Morning Brief: PM Modi's Urban Naxal Warning; Karnataka Budget To Be Presented Today; Bangladesh-Pakistan Ties Worry India And More

PM Modi Says Naxalism Beginning To Spread Roots In Urban Centres

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that Naxalism is being eradicated from jungles but is spreading in urban areas, with some political parties echoing their ideology.

Speaking at the Republic Plenary Summit, he criticized the Congress for stifling aspirations, asserting that under his government, India's ambitions and achievements have grown.

He highlighted the government's success in reducing Naxal-affected districts and tackling terrorism.

Modi warned that "urban Naxals" have infiltrated political parties and oppose India's development and heritage, emphasising the need to guard against them.

Modi said the Congress had trampled the aspirations of the people who had stopped expecting from it.

But in the last 10 years, the aspirations of the people have increased, he said.

Bangladesh Strengthens Ties with China, Warms Up to Pakistan, Raising India's Strategic Concerns

Bangladesh's growing ties with China and Pakistan are creating new challenges for India.

A Bangladeshi delegation recently toured China, expressing interest in the Belt and Road Initiative, while Dhaka is negotiating softer loan terms with Beijing.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani cargo ship is set to dock in Bangladesh for the first time in 53 years, signaling warming ties.

On the defence front, Pakistan’s ISI is reportedly increasing its influence in Bangladesh, with ISI-backed groups fostering radical networks.

High-level military meetings between Bangladesh and Pakistan, along with planned defence cooperation, further add to India's concerns.

Domestically, Bangladesh is facing unrest, with its army chief hinting at possible military intervention if instability persists.

Family Of Former PM Manmohan Singh Gives Nod For Memorial At Rashtriya Smriti Sthal

The family of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has given written approval for a memorial at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal near Raj Ghat.

His wife, Gursharan Kaur, has reportedly sent a formal acceptance letter after a site visit by family members, including his daughters.

The 900 sq m plot, one of the last vacant ones in the complex, is centrally located, surrounded by the samadhis of former leaders like Chandra Shekhar and Pranab Mukherjee.

The family will establish a trust to oversee the memorial’s construction, which will be eligible for a one-time grant of Rs 25 lakh.

Singh’s cremation was conducted at Nigambodh Ghat instead of Rashtriya Smriti Sthal.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had approved the land allotment based on a request from the Congress party.

The Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, created in 2013 during Singh’s tenure as PM, serves as a common memorial ground for former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Prime Ministers.

Delhi Govt To Shut 250 Mohalla Clinics Operating From Rented Spaces, Aayushman Bharat Registration from 8 March

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh announced the closure of over 250 mohalla clinics operating from rented premises, citing corruption and inefficiency.

He emphasised that future clinics would be set up on government land and that one mohalla clinic per district would be converted into a Jan Arogya Mandir within 30 days.

Singh also confirmed that Delhi will implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with registration beginning after 8 March. The scheme will provide Rs 10 lakh health coverage to eligible families.

Additionally, Delhi will sign an MoU with PM Jan Aushadhi to procure affordable generic medicines for government hospitals and dispensaries.

The minister promised strict monitoring of hospital bed allotments, EWS quotas, and institutional deliveries, while also launching dental health vans for rural areas.

Vowing systemic reforms, Singh assured that wrongdoers in the healthcare sector will face strict action and pledged visible improvements in Delhi’s healthcare system within 100 days.

Karnataka Budget 2025-26: Siddaramaiah’s Record 16th Budget Eyes Growth and Welfare

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will present the state’s 2025-26 budget on Friday, with an expected outlay exceeding Rs 4 lakh crore.

This will be his record 16th budget, the highest by any leader in Karnataka’s history.

The budget comes amid pressure from legislators, including those from the ruling Congress, over insufficient funds for development projects.

With around Rs 52,000 crore allocated to fund the five guarantee schemes of the state, there are expectations of new projects being announced in the budget.

As per the projections made in the Mid-Term Fiscal Plan released last October, Karnataka’s GSDP is projected to grow at 10.2 per cent, surpassing the national average by 2 per cent.

The state’s economy is expected to reach Rs 31 lakh crore, up from Rs 28.09 lakh crore estimated in the previous budget.

Tamil Nadu BJP Launches Signature Campaign for Three-Language Policy Implementation

The Tamil Nadu BJP launched the ‘Samakalvi Engal Urimai’ (Equal Education is Our Right) campaign on 5 March, advocating for the implementation of the three-language formula under the National Education Policy 2020.

Former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan initiated the campaign and a digital signature website in Chennai.

BJP State President K Annamalai announced plans for statewide public meetings and door-to-door signature collection, aiming for one crore signatures by May, to be submitted to the President of India.

Annamalai defended the BJP’s boycott of an all-party meeting on delimitation, stating that no official announcement had been made on seat reductions.

He quoted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured that Tamil Nadu’s representation would not be affected.

Annamalai also criticised the DMK government for neglecting issues like women’s safety, corruption, and law and order.