National

Rajasthan: Task Force Established to Accelerate Yamuna Water Sharing Project

Published

2 years ago

March 13, 2025

The formation of a joint task force aimed at preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the significant project of sharing Yamuna waters between Haryana and Rajasthan is anticipated to proceed swiftly.

“The Haryana Government established the task force on March 5, and the panel is expected to complete the DPR within the next four months,” stated Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma during a speech at the state assembly on Wednesday evening.

This initiative aligns with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Rajasthan and Haryana in New Delhi on February 17 of the previous year, which aims to provide surplus floodwaters from the Yamuna to the drought-prone districts of the Shekhawati region in Rajasthan.

The agreement was reached following extensive discussions among representatives from both states, the Jal Shakti Ministry, the Upper Yamuna River Board, and the Central Water Commission, with the oversight of CM Sharma, the then Chief Minister Manohar Lal, and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Originally, the establishment of the joint task force and the drafting of the DPR were scheduled to be completed within four months, by June of last year. However, this timeline has been delayed by nearly a year due to the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 and the subsequent Haryana Assembly elections.

The agreement highlights the importance of creating storage facilities to optimize the use of Yamuna water by the co-basin states in accordance with their respective allocations as outlined in the MoU of May 12, 1994, as stated by an official spokesman.

During its seventh meeting on February 15, 2018, the Upper Yamuna Review Committee advised Rajasthan to develop the DPR for transferring its share of Yamuna water from the Tajewala head in Haryana to Rajasthan, utilizing underground pipelines to convey the water to Jhunjhunu and Churu districts.

The MoU underlined the critical need for supplying Yamuna water to the Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and other districts in Rajasthan for drinking water and other essential purposes.

After extensive discussions, a consensus was achieved on February 17 of last year to collaboratively prepare the DPR for the water transfer project via underground pipelines, involving both state governments and the Centre.

The signed MoU ensures that both stakeholders will access water through these underground pipelines from July to October, up to 577 million cubic meters (MCM) for drinking and other needs in Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and other districts in Rajasthan, following the full utilization (24,000 cusecs) of the Western Yamuna Canal by Haryana, including the Delhi share at Hathnikund under Phase 1 of the project.

Additionally, three storage facilities will be constructed for Rajasthan. Once the three identified storage sites in the Upper Yamuna Basin—Renukaji, Lakhwar, and Kishau—are built, Rajasthan’s allocated water share at Hathnikund will be supplied through the same system throughout the rest of the year for drinking and irrigation, as far as feasible.

National

Marriage Turns into Alleged Fraud as Woman Flees with Jewellery

Published

7 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Chandigarh: A woman who allegedly posed as a PCS officer and married an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader in Punjab reportedly fled with gold and silver jewellery and other valuables just a few months after the wedding.

AAP Joint Secretary Amarinder Singh Mandofal has alleged that he was cheated by the woman, identified as Manwinder Kaur. The two got married in February 2026 after Kaur’s family introduced her to Amarinder as a PCS officer.

According to Amarinder’s complaint, the woman was also presented as unmarried. However, he later allegedly discovered that she had been married earlier and had a son aged around 18. He also claimed that she had provided false information about her age.

The woman allegedly left the house with gold and silver jewellery and other valuable items a few months after the marriage. Amarinder said he became suspicious and later gathered information about her past.

Based on his complaint, police have registered a case against six people, including Kaur, on charges of cheating and forgery.

The FIR names her brother Tarlochan Singh, mother Varinderjit Kaur, cousin Narinder Singh Goldy, sister-in-law Rupinder Kaur, and former village sarpanch Surinder Singh Rana as co-accused.

Police said all the accused are residents of Sur Singh village under the Bhikhiwind police station limits in Tarn Taran district.

The wedding had been attended by several prominent AAP leaders and public representatives, including Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh.

Videos and pictures from the wedding celebrations have also gone viral on social media.

Police have begun an investigation into the allegations and the background of the accused.

National

Man Dies by Suicide after Jumping from 43rd Floor

Published

3 days ago

October 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Noida: A man died by suicide after jumping from the 43rd floor of the Supernova Tower in Noida on Saturday.

The incident took place at the Supernova complex in Sector 94. A video shows the man standing near the railing before jumping. Another person tried to stop him but could not prevent the incident.

Police identified the deceased as Sambhav Jain, a resident of Manesar, Haryana. He had reportedly checked into an Airbnb in the building on Friday and was scheduled to leave on Saturday.

Police said Jain had called his father several times before the incident. His family has been informed.

The police and forensic teams inspected the spot and collected evidence. CCTV footage is also being checked as part of the investigation.

Police said Jain was reportedly under severe financial stress. His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

The investigation is underway.

National

Captain Smit Machchhar Shares Ordeal with PM Modi

Published

4 days ago

October 3, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call and praised his courage after he helped prevent a major air disaster.

Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The Boeing 737 MAX reportedly lost nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.

Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot. A second pair of pilots then took control and safely landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. More than 170 passengers and crew were on board.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Captain Machchhar told PM Modi that he was badly injured and had collapsed in the cockpit. He realised that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude and that he had to act.

“I could not let all those people die,” he told the Prime Minister.

Captain Machchhar said his 17 years of flying experience helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft. He managed to open the cockpit door, after which passengers and crew came to his help.

He also said he was chanting the Hanuman Chalisa while fighting the pain and fear.

PM Modi praised the captain’s courage, patience and presence of mind. He said Captain Machchhar’s actions helped save many lives and called his effort a “monumental task.”

Captain Machchhar, who is from Gujarat, has more than 9,750 flying hours and has served as a captain for 11 years.