Andhra Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan orders probe after JEE aspirants miss exam due to convoy jam
Visakhapatnam, 8 April (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has ordered an inquiry into the allegations that traffic restrictions for the passage of his convoy caused delays for some students who were on their way to the JEE exam centre here.
Kalyan directed the Vishakapatnam police to examine the exact duration of the traffic halt, road conditions near exam centers, and the status of service road traffic flow.
No student should suffer due to administrative movements; our responsibility is to ensure their future is not hindered by protocol, said Pawan Kalyan in the press release issued late on Monday.
The police have been asked to investigate whether the traffic regulations affected students' access to the examination centers and if alternate routes were managed properly that morning.
After the allegations from parents, the city police denied any link to the Kalyan's convoy which they said passed after 8:41 am, while students were supposed to report much earlier.
The Deputy CM maintained that he always insisted on public convenience during tours, and the government policy allowed only brief traffic regulation for VIP movements.
According to the Deputy CM's office, party leaders are regularly advised against processions, garlands, or activities that cause public or traffic disturbances during official visits.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the YSRCP accused Kalyan of "denying justice" to over 20 students who missed their JEE Mains examination due to his convoy’s disruptive roadshow.
The party criticised Janasena leaders for garlanding Kalyan on the BRTS road in Vizag, which they claimed led to severe traffic congestion and delayed several students by nearly 50 minutes on the crucial exam day.
Dismissing police denials as "baseless", the YSRCP demanded that Education Minister Nara Lokesh intervene and coordinate with the Centre.
They also questioned why Kalyan, despite ordering a probe, has not yet assured support to the affected students.
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
