Page 11 - Social Issues
UN launches plan of action on hate speech
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday announced the launch of the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
Trump pulls Shanahan from consideration for US defense secretary
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday his pick for defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, has withdrawn, leaving the Pentagon without a permanent boss for more than six months amid a ratcheting of tensions in the Mideast. Shanahan "has decided not to go forward with his confirmation process so that he can devote more time to his family," Trump tweeted after Shanahan faced questions over his past personal life and an allegation of domestic violence. Trump said the army secretary, Mark Esper, will come in as acting secretary of defense. There hasn't been a full secretary of defense since the resignation of James Mattis in December last year.
Four RBU departmental heads resign over 'racist slurs'
In a sensational turn of events, four departmental heads of the Rabindra Bharati University have stepped down alleging racist slurs targeted against them by state's ruling Trinamool Congress students wing members.
Telangana: Weaver's Development Foundation demands justice for community
An all-party round table conference had been conducted by the Weaver's Development Foundation on Tuesday to support the weaver and to bring justice to their families who committed suicide.M Kodandaram, founder of the Telangana Jana Samithi Party, speaking to ANI, said "There are more than 50000 handloom weavers and even large number of people in addition to weavers, who depend on this work. It is necessary to protect them and support them.""The main problem is finding adequate information market for the product produced. Governments have been promising welfare schemes to the weavers from the past, but none have been implemented. So, we have decided to demand the proper implementation of the schemes that are announced for the welfare of the weavers," he further said.He informed that a protest has been decided to be staged in Delhi."We decided to meet with the concerned minister in Delhi and submit a report on how bad the situation of weavers is across the country. We also decided to ...
Mehbooba meets Governor to discuss prevailing political, socio-economic situation in J-K
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday met Governor Satya Pal Malik to discuss the prevailing political and socio-economic situation in the state.During the meeting that took place at the Raj Bhavan, Mufti also discussed various issues relating to the growth and development of the state.
Not opposed to English, but against its 'slavery': Ved Pratap Vaidik
Bharatiya Bhasha Sammelan chief Ved Pratap Vaidik Tuesday said though he is not opposed to English, he is against the "slavery" of the language. The veteran journalist said his organisation is against imposition of any language on any Indian citizen, be it English or Hindi. He also expressed support for the Centre's decision to not thrust Hindi on Tamil Nadu. Earlier this month, the Centre dropped a contentious provision in the draft National Education Policy (NEP) to make Hindi a mandatory third language to be taught in non-Hindi speaking states after it sparked outrage, especially in Tamil Nadu. Vaidik said at a press conference here that he does not oppose English, but is against the "slavery" of the language. The more foreign languages students learn willingly, the better, he said. Vaidik claimed that if the compulsion to use English in governance, administration, Parliament, courts, higher education, trade and employment ends, then all citizens would learn each other's languages .
Lucknow: Activist files complaint against Waseem Rizvi; accuses him of assaulting his wife
A police complaint was registered against UP Shia Waqf Board chairman, Waseem Rizvi by a social activist on account of women harassment here on Tuesday.The complainant, Farhat Naqvi, alleged that Rizvi routinely beats his wife and keeps her as a captive. She said she had been receiving information about his wife's condition over the past 2-3 months and finally decided to meet her."I went to the Shia Yateem Khana to meet his wife to seek her well-being but was instead confronted with 15-20 goons sent by Rizvi who abused, attacked, and threatened me. Later on the premises, he contacted me through his servant's phone and threatened to kill me", she told ANI.Naqvi, president of Mera Haq foundation, now, also plans to register a complaint in National Commission for Women (NCW), UP state women commission, and also plans to take time from the Chief Minister to talk about the issue. "I hope that I get support from the authorities and UP Police takes action at the earliest," she added.Waseem ..
FinMin starts twitter quiz on Budget
In order to generate public interest in the Budget, the Finance Ministry has started a quiz series on twitter. The first question posed to the twitterati - 'When was the First General Budget of Independent India presented?' The ministry gave 4 options to the twitter users to vote. "Now that our General Budget 2019-20 is around the corner, it would be a good time to refresh our knowledge about it. Today we start with our first question. Let's see how many of us get it right," the ministry said. The first Budget of Independent India, it may be recalled, was presented by the then Finance Minister R K Shanmukham Chetty on November 26, 1947. The full budget for 2019-20 will be presented in Parliament on July 5 by Finance Minster Nirmala Sitharaman.
Odisha orders litchi test after encephalitis deaths in Bihar
In view of the rising encephalitis deaths in Bihar, Odisha government on Tuesday directed officials to collect samples of litchi being sold in the market and test it for any toxins affecting human health.
Health Ministry to set up permanent multi-disciplinary group to look into AES/JE cases
As Bihar grapples with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome that has claimed 106 lives so far, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Tuesday decided to constitute a permanent multi-disciplinary group of experts at the Centre to monitor and formulate measures to be taken up in the event of such an outbreak. The central group will comprise experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), World Health Organisation (WHO), Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Women and Child Development along with experts of meteorology, nutrition and agricultural science. Vardhan also chaired a meeting of experts who deliberated upon the factors causing high child mortality in the reported Acute Encephalitis Syndrome/Japanese Encephalitis (AES/JE) cases in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar and the immediate measures to be taken up to prevent them. "We discussed the socio-economic profile of the ...
First-year premium income of the life insurance sector jumps 43.4% in May 2019
Life insurance policies sales declines 5.2% in May 2019
ASI dismissed from service for helping drug peddlers in Jalandhar
An assistant sub-inspector has been dismissed from service for allegedly conniving with drug peddlers here, police said Tuesday. Sarabjit Singh, posted in the Narcotics Cell, was a drug addict himself. He was found guilty of violating the service rules by helping the drug peddlers here, Jalandhar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said. "After a thorough inquiry, the accused has been dismissed from the service," he said. Bhullar said there was a zero tolerance policy against drugs. The Patiala Police on Monday dismissed 11 policemen, including six station house officers, from service for their alleged involvement in corruption and drug-related cases.
Unemployed graduates to get up to Rs 3,500 in R'sthan
Unemployed youth having graduation or equivalent degree will be given unemployment allowance up to Rs 3,500 by the Rajasthan government, an official statement said. They will get the benefit of the Chief Minister Yuva Sambal Yojana from February this year, the statement read. The state government has implemented the scheme from February this year after rechristening the earlier Akshat Yojana. To be eligible for the scheme, applicants should be natives of Rajasthan. Under the scheme, male applicants will get Rs 3,000 per month whereas women and differently-abled will get Rs 3,500 per month. The amount will be given for two years or until they get employed.
UN calls for 'independent' probe into death of Egypt's Morsi
The UN human rights office called Tuesday for an "independent inquiry" into the death of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, who died in state custody. "Any sudden death in custody must be followed by a prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation carried out by an independent body to clarify the cause of death," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Budget is more of poll manifesto, disappointing: Opposition
Opposition parties Tuesday dubbed the budget presented by the BJP-led Maharashtra government as "disappointing", saying it is full of pre-election populist announcements. Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar presented a budget with a revenue deficit of Rs 20,292.94 crore in the Assembly. "The government used this opportunity to make populist announcements ahead of elections...the right place to make such announcements is manifesto, not budget. We are disappointed," Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan told reporters. The Maharashtra Assembly polls are due in October. The government should have instead presented an account of what it plans to do for the next few months before the election, the former chief minister said. Citing the latest Economic Survey he said there was decline in manufacturing and agricultural sectors. "The investment in Maharashtra has gone down," Chavan added. State NCP chief Jayant Patil said the budget had nothing constructive. "Nothing is provided for .
Death of woman patient: Siddha doctors seek protection
As protests seeking the arrest of a Sidda practitioner over the death of a woman college student continued for the second day Tuesday, local Siddha Doctors Association rejected charge of misdiagnosis and sought protection for their members. A section of the government arts college students staged a demonstration here in front of the institution seeking immediate arrest of Siddha practitioner Gurunathan alleging that he was responsible for the death of their college-mate, police said. According to police, 20-year old Sathyapriya, suffering from menstrual problem for the last one year, had taken treatment from the Siddha doctor for some time, but there was no improvement in her condition. As her condition deteriorated last week, she was admitted to the government hospital here, where she died Monday, following which over 100 people, including her relatives, had staged a protest demanding action against Gurunathan. Even as the students held a demonstration Tuesday, around .
CBI books senior lawyer Anand Grover, his NGO for foreign aid irregularities
The CBI has booked noted lawyer Anand Grover and his Mumbai-based voluntary organisation, Lawyers Collective, for alleged violation of rules in receiving foreign aid, officials said on Tuesday. The agency has filed an FIR on the basis of a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which has alleged several discrepancies in the utilisation of foreign aid received by the NGO. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked Grover, the president of Lawyers Collective, and unidentified office-bearers of the organisation, besides unidentified officials. The allegation was strongly disputed by Lawyers Collective in a statement issued last month. Although the CBI has not named Grover's wife and former additional solicitor general (ASG) Indira Jaising as an accused in the FIR, the complaint filed by the ministry, which is now part of the FIR, mentions allegations against her. The ministry has alleged that Jaising, as the ASG from 2009 to 2014, had received remunerations worth Rs
Maha govt announces scheme for smokeless kitchens
A pilot project aimed at providing smoke-free environment in the kitchen for women will be launched by the Maharashtra government, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced in his Budget speech Tuesday. The project, named "Chullah (wood-fired stove)-free and smoke-free Maharashtra", will target the women who have not benefited under the Ujjwala or any other LPG distribution scheme, he said. The pilot project will be implemented in Naxal- affected areas as well as the districts where farmer suicide rate is high, Mungantiwar said.
Centre asks Mizoram to deport back Myanmar refugees
The Union Home Ministry has asked the Mizoram government to immediately deport 220 Myanmarese nationals back to Myanmar, officials said on Tuesday.
Taxi driver suspended for failure to help Indian-origin disabled passenger at UK temple
A taxi driver in the UK has been suspended "indefinitely" after an elderly Indian-origin wheelchair user was "humiliated and insulted" when he refused to assist her down the ramp at a temple in the city of Leicester. Saroj Seth, who had her right leg amputated three years ago, asked for help to get into the vehicle after visiting the Shree Geeta Bhavan Temple on Clarendon Park Road in the East Midlands city. But the 78-year-old former magistrate said she was left "humiliated and insulted" when the driver refused the assistance and drove off. "There was no compassion, no kindness," said Seth, who was awarded an Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for services to community cohesion in Leicester in 2011. "He said 'no, it is a liability to take a disabled person' and said he was not going to touch the wheelchair. He didn't want to come near me and stood by his car," she told the BBC. "That incident left me very angry that with all my hard work, people ...