February 2023 - Page 4 of 50 - Lokmarg

K’taka: Rightwing Group Calls For Removal Of Tipu’s Name from Yadgir Circle

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

Tension gripped Karnataka’s Yadgir district on Sunday over renaming the Tipu Sultan circle after Veer Savarkar.

On the orders of Additional Commissioner Shalum Hussain, Section 144 was imposed in Yadgir from Sunday 6 am till 11 pm on Monday to avoid any sort of untoward incidents, police said.

Some right-wing organisations alleged that the circle was named after Tipu Sultan unofficially and demanded naming it as ‘Savarkar Circle’.

Earlier on February 22, pro-Hindu organisation Shivaji Maharaj Sangathan alleged that supporters of Tipu Sultan named a circle after him in 2010 unofficially. They demanded renaming it after Veer Savarkar.

The town municipal council said the name Tipu Sultan Circle is unofficial so it should be renamed.

Earlier on February 21, the descendants of Tipu Sultan has slammed both BJP and the Congress for using the name of Tipu Sultan and trying to polarise votes in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly election.

“While BJP is trying to project Tipu Sultan as a villain, the Congress is trying to project him as a hero to gain the votes of his admirers,” said Sahebzada Mansoor Ali, the seventh-generation descendant of Tipu Sultan.

“Tipu Sultan has created a history of his own. The manner in which the historical figure’s name is being used is wrong,” he added.

“Tipu Sultan sacrificed his life for the country while fighting against the British,” he added.

Talking about the issue of Tipu Sultan being raised during the elections, Mansoor Ali said, “The dispute of Tipu Sultan began in 2015 when Siddaramaiah became the Chief Minister of Congress and celebrated Tipu Jayanti. The Jayanti was celebrated just in name. The main purpose of the celebrations was to attract the Muslims towards the Congress.”

Ali said that they have decided to file a defamation case against the indiscriminate use of the Tipu Sultan’s name for the polarisation of votes and are making legal preparations.

“Our family has decided to take legal action and file a defamation case against those (BJP and Congress) who try to polarise votes in the name of Tipu Sultan. We will move court if these political parties raise the issue of Tipu Sultan in the elections,” he added. (ANI)

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Nagaland Elections: 75.49% Voting Till 3 pm

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

A voter turnout of 75.49 per cent was recorded in Nagaland till 3 pm as the polling began amid tight security today, the Election Commission of India said on Monday.

The polls would seal the electoral fates of 183 candidates across parties.
The highest voter turnout was recorded at 85.82 per cent on Mon.

The polling began in 59 Assembly constituencies at 7 am this morning amid tight security. The polling will continue till 4 pm.

The voter turnout till 1 pm was recorded at 60.51 per cent while over 38.68 per cent was recorded till 11 am.

According to ECI, 69.04 per cent of voter turnout was recorded in Chumoukedima, 67.64 per cent in Dimapur, 80.90 per cent in Kiphire while Kohima recorded 71.94 per cent and Longleng recorded 66.05 per cent of voter turnout till 3 pm.

The voting is underway in 59 out of 60 Assembly constituencies, as BJP candidate Kazheto Kinimi was declared winner uncontested from Zunheboto district’s Akuluto constituency after his opponent from the Congress, N Khekashe Sumi, pulled out of the race on the last day for withdrawal of nominations, which was February 10.

In Monday’s polls, the BJP is contesting in alliance with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), its old alliance partner in the 2018 Assembly polls as well.

However, the BJP has the role of a junior partner, having agreed to a seat-sharing ratio of 20:40 in the state. The Congress and Naga People’s Front are contesting 23 and 22 seats respectively. The CPI is contesting on 1, NCP on 12, NPP 12, RPP 1, JD(U) 7, LJP (Ram Vilas) 15, RPI (Athawale) 9, RJD 3, and Independents 19 seats.

The party forged an alliance with the NDPP in 2018 and successfully formed an alliance government with the backing of Janata Dal (United) and an Independent. The BJP had won 12 seats, NDPP had registered a win on the 17 seats, and the JD(U) clinched 1 seat.

There are a total of 13,17,632 electorate in Nagaland, of which 6,61,489 are men and 6,56,143 are women.

A total of 2,351 polling stations have been set up in the state.

According to the Election Commission, 305 companies from various security forces have been deployed at the polling stations across the state to ensure a smooth and fair voting process.

The counting of votes will take place on March 2 along with Tripura and Meghalaya. (ANI)

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Modi Inaugurates Airport, Development Projects In Karnataka

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

In a major infrastructure push, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth more than Rs 3,600 crore at Karnataka’s Shivamogga on Monday.

PM Modi inaugurated the Shivamogga Airport and took a walk-through of the facilities.

According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the new airport is developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore. The Passenger Terminal Building of the airport can handle 300 passengers per hour and will improve connectivity and accessibility of Shivamogga and other neighbouring areas in the Malnad region.

Referring to the newly inaugurated airport in Shivamogga, the Prime Minister said that the needs of the citizens have been fulfilled today after a long time. Remarking on the splendid beauty and construction of the airport, the PM highlighted the amalgamation of the traditions and technology of Karnataka.

“It is not just an airport but a campaign where the dreams of the younger generations can take off,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the airport in Shivamogga is being inaugurated at a time when the enthusiasm for air travel is at an all-time high in India. He said, “only recently, Air India completed a deal to purchase the largest passenger aircraft in the world. Before 2014 during the Congress regime, Air India was generally discussed in a negative light and its identity had always been associated with scams where it was deemed a loss-making business model.”

Highlighting the Air India of today, the Prime Minister said it is recognized as the potential of the new India where it is soaring to the heights of success.

In view of expanding aviation market of India, PM Modi said the country will require thousands of aircraft in the near future where youth will be needed as a workforce. “Even though we are importing these aircraft today, the day is not far when the citizens of India will fly in Made in India passenger airplanes,” he emphasized.

The Prime Minister elaborated upon the policies of the government that have led to an unprecedented expansion of the aviation sector.

“Unlike the approach of previous governments, the current government pushed for airports in smaller cities. Till 2014, the country had 74 airports in the first seven decades of independence whereas in the last nine years, 74 more airports have been added, connecting many smaller cities,” he said.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the UDAN scheme for affordable air travel to realize his vision that “Hawai Chappal-wearing common citizens should be able to travel in Hawai Jahaj.”

PM Modi said that Shivamogga is a gateway to the Malenadu region which is famous for the Western Ghats and home to greenery, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, the famous Jog Falls and Elephant Camp, Lion Safari in Simha Dham and the mountain ranges of Agumbe.

He said, “The new airport is going to open doors of development for Shivamogga, the land of nature, culture and agriculture.” Recalling the adage, the Prime Minister said that life remains incomplete for those who have not taken a dip in the Ganges and drank the water of the Tungabhadra river.

PM Modi further laid the foundation stone for two railway projects in Shivamogga. This includes Shivamogga – Shikaripura – Ranebennur new Railway line and Koteganguru Railway coaching depot.

The Shivamogga – Shikaripura – Ranebennur new Railway line, will be developed at a cost of Rs 990 crore and will provide enhanced connectivity of the Malnad region with the Bengaluru-Mumbai mainline. Koteganguru Railway coaching depot at Shivamogga city will be developed at a cost of more than Rs 100 crores to help start new trains from Shivamogga and decongest maintenance facilities at Bengaluru and Mysuru, said PMO statement.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Haveri and Davangere districts will also be benefitted when the Shivamogga – Shikaripura – Ranibennur new line is completed. He underlined that there will be no level crossing in this line making it a safe rail line where fast trains will be able to run smoothly.

He highlighted that the capacity of Kotagangaur station, which used to be a short halt station, will get a boost after the construction of a new coaching terminal. He said that it is now being developed with four railway lines, three platforms and a railway coaching depot.

Noting that Shivamogga is an educational hub of the region, the Prime Minister said the increased connectivity will make it easier for students from nearby regions to visit Shivamogga.

He also noted that it will open new doors for businesses and industries in the region.

“Infrastructure with good connectivity is going to create new employment opportunities in the entire region,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that the new airport will help in increasing tourism and resulting economic activity and employment opportunities. The rail connectivity will ensure new markets for the farmers, he added.

PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for multiple road development projects. The projects, which will be developed at a cumulative cost of more than Rs 215 crore, include the construction of a new Bypass road for Shikaripura Town on NH 766C connecting Byndur – Ranibennur; widening of NH-169A from Megaravalli to Agumbe; and construction of a new bridge at Bharathipura in Thirthahally Taluk on NH 169.

The Prime Minister said that the development of Karnataka is on the move. “This path of progress is paved by strides in roadways, airways (digital connectivity),” he remarked.

PM Modi said that the double-engine government of Karnataka is powering the chariot of the progress of Karnataka. The Prime Minister also highlighted the wider spread of development in Karnataka to villages and tier 2-3 cities under the double-engine government as opposed to the big city-centric development of the earlier times. “The development of Shivamogga is the result of this thinking process,” he said.

Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multi-village schemes worth more than Rs 950 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission during the programme. This includes the inauguration of one multi-village scheme for Gowthamapura and 127 other villages and laying the foundation stone for three other multi-village schemes to be developed at a total cost of more than Rs 860 crore. The four schemes will provide functional household piped water connections and are expected to benefit more than 4.4 lakh people.

PM Modi called the Jal Jeevan Mission in the region a big campaign to provide ease of living to women of Shivamogga. He informed that out of 3 lakh families in Shivamogga only 90,000 had tap water connections before the start of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Now, the double-engine government has provided tap water connections to 1.5 lakh families and work is going on to ensure saturation. In the last 3.5 years, 40 lakh families have received tap water connections.

“The double-engine government belongs to the villages, the poor, our mothers and sisters,” he said. Giving examples of toilets, gas connections and tapped water supply, the Prime Minister said that the government is trying to tackle all the problems related to the mothers and sisters. He reiterated that the double-engine government strives to make piped water available in every household with all honesty.

The Prime Minister further inaugurated 44 Smart City Projects worth more than Rs 895 crore in Shivamogga city. The projects include eight smart road packages of 110 km length; integrated command and control centre and multi-level car parking; smart bus shelter projects; an intelligent solid waste management system; development of heritage projects like Shivappa Naik Palace into an interactive museum, 90 conservancy lanes, creation of parks and riverfront development projects, among others.

Talking about the cultural richness of Shivamogga, the Prime Minister mentioned Rashtrakavi Kuvempu and the world’s only living Sanskrit village Mattur and many centres of faith in Shivamogga. He also mentioned the freedom struggle of Issuru village.

Mentioning the agricultural uniqueness of Shivamogga, the Prime Minister said that it is among the most fertile regions of the country. He touched upon the variety of the crops of the region. This agricultural wealth is getting a push by robust connectivity measures being undertaken by the double-engine government.

The Prime Minister remarked, “The people of Karnataka know very well that this is the Amrit Kaal of India, the time to make a developed India.”

He underlined that this is the first time in the history of India’s independence that such an opportunity has come knocking and India’s voice is being heard on the global stage. He noted that investors from all over the world want to invest in India and it benefits Karnataka and its youth. (ANI)

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Court Sends Sisodia To 5-Day CBI Custody

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

The special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Monday granted 5 days remand of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to the CBI till March 4, to interrogate him in the excise policy case.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on Sunday.
Special CBI Judge MK Nagpal granted the remand of Sisodia after hearing the arguments of CBI and defence counsels at length.

While seeking five days’ remand the CBI’s public prosecutor submitted before the court that Manish Sisodia was heading the Group of Ministers (GOM).

It is a case of increasing the profit margin from 5 per cent to 12 per cent and benefiting the liquor manufacturer.

“Two draft policies were recovered from his computer in 2021. In one, the percentage of Commission was 5 per cent. In another policy the percentage of profit was 12 per cent. During the investigation, he could not explain why the changes were made. The conspiracy was hatched in a very secret manner,” CBI alleged.

The agency alleged Sisodia directed excise officials to issue licence to Indo Spirit which was also in touch with the southern group.

The CBI also said that Delhi Deputy CM changed his phones multiple times.

It was also submitted Vijay Nair was very active and had a meeting with the south group people at the Oberoi Hotel and CCTV and evidence were checked and collected.

Nair sought illegal gratification from the south group, the CBI alleged.

In this case, two public officers also made the accused.

The court asked CBI “Why custody of the accused is required?”

The public prosecutor submitted that for effective investigation custodial interrogation was required. “He is not answering and his answers are evasive,” CBI said.

On the other hand, senior advocate Dayan Krishnan appearing for Sisodia vehemently opposed the CBI custody.

“Let them show a single call with my client, any meeting with my client,” Advocate Kirshnan argued.

“If he is not giving the desired answers, it cannot be a ground for remand. I am a minister of finance and education. There are many things in the phone. It cannot be given at any shop for repair,” the senior advocate argued.

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan also argued that CBI must show what calls and meetings related to Sisodia the agency have.

The senior counsel further said that Sisodia changed his phone and did not give it to the CBI. He was interrogated and confronted. “If he is giving evasive reply and cooperating, it cannot be ground for seeking police custody,” Advocate Krishnan argued.

Interrogation cannot be self-incriminating, the senior counsel said.

CBI raided Sisodia’s house and office and all his phones are with the agency, the counsel submitted.

This was a policy approved by the Delhi LG and did not raise any objection, the council said.

Senior advocate Mohit Mathur appearing for Sisodia submitted that In May 2021 the LG approved the policy. There were suggestions given by the LG, those were incorporated into the policy.

“There were discussions and deliberation. There is no room for conspiracy,” the senior advocate submitted.

Mathur submitted that Sisodia tried to keep all the things out in the open. It all reached the finale when it reached the LG.

Remand not to be done in a mechanical manner, Mohit Mathur argued and said You (CBI) filed the charge sheet and did not do anything, now you want to add the names.

Senior advocate Siddharth Agrawal also argued for Sisodia. He submitted that there is non-compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court in the Arnesh Kumar case.

Agrawal also submitted that Sisodia is the finance minister. The time and purpose of the arrest were that he was not available to answer the question.

He also submitted that this arrest is an assault on individual liberty as well as the institution. It is it case to decline the remand.

In rebuttal, CBI said that two later drafts were not placed before the LG. “Arnesh Kumar applies only when the accused is cooperating. He should explain, we are not seeking their confession,” CBI said. (ANI)

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educational reformist Sonam Wangchuk kejriwal

CBI Officers Were Against Manish’s Arrest: Kejriwal

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

In a stunning claim in connection with the arrest of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday claimed that most CBI officers were “against” the former’s arrest due to lack of evidence, but were compelled to do so owing to the “pressure” borne on them by their “political masters”.

His remark comes a day after Sisodia was arrested by the premier central probe agency in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam case.
Sisodia, who also handles the Finance portfolio, was arrested after eight hours of questioning.

“I am told that most CBI officers were against Manish’s arrest. All of them have huge respect for him and there is no evidence against him. But the political pressure to arrest him was so high that they had to obey their political masters,” Kejriwal tweeted.

Meanwhile, the CBI on Sunday released a statement on Sisodia’s arrests, claiming he was giving evasive replies and wasn’t cooperating in the ongoing investigation in the liquor scam case.

The agency further said Sisodia had been summoned earlier on February 19 in connection with the ongoing probe, but had sought a week’s time citing the Delhi Budget.

“The Deputy CM was issued a notice under section 41A of CrPC for attending the investigation on February 19, 2023. However, he sought time of one week citing his preoccupation,” the CBI stated.

Accepting his request, he was issued a notice — u/s 41A CrPC — to report to the agency on February 26 and answer questions he ‘evaded’ during his examination on October 17, 2022, and further questions relating to his ‘incriminating role’ based on evidence collected during investigation of the case.

“However, he gave evasive replies and did not co-operate the investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary. Therefore, he has been arrested,” the statement read.

“The arrested accused will be produced before the designated court in Delhi,” it added further.

Shortly before arriving at the CBI office for questioning, the deputy chief minister had said false cases were being lodged against leaders of the party, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “afraid” of CM Kejriwal. (ANI)

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Ranbir Calls Fatherhood ‘Best Feeling In The World’

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

Actor Ranbir Kapoor, is currently busy promoting his upcoming romantic comedy film ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’.

On Sunday, during a media interaction in Kolkata, the ‘Sanju’ actor fondly talked about his newborn daughter Raha Kapoor and said that he does not feel like leaving his home these days after Raha has come into their lives.
Ranbir said, “This morning, even to get that 20 minutes with her before my flight, it just rejuvenates you. I miss her a lot, I keep seeing her photos”

“Are you a father?” Ranbir questioned a media person. “No”, the reporter replied. “Okay! I wish that upon you because it’s truly the best feeling in the world,” the actor smiled.

“It feels like a new understanding of love. You were asking me about the language of love, but the baby has no language. It’s a love you cannot describe,” he added.

Ranbir tied the knot with actor Alia Bhatt on April 14, 2022, after dating for years at Ranbir’s Mumbai residence in an intimate ceremony and the couple welcomed their first child, Raha in November last year.

The ‘Rockstar’ also shared some fun moments from his parenthood journey and said “I’m a burping specialist! I never knew burping is such a big part (in the early stages of a child). Whenever I’m at home, I’m always beside her and it’s magical. She has just started smiling in the last two weeks. And seeing that smile breaks your heart,” said Ranbir.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the ‘Besharam’ actor will be next seen in director Luv Ranjan’s next rom-com film ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ opposite Shraddha Kapoor.

Apart from that, he also has director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s next ‘Animal’ in his kitty. (ANI)

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Hundreds Turn Out For Last Rites Of Kashmiri Pandit

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

Hundreds of Kashmiris turned out for the last rites of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Sharma, who was shot dead by terrorists at a marketplace in Pulwama on February 26.

Terrorists attacked and fatally shot Sharma when he was on his way to the local market in Pulwama on Sunday.

Senior police officers in the Pulwama district also attended the cremation ceremony of the slain security guard.

A police officer said Sharma was shot dead by terrorists in Achan area of Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday morning.

A critically injured Sharma was rushed to a nearby hospital, with the help of locals. However, he succumbed to his bullet injuries.

Earlier, suspected terrorists had opened fire on Asif Ganai, a local, outside a mosque in the Anantnag district. The man, however, survived the attack.

Meanwhile, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti slammed the BJP at the Cenrre over the killing of the Kashmiri Pandit in Pulwama district.

Mufti said, “BJP has failed in protecting the lives of our minorities.”

“BJP has failed in protecting the lives of minorities here. They only use minorities to project an illusion of normalcy in the Valley,” Mufti tweeted on Sunday.

She also added that the BJP uses such incidents to put a stain on the “image of Muslims in the country”.

“BJP use these types of incidents to degrade the image of Muslims in the country. I condemn this act. This is not the behaviour of the Kashmiri people. All these acts show the failure of the government,” the PDP chief said. (ANI)

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Zelenskyy Fires Ukraine’s Commander Of Joint Forces

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday fired commander of joint forces operation Major Gen Eduard Mykhailovich Moskalov, reported CNN.

Moskalov had been appointed to the position last March when Lt Gen Oleksandr Pavliuk was appointed head of the Kyiv regional military administration.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy did not provide an explanation for Moskalov’s dismissal, but it’s the latest in a long line of recent leadership changes made by his administration, reported CNN.

Ukrainian authorities have conducted a series of anti-corruption searches and crackdowns across the country, and a variety of high-profile dismissals have followed.

It is not yet clear if Moskalov’s firing was connected to the recent corruption purge, reported CNN.

In a recent development, on the first visit to Kyiv, Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud signed off on USD 400 million Ukraine aid package.

For the first time since the two countries established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, a Saudi foreign minister has visited Ukraine. President Zelenskyy’s office released a video of him meeting Saudi Arabia’s Prince Farhan Al Saud on Sunday, reported CNN.

Zelenskyy said he expected the meeting would “provide a new impetus to further intensification of our mutually beneficial dialogue.”

“Thank you for supporting peace in Ukraine, our sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” he said, adding, “This is very important for us and our society.”

Saudi Arabia has steered a neutral course in the conflict. Last year, the Kingdom mediated a prisoner exchange, in which two American and five British citizens were released from Russian detention.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, called the meeting successful in a message on messaging platform Telegram.

“Ukraine will receive real help from Saudi Arabia,” the Ukrainian official said. “The Presidential Office signed two documents formalizing a USD 400 million aid package to Ukraine: USD 100 million in humanitarian aid and USD 300 million in oil products,” reported CNN.

Ukraine reported heavy Russian shelling in the eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions this weekend, while forces are locked in brutal urban combat in the flashpoint city of Bakhmut.

Moreover, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan vowed there would be “real costs” for China if it provides lethal aid to Russia in its war on Ukraine.

“From our perspective, actually, this war presents real complications for Beijing. And Beijing will have to make its own decisions about how it proceeds, whether it provides military assistance. But, if it goes down that road, it will come at real costs to China. And I think China’s leaders are weighing that as they make their decisions,” Sullivan told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union.”

In diplomatic conversations with China, he added, the US is “not just making direct threats. We’re just laying out both the stakes and the consequences, how things would unfold. And we are doing that clearly and specifically behind closed doors.”

Sullivan’s comments come at a critical juncture in the war in Ukraine. The US has intelligence that the Chinese government is considering providing Russia with drones and ammunition for use in the war, three sources familiar with the intelligence told CNN.

It does not appear that Beijing has made a final decision yet, the sources said, as negotiations between Russia and China about the price and scope of the equipment are ongoing.

Since invading Ukraine, Russia has repeatedly requested drones and ammunition from China, the sources familiar with the intelligence said, and Chinese leadership has been actively debating over the last several months whether or not to send the lethal aid, the sources added.

CIA Director Bill Burns said the US is “confident” Beijing is considering such a move, but intelligence suggests no final decision has been made, reported CNN.

Meanwhile, Burns said the CIA is also seeing signs that Russia is proposing to help Iran on its missile program in exchange for military aid. (ANI)

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Delhi HC Upholds Validity Of Centre’s Agnipath Scheme

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the Agnipath scheme and seeking resumption and enrolment as per the previous recruitment scheme in Indian defence services.

“The scheme is made in the national interest and to ensure that armed forces are better equipped,” said a Bench headed by the Chief Justice of Delhi while passing the judgement.
A Division bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma also comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad on Monday upheld the central government’s Agnipath Scheme and said that the court finds no reason to interfere in the said scheme.

On December 15, 2022, the bench kept the Judgement reserved after hearing arguments on behalf of different petitioners and the central government.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the central government and submitted before the court that more than 10 lakh aspirants have been given the benefit of age relaxation. The Agnipath scheme is a major paradigm shift in the recruitment process of defence personnel. We cannot put everything on the affidavit but we can say that we acted bona fide in the matter.

The central government has informed the Delhi High Court that no prejudice has been caused to any of the candidates who had participated in the earlier recruitment process.

It was further informed by the central government that recruitment in the ‘armed forces’ stands on a completely different footing viz-a-viz employment in public offices, as it constitutes an essential sovereign function, which directly relates to the maintenance of national security.

Therefore, the central government in exercise of its sovereign power and to effectively and efficiently safeguard the security and integrity of the country is duly empowered to change the policy providing the mode and methods/service conditions of the persons who are to be employed in the armed forces, stated the affidavit.

The decision of the central government to make recruitment through a new ‘Agnipath Scheme’, therefore, constitutes a policy decision taken by the government for national security reasons, it was further stated

Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared for one of the petitioners challenging the scheme and argued that the decision made by the government is arbitrary and unfair. There is no real reason behind the decision.

He also argued that the candidates whose select list was out were made to keep on waiting for two and half years.

ASG Bhati responded to the contention and said, “There is a difference between the Navy and other defence forces. The Navy cannot afford to put on hold the process as it will impact its operational capabilities and war readiness. They had modified the recruitment plan.”

“Selection does not give a right to an appointment. The process got delayed because of Covid,” ASG argued.

The Chief Justice asked the ASG, “People who had cleared the examination were waiting. Why did you not complete the process? How you will answer this?”

ASG submitted that in June 2021, the decision was taken at the highest level. It was clear that the Agnipath scheme is a paradigm shift. After June 2021, we want to bring a big paradigm shift in the manner in which recruitment takes place.

It was clarified by the central government that the Agniveer is a separate cadre and ranks lower than sepoy.

During the argument advocate, Ankur Chibber who appeared for some of the petitioners argued that there can not of disparity in salary. The entry-level in force is sepoy. An Agniveer would get less salary than a sepoy. There should be an equal salary for equal work.

Another point he raised was that an Agniveer would have to join afresh if he is selected after a period of four years of service. His past four years of experience would not be counted. It will affect his seniority and other benefits.

Advocate Kumud Lata, the counsel for Harsh Jay Singh argued that the tenure of service is four years. Agniveer would not be entitled to a gratuity.

She also raised a point that there is no provision for pension for Agniveers. She also referred to other countries including USA, Russia, and Israel during her arguments.

Justice Prasad said, “It is a new scheme which gives an option to a young man to get training. After that, he can go and do any job. Moreover, it is not compulsory.”

Another advocate, who has served in the army for 21 years, submitted that the period of training is short. The tenure of service is also short. What quality the force will get if training is too short.

He submitted that there is physical and arms training which requires at least one year. He also submitted that the sense of belonging develops over a period of time. The soldiers give respect and get respect over the period of time they spend in the force.

He submitted that the government did not take feedback from the unit level which operates at the ground. The government should reconsider it.

Earlier, the bench refused to put a stay on the Agnipath Scheme and said. “If petitioners get success in the case, they will get it.”

“We will not pass any stay or interim order and will hear the case finally,” added the bench.

On July 19, 2022, the Supreme Court transferred various pleas related to Agnipath Scheme to Delhi High Court.

The Supreme Court also clarified that as regards to other similar petitions challenging Agnipath Scheme pending in other various High Courts, the concerned HCs should either give an option to the petitioners to either have their petitions transferred to the Delhi HC or to keep their petitions pending with liberty to petitioners to intervene in Delhi High Court.

The top court had also requested the Delhi HC to take up the matter and dispose of it expeditiously.

“High Courts of Delhi, Kerala, Punjab and Haryana, Patna and Uttarakhand are hearing matters connected to these schemes,” noted SC.

The SC directions come after hearing advocates Kumud Lata Das and M L Sharma for petitioners and SG Tushar Mehta for Respondents.

A petition challenging the scheme stated that the announcement of the scheme has caused nationwide protests in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and various other states due to the short-term duration of the scheme in the Indian Army for four years coupled with future uncertainties of the trained ‘Agniveers’.

A PIL in this regard also sought quashing of the Centre’s notification for the Agnipath scheme saying the scheme is “illegal and unconstitutional”.

The Union Cabinet on June 14, 2022, approved a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces called Agnipath and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers. Agnipath allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years. The Agnipath Scheme has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces. (ANI)

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Narendra Modi's 'mangalsutra jibe Kharge

Kharge Appeals Meghalaya, Nagaland Voters To Vote For Cong

By LokMarg 27th February 2023

Amid the ongoing polling in the Northeast states of Meghalaya and Nagaland, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday appealed to voters of the two states to give “change a chance”.

Kharge said the people of the two Northeast states were looking towards progressive and welfare-oriented governments.
In a tweet, Kharge said, “Welcome our first-time voters to participate in this democratic process for a better future. Urge our sisters and brothers of Meghalaya and Nagaland to give change a chance”.

Voting to elect a new government in the single-phased Nagaland Assembly polls began in 59 constituencies, got underway at 7am on Monday.

The electoral fates of 183 candidates across parties will be sealed as polling ends at 4 pm on Monday.

People were seen thronging the polling stations to cast their votes on Monday morning. The state had recorded nearly 75 per cent voter turnout in the 2018 Assembly polls and a whopping 90.57 per cent in 2013.

During the high-decibel election campaign that ended on Saturday, all the contesting parties made a last-ditch effort to win over the voters in a bid to swing their mandate in their favour. Many top BJP leaders, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah canvassed for party candidates during the last leg of the campaigning.

The BJP is contesting in alliance with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), which it partnered in the 2018 Assembly polls as well.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also addressed an election rally in Dimapur while MP Shashi Tharoor addressed a rally in Kohima.

The Congress has also hinted at a post-poll alliance, if required.

There are a total of 13,17,632 electorate in Nagaland, of which 6,61,489 are men and 6,56,143 are women.

A total of 2,351 polling stations have been put together in the state.

According to the Election Commission, 305 companies from central paramilitary forces have been deployed across polling stations in both the states to ensure a smooth conduct of the polling process. (ANI)

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