Arvind Kejriwal Sent To 14-Day Judicial Custody In Delhi Liquor Policy Case

NEW DELHI, June 29: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been sent to jail for 14 days under judicial custody in the Delhi liquor policy case being probed by the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI). The CBI said it needs Mr Kejriwal's custody in the "interest of investigation and justice".

Earlier today, special judge Sunena Sharma had reserved the order Kejriwal was brought to the court after his three-day CBI custody ended.

In its remand application, the CBI alleged Kejriwal did not cooperate and gave evasive replies.

"On being confronted with the evidence, he did not give a proper and truthful explanation regarding the enhancement of the profit margin for wholesalers from 5 per cent to 12 per cent under the new excise policy of Delhi 2021-22, without any study or justification," the CBI said.

"He also could not explain as to why during the peak of second wave of Covid, the cabinet approval for revised excise policy was obtained through circulation in a hurried manner within one day, when the accused persons of the South Group were camping in Delhi and holding meetings with his close associate Vijay Nair," the CBI said.

The central agency alleged Kejriwal evaded questions on meetings of his associate Vijay Nair with stakeholders of the liquor business in Delhi. Kejriwal was unable to give a proper explanation about his meeting with Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, and Arjun Pandey and Mootha Gautham, both accused in the case.

"He, being a prominent politician and chief minister of Delhi, is a very influential person, as such, there are credible reasons to believe that, he may influence the witnesses and evidences already exposed before him during the custodial interrogation and also the potential witnesses, who are yet to be examined, tamper with the evidence to be further collected and may hamper the ongoing investigation," the CBI application said.

Kejriwal was first arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 over money laundering allegations while framing the Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped after the Lieutenant Governor raised red flags. The ED has alleged the money Kejriwal got from the liquor sellers was used to fund the party's campaign in Goa, since he is the convenor of the AAP.

Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have from the start maintained the Centre has been misusing its agencies to harass the Opposition with false cases.

Cars, Buses Swept Away By Strong Currents In Haridwar After Heavy Rain

HARIDWAR, June 29: In visuals from the spot, several cars and buses can be seen submerged in an overflowing seasonal river in Har ki Pauri. The strong currents swept away buses and eight cars parked in the cremation ground.

In a video, a cop can be issuing a warning to the pilgrims and locals to not go near the river. "The water levels in the river have risen suddenly after the rainfall. Everyone is requested to not go near the river," he said.

Such incidents of season rivers overflowing during monsoon are commonly reported in Uttarakhand.

CBI gets 3-day custody of Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case

NEW DELHI, June 26: A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to 3-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investiation hours after he was arrested by the probe agency in connection with the excise policy case.

The CBI had sought a 5-day custody of the Delhi CM. While the ED case investigates the alleged money trail, the CBI case will have to prove corruption and bribe-taking by public servants.

The ED had arrested Kejriwal in March on money laundering charges. The CBI had registered a case of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act) back in 2022, but it did not name Kejriwal as an accused.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday, allowed the Delhi CM to withdraw his plea against the High Court’s interim stay on the trial court’s bail order in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case. This came shortly after he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam. The CM has been lodged in Tihar Jail since his arrest by the ED on March 21 in an alleged money laundering case.

Rahul Gandhi To Be Leader Of Opposition, His First Constitutional Role

NEW DELHI, June 25: Taking the fight to the ruling BJP-led NDA, Rahul Gandhi has accepted a decision by the Congress Working Committee and will take up the mantle of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Tuesday's announcement comes hours before the first big battle of the 18th Lok Sabha, between a resurgent opposition and a diminished ruling coalition, over the post of Speaker.

Denied an assurance that an opposition member would be given the post of Deputy Speaker, as is the tradition, the Congress and the INDIA bloc decided to force an election for the post of Speaker at the last minute by putting up K Suresh as its candidate against the BJP's pick, Om Birla, who was the Speaker in the last Lok Sabha.

While Wednesday's election - the first for the Speaker's post in decades - is likely to be only a symbolic one since it requires a simple majority of 272 MPs and the NDA, which has 292 on its own, has also got the support of the YSR Congress' 4 MPs, it is about the opposition signalling that things in Parliament will not remain as they were in 2014 and 2019.

The move to make Rahul Gandhi, who is arguably the Congress' most popular face, the Leader of the Opposition is also being seen as a step in that direction because this is the first time since 2014 that any opposition party has managed to cross the magic figure of 54 (10% of the Lok Sabha's strength) needed to stake claim to the post.

Besides getting a cabinet rank, the Leader of the Opposition post will enable Gandhi to strongly take up the issues of the people and the INDIA bloc at a time when the opposition parties are at their strongest in a decade.

He will also be part of key panels, like those to select Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners and the CBI director, along with the Prime Minister. The constitutional post will also give him an opportunity to call on visiting heads of state to give his perspective on national issues.

The decision to pick Gandhi for the post was announced after a meeting of floor leaders of the INDIA bloc at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Tuesday night.

"Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) wrote a letter to Pro-Tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, informing him of the decision to appoint Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Other office bearers will be decided later," senior party leader KC Venugopal said.

Roof of Ram Temple in Ayodhya leaks during rainfall: chief priest

AYODHYA, June 24: Six months after the grand opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the temple's chief priest said water has been leaking from the ceiling during rainfall.

“In the first rain, the roof of the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of Ram Lalla was installed has started to leak,” Acharya Satyendra Das told ANI. “Attention should be paid to the matter and to find out what was missing. It is very important. There is no space to drain water out of the temple.”

He added: “If the rain intensifies, it would be difficult to offer prayers at the temple.”

The chief priest also expressed surprise, saying so many engineers are present at the temple and still water is leaking from the roof.

“It is very surprising. So many engineers are here, and the Pran Pratishtha was held on January 22, but water is leaking from the roof,” said Das. "Nobody would've thought this."

Nripendra Mishra, the chairperson of the Sri Ram Mandir Construction Committee, also confirmed that rainwater has been leaking from the first floor. He also gave instructions for repairing and waterproofing the roof.

He, however, clarified that this was expected as the ‘Guru Mandap’ is exposed.

“I am in Ayodhya. I saw the rainwater dropping from the first floor. This is expected because Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky as the second floor and completion of Shikhar will cover this opening,” Mishra told ANI in a statement.

“I also saw some seepage from the conduit as this work on the first floor is in progress. On completion, the conduit will be closed. There is no drainage in the Sanctum Santorum because all the Mandaps have measured slope for clearance of water, and the water in Sanctum Santorum is manually absorbed.”

He added: "Moreover, the devotees are not performing Abhishek on the deity. There is no design or construction issue. The Mandaps which are open may get rainwater drops which was debated but the decision was to keep them open as per Nagar architectural norms."

The Monsoon showers also caused severe waterlogging in Ayodhya, making patches of the newly built Rampath road cave in.

Since Sunday morning, all 13 streets connected to Rampath have been waterlogged after overnight rain. Sewage water has also entered many houses on the connected streets.

"The work was done by the PWD (Public Works Department), and they will be able to answer it.” Ayodhya district magistrate Nitish Kumar said.

Ayodhya mayor Girish Pati Tripathi said that efforts to flush out the rainwater were launched soon.

"We immediately launched operations to flush out the water. We deployed various teams of the municipality to pump out water from the flooded houses," he said.

Mamata opposes unilateral water sharing talks with Bangladesh

KOLKATA, June 24: Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, objecting to the talks on water sharing between the Centre and Bangladesh -- a session Bengal was not invited to attend.

Turning down the Centre's proposal for sharing of Teesta water, she wrote, "Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government is neither acceptable nor desirable".

The discussion on sharing of Ganga and Teesta waters took place over the weekend, when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Delhi -- days after she came to attend the oath ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic third term.

"I came to understand that the Government of India is in the process of renewing the India-Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is to expire in 2026. It is a treaty which delineates of sharing of water between.
Bangladesh and India and as you are aware it, has huge implications for the people of West Bengal," Mamata Banerjee wrote. The people of Bengal, she added, would be the "worst sufferers" of such treaties.

"The state of West Bengal has cooperated with Bangladesh on several issues in the past," Ms Banerjee added, pointing to the exchange of India-Bangladesh enclaves, Indo-Bangladesh Railway Line and bus services. "However, water is very precious and is the lifeline of the people. We cannot compromise on such a sensitive issue which has severe and adverse implication on the people," she added.

Citing the proposed sharing the waters of Teesta, a river in north Bengal, she said the health of Teesta on the Indian side has "suffered" much already due to the construction of several hydropower projects in Sikkim and deforestation in the river's upper catchment area, and now there is not enough water to share.

"It seems that in the meeting, Government of India has proposed a bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh for restoration of Teesta in Bangladesh. I am surprised by the fact that no concrete steps have been taken by the ministry of Jal Shakti to restore the river in its original form and health on the India side," she wrote.

"Due to the reasons stated above, water flow in Teesta has gone down over the years and it is estimated that if any water is shared with Bangladesh, lakhs of people in north Bengal will get severely impacted… therefore it is not feasible to share Teesta water with Bangladesh," she added.

'What Happened Is Unusual': Top Court's Remark On Arvind Kejriwal Hearing

NEW DELHI, June 24: The Supreme Court on Monday refused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal immediate relief in his battle to overturn the High Court's interim stay on a bail order issued last week by a lower court.

The court responded to Kejriwal's arguments - that the High Court erred in staying bail without fully reading the order, and rationale, of the lower court - by saying it would wait till the said order came on record, and the High Court had a chance to re-examine the stay - before ruling on his plea.

The court fixed Wednesday as the next hearing date; the High Court is scheduled to deliver its full verdict at 2.30 pm Tuesday. "It is not proper to interfere when the High Court has reserved its judgement," the Supreme Court said, "We will keep this petition for hearing for day after tomorrow."

It did, however, admit the High Court's actions were "unusual"; Justice Manoj Misra said, "In stay matters, orders are not reserved but passed on the spot. What has happened here is unusual."

This was after Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate - which arrested Kejriwal in the liquor policy case in March and has opposed bail and medical relief claimed by the Chief Minister - said the High Court is likely to render its verdict within 24 hours.

Earlier the High Court paused Kejriwal's bail after a last-gasp challenge from the Enforcement Directorate - filed hours before he was to leave jail - that said the release order was "perverse".

The High Court immediately put Kejriwal's release on hold pending further arguments.

On Sunday Kejriwal challenged the stay in the Supreme Court.

This morning, as the day's (brief) hearing began, Kejriwal's lawyers argued that the "balance of convenience" is in the Chief Minister's favour, reasoning there is no substantial reason for the AAP leader to stay in jail.

"If bail is reversed, he will certainly go back to jail... as he did after the Supreme Court's interim release (to campaign for the election)," senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi said.

He was referring to Kejriwal's release last month - allowed by the top court - to campaign for his party and the Congress-led INDIA bloc in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP was pegged back and forced to rely on its allies to form the government.

Singhvi also referred to the top court's order granting Kejriwal that interim bail, in which it acknowledged the AAP leader is not a "habitual offender" and has no criminal antecedents.

"Why can't I be free in the interim? I have a judgment in my favour..." he continued, responding to the court suggesting the Chief Minister be patient for 24-48 hours till the High Court reads its order.

"If we pass order now, we will prejudge the issue. This is not a subordinate court..." he was told.

Kejriwal's side argued strenuously the stay order should not be allowed to stand because the lower court's order had not been released when the High Court listed the ED's challenge.

"There was only an oral direction to not give effect to the bail order..." his camp pointed out.

"This (Mr Kejriwal's regular bail order) is a discretionary order passed by a trial court for a person who was (already) released by this honourable court," senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary said.

The ED, however, stressed that a "perverse", or incorrect, order can and should be stayed.

The federal agency earlier argued the trial court's order - giving Kejriwal bail - is "... completely flawed. The court said there was no direct proof. That's a wrong statement by the court."

"We showed material but nothing (was) considered. There are two ways bail can be cancelled; one is, if relevant facts are not considered. That is grounds for cancellation of bail. All I am saying is 'look at the soundness of the order'. Bail could have granted bail but not like this..." the agency said.

It also told the court that, in its opinion, the twin conditions for grant of bail under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, under which Kejriwal has been charged, had not been met.

The ED arrested Kejriwal over money laundering allegations while framing the Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped after the Lieutenant Governor raised red flags.

The ED has alleged that the money Kejriwal and the AAP got from the liquor sellers - around ₹ 100 crore - was used to fund the party's poll campaign in Goa and Punjab.

Both Kejriwal and the AAP have rubbished the charges, calling them political vendetta and pointing out that despite months of searching the ED has still not found the alleged bribe money.

On Thursday last Kejriwal was given regular bail by Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court.

The court accepted his argument that the case against him rested only on statements given by former accused who have since turned approvers, or government witnesses. "Circumstances have to be so intrinsically linked (as to) lead to the guilt. Statements by tainted persons discredit prosecution's case. There is no evidence ₹ 100 crore came from 'South Group'. There is no evidence," he argued.

'No More Support To BJP, Only Opposition': Naveen Patnaik After Poll Loss

BHUBANESWAR, June 24: Ex-Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal - which helped ex-ally Bharatiya Janata Party pass key bills in the Modi government's first two terms, when it lacked numbers in the Rajya Sabha - seems to have firmly switched sides now and labelled itself a "strong and vibrant opposition".

"We will make the centre accountable on all issues. BJD MPs will raise all issues pertaining to the state's development and the welfare of the people of Odisha. Many rightful demands haven't been met," the party quoted Patnaik after a meeting with his nine Rajya Sabha MPs in Bhubaneswar Monday.

"(We will) be the voice of 4.5 crore people of Odisha in Parliament..."

The BJD's assertive stance comes not only after providing the BJP outside support on various issues in the past 10 years, but after breakdown in alliance talks in March, just weeks before the elections began.

Had those talks born fruit, the BJD and Modi's party would have re-allied nearly 15 years after a split that prompted late BJP leader Sushma Swaraj to say Patnaik would "regret" snapping ties.

In the past, support from the BJD and ex-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy - his YSR Congress was ousted by the BJP's ally, Chandrababu Naidu's TDP - was crucial on several occasions, such as the election of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to the Rajya Sabha in 2009 and 2014.

More recently, the BJD's support also helped the BJP push through the Delhi services bill, ensured a no-confidence motion against the Modi government flopped, and pushed through laws like Triple Talaq and the J&K Reorganisation Bill.

The "rightful demands", the BJD's statement said, ranged from 'special category' status for Odisha to housing and education for the poor, and from establishment of premier medical institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences - "... not satellite units" - to improved national highways.

The party also flagged social and economic issues, including the controversial topic of MSP, or minimum support price, for farmers, which has been a bone of contention between the opposition and the BJP since the violent protests of 2021/22. The BJD also said it will "demand inclusion of 162 communities" in the state's Scheduled Tribes list, which it said it had been lobbying for "for many years".

All of this comes after thumping wins by Modi's party in the May-June Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. In the former the BJP routed the BJD by winning 20 of the state's 21 seats and, in the latter, Patnaik - who lost the Kantabanji seat to the BJP's Laxman Bag - won only 51 of 147, down from 112 five years ago. The BJP secured 78 - four over majority - to form its first Odisha government.

The twin defeats left Patnaik firmly on the backfoot in a state he has dominated since 2000; his BJD had won every Assembly poll and over 50 per cent of Lok Sabha seats in each general election.

In fact, the BJD has failed, for the first time, to win even one Lok Sabha seat.

The BJD, which had 12 Lok Sabha MPs in 2019, now has only nine in the Rajya Sabha. And that number will be cut in half in 2026, when four Odisha seats - now held by the BJD - fall vacant.

Earlier today BJD leader Sasmit Patra said party boss Naveen Patnaik had given "clear instructions to fight for the rights of the state's people in Parliament". "No more support to BJP, only opposition. We may go to any extent to protect the interests of Odisha," he said after Patnaik's meeting.

In the recent election the BJD was not part of the Congress-led INDIA bloc, which united the opposition to stifle Mr Modi, the BJP, and the party-led National Democratic Alliance.

Patnaik and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar - who helped found the INDIA group before jumping ship to the NDA after internal rows - met in May last year but the BJD boss remained non-committal and passed off the meeting as one between "old friends and colleagues".

Did Delhi Lt Governor ordered felling of trees? Supreme Court

NEW DELHI, June 24: Coming down heavily on the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for the felling of trees in the capital's Ridge area, the Supreme Court today said it cannot brush aside "brazen acts" that lead to the destruction of the environment.

"If authorities are not performing their statutory and constitutional duties, the court has to give a loud signal to all authorities that the environment cannot be damaged in such fashion," a bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said.

The court, which was hearing a suo motu contempt case against the DDA vice-president, also proposed a large-scale tree plantation drive in the national capital. This comes days after the city reeled under an unrelenting heatwave that claimed many lives. The court asked the DDA how a Tree Protection Act can be implemented and said it will give instructions to civic authorities to conduct a tree plantation campaign.

The vacation bench today fielded tough questions to the DDA on how trees in the Delhi Ridge area were felled despite a Supreme Court order against cutting trees in the area.

"It is very shocking if the trees were cut despite knowing that it cannot be done without the permission of the Supreme Court," Justice Oka said. He then asked if Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had asked DDA officials to remove the trees. Saxena is the chairman of the DDA.

"We are dealing with a very serious issue? 1100 trees, you taking it very casually? Ask your officer who issued these directions... is it the chairman? Then we are making him a party," the court asked.

The court noted that the trees were cut after the Lt Governor's visit and asked the DDA counsel if they are "defending actions by the LG". "Two documents placed on record which says LG directed to cut trees, how can you run away from this? Are you defending the LG?" Justice Oka asked.

Mahesh Jethmalani, who appeared for DDA vice-chairman Subhasish Panda, asked if the Lt Governor was informed about the Supreme Court order protecting the trees. To this, Justice Oka said, "In a lighter vein, I have read that famous Sherlock Holmes story - the secret why the dog did not bark." The judge was referring to the short story, The Adventure of Silver Blaze, in which a horse is stolen but a dog that sees it does not react because it is an inside job.

"We are trying to find out the truth and we expect better assistance from the DDA. We are pained to know what kind of valuable trees have been felled," the court said.

The court has now asked the DDA vice-chairman if there is an official record of what transpired during the Lt Governor's visit. "We need a clear statement of facts from the VC, because if what is indicated in the emails is correct, then the felling of the trees was on the directions by the LG. We expect the DDA to come clean on this aspect," the court said.

"From the affidavit of the DDA vice-chairman, it appears that the entire blame has been shifted on the officers stating that they were responsible for directing the contractors to cut the trees without the permission of the Court," the court noted, issuing contempt notices to these officers.

The Supreme Court also ordered that in all current and future contracts, DDA must include a clause that felling of trees is not permissible without the court's permission.

"We propose to hold a detailed enquiry into the acts of the DDA which resulted in the destruction of several valuable trees and consequentially the destruction of the environment. Such brazen acts in the capital city cannot be lightly brushed aside by this Court. If authorities are not performing their statutory and constitutional duties, the court has to give a loud signal to all authorities that the environment cannot be damaged in such fashion," the court said.

The Supreme Court also flagged DDA roping in serving judicial officers as legal advisors and directed the high court to take action. "How are serving judicial officers working with DDA as legal advisors? What happens to the independence of judiciary?" The matter will be heard next on Wednesday.

Atishi's Health Deteriorating Due To Fast, Lost 2.2 Kg In 4 Days: AAP

NEW DELHI, June 24: Delhi Water Minister Atishi's health condition has deteriorated on the fourth day of her indefinite fast on Monday and doctors have advised her to be admitted to a hospital, the AAP said.

Atishi has, however, refused to be treated at a hospital, despite adverse health effects until Haryana released the "rightful share of Delhi's water".

"My blood pressure and sugar levels are dropping and my weight has gone down. Ketone level is very high which can have harmful effects in the long run. No matter how much my body suffers, I will continue the fast till Haryana releases water," she said at the site of hunger strike at Jungpura's Bhogal.

In a statement, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that Atishi's weight and blood pressure is decreasing rapidly, which doctors from LNJP Hospital said was "dangerous".

"Water Minister Atishi's weight is also decreasing unexpectedly. Before sitting on hunger strike on 21st June, her weight was 65.8 kg which has come down to 63.6 kg on the fourth day of the hunger strike. That is, her weight has decreased by 2.2 kg in just 4 days," the statement said.

Her blood sugar level has decreased by 28 units on the fourth day as compared to the first day of the hunger strike, the party said.

"Along with this, her blood pressure level has also decreased. Doctors have described the speed at which Water Minister Atishi's blood sugar level, blood pressure and weight have decreased as dangerous. Along with this, Minister Atishi's urine ketone level of water is also increasing. Such an increase in the amount of ketone in her body will be dangerous for her health," it said.

The AAP said doctors have advised Atishi to be admitted to a hospital in view of her deteriorating health but she is fighting for Delhi's rightful share of water by "risking her life".

A doctors' report said the "patient has been counselled for admission and oral intake" but she refused.

Atishi has claimed that Delhi was getting 100 MGD less for the last three weeks.

The 100 MGD less water has caused a shortage, affecting 28 lakh people in Delhi, she said.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena after a meeting with a delegation of AAP leaders on Sunday said Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has assured that he will look into whether his state can provide extra water to the city.

Arvind Kejriwal Approaches Supreme Court Against High Court's Stay On Bail

NEW DELHI, June 23: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court's pause on his bail in a corruption case related to the liquor policy case till a petition by the Enforcement Directorate is heard.

The Central agency had challenged the bail granted to Kejriwal hours before he was to leave Tihar jail. On Friday, the high court said till it heard the agency's petition, the trial court order for bail will not take effect.

Kejriwal's lawyers have sought a hearing tomorrow.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on charges of money laundering. The agency has alleged that the Chief Minister got money from the liquor lobby for framing the excise policy and it was used to fund his Aam Aadmi Party's election campaign in Goa.

He has been in jail since March 21 except for a brief interim bail granted by the Supreme Court ahead of the general election.

In its latest petition, the ED argued that the trial court's order granting bail to Kejriwal was "perverse" and had serious procedural irregularities. The court's order was flawed, it said, since it was based on wrong information.

"On wrong facts, wrong dates, you come to a conclusion that mala fide," Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the ED, had said.

The High Court had sought Kejriwal's response on the matter.

Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal said his bail order was challenged even before it was uploaded on the court's website. "Even before the bail order was uploaded, the ED went to the high court to get it stayed. Dictatorship has crossed all limits in the country," she said.

Centre Removes Exam Body Chief, CBI To Probe NEET-UG Irregularities

NEW DELHI, June 22: Facing protests in several parts of the country as well as attacks from the opposition, the Centre has removed the chief of the National Testing Agency (NTA) from his post amid the controversy over the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and the cancellation of the UGC-NET Exam.

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Personnel announced that Subodh Kumar Singh, who was the director general of the NTA, has been replaced by retired Indian Administration Service (IAS) officer Pradeep Singh Kharola.
Kharola is the Chairman and Managing Editor of the India Trade Promotion Organisation and has been given additional charge as the director general of the NTA "till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders".

The move comes hours after the government constituted a committee which will give recommendations to improve the functioning of the agency and a day before around 1,500 students who had been given grace marks for NEET-UG are scheduled to take a retest.

The CSIR UGC NET exam - scheduled to be held from June 25 to June 27 - also had to be postponed due to "logistical reasons" on Friday and the NEET-PG exam, slated to be held on Sunday, was rescheduled late on Saturday.

Capping a day of fast-moving developments, the government also handed over the probe into the alleged irregularities, including the paper leaks, in the NEET-UG exam to the CBI on Saturday. The agency is also probing the alleged leaks that led to the cancellation of the UGC NET exam.

Anti-Paper Leak Law Notified Amid Exam Mess: Jail Term, Fine Up To A Crore

NEW DELHI, June 21: Taking an important step amid the controversies surrounding the NEET and UGC-NET exams, the Centre has notified a stringent law that was passed in February to prevent paper leaks and cheating.

The notification of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, comes just a day after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was asked about when it would be implemented. The minister had said the law ministry was framing the rules.

Under the Act, which came into effect on Friday, any person or person found guilty of leaking a paper or tampering with answer sheets will receive a minimum jail term of three years. This can be extended to five years with a fine of up to ₹ 10 lakh. All offences under the Act will be cognisable and non-bailable.

Service providers who have knowledge about a possible offence but do not report it can be fined up to ₹ 1 crore.

During the investigation, if it is established that any senior official from the service provider had allowed or was involved in committing the offence, he will face imprisonment for a minimum of three years, which can go up to 10 years, and a fine of ₹ 1 crore.

If the examination authority or the service provider commits an organised crime, the jail term will be a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 and the fine will remain ₹ 1 crore.

The notification mentions the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita but adds that the provisions of the Indian Penal Code will remain in effect until then. The Sanhita and the other criminal laws are scheduled to come into effect on July 1.

Arvind Kejriwal gets bail

NEW DELHI, June 20: The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday hailed the Delhi court's order granting bail to chief minister and party convenor Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case.

The 55-year-old leader, who returned to Delhi's Tihar jail on June 2 after his interim bail period ended, will walk out of the jail three months after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in case.

“Satyemeva Jayate (Truth wins),” Delhi minister Atishi posted on X after the news of Kejriwal getting bail broke.

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, who was also arrested in the case before being granted bail on April 4, said,"Arvind Kejriwal coming out of jail at such a time is going to strengthen democracy. This is good news for the people of Delhi...ED's statements till now were based on lies...this is a baseless fake case formed to trap Kejriwal."

Delhi health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said,"Rouse Avenue court granting bail to CM Arvind Kejriwal is a milestone for the whole country. This decision will become a big example in our law system. In PMLA, most people get relief only from the Supreme Court...usually, lower courts never give relief...so it is evident that the central govt has no proof in this case."

Aam Aadmi Party's INDIA bloc allies welcomed the court order on Kejriwal. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi posted on X,"Welcome back @ArvindKejriwal ji!"

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole too hailed the order, saying,"We welcome the decision of the court on Arvind Kejriwal. He was trapped, there was no mistake of him, it became clear through this."

“Somewhere, this was expected. You believed in the court. This will also determine a new direction. This is a good thing,” said Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Supriyo Bhattacharya.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Clyde Crasto told PTI,"Arvind Kejriwal getting bail today restores our faith in our judicial system and the democracy. We have been saying this from the very beginning that the case against Kejriwal was designed with an ulterior motive."

20 Dead In Delhi Heatwave

NEW DELHI, June 19: As cases of heatstroke spike in several parts of north India due to an unrelenting heatwave, the Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to central government-run hospitals to treat patients of heatstroke on priority.

Health Minister JP Nadda has reviewed the situation and the preparedness of government hospitals run by the Centre and directed officials to ensure special heatwave units are started so that the best possible care is given to patients.

With 20 deaths taking place in just three major hospitals in the national capital this summer, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has also released guidelines for people to safeguard themselves against heatstrokes and other heat-related issues.

At the state-run Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, 45 patients with heat-related problems have been admitted since May 27. The hospital has reported nine deaths due to such problems since then and seven of these deaths have taken place over the past two days. Nine people have also died at the Safdarjung Hospital this summer -- including five on Wednesday -- and two at the Lok Nayak Hospital in the past seven days.

Patients presenting heatstroke symptoms have also been admitted to several other hospitals In the national capital.

Dr Ajay Shukla, medical superintendent of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, warned that the mortality rate in heatstroke cases is quite high -- about 60-70 per cent. "If the patient is brought late to the hospital, one organ after the other starts failing. There is a lack of awareness. A lot of these patients are migrant labourers. Also, the symptoms (of heatstroke) can be easily missed or mistaken for something else. It's only when patients faint that their relatives feel that hospitalisation is needed."

Dr Shukla said there is a need to spread awareness about heatstroke. "We need to educate people. Instead of rushing to the hospital, if you suspect that a person is suffering from heatstroke, you must start the cooling there and then. Use water, ice, while trying to get them to the hospital. We have also equipped ambulances so that they can start cooling immediately after they reach the patients."

In its guidelines, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has advised people against going out in the sun, especially between noon and 3 pm. It has suggested that people should drink water as often as possible, even when not thirsty, and carry water with them while travelling. It said alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrate the body, should be avoided and ORS and homemade beverages like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water and buttermilk should be consumed instead.

In terms of clothing, the authority has said people should wear light-coloured loose and porous cotton cloths and use goggles and an umbrella when stepping out. It has also advised bathing frequently in cold water.

Delhi residents have been reeling under an unrelenting heatwave for nearly a month now. Minimum temperatures in the city have crossed the 35 degrees mark -- several degrees above normal -- and maximum temperatures hover around the 45 degrees mark. Tap water is hot throughout the day, and even air-conditioners are struggling to bring relief.

The weather office has said in its forecast that heatwave conditions are likely to continue over most parts of north India for the next 24 hours and abate after that.

On what is leading to the abnormally warm nights, Rajneesh Sareen of the Delhi-based thinktank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has an explanation.

"The construction and concretisation in big cities like Delhi has significantly gone up. Concrete buildings absorb heat through the day and release it at night. This is why minimum temperatures are rising in big cities," said Sareen, programme director for Sustainable Habitat Programme at CSE.

Earlier, he said, daytime temperatures would be high, but people would get some relief at night. "But nowadays, ACs are exploding because of a heat island effect. Construction in Delhi is going up and the green area is reducing. The construction of high-rises is also affecting wind movement," he said, adding that use of concrete has to be reduced.

Indian Govt Approves MSP For 14 Crops, Says It Is 1.5 Times Cost Of Production

NEW DELHI, June 19: In a major decision, the Union Cabinet has approved a minimum support price of at least cost plus 50% for 14 crops ahead of the Kharif (summer) sowing season. The minimum support price of paddy has been increased by ₹ 117, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a Cabinet briefing on Wednesday.

A legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) has been a long-standing demand of farmers who have staged large-scale protests, including some held earlier this year, to press for it. The MSP decision is also significant because it comes ahead of Assembly polls in states like Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, which are scheduled to be held later this year.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always given preference to farmers. The first decision in the third term was taken for farmers. In today's Cabinet meeting also, a very important decision was taken for the welfare of farmers. The Kharif season is beginning and the Cabinet has approved a minimum support price of 14 crops for the season," Vaishnaw said.

"In the 2018 Union Budget, the government of India had taken a clear policy decision that the MSP has to be at least 1.5 times the cost of production. Today's decision is in line with this principle. The cost has been established in a scientific manner and is based on a study by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices in various districts and tehsils across the country," he added.

The MSP for paddy for the season has been increased by 5.35%, or ₹ 117, to ₹ 2,300 per quintal and, as a comparison, the minister said the price was 1,310 in 2013-14.

The minimum support of cotton has also been increased to 7,121 for the normal variety and 7,521 for another variety, which is ₹ 510 higher than the previous MSP. Millets have been a focus area for PM, and, among them, the MSP for jowar has been set at ₹ 3,371, for ragi it is ₹ 4,290, for bajra it is 2,625 and maize is at ₹ 2,225.

Among pulses, the MSP for moong has been decided at ₹ 8,682, tur at ₹ 7,550 - ₹ 550 higher than the previous figure - and ₹ 7,400 for urad. The MSP for oilseeds, like sunflower and groundnut, has also seen an increase, the minister said.

According to a news agency, the increased MSP will mean a gain of ₹ 35,000 crore to farmers over the previous year.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister had released ₹ 20,000 crore as part of the 17th instalment of the Kisan Samman Nidhi, an income support scheme under which farmers get up to ₹ 6,000 per year.

On his first visit to Varanasi after being elected the MP from there for the third time, he had also said, "Agriculture will play a big role in making India the third-largest economy. We have to think global and become a leader in exports. Varanasi's Langda mango, Jaunpur's radish and Ghazipur's ladyfinger are now reaching foreign markets... We have to take the country to new heights in packaged food exports. My dream is to see an Indian food product on every dining table in the world."

The Cabinet has also approved the setting up of a major greenfield port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharastra. The Project will be constructed by the Vadhavan Port Project Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Maharashtra Maritime Board with a shareholding of 74% and 26% respectively.

The viability gap funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects at a total outlay of ₹ 7,453 crore has also been greenlit. This includes ₹ 6,853 crore for the installation and commissioning of 1 gigawatt (GW) of offshore wind energy projects - 500 MW each off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

A proposal by the Airports Authority of India for the development of the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, including the construction of a new terminal building and runway extension, has also been approved.

Kiran Choudhary, Daughter Join BJP in Haryana

NEW DELHI, June 19: Two Congress leaders, Kiran Choudhary and her daughter Shruti Choudhary joined the BJP on Wednesday.

Kiran Choudhary is a four-time MLA from the Tosham Assembly constituency and her daughter Shruti Choudhary was the ex-Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha MP. They joined in the presence of ex-Chief Minister ML Khattar and his successor, Nayab Singh Saini.

Mrs Choudhary said she took this decision "because Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has pledged to a developed India by 2047".

The two quit the Congress 24 hours earlier; in a letter to party boss Mallikarjun Kharge, Mrs Choudhary said, "It is most unfortunate that Congress in Haryana is being run as a personal fiefdom (seen as a jibe at ex-Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda) leaving no space for sincere voices... who have been stifled.."

State Official Held 'Hostage' By Angry Priests, Locals At Kedarnath Dham

KEDARNATH, June 19: Angry priests held a senior civil servant - Arvind Pandey, the Secretary of the State Information Commission - hostage for two-and-a-half hours in Uttarakhand's temple town of Kedarnath, amid protests over the demolition of buildings and roadside shops owned and operated by priests.

Pandey was reportedly locked into a room at a committee member's home.

There is anger over what "mismanagement" of the Kedarnath Dham Yatra route and facilities for 2024, including for VIP visits and prayers, which they say has caused inconvenience to locals.

In addition to demands like removing barricades from routes commonly used by non-VIP pilgrims - these were removed after lengthy talks with locals - the protestors have also alleged that houses and shops owned by over a dozen priests and traders were demolished without their consent.

Some of these were torn down to build drains by the side of the road to the temple.

When these demolitions were taking place Pandey was an Additional Secretary in the state government. When he visited protest sites this morning, he was surrounded by angry priests.

A situation that started with jostling and shoving, and shouting of slogans, quickly escalated.

Pandey was urged to show a letter from the government authorising the demolitions.

On being told what was happening, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Ukhimath, which is about 50 km from Kedarnath, rushed to the spot and calmed the angry priests and traders.

Built For ₹ 12 Crore, Bridge In Bihar Collapses Before Inauguration

PATNA, June 18: A portion of an under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihar' Araria today. The concrete bridge over the Bakra River, built after spending crores, came apart in seconds.

Visuals showed the bridge, over the fast-flowing river, tilted on one side and a crowd gathered on the banks near the bridge, recording the moment it collapsed.

There are no reports of injuries.

The bridge was constructed to ease the commute between Kursakanta and Sikti in the Araria district of Bihar. Built at ₹ 12 crore, the bridge collapsed before its inauguration.

Sikti MLA Vijay Kumar said, "The bridge has collapsed due to negligence by the construction company's owner. We demand that the administration should conduct an investigation."

The collapsed portion washed away within seconds and the people started running toward safety. In another video, a few people are standing dangerously close to the edge of the remaining portion of the bride. While many people are standing under it.

A major part of the collapsed portion was built over the river. The section built on the banks of the Bakra River remains intact.

In March this year, one person was killed and several others were trapped after an under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihar's Supaul. The bustling construction site near Maricha turned into a scene of chaos and devastation after the collapse in the morning, prompting urgent rescue efforts by local authorities and volunteers.

According to reports, the bridge was being built at a cost of ₹ 984 crore over the river Kosi. The accident bears an uncanny resemblance to the collapse of an under-construction bridge in Bihar's Bhagalpur, which had sparked a war of words between the state government and the opposition BJP.

Rahul Gandhi Resigns From Wayanad Seat, Retains Raebareli

NEW DELHI, June 18: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has resigned from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat of Kerala and retained the Raebareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said on Tuesday.

A Lok Sabha bulletin said his resignation has been accepted with effect from June 18.

Ending speculation on the issue, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Monday the decision on the two seats after the party's top brass held discussions at his residence in the national capital.

Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make her electoral debut by contesting the Wayanad bypoll.

Following Rahul Gandhi's resignation from one of the two seats he had won, the Congress' tally in the Lower House now stands at 98.

This is the first vacancy to be created in the just-formed 18th Lok Sabha.

"Shri Rahul Gandhi, an elected member of Lok Sabha from two constituencies viz Wayanad and Rae Bareli parliamentary constituencies of Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, respectively, has resigned his seat in Lok Sabha from Wayanad parliamentary constituency of Kerala and his resignation has been accepted by the speaker with effect from June 18," a Lok Sabha bulletin said.

If Priyanka Gandhi is elected from Wayanad, it will be the first time that all three Gandhi family members -- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi -- will be in Parliament together.

Sonia Gandhi is now a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Before a 1996 amendment in the electoral laws, there was no bar on the number of seats a person could contest.

If a candidate wins from two seats, he or she has to quit one within 14 days of the election or faces the possibility of losing both the seats.

The winning candidates will take oath as Lok Sabha members on June 24 and 25.

The first session of the new Lok Sabha commences on June 24.

Modi releases ₹20,000 crore for 9.26 crore farmers

VARANASI, June 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday released a sum of ₹20,000 crore for over 9.26 crore farmers as part of the income support scheme, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi.

At an event in Varanasi, which was also attended by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Modi thanked the people of the ancient city for electing him as their representative to the Parliament for the third time in a row.

"After winning the elections, I have come to Varanasi. I bow to the people of Kashi, Baba Kashi Vishwanath and Maa Ganga," he said.

Modi said the people of Varanasi have blessed him by electing him as their representative to the lower house of the Parliament, Lok Sabha.

Modi was welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, CM Yogi Adityanath, union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.

This was Modi's first visit to his constituency Varanasi since he became the prime minister of India for the third time.

Priyanka Gandhi To Contest from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi Keeps Raebareli Seat

NEW DELHI, June 17: Making two major announcements, the Congress on Monday said that Rahul Gandhi has decided to give up the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala in favour of the family bastion of Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh and, capping years of speculation, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is finally making her electoral debut from the constituency he is vacating.

Announcing the decisions after a high-level Congress meeting, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who was flanked by the Gandhi siblings, said the call on which constituency to vacate was taken now as the last day for doing so is Tuesday.

"The party has decided that Rahul Gandhi should keep the Raebareli seat because it has been close to him and his family for generations. The people of the constituency and people in the Congress feel this will be good for the party as well. More importantly, he has received love from the people of Wayanad and people there want him to retain the seat. But the rules don't allow this. So we have decided that Priyanka ji will contest from Wayanad," he said in Hindi.

"Priyanka Gandhi had said 'ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon' (I am a girl, I can fight) and this ladki can fight from there (Wayanad) now," he said to laughter as he went on to thank Ms Gandhi for the Congress' success in Amethi, Raebareli and other constituencies.

When a reporter asked about Kharge's earlier claim, made in jest, that he would initiate disciplinary action if Rahul Gandhi did not follow the Congress Working Committee's decision, the party president sought to deflect but Gandhi chimed in with "a threat has been given", eliciting more laughter.

The Congress leader said he has an emotional connection with both Raebareli and Wayanad and expressed his gratitude for the love has got from the people in the Kerala constituency while he was a Member of Parliament from there the past five years.

"Priyanka will contest from Wayanad, but I will also go there frequently and we will fulfil all the promises we made to the people there. I have an old connection with Raebareli and I am happy to represent them, but it wasn't an easy decision. It was a tough one. The people of Wayanad stood with me and supported me. They gave me energy to fight in a very difficult time. I will be available for the people of Wayanad," Gandhi said.

"I am confident she (Priyanka) will win the election and she will be a very good representative. The people of Wayanad can think about it like this: They now have two MPs, one is my sister and the other is me. My doors are always open to you for the rest of my life and I love every person in Wayanad," he added.

When Ms Gandhi was asked for a reaction, she said she was very happy and would not let the people of Wayanad feel her brother's absence.

"As he said, he will come many times with me. But I will work as hard and try to be a good representative. I have a very old connection with Raebareli and I have worked there for 20 years. That connection cannot break. I will help bhaiyya (big brother) in Raebareli and we will be available in both constituencies," she said.

Rahul Gandhi interjected and said both constituencies are getting two MPs.

Asked if she was nervous, Ms Gandhi said, "Not at all."

Gandhi had won in Wayanad in 2019 despite suffering a shock defeat to Smriti Irani in his bastion of Amethi. In the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, he won again in Wayanad by a margin of 3.64 lakh votes.

This was eclipsed by his performance in Raebareli - helped by Sonia Gandhi's emotional appeal to voters that she was handing her son to them - which he won with a margin of 3.9 lakh votes.

The Raebareli seat was held by Sonia Gandhi since 2004 until she moved to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year. Cementing its status as a Gandhi family bastion is the fact that it was also represented by Rahul Gandhi's grandmother and former PM Indira Gandhi, and her husband Feroze Gandhi.

While Rahul Gandhi was not inclined to give up Wayanad, what also worked in favour of Raebareli was the fact that it is in Uttar Pradesh, home to the largest number of Lok Sabha seats in the country, Congress sources said.

The astounding performance of the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in the state, where it won 43 of 80 constituencies - reducing the BJP from 62 to 33 - also played a role in the decision-making.

Bengal rail accident leaves 15 dead, 60 injured

NEW JALPAIGURI, June 17: At least 15 passengers died and 60 others were injured, after three rear coaches of the stationary Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express derailed on Monday as a goods train collided with it in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district, officials said.

The deceased include the pilot and co-pilot of the goods train, a senior railway official said.

The injured were taken to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, police said.

The three rear compartments derailed under the impact of the collision from behind by the locomotive of the goods train near Rangapani station, about 30 km from North Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri station, the official said.

Major Fire Near Manipur Secretariat Close To Chief Minister's Bungalow

IMPHAL, June 15: A huge fire broke out at a building near the high-security secretariat complex in Manipur's capital Imphal today. The building is just a few hundred metres from the official bungalow of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the police said.

Four fire trucks came to the site and doused the blaze this evening, the police said, adding they are checking what caused the fire.

The building that caught fire is in the same complex as the main office of the Kuki Inpi, a civil society group of the Kuki tribes that has been supporting the call by another Churachandpur-based Kuki group called the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) for a "separate administration" carved out of Manipur.

The incident happened within a week of fresh violence igniting in Manipur's Jiribam district, bordering Assam, between the valley-dominant Meitei community and the hill-dominant Hmar tribes.

Ajit Doval Reappointed NSA, PK Mishra to Stay Principal Secretary To PM

NEW DELHI, June 13: Ajit Doval has been reappointed as the National Security Advisor and PK Mishra as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister with effect from June 10, the government said today.

In statements announcing the appointments, the government said they will be "co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier". This means that the officials will be in their posts until Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, or until further orders.

Both Doval and Mishra will be assigned the rank of a cabinet minister in the table of precedence during their term in office, the statements said.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also approved the reappointment of Amit Khare and Tarun Kapoor as advisors to the PM, in the Prime Minister's Office, for two years with effect from June 10. They are being appointed "in the rank and scale of Secretary to Government of India".

The appointments reflect the trust the Prime Minister has in these officers, especially Doval and Mishra, who have been in their very important posts for many years now.

Doval, a former director of the Intelligence Bureau, is one of the Prime Minister's most trusted aides and has been the National Security Advisor since 2014. The 1968-batch IPS official, who belonged to the Kerala cadre, was the first policeman to be decorated with the Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award behind Ashok Chakra.

As the man in charge of the national security establishment, which includes all anti-terror and intelligence outfits, he is among the most powerful officers in the country.

PK Mishra took over as the principal secretary to the Prime Minister in 2019, replacing Nripendra Misra.

A Gujarat cadre IAS officer from the 1972 batch, Mishra was serving as the Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister before that. He holds a PhD in Economics/Development Studies from the University of Sussex in England.

4th Encounter Breaks Out In J&K In Last 3 Days

SRINAGAR, June 12: A fresh encounter broke out in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district today, leaving a soldier injured. This is the fourth encounter the Union Territory has seen in the last three days, and the second in Doda region of Jammu division since yesterday.

Terrorists launched an attack on pilgrims on June 9 in Reasi in which nine people died. Yesterday, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Kathua region.

One group comprising three to four terrorists were present in the higher reaches of Doda, a senior police officer had said this morning, adding a search operation was on to neutralise them on the challenging terrain.

Five soldiers of the Rashtriya Rifles and a special police officer (SPO) were injured on Tuesday night when the terrorists attacked a joint checkpost in the upper reaches of Chattergalla on the Bhaderwah-Pathankot road in the hilly district.

"Over the past few days, we were getting information about movement of terrorists through the intelligence branch of district police and accordingly, temporary posts jointly manned by army and police were set up in the higher reaches along with check points on the (inter-state) road," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range, Shridhar Patil, told reporters.

Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon. This was the second terror-related incident in Doda in the last 24 hours and fourth in three days in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and a Special Police Officer were injured in a terrorist attack in Chattargalla pass.

In another incident late on Tuesday, a suspected Pakistani terrorist was killed by security forces in Kathua district. The overnight encounter ended after a second terrorist was also gunned down on Wednesday. A CRPF soldier was killed in action.

On Sunday, terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge in Reasi, killing nine and injuring 41.

1 Killed In Terror Attack In J&K's Kathua, Second Attack In 3 Days

SRINAGAR, June 11: Two days after nine people died when the bus they were travelling in was shot at by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Raesi district, a person was killed and two others were reportedly injured after terrorists opened fire in a village in the Union Territory's Kathua district, close to the International Border. A terrorist has also been killed.

In a post on X, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is the MP from Udhampur, said, "I am in continuous online contact with DC (district collector) #Kathua Sh Rakesh Minhas in the wake of a terrorist attack on a house in village Saida in Hiranagar sector close to the International Border. I am also in touch with SSP Kathua Sh Anayat Ali Choudhary who is on the spot."

"The owner of the house that was attacked (name not to be disclosed) is also in touch on mobile phone. Joint police & para military operation is going on. One terrorist neutralised so far. I and my office are in constant touch and keeping a close watch on the development," he added.

After the terrorists opened fire in Saida village, a joint operation was launched by security forces to track them down, and one of the attackers was killed.

This is the second attack in Jammu in three days. On Sunday, nine people were killed and 33 injured after a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked by terrorists and plunged into a gorge.

The bus was on its way to the Shiv Khori cave temple when the attackers opened fire. Efforts are on to trace the terrorists who, officials said, carried out the attack on the directions of Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Hamza,

What is worrying security forces and the establishment is that the attacks have taken place in areas that were known to be free of terrorism. There has been information for some time, however, that Jammu was high on the radar of terrorists.

4-Time MLA Mohan Majhi To Be Odisha's First BJP Chief Minister

BHUBANESHWAR, June 11: The BJP has picked a relatively unknown face -- four-time MLA and the party's tribal face Mohan Charan Manjhi -- as the new Chief Minister of Odisha after senior state leaders Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram were pulled into the Union government. The party has also picked two Deputies for Manjhi -- KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida.

The oath ceremony will be held tomorrow, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Modi is expected to hold a roadshow in Bhubaneshwar on his way to the venue, the Janata Maidan.

Majhi, 52, a four-time MLA from Keonjhar, is an experienced politician and his public service and organisational skills worked in his favour in the race for the top post, sources indicated. The chief whip of the BJP in the previous assembly, he was the youngest of the frontrunners.

Deo, a six-time MLA and an erstwhile royal from Patna (princely state), Bolangir, was a minister in the Naveen Patnaik government for nine years till 2009, when the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal were in alliance.

Pravati Parida, 57, a first-time MLA, has been in the party for the last 28 years. She was chief of the state BJP women's wing (2016-2022) and the state BJP Vice President (2022-2024).

Picking the next Chief Minister was a tricky move for the BJP, which is forming government in the coastal state for the first time after 24 years of Naveen Patnaik's rule. The state, though, had reposed faith in the BJP, giving the party 78 of the 147 assembly seats. The BJP won 51 seats.

The BJP legislature party selected the names this evening under the eyes of Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupendra Yadav, who were sent as observers by the Central leadership.

Key leaders and Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jual Oram also attended the meeting held at the state BJP headquarters in Bhubaneshwar.

Tight security arrangements have been made for tomorrow's oath ceremony. Several dignitaries, including union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, are expected to attend the function.

Amit Shah Gets Home, Rajnath Defene, Jaishankar MEA, Sitharaman Gets Finance

NEW DELHI, June 10: Ministries have been allocated to the 71 ministers who joined the Modi Government in a grand swearing-in ceremony on Sunday.

Here's a full list of who has got what ministry:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, all important policy issues, and portfolios not allocated to any minister

Ministry of Home Affairs

Union Minister: Amit Shah

Minister of State: Nityanad Rai, Bandi Sanjay Kumar

Ministry of Cooperation

Union Minister: Amit Shah

Minister of State: Krishan Pal, Murlidhar Mohol

Ministry of Defence

Union Minister: Rajnath Singh

Minister of State: Sanjay Seth

Ministry of External Affairs

Union Minister: S Jaishankar

Minister of State: Kirtivardhan Singh, Pabitra Margherita

Ministry of Finance

Union Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman

Minister of State: Pankaj Chaudhury

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Union Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman

Minister of State: Harsh Malhotra

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Union Minister: Nitin Gadkari

Minister of State: Ajay Tamta, Harsh Malhotra

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Union Minister: JP Nadda

Minister of State: Anupriya Patel, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav

Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers

Union Minister: JP Nadda

Minister of State: Anupriya Patel

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Union Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya

Minister of State: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

Ministry of Labour and Employment

Union Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya

Minister of State: Shobha Karandlaje

Ministry of Food Processing Industries

Union Minister: Chirag Paswan

Minister of State: Ravneet Singh

Ministry of Agriculture And Farmers Welfare

Union Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Minister of State: Ram Nath Thakur, Bhagirath Choudhary

Ministry of Rural Development

Union Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Minister of State: Dr Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani, Kamlesh Paswan

Ministry of Power

Union Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar

Minister of State: Shripad Naik

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

Union Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar

Minister of State: Tokhan Sahu

Ministry of Tourism

Union Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Minister of State: Suresh Gopi

Ministry of Culture

Union Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Minister of State: Rao Inderjit Singh

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Minister of State: L Murugan

Ministry of Railways

Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Minister of State: Ravneet Singh

Minister of State: V Somanna

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Minister of State: Jitin Prasada

Ministry of Civil Aviation

Union Minister: Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Murlidhar Mohol

Ministry of Education

Union Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan

Minister of State: Sukanta Majumdar. Jayant Chaudhary

Ministry of Women and Child Development

Union Minister: Annapurna Devi

Minister of State: Savitri Thakur

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Union Minister: Bhupendra Yadav

Minister of State: Kirtivardhan Singh

Ministry of Jal Shakti

Union Minister: CR Paatil

Minister of State: V Somanna, Raj Bhushan Choudhary

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

Union Minister: Kiren Rijiju

Minister of State: L Murugan, Arjun Ram Meghwal

Ministry of Minority Affairs

Union Minister: Kiren Rijiju

Minister of State: George Kurian

Ministry of Heavy Industries

Union Minister: HD Kumaraswamy

Minister of State: Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma

Ministry of Steel

Union Minister: HD Kumaraswamy

Minister of State: Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma

Ministry Of Communication

Union Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Minister of State: Dr Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

Union Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Minister of State: Sukanta Majumdar

Ministry of Textiles

Union Minister: Giriraj Singh

Minister of State: Pabitra Margherita

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Union Minister: Prahlad Joshi

Minister of State: BL Verma, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Union Minister: Prahlad Joshi

Minister of State: Shripad Naik

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Union Minister: Hardeep Singh Puri

Minister of State: Suresh Gopi

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Union Minister: Jitan Ram Manjhi

Minister of State: Shobha Karandlaje

Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Union Minister: Lallan Singh

Minister of State: SP Singh Baghel

Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy

Union Minister: Lallan Singh

Minister of State: SP Singh Baghel, George Kurian

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Union Minister: Piyush Goyal

Minister of State: Jitin Prasada

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Union Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal

Minister of State: Shantanu Thakur

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Union Minister: Dr Virendra Kumar

Minister of State: Ramdas Athawale, BL Verma

Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Union Minister: Jual Oram

Minister of State: Durgadas Uikey

Ministry of Coal

Union Minister: G Kishan Reddy

Minister of State: Satish Chandra Dubey

Ministry of Mines

Union Minister: G Kishan Reddy

Minister of State: Satish Chandra Dubey

Ministers of State (Independent Charge)

Rao Inderjit Singh

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Culture

Dr Jitendra Singh

Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy, and Minister of State in the Department of Space

Arjun Ram Meghwal

Ministry of Law and Justice

Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav

Ministry of Ayush

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Jayant Chaudhary

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Modi With 72 Ministers Takes Oath, 9 New Faces In Cabinet

NEW DELHI, June 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath today along with 72 ministers of the new coalition government. Thirty of them are Cabinet Ministers, five independent charge, and 36 Ministers of State. The portfolios will be announced later.

Modi, 73, heads a coalition government in his third term, for the first time since he became Prime Minister in 2014 following a huge "Brand Modi" victory after 10 years of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule.

The oath ceremony was held at the lawns of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, with the weather office forecast a maximum temperature of 42 degree Celsius in the national capital.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Modi. Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah took oath after him. Nitin Gadkari was the fourth leader to be administered the oath of office by the President. JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, and Manohar Lal Khattar followed in taking oath.

HD Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (Secular), who took oath after Khattar, was the first leader from any of the BJP's allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to take oath. Soon after, Janata Dal (United) leader Lalan Singh, a close aide of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, also took oath.

Sarbananda Sonowal was the first leader from the northeast to take oath today, Kiren Rijiju the second.

Virendra Kumar, a prominent Scheduled Castes face of the BJP and eight-time MP, was inducted into the Narendra Modi government. He won the election from Madhya Pradesh's Tikamgarh reserved seat.

Supporters of leaders who have been called to the stage clapped and cheered loudly, as they saw their leaders walk towards the mic to be administered oath by the President.

Jyotiraditya Scindia's induction into the Modi council of minister has cemented his importance in the BJP since he left the Congress four years ago, marking the beginning of his second stint in the Union cabinet.

Hardeep Singh Puri, the former diplomat who helped India navigate through two back-to-back oil crises, was among the ministers sworn in today.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has solidified his status as the "real" political heir of his father, Ram Vilas Paswan, after he was inducted into the Narendra Modi government today. With this, Chirag Paswan makes a remarkable comeback in Bihar's turbulent political landscape.

Leaders from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region including Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the event.

Terrorist fire at bus carrying pilgrims in J&K; 9 dead, 33 injured

JAMMU, June 9: Nine pilgrims were killed and 33 injured after terrorists fired on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi, which resulted in the vehicle plunging into a gorge.

“We received reports that militants were lying in wait, and they fired on the bus, which had left Shivpuri and was on its way to Katra. As a result, the driver lost control and the bus fell into a gorge. Rescue operation has been completed – nine people are dead, and the 33 injured have been hospitalised. The people (in the bus) are not locals, but their identities are yet to be confirmed. So far, we’ve learnt that they may be from Uttar Pradesh,” the Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohita Sharma, said.

Asked if there were inputs about militant activity in the area, she said, “Whenever there’s an incident of militancy, we are on high alert… The Shivpuri shrine had been secured, and in adjoining areas too, we had been conducting area domination activities.”

The SSP along with senior civil and police officials, including Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Pal Mahajan, were at the spot. Police and security forces were also conducting a search operation there, officials said.

According to locals, two militants wearing masks opened fire on the bus, hitting the driver and some passengers. While locals said three passengers had died of bullet injuries, and the rest in the bus crash, officials said this can only be confirmed after the post-mortem.

The victims, after visiting Shiv Khori – a Lord Shiva shrine near Ransoo – were on their way to Katra town, which acts as a base camp for those visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Trikuta Hills.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post online, wrote, “Even while Narendra Modi and his NDA Govt get sworn in and heads of several countries are in the country, a dastardly terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims has resulted in loss of lives… Just three weeks ago, tourists were fired upon in Pahalgam, and several terror incidents in Jammu & Kashmir are continuing unabated. All the chest-thumping propaganda of bringing peace and normalcy by the Modi (now NDA) Govt rings hollow.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the incident reflects “the true picture of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir”.

The terror attack in Reasi’s Pouni area, close to the adjoining Rajouri district, is the second such targeting of pilgrims in the district. In May 2022, four Vaishno Devi pilgrims were killed and 24 injured when a bus from Katra to Jammu caught fire because of a bomb planted by terrorists.

CWC passes resolution to appoint Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI, June 8: The extended Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest executive forum of the party, on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution to appoint its former chief Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

In the meeting, Gandhi, who has won from Wayanad and Raebareli, said he will think about the proposal (to become the LoP), leaders familiar with the matter said, adding that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, politely reminded him that since CWC has passed a resolution in this order, he should accept the post.

“In another resolution, the CWC unanimously requested Rahul Gandhi to take the LoP post in the Lok Sabha. All participants, in their view, were unanimous that Rahul Gandhi should become the LoP,” Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said after the CWC meeting.

“In this election, we raised burning issues such as unemployment, price rise, women’s issues, agniveer and social justice issue. These issues have to be continued in a greater manner inside Parliament as well. Rahul Gandhi is the best person to lead this campaign in the Lok Sabha. In the current scenario, for a better, stronger and vigilant Opposition, and for those who want to protect Constitution, it should be safe under Rahul Gandhi as LoP,” Venugopal added.

The main resolution of the CWC had also effusively praised Gandhi for his role in the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign.

“Former Congress President Shri Rahul Gandhi has to be singled out largely because of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that he designed and led. Both these Yatras that reflected his own thinking and personality were historic turning points in our nation’s politics and instilled hope and confidence in lakhs of our workers and crores of our voters,” the resolution said.

“Shri Rahul Gandhi’s election campaign was single-minded, sharp and pointed and more than any other individual it was he who made the protection of our republic’s Constitution the central issue in the 2024 elections. ThePaanchNyay-Pachees Guarantee programme which resonated so very powerfully in the election campaign was the outcome of Rahulji’s yatras in which he listened to the fears, concerns and aspirations of all people especially youth, women, farmers, workers, dalits, adivasis, OBCs and minorities,” it added.

Asked if Gandhi has accepted the responsibility, Venugopal said, “He will decide in 2-4 days.” While Congress president is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress didn’t have the Lok Sabha LoP status for the past ten years as it didn’t have the requisite numbers to claim the post. A party requires 10% of 543 seats to claim the Leader of Opposition’s post.

In the run up to the CWC meeting, the clamour to make Gandhi the LoP was growing.

Sonia Gandhi re-elected as Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson

NEW DELHI, June 8: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi was unanimously re-elected as the chairperson of the Congress parliamentary party on Saturday, its leaders said. At a meeting of party MPs, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge proposed Sonia Gandhi's name as the chairperson of the parliamentary party.

CWC The proposal was seconded by Gaurav Gogoi, K Sudhakaran and Tariq Anwar.

Gandhi, 77, was elected to the Rajya Sabha in February.

Modi Invited To Form Government, Oath On Sunday

NEW DELHI, June 7: President Droupadi Murmu has invited Narendra Modi - as leader of the BJP's National Democratic Alliance - to form the next union government, days after the coalition eased to victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Modi will take oath along with members of his new cabinet on Sunday evening.

A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said Ms Murmu had "satisfied herself on the basis of various letters of support received, that the BJP-led NDA alliance... is in a position to command a majority support of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha and form a stable government..."

The communique said it had, therefore, appointed Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India.

Modi will be the first three-term PM since Congress stalwart Jawaharlal Nehru.

Addressing the media after meeting the President, Modi said, "This morning all NDA allies chose me as the leader and informed the President. The President then called me... and appointed me PM-designate. I told the President Sunday evening will be convenient (for the oath-taking ceremony)."

Modi also thanked voters for giving the NDA a third term.

The Prime Minister-designate also likened the new Lok Sabha - the 18th - to the "youthful energy and zeal to do something" of a teenager. "In a way it is the first 'azadi ka amrit mahotsav' election."

Earlier today Modi completed the formality of being named the leader of the NDA's newly-elected MPs; his nomination was proposed by Rajnath Singh and backed by all member parties.

Following his nomination Modi spoke about coalition politics, declaring, "Our alliance reflects the spirit of India and we are dedicated to upholding constitutional values. NDA is the most successful..."

His remarks were seen as acknowledgement of his reliance on allies - new territory after the BJP's brute majorities in 2014 and 2019, which allowed it to form the government sans active support.

In results declared Tuesday the BJP won 240 seats, but fell 32 short of the majority mark. The party will, however, retain power for a third consecutive term - and hand Modi a third term as Prime Minister, matching Congress stalwart Jawaharlal Nehru - on the back of NDA members' 53 MPs.

The support of incoming Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's 16 TDP MPs and the 12 from the JDU of his Bihar counterpart, Nitish Kumar, are seen as critical to ensuring the BJP can form and run its government for the full five years. Sans those 28 seats, its numbers fall to just 265.

The spotlight is now on negotiations between the BJP and its two key allies, each of which is batting for high-profile ministerial berths and, in the case of the TDP, the Lok Sabha Speaker's Chair.

Wealth Of Chandrababu Naidu's Wife Zooms ₹ 535 Crore In 5 Days, Son Gains 237 Crores

NEW DELHI, June 7: A company founded by Chandrababu Naidu has made significant gains after his party TDP performed well in the Lok Sabha and Andhra assembly elections. The shares of Heritage Foods have zoomed up 55 per cent in the last five days, leading to a rise of ₹ 535 crore for Naidu's wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari, who is a promoter in the company.

The stock was trading at ₹ 424 on June 3, hours before the election results were announced. Today, the Heritage Foods share is at ₹ 661.25.

Chandrababu Naidu founded Heritage Foods in 1992. The company's website describes it as "one of the fastest growing public-listed companies in India". They have two business divisions - dairy and renewable energy. Currently, Heritage's milk and milk products have a market presence in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, NCR Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Nara Bhuvaneshwari is the top shareholder of the company and holds 2,26,11,525 stocks, according to BSE data. Naidu's son Nara Lokesh also holds 1,00,37,453 shares of Heritage Foods.

After the stock shot up, Lokesh's net worth also rose by ₹ 237.8 crore.

The meteoric rise began soon after the Lok Sabha election results started coming out on June 4. The TDP won 16 of the 17 seats it contested, and was instrumental in the NDA winning the elections.

The NDA won 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The BJP, which enjoyed a handsome majority in the previous two terms, secured only 240 seats, way behind the 272 mark needed to form a government.

Rahul Gandhi alleges ‘biggest stock market scam’, demands JPC probe

NEW DELHI, June 6: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) investigation into what it calls the ‘biggest stock market scam’.

“Why did the PM and Union Home Minister give specific investment advice to the five crore families investing in the stock market? Is it their job to give investment advice? Why were both interviews given to the same media owned by the same business group which is also under SEBI investigation for manipulating stock?” Gandhi said at a press briefing.

“What is the connection between the BJP, the fake exit pollsters and the dubious foreign investors who invested one day before the exit polls were announced and made a huge profit at the cost of five crore salaries?” he added.

“We demand a JPC into this. We are convinced that this is a scam. Somebody has made thousands of crores of rupees at the cost of Indian retail investors and the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister have given an indication to buy. So we demand today a joint parliamentary committee to investigate this,” said Rahul Gandhi.

On May 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the stock market will hit new highs after the Lok Sabha election results. “I can say with confidence that on June 4, as BJP hits record numbers, the stock market will also hit new record highs," he had said.

On May 13, Union home minister Amit Shah had urged not to link the stock market movements directly to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.“The market has nosedived in the past as well. So one should not link it directly to elections. Anyway, some rumours may have fuelled it (the fall). In my opinion, buy before June 4. The market is going to shoot-up," the minister had said.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that Modi and Union home minister who had data on actual election results, advised retail investors to buy stock.

“This is a broader issue than just the Adani issue. It is connected to the Adani issue, but this is a much broader issue. This is directly the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, who is privy to data on actual election results, who has IB reports, who have their own data, who are advising retail investors to buy stock,” he said.

“This has never happened before. The Prime Minister has never commented on the stock market before. This is the first time the Prime Minister has commented very interestingly and multiple times, one after the other, saying that the stock market is going to boom," he added.

“At the same time, he has information that the exit polls are wrong. He has information that he knows what is going to happen because he has IB data and he also has his own party data,” Rahul Gandhi further alleged.

Modi Gets Written Support From Naidu, Nitish, Oath On Saturday

NEW DELHI, June 5: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance - which won 293 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election to push past the majority mark of 272 - will form the new government Saturday, when Narendra Modi will be sworn in as the Prime Minister for a historic third consecutive term.

Modi was unanimously chosen as the leader of the alliance this afternoon, and was congratulated for his "leadership" and "strides our nation has made under him". They also appreciated his hard work and efforts in nation-building.

The NDA partners said Modi had a vision for 'Viksit Bharat', and they remain partners in this goal. They lauded his role in increasing India's status in the world.

Earlier today NDA leaders met at Modi's residence to review the election result and discuss government formation, after which a delegation of senior figures from the BJP and its NDA partners was supposed to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan to stake claim to power.

That delegation was to include Telugu Desam Party boss Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal leader Nitish Kumar, whose combined 28 seats are needed to ensure the BJP's coalition stays above water.

Naidu's TDP won 16 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh (and a simultaneous Assembly election to return as Chief Minister) and Nitish Kumar's JDU picked up 12 seats in Bihar.

There has been speculation Naidu and Nitish Kumar could be approached by the opposition INDIA bloc, which finished with 232 seats (40 shy of majority) and is exploring a government formation bid.

To offset that, the BJP has secured written letters of support from the TDP and JDU bosses.

Modi and the BJP are well-aware of their importance to the NDA; he made special mention of the TDP and JDU bosses during his victory speech Tuesday night at the party HQ in Delhi.

As early as Tuesday evening, when it became clear the BJP would not be able to form the government on its own, sources had said Naidu and Nitish Kumar - veteran leaders well-versed in the art of coalition politics - could be courted by the Congress in a bid to stake claim itself.

Neither has revealed their hand so far, but sources have said a variety of 'demands', including special status for their states and a pick of ministerial berths are on the table.

On Tuesday the INDIA bloc defied exit pollsters to mount a real challenge to the BJP in a national election - a first since the 'Modi wave' swept it to power in 2014.

The opposition alliance finished with 232 seats - 40 short of the 272-majority mark.

INDIA leaders, including Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge, have been coy about reaching out to either Naidu or Nitish Kumar, but the intent is there, sources have said.

The Congress produced its best performance since 2009 to win 99 seats. In 2019 the party won only 52 seats (and Rahul Gandhi quit as boss), while it managed just 44 in 2014.

Meanwhile, hours earlier Modi met President Murmu to resign ahead of the dissolution of this government on June 16. Modi was asked to continue till a new government is appointed.

This morning, he chaired the final cabinet meet of his second term, and downplayed any raised eyebrows over his party's performance; "Winning and losing are part of politics..."

"We have done good work for the last 10 years. We will continue doing so."

Addressing an adoring crowd at the party's Delhi HQ late Tuesday, Modi said the people of India had "placed their faith" in the NDA for a third time. "I bow to the people for this affection and assure them we will continue the good work done in the last decade to keep fulfilling aspirations.."

After INDIA Meet, Mallikarjun Kharge's 'Right Step At Right Time' Promise

NEW DELHI, June 5: The Opposition INDIA bloc, for now, will sit in the opposition benches, even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are "subverting the will of the people," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said today.

But there was a caveat. "The INDIA bloc will continue to resist the fascist rule... We will take appropriate steps at the appropriate time to realise the people's desire not to be ruled by the BJP," he added.

The thinly veiled reference was to the Opposition's initial idea of praising away Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister-elect Chandrababu Naidu.

But the two erstwhile allies signed up the NDA earlier today with formal letters of support, pouring cold water on the Opposition's hopes of a realignment that would put the INDIA bloc on the driver's seat.

At the beginning of the INDIA bloc strategy session, held at his home this evening, Kharge had issued an open invitation.

"The INDIA alliance welcomes all parties which share its fundamental commitment to the values enshrined in the Preamble to our Constitution and to its many provisions for economic, social and political justice," the Congress chief said.

The Opposition, riding a high that came after a decade, has demanded the resignation of Modi, declaring that the results of the Lok Sabha Elections made it clear that the people want him to go.

"The mandate is decisively against Modi, against him and the substance and style of his politics. It is a huge political loss for him personally apart from being a clear moral defeat as well. However, he is determined to subvert the will of the people," Kharge said, Sonia Gandhi at his side.

The BJP won 240 seats and 293 with its allies -- 28 of them are contributions of Mr Kumar and Mr Naidu, who is also the Chief Minister-elect of Andhra Pradesh with a spectacular comeback under his belt. The INDIA bloc has 232 seats, 99 from Congress alone.

BJP falls short of majority, eyes on JDU, TDP

NEW DELHI, June 4: The Lok Sabha election have not given an absolute majority to the BJP and the two leaders -- Bihar Chief Minister and JDU chief Nitish Kumar and Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu -- hve emerged as Kingmakers.

Nearly 12 hours into the counting, TDP has won 16 seats on its own as the NDA dominated Andhra Pradesh with 21 wins out of 25 seats. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar's JDU is set to win 12 seats, the same as BJP, despite contesting fewer constituencies than its ally.

As the poll picture became clearer by the evening, reports started doing the rounds that INDIA leaders are reaching out to the two veterans in their efforts to cobble together a majority. None of these were confirmed on record, as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said they will hold a meeting with other INDIA allies tomorrow on the way forward.

At 9 pm, 13 hours after counting began, INDIA allies have together won 233 seats -- 39 short of the majority mark. The BJP-led NDA has crossed the majority mark with a tally of 291 -- 19 more than the majority mark. The BJP has scored 239 on its own -- 33 short of the magic figure.

Among the 19 unaligned MPs are four from YSRCP and Independents. So, if the INDIA bloc wants to have a shot at power, they need a combo of JDU, TDP and some Independents too. The BJP, on the other hand, must retain them at all costs if they want to stay in power.

In fact, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge dropped a broad hint when he spoke of new partners in the party's presser this evening. "Until we talk to our alliance partners... and the new partners that could join us about how we could work together and get a majority, we will see. If I reveal all our strategies now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become wary ('hoshiyar ho jayenge')."

Kumar's latest switch to the NDA, months after he led the efforts to stitch together an Opposition alliance, had drawn much ridicule, with many writing his political obituary. After decades of leading NDA in Bihar, Kumar had to settle with less number of seats as the BJP made it clear who the boss is. Cut to June 4, and the JDU chief holds the upper hand. And with his history of flip-flops, the BJP cannot be too sure.

From winning three seats in 2019 to a score of 19 this year, Chandrababu Naidu has staged an epic comeback. Riding on TDP's shoulders, the BJP too managed three wins in a state it has no presence in. To add to it, TDP has also swept the Assembly polls.

As someone who played a key role in propping up HD Devegowda and IK Gujral as Chief Minister during the coalition era of the 1990s, Naidu has friends across the political divide. While senior TDP leaders, including his son Nara Lokesh, have said they would stick with NDA, the final call will be taken by the party boss.

With 100 Seats, Congress Set For Biggest Tally Since 2014

NEW DELHI, June 4: The Congress could win 100 Lok Sabha seats in this election - after winning just 44 in 2014 and 52 in 2019. The last time the party boasted a triple-digit score was in 2009 when it won 206 seats and propelled former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the United Progressive Alliance to a second term.

At 11 pm the Congress had won 85 seats - including the Amethi bastion in Uttar Pradesh it lost to the BJP's Smriti Irani in the 2019 election - across the country and was leading in 14 others.

And the party-led INDIA bloc - set up in June 2023 to beat Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP-led National Democratic Alliance - was ahead in 232, which is short of its claim of 295.

The NDA was leading in 292 seats; the ruling party had quickly surged past the halfway mark of 272 in early leads as counting began (starting with postal ballots) but slowed down as the hours went by.

At 11 pm the BJP, on its own, had won 221 - well short of its target of 370 - and was leading in 19. The party had set its NDA partners a target of 30 more seats which, interestingly, they have delivered.

Prime Minister Modi, therefore, is set for a historic third term, but the BJP's hope of crossing the 400-seat mark - something only the Congress has done - has hit an INDIA wall.

'Don't Be Intimidated': M Kharge To Bureaucrats Ahead Of Poll Result

NEW DELHI, June 3: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge issued an appeal to the country's bureaucrats -- who play a key role in the counting of votes -- asking them to serve the nation without fear.

His appeal come on the heels of the allegation by party's senior leader Jairam Ramesh, that Union Home minister Amit Shah had called up 150 district officers ahead of tomorrow's counting of votes and attempted to intimidate them.

"Do not get intimidated by anyone. Do not bow down to any Unconstitutional means. Do not be afraid of anyone and discharge your duties, based on merit, on this counting day," Kharge wrote in the open letter he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"Independence of the institutions is paramount, for every civil servant takes oath of the Constitution that they 'will faithfully and conscientiously discharge their duties and will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will'," he said.

"In this spirit we expect every bureaucrat and officer – from top to bottom of the hierarchy, to discharge their duties in the spirit of the Constitution, without any coercion, threat, pressure or intimidation either from the ruling party/coalition or from the opposition party/coalition," the Congress chief wrote.

Jairam Ramesh's allegations had brought him under the scanner of the Election Commission, which has asked him to back up his allegations with evidence. "No DM has reported any such undue influence as alleged by you," the Commission has said.

"It is requested that details of 150 DMs to whom such calls have been allegedly made by the Home Minister along with the factual matrix/ basis of your information are shared," the Commission said.

"You being a responsible, experienced and very senior leader of a National Party must have made such public statement, just before the day of counting, based on facts/ information you believe to be true," the Commission wrote.

Ramesh's request for more time to do the needful has been rejected.

The Congress has rubbished the exit polls, all of which have predicted a BJP victory. Three exit polls have predicted that the NDA would manage to cross the 400-seat mark.

Rajkot Game Zone Fire: Probe Team Cites 'Serious Negligence' By Officials, Owners

AHMEDABAD, June 3: Serious negligence on the part of the operators of the TRP game zone as well as officials of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), city police and Roads and Buildings Department caused the devastating fire on May 25 in which 27 lives were lost, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Gujarat government to probe the tragedy said.

The operators of the TRP game zone carried out welding works for the construction of the proposed "snow park" at the site despite knowing that the construction materials were highly inflammable, the SIT said in its preliminary report, which is part of the affidavit submitted on Monday by the state government to the Gujarat High Court hearing a suo motu PIL on the matter.

The SIT also said in its report, which was submitted to the Gujarat government on May 27, that the infrastructure of the game zone was not ready to meet fire exigencies.

Instead of separate entry and exit passages, there was only one way for both entry and exit and no separate arrangement for emergency exit, the SIT report pointed out.

The government had formed the five-member SIT headed by Additional Director General of Police Subhash Trivedi and directed it to file its preliminary report within 72 hours of the incident.

"Despite knowing that the material used for the construction of the game zone is highly inflammable, without any safety precaution, welding works were going on (for the proposed snow park)," it said, adding a welding machine and used welding rod were found from the site of the incident where construction of a snow park was going on.

Burnt and semi burnt pieces of foam sheet and tyre residue were also found around the welding machine and in the debris, it said.

No water inlet connection was given to the fire inlet, and only one fire extinguisher cylinder of dry chemical powder, which was earlier being used for restaurant and kitchen, was found from the spot, the report stated.

"Outside the shade, the fuel tank of the go-kart car was found intact and the presence of fuel was also evident," it said.

The SIT also highlighted "serious negligence" on the part of police officials, who have since been suspended, in the issuance of performance license to the game zone under the Gujarat Police Act. The said officials neglected the fact that utmost care is required to be taken while granting such licenses when the place involves a congregation of a large number of people, the report added.

The police officials also did not carry out fire no-objection certificate verification, it said.

The SIT also said the RMC's town planning and fire departments were "directly connected" to the incident.

"The TRP game zone had been in operation for more than three years and also saw pucca construction. However, no action was taken against it, and it was given free hand under the pretext of temporary structure," the SIT said.

"Since this place is non-agricultural land and can be used for residential purposes, commercial activities like a game zone cannot be carried out on it," the report further said.

Despite this, the local assistant town planning officer and assistant engineer displayed serious negligence in carrying out their duties, the SIT report said.

"It is found that no inspection was carried out by the concerned local station fire office in this regard, which clearly shows the sheer negligence on the part of the station fire officer of this area," it said.

While issuing a performance licence, the police need to take the opinion of the Roads and Buildings Department to ascertain the safety of the structure in a public place where a large number of people gather, the SIT said.

However, in this case, the then deputy executive engineer and the assistant engineer neglected such aspects while granting their opinion, the SIT report pointed out.

"In case of any adverse event, emergency exit through which people can come out and the staircase from first floor to ground floor was not verified," it said.

The government has suspended seven officers from RMC, R&B and police departments on the basis of the preliminary report submitted by the seven officers.

The police have so far named 11 persons as accused in the case, including six partners of the game zone and others whose names came up during investigation.

Of these, nine have been arrested while an accused, Prakash Hiran, was found dead in the same fire.

In its affidavit to the Gujarat High Court, the state government said the game zone did not fall within the definition of "temporary structure," and, therefore, required statutorily stipulated development permission from the city civic body.

"No such development permission was sought for in the case of TRP game zone," it said.

Necessary measures have been taken on an urgent basis to mitigate the circumstances arising out of the incident and strict action has ensued against the erring officers, the state government said.

At the same time, it is awaiting the final report of the SIT "to enable the state authorities to take further action as per its findings and recommendations," it said.

Arvind Kejriwal Back In Tihar Jail

NEW DELHI, June 2: Lok Sabha elections over, and with it his interim bail, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal surrendered in Tihar jail this evening. His route was circuitous.

Starting from his home around 3 pm, he went to Rajghat to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi, then to Hanuman mandir and then party headquarters. The last stop was the jail, which he left 21 days ago after getting interim bail from the Supreme Court.

Speaking to party workers at the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters today, Kejriwal thanked the Supreme Court. He said interim bail had been fruitful.

"I did not waste even one minute of the 21 days. I campaigned for all parties. I campaigned to save the country. The country is important, Aam Aadmi Party is second," he said, tagging it an "unforgettable" experience.

"The best thing that happened during this campaign was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi admitted that he did not have even an iota of evidence against me," Kejriwal added. He also accused the Central government of dictatorship, questioning how the Chief Minister of a government that had a sweeping majority could be put in jail without evidence.

"This is dictatorship. I will put anyone I wish in jail and send a message to the whole country that when I can put Kejriwal in jail, I can put anyone in jail," he added.

The AAP chief was accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, and party leaders including Delhi ministers Atishi, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Sandeep Pathak, and leaders Durgesh Pathak, Rakhi Birla and Reena Gupta.

Kejriwal, accused in the Delhi liquor policy case, has been in jail since April 1 till he got relief from the Supreme Court.

His stay in Tihar was marked by a massive row over his diabetes and medication, with the Chief Minister and his party alleging that the authorities had withheld medication since his arrest. The Enforcement Directorate alleged that Kejriwal ate food that was inappropriate for diabetics.

Kejriwal, who had asked for an extension of his bail on health grounds yesterday but got no immediate relief, said today that he was unsure what sort of treatment he would receive this time.

"I don't know what these people will do to me… We are disciples of Bhagat Singh, we are going to jail to save the country… When power becomes dictatorship, jail becomes a responsibility," he added.

Death Count In Explosion During Jagannath Festival In Puri Rises To 13

BBUBANESWAR, June 2: The death count in the Puri firecracker explosion mounted to 13 on Sunday after four more people succumbed to their burn injuries, according to an official statement.

Presently, 17 people injured in the explosion are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

While two of the injured people died on Sunday morning, two others succumbed in the afternoon, a statement issued by the Special Relief Commissioner's office said.

Altogether 30 people were injured in the explosion of a stockpile of firecrackers that happened during Lord Jagannath's 'Chandan Yatra', a ritual, on the night of May 29 in Puri.

Meanwhile, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP's Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra met family members of several of the victims on Saturday evening.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered an inquiry into the accident and announced an ex gratia of ₹ 4 lakh to the families of each victim.

The administrative-level probe by SRC Satyabrata Sahu into the accident was underway, he said.

The police also registered a suo motu criminal case and were investigating the matter.

85 die of heat stress as mercury soars

BHUBANESWAR/PATNA, June 1: At least 85 people died of suspected heat stress and related issues in Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in 24 hours, senior officials in these regions said on Friday, amid an unforgiving heat spell that has pushed temperatures to unprecedented levels in many of these regions.

The maximum number of casualties was reported in Odisha, which has been reeling under intense heatwave conditions for the past few days, exacerbated further by high humidity that pushed the index to north of 50°C.

In the eastern state, a total of 46 people died of suspected heat stress in a span of 24 hours, prompting the state government to call for an inquiry by senior officials in the health department.

According to officials, five deaths were reported in Rourkela town of Sundargarh, Sambalpur and Bolangir districts on Friday.

On Thursday, the officials added, 41 people died due to similar reasons. In Rourkela government hospital, eight people were declared dead on arrival between 1.30pm and 8pm on Thursday while two more died shortly after they arrived.

Director of public health, Nilakantha Mishra, said though the exact cause of the deaths can be ascertained only after a post-mortem examination, prima facie it appeared that they occurred as the deceased were working outdoors in the heat during peak hours.

“Bodies of people who died due to suspected heat stroke will be sent for post-mortem,” he said.

Several places in the state on Friday recorded temperatures above 45°C. While Sambalpur was the hottest at 45.2 °C, Jharsuguda recorded 44.6°C and Hirakud 44.5°C. The humidity levels soared past 80% in several coastal areas, according to data provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

With the weather body forecasting continued heatwave conditions until June 3, special relief commissioner Satyabrata Sahu urged residents, particularly those living in undivided Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Boudh districts, to stay indoors during the peak hours. Coastal regions are also expected to experience hot and humid weather conditions, he said.

Mishra said authorities have been directed to reserve six beds in each community health centre and one primary health centre in each district for treating heat stress and related issues.

In Bihar, at least 16 people, including polling personnel. died and several people were hospitalised during the given period, as extreme temperatures continued to disrupt the day-to-day lives of the people in the state.

The Lok Sabha elections are currently underway in the state and is slated to conclude on Saturday. Most of the deceased, officials said, were from Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur and Aurangabad.

The state is also reeling under sizzling heat as the mercury crossed 43°C at several places. On Friday, Aurangabad was the hottest at 44°C.

Due to the heatwave conditions, all schools, coaching institutes and anganwadi centres have been shut till June 8.

A statement issued by chief minister Nitish Kumar’s office said he has directed district magistrates (DMs) to take preventative measures to tackle the situation. “There should be adequate arrangements of drinking water at various places in all districts. The public should be made aware of the symptoms of heatwaves and their prevention. Provide immediate medical facilities to everyone in case of illness. People affected by heatwaves should be treated immediately in hospitals/medical colleges,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Four people also died of heat stress in Jharkhand, prompting officials to direct district hospitals and other medical facilities to set aside air-conditioned rooms and empty beds to tackle such cases.

“Four people – three in Palamu and one in Jamshedpur – died of heatstroke in Jharkhand. These deaths did not occur in hospitals,” said Dr Alok Trivedi, mission director, National Health Mission (Jharkhand).

A majority of the 24 districts in the eastern state recorded temperatures above 40°C, with the mercury shooting above 47°C in places like Daltonganj and Garhwa.

While four deaths were reported in Rajasthan on Friday, at least 15 polling personnel died in Uttar Pradesh, where the Lok Sabha elections are also underway.

Two people on election duty died and nine taken ill as they were being dispatched to their polling assignment locations in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district, district magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh said.

While the exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained, Singh said the symptoms appeared to be that of heat stroke.

Likewise, 13 poll personnel deployed in the northern state’s Mirzapur died following high fever and high blood pressure. The deaths were reported amid high temperatures in the region for the past several days.