Minister Priyank Kharge refutes Amit Shah's claim on drought relief report
Kalaburagi 2024: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has dismissed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's claim that the state government delayed submitting the drought relief report by three months, calling it false.
Speaking at a press conference at the Congress office in the city, Kharge stated, "The state government declared 223 taluks out of 236 taluks as drought-prone and 196 taluks out of 223 taluks as severely drought-prone, submitting a report to the Centre on September 22, 2023. A 10-member central team visited the drought-prone areas on October 5 and 9. Following their study, 21 more taluks were declared drought-prone, with an additional request submitted to the Centre on October 9."
Kharge further stated that the state adhered to the Drought Manual regulations, submitting the monsoon drought report by October 31 and the post-monsoon drought report by March 31. He expressed disappointment over Shah's statement, stating it was misleading as the request was submitted within the prescribed date.
He highlighted efforts made by the state government, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's requests to Union ministers for drought relief release. Despite these efforts, Kharge criticized Shah for not convening a high-level meeting to address the severe drought situation in the state.
Kharge concluded by accusing Shah of lying about the state's efforts and urged him to take decisive action to release the much-needed drought relief.
The total crop damage in the state is estimated at 18,171.44 crores across 48 lakh hectares. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has requested Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a letter dated November 15, 2023, to release drought relief funds.
Additionally, on November 23, 2023, the Agriculture Minister and the Revenue Minister personally met the Union Finance Minister to submit a request for drought relief.
Subsequently, on December 20, 2023, the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Finally, on January 19, 2024, the Chief Minister wrote to the Prime Minister requesting drought relief assistance. Despite these efforts, state ministers had to stage a protest in Delhi on February 7, 2024, to protest against the Centre's neglect.
The state is facing a severe drought situation, and despite the state government's efforts to secure relief by writing letters and meeting ministers, Home Minister Amit Shah has not called a high-level meeting or made a decision. Minister Priyank Kharge criticized Amit Shah, accusing him of lying when he visited the state.
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
