Following his return from the G20 Summit in India, Sunak went on to address queries from opposition leaders in the UK. This led to Chidambaram’s comments on the matter.
Updated On – 11:05 AM, Wed – 13 September 23
New Delhi:Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday took a swipe at the government citing a debate in UK Parliament between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and opposition members after his return from India following G20 Summit, and said he wished such a debate took place in India’s Parliament.
Chidambaram in his post on X said, “Please read the reports of the debate in the House of Commons when MPs questioned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on his talks with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi. Hard questions by the Opposition, prompt answers by the Prime Minister.”
“It is not important who prevailed in the debate. What is important is that a debate took place in Parliament within hours of the Prime Minister’s return to Britain. How I wish such a debate took place in India’s Parliament. Such questions and answers were normal in Parliament when Jawaharlal Nehru was prime minister,” the former Union minister said.
His remarks came after Sunak returned to the UK after attending the G20 Summit in India and answered the questions of opposition leaders.
The Congress has been critical of the Modi government over not allowing debates in Parliament over important issues.
The Congress has on previous occasions accused the government of not allowing the opposition members to speak in Parliament on several pressing issues.
A tragic accident occurred on the Jaipur-Agra National Highway near Hantra village in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur, claiming the lives of 11 individuals and leaving 12 others injured.
Updated On – 09:54 AM, Wed – 13 September 23
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Bharatpur: At least 11 people died and 12 others were injured after a trailer hit a stationary bus on the Jaipur-Agra Highway near the Hantra village here, police said on Wednesday.
“11 people died and 12 people were injured after a trailer collided with a stationary bus. The incident took place on the Jaipur-Agra National Highway near the Hantra village in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur. The passengers were heading to Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura from Gujarat’s Bhavnagar. The bus was standing on the highway while its repairing work was going on. Some passengers were in the bus while some were standing outside when the collision took place”, said Mridul Kachawa, Superintendent of Police (SP), Bharatpur.
The bodies have been kept in a mortuary and the injured were admitted to the RBM hospital in Bharatpur district, the SP added.
Of seven blood samples so far sent for testing, three have tested positive — two are undergoing treatment while one died on Monday. Another person, who came in contact with one of the infected persons, died on August 30 and it is presumed that he too might have died of Nipah.
The health authorities have identified 168 people, including 127 health professionals, who came in contact with the infected persons and have asked everyone in the district to wear masks.
“Those who tested positive include a nine-year-old boy and his uncle. The blood sample of the boy’s father, a 40-year-old man who passed away last night, had also tested positive. There is no need to worry as things are all under control and everything is going forward according to the protocols,” said George, who is in Kozhikode since Tuesday morning to oversee the arrangements.
It was on Tuesday morning that the sample of a person, who died at Kozhikode following fever and breathlessness on Monday, first tested positive for the Nipah virus.
A central team of top officials from Delhi have been asked to reach Kozhikode following the detection of the infection in the district.
The 40-year-old person, who turned positive for the Nipah virus, had come in contact with a relative last month. His relative turned feverish on August 22 and was admitted to a hospital near Kozhikode on August 25, but he died on August 30. Though his blood sample was not sent for examination, it is being presumed that he too might have died of Nipah.
The present case has been reported about 15 km from where the initial Nipah virus outbreak in southern India was first identified in Kozhikode in May 2018 and then again in 2021.
Nipah virus infection is basically a zoonotic disease and can be transmitted from animals to humans, besides, it can spread through contaminated food or through contact.
Apple Watch Series 9 starts at Rs 41,900 and Apple Watch SE starts at Rs 29,900. Customers in India and other select countries can now order Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE, with availability in stores beginning September 2
Published Date – 06:30 AM, Wed – 13 September 23
Cupertino: Apple on Tuesday launched Watch Series 9, with the new S9 chip, double tap gesture, a brighter display, faster on-device Siri with the ability to access and log health data, Precision Finding for iPhone and more features.
Apple Watch Series 9 starts at Rs 41,900 and Apple Watch SE starts at Rs 29,900. Customers in India and other select countries can now order Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE, with availability in stores beginning September 22. Apple Watch Series 9 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes in starlight, midnight, silver, (PRODUCT)RED, and a new pink aluminum case, as well as stainless steel in gold, silver, and graphite cases. Any aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 with a new Sport Loop band is carbon neutral.
Apple Watch SE is available in 40mm and 44mm aluminum cases, and is carbon neutral when paired with a new Sport Loop band. For the first time, customers can choose a carbon neutral option of any Apple Watch, representing a significant milestone toward Apple 2030 which is the company’s plan to be carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030.
Apple Watch is an indispensable companion that helps millions of people with their health, fitness, communications, and safety, said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
We’re introducing our best Apple Watch lineup, with incredible new capabilities and technological advancements, including a new double tap gesture, brighter display, on-device Siri, as well as our first-ever carbon neutral products, he added.
Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by custom Apple silicon in the all-new S9 SiP. Apple Watch Series 9 also has a new 4-core Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks up to twice as fast, when compared with Apple Watch Series 8. The power efficiency of the S9 SiP allows Apple Watch Series 9 to maintain all-day 18-hour battery life, said the company.
At Apple, we are committed to making products customers love and protecting the planet at the same time, and this year, we hit a key milestone toward our Apple 2030 goal, said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives.
With double tap gesture, users can easily control Apple Watch Series 9 using just one hand and without touching the display. Users can tap the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice to quickly and conveniently perform many of the most common actions on Apple Watch Series 9. For the first time on Apple Watch, Siri requests can be processed on device.
For requests that do not require information from the internet, such as starting a workout or setting a timer, Siri does not rely on Wi-Fi or cellular networks, resulting in quicker and more reliable responses. The powerful Neural Engine also makes dictation up to 25 percent more accurate than Apple Watch Series 8.
Maharashtra government issued orders suspending Jalna district Additional Superintendent of Police Rahul Khade and Ambad tehsil Sub Divisional Police Officer Mukund Aghav for the lathicharge on Maratha quota protesters
Published Date – 06:40 AM, Wed – 13 September 23
Maharashtra government issued orders suspending Jalna district Additional Superintendent of Police Rahul Khade and Ambad tehsil Sub Divisional Police Officer Mukund Aghav for the lathicharge on Maratha quota protesters
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued orders suspending Jalna district Additional Superintendent of Police Rahul Khade and Ambad tehsil Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Mukund Aghav for the lathicharge on Maratha quota protesters at Antarwali Sarati village earlier this month.
Two separate suspension orders were issued by the state home department.
Manoj Jarange, who has launched an indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district to press the demand of reservation for the Maratha community, had said he would not end his fast until, among other things, the police officials responsible for the lathicharge of September 1 were suspended.
Khade and Aghav prima facie violated the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules and misused their positions, the suspension orders said.
SP Mirzapur Abhinandan said when a cash van of Axis Bank arrived at the bank around 1 pm and one of the employees collected a cash box, four persons riding on two motorbikes snatched the box from him and tried to flee
Published Date – 11:16 PM, Tue – 12 September 23
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Mirzapur: Four robbers shot dead a security guard and injured three others while looting a cash box from a bank employee here on Tuesday afternoon, the police said.
The incident took place near a branch of the Axis Bank in the Badli Katra area here, they added.
SP Mirzapur Abhinandan said when a cash van of Axis Bank arrived at the bank around 1 pm and one of the employees collected a cash box, four persons riding on two motorbikes snatched the box from him and tried to flee.
Jay Singh, the security guard of the cash van, tried to save the box but the accused fired at him, leaving him seriously injured and fled with the cash box, the SP said.
Three employees of the bank also got injured in the incident, the police said.
On being informed about the incident, a police team reached the spot and rushed the injured to a hospital, they added.
The guard, who was in his early forties, was later declared dead by doctors, the SP said.
Neither the police nor the bank has disclosed the amount of cash robbed by the accused.
A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and a hunt for them is underway, the police said.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that there was not only an inordinate delay of over seven months in coming out with the liquor policy, but the rules were also aimed at increasing availability of alcohol in the state by increasing the number of breweries
Published Date – 09:24 PM, Tue – 12 September 23
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that there was not only an inordinate delay of over seven months in coming out with the liquor policy, but the rules were also aimed at increasing availability of alcohol in the state by increasing the number of breweries
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led opposition on Tuesday accused the ruling Left front in Kerala of trying to drown the state in alcohol through its new liquor policy, an allegation denied by the LDF which claimed that sale and consumption of liquor was higher during UDF rule.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that there was not only an inordinate delay of over seven months in coming out with the liquor policy, but the rules were also aimed at increasing availability of alcohol in the state by increasing the number of breweries and distilleries.
He said the LDF government on one hand was coming out with a ‘Vimukthi’ campaign against the use of liquor and narcotic substances, particularly by school students, and on the other was increasing the availability of alcohol in the state.
“What purpose would it serve? You are creating a dangerous situation. I warn you for the future generation of Kerala. It (the policy) would only lead to the state being drowned in alcohol,” Chennithala said.
Additionally, the policy also intends to increase the number of bars and outlets of the state-run beverages corporation (Bevco) in Kerala, he contended during the discussions on the Abkari Act (amendment) Bill.
The Bill aims to decriminalise a couple of offences with regard to advertisements encouraging alcohol consumption for the purpose of ease of doing business, State Excise Minister M B Rajesh said during the discussions.
Rajesh also refuted the allegations of the Congress leader by citing data from the Magnitude of Substance Use in India report of the central government.
He said that according to the figures in the report, the percentage of alcohol consumption and drug use in Kerala was below the national average.
Rajesh also contended that there has been a reduction in alcohol availability and sale during the seven-year long LDF rule as compared to the UDF regime before that.
The minister further said that even the number of outlets in Kerala was only around 300 as compared to the several thousands in the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Regarding the delay in coming out with the policy, Rajesh said it was not the first time, as such delays have occurred several times during UDF rule also.
The bill was taken for consideration and the amendments suggested in it by members of the House were rejected by the minister. The state cabinet had approved the new liquor policy for 2023-24 on July 26.
The policy promotes the production and sale of traditional toddy across the state and proposes to manufacture the maximum quantity of foreign liquor and beer within the state.
The Centre is eyeing a whopping Rs 1,000 crore revenue from scrap disposal after the completion of the third edition of its ‘Swacchata’ campaign next month, a senior official said.
Published Date – 09:30 PM, Tue – 12 September 23
The Centre is eyeing a whopping Rs 1,000 crore revenue from scrap disposal after the completion of the third edition of its ‘Swacchata’ campaign next month, a senior official said.
New Delhi: The Centre is eyeing a whopping Rs 1,000 crore revenue from scrap disposal after the completion of the third edition of its ‘Swacchata’ campaign next month, a senior official said.
Speaking to PTI, V Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), said the Central government is deeply committed to institutionalising ‘swachhata’ (cleanliness) and minimising pendency in all its departments.
The ‘special campaign 3.0’, third phase of the ‘Swacchata’ drive, will be conducted from October 2 to 31 in all departments with a focus on outstation offices having a public interface.
“The success of the ‘special campaign 2.0’ was institutionalised with all ministries or departments conducting the Swachhata campaign for three hours per week throughout the year. Over 100 nodal officers implemented the campaign,” said Srinivas, a 1989 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Rajasthan cadre.
Since the conduct of the ‘Swacchata’ campaign 2.0 in October 2022, the drive has been held at 1.37 lakh sites so far, generating Rs 520 crore from scrap items.
As many as 50 lakh files were weeded out, 172 lakh sq ft of office space freed up and 31.35 lakh public grievances cases redressed during the second phase of the cleanliness campaign, the officer said.
“It is expected that by October 31, 2023, a cumulative progress of Rs 1,000 crore can be expected from disposal of office scrap,” Srinivas told PTI.
He said that another 100 lakh sq ft of office space is likely to be freed up during the month-long third phase of the campaign.
This special drive by the Centre, whose first edition was launched in October 2021, focuses on cleanliness, including the disposal of scrap and reducing pendency in government departments.
The preparatory phase of the ‘special campaign 3.0’ will be launched by Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh on September 14 at the National Media Centre here, Srinivas said.
During this preparatory phase from September 15 to 30, all departments need to identify pending references and campaign sites for cleanliness besides assessing the volume of redundant materials to be disposed of, among others, he added.
In the implementation phase from October 2 to 31, all departments will make efforts to achieve the targets identified in the preparatory phase, utilise the campaign to improve record management and document the best practices evolved during the campaign.
“Such cleanliness drives have been hugely successful. Through these campaigns, the Centre has been able to convert waste into wealth by disposal of scrap,” another senior official said.
This year’s special campaign is expected to bring in significant innovative practices and systemic reform for a conducive work environment, he said.
“All central government offices are expected to ensure cleanliness in their premises, including inside the office building and outside as well during and after the special cleanliness drive 3.0,” the officer added.
The Court also pronounced punishment under section 6 of the POCSO Act for twenty years and a fine of Rs 30,000.
Published Date – 09:37 PM, Tue – 12 September 23
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Kolkata: Kolkata City Session Court on Tuesday handed over a rigorous imprisonment of 25 years to a man in a 2015 case related to abduction and sexual assault on a minor girl.
The Court also pronounced punishment under section 6 of the POCSO Act for twenty years and a fine of Rs 30,000.
The fine amount, if realized, is to be given to the victim girl, the court said.
After completion of the trial, Ld. Judge, Bench-II, City Session Court, Calcutta (POCSO) announced punishment under section 363 IPC for five years and a fine of Rs 5,000.
As per the court, both sentences will run concurrently, increasing the jail sentence to 25 years and a fine of Rs 35,000.
Kolkata Police said on Tuesday that on 02/11/2015 one lady lodged a complaint at Shyampukur PS to this effect that their minor daughter (17 yrs) left the residence at about 19.00 hrs on 1/11/2015 and did not return.
On her complaint, Shyampukur PS registered a case under section 365 of IPC. SI Debabrata Giri took up the investigation meticulously under the direct Supervision of the then Officer in Charge, and arrested accused Ganesh Giri (30) of 10 Galiff Street.
After completion of the investigation, IO submitted before Ld Chief Judge, City Session Court, under section 366A of IPC and under section 6 of POCSO Act against the accused.
One month after the death of an undergraduate student at the Jadavpur University boys’ hostel allegedly after ragging by seniors, the recommendations made by a committee to stop the menace are yet to be implemented
Published Date – 09:40 PM, Tue – 12 September 23
One month after the death of an undergraduate student at the Jadavpur University boys’ hostel allegedly after ragging by seniors, the recommendations made by a committee to stop the menace are yet to be implemented
Kolkata: One month after the death of an undergraduate student at the Jadavpur University boys’ hostel allegedly after ragging by seniors, the recommendations made by a committee to stop the menace are yet to be implemented as the varsity is waiting for the Executive Committee meeting to vet those proposals.
The Executive Committee (EC) is the highest decision-making body of the premier university here.
Officiating Vice-Chancellor Buddhadeb Sau said, “The committee has made certain recommendations such as disciplinary action against some students and earmarking some hostels for freshers and some others for seniors. We have to wait for the EC meeting to see all the recommendations light of the day.” The committee was set up after the death of the 17-year-old youth on August 10 after falling from the second-floor balcony of the boys’ main hostel the previous night. His family alleged that he was a victim of ragging.
Asked when the EC meeting will take place, Sau said, “We hope it will be held soon.” Sau told PTI that the university has the intent to put in place steps like installing CCTVs at strategic points like entry gates of the campus and near hostel buildings but there is a procedure and mechanism for that.
A university official said while the proposed disciplinary steps, including expulsion of four students and suspension of one year for several others, were not yet implemented, the boys’ main hostel has already been converted to accommodate undergraduate first-year students only.
The committee, which submitted its report last week, had suggested that four students be expelled for their alleged involvement in the August 9 incident of ragging, and that the university lodge FIRs against six former students who were staying in the hostel illegally and played a role in the ragging, the official said.
These four students to be expelled have been arrested.
About the installation of CCTVs, the officiating VC said that an IT firm of the West Bengal government has already been awarded the contract.
“We can’t expedite the process of installing. Ask the company for any update,” he said when asked about the possible date when the CCTVs will come up on the campus and why they were not yet set up, one month after the incident.
Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association General Secretary Partha Pratim Roy told PTI that it has submitted a memorandum to the officiating VC with proposals like forming an anti-ragging committee and squad and making it active, regular counselling of students, particularly freshers, improving hostel infrastructure and administration, setting up a 24×7 helpline and installation of CCTVs.
“We have seen in media reports that the higher education department allotted Rs 37 lakh to the university for CCTV installation at certain points. We also heard that the JU authorities have given the contract to install CCTVs. But till this date, no discussions were held about the spots where the CCTVs will come up,” Roy said.
