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Paddy crisis may deepen in Telangana as Centre rejects demands

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The ongoing crisis in Telangana over paddy procurement from farmers is likely to deepen further with the state government failing to get an assurance from the Centre to lift the paddy.

Amid the mounting criticism of the state government over sluggish procurement of paddy from farmers during the current Kharif season, the Centre has turned down the state’s demand to enhance the target.

During the meeting with a delegation of state ministers led by irrigation minister S. Niranjan Reddy in Delhi last night, union minister for food and public distribution Piyush Goel also made it clear that the Centre will not procure parboiled rice from the state during the ensuing Rabi season.

After the meeting, Reddy told reporters that the stand taken by the Centre is unfortunate. He said they were returning disappointed from the national capital.

The minister said the Centre gave no clarity on the quantity of paddy to be procured during the ongoing Kharif season. Stating that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) had assured the state that 45 lakh tonnes of paddy will be procured, he said the Centre was now dodging the issue.

Niranjan Reddy said the state’s claim that paddy was grown over 62 lakh acres was not accepted and the Centre adopted delaying tactics but it has now accepted this after the satellite survey.

The central minister also turned down the demand of the state government to fix procurement targets for the two crops during the entire year saying this was not feasible.

Piyush Goyal told the delegation that the issue may be addressed by a proposed committee to be constituted by the Centre on agriculture issues in the wake of withdrawal of three new farm laws. The committee would come up with suggestions on MSP, annual target and alternate crops.

On the repeated demand by the state to make its stand clear over procurement in the next season, the union minister told the delegation that parboiled rice will not be procured. The delegation brought to his notice the statements by state BJP leaders urging the state farmers to grow paddy. To this, Goyal assured that the state BJP leaders will be advised not to do so.

With the Centre rejecting the state’s demand to increase procurement during the current season, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to hold a meeting with his cabinet colleagues and top officials in a day or two to chalk out future course of action.

The chief minister had last week led a ‘dharna’ in Hyderabad to demand the Centre to lift entire paddy produced in the state. He also visited Delhi but could not meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The TRS government is coming under criticism from opposition for tardy pace of paddy procurement, leading to unrest among farmers. The state government, however, is blaming the Centre for the situation.

National News

Mumbai: Woman, 21-year-old biker killed in high-speed collision on Mahim Causeway

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New Delhi, July 29: A 50-year-old woman and a 21-year-old motorcyclist were killed after a speeding motorcycle hit the woman while she was crossing the road on Mumbai Mahim Causeway on Tuesday night, police said.

According to Mahim Police, the accident occurred at around 9:20 p.m. on General Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg near Mahim Causeway. The deceased have been identified as Mangala Tandel (50) and Dhruv Manoj Gurav (21), both residents of Mahim.

Police said Mangala Tandel was crossing the road along with her two daughters to visit a relative who lived on the opposite side when a speeding KTM motorcycle allegedly struck her. The impact left both Tandel and the rider critically injured.

Mangala’s husband, Ashok Tandel, who works with Bank of Baroda, told police that he was at home when he heard a loud crash. Rushing outside, he found his wife and the motorcycle rider lying seriously injured on the road, with the KTM motorcycle at the scene.

With the help of local residents, Mangala was rushed to Raheja Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, the injured rider, identified as Dhruv Gurav, was initially taken to Bhabha Hospital before being shifted to Raheja Hospital for further treatment. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment, police said.

Mahim Police said they are awaiting the rider’s blood sample report to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

Based on a complaint filed by Ashok Tandel, Mahim Police have registered a case against Dhruv Manoj Gurav under Sections 106(1) and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Police alleged that Gurav was riding the motorcycle in a rash and negligent manner at high speed, leading to the fatal collision.

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Crime

Hyderabad Police officer suspended on allegation of sexually exploiting woman

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Hyderabad, July 29: Station House Officer (SHO) of Jubilee Hills Police Station in Hyderabad has been suspended following allegations of sexually exploiting a woman and blackmailing and threatening her.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar issued orders suspending Station House Officer U. Srinivasulu Reddy. An announcement to this effect was made late on Tuesday night.

Following the allegations by a 31-year-old woman from Sangareddy district, the officer was sent to the Vacancy Reserve. After the preliminary investigation, the Commissioner ordered his suspension, pending a departmental inquiry.

The woman had complained to the Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand that Srinivasulu sexually assaulted her, forced her to undergo an abortion and threatened her. She also accused him of physically assaulting her.

She alleged that the SHO was blackmailing her by threatening to post her personal videos and demanding that she pay Rs 2 crore. She claimed she had paid several thousands of rupees on different occasions.

The incident dates back to 2021, when she approached Ameenpur police station over a family dispute. Srinivasulu was then serving as an inspector there. She alleged that he later contacted her regarding the case and gradually demanded sexual favours.

The woman alleged that Srinivasulu later asked her to visit his residence in KPHB and, when she refused, he threatened to come to her house. She alleged that he later sexually assaulted her at his residence. She also claimed that he took her to a hospital when she became pregnant, where she underwent an abortion.

The woman also alleged that Srinivasulu had paid Rs 25 lakh to get posted as Jubilee Hills SHO.

Reddy, who was posted as SHO of Jubilee Hills just four months ago, denied the allegations. He reportedly told senior officials that the woman threatened him and extorted money from him.

Police are likely to record the statements of both the suspended officer and the complainant as part of the investigation into the allegations.

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Crime

Karnataka MLA threatens to destroy LoP Rahul Gandhi’s family like Babri Masjid; FIR registered

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Bengaluru, July 29: Karnataka Police on Wednesday registered an FIR against BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna after he allegedly said that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi’s family would be “destroyed” in the same manner as the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992.

The FIR was registered by the Udupi Town Police Station based on a complaint filed by Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, president of the Udupi District Congress Committee. Police have invoked Sections 57, 192, 196(2), 352, 353(2), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Addressing a public programme organised by the BJP in Udupi, Suvarna threatened the Congress leadership, stating: “If you continue to enact such dramas, just as our party workers destroyed the Babri Masjid in 1992 when our sentiments were hurt, the Congress dynasty and Rahul Gandhi’s family will likewise be destroyed.”

The remarks have triggered a major political controversy in Karnataka, with the Congress accusing the BJP of resorting to hate speech and intimidation. Video clips of the speech have since gone viral on social media, prompting demands for immediate legal action.

KPCC Working President and MLC, Manjunatha Bhandary, said the Karnataka government had taken the matter seriously and would ensure that strict action is taken in accordance with the law. He described Suvarna’s statements as “hateful, derogatory and provocative” and said they were unbecoming of a public representative who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution.

Bhandary said that the BJP was attempting to divert attention from the NEET question paper leak controversy and the nationwide protests over the issue by targeting LoP Rahul Gandhi through personal attacks. He also criticised other BJP legislators who were present at the event for failing to condemn the remarks.

“The silence of other elected representatives present at the programme may be construed by the public as tacit support for such statements,” Bhandary said, adding that political differences cannot justify defamation, hate speech or threats.

He further stated that the remarks posed a threat to communal harmony and law and order, particularly in the coastal region, and said he would take up the matter with the State Home Minister to seek appropriate directions for expediting the investigation.

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