Bhopal, May 13 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will visit Bengaluru on Wednesday to participate in a programme, the ‘Invest in MP’, his office said in a statement on Tuesday. The Chief Minister will visit the campus of BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) and attend a programme, where he will address an interactive session with industrialists. Following a visit to the BEML shop floor, the Chief Minister will unveil the Metro coach and take part in a test ride.He will also tour the Integrated Design Centre and view a presentation on BEML’s proposed plant in Bhopal. During the event, land allotment documents for BEML’s upcoming unit in Madhya Pradesh will also be formally handed over, the government stated.Notably, BEML is a premier public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. It is leading in manufacturing Metro rail coaches, defence equipment, and mining and construction machinery. Its Bengaluru-based manufacturing facility exemplifies modern engineering and indigenous technology, contributing significantly to the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).”The Chief Minister will engage with leading industrial groups, investors, and technology companies. Various state departments will deliver presentations on Madhya Pradesh’s industrial policies, infrastructure, and sector-wise investment opportunities,” it added. CM Yadav will hold one-on-one meetings with key investors from sectors such as IT, electronics, manufacturing, defence, automobiles, tourism, and technology to discuss investment opportunities directly.”This ongoing dialogue with major industrial groups is opening up new horizons for investment, where industries find a secure and dynamic platform supported by strong policies, resources, and governance,” the government said in the statement.–IANSpd/uk

Ahmedabad, May 13 (IANS) Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner G.S. Malik made it mandatory for all rickshaw drivers to install functional meters from January 1, 2025. However, despite clear orders and a grace period, enforcement has revealed widespread non-compliance. So far, the city’s traffic police have penalised 28,112 rickshaw drivers operating without meters, collecting a staggering Rs 1.56 crore in fines.

The crackdown follows mounting public complaints about rickshaw drivers allegedly charging inflated fares, especially during peak hours or in high-demand areas. Commissioner Malik said, “There were repeated complaints that rickshaw pullers were charging more than the standard fare. We had given them until January 1 to install meters. Now, if a rickshaw is found operating without a meter, a fine is issued. After the second violation, we will treat it as a permit breach, and the rickshaw will be detained.” The Commissioner further appealed to all rickshaw owners and drivers to comply with the regulation to avoid penalties and legal action. “During annual RTO renewals, meters are provided, but many drivers choose to leave them at home. This cannot continue,” he emphasised.The decision, officials say, was driven by concerns raised by daily commuters who often felt exploited by arbitrary fare demands. With the new rule in place, passengers are now expected to pay only the metered fare, helping standardise pricing across the city. Auto rickshaws are a crucial part of Gujarat’s urban transport network, serving as an affordable and accessible mode of travel for millions of people daily.According to the Gujarat RTO data, there are over 3.5 lakh registered auto rickshaws across the state, with the highest concentration in cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. These three-wheelers play a significant role in local mobility, especially for last-mile connectivity in congested city areas and rural outskirts.–IANSjanvi/dan

Jaipur, May 13 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma emphasised that investment promotion is the cornerstone of the state government’s development strategy, and the timely fulfilment of MoUs signed during the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit is crucial to achieving the goal of making Rajasthan a $350 billion economy by 2030.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Chief Minister’s Office on Tuesday, Sharma stated that MoUs worth approximately Rs 37 lakh crore were signed at the summit, of which projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore have already been implemented on the ground.”These investments are accelerating the pace of industrial development and opening up ample employment opportunities for the youth,” he said.The Chief Minister directed officials to maintain constant communication with investors and prioritise the implementation of MoUs across sectors such as tourism, medical education, healthcare, textiles, apparel, automobiles, and electric vehicles (EVs).He instructed district collectors to facilitate expeditious land allocation for proposed projects and conduct on-site inspections with investors to showcase available land options.To enhance coordination and accelerate progress, Sharma ordered the appointment of nodal officers in each department to oversee and monitor the implementation of MoUs.“These officers should act swiftly, conduct regular reviews, and address technical issues to ensure smooth execution,” he said.He also called upon investors to honour their commitments and complete projects within the stipulated timelines. Highlighting the potential of the tourism sector, the Chief Minister said the recently launched Tourism Policy will provide the necessary thrust to the state’s economy and promote the comprehensive development of tourist destinations.“Rajasthan is now a global tourism hub, with growing opportunities in eco, rural, heritage, adventure, and religious tourism,” he said, adding that the government is committed to generating new employment opportunities through tourism expansion.Speaking on the healthcare sector, Sharma reiterated the government’s focus on strengthening quality health services from rural hamlets to urban centres. He said that new medical colleges and hospitals being established under the MoUs will bolster the state’s medical infrastructure.“There is a growing demand for skilled medical professionals across India and globally, offering golden career opportunities for youth,” he noted.While reviewing the EV and automobile sectors, the Chief Minister pointed out the increasing relevance of electric mobility in view of limited natural resources.He assured that investor concerns are being addressed through the single-window system and that the government is fully committed to providing a conducive environment for industrial growth.The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, senior officials from various departments, and key investors. District collectors from across the state joined the review meeting via video conferencing–IANSarc/dan

Hyderabad, May 13 (IANS) The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has planned a series of mass agitations across Telangana against what it calls the “corrupt and deceptive” rule of the Congress government.

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao on Tuesday asked the party cadres to gear up for the state-wide agitations.Addressing a meeting of party leaders from the united Warangal district in Hyderabad, he accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s regime of dragging the state into chaos, deceit, and misrule.KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, declared that the Warangal public meeting of BRS marked the beginning of the end for the Congress rule. He called upon party cadres to intensify their efforts and take the message of the Congress government’s betrayal to every household in Telangana.“The Revanth-led government is like a captain who only claims to sail till the stream is shallow—once deep waters arrive, their hollowness is exposed,” quipped KTR.The BRS lambasted the Congress for failing to deliver on its promises, especially towards farmers and unemployed youth and farmers. He highlighted the increasing number of farmer suicides, the delays in Rythu Bharosa payments, the gross negligence in paddy procurement, and the lack of compensation for losses due to untimely rains. He said the BRS would soon launch statewide protests and mass outreach campaigns demanding justice for the distressed farming community.“Congress is another name for betrayal. Their history is full of broken promises and scams. We will expose their true face to the people of Telangana,” he said, urging BRS leaders to mobilise grassroots campaigns, hold village-level meetings and build a strong agitation against the ruling dispensation.KTR hailed the BRS silver Jubilee public meeting as one of the biggest in Telangana’s political history, crediting its success to the tireless efforts of party workers and people’s unwavering faith in the BRS. “The massive turnout at Elkathurthi reflects the strength of the BRS and the beginning of a political shift. The enthusiasm of our cadre and the support from the masses have reignited our collective will to fight,” KTR stated.He also joined local leaders from Warangal for a meal, in a show of camaraderie and unity, and emphasised that BRS alone can ensure justice for Telangana and protect the interests of its people.–IANSms/uk

Agartala, May 13 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday warned people against making incorrect, offensive and misleading posts on social media.

The Chief Minister, while addressing an official function, said that nowadays, a section of people write whatever they want on social media. “However, we are now keeping a strict vigil on such activities. There must be some limitations, or else strict action would be taken,” said Saha, who also holds the home portfolio. He claimed that compared to 2023, the overall crime rate decreased by 19.4 per cent last year (2024) and announced that the government would soon recruit 916 constables and 218 Sub-Inspectors for Tripura Police to further improve policing in the state. “There were so many talks about the recruitment, and many had raised questions. But the present state government works on time and in an absolutely transparent manner. Nobody can say that with the interference of a third person, government jobs are being provided. This government provides jobs based on merit and in a transparent way,” he said. Saha also informed that from February 12 this year, developmental projects worth Rs 368.21 crore related to infrastructure and development across various departments have been inaugurated or foundation stones have been laid to develop the state. He said: “We are also stressing on quality of teachers by providing them better training. We have also kept 33 per cent reservation of government posts for women to empower them.”“We will slowly reduce the deficiency in police strength, as maintaining law and order and providing security to the people are one of our priorities. We must empower the Police for better law and order and have given a free hand to the state forces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that a free hand has been given to the armed forces in Operation Sindoor. And we have seen how they carried out operations against the terrorists,” he said. –IANS sc/dan

Patna, May 13 (IANS) The first death anniversary of veteran BJP leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi was observed with deep respect and solemnity at a tribute program held at Ravindra Bhawan, Patna.

Remembered for his clear thinking, strong personality, and decades-long political contribution, Modi was paid rich tributes by political leaders across party lines.Among those in attendance was his wife, J.C. George Modi, who made an emotional remembrance of her late husband.In a significant political signal, she said publicly for the first time, “I can contest the elections, but the decision has to be taken by the party.”The former professor added that she would fully respect and abide by the BJP’s decision if asked to enter active politics.During the event in Ravindra Bhawan, Bihar BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha, Bihar assembly speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, Awadesh Narayan Singh, Maharajganj MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal, Nawada MP Vivek Thakur, Dharmashila Gupta, Bhukhu Bhai Dalsania, Health Minister Mangal Pandey, and others were present.As part of the day’s events, another tribute meeting was organised at Rajendra Nagar Road No. 8, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar paid his respects.The Chief Minister announced that the local park at Road Number 8 would be renamed ‘Sushil Kumar Modi Park’ in memory of his late friend and colleague.Nitish Kumar, while garlanding Modi’s photograph, reflected on their long association and described him as a man of principle and dedication.He further declared that Sushil Modi’s death anniversary would be marked as a state function every year. In addition, he announced the installation of a statue of Sushil Modi in the park and instructed officials to ensure the work was completed soon.The occasion saw the presence of several BJP leaders, family members, party workers, and citizens who gathered to honour a leader who played a key role in shaping Bihar’s political and economic landscape.–IANSajk/dan

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday said that the pre-paid smart metering is being prioritised in all government establishments, including government colonies, adding that there is a need to create special zones for green energy to achieve Net Zero emissions.

The minister was speaking at the Regional Conference for the Western Region States and it was attended by Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Goa power minister Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar, Gujarat power minister Kanubhai Mohanlal Desai, Maharashtra minister of state for power Meghana Sakore Borikar while Madhya Pradesh power minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar joined through video conference.The minister said that pre-paid smart meters should be prioritised for installation in government establishments, including government colonies and should be completed by August 2025. The smart meter has huge potential to transform the way consumers interact with utilities using data analytics based on AI/ML tools. He also highlighted that distribution utilities should further strive to improve efficiency through the implementation of infrastructure and smart metering works under RDSS. In this direction, the Ministry has also facilitated ease for fund flows for smart metering works.Minister Manohar Lal underlined the importance of a future-ready, modern, and financially viable power sector to fuel the country’s growth. He outlined the importance of cooperation and coordination between the Central and state governments in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He further remarked that such regional conferences would help in identifying specific challenges and possible solutions. He laid emphasis on ensuring resource adequacy and necessary power purchase tie-ups.Further, the States should also work on developing necessary storage capacities through Pumped Storage Projects and Battery Energy Storage Systems. He emphasised the need to enhance the Nuclear Generation Capacity in the country with the target of 100 GW by 2047. He mentioned the need to create special zones for green energy to achieve Net Zero emissions.He mentioned that the distribution sector is the most critical link in the power sector value chain. However, it faces challenges due to poor tariff structures, sub-optimal billing and collection, and delayed payments of government department dues and subsidies. It is essential to reduce the aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses and the gap between Average Cost of Supply and Average Revenue Realised, to ensure that the distribution sector becomes viable. To achieve that, it is essential that the tariffs are cost-reflective and Government dues and subsidies are paid on time to the distribution companies (DISCOMs).In his address, Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted the key steps taken by Maharashtra towards improving the quality and reliability of power supply across the State. He also mentioned the proposed plan of the state for reducing the AT&C losses and thus reducing the cost of supply. He also requested support of the Central government on various issues concerning the state, especially in restructuring the existing debts of the DISCOM, which would help in making them viable.The Union Power Secretary, Pankaj Agarwal, highlighted that it is crucial to ensure necessary capacity tie-ups as per the resource adequacy plan for up to FY2035 so as to meet future power demand. It is also imperative to make necessary arrangements for the development of inter-state and intra-state transmission capacities through various financing models available, including Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB), Regulated Tariff Mechanism (RTM), budgetary support or monetisation of existing assets. Further, in the wake of the recent geopolitical situation, securing the power sector infrastructure, including the transmission grid and distribution systems, is very critical, and the states should implement necessary cybersecurity protocols for the same. In addition, states to also prepare and implement a power islanding scheme, he said.–IANSsj/dan

Imphal, May 13 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two persons belonging to banned militant groups for their involvement in the brutal killing of a woman and burning and looting of houses by armed militants in Manipur’s Jiribam district in November last year, officials said on Tuesday.

NIA sources said that the accused Nongthombam Meiraba, hailing from Bishnupur district and belonging to the proscribed insurgent outfit – United National Liberation Front (UNLF), was involved in the actual shooting of the woman, identified as Zosangkim. The other accused, identified as Sagolsem Sanatomba alias Surchandra Singh alias Piba of Thoubal district, was a member of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), another Manipur insurgent outfit and was part of the team involved in the carnage that occurred at Zairawn village. The two accused are in NIA custody till May 17 in the case for which investigations are continuing. In another incident, NIA has arrested a cadre of the militant outfit — Kangleipak Communist Party-People’s War Group (KCP-PWG) — faction in an abduction and murder case relating to the ethnic clashes that took place in Manipur in 2023. According to the central probe agency source, the KCP-PWG militant identified as Waikhom Rohit Singh, a resident of Thoubal Pakhangkhong Leirak in Thoubal district, was picked up by an NIA team for his involvement in the conspiracy and execution of the crime. He is currently in judicial custody after completing his remand with the NIA. In November 2023, a CRPF team deployed on ‘naka duty’ in Kangchup Chingkhong area of Imphal West district had detained a Bolero vehicle. The vehicle was found carrying five persons belonging to one of the two main communities involved in the ethnic clashes in the northeastern state. A large mob of angry people belonging to the rival community had then gathered around and forcibly taken away four of the individuals, while one had managed to escape. The bodies of three of the four victims were recovered later. NIA, which had taken over the case in February 2024 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, is continuing with the investigation. –IANS sc/dan

Varanasi, May 13 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after addressing the nation on the success of Operation Sindoor, reached Adampur airbase in Punjab on Tuesday to salute and celebrate the valour of the armed forces. The Armed Forces’ well-coordinated response to the Pahalgam massacre, which saw the killing of 26 tourists on April 22, under the stewardship of PM Modi, is earning praise from the political fraternity as well as common people, including his own Lok Sabha constituency.Many Varanasi residents spoke to IANS about the armed forces launching a decisive fight against terror and giving them and their masters a bloody nose. They hailed PM Modi’s firm resolve in the fight against terror and reiterated his stand that terror and talks can’t go together and Pakistan must be punished whenever it resorts to such acts.A Varanasi local, speaking to IANS, said, “Pakistan claimed that it destroyed Adampur airbase. PM Modi reached there today and celebrated the success of Operation Sindoor with the soldiers and air warriors, with all chanting in one voice – Bharat Mata Ki Jai. This has given a blow to Pakistan and all those powers aligning with it.”He said that the three strikes under the Modi government – namely the Surgical strikes, Balakot airstrikes and now Operation Sindoor – have taught Pakistan a lesson. This is ‘naya India’ and India’s enemies will not be spared now.”He further remarked, “Pakistan’s only identity before the world is its begging bowl, but it remains a threat to the peaceful world because of its terror havens and terrorists emanating from there. It keeps bragging about nuclear threat, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his army have taught it a right lesson.”Drawing a parallel between Operation Sindoor and Ramayan-era war, he said, “PM Modi rightly decided to launch counter-strike against terror factories and decimate their entire network. The world today needs decisive action against terror.”Another local hailed India for stopping water supply to a terror-sponsoring nation by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.”Pakistan is a cunning country. Unless it is taught a lesson, economically as well as militarily, it won’t come on the right path,” he said.An elderly citizen, reacting to PM Modi’s “ghar mein ghus kar…:” remarks, said that this was the right treatment, and the terror nation won’t mend its ways unless punished.“Modi hai toh mumkin hai,” he and others stated unequivocally.A local scoffed at Pakistan’s nuclear threat and said that it brags about its arsenal and artillery, but all its claims are hollow and empty.“Pakistan has nothing to stand up against India. However, Indian Armed Forces and its arsenal have seen major revamp under PM Modi’s governance,” he said.On the question of ‘nuclear blackmailing’, another local said that Pakistan will now not dare to indulge in an act of terror again.On the question of India hitting targets inside the enemy’s territory, a resident said, “There have been no incidents of terror in the country, besides Jammu and Kashmir. The decisive action by the Army has given a crushing blow to the Pakistan army and its political masters.”–IANSmr/uk

Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), May 13 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday participated in…