Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 14: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress Rajya Sabha MP, Digvijaya Singh, announced on Thursday that the decision regarding the leader of the legislative party in the state will be made by the party’s central leaders. This statement came following a meeting at the party office in Bhopal, where Singh addressed reporters.

Singh explained, “All our MLAs have left it to our central leaders to decide the leader of the legislative party. Congress (central) leaders Randeep Surjewala and Jitendra Singh will sit down individually with all our MLAs (before deciding on the leader of the legislative party).”

The Congress legislature party meeting was conducted under the supervision of AICC (All India Congress Committee) special observers Jitendra Singh and Randeep Surjewala. Ahead of the meeting, Surjewala stated, “AICC special observer Jitendra Singh and I have come here for the legislature party meeting. We will hold discussions with all our colleagues (Congress MLAs).”

Notably, the state’s former Chief Minister and Congress’s state chief, Kamal Nath, was absent from the meeting. Senior Congress leader Ajay Singh mentioned that the unanimous decision to have the high command pick the leader of the legislative party in the state was reached at the meeting.

Regarding Nath’s absence, Congress MLA Omkar Singh Markam explained, “Nath had a pre-scheduled meeting because of which he couldn’t attend today’s meeting.” He further noted that the meeting primarily focused on discussions about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

On Wednesday, Mohan Yadav was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, and he assumed charge later in the day. Governor Mangubhai C. Patel administered the oath of office, and BJP leaders Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla also took oath as deputy chief ministers.

Madhya Pradesh underwent assembly elections on November 17, and the results were declared on December 3. Despite close to 18 years of incumbency, the BJP secured a resounding mandate by winning 163 seats, while the Congress finished as a distant second with 66 seats.

As per the Sri Lankan Navy, the detained fishermen were reportedly engaged in ‘illegal poaching’ and were apprehended following a special operation conducted on Saturday night. In an official press release, the navy stated, “The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the consequences of these practices on the livelihood of local fishermen and marine resources of the country.”

The 25 fishermen, hailing from Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal district in Puducherry, were taken into custody. Subsequently, they were transported to the Kankasanthurai harbor, where they are slated to be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for subsequent legal proceedings.

Concerns are mounting among the relatives of the detained fishermen, who have appealed to both the central and state governments for assistance in securing the release of the fishermen and their two lifeboats. The plea comes after last month’s release of 27 Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities, with their return to Chennai airport occurring on separate days in groups of 12 and 15.

This incident follows a series of arrests in October, where a total of 64 fishermen from Rameshwaram and Mandapam were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy in three separate incidents. The arrests were reportedly made on charges of cross-border fishing, leading to the confiscation of their boats and fishing gear.

The Sri Lankan Navy has detained a total of 33 Indian trawlers and 220 Indian fishermen in the year 2023 thus far, according to the statement. The consistent arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy remain a source of concern for both the Tamil Nadu government and the BJP-led central government.

In October, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin addressed the issue in a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The communication highlighted the recurring problem of Tamil Nadu fishermen being apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. Additionally, the Chief Minister reiterated the demand for safeguarding the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay region.

Also Read: Oman Sultan to visit India on Dec 16, to hold bilateral discussions with PM Modi

Catch all the updates on NewsX.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, through ‘X,’ conveyed, “The fourth meeting of INDIA party leaders is set to take place on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, in New Delhi at 3 p.m.”

Originally, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had convened a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders on December 6. However, the gathering was called off as crucial opposition figures, including Janata Dal United (JDU) Supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, and Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav, did not confirm their attendance. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar cited illness as the reason for his absence from the significant meeting.

“I want that work should progress. It was being said in the news that I won’t attend the meeting. This is nonsense, I was down with a fever at that time. Is it possible that I will go not to the meeting? In the next meeting of the alliance, we should chalk out a plan for the future,” said Nitish Kumar. 

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren conveyed to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge that he won’t be able to attend a meeting on Wednesday, citing prior commitments: “I will be occupied here. I spoke to Kharge Ji yesterday, and perhaps a representative from our side will attend,” Soren informed reporters in Ranchi.

Simultaneously, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that she was not notified about the scheduled meeting. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on the other hand, was preoccupied with addressing the aftermath of a cyclone in the state.

With the Lok Sabha polls just four months away, the impending INDIA bloc meeting is expected to focus on crucial matters such as seat sharing. This becomes particularly significant for the Congress party, given its recent losses in the Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, the Hindi heartland states.

Also Read: Vishnu Deo Sai as the Next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh

Catch all the updates on NewsX. 

The petition was filed seeking a direction from the apex court for responses from the office of Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, Directorate General of Health Services, and others.

The Delhi government was represented in the court by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Arguing on behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Singhvi stated that a large number of residents of the national capital had benefitted from the ‘Farishte Dilli Ke’ scheme. He added that the scheme was not about political messaging, but it related to the welfare of the people.

Accepting the plea, the bench stated that the matter will be taken up when the court reopen after winter vacations in January 2024.

The ‘Farishte Dilli Ke’ scheme ensures cashless treatment of victims at any registered public or private nursing home or hospital across Delhi. Those who bring in the victims also get an appreciation amount of Rs 2,000 from the Delhi government.

Earlier, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in a letter to Delhi Chief Minister had alleged that two officers – Dr SB Deepak Kumar (Secretary of Health) and Dr Nutan Mundeja (Director General) – have conspired to delay or stop payments to private hospitals. As a result, the hospitals are not providing treatment to patients under the ‘Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme.

India strongly condemned the ruling, deeming it “deeply shocking,” and initiated diplomatic efforts to engage with Qatar on the matter. In November, the Qatari court accepted India’s appeal against the death penalty for the eight former naval personnel, and consular access was granted to them on November 7. The details of the Qatar court’s judgment remain confidential, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had previously met with the family members of the detained individuals, assuring them of the government’s full support. New Delhi has been actively pursuing consular access and working towards securing the release of the eight Indian nationals. Their initial trial took place in late March.

The distribution of these drones is scheduled to take place between 2023-24 and 2025-26. Women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs) will have the opportunity to offer these drones as rental services to farmers for various agricultural purposes.

The projected capital outlay for the scheme is set at Rs 1,261 crore over the next four years.

As per the announcement by Union Minister Anurag Thakur at a press conference, the central government will provide assistance covering 80% of the cost of the drone and associated accessories/ancillary charges, up to a maximum of Rs 8 lakh. The Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) shared this information on his official timeline.

“This scheme is important as part of PM Modi’s ‘lakhpati didi’ initiative. Drones play a key role in the services sector. There are about 10 crore women who are part of some Self Help Groups. Through this drone scheme, it has been ensured that they use technology in farming. Drones will improve efficiency in spraying fertilisers and pesticides,” Union minister Anurag Thakur told media persons.

Additionally, one member of the Self Help Groups (SHGs) will receive mandatory five-day drone pilot training, along with an additional 10-day training focused on agricultural purposes such as nutrient and pesticide application.

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Central government’s provision of free grains to eligible citizens under the public distribution scheme for an additional five years.

Also Read: Cabinet approves Garib Kalyan food grain programme for further 5 years

Catch the latest updates on NewsX

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Kamboj said, “Let me reaffirm our long-standing relationship with the Palestinian people based on deep-rooted historical and people-to-people ties and our consistent support to the people of Palestine in the endeavour for statehood, peace and prosperity.”

“India has a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. We also believe that there is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law,” she added.

Kamboj also denounced the loss of civilian lives, underscoring that such casualties are unequivocally unacceptable.

“In addressing this humanitarian crisis, it is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility,” she said.

She additionally called for collective efforts from the international community to facilitate de-escalation and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine. Kamboj expressed that the humanitarian pauses are a positive measure to guarantee the timely and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.

Furthermore, Kamboj pointed out that India has dispatched 70 tonnes of humanitarian aid, which includes 16.5 tonnes of medications and medical supplies.

“We are aware that the immediate trigger was the terror attacks in Israel on October 7, which were shocking and deserve our unequivocal condemnation. There can be no justification for terrorism and hostage-taking,” she said.

Also Read: Israel Prison releases 30 Palestinian on fifth day of Israel-Hamas truce

Catch the latest updates on NewsX

Highlighting that the 41 workers were stuck in the tunnel for more than 17 days, he conveyed that the message for the rescuers, the workers, their families, and the government is, “I believe it’s an incredible piece of news. It brings immense relief to everyone who has witnessed this, acknowledging the ordeal faced not only by the men trapped but also by their families.”

He further said, “It is also a huge credit to the skills and capabilities that our system has developed and, of course, to the international expertise that came into support that every single one of the men has been rescued unscathed.”

Describing it as a “red-letter day,” Doraiswami expressed that it is particularly significant that this occurred during the festive season, shortly after Guru Purab and a few days after Diwali. He added that now, their homes will be illuminated with celebration, and their loved ones are returning unharmed, bringing joy to everyone.

“I think this is really a great day, and it’s a great tribute to the perseverance of the rescue workers who put in unremitting effort to ensure that every one of these men was rescued safely,” he stated.

He went on to extend congratulations to the rescue teams and all those involved in the operation.

“A big congratulations to the rescue teams and to a grateful nation, from every single Indian and every friend of India, I’m sure. Great kudos to everybody involved in the rescue,” he added.

Also Read: Uttarkashi Rescue Updates LIVE: All 41 workers rescued

Catch the live updates on NewsX

The IEA delegation was led by Deputy Executive Director Mary Burce Warlick, the MEA informed, adding that the two sides held discussions on New Delhi’s cooperation with the global agency.

“Secy (ER) Dammu Ravi met International Energy Agency (IEA) delegation led by Deputy Executive Director @AmbMaryWarlick in New Delhi today. Both sides discussed India’s cooperation with IEA, India’s energy transition and the global energy outlook,” Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the MEA, posted from his official handle on X.

The Chief of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, recently stated that India is poised to surpass China as the leading force behind global oil demand.

Fatih Birol made this statement at a G20 event in New Delhi, highlighting the “rapid growth of electrification in cars and buses in China as one of the reasons behind this projection”.

“I very much hope India will move closer in terms of electrification,” Birol said.

Previously, the Union government and the International Energy Agency (IEA) reached an agreement to collaborate on bolstering cooperation in data and research, aiming to enhance global energy security, stability, and sustainability.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous intergovernmental organization based in Paris, established in 1974 to facilitate a coordinated response to significant disruptions in oil supply. Collaborating with governments and industry, the IEA aims to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for everyone.

Also Read: Delhi court serves notice to ED on Sanjay Singh’s bail plea in excise policy case

Catch the live updates on NewsX