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Mon, 31 August 2020
Delhi's sero-survey to start tomorrow
Timeline Refresh
23:37 Delhi's sero-survey to start tomorrow
The next round of monthly sero-prevalence survey in the national capital is slated to begin on Tuesday, with authorities gearing up for the exercise to further analyse the COVID-19 situation in Delhi.
Sources said the sample size this time is likely to be about 17,000. However, there was no official confirmation on its scale.
The last sero-prevalence survey was held from August 1 to 7, according to which antibodies against COVID-19 infection were found in 29.1 per cent of people surveyed in the national capital.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain while announcing the results of the August survey earlier this month had told reporters that 15,000 representative samples were taken from 11 districts, and that the next exercise was to begin from September 1.
The minister had also said that prevalence of antibodies found in men was 28.3 per cent, and 32.2 per cent in women.
The exercise was undertaken in the first week of August for a comprehensive assessment of the COVID-19 situation in Delhi and to formulate strategies based on its findings.
The national capital had seen spurt in daily cases in the last several days and steady rise in active cases since August 5.
-- PTI
23:24 India received 27% more rainfall this August
The India Meteorological Department on Monday predicted heavy to very heavy showers in parts of north, northeast and south India in the next three days, highlighting that the country recorded its highest rainfall in 44 years in the month of August.
The Met said the country saw 27 per cent more rainfall this August, fourth highest in the last 120 years. The overall rainfall recorded in the country from June 1 to August 31 was 10 per cent more than normal, it added.
"Rainfall recorded in August 2020 is fourth highest in the last 120 years and highest in 44 years," R K Jenamani, scientist at the IMD's national weather forecasting centre, said.
-- PTI
22:56 Bangladesh to hold 1-day mourning for Pranab
Bangladesh has announced a 1-day mourning for Pranab Mukherjee on September 2.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee, statesman, scholar and one of India's most respected leaders across the political spectrum, died on Monday evening following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments. He was 84.
The long-time Congress leader and seven-time parliamentarian, known for his encyclopaedic memory and insights into varied issues, had tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of his admission and was being treated for a lung infection. He suffered a septic shock on Sunday and died of a cardiac arrest at 4.30 pm, the hospital said.
The funeral will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday at the Lodhi Road crematorium, his family said.
22:31 COVID-19: US tops 6 million cases
The United States of America's caseload has exceeded six million, according to Johns Hopkins university.
The researchers have been keeping track of the viruss spread using both official releases and media reports.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has not yet released Mondays data, acknowledges has confirmed 5,934,824 cases.
The US is the worlds worst-affected country, with more than two million more cases than the next worst: Brazil.
22:10 Train services for NEET, JEE students in Mumbai
The Railways will permit students appearing for NEET and JEE exams and their guardians to travel by special suburban services in Mumbai on exam days, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Monday.
"Supporting students appearing for NEET & JEE exams, Railways has permitted them, and their guardians to travel by special suburban services in Mumbai on exam days.
General passengers are requested not to commute," he said in a tweet.
While the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is scheduled to be held on September 13, engineering entrance exam JEE-Main has been planned from September 1-6.
Around 8.58 lakh candidates have registered for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main and 15.97 lakh students for NEET.
These exams were deferred twice in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
-- PTI
22:00 Pence describes Trump and PM Modi as 'larger than life figures'
US Vice President Mike Pence on Monday described President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "larger than life figures" and credited the two top leaders for strengthening the strategic bilateral ties.
"When you think about the US and India, you think about two strongest democracies in the world, the shared values," Pence said during a virtual event on the US-India organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, a non-profit organisation.
He credited Prime Minister Modi and President Trump for strengthening the bilateral ties and said the relationship between India and the US has never been so strong, but the best is yet to come.
"So much of the strong India-US ties is a result of the relationship that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have forged. They are both larger than life figures. People know where they stand. They have great aspirations," Pence said.
He said the relation between the USA and India is deeply personal and has only grown with time.
"What lies at the core of the dramatic growth in the relations are those family ties, those economic ties, and ultimately those shared values - two strongest and prosperous democracies in the world," Pence said.
-- PTI
21:38 Indian troops violated consensus, claims PLA
Chinese military on Monday said it strongly demands India to withdraw its troops from China-India border in order to avoid escalation of tension, according to Reuters.
People's Liberation Army's Western Command said Indian troops violated the consensus reached at "multi-level talks" between the two countries. "Indian troops have violated the consensus reached at the multi-level talks between India and China and again crossed the line of actual control at the border on Monday and purposely launched provocations," PLA's Western Command was quoted as saying by China's state-run Global Times.
The Indian Army has thwarted an attempt by the Chinese Army to transgress into Indian areas near the southern bank of Pangong Tso near Chushul in Ladakh on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday and talks are being held now to resolve the issue there, an Army spokesperson said earlier in the day.
-- ANI
21:14 Learnt so much from Pranab, says Sonia Gandhi
In a condolence letter she wrote to Pranab Mukherjee's daughter Sharmishtha, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi said, " Pranabda had been such an integral and prominent part of national life, the Congress party and the central government for over five decades, it is hard to imagine how we can do without his wisdom, experience, sage advice and deep understanding of so many subjects."
"I personally have so many warm memories of my working with him, and I learnt so much from him. The Congress party deeply mourns his loss and will always honour his memory," Sonia Gandhi wrote.
20:53 Monsoon Session to start from September 14
Parliament's monsoon session will begin from September 14, a notification issued on Monday said.
The notification issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat said President Ram Nath Kovind has called the lower house to meet on Monday, September 14 at 9 am.
Rajya Sabha is expected to meet at a different time on the same day, as it has been decided to stagger the sitting of the two houses due to the COVID-19 guidelines.
The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs had earlier recommended that the monsoon session be held from September 14 to October 1. There will be in total 18 consecutive sittings with no holiday or weekend break, according to officials.
Hectic preparations are underway for the session with several first-time measures because of the COVID-19 pandemic such as testing of all MPs, staggered sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and use of both chambers and galleries to accommodate members while following physical distancing norms, officials had said.
-- PTI
20:30 Mukherjee was like guide for us, didn't believe in political untouchability: RSS
Condoling the demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday described him as a "guide" for the Sangh and said he didn't believe in political untouchability.
Mukherjee was an able administrator who kept national interest supreme, Bhagwat said in a joint statement along with RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi.
Mukherjee didn't practice political untouchability and was respected by all parties, the statement said.
"He was a guide for Sangh and was affectionate towards the organisation and his passing away is irreparable loss to the RSS," it added.
Mukherjee was attacked by the Congress itself in June 2018 for attending an event of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP.
But later, the Congress was all appreciation after Mukherjee in his speech emphasised that the soul of India is pluralism, tolerance and inclusion.
In his speech, Mukherjee had warned that any attempt to define India through "religion, hatred, dogmas and intolerance" will dilute our existence and said public discourses must be freed of all forms of violence.
Mukherjee's message to hundreds of 'pracharaks' and top-brass of the RSS, which is often described as a Hindu right-wing organisation, was described as a 'mirror of truth to the RSS' by the Congress, whose several leaders had earlier been critical of his decision to attend the event at the Sangh headquarters.
-- PTI
20:15 Pranab to be cremated in Delhi, not Bengal
Pranab Mukherjee will be laid to rest in New Delhi and not his hometown Birbhum in West Bengal.
The schedule for his final rites will be released shortly.
Former President and Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday after prolonged illness.
He was 84. Mukherjee had been in deep state of comatose due to complications following a brain surgery earlier this month.
The news of his demise was announced on Twitter by his son Abhijit Mukherjee.
19:59 Unlock 4.0: Maharashtra eases curbs on hotels, travel, govt office attendance
The government of Maharashtra on Monday issued new guidelines for easing the flow of activities in the state as part of Mission Begin Again.
The new rules will come into effect from September 2 in areas utside containment zones.
Even as the central government has allowed the operation of the Metro rail from September 7, the state government in its fresh guidelines mentioned that the Metro will remain prohibited across the state.
On the other hand, private offices will be allowed to operate with 30 per cent strength.
Hotels and lodges will be allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity. Separate SOP will be issued.
However, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutes will remain closed till September 30.
19:39 Pranab's demise: Govt announces 7-day mourning
JUST IN: The government has announced seven-day state mourning on demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee. -- PTI
19:17 SC asks MHA to ensure Mallya's presence on Oct 5
JUST IN: Supreme Court directs fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to be present in person before it on October 5 at 2 pm and directs Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure his presence in the courtroom on that day. -- ANI
19:05 'Blessed to have been born your daughter'
Pranab's daughter Sharmishtha Mukherjee tweets this heartfelt tribute to her father:
'I bow to all.
'Baba, taking the liberty to quote from your favourite poet to say your final goodbye to all. You have led a full, meaningful life in service of the nation, in service of our people.
'I feel blessed to have been born as your daughter.'
18:47 The country has lost a statesman: VP Naidu
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday condoled the death of former president Pranab Mukherjee, saying the country has lost a statesman.
Mukherjee, 84, died on Monday in an army hospital in New Delhi, his son Abhijit said.
He was admitted to hospital on August 10 and a health bulletin this morning said he was in a deep coma and on ventilator support.
'The country has lost an elder statesman in his death. He rose from humble beginnings to occupy the country's highest constitutional position through hard work, discipline and dedication,' the Vice President Secretariat tweeted quoting Naidu.
Mukherjee brought dignity and decorum to every post held by him during his long and distinguished public service, the vice president observed.
'My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti,' he said. -- PTI
18:25 Pranab Da served the nation with utmost devotion: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweets:
'Deeply anguished on the passing away of former President of India, Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee ji. He was a vastly experienced leader who served the nation with utmost devotion. Pranab Da's distinguished career is a matter of great pride for the entire country.
'Pranab Da's life will always be cherished for his impeccable service and indelible contribution to our motherland. His demise has left a huge void in Indian polity.
'My sincerest condolences are with his family and followers on this irreparable loss. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.'
18:21 A towering statesman: PM condoles Pranab's death
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoles the passing away of former President Pranab Mukherjee:
'India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. A scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum and by all sections of society.
'As India's President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made Rashtrapati Bhavan even more accessible to common citizens. He made the President's house a centre of learning, innovation, culture, science and literature.
'His wise counsel on key policy matters will never be forgotten by me.
'I was new to Delhi in 2014. From Day 1, I was blessed to have the guidance, support and blessings of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. I will always cherish my interactions with him. Condolences to his family, friends, admirers and supporters across India. Om Shanti,' the PM said in a series of tweets.
'I was new to Delhi in 2014. From Day 1, I was blessed to have the guidance, support and blessings of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. I will always cherish my interactions with him. Condolences to his family, friends, admirers and supporters across India. Om Shanti,' the PM said in a series of tweets.
18:11 Former President Pranab Mukherjee passes away
Former president Pranab Mukherjee passes away, son Abhijit Mukherjee tweets.
'With a Heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Shri Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away in spite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital & prayers, duas & prarthanas from people throughout India !
I thank all of You,' Abhijit tweeted.
I thank all of You,' Abhijit tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the demise of Mukherjee.
The former president was admitted to Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment on August 10 and was operated the same day for removal of a clot in his brain.
He was also tested positive for COVID-19 and later developed a lung infection.
His condition declined on Monday morning after he suffered a septic shock due to his lung infection, the Hospital said. -- PTI/ANI
17:40 Ex-AAP MLA got cash to fuel Delhi riots: ED
Suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain received cash from dubious entities and hawala operators and used the money to "fuel" anti-CAA protests and riots in Delhi in February, the Enforcement Directorate said on Monday. The Central probe agency had arrested Hussain last week and a local court on August 28 sent him to ED custody for six days.
The agency on Monday brought him to its office in New Delhi from Tihar jail for interrogation. Hussain, the agency said, has been "arrested in connection with ongoing PMLA investigation into his role in money laundering and funding of anti-CAA protests and organising riots in north-east Delhi during February, 2020."
The ED had booked Hussain and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after studying multiple FIRs of the Delhi Police's crime branch to probe the riots.
"Probe revealed that companies owned and controlled by Tahir Hussain and his relatives transferred huge amounts of money to dubious entities and entry operators (people involved in hawala transactions) which was returned by them in cash," the agency said in a statement.
"The cash received by Tahir Hussain through entry operators was used to fuel the anti-CAA protests and Delhi riots," it said. The ED investigation also found "involvement of Tahir Hussain and his companies in illegal laundering of money in the past too. It had raided premises linked to Hussain, his relatives and associates in Delhi, Noida and Greater Noida on June 23. -- PTI
17:24 Tharoor celebrates Onam
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor posts this picture with his family on the occasion of Onam, today. "Celebrated Onam with a sadya for staff and families (a socially-distanced dozen) from the superb Kerala restaurant in Delhi's Saket, @mahabelly (which also helpfully supplied the masks). The authentic taste of home, hygienically packaged, was a small comfort in hard times."
Also see: What's Malaika eating this Onam?
17:16 Bhushan to pay Re 1 fine, may appeal order
Activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan tweeted his statement to the Supreme Court in the contempt case against him. "I am grateful for the support of countless people: activists, lawyers, judges and fellow citizens who encouraged me to stand firm. I am gratified that it seems to have given strength to many people to stand up &speak out against injustice."
Prashant Bhushan said on Monday that he will submit the token fine of Re 1 imposed by the Supreme Court in the contempt case for his tweets against the judiciary, but also indicated he would file a review plea against the order. Bhushan said he has the greatest respect for judiciary and the tweets were not intended to disrespect the apex court or the judiciary. "I reserve my right to file review, I propose to submit and pay fine as directed by the court," Bhushan said in a press conference. PTI
Image: Prashant Bhushan's statement in the contempt case.
17:01 Reliance almost doubles retail footprint with acquisition of Future Group
Reliance Industries Ltd's acquisition of debt-strapped Future Group will almost double the footprint of its retail business, which now is valued at up to USD 68 billion, analysts said. The oil-to-telecom conglomerate on Saturday announced the acquisition of Future's retail, wholesale, logistics and warehousing units for Rs 24,713 crore.
The deal terms entail a merger of five listed units of Future Group into Future Enterprises Ltd (FEL). Reliance Retail has also proposed to invest Rs 1,200 crore in FEL preferential equity (6.09 per cent of post-merger equity of FEL) and Rs 1,600 crore in preferential warrants (option to acquire further 7.05 per cent).
The deal increases the retail store footprint of Reliance Retail Ltd, a unit of RIL, from current 28.7 million square feet to 52.5 million sq ft, consolidating its pole position, analysts said.
While UBS said the deal would require approvals from SEBI, CCI and NCLT in addition to no objection from creditors and minority shareholders, JP Morgan said it remains to be seen if Reliance would look to re-brand the existing Future group stores under own formats.
The deal brings potential synergies from the increased geographic presence, improving sourcing efficiencies and cost rationalisation, UBS said raising its valuation of Reliance Retail from USD 64 billion to USD 68 billion. HSBC said the acquisition implies a clean acquisition of Future Retail, Future Lifestyle Fashions Ltd (FLFL) and Future Supply Chain Solutions Ltd (FSCSL).
In addition, it will acquire a 13.1 per cent shareholding in the remaining of FEL. "The deal will allow Reliance Retail to almost double its retail area under operation and increase the store count by 15 per cent," it said. -- PTI
16:54 Markets in the red over China aggression
Indian markets opened trade on a positive note, but the sentiment failed to sustain in the afternoon session following reports of the border tensions with China, said Narendra Solanki, Head- Equity Research (Fundamental), Anand Rathi. "Also the Sebi's new margining system starts from Tuesday which also likely impacted mid- and small-cap stocks where aggressive profit booking was seen," he added. Meanwhile, market sentiment was also weakened after the release of core sector data. The output of eight core infrastructure sectors contracted for the fifth consecutive month, dropping 9.6 per cent in July, mainly due to a decline in production of steel, refinery products and cement.
16:35 Why does Cong cry when Army defends LAC: BJP
Hitting back at the Congress after it targeted the Union government over the Chinese aggression at the Ladakh border, the BJP asked why the opposition party is "crying" when the Indian Army has kept the nation's territorial integrity secure by thwarting the neighbouring country's designs. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra at a press conference said that India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have shown "red eyes" to China and questioned as to why is the Congress showing "moist eyes".
He was responding to Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's jibe at the government. The Congress leader had said in a tweet, "Another brazen attempt at aggression by China in Pangong Tso Lake. Everyday there is a Chinese intrusion...Pangong Tso Lake area, Gogra and Galwan valley, Depsang plains, Lipu Lake, Doka La and Naku La pass. Our armed forces are standing fearlessly to protect Mother India. But when will Modi ji show his red eyes."
Patra said the issue pertaining to China is not about one party but about the country, and noted that the Ministry of Defence has issued a statement in which it said that the Chinese army tried to violate Indian sovereignty but its attempts were thwarted.
"The BJP and the people of India salute the Indian Army. The bravery with which they have discharged their duty and protected India's sovereignty deserves our salute," he said.
Attacking the Congress, he said, "India and Modi ji have red eyes. Indian Army has shown its red eyes. That is why India's sovereignty is intact. Nobody can challenge it. Everyone has trust in the Indian Army and Modi, and stands by them."
Patra said that as long as this government and the army are there, nobody can play with the country's sovereignty. "I want to ask Randeep Surjewala, Rahul Gandhi that we have red eyes but why do you have moist eyes? Whenever we are attacked or we carry out a surgical strike to destroy terrorist camps, then why do you start crying? You should be happy," he said.
"Our army has valour, and our government and the prime minister have self-confidence, he said, asking why does it bother the Congress and why is it crying."
In a fresh incident in eastern Ladakh, the Chinese PLA carried out "provocative military movements" to "unilaterally" change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangong Tso lake but the attempt was thwarted by Indian troops, the Army said on Monday.
16:16 DK Shivakumar recovers from Covid
Congress president DK Shivakumar was discharged from Suguna Hospital in Bengaluru after recovering from COVID-19.
16:11 Sensex crashes 839 pts over China flare-up
Snapping its six-session winning run, the BSE benchmark Sensex plummeted 839 points on Monday as fresh India-China border tensions triggered a broad-based selloff in domestic equities. Profit-booking at higher levels and weak macroeconomic data also fuelled the crash, traders said.
After rallying 543 points in the morning session and touching the 40,000-mark, the BSE Sensex surrendered all gains to close at 38,628.29, showing a loss of 839.02 points or 2.13 per cent. Similarly, the NSE Nifty tanked 260.10 points or 2.23 per cent to end at 11,387.50. In a fresh incident in eastern Ladakh, the Chinese army carried out "provocative military movements" to "unilaterally" change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangong Tso lake but the attempt was thwarted by the Indian troops, the Army said on Monday.
Sun Pharma was the top loser in the Sensex pack, plunging over 7 per cent, followed by SBI, Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, NTPC, ICICI Bank, Kotak Bank, M&M and Maruti. Only ONGC and TCS ended on a positive note. Indian markets opened trade on a positive note, but the sentiment failed to sustain in the afternoon session following reports of the border tension with China.
16:08 Ladakh LG meets MoS Home amid China trouble
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh R K Mathur on Monday met Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy, amidst fresh tension between the Indian Army and China's PLA. The details of the meeting were not known immediately but sources said the prevailing situation along the Line of Actual Control was discussed. The meeting came hours after the Indian Army said it thwarted "provocative" military movements by Chinese troops on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 to unilaterally change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake area in eastern Ladakh. PTI
15:25 'New Delhi desperate for negotiated solution'
Strategic affairs journalist Ajai Shukla on China's border violations: "Sunday's border violations by PLA in Pangong-Chushul sector are more serious than govt is admitting. China is steadily pushing the Line of Actual Control westwards. The Indian Army wants to stop "dialogue" and take action. But New Delhi is desperate for a negotiated solution."
15:23 Sushant case: ED questions Goa hotelier; NCB continues probe
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday questioned a Goa-based hotelier, Gaurav Arya,in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, officials said. Arya arrived at the central probe agency's office in Mumbai's in Ballard Estate area around 10:30 am accompanied by his legal team.
The ED had summoned Arya last week to join the probe after it recovered some mobile phone messages reportedly sent by actor and Rajput's live-in partner Rhea Chakraborty to him in 2017 and they purportedly indicated discussion of certain banned narcotics, officials had said.
The agency will record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. Arya, who runs two hotels in Goa, had earlier told news channels that he has never dealt in narcotics and his last interaction with Rhea was about three years ago, adding he will "comply" with all legal procedures.
He had also said that he never met Rajput, 34, who was allegedly found hanging at his duplex flat in the Bandra area of Mumbai on June 14. The agency is looking at the money laundering angle in this case and hence all conversations and entities that are linked to the matter are required to be questioned to establish facts and to find out if any criminality is involved, a senior ED official had said.
The ED has also recently intimated the Narcotics Control Bureau about these purported drugs-linked chats which it recovered after 'cloning' two mobile phones of Rhea. It has already recorded Rhea's version, under the PMLA, about these chats that purportedly indicate procurement of banned drugs. Rhea, 28, the main accused in the case, her father Indrajit Chakraborty, brother Showik and multiple staff members of her and Rajput have been grilled by the ED till now.
Mount Kailash
15:10 China builds missile site at Kailash-Mansarovar
Amid tensions with India over the standoff in Eastern Ladakh sector, China has reportedly built a surface-to-air missile near a lake, which is a part of the Kailash-Mansarovar. The development of the missile, according to experts, is a continuation of the aggressive provocation by the Chinese and it could further complicate the border tensions between the two countries, The Epoch Times reported.
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, commonly known as the Kailash-Mansarovar site is revered by four religions and is linked to culture and spiritual scriptures in India. While the Hindus consider the site as the abode of Shiva and his consort Parvati, the Tibetan Buddhists call the mountain Kang Rimpoche, the "Precious One of Glacial Snow," and revere it as the abode of Demchog and his consort, Dorje Phagmo.
The Jains call the mountain Astapada and consider it to be the place where the first of their 24 spiritual masters achieved liberation. The Bons, adherents of the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, term the mountain Tise and revere it the dwelling place of the sky goddess, Sipaimen.
The placing of the missile at the sacred site, which is also the origin of four transnational rivers -- Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutlej and Karnali, a major tributary of the Ganges, menaces India, which has refused to back down against Chinese aggression on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
"In my view, first and foremost, it is a continuation of the Chinese provocation against India, which we are seeing all along from the LAC in Ladakh to the eastern and middle sector bordering areas with India," Priyajit Debsarkar, author and a geopolitical analyst with the London-based think tank Bridge India, told The Epoch Times in an e-mail.
"This move, of deploying a surface-to-air missile in Tibet, should not surprise us. It is pure authoritarian brinkmanship and provocation to India, which has refused to back down against Chinese threats and aggressive aggression," Debsarkar said.
15:01 Punjab, Kerala slam Centre on GST 'breach'
Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal writes to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over GST compensation and the options given to states after the 41st GST Council Meeting. "We take both options with great regret as a clear breach of the solemn and constitutional assurance by the Centre. We believe this as betrayal of the spirit of cooperative federalism that formed the backbone of GST-journey so far," he writes in the letter.
The Centre, last week, presented two options to states under which they can borrow from the market to make up for the estimated deficit of Rs 2.35 lakh crore this fiscal. At the end of a five-hour long meeting of the GST Council last week, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said there was no proposal to raise tax rates to make up for the shortfall that has been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac tweeted, "Now that we fully understand Centre's intentions on GST Compensation we have no choice other than to reject them lock, stock and barrel. No state with Atmanirbhar can accept them. Enough is enough. No more surrender of states rights. GST Compensation is our constitutional right."
14:39 Civilians injured in grenade blast in Kashmir
Terrorists lobbed a grenade on an Indian Army vehicle in Baramulla today. But the grenade missed the vehicle and exploded on the road, injuring six civilians present at the spot: Jammu & Kashmir Police
14:33 When will PM give befitting reply to China: Cong
After a fresh transgression attempt by the Chinese Army in Ladakh, the Congress on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him when he will give a befitting reply to China.Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala demanded that the Prime Minister and Defence Minister should come forward and inform about the situation.
"The new adventure of occupation on the land of the country! New Chinese Infiltration Daily ........ Pangong So Lake area, Gogra and Galvan Valley, Depsung Planes, Lipulesh Transcripts, Doka La and Naku La Pass. The army stands fearless in defence of Mother India. But when will Modi ji's "red eye" appear? #IndiaChinaBorderTension," he tweeted.
The Congress leader also posted a video on Twitter attacking the government over the issue.
"The sovereignty of India is being attacked. Our land is being captured. But where is Modi government? Press release of Defence Ministry is shocking that stated that the Chinese tried to capture our land and involved in a skirmish with Indian soldiers on August 29-30... Now it is not restricted to Ladakh but has reached Lipulekh in Uttarakhand," he said.
"Chinese missiles have been installed in Doka La and Naku La pass. It is a threat to India. Forces are protecting the border. But where is the Prime Minister? When will he give a befitting reply to China? Where is Defence Minister? We demand that the Prime Minister and Defence Minister should come forward and inform us about the situation. When will they remove Chinese transgression from our territory?" the Congress leader asked.
14:07 China redeployed J-20 fighter jets near Ladakh
Days before the Chinese Army tried to carry out fresh transgressions near the Southern bank of Pangong Tso lake, the People's Liberation Army's Air Force redeployed its J-20 fifth-generation fighter aircraft near Ladakh for operational deployment and they are still carrying out extensive flying there.
On the intervening night of August 29-30, the Indian Army noticed the movement of Chinese troops and thwarted an attempt by them to transgress into new areas near the southern bank of the Pangong Tso lake east of Chushul in Ladakh area.
"The J-20 has been deployed by the PLAAF at the Hotan air base and they have been flying close to the Indian territory near Ladakh and adjoining areas. The deployment of strategic bomber aircraft is also still on by the Chinese," government sources told ANI.
The move by the Chinese Air Force to redeploy their latest and most capable aircraft at air bases near Ladakh comes soon after India started rapidly operationalising the Rafale fighter jets, five of which have joined the Air Force and three to four more will join in a couple of months, the sources said.
The J-20 and their other aircraft have been carrying out extensive operational flying taking off from the different air bases opposite Ladakh territory mainly including Hotan and Gar Gunsa.
The Chinese had earlier deployed the J-20s at these air bases.
However, these were shifted to some other bases before being redeployed.
File image
14:03 Landslides block J-K highway, 300 vehicles stranded
Landslides and mudslides triggered by heavy rains blocked the 270-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway at several places in Ramban district on Monday, officials said.
Over 300 vehicles were stranded at several places on the highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.
The men and machines of the National Highway Authority of India and Border Roads Organisation have started clearance of the landslides to restore the traffic on the highway, they said.
However, the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road, which connects UTs of J-K and Ladakh, is open for traffic.
The Mughal road, connecting Shopian district of Kashmir valley with Poonch district of Jammu region, is through for vehicles carrying essentials, mostly trucks and oil tankers, they said.
The traffic on inter-district Kishtwar-Paddar road has been restored on Monday after clearance of landslides, which blocked the road 3 days ago, they said. -- PTI
13:27 Telegraph's Aveek Sarkar is new PTI Chairman
Aveek Sarkar, the Editor Emeritus and Vice Chairman of the Ananda Bazar Group of Publications, has been elected Chairman of Press Trust of India, the country's premier news agency. Sarkar's election was ratified by PTI's Board of Directors at their meeting on Saturday. He succeeds Vijay Kumar Chopra, Chief Editor of the Punjab Kesari Group of newspapers.
Sarkar, 75, started training as a journalist while he was a student, just out of school. After graduating from the University of Calcutta, he went to Britain where he came under the tutelage of the legendary editor of The Sunday Times, Sir Harold Evans. He was schooled in journalism by such iconic figures as Edwin Taylor in design and Ian Jack in sub-editing.
As Chief Editor of the Ananda Bazar Group, Sarkar was the moving force behind the transformation of the group's publications, which include Bengali language daily Anandabazar Patrika and English daily The Telegraph, both of which he personally edited.
In addition, the Kolkata-based group also runs six television news channels in various languages, of which the most prominent is the Hindi-language ABP News. The group also publishes a large number of magazines.
Sarkar is a man of varied interests and counts books, food, wine and art among his principal loves. He is a fitness fanatic and spends almost two hours every day on yoga, weights and rowing. He was captain of the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) for 10 years. He was the founding Managing Director of Penguin India, the Indian counterpart of Penguin Books, the founding Editor of Business Standard and also the pivotal figure behind the acquisition of STAR News by the ABP Group in 2003.
Besides Sarkar and Chopra, the PTI Board members are Vineet Jain (Times of India), N. Ravi (The Hindu), Viveck Goenka (the Express Group), Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Dainik Jagran), K.N. Shanth Kumar (Deccan Herald), Riyad Mathew (Malayala Manorama), M.V.Shreyamskumar(Mathrubhumi), R. Lakshmipathy (Dinamalar), Hormusji N Cama (Bombay Samachar), Praveen Someshwar (Hindustan Times), Justice R.C. Lahoti, Deepak Nayyar, Shyam Saran and J.F. Pochkhanawalla. PTI
File pic
13:22 Rahul accuses Modi of destroying informal economy
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the Modi government of destroying the informal sector of the economy and trying to enslave it. He charged that the government wants to break this sector and called upon the entire country to unite and fight against this.
He cited demonetisation, "wrong" GST and the lockdown as three examples of government's attempt to destroy the informal sector, that provides 90 per cent jobs to people.
"The BJP government has attacked the informal structure. There is an attempt to turn you into a slave," he charged. "The BJP government has been attacking the informal sector over the past 6 years. I am giving you three massive examples right now -- Demonetisation, wrong GST and Lockdown," he said in a new video series on the economy. "Don't think the lockdown was unplanned. Don't think it was done at the last minute. The aim of these three decisions was to destroy our informal sector," he alleged.
Gandhi said the informal sector, which comprises the poor, farmers and small traders, has a lot of money which the government cannot touch. "They want to break this sector and extort this money from them," he charged.
"The effects of this attack on the informal sector will be seen soon. The results will be that India won't be able to produce jobs. Because the informal sector produces 90 percent of the jobs. Once the informal sector is destroyed India won't be able to produce jobs," he said.
"You are the ones who run this country, You take us forward and there is a conspiracy against you. You are being cheated and there is an attempt to turn you into slaves. We have to understand this attack and the entire country has to unite to fight against this," he also said in the 4-minute video "Let's talk economy".
The former Congress president said in 2008, the world was hit by an economic storm and it affected the entire world, the US, Japan, China and everywhere. He said in the US banks fell, corporations fell and companies shut down and banks also fell in Europe, but India was unaffected and the UPA government was in power at the time.
Gandhi said he went to the prime minister and asked Manmohan Singh what is the reason why the entire world suffered an economic crisis but India remained unaffected. "Manmohan Singh ji replied, Rahul if you want to understand India's economy, you will have to understand that India has two economic structures. One is the formal economy and the other is the informal economy. "You know the big companies which constitute the formal sector. The informal sector comprises farmers, labourers, MSMEs. Till the time India's informal sector is strong, no economic storm can touch India," he said.
Image: Rahul Gandhi revealed that Dr Manmohan Singh had told him that till the time India's informal sector is strong, no economic storm can touch India.
12:59 Treat docs dying in Covid like army martyrs: IMA
The Indian Medical Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking that all doctors who have died of Covid-19 be treated at par with martyrs of the armed forces, and their dependents be provided government jobs in accordance with their qualifications. In a letter to the prime minister, the country's largest body of doctors said only an "inclusive national solatium" for all doctors who have lost their lives fighting the pandemic would render justice to the sacrifice of their families.
The IMA cited government data and said 87,000 healthcare workers had been infected and 573 of them had lost their lives due to Covid-19. However, the Centre has not officially released these figures.
Noting that the data has raised concerns all across the country, the IMA said its data for doctors alone has registered 307 deaths and a total 2,006 infected. It said 188 of those died are general practitioners who are the first point of contact for people.
"Doctors suffer a higher viral load and a higher CFR (Case Fatality Rate) as a community. IMA is constrained to point out that they could have stayed back at home during the epidemic safely. They chose to serve the nation in the best traditions of the medical profession," said the letter dated August 30.
The solatium approved by the government for their colleagues in government services in all fairness is deserved by the children of these martyrs as well, the association said.
"All doctors who have laid down their lives in fighting this epidemic should be treated at par with the martyrs of Indian Armed Forces and acknowledged appropriately. The surviving spouse or dependent should be provided a government job as per their qualifications," the IMA said.
It also raised the issue that whatever solatium that is in place had failed to reach the beneficiaries due to the inadequacy of the chosen instrument and the "indifference".
"The scheme is reported to have been lapsed as well. There is a pressing need to reconsider the same on merit and create a dedicated system to administer," the IMA said.
A national scheme to support the "soldiers fighting a pandemic" cannot be allowed to degenerate into just another pecuniary benefit for government servants, it said. "We once again appeal to your goodself that such a sacrifice by doctors needs to be acknowledged by the highest office of the nation irrespective of the sectors," the IMA said in the letter to Modi.
"We are also writing to you at this juncture since it has been predicted that India will top the world in number of cases in a few weeks. Healthcare manpower is precious. Uniform practices have to be put in place throughout the country," it said.
The IMA said substantial differences were noticed from district to district in how doctors and healthcare workers were deployed. It asserted that districts were not sensitive to the safety angle, and the concerns of stress and fatigue of the medical manpower. -- PTI
12:21 Prashant Bhushan fined Re 1 by SC in contempt case
Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan, held guilty of contempt for his tweets criticising the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and the Supreme Court, has been fined Re 1 by the top court.
Prashant Bhushan has been asked to pay the fine by September 15, failing which he will be sentenced to three months in jail or he cannot work as a lawyer for three years.
The 63-year-old had refused to retract his comments or apologise, maintaining that it would be contempt of his conscience and the court. His lawyer has argued that that the court must and should take extreme criticism as its "shoulders are broad enough".
12:18 GST compensation our Constitutional right: Kerala
Amid a chorus by non-NDA ruled states for compensation of GST revenue shortfall, Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac tweeted, "Now that we fully understand Centre's intentions on GST Compensation we have no choice other than to reject them lock, stock and barrel. No state with Atmanirbhar can accept them. Enough is enough. No more surrender of states rights. GST Compensation is our constitutional right."
The Centre on Thursday presented two options to states under which they can borrow from the market to make up for the estimated deficit of Rs 2.35 lakh crore this fiscal.
At the end of a five-hour long meeting of the GST Council last week, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said there was no proposal to raise tax rates to make up for the shortfall that has been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Citing a legal opinion from the attorney general, she ruled out the Centre making good the shortfall from either its coffers or borrowing against its balance sheet.
"This year we are facing an extraordinary situation... We are facing an act of God which might even result in a contraction of the economy, to what percent I am not getting into. Therefore, we said that a portion (of compensation) which strictly is hardwired in the (GST) Act, we will arrange, give it to you...," Sitharaman said.
11:56 Sushant: CBI to quiz Rhea for 4th consecutive day
Actress Rhea Chakraborty reached the DRDO guest house in Mumbai on Monday for questioning by the CBI for the fourth consecutive day in the case of death of her boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput, a police official said.
Chakraborty is accused of abetting the suicide of Rajput (34), who was found hanging in his flat in suburban Bandra on June 14.
The 28-year-old actress along with her brother Showik Chakraborty arrived at the guest house located at Kalina in Santacruz, where the probe team is stationed, around 11 am in a car which was escorted by a Mumbai Police vehicle, the official said. Rajput's cook Neeraj Singh also reached the guest house in the morning, he said.
On Sunday, Rhea Chakraborty was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation team for about nine hours. She was quizzed for nearly seven hours on Saturday and around 10 hours on Friday. Her brother is being questioned by the CBI since last Thursday. The actress was earlier questioned by the Mumbai Police in the case.
The Enforcement Directorate has also quizzed her in a related money laundering case. The Supreme Court last week upheld the transfer of an FIR, lodged by Rajput's father in Patna against the actress and others for allegedly abetting his son's suicide and misappropriating his money, to the CBI. PTI
Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe
11:48 Japan mulls picking new PM on September 17
Japan is considering to hold an extraordinary parliamentary session on September 17 to pick the country's new Prime Minister to succeed Shinzo Abe, local media reported on Sunday.
According to public broadcaster NHK, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is expected to decide when and how to choose its next leader in a General Council meeting on September 1.
Meanwhile, LDP top officials are making final arrangements to have its members in both houses of the Diet meet around September 13-15 to choose the party's president. Then, the party plans to call an extraordinary parliamentary session to elect the new prime minister on September 17, according to the report.
Currently, LDP Policy Research Council Chairperson Fumio Kishida and former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba have shown interest in running in the party's presidential race. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga is also seen as a potential candidate. -- ANI
11:37 SC dismisses Mallya's plea
Supreme Court dismisses a plea filed by fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, seeking a review of its May 2017 order holding him guilty of contempt for transferring USD 40 million to his children, in violation of the court's order.
11:30 Rhea, brother arrive for CBI probe
Actor Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty arrive at the DRDO guest house in Santacruz, Mumbai. They are being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.
File pic
11:20 China violated LAC on Saturday night: Army
"On the night of 29/30 August, PLA (People's Liberation Army) troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during the military and diplomatic engagements during an ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo," Colonel Aman Anand, PRO, Army, said.
Statement from the Indian Army from the incursion of Chinese troops along the LAC in Ladakh.
"Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground. The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity. A Brigade Commander level Flag Meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues," the army said in the statement.
10:57 GVK, Adani sign 'cooperation' deal for Mum airport
GVK Power and Infrastructure Ltd said on Monday that the company along with its subsidiaries GVK Airport Developers Ltd (GVKADL) and GVK Airport Holdings Ltd have agreed to cooperate with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, the flagship holding company of Adani Group for its airports business and a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd.
The terms of cooperation include acquisition of debt by Adani from various GVK lenders including a Goldman Sachs led consortium and HDFC. The move will release GVK of various obligations, securities and corporate guarantees given in respect of debt to be acquired by Adani.
Adani will convert the acquired debt to equity of GVKADL on mutually agreed terms, subject to obtaining necessary regulatory approvals. The infusion of funds by Adani into Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MAIL) will provide liquidity support.
The financial closure will be achieved of the Navi Mumbai International Airport project by Adani at the earliest in order to commence construction, GVK said in a statement.
"The aviation industry has been severely impacted by COVID-19, setting it back by many years and has impacted the financials of MAIL," said GVK Founder and Chairman G V K Reddy.
"It was therefore important that we bring in a financially strong investor in the shortest possible time to improve the financial position of MIAL as well as to help achieve financial closure of Navi Mumbai International Airport project which is a project of national importance," he said.
"It is under these circumstances that we agreed to cooperate with Adani so as to achieve these twin objectives. Further, when the transaction is consummated which is subject to customary approvals, we will be reducing a significant portion of liabilities to our lenders which is of utmost importance to the group."
Separately, GVK notified the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and PSP that the transaction documents stand terminated as it is no longer effective and implementable. -- PTI
10:30 Pranab Mukherjee in septic shock, health declines
There is a decline in the medical condition of former President Pranab Mukherjee since yesterday. He is in septic shock due to his lung infection and is being managed by a team of specialists. He continues to be in deep coma and on ventilator support: Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt.
The 84-year-old former president was admitted to the military hospital on August 10, and had also tested positive for COVID-19 prior to a brain surgery.
10:09 Pistol-packing Reddy
Former Minister Gutta Mohan Reddy booked for threatening a local contractor and JCB driver with his licensed pistol, while they were widening a canal on Reddy's land. Case registered against Reddy under Arms Act after a video of him brandishing his revolver went viral.
09:48 78,512 Covid cases in a day; tally 36 lakh+
And the numbers keep going higher. India's Covid-19 case tally crosses 36 lakh mark with a spike of 78,512 new cases and 971 deaths in the last 24 hours. Covid-19 case tally in the country stands at 36,21,246 including 7,81,975 active cases, 27,74,802 cured/discharged/migrated and 64,469 deaths: Health Ministry.
The rise in number of Covid-19 cases should not be a cause of concern as long as the number of serious patients and deaths due to the disease remain low, say public health experts in Gujarat. They are also of the view that the new cases being reported daily should be categorised as mild, moderate or severe to better understand the pandemic.
09:35 Amit Shah discharged from hospital
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was hospitalised for post Covid-care, was discharged this morning from Delhi's AIIMS. The 55-year-old BJP leader had tested positive for coronavirus, which has affected over 35 lakh people in India so far, on August 2.
On Saturday, the hospital had said Shah "has recovered". "Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, is admitted at AIIMS, New Delhi for post-COVID care. He has recovered and is likely to be discharged in a short time," the AIIMS had said in a statement.
He was admitted to the Delhi hospital on August 18 after he complained of "fatigue and body ache".
09:25 PM extends greetings on Onam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his greetings to the people on the occasion of Onam on Monday, saying this is a unique festival that celebrates harmony.
The prime minister also posted a clip of his mention of the festival in his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on Sunday.
"Greetings on Onam. This is a unique festival, which celebrates harmony," he tweeted. "It is also an occasion to express gratitude to our hardworking farmers. May everyone be blessed with joy and best health."
In the clip, Modi had noted in the address that Onam is increasingly turning out to be an international festival, with the festival now being celebrated abroad as well.
Onam is a harvest festival which is celebrated in Kerala. -- PTI
09:04 Eminent cardiologist Dr Padmavati dies of COVID-19
Noted cardiologist Dr S Padmavati has died at 103 due to COVID-19, the National Heart Institute said on Sunday.
She was undergoing treatment at NHI for past 11 days, doctors said.
"Dr S Padmavati, an eminent cardiologist, rather the first female cardiologist of the India, popularly known as 'God Mother of Cardiology' passed away on August 29 due to COVID-19 infection," the NHI said in a statement.
Founder of NHI, she was born in Burma (now Myanmar) in 1917, a year before the world was hit by the Spanish Flu pandemic.
"She was admitted with COVID-19 and had breathing difficulty and fever. She developed pneumonia in both lungs and needed ventilator support. However, she sustained a cardiac arrest and passed away," the NHI said.
Dr Padmavati was cremated at the designated COVID-19 crematorium at Punjabi Bagh on Sunday, it said.
She had migrated to India in 1942 during the World War II.
She graduated from the Rangoon Medical College and went overseas for higher education, the statement said.
On her return to India, she joined as the faculty at the Lady Hardinge Medical College, it added.
In 1962, Dr Padmavati founded the All India Heart Foundation and went on to set up National Heart Institute in 1981 as a tertiary care modern heart hospital in Delhi with first cardiac catheterisation laboratory in the private sector in the Southern Hemisphere, the NHI said.
For her achievements and contributions to development of cardiology in India, she was awarded Fellowship of the American College of Cardiology and FAMS, and Padma Bhushan in 1967 and Padma Vibhushan in 1992 by the Government of India. -- PTI
08:55 NEP lacks clarity, can't be applicable to entire country: WB govt panel
The committee formed by the West Bengal government to study the New Education Policy 2020 is of the view that certain features of it lacked clarity while several others may not be applicable to the entire country, almost each state of which has a different cultural heritage, a member of the panel said on Sunday.
In a vast country like India, which has a diversified socio-economic condition, a common yardstick cannot be applied to all states especially at the primary and secondary levels of education and this has been enunciated in the report, the member said.
"Certain features of the New Education Policy, such as redesigning of class 10 board exams and reforms in primary schools, lack clarity. In a country of 130 crore population, you cannot thrust a uniform education policy on all states, regardless of their linguistic heritage and customs," he told PTI.
"What can be applicable to Manipur, what is relevant in Punjab, may not make sense in West Bengal or Tamil Nadu," he said.
After the Union Cabinet approved the NEP late last month, state education minister Partha Chatterjee set up the six-member committee of academicians, saying that the state government will convey its opinion on the new policy to the Centre after the panel submits its report.
The panel has submitted its around 100-page report to the higher education department on August 23 but the state is yet to communicate its view on the policy to the central government.
The report incorporated observations of all members of the panel who include Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor Suranjan Das, Indologist Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri and educationist Pabitra Sarkar, but only the education minister can reveal its contents, another member of the panel said.
Education minister Chatterjee had earlier slammed the NEP, calling it a "copy of the system prevalent in western countries".
According to NEP, students will have to undertake school examinations at pan India level in grades 3, 5 and 8, which will be conducted by an appropriate authority.
Board exams for grades 10 and 12 will be redesigned.
The policy has also advocated a "broad-based, multi- disciplinary, holistic undergraduate education with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, integration of vocational education and multiple entry and exit points with appropriate certification". -- PTI
08:54 Palghar lynching case: 3 cops dismissed from service
Three police personnel have been dismissed from service in connection with the Palghar mob lynching case in Maharashtra, a senior official said on Sunday.
These police personnel includes assistant police inspector Anandrao Kale, who was in-charge of Kasa Police Station in Palghar when the incident took place on April 16, the official said.
Two others are assistant sub inspector Ravi Salunke and constable Naresh Dhodi, he said.
"The Inspector General of Police, Konkan Range dismissed the trio from service through an order issued on Saturday," the official added.
These three police personnel, along with their five other colleagues, had been placed under suspension following the incident, he said.
Two seers and their driver were lynched by a mob at Gadchinchale village in Palghar on April 16 when they were travelling in a car to Surat (Gujarat) to attend a funeral amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
The victims were identified by the police as Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70), Sushil Giri Maharaj (35) and their driver Nilesh Telgade (30).
The brutal mob attack took place amid rumours that child-lifters were roaming in the area.
As many as 154 people have been arrested and 11 juveniles detained in connection with the incident. The accused in the case were charged with murder, armed rioting and using criminal force to prevent a public servant from doing is duty, among other offences, police said.
The case was later handed over to the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department for probe. It has filed three chargesheets in the case.
After the incident caused an uproar, the state government had suspended Kale, under whose jurisdiction the crime took place, and seven other policemen. Besides, over 35 police constables and personnel of other ranks were transferred in the wake of the mob attack.
The government had also sent the then Palghar district police chief, Gaurav Singh, on forced leave. -- PTI
08:50 Govt shouldn't run airports and airlines: Puri
The government should not be running airports and airlines, civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Sunday, adding that he hopes to privatise Air India during 2020.
His remarks come at a time when the Kerala government has opposed the Union Cabinet's approval on August 19 to lease out the Thiruvananthapuram airport to Adani Enterprises under the public-private partnership model for a period of 50 years.
Addressing a virtual meet on Namo app, Puri said, "I can tell you from my heart the government should not be running airports and the government should not be running airlines."
The Centre-run Airports Authority of India owns and manages more than 100 airports, including the one in Kerala's capital city.
On Air India's privatisation, Puri said, "As a going concern, one that is attractive to potential bidders, we should privatise it (Air India). And I am hopeful that we will be able to complete that privatisation process during this year."
Last Tuesday, the Central government extended by two months the deadline for placing bids for Air India till October 30 as the COVID-19 fallout has disrupted economic activity globally.
The process of stake sale in the national carrier was initiated on January 27. This is the fourth extension given by the government for putting in bids.
"If the government runs an airport or an airline, then they have to follow the government rules like L1 and L2, and that is not how commercial entities can run," Puri said.
When the government issues a tender, the lowest bidder deemed as L1 is the winner.
Puri said he expects that the domestic air traffic would reach pre-COVID levels by the end of this year.
Domestic flights resumed on May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown. Currently, airlines are allowed to operate maximum 45 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights.
The central government privatised six major airports -- Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati -- in February 2019. After a competitive bidding process, Adani Enterprises won the rights to run all of them.
In July 2019, the Union Cabinet had approved the proposal for leasing out three airports -- Ahmedabad, Mangaluru and Lucknow - to Adani Enterprises.
On August 19 this year, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for leasing out the other three airports to the Ahmedabad-based company.
Earlier this month, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the August 19 Cabinet decision to lease out the Thiruvananthapuram airport to the company. -- PTI
08:32 SC judge Arun Mishra declines farewell invitations due to Covid
Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra, who is superannuating on September 2, has declined farewell invitations of bar bodies citing "severe situation and sufferings the world over" on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Justice Mishra, who became an apex court judge on July 7, 2014, is demitting office on Tuesday and is all set to pronounce key judgements in cases including timelines for payment of AGR dues by telcos and the award of punishment to activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan in a contempt case.
The Supreme Court Bar Association and the Confederation of Indian Bar have extended the invitations for the farewell functions to the outgoing judge.
"I am grateful for your kind invitation inviting me in the farewell function... I have always considered the bar as the mother of the judiciary, and it would have been a great pleasure to attend said function.
"However, taking into consideration the severe situation and sufferings the world over on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, my conscience does not permit me to participate in any farewell function," Justice Mishra wrote to the bar bodies declining the requests.
He, however, assured the bar bodies that he would visit them as and when the situation normalizes. -- PTI
08:09 Prashant Bhushan contempt case: SC sentencing today
The Supreme Court will pronounce today its order on the point of sentence against senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan in connection with the suo motu criminal contempt case over his tweets accusing former Chief Justices of India of corruption.
A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, had reserved its order on August 25 reserved its judgement on the sentence of Bhushan in connection with the case.
Reserving its order on the quantum of sentence, Justice Arun Mishra had said that there is no harm in apologising if a mistake had been done.
Bhushan was earlier this month held guilty of contempt of court by the Supreme Court for two of his tweets, the first one posted on June 29, related to his comment/post on a picture of CJI Bobde on a high-end bike.
In his second tweet, Bhushan expressed his opinion on the role of last four CJIs amid the state of affairs in the country.
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