Mamata, only Indian CM who moved SC to avoid paying DA to her govt employees: Bhupendra Yadav

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kolkata, Feb 11 (IANS) Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav, on Wednesday said Mamata Banerjee is the only Indian Chief Minister who moved the Supreme Court against her state government employees to avoid paying dearness allowance at par with the central government employees and arrears accrued on it over years.

“Mamata Banerjee is the only Indian Chief Minister who has approached the Apex Court against her own government employees. She had alleged that so many people were killed because of the special intensive revision exercise. But in reality, no one was killed because of that revision exercise. On the contrary, several state government employees died out of frustration after being denied their legitimate dearness allowance dues,” Yadav said while interacting with the media persons here on Wednesday afternoon.

Also present at the press conference was the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari.

He ridiculed the Chief Minister for avoiding media queries on the Supreme Court order on dearness allowance arrears to West Bengal government employees, claiming that the matter was sub-judice.

“I want to remind the Chief Minister that the matter is no longer sub-judice since the Supreme Court had already given a clear order in the matter last week. The Supreme Court had given clear instructions to the West Bengal government on the payment of dearness allowance arrears to the state government since that payment was part of their legitimate right. The Chief Minister had violated the Supreme Court order again and again. If this time, she does that again, there are legal provisions against it,” the leader of the opposition in the state Assembly said.

The Supreme Court’s verdict on February 5 directed the West Bengal government to pay dearness allowance arrears to the state government employees and pensioners for the period between 2008 and 2019, and also 25 per cent of that amount by March 31 this year.

The payments are expected to cost the state exchequer a little over Rs 10,000 crore immediately and Rs 42,000 crore in the long run.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Taking to social media platform X, he conveyed his best wishes to the people of India, celebrating the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.

“Best wishes on the special occasion of Raksha Bandhan,” he posted, adding in Hindi, “Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan.”

Earlier in the day, taking to social media platform X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote, “Heartfelt best wishes to all countrymen on the sacred festival of ‘Raksha Bandhan,’ dedicated to the unbreakable bond of love, trust, and commitment to protection between brothers and sisters. I pray to God that this festival becomes a source of joy and enthusiasm in everyone’s life.”

Raksha Bandhan, celebrated across India on Saturday, holds deep cultural and religious significance. Marking the bond of affection between siblings, it is observed every year on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Sawan.

The festival is especially revered in Hindu tradition as a symbol of love, trust, and protection.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also shared his heartfelt wishes on X, saying, “The festival of Raksha Bandhan is a symbol of the love, affection, and commitment between siblings. Heartfelt best wishes to all the countrymen on this sacred festival of Raksha Bandhan.”

Adding to the greetings, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted on X, “The sacred knot of affection, the silent vow of trust, the vibrant expression of the unbreakable love between brother and sister, heartfelt congratulations to the people of the state on Raksha Bandhan! The delicate thread of the Raksha Sutra does not merely tie the wrist; it binds the soul. It weaves an eternal saga of dignity and intimacy in every era,” (translated from Hindi post).

–IANS

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Rajasthan LoP visits Ram Temple; BJP leader sprinkles Gangajal, sparks outrage

Jaipur, April 7 (IANS) A fresh political controversy erupted in Rajasthan on Monday following the visit of Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully to the Ram Mandir on the occasion of Ram Navami.

However, BJP leader and former MLA Gyandev Ahuja reportedly sprinkled Gangajal (holy water) at the temple after Jully’s visit, triggering a sharp response from Congress leaders and intensifying the political atmosphere in the state.

Reacting to Ahuja’s act, the Congress leader said the incident reflected the BJP’s mindset towards Dalits.

“I raised the voice of Dalits in the Assembly and called for a campaign against untouchability. But the BJP’s mentality is such that when I visit a temple, they talk about purifying it with Gangajal because I am a Dalit,” Jully wrote on social media.

“This is not just an attack on my personal faith, but a statement promoting the crime of untouchability,” he said.

Rajasthan LoP further questioned the BJP’s stance, asking: “Does the BJP hate Dalits so much that it cannot tolerate us offering prayers? Do BJP leaders alone have the right to worship God? The Chief Minister and BJP state chief must clarify whether they endorse such acts of so-called purification when Dalits enter temples.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress state chief Govind Singh Dotasra said, “The heart of the BJP is filled with hatred, ill-will, and jealousy towards Dalits.”

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also condemned the incident, calling it a “disgusting act” and demanding accountability.

“This narrow-mindedness is unacceptable in a civilised society in the 21st century. The BJP leadership must clarify whether they stand by Gyandev Ahuja’s behaviour. Will they take action against him?” Gehlot questioned.

Gyandev Ahuja, however, defended his actions with another controversial statement targeting Jully.

“Tikaram Jully, who is against Sanatan and Hindutva, visited Karni Mata on Sunday and came to Ram Mandir. He should be ashamed. I will go to the place where he visited and fulfill my vow to wash it with Gangajal,” Ahuja reportedly said.

–IANS

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UP: Farmers of Saharanpur excited as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme’s 19th installment set to be released on Feb 24

Saharanpur, Feb 21 (IANS) Farmers across the country, especially in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, are happy as the 19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana, one of the flagship welfare schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government, is going to be credited directly into their bank accounts on February 24.

Under this scheme, an amount of Rs 6,000 is transferred to the accounts of farmers across the country every year, which is proving to be beneficial in fulfilling their agricultural needs as well as in purchasing agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilisers and other necessary equipment.

Farmers of Saharanpur spoke to IANS to know about the benefits of the PM-KISAN scheme.

Farmers said that through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, they get the necessary agricultural inputs required for their farming on time and this has strengthened and improved their financial condition.

Farmers feel proud of this scheme because never before had such schemes been implemented in the past, which could solve their problems by sending money directly into their bank accounts.

A local farmer Pramod Saini told IANS: “I receive a financial assistance of Rs 6,000 every year. With this money, I can buy seeds, fertilisers, water for my farm and grow a variety of crops. This money is credited directly into my bank account and without involving any middlemen. This is a very good step taken by the Narendra Modi-led Union government. With help of this money, I can also buy essential items for my own house.”

Another local farmer Ompal Saini told IANS: “Till now I have received Rs 36,000 in my bank account. This welfare scheme launched by PM Modi has brought a transformational change in my family’s life. I am happy with the financial assistance of Rs 2,000 in three installments each year. This money comes directly into my bank account and do not have to involve any middleman.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra expert, I.K. Kushwaha, told IANS: “I appreciate the PM-KISAN scheme that the Narendra Modi government has introduced, which is a transformational scheme for the farmers like me due to which I get timely money for fulfilling agricultural needs.”

“Transfer of installments of Kisan Samman Nidhi directly to the accounts of farmers is an excellent step, because with this middlemen have been eliminated and farmers like me are getting the right value for their hard work,” Kushwaha added.

Agriculture Director Rakesh Maurya said that 2,81,000 farmers in Saharanpur district have benefited from the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme till now across the country.

Maurya added that this scheme helps farmers in purchasing fertilisers, seeds, pesticides etc, for agricultural purposes.

Under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, money is directly transferred to every farmer’s account, which is useful for agricultural work on time, he said.

–IANS

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