India This Week ~ April 1, 2022

INDIA THIS WEEK




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INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2022 1 A W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Fe a t u r i n g N e w s & Tr e n d s f r o m t h e I n d i a n S u b - C o n t i n e n t P u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e U S C a p i t a l Website: www.indiathisweek.online Vol. 30 No: 13 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-917-4800; 301-445-0200 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • April 1, 2022 Disengagement along LAC in Ladakh work in progress, ties with China not normal: Jaishankar New Delhi [India], March 25 (ANI): Noting that completion of disengagement is necessary for discussions on deescalation along LAC in eastern Ladakh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has described the current situation “as work in progress obviously at a slower pace than desirable” and said his talks with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were aimed at expediting the process. Addressingamedia briefing on Friday after delegation-level talks with Wang Yi, the minister said the relationship is not normal due to the large presence of Chinese troops near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in contravention of agreements. He said they discussed “bilateral relations that have been disturbed as a result of Chinese actions since April 2020”. Jaishankar said several rounds of commander-level talks between India and China have made progress but “we still have ongoing friction areas”. He said there is a situation where peace and tranquillity in the border areas has been disturbed. The minister said he and Wang Yi met for about three hours and addressed a broad and substantive agenda in an open and candid manner. Jaishankar said they have been in touch with each other over the last two years, even if there had been no bilateral Dubai [UAE], March 28 (ANI): Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Monday expressed hope that India and UAE will achieve USD 250 billion in bilateral trade in goods and services. “We are not in the game for a 100-billiondollar trade in 2030. We are in the game for maybe 100 billion dollars each way in the next 6-7 years. We are in the game for at least 250 billion dollars’ bilateral trade in goods and services,” Piyush Goyal said at a press conference here. “We have opened up services in a big way. The growing role of services in both economies will give a big thrust to our bilateral engagements in the years to come,” he added. Goyal had earlier announced the unveiling of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). IndiaUAE CEPA was signed on February 18 in New Delhi during the India-UAE Virtual Summit. He termed the agreement as the ‘defining strategic partnership of the 21st century’. The minister said that the agreement sets the tone for the new direction, a paradigm shift in the IndiaUAErelationship.“Ajourney that started with an interim agreement covering maybe 100-200 lines culminated in a comprehensive economic partnership with many firsts to its credit. The time visits during the period. He said they met in Moscow in September 2020 and then again in Dushanbe in July and September 2021 and also had telephonic conversations during this period with the focus of interactions being the “situation in our border areas”. “Our meeting had led to an understanding on disengagement and de- escalation. The challenge, of course, has been to implement it on the ground. We have had 15 rounds of talks between Senior Commanders and progress has been achieved on several friction points from the disengagement perspective. This needs to be taken forward since the completion of disengagement is necessary for discussions on deescalation to take place,” he said. ” I would describe our current situation as work in progress, obviously at a slower pace than desirable and my discussions with FM Wang Yi today were aimed at expediting the process,” he added. Asked if talks on issues such as education, travel and commerce indicated normalcy in bilateral relations, Jaishankar JAIASHANKAR SEE PAGE 6 India, UAE aim to achieve USD 250 billion in trade in goods and services: Piyush Goyal Remember: “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Jesus Christ taken for it was only 88 days,” he said. UAE Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi underlined the importance of CEPA. Thanking, UAE Trade Minister, Goyal said no issue had been left pending by the UAE leadership concerning the agreement. “There was never an issue which was kept pending, resolving them on a real-time basis, that’s the leadership Dr Thani demonstrated, which in a way we are celebrating today. We have released that text yesterday. It has all been timed beautifully by our leaders and by our teams. The entire text is in the public domain,” he said. Goyal added that the CEPA agreement between India and UAE will become the template for several more agreements “It’s one of the most outstanding agreements and I promise you, it will become the template for several more which UAE may do, that India may do, that other third countries may do. This will be emulated,” Goyal said. The minister said India and UAE will take this deal to newer heights. “It’s not about trade, goods and services. It has a huge geopolitical, economic and also in some sense a great humane element to it, given the huge presence of Indian diaspora in the UAE.” “We will take this relationship to newer heights. It was a very arduous journey, with sleepless nights. It was a humongous effort across the government in the UAE and in India — getting agreements, fine-tuning the offers, 800 odd-pages legal texts, which is not going to live for five years or 10 years. In fact, it will outlive all of us. It had to be carefully drafted, word by word, every comma could have made a significant difference. So, truly a herculean task, with a smile, not a single complaint, never something which was a deal-breaker,” he added.

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April 1, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK PM Modi hails Padma awardee 126-year-old Baba Sivanand for agility, calls him inspirational New Delhi [India], March 27 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed 126-yearold Padma awardee Baba Sivanand for agility and termed his passion for Yoga and dedication for a healthy lifestyle inspirational. In the 87th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat‘, broadcast on Sunday, PM Modi said, “The life of Baba Sivananda is an inspiration for all of us. He has a passion for Yoga and leads a very healthy lifestyle.” Referring to Baba Sivanand’s heartwarming gesture at the Padma Awards ceremony, the Prime Minister said that everyone must have observed Baba Sivanand in the recently held Padma Awards ceremony. “Seeing the agility of the 126-year-old, everyone must have been as astonished as I was. Before one could bat an eyelid, Baba started bowing in the Nandi Mudra. I bowed a number of times and offered Pranaam to Baba Sivanand ji,” said Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greet each other during Civil Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, (ANI Photo) PM Modi, in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat‘. PM Modi noted Baba Sivanand’s age of 126years and his fitness being “a subject of discussion” in the country. “I saw several comments on social media that Baba is more fit than people four-times younger than him,” he said while wishing him a long life. Baba Sivanand received the Padma Shri award on Monday. Dressed in a white kurta and dhoti, Baba Sivanand was a picture of simplicity and grace as he knelt and bowed down in front of the Prime Minister and President Ram Nath Kovind as a mark of respect. Now in Ashburn, VA ❖ Accounting and Bookkeeping Service ❖ Audit, Review, Compilation and Attestation Service ❖ Tax Service ❖ IRS Service ❖ Web Hosting ❖ Business Consultancy ❖ Dedicated Service with Smiling Faces ❖ Experienced and Reliable Staff Year Round ❖ Rely on 24 Years of Experience Balagan Arumugaswamy, CPA, LL.M Tel: (301) 931-1040, (301) 931-1042 (301) 595-4331; (703) 723-4488; (703) 723-4458 Fax: (703) 723-1140; (301) 595-4332 E Mail: balagancpa@msn.com Website: www.balaganfinancials.com The Prime Minister too got up from the seat and bowed to the veteran Yoga legend. The President stepped out and helped Sivananda to rise to his feet, after which he honored him with the award and the duo posed for pictures and were seen in a brief conversation. The oldest man to be conferred with the Padma Shri award, Swami Sivananda is a monk from Varanasi. Born in August 1896, he is cherishing his remarkable 126 years of living. Despite his distinctive age, he stands strong enough to perform Yoga for hours, according to a write-up by Rashtrapati Bhawan on Padma Awardees. Swami wakes up as early as 3 am in the morning and adheres to a fixed routine. Standing 1.58 metres tall, Sivananda sleeps on a mat on the floor and uses a wooden slab as a pillow. Fit without any medical complications, he practices Yoga every day and performs all rituals on his own. He leads a simple life, eats a simple diet, and serves others with his selfless service. In his childhood, poverty made him sleep empty stomach many times, while the rest of the time, his family could afford to feed him boiled rice and water. He was brought up by his Guru Omkarananda Goswami at an Ashram at Nabadwip in West Bengal. He imparted all practical and spiritual education, including Yoga without school education. “Mann ki Baat” is the Prime Minister’s monthly radio address, which is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month at 11 am. The first episode of Mann Ki Baat was broadcast on October 3, 2014. (ANI) Tax Season is around the corner, are you ready ? Balagan Business & Tax Services Main Office: 12100 Franklin Street Beltsville, MD 20705 Branch Offices: 44335 Premier Plaza Suite#100, Ashburn, VA 20147

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April 1, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Chinese FM’s ‘forced’ visit to India meant to ease ties ahead of BRICS summit: Report Beijing [China], March 27 (ANI): Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s ‘forced’ arrival in New Delhi on Thursday was meant to make out a strong case for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the upcoming BRICS summit in Xiamen, a media report said. The visit, not unexpectedly, failed to make any breakthrough in the frosty bilateral relations following the Chinese aggression in Ladakh in April 2020. Several rounds of military level and even ministerial (special representatives) level talks have not altered the situation, the report in the Policy Research Group (POREG) said. The report further said that the Chinese leader would not have been surprised at the outcome. However, he had no choice but to go ahead with the India visit for an important reason from the Chinese point of view, it added. To be able to establish itself as a great world power, China cannot carry on with a naked, provocative, and aggressive posture. It has to demonstrate a willingness to accommodate the differences it has with other countries, especially India which arguably it views as a country that it cannot manipulate or intimidate with periodic forays into border areas, the report said. China does not seem to be sure that PM Modi would fly to Xiamen for the meeting. It was Wang’s remit to make out a strong case for Modi’s presence at the summit when he talked to Jaishankar, his Indian counterpart, the report said. The Wang visit could be seen as an action intended to camouflage China’s real intentions and project it as a ‘peace-loving’ and reasonable neighbour of India, the report said. China is scheduled to host the BRICS summit in Xiamen in June this year. BRICS is a multilateral forum consisting of five major emerging economies of the world, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. For the success of this summit, it is necessary that the heads of all the members attend, the report said. Nothing was said about Modi’s likely visit to China in June during the media briefing following WangJaishankar talks. Wang too would not have liked the matter to be discussed in public if the Indian response did not indicate Modi’s certain attendance, the report added. A similar BRICS conference in Xiamen in 2017 had also faced the possibility of India’s absence because of the Doklam dispute as a result of the Chineseterritorialaggression at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China borders. The dispute had savoured India-China relations. But the Chinese had successfully assured India that the matter would be resolved to mutual satisfaction which paved the way for India’s attendance at the summit. India would have been wiser after that event and would not easily accept any Chinese assurances on such matters. China has rarely displayed good intentions when it comes to resolving border or territorial issues, not only with India but almost all its neighbours, the report said. (ANI) Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) [India], March 30 (ANI): A woman, who had allegedly consumed poison, reached the SP office in Jabalpur on Tuesday to lodge a complaint against her family members. “Sangeeta Patel the wife of Amar Patel came to us alleging atrocities against her by her husband, mother-inlaw, and sister-in-law,” said Apurva Killedar, Deputy superintendent of police (DSP). “She allegedly consumed rat poison as she was facing violence at home,” the DCP added. The police have taken her to Victoria Hospital for necessary treatment. The Police also said, “In order to resolve her marriage-related disputes, a case has been filed with the Family counselling centre (Pariwar Paramarsh Kendra), while the police are investigating the case.” (ANI) MP: Woman reaches SP office in Jabalpur after consuming poison, claiming ‘harassment’ by family

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April 1, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Disengagement along LAC in Ladakh work in progress, ties with China not normal: Jaishankar JAISHANKAR FROM PAGE 1 said so long as there are very large deployments, border situation is not normal. “No, our relationship (with China at present) is not normal, given the presence of a large number of troops in contravention of the 1993-96 agreements. So long there are very large deployments, border situation is not normal. We still have ongoing friction areas; have made progress in resolving some friction areas including Pangong Tso. Our discussion today was how to take this forward,” he said. Jaishankar said that large deployments in the border areas is violative of 1993-1996 agreements between the two countries. “Now, we all know that the senior military commanders have been meeting. The point is that so long as there are very large deployments in the border areas, which are violative of 1993-1996 agreements, clearly, the border area’s situation is not normal. The main point, which I again spelt out at some length in my statement — we have a situation where peace and tranquillity in the border areas have been disturbed,” he said,” answering a query. He said that peace and tranquillity is the foundation for going forward and added that his answer to the question regarding normalcy between the two countries is “no”. “My answer to is our relationship is normal is no, it is not and it cannot be normal if the situation in the border areas is abnormal and surely there the presence of a large number of troops there in contravention of agreements is abnormality.” He said there is a need to sort out border issues in their entirety. “We have had meetings before with Minister Wang Yi before and there have been talks Income Tax Dept raids popular chain of educational institutes New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): The Income Tax Department said on Thursday it has conducted raids on a popular chain of educational institutes, running several schools and colleges at multiple locations in India and abroad. The search operation covered more than 25 premises spread over locations in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The search and seizure operation was conducted on 14th March. During the search, several incriminating evidences including hard copy documents and digital data have been found and seized, which reveal that substantial funds have been siphoned-off from the Trusts for the personal benefit of the group’s promoters and their family members, in violation of provisions relating to claim of exemption by the Trusts under the Incometax Act, 1961, according to a statement released by the Union Ministry of Finance. During the search, evidences of about two dozen immovable properties located in Maharashtra, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu have also been gathered which are either benami properties or not disclosed in the respective returns of Income. These properties have been placed under provisional attachment. The search also revealed evidences of borrowings on Hundi aggregating to Rs 55 crore, and their repayment in cash in the form of discharged Promissory Notes/Bills of Exchange, which were found & seized. The search action has resulted in the seizure of unaccounted cash of Rs 27 lakh and jewellery worth Rs 3.90 crore, the Finance Ministry said. (ANI) in parallel — not only the senior military commanders but also we have had, I think, eight meetings of WMCC, which is the working mechanism dealing with this issue. So, they have made considerable progress, I don’t dispute that, in fact, I welcome that, but, they haven’t sorted out the issue in its entirety. So, our effort today is to sort out the issue in entirety and deal with the disengagements, so that, it allows us to look at the deescalation possibilities.” Asked if any timeline has been set for disengagement and deescalation at LAC, he said: “there was no timeline” and a parallel but a separate discussion took place in regard to sorting out the situation in border areas. Jaishankar raises predicament facing Indian students with Wang Yi, hopes China will take a nondiscriminatory approach External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said he strongly took up with the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the predicament of Indian students studying in China who haven’t been allowed to return to that country citing COVID-19 restrictions. Addressing a press conference here after talks with Wang Yi, Jaishankar hoped that China will take a non-discriminatory approach on the issue since it involves the future of many young people. “I also took up strongly the predicament of Indian students studying in China who haven’t been allowed to return citing COVID restrictions. We hope China will take a nondiscriminatory approach since it involves the future of many young people,” he said Jaishankar said the ChineseForeign Ministerhad assured him that he would speak to relevant authorities on his return to China. From thePoet’sPen INDIA THIS WEEK- April 1, 10, INDIA THIS WEEK- DECEMBER20222021 INDIA THIS WEEK- March 11 2022 Au- A Song: Lying is an Be Liberty Thankful Edward Thomas - 1878-1917 by Anonymous occupation The last light has gone out of the world, except This moonlight lying on the grass like everything Be thankful that you don’t already have frost you the tall Beyond theLaetitia Pilkington By brink ofdesire. elm’s shadow. If you did,is as ifwould there be had slept what everything else to look forward to? It 1708-1750 Many an age, unforgotten and lost Be thankful when you don’t know something, The mengives you the things done, long ago, for it that were, the opportunity to learn. All Lying is anand but the moon and I I have thought; occupation, LiveBe thankful for the difficultthe grave yet by all who mean to rise; Usedand here stand idle over times. During buried. Both have liberty Where all is those times you grow. Politicianswe could do if we were free owe their station, To dream what Be thankful for your limitations, But to thing concerted lies. To do some well we had desired long, because they give you opportunities for improvement. The moon and I. There’s none less free than who Does thankful for each new else to do, Be to lovers give assistance, Thesenothing and has nothingchallenge, Being free only for what is not to and character. because it will build your strength his mind, TAnd nothing is to his mind. If every hour o ensnare the fair-one’s heart; Be virgin’s best resistance Like thethankful that I have spent among Andthis one passingfor your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. The wiser this commanding Yields to others when I have forgot art. To wonderwhen you’re tired and weary, Be thankful whether I was free or not, Were piled before me, and not lost behind, because it means you’ve made a difference. Study this superiorthem away And I could take and carry science, It’sI easy to beriseor ifChurch or State; should be thankful had the power Would you rich; in Ifor the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who To wipe out every Bidare also thankfulone anddefiance, to T ruth a bold not again for the setbacks. Regret, I should be rich to be so poor. ‘Tisyet I still am half in lovethe great. And the practice of with positive. Gratitude can turn a negative into apain, With whatway to be thankful for tears and mirth, Find a is imperfect, with both your troubles, With things thatcan become your blessings. and they have an end, with life and earth, And this moon that leaves me dark within the door. “Minister Wang Yi assured me that he would speak to the relevant authorities on his return on this matter. He also recognised the particular concerns that medical students have in this difficult situation,” Jaishankar added. Answering a question on the invitation of the BRICS summit later this year, Jaishankar said, “Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and I discussed, the Chinese chairing of the BRICS. And they spoke about hosting the summit at which they would like... naturally participation of the leaders.” China hasn’t invited India to Afghanistan meet: Jaishankar External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday said that China has not invited India to the Afghanistan meeting that is set to take place later in March. China had earlier announced the third foreign ministers’ meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan. The Taliban have confirmed participation in the meeting scheduled to be held later this month. “On the Afghanistan meeting, which the Chinese are convening, I believe... No, they have not invited us,” Jaishankar said during a press conference after holding the delegation-level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Answering a question on Wang Yi’s recent remark at the OIC meeting, Jaishankar said the two ministers discussed that issue and he conveyed India’s hope that China would follow an independent policy in respect to New Delhi. “I conveyed that we hope that China would follow an independent policy in respect to India and not allow its policies to be influenced by other countries and other relationships,” said Jaishankar. INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352Bryans Road, MD 20616 Phone: 301-917-4800; 301-445-0200 301-445-3543; 301-685-1800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are solely those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor either by mail to the above address or by e-mail provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Asst. Editors: Special Business Correspondent Business Coordinators Special Correspondent: Community Coordinator: India Office Columnists: World Religions Photo Journalist: System Admn. & Maintenance: Layout & Graphics: Business Affairs: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Elisha B. Pulivarti Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Geeta Goindi Prof. Vinod Goel Manish Krishna Anadi Naik Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Mathew Karmel, Rajan C. George Prinston Samuel, Mrs. Molly George Advertisements: ADV Solutions Inc. Tel: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 301-445-3543, 301-685-1800 e-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Letters, Comments, Press Releases: indiathisweek@gmail.com

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April 1, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK CM Yogi inaugurates Gorakhpur-Varanasi flight, says 9 functional airports in UP connects 75 destinations across India Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 27 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inaugurated SpiceJet’s GorakhpurVaranasi flight via video conferencing and said that at present, there are nine functional airports in the state, connecting 75 destinations across the country. “At present, nine airports are functioning in the state. Four years ago, just four airports in the state were connected to mere 25 destinations. Now flights for 75 destinations across the country are available from the state,” Adityanath said. He thanked Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia for the improved air connectivity and said, “It is the first time that connectivity between two important cities– the land of Baba Gorakhnath with the land of Baba Vishwanath– has been created via air route.” The Chief Minister also said that better connectivity does not list of vacancies. The chief minister also instructed the government department officials to work with honesty in the recruitment drive. The state government has also extended the free ration scheme for the next three months which will benefit the 15 crore people of the state. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that for the scheme the government will spend Rs only save time but also helps one connect with better employment opportunities and the development of the area. “The improved air connectivity in Uttar Pradesh over the last five years is a testament to PM Modi’s commitment where he said that even the ones who wear Hawaii slippers will now travel in airplanes,” he said. Yesterday, Adityanath directed the officials to prepare an action plan for the next 100 days, six months and a year to fulfill the promises made by the BJP during polls and to help the state achieve USD 1 trillion economy. A decision to provide government jobs in the state was also taken during the first cabinet meeting. Adityanath, in the meeting, said that a recruitment drive will be run in government departments and directed the public sector officials to prepare a 3,270 crore. Earlier on Friday, Adityanath took oath as the Chief Minister of the state. A total of 52 ministers took oath as ministers, including two deputy Chief Ministers. The monk-turned politician took the reins of the most populous state for a second time in a row after completing his full fiveyear term – a feat repeated after 37 years. Before being sworn as UP chief minister in 2017, he was Gorakhpur MP for five consecutive terms from 1998 to 2017. Born on June 5, 1972, in a village in Uttarakhand, he was named Ajay Singh Bisht by his parents. He left home to join the movement for the construction of Ram Temple and became a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath of Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur. He started his political journey in 1998 becoming the youngest MP from Gorakhpur. (ANI) New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): A massive fire erupted in a wedding pandal in the Rohini area of the national capital on Thursday afternoon. The incident took place at The Golden Hut Pandal on DDA authorized land, in Sector 12, Rohini. A total of 14 fire tenders were pressed into service to bring the blaze under control and douse the fumes from the fire, a fire department official said. The Police team of the Prashant Vihar Police station reported at the spot of the incident, after receiving a PCR call at around 1:42 pm about the blaze. The Assistant Commissioner of Police(ACP) and the Station House Officer(SHO) immediately reached the pandal to take control of the law and order and facilitate smooth traffic movement to ensure clear passage to the fire brigade vehicles. The owner of the Pandal, Upender Singh who was present at the spot with his staff, sustained minor injuries on his right arm. No other casualties were reported. The Fire Department has brought the situation under control but the cause for the blaze is yet to be ascertained. (ANI) Massive fire broke out at wedding pandal in Delhi’s Rohini

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FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2022 Adhir Ranjan questions Mamata’s stance on Cong post her call for opposition to unite against BJP New Delhi [India], March 29 (ANI): Soon after West Bengal Chief Minister MamataBanerjeeonTuesday wrote to all Opposition leaders over uniting against BJP, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questioned her changing stance regarding his party. “West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee sometimes says that everyone should get united against BJP, sometimes against BJP and Congress, and other times she says Congress should be finished. Her statements change day and night,” said Chowdhury. Slamming the Trinamool Congress chief over Birbhum violence, the Congress leader said that Banerjee is scared because her party TMC is entangled in the Birbhum violence “We demanded a CBI probe into the Birbhum violence in the High Court. ‘Didi’ is scared as she is entangled in the Birbhum violence, which is why she is calling on everyone... why couldn’t the Bengal govt catch the guilty?... she should work on her home,” said Chowdhury. Banerjee in her letter to opposition party Maharashtra launches scheme to offer personal loans for prisoners M u m b a i (Maharashtra) [India], March 30 (ANI): Maharashtra government on Tuesday launched a scheme to provide personal loans for prisoners with the aim to improve the living standard of the families of the inmates. The Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank will give loans under the scheme up to Rs 50,000 at an interest rate of 7 per cent. The scheme will be implemented on a pilot basis at Yerawada Central Jail, Pune, said Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Home Minister Patil at Sahyadri Guest House and also a Government Resolution (GR) was issued in this regard. Launching the scheme, Patil said, “It will also be the first innovative loan scheme in the country to get a loan based on the income earned while working in a prison. With this, a welfare scheme can come in concrete form and approximately 1,055 prisoners can benefit from the scheme. Many inmates are serving long-term imprisonment. Since the majority of these inmates are prominent members of the family, their families may become distraught.” “A feeling in the family that the person who has gone to jail has failed in his family duties. In such a situation, providing a loan to a prisoner for the needs of his family would help to increase the family’s sympathy and love for the prisoner and help maintain a healthy family atmosphere,” added the minister. Under the scheme, the loan facility will be decided on the basis of the prisoner, prisoner’s loan limit, duration of punishment, possible relief from it, age, estimated annual working day and minimum daily income. The loan will not require a guarantor. The Home Minister said that the loan will be given without collateral and only on a personal guarantee. The lending bank will be solely responsible for ensuring that the loan amount is used to meet the needs of the family concerned or to pay the fees of their lawyers or for other legal matters. In addition, 1 per cent of the amount recovered by the bank from loan repayment will be given annually to the Prisoners’ Welfare Fund. (ANI) leaders and chief ministers alleged that the BJP has repeatedly attacked the federal structure of the country using various central agencies. Echoing the attack of her party leader, TMC MP Dola Sen said “West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to every Opposition leader and CMs so that everyone gets united to raise questions against BJP. The Opposition is and will remain united. Every Opposition party has a good connection with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.” Dola Sen termed the alleged use of central agencies by the central government against the opposition parties as unethical and unconstitutional. “PM Modi led central government is using central agencies like CBI for their party’s benefit and against the Opposition, it’s unfortunate. They’ve also sent a partisan governor to all non-BJP states, to increase problems further. It’s unethical, unconstitutional,” said Dola Sen. As many as eight people were killed in the Rampurhat area of West Bengal’s Birbhum on Tuesday after a mob allegedly set houses on fire following the killing of TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh. The 9 case is now being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. (ANI)

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