First India-Mumbai Edition-10th February 2023

ERDOGAN ADMITS

‘SHORTCOMINGS’ AS QUAKE TOLL HITS 20,000 PLUS

Nurdagi: Rescue efforts continued on Thursday as the death toll crossed 20,000. Turkish Prez Recep Tayyip Erdogan conceded “shortcomings” after criticism of his govt’s response to massive quake. Under ‘Operation Dost’ India’s 6th flight reached Turkey.

Maha: PM to flag off two new Vande Bharat trains today

Mumbai: Promising an enhanced rail travel experience, the Central Railway Zone of Indian Railways on Thursday rolled out the new Vande Bharat Express, which will be flagged off by PM Narendra Modi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Friday.

The new and upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express will run between Mumbai and Solapur and Mumbai and Sainagar Shirdi, which is a gateway to the Deccan Plateau, offering superior comfort and convenience for passengers.

Mumbai-Solapur train, the ninth Vande Bharat train to be launched in the country, will enhance connectivity between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Solapur.

The existing superfast

New and upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express will run between Mumbai & Solapur and Mumbai & Sainagar Shirdi

train takes 7 hours 55 minutes while Vande Bharat will complete same journey in 6 hours 30 minutes, thus saving 1 hour 30 minutes of travel time.

The 10th Vande Bharat Train in the country, the Mumbai-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express will boost connectivity to important pilgrimage centres in Maharashtra’s Nashik, Trimbakeshwar, Sainagar Shirdi, and Shani Shingnapur.

TWITTER BLUE SUBSCRIPTION LAUNCHES IN INDIA

New Delhi: Indian users will have to pay `900 on Twitter’s mobile app and `650 for Twitter on the website in order to avail the feature. Annual subscribers on the website will receive a discount of `1,000 and will have to pay₹`6,800 instead of `7,800.

PARLIAMENT BUDGET SESSION

NSA AJIT DOVAL MEETS RUSSIAN PREZ PUTIN IN MOSCOW

Moscow: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on Russian President Vladimir Putin and agreed to continue work towards implementing the IndiaRussia strategic partnership, the Indian embassy in Moscow said on Thursday.

HINDENBURG V/S ADANI

❍

LOTUS WILL BLOOM ONLY IN MUD: MODI

Amid the Oppn shouting ‘Modi-Adani, bhai-bhai’, Modi says, ‘Desh dekh raha hai, ek akela kitno ko bhari padh raha hai’

Moni Sharma

New Delhi: Some MPs are bringing disrepute to the house, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi responding to the sloganeering of the Opposition members, during his reply to the Motion of Thanks on President’s address.

As PM Modi started his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, the Opposition MPs started raising slogans of “Modi-Adani bhai-bhai” in Rajya Sabha. Modi further took a jibe at the Opposition with a Hindi Shayari, “Keechad uske pas hai, mere pas gulal... jo bhi jiske pas tha usne diya uchaal”.

“I want to tell the Opposition MPs, the more ‘keechad’ (sludge) you will throw at us, the lotus will bloom even more. So, you all have an equal role in making the lotus bloom, and I think all of them for that,” he said.

The Rajya Sabha adopts the motion of thanks on President’s address after a reply by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apex court to hear plea seeking probe into reports today

First India Bureau

New Delhi: In the latest development in the Hindenburg vs Adani case, the Supreme Court has reportedly agreed to hear a plea seeking probe into the Hindenburg Research report on Friday.

As per latest updates, the plea is seeking a direction to the Centre to constitute a committee monitored by a retired apex court judget to investigate the Hindenburg Research report.

HOPE TO CREATE MILESTONES, SAYS PT AFTER CHAIRING RS

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha on Thursday presided over RS proceedings in the absence of Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Great power involves great responsibility as said by Roosevelt was felt by me in RS. I hope to create milestones as I undertake this journey with trust, faith vested in me by my people,” Usha tweets.

MAHA-DHAMAKA?

Wait a few days, 20-25 Opposition MLAs will join Shinde-BJP government, says Bachchu Kadu

Due to the pending case in the court, entry of these legislators into the government and cabinet expansion are getting delayed, he claimed

Kartikey Dev Singh

Mumbai: From time to time, the Thackeray group, the NCP and the Congress - forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi - has laid claim that the Shinde faction-BJP government in the state may fall anytime. On the other hand, Shinde faction and BJP have expressed confidence that its government will complete its stipulated term.

However, now, MLA and former minister Bachchu Kadu has created ripples in the political fabric of Maharashtra by claiming that 20 to 25 opposition MLAs may join the Shinde factionBJP in the next 15 days. Bachchu Kadu also said that the entry of these legislators into the government and cabinet expansion are getting delayed due to the pending case in the court.

Recently, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was challenged by Aaditya Thackeray, who had asked Shinde to contest against Thackeray from Worli seat. Bachchu Kadu has also reacted to this. “Challenging has become old now. There is

no point in these challenges. This is a bit childish. He should be challenged when the assembly elections are announced. If such is your (Aaditya’s) spirit, then contest from Eknath Shinde’s seat,” said Bachchu Kadu bitterly.

MORE TROUBLE FOR ADANI

There is no reason for the government to fall. The govt is not in majority but in majority. Due to the date given by the court and the party entry of the MLAs, the cabinet expansion is getting delayed. Ten to fifteen MLAs are likely to break. It is likely that these MLAs will join the party in the next fifteen days before the session. The Thackeray faction currently has no MLA left. Because of this, MLAs from other parties will also come to us.

—Bachchu Kadu, MLA and former minister

The setting up of committee has been sought as the Hindenburg Research report has made a slew of allegations against Adani-led firms, especially that con-

DELHI HIGH COURT GRANTS BAIL TO EXNSE CEO CHITRA

The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted bail to former NSE CEO Chitra Ramkrishna in the money laundering case related to alleged illegal phone tapping and snooping on stock exchange employees. She was earlier arrested by the CBI in the alleged NSE colocation scam, was arrested in the present case by ED in July last year.

glomerate has indulged in fraud. Advocate Vishal Tiwari, who filed the petition asked for the listing of the matter for urgent hearing before a bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud.

OTHER COURT ORDERS OF THE DAY

l SC remanded back to the Bombay HC for fresh adjudication in 4 weeks an appeal filed by the CBI challenging the nod granted to Mainak Mehta, the brother-in-law of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, to travel to Hong Kong. l The Supreme Court will soon have its full strength of 34 judges with the stage having been set for the elevation of two high court judges, top govt sources said. The notices for appointment are expected to be issued in the next few days. l Bombay High Court dismissed a public interest litigation filed against Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for their remarks on judiciary and the collegium system for the appointment of judges.

Amid ED action, Fadnavis terms Patel ‘brother, friend’!

First India Bureau Mumbai: Maha Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday shared dais with NCP leader Praful Patel and called him his “brother”, a development which comes amid reports that the ED’s provisional attachment of a Mumbai property linked to the Opposition MP in a case involving late drug smuggler Iqbal Mirchi has been confirmed. Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, and Patel came together at a function organised in Gondia, the latter’s home district in eastern Maharashtra.

SHARES TUMBLE FURTHER AS ‘RAID’ CONDUCTED AT ADANI WILMAR WAREHOUSE IN HIMACHAL

The officials did not find any irregularities in the operations and dealings conducted by the company, says

Adani Wilmar

First India Bureau

New Delhi: On the day

when Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports were among the biggest los-

Gautam Adani

ers on the Nifty, one of the top businessman in the country, billionaire Gautam Adani’s FMCG

arm - Adani Wilmercame under ‘inspection’ late on Wednesday night when a team of Himachal Pradesh State Excise and Taxation Department raided the Adani Wilmar’s depot warehouse in Parvanoo, wherein the checking for documents continued at the warehouse till late in the night. Turn to P6

ADANI GROUP TO PRE-PAY $500 MILLION LOAN Mumbai: The Adani Group plans to prepay a $500 million bridge loan due next month after some banks balked at refinancing the debt following a short seller report that sent the group’s assets tumbling. Barclays Plc, Standard Chartered Plc and Deutsche Bank AG are among banks that lent Adani $4.5 billion to finance the purchase of Holcim Ltd cement assets last year. A portion of that loan is due March 9.

SHOCKER SHARE: ADANI ENTERPRISES TOP LOSER

In Adani’s 10-stock pack, flagship entity Adani Enterprises was worst performer as it was locked in a 15% lower circuit limit at `1,834.9. Adani Ports NSE -2.83%, Ambuja Cements NSE -6.98%, Adani Power NSE -5.0%, Adani Transmission NSE -5.0%, Adani Total Gas NSE -5.0% and Adani Green NSE -5.0% - were trading 5% lower each. Adani Wilmar NSE 4.99% was the only stock in the group to be trading on a higher note.

The move of Fadnavis raised eyebrows within and outside the ruling BJP.

Speaking at the function, Fadnavis referred to Patel as his “close friend” and “brother”.

The NCP parliamentarian, described Fadnavis as a “dynamic and visionary leader”.

“As I am here, naturally there will be a lot of speculation about my presence. I thank Praful Patel, for invitation. But this is the culture of Maharashtra, where we do not keep animosity at individual level despite having differences at ideological level,” said the BJP leader.

NORWAY WEALTH FUND SELLS STAKE IN ADANI GROUP COMPANIES: REPORT Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has sold its stakes in three Adani Group companies worth just over $200 million since the start of the year, the world’s largest stock investor said on Thursday. The $1.35 trillion fund at the end of 2022 held stakes in Adani Total Gas ADAG.NS, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone APSE.NS and Adani Green Energy. “Since year-end, we have further reduced in Adani companies. We have no exposure left,” Christopher Wright, the fund’s head of ESG risk monitoring, told a news conference.“We have monitored Adani for many years (on ESG) issues, many on their handling of environmental risks,” he said. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund at the end of 2022 held a stake in Adani Total worth $83.6 million, a stake in Adani Ports worth $63.4 million and a stake in Adani Green Energy of $52.7 million. The fund, managed by a unit of the central bank, owns 1.3% of all globally listed shares with stakes in some 9,200 companies.

NCP leader Praful Patel and Maha Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi replies to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday. Also seen here are Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Piyush Goyal, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and others.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Parliament House complex during Budget Session, in New Delhi on Thursday.

‘Work as Mahavikas Aghadi & we will win’ I will not disrespect public sentiment: Rahul Kalate

It is my sincere desire to see the city develop. This election should be contested on the issue of development, not sympathy: Pawar

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Opposition leader Ajit Pawar spoke to the office bearers of his party in PimpriChinchwad on Thursday. Pawar said, “Chinchwad assembly by-election will be the beginning of the transformation of the city. There must be success in the Chinchwad assembly by-elections."

MLA Sunil Shelke, city president Ajit Gavane, women city president Kavita Alhat, former city president Sanjog Waghere, candidate Nana alias Vitthal Kate,

etc., were present on this occasion. Pawar appealed to the officials to forget their differences and start working. He said that everyone should work as Mahavikas Aghadi, and victory will be ours.

Pawar said, “Congress candidate has withdrawn his nomination form in Pune. We will make such an effort in the Chinchwad assembly too. The picture of the Chinchwad as-

sembly by-election will be clear tomorrow. We want to elect a Mahavikas Aghadi candidate.”

Pawar appealed to the office bearers that the workers of Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP should devote themselves. He further added, “Sharad Pawar is keeping an eye on Chinchwad by-elections, along with me. We have only 18 days in hand. We need to understand the responsibility of the election.

The Congress candidate has withdrawn his nomination form in Pune. We will make such an effort in the Chinchwad assembly too. Tomorrow is the day to withdraw nomination papers. The picture of the Chinchwad assembly by-election will be clear tomorrow. We want to elect a Mahavikas Aghadi candidate.

—Ajit Pawar

Hard work will make this election easier. I have always loved the city of Pimpri-Chinchwad. It is my sincere desire to see the city develop. This election should be contested on the issue of development, not sympathy.”

“We have to show the same strength in the Chinchwad assembly by-elections as we overthrew the 25-year rule in Maval,” commented Pawar.

‘Patole’s decision to resign taken as per directions of Cong President’

First India Bureau

Nagpur: While criticizing the statement made by 'Samana' on the resignation of Congress state president Nana Patole from the post of Assembly Speaker, state Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe warned the Shiv Sena Thackeray group that they should respect the decision of the allies. He was responding to the comment on Patole’s resignation being termed as inappropriate.

“In Congress, decisions are taken according to the decision-making process. It was a decision taken by Sonia Gandhi in the interest of the party after seeing the political situation. This allegation makes no sense that after Patole's resignation, a series of problems began before the Mahavikas Aghadi government. If Patole had remained the Assembly Speaker, the

next incident would have been avoided. This if-then has no meaning in politics. It is also not correct to say that the Mahavikas Aghadi got into trouble due to Patole's resignation,” said Londhe.

“What decisions should be taken by Congress party is an internal matter of party. Objecting to the decision of the allied party and publicly criticizing it by alleging that the decision was wrong is not right as per the religion of the Aghadi,” added Londhe.

CRUCIAL READ

NINE UNDERTRIALS HOSPITALIZED FOR FOOD POISONING

First India Bureau

Mumbai: As today is the last day for the withdrawal of nomination papers in the Chinchwad by-elections, many political events are likely to take place in the constituency. It is being said that Thackeray group leader Sachin Ahir is going to meet the group’s rebel leader and independent candidate Rahul Kalate. At the same time, Kalate has said, “I am firm on contesting the Chinchwad by-elections. I will not disrespect public sentiment.”

Mahavikas Aghadi’s Nana alias Vitthal Kate is the official candidate, therefore rebel Rahul Kalate has filed an independent candi-

dature, which has increased the problems of Mahavikas Aghadi. Kalate said, “I contested from Chinchwad assembly in 2019. No one thought of contesting independent elections then. I stood against the late Laxman Jag-

I contested from Chinchwad assembly in 2019.

No one thought of contesting independent elections then. I stood against the late Laxman Jagtap. At that time, people showered a lot of love. A few days ago, it was thought that the by-election would be held unopposed.

But after Mahavikas Aghadi came forward to contest the elections, I decided to contest too.

—Rahul Kalate

tap. At that time, people showered a lot of love.

A few days ago, it was thought that the byelection would be held unopposed. But after Mahavikas Aghadi came forward to contest the elections, I decided to contest too.”

MLA Patil’s convoy collides with biker, one dead, one hurt

THIS WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED IF HE HAD NOT LEFT POST: PATIL

Mumbai: MP Sanjay Raut and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said on Thursday that if Nana Patole had not resigned from the post of Assembly Speaker, the next embarrassment could have been avoided. Meanwhile, NCP leader and former Home Minister Dilip Valse Patil also supported this statement while speaking in a press conference. “This issue should have been discussed in Mahavikas Aghadi. Actually, Nana Patole should not have left post of Speaker at that time. All this would not have happened if he had not left post. However, it is not appropriate to discuss this publicly now. We will discuss this at our level,” said Dilip.

Pune: Maharashtra

Navnirman Sena leader Vasant More has targeted the Shinde-Fadnavis government. In his verbal attack, More said,“Elections are being held there immediately as your votes will decrease. City has had no people’s representative (Corporator) for the past year. Administration has laid the streets of city.”

“I have a question for the Shinde-Fadnavis government. Two BJP MLAs from Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad passed away recently. You will immediately hold elections in those places so that your votes do not decrease. MLAs and MPs in Pune should put their feet in our shoes. If you are avoiding elections because of which party will get sympathy, then consider your defeat as certain,” said More.

First India Bureau Mumbai: A motorcyclist was killed, and his partner was seriously injured in an accident with the police vehicle of Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena MLA Adv. Shahajibapu Patil’s convoy. The accident took place between Malwad-Nazre in Sangola taluka around 4.30 pm on Thursday.

According to the reports from the Sangola Rural Hospital, the name of the 50-year-old deceased bike rider is Ashok Nana Wa-

Mumbai: Nine undertrials in the custody of the Nalasopara police are undergoing treatment for suspected food poisoning at the civic hospital, cops said. All of them are out of danger, they added. An investigation is underway to find out the cause of the illness. Around 2.30 pm on Tuesday, around 10-12 undertrials were served rice and dal for lunch. A little later, some of them complained of nausea. The Nalasopara cops said the food was served from the government-approved canteen.

ACCUSED OF FRAUD: DEVELOPER DENIED BAIL BY COURT

Mumbai: Dindoshi sessions court recently rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by Karamvir Rajpurohit, a developer accused of cheating a Borivli-based real estate firm. Rajpurohit, who had sought bail on the grounds that the matter was of civil nature and not a criminal case, has now decided to approach the Bombay High Court. Borivli police lodged the FIR in the case on January 11 following the complaint by Peerless Constructions Private Limited. The firm alleged that Rajpurohit and two other real estate agents had cheated it of Rs1 crore by asking to invest redevelopment project.

ghamare. Nana Amone, who was sitting as the pillion on the bike, is seriously injured, and his condition is critical.

Patil had gone to visit the health camp organized at Nazre on the occasion of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s birthday. While returning from there to Sangola, close to Nazre village, the Scorpio car of the police, stationed for protection, collided with a bike rider coming from the opposite direction. No one in the MLA’s convoy was injured.

Man held for attack on Congress MLC Pradnya Satav

First India Bureau

Aurangabad: Police have arrested a 40-yearold man for allegedly attacking Congress MLC Pradnya Rajeev Satav in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district, an official said on Thursday.

Satav claimed an unknown person attacked her from behind on Wednesday and that there was a threat to her life.

The MLC also said this was the second attack on her since November last year and she expected more security to be provided to her.

A police official in Hingoli said they arrested a man, identified as Mahendra Dongardive, after the MLC filed a complaint.

When contacted, Hingoli Superinten -

dent of Police G Shreedhar said, “The man, who was inebriated, attacked MLC Pradnya Satav from behind in Kasbe Dhawanda.” An offence has been registered against accused Dongardive at Balapur police station under Indian Penal Code Sections 352 (assault or

use of criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation), 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), he said.

Satav in a tweet on Wednesday said, “Today I was brutally at-

tacked at Kasbe Dhawanda, village Kalamnuri. An unknown person attacked me from behind. It was a serious attempt to injure me and there is a threat to my life.”

“An attack on lady MLC is an attack on Democracy. Fight from front don’t be a coward,” added the legislator, who is the wife of late Congress leader Rajeev Satav.

“I was also attacked during the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Rahul Gandhi. But, I could escape because people around me saved me,” she told a regional news channel on Thursday.

The legislator said she would urge the state government to make necessary provisions and prevent such attacks on women in public life.

Patole slams Maharashtra govt, demands strict action

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee(MPCC)

President Nana Patole slammed the state government and demanded immediate arrest of those who attacked MLC Pradnya Satav and demanded strict action against them.

“The attack on Satav is an example of the increased morale of criminals in Maharashtra. Crime has increased in the Shinde-Fadnavis government and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis has no control over the police force.

In the Shinde-Fadnavis government, even the public representatives are not safe, which is a serious issue,” he alleged. Patole further said

that in the ShindeFadnavis government the MLAs of the ruling party are only openly bullying the public, threatening to break people’s bones, and open fire in broad daylight but no action is taken against them.

“Y-level security has been provided to ruling party MLAs and security to opposition leaders has been withdrawn,” he pointed out. “It is a sign of insensitivity that even when a woman MLA was attacked, the state home minister did not even utter a single word,” he further added.

`

2 CRORE FLAT OF AUTORICKSHAW DRIVER SEIZED

Mumbai: A two-bedroom flat worth Rs2 crore on Goregaon-Mulund Link Road has been attached under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act (SARFAESI) after an autorickshaw driver was arrested by the Bhandup police for allegedly cheating people in a Ponzi scheme, as per media reports. The Punjab National Bank filed a complaint alleging that Haroon Sattar Shaikh, his wife Nilofar Shaikh, and another woman Halima Shaikh obtained a Rs1.8 crore home loan from the bank in 2019.

GANG OF SIX RUNNING INS SCAM NABBED FROM UP

Mumbai: The Mumbai cyber police have busted another insurance fraud racket, arresting six alleged scamsters from various districts of Uttar Pradesh. The gang targeted elderly people across the country on the pretext of renewing insurance policies or luring them with bonuses. The police claim they have nabbed all the racketeers, including the accused who leaked data from the insurance company, the owner of the bank account into which the victims’ money was transferred, the person who opened the account among others.

CAR CATCHES FIRE; OCCUPANTS ESCAPE UNHURT

Thane: Five occupants of a car had a narrow escape after the vehicle caught fire in the wee hours of Thursday, a civic official said. Incident took place at around 1.40 am at Gaimukh on Ghodbunder Road when three men and two women, in age group of 45 to 65 years, were returning home in Mira Road area here from Karad, Thane Municipal Corporation's regional disaster management cell chief Avinash Sawant said. After noticing the fire, occupants immediately came out of the vehicle, he said.

An attack on lady MLC is an attack on Democracy. Fight from front don’t be a coward.

—Paradnya Satav

‘A PROCESS’

If you seek sympathy, defeat is certain: More

Felling of mangrove trees: Nod from HC for 8-lane expressway

Benefits large section of the population, the court observed

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court paved the way for the construction of an eight-lane Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway by allowing the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to fell 350 mangrove trees to clear the way for its construction, observing that it will “benefit large sections of the population”.

“Vadodara-Mumbai greenfield expressway, which forms part of Delhi-Mumbai expressway corridor, will benefit large sections of the population in Maharashtra, Gujrat and Union Territory of Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli... considering its importance... we deem

Sub-inspector killed for halting increment by subordinate

Thane (PTI): The police have booked a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable for allegedly killing a 56-yearold sub-inspector in Thane district, an official said on Thursday.

As per the police officials from Kolsewadi police station, the constable killed the sub-inspector because he halted his increment for the last two years.

Mahendra Deshmukh, Senior Police Inspector, Kolsewadi police station said, “ The accused RPF constable Pankaj Yadav and the victim, RPF sub-inspector Basavraj Garg had a major fight two years back and since then there had been bad blood between them. Also, Garg was close to senior police officers, and he had used his position to institute an inquiry against Yadav and further managed to reduce Yadav’s salary.”

According to a police release, Garg was alone in his barrack on Wednesday night as his roommate had gone out. He was listening to music when the accused barged into his room and allegedly attacked him with a wooden log and killed him.

CIDCO chief not pleased with poor state at rly stn

First India Bureau

THE DIRECTIONS

CRUCIAL READ

MAN KILLS SISTER’S HUSBAND OVER DOMESTIC ISSUE

it appropriate to grant permission,” said the HC bench Acting Chief Justice Sanjay V Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep V Marne in its ruling.

The NHAI represented by Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh submitted that though originally it sought the cutting of 1,001 mangrove trees, only 350 in the Coastal Regulation

Zone of Vaitarna river were required to be felled for the execution of the entire project. The HC directed the NHAI to abide by its undertaking that it will comply with all conditions set out in the approvals given to the project by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and other authorities, including

compensatory afforestation and developing a nursery to raise seedlings of forestry species.

The plea said the project of development of Vadodara Mumbai Expressway (Phase-II Main Alignment) from Km 26+320 to km 104+700 (km 390.864 of NH-8) of the Main Expressway(Length 78.118 km).

Leave is sought as some portion of the project comes within the Coastal Regulation Zone - IA area.

The project would affect 2686 mangrove trees within the proposed Right of Way, out of which 1,001 mangrove trees are located within the construction zone, which are required to be felled.

Navi Mumbai: City and Industrial Development Corporation's (CIDCO) Managing Director and Vice chairman, Sanjay Mukherjee, conducted surprise visits at two stations during peak hours and was not pleased with the poor conditions of civic amenities at the Nerul and Koparkhairane railway stations. Following the visits, Mukherjee directed the contractors to resolve all issues faced by the commuters and asked engineers to create an efficient management system to monitor and execute daily activities. He instructed the contractors to ensure the cleaning of station premises and restrooms, directed them to repair all defunct fans and lights, and asked to install elevators or escalators as per the requirements. CIDCO has set up a special committee under the chairmanship of the Joint Managing Director of CIDCO to

CIDCO has set up a special committee to review and solve the problems faced by suburban railway commuters

review and solve the problems faced by the commuters of the suburban railway in Navi Mumbai. This committee consists of CIDCO engineers and officers, representatives of NMMC and representatives of Indian Railways.

Now single-window portal for NRIs, foreign students

Mumbai (PTI): In order to attract more foreign nationals to professional courses in the state, and to streamline the admission process for them, the government has launched a single-window portal for them. A separate link has been provided on the cetcell.mahacet. org which will cover foreign nationals, NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, etc.

The portal was launched by Chandrakant Patil, minister of

Higher Education, on Tuesday. It will not only simplify the process for aspirants but will also help in increasing the enrolment of international students.

Patil said that many of the innovative courses offered in institutions here are in demand outside and the portal will assist students looking for the same.

The Higher Education secretary, Vikas Rastogi, said that the

state government wants to create a single interface for all foreign stu-

Mumbai-Mauritius flight: Vistara announces service from Mar 26

First India Bureau Mumbai: Full-service airline Vistara announced the launch of its flight services to Mauritius from the city, starting March 26. The five times weekly flight services will be catered with a long range A321 aircraft, which the airline inducted in its fleet recently, in a three class configuration (business, premium economy and economy), Vistara said.

Mauritius is 12th international destination that Vistara is con-

necting with Mumbai. Airline has already announced commencing flight services to Colombo and Dammam from Mumbai.

“Vistara announces addition of Mauritius to its constantly expanding network. Besides being a popular tourist destination, Mauritius is an important business hub and

home to many global financial institutions.

“New route will further aid growing traffic between two countries,” said Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer at Vistara. The Tata-Singapore Airlines-run Vistara is in the process of merging with Air India, which was acquired by the Tata Group last year.

dents seeking admissions in professional courses.

The state government wants to create a single interface for all foreign students seeking admissions in professional courses

“The idea of a separate window is to connect these students to colleges which can admit international students and give them a better and smoother

experience,” he said.

Since the portal went live on Tuesday, the CET cell has already started receiving inquiries.

An official from the CET cell said that most of these students are interested in technical courses offered in state institutions. He added that the state hopes to target students from countries, which currently do not see India as a destination for higher studies.

Traffic crash deaths down by 50%; Over 10k violators booked in state

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The state transportation department has reduced traffic fatalities on the Mumbai-Pune corridor by more than 50%, according to an announcement made on Wednesday by Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar.

In the previous two months, a record 10,251 offenders have been arrested and almost 25,000 have received road safety counselling. The number of fatal accidents decreased from nine to six this year as compared to last, while the number of fatalities on

Violators

the Mumbai-Pune roads decreased from fourteen to six during this time.

As per the data on road crashes, about 23% of people caught speeding beyond 100 kmph were made to attend counselling sessions and sign a safety pledge. According to information

Mumbai: A 25-year-old man allegedly killed his sister’s husband after the latter had a fight with her in Palghar district, police said on Thursday. The incident took place in Mokhada taluka following which the accused was arrested, they said. The deceased, Mahendra Bhoye(30), used to have frequent quarrels with his wife. In a similar fight, the woman’s brother Dileep Mahale caught hold of his brother-in-law and allegedly attacked him with an axe.

TWO HELD WITH AMBERGRIS WORTH `5.5 CR IN SANGLI

Sangli: Police in Sangli city have arrested two men for allegedly possessing ambergris or whale vomit worth Rs5.5 crore, an official said on Wednesday. The police got a tip-off that they would be coming to sell ambergris in the city, following which the duo was arrested. Upon questioning, they told the police that the ambergris was purchased with the help of an accomplice from Malvan in the coastal Sindhudurg district of the state.

15-YEAR-OLD RIDING TRIPLE SEAT DIES AS CRANE HITS

Mumbai: A 15-year-old girl riding pillion on a motorcycle behind her 17-year-old sister and a male friend died after a crane brushed past them on Western Express Highway. The driver, Amarsingh Yadav(23) was arrested by police on charges of negligence. Since riding triple seat and without a helmet is illegal, the motorcycle rider, Akshay Pujari (20), who is also the victim’s friend, has been issued a challan, the police said.

BANNED TOBACCO PRODUCTS WORTH `17.82 LAKH SEIZED

Mumbai: The police seized gutka and other tobacco products worth Rs17.82 lakh from a godown complex in Thane district, a police officer said on Wednesday. Food and Drug Administration officials conducted a raid on Tuesday and found the stock of banned items stored in two tempos at the godown complex located at Purna village in Bhiwandi, an official said. The police have filed charges against 11 persons in the case.

7 BOOKED FOR DUPING JEWELLER OF `12.31 CRORE

provided by the transport commissioner’s office, 2,351 occurrences of overspeeding, 1,741 lane cutting, 1,453 persons charged for not wearing seatbelts, and 579 cases of incorrect parking were among the cases reported in the last two months.

Mumbai: The police registered a case against seven suspects for defrauding a jeweller of Rs12.31 crore. According to the police, Jeweller Bipin Mehta(65), alleged that some people had taken money and gold worth Rs12.31 crore from him, on pretext of lucrative returns. Based on the complaint, police booked 7 people from Damas Gold pvt ltd on grounds of cheating.

Eight projects under NICDIT sanctioned and approved by govt

Total of 229 plots measuring nearly 1,601 acres have been allotted to the companies

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Eight projects under National Industrial Corridor Development and Im -

plementation Trust (NICDIT), including Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat, Integrated Multi Modal Logistics Hub at Nangal Chaudhary in Haryana under Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) have been sanctioned and approved by the Union government, said Som Parkash, Minister of State for Commerce

and Industry. Out of eight projects, for four, namely Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat, Shendra Bidkin Industrial Area in Maharashtra, Integrated Industrial Township in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh and Integrated Industrial TownshipVikram Udyogpuri in Madhya Pradesh, Parkash said in reply

to a parliamentary question. “The land allotment has started to industries and other users through the Spe-

cial Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) formed with respective state governments.

A Total of 229 plots

measuring nearly 1,601 acres have been allotted to companies with an investment of more than Rs,18,691 crore in

these four greenfield smart industrial regions, nodes and areas.

Besides, approx. 4,900 acres of developed land parcels are available for immediate allotment across multiple uses,” the minister further said.

Talking about the Tumakuru Node in Karnataka under Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC), the minister said that an

EPC contractor for the construction of trunk infrastructure has been appointed. “Detailed master planning and preliminary engineering activities for an area of 1,736 acres as an activation area have been completed. Environment Clearance has been obtained. The state government has transferred 1668.30-acre land to the SPV of the project,” he also added.

350 trees in the Coastal Regulation Zone of Vaitarna river are required to be cut for the project.

India’s increased cooperation with US and QUAD for a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Indeed, the change is driven by the new perception in Indiathat there is no division between strategic interest and economic/business interest; both are very much part of national interest.

Second, security and business opportunities influence India to delve into the potential of the South China Sea. This change in stance must take a permanent shape and form while dealing with China in future

SOUTH

CHINA SEA CONFLICT CHANGE IN INDIA’S STANCE DISCOMFORTS DRAGON

zones (EEZs), China has always used “Nine-Dash Line”, to justify its viewpoint. Even a judgement by International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2013 establishing EEZ rights of Philippines in SCS have been rejected by China as it doesn’t recognise the ICJ ruling calling it as an encroachment on its sovereignty. China intends “to prevent an internationalization or regionalization of the dispute and would like to prevent or weaken any move towards solidarity within ASEAN on these issues and continue to address them on a bilateral basis.” The recent US initiatives like creation of AUKUS, new alliance group in the region among Australia, United Kingdom and United States, and the formation of QUAD to which India is also a part adds to Chinese discomfort.

INDIA’S STAKES AND CHANGE IN POLICY

IN-DEPTH

TRIPURA RIVALS JOIN HANDS TO TAKE ON BJP FOR DEMOCRACY

With Tripura assembly elections approaching, all eyes are on Congress and the CPI-M. The two parties, which fought several elections against each other in the past, have entered into a pre-poll agreement to take on their two common rivals---the BJP and the Trinamool Congress. That makes Tripura somewhat different from West Bengal’s political scene where the Congress, TMC and CPM fought the state elections against one another. What makes Tripura battlefield interesting is that the Congress had been the ruling party for several years before the BJP dislodged it from power and is now allying with the CPM.

The author is a Post Graduate in International Studies, Alumni of Defense Services Staff College, Wellington and College of Combat, Mhow

The South China Sea (SCS) has abundance of minerals and oil resources and estimated to contain 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The area witnesses roughly 30% of the global maritime trade passing through it on its way to the highly trafficked ports in Southeast Asia. The conflict among the five states, namely the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Brunei, Taiwan, and Malaysia, has remained unresolved for decades. The claimant states, have divergent and sometimes overlapping territorial claims based on a variety of historical and geographical data. The current problems stem from the 1951 San Francisco Treaty, which followed Japan’s defeat in World War II. Within the terms of its surrender, Japan gave up its rights to its islands in the South China Sea, leaving a power vacuum in the region. No country was explicitly granted sovereignty over these waters, and China asserted its advantage by submitting the now infamous “nine-dotted line” claim covering almost the entire South

EUROPE RELUCTANT TO GRANT KYIV’S WISH

China Sea in 1947. This line became its official claim and is known today as the “NineDash Line”. In 1982, the United Nations law established the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) but China reiterated its nine-dash line, refusing to clarify the limits of this line and rejecting the claims of other claimant countries. Ever since, tensions have built up over who owns the South China Sea and now China turning seven reefs into seven military bases, has made the South China Sea one of the most contentious areas of sea in the world.

THE MAIN STAKES OF THESE TERRITORIAL DISPUTES ARE

The abundant natural resources of the region, the geostrategic situation of the disputed area which is the gateway to the strait of Malacca and the port of Singapore, a control over the Paracels and the Spratlys islands ensures control over the supply of the economies of Northeast Asia and finally the region is one of the most important economic and strategic regions in the world. As of now it looks like a frozen conflict where none of the states is ready to give up any ground to reach a common solution accepted by all and thus, risk of armed conflict breaking out at any time always remain high.

Vladimir Zelenskyy presented Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of Britain’s Parliament with a unique gift. It was a helmet of a Ukrainian pilot with, “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it,” written on it. He later told British MPs that Ukraine badly needs fighter jets and overhead missiles to keep Russians at bay. He made the same request with European Union members. So far there has been reluctance on the part of Europe, especially Germany and the US to equip Kyiv with their fighter jets which would pose a greater threat not only to Europe but also to the world as it will be treated as escalation of war by the West.

The South China Sea (SCS) has abundance of minerals and oil resources and estimated to contain 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The area witnesses roughly 30% of the global maritime trade passing through it on its way to the highly trafficked ports in Southeast Asia

HINDERANCES TO THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Inability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to arrive at any common decision and play a leadership role to resolve the conflict. Most members in the region have either total dependency for economic and trade development or are major trading partners with China who has always insisted on bilateral talks to resolve any conflict and hence the blockade to any real solution. Though the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) establishes the rights of a sovereign state over the continental shelf surrounding it and the creation of exclusive economic

Vladimir Zelensky presented Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of Britain’s Parliament with a unique gift. It was a helmet of a Ukrainian pilot with, “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it,” written on it

Ukraine’s demand for modern fighter planes is akin to its request for Germany’s latest Leopard and America’s Abrams battle tanks.

Zelenskyy is seeking war machines to “protect Europe’s way of life” but Eu-

India’s 55 % of trade passes through the Strait of Malacca which opens into the South China Sea. If China controls the region, it will upset the global trade practices and countries like India will directly get affected. India has historically taken a neutral position in the disputes along the South China Sea involving China and countries of Southeast Asia, even as the tensions have threatened the security in the region. The shock of last year’s border clash and continuing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has upended most assumptions underlying India’s China policy. India has recalibrated its response to China both on land and sea. In a major message to Beijing, the Indian Army confronted PLA on land and the Indian Navy made its presence felt in the waters of the South China Sea when a task force of four warships sailed on a two-month deployment with India’s Quad partners, the United States, Japan and Australia, and also conducted bilateral exercises with naval forces from South China Sea littoral states, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. India has been pushing for a rules-based order in the region, including by means of upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

rope and the US realize the grave risks that will entail. Russians could treat it as a proxy war by NATO and may retaliate accordingly. The West is also wary of exposing its modern fighting machines to damage given the inexperience of Ukrainians in handling them. That is why the focus at present is to train the Ukrainians and provide them with more air defence systems and drones.

Reluctance to provide highend fighter jets and tanks to Ukraine is like keeping it guessing about its formal membership of the European Union. So far it is only an official candidate of the EU.

Ukraine applied for EU membership only four days after Russia invaded it in 2022.

The Congress-CPM combination faces a challenge also from TIPRA Motha, a party of tribals led by the former Congress rebel Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarman. Pradyot has refused to join the Congress alliance although the BJP thinks he is in touch with the CPM. The non-BJP alliance minus the TMC is considered strong but it is the BJP which will have the last laugh.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Teach this triple truth to all:

A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. Buddha

TOP TWEETS

speech revived the trust he has built among the poor, tribals and the deprived by giving them their due rights & lifting their living standards. And this bedrock of trust now cannot be shaken by the ones who kept them deprived for decades after independence.

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur

Adoption of best global practices, accreditation, standards & quality checks is the key to growth and innovation. India features in the world’s Top 5 accreditation systems, led by the national accreditation system under Quality Council of India! Overall QI infra is amongst top 10!

COL RAJESH BHUKAR

Over 16 lakh renounced Indian citizenship since 2011: EAM in RS

SUFFICIENT FUNDS BEING PROVIDED IN MNREGA, SAYS GIRIRAJ SINGH

New Delhi (PTI): More than 16 lakh Indians renounced their Indian citizenship since 2011 including 2,25,620 last year, the govt said in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar presented the details.

He said the number of Indians who renounced their Indian citizenship in 2015 was 1,31,489, while 1,41,603 people gave it up in 2016 and 1,33,049 in 2017.

In 2018, the number was 1,34,561, while 1,44,017 Indians renounced their citizenship in 2019, 85,256 in 2020 and 1,63,370 in 2021.

The number in 2022 was 2,25,620. For reference purposes, Jaishankar said the data for 2011 was 1,22,819 while it was 1,20,923 in 2012, 1,31,405 in 2013 and 1,29,328 in 2014.

New Delhi: Domestic airlines reported 2,613 significant technical snags in their planes in the last five years, MoS (Civil Aviation) VK Singh told the Lok Sabha on Thursday. He said the regulations require occurrences relating to system and component failure to be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

IN THE COURTYARD

COURT: COMPLY WITH SOP ON ACCEPTING ELECTRONIC COPIES OF DRIVING LICENCES

New Delhi: The Delhi HC on Thursday asked the city govt to ensure strict compliance of the motor vehicle law, including the standard operating procedure, on accepting electronic copies of driving licenses and other transport-related documents. A bench observed that no further orders were required to be passed in the matter as the central govt has taken steps in this regard and the Delhi govt was strictly following the statutory provisions and protocols.

CONG WORKERS’ MURDER: COURT BANS PUBLISHING

WITNESSES’ STATEMENTS

Kochi: A CBI court in Kerala’s Kochi on Thursday directed the media not to publish the statements of witnesses in the Periya twin murder case where two Youth Congress workers were brutally killed in the state’s Kasargode district in 2019. The accused include top local CPI-M leaders and also a former CPI-M legislatore. Special judge, CBI K Kamanees has also barred the entry of media in the court hall for reporting the case.

INDIAN WOMAN FILES SUIT AGAINST MADRID HOTEL IN ROBBERY CASE

New Delhi: An Indian woman has filed a lawsuit against leading hotel chain, Hilton Hotels, after she was allegedly robbed in its hotel in Madrid, Spain, where she stayed for business purposes. Jasmeet Kaur, CEO of KBI Industries and a resident of Noida, filed the lawsuit in the Court of Plaza de Castilla, Spain. Kaur shared her ordeal on social media and alleged that the robbers assaulted her and stole her belongings on January 27.

TOLD COLLEGIUMS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS

NOT REPRESENTED IN JUDICIARY: RIJIJU

New Delhi: Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju replying to a question on reservations in the judiciary in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, said that there is no reservation policy in the Indian judiciary presently but reminded the collegium to include those who are not represented adequately in the system. During Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the matter related to whether the government will consider the possibility of introducing a reservation policy in the appointment of judges was raised by DMK leader Tiruchi Siva. “As per the existing policies and provisions, there is no reservation in the Indian judiciary,” Rijiju said.

New Delhi (PTI): Those criticising the budgetary allocation for MNREGA should understand that the scheme is “demand driven”, Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh said on Thursday, adding that the Narendra Modi government has always allocated sufficient funds for the programme. Amid criticism over the budgetary allocation for the flagship rural employment programme — Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme — Singh said the Modi government’s allocation are higher than that by the UPA govt. “Those criticising the allocation should understand what MNREGA is before saying that the allocation has gone down. In 2020, we had only Rs 62,000 crore allocation and the expenditure was Rs 1,12,000 crore,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

TRIPURA ASSEMBLY POLLS

BJP woos Tripura tribals with greater autonomy

Agartala: A week ahead of the Tripura assembly election, the ruling BJP on Thursday promised greater autonomy to tribals, increase in farmers’ financial assistance and setting up of rubber, bamboo and agarbased industries to make ‘Unnato Tripura, Sreshtho Tripura’. The BJP said that if it returns to power after the February 16 assembly polls, it would establish the Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Tribal University, provide cooked food three times a day at Rs 5 per meal under the PM Kisan -- increase the

NADDA, TRIPURA CM OFFER PRAYERS AT MATA TRIPURA SUNDARI TEMPLE

Udaipur (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Jagat Prakash Nadda along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha offered prayers at Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur on Thursday morning. While talking to ANI, Nadda said, “Today I got the opportunity to offer prayers at Mata Sundari Temple. Whenever I come here, I get new energy. Under PM Modi’s leadership we are taking society forward with the mantra of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’.”

financial assistance from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 per annum, double the per-family annual cap from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and

housing to all registered beneficiaries. In party’s manifesto, Nadda also announced setting up a Regional Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Agartala.

Confusion continues over BJP’s CM face in K’taka

Bengaluru: Confusion continued over the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate for the assembly elections in Karnataka with former CM BS Yediyurappa stating that the final decision would be taken by the party high command. Speaking to media Yediyurappa stated that the party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the high command will take a call on who is going to

Bringing anti-copying law soon: U’khand CM Dhami

Dehradun (PTI): Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday appealed to the youth not to let themselves be misled by anyone saying efforts are on to ensure that recruitment examinations are held in the state in a transparent way. “We are soon going to bring the strictest anti-coyping law in the country. It will be ensured that use of unfair

means in recruitment examinations stops completely and they are held in a transparent manner,” Dhami said.

be the CM candidate.

“Their decision is final. We do not have any objections if the high command decides to make any leader as the CM. The BJP is going to win 140 seats in the upcoming assembly elections and we will form the govt,” he said.

Commenting on the statements of former CM HD Kumaraswamy naming the BJP as the party of Brahmins,

Yediyurappa stated that earlier the BJP was called the party of Lingayats. Now, it is being called the party of Brahmins. “90 per cent of Lingayats are still with the BJP and we are with them,” he said. Asked about naming Shivamogga airport after him, Yediyurappa clarified that he had told the party not to go ahead with the plans and it is not correct.

BJP MULLS YEDIYURAPPA’S NAME FOR NEW AIRPORT, CENTRE TO TAKE CALL Bengaluru: The Union govt is taking a call regarding the naming of Shivamogga airport after party veteran, Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa. The BJP state government has cleared the proposal in the cabinet meeting and already sent it to the consideration of the Centre. All eyes within the BJP and other political parties of the state are on the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in this regard. Shivamogga airport is the dream project of Yediyurappa. During his successive terms as the CM of the state, Yediyurappa pursued the project. His supporters have been demanding that the airport should be named after him as a mark of respect to his commitment and work. However, the BJP insiders say that the party is also considering naming the airport after luminaries of the district or national heroes.

“Centre not helping in road work in T’gana”

Hyderabad (PTI): Telangana Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao on Thursday accused the BJP-led NDA govt of adopting an unhelpful attitude towards the State govt in taking up the strategic road development programme (SRDP) works in defence lands at Secunderabad here.

Replying to a query in the Legislative Assembly on addressing traffic problems from Secunderabad to Bowenpally

FIRST PERSON ACCOUNT

and others in the city if the defence authorities don’t give permission to carry out SRDP works in defence lands, he alleged

that the Centre is not ready to cooperate though the State govt has been pursuing with the Centre since the last

eight-and-a-half years to address the defence land issues for building flyovers to address traffic problems.

“Though the government is in favour of building a skyway from Patny to Suchitra, similar to the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway (in the city), we have tried in Delhi several times, unfortunately, the Central government is not coming forward to cooperate. This is painful and also shameful,” he said.

PM shares student’s article ‘A day in the Parliament and PMO’

New Delhi (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared a “personal account” of a student named Lopoli Melo from Arunachal Pradesh, who got the opportunity to participate in the ‘Parakram Diwas 2023’ celebrations in the Lok Sabha secretariat.

“You will enjoy reading this very personal account of Lopoli Melo from Arunachal Pradesh.

I would like to laud Speaker Om Birla Ji for taking the lead for such

an initiative which also gave me the opportunity to meet bright youngsters,” PM tweeted. Parakram Diwas is celebrated on January 23 in order to mark the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, who is fondly known as ‘Netaji. Lopoli Melo, student of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, was selected to attend the ‘Parakram Diwas 2023’ celebrations in the Lok Sabha

secretariat. In her article titled ‘A day in the Parliament and PMO’,

she recalls her journey throughout the day. “I had to represent

my university, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), and my state in

the higher education institute (HEI) division in the Parliament for the

‘Parakram Diwas’, 2023 - a programme launched by the Parliamentary Research & Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha secretariat,” Lopoli pens in her blog.

“My journey started on 21 January. My brothers were so scared to send me alone that they accompanied me till the Guwahati airport. From there, I had to do it all alone. Delhi was welcoming, and felt like home,” she said.

Lopoli says, “I was seated in the fourth column from the left, fourth seat from the first, exactly at the centre of the hall” And so he did, and gave us a good namaste.”

Finally, talking about her interaction with PM Modi, she says, “The long-awaited day ended with an interaction programme between the students and the PM at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.

“2,613

SNAGS IN DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN LAST 5 YEARS”

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami at an event.

BJP national president JP Nadda, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and others during the Vijay Sankalp Rally, at Khayerpur, in West Tripura on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

BS Yediyurappa

Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao. —FILE PHOTO

‘Parakram Diwas 2023’ participants pose with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. —FILE PHOTO

Lopoli Melo, a student of Arunachal Pradesh, was selected to attend the ‘Parakram Diwas 2023’ celebrations

S Jaishankar presents the details in the Upper House while replying to a question

EAM S Jaishankar speaks in Rajya Sabha as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman looks on.

84K cr orders pending, 55K cr more coming up: HAL chief

Ananthakrishnan says Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd order book position is comfortable

Bengaluru (ANI): In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent assertion that the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has a huge number of orders for aircraft and choppers, the chairman of the PSU said that the state-owned entity has pending orders worth Rs 84,000, while orders worth Rs 55,000 were in the pipeline.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) CMD CB Ananthakrishnan said, “We have been generating revenues of Rs 25,000 crores which has shown a growth of eight percent. We have sufficient contracts to be executed.”

“Almost Rs 84,000 crore orders are pending. Another Rs 55000 crore orders are in the pipeline, likely to materialize in next six months to one year. So, all in all, we will have a healthy

order book. Our capacity is 30 helicopters per annum,” he said. “We will try to ramp it up to 60 helicopters. If demand is at its peak, then we can take it to 90 helicopters,” he stated.

He said sanction for the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Mark II, has come and that the Defence Research and De-

CRUCIAL READ

UNITED LIBERATION FRONT OF ASOM (IND) MILITANT KILLED IN ENCOUNTER IN ASSAM

Tinsukia: An insurgent belonging to the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) outfit was killed in an encounter with security forces in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Thursday.Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Gaurav Abhijit Dilip said that a tip-off was received about seven to nine ULFA(I) militants, led by Uday Asom and Mrigankha Asom, taking shelter in Margherita and Lekhapani areas for the last 8-10 days.

VILLAGE HEAD KILLED IN BIHAR’S GOPALGANJ DIST

Patna: A village mukhiya (headman) in Bihar’s Gopalganj district was gunned down on Thursday, police said.

Mohammad Qurash, 32, was on his way from his house in Phalguni Panchayat village to his brick kiln in Thawe block on his bike. When he reached Narayanpur village, four or five gunmen opened fire on him indiscriminately.

WOMAN HELD FOR SMUGGLING GOLD IN COCHIN

Kochi: The Cochin Air Customs on Thursday took into custody a woman, who arrived on a flight from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, for smuggling gold. She tried to get through the Green Channel by saying that she was having her monthly period. The woman was found carrying 582 grams of gold valued at Rs three million.

MINOR GIRL GANG-RAPED BY 5 YOUTHS AT BIRTHDAY PARTY IN HYDERABAD

Hyderabad: A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by five youths after giving her sedatives at a birthday party in Hyderabad. The shocking incident occurred in the old city of Hyderabad on February 4, but came to light on Wednesday when the victim lodged a complaint with the police.The police also arrested a girl and her boyfriend for abetting the offence. The 16-year-old girl had gone to a medical shop in Chatrinaka area on the night of February 4. She was lured by another girl from the same area to come to a friend’s place at Bhoiguda for a birthday party.

PRESSURE COOKER BOMBS, WEAPONS FOUND IN J’KHAND

Ranchi: The police and paramilitary forces seized two pressure cooker bombs, among several other weapons of Maoists, from a forest in Latehar district. The weapons were hidden in an underground bunker in the forest and were recovered on Thursday.

Two rifles, a carbine gun, 33 live bullets and 8 charger clips were seized, sources said.

velopment Organisation (DRDO) and HAL will together be able to roll out the first LCA Mark II sometime in 2024-25. About HAL’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, the HAL chief stated,”We are also a design partner in building prototypes in this project. In another five to

HAL ON A HIGH

six years, the product should be available.”

“The execution timeframe is starting from February 2024. We are confident that we will be able to deliver the first aircraft in February 2024,” he added.

PM Modi had while inaugurating a HAL helicopter factory in Karnataka’s Tumakuru

WBSSC to terminate 800 secondary teachers

Kolkata: The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) will soon terminate 800 illegally-appointed teachers at the secondary level in different staterun schools from service, the commission informed the Calcutta High Court on Thursday. It is learnt that the process will start after WBSSC issues an official notification on this count next week, in which the names of

PM to inaugurate Global Investors Summit 2023 in Lucknow today

New Delhi: Prime Minister will visit Lucknow on Friday to inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023, read a statement by Prime Minister’s Office.The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023. He will also inaugurate Global Trade Show and launch Invest UP 2.0, added the press release. Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is scheduled from 10-12 February 2023.

LABOURER FALLS FROM DELHI BUILDING, DIES

New Delhi: A 35-yearold labourer died after falling from the first floor of a building following the collapse of a wall during renovation work here on Thursday. The incident took place in northwest Delhi’s Subhash Place. Victim Raghubansh, who hails from Banka district of Bihar, was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

recently lashed out at the Opposition for spreading “misinformation” about Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the past.

Modi also recalled earlier Parliamentary sessions that were disrupted by the Opposition over the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Rafale deal.

“Tumakuru has got a big helicopter factory today. Karnataka is a land of young talent and innovation. The world is seeing the manufacturing power of Karnataka from drone manufacturing to Tejas fighter planes. The doubleengine government has made Karnataka the first choice of investors. The inauguration of the helicopter factory is an example of how the double-engine government works,” PM Modi said.

DELHI EXCISE POLICY CASE

ED arrests advertising company’s director

New Delhi (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested director of an advertising company, who is alleged to have ran the AAP campaign during the 2022 Goa assembly polls, in connection with its money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, officials said on Thursday.

Rajesh Joshi, the director of Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd, was placed under arrest under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He was produced before a local court where the agency sought his custody in the case.

ADVT COMPANY DIRECTOR SENT

TO ED’S CUSTODY TILL FEB 13

New Delhi: A court here on Thursday sent the director of an advertising company, who is alleged to have ran the AAP campaign during the 2022 Goa assembly polls, to ED’s custody for interrogation in a Delhi excise policy-related money laundering case.Rajesh Joshi, director of Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd, was sent for custodial interrogation

18 die in separate mishaps in 3 states, victims include 11 children

New Delhi (ANI): As many as 18 persons were killed, including 11 children in separate mishaps in three states on Thursday.

these 800 teachers will be published. Sources in the state education department said that these 800 teachers will be those whose numbers in the OMR sheets varied from those in the central server of the commission.

In an accident, seven school children were killed and four severely injured after the autorickshaw they were in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, officials said. In another accident, As many as seven la-

bourers reportedly died due to suffocation while they were engaged in the removal of oil sludge in an edible oil tanker on Thursday in

Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district. Officials immediately rushed to the spot and took up the investigation. The incident sent shock waves to the village.

In another mishap, a fierce fire broke out in the slum of Gagret subdivision of the Una district in Himachal Pradesh which allegedly killed four minors during the midnight hours of Wednesday.

till February 13.He was arrested by the ED on Wednesday. The agency sought his ten days’ custody, saying he was required to be confronted with other accused in the case to unearth the larger conspiracy. It said the links of the advertising company promoter with regard to alleged diversion of “kickbacks” for the Goa assembly polls in 2022 are under the ED scanner.

SHARES TUMBLE...

Adani Wilmar is a 50:50 joint venture between business conglomerate Adani Group and Singapore-based Wilmar. On Thursday, Adani Wilmar released a statement and said, “The officials did not find any irregularities in the operations and dealings conducted by the company. We would like to clarify that the concerns specific to GST payments in cash, citing GST law under Rule 86B, the company is not required to pay the tax liability.” “The staff extended their support during this routine inspection, fully cooperating with the officials and local authorities,” the company said, adding depot operations are functioning normally after the visit. The statement noted that this was actually a routine inspected by the authorities and not a raid and all its operations are in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.Interestingly, it seems that Adani group is going through a ‘rough phase’ after the recent Hindenburg report followed by the dip in Adani’s shares. On the other hand, there are murmurs in ‘power corridoors’ that the sixty thousand crore rupees Adani Solar project’s MoU with Rajasthan government may also be cancelled. Notably, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had recently targeted the Adani group in the Parliament.

PREZ AT BRAHMAKUMARIS EVENT

Empower the families: Murmu

First India Bureau Gurugram: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said the mindset that bringing up children and managing home are the responsibility of women only has to change while noting that in spite of their increased participation they fail to make the cut above a certain level owing to family responsibilities. Inaugurating a national convention on ‘Women

as Foundation of Valuebased Society’ and launching an all India awareness campaign

‘Empowering the Family’ at the Om Shanti Retreat Centre of Brahmakumaris at Gurugram,

Pawan Hans launches helicopter routes in Assam

she said women have played a very important role in shaping values and ethics in Indian society. Lauding the Brahmakumaris organisation for reviving Indian values by keeping women at the centre, Murmu said this is the world’s largest spiritual institution run by women and more than 46,000 sisters of this organisation are carrying forward the tradition of spirituality and Indian culture in about 140 countries.

New Delhi: Pawan Hans has started its helicopter services on six routes in Assam. These new helicopter services, launched under the RCS UDAN scheme, will provide connectivity on the Dibrugarh-JorhatTezpur-GuwahatiTezpur - Jorhat- Dibrugarh network.

The RCS UDAN of the Ministry of Civil Aviation is giving special impetus to providing air connectivity to remote places of northeastern states which have inadequate rail

and road connectivity. Officials said the RCS UDAN helicopter services in Assam will boost air connectivity within the state by offering the fastest mode of travel to connect Tezpur, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh from Guwahati. The services will play a key role in promoting tourism activities in the state.

HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan speaks to the media on Thursday.

President Droupadi Murmu at the event in Gurugram on Thursday.

Union Information & Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur plays cricket amid snowfall. He was participating in the opening ceremony of 3rd edition of Khelo India National Winter Games, in J&K on Thursday.

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epapers/mumbai I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

ON STICKY INFLATION

COMMODITIES

CURRENCIES

AGRI, PROCESSED

FOOD EXPORTS UP

13% IN APR-DEC

RBI may hike rates again

New Delhi: India’s agricultural and processed food exports increased by 13% to $19.69 bn from April through December of this fiscal year, according to data released by the commerce ministry.

“For 2022-23, an export target of $23.6 billion has been fixed by the APEDA that works under the ministry,” it said. From April to December, basmati rice exports climbed by 40.26% to $3.33 bn. Shipments of non-Basmati rice increased by 3.35% to $4.66 bn during that time. —PTI

GOLD

SILVER DOWN BY `5

Mumbai (PTI): Analysts are of the view that after delivering the seventh hawkish policy on Wednesday the central bank may pause after delivering a likely 25 basis points increase in the April review.

For Abheek Barua, the chief economist at HDFC Bank, the 25 bps repo hike and keeping its withdrawal of accommodation stance unchanged are on expected lines, the policy tone was hawkish as the RBI-MPC has recognised that they are still away from achieving their objective of durable disinflation, which still looks distant as the core inflation continues to remain sticky.

“Even as headline inflation is likely to moderate over the coming months, core inflation could remain sticky, and if the RBI chooses to continue seeing signs of durable moderation in core inflation as a yardstick for policy tightening, another 25 bps rate hike in April is likely. But we see a change in stance to

neutral is unlikely until the RBI pauses its rate hike cycle,” Barua said. He said that the morethan-expected hawkish stance was clear from how the market reacted--- the 10year bond yield rose to 7.34% post-policy from the last closing level of 7.31%. He expects the 10-year paper to trade 7.30-7.35% in the near term and the rupee to trade 82-83 levels in the near term as global risks continue to remain elevated.

India’s sugar exports at 27.83 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 so far

New Delhi (PTI): India has exported 27.83 lakh tonnes of sugar till February 9 of the ongoing 2022-23 marketing year, with Bangladesh and Indonesia being the top markets, trade body AISTA said on Thursday.

RATE HIKES WILL NOT IMPACT NBFCS' COLLECTIONS: ICRA

Mumbai (PTI): A day after the Reserve Bank delivered another rate hike, a domestic ratings agency on Thursday said the increases will not impact collection efficiencies for non-bank lenders. This is so primarily because of the collaterals given by borrowers and the priority they accord to repayments, Icra Ratings said. The agency said typically housing loans and loans against property pools carry interest rate risks. "... The continuation of rate hikes will not have a significant bearing on the collection efficiencies given the association of the borrower with the underlying collateral (residential properties) and the priority given by borrowers to repay such loans," it said. The agency added that the collection efficiency is expected to remain robust on the back of strong outlook for majority of the sectors though impact of the uncertain global environment is difficult to ascertain at present.

Among other nations, India has exported 2.47 lakh tonnes of the sweetener to Djibouti, 2.46 lakh tonnes to Somalia and 2.06 lakh tonnes to the UAE during October-February 9 of the current marketing year, the All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) said.

Mills have exported a total of 27,83,536 tonnes of sugar from October 1, 2022 to February 9 this year.

About 4.24 lakh tonne is under loading, while 3.79 lakh tonne of sugar has been delivered to refineries, considered to be deemed export in the said period, it added.

Sugar exports from India, the world’s major sugar producing nation, stood at 112 lakh tonnes in the

ACCORDING TO AISTA DATA

z India has exported 27.83 lakh tonnes of sugar till Feb 9 of the ongoing 202223 marketing year, with Bangladesh and Indonesia being the top markets z Among other nations, India has exported 2.47 lakh tonnes of the sweetener to Djibouti and 2.46 lakh tonnes to Somalia

2021-22 marketing year. As per AISTA’s initial projections, sugar output will be lower at 35.8 million tonnes during the 2022-23 marketing year.

New Delhi: Gold price rose `35 to `57,410 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday, according to HDFC Securities. Silver, however, fell `5 to `67,941 per kilogram. “Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at `57,410/10 grams, up `5 per 10 grams,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said. In the overseas market, both gold and silver were trading flat at $1,880 per ounce and $22.50 per ounce, respectively. —PTI

ONGC VIDESH EYES ASSETS IN AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA

IN 2020-21

Unemployment rate in youth falls to 12.9%

Mumbai (PTI): The unemployment rate for the youth in the country has reduced to 12.9% in 2020-21, from 17.8% in 2017-18, Parliament was informed.

New Delhi: ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas investment arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), is eying exploration and production assets in Africa and Latin America. OVL signed a memorandum of understanding with YPF SA of Argentia on the sidelines of the India Energy Week in Bengaluru, a company statement said.

OVL is India’s flagship overseas oil firm. It currently has a stake in 32 oil and gas projects in 15 countries, spanning from Venezuela to Vietnam.

OVL’s biggest investment is in Russia where it has 4 projects. —PTI

DISNEY TO CUT 7,000 JOBS IN MAJOR REVAMP, SAYS CEO

AS PER ANNUAL PLFS REPORTS

Jio-bp rolls out E20 petrol with 20% ethanol

New Delhi (PTI): Jio-bp, the fuel and mobility joint venture of Reliance Industries Ltd and UK's bp, has launched petrol blended with 20% ethanol, aligning with the government programme to cut oil imports and reduce carbon emissions.

"In line with the roadmap set by the Government, Jio-bp has become one of the first fuel retailers in India to make E20 blended petrol available," the company said in a statement.

The official data on employment and unemployment is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey which is conducted by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation since 2017-18, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Rameswar Teli said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

The survey period is July to June of next year.

As per the latest available annual PLFS reports, the estimated unemployment rate on usual status for per-

z Estimated unemployment rate on usual status for persons aged 15 years and above was 6%, 5.8%, 4.8%, and 4.2% during 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 202021, respectively

z Estimated unemployment rate on usual status for youth ages 15-29 years was 12.9 per cent in 2020-21

sons aged 15 years and above was 6%, 5.8%, 4.8%, and 4.2% during 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively, he said.

“This shows that unemployment rate in the country has declined,” Teli said.

DURING APRIL-DECEMBER 2022

Sensex, Nifty clock gains for 2nd day

Mumbai (PTI): Rising for the second straight session, equity benchmark Sensex climbed 142 points on Thursday following buying in IT and finance stocks amid a higher opening in European markets.

After a see-saw session, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 142.43 points or 0.23% higher at 60,806.22. During the day, the index witnessed a high of 60,863.63 and a low of 60,472.81. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 21.75 points or 0.12% to finish at 17,893.45.

Bajaj Finserv topped the

Equity mutual funds inflow hits 4-month high in January

New Delhi (PTI): Driven by buoyant SIP flows, equity mutual funds have attracted `12,546 crore in January, making it the highest net infusion in four months, despite volatility in stock markets.

This was way higher than `7,303 crore inflow seen in December, `2,258 crore in November and `9,390 crore in October. Prior to that, equity mutual funds witnessed flow to the

tune of `14,100 crore in September. This was also the 23rd straight month of inflows into equity-oriented mutual fund schemes, data with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) showed on Thursday.

India-Pakistan trade stood at $1.35 billion

New Delhi: Walt Disney Co announced a sweeping restructuring under recently reinstated CEO Bob Iger, cutting 7,000 jobs as part of an effort to save $5.5 billion in costs and make its streaming business profitable. The layoffs represent an estimated 3.6% of Disney’s global workforce. The steps, including a promise to reinstate a dividend for shareholders, addressed some of the criticism from activist investor Nelson Peltz. —FIB

New Delhi (PTI): The bilateral trade between India and Pakistan has increased to $1.35 billion during April-December 2022 as against $516.36 million in the whole 2021-22, Parliament was informed.

Similarly, the country’s trade with China has aggregated at about $87 billion during the nine-month period of this fiscal, according to the data provided by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

In 2019, Pakistan suspended bilateral trade with

India after New Delhi revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The trade with Pakistan

DATA IN NUMBERS

z The bilateral trade between India and Pakistan has increased to $1.35 billion during April-Dec 2022 as against $516.36 million in the whole 2021-22

z According to the data, the trade with Pakistan stood at $329.26 million in 202021 and $830.58 million in 2019-20

Sensex gainers' chart, rising 2.30%, followed by Asian Paints, IndusInd

Bank, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, L&T and TCS.

In contrast, Bharti Airtel, UltraTech Cement, Tata Motors and Sun Pharma were among the laggards, shedding up to 1.03%. In the broader market, the BSE midcap gauge slipped 0.01% and the smallcap index dipped 0.15%.

` SETTLES FLAT AT 82.54 AGAINST US DOLLAR

New Delhi (PTI): The rupee pared initial losses and settled on a flat note at 82.54 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by a rebound in domestic equities. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.59 against the American currency and touched a low of 82.66 and a high of 82.48 intra-day. It finally settled at 82.54 against the greenback, unchanged from its previous close.

OTHER STORIES

STATES TO INTEGRATE WITH NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW SYSTEM BY DEC: DPIIT SECRETARY

New Delhi: All the states, union territories and 32 central government departments will integrate with the National Single Window System (NSWS) by December this year, through which companies can seek all approvals and clearances for their businesses, a top official said on Thursday. So far 19 states/UTs and 27 central government departments are already onboarded, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Karnataka, the Secretary in the DPIIT Anurag Jain said. —PTI

OLA ELECTRIC TO OPEN 500 EXPERIENCE

CENTRES BY MARCH

New Delhi: Ola Electric will open 500 experience centres across India by March this year as it seeks to be closer to consumers, company founder and CEO said. The company, which currently has 200 experience centres across the country, is also planning to bring an electric bike to the market. Ola’s experience centres help consumers explore and buy its vehicles and also get servicing. —PTI

stood at $329.26 million in 2020-21 and $830.58 million in 2019-20, the data showed.

“The government con-

tinues to engage pro-actively with SAARC countries to strengthen trade and economic relations.

HIRING ACTIVITY IN

E-RECRUITMENT

SPACE

DIPS BY 2%: REPORT

Mumbai: Hiring activity in the e-recruitment white-collar space in January witnessed 2% year-onyear decline mainly due to slowdown in sectors including IT, telecom, manufacturing and healthcare, a report said. E-recruitment refers to the process of employing talents using various online sources. Demand for jobs in production and manufacturing declined by 8% as did in healthcare (7%), telecom (5%). —PTI

NOKIA EXTENDS PRODUCTION OF FIBRE BROADBAND EQUIPMENT TO INDIA

New Delhi: Telecom equipment maker Nokia on Thursday said it will extend manufacturing of PON optical line terminals (OLTs) to its factory in Sriperimbudur near Chennai to cater to rising demand from local customers in India and global markets. PON stands for Passive Optical Network. In a statement, Nokia said shifts in consumer behaviour, from home working to data-rich entertainment services, are driving demand for broadband. —PTI

JUMPS `35 TO

`57,410 PER 10 GM,

HIGH COURT DISMISSES MAJOR PETITIONS

‘Not inclined to grant any relief, petition is dismissed’

Bombay HC dismisses PIL seeking action against Vice President

Dhankhar and Union Law Minister Rijiju

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation filed against Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for their remarks on judiciary and the collegium system for appointment of judges.

The plea filed by Bombay Lawyers Association had claimed Rijiju and Dhankhar showed lack of faith in the Constitution with their remarks and conduct. It had sought for orders to restrain Dhankhar from discharging duty as the vice president, and Rijiju from discharging duty as cabinet minister for the central government.

The PIL claimed the “frontal attack not just on the judiciary but the Constitution” by the two executive officials has lowered the prestige of the Supreme Court in public.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice S V Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep Marne briefly heard the petitioner’s lawyer, Ahmed Abdi, and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh for the respondents.

“We are not inclined to grant any relief. The petition is dismissed. Reasons would be recorded later,” the court said.

While Abdi argued that Dhankhar and Rijiju had lowered the reputation of the judici-

We can only do so much: Ajit Pawar

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Congress party worker Balasaheb Dabhekar rebelled and filed an independent application in the Kasba assembly byelection, but later withdrew the nomination. Will the same situation be seen in Chinchwad as well? On this question, NCP leader Ajit Pawar said on Thursday, ‘We can only make as much efforts. There has been success in Kasba assembly constituency. Efforts are going on in Chinchwad also, if it is successful then it is fine, other-

wise we will move ahead.”

On the question floating about in political circles that maximum expenditure has been made on advertisements in the Shinde-Fadnavis government, Pawar said, “This matter pertains to the government. Will present our side on this soon. I have also served as the Finance Minister. Where should the money be spent, who should be given priority, if it has been spent for the neglected and deprived sections, needs to be looked into.”

ary with their remarks, ASG Singh said the plea was frivolous and a publicity stunt.

Singh said the respondents (Dhankhar and Rijiju) respect the Constitution of India which is the supreme and there was no question of them attacking the Constitution.

“The petition is frivolous, a waste of the court’s time and nothing but a publicity stunt. Exemplary cost should be imposed,”

Singh said.

Abdi argued that Dhankhar and Rijiju are constitutionaries and hence should abstain from making such remarks.

“We are not against debate and criticism but it should be held

in Parliament and not in such public domain.

This is lowering the judiciary’s reputation and image and affecting the faith people have in judiciary,” Abdi said.

This was a very dangerous trend that would ultimately lead to anarchy, he claimed.

“Respondent 1 (Dhankhar) and Respondent 2 (Rijiju) as constitutional functionaries are supposed to have faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India,” the PIL had said.

“The Vice President and the Law Minister are attacking the collegium system as well as the doctrine of basic structure openly in a public platform. This kind of unbecoming behaviour by respondents who are holding constitutional posts is lowering the majesty of the Supreme Court in the eyes of the public at large,” claimed the petition, filed through advocate Eknath Dhokale.

Rijiju recently said the collegium system of appointing judges was “opaque and not transparent”.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train: Godrej & Boyce plea against land acquisition nixed

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The MumbaiAhmedabad bullet train is a “dream project of this country and of national importance and in public interest”, the Bombay High Court said on Thursday dismissing a petition filed by Godrej & Boyce company challenging acquisition proceedings initiated by the Maharashtra government and the NHSRCL in Mumbai’s Vikhroli area for the project.

A division bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and M M Sathaye said the project was one-ofits-kind and collective interest would prevail over private interest.

The court said in cases of conflict on inter fundamental rights and intra fundamental rights, the court has to examine as to where lies the larger public interest while balancing the two conflicting rights.

“It is the paramount collective interest which would ultimately prevail. In the facts of this case, the private interest claimed by the petitioner does not prevail over the public interest which would subserve infrastructural project of public im-

It is the paramount collective interest which would ultimately prevail. In the facts of this case, the private interest claimed by the petitioner does not prevail over the public interest which would subserve infrastructural project of public importance which is a dream project of this country and first of its kind. —Court said

portance which is a dream project of this country and first of its kind,” it said.

“In our view the bullet train project is an infrastructural project of national importance, a large number of public would be benefited and would have saved other benefits for the betterment of this country,” the court said.

Of the total 508.17 kilometres of rail track

PFI wanted to turn India into Islamic state by 2047: Maharashtra ATS

First India Bureau Mumbai: Maharashtra

ATS has claimed the Popular Front of India (PFI), banned by Centre last year, aimed to establish “rule of Islam” in India by 2047, and also had plans to obtain weapons and ammunition with the help of foreign countries or other organisations to achieve their targets.

The ATS stated this in its chargesheet filed in a local court last week against five PFI members who were arrested last year for allegedly indulging in

We dream 2047, where the political power has returned to the Muslim community from whom it was unjustly taken away by the British Raj. The roadmap towards this first starts with the socio-economic development of Muslim community for which a separate roadmap was already provided in the name of Empower India Foundation.”

— As per the chargesheet

unlawful activities and waging a war against the country. The state ATS arrested the five PFI members - Mazhar Khan, Sadiq Shaikh, Mohammad Iqbal Khan, Momin Mistry and Aasif Hussain Khan - following raids

WADETTIWAR MEETS KHARGE

my multiple agencies across various states in September last year.

In the chargesheet filed on February 2, the ATS claimed to have seized a document called “India 2047- towards rule of Islam in India.”

between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, about 21 km is planned to be underground. One of the entry points to the underground tunnel falls on the land in Vikhroli (owned by Godrej).

The state government and the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) had claimed the company was delaying the entire project which was of public

importance.

The bench, in its judgment, said the provisions of the Fair Compensation Act empowers the government to take the acquisition proceedings already initiated to its logical conclusion.

The court also refused to accept Godrej’s contention that the compensation was initially decided to be Rs 572 crore but was reduced to Rs 264 crore when the final award was passed.

“The compensation derived at the stage of private negotiation cannot be considered as final and binding since the said private negotiation had admittedly failed,” HC said.

Adani prospered during Cong rule in Guj:

Mungantiwar

The chargesheet said the PFI wanted to create a split among several communities by projecting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as an organisation interested only in the welfare of upper caste Hindus.

‘Had Nana not resigned, MVA govt would have survived’

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Congress leader and MLA Vijay

Wadettiwar called on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Thursday and discussed the internal matters in Congress and Balasaheb Thorat’s resignation from the post of Legislature Party leader. Meanwhile, when asked whether the resignation of Balasaheb Thorat from the post of Legislature Par-

ty leader has been accepted, Wadettiwar said, “the Congress high command will decide whether to accept the resignation of Balasaheb Thorat or not.”

Wadettiwar said, “Decision on Thorat’s resigna tion and state president will be taken by the Congress high command. I have met Mall

ikarjun Kharge for the first time in Delhi after he became the Congress President. This time I have conveyed to him the state’s situation.”

Sanjay Raut had recently given a statement that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government fell because of Nana Patole. When Vadettiwar was asked about this,

Vadettiwar said that Nana Patole is a capable leader. “He did a good job as Speaker of the Assembly. But his resignation caused great em-

barrassment. The new chairman could not be elected. The result was that the Mahavikas Aghadi government had to step down from

power. He should not have resigned. Everyone felt that if Nanabhau had not resigned, this government would have survived,” he said.

CONG REBEL WITHDRAWS NOMINATION

Mumbai (FIB): Balasaheb Dabekar, who rebelled against the Congress and filed an independent candidature, withdrew his candidature on Thursday. After the withdrawal, it was said that the Congress felt highly relieved that it has been successful in suppressing the rebellion. Rebelling from the Congress, Balasaheb Dabhekar on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Kasba Assembly bypoll. Efforts were started by the Congress to withdraw Dabekar’s nomination. Congress supervisor MLA Sangram Thopte, in-charge city president Arvind Shinde and other Congress officials discussed with Dabekar on Wednesday night. During this discussion, Dabhekar’s mind got stuck. Dabhekar had announced that he would announce the decision after discussing with the workers. Accordingly, on Thursday, Dabekar withdrew his candidature.

Pune: Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Thursday claimed that Gautam Adani prospered during the Congress regime in Gujarat and said one cannot become the prime minister by growing a “beard”, referring to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the industrialist in Parliament.

“I believe that no one can become the prime minister by growing a beard, one becomes (PM) by growing intellect. Today, when you (Gandhi) are talking about Adani, don’t you know when Adani prospered?” he said.

Mungantiwar was talking to reporters during the BJP’s campaign kick-off for the bypoll in the Kasba Peth constituency, scheduled to be held on February 26.

“In 1993, when Chimanbhai Patel was CM of Gujarat, it was you (Congress) who gave land to Adani at 10 paise per square metre. When Chhabildas Mehta was CM, the Mundra port work was given (to Adani group),” said Mungantiwar. The minister

“One can’t become PM by growing beard, one becomes (PM) by growing intellect”

said there is an attempt by the Congress to spread lies about the Adani controversy. Asked about comment on Congress state chief Nana Patole in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana and whether there is disquiet within MVA the minister said there was no need for them to check what is happening in MVA. “Our work is not for power, our work is for truth. Our work is for dharma (righteousness) and not adharma (unrighteousness). I do not see any need to comment on what is going on there (in MVA),” he said.

A successful man manages the credit and debit, not just of his finances but also of his well-being, prudently.

— Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

First India Bureau

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju Vice Prez Jagdeep Dhankhar

Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar

SYMBOL OF PURITY

WHITE IS THE MOST POWERFUL COLOUR. IT’S OPTIMISTIC AND POWERFUL. CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COLOUR WHITE IN THE FASHION WORLD...

White is the lightest colour, meaning purity, innocence, and integrity.

It is considered to represent perfection, as it is the purest and most complete colour. It is the colour that represents new begging and erases any trace of past actions. It is like a piece of white paper not being written yet. It leaves the mind open and free to whatever it might create in the way. White colour is a classic, whatever the fashion of any particular time white is always in fashion. White is one of the few colours that is easy to match with most outfits and also never goes out of fashion, especially in the summer sunshine. The colour white is mostly worn during the summer. Although, it should be worn during the entire year and not confined to just one season. It is also not the easiest colour for wearing because it “gets dirty” quickly. White can be worn to feel uplifted. It conveys a feeling of newness, so it’s a nice colour to wear on the first day of a new endeavour. White is classic, simple yet versatile, and it looks great on Indian skin tones. Colours play a big role in the fashion sense but the white colour in fashion staples makes it a stand-alone piece. There are several white

outfits that are trendy and should be a part of every individual’s wardrobe. White-onwhite is considered an uplighting outfit and makes an indi vidual feel more con fident. More than men, women are seen using this col our as a symbol of power. The white shirt is the most com mon staple in every one’s closet as it is a go-to outfit when nothing comes to mind. White shirts paired up with dark tops are one of the most common styl ish looks. Brides are also dropping the idea of wear ing traditional red and other vi brant colours in their wedding functions and choosing white lehengas instead. We can say that ‘white colour is the new dark’ currently. But not only white lehenga, other white ethnic outfits like sharara, saree, suits, sherwani, etc are also common these days. White is a universal colour and is everyone’s first choice when it comes to fashion, be it casual or traditional.

SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

We are excited to host the glamorous Fashion Connect event at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel for the third time in a row. The first two editions were a success where we welcomed more than 200 invitees and VIPs and I’m sure this year the teams will go beyond all expectations to deliver an amazing show.

MARLON ABEYAKOON, GM

It’s a pleasure to have the Fashion Connect event at our hotel, Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate. We look forward to working again with their team and delivering a wonderful show to the invitees.

SAMPATH KANKANAMGE F&B Manager

This will be my first time working with the Fashion Connect team. I’m excited they chose our hotel, Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate for the third consecutive time. This is a big statement on how the first two editions were successful. Dordije Jabucanin DORDIJE JABUCANIN Director of Sales

I am very excited as we will get to see the astonishing collection of famous Bollywood designer Anju Modi, I do a lot of shows in Dubai and this city is very close to my heart, and we will try to make this season more interesting from the previous seasons.

LOKESH SHARMA, Show Director

THE FASHION CONNECT SEASON 14

A FASHIONABLE INDULGE AWAITS

Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, Dubai is all set to host the Fashion Connect Season 14 to be held on March 19, 2023!

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

India’s favourite and one of the most popular single-day fashion events titled First India Fashion Connect are already set to host the fourteenseason in Dubai, the mega fashion show has lifted the bar with the completion of its successful previous seasons. The Fashion Connect season 14 will be held on March 19 at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Dubai. Season 11 and Season 9 were also held in Dubai and were

Heartiest Congratulations to Team First India and the Fashion Connect team for the 14th season of Fashion Connect to be held in Dubai with the renowned designer Anju Modi. I am sure the show will exceed all expectations this time also and set an even higher benchmark in the universe of Fashion and Entertainment!

—JAGDEESH CHANDRA

greatly appreciated by one and all. The inau gural worldwide Fash ion Connect earned an incredible triumph over the fashion sector, with a big reaction and netizens going wild over the exceptional lineup and digital pre paredness. This time, Ace designer Anju Modi, an eminent de

ie Angrish, itsISH by Isha Gupta and Escape by Aishwarya will also showcase their beautiful collections during the fashion extravaganza. The whole event will be witnessed by the eminent personalities of the world.

This is our third consecutive year, doing our event in Dubai and we are grateful to the people of Dubai. I am thankful to Dr Jagdeesh Chandra for giving his full support. His ideas matter a lot and his motivation is what takes us all over the world after London it is Dubai now so I am super excited and I am really looking forward to this event.

—RISHEE MIGLANI, Brand Ambassdor

INIFT Jaipur is proud to be associated with one of the most popular fashion events ‘Fashion Connect’. Our team is super excited to be a part of the grand event. Our good wishes are with the Fashion Connect Team and we are looking forward to the success of this event.

—KAMLA PODDAR, Fashion Institute Partner

I am glad to be the jewellery partner of the Fashion Connect S-14 to be held in Dubai. We have some amazing designers on board with us including ace designer Anju Modi and I am really looking forward to be part of this magnificent Fashion event by First India.

—NANDITA SHEKHAWAT, Jewellery Partner

We at shades are excited to be a part of a mega fashion event. We are looking forward to joining as a makeup & grooming partner for fashion connect season 14th on March 19 in Dubai. My Best wishes to the Fashion Connect Team members.

THE GRAND BIRTHDAY BASH

Kavita Chauhan of the First India family celebrated her birthday with much fervour and enthusiasm at Labrass, Diggi Palace, Jaipur on Wednesday, February 8, as her birthday was on January 19. The party was hosted by her husband Nimit. Jagdeesh Chandra reached to bless her on the occasion and wished her huge success. Various who’s who of the city including Narendra Singh, Ambassador, Federation of International Polo, Ram Rathore CEO at The Rambagh Palace, Riccha, Youth Icon Rishee Miglani, Fashion Connect Show Director Lokesh Sharma, Spiritual Guru Nirmala Sewani, Film Distributor Raj Bansal, eminent polo players, fashion designers among others reached to celebrate the day.

Jagdeesh Chandra with Kavita Chauhan and Himmat Bedla

Jagdeesh Chandra with Mohan Singh Tada and Amarjeet Sangwan

Jagdeesh Chandra with Nirmala Sewani

Jagdeesh Chandra greets Kavita Chauhan. Also seen are (L-R) Anita Hada, Nimit Mathur, Raj Bansal, Ashok Raj Singh, Rishee Miglani and Lokesh Sharma

Bhuvneshwari, Indrani, Natasha, Kavita, Garima and Bhavini Karn and Priyamvada Abhimanyu and Tusharika

Roma Poddar, Abhishek Poddar, Ashok Raj Singh and Narendra Singh

Rohit, Shaurya, Gayatri, Siddharth and Trivikram

Kunal and Apra

Samriddh Sharma and Rohit Kamra

Jagriti and Nirbhay

Kavita Chauhan and Nimit Mathur

Rishee, Lokesh, Nirmala Sewani and Mohan Singh Tada Marcela Baur

Manisha, Abhishek and Himmat

Shakaib and Meheshi

Nivriti and Alankrita

Uttkarsha Shekhar and Mitali Dusad

Nimit, Ram, Riccha and Kavita

Anjali Gupta and Deepak Gupta

I AM MORE THAN A PRETTY GIRL DANCING AROUND: NARGIS FAKHRI

from the silver screen. Now the actress who is all set to make her comeback to the big screen with Anu-

dustry are getting more work and various opportunities to explore. Now, it's not like only A-list actors

thing. I have so many memories of coming to India, the food, the language and the culture were all so amaz-

opportunity to play different roles, and not just a 'pretty girl dancing around' but maybe something

Sara calls mom Amrita Singh her ‘safe place’

Sara Ali Khan took to Instagram on Thursday to wish her mother Amrita Singh on her birthday.

Sara tagged the location of her post as ‘My Safe Place’ and called her mother her rock, her cushion, her moral compass, her mirror and her aspiration.

Sara Ali Khan often shares posts of her travels with her mom, vet eran actor Amrita Singh. On the occasion of her mother’s birth day, the actress quoted, “Happi est Birthday to my whole world Thank you for always being my rock (sometimes by cushion ), my moral compass, my mirror (pun intended ) and my aspiration. #strength #inspiration #purpose #number1.”

Sara was last seen in the 2021 film Atrangi Re. In 2023, she is looking forward to the release of Laxman Utekar’s next where she stars with Vicky Kaushal. She was recently announced as the lead star of Prime Video’s Ae Watan Mere Watan, directed by Kannan Iyer.

Priyanka Chopra's series of memories!

more by Priyanka Chopra, who is known for sharing heartwarming pictures of her loved ones. The 40-year-old actor recently travelled to Aspen, Colorado, and shared a little video on Instagram that features some breathtaking peeks from the trip. 'Hold your loved ones close' is the caption of the video, which is actually a montage of memories. It takes us into the world of Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, and their one-

year-old daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. The montage begins with a back view of the pair holding Malti Marie in their arms, but as it continues, other images of Nick and Priyanka having fun and playing in the snow with their friends become available. To everyone's delight, Malti Marie also makes an exclusive cameo in the video while donning a rather adorable hat. The Jonas Brothers, Nick, Kevin, and Joe Jonas, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this year. The group's family members joined them in celebrating their accomplishments and could be seen encouraging them.

AAYUSH GEARS FOR A BIG ACTION SEQUENCE IN #AS04

Emerging as one of the most anticipated films of the upcoming future, Aayush Sharma's #AS04 has been grabbing eyeballs owing to the regular insights into the shoot of the action entertainer. Adding to the excitement, Aayush has now revealed shoot de-

tails of his upcoming action sequence for the film with glimpses into his workout session.

Redefining his physique with an extensive workout regime, the dedicated actor flaunted his abs and toned muscles in his latest post, announcing gearing for a big action

sequence shoot. Having offered an insight into the action entertainer, Aayush Sharma announced AS04 with an exciting teaser, followed by the announcements of his co-stars, debutante Sushrii Mishraa and veteran South Indian star Jagapathi Babu.

ADAA KHAN CALLS

HERSELF AN INTROVERT

hile she is always in the public eye, actress Adaa Khan says that she is not someone who is very instant when it comes to making friends or being close to someone.

The actress says that she loves spending time with her family and close group of friends, but she takes time to get comfortable with someone new.

“I am an introvert. I take time to open up. Travelling and spending time with family and friends and working, of course, is

Wwhat makes me happy. I think you are responsible for your own happiness. I think you should not depend on others for your happiness. You know exactly what you want and I think the best thing to do is just depend on yourself for your own happiness. That is what you need to do and that is what everyone needs to understand,” she says.

However, you cannot be happy all the time. Mood swings are common, says Adaa, adding, “It's very normal. I think everyone has it and we are human beings and no one is per-

fect, in a perfect mood every day. Everyone goes through a lot of things and everyone has their own journey. Life is not easy. Everyone has their own days, good days, and bad days. So moods also depend on that. I think you should not judge anyone because of one bad day. We are all humans and it is okay.”

The pandemic has changed her, she says. “Yes, to a point, of course, it has. and we have seen a lot in the last three years. It has definitely changed a lot of people, including me. It has definitely made us

stronger now that we have dealt with all these things, the anxiety and whatever each one of us felt. We have overcome that and it has made us stronger, I feel. We are definitely more compassionate towards others because, in the last three years, we felt as one because everyone was going through the same thing.”

Ask her what are the two things that perk up her mood, and she says, “Workout, exercise. It makes me really happy and, of course, when you are working also, you feel nice. Also, if I have the time, I definitely choose to travel.”

Nargis Fakhri

Sara Ali Khan

Priyanka Chopra Adaa Khan

Aayush Sharma