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New Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Centre grants one-year extension to Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi
CHANDIGARH: The Union Government has given Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, a 1990 batch IAS officer, a one-year extension. Sources said that this decision was conveyed by the Department of Personnel and Training to the Haryana government on Thursday. Rastogi, who retires on June 30, was granted an extension sought by the BJP-led Haryana Government. The extension will be effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. It is learnt that with his extension, the hopes of four officers from the 1990 batch, Sudhir Rajpal, Sumita Misra, Anand Mohan Sharan and Raja Shekhar Vundru, and five officers from the 1991 batch, Vineet Garg, Anil Malik, G Anupama, A K Singh and Abhilaksh Likhi, who were in contention for the coveted post, have been dashed. Sources said that as per the gradation list of Haryana IAS officers, Sudhir Rajpal of the 1990 batch is the senior-most as per inter-se seniority, followed by Sumita Misra, Anurag Rastogi, Anand Mohan Sharan and Raja Sekhar Vundru. However, Rastogi got the benefit of a 'seniority-related dispute' among the 1990 batch officers. Earlier, certain 1990 batch officers had moved an application against their fellow batchmates Rajpal and Misra, as they had originally been allocated non-Haryana cadres and later joined the Haryana cadre. However, Rajpal and Misra are still at number one and two in the gradation list, as there has been no decision yet on the petition against them. Rastogi currently holds the third position in the gradation list of Haryana IAS officers.


New Indian Express
44 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Pregnant woman carried in a sling in Gujarat's Chhota Udepur, exposes crumbling claims of 'Vikas'
The video that surfaced on June 20 is a repeat of what has become a tragic routine in the area: critical patients being hoisted like loads, carried across muddy stretches to reach an ambulance waiting on the main road. Villagers reveal that even top officials, including the Collector and the Taluka Development Officer (TDO), have been stuck in the same area due to the pathetic road conditions. Yet, nothing changed. 'Pregnant women and the critically ill are regularly carried in this dangerous way,' a local resident said. 'Sometimes, people don't survive the delay," he added. Locals claim that despite multiple representations, the cries of these tribal communities remain unheard. The incident recalls an earlier tragedy from October 2024, when a woman in labor from Turkheda village died after being carried in a sling due to the absence of roads. The horrifying event led the Gujarat High Court to order the construction of roads in such regions. However, the ground reality remains unchanged, even after multiple months. The continuing string of similar incidents indicate not only administrative apathy but also a blatant disregard for the judiciary's orders. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi launched a fierce attack on the BJP-led state government, saying, 'This is an incident that once again shames Gujarat due to the indifferent rulers. The government keeps blowing its trumpet of development and health services, but the reality is that even jeeps of Collectors have been trapped in these muddy patches.'


Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘PM coming to Bihar not for welfare but to seek votes,' says Prashant Kishor
Jan Suraaj Founder Prashant Kishor on Friday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar, claiming it was not aimed at the state's development but solely focused on securing votes for the BJP-led NDA alliance. Speaking to ANI, Kishor said, "PM is not coming for the first time... PM Modi is not coming for the welfare and development of Bihar but to seek votes for the BJP and NDA." Kishor questioned the Prime Minister's claims about new development projects in the state, pointing out that some of the initiatives were already functional. "The locomotive factory is already there in Marhowrah; it is nothing new," he said, referring to the manufacturing unit often highlighted in government speeches. Also Read | 'Ek ghante mein hata denge': Prashant Kishor on Bihar liquor ban The Jan Suraaj founder further accused the Prime Minister of ignoring critical issues that matter to the people of Bihar. "PM should speak on the sugar mill which is closed there," he said. He added that residents of Bihar have grown disillusioned over the years due to repeated unfulfilled promises. "For the last 10-12 years, people have seen that announcements are made but nothing happens," he stated. Also Read | Lalu Prasad's 'jhumla' jibe after PM Narendra Modi's rally: 'Weather warning for Bihar' Raising the issue of large-scale migration from Bihar, Kishor questioned the Centre's commitment to creating opportunities in the state. "PM should tell when the migration of children from Bihar will stop," he demanded. On Thursday, Prashant Kishor slammed PM Modi's visit to Bihar, labelling it political campaigning funded by the state's taxpayers. Speaking in Gopalganj, Kishor criticised Modi's third visit in two months, alleging a pattern by the NDA-BJP government to use government resources for electioneering. "Prime Minister is coming here (to Bihar) for the third time in the last two months. Just like we said the last time, this is a set pattern of the NDA-BJP Government that, wherever elections are due, the PM comes there as the government visit and does political campaigning. The same is happening in Bihar as well. We saw this in Madhubani too," Kishor said. He urged PM Modi to address Bihar's persistent migration crisis, noting that lakhs of Bihari youth vote for the BJP due to Modi's appeal but are forced to seek work in states like Gujarat." People want the PM to tell them when migration from Bihar will stop... It is time to ask PM Modi why factories are set up just in Gujarat and not in Bihar. Why is it only the youth of Bihar who go to Gujarat to labour?" Kishor added, pointing out that the NDA governs both the state and the Centre. Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. (ANI)


NDTV
2 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Supreme Court To Hear Plea Seeking 27% OBC Quota Implementation In Madhya Pradesh
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to urgently list a petition seeking implementation of 27% reservation quota for Other Backward Classes or OBC communities in Madhya Pradesh. A partial working day bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan agreed to hear next week the plea mentioned in court today. The petition moved by members of the OBC community in the state seeks implementation of a law passed by the legislative assembly of Madhya Pradesh in 2019, which increased the OBC quota from 14% to 27%. The plea states the state government has been denying benefit of increased quota for the OBCs based on the stay given to an MBBS student for a postgraduate medical entrance test by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Earlier, the Congress had accused the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government of deliberately not implementing the law (which increased OBC quota from 14 to 27%) passed by the Congress government in 2019, citing "legal hurdle". An ordinance was brought by the erstwhile Congress government on March 8, 2019, seeking to increase the OBC quota in jobs and admissions in educational institutions to 27 per cent from 14 per cent. However, the same was challenged by the MBBS student. The Madhya Pradesh High Court stayed the implementation of the ordinance for the entrance test of the postgraduate medical exam. However, in July 2019, the state assembly passed legislation to replace the ordinance. The petition moved by members of OBC community in the state, claims that despite Madhya Pradesh having 50% OBC population, the reservation quota remains only 14%. The plea further says that Madhya Pradesh government arbitrarily failed to implement the Act to extend the benefit of the said amendment in nearly all recruitment processes. What Happened Before 2019 Before 2019, Madhya Pradesh had reservation of 14 per cent for the OBC, 20 per cent for ST, and 16 per cent for SC, totalling 50 per cent. The enhanced OBC quota has raised total reservation to 63 per cent, breaching the 50 per cent quota ceiling. On March 19, 2019, the High Court stayed the increased 13 per cent more OBC reservation, which led to the suspension of many recruitment processes. Later, a formula which included 87 per cent existing reservations plus 13 per cent reserved was introduced to continue exams while holding the disputed 13 per cent seats separately until a final verdict. In 2024, all pending petitions regarding OBC reservation hike (around 70 in total) were transferred from the High Court to the Supreme Court. Till the final decision is made, recruitments are continuing based on the 87:13 formula. This law was neither challenged in any court nor was any stay granted by the court on its implementation, the plea argues. "It is respectfully submitted that the said legislation has neither been struck down nor declared unconstitutional by any court of law. In fact, no interim order has been passed by this court or High Court of Madhya Pradesh for restraining the enforcement of the law," states the petition. The plea further states that the enforcement of the law is restrained only on the basis of legal opinion of the office of Advocate General of Madhya Pradesh by the executive and pending litigation before court. However, the plea argues that there is a presumption of constitutionality in laws passed by the state assembly, and such laws must be implemented even if they are facing challenges in court.


United News of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Capital city Bhubaneswar agog with celebration mood to welcome PM Modi
Bhubaneswar, June 20 (UNI) The capital city of Bhubaneswar is decked up with BJP flags and large cutouts in preparation to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be attending the first anniversary celebrations of the BJP government in Odisha, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) at 3:40 PM from Siwan, Bihar. Elaborate arrangements have been made to welcome him at the airport, from where he will participate in a roadshow and the Tiranga Yatra on his way to Janata Maidan, the main venue for the anniversary celebrations. To showcase Odisha's rich cultural heritage, traditional Odia folk music and various dance performances have been arranged at several strategic points along the 8-kilometre route from the airport to Janata Maidan. According to the official itinerary, Modi will reach Janata Maidan around 4:15 PM to attend the state-level celebration marking one year of the BJP-led Mohan Majhi government. During the event, the Prime Minister will unveil the Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047 document, outlining a long-term roadmap for the state's development and prosperity. He will also lay the foundation stones and inaugurate several infrastructure projects worth over Rs 18,700 crore, launch new train services, and flag off 100 electric buses. Additionally, the Prime Minister will launch the Baraputra Sanman scheme, release a booklet on Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya, and felicitate 'Lakhpati Didis' before addressing a large public gathering at Janata Maidan. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Deputy Chief Ministers K.V. Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, members of the Council of Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and senior BJP leaders, will attend the event. The Commissionerate Police have made tight security arrangements and imposed traffic restrictions during the Prime Minister's visit. A total of 135 police platoons, 16 DCP-rank officers, 33 additional DCPs, 93 ACPs, 100 inspectors, and 450 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors have been deployed to maintain law and order in the city. The Odisha government has declared a holiday for all schools under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and a half-day holiday for all government offices, revenue, and magisterial courts within the BMC limits. Ahead of his visit, PM Modi posted on social media platform X, stating that he would be attending events in Odisha, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh over the next two days. Modi stated that he looks forward to participating in the special celebration in Bhubaneswar, highlighting the pro-people initiatives of the BJP government in Odisha over the past year. UNI DP ARN