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The Print
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Print
Siddaramaiah writes to PM Modi, alleges Gadkari's Shivamogga event was breach of protocol
He said the ministry's proceeding with the programme, despite the state's disagreement, amounts to 'sheer arbitrariness and defies the very spirit of co-operative federalism.' Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated or laid the foundation of various infrastructure projects, including the Sigandur bridge in Shivamogga. In his letter, the Congress leader claimed that the programme was held by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in Sagara taluk of Shivamogga, without consulting the state government, and his name was mentioned on the invitation card without any prior notification. Bengaluru, Jul 14 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who boycotted the inauguration of India's second-longest cable-stayed Sigandur bridge in Shivamogga, on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging a serious breach of protocol by the Centre. The event was boycotted by Siddaramaiah and his cabinet. He said he also spoke to Gadkari on July 11 after he came to know about the programme and even urged him to postpone it, given his prior commitment in the Indi taluk of Vijayanagara district. He claimed that though the minister then agreed to postpone the event, it still went underway on Monday, as advertised. 'I wish to draw your (PM) kind attention to the foundation stone laying function and dedicating 9 National Highway Projects of total length of 88 km with an investment of more than Rs 2000 crore, held on July 14 by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in Nehru Field, Sagara taluk, Shivamogga district,' Siddaramaiah said in his letter to Modi. He said the ministry violated the protocol by not consulting the state before the programme, printing the name of an ex-chief minister, BS Yediyurappa, before the names of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly U T Khader Fareed, and Chairman of State Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti. 'The Government of Karnataka places on record its protest against such non-cooperative action. I do hope that all Central Ministries will be strongly advised to refrain from such discordant acts in future,' he added. The chief minister said that the construction of a major bridge (Sigandur bridge) across the Sharavathi backwaters and approaches between Ambargodu and Kalasavali on NH 369E on EPC mode was originally conceptualised by the state government in 2013, and subsequently implemented by the Centre. He also claimed that, since, as per the technical report, the project is not yet complete, the programme should not have been conducted. PTI KSU VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


The Print
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘Ready to play any role in Bihar for Congress,' says Pappu Yadav after meeting Rahul, Kharge
He mentioned the names of Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Kumar and MP Tariq Anwar as probable Congress faces for the post. Yadav also told reporters that the Congress had no shortage of faces for the post of chief minister in Bihar. New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) Independent MP from Bihar's Purnea, Pappu Yadav, on Monday said he is ready to play any role the party gives him for the Bihar assembly polls, after a meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi. Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru and state president Rajesh Kumar were present at the meeting. This is the first time that Yadav has participated in a meeting regarding the Bihar election. The meeting was held at the Congress's Indira Bhawan headquarters here. Just a few days ago, during a march against special intensive review in Patna, Pappu Yadav, along with Kanhaiya Kumar, were not allowed to board the truck carrying Mahagathbandhan leaders. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav were on that truck. This was the first time Yadav met Rahul Gandhi after the incident. Yadav said he will do everything possible to take the ideology of Rahul Gandhi to every household in Bihar. Sources say Yadav also had separate discussions with Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. PTI ASK VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


The Print
14 minutes ago
- The Print
Out for walk, 114-yr-old marathon runner Fauja Singh dies after being hit by vehicle in Jalandhar
A Jalandhar police official also confirmed Fauja Singh's death, saying he was out for a walk in Bias village when an unidentified vehicle struck him. Fauja Singh suffered head injuries and succumbed in the evening. His demise was confirmed by author Khushwant Singh, a former state information commissioner of Punjab, who spoke to Fauja Singh's family members. Khushwant Singh had written a biography on Fauja Singh titled 'The Turbaned Tornado'. Chandigarh, Jul 14 (PTI) Veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh died on Monday after being hit by an unidentified vehicle while out for a walk in his native village in Punjab's Jalandhar district. He was 114. The erring driver, who is yet to be identified, fled after the incident, SHO of Adampur Police Station in Jalandhar, Hardevpreet Singh, told PTI over the phone. 'He was walking on the road when a car coming from Bhogpur hit him. He suffered head injuries and was taken to a private hospital where he died in the evening,' the SHO said. A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered against the driver, the officer added. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria, said he was 'deeply saddened' by the passing away of Fauja Singh. 'Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner and symbol of resilience. At 114, he joined me in the 'Nasha Mukt, Rangla Punjab' march with unmatched spirit. His legacy will continue to inspire a drug-free Punjab. Om Shanti Om,' the governor posted on X. In a statement issued later, Kataria said, 'His legacy, however, will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier and drug-free Punjab. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers across the globe. May his soul attain eternal peace, said the governor.' Last year, Fauja Singh, in a symbolic gesture, joined Kataria in a walkathon to spread awareness against drug abuse. In a post on X, Khushwant Singh said, 'My Turbaned Tornado is no more. It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my most revered S. Fauja Singh. He was struck by an unidentified vehicle around 3.30 pm today in his village, Bias, while crossing the road. Rest in peace, my dear Fauja.' When contacted, he said that he had spoken with Fauja Singh's family members, who confirmed his death. Following the accident, Fauja Singh was taken to a private hospital in Jalandhar, where he succumbed to injuries, Khushwant Singh said. BJP leader and former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh said the veteran marathon runner's 'extraordinary life and unwavering spirit' will continue to inspire generations. 'Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner, at the age of 114 in a tragic road accident. His extraordinary life and unwavering spirit will continue to inspire generations. May his soul rest in peace,' he said. Born in 1911 into a family of farmers, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four siblings. He became the first centenarian to complete a marathon, earning multiple records while participating in international events. Singh began running marathons at an old age, gaining the nickname 'Turbaned Tornado' for his endurance and athleticism. He moved to England in the 1990s and later returned to live in his native village in Punjab. He was a torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympics. Fauja Singh decided to run marathons for charity in 1999. His first such charity event was for premature babies. In 2013, Fauja Singh, who was honoured at a local school in Fatehgarh Sahib, said that one of his goals was to promote the understanding of Sikh culture. 'My beard and my turban have enhanced my respect in the world, and I believe in God… That's the reason I was able to accomplish my goals in life,' he said. The 114-page biography captures Fauja Singh's zest for life and his invincible spirit. Lord Anthony Young of Norwood Green had formally released the biography of Fauja Singh in 2011 in London. PTI SUN CHS VSD RHL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


The Print
14 minutes ago
- Health
- The Print
National Medical Commission blacklists 4 senior doctors over bribery allegations
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR on June 30 under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, against the doctors working as assessors with the NMC, some medical colleges and private persons, the commission said in a statement. New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) The National Medical Commission (NMC) has blacklisted four senior doctors working as assessors for allegedly accepting bribes, pending investigation and final verdict in the matter. 'It is reiterated that the commission views such matters very seriously and has decided to blacklist the said four assessors, pending investigation and final verdict in the matter,' the statement said. It has also been decided that the renewal of the existing number of undergraduate and postgraduate seats of six medical colleges shall not be done for the academic year 2025-26. Further, the application for increasing seats and starting new courses for both UG and PG received by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for 2025-26 from these colleges shall be cancelled and not processed further, the statement said. 'All medical colleges/stakeholders are advised to conform strictly to the NMC Rules and Regulations and uphold the ethos of quality medical education, professionalism and public trust,' it said. PTI PLB RHL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


The Print
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Print
GOC reviews situation in forward areas of 3 Jammu districts
Jammu, Jul 14 (PTI) The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General P K Mishra, on Monday visited forward areas in the Jammu, Rajouri, and Poonch districts and reviewed the security situation there. The visit focused on reinforcing force effectiveness and threat response mechanisms to ensure complete dominance of the operational space, an Army spokesperson said.