Month: March 2023

A total of eight people were killed while 11 have been rescued so far, after the roof of a potato cold storage collapsed in the Chandausi area of Sambhal in UP, informed officials.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are carrying out rescue operations.

Moradabad DIG Shalabh Mathur told ANI that eight people have been killed in the incident.

“A total of eight people have died and 11 people have been rescued. Some more people are missing. There is a basement in the building, and we are trying to reach there,” he said.

Sambhal DM Manish Bansal said that the officials are using sniffer dogs to search for the people trapped in the debris.

“NDRF is searching for the trapped people with the help of sniffer dogs. We have increased our force for the morning. Other teams of NDRF and SDRF will also come by morning,” he said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Sambhal, Chakresh Mishra said that FIR has been registered against the owner.

“FIR registered against the owner and two others. We have detained four people for questioning. The main accused are absconding and are being searched. We will be able to tell the real reason for the collapse of this building only after the debris is removed,” he said.

The incident happened around 11.30 am on Thursday, the officials said.

Earlier, it was reported that the godown was already in a dilapidated condition.

As per the officials, the owners were identified as Ankur Agarwal and Rohit Agarwal.

Moradabad DIG Shalabh Mathur said that the police have booked both the owners.

“An FIR has been registered in the matter. Two accused (Ankur Agarwal and Rohit Agarwal) have been booked under section 304. Both the accused are the property owners where the incident took place,” he said.

The DIG further added, “ADM-level inquiry has also been conducted in this matter. The part of the cold storage that has collapsed was constructed some time ago and it was not constructed following the laid down standards”. (ANI)

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda on Friday launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the UK and said that he has become a permanent part of the “anti-nationalist toolkit”.

“It’s unfortunate that the Congress party is indulging in anti-national activities. After being repeatedly rejected by the nation, Rahul Gandhi has now become a permanent part of this anti-nationalist toolkit,” Nadda told ANI.
Nadda questioned Rahul Gandhi about his intention over “demanding the intervention of another country in the internal matters of India”.

“Rahul Gandhi, what is your intention when you demand the intervention of another country in the internal matters of India?” he said.

The BJP president added, “At a time when India is becoming the 5th largest economy in the world and G20 meetings are being held here, Rahul Gandhi on foreign soil is insulting the nation and the Parliament.”

On Thursday, meanwhile, the logjam in Parliament continued for the fourth successive day with the ruling BJP and opposition parties sticking to their stands. The BJP demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the UK while the Opposition members pressed for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the report by US short-seller Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group.

Parliament was initially adjourned till 2 pm and later for the day amid continued protests directed in both houses.

The ongoing second part of the Budget session began on March 13.

The tussle also played outside the Parliament, with Rahul Gandhi stating that he wants to respond to the ministers who had made allegations against him at the two Houses.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a lecture at Cambridge University in London recently, said, “Everybody knows and it’s been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space.” (ANI)

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On the fifth day in a row, the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day on Friday within minutes of convening its proceedings as both the treasury and Opposition benches created a ruckus on remarks of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in London regarding democracy in India and over Adani issue.

The chaos erupted soon after the papers were laid on the table as the Rajya Sabha assembled at 11 am.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members sought an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his democracy in India remarks in London and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders also raised objections and they also started speaking against the government demanding a probe into the Adani Group by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Amid the disruptions, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House till 11 am on March 20.

The row over Gandhi’s remarks in London reverberating in the House since March 13– day one of the second phase of the Budget Session– leading to continued adjournment of the House every day.

The Rajya Sabha faced adjournment for the whole day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday too amid pandemonium as treasury benches sought an apology for Gandhi’s remarks in London on democracy in India and the Opposition objecting the matter and demanded a probe into the Adani Group by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

In a veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal on Tuesday raised the matter, pointing “this is the first time” that a Member of Parliament used words against the democracy of India while his visit outside the country, and sought his apology.

“He (Rahul Gandhi) should apologise…,” Goyal had said.

However, the Opposition members had sought a probe into the Adani Group by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Tuesday and accused the Centre of being silent on a report by a US firm that alleged stock manipulation and accounting fraud by the group.

During his address to the British parliamentarians in London recently, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the “functioning microphones of Opposition leaders in Parliament are often silenced.” He made several other allegations including on PM Modi, an ‘attack on democracy’, and the China issue. In Cambridge, the Congress MP again alleged that the Opposition’s voice was being stifled in Parliament. (ANI)

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India is looking forward to a “rich discussion” with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is set to arrive next week for a two-day visit, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a press briefing on Thursday. Bagchi called Japan a “very important partner” and stressed that India looks forward to the exchange of views.

“We look forward to the visit of honourable Prime Minister of Japan that’s on Monday. As you know, Japan is our very important partner. We have annual summits with them and this is part of that. They are also partners in plurilateral and multilateral constructs so we look forward to a rich discussion. We look forward to exchange of views.
Arindam Bagchi did not reveal details regarding the talking points of the discussion that will take place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. Speaking at the press briefing, he spoke about Kishida’s last visit to India and PM Modi’s visit to Japan.

“Prime Minister had gone to Japan last year. Prime Minister Kishida had come here so we look forward to taking forward those discussions but what will be the talking points, what will be the outcomes let the leaders talk about it. I think it’s pretty far too soon to judge that,” Arindam Bagchi said.

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida will visit India from March 20-21. During the visit, he will hold a meeting with PM Narendra Modi. The two leaders will discuss bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release on March 10.

The two leaders will also discuss their priorities for their respective Presidencies of the G7 and G20. In 2023, Japan assumed the G7 Presidency while India in December last year assumed the G20 Presidency. On March 3, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi arrived in New Delhi to attend the 8th Raisina Dialogue. (ANI)

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Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Thursday hit out at the BJP-led Central government and questioned the “rationale behind delaying” elections in the Jammu and Kashmir.

Omar said when it is asked to someone (without naming anyone), why do not you hold elections in J&K, they say Panchayats are functioning here.
“What does that mean? Are not Panchayats functioning in other parts of the country?”, Omar Abdullah said while addressing workers in Budgam, claiming the BJP is aware they will be badly defeated when elections are held here.

“You conducted elections in Tripura and Nagaland? You are going to conduct elections in Karnataka? Are not panchayats functioning there? Then why are you not conducting elections here,” he said

The dates to elect 224 members of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly have not been announced so far.

NC leader said that BJP is “gripped by fear” to conduct elections in J&K. “Is it because you are fearing that you will lose the elections?”

“They (BJP) know they will be badly defeated if elections are held here,” Abdullah said.

NC Vice President said that people here are living under the wrong impression that the people in Jammu are very happy under the BJP rule. “We are the only party who have set out to stop the march of the BJP,” he added. (ANI)

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Ananya Panday’s cousin Alanna Panday has tied the knot with the love of her life Ivor McCray in Mumbai.

Ananya took to Instagram to share a couple of videos from the ‘Pheras’ and it looked surreal!
Dressed in a beautiful ivory lehenga, Alanna looked like the happiest bride there is! Ivor also looked exquisitely handsome in a ‘sherwani’ that matched with Alanna’s lehenga.

Before the wedding festivities, the Pandays posed for the paparazzi outside the wedding venue. Ananya opted for a pastel blue and white embroidered saree while her mother Bhavna went for a beautiful gold embellished saree. Chunky Panday looked dapper in a green and gold kurta-pajama.

Bride’s brother Ahaan looked quite comfortable in a white hoodie. We’re guessing he eventually had plans of changing the outfit later.

Ivor made a dashing entry on a ‘ghodi’ and his friends dancing as a part of the ‘Baraat’. It looked every bit of fun and festive, check it out:

Ivor and Alanna dated for quite many years before they decided on tying the knot. They have a YouTube channel together and live in Los Angeles, USA. They also have a great number of followers on Instagram and keep making videos to keep their fans in the loop and entertained. (ANI)

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The Uttar Pradesh government led by Yogi Adityanath on Thursday informed that more than 10,000 encounters have taken place between police and criminals in the state in the past six years during which 63 criminals had been killed while a brave cop had also been martyred, according to the data released by the goverment.

“In terms of number of encounters, Meerut is at the top in the state with the highest number of 3152 encounters taking place since 2017, in which 63 criminals were killed and 1708 criminals were injured,” it said.
During the same period, besides, a brave policeman was also martyred while 401 cops were injured during the police encounters. A total of 5,967 criminals were nabbed during the action of the UP Police.

“The UP Police has conducted 10713 encounters since 2017 of which the highest 3152 were conducted by the Meerut police, followed by the Agra Police, which carried out 1844 encounters in which 4654 criminals were arrested while 14 dreaded criminals were killed and 55 cops were injured, and Bareilly where as many as 1497 encounters were conducted in which 3410 criminals were arrested while 7 died. During the encounters in Bareilly, 437 criminals were injured. In these operations, 296 brave police personnel were injured while 1 was martyred,” the statement informed.

“As soon as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took over the reins of the state, improving the law and order situation in the state became his priority. His government adopted zero tolerance policy against mafia and criminals and intensified crackdown on such elements to strengthen the state’s law and order,” it added.

According to the available statistics, in the last six years more than 10,000 encounters of criminals took place in the state.

Reminding that due to this action of the police, the state which was once known for poor law and order situation and atrocities of mafias on innocent people, today is being known not only in the country but abroad as a “crime and fear-free state”.

It is noteworthy that during GIS-23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and veteran leaders and investors praised the law and order situation of UP. The UP Police worked in a planned and phased manner to curb crime and crack down on criminals and encounter was the biggest strategy, which created fear among the criminals, after which they started fleeing from the state. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 via video conference.

This is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of Rs 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline was built at a cost of approx. Rs 285 crore, has been borne by the Govt of India under grant assistance, read Prime Minister’s Office press release.
The Pipeline has the capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD). It will supply High-Speed Diesel initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.

The operation of India- Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and environment-friendly mode of transporting HSD from India to Bangladesh and will further enhance cooperation in energy security between the two countries, added the release.

The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will carry diesel from Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Ltd’s (NRL) marketing terminal at Siliguri in West Bengal to the Parbatipur depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).

The project is jointly implemented by the Numaligarh Refinery Limited of India and Meghna Petroleum Limited of Bangladesh.

Initially, Bangladesh would buy some 2.5 lakh tonnes of diesel. It would then be increased up to 4 to 5 lakh tonnes in the following years.

Under the contract, Bangladesh will import diesel for 15 years from the day when supply commences.

India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline would help provide a stable supply of diesel in all 16 northern districts under Rangpur and Rajshahi in Bangladesh. It will ensure fast-paced delivery of fuel at a minimum cost. Currently, imported diesel are supplied to these regions via wagons and trawlers from the Chattogram and Mongla ports.

It costs around USD 8 for each barrel of fuel to be transported from the port city. The pipeline would reduce the cost to around USD 5 per barrel. It will also reduce the transportation time to just one hour as opposed to the current situation of taking several days to transport diesel via wagons and trawlers. (ANI)

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Two pilots were killed after an Indian Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter crashed near the Mandala hills area in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, officials said.

A search operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and police after the crash.
“Both the pilots involved in the crash have lost their lives,” said Army officials.

Earlier, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Defence Guwahati Lt Col Mahendra Rawat had said Army’s Cheetah helicopter, on an operational sortie, was reported to have lost contact with the Air Traffic Controller at around 9:15 am on Thursday. It was reported to have crashed near Mandala, West of Bomdila. Search parties have been launched, he had informed.

According to Arunachal Pradesh Police, an Army chopper lost contact midway and could not be located while it was en route to Missamari from Senge village. At around 12:30 pm villagers from Bangjalep under Dirang police station informed that a crashed chopper was found.

Police said the area has no signal and the weather was extremely foggy with a visibility of 5 metres.

Further details awaited. (ANI)

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who appeared in Parliament for the first time on Thursday amid the ongoing row over his remarks on Indian democracy in the UK, alleged that the Centre is “scared” of the Adani issue which is why it has “prepared the entire ‘tamasha’ (drama)”.

The Congress leader said that he conveyed his message to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about speaking in the House, and added that he felt that he would not be allowed to speak in the Parliament.
Gandhi turned up in the Parliament today for the first time after returning to India from his UK visit. The Ministers in the government have been demanding an apology from the Congress leader for his alleged “anti-India” remarks.

Addressing the media after Parliament adjournment here, Gandhi said that it is his right to speak in the Parliament where allegations have been levelled against him.

“I told Speaker today that I want to speak in the Parliament. Four Ministers of the government have leveled allegations against me in the House. It is my right to speak. There is no clarity, but I don’t think that he will let me speak. I am hopeful that he will let me speak tomorrow. He adjourned the House within one minute of my arrival. I want to put forth my stand,” he said.

Referring to the expunged speech in Lok Sabha in the first half of the ongoing Budget Session, the Wayanad MP claimed that he had stated everything in his speech which was already in the public domain.

“The idea is that in the speech that I delivered in the Parliament House a few days ago on Adani and his relationship with PM Modi, I asked questions. The entire speech was expunged. There was nothing in that speech that I had not carved from the public record, from the newspapers, statements of various people. But it was expunged,” he said further suggesting that the entire issue of demanding an apology from him was a “distraction”.

“The entire matter is about distraction. The government and the Prime Minister are scared of the Adani issue because of this they have prepared this entire ‘tamasha’. I feel that they will not let me speak in Parliament because the main question is still on the table. What is the relation between Adani and PM Modi and why are the defence contracts being given to him?” Gandhi asked.

“I am an MP and my first responsibility is to answer in the Parliament. I want to discuss things with you after answering in Parliament,” he told the media persons.

The central ministers including Anurag Thakur, Smriti Irani, Kiren Rijiju took on the Congress leader for his remarks in the UK.

Earlier today, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju hit out at Gandhi over his remarks on India in the UK and said that citizens cannot remain silent over the “defamation” of the country.

In a veiled attack against Congress, Rijiju said that India is not their “fiefdom” anymore and the grand old party cannot digest this fact.

“Abuse us as much as you want but we can’t let you insult the nation. Rahul has insulted the judiciary, our judicial system is a robust one. The only demand is that Rahul will have to apologize to the country for insulting it. India is not their fiefdom anymore, they can’t digest this fact,” Rijiju said.

“Congress and Rahul have been rejected by the people of this country. He has undermined the reputation of our democracy and Parliament..it is not acceptable,” he added.

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced disruptions for the third successive day with Congress and other opposition parties insisting on their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani-Hindenburg row and the BJP members seeking an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his remarks made in London.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a lecture at Cambridge University in London recently, had said, “Everybody knows and it’s been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space.”

“The institutional framework which is required for a democratic Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy,” he had added. (ANI)

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