Jammu and Kashmir: Next 36 hours crucial, says Meteorological Department
Fresh rainfall on Wednesday raised fears of further flooding in Jammu and Kashmir, said officials. “The next 36 hours are very crucial,” said Sonam Lotus, the supervisor of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar. Weather conditions are expected to improve by Friday evening. However, an official of the Flood Control department said that the water level in the river Jhelum was expected to rise due to the new spell of rain. Anticipating floods, 42 rescue and relief operation camps have been established across Srinagar. Authorities have also prepared an evacuation plan for flood-prone areas in the city.
Andhra Pradesh: Amaravati chosen as name for new capital
The new capital of Andhra Pradesh will be called Amaravati, state Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday. To be built between Vijayawada and Guntur, the final draft of the master plan for the city is expected to be ready in two to three weeks, he added. The state government has estimated that it will cost Rs 20,000 crore to build the new city. But so far, the Centre has allocated only Rs 1,500 crore for it. Meanwhile, opposition parties in the state are planning agitations against the takeover of fertile land to build the capital, even as Naidu maintains that farmers have voluntarily donated 33,000 acres for the purpose.
West Bengal: Government bans Praveen Togadia form entering state
Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia was banned from entering West Bengal by the state government on Wednesday. Togadia’s presence in the state would lead to communal tension and the disturbance of public tranquillity, said a press note issued by the state’s Home department. The ban was implemented keeping in mind the state's upcoming civic polls. “All district magistrates have been asked to execute the notification in their respective jurisdictions,” said state Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee.
Haryana: IAS officer Ashok Khemka transferred for 45th time in 23 years
Indian Administrative Service officer Ashok Khemka, who had red-flagged the land deal between DLF and Robert Vadra, was transferred for the 45th time in 23 years. Khemka was removed as Haryana Transport Commissioner and was given the post of Secretary, Archaeology and Museums Department. Officials said that Khemka was transferred for penalising overloaded vehicles while state Transport Minister Ram Bilas Sharma had moved to relax norms on the issue.
Kerala: KC(M) demands case against ministers
The Kerala Congress (M) on Wednesday demanded the registration of vigilance cases against three Congress ministers for allegedly having taken bribes from bar owners. The ally of the state's ruling United Democratic Front, which is led by the Indian National Congress, said that the party could not accept the government’s double-standard as a similar case had already been registered against Finance Minister KM Mani. Antony Raju, a senior leader of the KC(M) demanded a response from Home Minister Chennithala on the issue, asking why rules applying to Mani were not being applied to others.
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Fresh rainfall on Wednesday raised fears of further flooding in Jammu and Kashmir, said officials. “The next 36 hours are very crucial,” said Sonam Lotus, the supervisor of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar. Weather conditions are expected to improve by Friday evening. However, an official of the Flood Control department said that the water level in the river Jhelum was expected to rise due to the new spell of rain. Anticipating floods, 42 rescue and relief operation camps have been established across Srinagar. Authorities have also prepared an evacuation plan for flood-prone areas in the city.
Andhra Pradesh: Amaravati chosen as name for new capital
The new capital of Andhra Pradesh will be called Amaravati, state Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday. To be built between Vijayawada and Guntur, the final draft of the master plan for the city is expected to be ready in two to three weeks, he added. The state government has estimated that it will cost Rs 20,000 crore to build the new city. But so far, the Centre has allocated only Rs 1,500 crore for it. Meanwhile, opposition parties in the state are planning agitations against the takeover of fertile land to build the capital, even as Naidu maintains that farmers have voluntarily donated 33,000 acres for the purpose.
West Bengal: Government bans Praveen Togadia form entering state
Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia was banned from entering West Bengal by the state government on Wednesday. Togadia’s presence in the state would lead to communal tension and the disturbance of public tranquillity, said a press note issued by the state’s Home department. The ban was implemented keeping in mind the state's upcoming civic polls. “All district magistrates have been asked to execute the notification in their respective jurisdictions,” said state Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee.
Haryana: IAS officer Ashok Khemka transferred for 45th time in 23 years
Indian Administrative Service officer Ashok Khemka, who had red-flagged the land deal between DLF and Robert Vadra, was transferred for the 45th time in 23 years. Khemka was removed as Haryana Transport Commissioner and was given the post of Secretary, Archaeology and Museums Department. Officials said that Khemka was transferred for penalising overloaded vehicles while state Transport Minister Ram Bilas Sharma had moved to relax norms on the issue.
Kerala: KC(M) demands case against ministers
The Kerala Congress (M) on Wednesday demanded the registration of vigilance cases against three Congress ministers for allegedly having taken bribes from bar owners. The ally of the state's ruling United Democratic Front, which is led by the Indian National Congress, said that the party could not accept the government’s double-standard as a similar case had already been registered against Finance Minister KM Mani. Antony Raju, a senior leader of the KC(M) demanded a response from Home Minister Chennithala on the issue, asking why rules applying to Mani were not being applied to others.