Month: July 2014

Polavaram (Andhra Pradesh)/Bhubaneshwar (Odisha), July 4 (ANI): Tribals in Maoist hot-bed areas in the country’s east coast took to streets beating drums and shouting slogans against the construction of the Polavaram irrigation project that was given a go-ahead by the previous ruling government earlier this year. Members of agitation group People Against Polavaram Project (PAPP) along with tribal communities from Odisha and neighbouring Telangana state led a march through villages in both states to spread awareness about the consequences of the irrigation project. “The aim of this march is to stop the Polavaram project because, in the name of the Polavaram project, the land of the tribal people is being stolen, their water is being stolen. An ordinance was promulgated by the BJP government last month merging some villages and mandals of Telangana with Seemandhra in a bid to deal with resettlement and rehabilitation those displaced by the Polavaram power project.

Bhopal, July 4 (ANI): Congress leader Digvijay Singh today launched an attack against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan by saying that the latter is using emotions to defend himself, instead of answering questions on facts. Singh also said, “Even after having admitted that there has been a scam, the CM has not taken action against officials.” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had earlier criticised the Congress Party for levelling baseless allegations with regard to the Vyapam Scam, and accused the latter of killing democracy and traditions by not letting him answer questions raised by party MLAs. The Madhya Pradesh Recruitment Scam or Vyapam Scam pertains to manipulation in the selection process for government jobs conducted by the MP Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), which is being probed by the Special Task Force (STF).

New Delhi, July 4 (AN): Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday confirmed the release of all 46 Indian nurses held in captivity, and reassured their families and others that they were safe. “All the nurses are safe, and they want to come back to India at the earliest. Government of India, state government and the Indian embassy in Baghdad all worked together, and finally we have achieved the nurses’ release,” Chandy said at a press conference. “Government of India agreed to send a special aircraft to send 46 nurses back to Kochi tomorrow morning, so we are very thankful to the Centre and Indian embassy for their active involvement,” he added.