India

Patna, Jan 13 (IANS) The controversy surrounding the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination has reached the state's highest Constitutional office with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan assuring justice to a delegation of candidates who called on him on Monday.

Khan assured justice to the protesting candidates within the framework of the Constitution. The development followed a meeting between a 12-member delegation of candidates and Jan Suraaj Party President Manoj Bharti with the Governor on Monday.

Subhash Kumar, one of the delegation members, submitted the demands of the candidates, highlighting irregularities in the BPSC examination process and the subsequent actions by the authorities.

The Governor listened to the delegation attentively for 45 minutes, taking note of their concerns about fairness, transparency, and the alleged mishandling of the examination process.

"Governor Khan has listened to our demands patiently and has also assured us that while staying within the constitutional limits, this matter will be taken to the concerned officer and hope that justice will definitely be done in the future," Subhash said.

He assured the delegation that justice would be delivered within the ambit of the Constitution, signalling a commitment to addressing the students' grievances lawfully and fairly.

The Governor expressed concern over the health of Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, who had been on a hunger strike for 12 days in support of the BPSC candidates.

He urged the students to convince Kishor to end his hunger strike, emphasising that health is paramount.

He advised the students to separate Kishor's hunger strike from their own demands, suggesting that conflating the two might complicate matters.

Prashant Kishor has been advocating for the rights of BPSC candidates, using his hunger strike as a form of protest.

His ongoing strike underscores the severity of the issue and has likely contributed to amplifying attention to the candidates' demands.

The Governor's intervention offers hope of a resolution while emphasising the need for constructive dialogue. His assurance to communicate with officials strengthens the students' position.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 13 (IANS) The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, on Monday, sought that FIRs be registered against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the state health secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam in connection with the death of a pregnant woman at state-run Midnapore Medical College and Hospital allegedly after being administered with 'expired' Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline.

Speaking to the media persons outside the state Assembly on Monday, Adhikari claimed that the negligence of the state health department in the matter is clear. “What has happened is beyond pardon. On December 13 last year, the Karnataka Government had given a written intimation to West Bengal about the organisation supplying the saline. Then in January, the West Bengal government banned the use of the saline supplied by that entity. But even after that, the saline is being used in many state-run hospitals,” the Leader of the Opposition said.

According to him, the Chief Minister who is also the state health minister and the state health secretary cannot deny their responsibilities in the matter. He claimed that the owner corporate entity which supplied the saline, Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, is extremely close to the ruling Trinamool Congress.

“I doubt that there had been some sort of money game behind the entire development where the saline by a blacklisted identity continued to be used. The tears of the common people will ultimately result in the end of the Chief Minister and her government,” Adhikari said.

Last week, five pregnant women were critically admitted at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital after allegedly being administered expired saline. One of them, Mamoni Ruidas (25), died on Friday. The remaining four were under treatment at the same hospital. Three of them were shifted to state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital in south Kolkata on Sunday night following a sharp deterioration in their health conditions.

The incident has raised serious concerns, especially as the expired RL saline allegedly came from Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, a company earlier banned by the Karnataka government and later by the West Bengal government.

The West Bengal Health Department has formed a 13-member inquiry committee to investigate how expired saline was administered to these patients. This incident has revived concerns over similar cases in the state’s healthcare system.

Notably, in a recent case of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, its former principal, Sandip Ghosh, was accused of encouraging the use of expired and ineffective drugs on patients for personal financial gains.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 13 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Monday granted bail to one of the prime accused in the multi-crore coal smuggling case in West Bengal, Vikas Mishra, in a POCSO-related case.

Vikas's brother and former youth Trinamool Congress leader Vinay Mishra, another prime accused in the coal smuggling case, is currently absconding and is believed to have taken shelter in Vanuatu Islands by taking citizenship there after surrendering his Indian citizenship.

In fact, the Kolkata Police registered the POCSO case against Vikas based on a complaint filed by Vinay's wife. The Kolkata Police had earlier also arrested him.

Vikas approached the Calcutta High Court seeking bail in the POCSO case.

On Monday, as the matter came up for hearing at the division bench, Justice Arijit Bandopadhyay and Justice Apurba Sinha Roy.

"This is a simple case of a family feud, where my client had been falsely implicated. Although he was arrested based on a complaint filed at Kalighat Police Station, the police have failed to provide substantiated evidence against my client," Vikas' counsel argued in court on Monday.

On December 10 last year, the process of framing of charges in the coal smuggling case in West Bengal was completed at a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Asansol in West Burdwan district of West Bengal.

The 49 individuals against whom the process of framing of charge has been completed include top officials of Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited.

Arup Majhi a.k.a. Lala, who is currently released on bail, is another prime accused in the case.

Besides the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a parallel probe in the coal smuggling case.

--IANS

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Shimla, Jan 13 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday said the government is aiming to harness green energy on a large scale. He said tenders have been invited for setting up seven solar power projects of 72 MW, which are being evaluated.

The work would be allotted to the companies this month. Besides, survey and investigation of eight projects of 325 MW is going on.

He said in a statement that for the first time the government is moving towards developing 200 panchayats as ‘Green Panchayats’ in which 200 KV ground mounted solar plants would be installed and the income from them would be spent on the development works of the panchayat.

The Chief Minister said in the solar energy sector the 32 MW Pekhubela Solar Power Project in Una district was dedicated to the public on April 15, 2024, and in the six and a half months from April last year, 34.19 million units of electricity have been generated through this project, with an income of Rs 10.16 crore.

He said apart from this a 5 MW solar power project at Bhanjal in Una district has been started on November 30, 2024, while the construction work of 10 MW Aghlaur Solar Power Project is also expected to be completed this month.

Sukhu said the government is taking steps towards making Himachal Pradesh the country's first ‘Green Energy’ by 2026 so that there is no damage to the environment.

He said while harnessing green energy will help in environmental conservation, carbon emissions will also be reduced.

He said green energy sources are renewable and do not get exhausted, which ensures availability of energy to future generations and plays an important role in reducing the ill-effects of climate change.

He said apart from this, a draft detailed project report of two tonnes per day capacity plant of compressed bio-gas has been prepared.

Also, grid connected rooftop solar plants and water heating systems will be installed in the state's Bal and Balika Ashrams, Vridha Ashrams and Rajiv Gandhi Model Day-Boarding schools.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Jan 13 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will, on January 16, embark on a visit to Singapore and Davos to attract investments to the state.

An official delegation led by the Chief Minister will visit Singapore from January 16 to 19 and Davos from January 20 to 22.

Industry and Information Technology Minister D. Sridhar Babu and top officials of the Industries Department will be part of the delegation. The delegation will hold talks regarding Skill University and other investment-related agreements in Singapore before participating in the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos.

At a meeting with the Industry Minister and officials on Monday, the officials briefed the Chief Minister about the plans to attend the conferences and meetings organised with the representatives of the global industries and investors during the visit to Singapore and Davos.

The Chief Minister stated that Telangana emerged as the best destination for global investments in the country and attracting giants in the manufacturing and service sectors.

The state government created an investor-friendly ecosystem to woo investors in the country as well as abroad, he said, and directed officials to be ready to promote Hyderabad on the world platform and invite huge investments.

Revanth Reddy exuded confidence that the state’s industrial policy will attract big investments in the future. He was of the view that all the welfare schemes and development programmes introduced by the government in the first year helped strengthen the state economy.

The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the investments received in the first year. The state received investments of Rs 40,232 crore by entering MoUs with global companies at the World Economic Forum conference held in Davos last year. Fourteen leading companies came forward to invest in the state and agreements were signed for taking up 18 projects.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister that about 17 of these projects have already started and 10 projects are in various stages with fast progress. The officials also said that seven projects are in the initial stage.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday addressed an election rally in Seelampur for the Delhi Assembly polls, at the "Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Constitution" event. During his speech, he targeted both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, accusing them of making false promises.

Rahul Gandhi said: "Just like PM Narendra Modi, Arvind Kejriwal also makes false promises. PM Modi and Kejriwal promised to reduce inflation, but inflation continues to rise. The poor are becoming poorer, and the rich are becoming richer. Kejriwal came and said he would clean Delhi, eradicate corruption, and make Delhi like Paris. But now the situation is such that there is severe pollution, people are getting sick, and they cannot even go outside. Like PM Modi, Kejriwal also makes false promises. There is no difference between the two."

He further stated: "When I talk about caste-based census, neither PM Modi nor Kejriwal say anything. Because both want to ensure that backward classes, Dalits, tribals, and minorities don't get their fair share in governance and resources. I have told PM Narendra Modi that whether he does it or not, the day Congress forms the government, we will extend the reservation limit beyond 50 per cent. We will pass the proposal for caste-based census in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Tell Kejriwal to declare before the nation that they will increase the reservation limit and conduct a caste-based census. Once Congress forms the government in Delhi, we will conduct a caste-based census."

Rahul Gandhi also said: "There is an ideological battle going on in the country. On one side are those who, no matter what happens, will keep defending the Constitution. The Constitution clearly states that India belongs to every Indian."

He added: "As long as I live, you can take this in writing -- if any Indian is attacked, no matter their religion -- Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Christian, or any caste -- Dalit or backward -- I, Rahul Gandhi, will be there to protect them."

Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP, saying: "The BJP and RSS are working to destroy the Constitution. They spread hatred and try to pit one brother against another. We travelled 4,000 km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to protect the Constitution."

--IANS

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Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 13 (IANS) The Prayagraj Mahakumbh has officially begun with the successful completion of the ‘Paush Purnima’ bathing festival. All preparations are now in place for the ‘Amrit Snan’, which will take place on Makar Sankranti, January 14.

This year, the Maha Snan or Shahi Snan is being referred to as Amrit Snan. The Mahakumbh Mela administration has meticulously organised the sequence of the sacred bath for the 13 Akharas of Sanatan Dharma, ensuring that each Akhara follows traditional customs and the set timings.

Mahant Acharya Devendra Singh Shastri, Secretary of Shri Panchayati Akhara Nirmal, confirmed that the dates, sequence, and timings for all Akharas have been communicated, ensuring a smooth and reverent ceremony.

The Amrit Snan for Mahakumbh 2025 will begin on Makar Sankranti, January 14. Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, along with Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara, will take the first Amrit Snan.

They will depart from their camp at 5.15 a.m., reach the ghat by 6.15 a.m., and bathe for 40 minutes before returning to the camp at 7.55 a.m.

Next, Shri Taponidhi Panchayati Shri Niranjani Akhara and Shri Panchayati Akhara Anand will take their turn.

They will leave the camp at 6.05 a.m., reach the ghat at 7.05 a.m., bathe for 40 minutes, and return to the camp by 8.45 a.m.

At the third location, three Sanyasi Akharas -- Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara, Shri Panchdashnam Aawahan Akhara, and Shri Panchagni Akhara -- will take their Amrit Snan.

They will leave their camp at 7 a.m., reach the ghat at 8 a.m., bathe for 40 minutes, and return to the camp by 9.40 a.m.

The three Bairagi Akharas will follow in the subsequent order.

First, All India Shri Panch Nirmohi Ani Akhara will depart from its camp at 9.40 a.m., reach the ghat at 10.40 a.m., bathe for 30 minutes, and return to the camp by 12.10 p.m.

Following that, All India Shri Panch Digambar Ani Akhara will leave at 10.20 a.m., reach the ghat at 11.20 a.m., bathe for 50 minutes, and return by 1.10 p.m.

Finally, All India Shri Panch Nirvani Ani Akhara will depart at 11.20 a.m., bathe for 30 minutes, and return to the camp by 1.50 p.m.

The Akharas linked to Udasin will be next.

Udasin Shri Panchayati Naya Udasin Akhara will leave at 12.15 p.m., reach the ghat at 1.15 p.m., bathe for 55 minutes, and return to the camp by 3.10 p.m.

Shri Panchayati Akhara Naya Udasin Nirvana will depart at 1.20 p.m., reach the ghat at 2.20 p.m., bathe for one hour, and return to the camp by 4.20 p.m.

The last Akhara to take the Amrit Snan will be Shri Panchayati Nirmal Akhara, which will leave the camp at 2.40 p.m., reach the ghat at 3.40 p.m., bathe for 40 minutes, and return to the camp by 5.20 p.m.

This same schedule will be followed during Basant Panchami as well.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Jan 13 (IANS) A tug of war between former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh and Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, that erupted following black money recovery from ex-RTO constable Saurabh Sharma, continued with a fresh remark on Monday.

Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday said he had no dispute with Jyotiraditya's father and former Union Minister Madhavrao Scindia.

Digvijaya said he and former CM Arjun Singh had brought Madhavrao Scindia into Congress.

"It was me and Arjun Singh who took Madhavrao Scindia to Indira Gandhi (ex-PM) and Sanjay Gandhi in 1979-1980, and then he joined the Congress. There was no dispute between him and Madhavrao Scindia," Singh said, adding that those who talk unnecessarily should know about the history.

The Congress leader made this statement responding to Jyotiraditya's allegation that Digvijaya has always targeted the Scindia family. "He (Digvijaya Singh) has always targeted my family. Earlier, he targeted my father, and now at me. But I have always great regard for Raja Sahab," Scindia had said during a visit to Gwalior recently.

The Union minister was responding to Digvijaya's allegation that during Kamal Nath-led Congress government, Scindia (who was then in Congress) had recommended allocating the transport ministry to his loyalist Govind Singh Rajput, who at present is minister in Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's cabinet.

Digvijaya had also accused him of pressuring Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government to end the transport department’s transfer board. However, Scindia has termed the allegations made against him by Singh as ‘baseless’.

The controversy began after black money linked to former transport department constable Saurabh Sharma was caught in the abandoned car by Lokayukta.

Singh also alleged that Saurabh Sharma, who was found with large sums of cash and gold, had protection from a transport minister and was involved in a money laundering operation that reached the top levels of the department.

He mentioned that the entire scam involved illegal collections from check posts and transfers managed by officials with connections to Scindia.

Notably, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department and the Special Establishment Police (SEP) of state Lokayukt carried out separate searches at several premiers of Sharma and his associates in multiple locations, including Bhopal and Gwalior.

The first recovery took place during a Lokayukta raid last week, where anti-corruption officials discovered that Sharma was in possession of movable assets worth Rs 7.98 crore, including Rs 2.87 crore in cash and 235 kilograms of silver.

Several real estate investment documents and a cash-counting machine were also seized from properties associated with Sharma.

Subsequently, the Income Tax Department conducted another raid, uncovering 52 kilograms of gold bars worth Rs 40 crore and over Rs 11 crore in cash from an abandoned SUV in Bhopal. However, the agencies have yet to arrest Sharma so far.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) The Centre on Monday issued a notification appointing Justice Ashutosh Kumar as Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, shortly after the elevation of incumbent Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran to the Supreme Court was cleared.

"In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Judge of the Patna High Court, to perform the duties of office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from the date Shri Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran relinquishes charge of his office consequent upon his elevation as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India," said a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.

Article 223 of the Constitution empowers the President to appoint any puisne judge as acting Chief Justice when "the office of Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant or when any such Chief Justice is, by reason of absence or otherwise, unable to perform the duties of his office".

Earlier in the day, the Centre announced the appointment of Justice Chandran to the apex court.

In a post on X, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), was pleased to appoint Justice Chandran, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court as an SC judge.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice, Patna High Court, to be a Judge of the Supreme Court of India with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office," said a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.

--IANS

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Jammu, Jan 13 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel, a crucial infrastructure project that will enhance connectivity and boost tourism in the region, in Jammu and Kashmir's Sonamarg on Monday, Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma criticised the delayed inauguration, claiming that the project took much longer to complete under the BJP.

Talking to IANS, Sharma said: "We had been waiting for a long time to see the inauguration of this tunnel. The UPA government, on the intervention of present Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, initiated this project. The tunnel was important because area residents faced significant challenges due to the harsh winter conditions."

He added that while the Congress government began the project and handled funding, it was the BJP-led government that took longer to inaugurate it.

Sharma also spoke about the rail project, asserting that it was completed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tenure, with only the inauguration pending under Prime Minister Modi. "Manmohan Singh completed the major rail projects during his tenure, and the Congress government started them. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had even completed the railway project up to Udhampur," he stated.

The Z-Morh tunnel, which will bypass a stretch of the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway prone to avalanches and heavy snowfall, was overseen by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL). Constructed by APCO Infratech Private Limited at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore, the project began in 2018.

This 6.5 km, two-lane road tunnel connects Gagangair and Sonamarg in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir. Previously known for its Z-shaped stretch, the Z-Morh tunnel significantly reduces travel time, allowing passengers to cover the 6.5 km distance in just 15 minutes instead of hours over the old, winding road.

The tunnel is expected to transform Sonamarg into an all-weather tourist destination, benefiting local employment, trade, and tourism, particularly by facilitating access to the Ladakh region, Amarnath Yatra, and local businesses.

In addition to the Z-Morh tunnel, the Zojila Tunnel, under construction across the Zojila Pass, will further enhance travel safety and possibly provide year-round access to Ladakh. Together, both tunnels will help improve infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

--IANS

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