June 2023 - Page 12 of 52 - Lokmarg

Fire Breaks Out At Gas Godown In Rajkot

By LokMarg 26th June 2023

A massive fire broke out at a gas godown near Morbi Maliya Highway near Gala Village in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday afternoon, an official said.

No casualties or injury to anyone was reported, they said.
Locals of the area noticed the flames and alerted fire department.

Following information, a team of fire tenders and officials reached to the spot and started the operation.

“Fire tenders are present at the spot, and operations are underway to control the fire,” they said.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

‘Six Muslim-Dominated Nations Were Bombed…’ Sitharaman Tears Down Obama’s Advice

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Saturday, lashed out at former US President Barack Obama for his comments on Indian Muslims and said that under his reign, the United States had bombed six Muslim-dominated countries.

While addressing a press conference in Delhi, Nirmala Sitharaman said, “It was surprising that when the PM was visiting the US and telling people about India, a former US President (Barack Obama) was making a statement on Indian Muslims…I am speaking with caution, we want a good friendship with the US, but they comment on India’s religious tolerance. Perhaps 6 Muslim-dominated countries were bombed due to him (Obama)… More than 26,000 bombs were dropped.”
This comment came after US former President Barack Obama, during a media interview, said if ethnic minorities are not protected, there is a strong possibility of the country “at some point starts pulling apart”.

Obama’s made the remarks during an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour and said if President Joe Biden meets with PM Modi, “the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India is something worth mentioning”.

Meanwhile, at the conference, the union minister defended PM Modi from questions surrounding the treatment being meted out to the Muslims in India and pointed out that out of 13 honors, that the Prime Minister received from different countries, six awards were from such nations where Muslims are in the majority.

“Honorable prime minister himself during the press conference in US has said how his government works on ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ principle and doesn’t discriminate against any community whatsoever but the fact remains that repeatedly when people join in in this debate and highlight issues which are non-issues in a way because if there are issues in states which are to be raised they are being raised at the state level,” Sitharaman said at the press conference.

Further, she added, “Law and Order is the State subject that people are taking care of it and elected governments are there in each of the states which respond to it. To just allege without basic data in hand just tells us that these are organized campaigns which purposely are being leveled at the doorstep of the Prime Minister otherwise why would countries give such an honor to the prime minister and why would there be a distortion in understanding how India and its minority population irrespective of which religion they belong to minority population are being part of the Indian mainstream.”

Slamming the opposition, she said that as Congress couldn’t see the possibility of winning the election, they have started such kind of campaign.

The minister further slammed Congress and stated that such campaigns are being flaoted into the ecosyatem as Congress is aware that they are incapable of wining the 2024 general electionas.

“Congress is doing more this time than last two elections. Karnataka’s talk was different but such toolkits which run in foreign countries, they are working against Prime Minister because they (Congress) are sure that the public will not support them. (ANI)

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Putin-Wagner Dispute Exposes Real Crack: Blinken

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

The dispute between Russia’s President and Wagner mercenary exposed the “real crack” in Vladimir Putin’s reign, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday.

To a question on whether he knew Wagner will abort his plan, Blinken in an interview with Jonathan Karl for ABC’s “This Week” said, “I don’t know, and I’m not sure we’ll fully know, or it may be something that unfolds in the coming – in the coming days and weeks. We simply don’t have a clear picture of that. And this really is fundamentally an internal matter for the Russians. We’re seeing it unfold. Again, we saw the rising tensions over several months that led to this. But exactly where this goes, we don’t know”, according to a statement released by State Department.
“But what we do know is that we’ve seen real cracks emerge – again, a direct challenge to Putin’s authority surfacing very publicly: the notion that this war, this aggression by Russia was being pursued under false pretenses; the notion that Ukraine or NATO somehow presented a threat to Russia that it had to deal with militarily. That’s now much more out in the open than it’s been. What that leads to, again, we just don’t know at this point,” he added.

On Saturday morning, Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a Telegram post, announced that his men had crossed the border from Ukraine into southern Russia and were ready to go “all the way” against the Russian military, TASS News Agency reported.

But later on, the governor of the southern Russian region of Voronezh said Wagner units are continuing their withdrawal and forces are departing “steadily and without incident.”

Meanwhile, in the interview, Blinken said wherever Wagner is present, death, destruction, and exploitation follow, as per the statement.

To a query on Putin’s hold on power, Blinken said, “It raises lots of questions that we don’t have answers to. As I said before, I think you see cracks of different kinds that have emerged. These are in a sense different in that it’s internal. When you’re being challenged from within, as Putin has been over the last few days, that also raises profound questions.”

“But we’ve seen, I think, lots of different cracks that have emerged in the conduct of this aggression, because everything Putin has tried to accomplish, the opposite has happened. Russia is weaker economically. It’s weaker militarily. It’s standing in the world has plummeted. It’s managed to strengthen and unite NATO. It’s managed to alienate and unite Ukrainians. It’s managed to get Europe off of its dependence on Russian energy,” he added.

“In piece after piece, issue after issue, what Putin has tried to prevent, he’s managed to precipitate. And Russia’s standing is vastly diminished as a result. Now, add to that internal dissension. Again, we can’t speculate on where this goes. We have to remain and we are focused on Ukraine, but it certainly raises new questions that he’s going to have to address,” US State Secretary said. (ANI)

Many Pakistanis Face Power Outages For 14 Hours Daily

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

With an increase in power demand, people have been facing electricity outages spanning up to 14 hours a day, Pakistan-based The News International reported. Power outages have been witnessed in an election year, indicating that something is seriously flawed in the energy establishment of Pakistan.

On Saturday, the temperature reached over 40°C in the majority of regions of Pakistan and it increased the power demand significantly, stretching the national grid’s total energy requirement up to 29,000 MW – 30,000 MW. However, electricity generation could not pick up beyond 22,600 MW despite having a generation capacity close to 50,000 MW, The News International reported citing sources.
People in Pakistan have to face multifaceted chronic problems when it comes to power supply. Their suffering continues unabated in the winter and summer seasons. Residents are deprived of a power supply on one account or another, which includes so-called load management plans, approved shutdowns, technical power failures, and intense fluctuations in voltage, The News International reported.

A relatively new phenomenon of intense nocturnal load-shedding has further added misery to the already suffering people of Pakistan due to power cuts. Power outages during night time have been witnessed at an all-time high. People now face load-shedding for 3-6 hours in urban regions every day in comparison to earlier 1-2 hours between 7 pm – 5 pm, as per the news report.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s federal Power Minister has expressed a different view of what is going on in the country in terms of power demand and supply, The News International reported. On Saturday, he claimed that over-four-hours-a-day power suspension is being made in only three per cent of feeders in the national power grid.

Citing the power figures of June 23, he said a new national record of 30,089 MW power demand has been set. He claimed that 92 per cent of feeders in Pakistan suffered less than 3 hours of load-shedding per day. Power outages on account of technical failures or overloading of systems have not been included in the data shared by the minister.

Power supply during the past 24 hours or so to people residing in more than 500 feeders of Lahore Electric Power Company (LESCO) has been suspended due to tripping of the system. One of the examples of this connection has been Tajbagh, Fatehgargh, and surrounding areas, the report said.

The majority of these regions have been out of power since the early hours of Saturday. The suffering of people began with the toppling of the whole distribution system and now they are facing extreme fluctuations in the power supply, damaging their electrical appliances.

Even though efforts have been made by the power utility to bifurcate areas by creating an independent Tajbagh feeder, The News International reported. However, such a half-baked solution without the installation of augmented hardware proved a futile exercise, resulting in people living in the areas suffering unimaginable misery in the absence of vital energy supplies.

The extreme heat can cause overloading of the distribution network, resulting in rolling blackouts, the report said. However, a lack of proper customer service and the inimical behaviour of local employees left people without a sustained power supply. (ANI)

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Shehnaaz Gill, Nawazuddin To Share Screen Space For A Song

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

Actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shehnaaz Gill are collaborating for the new song ‘Yaar Ka Sataya Hua Hai’. The actor took to his Instagram handle to share the poster of the song and wrote a beautiful caption in Hindi.

He wrote, “Mai pagal hu, aur bahut pagal

Par ye bhi baat hai ke dil sacha hai

Cheen to leta tujhko sare aam mai

Par masla ye hai ke shohar tera aadmi acha hai”

The ‘Tiku Weds Sheru’ actor is sharing screenspace with Shehnaaz for the first time. BPraak has sung Nawazuddin’s ‘Yaar Ka Sataya Hua Hai’ from the album ‘Zohrajabeen’. It will be released on July 3. Nawazuddin’s fisrt musical album’s song was ‘Baarish Ki Jaaye’. After this, the actor is coming back with ‘Yaar Ka Sataya Hua Hai’.

Nawazuddin is known for his roles in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘The Lunchbox’, ‘Raman Raghav 2.0’ ‘Manto’, ‘Badlapur’, among others.

Apart from this, Nawazuddin has an interesting lineup of films, which includes ‘Noorani Chehra’, ‘Haddi’, and ‘Adbhut’. (ANI)

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Assam Floods: Amit Shah Assures All Possible Assistance

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

As the flood situation in Assam remains grim, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and assured all possible assistance.

Amit Shah in his tweet said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government stands firm as it has been with the people of Assam in difficult times.
“Due to heavy rain, the people in parts of Assam are braving a flood-like situation. I have spoken to CM Shri @himantabiswa Ji and assured all possible assistance. NDRF teams are already on the ground conducting relief and rescue operations and adequate forces are on standby. The Modi government stands firm as it has always been with the people of Assam in these difficult times,” tweeted Shah.

Reacting to it, CM Sarma expressed gratitude over the Home Minister’s proactive response and concerns regarding the flood situation in Assam.

“Gratitude Hon’ble Home Minister for your proactive response & concern regarding the flood situation in Assam. The Assam Government is on high alert and providing all assistance to the affected persons. We are grateful to Hon PM Shri @narendramodi

Ji for all the help to the state from the Government of India,” Tweeted the CM.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in Assam has marginally improved, but nearly 4.01 lakh people in 15 districts are still affected due to the flood, as per Assam Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

According to the flood reports of ASDMA, one more person died in Nalabri district after drowning in flood water in the past 24 hours taking the death toll to 3 so far.

“Nearly 2.22 lakh people have been affected alone in Bajali district, followed by 1.04 lakh people affected in Barpeta, 40668 people affected in Nalbari, 22060 people in Lakhimpur, 8493 people in Darrang, 4750 people in Goalpara district,” stated ASDMA.

As many as, 1118 villages under 42 revenue circles in Bajali, Baksa, Barpeta, Chirang, Darrang, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, Tamulpur districts have been affected by the deluge.

Following the torrential rain, the water level of the Brahmaputra River is flowing above the danger level mark at Neamatighat in Jorhat district and at Tezpur in Sonitpur district.

In the flood-hit districts, 8469.56 hectares of cropland have been submerged by floodwaters.

The district administration has set up 101 relief camps and 119 relief distribution centres in 14 flood-hit districts, and 81352 people have taken shelter in these relief camps.

On the other hand, many others are still taking shelter on roads, highlands, and embankments.

On the other hand, in the last 24 hours, the flood waters breached 4 embankments and damaged 15 other embankments, 157 roads, 1 bridge, several agri bundhs, Anganwadi centres school buildings, irrigation canals, and culverts.

Following the torrential rain, the water level of the Brahmaputra River is flowing above the danger level mark at Neamatighat in Jorhat district and at Dhubri; the Manas River at Nh Road Crossing; the Pagladiya River at Nt Road Crossing; and the Puthimari river at Nh Road Crossing.

On the other hand, in the last 24 hours, the flood waters breached 1 embankment and damaged 14 other embankments, 213 roads, 14 bridges, several agri bundhs, school buildings, irrigation canals, and culverts. (ANI)

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Girls Molested In UP Juvenile Home, Five Suspended

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

In a shocking incident, multiple girls were allegedly molested at a juvenile home in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur. District Magistrate (DM) Dinesh Chandra suspended five people on Saturday and a case has been filed against the juvenile home’s manager.

After the matter came to the fore, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kirti Raj reached the juvenile home for further investigation.
After a thorough investigation, and speaking to other authorities and children of the juvenile home, the matter was quickly escalated to DM Dinesh Chandra. The DM has suspended five people and a case has also been filed against the manager and other employees involved in the matter.

As of now, a complete ban has been imposed on anyone entering or exiting the children’s home until the investigation is underway.

“According to the complaint received, some indecent behaviour took place with the female children in the juvenile home. An inquiry by female officers was ordered immediately and on the basis of the inquiry, an FIR has been registered,” DM Dinesh Chandra said while speaking to ANI.

“I want to assure that Circle Officer (CO) level officers are investigating the matter. Whoever is found guilty, stringent action would be taken against them,” DM Chandra added. (ANI)

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Green Corridor For Kanwarias From Haridwar To Gurukul Narsan

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

During the Kanwar Yatra, a green corridor will be made for the kanwariyas from Haridwar city to Gurukul Narsan, adjacent to the border of Uttar Pradesh.

Apart from the Kanwar track, one side of the highway will be reserved for Kanwar passengers.
The Kanwar Yatra is starting from July 4.

“A two-lane side of the highway from Haridwar to Gurukul Narasan will be reserved for kanwariyas so that there is no problem in carrying water for the kanwariyas during the last days of the Kanwar Yatra,” Haridwar District Magistrate Dheeraj Singh Garbiyal told ANI.

Garhwal Commissioner Sushil Kumar on Saturday said that it is recommended that Kanwar Yatris carry their government-issued ID card with them during the Kanwar Yatra 2023.

Speaking after the inter-state meeting held to discuss the preparations and coordination ahead of the Yatra, the Garhwal Commissioner said, “A meeting with all relevant officials including those from neighbouring states was held today for preparation and coordination between states, ahead of Kanwar Yatra 2023. It will be recommended that Kanwar Yatris carry their government issues ID cards with them during the Yatra.”

He further emphasized that the ‘kanwariyas’ are requested to make smaller ‘kanwars’ to avoid accidents.

“Kanwariyas are requested not to make ‘kanwars’ higher than 12 feet to avoid accidents and not cause noise pollution. This time, the police will pay special attention to those who ride motorcycles without silencers”, the commissioner added.

The commissioner called it a big challenge to complete the Yatra successfully without any untoward incidents and added that all preparations have been made and overseen for the peaceful conduct of the event.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Garhwal DIG Karan Singh Nagnyal said, “We have requested 10 companies of Paramilitary forces personnel for the smooth conduct of the Kanwar Yatra in the State.”

The DIG also urged the devotees to follow the instructions issued by the administration so that the Yatra be conducted in a peaceful manner.

On Saturday, an inter-state meeting regarding preparations and coordination ahead of the Kanwar Yatra 2023 was held in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district.

The meeting was attended by concerned officials of the state and also officials from neighbouring states including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)

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Kwatra On Egypt's BRICS Membership Request

Decision Is Yet To Arrive: Kwatra On Egypt’s BRICS M’ship Request

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

After Egypt has requested to join the BRICS economic group, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that member countries are examining requests and simutaneouly deliberating on the criteria of expansion of the BRICS membership.

“Currently, the member countries of the BRICS are examining all these requests on one hand, but on the other hand, they are also currently discussing between them as to what should be the criteria of expansion of the BRICS membership, what should be the process and procedure relating to that. That is yet to arrive,” Kwatra said while answering the question on Egypt’s request for BRICS membership.
“BRICS takes all its decisions by consensus. So from our side, we are a very active participant along with other BRICS countries in that process. Right now, that is the current status. But we are looking actively at all the applications, naturally, including a very friendly and strategic partner like Egypt in the expanded structure of the BRICS,” Kwatra said in a special briefing on Prime Minister’s visit to Egypt.

This statement came after Egypt submitted its application to join BRICS, Russian Ambassador to Cairo Georgy Borisenko confirmed, TASS News Agency reported.

On Wednesday, 14 June, Egypt began the process of potential accession to the BRICS – the country has filed an application to join the five countries. This was reported by TASS, citing the message of the Russian Ambassador to Cairo, Georgy Borisenko.

“Egypt has submitted its application to join the BRICS group because one of the endeavors that BRICS is currently pursuing is to shift trade to alternative currencies, be it national currencies or a new common currency. Egypt is very much interested in that,” the envoy said in an interview with TASS.

According to him, Egypt is eager to boost trade and economic cooperation with Russia. “New payment mechanisms are being created for trade transactions,” the ambassador added.

The foreign ministers of BRICS member states (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) held a meeting in Cape Town on June 2.

The meeting was also attended by top diplomats from the 12 countries of the Global South that wish to join the group, namely Argentina, Bangladesh, Comoros, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. (ANI)

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Manipur: Internet Ban Extended Again Till June 30

By LokMarg 25th June 2023

The Manipur government on Sunday extended the ban on internet services in the state for five more days to prevent any disturbances of peace and public order.

According to an official release, the ban on internet services in the Northeast state, which has been racked by ethnic clashes and violence, has been extended till 3 pm on June 30 to “prevent any disturbances of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of the State of Manipur”.
The government release informed further that the ban on mobile internet services in the state was extended due to the “persisting unrest”.

“Director General of Police, Manipur vide letter No.IC/11(163)/2008-PHQ(Pt) dated 24-06-2023 reported that there are still reports of incidents of violence, attacks and arson of houses and premises including exchange of firing,” the release stated.

“There is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for the transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and offer situation in the State of Manipur,” it added.

This is the third straight extension of the ban on internet services in the state.

Earlier, on May 3, the Manipur government suspended mobile internet services in the state, amid the spiralling ethnic violence, and the ban has remained in force ever since.

The government extended the ban on June 11, till June 15, and then again, for five more days, from June 20 to June 25.

Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic violence for a month, in the wake of a directive of the high court asking the state government to consider including the Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The Centre had to deploy paramilitary forces as violence escalated in the Northeast state.

Violence gripped Manipur on May 3 after clashes erupted during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs). (ANI)

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