State

The Goa state government has only received one taker of the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) scheme promoting the use of drones in farming, the state government has told the legislative assembly.

In a written reply tabled in the House on Friday, state Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik told independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco that till now only Don Bosco Loutolim Society, Loutolim in Salcete taluka was using a drone for farming, which it purchased by availing subsidy from the agriculture department. Naik said that financial assistance of 40% at the base price of drones and related components up to a maximum of Rs 4 lakh under the centrally-sponsored scheme is provided.

Government doctors in Haryana ended their indefinite strike today following assurances from the state government that their demands would be accepted, the chief of the association leading the shutdown said. The doctors have since resumed their duties after the strike was called off.

The shutdown was lifted following a meeting between representatives of the protesting doctors and Amit Aggarwal -- additional principal secretary to the Haryana chief minister -- late on Friday, Haryana Civil Medical Services Association president Dr Rajesh Khyalia said. The government has accepted the doctors' demands and assured to notify those before August 15, he added.

The doctors are demanding a career progression scheme that ensures parity with their central government peers, reduction in the bond amount for admission to postgraduate courses from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh and formation of a specialist cadre for them.

Around 3,000 government doctors had gone on an indefinite strike on Thursday to press the state government to accept their demands. The strike hit medical services in state-run hospitals of Haryana.

At least 10 pro-ILP activists were arrested after they tried to prevent tourists from visiting Sohra and Dawki in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district, police said.

Tourist inflow to Sohra and Dawki was briefly affected on Friday when the pro-ILP activists belonging to Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) tried to prevent some tourists coming from Assam from visiting these places. "The district authorities have beefed up security arrangements for tourists intending to travel to Sohra and Dawki and security personnel have been deployed at specific locations along the route to prevent any disruption in tourists' visits," Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtynger told PTI.

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong condemned the incident, saying, "It was very unfortunate. People are visiting Meghalaya to enjoy nature. We will not let such things happen again." The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front seeks implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the state.

HNYF president Sadon Blah said the group has called for such an action to force the government to implement a policy restricting the movement of tourist vehicles coming from outside the state.

Goa Law Minister Aleixo Sequeira has told the legislative assembly that there is a shortage of 18 judges in 10 different courts, including district courts, across the state.

In a written reply tabled in the House on Friday, the minister shared the details about the vacancies in the courts. The strength of additional judges has been calculated for the state based on the 'Unit System' in accordance with the interim report of the National Court Management System (NCMS) Committee as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

Sequeira said that as per Article 229 of the Constitution, the entire process of filling up the post of judicial officer (in Goa) is done by the Bombay High Court. He added that the process to fill the vacancies of the judges was underway.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday that the Agniveers who return after serving the country will be given weightage in UP Police and PAC force.

Adityanath said this while speaking to reporters at his official residence on Friday evening before leaving for NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi.

"The country will get trained and disciplined young soldiers in the form of Agniveers," he said. The UP chief minister said the youth today are getting recruited in Agnipath Yojana with enthusiasm. After this, arrangements are being made to accommodate them in paramilitary and civil police. 

"The UP government has also said as the Agniveer scheme progresses and when these youth return after their service, we will provide facility and weightage for their adjustment in UP Police and PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) force. We will get trained and disciplined youth as Agniveers. Our government is fully committed to this," Adityanath said.

The Special Narcotics Police Station of Mizoram on Friday seized 14.082 kg of methamphetamine and 2.804 kg of heroin, valued at Rs. 42.38 crore, in Khawzawl district, officials reported.

The operation, carried out on Wednesday, led to the arrest of three Tripura residents, who were presented in court on Friday.

A Mizoram CID narcotics team intercepted a vehicle on the outskirts of Dulte village, leading to the seizure of the drugs, according to an official. Inspector-General of Police (Law & Order) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte confirmed the recovery of 191 soap cases of suspected heroin and 14.082 kg of methamphetamine from hidden compartments in the vehicle.

The arrested suspects are MD Iman Hossain (23), Rippan Hossain (37), and Niranjan Karmakar (40).

Facades of two mosques and a mazar along the kanwar yatra route in Uttarakhand's Haridwar city were on Friday covered with large sheets of white cloth to "prevent trouble" but were removed by the evening after objections from various quarters.

The sheets were hung on bamboo scaffoldings in front of two mosques and a mazar, all in the Jwalapur area.

The mosque's maulana and the mazar's caretakers said they were not aware of any administrative order in this regard and claimed this was for the first time that such a step had been taken during the yatra. Though the Haridwar senior superintendent of police and district magistrate were not available for comment, Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj told reporters that it was done to maintain peace. "Any such thing is done only to prevent trouble," he said.

"It is not such a big thing. We also cover buildings when they are under construction," he said.

The sheets of cloth were removed by the district administration by the evening following objections, including by locals and politicians. "We received orders from the railway police post to remove the curtains. That is why we have come to remove these," said Danish Ali, appointed as a special police officer (SPO) by the administration for the yatra's management.

Congress leader and former minister Naeem Qureshi said he has never seen such a thing in his life.

"We Muslims always welcome Shiv bhakts (devotees) for the kanwar fair and arrange refreshments for them at various places. This has been an example of harmony between Hindus and Muslims in Haridwar, and there has never been a tradition of curtains," he said.

A month after quitting the Bharatiya Janata Party, former Gondia MLA Rameshkumar Kuthe on Friday returned to the Shiv Sena (UBT) with his supporters.

Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray reinducted Kuthe and his younger brother Rajkumar Kuthe in the party at a function at Thackeray's residence `Matoshree' in Mumbai, a party source said. Rameshkumar Kuthe, an OBC leader who had won from Gondia assembly constituency in 1995 and 1999, quit the Shiv Sena and joined the BJP in 2018, but resigned from the saffron party last month citing dissatisfactory treatment.

His return to the Sena (UBT) is expected to give a boost to the party in the district ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections.

JD(S) Member of the Legislative Council Suraj Revanna, who is facing charges of sexually assaulting some men and is out on bail, said on Friday that in 15 to 20 days all those who were part of the conspiracy against him and his family will be exposed.

He said he has not done anything wrong and that the truth will come out soon.

“We have not done anything wrong. That’s why we all are so confident. All the questions will be answered. Time alone will give the answer,” Suraj Revanna, grandson of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, told reporters after praying to Goddess Chamundeshwari here in Mysuru. He said, “I would also like to tell you that the truth cannot be hidden for long. All those who have taken part in this conspiracy, they will come out (be exposed). Just wait for 15 to 20 days.”

Suraj Revanna was released on bail just two days ago in the sexual assault case. He was arrested based on a complaint by a JD(S) worker who alleged that the MLC sexually assaulted him.

Suraj's younger brother Prajwal Revanna, who is also facing allegations of sexual assault on several women, is in jail.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh will be attending the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi on Saturday.

"My visit to Delhi is for the NITI Aayog meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following this, there will be a chief ministers' conclave where the PM will be present," Singh said before his departure to the national capital on Thursday.

"I will address the current situation in the state and seek solutions to the ongoing crisis. I am optimistic that positive outcomes will result," Singh said.

The indefinite strike called by an association representing government doctors in Haryana that hit services in state-run hospitals entered its second day on Friday.

The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) launched the strike to protest the non-fulfilment of their several demands, including a career progression scheme. Marathon talks between the association and the government on Thursday failed to make much headway.

"The indefinite strike by government doctors continues. Hunger strike by four doctors is also going on simultaneously," HCMSA president Dr Rajesh Khyalia said on Friday. He said around 3,000 doctors joined the indefinite strike on Thursday. It hit services in state-run hospitals and long queues were outside OPDs.

On Thursday, some patients said they were being treated by interns or retired doctors. Seeking to resolve the issue, the government had on Wednesday invited the doctors' body for talks here.

State government representatives, including Rajesh Khullar, chief principal secretary to the chief minister, held talks with the doctors' body on Thursday afternoon which was followed by another round of talks with the ACS (health). The doctors' demands include the formation of a specialist cadre for them and a career progression scheme that ensures parity with their central government peers.

According to the association, the doctors have to submit two bonds of Rs 1 crore each for admission to postgraduate courses. It has demanded that the amount be reduced.

The other demand raised by the association is to stop the direct recruitment of senior medical officers.

Over 2,000 people have been relocated from inundated areas in western Maharashtra's Kolhapur district due to the Panchaganga river flowing above the danger mark.

The water level of the Panchaganga river at Rajaram Wier was 45.2 feet, well above the 43-foot danger mark.

Kolhapur collector Amol Yedge said the district administration has started relocating people from affected areas of Sutarwada and Kumbharwada in the city. The administration has also relocated people from Chikhli and Ambewadi in Karveer tehsil and some villages in Hatkalangane, Shirol, and Ichalkarangi tehsils.

The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for the district, but rains have stopped in the city. According to the district administration, six gates of the Radhanagari dam were opened, and the discharge was at 10068 cusecs.

At least 11 state highways and 37 main roads in the district were shut for vehicular traffic due to inundation, and 96 barrages were submerged. 

In response to a surge in HIV-positive and AIDS cases in Tripura, the High Court issued a notice on Wednesday to the state government, demanding a report within two weeks on the measures taken to address the issue.

The Court initiated the case following a letter from Justice T Amarnath Goud, Executive Chairman of the Legal Services Authority, to Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh. The letter highlighted a troubling increase in HIV/AIDS cases and related deaths among students, supported by district-wise statistics. “The case was heard in the Division Bench of honourable Chief Justice and Justice Arindam Lodh. They have taken cognizance of the matter and have fixed a date for submitting a report. A short date has been given as it is a burning issue and requires attention of the state and stakeholders. So, an urgent report has been sought by the court,” Government counsel Kohinoor Narayan Bhattacharya noted.

Tripura reports approximately 1,500 new HIV/AIDS cases annually, according to the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS).

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will not be attending the NITI Aayog meeting to be held in Delhi on July 27 in protest against the Centre allegedly hurting the state's rights and not releasing funds due to it, official sources said on Friday.

The state government is boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting as part of its protest and hoped that Modi would issue a statement during the ongoing session of Parliament on the assurances made to Telangana in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 and on the requests made by the state and amend the budget accordingly, Reddy had stated in the Legislative Assembly on July 24.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday informed the legislative assembly that the state's Employment Exchanges Act will be amended to ensure that private companies give priority to local candidates in their recruitment.

At present, the state government cannot force the private industries to hire local candidates, he said. The employment exchange currently sponsors the local candidates during the recruitment drives conducted by the private industries.

"But we cannot force any industry to hire the (local) candidates...It depends on the skill, qualifications and the attitude of the candidate," Sawant said. He assured the House that the government will amend the Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959 after taking the industries into confidence.

"We will amend the law making it mandatory for the industries to inform the government if they are recruiting 10 or more staffers. Earlier, they had to inform only when the recruitment was for 25 and more candidates," he said.

"If we do this (amend), you will see that maximum local youths are employed," he said.

Trigger Warning: Suicide
A CRPF jawan allegedly shot himself dead in Jharkhand's Chatra district, police said on Friday.

The jawan was identified as Ashish Kumar Singh, a resident of Uttar Pradesh and was posted in the Shila outpost. Around 11.30 pm on Thursday, Singh allegedly shot himself dead, Officer-in-Charge of Simaria police station Mayank Kumar said.

The body has been sent to Sadar Hospital, Chatra for postmortem examination and further investigation was on, the police officer added. If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues, please help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations.

Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com

TISS iCall: 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appeared before the MP-MLA court in Sultanpur (UP) on Friday for a hearing in a defamation case. 

The court fixed August 12 as the next date of hearing in the matter when the statement of the petitioner will be recorded.

Court sources said Gandhi need not appear in the court again on that date. Congress district president Abhishek Singh Rana confirmed that Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, appeared in the court.

Local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Mishra filed a defamation case on August 4, 2018, against Gandhi for making alleged objectionable remarks against the then BJP president and current Home Minister Amit Shah.

The court granted bail to Gandhi in this case on February 20.

A case has been registered against a user of the micro-blogging site 'X' for allegedly creating and posting derogatory memes about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, police said on Friday.

Based on a complaint, a case was registered on Thursday at Khadakpada police station in Thane district under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for promoting enmity between different groups and public mischief, an official said. As per the complaint, the 'X' handle, @gajabhauX, allegedly morphed photographs of Fadnavis and created and shared derogatory memes since July 20, he said.

The complainant claimed the posts created a sense of dissatisfaction and insecurity among people, the official said, adding that a probe is on and no arrest has been made.

Two kanwariyas were killed and two injured in an accident in the Afzalgarh area of Bijnor district in Uttar Pradesh, police said on Friday.

Circle Officer (Afzalgarh) Anjani Kumar said the accident occurred on Friday when a group of 30 kanwariyas were on their way to Haridwar in Uttarakhand from Bareilly on their two-wheelers.

During the journey, one of the two-wheelers collided with an unidentified vehicle and then hit another two-wheeler of the group, Kumar said.

Heavy overnight rain flooded the Balganga river in the Boodha Kedar area of Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal district on Friday with the river water gushing into homes, inundating fields and damaging roads and bridges.

Heavy overnight rain flooded the Balganga river in the Boodha Kedar area of Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal district on Friday with the river water gushing into homes, inundating fields and damaging roads and bridges. Some shops in villages were also damaged. Despite the flood, no casualties were reported as people moved to safer locations, he said.

A revenue police team rushed to the affected area, and the extent of damage is being estimated. People were advised to maintain distance from the river, he added.

As many as eight of the 14 crew members from a tugboat that went adrift in the Arabian Sea off Maharashtra’s Alibag coast have been rescued so far, a police official said on Friday.

The rescue operation of the crew from the small carrier operated by JSW Group was launched with the help of the Coast Guard, he said.

A chopper of the Coast Guard has been engaged in the operation, which was started around 9 am and eight crew members of the tugboat have been rescued so far, said Somnath Gharge, Raigad Superintendent of Police. The remaining six crew members are also being evacuated, he said.  The Coast Guard chopper picked up the eight crew members from the tugboat and dropped them at Alibag beach, he said, adding that all the crew members were safe.

“A small carrier vessel operated by JSW got caught in the stormy weather today between Jaigarh and Salav as it drifted due to strong winds and low visibility,” JSW Group had said in a statement on Thursday.

Police had said that the tugboat was near the Kolaba fort off the Alibag coast in Raigad district when it drifted after its engine stopped functioning.

The Maharashtra government will start onion banks in several places to provide relief to farmers cultivating the perishable kitchen staple, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said.

The project will start from Rahuri in Ahmednagar, while facilities will come up immediately in Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Solapur, where onion production is high, the CM said.

Chairing a review meeting of the project, the CM said storage of onions will be done using solar energy, which will allow farmers to wait till they get good prices for the crop. “The onion bank will start through Hindustan Agro. Premises of the state-run Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation will be used for the purpose. Onions banks are also proposed at 10 places along the Samruddhi Expressway,” the CM said.

Shinde also directed authorities to develop a value chain in the onion bank area keeping in mind the interest of farmers.

There is no compulsion of reservations for local residents in Goa’s industrial policy, though certain incentives are given based on local employment, state industries minister Mauvin Godinho has said.

In a written reply in the Assembly to a question by BJP MLA Sankalp Amonkar, he said, as per Goa Industrial Growth and Investment Promotion Policy 2022, incentives are given, with provision for increased benefits to those businesses that employ over 60% locals. “There is no compulsion as of now (to hire a certain percentage of locals) but incentives are given based on local employment. In Goa Logistics and Warehousing Policy too emphasis is given on employment for locals while giving incentives for the logistic sector,” he said.

The Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce is encouraging units to employ more Goans, he said, adding there is no proposal under consideration of the government to make local employment compulsory in private industries.

The Uttarakhand government has issued instructions to strictly enforce the rule of mandatory installation of dustbins and garbage bags in vehicles entering the state “to maintain its natural cleanliness”.

Before issuing trip cards to vehicles, it should be ensured that they have a dustbin or garbage bag installed, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi said.

Vehicles entering the state should be checked and fined if they do not comply with this mandatory rule, the chief secretary said. The State Transport Department recently wrote to the Transport Commissioners of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, informing them that it is mandatory for vehicles coming to the state during the Chardham Yatra to have dustbins and garbage bags installed to prevent travellers from littering roads.

Tour operators, travel agencies, drivers and the general public should be informed about this rule, the chief secretary added.