Delhi’s air pollution remains ‘severe’

New Delhi : Air quality across Delhi remained in the ‘severe’ category with the AQI hitting the alarming levels at several places on Thursday morning.

The Anand Vihar station was in the ‘severe’ category with PM 2.5 at 500 and PM 10 at 459, while the Carbon Monoxide (CO) was at 85 and the NO2 at 57, both in ‘satisfactory’ levels, as per CPCB at 9 a.m.

At the Bawana station, PM 2.5 reached 500 and PM 10 at 495, while the CO reached 101, in ‘moderate’ levels and NO2 at 28, in the ‘good’ category.

In Dwarka sector-8 station, the PM 2.5 reached 481 and PM 10 was at 414, both in the ‘severe’ category while CO was at 86, in ‘satisfactory’ levels.

The air quality at the Indira Gandhi International Airport T3 area was ‘severe’ with PM 2.5 recorded at 472 and PM 10 at 408, while the CO reached at 83, under ‘satisfactory’ category.

At Delhi Technical University (DTU) station, the PM 10 was at 461, in the ‘severe’ category and PM 2.5 was at 354, under ‘very poor’ category while the CO plunged to 153, in moderate category and CO was at 92, in satisfactory levels.

The PM 2.5 at Jahangirpuri was recorded at 500, under the ‘severe’ category, while PM 10 reached 477, also placing it under the ‘severe’ category. Here, the Carbon Monoxide was 90 in ‘satisfactory’ levels and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at 16, in the ‘good’ category.

Notably, the AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’; 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’; 101 and 200 ‘moderate’; 201 and 300 ‘poor’; 301 and 400 ‘very poor’; and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

ED issues fresh summons to Neville Roy Singham in NewsClick case

New Delhi : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to Shanghai-based millionaire Neville Roy Singham for allegedly funnelling funds to media portal NewsClick.

Singham – a US citizen currently located in Shanghai – was issued fresh summons to record his statement with the central agency last month through the Ministry of External Affairs with the Chinese authorities, a source said.

Earlier last year, the Chinese authorities had reportedly refused to serve summons to Singham.

The ED is probing how Singham’s media company was promoting Chinese propaganda in India.

Notably, the Delhi Police had arrested NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and the company’s HR Head Amit Chakravarty last month on charges of alleged anti-India activities.

As part of its inquiry, the ED had attached a flat in New Delhi’s Saket linked to Prabir Purkayashta, editor-in-chief of NewsClick, in connection with its money laundering probe against the news portal.

The property worth Rs 4.52 crore attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was allegedly part of the proceeds of crime.

ED is probing “fraudulent” foreign funds infusion of over Rs 86 crore into the company that runs the portal.

The probe agency had raided Purkayastha’s premises in September 2021.

As per ED officials, the company claimed “receiving export remittance” of Rs 76.84 crore, Rs 1.61 crore, Rs 26.98 lakh, and Rs 2.03 lakh from Justice and Education Fund Inc USA, The Tricontinental Ltd Inc USA, GSPAN LLC USA and Centro Popular De Midas, Brazil, from March 2018 until the 2021 raids.

Officials said the agency has not found any evidence of exporting of services to these entities. ED is also probing at the foreign direct investment (FDI) transfer of Rs 9.59 crore in April 2018 by way of subscription of shares of PPK NEWSCLICK Studio Pvt Ltd from a company named Worldwide Media Holdings LLC, USA (a Delaware Limited Liability Company).

They said the company shut shop soon after this transfer of funds.

ED suspects the funds routed through Justice and Education Fund Inc USA belonged to Singham.

The probe agency has alleged Singham is a “close confidant” of Purkayastha and a “Chinese emphasizer”.

Purkayastha and Chakravarty are currently in judicial custody.

Father alleges gross negligence by Dr Pardeep Aggarwal, Dr V Kaul in son’s operation

Chandigarh  : A Panchkula resident, Ajay Bansal has alleged “gross negligence” by doctors of Paras Hospital, Panchkula-Dr. Pardeep Aggarwal and Dr. V Kaul in conduct of operation of his son when a simple fracture led to removal of leg.

In a complaint shared with Tehelka, Bansal alleged that his “son was admitted to Paras Hospital on 05/11/2023 for fracture of left lower leg in evening. According to notes put in their files everything was all right at time of admission. He was operated by Dr Pardeep Aggarwal on 06/11/2023 morning but there was no relief in pain after surgery. We complained to the duty doctor and he assured us that this is usual and there is nothing to worry about. Dr Pardeep Aggarwal didn’t visit post operation”.

The complainant further alleged, “By 7th morning when he visited there was no blood supply in left foot. He called Dr V Kaul who is a vascular surgeon. After investigations he said although blood supply is reduced but there is no danger to my son’s leg. He prescribed blood thinner injection. Dr Pardeep Aggarwal assured me there is nothing to worry about”.  

He alleged, “By that time my brother in law who himself is a doctor has reached Paras Hospital. After seeing the condition of my son he advised to shift him to Fortis Hospital Mohali. At Fortis hospital Mohali doctors informed us that his left leg is already dead and needs to be removed above the knee. So a simple fracture of his left leg has led to removal of my son’s leg within a span of 48 hours. I later came to know that all duty doctors in the hospital are fresh pass out BAMS. Paras hospital is charging us like anything but are not ready to pay to qualified doctors that are MBBS. I appeal to all of you not to visit Paras Hospital, Dr Pardeep Aggarwal and Dr V Kaul who are so incompetent that they couldn’t identify my son’s problem leading to his permanent disability and also so that what happened to my son doesn’t happen to your near and dear one.”

Tehelka tried to contact Dr. Pardeep Aggarwal on his mobile 9814078579 but he refused to respond to the allegations.

Blast at bus stand in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch

An explosion shook the Surankote bus stand area near a temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Wednesday night. Although there’s been no official confirmation, reports indicate no casualties resulting from the blast. 

However, shrapnel was discovered on the temple walls adjacent to the bus stand, hinting at the intensity of the explosion.

Authorities are still investigating the cause behind this incident, with a forensic team summoned to the scene by the police. Security measures have been significantly heightened in the vicinity following the blast.

Eyewitnesses described the suddenness of the explosion, prompting immediate responses from security personnel. The situation remains under scrutiny as authorities work to determine the cause of the blast.

Passengers vandalise Punjab’s Sirhind Rly station over cancellation of Bihar-bound special train

Chandigarh: Chaotic scenes were witnessed at Punjab’s Sirhind railway station after a special train to Bihar’s Katihar was cancelled on Tuesday. Irked by the cancellation, hundreds of passengers waiting for the train vandalised the railway station.

According to Northern Railway officials, some angry passengers reportedly pelted stones after they came to know that the train which was supposed to leave for Katihar was cancelled.

Meanwhile, Northern Railway CPRO Deepak Kumar said that connecting rake got delayed and the train was put back at 3 a.m. He said that regular announcements have been made at the railway station.

Bihar-bound trains are witnessing heavy rush post-Diwali as thousands of people travel back to the state for the Chhath puja, which is celebrated with great fervor. The railways has said that it is operating 1,700 special trains to cater the extra rush during Diwali and Chhath puja. According to officials, these 1,700 special trains have created an additional 26 lakh berths.

‘Festival of unbreakable love’: Rahul, Priyanka wish people on Bhai Dooj

New Delhi : Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday wished everyone on the occasion of ‘Bhai Dooj’.

Sharing a message for all on the festival celebrating bond between brothers and sisters, the former Congress President on his official channel on WhatsApp wrote, “Best wishes to everyone on Bhai Dooj, the festival of unbreakable love between brother and sister.

“May this auspicious day bring lots of happiness in all of your lives, ” he added.

“Many congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen on the unique festival of unbreakable bond of brother-sister, trust and affection- Bhai Dooj and Chitragupta Puja, ” Priyanka Gandhi wrote on X.

Kashmiri woman in Gaza escapes to Egypt amid conflict

A Kashmiri academic, Lubna Nazir Shaboo, along with her family,  who was stuck in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict has managed to escape to Cairo in Egypt. Shaboo, who is married to a Palestinian, had earlier made an urgent plea to the Indian government for rescue.

“Amb @AjitVGupte received Mrs Lubna Nazir Shaboo, Indian national who has just arrived safely in Cairo, after being evacuated from Gaza. She and her family are in good health. Mrs Lubna expressed deep gratitude to @indembcairo, @indemtel and @ROIRamallah for their assistance,” India’s embassy in Cairo stated in a tweet on X.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with over 1,100 people, including 326 children, reported killed in Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes, and thousands more injured. 

Earlier when the war began, Shaboo  in a social media video had urged for help. “We are not able to go anywhere because there is no safe place for us anywhere and the Gaza Strip is too small and it is closed from every side. There are no exit points over here,” she posted on X. 

PM Modi to address rally in Rajasthan

Jodhpur : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address an election rally in the Baytoo Assembly seat in Rajasthan’s Barmer district on Wednesday.

PM Modi, through this rally will try to reach out to the voters in nine Assembly seats of Barmer-Jaisalmer and the Shergarh seat of Jodhpur district. These include Baytoo, Barmer, Shiv, Siwana, Pachpadra, Gudamalani, Chauhtan, Jaisalmer, Pokaran and the Shergarh Assembly constituencies.

As per the schedule, PM Modi will reach Barmer at around 2 p.m. and will address the election rally in Baytoo Panchayat Samiti of the district.

Earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary, Jodhpur IG and Balotra Police officials took stock of the meeting venue. Various security agencies have made strict arrangements at the venue.

In the Assembly constituency (Baytoo) where PM Modi’s meeting will be held, the BJP stood third in the 2018 elections. Harish Choudhary of Congress had won and RLP was in second position.

This time, BJP has fielded a new face in the Baytoo seat and expressed confidence in Balaram Mundh. Umedaram Beniwal from RLP and current MLA Harish Chaudhary from Congress are in the fray .

EC issues notice to Priyanka over remarks on PM Modi

New Delhi : The Election Commission has issued a notice to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election public meeting in Madhya Pradesh and asked her to reply by Thursday 8 p.m.

In a notice to Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday night, the poll panel said, “Whereas, the Commission has received a complaint from the Bharatiya Janata Party vide their representation dated November 10 wherein it has been alleged that while addressing a public rally at Sanwer Assembly Constituency in Madhya Pradesh, you have made unverified and false statements in respect of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that have the potential to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the Prime Minister.”

The Commission said that the public generally believes that the statements made by the senior leader that too of a star campaigner of a National Party, are true, “it is expected that such a leader is privy to and possesses factual base of the statements made by him or her”.

“You must have verified the facts as stated so as to not leave any possibility of misleading the voters, ” the poll panel said.

“Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to explain your statement made against star campaigner of another National Party and to show cause by 8 p.m. of November 16, 2023 as to why appropriate action for violation of Model Code of Conduct should not be taken against you, ” the Commission said.

“In the event of no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you, ” the poll panel said.

Polling for the 230-member MP Assembly is scheduled on November 17 and counting of votes will take place on December 3.

BJP misusing Lord Ram for MP poll campaign : Shiv Sena (UBT)

Mumbai : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “blatantly misusing” the name of Lord Ram for poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh and asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to initiate action, here on Tuesday.

He was referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s poll-promise to the voters that if they bring the BJP to power, “then all the people in MP would be taken for free ‘darshan’ of Lord Ram Temple” in Ayodhya.

“This is absolutely atrocious and disgusting… The entire union cabinet and party leadership of BJP is in MP… The party is openly using the name of Lord Ram to attract votes in MP. Do they have a monopoly over Ram Lalla? Will the ECI now intervene and take action against the BJP leaders, ” Raut demanded.

He also called upon the BJP leaders to apologise to Lord Ram and the people of India for invoking religious propaganda in election campaigns, thus violating the poll codes of conduct, and also accused the BJP of trying to divide the people on the issue of Lord Ram.

“If the people vote for BJP then they will be taken to Lord Ram Temple… Are they trying to imply that if the BJP loses power, then the people will be prevented from visiting the Ayodhya Temple, ” Raut asked sharply.

At several election rallies in MP, Shah has said that if people want ‘darshan’ of Lord Ram then they will have to spend from their pockets, but if they elect the BJP to power, they the (BJP) government will organise Ram Lalla darshan in Ayodhya free of cost to all, kicking up a political row.

Setting at rest speculation, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said that after the elections to the five states are completed in December, the national opposition I.N.D.I.A. block will sit together and finalise its seat-sharing – “with give-and-take” – formula for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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