Maha to develop AI-driven command and control for disaster management: CM Fadnavis

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed all departments to effectively discharge their responsibilities with a strong focus on disaster mitigation. He also instructed officials to initiate the development of an AI-based integrated Command and Control System to strengthen disaster management and emergency response across Maharashtra.

He was speaking at the review meeting regarding the ‘Pre-Monsoon Preparedness and Disaster Management’.

“Every monsoon brings new challenges, and therefore, preparedness must be strengthened based on past experiences. Directed all departments to ensure effective implementation of SOPs, timely warnings, rapid response and swift assistance to affected citizens,” said the CM.

CM Fadnavis instructed all departments to review preparedness over the next 15 days and address operational gaps on priority. He also directed the integration of Mantralaya, Police, Municipal Corporations and various control rooms through a unified response system to ensure better coordination and citizen relief during the monsoon season.

Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan highlighted the need for better coordination during dam water discharge, which often leads to flooding in downstream villages. He directed structural audits of weak bridges and said traffic should be suspended on structures deemed unsafe.

Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil said the state has sanctioned a special relief package for agricultural losses, damaged homes, livestock deaths, and human casualties.

The package includes Rs 10,000 per hectare for Kharif crop losses, Rs 47,000 compensation for flood-washed land, and grants of up to Rs 5,000 under the Employment Guarantee Scheme. Patil said the state has deposited Rs 16,224 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the accounts of 1.06 lakh farmers. For the first time, compensation of Rs 30,000 per well has been sanctioned for around 11,000 damaged wells, while relief eligibility has been increased from two hectares to three hectares.

CM reviewed the preparedness of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, India Meteorological Department (IMD), NDRF, SDRF, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Central Railway, Western Railway & Konkan Railway, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other civic bodies ans the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

–IANS

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PM Modi shares inspirational acts of cleanliness and recycling, urges people to join movement

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday underlined the critical importance of environmental cleanliness and recycling, drawing attention to extraordinary efforts from across the country that reflect the spirit of a cleaner, greener India.

Addressing the 122nd episode of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister said, “How can it be possible that there is talk of a clean India and the listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ stay behind? I have full faith that all of you are strengthening this campaign at your level. But today I want to tell you about an example where the resolve for cleanliness conquered even insurmountable challenges.”

He cited a remarkable effort by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), whose team not only scaled the treacherous Mount Makalu — one of the most challenging peaks in the world — but also took up the mission of cleaning the mountain during their expedition.

“Just imagine, a person is climbing snowy mountains, where it is difficult to breathe, there is danger to life at every step, and still that person is engaged in cleaning there,” he said.

“However, they didn’t just climb the mountain… they added another mission of ‘cleanliness’ to their goal. They took up the task of removing the garbage lying near the peak. Just imagine, the members of this team brought down more than 150 kg of non-biodegradable waste with them. Cleaning at such a height is not an easy task. But this shows that where there is determination, the path is created automatically,” the Prime Minister added.

PM Modi then turned attention to the everyday waste generated in homes and offices, especially paper waste.

“A lot of paper waste is generated in our homes and offices every day. Perhaps, we consider it normal, but you will be surprised to know that about a fourth of the country’s landfill waste is related to paper,” he said.

Encouraging citizens to rethink their waste habits, he praised several Indian startups for their innovation in recycling. “Today, there is a need for every person to think in this direction. I am happy to know that many startups in India are doing excellent work in this sector.”

“In many cities like Visakhapatnam and Gurugram, many startups are adopting innovative methods of paper recycling. Some are making packaging boards from recycled paper, others are making newspaper recycling easier through digital methods,” he added.

He also mentioned Jalna, where some startups are producing packaging rolls and paper cores entirely from recycled material.

Highlighting the environmental impact, he said, “You will also be inspired by knowing that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees from being cut and thousands of litres of water are saved.”

Calling on every citizen to play a role, PM Modi said, “Just think, when mountaineers can bring back waste under such difficult conditions, we too should definitely contribute to recycling by separating paper in our homes or offices. When every citizen of the country thinks about what better one could do for the country, only then can we bring about a big change, together.”

–IANS

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CPI(M), Samajwadi Party delegations stopped at Noida border amid worker protests

Noida, April 17 (IANS) A delegation of the CPI(M), led by its General Secretary, M.A. Baby, and a 10-member Samajwadi Party delegation was stopped by the police at the Chilla Border and DND, respectively, on Friday while on the way to meet protesting workers in Noida.

Speaking to reporters, M.A. Baby said, “I requested a meeting with the District Magistrate. Our other leaders had also tried to meet her earlier, but they were not given the opportunity. When I arrived, I too was stopped. We are demanding an enquiry into the alleged police lathi-charge on workers. We attempted to contact the District Magistrate’s office as well, but received no response.”

Meanwhile, a 10-member Samajwadi Party delegation also arrived at the DND (Northwest Transit Center) in solidarity with protesting workers. Due to a heavy police presence at the site — including personnel from the PAC and RRF, as well as senior officers like the DIG, DCP, and ACP — the delegation was stopped.

Key leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, Atul Pradhan, Shahid Manzoor, Pankaj Malik, Kamal Akhtar, and Aashray Gupta, were subsequently detained at the DND site.

Speaking to IANS, Mata Prasad Pandey said, “I had warned that there is deep dissatisfaction among the workers and urged for a resolution, but no action was taken. The top officials have ignored the exploitation of the workforce. We have been informed that many workers are injured and hospitalised. Now, unable to address their own failures, the authorities are claiming ‘Pakistani involvement’ as a distraction.”

Meanwhile, tensions escalated in Noida’s Sector 8, where employees created a ruckus at a company premises, demanding a salary hike. Upon receiving information, a heavy police force was deployed to control the situation. The employees were initially cleared from the roads and escorted inside the company premises, but protests continued within the building.

Authorities have also intensified security arrangements across key locations, including the DND Flyway connecting Delhi and Noida, to prevent any escalation. Police deployment has been strengthened as delegations from both the CPI(M) and the Samajwadi Party were expected to visit the area to meet workers. However, police have put restrictions in place to prevent such delegations from proceeding further.

Amid the unrest, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday had reiterated that there would be no compromise on the rights, dignity, and social security of workers. Chairing a review meeting on the state’s industrial situation via video conferencing, he directed officials to ensure dignified working conditions, timely payment of wages, and provision of all statutory benefits.

Taking serious note of the situation in Gautam Buddha Nagar, the Chief Minister instructed authorities to identify and take strict action against any non-worker elements attempting to incite unrest or disrupt industrial harmony. He emphasised a zero-tolerance policy against those spreading rumours or misinformation.

–IANS

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KTR sends legal notice to Bandi Sanjay over phone-tapping allegations

Hyderabad, Aug 12 (IANS) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) has issued a legal notice to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar over what he termed as “baseless and defamatory” remarks in connection with the alleged phone-tapping controversy.

The notice demands an unconditional public apology from Bandi Sanjay to KTR and his family, along with an assurance that no such direct or indirect defamatory statements will be made in the future. It warns that failure to comply within seven days will result in both civil and criminal legal action, holding Bandi Sanjay fully liable for the damage caused.

The Central minister made the allegations against KTR and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) after appearing before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) as a witness on August 8.

The same day, KTR had demanded a public apology within 48 hours and warned that if Bani Sanjay failed to apologise, he would take legal action against him.

Bandi Sanjay claimed that KCR and KTR during the BRS rule tapped the phones of several political leaders, including their own family members and ministers and MLAs of their own party, businessmen, lawyers and celebrities.

The notice, sent through KTR’s legal counsel, refers to statements made by Bandi Sanjay during a press conference on August 8, which, according to KTR, were “false, irresponsible, and intended to damage his reputation.”

The lawyers stated that such accusations, made without any evidence, were unbecoming of a Union Minister and a Member of Parliament, and amounted to a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of another elected representative.

KTR’s legal team accused Bandi Sanjay of repeatedly making unfounded allegations purely for political mileage and media attention. They further pointed out that KTR, who has served the state in various ministerial roles since the formation of Telangana, has an unblemished record of public service, and such defamatory propaganda was causing serious harm to his reputation.

The counsel stressed that not a single allegation made in the August 8 press meet was backed by proof, and accused the Union Minister of abusing his position to launch personal attacks. They cautioned that any further “wild, false, and malicious” statements would invite stricter legal consequences under the law.

After KTR had threatened to serve legal notice on August 8, Bandi Sanjay had said that the BRS leader would be ashamed to talk about legal notices after doing all the illegal things.

“You’re a coward who hides behind legal notices. You unsuccessfully tried to do it in the past. I won’t fall for your monkey tricks. Bring it on. Ahead of Rakhi, you’re running away to avoid facing your own sister, whose phone was tapped, something she herself agreed. Let alone giving me 48 hours – your clock is ticking and your dark secrets will be exposed, leaving you with nowhere to hide,” the BJP leader had posted on ‘X’.

–IANS

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