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Uttarakhand Government Rejects Extension of Assembly Session; Opposition Raises Concerns

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On Tuesday, the Uttarakhand government announced that it does not have sufficient business to justify extending the current seven-day budget session of the state assembly. Finance Minister Premchand Agrawal addressed the opposition’s request for an extension.

In response to the Leader of the Opposition, Yashpal Arya, who argued for extending the budget session to discuss pressing public issues, Agrawal stated, “We have too little business for the House this session. Our objective is to complete all necessary discussions within the designated time frame of the budget session.”

The finance minister noted that only three bills are scheduled to be considered during this assembly session, in addition to various inquiries from legislators.

Arya, however, expressed concern over numerous unresolved issues that warrant attention, asserting, “We demand an extension of the assembly budget session to address public matters relevant to Uttarakhand. It seems the government has been continuously shortening session durations over the past nine years, indicating a reluctance to engage with significant public concerns.”

He highlighted major issues facing the state, including domicile regulations, land laws, corruption, and unpaid dues to sugarcane farmers. He also pointed out that rehabilitation efforts in disaster-affected areas are still pending and emphasized the need for a dedicated discussion on these topics.

Responding to Agrawal’s assertion regarding the lack of business in the House, Arya claimed that the government is deliberately neglecting the issues raised by the opposition. “Do the concerns highlighted by the opposition not qualify for discussion in the assembly? It appears they wish to avoid addressing public problems,” he remarked, urging the government to rethink its position.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand assembly budget session commenced on Tuesday with the governor delivering a speech in the morning. As the speech progressed, opposition leaders called on the speaker to extend the session, citing numerous issues that required discussion. The speaker’s refusal to heed their request led to disruptions in the assembly, with chants of “Governor go back” filling the chamber.

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MoD Issues Warning About Fake WhatsApp Messages Requesting Donations for Indian Army Modernization

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The Ministry of Defence has issued a warning regarding a deceptive WhatsApp message that solicits donations for the modernization of the Indian Army. This message, which falsely implicates Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, includes a bank account for donations.

The fraudulent message claims that during a cabinet meeting, the Modi government decided to open a bank account for contributions towards the modernization of the Indian Army and for soldiers injured or martyred in conflict zones. It states, “Another great decision by the Modi government on superstar Akshay Kumar’s suggestion—just Rs 1 per day to support the Indian Army. Yesterday, the Modi government opened a bank account during a cabinet meeting for the Army and soldiers in war zones. Every Indian can donate any amount starting from Rs 1 to an unlimited sum. These funds will also be used to purchase weapons for the Army and paramilitary forces.”

Additionally, the message suggests that if 70% of India’s 1.3 billion population donates even one rupee daily, it would accumulate significant funds—transforming into 100 crores in a day, 3,000 crores in a month, and 36,000 crores in a year. It emphasizes that Pakistan’s annual defense budget doesn’t even reach Rs 36,000 crore and encourages citizens to contribute for the country’s ambition to become a superpower.

In response, the Ministry of Defence has clarified that the account details provided in the message are incorrect, resulting in failed online donations. “Individuals should be vigilant and avoid falling victim to such scams. The government has launched numerous welfare schemes for soldiers who are killed or disabled in active duty,” the statement asserted.

The Ministry highlighted the establishment of the ‘Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund (AFBCWF)’ in 2020, which provides immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers who lose their lives or suffer severe injuries during military operations. The Indian Army, under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, manages the fund’s accounts. Contributions can be made directly to the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund, with correct bank account details provided in the official announcement.

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Customs Officials Detain Passenger with 2 kg of Gold Bars at Delhi Airport

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Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi have apprehended an Indian passenger attempting to smuggle two kilograms of gold bars valued at around Rs 1.91 crore, according to a statement from the Customs Department on Sunday.

The individual, a 40-year-old man from Jaipur, Rajasthan, was flagged by customs officers based on profiling measures. Following his arrival from Dubai on Friday, the necessary legal actions are being taken in accordance with Customs regulations.

The authorities intercepted him at the green channel exit.

Upon conducting an X-ray examination of his luggage, customs officials noticed suspicious images. Although the Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) did not signal any alerts for the passenger, a thorough inspection of his baggage led to the discovery of the gold bars.

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Telangana Appoints K. Ramakrishna Rao as New Chief Secretary

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K Ramakrishna Rao, currently the Special Chief Secretary (Finance), has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Telangana, set to take over after A Santhi Kumari retires on April 30. Rao, an IAS officer of the 1991 batch, brings extensive experience in state budget preparation.

In a recent reshuffle, several IAS officers were transferred, including Smitha Sabharwal, who served as the Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture. She has been assigned to the Finance Commission just as the Miss World beauty pageant approaches, marking its first occurrence in the state.

Sabharwal reportedly faced backlash from the Chief Minister due to a Ghibli-style AI-generated image of bulldozers connected to the Kancha Gachibowli issue she shared on her ‘X’ account, leading to police summons. Jayesh Ranjan, formerly the industry secretary, has now taken over her position in the tourism department.

Jayesh Ranjan also steps into the Chief Minister’s office as CEO of the Industry and Investment Cell. Additionally, R V Karnan has been appointed as the GHMC Commissioner, previously known for conducting rigorous inspections and imposing fines on food establishments for hygiene violations.

M Dana Kishore, who was overseeing the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, has been transferred to the Labour Department.

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