After successfully managing Cyclone Dana with zero-casualty goal, the Odisha government is now focused on restoration efforts following significant destruction to crops, thatched houses and public infrastructure. The cyclone made landfall on Friday but has since weakened into a low-pressure system over northern Odisha. "The well marked low pressure area over north Odisha persists. It is likely to weaken further and become insignificant during next 12 hours," the IMD said at 6.30 pm of Saturday. Many villages in Balasore and Bhadrak districts are facing flash floods due to intense rainfall, prompting the Odisha Fire Service to rescue stranded residents. The Balasore district administration has urged those living near the Budhbalang River to shift to relief camps, as water levels have risen to 7.84 metres—above the warning level of 7.21 metres and danger level of 8.13 metres. State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government is prioritising the restoration of facilities and rehabilitation for affected residents, particularly farmers. Assessments of house and crop damages will begin once the rains stop. Electricity has been restored in about 90 per cent of the 2.24 million households in affected districts, he added. Pujari emphasised the need for accurate damage assessments to ensure that no deserving individuals are overlooked. Preliminary assessments indicate that several homes and agricultural lands have been affected across 14 districts. A central team is expected to visit soon for further damage evaluation, but the state government plans to start disbursing assistance and compensation immediately, he said. Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who also holds the agriculture portfolio, said district-level officers will conduct assessments and send geo-tagged reports of damaged crops once the rain subsides. He confirmed that 14 districts have been affected, with Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, and Mayurbhanj being the most severely impacted. According to government guidelines, small and marginal farmers with landholdings up to 2 hectares and over 33 per cent crop loss due to natural calamities are eligible for compensation—Rs 8,500 per hectare in rainfed areas and Rs 17,000 in irrigated areas, with Rs 22,500 for perennial crops. Assistance decisions will be made based on district reports, agriculture secretary Arabinda Padhee 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
26 October,2024 09:48 PM IST | Bhubaneswar | PTIIndia on Saturday said it was deeply concerned over the "evolving escalation" in West Asia and urged all sides to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. "Our Missions in the region are in contact with the Indian community," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. This comes after Israel carried out strikes on military sites in Iran on Saturday, further fuelling fears of a full-blown war between the two heavily armed countries.Israel said the targeted facilities were used to make missiles fired at it, according to reports. "We are deeply concerned by the evolving escalation in West Asia and its ramifications for peace and stability in the region and beyond," the MEA said. "We reiterate our call to all concerned to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. The ongoing hostilities are to nobody's benefit, even as innocent hostages and civilian populations continue to suffer," it said. The West Asia conflict was discussed in "considerable details" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz here on Friday. 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
26 October,2024 09:26 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIAmid a spate of hoax bomb threats to multiple airlines, the IT Ministry has asked social media platforms to observe due diligence obligations and promptly remove or disable access to misinformation within the strict timelines prescribed under IT rules. The Centre also asserted that apart from removing or disabling access to such misinformation, social media intermediaries have additional liability under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) to mandatorily report certain offences perceived to be committed by any user of their platform including those with intent to threaten unity, integrity, sovereignty or security of India. The Government, in an advisory, reminded social media intermediaries that they are obligated under IT rules to provide information under their control or possession and assist investigative agencies within stipulated timeline of up to 72 hours. The move assumes significance as more than 275 flights operated by the Indian carriers have received hoax bomb threats in the past 12 days. Most of the threats were issued through social media. On Friday alone, over 25 domestic and international flights operated by Indian carriers received bomb threats. "In addition to the above, the IT Rules, 2021 obligates the intermediaries to provide information under its control or possession, or assistance to the Government agency which is lawfully authorised for investigative or protective or cyber security activities, for the purposes of verification of identity, or for the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution, of offences under any law for the time being in force, or for cyber security incidents, well within the stipulated timeframes (as soon as possible but not later than 72 hours)," the advisory issued by IT Ministry said. The advisory said that considering the "serious nature of the situation", the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology "reminds with emphasis" that all the intermediaries including social media intermediaries must make reasonable efforts to disallow such malicious acts including hoax bomb threats from being disseminated on their platforms. The intermediaries including social media intermediaries must observe their due diligence obligations that include the prompt removal or disabling access to such unlawful information specified under the IT Rules, 2021, including hoax bomb threats, well within the strict timelines as prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021. Government said that Social media intermediaries have a due diligence obligation under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) to promptly remove such misinformation that affects public order and security of the state. "As part of such due diligence obligations, it is the responsibility of concerned intermediaries including social media intermediaries to promptly take necessary action under the IT Rules, 2021 by not allowing any user to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any unlawful or false information. "Further, the exemption from liability for any third party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by social media intermediaries as provided under section 79 of the IT Act shall not apply if such intermediaries do not follow the due diligence obligations as prescribed under the IT Act read with IT Rules, 2021 or abetted or aided, in the commission of the unlawful act," the IT Ministry said. In case of failure of the intermediaries to observe the due diligence obligations as provided in the IT Rules, 2021, the provision of section 79 of the IT Act shall not be applicable to such intermediary and they shall be liable for consequential action as provided under any law including the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. "As reported in the news, multiple hoax bomb threats have been received by various airlines operating in India through various means including social media intermediaries during last few days. Airline travellers and security agencies are being affected due to such hoax bomb threats that disrupt the normal course of operations of the Airlines," it said. The instances of malicious acts in the form of hoax bomb threats to such airlines lead to potential threat to the public order and security of the state, it said adding such hoax bomb threats while affecting a large number of citizens also destabilises the economic security of the country. "Further, the scale of spread of such hoax bomb threats has been observed to be dangerously unrestrained due to the availability of the option of 'forwarding/re-sharing/ re-posting/ re-tweeting' on social media platforms. Such hoax bomb threats are mostly misinformation that is massively disrupting the public order, operations of airlines and security of the airline travellers," it noted. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Friday had assured the government is committed to taking strict action against those behind hoax bomb threats. Earlier this week, Naidu said the government plans to take legislative actions to deal with instances of bomb threats to airlines, including placing perpetrators of such threats on the no-fly list. The government also pulled up social media platforms Meta and X earlier this week and asked them to share data about hoax bomb threat messages to airlines. 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
26 October,2024 09:06 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly posting threat messages to a flight at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here, police said on Saturday. Shubham Upadhyay, a resident of Uttam Nagar in the national capital, was arrested for posting two bomb threat messages to draw attention after seeing similar news reports on TV, the police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) Usha Rangnani said during the intervening night of October 26 and 29, two suspicious and potential bomb threat messages were received at IGI Airport through an email account. "Immediate action was taken and standard security protocols were followed but the threat was found to be hoax," she said. A case under section 3(1)(d) of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation (SUA SCA) Act, 1982 and 351(4) the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered and an investigation was initiated. During investigation, the origin of the messages was traced to an account registered to Upadhyay. Based on manual intelligence and technical surveillance, Upadhyay was apprehended and interrogated. He is a Class 12 pass unemployed man. Rangnani said Upadhyay has admitted to sending the messages after seeing similar news reports on television. He sent the messages to draw attention, she added. The matter is currently under further investigation, she said. In a statement Rangnani said, "We reassure the public that all necessary security measures are in place and there is no cause for alarm. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities." The Delhi Police has registered eight separate FIRs in connection with bomb threats to more than 100 domestic and international flights over the past 10 days. The first case was registered on October 16 following a bomb threat received via X targeting a Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight. The aircraft, carrying over 180 passengers, was forced to return to the national capital. The police wrote to social media platform X the next day seeking details of the accounts that posted threatening messages but the force was not able to get the details of the user's ID or domain. Amid a spate of hoax bomb threats to multiple airlines, the Information and Technology Ministry has asked social media platforms to observe due diligence obligations and promptly remove or disable access to misinformation within the strict timelines prescribed under the IT rules. 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
26 October,2024 08:58 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted search operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru in connection with the illegal sale of tickets for Coldplay and Diljeet Dosanjh's Dilluminati concerts. According to the ANI, during the search operations, several incriminating materials including mobile phones, laptops, sim cards etc. used in the scam were recovered and seized, the ED said. The search operations comes after multiple FIRs were registered in various states regarding alleged fraudulent ticket sales. In a post on its official X handle, the ED said, "ED, New Delhi has conducts search operations on 25/10/2024 in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Bangalore in relation to illegal sale of tickets of Coldplay and Diljeet Dosanjh’s Dilluminati concerts. During the search operations, several incriminating materials such as Mobile phones, laptops, sim cards etc. used in the scam were recovered and seized." ED, New Delhi has conducts search operations on 25/10/2024 in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Bangalore in relation to illegal sale of tickets of Coldplay and Diljeet Dosanjh’s Dilluminati concerts. During the search operations, several incriminating materials such as Mobile… — ED (@dir_ed) October 26, 2024 The concerts - Diljeet Dosanjh's "Dilluminati" and Coldplay's "Music of the Spheres World Tour" generated immense excitement, leading official ticketing partners, Bookmyshow and Zomato Live, to report that tickets sold out in just minutes on their platforms. However, this demand has led to black-marketing of tickets at exorbitant prices, with fans discovering that they were sold fake tickets or charged exorbitant prices for legitimate ones. Multiple FIRs have been filed in various states across the country including an FIR filed by Bookmyshow against several suspects believed to be exploiting concertgoers. The FIR alleges that these individuals have engaged in selling counterfeit tickets and drastically inflating prices, taking advantage of the high demand for these coveted concerts, as per the ANI. ED has initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and conducted searches on 25.10.2024 at multiple locations in five states of Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Chandigarh at more than 13 locations under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) where several incriminating materials such as Mobile phones, laptops, sim cards etc used in the scam were seized, the news agency reported on Saturday. Searches and investigations conducted by ED have revealed information regarding multiple individuals known for providing such tickets including fake tickets through social media using Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. (with ANI inputs)
26 October,2024 04:04 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentChina has said that the disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh by the Chinese and Indian armies is going on "smoothly" following a recent agreement between the two nations. On October 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping endorsed the agreement on patrolling and disengagement along the LAC in eastern Ladakh during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan in Russia. “In accordance with the resolutions that China and India reached recently on issues concerning the border area, the Chinese and Indian frontier troops are engaged in relevant work, which is going smoothly at the moment," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing here on Friday. India announced the agreement to pull back troops from the friction points on October 21 and China confirmed a day later saying the two sides have reached “resolutions on relevant matters” and Beijing will work with New Delhi to implement these resolutions. Following the agreement, the two countries have begun troop disengagement at the two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh and this process is likely to be completed by October 28-29, Indian Army sources said on Friday. The agreement was arrived at only for these two friction points, and "talks are still underway" for other areas, they said. The sources said that patrolling will begin at these points once the disengagement that began two days back is completed and both sides will move their respective troops and dismantle temporary structures. Eventually, they added, the areas and patrolling status are expected to be moved back to the pre-April 2020 level. The ties between the two Asian giants nosedived following a fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on October 21 said in New Delhi that the agreement was finalised following negotiations over the past several weeks and that it would lead to a resolution of the issues that arose in 2020. 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
26 October,2024 03:13 PM IST | Beijing | PTIA 42-year-old man was on Friday arrested for allegedly raping a minor hearing impaired girl Uttar Pradesh’s Lalitpur district, police said. On October 20, an unknown person entered the 10-year-old girl’s house and raped her, they said. A case was registered in the matter and a probe was launched. A reward of Rs 25,000 was also announced for the arrest of the accused, they said. During the course of investigation, the accused was identified as Manohar Raikwar alias Manoj alias Mano. Subsequently, he was arrested on Friday, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Lalitpur Mohammad Mushtaque. The girl is undergoing treatment at Jhansi Medical College and her condition is improving, the SP 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
26 October,2024 03:10 PM IST | Banda (UP) | PTIIndia and Germany on Friday expressed the "deepest concern" over the prolonged war in Ukraine and its tragic humanitarian consequences, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Olaf Scholz sharing the view that the "use or threat of use" of nuclear weapons in the context of the conflict is "unacceptable". A joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the two leaders co-chaired the seventh round of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations here said they also "unequivocally condemned" terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations. "The leaders expressed their deepest concern over the war raging on in Ukraine, including its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. They reiterated the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said. The leaders also noted the "negative impacts" of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, especially for developing and least-developed countries. "In the context of this war, they shared the view that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. They underscored the importance of upholding international law, and in line with the UN Charter, reiterated that all states must refrain from the threat of or use of force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state," it added. The 'Joint Statement: 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC),' said Modi and Scholz also "unequivocally condemned the Hamas' terror attacks on October 7, 2023 and expressed concern over the large-scale loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza." They called for the "immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas and an immediate ceasefire" as well as the urgent improvement of access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza. "The leaders underscored the need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spilling over in the region. In this regard, they called on all regional players to act responsibly and with restraint. "Both sides also emphasised the urgent need to protect the lives of civilians and facilitate safe, timely and sustained humanitarian relief to civilians, and in this regard urged all parties to comply with international law," the joint statement said. The leaders were also "deeply concerned" about the "rapidly deteriorating situation" in Lebanon, and called for an "urgent cessation of hostilities." They agreed that a solution to the conflict in Gaza and in Lebanon can only be reached by diplomatic means. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 outlines the path towards a diplomatic solution along the Blue Line. "The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent State of Palestine, living within secure and mutually recognised borders, side by side in dignity and peace with Israel, taking into account Israel's legitimate security concerns," the statement said. The leaders underscored that as the world's two largest democracies, India and the European Union (EU) have a common interest in "ensuring security, prosperity and sustainable development in a multi-polar world." "They emphasised the importance of deepening the India-EU Strategic Partnership, which would not only benefit both sides but also have a far-reaching positive impact globally," it said. Modi and Scholz also called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including those proscribed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Both sides also called upon all countries to continue to work towards "eliminating terrorist safe havens" and infrastructure as well as to "disrupt terrorist networks and financing" in accordance with international law. Modi and Scholz noted with concern the "emerging threats" from the use of new and emerging technologies for "terrorist purposes." "Both sides are committed to promoting a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific built on international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and peaceful resolution of disputes, and underpinned by effective regional institutions," the statement said. Modi and Scholz reaffirmed their commitment to "further expand and deepen the Indo-German Strategic Partnership." Both leaders underscored the importance of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, Investment Protection Agreement, and an Agreement on Geographical Indications between the European Union and India, and called for an "early conclusion of the negotiations". India and Germany also agreed that the difficulties of the UNSC to effectively address regional and global crises offer a "compelling reminder" of the "urgent need for reform." "As members of the 'Group of Four (G4)', India and Germany reiterated their call for a Security Council that is efficient, effective, transparent and reflective of the 21st century realities", it 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
26 October,2024 03:08 PM IST | New Delhi | PTINorth Korean troops are poised to be deployed by Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine as early as this weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Friday. Western officials have warned that North Korean units joining the fight would stoke the almost three-year war and bring geopolitical consequences as far away as the Indo-Pacific region. The possibility has alarmed leaders and deepened diplomatic tensions. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday that the top national security advisers for the United States, Japan and South Korea met and “expressed grave concern” about North Korea's troop deployments for potential use with Russia on the battlefield against Ukraine. Kirby said that the national security advisers from the three countries “call on Russia and the DPRK to cease these actions that only serve to expand the security implications of Russia's brutal and illegal war beyond Europe and into the Indo-Pacific.” “It is possible that there are now more than 3,000 troops from North Korea that have been dispatched to Russia for outfitting and for training,” Kirby said on a call with reporters. Kirby said the US government did not have firm intelligence assessments on where the troops were going “but we believe it is certainly possible” and “perhaps even likely” that some of the North Korean troops would be deployed to the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukraine has held some territory since capturing it in August. But he cautioned that he did not know in what capacity and to what purpose the North Korean troops would be deployed. A senior official in the Ukrainian presidential office told The Associated Press on Friday that Zelenskyy had cancelled a planned visit to Kyiv by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, said the visit was supposed to come after this week's summit in the Russian city of Kazan of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, which Guterres attended. A photograph of Guterres shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit triggered an outcry in Ukraine. Zelenskyy, in a post on Telegram, said Ukrainian intelligence had determined that “the first North Korean military will be used by Russia in combat zones” between Sunday and Monday. He said on Telegram that the deployment was “an obvious escalating move by Russia.” He didn't provide any further details, including where the North Korean soldiers may be sent. Russia has been conducting a ferocious summer campaign along the eastern front in Ukraine, gradually compelling Kyiv to surrender ground. But Russia has struggled to push Ukrainian forces out of its Kursk border region following an incursion almost three months ago. North Korean units were detected on Wednesday in Kursk, according to Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, known by its acronym GUR. The soldiers had undergone several weeks of training at bases in eastern Russia and had been equipped with clothes for the upcoming winter, GUR said in a statement late Thursday. It estimated the number of North Korean soldiers sent by Pyongyang to Russia at around 12,000, including some 500 officers and three generals. GUR provided no evidence for its claims. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said Friday on the social platform X that intelligence reports indicated the North Korean soldiers “will probably first be deployed in Kursk.” The deployment of North Korean forces under a military pact between Moscow and Pyongyang brings a new dimension to the conflict, which is Europe's biggest war since World War II and has cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides, including many civilians. The US said Wednesday that 3,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia and are training at several locations, calling the move very serious. Zelenskyy said a week ago that his government has intelligence information that 10,000 troops from North Korea are being readied to join Russian forces fighting against his country. He said that a third nation wading into the hostilities would turn the conflict into a “world war.” North Korea had already been supplying ammunition to Russia under a defense pact, but putting boots on the ground could severely complicate a war that has inflamed international politics, with most Western countries supporting Kyiv. Putin, meanwhile, has looked for support among BRICS countries. He has neither confirmed nor denied that North Korean troops were in Russia. 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
26 October,2024 03:02 PM IST | Kyiv (Ukraine) | PTIIndia’s economic policies are rooted in inclusive growth and social empowerment, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Friday, telling the global financial leaders that India is committed to global collaboration even as it pursues its long-term vision of becoming a high-income economy by 2047. “As India pursues its long-term vision of becoming a high-income economy by 2047, it remains committed to global collaboration. The government is working toward USD one trillion in merchandise exports by 2030, leveraging improved logistics, trade reforms, and deeper integration into global value chains,” Sitharaman said in her remarks to the Development Committee of the World Bank. With synchronised efforts across sectors, India will continue to strengthen its resilience, manage inflation, and maintain policy continuity. By partnering with the World Bank and global stakeholders, India aims to contribute meaningfully to sustainable and inclusive growth—a path that benefits both the nation and the global community, she said. Sitharaman told the Development Committee that India’s economic policies are rooted in inclusive growth and social empowerment. Initiatives such as the PM Ujjwala Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile trinity have significantly improved access to essential services, reduced financial exclusion, and minimised leakage through targeted Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), she said. India, she said, has witnessed sustained improvement in female labour force participation, which increased from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 37 per cent in 2022-23, contributing to both economic productivity and social development. This focus on inclusive development aligns with the government’s commitment to leaving no one behind, she added. Addressing that 50th meeting of the IMFC, separately, at the Annual Meetings, Sitharaman said looking ahead, India’s growth story remains intact as its fundamental drivers – consumption and investment demand – are gaining momentum. Given healthy balance sheets of banks and corporates, supply chain normalisation, business optimism, and robust government capital expenditure, the real GDP growth is expected at 7.2 per cent for 2024-25 and inflation at 4.5 per cent, Sitharaman said. India, she said, has adhered to the budgeted gross fiscal deficit target of 5.6 per cent of the GDP in 2023-24, now set lower at 4.9 per cent for 2024-25 in line with the medium-term target. Central government revenue expenditure (net of interest payments and subsidies) grew by 9.6 per cent in July-August, after contracting by 1.5 per cent in the previous quarter. Central government capex increased by 25.8 per cent in July-August 2024 after contracting by 35 per cent in Q1:2024-25. As in 2023-24, focus of the government budget continues to be on infrastructure development and capital expenditure, which are expected to crowd-in private investment, she said. Private investment continues to gain steam on the back of expansion in non-food bank credit, higher capacity utilisation and rising investment intentions, the finance minister 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
26 October,2024 02:04 PM IST | Washington | PTIThe Punjab Police has suspended seven personnel, including two deputy superintendent rank officers, in connection with an interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while in police custody, reported news agency PTI. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state police, led by the special director general of police (human rights), found that one Lawrence Bishnoi interview was conducted when he was in Punjab Police's custody in Mohali's Kharar while the second was done in Rajasthan, reported PTI. The suspension came after the SIT found dereliction of duty on the part of the seven personnel. According to an order of the Punjab home secretary issued on Friday, SP Gursher Singh Sandhu, DSP Sammar Vaneet, sub-inspector Reena (CIA Kharar), sub-inspector Jagatpal Jangu, sub-inspector Shaganjit Singh, assistant sub-inspector Mukhtiar Singh and head constable Om Parkash have been suspended, reported PTI. "Keeping in view the sensitivity of the case, all the above officers have been suspended," said the order, reported PTI. The order read, "In pursuance of the orders passed on 21.12.2023, Shri Prabodh Kumar, I.P.S. Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the leadership of the Special Director General of Police, Punjab State Human Rights Commission. Apple FIR No. 01 Bhadi 05.01.2024 A/P 384, 201, 202, 506, 116 Bhadi 120 Ghee, Bhaspti. Was. m. Section 46 of The Prisons Act, 1894 (later replaced with Section 52A(1) of The Prisons (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2011), Pulim Matemath Matet Karayam, S.A.S. The report was presented in the city. According to it, on the night of 03-04.09.2022, accused Lawrence Bishnoi, lodged under the reference of CIA, Kharar, gave an interview through video conference to a shared TV channel." The SIT report identified several officers for negligence in their duties related to the incident involving gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's interview from prison. Those named include Gursher Singh, PPS, DSP of the 9th PAP in Amritsar, who was the then DSP (Investigations) in SAS Nagar, and Sammer Vaneet, PPS, DSP of the Economic Offences Wing in SAS Nagar. Additionally, Sub Inspector Reena from the CIA in Kharar, Sub Inspectors Jagatpal Jangu and Shaganjit Singh from the Anti-Gangster Task Force, ASI Mukhtiar Singh, the then Duty Officer, and Head Constable Om Parkash, the then Night MHC of the CIA in Kharar, were also cited in the report for their roles in the matter. The home secretary's order referred to the SIT report which found that Lawrence Bishnoi interview, aired on a private TV channel, was conducted through video conference on the intervening night of September 3 and 4 2022, reported PTI. In March last year, a private news channel ran two interviews of Bishnoi. The first Lawrence Bishnoi interview was conducted on the premises of CIA (crime investigating agency) staff, Kharar which falls in the jurisdiction of SAS Nagar, Mohali. The second Lawrence Bishnoi interview was conducted when Bishnoi was lodged in Central Jail in Jaipur, according to the probe by the SIT, which submitted its report to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July in a suo motu matter related to the use of mobile phones by inmates on jail premises. Bishnoi is one of the accused in the 2022 murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. (With inputs from PTI)
26 October,2024 01:47 PM IST | Chandigarh | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
