March 2024 - Page 6 of 38 - Lokmarg

BJD Announces First List Of Candidates For Nine Lok Sabha, 72 Assembly Seats

By LokMarg 27th March 2024

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday announced the first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Odisha.

Odisha CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share the list of the nine Lok Sabha candidates, namely for Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Bhubaneswar, Kendrapara, Nabarangpur, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Aska and Koraput seats.

Naveen Patnaik will re-contest from the Hinjili Assembly constituency for a sixth term.

Back in 2000, Patnaik became the chief minister of Odisha for the first time.

BJD General Secretary Pranab Prakash Das has been pitted against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of the BJP in Sambalpur.

Hours after joining BJD, the Biju Janata Dal announced Manmath Routray, son of Congress veteran leader Suresh Routraya, as the Lok Sabha candidate from Bhubaneswar.

Former Odisha Congress MLA Anshuman Mohanty, who joined Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on February 16, will contest the election from the Kendrapara Lok Saha seat.

Pradeep Kumar Majhi, who left Congress on October 22, 2021 and joined BJD later on, is a nominee from Nabarangpur.

BJD filed former Indian Hockey Captain and Padma Shri awardee, Dilip Tirkey as the party nominee from the Sundargarh seat.

Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management (Government of Odisha), a five-time MLA, has been named a BJD candidate from Mayurbhanj.

The party fielded Lambodhar Nial from Kalahandi, Ranjita Sahu from Aska and Kaushalya Hikaka from Koraput.

Further, the BJP declared 72 names out of 147 assembly seats.

BJD filed Jagannath Saraka as the party nominee from Bissamkatak, Raghunath Gamango from Gunpur, Anusaya Majhi from Rayagada, Debesh Acharya from Bargarh, Rita Sahoo from Bijepur, Snehangini Churia from Atabira, Susanta Singh from Bhatli, Ashiwni Patra from Jales war, Subhasini Jena- from Basta, Sanjib Mallick, from Bhandaripokari, Prafulla Samal from Bhadrak, Bishnubrata Routray from Basudevpur, Sanjay Das from Dhamnagar, Byomkesh Ray from Chandbali, Pramila Malik from Bijharpur, Pranab Balbantra from Dharmasala, Sujata Sahoo from Jajpur, Pritiranjan Ghadei from Sukinda, Sudhir Samal from Dhenkanal, Prafulla Mallick from Kamakshyanagar, Nursingha Sahoo from Parjang, Mukesh Pal from Pallahara, Sushant Kumar Behera from Chendipada, Niranjan Pujari from Sonepur, Nihar Behera from Loisingha, Saroj Meher from Patnagarh, Kalikesh Nayarayan Singh Deo from Bolangir, Tukuni Sahu from Titilagarh, Rajendra Dholakia from Nuapada, Nabina Nayak from Umerkote, Ramesh Majhi from Jharigaon, Kaushalya Pradhani from Nabarangpur, Manohar Randhari from Dabugaon, Pradip Dishari from Lanjigarh, Dibyashankar Mishra from Junagarh, Puspendra SinghDeo from Dharmagarh, Latika Nayak from Bhawanipatna, Saluga Pradhan from G Udaygiri, Mahidhar Rana from Kantamal, Pradip Amat from Boudh, Debi Prasad Mishra from Badamba, Debi Tripathy from Banki, Sauvik Biswal from Cuttack-Choudwar, Ranendra Pratap Swain from Athagarh, Pramod Mallick from Niali, Chandra Sarathi Behera from Cuttack-Sadar, Arvind Mohapatra from Patkura, Pratap Deb from Aul, Dhruba Sahu- from Rajnagar, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak from Mahakalpada, Sunil Mohanty from Puri, Uma Samantaray from Brahmagiri, Sanjay Dasburma from Satyabadi, Rudrapratap Maharathy from Pipili, Bibhuti Balbantray from Jatni, Satyanarayan Pradhan from Ranpur, Ramesh Behera from Daspalla, Arun Sahoo from Nayagarh, Bikram Keshari Arukh from Bhanjanagar, Srikant Sahoo from Polsara, Latika Pradhan from Kabisuryanagar, Subhash Behera from Chhatrapur, Sanghamitra Swain from Sorada, Naveen Patnaik from Hinjili, Bikram Panda from Gopalpur, Biplab Patra from Digapahandi, Chanmanya Nanda from Chikiti, Chandrasekhar Majhi from Kotpad, Raghuram from Koraput, Manas Madkami from Malkangiri and Badrinarayan Patra from Ghasipura.

The Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, which comprise 21 constituencies, are set to take place in four phases. The voting dates have been scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) emerged as the dominant party, securing 20 out of the 21 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a single seat.

However, the 2019 elections saw a shift in the political landscape. The BJD’s seat count was reduced to 12, while the BJP made significant gains, winning 8 seats. This change marked a notable increase in the BJP’s presence in the state. The Indian National Congress (INC) also managed to secure a seat in the 2019 elections. (ANI)

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India Objects To Remarks Of US State Department On Kejriwal

By LokMarg 27th March 2024

India has taken “strong objection” to remarks of the United States State Department Spokesperson about certain legal proceedings in India.

“In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement today.

The MEA defended India’s legal system, emphasizing its independence and dedication to impartial and expedient judgments.

“India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary that is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted,” the foreign ministry statement read.

Earlier today, the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena was seen leaving the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters. The meeting lasted for approximately 40 minutes.

The MEA’s remarks come in the backdrop of a US State Department spokesperson telling Reuters this week, that the US is closely following reports of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. “We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal,” the US spokesperson said in response to an emailed query about the case.

Earlier this month, the US had expressed concern over the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

In his daily briefing on March 15, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller had said, “We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11.” External Affairs Ministry rejected the remarks as “misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted”.

Moreover, on March 25, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) raised the alarm on the government’s notification of the Citizenship Amendment Rules (CAR) in a move to begin implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). In a statement, the USCIRF said that last week, USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck testified at a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on this matter. (ANI)

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Sadhguru Discharged From Hospital After Emergency Brain Surgery

By LokMarg 27th March 2024

Spiritual guru and founder of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday after undergoing emergency brain surgery.

Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, who met Sadhguru in the hospital, said, “The doctors have expressed satisfaction with his recovery and healing. Sadhguru, even as he is recovering, has maintained the same spirit. His commitment to the global good, his sharp mind and his sense of humour are all intact. I think this is good news for all the millions of people who have been enquiring about his health.”

The Foundation has expressed thankfulness for the outpouring of love and support that Sadhguru has received from everyone during this time.

On March 17, the 66-year-old spiritual leader developed a decline in his level of consciousness with drowsiness and weakness in the left leg. He was then rushed to the medical facility.

A team of doctors consisting of Dr. Vinit Suri, Dr. Pranav Kumar, Dr. Sudheer Tyagi, and Dr. S. Chatterjee performed the surgery within a few hours of admission to relieve the bleeding. Sadhguru was weaned off the ventilator post-surgery.

According to the Isha Foundation, Sadguru was examined by Dr. Vinit Suri, a senior consultant neurologist at Apollo Hospital, and was advised to undergo an MRI, where massive bleeding in his brain was detected.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to Sadhguru and wished him good health and a speedy recovery. (ANI)

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101% Sure Of My Victory From Nagpur: Gadkari

By LokMarg 27th March 2024

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari who has been fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, said that he is “101 per cent” sure of his victory and will try to win with a margin of more than five lakhs.

“I am 101 per cent sure of my victory. This time I will win the election with a very good margin. Given the support of the public, their enthusiasm, the hard work of the party workers, I will try my best to win with a margin of more than 5 lakhs,” Gadkari said speaking to ANI on Wednesday.

Speaking about his development agenda for Nagpur, Gadkari said that he would try to make the city “pollution free” and convert it into a green city.

“The all-round development of Nagpur Vidarbha has been the initial resolution of my political life. I will be working on tourism, industry IT, development of MIHAN, purification of Nag river and most importantly, to make Nagpur city free from air and noise pollution and try to make it a green city,” the Union Transport Minister said.

Sharing details about his green plan for Nagpur, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, “The transport here will run on electric, alternative fuel or bio fuel. The use of petrol and diesel will be negligible. I will try to make good gardens, playgrounds, and two swimming tanks and health clubs in every Vidhan Sabha constituency.”

Emphasizing on employment generation Gadkari said, “Till now, 68 thousand jobs have been provided under MIHAN. I will try to take the figure to one lakh in a year.”

Speaking about his campaign, the senior BJP leader pointed out that the specialty of his campaign is meeting people and connecting with them.

“I have the opportunity to meet new people and take their blessings. That is why I am going to every area, meeting people and talking to them. Connecting with people- man to man, heart to heart, house to house- is the specialty of my campaign. I am also using technology. At times messages are conveyed to them through this,” Gadkari said.

On declaring his new vision ahead of the polls, the Union Minister said, “I have asked for suggestions from voters till March 30. I will study the suggestions given by people and then declare my next vision.”

Gadkari highlighted that he does not believe in election management and people who participated in his rallies came on their own will.

“I do not have to manage the election. You can understand whatever you want to. A program was held on the strength of party workers today. 40-50 thousand people came to attend it. Nobody was brought in vehicles; nobody was given any money. We will work taking the support of those who love me from their heart, love my party, and love PM Modi,” Gadkari said. (ANI)

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My Husband Will Reveal Truth: Kejriwal’s Wife

By LokMarg 27th March 2024

The wife of jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Sunita on Wednesday said that her husband, who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged excise scam, will reveal the truth regarding the case in court on March 28.

Kejriwal will be produced before the court on Thursday at the end of his ED custody in Delhi excise policy money laundering case.

In a video message, Sunita Kejriwal hit out at the Centre and central probe agency, saying that the ED could not find a single penny in its more than 250 raids conducted in the “so-called liquor scam”.

“In the so-called liquor scam, ED has conducted more than 250 raids. They are searching for the money of this so-called scam. They have found nothing yet. Arvind Kejriwal has said that he will reveal everything in court on March 28. He will reveal where the money of the liquor scam is. He will also provide proof…” she said.

Sunita has met the Delhi CM on Tuesday evening at the ED office.

“I met Arvind Kejriwal in jail yesterday, he has diabetes and sugar level is not under control. However, his determination is strong. Two days ago, he directed Delhi Minister Atishi to resolve the water and sewer-related issues. What wrong did he do? The Centre has filed a case against Arvind Kejriwal even for this. Do they want to finish Delhi?” she added.

The Aam Aadmi Party’s National Convenor was arrested on March 21 for alleged misdoings in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise policy case under an ongoing money laundering probe by the ED. He is in ED custody till March 28.

The case relates to alleged irregularities and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi excise policy in 2022.In its initial prosecution complaint filed in November 2021, the ED stated that the policy was intentionally designed with loopholes, facilitating the formation of cartels clandestinely to favor AAP leaders.

Additionally, the ED accused AAP leaders of receiving kickbacks from a group of individuals referred to as the “South Group.”

The case originated from a report presented by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022, highlighting purported procedural deficiencies in the development of the policy.

The report said “arbitrary and unilateral decisions” taken by Sisodia in his capacity as Excise Minister had resulted in “financial losses to the exchequer” estimated at more than Rs 580 crore.This report was referred to the CBI, and led to Sisodia’s arrest.

While Kejriwal was not named in the FIRs registered by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name first found a mention in the ED’s chargesheet, wherein the agency claimed that he allegedly spoke to one of the main accused, Sameer Mahendru, in a video call and asked him to continue working with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair. (ANI)

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IIT Madras Alumni Pavan To Lead Microsoft Windows And Surface Teams

By LokMarg 27th March 2024

Microsoft has internally merged the Windows and Surface teams once again, appointing IIT Madras alumni Pavan Davuluri to lead development on both fronts.

According to Windows Central- a news site that tracks developments at Microsoft, the decision comes after a brief separation, during which Windows briefly fell under Microsoft’s new AI organisation.

The reunion of Windows and Surface teams marks a return to a familiar structure within Microsoft’s Engineering and Devices organisation, headed by Rajesh Jha.

Pavan Davuluri, previously overseeing Microsoft’s hardware endeavours, will now take the helm of Windows engineering as well.

The reshuffle follows the departure of ex-Windows and Surface chief Panos Panay last September, whose role was effectively split between Davuluri and Mikhail Parakhin.

Parakhin took charge of Windows, alongside his existing responsibilities as CEO of Web and Advertising at Microsoft, overseeing products such as Bing, Edge, and Copilot.

However, recent developments within Microsoft, including the appointment of DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman as CEO of a new AI division, prompted a re-evaluation of team structures.

With Parakhin’s team absorbed into the new AI division, he has announced his intention to explore other roles, likely outside the company.

As a result, Windows is now realigned under Rajesh Jha’s leadership, ensuring that development is overseen by the same individual who guides Surface development.

This move is welcomed by Windows enthusiasts, as it promises increased collaboration and cohesion between Microsoft’s hardware and software endeavours.

Over the past year, Pavan Davuluri has been instrumental in driving Microsoft’s efforts to optimize Windows for Arm-based devices.

On March 22, Davuluri posted on X “Today, we announced our first ever #Surface AI PCs built exclusively for business: Surface Pro 10 for Business and Surface Laptop 6 for Business! I’m incredibly proud of the team for the work they did to bring these devices and experiences to life for our customers #Copilot.”

Anticipation is building for May 20, when Microsoft is expected to unveil new next-generation AI features and Arm-based Surface hardware, offering further insights into the company’s vision for Windows and AI integration. (ANI)

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Prakash Ambdekar of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi

Jolt For Aghadi Alliance In M’rashtra

By LokMarg 27th March 2024

Prakash Ambdekar of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi announced on Wednesday the names of eight candidates for the upcoming elections, thus indicating that it would sever its ties with Maha Vikas Aghadi, or MVA, in Maharashtra.

The VBA has not yet formally announced its intention to sever its ties with the MVA in Maharashtra.

VBA said the name of one more candidate for Ramtek would be announced later in the afternoon. The VBA has named candidates for seats like Gadhciroli, Gondiua and Chandrapur where the Congress has already named candidates. The UBT Sena had announced a candidate for Sangli seat on Wednesday.

The names of the candidates were announced following a meeting of the Maharashtra State Committee of the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi on Tuesday.

“The VBA State Committee has decided not to field a candidate from Nagpur Parliamentary Constituency. VBA will support the candidate of the Indian National Congress from the Nagpur Parliamentary Constituency,” the party said in a press release.

With this announcement it is curtains for the expanded Maha Vikas Aghadi with Ambedkar’s party contesting outside the alliance that comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

The VBA had been pushing hard to forge an alliance with the MVA to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections.

Uddhav faction leader and spokesperson Anand Dubey said, “We had decided to work with the VBA. Everything was okay. Today, by announcing the candidates, has he indicated that he will help the BJP through a backdoor channel. Has he not decided to work as the B Team of the BJP?”

“We are not saying this. The public is asking this question. If our message is to defeat the BJP, then why should we go solo in the elections, ” he asked the VBA leadership.

The state will vote in five phases for 48 constituencies in the upcoming general elections.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 would be held in seven phases, starting on April 19 and ending on June 1. The results will be declared on June 4. (ANI)

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Arvind Kejriwal Winter Action Delhi Planning Department

Subsidies, Schemes To Continue Without Disruption: Delhi Planning Department

By LokMarg 26th March 2024

Days after the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, Delhi’s Planning Department said on Tuesday that public services, social welfare schemes and subsidies provided by the government in the national capital have been “not at all affected.”

In an order, released as a press note, Secretary (Planning) Niharika Rai asked people to “stay away from rumour mongers,” who would try to “take advantage” of the situation “by spreading misinformation”.

“It has been brought to the notice that speculations and rumours are being spread by notorious elements with vested interests in Delhi that with the arrest remand of Chief Minister of GNCTD by Enforcement Directorate on 21 March, 2024, welfare schemes and subsidies given by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi will be stopped,” the statement said.

Rai said that even as the law takes its course in the criminal investigation process, it merits clarification that the administration of schemes and governance are not specific to individuals and will continue as usual.

“Social welfare schemes are funded with public money through the consolidated fund backed by budgetary allocations. Social welfare funds are neither the personal property of any individual or political entity nor funded by an individual or entity’s personal money. There is an architecture of civil services and processes laid down in Delhi which continues as usual. Hence, these public services, social welfare schemes and subsidies are not at all affected by the arrest /remand of Hon’ble Chief Minister,” the statement read.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj today said that despite being in ED custody, Kejriwal issued a order instructing Bharadwaj to address health issues in the national capital.

On Sunday, Delhi minister Atishi read out an order issued by Kejriwal from custody in which the jailed chief minister raises concerns on the water and sewage issues in the national capital.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case. He was on March 22 remanded to custody of the ED for seven days, i.e., till March 28.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped.

The case arose out of a report submitted by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022, pointing to alleged procedural lapses in the formulation of the policy.

This report was referred to the CBI, and led to Sisodia’s arrest.

The ED alleged that the “scam” was to give the wholesale liquor business to private entities and fix a 12 per cent margin, for a 6 per cent kickback.

In its first prosecution complaint in November 2021, the ED said the policy was “formulated with deliberate loopholes” that “promoted cartel formations through the back door” to benefit AAP leaders. The ED also alleged that AAP leaders received kickbacks to the tune of Rs 100 crore from a group of individuals identified as the “South Group.” (ANI)

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Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha

Delhi Court Sends K Kavitha To Judicial Custody

By LokMarg 26th March 2024

The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday sent Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha to Judicial Custody till April 9, 2024. She was arrested recently in connection with Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.

The Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, while sending her to Tihar Jail for 14 days, also fixed hearing on Interim bail plea for April 1, 2024.

Kavitha appeared in court through Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari, along with Advocates Nitesh Rana, Mohit Rao and Deepak Nagar She had moved an interim bail application, citing that examinations of her 16-year-old son are about to begin.

Enforcement Directorate, while requesting that the court send her to Judicial custody, stated that the arrestee (Kavitha) is highly influential and there is every likelihood that the arrestee will influence the witnesses and tamper with the evidence if released, which may hamper the ongoing investigation.

The department is still further investigating the role of the arrestee in the instant matter and is unearthing the further proceeds of crime and identifying the other persons who are involved or connected with the process or activities related to proceeds of crime.

Investigation into economic crimes is more complex than ordinary crimes as economic offenders are resourceful and influential persons having deep roots in the society and commit the said crimes in a carefully planned and meticulous manner, thereby rendering the investigation process a complicated exercise.

Advocates Zoheb Hossain, Naveen Kumar Matta and Simon Benjamin appeared for Enforcement Directorate in the matter.

During the hearing today, the accused, K Kavitha was produced physically before the court. She was produced at the end of ED remand period.

Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested K Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council on March 15, 2024, in the case of Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. A search was also conducted at the residence of K Kavitha in Hyderabad on March 15, 2024. During the search proceedings, the ED officials were obstructed by the relatives and associates of K Kavitha, said ED through a statement.

ED has alleged that K Kavitha along with others conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for getting favours in the Delhi Excise policy-formulation and implementation. In exchange of these favours, she was involved in paying Rs. 100 Crore to the leaders of AAP.

Through acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickback, from the wholesalers was generated for the AAP. Further, K Kavitha and her associates were to recover the proceeds of crime paid in advance to AAP and to further generate profits/proceeds of crime from this entire conspiracy, stated ED.

Till date, the ED has conducted searches on 245 locations across the country, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and other places. 15 people, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Vijay Nair from AAP, have been arrested in the case so far.

ED has filed 1 prosecution complaint and 5 supplementary complaints in the case so far.

Further, out of the proceeds of crime generated, assets worth Rs. 128.79 crore have been traced so far and have been attached via provisional attachment orders dated 24.01.2023 and July 3, 2023. Both the attachment orders have been confirmed by the adjudicating authority in New Delhi.

ED has filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it has so far undertaken nearly 200 search operations in this case after filing an FIR taking cognizance of a CBI case that was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.

The CBI inquiry was recommended based on the findings of the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, officials said.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies said.

As per the allegations, the Excise Department had decided to refund the Earnest Money Deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19, the probe agency said and there was alleged loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer. (ANI)

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Pakistan: Five Chinese Nationals Killed In Suicide Attack

By LokMarg 26th March 2024

Five Chinese nationals were killed in a suicide attack in Besham city in Shangla, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Geo News reported, citing the police.

Malakand’s Deputy Inspector General of Police said that the attackers hit their explosive-filled car into the vehicle in which the Chinese nationals were travelling.

The Chinese nationals were reportedly, engineers who were going to Dasu camp from Islamabad.

The driver of the car sustained injuries in the attack and has been moved to a local hospital, police said.

Reuters has reported, citing Mohammad Ali Gandapur, the regional police chief, that five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver have been killed in the attack.

Notably, Dasu town is the site of a major dam and the area has been attacked in the past. A blast on a bus killed 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, in 2021.

Further details are awaited in the case. (ANI)

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