Maharashtra govt to formulate policy on agricultural wages: Agriculture Minister

New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera on Tuesday sharply reacted to Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s comments criticising Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his remark on the role of royal families in India’s freedom struggle and reminded the erstwhile royal of the now-abolished privy purse system for former Indian princes and pointed out that “the positive contributions of a few cannot overshadow the misdeeds of numerous royal families.”

Scindia, in a post on Monday, had remarked, “The statement by Rahul Gandhi, a leader who considers the Constitution as his ‘pocket diary’, about the role of India’s royal families before Independence exposes his narrow thinking and understanding. In his hunger for power and position, he has forgotten that these royal families laid the foundation for equality and inclusive development in India years ago.”

Giving a sharp retort, Khera said in a post on X on Tuesday, “History points its finger at you and cries, Your Highness. If the 26th Amendment of the Constitution had not been enacted, even today the Government of India would have been paying crores of rupees as tax-free allowances to the Gwalior royal family – Rs 25 lakh annually in 1950, adjusted for inflation, would have been a staggering sum today. This practice continued until 1971.”

The 26th amendment of the Constitution passed in 1971, abolished the privy purse system for former Indian princes.

Defending the royal families, Scindia had highlighted their contributions to social justice and education.

He said that Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda provided financial assistance to Dr B.R. Ambedkar for his education; Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj pioneered social justice in 1902 by introducing 50 per cent reservation for Bahujans in governance; and Madhav Maharaj I of Gwalior established education and employment centres for empowering Backward Classes in the Gwalior-Chambal region.

Khera countered Scindia’s narrative, accusing him of whitewashing history, saying, “You may have forgotten the treachery of many royal families and their allegiance to the British, but we cannot. History reminds us that a royal family’s pistol was used to assassinate the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The positive contributions of a few cannot overshadow the misdeeds of numerous royal families.”

On Scindia’s criticism of the Congress as fostering a “dictatorial ideology” and neglecting the rights of Dalits and the Backward Classes, Khera remarked, “The pain of Sardar Patel and Pandit Nehru compelling kings and princes to surrender their privileges and transfer power to the common people still lingers in some royal households. This is why they attempt to rewrite history to suit their narrative.”

To buttress his argument, Khera quoted Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s remarks in the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947: “It is extremely heinous for any person, no matter how high his status, to claim that they have come to rule over mankind by God-given privilege. This idea is intolerable, and this Assembly will never accept it. We believed the concept of divine right was buried a long time ago. If someone in modern India speaks of divine right, their words are entirely inconsistent with the country’s present condition.”

Khera also invoked the lines of Hindi poet Subhadra Kumari Chauhan to remind Scindia of history’s verdict.

–IANS

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Jaipur, Jan 21 (IANS) Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, who was rushed to the medical facility after he experienced chest pain, is scheduled to undergo angiography on Tuesday at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur.

Deepak Maheshwari, Principal of SMS Medical College and a senior cardiologist, stated that Devnani, 77, will be discharged if the angiography results are normal.

Maheshwari added, “Angiography will help determine if there is any cardiac issue. Devnani’s health has significantly improved since Monday night, but he remains under observation in the ICU.”

State Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar visited SMS Hospital around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. He went to the ICU to meet Devnani, enquired about his health, and spent 15-20 minutes discussing his condition with the doctors.

Devnani had travelled to Patna to attend the two-day All India Presiding Officers’ Conference, inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

During the conference, Devnani suddenly complained of chest pain and was taken to the Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Tests, including an ECG and 2-D Echo, were conducted.

Although angiography was recommended, Devnani declined, saying that he underwent a similar procedure last year.

Upon learning of Devnani’s condition, the Rajasthan government dispatched a special charter plane to Patna.

It carried Deepak Maheshwari, another doctor, nursing staff, and members of Devnani’s family.

They accompanied the Minister back to Jaipur late on Monday evening. On arrival at Jaipur airport, Devnani was transported directly to SMS Hospital and admitted to the Medical ICU for further treatment.

On Monday, Khinvsar said, “Vasudev Devnani has always been proactive about his health. He walks five kilometres daily and often encourages others to maintain an active lifestyle. He had no prior illness.”

Earlier, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma enquired about Devnani’s health.

–IANS

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Jaipur, Jan 11 (IANS) Emphasising that women and child development forms the bedrock of a nation’s progress, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Saturday said that ensuring their empowerment paves the way for building strong families, a cohesive society, and a prosperous nation.

The Chief Minister also said that the state government is diligently working to uplift women and children with sensitivity and commitment.

“We are ensuring the effective, transparent, and quality implementation of schemes and programmes aimed at their welfare, with the vision of achieving a ‘Developed India, Developed Rajasthan’,” he said.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Chintan Shivir, organised by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in Udaipur, Sharma described the event as an important platform to deliberate on enhancing the future of women and children.

“This Shivir will help chart a new direction for women and child development. Together, we must brainstorm to make their future more empowered,” he added. The Chief Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving unprecedented development in the country since 2014.

“The Prime Minister’s dedication to the overall development of women and children reflects his belief in empowering women, youth, farmers, and labourers as the pillars of national progress,” he said.

Sharma also highlighted the innovative initiatives launched by the Central Government under the Prime Minister’s leadership.

He also outlined key measures undertaken by the state government, including the Chief Minister Amrit Aahar Yojana, which provides children aged 3 to 6 years with hot milk thrice a week along with nutritious food at Anganwadi centers.

He also mentioned the development of 2,000 Anganwadi centers into Adarsh Anganwadis.

The Chief Minister stressed the importance of recognising local community members who contribute to the functioning of Anganwadi centers.

Additionally, the state government is closely monitoring and assessing the implementation of schemes to ensure benefits reach the intended recipients.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive development, Sharma shared that the incentive amount under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,500.

Additionally, Rs 10,000 assistance is being provided for disabled pregnant women.

Initiatives such as the Lado Protsahan Yojana and Kalibai Bhil Udaan Yojana have been launched to empower girls, while financial aid is being provided to over 6 lakh children under the Palanhar Scheme.

He reiterated the government’s focus on health, nutrition, safety, education, skill enhancement, employment, entrepreneurship, and social respect for women and children.

“Through various schemes, we are realising the concept of Antyodaya — uplifting the last person in the line,” he remarked.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi praised Prime Minister Modi’s vision of empowering women and children to create a developed India.

She described the Chintan Shivir as a pivotal platform to address challenges and find solutions for the holistic development of women and children.

Discussing Central initiatives like Mission Saksham Anganwadi, Poshan Abhiyan 2.0, Mission Shakti, and Mission Vatsalya, she highlighted their importance in achieving integrated progress.

Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur added that the Shivir serves as a crucial platform for transforming ideas into actions and actions into tangible results.

“The Prime Minister’s vision is to empower every woman and child, ensuring the nation’s holistic development,” she stated.

Deputy Chief Minister and Women and Child Development Minister Diya Kumari emphasised the state government’s resolve to ensure women’s respect, education, and health, alongside the development of a capable and empowered new generation.

She mentioned the increase in honorarium for Anganwadi workers and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering concrete results through departmental schemes.

The event was attended by ministers from various states, senior officials from the Central government, and representatives of different state governments.

–IANS

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