Month: August 2022

A national flag was displayed on Thursday at the residence of Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the leader of the outlawed group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who had announced a cash reward for the hoisting of Khalistani flag at key places.

However, ahead of the 75th Independence Day celebrations, a group of people reached Pannu’s residence here and unfurled the tricolour. A number of people were also seen waving the Indian flag outside his residence.

SFJ is a US-based Khalistani secessionist group founded by Pannun. It was banned in India in 2019.

Ahead of India’s Independence Day, Pannu had reportedly released a provocative message announcing a cash award for those who would hoist the Khalistani flag at key places.

The central government has launched a ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ to be held from August 13 to 15, to commemorate India’s 75th anniversary of independence.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of India’s people, culture and achievements.

Some radical elements have, however, been opposed to the government move.

Earlier this week, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Simranjit Singh Mann had also called for a boycott of the “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign. This statement by the SAD MP sparked outrage on social media. (ANI)

Coal production in India rose by 11.37 percent to 60.42 million tonnes (MT) in July 2022 as compared to 54.25 MT recorded in the same month last year, according to the official data released on Thursday.

As per the provisional statistics of the Ministry of Coal, during July this year Coal India Ltd (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) and captive mines/others registered a growth of 11.12 percent and 44.37 percent by producing 47.33 MT and 9.80 MT coal respectively.

However, SCCL registered a negative growth of 32.51 percent during the month.

Of the top 37 coal mines, production of 24 mines was more than 100 percent during July this year. Another seven mines’ production stood between 80 and 100 percent.

At the same time, coal despatch increased by 8.51 percent to 67.81 MT in July 2022 from 62.49 MT during July 2021

During July 2022, CIL and captive mines/others registered a growth of 8.17 percent and 40.78 percent, by dispatching 54.54 MT and 9.91 MT, respectively.

The Power utilities despatch has grown by 17.09 percent to 58.45 MT during July this year as compared to 49.92 MT in July 2021 due to an increase in power demand.

Coal-based power generation has registered a growth of 4.76 percent in July 2022. The overall power generation in July 2022 has been 4.29 percent higher than in July 2021, according to data released by the Ministry of Coal. (ANI)

By Animesh Deb

Wholesale prices of wheat in the domestic mandis have managed to fall from their lifetime highs and have stabilized as the central government timely brought in a slew of policy interventions on the exports of the foodgrain.

In Indore in Madhya Pradesh, which is considered one of the key mandis, wheat prices touched as high as Rs 2,400-2,500 per 100 kg, against Rs 2,000-2,1000 until the conflict in Ukraine broke out. Prices of wheat usually remain on the lower side during this time of the year as freshly harvested rabi crops make their way into the physical markets — mandis.

Multiple rounds of heat waves in several wheat-growing regions in India ahead of the rabi harvest this year affected crop production.

The current wheat price in India is well above the Centre’s assured Minimum Support price of Rs 2,015 per 100 kg, which in itself is a rare phenomenon.

As the tensions between Russia and Ukraine turned into a full-blown war, export demand for wheat got a boost, resulting in lifetime high prices of the staple foodgrain in the local mandis.

Currently, wheat is trading a little below Rs 2,400 per 100 kg in Indore. In other markets too, wheat prices have somewhat softened.

“Going by the current trend it seems the price of the foodgrain will fall towards Rs 2,300 in the coming days,” said Indore-based veteran trader NK Agarwal.

To manage the overall food security of the country as well as meet the needs of the neighbouring and other vulnerable countries, India amended the export policy of wheat by putting its export under the “prohibited” category.

Global wheat prices have risen substantially in recent months as both the countries — Ukraine and Russia — are two major suppliers of wheat.

Wheat production in Ukraine is expected to decline 41 per cent or 13.5 million tonnes year-on-year in the 2022-23 season to around 19.5 million tonnes, as per US Department of Agriculture’s recent forecast.

The Indian government did not stop at just restricting exports of wheat.

After a ban on exports of wheat grain, the Centre has now put restrictions on the exports of wheat flour (atta) exports and other related products like maida, semolina (rava / sirgi), wholemeal atta and resultant atta.

The government while banning exports of wheat had stated that the move was made with the purpose to manage the overall food security of the country as well as meeting the needs of the neighbouring and other vulnerable countries.

Lately, the government has said that there is no shortage of wheat stock in the central pool. In a written reply to Lok Sabha during the recent Parliament session, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said: “As on 01.07.2022, the actual stock of wheat is 285.10 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) against the Buffer norm of 275.80 LMT.”

In reply to another question on whether it is true that wheat procurement from farmers has fallen since there was a rise in private procurement who bought wheat directly from farmers, the minister agreed to it.

“The procurement of wheat has fallen due to higher purchase of wheat by traders as the market price of wheat had shot up due to prevailing international geopolitical situation,” the Union Minister said.

“Moreover, if the farmer gets better price in comparison to MSP, they are free to sell their produce in the open market.”

Wheat prices rising above MSP essentially means the Centre had to purchase lesser quantities under the price guarantee scheme as the farmers are already getting higher prices for their produce from the private buyers. (ANI)

The Supreme Court has said that promising and distributing freebies by political parties during elections is a “serious issue” and an amount has to be spent on infrastructure etc.

A bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Krishna Murari said the economy losing money and the welfare of people, both have to be balanced.

“Economy losing money and welfare of people, both have to be balanced. That is why this debate and there must be someone who can put their vision and thoughts. Please submit something,” the bench told the parties in the case.

The apex court was hearing a plea seeking direction to seize election symbols and deregister political parties that promised to distribute irrational freebies from public funds.

“It’s a serious issue. People who are opposing have a right to say that they are paying tax. The amount has to spend for infrastructure etc and not on distributing money,” said the CJI.

“It’s definitely an issue of concern and financial discipline has to be there but in a country like India where poverty is there we can’t ignore that issue,” the CJI said, further adding that the issue requires discussion.

The CJI also said that he is “strict orthodox” and doesn’t want to encroach on the areas meant by the legislature.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Aam Aadmi Party, opposed the PIL saying there is confusion between giving freebies and welfare schemes, and this word freebies is used in the very wrong manner.

Singhvi said welfare measures are a political bargain which is done between the electorate and the elected. “Thus we have formulated the universal adult franchise. Judicial reassessment makes the court enter into the political thicket which courts have refused to do earlier,” he added.

To this, CJI replied, “That is why we are cautious and we expressed reservation to what extent we can go. You cannot tell us that don’t examine this.”

AAP had filed an application stating that electoral promises such as free water, free electricity, and free transport are not ‘freebies’ but these schemes are absolutely essential in an unequal society.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for Centre told the bench that if we say distributing freebies is only way to achieve welfare schemes then it is a road to economic disaster.

He suggested that till the legislature is doing it anything on freebies, Supreme Court can lay down guidelines.

On petitioner’s request for de-registration of political parties promising freebies, CJI said he doesnt want to enter the area of de-registering political party etc. as it’s an “undemocratic arena” and “we are a democracy after all”.

The bench now posted the matter for further hearing on August 17.

Election Commission in an affidavit filed on Wednesday supported the top court’s decision to set up an expert committee to examine regulatory measures on freebies announced by political parties ahead of elections, however, declined to be part of the panel.

It took strong objections to the Supreme Court’s remarks portraying it to be non-serious about the problem of freebies promised and distributed by the political parties.

Declining to be part of the expert body, the poll panel took objection to the apex court’s oral observations during a hearing where it had said that if the Commission had taken steps, this problem would not have arisen. The Commission said the remarks caused “irreparable damage” to its reputation built over the years.

“It may not be appropriate for the Commission, being the constitutional authority, to offer to be part of the expert committee especially if there are (representation from) ministries or government bodies in the expert committee. Further, there are continuous elections in the country and any opinion/view/comment during deliberations in a multi-member body might, in the event of being publicised, amount to pre-decide the issue and disturb the level playing field,” the poll panel has stated in the affidavit.

The Commission pointed out that it was the Supreme Court in its 2013 judgment which had held that promises made by political parties and candidates in their manifestos could neither be construed as a corrupt practice under Representation of the People Act nor a violation of a level playing field (Article 14).

Earlier, the top court had observed that political parties promising to distribute freebies is a “serious economic issue” and said that there is a need for a body to examine the issue.

There is a need consisting of Niti Aayog, Finance Commission, ruling and opposition parties, Reserve Bank of India, and other stakeholders to make suggestions on how to control freebies by political parties, the bench had said.

It had asked the Central government to take a stand on the need to control the issue of political parties promising to distribute irrational freebies. It had also asked the Centre to consider whether the suggestions of the Finance Commission can be sought for a solution.

The CJI had also sought opinion of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was present in court for some other matter, on freebies by political parties.

“It’s a serious issue but difficult to control politically. The Finance Commission when it does allocation to various states, they can take into account the debt of the state and the quantum of freebies. Finance commission is the appropriate authority to deal with it. Maybe we can invite the Commission to look into this aspect. The centre cannot be expected to issue directions,” Sibal had said.

The ECI had told the apex court that it was held in previous judgments that a manifesto was part of the promises of a political party and suggested that the Central government could bring in a law to deal with the issue.

Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay filing the plea had claimed that political parties’ arbitrarily promises or irrational freebies for wrongful gain and to lure voters in their favour is analogous to bribery and undue influences.

It claimed that promise or distribution of irrational freebies from public funds before elections could unduly influence the voters, shake the roots of a free and fair election, and disturb the level playing field, besides vitiating the purity of the election process.

The petition stated that unfortunately, freebies are not connected with job creation, development, or agriculture and voters are lured to cast votes in their favour by magical promises.

It has become fashion for the political parties to announce free electricity in their election manifesto though State has not been able to provide electricity for more than 16 hours and a large population doesn’t even have access to electricity which has been recognized as a fundamental right, the petition added. (ANI)

Nagarjuna Sagar Project authorities will open the crest gates tomorrow by 6 am and 1 lakh cusecs of flood water will be released.

As per a press release, the discharge could increase by up to 3 lakh cusecs by tomorrow evening and this flood water will be released at Prakasam Barrage in 24 hours i.e. on 12 August.
At present surplus discharge through Prakasam Barrage is 70,000 cusecs and may increase up to 2 to 3 lakh cusecs and even more, as per the releases from Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala Project Dam.

All the concerned officers were told to take precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incidents along the Krishna River margin upstream and downstream of Prakasam Barrage. (ANI)

Amid a spell of heavy rains in Nepal, several areas of Kathmandu valley got inundated on Wednesday throwing the routine of locals off gear.

Heavy downpour since Tuesday resulted in waterlogging on the banks of Bagmati River affecting daily activities of numerous settlements nearby. Massive downpour compelled people to move out of their homes along with belongings.
As per the police officials, no human casualties have been reported so far; however animal shelters have suffered severe damage.

“Heavy rainfall on Tuesday night has resulted in inundation of many settlements. The roads were flooded with the water increasing challenge to drive the vehicles,” Subash Shrestha, a resident of Kathmandu Valley told ANI.

Chovar, the exit point of most of the rivers flowing through the Kathmandu and Lalitpur District was also flooded with muddy water as river breached the embankments and entered settlements.

Since the wee hours of Wednesday, Nepal Police has been carrying out rescue operations across the Kathmandu Valley. Dozens of people were stuck in the overnight flood as 75.1 millimeter rainfall was recorded till 6AM (NST) on Wednesday.

Monsoon season in Nepal starts from the month of June and extends till September when the Himalayan Nation records the human casualties in paramount numbers and damage to properties.

The monsoon season in Nepal generally begins on June 13 and ends on September 23. Last year it started on June 11.

A normal monsoon, supported by the timely arrival of rain, translates into favorable conditions for agricultural production, mainly of paddy, and is further linked with the country’s overall economic growth.

The monsoon season, which delivers around 80 per cent of the country’s total annual rainfall, generally lasts 105 days. However, in recent years, it has been taking more time to withdraw. (ANI)

China on Wednesday launched 16 new satellites into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the country’s Shanxi province, according to local media.

These satellites include — Jilin 1 Gaofen 03D09 satellite and Yunyao 1 04-08 and were launched by a Long March 6 carrier rocket at 12:50 pm (local time) and entered the planned orbit successfully, China Daily reported.
According to media reports, the new batch of satellites is mainly used in the fields such as commercial remote sensing and atmospheric imaging.

Earlier on July 16, China launched a Long March-2C carrier rocket to place two satellites in space, Global Times reported. The pair of satellites include — Siwei 03 and 04, were lifted from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the northern province of Shanxi.

China also launched Wentian, the first lab module of its space station.

As per local media, the new module will function both as a backup of the core module and as a powerful scientific experiment platform.

China’s Shenzhou-13 mission last year was a major step for the country’s young space programme, which is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most advanced.

According to CNN, China’s space programme was established in the early 1970s, years after American astronaut Neil Armstrong had already landed on the moon.

Aided by the economic reforms of the 1980s, China’s space programme progressed until the launch of the first crewed mission in 2003. The Chinese have since invested billions of dollars into the space programme — and the payoff has been evident.

China successfully landed an exploratory rover on the moon in December 2020 and one on Mars in May 2021. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday that the state government is considering providing free bus travel for women above 60 state transport buses.

He was speaking at an event organised to flag off 150 new diesel buses of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC).
CM Yogi said, “Today, we are providing free bus service for women for 48 hours on the occasion of Rakshabandhan. In the coming future we will provide this service for all women above 60 years of age in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation in a phased manner.”

CM Yogi said that women can travel for free in government buses between August 10 to August 12.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath also inaugurated an automated driving testing track and bus stand. At this event, he flagged off a fleet of 150 new buses, keeping in view the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

“Two buses would be allotted for every district. For 48 hours, all women in the state can avail free bus services from 10th Aug midnight-12 Aug midnight,” said UP CM Yogi.

The announcement is CM Yogi’s gift to females of the state on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.

“On the occasion of Rakshabandhan, the Uttar Pradesh State Transport Corporation should provide free travel facility in buses for the safe travel of all the women of the state,” tweeted the office of CM Yogi.

The unique move became even rarer with the state chief adding that the females can travel free for 48 hours, starting from August 10 midnight till August 12 midnight.

The move comes with an aim to mark the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava’, and the free bus travel facility will be available to women across the state for a period of 48 hours. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a jibe at the Congress over its protest over “price rise” on August 5 in black clothes and said some people “are resorting to black magic as they are immersed in despair and negativity”.

“We saw on August 5 that there was an attempt to propagate black magic. These people think that by wearing black clothes, their period of despair will end. But they do not know that however much black magic they do, resort to superstition, people’s trust on them will never be restored,” the Prime Minister said in his speech through video conferencing at the inauguration of the second generation (2G) Ethanol Plant in Panipat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya on August 5, 2020.

The Prime Minister said that during the Amrit Mahotsav when the entire country is painted in the colour of the Tricolour, he would like to draw the attention of the country to something that has happened.

He said an attempt has been made to defame this holy occasion, “to humiliate our brave freedom fighters” and it is important to understand the mentality of such people.

The Prime Minister said there are some people in the country who are trapped “in the vortex of negativity, immersed in despair” and even “after lying against the government, the public is not ready to trust such people.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had hit out at the Congress over its protests on August 5 on price rise, saying the party chose the day for protest and its leaders wore black clothes because they “want to give a subtle message to further promote their appeasement politics” on day PM Modi laid the “foundation of Ram Janambhoomi”.

“I can’t understand why they protested today. Every day when they protest, they used to wear their usual normal dress but today they wore black clothes. Congress chose this day for protest and wore black clothes because they want to give a subtle message to further promote their appeasement politics because on this day itself PM Modi laid the foundation of Ram Janambhoomi,” Amit Shah had told ANI.

He said that the foundation stone of the grand Ram temple at Ayodhya was laid by Prime Minister Modi after a peaceful solution was found to the issue that had been pending for 550 years.

“There was no riot in the country, no violence, the Prime Minister fulfilled the aspiration and faith of crores of people. Congress held a protest today and especially in black clothes at it wanted to give a subtle message that they oppose the foundation stone of Ram Janambhoomi and want to carry forward their policy of appeasement. This policy of appeasement is neither good for the country nor for Congress. It is due to policy of appeasement that Congress is in the state in which it is today,” Shah said.

Congress MPs led by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi held a protest in the Parliament House complex on August 5 wearing black clothes as part of the party’s stir against the government on price rise and unemployment.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also slammed the Congress over its August 5 protest and alleged that the party chose ‘Ayodhya Diwas’ to sport black outfits to “insult” the Ram Bhakts.

In his speech during the inauguration of the 2G Ethanol Plant, the Prime Minister also spoke against the culture of freebies.

He said if there is selfishness in politics, then anyone can come and announce to give free petrol and diesel and noted that such steps will take away the rights of children, and prevent the country from becoming self-reliant.

Due to such selfish policies, the burden on honest taxpayers of the country will also increase, he said and noted that challenges faced by the country require clear intentions, commitment, extreme hard work, policy and huge investments.

“Anyone can come and announce to give free petrol and diesel if their politics is self-centred. Such steps will take away rights from our children and prevent the country from becoming self-reliant. It will increase the burden on the taxpayers of the country,” he said.

PM Modi said that people who have a tendency to avoid problems by adopting shortcuts for political selfishness can never solve the problems permanently.

“Those adopting short-cuts may get applause for some time, and may gain political advantage, but that does not solve the problem. Adopting a shortcut will definitely result in a short-circuit. Instead of following shortcuts, our government is engaged in permanent solutions to the problems. A lot has been said about the problems of stubble over the years. But those with a short-cut mentality could not solve it,” he said.

The Prime Minister listed steps that aim to solve the problem of stubble (parali) in a comprehensive manner. Farmers Producer Organisations (FPO) were given financial support for ‘parali’ and up to 80 per cent subsidy on modern machinery for crop residue.

He said this modern plant will help in providing a permanent solution to this problem.

“Farmers who were given a bad name due to compulsions of parali burning will now feel the pride of contributing to production of bio-fuel and nation building”. The Prime Minister also mentioned Gobardhan Yojana as an alternative means of income for farmers.

The Prime Minister said that those making populist declarations for their self-interest will not invest in new technology. “They will make false promises to farmers but will not set up plants such as for ethanol,” he said.

The 2G Ethanol Plant has been built at an estimated cost of over Rs 900 crore by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and is located close to the Panipat Refinery.

Based on state-of-the-art indigenous technology, the project will turn a new chapter in India’s waste-to-wealth endeavours by utilising about 2 lakh tonne of rice straw (parali) annually to generate around three crore litres of ethanol annually. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the second generation (2G) Ethanol Plant in Panipat and said it will help reduce pollution in Delhi, National Capital Region (NCR) and Haryana.

Addressing the event via video conferencing on World Biofuel Day, the Prime Minister said stubble (agriculture waste) was a burden for the farmers and would now become a means of additional income for them with the help of 2G ethanol plant.
“The bio-fuel plant of Panipat will be able to dispose of the stubble without burning. Mother Earth will be relieved of the pain she endured due to stubble burning. The stubble was a burden for the farmers, a cause of trouble, it would become a means of additional income for them,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the country had reached 1.4 per cent ethanol blending till 2014 and it increased to 10. 16 per cent in the last eight years.

He said the event is important for farmers of Panipat, Haryana and the entire country. “The plant that has been set up in Panipat is a beginning. It will help reduce pollution in Delhi, NCR and Haryana,” he said.

PM Modi lauded sportspersons from Haryana for their performance in the Commonwealth Games. “The sons and daughters of Haryana have made the country proud by performing very well in the Commonwealth Games. Haryana has given many medals to the country,” he said.

“The energy that has been displayed by the players of Haryana in the sports arena, now the farms of Haryana will also create energy,” he added.

The dedication of the plant is part of a long series of steps taken by the government over the years to boost the production and usage of biofuels in the country.

It is in line with the Prime Minister’s constant endeavour to transform the energy sector into being more affordable, accessible, efficient and sustainable.

The 2G Ethanol Plant has been built at an estimated cost of over Rs 900 crore by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and is located close to the Panipat Refinery.

Based on state-of-the-art indigenous technology, the project will turn a new chapter in India’s waste-to-wealth endeavours by utilising about 2 lakh tonnes of rice straw (parali) annually to generate around 3 crore litres of Ethanol annually.

Creating an end-use for the agri-crop residue would empower farmers and provide an additional income generation opportunity for them. The Project will provide direct employment to people involved in the plant operation and indirect employment will be generated in the supply chain for rice straw cutting, handling and storage.

The project will have zero liquid discharge. Through the reduction in the burning of rice straw (parali), the project will contribute to a reduction of Greenhouse Gases equivalent to about 3 lakh tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions per annum, which can be understood as equivalent to replacing nearly 63,000 cars annually on the country’s roads. (ANI)