Coromandel Express accident: In a devastating incident on Friday evening, hundreds of passengers were injured and more than 30 individuals are feared dead after multiple coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed in Odisha’s Balasore district. The accident occurred when the train collided with another passenger train near Bahanaga Bazar station at approximately 7.20 pm. The Coromandel Express was en route from Shalimar station near Kolkata to Chennai Central Station.

Ground reports suggest that two coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Express derailed and collided with the Coromandel Express, exacerbating the magnitude of the tragedy. The Odisha government has reported that over 170 people have been injured and promptly shifted to nearby medical facilities such as Soro CHC, Gopalpur CHC, and Khantapada PHC. Further updates on the situation are expected.

In response to the accident, the Odisha government has issued a helpline number, 06782-262286, for individuals seeking information or assistance. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore), and 044-25330952 (Chennai).

The South Eastern Railway has dispatched accident relief trains to the site to aid in rescue and relief efforts, as confirmed by an official. Additionally, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) has been directed by the state government to assist in the ongoing rescue operations.

The Balasore Collector has been instructed to immediately reach the accident site to oversee necessary arrangements and communicate any additional requirements to the Special Relief Commissioner Office. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed Revenue Minister Pramila Swain and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu to personally visit the accident spot and coordinate the rescue and relief operations.

MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, contacted his Odisha counterpart to express his condolences and inquire about the accident. In response, he has dispatched a team of three IAS officials to Odisha to assist in rescuing Tamil Nadu-bound passengers affected by the incident.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal expressed her shock over the tragedy and announced the deployment of a six-member team to provide assistance to the Odisha government and railway authorities in the ongoing rescue operations.

The situation is being closely monitored, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Bengaluru: After the collapse of the BJP government in Karnataka, the Congress government came into existence under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. After suffering a big defeat in the assembly elections, there is a lot of discussion about who will be the leader of the opposition in the BJP. It is also seen that there is a huge competition going on in the state BJP to get the position of the leader of the opposition.

Meanwhile, it is known that former Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai met senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa and discussed the political developments in the state including the position of the Leader of the Opposition.

Already the national leaders of the BJP are holding informal meetings with the BJP MLAs to gather opinion. However, BJP sources said that the final decision is likely to be taken before the budget session in July. However, the increased competition for the position of the opposition leader has caused headaches for the BJP leaders.

Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, former DCM R Ashok, former minister Sunil Kumar and senior MLA Basanagowda Patil Yatnal are leading in the race for the post of Leader of Opposition.

As the position of Leader of Opposition is critical, BJP is taking a measured decision. Because the position of the opposition leader is important for the BJP to bring the failures and missteps of the Congress government before the people and use every available opportunity successfully.

Sources said that the leaders have decided to choose a similar leader in the BJP as there are many senior MLAs in the Congress to effectively counter the opposition attack.

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that all the guarantees given to the people before the Congress party elections will be implemented in the current financial year.

Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said that as the first guarantee, the Griha Jyoti scheme will be implemented from July 1. Based on 12 months average, add 10 percent to it, complete fee exemption will be given, 

The customer has to pay the previous old electricity balance. It will be applicable from August for electricity usage in the month of July. He said that this scheme will also be applicable to the tenants. Siddaramaiah said that the guarantee scheme will be implemented without discrimination of any caste and religion, and said that all the guarantees announced in this financial year will be implemented.

The second scheme ‘Ghrilakshmi’ will be implemented on August 15, under this scheme, money will be deposited into the house owner account of BPL and APL account holders, but the beneficiaries of the scheme should submit Aadhaar card, bank account details and apply between June 15 and July 15, he said. He said that this scheme will also be applicable to social security pensioners.

The Chief Minister informed that all BPL card holders and Antyodaya beneficiaries will be given 10 kg rice each from July 1 under the  3rd Guarantee Annabhagya Yojana.

4th Guarantee Shakti: Shakti Yojana will be launched on 11th of this month where all women including students will travel free in KSRTC and BMTC buses, Bangalore to Tirupati, Bangalore to Hyderabad will not be allowed. Applicable only for normal buses except AC and luxury buses. The Chief Minister said that 50% seats are reserved for men in KSRTC buses, this is not applicable to all types of luxury, AC and non-AC sleeper buses including Airavata, Rajahamsa. The privilege of free bus travel is also provided to third genders.

5th Guarantee Youth Fund: 3,000 per month for 24 months of registered unemployed graduates and 1,1500 for diploma holders will be given honorarium in 2022-23, the Chief Minister said. This will be applicable to all unemployed graduates including vocational education. The Chief Minister clarified that the third genders will also be given unemployment allowance under this scheme, for which applications will be invited.