Record-Breaking Voter Turnout in Maharashtra's 2024 Assembly Elections

Maharashtra's 2024 Assembly elections have set a new record with a voter turnout of 65.11%, the highest since the 1995 state elections. This represents a significant increase compared to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2019 Assembly elections, which saw voter participation at 61.39% and 61.4%, respectively. The heightened turnout is expected to be a crucial factor in determining the state's next government, with election results set to be announced on November 23. This year's voter turnout not only exceeded previous numbers but also marked the highest participation in three decades, last seen in 1995 when the turnout reached 71.7%. Factors Influencing the Surge The record-breaking turnout is likely influenced by intense campaigning and ongoing issues such as reservation debates and corruption allegations. This election is also unique, as it marks the first time that both Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are contesting as divided parties. Campaigns and Alliances The increase in voter engagement is largely attributed to the vigorous efforts of both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). In the previous Lok Sabha elections, the Mahayuticomprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and NCPsecured 42.71% of votes, while the MVAconsisting of Congress, Shiv Sena UBT, and NCP SPgarnered 43.91%. The 3.5% rise in voter turnout could be decisive in this close contest. Additionally, the number of registered voters has grown by 9.5%, with the current total standing at approximately 9.69 crore, compared to 8.85 crore in 2019. Statements from Key Leaders Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed optimism that the increased voter participation would benefit the ruling Mahayuti coalition. He highlighted that historically, a higher voter turnout has worked in favor of the BJP. In contrast, Congress state chief Nana Patole emphasized that the strong turnout reflects public enthusiasm, suggesting a possible MVA victory. He said that voters are eager for a government dedicated to their welfare. Urban vs Rural Voter Turnout Provisional data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) shows a higher voter turnout in rural regions compared to urban areas. Kolhapur district led with a turnout of 76.25%, while Mumbai had the lowest at 52.07%. In Kolhapur's Karvir constituency, 84.79% of voters cast their ballots, in a tight contest between Congress candidate Rahul Patil and Shinde Sena's Chandradip Narke. Meanwhile, South Mumbai's Colaba area reported only 44.49% turnout, with BJP's Rahul Narvekar facing Congress's Hira Dewasi. In the Baramati constituency, featuring a face-off between Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his nephew Yugendra Pawar from NCP (SP), voter participation reached 71.03%, higher than 2019's 68.82%. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency reported a provisional 59.85% turnout, while Fadnaviss Nagpur South West had 54.49% participation. Exit Poll Projections Following the conclusion of voting, exit polls hint at an edge for the Mahayuti alliance over the MVA. The winning coalition needs at least 145 seats in the 288-member assembly to form the government. Predictions from various agencies show the following: Matrize: 150-170 seats for Mahayuti, 110-130 for MVA. Chanakya Strategies: 152-160 seats for Mahayuti, 130-138 for MVA. People's Pulse: 175-195 seats for Mahayuti, 85-112 for MVA. Pradeep Gupta from Axis My India announced that additional exit poll data would be released on November 21, while CVoter might share its analysis on Thursday. Historically, exit polls have faced challenges in accurately predicting results. Previous discrepancies were observed during both Lok Sabha and recent Haryana Assembly elections, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding these projections. Maharashtra Assembly Elections: CM Eknath Shinde Casts His Vote in Thane Maharashtra Election 2024: Voting Begins, Key Political Leaders Cast Their Ballots Maharashtra Elections Snippets: Will Banks Close on November 20? Heres What You Need to Know

ED arrests Bengaluru man for fraud, identity theft, I-T refund scam

BENGALURU: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bengaluru zonal office, arrested Dilip BR on November 18 under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the case of Dilip BR & Others. He was produced before a special court and remanded in ED custody for seven days. Calling him a habitual offender involved in multiple offences such as bank loan fraud, identity theft and misuse and income tax refund scams, the ED in an official release on Wednesday stated that investigation revealed that Dilip has assumed multiple identities and obtained multiple PANs. He uses different aliases such as Dilip Rajegowda and Dilip Balaganchi Rajegowda. He has obtained three PANs and carried out various financial transactions using them. Dilip has allegedly defrauded several banks by obtaining vehicle loans under false pretence. The Central agency claimed that the accused, using forged credentials, was able to obtain loans by falsifying identity and documents. He has committed numerous instances of identity theft by misappropriating the personal identification documents (PAN and Aadhaar) of multiple individuals, he illegally assumed the identity of others and opened multiple bank accounts in the names of various other individuals. Manupulation of I-T returns Giving an example of one of the key fraudulent tactics used by Dilip, the ED stated that he was involved in the manipulation of income-tax returns to secure access of non-genuine refunds. He has exploited vulnerabilities in the Kaveri and Jamabandi portals of Karnataka and Haryana governments to gather data on non-resident taxpayers, who had sold property in India with significant TDS deductions. Using Aadhaar and PAN data from property records, he forged documents to open bank accounts in the names of his targets, specifically choosing banks with lax KYC requirements, the agency added. The ED further stated that Dilip accessed the e-filing portal of Income Tax department through these accounts, revised the ITRs to reduce tax liabilities, and increased refund amounts. Finally, he used fraudulent accounts to transfer the refunds to bank accounts under his control. Preliminary investigation suggests he has generated more than Rs10 crore of Proceeds of Crime and laundered them into gold, jewellery, cash and investment into cryptocurrencies, the ED added.

Rajasthan fourth BJP-ruled state to make The Sabarmati Report tax-free

Jaipur, Nov 20: Hindi film The Sabarmati Report, based on the 2002 Godhra train burning incident in Gujarat, has been made tax free in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said on Wednesday. Rajasthan follows three other BJP-ruled states Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in giving the tax-free status to the Vikrant Massey-starrer film, []

IMD forecasts very dense fog in 3-4 days

NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted dense to very dense fog during the night and early morning hours over parts of northwest region, including Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh, in the late night or morning hours in the next 3-4 days, which may disrupt transport and aviation operations. A low pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 23, which may intensify into a depression over the southwest in next two days. It will cause heavy spell of rain over south Peninsular India. Further, a spell of very dense fog in the Northwest region will also disrupt transport and aviation operations in the Northwest region, the IMD said in statement on Wednesday. According to the IMD, an upper air cyclonic circulation is likely to form over south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas that may move northwestwards and become a low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal around November 23. Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression over southwest Bay of Bengal during subsequent two days, it said. A continuous watch is being maintained for further intensification and movement of the system towards Tamil Nadu-Sri Lanka coasts, the statement said. IMD advised taking of precautionary measures during foggy days to avoid road traffic collisions and chances of power lines getting tripped in the dense foggy routes. The Met department also advised people with lung-related illness to avoid exposure to fog as it contains particulate matter and other pollutants. In case of exposure to fog, these particulate matters get lodged in the lungs, clogging them and decreasing their functional capacity, which increases cases of wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Long exposure to dense fog may cause respiratory problems for people having asthma bronchitis and other lung-related health problems. It will irritate membranes of eyes causing various infections, leading to redness or swelling of the eye, the statement said. The advisory to southern Indian states, such as Tamil Nadu , and Puducherry, says cyclonic storms will cause localised flooding of roads and water logging in low-lying areas. Further, in its agromet advisories, the IMD directed Tamil Nadu to provide adequate drainage facilities for the removal of excess water from rice, cotton, sugarcane, turmeric and vegetable fields, coconut and banana orchards. Regarding Kerala, it advised proper drainage in rice, ginger and vegetable fields. It also called for providing mechanical support to banana plants to prevent lodging in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast the formation of a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 23, which could influence weather conditions in surrounding regions. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall throughout the week, with isolated heavy rainfall in the Nicobar region on November 22 and 23. In the northeast, Assam and Meghalaya may experience light to moderate rainfall with isolated hailstorm activity on November 20. Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are likely to see similar weather from November 20 to 22. Prediction for northwest Low pressure over southeast Bay of Bengal around Nov 23 possibly intensifying into a depression over southwest in the next two days Cyclonic storms to cause localised flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal Very dense fog in the late night or morning hours over Northwest India during the next 3-4 days

'The Sabarmati Report' box office collection day 6

'The Sabarmati Report' has crossed the Rs 10 crore mark in six days which is a decent number for a film like this. It has now been declared tax free in Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Haryana.

Delhi Air Pollution: Government Implements 50% Work-From-Home Policy

New Delhi: Delhi witnessed yet another dawn with a blanket of toxic air on Wednesday, as the national capital recorded an AQI of 426 in the severe category, which followed the coldest night of the season in the city so far. In view of high air pollution, half of the staff in Delhi government offices will work from home, while private organisations have been urged to follow suit. The police have also imposed a complete ban on storage, manufacture and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers in the city. The combination of falling temperatures and dense smog has worsened the situation, further reducing visibility and exacerbating health concerns. Residents have reported eye irritation, respiratory discomfort, and other health issues. A senior government officer said that essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, public transport, fire services, law enforcement, power supply, water treatment and emergency response operations will continue to work in full capacity to ensure public services remain unaffected. Nearly 80 departments and different agencies in the Delhi government, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, employ approximately 1.4 lakh people. In a post on X, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said 50 per cent of the staff in government offices will work from home. He also urged private offices, industries and businesses to implement similar measures to help mitigate the city's air pollution crisis. Mr Rai suggested that private entities consider shifting office hours to begin between 10.30 am and 11.00 am to reduce vehicular congestion during peak hours. Adjusting office timings will not only ease traffic pressure but also curb vehicle emissions, he said. The environment minister said that a meeting was held today at the Delhi Secretariat, involving government departments and representatives from industry associations such as CII, ASSOCHAM and FICCI. The purpose was to discuss the implementation of a 50 percent work-from-home policy in government, as well as private offices, he noted. After detailed discussions, it was decided that all Delhi government offices, except those providing essential and emergency services, will adopt a 50 per cent work-from-home policy, the Delhi minister said. Total 18 essential services such as medical care, solid waste management, public cleaning and sanitation, community and public toilets, fire services, power and water supply, etc, notified under the essential and emergency services, will continue to operate at full capacity to avoid any inconvenience to the public, he said. To address vehicular pollution, the government has advised companies with a large workforce to arrange shuttle bus services for employees, similar to the measures the Delhi government has implemented for its own staff. We are continuously working to reduce pollution levels and today's decisions are part of that effort. We hope the situation improves in the coming days, Mr Rai said. The minister also criticised the BJP-led governments in neighbouring states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, for failing to take adequate measures to control pollution. Delhi is surrounded by BJP-ruled states and their lack of proactive action is affecting us. I urge them to participate in these efforts to combat pollution, just as the Delhi government is doing, Mr Rai said. The city has been under Stage IV restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan since Monday. These restrictions include a ban on construction and demolition activities, curbs on diesel vehicles, school closures and a prohibition on the entry of diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles into Delhi, except those transporting essential goods. Industrial operations contributing to air pollution have also been restricted.

Haryana government forms new committee to finalise State song

Exit polls do not reflect people`s sentiment, MVA will win: Chennithala

Most of the exit polls that predicted a landslide victory for the NDA after Lok Sabha elections and those predicted Congress` win in Haryana didn`t turn out to be true, Ramesh Chennithala said

The Sabarmati Report: After Haryana and Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan Also Makes Film Tax-Free

Rajasthan has become the fourth BJP-ruled state to declare the movie tax-free after Haryana Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Delhi CM Atishi Targets The Central Government On Pollution Issue | Delhi Pollution | N18S

Delhi CM Atishi Targets The Central Government On Pollution Issue | Delhi Pollution | N18SDelhi CM Atishi targets the central government on pollution issue, says no solution is possible without its intervention.Delhi government strictly adhering to all GRAP rules; other NCR states must also take responsibility.Haryana, Rajasthan, and UP not complying with GRAP 4 regulations; diesel buses, construction work, and industrial activities still ongoing in these states.The central government must intervene to stop stubble burning incidents; the fog will persist until then.

UP: Cyber Gang Kingpin Trained By Chinese Experts In Cambodia, Had Pakistani 'Handler'

The alleged gang was operating from a hotel in Haryanas Gurugram and allegedly extorted over Rs 100 crore from more than 100 victims while posing as CBI and narcotics officials

The Sabarmati Report declared tax-free in Haryana

'The Sabarmati Report' has been declared tax free in Haryana by CM Naib Singh Saini. This has come after the Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna starrer was declared tax free in Madhya Pradesh.

Man held for sexually harassing co-passenger on Goa-bound Air India flight

PANAJI: Police have arrested a 23-year-old man on charges of sexually harassing a woman co-passenger on a flight from Delhi to Goa, officials said on Wednesday. The alleged incident took place between 11 am and 1.20 pm on Tuesday on board the Air India flight, as per the FIR. The 28-year-old woman, resident of Janakpuri in New Delhi, told the police that when the plane was airborne, the man, who was sitting on the seat next to her, pulled over a blanket and allegedly started indulging in objectionable acts. The man purposely kept the blanket open at the side of the victim during the act, as per the FIR. The woman filed a police complaint against the man after the flight landed at the Goa International Airport at Dabolim in South Goa on Tuesday. The Dabolim airport police later arrested the man, identified as Jitender Jangian, hailing from Panipat in Haryana, a senior police official said. A case was registered against the accused under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (actions intended to insult a woman's modesty, including verbal insults, inappropriate gestures or objects, and privacy invasion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the police added.

Haryana Declares The Sabarmati Reports Tax-free Following CMs Endorsement

The Sabarmati Reports was declared tax-free in Haryana by Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini.

Air Pollution: How Long Will Delhi-NCR Schools Stay Closed? A City-Wise Update

Amid severe air pollution in North Indian cities around Delhi, schools have been ordered to close temporarily and shift to online classes. Check the closure schedule for Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Haryana

Delhis air quality improves to severe from severe+, curbs may stay for now

The weather bureau has predicted dense to very dense fog conditions very likely to prevail over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh during late night of November 21 to early morning of November 24

Beant Singh murder convict gets 3-hour parole for kins bhog

The Punjab and Haryana high court granted Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the assassination of former Punjab CM Beant Singh, a three-hour release to attend his brother's hog ceremony. Rajoana will be escorted by police from Patiala Central Jail to the ceremony in Ludhiana and returned to jail by 2 pm.

Explain lapses: Punjab and Haryana high court slams ED for 'slipshod' probe in IREO case

The Punjab and Haryana high court has criticized the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) investigation into IREO for alleged money laundering, calling it slipshod and unprofessional. The court questioned why the accused company's real estate assets were allowed to be sold and has demanded an explanation from the ED director regarding the lapses.

DC Edit | Delhi-NCR air too toxic to breathe, but govts dither

Delhis air in winter is injurious to health. With an Air Quality Index nearing 500, even breathing in Delhi has become hazardous. In the old days, people visiting India would be advised, gratuitously of course, not to drink the water or breathe the air. Todays air over the region, including Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad, is smothered in a pea soup fog that hangs like a malevolent blanket, so much so people are being advised to stay indoors on days of poor AQI. Emergency responses have seen the closing of schools, people working from home and regulations imposed inhibiting normal life as the geographical and meteorological conditions of the winter season take over to affect the weather pattern with a foul fog because of which even trains struggle and flights get routinely rerouted. When there was a pressing need for action on a war footing to mitigate or try to stave off the crisis that grips New Delhi and many parts of north India every year starting in November, the governments of Delhi and the Centre and of many adjoining states have not been seen to be proactive. They have done little about helping people breathe air that is tolerable, and which can support life in people with medical conditions while not incommoding normal persons. The political blame game, however, creates only din of the kind that people have become inured to as netas point fingers at each other. Truth to tell, the burning of stubble is a national problem about which not enough has been done to find alternatives like changing cropping patterns. Some states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan may have contributed their share to exacerbate this problem by being blas about it while Punjab and Haryana have at least taken some measures to control it. The problem is, however, larger than crop burning which is only one contributing factor. Giving up construction and demolitions may be tough to do in a country that is an eternal work in progress, but rules must be adhered to if such activity is not to add to the existing dust and vehicle pollution from transporting people and goods. It will take years anyway to phase out the more polluting older vehicles, but leaders do swear by half-measures like odd and even number plates on alternate days. The Supreme Court was incensed at the lackadaisical attitude of governments towards handling this recurring crisis until the problem of severe air pollution peaks in November-December when crop burning adds to it because of the timing of harvests. The fact of the matter is that it wont go away until a national effort is coordinated by the Centre and the states follow a host of regulations lest they leave a sizeable population of the country gasping for air and millions risk dying prematurely. The people can contribute by taking public transportation or car-pooling and the Delhi government can help by not letting solid waste burn and regulating better the incineration of waste in unscientific manners through private industry. So long as blaming everyone but themselves and passing the buck are national pastimes of leaders, the state of the capital will be like this in its unbeautiful cloak of winter. Governments must act round the year to control the conditions that lead to foggy winters and people must wake up, too, and help.

Rajasthan government orders 3,000 mines, industries to shut down in two districts to combat severe air pollution

JAIPUR: In a sudden but significant step to tackle the escalating air pollution crisis, the Bhajan Lal-led Rajasthan government has shut down 3,000 mines and industries in Alwar and Bharatpur districts, according to an order by the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board. Additionally, all construction activities in these areas have been halted. Along with this, construction work going on in these areas has also been stopped. The decision comes in the wake of a sharp decline in air quality across the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi, where air pollution has reached critical levels since Monday. Being part of the NCR, Alwar and Bharatpur are facing similar challenges. Rising Pollution Levels in Alwar and Bhiwadi The pollution in Alwar has reached alarming levels, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 295 on Monday. The situation is even more grave in Bhiwadi, where the AQI soared to a hazardous 442, far exceeding the severe threshold of 401. To address the crisis, the government has implemented the highest level of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP 4) in these districts, imposing strict restrictions on industrial and construction activities. The fourth phase (GRAP 4) of the Graded Response Action Plan has been implemented in Alwar and Bharatpur districts which fall in NCR. The Rajasthan Pollution Control Board issued orders to enforce these measures on Tuesday morning. Statewide Pollution Concerns The air quality in several other districts of Rajasthan has also deteriorated, with AQI levels ranging from poor to severe. This decline is attributed largely to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. Districts such as Jhunjhunu, Bikaner, Churu, and Hanumangarh are particularly affected. Residents in these districts are experiencing significant discomfort due to pollution. A thick layer of smog has blanketed the skies, reducing visibility throughout the day. Many people have reported symptoms such as eye irritation, difficulty in breathing, coughing, and runny noses.

Haryana CM says BJP delivers on its promises; flays Opposition parties

Six Bills were passed on the last day of the winter session of the State Assembly

No use in blaming others: Union Minister ML Khattar amid Delhis severe air crisis

ML Khattar highlighted that between September 15 and 18 November, Haryana recorded 1118 cases of stubble burning, whereas Punjab logged 9600 during the same period.

HC allows Balwant Singh Rajoana's temporary release to attend late brothers Bhog ceremony

The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in the assassination of former Punjab CM Beant Singh, a three-hour release from prison. This will allow him to attend his brother's Bhog ceremony under police custody. The court considered the family's grief and Rajoana's previous release for his father's funeral in 2022, which passed without incident.

Haryana NEET PG 2024 counselling round 1 schedule released, check important dates here

The Directorate of Medical Education (DME) Haryana has announced the Haryana NEET PG 2024 Counselling schedule. Registration is open on hry.online.counselling.co.in until November 24, 2024, with the same deadline for choice filling. The seat allotment result will be declared on November 27, 2024. Eligible candidates are advised to complete the process promptly.

HC disposes plea of student who allegedly submitted AI-generated assignment

New Delhi: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has disposed of a plea filed by a law student from OP Jindal Global University who had challenged the varsitys decision to fail him for allegedly submitting an AI generated assignment. A bench of Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri decided to close the proceedings after the university agreed 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 .

Vote For Democracy (VFD) report alleges grave electoral malpractice in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir assembly polls 2024

A citizens' group, Vote For Democracy (VFD), has raised serious concerns about potential electoral manipulation in the recent Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir elections. Their report highlights unexplained spikes in voter turnout, particularly in key districts that benefited the winning party.

Fog clouds Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana; air quality deteriorates and reduces visibility

Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 107, as of 10.00 am according to SAFAR-India (System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research)

Man held for killing, burying twin daughters in Delhi

A horrifying incident in Sultanpuri, Delhi, has led to the arrest of Neeraj Solanki and four of his family members for allegedly killing and burying his three-day-old twin daughters. The police revealed that the act was driven by Solanki's preference for a male child. Following the birth of the twins on May 30, the newborns were taken to a cremation ground and buried after being killed. The investigation began after the childrens mother reported the crime to the police. Authorities obtained permission to exhume the bodies, which were recovered on June 5, followed by a post-mortem. Neeraj Solanki, who had been evading arrest by frequently changing locations in Delhi and Haryana, was apprehended in Rohtak with the help of technical surveillance. The incident has drawn attention to deeply ingrained societal issues related to gender bias and female infanticide. The police continue to investigate, focusing on the involvement of other family members and the circumstances surrounding this crime.

All-India Weather Update: IMD Predicts Dense Fog Across The North, Light Showers Likely In Southern States

The IMD has predicted dense fog for many states, including Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, on November 19

Delhi's air quality remains severe plus for Day 2

New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital remained in the the 'severe plus' category for the second consecutive day on Tuesday morning, with smog shrouding the city, reducing visibility and worsening air pollution to touch an alarmingly high level of poor AQI. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) at 488 as of 8 am, placing it in the 'severe plus' category. At such high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, the air is considered hazardous to health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions. Drone visuals from around the Bhikaji Cama Place at 7:20 am today show a thick layer of smog blanketing the entire area. Meanwhile, the trains' movement continues amid smog in Delhi. Visuals from New Delhi Railway Station also show layer of haze covering the area. 22 trains have been running late and 9 trains have been rescheduled as a result of the smog, said the Railways. Visuals from Kartavya Path and surrounding areas also show people carrying out their morning walk routine and bicycling around a thick layer of smog. As the pollution level continues to remain high, a thick froth of toxic foam continues to float in sections of the river near Kalindi Kunj and Okhla Barrage. The residents of Delhi continue to raise alarms as air quality levels in many areas remain in the severe plus category in multiple areas. As of 8.30 am, the AQI for Anand Vihar was recorded at 500, Bawana at 500, CRRI Mathura Road at 500, DTU at 494, Dwarka Sector-8 at 494, ITO at 391, Jahangirpuri at 493, Lodhi Road at 488, Mundka at 498, Narela 500, North Campus at 494, Punjabi bagh at 495, RK Puram at 490, Shadipur at 498 and Wazirpur at 498, according to SAFAR-India (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research). Amid worsening air quality in the national capital, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has decided to conduct classes online until November 22, citing severe pollution and hazardous AQI levels in Delhi and the NCR. In Haryana, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, announced that, as per directives from the Director of Secondary Education Haryana and after assessing the Air Quality Index (AQI) situation, all physical classes up to the 12th standard in Gurugram district will remain suspended from November 19 to November 23, 2024, or until further notice. Air quality has deteriorated in several cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, and parts of northern India, reaching severe levels and raising concerns about health risks. Amid 'severe' pollution in the national capital, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a circular advising litigants and advocates in the apex court premises to ensure wearing masks and taking health measures. Inviting reference to Order dated November 17, 2024, of Director (Technical), Member Convenor of Sub-Committee on GRAP, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas notifying implementation of Actions under stage-IV (Severe Air Quality) of revised Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR, it has been directed that an advisory be issued for taking preventive health measures including wearing of mask, the SC stated in the notice. Everyone is, therefore, advised to ensure wearing of a mask and taking health measures mentioned in the aforesaid order, it added

68th NSG: Manipur, Haryana clinch Gold; J&K secures Sabre team Bronze

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 18: Manipurs fencers delivered stellar performances on Day 2 of the ongoing 68th National School Games in U-17 Boys and Girls Fencing, clinching two Gold medals at the Gymnasium Hall, University of Jammu. Manipurs fencers triumphed in the Girls Sabre and Boys Foil team events. In the Girls Sabre event, the winning team from Manipur included Pangamban Ambika Devi, Peban Babydaina Devi, Priya Ningomban, and Payal Ningomban, while Haryana secured Silver, and Jammu & Kashmir [] The post 68th NSG: Manipur, Haryana clinch Gold; J&K secures Sabre team Bronze appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Telugu Titans humble table-toppers Haryana Steelers in Pro Kabaddi League

Telugu Titans defeat Haryana Steelers 49-27 in Pro Kabaddi League match despite missing Pawan Sehrawat

Haryana forest department's PCCF post faces leadership crisis amid controversy

PKL: Telugu Titans stun table-toppers Haryana Steelers

In the absence of Sehrawat, Narwal took charge of the raiding department, while a combined defensive performance inflicted an early 'all out' on the Haryana Steelers. The Steelers were trailing by six points 10 minutes into the game.

Noida suspends physical classes due to severe air pollution, online learning till Nov 23

Due to hazardous air quality in Noida, the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has directed all schools to transition to online classes from November 20th to 23rd, 2024. This decision follows similar measures taken by Delhi and Haryana governments as air pollution levels reach alarming levels, posing health risks to students.

Air Pollution: Production at 3.4 M MSMEs hit in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi

Severe smog in northern India is disrupting factory production, causing supply chain delays and reducing worker efficiency. The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimates that over 3.4 million businesses are affected, prompting companies to implement mitigation measures like air purification and worker safety gear.

Laxman claims 1,000 suicides since Revanth became CM

Hyderabad : BJP Parliamentary Board member and OBC Morcha national president Dr K. Laxman said around 1,000 farmers have committed suicide in the 11-month rule of the Congress government in the state since 50 per cent in the farmers have been struggling as they have made debts to continue their agricultural operations with a hope that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy would honour his word and fully implement farm loan waiver. Addressing a press conference, Laxman said that the Revanth Reddy government had waived the farm loan to the tune of Rs 17,000 crore only, though promised to waive farm loans all the farmers and estimated it as Rs 31,000 crore. The non-implementation of Rythu Bharosa for farmers and tenant farmers at Rs 15,000 for each farmer and `12,000 to farm laborers, had drained their expected resources, which led to farmers to raise new loans. The BRS government in the past had cheated unemployed youth with paper leakages and promised to issue notifications. The agitated youth in the state defeated the BRS. The Congress also cheated youth, though it promised to fill 2 lakh jobs within one year of coming to power and provide Rs 4,000 as unemployment allowance. The Congress government had cheated all sections of the society including youth, farmers and women, Laxman charged. The people in the state have realised that Congress guarantee means convincing the people with tall promises and cheating them, the Congress guarantee also means corruption, scams, hereditary politics, family politics, vote bank politics, Muslim appeasement policies and hurting the sentiments of Hindus. The Congress guarantees have failed in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. The Congress came to power in these states with a false allegation that the BJP will remove reservations on coming to power. But, people have realised and defeated them in Haryana and will repeat the same verdict in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Laxman predicted. Laxman claimed that the BJP has emerged as the biggest party in the world with 11 crore membership. People are confident that the double engine government will also come in Telangana and hence a large number of leaders from other parties from Goshamahal Assembly limits joined the party, he said.

Haryana CM Saini says theres no shortage of DAP; farmers being mislead

CM Nayab Singh Saini said a total of 1,10,200 metric tons of di-ammonium phosphate has been allocated

All Delhi School Classes Go Online After Top Court Rap Over Air Pollution

The Delhi and Haryana governments on Monday suspended physical classes for standards 10 and 12 in the national capital and neighbouring Gurugram.

Punjab reports season's highest stubble burning cases as Haryana AQI touches 'severe' levels

CHANDIGARH: The highest number of stubble burning cases in this season, at 1,251 incidents, were reported in Punjab on Monday increasing the total number of reported cases this year to 9.655, according to data by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PCCB). The Air Quality Index (AQI) level in the state was in the 'Poor category, while in Haryana five towns were in the 'Severe category and six places in the 'Very Poor category. Of the total 1,251 incidents reported on Monday, 247 cases were in Muktsar district followed by 149 in Moga, 130 incidents of stubble-burning were in Ferozepur, 129 in Bathinda, 94 in Fazilka, 88 in Faridkot, 77 in Tarn Taran and 73 in Sangrur. Ludhiana had 52 cases, Barnala 42 incidents, 40 in Mansa and Amritsar had 36 reported cases and Marelkotla had 34. Meanwhile on Sunday, 404 stubble burning cases were reported across the state, of which 74 new cases were from Ferozepur and 70 in Bathinda. An environmental compensation of Rs 1.35 crore had been imposed for 3,943 cases till November 15. As per the central pollution control board, the AQI levels of both Amritsar and Jalandhar around 7.30 pm were 241 in the 'Poor' category. Khanna was 143 in the 'Moderate' category and Ludhiana, Patiala and Rupnagar all three were at 262 and Mandi Gobindgarh was 213 - all in the 'Poor' category. While the AQI level of Chandigarh was 270 at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) in Sector 22, the AQI at around 7.30 pm on Monday was at 250 and that at CAAQMS Sector 53 was recorded at 240 and at the Sector 25 station it was 270. Ambala residents report breathing issues due to fog, pollution. In Haryana the Air Quality Index at Gurugram was 494, Dharuhera was 447, Bahadurgarh was 443, Faridabad was 432 and Bhiwani 405, all in the 'Severe category. While Jind was 387, Fatehabad was 383, Kaithal was 354, Karnal was 348, Palwal was 327, Narnaul was 320 - in the 'Very Poor category. Kurukshetra's AQI was 298, Mandikhera was at 293, Hisar at 281, Charkhi Dadri at 226 - all in the 'Poor' category. Only two places - Ambala and Panchkula - were in the 'Moderate category. In response to worsening air pollution, the Nuh Administration has declared holidays for schools up to class 5 from November 18 to November 22, according to an official order. As per the order from the office of the District Elementary Education Officer of Nuh, the holiday has been declared in all government, semi-government, and private schools in the Nuh district of Haryana. Sources pointed out that the PPCB is under scrutiny and facing allegations of under-reporting of farm fire incidents. The scientists monitoring the farm fires claimed that many farmers were setting paddy residue on fire post afternoon, dodging the satellite. While the pollution control board claimed have brought down farm fires by 70 per cent than previous years, farmers could be seen evading the satellite by setting the paddy residue on fire post 3 pm.

School Closure in NCR Ordered by SC Amid Delhi's Air Pollution, Grap 4 Restrictions Imposed

The Supreme Court has ordered the closure of schools in Delhi and NCR due to hazardous air pollution levels, directing the enforcement of GRAP Stage IV measures. Schools in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh have shifted to online classes or announced holidays to protect students. The court has emphasised the urgent need for coordinated actions from the central and state governments to combat the severe air quality crisis affecting the region.

Bajaj Finance's FD Book Reported 21% Growth To Rs 66.1 Crore For Q2

Bajaj Finance has seen deposits growing in Punjab and Haryana, where senior citizens constitute nearly two-thirds of its deposits base.

Haryana government withdraws Organised Crime Control Bill, 2023

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government on Monday withdrew the Organised Crime Control Bill, 2023, after certain discrepancies were pointed out by the Centre. Resolutions were moved in the House by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to withdraw this and another bill. In March last year, the Haryana Control of Organised Crime Bill, 2023, which sought to prevent and control criminal activity by organised syndicates or gangs, was passed by the state Assembly. The bill had been reintroduced after the government made certain changes. Earlier, the government had withdrawn the Haryana Control of Organised Crime Bill, 2020, after the Centre pointed out certain discrepancies. At that time, certain provisions of the withdrawn bill were found to conflict with provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act. The 2019 version of the bill had also been withdrawn following observations on certain provisions. After being passed by the assembly, the 2023 version of the bill was sent to the governor, who reserved it for the President's assent under Article 201 of the Constitution. The Bill was then forwarded to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). When the bill was sent to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, Finance, and Home for comments, they again flagged certain discrepancies. The MHA requested Haryana to consider withdrawing the bill and submitting a fresh one after incorporating the suggestions of the Law ministry's legislative department. The matter was deliberated upon and it was decided that a revised bill would be introduced given the observations made by the Centre. Earlier, the 2023 version of the bill was alleged to have carried provisions which are draconian and can be misused by the Congress, which suggested that the bill be sent to a select committee of the House. Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the House on Monday said the party had earlier also demanded the bill be withdrawn. Fellow party MLA B B Batra said, It is for the third time that this bill has been withdrawn. Saini, who is also Leader of the House, said a new version of the bill will be re-introduced later with changes. The government on Monday also withdrew the Haryana Honourable Disposal of Dead Body Bill, 2024, which was passed by the Assembly in February this year. Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal said the chief minister moved official resolutions for withdrawal of the two bills. When these bills were being passed by the House, the opposition had raised certain objections, but these were overlooked, she said. The Dead Body Bill carried a provision of punishment for those who use a body for demonstration. The bill was sent to the governor, who reserved it for the President's assent. The MHA later sought comments from the state on the observations raised by the Union Ministry of Health. In the meantime, three new criminal laws 'the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023' were implemented on July 1.

Need Centre's action on pollution, not politics: CM Atishi as Delhi gasps

As the air in Delhi turned toxic on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi hit out at the Central government's alleged inaction and uncontrolled stubble burning in Madhya Pradesh and other neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for pushing the entire North India, including the national Capital, into a state of medical emergency.

Air Pollution: After Delhi, Gurgaon temporarily shuts down schools, authorises online classes

Due to worsening air quality in Gurgaon, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching the Severe category in some areas, physical classes from grades 1 to 5 have been suspended starting November 19, 2024. The Director General of Elementary Education, Haryana, issued the directive, mandating online classes for all government and private schools in place of in-person instruction.

Analysis of AAR Decisions of State of Haryana

The ruling of any advance ruling authority under GST is nothing but the interpretation of GST law. If an individual seeks clarity on any provision of GST, he can make an application before the au...

Old Video of Water Tanker Running Over Women Shared as Recent One From Haryana

We found that the video is neither recent nor is it from Haryana.

Punjab farmers to march towards Delhi on December 6 from Shambhu border

CHANDIGARH: Punjab farmers have announced to march towards Delhi on December 6 from the Shambhu border (Punjab-Haryana border) if the Union Government refuses to respond to their demands including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and other key issues. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) announced that farmers will march towards Delhi on December 6 in batches from the Shambhu border to press the Centre to accept their various demands. Slamming the Centre for not holding any talks with the farmers to discuss their demands Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said after a long wait, they have decided to head towards Delhi. We will move towards Delhi on December 6. We have been left with no option. We waited peacefully for the government for nine months. But now we will head towards Delhi, he said. Tejveer Singh of the Bharatiya Kisan Union said that they have been camping at the two border points for 280 days and the Centre has not held any talks with them since February 18. Besides a legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21. Earlier Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Coordinator, SKM (non-political) who is a cancer patient had announced he would sit on a fast-unto-death protest at Sangrurs Khanauri, which is at the border of Punjab and Haryana, from November 26. Dallewal said Sukhjit Singh Hardojhande will be the second person to sit on the fast-unto-death. The protesting farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when their 'Delhi Chalo' march, spearheaded by the SKM and the KMM, was stopped by security forces.

Delhi-NCR Pollusion LIVE: Severe Air Pollution Sparks Medical Emergency Across Northern India

Delhi woke up on Sunday to a thick layer of smog, with air quality dropping to hazardous levels. Visibility was significantly reduced, leaving residents facing serious health threats due to the toxic atmosphere. By Sunday evening, the Air Quality Index (AQI) had shot up to 457, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to convene an urgent meeting. As a result, Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)the highest levelwill be implemented starting Monday. Worsening Pollution Extends Beyond Delhi On Monday, a leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Manish Sisodia, criticized the central government for failing to manage pollution in North India. He stressed that the air pollution crisis isn't confined to Delhi but is a nationwide issue that requires urgent attention. Right now, the whole country is suffering from pollution. This problem must be tackled without political bias, and the BJP must take it seriously. This is not an issue that can be blamed solely on the Aam Aadmi Party. Northern India is severely impacted by stubble burning, and the BJP, as the central ruling party, must acknowledge its responsibility, said Sisodia. Meeting Cancelled Due to Lack of Department Heads Following the activation of GRAP Stage-IV, a meeting was scheduled for 12 PM involving key departments. However, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai revealed that no Head of Department attended, leading to the meeting's cancellation. Notices have been sent out to reschedule the meeting for 3 PM. Manish Sisodia: Pollution Is a National Issue Addressing the ongoing pollution, Sisodia reiterated the need to approach the problem beyond political affiliations. He urged the central government to take responsibility for the severe air quality, instead of attributing blame. North India is facing intense stubble burning, and the BJP has had years to act. What has been accomplished by mere statements? he questioned. Flights Disrupted Due to Poor Visibility On Monday morning, 11 flights were diverted from Delhi airport due to low visibility caused by weather conditions and pollution. Of these, 10 flights were redirected to Jaipur and one to Dehradun, primarily because some pilots lacked the necessary CAT III training for operations in poor visibility. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) confirmed that low-visibility protocols are in place, and passengers were advised to check with airlines for updates. Both SpiceJet and IndiGo warned of potential delays due to the poor conditions, affecting the airports roughly 1,400 daily flight operations. Medical Emergency Declared Across North India Delhi Chief Minister Atishi declared a medical emergency in North India, highlighting that stubble burning continues unchecked. Cities across UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, MP, and Delhi are suffering from severe pollution levels. Despite the growing intensity of stubble burning over the last five years, the central government has yet to take effective action. This inaction is having a severe impact, particularly on children and the elderly, who are struggling to breathe, Atishi said. Delhi's Air Quality Deteriorates, Many Areas Cross Into Severe Zone Parking Fees in Delhi Set to Double; MCD to Present Proposal on November 14

Protesting Punjab farmers to march towards Delhi on Dec. 6

Chandigarh: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Monday announced that farmers will march towards Delhi on December 6 to press the Centre to accept their various demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops.The decision was taken at a meeting of farmer leaders here. The protesting farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when their 'Delhi Chalo' march, spearheaded by the SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM, was stopped by security forces. Addressing the media here, KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said after a long wait, they have decided to head towards Delhi. We will move towards Delhi on December 6, he said. Pandher slammed the Centre for not holding any talks with the farmers to discuss their demands. We have been left with no option. We waited peacefully for the government (to reach out) for nine months. But now we will head towards Delhi, he added. The farmers will move towards the national capital in batches from the Shambhu border. Tejveer Singh of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) said they have been camping at the two border points for 280 days and the Centre has not held any talks with them since February 18. Last week, the farmers announced that they would intensify their agitation and start a fast unto death from November 26. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal will observe the fast. Besides a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21.

Punjab | Protesting Farmers To March Towards Delhi On Nov 6

Chandigarh, Nov 18: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Monday announced that farmers will march towards Delhi on December 6 to press the Centre to accept their various demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops. The decision was taken at a meeting of farmer leaders here. The protesting farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when their Delhi Chalo march, spearheaded by the [] The post Punjab | Protesting Farmers To March Towards Delhi On Nov 6 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Farmers to march towards Delhi on Dec 6 to press for MSP

Farmer forums in Bathinda, India, are planning another protest march to Delhi on December 6th. This follows two previous attempts in February that were blocked by Haryana Police, resulting in injuries and one fatality. The farmers are demanding space be allotted at Ramlila Ground and plan to travel in groups, potentially using vehicles other than tractors.

Delhi's pollution crisis: Why Bengaluru and Chennai have 'good' air quality

The air quality in Delhi has been a major topic of discussion for some time now. The rapid deterioration of the city's air is a clear indication of broader changes in the global climate. As of Monday, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened to the 'severe plus' category with the city recording an AQI of 484. Meanwhile, the situation was notably different in southern cities. While the national capital struggled to breathe, Chennai and Bangalore recorded much better air quality, according to a report by Times Now. As of November 15, Chennai's AQI was 45 ('Good') and Bengaluru's AQI was 50 ('Good'), according to CPCB data. Why is this the case? Bengaluru benefits from several factors that help maintain clean air. The city is rich in greenery, with parks, gardens, and tree-lined streets that absorb pollutants. Its weather also plays a role - winds and frequent rainfall help disperse pollutants, improving air quality. Additionally, Bengaluru's economy is driven by IT and services, rather than heavy industry, leading to fewer emissions. The city's focus on expanding green spaces and promoting public transport has further helped reduce pollution. Chennais clean air is due to different reasons. Coastal winds help clear the air, and the city has less industrial activity, which reduces pollution levels. Why is Delhi air so bad? Delhis air quality suffers from several causes including emissions from industries, construction sites and thermal power plants. Overpopulation also contributes to higher pollution, with more vehicles and waste adding to the problem. Many of the city's older vehicles release harmful gases, and construction work generates dust, especially in dry conditions. Next, farmers in neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh burn crop stubble, releasing large amounts of smoke into Delhis air. In winter, cold weather traps pollutants, causing smog to linger. Other cities also have varying AQI levels. Kolkata has an AQI of 222 ('Poor'), Noida has 316 ('Very Poor'), and Gurugram has 304 ('Very Poor'). Ahmedabads AQI is 144 ('Moderate'), while Mumbai and Hyderabad have AQIs of 133 ('Moderate') and 101 ('Moderate'), respectively. As Delhi's AQI worsens to 'severe plus,' GRAP IV measures have been enforced. First implemented in 2017, the GRAP outlines anti-pollution actions based on the severity of air quality. These include tighter pollution controls, a truck entry ban, and the suspension of public construction projects.

Education News Updates Nov 18, 2024: CSEET results, Johns Hopkins may set up campus, Haryana schools shut

School closure due to pollution: Delhi schools suspend offline classes, Haryana schools announce holidays; check list of affected states

School Closed Due to Pollution: Northern India is grappling with hazardous air quality, forcing school closures and a shift to online learning. Delhi's severe AQI levels have prompted school closures, while Haryana has announced holidays for primary schools. Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are monitoring the situation closely, considering similar measures to protect students' health.

Haryana's Jhajjar records AQI at 452, no primary classes in 4 districts

Air quality remained severely poor across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday, prompting four Haryana districts Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurgaon, and Sonipat to suspend physical classes for primary students and switch to online instruction. Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district recorded the highest AQI in Haryana at 452, categorized as 'severe'.

Nara Ramamurthy Naidu cremated with full Andhra honours

TIRUPATI: Nara Ramamurthy Naidu, younger brother of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and former Chandragiri MLA, was cremated with full State honours at his ancestral village Naravaripalle on Sunday, drawing thousands of mourners from both Telugu States. His mortal remains were brought by a special aircraft from Hyderabad. He breathed his last at AIG Hospital on Saturday morning. He had been unwell for a long time. A huge crowd gathered at the family residence of Naidu to pay their last respects to the departed leader. The funeral procession began at 2.30 pm with Naidu and his son and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh as pallbearers. The final rites were performed at the family cremation ground, where his parents Ammanamma and Kharjura Naidu were cremated. Ramamurthy Naidus wife Indira, and sons Rohit and Girish were present. The funeral ceremony drew prominent leaders from various walks of life, including Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan and several leaders from TDP, BJP and Jana Sena Party. Film personalities M Mohan Babu, Rajendra Prasad, Sree Vishnu and Manchu Manoj also paid their last respects to the departed leader. Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya recalled Ramamurthy Naidus contribution to Chittoors development during his tenure as an MLA. Earlier in the day, local officials, including District Collector S Venkateswar, and TTD Chairman BR Naidu were present to receive the family members. Ramamurthy Naidu was remembered fondly by the people of Chandragiri constituency for his dedication to public service, and his role as a steadfast pillar of the Nara family.

Power Games | DDCA Elections: BJP asks Rohan, Pravesh to keep noise low

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) elections are here again, with nominations set to begin on November 18. Rohan Jaitley, who defeated Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh in the last election for the post of DDCA President, will now face Trinamool Congress MP and former member of Indias World Cup-winning cricket team, Kirti Azad. The DDCA elections are among the most bitterly contested in the country, with political lines often blurred as members of the same party turn against each other in this no-holds-barred battle. Jaitleys fiercest opponents within the association are Siddarth Verma, son of former Delhi chief minister Sahib Singh Verma, who won the DDCA secretaryship in the last election, and Pravesh Verma, the former West Delhi BJP MP. According to grapevine, the bitter feud between Pravesh and Rohan is believed to have contributed to their failure to secure Lok Sabha nominations earlier this year. The party denied a ticket to Pravesh, despite his being a second-term MP who had won his seat by a large margin. Rohan was reportedly the frontrunner for the New Delhi seat, which eventually went to Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of the late Sushma Swaraj. Sources say the BJP leadership has asked the two warring leaders to tone down their rivalry during the ongoing DDCA elections, which begin tomorrow, as the party does not want the internal conflict to harm its chances in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. Rohan is also seen as a leading contender to replace BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is scheduled to take over as ICC president on December 1. Haryana Loss Two committees, no accountability for Congress The Congress partys stunning defeat in Haryana has cast its shadow on Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. The unexpected victory has filled the BJP with new energy and confidence in its battle for the two crucial states of Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Haryana has brought the air of invincibility back to the BJP after the Lok Sabha election setback where the party failed to secure a majority on its own. For the Congress, on the other hand, nothing seems to have changed. The party set up a committee at the central level to probe the reasons behind its defeat. The committee submitted its report two weeks ago, but the party has yet to act on it. Fearing criticism and punitive action, the Haryana unit of Congress established a state-level committee which blamed EVM tampering for the loss. The state committee was headed by Karan Dalal, a relative of Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Dalal lost his seat by over 33,000 votes. He was appointed as the head of the panel by state unit president Udai Bhan, who was himself defeated in the recent election. The two leaders have become the subject of Haryanavi jokes, with people suggesting that they should first address the reasons for their own losses before attempting to explain why others lost. Sources in the party indicated that the leadership may discuss the central committee report after the Maharashtra elections. Incidentally, the central committee was headed by party treasure Ajay Maken, who had lost the Rajya Sabha election from Haryana not too long ago.

68th NSG: Haryana, Manipur win Gold; J&K clinches silver in fencing

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 17: Haryana boys claimed the Sabre team Gold while Manipur girls continued their fencing dominance by bagging the Foil team Gold at the 68th National School Games U-17 Boys and Girls Fencing Championship, held at the Gymnasium Hall, University of Jammu. The event is part of a month-long series organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports under the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), featuring over 4000 athletes from across India. In the [] The post 68th NSG: Haryana, Manipur win Gold; J&K clinches silver in fencing appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

CAG report reveals BJP government is committing crores of scams in health department: Hooda

Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda accused the BJP government of being involved in scams within the health services, citing a recent CAG report. The report highlighted irregularities in ambulance charges and the purchase of substandard medicines from blacklisted companies. Hooda criticized the government for neglecting the healthcare system, leading to a shortage of doctors and healthcare workers.

PKL Season 11: Table-toppers Haryana Steelers Overcome Tamil Thalaivas Gritty Defence

The Haryana Steelers: The Haryana Steelers overcame a tough challenge but eventually went home with all the five points after beating the Tamil Thalaivas 36-29 in match 59 of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Sunday. It was Mohammadreza Shadloui's seven points, including a High 5, that grabbed the win for the Haryana Steelers in what was a close contest to the very end. A cautious approach defined the first half of the game, with both the Tamil Thalaivas and the Haryana Steelers relying on do-or-die raids to secure early points. While Moein Shafaghi and Vishal Chahal maintained their momentum from Saturday night, Vinay shifted the momentum with a Super Raid that captured both Amir Hossein Bastami and Nitesh Kumar. The Haryana Steelers then took the lead, ten minutes into the game, following a successful tackle by Rahul Sethpal that removed Vishal Chahal from the match. The Tamil Thalaivas struck back with an all out when Amir Hossein Bastami successfully tackled Shivam Patare, reclaiming the lead. This defensive success exemplified the Tamil Thalaivas' strategy, showcasing why they've been among the strongest defensive teams in PKL 11. The first half concluded with the Tamil Thalaivas leading 17-14, as the Haryana Steelers struggled through five unsuccessful do-or-die raids. A clash that was on equal terms throughout, it was all on the do-or-die raids. The first unsuccessful do-or-die raid of the night for the Tamil Thalaivas proved crucial for the Haryana Steelers, who equalled the score. In the very next move Vinay pulled off a successful raid to get Abhishek Manokaran as they made their final push for the win. The Tamil Thalaivas struck back with an all out when Amir Hossein Bastami successfully tackled Shivam Patare, reclaiming the lead. This defensive success exemplified the Tamil Thalaivas' strategy, showcasing why they've been among the strongest defensive teams in PKL 11. The first half concluded with the Tamil Thalaivas leading 17-14, as the Haryana Steelers struggled through five unsuccessful do-or-die raids. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Amid protests, Punjab Governor says no land allotted for Haryana Assembly in Chandigarh yet

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria clarified that no land in Chandigarh has been allotted to Haryana for a new Assembly building yet. This statement comes amidst protests by political parties against the Centre's reported move to grant 10 acres of land to Haryana in exchange for land in Panchkula.

Indian Railways to test first Hydrogen train next month. All you need to know

Indian Railways is gearing up to test its inaugural hydrogen-powered train in December on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana. The train, capable of reaching speeds of 140 kmph, uses fuel cells to generate electricity with water vapor as the only byproduct.

Running on empty

Twelve years ago over 400 permanent workers at Marutis Manesar manufacturing unit in Haryana were discharged, after a bout of labour violence. There were no criminal charges against them and their main contention is that there was no internal probe. For eight years, they have been fighting in the courts, and are now protesting on the streets, asking to be reinstated, reports Ashok Kumar

An old video from Amritsar is being falsely linked to an incident in Haryana

Hundreds of farmers have been camping at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border for over nine months (here,here, andhere). In this context, a video showing a water tanker running over several women on the road is being widely shared across social media platforms, with claims that it depicts a recent incident in Haryana (here,here, andhere). The claim [] The post An old video from Amritsar is being falsely linked to an incident in Haryana appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Odisha thrash Haryana 5-1 to win maiden national title

CHENNAI: Since the second half of the previous decade, Odisha has been synonymous with hockey in India. Across mens and womens games, Odisha has been the primary sponsor of the national team since 2018. The state has even hosted the FIH Mens World Cup in 2023. Odisha has been at the heart of Indian hockey, but somehow, hockey in Odisha has remained behind the curtains; until now. With three goals to Shilanand Lakra and a goal each to Rajat Akash Tirkey and Pratap Lakra made sure Odisha created history by bagging their first-ever title of the Hockey India Senior Men National Championship in Chennai. After beating the formidable Haryana side, who made it to their third consecutive final at the senior nationals, Odishas coach, Bijay Kumar Lakra, was one happy man at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium. We said we would not give them any chance to play aerial shots, and we succeeded. Our quality was in attack and we stuck with that, Lakra told the media. We focused on marking the players and supporting each other in the field and it all came in handy in the final and we were able to score these many goals and win by this big a margin. This is the first win in the history of Odishas hockey program. Our department has supported us well. We got a few video calls from back home wishing us well. Even our minister sent his best wishes. So we had this target for ourselves to win this for our state, Lakra added. He was not the only Lakra in the side that won the title. There were five Lakras in the playing side and going by coachs words there were at least 14 members from the famed cradle of Indian hockey, Sundargarh. Though some of them are working and posted at different places, most of them grew up playing together, he said. Despite letting Haryana earn 10 penalty corners, Odishas defense was strong enough as they only conceded one goal. The coach explained the strategy behind that. Today, we used both of our rushers in the match for penalties in Amit Kumar Toppo and Kerobin Lakra. They are the best runners on the team and I would say that is one of the reasons why we are successful today. Even our goalkeeper was in good form. We were also quite focused on maintaining the fitness level to last all quarters. I believe todays Hockey requires that level of fitness. The idea was no matter where the opposition players go, we planned to run and catch them and block their attempts to score. It was evident from the finals play that this plan tied Haryana players down and did not allow them to score more than one goal. The goalkeeper for Odisha, Sahil Kumar Nayak too had a hand in the stelar show. We knew we could have been under pressure, but we talked about the need to keep calm. I said dont worry about saving the goals. I will do that for the team. Even when we had to defend those many penalties throughout the match, I think it helped us a great deal in clearance today, Nayak told this daily. The 24-year-old, who drew inspiration from former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, spoke about the growth of the game in Odisha. I dont think a lot of people knew about hockey before coming back home. We have witnessed a lot of growth. We are climbing the ladder and the juniors are coming into the ranks and getting motivated to do better, Nayak added.

Maiden national hockey title for Odisha

Chennai: Dubbed as the capital of Indian Hockey for producing a number of India internationals including current Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, Odisha surprisingly didnt ever win Senior Men National Championship. That jinx was broken Saturday here at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium as Odisha outplayed Haryana 5-1 in the final of the 14th Hockey India Senior []

Haryana government orders closure of schools up to Class 5 amid rising air pollution, check details here

The Haryana Government has ordered the temporary closure of schools up to Class 5 due to worsening air pollution. The Directorate of School Education has directed District Deputy Commissioners to ensure online classes for students in government and private schools, prioritizing health and safety amid severe AQI levels in Delhi and nearby areas.

Sr Mens National Hockey: Odisha overcomes Haryana to secure maiden title

Sr Mens National Hockey: Odisha overcomes Haryana to secure maiden title Chennai: Hockey Association of Odisha emerged victorious over defending champions Hockey Haryana 5-1 in a thrilling final to claim the championship title at the 14th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium here on Saturday. This is Odishas maiden [] The post Sr Mens National Hockey: Odisha overcomes Haryana to secure maiden title appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

INTERVIEW | Boundaries have been crossedbut both cases are defendable, says Dr B Ashok

As two Kerala cadre IAS officers have been suspended on the same day in an unprecedented manner, TNIE sat down with IAS Officers Association President Dr B Ashok to understand what is ailing the state bureaucracy. The 1996-batch officer, currently serving as the Agricultural Production Commissioner and Vice Chancellor of the Kerala Agricultural University, shared his views on the recent suspensions, lack of professionalism and efficiency in the state officialdom, being labelled a right-wing bureaucrat, and his impressions of different chief ministers. Excerpts Unprecedented developments are happening in the IAS cadre here. Two mid-level IAS officers have been suspended on the same day. How does the IAS Association view this? (Laughs) Media treats suspension as a passive punishment, it seems. There is certainly an element of disapproval in suspension but in service parlance it only means sufficient animus to ask you not to come to office. There is no other consequence. The officer will be given 50% pay and after six months 75%, and if it goes up to one year, full pay has to be restored. That is only an interlude to determine the merit of a questionable action. So, isnt suspension a disciplinary action? It may be treated as the commencement of an action. But, for disciplinary action, a memo of charges must be served. The officer then defends it. The good part about suspension is that it is a time taken to ensure that you are held accountable for your actions. One of the officers said he will approach the Central Administrative Tribunal. At what juncture can that be done? The officer can move against an order of suspension citing various grounds. Once Ms Sumana Menon IAS was suspended as she did not attend a meeting as directed by the then Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson. I took up the matter with the Centre and the officer at DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training) said your cadre is a very draconian one. The then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had to revoke the suspension. Is the Kerala cadre draconian? I wont say so but at times undesirable actions have taken place. Even the chief secretary has been suspended in Kerala. Thats a very rare thing. Sitting Chief Secretary R Ramachandran Nair was suspended and sent out of service (in 1997). Do you think there has been a violation of the Code of Conduct in the case of the two officers suspended now? Regarding Prasanths post, I sensed he will be immediately suspended. It was just a matter of time. But I would say that, stricto sensu, both cases are defendable. Former Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson said IAS officers do not enjoy all rights laid down in the Constitution. It is wrong. Fundamental rights cannot be denied to any individual unless he or she gives up. In the case of Gopalakrishnan, if you ask me, can an officer be part of a religious group involving only officers or officers and others? Obviously, you can. So, whether you create a group or be a member is immaterial. You can do so. But I will add another line there. Should an IAS officer be doing that? I would say permissible but better not to do that (laughs). Are you saying it isnt a matter of legality but of propriety? Beyond legality, it is an action that can be given a colour. Nothing was posted in the group. It was deleted. But the difficulty for Gopalakrishnan is that he claimed that it was hacked, which he may have to prove. If the evidence is otherwise, a false claim will arise which goes against integrity. He has given it in writing to an SHO. It is an offence. Filing a false complaint is penal. When Meta is saying there was no hacking, do we have a case to say that it was hacked? In the case of Prasanth, when we saw his expression, we told him that boundaries have been crossed. Which expression of Prasanths are you referring to? (Laughs out) I will not say that specifically as I will have to go into its merit. Was it the first post? When I saw the media report against Prasanth, I told him to watch his step (laughs)... as I knew there would be an outburst. He said things have become intolerable and it is the handiwork of so and so people. I told him to refrain, and if at all he has to say something, say that the report is wrong. But he chose to do otherwise. Naturally, the government was provoked into action. There has to be restraint. But Prasanth has said Jayathilak is an officer who sabotaged the careers of many honest IAS officers... These are only allegations. Jayathilak should be given an opportunity to comment on that. I had worked closely with Jayathilak for over a year. Sometimes he can be moody, he can tick you off. We had a great time together. We continue to be friends from our Kollam days. Despite his seniority, I count him as my friend too. We can talk for over two hours at a stretch. The only thing is that on a cloudy day, he can be a little jumpy. But that will stand for just two to three hours. If there are complaints, an opportunity should be given for him to comment on that. Sometimes you may not yell but raise your voice. All this happens in service. Two IAS officers have been suspended at the same time. Is the gravity of their actions the same? It is not right for me to comment. First of all, the government has to clarify what the charges are. From the orders of suspension, I would assume that the charges against both the officers are very much defendable with competent legal support. Prasanth has termed it a balancing act I dont think so. The cause of action is different in the two cases. Did you ever feel that Gopalakrishnans actions were communally flavoured? I wouldnt associate it with the title of the group. My argument is this: The SC has interpreted that HINDU doesnt denote any religion. Forget the virulent form of an ism, Hinduism is only a way of life... a collection of a certain set of practices and beliefs. I cant say Malayali Hindu is communal. But should an officer create such a group which might send a wrong signal to those who may see it with different eyes? That is a different question. But cant this create a communal division given the political situation in the country? He just created a group. It is common for colleagues in a social group or a faith group to start groups. I dont need to get offended by it. Heard Adeela Abdulla IAS has complained I have not seen her complaint, but spoke to her. She said she had been informed about the creation of such a group. But she did not register any complaint. I did not pursue it. If somebody is alarmed, it is a separate issue. Many IAS officers are eager for central deputation. Why so? Kerala is not a mainstream state. So the deputation reserve will be oversubscribed. If you are Gujarat or Maharashtra, your interest will be served if you are in Delhi. The Union of India service is a highly insulated corporate kind of service. You need to be at least an MP to get an appointment in major ministries. Potential for international careers attracts people at later stages in their careers. The state service is basically snakes and ladders. It is very uncertain. Does political affiliation matter in getting preferred posts at the Centre or in states? States are bipolar while in the Union there is continuity at the moment. For a long time, there was a Congress government and people were acclimatised to the ecosystem. For the last few years, there has been a change of preference at the Centre. Its more hands-on now and they need the kind of officer who is better aligned. It is not a political alignment but to the programmes. Officers dont make choices according to the political hue. There are many officers in my batch who have good offers in hand but arent going to Delhi. The work environment is very tough there now. You cannot leave the office before 10pm. But in the state, you can be home earlier (smiles). Has the work culture changed with the BJP coming to power at the Centre? The Union government has become very programmatically focused. The secretaries are conducting reviews every three days. They are being held accountable on a very short leash. There is no cooling down of the executive function when there is a Prime Minister who works 15 hours a day. They want business done in every ministry. So, can we say that the current government is more professional and goal-oriented than the previous ones? I am not saying that. But the current government is very much focused on faster delivery. During UPA 1 and 2, there were a lot of Malayali officers at the helm of affairs. That has now changed. How do you see the change? It is obvious. You tend to trust people who you know more. (Now) the person who became the Prime Minister was the chief minister of Gujarat for 15 years. That experience gave him in and out experience of how the system works. I have observed him while working with (Sharad) Pawar in the food ministry. Modi, as a chief minister, was much respected in Delhi. He meant business. He had clout in Delhi even during the UPA government, as the Gujarat CM. Was it about the charisma of Modi or the peculiarity of Gujarat being a rich state? Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra are very business-like and professional. Tamil Nadu has become very smart. Karnataka has always been good. So, Kerala needs to be more professional in pushing its agenda in Delhi? We dont have representational or advocacy skills. Also, we are not pushy enough in Delhi like other states. Other states representatives come to Delhi and return only when they get their things done. Who is responsible for the lack of professionalism? Things have become very fast after emails, e-office, and now AI. I doubt if the skills have improved in the government sector to match that space-time compression. Drafting skills have gone down drastically. One part of the problem is our vernacular preference. The second major problem is the very deleterious impact of the unions. They decide who should occupy a post. Unions have no responsibility in securing Central funds. They are hardly bothered. It takes a lot of effort, training, and leadership to set things right. Are the IAS officers scared to make decisions? There is a scare. In higher government functioning, the secretary, being the permanent head of the department, is supposed to have a holistic view of the constitution and department-specific rules. He is bound to guide the minister through the rules. The minister should look for an unhinged opinion of the secretary. A capable minister can overcome any note of the secretary. Former ministers such as T M Jacob and K M Mani had interesting ways of dealing with contentious issues. But we cannot expect that from a first-time minister on the second day. It takes some time to assess the officers and learn how to work with them. Most ministers in this government are first-timers. Does their lack of experience affect the performance of the government? I cannot say they lack experience because they have been public persons for long. But their experience is in different capacities in different directions. There is a huge difference between a person who has been a frontline worker of the party, a district secretary for 10 years, and a person who came from student politics and the university senate. The former has a sound understanding of administration while the latter is more academic. A newcomer will take time with the government. Should a confrontation arise between the state government and the Union government, where will an IAS officer place their loyalty? Cadre and state are a myth. Cadre are created to serve a state. But who creates a state? The Parliament creates a state. Its an administrative unit. This keeps changing. As far as members of the Union service are concerned, you have to serve the Union of India. The Constitution has placed the state on a definite pedestal. Loyalty of an All-India Service officer is only to India. And not to any subordinate entity. In 2013, you wrote a newspaper article titled What If Modi Visits Sivagiri. The Oommen Chandy government took action against you I had gone for a meeting to Sivagiri as a guest. They said there was a boycott call. I felt it was very odd. I was a sitting vice chancellor. To be true, I dont think Oommen Chandy sir was interested in taking action against me. But a certain individual in the government was very interested and the government issued a chargesheet. I took the issue to the Supreme Court and it stayed the chargesheet and the proceedings of the government. Later, I met Oommen Chandy sir. I asked him whether it was necessary. He said it was not his issue. Then I requested him to withdraw the case, and he did. At that time, you took a bold step, especially in the backdrop of Modis image and the Gujarat riots. What was your provocation then? He was not convicted by the court. How can you put these types of embargos? Modi has now become the prime minister. The person who prepared the intelligence report against me has now joined the BJP (laughs out). You have an image of a right-wing bureaucrat (Laughs out) Let me tell you frankly, I dont have any Sangh Parivar leniency. I dont have any relationship with any BJP leader. If so, I would have got plum posts in the central government. Even my request was not considered. I do not have a leniency to any party. No government in Kerala gave me any undue benefit. Whats your take on retired bureaucrats joining politics on the lines of Annamalai in Tamil Nadu? Its the freedom of the individual. New kids on the block are technically qualified and ambitious. One of my IAS batchmates joined the BJP and became an MP. Then he joined the Congress and fought in the Haryana election. Are you interested in joining politics? I was approached twice by various parties to see whether I was interested in contesting elections. I consulted with my family. There was a unanimous disinclination. So I told them I am not interested. Politics is a great area to serve a cause. There are many ministers at the Centre who have service backgrounds. There are some IAS officers who dont even have minimum efficiency. We have often wondered how they managed to get into the service (Chuckles) Every selection process has its own faults, black zones which people might actually get through. There are ten written papers. Lets say 20-25 sheets of handwritten answers are evaluated. Somebody might get through. Some people would be good with their domains. Has the Kerala Administrative Service brought in any change? Some of them are extremely good. But they take time to take up senior-level responsibilities. In 10 years, some of them will become very good. Youve worked with five chief ministers. Your assessment of each of themAll of them are special and gifted people; they came up the hard way. (EK) Nayanar sir was highly informal, sarcastic, yet nice and easy to work with. He was like a grandfather in the system. (AK) Antony sir was always sober. He invariably gave us all a cup of black tea, which translated into dont expect anything more (chuckles). I missed VS (Achuthanandan), as I was on central deputation at that time. But it was VS who appointed me as the vice-chancellor. Oommen Chandy sir was very open, with whom you had unhinged access. He was a great peoples man. Pinarayi sir is a more regulated, structured man who prefers order. He is a very good crisis manager and a good executor. Its only because of his strong will that the NH project was completed. Have you personally met Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Not one-to-one. I have not had an occasion to do so. As VC, I have listened to him from close quarters. He used to personally attend the annual/biannual meetings of university vice-chancellors. He prepares each of his speeches... the core content of it... himself. Very insightful, left the listeners impressed. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Anil S, Sreejith Kumar K S, Cynthia Chandran, Sovi Vidyadharan, Vincent Pulickal (photos), Pranav V P (video)

Rajnath Asks Rahul Gandhi to Specify Quota for Every Community After Caste Census

Mumbai: Union minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday addressed a meeting of Hindi speaking people at a hotel in Mumbai. Around 23 lakh north Indian voters are in Mumbai. Mr Singh said that the party had not achieved the desired result in Lok Sabha election from Haryana and Maharashtra, but the situation has now changed as is evident from the Haryana Assembly election result. The senior BJP leader also questioned the logic behind Congress leader Rahul Gandhis promise of caste census. What will he do with data? he asked. Senior BJP leader Kripashankar Singh and BJP leader Akhilesh Chaubey-led Parishram Sanstha (organisation) organised the event at a hotel in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). A large number of intellectuals from the North Indian community residing in Mumbai attended the programme, which was also attended by Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar, north Indian leaders and prominent personalities from business, education, medical field and legal fraternity. Mr Singh said that the mood of the people has changed as the BJP is coming to power with clear majority in Jharkhand there is a conducive atmosphere in Maharashtra for the BJP in comparison to the Lok Sabha election. We are hopeful that our government will come here as well, he said. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhis demand for caste census, the senior BJP leader said that Mr. Gandhi has been repeatedly saying that he is committed to conducting a caste census in the country. Rahul should tell what he will do after conducting the caste census?, he asked. Mr Singh went on saying that the Congress leader should first make a blueprint and present it before the country as to how much reservation Mr Gandhi would give to which castes after conducting caste census. There should be a discussion in the country on this issue and a consensus should be formed over the same. But he will not do it as he wants to gain support only by misleading the people, the senior BJP leader said. Referring to caste census during the UPA government, he said that the caste census was done in the country in 2011. There are more than one lakh castes and sub-castes. However, the report was not published. A few years ago, the Ministry of Social Justice had conducted a caste census. Several thousand backward castes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes were found in the census. Perhaps, he (Rahul Gandhi) thinks that a government can be formed by misleading the people, Mr.Singh said. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, the BJP led Mahayuti alliance won only 18 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra including two out of six seats in Mumbai. The BJP won only one out of three seats it contested in Mumbai. Its alliance partner Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena won the Mumbai North West seat by the margin of mere 48 votes. By roping in the north Indian stalwart leaders like Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath, the party is trying to consolidate its north Indian votes in Mumbai. The north Indian voters can play a major role in 20 out of 36 Assembly seats in the city. The north Indian community is a decisive factor on at least nine seats, namely Dahisar, Kalina, Andheri (East), Versova, Dindoshi, Malad, Goregaon, Jogeshwari and Chandivali.

Haryana Temporarily Shut Schools Till Class 5 In Wake Of Rising Pollution

The Haryana government has given the deputy commissioners the authority to temporarily close schools up to Class 5, giving priority to the health of children.

As it did in Haryana, BJP will bounce back in state: Rajnath

Kalki Avatar: FIR Filed Against Father-Son Duo for Allegedly Misleading People in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A social organisation has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against one Kashinath Mishra and his son at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar, accusing them of misleading and exploiting people under the guise of religion. Kashinath Mishra is alleged to have proclaimed his 18-year-old son as the incarnation of Kalki Bhagwan, the incarnation of Lord Jagannath, and instructed followers to worship him. The father-son duo has been accused of manipulating religious beliefs for personal gain, charging devotees varying amounts of money for addressing issues such as employment, family disputes, health concerns, and pregnancy-related problems. In their complaint, the social organisation accused the duo of disrespecting religious symbols and traditions. A viral image circulating on social media reportedly shows the Holy Tulsi plant placed near the feet of Kashinath's son, sparking widespread outrage. An official from the Rajya Samajsevi Mahasangha expressed concerns over the alleged exploitation. I listened to one of his (Kashinath's) speeches where he falsely claimed that three people survived a plane crash in Haryana a few years ago because of the blessings of Kalki Bhagawan. Upon verifying, I found there was no plane crash in that state during the period as mentioned by him. The placement of the Holy Tulsi near the feet of his son is deeply disturbing, the official said. Reports indicate that Kashinaths son, who is now 18 years old and pursuing his studies, was much younger when the controversial images were taken. A senior official from Baikuntha Dham in the Khandagiri area, where the duo operates, claimed that the photographs were from over 15 years ago. When approached for their comments, neither Kashinath nor his son responded. In defense of the allegations, Pandav Parida, the president of Baikuntha Dham, dismissed the accusations as baseless. No Tulsi is offered here, and we are unaware of any such incident, especially since it is supposedly from years ago. These accusations are the work of detractors trying to defame God. Ancient scriptures detail the events unfolding today, proving their authenticity. We preach only virtuous living and prohibit entry to those who consume non-veg foods and substances like paan or liquor, Parida said. Rationalist Devendra Sutar weighed in on the controversy, calling such incidents a threat to societal harmony and religion. Instances like these exploit peoples emotions, as anyone can declare themselves an avatar of a deity. In this case, the individual is a young adult who should focus on his future. Such practices can lead to social detachment, leaving the individual and their followers isolated from reality, Sutar remarked. The case has sparked intense debate in the state, with many questioning the ethical and legal implications of projecting religious figures and exploiting followers' faith for personal or financial gain.

Amid Rising Pollution, Haryana Authorises Deputy Commissioners To Temporarily Shut Schools Till Class 5

The Haryana government on Saturday authorised deputy commissioners to temporarily shut physical classes up to Class 5 in schools in their respective districts after assessing the situation in the wake of rising pollution levels.

Haryana authorises DCs to temporarily shut schools till Class 5 in wake of rising pollution

Due to escalating pollution levels, Haryana's government has granted authority to deputy commissioners to temporarily suspend physical classes for students up to Class 5. This decision comes as several regions in Haryana experience 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality, prompting a shift to online classes to safeguard children's health.

Any party joining hands with Congress is doomed: Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh, Union Minister, stated that the Congress is in decline and its allies in Maharashtra will face consequences. He expressed confidence in the victory of the BJP and Mahayuti coalition in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Singh highlighted the BJP's success in Haryana and the positive impact of Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

Punjab and Haryanas Chandigarh dispute: A decades-old Congress govt-created problem that persists due to political indecisiveness

On 29 January 1970, the central government announced that Chandigarh should, as a whole, be transferred to Punjab

Delhi air pollution crisis worsens as more areas come under `severe` category

After Delhi, Jind in Haryana recorded the second-worst air quality in the country with a reading of 394, while Bahadurgarh, also in the neighbouring state, ranked third with a reading of 388

Odisha hammers Haryana, bags its maiden gold

Haryana government orders closure of schools till class 5 amid rising air pollution

Due to worsening air quality in Haryana, mirroring the severe conditions in Delhi, the Haryana government has directed all schools to remain closed for students up to Class 5. The decision, aimed at safeguarding student health, mandates a shift to online classes until further notice, with assessments of air quality in urban and rural areas guiding the reopening of schools.

Haryana orders temporary closure of schools up to class 5 amid rising pollution

In view of the rising pollution, the Haryana government on Saturday ordered to temporarily close schools up to Class 5.

Revenge prank goes wrong: Students burst bomb cracker with remote under teachers chair in Haryana

Thirteen 12th-grade students in Bhiwani, Haryana, were suspended for a week after planting an explosive device under their science teacher's chair. The students, who learned to make the device from YouTube, were reportedly retaliating after being scolded. The explosion caused no injuries, and the students' parents have apologized, promising future good behavior.

Khanapara Sports honours badminton champs Raihan and Harshit

HT Digital GUWAHATI, Nov 16: The Khanapara Sports & Cultural Organization felicitated Raihan Zaman and Harshit Gogoi for their outstanding performance in the National Badminton Circuit. The duo was honored on Friday, November 15, following their remarkable victory over Aashray Agarwal (Uttarakhand) and Jayesh Duggal (Haryana) in Dibrugarh. They clinched the title by winning both []

Haryana's Jind records AQI at 410; other parts in 'very poor' zone

Chandigarh saw some improvement in its AQI as it was registered at 298 at 10 a.m.

Haryana to take on Odisha in senior National final

Haryana will be looking to clinch its third title from four finals while Odisha will be eager to bag its maiden gold medal

Kamboj stars with a perfect 10 but Kerala has its nose in front

Pacer becomes third bowler to achieve feat in the Ranji Trophy; visiting team reduces Haryana to 139 for seven, eyes lead

ED seizes Rs 8.8 crore in money laundering case against 'lottery king' Santiago Martin

CHENNAI: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday seized Rs 8.8 crore in cash during searches in a money laundering case against Chennai-based 'lottery king' Santiago Martin, officials said. Martin was the single biggest donor to political parties with over Rs 1,300 crore in the now-scrapped electoral bonds. The searches that were launched on Thursday continued for the second day in multiple states. About Rs 8.8 crore in cash has been seized from the corporate office of Martin on Friday. The cash is mostly in the denomination of Rs 500, the official said. The location of the office was not known. The fresh ED searches came about after the Madras High Court recently allowed the federal agency to proceed against Martin as the Tamil Nadu Police had decided to close the predicate or primary FIR against him and a few others and a lower court accepted this police plea. ED searches Santiago Martins premises in Chennai, Coimbatore At least 20 premises linked to Martin and associates in Chennai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Faridabad in Haryana, Ludhiana in Punjab and Kolkata in West Bengal were being searched as part of a comprehensive action against his business empire. A clutch of police FIRs have been taken into cognisance by the ED to initiate the latest action against Martin and his business network for lottery fraud and illegal sale of lottery. The agency had searched him earlier too. The federal agency last year attached assets worth about Rs 457 crore in a case against Martin linked to an alleged loss of over Rs 900 crore to the Sikkim government by fraudulent sale of the state lottery in Kerala. Future Gaming Solutions India Pvt.Ltd. is the master distributor of Sikkim lotteries and the ED has been investigating Martin, known as 'lottery king' in Tamil Nadu, since 2019. Martin recently made news after it came to light through Election Commission data that his company (Future Gaming) was the largest purchaser of now-scrapped electoral bonds worth more than Rs 1,300 crore, between 2019 and 2024, meant for donations to political parties. The Madras High Court last month allowed the ED case against Martin and his linked people to go on as it set aside a lower court order which had accepted a closure report filed by the Chennai Police crime branch in a case related to the seizure of unaccounted Rs 7.2 crore from his Chennai home. His other companies include Martin Builders Pvt.Ltd. and Daison Land and Development Pvt. Ltd. The ED had said earlier that these firms acquired immovable properties worth Rs 19. 59 crore from the loans and advances given by Martin and his family members.

Chandigarh can only belong to Punjab if the Hindi-speaking areas are given to Haryana besides SYL water: Anil Vij

Mens Senior Hockey Nationals: Odisha beats Manipur to book final berth, to face Haryana in summit clash Sportstar

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