LIVE! Delhi records best air quality since Oct 15

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Tue, 13 December 2022

Delhi records best air quality since Oct 15

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23:06 At AQI of 177, Delhi records best air quality since Oct 15

Winds gusting up to 16 kilometres per hour gave Delhi its best air quality since October 15 on Tuesday.

The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of the city stood at 177, improving from 218 on Monday. The AQI was 186 on October 15.

This is also the first time since December 14, 2020 that the capital recorded a "moderate" air quality day in December.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

Meanwhile, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has directed agencies to strictly implement curbs under stage 3 (AQI severe) and stage 4 (severe plus) of the Graded Response Action Plan whenever ordered by the Commission for Air Quality Management.

The CAQM had on December 3 directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to implement curbs under the stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan, including a ban on the non-essential construction work with the air pollution in the city spiralling to severe levels.

The restrictions were revoked on December 8 after the air pollution ameliorated. -- PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Vikar Rasool Wani on Tuesday hit out at Ghulam Nabi Azad, saying the former chief minister was making fictitious allegations against the Congress on the instructions on his masters in the BJP and RSS.

"Azad, who was one of the influential chief ministers, is making fictitious claim that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then Home Minister Shivraj Patil did not act on his report in which he had informed them about links of some of his ministers with the terrorists.

"The same man does not get tired while highlighting how he arrested an IPS officer and a DySP in human rights violations cases. Azad was the head of the home department, he had full cooperation of security agencies including army as he was chairman of the unified headquarters. What stopped him from acting against those ministers?" Wani asked.

The PCC chief said the Democratic Azad Party leader should have known that the nation is supreme, and nothing including the party come next.

"Azad claims to be a nationalist. What kind of a nationalist is he who did not sack the minister even after knowing about his militant links? Why did he not arrest them? After 20 years, he is now expressing regret," Wani added.

The Congress leader said the truth behind Azad's claims was that he is "dancing to the tunes of his masters -- PM Modi, the Home Minister, the RSS and the BJP".

"The aim is to damage the Congress. He has been sent here to damage our party," Wani said.

JKPCC chief alleged that the plethora of new political parties coming up in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 were at the behest of the BJP aimed at hurting the Congress. -- PTI

The BJP on Tuesday said it will take to the streets if a plaque bearing the name of former prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee at the Atal Tunnel is removed by the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh.

This came a day after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the issue of "restoration" of a plaque declaring that the foundation stone for the Atal Tunnel was laid by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi will be taken up with the concerned authorities.

Vajpayee had announced the project during a public meeting at Lahaul-Spiti's Keylong in June 2000. He had laid the foundation stone for an approach road to the tunnel in 2002.

"Sonia Gandhi had only performed the 'bhumi pujan', while the entire work was undertaken by Vajpayee and the Union government," Himachal Pradesh BJP spokesperson Randhir Sharma said here.

He warned that the BJP will hold a protest if the plaque bearing Vajpayee's name is removed.

The state Congress had protested after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the tunnel on October 3, 2020, alleging that the foundation stone laid by Gandhi on June 28, 2010 had been removed before its opening.

Gandhi had laid the foundation stone for the tunnel as the then chairperson of the National Advisory Council, according to a release issued by the Himachal Pradesh government on Monday.

In the release, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the plaque has been "missing", which is an "insult to democracy". It must be restored at the earliest, he demanded.

Himachal Pradesh Police had on October 14, 2020 said the foundation stone was secure with the construction company which built the tunnel.

The 9.02-km Atal Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in the world, connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti Valley. -- PTI

22:06 SC collegium recommends 5 judges for elevation

The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Tuesday recommended the names of five high court judges for appointment as top court judges.

The five judges recommended to be appointed as Supreme Court judges include chief justice of the Rajasthan high court Justice Pankaj Mithal, chief justice of the Patna high court Justice Sanjay Karol, chief justice of the Manipur high Court Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, judge of the Patna high court Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and judge of the Allahabad high court Justice Manoj Misra.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday said the planet does not need people's money but lifestyle modifications to overcome challenges like climate change.

Wangchuk, an innovator and educational reformer based in Ladakh, cited recent events in the mountainous region in the north like flash floods, which illustrate the impact of climate change, and said these changes have been caused by people in big cities of the world.

"We want to appeal to the world to live simply so that we in the mountains can simply live," Wangchuk said while addressing a G-20 event in Mumbai.

"... the planet doesn't need your money. It needs lifestyle change," he added, describing a 'crowdfunding' project launched by his NGO where people 'earn' dollars for every commitment on lifestyle change, like walking or cycling in lieu of driving a car.

He said so far, 23 million 'green dollars' have been collected by people under the initiative, but added that there is a need to do more.

Climate finance has been made one of the key themes which India is pressing for during its ongoing G-20 presidency, wherein the local policymakers emphasise on not causing the climate crisis and look up to the developed world for help in financing the changes to be implemented in the developing countries.

Speaking at the same event, India's G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant questioned governments' commitment to stated goals on green initiatives.

"Governments across the world... their track record is very poor. They will give long term commitment (which) they will never fulfil," Kant remarked.

He said over half a billion people will shift into Indian cities over the next five decades and the country does not have the luxury of building sprawling cities like the ones built in US. We will have to create cities which are vertical, depend a lot on cycling, walking, renewable energy and e-mobility, he noted.

The career bureaucrat, however, sounded sceptical about the talent availability to handle the challenge.

"You will have to train your urban planners for another pattern of urbanisation which Indian planners are not equipped to. They have all been trained in the American model of urbanisation. You will have to bring in a lot of behaviourial change," he said.

He underlined that the idea of 'Life' being mooted by India at the G-20 forum is not anti-consumerism.

"'Life' is not about being anti-consumerism, it is about a completely new model of development which involves a behaviourial change towards completely new areas," he said, adding that decarbonising needs to be the focus area. -- PTI

A Mumbai court on Tuesday issued summons to veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar in connection with a defamation case filed by a lawyer over his alleged remarks against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh made during a television interview last year.

The lawyer, Santosh Dubey, had in October last year filed a complaint against the 77-year-old lyricist-poet before the metropolitan magistrate court at suburban Mulund under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation).

Akhtar, in the TV interview, had allegedly drawn parallels between the Taliban and Hindu extremists in the backdrop of the radical outfit seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

The complainant, who claims to be an RSS supporter, alleged the former Rajya Sabha member, with a view to score political points, unnecessarily dragged the name of the Nagpur-headquartered organisation in the row and defamed it in a "calculated and well planned manner".

The statement made by the accused during the interview was a "well planned" move to defame the RSS as well as to "discourage and misguide people" who have joined the organisation or would like to join it, lawyer Dubey had alleged.

After hearing a brief argument and on perusal of documents on record, metropolitan magistrate P K Raut issued process (summons) to Akhtar.

The matter was adjourned to February 6, the date on which Akhtar has to appear in the court, said the complainant. -- PTI

Pakistan on Tuesday alleged that India was involved in a blast outside Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Jauhar Town residence in Lahore in June last year.

"Today, the matter that we are putting before you, we have evidence of India's involvement in it," Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah told reporters in Islamabad, referring to the blast.

"We have decided to bring our stance before the world...," Sanaullah said while addressing a press conference along with the Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Additional Inspector General Imran Mehmood.

The blast near the residence of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed in Johar Town killed three people and injured 24 others in June 2021.

Sanaullah said that the Foreign Office would raise the issue of the alleged Indian involvement before the world because culprits involved in the attack were arrested with evidence. "There is clear evidence that it (India) is directly involved," he claimed.

He also alleged that India was supporting the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

"We also found out that close to a million dollars of terror financing was done through India to spread terrorism in Pakistan through different channels," the CTD chief claimed.

The 72-year-old radical cleric has been serving a jail sentence at the high-security Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore for his conviction in terror financing cases.

The blast had sparked rumours that Saeed was present in the house.

Saeed, a UN designated terrorist whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, has been convicted for 36 years imprisonment in five terror financing cases. His punishment is running concurrently.

21:08 Auto industry on the fast lane

How has the auto industry fared in the April 2021-Nov 2022 period?

What is the outlook for the April 2022-Nov 2023 period?

Here's a graphic alongside for a quick overview.

A United States-based forensic firm on Tuesday claimed that digital evidence used to arrest Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy in the Bhima-Koregaon case was "planted" on his computer's hard drive, similar to two other cases involving human rights defenders Rona Wilson and Surendra Gadling.

Swamy, 84, who was an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, died in July 2021, while waiting for interim bail on medical grounds.

An examination of an electronic copy of his computer by Arsenal Consulting, a Massachusetts-based digital forensics firm, concluded that a hacker infiltrated his device and "planted" evidence, The Washington Post reported, citing a new report by the company.

This follows previous reports which documented digital evidence planting on the devices of other human rights activists Rona Wilson and Surendra Gadling, the firm said in its report.

"Over 50 files were created on Swamy's hard drive, including incriminating documents that fabricated links between him and the Maoist insurgency," the report said.

"The final incriminating document was planted on his computer on June 5, 2019, a week before the raid on Swamy," the report said.

It was on the basis of these documents that he was first arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case, despite experts raising doubts about the authenticity of the documents, it added.

The Elgar case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at the 'Elgar Parishad' conclave, held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial located on the city's outskirts.

The Pune Police claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists.

After Swamy's death, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs had said that his detention followed due process of law. -- PTI

A bird flu outbreak has been reported in two panchayats in Kottayam district prompting the authorities to order culling of around 8,000 ducks, hens and other domestic birds within one km radius of the affected areas.

District Collector P K Jayasree chaired an emergency meeting with senior officials of the district on Tuesday to take stock of the situation in the wake of the outbreak in Arpookara and Thalayazham panchayats.

The Collector instructed the local bodies and the Animal Husbandry Department to cull and destroy the birds within one km radius of the affected areas under the supervision of the Animal Husbandry Department.

The officials have also been directed to take steps to disinfect the area, a District PRD release said here.

The sale and transportation of chicken, duck, other domestic birds, eggs, meat and manure have been banned within 10 km of bird flu affected areas for three days from December 13, it said.

The Collector also said that if any unusual death of chicken, duck, or other domestic birds is noticed in 19 local bodies within a radius of 10 km from the epicentre of the disease, it should be reported to the nearest veterinary hospital.

Officials said migratory and sea birds are the carriers of the H5N1 strain found in the district.

Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray approached the Delhi high court on Tuesday challenging a single judge's decision dismissing his plea against the Election Commission's interim order freezing Shiv Sena's name and the party's election symbol.

Thackeray claimed that the November 15 order by which the judge had also directed the EC to expedite the proceedings is "erroneous" and liable to be set aside.

The appeal is likely to come up for hearing on December 15.

The single judge bench, in its order, had said that there was "no procedural infraction" in the EC's order freezing Shiv Sena's name and election symbol following a "split" in the party.

It had said the commission passed the freezing order in view of urgency in respect of allotment of symbol on account of announcement of bypolls and the petitioner, who repeatedly took time to furnish necessary documents, now cannot allege violation of principles of natural justice and criticise the poll panel.

"There is a split between members of the 'Shiv Sena', a recognised political party in the state of Maharashtra. One group/ faction is led by Eknathrao Sambhaji Shinde and the other by Uddhav Thackeray. Both claim to be the president of the original Shiv Sena party, and stake claim to its poll symbol of 'bow and arrow'," the single judge had noted in the order.

Thackeray, in his appeal, claimed there was no dispute as to the leadership of the party and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknathrao Shinde himself admits that Thackeray is, and continues to be, the rightfully elected president of Shiv Sena political party.

Therefore, it cannot be said that there are two rival factions of the Shiv Sena political party, he held.

On October 8, the EC had passed the interim order barring the two Shiv Sena factions from using the party's name and its election symbol in the Andheri East assembly bypoll.

The commission's order was passed on a "dispute petition" filed by Shinde.

Earlier this year, Shinde had raised a banner of revolt against Thackeray, accusing him of entering into an "unnatural alliance" with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

Over 40 of the Shiv Sena's 55 MLAs had supported Shinde, forcing Thackeray's resignation as chief minister. -- PTI

With passengers continuing to experience long waiting hours at Delhi and other airports, airlines have asked them to reach early, do web check-in and carry only one piece of hand baggage for faster movement.

The country's largest airline IndiGo has asked passengers to reach Delhi airport at least 3.5 hours prior to domestic departures.

In recent weeks, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital has been witnessing long queues and crowds amid rising air traffic.

Authorities have put in place an action plan, including reducing the number of flights during peak hours, to deal with the situation. Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also inspected the arrangements at the airport here on Monday.

Amid congestion, Vistara is asking its passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to domestic as well as international flights.

Delhi airport is experiencing high footfalls and the check-in and boarding time is expected to be longer than usual, as per the advisory tweeted by IndiGo.

"Passengers are requested to reach the airport at least 3.5 hrs prior to domestic departures, and to carry only 01 piece of hand baggage weighing 7 kgs for a smooth security check. Please ensure that you complete your web check-in for added convenience," it said.

Citing high footfalls at airport terminals, SpiceJet has issued an advisory to passengers asking them to reach early and carry not more than one hand baggage of up to 7 kilograms only.

About Delhi airport, the carrier said due to high footfalls, check-in and boarding is expected to take much longer than usual.

Regarding Mumbai airport, SpiceJet has advised passengers for domestic flights to reach "2.5 hours prior to flight departure time and 3.5 hours prior for international travel".

Passengers have also been asked to complete web check-in and keep boarding pass along with identification proof in hand for faster and seamless experience.

On Tuesday too, many passengers took to social media to complain about chaos and long waiting hours at the Delhi airport. -- PTI

The government has spent Rs 91.96 crore on advertisements in print media through the Central Bureau of Communication so far in this financial year, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on Tuesday.

The government has also spent Rs 76.84 crore on advertisements in electronic media, Thakur said in a written response to a question by CPI-M leader M Selvaraj in Lok Sabha.

In 2014-15, the government had spent Rs 424.84 crore on advertisements in print media and Rs 473.67 crore on electronic media advertisements through the Central Bureau of Communication, the minister said.

The expenditure was Rs 508.22 crore (print) and Rs 531.60 crore (electronic) in 2015-16; Rs 468.53 crore (print) and Rs 609.15 crore (electronic) in 2016-17; and Rs 636.09 (print) and Rs 468.92 (electronic) in 2017-18.

The expenses stood at Rs 429.55 crore (print) and Rs 514.28 crore (electronic) in 2018-19; Rs 295.05 crore (print) and Rs 317.11 crore (electronic) in 2019-20; and Rs 179.04 crore (print) and Rs 101.24 crore (electronic) in 2020-21.

Thakur said no expenditure was incurred on advertisements in foreign media through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. -- PTI

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said Arunachal Pradesh has been an integral part of India since ancient times.

His remarks came a day after the Indian Army said troops from India and China clashed along the Line of Actual Control in the Tawang sector and the face-off led to "minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides".

Rijiju, however, refused to comment on the Tawang incident at the press meet.

Addressing the media on the issue of cultural revival in the country and the efforts being put in this regard by the government, the Lok Sabha member from Arunachal Pradesh said, "Today, if someone says anything on Arunachal Pradesh, it becomes clear that from ancient times, it is connected with India. Therefore, it is not that now it is part of India, though the present name has been given now, it has been an integral part of India since ancient times."

This has been so beautifully presented by the prime minister, he said.

Explaining the cultural linkages between different regions, he later wrote on Twitter that according to legend, Rukmini from Arunachal Pradesh was 'heroically kidnapped' by Lord Krishna to prevent her from being forced into an unwanted marriage. They travelled to Madhavpur Ghed and married.

"Today, Gujarat -- where the sun sets -- and Arunachal Pradesh -- where the sun rises -- celebrate this common ancient heritage together," he said.

India has seen an "unprecedented" cultural revival in the last eight years and has emerged as the number one soft power, Rijiju said.

He also said that while people see hard power aspects such as development of infrastructure, science and defence, they tend to forget the cultural revival the country has witnessed due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. -- PTI

19:18 Umar Khalid's conduct not proper, says court

A Delhi court on Tuesday deprecated the non-appearance of Umar Khalid for arguments on an application in a case of larger conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi communal riots, saying his conduct was "not proper."

The court also said while Khalid wanted the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his interim bail application, he did not want to argue his application seeking copies of certain documents.

The court was hearing Khalid's application under Section 207 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (supply to the accused of copy of police report and other documents) in the larger conspiracy case of the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.

"The conduct of accused is not proper. While he wants the court to exercise its discretion in favour of an interim bail application but he does not want to argue his application under Section 207 of CrPC despite being specifically aware of the same," Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat said.

The judge observed that neither Khalid nor his advocate appeared even on the last date of the hearing. He noted Khalid's lawyer was apprised on Monday, when the order on his interim bail application was passed, that the present application was pending for Tuesday.

The court issued notice to Khalid's counsel to appear for arguments on December 14.

During the proceedings, Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad said while Khalid's counsel diligently appeared for arguments on the bail application, no one was appearing for him in the present application under section 207 of the CrPC which was an abuse of discretion of the court".

The court had on Monday granted one-week interim bail to Khalid from December 23 for attending the marriage-related functions of his younger sister. He was asked to surrender before the jail superintendent concerned on December 30.

The Crime Branch had registered an FIR against Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi, Tahir Hussain and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) along with the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Arms Act in connection with the riots.

The larger conspiracy case is being investigated by the special cell of Delhi Police. -- PTI

The Supreme Court Tuesday extended till second week of January its interim order placing social activist Gautam Navlakha, accused of having links to Maoists and Pakistan's spy agency ISI, under house arrest.

A bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna passed the order extending the social activist's house arrest.

The top court had on November 18 ordered that Navlakha be placed under house arrest "without fail" within 24 hours and ordered some additional security measures to be put in place at the building where the actvist will be kept under house arrest.

Alleging that Navlakha's medical report issued by the Jaslok hospital was "vitiated", the National Investigation Agency had said proper treatment was given to him whenever required and his condition was manageable within the premises of Taloja central jail.

On November 15, the top court had cleared the hurdle for the release of Navlakha from Taloja prison by waiving the requirement of a solvency certificate for availing the benefit of house arrest.

Navlakha had appealed to the apex court against the April 26 order of the Bombay High Court dismissing his plea for house arrest over apprehensions of lack of adequate medical and other basic facilities in Taloja jail near Mumbai, where he is lodged.

The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017 which the police claim triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city. PTI

Estimated cancer cases and mortality due to it have increased in the country between 2020 and 2022, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, citing official data.

The Department of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to states and Union territories under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the states and subject to the resource envelope, he said in reply to a question.

According to the National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), an estimated incidence of cancer cases in India by different states and Union territories in 2020 was 13,92,179 and it increased to 14,26,447 in 2021 and 14,61,427 in 2022.

Estimated mortality due to cancer in India was 7,70,230 in 2020 and it increased to 7,89,202 in 2021 and 8,08,558 in 2022, Mandaviya said.

Cancer is an integral part of NPCDCS, the minister said, adding the programme focusses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion and awareness generation for cancer prevention, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment of the non- communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer.

Under NPCDCS, 707 district NCD clinics, 268 district daycare centres, and 5,541 community health centre NCD clinics have been set up.

A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs, i.e. diabetes, hypertension and common cancers, has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of comprehensive primary health care, Mandaviya stated.

Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for the three common cancers -- oral, breast and cervical. Screening of these common cancers is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres.

Preventive aspect of cancer are strengthened under comprehensive primary health care through Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level.

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner M N Singh has said underworld don Dawood Ibrahim became a "monster" because he was given social recognition and good people hobnobbed with him, and maintained politicians use criminals because they think they have a hold over society.

Singh said some officers go rogue because of political interference in the police force and termed the 2021 Antilia bomb scare case, in which some Mumbai cops were allegedly involved, as a "shameful" incident.

The retired IPS officer, who headed the Mumbai police from May 2000 to December 2002, was speaking at the launch of journalist Jitendra Dixit's book Bombay After Ayodhya on Monday at the Mumbai Press Club.

He minced no words while talking about the politician-underworld nexus and the Antilia case in which some Mumbai cops were arrested.

Singh, who led an onslaught against the underworld in Mumbai and supervised the 1993 serial blasts' investigation, rued that many builders and film producers kept gangsters on their payroll.

"Dawood Ibrahim became a monster because he was given social recognition. Good people hobnobbed with him. They felt great being seen in his company. Many builders and film producers kept gangsters on their payroll.

"Politicians use criminals because they think they have a hold over society. They can get votes. What can the police do in this? Politicians wake up only when it comes to their necks. Now I hear politicians getting involved with gangsters and are purchasing property from them," the former top cop said.

Singh expressed his anguish over the conduct of certain police officers from the force which he once commanded.

Referring to the Antilia case in which two 'encounter specialists' were arrested for allegedly planting explosives outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence and killing a Thane businessman, he said "There has not been a more shameful incident than this in the history of the Mumbai Police. The motto of the Mumbai Police is to protect the good and finish the bad, but in this case, the cops acted in contradiction."

He batted for police reforms and said the force must be taken out of political control.

Dixit's anecdotal book chronicles post-Babri mosque demolition riots in Mumbai (1992-93) and how they affected various spheres of life in the city, including its politics, underworld, social fabric, the film industry, the financial market and so on. -- PTI

18:22 Modi govt hiding truth on Tawang clash: Cong

The Congress on Tuesday said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement in Parliament on the Sino-India border clash in Tawang was "incomplete" and accused the government of hiding the truth from the nation.

Congress spokesperson and deputy leader of the party in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi demanded that the government should tell the truth and not divert public attention by raising other issues like cancellation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act registration of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

Gogoi and party leader Pawan Khera also accused the government of diplomatic failure with China, claiming that India has lost its pre-eminent position in Southeast Asia.

Both the leaders demanded that the government should agree to a detailed discussion on the border situation and ties with China, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks made in June 2020 that "no one has entered Indian territory nor has anyone occupied its territory" has emboldened China to indulge in such misadventures.

"Why did Rajnath Singh give a statement so late as the incident is of December 9. Why was this not given yesterday in Parliament? What are they hiding this? This government wants to hide the truth from the nation and our demand from day one has been to tell the truth to the nation," Gogoi told reporters at a press conference.

He said the Congress is concerned about the security of the nation and that is why it was asking questions to the government.

"Rajnath Singh may be wanting to provide more information but his voice has also been silenced by the Prime minister. That is why the minister's statement is incomplete. Our questions were valid," he said.

He alleged that whenever an issue of national security comes up, the "prime minister hides behind his ministers".

Asking why Parliament was deliberately kept in the dark, Gogoi said that is why the Congress staged a walkout after Singh's statement in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha.

"The BJP government is not able to protect the territorial integrity of our country. They do not have the time to think about the country except elections and doing communal politics," he said, adding that we have to prepare a united strategy after taking everyone together but there is no time for it with this government.

He also accused the government of "diplomatic failure" and that is why China is indulging in such clashes along the border.

"Modi ji, dariye mat. (Don't be afraid). Name China and assure the country that what he said earlier was wrong and spell out how India plans to take on this challenge strongly," Gogoi said.

Taking on Home Minister Amit Shah, Khera said he was making allegations against the Congress but should answer why the BJP was taking the help of UC News Mobile and ShareIt in 2019 elections.

"The accounts of Rajiv Gandhi foundation are in public domain and there is nothing to hide about them. But what are the RSS ties with China's communist party and why they knock at China's doors and why it has a tie up with CPC. Even when they are not in power, the BJP goes there to get lessons from China. What are India Foundation and Vivekanand Foundation's relations with China, the Home minister should tell," he said.

Marathi author Anand Karandikar on Tuesday announced to return of his award in protest against the Maharashtra government withdrawing an award for a Marathi translation of the memoir of alleged Maoist ideologue Kobad Ghandy by author Anagha Lele.

Karandikar said the government's move to take back the award of Lele for the Marathi translation of Ghandy's book is the "absolute gagging of freedom of thoughts and freedom of expression".

The government's Marathi Language department on December 6 announced the Late Yashwantrao Chavan Literature Award 2021 for Lele for her translation of Ghandy's Fractured Freedom: A Prison Memoir.

The decision came in for criticism on social media because of Ghandy's alleged Maoist links.

A Government Resolution (order) issued on Monday stated the decision of the selection committee had been reversed for "administrative reasons", and the award (for Lele), which included a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, has been withdrawn.

The committee has also been scrapped, the GR added.

Karandikar, selected for the Late Yashwantrao Chavan Literature Award 2021 under the "general literature" category for his Marathi book titled Vaicharik Ghusalan, told PTI though he did not agree with Ghandy's line of thinking the latter has all rights to express his views in democracy and that Lele merely translated his book.

"I have written a letter to the Maharashtra State Literature and Culture Board informing them that I want to return my award and the money worth Rs 1 lakh," he said.

Karandikar questioned the logic behind the government's decision to take back Lele's award, saying a couple of editions of Ghandy's book are already published and the book is also out for sale physically as well as online.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's Sikkim president DB Chauhan resigned on Tuesday, claiming that the central leadership's indifference towards the state unit forced him to take the decision.

Chauhan said the party's central leadership did not take up the state unit's "rightful demand" of joining the Prem Singh Tamang government in Sikkim even as the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha wanted an alliance with the BJP.

"I am resigning from the post of the Sikkim BJP president with immediate effect after getting totally disillusioned with the central leadership's indifference to sort out various issues affecting the functioning of the party's state unit," he told PTI.

"I had personally taken up with Nadda-ji (national president JP Nadda) the demand of the 12 BJP MLAs of joining the government in Sikkim but he apparently did not take up the matter with the Sikkim chief minister," Chauhan claimed.

Home Minister Amit Shah did not spare five minutes to meet the party's state leaders during his visit to Sikkim two months ago, he claimed.

"This says volumes of the national leadership's apathy towards the state unit," he added.

Chauhan said the party's national leadership has failed to appoint someone as the leader of the party's legislature unit despite having 12 MLAs in the state.

Chauhan served as the state BJP president for six years.

It was during his tenure that the BJP won two assembly seats in a by-election, besides engineering the defection of 10 MLAs from the Sikkim Democratic Front in 2019 to emerge as a major political force in the Himalayan state with 12 legislators. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the inaugural function of birth centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, his office said.

It said Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a guide and guru who touched countless lives across India and the world.

"He was widely respected and admired as a great spiritual leader. His life was dedicated to the service of spirituality and humanity. As the leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, he inspired countless cultural, social and spiritual initiatives, providing comfort and care to millions," it added.

he yearlong worldwide celebrations will culminate in the 'Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav' that will be hosted by BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Shahibaug, which is the worldwide headquarters of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

It will be a month-long celebrations which will take place from December 15 to January 15, 2023 in Ahmedabad, featuring daily events, thematic exhibitions and pavilions.

Days after Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control in the Tawang sector, Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu today said the Indian Army will give a befitting reply if someone tries to transgress.

"Yangtse is under my assembly constituency & every year I meet the Jawans & villagers of the area. It's not 1962 anymore. If anyone tries to transgress, our brave soldiers will give a befitting reply," Khandu said in a tweet.

The Indian Army said on Monday that the face-off on December 9 resulted in "minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides".

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday dropped further hints that he was looking forward to passing on the mantle to his young deputy Tejashwi Yadav, leaders emerging from a meeting of legislators of the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' said.

The septuagenarian Janaat Dal-United supremo, once again, ruled himself out as a prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha polls even as he maintained that a "united opposition" could defeat the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party in 2024.

"The chief minister pointed towards Tejashwi ji and said he is the leader of the future, under whose leadership the 2025 assembly polls in the state would be fought," said Mahboob Alam, the legislature party leader of the Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation which supports the government from outside.

He also said "we are of the view that it will benefit the grand alliance which is fighting the communal forces represented by the BJP. Tejashwi ji is a young and energetic leader".

Notably, Yadav, the younger son of Rashtriya Janata Dal's founding president Lalu Prasad, had steered the 'Mahagathbandhan', which then did not have the chief minister on its side, to an impressive electoral performance in 2020 assembly polls in which the National Democratic Alliance could barely scrape through.

After dumping the BJP in August this year, Kumar, whose love-hate relationship with Lalu Prasad is the stuff of legend, had been asserting that he was done with the long association that he has had with the saffron party.

"The chief minister has been saying, for quite a while, that the future belongs to Tejashwi ji and youngsters like him. He had said so yesterday in Nalanda where I, too, was present. He said it again today," said Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, one of the closest aides of Kumar, who also holds key portfolios in the state cabinet.

Chaudhary was referring to Kumar's speech on the previous day when the latter had inaugurated a dental hospital in his home district and spoken about backing Tejashwi Yadav.

Yadav, however, showed characteristic composure when approached for comments by journalists.

"At present, we are running the government together. And we need to concentrate on the principal challenge before us, and that is the 2024 Lok Sabha polls," said Yadav.

Chaudhary also said that at the legislators' meet, Kumar "made it clear again that he was not in the race for prime ministership. But he still feels the BJP can be defeated in 2024 if the opposition stands united. And he will continue to work in that direction".

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against former Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) CEO Sunil Lulla for allegedly manipulating viewership ratings of channels from "his ends" during his tenure in the ratings agency, officials said Tuesday.

During the probe that was started on a complaint from a Lucknow-based advertiser, the CBI did not find any evidence of alleged manipulation being done at the customer level by channels, they said.

The alleged manipulation in TV ratings took place at the level of Lulla when he was heading the BARC , according to the agency charge sheet filed at a special CBI court in Lucknow.

Lulla has denied the charges.

Sources refused to share details of the charge sheet as the special court is yet to take cognizance of it.

The agency has pressed charges under IPC sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and others, they said.

The court will take cognisance of the charge sheet on December 15, for which it has issued summons to Lulla, they said.

"Sunil Lulla has been a high integrity professional in his entire career and has an unblemished track record. His conduct has been as per BARC policies and procedures and all the allegations made against him are totally false. We have complete faith in the rule of law and the Honourable courts," a spokesperson for Lulla said in a statement.

TRP or Television Rating Points of a channel or programme are used to measure popularity by advertising agencies which impact pricing.

The points are calculated in India by BARC using a device installed in over 45,000 households across the country called "Bar-O-Meter".

The device collects data about a programme or channel watched by members of these household on the basis of which weekly ratings are issued by BARC.

The case, which was earlier registered at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow on a complaint of an advertising company promoter, was handed over to the CBI by the Uttar Pradesh government, they said. -- PTI

Days after Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Adjutant General of the Army Lt Gen C B Ponnappa said on Tuesday that all is well and under control.

The Indian Army said on Monday that the face-off on December 9 resulted in 'minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides'.

Asked about the situation after the clash, Lt Gen Ponnappa told PTI on the sidelines of an event, "All is well and (under) control. We all are safe."

He addressed the students of Salwan Public School in New Delhi during its annual event 'Samman Diwas' to pay tributes to Indian Army personnel who died in the line of duty. -- PTI

The situation at the India-China border was 'generally stable', Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday, after both the troops clashed at the border, according to Reuters.

This statement came after the Indian Army, in a statement, said that the People's Liberation Army troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner.

This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that no Indian troops were killed or seriously injured while stopping the Chinese PLA troops from encroaching on the country's territory during the December 9 face-off at Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector. -- ANI

15:34 Bhupendra Patel takes charge as Gujarat CM

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday took charge as the 18th chief minister of Gujarat at the state secretariat in Gandhinagar.

Along with Patel, all the 16 ministers including eight cabinet-rank ministers also took charge of their respective departments at Swarnim Sankul-1 and Swarnim Sankul-2, said an official press release.

Patel took oath as chief minister for the second consecutive term at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday following the BJP's landslide victory in the assembly elections.

Before taking over as CM on Tuesday, Patel visited the offices of all the ministers and congratulated them.

The cabinet-rank ministers are Kanu Desai, Rishikesh Patel, Raghvji Patel, Balvantsinh Rajput, Kunvarji Bavaliya, Mulu Bera, Kuber Dindor and Bhanuben Babariya.

Harsh Sanghvi and Jagdish Vishwakarma are ministers of state with an independent charge.

The six other ministers of state are Parshottam Solanki, Bachu Khabad, Mukesh Patel, Praful Pansheriya, Kuverji Halpati and Bhikhusinh Parmar. -- PTI

A man has been arrested from Bihar for repeatedly making threat calls at Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar's Mumbai residence, the police said on Tuesday.

N Soni (45) was arrested by a Mumbai police team in Patna and was being brought to Mumbai, said an official of the Gamdevi police station.

Soni had been allegedly calling Pawar's bungalow, `Silver Oak', for the last three-four months. He allegedly used obscene language and on some occasions told the constable on duty "Mumbai aake desi katte se uda doonga (I will come to Mumbai and shoot you with a country-made gun)," said the official.

The police traced his identity from his mobile number and warned him. But he kept making calls, so a First Information Report was finally registered on Monday under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 294 (obscene act) and 506-II (criminal intimidation), the official said.

13:59 Cong walks out of RS after Rajnath's statement

The Congress on Tuesday staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after it was denied permission to seek clarifications on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang sector.

Congress members said there was no point in sitting inside the House if they are not given clarifications.

Members of the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Shiv Sena, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha joined the Congress members in staging a walkout from the House.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh said since the matter was sensitive in nature, no clarifications would be allowed.

He also cited several instances in the past when no clarifications were allowed in the House on sensitive issues.

"The opposition repeatedly asked for a debate on the Chinese transgression, but the government refused to allow it. The defence minister left without giving any clarification to the House. This is not good for the nation," Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters after staging the walkout.

He said there was no point sitting inside the House if the government refuses to give any clarifications.

He, however, said his party stood united with the armed forces.

Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 and the face-off resulted in 'minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides', the Indian Army said on Monday.

The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector took place last Friday amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

RJD MP Manoj Jha said the deputy chairman cited various precedents, but asked how one can forget the 1962 Parliament session when the Indo-China conflict was debated in the House.

"This government lives in brazen denial of the Indo-China conflict," Jha charged.

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the MPs are being denied their parliamentary privileges. -- PTI

Acclaimed director James Cameron will give the Hollywood premiere of his much-anticipated spectacle movie Avatar: The Way of Water a miss following his COVID-19 diagnosis.

The movie, which is the sequel to Cameron's 2009 blockbuster science fiction film, is set to be showcased in Los Angeles on Monday evening.

The 68-year-old filmmaker said he tested positive for the novel coronavirus upon his return to Los Angeles from Tokyo.

"I am in LA, just back from Tokyo, and I managed to pick up Covid on the plane, so I'm isolated and can't go to my own premiere tonight.

"The number of people I've told over the years, 'Ah, we'll catch up and I'll see you at the premiere' Well, I guess not. Man proposes, and God disposes," Cameron told entertainment website Deadline.

A representative for Disney, the parent company of the movie's distributor 20th Century Studio, said the Canadian director tested positive as part of a 'routine testing cadence'.

"James Cameron has Covid, but is feeling fine... He will continue to complete his schedule virtually but will not be at the premiere," added the spokesperson.

Cameron initially talked about the infection on Sunday night, during the opening ceremony of his multimedia experience 'Pressure: James Cameron into the Abyss' at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

He was set to attend the event in person but spoke at the opening reception virtually.

"I want to first of all, apologise to everyone who's gathered there tonight. I can't be at my own party. I was travelling around the world (for Avatar: The Way of Water premieres) and on the flight back from Tokyo I started to feel kind of heavy. I got tested and sure enough I have COVID, so obviously I can't be there, jeopardise other people," he had said at the opening ceremony of the exhibit.

The multiple Oscar winner had last week attended the world premiere of Avatar: The Way of Water in London, alongside producer Jon Landau and the entire cast.

Cameron also attended the South Korea premiere in Seoul on Friday and Tokyo, Japan premiere on Saturday.

But the filmmaker missed a screening of the film for Academy members on Sunday with a Q&A session afterwards, during which Landau filled in. -- PTI

No one can capture one inch of land till the Narendra Modi government is in power, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday as the opposition demanded a discussion on clashes between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.

Addressing reporters outside Parliament House, Shah also said the Congress had raised the border issue in Parliament to avoid questions on the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation's FCRA [Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act] cancellation.

The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), he alleged, had got Rs 1.35 crore from the Chinese Embassy.

Its registration was cancelled as this was not according to FCRA rules, he said.

"India's permanent seat in the UN Security Council was sacrificed because of Nehru's love for China," Shah said.

He applauded Indian soldiers for their valour.

"I want to say it clearly... till the time the BJP government led by Prime Minister Modi is in power, no one can capture an inch of our land," Shah said. -- PTI

12:24 Army ready to stop any transgression: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his statement to the Lok Sabha on the Tawang clash between Indian and Chines soldiers said, "No loss of life or any serious injury to our soldiers."

"Our armed forces are always ready to stop any attempt of transgression at our borders," Singh said on Tuesday.

"Our armed forces are committed to protect territorial integrity of our country, and I am confident this House will respect the capability, valour and commitment of our armed forces," Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha. -- Agencies

Astad Deboo with his sisters, Kamal and Gulshan

12:09 Remembering Astad

Two years ago, on December 10, this full-of-energy artiste and amazing human being passed into the ages.

To celebrate his extraordinary life, and honour his memory, his family has organised an exhibition titled 'Breaking Boundaries' that opened to the public on December 10 at Mumbai's Ballard Estate.

Astad's nephew Xerses Antia and his youngest sister Gulshan Deboo tell A Ganesh Nadar about a most wonderful human being and artiste, and you can read about it here.

The Breaking Boundaries retrospective is open from December 10-17, from 11 am to 7 pm, at IFBE, Calicut Road, Ballard Estate, Mumbai.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon on Tuesday following opposition protests over the issue of clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh.

After obituary reference were made to those who laid down their lives while foiling a terror attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001, opposition members, including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Gaurav Gogoi (both Congress), T R Baalu (DMK) and Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) raised the issue of the border clash in Arunachal Pradesh.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi responded by saying that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement on the matter at 12 noon. However, the opposition members did not relent and continued to protests and sought an immediate discussion on the issue.

As the protests continued, Speaker Om Birla announced the adjournment of the House till 12 noon.

Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha too were disrupted in the first hour on Tuesday after opposition members raised slogans demanding a discussion on the border situation with China.

The upper house was adjourned till 12 noon after Congress members trooped into the well raising slogans demanding a discussion on the border issue.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of Chinese transgressions at the border in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh and alleged that China has been taking shelter in the prime minister's statement made in January 2020 that "no one has entered Indian territory or occupied any of our land".

Kharge said he has given a notice for a discussion on the issue and wanted the House to suspend all other business and take up the discussion on the border issue.

"Despite demand to ensure status quo as on June 2020, China has continued with its transgressions into Indian territory. China has been deliberately taking shelter in our prime minister's statement saying, 'no one has entered our territory or has occupied any of our territory'," Kharge said while reading out his adjournment notice.

Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 and the face-off resulted in "minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides", the Indian Army said on Monday.

The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector took place last Friday amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

B S Koshyari

11:47 Pune downs shutters over 'insult to Shivaji'

Most shops and businesses remained closed in Pune city on Tuesday morning in response to a call for `bandh' (shut-down) given by opposition parties to protest comments against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and other iconic leaders of the state.

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra has not supported the bandh call, its Rajya Sabha member Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, joined a silent march organised by the protesters.

The march began from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's statue and ended at the Lal Mahal in the city.

Shiv Sena leader Sushma Andhare also participated in the march.

The Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Sambhaji Brigade and some other outfits are supporting the bandh.

The bandh call was originally given to protest Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's controversial statement at a public function where he described Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha empire, as an "icon of olden times".

The Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Pune also remained closed on Tuesday.

A local traders' body has extended support to the bandh by keeping the shops closed till 3 pm.

Officials of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal said that most of its buses were plying on the roads. Only 10 percent buses were pulled off the roads, an official said.

11:19 Sandeep Pathak made AAP's national gen-sec

The AAP has appointed its senior leader and Rajya Sabha member Sandeep Pathak as national general secretary (organisation), after it recently became eligible for national party status.

Pathak was the party's election in-charge for Punjab as well as for Gujarat, where assembly polls were held this month.

In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wrested the state from the Congress in polls held in March.

Though the Arvind Kejriwal-headed AAP had won only five of the 182 seats in the Gujarat polls, it got a nearly 13 per cent vote share.

On the party's performance, Kejriwal had said that the AAP has not won many seats but the votes the party got helped it attain national party status.

"The party hereby appoints Shri @SandeepPathak04 as the Rashtriya Sangathan Mahamantri (national general secretary organisation). He will also be a permanent invitee to the political affairs committee (PAC) of AAP. Congratulations on your new role!" the party tweeted from its official handle.

Sources in the AAP also said the appointment has been made eyeing the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Quoting provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, a former Election Commission official had said that a party needs state party status in four states to automatically become a national party.

The AAP is already a recognised state party in Delhi, Goa and Punjab. It is in power in Delhi and Punjab.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held a high level meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and service chiefs, a day after the emergence of the report of clash between troops from India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector on December 9.

The defence minister received updates on the recent clash between troops of both sides in Tawang, defence sources said.

Rajnath Singh will make a statement in Lok Sabha at 12 noon today and in Rajya Sabha at 2 pm.

Today is the fifth day of the Winter Session of Parliament.Several opposition leaders have submitted notices in Parliament on the clash.

The Indian troops deployed in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector on December 9 gave a befitting response to the Chinese troops and the number of Chinese soldiers injured in the clash is more than the Indian soldiers, sources said on Monday.

They said the Chinese had come heavily prepared with around 300 soldiers but did not expect the Indian side also to be well prepared.

They said on December 9, 2022, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner.

They said as a follow-up of the incident, India's Commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity.

The sources said that in certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area upto their claim lines.

This has been the trend since 2006. -- ANI

The traffic in Mumbai on Tuesday was reportedly slow in view of the G20 meetings here.

The Mumbai Police via an official press note dated December 12 had informed the citizens that the traffic would be slow in certain parts of the city and thus asked them to plan their journeys accordingly.

The traffic was reportedly slow between Vakola, Kherwadi, and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) from 8.30 am to 10 am.

The police had also suggested the citizens plan their journey accordingly as the vehicular movement is likely to be slower from 5.30 pm to 11 pm between BKC, Kherwadi, Bandra, Worli Sea link, Haji Ali, Pedder road, Bandstand, Marine Drive, Air India, Mantralaya, Regal Junction, Electric house, and the Gateway of India.

'Due to a pre-scheduled Program of delegates of G20 India Summit to Mumbai, tomorrow on 13th December 2022, from 08:30 hrs to 10:00 hrs between Vakola, Kherwadi, BKC and from 17:30 hrs to 23:00 hrs between BKC, Kherwadi, Bandra, Worli Sea link, Haji ali, Pedder road, Bandstand, Marine Drive, Air India, Mantralaya, Regal Junction, Electric house, Gateway of India traffic is likely to be slow. All citizens are requested to plan their journey accordingly,' the December 12 press note of the Mumbai Police read.

The first meeting of the Development Working Group (DWG) under India's G20 Presidency is scheduled to take place in Mumbai from December 13 to December 16, which is being attended by G20 Members, Guest countries and invited International Organisations in person. -- ANI

Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Arunachal Pradesh Tapir Gao said 'border incidents' like the one that happened between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector will hamper relations between the two countries.

Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the LAC in the Tawang sector and the face-off resulted in 'minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides', the Indian Army said.

The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector took place last Friday amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

"I was hurt when I heard about the December 9 incident. I condemn this. If PLA continues doing such things in the future, India-China relations will suffer," he said in a video message on Monday.

Such border incidents are bad for the relations between the two countries.

Governments of India and China should work on making the relations better, said Gao, the Lok Sabha MP from the Arunachal East constituency.

'On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to few personnel from both sides,' the Army said in a statement.

'Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, own (Indian) commander in the area held a flag meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity,' it said. -- PTI

09:51 First Zika Virus case reported in Karnataka

According to a Pune lab report, a 5-year-old girl in Karnataka has tested positive for the Zika virus and has been advised to take precautionary measures.

Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar, said, "This is the first case in the state and the government is monitoring the situation very carefully. Our department is well prepared to handle it."

Earlier this month, a 67-year-old man was found infected with the Zika virus in the Bavdhan area of Pune, as per the health department.

The man is a resident of Nashik and had come to Pune on November 6.On November 16, he came to Jahangir Hospital with fever, cough, joint pain and fatigue and was diagnosed with Zika in a private laboratory on November 18.

The patient is clinically stable and has no complications, the health department had said.

The same month, Maharashtra Health Department said, "A case of Zika virus reported in Maharashtra. A 67-year-old man patient was found in Bavdhan Pune city, he is originally from Nashik and had come to Pune on November 6, earlier on October 22 he had travelled to Surat. On November 30 National Institute of Virology had confirmed the Zika virus infection in him. Currently, the patient is clinically stable and has no complications."

An entomological survey of the Zika virus across Pune city is being done to mitigate future outbreaks.

Zika virus (ZIKV) disease (ZVD) is considered to be one of the significant public health diseases of concern post-2016 outbreak in Brazil.

Caused by a virus transmitted primarily by the Aedes mosquito, which bites during the day, symptoms of this disease include mild fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, or a headache.

A mosquito-borne flavivirus had been reported to be associated with the increased incidence of microcephaly, congenital Zika syndrome, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Since its discovery in the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947, several outbreaks of ZVD have been reported from Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. -- ANI

09:09 Cong launches Bharat Jodo Yatra in UP

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Brijlal Khabri launched the regional Bharat Jodo Yatra from Ravindralaya Charbagh here on Monday and said the foot march is a sign of change under former party president Rahul Gandhi's leadership.

Khabri was accompanied by party leader Nakul Dubey.

The yatra has been launched in support of the pan-India foot march led by Gandhi.

Khabri began the yatra by garlanding a statue of Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Congress said in a statement.

Addressing the gathering, the state Congress chief said the yatra is a sign of change under the leadership of Gandhi.

After it started from Charbagh, the yatra of Awadh zone reached Shaheed Smarak via Bansmandi Chauraha, Naka Chauraha, Raniganj, Rakabganj, Yahiyaganj, Nakhas Chauraha, Charak Chauraha and Imambara, the statement said.

The yatra will resume from Shravasti on Tuesday, it said.

The Congress has divided Uttar Pradesh into six zones organisationally and Bharat Jodo Yatra is being organised in every zone.

Gandhi's yatra started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7 and will conclude in Kashmir, covering a distance of 3,570 km. -- PTI

Congress leader and former minister Raja Pateria was on Tuesday detained by Panna Police from his residence, in connection with his alleged 'kill Modi' remarks.

A first information report (FIR) was registered on Monday afternoon at Pawai police station in Panna district against the Congress leader and former state minister for making remarks against the prime minister.

Pateria has been booked under sections 451, 504, 505 (1)(b), 505 (1)(C), 506, 153-B (1)(C) of the Indian Penal Code.

He was detained from his residence in Hatta of Damoh district early this morning.

State Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Monday ordered filing a FIR against the Congress leader.

On Sunday, Pateria the former Madhya Pradesh minister, purportedly made the controversial remarks at a meeting of Mandalam Sector presidents organized by the District Congress Committee at Powai Rest House.

In the video that went viral, Pateria could be heard saying that PM Modi will 'end elections, divide people on the basis of religion and Dalits face the biggest threat under his regime'.

"You should be ready to carry out 'Modi ki hatya' if you want to save the Constitution...hatya (kill) in the sense of defeating him," Pateria is heard saying.

Agitated over his statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders demanded Pateria's immediate arrest and also sought the strictest probe into the matter.

In the letter to DGP, the BJP leaders said: 'A video in the matter has gone viral over social media and electronic media where a senior leader of Congress was seen appealing to kill the prime minister in an open address in a village of Panna. Such an appeal to kill the prime minister shows that there is a serious challenge to national security, and a conspiracy to spread anarchy and cause a riot in Madhya Pradesh.'

'This seems to be an attempt to hatch a conspiracy to kill PM Modi and encourage Naxalism in the state,' the letter read further.

Pateria in a clarification video said, 'I am a follower of Gandhi ji and Gandhi's followers can not talk about murder. The video has been misinterpreted.'

'I meant to say that it is necessary to defeat him to save this country's Constitution, to protect minorities, Dalits, and tribal and to remove unemployment. My intention about the murder has been misrepresented,' Pateria added. -- ANI

00:07 Modi uses govt platforms to target Oppn: Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using government platforms to target the Opposition, something never done by his predecessors.

Modi, who on Sunday inaugurated the Nagpur-Shirdi stretch of the Samruddhi Expressway, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences' MIHAN campus and the first phase of the metro rail in the second capital of Maharashtra, in his speech had slammed Opposition parties for pursuing "shortcut politics" that he said was detrimental to the country's economic health.

Pawar slammed the Prime Minister for his critical comments and referred to speeches of past premiers.

Speaking at a function where he was felicitated on turning 82, the NCP president said, "I have seen the speech of our prime minister at Nagpur, where he criticised the Opposition. I have seen the speeches of almost all the prime ministers, including our first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, in my life. Nehru and most other PMs never used government platforms to criticise the Opposition unlike the current prime minister."

The former Union minister questioned the rationale behind criticising the Opposition at government functions.

"The time has now come to wonder how wise it is to use a government platform to criticise the Opposition parties. Nehru, even during political campaigning, never used to criticise his opponents. He used to present his own policies and stand on various issues during campaigns," Pawar said.

The veteran parliamentarian maintained the prime minister had "100 per cent" right to criticise the Opposition if he was speaking at a (Bharatiya Janata Party) party function or a poll rally.

Speaking on criticism that some parties opposed the construction of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway, whose first phase was inaugurated on Sunday, the former Maharashtra CM said he doe not know anyone who resisted the mega project.

"Some persons have said the Samruddhi highway was opposed by some (in the Opposition). I did not know if anyone ever opposed to it. During my visit to Aurangabad in the past, a farmers' delegation had informed me of their disappointment over land acquisition compensation. I had informed the (then) CM asking him to ensure farmers get fair compensation," Pawar claimed. -- PTI

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