Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant termed the Union Cabinet's approval of the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, as "Historic" and stated that the move will be cost-effective and governance-friendly, reported PTI. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday accepted the report of a high-level committee chaired by former president Ram Nath Kovind for holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies in a phased manner after a nationwide consensus-building exercise. Talking to PTI on Friday, CM Sawant said, "I welcome 'one nation, one election'. It is a historic decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has taken several historic decisions, including the abrogation of Article 370." "Frequently-held elections result in the breakdown of governance due to the model code of conduct. But holding elections pan-India at one time for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will save the nation from frequently imposed code of conduct," he said. "Frequent elections increase expenditure. But a one-time election will reduce it and that will indirectly benefit the government and people," Sawant said. Frequent elections also cause obstructions in governance and create hurdles in development projects, which will be avoided in the proposed system, he said. "Conducting elections once in five years will help in smooth administrative decisions," he added. Sawant said to PTI that the elections when conducted once every five years will lead to an increase in voter turnout and "will contribute towards the country's development," While National Democratic Alliance's allies like Janata Dal (United) and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party have supported the plan, Opposition parties such as Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Shiv Sena (UBT) still stand opposed to the idea of simultaneous polls, claiming that it will favour the ruling party at the Centre. According to PTI report, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said 'One nation, one election' is to be carried out in two phases, emphasising that the proposal was embraced by large number of parties. "Over 80 percent of the respondents supported simultaneous polls. The opposition parties may face pressure from within to support it," Vaishnaw said
21 September,2024 12:32 PM IST | Panaji | mid-day online correspondentSecurity has been heightened in the Shikari area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir following a confrontation between security forces and terrorists on Friday, ANI reported. According to ANI, authorities said that a joint search operation was launched by Security forces in the district after receiving specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists. Contact has been established and a few rounds have been fired from both sides, they added. The operation was launched around 1 pm on Friday, said police to ANI. "On the receipt of specific intel, an operation was launched around 1300 hrs today. Contact has been established at the Shikari area of PS Chassana," Reasi district police posted on X on Friday. On the receipt of specific intel, an operation was launched around 1300 hrs today. Contact has been established at the Shikari area of PS Chassana.@OfficeOfLGJandK @JmuKmrPolice @adgp_igp @ZPHQJammu @UHqrs@Sikarwar_IPS @DMReasi — DISTRICT POLICE REASI (@REASIPOLICE) September 20, 2024 Earlier this month, a soldier was grievously injured during a suspected terrorist attack on the Sunjuwan Military Station on the outskirts of Jammu, The attack began about 10:50 am when gunmen shot several bullets at a sentry post, officials said to PTI However, no further information about the attackers has been released at this time, reported PTI. An ANI report stated that on August 29, the Indian Army had eliminated three terrorists who were attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control in the Machhal and Tangdhar sectors of the union territory. The news agency quoted an official release which stated, "Credible inputs were received from intelligence agencies, which was further corroborated by J-K Police regarding likely infiltration attempts from these areas. Based on the inputs, troops of the Indian Army, JKP and BSF laid ambushes on likely infiltration routes in both Machhal and Tangdhar sectors." On August 28 evening, suspicious movement was detected following which firing commenced which lasted until early August 29 morning, reported ANI. On August 10, Two Army personnel were killed while three others sustained injuries in a fierce gunfight with terrorists in a forest at a remote area in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district According to the officials, The incident occurred at Ahlan Gagarmandu forest in the Kokernag area of the south Kashmir district during a cordon and search operation that was launched following information about the presence of terrorists there. The terrorists hiding in the forest opened indiscriminate fire upon noticing the search parties, leading to an intense gun battle. Five army personnel were injured in the firing by the terrorists and immediately rushed to a hospital, where two of them died, news agency ANI reported.
21 September,2024 12:08 PM IST | Reasi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari said the biggest test of democracy is that the 'king' (ruler) tolerates and introspects even the strongest opinion against him. He was speaking in an event of book release at MIT World Peace University in Pune on Friday. "The biggest test of democracy is that the king tolerates the strongest opinion against him and introspects over it," Gadkari said. The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said that literary people, intellectuals and poets that they should be openly and strongly expressing their views. "What happens in politics these days has happened in other places as well, one has lost his own existence, difference of opinion in our country is not a problem, our problem is having no opinion. We are neither rightists nor leftists, we are opportunists," Gadkari said. "It is expected from literary people, intellectuals, and poets that they should openly and strongly express their views and opinions, and if there is any biggest test of democracy, then it is that if any opinion is against the king, then the king should tolerate it and should introspect over it, this is the real democracy," he added. Earlier on Sunday, Gadkari attended the Engineers' Day event at the College of Engineering Pune (COEP), and said that there is a need for transparency and a time-bound decision-making process. He pointed out what the use is if a knowledgeable person does not understand the spirit behind the law. "There is a difference between letter and spirit. If a knowledgeable person does not understand the spirit behind the law, then what is the use? Sometimes the situation is such that even if potholes on the roads are to be filled, the order of the boss is required. I do not want to say much about them right now, but other times, as soon as the money is in hand, the work begins, very quickly. We have 'Newton's father' here, the more weight you put on the file, the faster it moves forward. There is a need for transparency and a time-bound decision-making process," said Gadkari on Sunday. Last week, in a major revelation, Nitin Gadkari said that he turned down an offer for the Prime Minister's position from a political leader, stating that becoming PM was not the aim of his life. Addressing the media fraternity at late Anil Kumar Patrakarita Puraskar Samaroh organised by Vidarbha Gaurav Pratishthan on Saturday, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said that he is loyal to his conviction and organisation, and won't compromise with that. "I do not want to name anyone but a person said to me, if you are going to become a Prime Minister, we will support you. I said, why you should support me, and why I should take your support. To become a Prime Minister is not the aim in my life. I am loyal to my conviction and organisation and I am not going to compromise for any post because my conviction is most important to me. I think that this conviction is the biggest strength of Indian democracy," Gadkari said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 September,2024 10:28 AM IST | Pune (Maharashtra) | ANIFive packets of suspected heroin weighing over 2.8 kg along with a motorcycle were seized by the Border Security Force and Punjab Police, near Dal village in Punjab's Tarn Taran district on Friday. According to a release, the BSF troops were on duty at a checkpoint near village Dal of Tarn Taran district on Friday when they observed suspicious movement of two people on a motorcycle. As the BSF troops indicated them to stop, the individuals fled away from the spot, leaving behind the motorcycle. BSF troops immediately seized the bike and, in collaboration with Punjab Police, carried out a search operation in the adjoining area, it added. "The search culminated at about 04:50 pm with the recovery of five small packets of suspected heroin (Gross weight- 2.838 Kg) and one motorcycle. The narcotics were wrapped with yellow adhesive tape. This recovery took place in the area adjacent to village- Dal in Tarn Taran district," the release said. "Keen observation and swift action of BSF troops and Punjab police once again successfully foiled a narcotics smuggling attempt from across the border," it added. Earlier, Border Security Force (BSF) troops seized two suspected packets of heroin during a nighttime patrol and search operation along the Tarn Taran border on Sunday. The packets were discovered at 9:45 pm in the border area near Naushera Dhalla village. According to the BSF spokesperson, the packets were wrapped in yellow adhesive tape secured with black tape, and each packet also had an improvised iron ring and two illuminating sticks attached. The total weight of the suspected heroin was 1.146 kilograms. BSF troops conducted a follow-up search of the surrounding areas but did not find anything else. The BSF stated, "Keen observation and diligent efforts of BSF troops effectively thwarted yet another attempt to smuggle a narcotics consignment into Punjab from across the border." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 September,2024 10:14 AM IST | Tarn Taran (Punjab) | ANIPresident Droupadi Murmu appointed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi as the Chief Minister of National Capital Territory Delhi, effective from the date she is sworn in. The President also accepted AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's resignation as the CM, but stated he will continue to hold office till Atishi is sworn-in. Atishi along with other ministers, will take the oath today at Raj Niwas "The President is pleased to accept the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister, National Capital Territory of Delhi, along with his Council of Ministers, with immediate effect. He will, however, continue to act as the Chief Minister, National Capital Territory of Delhi, till the new Chief Minister is sworn in," the official statement read. "The President is pleased to appoint Atishi as the Chief Minister, National capital territory of Delhi with effect from the date she is sworn in," it added. The President further cleared the appointment of five ministers, including Saurabh Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai and Kailash Gahlot. "The President has been pleased to appoint, on the advice of the Chief Minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Imran Hussain, and Mukesh Ahlawat, to be the Minister in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, with effect from the date (s) they are sworn in," the statement further added. Earlier on Thursday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced that Atishi will take oath as the new Chief Minister of Delhi on September 21. "Atishi will take oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on September 21, and other ministers will also take their oaths alongside her," said the AAP in a statement. Atishi, who has staked her claim to the position, expressed mixed feelings about the change in leadership. She said that she is happy about the trust placed in her by outgoing CM Arvind Kejriwal but is also sad that he has resigned from his post. Speaking to the media, she added that she would work hard to bring Kejriwal back as Chief Minister after the upcoming assembly elections. "First of all, I would like to thank the popular CM of Delhi, AAP national convener, and my guru - Arvind Kejriwal. He gave me such a huge responsibility and trusted me for it. This can be done only in AAP, only under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, that a first-time politician becomes the CM of a state. I come from an ordinary family. Had I been in any other party, perhaps I would not have been given even an election ticket," Atishi said. At 43, Atishi will become the third woman Chief Minister of Delhi, following in the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit. A prominent leader of AAP, Atishi has played a key role in improving education in Delhi's government-run schools during her time as an advisor to the former Education Minister, Manish Sisodia. Atishi currently represents the Kalkaji constituency in the Delhi Assembly and holds the most portfolios in the Delhi government. She joined the Delhi cabinet in March 2023 and is now set to lead AAP as it prepares for the upcoming assembly polls. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 September,2024 10:13 AM IST | New Delhi | ANISamajwadi party president Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on Yogi Adityanath-led government and accused them of being "deaf" and "blind" to his repeated demands of paying attention towards the condition of Kannauj Medical College. Former CM while addressing media during his visit to Kannauj said, "...This is not for the first time that I am discussing about Kannauj Medical College. Whenever I have been to Kannauj, I talk about it. I think the govt and the people in the BJP are deaf, they listen to nothing. I think they have gone blind too. Common people go for treatment and not the people of the Samajwadi party. They failed to provide any service. They have slowed the development of Kannauj as they have enmity with this place..." Notably, Kannauj is known as a stronghold of Samajwadi Party and currently Akhilesh Yadav from the same Lok Sabha seat. Further responding to Union Cabinet's nod to the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal he accused BJP of trying to outsource the election commission. "One day BJP will say that election has to be conducted in five years, so what's the need for an election commission and they will outsource the election commission as well. the 'One Nation, One Election' is a major conspiracy to destroy democracy and election commission." Earlier, Yadav had slammed centre on the issues and had said, "After the One Nation, One Election is implemented, they will point out that there is no need for the Election Commission and that a lot of money is spent on the EC officers. If One Nation, one Election gets implemented officers and workers will be brought through lateral entry, and they will be outsourced. If they really want to save the expenses why does BJP conduct so many rallies?" This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 September,2024 10:08 AM IST | Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh) | ANIAs Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for the US for a three-day visit on Saturday, he said that Quad has emerged as a key group of like-minded nations to work for peace, progress, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. In his departure statement ahead of the US visit, PM Modi said that he will be on a three-day visit to US to participate in the Quad Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden in his hometown, Wilmington and to address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York. He further said, "I look forward joining my colleagues President Biden, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Kishida for the Quad Summit. The forum has emerged as a key group of the like-minded countries to work for peace, progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region." Speaking about his meeting with Biden, PM Modi said, "My meeting with President Biden will allow us to review and identify new pathways to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our people and the global good." PM Modi will take part in the sixth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, which is being hosted by US President Joe Biden in his hometown on September 21. Quad brings together four countries--India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. India will be hosting the Quad Leaders' Summit in 2025. During his visit, PM Modi will also interact with the Indian diaspora and American business leaders. "I am eagerly looking forward to engaging with the Indian diaspora and important American business leaders, who are the key stakeholders and provide vibrancy to the unique partnership between the largest and the oldest democracies of the world," he stated. PM Modi called the UN General Assembly's 'The Summit of the Future' an opportunity for the international community to chart the road ahead for the betterment of humanity. The Prime Minister stated, "The Summit of the Future is an opportunity for the global community to chart the road ahead for the betterment of humanity. I will share views of the one sixth of the humanity as their stakes in a peaceful and secure future are among the highest in the world." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called the Summit a 'once in a generation UN Summit'. 'Summit of the Future' is an important milestone in the history of the UN as it enters the 80th year of its establishment in 2025. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed on X, "PM @narendramodi emplanes for USA to participate in the 6th Quad Leaders' Summit and to address the UN 'Summit of the Future'." Notably, India and United States enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavour, driven by shared democratic values, convergence of interests on a range of issues, and vibrant people-to-people contacts. India has the largest number of military exercises with the US, which are growing in scale and complexity. Important bilateral exercises include Yudh Abhyas (Army), Vajra Prahar (Special Forces), Malabar (Navy), Cope India (Air Force), and Tiger Triumph (tri-services). Red Flag, RIMPAC, CUTLASS Express, Sea Dragon, and Milan are some of the multilateral exercises in which the two countries participate. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 September,2024 10:07 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Crime Branch of the Odisha Police on Friday registered a case in connection with alleged sexual assault of an army officer’s fiancé in police custody, a officer said. The case was registered against former Bharatpur police station inspector-in-charge Dinakrushna Mishra, sub-inspectors Baisalini Panda, Salilamayee Sahoo, Sagarika Rath and constable Balaram Hansda. Ex-police station inspector-in-charge Dinakrushna Mishra The Odisha Police had on Wednesday suspended the five personnel in connection with the alleged assault of an army officer and molestation of his fiancé at Bharatpur Police Station in Bhubaneswar. The BJD criticised the Crime Branch inquiry into the incident and announced that the opposition party would hold a demonstration in front of the Raj Bhavan here on Saturday. “We will submit a memorandum to the President of India, who is also a woman,” BJD leader Sulochana Das told reporters. Father of woman demands cops’ arrest Bhubaneswar: The father of the woman, who was allegedly sexually assaulted at a police station in Bhubaneswar, demanded the arrest of the cops for taking law into their hands. The woman’s father, a retired brigadier, said, “Police have violated several laws by putting an army officer in the lock up, physically assaulting him, sexually harassing my daughter.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 September,2024 09:56 AM IST | Bhubaneswar | AgenciesThe principal and vice principal of the Oasis School in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, allegedly conspired with others to steal the NEET-UG 2024 question paper, the CBI has alleged in its second charge sheet in a paper leak case that also names four others. Officials said on Friday the charge sheet, naming Principal Ahsanul Haque, Vice Principal Mohd Imtiyaz Alam and four others, was filed before a special court in Patna.In its report filed on Thursday, the CBI also named Aman Kumar Singh, Baldev Kumar, Sunny Kumar and a local journalist Jamaluddin. They were charged under relevant sections. SC slams NEET-PG’s last-minute changes The Supreme Court questioned the last-minute changes to NEET-PG, 2024, pattern by the National Board of Education, saying it was very unusual and students could have a meltdown. A bench headed by CJI Chandrachud took note of submissions of senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija and lawyer Tanvi Dubey, and sought responses from the NBE and the Centre within a week on the pleas while listing them for hearing on September 27. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 September,2024 09:56 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesAmidst a raging controversy over the quality of ghee and alleged presence of animal fat in the laddus distributed to the devotees of Lord Venkateswara shrine here, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Friday said ghee suppliers to the temple body took advantage of the lack of in-house adulteration testing facility and also not making use of outside facilities. Lab tests had revealed the presence of animal fat and lard in chosen samples, TTD Officer J Shyamala Rao said. Addressing a press conference over the quality of ghee being used to make Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweets), especially in the wake of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s claim that animal fat was used to make them, the executive officer noted that ghee quality has fallen drastically. “Now the reason for the lack of quality is not having an in-house lab, sending the samples to outside labs for testing and unviable rates,” he said. The EO highlighted that the suppliers took advantage of these deficiencies. The TTD administers the popular hill shrine that attracts lakhs of devotees throughout the year. Nadda seeks report Union Health Minister Nadda said he had spoken to AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu and sought a report on the Tirupati laddu issue. Nadda said the matter would be examined by the FSSAI. Naidu has claimed that animal fat was used for making Tirupati laddus during the previous Reddy government, triggering a massive political row with the YSRCP accusing the CM of indulging in heinous allegations for political gains and TDP circulating a lab report to back the claim. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 September,2024 09:50 AM IST | Tirupati | AgenciesA speeding private bus overturned in the Robertsganj area on Friday, leaving one passenger dead and 43 injured, police said. The accident happened around 4.30 pm in Markundi valley here when it was going to Bihar's Gaya from Chhattisgarh, Additional Superintendent of Police Kalu Singh said. "Due to high speed, the driver lost control of the bus in Markundi valley and the bus overturned," he said. The ASP said 65 passengers travelling in the bus and 44 of them suffered injuries. "Of the injured, Titra Sahu, a native of Phoole village in Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh, died during treatment," the officer said. When the police reached the spot, 25 passengers injured in the accident appeared to be in need of treatment and were admitted to the district hospital, Singh added. Sonbhadra district in eastern Uttar Pradesh shares borders with Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 September,2024 10:53 PM IST | Sonbhadra (UP) | PTIADVERTISEMENT
