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Wed, 01 February 2023
Punjab sacks women's panel chief on extension
Timeline Refresh
Manisha Gulati/ANI
23:21 Punjab sacks women's panel chief on extension
The Aam Aadmi Party government has removed State Women Commission Chairperson Manisha Gulati by withdrawing a September 2020 letter through which she had been granted an extension of three years.
The Social Security and Women and Child Development Department withdrew the letter dated September 18, 2020.
Additional chief secretary Kirpa Shankar Saroj said on Tuesday that issuing the letter granting her extension was a "bonafide mistake".
In an order issued on Tuesday, Saroj said that under the Punjab State Commission for Women Act, 2001, there was no provision for extension in the term of a sitting chairperson or members of the commission beyond their three-year tenure.
She had been appointed in March 2018 as the Commission chairperson during the Congress government headed by Amarinder Singh who has now joined the BJP.
"With the bonafide mistake, a letter...dated 18-09-2020 was issued by this office through which an extension was given to you..there is no provision in Punjab State Commission for Women Act 2001 and further amendments, regarding extension to the sitting chairperson or to the members of the commission," Saroj said in his communication to Gulati.
"In view of the above mentioned facts, the letter issued by department vide letter No.. dated 18-09-2020 is hereby withdrawn," it says.
"As per Section 4 (1) (of the said Act), the chairperson is mandated to hold office for period of three years only. There is no provision of extension beyond three years for the sitting chairperson or the member of the Punjab State Commission for Women," he said. -- PTI
23:11 The statement from Adanis on cancelling FPO
Click on the image on the left to read the statement put out by Adani Enterprises on the cancellation of its FPO.
Group chairman Gautam Adani
23:03 Adani calls off Rs 20K cr FPO, to return money
Adani Enterprises on Wednesday said it has decided to withdraw its fully subscribed Rs 20,000-crore follow-on public offer (FPO) and will return the proceeds to investors.
The announcement came a day after the company's FPO was subscribed fully on the last day of the offer on Tuesday.
"The Board of Adani Enterprises Ltd., (AEL) decided not to go ahead with the fully subscribed FPO. Given the unprecedented situation and the current market volatility the company aims to protect the interest of its investing community by returning the FPO proceeds and withdraws the completed transaction," the Adani group's flagship company said in a statement.
As many as 4.62 crore shares were sought as against an offer of 4.55 crore. Non-institutional investors put in bids for over three times the 96.16 lakh shares reserved for them, while the 1.28 crore shares reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) was almost fully subscribed, according to BSE data.
There was, however, muted response from retail investors and company employees.
Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Enterprises Ltd said, the subscription for the FPO closed successfully on Tuesday. "Despite the volatility in the stock over the last week, your faith and belief in the company, its business and its management has been extremely reassuring and humbling. Thank you".
However, today the market has been unprecedented, and the company's stock price has fluctuated over the course of the day. "Given these extraordinary circumstances, the company's board felt that going ahead with the issue will not be morally correct. The interest of the investors is paramount and hence to insulate them from any potential financial losses, the board has decided not to go ahead with the FPO," Adani said.
The company said that its working with its Book Running Lead Managers (BRLMs) to refund the proceeds received in escrow and to also release the amounts blocked in investors bank accounts for subscription to this issue.
22:34 Morbi bridge collapse: Oreva MD Jaysukh Patel sent to 7-day police custody
A court in Gujarat's Morbi town on Wednesday sent managing director of Oreva Group Jaysukh Patel in seven-day police custody in a case related to the Morbi suspension bridge collapse which claimed 135 lives last year.
Chief judicial magistrate MJ Khan sent Patel in the custody of the special investigation team formed by the state government to probe the case till February 8.
The SIT had sought a 14-day remand, government prosecutor Sanjay Vora told reporters.
As many as 135 people were killed and many others injured when a suspension bridge on a river collapsed in Gujarat's Morbi town on October 30, 2022.
Patel, whose company was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the bridge, surrendered before the court on Tuesday evening after the court issued an arrest warrant against him.
He was later arrested by the police.
As part of maintenance, the company carried out only cosmetic repairs of the bridge rather than changing its rusting suspension cables, the prosecution told the court, Vora said.
The investigators wanted Patel's custody to question him as to why Oreva Group continued with its work on the bridge despite knowing about its dangerous condition, the prosecutor said.
"They also wanted to know on whose instructions more than 500 visitors were allowed on the bridge by the ticket collector even when he knew that allowing more than 100 persons was dangerous," Vora said. -- PTI
22:10 Avalanche warning issued in 4 Kashmir districts
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday issued a medium danger avalanche warning in four districts in view of the recent snowfall in the Valley.
"Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above the altitude of 2,400 metres over Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Bandipora in the next 24 hours," an official said in Srinagar.
He said the possibility of avalanches was high due to an approaching western disturbance.
People have been advised not to venture out in the avalanche-prone areas, the official said.
The warning comes on a day when two Polish skiers were killed and 19 other foreign tourists had to be rescued following an avalanche in the Gulmarg area of Baramulla district.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
21:40 Coming soon: Vande Metro trains for cities
Vande Metro, a mini version of the Vande Bharat Express trains, will be developed by the Railways for people living around big cities to travel to and fro in comfort between their place of work and hometowns, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the highest-ever capital outlay for the railways in the Union Budget 2023-24 at Rs 2.40 lakh crore, Vaishnaw also said India will get its first Hydrogen train by December 2023 which will be completely indigenously manufactured.
It will initially be run on heritage circuits like Kalka-Shimla.
Presenting the Budget in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the outlay for the railways is nine times the amount provided in 2013-2014.
She said 100 critical transport infrastructure projects for last-and-first-mile connectivity for coal, fertiliser and food grain sectors have been identified and will be taken up on a priority basis with an investment of Rs 75,000 crore, including Rs 15,000 crore from private sources, she said.
Budget papers showed that the net revenue expenditure of the railways is placed at Rs 2,65,000 crore in the Budget Estimate 2023-24 as against Rs 2,42,892.77 crore in Revised Estimate 2022-23.
For the railways, which is looking to focus on investing in building infrastructure, manufacturing new coaches, renewal of tracks and redevelopment of stations, the budgetary outlay is sure to go a long way.
"Today's budget will make India the growth engine for the whole world. As the prime minister said the world is looking at India as a ray of hope, the Budget envisages that vision," Vaishnaw said.
Naushad Siddique/ANI
21:02 Kolkata court rejects ISF MLA's bail prayer, sends him to jail till Feb 15
A Kolkata court on Wednesday rejected the bail prayers of Indian Secular Front legislator Naushad Siddique and 17 other party workers, arrested during violent protests in the city, and remanded them to judicial custody till February 15.
The ISF, which held a meeting at Esplanade in Kolkata on January 21, had resorted to violent protests claiming that its workers were attacked by ruling Trinamool Congress supporters at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district when they were coming to the city to attend the event.
The chief metropolitan magistrate at the Bankshall Court in Kolkata, rejecting the bail prayers of the Bhangar MLA and the 17 other party workers, remanded them to judicial custody till February 15.
The prosecution had prayed for extension of police custody of Siddique and the 17 others.
Several police officers, including IPS officers and officers in-charge of two police stations, were injured as the protesters had clashed with the force, following which Siddique and 17 other party workers were arrested. They had been remanded to police custody till February 1 by the CMM court. -- PTI
20:31 Budget allocates Rs 12,544 crore for space
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday allocated nearly Rs 12,544 crore to the Department of Space as India plans a human spaceflight -- Gaganyaan -- next year and sets out to explore the moon and neighbouring planets.
The allocation is about 8 per cent lower than the Budget Estimate of Rs 13,700 crore for 2022-23, which was slashed to Rs 10,530.04 crore in the Revised Estimate.
The largest chunk of the allocation -- to the tune of Rs 11,669.41 crore -- has gone to central sector schemes or projects such as the human spaceflight centre and various institutions of the department that deal with launch vehicle and satellite projects, including developmental and operational initiatives.
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-Space), the government's single-window body to deal with the private sector, received Rs 95 crore allocation against Rs 21 crore in the Revised Estimate.
A large portion of the allocation, Rs 53 crore, has been earmarked for capital expenditure for INSPACe. Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory, which carries out basic research in several areas of experimental and theoretical physics and also builds instruments for science missions, has received an allocation of Rs 408.69 crore against the Revised Estimate of Rs 411.11 crore in the last fiscal.
ISRO plans to launch Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission, in July using the Launch Vehicle Mark-3. Originally planned to launch in December 2021, India's first human space flight -- Gaganyaan -- has now been put off till the fourth quarter of 2024. However, ISRO plans to carry out uncrewed flights for the project this year.
ISRO has also lined up science missions to the Sun, Venus and Mars. -- PTI
20:25 WhatsApp bans 36.77 lakh accounts in India in Dec
Instant messaging platform WhatsApp on Wednesday said it banned 36.77 lakh accounts in India in November, marginally lower than the number of accounts it barred in the preceding month.
The banned WhatsApp accounts in India include 13.89 lakh accounts which were barred proactively before being flagged by users.
In December, WhatsApp banned 37.16 lakh accounts in the country, including 9.9 lakh accounts which were barred proactively.
'Between 1 December 2022 and 31 December 2022, 3,677,000 WhatsApp accounts were banned. 1,389,000 of these accounts were proactively banned, before any reports from users,' WhatsApp said in its India Monthly Report for December published under the Information Technology Rules 2021. -- PTI
20:13 India names Pak-based Makki as UN-listed terrorist
Just In: India lists Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as a UN-listed terrorist.
Details soon.
Representational image
20:03 Income tax exemption for news agencies may go
The Union Budget on Wednesday proposed removing the exemption from paying income tax by news agencies.
The Finance Bill proposes an amendment to Clause 22B of section 10 of the Income Tax Act that grants exemption to notified news agencies from paying tax on income, provided the organisation applies its income or accumulates it solely for collection and distribution of news and does not distribute it to its members.
The memorandum explaining provisions of the Finance Bill said the move to remove the tax exemption to news agencies was in accordance with the stated policy of the government of phasing out of exemptions and deductions under the Act.
"In accordance with the stated policy of the government of phasing out of exemptions and deductions under the Act, the exemption available to news agencies under clause (22B) of section 10 of the Act is proposed to be withdrawn from the assessment year 2024-25," the memorandum said.
Press Trust of India, which is owned by several newspapers, has been getting income tax exemption under this clause since the assessment year 1994-95 because it does not pay any dividend to its shareholders, and operates as a not-for-profit company. All the income of the company is used for purposes of news gathering.
United News of India also is exempt from paying income tax because it too operates on a similar principle.
The memorandum said, This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2024 and will accordingly apply to the assessment year 2024-25 and subsequent assessment years.
Wreckage of a car smashed in the accident
19:38 Driver in Mumbai Sealink car crash gets bail
A sessions court in Mumbai on Wednesday granted bail to the driver of the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) which had rammed into multiple vehicles on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in October last year, killing five persons.
Irfan Abdul Rahim Bilakiya, who was allegedly driving the SUV, was later booked for `culpable homicide not amounting to murder' under the Indian Penal Code.
Additional sessions judge Abhay A Joglekar on Wednesday granted him bail. The detailed order was not available yet.
This was Bilakiya's third attempt to seek bail.
Earlier, both the magistrate as well as the sessions court had rejected his pleas.
He moved the court for bail afresh after police filed a charge sheet in December.
he charge sheet claimed that Bilakiya was driving too fast. The average speed of his SUV on the Sea Link before the accident was 109.57 kmph, much above the limit of 80 kmph, the charge sheet said.
The medical report ruled out that Bilakiya was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it added.
Bilakiya, who is in the construction business, was returning home from suburban Jogeshwari when his SUV rammed into three stationary cars and an ambulance on the bridge.
The cars and ambulance were at the spot as an accident had taken place there some time before.
Five people were killed and eight others injured when Bilakiya's SUV hit them.
19:13 President's household expenditure cut by Rs 10cr
The government has allocated Rs 36.22 crore for the President's household expenditure, which includes staff salaries, in the Union Budget for 2023-24, a sharp drop of Rs 10 crore from the revised estimates of the current fiscal.
According to the budget document presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday, Rs 90.14 crore has been allocated for the President's office and other expenses, which is an increase of Rs 5.34 crore from Rs 84.8 crore announced in the last budget.
The document shows that of the total allocation, Rs 60 lakh has been earmarked for the salary and allowances of the President.
t the same time, Rs 53.32 crore is for the President's Secretariat and Rs 36.22 crore for the expenditure on the President's household establishment, including staff salaries, which includes discretionary grants of the President.
In the last budget, Rs 41.68 crore was allocated for household establishment, which was increased to Rs 46.27 crore, according to revised estimates for FY23.
The budget document presented on Wednesday shows that the allocation under the head for the next fiscal year is slashed by Rs 10.05, about 27 per cent, to Rs 36.22 crore from 2022-23.
The allocation for President's Secretariat has been increased by Rs 15.39 crore from Rs 37.93 crore in the last budget to Rs 53.32 crore, according to the document.
18:45 'Callous' budget, betrayed hopes: Chidambaram
Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday claimed that the Union Budget has 'betrayed' the hopes of a vast majority of Indians and shows how far removed the government is from the people and their concerns about life, livelihood and the growing inequality between the rich and the poor.
At a press conference at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi, the former finance minister termed the budget as 'callous' and said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has not mentioned the words unemployment, poverty, inequality or equity anywhere in her Budget speech.
"Let me begin by pointing out, with regret, that the FM has not mentioned the words unemployment, poverty, inequality or equity anywhere in her speech. Mercifully, she has mentioned the word poor twice in her speech. I am sure the people of India will take note of who are in the concerns of the government and who are not," Chidambaram said.
He stressed that no taxes have been reduced except for the small number who have opted for the new tax regime.
"No indirect taxes have been reduced. There is no cut in the cruel and irrational GST rates. There is no reduction in the prices of petrol, diesel, cement, fertilisers etc. There is no cut in the numerous surcharges and cesses which are, anyway, not shared with the state governments," Chidambaram said.
"Who has benefited by this Budget? Certainly, not the poor. Not the youth looking desperately for jobs. Not those who have been laid off. Not the bulk of the taxpayers. Not the homemaker. Not the thinking Indians who are shocked by the growing inequality, the rise of the number of billionaires and the wealth being accumulated in the hands of the 1 per cent of the population. Certainly, not you," he said.
Chidambaram alleged that the government is determined to push the fortunes of 'gift city', Ahmedabad, at the cost of other commercial and financial centres.
"The government is also determined to push the 'new' tax regime for which there are few takers for a variety of reasons.
"Besides, making the new tax regime the default option is grossly unfair and will rob the ordinary tax payer of the meagre social security that he may get under the old tax regime," the Congress leader said.
This is a 'callous' Budget that has betrayed the hopes of the vast majority of the people, he added. -- PTI
18:07 Delhi L-G approves convening of MCD House session to elect mayor on Feb 6
Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has approved convening of a MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) House session to elect the mayor on February 6, Raj Niwas officials said on Wednesday.
The date had been proposed by the Delhi government, an official added.
"The L-G has approved February 6, as proposed by the deputy chief minister and the chief minister for holding the adjourned first meeting of the MCD, and asked for the election of mayor, deputy mayor and the six-member standing committee to be held," his office said.
The MCD had proposed February 10 to convene a session of the House to elect the mayor, sources said on Monday.
The Kejriwal government had suggested three dates -- February 3, 4 and 6.
The mayor could not be elected when the House met on January 6 and January 24 after the sessions were adjourned amid acrimonious exchanges between Aam Aadmi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party councillors.
Shelly Oberoi, the AAP's candidate for mayor, moved the Supreme Court on Thursday to demand the mayoral election be conducted in a time-bound manner, party officials said. -- PTI
17:40 Court signs orders for Sidhique Kappan's release
A Sessions Court in Lucknow today signed orders to release Kerala journalist Sidhique Kappan on bail, reports Live Law.
The court has accepted his bail bonds and he is likely to walk out of jail tomorrow.
Kappan was lodged in jail after his arrest in October 2020 while he was on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit woman had died after allegedly being raped.
More details awaited.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with Jawaharlal Nehru
16:30 'Bose would be pained about criticism on Nehru'
On most issues barring non-violence, Subhas Chandra Bose was on the same page as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and would have been "embarrassed and pained" to know he was being used to diminish the two leaders, claimed historian Ramachandra Guha.
Speaking on the launch of the third edition of his seminal work "India After Gandhi", Guha on Tuesday noted that it was Bose who called Gandhi "Father of the Nation" and wondered "how did they (the BJP) manage to convert Gandhi, Bose, Nehru and Patel who all worked together into rivals".
"On most things except non-violence, Bose was on the same side as Gandhi and Nehru. He would be the first person to be appalled, embarrassed and pained by what is going on, that Bose is being used to decertify Gandhi and Nehru," said the renowned biographer of Gandhi.
The 64-year-old author during the free-wheeling discussion gave telling examples of the respect and admiration Bose had for Gandhi, Nehru and vice-versa. For instance, he revealed how when Bose started the India National Army (INA), he named his brigades "Gandhi, Nehru and Azad (Chandra Shekhar), or how after Bose died in 1945, Gandhi made a speech in Calcutta - now Kolkata - and saluted his patriotism.
"Even on the question of the Congress presidency when Bose resigned ... he said if I cannot get the trust of India's greatest man -- that's what he thought Gandhi was -- I would not continue as the president," he said.
Bose, who was appointed as the Indian National Congress (INC) president in 1938, resigned from his position in 1939.
For the "confused" critics of Gandhi and those claiming that it was violence that got India its independence, Guha said, it is important to know that every country in Asia and Africa that won independence through violence is a "dictatorship" today.
"I think Bose is a great patriot, but the idea that he was in some ways greater to Gandhi, an alternative to Gandhi . . . I think you should read Bose himself to say what he said about Gandhi," argued the historian of modern India.
On the Kashmir imbroglio, Guha said India due to the "petty party politics" of the Opposition missed two "extraordinary opportunities'' - one under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and another under Manmohan Singh - of somewhere coming close to a just resolution.
He argued that mature democracy on important foreign policy questions should go for "some bi-partisanship", something that both the Congress and BJP failed as Opposition in 2003 during Vajpayee's and in 2007 when Manmohan Singh was the prime minister.
"Those two extraordinary missed opportunities and you have to blame first the Congress and then the BJP for putting the petty party interest not just over the national interest but over the possibility of peace in South Asia," he noted.
Gautam Adani with Israel president Netanyahu
16:19 Gautam Adani's net worth falls USD13 billion in 1 day
The net worth of Gautam Adani falls by $13 billion in a single day, reports the Spectator Index. On Wednesday, shares of Adani Enterprises, the flagship firm of the group, fell 26.70 per cent to Rs 2,179 a piece on the BSE.
However, the follow-on public offer issued by Adani Enterprises has been fully subscribed on the last day on Friday.
Data showed the demand for the FPO was led by non-institutional investors, and they subscribed to the shares 3.26 times. The portion for institutional investors was also oversubscribed.
16:08 Amrit Kaal for Modi, not common people: AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday questioned Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's claim about doubling of per capita income since 2014, saying it is Amrit Kaal' for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not for the common people of the country.
Highlighting the achievements of the Modi dispensation so far, the finance minister in her budget speech said the government's efforts since 2014 have ensured for all citizens a better quality of living and a life of dignity. The per capita income has more than doubled to Rs 1.97 lakh, she added.
"Neither did the MSP of crops increase nor did the youth get employment. But this is Amrit Kaal for Modi ji. Nirmala ji is saying per capita income has doubled," AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who is also the party's national spokesperson, said in a series of tweets in Hindi, wondering whose income doubled.
The AAP leader said the Union Budget for 2023-24, presented by the finance minister in Parliament, does not have any provision for the country's farmers, soldiers and youth.
"No provision for anyone in the budget. Common people are longing for Amrit (nectar) in the Amrit Kaal," Singh said.
Latching on to the finance minister's proposal that 50 additional airports will be revived, the AAP MP took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi ji will build 50 new airports. Who will get them? Singh said in a tweet.
The AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha termed the budget "most lacklustre" and said it is bereft of "any effort or serious application of mind". "It sounded like a budget presented by a minority government with its hands tied rather than a government with a brute majority," he tweeted. The Modi government is focused more on "retaining power than wielding it for the common good," Chadha alleged. PTI
15:59 Union Budget: Nearly Rs 1,900 cr allocated for buying EVMs
Nearly Rs 1,900 crore has been allocated in the Union Budget to the Union Law Ministry to buy electronic voting machines ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
According to the budget document, Rs 1,891.78 crore has been allocated for purchase of EVMs by the poll panel.
"The provision is meant for providing funds to the Election Commission for procurement of ballot units, control units and voter verifiable paper audit trial units (papertrail machines) and ancillary expenditure on EVMs and destruction of obsolete EVMs," it said. One control unit and at least one ballot unit makes for an EVM.
15:57 Govt expects dividend of Rs 48,000 cr from RBI, PSU banks in FY24
The government expects 17 per cent higher dividend at Rs 48,000 crore from the Reserve Bank of India, public sector banks and financial institutions in 2023-24.
In the current financial year ending March, it aims to garner Rs 40,953 crore from RBI and public sector financial institutions. This is much lower compared to Budget Estimate of Rs 73,948 crore for FY23.
It is to be noted that RBI approved a dividend payment of Rs 30,307 crore to the government post its board meeting in May 2022. As per the Budget document, dividends from public sector enterprises and other investments have been pegged at Rs 43,000 crore for FY24 as well. -- PTI
Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget
15:39 Budget anti-people, opportunistic: Mamata
Terming the Union Budget "anti-people", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said it will deprive the poor. Addressing a government function at Bolpur in Birbhum district, she claimed that the changes in the income tax slabs will not help anyone.
"This Union Budget is not futuristic, totally opportunistic, anti-people and anti-poor. It will benefit only one class of people. This Budget will not help address the country's unemployment issue. It has been prepared with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," she said.
"The changes in the income tax slabs will not help anyone. There is no ray of hope in this Budget -- it is a dark dark budget. Give me half an hour and I will show you how to prepare a Budget for the poor," she added.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman placed the Budget for 2023-24 in Parliament. She announced no tax for those with an annual income of up to Rs 7 lakh under the new tax regime but made no changes for those who continue in the old regime. PTI
15:29 Two Polish skiers killed in Gulmarg avalanche
Two Polish tourists died in a massive avalanche that hit the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir's ski resort Gulmarg on Wednesday, police said. Skiers, both foreigners and locals, were at the slopes when the avalanche hit.
At least 19 foreigners have so far been rescued successfully, police said.
The bodies of the two Polish nationals have been recovered and moved to hospital for medico-legal procedures.
Rescue operations are still in progress in the tourist town, in Baramulla district, with police teams on the job. The number of those missing is not known.
Videos of the avalanche, showing people running for their lives, circulated widely on social media. PTI
15:22 Delhi paid Rs 1.75L cr tax, got just Rs 325 cr for development: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said despite paying more than Rs 1.75 lakh crore income tax last year, the city was allocated only Rs 325 crore in the Union Budget 2023-24.
Accusing the Centre of meting out step-motherly treatment to the national capital, he said the budget has offered no respite from the twin problems of inflation and unemployment.
"Step-motherly treatment again with the people of Delhi. The people of Delhi paid more than Rs 1.75 lakh crore income tax last year. Out of that only Rs 325 crore was given for the development of Delhi. This is a gross injustice to the people of Delhi," Kejriwal said in a series of tweets.
"There is no relief from inflation in this budget. On the contrary, this budget will increase inflation. There is no concrete plan to remove unemployment. Unfortunate to reduce education budget from 2.64 per cent to 2.5 per cent. Reducing health budget from 2.2 per cent to 1.98 per cent is harmful," he said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2023-24 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
15:14 Need clarity on new I-T rates? Ask rediffGurus!
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday tweaked the slabs to provide some relief to the middle class by announcing that no tax would be levied on annual income of up to Rs 7 lakh under the new tax regime.
Readers with questions about how this tax rate works for you, can ask rediffGurus. Click here and post your questions to our tax experts.
14:43 FM's Rs 5,300-cr gift for poll-bound Karnataka
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced the Centre would provide Rs 5,300 crore assistance for the Upper Bhadra project in Karnataka.
In her budget speech in Parliament, she said: "In the drought prone central regions of Karnataka, a central assistance of Rs 5,300 crore will be given for the Upper Bhadra Project."
According to state officials, the project envisages lifting of 17.40 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water from river Thunga to Bhadra reservoir and 29.90 TMC from Bhadra reservoir.
Expressing gratitude, Bommai in a tweet said, "On behalf of whole of Karnataka I thank the Finance Minister @nsitharaman and the union government led by Prime Minister Mr @narendramodi for announcing a grant of Rs 5,300 crore for the state's flagship Upper Bhadra project in this year's union budget. Bommai had repeatedly urged the union government to declare the Upper Bhadra project as a national project as "it will help get a central grant of Rs 16,000 crore".
He had also met Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, multiple times and requested her to allocate funds for the project.
The central regions of Karnataka often face drought situations despite the presence of two perennial rivers Tunga and Bhadravathi, which become Tungabhadra after their convergence, and will get a respite with the implementation of the project, officials added. Assembly elections are due in Karnataka by May. PTI
14:25 PM's paathshaala on Union Budget begins...
PM Narendra Modi breaks down the Union Budget 2023: This is the first budget of Amrit Kaal. It will make a strong foundation for building a developed India. This budget will fulfil dreams of aspirational society including poor people, middle-class people, farmers.
"Those toiling traditionally through their hands for the country, 'Vishvakarma' are the creators of this country. For the first time scheme related to training & support for 'Vishvakarma' has been brought in the budget.
"Govt has taken several steps to make the lives of women, in rural and urban areas, easy. Women's self-help groups will further enhance them. Special savings scheme will be started empowering women in household," Modi said.
13:57 Has BJPs Macaulayputra been exposed by Pompeo?
It is surprising that no one from the BJP has called out S Jaishankar for his alleged remarks although his disdain for politicians is clear. Read more here.
13:52 Cong connects Budget verdict with PM's yoga
The Congress party tweets this image as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget presentation ends in Parliament. Congress@INCIndia, "Budget khatam hua. Claim Reality."
The central government today made the much-awaited mega announcement on increasing the earnings level up to which no income tax is payable: 7 lakh a year from the 2023-24 financial year. It was Rs 5 lakh so far.
Under a new five-slab structure, those making even a rupee above it will have to pay tax -- though they will get exemptions already available, such as life insurance premium and long-term mutual funds.
This budget is the last full Budget of the Modi government in its second term. It also holds much significance as the country is scheduled to have the next Lok Sabha election in April-May 2024.
13:43 Akhilesh: Budget has given 'nirasha' instead of...
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said the Union Budget for 2023-24 has given "nirasha" (despair) instead of "asha" (hope) to people of the country.
He also claimed that the budget further increases inflation and unemployment. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 in Lok Sabha on Wednesday and said it hopes to build on the foundation of the previous budget and blue print for India@100.
"The BJP is completing a decade of its budgets, but when it did not give anything to the public earlier, what will it give now?" Yadav tweeted in Hindi. "The BJP's budget further increases inflation and unemployment. It does not give 'asha' but 'nirasha' to farmers, labourers, youth, women, professionals and the business class. This budget is for the benefit of a few rich people," he added. -- PTI
13:08 Sensex celebrates Budget, rises 1000+ points
Sensex up over 1000 points, currently trading at 60,678; Nifty at 17,939.
From the Sensex pack, ICICI Bank, Tech Mahindra, Asian Paints, Tata Steel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC, HDFC Bank, Titan and NTPC were among the major winners in early trade. ITC, Mahindra & Mahindra, UltraTech Cement and Larsen & Toubro were the laggards. Elsewhere in Asia, equity markets in Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading higher.
12:57 Oppn raises 'Bharat Jodo' slogans as FM speaks
The Budget session started on a high note as rival slogans of "Modi, Modi" and "Jodo Jodo Bharat Jodo" echoed in Parliament on Wednesday during Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech.
As Finance Minister Sitharaman began her Budget speech, slogans were raised from both sides in the Lok Sabha. Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha members, who raised 'Modi-Modi' slogans were countered by Congress MPs who retorted with slogans of the recently concluded Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The episode was evidence of Congress' clear intention which is believed to be coming well-prepared to counter the Central government during the Budget session.
This Budget session is expected to be stormy with the opposition parties seeking to raise several issues of their concern.
The multi-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday ahead of the Budget session made it clear that the opposition parties will try to corner the government by raising issues including those related to Adani stocks and the BBC documentary.
During the meeting, the opposition parties asked the government to hold a discussion on the issue concerning Adani stocks saying it concerns the economy of the country and the people.
The parties that raised the issue included RJD, CPI-M, CPI, Aam Aadmi Party and National Conference.
12:40 The tax break-up ...
Personal Income Tax breakup: The new tax rates are 0 to Rs 3 lakhs -- nil, Rs 3 to 6 lakhs -- 5%, Rs 6 to 9 Lakhs -- 10%, Rs 9 to 12 Lakhs -- 15%, Rs 12 to 15 Lakhs -- 20% and above 15 Lakhs -- 30%.
12:39 FM's daughter watches her presenting Budget
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's daughter and relatives watched from the visitor gallery in Lok Sabha as she presented the Union Budget for 2023-24 on Wednesday.
The visitor gallery was full as the last full-fledged budget of the second Narendra Modi government was presented. Among those present were Sitharaman's daughter Vangmayi Parakala and many of her relatives. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and several Rajya Sabha members were also present and were seen taking notes as various proposals were announced.
In her budget speech, Sitharaman said the world has recognised India as a bright star as the country is recording healthy economic growth despite global uncertainties.
India's growth at 7 per cent in the current fiscal is the highest among major economies and the Indian economy is on the right track, she said. In the 75th year of Independence, the world has recognised India as a bright star, the minister said, adding the world appreciates the country's achievements. -- PTI
12:29 Getting the BJP battle-ready in Karnataka
It is perhaps a wise move of the BJP high command to bestow some importance on Yediyurappa, who still retains confidence of a wide spectrum of the population. Read the column here.
File pic
12:20 Storm warning for TN, Puducherry
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a warning for the high-speed stormy winds in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and advised the fishermen to avoid venturing into coastal regions.
The IMD said that the sea conditions are also likely to be rough to very rough and issued a warning to the fishermen not to venture into the Southwest Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin Area and along and off Sri Lanka and south Tamil Nadu and Karaikal coasts till February 2.
The advisory has been issued in the wake of the formation of the depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal (BoB), which is very likely to move west-southwestwards and would cross Sri Lanka during the afternoon.
"Depression over Southwest BoB lay centered at 0530 IST over the same region about 160 km east-southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) and 420 km southeast of Karaikal (India). Very likely to move west-southwestwards and cross Sri Lanka coast during afternoon of today," the IMD tweeted.
The weather forecast agency has also warned for light/moderate rainfall at many places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for Wednesday and Thursday. -- ANI
11:56 Not Adani, world's richest Indian is...
Mukesh Ambani overtakes Gautam Adani as the richest Indian in the world according to the Forbes Real-time Billionaires list. Details in a bit.
11:50 Nikki Haley plans to run for 2024 White House bid
Prominent Indian-American Republican Party leader Nikki Haley is poised to launch her 2024 White House bid on February 15 -- positioning herself to be the first challenger to former US president Donald Trump.
Haley, 51, is the two-term Governor of South Carolina and the former US Ambassador to the United Nations. When she enters the race, Haley will be the first contender to join the contest against her former boss, who is currently the sole Republican seeking his party's 2024 nomination. Trump, 76, launched his White House bid last year.
Haley could release a video signalling her plans as soon as this week, according to the Washington Post. According to an invitation soon going out to her backers, Haley's advertised special announcement will come February 15 at the The Shed at the Charleston Visitor Center, a downtown gathering spot that could draw hundreds of supporters into the heart of the city's tourism district, The Post and Courier reported.
The confirmation that she is entering the race came on January 31 from a member of Haley's inner circle, the Charleston, South Carolina-based daily reported.
Haley famously said previously that she would not seek to challenge Trump if he ran again, but there has been a shift in her stance in recent times as she said the US needs to look toward a different path.
It's time for a new generation, she tweeted recently. It's time for new leadership. And it's time to take our country back. America is worth the fight and we're just getting started," she said.
In an interview to Fox News last month, she said the US needs a new leader who can take the country in a new direction. "But when you're looking at a run for president, you look at two things. You first look at, does the current situation push for new leadership? The second question is, am I that person that could be that new leader, that, yes, we need to go in a new direction? And can I be that leader? Yes, I think I can be that leader," Haley said in that interview.
During the interview, Haley also emphasised that President Joe Biden, a Democrat, should not be given a second term. Biden, 80, is the oldest sitting US President.
11:47 7 points for India's first 'Amrit Kaal' Budget
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the Budget adopts seven priorities to guide India through the Amrit Kaal. Sitharaman announced this while presenting the Budget 2023-24 in Parliament.
"The budget adopts following seven priorities -- inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth power and financial sector," she said.
Amrit Kaal is described by the government as the 25-year period culminating in the centenary of India's independence. The finance minister said seven priorities of the budget complement each other. --PTI
11:26 Amul's hat-tip to Pathaan
Amul tweets, "The Badshah of Bollywood makes comeback with blockbuster!"
PM Modi with Gautam Adani. File pic
11:15 Shares of Adani Group companies see more sell-off
Shares of Adani Group firms fell on Wednesday. However, the key market indices opened with gains as investors' sentiments were boosted over Union Budget expectations.
On Wednesday morning, shares of Adani Enterprises, the flagship firm of the group, fell 3.02 per cent to Rs 2,880.20 apiece on the BSE. In a span of five days, the shares were down 15 per cent.
Adani Green declined 3.82 per cent to Rs 1,177.15 apiece and the shares had fallen about 38 per cent in a span of five days. Adani Ports was down 1.33 per cent in the morning session to Rs 604.50 apiece.
The shares were down about 18 per cent in a span of five days. Adani Wilmar's shares also dropped 2.25 per cent to Rs 455.95 apiece during Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, the follow-on public offer (FPO) issued by Adani Enterprises has been fully subscribed on the last day on Friday. Data showed the demand for the FPO was led by non-institutional investors, and they subscribed to the shares 3.26 times.
The portion for institutional investors was also oversubscribed. Adani Enterprises had filed a red herring prospectus with the markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for the Rs 20,000 crore follow-on public offer (FPO), the largest ever in India.
11:13 What's a dog doing at the Union Budget?
A sniffer dog sniffs copies of the Union Budget 2023 that have been brought to the Parliament.
11:09 Railway-related stocks in limelight ahead of Budget
Shares of railway-related companies, including Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd and IRCON International, witnessed an up-trend on Wednesday, ahead of the Union Budget presentation in Parliament. Market experts believe that shares of railway-related companies are in the focus as Dalal Street expects a boost to railways' capital expenditure.
Expectations of higher allocations are driving the stocks. Shares of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) were quoting at Rs 77.95 apiece on the BSE, up 2.43 per cent from the previous close, while the counter of Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) gained 0.91 per cent to Rs 33.35. Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation was trading 0.96 per cent higher at Rs 643.35, Jupiter Wagons rose 1.26 per cent, Texmaco Rail & Engineering rose 0.98 per cent, and Titagarh Wagons gained 0.74 per cent. Shares of K&R Rail Engineering surged 5 per cent to hit its upper circuit on the bourse. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present Union Budget 2023-24 in a paperless format.
10:45 Copies of Union Budget arrive in Parliament
Copies of Union Budget 2023 arrive at Parliament.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting her fifth Budget that may do a tightrope walk between staying fiscally prudent and meeting general public expectations of lower taxes and a wider social security net, while at the same time firing the engines of the economy.
Sitharaman had in her first Budget in 2019 replaced leather briefcase -- which had been in used for decades for carrying Budget documents -- with a traditional 'bahi-khata' wrapped in red cloth.
Budget 2023-24 would be in paperless form, as done in the last two years, and would be available on the 'Union Budget Mobile App' for hassle-free access by Members of Parliament and the general public.
10:33 Cabinet meets to approve Union Budget
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the Parliament. Union Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Modi begins at Parliament After the Cabinet approves the Budget 2023, it will be presented in Parliament by FM Sitharaman.
10:03 Sitharaman arrives in Parl in brilliant red sari
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at the Parliament building. A Union Cabinet meeting will be held here at 10 am following which the Finance Minister will present the Union Budget 2023 in Parliament at 11 am.
Known for her love for Indian textiles, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Parliament wearing a traditional temple border saree on Wednesday.
Temple sarees are usually made of cotton, silk or a mix and worn for special occasions. Sitharaman opted for the red temple saree with black border and intricate golden work on Budget day.
With a red digital tablet in hand, Sitharaman posed for photographs in front of the Ministry of Finance, Central Secretariat on Wednesday morning.'
She completed her look with a small bindi and gold bangles.
Sitharaman has been seen actively promoting traditional handlooms especially after she took charge as the Finance Minister in 2019. Her sartorial choice from the current and previous budget sessions proves that she is a staunch supporter of handwoven fabrics.
The FM and her team at Rashtrapati Bhavan today
09:50 In a first, FM to present Budget on digital device
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2023-24 with a digital device instead of the traditional 'bahi-khata' in her hands.
Wednesday's Budget will be Sitharaman's fifth Budget presentation as Finance Minister. In 2019, the Union Budget was presented in a traditional 'bahi-khata' rather than a leather briefcase.
It was the first time since independence that any Finance Minister had 'opted out' of a briefcase or a hardbound leather bag.
The minister in 2019 not only garnered huge attention for carrying a 'bahi-khata', but also for implying the rich culture the country holds.
A 'bahi-khata' holds prominence in Indian culture, tradition and history. For decades, the Indian way of managing accounts and keeping a record of bills was done in a 'bahi-khata'.
Traders, merchants, sailors and even small shopkeepers have retained this way of preserving their data. However in 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had to take necessary steps to maintain the security and safety of everyone.
The Finance Minister moved ahead with the first paperless Budget holding a digital tablet wrapped in a red-coloured cover with the national emblem emblazoned on it.
The same year, the minister also launched the 'Union Budget Mobile App' for hassle-free access of Budget documents by the parliamentarians and the general public. Following the same trend the next year, the Union Budget 2022 was also a paperless budget.
On Wednesday, the Budget documents will be available on the 'Union Budget Mobile App' on both the Android and Apple OS platforms after the completion of the Budget Speech by the Finance Minister. -- ANI
09:35 Union Budget: FM's chai pe charcha with Prez
Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, MoS Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, MoS Pankaj Chaudhary and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan before presenting the Union Budget 2023-24.
FM Sitharaman with her team
09:08 Union Budget: Sitharaman meets Prez Murmu
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaches Rashtrapati Bhavan to call on President Murmu. The FM will then attend the Union Cabinet meeting, and then present Union Budget 2023-24.
Earlier today, Sitharaman visited the Ministry of Finance in the North Block in the Central Secretariat building.
This Budget marks the last Budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in the Parliament of this term.
09:02 Congress ++ is Ram Guha's advice for 2024
Historian Ramachandra Guha has said that to "revive" healthy democracy in India in which one party does not steamroll the Opposition, a lot depends on the Congress becoming more competitive, which won't happen merely through a march but by winning votes.
Guha was speaking at the launch of the third edition of his seminal work, "India After Gandhi", in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"Objectively, it is only the Congress that has a footprint, shall we say, in eight to 12 states. So to have healthy democracy in which one party does not steamroll the Opposition, the kind that India experienced from the late 1970s till 2014, to revive that, to restore it, which I believe would be very good for all of us, it would depend a lot on the Congress becoming more competitive," he claimed.
To buttress his point, Guha spoke about how among all other parties it was the Congress that fought the BJP head-to-head in as many as 191 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He claimed the same would happen in the 2024 general elections because parties like JD(U), AAP, DMK and TMC stand no chance against the BJP in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. The Congress won 16 out of the 191 seats with a success rate of eight per cent only, Guha said, adding the allies would have an important role to play but then it will be "Congress plus plus" only.
"So, it could be RJD plus JD(U) in Bihar, NCP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, DMK in Tamil Nadu, which is Congress plus plus. But it would have to be the revival of the Congress," he elaborated.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recently concluded Bharat Jodo Yatra, the 64-year-old historian said the revival of the party won't happen "merely through a march".
"A lot depends on how they can revitalise itself (themselves), not merely through a march but by winning votes," he said.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, concluded in Srinagar on January 30 after covering more than 4,000 kilometres in 136 days. Terming Gandhi a "decent man", Guha said there is a question mark on him being a "capable politician" or on whether India deserves a "fifth generation dynast" but he believes it is "morally wrong".
08:49 Sitharaman arrives at MoF ahead of Budget
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at the Ministry of Finance, ahead of the Budget presentation.
This year's Budget holds much significance as the country is scheduled to have the next Lok Sabha election in April-May 2024. The budget session of the Parliament began on Tuesday with President's address. This year's budget session is going to have 27 sittings till April 6 with a month-long recess to examine the budget papers.
The first part of the session will conclude on February 13. Parliament will reconvene on March 12 for the second part of the Budget Session and conclude on April 6. The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday tabled the Economic Survey for the Financial Year 2022-23.
US President Joe Biden with PM Modi in Bali
08:37 Biden believed to have invited Modi for visit to US
US President Joe Biden is understood to have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit this summer, PTI has learnt.
The invitation has been accepted in principle and officials on both sides are now working on mutually convenient dates, according to multiple sources, who noted that it is currently in the early stages of logistical planning.
Given that India is hosting a series of events this year related to G-20 leading to a summit in September, which among others would be attended by Biden, it is reliably learnt that officials from the two sides are looking for appropriate dates in June and July when not only both the US House of Representatives and the Senate are in session but Modi has a couple of days at his disposal when he does not have a predetermined domestic commitment or international engagements.
At least a couple of days are required for the state visit, which among other things includes an address to the joint session of the US Congress and a state dinner at the White House.
In addition to G-20, Modi has packed domestic and international commitments till the fall, before he hits the campaign trail for a series of crucial state assembly elections later this year.
Sources, who requested anonymity as they are not allowed to talk on this sensitive issue at this point of time, however, did not reveal when this invitation was delivered and who delivered this personal invitation from Biden to the Prime Minister's Office. Biden hosted French President Emmanuel Macron for his first state dinner last December. -- PTI
08:31 FM Nirmala Sitharaman to present budget today
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will have to do a tight-rope walk between staying fiscally prudent and general public expectations of lower taxes and a wider social security net, while at the same time firing the engines of the economy before general elections.
Sitharaman will on Wednesday present her fifth straight budget at a time when the economy is slowing due to global headwinds and specific sectors need attention.
In the run-up to the Budget presentation, expectations are rife that she may tweak income-tax slabs to provide relief to the middle class and increase spending on the poor through programmes such as the rural job scheme while ramping up financial incentives for local manufacturing.
But all this she has to do while staying on the course of the fiscal consolidation path.
To her aid are inflation falling below the target and buoyancy in tax collections. Healthcare, education and the rural economy may get a first call on such revenues as well as sectors that create jobs, particularly in small businesses.
The Union Budget for 2023-24 (April 2023 to March 2024) would be the first normal budget after the COVID-19 shock and amid global geopolitical developments. The priority for the Budget is expected to be to maintain a reasonably high but stable growth in the medium term. Alongside, to establish fiscal credibility with a suitable incremental reduction in the fiscal deficit to GDP ratio.
It would have the daunting task of progressing towards consolidation after the Covid-related fiscal push, and on the other hand, keeping an eye on needs on the economic growth in an atmosphere of slowing global growth and tightening domestic financial conditions.
On a strategic level, the broad reform process should continue with outlays earmarked for rural development, boosting manufacturing, employment generation, and capacity building through infrastructure.
Despite this being the last Budget before general elections, big doles may not come on Wednesday as the government may choose to unveil them in the interim budget to be presented next year before the April/May general elections.
Her recent comments on knowing the "pressures of the middle class" have added to speculation she would put some money in the pockets of taxpayers. But how she does that is to be seen.
Sitharaman has in the past budget looked at public spending to boost an economy emerging out of the pandemic and her resolve to stay fiscally prudent will be tested on Wednesday.
Markets are expecting some rationalisation in capital gains tax while there may be some tinkering with import duties on some items.
01:02 Maha woman paraded with garland of footwear for questioning husband's death
A widow was beaten up, her face blackened, and she was paraded with a garland of footwear in a village in Nashik district of Maharashtra by some women after she doubted the circumstances surrounding the death of her husband, the police said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in Shivre village in Chandwad taluka, 65 km from Nashik city, on January 30.
An official said the victim was recently injured in a road accident, following which her husband dropped her at her parent's place.
He had also come to meet her twice with their daughters.
However, when she was at her parents' house she was told by her in-laws that her husband had died by suicide.
"During the post-death ritual on January 30, the woman expressed doubt over the circumstances surrounding her husband's death which angered her sister-in-law," the official said.
The sister-in-law and some other women from the village blackened the face of the victim garlanded her with footwear and paraded her in the village.
She was rescued after a police team rushed to the spot, the official said. No case is registered yet. -- PTI
File image/ANI
00:54 Loco pilot kills self by jumping before Mumbai local
A 57-year-old chief loco inspector of Western Railways committed suicide by lying on a railway track in front of an approaching local train at Vile Parle station in Mumbai, a Government Railway Police official said on Tuesday.
The incident which occurred on January 26 was captured on one of the CCTV cameras at the railway station, he said.
The deceased, Rakesh Kumar Gaud, is survived by his wife and two daughters.
The motive behind Gaud taking the extreme step is under investigation.
His family members said he never complained of any work-related stress.
A case of accidental death was registered by the police. -- PTI
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