TDP's Srinivas Yadav Quits As Legislator; Set To Join Telangana Government

TDP MLA T Srinivas Yadav, who recently joined TRS, today announced his resignation from the membership of Telangana Legislative Assembly as he is set to join the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

Yadav, who represents Sanat Nagar Assembly constituency in Hyderabad, announced his decision to resign as an MLA ahead of a scheduled Cabinet expansion at Raj Bhavan.

He told reporters that he would seek re-election and thanked Rao for inducting him into the Cabinet.

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Yadav's entry into the Cabinet is expected to help TRS in the ensuing Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) election, likely to be held next year, as he is a senior leader in the city.

The Cabinet expansion is the first since the TRS government assumed office on June 2 this year.

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Ganga is samajwadi, does not belong to one religion: Akhilesh Yadav

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Monday launched a scathing attack on NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra for associating Ganga with ‘dharma’ and termed the river as ‘samajwadi’ as people from different religions live along its banks.

“There are some people who are propagating that Ganga belongs to one religion. But Ganga is samajwadi because people from different religions live along its banks. They have associated Ganga with ‘dharma’ and talk of cleaning it, but Samajwadi Party government had taken the initiative long time back,” Akhilesh said.

He was speaking on the occasion of foundation laying ceremony for new smart city along river Ganga –  Trans-Ganga project —- in Unnao on Thursday.

Targeting BJP, Akhilesh said, “It has been more than six months since they formed the government with big promises. But what did they give UP in this period.”

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat campaign, Akhilesh said: “They have given broomsticks in the hands of people. Did you ask them if holding a broomstick in hand was part of their manifesto. I have never held a broomstick, but even I have been nominated by them. Cleaning cannot be ensured this way. We have instead announced rewards for clean wards”.

The Chief Minister alleged that false propaganda was being spread against his government as the opposition was afraid of the “good works” being done by his dispensation. “They tried to malign our image in Badaun incident. For months, their leaders gave statements on television against the UP government. The truth is out but never apologised. They spoke of “love jihad  but truth came out in that case also. Now, they are saying Ganga is ours, this land is ours and even sky belongs to someone,” he quipped. “Now they have also started staking claim to Taj Mahal, which is a national heritage”.

Later, he announced four-laning of Unnao-Shuklaganj-Kanpur road saying that his government would ensure the construction of access-controlled Lucknow-Agra Expressway in 22 months.

Citing the success 108-ambulance service, CM said police need to reduce its response time in cases of emergency for the benefit of people. “If ambulances can reach the destination in 20 minutes in case of emergency under the 108 service, why cannot the police do the same?”

Speaking about the Trans-ganga project, Chief Minister said that it is an ambitious project, which would bring  investment and at the same time provide various facilities to locals as well. He said the Rs 10,000 crore investment project is expected to bring employment to about 1 lakh people. Out of 1,156 acre of land, on which the project would come up in Unnao district along river Ganga, about 350 acre would be developed for modern but non-polluting industries. He also said that government also plans to open Skill Development and Design University in this new city.

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UP Police needs to reduce its response time: CM Akhilesh Yadav

Citing the success 108-ambulance service in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said police need to reduce its response time in cases of emergency for the benefit of people.

"If ambulances can reach the destination in 20 minutes in case of emergency under the 108 service, why cannot the police do the same?" asked the chief minister while speaking to reporters at his official residence in Lucknow.

Yadav said the team, which has contributed in devising the method for keeping the response time of 108 ambulanceservice in check, has been asked to suggest ways and means to improve the time management of the police as well.

"After getting a report from the team, the suggestions made would be implemented," he said. He said officials have also been asked to prepare a report on how to improve traffic arrangements in all the cities including state capital Lucknow.

"The officials concerned have been asked to undertake a study and suggest ways such as widening of roads or constructing flyovers wherever required to ease flow of traffic," he said.

The chief minister said traffic problems might persist till the completion of the metro project in Lucknow and the government would soon come up with a plan to deal with it. Meanwhile, Yadav also handed over land allotment papers to managing director of Times of India group Vineet Jain for the setting up of 'Bennett university' in Noida.

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Lalu and Mulayam unite at daughter's 'shagun'

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, arrived in Lucknow on Sunday with a formal ‘shagun’ for the marriage of his youngest daughter, Raj Laxmi.

The groom in question was Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav’s grand-nephew, Mainpuri MP Tej Pratap Yadav. 

Lalu said the relationship would also lead to stronger ties between Opposition parties against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA coalition. 

“The alliance of the Janata Parivar would be stronger than cement. Though communal forces have taken over the country, the marriage alliance and our political coalition have sent a good message. 

"We have come together to expose the BJP and false promises of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the RJD president said. 

While saying he was fulfilling the duty of a father by giving his seventh daughter to Mulayam’s family, Lalu said he and the other parties had decided to empower the SP chief to take decisions regarding the Janata Parivar. 

"We will other smaller parties under this banner and hold a dharna at Jantar Mantar on December 22", he added. 

Briefing mediapersons, Lalu said a function involving both the families would be held on December 16 in Delhi, the tilak would be held in Mulayam’s ancestral village, Saifai. The marriage date is yet to be decided by the SP chief. 

Meanwhile, Mulayam expressed his dissatisfaction over the media over the undue attention given to the function. 

“It is a family affair. The media is just exaggerating it. They should not make it a public affair. These things are a common affair in every family,” he said. 

Mulayam’s son and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav could not attend the function as he was in Delhi for PM Narendra Modi’s meeting with chief ministers.

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Samajwadi Party protests hike in rail fares, demand roll back

Hundreds of Samajwadi Party (SP) cadres and supporters on Saturday took to the streets across Uttar Pradesh to protest the central government's decision to hike rail fares. Demanding immediate roll back, the protesters blocked traffic at many district headquarters and burnt effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi. Modi is an MP from the city. At some places, the ruling party workers also disrupted rail traffic. SP leaders said the party would intensify its the agitation in coming days. Sources said the SP, which received a drubbing at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha polls, was now ready with a massive agitation plan on issues concerning the common man. The rail fares hike has given it an opportunity. "The BJP had shown people dreams of good days but the start is for all to see," said Rajendra Chowdhary, state spokesman of the SP. The central government Friday raised the railway passenger fares by 14.2 percent in all classes and freight charges by 6.5 percent. The new passenger fares and freight rates will come into effect from June 25.

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Martial arts training for girls in schools, colleges: Akhilesh Yadav

Amidst rise in cases of crime against women, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav directed that martial arts training for girls should be introduced inschools and colleges so that they can learnself-defence. 

Yadav, who was reviewing the 24X7 1090 women helpline, asked Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan to make arrangements for providing training in martial arts to girls in schools andcolleges from the next academic session. 

The 1090 women helpline is a one-state one number service to handle cases of harassment by vulgar and abusive callers and stalkers. 

"In the review meeting in which state police Chief A L Banerjee and ADG Sutapa Sanyal, in-charge of the women cell in the DGP office were also present, Yadav directed for effective and regular monitoring of women-related crimes," an official statement here said. 

"Action in these cases should be taken promptly and with full sensitivity," the Chief Ministerdirected. 

Stressing on the need of making the women helpline more effective, Yadav asked DGP Bannerji and ADG Sanyal to conduct surprise inspections at the office of the helpline, saying that this would also check the quality of work done by it, the statement said. 

"The government has already issued instructions to officials to take prompt steps to maintain dignity of women and provide proper protection to them," it said. 

The chief minister has issued clear orders to take strict action against all those involved in crime against women, the statement said.

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Maintain Clean Image: Akhilesh Yadav to Samajwadi Party's Office-Bearers

 Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministerand Samajwadi Party state head Akhilesh Yadav has directed all office-bearers of the party to maintain a clean conduct and image.

"The state president has directed that existing and former office-bearers of the party must not indulge in any activity which dents the image of the government or the SP," party spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury said in a statement in Lucknowtoday.

Mr Yadav has said it is the responsibility of party workers and office-bearers to ensure that eligible people get benefits of 

welfare

 schemes.

As per the directives, Monday has been fixed to collect information about public problems at party offices at the Vidhan Sabha-level, the statement said.

On this day, a sitting or former MLA and district-level office-bearers have been asked to remain present at the party office between 10 am and 2 pm and collect oral or written grievances, Mr Chowdhury said.

Problems related to tehsil or police station should be sorted out by contacting the officers concerned.

The chief minister said in case the problem was not resolved, then it should be referred to the state headquarters through fax.

Complaint registers should be maintained at the Vidhan Sabha, district and city offices and party workers have been asked to publicise the schemes so that the people could be benefitted from it.

Mr Yadav said to ensure justice to the aggrieved party, two to three office-bearers of the party should collectively meet the officer concerned, the statement said.

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