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Opp skips it, open debate turns into monologue session for Mann | Chandigarh News

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The Opposition parties in Punjab Wednesday skipped the much touted ‘open debate’ to which they were challenged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss issue pertaining to state, with the event turning into a monologue session for the Aam Aadmi Party leader who said it would have been “better” had the presidents of the political parties come and not “runaway” from presenting their views.

The CM also spoke at length on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal — the issue on which the Opposition had been demanding the debate but which was never listed as agenda or ever found mention in the statements issued by Mann and other AAP leaders.

Even as Mann had issued a “khulla sadda” (open invitation) to ‘aam aadmi’ of Punjab to attend the session, the entire Ludhiana city was turned into a fortress and police checkpoints were installed at every few meters on Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway to stop protesters, activists and common people from reaching the venue — the Punjab Agricultural University’s Dr Manmohan Singh Auditorium.

Bhagwant Mann, Bhagwant Singh Mann, Opposition parties in Punjab, India news, Indian express, Indian express India news, Indian express India In the auditorium, Mann sat alone and addressed a select audience, as chairs placed along with slips carrying names of Opposition leaders — SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar– remained vacant.

The entry of media was also also prohibited inside the venue and only “select guests”, including AAP MLAs and their supporters, who had invites issued by the CMO were allowed inside. Police detained several protesters from PAU’s Gate No. 1 including unemployed teachers, farm union activists, health workers among others who tried to enter the venue or raised slogans against the government.

In the auditorium, Mann sat alone and addressed a select audience, as chairs placed along with slips carrying names of Opposition leaders — SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar– remained vacant.

Festive offer

As the ‘Main Punjab Bolda Haan’ which was broadcast live on the official social media and YouTube channel of Punjab government, started, Dr Nirmal Singh Jaura — the moderator appointed by the CM — requested Mann to wait for a few minutes in anticipation that Opposition leaders might join. Jaura also showered heaps of praise on Mann for “inviting opposition leaders and common Punjabis” to hold discussion on issues of Punjab.

Asked by the moderator to explain his concept of “Rangla Punjab”, Mann launched into a monologue saying that people watching the session were “becoming witness to history” on Punjab Day. “It’s a debate between me and those who ruled Punjab till now. I wish they had joined the debate, but they had started making excuses since the day I,” said Mann in his nearly hour-long address.

“It has happened for the first time that three parties that had ruled Punjab — SAD, Congress and BJP– have been ousted and defeated. It is the first time they have been questioned. This debate…was a courageous act on my part. I gave them 25 days to prepare. Had they got anything against me, they would have come,” said Mann. “If people rejected you and threw you out of power, that doesn’t mean your sins have been forgiven. We will seek answers,” he added.

Targeting opposition parties, Mann alleged that the previous governments compromised the state’s interests for political gains by allowing the construction of the SYL canal.

He said that a single Act — the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 — is applicable throughout the country for resolving water disputes among states. “But Punjab is the only state where a separate arrangement was made for the distribution of water between it and Haryana in the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966,” said Mann, while alleging that the Centre has always discriminated against Punjab.

He said former prime minister Indira Gandhi, vide a notification dated March 24, 1976, divided the Ravi-Beas waters between Punjab and Haryana in the ratio of 50:50 even though Punjab Reorganization Act provided for 60:40 ratio. The then chief minister Giani Zail Singh (a Congress leader) ignored the interests of Punjab and acted as a “puppet” of the Union government, and on November 16, 1976, he received a cheque of Rs 1 crore from Haryana and accelerated the construction of the SYL canal, Mann alleged.

In 1978, the then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal (the late Shiromani Akali Dal patron) demanded Rs 3 crore more for the SYL canal, and took Rs 1.50 crore from the Haryana government in March 1979, Mann claimed.

The CM claimed claimed that Badal had issued a letter for the acquisition of land for the canal. The then Haryana chief minister Devi Lal (an INLD leader) had even made a statement in the Vidhan Sabha that “due to my personal relation with Parkash Singh Badal, the Punjab government has acquired the land under section 4 and 17 (emergency clause) for SYL canal.”

In 1981, a white-paper on the Ravi-Beas agreement was brought out by then CM Darbara Singh, highlighting the benefits of the SYL canal, he said.

“On April 8,1982, Indira Gandhi along with then Patiala MP Capt Amarinder Singh laid the foundation stone of the SYL canal at Kapoori village in Patiala. The one who came along with them was Balram Jakhar, father of Sunil Jakhar,” said Mann.

Mann said that even when Parkash Singh Badal was lodged in jail, he “kept writing letters to the Centre to escalate SYL construction.”

He said Akalis continued to compromise water rights of Punjab “when Parkash Singh Badal again became CM in 1998”.

Badal raised the height of the banks of the Bhakra Main Line canal by one feet with the sole intention of giving more water to Haryana and took Rs 45 crore from Haryana for this purpose, Mann claimed. “Badal did this sin only for the sake of building the 6-km long Balasar canal, which was constructed till his farmhouse by the Haryana government as a reward for his treachery with Punjab,” alleged Mann.

He said even former CM Surjit Singh Barnala (Akali Dal) never opposed SYL construction.

Mann said that there were at least three times when the same parties ruled at Centre and in Punjab and Haryana but even then the SYL issue was never sorted. “First was when Indira Gandhi was PM, Darbara Singh was Punjab CM and Bhajan Lal was Haryana CM; second came when Dr Manmohan Singh was PM, Capt Amarinder Singh was Punjab CM and Bhupinder Hooda was Haryana CM; and third came when Narendra Modi was PM, Parkash Singh Badal was Punjab CM and Manohar Lal Khattar was Haryana CM,” said Mann.

After coming to power, Mann said, his government has not filed any affidavit in the Supreme Court on the issue. “I have made it clear that we do not have a single drop of water to share. I have advised them to make it Yamuna Sutlej Link (YSL) Canal and give us surplus water from Yamuna instead,” he added.

“I have just shown a trailer and this is why none from the Opposition came. Had they come I would have answered their questions too,” the AAP leader said.

Mann said in 2018, the previous Congress government stopped the state roadways’ bus service to Delhi airport. “We restarted it. We have cancelled bus permits of several routes for buses owned by Badals and others. Maximum toll plazas in Punjab came up during the Amarinder Singh’s tenure. We have closed 14 of them,” said Mann.

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In a direct attack on former deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, Mann said, “eh taan shukar karo, party pardhaan naatey bula leya, nahi taan eho jiyan debatan tey eho jehe bande thodi bulaaye hunde hai (I invited him only because he is president of a party, else such people are not invited to such debates)”.

Mann also slammed the previous governments over the state debt issue.

“Today, people sitting here, have become witness to history in politics of not just Punjab, but the country. Such debates happen in the US and Canada where political opponents sit face to face and explain their agenda. Those countries value debates,” he said
While the SAD refused to take part in the debate saying it was a “PR exercise and PR stunt” of the AAP, dispensation in Punjab, its former ally BJP slammed it as a government sponsored and controlled event. Congress too refused to attend the debate stating that government never extended a formal invite and did not discuss modalities of the debate.

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Circle to Search: Share part of your screen!

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According to recent reports, Circle to Search, a feature introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January 2024, might soon undergo an upgrade. Initially allowing users to copy text from selected areas, it’s now rumored to include the capability to capture and share screenshots of specific screen sections.

This enhanced functionality, observed in the latest version of Circle to Search, enables users to not only copy text but also capture and share screen images. A video shared by a tipster on X showcased this update, revealing new options of Copy and Share upon selecting an area. Even adjustments to the selected region don’t remove these options, ensuring a seamless experience. Users can either copy the image to the clipboard for further editing or share it directly through various apps.

Previously, the visual lookup feature solely facilitated text copying. While Android devices offer a three-finger swipe-down gesture for quick screenshots, it captures the entire screen, necessitating subsequent cropping. This new functionality streamlines the process, allowing users to select and share specific screen sections in just two steps.

Interestingly, Google recently addressed concerns about accidental activations of Circle to Search in a podcast featuring its developers. They acknowledged the issue and assured users of an impending fix. This indicates ongoing efforts to refine the feature for a smoother user experience.

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Discounted OnePlus Nord CE 3 price in India: Check it out!

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The OnePlus Nord CE 3 has recently undergone another price reduction in India, marking a significant update for potential buyers. Initially introduced to the Indian market in June 2023, this smartphone received its first price adjustment in November of the same year. The base variant, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was notably listed at a price Rs. 2,000 lower than its launch price, signaling OnePlus’s commitment to providing competitive pricing to its customers.

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and ships with the Android 13-based operating system. It boasts a triple rear camera setup, enhancing its photography capabilities, and supports SuperVOOC charging, ensuring rapid replenishment of its battery. The inclusion of these features positions the Nord CE 3 as a compelling option for smartphone enthusiasts seeking a balance between performance, affordability, and innovation.

The recent unveiling of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 in India marks the continuation of OnePlus’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to its users. Serving as the successor to the Nord CE 3, the Nord CE 4 is expected to build upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing new enhancements and features to further elevate the user experience.

When considering the revised pricing of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, it’s evident that OnePlus aims to make its devices more accessible to a wider audience. The reduction in price, particularly on platforms like Amazon and the OnePlus India website, presents an opportunity for consumers to acquire a high-quality smartphone at a more affordable rate.

Let’s delve deeper into the specifications and features of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 to understand its capabilities and appeal to potential buyers.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Price in India (Revised)

The base variant of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was initially launched in India at Rs. 26,999. Following its first price cut in November, the price was reduced to Rs. 24,999. Now, the same variant is available on Amazon at Rs. 22,990, representing a Rs. 2,009 reduction from its previous price. Furthermore, customers can benefit from an additional flat Rs. 2,000 instant discount on ICICI and HDFC Bank cards, bringing the effective price down to Rs. 20,990.

On the OnePlus India website, the 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at Rs. 22,999, marking a Rs. 2,000 decrease from the November price of Rs. 24,999. It is worth noting that this discount is exclusively applicable to the 128GB model, as the higher-end 256GB variant is currently listed as out of stock.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Specifications and Features

Display:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 boasts a 6.7-inch full-HD+ fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,412 pixels. With a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, users can enjoy smooth and fluid visuals, enhancing their overall viewing experience.

Processor and Performance:

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G SoC, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 delivers robust performance and efficient multitasking capabilities. With up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage, users can seamlessly navigate between apps and store their multimedia content with ease.

Operating System:

The smartphone ships with Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.1, providing users with a clean and intuitive user interface coupled with a plethora of customization options. OxygenOS is known for its smooth performance and timely software updates, ensuring that users stay up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

Camera:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 features a versatile camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) support. Accompanying this primary sensor is an 8-megapixel sensor with an ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel macro shooter, allowing users to capture a wide range of subjects with stunning detail and clarity. On the front, the device houses a 16-megapixel sensor for high-quality selfies and video calls.

Battery and Charging:

Equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers ample battery life to power through a full day of usage. Additionally, the device supports 80W wired SuperVOOC charging, enabling users to quickly replenish the battery and minimize downtime.

Connectivity:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 supports a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and USB Type-C. Whether it’s streaming multimedia content, browsing the web, or staying connected with friends and family, users can rely on the Nord CE 3 to deliver seamless connectivity and performance.

Security:

For enhanced security, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 features an in-display fingerprint sensor, allowing users to conveniently unlock their device with a simple touch. This biometric authentication method adds an extra layer of protection to safeguard sensitive data and personal information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers a compelling combination of performance, affordability, and innovation, making it an attractive choice for smartphone enthusiasts in India. With its recent price reduction and competitive specifications, the Nord CE 3 presents a compelling value proposition for consumers seeking a high-quality smartphone experience without breaking the bank. As OnePlus continues to innovate and introduce new features with each iteration, the Nord CE 3 stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional devices tailored to the needs of its users.

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Namma Yatri launches cab service in Bengaluru

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In its largest market, Bengaluru, ride-hailing company Namma Yatri has expanded its services to include cab-hailing, marking a significant shift from its previous focus on auto rickshaws. Namma Yatri, known for pioneering a daily subscription model as opposed to the commission-based model utilized by competitors like Ola and Uber, had initially concentrated on auto rickshaws in Bengaluru. However, it now features a distinct section on its app dedicated to booking cabs in the city. Additionally, Namma Yatri already provides cab rides in Kochi and Kolkata.

The decision to venture into cab services follows Namma Yatri’s separation from its former parent company, Justpay, and comes on the heels of a reported expansion plan announced on April 1st. The move also aligns with the broader trend observed in the industry, as both Ola and Uber have recently introduced subscription-based plans for auto-rickshaw drivers on their platforms. This strategic shift towards subscription-based models, akin to Namma Yatri’s approach, as well as that of Rapido, highlights a growing preference within the industry for alternative pricing structures beyond traditional booking fees or commissions.

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