States

01

Sep

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

Rahul Gandhi gets go-ahead for ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Prayagraj

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has received clearance from local authorities to hold his 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' student interaction event in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, following the reversal of a venue cancellation.   Uncertainty had surrounded the event, scheduled for August 8, after the management of KP College withdrew permission to use its sports ground. In a letter to the City Congress Committee president, Chaudhary Jitendra Nath Singh, acting president of Kayasth Pathshala, explained that the booking had been cancelled on the advice of the principal. The decision cited an Allahabad High Court…

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01

Sep

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

Assembly showdown between Vijay and Udhayanidhi on Cauvery issue

Joseph Vijay, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, justified his demand for a bilateral dialogue with Karnataka about the Cauvery water dispute in the Assembly on Friday by saying that he is ready to accept any "humiliation" in case dialogue can ensure the protection of the state's interest.   Vijay made the statement amidst a tiff with the Leader of the Opposition, Udhayanidhi Stalin, over the Karnataka proposal for constructing the Mekedatu dam. Refuting the demand of Udhayanidhi for holding an all-party meeting, Vijay said that Tamil Nadu will never sacrifice its water rights and asked the opposition not to politicise the…

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26

Aug

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

I apologise: CM Vijay after minister’s Karunanidhi gaffe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay issued an apology in the Legislative Assembly on Monday after a cabinet minister referred to former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi directly by name, omitting the customary honorific titles. The slip of the tongue triggered immediate protests from the opposition DMK, whose members condemned the remark as a breach of parliamentary decorum.   Stepping in swiftly to defuse tensions in the House, the 52-year-old actor-politician acknowledged that the manner in which the late leader had been addressed was unacceptable. Vijay offered a formal apology on behalf of Forest Minister R V Ranjith Kumar, who…

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23

Aug

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

New cars, ₹75K allowance: CM Vijay’s big bonanza for Tamil Nadu MLAs

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced a legislative welfare initiative aimed at providing state MLAs with official vehicles and financial support to improve constituency mobility. Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister confirmed that the state government will provide official cars to all members to enable them to travel regularly throughout their constituencies and attend to public grievances.   Under the logistical package, each MLA will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 75,000 to cover driver salaries, fuel, and vehicle maintenance, alongside a monthly grant of Rs 25,000 to hire an assistant for their constituent offices. The initiative follows…

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23

Aug

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

Not allow Karnataka to lay even one stone for Mekedatu dam: Anand

Amid mounting political tensions over the Cauvery water dispute, the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister N Anand on Wednesday reiterated the government's opposition to the proposed Mekedatu dam project, stating that Karnataka would not be permitted to lay even a single stone for the structure.   Speaking in the State Assembly, Anand responded to DMK MLA Durai Chandrasekaran, who had accused the ruling TVK government of adopting a "soft approach" on the Cauvery issue.   "We will not allow the Karnataka government to lay even a single stone to build the Mekedatu dam," Anand said in the Assembly.   He…

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22

Aug

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

SFI–ABVP violent face-off at Jadavpur University injures 4

Tension gripped the campus of Jadavpur University late Wednesday night following a violent clash between supporters of rival student organisations, leading to injuries and escalating political confrontation. According to reports, at least four members affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were injured in the altercation and were subsequently admitted to a nearby private hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.   The incident reportedly stemmed from a General Body (GB) meeting called by the CPI(M)’s students wing, Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and other Left-leaning student groups earlier in the day. ABVP members opposed the meeting, arguing that…

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21

Aug

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

Vijay’s delimitation stand triggers political storm

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay sparked political controversy on Thursday after calling on the Union government to provide a “clear legislative assurance” that southern states will not lose parliamentary representation as a result of successful population control efforts. Speaking at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram, Vijay argued that such an undertaking was essential to maintain fairness, safeguard federal balance, and bolster state confidence in democratic institutions. However, opposition parties quickly seized on the fact that he stopped short of reiterating a recent resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu assembly on August 12, which demanded that…

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19

Aug

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

Assam BJP slams Akhil Gogoi over alleged coal trade link

The ruling BJP in Assam slammed Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi over double standards following a purported audio clip that had gone viral on social media and which allegedly links his close associate to an illegal coal trade network along the Nagaland border, noting that the regional political party leader has consistently projected himself as a crusader against illegal coal, stone, and sand syndicates.   Referencing Assamese folklore, State BJP spokesperson Kishore Upadhyay described the situation as a case of "a ghost emerging from within the mustard pot itself," while questioning Gogoi's silence over the incident. According to a press…

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16

Aug

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

Law will decide: Shivakumar over NICE project controversy

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said the State government would "do whatever is required as per the law" on Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy's letter seeking a takeover of the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) project and an immediate halt to toll collection.   "We will do whatever is required as per the law. I have just come to know that he has written a letter. I will look into the letter," Shivakumar told reporters while responding to a question on Kumaraswamy's demand. Kumaraswamy, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Janata Dal (Secular) president, wrote to Shivakumar on August…

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15

Aug

By The Press Editor

Politics, States

WB CM’s approval mandatory for senior bureaucrat promotions

The West Bengal government has reiterated that the Chief Minister’s approval is mandatory for the promotion of senior state government officials to posts at Level-22 or above in the pay matrix.   Nabanna, the state secretariat, has issued a directive to all state government departments, instructing them to strictly follow the existing rules governing such promotions. The Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR) Department has made it clear that the prescribed procedure cannot be relaxed.   According to the notification, under the West Bengal Services (Revision of Pay and Allowance) Rules, 2019 (ROPA 2019), all files relating to promotions to posts…

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