Sunday, December 28, 2025

Drug smuggling through darknet, cryptocurrencies increased: Amit Shah

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that there has been an increase in drug smuggling through the darknet and cryptocurrencies, which is also responsible for terrorism.

The Home Minister made the remarks at a high-level regional meeting on drug trafficking and national security in Gujarat’s capital Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

Shah said that on the one hand narcotics are eating the youth like termites and on the other hand the illegal money coming from the narcotics trade nurtures terrorism.

He said that to keep the youth safe and to combat the financing of terrorism, all the Central and state agencies have to fight this as a common battle and have to win.

Shah said that the major drug smuggling issues in western states include the increasing maritime smuggling of heroin from the west coast, illegal cultivation of narcotics such as opium, ganja, and poppy, use of couriers and parcels in drug smuggling, darknet and increase in drug smuggling through cryptocurrencies.

Shah said that during the recent investigation of cases, new trends have emerged in drug trafficking in western states and necessary action needs to be taken to tackle these new trends.

The Home Minister said that among the states of the western region of the country, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have a vast coastline, additionally Rajasthan and Gujarat share borders with Pakistan.

Shah said that there has been an increase in the smuggling of South Central Asian heroin through the sea route as well as the increasing cases of heroin smuggling through the Indo-Pak border is a matter of concern.

Sharing details drug smuggling cases, the Home Minister said that from 2006 to 2013, a total of 1, 257 cases were registered, while from 2014 to 2022, 3, 172 cases were registered, which is a total increase of 152 per cent.

Similarly, from 2006 to 2013, a total of 1.52 lakh kg of drugs were seized, which increased to 3.33 lakh kg from 2014 to 2022, earlier its value was Rs 768 crores, which has now increased to Rs 20, 000 crores.

Shah said that a drug addict is not a criminal, but a victim. He stressed on the need to destroy the entire network of drugs by attacking both the source and destination of drugs by adopting top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approaches.

The Home Minister also stressed on strict implementation of various provisions of the NDPS Act. He stressed the need to consider setting up fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials.

HAFED gets export orders for 20000 ton Basmati rice

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Its first time Haryana State Cooperative Supply & Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED) of Haryana government has recently received export orders for 20000 ton Basmati rice from Saudi Arab. Information reveals, Haryana state holding nearly 50% share in export of rice in the country at present. However, export of Basmati rice from Haryana was adversely affected in past two years due to epidemic outbreak in the country as well as in the world resulting rice exporters and farmers cultivated paddy crop suffered a lot in this period due to slump in the market. Whereas, as a result of improvement in system and relief in economic conditions in the world the demand of rice in domestic markets as well as in export markets have returned on the track like previous years.

Information reveals, rice produced in India, especially Basmati rice in Haryana is in much demand in gulf and European countries due to its favor and after a slump in market for a period of two years rice exporters in Haryana state are now getting plenty of export orders from gulf countries which include Saudi Arab, Qatar, Iran. Iraq, Behrin, Kuwait, UAE, Yaman, Omen and other gulf countries as well as from all European countries including Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain and Ukrain as such farmers in Haryana state are expecting to recover all losses incurred in past two years due to crisis.

The arrival of new paddy crops in grain markets in Haryana state has started and likely to start as such farmers as well as rice exporters are happy over good demand in domestic as well as export markets this year. According to Kailash Bhagat HAFED Chairman they are expecting good export orders for Basmati rice from other countries also this year and will procure quality Basmati rice from farmers in the state for exports. He told that minimum support price (MSP) of different quality of rice is fixed by the government on the basis of price in open market and farmers are hopeful for better price of tof heir paddy crop this season.

According to information, arrival of limited quantity of Basmati variety 1718 has started arriving in grain markets in the state which is being sold at the rate Rs 3700 per quintal as against price Rs 3200 per quintal last year.  The rate of another variety Basmati DP1401 too is available in grain markets in the state at the rate Rs 3750 per quintal at present which was being sold at the rate Rs 3100 per quintal last year. The rate of Basmati rice variety1509 available in grain markets i9n the state at present at the rate Rs 3300 per quintal was sold last year at the rate Rs 2200 per quintal. Similarly, the rate of ‘Pusa’ variety Basmati rice being sold at present in grain markets at the rate Rs 3700 per quintal was available at the rate less than Rs 3300 per quintal last year. According to experts, the rates of Basmati produced in Haryana state is likely to reach much higher this season due to increase in demand not only in domestic markets but also all over in the world where ever the flavor of Basmti rice produced in Haryana reaching.   

 

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan disqualified from UP Assembly, House secretariat declares seat vacant

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Secretariat on Friday announced the disqualification of Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from the House, a day after a court sentenced him to three years in jail in a hate speech case.

Principal Secretary of the UP Legislative Assembly, Pradeep Dubey told to media  that the assembly secretariat has declared the Rampur Sadar Assembly seat as vacant.

“A vacancy has been declared by the UP Vidhan Sabha Secretariat consequent upon the disqualification due to the judgment passed by the court,” he said.

Din rages to ‘topple’ Mahatma Gandhi from Indian currency note pedestal

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s demand to add images of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesh on Indian currency notes (ICN), clamour grew on Thursday among various political parties to ‘topple’ or ‘overcrowd’ Mahatma Gandhi’s exalted pedestal on the country’s paper money.

Various leaders from different parties such as the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), Republican Party of India (K) and others came up with different heroes – ranging from Gods and Goddesses to historical icons and freedom fighters who could share space with Gandhiji on the ICN.

BJP legislators like Nitesh Rane and Ram Kadam demanded the pictures of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Veer Savarkar, among others, on the ICN. They even circulated photoshopped ICN of Rs 200 and Rs 500 denominations showing the three leaders – with Gandhiji conspicuously missing in their proposed designs!

Prominent Congress Dalit leader Nitin Raut demanded to add the image of B.R. Ambedkar, which was seconded by Shiv Sena’s (UBT) ex-Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar.

“Why not Ambedkar? It’s because of him that the country is enjoying the fruits of democracy today, ” they pointed out.

Republican Party of India (K) President Sachin Kharat demanded to add the image of Gautam Buddha, senior Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab pitched the name of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, while deputy leader Raghunath Kuchik suggested Lord Ram or even Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

“Ram Kadam (of BJP) has forgotten Lord Ram after whom he’s named. Why only restrict Lord Ram to the Ayodhya temple, he can also figure on the ICN, ” Kuchik pointed out.

Maharashtra Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe, Nationalist Congress Party’s chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase, state Congress General Secretary Sachin Sawant, Shiv Sena spokesperson Kishore Tiwari and other BJP leaders had earlier slammed Kejriwal for his ‘preposterous’ demand.

Amid the cacophony, Pune-based businessman Prafful Sarda came up with a unique suggestion, which can silence the ICN controversy for eternity, especially since the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) high-level screening committee decided way back in 2010 that only Gandhiji will remain on ICN as “no other personality could better represent the ethos of India than Mahatma Gandhi”.

“In view of this, the Centre can enact a suitable legislation not to disturb the ICN design with Gandhiji. However, the government can open up the Rs 5 and Rs 10 coins with minted pictures of all others, for commemoration or regular usage, as per status and demand to satisfy everybody, ” Sarda said.

In the past, India has minted coins with busts of Gandhiji, former PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Charminar, rainfed farming, tiger, lotus, Ashoka Chakra, IX Asian Games, Dandi March 75 years, Louis Braille, Satguru Ram Singh Ji’s Kuka Movement, Diamond Jubilee of Commonwealth, National Archives of India 125 years, Benares Hindu University centenary, etc.

In a 2019 RTI reply to Sarda by the Department of Economic Affairs’ Additional Secretary Manisha Sinha, the government said that a high-level RBI panel (October 2010) had deliberated in detail on the need for inclusion of other eminent personalities, Bharat Ratnas, Nobel laureates, freedom fighters or sports persons on the ICN design.

Finally, it decided to retain the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the obverse of banknotes and on the watermark. The government has approved the recommendation, as per the reply of November 11, 2019. The issue was first covered by IANS on Wednesday.

Trinamool Congress leader and ex-cricketer Kirti Azad had raised the issue in the Parliament for including other prominent personalities on the ICN, but then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had cited the RBI panel’s report in response.

A retired NRI from the US, Ketan Kakkad, added on a humorous note that in view of so many demands, the currency notes can be re-designed with a bench wherein all the persons, gods and goddesses can be seated – to please one and all – so that the country can concentrate on more serious issues.

 

AAP seeks Iqbal Singh Lalpura’s removal as minorities panel Chief

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  Lashing out at the BJP for making political appointments to constitutional bodies, the Aam Aadmi Party sought the removal of Iqbal Singh Lalpura as Chairman of the National Minorities Commission for allegedly violating Central Civil Services Conduct Rules.

AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said he has written to the Union Home Minister and Central Vigilance Commission demanding strict action against Lalpura and his immediate removal from the post.

“National Minorities Commission Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura also holds membership of BJP Parliamentary Board; this is a gross violation of Central Civil Services Conduct Rules. He is also a member of the BJP’s Central Election Committee along with being part of BJP’s topmost political body, Parliamentary Board. Central Civil Services Conduct Rules bars a public servant from holding membership of any political body; he should be immediately removed from Constitutional post. The Aam Aadmi Party has complained to Home Minister Amit Shah and Central Vigilance Commission demanding his removal from Constitutional post, ” he said.

Bhardwaj said that Lalpura heads a prominent constitutional body, which is autonomous and receives all types of complaints, including several complex matters. Due to this, its chief should be a neutral person, completely detached from party politics.

” Earlier on the day, AAP leader Atishi also wrote to Union Tourism Minister demanding removal of BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra from ITDC Chairman’s post for allegedly violating CCS Conduct Rules and misusing the post for party work.

Rakul Preet Singh’s vacay pics from Maldives have set mercury soaring

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Actress Rakul Preet Singh, who has had back-to-back releases this year with ‘Thank God’ being her latest, has jetted off to Maldives for a brief vacation after a busy schedule of promotions, shoots, and juggling multiple projects.

Taking to her social media, the actress dropped a super hot photo from her vacation in the Maldives. She can be seen rocking an orange swimsuit, with her hair tied up in a high bun while sitting by the beach. She captioned the picture as, “#thankgod for a holiday”

A source close to the actor also revealed that this is Rakul’s first vacation in the last 8 to 10 months as she has been continuously shooting, promoting and working on her films and brands. So, this time around she squeezed in time for a 4-day vacation for herself.

After having impressed everyone with her role as a pilot, robotics engineer, teacher, Rakul is garnering positive response for her work in ‘Thank God’.

 

PM Modi pitches for indigenous products

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday emphasised on promoting indigenous products and self-reliance for prosperity, and said by adopting them, one can keep the art, culture and civilization of India alive.

Addressing a gathering to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Jain saint Vijay Vallabh Surishwar via video conference, he said the message of ‘swadeshi’ and self-reliance is extremely relevant in the “Azadi ka Amrit Kaal”, a reference to the period till 2047, for India to become a developed country.

A commemorative postage stamp and coin dedicated to the saint was also released on Wednesday.

Paying tributes to the saint, Modi said when the world is experiencing the crisis of war, terror and violence and is looking for inspiration to break out of this vicious circle, ancient traditions and philosophy coupled with the power of today’s India is turning out to be a big hope.

He said the path shown by Surishwar and the teachings of Jain gurus is the solution to these global crises.

Mahatma Gandhi had also adopted the path of ‘aparigraha’ as laid down by Jain gurus, he said.

Also recalling Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the prime minister said Gujarat has given two Vallabhs’ to the country and noted that Patel’s birth anniversary will be celebrated on October 31.

‘Statue of Peace’, dedicated to the Jain monk, is one of the largest statues of saints and the ‘Statue of Unity’ is the tallest statue in the world, he added.

These are not just tall statues, but they are also the greatest symbol of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, he said.

While Sardar Patel as India’s first home minister had united it, the Jain saint travelled to different parts of the country and strengthened the unity, integrity and culture of the country, he said.

Modi noted that the monk always wore khadi, urging his followers to promote made-in-India products with the concept of ‘vocal for local’.

Vice-President Dhankhar pays obeisance at Golden Temple

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple here.
Dhankhar, who also partook in the ‘langar’ (community kitchen), was accorded a warm welcome by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami.

Dhami had earlier told the media that the apex gurdwara body would also give a memorandum to the vice-president for the release of ‘Bandi Singhs’ (Sikh prisoners).

He had said this issue was the “most important for the community as Sikh prisoners had not been released even after they had completed their sentences”. Last month, the SGPC had sought time from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a meeting to discuss the issue of the release of Sikh prisoners.

Tight security arrangements have been put in place for Dhankhar’s day-long visit to Amritsar. He will also visit Jallianwalla Bagh, Durgiana Temple and Ram Tirath Temple.

Increase in consumption of milk & milk products in Haryana

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Haryana state known for production as well as consumption of milk in the country in past years has witnessed further increase in past couple of years as well as during current year. Information reveals, the consumption of ghee in the state in past few months has also increased by nearly 30%, whereas consumption of other milk products which include butter milk (lassi) has increased by 48.80%, consumption of curd increased by 54.50% and consumption of milk increased between 7 to 10%.

Information reveals, Haryana state leads in per capita consumption of milk in the country in which Haryana state government federation has played    important role due to its policies in branding, packing, quality and marketing through a network of retail outlets and VITA booths in rural as well as in urban areas, also having contract for procurement of milk through a chain of milk societies in rural areas as a result the sale of milk has witnessed increase by more than 7% whereas in case of other products like ghee, curd and butter milk sale increased up to 55% in past about a year.

Talking to media persons Dr Banwari Lal  State Cooperative Minister told that state milk federation has played an important role to boost status of VITA milk and milk products and it is due to the efforts sale as well as profits witnessed good results having sale worth Rs 1505 crore during year 2021-22 as compared to sale worth Rs 1159 crore during year 2019-20. Federation has further modified manufacturing structure by installation of hi-tech machinery   in its plants at Ambala and other places in the state. Dr Banwari Lal told that a central laboratory has been set up at Rohtak to further improve the quality of tetra packing of products whereas Ghee manufacturing unit at Jind has been upgraded which will further increase  the popularity of  VITA products.  

 

Jathedar Akal Takht gave message to Sikh Community to fight the challenges facing for unity

By
Swinder Singh Bajwa
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Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh congratulated the Sikh community on Bandi Chhor Diwas and gave the message to fight the challenges facing the Sikhs with unity.

In a press statement issued here today, said the so-called pastors are spreading pakhandwad (exorcism) in the guise of Christianity on the land of Punjab, and are converting and exploiting innocent Sikhs physically, economically, and mentally and the government’s silence on this matter is a serious concern.

Giani Harpreet Singh also underlined the need to work together for the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners) and said that to open closed ears of the Indian government, the non-resident Indian (NRI) Sikhs should hold protests besides making efforts for the release of Bandi Singh through their governments.

He asked all the Panthic sides to work together for strengthening Sikh organisations against the government’s attempt to weaken the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). He said that the religious, educational, and humanitarian activities of SGPC are strengthening the society and efforts are necessary to make them more substantial.

Jathedar, Akal Takht Sahib said that for Panthic unity, only political unity is not important but all sides of Panth should start constructive work/projects to take the Sikh community forward with a minimal work plan.

He questioned the misuse of social media and said that if it is not used to defame each other, then only good work can be possible.

He said the governments failed to stop the deadly attack of drugs on society and therefore, there is a need to form village-level committees to solve this problem of failure of governments to stop the use of drugs and break the drug trade’s organizational structure. “It is a matter of serious concern that the Centre and Punjab governments have not succeeded in stopping trade and use of drugs despite using all of their means and power”, said Giani Harpreet Singh.

Expressing concern about the low interest in reading among Sikh children, he said that Panthic institutions should encourage children so that they succeed in competitive examinations and join the administrative, armed force, foreign, and other high services in the country and abroad, to be the honour of the community. He also asked to fulfill Panthhic responsibility by helping needy children for their higher education.

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