Ruling BRS protests against Congress over free power to farmers in Telangana
opposition party hits back
Hyderabad (PTI): Ruling BRS MLC K Kavitha and other party leaders in Telangana held protests on Wednesday against state Congress president A Revanth Reddy's alleged comments that three hours of free power supply is enough for farmers and that 24x7 free power is not required.
Reddy, who is currently on a visit to the United States, denied making any such remarks.
Kavitha, other party leaders and activists held a protest at Vidyut Soudha here, the headquarters of power utilities, against the Congress.
Speaking on the occasion, Kavitha said Telangana is the first state to provide investment support to farmers that has been appreciated by several economists.
Telangana is the only state in the country to supply free and unconditional power to farmers, she said.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi releasing a "farmers' declaration" in Telangana, she alleged that "Congress exposed its real self" by saying that only three hours of free power is enough for farmers.
"I am questioning Rahul Gandhi ji today. Is it really enough? Is that Congress' policy? Do you want to cancel 24 hours free power to farmers and give only three hours of power? This is our question to you, Mr Rahul Gandhi," she said.
"Kindly answer. If you (Gandhi) do not have an answer, you do not have a right to come to Telangana and talk to our farmers. We will protect our farmers at any cost," the BRS leader said.
The ruling party held protests at other places in Telangana as well after BRS working president K T Rama Rao called for protests against the alleged 'anti-farmer' thinking of Congress.
Meanwhile, AICC in-charge of party affairs in Telangana Manikrao Thakre said the BRS distorted Reddy's comments in the US. The BRS is trying to spread falsehood against Congress, Thakre told reporters in Delhi.
Asserting that Congress always stood by farmers, he said Congress implemented pro-farmer policies in states where it is in power.
Congress leaders and workers held protests in the state on Wednesday against the BRS for its "false campaign" against their party.
Dismissing the allegation made against him by the BRS, Reddy said in a release on Tuesday that it was a conspiracy by the ruling party to dilute the 'Satyagraha' protest today by his party against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha.
The BRS is only trying to help the BJP by taking up a false issue and spreading a distorted campaign on comments that he never made, the Congress leader had said.
Reddy recalled Gandhi's recent comments at a public meeting in Telangana that BRS is a 'B-team of BJP'.
Congress leaders held a 'Satyagraha' protest on Wednesday at Gandhi Bhavan here, party headquarters in Telangana, against the BJP and Central government's alleged vindictive attitude towards Gandhi.
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US sanctions 15 Indian entities among 275 for supporting Russia's military-industrial base
Washington (PTI): The US has imposed sanctions on 275 individuals and entities, including 15 from India, for allegedly supporting Russia’s military-industrial base.
Companies from China, Switzerland, Thailand, and Turkiye have also been slapped with sanctions for supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment that it desperately needs to support its war machine, the Department of Treasury said in a statement on Thursday.
In addition to disrupting global evasion networks, this action also targets domestic Russian importers and producers of key inputs and other material for Russia’s military-industrial base, the statement said.
“The United States and our allies will continue to take decisive action across the globe to stop the flow of critical tools and technologies that Russia needs to wage its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine,” Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said.
“As evidenced by today’s action, we are unyielding in our resolve to diminish and degrade Russia’s ability to equip its war machine and stop those seeking to aid their efforts through circumvention or evasion of our sanctions and export controls,” Adeyemo said.
The State Department has also targeted sanctions evasion and circumvention in multiple third countries, including several China-based companies exporting dual-use goods that fill critical gaps in Russia’s military-industrial base and entities and individuals in Belarus related to the Lukashenka regime’s support for Russia’s defence industry, the statement said.
The US also targeted several senior Russian Ministry of Defence officials and defence companies and those supporting Russia’s future energy production and exports.
As per the list released by the Department of Treasury, the India-based companies are Abhar Technologies and Services Private Limited; Denvas Services Private Limited; Emsystech; Galaxy Bearings Ltd; Orbit Fintrade LLP; Innovio Ventures; KDG Engineering Private Limited; and Khushbu Honing Private Limited.
The Indian companies also include Lokesh Machines Limited; Pointer Electronics; RRG Engineering Technologies Private Limited; Sharpline Automation Private Limited; Shaurya Aeronautics Private Limited; Shreegee Impex Private Limited; and Shreya Life Sciences Private Limited.
On Wednesday, the US had imposed sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals for enabling Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.
"The Department of State is targeting sanctions circumvention by parties in multiple third countries, several senior Russian Ministry of Defence officials and defence companies, and those that support the development of Russia’s future energy production and exports," Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said in a statement on Wednesday.
The US, he said, is imposing sanctions on several Chinese companies exporting dual-use goods that fill critical gaps in Russia’s military-industrial base as well as entities and individuals connected to the Lukashenka regime’s support for Russia’s defence industry.
