logo
Punjab seeks Centre's intervention on airport connectivity, rural development funds, ETInfra

Punjab seeks Centre's intervention on airport connectivity, rural development funds, ETInfra

Time of India18-07-2025
Advt
Chief Minister flags ₹9,000 crore dues with Union Food Minister
By ,
ETInfra
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday met Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi and urged the Centre to enhance air connectivity from Chandigarh's Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport As per ANI, Kataria highlighted the need to strengthen both domestic and international flight operations from the airport, citing demand from residents of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.He said the airport functions as a key transit point for the wider northern region and that additional direct international connections would help facilitate business travel, tourism, and regional economic activity.The Union Minister assured that the Ministry would consider the suggestions and coordinate with airlines and airport operators to explore connectivity options and passenger service upgrades.Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann met Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, seeking the release of the state's pending share under the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Market Fees, amounting to over ₹9,000 crore.A Punjab government release said Mann raised concerns over the non-allowance of RDF since Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2021–22 and reduced allocation of Market Fees since Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2022–23.Mann said RDF is intended to support agriculture and rural infrastructure such as roads, storage facilities, and mandi automation. Despite amendments to the Punjab Rural Development Act, 1987, in line with the Department of Food and Public Distribution's guidelines, the dues remain unpaid.He said ₹7,737.27 crore under RDF and ₹1,836.62 crore under Market Fees are pending with the Centre.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

4 Maoists killed in encounter in Bijapur, arms recovered: Chhattisgarh police
4 Maoists killed in encounter in Bijapur, arms recovered: Chhattisgarh police

Hindustan Times

time36 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

4 Maoists killed in encounter in Bijapur, arms recovered: Chhattisgarh police

Raipur: Four alleged Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Saturday, police said. Police said the operation is still in progress. (Representational image) Officials said that arms and ammunition have been recovered and the encounter is still in progress. Bijapur superintendent of police (SP), Jitendra Yadav, said police have recovered four bodies and their identities are yet to be ascertained. The exchange of fire began in the evening after security personnel launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs about Maoist presence in the south-western region of the district. 'Intermittent firing between the two sides has continued since then,' said Yadav. Security forces have recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site, including INSAS and SLR rifles, other weapons, explosive materials, and items of daily use, the SP added. Officials said sensitive details such as the exact location of the encounter and the number of personnel involved have been withheld for now to ensure the safety of forces engaged in the operation. A detailed report will be released once the operation concludes, he added. Maoists have suffered continued setbacks across the region since 2024. In that year alone, 217 Maoists were killed in various encounters. With Saturday's operation, the total number of Maoist casualties has risen to approximately 464 till date in 2025. Union home minister Amit Shah had earlier said that Maoism would be completely eradicated from Chhattisgarh next year, and that the central and state governments were working in full coordination to end the decades-old insurgency through both security action and development.

‘Centre trying to diminish Keeladi excavation report'
‘Centre trying to diminish Keeladi excavation report'

The Hindu

timean hour ago

  • The Hindu

‘Centre trying to diminish Keeladi excavation report'

'The Union government was trying to diminish the Keeladi excavation report only to prove its point that India's cultural history started from Gangetic plains,' said writer Aadhavan Dheetchanya of Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association. The forum observed a fast outside Keeladi museum here on Saturday. Mr. Dheetchanya said that by exaggerating the archaeological evidence from the Gangetic plains, it devalued the very ancient Tamil culture. 'By doing that, they try to prove that the India's history started from Aryans' entry into India,' he added. Further, he said that the Keeladi excavation report, which emphasized that civilization started about 3,500 years ago, if released, would completely shatter its 'false' narrative. 'As the study has found that Keeladi was a trade centre and the objects' age found there went back to 2,500 years, it was evident that the presence of humans and their creation of civilization was much older than that,' Mr. Dheetchanya stated. As the government, its role was only to publish the report and not to criticise or comment on the report. 'It is the role of researchers, scientists, historians and others to opine on the findings,' he noted. While the government questions the report based on several scientific studies, archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, who penned the report after excavating remnants from 102 pits, was clear that he could not resubmit it. By not adhering to its demand, Mr. Ramakrishna had made it clear that he could not play as per its wish, Mr. Dheetchanya said. Moreover, the fight for proving the history of Tamils was not based on some rhetoric evidence, but with the support of proven facts and evidence, he said.

'An inspiration for country's youth': Civil Aviation Minister Naidu in awe of PM Modi's leadership skills, dedication to nation
'An inspiration for country's youth': Civil Aviation Minister Naidu in awe of PM Modi's leadership skills, dedication to nation

Hans India

timean hour ago

  • Hans India

'An inspiration for country's youth': Civil Aviation Minister Naidu in awe of PM Modi's leadership skills, dedication to nation

Chennai: Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu on Saturday said that he feels extremely fortunate to serve under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him an inspiration not only for young ministers like himself but also for crores of youth across the country. Speaking at a public function held at the Tuticorin Airport in the presence of the Prime Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu praised PM Modi's unwavering commitment and tireless efforts for the nation's welfare amid a tight and hectic schedule. 'It is a great privilege to have Narendra Modiji as our Prime Minister. Being a minister in his cabinet, I have had the opportunity to closely observe his dedication and hard work for the country,' Minister Naidu said. Highlighting the Prime Minister's relentless schedule, he added: 'This morning he was in the Maldives, and now he is here in Tamil Nadu. Tomorrow, he will be in another part of the country, meeting new people. Every moment of his time is devoted to the betterment of India.' Ram Mohan Naidu said that working under Prime Minister Modi was a tremendous opportunity and his leadership served as a source of daily motivation. 'I draw inspiration from him every single day,' he said, adding: 'Crores of youth in India look up to him for guidance and strength.' The Civil Aviation Minister also thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership in bringing progress to Tamil Nadu and for steering the nation towards the goal of Viksit Bharat -- a developed India. The event at Tuticorin Airport was part of the Prime Minister's two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, where he will inaugurate key infrastructure projects and participate in celebrations marking the millennium of Emperor Rajendra Chola's historic maritime expedition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a series of high-profile programmes in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, July 27, including the millennium celebrations of Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition and the commencement of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple's construction. In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote: 'Tomorrow, 27th July will witness a very special programme to mark a thousand years of the maritime expedition of the great Rajendra Chola I to South East Asia and the commencement of the construction of the iconic Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, a shining example of Chola architecture. It is our privilege that a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola I is being released, also celebrating the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival.' Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, currently recovering at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, has deputed Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu to submit a memorandum to the visiting Prime Minister. The memorandum outlines key demands related to the state's financial and developmental concerns. PM Modi's visit comes immediately after returning from official trips to the UK and the Maldives. He will first arrive in Tuticorin, where he will unveil a series of infrastructure and connectivity initiatives aimed at boosting the state's economic and industrial growth. He will stay overnight at the tourist bungalow in Tiruchy, which has also come under intense security cover. On Sunday morning, PM Modi will travel by helicopter to Ariyalur to participate in the Rajendra Chola I millennium celebrations at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. SPG teams have conducted security sweeps at all critical points, including Tiruchy airport, the tourist bungalow, and the event venue.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store