CR announces 24 additional summer special train trips between Mumbai and Nanded

Bookings for Train No. 01105 will commence on March 25, 2025; tickets can be booked at computerized reservation centres or online via www.irctc.co.in

Punjab Police arrest three operatives of Khalistani militant outfit from Bihar

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police has busted a narco-terror module linked to the banned terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) with the arrest of three key operatives from Bihar while they were attempting to flee to Nepal. Director General of Police, Punjab Gaurav Yadav, said here on Saturday that those arrested have been identified as Karandeep Yadav (21), Mukesh Kumar (29) and Sajan Singh (24), all residents of Khandwala Chheharta in Amritsar. The police teams have also recovered three mobile phones and 700 Nepali currency notes from their possession. The development came following meticulous investigation after the arrest of Joban Singh alias Joban and Gurbaksh Singh alias Lala after recovering 290 grams of heroin from their possession. Yadav said that preliminary investigations had revealed that the arrested accused were working on the directions of Pakistan-based BKI mastermind Harwinder Rinda. He said that the probe has revealed that the arrested accused Karandeep Yadav, had delivered the grenades and weapons that were recovered from Tarn Taran in January this year. As per the information, Tarn Taran Police had arrested four operatives identified as Robinjeet Singh alias Robin, Harpreet Singh alias Happy, Navjot Singh alias Nav and Jagdeep Singh alias Jagga. The police recovered two hand grenades and a pistol from their possession. He said that the arrested individuals, who were residing in Amritsars Khandwala and Chheharta areas, have been apprehended from the jurisdiction of Police Station Kumarkhand in Madehpur, Bihar when they were planning to flee to Nepal. The trio accused persons are being brought back to Punjab for further interrogation. Sharing operation details, Amritsar Police Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that acting on reliable inputs, an intelligence-led operation was launched with the lead taken by officers from Chheharta Police Station, Amritsar. As a result, the accused were successfully arrested from Bihar. He said that further investigations are ongoing to establish backward and forward linkages in this case, and more arrests and recoveries are expected in coming days. In this regard, a case has dated March 7 has already been registered under section 21-C of the NDPS Act at Police Station Chheharta in Amritsar. Punjab police arrest three operatives of Khalistani militant outfit In another development, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Mohali, arrested three operatives of a terror module being run by Pakistan-based BKI terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda. Those arrested have been identified as Jagjit Singh alias Jaggi and Shubham Khelbude, both residents of Nanded in Maharashtra and Gurdeep Singh alias Deepa, a resident of Raipur in Ropar. Police teams have also recovered two weapons including one 12 bore pump-action gun with 15 cartridges and one .32 bore pistol with eight cartridges. This development follows the earlier arrests of Jagdish Singh alias Jagga, Shubhdeep Singh alias Shubh, and Sachindeep Singh alias Sachin in connection with the Nanded murder case. With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals apprehended in the case has risen to six in this case. Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that arrested accused Jagjit alias Jaggi played a critical role in facilitating logistics, safe houses, and coordination for the shooters involved in the Nanded murder case, masterminded by Rinda from across the border. Investigations have also uncovered the role of jailed gangster Dilpreet alias Baba, an old associate of Rinda, who arranged safe shelters in Punjab for the accused, he said. He said that the arrested operative Jagjeet alias Jaggi is wanted in cases related to murder, attempt to murder, threat and intimidating for extortion, while Shubham is wanted in threat and extortion related cases in Nanded, Maharashtra and came to Punjab evading their arrest. Accused Jaggi and Shubam were actively involved in coordinating various illegal activities, including the procurement of weapons, collection of extortion money, logistics support, and shelter for their other operatives in Nanded all on directions of Harvinder alias Rinda, he said. Yadav said that the third arrested individual Gurdeep alias Deepa was arrested for providing shelter and logistical support to the fugitives Jaggi and Shubam. Accused Gurdeep Deepa also played a crucial role in enabling the escape and continued activities of the accused. AIG SSOC SAS Nagar Dr Simrat Kaur said following a reliable input, a team of SSOC SAS Nagar launched an intelligence-led operation and arrested Shubham Khelbude along with Gurdeep alias Deepa from Anandpur Sahib where he was taking shelter at a sand crusher owned by the latter. Further swift action on the leads obtained from the interrogation of arrested accused paved way for the arrest of third accused Jagjeet alias Jaggi from district Tarn tarn late night on the same day. She said that during the operation the police recovered a .32-bore pistol from Shubham and a Pump Action Gun from Gurdeep, which were intended for use in furthering illegal operations in Punjab and other regions. In this regard, a case has already been registered under section 25(1) B of the Arms act and sections 249 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC, SAS Nagar.

GBS syndrome: Minister says 224 cases reported in Maharashtra

Maharashtra reported 224 cases of Guillain-Barre-Syndrome (GBS) and 12 deaths as of March 3, mainly linked to prior Campylobacter infections. The central team is investigating the outbreak, particularly in Pune and Nanded, focusing on water sources and supply systems. Strengthening public healthcare systems is the state's responsibility.

Video: Maharashtra state bus loses control after trying to overtake motorbike

A Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus, heading towards Latur, lost control after it tried to overtake a motorbike on the Latur-Nanded highway. The incident occurred on March 3. It was captured in CCTV showing the MSRTC bus travelling at high speed and trying to overtake the motorbike at a junction. As it overtakes, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Man Dupes People Of Rs 10 Lakh Over Pretext Of Recruitment In Army, Arrested

The arrest followed a complaint lodged by a 23-year-old candidate, resident of Nanded district, who had paid Rs 1.75 lakh to the accused.

Fact Check: AIMIM leader makes controversial 15 minutes comment at Hyderabad meeting?

The viral video is not from Hyderabad but from an election campaign event at Urdu Ghar, Nanded, during the Maharashtra elections last year

CBI conducts raids in multiple cities in Rs 600 crore crypto scam

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been conducting extensive raids at over 60 locations linked to key accused individuals, their associates and entities suspected of laundering the proceeds of crime across the country as part of its investigation into the GainBitcoin crypto currency scam case, officials said on Tuesday. The coordinated raids are being carried out in major cities, including Delhi-NCR, Pune, Chandigarh, Nanded, Kolhapur, Bengaluru and other places, targeting the premises linked to key accused. Given the vast scale and complexity of the scam, the FIRs were registered in various states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra and were subsequently transferred to the CBI by the SC, the officials said. A senior CBI official said, The agency took over the cases and has been conducting an omnibus and comprehensive investigation to uncover the full extent of the fraud, identify all accused parties, and trace the misappropriated funds, including international transactions. Incriminating digital evidence and digital devices have been seized. The evidence present in emails/clouds have also been seized. The CBI remains committed to ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation and bringing the perpetrators of this massive crypto currency fraud to justice, the official said. A CBI official said that GainBitcoin was an alleged Ponzi scheme launched in 2015 by Amit Bhardwaj (deceased), with Ajay Bhardwaj and their network of agents. The scheme operated through multiple websites under the facade of a company named Variabletech Pte. Ltd. The scheme lured investors by promising lucrative returns of 10 percent monthly in Bitcoin for 18 months, the officials said.

CBI conducts searches in Rs 6,600 cr crypto scam

New Delhi: The CBI on Tuesday conducted countrywide coordinated searches at 60 locations as part of its probe into Rs 6,600 crore GainBitcoin cryptocurrency scam, officials said. The searches were spread across multiple cities including Delhi NCR, Pune, Chandigarh, Nanded, Kolhapur and Bengaluru, targeting premises allegedly linked to key accused individuals, a CBI spokesperson said []

Gain Bitcoin scam case: CBI raids 60 locations across India

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been conducting extensive raids at over 60 locations linked to key accused individuals, their associates and entities suspected of laundering the proceeds of crime across India as part of its investigation into the Gain Bitcoin cryptocurrency scam case, officials said on Tuesday. According to the officials the coordinated raids are being carried out in major cities, including Delhi NCR, Pune, Chandigarh, Nanded, Kolhapur, Bengaluru and other places, targeting the premises linked to key accused. Given the vast scale and complexity of the scam, the FIRs were registered in various states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra and were subsequently transferred to the CBI by the Supreme Court, the officials said. A senior CBI official said, The agency took over the cases and has been conducting an omnibus and comprehensive investigation to uncover the full extent of the fraud, identify all accused parties, and trace the misappropriated funds, including international transactions. During searches few crypto wallets, incriminating digital evidence and digital devices have been seized. The evidence present in emails/clouds has also been seized. The CBI remains committed to ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation and bringing the perpetrators of this massive cryptocurrency fraud to justice, the official said. Gain Bitcoin was an alleged Ponzi scheme launched in 2015 by Amit Bhardwaj (deceased), along with Ajay Bhardwaj and their network of agents. The scheme operated through multiple websites such aswww.gainbitcoin.cometc., under the facade of a company named Variabletech Pte. Ltd, a senior CBI official said. The fraudulent scheme lured investors by promising lucrative returns of 10 percent monthly in Bitcoin for 18 months, the officials said, adding that gullible investors were encouraged to purchase Bitcoin from exchanges and invest them with Gain Bitcoin through cloud mining contracts. The model followed a multi-level marketing (MLM) structure, commonly associated with pyramid-structured Ponzi schemes, where payouts were dependent on bringing in new investors, the officials said. Initially, investors received payouts in Bitcoin. But, as the influx of new investments dwindled by 2017, the scheme began to collapse. In an attempt to cover up the losses, Gain Bitcoin unilaterally switched payouts to their alleged in-house cryptocurrency called MCAP, which had significantly less value than Bitcoin, further misleading investors, the officer alleged.

Cryptocurrency fraud: CBI conducts searches at 60 locations in several states

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday conducted searches at over 60 locations across the country as part of its investigation into the Gain Bitcoin cryptocurrency scam, officials said. The coordinated search operations were carried out in major cities, including Delhi-NCR, Pune, Chandigarh, Nanded, Kolhapur, Bengaluru, and others, targeting premises linked to [] The post Cryptocurrency fraud: CBI conducts searches at 60 locations in several states appeared first on Northlines .

Maharashtra Man, Accused Of Stalking Woman, Stabbed To Death By Her Parents: Cops

A 21-year-old man was beaten and stabbed to death by parents and relatives of a woman who accused him of stalking her in Maharashtra's Nanded district, police said on Sunday.

SCR GM inspects railway stations in Secunderabad-Nanded route

Nizamabad businessmen and traders met with SCR officials at Nizamabad Railway Station, urging the introduction of new afternoon trains to Hyderabad and Mumbai

Two die of suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome in Pune, toll rises to 11: Officials

PUNE: The fatality count due to suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) rose to 11 after two more patients died in Pune hospitals during treatment, officials said on Wednesday. The deceased include a 27-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man. The woman, diagnosed with GBS, died in a city hospital on Tuesday, while the man from Daund in Pune district, died in the state-run Sassoon General hospital of suspected GBS on Monday. The deceased woman was a resident of Nandedgaon area, the epicentre of the GBS outbreak. She complained of loose motions on January 15 but recovered without any medication. On January 22, she developed weakness in the lower limbs and was admitted to the hospital where she was given treatment for GBS. On January 25, she was shifted to another hospital where she was put on life support. She died during treatment on February 18, officials added. The man was admitted to Sassoon General Hospital on January 10 for suspected GBS. He died on Monday due to acute respiratory failure. Meanwhile, the total number of GBS cases remained unchanged at 211 on Wednesday as no fresh case was reported, officials added.

Two Injured in Firing Incident Near Gurdwara in Nanded

A shooting near a gurdwara in Nanded leaves two injured, with one reportedly a murder accused on parole

Tally of nerve disorder GBS rises to 180 in Pune; Mumbai records first case

PUNE/MUMBAI: The tally of suspected Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS) cases in the Pune region has reached 180, with the detection of seven cases, while a 64-year-old woman became the first patient diagnosed with the nerve disorder in Mumbai, officials said. The seven cases in Pune comprise four fresh cases and three from previous days, an official from the health department said on Friday. Of the 180 suspected cases, 146 have been diagnosed with GBS. At least 35 patients are from Pune Municipal Corporation, 88 from newly added villages in the PMC area, 25 from the Pimpri Chinchwad civic limits, 24 from Pune Rural and eight from other districts. While 79 patients have been discharged, 58 are in ICU and 22 on ventilator support, a health department release said. The number of deaths in the region stood at six, it added. Mumbai reported its first case of GBS on Friday after a 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with the rare nerve disorder, civic officials said. Talking to PTI, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner and its state-appointed administrator, Bhushan Gagrani, said the patient was currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a civic-run hospital. BMC officials said the woman, who resides in the Andheri (East) area of the city, was hospitalised with a history of fever and diarrhoea that was followed by ascending paralysis. The woman was initially hospitalised on January 21. Within three days, she developed difficulty in walking and progressive weakness in her lower limbs, they said. A provisional diagnosis of Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP), a variant of GBS, was made based on clinical findings and diagnostic tests, said the officials, and described her current condition as moderate. GBS is a rare condition in which a person's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and/or arms, as well as problems swallowing or breathing. Severe cases can result in near-total paralysis. GBS is more common in adults and males, though people of all ages can be affected. Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Friday said the state government will bring a law to ensure people get clean drinking water and also fine entities that contaminate and pollute water. The Pune Municipal Corporation, state health department, etc, have worked very hard to ensure GBS cases are contained, he told reporters. Several agencies such as an expert team from the Centre, World Health Organization and state health department are working in tandem on the various aspects of the disease and ensuring that such cases do not spread. Now, since it is confirmed that waterborne bacteria has triggered the outbreak, responsibility will be fixed and action taken, he asserted. We are also planning to bring a law with provisions of fines on those entities that contribute to the pollution and contamination of water. The new law will ensure common people get clean drinking water through their respective civic and local bodies. We will present a draft of the bill in the upcoming Budget session, Abitkar said. He said the PMC has been directed to ensure proper chlorination of water in the Nanded village area, which has seen a high number of GBS cases. Proper monitoring is being done in Nanded village to ensure clean water is supplied. Various teams were tasked with collecting water samples from various sources, including sewage released by some resorts on the upper side of Khadakwasla dam. They are also verifying whether the contamination was triggered by poultry farms on the upper side of Khadakwasla, the minister said.

Man detained in Iran for clicking pix returns home

An Indian engineer, Yogesh Panchal, was detained in Iran for almost two months for allegedly clicking photographs in a restricted zone. He was released earlier this week after the Ministry of External Affairs intervened. Panchal, who hails from Nanded district in Maharashtra, visited Iran in December to explore business opportunities. He was apprehended from his hotel room on December 7 and accused of shooting videos and photos in a restricted zone. He was held in a local detention center for 59 days and treated well, although blindfolded throughout his incarceration. The family sought help from Rajya Sabha member Ajit Gopchade, but the Iranian Embassy in Delhi initially did not cooperate. The MEA's intervention led to a hearing and his eventual release.

Detained In Iran For Clicking Pictures, Nanded Man Returns Home After 2 Months

Panchal, who hails from Vasmat in Nanded district, told reporters that he visited Iran in the first week of December for exploring business opportunities.

Detained in Iran for clicking pictures, Nanded man returns home after two months

Yogesh Panchal, an engineer from Maharashtra, returned to India on February 4 after being detained in Iran for nearly two months for clicking photographs in a restricted zone. His release was facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs following intervention by MP Ajit Gopchade. Panchal was treated well during his detention and released after a hearing.

63-year-old man dies of suspected GBS in Pune; total fatalities rise to six

PUNE: The number of suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) deaths in Maharashtra's Pune district has risen to six after a 63-year-old man died, a health official has said. The man was admitted to a hospital in the Sinhgad Road area after he complained of fever, loose motions and weakness in the lower limb and was diagnosed with GBS, the official said on Thursday. His condition deteriorated on Wednesday and he died of acute ischemic stroke, the Pune Municipal Corporation health official said. He added that of the six deaths, five are suspected GBS deaths, while one is a confirmed fatality from the rare nerve disorder. With the detection of three new cases, the number of suspected GBS cases in Pune rose to 173, a Maharashtra health department release said. Of these, 140 have been diagnosed with GBS. Of the 173, a total of 34 patients are from Pune Municipal Corporation limits, 87 from newly added villages in PMC area, 22 from Pimpri Chinchwad civic limits, 22 from rural parts of the district, and eight from other districts, the release said. Of the 173, the release added, 72 have been discharged, 55 are in ICU and 21 are on ventilator support. Rise in Guillain Barre Syndrome cases in Maharashtra An official said a tap water sample from a housing society in the vicinity of Nanded village, where the highest number of GBS cases have been reported, has tested positive for campylobacter jejuni. It is a common bacterial pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and can trigger GBS, he added. A senior health official from the Rapid Response Team (RRT) set up to investigate the GBS outbreak within a 5-kilometre radius of Nanded village in Sinhgad Road area confirmed the development. A PMC official said the National Institute of Virology (NIV) has confirmed the GBS outbreak in Nanded and its adjoining areas was caused by water contamination, specifically due to the presence of waterborne campylobacter jejuni. The PMC said 11 private reverse osmosis (RO) plants in Nanded and adjoining areas have been sealed after test reports indicated water from these was unfit for consumption. With this, the total number of RO plants sealed by the civic body's water supply department has reached 30. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) will soon be issued to private RO plants, water tanker operators and owners of borewells supplying drinking water. They will be required to use bleaching solutions to ensure the supply of clean and uncontaminated water, said Nandkishor Jagtap, head of PMC's water department. GBS is a rare condition in which a person's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and/or arms, as well as problems swallowing or breathing. Severe cases can result in near-total paralysis. GBS is more common in adults and in males, though people of all ages can be affected. Investigations still on to identify cause behind Guillain-Barre Syndrome spurt: ICMR chief

Amid GBS Outbreak, Pune Municipal Corporation Shuts Down 19 Private RO Plants In Nanded Village Area

Lack of Chlorine in water linked to Pune GBS outbreak

A water quality survey held around Nanded village, the epicentre of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Pune city, has found there was lack of chlorine in the drinking water supplied to households of 26 patients of this nerve disorder, officials said.

Suspected GBS deaths in Maharashtra rise to four, case tally at 140; E.coli found in water sample

(Eds: Recasting overnight story) Pune, Feb 1 (PTI) The number of suspected deaths in Maharashtra due to Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS), a rare nerve disorder, have risen to four, while the tally of cases recorded in the state so far stood at 140, health officials said. A 36-year-old man died due to rauma to the respiratory system due to pneumonia at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital in the neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation limits on Thursday. The fourth suspected victim was a 60-year-old man from the Dhayari area off Sinhgad Road here who died on Friday. The man was admitted to the hospital on January 27 following loose motions and weakness in the lower limbs. He died due to cardiac arrest, according to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) health department. According to state health officials, of 140 suspected patients, 98 were diagnosed as confirmed GBS cases. A total of 26 patients are from Pune city, 78 from newly added villages in the PMC area, 15 from Pimpri Chinchwad, 10 from Pune Rural, and 11 are from other districts, said the official release. No fresh case was reported on Friday. Most of the cases recorded in the state are from Pune and surrounding areas. A total of 160 water samples from different parts of Pune city were sent to the Public Health Laboratory for chemical and biological analysis, and samples from eight water sources were found contaminated. An official said Escherichia coli or E.coli bacteria was found in one of the samples obtained from private borewells in the Sinhgad Road area. E.coli in water is a sign of faecal or animal waste contamination, and the prevalence of bacteria can lead to GBS infection. Following the increase in GBS cases in Nanded, Kirkatwadi, Dhayari, and other localities on Sinhgad Road, the Pune Municipal Corporation has been collecting water samples from borewells and wells for investigations. Yesterday, we collected samples from private borewells and wells in the GBS-affected areas of Sinhgad Road. In one of the samples, E-Coli bacteria was found, said PMC water supply department chief Nandkishor Jagtap. Two days ago, a meeting was held of operators of private tube wells and borewells, and they were instructed to use bleaching power solutions provided by PMC to ensure the bacteria is contained, Jagtap said. Our chemists gave them a demonstration on how to mix the solutions in the water. The borewell point in the Nanded area, which provides 30 to 40 tankers to nearby housing societies, has been issued a notice to use bleaching power solutions, failing which action will be taken, he informed. GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with symptoms including severe weakness in the limbs. Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium found in contaminated food and water, is believed to be the reason for the outbreak.

GBS situation in Pune linked to...: Health minister

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has linked 80% of suspected Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune to water contamination around a well in Nanded village. The state health department and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are taking measures to address the issue. The well is a source of water for surrounding villages, and officials suspect contamination is leading to the spike in GBS cases. The minister emphasized that GBS affects individuals with weak immunity, and campylobacter jejuni bacteria, usually causing stomach infection, can trigger the disease. The PMC has conducted water sample tests, with some showing evidence of norovirus and campylobacter jejuni. Clean drinking water is being provided through tankers to affected areas.

Over 50 hospitalised for food poisoning in Nanded after Ekadashi meals during pilgrimage

Over 50 individuals were hospitalized in Maharashtra's Nanded district after consuming 'bhagar' and peanut paste during a pilgrimage in Mahur. Following symptoms of food poisoning, they were admitted to Mahur rural hospital, where four were initially in critical condition. All patients are now stable and expected to be discharged soon.

Guillain-Barr Syndrome cases up in Pune; teams to check outbreak

PUNE: There has been a significant increase in cases of Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune and the surrounding areas. According to officials, the infection is primarily linked to contaminated water and unclean food, among other factors. So far, 73 confirmed cases have been reported, comprising 47 males and 26 females. The majority of these cases have come from Punes Kirkatwadi, Nandoshi, Nanded, Dhayari, and Sinhagad Road. Primarily caused by the Norovirus, GBS spreads through contaminated food or water and can also be transmitted through airborne particles when an infected person vomits. Of the 73 GBS patients, 44 are from Pune rural, 11 are from Pune city, and they belong to the Pimpri Chinchwad area. Fourteen GBS patients are stated to be on ventilators. The infection usually lasts for one to three days, while some cases lead to severe health complications. The local health authority has sent GBS patients samples to the National Institute of Virology for further testing. However, the initial reports from the NIV indicated the presence of Campylobacter jejuni bacteria and Norovirus, both of which are spread through contaminated food and water. The symptoms of both infections include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The local Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) initiated a survey of these affected areas and even issued an inspection report of Parvati Water Treatment Centre that confirmed the presence of contaminated water. Residents of these areas have been asked to drink clean drinking water by boiling and purifying it before consumption. Besides, it was also observed that in GBS-affected areas, the PMC lacks adequate infrastructure, such as water pipelines, to supply clean drinking water, making the residents dependent on private water tankers and other unverified sources. As part of the ongoing efforts, the municipal corporation has decided to install mesh barriers on the wells supplying water to the areas of Kirkatwadi and Khadakwasla to prevent contamination. Residents have raised concerns regarding the presence of waste and sewage near the wells, which could exacerbate the health risks in the area. After a sudden rise in the number of GBS-diagnosed patients, the Pune Municipal Corporation has initiated house-to-house measures to contain the spread of GBS at an early stage. The PMC health department has surveyed 1,943 households in Pune, 1,750 households in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area, and 3,522 households in Pune rural areas. As many as 7,215 household surveys were carried out. PMC has constituted 100 health survey teams in Pune.

Malkajgiri May Become New Terminal Station

Hyderabad: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated Cherlapalli as a railway terminal, the South Central Railway (SCR) is reportedly working towards developing the Malkajgiri station into another terminal. Malkajgiris proximity to the city centre and its direct connectivity towards Kamareddy, Nizamabad, Nanded and Mumbai made it an ideal choice. Sources said SCR officials carried out an inspection of the station on Thursday. Malkajgiri are among Hyderabads 12 railway stations that are set to undergo a Rs 2,000-crore upgrade. SCR had previously considered upgrading Malkajgiri due to its potential and geographic advantages. Approximately eight years ago, under then-divisional railway manager Vandana Singhal, plans were announced to make Malkajgiri the second terminal for the Hyderabad division, but they did not materialise at that time. With three platforms in place, the station can potentially be expanded. Its conversion into a terminal could decongest other city stations. Commuter groups like the MMTS Travellers Association believe Malkajgiri, part of Indias largest parliamentary constituency, has been overlooked. General Secretary Nandlal suggested increasing the number of MMTS services and adjusting their schedules to meet the needs of employees, students, and passengers connecting to outstation trains from Malkajgiri. Despite multiple representations, authorities often cite a lack of trains or rakes. Noor, a member of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC), SCR, has recommended several modifications to transform Malkajgiri into a major station: constructing an additional platform near the east booking office, laying a new track beside Road No. 1, rearranging existing platforms to add two more tracks. Noor also proposes assigning rooms to the station manager and the RPF, building another floor for crew and AC waiting halls, and reconfiguring platform numbers. He said these measures would give Malkajgiri six platforms, along with pit lines, and bolster its capacity to serve as a terminal.

Track maintainers stage protests in Telangana, AP against Centres anti-labour policies

Hyderabad: South Central Railway Mazdoor Union affiliated to All India Railway Federation staged demonstrations before Divisional Railway Office in Secunderabad, Nanded, Vijayawada, Guntur and Guntakal on Friday against anti-labour attitude of the Central government and for failing to redress the just reasonable demands of the track maintenance category. Thousands of Track Maintainers (TM), who are also called gangmen took part in the demonstrations in support of their demands. The demonstrations were organized under the leadership of union general secretary Ch Sankara Rao. Rao said thousands of TM vacancies were not being filled in Indian railways resulting in heavy workload on them. Non-creation of additional posts of trackmen for double line, triple line, non-reduction of workload of track maintainers and age-old practices of the British regime are still followed by railways for manpower creation. He said the workload of keymen was not reduced in spite of several representations and the trackmen were demanding six hour duty in two shifts. The same was not considered. The trackmen were recruited in Level-1 (Group-D) category in spite of having higher educational qualifications such as graduation and are failing to get promotions in Indian railways due to short-sighted policies of not providing Rs.4,200, Rs.4,600 and Rs.4,800 grade pay to the trackmen category. According to Rao, a large number of vacancies are lying vacant in non-safety categories like Train Managers, Ticket Collectors, Commercial Clerks, ECRCs, Office Clerks and are not filled by promoting the Track Maintainers by allowing them to compete in the LDCE. An immediate action needs to be taken to provide 10 per cent extra in LDCE open for all track maintainers and the risk allowance provided for track maintainers is less as daily there are run over cases and there is no safety for them during the night time. The demand for provision of two track maintainers in the night patrolling is not considered stating that there is no sufficient staff due to the large number of vacancies. Thereby a single trackman is forced to work daily in the night time. There is an immediate need to provide two track maintainers in view of law and order situation and also in view of the safety of them. The Railway Minister's lip sympathy for track maintainers without acting accepting the above demands is not justified. All the recruitments of Level-I (Group-D) should be in the track maintainers category and after a period of three years they should be sent to other departments in view of the physical and manual work involved in the trackmen duties.

Complete Lendi project by end of 2025-26: Uttam to engineers

Nanded MP Ravindra Chavan meets Uttam Kumar Reddy, urges early completion of the inter-state project

Telangana is focusing on Lendi project completion: Minister Uttam

Hyderabad: Telangana state is focusing on the speedy completion of the construction of the Lendi project between Maharashtra and Telangana states, said Irrigation and Civil Supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy. To this end, on Thursday morning, January 23, a group of Maharashtra Congress representatives, including Maharashtra Nanded Congress MP Ravindra Chavan, former MLA Hanumant Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Shaktipeeth Expressway: 802-KM Link to Boost Nagpur-Goa Link - All You Need To Know

The Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, an 802-kilometer-long six-lane corridor, is all set to transform travel between Nagpur and Goa. Developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), this project will cut down travel time from the current 18-20 hours to just 8-10 hours, revolutionizing connectivity across the state. The expressway will pass through 12 districts, linking key pilgrimage centers while driving tourism, economic growth, and infrastructure development. Route and Districts Covered The expressway begins at Pavnar in Wardha district and ends at Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border, passing through 12 districts, including Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, and Sindhudurg. By offering a faster, more convenient route, the expressway is expected to enhance regional tourism and economic activities. Connecting Pilgrimage Sites and Growth A standout feature of this expressway is its ability to connect significant spiritual destinations. Stretching from Wardha to Sindhudurg, it will provide easier access to famous pilgrimage spots, such as Tuljapur near Solapur, Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur, and Patra Devi, promoting spiritual tourism while fostering economic development. This linkage between cultural heritage and progress will not only benefit devotees but also boost regional industries. Villages Along the Route The expressway will pass through several villages, including Sangavade, Sangavadewadi, Halasavade, Nerli, Vikaswadi, Kaneriwadi, Kaneri, Kogil Budruk, and Khebwade. By integrating rural areas into the expressway's network, the project is expected to open up new economic opportunities for these regions and improve the standard of living for local communities. Cost and Scale of the Project The total cost of the Shaktipeeth Expressway is estimated to be Rs.86,000 crore. Once completed, this highway will become one of Indias longest, surpassing the 701-kilometer Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway. Beyond its sheer size, the project symbolizes the connection between Maharashtra's cultural heritage and its vision for economic advancement. Challenges and Progress Despite facing challenges, the project is moving forward steadily. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has prioritized land acquisition to ensure the project's timely progress. Modeled after the Samruddhi Expressway, this initiative highlights the state governments commitment to reducing travel times and improving infrastructure. The Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway is more than just a road. It represents a new chapter of connectivity, offering a bridge between tradition and modernity, and unlocking new opportunities for millions of people across Maharashtra. A Vision for Maharashtra's Prosperity The Mahayuti government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has introduced an expressway that stands as more than just a transportation route, represents progress and unity. By linking important Shaktipeeths and cutting down travel time, this initiative is expected to boost spiritual tourism and drive economic development. Moreover, the project reflects the government's dedication to balancing infrastructure advancements with environmental and social accountability. The Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway symbolizes a brighter and more connected future for Maharashtra. Prioritizing improved accessibility while protecting the environment, this venture is poised to become a milestone in India's journey toward modern infrastructure development.

Unable to fulfill son's wish for a smartphone, farmer dies by suicide with the same rope as his son

A farmer and his son died by suicide in a Maharashtra village after the former was unable to buy smartphone for the latter. Unable to fulfill his son's aspiration for a smartphone, the farmer hung himself with the same rope in which the son died by suicide. The incident was reported at a village in Nanded, Maharashtra. Upon spotting the 16-year-old, Class X student hanging from the tree on the farm at Minaki in Biloli tehsil on Thursday morning, his father also hanged himself from the same tree, TOI reported. The boy, youngest of three brothers, came home from his hostel for Makar Sankranti and requested his father to buy him a smartphone for academic purposes. However, the father could not afford to buy the gadget because of financial constraints. Nanded police have registered a case and are investigating.

Train reverses 700 metres to pick passenger who fell

Mumbai-Nanded Tapovan Express reversed 700m on Saturday to pick up Sarvar Shaikh, a 30-year-old passenger who had fallen off near Manmad junction. Despite efforts, he later died in hospital. The loco pilot secured permission to maneuver the train back, and an ambulance was arranged at Manmad for medical assistance, while express continued its journey.

VHP says acquittal of Nanded blast accused 'tight slap' on Congress

The Congress' dream of proving Hindus to be terrorists in the 2006 Nanded blast case stands exposed, with the court acquitting all the persons made accused in the case, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said

VHP says acquittal of Nanded blast accused tight slap on Congress

New Delhi, Jan 5: The VHP on Sunday termed the acquittal of the 2006 Nanded blast accused a tight slap on the Congress face and asked the partys top leadership to apologise to Hindu society. The reaction came after a sessions court in Maharashtras Nanded acquitted on Saturday all nine surviving accused in the 2006 blast case. The Congress dream of proving Hindus to be terrorists in the 2006 Nanded blast case stands exposed, with the court acquitting all the [] The post VHP says acquittal of Nanded blast accused tight slap on Congress appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

2006 Nanded blast case: Court acquits all nine surviving accused

2006 Nanded bomb blast: All nine surviving accused acquitted

All nine surviving accused in the 2006 Nanded blast case in Maharashtra are acquitted. The prosecution failed to establish that the incident was a bomb blast, leading to their release. The case originally involved 12 accused, with three fatalities over the course of the period.

Sessions court acquits all 9 surviving accused in 2006 Nanded bomb blast case

Of the total 12 accused in the case, two had died in the explosion, while one died during the course of the trial

69th Railway week organised by SCR

Hyderabad : South Central Railway general manager Arun Kumar Jain stressed that safety, asset maintenance, quality works, and staff training were the major reasons for the zones success, and these facors ensured a safe, comfortable and affordable journey for passengers. Addressing the 69th Railway Week celebrations here on Friday, Jain stated that there should be no compromise in implementing safety standards. The General Managers best performance efficiency shield was jointly awarded to the Secunderabad and Vijayawada divisions. The awards were received by divisional railway managers Bhartesh Kumar Jain (Secunderabad) and A. Narendra Patil (Vijayawada). Thirty five zonal level efficiency shields were distributed, acknowledging the contributions of the Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada Guntakal, Guntur, and Nanded divisions. Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar were presented to 75 officers and staff.

SCR to run 26 additional Maha Kumbh Mela special trains

Hyderabad: In order to clear extra rush of passengers participating in the Maha Kumbh Mela - 2025, the South Central Railway (SCR) is operating 26 additional Maha Kumbh Mela special trains between various destinations in February. Train No. 07081/07082 Guntur Azamgarh Vijayawada (Two services): These special trains will stop at Guntur Azamgarh special train will stop Vijayawada, Khammam, Dornakal, Mahbubabad, Warangal, Ramagundam, Mancherial, Sirpur Kaghaznagar, Balharshah, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Betul, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Mirzapur, Varanasi and Shahganj stations in both the directions. Train No. 07083/07084 Machilipatnam Azamgarh Machilipatnam (Two services): These special trains will stop at Gudlavalleru, Gudivada, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Ramagundam, Mancherial, Sirpur Kaghaznagar, Balharshah, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Betul, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Mirzapur, Varanasi and Shahganj stations in both the directions. Train No. 07085/07086 Kakinada Town Azamgarh Vijayawada (Two services): These special trains will stop at Samalkot, Nidadavolu, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Ramagundam, Mancherial, Sirpur Kaghaznagar, Balharshah, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Varanasi and Shahganj stations in both the directions. In the return direction, Train No. 07086 will be terminated at Vijayawada station and will not stop at Kakinada Town, Samalkot, Nidadavolu , Tadepalligudem, Eluru stations. Train No. 07087/07088 Moula-Ali Banaras Moula-Ali (Two services): These special trains will stop at Bhongir, Jangaon, Kazipet, Jammikunta, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Bellampalli, Sirpur Kaghaznagar, Balharshah, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Betul, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur and Prayagraj Chheoki stations in both the directions. Train. No. 07089/07090 Moula Ali Gaya Moula Ali Special Trains (Two services): These special trains will stop at Bhongir, Jangaon, Kazipet, Jammikunta, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Bellampalli, Sirpur Kaghaz Nagar, Balharshah, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Betul, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Jn, Bhabua Road, Sasaram, Dehri on Sone and Anugraha Narayan Road stations in both the directions. Tr. No. 07091/07092 Vikarabad Gaya - Vikarabad Special Trains (Two services): These special trains will stop at Lingampalli, Cherlapalli, Jangaon, Kazipet, Jammikunta, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Bellampalli, Sirpur Kaghaz Nagar, Balharshah, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Betul, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Jn, Bhabua Road, Sasaram, Dehri on Sone and Anugraha Narayan Road stations in both the directions. Tr. No. 07093/07094 Vijayawada Gaya Vijayawada Special Trains (Two services): These special trains will stop at Madhira, Khammam, Dornakal, Mahbubabad, Warangal, Jammikunta, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Bellampalli, Sirpur Kaghaz Nagar, Balharshah, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Betul, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Jn, Bhabua Road, Sasaram, Dehri on Sone and Anugraha Narayan Road stations in both the directions. Tr. No. 07095/07096 Kakinada Town Gaya Vijayawada Special Trains (Two services): These special trains will stop at Samalkot, Nidadavolu, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada, Madhira, Khammam, Dornakal, Mahbubabad, Warangal, Jammikunta, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Bellampalli, Sirpur Kaghaz Nagar, Balharshah, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Betul, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Jn, Bhabua Road, Sasaram, Dehri on Sone and Anugraha Narayan Road stations. In the return direction, Train No. 07096 will be terminated at Vijayawada station and will not stop at Kakinada Town, Samalkot, Nidadavolu , Tadepalligudem, Eluru stations. Tr. No. 07099/07100 Nanded Patna Nanded Special Trains (Two services): These special trains will stop at Purna, Basmat, Hingoli, Washim, Akola, Malkapur, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Jn., Buxar, Ara and Danapur stations in both the directions. Tr. No. 07101/07102 Aurangabad Patna Aurangabad Special Trains (Four services): These special trains will stop at Jalna, Selu, Parbhani, Purna, Basmat, Hingoli, Washim, Akola, Malkapur, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Jn., Buxar, Ara and Danapur stations in both the directions. Tr. No. 07103/7104 Kacheguda Patna Kacheguda Special Trains (Two services): These special trains will stop at Bolarum, Medchal, Kamareddi, Nizamabad, Basar, Dharmabad, Umri, Mudkhed, Nanded, Purna, Basmat, Hingoli, Washim, Akola, Malkapur, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Jn., Buxar, Ara, Danapur, stations in both the directions. Tr. No. 07105/07106 Secunderabad Patna Secunderabad Special Trains (Two services): These special trains will stop at Bolarum, Medchal, Kamareddi, Nizamabad, Basar, Dharmabad, Umri, Mudkhed, Nanded, Purna, Basmat, Hingoli, Washim, Akola, Malkapur, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Jn., Buxar, Ara, Danapur, stations in both the directions. All these special trains will consists of 2A, 3A, sleeper and general second class coaches, according to a press release.

Maharashtra ATS arrests nine Bangladeshis for illegal stay; 43 held in one month

The latest action was taken with the help of local police in Mumbai, Nashik, Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in the last four days

Maharashtra ATS arrests 9 Bangladeshis for illegal stay; 43 held in one month

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested nine Bangladeshi nationals for entering India illegally and staying without proper documents. This arrest is part of a special drive where 43 Bangladeshi nationals have been detained in 19 cases last month, with local police assisting the operations in Mumbai, Nashik, Nanded, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

SCR announces two additional general class coaches to nine trains

Hyderabad: South Central Railway on Tuesday announced that two additional general class coaches would be added for nine more trains. The number of trains with additional general coaches would now reach 40. SCR, in a press release, said the augmentation of general coaches would be taken up on the following routes: Hyderabad-Mumbai CSMT; Tirupati-Hazrat Nizamuddin; Nanded-Amritsar; Hyderabad-Jaipur; Hyderabad-Visakhaptnam; Hyderabad-Tambaram; and Secunderabad-Hisar . SCR said that in July, during phase one, six pairs of trains (13 rakes) were augmented with 26 additional LHB general class coaches each. In phase two, during November-December, another 25 trains (40 rakes) were augmented with 80 additional general class coaches. With regard to the air conditioned coaches, the SCR said it was a temporary measure to suit the needs of passengers travelling in these trains.

No Kites Near Railway Tracks: SCR

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) has urged people to avoid flying kites near railway tracks as the overhead lines are charged with high-voltage electricity and cause risk to human life. SCR also told the people to avoid contact with kite threads hanging from traction overhead. The Chinese imported kite threads are a conductor of electricity, posing risks to human life and railway electrical infrastructure. During the previous Sankranti season, quite a few cases were reported from several zones of Indian Railways where individuals suffered electric shocks after touching kite threads entangled in 15kV traction overhead conductors. The public is also advised to report sightings of kite threads hanging from overhead conductors to railway authorities to ensure the threads are safely removed by trained personnel. Sritej on ventilator support again Hyderabad: Eight-year-old Sritej, admitted to KIMS Cuddles hospital after the Sandhya theatre stampede has been put on ventilator support again. The update from doctors mentioned that he has needed oxygen and minimal ventilator support for the last two days. His chest x-ray had shown haziness on the right side, which improved after bronchoscopy and suctioning. He has also been given low-dose inotropic support for maintaining circulation since yesterday. As per the PCR report, his antibiotics have been changed since Saturday. He has not had any fever and he continues to tolerate feeds via nasogastric tube well. His neurological status remains status quo, the doctors informed. SCR provides counseling to improve safety Hyderabad: South Central Railway (SCR) will provide regular counseling for staff, including locomotive pilots and operational personnel, to reinforce safety protocols, said SCR general manager Arun Kumar Jain in a review meeting on train safety and punctuality held at Rail Nilayam on Monday. He emphasised the need to intensify field inspections and the importance of safety measures during yard shunting and directed that brake power tests must be conducted by all locomotive pilots and shunters before train movements. Divisional railway managers of Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntakal, Guntur and Nanded participated in the review meeting video conference. DCA filed 337 drug cases in 24 Hyderabad: The Drug Control Administration (DCA) released its annual report 2024 on Monday. As per the report, the maximum cases of seizures included those pertaining to misleading advertisements, followed by the seizure of drugs sold by quacks. Between January 1 and December 25, the DCA officials filed 199 cases of drugs with misleading advertisements and 136 cases of drugs being sold by unauthorised medical practitioners. Around 98 unlicensed medical shops were found. As many as 79 cases of price violations and 44 cases of drugs sold as food products or nutraceuticals were caught. The officials busted eight cases of spurious drug rackets, five for unlicensed cosmetic drug manufacturing, three for sale of banned drugs and one for misbranded cosmetic drugs in 2024. Total drugs worth Rs.7.64 crore were seized in 2024. Joint operations between DCA and the prohibition and excise department resulted in the seizure of drugs worth Rs.11.32 crore.

People oppose replacing general class coaches with AC coaches

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) is facing a backlash from passengers coming from economically weaker sections for replacing general class coaches with air-conditioned (AC) coaches to address rising demand for premium travel. The SCR has released details of temporary augmentation of two trains and replacement of nine trains to address passenger demand. K. Venkatesham, who regularly travels by train, said, Railways is reducing the number of general class coaches; there must be at least five general compartments in every train. It has to increase the coaches of general and sleeper compartments. S. Shekar Reddy, who travels to Tirupati regularly, said, If they remove the general coaches the problem will increase, with no alternatives people will enter the reserved coaches. Many passengers prefer general class due to its affordability, especially during festival seasons when buses and private vehicles become expensive or unavailable. Replacing general coaches with AC coaches raises costs, making travel unaffordable for economically weaker sections, said P. Sarika. A general class coach has a capacity of 82 to 100 passengers. If two general coaches are replaced by AC coaches, around 5,000 to 6,000 passengers will be affected for each train in a month. If a person travels from Hyderabad to Tirupati in general class. the ticket price will be around `455 and in 3rd AC the price will be up to `2,195. SCR officials, however, stated that the replacement is a temporary measure because of several reasons. We have noticed the waiting list demand is high and accordingly we are replacing some coaches to accommodate the demand. There is also a huge demand for second and third AC coaches, the fares will be applied according to the replaced coach. They added that each train will definitely have mandatory two general coaches. Temporary additions/replacements in January Additions 1. Train No. 17614 and 17613 Nanded - Panvel Express: Added one 3rd AC and one sleeper 2. Train No. 17630 and 17629 Nanded - Pune Express: Added One 3rd AC and one sleeper Replacements 1. Train No. 12702 and 12701 Hyderabad to Mumbai CSMT will replace two general second class coaches with two third AC coaches. 2. Train No. 12707 and 12708 Tirupati to H.Nizamuddin will replace two General Second Class coaches with two Sleeper coaches. 3. Train No. 12715 and 12716 Nanded to Amritsar will replace two General Second Class coaches with one Third AC and one Sleeper coach. 4. Train No. 12720 and 12719 Hyderabad to Jaipur will replace twp General Second Class coaches with two Third AC coaches . 5. Train No. 12728 and 12727 Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam will replace two General Second Class coaches with one Third AC and one Sleeper coach. 6. Train No. 12760 and 12759 Hyderabad to Tambaram will replace two General Second Class coaches with two Sleeper coaches. 7. Train No. 12793 and 12794 Tirupati to H. Nizamuddin, will replace two General Second Class coaches with two Sleeper coaches. 8. Train No. 22737 and 22738 Secunderabad to Hisar will replace two General Second Class coaches with one Second AC and one Sleeper coach.

SCR to Run 16 Special Trains for Maha Kumbh Pilgrims

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway said it would operate 16 special trains for pilgrims to travel to the Maha Kumbh Mela, being celebrated from January 13 to February 26. The trains will be operated from January 18 onwards. The SCR will operate four services between Moula Ali and Azamgarh; two on the Kacheguda-Patna route and two on the Moula Ali-Gaya route. Besides, the SCR will also operate services on the Guntur-Azamgarh route as well as from Nanded to Patna. All these special trains will consist of 2A, 3A, sleeper and general second-class coaches.

Fadnavis releases Good governance report riddled with inaccurate data

Mumbai: The Maharashtra District Good Governance Index (DGGI) 2024 report, which was released by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis with much fanfare on Thursday, is riddled with inaccurate data. As per the data, the total cultivated area under crop insurance in Rabi season is 4,30,067.06 hectares, which is 22 times more than the total cultivated area in the district. Similarly, in at least 10 other districts, the area under insurance is more than the cultivated area. While releasing the report, Mr. Fadnavis said that it also reflects the scope of governance according to various sectoral benchmarks. However, a senior government officer said that the data given in the report, like the section about crop insurance and district revenue, does not give the real picture. For example, the total cultivated area in the Rabi Season in Kolhapur district is only 18,813.0 hectares. It means that the crop Insurance cover was taken for the 2286 per cent of the total cultivated area. Other districts such as Jalana, Beed, Parbhani, Dharashiv, Washim, Akola, Yavatmal and Nanded also have area under the insurance cover more than 100 per cent of the total cultivated area. Moreover, the report has used the data of revenue income from the fiscal year 2021-22, instead of last year. Interestingly, the Raigad district has surpassed Mumbai city and suburbs in revenue growth, the report says. The DGGI is based on 161 benchmarks across 10 development sectors, namely Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Public Health, Public Infrastructure and Utilities, Economic Governance, Commerce and Industry, Social Development,Judiciary and Public Safety, Human Resource Development, Citizen Centric Governance and Environment. Flaws can be observed in the data as each sector in the DGGI report contains a 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial year's data, which can't reflect the actual position of 2023-24, the officer said. Even the figures revenue growth of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) did not match with the revenue growth shown in the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 of the DGGI 2024 report. As per the report, Mumbai citys revenue was shown Rs 25,956 crore for the year 2021-22, Mumbai suburbs revenue was also shown the exact same. But the actual revenue of the BMC, which is the municipal body for both Mumbai city and suburbs, reported Rs 39,764.82 crore in the year 2021-22, an official said. A senior official from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) told this newspaper that they have also raised a query with the Commissionerate of Agriculture, Pune how the area covered by the Crop Insurance is for more than the cultivated area. However, they have not received any response even after two weeks. Interestingly, the DES decided to publish the report with erroneous data. We have just uploaded the data as shared by the Commissionerate of Agriculture. Once we get the clarification from them, we will make a correction in it, the senior official said.

Rs 500 paddy bonus lures Maharashtra, Karnataka suppliers

Nizamabad: The introduction of a Rs 500 bonus for paddy has inadvertently fuelled illegal transportation of paddy from neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka into Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts. Despite efforts by officials to strengthen inter-state borders, middlemen remain pivotal in facilitating the smuggling operations. Previously, farmers transported paddy to Maharashtra seeking higher prices. Under the guise of supporting farmers, certain traders diverted paddy from Nizamabad and Kamareddy to districts such as Nanded, Latur, Bheed, Parbhani, Jalna, Pune, Solapur, Mumbai, and other regions in Maharashtra. With the new Rs 500 bonus incentive, traders have started moving paddy back from Maharashtras Nanded district to Telanganas Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts. Civil supplies, revenue, and police officials have intensified coordination to block the influx of paddy from Maharashtra and Karnataka. However, these measures have largely failed due to the involvement of corrupt employees at key inter-state entry points. Traders exploit these vulnerabilities to smuggle paddy through locations including Salabathpur, Pothangal, Birkur, Salura, Kandakurthi, and Khandgaon.

Parbhani violence: Somnath Suryavanshi killed as he was Dalit and protecting Constitution, says Rahul Gandhi

PARBHANI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday claimed Somnath Suryavanshi was killed because he was a Dalit and was protecting the Constitution. Police killed Suryavanshi, and it was a 'cent per cent custodial death, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha alleged after meeting Suryavanshi's family members in Parbhani. Talking to reporters, Gandhi said he met Suryavanshi's family members who showed him the post-mortem report, as well as some photographs and videos. Parbhani witnessed violence after a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue outside the railway station in the city, located in Marathwada region, was vandalised on the evening of December 10. Suryavanshi (35), a resident of Shankar Nagar in Parbhani, was among more than 50 persons arrested in connection with the violence. He died on December 15 at a state-run hospital where he was rushed after complaining of chest pain and uneasiness while he was in judicial custody and lodged at the Parbhani district central prison, as per police. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a judicial probe into the Parbhani violence. What do we know about the 'custodial death' of 35-year-old law student in Maharashtra's Parbhani Fadnavis said in the state assembly recently that Suryavanshi had told a magistrate that he was not tortured and the CCTV footage also doesn't show any evidence of brutality. After meeting Suryavanshi's family, Gandhi claimed, The youth was killed because he was a Dalit and was protecting the Constitution. This is a cent per cent custodial death. The police have murdered him. The chief minister lied in the assembly to give a message to the police. The RSS ideology is to wipe out the Constitution, the Congress leader charged. Gandhi demanded that the matter be resolved and those who killed the man be punished. This is not politics, there has been a murder and action has to be taken, he said. Asked who was responsible for the Parbhani incident, Gandhi said, Ideology is responsible for this and since the chief minister has spoken, he too is responsible. Later, Rahul also met the family of Vijay Wakode, who had died during a protest in Parbhani following the violence. Earlier, Rahul arrived at Nanded airport from Delhi and travelled to Parbhani by road. He was accompanied by AICC in-charge for Maharashtra Ramesh Chennithala, state Congress chief Nana Patole and other leaders. Fadnavis orders probe into Beed, Parbhani clashes

Rahul Gandhi to Visit Village of Murdered Beed Sarpanch

Mumbai: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Parbhani on Monday to meet the family of a Dalit youth who died under mysterious circumstances while in judicial custody after the violence in the Marathwada town last week. Gandhi will arrive in Nanded by special flight on Monday afternoon and then travel to Parbhani to offer condolences to the family of Somnath Suryawanshi, who belonged to the Wadar community. The Congress MP will be accompanied by state Congress President Nana Patole and senior leaders including MLA Vijay Wadettiwar. Suryawanshi, 35, was one of approximately 300 people, mostly Dalits, detained by police in the aftermath of the violence that erupted on December 10 after the desecration of a statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar near Parbhani Railway Station. He was later found dead in judicial custody just 72 hours later, sparking widespread outrage and accusations of police brutality from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance and Dalit groups. Following the uproar, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a compensation package for the family, ordered a judicial probe, and appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the death. Earlier, the Parbhani Police had claimed that Suryawanshi had complained of chest pains and was rushed to hospital for treatment. However, a provisional autopsy report of December 16 stated that he succumbed to shock following multiple injuries. The MVA and Dalit leaders had vociferously alleged that Suryawanshi was brutally beaten by the police and had succumbed to grave injuries.

Parbhani Dalit mans death in judicial custody: Rahul Gandhi to meet kin

Mumbai: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Parbhani on Monday to meet the family of a Dalit youth who died under mysterious circumstances while in judicial custody last week, officials said here on Saturday. Rahul Gandhi will reach Nanded by a special flight on Monday afternoon and from there drive Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader kidnapped in Nanded, released later; cops begin probe

Mumbai: A leader from Nanded was allegedly kidnapped by eight to nine persons and then released sometime later, prompting police to register an FIR and begin a probe, an official said on Saturday. Nanded Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Gaurav Kotgire was abducted from the Bafna area, some 670 kilometres from here, on Friday night, the official said. He was bundled into an SUV when he was working in his garage and taken to an unidentified location. He was released a few hours later, after which he approached police. He claimed the accused had covered their faces and threatened him with a weapon. The accused allegedly told him to not indulge much in politics and property deals as well as talk ill of other leaders, the official informed. A case of kidnapping and other offences has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against unidentified persons and efforts are on to trace and nab the accused, the Itvara police station official added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader kidnapped in Nanded, released later

Shiv Sena leader abducted in Nanded, FIR filed as police investigate; accused warned against politics and property deals

EVM, VVPAT verification in Maharashtra's Nanded showed no difference in vote tally, say authorities

The candidate-wise votes obtained on EVMs from five centres in each Assembly constituency in the district were tallied with VVPATs

Officials say no VVPAT anomaly found at 75 Nanded booths

Following opposition allegations of EVM manipulation in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, Nanded district officials conducted a post-election verification. The verification of 75 polling centers revealed no discrepancies between EVMs and VVPAT slips. The BJP-led alliance swept all nine constituencies in Nanded, prompting the opposition's concerns.

South Central Railways introduces 66 additional general class coaches

South Central Railways (SCR) has expanded its express train services by adding 66 additional general class coaches. Another 80 general class coaches are planned to be introduced in a phased manner. The additional coaches have been provided on important trains operating on key routes to Guntur, Nizamuddin, Tirupati, Kakinada, Danapur, Machilipatnam, Yesvantapur, Nanded, and Madurai. The coaches will be added to 19 Express trains, at the rate of two per train.

27-year-old driver charred to death in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A 27-year-old driver was charred to death after the garbage-laden lorry that he was driving rammed into a divider near Gowdavelly and caught fire at about 5.30 am on Wednesday. Medchal SHO B. Satyanarayana said the victim G. Sandeep, was driving the vehicle at a high speed and lost control over the steering. When it hit the divider, the diesel tank got damaged and the fire spread due to friction. The truck was proceeding from Miyapur to Bandlaguda. ACB raids RTA checkposts across TG, seizes cash Seven teams of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday conducted simultaneous checks on RTA checkposts at Bhojraj of Adilabad district, Vishnupuram, Nalgonda and Alampur of Gadwal and seized the unaccounted cash. During the searches, ACB seized an unaccounted amount of Rs 62,500 from the Bhoraj checkpost, Rs 86,600 from Vishnupuram and Rs 29,200 from the Alampur checkpost. The ACB teams also observed several irregularities in the checkposts. A report will be sent to the government on the erring officials for taking necessary action. SCR adds 66 additional general class coaches South Central Railways (SCR) has expanded its express train services by adding 66 additional general class coaches. Another 80 general class coaches are planned to be introduced in a phased manner. The additional coaches have been provided on important trains operating on key routes to Guntur, Nizamuddin, Tirupati, Kakinada, Danapur, Machilipatnam, Yesvantapur, Nanded, and Madurai. The coaches will be added to 19 Express trains, at the rate of two per train.

Cyclone Fengal: Maharashtra's Mango, Cashew Farmers Worried As IMD Predicts Rain, Dip In Mercury

Heavy rain is likely in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Satara, and Kolhapur on Wednesday. In addition, districts like Pune, Solapur, Sangli, and parts of Marathwada, including Dharashiv, Latur, and Nanded, may experience rainfall during this period

Split voting at Nanded polling booths benefits Congress in LS bypoll but not in simultaneous Assembly election

The winning Congress candidate for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll got 1.59 lakh votes more than the losing Congress candidates for the Assembly election in six Nanded seats, held on the same day

'Disruption of House, a malady': RS Chairman Dhankhar on Opposition protests

NEW DELHI: Both houses of Parliament were stalled on Thursday for the third straight day amid protests by Opposition members demanding a discussion on the US indictment of Gautam Adani and Sambhal violence. As soon as the Lok Sabha met, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, newly elected MP from Wayanad, took oath holding a copy of the Constitution. Congress Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan, who won Nanded in Maharashtra, also took oath. Before Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House for the day, it passed a motion moved by Waqf JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal, seeking an extension of the tenure of the panel to submit the report until the last date of the Budget session in 2025. The Rajya Sabha proceedings were disrupted within minutes after it met at noon, following one adjournment shortly after 11 am. In a strongly worded message, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar warned the members that parliamentary disruption was not a remedy but a malady which weakened the foundation of Indias democracy. The chamber is more than just a house of debate. It is from where our national spirit has to echo, he said. Parliamentary disruption is not a remedy but a malady that weakens the very foundation of our democracy. It slides Parliament into irrelevance. The sanctity of this House demands debate, not discord; dialogue, not disruption, Dhankhar said as the opposition members continued to shout slogans. Recalling that Wednesday marked a historic milestone the beginning of the final quarter-century before Indias Constitution turned 100 -- Dhankhar said the House members missed the opportunity to engage in productive dialogue. This was a moment for our House of Elders, guided by the spirit of nationalism, to send a powerful message of hope to 1.4 billion Indians, reaffirming our commitment to their dreams and journey towards Viksit Bharat at 2047, he said. Responding to a query by Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on how to persuade the chair to allow their notices, Dhankar said, We persuade the chair historically only by exhibiting the highest standard of conformance to the rulesthe ruling of the chair must evoke deference and not a challenge.

Telangana: Two Youths Die in Hit-and-Run Accident on Kamareddy Highway

Nizamabad: Two youths on Thursday died in a road accident near Pedda Takkadpally village in Pedda Kodapgal mandal of Kamareddy district on National Highway 161 (Sangareddy-Nanded-Akola). The incident occurred as an unknown vehicle hit the motorbike on which the two were travelling. With severe head injuries, the victims died on the spot. The deceased were identified as Vamshi, 24, and Karthik, 27, of Pedda Takkadpally village. Villagers and family members of the deceased tried to search for the unknown vehicle which hit the duo and sped away.

Parliament adjourned till Friday amid Opposition protest over Adani, Sambhal issues

NEW DELHI: Both houses of the Parliament were adjourned for the day on Thursday amid protests by Opposition members over the Adani issue, violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal and other issues. Proceedings in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were initially suspended until 12 noon. However, after reconvening, opposition protests continued, resulting in both houses being suspended until Friday. As soon as the Lok Sabha met for the day, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was elected from Kerala's Wayanad in the recent bypoll, and Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan, who was elected from Maharashtra's Nanded, took oath as Lok Sabha MPs. Immediately after the oath taking of the two new members, many Opposition members, including from the Congress, were on their feet as they sought to raise issues related to the allegations against the Adani Group and other issues. Some members from the Congress and Samajwadi Party were in the Well while other Opposition members stood in the aisle and shouted slogans. Speaker Om Birla asked the Opposition members to allow the Question Hour and said they can take up their issues later. I have been giving you enough opportunities to raise your issues and will continue to do so in future. But your way of systematic blockade of the proceedings is not acceptable. The issue which you want to raise has nothing to do with the country, he told the protesting members. Birla said people have chosen the MPs as their representatives to raise the genuine issue of the people but they were resorting to disrupt the proceedings of the House which is not good. He said there were difference of opinions in the Constituent Assembly too but those were raised in dignified manners. Amid the din, one question was taken up. As the protests continued, the Speaker adjourned the House will 12 noon. The Opposition members wanted to discuss the Adani controversy and the recent violence in Sambhal. Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha opposition MPs protested the rejection of adjournment notices for a discussion on allegations against the Adani Group, and the violence in Manipur and Sambhal. Soon after laying of listed papers in the morning session, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he had received 16 notices for adjournment of scheduled business under Rule 267 of the House. The Chairman said he was rejecting all the notices. The notices were for discussion on allegations of corruption against the Adani Group, communal violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal and ethnic clashes in Manipur. Pramod Tiwari of the Congress, who had given a notice for discussion on the Adani issue, also raised a point of order' on the rejection of his notice. As several opposition members were on their feet, the chairman adjourned the proceedings of the House till 12 noon.

Priyanka Gandhi takes oath as Lok Sabha MP after big win from Wayanad

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took oath as a Lok Sabha MP on Thursday following her thumping victory from Kerala's Wayanad in a bypoll. The 52-year-old, who joins her mother Sonia and brother Rahul as an MP in what is a rare instance of three members of a family together in Parliament, took affirmation in Hindi while holding a copy of the Constitution soon after the House met. Congress leader #PriyankaGandhiVadra takes oath as Wayanad MP in Lok Sabha in Kerala's Kasavu saree. Sansad TV pic.twitter.com/MhA7GRoFcM The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) November 28, 2024 Ravindra Chavan (Congress), who won the Nanded bypoll also took oath in Marathi in the name of God. The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of his father Vasantrao Chavan recently. Priyanka Gandhi took the plunge into active politics in 2019 and was later appointed Congress general secretary. Five years after that, Priyanka Gandhi begins her journey as an elected representative of the people. With a winning margin of more than 4.1 lakh votes, she surpassed the tally of her brother Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad in Kerala. Priyanka Gandhi's entry into Parliament comes at a difficult time for the party, which has been jolted by electoral defeats in Haryana and Maharashtra. It would be interesting to see if she is able to give a much-needed fillip to the grand old party and help put it back on the electoral track. Often drawing comparisons with her grandmother Indira Gandhi for their similarity in looks and way of speaking, Priyanka Gandhi has been the go-to campaigner for the party since her entry into active politics and even before that when she campaigned for her mother Sonia and brother Rahul. Congress leaders from Wayanad handed over the election certificate of the Wayanad parliamentary by-election to Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday and conveyed their best wishes. Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday won the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll with a thumping margin of over four lakh votes, defeating Sathyan Mokeri of the CPI(M)-led LDF. Look forward to being your voice in Parliament: Priyanka Gandhi to people of Wayanad

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to take oath as Lok Sabha MP today

New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will take oath as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra secured the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a margin of 4,10,931 votes, defeating Sathyan Mokeri of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Wayanad, a Congress stronghold, witnessed a triangular contest between Priyanka Gandhi, BJP's Navya Haridas, and CPI's Sathyan Mokeri. Meanwhile, Congress leader Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan will also take oath as Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. Congress' Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan won the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in a by-election with 5,86,788 votes. The seat fell vacant following the death of the sitting Congress MP, Vasantrao Balwantrao Chavan, necessitating the bypoll. Moreover, Suresh Gopi Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tokhan Sahu, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will lay the papers on the table in Lok Sabha today. On Wednesday, Priyanka Gandhi expressed her happiness after receiving her certificate of election, describing it as a symbol of love, trust, and commitment to shared values. My colleagues from Wayanad brought my certificate of election today. For me, it is not just a document; it is a symbol of your love, trust, and the values we are committed to. Thank you, Wayanad, for choosing me to take forward this journey to build a better future for yourselves, she said on X. On November 23, after her victory in Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi expressed her gratitude to the voters for their support. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. I will make sure that over time, you truly feel this victory has been your victory and that the person you chose to represent you understands your hopes and dreams and fights for you as one of your own. I look forward to being your voice in Parliament! she said on X. The Wayanad seat was vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi, who previously represented Wayanad but shifted to Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh after being elected to the Lok Sabha from there during this year's general elections. The by-elections were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states, with notable contests in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad, Kerala, where Priyanka Gandhi made her electoral debut.

Priyanka Gandhi, Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan to take oath as MPs in Lok Sabha today

Priyanka Gandhi and Ravindra Chavan are set to be sworn in as Members of Parliament. Gandhi achieved a landslide victory in Wayanad. Chavan secured the Nanded seat in recent by-polls. Gandhi's win follows her brother Rahul Gandhi's vacation of the Wayanad seat. This marks a unique instance of three family members serving in Parliament concurrently.

Oppn should accept its defeat and introspect instead of pointing fingers at EVMs: Bawankule

Nagpur: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday said instead of raising question marks over the electronic voting machines (EVMs), the opposition parties should accept their defeat in the state assembly polls and introspect. Talking to reporters here, he also accused the opposition of speaking lies over the issue of EVMs. Responding to a query on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies alleging manipulation of EVMs, Bawankule asked why they did not raise a question mark over these machines when they performed well in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra earlier this year. The Congress also won the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll. So was the EVM proper in Nanded? he asked. All these are just lies...They should accept their defeat and introspect. We introspected after losing the Lok Sabha elections (in Maharashtra) and moved ahead. We worked at the booth level and met people. This time (in the assembly polls), our vote percentage increased, he said. The MVA, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress, won 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the general elections, and one Congress rebel later extended support to the alliance. In the assembly elections held on November 20, the ruling Mahayuti of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP won a whopping 230 seats, while the MVA managed to get only 46 in the 288-member House. Bawankule's remarks on the EVMs come a day after the Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to revert to paper ballot voting in elections in the country. The apex court said that allegations of tampering with EVMs raked up only when people lost polls. What happens is, when you win the election, EVMs are not tampered with. When you lose the election, EVMs are tampered (with), remarked a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale on Tuesday. On a query over finalising the name of the chief minister in Maharashtra, Bawankule said, In the alliance government, such things take time as many factors like the ministerial post, portfolios, and guardian ministership have to be taken into account and decided. The MVA candidates who faced defeat in the Maharashtra assembly polls have decided to seek verification of the EVM-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) units in their segments, a leader of the opposition alliance said. Many losing candidates of the Shiv Sena (UBT) pointed fingers at the functioning of the EVMs during their interaction with party head Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday.

NCP(SP) backs mass movement against EVMs

Mumbai: Alleging large scale discrepancies in the EVM functioning, the opposition parties have threatened to launch mass movement in the state against the voting machines. There is a need to start a mass movement on the lines of farmer's agitation in Delhi, said NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad. I have been saying since the beginning that you should oppose EVMs. The plan seems to be to systematically eliminate the opposition. I also told (party chief) Sharad Pawar that we have to fight against EVMs. Otherwise EVMs will take you to Russia, where (Vladimir) Putin eliminated his opponents through elections, said Awhad after the meeting of the NCP (SP) party, which was held in Mumbai to take stock of party's embarrassing defeat in the recently held Vidhan Sabha polls in Maharashtra. Awhad said that the party's several defeated candidates complained about the EVMs in the meeting. They expressed doubts saying the EVMs did not give them expected rise in votes despite being ahead in postal votes. Many of the winning MLAs have also claimed EVMs being faulty, he added. It seems that a pattern was fixed and voting was done according to that pattern. Just four months ago, Chandrapur seat was elected by 2.40 lakh votes (in the Lok Sabha polls) and now it went behind by one lakh votes. The Lok Sabha bypoll seat of Nanded was won by the MVA but all the Vidhan Sabha seat went to the Mahayuti. It means district to district pattern was given, Awhad said. There is a need to take all the opposition parties into confidence and raise a mass movement against EVMs on the lines of farmer's agitation in Delhi. We are mentally prepared for this, he added. In the Shiv Sena UBT party meeting too, the candidates expressed doubts over the functioning of EVMs and asked the party leadership to take a firm stand on the issue. The Maharashtra Congress leaders have also raised doubts over the results of the assembly polls alleging rigging in elections. State Congress president Nana Patole said, Whatever election results have come, they are not acceptable to anyone, not even to the people of Maharashtra. If you see social media, the the people of Maharashtra are saying that the government has not come with their votes. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader has also said that the Maharashtra Assembly election results were not acceptable to his party and suspected that EVMs were manipulated to benefit BJP and its allies. How can BJP, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar win so many seats? It is not possible in Maharashtra. People of Maharashtra are not dishonest, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said.

Congress Will Achieve Social Justice 3.0 With Caste Census: CM Revanth

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said a nationwide caste census will be the third great movement for social justice, and would be achieved under the Congress leadership in the coming days, his demand being bolstered the caste census nearly reaching its conclusion. Speaking at the Samvidhan Rakshak Abhiyan (Save Constitution Campaign) meeting organised by the Congress at Delhi's Talkatora Stadium on Constitution Day on Tuesday, Revanth Reddy traced the evolution of social justice through the initiatives of previous Congress-led governments at the Centre. Revanth Reddy described Social Justice 1.0 as the introduction of reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) and the nationalisation of banks by Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Social Justice 2.0, he said, was achieved through the extension of voting rights to 18-year-olds and the implementation of the Mandal Commission under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Under Social Justice 3.0, the Congress has launched the caste census to ensure representation in proportion to a population under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Telangana has been at the forefront of this effort, with 92 per cent of its social, economic, and caste survey already completed, Revanth Reddy said. This survey will ensure that communities receive their rightful share based on the principle of Jitni Bhagidari, Utni Hissedari (proportional representation to population), the CM said. Revanth Reddy alleged that the Constitution was under threat over the past decade. He credited Rahul Gandhi's nationwide efforts to safeguard constitutional principles as instrumental in garnering public support against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. When Modi sought 400 seats, the people limited him to 240, rallying behind Rahul Gandhi's movement to protect the Constitution, Revanth Reddy said, of the Lok Sabha election results earlier this year. He also cited Congress victories in Wayanad and Nanded Lok Sabha byelections recently as evidence of shifting public sentiment at the national level, contrasting them with BJP alliances success in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. People defeated PM Narendra Modi in the country and the results of the Wayanad and Nanded Lok Sabha by-elections are proof of that, Revanth Reddy said, adding that the BJP alliance won in Maharashtra and the Congress alliance clinched victory in Jharkhand Assembly polls. Revanth Reddy observed that the fight to protect the Constitution was not limited to Rahul Gandhi, and called on the people to join the movement. We should remember that the ongoing fight is between the protectors of the Constitution and the enemies of the Constitution. The Mahatma Gandhi family is fighting to protect the Constitution and the Modi family (Sangh Parivar) is trying to change the Constitution, Revanth Reddy alleged. He reiterated Congress's commitment to social justice, stating that the completion of Telangana's caste survey will propel the third wave of the social justice movement, ensuring equity and representation for marginalised communities.

92 pc caste survey completed in Telangana: CM Revanth Reddy

New Delhi: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said that the caste census across the country will be the third social justice movement to be achieved under the auspices of the Congress. The first phase of social justice was achieved by introducing reservation for SC and ST communities and nationalization of banks during Nehru and Indira Gandhis regime. Social justice @ 2.0 has been achieved by giving voting rights to 18-year-old and the Mandal Commission during Rajiv Gandhis tenure. Revanth Reddy said that social justice @3.0 began by launching caste census under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Following their footsteps, the Telangana government launched social, economic and caste surveys and 92 percent of the survey has already been completed in Telangana. Revanth Reddy was speaking at the Samvidhan Raksha Abhiyan meeting organized by the Congress at Delhi's Talkatora Stadium on the occasion of Constitution Day. He made it clear that once the caste survey is completed in Telangana, the State government will move forward the third great war for social justice. He opined that the principle of Jitani Bhagi Dari.. Utani Hisse Dari (Communities will get their due share proportionate to population) should be strictly implemented. He said that the Constitution has been in danger in the country for the past ten years and Rahul Gandhi launched a nationwide movement to protect the Constitution. Revanth Reddy pointed out that the people gave mandate limiting to win only 240 seats when Modi asked for 400 seats because people rallied behind the movement launched by Rahul Gandhi. People defeated Modi in the country and the results of the Wayanad and Nanded Lok Sabha byelections were proof of that. Revanth Reddy said the BJP alliance won in Maharashtra and the Congress alliance clinched victory in Jharkhand. He observed that the fight to protect the Constitution is not limited to Rahul Gandhi alone and called upon people to join in the movement. We should remember that the ongoing fight is between the protectors of the Constitution and the enemies of the Constitution. The Mahatma Gandhi family is fighting to protect the Constitution and the Modi family (Sangh family) is trying to change the Constitution, he added.

Power corridor | Congress firms up strategy, Manipur on agenda

The Congress, after its parliamentary strategy group meeting on Monday, said that the party was firm on its demand for a JPC probe into the corruption by Adani Group, the latest revelations about which have been made by the US authorities. The meeting was presided over by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and other leaders. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that a JPC probe was necessary in view of the recent revelations made in the US. Apart from this, the party will also raise the Manipur situation, border agreement with China and the challenges it may lead to, social polarisation, riots orchestrated in UP and pollution. Electronic tabs for MPs to mark attendance Lok Sabha members attending the winter session of Parliament beginning Monday will have the option of marking their attendance using a digital pen on an electronic tab. Electronic tabs will be kept at four counters in the lobby of the Lok Sabha chamber as part of Speaker Om Birlas initiative to make Parliament paperless. Physical attendance registers will continue to be kept at the counters. But members are advised to use the tab as a preferred choice and help make Parliament paperless, the LS Secretariat said. Officials said the members would have to first select their names from the drop down menu on the tab, affix their signatures with the digital pen, and press the submit button to register their attendance. A team of engineers from the National Informatics Centre will be deployed at each counter for assistance. Keep constitution away from politics Ahead of the winter session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday morning said that the Constitution should be kept away from politics since it remains a document that is a source of social and economic change. He said this in the backdrop of opposition MPs waiving miniature copies of the Constitution during their oath-taking ceremony in the LS after the general elections in April. The remarks also came a day ahead of the Constitution Day, which will be observed in Parliament on November 26. ls remembers MPs who are no more Obituary references of five members were read out in Lok Sabha on Monday. This included references to two sitting members Congress leader Vasant Chavan from Nanded in Maharashtra and Trinamool Congress leader S K Nurul Islam from Basirhat in West Bengal who died during the inter-session period. Former members M M Lawrence, M Parvathi, and Harishchandra Chavan also died during the inter-session period. The Speaker expressed grief at the deaths of the five leaders soon after the Lok Sabha met. For a cause, TDP MP takes a bicycle ride As the capital chokes on toxic smog, an MP from Andhra Pradesh set an example for others by cycling to Parliament on Monday. Clad in yellow kurta, Telugu Desam Party MP Appala Naidu Kalisetti hogged everyones attention by pedalling a yellow bicycle to reach Parliament. I use the bicycle to create awareness among the public on air pollution. It is hazardous and it should be controlled, he told media. The national capital is under the fourth stage of curbs under the GRAP.

No Cabinet Expansion Plans: Revanth While Leaving for Delhi

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy left for Delhi on Monday evening. He will hold a meeting with Congress MPs on Tuesday to discuss strategies for the ongoing Parliament Winter Session. The meeting will address unresolved state bifurcation issues and focus on bringing pressure on the Centre for fulfilling pending assurances given to Telangana under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. Dispelling rumours that he would discuss the state Cabinet expansion with the Congress high command, Revanth Reddy said, while addressing a press conference here on Monday, that his visit was not a political one. The media always speculates about Cabinet reshuffle whenever I visit Delhi. However, this trip is primarily for attending the wedding of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's daughter. On Tuesday, I will discuss Telanganas issues with our MPs and finalise a strategy to push for pending funds and projects in Parliament, he said. The Chief Minister added that he intended to meet Union ministers to request approvals for key state projects and the release of overdue funds. Telangana has suffered for a decade. These funds are our right, not a favour from the BJP. We must actively engage with Union ministers, regardless of political differences, Reddy said. The Chief Minister also revealed plans for the Congress-led governments first-anniversary celebrations, spanning nine days from December 1. Invitations will be extended to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. The celebrations culmination will be marked by unveiling of the Telangana Talli statue at the Secretariat. He dismissed opposition criticism of his frequent Delhi visits, declaring, Unlike some leaders who go to Delhi to kneel before the Prime Minister or escape legal troubles, I visit to fight for Telangana's rights and development. Taking a jab at Union minister G. Kishan Reddy and other BJP leaders, he said that their celebration of recent election results in Maharashtra was baseless. Congress has proven its strength in Lok Sabha bypolls, including Wayanad and Nanded, while BJP faced rejection. The ruling parties in Maharashtra and Jharkhand retained power. What is there for BJP leaders to celebrate? Kishan Reddys claims are delusional, he remarked. Revanth Reddy also dismissed allegations by BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao about the Congress' supposed ties with the Adani Group. I have no interest in responding to Psycho Ram's accusations, he said. The Chief Minister reiterated his governments commitment to Telanganas progress, stressing that the states development mattered to him and not political vendettas. This is not a time for anger or resentment but to move forward with determination for the welfare of Telangana and its people, he said.