Top Trending Government News News & Highlights
AAP must leave its headquarters by June 15th, per a Supreme Court order.
The Aam Aadmi Party of Arvind Kejriwal will have to leave its headquarters, which are located on a plot of land designated for the High Court. The good news is that you still have until June 15 to act. The Supreme Court gave the party a long deadline because of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing that this is an encroachment case. The party may now submit an application for alternative land to the Land and Development Office of the Center.The bench, which included Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, stated, "We would request the L&DO to process the application and communicate its decision within a period of four weeks." The bench continued, "AAP has no legal right to remain on the land." The Delhi High Court was granted land in February to expand its operations and build more courtrooms for the Rouse Avenue location. The court had noticed that the AAP was intruding on this land. When considering a case involving the nation's judicial system, the highest court took notice of the issue.The state government promised at a meeting on February 15 that the plot would be removed in two months if a substitute plot was provided, in response to a court order. However, the situation remained unchanged. According to India's Chief Justice, DY Chandrachud, nobody has the authority to impose law on others. "It is absurd for any political party to sit on it. Every intrusion will be eliminated... The land should be given to the High Court so that it can be utilized by the general public and citizens, Justice Chandrachud stated.
Published 04 Mar 2024 05:31 PM
Article 21: The Constitutions Soul, with Citizens Liberty Supreme
According to the Supreme Court, Article 21 is the essence of the Constitution because it protects citizens' rights to liberty, which are so valuable that a person would lose them if the high court takes too long to decide cases pertaining to it. Amol Vithal Vahile, a prime accused in the murder of a corporator in Maharashtra, was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on January 29 following prodding from the top court, according to a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta.In a recent ruling, the bench stated that it is evident that prior to this court's order being issued on January 29, 2024, the high court had dismissed the bail application on one or more grounds rather than considering it on its merits.It goes without saying that Article 21 of the Indian Constitution is its core because it upholds the fundamental right to liberty for all citizens. It stated, "Depriving the party of their precious right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India would mean not reaching a quick decision and brushing off the issue on one or the other basis pertaining to a citizen's liberty." The bench stated that it has encountered numerous cases from the Bombay High Court in which the applications for bail and anticipatory bail were not resolved promptly. The bench mentioned one instance where the application for anticipatory bail was pending for over four years. "We have also encountered many cases where the judges find an excuse to reroute the case on unrelated grounds rather than rendering a decision based on the merits of the case. As a result, we ask the chief justice of the Bombay High Court to communicate our request to all judges who have criminal jurisdiction so that the issue of bail and anticipatory bail can be decided as soon as possible," the bench stated.It requested that the Supreme Court's Registrar (Judicial) forward this directive to the High Court's Registrar (Judicial), who will present it to the Bombay High Court's chief justice. The bench stated on January 29 that, despite the fact that Vahile had been detained for more than seven years, on March 30, 2023, the high court had ordered him to appear before the trial court for regular bail.
Published 02 Mar 2024 06:02 PM
India Receives Its Second Space Port, Excitement for Rocket Startups
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for India's second launch site, Kulasekharapatnam, which is situated in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. This will significantly advance the nation's spacefaring endeavors. The new launch pad has the small rocket community in India, including ISRO and startups, giddy with anticipation for more efficient small rocket launches.Up until now, all rockets used to launch satellites into orbit were launched from the nation's single spaceport, which was located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. To date, India has launched 95 rockets from Sriharikota, 80 of which have been declared successful. Renamed the Satish Dhawan Space Center, it began modestly in 1971 with the launch of a sounding rocket, the RH-125. The center is currently getting ready for India's human spaceflight project, Gaganyaan, to launch. Satish Dhawan Space Center has a distinct advantage—it is one of the world's southernmost rocket ports—but it also has a major disadvantage. The land mass of Sri Lanka presents a safety concern for rockets launching in polar or southerly directions because it keeps rocket debris from landing on foreign soil.In order to lessen this, ISRO has traditionally carried out a unique manoeuvre referred to as the "dogleg maneuver" in order to avoid Sri Lanka when conducting direct southward launches. Although there is a penalty for this maneuver, it can be tolerated for larger rockets with sufficient fuel, such as PSLV, GSLV, and LVM-3. But the advantages of using Sriharikota as the preferred launch site become clear as India gains proficiency in the launch of smaller rockets, such as the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), which can carry satellites weighing up to 500 kilograms. According to an ISRO rocket specialist, it becomes almost impossible to launch small rockets from Sriharikota in polar or southern trajectories with payloads weighing between 500 and 700 kg. As a result, Kulasekharapatnam has been chosen as the second launch site to address these issues because of its expanding small rocket market.
Published 28 Feb 2024 05:29 PM
Survey Says RBIs Paytm Action Won Affect Merchants Trust
Merchants' trust in the payment platform is unaffected by the severe limitations the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) placed on Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL), according to a survey done. According to Datum Intelligence, a Gurugram-based provider of business consulting and services, 59% of retailers still use Paytm and don't think the government crackdown will have an immediate effect on their business. The business conducted a survey with 2,000 business owners in 12 cities who accept payments through Paytm apps. According to a press release from Datum Intelligence, it was done between February 7 and February 15. Survey Says RBI's Paytm Action Won't Affect Merchants' Trust According to a Datum survey, 76% of retailers accept payments through Paytm. Merchants' trust in the payment platform is unaffected by the severe limitations the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) placed on Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL), according to a survey done. According to Datum Intelligence, a Gurugram-based provider of business consulting and services, 59% of retailers still use Paytm and don't think the government crackdown will have an immediate effect on their business. The business conducted a survey with 2,000 business owners in 12 cities who accept payments through Paytm apps. According to a press release from Datum Intelligence, it was done between February 7 and February 15. According to the survey, 21% of retailers are awaiting additional information The fact that a Paytm representative contacted them following the RBI ruling is what gives retailers their confidence. "After being contacted by a Paytm representative, 71% of merchants feel comfortable continuing to use Paytm for payments. According to the Datum Intelligence survey, only 11% of respondents are less confident about using Paytm for payments, and 14% of respondents are still looking for more information."Overall, the impact is limited on the merchant business and Paytm is engaging with merchants to reduce the damage and merchants are also waiting before deciding on alternatives," it added.
Published 28 Feb 2024 05:01 PM
Government News
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JN shouldn't cause you to panic.One COVID-19 variation is Health Minister
"In response to the introduction of the new COVID-19 variant JN.1, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj urged Delhi residents on Wednesday to ""not panic."" He explained that although the strain is contagious, it is mild, with only a small number of patients requiring oxygen support. ""Take precautions, but don't panic—this [new variant] is not very dangerous. About 90% of patients are recovering while receiving treatment at home, Mr. Bharadwaj informed the media, noting that comorbidity patients were the focus of reports of deaths in other States."
For FY23, Unacademys revenue jumps 26% to Rs 907 crore while its loss cuts
The test-prep startup Unacademy reported that, despite constant layoffs at the company, its losses in FY23 decreased by 41% to Rs 1,678 crore. In FY23, employee-related expenses decreased by 28% to Rs 1,281 crore.The test-prep startup Unacademy reported that, despite constant layoffs at the company, its losses in FY23 decreased by 41% to Rs 1,678 crore. In FY23, employee-related expenses decreased by 28% to Rs 1,281 crore.In what was a difficult year for the startup environment, many modern businesses, like Myntra, ZestMoney, and Curefoods, reported stronger revenues for FY23, but their losses also increased.Revenue at Myntra rises to Rs 4,375 crore: The apparel retailer Myntra, which is owned by Flipkart, reported a 25% increase in operating revenue to Rs 4,375 crore in FY23, despite a 31% increase in losses to Rs 782 crore. The online fashion platform's largest expense, amounting to Rs 1,758 crore, was spent on advertising and promotional activities, representing a 35% increase over the previous year.Unacademy reduces losses to Rs 1,678 crore, or 41%: Unacademy, a startup providing test preparation, reported that its losses in FY23, which included several layoffs at the company, decreased by 41% to Rs 1,678 crore. The Bengaluru-based firm saw a 26% increase in sales to Rs 907 crore during the year, while costs associated with payroll decreased by 28% to Rs 1,281 crore.ZestMoney reports a loss of Rs 412 crore. ZestMoney, a troubled startup that has been searching for a buyer, declared a net loss of Rs 412.4 crore for the fiscal year 2023. On the other hand, while total expenses increased by 21% to Rs 662.2 crore, overall revenue for the buy-now-pay-later platform increased by 72% to Rs 250 crore.
Prime Minister Modi on Veer Bal Diwas: Sikh gurus taught Indians
Speaking on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Sikh gurus had inspired Indians to improve and develop their nation by teaching them to live for the beauty of their homeland. He was giving a speech at a ceremony called "Veer Bal Diwas" to honor the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's two sons. According to PM Modi, their sacrifices are being honored not only in India but also around the world through initiatives in nations like Australia and the United States. We don't need to squander time or pause for a single moment. These lessons came from the gurus...We must live for the honor and glory of our nation. We must live for the benefit of the nation, PM Modi stated.
Karnataka LoP Arrested For Opposing Karsevak Shrikant Pujaris Arrest Regarding Babri Demolition
Legislative Assembly member and BJP leader R Ashoka was held by Karnataka police for allegedly inciting rioting following the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid. Ashoka had staged a demonstration against the state government over the detention of Shrikant Pujari. The BJP workers who have been protesting the arrest escalated their demonstration on Thursday by starting the 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too' campaign.LoP Karnataka Legislative Assembly & BJP politician R Ashoka was taken into custody by the police, according to ANI. Along with party members, he was demonstrating against the state government over the detention of Shrikant Pujari, who was taken into custody for his alleged role in the rioting that followed the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.LoP Karnataka Legislative Assembly & BJP politician R Ashoka was taken into custody by the police, according to ANI. Along with party members, he was demonstrating against the state government over the detention of Shrikant Pujari, who was taken into custody for his alleged role in the rioting that followed the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.
2023s Military Innovations and What Defense Technology Can Expect in 2024
Amidst escalating geopolitical tensions worldwide, several nations, such as Russia and India, spearheaded military innovation in 2023. Sputnik India takes a look back at some of the most inventive weapons from the previous year. In 2023, a number of cutting-edge weapon systems made their debuts. Russia, in particular, used its most advanced defense hardware in Ukraine, where the Eurasian sovereign state was engaged in a special military operation against the forces of Volodymyr Zelensky, the leader of that country.India, a longstanding strategic ally of Moscow, was not going to lag behind in terms of military hardware as New Delhi expanded its stockpile in response to the Indo-Pacific region becoming as the center of attention for world geopolitics. It's interesting to note that in 2023, Indian armaments and ammunition production and exports reached a record high.India's Defence Ministry (MoD) reports that during the current fiscal year, the South Asian nation exported military equipment valued at INR 16,000 crore ($1.95 billion). The figures indicate a $360 million increase in exports compared to the previous fiscal year.Additionally, BJP officials informed the media that it is unlikely for the panel to accept requests from rival parties' defectors that they be appointed to prestigious posts in exchange for their allegations. Senior members of the saffron party gathered in New Delhi to plan for the impending parliamentary elections and the dedication of the Ram Temple in the Uttar Pradesh city of Ayodhya. These members included Federal Ministers Bhupendra Yadav, Ashwini Vaishnav, Chief Himanta Biswa Sarma of the Assam State, and general secretaries Tarun Chugh and Sunil Bansal.
A New Panel Is Formated by the BJP to Examine New Hires Before the 2024 Elections
With the new panel, the federally dominant BJP hopes to assess potential members' devotion in advance of the 2024 parliamentary elections. A new panel has been established by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to screen lawmakers from other parties who may want to join the party before the March–April 2024 general elections.The panel will determine whether to accept or reject the politicians who wish to join the party, according to media reports citing party sources. The BJP seeks to reduce the possibility of enlisting supporters who might turn against them if they are elected to the legislature. Only after receiving consent from the committee will anyone wishing to cross the floor be permitted to participate. It is anticipated that the committee will convene for the first time on January 6.
President Muizzu of the Maldives arrives in China for a closely monitored state visit
The visit to China by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu takes place against the backdrop of a diplomatic spat between India and the Maldives following remarks made disparagingly about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu landed in China on Monday and will stay for five days till January 12, according to an official announcement.During his visit, Muizzu is also expected to meet with business executives and senior Chinese government officials at the "Invest Maldives Forum," according to the presidency. China is currently the Maldives' biggest creditor; Male owes Beijing around $1.3 billion in debt obligations. Beijing is among the nation's largest investors and economic partners; in 2017, the two governments signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Maldives has also ratified the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is supported by Beijing.
Odisha is investing more than Rs 2,500 crore to help millet farmers with their income and way of life.
"On Thursday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that his government is investing more than Rs 2,500 crore to help the state's millet farmers with income and livelihood support. The Odisha Millets Mission was recently started by the state government in 2017 with the goal of restoring the cereal's ecosystem.Odisha has been the ""pioneer in designing a people-centric Millet Mission with focus on livelihood and nutrition of tribal communities"" , according to him. According to Patnaik, ""My government will make every effort to turn Odisha into a millet center of excellence and contribute to economic growth, wellbeing, and health of the people of Odisha."" He emphasized that Odisha is the first state to organize an international convention involving all the stakeholders, noting that the UN has declared 2023 to be the International Year of Millets. In the millet value chain, the chief minister commended the work of the Mission Shakti Women Self Help Groups (SHGs). These Self-Help Groups, operating under the name Millet Shakti, have demonstrated to the world the significant role that millet-based businesses can play in enhancing livelihoods. "
V Ramaswamy Resigns from the Presidential Race and Backs Trump Following Victory in the Iowa Caucuses
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who is Indian-American, withdrew from the 2024 US presidential contest today and declared his endorsement of Donald Trump following a lackluster showing in the Iowa Republican primary. Despite being relatively unknown in political circles when he entered the race in February 2023, Mr. Ramaswamy was able to attract the attention and support of Republican voters by emphasizing America first and holding strong views on immigration. His campaign strategy, in terms of both tone and policy, was very similar to that of the former president Trump. Mr. Ramaswamy aimed to reach out to the conservative support base that had helped Trump win earlier elections.Trump's victory in Iowa that same evening cemented his standing as the front-runner for the Republican nomination.Born in Ohio to Keralan immigrants, Mr. Ramaswamy became one of the surprise candidates in a Republican field still heavily influenced by Trump's name. But in the final days before the Iowa caucuses, Mr. Ramaswamy found himself under fire from Trump, who publicly attacked him, calling him a "fraud" on his social media platform Truth Social and saying that supporting the Indian-American represented siding with the "other side."
Ian Lavender, the last surviving star of British sitcom ‘Dad’s Army,’ has died
LONDON (AP) — Actor Ian Lavender, who played a hapless Home Guard soldier in the classic British sitcom “Dad’s Army,” has died, his agent said Monday. He was 77. Agent Hilary Gagan said Lavender had been ill for some time and died with his wife and sons at his side. Lavender was the last surviving main cast member of “Dad’s Army,” about a ragtag volunteer unit assembled to defend their seaside English town from potential Nazi invasion during World War II.Originally broadcast between 1968 and 1977, it attracted as many as 18 million viewers an episode -- a third of the British population -- and remains perennially popular in reruns. Lavender played Private Frank Pike, the youngest member of the unit and frequent butt of the epithet “stupid boy!” from commanding officer Captain Mainwaring. Another scene, in which a captured German officer demands the young private’s name and Mainwaring thunders: “Don’t tell him, Pike” is routinely voted one of Britain’s funniest TV moments.Born in 1946, Lavender was 22 and just out of the Bristol Old Vic theater school when he was cast in the show alongside a troupe of stage and screen veterans.He later acknowledged that his iconic role in “Dad’s Army” had led to him being typecast, but said he’d “be a fool to have regrets.”
Poonam Pandey Says "Didn Die Of Cervical Cancer", Day After "Death" Post
Poonam Pandey, model and reality TV star, today announced that she hasn't died of cervical cancer. Her announcement on Instagram came a day after the model's manager announced that she had died of cervical cancer."I am alive. I didn't die of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the hundreds and thousands of women who have lost their lives due to cervical cancer. I am sorry caused this tear and I am sorry to those I have hurt. My intention: to shock everyone into the conversation that we are not talking enough about - cervical cancer," she said in another post. She said that her "death" post was an effort to initiate a conversation and spread awareness about cervical cancer. "Unlike some other cancers, Cervical Cancer is entirely preventable. The key lies in the HPV vaccine and early detection tests. We have the means to ensure no one loses their life to this disease," she said.The model is being heavily criticised by social media users for "faking her death" to spread awareness about the disease. Yesterday, Poonam Pandey's team had put out a statement saying that the model died of cervical cancer. The announcement had shocked everyone in the entertainment industry. The reactions ranged from disbelief to scepticism as many had seen the model at an event in Goa three days ago.In 2022, she drew wide attention with a stint in the Kangana Ranaut-led reality show 'Lock Upp'. She also acted in some films. The 32-year-old shot to fame during the 2011 Cricket World Cup when she posted a video message saying she would strip if team India won. She did not, but did post a nude photo when her favourite team Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL the next year. Over the years, she has gathered a legion of social media followers with her controversial statements and was often seen in explicit videos.
PM Modi banters with MPs during surprise lunch, reveals he sleeps for 3.5 hours, doesn eat after 6 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised MPs on Friday after stopping for a meal at the Parliament canteen during the ongoing Budget session. The senior politician was joined by eight lawmakers from different parties for a platter of platter of rice, khichdi, paneer, daal, til and ragi sweets. The NDA politicians dubbed it a 'casual cordial meeting' that spanned a variety of topics — from the Prime Minister's lifestyle to his foreign trips.“Everyone was surprised and happy at the same time. PM Modi talked about his daily routine, his exercise, his foreign trips, when he visited Karachi. We got to spend 45 minutes with him. We learnt so many inspiring things from him. He said he sleeps for 3.5 hours and does not eat after 6pm," Union minister and MP L Murugan later told ANI. The Winter Session of Parliament ends on Saturday. It is the final session for both Houses before the Lok Sabha elections — likely in April-May.“Enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, made even better thanks to the company of parliamentary colleagues from various parties and different parts of India," the PM later tweeted. He also shared photos of their repast.
Cannot afford any further delays in decision-making: AAP to INDIA bloc
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced its contenders for three seats in Assam, signalling its readiness to contest the polls independently, outside the INDIA alliance if necessary. AAP MP Sandeep Pathak expressed frustration over prolonged discussions with the INDIA bloc, urging the need for swift decisions in securing victory in the elections.Addressing the media, Sandeep Pathak stated, "Talks with the INDIA alliance have been ongoing for months. We are growing weary of mere discussions. It's time to not just talk but also to contest and emerge victorious. We cannot afford to delay any further. We stand in solidarity with the INDIA alliance and hope that these three seats announced today will be allotted to the AAP." Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Pathak stressed the importance of time and strategy in the electoral process. "When aiming for victory through an alliance, time and strategy are crucial. We cannot afford further delays in decision-making. It's time to expedite all processes and take decisive actions," he asserted. AAP's declaration of candidates for the Assam seats includes Manoj Dhanohar for Dibrugarh, Bhaven Chaudhary for Guwahati, and Rishi Raj for Sonitpur. Pathak expressed confidence in the maturity of the alliance and expressed hope that the INDIA bloc would endorse the AAP's candidates. Pathak also called for urgency ahead of the polls, he said, "With time slipping away, the window for contesting the polls is narrowing. We must accelerate all proceedings. Talks have been ongoing for months, yet no concrete results have emerged. All decisions regarding the alliance must be made promptly," he urged. The Congress and AAP party held a meeting on Monday to gear up for the elections, particularly in Delhi. Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely stated at the time that the party was in the process of finalising a panel of candidates for the seven Lok Sabha seats in the capital.
Uttarakhand Assembly passes UCC Bill; becomes Indias first state to implement Uniform Civil Code
A day after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, the state Assembly passed it on Wednesday. With the House nod, Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement a Uniform Civil Code, which presents common law for marriage, divorce, inheritance of property, etc. The UCC Bill, which will now become an Act is based on the draft submitted by a high-level committee formed by the Uttarakhand government under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana P Desai. The implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand comes months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The reports have claimed that the Union Government is planning to bring a similar law at the national level and BJP-ruled states like Gujarat and Assam are already in the process of passing UCC law in their respective states. The Uniform Civil Code has been one of the foundational items of BJP's agenda apart from the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Uniform Civil Code brings a common law for marriage, divorce, inheritance of property, etc., which were earlier governed by personal laws of every religion. The common code bars bigamy (marrying one person while still legally married to another) and polygamy (having multiple spouses simultaneously). The Uttarakhand government has cleared that the members belonging to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community will remain out of the purview of the Uniform Civil Code. The UCC will not apply to "members of any Scheduled Tribes within the meaning of clause (25) of Article 366 read with Article 142 of the Constitution of India and the persons and group of persons whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution of India."
Rahul Gandhi bats for caste census after Modis iggest OBC remark
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated calls for a caste census on Monday following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that he was the ‘biggest OBC’. The Wayanad MP — currently travelling through Jharkhand for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra — said the PM appeared to ‘get confused’ during his address in Parliament and urged him to ‘decide first’. Gandhi said that it was necessary to count members of the community if the administration ‘wanted to give them participation’. The question is in front of everyone. PM calls himself OBC. In between he got confused and then started saying that there are only two castes in the country – rich and poor. So he should decide first...We want caste census to be done…" Gandhi said. Prime Minister Modi had come down heavily on the Congress and other Opposition parties during an address in Parliament on Sunday, accusing the UPA government of not delivering justice with OBCs. “Congress can't tolerate OBCs...They keep counting how many OBCs are there in government. Can't you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?" PM Modi said during his reply to the 'Motion of Thanks' on the President's address. This question is not just of one person but of the people of India. As an example, there are only three OBCs out of 90 IAS in Delhi. You will not find Dalits and tribals in the health and education system. Name any OBC owner among the top 100 corporate companies in India. You might have heard the names of Adani, Tata, and Birla but there is no name of any OBC. What kind of country would there be in India of injustice?" he added
Champai Soren to face floor test in Jharkhand Assembly today, Section 144 imposed
Jharkhand Assembly will witness crucial ‘floor test’ on Monday, 5 February, of the ruling alliance led by JMM leader and chief minister Champai Soren. Last week Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was arrested by Enforcement Directorate in land fraud case, necessitating another senior JMM leader Champai Soren to take over. The Assembly will convene for a two-day session on 5 February. The newly formed Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Jharkhand under the leadership of Chief Minister Champai Soren will face the floor test today. Section 144 has been imposed near Jharkhand assembly. A special court in Ranchi allowed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren to participate in the trust vote in the state assembly on February 5. JMM leader Manoj Pandey said, "I think it is just a formality. The spirit of the opposition is already low seeing the numbers and the unity of the INDIA alliance. The figure can also cross 48. Our party, our alliance is united...Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren will also be present and will vote during the floor test. The ruling alliance of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had sent off their MLAs to Congress-ruled Telangana to prevent any poaching by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
Arvind Kejriwal sympathises with Delhi police action after MLA poaching charges.
On Delhi Police serving notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said ‘Sympathise with police, they're being made to do drama instead of stopping crime.’Earlier in the day, a team of Delhi Police Crime Branch officials arrived at the residence of AAP leader and issued notice alleging that his party charged that Bharatiya Janata Party "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". They also sought a reply from him in the next three days Police officials also came to serve notice on Friday and asked him to provide evidence that BJP "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". They also visited the residence of AAP minister Atishi.Sources close to ANI cited that both the AAP leaders were not present at their respective residences.Atishi also revealed that the AAP possesses a recording of one such "Operation Lotus 2.0" conversation, hinting at its potential release if necessary. The Aam Aadmi Party accuses the BJP of attempting to destabilize the elected Delhi government through "Operation Lotus 2.0," and also alleged that BJP has offered bribes and threats to AAP MLAs to induce defection.Atishi said “BJP has started 'Operation Lotus 2.0', and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which AAP MLAs will be rifted apart. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government. Those 7 MLAs have been offered ₹25 crores each. Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected. Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples,"
Backward classes panel chief slams Rahul Gandhi over PMs caste remarks
National Commission for Backward Classes Chairman Hansraj Ahir on Friday condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks related to the caste of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought an apology from him. Ahir alleged that Gandhi and the Congress are trying to sow the seeds of division in the country through his "mindless utterances" on castes."Crores of OBC people across India are seething with anger at the pathetic conduct of Rahul Gandhi because of his mindless utterances against our respected Prime Minister Narendra Modiji," Ahir said. The notification to include the "Modh Ghanchi" community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list was issued by the Gujarat government on July 25, 1994 after a survey, he said, adding that even the Mandal Commission had included the community in the OBC list.He said the National Commission for Backward Classes had advised the Union government to include Modh Ghanchi, the community to which the prime minister belongs, in the central OBC list for Gujarat in 1997 and a notification in this connection was issued on October 27, 1999. "When both decisions were taken, Modi held no legislative or executive position," Ahir said.It is appalling to see the hatred that Gandhi has for the OBC, he said, adding that the former Congress president has clearly inherited it from his ancestors.Ahir said Modi, while speaking in Parliament, highlighted the anti-reservation attitude of the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and that former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had opposed the Mandal Commission. "The Congress under Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi did not even want constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes," the former Union minister said.
NHAI’s total asset monetization program crosses Rs 1 lakh crore
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has raised the highest ever concession value of Rs 15,624.90 crore through ’InvIT Round-3’ which includes monetizing 10 stretches with an aggregate length of about 890 km. This is spread across Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The monetized value is expected to be realized in March 2024, the ministry of road transport and highways said on Tuesday. Earlier, two rounds of InvIT with aggregate length of about 635 km worth Rs 10,200 crore were monetized. With this, NHAI’s total asset monetization program has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore which includes Rs 42,334 crore through toll-operate-transfer (TOT), Rs 26,125 crore through InvIT and Rs 42,000 crore through securitization,” it added. ET had reported on January 18 that NHAI will surpass Rs 1 lakh crore of asset monetisation in the current fiscal with the highest ever receipts in 2023-24. The monetized sections in ’InvIT Round-3’ include Chichira-Kharagpur, Orai-Bara, Rewa-Katni-Jabalpur-Lakhnadon, Kachugaon to Rakhaldubi Bus Junction and Rakhaldubi Bus Junction to Kaljhar, Kaljhar to Patacharkuchi, Lakhnadon to Mahagaon, Mahagaon to Khawasa, Hubli to Haveri, Davangere to Haveri and Davangere to Chitradurga. NHAI has adopted three modes for asset monetization which includes Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvITs), toll operate transfer (TOT), and project based securitization. During FY 2024, NHAI has already awarded and executed Concession Agreements for four TOT Bundles, which include TOT Bundles 11, 12, 13 and 14 for a total value of Rs 15,968 crore, which is higher than its monetization target of Rs 10,000 crore for the current fiscal year. The success rate in TOT mode during FY’24 was 100%. At present, TOT bundles 15 & 16 are in the bidding stage and are expected to be issued by the end of FY’24. Further, NHAI has also monetized Delhi-Mumbai Expressway through project based securitization garnering Rs 4,600 crore in FY’24.
India suspends Free Movement Regime with Myanmar
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on February 8 that the Government has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along Myanmar border to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern States. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended the immediate suspension of FMR, he said. It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s resolve to secure our borders. MHA has decided that the FMR between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR,” Mr. Shah posted on X. Under the FMR, any member of a hill tribe, who is a citizen of either India or Myanmar, and who resides within 16 km of the border on either side, can cross on the production of a border pass, usually valid for a year, and can stay up to two weeks per visit. India and Myanmar share an unfenced 1,643 km-long border and people on either side have familial and ethnic ties, which had initially prompted the arrangement. A 1968 government notification limited the free movement of people up to 40 km on either side of the border, which was further reduced to 16 km in 2004. The FMR’s provisions were last revised in 2016. In its 2011-12 annual report, the MHA observed that the FMR makes the international border extremely porous, and the hilly and inhospitable terrain provides cover to the activities of various Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs). “The unfenced Indo-Myanmar border with FMR is thus being exploited by various IIGs,” the report said. The India-Myanmar border passes through the States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km), and Mizoram (510 km).
SC to hear DMRC plea against arbitration award
The five-judge Supreme Court (SC) bench will on February 15 hear the Delhi Metro Rail Corp's (DMRC) curative petition seeking reversal of the apex court's 2021 judgment upholding a ₹4,700-crore arbitration award that Delhi Airport Metro Express (DAMEPL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, won against the former in May 2017. At the outset, a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that its tentative view is to constitute a five-judge bench to hear the case. "...Normally, the two judges who wrote the judgment have to sit (in curative). They have retired... My tentative view is we can hear in combination of five (judges)," it said. Meanwhile, senior counsel Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi said the grounds for filing the curative petition by DMRC were not met in the case, therefore, it should be rejected.Salve argued, "I am flabbergasted that no ground for entertaining a curative petition is made out. Let them state specifically the ground on which curative is sought." Rohatgi, also appearing for the RInfra subsidiary, said, "We have taken a preliminary objection to this petition. Neither violation of natural justice nor any other ground mentioned in Rupa Ashok Hurra case is made out." DAMEPL operated the Capital's airport metro service until 2013 before cancelling the contract with DMRC citing safety issues and invoked arbitration. In 2017, Delhi Airport Metro Express had won a ₹4,700 crore arbitration award against Delhi Metro Rail Corp. The arbitral tribunal had accepted the claim of the RInfra firm that running trains on the airport line wasn't viable due to structural defects in the viaduct made by Delhi Metro Rail. Since then, the amount with interest has swelled to round ₹9,000 crore.
