Shimla, July 30 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the 75th state-level ‘Van Mahotsav’ on Tuesday by planting an oak sapling at his official residence, Oak Over, here.

He said the Forest Department has set a target to plant saplings on 9,000 hectares across the state.

The Chief Minister also launched the beta testing of the e-forest software, a new initiative aimed at streamlining departmental operations and enhancing transparency within the Forest Department.

He emphasised the importance of increasing the plantation of fruit trees in forest areas from 30 to 60 per cent, with anticipated positive outcomes within 10 years. He highlighted that the Forest Department and the Forest Corporation processed 15,000 salvage trees last year, generating substantial revenue from timber sales, which increased the state government’s royalty income from Rs 35 crore to Rs 70 crore in one and a half years.

In the remote Lahaul-Spiti district, Mahila Mandals (women groups) have been engaged in plantation activities and forest conservation, generating revenue for these women’s groups.

Underlining the state’s green initiatives, CM Sukhu said a 32 MW solar power plant at Pekhubela in the Una district has been established, while two more solar plants are expected to become operational in the next six months.

Additionally, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Oil India Company for green hydrogen production, which would further propel the state towards its green energy state goal.

–IANS

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Guwahati, July 30 (IANS) Lakshman Prasad Acharya was on Tuesday sworn in as the Governor of Assam.

Acharya, who was Governor of Sikkim, replaced Gulab Chand Kataria, who has been appointed as the Governor of Punjab and administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi administered the oath of office to Acharya at a function in the Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra in the state capital.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his Cabinet colleagues, senior civil and security officials, and several dignitaries were present in the event.

A former RSS and BJP member, Acharya, 69, would also hold additional charge of Manipur, replacing outgoing Governor Anusuiya Uikey.

Acharya was also a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.

–IANS

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Chennai, July 30 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday announced an aid of Rs 5 crore from the CM’s Public Relief Fund to the Kerala government where a landslide disaster has claimed 75 lives and many are reported missing.

CM Stalin in a post on X said, “Deeply pained to learn about the massive landslides in Wayanad and the consequent loss of priceless lives. I am given to understand that many people are still trapped in the area. I am sure that the rescue operations that are in full swing will save them all. The government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend any logistical or manpower support that may be needed in this hour of crisis for our brethren state Kerala.”

Massive landslides hit several areas in the Wayanad district early morning and several others are feared trapped.

Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha areas of Wayanad district are affected the most.

The bridge connecting Mundakkai to the mainland has been washed away.

Several bodies were recovered downstream in the Chaliyar River of Malappuram district which is around 100 km away from the place where the incident took place.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have already communicated to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan all assistance in the rescue operations. The leaders also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

–IANS

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Chandigarh, July 30 (IANS) Former Punjab Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and international wrestler Jagdish Bhola was sentenced to 10 years in jail by a Special CBI Court in Mohali on Tuesday in a money laundering case linked to a multi-crore drugs racket.

The others convicted are Avtar Singh Taro, Sundeep Kaur, Jagminder Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur, Gurmeet Kaur, Sukhjit Singh Sukha, Sukhraj Singh, Gurdeep Singh Manchanda, Amarjeet Kaur, Devinder Singh, Maninder Singh, Subhash Bajaj, Sunil Bajaj, Ankur Bajaj, Dalip Singh Mann and Manpreet Singh.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Bhola, failing which he will have to further undergo one-year imprisonment.

Earlier, Bhola, who was dismissed from service in 2012 after his involvement in various drug rackets, was convicted for 24 years in three drug cases by a CBI court.

The Punjab Police had busted the multi-crore drug racket and claimed to have recovered synthetic drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, and Rs 1,91,64,800 in Indian currency besides some foreign exchange, arms and luxury cars from the accused.

The police had registered cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 along with various Sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act between 2013 and 2014.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, raised concerns in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday regarding the frequent train accidents occurring in recent months, emphasising the need for enhanced passenger safety.

Bandyopadhyay specifically referred to the derailment of the Mumbai-Howrah Express 12810 at 3:43 A.M., on Tuesday which resulted in four fatalities.

“I received information from my Chief Minister in the morning that Mumbai-Howrah train, 12810, had derailed and four people were killed at 3:43 A.M. today. I am keen to know the latest position from the honourable Railway Minister,” Bandyopadhyay stated during the session.

He highlighted that “safety in Railways has become a challenge” and expressed concern over the regular occurrence of accidents, despite past recommendations from the Standing Committee on Railways to prioritise safety.

The TMC MP questioned the absence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the House, asking, “Why is the Railway Minister not coming to the House and giving an explanation?”

The latest accident occurred on Tuesday, with the derailment of the Howrah-CSMT Express near Rajkharsawan and Badabambo stations, approximately 80 km from Jamshedpur in the Chakradharpur railway division of Jharkhand.

–IANS

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