Maharashtra: Home Department gives ACB the nod to investigate irrigation scam
Maharashtra's Home Department on Friday gave its Anti-Corruption Bureau the green light to investigate Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and state Nationalist Congress Party chief Sunil Tatkare for their role in the multi-crore irrigation scam. The file now awaits Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's approval, before the agency can proceed. This development assumes significance because assembly elections in Maharashtra are due to be held on October 15, with the Congress and NCP still negotiating terms for their alliance in the state.
Andhra Pradesh: Maoists demand withdrawal of bauxite mining operations
Members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) met with villagers in Vishakhapatnam district on Thursday and threatened the state government with violence if they do not withdraw bauxite mining projects from the region. In their third meeting this month, Maoists addressed a gathering of 400-500 villagers and accused the state administration of slapping illegal cases against innocent locals and tribals by branding them as Maoists.
Jammu and Kashmir: Death toll from floods rises to 280
Officials from the state administration on Friday said that the total number of deaths due to to devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir had risen to 280. "The death toll in Jammu is 203, including 44 members of a marriage party who are missing since their bus as washed away" in Rajouri district," said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Manipur: State government faces credit crunch to implement Food Security Act
The Manipur government's silence over the implementation of National Food Security Act stems from the lack of credit, according to Imphal-based The Sangai Express. Should the state government be forced to implement the act, it will have to receive assistance from the Centre. According to officials from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Manipur government will have to expend crores every month to roll out the programme. The National Food Security Act aims to provide subsidised food grains to approximately two-thirds of India's 1.2 billion people.
Bihar: Sushma Swaraj inaugurates Nalanda University
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated Nalanda University on Friday, 821 years after a university that had stood in the same tow in Bihar had been destroyed. "It is a historic day for NU which has stepped into the shoes of the glorious Mahavihara as a connecting link between India and the world," Swaraj said. "I hope that NU reaches the same heights and even more." Despite plans to start seven departments in the varsity, classes were commenced in only two. The School of Ecology and Environmental Studies and the School of Historical Studies, with 11 faculty members and 15 students, have begun operations.
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Maharashtra's Home Department on Friday gave its Anti-Corruption Bureau the green light to investigate Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and state Nationalist Congress Party chief Sunil Tatkare for their role in the multi-crore irrigation scam. The file now awaits Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's approval, before the agency can proceed. This development assumes significance because assembly elections in Maharashtra are due to be held on October 15, with the Congress and NCP still negotiating terms for their alliance in the state.
Andhra Pradesh: Maoists demand withdrawal of bauxite mining operations
Members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) met with villagers in Vishakhapatnam district on Thursday and threatened the state government with violence if they do not withdraw bauxite mining projects from the region. In their third meeting this month, Maoists addressed a gathering of 400-500 villagers and accused the state administration of slapping illegal cases against innocent locals and tribals by branding them as Maoists.
Jammu and Kashmir: Death toll from floods rises to 280
Officials from the state administration on Friday said that the total number of deaths due to to devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir had risen to 280. "The death toll in Jammu is 203, including 44 members of a marriage party who are missing since their bus as washed away" in Rajouri district," said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Manipur: State government faces credit crunch to implement Food Security Act
The Manipur government's silence over the implementation of National Food Security Act stems from the lack of credit, according to Imphal-based The Sangai Express. Should the state government be forced to implement the act, it will have to receive assistance from the Centre. According to officials from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Manipur government will have to expend crores every month to roll out the programme. The National Food Security Act aims to provide subsidised food grains to approximately two-thirds of India's 1.2 billion people.
Bihar: Sushma Swaraj inaugurates Nalanda University
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated Nalanda University on Friday, 821 years after a university that had stood in the same tow in Bihar had been destroyed. "It is a historic day for NU which has stepped into the shoes of the glorious Mahavihara as a connecting link between India and the world," Swaraj said. "I hope that NU reaches the same heights and even more." Despite plans to start seven departments in the varsity, classes were commenced in only two. The School of Ecology and Environmental Studies and the School of Historical Studies, with 11 faculty members and 15 students, have begun operations.