New Delhi: Slamming the Congress for comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ravana, the BJP on Tuesday urged the people of Gujarat to avenge the insult meted out to the “Son of Gujarat” by voting against the grand-old party in the state Assembly polls.
During an election meeting in the state, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had compared the Prime Minister with Ravana.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said: “Calling the Prime Minister Ravana is a grave insult. Even before this, Congress leaders have insulted him. When Sonia Gandhi was the Congress chief, she had addressed the Prime Minister as ‘maut ka saudagar’ (merchant of death). After all, what do these people get by humiliating the Prime Minister?”
“Former Congress leader and former union minister Subodh Kant Sahay had said that “Modi will die Hitler’s death. Nicknames like ‘cockroach’, ‘yamraj’, ‘monkey’ were given to the Prime Minister by Congress leaders, ” Patra said.
“‘Tukde Tukde gang’, the people who divide the country, abuse the Prime Minister. I appeal to people of Gujarat to vote against the Congress in the Assembly elections and teach it a lesson, ” he said.
BJP asks voters to avenge PM Modi’s insult
Action intensifies against Sahara India Group Ambala in alleged fraud to nearly 15000 investors
AMBALA: Amount worth over Rs 10 crore deposited by nearly 15000 investors with Ambala office of Sahara India Group allegedly not refunded money since after year 2019 after expiry of deposits as such 500 page investigation report carried by STI team of Ambala police led by Ram Kumar DSP has been submitted, Jashandeep Singh Randhawa SP Ambala said. Information reveals, large numbers of complaints against alleged fraud were registered with Sadar police station Ambala Cantt by investors under different schemes offered by the company.
Several cases were registered against the company including by an investor Baljit Singh a resident of Lajwanti Colony Ambala Cantt accusing Chairman of Group Subrato Rai, his wife Swapna Rai, son Sushanto Rai, daughters Richa Rai and Chandni Roi, J.B. Rai and few others named in the complaints including O.P Srivastava, Devinder Kumar Srivastava, Sudhir Kumar Srivastava, Avdhesh Kumar Srivatava, Karunesh Awasthy, Brajinder Kumar Srivastav, Bacha Jha, Lalji Verma, Neeraj Kumar Pal all allegedly involved in STI report.
SP Ambala told that SanjayTyagi Regional Manager and Atiq Ahmed Area Manager of company’s Ambala office had submitted an oath to Ambala police assuring to refund entire amount to investors in the company in an specified period which remained unfulfilled so far and no amount was refunded to any investor since past about a year and most of the times when depositors visited Ambala office it was either found closed, no one there to attend visitors, even no one to attend telephone calls from investors as well as police and e. mails sent to company are not replied.
According to information, police has now taken decision for a stern action against alleged accused cheated investors. SHO Sadar police station Naresh Kumar told when contacted Sahara India Group’s local office the concerned officers still assured to refund money to investors but to no action and large number of investors told that they visited company’s head office at Lucknow in U.P but to no result except false assurances to refund money shortly and police has now been left with no alternative except to arrest accused.
UIDAI releases October Monthly Progress & Achievement Report
Aadhaar adoption and usage by residents continues to progress across India, indicative of how it is touching lives, and enabling ease of living for residents. In October, over 175.44 cr authentication transactions were carried out via Aadhaar.
A majority of these monthly transactions were done by using fingerprint biometric authentication, followed by demographic and OTP authentication.
So far, cumulatively almost 8426 crore authentication transactions have been completed by using the 12-digit digital ID by the end of October, indicative of how Aadhaar is increasingly playing a role in good governance and aiding welfare delivery.
Whether it is ‘Jeevan Pramaan’, e-KYC, AEPS for last mile banking, Aadhaar enabled DBT or authentication, Aadhaar, a digital infrastructure of good governance, has been playing a vital role in supporting the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India.
The number of face authentication transactions jumped from 4.67 lakh in September to over 37 lakh in October. Face authentication is facilitating pensioners to generate digital life certificate at home by using their mobile phones without visiting banks or common service centers, thus promoting ease of living of the senior citizens.
Similarly, in October alone, 23.56 crore e-KYC transactions were executed using Aadhaar, and the cumulative number of e-KYC transactions via Aadhaar has now gone up to 1321.49 crore by the end of October 2022.
Aadhaar e-KYC service is increasingly playing a crucial role for banking and non-banking financial services by providing transparent and improved customer experience, and aiding ease of doing business.
An e-KYC transaction is executed, only after the explicit consent of the Aadhaar holder, and eliminates physical paperwork, and in-person verification requirement for KYC.
Similarly, Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) has been an enabler of financial inclusion at the bottom of the income pyramid.
In October alone, 23.64 crore number of AEPS transactions were carried out across India, a jump of over 12.4% when compared with September. Cumulatively, 1573.48 crore of last mile banking transactions have been made possible via the use of AEPS and the network of micro-ATMs so far, by the end of October 2022.
So far, over 1100 welfare schemes in the country run by both centre and states have been notified to use Aadhaar. The digital ID is helping various ministries and departments in the centre and at states in improving efficiency, transparency and delivery of welfare services to the targeted beneficiaries.
After Srinagar residence, Mehbooba Mufti asked to vacate South Kashmir quarters
Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday asked PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and seven former legislators to vacate government residential quarters within 24 hours failing which action would be taken.
The notice was served on the orders of the Anantnag Deputy Commissioner to Mufti and some former legislators for the government quarters located in Housing Colony at Khanabal in the south Kashmir district, the officials said.
Earlier in October, Mufti was served an eviction notice for her residence at the high security Gupkar area of the city here last month as well.
The notices warned the occupants of action under law if they fail to vacate the premises within 24 hours, the officials said.
SC refuses to entertain Tarun Tejpal plea for in-camera hearing
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea by former editor of Tehelka magazine Tarun Tejpal seeking in-camera hearing on Goa government’s appeal against his acquittal in a sexual assault case.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising justice P.S. Narasimha told Tejpal’s counsel that he cannot say that hearing on an appeal should be held in-camera.
Chief Justice Chandrachud said: “The accused has no right to demand it should be in-camera.”
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, said there are privacy rights and also the reputation of his client is also involved here. He further added that Tejpal was acquitted and allegations were prima facie false, and also the judge said it will be an online hearing.
“It will be a media trial, ” said Sibal, adding that the identity of the victim will also be revealed.
Senior advocate Amit Desai, also appearing for Tejpal, pressed that proceedings in the appeal should be held in-camera. However, the bench said, can somebody who is an accused assert that the trial should be in-camera when the victim does not demand so?
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government, said the judge had revealed the name of the victim in the judgment and it is an encyclopaedia as to how the victim should behave in such situations.
The top court said that let the concerned judge take a call on the conduct of the proceedings and asked Tarun Tejpal’s counsel to make a submission before the concerned court.
After hearing arguments, the bench refused to interfere with Bombay High Court at Goa which rejected his application for in-camera hearing of the appeal filed by the Goa government against his acquittal in a sexual assault case. Tejpal had moved the apex court challenging the high court order.
In its order, the top court said a communication of the registrar (judicial) of Bombay High Court has submitted that Chief Justice has directed that hearing take place virtually.
“We leave it to the high court to take appropriate decision (whether to hear the matter virtually or physically)…, ” said the bench. The Goa government has challenged Tejpal’s acquittal in the high court.
In May, last year, the trial court acquitted Tejpal of all charges levelled against him, including wrongful confinement, assault with intent to outrage modesty, sexual harassment, and rape against his female colleague.
The Goa government filed an appeal challenging his acquittal by the trial court. Tejpal moved the high court with an application seeking in-camera hearing of the matter.
A wave of change is sweeping across Gujarat: Bhagwant Mann
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday stressed that a wave of change is sweeping across Gujarat. Youth-farmers, women and working class are all very angry with the BJP government and this time people of all classes are seeking change in Gujarat.
Mann said that this time the people of Gujarat want a new engine government of the Aam Aadmi Party, not the double engine government of the BJP. Both the engines of BJP are now old. The filth of corruption and hooliganism has filled the engine of the BJP.On Monday, Bhagwant Mann had reached Vadodara for election campaign. Here he held road shows in favor of AAP candidates in various areas of Balasinor, Lunawada and Dakor and appealed to the people to form the Aam Aadmi Party government.Addressing a huge crowd of people during the roadshow, Mann said that only two days are left for the election. Now the people of BJP will lure you with the greed of money, but this time do not get trapped in their affair. This time we have to vote for the better future of our children.
Mann said that common people are grinding in the mill of BJP’s inflation and unemployment. People did not have good options earlier, so they had to face the misrule of BJP for 27 consecutive years. This time common people have got a good alternative in the form of Aam Aadmi Party. That’s why this time people of all classes want to get rid of BJP.
Mann appreciated the enthusiasm of the youth and said that the name of this generation will be written in the history of Gujarat. Everywhere the youth have always carried out a coup of power. This time the youth of Gujarat will oust the BJP from power and free the people from corruption, inflation, unemployment and misrule.
Referring to the AAP government in Punjab and Delhi, Mann said that we made electricity free for common people in Punjab and Delhi. Mohalla clinics are being opened at different places for better treatment. In Punjab, within just 6 months of forming the government, we have given government jobs to more than 20, 000 youth and regularised the jobs of about 10, 000 contractual workers. Give a chance to Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat also, we will do all this here also, he added.
Ashok Gehlot & Sachin Pilot are assets of Congress: Rahul Ghandi
Reacting to the escalating rift between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that both leaders were assets to the party.
He made this remark while addressing a press conference in Indore during the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Monday.
The Congress leader, however, said he would not want to create any controversy by making any comment on this particular issue, he said, and added, “What I can say is that both Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot are assets for the Congress.”
Notably, the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is in Madhya Pradesh right now, will enter Rajasthan on December 4, as per the schedule.
While responding to the Congress MLAs who shifted to the BJP that had resulted in the collapse of Kamal Nath government in 2020 in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi said they should not be given a place in the party again.
“Though, it is up to the Madhya Pradesh leadership to decide on this subject, but it is my personal belief that those MLAs who have taken money from the BJP to dissolve the Congress government should not be given the place again. It is my personal view, because they have been bought by the BJP, then they are not trustable, ” Gandhi added.
During the press conference, he was also asked to share his opinion on 10 per cent reservation for general category, however, Gandhi maintained that at present, he has turned complete focus on Bharat Jodo Yatra, and not any other political issue. “It may be that I will answer this question later, but at present my complete focus is on how to complete this Bharat Jodo Yatra.”
Rahul Gandhi also said that he was not thinking about the party or any political issue during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. “Will Bharat Jodo Yatra have any impact on Congress? And at what level? I am not thinking about all these issues. I am not even thinking about the Congress. I am walking around 25 km every day, meeting with people and listening to them and I have made my complete focus on the yatra only, ” Gandhi added.
Drug, arms and ammunition brought from Pakistan through drone seized
Special Task Force of Punjab Police wing has arrested the accused with the recovery of drug, arms and ammunition which was smuggled to India through drone from Pakistan. There were eight Chinese pistols, 60 bullets and 2 kilogram heroin.
Confirming the recovery, official of STF said that two pistols out of eight pistols were in a special category which has the ability to shoot volley of bullets like AK-47 were seized. It was a first of its kind recovery whereupon such a sophisticated with modern technology a small size pistols were seized. The magazine of the pistols contains 32 bullets that could fire all the shots in a one go. Seized pistols were Chinese made. Besides eight pistols there were 60 bullets and 2 kilogram Heroin (drug) was also seized from the accused who was identified as Paramjit Singh resident of Indo-Pak border village Havlian falling in the Tarn Taran district.
Official said that there was specific information with the police for the last eight days about the expected arrival of consignment of drugs, arms and ammunition from Pakistan. Finally the drone arrived on Indian Territory on Friday, after dropping the smuggled items when moving back to Pakistan came in the contact of BSF which shot it down.
Adding further, he said that as per the information, it came in the notice of police that smuggled consignment was retrieved by the accused on Saturday and Sunday morning when the accused was going to deliver to the next destination was intercepted by the Police at Ajnala road and all the smuggled items from Pakistan were seized during the frisking of his car.
Police said that the arrested accused had earlier remained in Hissar Jail in the case of fake currency and was a noted criminal.
On being asked where the accused was going to deliver the consignment of drugs, arms and ammunition, official said that it was part of the investigation and it was also a question for police as how many such consignments so far have been brought to India from Pakistan through drone, he quipped.
Manish Sisodia’s name not in CBI charge sheet, entire case fake:Delhi CM Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday that Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s name does not figure in the first charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) naming seven accused persons in the Delhi excise policy case.
Terming the entire case as ‘fake’, Kejriwal alleged that attempts are being made to frame Sisodia, as the CBI has found nothing against him in its probe.
“Sisodia’s name is not there in the CBI charge sheet. The whole case is fake, as nothing was found in the raids. A total of 800 officers have found nothing in their probe for four months. Sisodia gave a ray of hope to crores of poor children in the country through a revolutionary education policy. I am sorry that a conspiracy has been hatched to defame such a person by implicating him in a false case, ” Kejriwal said in a tweet.
The CBI charge sheet named Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpally, Sameer Mahendru, Arun Ramchandra Pillai, Mootha Gautham, and two public servants — then Deputy Commissioner in the Excise Department, Kuldeep Singh, and then Assistant Commissioner in the Excise Department, Narender Singh.
The charge sheet filed before the Rouse Avenue Court mentioned that further investigation to find out the possible involvement of more public servants and others is underway.
A supplementary charge sheet may also be filed later, the CBI said.
Demonetisation was deeply flawed, P. Chidambaram tells SC
New Delhi: Senior advocate and Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Thursday told the Supreme Court that demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes was “deeply flawed”.
A five-judge bench, headed by Justice S.A. Nazeer and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, A.S. Bopanna, V. Ramasubramanian, and B.V. Nagarathna, is hearing a clutch of petitions challenging the Centre’s 2016 decision on demonetisation.
Chidambaram, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that demonetisation impacted every citizen of the country and questioned Centre’s power to invoke Section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act to demonetise currency notes.
He said the Centre cannot, on its own, initiate any proposal relating to legal tender, which can only be done on the RBI’s central board recommendation and further argued that the decision-making process should be struck down for being “deeply flawed”.
“This is the most outrageous decision-making process which makes a mockery of the rule of law, ” he said, adding that the RBI has the right to regulate the issue of bank notes.
Chidambaram said over 2, 300 crore currency notes were demonetised against the backdrop of 300 crore notes per month capability of the government’s printing presses, and this would mean it would take several months to print notes.
He said the annual report of the RBI for 2016-2017 stated that only fake currency of a value of Rs 43 crore was detected in the nearly Rs 15.31 lakh crore worth of currency exchanged.
As the bench queried him as to what can be done now, it is over now, Chidambaram replied if the apex court holds that the demonetisation process was flawed, that will be good enough and added that the government will not indulge in such “misadventure” in the future.
The top court will continue to hear next week the batch of petitions challenging the Centre’s November 8, 2016 decision to demonetise the currency notes of two denominations.
In an affidavit, the Centre has told the Supreme Court that the November 2016 decision to withdraw legal tender of Rs 500 and 1, 000 currency notes was one of the critical steps in the series of transformational economic policy steps and this decision was taken after extensive consultation with the RBI and advance preparations.
The Ministry of Finance, in an affidavit, said: “The withdrawal of legal tender character of a significant portion of total currency value was a well-considered decision. It was taken after extensive consultation with the RBI and advance preparations”.
It further added that demonetisation was also a part of larger strategy for combating the menace of fake money, terror financing, black money and tax evasion. “The notification issued on 08.11.2016 was a major step to fight the menace of fake currency notes, storage of unaccounted wealth and financing of subversive activities, ” it said.
