FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2024 INDIA THIS WEEK 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 BJP clinches most assembly bypolls; Congress wins both Wayanad, Nanded Lok Sabha seats Vol 33 No: 48 WASHINGTON DC • Phone: 301-445-0200 /301-445-3543/301-917-4800 • email: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday NOVEMBER 29, 2024 New Delhi [India], November 24 (ANI): The Election Commission of India on Saturday declared the results of by-polls of 48 assembly seats held across 13 states with BJP and its allies winning majority of the seats while Congress won both Lok Sabha constituencies of Wayanad in Kerala and Nanded in Maharashtra. Among the assembly bypolls, the BJP and its allies won maximum seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) also won all six seats in West Bengal, while Congress won only seven and brother Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Rae Bareli constituency in the Lok Sabha. After winning the Lok Sabha by-poll for Kerala’s Wayanad seat, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi has thanked voters for giving her “the honour to represent them.” “I thank the people of Wayanad for giving me the honour to represent them. It’s a testament to the fact that my brother worked hard there, their love for him and their trust in me. I feel it’s a great honour and I will respect it fully,” Priyanka seats, including all three assembly constituencies in Karnataka. In Kerala, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who was making her electoral debut registered a massive victory in Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll. According to the Election Commission, Priyanka Gandhi won the Wayanad bypoll by 4,10,931 votes by defeating BJP‘s Navya Haridas and CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri. She won 6,22,338 votes against Navya Haridas’ 1,09,939. Following this win, Priyanka Gandhi would join her mother, Sonia Gandhi, a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan ELECTION 6 SEE PAGE ENDS ON JANUARY 2 THIS IS WHY YOU STAY ON THE NICE LIST The nice list comes with even nicer rewards. Find yours at the December to Remember Sales Event. Off ers on select models, now through January 2. Bow optional. US prosecutors charge Gautam Adani and others in alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case ©2024 Lexus, a Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. New York [US], November 21 (ANI): A five-count criminal indictment has been unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging prominent Indian executives including Chairman of the Adani Group Gautam Adani by linking them to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme, Reuters reported citing US prosecutors. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York, “A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in federal court charging Gautam Adani, Sagar R. Adani, and Vneet S. Jaain, with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion- dollar scheme to obtain funds from U.S. investors and global financial institutions on the basis of false and misleading statements.” The indictment also charges Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable-energy company ADANI SEE PAGE 2
NOVEMBER 29, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK MORE Get from your retirement. 1. More for your money with our inclusive “Moving was a great decision for me! I feel confident in my future, and Monthly Service Package. 2. More amenities, including a pool, fitness I know that my needs will be taken care of.” center, and restaurants. 3. More peace of mind with additional —Marge V., A community resident on-site care should you need it. Discover more great reasons to choose an Erickson Senior Living®-managed community. 1420300 Call 1-888-718-7402 or visit DMVSeniorLiving.com for your free brochure. US prosecutors charge Gautam Adani and others in alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case ADANI FROM PAGE 1 with securities that had traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the U.S. Issuer), and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the alleged bribery scheme. “As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. Breon Peace further alleged that the people named in the indictment undermined the integrity of international financial markets and defrauded U.S. and global investors. “The business executives allegedly bribed the Indian government to finance lucrative contracts designed to benefit their businesses. Adani and other defendants also defrauded investors by raising capital on the basis of false statements about bribery and corruption, while still other defendants allegedly attempted to conceal the bribery conspiracy by obstructing the government’s investigation,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy. The indictment also accuses the executive of obstructing investigations by the FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The US Attorney’s office says that the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation was conducted by the FBI New York‘s Corporate, Securities and Commodities Fraud and International Corruption Units. The government’s case is being handled by the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. There has been no response so far from the office of Gautam Adani or others named in the indictment. The White House has said it is aware of the allegations against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group, who was indicted in New York over his role in an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. Addressing reporters during her daily briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine JeanPierre expressed confidence that Indian and the US could navigate the issue without compromising their robust partnership. “So, Obviously, we’re aware of these allegations, and I would have to refer you to the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and DOJ (Department of Justice) about the specifics of those – of those allegations against the Adani Group,” she said. Jean-Pierre said that the relationship between the US and India remains solid. “What I will say is on the US and India relationship, we believe that it stands on an extremely strong foundation anchored in ties between our people and cooperation across a full range of global issues,” she said. She further expressed confidence in the ability of the two nations to navigate the situation. “What we believe and we’re confident about is that we’ll continue to navigate this issue as we have with other issues that may have come up. And so the specifics of this, this is something that the SEC and DOJ can speak to directly, but again, we believe that...this relationship between India and the US has been built on a strong foundation,” the White House spokesperson added.(ANI)
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NOVEMBER 29, 2024 Friday US: Physician, Stanford prof Jay Bhattacharya likely to lead National Institutes of Health Washington DC [US], November 24 (ANI): Physician and Standford Professor of Health Policy Jay Bhattacharya, is likely to be chosen by Presidentelect Donald Trump as the next director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the United States, according to a report by The Washington Post. The report cites three individuals familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The NIH, a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency. Bhattacharya this week met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and impressed him with his ideas to transform the NIH. He outlined a vision for reforming the NIH, calling for a significant shift in the agency’s priorities. Specifically, he advocated for increasing funding for innovative research and proposed decreasing the influence of long-tenured career officials. Bhattacharya a Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economics Research. He directs Stanford’s Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. His research focuses on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, with a particular emphasis on the role of government programs, biomedical innovation, and economics. Dr. Bhattacharya’s recent research focuses on the epidemiology of Covid-19 as well as an evaluation of policy responses to the epidemic. His broader research interests encompass the implications of population aging for future population health and medical spending in developed countries, the measurement of physician performance tied to physician payment by insurers, and the role played by biomedical innovation on health, as per the Stanford University. He has published 135 articles in top peerreviewed scientific journals in medicine, economics, health policy, epidemiology, statistics, law, and public health among other fields. He holds an MD and PhD in economics, both earned at Stanford University. Notably, on November 14, Trump nominated Kennedy as the next United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Health and Human Services oversees NIH and other health agencies “I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),” Trump said in a post on X. “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” the post further mentioned. Notably, Kennedy Jr is the nephew of 35th President of US, John FKennedy. He is the founder of the Waterkeeper Alliance — the world’s largest clean water advocacy group — and served as its longtime chairman and attorney. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK Indian man in UK kills wife over suspected dowry demand New Delhi [India], November 22 (ANI): A grisly murder shook Northamptonshire in UK, over alleged suspicion of dowry demand. Harshita Brella‘s murder, points finger at her husband, 23-yearold Pankaj Lamba, as per Northamptonshire police. Lamba is the prime suspect. Sonia Brella, the Elder Sister of Harshita, told ANI on Friday that Lamba’s family demanded dowry from them, even though they provided gold and money during the wedding. Speaking to ANI, Sonia alleged that she suspected that her sister was murdered for dowry. “Harshita was married to Pankaj Lamba on March 22 this year. The family had given a lot of dowry to Pankaj but still he was not happy, he kept demanding dowry from us,” she said. Brella’s body had been transported from Corby to east London by car, which was left parked in Brisbane Road, Ilford on November 14. Investigation suggests that Harshita was murdered on November 10. Police are now searching for Pankaj Lamba, who they wish to talk to in connection with her death, as per police’s statement. “We received a call from a local police station on November 15 that Harshita had been murdered. The embassy might have informed them. We were surprised as to how this happened. When we called Harshita and Lamba, both their phones were switched off. When we told Pankaj’s family, they did not seem worried. We then felt that Pankaj must have told everything to his family after the murder,” Sonia told ANI. Northamptonshire Police launched a murder investigation into Harshita’s death after her body was found on November 14, as per their statement. “We had talked to Harshita on 10th, we did not talk to Pankaj much, at that time she was very happy...she did not tell us that any fight or anything had happened,” Sonia said. Sonia told ANI that on August 29, after Harshita lodged a complaint, even Pankaj’s family members came to her house, demanding dowry. Her father then sold some of their property to arrange the money. “On August 29, when Pankaj had beaten her she lodged a complaint against him. Subsequently, his family members had come at our house here and again started demanding dowry, due to which my father sold some property to fulfill their demand and by February we were able to fulfill the demand. We were about to fulfil their demands after we got the money in hand,” she said. Sonia said that Harshita was assaulted by her husband and she filed a case of domestic abuse against him on August 29 with the Northamptonshire Police. Pankaj clandestinely paid the fine and was out on bail. “Harshita’s husband assaulted her on August 29 and she had filed a case against him. She used to give us every moment’s information. This case was closed on October 30 when Pankaj paid the fine, but Harshita was not informed about it. It was said that Pankaj has got the case closed by paying the fine,” she said. Assistant Chief Constable Emma James said, “Harshita was identified as being at high risk of domestic abuse and was immediately assigned an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)...Harshita was placed in a refuge and visited and contacted by officers on a number of occasions throughout the investigation. The alleged perpetrator was identified, quickly arrested and bailed with conditions.” Sonia said that the two were married on March 22 this year and moved to the UK next month as Lamba wanted to continue his further studies. “Pankaj and Harshita had an arranged marriage on March 22. They went to UK on April 30, Pankaj does a part time job there as a delivery boy because he is a student. Harshita works as an admin in a warehouse there. He needed her to work and used to check her salary slips too. He used to make her work for multiple shifts. He even kept records of her bank details. Pankaj even emptied her account after she filed the case,” she said. “UK Police told us that it will take a week or two for Harshita’s body to arrive, we have signed the undertaking and sent it,” she added. She also appealed to the UK police to send the mortal remains of Harshita. “Why the UK Police did not guide Harshita when she had already been subjected to domestic violence. The UK police told us that Pankaj had killed Harshita and no one else was with him. The quotes from their neighbours said that approximately 10 minutes after the fighting, they saw Pankaj coming out of the house,” she said. Sonia suspects that Pankaj came back to India and is on the run. “I am sure that Pankaj has fled from the UK to India and is hiding somewhere here. The UK police should also caution Indian police that they must arrest Pankaj if he is here. We want to register a complaint with the Delhi Police but they are not registering a case saying that the incident took place on foreign soil. We will also go to the Ministry of External Affairs and register our complaint,” she said. Sonia further voiced suspicion that Lamba’s family knows his whereabouts and are aware of the murder. “When I called Pankaj’s mother about the news, she coolly replied that at least my sister was returning back. She said her son’s whereabouts are not known. But, on the other hand, they are not even trying to find his whereabouts and are calm. This behaviour raises suspicions,” she said. (AN
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NOVEMBER 29, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK BJP clinches most assembly bypolls; Congress wins both Wayanad, Nanded Lok Sabha seats ELECTION FROM PAGE 1 Gandhi told reporters. In Maharashtra, Congress won the Nanded Lok Sabha by-poll. But, surprisingly the party lost all the six assembly segments in the Nanded Lok Sabha seat to the BJP and Shiv Sena. Ravindra Chavan of Congress trounced BJP‘s Santukrao Hambarde by 1,457 votes after a recount. In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP won six assembly bypolls and its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RJD) won one seat, while Samajwadi Party was able to win just two seats out of nine. Following the massive win in UP byelections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday congratulated party leaders and workers and said that the credit for the “historic win” goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “Today the results of Maharashtra Election 2024 and Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024 have come and the results of by-polls have also come... PM Modi’s vision and leadership have helped us to win. The public has shown their trust in PM Modi’s vision and policies...I congratulate all the winning candidates,” CM Yogi said while addressing a press conference in Lucknow. In West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress made a clean sweep and won all six assembly constituencies. In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi party won three assembly by-polls while, in Barnala, Congress‘ Kuldeep Singh Dhillon won. Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, expressed their gratitude towards the people of Punjab. From The Poet’s Pen In Assam, the BJP won three seats while its allies United Peoples Party, Liberal and Asom Gana Parishad won one seat each. In Rajasthan, the BJP won five out of the seven assembly constituencies while the Congress and the Bharat Adivasi party won one seat each. The Congress won all three assembly constituencies in Karnataka. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that this by-election has been crucial to him. “Above all, this by-election result was important to me for another reason. This time after I became the Chief Minister, BJP and JDS leaders have been making false allegations against me and our government and trying to malign my image. Both these parties have colluded and used everything from the Raj Bhavan to the Central Bureau of Investigation to create a scandal and try to frame me and my family,” Siddaramaiah posted on X. Similarly, in Bihar, the BJP won two seats while its allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (secular) and Janata Dal (United) won one seat each. The Indian National Congress and the Community Party of India (Marxist) won one seat each in Kerala while in Madhya Pradesh, Congress and the BJP won one seat each. Similarly, the BJP won the lone assembly seat each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand while the National Peoples’s Party won the lone seat in Meghalaya. In Sikkim, the Sikkim Kranti Morcha won both the assembly seats unopposed. The by-polls were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK INDIA THIS WEEK- November 29, 2024 Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online Anonymous India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, “Echoes in the Chamber” In hallowed halls where echoes ring, They chant of freedoms they will bring. A cry for speech, unbound, unchained, Yet shadows follow, truth restrained. They decry the foe as tyrants dire, Fan fears of threats to freedoms’ fire. Yet as they point with righteous flare, Their hands reshape the very air. The gavel falls on voices bold, As justice bends to powers cold. Opposition, silenced, bound, Truth discarded, lost, profound. With agents cloaked in state decree, They hunt dissent, democracy’s plea. The pen that once wrote honest creed, Now serves ambition, guile, and greed. They weaponize the sacred trust, To crush the few, to raise the dust. In veils of law, their will enforced, While cries of freedom go divorced. Oh, bitter irony, cruel disguise, Where liberty fades and silence lies. The louder they cry of threats abroad, The deeper they cut with tyranny’s rod. May the people rise, with voices clear, To pierce through veils of doubt and fear. For in their hearts, the truth shall reign, And mend the wounds of freedom’s pain. Views expressed in this paper are 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 by the information provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online Hemant Soren urges people to take resolve to build ‘Golden Jharkhand’ R a n c h i (Jharkhand) [India], November 23 (ANI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday greeted the poeple of state following the party-led alliance’s victory in the assembly polls and said they will together work for achieving “Golden Jharkhand”. “Greetings to all people of Jharkhand, let us walk together and take resolve for building Golden Jharkhand,” he said in a post on X. Earlier, Hemant Soren also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the INDIA bloc in the Jharkhand assembly elections. “Today the results of the Jharkhand Assembly Election2024 have come...I want to thank the people of all communities and all the farmers, women and youth of the state for casting their votes with the majority and making this election successful,” he told reporters. The Jharkhand Mukti Morch won 34 seats with its allies winning 22 seats. Among JMM’s allies Congress won 16 seats, RJD 4 and CPI-ML two. BJP won 21 seats and its allies AJSU, Lok Janshakti Party(Ram Vilas) and JD-U one each. This is first time that an incumbent government which completed five years, won election in Jharkhand. Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday expressed his happiness after the results of the Jharkhand assembly election were declared and stated that the people of the state had ‘rejected’ the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader stated that the “divisive politics” in Jharkhand has been defeated. “In Jharkhand, we have won, and divisive politics has been defeated... We are very happy... The people of Jharkhand have rejected them (NDA),” Congress leader Pawan Khera said. When asked about the Maharashtra assembly poll results, Khera said, “The results in Maharashtra are unbelievable... We are also happy that in Parliament there will be a strong voice from the INDIA alliance side.” Notably, in Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) won 34 seats, with its allies winning 22 seats. Among JMM’s allies, the Congress won 16 seats, RJD four, and CPI-ML two. Meanwhile, the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra won the state assembly polls.(ANI) Remember: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” JESUS CHRIST
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NOVEMBER 29, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK SC quashes preferential land allotments for MPs, MLAs, judges, journalists in Hyderabad New Delhi [India], November 25 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday set aside the preferential allotment of lands to the housing societies of MPs, MLAs, civil servants, judges, defence personnel, journalists etc. within the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits, saying it promotes inequality. A bench Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta quashed the Andhra Pradesh Government Memoranda (GoM) of 2005 classifying MPs, MLAs, officers of the AIl India Service/state government, judges of the Constitutional courts, and journalists as separate classes for allotment of land at the basic rate. It also set aside the subsequent GoMs issued in 2008 allotting the lands within the limits of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to these classes. The bench while quashing GoMs said they are bad in law and being violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. “Such a policy to be suffering from the malaise of unreasonableness and arbitrariness, and promoting inequality leading to the violation of Article 14 of the Constitution,” the court said while dismissing the appeals filed by the state government and the cooperative societies and their members against a 2010 judgment of the Telangana High Court. The bench said, “Land is a finite and highly valuable resource, particularly in densely populated urban areas, where access to land for housing and economic activities is increasingly scarce. When the government allocates land at discounted rates to the privileged few, it engenders a system of inequality, conferring upon them a material advantage that remains inaccessible to the common citizen.” The top court pointed out that this preferential treatment conveys the message that certain individuals are entitled to more, not due to the necessities of their public office or the public good, but simply because of their status. “Such practices foster resentment and disillusionment among ordinary citizens, who perceive these actions as corrupt or unjust, thereby eroding trust in democratic institutions. This policy undermines solidarity and fraternity, reinforcing societal hierarchies rather than actively working to dismantle them,” it said. The allotments were made to cooperative societies composed of alleged encroachments by the Waqf Board. Earlier, Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra said that every decision taken by the Karnataka government is anti-poor. “The latest decision in Karnataka of a 20 percent hike in government hospitals and medical colleges indicates that the Congress government is desperate to raise its resources to fulfil its guarantees. I demand that Siddaramaiah withdraw such an anti-poor decision... BJP is not opposed to the cancellation of BPL cards,” he said. Former Minister BC Patil, BJP Haveri district president Arunkumar Pujar, former MLAVirupakshappa Bellary, along with other BJP leaders and activists, participated in the protest. Protests were held in front of Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Tahsildar offices across the state under the banner ‘Our Land, Our Right’. Earlier, amid the uproar over the issue, the Karnataka Government’s Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department issued a directive to all Regional Commissioners and District Commissioners regarding the Waqf matter. The letter warns of disciplinary action against officials who alter land mutation records or issue eviction notices to farmers under the Waqf Act. The order, issued on November 9, directs officials to withdraw all notices served to farmers, revoke any land mutation orders issued by authorities, and halt ongoing mutation work. (ANI) “All rights given to Waqf board shall be revoked”: BJP leader CT Ravi after protest in Karnataka Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], November 24 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader CT Ravi has demanded that all the rights given to the Waqf shall be revoked and it is their main issue to remove the Waqf Board. BJP leader CT Ravi told ANI, “Our only issue is to remove the Waqf Board. All rights given to the Waqf Board shall be revoked. We are agitating against the Waqf Board claiming temple land, farmers’ lands, cremation grounds, and properties of Dalits. We will raise this issue in the Parliament as well.” Amid an ongoing controversy over the Waqf Board land issue, Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders staged a protest against the state government on Saturday, demanding the removal of the term “Waqf Board” from government records and raising concerns over members of various groups, including Members of Parliament, Members of both houses of the state legislature, officers of All India Services, judges of the Supreme Court and High Court, state government employees, defence personnel, journalists and individuals from weaker sections of society. The top court held that the object of the policy perpetuates “inequality” and it does not meet the equality and fairness standards prescribed by the Constitution. “We think that Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court, MPs, MLAs, officers of the AIS, journalists etc., cannot be treated as a separate category for allotment of land at a discounted basic value in preference to others. The object of the policy perpetuates inequality. The policy differentiates and bestows largesse to an advantaged section/group by resorting to discrimination and denial. It bars the more deserving, as well as those similarly situated, from access to the land at the same price. It promotes social-economic exclusion, to favour a small and privileged section/group. The policy does not meet the equality and fairness standards prescribed by the Constitution,” the verdict stated. (ANI) New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): Delhi woke up to ‘very poor’ air quality on Tuesday morning, showing a slight improvement from the past week of ‘severe’ air quality, as per the Central Pollution Control Board. At 7 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 382, falling under the ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. A thick layer of smog covered the National Capital as the Air Quality Index in several areas continues to remain in the ‘Very Poor’ category. Meanwhile, the trains’ movement continued amid smog near New Delhi Railway Station. The air quality index in the metropolitan city was reeling under the ‘severe plus’ category for 4-5 days in the past week. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is severe. Earlier on Monday, the Directorate of Education of the Delhi Government issued directions to all schools in the national capital to follow CAQM’s order. “State governments in the NCR shall ensure that all classes up to 12th Standard are conducted in a ‘hybrid” mode, i.e., both in “physical” and also in “online” modes, wherever online mode is feasible in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar in the NCR,” said the CAQM order. In compliance with the CAQM order, the Directorate of Education, Government of Delhi, has issued instructions to the heads of all government, government-aided, and unaided recognised private schools under its jurisdiction, as well as the NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board regarding conducting classes in hybrid mode for students of all classes with immediate effect until further orders. This decision follows the Supreme Court’s order dated November 25 in the case of MC Mehta vs. Union of India, directing the CAQM to review GRAP restrictions in light of their impact on education. The court emphasised the need to prioritise education while raising several concerns. Firstly, the court noted, “A large number of students are being deprived of the facility of midday meals as schools and anganwadis are closed.” Delhi wakes up to thick smog, AQI continues to remain in “very poor” category
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2024 9 Cabinet approves One Nation One Subscription scheme New Delhi [India], November 25 (ANI): The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved One Nation One Subscription, a new Central Sector Scheme for providing countrywide access to scholarly research articles and journal publication. Information and Broadcasting Minister, who briefed the media on the cabinet decisions, said the scheme will be administered through a simple, user friendly and fully digital process. This will be a “One Nation One Subscription” facility for the government higher education institutions and R&D laboratories of the central government. An official release said that a total of about Rs.6,000 crore has been allocated for One Nation One Subscription for three calendar years, 2025, 2026 and 2027 as a new Central Sector Scheme. “One Nation One Subscription will build on and further enhance the scope and reach of the range of initiatives undertaken by the Government of India over the past decade in the domains of education, for maximizing access to quality higher education for the youth of India,” the releasse said . “This will supplement the ANRF initiative to promote research and development and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout government universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories,” it added. The benefits of One Nation One Subscription scheme will be provided to all Higher Educational Institutions under the management of the Central or State Government and Research & Development Institutions of the Central Government, through a national subscription coordinated by a central agency, namely the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous interuniversity centre of the University Grants Commission (UGC). This list covers more than 6,300 institutions, translating into nearly 1.8 crore students, faculty and researchers, who will be able to potentially avail benefits of One Nation One Subscription. “This is in line with the goals of Vi k s i t b h a r a t @ 2 0 4 7 , National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The initiative will expand access to scholarly journals to a vast diaspora of students, faculty, researchers and scientists of all disciplines, including those in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, thereby promoting core as well as interdisciplinary research in the country,” the release said. ANRF will periodically review the usage of One Nation One Subscription and publications of Indian authors of these institutions. The DHE and other Ministries having HEIs and R&D Institutions under their management shall be proactively conducting Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns among students, faculty and researchers of these institutions about availability and method of access to One Nation One Subscription, resulting in improved usage of the facility across the country, the release said. The state governments will also be requested to carry out campaigns at their level for gmaximizing usage of the unique facility by students, faculty and researchers of all government institutions, it added. (ANI) P r a y a g r a j (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 25 (ANI): With an anticipated turnout of 45 crore devotees for Mahakumbh 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has devised a comprehensive plan to ensure smooth facilitation for pilgrims at the Sangam while also preparing to handle emergencies effectively. A robust three-tier security system has been implemented, prioritising the safety of all pilgrims, with dedicated Water Police deployment. At Kila Ghat, designated for VIP movement, special forces have been stationed to ensure seamless arrangements, providing a hassle-free experience for both domestic and international devotees. Advanced security measures have also been put in place from Saraswati Ghat to Sangam Ghat, including deep barricading and extensive safety nets, which are nearing completion. Janardan Prasad Sahni, in charge of the Kila Police Water Unit, stated that ahead of the Mahakumbh, every boat is being thoroughly inspected. A tester boat has been arranged for this purpose, and it will be used to check each boat. Only after thorough inspection and approval will any boat be allowed into the water. Extensive security arrangements are being made from Sangam Noz to Kila Ghat. Personnel from the PAC, SDRF, and NDRF will work together to ensure devotees’ safety. Sahni also mentioned that special measures have been introduced to ensure pilgrims face no difficulties while exiting after taking a dip. A special red strip will be placed on boats to alert pilgrims. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued clear instructions to officials, emphasising that no devotee attending the Mahakumbh should face any inconvenience. In line with these directives, every ghat will be thoroughly inspected before being opened for pilgrims. S e c u r i t y arrangements are also being enhanced at Arail, Jhusi, Phaphamau, and Someshwar ghats. Adequate facilities are being prepared for bathers from Rasulabad to Kila Ghat and Kakhera Ghat. The Water Police have made special arrangements for pilgrims’ safety by implementing a three-tier security system. The first team will manage crowds outside the ghats and divert pilgrims to alternate routes in case of excessive crowds. The second tier will be stationed on boats during the bathing process to ensure convenience and provide immediate assistance in emergencies. The third tier will facilitate pilgrims’ safe exit after their bath. (ANI) Haridwar (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 26 (ANI): A man allegedly shot his wife and mother-inlaw dead before ending his life in the Tehri displaced colony of Ranipur Kotwali area of Uttar Pradesh‘s Haridwar, police said. The police recovered all three bodies inside the house. Police also found a revolver, and a baseball bat has also been found near the dead body. The incident happened when a man named Rajiv Arora first attacked his wife and mother-in-law with a bat and then shot them dead with a revolver. The police have sent the Panchnama of the bodies for postmortem. The reasons for the murder and suicide are being investigated. The police were informed about this by the tenants. Further details awaited. (ANI) UP govt gears up for Mahakumbh 2025 with 3-tier security and comprehensive pilgrim facilities UP murdersuicide: Man allegedly kills self after shooting wife and motherin-law
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