Karnataka, TN lock horns over Mekedatu hydel power project

September 10, 2013

Minister_T_B_JayachandraBangalore, Sept 10: Seeking to counter Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Karnataka government today defended its proposal to build a reservoir across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu to generate hydro-electric power, saying it is in conformity with the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

"I had not said anything new. It's there (in conformity with) in the Order", Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here, as he stuck to his recent statement.

"I am reiterating what's said in the tribunal order", he added, as he read out certain portions of the order to defend the proposal.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting his intervention, Jayalalithaa had taken exception to the proposal and wanted the Centre to instruct Karnataka not to take up any schemes in the Cauvery, including hydro-electric projects, without the prior consent of her State.

Jayachandra said he has brought it to the notice of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah vis-a-vis the proposed project and would take it to the Cabinet and apprise the legal position on the matter.

He said he would also discuss the issue with the legal team fighting the state's case on Cauvery river water sharing pending in Supreme Court and also "legal luminaries".

"What's wrong in going before the government of India and preparing the project", the Minister asked.

Jayalalithaa had urged the Prime Minister to advise the Ministry of Environment and Forests not to accord clearance to any projects of Karnataka in the river till the Cauvery Management Board is formed.

She said in the letter: "The proposed reservoirs near Mekedatu are new schemes [and] not contemplated in the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal," adding, as the Tribunal had prescribed the total quantity of water to be used for consumptive use, this proposal was "wholly illegal".

The move would affect the natural flow of the Cauvery river considerably and severely affect irrigation in Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister said, adding the proposal was causing alarm and apprehension.

Karnataka irrigation department officials have said the long-pending extension, renovation and modernisation projects of the Cauvery basin would be taken up for approval of the government of India, in conformity with the Cauvery award.

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News Network
June 8,2020

New Delhi, June 8: Only 20.26 lakh migrant workers of the targeted 8 crore such labourers have received free food grains in May and June (2020), according to data released by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

In the middle of May, as part of the Rs 20 lakh crore Atma Nirbhar Bharat package, the Modi government had announced that migrant labourers who are not covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or any state-run PDS scheme, will receive free food grains for two months.

"Non-card holders shall be given 5 kg wheat or rice per person and 1 kg chana per family per month for the next 2 months. About 8 crore migrants will benefit from this scheme that will cost the government Rs 3500 crore,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said at a press conference following PM Modi’s announcement.

But the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said on Sunday, "The states and UTs have lifted 4.42 LMT (lakh metric tonne) of food grains and distributed 10,131 MT of it to 20.26 lakh beneficiaries."

It added, "The Government of India also approved 39,000 MT pulses for 1.96 crore migrant families. Around 28,306 MT gram/dal have been dispatched to the states and UTs. A total 15,413 MT gram have been lifted by various states and UTs". The state governments, the ministry added, had distributed only 631MT (metric tonnes) of gram so far.

Because of the constant movement of migrant workers, the Centre had said that the states will be responsible for identifying the migrants and subsequent food distribution.

The Centre claims it is spending approximately Rs 3,109 crore for food grains and Rs 280 crores for grams/chana under this package.

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News Network
June 16,2020

New Delhi, Jun 16: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said that he has been hospitalised after suffering from high-grade fever and a sudden drop in his oxygen level.

He tweeted to inform that he was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) here, a dedicated COVID-19 facility under the Delhi government.

"Due to high-grade fever and a sudden drop of my oxygen levels last night I have been admitted to RGSSH. Will keep everyone updated," Jain tweeted.

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News Network
March 3,2020

Mumbai, Mar 3: The country will turn "peaceful" if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "bhakts" follow him in quitting the social media, the NCP said on Tuesday, taking a dig at the PM over his tweet that was thinking of giving up his social media accounts.

NCP chief spokesperson and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik also said that Modi's decision will be "in the interest of the country".

His comments came a day after Modi said he is contemplating giving up social media presence.

"This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted," the prime minister said on the micro-blogging site.

Taking a swipe at the prime minister, Malik in a tweet said, "Yesterday, Modi ji gave hint of giving up the social media from Sunday. Some leaders are also talking about giving up (the social media). The country will turn peaceful if all the bhakts (followers) give it up."

"Modi ji's decision will be in the interest of the country. We welcome it, Modi ji take decision," Malik tweeted with the hash tag "ModiQuitsSocialMedia".

Earlier, the Congress took a swipe at the prime minister, with Rahul Gandhi tweeting "Give up hatred, not social media accounts" after tagging Modi's post.

Within minutes of Modi's tweet on Monday, scores of netizens urged him not to quit the various social media platforms as 'No Sir' trended on Twitter.

The prime minister is one of the most-followed world leaders on social media. He has 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44 million on Facebook and 35.2 millionon Instagram.

The Twitter handle of Prime Minister's Office has 32 million followers.

In September 2019, PM Modi was the third most followed world leader on the microblogging site, behind only US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama.

The Prime Minister was the first Indian to cross the 50-million followers mark on Twitter.

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