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Former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is set to launch his own political outfit, on Sunday said Article 370 of the constitution, which granted greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir and was revoked three years ago by the BJP government at the centre, can't be restored.

In his first public meeting in North Kashmir's Baramulla, Mr Azad targeted regional parties for "misleading people" by promising them to push for the restoration of Article 370.

"Ghulam Nabi Azad will not mislead anyone. For votes, I will not mislead and exploit you. Please don't rake up issues which can't be achieved. 370 can't be restored. It needs two-thirds majority in parliament," said Mr Azad in a fiery speech.

President Droupadi Murmu nominated Ghulam Ali to Rajya Sabha on Saturday. Reacting to his nomination, Ali said, "In BJP we don't work for the position. I worked selflessly for the party and the party saw my loyalty, and work. I want to thank PM Modi. It's not my win but a win for the entire Jammu and Kashmir."

According to him, his nomination to Rajya Sabha is a victory for all communities. "PM Modi had said that when we come to power, we will empower those who do not have political power. PM Modi did what he said. This is not just a victory for the Gujjar community but for all communities," said Gulam Ali.

People congratulate BJP's Gulam Ali after being nominated to Rajya Sabha by President Murmu. President Draupadi Murmu on September 10, appointed Gulam Ali to the Rajya Sabha. Ali hails from Jammu and Kashmir. He is an Engineer and has been active in politics for the last 15 years.

Urban infrastructure and railways may get more than 70% share of the mobility-related investment that government envisages in next 25 years. During the past two-and-a-half decades, the government put more thrust on the road and highways sector, which resulted in roads becoming the most preferred mode for freight transport.

The plan also envisages developing seven Hyperloop lines, including two for cargo transport, and increasing the average speed of intercity transport by 2-3 times. The current average speed is close to 24 kmph. To meet this target, the plan draws the road map for increasing the length of expressways and accesscontrolled highways to 32,000km from the current 320 km and augmenting the port capacity to handle cargo by fourfold, from 2,500 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 10,000 MTPA by 2047.

With several states cutting across party lines — from BJP-ruled Gujarat to Congress-led Rajasthan — set to seek an extension of the free foodgrains scheme (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) beyond September 30, the Centre may be inclined to continue with it for at least a few more months.

To alleviate Covid distress, the PMGK Anna Yojana was initially announced for a three-month period (April-June 2020) and was extended several times, with its sixth phase ending September. Given the quantum of wheat and rice available in the buffer stock now, free foodgrains can be provided to the poor for another three months till December 2022, sources said.

An English daily had on September 4 reported that the decision to extend it would be a “political call” given the costs involved. The bill for the first six months (April-September 2022) is estimated to be about Rs 80,000 crore, and the Department of Expenditure under the Union Ministry of Finance had, in an internal note, advised against extending it both on “grounds of food security and on fiscal grounds”.

Meghalaya governor Satya Pal Malik has praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is fronting the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, saying that he was doing a good job and hoped that the 3,570 km journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will lead to some “good outcomes”.

Malik, who addressed an event in Bulandshahr district’s Moodhi Bakapur village on Thursday, said Rahul Gandhi was doing good work and extended his best wishes for his endeavours.

Asked about his speech at the event during his visit to Uttar Pradesh, Malik told HT on Friday over phone: “You can take it as my good wishes for him (Rahul Gandhi) if I am appreciating his endeavour”.