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OBC reservation issue: MP govt to hold meet with advocates ahead of SC’s day-to-day hearing

Bhopal, Aug 28 (IANS) After adopting a formal resolution to ensure full 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday that the government has decided to hold a meeting with the advocates of all parties before September 10.

The Supreme Court is going to start the day-to-day hearing on the case from September 23, and before that, the government will meet the advocates, said the CM

Earlier in the day, a formal resolution was unanimously adopted by Madhya Pradesh’s political leadership, marking a decisive shift in the state’s legal and administrative posture ahead of upcoming Supreme Court hearings.

The resolution, backed by all major parties, affirms that the remaining 13 per cent of the quota — beyond the 14 per cent already implemented — must be secured through coordinated legal strategy and judicial affirmation, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said after an all-party meeting.

The meeting was held in the morning at Chief Minister Yadav’s residence, where representatives from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party joined the ruling BJP in endorsing the quota.

“All parties are unanimously democratic in ensuring 27 per cent reservation to the Other Backward Classes,” CM Yadav declared after the meeting, framing the consensus as both a political and constitutional imperative.

With multiple petitions pending before the Supreme Court, the issue remains sub judice.

“The Apex Court is scheduled to begin day-to-day hearings from September 23. In preparation, the state has called for a joint session of legal experts before September 10 to harmonise arguments and ensure that no eligible section within the OBC community is left out of the reservation framework,” he said.

“We have reiterated this in the state Assembly earlier, and now we are united in our resolve to see it through,” CM Yadav said, adding that all advocates involved in the case will align their submissions to reflect the resolution’s intent.

–IANS

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Delhi’s air quality in ‘very poor’ category, cold wave persists

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Delhi witnessed yet another day of toxic air on Sunday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the ‘very poor’ category for the second consecutive day. At 6 am, the overall AQI was recorded at 386, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Parts of the city were covered by a dense layer of smog, reducing visibility and enforcing the strict implementation of GRAP Stage IV measures.

AQI readings from various parts of Delhi highlighted the severity of the situation: Okhla Phase 2 (388), Alipur (407), Rohini (423), ITO (382), Ashok Vihar (339), Wajipur (432), Shadipur (387), Mundka (426), Jahangirpuri (437), Narela (472), DTU (352), R.K. Puram (462), Anand Vihar (423), Pusa (377), and Punjabi Bagh (417). Notably, several locations approached or exceeded the “severe” threshold of 400.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a slight rise in Delhi-NCR’s minimum temperatures, ranging from 7 degrees Celcius to 9 degrees Celcius, with maximum temperatures hovering between 21-23 degrees Celcius.

The IMD warned that the smoggy conditions may persist in the coming days, with a potential intensification of the cold wave. Early mornings are expected to witness reduced visibility and chilly conditions.

While the AQI has slightly improved from the ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ category, a significant improvement appears unlikely due to unfavourable weather conditions. Prolonged exposure to such air poses serious health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

The wind speed on Saturday evening was four kmph making it difficult for pollutants to disperse. In the coming days, Delhi may experience continued poor air quality due to cold waves and unfavourable weather conditions.

Authorities have urged residents to minimise outdoor activities and adhere to anti-pollution measures.

The CPCB emphasised the health hazards of AQIs above 400, warning of grave consequences for all residents if pollution levels persist.

–IANS

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NCP(SP), Cong demand special Assembly session on flood fury, financial package for farmers

Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) Amid havoc wreaked by the heavy rain and floods in Marathwada and many places in the rest of Maharashtra, the NCP(SP) and Congress on Monday, in an appeal to the Governor, demanded that a special three-day session of the state legislature be convened to discuss the damage and financial package needed urgently to help the farmers.

NCP(SP) legislator and former Minister Jayant Patil said, “The government must hold a special session as farmers, livestock, homes and public life have all been devastated. However, no necessary assistance is visible from the government. The issues of farmers and citizens should be heard, there should be an in-depth discussion on compensation and relief packages, and a substantial decision for assistance should be made.”

He also demanded the financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per acre to be given to the farmers on a priority basis.

Further, Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, in a letter to the Governor, has appealed to him to convene a special session of the Maharashtra Legislature as the excessive rainfall and floods have destroyed crops, washed away livestock, collapsed houses, and disrupted electricity supply. “Therefore, to provide immediate relief to the farmers and others, the government should hold a discussion and announce financial aid during the special session of the state legislature. The government should declare without any delay a wet drought, provide a complete loan waiver for farmers and offer blanket assistance to affected farmers and citizens,” he said.

Wadettiwar said that an extremely serious situation has arisen out of the heavy rain and floods that have hit several parts of Maharashtra, including Marathwada, Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra.

“This unprecedented natural disaster has put farmers and the common people in complete distress and has caused irreparable losses. Standing crops on an area of more than 4 lakh hectares in the state have been completely destroyed. In many places, farmlands have been washed away (eroded), due to which the life’s work of farmers has been wasted. It is not possible to get even 5 per cent of the production this season. Many animals were washed away, houses collapsed, and, unfortunately, there was also loss of life in the flood situation,” he added.

He further stated that power supply has been disrupted in many places due to the collapse of electricity poles and wires. Transport and communication systems have been completely disrupted due to the collapse of important roads connecting villages and cities. Contaminated drinking water has created a serious public health problem. It is imperative to take immediate, concrete policy decisions to pull the state out of this serious crisis. A wet drought should be declared in the state immediately and a comprehensive, substantial financial assistance and rehabilitation package should be announced for the affected farmers, workers and common citizens,” he added.

“This is the right time to fulfil our promise of loan waiver for all affected farmers. Also, immediate compensation should be provided after proper valuation of crops and property,” he said.

–IANS

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