Daily life was thrown out of gear in Kashmir as the season's heaviest snowfall hit air, rail and road traffic and disrupted power and water supply on Saturday while Uttarakhand shivered due to snow and intermittent rain causing temperatures to dip. Madhya Pradesh recorded overnight showers due to a western disturbance and other weather phenomena. Rain also lashed parts of Punjab and Haryana for a second consecutive day while several places in Rajasthan received light to moderate showers. Delhi, meanwhile, recorded 41.2 mm rainfall in the 24 hours ended at 8:30 am. An active western disturbance and its interaction with easterly winds are causing light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms over northwest and central India, including Delhi-NCR, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led the government's response, directing deputy commissioners to personally supervise snow clearance operations. Moderate to heavy snowfall was recorded across Kashmir from Friday. In south Kashmir, heavy to very heavy snowfall was recorded in the plains while central Kashmir's plains received moderate snowfall. The plains of north Kashmir received light to moderate snowfall, officials said. The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic due to snow. The snow clearance work was hampered due to heavy snowfall at the Navyug Tunnel, they said. Train services on the Banihal-Baramulla section were suspended due to heavy snow accumulation on the tracks, railway officials said. Air traffic to and from Srinagar was also affected, with flight operations suspended, airport officials said. Stuck in the snow, while many sulked, some chose to allay their hardships by playing cricket inside the out-of-bounds 8.5-kilometre Navyug Tunnel in Kashmir. The tunnel connects Banihal town in Ramban district of Jammu with Qazigund in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Many were forced to spend the night inside their vehicles in the freezing temperature. In a heartwarming display of Kashmiri hospitality, locals in Gund, on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, opened the doors of a mosque to shelter a group of travellers from Punjab stranded due to the heavy snowfall. Directing the deputy commissioners to personally supervise snow clearance operations, Chief Minister Abdullah stressed the importance of ensuring 100 per cent attendance of doctors and paramedical staff at district and sub-district hospitals. He issued instructions to the Budgam deputy commissioner to coordinate with the airport authorities to assist stranded tourists. In a post on X, he said most of the dysfunctional power feeders in the valley had been restored. He also made an unannounced visit to the district hospital in Ganderbal and assessed the services available during the inclement weather and reviewed the availability of essential medicines, staff on duty, and functionality of the central heating system. In Uttarakhand, most hill districts were in the grip of severe cold due to continuous snowfall in the upper reaches of the mountains and intermittent light showers, coupled with cool winds sweeping the lower areas. The higher reaches of the hills of Auli, Harshil, Hemkund Sahib, Chopta, Dayara, Lokhandi, Sukki Top, Munsyari and Pithoragarh were blanketed with snow. The Badrinath national highway was closed between Pandukeshwar and Badrinath because of accumulation of snow, which was being cleared. The Joshimath-Niti highway connecting the border with China was also shut beyond Suraithotha while the Chamoli-Kund national highway connecting Kedarnath and Badrinath was closed between Dhotidhar and Makku Bend. Rain affected electricity supply in 10 villages of Nauti area of Karnaprayag. A fault in a 33 kV line disrupted power supply in all villages of Dewal development block. Electricity supply was also disrupted in 20 villages of Dungari area of Tharali development block and 21 villages in Sankot area of Narayanbagh. In Delhi, the day was overcast and chilly after the city recorded its highest single-day December rainfall in 101 years. The national capital recorded 41.2 mm rain in the 24 four hours ended at 8:30 am, causing daytime temperatures to remain below normal. The IMD said the city recorded the highest single-day December rainfall on December 3, 1923, at 75.7 mm. "The 24-hour cumulative rainfall ending at 8:30 am is the second-highest since 1901 at Safdarjung. The monthly rainfall is the fifth-highest," an IMD official said. Delhi's maximum temperature was recorded at 15.8 degrees Celsius, 4.6 notches below normal. The minimum temperature was higher than usual on account of the rain at 12.7 degrees Celsius, six notches above average. In Rajasthan, Jhalawar district recorded 86 mm rainfall. Some places in the state's eastern parts, including Dausa and Alwar, reported hailstorms. Dense to very dense fog was recorded in some areas. Chandigarh -- the common capital of Punjab and Haryana -- recorded a maximum temperature of 15.1 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Amritsar registered a day temperature of 14.8 degrees Celsius while Ludhiana recorded 15.4 degrees. In Haryana, the maximum temperature in Ambala was recorded at 15.3 degrees Celsius, Hisar 16.5 degrees, Karnal 14.6 degrees, Rohtak 15.7 degrees, Sirsa 17.4 degrees and Gurugram 15.8 degrees. Chandigarh, Patiala, Pathankot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Ambala, Karnal, Sirsa and Yamunanagar recorded rainfall during the day. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. 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28 December,2024 09:19 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIn a sharp rebuke, BJP National President JP Nadda accused the Congress party of 'politicising' former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's demise and engaging in 'cheap politics', alleging that the party never showed respect to the late veteran Manmohan Singh when he held the office. Addressing the media on Saturday, JP Nadda said, "It is indeed very unfortunate that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and current president Mallikarjun Kharge are not refraining from doing politics even on the sad demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Congress, which never gave respect to Dr Manmohan Singh while he was alive, is now doing politics in the name of his respect." "This is the same Congress which tarnished the dignity of the post of the Prime Minister by placing Sonia Gandhi as super PM above PM Manmohan Singh. Taking a dig at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, JP Nadda said, "Rahul Gandhi insulted PM Manmohan Singh by tearing the ordinance, and today the same Rahul Gandhi is doing politics over his demise." JP Nadda also criticized the Gandhi family for not showing respect to other prominent leaders of the country, citing examples of Dr BR Ambedkar, Sardar Patel, and others. Nadda pointed out that the PM Modi government had established a memorial for former PM PV Narasimha Rao in 2015, despite Sonia Gandhi's earlier rejection of the proposal, and highlighted the lack of respect shown by Congress after the death of Dr Pranab Mukherjee in 2020. "The Gandhi family has neither given respect to any big leader of the country nor done justice to them. Whether it is from the Congress party or the opposition, whether it is Baba Saheb Ambedkar, the country's first President Rajendra Babu, Sardar Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri, PV Narasimha Rao, Pranab Da, Atal Bihari Vajpayee," he said. Adding further, he said, "The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given place for PM Manmohan Singh's Samadhi and has also informed the family. Still, Congress is spreading false news." "It is necessary to remember the history of Congress. After the death of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, there was a demand to build a Samadhi Sthal in Delhi's Rajghat complex. But at that time Sonia Gandhi had rejected it. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who established a memorial for him in 2015. When former President Bharat Ratna Dr Pranab Mukherjee passed away in 2020, the Congress Working Committee did not even bother to call a condolence meeting," said Nadda. "Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and other Congress party leaders should refrain from such cheap politics," said JP Nadda. Meanwhile, Congress Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday lashed out at the Centre's decision to conduct former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cremation at Nigambodh Ghat and said that the Centre should have thought "beyond politics and narrow-mindedness" in this matter. "By not providing an adequate place for the cremation of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Government has not done justice to the dignity of the post of former Prime Minister, the personality of Manmohan Singh, his legacy and the self-respecting Sikh community," Priyanka Gandhi posted on X. The Wayanad MP further said that "earlier all former Prime Ministers" were given the highest honour and respect and Manmohan Singh deserves this "honour and Samadhi Sthal." "Today the whole world is remembering his contribution. The government should have thought beyond politics and narrow-mindedness in this matter. This morning, I felt this when I saw Dr. Manmohan Singh ji's family members struggling for a place at the funeral site, trying to find a place in the crowd, and the general public getting troubled due to lack of space and paying tribute from the road outside," she added. However, the Congress is facing criticism for not giving similar respect to former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao. The UPA government had rejected requests for separate memorials in the national capital citing lack of space. Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi too attacked the central government for performing the last rites of Manmohan Singh at Nigambodh Ghat and said that the former Finance Minister deserves the "highest respect and a memorial." "The great son of India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat," Rahul Gandhi posted on X. After the Cabinet meeting on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah communicated to Congress President Kharge and the family of the late Manmohan Singh that the Government will allocate space for the memorial. In the meanwhile, cremation and other formalities can happen because a trust has to be formed and space has to be allocated to it. Manmohan Singh was accorded a state funeral with military honours at the Nigam Bodh Ghat, a public cremation ground in north Delhi, on Saturday. Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday night at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the hospital. 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
28 December,2024 08:55 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe AAP on Saturday criticised the BJP-led central government for not allocating space within the Rajghat complex in Delhi for the last rites of former prime minister Manmohan Singh and said that it "reflects poorly on India globally". Singh was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday in the presence of top dignitaries from India and abroad. He passed away on the night of December 26 at the age of 92. An order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday stated, "It has been decided by the Government that a state funeral will be accorded to Dr. Manmohan Singh. The funeral will take place at 11:45 am on 28th December 2024 at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi. The AAP called on the BJP to clarify its stance and demanded an apology to Singh's family and the Sikh community. "Manmohan Singh, a global icon and India's only Sikh prime minister, was denied even 1,000 square yards of land for his cremation and memorial at Rajghat. Almost all former prime ministers were cremated there, but the BJP government refused this basic courtesy to Singh," said AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of disrespecting the Sikh community and questioned the rationale behind the decision. Follow Manmohan Singh funeral LIVE updates "This is not just an insult to PM Singh, but to the Sikh community and all Indians who value his contributions. The BJP's mindset is exposed -- they are unwilling to honor a man who served India with distinction for a decade," Singh said. Highlighting the significance of Singh's contributions, senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "His economic policies saved India during crises and propelled us forward. Yet, his funeral was relegated to Nigambodh Ghat, a decision that diminishes the dignity of his legacy." AAP leaders argued that the denial of space at Rajghat sets a troubling precedent and reflects poorly on India globally. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to conduct the last rites of former PM Manmohan Singh at a place where a memorial can be built. The same day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, after a cabinet meeting, said the government would allocate space for the memorial and this had been communicated to Singh's family and the Congress president. 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
28 December,2024 08:46 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThousands of people gathered in Maharashtra's Beed city on Saturday to protest against the brutal murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh as even MLAs from ruling parties demanded the sacking of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, reported the PTI. Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, Chhatrapati Sambhaji of the Kolhapur royal family, local BJP MLAs Suresh Dhas, Abhimanyu Pawar; NCP MLA Prakash Solanke and NCP (SP) MLAs Jitendra Awhad and Sandeep Kshirsagar participated in the 'aakrosh morcha' or protest march, according to the PTI. The protesters demanded arrest of Walmik Karad, an alleged associate of Dhananjay Munde, a politician from Beed district in Maharashtra. As per the PTI, Santosh Deshmukh was abducted and tortured to death on December 9. While four persons have been arrested, Opposition leaders claimed in the state legislature during the winter session that Walmik Karad was the mastermind of the murder. Walmik Karad, named as an accused in a related case of extortion, is still at large. Vaibhavi Deshmukh, the daughter of the deceased sarpanch, demanded justice for her father during the protest. He lost his life while saving a person from the Dalit community, she said, the news agency reported. Abhimanyu Pawar, who was earlier an aide of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before he became MLA from Ausa in neighbouring Latur district, said the pain caused by Deshmukh's murder was felt in different parts of Maharashtra. "Even if I am part of the (ruling) dispensation, I want to tell the government that if the accused are not arrested, protests will reach other parts of the state. We want justice for the family of Santosh Deshmukh," he said, the PTI reported. BJP MLA Dhas alleged that Munde, the Food and Civil Supplies Minister, won assembly election from Parli in Beed district with the help of bogus votes.The Nationalist Congress Party to which Munde belongs is part of the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition. NCP MLA Prakash Solanke said some of the accused were still at large even 19 days after the murder, and Walmik Karad too had not been arrested. "Dhananjay Munde was the guardian minister of Beed for four of the last five years. Munde needs to be sacked. Until the accused are convicted, Munde should be sacked so that there is an impartial probe," Solanke said, according to the PTI. The Majalgaon constituency which he represents has collected Rs 40 lakh for the Deshmukh family, he informed. Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange said that the Maratha community will not keep quiet till the deceased, who belonged to the Maratha community, got justice. "If the CM does not want this protest to spread to other parts of the state, the accused should be arrested and action should be taken against those who are supporting them. There is suspicion that the government is shielding the accused," Manoj Jarange said. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has reportdely demanded resignation of Dhananjay Munde. According to police, Deshmukh was prima facie killed because he opposed an extortion bid targeting a windmill company in Beed district. Local NCP leader Vishnu Chate allegedly demanded Rs 2 crore from the company. Deshmukh tried to intervene, leading to his abduction, torture and murder. Chate is among the four arrested accused. (with PTI inputs)
28 December,2024 06:24 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentThe principal of a Pune-based school drowned off Kashid beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district, a police official said on Saturday, reported the PTI. The incident took place on Friday afternoon when Dharmendra Deshmukh, principal of Mahatma Jyotirao High School in Pune's Haveli taluka, was swimming along with some teachers while out on a picnic at Kashid beach in Murud, the official informed. "Teachers accompanying Deshmukh and the beach rescue team brought him out of water and rushed him to the primary health centre in Borli. He was shifted to Alibag civil hospital where doctors declared him dead," the official said, as per the PTI. An accidental death case has been registered and further probe is underway, the Murud police station official added. 54-year-old cook arrested for killing two minor sisters after sexual assault in Pune Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 54-year-old cook has been arrested for allegedly killing two minor sisters, aged 9 and 8, after sexually assaulting them in Maharashtra's pune, police said on Friday, reported the ANI. The accused was produced before a court and remanded to police custody till January 1, 2025. According to officials, the accused, who worked as a cook at a local hotel, was a neighbour of the victims and known to their family. According to Pune Superintendent of Police (Rural) Pankaj Deshmukh, the girls were playing near their home on Wednesday morning when they went missing, prompting a search operation. Later, the bodies of the girls were found inside a water drum near their house on Wednesday night. SP Deshmukh said that the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the elder sister. "When the younger girl came to her sister's rescue, the accused assaulted her too. He then killed both girls by drowning them in the water drum," as per the ANI. The accused was arrested from a lodge in Pune city on Thursday morning while trying to escape to North India, he added. A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and also under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
28 December,2024 05:29 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentFormer Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was laid to rest with full State honours at Delhi's Nigam Bodh Ghat on Saturday, as the nation bid an emotional farewell to the stalwart Congress leader who was fondly known as the 'Architect of India's economic reforms'. Earlier, amid poignant slogans of “Manmohan Singh Ji Amar Rahe” and “Jab Tak Suraj Chand Rahega, Manmohan Singh Ka Naam Rahega,” the mortal remains of Dr Singh were transported from the Congress headquarters to the cremation ground in a flower-adorned Army vehicle. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, along with Dr Singh's family members, was present in the vehicle, reflecting his respect and admiration for the late leader. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and J.P. Nadda, and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, were present at Nigam Bodh Ghat to pay their last respects to the economic wizard. Foreign dignitaries, including Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful, also attended the solemn ceremony. The former Prime Minister received a final salute from the armed forces and the customary 21 gun salute in his honour. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, along with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, also paid tribute to the leader who guided India through transformative times. Earlier in the day, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force officers brought Dr Singh's mortal remains to the Congress headquarters, where family members and senior Congress leaders gathered for a heartfelt homage. Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge draped the Congress flag over Dr. Singh’s body, marking a solemn moment of tribute. Gursharan Kaur, Dr Singh's wife, led the family in paying their respects. Other prominent Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, D.K. Shivakumar, Ashok Gehlot, K.C. Venugopal, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister S Sukhu, and Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy, were also present to honour the late leader. As the funeral procession moved through the streets, throngs of Congress leaders, workers and supporters followed, chanting “Manmohan Singh Amar Rahe” in a demonstration of admiration and respect for the visionary leader. Dr Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday night at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, served as India’s 14th Prime Minister. Widely regarded as the 'Architect of India’s economic reforms,' he led the nation as the head of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for two consecutive terms, from 2004 to 2014. The globally respected economist and statesman leaves behind a legacy of transformative leadership that reshaped India’s economic and political landscape. 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
28 December,2024 03:36 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSA crime branch team of the Gurugram police have arrested four persons for allegedly killing a 19-year-old youth in a fight over a mobile phone, police said. The victim was identified as Ashish, a resident of Bhangrola village of Gurugram, who was an autorickshaw driver. The accused have been identified as Brijesh alias Rinku, Umesh alias Nahne and Arvinder Kumar, all residents of Uttar Pradesh, and Siyasaran Sahu alias Sibbu of Madhya Pradesh. According to the police, on December 22, they received information that a body of a person was lying in the water filled in the green belt of Dwarka Expressway near Harsaru village. Upon receiving the information, the police team reached the spot and discovered the body. The spot was also inspected by the police's scene-of-crime, forensic science laboratory and fingerprint teams. "After inspection of the deceased and the spot, efforts were made by the police team to identify the deceased, as a result of which he was identified as Ashish," said Varun Dahiya, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime). The deceased's father told the police through a written complaint that his son Ashish used to drive an autorickshaw on rent. The deceased had injury marks on his head and his neck was slashed with a muffler. Some unknown persons have murdered his son, the deceased's father said. Based on the deceased's father's complaint, a case was registered under the relevant sections in the Sector-10 police station of Gurugram. During questioning, a police team of Inspector Jagveer Singh, Incharge Crime Branch, Palam Vihar, nabbed the accused on Thursday from Kankarola Road in Gurugram. During police questioning, it was found that the accused lived on rent in Kankarola. Brijesh was acquainted with Ashish, the deceased. "Ashish had forcibly taken the mobile phone of accused Brijesh. Later, on the night of December 21 and 22, Brijesh, along with his other companions, went to meet Ashish in Bhangrola village, and there they had an altercation with Ashish. Later, the accused hit Ashish on the head with a brick, put him in the autorickshaw and strangled him with a muffler. Later, the accused killed Ashish and threw his body in the green belt of Dwarka Expressway and fled," ACP (Crime) Dahiya said. Further action is being taken by the police team as per the rules in the case. The case is under investigation. 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
28 December,2024 03:05 PM IST | Gurugram | IANSThe railway ministry on Friday dismissed as "fake" and "misleading" claims that a man travelled 250 kilometres from Itarsi to Jabalpur hiding on a train's wheel axle. Railway officials said that someone shot the video of the man coming out of the wheel axle of a stationary train and circulated it with the misleading claim that he had to hide himself near the wheelset because he did not have money to buy tickets. "These reports are completely fake and baseless," Dilip Kumar, Executive Director, Information and Publicity, Railway Board, said. "The person was just hiding near the wheel axle when the train was not moving. It is practically not possible for anyone to hide on the wheelset of a moving train as it moves along with the wheels," he said. "Some news organisations and social media influencers picked it up and made it viral without verifying its authenticity," Kumar added. 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
28 December,2024 03:05 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Principal Secretary of Delhi LG, Sandeep Dikshit writes to Delhi Chief Secretary and Delhi Commissioner of Police requesting inquiry over announcements made by AAP to give every female above the age of 18 in Delhi an amount of Rs. 1000 per month, ANI reported. "Sh. Sandeep Dikshit, former Member of Parliament and proposed candidate of Indian National Congress for the Delhi Vidhan Sabha Elections, 2025, wherein he has alleged that the Chief Minister of Delhi and Sh Arvind Kejriwal have been announcing that the Delhi Government is going to give every female in Delhi ( above the age of 18 years) an amount of Rs 1000 per month." The letter further read that the party claimed an enhancement of the amount to Rs 2100 per month would be given if elected back in Delhi's 2025 Vidhan Sabha elections. "They have further announced that if AAP is elected back in 2025 Vidhan Sabha elections, they will raise the amount to Rs 2100/- pm. Further, Sh. Dikshit has informed that they are going door to door making women sign some forms," ANI cited. Sandeep Dikshit requested a high-level inquiry over the party collecting personal details and forms by non-government people. "LG has desired that Chief Secretary to get an inquiry conducted through Divisional Commissioner in the matter of collection of personal details and forms by non-government people. Further, the Commissioner of Police may direct the field officers to take action as per law against the person who is breaching the privacy of gullible citizens by collecting their personal details in the garb of giving benefits." reads the letter LG asked for actions to be taken against private individuals organizing camps for fraudulent enrollment of Government Schemes. "DCPs may be advised to take action against private individuals organizing camps for fraudulent enrollment of Government Schemes," the letter read. On Wednesday, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of trying to undermine the Delhi government’s recently launched welfare schemes which include providing Rs 2,100 to women and free treatment for the elderly. Kejriwal's reaction comes after the Delhi government’s Women and Child Development and Health departments issued public notices distancing themselves from the AAP’s promised schemes, triggering a fresh row ahead of assembly polls. Under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, women are set to receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000, which Kejriwal has promised to increase to Rs 2,100 if AAP wins the upcoming assembly elections. (With PTI and ANI inputs)
28 December,2024 02:47 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentBJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Saturday critisied the Congress, accusing it of "unsuccessfully trying to politicise the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh," ANI reported. "The Congress is unsuccessfully trying to politicise the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh. They should remember the deadly 1984 riots in which our Sikh brothers and sisters were massacred under their watch," Kesavan told ANI. He also accused the Congress of disrespecting former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao by not allowing his funeral to be held in the national capital. "A former media adviser to Manmohan Singh claimed in his book that the Congress party made him convey to Narasimha Rao's family that his cremation should not take place in Delhi and instead should be in Hyderabad... It was PM Narendra Modi in 2015 who ensured and honoured Narasimha Rao with a memorial in Delhi and conferred the Bharat Ratna to him," Kesavan said. Additionally, he claimed that the Congress party never even called a meeting of its working committee to express sympathy on the passing of former President Pranab Mukherjee. "Again it was PM Narendra Modi who bestowed him the Bharat Ratna in 2019. When the union cabinet has allocated space and ensured a memorial (for Dr Manmohan Singh), Congress is trying to indulge in their old dirty tricks," he added. Earlier, the Congress demanded a funeral in a place where a memorial to Singh could be built. However, the Centre said that the land for a memorial would be earmarked in the next few days. But it would not be built in the place where the funeral took place. The Congress called it a "deliberate insult to the first Sikh Prime Minister of India." "Earlier this morning, the Congress President had written to the Prime Minister, suggesting that the cremation of the former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, take place at a location where a memorial could be built to honour his legacy. The people of our country are simply unable to understand why the Government of India could not find a location for his cremation and memorial that is befitting of his global stature, record of outstanding achievements, and exemplary service to the nation for decades. This is nothing but a deliberate insult to the first Sikh Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh," Jairam Ramesh posted on X on Friday. Manmohan Singh was given a state funeral with full military honours at a public cremation ground in north Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday, ANI reported. (With ANI inputs)
28 December,2024 02:09 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentThe mortal remains of former prime minister Manmohan Singh were consigned to flames at the Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi on Saturday amid the chanting of religious hymns. The funeral pyre was lit by his eldest daughter Upinder Singh. The last rites were performed in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other top leaders and foreign dignitaries. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful were among the foreign dignitaries who paid their tributes to Singh. Besides President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Leaders of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were among the top leaders who paid their last tributes to the former prime minister. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the three services chiefs also paid their last respects to Singh. The procession carrying Singh's mortal remains reached the crematorium at around 11.30 am, where the last rites will be performed shortly. Draped in the Tricolour, the flower-bedecked casket was placed at a raised platform, where leaders cutting across party lines laid wreaths on Singh's mortal remains. Earlier, the final journey of Singh began from the AICC headquarters on Saturday morning after Congress leaders paid homage to their departed leader. The vehicle carrying the mortal remains of Singh left the Congress headquarters in a procession amid chants of "Manmohan Singh amar rahe". A large number of Congress workers and leaders along with hundreds of Singh's well-wishers walked along as "Jab tak suraj chand rahega, tab tak tera naam rahega" slogans rent the air. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also accompanied the procession alongside Singh's relatives. Singh's mortal remains were taken to the AICC headquarters from his residence on 3, Motilal Nehru Road a little before 9 am. The mortal remains were kept there for about an hour, with several top Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, paying tributes, among others. Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur and one of their daughters also laid a wreath on his body. Singh passed away on Thursday night at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences due to age-related medical complications. He was 92. Considered the architect of India's economic reforms, Singh served as the prime minister for 10 years between 2004 and 2014. A seven-day national mourning is being observed throughout the country as a mark of respect to the former prime minister during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the nation, the Union Home Ministry has announced. (With inputs from PTI)
28 December,2024 01:52 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
