Hyderabad: The Congress government in Telangana is likely to approach the Supreme Court against the High Court issuing an interim stay against a Government Order (GO) providing 42 per cent reservation to Backward Classes in local bodies.

In the wake of the High Court issuing the interim stay against the GO, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday discussed the next course of action with his cabinet colleagues, AICC incharge of party affairs in Telangana Meenakshi Natarajan and also Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Congress sources on Saturday said the government is keen on ensuring 42 per cent quota to BCs and that it would soon knock the doors of the Supreme Court for implementation of the GO.

Meanwhile, State Election Commission (SEC) sources on Saturday said the poll body is studying the High Court’s order. The panel would consult legal experts to finalize its further course of action, they said.

The High Court on October 9 issued an interim stay on providing 42 per cent BC reservation in local bodies.

Following the court’s stay order, the Telangana State Election Commission on the same day announced that the poll notification issued on September 29 for rural local body polls and further activities are being suspended until further notification.

While issuing an interim stay against a Government Order providing 42 per cent BC reservation in local body polls on October 9, the High Court said the State Election Commission would notify the proportionate seats as open category seats and proceed with the elections.

Fulfilling an election promise, the Congress government on September 26 issued an order to provide 42 per cent reservation to BCs in local bodies.

The GO follows two bills passed by the state legislature earlier this year to enhance BC reservation to 42 per cent in education, employment, and local bodies.

The Bills were forwarded to the Governor and are currently awaiting Presidential assent.

Chief Minister Reddy on August 6 led a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding Presidential assent for the BC reservation Bills and alleged that the BJP-led central government was stalling them as it was “anti-OBC”.

The ruling Congress had promised before the 2023 assembly polls to provide 42 per cent reservation to the BCs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched two major agricultural schemes with an outlay of Rs 35,440 crore to boost pulses production and improve the farm sector growth in 100 low-performing districts, as he exhorted farmers to reduce the country’s import dependence and increase exports.

Modi, in a special event at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Pusa campus here, launched a Rs 24,000-crore ‘Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ (PM-DDKY) and a Rs 11,440-crore ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’.

He also inaugurated projects valued at over Rs 5,450 crore in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors, and laid foundation stone for additional projects worth around Rs 815 crore.

During his 30-minute address, Modi attacked the Congress governments for not having any vision and strategy for the growth of the agriculture and allied sectors, which weakened the farm ecosystem.

Talking about the two new big schemes, the Prime Minister said that the Centre would invest over Rs 35,000 crore in PM-DDKY and pulses mission, which he said would change the “fate of crores of farmers”.

The two schemes, already approved by the Cabinet, will be implemented from the upcoming rabi (winter) season till 2030-31.

Modi underscored that farmers have a critical role to play in realising the vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

“You (farmers) have made India self-reliant in foodgrains post-Independence. Now, you have a crucial role in making India a developed nation (Viksit Bharat). On one hand, we have to become self-reliant (in food), while on the other hand we should produce for the global market. Friends, we need to knock the doors of the international market,” Modi said, urging farmers to focus on crops that have global demand.

“We have to reduce our imports and we should not fall behind in increasing exports,” he said, adding that the two new schemes will play a major role in achieving these twin objectives.

Modi urged farmers to diversify beyond wheat and rice, focusing on pulses to ensure protein security. Despite being the world’s largest pulses producer and consumer, India still depends on imports, he pointed out.

Under the pulses mission, Modi said the aim is to increase pulses acreage by 35 lakh hectares by 2030 to boost production and achieve self-reliance. The mission targets raising pulses output from the current 252.38 lakh tonne to 350 lakh tonne by 2030-31.

The PM-DDKY, modelled on the government’s Aspirational Districts Programme, will target 100 low-performing agricultural districts and integrate 36 schemes from different ministries, he said.

The scheme will focus on enhancing productivity, promoting crop diversification, improving irrigation and storage facilities, and ensuring credit access.

Accusing previous Congress governments for neglecting the farm sector, Modi said the Opposition party lacked “vision” and strategy for the growth of this crucial sector.

The Prime Minister said it is important that the farm sector receive the government support, but he rued that previous governments left agriculture to fend for itself.

“There was no vision from the government side for agriculture. There was no strategy, Modi said, adding that the different government departments related to agri functioned independently.

Due to this approach, he said India’s agricultural system was continuously weakening.

To achieve higher growth, Modi said it was necessary to bring reform in the agricultural system and the process began when his government took over in 2014.

Modi said he changed the “careless approach” of previous governments towards farming, and brought many reforms in the farm sector, from seeds to the marketplace. The Centre made efforts to increase investment in the farm sector.

He said the government has increased agriculture budget six times in the last 11 years.

Taking aim at the Opposition party, Modi said while the NDA government has given Rs 13 lakh crore subsidy on fertilisers in 10 years, of which Rs 3.75 lakh crore has been provided to farmers under PM-Kisan scheme, Rs 5 lakh crore subsidy was given in 10 years of the UPA government.

Most recently, GST rates on farm machineries and equipment have been reduced, he said, adding this has brought double savings to farmers as the prices of daily use items too have come down.

As a result, Modi said that in the last 11 years, India’s agricultural exports have nearly doubled. Foodgrain production has increased by about 90 million tonne, while fruit and vegetable production has grown by more than 64 MT. Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, insurance claims worth Rs 2 lakh crore have been disbursed to farmers, he said, and remarked this is not a small amount.

Over the past 11 years, more than 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been formed to enhance farmer cooperation and market access.

Modi noted that this new agricultural initiative draws inspiration from the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP).

He reiterated that just like the ADP, the responsibilities for the successful implementation of PM-DDKY lie not only on the farmers but also on local government officials, particularly District Magistrate or Collector of each district.

The design of this scheme allows flexibility so that the planning can be tailored according to the specific needs of each district, he said.

During the event, Modi also interacted with farmers engaged in pulses cultivation who have benefitted from various government schemes aimed at establishing a value chain-based approach in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh were present at the event.

Chandigarh: The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, the the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet for more than six decades, streaked through Indian skies for the last time on Friday — its final adieu edged in history and many a remembrance.

The sun shone bright, the skies cloudless and a brilliant blue, providing a picture perfect setting for the elaborate farewell to the Russian origin warhorse that was inducted into the IAF in the 1960s.

Describing the MiG-21 as a mighty machine and a national pride, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said there is deep attachment to the aircraft that shaped our confidence.

“MiG-21 is not only an aircraft or machine but also proof of deep India-Russia ties,” the minister said.

“The history of military aviation is incredible. The MiG 21 added many proud moments in our military aviation journey,” Singh told the gathering.

Besides him, former IAF chiefs A Y Tipnis, S P Tyagi and B S Dhanoa, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first man on the International Space Station, and scores of veterans, many who had piloted the aircraft, were present on the occasion.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh flew the sortie of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft with call sign Badal 3. Dilbagh Singh, who became the IAF chief in 1981, led the first MiG-21 Squadron here in 1963.

The culmination of MiG-21 operations took place with a ceremonial flypast and decommissioning event, marking the closure of a historic chapter in India’s air power.

The country’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft were retired at the decommissioning event in Chandigarh, where it was first inducted.

The ceremony began with the arrival of the minister, the chief guest at the occasion, followed by a spectacular display by IAF’s elite skydiving team ‘Akash Ganga’, which skydived from a height of 8,000 feet.

This was followed by a majestic flypast of the MiG-21 aircraft accompanied by precision of the air warrior drill team and an aerial salute.

The fighter pilots flew MiG-21s in the three-aircraft Badal formation and the four-aircraft Panther formation roared over the skies one final time.

The Surya Kiran aerobatic team also enthralled the audience with their breathtaking manoeuvres.

MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, took part in the flypast ceremony, and were given a water cannon salute.

The Jaguar and the Tejas aircrafts also took part in the ceremony. Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. It has been designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles.

After its first induction, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21s to boost its overall combat prowess.

The supersonic jets were the dominant platforms during 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. The aircraft also played a key role in the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.

The aircraft has also had a troubled safety record and involved in multiple crashes in the last six decades. The ageing fleet prompted some to describe the aircraft as “legacy coffins”.

The MiG-21 jets made their last operational flights at the Nal Air Force Station in Rajasthan’s Bikaner, a month ahead of the formal retirement ceremony.

As part of the symbolic farewell, Air Chief Marshal Singh had also flown solo sorties of the MiG-21 from Nal on August 18-19.

Leh:A home ministry team held a series of meetings here to review the overall security situation as curfew remained in force for the third consecutive day in Leh town on Friday, officials said.

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere, officials said.

The curfew was clamped in the town on Wednesday evening after widespread violence resulted in the death of four persons and injuries to 90 others during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to advance talks with the Centre on demand for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

“The overall security situation remained peaceful across Ladakh.The restrictions are likely to be relaxed later in the day to allow people to buy essential commodities,” a police official said.

Over 50 persons were detained following the widespread clashes, while strict restrictions under prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons also remained in force in other major towns, including Kargil.

Police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear were seen patrolling the deserted streets to maintain law and order.

People in many areas complained that they are running short of essential supplies including ration, milk and vegetables.

Leh District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk has ordered closure of all government and private schools, colleges, and other educational institutions for two days from Friday. Besides, anganwadi centres will also remain closed, the DM had said.

The officials said a high-level team of officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs reached Leh on Thursday to review the security situation.

They had held a series of meetings with the Lt Governor and civil and police officers besides the representatives of the LAB.

“The meeting decided that a preparatory meeting with the Home Ministry will take place in New Delhi on September 27 or 28, subject to confirmation of date by the MHA. The meeting will be attended by three representatives each from the LAB and KDA (Kargil Democratic Alliance) besides Ladakh MP (Mohd Hanifa Jan).

“The preparatory meeting shall be followed by an immediate official meeting of the Home Ministry with a High Powered Committee comprising seven members each from LAB and KDA on four-point agenda,” a joint statement issued by LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang and co-chairman Chering Dorjay said.

LAB and the KDA have been jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of their demands – statehood, extension of sixth schedule of the constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil and Public Service Commission.

They have held several rounds of talks with the government in the past, reaching an agreement on job guarantees and the additional Lok Sabha seat which will be decided by the delimitation commission, leaving the focus on the demand for statehood and sixth schedule. The next round of talks with the Centre is scheduled for October 6.

Meanwhile, shops and business establishments opened in Kargil this morning after a day-long closure in response to a call given by KDA. However, policemen have been deployed in strength and were seen patrolling the sensitive areas of the town.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over phone to enquire about the Karur stampede and also called TVK party president Vijay to convey his condolences over the death of his supporters in the incident, party sources said on Monday.

Thank you, my dear brother Rahul Gandhi for reaching out to me over phone, conveying your heartfelt concern over the tragic incident in Karur and sincerely enquiring about the measures taken to save the precious lives of those under treatment Stalin said.

Congress sources said Gandhi telephoned the chief minister to enquire about the Karur stampede.

The Leader of Opposition also called up TVK president Vijay to convey his condolences over his supporters’ death a party source said.

The death toll in the September 27 stampede at a political rally led by actor-politician Vijay at Karur in western Tamil Nadu climbed to 40 on Sunday. Over 60 people are being treated as in-patients, and at least two are critical, officials said.

As the toll mounted, Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) moved the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench seeking a CBI or an independent probe into the stampede. Vijay, facing flak from various quarters, also announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the victims, while expressing profound grief over the incident.

Karur police booked a case under provisions including negligence against TVK office-bearers, while forensic experts commenced probe and covered spots like a sewer where a couple of bodies were allegedly found. Traders, shops and commercial establishments in Karur downed the shutters as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured, while the state government has announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee announced Rs 1 crore to the families of the dead and BJP announced Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday likened the India-Pakistan final in the Asia Cup to Operation Sindoor, and said the outcome remained the same and India won.

Operation Sindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.

India had named its military operation “Operation Sindoor” following the Pahalgam terror attack, as it targeted terrorists based in Pakistan and then engaged in a conflict with the Pakistani military.

Tilak Varma the sinewy left-hander, produced a heady cocktail of chutzpah and discretion to guide India to their ninth Asia Cup title, following a five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling final on Sunday.

Needing 10 off the last over Tilak deposited the controversial trouble monger Haris Rauf into mid-wicket stands before Rinku Singh, getting his first hit of the tournament, sent the Indian fans into delirium with a winning boundary.

Curfew remained in force for the sixth day in this violence-hit town on Monday with Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta set to chair a meeting to review the overall security situation.

“The situation remained by and large peaceful in the curfew-bound areas with no untoward incident reported from anywhere. Police and paramilitary forces are deployed in strength in sensitive areas and are maintaining strict vigil to maintain law and order,” an official said.

He said the Lt Governor has convened a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan to review the security situation in view of the last rites of ex-serviceman Tsewang Tharchin of Skurbuchan and Rinchen Dadul (21) of Hanu later in the day.

The last rites of two youngsters Stanzin Namgyal (24) and Jigmet Dorjay (25) were performed on Sunday. The four persons had died on September 24 amid widespread violence in the town.

The officials said mobile internet services continued to remain suspended in Leh town, while prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons also remained in force in other major parts of the Union Territory, including Kargil.

The curfew was imposed in Leh town on Wednesday evening following widespread violent protests during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. More than 150 persons, including some 80 policemen, were also injured in the clashes.

Over 60 persons, including two councilors, were taken into custody. They include climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who was detained under the National Security Act on Friday and subsequently lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.

Curfew was relaxed for four hours in a phased manner in the town on Saturday and the relaxation period passed off peacefully.

New Delhi: The government has appointed Shirish Chandra Murmu as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a three-year term.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment, sources said on Monday.

Murmu is currently Executive Director at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

New Delhi: An illegal storage unit of firecrackers was busted in the Badarpur area on Wednesday, the police said, adding that an arrest was made in the case as well.

Ahead of the festive season, around 225 kilograms of firecracker material was seized, the police added.

“The accused has been identified as Dharamvir Singh, a resident of Badarpur. A team had been tasked to act against illegal stocking and sale of firecrackers,” a police officer stated.

On September 16, police received a tip-off about the illegal storage of firecrackers in the Moladband area of Badarpur. Following verification of the information, a raid was conducted on Wednesday at a rooftop room of a building. During the search, police discovered a substantial stock of firecrackers weighing around 225 kilograms. Singh, who was present at the scene, was apprehended immediately, the officer added.

During questioning, Singh allegedly disclosed that he had procured the consignment from Palwal in Haryana two days earlier. He planned to sell the firecrackers during the upcoming festive season, but failed to produce any valid license or authorisation for their storage or sale.

“Storing such a large quantity of firecrackers without safety measures or authorisation poses a serious threat to public safety. Immediate action was taken to seize the material and apprehend the accused,” he added.

A case has been registered under the relevant legal provisions, and further investigation is underway to trace the source and identify others involved in the illegal supply chain, the police stated.