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Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Shri Tara Devi Hill green belt: at the centre of SC warning about environmental destruction in Himachal, legal tussle
The Shri Tara Devi Hill in Shimla, recently brought under environmental protection, was at the centre of the Supreme Court's July 28 order in which it expressed apprehension that 'the day is not far when the entire state of Himachal Pradesh may vanish in thin air from the map of the country'. While local residents welcome the conservation efforts —the Himachal Pradesh government on June 6 declared the Shri Tara Devi Hill a green area—they also rue the fact that they cannot undertake any development activities on their land. The Himacal government's notification encompasses hundreds of acres of dense forest, which has deodar, chir pine, and baan (oak) species, and is home to a small section of the UNESCO-protected Kalka-Shimla heritage railway line as well as the shrine of Tara Devi, perched atop the hill. The Tara Devi Hill area, which falls under the jurisdiction of two gram panchayats Badai and Anandpur, was the 26th notified green belt in the Shimla district. The notification stated that no new private construction should be allowed except reconstruction or addition and alteration in an existing building with prior approval of the state government. The construction activities pertaining to the Shri Tara Mata complex, if any, should be carried out by the temple trust with prior approval of the state government. 'Except for the temple premises on the hilltop, most of the green area, including the dense deodar, chir pine and baan forest, falls under the Badai gram panchayat. The forest area is full of wild animals, including leopards. The division between the two panchayats is clearly demarcated in the revenue records,' said Raman Thakur, a member of the Anandpur gram panchayat. Arun Sharma, the pradhan of the Badai gram panchayat, said nearly 90 per cent of the Shri Tara Devi Hill green area lies within their jurisdiction. 'A small hamlet called Duggal Cottage, comprising over two dozen houses, has come under the new green area notification. Apart from this, there are about half a dozen scattered residential structures and several small privately owned plots,' he said. 'While we appreciate the state government's move to safeguard the environment, locals owning land in these areas now face serious restrictions. They can barely undertake any development activity even on their own land,' Sharma said. As per the government notification, the boundary of the green area begins at Shoghi on National Highway 5 (Kalka-Shimla highway), near the building of Rajender, which is adjacent to the Food Plaza and Tyre Retreat. From there, the boundary extends straight uphill to the Shoghi-Mehli Road, excluding any existing buildings and their premises. Next, it follows the Shoghi-Mehli Road toward Mehli, continuing up to the railway over-bridge. It then follows the Kalka-Shimla railway track from this overbridge to the entry point of tunnel No. 91. A straight line is then drawn from the entry point of tunnel No. 91 to the junction of NH-5 and the Totu/airport bypass road, crossing the hill between the railway line and NH-5. Finally, the boundary follows NH-5 back towards Shoghi, returning to the starting point near the building of Rajender, adjacent to the Food Plaza and Tyre Retreat. Supreme Court refuses to interfere with high court order The Supreme Court's remarks came while hearing a plea filed by a resort group, Pristine Hotels and Resorts, which first challenged the green area notification in the Himachal Pradesh High Court. On July 2, the high court division bench of Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Sushil Kukreja dismissed the petition stating that the the petitioner did not have locus standi because it had not acquired any interest within the state of Himachal Pradesh, and its rights were not affected or governed by the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, or the notification dated June 6. The high court noted that the petitioner was not a 'person aggrieved'. When the resort group approached the Supreme Court, it refused to interfere with the high court's decision and said, 'A plain reading of the notification indicates that the area has been declared a green area. Once such a declaration is made, construction is restricted. The petitioner appears to want to build a resort, but the notification stands in the way.' Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Advocate General Anup Kumar Rattan said, 'In a way, the apex court has acknowledged our commitment to preserving Shimla's environment. We took a clear and consistent stand — first in the high court and then in the Supreme Court — and the court accepted our position. The petitioner, a resort and hotel group, wants to build a commercial complex in the area. Indeed, the apex court expressed concerns over many issues in its July 28 order. We will submit our reply before the court.' Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Munish Rampal, who oversees the Tara Devi Hill green area, said new construction is strictly prohibited. 'Only reconstruction or limited alterations to existing structures are allowed, and that too with prior state government approval,' he said. He further said this is not the first such green zone in Shimla. 'There are 25 other green belts in the city, including Nabha, Tutikandi, Khalini, and Phagli-Lalpani, which are governed by similar restrictions.'
The Wire
26-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Telangana BJP's Internal Rivalry Subsides but Larger Issue of One-Upmanship Remains
Politics Talking to The Wire, new Telangana BJP president Ramchander Rao dismissed the conflict between Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Eatala Rajender as minor. Hyderabad: After a meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on July 24, the newly elected BJP president of Telangana N. Ramchander Rao announced here on July 25 that the controversy surrounding a tussle between two of the party MPs from the state – Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Eatala Rajender – had ended. The former is also the Union minister of state for home. The issue had threatened to snowball into another major embarrassment for the party on the heels of Ramchander Rao's election as the state president a fortnight ago. Rao stole a march in the election ahead of all other aspirants at a juncture when the backward classes card is ruling the roost in state politics, especially with the decision of the Congress government to extend 42% reservation for the backward classes in the upcoming local body elections. Rao's election was marred by one more controversy. MLA T. Raja Singh quit primary membership of the party after he failed to get approval to enter the contest for presidentship. His resignation was readily accepted by the central committee of the party. He too belonged to a community which is listed among OBCs in parts of the country. Talking to The Wire, Rao dismissed the conflict between Sanjay and Rajender as minor and something which could be erased. But, he admitted that this was the first time a rupture in party has been visible to the public. He was evasive to a question on whether the party would seek the disqualification of Raja Singh as a member of the assembly upon his resignation from party. A rivalry unlike any seen in BJP before Bandi Sanjay and Rajender were among a handful of backward class leaders of the party who nursed ambitions for the party president's post but the national leadership gunned for Ramchander Rao, a Brahmin. Sanjay had already served one term as BJP state president a few years ago. Telangana BJP leaders Bandi Sanjay Kumar (L) and Etela Raja (R). Photo: X/@bandisanjay_bjp; Facebook/EatalaRajenderOfficial Sanjay and Rajender had common roots in Huzurabad assembly constituency which was part of Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat represented by the former. Rajender was MLA of the assembly segment for 20 years until his defeat in the last elections. He, however, won the parliament elections within six months last year from far off Malkajgiri, abutting the state capital. On a routine visit to Huzurabad for a bicycle distribution programme, Sanjay made light of the resignation of one of Rajender's supporters as the party in-charge of the assembly constituency. Hinting at Rajender, he said that no one was above the party and that every BJP leader has won their seat thanks to the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rajender shot back at Sanjay, asking him to identify who backed him for him to be able to speak this way. Between the two is the race for domination in Huzurabad. While Sanjay was a two-time MP of Karimnagar parliamentary constituency, including Huzurabad, Rajender considers himself invincible in the segment, with a large following, although he no longer enjoys political ground there. The sense seems to be that Sanjay has scuttled Rajender's reach in the segment. Rajender was already simmering with discontent at being sidelined in the party after a hype was created that he could be the backward class chief ministerial candidate. When he joined the BJP after quitting the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) in 2021, his followers claimed that he was even being considered for a junior Union minister's post. But he was not even considered as minister after his election to the Lok Sabha. The elevation of Ramchander Rao as state president must have been heartburn for Rajender in these circumstances. At the same time, Sanjay has been projecting himself as a frontrunner for the post when Rao's term expires in 2028, months before the next assembly elections. Sanjay was relieved as the state BJP president ahead of the last assembly elections and hopes to make a comeback now. Several believe that the BJP is likely to go with a backward class leader closer to election time. Eatala Rajender. Photo: X (Twitter)/@Eatala_Rajender Rajender's party presidentship ambitions have baffled leaders in the party as its constitution does not permit anyone to assume office without a minimum of 10 years as ordinary members. They should hold active membership at least three times, translating to six years of service in that capacity. Active membership is given to those who enrol a minimum of 50 ordinary members. Rajender does not fulfil either conditions as he joined the party only four years ago. The BJP leadership in Telangana has had a tough time in convincing its MPs, MLAs and MLCs on various issues since a majority of them joined from other parties. Barring Sanjay and Union coal minister G. Kishan Reddy, the remaining six MPs are newcomers. All of them have a sound track record in electoral politics. In fact, Rajender and another MP, D.K. Aruna, have also served as ministers. Similarly, all but one of the eight MLAs and all three MLCs are also from other parties. Ramchander Rao who was MLC five years ago, is someone who fits the BJP's criteria. Rao had a four-decade association with BJP, rising from the ranks of the RSS student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. There were other home grown leaders like former MLAs M. Dharma Rao and Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, but they were sidestepped. The aspiration for the BJP's state president had soared among backward class leaders with the government's reservation move. The state unit of the BJP has also supported the quota but stopped short of taking up the 42% demand with the national leadership. Two Bills – one on education and employment and the other on local bodies – passed by the assembly seeking relaxation of the 50% ceiling on reservations are pending with the Union government. If the demand is met, the reservations for backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will go up to 63%. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Hans India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Eatala highlights major infrastructure plans for Cantonment
Hyderabad: Malkajgiri Member of Parliament Eatala Rajender addressed the media following his participation in the Cantonment Board meeting, outlining substantial development initiatives aimed at upgrading the region's civic infrastructure and mitigating long-standing flooding concerns. Rajender announced that the state government had deposited compensation funds for lands acquired under the Rajiv Road and Nagpur Highway flyover projects, ensuring transparency and support for affected residents. He highlighted the severe flooding issues faced by areas adjacent to Hussain Sagar, where rainfall often causes water levels to rise up to ten feet, inundating homes in the cantonment. To resolve this, a budget of Rs 303 crores has been allocated to develop efficient drainage and sewerage systems that will prevent waterlogging and improve sanitation across the area. The MP emphasized that colonies in Sitaramapuram are especially flood-prone and consistently bear the brunt of heavy rainfall. He confirmed plans to identify and implement a permanent solution to protect residents in this vulnerable locality. Rajender also addressed environmental concerns in Ramannakunta, which has long suffered from foul-smelling stagnant water. He announced plans to rejuvenate the area by installing walking tracks and planting trees, transforming it into a clean and accessible public space for recreation and community engagement. The MP stated that the board had decided to grant permissions to individuals who had purchased government flats, ensuring their occupancy rights were upheld and eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic disruptions. Looking ahead, Rajender outlined a vision to enhance the overall livability of the cantonment area. He revealed plans for a comprehensive facelift featuring well-designed public spaces, including parks, open-air gyms, and a modern underground drainage network. These amenities aim to create a healthy and sustainable urban environment for residents. The Cantonment Board meeting marked a decisive step toward improving essential services and quality of life in the region, with the MP reiterating the government's commitment to inclusive and strategic urban planning.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana HC exempts BJP MP Etala Rajender from appearance
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Monday exempted BJP MP Etala Rajender from appearing before the trial court in connection with a case related to a rally organised in Huzurabad during a byelection in 2021 in alleged violation of Covid-19 protocols. The court issued notice to the police, directing them to file a counter. The next hearing is scheduled for August 4. A government official, Khaja Basheeruddin, lodged a complaint stating that Rajender had conducted a political rally violating the Covid-19 protocols. Following this complaint, the police registered an FIR against Rajender. Challenging the FIR, Rajender filed a petition in the high court seeking its quashing. Justice K Lakshman heard the petition, during which advocate G Sanjeev Reddy, representing Rajender, argued that the FIR was registered without verifying basic facts.
The Print
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
An ex-MLC & Brahmin leader with ABVP roots, Ramchander Rao is new chief of faction-ridden Telangana BJP
The party failed in its 2023 mission to grab power in the state but is currently at an all-time high in terms of numbers—eight Lok Sabha MPs, eight MLAs, three MLCs, and one Rajya Sabha MP. Since Telangana's formation in 2014, the post has been held by two OBCs: K. Laxman and Bandi Sanjay, both from the influential Munnuru Kapu community, and one from the dominant Reddy caste, G. Kishan. Hyderabad: In the Telangana unit riven by factionalism and squabbling for control among dominant Reddy and OBC leaders, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command opted for N. Ramchander Rao, a Brahmin, as the new party chief, thus continuing with its broader trend of leadership experimentation in the southern state. Rao, who took charge Tuesday after a grand ceremony, has the daunting task of taking everyone along on his shoulders as the party prepares for the 2028 polls. Although Rao, a leader lacking mass appeal, was in the BJP high command's calculation, several heavyweights were also in the fray—Lok Sabha MPs Eatala Rajender, Dharmapuri Arvind, D.K. Aruna and Raghunandan Rao. With profound humility and an unwavering sense of duty, I extend my deepest gratitude to the people of Telangana for their unwavering faith in our shared vision for the state. I thank the Almighty for bestowing upon me this immense responsibility to serve our great land and its… — N Ramchander Rao (@N_RamchanderRao) July 1, 2025 Union Minister Affairs Bandi Sanjay's name was also heard strongly, more so as a demand from the cadre. Popular but controversial leader MLA Raja Singh, too, vied for the post. However, the high command nodded in favour of Rao as the unanimous candidate, though Singh attempted to spoil the party with a futile nomination attempt on Monday. The Goshamahal MLA resigned from the party later. Rao, from an RSS-ABVP background, is a senior advocate and ex-MLC, who was elected in 2015 from the Hyderabad-Ranga Reddy-Mahbubnagar graduates' constituency. He has also served as the Hyderabad city BJP president. Down to the wire, the race was between Rao and Rajender till Monday morning, when the high command instructed Rao to file the election papers. Rajender, who served as health and finance minister in the K. Chandrasekhar Rao cabinet, joined the BJP in 2021 amid a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government-launched probe into the acquisition of assigned lands for industries set up by his family. The buzz was that he came in with an assurance of a top post sooner or later. Retaining Huzurabad in the by-poll that year, he lost from Huzurabad and KCR's Gajwel segments in 2023. He managed to win the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat five months later. On Monday afternoon, as Rao filed his papers for the president post at the BJP headquarters in Hyderabad, accompanied by Bandi, Kishan, Aruna, MPs like Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, MLAs, among others, Rajender was away staging a protest against the demolition of encroachments by authorities at Jawahar Nagar in the city. Though a popular face, Rajender, with a Left-wing background, is seen as an outsider within the party. Skipping the nomination event, he, however, attended the new president's induction ceremony on Tuesday, even declaring his support for Rao. In the Telangana BJP riled by factions and frictions, a senior leader commented that 'acceptance is preferred over popularity' in order to set the house in order first. 'Regional parties need iconic, strong leaders, not national parties. In the state units especially, it is acceptance that is paramount,' the Lok Sabha MP told ThePrint. Another leader said, 'In the largely OBC versus Reddy jostling in the party, Rao, a Brahmin, comes across as a no-threat to anyone. Given his seniority and vast experience, he should be able to take most of the leaders along towards the next polls.' Unlike the Brahmins in north India, in Telangana and other southern states, their numbers and influence in political space are minimal. Rao's three-year tenure will be till June 2028, ending five months before the Telangana assembly elections. 'That gives some hope to the now dejected hopefuls of the president's post. But depending on the situation then, the bosses might opt to go with the incumbent into the polls,' said the second leader. It was not the case last time. The removal of Bandi Sanjay from the state chief post in July 2023, ahead of the Telangana polls, shocked the party cadres who were on a high after the Dubbaka and Huzurabad by-poll wins as well as a spectacular show in the 2020 Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls, with the Karimnagar MP at the wheel. Bandi's removal ahead of crucial polls, amid swelling discord among senior leaders, was seen as a major setback for the party raring to grab power in the state at that time. While the public impetus was lost with the removal of the firebrand leader, the party also suffered setbacks as several prominent leaders like M. Vijayashanthi jumped ship and joined the Congress before the November 2023 polls. Vijayashanthi said the 'BJP lost stakes in Telangana the day Bandi was removed', and even reportedly attributed the high-command action to pressure from Eatala. Kishan Reddy, often accused of being friendly or soft with political opponents, was brought in as a stopgap arrangement to quell discord, but was continued in the post, even after his re-induction into Narendra Modi's third government in 2024. Sources indicated that Bandi lobbied in support of Rao, which edged out Eatala. Also Read: How a YSRCP supporter's death after coming under Jagan's car has sparked a political firestorm Who is Ramchander Rao? The BJP described Rao's appointment as 'a significant move aimed at strengthening the party's ideological and organisational base in Telangana'. The BJP said in a statement that his appointment signalled the party's 'clear intent to return to its foundational principles and reinforce its grassroots connect in Telangana'. An ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) leader during the volatile 1970s and 1980s, Ramchander Rao rose to prominence at Osmania University (OU) by challenging the dominance of Leftist student organisations. 'In an era when Naxalite ideology entrenched itself in the OU student politics, Rao led the ABVP's counter-mobilisation with grit and resolve. Despite facing physical attacks— including a grievous assault in the university library that left him hospitalised for weeks— Rao remained undeterred and continued to fight for the nationalist cause on campus,' a biography shared by the party says. Starting legal practice in 1986 at the Nampally criminal courts and later the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Rao was designated as a senior advocate in 2012. He has represented clients across the Supreme Court, High Courts and tribunals, 'while continuing to provide legal support to party workers and the organisation', according to BJP leaders. In the party, Rao held several key positions, including Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) secretary, state convenor of the legal cell, National Legal Cell member, state general secretary, and official spokesperson. He served as a member of the Press Council of India from 2013 to 2015 and was also a member of academic and general councils at NALSAR University, Hyderabad and National Law University, Bangalore. Rao was one of the accused in the University of Hyderabad student Rohit Vemula's 2016 suicide case. 'The party high command's decision to elevate Ramchander Rao is being welcomed by senior leaders and the cadre alike, who view him as a unifying force with a deep understanding of both the party's ideological vision and on-the-ground realities. He is known for his accessibility, humility, and unwavering loyalty to the party,' said the BJP press release. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: What's behind Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's new gau raksha focus & what the state plans to do
