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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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
