Will discuss Bihar pre-poll fund transfers to women with Oppn leaders: Sharad Pawar
Pune (PTI): NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar has said he intends to raise the issue of pre-election fund transfers to women under a government scheme in Bihar during his discussions with Opposition leaders.
His remarks came days after the ruling NDA secured a landslide victory in the Bihar elections by decimating the Opposition Mahagathbandhan bloc.
"The poll outcome turned out different from our expectations; however, one has to accept the mandate of the people. Everyone saw that in Maharashtra and Bihar, schemes like Ladki Bahin and direct benefit transfers of Rs 10,000 to women were rolled out just before the polls. Such things were never witnessed earlier," Pawar told reporters in Solapur on Sunday.
He was referring to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which provides money to a woman member of each family for setting up a business in Bihar.
Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 each was transferred to the bank accounts of women in Bihar ahead of the state polls.
Pawar said he had heard that money is distributed during local body elections, but a government providing Rs 10,000 directly to women ahead of the state elections is something new.
"If the deposition of Rs 10,000 was the reason behind the (NDA's victory in) Bihar elections, then we need to think over it. The Parliament session is scheduled to start on December 1. During this period, we will discuss this issue by bringing together key Opposition leaders and chalk out a response. At least, I am thinking in this direction," he said.
Earlier, Pawar had wondered how the Election Commission allowed the distribution of funds during the poll process in Bihar.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
