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1 min read Last Updated : May 08 2022 | 11:04 PM IST
11:04 PM
Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is likely to resign this week so that the new cabinet can take over, local media reported.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa will brief the local council members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and then, later on, he will announce his resignation, Colombo Gazette reported.
This report came after President Gotbaya Rajapaksa in a special meeting on Friday requested Prime Minister to step down from power as a solution to the ongoing political crisis in the country.
Once the Prime Minister resigns, the President is expected to invite all the political parties in Parliament to form an all-party Cabinet, reported Colombo Gazette.
Earlier, the opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) confirmed that its leader Sajith Premadasa will not accept the PM's post in an interim government.
This comes at a significant juncture as Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa is learned to have responded positively to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's request to quit in the face of the deepening economic crisis.
SJB National Organizer Tissa Attsnayake, while speaking with the Sri Lankan media outlet, said, "Premadasa will not accept premiership of an interim government but SJB will give conditional support for an interim government."
11:02 PM
Sri Lanka's embattled Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday sought divine help to remain in office by praying at an iconic Buddhist temple, amidst mounting pressure on the veteran politician to step down over the worsening economic crisis facing the island nation, according to media reports.
In his first public outing since the outbreak of anti-government protests last month, the 76-year-old the patriarch of the powerful Rajapaksa clan, travelled to the sacred city of Anuradhapura where hostile crowds booed and jeered him and asked him to step down, the reports said.
The Prime Minister took a vow before the sacred Sri Maha Bodi, the ECONOMYNEXT, a financial and political news service, quoted a source close to the prime minister as saying.
He wants to stay in office and that is why he climbed the steps to the upper terrace to touch the sacred Bo tree, the source said.
The top most portion of the temple complex is not open to the public and access is allowed only for visiting heads of state and Sri Lanka's top politicians.
The Prime Minister's Media Unit said that Mahinda Rajapaksa was engaged in religious observances in Anuradhapura, visited the Ruwanweli Seya and received blessings from the monks.
He also prayed at the Mirisawetiya Temple and received blessings from the priests at the shrine, News First news portal reported.
Apart from seeking divine help to remain in office, the Mahinda Rajapakasa is also taking action to muster support from his constituents by inviting large numbers to visit him at his Temple Trees residence on Monday, the source said.
11:00 PM
The Covid-19 aggregate in Tamil Nadu touched 34.54 lakh on Sunday with 47 more people testing positive for the virus.
As many as eight districts recorded fresh infections with Chennai adding 23, Chengalpet 10, Coimbatore 5, Tiruchirappalli 3, Salem 2 while Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Namakkal, Tiruvallur logged one case each.
The toll in the state stood at 38,025 as no fatality was recorded in the last 24 hours, a medical bulletin said.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease rose to 34,15,850 as 68 more people were discharged in the last 24 hours, leaving 478 active cases.
The state capital leads among districts with 265 active infections and overall 7,51,943 coronavirus cases. A total of 16,881 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative number of tests so far to 6.62 crore, it said.
9:40 PM
Punjab reported 23 fresh Covid cases on Sunday that took the infection tally to 7,59,905, according to a medical bulletin.
No covid-related death was reported in the past 24-hours and the death toll stands at 17,751, it said.
Of the new cases, Mohali registered 10 followed by seven in Ludhiana and two each in Fazilka and Patiala, it said.
There were 284 active cases in the state, it said.
Twenty-three patients recovered from the infection, taking the overall recoveries to 7,41,870, the bulletin said.
Chandigarh reported 11 new Covid cases, taking the total count to 92,147, the bulletin said, adding that the number of active cases was 78.
No covid-related death was reported in the city. The death toll stands at 1,165.
9:12 PM
Delhi reported 1,422 fresh COVID-19 cases and zero fatality due to the viral disease on Sunday, while the positivity rate was recorded ta 5.34 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.
A total of 26,647 Covid tests were conducted in the national capital on Saturday, it showed.
With the new cases, Delhi's COVID-19 infection tally rises to 18,94,254, while the death toll stands at 26,179, according to the bulletin.
The city reported 1,407 Covid cases with a positivity rate of 4.72 per cent and two deaths on Saturday.
It had on Friday logged 1,656 COVID-19 cases, the highest since February 4, while the positivity rate stood at 5.39 per cent.
8:59 PM
The Bihar Public Services Commission on Sunday cancelled the examination for Civil Services (preliminary) held earlier in the day, hours after allegations of question paper leak led to a massive outcry.
Screenshots of a set of question papers had gone viral on social media minutes before the exams commenced at noon.
The exams have been cancelled. Other announcements will be made in due course, BPSC Examination Controller Amarendra Kumar told PTI over phone.
BPSC Secretary Jiut Singh said a three-member committee has also been set up to inquire into the whole matter and asked to submit a report in three days.
8:37 PM
Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the communal clashes in Jodhpur and Karauli in Rajasthan.
Alleging that the administration and the police were working under pressure, he warned that if justice was not ensured in the matter, they would take to the streets.
"A CBI probe will show that there must have been some connections between the two incidents," he told reporters.
Referring to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's allegations against the BJP over these clashes, the Union minister said a CBI probe would make it clear who were behind these incidents.
"What happened in Jodhpur on Monday night and Tuesday were very unfortunate and some people deprived the rest of the festive spirit. Now the question is who were these persons who robbed the city of peace and harmony?" Shekhawat said.
Tension broke out in Chief Minister Gehlot's constituency Jodhpur on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, over the installation of Islamic flags on the Jalori gate circle, a roundabout alongside the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa, as members of the other community alleged that a saffron flag, which they had put up there ahead of Parshuram Jayanti, had gone missing.
The issue snowballed into stone-pelting and clashes.
In relief to the citizens, internet services were resumed in Jodhpur at 4 pm on Sunday.
8:36 PM
Four of the five petitioners in the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri temple case Sunday dismissed reports that they plan to withdraw the plea.
The four women -- Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas, Rekha Pathak and Laxmi Devi told a press conference here they will fight the case till the end.
This comes after chief of Vishwa Vaidik Sanatan Sangh Jitendra Singh Bisen said his NGO, which backed the original plea filed by the five women, has now sought the withdrawal of the petition that demanded permission for daily worship and performing Hindu rituals at Shringar Gauri temple,
One of the four women petitioners told the presser, "If any type of decision (regarding the withdrawal of the case) is taken, we are against it. We will fight the case to the last breath. We will continue our fight for our Gods and Goddesses.
However, the fifth petitioner in the case Rakhi Singh was not present at the press conference.
Rekha Pathak said, "A couple of days ago, I had spoken to Rakhi Singh, but there was no discussion regarding withdrawal of the case."
When contacted, Jitendra Singh Bisen refused to comment on the matter.
The petitioners have sought the permission to perform daily worship of deities Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Nandi whose idols are on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.
8:00 PM
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said his party would not enter into an alliance with other outfits as it intended to partner with 1.3 billion people of this country.
Speaking on 'AAP and its role in 2024 Lok Sabha elections' as part of a lecture series organised to mark the golden jubilee of the Nagpur edition of Lokmat, Kejriwal also said he didn't want to defeat anyone in politics but sought to make India the number one country in the world.
"Many people ask me with whom will we do a national alliance. I do not know how to do politics. I don't understand alliances of 10 and 20 parties to defeat anyone. I don't want to defeat anyone, I want the country to win. I will only enter into an alliance with 130 crore (1.3 billion) people of the country to make India number one in the world, " he said.
Without naming the BJP, the Delhi chief minister said a "huge party" at present was vociferously supporting hooliganism, engineering riots, taking out welcome processions for rapists.
"The country cannot progress with this type of hooliganism. If you want hooliganism and riots you can go with them, but if you want progress, schools and hospitals you can come with me. Let us make an alliance of 130 crore common people," he asserted.
Kejriwal said his party's focus was not on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls but on working for the country, adding that people like him had come after leaving their careers to serve the country.
India must become the number one country in the world as soon as possible, Kejriwal said, adding that he wanted to play an important role in this quest.
7:51 PM
Maharashtra on Sunday reported 224 new coronavirus positive cases, taking the state's infection tally to 78,79,278, while one death raised the toll to 1,47,847, the health department said.
A total of 196 patients recuperated during the day, taking the cumulative recovery count to 77,30,127. There are 1,304 active cases in the state now.
On Sunday, 24,349 tests were done, pushing the state's overall test count to 8,03,79,421.
The COVID-19 recovery rate of the state is 98.11 per cent, while the fatality rate is 1.87 per cent.
Mumbai reported 123 new cases and zero death, which raised its infection tally to 10,59,807. Its death toll is 19,563. Mumbai division, which comprises the city and its satellite townships, saw 156 cases during the day. Its infection count now stands at 22,34,945 and fatality figure at 39,830.
Nashik division reported five new cases, Pune division 47 cases, Kolhapur division two cases, Aurangabad division seven cases, Akola division two cases and Nagpur division five cases. Latur division did not report any case. One death was reported in Amravati city.
The coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases 78,79,278, new cases 224, death toll 1,47,847, recoveries 77,30,127, active cases 1,304, total tests 8,03,79,42.
7:50 PM
Ajmer Dargah Deewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan said on Sunday that social media has become a "boon" for perpetrators of violence and they use it to spread fake news and misinformation
He also said that attempts are being made to instigate feelings of people by spreading wrong information on social media.
"Today, social media has proved to be a boon to those who commit violence because they use this platform to spread fake news and misinformation," he said in a statement.
Khan appealed to people, especially youths, to not blindly follow social media posts and videos.
"Do not share any sensational content because radicals are enemies of the country and peace. They can spread any false and misleading information, which can spread fire like in a jungle," he said.
He said Islam condemns violence and promotes non-violence, tolerance and harmony and respect for each other.
7:42 PM
Pakistan's powerful army warned its critics on Sunday to avoid throwing dirt on the premier institution as it took "strong exception" to "intensified and deliberate attempts" to drag it in politics after the removal of the government of Imran Khan last month.
The 69-year-old cricketer-turned politician was voted out of power last month through a no-confidence motion, which he alleges was masterminded by the US with the help of local players over his pursuance of an independent foreign policy. His supporters used social media to target the army for doing nothing to save his government.
In a statement, the army said that the efforts being made by certain politicians, journalists and analysts to push the institution and its leadership in the political affairs was "extremely damaging".
"Recently, there have been intensified and deliberate attempts to drag Pakistan's Armed Forces and their leadership in ongoing political discourse in the country, according to the statement.
These attempts are manifest through direct, insinuated or nuanced references to Armed Forces as well as their senior leadership, made by some political leaders, few journalists and analysts on public forums and various communication platforms including social media.
The army further said that this practice of unsubstantiated, defamatory and provocative statements and remarks was extremely damaging.
Pakistan Armed Forces take strong exception to such unlawful and unethical practice and expect all to abide by the law and keep the Armed Forces out of political discourse in the best interest of the country, it added.
The army has ruled Pakistan for almost half of its history and played a behind the scene role in sending home various elected governments.
But its spokesman said at a press conference last month that the military had decided to stay away from politics, and especially the current political tussle between former premier Khan and his opponents.
7:40 PM
Sikkim on Sunday celebrated the golden jubilee of the 8-May Tripartite Agreement signed in 1973, which is considered the stepping stone for the merger of the erstwhile kingdom with India.
The agreement was signed among the Indian government, the then Chogyal of Sikkim and three political parties of the erstwhile kingdom for administrative and democratic reforms.
A programme was organised by Sikkim Nagarik Samaj at MG Marg in the heart of Gangtok to mark the day. Eminent personalities of the state attended the programme.
SNS spokesperson Passang Sherpa said the history of Sikkim and its merger with India must be included in the country's school curriculum.
Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975, two years after the signing of the agreement.
7:38 PM
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit Gujarat this week to address public rallies in Dahod and Rajkot respectively.
Polls are likely to be held in December in the state, which has been ruled by the BJP for the past 27 years and where the AAP is making a concerted effort to dislodge the Congress as the main challenger.
Gandhi will address 'Adivasi Satyagrah Rally' in tribal-dominated Dahod on Tuesday, while Kejriwal will address a rally in Rajkot city on Wednesday.
Kejriwal had, on May 1, addressed a tribal rally jointly with Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) leader Chhotu Vasava in Bharuch district.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Dahod on April 20 and launched various projects worth Rs 22,000 crore for the tribal region.
As per a Congress statement, Gandhi's rally is organised in Dahod's historic Navjivan Arts and Commerce College, and, after the event, he is scheduled to meet party MLAs as well as interact with the leaders of tribal areas in the state.
The party statement said the rally was aimed at protecting the constitutional rights of the tribals, who it claimed were in distress under BJP rule.
AAP spokesperson Yogesh Jadwani said Kejriwal will address a on May 11 in Rajkot, and the detailed schedule of his Gujarat visit will be declared later.
7:34 PM
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Police must tender an apology for insulting the Sikh community, Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta said after meeting Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Bagga's father here on Sunday.
Gupta said the Punjab police personnel thrashed Bagga's father and did not allow Tajinder to wear his turban which is an insult to the Sikh community.
In dramatic developments, Bagga was arrested by Punjab Police from his home here on Friday, stopped in Haryana while being taken to Punjab and brought back to the national capital by Delhi Police hours later.
A non-bailable arrest warrant was also issued against the BJP leader by a Mohali court the next day. However, in a late-night relief, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the fresh arrest warrant against the Delhi BJP leader.
Gupta met Singh at their Janakpuri residence here and also assured of all possible help.
"Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is using Punjab Police as a weapon to target those who stand against him or question him. Punjab Police came to arrest Bagga without seeking permission from the Delhi Police. They beat up his father and did not allow Tajinder to wear his turban.
"This is an insult to the Sikh community and Kejriwal and Punjab Police should apologise for this behaviour," he said in a statement.
7:30 PM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is scheduled to convene a Cabinet meeting on May 13 with the newly inducted ministers.
This would be Jagan's first meeting with his Cabinet after it was reshuffled.
Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan administered the oath of office and secrecy to 25 members of the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet at a public function near the state Secretariat in Velagapudi on April 12.
The cabinet is scheduled to meet at 11 am.
"All the Departments of Secretariat are informed that the next meeting of the Council of Ministers will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022, at 11.00 am in the Cabinet Meeting Hall, on the 1st floor of Building No.1, A.P Secretariat, Velagapudi," Sameer Sharma, Chief Secretary to the Andhra Pradesh government said in a notice.
The notice further requested the Special Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries to the state government to send the proposals in the prescribed format to the General Administration Department by 4.00 pm on May 11, 20222, so as to brief the Chief Minister for placing before the Council of Ministers for consideration.
"The Departments are requested to furnish a soft copy of the Memorandum in English and Telugu languages in Word/PDF formats along with check list and Takeaway Points. The Secretary concerned should handover the draft resolutions in 0/o the C.S. and Press note (two copies) to the Deputy Director, I & PR available in the waiting hall immediately after the discussion is completed on the subject," the notice read.
7:28 PM
State-owned SJVN Ltd, which is mulling Rs 1.8 lakh crore investment in next decade, has bagged the 'Most Efficient & Profitable Miniratna of the Year' award.
Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ) has conferred the award to SJVN for playing a crucial role in economic growth of the nation, a statement by SJVN said.
"Company achieved its highest ever capital expenditure of Rs 5,259.39 crore against the target of Rs 5,000 crore for the fiscal year 2021-22 and helped the nation to recuperate from economic slump caused by the global pandemic, Chairman & Managing Director Nand Lal Sharma said.
He further said SJVN has emerged as a major player in the power sector in India and in neighbouring countries.
With a total portfolio of 31,000 MW and 52 projects under various stages of development, SJVN plans to invest Rs 75,000 crore in next five years and Rs 1.8 lakh crore in next ten years.
This will result in employment generation, infrastructure development and overall socio-economic growth of the country.
SJVN started with a Single Hydro Project of 1500 MW in 1988. Today 2016.5 MW is under operation and the company has presence in India and in neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bhutan.
7:27 PM
At least 25 more pigs died of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Mizoram on Sunday, an official said.
The ASF has affected 31 villages in six districts of the state, he said.
With the 25 deaths on Sunday, as many as 1,983 pigs have so far been killed since the fresh outbreak of the swine disease in February this year, he said.
At least 1,201 pigs have been culled during the same period, including 111 on Sunday, the official said.
As many as 33,417 pigs have died due to the outbreak of ASF last year causing monetary losses to the tune of Rs 60.82 crore.
A total of 10,910 pigs have also been culled since last year to prevent the further spread of the disease.
The highly contagious pig disease, which was reported for the first time in the state in March last year was initially considered more or less contained as no pig death due to the outbreak was reported since December.
7:18 PM
US first lady Jill Biden made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine on Sunday, holding a surprise Mother's Day meeting with the nation's first lady, Olena Zelenskyy, as Russia presses its punishing war in the eastern regions.
Biden travelled under the cloak of secrecy, becoming the latest high-profile American to enter Ukraine during its 10-week-old conflict with Russia.
I wanted to come on Mother's Day, Biden told Zelenskyy. I thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop and this war has been brutal and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine.
The first lady travelled by vehicle to the town of Uzhhorod, about a 10-minute drive from a Slovakian village that borders Ukraine.
The two came together in a small classroom, sitting across a table from one another and talking before reporters before they met in private. Zelenskyy and her children have been at an undisclosed location for their safety.
6:51 PM
Asserting that the state offers a congenial environment for businesses to flourish, Haryana's Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Sunday said that the state attracted investments worth Rs 28,000 crore in the past 12 months.
Chautala, who also holds Industries and Commerce, Excise and Taxation and Civil Aviation portfolios, said a heli-hub will be set up in Gurugram and it will be the first-of-its-kind in the country and will be built near Dwarka Expressway on about 25 acres.
"We have sent a proposal to the Centre in this regard, he said.
This will improve the helicopter connectivity, it will prove useful for business, leisure and pilgrimage purposes, Chautala told a news conference here.
"Big companies are pumping in their investments in Haryana. During past one year, the state has attracted nearly Rs 28,000 crore investment," he said, referring to investments flowing in the state.
He said auto major Maruti Suzuki is setting up a new plant over 900 acres of land at Kharkhoda in Sonipat district.
ATL company's battery manufacturing unit is coming up in Gurugram district. In the next year, the plant will be operational, he said.
The Haryana government had allotted 140 acres of land to e-commerce major Flipkart for setting up its largest fulfilment centre in Asia, in Patli Hajipur in Gurugram, he said.
6:34 PM
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday alleged that due to the "faulty economic policies" of the BJP government, income of every household has come down and unemployment has risen in the country.
He also attacked the Centre over the increase in prices of domestic gas cylinder, saying it is having a serious impact on the economy.
Cooking gas LPG prices were on Saturday hiked by Rs 50 per cylinder, the second increase in rates in just over six weeks following the firming of international energy rates.
In a statement, Yadav said inflation is increasing everyday and the common man is feeling shattered under the rule of BJP which had shown the dream of 'achche din' (good days).
The prices of petrol, diesel, CNG were increased earlier, but now even medicines, food items and transportation has become expensive, he said.
Yadav said another impact of rising inflation is that parents of a large number of children are not able to pay fees which is hampering their education.
The SP chief alleged that "due to the faulty economic policies of the BJP government, the income of every household has come down, unemployment is increasing, businesses have come to a standstill, and the ruling party has pushed the country towards a bleak future."
Referring to the increase in LPG cylinder prices, Yadav said once again domestic gas cylinder has become costlier by Rs 50, and the price of the cylinder has crossed Rs 1,000.
Yadav said the way domestic gas prices are rising, it is having a serious impact on the economy, and the budget is getting disturbed.
6:16 PM
Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to introduce a new political culture in the country, rising above considerations of vote bank politics or subjective preferences.
The latest evidence of this, he said, is the inclusion of Sitamarhi under the Centre's aspirational district programme purely on the consideration that it deserved a special attention for its growth and development in certain sectors.
Singh, Minister of State for Personnel and BJP national executive member, addressed a meeting of party workers here.
He said while PM Modi has vindicated Syama Prasad Mookerjee's dream of BJP being a truly democratic party suited to the requirements of post-independence India, it was the sacrifices of three generations of party workers, which enabled the party to survive over the last seven decades before emerging as the world's largest political party under the able organisational leadership of party presidents like Amit Shah and J P Nadda.
"The Prime Minister has sought to introduce a new political culture in the country, rising above considerations of vote bank politics or subjective preferences," the minister said.
6:15 PM
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) vice president Rajesh Bhandari has been appointed as the secretary of the Task Force which will conduct the sport during the postponed Hangzhou Asian Games.
The decision was taken by the Olympic Council of Asia's Executive Board in its meeting held in Tashkent on Friday, the same day the Games were postponed indefinitely amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in China.
"The OCA Executive Board in its meeting held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 6th of May 2022 unanimously decided to constitute a Task Force to run the technical conduct of Boxing event during the 19th Asian Games," the OCA said in statement on Sunday.
Besides Bahndari, the committee will comprise Canada's Fiacco Pasquale Lucio, who will serve as a technical delegate, while Selwati Hadi Soejono of Indonesia will assume the position of the coordinator.
Qatar's Yousuf Ali Al-Kazim and OCA's Haidar Farman have been appointed as members of the Task Force, which will also include a representative form the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC).
6:11 PM
Pushp Kumar Joshi on Sunday took over as the new chairman and managing director of India's third largest oil refining and fuel marketing company Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).
"Prior to this Dr Joshi was Director-HR of the Corporation from August 01, 2012," the company said in a statement.
Joshi, the senior-most director on the HPCL board, was in January picked by the government headhunter PESB to replace Mukesh Kumar Surana. Surana superannuated from services on April 30, 2022, but in absence of a formal order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister, Joshi was named interim head.
The ACC confirmation of his appointment has now come and he has formally taken over as the chairman and managing director of HPCL.
Joshi is also holding the additional charge of Director-Marketing of HPCL.
6:02 PM
As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Research and Policy Division of the Bharatiya Janata Party (OBC) has started an entrepreneurs' outreach program to encourage young OBC entrepreneurs across the country.
The objective of this program is to develop entrepreneurship skills among the youth belonging to the backward classes.
The first entrepreneurs' meet was organized at the Constitution Club of India in Delhi on Saturday.
"Modi Government is encouraging young OBC entrepreneurs in new India. Now entrepreneurs meet will be organized all over the country," said BJP OBC Morcha President K Laxman.
Speaking to ANI, Laxman said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks that it is unfair for the backward classes to not get equal rights in the society like others. Therefore, besides working on the welfare schemes, the Modi government is working out ways to make good entrepreneurs out of the educated youth belonging to the backward classes."
About 2.5 million people participated in this entrepreneurship program from all over the country and venture capital of Rs 200 crores has been set up for OBC entrepreneurs, stated Laxman. Before this, the venture capital fund was started under the rule of Congress but it was not for OBC society. It was a venture capital fund only for SCs, he added.
According to Laxman, through this program, the importance of entrepreneurship in the country will be discussed. "How much Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is involved in promoting startups in the country? How the youth of backward society can take advantage of these schemes? Such issues were discussed in the entrepreneur's meet on Saturday," he said.
Entrepreneurs from more than 21 states in the program participated in the meet.
Laxman said that the Modi government has made many plans for the development of the backward classes. "27 per cent reservation and the appointment of people belonging to the backward classes on the vacant posts in universities will be done soon. Our government will be an employment-generating government," stated the BJP OBC Morcha National President.
"We are organizing these programs so that along with the development of OBC youth, industries can also develop. Then they can provide economic and social strength to the country," added Laxman.
6:00 PM
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth launched the Quatre Bornes to Phoenix segment of the India-Mauritius Flagship Metro Express project on Sunday.
"The much-awaited Quatre Bornes to Phoenix segment of the India-Mauritius Flagship Metro Express project was launched today by Prime Minister," Indian High Commission in Mauritius tweeted.
"The new stations will bring the safe, timely & transformative Metro Project to a larger number of Mauritian people and make a difference to their daily commute. Progressing towards Curepipe and Mahatma Gandhi station," the High Commission said in another tweet.
Earlier in January, India and Mauritius exchanged two key bilateral agreements including an agreement for the extension of a $190 million Line of Credit from the Indian government for the Metro Express and other infrastructure projects.
Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, India-Mauritius Development Partnership projects have progressed rapidly.
In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Jugnauth had jointly inaugurated the Metro Express project and the New ENT Hospital in Mauritius in virtual mode.
Likewise, in July 2020, the new Supreme Court Building of Mauritius was also inaugurated virtually by the two Prime Ministers.
5:58 PM
The Karnataka government on Sunday directed officials of 166 District and Taluk government hospitals across the state to conduct a 'Fire Safety Audit' of its premises and receive NOC (no objection certificate) from the Fire and Emergency Services.
The Health Commissioner has issued a circular stating that the hospitals will be granted Rs 50,000 each under 'Rashtriya Aarogya Abhiyan.'
During a recent video conference with Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of all states to assess the COVID-19 situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested conducting a 'Fire Safety Audit', as incidents of fire accidents had increased due to summer heat.
Out of the 166 hospitals that have been instructed to conduct the audit, there are 16 district hospitals and 150 Taluk hospitals, and the health officials have been given a deadline of May 21 to submit an action taken report, Health Minister K Sudhakar's office said.
5:57 PM
Syrian President Bashar Assad on Sunday was in Tehran meeting Iranian leaders, Iranian state-linked media reported, marking his second trip to Tehran since Syria's civil war erupted in 2011.
Nour News, close to Iran's security apparatus, said in the Sunday report that Assad met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi earlier in the day. It said Assad later left Tehran for Damascus, Syria.
It said details of the meetings will be published later.
This is the first visit by Assad in more than two years. His earlier visit was in February 2019.
Iran is a key regional supporter of Assad in the the Arab nation civil war that erupted in 2011.
5:49 PM
BJP youth wing activists had been holding rallies over the past two days in various parts of the state over the unnatural death of one of its members, Arjun Chaurasia, with the latest one being taken out by agitators on Sunday in Paschim Bardhaman district.
Led by Asansol South MLA Agnimitra Paul, BJYM supporters, numbering around 200, assembling outside a police outpost in Hirapur area and demanded immediate punishment for those responsible for Chaurasia' death.
The protesters also sought a CBI probe into the incident.
"TMC goons had been carrying out attacks on BJP activists since the assembly poll results were declared on May 2 last year. Scores of our karyakartas (functionaries) were murdered. Our rally is against all these attacks... we will not rest till justice is meted out," Paul said.
Similar rallies were taken out by the saffron party men in Siliguri and Balurghat areas of North Bengal on Saturday, with activists seeking an impartial probe.
Chaurasia was found hanging in an abandoned building in Kolkata's Kashipur area on Friday morning, amid Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state.
Shah, after meeting the deceased BJYM member's family, had slammed the TMC government for "unleashing a reign of terror" in the state. He also called for a CBI probe into the case.
5:47 PM
The Karnataka government on Sunday said it has constituted a 'Tender Scrutiny Committee' headed by a retired High Court judge, aimed at bringing transparency and curb irregularities in the tendering process.
The committee headed by Justice Rathnakala has been mandated to scrutinise all tenders above Rs 50 crore according to the guidelines already issued to curb irregularities in the tendering process.
The move for transparency has come at a time when the BJP government in the state is facing allegations of corruption, including the '40 per cent commission' charge from contractors to get the payment released for the projects completed.
Recently, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had ordered a complete stop to awarding government projects based on the oral instructions from ministers and elected representatives, and had warned erring officers of strong action.
This follows the death of Santosh Patil, a contractor from Belagavi, who allegedly died by suicide, blaming former Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister K S Eshwarappa for holding up payment of Rs 4 crore,0 due to him.
Retired Secretary of Water Resources Department B G Gurupadaswamy (expert engineer) and Retired Director of State Accounts and Audit Department K Nandakumar (finance expert) have been appointed as the members of the committee, the CM's office said in a statement.
The panel has been constituted in accordance with the government order issued last December.
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First Published: May 08 2022 | 6:52 AM IST
