October 2022 - Page 7 of 56 - Lokmarg

Shah Kickstarts Chintan Shivir Of State Home Ministers; Mamata, Nitish Skip Meet

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah on Thursday kickstarted a two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Home Ministers of states here to prepare an action plan for the implementation of the Centre’s ‘Vision 2047’.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar– both having charges of the Home Ministries of their states– skipped the event in which the development of an eco-system for cybercrime management, modernization of police forces, increase in usage of IT in the criminal justice system, land border management, and coastal security and other internal security issues will be discussed.
The event, which will culminate on Friday, was attended by Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Kerala, Assam, Goa, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Manipur, and Tripura– all having charge of Home Ministry in their respective states.

Besides, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Nagaland; Governor of Rajasthan; Home Ministers of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Telangana; Finance Minister of Jharkhand among others took part in the event which is organized with the objective to prepare an action plan for the implementation of ‘Vision 2047’ and ‘Paanch Pran’ announced in the Independence Day speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the event, Shah said the initiative of the ‘Chintan Shivir’ was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shah said both Centre and states could fight against cross-border crime when all states will jointly plan and take steps accordingly.

The minister said that the ‘Chintan Shivir’ will help in formulating a joint plan to deal with crimes and other issues.

The Home Minister said that the role of ‘Nari Shakti’ is important to achieve the goal of ‘Developed India by 2047’ and special emphasis will be given to the safety of women and creating a safe environment for them.

The aim of the conference is also to facilitate national policy-making and better planning and coordination. Various topics will be discussed in the six sessions in the ‘Chintan Shivir’.

On the first day of the Conference, many important issues such as Home Guards, Civil Defense, Fire Protection, and Enemy Property will be discussed. On the second day, other important issues such as cyber security, drug trafficking, women’s safety, and border management will be discussed.

Chintan Shivir is also planning on issues of drug trafficking including the NDPS Act, NCORD, NIDAAN, and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

Protection of borders and development of border areas will be discussed under the themes of Land Border Management and Coastal Security.

Enhancing conviction rate by technology-based investigation using ICJS and CCTNS systems and IT modules – NAFIS, ITSSO, and NDSO & Cri-MAC will also be deliberated in the conference.

Initiatives like Safe City Project, 112-Single Emergency Response System, anti-human trafficking units in districts, women’s help desks in police stations, and biometric identity cards for fishermen will also be discussed. The purpose of the sessions on various subjects is to encourage and ensure the participation of state governments on these issues.

Home Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs) of the states and Director Generals of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) were also present at the event.

On Friday, Prime Minister Modi will also address the ‘Chintan Shivir’ through video conferencing which aims to bring more synergy in planning and coordination between various stakeholders at the Centre and state levels. (ANI)

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Russia Visit: Jaishankar To Hold Talks With Lavrov

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

During his maiden visit to Russia since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, said Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

The ministers will hold talks on November 8 in Moscow where they will discuss the current state of bilateral relations and the international agenda.
Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow comes at a crucial time when the war between Russia and Ukraine has escalated in recent times.

This visit is also coming at a time when the Indian embassy in Kyiv has issued a fresh advisory asking all Indian citizens in Ukraine to leave the country immediately in view of escalating hostilities in the Ukraine war.

During UNGA, the External Affairs Minister met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and exchanged views on Ukraine. ”A wide-ranging conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov at #UNGA 77. Discussed our bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on Ukraine, G-20 and UN reforms,” Jaishankar tweeted.

The meeting was held just hours before Lavrov’s address to the high-level UN General Assembly’s general debate where he called for UNSC reform and backed India in an expanded Security Council.

As the Ukraine conflict has dominated the world’s top diplomatic stage, India at UNGA strongly called for the need to end the war through diplomacy and openly addressed its stand on the Kyiv-Moscow conflict. Speaking at the 77th UN General Assembly (UNGA), Jaishankar said, “We are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest. India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there,” strongly asserted.

“We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles,” he said, reiterating India’s stand on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. While pressing the need for diplomacy, Jaishankar said that they are on the side that calls for dialogue.

Almost every leader during the week reiterated the impact of the conflict, “We are on the side of those struggling to make ends meet, even as they stare at escalating costs of food, fuel, and fertilizers,” Jaishankar said in his address.

“It is therefore in our collective interest to work constructively, both within the United Nations and outside, in finding an early resolution to this conflict,” he concluded.

During the UNSC meeting on Ukraine, Jaishankar recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis to Russian President Vladimir Putin that “this cannot be an era of war”.

“Let me emphasize that even in conflict situations, there can be no justification for violation of human rights or of international law. Where any such acts occur, it is imperative that they are investigated in an objective and independent manner. This was the position we took with regard to the killings in Bucha, and this is the position we take even today. The Council will also recall that we had then supported calls for an independent investigation into the Bucha incident.” Jaishankar said, making it one of the toughest statements on Russia in the last seven months, since the invasion of Ukraine.

Jaishankar also met in person with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at the UN headquarters here and apprised him of India’s principled position that emphasizes the cessation of all hostilities and returns to dialogue and diplomacy.

Jaishankar in the US defended India’s defense procurement saying that it is in its national interest.

“We get our military equipment is not a new issue or changed due to geo-political changes” and that New Delhi has not faced problems in terms of spare parts supply in the past from Russia, he had said during a press conference with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Earlier, he also defended India’s oil purchases from Russia. (ANI)

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T20 WC: Zimbabwe Holds Nerve To Upset Pak By One Run

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

Pakistan’s over-reliance on their opening batting pair came back to haunt them as Zimbabwe pipped them in a low-scoring thriller by one run to clinch their first Super-12 win of the ongoing T20 World Cup on Thursday at the Perth Stadium.

Pakistan made a mess of a paltry chase as they suffered a batting collapse and left their bowlers to chase and win the match for them. All-rounder Sikandar Raza took three wickets in a short span to dismantle the chase.
Shan Masood was the top-scorer for Pakistan but failed to see his team over the line.

Chasing the target, Pakistan were off to a slow start after Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were watchful of the new ball and scored just three runs from the first two overs. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani bowled the first and the second, respectively, and stuck to tight lines with both bowlers extracting bounce from the surface.

Babar and Rizwan struck a boundary each in Ngarava’s second over to get the inning going but the Pakistani captain was dismissed by Brad Evans in the fourth over, sending him back for a paltry score of 4 (9).

Rizwan too followed suit as he was sent back by Muzarabani for 14(16), exposing the middle order of the Pakistani team.

Pakistan ended the powerplay at 28/2 with the top scorers from the previous match, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood at the crease.

However, the partnership did not last long as Luke Jongwe removed Iftikhar in the eighth over to deepen problems for the Pakistan team further.

Masood kept the scoreboard ticking and took his team to 54/3 at the end of the 10 overs, striking some picturesque shots during his stay.

The batting duo of Masood and Shadab Khan looked set to take the team across the line but a twist in the tale began after the introduction of spinner Sikandar Raza in the 14th over.

Raza dismissed Shadab and Haider Ali in two consecutive deliveries to turn the match around for his team, giving them a shot at victory.

The set batter, Masood was the third victim of Raza’s off-spin in the 16th over as the Zimbabwe players now believed they had a genuine chance at victory. This wicket saw tailender Wasim Jr join Mohammad Nawaz for the run-chase.

The pacers then bowled with their tails up as they could sense victory within grasp. Ngarava then bowled a three-run 16th over to tighten their screws on the Pakistani team.

Needing 29 from the last three overs, the batters swung and miss under pressure. Nawaz tried his best to make his team get across the line and hit a six in the 19th over to reduce the equation to 11 from the last overs.

Brad Evans conceded a boundary on the second ball of the over and it looked like Pakistan would bag the match but Evans bowled superbly to dismiss Nawaz on the fifth ball, and then held his nerve to defend three off the last ball to help Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by one run in a nail-biting encounter.

Earlier, Pakistani bowlers unleashed hell upon the batting lineup of Zimbabwe to trigger a batting collapse, restricting them to just 130/8.

Pakistan’s decision to play an extra pacer in Mohammad Wasim Jr worked wonders for the team as the youngster ended with his best T20I bowling figures (4/24) to restrict Zimbabwe to a below-par total. Sean Williams and Brad Evans helped the team cross the 100-run mark.

Sikandar Raza was declared the ‘Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling performance.

Brief Score: Brief Score: Zimbabwe 130/8 (Sean Williams 31, Brad Evans 19; Mohammad Wasim Jr 4/24) vs Pakistan 129/8 (Shan Masood 44, Mohammad Nawaz 22; Sikandar Raza 3/25) (ANI)

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India, US to Hold War Games Near LAC With China

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

India and the US will hold their regular Yudhabhyas series of wargames in the Auli area in Uttarakhand along the China border from November 15.

The exercise, which was planned many months in advance, was earlier planned to be held in October but would now be held next month, Army officials said.

The war games would see the two armies practice counter-terrorist operations along with many drills during the exercise, they said.

The exercise would be held from November 15 to December 2 in the mountainous terrain in the area which has seen the additional deployment of assets and troops in the last two years, they said.

The Americans are in a tense relationship with the Chinese due to the Taiwan issue while the Indian military has been in a standoff with them since May 2020 timeframe.

This would be the 18th of the Yudhabhyas wargames between India and the US to help enhance interoperability between the two sides. (ANI)

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German Delegation Praises Concrete Climate Actions Taken By India

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

While fully supporting India’s G-20 Presidency beginning in December, the German delegation at a meeting in New Delhi praised the concrete environment and climate actions taken by India despite the huge size and population.

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav held a fruitful meeting with the Committee on Environment of German Federal Parliament headed by Member of Parliament (MdB) Harald Ebner, on Thursday at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi.
In the meeting, they discussed global environmental, climate change, and other related challenges, and how Germany and India can work together to find sustainable solutions to these challenges.

As Per the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in the meeting, issues related to a sustainable lifestyle, circular economy, e-wastes, conservation of water bodies, drinking water, the problem of fertilizers, urban migration, sectoral climate action plans, and achievements were discussed.

“The Union Environment Minister acknowledged the support given by Germany to India for addressing challenges relating to the environment and climate change. He appreciated Germany’s support in Ganga Rejuvenation and stated that India and Germany must work together to address global environmental challenges,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Minister highlighted that India has been undertaking numerous concrete climate actions under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both domestically and globally. These include NCAP, Biofuel, Kalyan Yojana, Amrit Sarovar, 500 GW target of RE, BS-VI, etc. India always endeavors to be part of the solution, and not part of the problem, Yadav said.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav elaborated on India’s global commitment to addressing climate change, by spearheading global initiatives like International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), and specially thanked Germany for joining ISA.

He emphasized the need for mindful consumption and circular economy, and that India is promoting circular economy from three aspects-Legal, Capacity, and Market economy.

While responding to the questions raised by the German delegation, Union Minister Yadav stressed that India’s climate actions are based on the principle of CBDR-RC. He stated that India achieved the targets mentioned in the 1st NDC on renewable energy and energy intensity before time. Further, India has enhanced these targets along with the launch of Mission LiFE.

Concluding the meeting, both sides acknowledged the contribution of the Indo-German Bilateral Cooperation on environment and climate and agreed to further strengthen the same and also explore how both countries can work together in areas like conservation of water bodies, circular economy, and e-waste. (ANI)

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CBDT Extends Due Date For Filing TDS Statements

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

The Finance Ministry official on Thursday said the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had extended the due date for filing Form 26Q for the second quarter of the financial year 2022-23.

“Considering the difficulties in the filing of TDS statement in the revised and updated Form 26Q, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date of filing of Form 26Q for the second quarter of the financial year 2022-23 from October 31, 2022, to November 30, 2022,” a Finance Ministry release said.
Form 26Q is used to file TDS details on payments made other than salary.

The form mentions the total amount that is paid during the quarter and the TDS (tax deducted at source) amount that has been deducted. Form 26Q has to be submitted on a quarterly basis. (ANI)

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Modi To Lay Foundation Stone For C-295 Aircraft Making Unit In Vadodara

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force will be manufactured by Tata-Airbus at Vadodara in Gujarat, the foundation stone of which will be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 30, said Defence Ministry officials.

Apart from making 40 aircraft, this facility at Vadodara would be manufacturing additional aircraft for Air Force requirements and exports, as per Defence Secretary Aramane Giridhar. IAF officials said the first Indian Air Force squadron of C-295 transport aircraft would also be based in Vadodara.
According to Defence Ministry officials, 96 per cent of the work that Airbus does in its facility in Spain would be done in the Indian facility and the electronic warfare suite for the aircraft would be done by public sector Bharat Electronics (BEL).

Noting that this would be having one of the highest indigenous content, the defence officials added that the aircraft built in India would be supplied from 2026 to 2031 and the first 16 aircraft will come between 2023 to 2025.

IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Sandeep Singh underscored that the Indian Air Force would ultimately become the largest operator of this C-295 transport aircraft.

Defence Secretary Aramane Giridhar said there is no ban on imports. “The policy is that whatever can be built in India would be built here. There’s an aggressive push to promote make-in-India items for Defence Forces. Operational preparedness isn’t compromised and operational readiness is at forefront of our minds,” he added.

India has signed the deal for this project as per the defence procurement procedure 2011 under which the tender for the project was issued.

The contract was signed on September 24 in the defence ministry between India and Airbus. Airbus has signed a contract with Tata as its production partner in India.

On September 8 last year, Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of fifty-six C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain for the Indian Air Force.

C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 Tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Earlier, after the deal was signed between the Defence Ministry and Airbus of Spain, the partner companies announced that the over Rs 15,000 crore deal would help in the creation of 15,000 direct and 10,000 direct jobs in the high-skill sector.

“We have looked at many locations and the process is still going on. We are yet to finalise the location. There are multiple stakeholders in the project and all aspects have to be looked into. We are hoping it would be done soon,” Tata Advanced System Limited Head Sukaran Singh said.

He had also added the project was one of the last projects on which the former Tata group chairman had worked. Singh said he was sure that from the fifth year of the project, the Tata group would have learnt significantly about aircraft manufacturing. (ANI)

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Centre Orders NIA Investigation Into Coimbatore Car Blast

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

By Rajnish Singh

The Central government on Thursday ordered a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the October 23 Coimbatore LPG cylinder explosion in a car, considering the possibility of cross-state developments and the role of international elements in the investigation.

The Counter-Terrorism and Counter Radicalization (CTCR) division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the order a day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recommended an NIA probe in the case.

A top government official said that the “NIA will take over the case very soon”.

Stalin, in a recommendation letter, to the MHA had requested on Wednesday to transfer the investigation of the case related to the car cylinder explosion in the Ukkadam area in Coimbatore to the NIA and directed police to ensure security in Coimbatore.

Stalin’s recommendation followed a detailed review meeting held on Wednesday at the Head Office under the leadership of the Chief Minister regarding the ongoing investigation of the case.

Tamil Nadu Police so far has arrested six people in connection with the case, and have invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Those arrested are learnt to be associates of Jameesha Mubin, who was charred to death in suspicious circumstances after an LPG cylinder inside a Maruti 800 he was driving exploded near a temple in Coimbatore around 4 am on October 23.

According to police, Mubin, 25, an engineering graduate, has been previously questioned by the NIA in 2019 for alleged terror links. His name is mentioned as the primary accused in the case.

Five people arrested on Monday night were Mohammad Thalka, 25, Mohammad Asarudheen, 25, Muhammad Riyaz, 27, Feroz Ismail, 27, and Mohammad Navaz Ismail, 27. However, the sixth person, identified as Afsar Khan, a relative of the deceased, was arrested earlier on Thursday. Khan is the cousin of the deceased. He was picked two days before by the special investigation team.

On Wednesday noon, Police officials also conducted searches on Khan’s residence and took his laptop.

Since the explosion occurred in Ukkadam, a communally sensitive area, the state’s top police officers, including Director General of Police (DGP) Sylendra Babu and Additional DGP (law and order) Thamarai Kannan, rushed to the spot.

The DGP on Sunday said the police found materials used to make explosives in Mubin’s house in Ukkadam. They seized 75 kgs of potassium nitrate, charcoal, aluminium powder and sulphur which can be used to make explosives. (ANI)

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Chinese Envoy To Bangladesh: I’m A Big Fan Of India

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

Underlining that China never views India as a strategic rival or strategic competitor, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said that he is a big fan of India.

Speaking at a press club in Dhaka, the envoy said India and China can closely work together to resolve any economic, geopolitical, and other issues. “We never view India as a strategic rival or strategic competitor of China,” he was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune.
This remark comes a few days after the Chinese envoy to India, Sun Weidong said that both India-China should break out of the “geopolitics trap” and find a new path that is different from the past.

Sun, who assumed office in July 2019, in his farewell remarks on Tuesday, stressed the need to resolve differences between the two sides and uphold the principle of non-interference in other’s internal affairs.

He said it is only natural for important neighbors China and India to have some differences but the key is how to handle the differences. “We should be aware that the common interests of the two countries are greater than differences,” The Dhaka Tribune quoted the Chinese envoy as saying.

“…the two sides should strive to manage and resolve differences, and look for a proper solution through dialogue and consultation, instead of defining China-India relations by differences. The two countries need to respect each other’s political systems and development paths, and uphold the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs,” The Dhaka Tribune quoted the envoy as saying.

Since April 2020, India and China have had several rounds of diplomatic and military level meetings on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in the India-China border areas.

India, on many occasions, has conveyed to China said that bilateral relations cannot be normal unless the border situation is.

On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met the outgoing Chinese envoy to India and emphasized that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential to maintaining bilateral ties.

“Received Ambassador Sun Weidong of China for a farewell call. Emphasized that the development of India-China relations is guided by the 3 Mutuals. Peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential,” Jaishankar tweeted after meeting ambassador Sun.

“The normalization of India-China relations is in the interest of both countries, of Asia and the world at large,” he said in another tweet. (ANI)

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