Chandigarh, July 30 (IANS) Punjab Governor-designate Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday arrived at the Raj Bhavan here in a ceremonial procession.

On his arrival along with his wife Anita, Governor-designate Kataria was given the Guard of Honour by the contingent of Punjab Police.

Earlier, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora welcomed Governor-designate Kataria at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport.

The Governor will take the oath of office on Wednesday.

–IANS

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Chandigarh, July 30 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday urged teachers to contribute significantly to the country’s development, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.

“Just as you have brought glory to your parents with hard work, in the same way, you must work to hone the future generations to enhance the honour and respect of the country,” he said while addressing teachers at the state-level orientation programme for newly-appointed Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) held in Panchkula near here.

The Chief Minister also distributed appointment letters among newly recruited TGT teachers.

The Chief Minister said within the next two days, the waiting list of TGTs, along with the detailed results, will be released with transparency.

He congratulated the newly appointed TGTs and highlighted that in this result the daughters have achieved remarkable positions through their outstanding performance.

The Chief Minister said these teachers will play a crucial role in shaping future generations to build a developed India. He commended their success, which is a result of their hard work, and said many teachers do the noble work of teaching children in slum areas even after their official duties.

“A teacher must embody the spirit of promoting education. By spreading knowledge, you not only contribute to the growth of others but also elevate your own name and progress,” he said.

He also outlined the government’s commitment to simplifying the lives of its people and accelerating development, building on the foundation laid by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

The government’s efforts have led to significant advancements, including the establishment of universities, medical colleges, and other educational institutions across the state. Notably, the vision to ensure that girls do not have to travel more than 20 km for higher education has been realised, improving access to college facilities for female students.

Taking a dig at previous administrations, the Chief Minister pointed out that before 2014 recruitment lists were often published in newspapers before the results were announced.

“In contrast, today’s news highlights stories of individuals like the son of a rickshaw puller achieving the rank of HCS in Haryana.” This shift, he emphasized, has been brought about by the current government over the past decade.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 30 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday described the Wayanad landslide disaster as one of the worst-ever witnessed in the state as the death toll touched 93 and is expected to go higher with many injured, buried or missing.

The worst affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu and the locals from these areas who managed to escape are shattered as hundreds of homes have been totally destroyed.

“The figure of the dead is not the final one as rescue operations are continuing. Till now 34 bodies have been identified and 18 have been handed over to relatives.

“The rescue operations will stop after dark. As many as 128 people have been injured and a few areas have been completely washed away as there were heavy rains in the affected areas for the last few days,” said CM Vijayan.

“It’s a tragedy which one cannot ever think of. Just imagine these people, including children, went to sleep last night and tragedy struck and many were swept away by nature’s fury.

“In Malappuram District 16 bodies were found floating in the Chaliyar River. Dismembered body parts have also been taken out of the river.

“A team led by a Lieutenant Colonel has rescued people trapped in the Mundakayil market area using a ropeway which the Army set up,” added CM Vijayan.

“The first landslide occurred at 2 A.M. and then again at 4.10 A.M. The road connecting Mundakayil to Churalpara has been washed away. The river which was flowing in the affected area has branched out and is flowing in two directions, flooding homes,” said Vijayan.

“There will be more people trapped in the area and a massive rescue effort is presently on, in which numerous agencies including the three Defence forces, NDRF, the fire department and the police are doing their best and it will continue,” added Vijayan.

“After the tragedy struck, I received calls from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, West Bengal Governor A Bose. Each of them pledged their full support for the state,” said CM Vijayan.

He said there are around 3,069 people in various camps in the affected areas.

CM Vijayan said after hearing about the tragedy, contributions to the Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund have started pouring in from various quarters.

Meanwhile the Army team, after several hours of hard work, set up a temporary Bailey Bridge and was able to rescue numerous people who were trapped at Mundakayil area.

Late on Tuesday evening an IAF helicopter also arrived after it failed to arrive due to the inclement weather in the morning.

The injured people are now being transported to hospitals in the helicopter.

–IANS

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Chennai, July 30 (IANS) Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu Police to provide protection for the screening of the Tamil film ‘Kavundapalayam’.

Justice G. Jayachandran of the Madras High Court observed that fringe groups cannot be allowed to prevent the screening of film which has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Some fringe groups in Tamil Nadu had opposed the screening of the movie and threatened to damage the screens where the film was to be released as it deals with the anguish faced by parents due to the infatuation of youngsters.

The single bench judge said that the production firm or its representatives could submit details of the theatres in which the movie was to be released to the jurisdictional police and on receipt of such information, the latter must provide necessary protection.

The Madras High Court issued the direction after hearing senior counsel G. Karthikeyan for the filmmakers and Government Advocate (criminal side) K.M.D. Muhilan for the police.

Justice Jayachandran said that the CBFC should be the final authority to certify whether a movie was fit to be screened or not and that fringe elements should never be allowed to act as super censor board and prevent the release of movies that had been duly certified by the CBFC.

The judge also observed that if such fringe groups are allowed to take the law into their own hands, it would amount to violating the fundamental right to freedom of expression of the filmmakers and also their right to indulge in trade and commerce.

The court while directing the police to provide necessary protection to the screening of the movie observed that the state has a duty to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 30 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to resolve the Maratha-OBC caste quotas imbroglio that has created upheavals in Maharashtra.

Addressing media persons, Thackeray said that the power to change the reservation limit is not within the jurisdiction of the state government but vests only with the Parliament.

“The state government cannot solve the quotas issue and this must be tackled by the PM. Whatever decision the PM takes on this matter, we shall fully back it,” assured Thackeray.

He pointed out that earlier, the Bihar government had tried to give reservations exceeding the quotas ceiling but it did not stand in the courts, as that can be only done by the Centre.

“There’s no point in fighting for reservations in the state. I urge the leaders of various communities like Maraths, OBCs, Dhangars, or others to go to the PM and request him to look into the matter and whatever is the decision, we shall support it,” Thackeray declared.

Slamming the ruling MahaYuti leaders for demanding the stance of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Thackeray retorted by asking, “Why they could not give the reservations after over two years in power.”

He reiterated that rather than blaming the Opposition which had supported the government in the Special Session of the Legislature last year on the issue, the government should invite the caste leaders for discussions.

“Instead of seeking the views of the political leaders, the government must hold serious discussions with the leaders of the different castes, work out a consensus and find a solution acceptable to all. We shall back it,” said Thackeray.

The former Chief Minister’s remarks came after some Maratha groups staged a demonstration outside his home seeking to know the SS (UBT)’s stand on the caste quotas row and later Leader of Opposition (Council) Ambadas Danve met and spoke with them.

–IANS

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