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Defense start-ups get praise in Ukraine, but face challenges at home.
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PM's "Selfish Protest" Jibe At Parties That Boycotted New Parliament Event
In his first remarks on the Congress-led Opposition boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said they "insulted" the sentiment of the country and the hard work of 60,000 labourers.
"India got a new Parliament building three days back. I ask you whether you are proud of it or not. Did you feel the joy on the increase in India's prestige? The Congress and some parties like it hurled muck of politics on this too," he said at a rally in Ajmer.
PM Modi also said the Congress is a party that took "85 percent commission", and referred to a statement by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi that when his government sent one rupee only 15 paise would reach the intended beneficiary.
The Congress and 20 other parties boycotted the inauguration of the new Parliament building by the prime minister on Sunday, saying it was an insult to President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, that she was not invited by the government to do the honours.
Referring to the inauguration of the new Parliament building, PM Modi said such opportunities come once in generations, but the Congress used this for its "selfish protest".
"They insulted the hard work of 60,000 (Shramjivis) labourers and the sentiment of the country," he said, adding the Congress is unable to digest the progress India is making.
PM Modi alleged the main Opposition party is angry because a "son of the poor" is not allowing it to do what it wants and is "raising questions on their corruption and parivarwad (dynastic politics)".
The Prime Minister accused the Congress of following a policy of misleading the poor and keeping them deprived during its rule. "Fifty years ago, the Congress guaranteed that it will remove poverty. But it turned out to be their biggest betrayal to the poor."
"It has been a policy of the Congress to mislead the poor and keep them deprived. The people of Rajasthan have also suffered a lot due to this."
The rally marked the start of a series of BJP public meetings over a month in a major outreach campaign as the party completes nine years in power at the Centre.
The Congress-run Rajasthan goes to the polls this year-end.
Before addressing the rally at Kayad Vishram Sthali on the Jaipur-Ajmer Road, PM Modi offered prayers at the Brahma temple in Pushkar.
The nine years of the BJP government were dedicated to the service of people, good governance, and welfare of poor, PM Modi said.
Before 2014, he said, people were on the streets against corruption, terror attacks rocked major cities, crimes against women were rising, policies were in disarray, investors were disappointed and there was a "superpower" over of the then prime minister and his government was being run by remote control.
During its rule, the Congress developed a corrupt system that "sucked the country's blood", he said.
Now, the prime minister said, people across the world are talking about India, and experts are saying India is very close to ending extreme poverty.
"Behind every success the country achieves, there is sweat of the people of India. The determination shown by every Indian to take the country forward is unique, but some people are not able to digest this," he said.
"When it comes to loot, the Congress does not discriminate against anyone. The Congress loots every citizen of the country equally be it poor, Dalit, oppressed, tribals, minorities, women or youths," he said.
There has never been a dearth of money for development work in the country, the prime minister said. "It is important that the money sent for development work is fully used in the work but the Congress had developed a corrupt system which was hollowing out the country," he said.
Development accomplished under the last nine years has been possible as the BJP government eliminated the path of loot the Congress carved, PM Modi said, adding had the grand old party been in power such achievement was not possible.
That happened because of the mantra of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' (inclusive development), the prime minister said.
He said the general vaccination campaign run under the Congress government is an example of how the party "played with the lives" of crores of women and children.
"When the Congress government was in power, the vaccination coverage in the country was just about 60 per cent. At that time, 40 out of 100 pregnant women and children could not get life-saving vaccines.
"Had the Congress government been there, it would have taken another 40 years for 100 per cent vaccination coverage. How many generations would have passed? A large number of poor women and children would have to lose their lives," he said.
He said only 14 crore people had gas connections before 2014, and at that rate, it would have taken another 20 years to cover the entire country.
But this situation was not acceptable to him, and therefore, the PM said, he ensured 19 crore gas connections are given in just nine years. He made similar comparisons for other schemes as well.
He said his government gave One Rank One Pension to soldiers, while the Congress "betrayed" brave soldiers over the issue. The OROP would not have seen the light of the day if the Congress were in power, he said.
Beneficiaries of various central government schemes also met PM Modi at the stage during the programme.
The PM also shared the details of the amount spent by the central government on various schemes, and asked people that, going by what Rajiv Gandhi said, how much of it would have gone to corruption if the Congress were in power.
Attacking the state government, he said people gave mandate to the Congress but the chief minister, his ministers and MLAs are busy fighting among themselves, and there is instability and anarchy.
"The Congress in Rajasthan is not worried about public. Crime is at its peak. People cannot celebrate festivals peacefully. The government has drowned in appeasement of terrorism," he said.
He also alleged the Congress government has given a free hand to those who do not care about the interests of daughters. "In nine years, the BJP government paid attention to every problem related to mothers and sisters," he said, highlighting women welfare schemes of his government.
Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal, Kailash Chaudhary, Gajendra Singh, BJP state president CP Joshi, his predecessor Satish Poonia, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore and other leaders were also present on the stage.
PM Modi began his 40-minute address by paying tributes to deities people in the area revere such as including Tejaji, Lord Devnarayan, Diggi Kalyan, Mata Shakambhari, Khoda Ganeshji.
PM Modi said Ajmer has been home to sages and also houses the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.
Before reaching the venue of the rally in Ajmer, PM Modi offered prayers in Brahma temple in Pushkar.
This was the second visit of PM Modi to Rajasthan in less than a month. Earlier this month, he visited Rajsamand and Sirohi districts.
Mr Rathore said the whole world sees PM Modi as its leader today. From America to Australia, the world is looking at PM Modi as "New Age Boss", he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"UPA Left Shattered Economy": Union Minister On Morgan Stanley Report
Morgan Stanley's report on how India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed and gained a position in the world order in less than a decade is the "best and sharpest indictment" of the Congress-led UPA's "lost decade between 2004 and 2014", Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Wednesday.
Speaking to PTI, he said the report reminds Indians how the Congress-led UPA had in 2014 left "a shattered economy". Nine years later, India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world with record FDI, the minister said.
"This report that says how India is transformed in less than a decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in my opinion the best and sharpest indictment of the UPA's lost decade between 2004 and 2014," he said.
In the report, Morgan Stanley said significant scepticism about India, particularly with overseas investors, ignores the significant changes that have taken place in India, especially since 2014.
Rejecting criticism that India has not delivered its potential (despite it being the second-fastest-growing economy and among the top-performing stock markets over the past 25 years) and that equity valuations are too rich, saying such a view ignores the systematic reforms in the last nine years.
Chandrasekhar said, "The report goes into details and it reminds Indians that how in 2014 the Congress' UPA had left a shattered economy, almost 14 quarters of runaway inflation, 12 quarters of decline in economy and industrial production, investors running away from the country, a broken financial sector that was characterised by crony corrupt lending by banks, and international big investors like Telenor, Nokia running away from India." "That was the situation in 2014 that this report has rightfully captured," he told PTI.
The Union minister said India has come through the Covid pandemic, one of the "most disruptive times" in the history of the world, and emerged as a stronger nation that has earned "all the respect of the world".
"Whether it is the formalisation of the economy, tax rates that are comparative with the world, and infrastructure... We have become the largest infrastructure in the world today.
"We are the fastest growing innovation economy in the world. We are becoming a technology power in the world... Most importantly, from the eleventh largest economy in the world, we have become the fifth in a short span of nine years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.
Chandrasekhar said the report indicates that Prime Minister Modi has not only been working for the growth of the nation but he has expanded the economy and brought stability and security.
"He has created good governance despite the fact that in 2014 the UPA and the Congress government had left a total mess for Prime Minister Modi ji to inherit," he added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Germany closes Russian consulates in a tit-for-tat dispute with Moscow.
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Action Will Be Taken Once Probe Completed, Says Rajnath Singh To Wrestlers
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that women wrestlers' complaint against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh is being probed and action will be taken once the investigation is over.
Some of the country's top wrestlers have been protesting against Brij Bhushan Singh, a BJP MP, demanding his sacking from the federation and his arrest. The Delhi Police has registered two FIRs against him and is probing the case.
"The matter is being investigated. The government will take action in the matter once the investigation is over," the defence minister told reporters.
He was in the district to attended a family function.
He also said all political parties should have attended the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
"The inauguration of new Lok Sabha Bhawan was a public event which should have been attended by all political parties. It was not a session of the House. It was a matter of pride for the country," the defence minister said.
The Congress and 20 other parties boycotted the inauguration of the building by the prime minister, saying it was an insult to President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, that she was not invited by the government to do the honours.
Rajnath Singh said the nation has progressed under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in recent years and there is a marked decline in unemployment.
He said the benefits of government schemes have reached everyone and the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) will again form the government with a majority in the 2024 general elections.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"I Am A Common Man," Says Rahul Gandhi As He Arrives In US' San Francisco
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived here on Tuesday for a three-city US tour during which he will interact with the Indian expatriates and meet American lawmakers.
He was received at the airport by Indian Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda and other members of the IOC. Rahul Gandhi had to wait for two hours at the airport for the immigration clearance, party sources said.
While he was waiting in the queue, several people who were travelling with him in the same flight clicked selfies with him.
When people asked him why he was standing in the queue, Rahul Gandhi replied, "I am a common man. I like it. I am no longer an MP." Starting with San Francisco where he is scheduled to interact with students at the prestigious Stanford University, Rahul Gandhi will address a press conference and have meetings with lawmakers and think tanks in Washington DC.
The 52-year-old Congress leader is also likely to address Indian Americans and interact with Wall Street executives and university students during his week-long tour of the USA. He is slated to conclude his trip with a public gathering in New York on June 4. The interaction would take place at the Javits Center in New York.
Last week, Indian Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda said Rahul Gandhi's visit is aimed at promoting shared values and a vision of "real democracy".
"The purpose of his (Gandhi's) trip is to connect, interact and begin a new conversation with various individuals, institutions and media, including the Indian diaspora that is growing in numbers in the United States and abroad to promote the shared values and vision of the real democracy with a focus on freedom, inclusion, sustainability, justice, peace and opportunities world over," Sam Pitroda said in a statement.
Rahul Gandhi received a new ordinary passport on Sunday, two days after a Delhi court gave its clearance.
The former Congress president, who had applied for an ordinary passport after surrendering the old diplomatic passport issued to him when he was a member of parliament, is set to travel to San Francisco in the United States on Monday evening on a three-city tour.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as an MP in March following his conviction and two-year sentence by a Gujarat court in a defamation case over his Modi surname remark.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Russia has carried out more than a thousand attacks on Ukrainian health care facilities, the W.H.O. said.
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Helicopter Slithering Training Given To Commandos By Delhi Police
In view of the upcoming G20 Summit, Delhi Police gave training to its newly recruited commandos on 'helicopter slithering' at Delhi Police Academy in Jharoda Kalan, officials said on Tuesday.
The training, which is a first of its kind by the police, was given to 55 male, 25 female and 15 SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) unit commandos, they said. The aim of the training is to ready the commandos for any potential evacuation during disasters or any terrorist incidents, police said, adding that the exercise was conducted using an M-17 Helicopter.
The training was held in the presence of Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and other senior officers of the force, and was assisted by the Border Security Force, they added.
According to police, slithering from a helicopter is risky, not only to the commando carrying out the procedure from an airborne helicopter but also to the pilot. It is more dangerous and challenging compared to the slithering exercise from a building or a tree.
"For this training session, a makeshift helipad was prepared on the ground of Delhi Police Academy, Jharoda Kalan. A Border Security Force MI-17 IV helicopter, fitted with a slithering frame and trained men from BSF took off from Safdarjung airport and landed at the helipad of police academy, Jharoda Kalan," the police statement said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Punjab Cabinet Expansion Tomorrow
The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab will on Wednesday induct MLAs Balkar Singh and Gurmeet Singh Khudian as cabinet ministers, officials said.
Cabinet Minister Inderbir Singh Nijjar has tendered his resignation from the Council of Ministers, citing personal reasons, they said.
Chief Minister Mann has forwarded the resignation of Local Government Minister Nijjar to Governor Banwarilal Purohit, an official said.
The Bhagwant Mann-led dispensation has sought time from the Punjab governor for the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday.
Balkar Singh is a legislator from Kartarpur, in Jalandhar, while Khudian is an MLA from the Lambi seat.
Currently, the strength of the Mann-led cabinet is 15, including the chief minister. There are a total of 18 berths in the cabinet.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
21-Year-Old Indian-Origin Student Shot Dead In US: Report
A 21-year-old Indian-origin student was shot dead in Philadelphia, Khaleej Times reported on Monday.
The deceased student was identified as Jude Chacko. He was shot by unidentified assailants while he was returning from work on Sunday (local time), Khaleej Times reported further.
"The victim's parents migrated to the US around 30 years ago from Kerela's Kollam district," according to the report.
Jude Chacko was a student who also worked part-time. He was attacked by two men during a robbery attempt.
This is the second such incident reported this year in which an Indian-origin student was targetted and killed in the US.
Earlier, a 24-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh was shot dead at a fuel station in the US on April 21, 2023, the Columbus Division of Police had said.
The victim, identified as Saiesh Veera, was working at a petrol station in Ohio. He was shot dead by unknown assailants while on the job, police said.
The police had also released the picture of the suspect and asked for help in identifying the accused.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The war has stolen the normal experiences of teenage life.
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Russian strikes damage at least one airfield in western Ukraine.
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"Strictest Punishment Should Be Given": BJP Leader On Delhi Murder Case
BJP MP Hans Raj Hans on Monday termed the brutal killing of a minor girl in northwest Delhi "very painful" and said youth sometimes get "carried away by emotions" and act like "fools".
The 16-year-old girl was stabbed multiple times and then bludgeoned with a stone by a youth on Sunday. The accused, identified as Sahil (20), was arrested by the police from Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.
Mr Hans who, along with local BJP leaders, met the family of the victim, said the "strictest" punishment should be given to the guilty in the murder of the girl in the Shahabad Dairy area of his northwest Delhi constituency.
He said it was a "very painful" incident that came to his knowledge on Sunday night and since then he was in touch with the police for quick action to arrest the accused.
However, while talking about the present young generation, Mr Hans told PTI, "It was unfortunate. Youth sometimes get carried away by emotions...they act like fools sometimes." Mr Hans, who is a Sufi singer called love as "pious", noting that it turns into a crime when mixed with "hate".
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva described the murder of the minor girl as a case of "love jihad" and demanded its trial in a fast-track court.
Police said that the accused and the victim were allegedly in a "relationship" that had turned sour and the two had a fight on Saturday.
A purported CCTV footage of the gruesome killing that splashed on tv channels and social media handles sent shockwaves among people. In a shocking display of public apathy, people can be seen passing by, with some bystanders staring in alarm, but not doing anything to stop the brutal attack.
The accused is seen walking away from the victim in a casual manner only to turn back and again hit her with a slab before leaving the site.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Arvind Kejriwal To Attend AAP's Tiranga Yatra In Haryana's Jind Next Week
AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will participate in a Tiranga Yatra in Haryana's Jind district next week as part of his party's campaign for the assembly elections in Haryana slated for next year.
The term of the state legislative assembly will expire on November 3, 2024.
"A Tiranga Yatra along with a road show has been organised in the Jind district of Haryana on June 8 to sound the poll bugle in the state," AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Gupta, who was recently appointed as the party's Haryana unit president, told PTI on Monday.
Both Mr Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will participate in the mega event in which around 50,000 people are expected to take part, he said.
Earlier in the day, Mr Kejriwal held a meeting here with his party's Haryana unit leaders who came to invite him to the event.
The meeting was attended by AAP's national organisation secretary Sandeep Pathak, Gupta and other party leaders from Haryana. Ashok Tanwar, who was recently appointed as the AAP's campaign committee chairman for Haryana, was also present at the meeting.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Can't Proceed On Assumption": Court Bail To Man In Money Laundering Case
The Delhi High Court today granted bail to Indore-based real estate developer Vijay Agrawal in a money laundering case involving alleged hawala dealer Naresh Jain, and said when an individual's liberty is concerned, it cannot proceed merely on the basis of assumptions and presumptions.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said there is no "absolute restraint" on the grant of bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act or a requirement of "positive finding qua guilt" at this stage.
The judge said there has to be some substantial link between the money received and criminal activity relating to scheduled offence, which can be attributed to the accused.
According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Naresh Jain along with his brother Bimal Jain and other accomplices hatched a criminal conspiracy to cause a loss to the exchequer and banks by indulging in illegal foreign exchange transactions on the basis of forged and fabricated documents.
The agency told the court that in furtherance of the conspiracy, Agrawal acquired shares of a company at a lesser price than actual valuation and also took loans from the shell companies of the co-accused.
The court observed the claim by Agrawal, who was arrested in March 2022, that he did not know he was dealing with tainted money cannot be brushed aside mechanically and granted him bail on a personal bond of Rs 25 lakh subject to conditions.
"For the purpose that evidence cannot be meticulously examined at this stage, the court cannot merely proceed on the basis of assumption. There has to be some substantial link between the money received and criminal activity relating to scheduled offence which can be attributed to the petitioner," said the court.
"The petitioner is stated to be renowned developer and his plea that he did not know that he is dealing with the tainted money cannot be brushed aside mechanically. If the liberty of an individual is concerned, the Court cannot proceed merely on the basis of assumptions and presumptions.. The twin conditions of Section 45 do not put an absolute restrain on the grant of bail or require a positive finding qua guilt," said the court.
In its order, the court stated while protecting the right and liberty of an individual, it has to consider the right of the society at large as well as the prosecuting agency as the offence of money laundering is a very serious offence which affects the financial health, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.
It however added the offence of money laundering is like a "running-goods train where the bogey keeps on adding" and the question to be examined is whether a person whose role is found later knew that the money which he has been dealing with is a proceed of crime and a finding cannot be returned "merely on the basis of inferences and presumptions".
The court added it cannot meticulously examine the evidence and cannot hold a mini trial at this stage as it has to only examine the case on the scale of broad probabilities.
The court noted in the present case, Agrawal was not an accused in the predicate offence and was also not named in the ED FIR. He also suffered from a serious medical condition, it said.
"Thus taking into account the facts and circumstances, the petitioner is admitted to bail on furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.25,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five lakhs) with two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court, subject to the conditions," ordered the court.
The ED has alleged that Naresh Jain and his accomplices were operating around 337 accounts in foreign banks in Dubai, Hongkong and Singapore in respect of 104 shell firms/ companies.
It claimed before the high court that during the investigation, 603 bank accounts of 311 companies have been examined and it has been gathered that Naresh Jain and his accomplices rotated funds approximately to the tune of Rs 96,000 crore for providing accommodation entries of approximately Rs 18,679 crore to 973 beneficiaries.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Will Erdogan leave office in 2028?
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Siddaramaiah's "Need For New Parliament" Query Amid Wrestlers' Detention
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned the need for a new Parliament building after protesting wrestlers were detained by the police on Sunday for demanding justice.
Security personnel stopped and detained protesting wrestlers as they try to march towards the new Parliament building from their site of protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
In a tweet, the Karnataka Chief Minister said, "What's the need for the new Parliament building if it can't give justice to the Wrestlers who are protesting? It is unfortunate to know that few wrestlers have been detained for demanding justice. We as humans and Indians should stand with them and voice their concerns. They had made Indians proud by winning medals for us and we should make them feel proud to be Indians!!"
The ongoing wrestler protest in the national capital has taken a new toll as star grappler Bajrang Punia said the Mahila Mahapanchayat will definitely take place in front of the new Parliament building which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Several ace grapplers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Mallik have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar accusing the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and demanding his arrest.
Wrestlers were trying to march towards the new Parliament as they want to hold a women's Maha Panchayat in front of the new Parliament.
"Democracy is being killed in the country, no one is getting the justice they deserve," Bajrang Punia told reporters ahead of the protesting wrestlers' march towards the new Parliament building.
Mr Punia said, "Many people are very cooperative with us but there are few police officials who are misbehaving with us, they are not allowing our family members to go inside."
Asked about whether the Mahapanchayat will take place or not, the 29-year-old wrestler said, "Mahapanchayat will definitely take place. We have given a letter to seek permission. Police are just making a fool out of us and are constantly keeping us under pressure."
Without naming Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Punia said, "The one, who is accused of offences, is roaming freely. He banters about changing the law, defaming POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act controlling the government, no harm is done to that person, whereas, those who are peacefully protesting are getting ill-treated."
Further attacking WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Bajrang Punia said, "He is only doing politics, he wants to change the POCSO Act."
Bajrang Punia stated that about 2,500 persons have been detained by police.
"Police are camping at the home of our coaches, players, and leaders of Kisan Union and Khap Panchayat. Whether it be Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, or Rajasthan," he said.
"I request to the government and to the police department to release our people who have been detained because we want to establish this as a peaceful protest and carry it on in the same manner. We are protesting for the self-respect of our sister and daughter, we are not protesting for any political motive," the Olympic Bronze medalist added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"No Central Discrimination Against Bengal": BJP State Chief
West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "pet phrase" of central discrimination against the eastern state was wrong as facts and figures show the opposite.
Mr Majumdar, while presenting the nine-year "report card" of the BJP government at the Centre, said that from constructing roads to providing water connection to households, the Narendra Modi government has always helped the state.
Sukanta Majumda claimed that even though the faulty land policy of the TMC government prevented land acquisition for highway expansion, the Centre never plugged the fund flow for building new highways in the state.
"Take the example of the slow pace of widening of National Highway 34. While it takes only five hours to reach Lucknow from Delhi, it takes around a whole day to reach Balurghat from Kolkata. Why is it so? There is no central discrimination in this," he said.
Majumdar said he wants the state to be known as a place of job-givers and not job-seekers.
"There is only one fully functional airport in the state. Andal has very few flights and the Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,884 crore for the expansion of Bagdogra airport," he said.
Mr Majumdar said the state government never acknowledged the Centre's help in developing medical colleges in the state, including AIIMS, Kalyani.
He, however, praised the state for cooperating with the Centre in child immunisation.
BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, "Our efforts in presenting our rich ancient history are shown as saffronisation effort in some quarters and this perception should change."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Man Kills Parents Over Land Dispute In UP's Firozabad
A man shot dead his parents over a land dispute in a village here on Sunday, police said.
The incident happened in area under Eka police station and the deceased were identified as Rakesh Yadav (55) and his wife Guddi Devi, they said.
Additional Superintendent of Police Sarvesh Mishra said the couple had an old argument over possession of a piece of land with their elder son Bitu Yadav.
Prima facie, it appears that Bitu had an argument with the duo on Sunday that escalated and he shot them dead, he said.
The bodies were found on a farm, he said, adding that the accused is absconding.
According to locals, the couple had moved to the nearby Etah district. They had come to Firozabad to discuss the possession of the disputed land.
Efforts are on to nab Bittu, police said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Lotus, Peacock Motifs For Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha In New Parliament Building
Premium hand-knotted carpets weaved laboriously by as many as 900 artisans from Uttar Pradesh for a whopping "10 lakh man-hours" will adorn the floors of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the new Parliament building.
The new Parliament building, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, will showcase exquisite motifs of national bird peacock and national flower lotus in the carpets of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively.
Obeetee Carpets, the over-100-year-old Indian company behind the project, said weavers crafted more than 150 carpets each for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha "before stitching them into a single carpet in the form of a semi-circle to sync with the architecture of each of the Houses spread across 35,000 square feet of area".
"The weavers had to craft the carpets for halls measuring up to 17,500 square feet each. This posed a significant challenge for the design team, as they had to meticulously craft the carpet in separate pieces and seamlessly join them together, ensuring that the creative mastery of the weavers blended harmoniously to create a unified carpet that can sustain heavy footfall," Rudra Chatterjee, Chairman of Obeetee Carpets, said.
While the colours used in Rajya Sabha has been primarily inspired by the shade of kokum red, the look of Lok Sabha is based on Indian agave green with inspirations from the plumes of the Indian peacock.
Laying emphasis on the intricacies of the workmanship, he said that as many as "120 knots per square inch" were woven to create the carpets, totalling "over 600 million knots".
The weavers, hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi and Mirzapur districts, have spent a whopping "10 lakh man-hours" to carpet the Upper and Lower Houses of the new Parliament building.
"We began the project in 2020 right in the middle of the pandemic. The weaving process started by September 2021, was over by May, 2022, and the installation commenced in November 2022. Crafting each carpet with a high density of 120 knots per square inch took approximately seven months," Chatterjee said.
Russian Attack Leaves at Least 1 Dead in Kyiv
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PM To Unveil New Parliament Today Amid Opposition Boycott: 10 Points
- According to the tentative schedule, PM Modi will arrive at 7.15 am, followed by a puja 15 minutes later. He will enter the Lok Sabha chamber at 8.35 am.
- With carpets from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, bamboo flooring from Tripura and stone carvings from Rajasthan, the new parliament building reflects India's diverse culture. The government has announced a commemorative Rs 75 coin to mark the historic event.
- The new parliament building, built by Tata Projects Ltd, has a grand constitution hall to showcase India's democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.
- The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. It has three main gates - Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar and Karma Dwar - and separate entrances for VIPs, MPs and visitors.
- The material used for the new building has been acquired from across the country. The teakwood was sourced from Maharashtra's Nagpur, while the red and white sandstone was brought from Sarmathura in Rajasthan, to name a few.
- The new parliament building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber. For a joint sitting of both the houses, 1,280 MPs can be accommodated in the Lok Sabha chamber.
- The present parliament building was completed in 1927, and is now 96 years old. Over the years, the old building was found to be inadequate for present day requirements.
- The Sengol, first received by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru from the British, had been kept in a museum in Allahabad until now. It will be placed near the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker.
- The Congress has rejected the BJP's claim that the Sengol symbolised the transfer of power from the British to an independent India.
- BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, has hit back, saying the Congress needs to "reflect" on its behaviour. Mr Shah rejected the Congress's claim that there was no evidence of the Sengol being a symbol of transfer of power.
"Maligned India's Image": Court On Mumbai Teen Sexually Harassing Tourist
Stating that his crime tarnished the country's image and leniency will send the wrong message outside India, a city court has sentenced a 19-year-old man to two years in jail for molesting a woman tourist from Peru.
Metropolitan magistrate at Mazgaon court P I Mokashi convicted and sentenced accused Riyaz Ahmed on Friday, a little over two months after the incident.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on him.
The judgement, which became available on Saturday, held that "no such woman like the informant with good background and reputation and being a foreigner can come to the court merely to falsely implicate the accused without any reason unless such incident shall have taken place." During arguments on the quantum of punishment, the accused's lawyer had prayed for leniency considering his age.
As he was young and it was his first offence, he should be released on probation of good conduct, the lawyer had said.
But the court noted that the accused had entered the woman's room only to touch her, and now she was afraid of traveling in India.
"Thereby this act of the accused has maligned the image of our country. If the accused is given benefit under Section 4 of Probation of Offenders Act, wrong message will be sent throughout the world," the magistrate observed.
The accused worked as a manager at the guest house where the 38-year-old woman from Peru, on a solo trip to Mumbai, was staying in March this year.
He kept visiting her room, insisted that she click selfies with him and touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions, she had alleged.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"He Talks Bad About...": Union Minister On Rahul Gandhi's US Visit
As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is all set to visit the USA at the end of this month, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday took a jibe at the former Wayanad MP saying he visits abroad 60-times in a year and every time "tears down" the country.
"I usually don't comment on Rahul Gandhi because I scratch my head to try to understand why he is saying what he is saying. When PM Modi travels abroad, he speaks about our country's achievements and earns respect for India. This man (Rahul Gandhi) goes abroad 60 times a year. On every visit, he tears down India and our institutions. He talks bad about our democracy, about EVMs, the justice system, media, and everything," the Minister said.
He further slammed the Congress leader and said that only Rahul Gandhi has a problem with Indian democracy.
As per the sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who was scheduled to fly to the United States for 10 days on May 31 has rescheduled his tour and will now embark on his journey on May 28.
Rahul Gandhi will attend a program at Stanford University and meet the Indian expatriates on May 29-30.
He was earlier scheduled to embark on a 10-day visit to the USA beginning on May 31.
Rahul Gandhi dominated the headlines as he returned from London after giving speeches at Cambridge University, critical of the government and throwing light on Indian democracy.
In March 2023, Rahul Gandhi delivered a speech at Cambridge University, at a convention organized by the Association of Journalists in London, and finally during an in-conversation session at the Chatham House think tank in London.
"Everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space," Rahul Gandhi said at Cambridge University in the UK.
"The institutional framework which is required for a democratic Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilization, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy," he had added.
The remarks by the Congress MP gave fresh ammunition to the ruling BJP, who demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi.
Several of his statements in the UK stoked controversy in India. BJP intensified its attack on Rahul Gandhi with party chief JP Nadda alleging he is a "permanent part of the anti-India toolkit".
The BJP leader demanded an apology from the former Wayanad MP.
The second leg of the Budget session of Parliament witnessed deadlock.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wanted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to apologize for remarks that he made in London about democracy in India; the Congress insisted on the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe allegations of dubious financial transactions and dishonest business practices against the Adani Group of companies.
On April 11, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from his position as a Member of Parliament after his conviction in a defamation case. He was disqualified in accordance with Article 102(1)(e) of the Indian Constitution read with Section 8 of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Goa Police Files Chargesheets Against 2 Restaurants For Playing Loud Music
Anjuna Police have filed charge sheets in sound pollution cases against the owner and manager of two restaurants in Goa, which played music beyond the permissible limits, police said on Saturday.
On January 12, Gaurish Naik lodged a complaint against Cafe LA MusicaVagator, Anjuna, Bardez Goa for playing music beyond the permissible limits thereby causing nuisance, and annoyance to the public.
The investigation of the crime was taken over by the police.
"Further, after the collection of evidence chargesheet has been submitted before the Hon'ble JMFC, Mapusa against accused Vijay Arora, owner and Sudipta Ghosh of Cafe LA Musica, under Sec 15 of Environment (Protection Act) section 57 of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rule)2000," police said.
"In another case, on January 13, the police acting on a tip-off, registered a case against XOXO Bar and Restaurant for playing music beyond the permissible limits within the premises and thereby causing a nuisance, and annoyance to the public by emitting the sound in air in the locality of Anjuna," police added.
The chargesheets have been filed against both the cafes, police said. Further information is awaited.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The leader of a Russian group involved in a border incursion is described by watchdogs as a neo-Nazi.
By BY VALERIE HOPKINS from NYT World https://ift.tt/r2WoVbB
Map: Tracking Typhoon Mawar
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Evan Gershkovich, the American reporter Russia accuses of spying, appeals the extension of his detention.
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High Court Slams Cops' "Week-Kneed Approach" Over Unhealthy Religious Acts
The contention that animal sacrifice is an essential and integral part of one's religious belief and cannot be interfered with even if it causes nuisance to others, has to be rejected, the Kerala High Court has said.
Hearing a writ petition against the inaction of the authorities to stop the illegal slaughter of birds and animals in the guise of ritualistic sacrifice at a private residence in Kochi, Justice V Arun said such unhealthy, unscientific and deleterious practices are to be prevented, even if it is done in the name of religion.
The court, in an order issued on May 24, directed the Ernakulam district panchayat, the revenue divisional officer, Ernakulam Rural SP and other officials to stop the activities carried out in a structure, resembling a temple, constructed by a private person on the second floor of his residential building, after conducting a probe, at Edathala Grama panchayat near Aluva in Kohi.
"Going by the precedents and on a proper understanding of the rights under Article 25 and the liberty guaranteed under Article 21, the contention that, animal sacrifice being an essential and integral part of the 8th respondent's religious belief and practice, cannot be interfered with even if it causes nuisance to others, has to be rejected," the court said.
As opined by none other than Dr BR Ambedkar, true religious practice should be guided by reason, equality and humanistic values, rather than blind adherence to traditions, the court added.
"All unhealthy, unscientific and deleterious practices are to be prevented, even if it is done in the name of religion," the order said.
The court observed that it was disconcerting to note the "weak-kneed and jittery approach of the police and revenue authorities" when illegalities committed under the garb of religion are brought to their notice.
"The authorities should be mindful of the fact that the laws of this country are equally applicable to all citizens and no special treatment can be meted out to any person on religious grounds," the court observed.
The writ petition said that objectionable activities are carried out in a structure, resembling a temple, constructed by Anand P on the second floor of his residential building and has exhibited a board with the name 'Sree Bhramarambika Vishnumayaswami Devasthanam' and is canvassing devotees through notices and other modes of advertisement.
The petition also said that Anand was conducting poojas and rituals in his building day-in and day-out, accompanied by the ringing of bells, blowing of the conch and shrieks and cries of animals and birds.
"The blood of the slaughtered animals is flown to the road and carcasses are strewn all over the place. Additionally, vehicles of persons visiting the place for conducting poojas and rituals are parked indiscriminately. All these factors have made life impossible for me (petitioner) and the other residents of the area," the petitioner claimed.
It also said that the construction was illegal and it was done without obtaining the permission envisaged under the Kerala Panchayat Building Rules.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Students in Belgium Hazing Death Are Sentenced to Fines and Service
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Gyanvapi Row: Court To Hear Petition Filed By Waqf Board Today
The Allahabad High Court will hear on Friday a petition filed by the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board and the Gyanvapi masjid management committee that has challenged the maintainability of a suit pending before a Varanasi court, seeking the restoration of a temple at the site of the mosque.
The petitioners have also challenged an April 8, 2021 order of the Varanasi court, directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a comprehensive survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
On November 28, 2022, Justice Prakash Padia had reserved his judgment in the matter after hearing both sides at length.
However, in its order dated May 24, Justice Padia said more clarifications were required from the counsel for the parties. Considering this, the matter was put up, along with other connected matters, for further hearing on Friday.
The high court had earlier reserved its judgment on the maintainability of the suit pending in the Varanasi court. Now, all connected matters on the suit's maintainability and the order for the ASI survey will be heard together by the court.
On April 8, 2021, the Varanasi court, while hearing a suit seeking the restoration of the temple at the Gyanvapi mosque site, had directed the ASI to conduct a comprehensive survey of the mosque complex.
Subsequently, the Varanasi court's order was challenged before the high court by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid (AIM), the Gyanvapi management committee and the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board.
On September 9, 2021, the high court stayed the Varanasi court's order. The stay order was extended from time to time during the hearing of the matter.
Hearing the petition filed by the AIM and the waqf board, Justice Padia reserved his judgment on November 28, 2022 and directed that the interim stay on the Varanasi court order asking the ASI to conduct a survey of the mosque complex will continue till the delivery of the judgment.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Madeleine McCann Search Is Over, Portuguese Police Say
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Nearly 100 Men, Women Arrested After Raids At Ghaziabad Mall Spas: Cops
Sixty women and 39 men were arrested in raids at eight spa centres in Pacific Mall located on the UP-Delhi border, police here said on Thursday.
"Police have arrested 60 women and 39 men from these spa centres most of them allegedly involved in immoral sex trafficking and were found in objectionable state," DCP Trans Hindon Vivek Chandra Yadav said.
In the raids that were made Wednesday midnight, the Link Road police also arrested seven managers, two of them women, and booked them under sections of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
The seven managers were identified as Kushal, Preet Kaur, Subhash, Rohit, Renu, Rohit Singh, and a 23-year-old Sumit, Yadav said.
"We have identified 11 others who are the owners or managers running these centres and were involved in encouraging prostitution. They will also be arrested soon," said the officer.
The arrested patrons and managers were produced before a court here and were later sent to jail, he said.
The DCP said Sub-Inspector Shishupal Solanki, In-charge, Maharajpur Police Outpost, was suspended for dereliction of duty.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
On the Run for Decades, a Fugitive of Rwanda’s Genocide Is Finally Caught
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Arvind Kejriwal's Insistence On Full State Powers Misplaced: Pawan Khera
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday said Arvind Kejriwal is the only chief minister of Delhi who is seeking full powers to function and is blaming external factors for his failure to deliver.
He said Sheila Dikshit had been chief minister of Delhi for 15 years who initiated a host of developmental projects in her time with the same powers even when there was a BJP government at the Centre.
"Whenever we raised the demand from the central government, we tried to work together with it and worked successfully. No wonder 150 flyovers were made, metro was introduced and CNG/ clean fuel was brought and industries were relocated," he said.
Mr Khera also claimed Arvind Kejriwal was unique in his insistence on grant of full powers to him as Delhi chief minister, something no other politician who headed the state ever did.
"What is the reason that Arvind Kejriwal is alone in asking all powers? Neither Madan Lal Khurana, nor Sahib Singh Verma, nor Sushma Swaraj, nor Sheila Dikshit ji sought so, but Arvind Kejriwal is the only Chief Minister who wants full powers to function. You blame external factors for your failure," Mr Khera told PTI.
"The Hindi proverb 'Naach na jaane, aangan tedha' ideally fits Kejriwal," he said when asked about Delhi chief minister's opposition to the Centre's ordinance which seeks to create an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi.
Another Congress leader and former Union minister Ajay Maken, however, said other leaders, including Dikshit, did indeed fight for expansion of powers to Delhi the government but were thwarted in their request by the Centre. "It's invigorating to witness that, finally, leaders from Aam Aadmi Party are acknowledging the substantial technical concern I raised."
"Never claimed that Sheila Dikshit Ji didn't seek full statehood or expanded authority. My assertion was - 'Kejriwal (wants to) gain a unique privilege previously denied to Chief Ministers like Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Madan Lal Khurana, Sahib Singh Verma, and Sushma Swaraj'," he said.
He said Sheila Dikshit asked for more powers in 2002, while Madan Lal Khurana, Bhagat, and Brahm Prakash, among others, made similar demands in the past.
"Notwithstanding, from Ambedkar Ji in 1947, through Patel, Nehru, Shastri, Narasimha Rao, Vajpayee, to Manmohan Singh till 2014, none granted what AAP is currently demanding from Modi or what other Delhi leaders asked for.
"Regardless of not being fully empowered, all previously Chief Ministers exhibited excellent performance due to their intent to serve, a trait unfortunately missing in Kejriwal. His singular goal appears to be to advance his personal ambitions and consolidate more power," he said in a long tweet.
Mr Maken said the refusal to grant full state powers has behind it the peculiar nature of Delhi, which also serves as the national capital.
"... the principle of cooperative federalism doesn't apply here. As such, the constitution refers to Delhi not merely as Delhi, but as the 'National Capital Territory of Delhi'. If AAP followers comprehend the essence of 'National Capital Territory', they should respectfully retract their demands," he said.
"Rather than seeking more authority to mask inefficiency and conceal corruption, focus on improving the city for which you have been given the mandate," Mr Maken said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Hypocrisy": BJP Slams Opposition Over New Parliament Building Row
What was the "locus standi" of Sonia Gandhi when she along with the then PM Manhoman Singh inaugurated legislative buildings in Manipur and Tamil Nadu, the BJP asked on Wednesday while countering the Congress' criticism over the inauguration of new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BJP alleged that opposition parties were making it an issue because of their "extreme hatred" for Modi.
"Congress' hypocrisy knows no limits," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla charged as he reminded the opposition party that former prime minister Indira Gandhi had inaugurated the Parliament House Annexe and her successor Rajiv Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the Parliament Library building in 1987.
Many opposition parties, including the Congress, have announced a boycott of the ceremony on May 28, demanding that President Droupadi Murmu and not PM Modi do the inauguration.
Accusing the government of "completely sidelining" President Murmu, 19 opposition parties have, in a statement, said they find no value in a new building when the "soul of democracy has been sucked out".
Mr Poonawalla alleged that the Congress had no problem when the then prime minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the Assembly building and complex in Manipur in 2011.
"PM Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi inaugurating the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly building complex is ok," he said on Twitter.
"What was locus (standi) of Sonia Gandhi at these inaugurations?" he asked.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had inaugurated the central hall in Bihar Legislature, Mr Poonawalla said on Twitter.
"In these five instances were the President, Governors insulted?" he said, calling the Congress "mother of hypocrisy".
Parties like the Shiromani Akali Dal, BJD and YSRC as well as the BJP's NDA allies have said they will participate in the event.
On the opposition parties calling the inauguration of the new Parliament building an insult to President Murmu, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia hit back and asked why they didn't support her when she was nominated as a candidate for the presidential polls.
"When a woman from the scheduled tribe community assumed the constitutional post of the President, why didn't Congress oust its leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for calling her Rashtrapatni," he also asked.
Mr Bhatia alleged that standing against "every positive work and historic moment" has become "the character" of the opposition parties as "they have an extreme hatred for Prime Minister Modi" who, he said, is taking India forward.
"Their motive is to violate the sanctity of Parliament, which the people of the county will not allow. More history will be scripted in the same temple of democracy (new Parliament building) and the country will progress," he added.
Mr Bhatia said it is unfortunate that instead of playing a positive role, the Opposition is changing the "goalpost".
"First they said this is Modi Mahal. It was not Modi Mahal. It was a unique initiative and a need…..Prime Minister Modi is such a leader that he fulfilled what the Congress and the then Speaker Meira Kumar dreamt of (a new Parliament building)," Mr Bhatia said.
The Congress, TMC, SP and AAP are among the parties that have announced a boycott of the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
Noting that it is a momentous occasion, the 19 parties in a joint statement said, "Despite our belief that the government is threatening democracy, and our disapproval of the autocratic manner in which the new Parliament was built, we were open to sinking our differences and marking this occasion." However, Prime Minister Modi's decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, "completely sidelining President Droupadi Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response," they said.
The DMK, Janata Dal (United), CPI-M, CPI, NCP, SS (UBT), RJD, IUML, JMM, NC, KC (M), RSP, VCK, MDMK and RLD are the other signatories of the joint statement.
Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said his party will also skip the ceremony.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that it was mere "drama" as these parties had never supported the project.
He also maintained that another reason for the boycott might be that the inauguration will be held on a day "associated with Veer Savarkar".
"The boycott is obvious. They had opposed the construction of the Parliament building in the first place," Mr Sarma told reporters in Guwahati.
The BJP leader claimed that the Opposition had never thought the construction of the new Parliament House would be completed so soon and it came to them like a "bouncer".
"So, just to save their face, they are enacting a drama of boycott. But the point remains that they never supported the project from day one... We never expected them to be in the function," he added.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi urged the parties to reconsider their decision to boycott the ceremony.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Why the ‘Rules’ of Politics Don’t Always Stymie Outsiders to the System
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Hindu Devotees Move Mathura Court To Offer Prayers At Shahi Idgah
A plea has been filed before a court here seeking permission to allow Hindu devotees to offer prayers at the Shahi Idgah complex that it claimed was built on the land which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna and where a temple had existed.
With this, the number of suits filed in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case, in different courts of Mathura, has gone up to 15.
"The new suit has been filed by Supreme Court advocate and Delhi resident Hari Shankar Jain who along with some others are the petitioners. The next hearing on the matter has been fixed on May 25," District Government Counsel Sanjai Gaur said.
The plea has made secretary of the Shahi Idgah, the chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board Lucknow, the managing trustee of the Srikrishna Janmabhumi Trust and the secretary of the Srikrishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan parties in the case.
Mr Jain told reporters here on Wednesday that it has been requested in the petition to pass an order that devotees have the right to pay their obeisance at the birthplace of Lord Krishna situated within the Idgah premises.
He said the petition has also sought that the trust of the Shahi Idgah remove structures made over the area.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Rolf Harris, Disgraced British Entertainer, Dies at 93
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Month After Maoist Blast, 2 Bombs Found Planted Under Chhattisgarh Road
Two powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by Naxals under a road were recovered in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, police said.
A major tragedy was averted as the bombs were detected in time, said an official here.
The two devices were found under the Awapalli-Basaguda road when a team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was out on a search operation.
The IED which claimed the lives of 11 persons in neighbouring Dantewada district in April had been planted by using the same foxhole mechanism, the police official said.
Personnel of the CRPF's 168th and 222nd battalions were involved in the operation on Wednesday, he said.
The IEDs, placed in plastic containers, were planted five feet beneath the road by digging an eight-feet high and eight-feet wide tunnel from the roadside. They were successfully neutralised by a Bomb Disposal Squad.
On April 26, ten personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard of police and a civilian driver were killed after Naxals blew up the vehicle in which they were travelling as part of a convoy in Dantewada district.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Russians fear the border attack could create new military challenges.
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Mexican President Said He Told Ally Not to Worry About Being Spied On
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Boris Johnson Is Referred to Police Over Potential New Covid Rules Breach
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Bride Chases Runaway Groom Over 20 km, Brings Him Back To Wedding Mandap
A bride's wedding day in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly turned into an unexpected chase for her groom after he developed cold feet and refused to get married. Unable to accept that she had been spurned, the bride, dressed in her wedding finery, embarked on a chase over 20 kilometers to find the man and marry him.
When she was told that her groom, who she had been in a relationship with for two-and-a-half years, was not going to show up as she sat waiting for him at the mandap, she decided to go looking for him herself. Although he told her on a phone call that he had gone to bring his mother to the venue, she didn't believe him.
The groom was eventually found in a bus near a police station outside Bareilly city limits. After dramatic exchanges that lasted two hours, the bride, her family as well as the man's family took him to a temple.
The groom's family consented to the marriage and the two were wed at a temple outside Bareilly city. Videos of the ceremony show the groom in plain clothes go through the motions of the marriage ceremony as their families watched on.
The bride was praised for her "courage to save her marriage" by the families and onlookers who chided the man for "running away from the responsibility of marriage" after promising to marry the girl.
Amid Row With Centre Over Postings, AAP Rejects Order To Reinstate Officer
Digging in heels, the AAP government on Tuesday rejected an order to reinstate YVVJ Rajasekhar as special secretary (vigilance), with Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, who had divested the bureaucrat of his charge, asserting that he was the competent authority in the matter.
Vigilance minister Bhardwaj termed the order issued on Monday by the vigilance directorate as "unauthorised and illegal" and directed withdrawal of all work and files from Rajasekhar.
It is the latest fallout of the ongoing tug-of-war between the Centre and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government to control administrative services in the national capital.
The vigilance directorate order reinstating Rajasekhar was the first such direction after the Centre promulgated an ordinance that effectively brought services matters, including transfer and posting of bureaucrats, in the Delhi government back to the Lieutenant Governor's domain.
The ordinance was brought by the Centre after the Supreme Court verdict on May 11 gave executive control over services-related matters to the elected arm of the Delhi government.
Bhardwaj, in an office memorandum, claimed that he was the competent authority and asserted that the order issued on Monday by vigilance directorate to reinstate Rajasekhar was "unauthorised, invalid and illegal" and no action should be taken based on it.
Rajasekhar, who was divested of his charge on Bhardwaj's orders, had resumed work in the capacity of special secretary of both vigilance and services departments and attended office after the vigilance order.
Asked about the minister's stand, Rajasekhar on Tuesday said the matter is sub-judice.
"I have not seen any such directions. In any case, the matter is still sub-judice. Why I am being targeted? As far as I am concerned, we are all doing our selfless service. Let me concentrate on my job," he said.
On Monday, he had asked his subordinates in the vigilance directorate to prepare an inventory of files and records in his office as well as in the confidential section.
Earlier, he had alleged a break-in at his office on the intervening night of May 15-16 and complained to higher-ups about suspected "tampering" with "sensitive files" including those related to probes in excise policy, and renovation of the chief minister's official residence among others.
Bhardwaj, in his memorandum, said that the Supreme Court verdict had inter-alia held that as a matter of constitutional mandate, "the power in respect of services matter will be exercised by the elected arm of Delhi government" and all civil servants are accountable to the ministers of their respective departments.
"And whereas an ordinance has been gazetted by the Central Government on May 19, 2023 that purports to establish an Authority for the exercise of certain powers, but this does not include allocation of work within the department," said the memorandum.
Bhardwaj asserted that, as the vigilance minister, he was the 'Competent Authority' for all aspects of work within the department including allocation of work.
Before the apex court verdict, the Lt Governor was the competent authority in the services matters. The ordinance brought by the Centre restores the earlier position for all practical purposes.
Bhardwaj, however, claimed in his memorandum that the vigilance directorate's order reinstating Rajasekhar was not approved by him as the "competent authority".
"Therefore, the said order is unauthorised and is hereby declared invalid and illegal. No action should be taken as a result of this order," read the memorandum.
Bhardwaj also said that his previous orders for withdrawing work from Rajasekhar, in both vigilance and services departments, will be followed in letter and spirit.
He also sought immediate compliance with his previous orders including withdrawal of all work assigned to Rajasekhar. He allocated Rajasekhar's work in the vigilance directorate to Special Secretary II (services) Kinny Singh.
Bhardwaj also directed that files which are with Rajasekhar in the vigilance directorate should be handed over to the Secretary (Vigilance) for safe custody.
A separate inquiry must be instituted to enquire how the "unauthorised order" was issued by the directorate, the minister said in the memorandum.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Portuguese Police to Renew Search for British Girl Missing Since 2007
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Russia Claims Bakhmut, but Some See a ‘Pyrrhic Victory’ With a Staggering Toll
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Bill To Link Birth, Death Data With Electoral Rolls Soon: Amit Shah
The government is planning to bring a bill in Parliament to link data related to birth and death with electoral rolls and the overall development process, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday.
Inaugurating the 'Janganana Bhawan', the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Mr Shah said the census is a process that may form the basis of the development agenda.
Digital, complete and accurate census figures will have multi-dimensional benefits, he said, adding planning based on the census data ensures development reaches the poorest of the poor.
Mr Shah also said if the birth and death certificate data are preserved in a special way, development works can be planned properly.
"A bill to link death and birth register with electoral rolls will be introduced in parliament. Under this process, when a person turns 18, his or her name will be automatically included in the electoral rolls. Similarly, when a person dies, that information automatically will go to the Election Commission, which will start the process of deleting the name from the voters' list," he said.
Officials said the bill to amend the Registration of Birth and Death Act (RBD), 1969, will also facilitate matters related to the issuance of driving licences and passports and giving benefits of the government welfare schemes to people besides others.
"If the data of birth and death certificate is preserved in a special way, then by estimating the time between the census, planning of development works can be done properly," he said.
Earlier the development process happened in fragments because adequate data for development was not available, he said.
After 70 years of independence planning was adopted to electrify every village, to give a home to everyone, to give tap drinking water to everyone, to give healthcare to everyone, to give toilets to every home, Mr Shah said.
"It took so long because no one had the idea as to how much money will be required to fulfil these basic necessities because the utility of the census was not conceived, the data related to the census were not accurate, the available data was not accessible online and coordination with census and planning authorities were absent," he said.
"I have been involved in the development process for the last 28 years and have seen that the development in our country has been demand-based. Public representatives who had sway could extract more benefits of development for his or her constituency. This is one of the reasons why our development has been fragmented and more expensive due to duplicacy," he said.
Along with the new Janganana Bhawan, the minister also inaugurated a web portal for registrations of birth and death.
A collection of census reports, an online sale portal of census reports, and an upgraded version of the SRS mobile app equipped with a geofencing facility were also unveiled.
Mr Shah said the mobile app equipped with geo-fencing will ensure that the authorities know that the enumerators record data by going to the blocks assigned to him or her and no one can make fake entries without visiting the blocks.
This will ensure that the data recorded are accurate, he said.
"Census is a process that outlines a nation's development process. So it is very much necessary to make it fool proof and flawless by using technologies like upgraded version of the SRS mobile app equipped with a geo-fencing facility," he said.
He said enumeration in the next census will be carried out in an electronic format where self-enumeration will also be allowed.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Key events in the battle for Bakhmut, the war’s longest-running sustained fight.
By BY MATTHEW MPOKE BIGG from NYT World https://ift.tt/cBe0AlH
Erdogan Secures Endorsement of Former Rival for President
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Over 80% Haryana Villages Get 24x7 Electricity: Chief Minister ML Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said that more than 80 per cent of villages in the state are getting 24-hour electricity and efforts are underway to provide 24x7 electricity to the remaining 600 villages by the end of this year.
While addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Khattar said, "In Haryana, more than 80 per cent of villages are getting 24-hour electricity. Now we are providing 24-hour electricity in 5,694 villages. We will try to provide 24x7 electricity to the remaining 600 villages this year."
Chief Minister Khattar also mentioned that a circular issued by the power department which consisted of names of the farmers who have defaulted on their bill payments will not be implemented.
"A circular from the power department came that faulty farmers will be faced with a penalty. I was very unhappy over this and decided not to implement this as farmers are unable to pay huge amounts of up to lakhs. Also, steps are being taken to stop the theft of power for agriculture by the farmers," he said.
"In the last few years, 61 thousand tubewell connections were given. Haryana is the first state where electricity is provided 24 hours a day to 80 percent of villages. The problem of electricity in the remaining villages will also be removed this year," he added.
He also mentioned that electricity bills of families having annual income up to Rs 1 Lakh will be waived.
"The electricity bill of the people of the family having annual income of Rs 1 lakh will be waived, the amount of waiver will be 50 percent of the principal amount of the electricity bill," Khattar said.
He also announced that the 5th Jansanvad program will be in Mahendragarh.
"A total of more than 32,000 rural people have taken part in the Jansanwad program so far," he said.
Earlier today Haryana CM Khattar launched a community policing and public outreach program "Haryana Uday" while attending 'Raahgiri' day celebrations in Gurugram.
The public outreach program will be implemented from June 1 in the entire state.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
As Russia Claims Victory in Bakhmut, Ukraine Sees Opportunity Amid Ruins
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With His Party Ahead in Elections, Greek Leader Claims ‘Political Earthquake’
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Covid Highlighted Many Gaps In Global Health Architecture: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted many gaps in the global health architecture and asserted that building resilience in global systems needs a collective effort.
In his video message at the 76th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, PM Modi said the pandemic also highlighted a need to boost global health equity while India showed its commitment to international cooperation by shipping almost 300 million vaccine doses to more than 100 countries.
"Many of these countries were from the Global South. I am sure that supporting equal access to resources will be a top priority for the WHO in the coming years," he said.
In the last few years, PM Modi said, India has worked on availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare.
He said, "An approach that works with the scale of India's diversity, can also be a framework for others. We are keen on supporting the WHO for similar efforts in low- and middle-income countries." Be it the world's biggest health insurance scheme - Ayushman Bharat, or the massive ramping up of health infrastructure, or the drive to provide sanitation and drinking water to millions of families, many of India's efforts are aimed at boosting health at the last mile, the prime minister said.
India's traditional wisdom says that the absence of illness is not the same as good health, he said, adding that traditional systems such as yoga, ayurveda and meditation address physical, mental and social aspects of health.
He said, "I am glad that WHO's first Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is being established in India. I am also happy that the world is recognising the importance of millets through the International Year of Millets." PM Modi noted that India's ancient scriptures teach to see the world as one family.
"During our G20 Presidency this year, we are working with the theme of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. Our vision for good health is 'One Earth One Health'. We can be healthy only when our whole ecosystem is healthy. So, our vision is not restricted to just humans. It extends to the entire ecosystem, including animals, plants and the environment," he said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The U.S. believes Ukraine has the equipment it needs for a counteroffensive.
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"Unprecedented Power, Water Crisis" In Jharkhand, Alleges BJP MP
Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Ranchi Sanjay Seth said that Jharkhand including the capital Ranchi is facing an unprecedented power and water crisis.
While addressing a press conference, Sanjay Seth said, "Today the entire state including the capital Ranchi is facing an unprecedented power and water crisis. As the temperatures have increased, the problems of electricity and water shortage have increased."
He further stated that Hemant Soren-led government is silent on this matter.
"There is a hue and cry in the state due to the power-water crisis. The current Hemant Soren-led UPA government is completely silent on this issue. The government has become inactive in providing adequate water and electricity to the public."
"Due to lack of electricity, fans are switched off, now people are forced to use hand fans. They are sending pots and lanterns to the Chief Minister," he added.
He also mentioned that a big movement will be done in the state if problems related to power and water are not rectified.
"Crime is at its peak in the state, the people of the state are demanding that the Yogi model should be implemented in the state. Jharkhand can be developed only by the implementation of the Yogi model, people will get electricity and water, and crime can end. I warn that if the problem of electricity and water is not rectified, then a big movement will be done. I request the government to fulfill the promises with which the government came into power," he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Marginal Farmers Should Be Priority": PM's Food Action Plan At G7 Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for building an inclusive food system to provide relief to the world's most vulnerable people as part of his 10-point action plan to address challenges in the area of food, fertilisers and healthcare.
In an address at a session of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, PM Modi also pitched for checking the "expansionist mentality" occupying the fertiliser resources and strongly batted for the democratisation of technology.
The prime minister's 10-point action plan included curbing wastage of food, depoliticisation of global fertilizer supply chains, promoting millets, encouraging holistic healthcare, strengthening digital health care and building development models inspired by the needs of developing countries.
There is a need to focus on the holistic use of natural resources and the development model inspired by consumerism has to be changed, PM Modi said.
The prime minister said efforts should be put to build an inclusive food system that focuses on the world's most vulnerable people, especially "marginal farmers should be our priority".
"The global fertiliser supply chains have to be strengthened. Political obstacles in this have to be removed. And the expansionist mentality that is occupying the fertilizer resources has to be stopped. This should be the purpose of our cooperation," he said.
The prime minister, however, did not name any country.
PM Modi also emphasised preventing the wastage of food saying it should be "our collective responsibility".
"It is essential for sustainable global food security," he said.
The group of seven (G7), comprising the US, France, the UK, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan, represent the world's richest democracies. Under its G7 presidency, Japan invited India and seven other countries to the summit.
PM Modi also underlined the need for focusing on development, technology and democracy together.
"It is necessary to democratise technology. Technology can become a bridge between development and democracy," he said.
The prime minister also noted that the model of development should pave the way for welfare and not become a hindrance in the progress of developing countries.
"I am confident that our discussions today will be useful in creating an important link between the agenda of the G20 and the G7. And will be successful in prioritising the hopes and expectations of the Global South," he said.
The prime minister also highlighted the importance of natural farming.
"We can create a new model of natural farming as an alternative to fertilisers around the world. I believe that we should take the benefit of digital technology to every farmer in the world," he said.
PM Modi said that there is a need to separate organic food from "fashion statement and commerce" and instead, it should be linked to nutrition and health.
PM Modi also spoke about the advantages of millets.
"Millets simultaneously address the challenges of nutrition, climate change, water conservation and food security. Awareness should be created on this," he said.
At another session, PM Modi identified climate change, environmental security and energy security as some of the biggest challenges facing the world.
"To solve all these challenges, we have to listen to the call of the earth. You have to change your behavior accordingly," he said.
"Moving forward in the direction of climate action, we have to make green and clean technology supply chains resilient," he said.
"If we do not provide technology transfer and affordable financing to the needy countries, then our discussions will remain only discussions. There will be no change on the ground," he said.
"I can proudly say that the people of India are conscious towards the environment and understand their responsibilities. This sense of responsibility has been flowing in our veins for centuries," he said.
The prime minister said India is fully prepared to make its contribution together with all.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The key events in the battle for Bakhmut, the war’s longest-running sustained fight.
By BY MATTHEW MPOKE BIGG from NYT World https://ift.tt/dscbUEV
Bakhmut has exposed an ugly, personal feud between the Russian Defense Ministry and ‘Putin’s chef.’
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College Student Hospitalised After Being Attacked, Parents Allege Ragging
A second-year BA second of Government College, Jatauli, has been hospitalised with severe injuries after being brutally attacked on campus in a suspected case of ragging, police said on Saturday.
An FIR was registered against six students in connection with the incident under IPC sections 147 (riot), 149 (unlawful assembly), and 323 at the Pataudi police station on Friday, they said.
According to police, the victim was identified as Chander Shekar. The police case was registered based on a complaint by his father Ashok Kumar.
The complainant stated that on Friday morning, his son was attacked by some students on the college premises, resulting in several injuries including to his right eye.
He further said that his son had to be admitted in the ICU of a Pataudi hospital because of the severity of the injuries. The man named six students for the attack.
"My son did not have any dispute with anyone and it was a case of ragging in which the senior students attacked him to show off. Due to injuries, he is not fit to give a statement yet," Ashok Kumar said.
Police said they were verifying the facts and action would be taken as per the law.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
In Flood-Stricken Area of Italy, Residents Fear This Won’t Be the Last of It
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Raped By Village Head's Relative, Woman Stopped From Going To Cops
A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped by her neighbour in Jharkhand's Palamu district, police said on Saturday.
The incident happened on Tuesday, but the complaint was filed on Saturday as the local panchayat was allegedly preventing the woman and her husband from going to the police station because the accused is the brother-in-law of the 'mukhiya' or village head, they said.
The accused, a 36-year-old man, took the woman's husband to a programme on Tuesday night and returned to the village a while later alone, leaving him there. On returning to the village, he went to the woman's house, gagged her and took her to an isolated place, where he allegedly raped her, police said.
In the meantime, the husband returned, and not finding his wife at home, he started searching for her. He found his wife while the accused was allegedly raping her, they said.
Police said the local panchayat held a series of meetings over the issue, and first offered money to the woman to hush up the case. When she did not agree, she was told to go to her parent's home. The panchayat then decided not to allow the family outside their home at any cost.
However, she somehow managed to go to the Sadar police station along with her husband, and file a complaint, police said.
A hunt was on to arrest the accused, said Additional Superintendent of Police Rishabh Garg.
The woman was sent for the medical examination to the Medinirai Medical College and Hospital.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
In a Sharp Reversal, Biden Opens a Path for Ukraine to Get Fighter Jets
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Gujarat Family Goes For Picnic, 6 Members Drown In Sea: Cops
At least six members of a family allegedly drowned in the seawater in the Bharuch city of Gujarat, police said late Friday night.
The incident took place at Dajej Beach in Bharuch when a family hailing from Muller Village had gone for a picnic.
Police said that two people are undergoing treatment in a private hospital.
"Six members of a family of Muller village who went for a picnic on the Dahej beach of Bharuch have died due to drowning in the seawater. Two people are undergoing treatment in a private hospital," Leena Patil, DSP, Bharuch said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
A ‘Canadian Armageddon’ Sets Parts of Western Canada on Fire
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After Clean Chit To Adani Group, BJP Leader's Swipe At Rahul Gandhi
Shortly after the Supreme Court-appointed panel's clean chit to the Adani group in an investigation linked to the Hindenburg allegations, BJP leader Amit Malviya launched a pointed attack against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Mr Malviya, the BJP IT cell chief, listed out occasions when Rahul Gandhi's accusations, including the corruption allegations in the Rafale Jet deal, fell flat. The latest being the allegations levelled by the Congress leader in the Adani-Hindenburg case.
"Rahul Gandhi's speech writers will now have to come up with something more outlandish, for him to sustain his lie machine," said Mr Malviya.
The Supreme Court had appointed the committee of domain experts alongside the investigation that SEBI was conducting into Hindenburg's allegations against the Adani Group.
"At this stage, taking into account the explanations provided by SEBI, supported by empirical data, prima facie, it would not be possible for the committee to conclude that there has been a regulatory failure around the allegation of price manipulation," the panel said in the report submitted to the Supreme Court.
The committee said there was no price manipulation on the part of the Adani Group and that the conglomerate had taken necessary steps to comfort retail investors.
The mitigating measures taken by the group had helped in building confidence in the stock and the stocks are stable now, the panel said.
No regulatory failure was found regarding Minimum Public Shareholding and there was no violation of compliances, the committee said.
Foreign portfolio investors in Adani Group stocks are compliant with SEBI's regulations, the committee said.
(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)
‘Only a plus’: Many Kyiv residents say Zelensky’s overseas trips benefit Ukraine.
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Bihar 2nd In Crimes Against Scheduled Caste People: Caste Panel Head
Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Vijay Sampla on Friday said Bihar ranks in the second position in the country in crimes against Scheduled Caste (SC) people and it is a matter of concern.
He, however, did not reveal the name of the state which tops the list.
“Bihar is at second position in the country, when it comes to crime, including murder, against SCs. The state government has not taken any concrete steps to check crimes against SCs,” Mr Sampla told reporters.
He also did not provide details about the incidents of crimes against SC people in Bihar.
The data provided by Bihar during meetings with NCSC members made it clear that the administration failed to provide benefits of the state and central governments' social, economic and welfare schemes to the SC community, he said after concluding a two-day state-level review meeting.
He said, “As per information provided to the commission, several posts for SCs have been lying vacant in the state for the last several years. The state must launch a special drive to fill those posts.” Besides, the performance of Bihar in providing education to students belonging to the SC community has been abysmal, said the NCSC chairman.
“Out of the total SC children who enrol in primary schools of the state, only 20 per cent opt for secondary education. This alarming 80 per cent dropout rate among the SC children shows the Bihar government's indifferent and lackadaisical approach towards their education,” Mr Sampla said.
Expressing disappointment that the state has only six hostels for SC girls, he asked the state government to set up at least one hostel for such girls in every district in the state.
To a question, Mr Sampla said, “The commission has sent notice to the state government asking it to explain the grounds on which Anand Mohan Singh was released.” Gangster-turned-politician Anand Mohan Singh, who was serving a life sentence was released from jail last month after being behind bars for 15 years. He was convicted for his role in the 1994 murder of the then Gopalganj collector G Krishnaiah who belonged to the SC community.
The former Bihar MP was released under a jail sentence remission order after the state government's recent amendment of prison rules which allowed the early release of 27 convicts, including him.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Madhya Pradesh Polls: Kamal Nath Promises Free Electricity, Aid For Women
The Congress will provide 100 units of electricity free to households and subsequent units up to 200 at half price if voted to power in Madhya Pradesh, where Assembly polls are scheduled for later this year, the party's state chief Kamal Nath said on Thursday.
Addressing a public meeting in Badnawar, some 50 kilometres from the district headquarters here, Kamal Nath also said the party would give Rs 1,500 per month to poor women and bring back the Old Pension Scheme for government employees if it wins the Assembly polls.
"For the first time I am saying 100 units of electricity will be free and 100 units will given at half price if the Congress is voted to power in Madhya Pradesh," Kamal Nath said.
Incidentally, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has a scheme under which women whose family income is less than Rs 2 lakh annually get Rs 1,000 per month.
Slamming the BJP-led Centre, Kamal Nath said a row over Hindi had been triggered in Tamil Nadu, pro-Khalistani slogans were being raised in Punjab and Manipur was witnessing violence between tribals and non-tribals, which had led to the deaths of several persons.
"Efforts are on to divide society. This is a big challenge and we have to act as protectors of our culture. The BJP has politicised religion and brought it into the political arena," Nath said.
"I am a proud Hindu but I am not a bewakoof (fool). We have to understand this thing. We have to understand the attacks taking place in our society and country," he said amid slogans of 'Jai Sri Ram' from the people at the rally.
The Congress had emerged as the largest party with 114 seats in the 230-member Assembly in the 2018 polls and Kamal Nath went on to become chief minister.
However, a rebellion by MLAs loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia brought down his government in March 2020 and led to the BJP reclaiming power under Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Gary Prado Salmón, Bolivian Captor of Che Guevara, Dies at 84
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Parents Arrested For Murder Of 18-Year-Old Son In Chhattisgarh: Cops
A man allegedly killed his 18-year-old son and tried to pass it off as an accident by discarding the corpse and a motorcycle by the side of a road in Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh, a police official said on Thursday.
The body of 18-year-old Tekmani Paikara, son of Kuhru Singar, a resident of Lohdapani village under Lailunga police station limits, was found on Lakra Tokri road on May 5, Lailunga Sub Divisional Officer of Police Deepak Mishra said.
"The victim's uncle informed the police on May 6 that Tekmani had died in a bike accident. In their initial statements, the victim's parents claimed Tekmani, a Class 11 student, had returned home from the hostel and left his house on a bike on May 5. On the morning of May 6, the victim's mother, Karamvati Paikara (40), discovered her son's body on Lakra Tokri road near their house," the SDOP added.
"The post mortem revealed grievous injuries. Suspicious of foul play, the Lailunga police started a probe and found fresh coats of paint on several spots in the victim's house. Blood stains were also found in the courtyard, which a forensic analysis confirmed was human blood," he said.
Tekmani's parents confessed to the crime on sustained questioning, with the father admitting he had hit the boy due to his lack of interest in studies, with the immediate provocation being his return to home late after a motorcycle ride, the official said.
"Tekmani succumbed to his injuries on May 5. In an attempt to conceal the murder, the parents disposed of the body and motorcycle by the side of a road. They have been arrested and charged for murder, destroying evidence and other offences," Mr Mishra said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
