CAA To Be Implemented After Covid Booster Vaccine Is Completed: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be implemented after the COVID-19 precaution dose vaccination programme is completed.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 which was passed by the Parliament of India on December 11, 2019, but is yet to be implemented, aims to grant citizenship to those members of the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who faced persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Shah said this while giving assurance to West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who met the Home Minister in Parliament today.

After the meeting, Adhikari said the Home Minister has conveyed to him that the work on implementing CAA will be speeded up immediately after the third dose of Covid vaccination is received by everyone.

Adhikari urged Home Minister to implement the citizenship law at the earliest.

“It’s an honour for me to meet Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji for 45 minutes at his office in Parliament. I briefed him how WB Govt is completely mired in corrupt activities such as the Teacher’s recruitment scam. Also requested him to implement CAA at the earliest” tweeted Adhikari after the meeting.

The CAA was notified on December 12, 2019, and came into force on January 10, 2020. It aims to facilitate the grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who had come to India on or before December 31, 2014.

Speaking to media persons, the BJP leader Adhikari said, “A lot of things were discussed, but not everything can be disclosed as I am a disciplinary soldier of BJP. But I had two main agendas – HM assured me of taking an action to root out the SSC recruitment scam. He also assured me about the implementation of CAA. But, the country is facing some challenges related to COVID. Therefore, it will be done once the booster dose drive is over.”

He further stated that those who left Bangladesh on a religious basis and came to West Bengal should get citizenship by law.

“I have raised this issue before the Home Minister and he said that government will frame all rules. I hope that all processes will start in next year and those people from the Hindu religion or people from Matua or Rajvanshi Community, who were forced to left Bangladesh will get citizenship,” he said.

CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who had entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The Centre has said that citizenship to the eligible beneficiaries of CAA will be given only after rules under the legislation are notified.

Adhikari briefed Home Minister on the teachers recruitment scam.

Adhikari also took up other issues related to the BJP’s ongoing political fight with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and shared the names of more than 100 such people with Amit Shah, who are known to collect money for the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Adhikari also met BJP national president JP Nadda and discuss the Bengal situation.

Soon after the meeting, the LoP said in a tweet that Nadda’s valuable suggestions would certainly lead the ‘Sangharsh’ of every BJP Karyakarta of West Bengal towards the right path.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to meet National President JP Nadda. He was very encouraging and appreciative about BJP Bengal’s efforts. His valuable suggestions would certainly lead the ‘Sangharsh’ of every BJP Karyakarta of WB towards the right path,” he said.

Former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the School Service Commission (SSC) scam in West Bengal.

The arrest of Partha Chatterjee followed Rs 21 crore in cash and jewellery worth above Rs 1 crore being recovered from the Kolkata residence of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of the former education minister.

The ED unearthed many disproportionate assets allegedly of Partha Chatterjee since his arrest, of which were three flats in West Bengal’s Diamond City.

Suvendu Adhikari also paid a courtesy visit to former West Bengal Governor and NDA vice president candidate JP Dhankar.

Adhikari will visit Delhi again on August 11. (ANI)

ED Attaches 3.35 Cr Assets In DA Case Against Ex-Corporator Of B’luru Gowramma

Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets to the tune of Rs. 3.35 Crore in the case of CG Gowramma, Ex- Corporator (Azad Nagar), Bangalore in Disproportionate Asset case.

ED initiated a money laundering investigation on the basis of the charge sheet filed by Karnataka Lokayukta Police, Bengaluru against C.G. Gowramma, the then Corporator of Ward No. 141, Azad Nagar, BBMP, Bangalore, and her husband C. Govindraju for the offense committed under Section 13(1)(e) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 120(B) of Indian Penal Code in FIR registered by Karnataka Lokayukta Police, Bengaluru.
The investigation by ED revealed that C.G. Gowramma during this period as a Corporator misused her official position and generated Proceeds of Crime in collusion with her husband C. Govindaraju and laundered the generated proceeds of crime by crediting the same to their bank accounts in cash as well as by acquiring various immovable properties in cash.

C. G. Gowramma and her husband C. Govindaraju were alleged to have acquired disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs. 3.46 Crore during the check period from FY 2010-11 to FY 2012-13.

The immovable properties, thus identified include agricultural land, residential plots as well as commercial sites. (ANI)

Grave Consequences If Pelosi Visits Taiwan: China

Hours ahead of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s arrival in Taiwan, China upped the ante and threatened Washington with “very grave” consequences if the high-level visit takes place.

Pelosi is likely to visit Taiwan Tuesday evening, as per reports. She is going to Taiwan for meetings scheduled with top government officials at the self-governed island that China calls its own and vows to forcefully takeover.
Wang Xiaojian, Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, issued a warning saying Pelosi’s Taiwan visit would constitute a gross interference in China’s internal affairs and greatly threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

“A visit to Taiwan by Speaker Pelosi would constitute a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, greatly threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, severely undermine China-US relations and lead to a very serious situation and grave consequences,” Wang tweeted.

Adopting a tough stance, the Chinese official said those who play by fire will perish.

“Public opinion cannot be defied. Those who play with fire will perish by it. If the US side insists on making the visit and challenges China’s red line, it will be met with resolute countermeasures. The US must bear all consequences arising thereof,” he added.

The Chinese spokesperson said that the one-China principle is the political foundation of the China-US relations. “China firmly opposes separatist moves toward ‘Taiwan independence’ and interference by external forces, and never allows any room for ‘Taiwan independence’ forces in whatever form.”

On Monday, China reiterated that it was keeping a close watch on the reports of Pelosi’s planned visit and warned of a resolute response and strong countermeasure if she insists on going ahead with the tour.

US National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said the US Speaker has the right to visit Taiwan and that her visit was not ‘uncommon’.

“If she goes it’s not without precedent, it’s not new,” Kirby said adding, “The Speaker has not confirmed any travel plans and it is for the Speaker to do so, and her staff.”

Since the reports of the US House Speaker’s visit were released last month, Beijing has been warning of Nancy’s Taiwan visit saying that it will act strongly and take countermeasures if the US side insists on going ahead with the visit.

In a press briefing last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Pelosi’s Taiwan visit will have a severe impact on China-US ties.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden had said that the US military believes it is not a “good idea” for House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to travel to Taiwan as planned. “The military thinks it’s not a good idea right now,” Biden was quoted as saying by the White House press pool.

China has on many occasions firmly opposed any form of official interaction between the United States and the Taiwan region. While warning against the US House speaker’s Taiwan visit, a Chinese state media outlet said visiting Taiwan is definitely a red line that Pelosi must never cross.

In a phone call between the US and Chinese presidents last week, Xi Jinping told Biden that China would safeguard national sovereignty and said those who play with fire will perish by it. Biden, meanwhile, told the Chinese President that US policy on Taiwan hasn’t changed and that Washington opposes unilateral changes to the status quo. (ANI)

India Offers Additional $100-mn Line Of Credit To Maldives

Asserting that India has been and always will be the “first responder” for the Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that New Delhi has decided to provide an additional line of credit of USD 100 million to Male.

“We have decided to provide an additional line of credit of USD 100 million to the Maldives so that all projects can be completed in a timely manner,” PM Modi said.
At the beginning of his speech after inaugurating the Greater Male Connectivity Project today, PM Modi noted India’s bond with the Maldives.

“Our closeness has grown,” PM Modi said at the beginning of his speech after inaugurating the Greater Male Connectivity project on Tuesday.

PM Modi and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih jointly launched the Greater Male Connectivity project, the largest infra project of the Maldives which is being funded by New Delhi.

Both India and Maldives witnessed the exchange of agreements between the two countries. India reviewed projects for the construction of 4000 social housing units in Greater Male and will additionally provide financial support for 2000 social housing units.

“We reviewed projects for the construction of 4000 social housing units in Greater Male. We will additionally provide financial support for 2000 social housing units: PM Modi said.

Speaking about the security needs in the Indian Ocean region, PM Modi said: “The threat of trans-national crime, terrorism and drug trafficking is serious in the Indian Ocean region. That’s why coordination between India and the Maldives in the field of defence and security is vital for the peace and stability of the entire region.”

Maldives is a key neighbour of India in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in the country’s Neighbourhood First Policy.

For India, the Maldives has always been a close and important maritime neighbour. Multifaceted ties between the two countries have strengthened despite the pandemic-related disruptions.

India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and Maldives’s “India First” policy work in tandem to tackle shared concerns and advance mutual interests. Meanwhile, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih welcomed the operationalization of RuPay cards in the Maldives.

“Maldives-India relationship goes beyond diplomacy. This visit is an affirmation of the close bond between our two countries,” Solih noted.

Accompanied by a high-level official and business delegation, Solih arrived in India at the invitation of PM Modi yesterday.

“A warm welcome to a close friend and maritime neighbour! President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of Maldives arrives in New Delhi for an official visit. An opportunity to nurture the unwavering friendship between our two countries and lend further momentum to the multifaceted partnership,” MEA had tweeted. (ANI)

Woman Throws Shoe At Tainted TMC Leader Partha Chatterjee

A woman hurled a shoe at former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee while he was being taken to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office from ECI Hospital on Tuesday, who is an accused in West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) scam.

“I had come to throw my shoe on him. He has taken money from poor people. I would have been happier if the shoe would have hit him on his head,” she said when asked why she threw the shoe at Chatterjee.

Meanwhile, an ED search is underway at ‘Magic Touch’ in Patuli in Kolkata; a property owned by Arpita Mukherjee, a close aid of Chatterjee.

However, Chatterjee had denied his involvement in the School Service Commission (SSC) scam and asserted that the “money does not belong to him”.

“When the time comes, you will know…the money does not belong to me,” he said to media persons today upon being asked about who is behind this conspiracy.

Arrested Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee – who is now suspended from the Trinamool Congress – and his aide Arpita Mukherjee have separately been claiming that they are a “victim of a conspiracy.”

Trinamool Congress, which had been distancing itself from its arrested leader Partha Chatterjee, axed him as a minister and suspended him from the party leaving it to him to defend himself in the Enforcement Directorate probe in the teacher recruitment scam in which crores of rupees have been seized from residences linked to his aide Arpita Mukherjee.

Trinamool Congress’ decision to part ways with one of its most senior leaders was announced by party leader Abhishek Banerjee at a press conference in which he said “if anyone commits something wrong then Trinamool Congress will not spare him” and ‘there will be zero tolerance for corruption”. He said Partha Chatterjee will remain suspended till probe is underway.

Partha Chatterjee was considered one of the most trusted lieutenants of the Chief Minister, a “go-to” man and was regarded third in party hierarchy after the chief Minister and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

After his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, in connection with the School Service Commission (SSC) scam in West Bengal, Chatterjee had reportedly called Mamata Banerjee four times, which she allegedly did not pick.

Abhishek Banerjee has told the media that Chatterjee has been removed from TMC along with the post of general secretary, national vice president and three other posts.

“He has been suspended till the investigation is underway. He can come back if proven not guilty. CM took the decision and the (Partha Chatterjee) minister was removed. The probe into the matter is underway. If anyone commits something wrong then TMC won’t spare him,” he said adding that the investigating agency must complete the probe in a time-bound manner.

“There will be zero tolerance for corruption. Investigating agency must complete the probe within the time limit. Even in Sarada case nothing happened, it’s just lingering. There should be a time-bound investigation,” he said.

“The one (Arpita Mukherjee) from whose house sums of money were recovered isn’t from TMC. We want stringent action against those who are linked to this matter. I am saying this in a hypothetical way that if Partha Chatterjee goes to BJP after two months then he will become a saint. Since he is in TMC, all of these things are happening,” he added.

The arrest of Partha Chatterjee followed Rs 21 crore in cash and jewellery worth above Rs 1 crore being recovered from the Kolkata residence of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of the former education minister.

The ED unearthed many disproportionate assets allegedly of Partha Chatterjee since his arrest, of which were three flats in West Bengal’s Diamond City.

The ED raided Arpita Mukherjee’s house in connection with an alleged teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal.

“The said amount is suspected to be proceeds of crime of the said SSC scam,” the probe agency had said in a statement.

A five-time MLA, Chatterjee was appointed as the minister-in-charge of higher education and school education in 2014 and he held the portfolio till 2021. (ANI)

Monocled Cobra Charms Devotees In Nepal On Naag Panchami

Dozens of devotees were stunned to see a live Monocled Cobra in a basket brought by a snake charmer on the premises of Naag Pokhari coinciding with the festivity of Naag Panchami.

The Fifth Day of Bright half-moon of Shrawan month, as per the lunar calendar is regarded as Naag Panchami, a day dedicated to Serpent Deities. People flock to the nearby ponds and Naag temples to worship the Serpentine Deity with this the festive season starts in the Himalayan Nation.
Devotees who thronged to infamous Naag Pokhari to worship the serpent deity on Naag Panchami offered vermillion powders, flowers and milk as they feel relieved to worship the Serpent on its day.

Speaking to ANI, a devotee said, “I am feeling very fortunate, I haven’t imagined in my life that I would ever get a chance to offer milk to God Naag. I am deeply satisfied and feel myself fortunate than others, I don’t have any words to explain the feeling.”

“I felt that Naag Devta came in his real form to give me blessings,” Mithu Panta told ANI.

The Naag Pokhari, a pond dedicated to the Serpent deity in Naxal of Kathmandu was worshipped and made special offerings of the dubo grass, flower and rice grains mixed with red vermillion powder. Along with milk, fruits and sweets made of milk are also offered with the lighting of incense sticks and lamps in homage to the serpent deities.

The festival of Naag Panchami is also regarded as the festival to make the bond between humans and nature strong. On this particular day, the farmers don’t dig or plough the field rather they worship the deity making the idols from the mud of their field.

As per the religious beliefs, the Serpentine deity is also regarded as the god of water and rain and it is considered that the house where the “Naag deity” resides is bestowed with wealth and prosperity.

The tradition of observing the festival started when a farmer in ancient times ploughed the field on the day of Nag Panchami and a family of serpents was killed. The serpent then promised not to spare any of the family members from that farmer after his entire family was killed.

The farmer had only one daughter who was also married off; the serpent then went to the girl’s house to take revenge and saw the daughter worshipping the serpent deity. That snake who lost its family returned back blessing the girl.

The festival of Naag Panchami is also regarded as the festival to make the bond between humans and nature strong. On this particular day, the farmers don’t dig or plough the field rather they worship the deity making the idols from the mud of their field. (ANI)

Delhi: Another Nigerian Man Tests Positive For Monkeypox

Another Nigerian man living in the national capital tested positive for Monkeypox, taking the tally of the viral disease in Delhi to three, said official sources on Tuesday.

On Monday, a 35-year-old Nigerian man living in Delhi, with no recent international travel history, tested positive for monkeypox.
Earlier in the day, one more case of Monkeypox has been reported in Kerala.

On July 30, the first death of Monkeypox was reported in the country. A 22-year-old man who had tested positive for Monkeypox in UAE arrived in India on July 22 and was admitted to a hospital on July 27 after again testing positive for Monkeypox.

The Centre has formed a task force in the wake of Monkeypox cases in India to monitor and provide guidance to the government on the expansion of diagnostic facilities and to explore vaccination for the infection in the country.

The decision was taken during a meeting which was attended by Cabinet secretary, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Additional Secretary (PMO) and other senior officials.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

Patra On Udit Raj's Remark On Murmu

Patra Flays Opposition For Supporting Sanjay Raut

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sambit Patra on Monday lashed out at those supporting arrested Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and said that the entire India is seeing the manner in which the Opposition is doing politics over corruption.

In a virtual address to the people, Patra on Monday said, “Entire India is seeing the manner in which the Opposition is doing politics over corruption. Sanjay Raut is involved in the Patra Chawl case and the Opposition is attempting to do politics by making him a pawn.”
A special court in Mumbai on Monday sent Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut to Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) custody till August 4. The ED has arrested Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a Mumbai ‘chawl’, officials said. Raut, 60, was arrested on Sunday after over six hours of questioning at the ED’s zonal office in south Mumbai’s Ballard Estate.

The BJP leader further slammed those who questioned the work of Central investigative agencies.

“Should corruption not be investigated by various agencies meant to investigate corruption? Should ED not investigate cases where a scam of thousands of crores took place? As far as Sanjay Raut and Patra chawl is concerned, it’s not a fresh case but ongoing for 14-15 years,” said Sambit Patra.

On Monday, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has given a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking to discuss the issue of “misuse of premier investigative agencies by the Central government for political agendas”.

Highlighting the pain of those who suffered due to the scam, Patra said, “Houses of around 680 families were not built. Nobody is trying to find out about them. The Opposition should find out about them and get to know about their pain. This is a case involving a scam of Rs 1,000 crore. ED is investigating it. Money and facts are coming out.”

“Why is there a sense of entitlement in Sanjay Raut? He’s an MP. Does it mean there should not be an investigation against him? This is New India. If there is a corruption of hard-earned money of people, there is a policy of zero tolerance and it’ll be investigated,” he said.

Earlier, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray slammed the BJP over the arrest of Sena leader Sanjay Raut by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case and hailed the Rajya Sabha MP as a “true Shiv Sainik” who did not succumb to pressure.

“The BJP is conspiring to finish off regional parties. The mask is off. I had thanked (Governor Bhagat Singh) Koshiyari that you inadvertently brought the dream of crushing Marathis out before us. Similarly, the BJP president has also revealed they do not want other parties to exist in the country and want dictatorship,” the former Maharashtra Chief Minister said in a virtual address. (ANI)

BJP Parliamentary Party Meet Underway

A Bharatiya Janata Party Parliamentary party meeting began on Tuesday morning in the Parliament Library Building in the presence of BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Ashwini Vaishnaw, S Jaishankar, Anurag Thakur and Pralhad Joshi were among those who were seen arriving for the meeting at the Parliament Library building. Rajnath Singh is chairing the meeting in which several BJP MPs are also present.
Notably, the ongoing Monsoon Session is witnessing a number of adjournments in both Houses of Parliament on various issues ranging from price rise issues to the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case.

Meanwhile, amid the continuous demand from the opposition, the Rajya Sabha will discuss the issue of price rise today. The government will also move ‘The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022’ for passing and consideration.

the Opposition Congress and other parties disrupted proceedings over the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and other issues.

Also, the Lok Sabha on Monday withdrew the suspension of four Congress MPs on the condition that they will not bring placards into the House.

Lok Sabha MPs, including Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, Jothimani, and TN Prathapan, were suspended for the entire Monsoon Session on 25 July, for displaying placards and disrupting proceedings despite a warning by Speaker Om Birla.

The move had sparked protests and uproar from the Opposition party, with the Congress retorting that the Centre was trying to intimidate them.

Adding to this, MP Shashi Tharoor had said that the government is genuinely arrogant about its brute majority and seems contemptuous about the need to accommodate Opposition voices.

Also, Speaker Om Birla on Monday requested all parties to avoid bringing placards to the Parliament. (ANI)

Hatred Against Ahmadi Muslims

Pak Registers Sharp Decline In Oil Sales Consumption

In line with Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government’s efforts to reduce oil import bills, Pakistan has registered a sharp decline in the sales by oil marketing companies during July showed data released on Monday by Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC).

According to Topline Securities, total petroleum and lubricant sales fell by 26% to 1.44 million tonnes in July 2022, the lowest level since February 2021, reported Geo News.
Data revealed that high-speed diesel sales in the month of July were the lowest in the last 18 years while petrol sales recorded the lowest monthly sales in July over the last six years period.

The main reasons that contributed to the decline in sale of petroleum products consumption during the month include the sharp increase in hi-speed diesel and petrol prices, ongoing heavy spells of monsoon rains, high domestic inflation and a significant slowdown in economic activities, reported Geo News.

Oil sales were down close to 35% in the last two months. From 2.2 million tonnes in May to 1.4 million tonnes in July. “This [decline] will save billions of dollars, however, it will slow down the economy,” Geo news reported quoting Topline Securities CEO Mohammad Sohail.

The Pakistan government on Sunday had increased diesel prices by Rs 8.95 per litre amid the fluctuations in petroleum prices in the international market and exchange rate variation. The price of Kerosene was similarly increased by Rs 4.62 per litre while that of light diesel oil (LDO) was reduced by Rs 0.12 per litre.

The country has however reduced the prices of petrol by Rs 3.05 per litre to be effective from Monday, Dawn reported. On July 14, Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif announced a reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 18.50 and Rs 40.54 per litre as crude oil rates in the international market fell sharply.

This was the first time the PMLN-led coalition government reduced petroleum prices after it came to power in the second week of April. Shehbaz said that the government had increased the prices of petrol after coming into power as it had no other option due to a crunch in foreign currency reserves and high prices in global markets.

Between May 26 and July 1, the petrol price in the country had increased by 66 per cent, or Rs99 per litre, while HSD price went up by 92pc since May 26 from Rs144.15 per litre, up by 132.39 per litre. Likewise, the ex-depot price of kerosene had gone up to Rs230.26 per litre, up by 95pc between May 26 and July 1.

Similarly, the ex-depot price of LDO went up to Rs 226.15 on July 1, up 80pc from Rs 125.56 per litre on May 26, up by about Rs100.59 per litre. The government claims to have raised the prices of utilities per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal. However, this is raising concerns over an economic default, and acute shortages of petroleum products, electricity, gas, and food items.

Earlier, Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said that the staff-level agreement with the IMF was expected to take place in mid-June of this year. It also indicates that the agreement is expected to be made only after the announcement of the next budget, in line with the IMF programme’s objective. (ANI)