Latest news with #LegislativeAssembly
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
From crisis to boom: How Thrithala recharged its groundwater sources
PALAKKAD: In a remarkable turnaround, Thrithala constituency in Palakkad -- once flagged as semi-critical for groundwater availability -- has emerged today as a model for water conservation and sustainable development. Thanks to the pioneering 'Susthira Thrithala' project launched in 2022, the region has undergone a significant ecological transformation, proving how local governance and scientific planning can tackle one of India's most pressing environmental challenges. Spearheaded by M B Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Government, Rural Development, and Excise - and the sitting MLA of Thrithala - the innovative water conservation project has successfully addressed declining groundwater levels through a holistic approach that includes rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge systems, and integrated environmental initiatives. Over the past four years, the project has added the capacity to harvest and store over 5 crore litres of rainwater within the constituency. Notably, Thrithala also became the first Legislative Assembly constituency in the country to implement a comprehensive water budget at the constituency level, encompassing all its grama panchayats.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Panchayat meet hails Ahilyabai's virtues, bravery
Varanasi: Panchayat representative conference was organised by Varanasi district panchayat on 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar at Rudraksha Connection Centre, on Saturday. Addressing the function, UP minister of finance and parliamentary affairs and district in charge, Suresh Khanna, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister for initiating celebration of Veerbal Day, Constitution Day and Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar's birth anniversary and said it was due to the PM's efforts that India was exporting defence equipment worth Rs 21 lakh crore. He said 33% reservation was granted in Parliament and Legislative Assembly for women's uplift. Today, India is fourth-largest economy in the world. He said quality of service and respect can influence others and this trait was present in Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, who played significant role in Malhar Rao's 52 battles. After her son Malerao's death in 1767, she took over the throne and expanded the Malwa Empire. She had immense devotion to Lord Shiva, noted Khanna. District panchayat president, Poonam Maurya, highlighted Ahilyabai's roles, from a young girl to becoming a queen to spending her last days as a mother and how even in difficult circumstances, she fought for women's uplift, opposing Sati, supporting widow remarriage and property rights and ruling over Malwa. She worked extensively for temples, ghats, and environmental and water conservation.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
MLA Abbas Ansari To ‘Approach Higher Court' After Sentenced For Two Years Imprisonment
After Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party MLA Abbas Ansari was sentenced to two years of imprisonment in connection with the hate speech case of 2022, Ansari's legal counsel, Advocate Daroga Singh, on Saturday, expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict and said that they will approach the higher court against the verdict. Speaking to the media after the verdict was announced, Chief Judicial Magistrate (MP-MLA) court in Mau district on Saturday, Advocate Daroga Singh said, "While the trial was established, there was a sentence of only six months. Later, after discussing this with the police, it was increased to several sections, and now he has been sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment... We will file an appeal against the order..." Meanwhile, Joint Director Prosecution Chandrakesh Rai said, "... The court has sentenced the MLA to two years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 11,000. The accusations were under sections 153(A) and 171(F). If someone is convicted under these sections, then it is not just a 2-year imprisonment, the membership of the Legislative Assembly can also be taken away..." Abbas Ansari is the son of the dead mafia Mukhtar Ansari. Apart from this, Abbas Ansari's close aide, Mansoor Ansari, was also sentenced to six months of imprisonment. Ansari was booked for delivering a provocative speech against the Mau district administration while the model code of conduct was in place. Earlier, the Allahabad High Court refused anticipatory bail to him in the same case. He approached the top court against the High Court's December 2023 order. On December 19, 2023, the High Court rejected the anticipatory bail application of Ansari and said that, looking at the facts and circumstances of the case, the offence was made out. The FIR was lodged in March 2022 at Kotwali police station in Mau district against Abbas Ansari, Umar Ansari, and others. It was alleged in the FIR that on March 3, 2022, at Pahadpura ground, Abbas Ansari, Umar Ansari, and organiser Mansoor Ahmad Ansari in a public meeting called for settling a score with the Mau administration. Abbas Ansari fought and won on a ticket from the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), the then alliance partner of the Samajwadi Party, in the 2022 state assembly elections from the Sadar seat in Mau.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Coming home: Elders return to Nunavut for care after years of living in the south
Three years ago, Eric Anoee Jr., along with his family, made the difficult decision to move his brother Bernard from Arviat, Nunavut to Embassy West, a seniors' living facility in Ottawa. Bernard had just been diagnosed with dementia and there was no 24-hour care available to him in Nunavut. As Anoee Jr. describes it, they had no choice. But after three years, Bernard is coming home. He's one of a handful of Nunavut elders who are being transferred back to the territory to live in the new 24-hour elder care facility in Rankin Inlet which opened this month. Last week, Anoee Jr. received a call that Bernard would be one of the elders sent to live in the new home. "It's been a long time waiting," Anoee Jr. said. "Obviously Ottawa is very far away from home and we can't see him ... so we were very excited about Bernard coming home." Although Rankin Inlet is still a short flight away, Anoee Jr. said there's a world of difference between Ottawa and Nunavut. "When I visit the Embassy West, I can kind of feel that the Inuit residents feel out of place," he said. "They know that they're far away from home. Coming back to Nunavut is a going to be a really good thing for patients." In a statement in the Legislative Assembly this week, Health Minister John Main said the first few elders have already arrived at the new care home in Rankin Inlet, which has 24 beds. He said three or four elders will arrive every week for the next few weeks. "A state-of-the art facility, the first of its kind in Nunavut, awaits them with a culturally enriching, safe, and home-like environment," Main said. He also said the health department has placed a "strong focus" on employing Inuit at the home. "We know that the elders who will live there want to hear Inuktitut being spoken. They want Inuit values and culture reflected in the activities, and in the food they are served," Main said. Anoee Jr. remembers when he and his other brother were tasked with moving Bernard out of Arviat. "It was a pretty long, emotional journey having to move him to southern Canada," he said. Despite not having full-time care available in Arviat, Anoee Jr. said the whole community helped to support Bernard. "I found out that the support system is there even though it's not a whole lot. The health department really helped us there, and the family and community. If he was wandering away from town our friend would tell us to pick him up." It was also the first time Anoee Jr. had experienced caring for someone with dementia. "It's very hard to have a loved one suffering from dementia," he said. As of Friday, Anoee Jr. said his brother hadn't arrived yet, but he was awaiting his arrival.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Samoa takes a step into uncertainty with snap election
Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves." Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves." Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves." Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves."
