Page 827 - Social Issues
Court for audit of fund diversion through dubious accounts
A court here has suggested to the Delhi Chief Secretary to conduct an audit to find out whether public money is being siphoned off in the name of divorce pension through dubious bank accounts. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S K Sethi also asked the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Dwarka in south west Delhi to personally look into a case which appeared to the court as "part of a larger scam for misappropriation of public money being systematically done" by way of withdrawal of divorce pension through dubious accounts. Divorce pension is a scheme under the Department of Women and Child Development of the Delhi government to provide social security in the form of financial assistance to widows, divorced, separated, abandoned, deserted or destitute women above 18 years who have no adequate means of subsistence and are poor, needy and vulnerable. "The present matter appears to be a part of a larger scam for misappropriation of public money being systematically done by way of
Woman attempts suicide over harassment
A 19-year-old woman allegedly attempted suicide by consuming poison here after being harassed by a man, who she claimed was trying to break her marriage, the police said today. The incident, which took place at Jalpura village, came to light today after the woman's family members lodged a police complaint, they said. The woman had consumed poisonous pills three days ago and was admitted to a hospital here. Doctors have stated that she is out of danger, the police said. The victim's family have accused Israr of putting pressure on her to get married to him and alleged that he was trying to break her marriage which is in February, they said. The complainant said that upset with this man's harassment the woman attempted suicide, the police said, adding that the accused is at large. The man had harassed her in 2015, too, but the matter was settled at a panchayat, which gave him a warning, they said. "FIR has been lodged against the accused and a manhunt has been launched to ..
Austria's Sebastian Kurz, world's youngest leader in waiting
"Whizz-kid", "Basti Fantasti" and "Messiah" are just some of the monikers given to Austrian conservative Sebastian Kurz, set to become the world's youngest leader at just 31. His People's Party (OeVP), revamped by Kurz as a more hardline "movement", agreed late yesterday a coalition deal with the far-right that will see him sworn in as chancellor next week. "Our aims are quite clear. We want to ease the tax burden for people, we want to strengthen our economy, which will bolster our social system," Kurz said late yesterday. "And first and foremost we want to increase security in our country, including by combatting illegal immigration," Kurz told reporters. The takeover of the OeVP in May by "Emperor Kurz" was as swift as it was radical. First he ended the decade-long unhappy coalition with the Social Democrats (SPOe). Then he rebranded the OeVP and its black party colour as a turquoise "movement" tough on migrants and easy on taxes. The strategy of "putting Austrians ...
Mizo NGOs urge PM to deport illegal immigrants
A conglomerate of major civil societies and student associations of Mizoram today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that all illegal immigrants, especially Chakmas from Bangladesh, are deported. In a memorandum submitted to Modi during his visit here, the NGO Coordination Committee claimed that the decadal growth of the Chakma population in the state is 200.47 per cent during 1981 to 1991. "When you visited Assam in 2014 before the general election, your focus was on the topic related to illegal immigrants and you assured us that your government will work towards deportation of foreigners from the country," the memorandum said. It said Mizoram, like other north eastern states, has been facing a demographic nightmare due to massive illegal influx from neighbouring Bangladesh.
BJP leader Raja detained
BJP national secretary H Raja and other party workers were detained near here today when they tried to organise a protest against VCK leader Thirumavalavan for his alleged remarks against some temples. Police said they were detained as permission for staging the protest had not been granted. Besides, prohibitory orders were also in force, they added.
WHO certifies Gabon as polio-free
The World Health Organisation has declared Gabon a "polio-free country", given the lack of new reported or suspected cases in the central African country. According to a WHO statement obtained by AFP today, the UN health agency nonetheless recommended taking the necessary steps to continue monitoring for possible signs of the disease. Gabon's Health Minister Denise Mekam'ne Edzidzie also urged families today to "continue to immunise children and prevent a resurgence of this disease". Polio is a highly-infectious viral disease which mainly affects young children and can result in permanent paralysis. There is no cure and it can only be prevented through immunisation. Cases of polio have decreased by 99 per cent since 1988, when polio was endemic in 125 countries and 350,000 cases were recorded worldwide. Now the disease is endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the WHO recorded four cases this year -- two in each country. Last year, there were 37 cases globally.
Lawsuit: 2 immigrant teens in US custody can't get abortions
President Donald Trump's administration is blocking two pregnant teens in the country illegally and being held in federal custody from obtaining abortions, the American Civil Liberties Union has said, a repeat of the situation that led to a high-profile court fight earlier this year. Both girls arrived in the country as unaccompanied minors and are being held in federal shelters, the ACLU said yesterday, though it didn't say where. The ACLU earlier this year represented a pregnant teen in the same circumstances in Texas, helping her obtain an abortion following a lawsuit. Yesterday, the ACLU filed court papers updating the lawsuit filed in that earlier case to include the two additional teens, saying the facts of their cases are similar. The ACLU is asking a federal judge to order the government not to interfere with or obstruct the girls' access to abortions. "Both minors have asked their respective doctors and their shelters for an abortion, but to date," the ...
Republicans agree on sweeping changes in US tax system
US Republicans from both houses of Congress released their tax bill today, moving one step closer to delivering the most significant changes to America's tax system in more than three decades. The tax bill promises massive tax cuts for the middle class and businesses. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers the corporate tax rate to 21 per cent (beginning January 1, 2018) down from 35 per cent, the largest reduction in the history of the US. The voting on the USD 1.5 trillion tax cut bill will be held next week and if passed will be the most sweeping tax overhaul in decades. President Donald Trump, who had promised tax-cut during his election campaign, now wants the bill signed into law by the end of the year. "By lowering tax rates, simplifying the rigged and burdensome tax code, and repealing the failed tax on lower- and middle-income households known as the Obamacare individual mandate, this legislation will grow our economy, raise wages, and promote economic ...
Right wing outfits take out silent march in Udaipur
Right wing outfits took out a silent procession here today in protest against alleged objectionable comments made by some Muslim organisations in a rally five days ago, police said. Activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal took out the protest and later a delegation held a meeting with the district administration and police officers, they added. "Twelve people representing the Muslim organisations were named in an FIR and 10 were arrested for making objectionable comments during a rally," Assistant Superintendent of Police (Udaipur) Harsh Ratnu said. Police yesterday detained 207 people and cane-charged a mob for violating Section 144 imposed here and trying to take out a rally in support of Shambhulal Regar, who is in custody for hacking a Muslim labourer and burning his body and posting an objectionable video on social media. Out of those detained, 153 were released and 53 people were sent to judicial custody, Ratnu said.
Trump wants merit-based immigration programme
US President Donald Trump today sought to replace chain migration and visa lottery with a merit-based immigration programme, which if approved by Congress might be to the benefit of technology professionals from countries like India. "We're calling for Congress to end chain migration, and to end the visa lottery system, and replace it with a merit- based system of immigration," Trump said in his address to the FBI National Academy Graduation Ceremony in Quantico, Virginia. "We have witnessed recently, America faces grave threats. Terrorists have struck in the streets and subways of New York City twice in a few months. Both terrorists came to our country through the dysfunctional immigration system that we are correcting, and rapidly," Trump said. One came through chain migration and the other through the visa lottery, he said. "They have a lottery. You pick people. You think the country's giving us their best people? No. What kind of a system is that? They come in by a .
Man kills mom, sister; ends life unable to help ailing father
A 21-year old man allegedly killed his sister and mother before committing suicide here in despondency over inability to meet the medical expenses of his father, police said. Ranjith Kumar stabbed to death his mother and sister at their house and ended his life, they said. His 53-year old father was recently admitted to a hospital with liver problem and needed to undergo a liver transplant for which lakhs of rupees was required. As per preliminary investigations, Kumar was upset for the past several days as he could not mobilise money for the treatment of his father, police said.
Triple talaq law politically motivated: S A R Geelani
Former Delhi University Lecturer S A R Geelani today strongly criticised the proposed law on triple talaq describing it as "politically motivated". To a question on Kashmir issues, Geelani said, "Neither India nor Pakistan, but the people of Kashmir valley should have the right to decide their own fate." Speaking at a people's convention on various human rights here, Geelani, who was arrested on sedition charge in early 2016 in Delhi, said that people should be persuaded first for their acceptance of any law before its legislation. "Even if the legislation against triple talaq is passed in the Parliament, its implementation will be very tough without its acceptance by the Muslim society," he said. Stating that there are different schools in Islam, Geelani said "you need to pursue people on new legislation first before bringing it to Parliament for legislation." "Such a legislation is politically motivated and the government must have something in its mind," Geelani ...
Officials should take decisions without fear: Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today asked bureaucrats to take decisions in public interest without fear of the five Cs--CBI, courts, CVC, CAG and the CIC. He said development and public service was the sole aim of the BJP government in Haryana and urged ministers and officials to work together to frame new polices which were in public interest. "My government will always stand behind all decisions taken in public interest," he said after inaugurating the three-day 'Chintan Shivir' at Timber Trail resorts in Himachal Pradesh's Parwanoo today. It was organised under the aegis of the Haryana Administrative Reforms Department for Cabinet ministers, officers of the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), the Indian Forest Service and heads of department, a Haryana government release said. Khattar asked bureaucrats to work honestly and in a dedicated manner while taking decisions in public interest "without any fear of the five ...
UN experts say Sri Lankan detainees denied basic rights
A group of United Nations human rights experts says Sri Lanka has yet to respect individual rights, with people kept in custody for excessive periods pending investigations, and reliance on confessions that are often extracted under torture or duress. A three-member delegation of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded a 10-day visit to the island nation today. They told reporters that individuals are being deprived of their rights in a range of facilities such as police stations, prisons, open work camps, centers for juveniles, mental health institutions and rehabilitation camps for former combatants and drug addicts. They said detainees in general do not enjoy basic guarantees of due process such as immediate access to legal counsel.
REC inks pact to provide aids, devices to 'divyangjan'
State-run Rural Electrification Corp (REC) today inked a pact with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) for distribution of aids and assistive devices to 8,000 divyangjan (differently abled persons). REC Foundation, the CSR arm of the REC, committed financial assistance to ALIMCO for distribution of aids and assistive devices to more than 8,000 persons with special abilities in various states of India, an REC statement said. The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was inked between REC Foundation and ALIMCO in New Delhi today. Sanjiv Garg, CEO, REC Foundation and D R Sarin, CMD, ALIMCO signed the MoA in the presence of other senior officials of REC and ALIMCO. According to a separate statement of the ALIMCO, the REC will provide an aid of Rs 10 crore for distribution of aids and assistive devices to approximately 8,000 to 9,000 'divyangjan' at 25 various locations in India. ALIMCO is a "Not ForProfit" central public sector undertaking working under the .
HC vacates stay on TRB recruitment
The Madras High Court today directed the Teachers Recruitment Board to issue a fresh notification to fill reserved (for physically challenged) posts of post graduate assistant physical education directors in school education department. The court had stayed the recruitment on June 7 while admitting a PIL seeking to provide four per cent reservation to persons with disabilities in recruitments by TRB as mandated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. On August 9, the High Court partly vacated the stay and allowed TRB to fill the vacancies after holding back four per cent (meant for physically challenged persons) of the posts, till further orders. When the plea came up for hearing, a division bench of Justices T S Sivagnanam and K Ravichandrabaabu allowed TRB to fill the reserved posts by issuing fresh notification. The petitioner submitted that the determination of eligibility for the posts as per degree of disability for various categories had not been ...
Over half Syrian refugees in Lebanon in 'extreme poverty': UN
More than half of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon are now living in extreme poverty, and the vast majority live below the poverty line, the UN's refugee agency said today. According to the UN, more than a million Syrians have sought refuge in Lebanon since the war in their country erupted after anti-government protests in March 2011. The massive influx has tested Lebanon, a country of just four million citizens that already struggled with overstretched resources before the arrival of Syrian refugees. Over the last six years of the war, the refugee population has sunk further into debt and poverty, UNHCR said, with 58 per cent of households now living in extreme poverty, defined as less than USD 2.87 per person a day. That is an increase of five percent since last year, UNHCR said in an annual survey. The survey found 76 per cent of refugees were living below the poverty line, defined as less than USD 3.84 per person a day, and that nearly 90 per cent of refugees were in ..
Nagaland passes resolution revoking women reservation in ULBs
The Nagaland Assembly today passed a resolution unanimously revoking the provisions of 33 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies. The House thus revoked the Assembly resolution of November 26, 2016 allowing reservation for women in the urban local bodies. Before the adoption of the resolution today, the legislators deliberated on the necessity to revoke women reservation. MLA Neiba Kronu asked whether Article 243(T) of the Constitution, which grants 33 per cent women reservation in the ULBs, infringes on the special provisions granted to Naga people under Article 371(A) of the Constitution or not. Article 371(A) has special provision with respect to the state of Nagaland. He said that revocation of women reservation does not mean the rights of women are ignored but the Assembly can make special law granting special rights to the women to participate in the ULBs without reservation. Minister Imkong L Imchen said that Article 243(T) specifically deals with ...
SC suggests measures to remove hurdles for disabled at public
The Supreme Court today suggested a series of measures required to be taken by the state authorities for removing obstacles which prevent differently- abled persons from accessing public places in the country. A bench comprising justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan referred to the provisions of the Disability Act, 1995 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and noted the measures which were needed for its effective implementation. The apex court said that gates to public places should be made by incorporating necessary accessible standards and they must be made wide enough to allow wheelchairs to pass or turn around easily. "At places like airports, railway stations etc passengers must be clearly informed about the details of their flight/train such as the gate number for boarding etc via public announcement systems (this practice is, surprisingly, gradually declining)," the bench noted in its verdict. It said that a minimum of three to five parking spaces
TT player from Mizoram held with drug worth Rs 60 lakh
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested a 19-year-old national level table tennis player from Mizoram with 3.9 kilograms of methaqualone, a banned psychotropic substance, at the Mumbai airport. Lalrin Puia, the accused, was remanded in judicial custody by a court here till December 28. NCB officials said they had received a tip-off, following which Puia's baggage was checked when he landed in Mumbai yesterday which led to recovery of contraband concealed at the bottom of his trolley bag. The drug was worth Rs 60 lakh, they said. He failed to give any satisfactory explanation about the presence of baned drug in his baggage, officials said. Popular party drug Mandrax is made by processing methaqualone powder. It is in high demand overseas, especially in African countries. Further probe is on.
