India

Jaipur, Dec 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the loss of lives in the horrific accident on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway in Rajasthan and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.

In his message, he said, "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the accident on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway in Rajasthan. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each.”

It needs to be mentioned here that a tragic accident on Friday morning at the Ajmer Highway in Jaipur claimed the lives of eight people and left over 30 injured, when an LPG gas tanker collided with a truck.

The collision triggered a massive explosion and fire, engulfing the area in flames, leaving over 35 people injured.

A sleeper bus carrying 34 passengers caught fire and out of the 34 passengers, 20 suffered severe burns, while 14 others, including the driver and conductor, remain missing.

The fire caused by the explosion produced towering flames that burned numerous birds in the vicinity.

Several vehicles on the highway, including the bus and a truck, were engulfed in the blaze. The intense heat caused a bike rider’s helmet to melt and stick to his face, severely burning his eyes.

The accident occurred on Friday morning near Delhi Public School, following a devastating collision between an LPG (BPCL) tanker and a truck.

Eight people were burned alive, and 35 others sustained burns.

Even hours after the incident, people in the area reported experiencing suffocation and irritation in their eyes due to the lingering effects of the fire.

--IANS

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Belagavi, Dec 20 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP on Saturday lambasted state administration as well as police for the ill-treatment and arrest of MLC C.T. Ravi over ‘derogatory’ remarks against Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar.

R Ashoka, the leader of Opposition, addressing the media, stated that Ravi was treated like a terrorist by the police.

Lashing out at the state govt, he said, “If a representative of people is treated in this manner, imagine the plight of BJP party workers and Hindu activists under the Congress government. A mini–Pakistan is created out of Karnataka state.”

He further alleged that the police department has turned into a puppet at the hands of the state government.

“Throughout the night, the police have taken C.T. Ravi to 10 taluks and tortured him. He was beaten by the police. The government has done an unpardonable crime,” he further charged.

“The decision on C.T. Ravi using foul language has already been given by the Chairman of the council. He has clearly stated that there is no record of it,” Ashoka stated.

Issuing a warning of sorts, he said that there will be a change of power soon and the same scenes are going to be repeated in the state.

On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar lashed out at CT Ravi for derogatory term and dubbed him a ‘serial abuser’.

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, he said, “This is not the first time that C. T. Ravi is foul mouthing someone. We all know the abusive words he used against CM Siddaramaiah in the past.”

Asked about C T Ravi’s arrest, he said, “In the past he had addressed CM Siddaramaiah as Sidramulla Khan. He has been foul mouthing our leaders. Is this the culture of Chikkamagaluru? Is it India’s culture? Or is it BJP’s culture? I haven’t seen such a culture in Chikkamagaluru district. He must be the only person from the district with such unscrupulous culture.”

“There was a discussion in the House on Union Home Minister insulting Dr B R Ambedkar. C. T. Ravi interfered and called Rahul Gandhi a ‘drug addict’. When Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar jumped in to defend her party leader, he called her ‘pro******e’ several times. Is it wrong on our part to defend our leaders like the BJP leaders do for their leaders? Can he use such a derogatory word,” he questioned.

“He used the word 12 times. The media must take this up seriously. If you don’t have the evidence, I will share it with you. This incident happened when I came to the Legislative Assembly after finishing proceedings in the Legislative Council,” he explained.

Asked if the Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti could have taken action if there was evidence, he said, “He is a senior leader and I have respect for him, but his move in this case is disappointing. He must protect everyone in the House irrespective of the party line. He should have investigated it. If Lakshmi Hebbalkar was wrong, he should have called her out. But it is not correct that he called both of them and took a statement.”

-- IANS

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Hyderabad, Dec 20 (IANS) Corruption case booked against former minister K. T. Rama Rao in connection with the Formula-E car race rocked the Telangana State Assembly on Friday with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) insisting on a debate on the issue.

The House witnessed uproarious scenes as the BRS members stalled the proceedings to demand the debate.

As soon as the House met for the day, the BRS raised the issue of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) booking a case against the BRS working president and demanded a debate.

Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar rejected the demand for the debate and tried to proceed with the listed agenda for the day. The BRS tried to disrupt the proceedings by raising slogans against the government.

Congress MLA R. Prakash Reddy said when the Governor has given permission to register a case against KTR and the ACB has taken up the investigation, there is no scope for discussion in the House. He alleged that BRS was trying to create confusion among people.

The Speaker asked BRS members to participate in the debate on the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Bill, 2024. He remarked that the "Formula E-race relates to one person while the Bhu Bharati Bill relates to people."

When Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy was speaking on the Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Bill, 2024, BRS members tried to advance towards the Speaker's podium while marshals intervened to stop them. Some BRS members threw pieces of paper towards the Speaker. Amid the pandemonium, some Congress MLAs tore papers and flung them towards BRS members, leading to utter chaos.

BRS members alleged that Congress MLA Veernapally Shankar showed a shoe to a Dalit legislator. They demanded that a case be booked against the Congress MLA.

Amid the uproar, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House re-assembled, the BRS continued its protest demanding debate on the ACB case.

Despite repeated appeals by the Speaker to allow the House to continue its proceedings, the BRS members remained in the well, demanding a debate.

The Speaker adjourned the House for the second time and called BRS MLAs to his chambers.

He appealed to them to cooperate in running the House. They demanded that the discussion be allowed on the Formula-E race case. The Speaker said he would discuss their demand with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who is the leader of the House and take a decision.

Earlier, speaking on the issue, BRS member Harish Rao said that at a time when the Assembly is in session, an illegal case has been booked against a member.

Harish Rao alleged that the ruling party is trying to create problems for BRS by "tarnishing" the image of KTR.

Denying any wrongdoing in the Formula-E race, Harish Rao said the BRS government conducted the race to increase the state's revenues. "Since the Congress government is saying we did something wrong, we are demanding the government to explain the same to this August House by allowing a debate," he said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) India on Friday dispatched a consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice as part of its humanitarian assistance to Lesotho that will help in addressing food security and nutritional requirements of the people of the landlocked African country.

The consignment departed from Nhava Sheva Port, informed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India has dispatched similar consignments in the past as a gesture of goodwill and friendship between the two countries and to mitigate the devastating effect of food shortages caused by famine and other acts of nature in the in sub-Saharan African nation.

Guided by South-South cooperation, India and Lesotho have been working on development partnership, trade and economic relations, energy, agriculture, health, art and culture and consular matters.

India, which has always stood by Africa in times of trouble, had also provided 150 tonnes of medical aid to 32 countries in Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic under its noble 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative.

The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also provided relief material to African countries hit by natural disasters whether it is Zambia, Malawi, Kenya or Mozambique.

Earlier this year, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had stated that the deep-rooted India-Africa relations that go back in history, have been redefined by PM Modi's 10 guiding principles.

These include India's commitment to liberate Africa’s potential by building local capacity and creating local opportunities; keeping Indian markets open; sharing India's experience with the digital revolution to support Africa’s development; improving delivery of public services; extending education and spreading digital literacy in Africa; improving Africa's agriculture; addressing the challenges of climate change; and working with African nations to keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations among others.

"During our G20 Presidency, India took the decision to keep the Global South at the centre of global discourse. We put emphasis on the aspirations of Africa, not just the needs of Africa. The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during our Presidency in 2023 is a matter of great pride for us. We also completely stand behind the African Union's 'Ezulwini Consensus' and the 'Sirte Declaration'. We have reiterated our commitment to the global south in the Voice of Global South Summits," EAM Jaishankar said on June 25 on the occasion of Africa Day celebrations.

Asserting that India and Africa must engage and must work together very closely, Jaishankar had assured that Africa will always be at the top of India's priorities in the true spirit of being a 'Vishwa Bandhu'.

"Let me conclude, friends, by recalling the words of Prime Minister Modi in 2018 and he said - "India’s priority is not just Africa; India's priority is Africans – every man, woman and child in Africa. Our partnership with Africa is beyond strategic concerns and economic benefits. It is based on the emotional bonds we share and the solidarity we feel," the EAM said during his address.

--IANS

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Nagpur, Dec 20 (IANS) Amid a war of words and slogans, the state Assembly on Friday was adjourned for 10 minutes over the display of posters of B. R. Ambedkar by Congress legislators Vijay Wadettiwar and Nana Patole on their desks. BJP ministers Girish Mahajan and Chandrakant Patil, along with legislators Yogesh Sagar, Prashant Thakur, Randhir Sawarkar and others took strong objection, urging Speaker Rahul Narwekar to direct them to remove the posters. They added that if Congress members continue to keep posters on their desks, they should also be allowed to put up similar posters.

BJP legislators raised slogans like "Emergency lavnarya Congress cha dhikkar aso, Babasahebancha apaman karnarya Congress cha dhikkar aso, Dhongi Congress cha dhikkar aso (Condemn Congress for insulting B. R. Ambedkar, also condemn Congress for imposing the Emergency). This prompted the Opposition to hit back and raise slogans like Jai Bhim Jai Bhim, Ambedkar Ambedkar. Amid slogan shouting, the Speaker repeatedly asked the members to maintain decorum and follow house protocol. Notwithstanding the Speaker's call, members from both sides went on raising slogans leading to acrimonious schemes in the house.

In the mean time, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stood up and said that Ambedkar is ideal for them and everybody and therefore, the ruling party members should be allowed to display the posters as done by the Congress legislators.

The Speaker said that as per the rules, such posters are not allowed to be displayed in the House. Patole, who stood up to raise the point of procedure, assured that they will remove the posters after he completed his statement. However, the Speaker disallowed Patole saying that the issue he was raising did not come under the point of procedural norms. The Shiv Sena minister Gukabrao Patil said that if Patole will continue to speak then he and other members of the treasury bench should also be given an opportunity to air their views.

As the slogan shouting continued the Speaker at 11.14 a.m. adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

After the House was adjourned, the ruling and Opposition members continued raising slogans. The ruling party members brought a lot of posters of Ambedkar and displayed them on their desks. Some posters had photos of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi condemning the Congress for not awarding the Bharat Ratna to Ambedkar and also for his poll defeats twice.

After the house reassembled at 11.25 a.m., the Speaker said that he would proceed to take up the day’s business if the members did not want to adhere to his appeal to remove the posters. The ruling and Opposition did not remove the posters. Then the Speaker announced the next subject on the agenda asking them to raise the point of propriety.

Earlier, the Speaker announced that he had rejected all adjournment motions moved by several members in his chamber. After that, Wadettiwar tried to draw the Speaker’s attention regarding the attack on the Mumbai Congress office allegedly by BJP workers on Thursday. The moment Wadettiwar started his argument, ruling party members raised slogans.

Meanwhile, BJP minister Chandrakant Patil, accompanied by party legislators on the steps of the state Assembly, raised slogans targeting the Congress party. That was followed by Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP legislators raising slogans to protest against the hooliganism and mob attack allegedly by the MahaYuti workers.

--IANS

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Belagavi, Dec 20 (IANS) Karnataka Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Laxmi Hebbalkar claimed that BJP MLC C.T. Ravi used derogatory language against her, at least 10 times in the Legislative Council.

Addressing a press conference amid high drama surrounding the ‘arrest’ of BJP MLC C.T. Ravi, the minister said that all members in the council stood like ‘Dhritarashtra’ while derogatory words were repeatedly used against her.

She also turned emotional and teary-eyed while addressing the media.

Recalling the incident, Minister Laxmi stated, “After the protest over the remarks against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the council, we sat for 10 minutes and the House was adjourned by the Chairperson. He went to his chamber, I remained seated quietly.”

“At this juncture, C.T. Ravi called our leader Rahul Gandhi a drug addict three or four times. I still sat quietly. Looking at me, C.T. Ravi once again called Rahul Gandhi a drug addict. I then commented that since he was involved in an accident, he could also be called a murderer,” Laxmi stated.

“Immediately after that, as you all know, C.T. Ravi started using derogatory language against me. It’s disgusting to even repeat the word that he used. I have come up in politics facing many challenges, starting from the position of a common worker, and I represent all the women in the state. That derogatory word was used against me at least 10 times,” she alleged.

“I am also a mother, sister, and wife. Thousands of women now want to enter politics after seeing my journey. If women are addressed in this manner in the House, it hurts deeply,” she maintained.

“In politics, we sometimes deliver emotionally charged speeches. I have not harmed even an ant. I have pursued politics on my own and committed myself to public service. I stay away from bad influences. It is natural in politics to face difficult situations, and we need to be courageous,” Minister Laxmi stated.

“The council is known as the Upper House and the abode of thinkers. Yet, on the floor of the House, C.T. Ravi used such language while everyone stood like Dhritarashtras. My party members came to me and apologized. How should I feel?” she asked.

“When the matter concerned Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, why was Rahul Gandhi dragged into it? I gave a speech along these lines and was targeted,” she stated.

“My daughter-in-law, who was in the hospital, called me and said, ‘You are a warrior.’ My son, who is in Bengaluru, also called me. My people in the constituency and the state stand with me. I don’t want to speak further,” she concluded.

BJP MLC C.T. Ravi was arrested on Thursday evening following a police complaint filed by the women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

Meanwhile, Ravi has refused the allegation and stated that he used the word “frustrate” and “frustration” not “prostitute” as alleged against him.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) Around 259 districts in the country, almost one-third of the total 800 districts, have a higher rate of child marriage than the national average, the Parliament was informed on Friday.

In a reply in Lok Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi said as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 1,002 cases were registered in 2022 under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006.

She said the number of cases registered under the PCMA was 501, 525, 785 and 1,050 in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

The Minister said a 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat/Child Marriage Free Bharat' portal, an online platform dedicated to supporting the campaign's vision by raising awareness, preventing child marriages, and facilitating the effective reporting of such incidents, has also been launched by the government.

This will act as a centralised platform which can provide information about Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) at the central level, awareness programmes conducted and facilitate reporting of child marriage incidences, she said.

Since the enactment of the PCMA Act, 2006, the prevalence of child marriage has been reduced by half from approximately 47 per cent as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) in 2005-06 to approximately 23.3 per cent during 2019-21 as per NFHS-5.

The Minister noted that a few States have a higher prevalence of child marriage compared to the national average.

"According to the NFHS-5 data, there are around 259 districts in the country where the rate of child marriage is higher than the national average," he said.

Highlighting government efforts to counter child marriages, the Minister said the 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat/Child Marriage Free Bharat' portal launched on November 27 this year coincided with a national-level training session for all Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs), for both attending physically and virtually, to enhance their effectiveness in this initiative.

The 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' campaign is one of the most important imperatives to promote education, skilling, enterprise and entrepreneurship among girls and women to realise the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat', she said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) A lawyer of the Supreme Court on Friday lodged a formal complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleged “criminal acts of physical assault and incitement” against BJP MPs within the premises of Parliament.

In a petition addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker, the complainant said that on Thursday, when Members of Parliament belonging to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were peacefully demonstrating at the Makar Dwar entrance of Parliament against the blatant misinformation being propagated by Opposition parties, particularly led by the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), “physically harmed” NDA Members of Parliament.

“At approximately 10:40 AM to 10:45 AM, Mr. Rahul Gandhi arrived at the scene. Despite requests from Parliament security to take the designated entry path, Mr. Gandhi, with malicious intent to disrupt the protest and physically harm NDA Members of Parliament, ignored the instructions and forcefully approached the peaceful demonstrators,” stated the complaint filed by advocate Vineet Jindal.

It added that not only did Rahul Gandhi and others violate the instructions of security personnel, but he also instigated other INDIA bloc members to act with force and aggression toward NDA MPs, jeopardising their safety.

“They (INDIA alliance MPs) intentionally used physical force to push Members of Parliament Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Rao Sarangi, who were standing on the narrow stairs at the entrance. As a result of these actions, Mukesh Rajput sustained a severe injury to the back of his head, while Pratap Rao Sarangi suffered a forehead injury,” further said the complainant.

He added that the assault committed by LoP Gandhi and his supporters demonstrates dishonour and disregard for the rules of conduct and parliamentary etiquette.

Had Rahul Gandhi committed this act outside Parliament, criminal charges under Sections 109, 115, 117, 125, 131, 351, and 3(5) of the BNS Act would have been initiated, and an FIR would have been registered against him, said the complaint, adding that he has misused the privileges provided to Members of Parliament during the Lok Sabha session to shield himself from criminal action.

Further, it said that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the authority to punish members for their misconduct inside or outside the House and by engaging in violent acts, he has committed a breach of privilege.

As per the Rules of Conduct and Parliamentary Etiquette, in cases of extreme misconduct, if an MP's behaviour is found derogatory to the dignity of the House and its members, and inconsistent with the standards expected, the House may expel the member.

The complainant pleaded to initiate immediate action against Rahul Gandhi and others who were involved for breach of privilege, contempt of the House, and physical assault and incitement and consider suspending or expelling Gandhi and others from the Lok Sabha in accordance with the rules.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Dec 20 (IANS) Amid high-voltage drama over the Ambedkar row across the country, Congress MLAs in Madhya Pradesh staged a protest on the Assembly premises on Friday holding a copy of the Constitution.

A group of Congress MLAs, led by the Leader kr Opposition (LoP) Umang Singhar, dressed in blue and holding the copy of the Indian Constitution arrived at the Assembly premises and staged a protest near Mahatma Gandhi's statue.

It was an attempt to extend support to the party's central leadership which staged a similar protest at the Parliament premises on Thursday.

During protest, Congress MLAs raised slogans - "Ambedkar Ka Apman, Nahi Sahega Hindustan (India will not tolerate Ambedkar's insult)."

Congress members alleged that Delhi Police have booked their leader Rahul Gandhi on fake charges at the "behest" of the BJP leaders.

"First, the BJP's top leaders insulted Dr B. R. Ambedkar in the Parliament House, and when Congress leaders protested to oppose the derogatory remarks (on Ambedkar), fake charges were imposed against our leader Rahul Gandhi. This is unacceptable," Umang Singhar said.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi staged a protest at the Parliament on Thursday.

During the protest, a confrontation between the ruling and opposition MPs took an ugly turn as two lawmakers were injured.

Later, both sides filed complaints against each other. The scuffle occurred when the MPs (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) from the Opposition bloc protested at Parliament premises. Meanwhile, a group of BJP MPs gathered to protest against Congress' alleged insult of Dr. Ambedkar.

During the scuffle, a 70-year-old BJP MP from Balasore in Odisha allegedly fell on the ground and suffered an injury on his head. He was admitted to the hospital.

While Congress alleged that party president Mallikarjun Kharge collapsed during the confrontation.

Later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the BJP MPs were protesting outside the Parliament gate where Rahul Gandhi with a few of his MPs "physically assaulted" them.

--IANS

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Patna, Dec 20 (IANS) Pranav Adani, Managing Director, Agro, Oil and Gas and Director of Adani Enterprises, on Friday unveiled a massive Rs 27,900 crore investment plan for Bihar, with the potential of creating as many as 53,500 jobs in the state.

Addressing the ‘Bihar Business Connect’ summit here, Pranav Adani said that “there can be no better validation” of the Adani Group’s belief in the leadership of state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar “than the humble fact that we are the largest private investor in Bihar.”

Providing a snapshot of the Adani Group’s current and future investment roadmap for Bihar, Pranav Adani said, “In three sectors, logistics, gas distribution and agri-logistics, we have already invested around Rs 850 crore and have also created around 25,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.”

Pranav Adani said that the Adani Group was now going to invest another Rs 2,300 crore in these sectors. This investment will not only massively increase the Group’s warehousing and handling capacity and expand its presence in the EV, CGD (city gas distribution) and CBG (compressed biogas) space but will also generate an additional 27,000 direct and indirect local job opportunities.

Pranav Adani further stated that the Adani Group was working closely with the state government to potentially invest another Rs 1,000 crore in developing strategic infrastructure in the state, like Gati Shakti Railway Terminals, ICDs (Inland Container Depots) and Industrial Warehousing Parks.

The Adani Group also plans to invest Rs 2,100 crore to manufacture and install over 28 lakh smart meters to automate power-consumption- monitoring in five cities – Siwan, Gopalganj, Vaishali, Saran and Samastipur – and this will generate at least 4,000 local jobs in this technology segment, Pranav Adani noted.

Pranav Adani highlighted that the Group had already started work on its greenfield cement plant at Warisaliganj and now plans to invest another Rs 2,500 crore in Bihar to set up a cement manufacturing capacity of 10 MMTPA in multiple phases. This has the potential to create at least 9,000 direct and indirect jobs for the people of the state.

“We are also exploring investment avenues in Bihar’s energy sector. Our plan is to invest around Rs 20,000 crore to set up an ultra-supercritical thermal power plant,” Pranav Adani said, adding that this massive project is expected to open up at least 12,000 job vacancies in the pre-commissioning phase – and also lead to around 1,500 skilled jobs during the operational phase.

Pranav Adani lauded Chief Minister’s “relentless focus” on improving the business landscape in Bihar which is “paving the way for an investment boom in the years ahead.”

“On behalf of the Adani Group, let me thank you for your constant support, guidance and encouragement – and also for the opportunity to do more in Bihar – with Bihar – for Bihar,” Pranav Adani remarked.

--IANS

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