Page 4 - National News

Haryana govt asks to avoid use of 'Harijan', 'Girijan' in official comms

The Haryana government has asked all its departments, public and educational institutes and others to "strictly avoid" using the terms 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' in official communications in respect of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) respectively. The Haryana Chief Secretary's Office issued a letter in this regard on Tuesday. Mahatma Gandhi had named the SCs as 'Harijans', meaning 'people of God'. However, BR Ambedkar was against the use of 'Harijans' and he preferred to call them Dalits. "The Haryana government has issued directions to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Boards, Corporations, Public Sector Undertakings, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) and Registrars of Universities in the State to strictly avoid the use of terms such as 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' in all official matters and correspondence," an official statement said. It has been reiterated in the letter that the Constitution of India d

No advance payment under 'Ladki Bahin' scheme after SEC stand: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said his government will not release the January instalment under the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' for eligible women in advance in compliance with a directive from the State Election Commission (SEC). Practice so far has been to give an advance instalment during major festivals to poorer women under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, but monthly stipend under the scheme (Rs 1,500) will now be credited in their accounts after January 16, the day when votes polled in 29 civic corporations are counted, he told reporters in Pune. The SEC on Monday barred the government from releasing the January instalment under the scheme (Rs 1,500) in advance, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the January 15 elections to 29 municipal corporations in the state. The SEC's clarification came after it received several complaints following media reports claiming that beneficiaries of the scheme would receive Rs 3,000 - covering the December and ..

India, China work to restore military trust amid push for border stability

In recent meetings with Chinese counterparts, Indian officials have made peace and stability along the 3,488-kilometer (2,167 miles) disputed Himalayan border central to efforts to normalize ties

Wife's high qualification no ground to deny maintenance: Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a wife cannot be denied maintenance under Section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) merely because she is highly qualified or possesses vocational skills. Setting aside a family court order rejecting a woman's application seeking maintenance from her husband, Justice Garima Prashad observed that it is "misplaced for a husband to rely solely on the qualifications of his wife to evade his legal obligation to maintain her". The court said a wife's mere potential to earn is distinct from actual gainful employment. It emphasised that this is a reality faced by many women who despite their education find it difficult to join the workforce after years of domestic duties and childcare responsibilities. The court set aside an order of the additional principal judge, Family Court, Bulandshahr, who had rejected the wife's application moved under Section 125 CrPC seeking maintenance from her husband. The family court had rejected the wife's plea for

Delhi govt to upgrade ITIs with industry partners under PM-SETU scheme

The Delhi government has started the process of upgrading its Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), seeking to engage industry partners under the PM-SETU scheme, officials said. The Department of Training and Technical Education of the Delhi government is the implementing body of the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme's hub and spoke model for the transformation of the ITIs in the city. The Dheerpur-ITI cluster comprising Dheerpur-ITI (hub) and four constituent spoke ITIs at Jail Road, Narela, Sirifort and Jaffarpur has been chosen for the implementation of the PM-SETU scheme in Delhi, the officials said. In such a cluster, the hub ITI might specialise in high-end advanced manufacturing trades, while the spoke ITIs provide foundational courses feeding into the hub. A cluster special purpose vehicle (SPV) led by an industry partner would upgrade the infrastructure across all five ITIs, introduce the latest course like ...

Two suspected Nipah cases detected in Bengal; Centre sends response team

Two suspected cases of Nipah virus disease have been identified at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), ICMR, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal.Taking immediate action, the central government has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to support the State Government in containment and public health response measures, according to official sources.The team comprises experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.The Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, held discussions with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Health), Government of West Bengal, to review the situation and ensure swift and coordinated action.Central Government guidelines on Nipah Virus Disease under the Communicable Disease ...

Delhi HC flags plight of patients' kin, seeks PIL on night shelters

The court noted that the article highlighted distressing conditions for people waiting for treatment in hospitals who have no place to stay

Banks must ensure year-round operational discipline: RBI deputy governor

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Swaminathan J has asked banks to put in place stronger operational discipline and data governance throughout the year, as supervision needs to shift from periodic snapshots to continuous awareness. Speaking on 'Issues and Challenges in Banking Supervision in the Digital Era', the deputy governor said for decades, supervisors were trained to read balance sheets and inspect processes, and it is still being done the same way. But today, he said a bank can look perfectly healthy on paper and still be one incident away from severe disruption. "The reason is that the centre of gravity is shifting from the 'branch and product' to the 'pipes and code'," he said. In other words, stability now depends as much on operational resilience, data integrity, and third-party dependencies as much as it does on capital and liquidity, Swaminathan said at the at the Third Annual Global Conference of the College of Supervisors here on Friday. In a digital ...

Lok Sabha Speaker hints at action over alleged e-cigarette use in House

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday did not rule out "exemplary punishment" over the alleged use of e-cigarette in the House, asserting that maintaining the dignity of Parliament was non-negotiable. BJP member Anurag Thakur had sent a complaint to the Speaker alleging that one Trinamool Congress (TMC) member was "openly using" e-cigarette in the House during the proceedings despite such devices being banned across the country. "No one has the right to undermine the sanctity of the House," the Lok Sabha Speaker told reporters here. Birla said the matter was under investigation and would be later referred to an appropriate committee of the House for further action. "We will act on the recommendation of the committee. Everyone will have to maintain decorum in the House. A member could even lose his membership," the Lok Sabha Speaker said. "Nobody will be allowed to lower the dignity of the House," Birla said. "It is a responsibility. You will have to maintain decorum inside the Hou

Goa economy grew 14.94% in FY24, 'Viksit' state target set for 2037: Guv

Goa's economy has shown a positive growth trajectory of 14.94 per cent in 2023-24 (provisional) as per estimates received from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Governor P Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Monday on the first day of the Winter Session of the state assembly. In his first address in the House since taking over as governor in July last year, Raju said the preparation of Vision Document 'Viksit Goa @ 2037' is in its final stages, adding it would act as an all-inclusive, long-term blueprint by aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Modi of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. "I am happy to state that Goa's economy continues to show a positive growth trajectory of 14.94 per cent in 2023-24 (provisional) as per the estimates received from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. 28," he said. Based on the enthusiasm and passion with which the state government was functioning, Raju said he was confident that the target of Goa becoming a developed state would

Punjab orders major IPS cadre reshuffle, officers promoted across ranks

According to orders issued by the Department of Home Affairs, several senior officers have been transferred, while many have been promoted to higher ranks, including ADGP, IGP and DIG

SIR in MP: Voter list update reunites man with mother after 22 years

A man who left his home in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district 22 years ago after his family opposed his marriage was reunited with his mother because of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, police said on Saturday. Police said it all started after Vinod, alias Vinod Gairi, who is settled in Rajasthan, tried to get his name included in the voters' list during the ongoing SIR exercise. An official said Gairi was asked to get the details of his parents' EPIC (Election Photo Identity Card) numbers as part of the process. He then reached out to the panchayat at his native place. After learning about the matter, Gairi's mother approached the police to trace her son. Under the direction of Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Meena, a team led by Nai Abadi police station in-charge sub-inspector Kuldeep Singh Rathore, was formed to track down Gairi, a police statement said. The MP police eventually traced Gairi to the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, where he has been

Our civilisational courage shines in Somnath: PM Modi at Swabhiman Parv

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described Somnath as a symbol of "our civilisational courage" as he landed in the famous temple town to attend 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' events. Starting his three-day visit to Gujarat, he witnessed a drone show and presided over a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust as its chairman. "Feeling blessed to be in Somnath, a proud symbol of our civilisational courage. This visit comes during #SomnathSwabhimanParv, when the entire nation has come together to mark a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026. Grateful to the people for the warm welcome," the PM said in a post on X after his arrival. "In Somnath this evening, chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust. We reviewed various aspects relating to infrastructure upgradations in the temple complex and ways to make the pilgrimage to Somnath even more memorable," he wrote in another post after the meeting. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and deputy CM Harsh ..

Gulshan Kumar murder case convict serving life term dies of heart attack

A 60-year-old convict in the music mogul Gulshan Kumar murder case lodged in Harsul prison in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has died of a heart attack, an official said on Saturday. Mohammed Rauf Dawood Merchant, a resident of Amrut Nagar in Mumbra in neighbouring Thane district, was serving a life sentence at Harsul prison, some 350 kilometres from here, since 2002 after his conviction in the sensational case, he said. "On the morning of January 8, while offering namaz inside the prison barracks, Merchant had severe chest pain and fell unconscious. He was rushed to a government hospital where he died. The post mortem report put the cause of death as severe heart attack. His kin in Mumbra took possession of his body the same evening and performed the last rites," he informed. An accidental death case has been registered at Harsul police station, the official added. Gulshan Kumar, a cassette baron and among Bollywood's most prominent producers, was shot dead outside a ...

Election Commission directs micro-observers to report lapses during SIR

The Election Commission on Saturday instructed micro-observers deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to closely monitor field-level activities and report any irregularities or deviations from prescribed procedures through designated channels, an official said. In an advisory, the poll body said micro-observers must function independently and objectively during the exercise, with strict adherence to transparency, accuracy and neutrality. "They have been directed to observe processes relating to verification, claims and objections, and ensure that instructions of the commission are followed in letter and spirit without any external influence," he said. The commission noted that the SIR is a crucial exercise aimed at producing error-free and inclusive electoral rolls, and any lapse at the grassroots level could undermine public confidence. "Observations submitted by micro-observers will serve as vital inputs for senior election authorities to assess the

Assam Cong sets up legal panel to track investigation in Zubeen Garg case

The Assam Congress on Saturday announced that it has constituted a committee of advocates to closely monitor the investigation and the judicial proceedings into the death case of singer Zubeen Garg. The opposition party made the decision, which was taken on Thursday, public a day after the state Cabinet approved a five-member team of special public prosecutors (PPs). "Hon'ble President, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Shri Gaurav Gogoi has constituted a committee comprising the following senior Advocates to closely monitor the progress of the investigation and judicial proceedings in the death case of Late Zubeen Garg," the party's general secretary (organisation) Bipul Gogoi said in a statement. The members of the committee are Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury, Ram Prasad Sarmah, Dilip Choudhury, Hamidur Rahman, Hemanta Kalita and Rubi Gogoi. The state government has named Brojendra Mohan Chaudhuri as additional public prosecutor, and Kishor Dutta, Pranjal Dutta and Vikash Jam

Maha IPS officer tried to frame Fadnavis, Shinde, says former DGP's report

Former Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla had recommended registration of an FIR against Sanjay Pandey, a former top cop, and two others over an alleged conspiracy to implicate Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde in a false case in 2016, sources said on Saturday. Reacting to the reports, BJP leaders demanded a thorough investigation to find out at whose instance Pandey, who was director general of police during the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, was acting. Before she retired on January 3, Shukla submitted a report in this regard to the home department based on an inquiry conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), sources said. The report suggested that then DGP Sanjay Pandey, Deputy Commissioner of Police Laxmikant Patil and Assistant Commissioner of Police Sardar Patil were involved in a conspiracy to implicate Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (who was then Leader of Opposition in the assembly) as well as current deputy CM Shinde

Delhi government raises Narela Education City budget to ₹1,300 crore

The Delhi government on Saturday announced a major push to develop Narela as a world-class education and innovation hub, with the project outlay for the proposed Narela Education City being increased from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,300 crore, Education Minister Ashish Sood said. Addressing a press conference, Sood said the decision reflects the government's long-term vision for strengthening higher and technical education in the national capital. As part of the initiative, possession letters for land parcels measuring about 12.69 acres for Delhi Teachers' University and 22.43 acres for Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University were handed over at Raj Niwas in the presence of the lieutenant governor, he said. The move is expected to give concrete momentum to the project, he added. The minister said Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) had earlier been allotted 50 acres of land, and with the latest allocations, the government is moving steadily towards developing a .

CPI(M) leader says UDF with Jamaat-e-Islami support could 'destroy Kerala'

CPI(M) leader A K Balan on Saturday said if the Congress-led UDF comes to power in Kerala with the backing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, it will result in the "destruction of the state". Balan, at a press conference held here, said that he will keep repeating this warning again and again. The CPI(M) also held up a copy of the 'Quran' and said it talks about 'munafiks' who are "fake believers". "I am not that. I am a believer and a communist who is loyal to the workers," he said and added that if he is sent to jail for defamation over his remarks about the Jamaat-e-Islami, the first thing he would do is finish reading the Quran. He was speaking to reporters in the wake of a legal notice sent to him by the Jamaat-e-Islami and the vehement criticism against him by Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan over the CPI(M) veteran's remarks linking the UDF with the religious organisation. Satheesan had termed Balan's remarks as "dangerous and communal". The Jamaat-e-Islami, t

Odisha approves ₹55,783 cr projects, set to create over 14,500 jobs

The Odisha government on Thursday approved seven major industrial projects worth an investment of Rs 55,783 crore and having the potential to generate 14,507 jobs, an official said. The project proposals were approved at the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. "Through these investment clearances, we are focusing on making the state strong, Atmanirbhar and ready for Samruddha Odisha by 2036," he said. The approved projects span key sectors including steel, rare earth manufacturing, automobiles and auto-components, semiconductors, industrial gases, ferroalloys and power and renewable energy and are spread across districts such as Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Keonjhar and Khurda. In the steel sector, Saffron Resources Private Limited, (a JSW Group Company) leads the approvals with a mega investment of Rs 35,000 crore to establish a 6 MTPA steel plant in Dhenkanal. The project alone is expected to generate around 8,000 employment ...