Shivraj Chouhan announces Rs 4,080 crore boost for rural roads, housing in MP

Dehradun, Sep 29 (IANS) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday reached out to the students and youth protesting at the city’s Parade Ground and assured them of a detailed investigation into the alleged paper leak, including a CBI enquiry, in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC)’s examinations, held recently.

The UKSSSC test for filling graduate-level posts in various departments was held on September 21. However, the alleged paper leak led to huge protests from the youth, who demanded cancellation of examinations and also a CBI enquiry into alleged lapses.

While interacting with the agitating youth, the Uttarakhand CM gave a patient hearing to their concerns and reiterated his government’s ‘zero tolerance’ towards any irregularities in any competitive/recruitment examinations.

CM Dhami told them that the state government had only one resolution in mind and that was to keep the examination procedure completely transparent.

“Over the past four years, the government has worked steadfastly sticking to this very resolution,” he said.

Further, making an emotional appeal, CM Dhami said that he understands that students struggle for government jobs and he also witnessed similar situations during his college life.

CM Dhami further told the agitating youth, “The case that recently came to light is already under investigation by an SIT under the supervision of a retired High Court judge. The committee has begun its work, but since the youth are still demanding a CBI enquiry, the government will recommend a CBI investigation in this matter.”

“There will be no obstacle in this,” he assured.

The Chief Minister further told the youth that he chose to visit the protest site to express solidarity with the students and understand their difficulties first-hand.

He said that the government has conducted more than 25,000 recruitments in a transparent manner and only in this one case, an issue broke out.

“Our government is fully committed to removing every doubt and suspicion from the minds of the youth,” he asserted.

He also announced that if any cases have been filed against the youth during the agitation, those cases would be withdrawn.

He further said that in the ‘Amrit Kaal’, Uttarakhand must become the best state in the country and in achieving this, the role of the youth will be most crucial.

–IANS

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Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday shortly after the House convened for its first session of the year, triggering fresh political controversy and reviving a protocol dispute that had surfaced during last year’s opening session as well.

The Assembly met at 9.30 a.m. in keeping with the long-established convention that the Governor addresses the House at the start of the year’s first session. With Assembly elections barely three months away, the proceedings assumed added political significance. However, the session took an abrupt turn when the Governor exited the House after a Tamil invocation was rendered at the commencement of proceedings, instead of the National Anthem.

This is the second consecutive year that Governor Ravi has walked out of the Assembly over the same issue.

In 2025, he had similarly left the House, contending that the National Anthem should be sung at the beginning of the session.

On Tuesday, after offering a brief Tamil greeting, the Governor departed without delivering the customary address.

Speaker M. Appavu later informed the House that the issue had already been settled. He recalled that the Governor had written to him last year regarding the National Anthem and that a formal reply had been sent.

Former Speaker Durai Murugan had also explained the Assembly’s traditions in detail, Appavu said, adding that the matter was considered resolved and that the House would continue to function in accordance with established legislative practices.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin subsequently moved a resolution to record the Governor’s address as having been delivered, despite his walkout.

The resolution was adopted unanimously, enabling the Assembly to proceed with its scheduled business.

During the session, Speaker Appavu highlighted the state government’s welfare initiatives and economic performance.

He said Tamil Nadu had witnessed unprecedented economic growth under the present administration and pointed to the Pongal festival assistance scheme as a key example. Under the programme, Rs 3,000 cash prize gift packages were distributed to 2.23 crore families across the state.

The Governor had arrived at the Assembly shortly before proceedings began and was formally welcomed by the Speaker. The Chief Minister was also present in the House ahead of the session. Despite expectations that the Governor would address the Assembly, the walkout once again underscored the continuing friction between Raj Bhavan and the government, setting the tone for a politically charged session in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday participated in a ‘Unity March’, dedicated to the message of national unity and integrity, organised on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of the “Iron Man of India”, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the ‘Unity March’ symbolises the extraordinary spirit through which, under the far-sighted leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the scattered regions of India were united into a single, integrated nation.

“This legacy will continue to inspire generations,” she said.

The programme commenced with an oath-taking ceremony, during which all dignitaries and citizens, led by the Chief Minister, took two important pledges, the first, the ‘Pledge for Swadeshi’, committing to promote the use of products made in India, and the second, a collective pledge for a ‘Drug-Free India’, aimed at building a healthy and empowered nation.

She paid homage to Sardar Patel’s visionary role in nation-building. On this occasion, under the Chief Minister’s leadership, citizens took two significant pledges, said an official statement.

The Chief Minister urged the gathering to collectively resolve that, following his path, they would take India to new heights with a sense of unity, integrity, and harmony.

She emphasised that the spirit of national unity must remain paramount in every citizen’s heart.

The Chief Minister said that patriotism is not proven only by sacrificing one’s life, but by living each day in service of the nation. She appealed to the youth and citizens to contribute actively to the nation-building process.

The highlight of the event was the ‘March for Unity’, in which hundreds of people, led by the Chief Minister, participated from the Pitampura Sports Complex. This march was a vibrant and inspiring reflection of Sardar Patel’s visionary concept of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.

Held at the Pitampura Sports Complex, the grand march concluded amidst an atmosphere of immense enthusiasm and patriotism.

The event, filled with national pride, was attended by several dignitaries, including MP Praveen Khandelwal and MLA Tilak Ram Gupta. All present paid tributes to Sardar Patel and reaffirmed their resolve to follow his ideals.

Children presented captivating cultural performances of music and dance, beautifully highlighting themes of patriotism and national unity.

–IANS

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