New Delhi, Aug 12: Samajwadi Party chief and MP, Akhilesh Yadav, on Wednesday alleged that the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) were aimed at targeting minorities and accused the NDA government of introducing the legislation to serve its own interests.

Speaking to reporters, Yadav questioned the need for the amendment to the Bill and criticised the government’s performance on infrastructure projects.

“Why do they want to bring the FCRA amendments? Is it only to suppress minorities? Is it only to serve their own interests? You are building airports, yet they get flooded with water. You are constructing expressways, yet there are potholes. What are you doing?” he said.

Drawing a comparison between governance and the recent aviation controversy, Yadav added, “Hume plane chalane walon aur pradesh chalane walon mein samanta dikhai de rahi hai.”

Samajwadi Party MP, Awadhesh Prasad, also raised concerns over the proposed legislation, saying that laws should not be enacted without clear intent and practical implementation.

“If the government’s intention is not right, then there is no point in passing such a Bill. There are many laws that have been passed but are not being implemented properly and remain ineffective in practice,” he said.

Another Samajwadi Party leader, MP Ram Gopal Yadav, argued that there was no need for the proposed amendments. He said voluntary organisations, religious organisations especially missionaries and NGOs have played a significant role in providing education, health and welfare services in several parts of the country, including tribal regions.

“There was no need to bring this Bill in the first place. In states such as Jharkhand, in the Dang region of Gujarat and in other tribal areas, the work done by missionaries, voluntary organisations and NGOs has often been greater than what governments have achieved. Restricting them would deprive millions of poor children of education and other essential services,” he said.

CPI MP, P. Santhosh Kumar, said the Opposition had demanded that the Bill be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

“There is no necessity for these amendments. However, referring the Bill to a JPC was one of the major demands raised by Opposition parties. Since the BJP will have a majority in the committee, we do not expect any positive outcome,” he said.

RSP MP, N.K. Premachandran, reiterated his party’s demand for the withdrawal of the Bill.

“Our consistent stand has been that the FCRA Bill should be withdrawn. The government is now proposing to send it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, but the purpose of the Bill appears to be to exercise greater control over charitable organisations, NGOs and institutions run by minority communities,” he said.

Guwahati, Aug 12: The Assam government is working in “mission mode” to repair and strengthen flood-damaged embankments across the state, with four of five breach points in Jorhat district already restored, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.

Taking to X, CM Sarma said the state administration was working on a priority basis under the #AssamFloodResponse initiative to repair and strengthen embankments and prevent further damage in vulnerable areas.

“In Jorhat, work at 4 of the 5 breach points is already complete, with the remaining work at Shalmara nearing completion,” the Chief Minister said.

The progress comes as the state continues to strengthen its flood-control infrastructure following damage caused to embankments at several locations. Embankments play a crucial role in protecting Assam’s flood-prone settlements and agricultural areas from rising water levels.

Breaches in these structures can lead to rapid inundation of villages, farmland and infrastructure, making timely restoration critical.

The government has been directing officials and field agencies to accelerate repair works at vulnerable locations and reinforce embankments to improve their resilience against future flooding.

The Jorhat works are among the ongoing measures being undertaken as part of the state’s wider flood-response efforts. The completion of four breach points is expected to strengthen protection in the affected areas, while work at Shalmara is being expedited for early completion.

Assam remains particularly vulnerable to annual floods because of its extensive river network, including the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.

Flooding frequently affects habitation, agriculture, roads and other public infrastructure across several districts.

The state government has also been focusing on preventive measures, including strengthening embankments at vulnerable stretches and improving preparedness before subsequent waves of flooding.

CM Sarma’s update highlights the administration’s emphasis on rapid restoration of damaged flood-control infrastructure while simultaneously working to strengthen embankments against future threats.

The Chief Minister said the government would continue working in mission mode, underscoring the priority being accorded to flood management and protection of vulnerable communities.

Mumbai : At least four people were killed and eight others were rescued after a landslide struck houses in the Chirag Nagar area of Ghatkopar amid heavy rains early on Wednesday, officials said.

Rescue operations remain underway as multiple agencies continue searching the debris for anyone who may still be trapped.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the site and took stock of the ongoing rescue and relief operations. She also met affected families and offered condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Tawde directed all agencies at the site to intensify rescue efforts and ensure better coordination during the operation. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs), Dr. Avinash Dhakne, and other civic officials were also present.

The Mayor announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the family of each person who died in the accident and Rs 50,000 for each injured person to support their medical treatment.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Fire Brigade, the incident occurred at around 3:48 a.m. at Gaushiya Chawl in Chirag Nagar, Ghatkopar. A portion of a hillock collapsed, sending soil and debris onto two to three houses in Ashok Nagar, Tekdi No. 3.

Officials had initially feared that five to six people were trapped beneath the debris. A senior Mumbai Police official later said that eight people had been rescued, of whom four were declared dead.

The accident site and the route leading to it are extremely narrow, making access difficult for rescue teams. Personnel from the BMC, Mumbai Fire Brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Mumbai Police, ambulance services and other agencies are working together to locate and evacuate people who may remain trapped under the rubble.

Authorities said rescue and relief operations are continuing, while the administration is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts at the site. The landslide comes as Mumbai experiences heavy rainfall, raising concerns over the safety of vulnerable settlements located near hill slopes and other landslide-prone areas.

Earlier reports had put the death toll at two, with four to five people feared trapped. The toll was subsequently reported to have risen to four after the rescue operation progressed.