Tag: Bhupesh Baghel

  • lok sabha: India readies for 2nd Phase of Lok Sabha elections; Here are the key battles across 88 seats

    India is gearing up for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections, set to take place across 13 states and union territories tomorrow. The campaign has been marked by intense campaigning and sharp exchanges between political parties. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the upcoming phase:Lok Sabha Polls Phase 2: Voting DetailsConstituencies: The second phase covers 88 Lok Sabha constituencies, including all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and others.Voting Schedule: Polling will begin at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm. The election is being held in seven phases till June 1, with vote counting on June 4.Lok Sabha Polls Phase 2: INDIA Bloc and Opposition Unity:AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesSeveral opposition parties have formed the INDIA bloc to field common candidates against the BJP.Key Personalities:Rahul Gandhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is re-contesting from Wayanad, Kerala.Shashi Tharoor: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is seeking a fourth successive term from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Hema Malini: Actor-turned-politician Hema Malini is contesting from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.Bhupesh Baghel: Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is contesting from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.Lok Sabha Polls Phase 2: Previous Phase Recap:The first phase of voting was held on April 19 across 102 constituencies. The voter turnout was over 62 per cent.Lok Sabha Polls Phase 2: States and Seats in Phase 2:Assam: 5 seats – Karimganj, Silchar, Mangaldoi, Nawgong, KaliaborBihar: 5 seats – Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur, BankaChhattisgarh: 3 seats – Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund, KankerJammu and Kashmir: JammuKarnataka: 14 seats – Various constituenciesKerala: All 20 seatsMadhya Pradesh: 6 seats – Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, Hoshangabad, BetulMaharashtra: 8 seats – Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal-Washim, Hingoli, Nanded, ParbhaniManipur: Outer ManipurRajasthan: 13 seats – Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota, Jhalawar-BaranTripura: Tripura EastUttar Pradesh: 8 seats – Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh, Mathura, BulandshahrWest Bengal: 3 seats – Darjeeling, Raiganj, BalurghatLok Sabha Polls Phase 2: Voter Eligibility

    An estimated 16 crore voters, including 8.08 crore male, 7.8 crore female voters, and 5,929 third-gender electors, are eligible to vote in this phase.

    Lok Sabha Polls Phase 2: Key Candidates in Phase 2

    Kerala: Rahul Gandhi (Wayanad), Shashi Tharoor (Thiruvananthapuram), Hema Malini (Mathura), Bhupesh Baghel (Rajnandgaon)Karnataka: HD Kumaraswamy (Mandya), Yaduveer Wadiyar (Mysuru), DK Suresh (Bengaluru Rural), Tejasvi Surya (Bengaluru South)Assam: Pradyut Bordoloi (Nagaon), Dilip Saikia (Darrang-Udalguri), Kripanath Mallah (Karimganj), Parimal Suklabaidya (Silchar)Bihar: Santosh Kushwaha (Purnia), Mohammed Jawed (Kishanganj), Ajay Kumar Mandal (Bhagalpur), Giridhari Yadav (Banka)Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel (Rajnandgaon), Tamradhwaj Sahu (Mahasamund), Bhojraj Nag (Kanker)Madhya Pradesh: Virendra Kumar Khatik (Tikamgarh), RB Prajapati (Khajuraho), Tarbar Singh Lodhi (Damoh)Maharashtra: Prataprao Chikhalikar Govindrao (Nanded), Ashtikar Patil Nagesh Bapurao (Hingoli), Sanjay alias Bandu Jadhav (Parbhani)The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections is poised to be a significant chapter in India’s democratic process, with key battles and prominent leaders vying for the mandate of the people.

  • Raman Singh: Chhattisgarh: Former CM Raman Singh resigns as BJP VP

    After filing his nomination for the post of Speaker in the newly-elected legislative assembly of Chhattisgarh, former CM Raman Singh resigned from the post of National Vice President of the Bhartiya Janata Party on Sunday.

    “At present, I am discharging the post of National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party but I have been nominated by the party for the post of Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker. Therefore, I respectfully submit my resignation from the National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Please accept my resignation,” Raman Singh wrote in his resignation letter addressed to BJP Chief JP Nadda.

    After submitting his nomination papers, Raman Singh said, “I will ensure the proper functioning of the Vidha Sabha and that all issues for the welfare of Chhattisgarh are raised.”Former Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel was also present at the time of the nomination.

    Meanwhile, senior BJP MLA Ramvichar Netam took the oath as the pro-tem Speaker of the newly-elected Chhattisgarh legislative assembly on Sunday.

    Pro-tem speaker is a temporary position of a speaker appointed for a limited period of time to facilitate the conduct of the business of the House in the absence of a regular speaker.Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan administered the oath of office to Netam at a function held at Raj Bhavan in the state capital.Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai was also present on the occasion.

    After taking the oath of office, Netam said, “Many best wishes and gratitude to all for providing me with this opportunity. This is a great honour and achievement in my life. I will delicately fulfil all the duties of a protem speaker.”

    Ramvichar Netam is an MLA from the Ramanujganj constituency.

    The polling in the state was held in two phases, with the first on November 7 featuring 223 candidates and the second seeing 958 candidates put their electoral fates to the test on November 17.

    Of the 90 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh, the BJP bagged 54 while the Congress won 35.

  • GPS tracking, panic button in Chhattisgarh buses for enhanced safety of women, girls

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday launched a command and control centre to ensure enhanced safety measures for the women and girls travelling in private passenger and school buses.

    The state transport department has gone ahead to install the Global Positioning System (GPS) based vehicle tracking software on a designated server to locate the vehicle besides placing the panic buttons in buses to assist women and others who face any potential danger or untoward incidents. Such installation will also serve as a deterrent to criminal activities.

    In Chhattisgarh, there are around 12000 passenger buses owned by private owners running across various routes of the state and over 6000 private school buses.

    CM Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated GPS-based vehicle tracking software for the safety of women passengers. The GPS system provides accurate information about the real-time information on location of the bus and the route thereby ensuring enhanced safety. Passengers can press the panic button in the event of any emergency or accident to immediately notify both the police control room and the transport control room. This will promptly activate the emergency response support system of the state, i.e. Dial 112 services, said the officials. The staff of the nearest police station will swiftly respond.

    “The Chhattisgarh government has executed a significant decision to install GPS systems and panic buttons in private buses, allowing passengers to access real-time information about the whereabouts of the bus in case of any crisis or urgent situation”, said Dipanshu Kabra, Transport Commissioner.

    The state government has also established the Nirbhaya Command Centre to oversee the system keeping an eye on improved security measures intended for public transportation. The new approach includes mapping the routes of school buses and will enable an automatic alert mode if a school bus deviates from its prescribed route, ensuring the safety of children.

    RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday launched a command and control centre to ensure enhanced safety measures for the women and girls travelling in private passenger and school buses.

    The state transport department has gone ahead to install the Global Positioning System (GPS) based vehicle tracking software on a designated server to locate the vehicle besides placing the panic buttons in buses to assist women and others who face any potential danger or untoward incidents. Such installation will also serve as a deterrent to criminal activities.

    In Chhattisgarh, there are around 12000 passenger buses owned by private owners running across various routes of the state and over 6000 private school buses.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    CM Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated GPS-based vehicle tracking software for the safety of women passengers. The GPS system provides accurate information about the real-time information on location of the bus and the route thereby ensuring enhanced safety. Passengers can press the panic button in the event of any emergency or accident to immediately notify both the police control room and the transport control room. This will promptly activate the emergency response support system of the state, i.e. Dial 112 services, said the officials. The staff of the nearest police station will swiftly respond.

    “The Chhattisgarh government has executed a significant decision to install GPS systems and panic buttons in private buses, allowing passengers to access real-time information about the whereabouts of the bus in case of any crisis or urgent situation”, said Dipanshu Kabra, Transport Commissioner.

    The state government has also established the Nirbhaya Command Centre to oversee the system keeping an eye on improved security measures intended for public transportation. The new approach includes mapping the routes of school buses and will enable an automatic alert mode if a school bus deviates from its prescribed route, ensuring the safety of children.

  • Will prohibition solve problem of addiction, wonders Chhattisgarh CM Baghel

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said he didn’t have the courage to ban alcohol in the state when he witnessed deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor and other harmful substances after outlets were shut during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

    He stressed the need for running campaigns against not just liquor but all kinds of addiction.

    Baghel was speaking at the launch of ‘Nashamukt Chhattisgarh Abhiyaan’ (addiction-free Chhattisgarh campaign) at Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya centre Shanti Sarovar in Raipur.

    He also hailed the spiritual and meditation centre’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, calling it a commendable initiative towards building society and appealed to people to ensure their participation in making Chhattisgarh addiction-free.

    “Addiction usually starts from childhood or young age. Initially, they start from ‘sutta’ (smoking) as a hobby and it gradually becomes a habit. As stress increases they start smoking more cigarettes. If stress is more in the evening, drinking of liquor starts. Finally they land in the hospital. Addiction is not good in any form. It causes only harm. It is very harmful for all of us physically and mentally. It affects the person, the family and the society as a whole,” he said.

    Being the chief minister, Baghel said he can order prohibition in the entire state “right now” even as he wondered if it will solve the problem of addiction.

    The CM said he learnt about the problems that cropped up when liquor shops were closed during the country-wide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    “All the shops were closed, transportation was closed, families were staying behind the doors, but complaints of domestic violence started surfacing. Despite the lockdown in force for a long time, it was seen that people managed to arrange stuff for addiction,” he said.

    When people did not get anything, they even consumed sanitizer and many lost their lives due to it, said the Congress leader.

    “I did not have courage then to order a liquor ban after witnessing people dying due to consumption of spurious alcohol and other substances during the lockdown. I don’t want to implement anything that will cost lives,” he added.

    Organisations that deal with de-addiction can be helpful for persons dependent on various forms of intoxication, he said.

    “We have to end this social evil together with the support of people,” he said.

    When it comes to banning intoxicating substances, women immediately favour it as if only men consume them, he said.

    “Before the 2018 assembly elections, there was pressure from women to ban liquor. We had then announced to ban liquor (as a poll promise). Liquor ban means we have to move ahead towards an addiction-free society. Even during the ‘Bhent Mulaqat’ programme (CM’s public interaction drive), some people said that alcohol should be banned,” he said.

    The CM said they have constituted a committee headed by their party MLA Satyanarayan Sharma to study the issue and it has visited other states where prohibition is in force.

    “When women are asked about banning alcohol, they raise both hands in its favour. When I ask whether ‘gudaku’ (paste made of tobacco and molasses) should be banned or not, they don’t raise their hands as women use it more than men. The campaign should be against every kind of addiction, not only against liquor,” he said.

    Baghel said people should be addicted to serving humanity and devotion towards God.

    RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said he didn’t have the courage to ban alcohol in the state when he witnessed deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor and other harmful substances after outlets were shut during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

    He stressed the need for running campaigns against not just liquor but all kinds of addiction.

    Baghel was speaking at the launch of ‘Nashamukt Chhattisgarh Abhiyaan’ (addiction-free Chhattisgarh campaign) at Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya centre Shanti Sarovar in Raipur.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    He also hailed the spiritual and meditation centre’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, calling it a commendable initiative towards building society and appealed to people to ensure their participation in making Chhattisgarh addiction-free.

    “Addiction usually starts from childhood or young age. Initially, they start from ‘sutta’ (smoking) as a hobby and it gradually becomes a habit. As stress increases they start smoking more cigarettes. If stress is more in the evening, drinking of liquor starts. Finally they land in the hospital. Addiction is not good in any form. It causes only harm. It is very harmful for all of us physically and mentally. It affects the person, the family and the society as a whole,” he said.

    Being the chief minister, Baghel said he can order prohibition in the entire state “right now” even as he wondered if it will solve the problem of addiction.

    The CM said he learnt about the problems that cropped up when liquor shops were closed during the country-wide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    “All the shops were closed, transportation was closed, families were staying behind the doors, but complaints of domestic violence started surfacing. Despite the lockdown in force for a long time, it was seen that people managed to arrange stuff for addiction,” he said.

    When people did not get anything, they even consumed sanitizer and many lost their lives due to it, said the Congress leader.

    “I did not have courage then to order a liquor ban after witnessing people dying due to consumption of spurious alcohol and other substances during the lockdown. I don’t want to implement anything that will cost lives,” he added.

    Organisations that deal with de-addiction can be helpful for persons dependent on various forms of intoxication, he said.

    “We have to end this social evil together with the support of people,” he said.

    When it comes to banning intoxicating substances, women immediately favour it as if only men consume them, he said.

    “Before the 2018 assembly elections, there was pressure from women to ban liquor. We had then announced to ban liquor (as a poll promise). Liquor ban means we have to move ahead towards an addiction-free society. Even during the ‘Bhent Mulaqat’ programme (CM’s public interaction drive), some people said that alcohol should be banned,” he said.

    The CM said they have constituted a committee headed by their party MLA Satyanarayan Sharma to study the issue and it has visited other states where prohibition is in force.

    “When women are asked about banning alcohol, they raise both hands in its favour. When I ask whether ‘gudaku’ (paste made of tobacco and molasses) should be banned or not, they don’t raise their hands as women use it more than men. The campaign should be against every kind of addiction, not only against liquor,” he said.

    Baghel said people should be addicted to serving humanity and devotion towards God.

  • Removal of converts from Scheduled Caste list: Chhattisgarh CM slams BJP over rally

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: A rally was held in Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Sunday by the ‘Janjati Suraksha Manch’ seeking the removal of the Scheduled Caste status of those who have converted from Hinduism to other religions.

    Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, however, said the rally was a “political show” backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

    “Religious conversions which were taking place on a large scale in Bastar, Surguja and Jashpur are now happening in the plain areas of the state as well. The Baghel government is doing nothing to stop it, which is emboldening those involved in such conversions,” former state minister and BJP leader Ramvichar Netam claimed.

    Hitting back, Baghel said BJP leaders must “gherao” their nine Lok Sabha MPs from the state over this “delisting” demand.

    “They (BJP) did not raise this issue when their party was in power under Raman Singh. Delisting is a matter of the Centre and the state government has no say in it. The BJP is misleading people,” Baghel said.

    RAIPUR: A rally was held in Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Sunday by the ‘Janjati Suraksha Manch’ seeking the removal of the Scheduled Caste status of those who have converted from Hinduism to other religions.

    Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, however, said the rally was a “political show” backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

    “Religious conversions which were taking place on a large scale in Bastar, Surguja and Jashpur are now happening in the plain areas of the state as well. The Baghel government is doing nothing to stop it, which is emboldening those involved in such conversions,” former state minister and BJP leader Ramvichar Netam claimed.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Hitting back, Baghel said BJP leaders must “gherao” their nine Lok Sabha MPs from the state over this “delisting” demand.

    “They (BJP) did not raise this issue when their party was in power under Raman Singh. Delisting is a matter of the Centre and the state government has no say in it. The BJP is misleading people,” Baghel said.

  • BJP accuses Baghel of Muslim ‘appeasement’, Cong counters charge

    By Express News Service

    RAIPUR:  The BJP leaders in Chhattisgarh on Sunday termed the government circular on bus services for the convenience of fasting Muslim employees as “religious appeasement the Congress often practises”. 

    The official circular stated: “During the working days in Ramadan month till the Eid holiday, one separate bus will operate for the convenience of Muslim officers and staff from the secretariat and the directorate at new capital city Nava Raipur (some 25 km away from the Raipur city). Instead of the usual hour of departure, the bus carrying the Muslim employees will leave by 4:40 pm.”

    As the circular appeared on the public domain, the BJP leader and former minister Rajesh Munat shared it on his twitter handle with a remark that said “Bhupesh Baghel ji gives big lecture on Ganga-Jamuni Tahzeeb, but the Congress habitually plays the game of ‘religious appeasement”.

    “In this order, a special care has been taken for the Muslim officers-staff but remain silent on Navratri”, the BJP leader said. The ruling Congress was quick to counter. Congress spokesperson R P Singh retorted saying BJP leaders after losing the power in the state have lost their memory too.

    “To assist in their power to recall, let me remind them the similar official orders were issued during the Raman Singh government on the bus service in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Only the date and year have changed. The BJP in one of its orders in 2005 had given a relief to the Muslim staff to leave the office an hour before the scheduled time”, said Singh.

    The experts stated that in an election year, the opposition is often seen as preoccupied with such issues they believe will bring political dividends. 

    RAIPUR:  The BJP leaders in Chhattisgarh on Sunday termed the government circular on bus services for the convenience of fasting Muslim employees as “religious appeasement the Congress often practises”. 

    The official circular stated: “During the working days in Ramadan month till the Eid holiday, one separate bus will operate for the convenience of Muslim officers and staff from the secretariat and the directorate at new capital city Nava Raipur (some 25 km away from the Raipur city). Instead of the usual hour of departure, the bus carrying the Muslim employees will leave by 4:40 pm.”

    As the circular appeared on the public domain, the BJP leader and former minister Rajesh Munat shared it on his twitter handle with a remark that said “Bhupesh Baghel ji gives big lecture on Ganga-Jamuni Tahzeeb, but the Congress habitually plays the game of ‘religious appeasement”.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “In this order, a special care has been taken for the Muslim officers-staff but remain silent on Navratri”, the BJP leader said. The ruling Congress was quick to counter. Congress spokesperson R P Singh retorted saying BJP leaders after losing the power in the state have lost their memory too.

    “To assist in their power to recall, let me remind them the similar official orders were issued during the Raman Singh government on the bus service in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Only the date and year have changed. The BJP in one of its orders in 2005 had given a relief to the Muslim staff to leave the office an hour before the scheduled time”, said Singh.

    The experts stated that in an election year, the opposition is often seen as preoccupied with such issues they believe will bring political dividends. 

  • Chhattisgarh CM replies to Guv questions on reservation bills

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR:  Amid the prolonged disagreement over the reservation amendment bill, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said his government has replied to 10 questions asked by Governor Anusuiya Uikey on the proposed law. 

    “We have responded to the queries of the Governor, though there is no such procedure (to reply) laid down in the Constitution. She insisted that until she received the responses to her questions, she would not sign the bill. We think the assent should come now,” said Baghel.

    Raj Bhawan sources told this paper that the Governor’s decision would come after she was convinced by the justifications given by the state government. The special session of the state Assembly on December 2 unanimously passed and adopted by voice-vote the Chhattisgarh Public Service (ST-SC-OBC Reservation) Amendment Bill taking the quota in the state to 76% with the tribal share being raised to 32%.

    In the amendment bill, the proposed quota for Scheduled Caste is 13%, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) 27% and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will get 4% reservations. Senior BJP leader Brijmohan Agrawal demanded the responses given to the Governor’s questions be made public. The ruling Congress, claiming that the state government had taken every technical and legal ground into consideration ahead of adopting the bill in the House, has alleged that the BJP is indulging in politics on reservation using the Raj Bhawan.

    The Governor ruled out any politics behind her decision. “Only after knowing the credible details and the reasons, I will consider giving the assent,” she affirmed. A controversy has erupted in the state on what is being looked upon as a delay on the part of the governor to sign the quota bills. 

    The ruling Congress has accused the opposition BJP of making attempts to stop approval of the bills and has demanded quick action on the part of the governor to resolve the lingering issue of caste-based quota in the state. Critics of the proposed Bill say that even after the governor gives assent to the bill, it would be tough to implement its provisions as the Supreme Court has already put up a cap of 50% on reservations for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and the Other Backward Classes.

    In September last year, the High Court set aside the state government’s 2012 order to raise the quota to 58% in government jobs and admissions in educational institutions. The court had said reservation exceeding the 50% ceiling was unconstitutional.

    Following are the Governor’s 10 questions:

     Was the opinion of the law department taken before bringing forth the reservation amendment bill?
     Under what conditions are the reservation over 50% binding?
     The report of the quantifiable data commission (on SC-ST) should be produced. Did the government aggregate the data while preparing the bills?
     What was the situation that led to increasing the quota limit beyond 50%?
     Was there a separate provision in the law brought for the EWS reservation?
     Was any committee constituted before raising the reservation ceiling?
     Why are the ST-SC candidates not being selected for state government jobs for the sanctioned posts?
     How do the STs/SCs lag behind socially, economically and educationally?
     Any report to ensure that the efficiency of the state administration would be maintained with the reservations?
     The high court in September this year quashed 58% reservation as “unconstitutional,” how will the bill with a higher quota be defended?

    RAIPUR:  Amid the prolonged disagreement over the reservation amendment bill, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said his government has replied to 10 questions asked by Governor Anusuiya Uikey on the proposed law. 

    “We have responded to the queries of the Governor, though there is no such procedure (to reply) laid down in the Constitution. She insisted that until she received the responses to her questions, she would not sign the bill. We think the assent should come now,” said Baghel.

    Raj Bhawan sources told this paper that the Governor’s decision would come after she was convinced by the justifications given by the state government. The special session of the state Assembly on December 2 unanimously passed and adopted by voice-vote the Chhattisgarh Public Service (ST-SC-OBC Reservation) Amendment Bill taking the quota in the state to 76% with the tribal share being raised to 32%.

    In the amendment bill, the proposed quota for Scheduled Caste is 13%, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) 27% and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will get 4% reservations. Senior BJP leader Brijmohan Agrawal demanded the responses given to the Governor’s questions be made public. The ruling Congress, claiming that the state government had taken every technical and legal ground into consideration ahead of adopting the bill in the House, has alleged that the BJP is indulging in politics on reservation using the Raj Bhawan.

    The Governor ruled out any politics behind her decision. “Only after knowing the credible details and the reasons, I will consider giving the assent,” she affirmed. A controversy has erupted in the state on what is being looked upon as a delay on the part of the governor to sign the quota bills. 

    The ruling Congress has accused the opposition BJP of making attempts to stop approval of the bills and has demanded quick action on the part of the governor to resolve the lingering issue of caste-based quota in the state. Critics of the proposed Bill say that even after the governor gives assent to the bill, it would be tough to implement its provisions as the Supreme Court has already put up a cap of 50% on reservations for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and the Other Backward Classes.

    In September last year, the High Court set aside the state government’s 2012 order to raise the quota to 58% in government jobs and admissions in educational institutions. The court had said reservation exceeding the 50% ceiling was unconstitutional.

    Following are the Governor’s 10 questions:

     Was the opinion of the law department taken before bringing forth the reservation amendment bill?
     Under what conditions are the reservation over 50% binding?
     The report of the quantifiable data commission (on SC-ST) should be produced. Did the government aggregate the data while preparing the bills?
     What was the situation that led to increasing the quota limit beyond 50%?
     Was there a separate provision in the law brought for the EWS reservation?
     Was any committee constituted before raising the reservation ceiling?
     Why are the ST-SC candidates not being selected for state government jobs for the sanctioned posts?
     How do the STs/SCs lag behind socially, economically and educationally?
     Any report to ensure that the efficiency of the state administration would be maintained with the reservations?
     The high court in September this year quashed 58% reservation as “unconstitutional,” how will the bill with a higher quota be defended?

  • ED gets custody of Chhattisgarh CM’s aide for 4 more days in money laundering case 

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: A special court here on Tuesday allowed the custodial interrogation of bureaucrat Saumya Chaurasia, a deputy secretary posted in Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s office, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for four more days in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal levy scam in the state.

    The court also extended the judicial custody of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sameer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari and two other accused by four more days in the same case.

    Additional District and Sessions Judge Ajay Singh Rajput extended the ED remand by four days of Chaurasia after she was produced before the court on the expiry of her current custody, said Chaurasia’s lawyer Faizal Rizvi.

    Rizvi said the ED had demanded ten-day custody of Chaurasia, but he opposed the plea in the court citing she had been cooperating in the investigation and appeared nine times before the central agency in response to its summons before her arrest.

    The court also extended the judicial custody of Vishnoi, Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and another coal businessman Sunil Agrawal by four days, he said.

    They will be produced in the court on December 10, Rizvi added.

    Chaurasia, considered an influential bureaucrat, was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after questioning on December 2.

    The money laundering investigation was launched after the ED took cognisance of an Income Tax department complaint.

    The financial crimes probe agency in October carried out multi-city raids in the state as part of its probe.

    It also arrested IAS officer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and another coal businessman Sunil Agrawal and named them as accused.

    The case pertained to “a massive scam in which an illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne was being extorted for every tonne of coal transported in Chhattisgarh by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen,” the ED had said.

    Chief Minister Baghel had dubbed the central probe agency’s action to arrest Chaurasia as “politically motivated.”

    RAIPUR: A special court here on Tuesday allowed the custodial interrogation of bureaucrat Saumya Chaurasia, a deputy secretary posted in Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s office, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for four more days in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal levy scam in the state.

    The court also extended the judicial custody of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sameer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari and two other accused by four more days in the same case.

    Additional District and Sessions Judge Ajay Singh Rajput extended the ED remand by four days of Chaurasia after she was produced before the court on the expiry of her current custody, said Chaurasia’s lawyer Faizal Rizvi.

    Rizvi said the ED had demanded ten-day custody of Chaurasia, but he opposed the plea in the court citing she had been cooperating in the investigation and appeared nine times before the central agency in response to its summons before her arrest.

    The court also extended the judicial custody of Vishnoi, Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and another coal businessman Sunil Agrawal by four days, he said.

    They will be produced in the court on December 10, Rizvi added.

    Chaurasia, considered an influential bureaucrat, was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after questioning on December 2.

    The money laundering investigation was launched after the ED took cognisance of an Income Tax department complaint.

    The financial crimes probe agency in October carried out multi-city raids in the state as part of its probe.

    It also arrested IAS officer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and another coal businessman Sunil Agrawal and named them as accused.

    The case pertained to “a massive scam in which an illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne was being extorted for every tonne of coal transported in Chhattisgarh by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen,” the ED had said.

    Chief Minister Baghel had dubbed the central probe agency’s action to arrest Chaurasia as “politically motivated.”

  • Congress releases party manifesto for HP assembly polls

    By PTI

    SHIMLA: The Congress on Saturday released its manifesto for the November 12 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections in the presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

    The party has promised to implement the old pension scheme, 30 units of free power and Rs 10 crore ‘StartUp fund’ in each constituency.

    Others present at the party’s poll manifesto release included AICC in-charge for Himachal Rajeev Shukla, former PCC chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and AICC secretaries Tejinder Pal Bittu and Manish Chatrath.

    Party’s poll manifesto committee chairman Dhani Ram Shandil said the BJP has failed to live up to the expectations of people and has not fulfilled the promises made five years ago.

    “This is not just a poll manifesto but a document prepared for the development and welfare of the people of Himachal Pradesh,” Shandil said.

    The Congress is banking on the anti-incumbency factor and urging voters not to reelect the BJP in the state.

    SHIMLA: The Congress on Saturday released its manifesto for the November 12 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections in the presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

    The party has promised to implement the old pension scheme, 30 units of free power and Rs 10 crore ‘StartUp fund’ in each constituency.

    Others present at the party’s poll manifesto release included AICC in-charge for Himachal Rajeev Shukla, former PCC chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and AICC secretaries Tejinder Pal Bittu and Manish Chatrath.

    Party’s poll manifesto committee chairman Dhani Ram Shandil said the BJP has failed to live up to the expectations of people and has not fulfilled the promises made five years ago.

    “This is not just a poll manifesto but a document prepared for the development and welfare of the people of Himachal Pradesh,” Shandil said.

    The Congress is banking on the anti-incumbency factor and urging voters not to reelect the BJP in the state.

  • BJP attacks Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel govt on ‘liquor ban’

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: One of the key poll promises by the ruling Congress ahead of the Assembly polls 2018 was on liquor ban, which is now rumbling politically in Chhattisgarh with the opposition BJP gearing-up to sharpen its attack on the Bhupesh Baghel government. The elections in the state are due next year. 

    While the opposition has been consistently demanding total prohibition in the state, the Congress is not expressing any disinclination, but countered that the process on liquor ban will not be done like the demonetisation. It will be done on the basis of the observations compiled by the three committees constituted by the government. The Congress maintained that it will review the possibilities of closing down liquor sales.

    The state health minister T S Singhdeo recently expressed reservations over Chhattisgarh likely becoming a complete ‘dry state’. “Liquor can be banned in around 61 development blocks but imposing prohibition in the tribal areas may not be possible,” he said.Political observers believed that liquor ban promise by Congress party apparently won the appreciation from the women who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the voters in the state.

    Three committees comprised experts, social workers and legislators were formed to study the prospect of prohibition in the state. “Based on observations of the committees the government will initiate action. We have corresponded with four states that imposed liquor ban regarding study tours, but have not received any response so far. The process will begin after we receive the reply,” said Satyanarayan Sharma, who heads a political committee on liquor prohibition. 

    During the last three years and a half, only three meetings of the committee were held.The BJP Mahila Morcha has launched a major campaign against the state government on liquor ban and crime against women.

    “There will be a month-long programme right from the village level to district across the state. On November 3, the Morcha will organise a mega rally that will see the participation of one lakh women,” said Saroj Pandey, BJP MP.

    RAIPUR: One of the key poll promises by the ruling Congress ahead of the Assembly polls 2018 was on liquor ban, which is now rumbling politically in Chhattisgarh with the opposition BJP gearing-up to sharpen its attack on the Bhupesh Baghel government. The elections in the state are due next year. 

    While the opposition has been consistently demanding total prohibition in the state, the Congress is not expressing any disinclination, but countered that the process on liquor ban will not be done like the demonetisation. It will be done on the basis of the observations compiled by the three committees constituted by the government. The Congress maintained that it will review the possibilities of closing down liquor sales.

    The state health minister T S Singhdeo recently expressed reservations over Chhattisgarh likely becoming a complete ‘dry state’. “Liquor can be banned in around 61 development blocks but imposing prohibition in the tribal areas may not be possible,” he said.Political observers believed that liquor ban promise by Congress party apparently won the appreciation from the women who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the voters in the state.

    Three committees comprised experts, social workers and legislators were formed to study the prospect of prohibition in the state. “Based on observations of the committees the government will initiate action. We have corresponded with four states that imposed liquor ban regarding study tours, but have not received any response so far. The process will begin after we receive the reply,” said Satyanarayan Sharma, who heads a political committee on liquor prohibition. 

    During the last three years and a half, only three meetings of the committee were held.The BJP Mahila Morcha has launched a major campaign against the state government on liquor ban and crime against women.

    “There will be a month-long programme right from the village level to district across the state. On November 3, the Morcha will organise a mega rally that will see the participation of one lakh women,” said Saroj Pandey, BJP MP.