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Andhra disburses Rs 708 crore towards fee reimbursement

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The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday disbursed Rs 708 crore to 10.82 lakh students as fee reimbursement under its flagship scheme Jagananna Vidya Deevena.

The amount was credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries towards fee reimbursement for October – December 2021 quarter.

Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who transferred the money, reiterated that poverty should not be a hindrance for pursuing higher education

The government had also decided to disburse regular payments on a quarterly basis.

Education is the only solution to eradicate poverty. If a child in a village is educated, the entire village can benefit from it. Further, the government is ensuring to reduce college dropouts across the state. Debt settlement can make a huge difference to lead to successful completion of course/education,” he said.

Under the government’s flagship Jagananna Vidya Deevena, the total fee reimbursement would be directly transferred to the accounts of mothers of the students.

Jagan Mohan Reddy recalled an incident during his padaytra wherein a father narrated how his son committed suicide as the fees could not be paid.

The Chief Minister said that full fee reimbursement was brought in to make education accessible to the poor, especially fulfilling the dream of pursuing higher education without burdening their families.

The government has so far provided assistance of Rs 9,274 crore under Jagananna Vidya Deevena and Jaganna Vasathi Deevena (Lodging and boarding charges). This includes the fee reimbursement arrears of Rs 1,778 crore kept by the previous government, Rs 6969 crore for Jagananna Vidya Deevena, and Rs 2305 crore for Jaganna Vasathi Deevena.

The Chief Minister also noted that there is a significant increase in gross enrollment in schools with the implementation of Amma Vodi. Under this scheme, the government is providing Rs 15,000 assistance to all the mothers who send their children to school.

“We are also making significant changes to the higher education syllabus and taking steps towards job creation,” the Chief Minister added.

The government has not only been providing assistance to the students on fee reimbursement but to their lodging and boarding charges too under Jagananna Vasathi Deevena. The scheme would give assistance of Rs 20,000 to all eligible students pursuing degrees, engineering, and medicine while Rs 15000 for polytechnic students and Rs 10,000 for ITI students in two installments every year.

He said that the second tranche of Vasati Deevena will be credited on April 5 at a public event.

As part of the reforms in the education sector, bilingual textbooks have been introduced, English medium schools with CBSE curriculum are made available, and students are given Vidya Kanuka kits with uniforms, workbooks, notebooks, along with nutritious midday meals under Jagananna Gorumuddha.

He said that the admissions in government schools were increased by 6.5 lakh as students from private schools were shifting to government schools.

Ministers Adimulapu Suresh, Pinepe Viswaroop, Chief Secretary Dr Sameer Sharma, APSCHE Chairman K. Hemachandrareddy, Minority Welfare Special Secretary Gandham Chandradu, and other senior officials were present.

National News

Maha govt to take action against those insulting national heroes: CM Fadnavis

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Raigad Fort, April 12: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced that the state government will frame strict rules to take stern action against those who insult national heroes and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

“Udayanraje made some demands, including severe punishment, to those insulting the national heroes and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Such people should be thrown from the fort. But being a democracy, the government will formulate rules,” said the Chief Minister while speaking at the Raigad Fort on the occasion of the death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s descendants Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale and Shivendraraje Bhosale were also present.

The Chief Minister added that the government will not tolerate insults to national heroes and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

He also announced that the government will release the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

As far as the memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Chief Minister said the state government will pursue the legal case in the high court.

In his speech, the Chief Minister explained why Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our ‘god’.

“When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was there, there were Adilshahi, Mughal raj, Qutbshahi in the country. It seemed that the rule of foreign invaders would never end. It seemed that there was darkness everywhere. Then, with the blessings of the mother Jijau, a bright sun like Shivaji Maharaj was born. Without Shivaji Maharaj, we would be nothing,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that Shivaji Maharaj did the work of awakening the brilliance by uniting the people of the Athrapgad castes.

“By uniting the Mavlas, he established Hindavi Swarajya. Only because of Shivaji Maharaj did the saffron rule come to the whole of India,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the government will seek the Union Home Minister’s help for the construction of a memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in New Delhi.

He further added that 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have been nominated as world heritage.

“Now there will be a presentation on it in France. The government will go there. Quite hopeful that these forts will get world heritage status,” he stated.

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National News

His glory a golden chapter of history: CM Yogi salutes Rana Sanga on birth anniversary

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Lucknow, April 12: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid tributes to medieval Rajput ruler Rana Sanga on his birth anniversary, amid a political row sparked by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman’s controversial remarks in the Rajya Sabha.

“On the birth anniversary of the mighty Rana Sanga Ji, who was dedicated to the protection of religion, many salutes to him! His story of glory, a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice, is a golden chapter in history. His bravery will continue to irrigate the land of India with self-respect for centuries,” CM Yogi posted on X on Saturday.

The tribute comes in the backdrop of a controversy that erupted after Suman called Rana Sanga a “traitor” during a parliamentary debate. The remarks triggered widespread outrage, especially in Agra, where a large crowd gathered outside Suman’s residence. Members of the Karni Sena attempted to enter the MP’s house but were stopped by the police. A scuffle ensued, leading to injuries to a few people.

In his speech in Parliament, Ramji Lal Suman had stated that Rana Sanga had invited Mughal emperor Babur to India to defeat Ibrahim Lodi.

“BJP leaders often say that Muslims have Babur’s DNA. But the Muslims of India do not consider Babur as their ideal — they revere Prophet Mohammad,” he said, questioning, “Who brought Babur to India? It was Rana Sanga.”

The BJP demanded an apology from Suman, but the MP has stood by his statement.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, meanwhile, sought to calm tensions, saying, “The pages of history that carry controversy should not be reopened.”

Amid the controversy, the Karni Sena is holding a large event in Agra on Saturday to mark Rana Sanga’s birth anniversary. The rally, titled Rakt Swabhiman Sammelan, is expected to draw people from several states and will be attended by a number of prominent personalities.

Police have imposed tight security measures to maintain peace and order in the district.

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‘Should Hindus leave Bengal?’ asks Giriraj Singh, slams Mamata Banerjee govt over Murshidabad violence

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New Delhi, April 12: Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday strongly condemned the recent violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, calling it a “heart-wrenching” incident that reflects the deteriorating law and order situation under the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

Addressing the media, Singh alleged that the Hindu community in Bengal is being systematically intimidated and forced to migrate from the state.

Commenting on the situation, Giriraj Singh said, “The incident in Murshidabad is showing that Hindus are being forced to leave Bengal. Mamata Banerjee should tell, should the Hindus of Bengal leave Bengal? This is the situation they have created.”

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Union Minister said, “I am saying again and again when the saviour becomes destroyer who will save? Mamata Banerjee is the chief of the government of Bengal. For her, the vote bank is not just Muslims. It is her responsibility to protect Hindus as well.”

The violence in Murshidabad, allegedly linked to a dispute over Waqf Board properties, has sparked political outrage, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress government of minority appeasement and neglecting the safety of the majority Hindu population.

Singh further criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, alleging that he is attempting to replicate the situation in Bengal in Bihar by stating that he will abolish the Waqf (Amendment) Act when he comes to power.

“He has not even come to power yet, and the Hindus of Bihar are already being intimidated,” he alleged.

He added, “Tejashwi Yadav wants to bring the same chaos to Bihar. If this is your attitude, the people will never give you a chance to attack them. Who is the custodian of the Constitution? Everyone is a citizen. The government has the biggest responsibility.”

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