RNI NO.

: DELENG/2005/15351
MILLENNIUMPOST.IN

PUBLISHED FROM DELHI | KOLKATA | SILIGURI VOL.19, ISSUE 120 | Wednesday, 1 May, 2024 | New Delhi | Pages 12 | Rs 5.00
No Half Truths

City: Pg 3 Nation: Pg 5 Film: Pg 12

Kejriwal’s health is fine: Mann We don’t send dossiers on terror; we Ileana says most of her
after meeting him in Tihar Jail kill them on their home turf: Modi work has gone ‘unnoticed’

SC questions ED on timing of Delhi JD(S) suspends Prajwal as

Cong, BJP remain at odds
CM’s arrest, seeks reply by Friday Supriya Shrinate alleges Modi and Shah
knew about the scandal beforehand
TERMS LIFE AND LIBERTY AS ‘EXCEEDINGLY IMPORTANT’ OUR CORRESPONDENT

BENGALURU: The sensational

MPOST BUREAU
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court
on Tuesday asked the Enforcement
Directorate (ED) to respond to the
questions related to the arrest of
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejri-
wal, including the timing of his arrest
just before the Lok Sabha elections.
The apex court termed life and
liberty as “exceedingly important”
and questioned the ED on the tim-
ing of Kejriwal’s arrest ahead of the
general elections in the excise pol-
icy-linked money laundering case.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv
Khanna and Dipankar Datta, which
continued hearing Kejriwal’s plea
challenging his arrest for the con-
secutive day, posed several queries
to Additional Solicitor General S
V Raju, appearing for the ED, and
sought his reply on Friday.
“Life and liberty are exceedingly
important. You can’t deny that,” the
bench told Raju and sought his
reply, saying: “The last question
is with regard to the timing of the
arrest, which they have pointed out,
the timing of the arrest, soon before
the general elections.”
The bench also flagged the long
time gap between the initiation of
adjudication proceedings in the
Lawyers form a human chain to protest against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, at Connaught Place, in New Delhi, on Tuesday
case and the action of arrest, say-
ing that section 8 of the Preven-
tion of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA) provides a maximum
limit of 365 days.
The apex court is likely to con-
tinue hearing Kejriwal’s plea on
Friday as the two judges will be
sitting in different combinations
from Wednesday.
It said: “Mr Raju, we have some
questions, which we would like you
to answer, when you make your
submissions. First is without there
being any adjudicatory proceed-
ings, can the ED initiate a crimi-
nal proceedings in view of several
judgements of this court on PMLA.”
The bench said in this case there
are no proceedings of attachments
so far and if there are any such pro-
ceedings, then the ED will have to
show how the petitioner (Kejriwal)
is connected to it.
Justice Khanna said the verdict
on the bail plea of former deputy
chief minister Manish Sisodia, who
Key Points
»»Singhvi accused the ED
of omitting evidence
favourable to Kejriwal
and raised questions
about the validity of the
incriminating statements
»»Singhvi scrutinised
the statements of five
individuals - Magunta
Sreenivasulu Reddy
(MSR), MSR’s son Ma-
gunta Raghava Reddy,
P Sarath Chandra
Reddy, Buchi Babu and
C Arvind — highlighting
inconsistencies and pres-
sures that led to their
PTI
testimonies
is in custody in the excise policy
scam case, was divided into two
parts – the first part was in favour
of Sisodia and the second part was
against him.
“You (Raju) have to tell us which
part of Sisodia verdict does the peti-
tioner (Kejriwal) case lie,” the bench
asked.  Continued on P4
alleged sex scandal involving Has-
san MP Prajwal Revanna continues
to dominate the political discourse
in Karnataka amid the ongoing
multi-phase Lok Sabha elections.
The Janata Dal (S), in a damage
control exercise, on Tuesday sus-
pended Prajwal Revanna from the
party with immediate effect.
The suspension came minutes
after the party core committee that
met in Hubballi recommended his
suspension to its national president
and former Prime Minister H D
Deve Gowda, who is also Revanna’s
grandfather. NSUI members burn a poster of JD(S) MP
“Videos of Hassan MP Pra- Prajwal Revanna during a protest against
jwal Revanna allegedly harassing his involvement in the alleged sexual
women are widely in circulation on abuse case, in Bengaluru, on Tuesday PTI
social media and media and this has
caused huge embarrassment to the to the polls on Friday. The 33-year-
party and its leadership,” the suspen- old is the son of H D Deve Gowda’s
sion order said. elder son H D Revanna, who is an
Stating that the Congress gov- MLA and a former Minister. Pra-
ernment in Karnataka has consti- jwal’s uncle H D Kumaraswamy is
tuted a Special Investigation Team the state president of JD(S).
(SIT) to investigate this, it said: “In Some explicit video clips alleg-
this backdrop, as per JD(S)’ party edly involving Prajwal Revanna had
constitution and rules regarding started making the rounds in Has-
breach of discipline and punish- san in recent days.
ment, Prajwal Revanna has been The core committee meeting
suspended with immediate effect.” was attended by state JD(S) Presi-
Prajwal is the BJP-JD(S) alliance’s dent H D Kumaraswamy and other
candidate from Hassan, which went members.  Continued on P4

LS polls: Cong fields Raj FAKE ADs CASE AstraZeneca admits

Constitution, soul of poor, Babbar from Gurgaon, SC warns IMA president of ‘serious ‘very rare’ side effect
will be ‘thrown away’ by BJP
if it returns to power
Anand Sharma from Kangra consequences’ over critical comments of COVID vaccine
Rahul Gandhi OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: The Congress
In today’s party has announced its new can-
didate list for the ongoing Lok
paper Sabha elections, with notable
names including actor-turned-
... politician Raj Babbar and former
Union minister Anand Sharma.
City Raj Babbar will contest from the
Gurgaon constituency in Hary-
COURT DISMISSES BAIL PLEAS OF SISODIA3 ana, while Anand Sharma will
represent the party in Kangra,
Nation Himachal Pradesh.
In addition, Satpal Raizada,
‘BJP WILL TEAR CONSTITUTION APART’5 who has previously served as an
Edit MLA, will run from the Hamir-
pur seat in Himachal Pradesh,
AN UNYIELDING INFLUENCE 7 facing off against BJP’s Anurag
Thakur. Mumbai’s Bhushan
International Patil, a local Congress leader,
has been nominated to challenge
NETANYAHU VOWS TO INVADE RAFAH8 Union minister Piyush Goyal
for the Mumbai North seat in
Business Maharashtra.
INDIA’S GOLD DEMAND UP 8% IN Q4 10 Anand Sharma, known for
his involvement in the G23 fac-
Sport tion that has been critical of the
party’s leadership, is set to com-
BUTTLER TO LEAD ENG IN T20 WC 11 pete against BJP’s Rajiv Bhard-
waj for the Kangra seat. The BJP
Raj Babbar
has opted for Bhardwaj over the
incumbent MP Kishan Kapoor in
this election.
This election marks Anand
Sharma’s first attempt at a Lok
Sabha seat. His political career
includes a failed bid for the
Himachal Pradesh Assembly in
1982 and subsequent terms as a
Rajya Sabha member since 1984.
Sharma has also held the position
of Union minister and served as
the deputy leader of Congress in
the Rajya Sabha until his retire-
ment in 2022.
Raj Babbar faces Rao Inderjit
Singh, a seasoned BJP politician
and Union minister, who has rep-
resented Gurgaon for three terms.
Singh’s political Continued on P4
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: The Supreme
Court on Tuesday acknowl-
edged an “improvement” in
Patanjali Ayurved’s approach
as the company included co-
founder Ramdev’s name in its
public apology for previous mis-
leading advertisements, while
also warning the Indian Med-
ical Association (IMA) presi-
dent of serious consequences
for his critical comments about
the court.
A bench of justices Hima
Kohli and Ahsanuddin
Amanullah told senior advo-
cate Mukul Rohatgi, appear-
ing for Ramdev, Balkrishna and
Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, that the
language of the apology was
adequate and the names were
also there in it.
“I don’t know the sec-
ond apology is on whose vet-
ting. There has been marked
improvement,” Justice Amanul-
lah said, adding: “We appreci-
ate that. Now finally they have
understood.”
Takeaways
»»Uttarakhand State
Licensing Authority faces
SC ire for ‘inaction’
»»SC appreciates ‘marked
improvement’ in public
apology by Ramdev,
Balkrishna, Patanjali
He said earlier when the apol-
ogy was published, only the com-
pany’s name was there.
“Now the names have come.
It is a marked improvement,
we appreciate that,” Justice
Amanullah observed, adding:
“The language is adequate.”
The court has requested
Ramdev and Acharya
Balkrishna to submit the orig-
inal newspaper pages contain-
ing the public apology for the
record. The matter is set for
a hearing on May 7, with the
court granting Ramdev and
Balkrishna exemption from
personal appearance at the next
hearing.
During the proceedings, the
court expressed serious con-
cerns over remarks by IMA
President RV Asokan, which
were highlighted by Patanjali’s
representative, Senior Advo-
cate Mukul Rohatgi.
Rohatgi, appearing for
Patanjali, told the bench that
he had come across a “very dis-
turbing interview” given by the
president of IMA on Monday.
“He (IMA president) says
why has the court turned its
fingers at us. The court is mak-
ing vague and irrelevant state-
ments. The court is taking a
broadside at us. We have done
a great job. Our people have
died,” Rohatgi said.
“This will be more serious
than what we have been doing
now… So much water has
flown and the proceeding has
taken a turn. Be prepared for
more serious consequences,”
Justice  Continued on P4
LONDON: In a recent legal
submission to the High Court
in London, AstraZeneca (AZ),
the UK-based pharmaceutical
behemoth, acknowledged that
its COVID-19 vaccine, devel-
oped in collaboration with the
University of Oxford, has been
linked to blood clot-related
side effect in a minuscule frac-
tion of cases. This admission,
as reported by ‘The Daily Tele-
graph’, came in response to a
lawsuit filed by 51 individuals
alleging harm from the vaccine.
The document states:
“AstraZeneca concedes that
the vaccine may, in exceptional
instances, lead to Thrombosis
with Thrombocytopenia Syn-
drome (TTS). The underly-
ing cause of this effect remains
unidentified. Moreover, it is
possible for  Continued on P4

Raghav Chadha underwent BCCI SELECTORS STICK TO FAMILIAR FORMULA

major eye surgery, risked
losing eyesight: Bharadwaj
MPOST BUREAU
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s
Health Minister, Saurabh
Bharadwaj, revealed on
Tuesday that AAP’s Rajya
Sabha MP, Raghav Chadha,
underwent a significant eye
surgery in the UK. Bharad-
waj said that Chadha’s condi-
tion was severe, posing a risk
of blindness. Once recov-
ered, Chadha is expected to
rejoin AAP’s campaigning
efforts for the ongoing Lok
Sabha elections.
Punjab Chief Minister
Bhagwant Mann, too, said
Chadha will campaign for
the party for the general
assembly elections.
Chadha, AAP’s MP from
Punjab, has been missing
from the party’s election
campaigning.
“Raghav Chadha has
undergone a major eye
surgery in the UK. It is said
that his condition was seri-
ous and there was a pos-
sibility of blindness. As
soon as he gets better, he
will come back to India and
join us in the election cam-
Raghav Chadha FILE PHOTO
paigning,” Bharadwaj said.
On a question about
Chadha joining the election
campaign, Mann said, “He
will definitely campaign.”
“There are 11 players
(in cricket). Then there is
the coaching staff, people
who bowl and bat in the
nets and four extra play-
ers. Everyone is fulfill-
ing their responsibilities,”
he said while speaking to
reporters after his meet-
ing with Delhi Chief Min-
ister Arvind Kejriwal in
Tihar jail.
“We have an organisa-
tion and whoever is assigned
some duty, they will do it.
On June 4, AAP will emerge
as a strong political power,”
Mann added.
Rohit to lead India’s T20 World Cup campaign; Sanju,
Chahal in, Shubman & Rinku miss out on main squad
S KANNAN
NEW DELHI: Like the pro-
verbial old wine in a new
bottle, the Board of Control
for Cricket in India (BCCI)
selection committee, headed
by Ajit Agarkar, plumped
for Rohit Sharm as captain
for the ICC T20 World
Cup. Minus intrigue or
suspense, the inclusion
of Virat Kohli, indeed
a marquee player,
Rohit and the return
Sharma of Rishabh Pant
in the 15-man
squad has shown
the selectors pre-
ferred
Jasprit Bumrah Yuzvendra Chahal Kuldeep Yadav Axar Patel Hardik Pandya Shivam Dube Ravindra Jadeja Arshdeep Singh Suryakumar Yadav Rishabh Pant Md Siraj Sanju Samson Yashasvi Jaiswal Virat Kohli
not to experiment too much
when the team was named in
Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Selecting Team India for
any major competition is a
bit like pollsters trying to
predict what will be the out-
come of the ongoing Gen-
eral Elections to choose the
Members of Parliament for
the Lok Sabha. The only dif-
ference, voting through social
media, which had hinted at
the exclusion of “senior” or
“veteran” cricketers has been
smashed out of the park.
The kind of bilge being
peddled on social media in
the last few weeks over the
team selection has been
hilarious. Rohit Sharma was
described as “over the hill”
and Virat Kohli as someone
who does not know how to
play spin. Worse, Kohli, hav-
ing scored 500 runs plus in
IPL 2024, was being taunted
for a poor strike rate.
These are the perils of
social media in vogue nowa-
days, where the pedigree of a
player has been questioned
not just by the ignorant, but
even by some famous TV
commentators who wield the
microphone during the IPL.
Perhaps, Kohli’s class and
calibre had been forgotten,
on how he had smashed that
famous six off Harris Rauf in
Australia two years ago. Rohit
Sharma will be making
his ninth appearance in the
T20 World Cup, having pre-
viously participated in the
2007 edition.
If the inclusion of Rohit
and Virat in the challenging
format for the Indian side
is significant, the return of
Rishabh Pant has been most
exciting. Here is a young man
who was nearly killed in a car
crash in December 2022, near
Roorkee. To say that he has RESERVES:
bounced back to life after that (Clockwise) Shubman Gill, Khaleel
accident, major surgeries and
rehab is a sign of more than a
Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Rinku Singh
miracle.  Continued on P4
2 City millenniumpost
WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 | NEW DELHI

Delhi HC to review DCPCR vacancy as
PIL highlights child rights concerns
AIMAN FATIMA
NEW DELHI: In response to a
public interest litigation (PIL)
filed by the National Child
Development Council, the
Delhi High Court has issued a
notice seeking a prompt resolu-
tion to the prolonged vacancy
in the Delhi Commission for
Protection of Child Rights
(DCPCR).
The PIL highlights the det-
rimental impact of the vacant
positions on the commission’s
functionality since the tenure
of the former Chairperson,
Anurag Kundu, concluded on
July 2 last year.
Advocate Robin Raju,
representing the petitioner
Council, emphasised that the
prolonged vacancy violates
clause 8(2) of the Delhi Com-
mission for Protection of Child
Rights Rules, which mandates
filling vacancies within 90 days
of occurrence.
NEXT HEARING SCHEDULED FOR JULY 16
Despite a proposal for invit-
ing applications being sub-
mitted on August 1 last year,
further progress was hin-
dered due to the imposition
of the Model Code of Conduct
(MCC), delaying the issuance
of advertisements.
However, an interim
arrangement by Lieutenant
Governor VK Saxena has been
made to address the current
vacancy.
The petitioner Council’s
representation to the Delhi
Government on February 9
urging the appointment of
a new DCPCR Chairperson
Key Points
»»The PIL highlights the
detrimental impact of the
vacant positions on the
commission’s functionality
since the tenure of the for-
mer Chairperson, Anurag
Kundu, concluded on July
2 last year
»»Despite a proposal for
inviting applications being
submitted on August 1 last
year, further progress was
hindered due to the MCC
received no response.
The PIL underscores the
crucial role of DCPCR as a
statutory watchdog for child
rights, emphasising its func-
tion in monitoring, reviewing
safeguards, investigating vio-
lations, and advising on policy
formulation.
It further highlights con-
cerns regarding the commis-
sion’s website indicating a lack
of both a Chairperson and
members, exacerbating the
urgency for appointments.
Referring to various news
reports by some publications,
the plea draws attention to
the widespread awareness of
the vacant position and its
implications.
The division bench, com-
prising Acting Chief Justice
Manmohan and Justice Man-
meet PS Arora, scheduled the
next hearing for July 16, signal-
ling a continued judicial over-
sight of the matter.
The PIL has been filed
through Advocates Robin
Raju, Alpha Phiris Dayal, and
Aanchal Bumb, who are com-
mitted to advocating for the
expeditious appointment of
DCPCR officials to ensure the
protection and promotion of
child rights in Delhi.
NOIDA AUTHORITY HOLDS REGISTRY CAMP
Homebuyers gain ownership
rights to their plots and flats
DIPIKA KIROLA
NOIDA: Aiming to bene-
fit homebuyers, the Noida
Authority is organising a spe-
cial camp for the registration
of flats under Great Value Shar-
nam housing society in Sector
107 and executed registry for
78 homebuyers.
Officials said that the real-
tors who have paid 25 percent
of their total dues against the
housing project are being bene-
fitted under the Sharnam hous-
ing scheme.
The Uttar Pradesh govern-
ment had announced a rehabil-
itation package - based on the
recommendations of a panel
headed by former bureaucrat
Amitabh Kant - last Decem-
ber, but developers of only 14
out of 57 projects in Noida have
signed up for the package.
So far, 503 flats have been
registered in the city and 1,000
in Greater Noida, said officials.
The Sharanam project
scheme started handing over
possession of flats in 2016.
Home owners getting their flats
registered in Noida
The project, however, faced
delays due to the pandemic,
other litigations and Rs 198
crore dues. As a result, regis-
trations for several homebuy-
ers were stuck.
On Monday, the Noida
Authority Chief Executive Offi-
cer (CEO), Lokesh M, inaugu-
rated the camp where 78 out
of 234 units got their registries
issued.
The authority disclosed that
the promoter paid Rs 49.38
crore as part of the 25 percent
share of total land dues against
this project.
“The first camp was
organised before elections and
Officials said that the
realtors who have
paid 25% of their
total dues against
the housing project
are being benefitted
under the Sharnam
housing scheme
we are aiming to set-up more
camps in societies for the con-
venience of homebuyers.
“We are talking to all devel-
opers so that they can get the
interest waivers and pay the
dues under the scheme,” said
CEO Lokesh M.
Of the 1,400 flats in the 16
towers of the society, 348 flats
were registered earlier.
Residents said that they got
the registration of the flat after
getting possession 7 years ago.
“Now we can avail benefits
of the facilities provided by the
government in terms of interest
waiver and other schemes,” said
Arun Kumar, a homebuyer.

Juvenile & maid
held for major theft
of cash, jewellery
The victim had reported that Rs 30L
had been stolen from his residence
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: The Delhi
Police arrested two female
thieves including a juvenile
for the theft of Rs 30 lakh
cash and the theft of jewel-
lery worth Rs 10 lakh.
The police were informed
about the incident through a
complaint registered at the
Safdarjung Enclave Police
Station.
The arrested accused has
been identified as Munni,
a resident of Uttaranchal
Colony, Loni Border, Uttar
Pradesh.
According to the Police,
the successful operation
was carried out by the Delhi
Police team from Safdarjung
Enclave Police Station fol-
lowing a complaint of theft
amounting to Rs 30 lakhs
from the victim’s home.
On April 20, Deepak
Aggarwal reported that
Rs 30 lakh had been sto-
len from a bag inside his
residence at Green Park
Extension. He named his
housemaid and Munni, a
caretaker of his late father,
as the perpetrators of the
theft. Following the com-
plaint, an FIR was registered
on April 21 under Sections
Police scrutiny led
to a raid at Munni’s
residence, where
she was arrested
and stolen cash
totaling Rs 1.80
lakhs along with the
gold jewellery was
recovered
381/34 of the Indian Penal
Code (IPC).
A dedicated investigation
led by the team of the Delhi
Police supervised by ACP
Ranbir Singh, incorporated
extensive scrutiny of several
mobile numbers.
This scrutiny led to a raid
at Munni’s residence, where
she was arrested and stolen
cash totaling Rs 1.80 lakhs
along with the gold jewellery
was recovered.
Further investigations
also led to the capture of the
juvenile co-accused, who is
currently under the care of
the Juvenile Justice Board
until May 9. The accused
Munni, who worked as a
caretaker at the Aggarwal
household, and the juvenile
are now facing charges.
Chacha Nehru Hosp
receives bomb threat
via email, confirmed
to be a hoax later
NEW DELHI: A bomb threat
email that the Chacha Nehru
Hospital in Shahdara here
received on Tuesday morn-
ing has been declared a hoax,
police stated.
Bomb Detection Team,
Bomb Disposal Squad, a team
of Delhi Fire Service and local
police were immediately sent
to the children’s hospital when
a staff member received the
email around 10 am, they said.
A search operation was
conducted and the threat was
declared a hoax, a police offi-
cer said.
According to police, the
sender tried to send the same
email to multiple institutions
and government bodies, at the
same time. However, some of
the email IDs mentioned were
found to be incorrect, they
said. The Delhi Police Special
Cell and other agencies are
investigating the matter. AGENCIES
Noida Authority frees 12,500 sq m of land worth over Rs 80 crore
DIPIKA KIROLA
NOIDA: The New Okhla
Industrial Development
Authority (NOIDA) has man-
aged to free over 12,000 square
meters of land worth over Rs
80 crore from two separate
work circle areas along with
registering FIR against
the encroachers, disclosed
officials
As per officials, the drive
was carried out in village
Parthla near Sector 119 and
Delhi Police arrest cab driver for Two nabbed for robbing
Zomato delivery boy
stealing passenger’s Rs 1.25 lakh
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: A cab driver
has been arrested by the Delhi
Police after he fled away with
the passenger’s handbag con-
taining Rs 1.25 lakh.
The police were informed
about the incident through
a complaint registered at the
Hauz Khas Police Station.
The arrested accused was
identified as Sujit Mishra (28)
son of Yagya Narayan Mishra
resident of Karkatepur, Kara-
naipur, Sikandara, Allahabad,
Uttar Pradesh.
According to the Police,
the accused was arrested by
the Delhi Police from Hauz
Basai near Sector 68 of Noida.
“In Parthla village the col-
onisers had illegally done
construction work on the
land along bank of river Hin-
don. The construction was
razed by bulldozers and land
was made free from the
encroachment,” stated Lokesh
M, Chief Executive Officer
(CEO), Noida Authority.
A total of 8,000 square
meters of land worth
Rs 48 crore has been
made free during the anti-
Khas Police Station, following
a detailed investigation that
began after the victim, a private
company employee, reported
the theft.
The incident occurred
on April 5, when the victim
booked a cab ride home.
At the destination in South
Ex-II, the driver abruptly
ended the ride and fled with
the passenger’s handbag, which
contained Rs 1,25,000 cash.
Despite attempts to con-
tact Mishra, his mobile phone
remained switched off, prompt-
ing the victim to file a police
complaint.
A team led by the Delhi
Police and supervised by
encroachment drives.
the ACP of Hauz Khas
promptly traced the cab to
Dwarka Cab Hub through
local intelligence and techni-
cal support.
The accused Mishra
was located and arrested in
subsequent raids at Kapashera
and Dwarka.
During his arrest, police
recovered Rs 5,000 cash, a
spectacle box, and an advance
voucher receipt from the
complainant.
The accused Mishra
has confessed to the
crime, though further inves-
tigations are underway to
recover the remaining stolen
money.
Takeaways
»»As per officials, the drive
was carried out in village
Parthla near sector 119
and Basai near sector 68
of Noida
»»‘In Parthla village the
colonisers had illegally
done construction work on
the land along bank of
river Hindon’
The officer further said that
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: A Zomato deliv-
ery boy was robbed in Dwarka’s
Uttam Nagar, leading to the
apprehension of two individu-
als, including a juvenile, in con-
nection with the robbery, Ankit
Singh, DCP of Dwarka, said
on Tuesday. A complaint regis-
tered at the Uttam Nagar Police
Station had alerted the police.
The arrested accused was
identified as Deepak (22), a res-
ident of Uttam Nagar Delhi.
According to the Police, the
culprits, identified as Deepak
and one juvenile, allegedly
attacked the delivery worker
early on Saturday, stealing his
purse, Aadhar Card, PAN card,
and driving license in Hastsal
Village.
The accused Deepak, who
has prior allegations includ-
ing an attempt to murder
registered at the same police
station, was arrested along-
side the juvenile after a
detailed investigation involving
under the drive carried out in
Basai village, the authority
teams managed to vacate 4,500
square meters of land worth Rs
34 crore.
“Under the drive, the
authority teams have vacated
12,500 square meters of land
worth a total of Rs 82 crore.
“FIR will also be regis-
tered against the colonis-
ers. Warnings have also
been issued to them of strict
actions if they are found doing
illegal construction in the
CCTV footage and informant
tips. The successful operation,
led team of the Delhi Police
with oversight from ACP
Ishan Bhardwaj, resulted in the
quick recovery of all stolen
items. The police action came
after the registration of FIR
under sections 392/34 of the
IPC, in relation to the robbery.
Authorities success-
fully tracked the suspects’
movements, promptly leading
to their arrest and the
subsequent recovery of all sto-
len property, effectively resolv-
ing the case.
Noida Authority’s notified
land,” the CEO added.
Similarly on Sunday, the
authority’s team led by the
officer on special duty, Mahen-
dra Prasad, demolished the
illegal structures in Bhan-
gel area near Sector 104
freeing at least 30,000 square
metres of land worth Rs 180
crores.
The authority also sealed
illegal buildings being built in
Maharishi Trust land, located
in Sector 104 area.

Car hits rickshaw, THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO BE PREFERRED CHOICE FOR HIGHER EDU
City Briefs
ploughs into Noida
house, 5 injured Dr B R Ambedkar University Delhi ranks BIKERS SNATCH RS 4.55 LAKH FROM

7th in NTA CUET applications, says V-C

NOIDA: Five people were
injured on Tuesday after a
speeding car hit a rickshaw
before ploughing into the wall
of a house in a residential sec-
tor in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida,
police officials said.
The accident took place
in Sector-55, which falls
under the limits of the Sec-
tor 58 police station, they said.
The rickshaw puller and its
two women passengers, and
the two occupants of the car,
which is registered in Ghazi-
abad, were injured, police said.
“Today, around 6:30 am, two
boys Gaurav and Aditya were
traveling in a Maruti Celerio
car which Aditya was driving.
They were driving fast and
carelessly. The car hit a rick-
shaw after which it collided in
the house whose wall and rail-
ing were damaged,” a police
spokesperson said.
“The rickshaw puller and
the women riders suffered
minor injuries in the epi-
sode while the car occupants
were hospitalised,” the spokes-
person said. AGENCIES
Although every possible care and caution has been taken to avoid errors or omissions, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that information given in this publication is merely for reference and must not be taken as having authority of or binding in any way on the writers, editors,
publishers, and printers and sellers who do not owe any responsibility for any damage or loss to any person, a purchaser of this publication or not for the result of any action taken on the basis of this work. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Dr. B R Ambedkar Uni-
versity Delhi (AUD) has launched a
Master of Arts program in Public Pol-
icy and Governance. The program,
announced by AUD Vice Chancellor
Prof Anu Singh Lather during a press
conference, will commence with 60
available seats for the current academic
session.
In addition to the new program,
AUD has achieved significant recogni-
tion, securing the 7th position among
the top ten universities nationwide in
National Testing Agency Common
University Entrance Test (NTA CUET)
applications.
With over 4 lakh students expressing
interest in AUD for undergraduate and
postgraduate programs, the university
continues to be a preferred choice for
higher education.
Prof Lather highlighted AUD’s
commitment to providing diverse
opportunities for students, with 18
undergraduate and 27 postgraduate
programs available for admissions in the
Dr B R Ambedkar University, Delhi
upcoming academic session. Notably,
admissions for Ph.D. programs, span-
ning 23 disciplines, are scheduled for
June, exclusively based on CUET scores.
Furthermore, AUD is expanding its
offerings with competency enhance-
ment courses across 78 subjects, aimed
at both working professionals and
students seeking to augment their skill
set.
The university has also introduced
new reservation provisions, includ-
ing seats under orphan quota and
supernumerary quota for various cat-
egories such as sports, defense person-
nel, and single girl child.
AUD has also established 100 AUD
Meritorious Research Fellowships
(MRFs) in Ph.D., incentivising scholars
with monthly allowances akin to UGC
Junior Research Fellowships.
Additionally, all AUD degrees are
now digitally accessible through Digi
Locker, facilitating seamless verifica-
tion globally.
In line with its commitment to
accessibility, AUD offers fee waiv-
ers for SC, ST, and economically
weaker section (EWS) students, ensur-
ing inclusivity in higher education.
Moreover, AUD’s emphasis on
placement initiatives has yielded
commendable results, with 168 stu-
dents placed on campus during the
2023-2024 academic year.
MONEY TRANSFER EMPLOYEE ON NH9
NEW DELHI: A shocking incident of robbery unfolded
on NH9, Delhi, when two bikers snatched a bag con-
taining Rs 4,55,000 from an employee of the money
transfer shop. The event occurred shortly after Jitender
Rathor, an employee at a money transfer shop owned
by Mohak Mangala, retrieved the cash from Gazipur
Sabji Mandi and was en route to Sarai Kale Khan.
As Rathor crossed the NH-24 toll road, the assailants
disrupted his journey by aggressively pushing his bike’s
handle, causing him to lose balance. Brandishing a
pistol-like object, they quickly made off with the cash-
filled pitthoo bag. Authorities are currently investigat-
ing the case, seeking leads to apprehend the suspects
involved in this daylight robbery.
UNDERTRIAL PRISONER COMMITS
SUICIDE IN NOIDA JAIL
NOIDA: An undertrial prisoner, Sandeep, allegedly
committed suicide in Luksar jail, Gautam Buddh Nagar.
On Monday, officials found his body hanging from the
cell window with a ‘gamcha’ used as a noose. Accord-
ing to a police spokesperson, Sandeep, a 24-year-old
resident of Chotpur Colony in Noida Sector 63, was in
jail since March 2 in connection with a case under the
NDPS Act. Following the incident, a police team from
the Ecotech-I police station arrived at the jail.

Printed and Published by Jaiyendra Kumar Sharma on behalf of Front Row Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at The Indian Express Pvt. Ltd., A-8, Sector-7, Noida-201 301 (U.P.) and published from First Floor, Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002. Editor: Durbar Ganguly. Email: editor@millenniumpost.in,
Tel. No. 011-47777500, Kokata office: Room No 1,15th Floor, Chatterjee International Centre, 33A Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata 700071 West Bengal, Siliguri Office: Techno India Group Zonal Office G-212, 2nd Floor Office Block - City Centre Matigara District Darjeeling Pin - 734010 Phone- 0353- 2576321
millenniumpost
NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 City 3
‘HE IS GETTING INSULIN AND UNDERGOING REGULAR CHECK-UPS’ ‘Stage not right’: Delhi court
Kejriwal’s health is fine: Mann dismisses bail pleas of Sisodia
after meeting him in Tihar Jail Highlights
OUR CORRESPONDENT

OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Punjab Chief
Minister Bhagwant Mann on
Tuesday met his Delhi counter-
part Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar
Jail and said the AAP supremo
asked him to actively campaign
for INDIA bloc candidates in
the Lok Sabha elections.
Mann told reporters that
Kejriwal’s health is fine, he is
getting insulin and undergoing
regular check-ups.
The Delhi chief minis-
ter asked people not to worry
about him and exercise their
franchise during the elections,
he said.
This was Mann’s second
meeting in jail with Kejriwal
in a fortnight.
Mann told reporters that he
met Kejriwal the same way he
met him the first time.
“We were separated by an
iron mesh. This could be the
height of their hatred. Arvind
Kejriwal has asked me to tell
people not to worry about him
KEY POINTS
»»This was Mann’s second
meeting in jail with
Kejriwal in a fortnight
»»‘We were separated
by an iron mesh. This
could be the height of
their hatred. Arvind
Kejriwal has asked me
to tell people not to
worry about him and
vote. Please vote to save
democracy’
»»The Punjab chief minister
said he told Kejriwal
that he recently visited
Gujarat to campaign for
and vote. Please vote to save
democracy,” Mann said.
The Punjab chief minister
said he told Kejriwal that he
recently visited Gujarat to cam-
paign for the party’s candidates
in Bharuch and Bhavnagar.
“There was a mind-blowing
the party’s candidates in
Bharuch and Bhavnagar
»»‘There was a mind-
blowing response. The
entire country is saying
that whatever happened
with Kejriwal was wrong.
I also went to Assam. He
asked me to come to
Delhi and also campaign
response. The entire country is
saying that whatever happened
with Kejriwal was wrong. I
also went to Assam. He asked
me to come to Delhi and also
campaign for INDIA bloc
candidates in Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra and wherever
for INDIA bloc candi
dates in Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra and
wherever I am called’
»»‘These elections are
not about winning or
losing. It is about saving
the Constitution and
democracy’
I am called,” Mann said.
“These elections are not
about winning or losing.
It is about saving the Con
stitution and democracy,”
he added.
The Punjab chief minis-
ter said Kejriwal also enquired
about the wellbeing of his
daughter. “We talked about
our families. He asked about
my daughter Niyamat, who is
one month old now. He asked
how the farm produce has been
in Punjab and if any facilities
are being affected due to the
Model Code of Conduct,”
according to Mann.
“I told him that people
are getting all the facilities. I
informed him that 158 chil-
dren from Punjab govern-
ment schools have cleared the
JEE (Mains). This is the first
time it has happened. He was
quite happy. This was the
education revolution of our
dreams. He congratulated the
teachers, parents and the chil-
dren,” he added.
On Monday, Kejriwal’s wife
Sunita and Delhi Minister Ati-
shi met him.
Kejriwal has been lodged
in Tihar jail under judicial
custody in an excise policy-
linked money-laundering case
since April 1.
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court »»Special judge for CBI and ED, Kaveri Baweja, denied the
on Tuesday dismissed the bail relief, saying the stage was not right to grant the bail
pleas of former deputy chief
minister and AAP leader
»»Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia will approach
the high court against a city court’s Tuesday order, refusing
Manish Sisodia in the corrup-
tion and money laundering bail to him in the alleged excise policy scam case: AAP
cases lodged by the CBI and
the ED in relation to the alleged
excise scam.
Special judge for CBI and
ED, Kaveri Baweja, denied the
relief, saying the stage was not
right to grant the bail.
The court had reserved
the order after hearing argu-
ments from the Central Bureau
of Investigation (CBI) and the
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
as well as the counsel appearing
for Sisodia.
The CBI as well as the ED
had alleged that irregulari-
ties were committed while account to evade detection, the net on February 28, 2023.
modifying the Delhi Excise probe agencies have alleged. Meanwhile, former Delhi
Policy, undue favours were Sisodia was arrested by deputy chief minister Man-
extended to the licence holders, the Central Bureau of Inves- ish Sisodia will approach the
licence fee was waived or tigation (CBI) on February high court against a city court’s
reduced and licences were 26, 2023 for his alleged role Tuesday order, refusing bail to
extended without the compe- in the “scam”. The ED arrested him in the alleged excise policy
tent authority’s approval. the former deputy chief min- scam case, AAP said.
The beneficiaries allegedly ister in a money-laundering In a statement, the
diverted “illegal” gains to the case stemming from the CBI party said that Sisodia’s bail
accused officials and made FIR on March 9, 2023. Sisodia plea was rejected by the Rouse
false entries in their books of resigned from the Delhi Cabi- Avenue Court.  WITH AGENCY INPUTS

Centre should urgently address alleged Cong appoints Devender Yadav
side-effects of Covishield: Health Min as interim chief of Delhi unit
NEW DELHI: Delhi Health
minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on
Tuesday said the Centre should
work to urgently address the
alleged side-effects of the Covid-
shield vaccine as millions of
people in India were adminis-
tered the shot during the Covid
pandemic.
Bharadwaj expressed con-
cern over the alleged link
between the vaccine’s side-
effects and a series of sudden
deaths in India, claiming that
Covidshield was banned in sev-
eral European countries, includ-
ing Germany, France, Spain,
Finland, Norway and Denmark,
at the beginning of 2021 due to
apprehensions about its safety.
UK-headquartered phar-
maceutical giant AstraZen-
eca has admitted that in “very
rare cases”, its COVID-19
vaccine can cause a blood clot-
related side-effect but the causal
link is unknown, according to
court papers being quoted in
the UK media.
The Daily Telegraph reported
that in a legal document submit-
ted to the High Court in Lon-
don in February for a group
action brought by 51 claimants,
AstraZeneca admitted that the
We have seen
numerous videos on
social media recently
showing people
collapsing and dying
immediately after
performing activities,
which was not observed
before the pandemic
— Bharadwaj
vaccine developed with the
University of Oxford to protect
against COVID-19 may cause
Thrombosis with Thrombocy
topenia Syndrome (TTS) in
“very rare cases”. The Astra-
Zeneca Vaxzevria vaccine, also
manufactured by the Serum
Institute of India, was mar
keted in India as Covishield.
Speaking about complica-
tions related to the Covidshield
vaccine, Bhardwaj said, “The
Central government should
urgently address the alleged
side-effects of the vaccine
because millions of people in
India have been vaccinated with
Covidshield.”
He said, “We have seen
numerous videos on social
media recently showing people
collapsing and dying immedi-
ately after performing activities,
which was not observed before
the pandemic. Many people
speculate a connection to the
coronavirus vaccine and such
reports are a matter of concern
as they escalate tension.” “Most
of the people who died, they
were young. The government
should work on that how can
we stop it if people are experi-
encing side-effects,” he added. PTI
NEW DELHI: The Congress on
Tuesday appointed former MLA
Devender Yadav as interim pres-
ident of its Delhi unit, days after
Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned
from the post while criticising
the alliance with AAP and state-
ments of Congress candidates in
the national Capital. Yadav, who
won from the Badli Assembly
constituency in Delhi in 2008
and 2013 and lost to Ajesh Yadav
of AAP in 2015, is currently the
All India Congress Committee’s
(AICC) Punjab in-charge.
“My heartfelt thanks to Sh
Kharge ji, Smt Sonia Gandhi
ji, Rahul Gandhi ji, KC Venu-
gopal ji and Smt Priyanka Gan-
dhi ji and all senior leaders of
the Congress, for the faith they
have bestowed in me yet again!”
Yadav said in a post on X.
“Will try my best to tread
the coveted and ideological
vision party has laid for me and
give my 100 per cent!” he said.
The strategy is
clear. We will consider
everyone’s suggestions.
First, we will listen to
them and will come up
with a good strategy
According to a statement
issued by the party, “Congress
president Mallikarjun Kharge
has appointed Yadav as the
interim president of the Delhi
Pradesh Congress Committee
(DPCC) with immediate effect.”
Yadav will continue in his
role as AICC in-charge for Pun-
jab, the statement added. Yadav
said, “The strategy is clear. We
will consider everyone’s sug-
gestions. First, we will listen to
them and will come up with a
good strategy.” He stated that
many senior colleagues are
working in the Delhi Congress
and contributing to the party.
“We face problems several
times and the only solution is
dialogue. I am glad to hold con-
versations with several fellow
workers who had some issues.
I am looking forward to meet-
ing more fellow workers to have
such discussions and I will reach
out to them to find a solution,”
Yadav said. Yadav said that he
has the blessings of his seniors
in the party and will work on the
path shown by them. The devel-
opment comes as the Congress
and AAP prepare for the May 25
election to the seven Lok Sabha
seats in Delhi. In his resigna-
tion letter sent to the Congress
president on Saturday, Lovely
had said that he found himself
“handicapped” as all unanimous
decisions taken by senior Delhi
unit leaders were “unilaterally
vetoed” by the AICC’s Delhi in-
charge Deepak Babaria. AGENCIES
City records max
number of ‘good
to moderate’ air
quality days in
April since 2018
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Delhi
recorded the maximum
number of ‘good to moder-
ate’ air quality days in April
since 2018, barring 2020
when pollution levels came
down drastically due to a
strict lockdown because of
the Covid pandemic.
According to the Cen-
tre’s Commission for Air
Quality Management, Delhi
saw only seven days with air
quality index (AQI) greater
than 200 in April this year.
There were 13 such days in
the month in 2023; 30 in
2022; 12 in 2021; 18 in 2019;

City Briefs AAP’s Somnath Bharti, legal cell president

and 22 in 2018.
Delhi vigilance Delhi’s average AQI in
April 2024 was 182, the sec-

seeks reply from Sanjeev Nasiar participate in ‘Human Chain’

WOMAN KILLS SELF IN AIIMS HOSTEL ROOM edu dept over
IN DELHI, SUICIDE NOTE RECOVERED
NEW DELHI: A 21-year-old woman allegedly died by undue fee hike NEWOURDELHI:
CORRESPONDENT
In a robust dem-
suicide by hanging herself in her hostel room at AIIMS
NEW DELHI: The Delhi gov-
here on Tuesday and a suicide note was recovered, ernment’s Directorate of Vigi-
police said. According to police, one of the hostel lance on Tuesday sought a reply
staff found the woman hanging from the ceiling fan in from the education depart-
her room around 11.30 am and alerted the authori- ment over fee hike in selected
ties. Upon investigation, the police recovered a suicide schools on “pick and choose
note in which she had stated that she was depressed basis”, putting undue financial
burden on parents.
because of her nursing studies and preparations for The directorate has asked
the Bihar Public Service Commission exam, police said. the department to submit
The woman was a second-year BSc student. Her family, a clarification in the matter
who lives in Bihar were informed about their daughter. within a week. The education
Further investigation is underway, they said. department has also been asked
to submit, within the same
CONSTRUCTION WORKER FALLS TO deadline, information on the
status of economically weaker
DEATH IN SOCIETY NEAR NOIDA section (EWS) quota admis-
NOIDA: A 30-year-old woman died allegedly after sions in the schools.
she fell off the thirteenth floor of an under-construction In a letter to the educa-
tion department, the vigi-
ond lowest in the last seven
years. It was 180 in 2023;
255 in 2022; 202 in 2021;
110 in 2020; 211 in 2019,
and 222 in 2018.
ing a distinction between their
approach and violence, “We
are Gandhian people, we are
The city reported a
significant reduction in
the daily average PM2.5
onstration against the arbitrary not ‘Godseists’. Godseists adopt and PM10 concentra-
detention of Chief Minister the path of violence. Whereas a tions as compared to the
Arvind Kejriwal, Aam Aadmi Gandhian person stands with corresponding period in
Party’s legal cell orchestrated folded hands.” Furthermore, the previous years, the
a poignant human chain in Bharti underscored Kejriwal’s CAQM said.
Connaught Place. The event, unique political stance assert-
spearheaded by INDIA Alliance ing, “Arvind Kejriwal is the first
candidate Somnath Bharti and leader of India who said that if
AAP legal cell state president has adopted an undemocratic Delhi and the country.” High- we have worked then vote for
Sanjeev Nasiar, witnessed the attitude and unconstitution- lighting the electoral signifi- us, if we have not worked then
fervent participation of lawyers ally picked up Arvind Kejriwal cance, Bharti asserted, “We will don’t vote for us.” He criticised
from across Delhi. on March 21 in the dark of the convey this message to every BJP’s alleged misuse of power
Somnath Bharti, condemn- night after the announcement household that this time the stating, “Even the biggest cor-
ing the arrest, emphasised its of elections without any evi- election is to save the constitu- rupt person enters the washing
implications on democracy stat- dence, is proof of the fact that tion, democracy, and the coun- machine of BJP and comes out
ing, “We are trying to convey an entire atmosphere of dic- try.” He stressed the peaceful clean and becomes Deputy CM,
to the public that the way BJP tatorship has been created in nature of their protest, draw- CM and MP in BJP.”
MANOJ TIWARI WILL FILE HIS NOMINATION PAPERS TODAY MORNING

LS elections: BJP’s Bansuri Swaraj and AAP

tower in a society near Noida on Tuesday, police said. lance directorate highlighted
The woman, Gangotri, worked as a construction labour at the cases of 18 schools
the La Residentia society, the police said, adding that she where norms of fee hike and
along with her husband Vijay Tandon lived in the same EWS admissions were being

candidate Sahiram file nomination papers

society. “Today a memo was received from a private flouted under the administra-
hospital at Bisrakh police station, through which the police tion’s nose.
The vigilance directorate
were informed about the death of Gangotri, who fell has asked for pointwise clarifi-
from the thirteenth floor of an under-construction tower cation over anomalies found in
in the society,” a police spokesperson said. The body has selected schools in compliance
been sent for post-mortem and further legal proceedings with the education depart-
in the case are being carried out, the police said. ment’s approval for fee hike and
not filling seats as per the 25
HC ASKS GOVT TO FRAME COMPENSATION per cent reservation for EWS.
“It seems the concerned
POLICY FOR VICTIMS OF CHINESE MANJHA DDE (Education) has failed
NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court has asked the city gov- to supervise the enforcement
ernment to frame within eight weeks a policy for grant of above mentioned provi-
sions and there is also a pos-
of compensation to those who have lost life and limbs sibility that these schools have
in accidents due to the use of Chinese manjha. Stating been expelling the students of
that he is “pained” to note the number of persons losing EWS category from the school
their life and limbs to Chinese manjha in spite of orders despite no detention policy
restraining its sale, Justice Subramonium Prasad also under Right To Education Act
asked police to state the action taken against those (2009),” the letter read.
It added that the fee hike in
manufacturing and selling Chinese manjha from 2017 several schools were allowed
to 2024. The high court’s order came on a batch of pe- in violation of the rules, which
titions highlighting the menace of the kite-flying threads states that fees collected by the
made of polyester, nylon, plastic or any other synthetic managing committee may be
material, also known as Chinese manjha, which leads to utilised for meeting capital or
serious and fatal injuries. contingent expenditure pro-
vided that there is saving from
the fee collected,” it said. AGENCIES
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Thirteen more
candidates, including BJP’s
Bansuri Swaraj from New Delhi
constituency and AAP’s Sahi-
ram from South Delhi seat, on
Tuesday filed their papers on the
second day of Lok Sabha poll
nominations for seven seats in
the national Capital.
The nomination papers were
filed by 13 candidates on the first
day of the process on Monday.
The last date for filing nomina-
tions is May 6.
As per Delhi Chief Electoral
Officer (CEO) office, a total of
26 candidates have so far filed
nomination papers on the seven
Lok Sabha seats in Delhi.
Six candidates have filed
the nomination papers from
Chandni Chowk seat so far,
while just one candidate filed
his papers from the South Delhi
constituency.
Bansuri, the daughter of
late Sushma Swaraj, disclosed
her wealth over Rs 19 crore,
including Rs 11.27 crore in
movable assets and over Rs 8
crore in immovable assets, in
her election affidavit. She pos-
sesses 1/6th of joint property
in Palwal (Haryana) valued at
PIC/NAVEEN SHARMA
Rs 99.34 lakh and three flats,
including two at Jantar Mantar
and one at Hailey Road in Delhi.
She also own two vehicles,
including a Mercedes Benz pur-
chased in 2023. Bansuri revealed
her income as Rs 68.28 lakh in
her income tax return filed for
the year 2022-23.
A lawyer by profession, she
earned her Bachelor of Arts
(hons) degree from University
of Warwick, UK. She also has a
graduate diploma in Law from
London. The 40-year-old BJP
candidate earned her Barris-
ter-at-Law from Inns of Inner
Temple, London, in 2007 and
completed Master of Studies
from St Catherines’s College,
University of Oxford in 2009.
Sahiram, aged 63, is an MLA
from Tughalaqbad constitu-
ency. He declared in his affi-
davit that his main source of
income was his salary and allow-
ances as MLA, interest on sav-
ings account and rent.
According to his affidavit,
Ram owns movable assets of
Rs 34.80 lakh and Rs 1.04 crore
as immovable assets. His total
liability stood at Rs 3.20 lakh.
Further, his affidavit showed
he passed class XI from a gov-
ernment school. He disclosed
that no criminal case was pend-
ing against him. The nomination
papers filed will be scrutinised
on May 7 while May 9 is the
last date to withdraw names.
Voting on all seven seats will
be held on May 25. Delhi has
1.51 crore eligible voters, includ-
ing 81.63 lakh men, 69.37 lakh
women and 1,215 people from
the third gender. Voting will
take place in more than 13,000
polling booths across the city.
BJP candidates from North
East Delhi Manoj Tiwari will file
his nomination papers accom-
panied by Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh on Wednesday
morning. East Delhi BJP can-
didate Harsh Malhotra too will
file his nomination papers on
Wednesday in the company of
Uttarakhand Chief Minister
Pushkar Singh Dhami, party
leaders said.
4 Nation millenniumpost
WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 | NEW DELHI

11 DAYS AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF POLLING ON APRIL 19
LS elections: Phase 1 turnout
at 66.14%, Phase 2 66.71%: EC
OUR CORRESPONDENT
at 31.32 per cent. In the 2019
Chhattisgarh: 16 3 DAYS LEFT FOR NOMINATIONS
Naxals surrender Suspense on Rahul &
in Bijapur dist Priyanka from Amethi,
BIJAPUR: Amid a crackdown
by security forces on Left Wing
Extremism, at least 16 Naxals,
including the two carrying a
cumulative bounty of Rs 13
Rae Bareli continues
OUR CORRESPONDENT during the last meeting of the
voters. These are Arunachal lakh on their heads, surren- CEC on Saturday. The Ame-

NEW DELHI: A voter turnout

of 66.14 per cent was recorded
in phase one and 66.71 per cent
in phase two of the ongoing
Lok Sabha polls, the Election
Commission said on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the Con-
gress, CPI-M and TMC ques-
tioned the EC over the delay
in announcing the final voter
turnout figures for the first two
phases of the Lok Sabha polls,
11 days after the first round of
polling on April 19.
Officially sharing the turn-
out figure, the poll panel said
in phase one of the elections,
66.22 per cent of male and
66.07 female electors turned up
to vote. The turnout for regis-
tered third-gender voters stood
polls, the turnout in the first
phase stood at 69.43 per cent.
In the second phase of elec-
tions held on April 26, the male
voter turnout was recorded at
66.99 per cent, while the female
turnout stood at 66.42 per cent.
As many as 23.86 per cent of
the registered third-gender vot-
ers came out to vote.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls
in phase two, the turnout was
69.64 per cent.
In phase one, 102 seats
went to poll, while in phase
two elections were held in 88
constituencies.
According to the poll panel,
out of 21 states and union ter-
ritories which went to polls in
the first phase, 11 recorded
a higher turnout of women
Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and
Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Mani-
pur, Meghalaya, Nagaland,
Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Utta-
rakhand and West Bengal.
In the second phase where
13 states and UTs went to poll,
six registered a higher women
voter turnout. These are Assam,
Bihar, Jammu and Kash-
mir, Uttarakhand, Kerala and
West Bengal.
The EC made it clear that
the final turnout will only
be available post-counting
with the counting of postal bal-
lots and its addition to the total
vote count.
Postal ballots include postal
ballots given to service vot-
ers, absentee voters — those
above 85 years of age, per-
Election to Anantnag-Rajouri
LS seat postponed to May 25
NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR:
The Election Commission on
Tuesday postponed polls to
the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok
Sabha seat to May 25, citing
logistical issues due to adverse
weather conditions.
There are 20 candidates
in the race including former
chief minister and PDP chief
Mehbooba Mufti and noted
religious leader Mian Altaf.
The election was earlier sched-
sons with disabilities, those
on essential services and vot-
ers on election duty. Daily
uled to be held on May 7.
Except for the poll date,
there are no changes in any
part of the schedule, officials
said.  AGENCIES
accounts of such postal ballots
received are given to all candi-
dates, it noted.
dered in Bijapur district of
Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.
Among them, Arun Kadti
(21) was a member of the
People’s Liberation Guer-
rilla Army (PLGA) Battal-
ion No. 1 of the outlawed CPI
(Maoist), said Bijapur Super-
intendent of Police Jitendra
Kumar Yadav.
Kadti, who carried a
reward of Rs 8 lakh on his
head, was involved in the 2024
attack on security forces in
Tekulagudem in Sukma in
which three CRPF person-
nel were killed and 14 others
injured, he said.
Another Naxal, Ramesh
Hemla alias Munna (42) car-
ried a reward of Rs 5 lakh on
his head.  AGENCIES
NEW DELHI: Suspense over
the Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok
Sabha seats mounted on Tues-
day, even as three days remain
for the filing of nominations
for the two seats considered as
traditional pocket boroughs of
Gandhi-Nehru family.
Amid speculation that
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka
Gandhi Vadra would be fielded
from the two constituencies,
the Congress workers in Ame-
thi on Tuesday held a sit-in,
demanding that the party
names a member of the Gan-
dhi family as its candidate
from the Amethi Lok Sabha
constituency.
Sources said Priyanka Gan-
dhi Vadra is keen to contest
from the Rae Bareli seat and
thi seat has been represented
by Rahul Gandhi from 2004
and he remained the member
of Parliament from the con-
stituency for three consecutive
terms till 2019 when he was
defeated by BJP’s Smriti Irani.
Rahul Gandhi currently rep-
resents the Wayanad constitu-
ency in Kerala, from where he
had also contested in the 2019
Lok Sabha election.
The Amethi and Rae Bareli
constituencies go to polls on
May 20 in the fifth round of the
seven-phase general elections.
The Rae Bareli constituency
was represented by Sonia Gan-
dhi from 2004 to 2024. Prior to
that Sonia Gandhi had repre-
sented the Amethi Lok Sabha
constituency after she entered

ED files fresh chargesheet in Mahadev app case, names 25 accused

RAIPUR: The Enforcement
Directorate on Tuesday filed
a fresh charge sheet in the
Mahadev betting app-linked
money laundering case, in
which various high-ranking
politicians and bureaucrats
from Chhattisgarh are alleged
to have been involved.
A total of 25 individuals
and entities have been named
as accused in the third pros-
ecution complaint filed in this
case before a special Preven-
tion of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA) court, ED lawyer Sau-
rabh Pandey said.
The court is expected to
take cognisance of the charge
sheet on May 4, he said.
Those arraigned in the
charge sheet include Girish Tal-
reja and Suraj Chokhani, who
were arrested by the ED in this
case sometime back, apart from
some others.
Talreja held a stake in
‘Lotus365’, a sister concern
of Mahadev Online Book
(MOB) app. He is a partner
along with Ratan Lal Jain alias
Aman and Sourabh Chan-
drakar, the main promoter of
MOB, in the illegal operations
of ‘Lotus365’, the agency had
alleged earlier.
The agency had raided Kol-
kata premises of a Dubai-based
“hawala operator” named Hari
Shankar Tibrewal on February
28 claiming he partnered with
the promoters of MOB in ille-
gal operations for betting web-
site “skyexchange”.
“Tibrewal used Suraj
Chokhani to launder and hide
proceeds of crime under the
guise of share investment for
Indian companies,” the agency
had said in a statement.
The ED has alleged in the
past that its probe in the MOB
gaming and betting app has
shown involvement of various
high-ranking politicians and
bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh,
the state where the two main
promoters, Sourabh Chandra-
kar and Ravi Uppal, of the app
hail from.
It had said MOB app is an
umbrella syndicate arranging
online platforms for enabling
illegal betting websites to enrol
new users, create user IDs and
laundering of money through
a layered web of benami bank
accounts.
The ED has arrested a total
of 11 persons in this case till
now. The two main promoters
of the app are stated to have
been detained in Dubai on the
basis of an ED-requested Inter-
pol red notice. The projected
proceeds of crime in this case
are about Rs 6,000 crore, as per
the agency.  AGENCIES
her candidature is likely to
be announced soon, once the
party leadership takes a final
call on the seat.
Rahul Gandhi is yet to final-
ise his candidature on his sec-
ond seat of Amethi and the
leadership is likely to announce
his name soon.
The state leadership in Uttar
Pradesh has already urged
the central election commit-
tee and the party leadership
to field Rahul Gandhi from
Amethi and Priyanka from
Rae Bareli. The CEC members
had also supported the view
of the Uttar Pradesh Congress
politics and contested for the
first time in 1999.
While only three days are
left for the filing of nomina-
tion papers, the Congress is yet
to declare a candidate for the
seat, with leaders and work-
ers, including Congress dis-
trict president Pradeep Singhal
and former district president
Yogendra Mishra, gathering
at the party office in Amethi
with posters reading “Ame-
thi maange Rahul Gandhi”
(Amethi wants Rahul Gan-
dhi), “Amethi maange Priyanka
Gandhi” (Amethi wants Pri-
yanka Gandhi Vadra). 

From Page 1 to his bail being finalised.” “P Sarath

Chandra Reddy’s 11 statements, not
implicating Kejriwal, were concealed
JD(S) suspends
was he when atrocities took place with
Olympic medalists? Where was he when
women were raped in Hathras and
taken against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd
and Divya Pharmacy post the April 10
order, claiming vigilance in its duties.
rare side effects. The company pointed
out that the vaccine’s product informa-
tion was amended in April 2021 to men-
by the ED. His later statements, which Unnao and they were burnt?” However, the bench questioned this self- tion the remote possibility of TTS, a

SC questions implicated Kejriwal, resulted in bail

Justice Khanna said the third
important question relates to ED’s
power of arrest as it is the reason why
Kejriwal has repeatedly approached
the court. “Look, they have not openly
stated but it is quite apparent why they
are repeatedly coming up against the
remand because what they believe
is that the threshold of section 19 of
PMLA casts an onus on the prosecu-
tion and not on the accused,” he told
Raju. Elaborating his question, Justice
Khanna said that under section 19 of
the PMLA, the threshold is fairly high
whereas the onus shifts on the accused
when he seeks bail under section 45 of
the Act.
Section 19 of the PMLA empowers
the ED to arrest persons based on the
material in its possession, providing
a reasonable basis to suspect that an
individual has committed an offence
punishable under the law.
Under section 45 of the PMLA,
there are two conditions for grant of
bail to an accused which include the
prosecutor be given an opportunity to
oppose the bail plea and second the
court is satisfied that there are rea-
sonable grounds for believing that he
is not guilty of such offence and that
he is not likely to commit any offence
while on bail. The bench told Raju:
“So, how do we interpret it? Do we
make the threshold much higher and
ensure that the standard is the same
as to find the person who is guilty but
then we have to deal with benefit of
doubt and other things?”
It added that what is bothering the
court is the time gap between the initi-
ation of proceedings and the repeated
complaints being filed because all this
have consequences as PMLA provides
for a maximum of 365 days.
At the outset, senior advocate
Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejri-
wal, took the court through the state-
ments of witnesses, approvers and
accused in the case and said that only
five statements had named the Aam
Aadmi Party chief. Singhvi accused
the ED of omitting evidence favour-
able to Kejriwal and raised questions
about the validity of the incriminating
statements.
Singhvi scrutinised the state-
ments of five individuals - Magunta
Sreenivasulu Reddy (MSR), MSR’s son
Magunta Raghava Reddy, P Sarath
Chandra Reddy, Buchi Babu and C
Arvind — highlighting inconsistencies
and pressures that led to their testi-
monies. He said: “Magunta Sreeniva-
sulu Reddy (MSR), a former MP, was
coerced into testifying against Kejri-
wal to secure his son’s bail. MSR’s
initial statement in March 2023 was
disregarded by the ED, but under
duress, he implicated Kejriwal in July
2023, which coincided with his son’s
bail approval.”
He further said: “Raghava Reddy
(MSR’s son) made multiple statements
not implicating Kejriwal, which were
allegedly suppressed by the ED. His
subsequent statement against Kejri-
wal, made under mental distress, led
for medical reasons and a subsequent
pardon,” Singhvi alleged.
He further claimed that Buchi
Babu offered hearsay testimony in CBI
custody to avoid ED arrest. Despite
accusations in a CBI case, he remains
unarrested by the ED.
“C Arvind’s statement failed to link
Kejriwal to any crime proceeds, ques-
tioning the sufficiency of evidence for
implicating the Chief Minister under
Section 3 PMLA,” Singhvi said.
Singhvi also referenced a sixth
individual related to the Goa elections,
arguing that the allegations do not
constitute an offence under Section 3
PMLA and are at most a tax violation.
The defence highlighted the use of
Vijay Nair to associate Kejriwal with
the Delhi Liquor Policy case, ques-
tioning the lack of direct evidence
despite the long interval between
Nair’s and Kejriwal’s arrests. Sing-
hvi urged the court to recognise the
forced nature of the statements and
the absence of substantial evidence,
drawing parallels with the judgement
in Manish Sisodia’s case, where similar
documents and witnesses were used
without implicating Kejriwal.
The arguments further addressed
the strict interpretation of ‘proceeds of
crime,’ the absence of Kejriwal’s state-
ment under Section 50 PMLA prior
to his arrest, the need for fairness
and avoidance of vexatious arrests by
the ED, the necessity of corrobora-
tion for an approver’s statement, and
the requirement for material evidence
to justify an arrest under Section 19
PMLA. The court was urged to con-
sider both the grounds and the neces-
sity of arrest at the remand stage.
He pointed out that the ED was
initially opposing the bail plea of the
accused arrested in the case but after
they had named the Delhi chief min-
ister, the probe agency chose to not
oppose their bail plea.
The senior lawyer referred to the
2022 verdict of apex court in Vijay
Madanlal Choudhary and 2023 ver-
dict in Pankaj Bansal case and said
this court has ruled that the ED is not
expected to be vindictive and it must
act with the highest degree of fairness.
He said the term ‘proceeds of crime’
need to be interpreted strictly as the
possession of unaccounted prop-
erty acquired by illegal means may be
actionable for tax violation, but not
necessarily proceed of crime.
On Monday, the top court ques-
tioned the non-appearance of Kejri-
wal before the ED despite repeated
summonses for recording of state-
ments, and asked if he can challenge
the arrest in a money laundering case
related to the excise policy scam on
the ground of non-recording of his
version.
Kejriwal is currently lodged in the
Tihar jail here under judicial custody
after his arrest on March 21 in the
case.
The top court issued a notice to
the ED on April 15 and sought its
response to Kejriwal’s plea.
On April 9, the Delhi High Court
ruled it had found nothing illegal
about Kejriwal’s arrest.  WITH AGENCY INPUTS
Kumaraswamy said, the decision
is to suspend Prajwal, and the tenure
of the suspension is based on the SIT
probe report and government action
on it. Meanwhile, in Guwahati Union
Home minister Amit Shah hit back
on Congress and sought to know why
the state government did not take any
action against Prajwal Revanna for
alleged sexual abuse of women.
Addressing a press conference, Shah
asserted that the BJP will not toler-
ate any insult to women. “Congress has
been alleging that an NDA partner’s
candidate is involved in the incident,
but I just want to ask a small question -
whose government is there in that state
(Karnataka)? “Congress is in power in
Karnataka, and this matter must have
come to their attention. Why has it not
taken any action on it so far? We can-
not take any action as law and order is a
state issue,” Shah said.
Shah said Congress leader Priyanka
Gandhi is “questioning us but I want
to tell her that instead of asking Prime
Minister Narendra Modi or me, she
should ask her party’s chief minister”.
“What is the Karnataka government
doing? Why is there no inquiry? We
are in favour of a probe, and the JD(S)
has also announced that action will be
taken against Revanna,” Shah said. “The
issue regarding Revanna that has been
reported in the media is very hurtful
and cannot be tolerated in any way. The
BJP’s stand is very clear; we will not tol-
erate any insult to ‘matri aur nari shakti’
(women empowerment),” Shah said.
Earlier, addressing an election rally
in Kalaburagi district’s Sedam town in
Karnataka, Congress leader Priyanka
Gandhi Vadra targeted Prime Minister
and Home Ministeron the alleged sex
scandal and wondered how the accused
was able to leave the country after com-
mitting atrocities against women.
She accused the Prime Minister of
protecting those who committed atroci-
ties against women. “The person (Pra-
jwal Revanna) who shared the stage
with PM Modi and for whom Modi
asked votes committed atrocities on
thousands of women. I want to ask PM
Modi and HM Amit Shah what they
want to say about it,” she asked.
The Congress general secretary said
sometime back when she went to meet
her daughter (overseas) for three days,
Modi and Shah started saying that she
had gone abroad.
“They get to know where I or Oppo-
sition leaders have gone, but this kind
of criminal, this type of demon leaves
the country and they do not get to know
this?” she said. “How can we trust them?
All the information goes to them, they
keep a watch on all the leaders where
they are going but someone who com-
mitted such a big crime and flees the
country right under their nose, and they
do not have information,” she said.
Priyanaka Gandhi Vadra asked
women to seek accountability from the
Prime Minister. “Sisters, ask for account-
ability so that Modi should never dare
to ask about anyone’s ‘Mangalsutra’ until
the accused (in the alleged sex scandal)
returns from abroad,” she said, recount-
ing Modi’s ‘Mangalsutra’ charge.
“These days the PM talks about
Mangalsutra and your jewels. Where
She sought to know whether Modi
spoke in favour of women or was his
government protecting criminals. “I
want to ask Modi what he has done for
the security of women. He has weak-
ened them at every level.”
Meanwhile, firing yet another salvo,
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate
accused the BJP-JD(S) alliance of giv-
ing Hassan Lok Sabha ticket to Prajwal
Revanna, despite knowing about the
controversy surrounding him.
“It is very unfortunate that Pra-
jwal Revnna was allotted a ticket, even
though PM Modi and Home Minis-
ter Shah knew about the scandal. It is
tragic in fact,’’ Shrinate said in Belagavi
on Tuesday. She told mediapersons that
the Prime Minister knew about Pra-
jwal Revanna’s scandal contained in pen
drives over six months ago.
Meanwhile, the former driver of the
JD(S) leader H D Revanna’s family has
claimed that he handed over explicit
videos only to Hassan district BJP
leader Devaraje Gowda and no one else.
Karthik said he was the driver of leader
Revanna’s family for 15 years. Although
he has not explained how he came into
possession of the videos. The former
driver’s claim came to light in a video
that surfaced on Tuesday. WITH AGENCY INPUTS
LS polls: Cong
journey includes previous victories
as a Congress MP before his transition
to the BJP, under which he secured wins
in the 2014 and 2019 elections.
Polling in the Mumbai North con-
stituency will be held on May 20 and
in Haryana’s Gurgaon on May 25 in
the sixth round. Voting in Himachal
Pradesh will be held on June 1 in the last
phase of elections.
SC warns
Amanullah told the IMA’s counsel.
Justice Kohli added: “If it is correct
what is said by the other side, then let
us tell you, you have not covered your-
self with glory.” Rohatgi, who referred
to a news report of an English daily on
IMA chief ’s interview, said he would file
a copy of the publication carrying the
interview.
In an interview given to PTI on
Monday, the IMA president had said
it was “unfortunate” that the Supreme
Court criticised IMA and also the prac-
tices of the private doctors.
The Supreme Court also criti-
cised the Uttarakhand State Licensing
Authority (SLA) for its six-year delay in
addressing misleading advertisements
by Patanjali Ayurved Limited. The court
emphasised the need for honesty from
the SLA to garner any sympathy or com-
passion. The justices expressed their dis-
satisfaction with the SLA’s explanations
and questioned the timing of its actions,
which only followed the court’s order
from April 10. The bench remarked on
the SLA’s sudden shift from inaction
to rapid response following the court’s
intervention.
The SLA’s affidavit outlined actions
assessment, considering the prolonged
period of inactivity.
“The long and short of it is, when
you want to move, you move like light-
ning and if you don’t want to move, you
drag your feet forever and ever. This is
what it shows,” the bench observed after
perusing the affidavit filed by the SLA.
The court also inquired about the
measures taken by the former joint
director of the SLA during his ten-
ure, addressing the lack of action since
2018. Justice Amanullah emphasised the
importance of honesty in seeking the
court’s leniency.
Following the court’s wake-up call,
the SLA suspended manufacturing
licences for 14 Patanjali products and
filed a criminal complaint against key
figures associated with the company.
Despite the SLA’s recent flurry of
activity, the bench remained concerned
about the lack of timely legal action. The
court has allowed the SLA additional
time to submit a more comprehensive
affidavit and scheduled the next hearing
for May 14, as it continues to address
the IMA’s 2022 plea regarding a smear
campaign against Covid vaccination and
modern medicine practices.
AstraZeneca
TTS to manifest independently of
the vaccine. Determining causality in
individual instances will require expert
testimony.”
Legal representatives for the plain-
tiffs argue that their clients, or their fam-
ily members, have suffered from TTS
after receiving the AZ vaccine. TTS is
a rare condition marked by simultane-
ous occurrences of thrombosis (blood
clots) and thrombocytopenia (a deficit
of platelets).
The potential repercussions of TTS
are severe, ranging from strokes and
brain damage to heart attacks, pulmo-
nary embolisms, and even limb amputa-
tions. Among the claimants represented
by Leigh Day law firm, 12 are seeking
justice for deceased relatives, asserting
that the vaccine was the direct cause of
death or injury, as evidenced by medical
records and death certificates.
Sarah Moore, a partner at Leigh Day,
expressed frustration over AstraZen-
eca’s delayed acknowledgement of the
vaccine’s risks, which had been recog-
nized by the medical community since
late 2021. She criticised the company,
the government, and their legal teams
for prioritising litigation strategies for
addressing the vaccine’s impact on
affected individuals.
The plaintiffs maintain that the
AZ vaccine’s safety did not meet the
expected standards, a claim vehemently
denied by AstraZeneca. The com-
pany extended its condolences to those
affected and emphasised the importance
of patient safety, citing rigorous regula-
tory standards for all medical products,
including vaccines.
AstraZeneca also highlighted the
vaccine’s proven safety record, as evi-
denced by clinical trials and real-world
data, and reiterated that global health
authorities agree the benefits of vacci-
nation surpass the risks associated with
change approved by UK regulators and
referenced in the court documents.
Dr Aseem Malhotra, a British Indian
cardiologist and outspoken critic, con-
demned AstraZeneca for only now
admitting to the vaccine’s potential for
harm, suggesting that such risks should
have been evident from the beginning.
The WHO continues to endorse the
vaccine as safe and effective for adults
over 18, with the side effects in question
being exceedingly uncommon.
The legal proceedings in the UK are
ongoing, with the claimants having sub-
mitted their case details for two specific
incidents. AstraZeneca has disputed the
claims, and both parties have agreed to
consolidate the cases. A case manage-
ment conference is scheduled to take
place later this year. Meanwhile, the
Serum Institute of India, which also pro-
duces the vaccine, has been requested
for a statement.  AGENCIES
Rohit to lead
Even the Mumbai ortho surgeon
who had performed the knee surgery on
Pant had said it would take time for Pant
to return, approximately 18 months.
But then, the way Rishabh Pant worked
out in rehab and at the gym has seen
him compete in IPL 2024 without any
fear. He has led Delhi Capitals with flair,
even though the side may not make it
to the playoffs in the IPL. What is also
noteworthy is how Pant has not flinched
from keeping wickets. It’s a clear sign he
has been keen to showcase his fitness
and skills in the IPL to earn a place back
in the India squad.
To be sure, relegating Shubman Gill
to the reserves list will rankle a few.
Captain of Gujarat Titans in the IPL,
Gill has struggled for form over the
last five weeks. At the same time, KL
Rahul also not being considered is a
sign the selectors looked at form, IPL,
plus past performances. Shivam Dube
and Sanju Samson have barged their
way into the squad. To have left them
out would have been blasphemy. Sam-
son has led Rajasthan Royals with rel-
ish in IPL 2024 and reminded selectors
if two wicket-keepers are to travel to
the West Indies and the USA, he can-
not be forgotten.
In the pace/seam bowling depart-
ment, there may be a lean look. Jasprit
Bumrah, Mohd Siraj and Arshdeep
Singh will be backed by Hardik Pan-
dya and Shivam Dube as seam-bowling
options. Pandya has done little worth
noting in this IPL as captain of Mum-
bai Indians, with bat and ball, but he
has been preferred as he has backing of
a strong lobby. There are doubts how fit
he is, but he has won back the vice-cap-
taincy job again.
In spin department, old wine Ravin-
dra Jadeja is there with Axar Patel and
Yuzvendra Chahal. After India bombed
at the box office in the last T20 World
Cup, losing to England in the semi-
finals, experiments were done. The focus
was on youth but the way “old wine” has
made a comeback, it is clear the BCCI
selection committee has not dared to
experiment too much with the team
template.

‘CONGRESS DESTROYED INDIA’S
ECONOMY DURING ITS REGIME’
We don’t send dossiers
on terror; we kill them on
their home turf: Modi
OUR CORRESPONDENT
LATUR: Prime Minister Nar-
endra Modi on Tuesday said
that unlike the practice during
Congress regime of sending
dossiers to Pakistan after the
Mumbai terror attacks, the BJP-
led government hits terrorists
on their home turf.
“During the Congress
regime, the news headlines
were about India handing over
another dossier to Pakistan
about terror activities. “It used
to be big news. Some of our
friends in the media used to
clap after any such dossier was
sent,” Modi said at an election
rally in Maharashtra’s Latur.
“Today, India doesn’t send
dossiers. Aaj Bharat ghar mein
ghus ke marta hai (Today,
India kills terrorists on their
home turf),” Modi said. “The
headlines in Naya Bharat are:
Mission LOC, India punishes
Pakistan through surgical
strikes,” Modi said.
Modi also claimed that the
INDIA bloc has come up with
a “formula” whereby the parties
in the Opposition alliance will
get the PM’s post for one year
each if they come to power.”
With such a system, the
good of the country cannot be
expected, Modi said.
“Some people want to make
the PM in installments. They
have decided to have a PM each
year,” he said. Modi said Con-
gress destroyed India’s econ-
omy during its regime.
Targeting Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi, Modi said,
“When I speak of ‘EK Bharat
Shreshtha Bharat’, the Prince
of Congress suffers from fever”.
POLLSCAPENEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024
2024
millenniumpost 5
NDA manifesto for
Andhra Assembly
polls pledges
Rs 1500 pension
for women
AMRAVATI: The National
Democratic Alliance in
Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday
released its joint manifesto for
the upcoming polls in the state
wherein they promised to offer
Rs 1500 monthly pension to
eligible women. The Telugu
Desam Party, Jana Sena and
BJP combine also promised to
offer Rs 3000 monthly finan-
cial assistance to unemployed
youth. Releasing the manifesto,
Janasena chief Pawana Kalyan
said the manifesto is an amal-
gamation of TDP’s “super six”
and his party’s “Shanmukha
Vyuham”.
The TDP had earlier
announced “super six” which
PM addresses a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections in Latur  PIC/PTI promised to offer free bus travel
to women, three free cooking
Highlights gas cylinders to every house-
hold per year and Rs 15,000 to
»»‘During the Congress regime, the news headlines were every school-going child per
about India handing over another dossier to Pakistan annum, among others. Janas-
about terror activities’ ena, TDP and BJP are NDA
alliance partners in the south-
»»‘In 2014 and 2019, you gave us a huge mandate. ern state. As part of a seat shar-
We utilised it not to snatch anything from anyone, but ing deal among NDA partners,
to provide benefits and ensure welfare. Ours is a TDP was allocated 144 Assem-
government that truly gives strength to social justice’ bly and 17 Lok Sabha constit-
uencies while BJP will contest
»»‘Those who looted the country are behind bars. Those from six Lok Sabha and 10
who looted the country will have to pay back. And this is Assembly seats. Janasena will
Modi’s guarantee’ contest two Lok Sabha and 21
Assembly seats. Elections for
»»‘The people of our country have always been the 175-member Assembly and
hardworking and talented, but the Congress party 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra
committed the sin of crushing their dreams’ Pradesh are scheduled on May
13 and the counting of votes
“Those who looted the about only one family, but will be held on June 4. Battle
country are behind bars. Those Modi thinks about every fam- lines have been drawn for the
who looted the country will ily of Bharat, he said. simultaneous polls for Assem-
have to pay back. And this is “In 2014 and 2019, you gave bly and Lok Sabha on May 13 in
Modi’s guarantee,” he said. us a huge mandate. We utilised Andhra Pradesh, with the with-
“The people of our country it not to snatch anything from drawal of nominations coming
have always been hardworking anyone, but to provide bene- to an end on Monday. The Elec-
and talented, but the Congress fits and ensure welfare. Ours is tion Commission scrutinised
party committed the sin of a government that truly gives the nominations on April 26,
crushing their dreams,” he said. strength to social justice,” which it received between April
The Congress thought Modi said. 18 and 25. MPOST

BJP claims its BJP will tear Constitution apart if

performance
will be historic
in South India
NEW DELHI: The BJP on
Tuesday claimed that its perfor-
mance in south India, a region
where it has traditionally strug-
gled outside Karnataka, will
be historic and accused the
Congress of running a cam-
paign full of blatant lies and
misinformation. BJP leader
and Union Minister Rajeev
Chandrasekhar, who con-
tested against incumbent MP
and Congress candidate Shashi
Tharoor from Thiruvanantha-
puram in Kerala, said history
will be made on June 4 when
votes for the Lok Sabha polls
are counted. The BJP has per-
formed extremely strongly in
Kerala and Tamil Nadu and its
overall tally from south India
will be closer to 60 this time,
he claimed. The region has a
total of 131 Lok Sabha seats.
The BJP had won 29, includ-
ing 25 in Karnataka, of those
in 2019, drawing a blank in
Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and
Tamil Nadu. Polling in Kerala
and Tamil Nadu is over. MPOST
it returns to power, says Rahul
SATYAPRAKASH SHARMA
BHOPAL: Former Congress
chief Rahul Gandhi on Tues-
day said that the ongoing Lok
Sabha elections are not com-
mon polls, but a battle between
two ideologies, claiming that if
BJP returns to power, it will tear
apart the Constitution which
granted rights to the poor,
Dalits, STs and OBCs.
Gandhi made this remark
while addressing an election
rally in Madhya Pradesh’s
Bhind to canvass for Congress
candidate Phool Singh Bara-
iya who is contesting elections
from Bhind-Datial Lok Sabha
seat.
While holding a copy of
the Constitution, Rahul Gan-
dhi said, “The ongoing Lok
Sabha polls are not normal
elections, but a fight between
two ideologies.”
“The general castes poor,
SCs, STs, and OBCs got several
rights because of the Constitu-
tion which also gave the peo-
ple MGNREGA, land rights,
white revolution, reservation,
and other things. The Con-
gress leader claimed these will
Rahul Gandhi PIC/MPOST
disappear If the BJP comes to
power”.
The Prime Minister, Amit
Shah and their MPs have made
up their minds that if they get
elected, they will tear apart
and throw this book (Consti-
tution), the member of Par-
liament from Waynad further
claimed.
“The BJP wants this book to
be thrown away and leave the
country for 20-25 billionaires
to run,” he said.
Targeting the BJP gov-
ernment over the reserva-
tion issue, Rahul asked that
if the ruling dispensation is
not against it, why is it mak-
ing privatisation of PSUs, the
Railways and other sectors? He
claimed that if Congress voted
to power regular appointments
would be given in government
and public sectors and ended
the privatisation. Gandhi
also claimed that if the Con-
gress came to power, it would
make crores of women “lakh-
pati” through its Mahalaksmi
Yojana. Under the scheme, the
government will transfer Rs 1
lakh (Rs 8,500 per month) into
the accounts of the women to
make them “lakhpati”, he said.
“If Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi can turn 20-25 indus-
trialists into billionaires, then
the Congress will turn crores
of women into lakhpatis,” he
also said.
BJP has been holding the
Bhind Lok Sabha seat reserved
for Scheduled caste since 1989.
The Saffron Party has fielded
Sandhya Rai who is the incum-
bent MP from this seat. The
voting is scheduled for this seat
on May 7.
Rahul Gandhi also attacked
the ruling BJP and PM Naren-
dra Modi over the Agnivieer
army recruitment scheme, say-
ing that through the scheme
the government has been mess-
ing around the future of the
youth of the country.

Cong MLA Mevani’s close aide, AAP leader
held for sharing fake video of Amit Shah
OUR CORRESPONDENT
AHMEDABAD: The Guja-
rat police on Tuesday said
they have arrested a Congress
leader and an Aam Aadmi
Party (AAP) functionary for
allegedly sharing Union Home
Minister Amit Shah’s deep fake
video, in which he is purport-
edly seen announcing the cur-
tailment of reservation rights of
the SCs, STs and OBCs.
The Ahmedabad Cyber
Crime Cell arrested the two
persons, identified as Satish
Vansola, a resident of Palan-
pur in Banaskantha and Rakesh
Baria from Limkheda town of
Dahod district, the police said
in a release. A preliminary
probe revealed that Vansola
has been working as the Per-
sonal Assistant (PA) of Con-
gress MLA Jignesh Mevani
since the last six years, while
Baria has been serving as the
AAP’s Dahod district president
GUJARAT
in mind during voting. “Satish
Closer Look is not just my PA, he is like my
brother. BJP’s IT Cell has been
»»Arrested individuals identified as Satish Vansola and spreading fake videos for a
Rakesh Baria; Vansola is Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani’s long time. But instead of tak-
personal assistant ing any action against them,
»»‘BJP’s IT Cell has been spreading fake videos for a long police have arrested a com-
time. But instead of taking any action against them, mon man like Vansola who had
posted that video by mistake,”
police have arrested a common man like Vansola who said Mevani, working presi-
had posted that video by mistake’ dent of Gujarat Congress and
MLA from Vadgam (SC) seat
since the last four years, it said. between reserved castes and of Banaskantha.
Vansola, who belongs to the unreserved castes in view of The Special Cell of the
Dalit community, also serves as the upcoming Lok Sabha elec- Delhi Police had on Sunday
the general secretary of Banas- tions. “Both of them had shared registered an FIR after the
kantha district Congress. The this edited video of Amit Shah Indian Cyber Crime Coordi-
duo was booked under sec- on their Facebook pages. nation Centre (I4C), which is
tion 153A (promoting enmity They received this video on under the Ministry of Home
between different groups) and their WhatsApp and investi- Affairs, filed a complaint about
505(2) (statements creating or gations are still on to nab the the doctored video of Shah
promoting enmity, hatred or person who had edited this where his statements indicat-
ill-will between classes) of the video,” said Deputy Commis- ing a commitment to abolish
Indian Penal Code (IPC). sioner of Police, Cyber Crime, quota for Muslims on religious
The release said the duo Lavina Sinha. Following Van- ground in Telangana were
had uploaded the edited video sola’s arrest, Mevani said Dalits changed to make it seem that
of Amit Shah’s speech with from Banaskantha and Patan he was advocating scrapping
an intention to create enmity Lok Sabha seats will keep this of all reservations.
6 Nation
Chhattisgarh: Ten Naxalites killed in
encounter with security personnel
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NARAYANPUR/ RAIPUR:
Ten Naxalites, including three
women, were killed in an
encounter with security per-
sonnel in a forest along the bor-
der of Narayanpur and Kanker
districts in Chhattisgarh on
Tuesday, state’s Deputy Chief
Minister Vijay Sharma said.
This is the second major
strike on Naxalites by security
forces in 15 days. Sharma, in a
video statement, termed it as a
major success in the anti-Naxal
operation in the state.
According to police, the
latest gunfight took place
at around 6 am in the forest
between Tekmeta and Kakur
villages in Abhujmad area,
considered as a stronghold of
Naxalites, when a joint team
of the District Reserve Guard
(DRG) and Special Task Force
(STF) was out on an anti-Naxal
operation. The operation was
launched on Monday night and
Haryana’s
progress
linked to BJP’s
victory: Saini
MPOST BUREAU
CHANDIGARH: State
Chief Minister and BJP can-
didate of Karnal Assembly
by-election, Nayab Singh
Saini said India has wit-
nessed maximum growth
in the last ten years and has
become very powerful.
The Chief Minister said
that work should be done to
make BJP candidate Mano-
har Lal Khattar win from
Karnal Lok Sabha by huge
votes. Chief Minister Nayab
Singh Saini participated in
several programs organized
in Karnal on Tuesday.
The chief minister said
that the way Manohar Lal
Khattar has ensured devel-
opment in Haryana, the
picture is clear that after
winning all the 10 Lok
Sabha seats of Haryana,
BJP candidates will repre-
sent Haryana in the biggest
Panchayat of the country.
For the third time, peo-
ple’s favorite leader Naren-
dra Modi will be made the
Prime Minister.
He said that work has
been done on many proj-
ects of the Central Gov-
ernment and the State
Government in Hary-
ana. “The BJP government
has tried to resolve peo-
ples’ problems, which was
pending for years during
the previous governments.”
He called upon the public
to make Narendra Modi
the Prime Minister for the
third time India’s progress.
Anurag Thakur
accuses Cong of using
deepfake for fake news
NEW DELHI: In a bold state-
ment today, Union Minister of
Information and Broadcasting
and Youth and Sports Affairs,
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur,
lambasted the Congress party
for resorting to deceitful tac-
tics, including the dissemina-
tion of deepfake videos, to sow
fear and confusion among the
populace. Thakur emphasised
the peril posed by such unscru-
pulous actions to the fabric of
democracy, highlighting the
names of prominent Congress
leaders implicated in these rep-
rehensible activities.
Thakur remarked, “Prior to
the general elections, it was evi-
dent that the opposition would
resort to falsehoods, fear-mon-
gering, and confusion in antici-
pation of their inevitable defeat.
Today, the Congress leadership
has stooped to unprecedented
lows, basing their entire elec-
toral strategy on a foundation
of lies. Faced with the reality
of impending defeat, they have
resorted to leveraging technol-
ogy and deepfake videos to fur-
ther instill fear and confusion
among voters.”
Replying to a question on
SECOND MAJOR STRIKE IN 15 DAYS
Chhattisgarh’s Deputy CM urges rebels to abandon violence and seek
reconciliation for Bastar’s development 
the encounter took place in the
Abhujmad area on the border
of Narayanpur and Kanker dis-
tricts on Tuesday morning, said
Deputy CM Sharma, who also
holds Home portfolio.
“Nine Naxalites, including
three women, were gunned
down and their bodies have
been recovered. No harm was
reported to security personnel
in the face-off,” he said.
BATTLE FOR MANDI
HP: Thakur & Vikramaditya Singh
clash over undemocratic maneuvers
ASHWANI SHARMA
SHIMLA: In an intense war
of attrition between former
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur
and Congress candidate Vikra-
maditya Singh ahead of the Lok
Sabha polls in Mandi, Singh
accused the former CM of mak-
ing an unsuccessful attempt to
topple the Congress govern-
ment in his desire to grab power
through undemocratic means.
“I am Virbhadra Singh’s
son, I know how to extract
ghee with crooked fingers.
Jairam Thakur should under-
stand that there are no short-
cuts to power, and if he fails to
understand this, even God will
Khattar blames Rahul
for Congress’ decline
MPOST BUREAU
CHANDIGARH: Taking a
dig at the Congress party, for-
mer Chief Minister of Hary-
ana Manohar Lal Khattar said
sarcastically that Rahul Gan-
dhi has taken responsibility
for tearing down the Congress
party. Khattar said that the
party is presently a sinking
boat and will survive as soon
as Rahul Gandhi is removed
from the party.
He said this during the
Vijay Sankalp rally organized
in Kairu town of Tosham
assembly on Tuesday. In the
rally, the former Chief Minis-
ter also gave advice to the Con-
gress and also strongly targeted
the policies of the Congress.
Taking a jibe at Rahul Gan-
the speculation that Rahul
Gandhi could also contest
from a seat in Uttar Pradesh,
Thakur said Rahul Gandhi will
be defeated in any any constitu-
ency he choses to contest from.
Thakur condemned the Con-
gress party’s propagation of
falsehoods, asserting that their
claims regarding reservations
and constitutional matters are
baseless and intended to obfus-
cate their own shortcomings.
Thakur went on to crit-
icise the Congress party’s
track record, citing instances
where they allegedly under-
mined reservation quotas for
marginalised communities
and exploited identity politics
for electoral gains. He under-
scored the Modi government’s
commitment to empowering
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes, and Other Backward
Classes, emphasising the
administration’s efforts to pro-
vide constitutional safeguards
and socioeconomic opportuni-
ties to these communities
Thakur concluded by reaf-
firming the Bharatiya Janata
Party’s dedication to women’s
empowerment. MPOST
PIC/REPRESENTATIVE
An AK-47 rifle and a cache
of other arms, ammunition
and explosives were also seized
from the spot, he said, terming
the action as a major success.
Sharma congratulated the
security personnel for the suc-
cess. He also appealed to Nax-
alites to give up arms and join
the mainstream.“The state gov-
ernment led by Chief Minister
Vishnu Deo Sai wants a solu-
Jairam Thakur PIC/MPOST
not forgive him for his unwar-
ranted actions,” said Vikrama-
ditya Singh at an election rally.
The process of nominations in
Himachal Pradesh will begin
on May 6. On Tuesday, Vikra-
maditya Singh opened a direct
dhi’s statements, Khattar said
that Rahul Gandhi says he is a
follower of Mahatma Gandhi
though he is not even one per
cent close to him. However, it
is true that Rahul Gandhi is
definitely fulfilling Mahatma
Gandhi’s dream of destroying
Congress.
Speaking at the Vijay Sank-
alp rally organized in support
of Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok
Sabha candidate Dharambir
Singh, former CM Manohar
Lal Khattar said that the welfare
policies of the BJP government
have made the life of every per-
son easier. Furthermore, Khat-
tar stated that he is no longer
a Chief Minister or former
CM; rather, he sees himself as
a brother who is always ready
to serve the people.
Above-normal monsoon rainfall Nation Briefs
predicted for South Asia in 2024 ECR TO OPERATE FIVE MORE PAIRS OF
SPECIAL TRAINS TO MEET DEMAND
Forecast attributed to favorable La Nina conditions expected
to set in by August-September, boosting rainfall prospects
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: Above-normal
rainfall is expected during the
2024 southwest monsoon sea-
son over most parts of south
Asia, the South Asian Climate
Outlook Forum said on Tues-
day. The forecast follows the
prediction of above-normal
rain in the monsoon season in
India on the back of favourable
La Nina conditions, expected
to set in by August-September.
“Above normal rainfall is
most likely during the 2024
southwest monsoon season
(June-September) over most
parts of south Asia, except some
areas over northern, eastern,
and northeastern parts of the
region, where below-normal
rainfall is most likely,” the South
Asian Climate Outlook Forum
(SASCOF) said. Above-normal
maximum and minimum tem-
peratures are predicted over
most parts of south Asia during
the season, except a few areas
over the southeastern part of
Highlights
»»The identity of the killed Naxalites yet to be
ascertained. An AK-47 rifle and a cache of other arms,
ammunition and explosives also seized from the spot
»»‘If any Naxalite, or a big or small group wants to talk
through video call or a mediator, we are ready and will
arrange better rehabilitation for them. We urge them to
join the mainstream. We want peace to prevail in Bastar
and development to take place there’
»»With this incident, 88 Naxalites have been killed so far
this year in separate encounters with security forces in
the state’s Bastar region
tion to this issue through talks.
If any Naxalite, or a big or small
group wants to talk through
video call or a mediator, we
are ready and will arrange bet-
ter rehabilitation for them. We
urge them to join the main-
stream. We want peace to pre-
vail in Bastar and development
to take place there,” Sharma
said. he identity of the killed
Naxalites was yet to be ascer-
front against Jairam Thakur
in his stronghold of Seraj—
where Thakur has won six
assembly elections – the last
one in 2022 with a record mar-
gin of 37,000 votes. He alleged
that Jairam’s desire to run the
government had increased
so much that he is no longer
able to control himself and is
thinking of running the gov-
ernment by hatching a con-
spiracy. Thakur hit back at
Vikramaditya Singh by saying
that the people of Mandi are
no less crooked and that the
Congress government, stating
they couldn’t manage despite a
five-year opportunity given by
the people.
Manipur Police drove Kuki women
to rioting mob: CBI chargesheet
NEW DELHI: The Manipur
Police personnel allegedly
drove the two women from the
Kuki-Zomi community, who
had sought refuge in their offi-
cial gypsy, to a mob of around
1,000 Meiti rioters in Kang-
pokpi district, the CBI charge
sheet has said.
The two women were sub-
sequently stripped naked and
paraded before being brutally
gang-raped during the ethnic
violence in the state, the charge
sheet added.
The charge sheet said the
mob had attacked a third
woman, belonging to the same
family, too, and tried to strip
her but failed in the attempt
because she was clutching
her granddaughter tightly.
She managed to escape after
PIC/REPRESENTATIVE
the region where normal tem-
peratures are most likely.This
regional climate outlook for
the 2024 southwest monsoon
season has been developed
by all nine National Meteoro-
logical and Hydrological Ser-
vices (NMHSs) of south Asia
with support from interna-
tional experts at the 28th ses-
sion of SASCOF-28, conducted
online. SASCOF said moderate
El Nino conditions are prevail-
ing at present. ENSO (El Nino-
Southern Oscillation) neutral
conditions are expected in the
first half of the monsoon sea-
tained, police said. With this
incident, 88 Naxalites have
been killed so far this year in
separate encounters with secu-
rity forces in the state’s Bastar
region, comprising seven dis-
tricts including Narayan-
pur and Kanker, according to
police. On April 16, 29 Nax-
alites were gunned down in an
encounter with security forces
in Kanker district.
Navy should remain operationally ready to deter
adversaries, says Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi
NEW DELHI: Shortly after
assuming charge as the 26th
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admi-
ral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi on
Tuesday said the Navy should
remain operationally ready
at all times to deter poten-
tial adversaries in view of the
emerging challenges in the
maritime domain.
Admiral Tripathi, regarded
as a communication and elec-
tronic warfare specialist, took
the reins of the force following
the retirement of incumbent R
Hari Kumar after a career span-
ning four decades. The admi-
ral took charge of the Navy at
a time when various strate-
gic waterways, including the
Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,
were witnessing security chal-
A video showing
two women being
paraded naked
surrounded by a mob
of men went viral last
year in July, nearly
two months after the
incident that took
place on May 4
the group attacking her went
towards the first two victims
who were being tormented in
the paddy fields.
All three victims had
sought the help of police per-
sonnel present on the spot, but
no help was extended to them,
the charge sheet has alleged.
Takeaways
»»Above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures
are predicted over most parts of south Asia during the
season, except a few areas over the southeastern part
of the region
»»‘Moderate El Nino conditions are prevailing at present.
ENSO neutral conditions are expected in the first half of
the monsoon season. Thereafter, La Nina conditions may
set in by the second half’
son. Thereafter, La Nina condi-
tions may set in by the second
half. El Nino conditions -- peri-
odic warming of surface waters
in the central Pacific Ocean --
are associated with weaker
monsoon winds and drier con-
ditions in India. La Nina condi-
tions -- the antithesis of El Nino
-- are the dominant factor in
the likelihood of “above-nor-
mal” rainfall during the mon-
soon season, DS Pai, a senior
scientist at the India Meteo-
rological Department (IMD)
said. Positive Indian Ocean
Dipole conditions, favour-
CALLS REPORT ‘SPECULATIVE AND IRRESPONSIBLE’
India slams The Washington
Post report on Pannun case
The US daily named a RAW officer in connection with
the alleged plot to kill Pannun on American soil
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: A day after
The Washington Post named
an Indian official for allegedly
plotting to assassinate Sikh
extremist Gurpatwant Singh
Pannun, India on Tuesday said
the report made “unwarranted
and unsubstantiated” imputa-
tions on a serious matter and
that investigation into the case
was underway. The newspaper,
citing unnamed sources, named
a Research and Analysis Wing
(RAW) officer in connection
with the alleged plot to kill Pan-
nun on American soil last year.
External Affairs Ministry
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
said a high-level inquiry com-
mittee set up by New Delhi to
look into inputs provided by
the US on the alleged plot was
still probing the case. “There
is an ongoing investigation of
Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi as
he assumes charge as Navy Chief
 PIC/PTI
lenges, especially with Houthi
militants targeting merchant
ships in the region. “The exist-
ing and emerging challenges
in the maritime domain man-
date the Indian Navy to remain
operationally ready to deter
The women, one of whom
was the wife of a Kargil war
veteran, desperately asked the
police personnel to drive them
to a safe location but were alleg-
edly told by them that “there
was no key” (of the vehicle) and
did not provide any help, the
charge sheet said.
A video showing two
women being paraded naked
surrounded by a mob of men
went viral last year in July,
nearly two months after the
incident that took place on
May 4.
The CBI filed its charge
sheet against six accused and
a report against one Child in
Conflict with the Law (CCL)
before the Special Judge, CBI
Court at Guwahati on October
16 last year. MPOST
able for the Indian monsoon,
are predicted in the later part
of the season. Additionally,
the snow cover in the north-
ern hemisphere is low. The
northern hemisphere winter
and spring snow cover extent
generally have an inverse rela-
tionship with the subsequent
southwest monsoon rainfall
over south Asia.
Earlier this month, the IMD
said the seasonal rainfall in
India will be on the higher side
of ‘above-normal’ and pegged
it at 106 per cent of the long-
period average (87 cm).
millenniumpost
WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 | NEW DELHI
officer as Vikram Yadav and
alleged that he was involved
in the plot to assassinate Pan-
nun. In November last year,
US federal prosecutors charged
Indian national Nikhil Gupta of
working with an Indian gov-
ernment employee in the foiled
plot to kill Pannun.
Pannun, wanted in India
on terror charges, holds dual
citizenship of the US and Can-
Sikh separatist leader
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun PIC/PTI ada. He has been designated as
a terrorist by the Union home
the high level committee set ministry under the anti-terror
up by the Government of India law Unlawful Activities (Pre-
to look into the security con- vention) Act. The allegations
cerns shared by the US govern- about the failed plot to kill Pan-
ment on networks of organised nun came to fore weeks after
criminals, terrorists and oth- the Canadian Prime Minis-
ers,” he said. “Speculative and ter claimed in September of
irresponsible comments on it a “potential” involvement of
are not helpful,” Jaiswal said, Indian agents in the killing of
slamming the report by the Khalistani separatist Hardeep
US daily. The Washington Singh Nijjar on June 18 in Brit-
Post report identified the RAW ish Columbia.
‘My priority will be
Red Sea, there have been grow-
to upskill our human
ing concerns in India’s secu-
rity establishment over China’s
increasing forays into the
resource that is the Indian Ocean Region.
men and women “I will also strengthen the
of our Navy and ongoing efforts of the Indian
Navy towards ‘Aatmanirb-
provide them with harta’ (self-reliance), towards
the best armament, new technologies and becom-
training, professional ing an important pillar of the
nation’s development towards
environment and our collective quest for ‘Viksit
administrative support’ Bharat’,” he said.
“My priority will be to
potential adversities at sea in upskill our human resource
peace and to win the war at sea that is the men and women of
when asked to do so,” he said. our Navy and provide them
“That will remain my singular with the best armament, train-
focus and endeavour,” the new ing, professional environment
Navy Chief said. and administrative support,”
Besides the situation in the Admiral Tripathi said. MPOST
MP: Six-term Congress
MLA Ramniwas joins BJP
SATYAPRAKASH SHARMA
BHOPAL: In a series of suffer-
ing setbacks to Congress, its six-
time MLA Ramniwas Rawat
joined BJP on Tuesday, in the
presence of Madhya Pradesh
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
and BJP’s joining cell convenor
Narottam Mishra. The latest
blow to Congress comes just
after a day its candidate Akshay
Cong MLA Ramniwas Rawat joins
BJP in presence of CM Mohan
Kanti Bom from the Indore seat Yadav and senior BJP leader
withdrew his nomination from Narottam Mishra in Vijaypur of
the ongoing election fray and MP on Tuesday PIC/MPOST
joined the BJP. Rawat, who cur-
rently represents the Vijaypur a Congress ticket. He was pre-
Assembly constituency in the viously the working president
State Vidhan Sabha, served as a of the MP Congress. Notably,
Minister in the Digvijay Singh- Rawat’s defection came while
led Congress government. He Congress’s former president
has won six elections as an Rahul Gandhi was on a visit to
MLA from the same seat on the state on Tuesday.
HAJIPUR: ECR will operate additional special trains
due to heavy passenger demand. Five pairs of summer
special trains will be introduced, commencing from
May 4, 2024. Train 06217 Yeshwantpur - Gaya Sum-
mer Special will depart Yeshwantpur every Saturday
at 07:30 and arrive in Gaya on Monday at 07:30.
Train 06218 Gaya - Yeshwantpur Summer Special
will depart Gaya every Monday at 23:45 and reach
Yeshwantpur on Wednesday at 22:00. This service
will comprise 10 sleeper class and 11 general class
coaches. Additionally, train 07315 Hubli – Muzaffar-
pur Summer Special will depart Hubli at 17:20 every
Tuesday from April 30, 2024, to May 28, 2024, with
stopovers at Pune and Patliputra before reaching
Muzaffarpur at 13:40.
JAMMU: 3 DROWN, 2 FEARED DEAD
AFTER LANDSLIDES, HEAVY RAINFALL
JAMMU: Three people died, and two are feared
dead in separate incidents after they fell into the
swollen streams due to multiple landslides between
the Ramban and Banihal stretch here, officials said on
Tuesday. Mohd Shafi (65) and Mumira Bano (17) ac-
cidentally fell into the fast-flowing waters on Monday
while crossing the Deval and Dunga streams in Reasi,
officials said. Shafi’s body was retrieved from the river,
and efforts are being made to locate Bano, who had
come to attend a marriage function in Mahore in Reasi,
they said.
millenniumpost
NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 Opinion 7
A poll gimmick?
The government’s decision to permit onion imports during the Lok Sabha elections has fuelled anger
among onion farmers, who perceive the move as a political manoeuvre covering up the extended ban
An unyielding
A
recent decision by
the Centre over

influence
allowing onion
imports has fur-
HIMANSHU ther angered onion farmers

A
NITNAWARE in Nashik and neighbouring
s Gujarat gears up for another election onion-growing regions, who
cycle, the narrative spun by political par- have labelled the move a polit-
ties often includes talk of development, ical gimmick during the Lok
modernisation, and a step away from tradi- Sabha elections.
tional identity politics. However, beneath this veneer The extension of the alli-
of progressiveness, the structure of caste continues um’s export ban in March had
to wield significant influence over political strategies upset farmers in the region
and candidate selection. This persistent reliance on earlier, with tensions extend-
caste, despite the globalising influences and urbanisa- ing to the political arena.
tion, reveals a deeper societal hold that caste still com- The unrest further deepened
mands in both rural and urban landscapes of the state. after the central government
approved the export of 2,000
In Gujarat, caste is not just a remnant of a pre- Farmers have tonnes of white onions from
modern social order but a living, breathing social Gujarat on April 25, 2024.
reality that shapes political fortunes. Political parties, reacted strongly, Maharashtra’s onion farm-
whether they admit it openly or not, continue to play questioning ing community felt unfairly
the caste card meticulously. The BJP and Congress, excluded, as the onion belt
along with newer contenders like AAP, align their can- why there are primarily grows red onions.
didate selections to mirror the caste demographics of different rules Earlier this month, the
regions, reflecting a calculated approach to maximise entry of candidates cam-
electoral appeal. The representation of Patidars, OBCs, for white and paigning for the upcoming
and Kolis in the candidate lists of major parties under- red onions, and Lok Sabha polls was barred in
scores the strategic importance of these groups in a part of Maharashtra’s famed
Gujarat’s electoral arithmetic. have demanded onion belt — Deola taluka in
that the Nashik — over the ban on
The narrative that urban areas, like Ahmedabad onion exports.
and Vadodara, are shedding the weight of caste iden- restrictions and On April 27, 2024, a Press
tities is both hopeful and misleading. While it’s true the ban be lifted Information Bureau notifica-
that urbanisation has introduced new social dynamics tion stated the central govern-
that dilute strict caste lines, the fundamental influence immediately ment was allowing the export
of caste cannot be overlooked. Analysts like Amit of 99,150 tonnes of onions Onion growers want the freedom to be able to export onions without NCEL playing a role
Dholakia and sociologist Vidyut Joshi assert that to six countries: Bangladesh,
while urban centres may exhibit a weakening of tradi- United Arab Emirates, Bhu- tioned are from March 2024, that farmers may vote against to be sold. But it doesn’t help Jadhav noted that the gov-
tional caste structures, in rural areas, caste identities tan, Bahrain, Mauritius and when the onion export ban them during the ongoing Lok any farmer,” he said. ernment’s approval to export
remain as potent as ever, guiding voter behaviour and Sri Lanka. The export oper- was expected to be lifted, he Sabha elections. Hence, this Dighole added that the over 99,000 tonnes of onions
candidate selection. ations will be managed by explained. gimmick,” he said. move is purely to garner is insignificant. “The country
the National Co-operative The central government Farmers have reacted votes and is a false attempt to is expected to produce about
This dichotomy between urban and rural experi- Exports Limited (NCEL). had extended the ban on strongly, questioning why appease potential voters. 5-10 million tonnes of onions
ences with caste illustrates a broader challenge facing Kuber Jadhav, an onion onion exports indefinitely there are different rules for “Moreover, the export this year. Even if the notifi-
India: the tension between modernity and tradition. farmer from Nashik, said that after initially imposing it on white and red onions, and will still be assisted by NCEL, cation holds true, the export
Modern electoral campaigns might focus on develop- the announcement appears December 8, 2023, when it have demanded that the which is the current scenario. amount is 0.33 to 0.35 per cent
ment or nationalism, but the undercurrents of caste to be a response to growing was expected to be revoked restrictions and the ban be There are still restrictions on of the total production — not
still powerfully influence voter sentiment and party anger and protests from onion by the end of March. lifted immediately. farmers,” he said. enough to make profits,” he
strategies. This is evident in how parties shift their nar- farmers in Nashik, Lasal- The release was followed Bharat Dighole, state pres- The growers want the said.
ratives depending on the region—emphasising devel- gaon, Shirdi, Dindori, Sola- by appreciation from ruling ident of the Onion Growers’ freedom to be able to export Farmers have demanded
opment and broader issues in urban areas while subtly pur, Ahmednagar and other party leaders, who welcomed Association, said the noti- onions without NCEL play- that the central government
playing the caste card in rural constituencies. regions. the decision. fication is meaningless as it ing a role. Many farmers sur- open up export for at least
“But the notification isn’t Jadhav said that the noti- refers to a past decision that rendered export licenses in 1.5 million tonnes of onions,
Furthermore, the adaptation of caste dynamics into official; it’s a farce. There are fication is designed to cre- is being re-circulated. “This September 2023 to demand which would enable farmers
broader religious and political identities—such as the no details on when it was ate confusion and mislead statement indicates that a pre- a rollback of export duty as to earn a decent income.  DTE
BJP’s efforts to consolidate a Hindu vote bank or the issued, and the dates men- farmers. “The leaders fear vious onion crop was allowed well. Views expressed are personal
INDIA alliance’s strategy to counter Hindutva with

Unhealthy amendments
caste-based appeals—shows a sophisticated under-
standing of the interplay between caste and modern
political themes. Such strategies highlight a critical
insight: caste is not just about social identity but also
about political power.

The reluctance to move beyond caste also reflects a

pragmatic understanding of electoral realities. As state
Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi points out, vot-
ers often reject candidates who do not fit their caste Despite strong pleas, the ruling dispensation has changed the
preferences, pushing parties to prioritise winnability
over idealistic selections. This voter behaviour forces rules to impose a cost on those who challenge faulty patents

I
parties to continue engaging in caste-based politics,
even if they publicly decry it. t was ultimately the national standards”; others putting the US drug giant
narrative of a change focus specifically on how to on the backfoot. It later
In conclusion, while Gujarat, like much of India, foretold. The Narendra close the Indian patent law withdrew the same second-
strides towards a future marked by technological Modi government has has become to the US regi- ary claim in a host of other
innovation and economic growth, the shadows of LATHA JISHNU notified amendments to the men in promoting the rights developing countries. The
caste linger prominently in its political arenas. For real rules governing India’s Pat- of innovators by targeting the victory of the pre-grant
change to occur, it will require not just a shift in party ent Act, coolly ignoring the “key areas of concern in the opposition by Nandita Ven-
strategies but a transformation in voter attitudes. protests and petitions against Indian patent practice and katesan from India and
Until then, caste remains a cornerstone of political these changes, which would procedures”. Fair enough, Phumeza Tisile from South
strategizing in Gujarat, an inescapable reality that par- alter the character of the from their perspective, and Africa, which opened the
ties navigate with a mix of resignation and calculated country’s unique law on pat- perhaps necessary because way for manufacturing inex-
engagement. The future of Gujarat’s politics, therefore, ents rights and obligations. the time lag in granting pat- pensive generic versions
lies as much in the hands of its voters as it does in the As top law firms welcome ents was getting rather long. of bedaquiline cannot be
leaders they choose to elect. the amendments and rejoice There are also big fee reduc- underestimated.
that these changes bring tions for the innovator com- In many other changes,
India’s patent law “almost in panies (do multinationals Big Pharma has benefitted
line” with those of the US, require this?) and sweeping enormously from the amend-
it underscores the serious waivers on information filing ments. Now, the companies
consequences for patient requirements. Even where no longer need to file Form 27

DearEditor and voluntary groups that

campaign on public health
concerns.
there is failure to provide the
required information, delays
will be condoned on payment
that compelled patent holders
to disclose every year if their
patents are being worked in
The amendment The ostensible aim of the of minuscule fees. India or not, with details of
BLATANT MISUSE? amendments was to stream- The irony is that at the quantity and value. The form
is a dangerous line the working of the Indian same time, patient health also required innovator com-
This is in reference to the news report "BJP's bid to crush failing, as the Patent Office, which was In the process of improving efficiency, the amendments have gone way groups who want to access panies to reveal information
biggest opponent". Without holding a brief for Delhi CM clearly needed. In the pro- the patent system in an on imports, with amount and
Kejriwal, I would like to comment that he has strongly
government cess of improving efficiency,
beyond the spirit and limits set by the Patent Act
effort to improve access to pricing details. Now, Form
argued his case in his rejoinder in reply to the affidavit has shown little the amendments have gone starting with its first Union it is anxious to sign free trade life-saving medications are 27 has to be submitted just
filed by the ED, hopelessly trying to build up a case against understanding of way beyond the spirit and Minister for Commerce and agreements, the government being slapped with heavy once in three years and with
him. The most important aspect of the case, as Kejriwal limits set by the Patent Act, Industry Nirmala Sithara- has happily withdrawn or fees. These are collectives of no insistence of details. After
argued, is that in a money-laundering case not a single
the importance which was enacted in 2005 man. In 2014, she publicly watered down those provi- needy patients, not even for- all, as many a commentary by
of India’s unique after years of debate, soul declared that India did not sions that foreign manufac- mal organisations, with little the firms who fight cases for
penny has been recovered from him. Nevertheless, the
searching and wide-ranging have an intellectual property turers, especially pharma access to formal funding, yet Big Pharma have reasoned,
BJP-led Centre allegedly continued to harass him by their patent regime consultations between polit- rights policy and that had companies, have found irk- the amendments now require there is no such requirement
own puppet probe agencies at a time when his full-fledged ical parties and civil society stopped the country “from some. Major changes in the such individuals and patient in the US.
participation in the election campaign was very much to meet the country’s obliga- establishing our rights in a patent law has always been networks to pay substantial Why is Form 27 in its old
imperative. His arrest has no doubt helped the BJP to take tion under new World Trade forceful way”. If anything, it their top demand as they fees to file pre-grant oppo- format so important? One has
an upper hand in the ongoing elections. In his affidavit, Organisation rules. The gov- was the other way around. promise to bring invest- sitions. There were no fees only to recall the extraordi-
Kejriwal has successfully brought home the fact the real ernment in power then was Developing countries, in fact, ments to India which by the earlier. Worse, it is now left nary confrontation between
motive of the ED to procure and obtain some statements the Congress-led United had been beating a path to way have proved largely chi- to the discretion of the Con- a small Hyderabad-based
by alleged accomplices to justify his arrest. But everybody Progressive Alliance under New Delhi to emulate India’s meric. The proposed amend- troller of Patents to accept or generic firm Natco Pharma
knows the evidentiary value of such statements, for the co- Manmohan Singh, and it is unique patent safeguards ments were nothing but a reject pre-grant opposition and Bayer Corp, one of the
accused were neither arrested nor any further statements no secret that the commu- while Big Pharma was doing capitulation to Big Pharma. petitions although the Indian top drug companies in the
were taken in due process of law. Since the apex court nist bloc, led by the Commu- its best to hammer away at There was no discussion in judicial system has already world. Natco’s claim for a CL
is the ultimate authority to decide his case, we have to nist Party of India (Marxist) the law. Since then, the gov- Parliament and no informa- vetted their validity. to make Bayer’s patented can-
patiently wait for the same. But in the event the apex court or CPI (M) and the opposi- ernment has done little to use tion on the people consulted, To understand the seri- cer drug Nexavar was based
comes to the finding that Kejriwal's arrest is considered tion Bharatiya Janata Party the safeguards to improve nor any data provided to jus- ous consequences of this on the German giant’s Form
to be an assault on the tenets of democracy, the officers (BJP), were instrumental in public health. Not even dur- tify the amendments, despite amendment recall how two 27 filing, which showed that
concerned of the ED should get a befitting punishment for ensuring that the law safe- ing the COVID-19 pandemic the significant nature of the young women, frail tubercu- the medication was neither
their misdemeanour. guarded public health issues did it invoke the many provi- changes. losis survivors, exposed drug freely available nor afford-
while ensuring the rights of sions in the law to issue com- Commentaries by cor- behemoth Johnson and John- able. It was a historic moment
— ARUN GUPTA, KOLKATA via email innovators. But then, institu- pulsory licences (CLs). porate law firms welcoming son (J&J) by filing a pre-grant when Patent Controller PH
tional memory is short in the On the other hand, the the amendments, noti- opposition to a secondary Kurian granted the country’s
millenniumpost.in present ruling regime. Modi government has been fied on March 15, provides patent claim on bedaquiline, first CL to Natco in 2012.
This is a dangerous fail- steadily diluting these unique a clear indication as to why a crucial drug to fight the What we are witness-
Log on to write letters to the editor or send them to ing, as the Modi government provisions. In its recent these changes were initiated. killer disease. The pre-grant ing now is the unmaking
letter2editor.mp@gmail.com. You can also send your comments to The Editor, has shown little understand- rush to accommodate the These analysts dwell on the opposition showing that the of India’s patent law and its
Millennium Post, Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002 ing of the importance of demands of the industri- “substantial changes (made J&J claim was frivolous was uplifting history.  DTE
India’s unique patent regime, alised countries, with which by India) to align with inter- upheld by the Patent Office, Views expressed are personal
8 World
millenniumpost AS CEASEFIRE TALKS WITH HAMAS CONTINUE
millenniumpost.in
Netanyahu vows to invade
NO H ALF TR U THS
CHANGE OF NAME
I,Syed Furqan Ali S/o
Rafah ‘with or without a deal’
Sh. Syed Mubarak Ali
R/o,C-2/137, Pir Wali Gali
Near Akbari Jama Masjid
New Ashok Nagar, Vasundhra
Enclave, Delhi-10096.That
my Daughter’s name NOOR
UL HUDA has been changed
to NOOR UL FURQAN in the JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime
Future. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
vowed Tuesday to launch an
I, AMREEN BEGUM W/o, offensive in Rafah in south-
Nadeem Mirza D/o Asif Ali ern Gaza despite calls for
R/o, 1760, Gali Ghante Wali restraint. He said Israel will
Pahari Bhojla., Turkman Gate, destroy Hamas’ battalions
Delhi-110006.Have change there “with or without a deal”
my name from Rehana Begum
to Amreen Begum for all
currently being discussed in
talks in Cairo.
Purposes. Israel and Hamas are nego-
tiating a ceasefire agreement
meant to free hostages and
bring some relief to the Pales-
tinians in the besieged enclave.
“The idea that we will stop
the war before achieving all of
its goals is out of question. We
will enter Rafah and we will
eliminate Hamas’ battalions
there — with a deal or with-
out a deal, to achieve the total
victory,” Netanyahu said in a
meeting with families of hos-
tages held by militants in Gaza.
KEY POINTS
»»Israel and Hamas are negotiating a
ceasefire agreement meant to free
hostages and bring some relief to
Palestinians in besieged enclave
»»US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is
expected to visit Israel on his latest trip
to the region
»»War has driven around 80 per cent of
Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from
their homes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with soldiersFILE/PHOTO
US Secretary of State Ant-
ony Blinken is expected to visit
Israel on his latest trip to the
region, which began Monday
in Saudi Arabia.
He said Israel needs to
do more to allow aid to enter
Gaza, but that the best way to
alleviate the humanitarian cri-
sis is for the two sides to agree
to a cease-fire.
The Israel-Hamas war
was sparked by the unprec-
edented October 7 raid into
southern Israel in which mil-
itants killed around 1,200
people, mostly civilians, and
abducted around 250 hostages.
Israel says the militants are still
holding around 100 hostages
and the remains of more than
30 others.
The war in Gaza has
killed more than 34,000 Pal-
estinians, according to local
health officials. The war has
driven around 80 per cent of
Gaza’s population of 2.3 mil-
Hush money: Judge holds Trump
in contempt, fines him $9,000
NEW YORK: Donald
Trump was held in contempt
of court Tuesday and fined
$9,000 for repeatedly violat-
ing a gag order that barred
him from making public
statements about witnesses,
jurors and some others con-
nected to his New York hush
money case. If he does it
again, the judge warned, he
could be jailed.
Prosecutors had alleged
10 violations, but New York
Judge Juan M Merchan
found there were nine. The
ruling was a stinging rebuke
for the Republican former
president, who had insisted
he was exercising his free
speech rights.
Merchan wrote
that Trump “is hereby
warned that the Court
10 YEARS AFTER DEADLY RANA PLAZA COLLAPSE
B’esh’s garment workers endure
repression and injustice: Amnesty
MPOST BUREAU
DHAKA/NEW DELHI: In a
shocking revelation, Amnesty
International has uncovered
the harrowing reality faced by
garment workers in Bangla-
desh, who endure repression
and injustice amidst a back-
drop of corporate impunity.
Eleven years after the dev-
astating collapse of Rana Plaza,
which claimed the lives of over
1,100 workers and left thou-
sands more injured, the gar-
ment sector in Bangladesh
remains plagued by systemic
failures and human rights
abuses. The collapse of Rana
Plaza was preceded by the Taz-
reen Fashions fire, where at
least 112 workers perished due
to negligent workplace con-
ditions. Despite the filing of
compensation claims by the
Bangladesh Legal Aid and
Services Trust (BLAST) and
other NGOs against both state
authorities and private entities,
justice remains elusive.
“We call on the govern-
ment to remove the limits on
compensation for occupa-
tional injuries under labour
law, ensure those affected
receive adequate compensa-
WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 | NEW DELHI
lion from their homes, caused
vast destruction in several
towns and cities, and pushed
northern Gaza to the brink of
famine.
US Secretary of State Ant-
ony Blinken is in Jordan on the
second leg of his latest Mid-
east diplomatic mission to
boost aid shipments to Gaza
and champion a new proposal
for an Israel-Hamas cease-fire
that would include the release
of hostages held by the mili-
tant group.
A day after saying in Saudi
Arabia that Israel still needs
to do more to get humani-
tarian assistance into Gaza,
and that Israel’s latest cease-
fire offer was “extraordi-
narily generous” to Hamas,
Blinken was meeting with
Jordan’s King Abdullah II and
Foreign Minister Ayman al-
Safadi in Amman.
Their talks were expected
to focus on those issues as well
Former US President Donald
Trump
will not tolerate contin-
ued willful violations of its
lawful orders and that if
necessary and appropriate
under the circumstances, it
will impose an incarceratory
punishment.”
Trump stared down at
the table in front of him as
the judge read the ruling,
frowning slightly.
The ruling came at the
tion, and introduce a national
data repository on work-
place deaths and injuries to
ensure transparency and
fill the current gaps in offi-
cial data,” stated Nadia Rah-
man, Amnesty International’s
Deputy Regional Director for
South Asia.
She emphasized that
rights-based compensation
for occupational injuries is
far from being realized due
to restrictive labour laws and
non-compliance issues.
The report highlights the
dire conditions under which
garment workers operate,
characterized by poverty
wages, harassment, and vio-
lent repression.
In June 2023, Shahidul
Islam, a union leader, was
murdered while advocating
for unpaid wages.
His death is among the
many instances of violence
faced by workers campaigning
millenniumpost
as planning for post-conflict
reconstruction and gover-
nance of Gaza.
Blinken will then tour sev-
eral aid facilities and meet the
UN humanitarian and recon-
struction coordinator for
Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, before leav-
ing for Israel.
Blinken will meet Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and his war cabi-
net in Tel Aviv on Wednesday
as well as visit Gaza-aid related
sites. On Monday in Riyadh,
Blinken also reiterated the
Biden administration’s opposi-
tion to Israel mounting a major
military operation against the
southern city of Rafah, where
more than a million Palestin-
ians have fled to escape fight-
ing farther north.
Blinken said Israel has
still not presented a cred-
ible plan to protect civilians
if it goes ahead with such an
offensive. AGENCIES
start of the second week of
testimony in the historic
case.
Manhattan prosecutors
say Trump and his associates
took part in an illegal scheme
to influence the 2016 presi-
dential campaign by bury-
ing negative stories. He has
pleaded not guilty.
Trump must pay the fine
by the close of business on
Friday, Merchan said in a
written ruling.
He must remove seven
offending posts from his
Truth Social account and two
from his campaign website
by 2:15 pm EDT, Tuesday,
Merchan said.
Merchan is also weighing
other alleged gag order viola-
tions by Trump and will hear
arguments Thursday. AGENCIES
for better pay and conditions.
In the last year, at least 35
criminal cases were initiated
against garment workers par-
ticipating in protests, affecting
tens of thousands.
These cases often serve
as a means to intimidate and
silence dissent within the
ranks of labour, making it
risky for workers to seek jus-
tice or claim compensation for
injuries.
The crackdown extends
to union leaders and activ-
ists, many of whom have
been detained under dubious
charges, further stifling advo-
cacy efforts.
The use of excessive force
by police during wage-related
protests has been particularly
alarming. In one documented
incident, officers fired over
200 shotgun rounds to dis-
perse protestors, a clear vio-
lation of international human
rights standards which dictate
that force should only be used
as a last resort.
Amnesty’s findings are a
clarion call to the Bangladeshi
government to uphold labour
rights and provide adequate
redress to victims of workplace
abuses.
millenniumpost
NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 Business 9
‘India’s oil import bill could swell to $101-104 bn in FY25’
‘If the average crude oil price rises to $95/barrel in FY2025, then the CAD is likely to widen to 1.5 per cent of GDP’
NEW DELHI: India’s net oil (April-February) of 2023-24, up in the Iran–Israel conflict and per cent in 2023-24. This was supported by the 23 per cent from 34 per cent,
import bill could widen to from $5.1 billion in 2022-23. an associated rise in crude oil Highlights India is more than 85 per fall in average global crude oil respectively.
$101-104 billion in current “With India’s oil import prices could impart an upward »»India is more than 85 per cent dependent on imports for cent dependent on imports for prices as well as savings from ICRA estimates that the
fiscal from $96.1 billion in dependency expected to remain pressure on the value of net oil its needs of crude oil, which is converted into fuels its needs of crude oil, which stepped up purchases of dis- lower imputed unit value of
2023-24 and any escalation in high, if the discounts on pur- imports in the current fiscal is converted into fuels such as counted Russian crude. imports of Russian oil, com-
the Iran-Israel conflict could chases of Russian crude per- year, it added. »»India’s imports of petroleum crude and products declined petrol and diesel at refineries. In volume terms, the share pared to imports from West
impart an upward pressure on sist at the prevailing low levels, As per ICRA’s calculations, by 15.2 per cent YoY during April-February of last fiscal ICRA said the value of of crude petroleum imported Asia, has led to savings in India’s
the value of imports, ICRA said ICRA expects India’s net oil a $10/barrel uptick in the aver- India’s imports of petroleum from Russia jumped to 36 oil import bill amounting to
on Tuesday. import bill to widen to $101- age crude oil price for this fiscal Accordingly, if the average estimate of 1.2 per cent of GDP crude and products declined per cent in April-February $5.1 billion in 2022-23 and $7.9
The domestic rating agency 104 billion in FY2025 from pushes up the net oil imports by crude oil price rises to $95/bar- for 2024-25. by 15.2 per cent YoY during FY2024 from 2 per cent in billion in 11 months of 2023-
said based on its analysis, lower $96.1 billion in FY2024, assum- $12-13 billion during the year, rel in FY2025, then the CAD is CAD, which is the difference April-February of last fiscal, FY2022, while that from West 24, thereby compressing India’s
value of Russian oil imports is ing an average crude oil price of thereby enlarging the current likely to widen to 1.5 per cent between value of India’s imports even as volumes rose slightly Asian countries (Saudi Arabia, CAD/GDP ratio by 15–22 basis
estimated to have led to sav- $85/bbl in the fiscal,” ICRA said. account deficit (CAD) by 0.3 of GDP from ICRA’s current and exports, is estimated at 0.8 in this period. the UAE and Kuwait) fell to points in FY2023-24.  PTI
ings of $7.9 billion in 11 months Additionally, any escalation per cent of GDP.

Growth of 8 key infrastructure

sectors rises to 5.2% in March
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: The growth of
Base:
2011-12=100
Index of
eight key infrastructure sectors
rose to 5.2 per cent year-on-
Eight Core
year in March due to improve- 15 Industries
13.4

ment in the output of crude oil,

12.7

Monthly Growth
cement and electricity, accord- 12
ing to official data released on Rate in Per Cent
9.4

Tuesday.
8.5
8.4

7.9

In 2023-24, the growth rate 9

7.1

in the output of these eight

5.2

5.0

sectors was 7.5 per cent, mar- 6

4.6
4.2

4.1

ginally down from 7.8 per

cent recorded in the year-ago
period.
The growth rate in March,
however, is lower than in Feb-
ruary. It was 7.1 per cent in the
preceding month.
The growth of eight core
sectors — coal, crude oil, nat-
ural gas, refinery products,
fertiliser, steel, cement and
electricity — was 4.2 per cent
in March 2023.
The eight core sectors con-
tribute 40.27 per cent to the
country’s Index of Industrial
Production (IIP).
Refinery products and fer-
tiliser recorded a contraction
in the output, according to the
data.
The growth rate in the out-
put of crude oil, cement and
3
5.2
0
Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
2023 2024
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry KBK Infographics
Aditi Nayar said electricity
The eight core generation displayed a healthy
sectors contribute expansion in March 2024 and
maintained a robust pace in
40.27% to the April 2024, with rising heat
country’s Index of likely to boost agricultural and
household demand.
Industrial Production “Similar to the trend dis-
played by the core sector, IIP
electricity rose to 2 per cent, growth is likely to moder-
10.6 per cent and 8 per cent in ate somewhat in March 2024
March against negative growth as the leap year effect fades.
in these sectors a year ago. We project the IIP growth at
Commenting on the data, 3.5-5 per cent in March 2024,”
Icra Ltd Chief Economist she said.

Mohit Bhatia takes charge as
Director (Commercial) at IGL
NEW DELHI: Mohit Bhatia
has on Tuesday taken over
as Director (Commercial) of
Indraprastha Gas Ltd. (IGL),
the largest CNG distribution
company of the country, op-
erating city gas distribution
(CGD) networks across 30
districts in eleven geographi-
cal areas across four states
of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Bhatia possesses a degree in Civil Engineering
from NIT, Suratkhal, Karnataka and an MBA in
Marketing from SP Jain Institute of Management
& Research, Mumbai. He is a result oriented &
experienced senior leader having over 31 years
of experience in the oil & gas sector in the areas
of Operations, Engineering and Marketing sub-
sequent to joining Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Limited (BPCL) in 1993. IGL is a joint venture of
GAIL (I) Ltd. and BPCL along with Government
of NCT of Delhi. 
Air India
may extend
suspension of
Tel Aviv flights
till May 15
NEW DELHI: Air India is
likely to extend the suspension
of flights to and from Tel Aviv
till May 15 amid tensions in
the Middle East, airline sources
said on Tuesday.
On April 19, the airline said
Tel Aviv flights will remain sus-
pended till April 30.
It operates four weekly
flights between the national
capital and the Israeli city.
The sources said the ser-
vices will remain suspended,
likely till May 15.
There was no official state-
ment from Air India on extend-
ing the suspension of the Tel
Aviv flights. Tensions remain
high in the Middle East due to
MPOST the conflict between Israel and
the Hamas group.  PTI

Adani Ports secures AAA ratings,

India’s 1st in pvt infra development
The report also highlights the company’s successful track
record of turning around port assets post-acquisition
NEW DELHI: Adani Ports &
SEZ(APSEZ), one of the largest
profit contributors for Adani
Group has been given AAA
rating by Care Ratings. This
top assigned by credit-rating
agencies signifies strongest
level credit worthiness and the
capacity to repay investors.
This achievement also holds
major significance for India’s
private infrastructure sector,
marking APSEZ as the first
private infrastructure devel-
oper of its magnitude to get this
recognition.
Notably, Adani Energy
Solution’s two transmission
assets—WTGL(West Trans-
mission Gujarat Limited) and
Alipurdwar—have also been
rated AAA ratings by India
Ratings. However, at the com-
pany level, APSEZ is the first.
The rating is largely driven
by APSEZ’s robust business
model, strong growth in oper-
ations with healthy profitabil-
ity, coupled with high liquidity
and low leverage. “The ratings
derive strength from healthy
growth in scale of operations,
steady PBILDT (Profit before
Interest, Lease, Depreciation
and Taxation) margins, dem-
onstrated execution capabili-
ties of APSEZ in the port sector
and robust liquidity,” said the
CARE report.
APSEZ’s leverage marked
by net external debt/PBILDT
(Profit before interest, lease,
depreciation and tax) steadily
improved from 3.62 times as on
March 31, 2021 to 3.14 times
as on March 31, 2023. Subse-
quently with the progressive
buy back of $650 million bonds
(due in July 2024), APSEZ
repaid near $325 million till
December 2023, resulting in
net external debt/PBILDT at
2.41x as on December 31, 2023.
The report also highlights
the company’s successful track
record of turning around port
assets post-acquisition and
its integrated business model
including ports with logistics
asset base which has led to 15
per cent compounded annual
growth for FY19-FY24 as com-
pared to 4 per cent CAGR for
all Indian ports. “The large
banks at Mundra, Dhamra and
Krishnapatnam also enhance
the prospects,” said the report.
APSEZ has evolved from
operating just two ports (Mun-
dra and Dahej) in 2011 to a
portfolio of 14 ports spread
across the entire coastline of
India. Improved reach, strate-
gic port locations, operational
efficiencies, and a comprehen-
sive range of integrated service
offering have contributed to the
company’s growth. MPOST
10 mp
India’s gold demand up 8% in Q4
to 136.6 tonne despite high rate
The aggressive gold buying by RBI also contributed to rise in demand
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: India’s gold
demand rose 8 per cent annu-
ally to 136.6 tonne in the March
quarter helped by a strong eco-
nomic environment despite
prices touching historic highs,
according to the World Gold
Council.
The aggressive gold buying
by the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) also contributed to the
rise in demand.
India’s gold demand in
value terms rose 20 per cent
on an annual basis to Rs 75,470
crore during the January-March
period of this year on volume
growth as well as a rise in
quarterly average prices by 11
per cent.
On Tuesday, the World
Gold Council (WGC) released
its global report ‘Gold Demand
Trends Q1 2024’, showing that
India’s total gold demand,
including both jewellery and
investment, increased to 136.6
tonne in January-March this
year from 126.3 tonne in the
year-ago period.
Out of the total gold
demand, the jewellery demand
in India increased 4 per cent to
95.5 tonne from 91.9 tonne. The
total investment demand (in the
form of bar, coin among others)
grew 19 per cent to 41.1 tonne
from 34.4 tonne.
Punjab power
minister orders
probe in case of
tempering with
coal samples
Minister for Power and PWD
Harbhajan Singh ETO
PATIALA: The Minister for
Power and PWD Harbhajan
Singh ETO, ordered a depart-
mental inquiry to investigate
the role of PSPCL employees
including private companies/
persons regarding the attempt
of tempering with coal samples
at Guru Gobind Singh Super
Thermal Plant Roop Nagar.
The minister said that any-
one irrespective of position and
post found involved in such
activities will face a stern action
and the government will not
tolerate such activities.
He informed that and FIR
was lodged against six persons
on 22.03.2024 under section
457, 380 of IPC at Roop Nagar.
So far four individuals
have been apprehended by the
police in connection with the
crime namely Piyush Kumar
R/o Jhungia , Arvind Kumar
R/o Jhungia, Varun Kumar R/o
Phagwara & Pushpinder R/o
Nuhon Colony.
The remaining two persons
i.e. Kailash Kumar R/o Jhungia
& Nakul Gupta R/o Delhi are
yet to be apprehended.  MPOST
UCO Bank reports net profit of `1,654 crore in FY24
The Net Interest Income (NII) of the bank grew 10.32 per cent to Rs 8,101 crore
NEW DELHI: State-owned
UCO Bank reported net profit
of Rs 1,654 crore for the twelve
month ended March 31, 2024
as against Rs 1,862 crore for
the same period in the preced-
ing year, on account of higher
provisioning.
The Net Interest Income
(NII) of the bank grew 10.32
per cent to Rs 8,101 crore y-o-y
for the twelve months ended
March 31, 2024 as against Rs
7,343 crore for the twelve month
ended March 31, 2023.
The bank’s total business
grew by 9.50 per cent on y-o-y
to Rs 4,50,007 crore as on March
31, 2024 from Rs 4,10,967 crore
as on March 31, 2023.
Total Deposits increased by
5.53 per cent on y-o-y basis to
Business
India’s gold demand
in value terms rose
20% on an annual
basis to Rs 75,470
cr during January-
March 2025
Sachin Jain, Regional CEO,
India, WGC, said the rise in
gold demand reaffirms Indians’
enduring relationship with gold.
“India’s continued strong
macroeconomic environment
was supportive for gold jewel-
lery consumption even though
prices reached a historic high in
March leading to a slowdown
in sales as the quarter ended,”
he added. Jain expects the gold
demand in India to be in the
range of 700-800 tonne during
this year.
If the price rally continues,
he said the demand could be at
the lower end of this range. In
Bank credit to industry rises 8.5%
in March, says Reserve Bank data
MUMBAI: Bank credit to
industry grew by 8.5 per cent
annually in March while there
was moderation in the personal
loans segment, as per Reserve
Bank data released on Tuesday.
The growth in credit to
industry and personal loans
segment in March 2023 was
5.6 per cent and 21 per cent,
respectively.
“Among major industries,
growth in credit (year-on-
year) to ‘chemicals and chemi-
cal products’, ‘food processing’,
and ‘infrastructure’ accelerated
in March 2024 as compared
with the corresponding month
of the previous year, while that
to ‘basic metal and metal prod-
ucts’ moderated,” the RBI said.
Credit growth to agricul-
ture and allied activities was
robust at 20.1 per cent in March
2024 (15.4 per cent a year ago),
according to the data on ‘Sec-
REC reports net profit of `4,016 cr in Q4 FY24
MUMBAI: The Board of
Directors of REC Ltd, on
Tuesday approved the audited
financial results for the quar-
ter and year ended on March
31, 2024.
REC Ltd’s standalone net
profit grew 34 per cent to Rs
4,016 crore in Q4 FY24 against
Rs 3,001 crore in Q4FY23. The
company’s revenue from oper-
ations rose 25 per cent to Rs
12,613 crore in FY24 March
quarter against Rs 10,113
crores in Q4FY23.
The total income of the
company grew 25 per cent to
Rs 12,643 crore for Q4FY24
against Rs 10,124 crore in same
period previous fiscal. The
company’s net interest income
Rs 2,63,130 crore as on March
31, 2024 from Rs 2,49,338 crore
as on March 31, 2023.
Gross Advances grew 15.62
per cent on y-o-y to Rs 1,86,877
crore as on March 31, 2024 as
against Rs 1,61,629 crore as on
March 31, 2023. RAM (Retail,
Agri & MSME) business stood
at Rs 97,516 crore as on March
31, 2024 as against Rs 85,629
crore as on March 31, 2023,
registering an improvement of
13.88 per cent on y-o-y basis.
Retail Advances stood at Rs
40,161 crore as on March 31,
2024 as against Rs 35,039 crore
as on March 31, 2023 register-
ing a growth of 14.62 per cent
on y-o-y basis, fuelled by Home
loan and Vehicle loan portfolio
which registered a growth of
Highlights
»»India’s total gold
demand, including both
jewellery & investment,
increased to 136.6
tonne in Jan-March this
year from 126.3 tonne
in the year-ago period
»»The jewellery demand
in India increased 4%
to 95.5 tonne from 91.9
tonne
»»The total investment
demand (in the form of
bar, coin among others)
grew 19% to 41.1
tonne from 34.4 tonn
2023, the country’s gold demand
was 747.5 tonne.
Asked about the factors
driving demand growth in
January-March, Jain said, “
Historically, eastern markets
of the world including India
and China respond when the
prices are going down and there
is a fluctuation, whereas west-
ern markets respond when the
prices are going up.”
“For the first time we have
seen a complete reversal where
Indian and Chinese markets
have responded to an increase
in prices of gold,” he said.
Jain said the demand for
Credit growth
to services sector
improved to 20.2
per cent from 19.6
per cent in March
last year
toral Deployment of Bank
Credit — March 2024’.
Personal loans growth mod-
erated to 17.7 per cent in March
2024 (21 per cent a year ago)
due to decelerated growth in
in Q4FY24 rose 29 per cent to
Rs 4,407 crore against Rs 3,409
crore in Q4FY23.
Total Comprehensive
Income of the fiem rose 42
per cent to Rs 5,183 crore in
Q4FY24 against Rs 3,645 crore
in same quarter previous fiscal.
The net interest margin
grew 31 bps to 3.60 per cent
against 3.29 per cent. Company
posted return on net worth of
24.06 per cent against 21.34 per
cent, up 13 per cent.
Owing to the improv-
ing asset quality and effective
resolution of stressed assets,
resetting of the lending rates
and effective management
of Finance Cost, REC is able
to record its the highest ever
UCO Bank MD & CEO
Ashwani Kumar
21.23 per cent and 31.24 per
cent respectively on y-o-y basis.
Agriculture Advances stood
at Rs 24,641 crore as on March
31, 2024 as against Rs 21,775
crore as on March 31, 2023,
showing a growth of 13.16 per
cent on y-o-y basis.
Advances to MSME sector
jewellery as well as investment
products like bar, coin and ETF
has gone up.
“The second reason for the
increase in demand has been
the buying by the central bank
RBI,” he said.
While the RBI bought 16
tonne of gold in the full 2023, it
has already purchased 19 tonne
in the first quarter of this calen-
dar year, Jain highlighted.
He mentioned that the RBI
has indicated that it would con-
tinue buying. Asked about the
outlook for the April-June quar-
ter, Jain said the demand might
slow down due to a sharp rally
in gold prices and the ongoing
election process.
As per the WGC data, India’s
gold demand in value terms rose
20 per cent to Rs 75,470 crore
from Rs 63,090 crore.
Out of this, the jewellery
demand grew 15 per cent to
Rs 52,750 crore from Rs 45,890
crore, while gold investment
demand went up 32 per cent to
Rs 22,720 crore from Rs 17,200
crore. The WGC also mentioned
that the total gold recycled in
India stood at 38.3 tonne in
January-March, up 10 per cent
from 34.8 tonne in Q1 2023.
“Total gold imports in India
in Q1 2024 was 179.4 tonne,
up by 25 per cent compared to
143.4 tonne in Q1 2023,” the
Council said.
vehicle loans and other personal
loans, it said.
Further, credit growth to
services sector improved to 20.2
per cent from 19.6 per cent in
March last year, with higher
growth in credit to “transport
operators” and “commercial
real estate”.
The RBI data also showed
that credit growth to non-
banking financial companies
(NBFCs) and trade, however,
decelerated in March 2024 as
compared with March 2023.
On a year-on-year basis,
non-food bank credit regis-
tered a growth of 16.3 per cent
in March 2024 as compared
with 15.4 per cent a year ago.
The bank credit data, the
RBI said is collected from 41
select banks, accounting for
about 95 per cent of the total
non-food credit deployed by all
scheduled commercial banks. PTI
annual profit after tax of Rs
14,019 crore in FY24. As a
result, the Earnings Per Share
(EPS) for the year ended 31st
March 2024 accelerated by 27
per cent to Rs 53.11 per share
as against Rs 41.85 per share as
at 31st March 2023.
Aided by growth in profits,
the Net Worth has grown to Rs
68,783 crores as on March 31,
2024, registering an increase of
19 per cent y-o-y.
The loan book has main-
tained its growth trajectory and
has increased by 17 per cent to
Rs 5.09 lakh crore as against Rs
4.35 lakh crores as on March
31, 2023. Signifying improv-
ing asset quality, the net credit-
impaired assets as on March
stood at Rs 32,714 crore as on
March 31, 2024 as against Rs
28,815 crore as on March 31,
2023, registered a growth of
13.53 per cent on y-o-y basis.
Business per employee
improved to Rs 20.93 crore dur-
ing Q4FY24 as against Rs 18.90
crore for the same period of pre-
ceding year. Operating Profit of
the bank for the twelve-month
ended March 31, 2024 stood
at Rs 4,576 crore registering a
growth of 5.43 per cent on y-o-y
basis as against Rs 4,341 crore
for the twelve month ended
March 31, 2023
Gross NPA improved to 3.46
per cent as on March 31, 2024
as against 4.78 per cent as on
March 31, 2023, registering an
improvement of 132 bps. Net
The average quarterly price
in Q1 2024 was Rs 55,247.20
per 10 gm of gold as against Rs
49,943.80 per 10 gm in Q1 2023
(without import duty and GST)
“Q1’24 also saw healthy lev-
els of gold bar and coin demand
in India, up 19 per cent year-on-
year at 41 tonne. This was on a
par with Q1’22, which was itself
the strongest first quarter since
2014,” Jain said.
The price correction in Feb-
ruary sparked investors’ interest,
with anticipation of a rebound
driving purchases, he added.
“As the price rallied to suc-
cessive record highs, investors
remained bullish, contributing
to the robust demand,” Jain said.
Investments into gold ETF
too saw positive inflows of over
2 tonne.
“Although Indian recycling
volumes increased 10 per cent
to 38.3 tonne in Q1’24, there
were very few reports of distress
selling. With a strong economy
and expectations of a normal-
to-good monsoon, there seems
little desire to cash in on high
gold prices at the moment,” Jain
said. Meanwhile, the World
Gold Council (WGC) in its
‘Q1 2024 Gold Demand’ trends
report, highlighted that the total
global gold demand (inclusive
of over the counter purchases)
was up 3 per cent year-on-year
to 1,238 tonne.
Markets decline on selling in banking, IT stocks
The rupee appreciates by 2 paise to 83.43 against the US dollar
MUMBAI: Reversing early
gains, benchmark indices
Sensex and Nifty closed lower
on Tuesday due to a sell-off in
banking and IT shares in the
last hour of the session amid a
mixed trend in global markets.
The 30-share BSE Sensex
declined 188.50 points or 0.25
per cent to settle at 74,482.78.
The index opened higher and
rallied further 440.11 points
or 0.58 per cent to hit a high of
75,111.39 in day trade. How-
ever, the barometer pared all
the gains as selling emerged in
banking and IT shares towards
the end of the session.
The broader Nifty hit a life-
time intraday high of 22,783.35
in day trade before squander-
ing its gains.
Nifty closed lower by 38.55
points or 0.17 per cent to finish
at 22,604.85 as metal, pharma
and IT shares declined.
31, 2024 have reduced to 0.86
per cent from 1.01 per cent as
on March 31, 2023 with Provi-
sion Coverage Ratio of 68.45
per cent on NPA assets, as at
March 31, 2024.
Indicating the ample oppor-
tunity to support the future
growth, the Capital Adequacy
Ratio (CRAR) of the Company
stands at a comfortable 25.82
per cent as on March 31, 2024.
Continuing with the tradi-
tion to reward its sharehold-
ers, the Board of Directors of
the Company has declared the
final dividend of Rs 5 per equity
share (on face value of Rs 10/-
each) and the total dividend
for FY24 is Rs 16 per equity
share.  MPOST
NPA of the bank also improved
to 0.89 per cent as on March 31,
2024 as against 1.29 per cent as
on March 31, 2023, registering
an improvement of 40 bps.
Provision Coverage Ratio
improved to 95.38 per cent as
on March 31, 2024 as against
94.50 per cent as on March 31,
2023, registering an improve-
ment of 88 bps.
Capital Adequacy Ratio
(CRAR) improved to 16.98 per
cent as on March 31, 2024 as
against 16.51 per cent on March
31, 2023, with Tier 1 ratio of
14.54 per cent as on March 31,
2024 as against 13.96 per cent
as on March 31, 2023, thereby
registering an improvement of
47 bps and 58 bps in CRAR and
Tier 1 respectively.  MPOST
Government buys 196 lakh tonne
wheat so far for welfare schemes
Procurement of wheat, a major rabi crop, is down 11%
so far from 219.5 lakh tonne in the same period last year
OUR CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI: The government
has bought over 196 lakh tonne
of wheat so far in the ongoing
2024-25 marketing year, sur-
passing its annual requirement
of 186 lakh tonne for all welfare
schemes including the National
Food Security Act.
Now, the Food Corpora-
tion of India (FCI) — the gov-
ernment’s nodal agency for
procurement and distribu-
tion of foodgrains — is mak-
ing efforts to meet its target of
buying 310-320 lakh tonne in
the 2024-25 marketing year
to augment buffer stocks and
keep surplus grains for mak-
ing intervention in the open
market, if needed, to control
retail prices. Procurement of
wheat, a major rabi (winter-
sown) crop, is down 11 per cent
so far from 219.5 lakh tonne in
the same period last year. This is
mainly due to lower purchases
in Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.
“Government’s procurement is
going on smoothly, Till now, we
have procured 196 lakh tonne
whereas the annual requirement
of Prime Minister Garib Kalyan
Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and
other welfare schemes is 186
lakh tonne,” FCI CMD Ashok
K Meena said when asked about
procurement operations. “We
are also on track to achieve
our procurement estimated
as arrivals of wheat in Punjab
and Haryana are very good,” he
NSE NIFTY
Intra-day on April 30 2024
Open:
High:
22,783.35
22,679.65
Previous close:
22,643.40
-38.55
Low: 22,568.40
Close:
(-0.17%)
22,604.85
9am 10 11 12 1pm 2 3
Losses in HDFC Bank,
ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra
Bank, Infosys, TCS and Tech
Mahindra dragged indices
from the day’s high levels.
From the Sensex basket,
Tech Mahindra, Tata Steel, JSW
Steel, HCL Technologies, Tata
Central Bank of India March qtr
net profit jumps 41% to `807 cr
NEW DELHI: State-owned
Central Bank of India on Tues-
day reported a 41 per cent jump
in its net profit to Rs 807 crore
for the March quarter, helped
by a decline in bad loans and a
rise in interest income.
The Mumbai-based lender
had earned a net profit of Rs
571 crore in the year-ago period.
During the quarter, the
bank’s total income increased
to Rs 9,699 crore as against Rs
8,567 crore a year ago, Central
Bank of India said in a regula-
tory filing. Interest income grew
to Rs 8,337 crore during the
period under review from Rs
Europe’s economy shows signs of
life with 0.3% growth in Jan-March
FRANKFURT: Europe’s econ-
omy perked up slightly at the
start of the year, recording 0.3
per cent growth in the January-
March quarter compared to
the last three months of 2023
as the inflation burden on con-
sumers eased and the stag-
nating German economy, the
continent’s biggest, started to
show modest signs of life.
The 20-country eurozone
recorded its strongest perfor-
mance since the third quar-
ter of 2022 and improved on
shrinkage of 0.1 per cent in
each of the last two quarters
of 2023, according to offi-
cial figures released Tuesday
by the EU’s statistical agency
Eurostat.
WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 | NEW DELHI
The Centre had
procured 261.97
lakh tonne of wheat
in the 2023-24
marketing year
(April-March)
said, adding that the FCI would
procure around 200 lakh tonne
from these two states alone.
The Centre had procured
261.97 lakh tonne of wheat in
the 2023-24 marketing year
(April-March). The bulk of
procurement is done during
April-May.
As per the Union Agricul-
ture Ministry estimates, produc-
tion of wheat is seen at 1,120.19
lakh (112 million) tonne in the
2023-24 crop year (July-June)
as compared to 1,105.54 lakh
(110.5 million) tonne in the pre-
ceding year. There are chances
of output reaching around 1,150
lakh (115 million) tonne on
higher yields than expected in
some states.
According to sources, the
FCI has procured wheat worth
Rs 45,000 crore from nearly 16
BSE SENSEX
Intra-day on April 30 2024
Open:
High:
75,111.39
74,800.89
Previous close:
74,671.28
-188.50
Low: 74,346.40
(-0.25%)
Close:
74,482.78
4 9am 10 11 12 1pm 2 3 4 cent and telecommunication by
KBK Infographics
Consultancy Services, Larsen
& Toubro and Kotak Mahindra
Bank were the biggest laggards.
In the broader market, the
BSE midcap gauge climbed 0.49
per cent and smallcap index
advanced 0.10 per cent.
Among the indices, teck
7,144 crore in the correspond-
ing quarter a year ago.
On the asset quality side, the
bank’s gross Non-Performing
Assets (NPAs) were reduced to
4.5 per cent of gross advances
as of March 31, 2024, compared
to 8.44 per cent by the end of
March 2023.
Net NPAs also came down
The economy had been
held back by high inflation that
has sapped consumer purchas-
ing power, and by an energy
price spike related to Russia
cutting off most supplies of
natural gas.
Those headwinds have
eased as energy prices have
fallen and as inflation fell to 2.4
per cent in April. But record
high interest rates from the
European Central Bank added
another hurdle by raising the
cost of credit. Inflation is now
not that far from the goal of 2
per cent set by the ECB, lead-
ing to speculation that the cen-
tral bank for the eurozone may
cut its benchmark rate in June
from its current record high of
millenniumpost
lakh farmers from various states
at MSP, which is Rs 2,275 per
quintal.
The arrivals of wheat crops
currently in Punjab and Hary-
ana are good. FCI expects to
procure 130 lakh tonne from
Punjab and 70 lakh tonne from
Haryana.
Sources said, the FCI might
extend procurement operations
in a few states like Uttar Pradesh
and Madhya Pradesh, before
May as it expects late arrivals of
crops in the mandies. The idea is
to have surplus stocks to launch
Open Market Sale Scheme
(OMSS) if needed to control
prices. Last year, over 100 lakh
tonne were offloaded to flour
millers and other wheat-based
industries under this scheme.
The FCI has also relaxed
quality norms in many states
including MP to ensure farm-
ers get minimum support price
(MSP) for their crops.
Regarding the buffer stock,
the Centre had 75.02 lakh tonne
of wheat in the central pool as
on April 1, 2024, as against the
buffer norm of 74.6 lakh tonne
on that date. The buffer norm
for July 1 is 275.8 lakh tonne.
In case of rice, the official
said the situation is very com-
fortable as the FCI expects to
procure 540 lakh tonnes in the
2023-24 marketing year (Octo-
ber-September) as against the
annual requirement of 400
lakh tonne for all the welfare
schemes.
In the broader
market, the BSE
midcap gauge
climbed 0.49 per
cent and smallcap
index advanced
0.10 per cent
dropped 0.98 per cent, IT by
0.98 per cent, metal by 0.85 per
cent, commodities by 0.56 per
0.33 per cent. Consumer discre-
tionary, financial services, utili-
ties, auto, realty and power were
the gainers.
The rupee recovered 2 paise
to 83.43 against the US dollar
on Tuesday, tracking fresh for-
eign capital inflows amid vol-
atility in the domestic equity
markets.  PTI
to 1.23 per cent of the advances
over 1.77 per cent at the end
of 2024. The fall in bad loans
ratio helped cut the provisions
towards NPAs for Q4FY24 to
Rs 509 crore compared to Rs
789 crore a year ago.
The board also approved
raising of capital up to Rs 5,000
crore through a Follow-on Pub-
lic Offer (FPO) or rights issue,
Qualified Institutional Place-
ment issue, or any other mode
or through issue of BASEL III
Compliant Tier I and Tier II
bonds or such other securities as
may be permitted under appli-
cable laws etc, it said.  PTI
4 per cent.
Germany, whose economic
sluggishness has provoked
ongoing debate about how to
restore the economy to growth,
expanded 0.2 per cent in the
first three months of the year
after shrinking 0.5 per cent at
the end of last year.
The uptick is welcome but
is unlikely to end concerns
about long-term issues plagu-
ing Germany such as exces-
sive bureaucracy, shortage of
skilled workers, insufficient
investment in infrastructure
such as rail networks and high-
speed internet, and lagging
introduction of digital tech-
nology in business and gov-
ernment.  AGENCIES
millenniumpost
NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY,, 2024
Stoinis, bowlers take Lucknow
Super Giants closer to IPL playoffs
LUCKNOW: Marcus Stoinis
made a composed fifty to com-
plement the splendid effort of
the bowlers as Lucknow Super
Giants strengthened their
chances of a play-off berth with
a nervy four-wicket win over
Mumbai Indians in the IPL here
on Tuesday.
Mumbai Indians’ top-order
came a cropper as they stuttered
to a below-par 144 for seven,
riding on contributions from
Nehal Wadhera (46), Ishan Kis-
han (32) and Tim David (35
not out).
In reply, Stoinis scored a
45-ball 62, studded with seven
hits to the fence and two maxi-
mums but once he was gone
LSG survived some anxious
moments before getting home
with four balls to spare.
With their sixth win in 10
games, LSG climbed to the
third spot in the IPL stand-
ings. MI, on the other hand,
slumped to their seventh loss
SCOREBOARD
MI (Mumbai Indians)
Batting
Ishan Kishan (wk)
Rohit
Suryakumar Yadav
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya (c)
Nehal Wadhera
Tim David
Nabi
Gerald Coetzee
Extras (b 0, lb 2, w 4, nb 2, p 0) 8
Total
Bowler O M R
Stoinis 3 0
Mohsin Khan 4 0
Naveen-ul-Haq 3.5 0
Mayank Yadav 3/1 0
Ravi Bishnoi 4 0
Deepak Hooda 2 0
Dominant India win rain-marred Uber Cup: Indian women blanked 0-5 by China
2nd T20I by 19 runs over B’desh
SYLHET: Radha Yadav and
Dayalan Hemalatha produced
an all-round show as a domi-
nant India beat Bangladesh by
19 runs under the Duckworth/
Lewis method in a rain-marred
second women’s T20 Interna-
tional here on Tuesday.
Led by left-arm spinner
Radha’s splendid show, Indian
bowlers bundled out Bangla-
desh for 119 after the hosts
opted to bat first. Radha finished
with excellent figures of 3/19,
while there were two wickets
apiece for Deepti Sharma (2/14)
and Shreyanka Patil (2/24).
For Bangladesh, opener
Murshida Khatun top-scored
with 46 off 49 balls.
Chasing a modest total,
India lost an early wicket as Sha-
fali Verma (0) was caught down
the leg side after she tried to flick
it through fine leg.
Hemalatha, however, blazed
away to a 24-ball 41 as India
raced to 47 for one in 5.2 overs,
Nadal tested in 3-hour win over Cachin at Madrid
The 37-year-old tennis player is trying to get in shape for next month’s French Open
MADRID: After spending
more than three hours on
the court and earning a hard-
fought victory, Rafael Nadal
was feeling optimistic again.
Nadal’s body withstood its
toughest test yet at this Madrid
Open in a 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 win
over 91st-ranked Pedro Cachin
on Monday.
He didn’t show any signs of
physical limitations in a victory
that earned him a spot in the
round of 16 at the clay-court
tournament where he is the
record five-time champion.
“It’s positive, now I don’t
feel that something went
wrong on my body, but I need
to wait until tomorrow, being
100% honest,” he said. “I am
trying my best to keep dream-
ing. Tomorrow is another day
to keep dreaming. To keep
playing in front of this amazing
crowd and, to me, that means
everything.”
Nadal will next face 31st-
LSG CLIMB TO THE THIRD SPOT
Highlights
»»MI’s top-order misfired as
the visitors managed just
28 for four in the first six
overs, the second-lowest
powerplay score of this
IPL
»»The visitors just couldn’t
recover from the hiccup
despite a 53-run fifth-
wicket stand between
Wadhera and Kishan
Lucknow Super Giants batter Marcus Stoinis plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match
against Mumbai Indians in Lucknow on Tuesday
in 10 games.
LSG made a watchful start
to their chase after Nuwan
R B 4s 6s
32 36 3 0
4 5 1 0
10 6 0 1 Deepak Hooda
7 11 1 0
0 1 0 0
46 41 4 2
35 18 3 1
1 2 0 0
1 2 0 0
144\7
W MI slipped into further
19 1
36 2
15 1
31 1
28 1
13 0
It was a reality
Keypoints
»»Indian bowlers bundled
out Bangladesh for 119
after the hosts opted to
bat first
»»India thus took a 2-0
lead in the five-match
series
»»Radha finished with ex-
cellent figures of 3/19
when the heaven opened up
for the second time during the
match. Hemalatha smashed
five fours and two sixes in her
unbeaten knock.
The par score was 28 and the
Indian team was ahead by 19
runs, and with the surface ren-
dered unplayable by the heavy
rain, the visitors were declared
winners. India thus took a 2-0
lead in the five-match series.
Earlier, Dilara Akter got the
Bangladesh innings underway
Rafael Nadal of Spain
ranked Jiri Lehecka. He said he
needs “to find a way to be able
to play days in a row and still
be competitive.”
“I don’t know if I am in
that moment yet,” the 22-time
Grand Slam champion said.
“Let’s see what can happen
tomorrow.”
The 37-year-old Nadal
Thushara struck with his
fourth ball to remove impact
sub Arshin Kulkarni for a duck
LSG (Lucknow Super Giants )
Batting
KL Rahul (c & wk)
Arshin Kulkarni
Marcus Stoinis
Nicholas Pooran
Ashton Turner
Ayush Badoni
Krunal Pandya
Extras (b 0, lb 4, w 7, nb 0, p 0) 11
Total
Bowler O M
Nuwan Thushara 4 0
Jasprit Bumrah 4 0
Gerald Coetzee 3 0
Piyush Chawla 3 0
Hardik Pandya (c)
Mohammad Nabi
when she pulled Renuka Singh,
the star of the five-match series
opener, over mid-wicket for a
four in only the second ball of
the match. Akter got into a good
position and whipped off her
pads a swinging Renuka deliv-
ery over backward square leg
for a boundary. An 11-run first
over was followed by the wicket
of Akter as experienced spin-
ner Deepti Sharma struck with
one that was drifting in, which
prompted the batter to go for a
sweep but she could not get the
elevation and ended up giving
a catch to Renuka in the deep.
Renuka conceded another
boundary when Murshida Kha-
tun came down the track to
smash her over mid-off.
India skipper Harman-
preet Kaur then made a mess
of a straightforward chance off
Renuka after getting both her
hands to it, giving Murshida
reprieve on 6 after the batter
mistimed her shot. AGENCIES
is trying to get in shape for
next month’s French Open.
Since his latest injury lay-
off, he’s had two matches in
Barcelona and was pessimistic
about his physical condition
after arriving in Madrid. But
he’s won three more times in
the capital.
Nadal again looked com-
PTI
on his IPL debut.
Stoinis cracked two back-
to-back boundaries off Gerald
R B 4s 6s
28 22 3 1
0 1 0 0
62 45 7 2
18 18 2 0
14 14 1 0
5 9 0 0
6 6 1 0
1 1 0 0
145\6
R W
30 1
17 0 direct throw found in-form
29 1 Skipper Hardik then was
23 0 out for a golden duck after
4 0 26 2 ery from Naveen Ul Haq, as MI
1.2 0 16 1 slumped to 27 for four in 5.2
CHENGDU: Teenage sensa-
tion Anmol Kharb left the bad-
minton court in tears owing to
an ankle injury as an under-
strength Indian women’s team
suffered a 0-5 defeat to the
mighty China in its final group
A fixture of the Uber Cup here
on Tuesday.
Having already
qualified for the
quarter-finals by picking up suc-
cessive wins against Canada and
Singapore, two-time Olympic
medallist PV Sindhu, Asmita
Chaliha, and Commonwealth
Games bronze-winning pair
of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri
Gopichand sat out the contest
against the 15-time champions.
It was a reality check for the
young Indian team as it could
not take a single game from
the Chinese during the five-
match tie.
To add to India’s woes,
17-year-old Anmol was forced
to retire after twisting her
ankle during the second sin-
gles contest. Olympic cham-
pion and world no.2 Chen Yu
SWIATEK REACHES WOMEN’S QFs
T op-ranked Iga Swiatek
remained on track for a
first Madrid title with a 6-1,
6-0 win over Sara Sorribes
Tormo.
Swiatek dropped just five
points in the second set en
route to the quarterfinals of
the only high-profile Euro-
pean clay tournament she is
yet to win.
The 27th-ranked Sorribes
Tormo was the last Spanish
woman in the draw.
Swiatek, who lost last
year’s Madrid final to Aryna
Sabalenka, will next face
11th-seeded Beatriz Had-
dad Maia, who defeated
fifth-seeded Maria Sakkari
6-4, 6-4.
fortable early on against
Cachin. The Argentine rallied
in the second but was broken
Coetzee, who ended up con-
ceding 15 in his first over. K
L Rahul (28 off 22) too joined
the party, slamming three fours
and a six to take 20 runs off
Thushara.
Stoinis then whacked Bum-
rah over longoff as LSG reached
52 in the powerplay.
Mohammed Nabi held on
to a skier at the boundary line
as Hardik Pandya produced a
breakthrough, removing Rahul.
Stoinis, however, kept going
strong as he and Deepak Hooda
(18) added another 40 runs off
35 balls to take LSG close to
100.
Hooda was then removed
by Hardik but Stoinis reached
his fifty off 39 balls in the 14th
over and then dispatched
Mohammed Nabi for a four
and a six.
Coetzee bowled Ashton
Turner, while Ayush Badoni
was run out to give hopes to MI
before Nicholas Pooran (14 not
out) knocked off the remain-
ing runs.
Earlier, MI dug in a big
hole for themselves by los-
ing four wickets in the power-
play. The visitors just couldn’t
recover from the hiccup despite
a 53-run fifth-wicket stand
between Wadhera and Kishan.
Tim David hit a few shots in
the end, including a 17-run last
over, to give the total some sem-
blance of respectability.
MI’s top-order misfired as
the visitors managed just 28 for
four in the first six overs, the
second-lowest powerplay score
of this IPL.
While Rohit Sharma (4)
was sent back by left arm pacer
Mohin Khan, Stoinis induced a
fine edge with a slow ball to get
rid of Suryakumar Yadav (10).
trouble when Ravi Bishnoi’s
Tilak Varma short of the crease.
poking at an away going deliv-
overs. AGENCIES
India’s Isharani Baruah returns a shot during play against China’s
Chen Yu Fei in a round 3 match for the Uber Cup
Fei started off the proceedings
for China with an easy 21-12
21-10 win over 83rd ranked
Isharani Baruah.
“A little disappointed in
my game because I made
too many errors, I thought I
would play good with her but
it was an easy win for her...the
pace was really high, I had to
increase my speed,” Isharani
said after her match.
“Her variations were
Sabalenka, the champion
in Madrid in 2021 and 2023,
advanced by beating No. 15
Danielle Collins 4-6, 6-4,
6-3. The result ended Collins’
15-match winning streak,
and sent Sabalenka into her
first WTA 1000 quarterfinal
of the season.
Mirra Andreeva cel-
ebrated her 17th birthday
with a 7-6 (2), 6-4 win over
12th-seeded Jasmine Paolini.
The Russian teenager rallied
from 5-2 down in the first set
to reach the quarterfinals, a
round further than she man-
aged in Madrid a year ago.
Fourth-seeded Elena
Rybakina defeated teenage
qualifier Sara Bejlek 6-1, 6-3.
twice while serving for the set
before eventually prevailing in
the tiebreaker. AGENCIES
Sport
Jofra Archer returns, Buttler
to lead England in T20 WC
LONDON: Fit-again pacer
Jofra Archer expectedly
returned after a one-year
injury-forced hiatus, while
rookie all-rounder Tom Hart-
ley also made the cut in the
15-member preliminary T20
World Cup squad announced
by defending champions Eng-
land here on Tuesday.
Archer last played for Eng-
land in a T20 International
series against Bangladesh in
March last year. The 29-year-
old was England’s leading
wicket-taker in that series with
four scalps from three matches
at an economy of 6.63.
But since then, Archer has
been forced to sit on the side-
2024
SQUAD
lines because of the recurrence
of a stress fracture in his right
elbow.
“Jofra Archer has recovered
from his right elbow injury and
is named in the squad,” said
the England and Wales Cricket
Board (ECB) in its media
release.
England will be led by
Jos Buttler, who had guided
them to the title in Australia
in 2022.
From January this year,
Archer has been work-
ing intensely on his return
including Sussex’s pre-season
camps in Abu Dhabi and Ben-
galuru, besides appearing in
a handful of club matches at
Barbados.
Archer pulled out of this
year’s IPL from the Mumbai
Indians’ squad after he suf-
fered another injury setback
in November 2023, but he sur-
prised everyone by turning up
AP/PTI
good, and all her strokes
were going in the third
court and it wasn’t comfortable
to hit well. It was a tough game
11
BENGAL
LS POLLS
APRIL 19 - PHASE-I
Cooch Behar, Alipurduar,
MAY 20 - PHASE-V
Bongaon, Barrackpur, Howrah, COUN
Rajasthan
Royals’ Jos
Jalpaiguri
APRIL 26 - PHASE-II
Uluberia , Sreerampur,
Hooghly, Arambag OF VO
JUN
Darjeeling, Raigunj, Balurghat MAY 25 - PHASE-VI
Buttler plays a
MAY 7 - PHASE-III Tamluk , Kanthi, Ghatal,
shot during an Malda North, Malda South, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia,
Murshidabad, Jangipur Bankura, Bishnupur
IPL match PTI
MAY 13 - PHASE-IV JUNE 1 - PHASE-VII
Baharampur, Krishnanagar,
Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba,
Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat,
Jaynagar, Mathurapur,
Bardhaman – Durgapur,
Asansol, Bolpur, Birbhum
Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur,
Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar
ASSEMBLY BYPOLLS BHAGABANGOLA BARANAG
ENGLAND SQUAD:
IN BENGAL
MAY 7 JUNE
Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bair-
stow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom
Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone,
Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood
to play a match for his school Curran (PBKS), Liam Living-
team in Barbados, since they stone (RR), Phil Salt (KKR),
were on the verge of being Will Jacks, Reece Topley
relegated. (both RCB), will return home
The ECB was not aware from the Indian Premier
when Archer answered the League (IPL) ahead of the T20I
SOS call and went on to play series against Pakistan from
the game in December. May 22.
The 24-year-old Hartley is It means that these players
the sole uncapped player in the will miss the final stages of the
squad. The left-arm spinning IPL 2024.
all-rounder has appeared in 82 “The World Cup squad will
T20 games 68 wickets at aver- fly to the Caribbean on May
age of little over 26. His econ- 31 ahead of England’s opening
omy rate is a decent 7.85. group match against Scotland
Meanwhile, Buttler (Rajast- at the Kensington Oval, Bar-
han Royals), Moeen Ali (CSK), bados, on Wednesday, June 4,”
Jonny Bairstow (PBKS), Sam added the ECB. AGENCIES
check for the young
Indian team as it
could not take a
single game from
the Chinese during
the five-match tie
but it was a good experience,”
she added.
National champions Priya
Konjengbam and Shruti
Mishra, ranked 67, were no
match for reigning world
champions Chen Qing Chen
and Jia Yi Fan, who doubled
China’s lead with a 21-13 21-12
win.  AGENCIES
12 Leisure millenniumpost
WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY, 2024 | NEW DELHI

Ileana says most of Ibrahim makes

‘Instagram’ debut
her work has gone ‘Legacy? I’ll make my own,’ he says

‘UNNOTICED’ B udding actor Ibrahim Ali
Khan, who is the son of
former actor couple Saif
Ali Khan and Amrita Singh,
on Tuesday made his debut on
the social networking service
‘Instagram’.
She voiced her feelings about not receiving Hours ago, the 23-year-old
garnered over 560,000 followers
adequate recognition in the industry on the app, on which he already
has a private account.
own,” the upcoming actor cap-
tioned his first post, while also
announcing his collaboration
with a foreign sports brand.
Ibrahim is the grandson
of former India cricket cap-
tain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
and veteran film star Sharmila
Tagore. He most recently served
as an assistant director on Karan
Johar’s 2023 film ‘Rocky Aur

I
His new ‘Instagram’ page is Rani Kii Prem
leana D’Cruz, home. She pulled over, comforted public and as of now, Ibrahim Kahaani’.
known for her him and tried to soothe him. How- follows 41 personalities, includ- According to
role alongside ever, as soon as she placed him back ing his mother, sister Sara Ali reports, he is
Vidya Balan in ‘Do Aur in his car seat, he resumed crying. Khan, aunt Soha Ali Khan and set to make his
Do Pyaar’, recently voiced her feel- Although typically reserved stepmother Kareena Kapoor acting debut
ings about not receiving adequate about her personal life, D’Cruz can- Khan. soon. PTI
recognition in the industry. didly discussed her partner. Reflect- “Legacy? I’ll make my
In a recent interview with a lead- ing on his support, she became
ing media house, Ileana D’Cruz emotional. Confirming her mar-
addressed whether she believes she riage to Michael, she expressed,
has been undervalued in the indus- “Married life is going beautifully.
try. She expressed the feeling that It’s really hard to say what I love
her efforts haven’t been fully recog- about him the most. I’ll
nised, with much of her work going She have to really think
unnoticed, though she is uncertain because I feel like
about the reasons behind it. also opened every time I come
Ileana also opened up about ing mom guilt. up about her up with an answer,
her personal life, dis- D’Cruz, who personal life, there’s something
cussing her welcomed her
son Koa son in 2023, discussing her son Koa else that you know
trumps that the
Phoenix shared that while Phoenix Dolan and next day.”
Dolan it is challenging, partner Michael Describing her
and she believes mom partner’s role in her
partner guilt never truly Dolan life, D’Cruz acknowl-
Michael dissipates. edged that Dolan has been
Dolan. Describing a recent inci- there for her during both her
She also dent, D’Cruz recounted a moment toughest and happiest moments.
addressed when her child was crying in the She emphasised his unwavering
experienc- back seat while she was driving support and love throughout.AGENCIES

‘Life can never be ‘GHILLI’ BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

same without you’
V eteran actor Neetu Kapoor
on Tuesday paid tribute to
her late husband and fre-
quent co-star Rishi Kapoor on his
fourth death anniversary and said
that life hasn’t been the same since
his passing.
Rishi Kapoor, known for films
such as ‘Bobby’, ‘Rafoo Chakkar’,
‘Karz’, ‘Agneepath’, ‘Kapoor and
Sons’ and ‘Mulk’, died at the age
of 67 on April 30, 2020, after a
two-year battle with cancer.
In an ‘Instagram’ post,
Neetu Kapoor shared a
picture of her with Rishi
Kapoor, who collaborated
with her on several films
including ‘Rafoo Chakkar’,
‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, and ‘Do Dooni
Chaar’.
“Four years for us. Life can never
be the same without you,” she cap-
tioned the photo and set the post to
the instrumental theme of his 1980
romantic thriller ‘Karz’.
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, the
daughter of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu
Kapoor, shared her childhood photo
with her father on ‘Instagram Stories’.
“Those we love don’t go away. They
walk beside us every day,” Sahni cap-
tioned the post with a quote from Alex
MacLean’s book ‘Grave Situation’.
Rishi Kapoor’s last big-screen
appearance was ‘Sharmaji Namkeen’,
which hit the screens in 2022. PTI
Vijay, Trisha’s romantic actioner
breaks ‘Avatar’, ‘Sholay’ records
O ne of the biggest hits in
the careers of all those
involved in the proj-
ect, including actors ‘Thala-
pathy’ Vijay, Trisha Krishnan
and Prakash Raj, director Dha-
rani’s 2004 blockbuster roman-
tic sports actioner ‘Ghilli’ was
re-released in select theatres
across India on April 20, mark-
ing the movie’s 20th anniver-
sary. As expected, fans eagerly
embraced its comeback, flocking to cine-
mas in large numbers to experience ‘Ghilli’
once again.
With the continued patronage of fans,
‘Ghilli’ has achieved unprecedented success
and become the highest-grossing re-release
film in India in the 21st century, grossing
approximately Rs 20 crore in the domes-
tic market in just nine days, according to
industry tracker ‘Sacnilk’.
‘Ghilli’ has thus broken the record of
director James Cameron’s epic science fic-
tion film ‘Avatar’ (2009), which
minted Rs 18 crore when it was
re-released in 2012 in India.
Ramesh Sippy’s action-adven-
ture film ‘Sholay’ (1975) stands
at the third position, grossing
Rs 13 crore when it was released
in the 3D version in 2013.
Incidentally, ‘Ghilli’ secured
its position as the fourth high-
est-grossing Tamil film of 2024
at the domestic box office, trail-
ing behind ‘Captain Miller’, ‘Ayalaan’ and
‘Lal Salaam’.
On its opening day, the film minted Rs
8 crore worldwide, as reported by a popu-
lar entertainment agency, with Rs 4.75 crore
solely from the domestic market, while
the remainder came from overseas. Inter-
estingly, the Vijay film minted more than
Rajnikanth’s ‘Lal Salaam’. Helmed by Rajni-
kanth’s daughter Aishwarya, the film col-
lected just Rs 3.55 crore (net) in India on
the opening day. AGENCIES

AUTHOR
NUMEROLOGY IN HOUSE NUMBERS
Unlocking the hidden meanings
RAKHHI JAIN
This article will delve into the realm of numerology in house numbers, uncovering their importance and impact on people’s lives

H
as anyone ever wondered
if their house numbers
hold any significance
beyond their mere iden-
tification? Numerology, the ancient
practice of unraveling the mystical
nature of numbers, can shed light on
the energy and vibrations associated
with anyone’s house number. These
vibrations have the power to influ-
ence the well-being and experiences
of the occupants.
This article will delve into the
realm of numerology in house num-
bers, uncovering their importance
and impact on people’s lives.
Before embarking on an explora-
tion of numerology in house num-
bers, let’s first understand the basics
of this fascinating field. Numerology
is based on the belief that numbers
possess intrinsic qualities and vibra-
tions that impact people’s lives. By
decoding these vibrations, they can
gain insights into their personalities,
strengths and life paths.
Numerologists assign numerical
values to the letters of the alphabet,
enabling them to analyse names,
dates of birth and even house num-
bers. Each number possesses its
own unique energy and symbolism,
shaping the experiences and charac-
teristics associated with it.
How to calculate one’s house
number: To determine the numer-
ological significance of their house
numbers, they will need to calculate
their single-digit value.
One needs to write down their
full house address, including any
apartment numbers. Assign numeri-
cal values to each letter, following
the standard numerological chart
(A = 1, B = 2, C = 3 and so on).
Add up all the numerical values
until one reaches a single digit. This
final number represents the energy
and vibrations associated with your
house. For example, if one’s address
is 236 Centre Street (2 + 3 + 6 = 11
= 2). In this case, number 2 will hold
significance for that person’s home
and impact the experiences of its
inhabitants.
Numerology House Num-
ber 1: It’s often associated with ber. People who wish to have some
new beginnings, independence and
leadership, making it ideal for those
starting a new phase in life. House
number 1 symbolises a fresh start
and is ideal for those embarking on
new personal or professional paths.
It resonates with individuals who are
self-employed or single, offering a
vibe of independence and ambition.
This number is particularly fitting
for those who are driven by curi-
osity and a desire to excel in their
endeavours.
Numerology House Num-
ber 2: People who have house num-
ber 2 are the luckiest people globally
and the number promotes healthy
relationships, family values and
harmony in life, as per this house
number in Indian numerology. If
an individual is a romantic person
and has a young family, then house
number 2 is perfect as per house
numerology. Consider number 2 as
a well-balanced and upbeat num-
balance in life will benefit from this
house number.
Numerology House Num-
ber 3: This house number is often
associated with creativity and joy,
making it an ideal choice for artistic
individuals and those seeking a posi-
tive, uplifting environment. If one
is a creative person or has kids who
want to become artists, then house
number 3 is the best place to nurture
the talent and bring out the creativ-
ity inside them. People living in this
house must decorate the home with
art and creativity through different
paintings, sculptures and writings.
Number 3 is also considered a num-
ber that promotes positivity, joy and
happiness.
Numerology House Num-
ber 4: This number is often asso-
ciated with stability, security and a
sense of order, making it ideal for
those seeking a structured and calm
environment. If someone wants a
new things in life. People with a high do with their lives. of what their house numbers repre-
social life, such as teachers, travel Numerology House Num- sent. One must embrace the quali-
agents and bloggers, will benefit ber 8: 8 is a popular number among ties associated with it and align their
more if their house number is 5, as businesspeople, senior managers intentions and actions accordingly.
it’s their lucky house number as per and sportspersons. If one wonders Personalising space: People
their date of birth. why so many successful people are must infuse their living environ-
Numerology House Num- fixated on the number 8 house, it’s ments with personalised elements to
ber 6: Creating the perfect home easy - the number promotes abun- amplify the vibrations of their house
environment for raising a family dance and ambition. Many people numbers. They can decorate accord-
is a common concern for prefer house number 8 in Indian ing to their personalities and values,
many soon-to-be par- numerology as they believe that creating a space that resonates with
Numerology ents. Numerology the number will perfectly comple- their unique energies.
suggests that a ment their personal and profes- Maintain positive surround-
offers a house with num- sional growth goals. Some people ings: One must surround oneself
fascinating lens ber 6 is the opti- leapfrog towards financial freedom with positive experiences, relation-
stable life, then
they will ben- through which we can mal choice for
nurturing a joy-
and a stable family and always have
their next goal to achieve penned
ships and objects. By actively culti-
vating a harmonious and uplifting
efit massively decipher the hidden ful and thriving down. 8 house number numerology environment, one can magnify the
from living in household. This invites prosperity and wealth of epic positive vibrations of their house
house number 4 meanings of our number is known proportions. numbers.
in Indian numerol- house numbers to foster a sense of Numerology House Num- In conclusion, numerology offers
ogy. Numbers have a calm and stability, ber 9: This house number is often a fascinating lens through which we
significant influence on making it ideal for fami- associated with compassion and can decipher the hidden meanings
life and people living in house lies, children, pets and even kindness, making it a nurturing of our house numbers. By under-
number 4 do well in jobs or busi- those in the later stages of life. environment for fostering commu- standing the vibrations associated
nesses centred around civil works, Numerology House Num- nity spirit and selflessness. Com- with our homes, we can consciously
environment and architecture. ber 7: There comes a time in passion, empathy and kindness shape our experiences and create a
Numerology House Num- everyone’s life when they are at are some of the virtues that every harmonious living environment.
ber 5: Wondering whether house the crossroads of life. Their profes- human being should have. Families So, the next time people enter their
number 5 is lucky or not? This num- sional and personal lives are stag- who stay in house number 9 often homes, they must take a moment to
ber is considered a very young and nant, non-satisfactory or desperately have a sense of kindness and com- appreciate the profound influence of
energetic number in house number needing change. For such people, passion in them. This house number numerology on their lives.
numerology. Naturally, this is the it’s best to introspect and rethink is considered an ‘influential’ number (Rakhhi Jain is a professional
house for all the youngsters, stu- the things that matter to them. As and perfect for building communi- numerologist, Vastu consul-
dents and young professionals who house number 7 in Indian numer- ties and promoting selflessness and tant and general counsellor from
are just starting a new phase of their ology denotes a sense of personal spirituality. Mumbai, India. Email: rakhi-
lives. This is a perfect house of peo- vibration, it’s a number that pro- Harnessing the power of jain99999@gmail.com. Mobile:
ple with sky-high aspirations and motes internal thoughts and brings house numbers: After having a +91 9594888515, +91 9136910156.
imagination. People living in house out clarity. Thus, this house number clearer understanding of the sig- ‘Instagram’ handle: numerology-
number 5 will often have the urge is most suitable for introverts who nificance of house numbers, one byrakhejain. Facebook handle:
to travel to new places and explore are deeply thinking about what to must be conscious of the vibrations Numerology By Rakhe Jain)