India

Bhopal, Jan 22 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday criticised State Congress President Jitu Patwari for his "groupism is cancer" remark, saying that Patwari has begun a new trend to "present voice in politics".

The Chief Minister said Congress should clear its stand on "who are cancer in the party?".

"Congress has big leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge and those who run this party should clarify," CM Yadav said during an interaction with media persons in Gwalior.

Patwari's "cancer in Congress" remarks came to the fore after a video surfaced on social media, in which, he was heard saying, "Either we must end this cancer of factionalism, or we will destroy ourselves. What should be done? If we do not terminate the cancer of factionalism, then we will terminate ourselves".

The ruling BJP cornered the Madhya Pradesh Congress unit, saying that Patwari had accepted the truth.

Another BJP leader and Minister of State for Health, Narendra Shivaji Patel, said that Jitu Patwari has accepted the truth within his party but it was too late.

He said the factionalism in Congress has gone such deep in Madhya Pradesh, and therefore it seems the grand old party won't get rid of it.

Talking to IANS, Patel said that factionalism is not new in Congress but it has escalated after Jitu Patwari became the state unit chief.

"Senior leaders like Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath have been sidelined. People of the state have also rejected the Congress. Therefore, what Jitu Patwari has said is correct," he added.

Addressing the party workers given the upcoming programme in Mhow on January 27, Patwari has asserted that, "groupism or factionalism is akin to cancer in Congress, which must end, otherwise the party will be finished".

However, after the criticism from the ruling BJP and also within the Congress, Patwari rejected the notion that his party is divided in Madhya Pradesh.

The State Congress President instead blamed the BJP, saying it is brokered by BJP's IT cell to spread wrong information but he will "deal with it".

Patwari was speaking to media persons on Monday when he was asked about his comments suggesting that "factionalism is cancer in Congress".

Patwari blamed the BJP's public relations department and said that the "BJP's media cell issues its agenda to the media houses".

"Whatever may have to be done to end factionalism in our party, I will do it and we will end it with courage and unity. We will make repeated efforts for this and will shake the foundations of BJP," Patwari said on Monday.

--IANS

pd/khz

Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) Sanjay Nirupam, the Shiv Sena leader, on Tuesday questioned the fitness of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who was discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati hospital five days after an intruder stabbed him inside his apartment with a knife in the neck and spine.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was on Tuesday discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, six days after he was seriously injured in a knife attack during a burglary attempt at his Bandra home.

The actor has left for his Bandra home, where heavy force has been deployed.

Khan, it is learned, has been advised a complete bed rest for a week and asked not to receive visitors to prevent any infection.

However, Nirupam in his post on X uploaded a video in which Khan was walking comfortably waving to his fans.

Khan did not use a wheelchair but walked back inside his home surrounded by police.

Referring to the actor's fitness despite the attack, Nirupam expressed surprise and said, "The doctors said that the knife had penetrated 2.5 inches inside Saif Ali Khan's back. Probably he was trapped inside. The operation continued for six hours continuously. All this happened on January 16. Today is January 21. So fit as soon as you got out of the hospital? In just 5 days? Wonderful!"

Khan underwent a five-hour surgery at nearby Lilavati Hospital last week and was shifted to the ICU later in the day.

A piece of the knife was taken out of the actor's body.

According to the doctor, the actor had suffered six injuries in the attack, two of which were deep cuts. He had escaped severe injuries.

The 54-year-old actor underwent neurosurgery to treat a spinal injury and plastic surgery to repair wounds on his neck and hands at Lilavati Hospital after he was stabbed by an intruder in the early hours of Thursday last week in his 12th-floor flat in 'Satguru Sharan' building in upscale in Bandra.

Khan got into a waiting black vehicle, accompanied by security personnel. His wife, actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, was also seen at the hospital shortly before he was discharged.

The Mumbai police have arrested the intruder who allegedly stabbed the Bollywood actor. The accused, identified as Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir (30), a Bangladeshi national, is at present in police custody.

The 30-year-old accused, arrested from adjoining Thane city on Sunday, has told the police he stabbed the actor in his back multiple times to free himself from his tight grip, an official said.

After the attack, the intruder escaped from Khan's flat, and hid in the garden of the building for around two hours, the official said.

--IANS

sj/khz

Mumbai, Jan 21 (IANS) The Maharashtra government on Tuesday signed 18 MoUs with investment proposals worth Rs 4,99,321 crore in the field of steel, metals, renewable energy, infrastructure, cement, Lithium-Ion Batterie and Solar Modules in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior government officers at the sidelines of World Economic Forum summit at Davos.

Of the Rs 4,99,321 crore, JSW will invest a record Rs 3 lakh crore for Maharashtra's Green Transformation. Fadnavis said, “The MoU signed today paves the way for Maharashtra's comprehensive growth and development.”

Fadnavis in his post on X said: “Extremely happy to witness the historic Rs 3,00,000 crore MoU signing between Govt of Maharashtra & JSW Group, with an employment generation of 10,000 in the regions of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Gadchiroli, and Nagpur. Very much thankful to Sajjan Jindal ji for being a part of this historic moment at Davos, which will give a huge boost to Maharashtra's industrial environment. It will give a big boost to Maharashtra’s industrial environment. The areas of this investment like Renewable Energy, Infrastructure, Cement, Lithium-Ion Batteries, and Solar Modules will play a huge role in our mission 'Green Maharashtra.”

The government signed a MoU with Waaree Energy with a total investment of Rs 30,000 crore in green energy and solar components. it will create 7,500 jobs. The company chairman Hitesh Joshi was present.

The government inked an MoU with Blackstone-Panchshil Realty for an investment of Rs 25,000 crore for the development of the data centre. It will generate 500 jobs. Further, Blackstone will invest Rs 25,000 crore in Information Technology in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It will create 1,000 jobs.

The government signed an MoU with ZR2 Group for investment worth Rs 17,500 crore in automobiles and EVs in the Pune region to generate 4,000 jobs.

The state government and Balasore Alloys Ltd signed an MoU for investment of Rs 17,000 crore in steel and metals. The venture will generate 3,200 jobs. The company was represented by Satish Kaushik at the time of the signing of the MoU.

The state government and Reliance Infrastructure Ltd signed a MoU for investment worth Rs 16,500 crore in the defence sector. It will generate 2,450 jobs. The company was represented by Sateesh Seth.

Viraj Profiles Pvt Ltd and the state government inked an MoU for the investment of Rs 12,000 crore in steel and metals to generate 3,500 jobs. Neeraj Raja Kochhar, Chairman and MD of Viraj Profiles was present at the time of the signing of the MoU.

Avani Power Batteries will make an investment of Rs 10,521 crore in electronics to generate 5,000 jobs in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. H2e Power will invest 10,750 crore in green energy to create 1,850 jobs in Pune region.

The government inked an MoU with Welspun for investment worth Rs 8,500 crore in logistics to generate 17,300 jobs. Essar in partnership with Blue Energy will invest Rs 8,000 crore in green energy to create 2,000 jobs.

Kalyani Group will invest Rs 5,250 crore in defence, steel and EV. It will create 4,000 jobs. The MoU was signed in the presence of Fadnavis and Vice-Chairman & Joint MD of Bharat Forge Limited Amit Kalyani.

“Thank you Amit Kalyani for joining this MoU signing at Davos! This investment is special because it is coming to Gadchiroli, which will give better lives to so many,” said the Chief Minister.

Gensol will invest Ra 4,000 crore in electronics in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to create 500 jobs.

The government inked an MoU with & El Mont for the investment of Rs 2,000 crore in infrastructure. It will generate 5,000 jobs. The company director Kabir Bhandari was present.

BookMyShow will make an investment of Rs 1,700 crore in the entertainment sector to generate 500 jobs.

Further, the government signed a MoU with Tembo for an investment worth Rs 1,000 crore in the defence sector. It will create 300 jobs. The company director Shabbir Merchant was present on the occasion.

The government also inked an MoU with AB InBev in the F&B segment for investment worth Rs 750 crore. Kartikeya Sharma, President, of India and South East Asia of AB InBev was present on the occasion.

Bisleri International will invest Rs 250 crore in food and beverages in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to create 600 jobs. The MoU signed today paves the way for Maharashtra's comprehensive growth and development.

--IANS

sj/dan

Hyderabad, Jan 21 (IANS) Health and police authorities in Hyderabad on Tuesday sealed a private hospital after busting an alleged kidney transplantation racket and arrested its managing director and some other employees.

Officials of Rachakonda police and the Department of Medical and Health conducted searches at Alkananda Multi-Speciality Hospital following complaints that the hospital was carrying out kidney transplants without mandatory permissions.

The hospital authorities were found to be allegedly luring kidney donors from other states and also calling doctors from outside the state to perform the transplants. They were making huge money through this racket.

On receipt of the information, health department officials with the help of police conducted a raid on Tuesday evening. A preliminary investigation by the police revealed that kidney transplants were done for two persons each from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Kidneys donated by two women from Tamil Nadu were transplanted in two patients from Karnataka. Police shifted the kidney donors and two patients to the government-run Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad by ambulance.

According to police, the hospital was inaugurated only six months ago and it had permission to perform minor surgeries by two doctors.

Police said to avoid any health complications for the two kidney recipients, they were shifted to Gandhi Hospital.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Saroornagar) Krishnaiah and Rangareddy District Medical and Health Officer B. Venkateshwar Rao along with other officials carried out the raid.

Hospital MD Sumant Chary and other members of the staff were arrested.

A case has been registered at Saroornagar Police Station on a complaint by Deputy District Medical and Health Officer Geeta.

According to DM & HO Venkateshwar Rao, Alkananda is a nine-bedded facility. Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Damodar Raja Narasimha has reacted to the busting of a kidney racket.

He said stringent action would be taken against those indulging in illegal activities. The minister asked a Task Force constituted for checks at hospitals to work effectively.

--IANS

ms/dan

Mumbai, Jan 21 (IANS) Officers from the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai, Zone-III, have seized a total of 1596 grams of gold, foreign currencies, and both natural and lab-grown diamonds valued at Rs 1.36 crore in four separate cases from January 19 to January 21, 2025.

In the first case, on January 19, Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Sharjah on January 5, 2025, based on spot profiling. Upon inspection, the officers recovered 24 KT crude gold dust in wax form, weighing 725 grams and provisionally valued at Rs 52.74 lakh.

Moreover, gold melted pieces weighing 456.12 grams, valued at Rs 33.17 lakh, were found concealed in the body cavity, pasted in papers and cloth, and hidden in specially tailored pouches within the passenger’s jeans. In total, the passenger was found with 1181 grams of gold, provisionally valued at Rs 85.91 lakh. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

On January 20, 2025, another passenger arriving from Bahrain was intercepted based on similar profiling. During an X-ray examination, it was discovered that the passenger had ingested melted gold pieces weighing 415 grams, provisionally valued at Rs 31.08 lakh.

In the third case, on January 21, 2025, acting on specific intelligence, Customs officers intercepted two passengers departing for Muscat. One passenger was found to be carrying foreign currencies, including Euro 4,500, Saudi Riyals 39,000, and Omani Riyals 2,340, concealed in their baggage. The other passenger was found carrying foreign currencies of Saudi Riyals 59,500, along with 446.62 carats of natural and lab-grown diamonds, valued at Rs 1.05 crore, hidden inside their body cavity. The passenger carrying the diamonds was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.

These seizures highlight the ongoing vigilance and effective enforcement by Customs officers at Mumbai Airport in combating illegal smuggling activities.

--IANS

brt/uk

Jaipur, Jan 21 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma stated that in alignment with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is dedicated to the welfare of youth, women, farmers, and labourers.

“Over the past year, several crucial decisions have been made to enhance women's education, health, security, and entrepreneurship,” he said while addressing women and girl students during the pre-budget dialogue at the Chief Minister's Office.

He assured that the government will carefully consider all suggestions from women representatives and incorporate them into the budget wherever feasible.

He emphasised that empowering women leads to the empowerment of families, the creation of strong societies, and the development of a prosperous nation.

“This principle has been the cornerstone of the government’s efforts from day one,” he said.

The Chief Minister further highlighted that the state government has launched multiple initiatives for the holistic development of women.

“The Laado Protsahan Yojana provides financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh in seven instalments, from the birth of a girl child to her completion of higher education. The first instalment of approximately Rs 33 crore has been distributed, with 3 lakh girl children expected to benefit by March this year,” he said.

He further said that under the Mukhyamantri Nari Shakti Udyam Protsahan Yojana, women can access easy loans through banks.

“Over 58,000 girls have been granted the opportunity for free secondary and higher secondary education through the Kalibai Bhil Mahila Sambal Shiksha Setu Yojana,” he said.

He also noted that 85,000 women and girls have received training in employment, digital skills, and personality development via the Chief Minister Nari Shakti Training and Skill Development Scheme.

“Moreover, more than 1.22 crore women and girls are benefiting from the free distribution of sanitary napkins through the Kalibai Bhil Udaan Yojana,” he said.

--IANS

arc/dan

Kolkata, Jan 21 (IANS) The forthcoming budget session of the West Bengal Assembly is expected to start on February 12 this year, exactly 11 days after the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the Union budget on the floor of the Parliament on February 1.

This will be the last state budget to be presented by the West Bengal minister in charge of finance (independent charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya before the crucial West Bengal Assembly elections due in 2026.

Sources from the state finance department said that initially it was decided that the budget session of the Assembly this year will start from February 7. However, a state finance department official said on condition of anonymity that later February 12 was fixed as the tentative date for the first day of the budget session.

State finance department sources said that considering that this will be the last full budget before the state Assembly elections in 2026, there is a possibility of enhancement in allocation under different welfare and doll schemes offered by the state government, especially for women and youth. At the same time, there is a possibility of an announcement of the increase in the Dearness Allowance for the state government, which had been a long contentious issue with a case in the matter being pending with the Supreme Court.

However, state finance department officials added that even if there is a three percentage point increase in the Dearness Allowance for the state government employees, the gaps with their counterparts in the Union government will continue to be quite high. Currently, the West Bengal government employees are getting Dearness Allowance at the rate of 14 per cent, as against 53 per cent for the Union government employees.

Moreover, the question still remains whether the state budget for the financial year 2024-25 will show any new avenue for enhancement of the state's own tax revenue generation, which is still highly dependent on state excise.

--IANS

src/uk

Imphal, Jan 21 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday said that the BJP-led government does not differentiate hills and valleys in the developmental projects and believes in inclusive development of the state.

Addressing the 33rd general conference-cum-sports meet, held at Riha village in Kamjong district, the Chief Minister said that when we show respect for one another, the bond of unity would grow stronger.

Elaborating on some major works taken up during the last seven years in the Kamjong district, the Chief Minister said that the construction of a mini secretariat, Kamjong, has been completed and will be inaugurated soon.

The Ava (Ema) market and Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) would also be inaugurated shortly, he informed.

He further said that two Higher Secondary Schools in the district would be upgraded and construction of school buildings at Kamjong and Kasom would be completed soon.

Singh announced that the state government is also considering the establishment of a degree college in the Kamjong district, which is the home of the Tangkhul Naga tribals.

The Chief Minister also assured that the government would construct a gallery with an estimated cost of around Rs 2.5 crore in the Lungreiphung ground of Riha village in Kamjong district.

Citing developmental works taken in the hill districts, Singh mentioned that an Astroturf football ground has been handed over to the people of the Ukhrul district.

The gallery of the Ukhrul Sports complex was constructed by the BJP-led government, he said, adding that the construction of an amusement park is underway.

Pettigrew College will be upgraded with an estimated cost of around 70 crore, he added.

To redress the problem of scarcity of water in Ukhrul district, a dam has been constructed in Shiroy Hill and a total amount of around Rs 6 crore has been sanctioned.

--IANS

sc/dan

Patna, Jan 21 (IANS) A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday in the Hathua Sub Division of Bihar’s Gopalganj district, where the wall of a Sub Divisional Hospital collapsed, resulting in the death of two individuals and leaving one person injured.

The deceased have been identified as Nikesh Sah, a resident of Turuk Patti village under Hathua police station and Santosh Yadav, a resident of Basdila village under Mirganj police station.

The injured individual, Arman Ali, was taken to the same sub-divisional hospital where the wall collapsed after that the doctors referred him to Sadar Hospital Gopalganj due to his critical condition.

The incident has devastated the families of the deceased. The family members are reported to be inconsolable, mourning the loss of their loved ones. The dilapidated hospital building was in the process of being demolished when the wall suddenly collapsed.

Local residents had gathered at the site to purchase bricks and concrete from the debris. Chaos erupted as the wall came crashing down, trapping several people under the rubble. The Hathua police station team reached the site upon receiving the information and launched a rescue operation. However, by the time help arrived, two people had already succumbed to their injuries.

A massive crowd gathered at the hospital campus following the incident, with distraught family members mourning their loss. The grieving families were seen crying inconsolably, creating a sombre atmosphere in the area.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse. Initial reports suggest negligence during the demolition process of the building. Steps are expected to be taken to ensure the safety of ongoing demolitions in similar structures to prevent such incidents in the future.

While no immediate statement from officials has been released, an investigation is expected to determine the cause of the collapse and whether negligence or poor infrastructure played a role in this tragedy.

After demolition, the hospital administration had planned to construct a new building on the site.

--IANS

ajk/dan

Kochi, Jan 21 (IANS) In a significant development, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kochi Zonal Office, has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 10.98 crore in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank fraud case.

The attached assets include one movable property and 24 immovable properties, comprising land and buildings located in Kerala. The immovable properties are valued at approximately Rs 10.48 crore, while the movable property, in the form of a cash deposit, is valued at Rs 50.53 lakh.

The ED’s investigation was initiated based on an FIR filed by Kerala Police under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860. The Crime Branch of Kerala Police has already registered over 16 FIRs in Thrissur District regarding fraud at Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank Ltd.

According to the ED, loans were illegally sanctioned and disbursed to individuals and their benamis from Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank Ltd. The loans were granted without collateral through a systematic conspiracy involving the bank’s secretary, committee members, and the bank manager, all of whom were allegedly in collusion since 2010.

The investigation revealed that the Karuvannur bank sanctioned bogus loans on the same properties multiple times, often without the knowledge of the bank’s members.

In addition, loans were disbursed to non-members against inflated property valuations, with the funds subsequently siphoned off and laundered by the accused beneficiaries. The disbursement of these loans was reportedly done at the behest of CPI (M) District Committee members who controlled the bank's governing body.

In return, the CPI (M) party allegedly received donations from the beneficiaries through the governing body. Cash disbursements were made for these loans, and huge cash deposits were found in the bank’s books.

The Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank has been under scrutiny by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies in Thiruvananthapuram. Following an FIR filed in July 2021, the Registrar’s audit report revealed the diversion of over Rs 150 crore.

Earlier investigations by the ED included searches at 20 locations and surveys at five cooperative banks in Thrissur between August and September 2023 to uncover the proceeds of crime (POC).

The ED has already arrested four individuals—P. Sathishkumar, Kiran P.P., Aravindakshan P.R., and Jilse C.K.—on charges of benefiting from the illegally sanctioned loans. These individuals were arrested in September 2023 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

In earlier phases of the investigation, the ED attached properties worth Rs 117.83 crore belonging to Bijoy and others, who were also found to have received illegal loans from the bank. To date, the total proceeds of crime (POC) attached by the ED in this case amount to Rs 128.72 crore. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected.

--IANS

brt/dan