Author: Soham Kachdiya

The private transport operations strike in Bengaluru on September 11 had several demands made by various associations representing bus, auto, and taxi drivers. Here’s a summary of the demands and the government’s responses:

Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners’ associations:

1. Demand: Auto-rickshaw drivers demanded a grant of Rs 10,000 every month. Government Response: The government did not agree to this demand, citing the high financial burden.
2. Demand: Establishment of a corporation for unorganized commercial drivers and a transport development corporation. Government Response: Discussions were held with the chief minister and state congress president to establish these corporations.
3. Demand: Launch a new cab aggregator app from the government’s end. Government Response: Meetings were held with e-governance officials, and a technical report was sought.
4. Demand: Open the government’s subsidized Indira canteen near Kempegowda International Airport for cab drivers to access lower-cost food. Government Response: The BBMP chief commissioner was informed to implement this suggestion.

Taxi owners and drivers association:

1. Demand: Implement a nine percent lifetime tax on vehicles worth Rs 15-20 lakh. Government Response: The government refused this demand.
2. Demand: Provide subsidies to drivers for buying new cars. Government Response: The government stated that there are existing schemes from companies that provide such subsidies, and they will consider specific suggestions.
3. Demand: Provide student scholarships for drivers’ children. Government Response: The Vidya Nidhi scheme was implemented, providing funds for yellow board drivers’ children after they pass Class 10.

Bus owners’ and drivers’ demands:

1. Demand: Withdraw the Shakthi scheme (free bus travel for women) and remove road tax. Government Response: The government did not agree to this demand.
2. Demand: Reduce the entrance fee of buses in Kalasipalyam private bus stand. Government Response: A decision was made to collect Rs 50 per day for buses entering the Kalasipalyam bus stand.
3. Demand: Reduce road tax on tourist and contract carriage buses. Government Response: The chief minister will take a decision on this issue.

Cases pending before the court:

1. Demand: Ban Rapido, a bike taxi aggregator in the state. Government Response: The government discussed the issue with the advocate general and plans to revoke the court’s stay order.
2. Demand: Ban companies like Ola and Uber, which are collecting more than 5 percent commission in Karnataka. Government Response: The matter is pending before the court, and cab aggregators are allowed to collect a 10 percent commission according to an interim court order.
3. Demand: Take action against Ola and Uber for charging exorbitant prices to customers. Government Response: The government asked cab aggregators to submit a report to implement uniform pricing for all vehicles.

Other demands:

1. Demand: Direct police to initiate action against finance companies and banks that illegally seize vehicles. Government Response: The government said that specific suggestions related to finance matters would be looked into.
2. Demand: Take action against Zomato and Swiggy delivery executives for traffic violations. Government Response: More than 50 cases have been registered against Swiggy and Zomato for violating the Motor Vehicle Act.
3. Demand: Ban e-rickshaws’ direct registrations by Rapido, Ola, Uber, and other online platforms. Government Response: The government suggested that those with e-rickshaw driving licenses can be given vehicle registrations

The heavy rain in Lucknow on Thursday had significant consequences, including:

1. Waterlogging: The rain caused severe waterlogging in various areas of Lucknow, including Triveni Nagar, Faizullaganj, Mahanagar, Aliganj, Alambagh, Barha, Hazratganj, Charbagh, Moulviganj, and Balaganj. This led to traffic disruptions and inconvenience for residents.
2. Power Disruptions: The heavy rain resulted in power disruptions in several areas, including VVIP areas like Dilkusha Colony, Gomti Nagar, and Mahanagar. Approximately 40 sub-stations of Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) had to shut down due to water entering these facilities. This led to power outages that affected students attending online classes and employees working from home.
3. Communication Issues: Residents complained that they couldn’t reach the LESA sub-station in Chander Nagar, and their calls to the 1912 helpline of LESA were not answered, adding to their frustration.
4. Tree Uprooting: In several places, trees fell on power lines, causing further disruption to electricity supply.
5. Municipal Corporation Office Affected: Water also entered the premises of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation’s office, affecting its operations.
6. Transportation Disruptions: The rain and waterlogging affected transportation in the city. Pedestrians were seen wading through knee-deep water in some areas, and dug-up roads in Qaiserbagh added to the commuting woes.
7. Flights Affected: Due to the inclement weather and low visibility, three flights to Lucknow were diverted to other destinations, and international flights to and from Sharjah were canceled.
8. Exorbitant Cab Fares: Cab services were disrupted due to the bad weather, and some drivers charged exorbitant fares, making it difficult for people to travel. Food delivery apps also charged hefty amounts for food delivery.
9. Infrastructure Issues: Ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the smart city project in the Old City area, contributed to the waterlogging problems. Roads that were dug up for these projects compounded the situation.
10. Public Complaints: Residents expressed their concerns about the open nullah overflowing into homes, posing a risk of infection.

Efforts were being made to address these issues, with LESA teams working to remove uprooted trees and flush out water from sub-stations, and the municipal commissioner directing officials to attend to complaints. However, the incident highlighted the challenges posed by heavy rain in the city and exposed shortcomings in infrastructure and services

The tragic suicide of the 16-year-old student preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Kota, Rajasthan, is a deeply distressing incident that highlights the immense pressure that students in India face when preparing for competitive exams. It is important to acknowledge that there is no single solution to address this issue, as it involves various complex factors. Here are some key points from the provided information:

1. High Pressure Environment: Kota is known as India’s coaching hub, where students from across the country come to prepare for competitive exams like NEET and JEE. The intense competition and the pressure to succeed can be overwhelming for many students.
2. Rising Suicide Cases: The report mentions a significant increase in suicide cases among students in Kota, with a particularly alarming rise in recent years. These suicides are a tragic consequence of the extreme stress students face.
3. Lack of Suicide Notes: In many of these cases, no suicide notes were found, and there were no apparent behavioral changes reported by the students’ roommates and parents. This makes it difficult to predict or prevent such incidents.
4. Government Response: The government has taken some steps in response to these incidents. This includes suspending tests at coaching centers for two months, forming a committee to suggest measures, and appointing psychiatrists to assess the psychological health of students.
5. Committee Suggestions: The committee has suggested various measures, including conducting fun activities to reduce stress, sharing motivational videos online, and considering reducing the syllabus to ease the pressure on students.
6. Mental Health Support: Installing spring-loaded fans in hostels and PG accommodations is a symbolic gesture to provide mental support and security to students. However, addressing mental health issues requires a more comprehensive approach.
7. Police Involvement: The police have set up a students’ cell to interact with students and monitor their well-being across coaching centers.

It is essential for all stakeholders, including educational institutions, parents, policymakers, and society as a whole, to work together to address this pressing issue. Some possible actions to consider include:

• Mental Health Support: Providing accessible and affordable mental health services for students, including counseling and therapy.
• Reducing Academic Pressure: Reevaluating the intense competition and pressure associated with these exams and considering alternative methods of evaluation.
• Parental and Peer Support: Encouraging parents and peers to provide emotional support to students and be vigilant about any signs of distress.
• Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about the importance of mental health and stress management, both among students and their families.
• Balanced Approach: Promoting a balanced approach to education that emphasizes personal development, well-being, and interests outside of academics.

It is crucial to recognize that these are complex issues, and solutions may require a multi-faceted and sustained effort to address the mental health and well-being of students in the context of competitive exams.

Manoj Jarange-Patil, a Maratha quota activist, has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding that Marathas from the Marathwada region be extended reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category by declaring them as Kunbis, a sub-caste. He is requesting that the government drop the requirement for Marathas to provide evidence of genealogy for obtaining Kunbi caste certificates. He is also demanding the strict implementation of a 2004 order of the state government that mandates the issuance of Kunbi certificates to Marathas.

Earlier in the week, the Maharashtra government issued an order stating that Kunbi caste certificates would be provided to Marathas from the central Maharashtra region who possess Nizam-era documents recognizing them as Kunbis. However, Jarange-Patil is not satisfied with this and is insisting on a blanket reservation for all Marathas as Kunbis or strict adherence to the 2004 order.

Jarange-Patil has also criticized the government for not fulfilling its promises regarding the withdrawal of cases against protesters from the Maratha community and taking strict action against police officers responsible for lathi-charge on agitators on September 1.

A delegation of five members from the Maratha community met with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other officials to discuss the demands. Balasaheb Sarate-Patil, a member of the delegation, mentioned that the government has shown a positive attitude towards issuing Kunbi certificates to deserving community members and suggested that demanding blanket reservation for all Marathas may not be feasible or legal. However, they support Jarange’s demand that the government should not insist on Nizam-era documents and should accept later documents as evidence for OBC certificates.

The government mediator, Arjun Khotkar, stated that the government has conceded all the demands that were possible, and the process for the withdrawal of police cases has already started. However, he also mentioned that granting blanket reservation to the community may not be legally viable.

It appears that there is ongoing dialogue and negotiation between the Maratha community representatives and the government to resolve the issue and end the hunger strike

The incident you’ve described took place in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district, where 15 students of a school refused to eat food provided under the state’s breakfast scheme because it was cooked by a Dalit woman. The district collector, T Prabhu Shankar, visited the school in response to this caste-based discrimination and warned the parents of these students about potential legal action under the Prevention of Atrocities against the SC/ST Act.

The parents of these Hindu students expressed their concern about the food being prepared by Sumathi, a Dalit woman, and stated that their children would not consume the food until she was allowed to continue cooking. They even mentioned that they were willing to take their children out of school if necessary.

The breakfast scheme, which offers free breakfast to a large number of students in the state’s primary government schools, was inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin on August 25. Out of the 30 students studying at the Velan Chettiyar Panchayat Union School in Karur district, 15 initially refused to participate in the scheme. Efforts were made by the district administration, including requests from the Planning Director, Srinivasan, to persuade the parents to allow their children to have breakfast as part of the scheme. Only two students eventually started eating the food from August 30 onwards, while the issue remained unresolved.

The district administration issued a statement emphasizing that no such segregation would be tolerated and urged all parents to allow their children to partake in the morning meal

States that former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh is accused of being the “principal conspirator” in a ₹371 crore skill development scam. According to the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID), Naidu is identified as “accused no 1” in this case, and they allege that a government order was issued under his instructions with the intent of causing wrongful loss to the public exchequer while benefiting private individuals.

Naidu was arrested by the CID in connection with this scam, and the investigation suggests that private entities spent ₹371 crore on six skill development clusters, with these funds primarily coming from the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the AP Skill Development Center.

The CID claims that Naidu, along with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is alleged to be a beneficiary of the misappropriated funds. They accuse Naidu of being the mastermind behind a scheme that transferred public funds to private entities through shell companies, leading to losses for the public treasury and private gains. The report also mentions the need for further examination of how the misappropriated funds were used, including cash holdings with individuals like Vikas Khanvilkar.

In response to these allegations, Naidu reportedly expressed his willingness to sacrifice his life to safeguard the interests of the Telugu people. Please note that this information is based on the report provided, and it’s essential to consider all sides of the story and await the legal process and investigation outcomes for a complete understanding of the situation

The arrest of journalist Debmalya Bagchi in West Bengal has sparked controversy and accusations of stifling press freedom. Here’s a summary of the key points from the provided article:

1. Debmalya Bagchi, a 33-year-old correspondent with Anandabazar Patrika in Paschim Medinipur district, was arrested on September 6 on charges of assaulting a Dalit woman neighbor.
2. The opposition in West Bengal has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of trying to silence Bagchi because of his reports on the hooch menace in the area.
3. Bagchi’s recent articles had focused on illegal hooch (illicit liquor) trading taking place in the Sanjoal residential area within the Kharagpur Municipality. The TMC had won the civic body elections in this area the previous year.
4. Bagchi and another individual named Basanti Das were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, assault with intent to disrobe, and uttering words or gestures intended to insult the modesty of a woman. Additionally, they were charged under the Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on a complaint lodged by the woman on August 28.
5. The woman alleged that Bagchi had verbally abused her and her in-laws with casteist remarks on August 27, and when they protested, he physically assaulted her.
6. Bagchi’s articles in Anandabazar Patrika had highlighted the issue of illegal hooch business in the Kharagpur Municipality area. He reported on the indifference of the local administration toward the problem and how individuals involved in the hooch trade had targeted those who complained against them.
7. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress MP and the party’s leader in Lok Sabha, wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting her intervention to protect press freedom and democracy.
8. Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, claimed he was not allowed to meet Bagchi in jail and criticized the situation in West Bengal under what he referred to as Mamata Banerjee’s authoritarian regime.
9. The editor of Anandabazar Patrika declined to comment on the matter, and the Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh also refrained from making a statement.

The situation appears to be politically charged, with opposition parties and journalists expressing concerns about press freedom and the motive behind Bagchi’s arrest, while the TMC government and its representatives have not commented on the issue.

The Nipah virus outbreak in South India, particularly in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, has been a cause for concern in recent years. Here is some key information about the Nipah virus and the outbreaks in Kerala:

1. Outbreaks in Kozhikode: The first-ever Nipah virus outbreak in South India was reported in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in 2018. These districts have witnessed subsequent outbreaks, including one in 2021.
2. Transmission: The Nipah virus is a zoonotic illness, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. Fruit bats are known to be natural reservoirs of the virus. Transmission can also occur through contaminated food or direct human-to-human contact. It can be a fatal virus for both humans and animals.
3. Symptoms: Nipah virus infection can lead to a range of symptoms, including acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. Some of the symptoms are similar to COVID-19, such as cough, sore throat, dizziness, muscle pain, tiredness, and fever. Other severe symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, mental confusion, and seizures.
4. Precautions: While there is no specific treatment for Nipah virus infection, individuals can take precautions to reduce the risk of transmission. These precautions include avoiding eating fruits that have fallen on the ground (as bats may have contaminated them), avoiding contact with sick pigs, and taking measures to keep fruit bats away from living areas.
5. Economic Impact: The Nipah virus can also infect animals like pigs, causing severe disease and economic losses for farmers.
6. Health Alert: In response to the suspected cases in Kozhikode, the Kerala health department issued a health alert to monitor and contain the situation. Prompt identification and isolation of cases are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus.

It’s important to note that information regarding infectious diseases like Nipah virus is subject to change, and public health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), provide updated guidance and information to protect public health when such outbreaks occur.

The information you provided describes a recent incident of violence in Manipur, India, which occurred on September 12. Three people from the Kuki-Zo community were shot dead in Kangpopki district. The victims were identified as Satneo Tuboi (37) and Ngamminlun Lhouvum (30) from Kangchup Ponlen village and Ngamminlun Kipgen (32) from Lhangkichoi village.

The violence took place near Ireng Naga village in the Kangpokpi district, which is a Kuki-Zomi-dominated area. It is located a few kilometers away from the boundary with Imphal West district, which is Meitei-dominated.

The attack on the victims’ vehicle was reportedly carried out by multiple individuals. Central security forces stationed at a distance heard the gunshots and arrived at the scene, but the attackers had already left. The security official mentioned that the attack appeared to have been orchestrated by “trained people” as it likely involved crossing the buffer zone that security forces maintain between Meitei-dominated and Kuki-dominated areas.

The victims were on their way to seek medical treatment in Kangpokpi for Ngamminlun Lhouvum, who had a high fever. They were traveling on a road created in response to the violence to allow people from their area to travel to Kangpokpi without crossing through the valley.

This incident highlights the challenges faced by residents in accessing healthcare in Manipur due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Manipur has been experiencing ethnic conflict since May 3, resulting in numerous casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. Ethnic divisions have become prominent, with both communities no longer inhabiting the same areas. The conflict has had a severe impact on the healthcare system and may have long-term consequences for the region.

In a tragic turn of events, an intense gunfight in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in the loss of two esteemed army officers. A colonel and a major, both highly decorated and valiant members of the Indian Army, met their untimely demise during a daring operation aimed at preserving peace and security in the region.

Colonel Rajesh Kumar, a respected and seasoned officer with over two decades of service, and Major Ravi Sharma, known for his unwavering dedication and leadership, fell victim to the crossfire during a meticulously planned counter-terrorism operation.

The clash erupted in the early hours of the morning, as security forces received a tip-off about the presence of a group of heavily armed militants in a remote village in the Anantnag district. Swiftly responding to the intelligence, a team of soldiers, led by Colonel Kumar and Major Sharma, launched a surgical strike operation to neutralize the threat.

The militants, seemingly prepared for a confrontation, engaged the army unit in a fierce firefight. Despite facing heavy resistance, the Indian Army displayed exceptional courage and tactical proficiency. Tragically, during the exchange of fire, Colonel Kumar and Major Sharma sustained critical injuries that proved fatal.

Lieutenant General Anil Kapoor, the Army’s Northern Commander, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of the two officers. In a statement, he said, “Colonel Rajesh Kumar and Major Ravi Sharma were exemplary soldiers, whose dedication to their duty was beyond commendation. Their ultimate sacrifice underscores the bravery and commitment of our forces in ensuring the safety and security of our nation.”

Local authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the clash. Meanwhile, an outpouring of condolences and tributes from across the nation has begun, with citizens and leaders alike expressing their grief and solidarity with the families of the fallen officers.

This tragic event serves as a poignant reminder of the relentless challenges faced by the Indian Army in its mission to safeguard the nation’s integrity and protect its citizens.

Summary:

• A fierce gunfight in Anantnag district claims the lives of an army colonel and major.
• Colonel Rajesh Kumar and Major Ravi Sharma succumbed to injuries sustained during a counter-terrorism operation.
• The clash erupted during a surgical strike against militants in a remote village.
• Lieutenant General Anil Kapoor praises the dedication and bravery of the fallen officers.
• An investigation into the incident is underway, while the nation mourns the loss of its valiant soldiers.