A.P. emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing industrial destinations, says Minister

TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar and others pay floral tributes to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao 105 th birth anniversary at PV Ghat in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABADPolitical leaders across party lines paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, a son of the soil, on the occasion of his 105th birth anniversary on Sunday, recalling his great contributions to nation-building and economic reforms.Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy paid floral tributes to Mr. Narasimha Rao’s portrait at his residence in Jubilee Hills. Ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Adluri Laxman Kumar accompanied him. In a message shared on social media, the Chief Minister said the services rendered by the former Prime Minister in shaping modern India were unforgettable.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy with Ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Adluri Laxman Kumar pay tributes to PV at the former’s residence in Jubilee Hills on Sunday.

TPCC president and MLC B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman Kumar, MP Anil Yadav, Government Adviser Harkara Venugopal, AICC secretary Rudra Raju and several other Congress leaders paid homage at the P.V. Ghat on Necklace Road. Congress leaders also organised commemorative programmes and offered tributes at Gandhi Bhavan. The Chief Minister later laid foundation stone for the first phase of the drinking water scheme at NG College Grounds ahead of the public meeting.BJP leaders Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao also paid glowing tributes at the P.V. Ghat. Recalling Mr. Rao’s tenure as Prime Minister, Mr. Kishan Reddy said his initiative and vision in economic and policy reforms laid the foundation for India’s development.He added that the former Prime Minister’s contribution in the making of modern India remains enduring and significant. Mr. Ramchander Rao said Mr. Narasimha Rao was the first Prime Minister outside the Nehru-Gandhi family to complete a full five-year term in office. He also recalled the cordial relationship between Mr. Narasimha Rao and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Former Governor and BJP senior leader Bandaru Dattatreya, party leader and Mr. Narasimha Rao’s grandson NV Subash and others were present. Published - June 28, 2026 07:28 pm IST

APSRTC Employees’ JAC leaders join hands in a show of solidarity before addressing the media in Vijayawada on Sunday.

| Photo Credit: G.N. RAO

The APSRTC Employees’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) proposes to launch its second phase of agitation from July 7 in support of its demand that the State government withdraw its plan to hand over valuable depot lands to private operators in the name of operating electric buses.At a meeting held here on Sunday, JAC conveners Y. Srinivasa Rao and P. Damodara Rao alleged that the government’s move would gradually pave the way for privatisation of the public transport service, and demanded that all electric buses be operated directly by the corporation.“The second phase of agitation will also seek protection and strengthening of the public transport system and fulfilment of the legitimate demands of the APSRTC (PTD) employees,” they said.The JAC leaders said representations to this effect would be submitted to the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary, the Transport Minister, the Special Chief Secretary (Transport and R&B), and the Vice-Chairman & Managing Director of APSRTC on June 29 (Monday).They alleged that four APSRTC depots had already been handed over to the private operators for operation of 1,050 electric buses. In another eight depots, nearly 50% of the land was being allotted to the private operators.They said the government was reportedly preparing to hand over another 29 depots for operation of an additional 1,450 electric buses, and raised concern that these developments indicated a systematic plan to hand over all APSRTC buses and depots to private companies by 2029.Action planThe leaders said that July 7 and 8 would be observed as ‘APSRTC Protection Day’, wherein employees across the State would wear printed badges displaying the JAC’s demands while discharging their duties. From July 9 to 18, a campaign would be run to seek the support from public representatives, and from July 19 to 26, a State-wide signature campaign would be conducted among the employees on a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, highlighting their concerns.On July 27, memoranda carrying employees’ signatures would be submitted to the Chief Minister through the District Collectors as part of the Grievance Day programme and, on July 30, a State-level meeting of the JAC would be held in Vijayawada to announce the third phase of the agitation.The JAC leaders appealed to all the employee unions and associations within the APSRTC to extend their support to the movement to prevent privatisation of the corporation. Published - June 28, 2026 06:57 pm IST

APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji questions the silence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM K. Pawan Kalyan over the Ram temple donation case.

| Photo Credit: File Photo

The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Saturday questioned the silence of the NDA leaders in the State, including Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, over the alleged financial irregularities involving donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, despite their earlier strong stand on Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)-related issues.At a press conference, APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji asked why political parties were not demanding action against those allegedly responsible for diverting devotees’ contributions and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge.Citing judicial oversight in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, Puri Jagannath temple, and Sabarimala temple, the Congress leader said similar intervention was needed to ensure transparency and protect the temple assets.Alleging that the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had betrayed the faith of millions through irregularities involving hundreds of crores of rupees, Mr. Shivaji demanded the arrest and prosecution of the Trust’s general secretary Champat Rai. He opposed an SIT probe, arguing that only an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge would ensure accountability.Mr. Shivaji noted that Mr. Modi, who had personally overseen the Ram Temple project from its foundation to the consecration ceremony, was silent now. He also congratulated Rahul Gandhi on completing two years as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.He also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak and called for the RSS to be brought under a legally recognised regulatory framework, urging RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to clarify the organisation’s legal status and ensure transparency. Published - June 27, 2026 10:53 pm IST

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the Trump administration is working towards President Donald Trump’s visit to India in the early part of next year, underscoring the growing momentum in India-U.S. ties as the two countries move closer to concluding a bilateral trade agreement.In an exclusive interview with IANS at the White House, Mr. Rubio said he expected to travel to India before the end of the year to prepare for the President’s visit.“I look forward to returning myself before the end of the year and setting up a Presidential visit in the early parts of next year,” Mr. Rubio said.Asked if Mr. Trump’s visit could take place next year, Mr. Rubio replied: “We’re hoping. That’s what we’re working towards sometime early next year to have the President come.”Mr. Rubio said the India-U.S. relationship was in a strong position following the recent meeting between Mr. Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.“I think it’s going fantastic. I mean, it’s very strong,” he said. “We had a great meeting with the Prime Minister. The President did at the G7.”The Secretary of State also expressed optimism about the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.“We’re hoping to finalise a trade deal. We’re on the last inches of getting it done, and it’s very positive,” he said.Mr. Rubio said Washington was also looking forward to another meeting of the Quad leaders in the near future.“We look forward to re-engaging again in another Quad meeting very soon,” he said.Describing India as one of America’s closest partners, Mr. Rubio said: “India is such a close partner and ally of the United States, and the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President couldn’t be closer, which I think is really important in diplomacy.”President Trump last visited India in February 2020, when he and Prime Minister Modi addressed the “Namaste Trump” rally in Ahmedabad before holding bilateral talks in New Delhi.Since returning to office, Mr. Trump and Mr. Modi have maintained regular engagement as both governments seek to deepen cooperation across trade, defence, technology and the Indo-Pacific.The United States and India are also key partners in the Quad, alongside Japan and Australia, with the four nations expanding cooperation on regional security, critical technologies, resilient supply chains and maritime security. Both Washington and New Delhi have described their partnership as one of the defining strategic relationships of the 21st century.PM Modi leading India’s global rise: RubioMr. Rubio praised Mr. Modi’s leadership, saying he has steered India through remarkable economic progress and helped position the country as an increasingly influential global power.Mr. Rubio said the Trump administration held PM Modi in high regard and viewed India as one of America’s closest strategic partners. “We are enormous fans of Prime Minister Modi and what he’s done,” Mr. Rubio said.“He leads a country that’s making incredible gains economically and is really coming into its own as a global power, a country that’s increasingly accounted for on decisions being made on the global stage.”Mr. Rubio said India’s growing global influence had further strengthened the partnership between New Delhi and Washington.“India is such a close partner and ally of the United States, and the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President couldn’t be closer, which I think is really important in diplomacy,” he said.The Secretary of State said the shared values and interests of the two democracies provided a strong foundation for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

Also Read : Rubio fails to win India back for Washington“These are the largest democracies in the world and the oldest democracy in the world,” Mr. Rubio said. “I think we have so much aligned and in common that we can build and work on together.”He identified economics, supply chains, critical minerals, energy, security and freedom of navigation

Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday launched a sharp attack on private app-based cab aggregators such as Uber and Ola alleging that their business model exploits both drivers and commuters through practices that prioritise corporate profits over fair treatment. He said the newly launched cooperative ride-hailing platform, Bharat Taxi, was conceived to provide an alternative that safeguards the interests of drivers while ensuring better service for passengers.Addressing the launch of Bharat Taxi in 14 cities across Gujarat, Mr. Shah, without naming the companies, alleged that private platforms deduct hefty commissions from drivers, delay payments and suspend their registrations based solely on passenger complaints without giving them an opportunity to present their case.No more hefty commissionsHe said the cooperative model was introduced to eliminate such practices and ensure that drivers are treated as stakeholders rather than service providers dependent on private companies.“I received phone calls today and some newspapers have reported that Bharat Taxi’s fares are higher. I want to tell customers across the country that wherever Bharat Taxi begins operations, competing companies immediately slash their fares and are prepared to incur losses. Our intention is not to inflict losses on anyone, but reducing fares and offering higher commissions to sarathis (drivers) is being done only to prevent Bharat Taxi from entering the market,” he said.Mr. Shah alleged that certain companies were willing to sustain short-term losses in an attempt to force Bharat Taxi out of the market and later resume what he described as arbitrary business practices.‘Companies want it to fail’“They want Bharat Taxi to fail so they can once again function arbitrarily,” he said, adding that such strategies would not succeed in India, where “the spirit of cooperation and the desire to work for the welfare of others are the greatest strength”.The event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Minister Jitu Vaghani, Union Cooperation Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani, senior cooperative sector officials, representatives of various institutions and over 4,000 Bharat Taxi drivers.Bharat Taxi, which was soft-launched in Gujarat in December last year, is being projected as India’s first cooperative-owned, driver-led ride-hailing platform. Operating on a zero-commission model, it allows drivers to retain the entire fare while also giving them ownership in the platform.‘Only motive was profit’Mr. Shah further alleged that private cab aggregators had prioritised profits by exploiting both drivers and commuters.“For their profits, these companies exploited countless sarathis as well as citizens who used taxi services. Complaints kept coming. Sometimes commissions were deducted from the driver’s earnings, and fares did not reach them for several days,” he said.He also alleged that drivers’ registrations were often cancelled solely on the basis of passenger complaints without giving them an opportunity to present their version.“If a customer filed a complaint, the registration of the driver or sarathi would be cancelled without even hearing their side,” he said.Mr. Shah said Bharat Taxi had been established under the cooperative model to eliminate such practices and ensure that neither drivers nor passengers were subjected to exploitation.The platform was formally launched in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Dwarka, Somnath, Valsad, Anand, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Nadiad, Junagadh, Mehsana and Amreli. It will initially offer services in three categories — two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and four-wheelers.To expand its network, Bharat Taxi signed memoranda of understanding with the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Gujarat State Cooperative Bank, the traffic police, airports in Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot, and the Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway.Mr. Shah said Bharat Taxi woul

Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria met in Chandigarh on Friday, June 26, 2026, to resolve issues concerning the hill State’s rights.

| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday (June 26, 2026) urged Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to help resolve issues concerning the hill State’s rights, reiterating Himachal Pradesh’s claim to a 7.19% share in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.Mr. Sukhu met Mr. Kataria here and discussed several long-pending issues of vital importance to Himachal Pradesh.Referring to the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh is a successor State to the erstwhile Punjab and is entitled to its due share based on the population ratio of the areas transferred to the State.“Chandigarh was developed from the consolidated resources of undivided Punjab and that while Punjab and Haryana have benefited from the city’s land, assets and governance structure for over five decades, Himachal Pradesh has yet to receive its rightful share. Himachal be granted its due 7.19 % share in Chandigarh,” he said.The Chief Minister also sought Mr. Kataria’s intervention for the settlement of long-pending dues related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).“The Supreme Court had recognised Himachal Pradesh’s entitlement to a 7.19% share in BBMB projects and associated benefits. The State has been awaiting realisation of its entitlement to 13,066 million units of power and the associated financial dues for over a decade,” he noted.Mr. Sukhu also sought assistance in securing the return of the Shanan Hydroelectric Project from Punjab.“The Shanan Hydroelectric Project is located in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, a region that was never included within the transferred territories as defined under Section 2(n) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. Consequently, the provisions of the said Act has no applicability to the area in which the project is situated, nor can any rights over the project be derived thereunder. The lease executed in respect of the Shanan Hydroelectric Project for a period of 99 years expired on 2 March 2024,” he said.“With the expiry of the lease, all rights flowing therefrom stand extinguished. Any claim to the continued operation, management or possession of the project on the basis of the expired lease lacks legal basis and is unsustainable in law,” he added, expressing confidence that all pending matters could be resolved through constructive dialogue, mutual respect and the spirit of cooperative federalism. Published - June 26, 2026 07:56 pm IST

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during the CRDA meeting on Friday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday directed the officials to expedite the development of Bank Street in Amaravati and ensure that all approvals for the construction of bank headquarters were granted without delay.Chairing the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) meeting at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office, Mr. Naidu reviewed the progress of infrastructure projects in the capital region, with special focus on the Financial District, where several major banks were establishing their headquarters.The officials informed the Chief Minister that out of the 13 banks that had come forward to set up their offices on the Bank Street, 11 entrusted construction responsibilities to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).Mr. Naidu instructed the CRDA officials to extend support to the banks and ensure close coordination among all the agencies for the timely completion of the projects.Emphasising the importance of world-class digital infrastructure in the capital city, Mr. Naidu directed the officials to ensure seamless telephone, cable and Internet connectivity across Amaravati. He also suggested developing digital infrastructure through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to meet the future requirements.Mr. Naidu said Amaravati should evolve into a highly livable city, while keeping the cost of living affordable. He advocated the promotion of piped gas connections and induction stoves, and called for introduction of district cooling systems to improve energy efficiency and urban sustainability.The Chief Minister also stressed the need for extensive beautification measures across the capital region. He suggested maintaining water flow throughout the year up to Vaikunthapuram, upstream of Prakasam Barrage, noting that it would create significant opportunities for tourism, water sports and recreational activities.The meeting also reviewed the progress of Krishna river embankment works, development of LPS layouts in Undavalli village, construction of a parking complex and the Judicial Academy, besides discussing compensation issues related to poultry farm structures in the capital region.MA&UD Minister P. Narayana participated virtually in the meeting, while senior officials from the Municipal Administration Department and CRDA attended the review. Published - June 19, 2026 08:25 pm IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an Indian community event, in Paris, France. Photo: PMO via PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (June 18, 2026) left for New Delhi after concluding his two-nation visit to France and Slovakia during which he attended the G-7 Summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders.“This visit to France has been extensive when it comes to engagement and outcomes. It began in Nice, where the Bharat Innovates programme was held, followed by Evian for G7 and then in Paris, where I addressed VivaTech 2026 and a large community programme, as well as met CEOs,” Mr. Modi said in a social media post.“I am especially grateful to my friend President Macron, the Government and the people of France for the warmth. The India-France friendship will become even stronger in the times to come,” he added.Mr. Modi addressed the Indian diaspora earlier in the day and said India is emerging as a "trusted partner" to the world.Mr. Modi also said that this is a defining period in India's journey, where aspirations are reaching new heights.“It’s always special to interact with the Indian diaspora and highlight the collective strides of 140 crore Indians,” Mr. Modi said in a post on X.Mr. Modi also addressed the technology forum VivaTech 2026 in Paris and made a strong pitch for democratisation of technology, asserting that AI means "all inclusive" for India.Mr. Modi highlighted India's technological prowess and said half of the global digital transactions are happening in the country.Mr. Modi was in the French commune of Evian-Les-Bains for the G7 Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, to which India was invited as a guest country.On the margins of the G7 Summit, Mr. Modi met world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, top EU leader Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney, among other leaders.In his meeting with Mr. Trump, Mr. Modi raised the issue of seafarers' safety, urging that their protection be given the highest priority during the implementation of Washington's peace deal with Iran.Earlier, Mr. Modi concluded a "historic and productive" visit to Slovakia."The outcomes of this visit will go a long way in strengthening bilateral ties between our nations. Stronger trade relations will greatly benefit our youth. Gratitude to the Slovakian government and people for the warmth," he said.His visit to Slovakia was the first by an Indian Prime Minister.During his visit, India and Slovakia elevated their ties to a comprehensive partnership and firmed up 11 agreements to expand bilateral cooperation in several areas such as migration, digital technology and defence. Published - June 19, 2026 02:36 am IST

Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra

| Photo Credit: File Photo

Minister for Excise, Mines & Geology Kollu Ravindra has said that the government was formulating an action plan for the establishment of titanium sponge, titanium metal and rare earth and advanced mineral processing industries, with a target to attract investment of over ₹20,000 crore. Attracted by the government’s transparent policies and reforms, reputed companies such as JSW Steel, Vedanta, Hindustan Zinc, Ambuja Cements, Shree Cement, Dalmia Cement and JK Cement came forward to invest in the State’s mining sector. Their entry would lead to efficient utilisation of resources and accelerate industrial development thereby creating thousands of jobs, he noted.Addressing the media at the Secretariat on Thursday, Mr. Ravindra said Andhra Pradesh has the second largest beach sand mineral deposits after Tamil Nadu and efforts are being made to create wealth out of them.Minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet and titanium found along the State’s coast were highly valued in the international market. He stated that the Jonnagiri gold project in Anantapur district, with 13 tonnes of gold reserves would soon enter the commercial production phase and it would be a major milestone in the State’s mineral sector. Besides, exploration of iron ore and limestone was progressing rapidly in 17 mineral blocks in Chittoor district. The Minister claimed that the A.P. Minor Mineral Policy-2025 attracted huge investments and increased revenue for the government.Over 1,700 applications for mining licenses were received in the last two years and 172 were granted. Auction of mineral blocks in A.P. has been expedited in accordance with the Mines & Minerals Development and Regulation Act. So far, 21 mineral blocks have been auctioned and 11 mining leases and 10 composite licences granted. Under the free sand policy, 19,185,793 Metric Tonnes of sand were supplied and the government has established 412 sand reaches/dispatch centres and 238 stockyards across the State. Towards curbing illegal mining, demand notices were issued for over ₹3,500 crore. Gold mining sitesPrincipal Secretary Mukesh Kumar said potential gold mining sites were identified at four places, including Chigurugunta (Chittoor district), Ramagiri (Anantapur) and Visakhapatnam.

Published - June 18, 2026 11:57 pm IST