Portfolio allocation to ministers on Saturday night or Sunday: Maha CM Fadnavis

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Nagpur, Dec 21 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that the portfolio allocation to ministers will be released on Saturday night or Sunday.

He made this announcement at the press conference after the conclusion of a weeklong winter session of the state legislature.

Fadnavis had expanded his cabinet with the induction of 39 ministers from BJP (19), Shiv Sena (11) and NCP (9) on December 15, a day before the commencement of the winter session from December 16. He had said that the portfolio allocation will be done in two days.

However, the six-day winter session concluded without portfolio allocation. The ministers participated in the proceedings as a collective responsibility while moving the resolutions or presenting the supplementary demands or various legislative Bills as well as reports of state undertakings.

The MahaYuti sources said that the delay was due to the time taken by the alliance partners to arrive at a consensus on the allocation of ministries among themselves.

BJP has already rejected Shiv Sena’s demand to leave the home department for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In addition, the BJP has also rejected Shiv Sena’s proposal to give revenue and housing departments to it. BJP will retain revenue while it is expected to give housing to NCP. After Ajit Pawar joined the MahaYuti in July 2023, the BJP had promised to give housing to it but it did not happen that time.

According to sources, the BJP is expected to retain home, revenue, energy, irrigation, rural development, labour, general administration, forest, cultural affairs, tourism, higher and technical education, tribal development and public work.

Shiv Sena is likely to get urban development, school education, public health, environment, transport, water supply, and public work only with regard to the functioning of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and industry.

NCP is expected to retain planning and finance, agriculture, cooperation, medical education, sports and ports, relief and rehabilitation.

–IANS

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‘Udaan Yatri cafe’ at airports soon, Raghav Chadha raised issue of inflated food and water prices in Parliament

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) In a major relief for fliers and air passengers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced the launch of “Udaan Yatri Cafe”, an eatery outlet at the airport for providing basic essentials like food and water at affordable and reasonable rates. The one-of-its kind initiative is being launched at Kolkata airport on a pilot basis and if it turns successful, it will be replicated at other airports across the country, managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Interestingly, the move close on the heels of AAP MP Raghav Chadha flagging the issue of overpriced food and beverages at the airports, in the Parliament and seeking ‘corrective steps’ for making air travel affordable.

With the launch of first “Udaan Yatri Cafe” at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, air passengers will have access to essential items like water bottles, tea, coffee, and snacks at reasonable prices.

The Rajya Sabha MP has welcomed the move and also expressed hope that such facility would be extended to other airports of the country.

“Finally, the government has heard the voice of the common man. While the initiative begins with Kolkata Airport, I hope it is extended to all airports nationwide. This will ensure that air travelers don’t have to pay Rs 100-250 for basic items like water, tea, or coffee,” Chadha said.

He emphasized that affordable amenities at airports are crucial for the convenience of the general public.

It was during the Winter session of Parliament, Raghav Chadha raised the issue in Parliament and brought to the attention of members, the issue of exorbitant prices of water, tea, and snacks at airports and its adverse impact on common man.

In his speech, the RS MP highlighted the plight of passengers and explained how they were forced to pay inflated prices for food and beverages at airports.

“A water bottle costs Rs 100, and tea is priced at Rs 200-250. Can’t the government establish affordable canteens at airports?” he had questioned. He had also criticized the poor management of airports, which he likened to bus stands due to long queues, overcrowding, and disorganization.

His concerns on exorbitant prices at airports also found strong resonance and support on the social media, with many hailing it as a ‘voice for the common man’.

He also raised concerns over sharp rise in airfares in recent times and said it was in stark contrast with government’s own pledge of making ‘air travel affordable for slipper wearing citizens’.

“The government promised that people in slippers would fly, but now even those wearing Bata shoes can’t afford air travel,” he told the House.

“A ticket to Maldives costs Rs 17,000, but a ticket to Lakshadweep, which the government is promoting as a tourist destination, costs Rs 25,000,” he pointed out.

–IANS

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Manippady’s U-turn on Waqf issue due to political pressure: Dy CM Shivakumar

Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 16 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, on Monday said that the former Chairman of the State Minorities Commission, Anwar Manippady, was doing a U-turn due to political pressure.

Speaking to reporters at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, he said, “I watched Anwar Manippady’s statements on social media. He had said that he had written to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The Chief Minister has also quoted his statements in a post on X. The records won’t go anywhere, let him release the documents before we do.”

He was replying to queries on Anwar Manippady retracting his statement.

Asked about the CM’s statement that the investigation must be handed over to the CBI, he said, “All facts are before us. Let the CBI write to the state government seeking permission to investigate, we will think about it then. We will not hand this over to the CBI. The BJP knows this and hence are seeking a CBI enquiry.”

Asked why so much confusion was being created about this issue, he said the media was the one doing it.

“You are the one who is creating the confusion. You have reported what Anwar said and the CM has also quoted his statement in a post. Anwar has been made to issue a new statement to cover it up. The media should investigate it,” he said.

Asked about Anwar’s statement that Congress leaders had made an offer to him, he said, “He should have said this earlier itself. What is the use of saying it now? What one says in power is more important.”

On Sunday, Anwar Manipaddy refuted the bribery charge made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah against BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra stating that Congress leaders had offered him bribes to suppress the Waqf encroachment report.

Anwar Manipaddy further said that if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had genuine concern for Muslims, he should hand over his report on Waqf encroachments to the CBI.

On Saturday, CM Siddaramaiah alleged that B.Y. Vijayendra had “tried to bribe” the former Minority Commission Chairman with Rs 150 crore during the previous government to suppress a probe into Waqf property encroachments.

Vijayendra challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday on the floor of the House to hand over the Waqf probe to the CBI.

“Including the allegation against me of offering Rs 150 crore to the former Minority Commission Chairman to hush up the issue, the encroachments of Waqf properties by Congress leaders should be handed over to the CBI,” he demanded.

–IANS

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