Tag: Ministers

Jaishankar speaks to Saudi, UAE foreign ministers over Sudan situation

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New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has discussed the situation in violence-hit Sudan with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
India is closely watching the situation in Sudan, especially in view of its concerns over the Indians residing in the African country.
On his phone conversation with foreign minister of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Jaishankar said they exchanged views on the situation in Sudan.

“Thank HH @ABZayed, Foreign Minister of UAE, for the exchange of views on the situation in Sudan.Our continuing contacts are helpful,” the external affairs minister tweeted.
Spoke to Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, HH @FaisalbinFarhan just now.
Appreciated his assessment of the Sudan situation. Will remain in close touch.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 18, 2023
Thank HH @ABZayed, Foreign Minister of UAE, for the exchange of views on the situation in Sudan.
Our continuing contacts are helpful.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 18, 2023
Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country’s army and a paramilitary group for the last six days that has reportedly left around 100 people dead.
Referring to his phone talks with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan, Jaishankar said both sides will remain in close touch. “Appreciated his assessment of the Sudan situation. Will remain in close touch,” he said on Twitter.
On Monday, the Indian embassy in Sudan issued a fresh advisory urging Indians not to venture out of their residences and stay calm. The embassy on Sunday said that an Indian national died in Khartoum after sustaining bullet injuries.
The ministry of external affairs has already set up a 24X7 control room to provide information and assistance in view of the current situation in Sudan.

Sudan’s military captured power in a coup in October 2021 and it has been running the country through a sovereign council since then. There has been a dispute between the Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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#Jaishankar #speaks #Saudi #UAE #foreign #ministers #Sudan #situation
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 19, 2023
Bhagwant Mann, Delhi ministers to accompany Kejriwal to CBI office on Sunday: Sources

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New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is scheduled to appear before the CBI on Sunday in connection with the excise policy case, will be accompanied to the federal agency’s office by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann and cabinet colleagues, sources said.
They said besides Mann, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs and Delhi ministers will accompany the party supremo to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) headquarters here.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal said he will appear before the CBI in connection with the excise policy case and asserted that if he is “corrupt”, then no one in the world is “honest”.

Addressing a press conference here over the CBI summons against him, the Delhi chief minister claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders are demanding his arrest and said if the saffron party has “ordered” the agency to arrest him, it cannot refuse to do so.
The CBI has summoned Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy case. He has been asked to be present at the agency’s headquarters at 11 am on Sunday to answer queries of the investigating team, officials said.
The central agency has already arrested former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the case.
It is alleged that the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers who had paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. The policy was subsequently scrapped.
Kejriwal is likely to visit Rajghat before reaching the CBI headquarters, the sources said. The AAP is planning to stage a protest against the CBI summons to Kejriwal on Sunday.

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#Bhagwant #Mann #Delhi #ministers #accompany #Kejriwal #CBI #office #Sunday #Sources
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 15, 2023
BJP ministers file nomination papers for Karnataka Assembly polls

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Bengaluru: Incumbent BJP ministers Murugesh Nirani, Dr K Sudhakar, S T Somashekar and V Sunil Kumar were among those who filed their nomination papers for Karnataka Assembly polls on Thursday.
The poll process for the May 10 Assembly elections formally began today, with the issuance of gazette notification paving the way for candidates to file their nominations.
Nirani is contesting from Bilagi in Bagalkote, Sudhakar from Chikkaballapur, Sunil Kumar from Karkala in Udupi and Somashekar from Yashwanthapur constituency in Bengaluru.

Similarly, S S Mallikarjun, who is trying his luck from Davangere North on a Congress ticket, too filed the papers.
According to the Election Commission, 27 Bharatiya Janata Party candidates, 26 Congress, 12 Janata Dal (S), 10 Aam Aadmi Party and one from the Bahujan Samaj Party filed the papers. There were 100 nominations by unrecognised parties and 45 independents.
In all, 221 nominations were filed on the day the notification for the Assembly elections was issued, the Election Commission statement said.
According to the EC schedule of events, the last date for filing nominations is April 20. The papers will be scrutinised on April 21 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 24.
Meanwhile, as of Thursday, the cumulative seizure since March 29 when the model code of conduct came into force touched Rs 144 crore.

The total seizure comprises cash of Rs 57.37 crore, freebies worth Rs 17.93 crore, liquor worth Rs 32 crore, drugs worth Rs 13.2 crore, gold worth Rs 21.27 crore, and silver worth Rs 2.56 crore.
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#BJP #ministers #file #nomination #papers #Karnataka #Assembly #polls
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 13, 2023
War of words between ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

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Hyderabad: A war of words broke out between ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday following some remarks by Telangana’s Finance Minister T. Harish Rao about the conditions in the neighbouring state.
Defending his comments made while addressing workers from Andhra Pradesh settled in Sangareddy on Tuesday, Harish Rao lashed out at both the ruling and main opposition parties of Andhra Pradesh for ignoring the interests of people.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader questioned the silence of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on special category status to Andhra Pradesh and the privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant by the Centre.

Addressing the BRS Athmeeya Sammelanam in Andole on Wednesday, the minister slammed both the parties for not questioning the Centre over its failure to fulfill commitment made to Andhra Pradesh at the time of bifurcation of the state.
Harish Rao said both the YSRCP and the TDP were competing with each other to be in the good books of the BJP-led Union government and hence not raising their voice for special status to Andhra Pradesh, which was a promise made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. He said both the parties were silent on the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant issue too.
Addressing a programme at Sangareddy on Tuesday, Harish Rao had asked construction workers, who arrived from Andhra Pradesh to Telangana, to enroll as voters here because the state had much better facilities.
Some ministers in Andhra Pradesh took objection to comments made by Harish Rao and asked him what is there in Telangana.
Countering the Andhra ministers, Harish Rao asked them to come and experience Telangana instead of throwing mud and making unnecessary comments against the state.

“Let them come and experience for themselves what is here. Telangana has paddy crops on 56 lakh acres, which was half of the total paddy cultivation in India in the Yasangi season. Telangana is also giving Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, Kalyana Lakshmi, round-the-clock free power supply, KCR Kit and many other schemes, which the Andhra Pradesh government could not even dare to implement,” he said.
Andhra Pradesh’s Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, however, questioned Harish Rao’s locus standi to speak about Andhra Pradesh.
“Who is Harish Rao to speak about Andhra Pradesh. Let him focus on his own state,” he said.
“Our people know how to govern the state,” he remarked. The YSRCP leader feels that Harish Rao might have made the comments for political mileage.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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#War #words #ministers #Telangana #Andhra #Pradesh
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 12, 2023
Union Minister’s Car Collides With Truck In JK Mishap

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SRINAGAR: During his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju’s car was involved in a minor accident, according to the police while adding that no injuries were reported and the minister reached his destination safely.
The purpose of Rijiju’s visit was to attend the inauguration of the first edition of the Constitution of India in the Dogri language at the University of Jammu.
He also attended a legal services camp in Udhampur, where he interacted with beneficiaries of various central government schemes, judges, and members of the National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA).

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#Union #Ministers #Car #Collides #Truck #Mishap
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

April 8, 2023
Saudi, Iran foreign ministers meeting in Beijing

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Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian met in Beijing to discuss the next steps of their diplomatic rapprochement, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.
This was the first formal meeting of the countries’ most senior diplomats in more than seven years.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the foreign ministers “emphasized the importance of following up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement and its activation in a way that enhances mutual trust, expands the fields of cooperation and helps create security, stability and prosperity in the region,” SPA reported.

The Kingdom and Iran have also agreed to reopen their diplomatic missions within 60 days of resuming ties, and will proceed with the necessary measures to ensure that happens in Riyadh and Tehran, as well as in Jeddah and Mashaad, where their general consulates were previously stationed, according to SPA.
The ministers also affirmed that the technical teams on both sides will discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, including the resumption of flights, opening of embassies and consulates and mutual visits by official delegations and private sector members.
They will also work on facilitating visas for the citizens of both countries, including for Umrah.
“The two sides expressed their aspiration to intensify consultative meetings and discuss ways of cooperation to achieve more positive prospects for relations, given the natural resources and economic potential that the two countries possess, and great opportunities to achieve mutual benefits,” the joint statement added.
“The two sides also agreed to enhance their cooperation in every field that would help achieve security and stability in the region and serve the interests of its countries and people.”

The ministers also “expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Chinese side for hosting this meeting.”
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 after its diplomatic missions in Iran were stormed by protestors.
At the time, the Kingdom asked Iranian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours while it evacuated its embassy staff from Tehran.
In a related development, Iran also appointed an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, another key gulf nation.
The UAE, which has business and trade ties with Iran stretching back more than a century, downgraded relations with Iran following Saudi Arabia severing its ties with Iran following the storming of the Saudi embassy in Iran.
In a step change to years of hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia that had threatened stability and security in the Gulf and helped fuel conflicts in the Middle East.
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#Saudi #Iran #foreign #ministers #meeting #Beijing
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 6, 2023
Andhra Pradesh CM in Delhi to meet with Amit Shah, other Union ministers

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New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy reached the national capital on Wednesday and is scheduled to meet with Union ministers, including Amit Shah, to discuss long-pending state issues.
The chief minister will call on Union Home Minister Shah around 10.30 pm. He is scheduled to meet with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, according to Andhra Bhawan officials here.
“Andhra Pradesh chief minister reached Delhi in the evening and he will meet the Union home minister and the finance minister tonight and tomorrow,” the officials said.
Reddy has also sought an appointment to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss several pending issues, including the Pollavaram project.
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#Andhra #Pradesh #Delhi #meet #Amit #Shah #Union #ministers
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 29, 2023
Sack ministers, TSPSC board for question papers leak: Bhatti

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Hyderabad: Congress Legislature Party leader Bhatti Vikarmarka on Saturday called for the resignation of all concerned ministers and the entire board of Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) from their posts immediately following the leakage of questions papers of recruitment exams conducted by the TSPSC. He also demanded that the TSPSC refund the fees paid by students who took the exams and compensate them for the mental agony caused by the leak.
Bhatti Vikramarka, who is conducting the People’s March in the Khanapur constituency of Adilabad district, as part of the ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ Yatra, said that the ministers, TSPSC Chairman and all members must resign. Else, the President of India must intervene to ensure their removal. Further, he demanded that all officials and non-officials responsible for the leak of question papers must be punished severely.
“We achieved statehood for Telangana to cater to the needs of the unemployed youth and to provide them with good jobs. Unfortunately, BRS Govt is not doing that. The job notifications were issued after a long wait. However, the leakage of question papers has shattered the students and their dreams. The recent paper leak has only added to the disappointment felt by many young people in the state who have been struggling to find employment,” he said.
Bhatti said that the TSPSC has cancelled the exams whose papers were leaked and assured to re-conduct those exams. However, it also needs to take responsibility for the expenditure which students have incurred for writing those exams.
“The TSPSC has to return the money which candidates have spent towards fees, transportation and other preparations. They are unemployed youth. Each applicant must have spent thousands of rupees. Therefore, a minimum amount must be calculated and paid to all the candidates. The State Government or the TSPC should also pay compensation for the mental agony they have caused to the candidates and their families,” he demanded.
Bhatti also blamed the BRS govt for the suicide of a jobless youth Chitikena Naveen Kumar (32) of B Y Nagar in Sircilla town. He said that the State Government has failed to provide jobs to lakhs of youth which cause so much disappointment that they are resorting to extreme steps. He demanded that the government pay a compensation of Rs. 1 crore to the victim’s family. Further, he appealed to the youth not to get disheartened and take extreme steps. He said that the Congress party was returning to power soon and the next government would address the problem of unemployment.
The third day of the “People’s March” by Bhatti Vikramarka continued from Kondapur of Sirikonda Mandal in Khanapur Constituency of Adilabad District to Dasnapur of Indravelli Mandal and Keslapur Muthunur Indravelli Mandal centre on Saturday. People from several villagers joined the padayatra and briefed the CLP leader about their problems.
Bhatti Vikarmarka raised concerns about the lack of development in the tribal-dominated Khanapur constituency. He pointed out that several irrigation projects in the area, including the Chikuman and Triveni Sangam, had been left incomplete for nine years, wasting both time and money.

He said the Chikuman project, with an ayacut of 12,000 acres, was almost completed by the previous Congress regime. Similarly, the Triveni Sangam’s reservoir and other work were completed. He said even after nine years, the present BRS Govt failed to dig canals for these two projects.
The BRS Govt also failed to initiate Putti and Polimadugu projects in the Khanapur constituency. Consequently, all the Mandals in Khanapur have been facing a drought-like situation. He called on the BRS Govt to prioritize the completion of these projects without further. Stating that the Congress party was all set to return to power soon, he assured that the next Congress Govt would complete all four projects on a priority basis. He promised to bring back glory to the ITDA projects which are being crippled by the TRS government.
Bhatti Vikramarka visited Nagoba Temple, the tribal deity of Keslapur village, Indravelli Mandal. After performing special poojas in the temple, He received blessings in the main mandapam. On this occasion, he inquired about the problems with the villagers. He said that he was doing the padayatra to understand the problems being faced by the people so that they could be resolved after the Congress party comes to power.
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#Sack #ministers #TSPSC #board #question #papers #leak #Bhatti
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 19, 2023
Farmers, tribals marching to Mumbai with list of demands enter Thane; ministers to hold talks

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Mumbai: Thousands of farmers and tribals marching towards Mumbai from Nashik district in North Maharashtra in support of their demands entered Thane district on Wednesday while the state government deputed two ministers to hold talks with them.
As the ‘long march’ entered Thane district, the political turf of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on the outskirts of Mumbai city, the government rushed ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save to hold talks with the agitating farmers.
The protesters, holding red flags, started their foot march from Dindori town in Nashik district, around 200km from Mumbai, on Sunday in support of their various demands, including an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans.
The march, organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), crossed Kasara town in Thane district located adjoining Mumbai, said CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole.
Many walking barefoot in temperatures hovering near 40 degree Celsius, the protesters are likely to reach Mumbai on March 20, Nikole said.
The Shahpur police in Thane district said the members of the morcha will take a halt at Kalamb village before proceeding for Mumbai on Thursday.
State ministers Bhuse and Save said discussions will be held with a delegation of agitating farmers to find a solution to their demands.
“If they do not agree (to any solution), then they will be called to Mumbai to hold discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday,” they said.

The Maharashtra government on Monday announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 300 per quintal to onion farmers severely affected by a steep fall in prices of the commodity.
Prices of the kitchen staple have crashed in Maharashtra, resulting in farmers getting very little for their produce. Nashik district is a major hub of onion cultivation in the country.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 15, 2023
AAP MLAs Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj take oath as Delhi ministers

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New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were sworn in as Ministers in the Delhi cabinet on Thursday.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Auditorium at Raj Niwas, Delhi.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena administered the oath to newly inducted ministers.
“In terms of the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Atishi Marlena and Saurabh Bharadwaj have been appointed as Ministers in the National Capital Territory of Delhi,” read the official statement from the General Administration Department.
This comes after President Droupadi Murmu Tuesday accepted the resignations of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Minister Satyendar Jain, both currently lodged in Tihar jail in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
President Murmu on Tuesday appointed Atishi and Bharadwaj as ministers in the Delhi cabinet on the advice of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, with effect from the date they are sworn in, stated Ministry of Home Affairs.
Kejriwal had forwarded the names to the Lieutenant Governor for their appointment to the Cabinet.
Atishi represents the Kalkaji constituency and has been a key member of Sisodia’s education team.

She had also contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from the East Delhi constituency and lost to BJP’s Gautam Gambhir.
Bharadwaj, the party’s national spokesperson, had served the Delhi Jal Board as its vice chairman. The legislator from Greater Kailash was also a minister during the first stint of the AAP government.
The Delhi council of ministers now has a strength of five, including CM Arvind Kejriwal, who does not hold any portfolios.
Sisodia had resigned from his all 18 posts following his arrest in the alleged excise policy scam.
After former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain’s arrest last year, seven portfolios handled by him were shifted to Sisodia, who was looking after 18 departments when he was arrested.
He is now lodged in Tihar’s jail after Rouse Avenue Court on Monday sent him to judicial custody till March 20.
The excise policy was passed in Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Cabinet in the middle of the deadly Delta Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
The Delhi government’s version is that the policy was formulated to ensure the generation of optimum revenue, eradicate the sale of spurious liquor or non-duty paid liquor in Delhi, besides improving user experience.
The CBI had filed a case against alleged corruption in the 2021-22 excise policy. The excise policy was subsequently withdrawn by the AAP government.
Sisodia was among 15 others booked in an FIR filed by the CBI. Excise officials, liquor company executives, dealers, some unknown public servants and private persons were booked in the case.
It was alleged that irregularities were committed including modifications in the Excise Policy and undue favours were extended to the license holders including waiver or reduction in licence fee, an extension of L-1 license without approval etc.
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#AAP #MLAs #Atishi #Saurabh #Bharadwaj #oath #Delhi #ministers
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 9, 2023