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Ranchi, Aug 22 (IANS) The Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly resumed on Friday, with members across party lines demanding that Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, be conferred on late Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, the architect of the Jharkhand movement.

Raising the demand during the condolence motion, Congress Legislature Party leader Pradeep Yadav said Soren had played a historic role in the struggle for a separate Jharkhand state, social reforms, and the rights of tribals and marginalised communities.

He urged that the House pass a unanimous resolution recommending Bharat Ratna in his honour. Several MLAs supported the demand with the thumping of desks.

JD(U) legislator Saryu Rai said Soren’s contributions as Dishom Guru deserved recognition at the national level.

AJSU Party MLA Nirmal Mahto also pressed for a House resolution and its submission to the Centre.

Jairam Mahto of the Jharkhand Democratic Revolutionary Front went a step further, calling for the installation of statues of Shibu Soren and leading statehood agitators atop Parasnath, the state’s highest peak.

Earlier, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi paid tributes, recalling Shibu Soren’s role in prohibition, upliftment of tribal society, and the separate state movement of Jharkhand.

The House also condoled the deaths of former Education Minister Ramdas Soren, former Governor Satyapal Malik, veteran journalist Harinarayan Singh, and victims of recent natural disasters in Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.

Following the condolence motion, proceedings were adjourned till Monday.

On the opening day, Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore presented a supplementary budget of Rs 4,296.62 crore.

The session, originally scheduled from August 1 to August 7, was postponed indefinitely after Shibu Soren’s death on August 4.

The session has been rescheduled, and now Monsoon Session will run from August 22 to August 28.

--IANS

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Yorkshire, Aug 22 (IANS) Yorkshire County Cricket Club has confirmed that Matthew Firbank has signed his maiden rookie contract. He has signed a two-year professional deal with the White Rose until 2027. The 18-year-old has been one of the standout products of Yorkshire’s academy and has impressed across all formats in the Second XI this season.

Firbank made his England U19’s debut earlier this year, when he was selected for an Invitational XI to play against India U19’s, taking 1-41 from 7 overs. The right-handed batter, who plays his cricket at Clifton Alliance CC in York, said he was delighted to have signed his first professional deal.

“It’s really special for me to be signing my first professional contract with Yorkshire. I’m incredibly grateful to all my coaches, my family, and everyone in the Pathway for getting me to this point and supporting me along the way.

“To come through the Pathway and to get this opportunity means a lot. I’m excited to kick on, to keep learning and growing with Yorkshire.”

James Martin, Head of Performance Pathway at Yorkshire CCC, added, “Seeing Matty sign his first contract is a really proud moment for everyone who has been a part of his journey.

“I know his family, friends, and peers will be delighted for him. This is a product of the hard work he’s put in over the course of several years. Special mention must go to Pannal CC, Clifton Alliance CC, and coaches Muhammad Azharullah and Tom Craddock, who have played instrumental roles.

“Matty has developed into a consistent performer, showing real quality. He’s impressed at every level that he has stepped up to, and he deserves full credit for this progression.

“Matty’s new contract is indicative of a strong, club-wide focus on nurturing young, homegrown talent going forward. I’m delighted to see him reach this point, and I’m looking forward to Matty making the most of the opportunities that lie ahead for him.”

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking the de-registration of the Indian National Congress (INC) for conducting nationwide “anti-constitutional” propaganda against the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The plea stated that the propaganda is designed to undermine the constitutional authority of the poll body and impinge upon the sanctity of the democratic process in the country.

Further, it sought a declaration that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have “no allegiance to the Constitution of India”.

The PIL alleged that the nationwide campaign by Congress leaders against the ECI breaches the constitutional oath taken by the party at the time of its registration and unlawfully interferes with the poll body’s statutory and constitutional functions.

The ECI is vested with the exclusive authority to prepare and amend the electoral rolls across the country under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the rules framed thereunder, added the petition.

“Once the issue of special intensive revision of the voter list of the State of Bihar is sub-judice before this Hon’ble Court, the political parties, especially the Indian National Congress and its leader Sh. Rahul Gandhi and Shri Mallikarjun Kharge cannot make any campaign, propaganda and can use the language (Vote Chor) in public meetings,” it said.

The petitioner, Satish Kumar Aggarwal, a former vice-president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, contended that such conduct violates Article II of the Congress’ own constitution, which mandates allegiance to the Constitution of India, as well as Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, which requires political parties to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India.

Urging the apex court to issue a direction to the ECI to de-register Congress as a political party, the PIL also sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the “propaganda, campaign, and anti-Election Commission movement” led by top Congress leadership, along with their prosecution.

--IANS

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Srinagar, Aug 22 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday dismissed two government employees from service for their alleged involvement in militancy-related activities.

The terminated employees have been identified as Khurshid Ahmed Rather, a teacher posted in Karnah of Kupwara district and Siyad Ahmad Khan, a stock assistant in the Sheep Husbandry Department posted in Keran area of the same district.

Officials said that both these government employees were found to be working for the proscribed outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

“Law enforcement and intelligence agencies had reportedly gathered incriminating evidence establishing their links with the outfit before action was taken under the provisions of law,” officials said.

The terminations were carried out under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India, which empowers the government to dismiss employees without an inquiry if deemed necessary in the interest of the security of the state.

The government has intensified its crackdown on government employees suspected of links with terrorist groups, with dozens terminated since 2021 under similar provisions.

The terminated employee, Khurshid Ahmad Rather, was appointed in government service as Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) in the School Education Department in 2003 and got confirmed as a teacher in 2008. He was posted at Government Primary School, Maindpora Nawa Gabra, Kupwara.

Presently, he is under suspension since his arrest on January 26, 2024 and is lodged at District Jail, Kupwara. He is listed in police records as a terrorist associate/Overground Worker (OGW) of the LeT.

Officials said that despite being employed and paid by the government to serve in the education department, Rather violated this trust and chose to secretly associate himself with LeT.

”Rather than fulfilling his duties of imparting education to the children of the remote district of Jammu and Kashmir, he became actively involved in subversive activities aimed at harming the state and became an active conduit for terrorist activities sponsored by LeT. His actions were not merely passive or incidental; he played a deliberate and dangerous role in furthering the objectives of a terrorist network that is committed to destabilising the region and attacking the sovereignty of the Indian state," the officials said.

“On 25.01.2024, Police Kupwara received credible information that two POJK-based terrorists of the LeT outfit, Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh alias Shakoor (Kashmiri Native Operative from Pakistan) and Qazi Mohammad Khushal (Kashmiri Native Operative from Pakistan) were involved in smuggling arms, ammunition and explosives from across the border into Indian territory. This operation was being facilitated through their local associates, Khurshid Ahmad Rather, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Ghulam Sarwar Rather and Qazi Fazal of Karnah, Kupwara with the objective of promoting terrorism in J&K and other parts of the country," the officials added.

A case FIR No. 07/2024 under section 120-B IPC, 13, 18, 20, 23, 38, 39 UA(P) Act was registered in Police Station Karnah Kupwara.

The other dismissed employee, Siyad Ahmad Khan Rather, has been conducting his activities in a very secret and veiled manner to avoid the suspicion of security forces.

”Pursuant to his subversive anti-national activities, on 12.01.2024, while he was on one such mission to supply arms and ammunition to the terrorists of LeT was intercepted at Peer Baba Shrine, Keran by a naka party of police and army. On search, one AK-47 was recovered from his possession, and one pistol, one pistol Magazine and five pistol rounds were recovered from his associate, Rafaqat Ahmad Khan," said the officials.

The recovery of these arms and ammunition in the case clearly reflected the depth of Khan’s engagement in unlawful activities.

"Upon this, case FIR No. 02/2024 under sections 7/25 Arms Act, 13 UA(P) Act was registered at Police Station Keran, Kupwara”, officials added.

--IANS

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New Delhi/Gaya ji, Aug 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday defended the three bills to remove the PM, chief ministers, and ministers under arrest for 30 consecutive days on serious charges and slammed the Opposition for the related criticism.

Speaking at a rally in Bihar's Gaya ji, PM Modi said that everyone knows why the Opposition leaders are scared of the proposed bills.

He said the NDA government has introduced bills against corruption that even include the country's Prime Minister within their scope.

"The bills also include the Chief Ministers and Ministers. After the enactment of this law, if any Chief Minister, Minister, or Prime Minister is arrested, they will have to secure bail within 30 days, and if bail is not granted, they will have to resign on the 31st day," he said.

He said as per the current law, if a junior government employee is detained for 50 hours, he or she is automatically suspended. However, if it is a Chief Minister, a Minister, or a Prime Minister, they can continue to enjoy the perks of power even while in jail.

"We have recently seen how files were being signed from jail, and government orders were being issued from jail itself. If this remains the attitude of leaders, how can the fight against corruption be fought?" PM Modi said in indirect reference to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

PM Modi said that in all these years, not a single stain of corruption has tainted our government, whereas the Congress governments, which were in power for 60-65 years after independence, have a long list of corruption cases.

"The corruption of the RJD is known to every child in Bihar. I firmly believe that if the fight against corruption is to be taken to its conclusion, no one should be exempt from action," he said.

He said the NDA government has introduced the law to fight against corruption that even includes the country's Prime Minister within its scope.

Taking a potshot at the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, PM Modi said that whether it is Congress or RJD, their governments have never understood the value of the public's money... for them, the public's money was only meant to fill their own coffers.

"This is precisely why, under their governments, projects would remain incomplete for years. The longer a project was delayed, the more money they would siphon off from it."

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) WinZO, India’s largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform, on Friday announced that it will withdraw its impacted offerings from August 22, following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.

The company said it remains committed to complying with the law of the land while continuing to fuel India’s digital journey.

Launched in 2018, WinZO has grown into a community of over 250 million users engaging with more than 100 games in 15 languages, developed by third-party creators from across the globe.

The company said it has always upheld the highest standards of integrity, ensuring user safety and national security.

It added that every feature on the platform was driven by responsibility and innovation rather than the pursuit of monetisation.

The firm also expressed gratitude to its team, investors, and partners for standing by it through challenges such as the pandemic, taxation shocks, and regulatory changes.

“In compliance with the new law, we are responsibly withdrawing impacted offerings w.e.f 22nd August 2025,” the company said.

Meanwhile, PokerBaazi also announced that it has paused all real money online gaming operations with immediate effect.

“With a very heavy heart, we announce that PokerBaazi will be pausing its operations in compliance with The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. Effective immediately, no real money games will be offered on our platform,” the company said in a statement.

PokerBaazi added that it will evaluate the future course of action once the Bill is fully enacted.

The fresh announcements come after industry majors like Dream11 and My11Circle had already stopped offering real money games earlier this week -- underscoring the wide impact of the new legislation on India’s booming online gaming sector.

--IANS

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Mackay, Aug 22 (IANS) One match after he returned to action in the first ODI against Australia, South Africa decided to rest skipper Temba Bavuma for the second match of the series here, owing to the ongoing management of his hamstring post the ICC World Test Championship triumph.

In a statement, Cricket South Africa (CSA) explained that there were no serious concerns or long-term issues regarding the top-order batter.

"This decision is part of his (Bavuma's) workload management, as he recovered from a hamstring strain which he sustained during the WTC Final in June," the statement from CSA said.

"Although he experienced no discomfort during the first ODI on Tuesday, the Proteas medical team recommended he be rested for the second match."

This precautionary approach, after only one match following his return to action, that too without any discomfort, looks a bit strange. It was expected that South Africa would be a bit cautious in managing the workload of Bavuma, as the diminutive batsman has become a vital cog in the works for the Proteas with his superb batting and exceptional leadership.

On Friday, the Proteas won the toss and elected to bat in the second ODI with Tony de Zorzi replacing Bavuma in the Proteas line-up. Senuran Muthusamy also comes in for Prenelan Subrayen, reported for suspected bowling action after the first match, as South Africa's second change to their playing XI.

Bavuma was in splendid form in the ODI series opener, amassing a well-composed 65 off 74 deliveries as the Proteas raced to 296/8 from 50 overs and set up a 98-run win eventually, thanks to Keshav Maharaj's maiden five-for (5-33).

It has to be seen whether Bavuma is brought back for the third and final ODI of the season. If not, Bavuma, who sat out the preceding three-match T20I series, would have travelled all the way to Australia to play just one match.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) successfully facilitated refunds amounting to Rs 2.72 crore in July, addressing 7,256 consumer grievances across 27 sectors, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs said on Friday.

The e-commerce sector recorded the highest volume of refund-related grievances with 3,594 cases, resulting in refunds worth Rs 1.34 crore, followed by the travel and tourism sector, which accounted for refunds of Rs 31 lakh.

The helpline’s technological transformation has significantly enhanced its reach and efficiency.

Call volumes have increased more than tenfold, from 12,553 in December 2015 to 1,55,138 in December 2024, the Ministry stated.

Similarly, average monthly complaint registrations have grown from 37,062 in 2017 to 1,11,951 in 2024.

According to the Ministry, consumer adoption of digital channels has also surged, with grievance registration via WhatsApp rising from 3 per cent in March 2023 to 20 per cent in March 2025.

NCH acts as a unified platform bringing together consumers, government agencies, private sector companies, and regulatory bodies. The number of convergence partners has expanded steadily from 263 in 2017 to 1,131 companies in 2025, strengthening collaborative redressal mechanisms.

In line with its mandate to safeguard consumer rights and promote fair trade practices, the Department of Consumer Affairs monitors grievance data received through the NCH.

In addition, the Department also identifies companies with a high volume of complaints that are not yet part of the convergence programme for further engagement.

NCH collaborates with companies demonstrating a proactive approach to grievance redressal, onboarding them as convergence partners voluntarily, the Ministry highlighted.

Once onboarded, NCH provides these businesses with real-time complaint data, facilitating cooperative engagement and a free, equitable, and quick resolution.

NCH has integrated WhatsApp with its toll-free number (1915) in order to improve accessibility and expedite grievance registration during times of high call volume.

When customers experience lengthy wait times because of high traffic or technical issues, automated WhatsApp notifications are sent to them, allowing them to file complaints straight through the app.

This initiative enhances the helpline's responsiveness and efficiency by providing a smooth and easy-to-use substitute.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) successfully facilitated refunds amounting to Rs 2.72 crore in July, addressing 7,256 consumer grievances across 27 sectors, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs said on Friday.

The e-commerce sector recorded the highest volume of refund-related grievances with 3,594 cases, resulting in refunds worth Rs 1.34 crore, followed by the travel and tourism sector, which accounted for refunds of Rs 31 lakh.

The helpline’s technological transformation has significantly enhanced its reach and efficiency.

Call volumes have increased more than tenfold, from 12,553 in December 2015 to 1,55,138 in December 2024, the Ministry stated.

Similarly, average monthly complaint registrations have grown from 37,062 in 2017 to 1,11,951 in 2024.

According to the Ministry, consumer adoption of digital channels has also surged, with grievance registration via WhatsApp rising from 3 per cent in March 2023 to 20 per cent in March 2025.

NCH acts as a unified platform bringing together consumers, government agencies, private sector companies, and regulatory bodies. The number of convergence partners has expanded steadily from 263 in 2017 to 1,131 companies in 2025, strengthening collaborative redressal mechanisms.

In line with its mandate to safeguard consumer rights and promote fair trade practices, the Department of Consumer Affairs monitors grievance data received through the NCH.

In addition, the Department also identifies companies with a high volume of complaints that are not yet part of the convergence programme for further engagement.

NCH collaborates with companies demonstrating a proactive approach to grievance redressal, onboarding them as convergence partners voluntarily, the Ministry highlighted.

Once onboarded, NCH provides these businesses with real-time complaint data, facilitating cooperative engagement and a free, equitable, and quick resolution.

NCH has integrated WhatsApp with its toll-free number (1915) in order to improve accessibility and expedite grievance registration during times of high call volume.

When customers experience lengthy wait times because of high traffic or technical issues, automated WhatsApp notifications are sent to them, allowing them to file complaints straight through the app.

This initiative enhances the helpline's responsiveness and efficiency by providing a smooth and easy-to-use substitute.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Algeria in the coming week.

This will be his first overseas visit after the triumph in Operation Sindoor, underscoring the Army’s growing role in strengthening India’s strategic engagements abroad.

The visit also follows the recent tours of the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff to Algeria, which laid the foundation for deeper cooperation.

Sources confirmed that the core of this visit lies in the defence cooperation.

The Army Chief is expected to discuss strengthening Army-to-Army ties, expanding training exchanges, and enhancing capability development initiatives. With Algeria operating predominantly similar equipment, India is well positioned to share operational expertise, provide maintenance and training support, and promote collaboration in defence technologies.

The two sides are also expected to explore opportunities for defence industrial partnership, particularly in areas of modernisation, logistics, and equipment support.

Gen Dwivedi will also share India’s strategic vision of zero tolerance for terrorism and exchange perspectives on regional and global security challenges.

“These deliberations are expected to contribute to building trust, interoperability, and practical cooperation between the two militaries,” said an Army spokesperson.

It is pertinent to note that India views Algeria as a natural partner in its outreach to Africa and the Mediterranean, given its pivotal role as a gateway to the Maghreb–Sahel–Mediterranean region.

Algeria’s position as a security anchor for the Sahel, an energy powerhouse with oil, gas, and rare earth reserves, and its robust and modernised military make it a vital partner in advancing peace and stability in the wider region.

Algeria, as a regional leader in the Maghreb–Sahel has a strong position in the African Union and the Non-Aligned tradition. India’s outreach aims to deepen trust, expand defence and training cooperation, and diversify Algeria’s partnerships in line with mutual interests.

Gen Dwivedi’s forthcoming visit is thus expected to inject fresh momentum into India–Algeria relations, reinforcing shared values of sovereignty, non-alignment, and South–South cooperation, while anchoring long-term defence and security collaboration between the two armies.

--IANS

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