India

No discrimination with Muslims under PM Modi: Anurag Thakur

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Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, the BJP leader said its leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi are claiming that Modi will change the Constitution if he returns to power for the third term.

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 06:25 PM


No discrimination with Muslims under PM Modi: Anurag Thakur

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Jammu: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said that there was no discrimination with the Muslim community in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government which focused on “service, good governance and well-being of the poor” after coming to power in 2014.

The information and broadcasting minister accused the Congress of dividing people on the name of ‘creed, caste and religion’ and said the BJP believes in uniting the country and taking it forward.

“Before 2014, Muslims were being told if Modi comes to power you will be finished…have you seen the Modi-led government discriminating against anyone on the basis of religion? Has anyone asked you whether you are a Muslim, Hindu or Sikh when it comes to availing the Central government schemes and facilities like free ration and free treatment,” Thakur said addressing an election rally in Kishtwar district.

Kishtwar is part of the Udhampur parliamentary constituency, which is going to polls on April 19 to decide the fate of BJP candidate and Union Minister Jitendra Singh and 11 others, including his main opponent and INDIA bloc candidate Choudhary Lal Singh.

“Modi government is working with a motto of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas’ and dedicated to service, good governance and well-being of the poor which will be further strengthened in the next five years,” said Thakur, who reached here for the third time to garner support for BJP candidates.

“The Modi government ensured justice for all including those who were deprived of their rights in Jammu and Kashmir under the garb of Article 370,” he added. Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, the BJP leader said its leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi are claiming that Modi will change the Constitution if he returns to power for the third term.

“The Constitution was given to us by B R Ambedkar whom we are taking in high esteem and honour him. It was the Congress which made amendments in the Constitution 62 times, including 17 during Pandit Nehru’s prime ministership and 33 times during Indira Gandhi’s rule,” Thakur said.

He accused the Congress of making compromises with the national interests by conceding land to Pakistan (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), China (Aksai Chin) and Sri Lanka (Katchatheevu Island) in the past. “We give top priority to our national interests and India is first for us unlike the Congress,” Thakur said.

The BJP leader said the Indian economy jumped to fifth position in the world and the Modi government is working to make it the third largest economy in the world. “It is possible if you vote for Modi to make him the prime minister for the third term. Modi is the one who strengthened our borders, equipped our defence forces with modern weapons and fighter planes and a free hand,” Thakur said.

“The nation is aware of the surgical strikes in Pakistan and a befitting response to China in Ladakh,” he added. The minister said the terror incidents in Kashmir have shown a decline as was evident from 81 per cent drop in civilian killings and 50 per cent drop in the killing of security personnel.

“Tiranga is our pride but some people in Srinagar used to desecrate it. I took out a march in 2011 from Kolkata to Kashmir against this but was imprisoned by the Omar Abdullah led National Conference government. Today, the atmosphere has altogether changed after the abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP and the tricolor is fluttering high there,” he said.

Seeking votes for Jitendra Singh, Thakur said the BJP restored peace in Jammu and Kashmir which is the biggest achievement for the party.

“Terror acts were the major hurdle in attracting tourists to the picturesque region. Last year, over two crore tourists visited J&K and the number is expected to cross three crore this year,” he said.

The BJP leader said the assembly elections along with restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir are going to take place in the coming months.

Talking to reporters later, Thakur said India is not in favour of war among any country. “We are not in favour of war (between Israel and Iran) and always support peace.”

He criticized the Congress, National Conference and PDP, and said they always worked for their families without caring for the welfare of the masses. Thakur lauded the sacrifice of the people of Kishtwar who stood with the security forces to defeat terrorism from their soil. “Those who laid down their lives for the country will always be remembered,” he said.

Hyderabad

Woman labourer dies of heatstroke in Nizamabad

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According to reports, R Lavanya collapsed while taking up repair works of a pond under the MGNREGA programme near Lingamgutta in the mandal center.

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 08:19 PM


Woman labourer dies of heatstroke in Nizamabad


Nizamabad: A 38-year-old woman labourer died due to heatstroke in Navipet mandal of the district on Tuesday.

According to reports, R Lavanya collapsed while taking up repair works of a pond under the MGNREGA programme near Lingamgutta in the mandal center. She was rushed to a nearby government hospital, where she died while undergoing treatment.

The police have registered a case and investigation is underway.

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The epic of Iran’s economic invincibility  

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Iran’s economy is likely to grow at 3.7% in the financial year of 2024 and at a similar pace (3.2%) the year after, the International Monetary Fund said in its World Economic Outlook in January.

The significant growth projection for Iran came even as the report put the country among the top 30 economies in the world after India for the highest economic growth in 2023.

The 5.4 percent growth of Iran’s economy in 2023 has been unprecedented in recent years and the best performance of Iran’s economy since the US withdrawal in 2018 from an international nuclear deal with Tehran and the implementation of a policy of maximum pressure on the country.

Iran’s better score among the 30 economies, which account for a total of 83% of the world’s gross domestic product and include developed economies such as the US and Germany and developing countries such as Turkey, South Korea and China, is a major feat.

Countries such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Pakistan experienced economic stagnation and negative growth. Argentina and Saudi Arabia posted a negative growth of 1.1 percent while Germany’s economy shrank 0.3% and Pakistan’s contracted by 0.2%.

Last November, the Statistical Center of Iran reported a 7.1 percent increase in Iran’s gross domestic product (GDP) between June and August, almost half of which was due to energy sector growth.  

The summer’s growth followed a similar 7.9 percent GDP increase in the previous quarter, also driven by the energy sector, with the service sector contributing as well.

The increase in the hydrocarbon sector, which grew 25 percent over the summer following nearly 20 percent growth in the spring, pushed the sector’s share of total GDP to over 15 percent, up from 13 percent over the same period in 2022.

The service sector remains Iran’s largest, with financial intermediaries driving its gains. By contrast, manufacturing and real estate showed modest gains over the summer and decreased as a share of GDP compared to the same period last year.

As the Iranian economy grew, unemployment dropped to an official 7.9 percent, while the labor force participation rate increased.

Ordinary Iranians may not see much benefit from such positive indicators in their daily life. Inflation hovered just short of 45 percent in November, a slight decrease from 49 percent in May but still higher than a year ago.

Nevertheless, figures show Iran’s economy continues to function and produce goods and services which are essential to satisfy the needs of the country after six years of US “maximum pressure”.

In fact, the Biden administration has continued of the same policy initiated by its predecessor in 2018, based on the logic that the weaker Iran’s economy is, the more likely Tehran will bend to Washington’s will.

The economy’s resilience is further evidenced by the fact that in the first nine months of the Iranian fiscal year starting in March 2023, GDP grew by a 6.7% annual rate, and finished the year with a growth rate exceeding the World Bank and IMF forecasts of about 4%.

Since 2020, the economy has grown steadily, if slowly, by about 4% per year.

On the diplomatic front, Iran’s success to repair relations with its Persian Gulf neighbors, enter the BRICS groups of rising non-aligned global players and join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has boosted its ability to resist US sanctions in the long run.

While these successes have yet to translate into more investment and economic growth, the Islamic Republic’s strategy of resistance to US pressure has raised its global stature and taken the sting out of unilateral sanctions, paving the way for Iran to turn its newfound geopolitical capital into economic growth.

Nevertheless, the country is under pressure for short-term dividends of the newfound capital as ordinary Iranians are overstrained after more than a decade of decline in their living standards and their resilience in the face of sanctions. Inflation remains high and household expenditures are under pressure.

The weak link in changing the situation for better is the management of the economy which has been tainted by years of misconceptions.

Unlike many oil exporting states, Iran has a highly diverse economy – marked by the availability of a unique resource base, both natural and human, and its promising geo-strategic position – which has demonstrated an ability to adapt to new realities fast.

With more than half of GDP being services-based, the economy is inherently resilient to occasional fluctuations in other sectors, such as petroleum, industry and mining, agriculture and construction.

This massive potential has been undermined by external sanctions as well as internal shortcomings linked to incompetence, corruption and mismanagement where short-termism caused by political, legal and operational uncertainties continues to impede the realization of the country’s economic potential.

While Iran’s officials describe the current situation as an “economic war”, appropriate policies are needed to fight it off since the Iranian economy has the potential to regain a new balance and to start growing again.

Hyderabad

SCR to operate summer specials towards UP/ Bihar

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The Clone Special train will start before the regular Danapur Express (Secunderabad – Danapur).

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 08:12 PM


SCR to operate summer specials towards UP/ Bihar


Hyderabad: In order to clear the heavy rush of passengers travelling towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states from Telangana during the summer, South Central Railway (SCR) will operate Unreserved Clone weekly summer special trains towards Danapur.

The Clone Special train will start before the regular Danapur Express (Secunderabad – Danapur).

It is a weekly train which will be operated every Thursday from Secunderabad and every Saturday from Danapur. The trains will start its operation with effect from April 18 and continue next three months i.e., April, May and June 2024.

Huge number of public travel from the Telangana towards important cities like Itarsi, Prayagraj, Deendayal Upadhyay and Danapur stations.

In addition, Shramik workers who have settled or work in and around Hyderabad also travel to these regions to visit their home towns, especially during the holiday and summer season.

There is a regular Danapur Special Train starting from 09:25 am every day from Secunderabad to Danapur.

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"Players Don't Understand English": Sehwag Blasts RCB Foreign Support Staff

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Another Indian Premier League (IPL), another disappointing run by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Every single season, the franchise instill hopes in the hearts of their fans, then end up breaking their hearts with their poor show on the pitch. The 2024 campaign has been no different, with RCB incurring 6 defeats in 7 matches to remain bottom of the 10-team points table. As pundits look to delve deep into the RCB machinery, many problems surface. Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag feels one of the biggest issues with the RCB is the lack of Indian support staff. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

“If you have 12-15 Indian players, just 10 overseas and your entire staff is made of foreigners, that’s an issue. Only a few of them are international players, rest are all Indians and half of them don’t even understand English. How will you motivate them? Who spends time with them? Who talks to them? I can’t see a single Indian staff member. At least there should be someone who the players can confide in,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

“Players need a comfort level which they are not getting presently. Players go blank in front of captain Faf du Plessis because if he asks something, they will have to answer. If the leader is Indian, you can share what’s going through your mind. But if you do that to an overseas player, you may be left out of the Playing XI in the next game. RCB need at least 2-3 Indian support staff.”

Manoj Tiwary, former India and Kolkata Knight Riders batter, feels RCB’s problems go deeper, with poor recruitment at the auction table one of the biggest reasons behind their troubles.

“I know where the problem is. From the auction table to the management. All the good players of this franchise leave to go and play for other teams. One of them is the leading wicket-taker this season [Yuzvendra Chahal]. You let them go. You don’t persist with Virat Kohli‘s captaincy. He led them to the 2016 final. Then today, the 4 costliest players of the franchise whose collective budget is more than Rs 40 crore, are all benched. Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph. Siraj was rested. So when you’re spending so much money and then benching these players, you know where the problem lies,” said Tiwary.

“Batting is not a problem. It was always bowling. They don’t have a specialist spinner. You’re making Will Jacks open the bowling. Sometimes Mahipal Lomror and even some of the on-field captaincy calls are terrible. Everything is wrong from every corner. They need to regroup entirely and devise a long-term plan.”

Though it’s not all over for the Bengaluru side yet, Faf du Plessis’ men need a gigantic effort to make it to the playoffs.

Topics mentioned in this article

Hyderabad

CM Revanth Reddy extends Sri Rama Navami greetings

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The Chief Minister directed the officials to organize Sri Rama Navami celebrations on a grand scale to spread the importance of Bhadradri Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy to the entire country.

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 08:00 PM


CM Revanth Reddy extends Sri Rama Navami greetings

File photo

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami. He prayed to Lord Sita Ramachandra Swamy of Bhadrachalam to bless the people of the country to live happily.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to organize Sri Rama Navami celebrations on a grand scale to spread the importance of Bhadradri Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy to the entire country.

He also asked the officials to make necessary arrangements at Bhadrachalam temple and ensure there was no inconvenience to the devotees during the festivities.

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Explained: What Options Does Israel Have To Strike Back At Iran

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Explained: What Options Does Israel Have To Strike Back At Iran

Israel could respond to the Iranian barrage with air strikes of its own.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his immediate war cabinet are considering what action to take following Iran’s attack on Saturday.

Allies including the United States have urged Israel not to risk igniting a wider regional conflict, and President Joe Biden has made clear U.S. forces would not join any retaliatory attack on Iran.

Here are some of the options which Israel may be considering:

Air Strikes

Israel could respond to the Iranian barrage with air strikes of its own, particularly as Iranian air defences are considered much less well-developed than the multi-layer system that Israel and its allies deployed on Saturday night.

An Israeli Air Force officer told a briefing with reporters that the air force was ready to defend Israel and added: “Some of the defence is to react and attack if needed.”

“And that is put to our government and the cabinet and for them to decide how, when and if,” the officer said.

Such an attack could hit strategic facilities including Revolutionary Guards bases or nuclear research facilities.

Former intelligence officials say it would be less likely to hit civilian infrastructure such as power plants and would need to avoid civilian casualties. This would be both to ensure no further loss of international support and also because of the assessment that the Iranian authorities are vulnerable to popular pressure over political repression and the dire economic situation. Significant civilian casualties would be considered likely to rally Iranian public support behind the government.

Israel could also hit proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or Iranian targets in countries such as Syria and Iraq. However, the fact that Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time suggests that any such action would be only part of a wider response that would also target Iran itself.

Cyber Attack

Israel is believed to have carried out numerous cyber attacks in Iran over the years, on infrastructure ranging from petrol stations to industrial plants and nuclear facilities, and a repeat is considered among the likely options for retaliation.

Any such attacks could interfere in highly visible areas such as energy production or flight services. As with direct air strikes, former intelligence officials say they believe Israel would avoid attacks on infrastructure such as hospitals to reduce the impact on the general population.

Covert Operations

Israel is believed to have previously carried out a number of covert operations inside Iran, including the assassination of several of its senior nuclear scientists.

Such operations could be carried out both inside and outside Iran.

Diplomacy

In addition to military and intelligence strikes against Iran, Israel is stepping up diplomatic efforts to isolate Tehran, including by extending sanctions. Foreign Minister Israel Katz has also renewed pressure on European countries to join the United States in declaring Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to be declared a terror organization.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hyderabad

Election authorities address bogus voter concerns in Hyderabad parliamentary constituency

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Duplicated and dead person votes in the Hyderabad parliamentary constituency have already been identified and removed from the voters list.

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 07:28 PM


Election authorities address bogus voter concerns in Hyderabad parliamentary constituency


Hyderabad: Following complaints made by various political parties on bogus voters under Hyderabad parliamentary constituency, the District Election Officer (DEO) and GHMC Commissioner, Ronald Rose on Tuesday said that a thorough preliminary report on the issue has been submitted to the Election Commission of India.

Duplicated and dead person votes in the Hyderabad parliamentary constituency have already been identified and removed from the voters list. Apart from this, we have also moved man others to the Absentee, Shifted, and Dead (ASD) list, the DEO on Tuesday during an interaction with press persons said.

Further, commenting about voters having voted at two different locations, the DEO said

“Seven months before elections, we took the DSE (Demographic Similar Entries) list and made deletions. But after the announcement of the elections, we cannot do that. We also had multiple meetings with political parties and asked them to bring such issues to our notice. However, the complaints have come very close to the elections”.

The DEO, however, assured that action will be taken against those who have applied for multiple votes.
So far, nearly 3,800 election staff did not report to election training. “Strict action including FIRs will be taken on employees who continue to skip training. Election exemption will only be given to pregnant women, disabled, and those with only six months left in service,” he said.
Along with the Hyderabad and Secunderabad parliamentary constituency elections, by-elections for the Secunderabad Cantonment assembly seat will also be conducted on May 13.

Election notification: April 18
Elections: May 13
Counting: June 4

Total voters as per final rolls published on February 8: 45,70,138
Claims and objections received till April 14: 3,10,979
Final voters list to be published before April 25

Polling stations: 3,986
Ballot units: 8,713
Control units: 5,383
VVPATs: 6,217

Cash: Rs. 14.03 crore
Valuables worth: Rs. 1.95 crore

Liquor: 20.198.28 liters
Narcotics: 163 kgs

MCC violation cases: 5
Prohibition cases: 237
Licensed weapons deposited: 2,787
District Grievance Committee releases
Total cases: 73 worth Rs. 2.39 crore
Released: 70 cases worth Rs. 1.70 crore

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700 Tihar Jail Inmates Hired By Hotels, 1,200 To Get Hospital Jobs Soon

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700 Tihar Jail Inmates Hired By Hotels, 1,200 To Get Hospital Jobs Soon

700 inmates have got jobs in the hotel industry, said jail chief. (Representational Image)

New Delhi:

Around 700 inmates are employed and 1,200 more are presently getting training to work in various sectors after coming out of jail, Tihar’s Director General (prisons) Sanjay Baniwal said.

In an interaction with Press Trust of India editors at its headquarters on Monday, Mr Baniwal, a 1989 batch IPS officer, said that he is happy to see inmates, who get employed after spending their jail term.

Mr Beniwal, who had a stint of Chandigarh DGP, has been posted as Tihar DG since November 2022.

Replying to a question over jail reforms during his tenure in Tihar, Mr Baniwal said, “We have started skill development programme with the help of Urban Development Ministry inside the prisons. Under this programme, around 700 inmates have got the job in hotel industry and 1,200 are getting training to get the job in hospitals.”

According to jail officials, an infrastructure is provided inside the prisons for training under-trial prisoners (UTP). The programme was launched in early 2023.

Mr Baniwal said skilling and empowering inmates is something that makes them worth.

“I saw the smile and twinkle in their eyes when they got their certificates and offer letters to work outside,” he said.

Replying to a question on overcrowding in Tihar jail, which has been witnessing 20,000 inmates against its sanctioned strength of 10,000, Mr Baniwal said that making more jail is not a solution.

Delhi has three prison complexes – Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli – and all of them comprise central jails.

May be we can look for other options or better ways of punishing, at least who are delinquent, he said.

Citing an example, he said that a young man was recently caught for stealing Rs 300 in pick pocketing and was brought to Tihar. He stayed here for five months before getting bail.

“I am spending Rs 800 per inmate/per day which costs us around Rs 24,000 per month. For that 300 rupees theft punishment I spent your money (exchequer) costing about Rs 1,20,000 in five months. Is it right? That is the question we need to ask,” Mr Baniwal said.

The proposed jail in Narela, Delhi, will cost us about Rs 170 crore for odd 250 inmates, which is an expensive affair, he said.

The Tihar prisons chief said the current model provision act of jail does provide the power to put the anklets for tracking the movements of those inmates who are released on furlough.

“Why can’t we do for those who are sent to Tihar like Arnesh Kumar judgement does speak about not to arrest people for certain offences. You can certainly, geofence their movement within their home, court or work places. That way you are keeping the person more productive and less burdened. But this is my personal view, may be I am wrong,” he said.

On privatising the jail like in foreign counties, Mr Baniwal said that despite privatisation, the US jails are pretty overcrowded.

“The number of arrest per lakh people in the US is far more than in India. Privatising the jail is all depends on the situation of the country and how it is governed,” he said.

Talking about facilities and infrastructure in jail, Mr Baniwal said under “correctional administration”, the officials work very hard to change inmate’s emotional footprint and mental vibrations.

“We run spirituality courses, meditation and targetted exercises for inmates, where they are dragged by force but by end with guilts what the did in the past. There are various examples I have where they write about their mistakes and say they will never commit any crime whenever go out of jail,” he said.

“I am planning to start an ‘after release care centre’ where we will follow them up after they come out,” he said.

Mr Baniwal said the inmates do celebrate every festival and participate in national events inside the prisons so that they can’t go away from reality.

“We try to normalise their life as much as possible. Many people have no visitor as their family members live far, we have a facility called ‘sparsh scheme’ where we hug them and give gifts on occasions,” he said.

Mr Baniwal said that he meets the inmates and listens to their problems and also tries to solve them.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)