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In over 80% of areas, collector rates have increased by only 10%: CM Saini

In over 80% of areas, collector rates have increased by only 10%: CM Saini

Hindustan Times21 hours ago
Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, asserting that despite 55 years in power post-Independence, the party failed to bring genuine change for the poor. Addressing a state-level programme in Panchkula, Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini contrasted the Congress's legacy with the transformative impact of welfare schemes implemented by the central and state governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. (HT Photo)
Addressing a state-level programme in Panchkula, CM Saini contrasted the Congress's legacy with the transformative impact of welfare schemes implemented by the central and state governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
'During the reign of the Congress, the poor became poorer,' Saini stated, emphasising that the current administration has delivered tangible benefits at the grassroots level. He specifically highlighted the discrepancy in housing initiatives. 'In the past, Congress promised plots to poor families but failed to provide proper documents or possession. Today, our government has not only given legal documents but also handed over the actual possession of 100-square-yard plots to beneficiaries,' he affirmed.
Saini also challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's skepticism regarding 'Jan Dhan' accounts. 'I challenge him to look at the data; he should see the figures of 'Jan Dhan' accounts, in which the poor have deposited their hard-earned savings in the last 11 years,' the CM said.
Refuting opposition claims that the government is collecting ₹5,000 crore in the name of collector rates, Saini clarified, 'The truth is, in over 80% of areas in Haryana, rates have increased by only 10%. There is a process for this, under which the collector rate is renewed every year considering the highest registry as the basis. Spreading such lies is irresponsible.'
At the event, Saini handed over 'interim' ownership certificates under the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana and plot allotment letters under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana 2.0 to thousands of beneficiaries. He announced that 1,144 beneficiaries in Sector-23, Jagadhri, received urban interim ownership certificates, while 3,884 rural beneficiaries received plot allotment letters across 58 villages.
Sharing further details on housing, Saini said that under the first phase of the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana, 15,256 families in 14 cities had already been allotted 30-square-yard plots, receiving a ₹2.5 lakh subsidy per household under PMAY–Urban 2.0 for house construction. In rural areas, the process to allot plots to 1.58 lakh applicants in 561 villages is underway under Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana–2.0. Additionally, rural beneficiaries will receive ₹1.38 lakh under PMAY–Gramin, ₹12,000 for toilets, and 90 days of unskilled labor wages under MGNREGA.
Development & panchayats minister Krishan Lal Panwar lauded CM Saini's leadership, noting that historic decisions are being taken for the welfare of the poor, youth, and women. He also mentioned that families with annual incomes up to ₹1.80 lakh would be provided 2 kW solar panels.
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Guruji amar rahe: A village in Jharkhand bids farewell to Shibu Soren
Guruji amar rahe: A village in Jharkhand bids farewell to Shibu Soren

Indian Express

time33 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Guruji amar rahe: A village in Jharkhand bids farewell to Shibu Soren

Former Jharkhand chief minister and veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren was cremated with full state honours in his village Nemra in Ramgarh district on Tuesday. The JMM patriarch, fondly called 'Dishom Guru' (leader of the land), died on Monday at the age of 81. His eldest son, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, lit the funeral pyre amid chants of 'Guruji amar rahe (Long live Guruji)'. Political leaders from across the country came to Ranchi to pay their last respects. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge could not attend the funeral as their helicopter could not take off from Ranchi but they reached Nemra by road to meet Hemant and console him. Former Bihar deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also reached Nemra, while former Union minister Arjun Munda and AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto came on a motorcycle due to massive traffic jams on the roads. AAP MP Sanjay Singh, TMC MP Shatabdi Roy and Purnea MP Pappu Yadav also paid their last respects to the tribal icon. As the flower-decked open carriage with Soren's mortal remains made its way from Ranchi to Ramgarh, thousands lined the roads, chanting the leader's name, holding posters and flags to bid farewell to the man they knew as their leader and guardian. In Nemra, outside the modest mud house where Soren spent his childhood, a sombre atmosphere prevailed as friends, family, party workers and villagers gathered to bid a final adieu with moist eyes. Lagan Bhai Soren (90), who had travelled from Chandil, Jamshedpur, sat quietly in front of the house, remembering a 'friend' with whom he had participated in many movements. 'We called each other 'Guru' from the heart,' said Lagan Bhai. 'We grew up together. We led a simple, vegetarian life. We stayed away from alcohol, meat and anything excessive. That's what we believed in.' He recalled being by Soren's side in the early days of the Adivasi struggle. 'From the first day of the movement, whether it was for Adivasis' rights or against exploitative moneylenders, we stood together. We were never afraid. Guruji would say, 'we don't take from others. We only accept what's given with respect'.' During one protest, Lagan said he lost all his belongings. 'Only a dhoti and vest remained', but Soren ensured he got slippers and food. 'That was the kind of man he was,' he said. Bhairav Soren, 55, who stays about 200 metres from Soren's house, said the tribal leader was like his 'big brother'. 'We are from the same clan in the Santhal community. He was like a big brother. We didn't speak daily, but we shared roots. He knew everyone's names in the village,' he said. Although Bhairav did not participate in the political movements spearheaded by Soren, his family always supported his work. 'My father died before I was born. The village elders told me how my father was involved in the movements with Guruji. He (soren) brought pensions, electricity to the village. He gave us dignity,' said Bhairav. Many of Soren's followers from Tundi, Dhanbad, were disappointed as they were not allowed to pay their last respects. Bhagwan Murmu (42), one of the supporters from Tundi, said, 'It is a well-known fact that Guruji launched the Dhan Katti Andolan, which was against the Mahajani Pratha (moneylending system), from Tundi. Yet, we were not given a chance to see him one last time.' Soren had been the leader of the JMM for the past 38 years. As a mark of respect, the Jharkhand government declared a three-day state mourning till August 6.

Gallows room mystery: An execution chamber to hang freedom fighters or tiffin room delivery lift? Delhi Assembly debates the martyr's memorial
Gallows room mystery: An execution chamber to hang freedom fighters or tiffin room delivery lift? Delhi Assembly debates the martyr's memorial

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

  • Hindustan Times

Gallows room mystery: An execution chamber to hang freedom fighters or tiffin room delivery lift? Delhi Assembly debates the martyr's memorial

In what may as well be the script of a historical documentary on an OTT platform – or more likely political satire – the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday found itself wrapped in an unusually spirited debate: was a section of its century-old building once a gallows chamber for hanging freedom fighters, or simply a rope-operated lift room meant to deliver tiffins? A room with pulleys, which was at the centre of the discussion. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO) The bizarre discussion unfolded on Tuesday as members across party lines offered clashing versions of history, invoked AI tools like ChatGPT for validation, and accused each other of rewriting the colonial past – all while a British parliamentary delegation led by House of Commons deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani watched on from the visitors' gallery. 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The section in question was revamped in 2022 into a memorial space spread across two floors. It features murals of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, a symbolic hanging rope, red-brick-style heritage walls, and glass partitions. There is a plaque crediting then CM Kejriwal and speaker Goel, and a memorial board that claims: 'Innumerable unknown freedom fighters have been hanged here.' The upper floor shows a pulley mechanism, and the ground floor has a wooden platform beneath the shaft, further fuelling the symbolic interpretation. 'Lift not a noose' But the BJP, which controls the Assembly, said fiction was dressed up as patriotism. The party's chief whip Abhay Kumar Verma said, 'In the 2020-25 assembly period, the former speaker said that they found gallows. He also said that there was a tunnel which went from assembly to Red Fort… but maps from 1911 show that this was simply a tiffin room. It used a rope and pulley to deliver food. No hangings happened here. 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'In front of the British delegation, the black deeds and crimes of colonial rules are being whitewashed. I asked ChatGPT if there was an execution room in the complex. It clearly says that one room used a gallows room,' Singh said. BJP's Karnail Singh responded with deadpan sarcasm, 'Even ChatGPT is developed by the West. Of course, it will say that.' Verma then said he asked ChatGPT a different question: 'who first claimed there was a fansi ghar'; and said the chatbot pointed to former Speaker Goel. Speaker Gupta interjected, clarifying that 'ChatGPT is not a reliable source — it collects data already on the internet, including false claims. That's not evidence.' The speaker also dismissed previous claims of a tunnel connecting the Assembly to the Red Fort, saying that such features were probably underground ventilation ducts, common in colonial-era architecture. Then, BJP MLA Kulwant Rana gave it a paranormal twist. 'If so many hangings happened here, there must be ghosts too! They've turned this place into a bhoot ghar (house of ghosts),' he said to laughter in the House. AAP responds cautiously AAP MLAs, on the backfoot, pushed for due process. MLA Virender Kadian said, 'There must have been some documents or justification behind this decision. If there has been a mistake, we can rectify it. But don't target individuals without evidence. The former speaker isn't even here to defend himself.' Leader of the opposition and former Delhi CM Atishi responded by stating that 'Delhi has a large number of problems but such matters were being discussed.' In a statement, Atishi said: 'What is the point of discussion in the Assembly today? Running a session of the Delhi Assembly costs lakhs of rupees every hour. This is the hard-earned money of Delhi's people—of taxpayers—money we earn through our labour and give to the government. 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It remained a key legislative venue until the Parliament House was inaugurated in 1927. The disputed room lies in the heart of this historic structure — a building that has seen laws written, freedoms debated, and now, debates over tiffin boxes and nooses.

Zohran Mamdani may choose Jamaal Bowman as chancellor for NYC schools: Who is this controversial educator?
Zohran Mamdani may choose Jamaal Bowman as chancellor for NYC schools: Who is this controversial educator?

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Zohran Mamdani may choose Jamaal Bowman as chancellor for NYC schools: Who is this controversial educator?

Zohran Mamdani (AP image) Zohran Mamdani (AP image) Zohran Mamdani (AP image) Zohran Mamdani (AP image) Zohran Mamdani (AP image) 1 2 Should socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani clinch the New York City mayoralty this November, he may appoint one of the city's most polarizing figures to helm its public education system: Jamaal Bowman. A former congressman, middle school principal, and founding figure of a self-described 'radical' educational institution in the Bronx, Bowman is reportedly on the shortlist to become Chancellor of NYC Schools, the nation's largest district. But Bowman's track record is anything but conventional, marred by legal violations, incendiary rhetoric, and questionable professional judgment. His supporters view him as an anti-establishment visionary; critics see an ideologue unfit to lead a system responsible for the futures of nearly a million students. An educator with a defunct license Before his stint in Congress from 2021 to 2025, Bowman founded the Cornerstone Academy for Social Action (CASA), a Bronx middle school infused with a social justice ethos. Yet, during his time as principal, Bowman allowed his School Building Leader certification, legally required for any public school principal in New York, to lapse for nearly two years. State records confirm his license expired in early 2014 and was not reinstated until the end of 2015. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like After 35 Years, Her Jewelry Is Nearly Gone The Heritage Journal Read More Undo For that period, he led a public school in open violation of state education law. Requests for comment on the lapse have gone unanswered. Academic outcomes and ideological overreach Bowman's tenure at CASA was emblematic of his penchant for educational experimentation, often untethered from measurable success. By 2019, a decade into his leadership, just 26% of CASA students were proficient in English, and only 30% met math standards. Rather than confronting these sobering figures, Bowman publicly likened standardized testing to 'modern-day slavery,' placing assessments alongside the legacies of Jim Crow and redlining. Such rhetoric typified his tenure: sweeping condemnations of systemic oppression often substituted for tangible academic improvement. In one particularly contentious project, Bowman oversaw the installation of a 'Wall of Honor' featuring convicted cop killers Assata Shakur and Mutulu Shakur, figures he called 'tremendous.' Political pyrotechnics Bowman's controversies didn't end when he entered Congress. In 2023, he drew national attention, and bipartisan censure for falsely pulling a fire alarm during a crucial House vote, disrupting proceedings. He initially claimed it was accidental, then later admitted to deliberately triggering the alarm. He was fined and forced to issue a public apology to first responders. Further compounding his reputation, reports surfaced alleging that Bowman had plagiarized sections of his Ed.D. dissertation, a claim he has not formally denied. Polarizing views on Israel A consistent theme in Bowman's political career has been his confrontational stance toward Israel. He has defended the controversial slogan 'From the river to the sea' and was forced to apologize for remarks that downplayed atrocities committed during Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians. His association with radical anti-Israel figures and refusal to denounce antisemitic iconography, including a mural featuring Louis Farrakhan, have provoked strong reactions from Jewish organizations nationwide. The Mamdani factor Mamdani himself is no stranger to controversy. A vocal supporter of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, the mayoral hopeful has made incendiary statements about Israel, at one point calling it 'not a country' and refusing to disavow the phrase 'Globalize the intifada.' Bowman, a close political ally, has publicly endorsed Mamdani, referring to him as 'my brother' and expressing full support for his campaign. Should Mamdani win, analysts believe Bowman's appointment as chancellor would be all but assured, a move certain to ignite intense political debate in a city already wrestling with educational disparities, declining performance, and cultural polarization. A test of vision vs. competence In a system desperate for capable leadership and measurable results, Bowman's candidacy for schools chancellor may serve as a referendum on what kind of future New Yorkers envision for public education: one led by ideological conviction, or one grounded in results-driven leadership. For now, Bowman remains a man between two roles — radical reformer or reckless provocateur — with the city's children potentially caught in the balance. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!

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