Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Congress supports farmers’ agitation, urges PM to speak directly to farmers

By
Kavita
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NEW DELHI: Supporting the farmers’ agitation for the fulfillment of their demands, the Congress today condemned the BJP governments at the centre and in various states for resorting to authoritarian and dictatorial ways to curb it and prevent their march towards Delhi.

The party urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he should directly talk to the farmers to provide them justice.

Party general secretary and MP Randeep Singh Surjewala asked as to why were the farmers not being allowed to lodge their protest when they had a record of always maintaining peace.

Referring to the heavy barricading of Delhi, Surjewala asked, whether the central government considered it as an attack from some enemy country that the roads were being blocked with boulders, heavy vehicles and at several places with deep and wide ditches.

The Congress leader observed that the farmers were only demanding the implementation of the promises that had been made to them two years ago, like the guarantee on the Minimum Support Price and waiving off debts of farmers and farm labourers.

He warned that this was just the beginning of the stir and only the farmers from Haryana and Punjab were participating right now. He said farmers from across the country will soon be joining them and it will be difficult for the government to control the situation.

Demanding that the Prime Minister Modi should directly talk to the farmers himself to get them justice, Surjewala asked whether the farmers did not have the right and freedom to come to the national capital in support of their demands. He asked, where should the farmers go if not to the Prime Minister and the government of the time for seeking justice.

He pointed out, it was the BJP government only which had promised to make a law for providing MSP guarantee and waiving their debt and that of farm labourers. He asked, why should the farmers not demand implementation of those promises.

Condemning the heavy barricading of the national capital and various roads leading towards it, and questioning the logic, Surjewala pointed out, the farmers have always maintained peace at all costs. “What is the government afraid of?” he asked.

Will look into winding up of the United Nations’ office in Kashmir: J&K LG

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday expressed the government’s intention to examine the possibility of “winding up the office of the United Nations in Kashmir.” 

Responding to a specific query at a press conference in Jammu about the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) office located in Sonwar, Srinagar, LG Sinha stated that the government would consider the matter.

The LG’s response came in response to question about the closure of UNMOGIP in Kashmir in conjunction with the realization of LG Sinha’s earlier promises, such as the reopening of cinema halls in Kashmir, dismissal of government employees involved in terror-related activities, and the hoisting of the tricolour at Lal Chowk.

When asked whether, following the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, it was now opportune to close the UNMOGIP office in Kashmir, considering its continued portrayal as a symbol of dispute, Sinha said the government will address this issue.

The LG acknowledged the importance of respecting the sentiments expressed and remarked, “It is necessary to respect the sentiments expressed by you. The way you have analyzed it… we will look into it,” indicating a willingness to consider the closure of the UNMOGIP office in Kashmir.

Blow to INDIA bloc as AAP decides to go solo in Delhi too

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

Chandigarh-A day after announcing that the AAP will contest all 13 seats in Punjab, party convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that it will also fight and win all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital in the upcoming elections.

Kejriwal’s announcement on Saturday to fight solo in Punjab came at a time when Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was in the state for a meeting to discuss the upcoming poll strategy and concerns about indiscipline within the party.

“The BJP is scared that if AAP works so hard, it’ll be inevitable for us to win…We will win all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi…I am sure the people of Punjab will give us a historic mandate by giving us all 13 seats in Punjab, ” he said, adding “the BJP is scared of only one party, the AAP”.

Kejriwal was addressing a public rally in Tarn Taran along with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal and Mann will visit Ram Mandir on Monday. During their visit, families of both the Chief Ministers will also accompany them.

Farmers Protest: Security intensified on Delhi borders

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

New Delhi : For the second consecutive day, the police along with paramilitary forces continued to intensify its security measures on Delhi borders, including Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur with cement blocks and pickets with nails installed, a day ahead of ‘Delhi Chalo March’ call given by farmers for Tuesday.

The two districts of Delhi Police, Shahdara and Northeast, have also imposed section 144 (prohibitory orders) CrPC ahead of the protest.

“Whereas, information has been received that some farmer organisations have given a call to their supporters to gather/march to Delhi on 13.02.2024 in c/w their demands of law on MSP etc. They are likely to sit at the border of Delhi till their demands are met, ” read the orders.

“Keeping in view, the kind of behaviour and adamant approach farmers showed in the past, there is a possibility of mobilization/activities of farmers/supporters from their respective districts to Delhi alongwith Tractor/Trolleys/Arms etc. Farmers will also come from Haryana, Punjab, UP, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, MP etc.

“And Whereas, in order to avoid any untoward incident and to maintain Law & Order, a precautionary Order of Section 144 Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, is required to be issued to save the life and property in the area, ” the order added.

Meanwhile, large containers to block the road if needed have been kept on borders beside multiple security barricades, which have already been installed there to stop the farmers from entering the city.

As per officials, over 5, 000 cops, including paramilitary forces, were on their toes to maintain law and order situation on the Delhi borders.

“We have started checking vehicles on the border areas and we are also keeping eye on the other mode of transport which protesters can take, ” said a senior police official.

Delhi records 7.3 degrees, AQI ‘very poor’ at several stations

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : The national capital on Monday recorded a minimum temperature at 7.3 degrees Celsius, three notches below the seasonal average, the India Meteorological (IMD) Department said.

Until last week, the temperature was hovering around 6 degrees, and the minimum temperature was recorded at around 7 or 8.

IMD’s Monday forecast showed that the maximum temperature was likely to hover around 24 degrees, with the minimum at around 7 degrees again.

The weather department said that there will be “partly cloudy sky” throughout the day.

Air quality at 9 a.m. at several stations across the city fell under the ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ category, unlike last week, when AQI stood at ‘satisfactory’ and ‘moderate’ category.

In the Anand Vihar area, at 9 a.m., PM2.5 levels were recorded to be in the ‘very poor’ category standing at 362 and PM10 reached 402, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Air Quality Index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’; 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’; 101 and 200 ‘moderate’; 201 and 300 ‘poor’; 301 and 400 ‘very poor’; and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (T3) recorded PM2.5 levels at 307, which is counted as ‘very poor’ and PM10 at 233, falling under ‘moderate’ category.

Dwarka Sector 8 witnessed PM2.5 levels at 342, and PM10 was at 339.

BJP will win 370 seats in LS polls: PM Modi

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the BJP — without its alliance partners — will win 370 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

“The NDA will return to power for the third consecutive term with 400 seats, ” Modi said while addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua.

He said that even the opposition leader say that BJP will win 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

“I have not come to Jhabua to campaign. The kind of support BJP has received in Madhya Pradesh shows that the people have trust in BJP’s double-engine government, ” he said.

He also took jibe at Congress saying the grand-old party and its allies have already accepted their defeat and they have started using their last tactic — ‘loot and divide’.

“Knowing the results, the Congress and its allies are now using their last weapon to divide the people in the name of religion, caste and creed. But, the people of this country will not let them succeed, ” Modi said.

He said that after losing the state assembly election recently, the Congress has witnessed a major crisis and many of them are willing to run away from the party.

He said that people of Madhya Pradesh have given a befitting reply to the Congress during the assembly election however their (Congress) sins will be cleansed after the Lok Sabha elections.

“Congress has always considered the tribals as their vote bank. We do not consider them a vote bank. They are the pride of our country. Our main motto is to uplift the community by providing them their rights. They have been deprived of their rights for several decades, ” Modi said.

He said that by making changes in the Forest Property Law, the BJP government has returned the rights related to forest land to the tribal society.

During his first visit to Madhya Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha election – Modi who is seeking a third term — also announced several projects and also laid the foundation stones of some of the projects.

“Congress comes to you (tribals) to seek your support during the elections only. The BJP has set an example by appointing a tribal, Droupadi Murmu, as the President. Congress — which claims to be sympathisers of the tribals — had put in all efforts not to let it happen, ” Modi said in Jhabua — a tribal dominated area of the state.

Delhi government to waive off faulty water bills during pandemics

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

New Delhi :  The AAP government will soon bring a one-time settlement scheme for redressing faulty water bills, which will help in unlocking Rs 1,400 crore revenue for the DJB, Delhi Finance Minister Atishi announced on Friday.

Addressing a press conference, Atishi said the problem of faulty water bills is huge with people raising the issue even at public events in front of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “There are many reasons for the issue. It could be that the meter reader did not go for meter reading or he could not get the correct reading. It could be that one building has 12 flats and he could not gauge which meter is for which flat,” she said.

She also highlighted that meter readings were not taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Now, around 40 per cent consumers have not been paying their bills. This is also impacting revenue of the DJB. The one-time settlement scheme is expected to earn a revenue of around Rs 1,400 crore to DJB. For availing the scheme, each consumer would require a functional meter. The scheme has been passed by the Delhi Jal Board in its board meeting,” she said.

Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has directed that this scheme should be presented before the Cabinet for approval soon. “It is expected to bring the scheme before the Cabinet within 10 days. After Cabinet approval, consumers will get recasted bills from the next billing cycle and they will get four months to pay their dues,” she said.

Delhi records 6.8 degrees Celsius, AQI ‘satisfactory’ at several stations

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

New Delhi : The national capital on Friday recorded a minimum temperature at 6.8 degrees Celsius, three notches below the seasonal average, the India Meteorological (IMD) Department said.

Until last week, the temperature was hovering around 12 degrees, and on Thursday, minimum temperature was recorded at 8.2.

IMD’s Wednesday forecast showed that the maximum temperature was likely to hover around 22 degrees, with the minimum at around 7 degrees again.

IMD said that there will be “mainly clear sky” throughout the day.

Although the sun shines brightly during the day, Delhiites seem to have no relief from chilly breeze, and many were observed gathering around bonfires to stay warm at night.

Air quality at 9 am at several stations across the city fell under the ‘satisfactory’ and ‘moderate’ category, surprisingly, after days of being in the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ category.

In the Anand Vihar area, at 9 a.m., PM2.5 levels were recorded to be in the ‘poor’ category standing at 218 and PM10 reached 289, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Air Quality Index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’; 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’; 101 and 200 ‘moderate’; 201 and 300 ‘poor’; 301 and 400 ‘very poor’; and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (T3) recorded PM2.5 levels at 84, which is counted as ‘satisfactory’ and PM10 at 117, falling under ‘moderate’ category.

Dwarka Sector 8 witnessed PM2.5 levels at 193, and PM10 was at 312.

Haldwani Violence:6 Dead and nearly 100 Injured, Uttarakhand Put on High Alert

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

Haldwani  : The death toll in the violence that broke out in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani on Thursday over the demolition of an “illegal” madrasa, was revised to six, SP (City), Haldwani said on Friday. Additionally, over 100 policemen were injured in the incident, stated AP Anshuman, State ADG Law & Order.

Six rioters were killed during the previous day’s violence in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, SP (City), Haldwani was quoted by PTI as saying.

Additionally, the Haldwani District Magistrate Friday said there was an attempt by the mob to “burn the police personnel, who were trapped inside the police station, alive”, according to an Indian Express report.

Authorities were prompted to impose a curfew and deploy paramilitary forces to bring the tense situation under control.

The state government gave a shoot-on-sight order for rioters while also authorising security personnel to use lethal force against any disrupting elements.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday reached Haldwani and interacted with the police personnel and people who were injured in the violence.

Dhami assured that action would be taken against all those involved in the violence. “The organised attack that took place targeting police, especially women police personnel has disturbed the peace of ‘Devbhoomi’. Journalists were also targeted. Action will be taken against whoever was involved as per law. The arms that were used in the violence will be investigated,” he said.

Congress releases ‘Black Paper’ upon ‘White Paper’ of Modi government

By
Tehelka WebDesk
-

New Delhi : Congress party released a “black paper” against the Centre over its failures in the last 10 years just after a white paper was released on the mismanagement of the economy in the UPA regime.  

Titled ’10 Saal Anyay Kaal 2014-2024 (10 years of injustice)’, the black paper says the country’s economy has been “devastated”, unemployment “aggravated” and agriculture sector “destroyed” during the Modi regime, and that it has “abetted” crimes against women and “committed grave injustices” against minorities, demonetisation and flawed GST, which have only increased the divide between the rich & the poor and devastated the future of millions of farmers and daily wage workers.

“Today we are bringing out a ‘black paper’ against the government. Whenever PM Modi presents his views in Parliament, he hides his failure. At the same time, when we speak about his failures of the government, it is not given importance.  So, we want to bring out a Black Paper and tell the public about the failure of the government”

The move to release the black paper comes amid speculation that the Modi government will bring a white paper in parliament to show the economic crisis of the UPA government between 2004 and 2014.

Speaking in Rajya Sabha in his farewell speech for the retiring members of the house PM Narendra Modi said, “When the country is touching new heights in the last 10 years, we take it as ‘kala teeka’ to help ward off the evil eye.” He said Kharge being an elder has put this ‘kaala teeka’ for the good work being done by our government in the country’s progress.

“Kharge ji is here. If a child does something good, if a child gets ready for a special occasion and puts on nice clothes, someone in the family puts a ‘kaala tika’ to ward off the evil eye. Over the past 10 years, the country is climbing new summits of prosperity. To ensure we are safe from the evil eye, an attempt has been made to put a ‘kaala tika’. I want to thank Kharge ji for that,” the Prime Minister said in a sarcastic response to the Congress move.

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