February 2023 - Page 19 of 50 - Lokmarg

Sisodia Requests CBI To Defer Questioning Till Feb-End

By LokMarg 19th February 2023

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday for questioning in regard to irregularities in the excise policy case, requested the central agency to defer questioning saying that he is “preparing the budget” at present and can only appear before it towards February-end.

“I will visit the CBI office by the end of February, whenever they (CBI) will call me. Being the Finance Minister of Delhi, preparing the budget is very important, so I have requested to shift the date. I have always cooperated with these agencies,” said Sisodia.

Meanwhile, CBI is investigating the case at the request of Manish Sisodia.

Manish Sisodia was called by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in the national capital today in connection with Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has again summoned Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for questioning, nearly three months after filing a chargesheet in the Delhi excise policy case, officials said.

However, Manish Sisodia has not been named as an accused in the charge sheet filed in the case.

Arrested businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek are among the seven accused named in the chargesheet.

Alleging that the “full power” of agencies under the BJP-led central government had been unleashed to hound him, Manish Sisodia took to Twitter and said, “CBI has called me again tomorrow. They have unleashed the full power of CBI, ED (Enforcement Directorate) against me, raided my house, searched my bank locker, and yet found nothing against me.”

“I have arranged good education for the children of Delhi. They want to stop it. I have always cooperated with the investigation and will continue to do so,” he added.

Last year in August, the CBI conducted a search operation at Sisodia’s Punjab National Bank locker in connection with Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case, where according to him the CBI had found nothing.

Several raids were also conducted at 21 places in Delhi and the National Capital Region including the residence of Sisodia and the premises of four public servants last year, according to a CBI official. The official said that raids were conducted in locations across 7 states.

The probe was done after taking into account a report forwarded by the Chief Secretary to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommending a CBI investigation into the matter.

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

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.

It has been alleged that the Delhi government’s policy of granting licenses to liquor traders is in the interest of some dealers who allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly denied by AAP.

Following L-G’s recommendation, the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) issued a notice to Delhi’s Excise Commissioner asking him to provide all documents relating to the award of liquor licenses under the new excise policy.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that there was “no liquor scam” in the city and claimed that the case over his government’s excise policy was created as a result of “political vendetta”.

“First of all, there is no such thing as a liquor scam. We formulated the best and most transparent policy in the country. We implemented this policy in Punjab and the revenue increased by 48 per cent. All this is happening due to political conspiracy in Delhi.”

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Kejriwal said his government will fully cooperate with the CBI’s investigation into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the now-scrapped excise policy 2021-22. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Lara Wishes Bhupathi On 12th Wedding Anniv

By LokMarg 19th February 2023

Actor Lara Dutta on Sunday morning dropped a quirky wish for her husband, ace Indian former tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi on the occasion of their 12th wedding anniversary.

Taking to Instagram, Lara shared a video which she captioned, “Worst proposal ever!!!. But I’d marry you again any day!!!. Happy 12th husband!!.”

In the video, Mahesh could be seen laughing while sitting on his knees and holding a wedding ring.

Soon after Lara dropped the video, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and laughing emoticons.

Actor Vaani Kapoor commented, “Adorable !!!”

A fan commented, “Happy anniversary.”

Another fan wrote, “Sooooo cutey.”

Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi got married in the year 2011. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Saira in 2012.

After a hiatus from the silver screen, Lara played the role of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the Akshay Kumar starter ‘Bell Bottom’, which hit the theatres in 2021.

Lara’s look in the film became the talk of the town.

The former Miss Universe made her web debut with Hotstar’s original ‘Hundred’ in 2020. Later, she acted in a couple of series like, ‘Hiccups and Hookups’, ‘Kaun Banegi Shikharwati’. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Maximum Temp Rising Across North India

By LokMarg 19th February 2023

The maximum daytime temperature is on the rise across North India, including Shimla, is on the rise over the last few days, with areas in the NCR region recording the highest temperature of 29.6 on February 18, according to data shared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

No rainfall is expected in the North Indian belt over the next few days, the IMD said, adding that a minimum temperature of 11.4 degrees Celsius was recorded on Sunday.
The maximum daytime temperature is also on the rise in the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

On Saturday, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius, its highest at this time of year since February 23, 2015, when it logged a minimu temperature of 14.2 desgrees Celsius.

Solan recorded a maximum temperature of 29.5 degrees Celsius on February 16, surpassing the last highest of 28.5 degrees Celsius recorded on February 26, 2021.

The relative humidity was recorded at 95 per cent with no rainfall.

Though the national capital experienced moderate fog on Saturday morning, the highest temperature on Sunday is expected to reach as high as 31 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, adding that there will be clear skies by the end of next week.

Further, according to the agency, the daytime temperature across the Capital is set to rise over the next few days, reaching a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Shimla Records Highest Min Temp Of 14.4°C

By LokMarg 19th February 2023

At 14.4 degrees Celsius, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, recorded highest-ever minimum temperature on Saturday.

The mercury has been inching up in the hills and across the North Indian belt over the last few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a western disturbance across the North Indian belt over the next 24 hours, with the mercury set to drop in the region after a few days.
“The temperatures in most places of Himachal Pradesh are above normal. On Saturday, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous highest for this time of year, at 14.2 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2015. At 29.5 degrees Celsius on February 16, this year, Solan, too, surpassed its previous highest of 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021,” said Surender Paul, head of IMD, Himachal Pradesh.

“The highest maximum temperature at Solan (located at 1,550 metres above sea level), as per our records, was 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021. However, the record was broken on February 16 when the minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5 degrees Celsius,” he added.

“Both the minimum and maximum temperatures in the state are currently 4 to 5 degrees above normal. In some areas, the temperatures are 8 to 10 degrees above normal,” he said.

The mercury is rising in other parts of the state as well, Paul said, adding that there has been less precipitation this year, resulting in a rise in daytime temperatures.

“There was less western disturbance this year and it was particularly weak at higher altitudes, resulting in deficient precipitation and an increase in temperatures in the state. There are many other reasons for the rising temperatures, one of which could be the change in local weather pattern and changing climatic conditions,” Paul added.

Over the last 24 hours, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius, its highest till date for this time of year. Also, as per the latest data, the minimum temperature was on the higher side on Saturday as well.

Most hill stations in Himachal recorded above-normal minimum temperatures, with Dalhousie recording a minimum of 15.2 degrees Celsius and Jubbwrhatti in Shimla at 13 degrees Celsius.

Kangra recorded a minimum of 10.4 degrees Celsius, with Palampur at 10 degrees Celsius, Narkanda in Shimla at 9 degrees Celsius, Kufri at 12.9 degrees Celsisus, Rekong Peo in Kinnaur district at 6.2 degrees Celsius and Mandi at 8.9 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Manali recorded a minimum temperature of 5.8 degrees Celsius while Nahan in Sirmaur district recorded a minimum temperature of 11.1 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature was also above normal on Saturday evening, with Una at 30.4 degrees Celsius, Solan at 29.3, Bilaspur,28.6, Chamba 27.3, and Bhunter at 29.7 degree Celsius. Dharamshala recorded a maximum of 26.5 degree Celsius, with Nahan in Sirmaur at 25.3, Mandi at 29.2, Manali at 20, Shimla at 23.2, Dalhousie at 20.6, Kufri at 17.1 and Narkanda at 17.4 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has, however, forecast snowfall in the state’s higher reaches and rain in the low and mid hills.

“By tomorrow, the state will be in the grip of another Western Disturbance during which there could be snowfall in the higher reaches after the night of February 20. Following a fresh spell of snowfall and rain, the weather will start clearing again and temperatures are expected to drop,” said Paul. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

How India Uses IT Sleuths to Keep Media in Check; A ‘Safe’ Sting Operation; and Air India’s Boeing Mega Deal

By Sanjoy Narayan 19th February 2023

Tax Raids to Keep the Media in Check

Last week, for three days, the income tax authorities in India did what they called a “tax survey” of the British news agency, BBC, at its premises in Delhi. For three nights at least 10 journalists, including three editors, were kept there while 50 income tax officers scrutinised documents and emails, and cloned phones and laptops. The so-called survey’s timing was interesting. In January, the BBC had put out a two-part documentary entitled, India: The Modi Question, focused on the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his relationship with the Muslim minority in the country. The Indian government had moved swiftly to ban the documentary in India and instructed media platforms such as YouTube to pull clips from the documentary from the public domain.

Although India’s information and broadcasting ministry has denied that the “survey” by IT authorities at BBC has anything to do with the documentary, it is widely perceived that the move is designed to intimidate the news agency. That is not an implausible conclusion to draw. Government departments such as the IT authorities, and the police are routinely used by governments–both at the centre and in the states–to keep the media in check.

In recent years independent news organisations such as News Laundry, and The Wire have had to face IT or police investigations. Both the organisations often publish stories and analyses that question the government’s policies or action usually with a spirit of healthy criticism that should characterise a country’s media environment if it is truly free.

The government has also cracked down on non-media organisations such as independent think tanks, and non-governmental organisations. In 2020, Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization, which evaluates the human rights situation in countries around the world, was banned from operating in India. Last year, the IT department charged three organisations with breaking the laws that govern foreign funding. Oxfam India, the Centre for Policy Research, and the Public-Spirited Media Foundation were raided by the department.

A large swathe of India’s mainstream (or legacy) media, which still accounts for the largest reach and revenue in the industry, coasts along unintimidated mainly because it doesn’t rock the boat by “offending” those in power either on account of being compromised politically or economically or because it considers it a safer option that critiquing authority. For example, few mainstream media publications have criticised the “survey” by the IT sleuths at BBC. To really get an idea of what has been happening there, you need to check what the global publications have been putting out.

The amusing thing about the BBC affair is how it seems to have backfired for the government. When the government banned the documentary in January, it sparked a heightened interest among the public for watching it and links via VPN or other encrypted social media sharing platforms got freely distributed. When the IT department struck at BBC, media organisations around the world criticised it but also recapitulated the content of the BBC’s documentary and how it had pointed out Modi’s involvement in the Gujarat riots of 2002 and, later, how after he became Prime Minister, minority communities, particularly Muslims, have faced persecution and discrimination. So if you had forgotten about the documentary, the IT “survey” has, in a way, resurrected memories of it. That’s probably a side-effect that the authorities had not anticipated.

Sting Journalism that is “Safe” and Inconsequential

Who says Indian media are not investigative or that they have lost their voice? If mainstream Indian media want to avoid being taken to task for questioning the government of the day, they can still appear to be vertebrates… because there are always safe topics to get frenzied about. Recently, a TV news channel did what it called a “sting operation” on the chief national selector for the Indian cricket team, which caused him to resign.

The chief selector (who is now an ex-chief selector) apparently talked to the news organisation about how Indian cricketers use “fake fitness injections” to appear fit to play matches even when they were not and how the team’s former captain, Virat Kohli, might have had ego clashes with the Board for Cricket Control in India’s (BCCI) president and also a former team captain Sourav Ganguly. Exciting stuff, is it not?

You may argue that in a cricket mad country such news is grippingly riveting. The jury is out on that. What perhaps is certain is that for such investigative “sting” operations, the TV channel in question will not attract the attention of the Income Tax sleuths. Bravo!

Air India’s Jaw-dropping Boeing & Airbus Deal

Air India, India’s premier airline that was bought by its erstwhile owners, the Tata group, last year, ordered a record number of 470 planes from Boeing and Airbus in a deal that is estimated to cost more than US$100 billion. This is part of a huge revamp of the airline by the Tata group and involves the purchase of 220 aircraft from Boeing and 250 from Airbus.

This move by the Indian airlines could be seen as the beginning of a recovery in the air travel market after the unprecedented slump that it witnessed during the pandemic years. Both the US (where Boeing is based) and France (where Airbus is headquartered) are predictably thrilled by Air India’s deal and presidents–Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron–spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about it.

Air traffic is predicted to rise sharply in India with an estimate that passenger traffic will rise 7% annually for the next 20 years. The government also has plans to build nearly 80 new airports in the country.

As for Air India, the new owners face quite a challenge in revamping the airline. When it was sold by the government to the Tatas, Air India is reported to have been losing $2.6 million a day and its record for performance and customer service was poor. The big deal to acquire a new fleet could be one step towards improving things at the company.

Centre-friendly Guvs for 13 States

In a predictable move, 13 states have got new governors appointed for them. While the appointment of governors is something that the President of India does, it is just a formality for the president’s office; the real choice of who will be the governor of a state is done by the ruling regime, i.e. the central government.

Although the post of the governor is largely ceremonial, increasingly the office has been occupied by persons who are supportive of the Centre and the regime in power. That is alright as long as the state is allied with the Centre. In cases where states are run by parties that are the ruling BJP-led central regime’s rivals, placing a governor who owes allegiance to the Centre can be a tactical move aimed at countering the state’s policies.

Most of the new appointees in the latest reshuffle are very senior BJP or RSS members. No surprise!

Continuing Saga of the Adani Group

Even as the Adani Group’s stocks began witnessing a recovery around midweek last week, the sell-off started again. This time it was believed to have been sparked by a comment made by George Soros the businessman, investor, and philanthropist, George Soros who said that the Adani Group’s crisis will lead to a “democratic revival” in India.

Clearly aimed at the ruling regime, which has come under criticism for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s closeness to Gautam Adani, Soros’s statement led to a quick response from the government with the Union minister Smriti Irani retorting that Soros had “now made known his ill intentions in the democratic processes of India.”

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court in India has begun hearing in the Adani group’s suit filed against Hindenburg Research, an activist short-seller that has accused the group of financial manipulation.

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Judges Shouldn’t Get Post-Retirement Benefits: Justice Deepak Gupta

By LokMarg 18th February 2023

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Deepak Gupta on Saturday said that judges should not be given any post-retirement benefits because there would not be an independent judiciary if it continues.

“There should not be any post-retirement benefits. We cannot have an independent judiciary with such benefits,” Justice Gupta said while addressing a seminar on judicial appointments and reforms.

Speaking about the need for independent judges, he said that these judges would have the spine to stand up for themselves and be true to the Constitution.

Recently, the appointment of former Supreme Court judge Justice S Abdul Nazeer as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, within 40 days of his retirement from the top court courted a political row.

Justice Nazeer was part of the five-judge bench that decided the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi case in November 2019 handing over the Ayodhya land to the Hindu party. Justice Nazeer was the lone Muslim face on the Ayodhya bench presided over by then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi.

Justice Gupta also expressed his strong view that there should be a common retirement age for the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court.

Justice Gupta also mentioned overheard things, however, he clarified that he had not verified the facts that it takes normally 100 days for the government to approve the recommendation made by Collegium but the government took a long time to clear the names of recommended Judges, belonging to minority communities.

Terming these facts as a dangerous trend he presumed that if it will follow then they [Judges] will never become Senior Judges, Chief Justices and never reach the Supreme Court.

Former Delhi High Court Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah, however, suggested a judicial commission-like system for the selection of judges and mentioned that there are many existing problems with the collegium system.

He pointed out that the Collegium system creates a democratic deficit and the idea of judges appointing judges does not behove a democratic setup.

Justice Shah shared his experience and said that the collegium distracts judges from their principal work of adjudication and they don’t have proper time to investigate selected candidates.

Justice Shah mentioned the appointment of Victoria Gowri as Madras HC judge as an example of the situation when the process collapses citing her alleged controversial speech.

Justice Shah called for the collegium to operate without bias, which reinforces other characteristics like nepotism and favouritism.

He highlighted that many judges are related to former judges and many are from the upper caste and the middle class.

However, he also expressed his disagreement with the government’s suggestion that the Law Minister can be a part of the collegium discussion and said that it will be dangerous.

Justice Shah said that the government suggesting the names are not only about favouring someone but someone close to their ideology.

He suggested making the system transparent and said the most important part is of publication of names and recording of minutes of meetings of the collegium among others. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

PFI Terror Funding: NIA Conducts Raids In Rajasthan’s Kota

By LokMarg 18th February 2023

National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at several locations in Kota on Saturday in connection with a terror funding case related to the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI).

Sources said the NIA team conducted raids at Badi Masjid area under Kotwali police station, and Vigyan Nagar. The NIA team raided an old office of PFI and questioned a person named Ansar Indori.

Earlier on Saturday, NIA conducted searches at seven locations in Rajasthan in connection with the Popular Front of India (PFI) case.

The agency searched the residential and commercial premises of the suspects at three locations in Kota, one each in Sawai Madhopur, Bhilwara, Bundi and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan.

The NIA said they seized digital devices, air-gun, sharp weapons and incriminating documents during the searches.

Further investigation into the case is in progress.

The case is related to information received from reliable sources that PFI’s Sadiq Sarraf, a resident of Baran district in Rajasthan, and Mohammed Asif from Kota, along with the office bearers, members and cadres of the banned outfit are indulging in unlawful activities.

The case was initially registered suo-moto by the NIA on September 19, 2022. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

India To Benefit From China-Australia Unending Trade War

By LokMarg 18th February 2023

Despite recent signs of a diplomatic thaw, nothing has changed in the policies of either China or Australia, reports the Diplomat.

China and Australia’s top trade officials met for the first time since 2019. Although Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao described the talks with his Australian counterpart, Don Farrell, as an important step in getting bilateral economic and trade cooperation back on track, it is unlikely that there will be any significant improvement in bilateral economic relations between the two countries, the Diplomat reported.

Wang warned that trade disputes would not be resolved any time soon. Chinese officials have argued that Australia must first take steps to stem the decline in bilateral relations and create a better atmosphere for talks.

The Diplomat reported that Xi will never admit that he is the one who capitulated after a failed two-and-a-half-year strategy to make an example of Australia by cutting off ties and imposing trade sanctions. Over two years of trade restrictions have failed to bring Australia to heel.

Recent reports suggest that Beijing’s economic sanctions against Australia have been ineffective. Instead, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been forced to live with an increasingly critical Australia.

Taking the opportunity to indirectly slam China, the External Affairs Minister of India, S Jaishankar said in Sydney on Saturday that the rise of China, the rise of its share in the global economy and technology, global influence are a matter of concern. But he said firmly that this decade we will see many more powers who will have more influence on global debates and global outcomes.

China’s aggressive foreign policy has made it unpopular with Australians.

When the CCP used diplomatic and economic coercion to punish Australia for calling for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19, it turned even more Australians against China. Negative sentiment toward China remains high in Australia. A recent poll shows that three-quarters of Australians believe that China could become a severe military threat within the next two decades. This poses a serious problem for any move toward normalization, as reported by the diplomat.

Australia has found new markets for its exports by redirecting its exports to countries like India and Mexico.

Under Albanese, Australia is continuing many of the same bilateral and multilateral efforts carried over from the regime of his predecessor, Scott Morrison. These include working with the United States, Japan, and India as a part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (commonly known as the Quad); working with India and Japan to improve supply chain resilience; continuing a new security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom on nuclear submarine development; launching a new security agreement with Japan; and engaging deeply with Pacific Island states such as Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.

Notably, EAM Jaishankar also visited Fiji earlier this week and signed several MoUs.

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Thursday also said India stood by his country in times of great need and will always be a special friend and trusted partner.

“I’m pleased to say that India will always be a special friend and trusted partner to Fiji,” the Fiji Prime Minister said during a joint press statement with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Suva, Fiji on Thursday.

Noting that he discussed bilateral cooperation during his meeting with External Affairs S Jaishankar, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka on Thursday indicated that China did not figure in the meeting and they thought it was “bad manners to talk about somebody who is not in the building”.

On the other hand, the Australian government is also working hard to build relationships and partnerships with Pacific Island nations, including India, and other middle powers in the Indo-Pacific. There are also reports of a plan to station six U.S. B-52 bombers, which have nuclear weapons capability, in northern Australia at Tyndall Air Force Base. In addition, Australia plans to build 11 large storage tanks for jet fuel, providing the United States with refuelling capacity closer to China than its main fuel depot in Hawaii. The above measures, along with the signing of AUKUS (the trilateral security pact between Australia, the U.K., and the U.S.), make clear that Canberra will not bow to Beijing’s increasingly assertive political and military posture in the region, even if it harms Australia’s own economic interests in the short term.

According to a recent Australian media report, the only products China is buying from Australia are things that it absolutely needs and isn’t readily available elsewhere.

The political dynamic reached a low point in 2020 when Australia called for an independent investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Beijing, this was seen as a direct attack on China’s reputation and the latest in what the Chinese regime called a “series of misguided actions” by Canberra.

In the months that followed, Chinese authorities suspended import licenses for major Australian beef producers, ordered several power plants and steel mills to stop buying Australian coal, and imposed punitive tariffs on Australian barley and wine.

Australia is actively looking for other economic partners. In late 2022, it signed the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, in which the two countries agreed to cut tariffs on goods by more than 85 per cent to reduce their dependence on China.

In response to China’s economic coercion, mutual assistance has emerged between Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Czechia, Lithuania, and several other countries. In particular, last April the European Union approved 130 million euros ($140 million) in financial aid for Lithuanian companies.

It is the best response to the CCP’s own decades-long strategy of maintaining a “united front” with its allies and dividing and conquering its opponents. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

US Imposes Sanctions On Six Chinese Companies

By LokMarg 18th February 2023

The Biden administration has imposed new sanctions on China, targeting the country’s several companies for supporting Beijing’s military modernization efforts, as part of its response to a Chinese spy balloon that traversed U.S. airspace last week, The New York Times reported.

The Commerce Department added five Chinese companies and one research institute to its so-called entity list, which will prevent companies from selling them American parts and technologies without a special license. Officials said the six entities had supported Chinese military programs related to airships and balloons used for intelligence and reconnaissance, the publication reported.

Earlier this week, the US Commerce Department added five Chinese companies and one research institute connected to Beijing’s aerospace programs including airships and balloons to an export blacklist.

The Commerce Department said the six entities were supporting “China’s military modernization efforts, specifically the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aerospace programs including airships and balloons.”

The Chinese government has tried to downplay the incident, arguing that the balloon was a civilian device for monitoring weather.

The entities that the United States targeted Friday were Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology Company, Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology Company, Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Company, Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology Company, Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Company and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute, The New York Times reported.

The Commerce Department did not specify whether the companies and the institute had played a direct role in developing or operating the balloon that flew across the United States. But the Biden administration said earlier this week that it would consider taking action against any entities that had aided the balloon’s flight.

The balloon was shot down by a highly advanced US fighter jet last week. President Joe Biden congratulated US fighter pilots for taking down the balloon in the country’s airspace and above its territorial waters.

The Pentagon decried what it called China’s unacceptable violation of US airspace.

China has expressed regret blaming unfavourable winds for pushing what it calls a “civilian airship” into US airspace.

Beijing China insists the balloon was a “civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological purposes,” and it unintentionally veered off into US airspace.

Notably, the US shot down the giant balloon, which China claimed to be a civilian airship used for research mainly meteorological, on February 4 after it hovered over the country for a week.

Beijing denies it uses spy balloons and says the craft was for weather research. Subsequently, it accused Washington of sending its own espionage balloons over its territory, which the US denied.

The spate had led US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a rare visit to China abruptly.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration imposed new sanctions on China, targeting the country’s several companies for supporting Beijing’s military modernization efforts, reported GlobalSecurity.org.

The US Commerce Department on Friday said that it added five Chinese companies and one research institute connected to Beijing’s aerospace programs including airships and balloons to an export blacklist.

The Commerce Department said the six entities supported “China’s military modernization efforts, specifically the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aerospace programs including airships and balloons.”

The six companies include Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology Co; China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute; and Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology Co.

The other three are Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co.; Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology Co.; along with Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/

Kedarnath Dham Portals To Open On April 25

By LokMarg 18th February 2023

The Kedarnath Temple Committee on the occasion of Maha Shivratri announced that the portals or doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, will open on April 25, 2023.

Announcing the dates on the occasion of Shivratri, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee President Ajendra Ajay said the portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham will open this year on Tuesday, April 25, at 6.20 am for the devotees to visit.

“While Bhairavnath ji will be worshipped on April 20 and Lord Kedarnath’s Panchmukhi Doli will leave for Kedarnath on Friday, April 21. On this day Panchmukhi Doli Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi will rest. Doli will reach Phata on 22nd April for a night’s rest,” he added.

Sharing the details of the schedule, Ajay informed that on April 23, Panchmukhi Doli will reach Gaurikund for a night’s rest from Phata. On April 24, Panchmukhi Doli will reach Kedarnath Dham from Gaurikund and on Tuesday, April 25, at 6.20 am, the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham will open for devotees to visit.

The date of opening of the portals was declared according to the rules and regulations after Panchang calculation in a religious function organized at Shri Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath.

On this occasion, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee President Ajendra Ajay, Chief Executive Officer Yogendra Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Prabodh Kumar Ghildiyal, Kedar Ling, Committee members Niwas Posti, Virendra Bartwal, Pushkar Joshi, Ashutosh Dimri, Panchgai along with right holders. In the presence of Kedarnath Teerth Purohit Samaj and devotees, local administration, Acharya Vedpathis fixed the date for the opening of the portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham.

It is notable that the portals of Badrinath Dham are opening on Thursday, April 27 this year. While traditionally the doors of Gangotri-Yamunotri Dham open on Akshaya Tritiya, this year Akshaya Tritiya is on 22 April. In the month of Chait, Gangotri-Yamunotri temple committees will formally announce the dates of opening of the doors.

The Badrinath Dham is one of the four ancient pilgrimage sites referred to as ‘Char Dham’ which also included Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath. It is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand. It remains open for six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November). (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/