Month: July 2022

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has recommended a CBI investigation into the alleged violations of the Delhi Excise Policy and “deliberate and gross procedural lapses” made by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is also in charge of the excise department.

The CBI inquiry was recommended after a recent report by the Chief Secretary established prima facie violations of GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR) 1993, Delhi Excise Act 2009 and Delhi Excise Rules 2010.
Sisodia’s role is under the scanner for alleged deliberate and gross procedural lapses which provided undue benefits to the tender process for liquor licensees for the year 2021-22, sources in the LG office told ANI.

According to them Sisodia had executed decisions in violation of the statutory provisions of the Excise Policy, which could have huge financial implications. Such “undue financial favours” to the liquor licensees after the deadline for awarding tenders caused huge losses to the exchequer, said sources.

The excise policy was passed in chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Cabinet in the middle of the deadly Delta Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

Sources further said the move was done with the sole aim of benefitting private liquor barons.

However, the Delhi government’s version is that the policy was formulated to ensure the generation of optimum revenue, and eradicate the sale of spurious liquor or non-duty paid liquor in Delhi, besides improving user experience. (ANI)

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and NCP leader Sharad Pawar were among the opposition leaders who congratulated Droupadi Murmu on her election as the country’s 15th President.

“I send my congratulations and best wishes to the President-elect Smt. Droupadi Murmu. I look forward to meeting her soon as well,” Sonia Gandhi said in a message.
Party leader Rahul Gandhi also congratulated Droupadi Murmu.

“Congratulations and best wishes to Droupadi Murmu ji on being elected as the 15th President of India,” he said in a tweet.

Mamata Banerjee said the country will sincerely look up to Droupadi Murmu to protect the ideals of our Constitution

“I would like to congratulate President-elect Droupadi Murmu. The country will sincerely look up to you as the Head of State to protect the ideals of our Constitution and be the custodian of our democracy, especially when the nation is plagued with so many dissensions,” Banerjee said in a Twitter post.

Sharad Pawar wished Droupadi Murmu success in her new role.

“Heartfelt congratulations Droupadi Murmu on being elected as the President of India. My best wishes to you as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and charge of your esteemed office. Wishing you success in your tenure as President,” Pawar said in a tweet.

Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha also congratulated his contender Droupadi Murmu.

“I heartily congratulate Droupadi Murmu on her victory in the Presidential Election 2022. I hope — indeed, every Indian hopes — that as the 15th President of India she functions as the Custodian of the Constitution without fear or favour. I join my fellow countrymen in extending best wishes to her,” he said.

Droupadi Murmu, NDA’s Presidential candidate, on Thursday emerged victorious in the presidential election which was held on July 18. She secured 2824 votes with a value of 6,76,803. (ANI)

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) troops on Friday hoisted the tricolour at the border areas in Himachal Pradesh to mark the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and to popularize the Har Ghar Tiranga campaigns on the country’s 75th Independence Day.

‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is an initiative by the Ministry of Culture to mark celebrations for India’s 75th year of Independence.
The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement aims to inspire the citizens to hoist the tricolour or display it in their homes between 13th and 15th August 2022.

The idea behind the initiative was to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said July 22 has special relevance in India’s history as on this day in 1947 the National Flag was adopted.

“This year, when we are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, let us strengthen the Har Ghar Tiranga Movement. Hoist the Tricolour or display it in your homes between August 13 and 15. This movement will deepen our connection with the national flag,” he said.

Ministry of Culture is Nodal Agency for the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign and Ministry will seek help from State Governments to mobilize all resources, housing, and urban development departments and local bodies including municipal bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions for furthering the goals of the campaign.

The Culture Ministry is counting on all public representatives to play an active role in the promotion of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign and make it a success by spreading awareness about the campaign and encouraging others to hoist flags in their houses.

Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav is a series of events to be organised by the Government of India to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. The Mahotsav will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Addressing a gathering at Sabarmati Ashram in 2021, the Prime Minister stated that the launch of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ 75 weeks before 15 August 2022 will continue till 15 August 2023.

The Prime Minister asserted that Azadi Amrit Mahotsav means elixir of energy of independence. It means elixir of inspiration of the warriors of the freedom struggle; elixir of new ideas and pledges and nectar of Aatmnirbharta. (ANI)

Wishes poured in from the political fraternity on Thursday as NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu won the Presidential election and is set to be the 15th President of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president JP Nadda went to meet Murmu at her residence this evening after the conclusion of the third round of the counting of votes which ensured her victory.
Shah, while congratulating Murmu, said that her victory is a “milestone” in the empowerment of tribal society.

“Coming from a very common tribal family, NDA candidate Smt. Draupadi Murmu ji’s election as the President of India is a moment of great pride for the whole country, I congratulate her. This victory is a milestone in the direction of realizing the resolve of Antyodaya and the empowerment of tribal society,” Shah tweeted in Hindi.

The Home Minister further said that she has reached the highest position in the country after “fighting against the odd circumstances” which shows the “power of our democracy”.

“Smt Draupadi Murmu ji has reached this highest position of the country today after fighting against the odd circumstances, it shows the immense power of our democracy. Even after so many struggles, the selfless spirit with which she devoted herself in the service of the country and society is inspiring for all,” Shah tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Murmu on the victory and said that her rising from the poor and underprivileged position to the “highest constitutional position” is proof of the “strength of Indian democracy”.

“Congratulations to Smt Draupadi Murmu ji for registering an effective victory in the Presidential election. She has been active for public welfare in villages, poor, underprivileged as well as in slums. Today she has risen from among them to the highest constitutional position. This is proof of the strength of Indian democracy,” Singh tweeted in Hindi.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who also reached the residence of Murmu, extended greetings and said that her role in giving “voice to hopes” and is “exemplary”.

“Hearty Congratulations to Smt. Draupadi Murmu ji on being elected as the President of India. Your role in giving voice to hopes & aspirations of people is exemplary. I hope under your able guidance, people of our country will make a leading contribution in building a New India,” Birla tweeted.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated Murmu on being elected the President of India and said, “Today she has been elected to the highest Constitutional post in the country. This is India’s speciality. I extend my heartiest congratulations to her”.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also extended best wishes to Murmu and tweeted, “Congratulations and best wishes to Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji on being elected as the 15th President of India”.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who had extended support to Murmu’s candidature, also congratulated her on the victory and said that she will prove to be an efficient president.

“Hearty congratulations and many best wishes to Draupadi Murmu, a woman of the exploited and very backward tribal society, on being elected today with huge votes in the election for the post of President of the country. She will prove to be an efficient and successful President, the country hopes such,” Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.

“Being the first woman presidential candidate of ST category in the country, BSP rose above party politics and gave her support and vote. Now the government should cooperate with them in fulfilling their responsibilities according to the right intention of the constitution so that the public expectation is fulfilled and the country’s prestige increases immensely,” she added.

Murmu was elected as the 15th President of India on Thursday, having already got 50 per cent of the total value of valid votes at the end of the third round of counting. (ANI)

After Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena denied permission for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Singapore visit to attend the World Cities Summit, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener said he differs with the former’s advice and would go ahead with the visit.

In his letter to the LG, Kejriwal said the World Cities Summit is not just a mayor’s conference. It is a conference of mayors, city leaders, knowledge experts etc. and the Singapore government has chosen to invite the Chief Minister of Delhi.

He said it is a matter of great pride that the Delhi model of governance especially the work done in education, health and power sector is being discussed and recognised the world over.

“Singapore government has invited me to present the Delhi model before the city leaders from the whole world. It is a matter of great pride for every patriotic Indian. All of us should celebrate it and do our best to facilitate this visit,” said the Chief Minister.

Kejriwal said human life is not compartmentalised into the subjects mentioned in the three Lists of the Constitution. If the visit of each Constitutional authority in our country were to be decided on the basis of what subjects fall within the jurisdiction of that authority, it would create a funny situation and a practical logjam, noted the Delhi Chief Minister.

“Then the Prime Minister would not be able to go anywhere because in most of his visits, he also discusses subjects which fall in state list and do not fall in his jurisdiction. Then no CM would ever be able to make any visit anywhere in the world. Therefore. I humbly differ with the advice of LG. We will go ahead with the visit. Kindly apply for political clearance from the central government,” Kejriwal said.

The AAP-led Delhi government and the Centre locked horns over Kejriwal’s proposed visit to Singapore to attend the global conference in Singapore.

Delhi LG VK Saxena has returned the proposal regarding the Singapore visit of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to attend the ‘Eighth World Cities Summit and WCS Mayors Forum’, and advised him to not attend a conference that is prima facie a conference of mayors not befitting attendance by a Chief Minister, said sources.

Sources said that the LG has underlined the fact that GNCTD does not have exclusive domain over the issues corresponding with the theme of the conference and hence it will be inappropriate for a Chief Minister to be attending the same.

Earlier on Sunday, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought permission to attend the World Cities Summit in Singapore.

The World Cities Summit is a forum for leaders and industry experts to address the challenges of a livable and sustainable city and to deliberate on integrated urban solutions.

This year the summit is being held between July 31 and August 3. (ANI)

The Deoghar airport, recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 12, will see its first direct flight from Delhi on July 30.

Many leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party will fly to Deoghar on this flight and offer prayers at the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva there.

The pilot of this Delhi-Deoghar Indigo flight will be Lok Sabha BJP MP from Saran Rajeev Pratap Rudy. Godda MP Nishikant Dubey has booked the first flight ticket. Apart from them, many other BJP leaders including Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, and Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirhua will also travel from Delhi to Deoghar on this flight.

According to the schedule, this Indigo flight from Delhi will take off at 1 pm on July 30 and will reach Deoghar airport at 2:45 pm. In the return flight, this flight will take off at 3:15 pm and will reach Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5:20 pm.

At present, airlines have been started from Kolkata to Deoghar and Deoghar to Kolkata. The flight from Delhi to Deoghar also currently flies via Kolkata.

Deoghar, is is a holy city famous for Baba Baidyanath Dham, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

The airport is the second airport in the state after Ranchi. With the construction of the new airport in Deoghar, regional connectivity is set to receive a major boost. It will enhance tourism and open new trade opportunities in the region dominated by the tribal people. (ANI)

The Indian men’s 25m rapid fire pistol team including Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu and Sameer bagged the silver medal on the last day of the ISSF World Cup Changwon 2022 in South Korea, on Wednesday.

The medal tally led India led them to the top spot on the table with five gold, six silver and four bronze medals. South Korea grabbed just one bronze on the final day and concluded the tournament with four golds, five silver and three bronze medals.
The Indian trio had made it to the final after coming through two rounds of qualification, completing second with 872 points and topped the second round with 578 for a shot at gold.

India started strongly to take a 10-2 lead. The experienced Czech trio then mounted a brilliant comeback to unsettle the young Indian shooting team.

In the mixed team skeet event, in-form Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Zahra Mufaddal Deesawala finished ninth out of 17 teams.

This is the second time this year that the Indian shooters had topped the ISSF World Cup medals table. India finished with the most gold medals (four) at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo. (ANI)

Railway Protection Force (RPF) under “Operation Nanhe Farishte”, has rescued 745 children in coordination with the Railway Police and other frontline railway staff from railway station platforms of Central Railway in the past 6 months i.e. from January 2022 to June 2022 under “Operation Nanhe Farishte”.

This includes 490 boys and 255 girls who were reunited with their parents with the help of NGOs like Childline, said an official release on Thursday.

“The children who come to the railway station without informing their families, due to some fight or some family issues or in search of better life or glamour of the city, etc are found by trained RPF personnel. This trained RPF personnel connect with the children, understand their problems and counsel them to reunite with their parents. Many of the parents express their deep gratitude and thankfulness for this noble service of the Railways,” stated RPF.

Mumbai Division of Central Railway registered the highest 381 children to be rescued, which include 270 boys and 111 girls.

Bhusaval Division registered 138 children including 72 boys and 66 girls. Pune Division registered 136 children including 98 boys and 38 girls. Nagpur Division registered 56 children including 30 boys and 26 girls. Solapur Division registered 34 children including 20 boys and 14 girls.

Last year i.e. 2021 from January to December, Central Railway RPF in coordination with GRP and other frontline railway staff has rescued 971 children including 603 boys and 368 girls, said RPF. (ANI)

Karan Johar in the third episode of ‘Koffee with Karan Season 7’ reveals that his sex life is currently very ‘lonely’.

In the latest episode of ‘Koffee with Karan 7’, the ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ director welcomed south actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who marked her debut on the chat show along with actor Akshay Kumar.

While having a conversation about their personal lives, the ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ actor talked to Samantha about his sex life and said, “My Love and Sex Life..It is very lonely, Sam. You and I are floating in the same boat”, indicating towards the ‘The Family Man 2’ star’s recent separation with south actor Naga Chaitanya.

Karan further asked the ‘Pushpa’ actor for going on a trip with him and said, “Maybe I can hop on and we can go cruising together…Shall we take a holiday together? I think it will be fun.”

In response to this Samantha just made a weird nod.

The third episode ended on a happy note, with the ‘Atrangi Re’ actor winning the quirky rapid-fire round with 83 per cent votes of the live audience and Samantha winning the buzzer round.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the ‘Prithviraj’ actor is currently busy promoting his upcoming film ‘Raksha Bandhan’ alongside Bhumi Pednekar. The family entertainer film is all set to release on August 11, 2022, and will face a big Bollywood clash with Aamir Khan’s upcoming film ‘Laal Singh Chadha’.

Samantha, on the other hand, will be next seen in a science fiction thriller film ‘Yashoda’, which will be released in Tamil and Telugu on August 12, 2022. Apart from that, she also has ‘Khushi’ alongside Vijay Deverkonda, which is slated to release on December 23, 2022. (ANI)