Tag: Morning Digest december 27

The Hindu Morning Digest: December 28, 2023

Post By World , , , , , , , , ,

Government working to make cooperatives strong part of rural life: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his government is working to make cooperatives a strong part of rural life, asserting that they are being scaled up massively in sectors like agriculture and fisheries after making a mark in fields such as dairy and sugar production. In an interaction with beneficiaries of the ongoing ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra‘, he said the change in the lives of crores of beneficiaries of his government’s welfare schemes in the last 10 years has been a story of courage, satisfaction and dreams.

Ayodhya railway junction renamed as Ayodhya Dham

Ayodhya railway junction in Uttar Pradesh has been renamed as Ayodhya Dham junction, local MP Lallu Singh said on Wednesday. The announcement came days before the inauguration of the redevelopment railway station by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, Mr. Singh said, “Ayodhya Junction has become Ayodhya Dham Junction.” Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the renaming has been done respecting public sentiments, he said.

President Vladimir Putin invites PM Modi to visit Russia

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next year as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on the Russian leader at the Kremlin. “We will be glad to see our friend, Mr. Prime Minister Modi in Russia,” Mr. Putin told EAM Jaishankar. Mr. Jaishankar, who is here on a five-day official visit to Russia, earlier met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

After rout in Hindi heartland, Congress reviews readiness of State units for Lok Sabha poll

The Congress leadership on Wednesday held a meeting with leaders of the party’s Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh units to discuss its strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former chief Rahul Gandhi, and general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal are among the top leaders from the Congress who have been reviewing the election preparedness of various States. On Tuesday, the party high command had reviewed electoral strategies with the units of Bihar, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Amrit Bharat fare for second, sleeper class 15-17% higher than normal express trains

The minimum ticket price to travel on Amrit Bharat Express trains for a destination within one km to 50 km is ₹35, exclusive of the reservation fee and other charges, the Railway Board has informed all zones. It has issued a circular on the fare structure of Amrit Bharat trains and attached a “Fare Table” with the distance slabs and ticket prices for second-class and sleeper-class passengers. As the first Amrit Bharat train, which will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on December 30, has only second-class and sleeper-class compartments, the Railway Ministry is yet to work out the fare table for the air-conditioned classes, sources said.

Supreme Court forms panel to prepare SOP for adjournments

The Supreme Court has constituted a committee of judges for preparing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for lawyers seeking adjournment of proceedings. The panel has invited suggestions of the Bar and other stakeholders on the issue. The decision to form a committee came after the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association raised concern over circulars issued in December about the discontinuation of the practice of circulation of adjournment slips.

Delhi Police arrests former cricketer for duping several 5-star hotels

Having cheated multiple five-star hotels and resorts of lakhs of rupees as well as cricketer Rishabh Pant of ₹1.63 crore, a conman was arrested from Delhi airport while trying to flee the country, the police said on Wednesday. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ravikant Kumar said Mrinank Singh was planning to fly to Hong Kong on Monday, but immigration officials detained the 25-year-old as a lookout circular had been issued against the accused and handed him to the police.

Hasina announces Awami League’s poll manifesto, pledges to build ‘Smart Bangladesh’

Bangladesh Prime Minister and ruling Awami League’s president Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday launched her party’s poll manifesto, pledging to build a “Smart Bangladesh” if elected for a fourth consecutive term in the January 7 general elections, being boycotted by the main opposition BNP. “Come; once again allow us to serve you by voting for the ‘boat’, the election symbol of the Awami League,” Ms. Hasina, along with senior party leaders and sympathisers, said while unveiling her party’s poll manifesto in a crowded press conference.

BJP had no role in Ram Janmabhoomi movement, says Uddhav’s Sena faction

A war of words has erupted between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the ruling BJP over the upcoming Ram Mandir inauguration, after Mr. Thackeray was not invited to the event slated for January 22 next year. Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Wednesday questioned the BJP’s “actual” contribution to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya in December 1992, while accusing it of having forgotten the Shiv Sena’s and Bal Thackeray’s contribution.

Won’t take any step that hurts Samajwadi Party, says Pawar on Mayawati’s induction into INDIA bloc

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday reiterated that it was not necessary for the Opposition INDIA bloc to announce a prime ministerial face as an alternative to Narendra Modi. Speaking in Maharashtra’s Amravati district, Mr. Pawar, replying to a query on the induction of Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) into the INDIA bloc, made it clear that the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) was the alliance’s important ally in the Uttar Pradesh and that it would not take any decision that would hurt it. 

Rajya Sabha MP writes to Railways Minister over avoiding exuberant expenditure on PM’s selfie points

Expressing dismay over the fact that the Central Railway spent nearly ₹1.62 crore on installing selfie photo booths with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cut out image, Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha Dr. V. Sivadasan wrote a letter to Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.  Dr. Sivadasan requested urgent intervention from Ministry of Railways so that wastage of money for partisan political propaganda is avoided. The Hindu reported on December 27 that Central Bureau of Communication under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had approved L1 contract rates for installing temporary selfie booths at ₹1.25 lakh per installation and ₹6.25 lakh for every permanent installation, to be installed at railway stations. 

Axis Bank moves NCLT to seek insolvency proceedings against Zee Learn

Private sector lender Axis Bank has filed a petition against Zee Learn before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking insolvency proceedings against the the education services provider firm. The company has received a notice from the Mumbai bench of the NCLT in this regard, Zee Learn said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday. “A petition under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 has been filed by Axis Bank Ltd to initiate Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) of the Company before the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai,” it said. The company is compiling information to verify the facts claimed.

Parliament security breach case: Accused Neelam Azad moves Delhi HC, calls police remand illegal

Neelam Azad, an accused arrested in the December 13 Parliament security breach case, on Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court alleging her police remand was illegal as she was not allowed to consult a legal practitioner of her choice to defend her during the trial court proceedings. In her petition, seeking a writ of habeas corpus directing her production before the high court as well as an order to “set her at liberty”, Azad said not allowing her to consult a lawyer of her choice amounted to violation of her fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution, making the remand order unlawful. The trial court has remanded her in police custody till January 5.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur dismisses Congress’ Bharat Nyay Yatra, evokes 1984 riots

Union Minister Anurag Thakur dismissed the Congress party’s announcement on Wednesday to hold a ‘Bharat Nyay Yatra’, labelling it a spurious attempt to provide justice by “those who could not provide justice to the victims of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984”. The Congress had, at a press conference earlier in the day, announced it would be undertaking the Bharat Nyay Yatra, to be led by Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi from Manipur to Mumbai, passing through 14 States and 85 districts from the east to the west of India in 67 days, beginning January 14.

Source link

#Hindu #Morning #Digest #December

The Hindu Morning Digest: December 27, 2023

Post By World , , , , , , , , , , ,

We were beaten throughout the day, says J&K civilian

There is growing evidence indicating torture by sprinkling salt and chilli on the wounds of rounded-up civilians, in the wake of the militants’ ambush that left four soldiers dead in Dera Ki Gali in the Poonch-Rajouri sector on December 21. Local people claim two civilians could be seen in the 29-second viral video of “torture” allegedly committed by the security forces. Farooq Din, son of Gulab Din, a resident of Upper Bangai, Thanamandi, was among five “severely injured” admitted at the Rajouri hospital. They were all rounded up from Upper and Lower Bangai and Haspalote areas in Rajouri’s Thanamandi on Friday morning around 9 a.m., a day after the attack.

‘Blast-like’ sound heard near Israel Embassy in Delhi; no explosive found

An explosion-like sound was heard behind the Israeli Embassy on Thursday evening; however, no explosive was recovered from the spot, the police said on Tuesday. A PCR call was received at 5.53 p.m. regarding a loud noise behind the Embassy of Israel, and Jindal House, the police said. “Considering the sensitivity of the location, and mention of explosion-type sound, senior officers rushed to the location,” DCP (PRO) Kumar Gyanesh said.

Despite gazette notification, confusion over implementation of three criminal laws

A day after the three criminal laws received President’s assent and were notified in the official gazette, confusion prevailed in police stations and courts regarding its implementation, according to several police officials .three legislation replace the British-era laws but in the absence of the required paraphernalia on the ground and adequate training of police officials, it will be several months for the Acts to be effective. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in Chandigarh on December 22 that the framework to implement the laws in all the union territories would be ready by December 2024.

Railways spending big on PM’s selfie booths: RTI reply; brazen waste of money, says Opposition

The Centre is spending up to ₹6.25 lakh on every permanent 3D selfie booth with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image in railway stations, according to a reply obtained from Central Railway on a Right to Information (RTI) application. The cost incurred on each temporary selfie booth is ₹1.25 lakh. In reply to a query filed under the RTI by a retired railway official, Ajay Bose, Central Railway deputy general manager Abhay Mishra has said that it had installed or erected Mr. Modi’s 3D selfie booths across 50 railway stations in five divisions – Mumbai, Bhusaval, Nagpur, Pune and Solapur. 

Tale of Ajay Reddy | How the Indian blind cricket team captain found a way to serve the nation

Growing up, Ajay Kumar Reddy only wanted to become a soldier and serve the country. He was heartbroken when he got to know that the visually impaired cannot enter the army .But Ajay, who became partially sighted at an early age, soon found another way to serve India: by playing cricket and winning the World Cups. For his contributions, he will receive the Arjuna Award next month, becoming the first to win the honour from blind cricket. Born in Gurazala, Andhra Pradesh, the Indian blind cricket team skipper lost his left eye in a freak accident when he was just four.

Vinesh Phogat to return Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award; writes to PM Modi

World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat on December 26 said she is returning her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to the government protesting against the election of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh-loyalist Sanjay Singh as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, the wrestler wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vinesh’s decision comes days after Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Deafylmpics champion Virender Singh Yadav returned their Padma Shri awards.

Anti-militancy operations in Poonch enter sixth day

Security forces continued with the anti-militancy operation in the Poonch-Rajouri sector in the Pir Panjal Valley for the sixth day on Tuesday, to trace those behind the December 21 attack that left four soldiers dead. Officials said security forces, aided by helicopters and drones, continue to comb the dense forests and high peaks around Dera Ki Gali, the spot where two Army vehicles were ambushed by militants last week.

Trinamool takes out protests against Bengal BJP chief for ‘insulting’ Vivekananda

The Trinamool Congress leadership staged protests in Kolkata on Tuesday demanding an apology from BJP State president Sukanta Majumdar. The Trinamool has accused Mr. Majumdar of insulting Swami Vivekananda, an allegation denied by the BJP leader. On December 22, during the Gita chanting event at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds, the State BJP president had said, “Little knowledge is dangerous. Those who said ‘playing football is better than reading Gita’ are byproducts of a Leftist ideology”.

Philippines is not provoking conflict in South China Sea, its military says

The Philippines is not provoking conflict in the South China Sea, its military spokesperson said on December 26, responding to China’s accusation that Manila was encroaching on Beijing’s territory. It was the latest salvo amid rising tension as the two have traded accusations in recent months over a series of maritime run-ins, including China allegedly ramming a ship this month carrying the Philippines’ military chief.

PM Modi discusses maritime security with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman

In the backdrop of an increased security threat to shipping vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The discussion is part of the Indian leadership’s engagement with regional stakeholders in the backdrop of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. “The two leaders emphasised the need for maintaining the maritime security and the freedom of navigation,” a press release by the government said. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Rajouri on December 27

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said he will visit Jammu and Rajouri on Wednesday. “Tomorrow, 27th December, I shall be in Jammu and Rajouri,” Mr. Singh said in a post on X on Tuesday. The Minister’s visit comes following the death of four army personnel, two of them captain, during an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district last week. Three more soldiers were injured in the same encounter.

Israel Army arrests senior Palestinian lawmaker Jarrar

The Israeli Army on December 26 said it arrested senior Palestinian politician Khalida Jarrar in the occupied West Bank, along with other activists of her leftist party. Jarrar, 60, is a prominent figure in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a faction in the Palestine Liberation Organisation considered a “terrorist” group by Israel, the United States and the European Union.

Kashmir will become Gaza without India-Pakistan dialogue, says Farooq Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and senior National Conference (NC) leader and MP Farooq Abdullah on December 26 warned of a situation akin to Gaza in Palestine if India did not have a dialogue with Pakistan over Kashmir. “Dialogue is the only way forward to resolve lingering issues. If a conducive atmosphere for a dialogue is not worked out between India and Pakistan, the day is not far when J&K will become like Gaza, and people will suffer like in Palestine,” Dr. Abdullah said in Srinagar.

India’s fiscal deficit may breach 5.9% of GDP target: India Ratings and Research

India’s fiscal deficit may breach the 5.9% of GDP target for this year and could hit 6%, even though tax collections have been buoyant and may offset a wide shortfall in disinvestment outcomes, due to the likelihood of revenue spending exceeding the Budget Estimate by about ₹2 lakh crore, India Ratings and Research said on December 26. The Centre has recently secured Parliamentary approval for the first supplementary demand for grants this year, involving an additional cash outgo of ₹53,378 crore, lifting its total spending commitment for 2023-24 to ₹45.6 lakh crore, including about ₹35.6 lakh crore of revenue expenditure and ₹10.1 lakh crore of capital expenditure.

Source link

#Hindu #Morning #Digest #December