10 hrs work, 2 hrs travelling, 8 hrs sleep, you have to do everything in left 4 hours,' wrote X user Ankit. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} 'Good for financial growth. What about mental health? 10 hrs work, 2 hrs travelling, 8 hrs sleep, you have to do everything in left 4 hours,' wrote X user Ankit. {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} 'So the Andhra Pradesh govt thinks longer hours = better productivity? No, it means exploitation. More hours, same pay, worse lives. Workers deserve dignity, not burnout,' X user Supriya opined. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} 'So the Andhra Pradesh govt thinks longer hours = better productivity? No, it means exploitation. More hours, same pay, worse lives. Workers deserve dignity, not burnout,' X user Supriya opined. {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} Several people said the move will lead to overworked employees who have no time to spend with family. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} Several people said the move will lead to overworked employees who have no time to spend with family. {{/usCountry}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} '9 hours of working itself was a lot and they still increased it. Overworking your employees has tickled down effects, people will have no time to spend with their families. AP fertility rate is already falling rapidly & you're disincentivizing people from having/raising kids,' an X user said. {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} Others noted how maximum working hours in parts of India are already more than the global average of 8 hours per day. 'The Government is hand in glove with the corrupt corporations that want to exploit cheap labour,' a user said. Dozens of people wondered whether increased working hours would come with an accompanying pay raise. What the AP government says "Because of this (amendments to labour laws), investors in factories will (come to our state). These labour rules will be favourable for labourers and they will come to invest more. Globalisation is happening in every state. These amendments were brought to implement global rules," said Minister K Parthasarathy. {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} Further, the minister observed that the cabinet has also relaxed night shift rules to enable more women to work in the night shifts. According to the I&PR Minister, women were not allowed to work in the night shifts earlier but now they can work with safeguards such as consent, transport facility, security and surveillance. Opposition slams move Meanwhile, K Ramakrishna, State Secretary of CPI, opposed the NDA alliance government's stand on labour laws amendments. He alleged that the Central and state governments are working against the interests of workers. "For the past 11 years, the Modi government has repeatedly taken measures that infringe upon workers' rights in India," Ramakrishan told PTI on Saturday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
State working towards ‘Vision 2047', says I&PR Minister
Minister for Housing, Information and Public Relations Kolusu Parthasarathy on Sunday has announced that the State government is committed to realise Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ambitious 'Vision 2047'. Addressing the media after participating in a meeting organised by Yadava Employees and Professionals Association here, the Minister appealed to students and the youth at large to work towards making Andhra Pradesh a developed State by 2047. 'The State has received investments to the tune of ₹7 lakh crore so far and is set to witness industrialisation on an unprecedented scale. The NDA alliance government is working towards creating 20 lakh jobs in the next five years,' he said. Mr. Parthasarathy also appreciated Minister for HRD and Industries Nara Lokesh for his efforts towards creation of first-of-its-kind Quantum Valley in the State. The I&PR Minister announced that new accreditation cards to working journalists will be issued soon. While the TDP government gave 21,000 accreditation cards in 2014, the subsequent YSRCP regime brought it down to 12,000 in 2019. 'We have formed a sub-committee to study the issue and are committed to reaching out to all the eligible journalists. The issue will most likely be placed in the ensuing Cabinet meeting', the Minister said.
