TDP fumes over union budget, hints at leaving NDA

News Network
February 2, 2018

Hyderabad, Feb 2: Telugu Desam Party (TD P), on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over allocations for Andhra Pradesh in Union budget 2018 and hinted at taking a crucial decision soon.

While the Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is expected to discuss the impact of the budget on the state's precarious financial situation at the party coordination committee meeting and then at the cabinet meeting on Friday, the meeting of party MPs is slated for Sunday.

Talking to media in New Delhi party MP T G Venkatesh has said that the party has no option left than withdrawing support to NDA. "First we will be withdrawing our ministers from the union cabinet and protest inside the house. Breaking away from alliance will be done if none of these have any impact on the government," he said.

Meanwhile, Naidu is said have sought the opinion of the MPs through teleconference as pressure is mounting on him to deliver the promises made by the NDA to the state which include hand holding of AP till completion of Polavaram project, construction of capital Amaravati, special package in-lieu of special category and new railway zone with coastal city Vizag as its headquarters.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who had made personal representation to PM Modi and FM Jaitley last month, is disappointed. "The Congress has divided the state without giving any thought about survival of AP. So we were forced to seek refuge under NDA. We thought that they would help us," Naidu said to have commented at the emergency meeting with MP's on Thursday.

Budget has widened the gap the at a time when there was a talk about strained relations between the TDP and the BJP. Left parties and the YSRCP say that the budget allocations indicate the BJP's stand. " This is a union budget meant for all the states. There is no point in blaming the center about state level allocation, which will be available in finer print," said BJP leader and former union minister D Purandeswari.

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News Network
December 2,2025

A major upgrade in safety and monitoring is planned for Haj 2026, with every Indian pilgrim set to receive a Haj Suvidha smart wristband linked to the official Haj Suvidha mobile app. The initiative aims to support pilgrims—especially senior citizens—who may struggle with smartphones during the 45-day journey.

What the Smart Wristband Will Do

Officials said the device will come with:
•    Location tracking
•    Pedometer
•    SOS emergency button
•    Qibla compass
•    Prayer timings
•    Basic health monitoring

SP Tiwari, secretary of the UP State Haj Committee, said the goal is to make the pilgrimage safer and more comfortable.

“Most Hajis are elderly and not comfortable with mobile apps,” he said. “The smartwatch will help locate pilgrims who forget their way or cannot communicate their location.”

The wristbands will be monitored by the Consulate General of India in Saudi Arabia, similar to mobile tracking via the Haj Suvidha App.

Free Distribution and Training

•    Smart wristbands will be given free of cost.
•    Training for pilgrims will be conducted between January and February 2026.
•    Sample units will reach state Haj committees soon.
•    Final devices will be distributed as pilgrims begin their journey.

New Rules for Accommodation

Two major decisions have also been finalised for Haj 2026:
1.    Separate rooms for men and women – including married couples. They may stay on the same floor but must occupy different rooms, following stricter Saudi guidelines.
2.    Cooking banned – gas cylinders will not be allowed; all meals will be provided through official catering services arranged by the Haj Committee of India.

These decisions were finalised during a meeting of the Haj Committee of India and state representatives in Mumbai.

Haj Suvidha App Launched Earlier

The government launched the Haj Suvidha App in 2024, offering:

•    Training modules
•    Accommodation and flight details
•    Baggage information
•    SOS and translation tools
•    Grievance redressal

Haj 2026 Quota and Key States

•    India’s total Haj quota for 2026: 1,75,025 pilgrims
•    70% (1,25,000) allotted to the Haj Committee of India
•    30% (around 50,000) reserved for Haj Group Organisers

Uttar Pradesh has the largest allocation (around 30,000 seats), though approximately 18,000 pilgrims are expected to go this year. States with high pilgrim numbers include Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Dates of Haj 2026

The pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from 24 May to 29 May, 2026 (tentative).
Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who meet the required conditions.

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