India

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) With tears in her eyes, an emotionally disturbed Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday hit out at BJP candidate from Kalkaji seat Ramesh Bidhuri for stooping so low to attack his 80-year-old educationist father.

“He is seeking votes by abusing my father and not on his own performance in the constituency,” Atishi alleged claiming that attacks on her father are very disturbing.

Atishi’s response to Bidhuri came during a press conference to allege a “voter scam” in the garb of deletion and addition of voters' names in the New Delhi Assembly constituency of Arvind Kejriwal.

During a rally in Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri stated, "Atishi has changed her father. She used to be Marlena, but now she is Singh. Her parents had filed a petition seeking clemency for Afzal Guru, the man responsible for killing young people."

On the alleged “voter scam”, CM Atishi said she wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday and sought time for a meeting to share the details of the alleged “voter scam” being executed to vitiate the democratic process.

“Between October 29 and January 2, applications have been filed for deletion of 6,167 voter names,” she said, claiming 11 objectors, out of the total 84, have denied even filing any application for deletion of names of voters.

“The role of the Election Commission’s administration is also doubtful,” she said, claiming that about 10,000 new voters or 10 per cent of voters have been added to the constituency’s electoral rolls and 6,167 named or 5.7 per cent of names have been deleted.

She said a probe should be conducted on who filed these forms when 11 objectors are themselves denying having done so.

“We want the exercise of addition and deletion should be stopped till it is clear who filed Form 7 and from which cyber cafe,” she said.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said the name of his wife Anita’s name was also illegally deleted and alleged the BJP, which has conceded defeat even before elections, is resorting to “manipulation” and sheltering “bogus or ghost objectors”.

“I demand action against election officials who are allowing such wrongdoings,” he said, claiming a woman named Madhu, who was cited by election officials as the objector in the case of deletion of his wife’s name, has denied filing even a single Form 7.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Jan 6 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday granted six weeks to the state government to act on the Union Carbide factory waste disposal as per the safety guidelines and set February 18 as the next date of hearing.

The state government submitted the status report on the matter and also informed about the protests.

During the hearing, a petitioner while objecting to the disposal of the Bhopal gas tragedy's hazardous waste, told the court that the state government had transported chemical waste without consulting the residents of the Pithampur industrial area.

Advocate Abhinav Dhanotkar, who represented the petitioner (a group of doctors of MGM College Indore), contented that the Pithampur industrial area, where the toxic waste is supposed to be incinerated, is more than 35 km from the state's biggest city Indore. He argued that hazardous waste has a long-lasting impact.

Meanwhile, after submitting a detailed status report on the collection of waste, transportation and agitation in Pithampur, the state government urged the Court to provide six weeks for incineration of toxic waste.

The bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain said that concerns raised by other parties, including, MGM doctors, would also be listened. The division bench granted time to the state government after Advocate General Prashant Singh sought more time.

The move to dispose of 337 tons of Union Carbide waste at Pithampur, about 250 km from the state capital, has triggered protests. There have been two self-immolation bids also.

During the last hearing on December 3, 2024, the HC pulled up the authorities for failing to dispose of the waste at the now-defunct factory in Bhopal. Even 40 years after the gas disaster, the authorities are in a “state of inertia” that may cause another disaster, the court mentioned.

The high court had asked the government to remove and transport the waste from the site within four weeks and warned of contempt proceedings if the directive was not acted upon.

The HC direction had come on a writ petition filed in 2004 for the disposal of waste from the Union Carbide plant, which had triggered one of the world’s worst industrial disasters.

Before the waste, packed in sealed containers, reached Dhar district on Thursday and the ensuing protests there, Swatantra Kumar Singh, director of the state's Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Department, had said, that if everything is found to be fine, then the waste will be burnt to ashes within three months.

On the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, killing at least 5,479 persons and leaving thousands with serious injuries and long-lasting health issues.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Jan 6 (IANS) The team of one of the most anticipated movies in South Indian cinema, superstar Yash starrer ‘Toxic’ has hinted at a big update on the movie on the occasion of the actor's birthday on January 8.

KVN productions, the company rolling out the movie and the superstar have shared the poster on social media.

The poster says, “His untamed presence is your existential crisis.”

Further, the poster mentions the date of his birthday and also gives the time, 10.25 am, below it.

Sources confirmed that on the occasion of Yash's birthday, the film team is going to give a big update on the movie.

It is not confirmed whether it's going to be a trailer or another teaser.

However, the fans have gone crazy over the update and are looking forward to his birthday.

‘Toxic’ is directed by Geetu Mohandas, a young director from the Malayalam film industry.

Yash shared the poster on his social media handle X with the post, “Unleashing him”.

The poster presents Yash in a dark backdrop standing beside a vintage car and blowing smoke from a cigar.

Earlier, Yash had requested his fans not to get upset as he would not be able to celebrate his birthday with them in Bengaluru.

Yash had stated, “My dearest well-wishers. As the new year dawns, it’s a time for reflection, resolutions, and charting a new course. The love you all have showered on me over the years has been nothing short of phenomenal. But, there have been some unfortunate incidents too.”

“It’s time for us to change our language of love, especially when it comes to the celebration of my birthday. The expression of your love should not be in grand gestures and gatherings. The greatest gift for me is knowing you are safe, setting positive examples, achieving your goals, and spreading joy,” Yash appealed.

“I will be busy shooting and will not be in town on my birthday. However, the warmth of your wishes will always reach me and be my constant companion, fueling my spirit and inspiring me. Stay safe, and I wish you all a very happy 2025,” Yash underlined.

The comments from the star are significant as last year three persons were killed and three others suffered serious injuries while they were erecting a huge cut-out of Yash to wish him on his birthday.

The incident took place in the wee hours of January 8, 2024 in Soranagi village near Lakshmeshwar town in Gadag district, Karnataka.

Yash paid a visit to the families of the deceased fans and offered his condolences.

Yash had further declared that he would stand with the bereaved families like their son and would do whatever was required for them.

“This is not the appropriate time to make announcements. They will be taken care of. This should not set a precedent,” he had stated.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Jan 6 (IANS) The Karnataka government on Monday clarified that the two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) detected in two babies -- aged three- and eight-month-old -- in Bengaluru, are not the first in India.

“We cannot call it the first case in the country. The virus already exists here. The individual may have been tested for this specific virus, and it has been detected, that’s all,” said Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, while speaking to the media, ahead of an emergency meeting on the matter.

“It is not proven that the case detected in Bengaluru is India’s first. That claim is not true. This is an existing virus, and a certain percentage of people are affected by it. It is not something new,” Rao further explained.

The minister clarified that the baby infected with the virus has no travel history and is from a local family.

“They have not traveled to China, Malaysia, or any other country. The outbreak in China is linked to a new variant of HMPV. We do not yet have full details, and the government is still gathering information. They may also be in the process of obtaining more details,” Rao said.

“That could be a new strain of HMPV. However, HMPV is a virus that has already been present in India for a long time. It causes common symptoms like cold, flu, and cough, which usually subside after a while. I do not think we should call this the first case,” he added.

He urged people “not to create unnecessary panic. This is an existing virus that comes and goes” while noting that “the situation in China is different, and it is being closely watched.”

The Minister informed of an emergency meeting being held to gather some new information and to decide on the next steps.

“The decision cannot be made prematurely. PCR testing has always been available, but we need to determine if it is necessary. We must assess whether this is a serious public health concern. Just because one case has been detected, we cannot go into panic mode. If we test everyone with cold symptoms, some virus or the other will likely be found,” Rao explained.

“I do not believe in unnecessary testing. We need to understand more about the new strain in China. Whether it is present here or not, I do not know. I do not want to blame anyone. It is better to exercise caution and follow the guidelines,” the minister stated.

Meanwhile, a virtual meeting was also held with the heads of all District medical colleges on Monday morning to discuss precautionary measures and other effective actions to address the situation.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) Running a pilot project using robots for cleaning sewer lines and septic tanks was among the suggestions made by experts at a discussion on the rights of manual scavengers and ensuring their dignity organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said an official on Monday.

Addressing the discussion on ‘Dignity and Liberty of the Individuals -- Rights of Manual Scavengers’, NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian said that it is necessary to study and understand the causes to suggest remedial measures.

He stressed the need for running a pilot project using technology/robots for cleaning sewer lines and septic tanks to begin with one state to see its outcome and further replication in other parts of the country, a statement said.

NHRC Secretary General, Bharat Lal said that the Commission has taken up the issue of the implementation of mechanized cleaning processes by various states and the steps taken by them in this regard.

It has emerged that various states have prepared a three-year programme for all Urban Local Bodies in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in Dr Balram Singh v/s Union of India case.

He also highlighted how certain castes and communities are disproportionately affected by this practice of manual scavenging.

The discussion was attended by NHRC Members Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, and Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, and other senior officers.

Attendees included representatives from various ministries and state governments, NGOs, human rights defenders, UN agencies, private organizations, and research scholars, contributing to discussions on pertinent issues regarding the rights of manual scavengers and ensuring dignity.

NHRC Joint Secretary, Devendra Kumar Nim, gave an overview of the three technical sessions- ‘Addressing the issue of deaths in septic and were tanks in India,’ ‘The need for a complete ban on manual scavenging,’ and ‘Rehabilitation measures for manual scavengers: A path towards dignity and empowerment and the way forward.’

He said that manual scavenging is one of the biggest challenges society is facing today, which needs to be addressed with concerted collective efforts.

Some of the suggestions which emanated from the discussions included the need for better representation and ground-level monitoring to ensure effective welfare implementation and surveys for effective implementation of rehabilitation programmes and minimum wages.

Experts also batted for making a distinction between sanitation workers and manual scavengers in the 2013 Act.

They also called for offering incentives for mechanization of cleaning and imparting training for it to women-led SHGs for sustainable livelihoods.

Transparency was also needed in manual scavenging data and sewer death reporting, budget analysis, and awareness campaigns under SBM and NAMASTE schemes, said experts

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Jan 6 (IANS) Former Telangana Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao has requested the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to defer his questioning in the Formula-E race case.

Rama Rao, who reached the ACB office on Monday in response to the summons but returned without appearing before investigating officers after he was not allowed to be accompanied by his lawyer, requested that his questioning be deferred till the Telangana High Court pronounced its order on his quash petition.

The BRS leader handed over a letter to the ACB official who had issued him the notice to appear on Monday.

In his letter addressed to Majid Khan, DSP of the ACB’s Central Investigation Unit, Rama Rao mentioned that the Telangana High Court has reserved its order on his quash petition and the same be pronounced any time.

KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, wrote that pending pronouncement of orders in the case. He was issued notice to appear on January 6 to furnish the information and documents about the case.

“However, in your notice, you have not given details of the information and documents sought from me pertaining to the case. You are requested to give details of the documents sought from me pertaining to the case to take further necessary action at my end after giving reasonable time for the same,” wrote KTR, who assured that he would cooperate in the matter subject to constitutional and legal rights.

“Since the matter is finally heard and reserved for orders, you may consider deferring the same till the judgment is pronounced in the case,” he added.

Earlier, KTR had reached the ACB headquarters in Banjara Hills in response to the notice issued to him. When he was stopped from entering the office with his lawyer, he insisted that his lawyer be permitted to present during the questioning. The BRS leader waited in his car for some time and when the officials made it clear that they would not allow his lawyer, he returned after handing over the letter to the ACB official

The ACB last month booked a case against KTR, former Special Chief Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department Arvind Kumar and former Chief Engineer of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) B.L.N. Reddy for alleged Rs 54.88 crore irregularities in Formula-E deal. The FIR was registered on a complaint by Principal Secretary to Government, MA&UD department M. Dana Kishore, who stated that foreign remittances were made without prior approvals of the relevant regulatory authorities, which resulted in an additional tax burden to HMDA to the tune of Rs 8.06 crore. The FIR was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act as well as under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday, strongly criticised Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamat (AIMJ), for his comments on the Maha Kumbh Mela that 55 bighas of Waqf land was being used for the event and remarked that they were trying to provoke Hindus.

Reacting to the Maulana's claim that 55 bighas of Waqf land was being used for the event, Singh said, "The Kumbh Mela predates the birth of Islam and is a deeply respected cultural and religious tradition. Statements like these are an attempt to provoke Hindus and incite communal tensions."

He further asked, "Are leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav silent because they endorse such unrest? Do they want to create a situation like Bangladesh in India?”

Giriraj Singh accused some radical elements of trying to disrupt the country's harmony by twisting historical and cultural facts. He added, "The Kumbh Mela is not just a religious event; it is a cultural heritage of India, respected globally. Such provocative remarks are unacceptable."

The controversy began when Maulana Barelvi claimed in a video that Muslims of Prayagraj had shown a "large heart" by allowing the mela to take place on Waqf land. He also criticised the All India Akhara Parishad's call to bar non-Hindus from participating in the event, accusing Hindu groups of being "narrow-minded."

Maulana Barelvi said, "Akhara Parishad, Naga Sanyasis, swamis and babas have banned the entry of Muslims from Kumbh Mela. On the other hand, a Muslim man named Sartaz from Prayagraj has said that the land where preparations are being made for the Kumbh Mela belongs to the Waqf, and is owned by local Muslims."

He added that while Muslims have shown a large heart, Hindu groups are showing narrowness by not allowing Muslims in the Kumbh Mela.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of multiple railway projects through video conferencing, further strengthening India's railway infrastructure.

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also attended the virtual event.

Among the key projects, PM Modi inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division, marking a significant step towards enhanced connectivity in the region. He also inaugurated the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana and laid the foundation stone of the Rayagada Railway Division Building of the East Coast Railway.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister highlighted the strides India is making in connectivity, referring to his recent experience with the Namo Bharat train in Delhi-NCR and the expansion of Delhi Metro projects.

"This is a significant achievement. The metro network in India has now crossed over 1,000 kilometres," he said.

Calling it a "big day for India's new age connectivity," PM Modi stressed the collective progress of the nation, stating that the projects reflect the mantra of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" and the resolution of a "Viksit Bharat". He congratulated the people of the nation on the launch of these transformative projects.

The Prime Minister noted the transformation in Indian Railways over the past decade, stressing visible changes in infrastructure, services, and connectivity.

"The development of Indian Railways is crucial for achieving the resolution of a Viksit Bharat," he said.

He elaborated on four focus areas for railway development: modernisation of infrastructure, enhanced facilities for commuters, improved connectivity across the country, and employment generation.

"Today's event embodies this vision, contributing significantly to making Indian Railways a modern 21st-century transportation system," he added.

Highlighting high-speed trains such as Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat, PM Modi said these services have become benchmarks for Indian Railways.

He noted that Vande Bharat trains are operational on over 50 routes, with 136 services running at speeds of 180 km per hour, easing travel for millions.

"The time is not far when the first bullet train will also run in India," he said.

The Prime Minister shared that the electrification of railway lines has increased from 35 per cent in 2014 to near-total electrification today. He also noted the construction of over 30,000 kilometres of new tracks and numerous bridges to prevent accidents in the past decade.

"The 'Kayakalp' campaign has brought remarkable changes to Indian Railways. With the promotion of 'Make in India,' modern coaches are being developed for metro and railway services, and railway stations are being redeveloped with solar panels and 'One Station One Product' stalls, creating millions of job opportunities," he said.

Discussing the Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity, the Prime Minister highlighted its role in boosting India's logistics and trade.

He also appreciated projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Chinnar Bridge, the world's tallest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, the country's first cable-stayed railway bridge.

Focusing on Odisha, PM Modi said the state holds immense potential for international trade due to its natural resources and coastline. He mentioned ongoing projects worth over Rs 70,000 crore, including seven Gati Shakti cargo terminals, which are enhancing trade and industry in the state.

PM Modi also lauded the development of the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana, equipped with modern platforms, lifts, and escalators and powered by solar energy. He noted its strategic connection to the Outer Ring Road, which will accelerate regional development.

The creation of the Jammu Railway Division, covering 742.1 kilometres across several sections, will benefit Jammu and Kashmir by boosting employment, tourism, and overall socio-economic development. Similarly, the Rayagada Railway Division Building will improve connectivity in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and nearby areas, fostering regional development.

"Since 2014, the number of airports in the country has increased from 74 to over 150, and metro services now operate in 21 cities, compared to just five earlier. Indian Railways is being continuously upgraded to match this scale and speed. All these development efforts are part of the roadmap for a Viksit Bharat," he concluded.

--IANS

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Agartala, Jan 6 (IANS) The Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested 35 human traffickers in the last five months in Tripura for facilitating illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas into India, officials said on Monday.

An official said that the 35 human traffickers, all Indians, were arrested by the GRP from different places in Tripura in the past five months.

On Sunday night, the GRP personnel with the help of the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans arrested five more human traffickers from Konaban in Sepahijala district.

The GRP also arrested over 115 Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas at the Agartala railway station and other places since August 1.

The BSF and the Tripura state police separately arrested a large number of human traffickers from different locations in Tripura.

Over the past five months, around 600 Bangladeshi nationals and over 63 Rohingyas were arrested by the GRP, various other security forces and Tripura Police from the Agartala railway station and different places in Tripura after they illegally entered India.

The BSF alone last year arrested 55 Rohingya migrants, 620 Bangladeshi nationals and 260 Indian nationals including human traffickers in various operations.

After the unrest began in Bangladesh in July, especially after the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, the infiltration into India's northeastern states increased to a large extent.

The Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, after arrest, told the security personnel that they intended to go to major metropolitan cities and other places in India in search of jobs.

The Rohingyas illegally entered India after fleeing their camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar where more than one million displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar have been living since 2017.

A BSF spokesman said that after the Bangladesh unrest began in June-July, the border guarding force has intensified its domination and operations along the 856 km India-Bangladesh border in Tripura to prevent infiltration, exfiltration, and trans-border crimes including smuggling of contraband.

The BSF, on a number of occasions, foiled several infiltration attempts by hundreds of Bangladeshi nationals comprising both Hindus and Muslims.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) The cost of preparing a vegetarian thali at home declined 3 per cent (month-on-month) in December, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali is estimated to have increased at a similar pace, according to a report on Monday.

While tomato prices fell 12 per cent on-month, helped by fresh supplies from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, the cost of non-vegetarian thali grew at a faster pace due to an estimated 11 per cent on-month increase in broiler prices on a dip in production triggered by a cold wave in the north, said the CRISIL Market Intelligence and Analytics report.

“This, coupled with a rise in festive- and wedding-season demand, along with an elevated feed cost, exacerbated the woes,” the report mentioned.

A 2 per cent and 12 per cent on-month drop in potato and onion prices, respectively, further supported the price decline of a veg thali in December.

However, on an annual basis, the rise in vegetarian thali cost was driven by an increase in tomato and potato prices, which collectively account for 24 per cent of the cost of a thali, the report mentioned.

Tomato price rose 24 per cent to Rs 47 per kg in December from Rs 38 per kg in December last year.

Potato price surged 50 per cent on a low base last year to Rs 36/kg in December 2024 from Rs 24/kg in December 23 due to an estimated 6 per cent on-year decline in production

Adding to the cost was a 16 per cent on-year jump in vegetable oil prices due to import-duty hike, coupled with higher demand during the festive and wedding seasons.

“However, an 11 per cent on-year drop in LPG fuel cost (to Rs 803 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder in Delhi from Rs 903 last year) provided a partial offset,” said the report.

A veg thali comprises roti, vegetables (onion, tomato and potato), rice, dal, curd and salad. A non-veg thali has the same elements except for dal, which is replaced by chicken (broiler).

--IANS

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