FRIDAY DECEMBER 6, 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 US President-elect Donald Trump names Kash Patel as next FBI Director Vol 33 No: 49 WASHINGTON DC • Phone: 301-445-0200 /301-445-3543/301-917-4800 • email: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday December 6, 2024 Washington DC [US], December 1 (ANI): US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) nominated the name of Kashyap “Kash” Patel to serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). n a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced Patel’s nomination, highlighting his distinguished career in various government roles. These include serving as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice, and protecting the American people. He played a pivotal role in uncovering the ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my first term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over Counterterrorism at the National Security Council during Trump’s first term as President. Trump praised Patel for his work in investigating the so-called “Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax,” calling him an “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice, and protecting the American people. “I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has KASH PATEL SEE PAGE 6 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. ©2024 Lexus, a Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Lok Sabha passes Banking Laws Amendment Bill; Sitharaman says public sector banks are turning profitable New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Noting that all public sector banks are turning profitable, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday that banks are being professionally run under the Modi government and the total branches of all scheduled commercial banks have increased by 3,792 in a year to reach 1,65,501 in September 2024. Replying to the debate in Lok Sabha on the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, which was later passed by the House, Sitharaman said Indian banks have performed exceptionally well in recent years. “Highest-ever net profit of Rs 1.41 lakh crore was achieved in 2023-24 and Rs 85,520 crore in the first half of 2024-25. Today, all the Public Sector Banks have turned profitable. As a sector, profitability of all scheduled commercial banks is the highest in BANKING LAWS SEE PAGE 4
December 6, 2024 INDIA THIS WEEK Friday 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. Hindi-Medium Student from Physics Wallah (PW) Tops BPSC 69th Exam with Rank-1 New Delhi [India], November 30: Physics Wallah (PW), an ed-tech platform’s student bagged Rank-1. Ujjwal Kumar Upkar, a Hindi-medium student from Sitamarhi, Bihar who’s the student of PW’s online vertical, BPSC Wallah has secured Rank-1 in BPSC 69th Result. Additionally, 99 more students have cleared this examination with the guidance of BPSC Wallah‘s online batches, both free and paid. Ujjwal comes from the village of Nanpur, where his father runs a small school, and his mother works as an Anganwadi worker. He studied at a government school, later moving to Sitamarhi and then NIT Uttarakhand after attempting JEE. He was previously selected as a Block Development Officer (BDO) in the 67th BPSC and was posted in Hajipur, Bihar. Using current affairs videos, revision module, editorial discussion and mock interview sessions from PW BPSC Wallah and closely following PWOnlyIAS, he prepared for the exam and is now selected for the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) post in the 69th BPSC. Expressing his joy, Ujjwal said, “I am deeply grateful to PW and Sumit Rewri sir for being a support system during my preparation, especially as I managed both studies and a job simultaneously. This achievement is a proud moment not just for me but for all Hindi-medium aspirants. Success comes from hard work combined with smart strategies. I analyzed my preparation deeply, set weekly targets, and stayed consistent. The journey is tough and long, but staying focused and remembering why you started makes all the difference.” Alakh Pandey, Founder and CEO of Physics Wallah (PW), shared his excitement over the results and said, “Our recent results in NDA, NEET, GATE, CA and now BPSC, with students securing All India Ranks, prove that PW is helping students with their preparations. When I interact with students and hear their stories of achievement–by clearing the competitive exams–I feel the happiest. This result is particularly special, as it highlights the success of a Hindi-medium student, and is a reminder for those who may wish to pursue the same.” PW’s BPSC Wallah, launched in January 2023, has presence both on offline and online platforms including YouTube and on the PW app. BPSC Wallah provides the Foundation Courses for Prelims, Mains and Interview stages in Hinglish and Hindi, including Crash Courses, Prelims & Mains Test Series, Mentorship, Revision Booklet, Current Affairs videos, Revision module, Editorial Discussion and Mock Interview Sessions, and Monthly & Yearly Current Affairs Magazine. About Physics Wallah (PW) Physics Wallah (PW), an Indian EdTech company, was founded in 2020 by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari. Headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, PW aims to democratize education through online, offline and hybrid platforms. Initially launched as a YouTube channel in 2014, PW now offers education to students through its YouTube channels in multiple vernacular languages PW aims to create a hybrid education ecosystem in the country by establishing tech- enabled offline and hybrid centers in cities nationwide. PW’s offerings span various educational segments, including Gurukulam Schools, test preparation in multiple categories, a skilling vertical, higher education, and study abroad. Additionally, the company also has an Institute of Innovation (IOI) that provides residential job-ready programs. PW has raised funding from investors, including Hornbill Capital, Lightspeed Ventures, Westbridge and GSV Ventures. www.pw.live (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
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December 6, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Lok Sabha passes Banking Laws Amendment Bill; Sitharaman says public sector banks are turning profitable BANKING LAWS FROM PAGE 1 multiple decades, with the Return on Assets at 1.3% and Return on Equity at 13.8%,” she said. She said when PM Jan Dhan Yojana was launched in 2014, a lot of questions were asked about how will the zero-balance accounts be maintained. “At that point of time, it was termed as a useless exercise (by critics). Today, we have Rs 2.37 lakh crore deposited in the PM Jan Dhan Accounts. In March 2025, the average balance of the PM Jan Dhan Accounts was Rs 1,065. It has now increased to Rs 4,397. The intention of the nationalisation of the banks was to reach the rural areas. In its true sense, that objective was achieved in the last 10 years through the PM Jan Dhan Yojana,” Sitharaman said. “All public sector banks are turning profitable. Between 2014 and today, the total bank branches of all scheduled commercial banks have increased by 3792 in a year to reach 1,65,501 in September 2024,” she added. Sitharaman also took a veiled dig at Congress-led UPA government for the bank lending norms during its rule. “Since 2014 we have been extremely cautious, so that banks remain stable. The intension is to keep our banks safe, stable, healthy, and after 10 years you are seeing the outcome. Total bank branches of scheduled commercial banks have increased by 3792 in a year to reach 16,55,001 in Sept 2024. Out of this 85,116 branches are of public sector banks,” she said. “Banks are being professionally run today. The metrics are healthy so they can go to the market and raise bonds, raise loans and run their business accordingly,” she added Sitharaman, who faced interruptions from opposition members, targeted and Congress and DMK over some apparent remarks concerning her felicity in Hindi. Referring to Congress, she said it should ask its ally in Tamil Nadu about its stance against teaching of Hindi. Targeting DMK over its stance of “imposition of Hindi”, Sitharaman said she wanted to learn Hindi but could not do so properly as DMK “imposed” its views on those wanting to learn the language. “You are imposing (your views) on me, denying my fundamental right to learn language I want to learn,” she said. She also said that PM Modi had taken Tamil language to United Nations. “Tell me one prime minister who has taken Tamil to the UN...Narendra Modi. Tell me one PM who quotes Tamil repeatedly...because he respects that language. Tell me one PM with whom DMK has been in alliance with, where the PM quoted Tamil,” she said.Speaker Om Birla said it is good to know more languages. Opposition members including Congress and DMK objected to BJP member Sambit Patra’s references to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in context of Nagarwala case and demanded that these should be expunged. “I think while Mr Sambit Patra was speaking, he actually crossed all the limits. Indira Gandhi ji was assassinated. She fought against Pakistan and won the war. Entire India remembers her as a mother....But what language did Mr Patra use? He said that she actually called the bank manager. I want to ask him if he was present there to witness this?” Congress member KC Venugopal said. Amid ruckus, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju objected to slogans by opposition members against the Chair. The Speaker also said that aspersions should not be cast on Chair and urged members to stick to the subject Congress member Gaurav Gogoi alleged that the banking system today is unfair, and it is broken. “It underwent nationalization, with the objective of opening bank branches in remote areas and making banking accessible to the poor and SC/STs. But that has stopped happening today. What is happening with farmers? Farmers who want their KCC loans to be renewed are not getting them because their credit ratings are not being corrected by the banks. Students who want student loans and who are from SC/ ST communities and are first-generation learners, they are not getting these loans. What is happening to young startups?” he asked. “People who are coming from the poor and middle classes, who don’t have land as collateral but want to open up a startup, are not getting bank loans. MSMEs and SMEs who want to expand their bags have to run around banks, CEOs, and managers,” he added. He alleged that people from poor and middle classes keep going knocking on requisite doors, “but they still don’t get the requisite funds to expand their projects”. “Middle-class people today are investing in the SBI primarily because of SBI’s solid reputation, but then the investor must know how much exposure SBI has to companies undergoing investigation, whether inside India or outside. Similarly, penalties for companies that are failing to disclose their unfair practices, their penalties must be higher. Our recommendation is that we increase the penalties for companies that don’t follow shareholding disclosure norms,” he said. The Congress member also said that SEBI should be given more teeth. “It wants to investigate, but it has no power over CBI, Income, and ED. Why? Because CBI, Income Tax, and ED are all busy after opposition politicians and CMs,” he alleged. In his remarks, Congress member Karti Chidambaram said Indian rupee against the US dollar today is at Rs 84.73, and the growth rate in this last quarter is 5.4 per cent, the lowest in seven quarters, and the inflation is at 6.21 per cent. “Whenever inflation is greater than economic growth, and if that continues, it will lead to stagflation. In this backdrop, this government has brought about the Banking Laws Amendment Bill. The Prime Minister, when he was parroting the slogan, “400 Par,” held a cabinet meeting and said that when he comes back to power, he will have a 100-day agenda where they will bring about majestic reforms. I’m sorry to say, Sir, if these are the reforms that the government talks about, this is hardly majestic. This is merely tinkering on the margins and is an innocuous change that they have brought about,” he alleged. Sitharaman replied to the allegations made by opposition members in her reply. Earlier, moving the bill for consideration and passing in the House, Sitharaman said it will strengthen governance in Indian banking sector besides enhancing consumer’s and customer’s convenience with respect to nominations and protection of investors. The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to improve governance standards and provide consistency in reporting by banks to the Reserve Bank of India. The amendments will also ensure better protection for depositors and investors and will also improve the quality of services in the public sector banks. Once the bill is passed, the Banking Regulation Act will allow up to four nominees for depositors. This includes provisions for simultaneous and successive nominations, offering greater flexibility and convenience for depositors and their legal heirs, especially concerning deposits, articles, safe custody and safety lockers. The proposed amendments seek to increase the tenure of directors other than the chairperson and full-time directors in cooperative banks from eight years to ten years.A total of 19 amendments are proposed in the Banking Laws Amendment Bill 2024. To ensure consistency in reporting by banks, the bill provides for reporting to RBI on the last day of every fortnight instead of Fridays.Under the RBI Act, scheduled banks must maintain a certain level of average daily balance with the RBI as cash reserves. This average daily balance is based on the average of the balances held by banks at the closing of business of each day of a fortnight.A fortnight is defined as the period from Saturday to the second following Friday (including both days). The Bill changes the definition of a fortnight to the period from the first day to the fifteenth day of each month or the sixteenth day to the last day of each month.It also changes this definition under the Banking Regulation Act where non-scheduled banks are required to maintain cash reserves. The bill redefines substantial interest in a company, currently it refers to holding shares of over Rs 5 lakh rupees or 10 per cent of the paid up capital whichever is less, this has been proposed to be hiked to Rs 2 crore. The central government is also empowered to alter the amount through a notification.Another major provision in the proposed bill allows a director of a central cooperative bank to serve on the board of a state cooperative bank. Currently, directors can hold positions in only one institution and not more.The structure of the cooperative bank necessitates this as unless a person is elected to one layer of the cooperative, they can’t get into the next layer and as a result, they will necessarily have to hold a position at more than one place. The bill also provides that any person whose shares or unclaimed/ unpaid money is transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), he can claim the transfer or refund. Currently if money in any account remains unpaid or unclaimed for seven years, it is transferred to the IEPF. Earlier during the question hour, the opposition members including those from DMK and Trinamool Congress (TMC) clashed with the government over the disbursal of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee alleged that West Bengal government is yet to receive some due funds under the central scheme. Responding to the TMC MP’s allegations, Union Rural Development Minister said that if the amount was not spent for the specified purpose, it can be stopped. He alleged that ineligible people were made eligible in the state. The Parliament resumed its normal functioning on Tuesday after a week’s deadlock over opposition demands including discussion on Adani issue, Manipur situation and Sambhal violence. (ANI)
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December 6, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK US Citizenship and Immigration Services reach FY 2025 H-1B Cap Wa s h i n g t o n [US], December 3 (ANI): The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it has received sufficient petitions to meet the congressionally mandated limits for H-1B visas for fiscal year (FY) 2025. The agency confirmed meeting the 65,000-visa regular cap and the 20,000visa US advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), USCIS stated, “We have received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa master’s cap for FY 2025. We will be sending non-selection notices over the next few days.” The agency further clarified, “When we complete sending nonselection notifications to registrants’ online accounts, the status for registrations properly submitted, but not selected, will now show as ‘Not Selected.’” According to the USCIS, individuals whose registrations were not selected will receive notifications in their online accounts. Meanwhile, the agency will continue to process H-1B petitions exempt from the cap. These include applications for current H-1B workers seeking extensions of their stay, changes to employment terms, or transfers to new employers. The USCIS also clarified that workers previously counted against the cap in prior years and who retain their cap numbers are not subject to the FY 2025 limit. Highlighting From The Poet’s Pen the purpose of the H-1B program, the USCIS noted that US businesses use it to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The agency encouraged petitioners to subscribe to updates on the H-1B cap season via the H-1B Cap Season webpage. As per the press release, the USCIS emphasised, “We will continue to accept and process petitions filed to extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the United States; change the terms of employment for current H1B workers; allow current H-1B workers to change employers; and allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in additional H-1B positions.” (ANI) Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 passed in Rajya Sabha New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 to expand the definition of mineral oils and include petroleum and natural gas passed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The bill was introduced by Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri for consideration and passing. The Bill will regulate the exploration and extraction of natural gas and petroleum. The amended bill expands the definition of mineral oils to include petroleum and natural gas in it. The amended bill includes any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, coal bed methane, and shale gas/oil in the category of mineral oils. However, it clarifies that mineral oils will not include coal, lignite or helium. The amended bill also provides for mining leases, this will include various activities such as exploration, prospecting, production, 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 making merchantable, and disposal of mineral oils. Prospecting is the initial stage in the search for oil and gas fields, involving the assessment of potential petroleum accumulations across large areas.The new bill will replace the mining lease with a petroleum lease to cover a similar set of activities. However, existing mining leases granted under the old Act will continue to be valid. The new bill will empower the central government to make rules on several matters like regulating the grant of leases, terms and conditions of leases including the minimum and the maximum area and the period of the lease, conservation and development of mineral oils, methods for producing oil, and manner of collection of royalties, fees, and taxes. The proposal also empowers the central government to make rules on the merger and combination of petroleum leases, sharing of production and processing facilities, obligations of lessees towards protecting the environment and reducing emissions and alternative mechanisms for resolving disputes in relation to the grant of petroleum leases. For cases of violation of rules, the bill provides to hike the punishment and penalty from a current fine of Rs 1000 to Rs 25 lakhs. In cases of exploring, prospecting and production without a valid lease a penalty of Rs 25 lakhs and continued violations will attract a penalty of Rs 10 lakh per day. US President-elect Donald Trump names Kash Patel as next FBI Director KASH PATEL 1 60 jury trials,” the US President-elect said. Trump further tasked Patel with addressing critical issues such as rising crime rates, criminal gangs, and human and drug trafficking across the US border. He also underlined that Patel would work under Attorney General Pam Bondi to restore the FBI‘s core motto: Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity. “This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the border,” Trump FROM PAGE stated, adding that “Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to restore Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.” Donald Trump secured a s econd term as President of the United States following his victory in the 2024 presidential election, winning 295 electoral votes, defeating Democratic rival Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes. Since his victory, Trump has moved quickly to finalise his foreign policy and national security team in preparation for his formal inauguration in January 2025. (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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December 6, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Ganga water in Haridwar unsafe for 3 dead, 2 injured drinking, suitable for bathing after car collides with truck on AhmedabadVadodara Expressway H a r i d w a r (Uttarakhand) [India], December 4 (ANI): The Ganga river water in Haridwar was found to be in ‘B’ category, making it unsafe for drinking but suitable for bathing, said Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board on Wednesday. The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board test the water of Ganga every month at about eight places around Haridwar along the Uttar Pradesh border. During the recent testing the water of the Ganga river for the month of November was found to be ‘B’ category. The river water is allotted into five categories with ‘A’ being the least toxic, which means that the water can be used as a source of drinking after disinfection, and ‘E’ being the most toxic. Talking exclusively to ANI, Rajendra Singh, regional officer of UKPCB said, “Central Pollution Control Board has divided the quality of water into 5 classes. On the basis of four parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen and total coliform bacteria), the quality of Ganga has been found to be in the ‘B’ category. This means that the water of Ganga is suitable for bathing.” Ujwal Pandit, the local priest also expressed his concern over the increasing pollution in water. He said that the purity of Ganga water is affected because of human waste. “By bathing with only Ganga water, the diseases of our body are cured. Diseases like cancer are cured by it. We claim that if you take Ganga water now and check it after 10 years, you will not find any impurity in it. But whatever is coming out regarding the purity of Ganga water is because of human waste and we need to change it,” he said. Meanwhile, the pollution in India’s river bodies, especially in Yumana river in Delhi, has been the cause of serious concern for the past few years. On December 1, a thick layer of toxic foam was seen floating on the surface of the Yanuma River, raising concerns about the potential health risk. (ANI) Nadiad (Gujarat) [India], December 4 (ANI): Three people died and two others were injured after car collides with truck on A h m e d a b a d - Va d o d a r a Expressway on Tuesday night, as per police officials. The accident happened near Nadiad on the Ahmedabad- Vadodara incident and descended into the deep ditch in the pitch dark of the night and along with the district police reached the two injured persons, who, after a lot of hard work were brought to the main road in a seriously injured condition with the help of rope and stretcher and were sent to the hospital with the help of an ambulance. (ANI) Expressway due to the sudden bursting of the car tyre. Three people have died, including two men and one woman, while two others have sustained injuries in the accident were admitted for treatment, as per police officials. “Two men and one woman died in the accident. A 41-year old man identified as Jim Phularam and a 14year-old girl have been admitted to the hospital and are undergoing treatment. The accident happened due to the sudden bursting of the car tyre. All these people were retuning from a wedding ceremony to Surat when the accident happened near Nadiad on the Ahmedabad- Vadodara express highway,” said police inspector VB Desai. Further details awaited. (ANI) New Delhi [India], December 2 (ANI): A 29year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged hit-and-run incident in which a woman constable was injured in New Delhi’s South West district, police said on Monday. The accused has been identified as Raghav Gupta, a resident of Janak Puri, Delhi. According to the police, the Sarojini Nagar police station received information from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi (AIIMS) Trauma Center that the victim received injuries in a road traffic accident near SN Depot, Sarojini Nagar. On receiving the information from the AIIMS Trauma Center, an Investigating Officer (IO) reached the hospital and the statement of the victim was recorded wherein she stated that she was posted at RK Puram police station. Uttarakhand: SDRF rescues three people after truck crashes into ditch in Nainital N a i n i t a l (Uttarakhand) [India], December 4 (ANI): The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has rescued three people after a truck crashed into a ditch in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The incident occurred near the Lohali area of the Nainital district on December 3. A local person informed the SDRF team about the incident on Tuesday, after which they immediately left for the spot with rescue equipment. As per the official statement, the truck fell into a deep ditch of 200 meters. Acting swiftly on the incident, the SDRF team rescued three injured individuals and admitted them to hospital for further treatment. An official statement from SDRF reads, “On December 3, 2024, SDRF was informed by a local person that a truck has fallen into a ditch near Lohali area, in which SDRF team is required for rescue. On the said information, the SDRF team immediately left for the spot with rescue equipment under the leadership of Chief Constable Naveen Kunwar.” “The SDRF team reached the spot and took immediate action, reached the said vehicle in a deep ditch about 200 meters below and 03 injured were brought to the main road through an alternative route on stretcher and sent to the hospital by ambulance for proper treatment,” it added. Earlier on November 29, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team rescued two persons who were seriously injured after the oil tanker they were travelling in fell into a ditch. The SDRF team received information that an oil tanker had fallen into the ditch at a place called Bemund between Khadi and Agrakhal, in which SDRF team is required for rescue, as per a press release. On the said information, the SDRF team from Post Dhalwala immediately left for the spot under the leadership of Sub Inspector Surendra Singh with necessary rescue equipment. The oil tanker was going towards Chamba and went out of control near Bemund under Thana Narendranagar area and crashed into a ditch about 150 meters deep from the main road, in which two people identified as the driver and conductor have been seriously injured. The SDRF team immediately reached the site of the Hit-and-Run case: Man arrested for injuring woman constable in southwest Delhi
FRIDAY DECEMBER 6, 2024 Sukhbir Badal directed to clean bathrooms, wash utensils as punishment for “religious misconduct” Amritsar (Punjab) [Amritsar], December 2 (ANI): Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was declared a ‘tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) in August by Akal for “some decisions” during his tenure as Punjab Deputy Chief Minister from 2007 to 2017, has been awarded religious punishment by the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht and directed to wash utensils, clean shoes and bathrooms. The Five High Priests, headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, also asked the working committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Badal as party chief and said that “Fakhar-e-Quam’ title bestowed on former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal “is withdrawn”. Pronouncing the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment), the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht, said Sukhbir Singh Badal will clean bathrooms from 12 to 1 pm on December 3. He has been told to serve the bathrooms of Sri Darbar Sahib from 12 to 1 pm tomorrow and then wash utensils for an hour and listen to Gurbani. He has been asked to wear a plaque around his neck. Sukhbir Badal has admitted the charges against him. The Sikh clergy also pronounced religious punishment for some others who are or were associated with SAD. They included Sukbir Singh Badal, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabaria and Balwinder Singh Bhundar. Sukhbir Badal, who arrived at the Golden Temple in a wheelchair because of a fractured leg, was asked to carry a “jhola on the deori” and hold a barsha. He has been told to sit outside the Golden Temple for an hour each for two days wearing the dress of ‘sewadar’. He also has to serve one hour in langar in gurudwaras. The Sikh clergy said that the Akali leadership has lost its moral foundation and president and office bearers should be elected within six months. Sukbir Badal had resigned as Shiromani Akali Dal president in November this year. The clergy also said that the rebel faction should try to strengthen the Akali Dal. Giani Raghbir Singh said Fakhar-e-Qaum received from Shri Akal Takht Sahib should “is withdrawn” from Parkash Singh Badal. The former Chief Minister passed away in April 2023. Former MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha was cautioned that if he speaks against the clergy, strict action will be taken. The Akal Takht had in August declared Sukbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya‘- guilty of religious misconduct, for “some decisions” during his tenure as deputy chief minister 2017. from 2007 to The move to declare Badal ‘tankahiya’ was made by five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht. Reading the order, Giani Raghbir Singh had said that Sukhbir Badal, along with his partner Sikh Cabinet Ministers need to submit their written explanations within 15 days.“A meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibs (five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht) was held at the Shri Akal Takht Sahibji in which it was unanimously decided that Sukhbir Singh Badal, as the Deputy Chief Minister of the Punjab Government and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, took some decisions which have harmed the image of 9 ‘Panthak Swaroop’. The situation of Shiromani Akali Dal has deteriorated and Sikh interests have suffered a lot. Therefore, his partner Sikh Cabinet Ministers, who were present in the government from 2007 to 2017, need to submit their written explanations in this regard within 15 days before the Shri Akal Takht,” he had said. (ANI)
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