Category: NATIONAL

New Delhi, December 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to host a special dinner at his official residence this evening for all MPs from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The gathering is seen as a strategic effort to strengthen coordination among NDA members and ensure smooth functioning in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Officials said the dinner will provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss legislative priorities, align on key bills, and reinforce party unity ahead of upcoming parliamentary proceedings.

Sources noted that the Prime Minister will also use the occasion to interact informally with MPs, understand regional issues firsthand, and encourage active participation in debates and discussions. Political analysts said such engagements often help build consensus and maintain cohesion among alliance partners, while also providing a platform to highlight government achievements and upcoming policy initiatives.

New Delhi,Dec 11 : With widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo leaving many travellers stranded, Indian Railways has announced a special Vande Bharat service between New Delhi and Udhampur. The special trains — numbered 02439 (New Delhi → Udhampur) and 02440 (Udhampur → New Delhi) — will operate three trips each way between December 12 and December 14. Train 02439 is scheduled to depart New Delhi at 6:00 a.m. and reach Udhampur at 2:00 p.m., while 02440 leaves Udhampur at 3:00 p.m. and arrives in Delhi at 11:00 p.m.

This 20-coach Vande Bharat special will stop at major stations including Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Pathankot Cantt and Jammu Tawi. The move aims to provide a safe and reliable alternative for air-travel-disrupted passengers, ensuring that travel plans are not derailed due to the ongoing IndiGo meltdown. Officials have urged affected travellers to check official train details via the Railways website or the NTES app before travelling.

Amaravati,Dec 11 : The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered the state’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) and Anti‑Corruption Bureau (ACB) to register FIRs and launch a full-scale investigation into the alleged donation-theft at the donation-counting unit (Parakamani) of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) temple at Tirumala. The case concerns theft of roughly USD 920 (around ₹72,000) by a TTD employee, followed by a controversial compromise settlement under a Lok Adalat — a settlement which the High Court has now deemed improper and ordered to be revisited.

The court also directed CID and ACB to probe the assets of the accused, C. V. Ravi Kumar, and examine whether those assets are disproportionate to his lawful income. The agencies must coordinate their investigation, share all collected material — including handing over relevant data to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department if required — and submit sealed-cover reports to the court for judicial review.

Vijayawada/Dec 11 : Health authorities in Andhra Pradesh have sounded an alert after scrub typhus cases crossed 1,500, with eight fatalities reported from multiple districts. The sudden rise in infections has prompted the state to strengthen disease surveillance, launch special medical camps, and intensify public awareness efforts. Officials said teams have been deployed in rural and semi-urban regions where most cases have been detected.

Doctors have urged the public to remain cautious and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms like high fever, chills, headache, and rashes appear. The Health Department is also coordinating with district administrations to ensure availability of medicines and testing kits. With winter favouring the spread of the mite-borne infection, authorities warned that timely diagnosis is key to preventing complications and further deaths.

Visakhapatnam/Dec 11 : The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) intensified its crackdown on unauthorized constructions by demolishing 16 illegal structures across several zones on Wednesday. Officials said the drive was initiated after noticing a sharp rise in violations following the announcement of the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS-2025). The civic body has deployed special teams to inspect properties and identify structural deviations.

Authorities stated that regular enforcement is essential to maintain planned urban development and prevent haphazard growth in the rapidly expanding city. The demolition drive will continue till December 20, with a focus on defaulters who attempted to exploit the BPS window. GVMC appealed to residents and builders to follow approved layouts and building norms to avoid penalties and legal action.

Vijayawada,Dec 11 : The Andhra Pradesh State Veterinary Council has proposed a new regulation allowing only qualified veterinary graduates to use titles such as “Veterinary” and “Veterinarian.” The decision comes amid concerns over unapproved vocational courses and untrained practitioners offering animal healthcare services across the state. Council Chairman Dr. P.V. Lakshmaiah said the move aims to safeguard animal health and uphold professional standards.

The proposal also aligns with national guidelines to standardize veterinary practice and eliminate misuse of professional titles. Officials noted that the state has been witnessing increasing cases of unqualified individuals offering treatment, often leading to complications for livestock and pets. The new regulation, once approved, is expected to bring clarity, improve accountability, and enhance the overall quality of animal healthcare services in Andhra Pradesh.

New Delhi, December 10: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought assured and time-bound relief for affected passengers and directed airline IndiGo along with the Central government to act promptly in addressing grievances related to passenger inconvenience. The court observed that passengers should not be left helpless due to operational lapses and must be provided immediate assistance and clear communication.

During the hearing, the court stressed the need for better coordination between airlines and aviation authorities to ensure passenger rights are protected. It also asked the Centre to review existing mechanisms for handling such complaints effectively. The matter has been listed for further hearing after seeking detailed responses from both IndiGo and the concerned authorities.

New Delhi, December 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to veteran freedom fighter and statesman C. Rajagopalachari on his 147th birth anniversary. PM Modi lauded Rajagopalachari’s invaluable contributions to India’s independence movement, governance, and nation-building, highlighting his legacy as a visionary leader and reformist.

In his message, the Prime Minister emphasized Rajagopalachari’s commitment to democratic principles, social reform, and education, noting that his ideas continue to inspire generations of Indians. PM Modi called on citizens to remember his dedication to public service and urged the youth to draw inspiration from his life and work in contributing to the nation’s progress.

New Delhi, December 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Assam Movement on the occasion of Swahid Diwas. Remembering their sacrifices, the Prime Minister said their struggle played a vital role in protecting the identity, rights and cultural heritage of the people of Assam.

He said the nation will always remain grateful to those who laid down their lives in the cause of justice and democracy. The Prime Minister also appealed to the youth to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the martyrs and contribute positively to nation-building.