Thursday, December 25, 2025

Tamilnadu’s Anukreethy Vas wins Femina Miss India 2018 beauty pageant

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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Anukreethy Vas, a 19-year-old Tamil Nadu college student, has been crowned Femina Miss India 2018 in a grand ceremony on June 19 in Dome, NSCI SVP Stadium, Mumbai. The beauty pageant was hosted by renowned filmmaker Karan Johar and talented actor Ayushmann Khurrana. Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar awarded Vas her crown.

Impressive Judges Panel for the ceremony includes Miss World 2017, cricketers Irfan Pathan and KL Rahul and Bollywood actors like Malaika Arora, Bobby Deol and Kunal Kapoor.

The other two among the top three contestants were Meenakshi Chaudhary, 21, from Haryana who was declared the first runner-up while the second one is Shrey Rao Kamvarapu, 23, from Andhra Pradesh who was declared the second runner-up in the beauty pageant.

The ceremony witnesses splendid performances by Bollywood actors like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Madhuri Dixit.

Talking about Miss India 2018, Chillar had earlier said, “I think there is no set formula and there is no one path that can be taken to the crown as everyone has their own way. We do have a lot of expectations from India. It’s going to be a tough one for whosoever wins.”

Vas was earlier crowned FBB Colours Femina Miss Tamil Nadu, by beating 30 contestants to bag the top position in front of a judges’ panel.

Government working to double farm income by 2022, says PM Modi

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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While interacting with farmers from over 600 districts via a video conferencing on June 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government will double the farm income by 2022.

 During the sixth such interaction, PM Modi lauded farmers for making India self-sufficient in agricultural sector over the decades.

“We are working towards ensuring that the income of our hardworking farmers doubles by 2022. For that we are facilitating proper assistance wherever required. We have faith in the farmers of India,” the Prime Minister said.

He also added that cutting input cost, fair price for the crop, preventing the produce from rotting and creating alternate sources of income are the four key areas for raising farm income.

“Our effort is to provide farmers assistance at all stage of agriculture at the time of sowing, after sowing and at the time of harvesting,” he said.

He also said that the budget for the agriculture sector has been doubled to Rs 2.12 lakh crore during first four years of his government.

Highlights

Government is making efforts to ensure that farmers get adequate price for their produce.

The budget for 2018-19 fiscal has taken steps to provide farmers a price equivalent to 150 percent of their cost of production

Soil health cards are being provided to help farmers better understand soil nutrient status of and advice them on the dosage of fertilizers.

Provision for loans is being made available to farmers to help them procure good quality seeds.

Online platform e-NAM has been started to ensure farmers get the right price for their crops and to eliminate middlemen.

The country is witnessing record foodgrain production of 280 million tonnes as compared to an average of 250 million tonnes between 2010 and 2014.

Pulses production has increased 10.5 percent.

Internal PNB probe report reveals lapses lead to $2 billion scam

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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A 162-page internal probe report produced by PNB officials stated that the $2 billion PNB scam escaped detection because of widespread risk-control and monitoring lapses precisely by 54 employees in many areas of the bank.

“There was enough evidence to suggest failures,” the team of four senior PNB investigators said in its report. “It was observed that blatant system violations/unethical practices/dereliction of responsibilities led the bank to such a catastrophe.”

They further said, “One of the reasons the fraud went undetected for years was because of lapses within some of the bank’s critical areas at its New Delhi headquarters, such as its credit review and international banking units.”

PNB investigators said the bank’s international banking department and the IT division had delayed the integration work. They had also not complied with central bank advisories in 2016 calling for a comprehensive audit of SWIFT systems in use.

PNB’s report stated, despite a massive missing paper trail, none of the senior inspection officers, who conducted 10 visits between 2010 and 2017 to the branch, reported anything adverse.

Probe report zeroes in 54 officials – ranging from clerks to foreign exchange managers, and auditors to heads of regional offices, who allowed the fraud to be perpetrated.

It is incomprehensible that branch staff did not notice the fraud being committed,  the report said.

Eight officials of the total 54 are among those who have been charged by the CBI for their roles in the scam earlier also.

Bank, however, did not respond to a question about what action was taken against the 54 officials mentioned in the probe report.

However, in April PNB bank’s CEO Sunil Mehta said, “We had suspended 21 officials and will not spare others found involved in lapses, and he also described the fraud as a “small turmoil”.

Haryana govt. asks bureaucrats to stand while greeting MPs, MLAs

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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The Haryana Government has issued a circular reminding all its bureaucrats and officials that they need to stand up and show respect while meeting elected MPs and MLAs and that they should respond to any communication from them quickly.

“Any violation will leave the government servant concerned liable for appropriate punishment,” says the order from the Haryana Chief Secretary’s office.

The order came in wake of MPs complaint to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar regarding bureaucrats’ non-cooperative behavior with them. Now, seeing this, the government has issued a circular, citing guidelines issued in 2011.

Anil Vij, a Haryana minister, confirmed that the circular was issued.

“The directions will not only lower the status of a civil servant but will also downgrade their rank,” a senior Haryana bureaucrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity said.

He added, “The duties which were given to the civil servants in these directions can be performed by a low-rank state government official. A senior officer will be wasting his valuable time [by] send[ing] and receiv[ing] the politicians, which will hit the common people and will be wastage of time and public money.”

The Haryana circular is essentially a repetition of one sent to the state government by the Department of Personnel and Training of the Centre on February 7.

Guidelines:

An officer should be meticulously correct and courteous and rise to receive and see off a MP visiting him.

 Arrangements may be made to receive the MPs, when after taking prior appointment.

Arrangements may also be made to permit entry of vehicles of the members to these offices subject to security requirements/restrictions.

Officers have been asked to take special care to see that lawmakers are given enough notice on the time and place of the meeting.

The lawmakers have to be invited to all functions and have to be made comfortable.

Telephonic messages left by MPs and legislators in their absence should be taken seriously and the call, message or email should be returned soon.

NN Vohra forwards report to President for imposition of Governor’s rule in J&K

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Governor NN Vohra on Tuesday forwarded his report to the President of India Ram Nath Kovind for the imposition of Governor’s Rule under Section 92 of the Constitution, after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew its support from the PDP led government, forcing Mehbooba Mufti to resign as J&K Chief Minister.

Governor Vohra took his decision after consulting leaders from all the major political parties in J&K. No political party has staked claim to form government in the state.

The BJP cited examples of growing acts of terrorism and radicalisation in the state to discontinue its alliance with the PDP.

This will be the fourth time in the last 10 years, if a Governor’s rule is imposed in Jammu and Kashmir.

Delhi CM Kejriwal calls off 9-day long ‘dharna’ at L-G’s office

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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Almost after nine days of his sit-in at the lieutenant governor’s office, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and three other Aam Aadmi Party members has called off the ‘dharna’ at Lt Governor Anil Baijal’s house on June 19.

The chief minister was requested to urgently meet the IAS officers in order to address the concerns of both sides, as per a release by the LG office.

“Delhi LG wrote to CM Arvind Kejriwal and requested CM to urgently meet the officers in the Secretariat so that apprehensions and concerns of both sides can be suitably addressed through dialogue in the best interest of the people of Delhi,” a press release by the Raj Niwas said.

Several meetings were attended by IAS officers during the day, said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

“Arvind Kejriwal will come out of the L-G office. It was not a dharna. We were waiting to meet the lieutenant governor,” the deputy chief minister told the reporters.

Mehbooba govt falls, BJP takes back support

By
Rakesh Rocky
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Days after senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari was killed by unknown persons in Srinagar, BJP withdrew its support from the PDP led government in Jammu and kashmir. This was announced by BJP general secretary Ram Madhav in Delhi on Tuesday afternoon. J&K Deputy Chief Minister kavinder Gupta was also present at the press conference.
Centre has two days back revoked the ceasefire during which period many incidents took place and BJP high command was under pressure to take some action. There were rumours that centre may initiate another surgical strike but surprising decision came from the BJP today. BJP have 25, PDP 28, NC 15 and Congress 12 members in the 87 member J&K assembly. There is no hint from the BJP what will happen now. There is possibility of Governor rule. 
Sources in the BJP told that, BJP ministers have resigned and they have informed the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti about party high command’s decision. 
Sources said that this decision was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah . It is said that recent incidents have put BJP under pressure and there was a view that this will cost BJP heavy in 2019 elections.
BJP have submitted letter to the Governor of J&K about its decision to withdraw support from the PDP led government. BJP have demanded that there should be Governor’s rule in J&K. 
Meanwhile Rafiq Mir, PDP leader told this correspondent that party will soon held a meeting to take stock of the latest political situation in the state. 
Meanwhile senior Congress leader Ravindra Sharma said that party is watching the events and it will held its meeting soon and will discuss the happenings. 

IAS officers ready to hold talks, AAP seeks LG’S presence to end deadlock

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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The political deadlock between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government and the top bureaucrats looks to be heading towards a resolution. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s appeal to the IAS officers to come back to work and assuring their security by calling them as their family was received a positive nod from the latter side.

In response, the IAS officers’ association hailed the appeal on June 18 and said they were open to discussion on the matter.

“We reiterate that we continue to be at work with full dedication and vigor. We look forward to concrete interventions for our security and dignity. We are open to formal discussions with the CM on this matter,” the association said in a statement.

The government has accepted the offer of talks made by the IAS officer’s association. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has requested for a meeting in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal. In a letter written to LG Baijal, Sisodia said both “safety” and “security” are under the jurisdiction of the LG and his presence would be enviable to resolve the issue quickly.

CEO Kochar to go on leave till completion of probe, says ICICI

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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Chanda Kochhar, ICICI Bank CEO and managing director, will go on leave until the completion of the probe, the bank said on June 18. The allegations against Kochhar relate to Rs. 3,250 crore loan which was granted to the Videocon Group in 2012.

In March 2018, a whistle-blower alleged that Kochhar’s husband and her family members benefited from these dealings. The complaint read that Kochhar had not adhered to the lender’s code of conduct of the bank. The bank had then straightaway rejected the accusations and reposed “full faith” in the managing director.

In May 2018 ICICI bank decided to initiate a comprehensive inquiry to look into the same.

Highlights

Bank appointed Sandeep Bakhshi, who heads the life insurance arm of the bank, as Chief Operating Officer (COO), for a period of five years with effect from 19 June or on the date of other approvals.

 Bakhshi will report to Kochhar, who will continue in her role as MD and CEO of Bank, the BSE filing said. But till her leave COO will report to the board.

Kochhar has decided to go on leave till the completion of the inquiry as announced on May 30, 2018. The Board has noted and accepted this.

Bakhshi has been the Managing Director & CEO, of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, since August 01, 2010.

Prior to this role, Bakhshi was the Deputy Managing Director of ICICI Bank.

Bakhshi has extensive experience of leading both corporate and retail businesses across ICICI Group. He started his career with ICICI Ltd. in 1986.

Chinese envoy calls for India-China-Pakistan trilateral summit to strengthen regional ties

By
Tehelka Web Desk
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China’s envoy to India Luo Zhaohui on June 18 called for a trilateral summit among India, Pakistan and China on the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to strengthen regional ties.

He said the idea of the summit came from Indian friends, “Some Indian friends suggested that India, China and Pakistan may have some kind of trilateral summit on the sidelines of SCO. So, if China, Russia and Mongolia can have a trilateral summit, then why not India, China and Pakistan?”

“Maybe not now, but in the future, that is the great idea,” Zhaohui said.

“India had not received any such suggestion from the Chinese Government”, Raveesh Kumar, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that in responding to envoy’s comment on the India-China-Pakistan trilateral summit.”

“China cannot stand another Doklam, we need to control, manage, narrow differences through expanding cooperation. The boundary question was left over by history. We need to find a mutual acceptable solution through Special Representatives,” Zhaohui said while speaking at a seminar titled “Beyond Wuhan: How Far and Fast Can China-India Relations Go” in Delhi.

Kumar said, “We consider the statement as the personal opinion of the ambassador. Matters related to India-Pakistan relations are purely bilateral in nature and have no scope for involvement of any third country.”

“Ties between China and India are “multifaceted and complicated, calling for special care and attention,” Zhaohui added, 

He also stressed on need for “5Cs” to help boost India-China relations – via communication, cooperation, contacts, coordination and control.

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