Category: Telugu Vaartha

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Modi promises development in meeting with TDP MPs

The Prime Minister said that both their parties are working together at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh where the TDP-BJP-JanaSena combine is in power…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Members of Parliament from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), who are partners with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the National Democratic Alliance government.

The Prime Minister said that both their parties are working together at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh where the TDP-BJP-JanaSena combine is in power.

“Met MP colleagues from @JaiTDP. Our Parties are working closely at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of my friend @ncbn Garu. We will do everything possible for the progress of India and the development of AP,” PM Modi said in a post on ‘X’.

The TDP-BJP-Janasena Party alliance registered a landslide victory in the Andhra Pradesh assembly as well as in parliamentary elections. TDP has 135 MLAs in the Andhra Pradesh assembly while Janasena Party has 21 and BJP eight. The opposition YSR Congress Party has 11 MLAs.

Earlier on Tuesday, the TDP issued a three-line-whip to its party MPs to remain in the Parliament during the election for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker on Wednesday.

“Harish Balayogi, Whip of the Telugu Desam Party, has issued a three-line whip to all TDP Members of Parliament, mandating their presence and vote for the NDA candidate, Shri Om Birla, in the upcoming Speaker elections scheduled for June 26, 2024. All members are requested to gather in the Parliamentary office, Room Number 111-B, by 10:30 AM”, read the official release.

BJP’s Om Birla was elected as the Speaker after the motion for the same was moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The motion was adopted by the house through a voice vote.

The NDA, which commands 293 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha is driven by the ruling BJP which has 240 MPs. It has the support of TDP which has 16 MPs, along with other alliance partners. (ANI)

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Telangana Assembly Prohibits Hookah Parlours

The minister told the House that hookah smoking is more harmful than cigarette smoking. One-hour hookah containing about 200 puffs is 100 times more harmful than cigarettes…reports Asian Lite News

The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a Bill banning hookah parlours in the state.

A Bill to amend Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 was passed unanimously with a voice vote without any discussion.

As soon as the House met for the day, Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu, on behalf of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, moved Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution) Telangana Amendment Bill 2024.

Explaining the aims and objectives of the Bill, he said the government felt an immediate need to ban hookah parlours in view of the harm they are causing to the young generation. The Chief Minister decided to impose a ban on the parlours and Cabinet gave its approval for the same.

He mentioned that youth and college-going students were becoming hookah addicts and the organisers were taking advantage of this situation.

The minister told the House that hookah smoking is more harmful than cigarette smoking. One-hour hookah containing about 200 puffs is 100 times more harmful than cigarettes.

He said since charcoal is used in a hookah, the smoke will have carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals called carcinogens. The smoke is harmful for not just hookah smokers but also passive smokers. The hookah parlours and bars are posing health hazards in public places, he added.

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Swindler in Passport Scam Arrested From Hyderabad

The accused used to lure victims on the pretext of sending them abroad by offering approved passports of foreign countries at cheaper rates

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) officials arrested an alleged swindler from Hyderabad Airport involved in a syndicate who used to lure victims on the pretext of sending them abroad by offering approved passports of foreign countries at cheaper rates, police said on Thursday.

The accused has been identified as Sayed Shoukat Ulla (42) resident of Ismile Nagar Hyderabad and he was working as a ticket booking agent.

Two passengers and an agent travelling on fake passports from Malaysian country were arrested earlier. They started cheating innocent people to earn easy money.

“On September 11, 2022, two passengers namely Nilesh Shailesh Bhai Patel and a woman aged 26 yrs both residents of Gujarat arrived at IGI Airport, New Delhi after being deported from Azerbaijan by air carrier Air India Flight and approached for arrival immigration clearance,” Delhi police said.

During scrutiny of travel documents, it was revealed that both duo passengers departed to Dubai, UAE from Mumbai on July 21, 2022 on their Indian Passports.

“Later, they departed from Dubai, UAE to Baku, Azerbaijan via Muskat (transit) on their Indian Passport. But on reaching Baku, Azerbaijan, they produced forged Malaysian passports issued in their names for their entry into Baku which they had acquired fraudulently. The Baku Immigration Authorities returned both passengers to Muskat and after that, they were issued emergency certificates in Muscat, Oman to facilitate their return to India,” Delhi police added.

During the investigation, both above said passengers who were arrested earlier disclosed that their journey to Europe via Azerbaijan was arranged by one Agent Vijay Bhai Patel from Gujarat in lieu of Rs. 40.00 Lakh (20 Lakh for each). Agent namely Vijay Bhai Patel age 52 yrs was also arrested in this case earlier.

During further investigation, it was revealed that the accused Sayed Shoukat Ulla had booked the tickets of both passengers and also paid the booking amount through Google Pay and cash and was also involved in making forged Malaysian passports.

“Accused Sayed Shoukat Ulla age 42 years was absconding and deliberating evading his arrest in said case. The accused Shoukat Ulla Syed was nabbed from Hyderabad Airport as he was planning to abscond Dubai by flight,” police added.

Accused Syed disclosed that he was working as a ticket booking agent and he used to work on a commission basis along with other agents. In this case, he had booked the tickets of both passengers, made their stay arrangements in Dubai and helped in arranging forged Malaysian passports. In lieu of this, he had received a commission of Rs 13 lakhs approximately. He further confessed his involvement in this case and disclosed that he along with his associates started cheating people to earn easy money.

The accused has been booked in FIR No. 372/2022 U/s 419/420/468/471 IPC and 12 PP Act, IGI Airport police station.

Further efforts are being made to scrutinize his bank accounts and to trace their possible involvement in other similar complaints/cases. (ANI)

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Bill to establish Central Tribal University in Telangana passed

New Delhi : Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan speaks in Rajya Sabha during winter session of Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. (Photo: IANS/Sansad TV)

It is pertinent to note that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, provides that the central government will establish a Tribal University in Telangana…reports Asian Lite News

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at establishing a Central Tribal University in Telangana for providing higher education and research facilities primarily for the tribal population.

The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed unanimously through a voice vote after the Opposition earlier walked out of the house in the middle of the debate over the security breach issue in the lower house. Two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour and released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs.

The bill was already passed by the Lok Sabha on December 7. It was introduced in the lower house on December 4. It amended the Central Universities Act, 2009.

As the Bill establishes a Central Tribal University in Telangana, it will be named the ‘Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University’. Its territorial jurisdiction will extend to Telangana. It will provide avenues of higher education and research facilities primarily for the tribal population of India.

It is pertinent to note that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, provides that the central government will establish a Tribal University in Telangana.

Responding to the debate on the bill, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government aimed to establish Central Tribal University in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Regarding the delay in the university’s establishment in Telangan, Pradhan attributed it to the time taken by the Telangana government to identify a suitable location for the institution.

He stated that the ‘Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University’ will incur an expenditure of approximately Rs 900 crore.

Pradhan also highlighted significant growth in Ph.D. course registrations, with an 81 per cent increase from 2014-15 to 2021-22, totalling over two lakh registrations. Notably, women’s enrollment in Ph.D. courses surged by 106 per cent during the same period.

Emphasising the government’s commitment to filling vacancies in higher education institutes, Pradhan revealed that over 11 thousand posts out of 18 thousand vacant positions have been filled in the last two months. Additionally, he announced the government’s mandate for NAAC accreditations for all higher institutions.

The passage of the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, reflects a significant stride towards providing accessible and quality education for the tribal population in India. (ANI)

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Revanth Reddy Assumes Office as Telangana’s New CM

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and 11 other ministers were attending the meeting…reports Asian Lite News

New Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday took charge at the state Secretariat.

After taking oath at L.B. Stadium, he, along with ministers, reached the Secretariat and took charge in his office located on the sixth floor

Accompanied by his wife, he performed puja amid chanting of Vedic hymns by a group of priests. When he occupied the chair of the Chief Minister, the priests blessed him. Later, he signed certain files brought by Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and other top officials.

After Revanth Reddy took charge, the first meeting of the State Cabinet began at the Secretariat.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and 11 other ministers were attending the meeting.

Earlier, officials and Secretariat employees accorded a warm welcome to Revanth Reddy on his arrival. After the Congress stormed to power, Revanth Reddy had announced that the doors of the Secretariat would be thrown open for people.

The new Secretariat complex, equipped with state-of-the-art features and built with a unique design, was inaugurated on April 30. Then Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had inaugurated the complex by occupying a chair in his chambers on the sixth floor and signing a few files.

The integrated complex housing the offices of the Chief Minister, ministers, Chief Secretary and all other Secretaries and heads of departments, has been named after Dr B. R. Ambedkar. Built at a cost of over Rs 600 crore, the Secretariat is a six-storey structure with seven lakh square feet of built-up space and equipped with all modern facilities. However, entry into the complex was restricted. Even media persons were not allowed in the premises.

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Campaigning Ends in Telangana; KCR Eyes History

If K Chandrashekar Rao, widely known as KCR, wins another term in office, it will be the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state will get a third straight term in office…reports Asian Lite News

Campaigning for the high-stakes battle in Telangana ended on Tuesday with Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao seeking a third term in office on the basis of the party’s performance and promises over the past 10 years, Congress talking of momentum in its favour to form its first government in the state and the BJP also promising to end “misrule and corruption” of the ruling Bharatiya Rasthra Samithi.

The aggressive campaigning saw the Congress and BJP repeatedly raising issues concerning people, with the BRS leaders expressing confidence about the delivery of their programmes.

The three parties have made big promises in their manifestos. Polling in the state will be held on November 30 with counting of votes to take place on December 3 along with four other states.

If K Chandrashekar Rao, widely known as KCR, wins another term in office, it will be the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state will get a third straight term in office.

The Congress campaign in Telangana apparently picked up momentum after Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and the party’s victory in assembly polls in neighbouring Karnataka.

The Congress chief in the state Anumula Revanth Reddy, 54, is seen as a leader who has taken on KCR and the party is keen to gain from the anti-incumbency against the government.

Congress leaders have been reminding residents of India’s youngest state of the role played by former party chief Sonia Gandhi in its creation in 2014.

Political analysts feel that the fortunes of BJP, which was emerging as an alternative to BRS with its victories in two by-polls and strong performance in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation election, dipped a few months ago.

BJP leaders have been strongly attacking the KCR to fend off any perception of the party being soft towards the ruling party in Telangana. They have accused the Chief Minister of being “inaccessible” and ruling from a “farmhouse”. BJP leaders have also accused KCR of propagating dynastic politics and said that suggestions by KCR to join NDA were not accepted. BRS leaders have refuted the suggestions about their intention to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

One of the key BJP promises is to make a person from the Backward Class community a Chief Minister if the party gets support from the people of the state to form a government.

The party has also reached out to various communities and the BJP-led government last week set in motion the process of setting up a committee that will go into the issue of sub-categorisation of the Madiga community within the Scheduled Castes. It has been a long-pending demand of the community.

BJP has promised in its manifesto to implement the Uniform Civil Code and quash 4 per cent reservation for Muslims and instead increase the quota for OBCs, SCs and STs in the state.

The party said that a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge will investigate all “corruption cases” against the ruling BRS.

It has promised four free LPG cylinders per year to poor families, Rs 2 Lakh to every girl child from a poor family after she attains the age of 21, providing 2.5 Lakh government jobs in five years, procuring paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal, and reducing the price of petrol and diesel.

The party has said that free arrangements will be made for senior citizens keen to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya for the pran prathistha ceremony on January 22.

The BJP has alleged several scams in the state including that related to the Kaleshwar Dam scam and liquor poultry apart from several cases of paper leak.

It said September 17 will be celebrated every year as Hyderabad Liberation Day to mark its freedom from Nizam’s rule and August 27 will be observed as Razakar Horrors Remembrance Day.

Congress has sought to outdo the BRS in its poll promises and has announced six guarantees.

Under the Mahalakshmi scheme for women, the Congress has promised Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance, LPG cylinders at Rs 500; and free travel for women in state-run buses.

The party has promised that Rs 15,000 per acre will be paid to farmers and Rs 12,000 will be given to tenant farmers. The party has promised a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal for paddy.

It said that families not owning a house will be provided a site for one and Rs 5 lakh for construction. Families of those killed during the Telangana Movement will be provided 250-square-yard plots.

The party said that students with Vidya Bharosa cards will receive Rs 5 lakh and Telangana International School will be opened in every manda.

The party has promised up to 200 units of free electricity to households, Rs 4,000 monthly pension will be paid to vulnerable sections.

The party will have promised that Rajiv Aarogyasri will provide health insurance up to Rs 10 lakh.

The Congress announced that it would waive crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh and promised a caste survey within six months of forming the government.

The party promised a judicial inquiry into “irregularities and corruption” in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

The Congress said it would name a district after former PM PV Narasimha Rao.

Among the BJP’s strong push to get the support of OBCs, the Congress has also made many promises including increasing reservations for the community

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders point out that the state’s per capita income has seen a significant rise in the last 10 years due to efforts of the government and various welfare and development schemes will continue.

The party has promised LPG cylinders at Rs 400 each, below-poverty-line (BPL) families would be enhanced health insurance coverage, social security pension would be increased to Rs 5,000 a month from Rs 2,106 and there will be an increase in disability pension.

The party said under ‘Rythu Bandhu’ scheme, under which farmers get Rs 10,000 per annum per acre, would be enhanced gradually to Rs 16,000 per annum in the next five years.

KCR is contesting from two seats – his original seat Gajwel and Kamareddy. While he is facing BJP leader Etela Rajender in Gajewal, Congress leader Revanth Reddy is taking him on in Kamareddy.

Both Etela and Revanth Reddy are also contesting from two seats.

In the 2014 assembly polls to a united Andhra Pradesh, the then-incumbent Congress got 25.20 per cent votes and BRS (then TRS) got 34 percent in the Telangana area.

Senior leaders of all parties including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda, Congress leaders Mallikurjan Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, TRS’ KCR, KT Rama Rao and K Kavitha and AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi ran strong campaigns in the state.

Congress accused the BJP and BRS of having a “strategic alliance” with BJP leaders accusing Congress and BRS of dynastic politics.

In 2018, BRS (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) won 88 of the 119 seats and had 47.4 per cent of the vote share. The Congress came a distant second with just 19 seats.

While the BJP has an ambitious goal of seeing its first government in Telangana, the Congress is hoping to come to power on the basis of the “momentum” of the past few months. But the party has a huge, almost 18 per cent gap to cover in terms of voting percentage of previous assembly election. (ANI)

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Telangana: Rahul Promises 2 Lakh Govt Jobs in One Year

Recently, Rahul Gandhi interacted with youth at Ashok Nagar in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday….reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government in Telangana led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and guaranteed to give 2 lakh government jobs in 1 year if the Congress comes to power.

Recently, Rahul Gandhi interacted with youth at Ashok Nagar in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday.

Taking to X on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said “Telangana’s youth are suffering immensely under ‘Dorala’ KCR sarkar, my recent visit to Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad made that crystal clear. Our ‘Job Calendar’ is the first step in easing their pain. We will ensure: 2 lakh Govt Jobs in 1 year, Revamp of TPSC on UPSC lines and ‘Yuva Vikasam– Rs5 lakh assistance.”

Further posing it as another guarantee, Rahul Gandhi said “The future of our youth is secure in the hands of Congress’ Prajala Sarkar – this is my Guarantee!”

Earlier on Saturday, Congress MP took to X after interacting with youths in Hyderabad and said “Today in Ashoknagar, Hyderabad, I met the youth who are preparing for various competitive exams. I was moved by the fact that they had hoped that they would get success if Telangana came, but even 10 years after the state’s arrival, their aspirations have not been fulfilled.”

“Telangana youth did not get justice during KCR’s ten-year rule. Due to a lack of notifications, court cases and paper leaks, 30 lakh unemployed youths have suffered badly. In Telangana, which they fought for, they are in an unfathomable plight,” added the Congress MP,” he added.

Earlier in September this year, the Telangana high court ordered the cancellation of preliminary examinations for recruitment for Group-1 services in the state government held by the Telangana State Public Services Commission (TSPSC) on June 11, following several petitions filed by students who alleged a violation of the guidelines in the conduct of exams.

This was the second time that the same exam had been cancelled. Earlier in March, the TSPSC had cancelled the exam, which was held in October last year, following an alleged paper leak scam.

Meanwhile, a young Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) aspirant allegedly died by suicide in the Ashok Nagar area, which is deemed a student hub, due to the “postponement” of the TSPSC exam notification, which created pandemonium in the state with several opposition leaders throwing brickbats at the ruling KCR government over the cancellation of exams.

The woman, identified as Pravalika and aged around 25 years, allegedly committed suicide in her room in a hostel in Ashok Nagar.

Meanwhile, the state is going to the polls on November 30 and the counting of votes will take place on December 3.

Telangana is set to witness a triangular contest among the ruling TRS, BJP and Congress. (ANI)

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Father- Son duo of London Labour

Prabhakar Kaza and his son Aaditya Kaza

A dynamic father-son duo in London, consisting of Prabhakar Kaza and his son Aaditya Kaza, is forging a connection between the Labour movement and the Indian community, especially as the 2024 elections draw near … writes Krithika Iyer

London’s father-son duo have set an example for many Indian-origin residents as they have been elected to the Hertsmere Borough Council. On May 4, father Prabhakar Kaza was elected as a Labour Party candidate from Borehamwood Kenilworth and his son Aaditya won a seat from Borehamwood Hillside.

Prabhakar Kaza worked as a banker in the UK for a very long time, up till the age of 65. Following that, he decided to start Kaza Business Consultants. He has long been active in politics in addition to his professional life. Since the outset, he actively ran a campaign in Southall for Virendra Sharma, the sole Member of Parliament of Indian descent.

Prabhakar Kaza and his son Aaditya Kaza

He spent his free time working for the Labour Party in the evenings. He made a risky move in 2018 and ran for office for the first time. Fortunately, his efforts were successful, and in 2019 he was chosen to serve as the representative for the town of Borehamwood.

Prabhakar understood that his new position would present some difficulties. Essential services like a movie theatre and an appropriate commercial centre were lacking in Borehamwood. The streets and roads were unclean, and fly-tipping was a frequent problem. His goal for the community was to make it more livable, secure, and appealing to residents.

One of the main reasons for their victory was their effective “door-knocking” strategy. They managed to make contact with 60% of the people they visited, which is one of the highest rates in the country. Their hard work and dedication paid off, leading to great results in the election.

His objectives are to increase investment in the community, produce job opportunities, and improve public access to basic services. Prabhakar is dedicated to improving the community’s care and treatment and seeing that things are done to enhance the quality of life for those who reside in Borehamwood.

When asked about what best described him, apart from being a politician he said: “Being a good human. I don’t distinguish one person from the other based on race, caste, gender, physical disability etc.”

His son, Aaditya Kaza, spent 24 years in a region that was governed by conservatives. He excelled in the election while majoring in journalism at Westminster University. His victory is remarkable because it overturns the Tories’ dominance in that ward, which seemed impossible for the Labour Party to take. Important issues including defending the Green Belt, combating crime, and lowering fly-tipping incidents were the emphasis of Aaditya’s campaign.

Over the years, he has demonstrated a deep interest in politics and has been an active participant in Labour Party activities: “I was always kind of interested in more current affairs and international politics and like politics.” He received 770 votes, placing him as Borehamwood Hillside’s second-highest vote-getter.

He entered local politics because he believed that changing things from the outside would only have a limited impact on the community. “I just want to do the best I can for people’s issues.”

He intends to concentrate on doing a good job for the residents of Borehamwood Hillside, keeping commitments, and addressing new challenges rather than making great plans. He will serve on the council through 2027.

The father and son credit door-to-door canvassing, in which they knocked on every door they could find for three months—whether it be Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, or any other party persuasion—for their election triumph.

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Flipkart bets big on Telangana

Some of Flipkart’s key investments in Telangana include the establishment of six fulfillment centers for making millions of products, including home appliances, furniture, large appliances, and grocery available…reports Asian Lite News

India’s leading e-commerce player Flipkart has expanded its footprint in Telangana and strengthened its supply chain infrastructure with the launch of a new fulfillment center in Sangareddy.

The facility will support the delivery and logistics of a wide range of product categories, including furniture and large appliances, offered by thousands of local sellers and MSMEs in Telangana, providing them access to a national market.

Spread over 4 lakh square feet, the fulfillment centre will further Flipkart’s commitment to India’s digital commerce evolution by empowering local sellers, employable youth, and customers while making e-commerce more inclusive and accessible.

Flipkart said its supply chain operations have contributed to the growth of Telangana’s economy by creating over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The company’s e-commerce platform has so far empowered more than 14,000 sellers in the state to join the mainstream economy and cater to the rising consumer demand in the country.

Telangana’s minister for industry K. T. Rama Rao virtually inaugurated the fulfillment centre virtually from Hyderabad. Government of Telangana Secretary for industry and commerce Jayesh Ranjan, Flipkart Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy were also present.

Some of Flipkart’s key investments in Telangana include the establishment of six fulfillment centers for making millions of products, including home appliances, furniture, large appliances, and grocery available. With close to 100 distribution hubs in the state, it collectively generates over 40,000 job opportunities.

About 5,000 kiranas in Telangana, are also associated with Flipkart’s Kirana Delivery program, making lakhs of deliveries that augment their income. Last year, Flipkart signed an MoU with the Society for the Elimination of Rural Poverty to promote market access and growth for Farmer Producer Organizations and Self-Help Groups in Telangana, to enable access for them to Flipkart’s pan-India customer base.

Flipkart has a green data center located in the state, powered by renewable energy, that strengthens the technology infrastructure and underlines the company’s efforts towards building a sustainable value chain.

Speaking on the occasion, minister KTR suggested to Flipkart to create a model for the rest of the country by taking good care of gig workers.

“As we go along the journey in e-commerce business, we must take care of the gig workers. We should ensure that they feel secure, and their livelihoods, families are protected. It’s our duty to see to it that they are not affected by factors extraneous and beyond their control. We should build credibility, and aspiration among youngsters to work in the e-commerce sector. Let’s create a unique model that will serve as a statement from Telangana,” he said.

He suggested a model that includes a tripartite arrangement among government, e-commerce companies, and marketing vendors and partners to safeguard the livelihoods of the gig workers.

The minister also suggested that the e-commerce companies join hands with Telangana Academy of Skills and Knowledge (TASK) to create a readily employable workforce with required skills.

He observed that the centricity of Telangana makes it an ideal place to become a logistic hub, hub to disseminate services and good to eight states adjoining it and connecting point between North and South.

KTR also suggested that the company use the services of women self-help groups to employ more women and provide better livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

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First batch of Haj pilgrims from Telangana departs

First batch of Haj pilgrims from Telangana departs

First batch of Haj pilgrims from Telangana left for the pilgrimage from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here on Monday.,,reports Asian Lite News

A total of 373 pilgrims left for Jeddah by a special flight of Saudi Airlines at 5.55 a.m., an official of Telangana State Haj Committee said.

Earlier, around midnight the buses carrying the pilgrims were flagged off by state home minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali and State Haj Committee chairman Mohammed Saleem at Haj House in the city.

The pilgrims began their journey with enthusiasm amid chanting of ‘Talbiyah’, a special prayer invoked during the Haj. Emotional scenes were witnessed at Haj House as scores of relatives, friends and well-wishers bid adieu to the pilgrims.

The first flight had 211 pilgrims from Hyderabad and the remaining were from seven other districts.

This is after a gap of two years that pilgrims from India are performing Haj. Saudi Arabia had not allowed pilgrims from other countries in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

About 80,000 Indian pilgrims will be performing Haj this year. The Haj quota this year has been reduced in view of Covid protocol.

Telangana has been allocated a quota of 1,822. About 5,000 pilgrims from Telangana had performed Haj in 2019.

Officials said this year a total of 3,016 pilgrims including pilgrims from some districts of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra would depart from Hyderabad through Saudi Airline flights.

Like in the previous years, Haj House was turned into embarkation point for the pilgrims. The Haj Committee made all the arrangements including food and accommodation for the pilgrims who had reached there from various districts of Telangana.

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Various departments provided services like customs clearance, checking of baggage and provision of currency exchange under one roof.

One of the five pillars of Islam, Haj is annual pilgrimage to holiest city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Haj is mandatory for at least once in lifetime for all Muslims who are financially and physically capable of undertaking the journey.

Haj pilgrimage this year will commence on July 7 and continue through July 12, corresponding to the 10th of Dhulhijjah, the last month of Islamic calendar. The final date will be decided upon sighting of the new moon of Dhulhijjah,