Karnataka extends helping hand to cyclone-hit Andhra Pradesh, deploys 500 power personnel Bengaluru, Nov 2 (IANS) The Karnataka government is extending assistance to Andhra Pradesh to restore electricity supply infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab. Responding to a request from the Andhra Pradesh government for manpower and equipment to undertake restoration work, Karnataka has decided to provide support in the spirit of cooperation and solidarity between the neighbouring states. The assistance is being provided under the supervision of Energy Minister K.J. George. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar spoke to his Andhra counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu over the phone and assured him of Karnataka’s full support during the difficult period. “Karnataka stands firmly with the people of Andhra Pradesh. Electricity is an essential service, and its immediate restoration is an urgent necessity for the well-being of people affected by the disaster,” he said. Energy Minister George said Karnataka would work closely with Andhra Pradesh officials through effective field-level coordination and the use of advanced equipment to restore electricity supply at the earliest. As part of the assistance, Karnataka is deploying 500 skilled linemen (powermen), 15 Palfinger trucks equipped with cranes and earth augers, and 25 tractor-mounted drilling machines to undertake restoration work in cyclone-affected areas and expedite the resumption of power supply. The teams were mobilised on an emergency basis and left for Andhra Pradesh on Monday afternoon, reaching the state by midnight. For effective deployment and coordination, each electricity supply company (ESCOM) has appointed a single point of contact (SPOC) to coordinate with the authorities concerned in Andhra Pradesh. The linemen have been divided into teams of 10 members each, with every team headed by a Junior Engineer (JE) or Assistant Engineer (AE). An Executive Engineer (EE) from each Operations and Maintenance (O&M) circle has also been assigned to oversee and coordinate the overall deployment of the teams. The Palfinger trucks equipped with cranes and earth augers, as well as the tractor-mounted drilling machines, will be accompanied by their respective drivers and operators to ensure the effective use of equipment at the work sites. The Karnataka government will also provide necessary contingency funds to meet unforeseen expenses related to the travel, accommodation and other essential arrangements for the deployed personnel. The timely assistance reflects Karnataka’s commitment to supporting Andhra Pradesh under the ‘Neighbour First’ principle during natural disasters and ensuring the speedy restoration of essential electricity services to people affected by the cyclone. –IANS mka/vd
Bengaluru, Nov 2 (IANS): The Karnataka government is extending assistance to Andhra Pradesh to restore electricity supply infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab. Responding to a request from the Andhra Pradesh government for manpower and equipment to undertake restoration work, Karnataka has decided to provide support in the spirit of cooperation and solidarity between the neighbouring […]
Over 44,000 government buildings connected to solar power, saving Rs 700 crore annually: PM Modi New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) More than 44,000 government buildings across India have been connected to solar energy, generating annual savings of around Rs 700 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, highlighting the country’s progress in renewable energy and its commitment to strengthening energy security through clean power. Addressing the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit at the Bharat Mandapam here, the Prime Minister said India has made significant strides in the renewable energy sector over the past 12 years, connecting industries, farms and households with solar power. “Over the last 12 years, we have worked to connect industries and farms with solar power. More than 44,000 government buildings across India are now connected to solar energy, generating annual savings of around Rs 700 crore,” he said “Farmers across the country are also benefiting from the PM-KUSUM scheme. Through this initiative, more than 30 lakh farmers have been provided with solar-powered irrigation facilities. Estimates suggest that each farmer can save around Rs 1 lakh annually by using solar pumps,” the Prime Minister added. PM Modi said the government aims to bring every government building, school, college, hospital and street-lighting system under solar energy to further expand the country’s clean energy infrastructure. The Prime Minister also highlighted the progress made under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024 with the target of installing rooftop solar panels in one crore households. “More than 65 lakh households have joined the initiative in the past 24-25 months,” he said. Emphasising India’s commitment to global climate goals, PM Modi said the country had achieved its target of meeting 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources in 2025, five years ahead of the schedule set under the Paris Agreement. “Under the Paris Agreement, India also pledged to meet 50 per cent of its installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources. We achieved this target in 2025, five years ahead of schedule. Today, more than 50 per cent of India’s installed power capacity comes from non-fossil fuel sources,” the Prime Minister stated.
PM Modi New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS): More than 44,000 government buildings across India have been connected to solar energy, generating annual savings of around Rs 700 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, highlighting the country’s progress in renewable energy and its commitment to strengthening energy security through clean power. Addressing the Bharat […]
Bihar: Tejashwi Yadav seeks termination of two independent MLCs for joining BJP Patna, Nov 2 (IANS) The controversy over two independent members of the Bihar Legislative Council allegedly joining the BJP shortly after their election has intensified, with Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav demanding the termination of their memberships under the anti-defection law. “It is absolutely clear that an independent MLC cannot join any political party after being elected. If they do so, their membership is liable to be terminated. The memberships of both these individuals must be revoked; otherwise, one might as well tear up the Constitution and throw it away,” Tejashwi said. The controversy concerns Banshidhar Brajvasi, elected from the Tirhut Graduates’ constituency, and Rahul Raj, elected from the Saran Teachers’ constituency. Both were elected as independent candidates in the recent Bihar Legislative Council elections and subsequently joined the BJP. On Monday, a high-level delegation of the Jan Suraaj Party, led by former MLC Professor Rambali Singh Chandravanshi, visited the Legislative Council and submitted a formal petition along with supporting documents to Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh. The party has demanded the immediate termination of the memberships of the two MLCs under the anti-defection law. Speaking to the media after meeting the Chairman, Chandravanshi said Bihar had historically been regarded as the birthplace of democracy and that democratic values rested on public morality and accountability. He alleged that both MLCs had visited the BJP office within 72 hours of their election and formally joined the party. According to him, they received membership receipts and wore BJP scarves during the induction programme. Chandravanshi further alleged that after the possibility of legal action emerged, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi deleted social media posts relating to their induction and subsequently claimed that the two MLCs had merely visited the party office to extend their support. Citing the membership receipt numbers, Chandravanshi said the Jan Suraaj delegation had submitted documentary evidence to the Legislative Council Chairman and warned that the issue could no longer be ignored. Explaining the legal provisions, Chandravanshi referred to his own disqualification under the anti-defection law approximately three years ago. “Three years ago, I too was removed under the anti-defection law in this very Legislative Council. While there may be some flexibility or scope for interpretation in the case of members elected on party tickets, the law is clear regarding independent members under the 52nd Constitutional Amendment. If an independent member joins a political party after being elected, his membership is liable to be terminated with immediate effect,” he said. The Jan Suraaj Party has urged the Legislative Council Chairman to examine the evidence and take appropriate action against the two members. The matter has now placed the spotlight on the application of the anti-defection provisions to independent members of legislative bodies, with the final decision resting with the competent authority under the Constitution. –IANS ajk/dan
Patna, Nov 2 (IANS): The controversy over two independent members of the Bihar Legislative Council allegedly joining the BJP shortly after their election has intensified, with Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav demanding the termination of their memberships under the anti-defection law. “It is absolutely clear that an independent MLC cannot join any political party […]
Omar Abdullah inaugurates Rs 189 lakh infrastructure works at Jammu Civil Secretariat Jammu, Nov 2 (IANS) J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated infrastructure development works worth Rs 189 lakh at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu. These Infrastructure development works are aimed at strengthening office infrastructure and improving facilities for employees and visitors following the resumption of the traditional Darbar Move. The Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed pre-fabricated office accommodation block, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 158.09 lakh under the CAPEX budget. He also inaugurated the renovated Reception Hall at the entrance gate of the Civil Secretariat, completed at a cost of ₹31. 10 lakh under the Maintenance and Repairs (M&R) component. The inauguration of these facilities marks another step towards strengthening infrastructure and enhancing the working environment at the Civil Secretariat following the reopening of offices in Jammu under the traditional Darbar Move. The concerned engineers briefed the Chief Minister about the projects, highlighting the facilities created and the infrastructure developed as part of the works. The Chief Minister also took a round of the newly created facilities and inspected the arrangements put in place to facilitate the smooth functioning of offices at the Civil Secretariat. The newly developed infrastructure is aimed at providing improved working facilities for government employees while ensuring a better reception environment for visitors and the public. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister, Dheeraj Gupta, Acting Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Estates M. Raju, Secretary Revenue Avny Lavasa, Director General Estates Jammu Mushtaq Ahmed and other concerned officers were present on the occasion. After its closure in summer capital Srinagar on October 30, all the top offices of the J&K government, including those of the chief minister, his cabinet colleagues and all senior bureaucrats, opened at winter capital Jammu today. Omar Abdullah was given a guard of honour on his arrival at the civil secretariat in Jammu today as the seat of governance in J&K started functioning here today. The six-monthly shuttling of top offices between the twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu is an over 160- year old administrative practice started by the erstwhile Dogra Maharajas of the state. –IANS sq/dan
Jammu, Nov 2 (IANS) :J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated infrastructure development works worth Rs 189 lakh at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu. These Infrastructure development works are aimed at strengthening office infrastructure and improving facilities for employees and visitors following the resumption of the traditional Darbar Move. The Chief Minister inaugurated the newly […]
16 probes already, will there be more as Satheesan government seeks to put Pinarayi Vijayan in the dock Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (IANS) In under six months in office, the V.D. Satheesan government in Kerala has ordered investigations into 16 major cases, 12 of which directly concern the previous LDF government and the CPI-M. The scale of the investigations has brought back memories of May 2016, when Pinarayi Vijayan took office after defeating the Congress-led UDF government of Oommen Chandy. One of the first steps taken by the incoming Vijayan government was to scrutinise all Cabinet decisions taken by the Chandy government from January 1, 2016, until the announcement of the Assembly elections in March that year. Interestingly, Satheesan, along with senior Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran, had then strongly questioned several of those decisions. However, the scrutiny did not establish any wrongdoing in the Cabinet decisions examined. A decade later, Satheesan, now Chief Minister, has embarked on a series of investigations into decisions and controversies linked to the previous government. The most prominent among them is the Vigilance probe into financial transactions of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), a major infrastructure funding agency of the previous LDF government. A special police team is also examining alleged financial irregularities connected with the proposed visit of Lionel Messi’s Argentina football team to Kerala. The Crime Branch is probing alleged irregularities in PSC examinations and appointments, including recruitment to senior posts. An SIT is also investigating allegations of attacks on Youth Congress and KSU protesters in front of the Secretariat. Other probes include alleged financial irregularities involving former Kannur district panchayat President P.P. Divya, irregularities in the Chevayur Service Cooperative Bank election, the Vadakara ‘Kafir’ screenshot controversy and the case relating to protests during a flight carrying the former Chief Minister. The Vigilance investigation into the CMRL-Exalogic financial dealings, involving Vijayan and others, remains temporarily stalled after the High Court stayed further proceedings. The government says the investigations are being initiated after legal scrutiny and necessary procedures. More cases could come under the scanner in the coming days. The sheer number of probes within such a short period has made the government’s approach to allegations against its predecessor a major political talking point. –IANS sg/vd
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (IANS): In under six months in office, the V.D. Satheesan government in Kerala has ordered investigations into 16 major cases, 12 of which directly concern the previous LDF government and the CPI-M. The scale of the investigations has brought back memories of May 2016, when Pinarayi Vijayan took office after defeating the […]
