Maharashtra polls: Sharad Pawar flags vote-seat discrepancies, CM Fadnavis counters allegation

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar were embroiled in a war of words on Sunday over the results of the state assembly elections. Pawar argued that his faction, despite receiving more votes than the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, only secured 10 seats, while Ajit's NCP won 41 seats. In response, Fadnavis dismissed the comparison of total votes with seat victories, citing data from the recent Lok Sabha elections to make his case. The accusation comes amid the NCP (SP) leader's visit to Markadwadi village on Sunday, where the veteran leader extended his support to the villagers who raised doubts over the EVMs. Notably, the villagers had tried conducted mock polls using ballot papers to verify their votes with the EVMs. However, local administration and police prohibited the mock polls, citing law and order concerns. More than 200 people from the Markadwadi village and nearby areas were booked for allegedly trying to conduct a re-poll. We have collected some data about EVMs. People cast their votes, but in the end, the results were unexpected. You raised awareness about the issue, and the process needs to change, Pawar told the villagers. The BJP hit back at Pawar with the state party president Chandrashekhar Bawankule asking the senior politician to accept the people's mandate gracefully instead of misleading them. He posted voting data from previous elections on X to reject Pawar's claim of fewer seats won by opposition MVA allies despite securing more votes in the assembly polls. Pawar also pointed out that developed countries such as the United States and those in Europe conduct elections using ballot papers, while India continues to use EVMs despite the doubts raised about their usage and potential manipulation. The NCP (SP) chief said that in the recent state elections, his party secured a total of 72 lakh votes but only 10 candidates were elected, while Ajit Pawars NCP received 58 lakh votes and won 41 seats. He also added that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), which garnered 80 lakh votes, only won 20 seats, while the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde secured 79 lakh votes and won 57 seats. If you calculate the received votes and the won seats, its very confusing and surprising. We are collecting the data and analysing it. Unless we get some concrete analysis and thoroughly examine the data, we will not comment further, the NCP (SP) leader said. Referenceing the results from the recent assembly elections in four states-- Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Haryana--Pawar claimed the BJP allowed the opposition to win in smaller states in order to target the larger ones. Out of these four states, the BJP won two, while the opposition won two. There must be a strategy and pattern behind these wins. Let the opposition win in smaller states and then target the big states, even though there is significant anti-incumbency against the government, the NCP (SP) chief said. Meanwhile, CM Devendra Fadnavis countered Pawar's claim and asked him not to mislead the country. You will come out of this if you accept defeat. I expect you to give your colleagues advice on introspection, he had stated on X and posted the vote statistics. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP received 1,49,13,914 votes and won nine seats, while Congress received 96,41,856 votes and won 13 seats. Shiv Sena secured 73,77,674 votes and won seven seats, while NCP (SP) received 58,51,166 votes and won eight seats. How do you explain the results in the Lok Sabha elections? he asked. Fadnavis added, In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Congress received 87,92,237 votes and won only one seat, while the united NCP got 83,87,363 votes and still won four seats. The opposition should accept their defeat and come to terms with reality. They should ask their colleagues to introspect and stop misleading people. The ruling BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance won 230 of the 288 seats in the assembly elections held in November.

Farmers Suspend Delhi March After Police Action at Shambhu

New Delhi: A fresh jattha (batch) of 101 protesting farmers resumed their Delhi Chalo march from the Shambhu area of the Punjab-Haryana border on Sunday only to suspend it shortly before evening as the Haryana security personnel fired teargas shells to disperse them, which resulted in injuries to the protesters. Announcing the decision to suspend the foot march for the day, farmer leaders said they will decide the next course of action on Monday. As the protesting farmers resumed their foot march, they were halted by a multilayered barricade set up by security personnel who surprised the protesters by offering them tea and biscuits and also showering them with flower petals. The protesters, however, claimed it was all a drama as the police soon lobbed teargas shells and used water jets to disperse them when they insisted on crossing the Shambhu border. The protesters, dubbed as 'marjeevras' (someone willing to die for a cause), were stopped only a few meters into the march. The standoff continued for over three hours, following which it was called off for the day. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher in the evening said six farmers were injured. One of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. Pandher said their protest completed 300 days on Sunday. The next course of action will be decided in a meeting of their forums the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Monday. We have called back the jattha. Whatever happened today was seen by the whole country, said Pandher as he slammed the use of teargas against farmers. The administration used tactics...immediately after showering flowers, they fired teargas shells and rubber bullets at farmers, he claimed. Pandher claimed that mediapersons were stopped by the Punjab police from reaching the protest site as their Haryana counterparts had asked them to keep the media at least 1 km away from the protest site. Another farmers' leader, Baldev Singh Zira, said farmers were moving ahead in a peaceful manner and they were not carrying any weapon and criticised the security personnel for using teargas against them. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, meanwhile, continued with his fast unto death at the Khanauri border, which entered the 13th day on Sunday. While in Greater Noida, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), in a statement, said, Farmers who are currently imprisoned in the district jail of Gautam Buddha Nagar have gone on a hunger strike to defend their rights and interests. Ambala police had earlier said the farmer outfits can march to Delhi only after getting permission from the national capital administration. The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, pressing for a legal guarantee for minimum support price and other demands.

Tejashwi Yadav, Sharad Pawar Back Mamata for I.N.D.I.A. Head

KOLKATA: Days after Trinamul supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was ready to head the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, to prominent leaders of the Opposition grouping appeared to say that they had no objections to the proposal. Senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said he has no objection to any senior leader of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, including Mamata Banerjee, leading the coalition, but stressed that the decision must be reached through consensus. I.N.D.I.A. hasn't thought on this matter and there has to be a discussion involving all stakeholders, he said in Kolkata. We have no issue with Mamata Banerjee leading the bloc, but keeping in mind there are so many senior politicians in the the anti-BJP coalition, there's a need to sit together and take a collective decision on choosing a leader, he said. In Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar supported Mamata Banerjee's statement, telling reporters in Kolhapur on Saturday that the Trinamul chief was a capable leader and has the right to show her intent to head the opposition alliance. The MPs she has sent to Parliament are hardworking and aware. Meanwhile, the Trinamul Congress raised the pitch with party MP Kirti Azad saying Mamata Banerjee was the most suitable for the job as she was the only leader who had repeatedly defeated the BJP. In an interview to a news channel on Friday, Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc and indicated her readiness to take charge of the alliance if given an opportunity. She said she could manage the dual responsibility of running the opposition front while continuing her role as Chief Minister of West Bengal. Her statement comes at a time when voices of discontent have emerged within the opposition INDIA bloc following the recent electoral setbacks for the Congress, including in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra. Senior leaders, including the seniormost Sharad Pawar ji, have also said Mamata Banerjee should be made the leader of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, Azad said. There is a need for change. Mamata Banerjee is the only leader who has repeatedly defeated the BJP and Modi ji, and in the recent byelections in West Bengal, BJP was thrown out of Bengal. She has a lot of experience, she herself said she has created the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, and she has said that she is ready to lead the bloc if she gets an opportunity. She has been an MP, Union minister, and since 2011 the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Azad said. It is time to make Mamata Banerjee leader of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. With her experience she is the most suitable for this job, he added.

Wrestling NatPriya and Radhika help Haryana assert its dominance in Nationals

Police welcome farmers with flower petals at Punjab-Haryana border

Comedian Sunil Grover once earned Rs 20 a day, but why he was not stressed

From a small Haryana town to comedy stardom, Sunil Grover's journey is one of resilience. He overcame early financial struggles in Mumbai, fueled by his father's unfulfilled dreams. His comedic talent as Gutthi and Dr. Mashoor Gulati catapulted him to fame, leading to Bollywood success and a net worth of Rs. 21 crore.

Wrestler Priya outclasses Paris Olympian Reetika to claim 76kg crown

CHENNAI: Priya Malik had won a handful of international medals in age group events and also bagged a bronze on her international debut in senior category at the Asian Championship last year. The impressive show meant the Haryana wrestler, who hails from Nidani village of Jind district, was considered the favourite to book a ticket for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fate had something else in store for her as she injured her left knee to miss the selection trials held in March this year to pick wrestlers for the Olympic Qualifiers (Asian and World). Reetika Hooda, another wrestler from Haryana, not only made her way to the national team but also became the first woman grappler from the country to book an Olympic ticket in the heavyweight category. However, she lost in the quarterfinal in Paris, to return empty-handed. On Sunday, Priya and Reetika were on the wrestling mat for a showdown at the Senior National Championship in Bengaluru and the prize was 76kg gold. A duel between them could not happen during the selection trials in March but it became the highlight of the day on the last day of the championship. Priya won the contest 10-0 (by technical superiority) to justify her favourite tag given to her ahead of the selection trials for the Olympic Qualifiers. The injury kept her out for almost six months and the selection trials happened during that period. It was indeed a difficult time for her and us, Jaibhagwan Malik, Priya's father, told this daily. Priya resumed training a couple of months after the trials and won a gold medal in the U23 Asian Championship in June. She had also clinched a gold medal each in the U20 World and Asian Championships last year. She might have missed the 2024 Olympics but the 19-year-old wrestler has her sight set firmly on the 2028 Games. She will prepare for the Asian Championship scheduled in 2025. Before that, she will compete in the National Games scheduled early next year. The target is the 2028 Olympics and we will take one step at a time to achieve that goal, signed off the father. Meanwhile, the national championship concluded on Sunday with the competitions in eight weight categories of women's wrestling. Haryana won the overall championship in women's wrestling with 235 points while Maharashtra (150) and Delhi (106) finished second and third, respectively in the team rankings. Disciplinary action against RSPB? The Wrestling Federation of India also held its annual general meeting on the last day of the competition. As the Railway Sports Promotion Board decided not to send entries for the tournament because the WFI remains suspended by the sports ministry, the federation discussed the issue in the AGM The RSPB even forced a wrestler to pull out after winning a bout. The issue was discussed in the meeting. The member units have authorised the WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh to initiate action against the RSPB. Whatever decision he takes will be put before the executive board, which in turn will place it before the AGM for approval. A disciplinary action could be taken against the Railway as it is affiliated to the WFI and cannot skip the meet like this, a source keeping a track of the developments told this daily. Non-participation could also hamper Railway wrestlers' chances of competing in the 2024 National Games. Besides, the WFI decided that selection for the future events and national camp will be based on the results of the Bengaluru nationals making it worse for the Railway wrestlers. The WFI also asked its executive board to devise a strategy to prevent wrestlers from changing their states frequently for the competitions.

6 farmers hospitalized after tear gas shelling at Punjab-Haryana border

VP praise Haryana CM as Charioteer at Geeta Mahotsava in Kurukshetra

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar lauded Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar as the Charioteer of Haryana during his visit to the International Gita Mahotasav 2024 in Kurukshetra. Dhankhar emphasized the importance of the Bhagavad Gita's message and praised India's progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, highlighting the nation's journey towards becoming a developed nation.

Farmers created ruckus again, tied iron spikes to ropes to take down police morcha: Ambala police

Farmers protesting for guaranteed minimum support prices (MSP) clashed with police on the Shambhu border near Ambala, Haryana, during a Delhi march. Police used tear gas to disperse farmers attempting to breach barricades. Authorities maintained tight security and urged farmers to provide identification and obtain permission for their march.

Delhi receives light rain, temperature to decrease after December 9

Delhi experienced light rain on Sunday. A western disturbance caused the rain. Temperatures will drop in North India after December 9. A cold wave is predicted. The cold wave will affect Rajasthan first. It will then impact Punjab, Haryana, and other areas. Delhi government has set up night shelters for the homeless.

Rain and cold wave to sweep through Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana starting Dec 9: IMD alert

A cold wave will affect Northern India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, from December 9 to December 14. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts light rain over the coming days due to a Western Disturbance, which will also bring snowfall to the northern hills. Additionally, Delhi's air quality has deteriorated, with a significant drop in temperatures expected. Dense fog on December 9 and 10 could disrupt travel.

Farmers' protest: Plea in SC seeks direction to clear blockage of highways in Punjab

NEW DELHI: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre and others to immediately clear the blockage of national and state highways in Punjab where farmers are staging protests. Farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. The plea, filed in the apex court by a social activist hailing from Punjab, also sought directions to the Centre and others to remove restrictions on farmers' protests and to ensure that national highways and railway tracks are not blocked by the agitating farmers. It has alleged that farmers' and farmer unions have blocked the entire national and state highways in Punjab permanently and for an indefinite period. As per the cause list of December 9 uploaded on the apex court website, a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant is slated to hear the plea. The alleged farmers and their farmer unions have blocked the national highway at the entry point of Punjab i.e. Shambu for more than one year and recently have blocked national and state highways in the entire state of Punjab at various locations on October 24, 2024, the plea said. It claimed the blockage of highways was a threat to national security as the entire Army movement towards the northern borders of the country passes through Punjab. People of Punjab and neighbouring states are facing great difficulty as they are unable to reach hospitals on time in case of medical emergency, as even ambulances are being stopped from running on national and state highways in the entire state of Punjab, the plea said. It said free movement on highways comes under the fundamental right of the citizen, which is being violated by the farmers by blocking them in the entire state of Punjab. The state of Punjab is being targeted by the foreign, external and anti-national forces with the intention to use alleged farmers and farmer unions to de-stable Punjab as Punjab is the backbone of the entire country and has a history of facing many attacks from neighbouring countries, the plea claimed. 'Delhi Chalo' protest halted as Haryana cops use teargas, water cannons on farmers, leaving eight injured

Farmers' Protest: PIL Filed In Supreme Court Seeking Removal Of Blockades On Punjab Highways

Farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13.

'Delhi Chalo' protest halted as Haryana cops use teargas, water cannons on farmers, leaving eight injured

CHANDIGARH: The Delhi Chalo march was suspended for the day on Sunday after eight farmers were injured by tear gas shells fired by Haryana police, who thwarted yet another attempt by protesters to cross the Punjab-Haryana border. Farmer leaders said they will decide the next course of action on Monday. Earlier in the day, a group of 101 farmers (Jatha), wearing face masks and eye gear to shield themselves from tear gas, resumed their foot march to the national capital from the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana. However, after walking for a few metres from their protest site the farmers were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police and were asked to show the requisite permission to take out the foot march. Following a heated argument between the framers, the Haryana police personnel began using pepper spray and tear gas shells after a few farmers attempted to pull out the iron mesh fencing. Due to strong winds, the smoke from the tear gas shells is also caused problems for the police personnel. The farmers were sitting close to the cemented wall holding flags and arranged water bottles, salt, and jute bags to save them from the impact of tear gas. Notably, the protesting farmers have been urging the Union government to provide a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). In addition to MSP, their demands include a farm debt waiver, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases against farmers, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Farmer leader announces suspension of 'Delhi Chalo' march for today, cites injuries from teargas shells In a symbolic gesture, police had earlier sprinkled flower petals on farmers at the site before deploying barricades and using tear gas shells to block their advance. Moreover, to placate the protesting farmers, tea and biscuits were being offered to them at the Shambhu border over Ghaggar River. But the protesters claimed it was all a drama as the police soon lobbed teargas shells and used water jets to disperse them when they insisted on crossing the Shambhu border. The police are asking for identity cards, but they should give a guarantee that they would allow us to go to Delhi. They say that there is no permission to go to Delhi, then why we should give the identity cards. We will give identity cards if they allow us to go to Delhi, said a farmer. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said at least eight farmers were injured and one of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) at Chandigarh. We have called back the 'jatha'. We would decide their next course of action after a meeting of both forums -- the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, he said. Pandher added that police showering flowers and offering biscuit and tea was merely a gimmick and claimed that police used rubber bullets at the protesters. He also alleged that the flowers had been laced with chemicals. It is sad how chemicals were present in flowers; thus many were injured. Its wrong how they attacked by luring us, Pandher said. Meanwhile, today's jatha consists of relatively young farmers. Deputy Superintendent of Police of Haryana Police Varinder Kumar said the action was taken after the protesting farmers started pulling the iron mesh which is the last line of defence. He claimed that farmer leaders shared a list of 101 farmers but around 300 farmers reached near the fence. The police had to maintain law and order and we just followed orders. The action was taken as few farmers took law in their hand, he added. Earlier in the day following a written application from the Haryana police to their Punjab counterparts, the state Public Relations department has been asked to ensure that media stays away from the Shambhu border to avoid any injuries. But the Punjab Police has faced the farmers ire as police personnel tried to stop the media around 600 metres away from the barricades. The farmer leaders, farmers have sat on dharna asking the police to allow media to reach the border. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that media has been deliberately kept away from the Shambhu border so that they could not report the atrocities being inflicted upon farmers. Farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha restarted their Delhi Chalo march today. Delhi farmers to hold mahapanchayat on December 22

'Delhi Chalo' suspended again after eight farmers injured

CHANDIGARH: The Delhi Chalo foot march was suspended again after eight farmers were injured due to tear gas shells fired by the Haryana Police. A group of 101 farmers (Jatha) wearing face masks and eye gear to protect themselves from teargas shells once again resumed their foot march to the national capital from the Shambhu border (Punjab and Haryana border). They aim to press the Union Government for various demands, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Farmer leader announces suspension of 'Delhi Chalo' march for today, cites injuries from teargas shells However, after walking for a few metres from their protest site the farmers were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police and were asked to show the requisite permission to take out the foot march. Following a heated argument between the framers and Haryana Police personnel. The police used pepper spray and tear gas shells after a few farmers attempted to pull out the iron mesh fencing. Due to strong winds, the smoke from the tear gas shells is also caused problems for the police personnel. The farmers were sitting close to the cemented wall holding flags and arranged water bottles, salt, and jute bags to save them from the impact of tear gas. Meanwhile, in a symbolic gesture, police sprinkled flower petals on farmers at the site before deploying barricades and using tear gas shells to block their advance. Moreover, to placate the protesting farmers, tea and biscuits were being offered to them at the Shambhu border over Ghaggar River. The police are asking for identity cards, but they should give a guarantee that they would allow us to go to Delhi. They say that there is no permission to go to Delhi, then why we should give the identity cards. We will give identity cards if they allow us to go to Delhi, said a farmer. Delhi farmers to hold mahapanchayat on December 22 Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said at least eight farmers were injured and one of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) at Chandigarh. We have called back the 'jatha'. We would decide their next course of action after a meeting of both forums -- the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha . He said that police showering flowers and offering biscuit and tea was merely a gimmick and claimed that police used rubber bullets at the protesters. Pandher alleged that the flowers were laced with chemicals. It is sad how chemicals were present in flowers thus many were injured. Its wrong how they attacked by luring us, he said. Meanwhile, today's jatha consists of relatively young farmers. Deputy Superintendent of Police of Haryana Police Varinder Kumar said the action was taken after the protesting farmers started pulling the iron mesh which is the last line of defence. He claimed that farmer leaders shared a list of 101 farmers but around 300 farmers reached near the fence. The police had to maintain law and order and we just followed orders. The action was taken as few farmers took law in their hand, he added. Earlier in the day following a written application from the Haryana police to their Punjab counterparts, the state Public Relations department has been asked to ensure that media stays away from the Shambhu border to avoid any injuries. But the Punjab Police has faced the farmers ire as police personnel tried to stop the media around 600 metres away from the barricades. The farmer leaders, farmers have sat on dharna asking the police to allow media to reach the border. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that media has been deliberately kept away from the Shambhu border so that they could not report the atrocities being inflicted upon farmers. Farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha restarted their Delhi Chalo march today.

Farmers' protest: SC to hear PIL seeking clearance of highways in Punjab on Dec 9

The Supreme Court will address a plea to clear blockades on Punjab highways caused by farmer protests. Farmers resumed their 'Delhi Chalo' march on Sunday, facing tear gas and injuries at the Haryana border. The march was temporarily suspended after police intervention. Farmers are demanding legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price, among other issues.

`Rain likely in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR; cold wave to follow from Monday`

The cold wave will first hit Rajasthan, followed by Punjab and Haryana, an IMD official said

Farmers Suspend March To Delhi After Tear Gas Clash With Haryana Security | To Continue Later

Protesting farmers on Sunday paused their march to Delhi after some were injured due to tear gas shelling by Haryana security forces at the Punjab-Haryana border.Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher confirmed that at least eight farmers were hurt, and one was taken to PGIMER in Chandigarh for treatment.Pandher said the group of 101 farmers, known as the 'jatha', had been called back, and their future course of action would be discussed in a meeting of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.The march had started again from the Shambhu protest site but was quickly stopped by a series of barricades set up by Haryana security forces. n18oc_indiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

Anil Vij hits back at Rahul Gandhi over farmers issues, defends BJPs record

Anil Vij hits back at Rahul Gandhi over farmers issues, defends BJPs record Ambala: In a sharp response to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhis condemnation of tear gas being fired on protesting farmers, Haryanas Transport Minister Anil Vij on Sunday questioned Congress role in the current plight of farmers, emphasising that it was Congress decades-long [] The post Anil Vij hits back at Rahul Gandhi over farmers issues, defends BJPs record appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

PM Modi to launch Bima Sakhi scheme to empower women in Haryana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on December 9 to launch 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' in line with his commitment to women empowerment and financial inclusion.

Farmers' march stopped at barricades, teargas shells fired

Shambhu: A 'jatha' (group) of 101 farmers resumed its foot march to Delhi Sunday afternoon from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border, but was soon halted by a multilayered barricading erected by the Haryana security personnel.Teargas shells were lobbed and water jets were shot through cannons to disperse the protesters after they reached the barricades. Ambala police had earlier said the farmers' outfits may march to Delhi only after getting permission from the national capital administration. The group, dubbed as 'marjeevras', (someone willing to die for a cause), was marching for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price. They were stopped only a few metres away. One of the Haryana security personnel was seen asking farmers to show permission to march to Delhi. First we will identify them to see whether they have any permission. We have got the list (of 101 farmers) but they are not those whose names are mentioned in the list. They are not giving their identities which means they are coming in the shape of a mob, he told reporters at the site. A farmer said, They are saying that our names were not on the list. We do not know which list they have. When we asked them whether they would allow us to move ahead after verifying our identities, they told us then we would have to show the permission. As the confrontation escalated, the security forces lobbed tear gas shells. The gas forced the farmers, many of whom had covered their faces and were wearing protective eyewear, to recede a few metres. Some tried to cover the shells with wet jute bags. Farmers claimed that one of the protesters was injured in the attack and had to seek hospital care. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said their protest reached 300 days on Sunday. Farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Farmer leader Tejveer Singh asked why farmers were stopped from moving ahead when they were peacefully going on foot. What objection does Haryana have? He said the farmers would not have to march to the capital had the Centre accepted their demands. Earlier, the central ministers and BJP leaders raised an objection to farmers going to Delhi with their tractors and trolleys, but now what is their case when are marching on foot, he said. Haryana Police has written to its Punjab counterpart asking it to ensure media personnel are stopped at a safe distance from the protest site for the sake of their safety. It had earlier asked the farmers not to proceed with the march and cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. On Friday too, farmers had to suspend their march after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells. Pandher had on Saturday said farmers hadn't heard from the Centre on the matter. Shortly before the farmers' march on Friday, the Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS service in 11 villages of the Ambala district till December 9. The farmers had earlier attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by security forces deployed at the border points. Besides MSP, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.

PM Modi To Visit Rajasthan and Haryana Tomorrow: Global Investment, 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' On Agenda

Haryana Police fires teargas shells to halt farmers march at Shambu border

Chandigarh: Haryana security personnel lobbed teargas shells to disperse protesting farmers as they neared multi-layered barricades at the Shambhu border point between the state and neighbouring Punjab Sunday. The teargas shells forced the farmers, some of whom had covered their faces and were wearing protective eyewear, to get back a few metres. Some were seen []

Haryana Police uses teargas to halt farmers` march at Shambu border

Haryana Police used teargas to disperse protesting farmers at the Shambu border as they resumed their march to Delhi, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP. The farmers` protest continues as tensions rise.

Haryana police stop farmers as they resume Delhi march

A group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi on Sunday to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, they were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police who cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration. The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP, a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.

Farmers resume march from Shambhu border towards Delhi, stopped after walking for few metres

Chandigarh: A group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi shortly after 12 noon Sunday from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, after walking for a few metres, they were stopped at the barricade []

Farmers' March Resumes from Shambhu Border, Halted Shortly After

Chandigarh: A group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi shortly after 12 noon on Sunday from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).However, after walking for a few metres, they were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police. Haryana Police asked the farmers to show them the requisite permission to take out the foot march. The Haryana Police had earlier asked the farmers not to proceed further and cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. Protesting farmers had on Friday suspended their march to the national capital for the day after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells fired by security personnel, who stopped them at the Punjab-Haryana border. The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. They have also been pressing the Centre to initiate talks with them to address their issues. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday had said that they had not received any message from the Centre for talks to address their issues. The Haryana Police has written to its Punjab counterpart asking it to ensure media personnel are stopped at a safe distance from the protest site for their safety as well as to ensure ease in maintaining law and order. As part of a call given by the farmer unions Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, a 'jatha' of 101 farmers began its march to Delhi on Friday from their protest site at the Shambhu border to press for their demands. The group was stopped by multi-layered barricading erected by Haryana security personnel. Undeterred by prohibitory orders, the farmers attempted to force their way through the barricades but were stopped by security personnel who lobbed multiple tear gas shells to force them to go back to their protest site at Shambhu. Farmers had earlier said that they had appealed to the government to either hold a dialogue with the protesting farmers or allow us to move to Delhi. However, the Haryana Police had said protesting farmers created ruckus and also made their best efforts to demolish police barricades set up at the Haryana side of the border. Ambala police had said the farmers' outfits should march to Delhi after taking permission from the Delhi administration. Shortly before the farmers' march, the Haryana government on Friday suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS service in 11 villages of the Ambala district till December 9. The protesting farmers had earlier attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by security forces deployed at the border points. Besides MSP, the farmers are also demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.

Haryana boy rides on car roof, says policeman father will protect him, video goes viral

In the viral video, Rakshit is seen sitting on the roof of a Mahindra Thar. The clip then shifts to his father, who is seen inside the vehicle wearing a police uniform.

Delhi chalo: Haryana police fire teargas at farmers as they near barricades at Sambhu border

CHANDIGARH: Haryana police on Sunday hurled tear gas shells at the farmers as they neared multi-layered barricades at the Sambhu border. The teargas shells forced the farmers, some of whom had covered their faces and were wearing protective eyewear, to get back a few metres. Some were seen covering the shells with wet jute bags The group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi from their protest site at the Shambhu border at noon to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, after walking for a few metres, they were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police. Haryana Police asked the farmers to show them the requisite permission to take out the foot march. Their earlier attempt on Friday was also halted when security personnel fired tear gas at the border, leaving several protesters injured. The farmers had been trying to move toward the national capital but temporarily suspended their efforts following the confrontation. #WATCH | Shambhu border | Farmers can be seen wearing face shields as their 'Dilli Chalo' march - protesting over various demands commences today pic.twitter.com/aAZThMSl24 ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024 Security has been tightened at Delhi's Singhu border on Sunday ahead of a protest march. Delhi Police is on alert and security has been tightened at the Singhu border. A skeletal deployment has been made at the Singhu border but it may increase as per the situation at the Shambu border, a senior police officer told PTI. The Haryana government has also imposed prohibitory orders and suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages in Ambala district, with the restrictions set to remain in place until next week. Concertina wire barricades are placed on a bridge at the protest site at Shambhu Border before the start of farmers march towards Delhi, The announcement to start the march towards the national capital came after two attempts by farmer groups under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) to reach Delhi in February were stopped by security forces. The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. Besides MSP, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also among their demands. (Inputs from PTI)

Farmers to resume 'Delhi Chalo' protest march today

Farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha will restart their 'Delhi chalo' march on Sunday, with a 101-member delegation set to begin their protest from the Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab at noon.

Security beefed up at Delhis Singhu border ahead of farmers march

New Delhi, Dec 8: Security was tightened at Delhis Singhu border on Sunday ahead of a protest march by farmers to the national capital to press their various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). A group of 101 farmers will resume their foot march to Delhi at 12 noon from the Shambhu border point between Punjab and Haryana. Delhi Police is on alert and security has been tightened at the Singhu border. A skeletal deployment has [] The post Security beefed up at Delhis Singhu border ahead of farmers march appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Mamata Banerjee is a capable leader, says Sharad Pawar on her willingness to head INDIA bloc

MUMBAI: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has supported West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement expressing her willingness to take charge of the INDIA bloc. Talking to reporters in Kolhapur on Saturday, Pawar said the Trinamool Congress chief is a capable leader and has the right to show her intent to head the opposition alliance. Earlier this week, Banerjee said she could manage the dual responsibility of running the opposition front while continuing her role as the chief minister of West Bengal. Her statement comes at a time when broader tensions have emerged within the INDIA bloc due to dissatisfaction from various regional parties and the recent electoral setbacks for the Congress in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra. Asked about Banerjee's remark, Pawar said, She is a capable leader in the country and has the right to say it. The MPs she has sent to the Parliament are hardworking and aware. Want Mamata Banerjee to be major partner of INDIA bloc, will soon talk to her: Sanjay Raut

Farmers Plan to Resume 'Dilli Chalo' March from Shambhu Border

Protesting farmers, two days after halting their Dilli Chalo agitation, have announced plans to resume their march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border, located between Punjab and Haryana, on Sunday. The farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and loan waivers, crucial for their financial survival. Originally a protest against agricultural laws, the movement has now expanded to include broader economic demands, such as debt relief and pension provisions. Despite a pause earlier this week, farmer leaders said they are resuming the march due to a lack of government response. MSP must be legally guaranteed, and loans must be waived for struggling farmers. Our fight continues, and we will not rest until our demands are met, said a leader of the protest. Authorities are on high alert, with heavy police and paramilitary presence at the Shambhu border to prevent any unrest. Security forces are also monitoring key entry points, anticipating potential clashes. The Haryana Police had previously stopped farmers with tear gas at the border, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS. The farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, had been halted by multi-layered barricades, but they remain resolute in pressing their demands. They are also calling for talks with the Centre to address their concerns. The Haryana Police had also warned that media personnel should maintain a safe distance from the protest site. The farmers have reiterated their demands for MSP guarantees, farm debt waivers, and justice for those affected by previous agitations, including the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.

PM Modi To Visit Rajasthan, Haryana Monday For Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, Bima Sakhi Yojana

In Haryana, he will also lay the foundation stone of the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, a press release said.

Morning Visuals From Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border Where Farmers Are Protesting Over Various Demands

| Morning visuals from the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border where the farmers are protesting over various demands. A 'Jattha' of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi today at 12 noon according to farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher. n18oc_shortsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

Driving Dreams

BHUBANESWAR: At the tender age of 16, Santoshi Deos life took a terrible turn when she was married off to a Brahmin family in Haryana. What followed was a harrowing tale of dowry torture and domestic violence that nearly crushed her spirit. But she refused to bow down to the circumstances and chose to fight back. Two decades later, this school drop-outs journey from mineral-rich Keonjhar district is a remarkable story of resilience, grit, and determination. Santoshi left her in-laws house, worked in a spinning mill in Tamil Nadu, drove an auto-rickshaw, bus and did whatever she could to eke out a living. This gritty woman, sixth among nine children of her parents, is an inspiration for many as she drives a 40-tonne Volvo truck, once a men-only job, through the uneven patches of an iron ore mine in Koida in Sundargarh district. After her return to her parental home at Badamuni village under Handibhanga panchayat in Sadar block, she, however, faced humiliation instead of family support. Undeterred, she resolved to forge her own path and migrated to Tamil Nadu in search of livelihood to work at a spinning mill. A couple of months after I left my in-laws house, I got the opportunity to work in the spinning mill. There, I gave birth to my daughter in 2012. For the next three years, I toiled hard, saving every penny to raise my daughter and build a better future, she said. In Chennai, she came across a woman driving an auto-rickshaw and it sparked a dream. If she can drive, why cant I, she thought and this became the turning point in her life. In 2015, with her savings and a small loan, she bought an auto-rickshaw and returned to Keonjhar. It was not long before she moved to Bhubaneswar in 2017 to secure a better future for her daughter. She enrolled her child in a government primary school in the city and began driving an auto to support their modest living, earning praises from the then chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority Subroto Bagchi and many top bureaucrats. In 2015, with her savings and a small loan, she bought an auto-rickshaw and returned to Keonjhar. However, her ambitions did not stop there. She trained herself to drive heavy vehicles. Her hard work paid off when she was hired as a driver for Mo Bus, a city bus service run by Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), in 2021. For a brief moment, she became the face of women empowerment as Odishas lone woman bus driver. Surprising though, her success story led to her dismissal. I was deployed as a driver of Mo Bus for the Railway Station-Patrapada route. As I was the first woman bus driver, local media highlighted it. A month later, my authorities disengaged me. I am yet to comprehend what was my fault, she said. Yet again, life tested her resolve. She returned to auto-rickshaw driving to sustain her family. Six months ago, a mining company recognised her perseverance and courage. She was offered to drive a Volvo truck, a role predominantly dominated by men. She now earns a monthly salary of Rs 22,000, proving that with determination, no dream is unattainable. Her personal life, however, remains a battle. Trapped in a marriage she wants to leave behind, she has filed for divorce from her husband, who refuses to grant it. In 2017, she even drove her auto-rickshaw all the way to New Delhi to track her husband and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking justice for herself and her daughter. I could not meet him. But I met Union Minister Jual Oram and submitted my representation, she said. Santoshi has built a house in her native village where she stays with her mother while her daughter stays in the hostel. She still drives auto during her off-days for some extra bucks. She drove it to Ayodhya to attend the inauguration ceremony of Ram Mandir in January and drew appreciation at different locations during her journey from Odisha to Uttar Pradesh.

Understanding the population and demographic challenge

NEW DELHI: Recent remarks by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and two chief ministers of Southern states have ignited a heated debate around crucial issues such as Indias demographic trends, declining fertility rates, and the pressing social and economic challenges the country faces. Bhagwats suggestion that Indian couples should aim to have at least three children to bolster the nations population, sparked not only a political backlash, but also raised significant concerns about the perception of reducing women to mere child bearers while overlooking their autonomy and reproductive rights. He cited a scientific concept known as the Total fertility rate (TFR), advocating for families to have three children instead of the familiar slogan of Hum Do Hamare Do (We two, ours two). This well-known phrase was integral to Indias national family planning programme and has been a staple in the public consciousness for decades. TFR represents the average number of children a woman is expected to bear throughout her reproductive years, serving as a key indicator of population growth and demographic health. Our countrys population policy, formulated in 1998 or 2002, clearly says that the total fertility rate should not be below 2.1. Now when we say 2.1, it is not feasible to have children in fraction. So when we say 2.1, this means it should be more, at least three. Population science says so, Bhagwat said. RSS earlier stance Though population control policy has always been high on the BJP and RSS agenda, the RSS had adopted a measured approach to it. In his 2022 Vijayadashami speech, Bhagwat argued in favour of a comprehensive population control policy to tackle demographic challenges over the next 50 years. He also said that religion-based population balance is an important subject that cant be ignored. If population is used correctly, it is not a burden, but rather a means. We have a demographic dividend. China is getting old. We are going to remain young for the next 30 years... We also have to think about the population. How many people can our country feed after 50 years... A comprehensive policy is required, he had said. In 2004 and 2015, the RSS passed resolutions on population control policy. In 2015, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Champat Rai said family planning was not a personal matter for Hindus anymore and if they adhered to the one-child norm, Muslims would take over the country. Responding to Bhagwats remarks, former Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha told this paper that by advocating a three-child norm, the RSS chief addressed a crucial concern of decline in the young population. In 2019, Sinha, then a BJP MP moved a private members bill proposing that every government employee shall give an undertaking to not procreate more than two children and to reward those who follow the two-child policy. Sinha is of the view that demographic imbalance in terms of the rising population of Muslims vis--vis Hindus, is a major concern that needs to be addressed. As per the 2011 Census, the Hindu population is decreasing in the country. We cant deny that truth, said Sinha, adding that the social discourse must get more attention. While Sinha withdrew the bill later, he said there was no contradiction with the government on it. Govt and RSS not on same page? Activists and the Opposition parties point out that the BJP and RSS are speaking in different voices on the issue. Raising it for the first time during his Independence Day speech in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the issue of an ever-rising population is a matter of concern and that a small section of society, which keeps their families small, deserves respect. During the interim Budget speech in February this year, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will form a high-powered committee to look into the challenges arising from fast population growth and demographic changes. The committee is yet to be formed. In an affidavit to the Supreme Court in 2020, the Union government said it cannot coerce couples into having a certain number of children to curb population explosion as it will be counter-productive. Some of the BJP-ruled states such as Assam and Uttar Pradesh have introduced stringent measures to control population growth. The Assam government in 2017 passed a law to prohibit individuals with more than two children from applying for government jobs. The state Law Commission of Uttar Pradesh proposed that families exceeding the two-child norm should not receive government subsidies. On the other hand, to address issues of low fertility rates and an aging population, Andhra Pradesh recently scrapped the two-child policy. Telangana is also likely to reverse the two-child criteria for local body poll contestants soon. Other states that scrapped the two-child policy include Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Population policy In 1952, India became the first nation globally to initiate a comprehensive national programme focused on family planning. This pioneering effort aimed to reduce birth rates to stabilise the population at a level appropriate for supporting the nations economic needs. The initiative was designed to align demographic growth with the sustainable requirements of the economy, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to population management during a critical period in the countrys development. The National Health Policy established in 1983 set an ambitious goal for India to achieve replacement TFR levels by 2000. This policy emphasised the importance of population control to ensure sustainable development. Fast forward to May 11, 2000, when India introduced its National Population Policy. This forward-looking policy sought to comprehensively address the nations reproductive and child health requirements while outlining a strategic plan to stabilise the population by 2045. Through a multifaceted approach, the policy aimed to promote health, empower families, and ensure a balanced demographic future. In 2023, India officially surpassed China as the worlds most populous nation, with the United Nations reporting a population of 1,425,775,850, determined through a combination of census data and analyses of birth and death rates. Projections indicate that Indias population may peak at 1.7 billion by 2064. Approximately 86,000 children are born daily in India, compared to 49,400 in China, which implemented a stringent one-child policy in the 1980s. Challenging the prevailing narrative, Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India (PFI), says, Indias population debate needs a shift from fear-mongering to empowering policies. The declining fertility rate is not a crisis but an opportunity to invest in health, education, and gender equality. India's population projected to reach 1.53 billion by 2100: How can it leverage this growth? Why southern states are aggrieved In the last three months, the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have urged couples in their states to have more children to arrest the lower population growth rates. Unlike other states, the South faces a peculiar problem of looming political crisis because of the impending delimitation exercise. There is a fear among the Southern states which successfully controlled population growth that a reconfiguration based on current census data could drastically cut their representation in the Lok Sabha. The Union government is expected to begin the next census in 2025 and the delimitation process by 2027. The Southern states have flagged their concerns that if the delimitation is conducted on the basis of population census, it would reduce their representation in Parliament. We are considering incentivising families with more children to encourage couples to expand their families, said key NDA ally and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on October 19. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said in a lighter vein, Why not aim for 16 children? Speaking to this newspaper, TDP MP and Parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said that the delimitation policy should be reworked and more consultations with stakeholders should be undertaken to address the states concerns. Our primary concern is the impending census and delimitation exercise. As per the existing formula, states like Andhra Pradesh, which successfully achieved population control, will lose out to other states. Our seats in Parliament will not be proportionally increased as other Northern states like Bihar or UP, he said. Speaking to this newspaper, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said that the devolution of funds to Southern states by the Finance Commission is a major concern for Tamil Nadu. It is unfair that the Southern states are being penalised for successfully controlling population growth. The formula for allocation of funds based on population should be relooked at, said Siva. Echoing the view, DMK MP M M Abdulla told this newspaper that the southern states shouldnt lose seats through the delimitation exercise. Chandrababu Naidu's more children appeal and Andhra Pradesh's population conundrum Concerns on delimitation Indias changing demographic landscape with significant changes in population shares between states is expected to have substantial political implications, especially regarding electoral representation or the allocation of state-wise parliamentary seats and central revenue transfers to the states, said Dr Srinivas Goli, an Associate Professor specialising in Demography at the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS). As per the estimates from the National Population Commission report for India and states, the projected population shares of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan will experience a notable rise in the coming decades, while all other southern states, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra would experience a significant decline in population shares. This uneven population growth and allocation of parliamentary seats based on population size thereby have ignited a political debate on the possible loss of political representation for some states, once the freeze on the boundary of the constituencies, based on the 1971 population, is lifted, Dr Goli added. Centre likely to begin population census in 2025, with Lok Sabha delimitation exercise set for 2028 Is the fertility rate declining? In a written reply on December 6, Union health minister J P Nadda said, As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of India stands at 2.0 in NFHS-5 (201921) from 2.7 in NFHS-3 (200506). He, however, skillfully sidestepped the pressing question of whether the government intends to draft any legislation imposing restrictions on population growth, specifically a cap that would limit families to a maximum of two children. According to the latest report from the Sample Registration System (2022), an interesting demographic trend has emerged across India. Four states stand out with notably higher total fertility rates: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, with figures of 3.0, 2.7, 2.6, and 2.4 children per woman, respectively. In stark contrast, most other Indian states achieved fertility rates below the replacement level defined as two children per woman or are very close to this benchmark. Regions in northern India, such as Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana, showcase particularly low fertility rates, indicative of changing social dynamics and family planning practices. Similarly, eastern states like West Bengal and Odisha have also reported low fertility rates, reflecting broader demographic shifts across the country. This data highlights the diverse reproductive trends in India and suggests significant regional variations in family size and planning. Discussing the demographic shifts over the past 50 years, Professor Udaya S Mishra, a faculty member in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai, which operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said, The demographic change in India during last 50 years qualifies to a pace of transition that is healthy and has its inherent regional divide which helps in internal regional adjustment as regard sustaining the population. Dr Goli said, India completed its demographic transition in just 45 years when the onset of fertility decline occurred in the mid-1970s and was completed in 2020. Although the total fertility rates of several states of India are similar or lesser than those of European and North American countries, the country is far behind in terms of its per capita incomes and human development indicators compared to these countries. For example, while Andhra Pradeshs TFR is the same as Switzerland, its per capita income is 28 times less than that of Switzerland. Similarly, differences can be observed in other development indicators such as education and health status. He noted that several states in India are currently grappling with significantly low fertility rates. In particular, urban areas across four of these states have recorded a startling total fertility rate (TFR) of just 1.2, which categorises them as experiencing ultra-low fertility levels. He explained that these categories lowest-fertility (with a TFR of less than 1.4) and ultra-low fertility (with a TFR of less than 1.2) pose serious long-term challenges. They can fundamentally disrupt the support ratios, meaning fewer working-age adults will be available to support an increasingly ageing population in the future. He said that TFR of anything less than 1.6 is concerning but manageable. According to him, the ideal situation is to maintain a TFR of 1.8 to 2. All five South Indian states have TFR of less than 1.8 with the highest in Karnataka (1.6) and lowest in Tamil Nadu (1.4). This trend reflects significant regional demographic shifts, indicating changing family dynamics and reproductive choices. Declining fertility One reason behind the declining fertility rate could be the aggressive population control measure during the 80s and 90s. Other factors like fast-paced urbanisation, improvement in educational status, especially of women, along with rising marriage age and access to abortion played a crucial role too. Women empowerment, however, played a major role in deciding the size of their family. What also weighed on the minds of couples was the rising cost of living along with expenditure on education, health care and housing. It is not merely the contraceptive but also development transition that has a bearing on sharp reduction in fertility which is not that easily reversible as imagined by the political masters through incentivisation, said Prof Mishra. Comparisons with Nordic countries and South Korea have been drawn. However, Prof Mishra said, a comparison of levels with Nordic countries sounds nave given our size and diversity. Our focus should be on making the most of the human capital at hand that needs to be nurtured and reap the potential. This challenge is overlooked which remains quite significant in the face of technological changes and evolving labour market dynamics. Ground reality Muttreja said that asking women to have more children, as some leaders suggest, undermines their autonomy and ignores systemic issues like rising costs of childcare and healthcare. Instead of coercion, we need policies that support families affordable childcare, parental leave, and workplace flexibility. Demographic challenges like aging populations can be managed with thoughtful solutions, not regressive diktats. Womens choices must be respected if we are to build a progressive, equitable future for India, she said. According to Dr Vasundhara Rangaswamy, a primary care physician in rural Tamil Nadu, the governments job should not be to tell people how many kids they should produce. Instead, it should focus on providing food, proper health services closer to homes, education, and allowing people to decide how many kids they want, she said. Drawing a stark comparison between rural and urban India, she said she has come across health facilities with no blood bank, ambulance services, ultrasound machines or transportation services to cater to pregnant women. She said that there is still a preference for a male child, and cited an example of a woman delivering her fifth or sixth female child in rural Tamil Nadu. On seeing the girl child, the woman, who had undergone a few medical abortions, started howling and told her and other doctors how much money it would cost her to get a male child. The father said they would not be accepted in the community and ran away along with the mother-in-law, leaving the mother alone with the girl child. No one should tell a woman how many kids that person should have. Rather, take care of her health both mental and physical health. The government must pull up its socks and focus on reaching out to people even in the countrys remotest corners with better healthcare and education systems. Concern over ageing population As fertility rates decline, a significant concern arises regarding the ageing population. The issue at hand is not simply that India is experiencing demographic shifts but rather that this shift is occurring rapidly and within a socio-economic context that is less favourable. Dr Goli pointed out that while France and Sweden took 120 years and 80 years, respectively, to see their ageing populations double from 7% to 14%, India is set to undergo this transition in a remarkably short span of just 28 years. According to the UNFPA Ageing Report, 2023, more than 40% of the older individuals in India are in the poorest wealth quintile, including nearly 19% living without an income. Indias population ageing will thus put increased financial pressure on provision of old-age support systems, and particularly for Southern states where population aged 65+ was already 9% by 2021 and expected to grow further in the coming decades. Central India would remain young for three more decades, while the southern region and a few of the northern, western, and eastern Indian states would start experiencing an ageing crisis, he said. Demographic imbalance? Religion-wise differences in fertility has long been a debate in India, with specific religious communities often under scrutiny for higher fertility rates. However, total fertility differentials among communities are no longer a significant concern in India, as fertility rates are converging fast among all socio-religious groups, said Dr Goli. As per the latest estimates from 2019-21, TFR among Hindus is 1.94, Muslims 2.36, Christians 1.88, and Sikhs 1.61. The pace of decline is seen to be faster among Muslims, compared to other religious groups. For instance, while the fertility in the last two decades dropped by 30% among Hindus, the corresponding decline among Muslims was by 35% and it is supposed to be in absolute convergence, by 2030 if current trends continue. Also, it is observed that fertility among Muslims in the South is lower than that of Hindus from several northern and western parts of India, thus there are no such concerns regarding fertility rates of a particular religious community, he said. Need for census Experts said the need for the hour is for the government to conduct a census, which has been delayed. Census is quite essential and this last 14 years have seen a dramatic change in population composition, familial transition that needs to be recognised. Only census only can reveal it. Absence of a census without any dilution like caste census and self-enumeration would perhaps be an eye-opener on the transformation realised in this period, said Prof Mishra.

Farmers To Resume March To Delhi Today, Security Tightened At Shambhu Border

A group of 101 farmers would lead the march from the Delhi-Haryana Shambhu border towards the national capital.

Seasons first cold wave to hit by next week

NEW DELHI: Seasons first cold wave is about to start from next week as a western disturbance is likely to enter western Himalayas. It will set off icy cold winds from snow-clad Himalayas inducing a major drop in temperature next week, said IMD. Under its influence, a light to moderate rainfall will take place in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh and snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. A dense fog is likely to engulf eastern and northwest India. There would be a drop in minimum temperature in the range of 2-8C in northern plains. A fresh Western Disturbance is seen as a trough in middle tropospheric westerlies, the IMD said.

Drop in Indias tuberculosis burden doubled since 2015: Health Minister JP Nadda

NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Saturday said the rate of decline of tuberculosis incidence in India has doubled since 2015 and is ahead of the global average. Speaking at the inauguration of a 100-day nationwide intensified campaign in Haryanas Panchkula to reduce TB cases and mortality, Nadda said, We will take detection, tests, treatment and supportive strategies forward at a fast pace under this programme. The 100-day campaign will be implemented in 347 districts of 33 states where the prevalence of tuberculosis is higher. The campaign is focused on enhancing detection, reducing diagnostic delays and improving treatment outcomes. Government to launch 100-day nationwide TB campaign, denies shortage of anti-TB drugs India, which tops the list of 30 countries with high-burden TB cases, aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the target set by SDG. Nadda highlighted the countrys long struggle in its fight against tuberculosis, saying that at one time TB was considered slow death. Even family members suffering from TB were isolated to prevent its spread. Since 1962, there have been many campaigns against tuberculosis, but in 2018, the Prime Minister put forth a vision to end TB much before the 2030 deadline of the Sustainable Development Goals, he said. We changed strategies to achieve the aim. Services have been decentralised and now, 1,73,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will have the facilities to detect and treat tuberculosis, the minister said. He also said molecular technologies have been introduced for TB detection. Also, a new and shorter regimen of tuberculosis treatment has been started to help increase compliance and fight TB, he said. Nadda highlighted that the rate of TB incidence decline in India has doubled from 8.3 per cent in 2015 to 17.7 per cent now, which is much ahead of the global average. TB deaths have also reduced significantly in India by 21.4 per cent in the last 10 years, he said. Ni-kshay support worth Rs 3,338 crore has been provided through direct benefit transfer to over 1.17 crore tuberculosis patients, Nadda said, underscoring that the government has increased Ni-kshay poshan amount from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 and added energy boosters for the nourishment of patients.

Farmers To Resume 'Delhi Chalo' March Today, Shambhu Border Barricaded

Protesting farmers will resume their 'Dilli Chalo' march today, two days after the police used tear gas to stop them from proceeding towards Delhi at the Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab.

WB, Manipur, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maha dominate Day-2 Daily Excelsior

WB, Manipur, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maha dominate Day-2Daily Excelsior

WB, Manipur, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maha dominate Day-2

68th NSG U-17 Girls Football Cship Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 7: Registering twin victories, the teams from West Bengal, Manipur, Haryana, Kerala and Maharashtra dominated the Day-2 proceedings and almost certainly have sealed berth in the last 16 stage, while J&K suffered a defeat by Manipur in the ongoing 68th National School Games (NSG) U-17 Girls Football Championship, being organised by Directorate of Youth Services and Sports (YSS), under the auspices of School Games Federation of India (SGFI) at [] The post WB, Manipur, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maha dominate Day-2 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Sharad Pawar Backs Mamata Banerjee's Leadership Potential

Mumbai : Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday acknowledged the leadership potential of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, emphasising her prominence as a national leader and the competence of her party's representatives in Parliament. Pawar expressed his support, stating, Yes, certainly (she is capable of leading the alliance). She is a prominent leader of this nation... she has that capability. The elected leaders she sent to Parliament are responsible, dutiful, and well-aware people. Therefore, she has the right to say so. Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Kishan responded, saying, If Mamata Banerjee feels so, then she should take the leadership. Although the entire party has already disintegrated... these people are only opportunists. When the elections came, they came together, but now, they are stepping back. Earlier, Senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo remarked that Mamata Banerjee, being a member of the INDIA alliance, would have any decisions regarding her future role made collectively by the alliance members. She has her opinion and intent. Mamata is a member of the INDIA alliance. Whatever conversations happen, it is natural that everyone will sit together and decide, said TS Singh Deo, responding to a question about Mamata Banerjee's willingness to lead the alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also expressed support for Mamata Banerjee's role in the alliance, saying that they also want her to be a major partner. He added that they would soon meet her in Kolkata. We know Mamata ji's opinion. We also want her to be a major partner of the INDIA bloc. Whether it is Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, or Shiv Sena, we are all together. We will soon go to talk to Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, Raut said at a press conference. On December 3, Congress MP Kirti Azad responded to suggestions by TMC leaders that Mamata Banerjee should lead the INDIA bloc following Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Azad praised Mamata, saying, Mamata Banerjee has a 100 per cent record. Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a humiliating defeat, it was only in West Bengal... Whenever he comes to insult Bengal and its honour, her vote share increases. He further said that Mamata Banerjee is known for her articulate views and that She is a very senior leader. She speaks clearly. She (Mamata Banerjee) resides in every household in West Bengal, in every household in the country... Mamata Banerjee is someone who takes everyone together. She calls people only after making preparations and taking her time, he added. On November 26, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee suggested that one strong leader is needed to lead the INDIA bloc following the defeat of Congress in the Haryana and Maharashtra assembly polls. He further said that the opposition alliance should be stronger to take on the BJP. The Congress has failed to achieve the desired result either in Haryana or in Maharashtra. We had tremendous hope from the Congress that they would do better. The INDIA alliance is there, but the expected result could not be achieved. And there is a great failure on the part of Congress to achieve the result... Today it is necessary if you want to fight against the BJP, the INDIA alliance should be stronger. And to make it stronger, one leader is required. Now, who can be the leader? That's the core question. Congress has done it. All experiments have been done, but they have failed... he stated.

Revanth Heading Madari Sarkar: Nadda

HYDERABAD: BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda termed the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government as madari sarkar and jadugar sarkar, deceiving the people with false promises. He said that the Congress had come to power by playing with the emotions of the people with tall promises. Addressing a public meeting at Saroornagar stadium here on Saturday, Nadda said that the Congress leaders wrore by the culture of enjoy as long as you live. The Congress has been rooted out in Tamil Nadu 60 years ago, was out of power for over 30 years in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and 25 years in Bihar, he said. On the other hand, the BJP governments stood by the wishes of the people, whose trust in them is of a very high order. The BJP won in Gujarat for a record sixth time, four times in Madhya Pradesh, thrice in Haryana and Goa and twice in UP, Maharashtra, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Assam and other states. The anti-women, anti-farmer, anti-employees and anti-BCs government in Telangana would be sent packing by the people, Nadda saud. He pointed out at the state-of-affairs in the Congress-led Karnataka. Stating that the Revanth Reddy government had failed to fulfill its promises to the people, Nadda said that the party would be dealt a major blow in all states it is ruling. Nadda asked the gathering whether they had received Vidya Barosa card, unemployment allowance, farm loan waiver, Rythu Bharosa benefits, Shadi mubarak cheques, and the people responded negatively. The Telangana BJP organised the public meeting after week-long awareness programmes in all 119 Assembly segments and having releasing a charge-sheet against the incumbent government. State BJP chief and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy said that Revanth Reddy and his predecessor L. Chandrasekhar were behaving like twins. A number of party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers, including Union minister of state Bandi Sanjay, MPs Dr K. Laxman, Etala Rajendar, D.K. Aruna and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, MLAs and party leaders took part in the meeting.

Poll Setback: Congress, to Rejig State Units

New Delhi: Taking lessons from the recent poll debacles in Haryana and Maharashtra, the Congress has decided to revamp several of its state units and has started in earnest with Uttar Pradesh. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge has dissolved the entire Cong UP unit. The top party leaders have been asked to tour the state and hold parleys with the state cadre. After the dissolution of all the committees of the UP Congress, preparations for a complete overhaul in the organisation have started. Those officials who remained inactive during the last Lok Sabha elections will be shown the way out. New responsibilities will be given to the young leaders who are continuously active. The 'active' old guards will also be given new responsibilities. Let us tell you that the party has started preparations for the Assembly elections in 2027, said a party insider. According to sources, the Congress high command is upset that when Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were stopped at the Ghazipur border en route to Sambhal, the party cadres were virtually missing. Insiders claim that the party district units have been pulled up as virtually no party workers were there at the Ghazipur border. According to the UP Congress president Ajay Rai, a new committee will be formed in the next two months. The UP Congress is forming this new committee keeping in view the 2027 Assembly elections. In this organisational change, the Congress will strengthen the organisation from booth to state level. This organisational change will also try to put an end to the tussle going on within the party for a long time. The party wants to fight the Assembly elections strongly this time. Therefore, many changes will be made at the organisational level so that the party can get maximum benefit. The party will crack the whip on leaders who engage in groupings, said Mr Rai. In August 2023, the Congress appointed Mr Rai as the president. After some time, the UP Congress appointed Avinash Pandey as the state in-charge. Both of them have visited different districts of UP and prepared a report of inactive and active office bearers. The matter of appointments of the district and city presidents at many places was also discussed in the report prepared by the state unit chief and the AICC in-charge. The Congress party admits there is a course correction to be done at the grassroots leadership level in UP. A senior Uttar Pradesh party leader said that even as yatras led by Mr Gandhi and Ms Vadra attracted crowds in the past, they could not convert into votes. We need to take local equations into account and build strong units on the ground. That way, leaders will be proactive in taking the party's message forward, the leader said. The Congress has been losing its ground in Uttar Pradesh since the 1980s. In the 2022 Assembly polls, it was reduced to two MLAs out of 403 in the UP Assembly.

As differences crop up among partners, questions being raised on INDIA bloc's future

NEW DELHI: Questions are being raised on the future of the INDIA bloc as differences among its constituents come to the fore and several parties call for serious introspection by the Congress after a string of debilitating electoral losses. The latest point of friction has come from Maharashtra, where the Samajwadi Party (SP) has announced quitting the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) , the state avatar of the opposition alliance, after a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader hailed the Babri mosque's demolition. The SP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) were also not seen with their other INDIA bloc partners during protests on the Adani issue, prompting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to claim that cracks are appearing in the opposition alliance and it will disintegrate soon. There are differences among the INDIA bloc partners on other issues as well both inside and outside Parliament. 'Cover-up in making', serious action needed in Adani mega scam, says Congress Parties are now flexing their muscles within the bloc, especially after the Congress's shock defeats in the Haryana and Maharashtra elections. They are speaking out against the dominance of the Congress in the opposition alliance and asking it to be accommodative towards others. Questions are now also being raised by some on Rahul Gandhi's leadership in the Congress. Amid the disagreements on issues among the opposition bloc partners, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed dissatisfaction with the INDIA bloc's functioning while signalling her intent to take charge of the alliance if given the opportunity. The TMC supremo has said she can manage the dual responsibility of running the opposition front while continuing in her role as the chief minister of West Bengal. All eyes are now on the Congress over its next move as the principal opposition party increasingly finds itself isolated in Parliament on several matters, such as protests on the Adani issue and farmers' problems, with many of its partners staying away. The opposition alliance was formed in June 2023 with the motto of BJP hatao, desh bachao ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. But one of its founders, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar, has since switched sides and joined hands with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP. Doors never permanently closed in politics: Sushil Modi amid talk of Nitish Kumar's return to BJP-led fold SP's Rajya Sabha MP Javed Ali Khan said his party is still in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) but admitted that differences of opinion exist within the bloc. We are still a part of the INDIA bloc as we were among the founders. But differences of opinion on some issues among the alliance partners are there, he told PTI. On recent developments within the opposition alliance, Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is the chairperson of the bloc and he should respond to the issues. Congress has to be more accommodative towards its partners and should do some serious introspection and ponder on why seat sharing was not done properly for the Assembly polls where it lost badly, Raja told PTI. He said all the parties have to remain united as the INDIA bloc was formed with the BJP hatao, desh bachao slogan and that everyone should work towards that goal. JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan said, The INDIA bloc has always been prone to disintegration. Now, it is just a formality so that the effects of its disintegration could be transformed into reality. Rajiv said that during the assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the SP expressed surprise at the Congress's stand after the latter refused to get into any seat-sharing arrangement. This alliance was visible only on papers but now, it will not even exist there, the JD(U) leader said after the SP announced that it is walking out of the MVA. BJP leader C R Kesavan termed the INDIA bloc opportunistic and said, It is a divided house of hypocrisy. The bitter bickering among them, which is now in the open, is because the INDI bloc feels that Rahul Gandhi's failed leadership is the reason for its repeated defeats in elections. Want Mamata Banerjee to be major partner of INDIA bloc, will soon talk to her: Sanjay Raut On Banerjee's ready to lead the INDIA bloc remark , Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said the leaders of all the constituents of the opposition alliance will decide who would lead them. Mamata Banerjee is a strong pillar in the fight against the BJP-led NDA government. Various leaders are leading from the front in their respective states, he said. SP leader Abu Asim Azmi said, The MVA never respected us. Uddhav Thackeray and his party had said they would leave communalism and join hands with secular forces. However, he and his party have once again hailed those who demolished the Babri masjid. The Samajwadi Party can never stay with those who want to divide people based on religion. We were never called for the coordination meeting of the MVA. We wanted coordination like it was during the Lok Sabha polls, but the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) kept fighting with each other over seat sharing. That is why we (MVA) lost (the Maharashtra Assembly election), the state unit chief of the SP said. Team Thackeray blames Congress' 'overconfidence' for the Maharashtra election defeat The INDIA bloc's first meeting in Patna was hosted by Nitish Kumar. At the time, several opposition leaders had expressed their willingness to work together to defeat the BJP, while admitting to their differences. We will have to evolve separate plans for every state and work together to dethrone the BJP from the Centre, Kharge had said. More than 32 leaders of around 17 political parties had attended the Patna meeting. Gandhi had said he attended the meeting with a clean slate, without any memories of past likes or dislikes with any of the parties in attendance, according to sources. We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility and to protect our ideology, the Congress leader had said and alleged that India's foundations and institutions were being attacked under the BJP's rule. The message from the Patna meeting is clear for all of us that we need to work together to save the country, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had said.

3 farmers still under observation after tear gas shelling at Punjab-Haryana border; all others discharged

Man held for killing pregnant woman, burying her body in Haryana

NEW DELHI: A 19-year-old man was arrested for allegedly being involved in killing a seven-month pregnant woman and burying her body in a pit in Haryana, police said on Saturday. Two people were arrested earlier in the matter, including the woman's boyfriend, they said. The accused has been identified as Sohit alias Ritik, a resident of Sonipat district in Haryana, the police said. According to the police, on October 21, the 19-year-old woman, who was seven months pregnant, was reported missing from her residence in the Nangloi area. Preliminary investigation revealed that her partner, Saleem alias Sanju, along with his associates Sohit and Pankaj, conspired to abduct her under the pretext of eloping, a police officer said. They strangulated the woman and took her body to Madina Village in Rohtak, Haryana where they buried the body, Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Satish Kumar said. On October 24, a case was registered and two of the accused -- Saleem and Pankaj -- were arrested, but Sohit remained at large, the DCP said. Based on a tip-off, a police team laid a trap near Singhasan Banquet, Rohtak on Friday and nabbed Sohit, Kumar said. Sohit admitted his involvement in the planned murder and as per his confession, on the day of the incident, Saleem approached him with a plan to kill his pregnant partner, police said. The three abducted the woman, strangulated her, and buried her body, they added.

Surveying mosques is wrong while people and farmers suffering: Robert Vadra

Mumbai: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra said on Saturday that the excavation of mosques becoming the focus of politics instead of development is wrong while people are reeling under inflation and farmers protesting. Expressing apprehension about a potential spike in communal issues, Vadra also said (conducting) surveys of mosques is wrong. The religion and politics should be kept separate as India is a diverse, secular nation, he told PTI Videos. Vadra said he has been visiting different places of worship in the country as part of his spiritual trips and offered chaddar at the famous Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai on Saturday. I prayed for the well-being of my family and the country. I wish brotherhood prevails in the society, he said. Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, said surveying mosques is wrong. Even as people are suffering because of the inflation and farmers are protesting, the focus is on the excavation of mosques, which is wrong. Communal issues will arise instead of development. It will create unnecessary unrest, he said. A massive violence broke out in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal on November 24 following a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. We are a diverse nation and should try to be as secular as possible. There shouldn't be the politics of religion. Religion and politics should be separate, Vadra said, adding that he wanted to promote peace and harmony. Speaking on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), whose credibility is questioned by the Opposition parties, Vadra said, The trust in EVMs is questionable. Everyone is shocked with the (assembly poll) results in Haryana and Maharashtra. If people were upset with the BJP governments, how did the party win elections (in these states)? Vadra asked if people in Haryana are happy with the BJP government, then why farmers are staging protests. Farmers have been protesting near the Shambhu border for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). A day earlier, protesters suspended their foot march to Delhi for the day after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells fired by security personnel, who stopped them at the Punjab-Haryana border. Vadra further said baseless allegations were raised against the Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi instead of responding to his questions on the Adani issue. He said Wayanad would become a super constituency as it is being represented by Priyanka Gandhi. Priyanka will become a strong voice for women, and issues facing the country will be raised. Her focus should be on creating her legacy and also taking forward the legacy of her family, he added. Vadra said the Congress' future is good as the presence of Priyanka and Rahul (in Parliament) will strengthen the people's voice. Priyanka will pose questions to the BJP by looking into their eyes. I believe in her strength and her vision, he said.

JP Nadda Launches 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign to Build a TB-Free India by 2025

Panchkula, Haryana Union Health Minister JP Nadda has officially launched the ambitious 100-day TB elimination campaign in Panchkula at the Indradhanush Auditorium. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini, Health Minister Arti Rao, and other state cabinet ministers were present to mark this historic occasion. During the program, JP Nadda visited a special exhibition and described the campaign as a milestone in the fight against tuberculosis. He said, Our goal is to make India TB-free by 2025. This day represents our commitment and determination. Learning from the past, we must work for a better future. Ayushman Bharat Yojanas Role in Supporting TB Patients Highlighting the success of government schemes, Nadda noted that 173,000 TB patients have received financial aid through the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Each patient is provided with 1,000 per month as assistance. He emphasized that this initiative is proving critical in combating TB and improving patient welfare. Advancements in Healthcare Services In addition to the TB campaign, Nadda announced significant measures to improve healthcare in Haryana. These include the establishment of an AIIMS in Rewari and plans to build a medical college in every district. These efforts aim to enhance healthcare access and quality for Haryana residents. A Decisive Fight Against Tuberculosis Calling the campaign a decisive fight against TB, Nadda underscored the slogan Tab Haarega, Bharat Jeetega (TB will lose, India will win) as a symbol of collective resolve. He appealed to citizens and authorities alike to unite and achieve the dream of a TB-free India. A National Effort to Eradicate TB The 100-day TB elimination campaign spans 347 districts across 33 states and union territories. It is part of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) under the National Health Mission and aligned with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB Elimination 20172025. India has made notable progress in reducing TB incidence, which dropped by 17.7% from 237 cases per 100,000 in 2015 to 195 cases per 100,000 in 2023. TB-related deaths also declined by 21.4% during the same period. Innovations and Progress Post-COVID-19 Post-COVID-19, efforts to combat TB intensified under the NTEP. In 2023, approximately 1.89 crore sputum smear tests and 68.3 lakh nucleic acid amplification tests were conducted, expanding diagnostic access. Comprehensive care packages and shorter treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB patients were introduced, ensuring faster recovery and minimizing delays. The program also addresses co-existing health conditions such as malnutrition, diabetes, HIV, and substance abuse through specialized care approaches. Preventive measures, including TB preventive treatment (TPT), have been scaled up, benefitting nearly 15 lakh individuals. A Vision for a TB-Free India This campaign echoes the vision outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2018 End TB Summit, where he pledged to eliminate TB in India by 2025. The 100-day initiative not only strengthens health services but also improves the quality of life for millions, paving the way for a healthier, TB-free nation. PM Modi to Dedicate New Criminal Laws Implementation to the Nation in Chandigarh Centre Approves Rs 3,296 Crore Investment to Boost Tourism Infrastructure Across 23 States

Suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal gets bail in MGNREGA scam case

RANCHI: Suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal, who was in jail for the last 28 months in a money laundering case linked to MGNREGA scam, was granted bail by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court in Ranchi on Saturday. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), after an interrogation for over 15 hours, had arrested the then mining secretary Pooja Singhal on May 11, 2022 in a money laundering case linked to alleged embezzlement of MGNREGA funds and other charges. The Special PMLA Court has granted bail to Singhal on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh each. Besides that, she will have to submit her passport in the court. Earlier on April 29, 2024, the Supreme Court had dismissed her plea seeking bail in a money laundering matter, observing it is an extraordinary case. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta refused to interfere with the Jharkhand High Court order denying her bail. The 2000-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer was arrested on the second day of the questioning being done by the ED officials. According to ED, Rs 1.43 crore more than the known sources of her income were recovered from the bank accounts of Pooja Singhal while she was Deputy Commissioner in Khunti, Palamu and Chatra. The ED also claimed that Singhal purchased as many as 13 insurance policies by paying a premium of Rs 80.81 lakh and closed them before completion of their tenure and got Rs 84.64 lakh against it. Jharkhand: ED attaches properties worth Rs 88.77 crore belonging to suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal The ED also informed that Singhal transferred Rs 16.57 lakh to the three bank accounts related to CA Suman Kumar. The ED is said to have gathered sufficient primary evidence to suggest that she is in close connection with CA Sunman Kumar and had financial transactions with him. Before her arrest, ED had conducted raids at several locations, including that of Pooja Singhal, in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged embezzlement of over Rs 18 crore MGNREGA funds in Khunti district during 2008-2011. The raids were conducted at a total of 18 locations including Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, NCR as well as Ranchi, Khunti and Dhanbad in Jharkhand. Singhal, as Chatra Deputy Commissioner, had also been accused of paying Rs 6 crore in advance to the two NGOs Welfare Point and Prerna Niketan for musli farming, which, actually was never done. In addition to that, while being Deputy Commissioner in Palamu, she was charged of transferring 83 acres of forest land to a private company for mining, a matter which is related to Kathautia Coal Mines. On February 10, 2023, the top court had granted Singhal interim bail for two months to enable her to take care of her ailing daughter. Singhal has been in custody since May 11, 2022 after raids were conducted at properties linked to her in connection with the money laundering case.

Union Cabinet Approves Rithala-Nathupur Corridor to Transform NCR Connectivity

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the Rithala-Narela-Nathupur corridor under Delhi Metros Phase-IV expansion, marking a significant milestone in improving regional transit within the National Capital Region (NCR). This ambitious project, spanning 26.5 kilometers at an estimated cost of Rs.6,230 crore, is set to be completed in four years. The corridor is designed to enhance connectivity between Delhi and Haryana while easing commutes across the NCR. It will extend the existing Red Line, which currently connects Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda) to Rithala, further linking it to Nathupur. The expansion will feature 21 elevated stations and provide metro access to previously underserved areas, including Narela, Bawana, and Rohini in northwest Delhi. This new line is expected to strengthen regional connectivity by linking Delhi with Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Nathupur in Haryana, boosting the NCRs overall transportation network. The announcement comes at a pivotal time as Delhi heads toward assembly elections early next year, adding a major infrastructure development to the political discourse. Delhi Metro's Growing Global Standing Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted the rapid expansion of metro networks across India, with nearly 1,000 kilometers currently under construction nationwide. Delhi Metro, which spans 299 kilometers over three completed phases, is undergoing a significant upgrade with six new corridors under Phase-IV, some of which are already operational. Once Phase-IV is complete, Delhi Metro will rank among the worlds largest metro systems, Vaishnaw said, underscoring its expanding global stature. What the New Corridor Brings Delhi Metro currently operates 12 lines covering approximately 392 kilometers with 288 stations. The Rithala-Narela-Nathupur corridor will become the fourth link connecting Delhi with Haryana, complementing existing routes to Gurgaon, Ballabhgarh, and Bahadurgarh. This extension will not only transform daily commutes but also contribute to the region's socio-economic development by enhancing accessibility and reducing travel times. Kolkata Metro to Introduce Rs 10 Surcharge on Night Service Tickets Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II to Begin in Old City in January

DoPT allocates 2 IAS officers for Telangana

Hyderabad: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) allocated two IAS officers of 2023 batch Saurabh Sharma and Saloni Chhabra for Telangana. These two IAS officers were among the 32 officers who were allocated for Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kanataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. A communication in this regard was issued by DoPT Deputy Secretary Charulata Somal addressing the Chief Secretaries of the States concerned. The allocation of cadres was made on the basis of Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2023.

Bhagavad Gita is legacy of India's cultural history: Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan emphasized the Bhagavad Gita's significance as India's cultural legacy and a universal scripture at the 9th International Gita Conference in Kurukshetra. Haryana and Uttarakhand Governors joined, highlighting the Gita's message of environmental protection and life philosophy. Tanzania's Minister for Information praised the event's potential to strengthen India-Tanzania ties.

Modi Approves Delhi's Rithala-Kundli Metro Corridor

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the Central government is committed to improving connectivity across the country.His statement followed the Union Cabinet's approval of the Rithala-Kundli corridor under the fourth phase of Delhi Metro in the National Capital Region. In a post on X, PM Modi said, We are committed to improving connectivity across the country. In this direction, our government has approved the Rithala-Kundli corridor under the fourth phase of Delhi Metro in the National Capital Region. This will make commuting between Delhi and Haryana easier. The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Rithala - Narela -Nathupur (Kundli) corridor of Delhi Metro's Phase - IV project consisting of 26.463 kms which will further enhance connectivity between the national capital and neighbouring Haryana. The corridor is scheduled to be completed in 4 years from the date of its sanction, a release from the Cabinet said. The completion cost of the project is Rs 6,230 crore and is to be implemented Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) the existing 50:50 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the Government of India (Gol) and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) in four years. This line will be an extension of the presently operational Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda) - Rithala (Red Line) corridor and will boost connectivity in the north western parts of the national capital in areas such as Narela, Bawana, parts of Rohini etc. This entire stretch will comprise of 21 stations. All the stations of this corridor will be elevated, the release read. After completion, the Rithala Narela Nathupur corridor will also connect Shaheed Sthal New Bus Adda station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh with Nathupur in Haryana via Delhi, which will tremendously boost connectivity in the entire National Capital Region. This new corridor of the phase IV project will expand the reach of Delhi Metro network in the NCR thereby further boosting the economy. This extension of the Red Line will reduce congestion on the roads, thus, will help in reducing the pollution caused by motor vehicles, the release readThis entire stretch will comprise of 21 stations. All the stations of this corridor will be elevated. The stations, which shall come up on this corridor are: Rithala, Rohini Sector 25. Rohini Sector 26, Rohini Sector 31, Rohini Sector 32, Rohini Sector 36, Barwala, Rohini Sector 35, Rohini Sector 34, Bawana Industrial Area - 1 Sector 3,4, Bawana Industrial Area-1 Sector 1,2, Bawana JJ Colony, Sanoth, New Sanoth, Depot Station, Bhorgarh village, Anaj Mandi Narela, Narela DDA Sports Complex, Narela, Narela Sector 5, Kundli and Nathpur. This corridor will be Delhi Metro's fourth extension into Haryana. Presently, the Delhi Metro operates up to Gurugram, Ballabhgarh, and Bahadurgarh in Haryana. Construction of Phase-IV (3 Priority Corridors), consisting of 65.202 km and 45 stations, is underway, and as of today, more than 56% of construction has been completed. The Phase-IV (3 Priority) corridors are likely to be completed in stages by March 2026. In addition, two more corridors, comprising 20.762 kilometres, have also been approved and are in the pre-tendering stages, the release read. The Delhi Metro caters to on average of 64 lakh passenger journeys. The maximum passenger journey recorded so far is 78.67 lakh on 18.11.2024. Delhi Metro has become the lifeline of the city by setting the epitome of excellence in the core parameters of MRTS, ie, punctuality, reliability, and safety.

Man held for duping payment firm of Rs 15.5 lakh in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: The South East CEN Police arrested a man for defrauding a payment company of Rs 15.5 lakh by creating a fake website. The accused has been identified as Nitish Yadav (26), a resident of Gurugram in Haryana, and a native of Rajasthan. The police said Yadav, along with five of his friends, who worked at a digital marketing company in Gurugram, decided to launch an educational tutorial platform called crackyourexamnow.in, intended to provide online coaching and study material for IIT, JEE, and NEET students. They created a website and for payment processing, collaborated with Cash Free Payments India Limited (an online payment platform). When students saw their advertisement on social media, they made payments to Cash Free Payments. The payment company then transferred the money to the company registered by the accused. However, the accused failed to provide the promised exam material to the students and Cash Free Payments refunded the students amount. In total, the company lost Rs 15.5 lakh and filed a complaint with the CEN Police in August. The police added that after investigating the technical evidence and KYC details from the accuseds bank account, the police traced him to Haryana and brought him to the city. Further investigations are on

Government committed to providing school education to every section of society: PM Modi

Prime Minister Modi announced the approval of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas and 28 Navodaya Vidyalayas, expanding access to quality education and creating employment opportunities. The Cabinet also greenlit the Rithala-Kundli metro corridor, improving Delhi-Haryana connectivity. These initiatives aim to enhance education and infrastructure nationwide.

Chandigarh Diary | PM yet again strikes a chord with people

During his visit to Chandigarh, where he dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of the three new criminal laws - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam - which came into effect on July 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi resonated with the residents of the city by stating, When I come to Chandigarh, I feel I am among my own people. He said the identity of Chandigarh is linked to Goddess Chandi, a symbol that embodies truth and justice. He added that the same philosophy was the basis of the whole format of BNS and BNSS. CM Saini seeks divine blessings for new chopper Last week, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini performed religious rituals for the recently acquired Airbus H145-D3 helicopter, which cost the state approximately Rs 80 crore. He took a test flight in the new copter, flying over two nearby religious shrines: the Shri Mata Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula and the Kali temple in Kalka, to seek blessings of Goddess Durga. As the helicopter circled the shrines, flower petals were showered down. The copter features state-of-the-art characteristics, including enhanced soundproofing, strobe lights, and a cockpit compatible with night vision goggles. Sidhu trying to regain lost political ground After staying out of the public eye for years, former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu is attempting to make a comeback, but his efforts apparently encountered significant challenges. Sidhu, along with his wife Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was recently declared cancer-free, promoted ayurvedic diet plan for cancer treatment. However, this initiative sparked controversy and backlash. Oncologists at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai criticised his assertion that a strict diet helped his wife overcome stage four cancer. They cautioned that cancer patients should not delay or forgo their treatment in favour of unproven remedies.

PKL Season 11: Shadloui, Shivam Patare help Haryana Steelers beat Patna Pirates in a close match

PKL Season 11: Shadloui, Shivam Patare help Haryana Steelers beat Patna Pirates in a close match Pune: Mohammadreza Shadloui and Shivam Patare led the scoring charts as the Haryana Steelers defeated Patna Pirates 42-36 in an action-packed and intense match of Season 11 of Pro Kabaddi League played in the Badminton Hall at the Balewadi [] The post PKL Season 11: Shadloui, Shivam Patare help Haryana Steelers beat Patna Pirates in a close match appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Farmers suspend Delhi march after clashes at Punjab-Haryana border; six injured

CHANDIGARH: Protesting farmers on Friday suspended for the day their foot march to Delhi as some of them suffered injuries after police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets at the Punjab-Haryana border. Earlier in the day, a jatha of 101 farmers began to march towards Delhi from their protest site at the Shambhu border but was stopped a few metres away by multilayered barricading erected by Haryana cops. As the group reached the barricades, security personnel lobbed teargas shells to force them to retreat to their protest site. Many farmers rushed to cover the teargas shells with wet jute bags to counter the smoke. Some of them were seen uprooting iron nails and barbed wire installed on the road to stop their march. Many of the jatha crossed the initial layer of barricades, but could not proceed further. A few of them were seen pushing an iron mesh put up by security personnel down the bridge constructed over the Ghaggar river. One of the protesters climbed the roof of a tin shade where security forces had been stationed. He was forced to climb down. Water cannon vehicles have also been deployed at the Shambhu border point. The Haryana Police asked the farmers not to proceed further, citing a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under BNS Section 163, which restricts unlawful assembly of five or more in the district. The Haryana government on Friday suspended mobile internet services in 11 villages in Ambala from December 6-9 as a precautionary measure. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed that five to six protesters were injured. He later announced the suspension of the march for the day and said the injured farmers were taken to a hospital. We have called back the jatha for today in view of the injuries suffered by a few farmers, he said, adding that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha would decide the next course of action after a meeting. The farmers have been demanding that the Centre give them a legal guarantee for MSP. They have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

Haryana Cong MPs protest outside Parl

Capital Cameo | Delhi Citizens Must Demand Clean Air Before Polls

Kalyani Shankar Why do the residents of Delhi experience pollution every year while the ruling class blames it on stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh? Cant they find a permanent solution instead of debating who will pay for the burning machines and other related expenses? The air pollution levels in Delhi are eight times higher than the WHOs prescribed limits. It has reached a level where the judiciary, executive, and parliament blame each other, [] The post Capital Cameo | Delhi Citizens Must Demand Clean Air Before Polls appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Maiden national gold for Jaideep after twin heartbreaks at Olympic qualifiers

CHENNAI: Jaideep suffered twin heartbreaks early this year as he lost narrowly in the Asian and World Olympic qualifiers thus failing to book a ticket for the Paris Games. A petty officer with the Indian Navy, it was his dream to represent and win a medal for the country in the Olympics like any other athletes. Having won a bronze medal at the U20 World Championship and a silver medal at the U20 Asian Championship in 2023, Jaideep was expected to book an Olympic quota for the country in the 74kg but it was not to be. Luckily the setbacks didn't bother the Haryana wrestler for a long period as he won silver at the U23 Asian Championship in June and followed it up with a gold medal at the World Military Championship last month. On Friday, he added yet another medal to his tally as he clinched his maiden gold on the opening day of the Senior National Championship in Bengaluru. Haryana won the first position in the men's freestyle category with 190 points followed by Services Sports Control Board (SSCB 179) and Delhi (143). Jaideep could be termed unlucky as he lost narrowly in the Olympic Qualifiers but he is still young and can do it for the 2028 Games, head coach of the SSCB Kuldeep Singh told this daily. The head coach believed the SSCB could have clinched the championship but its proximity with the World Military Championship had impacted wrestlers' show in the ongoing nationals. The event in Armenia held a few days back. Our wrestlers competed there and won medals as well. They had to reduce weight there and immediately have to repeat the process here in Bengaluru which affected their performances. We will try to do better in the men's Greco-Roman championship starting tomorrow (Saturday), added the coach. Notably, the SSCB decided to compete in the event despite other board, the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), skipping the meet saying organiser Wrestling Federation of India has been suspended by the sports ministry. Apart from Jaideep, Pankaj won a gold medal for the SSCB in 61kg and Dinesh topped in the 125kg. Similarly, Mohit Kumar (65kg) and Sharvan (70kg) won a silver medal each for the SSCB in their respective weight categories. Rahul of Delhi won 57kg gold with the Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat, an employee of the Indian Railways, skipping the tournament. In 65kg, Sidhharth of Haryana won gold while in 86kg Mukul Dahiya of Delhi clinched the top spot beating favourite Sandeep Singh, who despite being from RSPB decided to contest for Punjab in the championship. On Saturday, bouts across all 10 weight categories of Greco Roman style and two weight categories of women's wrestling (50kg & 72kg) will be conducted. Sunday, the final day, will witness bouts in remaining weight categories of women's wrestling. The WFI will also hold its annual general meeting on the last day. Gold medallists (Men's FS): 57kg: Rahul (DEL), 61kg: Pankaj (SSCB), 65kg: Sidhharth (HAR), 70kg: Anuj Kumar (HAR), 74kg: Jaideep (SSCB), 79kg: Amit (HAR), 86kg: Mukul Dahiya (DEL), 92kg: Sachin (HAR), 97kg: Sahil (PUB), 125kg: Dinesh (SSCB).

Farmers suspend protest over teargas shelling injuries

New Delhi : Hours after starting the Delhi Chalo protest, the farmers on Friday suspended the march for a day after several of them sustained injuries as the Haryana police resorted to teargas shelling to disperse protesters who tried to breach the multi-layered barricades erected at Shambhu on the Punjab and Haryana border. The farmers are protesting to press for various demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP). As around half-a-dozen farmers sustained injuries, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced the suspension of the march for the day and said the injured farmers were taken to a hospital. We have called back the jattha for a day. Further, two forums of the farmers bodies, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, will decide the next course of action after a meeting, said Pandher. Meanwhile, SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continued his fast-unto-death at the Khanauri along the Punjab and Haryana border. Amid the chaos at the Shambhu border, the Congress extended support to the protesting farmers. Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi condemned the police action and urged the Centre to immediately accept the farmers demands. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, Firing tear gas shells on them (farmers) and trying to stop them in various ways is condemnable. The government should listen to their demands and problems seriously. The suffering of the farmers can be gauged from the fact that today in the country, one farmer is forced to commit suicide every hour. The country has not forgotten the martyrdom of more than 700 farmers in the first farmers movement due to the extreme insensitivity of the Modi government. We understand the pain of the farmers and support their demands, the LoP added. Meanwhile, the Haryana government on Friday suspended mobile Internet and bulk SMS service in 11 villages of the Ambala district till December 9. The state government has also ordered the closure of all government and private schools in the district. Earlier in the day, a jattha of 101 farmers began to march towards the national capital from their protest site at the Shambhu border but was stopped at the multi-layered barricading erected by Haryana security personnel. As the group tried to breach the barricades, security personnel lobbed multiple tear gas shells to disperse the protesting farmers and force them to retreat to their protest site. Water cannon vehicles have also been deployed at the Shambhu border point. The Haryana police asked the farmers not to proceed further, citing a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala district administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that prohibits the assembly of five or more people. Pandher had on Thursday told the media that if the government stopped them from carrying out their march, it will be a moral victory for the farmers.

Haryana cops lob teargas shells, farmers halt march

Cabinet Approves Rithala-Kundli Corridor Of Delhi Metro's Phase IV Project

The Union Cabinet approved on Friday the 26.463-km Rithala-Kundli corridor of the Delhi Metro's Phase-IV project that will further enhance connectivity between the national capital and neighbouring Haryana.

17 farmers injured in tear gas shelling at Shambhu interstate point

Seventeen farmers were injured during a tear gas shelling incident at the Punjab-Haryana border near Shambhu point. One farmer with serious injuries was transferred to another facility, while fifteen others were hospitalized for observation. Most injuries were minor, including cuts, bleeding, and irritation, though one farmer suffered breathing issues. One farmer was discharged after receiving first aid.

Farmers Group Delhi Chalo March stopped at Shambhu Border

Shambhu, Dec 6: A jatha of 101 farmers on Friday began its foot march to Delhi from their protest site at Shambhu border, but was stopped a few metres away by a multilayered barricading. The security personnel used teargas as some farmers reached near the barricades put up on the Haryana side of the Shambhu [] The post Farmers Group Delhi Chalo March stopped at Shambhu Border appeared first on Northlines .

Using Haryana Police to block farmers from reaching Delhi is an insult to democratic rights bestowed by Ambedkar: Punjab AAP MLA HS Cheema

Wrestling Nationals | Haryana grapplers hog limelight on day one

Police in India clash with farmers during protest march over minimum price demand for crops

NEW DELHI, December 6, 2024 (AP) Indian police on Friday used tear gas against hundreds of farmers taking part in a march to New Delhi to demand guaranteed crop prices in a repeat of 2021 protests. Clashes broke out near Shambhu, a border crossing between northern Punjab and Haryana states, where multiple entry points into the capital have been sealed with metal barricades and barbed wire. The authorities also suspended internet service in some districts of Haryana to prevent communication among the protesters. The farmers, who began their march in Haryana and Punjab, are seeking guarantees, backed by law,

Firing of tear gas shells on farmers condemnable, govt should accept their demands: Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday condemned the firing of tear gas shells on farmers to stop them from coming to Delhi and asked the government to immediately accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP. Protesting farmers on Friday suspended for the day their foot march to Delhi after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells at the Punjab-Haryana border. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said farmers want to come to Delhi to put forward their demands before the government and express their pain. Firing tear gas shells on them and trying to stop them in various ways is condemnable. The government should listen to their demands and problems seriously, the former Congress chief said. - Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 6, 2024 The suffering of the farmers can be gauged from the fact that today in the country, one farmer is forced to commit suicide every hour, he said. The country has not forgotten the martyrdom of more than 700 farmers in the first farmers' movement due to the extreme insensitivity of the Modi government. We understand the pain of the farmers and support their demands, he said. Farmer leader announces suspension of 'Delhi Chalo' march for today, cites injuries from teargas shells Gandhi said the government should immediately implement all the demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP, fixing MSP at one-and-a-half times the comprehensive cost of cultivation as per the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, loan waiver, etc. The country will be prosperous only when the farmers are prosperous, he added. Earlier in the day, a 'jatha' of 101 farmers began to march towards the national capital from their protest site at the Shambhu border but was stopped a few metres away by multi-layered barricading erected by Haryana security personnel. As the group reached the barricades, security personnel lobbed multiple tear gas shells to disperse the protesting farmers and force them to retreat to their protest site. Covering their eyes and mouths, several protesting farmers rushed to cover the tear gas shells with wet jute bags to counter the smoke.

'Firing tear gas at farmers condemnable,' says Rahul Gandhi, urges immediate implementation of MSP

Rahul Gandhi condemned the government's use of tear gas against farmers protesting for MSP guarantees, recalling the 700 farmer deaths during the 2020-21 protests. Haryana police stopped the farmers' march to Delhi, using tear gas and imposing internet restrictions. Farmer leaders criticized the government's actions as a 'moral victory' for the protesting farmers.

BJP Yet To Decide Its Rajya Sabha Nominee From HaryanaHere's Why Party Is Confused

Dr. Raj Nehru appointed as OSD to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini

Dr. Raj Nehru: A Corporate Leader with Administrative and Academic Expertise

'Jattha' of 101 farmers to march to Delhi on Dec 8, await talks with Centre: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

101 farmers will march to Delhi on Sunday at noon, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced. This follows Friday's clashes with police at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border, where farmers attempted to breach barricades. Farmers await Saturday's talks with the central government, hoping for a peaceful resolution.

'Traitor Of The Highest Order': How Its Own Victories In Maharashtra, Haryana And Trump's Win In US Could Have Driven The BJP's All-Out Attack On Rahul Gandhi

Government to launch 100-day nationwide TB campaign, denies shortage of anti-TB drugs

NEW DELHI: To eliminate tuberculosis in India, which tops the list of 30 countries with high-burden TB cases, the centre announced that a 100-day intensified campaign will be launched across 347 high-priority districts in 33 states and union territories. The campaign is aimed to enhance TB case detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and improve treatment outcomes, particularly in high-risk groups will be launched by Union Health Minister JP Nadda in the presence of state Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and State Health Minister Arti Singh Rao on Saturday from Panchkula, Haryana. The Union Health Ministry on Friday also denied a shortage of anti-TB drugs in the country. Noting that media reports claiming scarcity of the drugs are incorrect and misleading, the ministry said that during the 100-day campaign, the programme targets high-focus districts for intensified interventions. These include enhanced case detection through community awareness campaigns, comprehensive screenings, and the provision of diagnostic tools for timely detection, a statement issued by the ministry said. Significant efforts are being made to ensure the availability of all commodities, including the anti-TB drugs, across all levels, including 347 districts. Regular assessments are being conducted to evaluate the stock positions at various levels, from central warehouses to peripheral health institutes, it added. It also said that till December 6, more than two months' stock of all essential anti-TB drugs is available under NTEP. Adequate measures have been taken for timely procurement and supply of anti-TB drugs, and orders have been placed. The suppliers have already started to ensure sufficient stocks are available to meet increased requirements during the campaign. The ministry has also taken adequate steps to enhance the buffer stock of drugs to more than 6 months at each level. Before the campaign's launch, the Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava wrote to various ministries and departments for active participation and timely support in the upcoming nationwide initiative crucial to improve public health across the nation through a significant reduction in the incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis. During the 100-day campaign, these ministries were asked to engage with all organisations, display IEC materials in all offices, engage with urban local bodies and mobilize local resources and budget for TB awareness; awareness generation among staff; taking Ni-kshay Shapath (pledge from January 27 to February 2 in all offices), dissemination of awareness messages on social media of the ministry, and registration of Ni-kshay Mitra in all offices. India has set 2025 as its target year for TB elimination, five years ahead of the target set by SDG. According to the latest WHOs Global Tuberculosis Report 2023, India tops the list of 30 countries with high-burden tuberculosis cases. It said the disease disproportionately affects people in 30 high-burden countries, with India (26%), Indonesia (10%), China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%) and Pakistan (6.3%) together accounting for 56% of the global TB burden. According to the report, the total TB incidence in India in 2023 was 2,800,000, while the rate per 1,00,000 population is 195. The TB incidence in people living with HIV was estimated to be 42,000. According to a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said 21.69 lakh tuberculosis cases have been notified between January and October 2024. The notified TB cases increased from 18.05 lakh in 2020 to 25.52 lakh in 2023, she said. The ministry said that the 100-day campaign underscores the government of Indias commitment to achieving the goal of end-TB by addressing the challenges of tuberculosis (TB) notification and mortality in India under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It represents yet another significant strategic effort by the country in its bid to strengthen programmatic activities and reduce disparities in TB outcomes across diverse regions of the country to achieve the aim of TB elimination, the statement said, adding that the initiative is in line with the vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat that was laid out by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the 2018 Delhi End TB Summit. The 100-day campaign envisages improving programme performance on key output indicators, viz. TB incidence rates, diagnostic coverage, and mortality rates. It also aligns with recent policy enhancements by the Ministry, including increased financial aid for TB patients under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and inclusion of household contacts under the social support initiative, Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. Some of the key focus areas of the campaign are increasing access to advanced diagnostics, targeted screening among vulnerable groups, specialised care for high-risk individuals, and provision of expanded nutritional support. The initiative will leverage the vast network of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs nationwide that have taken TB services to the last mile.

Protesting Punjab farmers try to break barricades, face teargas shells at Shambhu border

Security forces on Friday used teargas shells to disperse protesting farmers from Punjab when they tried to jump the specially erected barricades on the Shambhu border to enter Haryana on their way to Delhi.

Farmers suspend march for day after some suffer injuries due to teargas shells

A farmers' protest march to Delhi was halted after Haryana police used tear gas, injuring several farmers. The march, demanding guaranteed minimum support prices for crops, was stopped at the Shambhu border by barricades and tear gas. Farmer leaders say they will decide their next course of action after a meeting.

Farmers' march stopped; Haryana suspends internet

A 'jatha' of 101 farmers Friday began its foot march to Delhi from their protest site at Shambhu border, but was stopped a few metres away by a multilayered barricading.

Central government to launch 100-day tuberculosis elimination programme

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda will launch the campaign from Panchkula in Haryana on Saturday; the programme aims to improve TB outcomes nationwide

Delhi Chalo march: Farmers stopped at Shambhu border, police fire tear gas shells

Chandigarh: A jatha of 101 farmers Friday began its foot march to Delhi from their protest site at Shambhu border, but was stopped a few metres away by a multilayered barricading. The security personnel used teargas as some farmers reached near the barricades put up on the Haryana side of the Shambhu border. Haryana Police []

Farmers Delhi march: Haryana suspends mobile internet, bulk SMS services in parts of Ambala district

The order has been issued in a bid to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in parts of district Ambala, in the wake of call for Delhi Kooch given by certain farmers

Farmers March: Haryana Suspends Mobile Internet, Bulk SMS Service in 11 Village of Ambala

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government on Friday suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS service in 11 villages of Ambala district till December 9. The suspension was made over apprehensions of tension, annoyance, agitation and disturbance of public peace as a group of farmers prepares to march to Delhi with a demand for the minimum support price. [] The post Farmers March: Haryana Suspends Mobile Internet, Bulk SMS Service in 11 Village of Ambala appeared first on Kashmir Life .

Haryana suspends internet and SMS services in 11 villages amid farmers` march

The Haryana government suspends mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages of Ambala district until December 9, as farmers prepare for a march to Delhi demanding minimum support price for their crops

Mobile Internet Banned In Several Parts Of Ambala Ahead Of Farmers' March

Mobile internet and sending of bulk messages have been suspended - till December 9 - in parts of Haryana's Ambala district, minutes before a farmers group is to begin another 'Dilli chalo' march.

Farmers' march: Haryana suspends mobile internet in parts of Ambala till December 9

Haryana authorities suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 Ambala villages until December 9th, anticipating potential unrest as farmers plan a march to Delhi demanding minimum support prices. A group of 101 farmers will commence their journey from the Shambhu border, with heavy security deployed.