India

Bengaluru, Jan 24 (IANS) The Karnataka government is set to hold an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss and enact a special law aimed at curbing the harassment and exploitation caused by microfinance companies in the state.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil made this announcement at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday.

Minister Patil stated, “The state government has taken the issue of harassment by microfinance companies very seriously. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hold an emergency meeting on Saturday (January 25) to formulate a special law to address the exploitation of people by these companies.”

He emphasised that the decision would be made in the interest of the public, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other central agencies have not been able to implement laws to effectively tackle the exploitation and suffering of the common man at the grassroots level.

“We are considering introducing the Karnataka Microfinance Institutions Regulation of Money Lending Bill to address this issue. This will be presented before the Chief Minister, and other related matters will also be discussed. While the police have authority in some cases, there are instances where they lack the necessary powers,” Minister Patil explained.

He further opined that the current laws on this matter are not stringent enough.

The Congress government in Karnataka has come under criticism following a series of suicides and harassment incidents linked to microfinance companies in rural areas across the state.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy lashed out at the Karnataka government, saying, “On one hand, the government claims to empower women by giving them Rs 2,000 under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. On the other hand, it has given a free hand to microfinance companies, which are ruining their lives."

“Rural women, especially farmers and poor women are the primary victims of microfinance companies. Many of them are abandoning their homes and villages. Who is responsible for this?” Kumaraswamy questioned.

“The CM has called for a meeting tomorrow. What will you do in the meeting? How many lives have been lost? How many people have abandoned their homes and villages? What relief will you provide them?” Kumaraswamy questioned.

--IANS

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Patna, Jan 24 (IANS) The Examination Controller of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), Rajesh Kumar, addressed allegations and criticism concerning the standard of the question paper in the 70th Preliminary Test (PT) examination.

Kumar refuted claims that the examination questions were subpar and clarified key details regarding the test and its results.

"The so-called experts, teachers, and coaching operators had criticised the commission, alleging that the questions in the 70th PT examination were of a 'peon level' standard. I want to say that only one candidate scored more than 120 marks out of 150 questions. The number of candidates who scored between 100 and 119 marks was 1,180. These statistics indicate a competitive and challenging examination process," Kumar said.

He emphasised the BPSC's commitment to maintaining high standards in its examination process.

He suggested that criticism from certain quarters was unwarranted and aimed at defaming the commission. Kumar presented detailed data to counter the criticism and urged candidates to focus on the upcoming mains examination.

He said 21,581 candidates qualified for the mains examination out of 3,28,990 who appeared in the prelims. The general category cut off was 91 marks, consistent with the 68th and 69th exams.

Besides, 6,344 candidates have scored between 90 and 100 marks. 29164 candidates scored between 75 and 89 marks. A staggering 2,03,358 candidates failed to secure the minimum qualifying marks.

For the general category: 40 per cent (60 marks) – 42,615 candidates failed to achieve this. Backward Class Men: 36.5 per cent (54.75 marks) – 27,691 candidates fell short. Extremely Backward Class Men: 34 per cent (51 marks) – 27,055 candidates failed and SC/ST, Women, Divyang: 32 per cent (48 marks) – 1,05,997 candidates could not achieve this score.

"If the question papers were of a low standard, such a high failure rate would not have occurred, particularly among those unable to meet even the minimum qualifying marks,” Kumar said.

He said 14 candidates had approached the Patna High Court to cancel the examination and only 3 candidates passed the prelims.

He also urged candidates to reflect on the difficulty level instead of spreading baseless allegations.

Satya Prakash Sharma, Secretary of BPSC, reiterated the commission’s commitment to transparency.

"The OMR sheets and answer keys are uploaded for candidates to verify their marks. He also confirmed that the current result is provisional as the matter is underway in court,” Sharma said.

He warned candidates against being misled by rumours and assured them of the commission's fair practices.

--IANS

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Mangaluru, Jan 24 (IANS) A court on Friday remanded 14 people to judicial custody till February 7 in connection with the attack on a massage parlour in Karnataka's Mangaluru city.

Rama Sene activists on Thursday attacked a massage centre in Mangaluru city of Karnataka alleging that the management of the centre is carrying out illegal activities at the centre.

According to police, the activists led by local leader Prasad Attavara barged inside the massage parlour located in the Bijai area and smashed the furniture and glass of the centre.

Reportedly, a group of more than 12 people destroyed everything at the massage parlour. They had threatened the woman staff and others.

Reacting to the incident, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara had said that he has directed the police department to arrest the concerned persons immediately.

“I have given directions to initiate action as per the law. These incidents should not take place. There should not be any obstruction carrying out their business. No one should take the law into their hands,” Parameshwara stated.

He added that if there are centres indulging in illegal activities, one has to file a complaint with authorities, adding that the police will initiate action.

“The civil authorities would have given conditions to run their business. If they are not followed, the authorities will initiate action against them,” Parameshwara said.

Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao, who in-charge of Mangaluru district, said that the incident is ‘condemnable’.

He stated: "Under the name of Sri Ram Sene, acts of hooliganism are being carried out. Do not tarnish Lord Ram's name by engaging in such acts in his name. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands. Such violence and disturbances in the name of Sri Ram Sene are unacceptable.

"If there is any illegal activity, it should be brought to the attention of the police, and complaints should be filed. Taking matters into one's own hands, causing destruction, and behaving like hooligans is not the way. Everyone must abide by the law and maintain peace and order."

"Strict instructions have been given to the police to take stringent action against such individuals. Committing such acts in the name of god is disrespect to Lord Rama. Hindu organisations must also condemn such behaviour,” Rao underlined.

"If anyone engages in moral policing and takes the law into their hands, we will take strict action against them. If this behaviour continues, it will hinder the development of regions like Mangaluru in the future," he warned.

Ram Sene founder Prasad Attavar had told mediapersons that "the attack was carried out by Ram Sene activists".

"Drugs were given to young girls aged between 18 years and 19 years and they were used to carry out prostitution. One of the girls, a relative of our worker has been entrapped here. We have attacked the centre following a tip-off. There are 25 massage parlours in Mangaluru city. This one parlour was attacked as we had got information on illegal activities. The attack was carried out with the intention to save the girls,” he claimed.

However, the owner of the massage parlour, Sudheer, said that the attackers carried some item with them and kept it in the parlour.

“The parlour has been running for two years with proper documents and license,” he said.

--IANS

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Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 24 (IANS) In the ongoing Mahakumbh in Sangam city Prayagraj, a pavilion related to the Jal Jeevan Mission has been set up in which the special features of the mission have been explained.

The pavilion shows the situation of Bundelkhand before and after 2015. It shows how people are now getting clean water for drinking under this scheme and how other areas have been rejuvenated.

The pavilion has become a hit among the people coming here for Maha Kumbh. Some of them spoke to IANS and shared their experiences.

Ashish Kushwaha, who visited the pavilion, told IANS, “Good arrangements have been made by the government at the Mahakumbh. The general public should also cooperate with the government, which will make the Mahakumbh even grander. Today people from all over the world are coming here for Mahakumbh. The exhibition reminded me of the old days. How man's life has changed. This pavilion depicts the changing lives of people. Here is information about every single scheme of the government.”

Archana Chaurasia praised the Jal Jeevan Mission Pavilion. She said, “In this exhibition, we have been shown how earlier there was a crisis of water and how water was supplied through trains. After PM Modi came, people got the benefit of facilities like toilets, and pensions. In today's time, people are living well and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also doing a good job.”

Rinki Maurya said that there has been a lot of change now compared to before. “What PM Modi is doing is very good. Earlier, there was no water, now there is water. After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, women are also getting cylinders.”

It may be noted the pavilion has been set up by Jal Nigam in Sector-7, Prayagraj. It shows how the people are now getting drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Apart from this, toilet and ration facilities have also been made available to the people.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, Jan 24 (IANS) The officials at Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat will conduct a preliminary census of waterbirds on January 25 and 26, an official said on Friday.

Approximately 100 ornithologists, experts, and volunteers will participate in the survey, dividing the sanctuary into 46 zones for detailed counting.

The census will cover the sanctuary's vast ecological zone, spanning 120.82 sq km.

To ensure the process runs smoothly without any disturbances, public entry to the sanctuary has been restricted on these two days.

The restriction has been imposed under Sections 28 and 33 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, through a notification issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Gujarat.

Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr. Jaipal Singh, has appealed to the public to cooperate fully with the local forest department during the census period.

This measure is aimed at safeguarding the birds and ensuring the accuracy of the survey process.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is located approximately 64 km west of Ahmedabad.

The sanctuary spans about 120.82 sq km and is primarily composed of a vast lake and surrounding marshes.

It was declared a bird sanctuary in April 1969.

The sanctuary attracts over 210 species of birds during the winter months.

Throughout the year, it harbors a variety of plants, fish, and animals, including several mammalian species like the endangered wild ass and the blackbuck.

Its migratory bird population includes rosy pelicans, flamingos, white storks, brahminy ducks, and herons.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is home to over 210 bird species, including notable migratory visitors such as Greater Flamingos, Rosy Pelicans, Common Teals, Black-winged Stilts, Northern Pintails, Eurasian Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Black-tailed Godwits, Yellow Wagtails, and White Wagtails.

These species grace the sanctuary during the winter months. In addition to its avian residents, Nal Sarovar supports a variety of aquatic life, including fish and amphibians.

It is also home to occasional sightings of wild mammals such as the blackbuck and wild ass.

The surrounding areas host rich vegetation, providing a habitat for diverse flora and fauna.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Jan 24 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday said that his government will present a pro-poor and people's budget for the 2025-26 financial year, focusing on strengthening the rural economy and betterment of the people living on the margins in the state.

Addressing the media after the consultations with key stakeholders during the pre-Budget meeting held at Lokaseva Bhawan here on Friday, CM Majhi said: "We are committed to presenting a Budget that addresses the needs of every segment and sector of society. Special attention will be given to strengthening the rural economy, supporting farmers, labourers, and women.

"Our vision is to develop rural economy through the ‘Viksit Gaon and Viksit Odisha’ initiative and ensure income sources are available in rural areas so that people don't have to migrate to urban centres."

The Chief Minister also highlighted that the state government's focus is on creating an inclusive and progressive budget. He underscored the importance of fiscal responsibility and revenue generation.

CM Majhi stated that the government is giving priority on the sectors like Industry and tourism. The Chief Minister also noted that emphasis is also being laid on building cold storages aiming to increase the income of the farmers.

"We are prioritising sectors like steel, IT industry including semiconductor sector, mining, renewable energy, petrochemicals, agro industries, port-based industries to boost economic growth. To ensure the Budget reflects the aspirations of the people, we are gathering feedback from citizens through emails and WhatsApp. This process will continue until January 31,” he added.

Highlighting the state's achievements in employment generation, CM Majhi said: "As per our promise to provide 1.50 lakh jobs filling up vacant government positions, we have already provided 20,000 government sector jobs and will give another 20000 jobs in the coming few days. We have set a target to fill up 65,000 vacant posts in various government sectors during 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years. Of this,40,000 jobs will be filled up in this financial year."

He noted that the government has so far approved investment to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh crore in the industrial sector, which will create 1 lakh 10 thousand jobs.

Representatives from the different sectors and industries with economists, former finance ministers, and think tanks shared valuable suggestions by attending the pre-Budget meeting on Friday.

It is pertinent hereto mention that CM Majhi is scheduled to present the Odisha budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on February 17.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 24 (IANS) The Maharashtra government will establish "Chief Minister Assistance Fund" cells in all district collector offices across the state to assist patients facing financial crunch, an official said on Friday.

The initiative follows the implementation of the Chief Minister Assistance Fund during CM Devendra Fadnavis' first tenure, aimed at providing urgent healthcare and financial aid to those in need.

The Chief Minister has emphasised that the facility should be accessible to citizens in their respective districts, and based on this directive, the state government has taken a decision to set up these cells across the districts.

Previously, patients and their families had to visit the state secretariat to follow up on their applications.

With the new system in place, citizens will now have access to updates and support regarding their applications within their districts.

Rameshwar Naik, the head of the Chief Minister Assistance Fund, mentioned that this would ensure better service delivery to the citizens, a government release read.

In line with CM's vision, the operations of the Chief Minister Assistance Fund will now be streamlined to a paperless process. The entire procedure for obtaining financial assistance for expensive medical treatments will be digitalized, eliminating the need for patients to visit the secretariat.

An independent online system will be developed soon, reducing both time and costs for the citizens, says the release.

This initiative will make it easier for citizens to access the assistance services in their own districts. The new system will allow applicants to track their application status and resolve any issues at the district level.

Additionally, the district offices will assist the families of patients in filling out applications, visit hospitals of those who have received financial aid, raise awareness about the fund, and provide support during emergencies.

A committee of expert doctors has been formed to review and redefine the assistance amounts and increase the number of illnesses covered under the fund. This will help keep pace with the rising cost of treatment.

To further streamline the assistance process, the Chief Minister's medical assistance cell will integrate its existing online systems with the Charity Hospital Help Desk portal and the CM Relief Fund portal.

This integration will simplify the process and make it more dynamic, offering a single identifier for cases, enhancing the ease of application.

--IANS

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Indore, Jan 24 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh on Friday said "gambling" and "betting" should also be banned in the state.

The Congress leader made this assertion in the wake of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led BJP government's decision to ban the sale and consumption of liquor at prominent religious sites in the state.

During an interaction with media persons at Press Club in Indore, Digvijaya Singh said the idea for a liquor ban was experimented with earlier in some other states also, however, illegal business flourished there at a large level and liquor is being supplied at homes.

"If it is the matter of religious places, we have to respect it, but I personally believe that the government should also take tough decisions against gambling and betting in the state," Digvijaya Singh added.

Notably, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved the proposal to ban liquor sales at 17 religious sites from April 1. These significant religious sites where liquor would be banned are located in different districts, including Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Orchha (temple of Raja Ram, Amarkantak (on the bank of Narmada River), Chitrakoot in Satna district and others.

A decision in this regard was taken during a special cabinet meeting held in Maheshwar in the Khargone district to mark the 300th birth anniversary year of Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th-century ruler of the Holkar dynasty. Maheshwar was the kingdom of the Holkar dynasty.

"In a special cabinet meeting held in Maheshwar today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, a decision was taken to ban liquor at various religious places in the state," the Madhya Pradesh government said in an official statement on Friday.

The new liquor policy will be implemented from April 1. With this partial ban, Madhya Pradesh joined the dry states -- Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, and Mizoram along with Union Territory (UT) Lakshadweep.

--IANS

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Agartala, Jan 24 (IANS) To empower youths, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday launched the ‘Tripura Startup Policy-2024’, under which financial support would be extended to entrepreneurs engaged in Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES).

Unveiling the ‘Tripura Startup Policy-2024’ here at a function, the Chief Minister said that if the youth are not developed, the development of the country is not possible.

He also criticised the previous governments for not supporting the youths following which they were directionless.

“The Startup Policy initially started in 2019, and on Friday, we launched it in a new way, bringing in so many changes. Not only IT, but we have also added agriculture, bamboo, food, and other sectors. Youth never received support before, which is why they were directionless. Not all people can be given jobs,” Saha said.

He said that it is a known fact that youth are very energetic and capable.

“However, their energy and enthusiasm often do not go in the right direction. This policy will channel their energy correctly and ensure that youth receive the needed help from the government,” the Chief Minister said.

CM Saha added that such a policy would allow the youth to achieve new heights.

“It will enable them to fulfill their dreams of becoming industrialists or entrepreneurs. Such initiatives will help realise the vision of 'Ek Tripura, Shrestha Tripura'. Banks will also offer financial help to these youth, creating better employment opportunities. The policy aims to tackle unemployment by engaging youth from all levels of society, from the lowest to the highest."

The Chief Minister said that when this initiative began, there were strong connections established with IITs, IIMs, NITs, and other central universities of India.

It is a wise decision to help youth achieve greater heights from a young age, he pointed out. Banks are encouraging youth, ensuring at least one Dalit, one woman, and one Indigenous person benefits from this initiative, said Saha.

CM Saha said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that there can be no growth in the country without innovation and new opportunities for the youth.

"Our PM has always said that our main human resource is youth. If the youth are developed, the country will develop. In the future, our numerous startup policies will support this growth,” he added.

During the event, Finance and IT Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Chief Secretary J K Sinha, Industries and Commerce Department Secretary Kiran Gitte and Director of IT Jeya Ragul Geshan were also present.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Jan 24 (IANS) Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday attended the Third Tai Ethnic Cultural Festival held at Tengakhat in the upper Assam town of Dibrugarh. The festival showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Tai-Ahom community, with vibrant displays of art, cuisine, attire, and other traditions.

The Union Minister emphasised the significance of preserving and promoting the Tai-Ahom community's illustrious history and cultural legacy, which reflect Assam’s unity and strength.

Speaking at the event, Sarbananda Sonowal said: "The Tai community has a strong socio-cultural history that continues to inspire the younger generation. This festival is not just a celebration of Tai-Ahom heritage but also a vision to empower the Assamese community. I commend the organizers for hosting such a significant event. By staying united and strengthening our foundation, we will preserve our identity and ensure a progressive future."

Sonowal highlighted the contributions of Swargadeo Chaolung Sukapha, the founder of the Ahom dynasty, whose inclusive humanistic principles unified Assam in the 13th century.

"Inspired by these principles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the nation with the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,’ ensuring inclusive growth for all," Sonowal added.

The Union Minister also emphasised the values of Mahavir Lachit Borphukan, the legendary Ahom general, whose leadership united the Assamese forces to defeat the aggressive Mughal invaders.

"As Lachit Borphukan demonstrated, unity is strength. If we remain united, we will grow stronger and achieve greater heights,” Sonowal stated.

Sarbananda Sonowal further participated in an Akhanda Harinam Sankirtan organised in Bamun Gaon, Dibrugarh.

Praising the spiritual essence of the gathering, Sonowal remarked: "Harinam Sankirtan brings peace, harmony, and inspiration to move forward. The collective faith and devotion of the people reflect the unity and strength that define our culture."

The Union Minister also lauded the organisers for linking the festival with significant social awareness campaigns on issues such as Swachh Bharat, child marriage prevention, the right to education, and substance abuse prevention.

Additionally, Sonowal participated in a civic discussion organised by the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC), engaging with prominent citizens and representatives of various organisations to discuss the city’s development.

Key issues such as urban flooding, drainage systems, waste management, pollution reduction, and traffic management were deliberated upon.

The Minister, who is also the MP from Dibrugarh, assured his support for addressing these challenges promptly and effectively.

--IANS

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