
Tunnel road project a scam; Congress pushing a ‘disaster': BJP

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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘CS nod must for calling DMs for dept meetings'
New Delhi: With the reporting of several instances of district magistrates being called for meetings and inspections by different departments on short notice, divisional commissioner Neeraj Semwal recently issued a circular stating that prior concurrence from the chief secretary was a must before such discussions. While accepting that inter-departmental coordination was essential, Semwal said such frequent and uncoordinated scheduling of meetings was adversely impacting the ability of DMs to perform their core responsibilities, including court work and other quasi-judicial functions, field inspections, grievance redressal, execution and supervision of departmental schemes, law and order functions, and monitoring of district-level developmental and revenue matters. Being the most important cog in the administrative wheel, which stays in direct touch with the public, BJP govt has involved DMs in several key projects. Delhi has 11 districts, each having a DM, an additional DM and sub-divisional magistrates. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Semwal added that the DM offices were located in different parts of Delhi and calling them for various meetings or inspections adversely affected the functioning of their offices. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The circular mentioned that seeking prior concurrence of the chief secretary would ensure prioritisation and proper time management. Wherever feasible, DMs should be allowed to participate through videoconferencing, especially in routine review or briefing meetings. "Departments are advised to coordinate among themselves to avoid repetitive meetings on overlapping issues. Consolidated meetings may be encouraged instead of department-specific, fragmented sessions," the circular pointed out. It advised that the departments must give an advance notice of a minimum of 48 hours to DMs for any meeting, which would help them plan their work accordingly or nominate competent officers for the meeting. "The necessity of the physical presence of DM must be clearly justified. If the agenda can be addressed by ADM or other senior officers, departments are encouraged to accept representation at that level," Semwal said.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Samik: Not party's job to attend ‘namaz' or ‘hari naam sankirtan'
Kolkata: Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, who has been making attempts to recalibrate its political narrative in the state, on Tuesday said a party's job was not to attend "namaz" or "hari naam sankirtan (chanting Hari)". Bhattacharya, who emphasised BJP's "inclusive politics", also claimed that Trinamool had fostered divisions in society. "A political party's duty is not to participate in namaz or hari naam sankirtan, but to provide assistance to people for hospitalisation, admission in schools, or better civic amenities. People don't come to political workers to listen to Sundarkanda of Ramayana," Bhattacharya said at a workers' meet in Cooch Behar. Bhattacharya, who has earlier tried to bridge the gap with minority communities and said BJP is not against Muslims, asked party workers to refrain from divisive politics. "A political party's job is not to wedge a divide among people. We want Durga visarjan and Muharram processions to go forward simultaneously. They shouldn't need different routes," he said. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Taking on Trinamool, Bhattacharya said: "Who is trying to change the situation in Bengal? Who is forcing Hindus to unite overnight? Trinamool has changed the narrative in West Bengal." He claimed a member of the Muslim community could not even protest against atrocities on Hindus without being "attacked" by the governing party. In the same breath, the Bengal BJP president criticised attempts at radicalisation. "What is happening in Murshidabad, Maheshtala or Kidderpore? Radicalisation is a curse on the entire world and we have to fight against this," he said. Saying the party had always put the country first, Bhattacharya said: "Indira Gandhi was a Congress neta. Yet (former PM Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji called her 'Devi Durga'. BJP doesn't believe in political differences if it is about the national interest."


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Siddaramaiah pitches Ahinda model as national blueprint for social justice
Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah Tuesday said Ahinda — a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits — must no longer be seen as a vote bank but as the "conscience of the nation," as he pitched the Karnataka model of empowerment for national adoption at the inaugural meeting of Congress' national OBC advisory council. "Let us remind the country that Ahinda is not a vote bank. It is the voice of India's conscience," Siddaramaiah said, addressing the gathering at KPCC headquarters. He said the model Karnataka had developed for social justice was rooted in fraternity and backed by data and scientific surveys. "We are here to reorient politics and reclaim our voice. India cannot progress without empowering backward classes, Dalits and minorities who have long been denied power, opportunity and dignity," he said. "And it is now ready for a national level adoption." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Calling it an empowerment model, Siddaramaiah said the Karnataka framework was not merely "relevant" but "essential" for the country. The meeting is expected to give the CM a political edge as the prominent OBC face in Congress party, although his continuance as CM remains a matter of speculation. Siddaramaiah also accused BJP of consistently blocking attempts to bring OBCs, Dalits and minorities into the mainstream. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pernas e tornozelos inchados? Descubra o que pode ajudar a drenar agora aartedoherbalismo Undo "BJP has never been in favour of social justice," he said. Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, who is part of the advisory council, voiced concerns about the BJP-led Centre's seriousness in conducting a caste census. "There is a certain degree of scepticism among OBCs that the caste census may become only lip services after Bihar elections with BJP-sponsored petitions in the Supreme Court and high court scuttling it," Gehlot said. OBC advisory council convenor Dr Anil Jaihind said the inaugural session deliberated on Congress' stand regarding Centre's caste census plan. The two-day event is expected to conclude with the passage of three resolutions on Wednesday. The meeting also featured deliberations on Article 164(1) of the Constitution with reference to states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Senior Congress functionaries including former CMs Bhupesh Baghel, V Narayanasamy and M Veerappa Moily joined the discussions alongside dozens of other national OBC functionaries.