Deepika Padukone rocks oversized blue shirt at Mumbai airport. Watch
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, appeared on the inaugural episode of India Today TV's show 'Unpolitics' and touched upon a range of issues of national interest.
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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
CPI Thrissur district meet concludes; K.G. Sivanandan new district secretary
A four-day Communist Party of India (CPI) district conference came to a close in Irinjalakuda on Sunday. K.G. Sivanandan has been elected as the new district secretary. The announcement was made by CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam while addressing the elected representatives at the conference. A 57-member district council and 50 representatives to the upcoming CPI State conference were also elected during the meet. The district conference has passed a resolution demanding the reinstatement of the Planning Commission, an institution once crucial to country's balanced development planning, and urged the Centre to uphold its constitutional responsibilities in maintaining healthy Union-State relations. Centre-State relations The resolution alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led administration is deliberately weakening the Centre-State relations and centralising power as part of a larger Sangh Parivar agenda. The discontinuation of the Planning Commission, a body that once played a key advisory role in strategising national development and welfare programmes, was described as a politically motivated move, especially targeted at States where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has little political footing. By replacing the Commission with NITI Aayog and simultaneously denying financial aid to States like Kerala, the Centre is allegedly crippling progressive development models, the party stated. Despite being consistently ranked at the top in indicators like health, education, and social welfare, even in the NITI Aayog's own reports, Kerala is being financially squeezed by the Centre, the resolution claimed. The CPI pointed out that the State has witnessed a shortfall of ₹2,942.29 crore in Central revenue share between 2023 and January 2025 . The 15th Finance Commission's recommendations are being ignored and the ₹12,000 crore annual GST compensation Kerala was entitled to has been discontinued, the conference said. Cultural complex The meet demanded a cultural heritage complex in Thrissur. The resolution pointed out that Thrissur has, for more than half a century, been home to the State's most prestigious official cultural institutions, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, and Lalithakala Akademi, Kerala Kalamandalam and Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam. The district's contribution extends beyond the arts. It is etched into the social and political fabric of modern Kerala through landmark struggles like the Guruvayur Satyagraha, the Kuttan Kulam protest for social justice, the Veloor Manimalarkavu women's liberation movement, the Pariyaram farmers' agitation, and labour movements in Anthikad and Amballur. Thrissur was also the land of action of visionary leaders like E.M.S. Namboodiripad and C. Achutha Menon. In light of this profound cultural, literary, artistic, political, and social heritage, the CPI district conference has urged the Kerala government to establish a comprehensive cultural heritage complex here.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Ahead of EAM's visit, China says Tibet-related issues ‘thorn' in bilateral ties
New Delhi: Ahead of external affairs minister S Jaishankar's first visit to China since the deadly border clashes in 2020, Beijing on Sunday said that Tibet-related issues such as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama are a 'thorn' in bilateral relations that have become a 'burden' for New Delhi. China reacted angrily after the Dalai Lama announced ahead of his 90th birthday on July 9 that only a trust set up by him can recognise his reincarnation (AFP/ Representative photo) Jaishankar is set to visit China this week for the first time since bilateral ties plummeted to their lowest point in six decades because of the military standoff in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two sides are currently engaged in the delicate task of normalising their relations after agreeing in October last year to end the face-off in Ladakh. China reacted angrily after the Dalai Lama announced ahead of his 90th birthday on July 9 that only a trust set up by him can recognise his reincarnation. The Dalai Lama's remarks were endorsed by Union minister Kiran Rijiju, who was one of two ministers who attended the spiritual leader's birthday celebration in Dharamshala. Beijing said that the next Dalai Lama would have to be approved by the Chinese government. On Sunday, Chinese embassy spokesperson Yu Jing said on social media that members of the strategic and academic communities, including former officials, had made 'improper remarks' regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. Such professionals, she said, should be 'fully cognisant of the sensitivity of issues related to Xizang', using the name by which China refers to Tibet. The succession of the Dalai Lama is 'inherently an internal affair of China, brooking no interference of any external forces,' Yu said. 'In reality, Xizang-related issue is a thorn in China-India relations and has become a burden for India. Playing the'Xizang card' will definitely end up shooting oneself in the foot,' she said. Also Read: Jaishankar to visit China for SCO meeting, his first after standoff in 2020 Earlier, Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong too had weighed in on the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, saying on social media that the Chinese government regulates religious affairs that involve national interests. He also accused the Dalai Lama of engaging in 'anti-China separatist activities'. Xu said: 'Chinese government opposes any attempts by overseas organisations or individuals to interfere in or dictate the reincarnation process.' Xu added, 'No interference by any external forces will be allowed.' Also Read: India-China relations at 75: An uncertain thaw The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since he fled Tibet amid a Chinese military crackdown in 1959. Following China's strong reaction to the Dalai Lama's recent remarks, the external affairs ministry said on July 4 that the government does not take any position or speak on matters related to beliefs and practices of faith and religion. Jaishankar is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during his visit to China on July 14 and 15 to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The two foreign ministers are expected to take forward discussions to normalise bilateral relations and address the long-standing border dispute between India and China.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asks CMs to immediately stop forced sale of nano-fertilisers and biostimulants to farmers
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked the state governments to immediately stop the 'forced tagging' of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants along with conventional fertilisers like urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP). In a letter to chief ministers, Chouhan highlighted complaints that retailers are not selling subsidised conventional fertilisers such as urea, DAP, etc. to farmers unless they purchase nano-fertilisers or biostimulants. 'It is illegal to forcibly force farmers to purchase other products by tagging them with conventional fertilizer bags,' Chouhan wrote. Chouhan asked them to immediately stop the forced tagging of the nano-fertilizers and biostimulants with conventional fertilisers. 'Forced tagging of nano-fertilizers or bio-stimulant products along with conventional fertilizers should be stopped immediately. In such cases, legal action should be taken against the culprits as per law,' he wrote. Chouhan also asked the chief ministers to take strict action against the sale of spurious and substandard fertilisers. He said that agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, and to ensure stability in farmers' income, it is essential to provide them with quality fertilisers at the right time, at affordable prices, and of standard quality. He said that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilisers is prohibited under the Fertiliser (Control) Order 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act 1955. It is the responsibility of the states to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers at the right places and locations where it is required, he said. Therefore, states must strictly monitor and take swift action against activities such as black marketing, overpricing, and diversion of subsidised fertilisers, he added. He urged the chief ministers to hold regular monitoring of fertiliser production and sale as well as to carry out sampling and testing to ensure strict control over spurious and substandard products. 'Strict legal action, including cancellation of licenses and registration of FIRs, should be taken against the culprits, and effective prosecution must be ensured to secure conviction,' he said. He also urged all states to launch a statewide campaign to eliminate the problem of fake and substandard agricultural inputs from its roots. Chouhan's letter assumes significance amid his recent remarks about nano-fertilisers and biostimulants. During the Kharif 2025 conference, Chouhan flagged concerns about the inefficiency of nano urea. At a recent conference, he also questioned the usefulness of biostimulants. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
