Punjab Congress chief criticises CM Mann for not taking action on twin blasts

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chandigarh, May 6 (IANS) Congress’s Punjab unit President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday lashed out at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not taking any action following two back-to-back explosions in Jalandhar and Amritsar, despite “knowing” who is responsible for the act.

His reaction came after CM Mann claimed: “Investigations into these minor blasts are underway. This is part of the BJP’s preparations for the elections in Punjab… In whatever state they have to fight elections, they first instigate riots, cause small-scale explosions, orchestrate some infighting, and divide people on the basis of religion and caste. This means that these are the BJP’s preparations for Punjab.”

Speaking to IANS, Warring claimed that there have been several blasts in the state in the last few days.

“Many of these were dismissed as tyre bursts and other excuses by the CM and Punjab Police. Out of these, 19 blasts took place at police stations. Two happened at BSF headquarters. What’s the story behind this? What is the secret? Who is behind this and why is it happening? And who is responsible?” he said.

Blaming the CM Mann, he said: “Today, the CM added a twist to the story. He said that this disturbance is being caused by the BJP for the elections. Now, the CM has intelligence, the Punjab Police, as well as information from various sources.”

The Punjab Congress chief said that what CM Mann meant is that the BJP is responsible for these blasts and “if he knows who is playing this game and still not taking any action, then it is a very wrong thing.”

Warring also accused the Chief Minister of only delivering statements.

“I think he (Mann) should ask for a proper investigation. If any person or government is responsible for such kind of a situation in Punjab, then why isn’t he taking any action against them?” he questioned.

Warring asked why CM Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio, “has just restricted himself to making statements?”

Apart from the Punjab CM, he also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying: “I want to say that this game is being played by both the Home Ministers. Only they know the secret behind all this, Punjab’s HM and the country’s HM.”

Meanwhile, AAP leader Anurag Dhanda supported CM Mann’s allegation against the BJP.

He said: “Is this the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election preparation in Punjab? Will they win elections in Punjab by causing explosions like this?”

Moreover, Dhanda accused the BJP of conspiring to spread disturbance in Punjab.

“This is their modus operandi. Before the elections anywhere, they cause fights, riots and spoil the atmosphere of the place for their own political benefit,” he said.

–IANS

cg/vd

Related Posts

Govt push, public-private partnership drove Indian space sector growth in 2025

New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS) Policy continuity and institutional clarity by the government and an expanding public-private partnership framework led to the growth of India’s private space sector in 2025, said Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd.), Director General, Indian Space Association (ISpA) on Tuesday.

Bhatt noted that 2025 was marked as a decisive year for India’s space sector as policy reforms translated into tangible execution across launch, including satellite manufacturing, Earth observation, space data, and satellite communications.

“Growth during 2025 was driven largely by the private industry. The year saw contracts awarded, production lines established, satellites deployed, launch vehicles move closer to operational readiness, and data-driven services scale across civilian, commercial, and strategic domains,” the expert said.

India’s space economy, currently valued at approximately $9 billion, is now on a clear trajectory towards $44 billion in the coming decade.

Public-private partnerships emerged as a central operating model across the space value chain in 2025. India’s share of the global space economy, currently estimated at around 2 per cent, is projected to increase to nearly 8 per cent by 2033, driven primarily by private industry.

“Policy instruments, including the New Space Policy 2023, liberalised FDI Policy 2024, and implementation of the Indian Telecommunications Act 2023, provided predictability for long-term private investment,” Bhatt said.

Liberalised FDI norms and IN-SPACe’s single-window authorisation framework supported increased participation by both domestic and international players.

“India’s space ecosystem crossed an important scale milestone in 2025, with over 300 active space startups now operating across launch vehicles, satellite platforms, Earth observation, satellite communications, propulsion, electronics, space situational awareness, and downstream analytics,” Bhatt said.

Further, India’s private space companies advanced from demonstration to deployment in 2025. Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos continued to progress private orbital and semi-cryogenic launch systems, contributing to the development of a competitive domestic launch market.

PM Modi recently unveiled Skyroot’s Vikram-I launch vehicle and the Infinity Campus.

Pixxel launched India’s first private satellite constellation, the Firefly series, using SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets in early and mid-2025, deploying a total of six hyperspectral satellites for high-resolution Earth imaging.

Digantara expanded its space situational awareness infrastructure by successfully launching its first commercial space surveillance satellite, SCOT’, while companies including Bellatrix Aerospace, ThrustWrks, OmSpace, Xovian, and GalaxEye demonstrated operational capabilities across propulsion, launch subsystems, and imaging platforms.

Meanwhile, policy support was reinforced in the Union Budget 2025-26 through initiatives such as the National Geospatial Mission, a Fund of Funds for startups, enhanced credit guarantee mechanisms, expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs, and a dedicated DeepTech Fund of Funds, Bhatt said.

Private space startups in India raised nearly $150 million during FY 2025, taking the total funding to over $617 million to date.

The operationalisation of the Rs 1,000 crore IN-SPACe Venture Capital Fund and approval of the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme added long-term depth to the funding ecosystem for space and deep-tech innovation.

IN-SPACe’s Technology Adoption Fund for Rs 500 crore, launched this year, will also boost private sector space innovation by funding startups/MSMEs (up to 60 per cent cost) to develop commercially viable, early-stage space technologies, Bhatt said.

–IANS

rvt/

PM Modi calls PM-JAY rollout in Delhi a ‘revolutionary step’ for health sector

New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) in Delhi as a “revolutionary step” for the national capital’s healthcare sector, enabled by the “double-engine” BJP government.

As the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), of which PM-JAY is a component, was officially launched in the national capital on Thursday, 19 residents, including 11 women and 8 men, became the first beneficiaries to receive Ayushman Bharat cards under the scheme.

PM Modi praised the implementation and expressed happiness that the people of Delhi will now benefit from the health scheme.

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “A revolutionary step related to Delhi’s health sector! This mission of the double-engine government is going to be extremely beneficial for lakhs of my brothers and sisters here. I am very happy that Delhiites will now also be able to get their treatment under the Ayushman Yojana.”

The PM-JAY rollout in Delhi comes just days after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on April 5, enabling the implementation of the Modi government’s flagship health scheme in the national capital.

With this, Delhi has become the 35th state or Union territory to adopt the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The AB-PMJAY is a key component of the broader PM-ABHIM framework, which aims to boost public health infrastructure and improve access to quality healthcare across the country.

Launched in 2018, PM-JAY provides an annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary hospital care, targeting economically vulnerable populations. The scheme is the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programme.

The inclusion of Delhi in PM-JAY marks a significant milestone in expanding healthcare access to low-income families in the capital and reducing their financial burden for critical medical treatments.

–IANS

sd/

PM Modi, HM Shah extend Bohag Bihu greetings to people of Assam

Guwahati, April 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended warm wishes on the occasion of Bohag Bihu in Assam.

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “Bohag Bihu wishes to you all!”

As Bohag or Rongali Bihu marks the beginning of the Assamese new year, the Prime Minister also wrote, “May the new year bring new beginnings, happiness and prosperity in all that you do. Praying for everyone’s good health and fulfilment of all aspirations,” he added.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked PM Modi for his wishes on Bihu.

In an X post, CM Sarma wrote, “Adarniya Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, thank you so much for your Bohag Bihu wishes. As the Assamese new year is set to begin, we recall your many visits to Assam during the new year and celebrating it with the people of the State.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X, “Warm greetings to our sisters and brothers of Assam on the occasion of Bohag Bihu. May the joy of welcoming the Assamese new year vibrating on the banks of the Brahmaputra invite prosperity and well-being for everyone.”

CM Sarma while thanking HM Shah, wrote on his X handle, “Thank you so much for your wishes on Bohag Bihu, Adarniya Griha Mantri Shri @AmitShah ji. With your constant guidance Assam is ringing in New years in an atmosphere of peace and prosperity.”

Rongali Bihu or Bohag, the most cherished of the three Bihus, marks the Assamese New Year and the arrival of spring. It is more than just a festival — it’s an emotion deeply woven into the cultural soul of the people of Assam.

The state has been caught up with Bihu fever, as people have been busy celebrating the festival on Monday. Across the state, Bihu committees are busy organising grand functions — from traditional dance competitions to musical nights where local artists and cultural icons will take center stage. Youth groups are rehearsing tirelessly, ready to set the stage ablaze with their energy and pride. In the villages, the celebration remains close to its roots — rustic, warm, and full of life.

The sound of laughter mixes with the music as people come together to celebrate nature’s bounty, community spirit, and the timeless bond between humans and the land they call home. But even in cities, where modern life races ahead, Bihu brings everyone back to their roots. Offices and schools close for the festivities, and people return to their hometowns, drawn by the irresistible call of tradition, family, and celebration.

–IANS

tdr/dpb