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Editorial: Up In Smoke Why 3-time elected CM being treated inhumanely, asks AAP Kharge writes to PM, seeks time to explain ‘Nyay Patra
PM reacts to SC's VVPAT verdict,
claims Cong has Muslim quota plan
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Reacting to
the Supreme Court's ver-
dict in the EVM-VVPAT case,
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on Friday said the RJD
and Congress never cared
about the Constitution of
India.
Addressing a rally in
Bihar's Araria, PM Modi
claimed "booth capturing
was very common" during
the former's rule.
He also accused the Con-
gress of planning to bring
Bihar's Muslims under the
OBC quota.
PM Modi claimed that the
Opposition was trying to get
RBI ASKS TALKCHARGE
TO RETURN FUNDS
IN PPI-WALLETS OF
CUSTOMERS
MUMBAI: The RBI on
Thursday said it has di-
rected Gurugram-based
TalkCharge Technologies
Pvt Ltd, which is issuing
Prepaid Payment Instru-
ments (Wallets) without
authorisation of the central
bank, to refund the prepaid
amount lying in the wallets
of the customers. The RBI
also cautioned the public
to exercise utmost cau-
tion while using websites/
applications and parting
with their money to any
such unauthorised entity.
The Reserve Bank said it
had come to the notice
of the central bank that
TalkCharge Technologies
is issuing PPI through its
website and app (applica-
tion) ‘TalkCharge’ without
obtaining the required au-
thorisation under the pro-
visions of the Payment and
Settlement Systems Act,
2007. The central bank is-
sued directions dated April
2, 2024, to the entity to stop
the issuance and operation
of its Prepaid Payment In-
struments or Wallets and
refund the balances held in
the wallets within 15 days.
Later, it was extended by
45 days (May 17, 2024) at
the entity’s request.
REC SECURES JPY
60.536 BN GREEN LOAN
TO FINANCE GREEN
PROJECTS
GURUGRAM: In a signifi-
cant step towards sustain-
able development in India,
REC Ltd has successfully
availed a SACE-covered
green loan worth JPY
60.536 billion to finance
eligible green projects in
India. This strategic in-
vestment reinforces REC’s
commitment to foster
sustainable growth, in
alignment with the Com-
pany’s Green Finance
Framework. The green
facility benefits from an
80 per cent guarantee by
Italian Export Credit Agen-
cy, SACE (Italy) under their
innovative Push Strategy
programme. It is a break-
through and first of its kind
successful collaboration
between an Indian govern-
ment entity and SACE.
ucknow news
VOL. 18 | ISSUE NO: 235 | Saturday, 27 April 2024 | DAILY MORNING | Page 4 | Price Rs 1.00
rid of EVMs.
"RJD and Congress alli-
ance in Bihar neither cares
about the constitution of In-
dia, nor about democracy.
They did not let people ex-
ercise their right to vote for
decades. Booth capturing
'Blindly distrusting any...': In EVM
VVPAT case, SC calls for ‘trust, harmony'
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Rejecting pleas
seeking complete cross-ver-
ification of votes cast using
electronic voting machines
(EVMs) via Voter Verifiable
Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
machines, the Supreme
Court observed that blindly
distrusting any aspect of the
system can lead to unwar-
ranted skepticism.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv
Khanna and Dipankar Datta,
while dismissing pleas in the
matter, observed that "de-
mocracy is all about striving
to build harmony and trust
between all institutions".
Two judges delivered two
separate but concurring ver-
dicts.
"While maintaining a bal-
anced perspective is crucial
in evaluating systems or in-
On Sam Pitroda's ‘inheritance tax’
remark, Sitharaman's dig at Congress
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Union finance
minister Nirmala Sithara-
man on Friday took a dig at
the Congress over its leader
Sam Pitroda’s controversial
remarks advocating an in-
heritance tax-like law, say-
ing it could “nullify” India's
progress of the last 10 years.
The finance minister said if
done so, the country would
go back to the era when Con-
gress imposed a 90 per cent
tax.
“The inheritance tax direct-
ly hits the middle class. It
directly hits the aspirational
class. They work hard, sweat
and toil of theirs are saved
in small savings here and
there, or they buy a house,
a dream house, and keep
some fixed deposits. All this
is going to be exposed to the
so-called property tax…After
all, Congress's reputation in
terms of property tax goes
back,” Nirmala Sitharaman
told news agency ANI.
Recalling the compulsory
deposit scheme from 1968,
Nirmala Sitharaman said,
was very common... They
did not even let the people
step out to vote...," PM Modi
said.
"Now when the poor and
honest voters have the
strength of EVM, they are
trying all they can to get
stitutions, blindly distrusting
any aspect of the system can
breed unwarranted skep-
ticism...," Justice Datta ob-
served.
"Instead, a critical yet con-
structive approach guided by
evidence and reason should
be followed to make room
for meaningful improve-
ments and to ensure the
system's credibility and ef-
fectiveness," he added.
“Something was taken away.
There was no justification
given at that time... If such
wealth creators are going to
be punished purely because
they have some money kept
behind, India's progress in
the last 10 years would just
go for a zero…The current
generation would not even
remember or know anything
about it."
“There was India, where
under the Congress rule,
we paid 90% of all that was
earned by us as tax. That's
the socialist model which
the Congress party is com-
fortable with,” the finance
minister added.
Nirmala Sitharaman's
rid of the EVM... Today, the
Supreme Court has given
a strong verdict saying that
the old system of ballot
paper voting will not come
back," he added.
PM Modi claimed that
like Karnataka, the Con-
gress wants to bring Mus-
lims under the purview of
OBC reservation.
"Congress has deeply
conspired to take away
the rights of SCs, STs, and
OBCs, and I'm saying this
with utmost responsibil-
ity. Babasaheb Bhimrao
Ambedkar has said in very
clear words, that India can-
not have religion-based res-
ervations," he claimed.
The Supreme Court direct-
ed the Election Commission
to seal and store units used
to load symbols for 45 days
after the symbols have been
loaded to electronic voting
machines in strong rooms.
The apex court also al-
lowed engineers of the EVM
manufacturers to verify the
microcontroller of the ma-
chines after declaration of
the results on the request of
comments come days after
a video of Indian Overseas
Congress chairman Sam
Pitroda went viral on social
media in which he talked
about inheritance tax in
America.
The video triggered a mas-
sive outrage, especially with
the BJP leaders, who at-
tacked the grand old party.
In the video, Sam Pitroda
was heard saying, "In Amer-
ica, there is an inheritance
tax. So, if, let’s say, one
has $100 million worth of
wealth, and when he dies,
he can only transfer probably
45 per cent to his children,
the government grabs 55
per cent. That’s an interest-
PM Modi claimed in Kar-
nataka, Muslims get the li-
on's share of the 27 percent
quota for OBCs.
"But Congress is trying
its best to implement reli-
gion-based reservation. It
is trying to implement the
Karnataka model of reser-
vation in the country...They
have betrayed the OBC
community and included
all Muslims of Karnataka in
the OBC list, irrespective of
their financial status. A ma-
jor chunk of the 27% reser-
vation for the OBC has gone
to the Muslims now...Con-
gress wants to do the same
in Bihar and other parts of
the country," he added.
candidates who stood sec-
ond and third.
The court observed that
the verification of the micro-
controller can be done sev-
en days after the declara-
tion of results. A candidate
will have to pay a certain
fee. If EVM are found to be
tempered with, the fee will
be refunded.
Three petitioners had
urged the court to direct the
authorities to provide VVPAT
slips to all voters and count
all of them from ballot box-
es.
"We have rejected all of
them," Justice Khanna said.
According to senior law-
yer Prashant Bhushan, the
Supreme Court said that if
a barcode is put on all ballot
paper, then examine if it can
be mechanically counted by
machines or not.
ing law. It says you in your
generation, made wealth
and you are leaving now, you
must leave your wealth for
the public, not all of it, half of
it, which to me sounds fair. In
India, you don’t have that. If
somebody is worth 10 billion
and he dies, his children get
10 billion and the public gets
nothing... So, these are the
kinds of issues people will
have to debate and discuss.”
He added, “I don’t know
what the conclusion would
be at the end of the day but
when we talk about redistrib-
uting wealth, we are talking
about new policies and new
programs that are in the
interest of the people and
not in the interest of the su-
per-rich only.”
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi had also hit out at
Pitroda saying that the “dan-
gerous intentions of the Con-
gress Party are now being
exposed”.
However, the Congress
has distanced itself from the
remarks and said that inher-
itance tax laws do not reflect
the position of the party.
4 men collapse and die
amid Phase 2 voting in Kerala
OUR CORRESPONDENT
LUCKNOW: Four persons
collapsed and died in dif-
ferent parts of Kerala after
voting in the second phase
of the Lok Sabha elections
2024 started on Friday.
Three of the deceased
were voters and one was
a polling agent, reported.
Polling started at 7am in
Kerala.
A 68-year-old voter col-
lapsed after casting his
vote Ottapalam, Palakkad.
Though he was rushed to
hospital , he was declared
dead on arrival, the news
website said. Ottapalam re-
corded a temperature of 38
degress Celsius and 39%
humidity on Friday.
Left Democratic Front
polling agent Anees Ahmed
(66) was rushed to hospital
after he collapsed in Kozhi-
kode Town’s booth number
16 but could not be saved, .
The mercury level of 33 de-
grees Celsius in Kozhikode
was accompanied by 61%
humidity on Friday.
In Malappuram district’s
Tirur, a 63-year-old madras-
Kerala’s ruling LDF convenor
acknowledges meeting BJP leader
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Ruling Left
Democratic Front (LDF)
convenor and Communist
Party of India (Marxist) or
CPI(M) leader EP Jayarajan
on Friday acknowledged he
briefly met Bharatiya Jana-
ta Party (BJP)’s Kerala in-
charge Prakash Javadekar
at the birthday party of the
former’s grandson in Thi-
ruvananthapuram months
back.
He spoke about the meet-
ing on the day Kerala all 20
seats went to the polls in the
second of seven-phase Lok
Sabha elections even as
the Congress has accused
the Kerala wing of CPI(M)
of being in close touch with
the BJP to hurt the electoral
prospects of the Opposition
United Democratic Front
(UDF) in the state.
“I was at my son’s apart-
ment in Thiruvanantha-
puram for my grandson’s
birthday. Suddenly, I saw
Prakash Javadekar walking
in. I was surprised. When
someone comes home, we
cannot ask them to leave.
Right? He said he was in
the neighbourhood and
thought of coming to meet
me. He wanted to discuss
political matters with me,
but I declined. I told him I
had a meeting that I had to
go to and left. They also left
at that moment. That is all,”
said Jayarajan after voting in
Kannur.
Jayarajan maintained that
he held no political discus-
sions with Javadekar and
SC TO CONSIDER LISTING PLEA OF DELHI GOVT AGAINST CENTRAL LAW
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday told the Delhi government that it would consid-
er listing its plea challenging the central government's law establishing pre-eminence of
the lieutenant governor over the elected dispensation in controlling services in the national
capital. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala
and Manoj Misra was urged by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi.
R.N.I. Reg. No.
sa teacher collapsed and
died after returning home
from voting in the Lok
Sabha elections, reported.
Tirur recorded a tempera-
ture of 34 degrees Celsius
and humidity levels of 60%
on Friday.
Similarly, a 76-year-old-
man died in Alappuzha dis-
trict’s Ambalappuzha died
after returning home from
voting, Mathurbhumi.com
said.
Ambalappuzha saw a
temperature of 33 degrees
Celsius and humidity levels
of 68% on Friday.
Voter turnout in Kerala
Voter turnout was around
34% as of 12.30 pm in Ker-
ala. All 20 constituencies
that it was just a courtesy
meeting. He added there
was nothing unusual about
it. He said as the LDF con-
venor, several people includ-
ing Congress, BJP leaders,
and Christian and Muslim
priests meet him.
“I am not someone who
[switches parties and poli-
tics] just by meeting some-
one. I will not change even
if the Prime Minister talks to
me.”
Congress leader VD Sath-
eesan said CPI(M) leaders
in Kerala always meet BJP
leaders. “Why? To defeat
us,” Satheesan said.
K Sudhakaran, the state
Congress chief, has alleged
Jayarajan held secret talks
to join the BJP. Sobha Suren-
dran, the BJP’s Lok Sabha
candidate from Alappuzha,
echoed Sudhakaran. She
added that Jayarajan held
talks with her BJP leader-
ship but backed out fearing
a threat from CPI(M).
Chief minister Pinarayi Vi-
jayan responded to the row
and said Jayarajan should
have been more careful. “Ja-
yarajan is known for having
a friendship with everyone.
are voting in Phase 2 of the
Lok Sabha polls.
While Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi’s candidature
in the Wayanad constituen-
cy has received the most
attention, two sitting Union
ministers are also in the
fray from the state. Union
minister of state V Mura-
leedharan is contesting in
the Attingal constituency.
In nearby Thiruvanantha-
puram constituency, Rajeev
Chandrashekar, Union min-
ister of state for Skill Devel-
opment and Entrepreneur-
ship and Electronics and
Information Technology is
looking to unseat high-pro-
file Congress member of
Parliament Shashi Tharoor.
But there is a saying in our
land that if Shiva joins a
sinner, then Shiva also be-
comes a sinner. We must
be careful... There are a lot
of people here who wake
up thinking about whom to
cheat today. So, we must
avoid friendships to an
extent with such people.
Jayarajan does not show
enough alertness in such
matters...”
He insisted there was
nothing wrong with meeting
Javadekar. “I also met him
at the start of the election
campaign. I told him that
his party is trying its best to
win in Kerala...the BJP was
not going to win any seat in
Kerala.”
The Congress-led UDF
hopes to repeat its 2019
Lok Sabha poll performance
in Kerala. It swept the polls,
winning 19 of the 20 seats.
Most opinion polls indicate
the UDF has an edge. Con-
gress leader Rahul Gandhi,
who won Kerala’s Wayanad
seat in 2019, is again in the
fray. The UDF got over 47%
votes in 2019. The LDF vote
share fell to 36% from 40%
in 2014.
2 Lucknow, Saturday, 27 April 2024 Lucknow News (English Daily)

In the Warzone!
EDITORIAL
Up in smoke
The Bandhwari dumpsite, located in Gurugram, India, has
once again found itself engulfed in flames, marking the
fourth fire incident within a single month, this being the ma-
jor one. Despite concerted efforts to contain the fire, its re-
surgence serves as a stark reminder of the persistent chal- AMID ONGOING GLOBAL CONFLICTS, INDIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS MUST BOLSTER
lenges inherent in landfill management and the urgent need
for holistic solutions to address them effectively. This was the SECURITY MONITORING AND THREAT ASSESSMENTS FOR CITIZENS WORKING IN VULNERABLE REGIONS
second landfill blaze in the national capital region this week. In response to growing la-
Since its inception in 2010, the Bandhwari dumpsite has bour demand in Israel and
become a major waste repository in the region, receiving to deepen their political re-
over 1,600 tonnes per day (TPD) of mixed waste from Gur- lationship, India and Israel
ugram (1,000 TPD) and Faridabad (600 TPD). Unfortunately, signed an agreement in
only a small fraction — about 200-250 TPD in Gurugram and May 2023 for 42,000 Indi-
400 TPD in Faridabad, of the 1,200 TPD and 1,000 TPD gen- ans to head to the Jewish
erated by the two cities — is processed. state to work in construc-
The remainder is simply dumped on the site without proper tion and nursing.
oversight. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram has a bio- The move was widely re-
mining capacity of 16,000 tonnes, but 1,600 tonnes of fresh ported by Indian and inter-
waste is dumped into the dumpsite each day. national media as one that
This is primarily due to a lack of source segregation and a didn’t account for the safety
30-40 per cent door-todoor collection rate. For the past 6-7 and security of its workers.
years, the city has faced significant waste management chal- And that was before Oc-
lenges due to a tripartite agreement between a concession- tober 7. The ongoing Isra-
aire and the government of Haryana since 2017. el-Hamas conflict that ex-
The concessionaire was tasked with providing comprehen- ploded in October resulted
sive end-to-end services, including source segregation, door- in Israel banning more than
to-door collection, processing, dumpsite remediation and 90,000 Palestinians work-
establishing a waste-toEnergy plant within five years of their ers — who formed the back-
twenty-two-year agreement. How- bone of Israel’s construction
ever, the concessionaire failed to Methane industry — to be replaced by
meet these obligations, resulting concentrations workers from India,
in the shutdown of waste man- within dumpsites Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan.
agement services in the city. can far exceed those India signed a deal a month
Source segregation and door- found in the natural after the outbreak of hostili-
to-door collection rates plummet- atmosphere, posing ties to allow the emigration
ed and the installation of nec- a significant ignition of Indian workers to an ac-
essary waste processing plants risk; Bandhwari tive conflict zone.
was not achieved, leading to an dumpsite fire Against the backdrop of
inability to divert fresh mixed underscores an urgent an ongoing war, with tens of
waste from the dumpsite. Despite need to overhaul thousands of civilian deaths,
the use of biomining processes to waste management there are well-founded fears
extract valuable materials from practices in Gurugram, that India’s agreement with
waste, a significant amount of re- so that future fires can Israel may come at a heavy
sidual waste remains on the site, be prevented price. As Israel finds itself in
exacerbating the looming threat the middle of another crisis
of conflagration. While biomining efforts have produced com- after Iran’s missile attack,
mendable results, with approximately 21,50,000 tonnes of an increasingly urgent ques-
As many as 121 candidates, who were guided under the Nexus of Good Mentorship programme, have qualified for civil services this year
waste processed in the last year and three months, formi- tion for India to consider
dable challenges remain, as evidenced by the recent spate is the safety of its migrant of the Gulf, compels workers formidable role in the coun- 2007, including Israel. employed as support staff
Against the backdrop
of fires. The latest fire incident at the Bandhwari dumpsite, workers. to migrate. try’s global supply chain as- Israel’s membership to and caregivers in hospitali-
of an ongoing war, with
which broke out around 8-8.30 p.m. on April 22, 2024, was The agreement seems to This makes it all the more pirations which is driven by the Organisation for Eco- ty industries, oil refineries,
tens of thousands of
exacerbated by the current atmospheric conditions. be a case of putting the cart imperative to institute safe- demand, demography, and nomic Cooperation and De- construction and service
civilian deaths, there are
Although initial containment efforts were successful in ex- before the horse: a knee- guards to secure the welfare drive. Labour migration has velopment (OECD) protocol sectors such as drivers.
wellfounded fears that
tinguishing the flames around 1 am, the fire rekindled with jerk response to maintain and well-being of workers been one of the significant is more binding and pro- The roles of Indian mi-
India’s agreement with
the arrival of dawn, emphasising the severity of the situation. bilateral relations and an going to conflict zones. The features of the last few de- tective of foreign worker’s grants have been diversified
Israel may come at a
Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the recurrence opportunity to ameliorate agreement between the cades. rights, their safety and se- in the wake of the Gulf econ-
heavy price
of such incidents highlights the critical need for a thorough India’s ongoing unemploy- Ministry of Skill Develop- Workers who move to curity. omies choosing to move be-
investigation of the underlying technical dynamics that cause ment crisis. Government ment and Entrepreneurship countries requiring emigra- Israel is already bound by yond their oil dependence. caught off-guard such as
landfill fires. schemes such as Atman- (MSDE), India and Israel’s tion clearance due to their OECD’s Employment Pro- This has been made pos- during the Kuwait Crisis of
The scientific basis for dumpsite fires is complex and mul- irbhar Bharat Rojgar Yoja- Population and Immigration unconducive labour laws are tection Act regarding labour sible with India’s strategic 1990s, Lebanon in 2006,
tifaceted, resulting from the convergence of physical, chem- na, Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Authority (PIBA) was signed required to register them- rights and provides them partnership with some of the Syria and Libya in 2011,
ical and human factors. A variety of processes at dumpsites Protsahan Yojana, Mahat- in November. selves under the Indian gov- protection, social security regional powers in the Gulf. South Sudan in 2013, the
like Bandhwari contribute to the generation of heat, which ma Gandhi National Rural A few weeks later, PIBA ernment’s e-Migrate portal, and health insurance. By the same standards, ow- Yemen and Iraq crisis of
is a precursor to fires. Among these, the decomposition of Employment Guarantee had conducted a meeting instituted since 2015 by the Around 14,000 Indian ing to India bolstering its re- 2015, and Congo crisis of
biodegradable waste plays a pivotal role, as the breakdown Act, Pradhan Mantri Garib with the National Skill Devel- Ministry of External Affairs, nurses and caregivers em- lations with Israel to strate- 2006 and 2017.
of organic matter releases heat, consequently raising tem- Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan and opment Corporation (NSDC) which offers insurance un- ployed in Israel have not re- gic partnership level in July Despite many efforts, In-
peratures within the dumpsite. Furthermore, the anaerobic other schemes to address to streamline the process of der the Pravasi Bharatiya turned to India or requested 2017, the decision to send dian diplomatic missions
decomposition of biodegradable waste results in the emis- the unemployability in the recruitment. Bhim Yojana and other pro- government agencies for as- labour to that country stems need to closely monitor the
sion of methane gas, a highly combustible substance. country have generated only The NSDC worked with tections. sistance despite the active from the need to increase security situation and as-
Studies have indicated that methane concentrations within meagre wages. the governments of Uttar Indian labour unions have conflict since October 2023. New Delhi’s engagement sess the threat perceptions
dumpsites (3-15 per cent) can far exceed those found in the The statistics are worry- Pradesh and Haryana to ini- raised concerns over the In- This was confirmed by the with Tel Aviv. to its communities. India
natural atmosphere (0.00017 per cent), posing a significant ing: the India Employment tiate recruitment processes, diaIsrael agreement as a vi- Kerala government agen- Domestic workers, for in- already uses its diplomatic
ignition risk. Compounding this risk are the presence of ignit- Report 2024 revealed that especially in the construc- olation of India’s emigration cy responsible for expat stance, in most of the Gulf channels, consular assis-
able materials, commonly known as “hot loads”, comprising the number of educated un- tion industry. rules that may endanger affairs. Most nurses in the Arab countries are not in- tance, logistical planning,
a variety of combustible materials such as brush, leaves, fuel, employed youth had nearly Among India’s various worker safety and be a po- caregiving sector are hired cluded under the foreign coordinates with interna-
tires, or reactive chemicals, which can spontaneously ignite, doubled to 65.7 percent in agreements is listed the tential threat to life in any ac- from Kerala. labour laws and thus are tional agencies and coun-
creating a volatile environment conducive to fire outbreaks. 2022 from 35.2 percent in protocol agreements be- tive conflict or conflict-prone Workers continue to face vulnerable to exploitation by tries, and communicates
External sources such as equipment, smoking and waste 2000. The report also noted tween India’s MSDE and region such as Israel. issues such as inadequate employers. with its citizens.
recyclers further contribute to the ignition potential, compli- an increase in self-employ- Israel regarding mobility According to India’s Em- social safety nets and are Likewise, in the event of This was seen most re-
cating fire containment efforts. Sub-surface fires pose an ment and widespread live- frameworks between the igration Act of 1983, no In- vulnerable to employer ex- exacerbation of conflict, cently during the Afghan-
even more formidable challenge at dumpsites, arising from lihood insecurity, marked two countries to facilitate dian can migrate for work ploitation, escalation of evacuation of huge work- istan and Ukraine crisis.
the infiltration of air into the waste mass, thereby providing by a skills deficit which re- worker movement under unless they obtain Emigra- violence and lack of legal er populations becomes a However, given the scale of
oxygen to sustain combustion. duced chances of employ- the NSDC, but these remain tion Check Required (ECR) protection. Some of these daunting task for the gov- work-related outmigration,
The waste materials, combined with methane generated ability. unspecified by the latter. status from the Indian au- aspects were exposed when ernment. It is time that the more effective and dedi-
within the landfill, serve as fuel for these fires, which remain More than 10 percent of The question of account- thorities. Qatar was preparing to host government invests in prop- cated means need to be
concealed beneath the surface, evading detection and extin- Indians between 15 and ability for the safety of Indi- However, as the number the FIFA World Cup 2022. er streamlined evacuation employed to safeguard the
guishment. Sub-surface fires not only endanger the lives of 29 years were unemployed an migrant workers remains of conflicts reduced over Workers’ rights were se- policies and must continu- workers in such regions. Co-
workers and firefighters but also pose environmental risks, during 2022-23. In contrast, one of passing the buck. the years after the signing verely violated and the emir- ously monitor the situations ordinated usage of technol-
leading to slope instability and the release of harmful emis- lucrative job opportunities, India has already issued a of peace treaties between ate was criticised the world in these countries. ogy and digital means under
sions. To reduce the risk of future fires at Bandhwari and skill development and pay- no-travel advisory to Israel some Arab states and Isra- over. There have been many the aegis of the Ministry of
other dumpsites, Gurugram’s waste management practices ment packages offered and Iran as both nations are el, to avoid inconvenience Around 8.5-9 million In- instances when India’s evac- Skill Development and En-
must be completely overhauled. Source segregation, which abroad, including the con- in an active military stand- for the migrants, the GoI dian expatriates are work- uation drive has been suc- trepreneurship to monitor
involves diverting waste to different facilities to reduce the flict-prone Middle East na- off. exempted certain countries ing in the Gulf countries, cessful yet done hastily and its workers can be a step
risk of combustion, is central to this effort. A strong commu- tions and the oil-rich states Indian expatriates play a from ECR list by October 1, of which the majority are the government has been forward in this regard.

Vedanta posts Q4 net profit of 1,369 crore

nication strategy must be developed to foster behavioural
change among residents and encourage them to embrace
segregation practices.
Furthermore, biodegradable waste should be systemati-
cally diverted away from dump sites, with a preference for
decentralised treatment methods like composting or bio- Anil Agarwalled Vedanta Ltd of the company in the Jan- optimisation, we achieved about Rs 1,000 crore be- creased 2 per cent because due to impairment charges
methanation. The conversion of organic waste into bio-com- on Thursday reported a 27.2 uary-March period dropped a remarkable EBITDA mar- cause of a mark down on Tu- of rise in ore production at of Rs 994 crore majorly at
pressed natural gas not only reduces pollution but also per cent decline in consoli- to Rs 36,093 crore as gin of 30 per cent in FY24 ticorin and ESL Steel assets. Zinc India and increased Tuticorin, partially offset
provides a viable revenue stream. Embracing dry waste recy- dated net profit to Rs 1,369 against Rs 38,635 crore in with 240 basis points an- In 2023-24, the consol- capitalisation in aluminum. by capital creditors written
cling initiatives and transitioning towards a zero-landfill mod- crore for the March quarter the year-ago period. nual margin expansion, idated revenue dropped In a statement, the com- back in the power sector of
el are pivotal steps towards sustainable waste management on account of a one-time “Driven by operational ex- underscoring our efficiency 2 per cent to Rs 1,41,793 pany said in FY24, the fi- Rs 793 crore,” Vedanta said
practices. Interim measures such as installing gas vents and impairment of Tuticorin as- cellence, Vedanta achieved and agility,” Vedanta Chief crore on account of lower nance cost increased 52 in a release.
compaction of waste, combined with daily soil cover, are criti- set. outstanding financial re- Financial Officer Ajay Goel commodity prices partial- per cent to Rs 9,465 crore, As on March 31, 2024,
cal for controlling methane gas accumulation and preventing The company had posted sults, marking the second said. ly offset by higher volume due to increase in average Vedanta’s gross debt was
fires. Regular monitoring and training programmes for work- a consolidated net profit highest annual revenue and Vedanta Executive Direc- across businesses and borrowings and cost of bor- at Rs 71,759 crore. Vedanta
ers and officials are required to identify and remove potential of Rs 1,881 crore in the EBITDA in our history, reach- tor Arun Misra said over favourable exchange rate rowings. Ltd, a subsidiary of Vedanta
hot loads, while strict compliance with regulations, including year-ago period, Vedanta ing Rs 1,41,793 crore and phone that a drop in net movement. “In the fourth quarter of Resources, is a diversified
smoking bans in dumpsite areas, is critical to reducing fire said in a filing to the BSE. Rs 36,455 crore, respective- profit was due to a couple of In FY2023-24, the depre- FY24, there was an excep- global natural resources
hazards and protecting public health and safety. The consolidated income ly. “Through continued cost accounting charges totalling ciation and amortisation in- tional loss of Rs 201 crore, company.
Lucknow News (English Daily) Lucknow, Saturday, 27 April 2024 3
InBrief ‘DELHIITES ARE EXTREMELY SAD THAT THEIR MOST POPULAR CM HAS BEEN PUT IN JAIL’

AAP members distribute pamphlets, appeal

NAUMAN IJAZ CHALLENGES STEREOTYPES IN
'MRS. & MR. SHAMEEM' ON ZINDAGI'S YT CHANNEL
LUCKNOW: Zindagi’s YouTube channel will now be stream-
ing Nauman Ijaz and Saba Qamar starrer ‘Mrs. & Mr. Sha-

people to answer arrest of Kejriwal with votes

meem’ starting 26th April, where new episodes will drop
every Tuesday & Friday. The show redefines gender roles
in a society that is blindfolded by traditional ideals of ro-
mance and masculinity. Nauman Ijaz who plays the role of
Shameem challenges stereotypes and breaks new ground
in this role. In a departure from his previous portrayals of OUR CORRESPONDENT cy. The campaign, titled “An- are standing at metro sta- Central Government ac-
macho personas like Mera Saeen as the scheming Ma- swer Jail with Votes,” was tions and distributing pam- countable for what they per-
lik Wajahat, Bari Apa as NEW DELHI: In a bold move conceived in response to the phlets and appealing to the ceive as an unjust imprison-
obedient Farmaan, Rehai aimed at galvanising pub- recent arrest of Delhi’s Chief people to ‘Jail ka jawab vote ment.
as the spiteful Waseem, lic support, the Aam Aad- Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, ig- se’ (answer jail by voting),” “Today the people of Delhi
Nauman will be step- mi Party (AAP) launched a niting widespread dismay Bharadwaj stated, under- are extremely sad that their
ping into character of an campaign urging Delhiites among residents. scoring the party’s multifac- most popular Chief Minister
effeminate man in this to express their dissent Bharadwaj emphasised eted approach to engaging Arvind Kejriwal has been put
show marking a signif- through the power of the the significance of the im- with the electorate. in jail.
icant shift in his career ballot box. pending Lok Sabha elec- The palpable discontent The people of Delhi want
graph. Directed by the tal- Cabinet minister Saurabh tions on May 25, rallying resonating among Delhiites to give an answer to this to
ented filmmaker Kashif Bharadwaj spearheaded commuters to exercise their was palpable, with Bharad- the Bharatiya Janata Party
Nissar, who also directed the initiative, alongside AAP democratic rights in defi- waj articulating their collec- and the Central government.
Zindagi’s upcoming show and INDIA alliance candi- ance of what he labelled a tive anguish over Kejriwal’s The Aam Aadmi Party and electoral process as a po- radwaj’s sentiments that
Pink Shirt said how Nau- date Somnath Bharti and “dictatorial regime.” incarceration. the people of Delhi have de- tent instrument of protest. their votes would serve as a
man Ijaz was always his first choice for the lead of Sha- other party volunteers, dis- “Today, along with the The AAP minister reiterat- cided that we will ‘answer The campaign resonated resounding rebuke to what
meem. ”I was very sure no one else would have been able to tributing pamphlets at Met- Aam Aadmi Party candidate ed the populace’s determi- jail with votes’,” Bharadwaj with commuters, who ex- they perceived as an unjust
do justice to this character as much as Nauman. From his ro stations across the New from New Delhi Lok Sabha nation to hold the Bharatiya affirmed, encapsulating the pressed solidarity with the assault on democratic prin-
unwavering dedication towards the nitty-gritty’s of the role Delhi Lok Sabha constituen- seat, Somnath Bharti, we Janata Party (BJP) and the party’s resolve to use the AAP’s cause, echoing Bha- ciples.

Why 3-time elected Congress and INDIA Alliance strategise

to the discipline that he had on set, Ijaz proved yet another
time the finesse that he carries in his work. With Nauman,
it is not just about reading out his lines with expressions, he
is a method actor who fully embraces his character. This
role, however, is bold and different from his previous roles. CM being treated to secure all 7 Lok Sabha seats in Capital
inhumanely, asks AAP
It takes courage to play the character of an effeminate man
so brilliantly despite all the challenges that an actor has to Congress and its INDIA Alli-
OUR CORRESPONDENT
face while portraying a personality on screen which is very ance partners to capitalise
different from their own. We are excited for the audience to OUR CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI: Subhash on this sentiment and so-
see this unusual yet cinematically brilliant side of Nauman.” Chopra, Chairman of the lidify their presence at the
TECH MAHINDRA POSTS STRONG Q4 RESULTS, NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Election Management Com- booth level, expressing con-
EYES STEADY EARNINGS GROWTH FOR FY'25 Party’s Rajya Sabha MP, mittee and Co-Ordination fidence in securing victory in
NEW DELHI: Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM), a leading glob- Sanjay Singh, has penned Committee for the Congress all seven seats. Key figures
al provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to scathing letters to Prime Party’s Delhi Lok Sabha like Rajesh Lilothia, Krish-
enterprises across industriesannounced the audited con- Minister Narendra Modi and elections, and AICC General na Tirath, Udit Raj, Ramesh
solidated financial results for its quarter and yearended Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, Secretary in-charge of Delhi Kumar, and former Delhi
March 31st, 2024. Mohit Joshi, Chief Executive Officerand Vinai Kumar Saxena, alleg- Congress, Deepak Babaria, Ministers also attended this
Managing Direc- ing continuous harassment held a crucial meeting on meeting.
tor, Tech Mahin- and surveillance of Delhi Thursday. The strategic assembly re-
dra,said, “As we Chief Minister Arvind Kejriw- The gathering comprised the district level and below, their utmost efforts at every flects the Congress and the
step into FY'25, al in Tihar Jail. free education, healthcare, Chairmen of the Lok Sabha aiming to ensure seamless booth to mobilise voters. INDIA Alliance’s concerted
we look forward Singh’s letters, demanding electricity, and water supply, Election Management Com- coordination with INDIA Al- With a palpable anti-BJP effort to assert their domi-
to improvement an end to what he described juxtaposing them against mittee, convenors, and liance partner, Aam Aadmi sentiment pervading Del- nance in the upcoming Lok
in clients spend- as “inhumane treatment,” the alleged mistreatment. other officials from District Party. hi’s electorate, Babaria un- Sabha elections, banking
ing, which fuels highlight the purported 24- Singh’s missive to PM Election Management Com- The goal is to consolidate derscored the opportune on a unified campaign ap-
our optimism for hour CCTV monitoring of Modi invoked the late PM mittees. Their objective was campaign strategies to moment to translate these proach and the prevailing
a better revenue performance ahead. Our unique ability Kejriwal by the Prime Min- Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s plea to develop a comprehensive clinch victory in all seven Lok sentiments into votes. He anti-BJP sentiment among
to enable customers with transformative scale at unpar- ister’s Office (PMO) and the for a healthy democratic campaign strategy covering Sabha seats in Delhi. He re- stressed the imperative for Delhi’s electorate.
alleled speed, differentiates us from competitors. FY'24 L-G’s office. Singh empha- environment, urging Modi not just the three Congress iterated the unified commit-
posed its fair share of challenges for the IT services sector; sised that such actions un- to compete with Kejriwal candidates but also the ‘IN- ment of senior leaders and
yet, amidst the global economic uncertainties, we contin- dermine democracy’s prin- through constructive work DIA’ Alliance contenders workers towards achieving
ue to observe a notable push towards digital adoption.” ciples and violate Kejriwal’s instead of intimidation. He vying for the remaining four a clean sweep across the
Rohit Anand, Chief Financial Officer, Tech Mahindra, said, fundamental rights. wrote, “If you want to com- Lok Sabha constituencies. Capital.
“With another quarter of robust cash generation, we have Singh lambasted the au- pete with Kejriwal then build Subhash Chopra empha- Echoing this sentiment,
reported improvement in deal wins and operating mar- thorities, stating, “The treat- a school like him, build a sised the formation of Joint Deepak Babaria urged
gins in Q4FY’24, which has enabled consistent dividend ment being meted out to hospital, provide free elec- Campaign Committees at Congress workers to exert
distribution. We are confident that our actions will lead to an elected chief minister tricity, and water and do pol-
steady earnings growth in the coming years. We will con- is against the dignity and itics of work.” Raised this matter with Iranian
tinue to focus on operational excellence and cost savings
to deliver superior shareholder returns.”
system of a democracy like
India.” He accused the PMO
In his letter to the L-G,
Singh condemned the pur- authorities: MEA on Kashmir
NISSAN ROLLS OUT FREE NATIONWIDE AC CHECK-
UP CAMP FOR CUSTOMERS
and L-G of turning Tihar Jail
into a “torture chamber” for
ported surveillance as a vio-
lation of constitutional rights
issue in Pak-Iran joint statement
GURUGRAM: Nissan Motor India has announced a two- Kejriwal, emphasising the and urged him to refrain OUR CORRESPONDENT Randhir Jaiswal said, “On
month long free AC check-up camp for its customers across purported surveillance as from partisan politics. “You that issue, we have raised
the country, reaffirming its commitment towards customer “disgusting, criminal, and are not holding a post of any NEW DELHI: In the wake of this matter with the Iranian
centricity and service excellence. Nissan will conduct the inhuman.” political party; hence you Kashmir issue finding its way authorities.”
AC check-up camps between 15th April to 15thJune 2024 Regarding Kejriwal’s should not be influenced by into a joint statement issued Responding to a poser on
at all Nissan authorizedservice workshops across India struggle to receive insulin, it,” Singh wrote, appealing at the conclusion of Iranian whether Raisi has also pro-
where all customers are eligible for a wide range of services Singh questioned, “Why is to the L-G’s sense of human- President Ebrahim Raisi’s posed to visit India, he said,
and discounts. Nis- the threetime elected Chief ity. Singh’s letter concluded visit to Pakistan, India on “Regarding your second
san’s highly skilled Minister being treated in- with a plea for Kejriwal’s Thursday said it has “raised question about their Presi-
and trained service humanely?” He highlight- humane treatment in jail, this matter with the Iranian dent’s visit, as you know, we
professionals will ed Kejriwal’s governance emphasising his popularity authorities”. inform you about such visits
conduct the AC achievements, including among Delhi’s residents. President Raisi paid an of- at appropriate time, when
check-up camp, ficial visit to Pakistan from everything is ready and final-
using Nissan Genu-
ine spare parts en-
AAP unveils LS campaign song April 22-24 at the invitation
of Prime Minister Shehbaz
ised.”
The joint statement stat-
suring a seamless OUR CORRESPONDENT will respond to jailing Kejriw- Sharif. He was accompanied ed that taking note of de-
service experience. All Nissan and Datsun vehicle own- al through voting). Speaking by a high-level delegation velopments at regional and
ers can schedule a service appointment for the check-up NEW DELHI: The Aam Aad- at the song launch, AAP Ra- comprising Foreign Minister global levels, both sides
through the NISSANONE App or the Nissan Motor India mi Party (AAP) on Thursday jya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh Amir Abdollahian as well as stressed the importance of
website (www.nissan.in) with ease. This initiative not only launched its Lok Sabha called upon the workers to other members of the cabi- peaceful settlement of dis-
enhancesNissan’s promise of a hassle-free ownership campaign song titled ‘jail work hard to convert the “an- net and senior officials. putes through dialogue and
experience but also serves as a token of appreciation ke jawab mein hum vote ger” among the countrymen Pakistan and Iran have diplomacy to find mutual-
for customer confidence in the Nissan brand.The ser- denge’, aiming to generate over Kejriwal’s arrest into agreed that the Kashmir ly acceptable solutions to
vice camps will be held across the company’s extensive sympathy in view of Delhi votes. He said that a chair issue should be resolved common challenges. India
120service workshop network, which currently caters to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriw- was left vacant for Kejriwal. through “peaceful means has previously rejected such
all Nissan and Datsun branded vehicles. al’s arrest. “Whatever programmes based on the will of the peo- statements by other coun-
PW VIDYAPEETH CELEBRATES 99TH PERCENTILE The over two-minute long were held in this courtyard, ple” of the region, said a joint tries on the Kashmir issue.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN JEE MAIN SESSION 2 RESULTS! song, penned and sung in rap whether it was a demonstra- statement issued by the “The Union Territory of Jam-
LUCKNOW: Physics Wallah (PW), a leading ed-tech com- style by AAP MLA and party’s tion, movement or prepara- two countries after Raisi’s mu & Kashmir and the Union
pany known for affordable and high-quality education, has chief whip in Delhi Assembly tion related to the election, maiden visit to Islamabad on Territory of Ladakh are and
announced exceptional results in the JEE Main Exam Ses- Dilip Pandey, was launched we could see him during that Wednesday. always will be integral and
sion 2, from its Vidyapeeth center in Lucknow, as 207 stu- by the party leaders at the time. He stood firmly with the In response to a question inalienable parts of India. No
dents qualify for JEE Advanced, and 6 students achieved AAP headquarters. Delhi BJP party workers, Delhiites and on the Kashmir issue being other country has locus stan-
scores above the 99th percentile. Overall, 4,000+ Vidyap- chief Virendra Sachdeva said worked together with them mentioned in the joint state- di to comment on the same,”
eeth students have qualified for the exam across India. Of the public will not support raising his voice,” Singh said. ment, Ministry of External the MEA spokesperson has
these, 399 students scored above the 99 percentile, while the AAP and they will suffer Kejriwal was arrested by Affairs (MEA) spokesperson asserted repeatedly.
192 students achieved an impressive above 99.5 percen- a crushing defeat. the Enforcement Director-
tile score. Additionally, 118 of Vidyapeeth students bagged “No matter how many ate (ED) in a excise poli- SC IMPOSES RS 5 LAKH COSTS ON CENTRE FOR
ranks under 1,000 All India Rank (AIR), including both Com- pamphlets the Aam Aadmi cy-linked money laundering FILING FRIVOLOUS PETITION
mon Rank List (CRL) and Category rank lists. Shreyash Ti- Party distributes or songs case on March 21. He is NEW DELHI:The Supreme Court has imposed costs of
wari - AIR 545 (GEN-EWS) is among the star students of they play, the public will not currently lodged under judi- Rs 5 lakh on the Centre for challenging a Meghalaya High
PW Vidyapeeth, Lucknow. Ankit Gupta, PW's Offline CEO, support them anymore and cial custody in Tihar Jail in Court order, holding it was “sheer abuse” of the process
said, "Seeing students from our Vidyapeeth centres achieve they will suffer a severe de- connection with the case till of law. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Satish Chan-
such high percentiles fills us with immense pride and reas- feat in the Lok Sabha elec- May 7. Pandey said all elec- dra Sharma said there was no occasion or justification
sures us that we are on the right track. Special thanks to tions,” he added. The party’s tion campaign songs of the for the Union of India to have challenged the order by way
all the teachers for working relentlessly and continuously Lok Sabha campaign has a AAP launched so far have of a Special Leave Petition. “The present petition is sheer
pushing their limits. For the students who did not qualify, similar theme and is titled reflected the sentiments of abuse of the process of law. The petitioners are cautioned
remember that we are with you, and we will work harder.” ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ (we the public. not to file such frivolous petitions in future.
4 Lucknow, Saturday, 27 April 2024
Key battles in Kerala, Karnataka,
Rajasthan as phase 2 polls kick of
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: The stage is
set for voting to take place
for the second phase of Lok
Sabha polls on Friday for 89
seats in 13 states and Union
Territory. Prominent among
leading political leaders
who are in the fray this time
include Congress leader Ra-
hul Gandhi who is seeking a
second-straight term from
Wayanad in Kerala.
All 20 seats of Kerala will
go to polls besides 14 of the
28 seats in Karnataka, 13
seats in Rajasthan, 8 seats
each in Maharashtra and Ut-
tar Pradesh, 7 seats in Mad-
hya Pradesh, 5 seats each
in Assam and Bihar, 3 seats
each in Chhattisgarh and
West Bengal, and 1 seat
each in Manipur, Tripura and
Jammu and Kashmir.
A total of 1,206 candi-
dates with four from the
Outer Manipur constituen-
cy will contest elections in
this phase, campaigning for
which came to a close on
Wednesday evening.
Congress leader Shashi
Tharoor, Union minister Ra-
jeev Chandrasekhar and ac-
tor-turnedpolitician Arun Go-
vil, Karnataka Deputy Chief
Minister DK Shivakumar’s
EC notices to BJP, Cong chiefs over
complaints against PM Modi, Rahul
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: The stage is
set for voting to take place
for the second phase of Lok
Sabha polls on Friday for 89
seats in 13 states and Union
Territory. Prominent among
leading political leaders
who are in the fray this time
include Congress leader Ra-
hul Gandhi who is seeking
a second-straight term from
Wayanad in Kerala.
All 20 seats of Kerala will
go to polls besides 14 of
the 28 seats in Karnataka,
13 seats in Rajasthan, 8
seats each in Maharashtra
and Uttar Pradesh, 7 seats
in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats
each in Assam and Bihar, 3
seats each in Chhattisgarh
and West Bengal, and 1 seat
each in Manipur, Tripura and
Jammu and Kashmir.
A total of 1,206 candi-
dates with four from the
Outer Manipur constituen-
cy will contest elections in
this phase, campaigning for
which came to a close on
Wednesday evening. Con-
gress leader Shashi Tharoor,
Union minister Rajeev Chan-
drasekhar and actor-turned-
politician Arun Govil, Karna-
taka Deputy Chief Minister
Bihar: 6 persons killed in fire at Patna hotel
OUR CORRESPONDENT
PATNA: Six persons, includ-
ing three women, died in a
major fire that broke out on
Thursday inside a hotel, situ-
ated close to a railway station
in Patna, police said. Accord-
ing to Chandra Prakash, SP
(City Central), Patna, rescue
work is over at the hotel near
Patna Junction, where the
blaze had erupted around 11
am with more than 20 peo-
ple trapped inside.
“The deceased include
three women. In addition,
INDIA GRANTED OVER 1.03 LAKH PATENTS IN FY24, SAYS OFFICIAL
NEW DELHI: India granted 1.03 lakh patents in financial year 2023-24, Controller General of Patents, Designs and
Trademarks Unnat Pandit said on Thursday, as he assured that there will be “no delay” in the Intellectual Property Of-
fice as it prioritises timely clearance of applications. Addressing an Assocham event here, he shared that 40 per cent
of the applications were disposed of within 30 months of the request for examination.
SC to utilise WhatsApp for sharing
89 SEATS UP FOR GRABS IN 13 STATES AND UT
cause lists and case filing info: CJI
brother DK Suresh (Cong),
and former Karnataka chief
minister HD Kumaraswamy
(JDS) are among the key can-
didates while BJP’s Hema
Malini, Om Birla and Gajen-
dra Singh Shekhawat are
seeking a hat-trick of wins
from their respective con-
stituencies. Gandhi is the sit-
ting MP from Wayanad and
is pitted against CPI’s Annie
Raja and BJP’s K Surendran.
Tharoor is aiming to win
the Thiruvananthapuram
seat for the fourth time.
He is pitted against Chan-
drasekhar from the BJP and
CPI’s Pannyan Raveendran.
Hema Malini, who has rep-
resented the Mathura con-
stituency since 2014, is con-
testing against Congress’s
Mukesh Dhangar while Om
Birla, a two-time MP from
Kota, is facing Prahlad Gun-
DK Shivakumar’s brother DK
Suresh (Cong), and former
Karnataka chief minister
HD Kumaraswamy (JDS) are
among the key candidates
while BJP’s Hema Malini,
Om Birla and Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat are seeking a
hat-trick of wins from their
respective constituencies.
Gandhi is the sitting MP
from Wayanad and is pitted
against CPI’s Annie Raja and
BJP’s K Surendran.
Tharoor is aiming to win
the Thiruvananthapuram
seat for the fourth time.
He is pitted against Chan-
drasekhar from the BJP and
CPI’s Pannyan Raveendran.
Hema Malini, who has rep-
resented the Mathura con-
stituency since 2014, is con-
testing against Congress’s
Mukesh Dhangar while Om
Birla, a two-time MP from
Kota, is facing Prahlad Gun-
two persons with severe burn
injuries are in a critical condi-
tion, and they have been ad-
mitted to hospital,” Prakash
told reporters. Police are
jal of the Congress.
Union minister Shekha-
wat is eyeing a third win
from the Jodhpur seat and
is pitted against Congress
candidate Karan Singh Uchi-
yarda. Tejasvi Surya, the sit-
ting MP for Bangalore South
and the national president
of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva
Morcha (BJYM), will face
Congress’s Sowmya Red-
dy. Former chief minister of
Chhattisgarh and Congress
leader Bhupesh Baghel is
contesting from Rajnandga-
on, a stronghold of the BJP
for over 30 years.
Govil, who portrayed Lord
Ram’s character in Ra-
mayan TV series, is making
his electoral debut against
BSP’s Devvrat Kumar Tya-
gi and SP’s Sunita Verma
from the Meerut Lok Sabha
seat. The contest for the
jal of the Congress. Union
minister Shekhawat is eye-
ing a third win from the Jodh-
pur seat and is pitted against
Congress candidate Karan
Singh Uchiyarda.
Tejasvi Surya, the sitting
MP for Bangalore South and
the national president of
the Bharatiya Janata Yuva
Morcha (BJYM), will face
Congress’s Sowmya Red-
dy. Former chief minister of
Chhattisgarh and Congress
leader Bhupesh Baghel is
contesting from Rajnandga-
on, a stronghold of the BJP
for over 30 years.
Govil, who portrayed Lord
Ram’s character in Ramayan
TV series, is making his elec-
toral debut against BSP’s
Devvrat Kumar Tyagi and
SP’s Sunita Verma from the
Meerut Lok Sabha seat. The
contest for the Alappuzha
seat in Kerala has turned into
trying to ascertain the iden-
tity of the deceased and the
critically injured persons so
that their family members
could be informed, he said.
Alappuzha seat in Kerala
has turned into a prestige
battle for the Congress with
All India Congress Commit-
tee (AICC) general secretary
K C Venugopal’s return to
the Lok Sabha poll fray af-
ter 2014 as the party looks
to wrest the only seat it
lost to the CPI(M)-led Left
Democratic Front (LDF) in
its landslide 19-1 victory in
Kerala in the 2019 polls.
Venugopal has not lost any
major election in his career.
He won the Alappuzha As-
sembly seat thrice in a row
in 1996, 2001, and 2006
and was elected to the Lok
Sabha from Alappuzha in
2009 and 2014.
In 2019, he did not con-
test after the party elevated
him to the post of the AICC
general secretary. Sukanta
Majumdar, incumbent BJP
MP from Balurghat in West
Bengal is seeking re-elec-
tion. He is pitted against Bi-
plab Mitra of the Trinamool
Congress and Joydeb Sid-
dhanta of the Revolutionary
Socialist Party. Staggered
over seven stages, the first
phase of the elections held
last Friday for 102 seats
across 21 states and Union
territories saw a voter turn-
out of around 63 per cent.
a prestige battle for the Con-
gress with All India Congress
Committee (AICC) general
secretary K C Venugopal’s
return to the Lok Sabha poll
fray after 2014 as the party
looks to wrest the only seat
it lost to the CPI(M)-led Left
Democratic Front (LDF) in its
landslide 19-1 victory in Ker-
ala in the 2019 polls. Venu-
gopal has not lost any major
election in his career. He won
the Alappuzha Assembly
seat thrice in a row in 1996,
2001, and 2006 and was
elected to the Lok Sabha
from Alappuzha in 2009 and
2014.
In 2019, he did not contest
after the party elevated him
to the post of the AICC gener-
al secretary.
Sukanta Majumdar, in-
cumbent BJP MP from Bal-
urghat in West Bengal is
seeking re-election. He is
pitted against Biplab Mitra of
the Trinamool Congress and
Joydeb Siddhanta of the Rev-
olutionary Socialist Party.
Staggered over seven
stages, the first phase of the
elections held last Friday for
102 seats across 21 states
and Union territories saw a
voter turnout of around 63
per cent.
“We are not able to pinpoint
the reason that may have led
to the fire. Forensic experts
have been called and based
on their findings, we will take
further action,” the SP add-
ed.
Meanwhile, District Mag-
istrate Shirsat Kapil Ashok,
said: “A fire audit has been or-
dered of all hotels and other
commercial establishments,
especially those situated in
congested localities like the
one near Patna Junction. We
will ensure strict compliance
with fire safety norms.”
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice
D Y Chandrachud heralded
a new era of digital integra-
tion for the Supreme Court
on Thursday, declaring that
case listings, filings, and
cause lists will now be com-
municated to lawyers via
WhatsApp.
This eco-friendly initiative
is expected to significantly
reduce paper usage and
contribute to environmental
conservation. During a ses-
sion with a nine-judge pan-
el, the Chief Justice made
the announcement, which
coincided with a hearing on
whether private properties
fall under “material resourc-
es of the community” as per
Article 39(b) of the Constitu-
tion.
“In the 75th year of its ex-
istence, the Supreme Court
launches a small initiative. It
has the potential to have a
bigbang impact. WhatsApp
messenger has been a ubiq-
uitous service in our daily
lives and has taken the role
of a powerful communica-
tion tool. To strengthen the
Kharge writes to PM, seeks
time to explain ‘Nyay Patra
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Amid the rag-
ing row sparked by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s
remarks on the Congress
manifesto, party chief Mal-
likarjun Kharge has writ-
ten to him, saying that he
“would be more than happy
to meet you in person to ex-
plain our Nyay Patra”.
In an all-out attack on the
main Opposition party, the
Prime Minister has alleged
that the Congress has a
wealth redistribution plan
that it will put in motion if it
comes to power.
Under this alleged plan,
private property, including
houses and jewellery, will
be taken away and redis-
tributed, he has said. Even
mangalsutra - a jewellery
worn by women as a sign
of their marriage - won’t be
spared, the Prime Minister
has claimed.
In his two-page letter, he
told the Prime Minister that
he is being misinformed by
his advisors about things
that are not even written in
the ‘Nyay Patra’ -- the Con-
gress’ manifesto for the Lok
Sabha elections. I
n his letter, Kharge said
the Congress’ ‘Nyay Patra’
aims at providing “nyay
(justice)” to the youngsters,
women, farmers, labourers
and marginalised people
across all castes and com-
munities.
“It has become your habit
to seize on a few words tak-
en out of context and create
a communal divide. You are
lowering the dignity of the
chair by speaking in this
India rejects US report citing human
rights violations, terms it ‘biased’
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: The US State De-
partment published its annu-
al human rights assessment
on Monday, covering sys-
temic human rights records
across nearly 200 countries,
according to US Secretary of
State Antony Blinken.
Within 72 hours of the
report’s release, the Indian
government rejected the
findings, calling them “deep-
right to access to justice
and enhance transparency
in the judicial system, the
Supreme Court announces
integration of WhatsApp
messaging services with
its IT services,” the CJI said.
Justice Chandrachud de-
tailed that Advocates-onRe-
cords and self-representing
litigants will receive auto-
mated updates on case
proceedings, including elec-
tronic filings, cause lists,
and judicial decisions.
The registry will dispatch
cause lists to the bar mem-
bers upon publication, and
the court’s decisions and
orders will also be circulated
through WhatsApp. Solicitor
General Tushar Mehta laud-
manner,” he said.
The Congress chief also
said he is neither shocked
nor surprised by the lan-
guage used by the Prime
Minister in his recent
speeches. “It was expected
that you and other leaders
from your party would start
speaking in this manner af-
ter you saw the dismal per-
formance of the BJP in the
first phase of the elections,”
Kharge said.
The Congress has been
talking about the deprived
poor and their rights (“nyay”),
he said and added, “We are
aware that you and your gov-
ernment do not have any
concern for the poor and
dispossessed.” “Your ‘suit-
boot ki sarkar’ works for the
corporates whose taxes you
reduced while the salaried
class pays higher taxes.
The poor pay GST even
on food and salt and the
rich corporate claim GST re-
funds. That is why, when we
talk of inequality between
the rich and the poor, you
are purposely equating it
with Hindu and Muslim,”
Kharge claimed. “Our mani-
festo is for the people of In-
dia — whether they are Hin-
du, Muslim, Christian, Sikh,
ly biased” and reflecting a
“poor understanding of In-
dia.” Addressing the press
on Thursday in the national
capital, Indian Foreign Min-
istry spokesperson Randhir
Jaiswal stated: “We attach
no value to it and urge you
to do the same.” The US
State Department’s report
highlighted several “serious
human rights issues” in In-
dia, including “obstacles”
faced by opposition parties,
Lucknow News (English Daily)
ed this development as rev-
olutionary.
Justice Chandrachud ex-
pressed optimism that this
digital stride would trans-
form work practices and aid
in preserving the environ-
ment. He also mentioned
the transition of the court’s
services to the Meghraj
cloud 2.0, an infrastructure
developed by the National
Informatics Centre, ensuring
data storage within India.
Addressing disparities
in technological adoption,
the Chief Justice noted that
some high courts require
advance notice for video
conferencing, especially for
older lawyers. He empha-
sised the need for uniformi-
Jain or Buddhist. I think you
have still not forgotten your
pre-Independence allies the
Muslim League and colonial
masters,” he charged.
Kharge claimed that Con-
gress has always served
to empower the poor while
“you have ruled to snatch
the earnings and wealth of
the poor”.
He said in the letter: “Your
government was the one
who used demonetisation
as an ‘organised loot and
legalised plunder’ to trans-
fer the money deposited
by the poor in the banks to
the rich in the form of loans.
Then, as part of a conscious
design, these loans were
surreptitiously written off by
your government.
The lakhs of crores of
corporate loans that your
government has written off
since 2014 is a transfer of
wealth from poor to rich.
No farmer’s loans, artisan’s
loans, MSME loans or stu-
dent loans were waived off
by you.” “You and your gov-
ernment have repeatedly
turned away from the atroc-
ities that the poor and back-
ward women are facing …
Today, you talk about their
‘mangalsutra’.
the government’s failure to
manage the ethnic conflict
in Manipur, and allegations
related to the killing of sep-
aratist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The assessment noted “sig-
nificant human rights abus-
es” in Manipur following the
outbreak of conflict between
the Kuki-Zo tribals and the
Meitei in May 2023. It cited
instances of “armed conflict,
sexual violence,” and the “de-
struction of homes.
ty and the Supreme Court’s
directive to facilitate this
process. Underscoring the
importance of video con-
ferencing facilities, the CJI
said if the investigation offi-
cer (IO) of a case has been
transferred, he should be
able to appear virtually. The
trial court proceedings need
not be adjourned if the IO
has been shifted, he said.
The Chief Justice revealed
the government’s financial
support for high courts to
adopt these technologies,
with funds being directly al-
located by the central gov-
ernment through the e-court
committee.
Under Chief Justice
Chandrachud’s guidance,
the Supreme Court has
been actively digitising its
operations, with the Centre
allocating Rs 7,000 crore
for the e-court initiative.
Echoing the government’s
commitment, the Solicitor
General conveyed the prime
minister’s directive prioritis-
ing digitization to broaden
access to justice, aligning
with the government’s ob-
jectives.
FIRE BREAKS OUT IN
PLASTIC PIPES IN
DELHI’S JAMIA NAGAR;
NO INJURIES
NEW DELHI: Five fire
tenders were rushed to
southeast Delhi’s Jamia
Nagar after some plastic
pipes caught fire, the DFS
officials said. No casu-
alties were reported, the
Delhi Fire Services official
said. “A call was received
at 1.25 pm regarding
some plastic pipes that
caught fire in the Jamia
Nagar area. Initially we
had sent four fire tenders
to the spot to douse the
flames. One more fire ten-
der was sent to the spot
for the cooling process,”
the official said. The blaze
was doused by 2.15 pm,
he added. “Two fire ten-
ders are still there for the
cooling process. Reason
of the fire is yet to be as-
certained,” said the offi-
cial.
MEMBER OF HASHIM
BABA GANG HELD,
DELHI POLICE FOILS
EXTORTION BID
NEW DELHI: The Delhi po-
lice has arrested a mem-
ber of the Hashim Baba
gang and foiled an extor-
tion bid of Rs 50 lakh from
a businessman, officials
said on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, the po-
lice laid a trap to arrest the
accused, Areeb (24), who
was supposed to meet his
associates in the Kardam
Puri area on Wednesday.
“He was directed by gang
members to extort Rs 50
lakhs from a business-
man by firing outside his
office,” DCP (Special Cell)
Amit Kaushik said.
During inquiry, Areeb dis-
closed that he was acting
on the instructions of the
jailed gangster Hashim
Baba.
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