Major row erupts over use of temple funds in Tamil Nadu
And in Karnataka, there's widespread panic over heart attacks, with large crowds gathering at Mysore's Jayadeva Hospital for check-ups. The Karnataka High Court has stayed a state government order to close Jan Aushadhi Kendras in government hospitals, seen as a setback for the Siddaramaiah government. The BJP has criticised the state's move to shut these centers.
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Hans India
20 minutes ago
- Hans India
Ratna Bhandar inventory in Aug
Bhubaneswar: A day after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) completed repair and conservation work of the sacred Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Tuesday said the long-awaited inventory of valuables stored in the treasury may begin in August with the assistance of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Responding to a question on the next step after ASI's conservation efforts, the minister said, 'The inventory of the valuables in the Ratna Bhandar could be undertaken any time in August. The State government will soon write to the RBI, requesting it to deploy experts who have experience in auditing temple ornaments and treasures, such as at the Somnath Temple.' The minister informed that the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar was last opened in 1978 — 46 years ago — when the inventory of gold ornaments and other valuables was conducted. Since then, there has been a long-standing demand from the people of Odisha for a fresh inventory. Fulfilling a major poll promise, the BJP-led State government recently constituted a high-level committee headed by retired Orissa High Court judge Justice Biswanath Rath to oversee the inventorisation of jewellery and other treasures stored in the Ratna Bhandar. Harichandan said the State already possesses a record of the items listed in 1978 and that the upcoming stock-taking exercise will involve a thorough verification. 'We will match the current stock with the 1978 inventory to ensure accuracy. Experienced goldsmiths will be involved, and the process will include digital photography and cataloguing with details such as weight and make,' he said. According to the 1978 inventory report, the Ratna Bhandar contains around 128 kg of gold and over 200 kg of silver, along with several ornaments that have gold coatings. The minister also revealed that the State government plans to prepare a new set of gold and silver ornaments for the Trinity — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra — for the Suna Besha ritual.
Hans India
35 minutes ago
- Hans India
BJP bristles at attack on Bhadradri temple official
Hyderabad: BJP State president N Ramachandra Rao and party national co-incharge for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Dr Pongulei Sudhakar Reddy condemned the attack on the executive officer of the Bhardrachalma temple on Wednesday. Addressing the media, Ramachandra Rao said the incident of attacking the EO in Bhadrachalam and trying to encroach on the temple lands is unfortunate. 'People of other religions have built buildings on those lands and some have tried to build churches and mosques. When the EO tried to stop her, she was attacked. It happened not only in Bhadrachalam but also in the case of the Tirumala Tirupati Temple lands in Khammam.' He alleged that with the encouragement of some political parties in the Khammam area, walls were demolished on TTD lands. 'mosques and other structures were built by people of other religions. TTD officials were prevented from inspecting the area. Therefore, there is a need to protect Hindu temple lands from encroachment by people of other religions,' he added. The BJP state chief demanded that the state government take steps immediately to vacate the encroachments from the lands occupied in Khammam and warned that the BJP will launch a movement for the protection of temple lands. He also demanded strict action against the people of other religions who attacked the EO and those who encroached on the temple lands. Dr Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy strongly condemned the attack on the Executive Officer of the Bhadrachalam Temple for questioning illegal constructions on the lands belonging to Sri Bhadrachala Ramulavaru at Purushothapatnam, Yatapaka Mandal, Alluri Sitaramaraju District. He said that the lands belonging to Sri Bhadrachala Ramulavaru are of immense spiritual and historical significance for crores of devotees across the Telugu states. 'It is unfortunate that when temple officials are striving to protect these lands from illegal encroachments, they are being attacked and threatened.' Also 'I urge both the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments to come forward with a common resolution to protect these temple lands and resolve this sensitive issue permanently. The governments must act immediately to identify, reclaim, and safeguard the lands belonging to Sri Bhadrachala Ramulavaru and ensure that the sanctity of the temple is upheld.' He requested the governments to take strict action against those involved in such attacks to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
Hans India
35 minutes ago
- Hans India
Implement promises given to Divyangjans: BJP state chief to CM
Hyderabad: BJP Telangana chief N. Ramchander Rao demanded that the state government fulfill its promises outlined in the Congress manifesto released during the 2023 Assembly elections concerning the welfare and development of individuals with disabilities. In a letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday, he expressed deep dissatisfaction among various groups due to the non-implementation of these promises, despite the Congress government being in power for almost 18 months. He noted that the Congress had pledged to increase pensions for the disabled to Rs 6,000, provide financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to those with over 80% disability, and raise monthly pensions for widows, the elderly, and single women under the Cheyutha program to Rs 4,000. However, since these guarantees have not been implemented, many individuals have faced increased financial insecurity. The delay in awarding pensions to newly applied disabled individuals has raised doubts about the government's sincerity. People had high hopes that these six guarantees would be implemented within 100 days, but 'not a single step has been taken so far.' Given the economic and social challenges faced by disabled individuals across the state, the BJP is demanding immediate action to address these issues. Their key demands include: Increasing the pension for the disabled to Rs 6,000 per month and to Rs 15,000 for those with more than 80% disability. The implementation should be retroactive to the date of the guarantee, and arrears should be paid; Identifying eligible new applicants and granting them pensions, with arrears calculated and paid from the date of application; Amending the law or issuing an ordinance to provide political reservations for disabled individuals in local body elections; Immediately implementing a 4% reservation in government departments; Releasing the SCD G.O. to fill carry-forward posts and granting the Department for Differently Abled Persons more autonomy, with steps to appoint staff at the district level; Offering free travel for differently abled individuals on RTC buses and ensuring the filling of the 4% backlog posts in RTC, along with implementing a 5% reservation in business complexes. And, allocating land for the establishment of the YRRD Trust and providing funds under the Yadagiri Gutta Devasthanam Board. Additionally, he requested the extension of various opportunities and programs for the disabled, including: Implementing the IMP_MEPM self-help program loan waiver and providing fresh loan assistance, incentives, solar projects, RTC bus services, and opportunities for Indira Makhila Canteens. Enforcing the HIR policy and establishing Mani Vikas Kendras in every Mandal. Ensuring special protection under Section 92 of the Differently Abled Persons Act in police and judiciary matters. - Providing health insurance coverage of Rs 50 lakh for every differently abled person and granting job protection to disabled individuals working as Anganwadi teachers and helpers; Appointing experienced disabled persons to government commissions, boards, and nominated positions; Regularizing the services of contract and outsourced disabled persons who participated in the separate Telangana movement, plus providing them with housing sites, Rs 50 lakh grants, and employment opportunities. Moreover, he called for the immediate formation of an independent commission, a state advisory committee, and district committees under the Differently Abled Persons Law of 2016. He also emphasized that the Cheyutha program for widows, the elderly, and single women should provide a pension of Rs 4,000. Ramchander Rao warned that if the promises made in the Congress election manifesto are not implemented promptly, the BJP will initiate a public movement to address these issues.
