visakhapatnam l thursday l september 26, 2024 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION India engaging Russia and Ukraine to help end war, says Jaishankar India has been holding talks with both countries to see if there is something it can do to initiate negotiations between them, the minister said talks exploratory, no peace plan India uniquely placed to facilitate talks Jaishankar said India does not have a peace plan or any suggestions on how to end the conflict. Rather, it is having conversations about ending the conflict with each of the two sides and keeping each apprised of what the other side is saying. He said to end the war there must be serious negotiations between the two, and these talks aim to initiate that ■ ■ Highlighting India’s unique position, the external affairs minister said there are not many countries that have the ability or the willingness to engage both Moscow and Kyiv at the same time India has not taken sides in the war. Instead, it has been engaging both countries, urging them to end the conflict through negotiations Zelenskyy says he has already invited India to the second peace summit CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Naidu disburses `602 crore to 4l flood victims E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada The State gover nment on Wednesday deposited a total of `602 crore to four lakh flood victims in a record time of 15 days after the flood water receded. Speaking to mediapersons after disbursing the aid at the NTR District Collectorate in Vijayawada, the Chief Minister explained that the total damage caused due to the floods has been pegged at `7,600 crore, which includes public and private assets. Highlighting the government’s swift response and coordinated efforts, he revealed that the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) received donations to the tune of `400 crore. Describing the donations as historic, the Chief Minister acknowledged the overwhelming public response to the flood re- lief efforts and said, “Young and old alike, all responded. If we stay united, we can face any disaster.” “The floods affected 16 districts. We have given financial aid of `25,000 to persons whose ground-floor houses were submerged, and `10,000 to those on the first floor. Help was also extended to people whose twowheelers, autos, grocery stores, and pushcarts were damaged in the deluge,” Naidu noted. Lokayukta police to probe MUDA dirt against Siddu Special court directs the SP to register a case under land grab law Yat h i r a j u @ Bengaluru A day after the Karnataka High Court allowed investigation against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam case, a special court directed the Lokayukta police to probe the allotment of 14 compensatory sites to his wife Parvathy B M. The Lokayukta police has been asked to submit its report within three months. The special court in Bengaluru, which exclusively deals with criminal cases against sitting and former MPs and MLAs, also directed the Superintendent of Police, Mysuru Division of Karnataka Lokayukta, to register a case under the provisions of the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act and the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act. This is in addition to provisions under Indian Penal Code sections 120B (conspiracy), 166 (disobeying law), 403 (misap- Siddaramaiah ‘Not scared of probe’ Siddaramaiah said he is ready to face any probe and will continue the legal fight. “We are not scared of investigation and are prepared for the legal fight. I said it yesterday and am reiterating it today,” he said propriation), 406 (breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 426 (mischief), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery of an electronic record), 340 (wrongful confinement), 351 (use of criminal force) and oth- Supreme Court tells lower courts to avoid misogynistic remarks on social media, Justice Srishananda was seen making some objectionable comments T h e S u p r e m e C o u r t o n against a woman lawyer when Wednesday war ned courts she intervened in an ongoing across India against making re- hearing. The bench said it remarks that could be construed frained from any further proas “misogynistic” or directed ceedings against Justice Sristowards a certain “gender or hananda considering that he community”. had apologised, and to “Courts, therefore, maintain the dignity have to be careful not of the judicial system. Regarding Justice to make comments in It is important Srishananda’s remarks the course of judicial proceedings which that every judge calling an area in Benmay be construed as should be aware galuru as ‘Pakistan’, of their own the bench said, “No being misogynistic or predispositions. one can call any part for that matter prejuThe heart and soul of India as Pakistan. It dicial to any segment of judging is the is fundamentally of our society,” a fiveneed to be judge bench of the impartial and fair against the territorial integrity of the court said while closSupreme Court nation.” ing the suo motu proThe bench also receedings over Karnataka High Court judge Justice jected demands by various secV Srishananda’s alleged objec- tions of the Bar to halt the live tionable comments during his streaming of Karnataka High Court proceedings. The deone of his court hearings. mands were raised citing misThe bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandarchud ad- use of court videos on social vised judges to conduct pro- media. “The answer to sunlight ceedings conscious of the wid- is more sunlight, not to super impact of casual observations press what happens in the courts,” the Chief Justice on the community at large. In video clips that went viral said. S u c h i t r a K a lya n M o h a n t y @ New Delhi 50 drugs Including paracetamol tablets and pan d fail regulator’s quality test The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation issued a ‘Not of Standard Quality’ alert for over 50 medicines. Telma H, Glimepiride and Shelcal C are among them | P7 er relevant sections of the IPC, under Section 9 (bribing public servant) and 13 (criminal misconduct) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. In his order, Special Court Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat ordered registration of a private complaint against Siddaramaiah, his wife, brother-inlaw Mallikarjuna Swamy, and one Davaraju J, among others, in connection with the MUD’s illegal allotment of the compensatory sites. The case pertains to 14 sites worth `56 crore being allotted illegally in an upscale Vijayanagar 3rd Stage for the land acquired at Kesare village, a down market area on the outskirts of Mysuru, due to alleged undue advantage taken by Siddaramaiah when in power. On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court had upheld Governor Thawarchand Gehlot’s approval to conduct a probe into the MUDA case and the allegedly illegal allotment of 14 sites to the CM’s wife. express read Laddu row probe: DGP meets SIT members Vijayawada: DGP Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao on Wednesday held a meeting with members of the SIT formed to probe into adulteration of the Tirumala Laddu. However, the government is yet to issue orders pertaining to the setting up of the SIT | P4 One held for setting fire to temple chariot Anantapur: Police have solved the temple chariot burning case at Hanakanahal village in Kanekal mandal of Anantapur district. Bodimalla Eswar Reddy (35) of YSRC, who was accused of setting the chariot on fire, was arrested on Wednesday | P4 FLOOD FURY J7,600 cr Estimated damage 47 Death toll Relief Measures CMRF receives `400 crore donations 5,900 Requests for electric, plumbing & carpentry repairs resolved 75,000 Houses cleaned using fire engines Commending the efforts of officials from various departments, the Chief Minister said, “My employees and I worked tirelessly for 11 days to provide all possible assistance to the flood victims.” Chandrababu Naidu pointed out that unprecedented inflows of 11.90 lakh cusecs were received at the Prakasam Barrage. Further, he blamed the previous YSRC government for the flood triggered by the Phase II done, heartening to see Kashmiris casting their votes, say foreign diplomats F aya z W a n i @ Srinagar The second phase of polling for 26 assembly seats in J&K on Wednesday recorded a healthy 56.05% tur nout, which could go up further. While brisk polling took place in five districts, there were no long queues in Srinagar, where the poll percentage for eight seats stood at 29.24%. However, 4.41% more voters turned up to vote in Srinagar as compared to the Lok Sabha polls in April-May when the percentage was 24.83%. A team of foreign diplomats visited a few polling stations and found it “heartening” to see Kashmiris casting their votes after 10 years. US Deputy chief of Mission Jorgan K Andrews, who was among the visiting diplomats Foreign diplomats after visiting a polling booth in Srinagar, for a first-hand assessment of the assembly elections in J&K on Wednesday | Zahoor Punjabi said, “It has been excellent and fascinating to see how India organises its elections and how thorough the preparations are. It has been very inspiring.” It looks very healthy and democratic, he added. The turnout was good in the three violence-hit districts in the Jammu region Reasi (74.14%), Poonch (73.78%) and Rajouri (69.84%) Even Ganderbal (62.63%) and Budgam (61.31%) in the Kashmir re- Amid Laddu row, Jagan set to visit Srivari temple on Sept 28 E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada YSRC president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is set to visit Tirumala on September 27 and offer prayers at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple on September 28 (Saturday). His visit to Tirumala is a significant development amid the snowballing Laddu controversy . Additionally, the YSRC has urged devotees across the State to participate in pujas that will be performed in various temples on September 28 for the sanctity of Tirumala. In a post on X, Jagan urged people to raise their voice against the false claims made by Naidu. He said the Chief Minister’s claims that Srivari Laddu was adulterated with animal fat misled devotees and tarnished the revered image of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. The YSRC chief said this act, driven by political motives, deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees. YSRC leaders, including former ministers Perni Venkatramaiah (Nani) and Kodali Venkatramaiah (Nani), and party leader Vallabhaneni Vamsi, accused the TDP of spreading canards regarding the preparation of the sacred Tirumala Laddu. Speaking to mediapersons at the party central office in Tadepalli, YSRC leaders criticised the TDP supremo for making baseless allegations that ghee used for the preparation of the Laddu Prasadam was adulterated with animal fat. Perni Nani and Kodali Nani alleged that it was under Naidu’s previous regime that adulterated ghee was supplied to the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams). “Complaints regarding the Laddu quality surfaced only after Chandrababu Naidu became the Chief Minister,” they claimed. Charging the Chief Minister with using religious issues for political gain, the YSRC leaders also lashed out at Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for supporting Naidu’s statements. Amid Rahul poser, Kangana eats her own words H a r p r ee t B a j w a & P r ee t h a N a i r @ Chandigarh/ New Delhi A day after BJP member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut’s statement that the three controversial farm sector reform laws repealed in 2021 should be reinstated, made her party squirm and the Opposition go ballistic, the actor and newbie neta was forced to eat her words. “I withdraw my remarks. I have to keep in mind that I am not just an artist, but a party worker of the BJP My opinion . should not be personal and my actions should align with the party’s stand. I regret and take my words back,” she said. Kangana emphasised the importance of respecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to repeal the laws that were breach to the Budamer u Rivulet. Recalling his government’s flood relief measures, the Chief Minister said he had personally monitored the situation from the Collector’s office, visited Singh Nagar and other affected regions along with officials, and sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for additional boats and P4 helicopters. Kangana Ranaut Rahul Gandhi intended to benefit farmers but faced intense opposition. Earlier in the day Leader of , Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi sought to put the government on the mat, demanding an explanation from Modi whether he was opposed to the comments or is he “up to some mischief ”. “BJP people keep testing ideas. They ask someone to voice an idea among the people and wait for the reaction... Modi ji you must clarify, whether you are against this or you are again up to some mischief,” he asked. “Who is deciding the government’s policy? A BJP MP or Prime Minister Modi?” he poked. Rahul said the Opposition INDIA bloc will oppose any move to bring back the black farm laws. “Will the three farm laws be revived or not? If you do so, I guarantee you that the INDIA bloc will together stand against it,” he warned. The extent of damage Kangana’s loose talk could cause in poll-bound Haryana is unclear, but farmers form a sizeable section of the voters in the state. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia distanced the party from Kangana’s statement, say- ing it was her personal comment. “She is not authorised to make such a statement on behalf of the BJP and it does not , depict the party’s view on the farm bills. We disapprove of this statement,” he said. Meanwhile, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha president and farmer leader from Punjab Sarwan Singh Pandher sought action against Ranaut for her comments on the farm laws. “If the Centre has already repealed those laws and if an elected BJP MP makes a statement on those laws, then action should be taken against her. Can anybody speak on policy matters and then say it was his or her personal view?” Pandher asked. “The BJP has been exposed over this issue,” he said. gion did well. “The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat in Reasi district recorded the highest voter turnout of 79.95%,” informed J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole. In Srinagar, which has remained a hot bed of separatist politics, people came out to vote for first Assembly polls without any poll boycott or militant threat. “It is first time that I am casting a vote. There are no jobs, power bills are very high and youth are falling to drugs. We hope that the elected government will provide some relief to the population,” said Javed Ahmed, a resident of Nowhatta area of Srinagar. Nowhatta was once a stronghold of militants and separatists where stone pelting used to take place every Friday . impure ghee TTD files police plaint on AR Dairy E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the custodian of the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala, lodged a complaint with the police against Tamil Nadubased AR Dairy Foods Private Limited for allegedly supplying adulterated ghee. TTD’s marketing and procurement wing general manager Murali Krishna gave a written complaint to the Tirupati East Police station on Wednesday. Stating that AR Dairy had violated the tender agreement, the complaint noted that the company supplied adulterated ghee even though higher officials of the TTD had flagged the low quality of the essential ingredient. Speaking to TNIE, police officials said according to the agreement, the stock (Ghee) receiver (TTD) can file a criminal case against the supplier when there is any violation of the agreement between both parties. It may be recalled that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s allegation that animal fat was found in the ghee supplied for making Tirumala Laddu kicked up a nationwide deb at e. S u b s e q u e n t ly, T T D Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao had said that samples of ghee supplied by AR Dairy were sent to a lab and the results revealed the presence of animal fat. However, AR Dairy denied the allegations and said its product samples had been duly cleared by authorities, certifying the quality .
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26-09-2024 of The New Indian Express-Vishakapatnam