Latest news with #Samiti
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Power engineers challenge privatisation push
Lucknow: The Vidyut Karamchari Samyukta Sangharsh Samiti has intensified its 196-day protest against privatisation, challenging power minister Arvind Kumar Sharma's push for private sector involvement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Samiti has even invited the minister to a power mahapanchayat on June 22 in Lucknow, urging him to explain the benefits of privatisation to farmers, consumers, and workers. They dismissed the minister's claims of better private sector technology and management, pointing out that line losses have already dropped from 40% to 16.5% under the RDSS scheme, with Rs 44,000 crore invested in infrastructure. "Why privatise when we are close to the 15% target?" asked Shailendra Dubey, the Samiti's convenor, alleging a Rs 1.1 lakh crore loss due to poor management.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
PAPs distressed over contaminated water in Gosikhurd dam
Nagpur: Yet another group from the area covered under the Gosikhurd irrigation project has raised concerns over contaminated water in the dam. The Chandrapur-based Gosikhurd Prakalpagrast Sangharsh Samiti, an association of project-affected persons (PAPs), has claimed that villages in the district are getting contaminated water from the dam. It's unfit for use by even cattle, claimed the Samiti. The project's environment management committee, which reviews these matters, has not held a single meeting in the last five years. The last meeting was in 2020. The panel comprises officials from the agriculture, health, and groundwater survey departments, as well as representatives of the PAP, said Govind Bhendarkar, the Samiti's convenor, at a press conference in Nagpur on Monday. He said the contaminated water from the Nag River and Kanhan River is ultimately getting collected in the Gosikhurd dam. The water poses a hazard to humans and even cattle, leading to health issues, he said. Officials of the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) accepted that there have been complaints, especially from the fishing cooperatives about quality of water. The fishermen cooperatives have approached VIDC with reports of poor-quality water hampering fish breeding, the source said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The officer also accepted that the environment committee had not met, but a meeting is planned in a month, he said. A senior official of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) said pollution has been a concern for Gosikhurd waters. However, the level of contamination has gradually come down over the years. As much as 413 MLD of water out of over 500 MLD flowing is now getting treated. This flows from Nag River to Kanhan, finally merging into Wainganga River on which the Gosikhurd dam has been built. The water is treated by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) However, untreated sewage water flowing from other municipal bodies like Kamptee, Mouda, & even Bhandara continues to go into Gosikhurd waters. Notices have been sent to local bodies.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Train halted in Rajasthan over Gurjar quota demands, track cleared after assurances
Rail traffic on the Kota division of the West Central Railway resumed on Sunday evening after Gurjar protesters vacated the railway tracks near Bayana town in Rajasthan's Bharatpur, following a brief disruption during which a passenger train was stalled for over three agitation happened after a Mahapanchayat was held earlier in the day at the Karwari Shaheed Memorial in the Pilupura area. Convened by the Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, the meeting was aimed at pressing the community's long-standing demands related to reservation and other welfare issues. The state government's draft response to these demands was read out by Samiti president Vijay Bainsla during the the Mahapanchayat concluded without incident, discontent brewed amongst a section of attendees dissatisfied with the government's reply. Soon after, some community members gathered on the tracks and stopped the 54794 Mathura–Sawai Madhopur passenger train at Fateh Singhpura station, disrupting rail operations between Fateh Singhpura and Dungeria stations in the Kota division. According to the West Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, the train was held up for over three hours. Approximately 10 to 12 trains were affected due to the blockade. Authorities, including Railway Protection Force (RPF), local police, and senior railway officials, engaged in negotiations with the Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Kota (WCR), confirmed that the track was cleared by around 7 pm following successful discussions. "There has been no report of injury or loss of life, and the railway is fully committed to ensuring passenger safety," he to the protest, Vijay Bainsla - son of the late Kirori Singh Bainsla, who had spearheaded several Gurjar reservation movements since 2006 - downplayed the disruption. "Some people might have come on the tracks. I don't want to comment much on it," he told Bainsla expressed satisfaction with the government's handling of the core issues raised by the community. "To get the 5 per cent reservation for Most Backward Classes (MBC) included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, a proposal will be recommended by the state cabinet to the Centre. The entire community wanted this. It is a legislative issue, and we are all happy," he Ninth Schedule of the Constitution includes laws that are protected from judicial review, shielding them from legal also noted that another key demand - appointing a nodal officer in each district to review and resolve police cases filed against community members during past Gurjar agitations - had received a positive response from the state. "The government has agreed to it," he in the day, the Samiti had issued an ultimatum to the BJP-led Rajasthan government to respond to their demands by Sunday afternoon. In anticipation of unrest, Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham had urged Gurjar leaders to avoid a democracy, everyone has the right to express their views. But when the government is open to dialogue, what is the need for a Mahapanchayat or protest?" Bedham asked. He also made a personal appeal to Vijay Bainsla, highlighting his longstanding association with the BJP and participation in party Mahapanchayat led to heavy traffic diversions in the region. Movement between Bayana (Bharatpur) and Hindaun City (Karauli) was rerouted via Karauli and Mahwa through Kalsada, bypassing the Pilupura area. Vehicles from Karauli to Bharatpur were diverted via Hindaun–Kalsada–Bhusawar instead of the Bayana–Hindaun state highway. Additional police forces were deployed in the area to maintain law and day's events were reminiscent of earlier Gurjar agitations, particularly those led by Kirori Singh Bainsla, which had in the past brought major railway routes to a standstill. While Sunday's protest was smaller in scale, it underscored the community's continued demand for affirmative action and legislative the tracks now cleared and talks seemingly moving forward, the state government is expected to formally process its commitments, including sending the reservation proposal to the Centre and addressing pending legal cases tied to earlier protests. advertisement
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Gurjar mahapanchayat: Some members stall train; Bainsla downplays protest, says happy with govt response
However, after the Mahapanchayat concluded, a section of community members expressed discontent with the government's response. The meeting at the Karwari Shaheed Memorial in the Pilupura area of Bayana was convened by the Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti and a draft of the state government's response to their demands was read by Samiti president Vijay Bainsla. Jaipur, Jun 8 (PTI) Some members of the Gurjar community held a protest on rail tracks and stalled a passenger train in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district on Sunday after taking part in a Mahapanchayat to press their various demands including on reservation, officials said. The protesters gathered on the railway tracks and stopped the 54794 Mathura-Sawaimadhopur passenger train at Fatehsinghpura near Bayana town, West Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) said. 'The train is halted for one and a half hours. Railway Protection Force (RPF), local police and railway and administrative authorities are holding talks with the protesters,' the CPRO said this evening. Asked about the protest, Vijay Bainsla, son of the late Kirodi Singh Bainsla who had led several Gurjar agitations on the quota issue, said that the entire community and leaders are happy with the government's response on their main demands. He said some people might have come on track. 'I don't want to comment much on it,' he said, downplaying the protest. 'To get the 5 per cent reservation to Most Backward Classes (MBC) included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, a proposal would be recommended by the state cabinet and it would urge the Centre (to ensure its passage). The entire community wanted this. It is a legislative issue. We all are happy,' Bainsla told PTI, adding it was their key demand. The Ninth Schedule contains a list of central and state laws that cannot be challenged in court. Bainsla said another demand was that a nodal officer should be appointed in every district to dispose of the police cases against community members during the Gurjar agitation. 'The government has agreed to it,' he claimed. Earlier in the day, the Samiti had issued an ultimatum to the BJP government to respond by Sunday afternoon to its demands. Rajasthan's Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham had appealed to the Gurjar leadership to avoid agitation. 'In a democracy, everyone has the right to express their views. But when the government is willing to hold talks without any Mahapanchayat or protest, what is the need for one?' he said He also appealed personally to Vijay Bainsla, noting that he maintains close ties with party leaders. 'He contested the Deoli-Uniyara seat and attends party meetings. I urge him to resolve the issues through dialogue,' the minister said. Due to the Mahapanchayat, traffic movement between Bayana (Bharatpur) and Hindaun City (Karauli) was diverted. Vehicles were rerouted via Karauli and Mahwa (Dausa) through Kalsada, avoiding the Pilupura area. Similarly, traffic from Karauli to Bharatpur was redirected via Hindaun-Kalsada-Bhusawar instead of the Bayana-Hindaun state highway. Additional police force was deployed in the area to maintain law and order. Kirori Singh Bainsla led several agitations by the community on the reservation issue since 2006, stalling rail traffic for days on certain routes. PTI AG RT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Hindu Group Demands Ban on Auction of M.F. Husain's Controversial Paintings
Mangaluru: M.F. Husain paintings, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, art auction ban, controversial art India, religious sentiments protest, Mumbai art galleryThe Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has demanded a complete ban on the upcoming auction of 25 paintings by late artist M.F. Husain, scheduled to be held at the Pundole Art Gallery in Mumbai on June 12. The organisation submitted memoranda to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mumbai Police Commissioner, and the Mumbai District Collector, calling the proposed sale 'a glorification of anti-national and anti-Hindu sentiments.' In a press release issued here today the Samiti has alleged that several of the works being auctioned include controversial and 'vulgar' depictions of revered Hindu deities and Bharat Mata (Mother India), which sparked nationwide outrage in the past. Among them, they point to a painting titled Rape of Mother India, which HJS claims Husain created during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The group argues that this work amounts to sedition and deeply insults India and its cultural identity. 'Glorifying such a figure under the guise of 'artistic freedom' is unacceptable,' said the HJS in its statement, warning of public protests if the auction is not halted. 'Art that mocks national symbols and religious icons cannot be shielded as creativity. It is an assault on the spiritual and emotional ethos of a nation.' Maqbool Fida Husain, often referred to as the 'Picasso of India,' was one of the country's most celebrated yet polarising artists. Despite his global acclaim, his depictions of Hindu gods and goddesses in the nude led to more than 1,200 legal complaints across India. His critics accused him of deliberately hurting religious sentiments, while supporters defended his work as a bold exploration of mythology through modernist lenses. Notably, in one painting, he portrayed Sita seated nude on Hanuman's tail, and in others, Lord Ram, Sita, and Hanuman are depicted nude together — images that provoked widespread outrage. There were also paintings of goddesses Saraswati, Parvati, Ganga, and Yamuna in nude or suggestive forms, which many Hindu groups deemed offensive. In the face of mounting protests and legal challenges, Husain left India in 2006 and later accepted Qatari citizenship in 2010. He passed away in exile in London in 2011. The Samiti also referenced a recent directive by Delhi's Patiala House Court to seize Husain's controversial painting, calling it a legal precedent that should influence upcoming actions. 'Several of his exhibitions have previously been cancelled, and awards in his name were revoked. Allowing a public auction now undermines judicial intent,' the statement said. The HJS has urged the government to not only ban the auction but also declare Rape of Mother India as anti-national and ensure its destruction. They've also demanded legal action against galleries or individuals who attempt to sell or display such works, citing public harmony and national interest. When contacted, officials at Pundole Art Gallery offered no comments.
