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Business Standard
03-07-2025
- Business Standard
Second batch of over 5,200 pilgrims leave for Amarnath yatra from Jammu
Amid tight security, the second batch of more than 5,200 pilgrims left the base camp here on Thursday for the Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas, officials said. The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high shrine commenced on Thursday via the twin tracks the traditional 48-km-long Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The yatra will conclude on August 9. The pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in a cavalcade of 168 vehicles escorted by security police and central paramilitary forces, they said. With this, the number of pilgrims who have left for the shrine from the Jammu base camp has reached 11,138, officials said. The second batch of pilgrims includes 4,074 men, 786 women, and 19 children. A group of pilgrims on way to the shrine said they were not deterred by the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. "We do not fear terrorists or Pakistan, which has engineered attacks on innocent and unarmed tourists. It is a cowardly act. They cannot stop us from paying obeisance at Baba Barfani by triggering fear through terror incidents such as Pahalgam," Harish Kumar, a resident of Raipur and part of a 37-member group of devotees, said. Like him, Mukhtar Singh, who left for Amarnath along with a group of 20 members from Kanpur, said they do not have the slightest fear. "The increasing number of pilgrims thronging the yatra will send a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan that we do not fear them," he said. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on Wednesday. A multi-tier security setup has been activated in and around the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for the annual pilgrimage. Thirty-four accommodation centres have been set up across Jammu, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are being issued to the pilgrims. Twelve counters have been set up for the on-the-spot registration of pilgrims who intend to undertake the yatra. So far, more than 3.5 lakh people have registered themselves online for the pilgrimage.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Time of India
BRS leader escapes kidnapping attempt
Hyderabad: A former Mandal Parishad President (MPP) and BRS leader from Nirmal district, Harish Kumar, was allegedly kidnapped by unidentified persons from his residence in Mamada village around 4 am on Sunday. According to police, the kidnappers forced him into a car and began driving towards Hyderabad. During the journey, they reportedly demanded a ransom of Rs 3 crore from him. However, near the Toopran toll plaza in Medak district, when the vehicle slowed down, Harish managed to escape by jumping out and fleeing on foot. He later approached the local police and reported the incident. The case was transferred to Mamada police for further investigation. "He was not harmed and is currently safe. Special teams have been deployed to trace the kidnappers," a Nirmal police official said.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why should we pay twice to dispose of waste? Bengaluru citizens ask as collectors demand cash on top of cess
Bengaluru: Solid waste in Bengaluru has become more than just garbage—it's now a service that many citizens claim they're being charged for twice. Whether it's residents in Indiranagar or hoteliers in Whitefield, a common question is echoing across the city: why are we paying both the BBMP and the garbage collectors? For years, citizens, either willingly or unwillingly, have been handing over cash—ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 500 or more per month—to local waste collectors to ensure doorstep pickup. Now, with the BBMP introducing a mandatory solid waste management (SWM) user fee as part of the property tax, confusion and frustration are mounting among the citizens, especially those who generate less than 100kg of garbage per day. However, BBMP has clarified that the user fee was meant to replace informal payments and bring transparency in the system. "People shouldn't pay anything extra to garbage collectors. The cess is meant to eliminate unofficial charges. If someone demands money, residents should report it, and action will be taken," said Harish Kumar, CEO of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd. But on the ground, it's a different story. Residents claim that unless they pay, their garbage isn't picked up. "We pay Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 a month, depending on the collector," said Shyamala James, a resident of Indiranagar. "Earlier, it was rare. Now they ask directly. If we don't pay, they skip our house. And now BBMP wants cess on top of this? It feels like double taxation." This informal system continues in many areas, largely due to fear. Missing the garbage truck can leave waste uncollected for days, leading to health concerns. Many residents feel they have no choice but to pay up or risk dumping waste illegally. The problem is even more acute for hotels and restaurants. The BBMP's revised cess, effective April 1, 2025, is now calculated based on property size. Previously, hotels paid a flat Rs 1,200 a year. Now, many report a tenfold increase. "We're paying twice for the same service," said Subrahmanya Holla, president of the Bengaluru Hotels Association. "Margins are already tight, and this added burden is unsustainable." Some hoteliers say their annual cess has jumped to Rs 15,000 or more, while they continue to pay Rs 5,000 monthly to waste collectors claiming to be BBMP vendors. "We can't store garbage—it must go out daily. But if we don't pay, they don't collect," said a hotelier. "So what's the point of the cess? We're being forced to choose between hygiene and compliance. There's no real system in place," said Arun Adiga, owner of Vidyarthi Bhavan, calling the situation unfair and coercive. The Hotels Association has approached the high court, but the matter was deferred until after the court's vacation. BBMP maintains that its waste collection is limited to two categories—bulk generators (producing over 100kg daily), who must manage their own waste, and regular door-to-door van collections. Officials claim that no private vendors have been appointed in the last three years. However, the on-ground reality reflects a broken system, with residents and businesses caught between unofficial demands and official levies—paying more but getting less clarity and accountability.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
A.P police to hold ‘AI Hackathon' to tackle policing challenges
Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta announced that the national-level 'AI Hackathon' would be held on June 27, 28, and 29 at R.V.R. & J.C. College of Engineering in Guntur. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to inaugurate the event. Mr. Harish Kumar said: 'The primary objective of the event, being organised by the State Police department, is to explore Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based solutions for policing and public service. The hackathon aligns with Mr. Naidu's vision to incorporate modern technology into governance.' Mr. Harish Kumar said that the hackathon will serve as a strategic platform to develop AI solutions and added that eight problem statements have been curated by senior IPS officers in collaboration with their knowledge partner, 4SightsAI. The department has extended invitations to domestic and international IT companies, educational institutions, and startups. So far, around 30 companies have registered. Each team, comprising three to four members, will work on developing AI-based solutions during the three-day event. Participation in the AI Hackathon is free. The top-performing teams will receive certificates and a total cash prize of ₹10 lakh. An awards selection committee, comprising senior IPS officers, IT experts, and academic researchers, will evaluate the solutions. Selected teams will be provided with free accommodation during the event. The DGP highlighted the increasing use of technology in policing, noting that drones are already being extensively used for routine patrols and enforcement in cities. He added that the department is exploring a potential collaboration with India AI to further integrate AI in law enforcement.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Gusty winds, light rain to bring relief till May 6 in Gautam Budh Nagar: IMD
Noida Residents in Gautam Budh Nagar district can look forward to a break from scorching heat from Friday onwards as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rain accompanied by gusty winds in the region till May 6. The weather change is being attributed to a western disturbance and cyclonic circulation over northwest India, which has already led to a dip in temperature and improved air quality over the last few days. On Thursday, Noida recorded a minimum temperature of 24.8 degrees Celsius (°C), slightly lower than Wednesday's 25.8°C. The maximum temperature settled at 36°C, which was 33.5 °C on Wednesday. According to the IMD's regional forecast, rain or thundershowers accompanied by strong gusty winds are expected on May 2 (Friday), while the days following it are likely to see partly cloudy skies with occasional spells of light rain or thunderstorms. Minimum and maximum temperatures during this period are expected to hover around 25°C and 36°C, respectively. On Thursday, residents welcomed the weather shift, especially those sensitive to heat and pollution. 'It is such a relief to finally sleep without the air conditioner running all night. The breeze has made evenings much more pleasant,' said Jyoti Jaiswal, a Sector Ecotech 2 resident. Another resident, Harish Kumar, a senior citizen from Sector 134, Noida, said, 'The past few weeks were unbearable. We even avoided going out for evening walks. But now, the winds are cool and even the AQI (air quality index) seems better. The IMD officials noted that the rain and wind are part of a broader weather pattern seen across north India due to an active western disturbance. 'Gautam Budh Nagar, like parts of the NCR (national capital region), will see intermittent rain and gusty winds till at least May 6. This is not a monsoon system but a pre-monsoon activity that typically occurs during this period,' said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate & meteorology at Skymet Weather. The changing weather has also benefited local air quality, which had seen a spike in pollutants in early April. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the AQI in Noida has remained in the 'moderate' range. On Thursday, the AQI of Noida and Greater Noida remained under moderate zone, at 183 and 121 respectively, as per CPCB. The district administration, meanwhile, has advised residents to stay indoors during strong winds and avoid parking vehicles under trees or unstable structures. As summer intensifies, these brief spells of relief are likely to become more frequent, meteorologists say, especially as the monsoon approaches in June.
