First India-Mumbai Edition-15th March 2023

Shinde urges govt employees to withdraw strike

Kartikey Dev Singh

Mumbai: Maharashtra

CM Eknath Shinde on Tuesday appealed to state government employees, who are on an indefinite strike seeking restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), to withdraw their stir and stressed the government was positive and sympathetic about their demand.

Speaking in the state Assembly, Shinde said one can take an extreme step when there is no scope for a discussion, but in the present case

the government is ready for talks with agitating employees as any decision on the pension scheme will have financial implications.

“I request them (government employees) to hold a discussion and withdraw the strike. They have to think and discuss the issue with the government and withdraw the strike in view of problems being faced by people,” he said.

Lakhs of state government employees went on an indefinite strike from Tuesday

I request them (govt employees) to hold a discussion and withdraw the strike. They have to think and discuss the issue with the govt and withdraw the strike in view of problems being faced by people.

—Eknath Shinde, CM

seeking restoration of the OPS, a defined pension scheme offering 50 per cent of the last drawn salary, hampering functioning of various services and facilities at hospitals.

“You can decide to go on a strike whenever you want. But it is not necessary to go on a strike today. We also told them (employee associations) that those who will retire before a deci-

14 LAKH MAHA-GOVT EMPLOYEES GO ON INDEFINITE STRIKE DEMANDING OPS

sion is taken (by the government on OPS) will get full benefits,” the CM said.

The new pension scheme was implemented in the state on November 1, 2005.

Shinde said his government is committed to ensure employees get a dignified and secured life post-retirement.

“But it is necessary to think about all available options before implementing the Old Pension Scheme and this has been brought to the notice of all employees,” he said. More on P8

BUDGET SESSION DAY 2: PARLIAMENT ADJOURNED AGAIN

BJP & CONG TRADE ‘SAY SORRY’ JIBE IN RAHUL GANDHI REMARKS

The LS and RS were adjourned soon after they met as heated exchange between BJP and Congress over Rahul’s remarks at Cambridge University in London continued

Moni Sharma

New Delhi: Parliament was adjourned for the day on Tuesday afternoon - till 11 am todayamid a continuing standoff between the ruling BJP and the Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the government and PM Narendra Modi. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha saw protests for a second straight day.

On Tuesday, Piyush Goyal picked up where he, his colleagues left off on Monday, declaring, “Both Houses are part of Parl, which have been insulted. I feel this is 1st time entire Parl was insulted.” P5

MAJOR HAPPENING

l Congress MP Shaktisinh

Gohil filed a breach of privilege notice against Piyush Goyal, for violating House rules by making allegations against a member.

PM MODI HOLDS MEETING WITH TOP MINS IN PARL

On Tuesday morning, top ministers attended a meeting in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office to fine-tune the ruling party’s strategy in Parliament. Union ministers Pralhad Joshi, Anurag Thakur, Piyush Goyal, Nitin Gadkari and Kiren Rijiju attended the meeting to discuss the Parl strategy.

WOULD HAVE BEEN INTO ACTING, IF NOT LAWYER: VP MIN THAKUR DEMANDS APOLOGY FROM RAHUL

After India’s glory at Oscars, winners being praised inside RS. “It’s a recognition in which we all must take pride”, VP and RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar hailed Naatu Naatu, The Elephant Whisperer’s win at Oscars 2023. “If I hadn’t become a lawyer, I would definitely have been into acting,” he, said.

Sanjay Raut to clarify his Maha legislature remark by March 20

First India Bureau Mumbai: Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said the time granted to him by the Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly for submitting a clarification for his “chor-mandal” remark has been extended till March 20.

Last week, Assembly

Speaker Rahul Narvekar had said that he had accepted Raut’s request for more time to submit a written clarification.

Raut had been earlier asked to submit his reply by March 3.

Asked about the extension, Raut told reporters, “It is till March 20.” Raut caused a furore last month when he dubbed the state `Vidhimandal’ (legislature) a “chor-mandal (council of thieves).

Legislators of the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena submitted to the Speaker a notice for a breach of privilege motion against him.

Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and insults the country. He should come to the Parliament and apologise to the nation. He says he is not allowed to speak in Parliament, but his attendance in Lok Sabha is lower than the average attendance of MPs in Parliament, said Union minister Anurag Thakur in Parl on Tuesday.

Clash in Pakistan as police try to arrest Imran Khan

Lahore: Pakistani police and supporters of Imran Khan fought pitched battles outside the former prime minister’s home in Lahore on Tuesday, wounding several on both sides, ahead of his expected arrest, a government spokesman and witnesses said.

DON’T GO ON STRIKE: FADNAVIS APPEALS TO EMPLOYEES

Mumbai: Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said in assembly that there is no strike. “We are ready for discussion with all the employees and organizations. The decision on old pension scheme is not a hasty decision but a well thought out decision,” Fadnavis said. “I am ready to talk to all the employee unions for a full day, not just one, four days. What steps can be taken, what can be the way forward. This is a deliberate decision. When there is no fiscal yardstick between future governments or the public, it should be considered what will be the condition of the states. The rulers should think about the future”, he said.

The employees union is ready for discussion. But when we discuss, the government tells us that they are appointing a committee. There has also been a lot of change in the labor force in the Pension Fund Development Authority in the Central Government. It has been changed so that NPS holders are given 40 per cent family pension there. But that much is not given in Maharashtra. Rs 20 lakhs are given as retirement. But it is not given in Maharashtra. Gratuity is given to NPS employees on retirement. Maharashtra doesn’t have it.

—Employee union’s office bearer

SETBACK FOR BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY VICTIMS

Top Court rejects Centre’s plea for addl compensation

First India Bureau

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the Central government’s curative plea for enhanced compensation for the victims of the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy from US-based firm Union Carbide Corporation, now owned by Dow Chemicals. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul pronounced the verdict today after reserving the order on January 12. . The bench also comprised of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Abhay S Oka, Vikram Nath and JK Maheshwari. P6

We are unsatisfied with Union of India for not furnishing any rationale for raking up this issue after 2 decades. We are of the view that curative petitions cannot be entertained.

—Justice Sanjay K Kaul, Supreme Court Judge

WHAT CENTRE SAID

The Centre’s curative plea for enhanced compensation for the victims sought a direction to Union Carbide and other firms for over `7,400 crore additional amount over and above the earlier settlement amount of USD 470 million (`715 crore at the time of settlement in 1989) for paying compensation to the gas tragedy victims.

WHAT SC REPLIED

W hile rejecting the plea, SC said, ‘Dispute can’t be re-opened after final settlement in 1989. Depreciation of rupee since 1989 can’t be a ground to now seek a “top-up” of compensation.” SC also expressed concern over `50 cr undistributed dues, also asked “How can Centre file a “curative” plea directly without filing a review?”

TRIAL IN LAKHIMPUR KHERI VIOLENCE CASE NOT ‘SLOW PACED’, SAYS SC

SC on Tuesday said trial in 2021 Lakhimpur case, in which Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish is among those facing prosecution, is not “slow paced” and directed the concerned sessions judge to keep apprising it about the future developments of trial. “We have received 3 letters from trial judge,” SC observed, adding it had gone through contents of letters received from 1st addl district and sessions judge, Lakhimpur Kheri.

No outreach by RSS towards Muslims, we respond to their invite, says Hosabale

RSS endorses PM Modi’s ‘panch-pran’ pledge and eco policy

Dimple Sharma

Panipat: RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Tuesday said that Rahul Gandhi should speak more responsibly and see the reality of the Sangh’s acceptance in society, after the Congress leader repeatedly targeted

the organisation in his recent speeches. Asked about Gandhi’s recent remarks against RSS, Hosabale

said he must be doing this for his “political agenda” but RSS does not work in the political field and he has no com-

petition with the Sangh, Hosabale said at a press conference on the last day of RSS’s ‘ABPS here. Turn to P5

MVA leaders protest demanding Sattar's resignation over remarks on farmers

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Opposition parties in Maharashtra protested on the stairs of Vidhan Bhawan demanding the resignation of Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar over his remarks on farmers.

Abdul Sattar on Sunday sparked controversy after his remarks on

the issue of “Farmers’ suicide”. The remarks drew flak from the Opposition and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders started protesting and demanding Sattar’s resignation.

Congress leader and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole attacked the Maharashtra government by calling them “anti-farmer”.

Patole said, “Be it the central government or the Maharashtra gov-

ernment, both are antifarmer. The state government is not helping farmers, we want the demands of farmers to be fulfilled and the old pension scheme to be implemented, or else we will hold “Kursi Choro Andolan” throughout the State”.

During the protest, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit

The government needs to talk to the employees who are on strike demanding the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme in the state. The state government will also have to see that if the small states have implemented this scheme, then why can’t advanced states like Maharashtra implement it?

Pawar also raised the issue of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and said that the state government should consider

leader

—Ajit Pawar, NCP

the requests of the employees.

Talking to the media, Ajit Pawar said, “The government needs to

talk to the employees who are on strike demanding the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme in the state. The state government will also have to see that if the small states have implemented this scheme, then why can’t advanced states like Maharashtra implement it? I raised the issue in the Assem-

bly today, and have requested the state government to negotiate and mediate on this as soon as possible because these strikes will lead to even more trouble for the people,” Pawar added.

Notably, under the OPS, a government employee is entitled to a monthly pension after retirement.

Proceedings of Rajya Sabha underway during the second phase of the Budget Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Dattatreya Hosabale with Sunil Ambekar during press conference on last day of RSS’s ‘Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha’, on Tuesday.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat will launch the first Urdu translation of the Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, at an event to be organised at Red Fort on Friday.

Minister blames leakage for water scarcity in Dombivali region

Case against BJP MLA over ‘hate speech’ against Muslims

Telangana legislator’s tirade on making India

‘Akhand Hindu Rashtra’ goes viral on social media platforms

Thane (PTI): People living in Dombivali in Thane district and neighbouring areas are experiencing water woes, primarily due to tanker mafia and leakage from supply lines.

First India Bureau

CHECKERED HISTORY

‘Funds going to CM’s camp MLAs, ally BJP unhappy’

Mumbai (PTI): Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar has said the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra was splurging funds to take care of 40 Shiv Sena MLAs while 105 Bharatiya Janata Party legislators remain unhappy.

In our Hindu Rashtra you won’t even get a loudspeaker to do what you do five times a day. —T Raja Singh, BJP leader

as “Akhand Hindu Rashtra” by 2026, Singh said.

Industries min Uday

Samant has directed police to take action against pilferers too

This was revealed during a surprise visit to Dombivali industrial area by Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant on Monday night who told a news channel that at least 27 villages are facing water scarcity once again.

He said a mineral water plant with huge tanks was found operating in MIDC area sans permission and asked the civic chief to take action. The minister directed the police to act against the water pilferers.

Samant said he was shocked to find that water was tapped out from the main supply lines of MIDC and Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation in late hours.

Pune: An offence has been registered in Maharshtra’s Ahmednagar against suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Telangana T Raja Singh over a video of his vitriolic speech targeting Muslims that went viral on social media.

The MLA was also recently questioned by Latur police in Maharashtra over another provocative tirade of his, officials said.

“Whoever speaks against Hindus, we will

not spare them,” Singh is heard telling the sizeable crowd comprising mostly youth in Rahta tehsil in Ahmednagar district at a recent public meeting. Singh is heard saying that if someone wants to beat “lande” (a derogatory reference to Muslims), they should join Bajrang Dal. He is also

heard seeking the support of youth to make India “Hindu Rashtra”.

“Let the ‘lande’ of Maharashtra know that the army of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is ready. Let those who talk against Hindus or slaughter cows know that we are ready,” he is heard saying. India will be declared

“Hindus are demanding the country be made an ‘Akhand Hindu Rashtra’. If there can be more than 50 Islamic countries and more than 150 Christian nations, why can’t India be declared a Hindu Rashtra given that Hindus constitute a majority of its 100 million people?” he asked.

“Come what may, in 2025 and 2026, India will be declared as ‘Akhand Hindu Rashtra’. I am not saying this, this is the roar of all sadhus

and sants and it is their prophecy,” said Singh, amid cheers by the crowd.

A senior official on Tuesday said they have registered a case against the MLA.

“We have registered an offence against Singh and the event organizers under sections 295 A (Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 504 (Intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code,” he said.

Shinde became chief minister in June last year with the support of the BJP after his rebellion brought down the Uddhav Thackerayled Maha Vikas Aghadi government, in which Pawar was deputy CM.

Speaking on the budget on Monday, Pawar, who also handled the finance portfolio in the MVA government, hinted at unease among the BJP MLAs claiming funds were being used for Shiv Sena MLAs.

“Funds are being splurged to take care of 40 MLAs. There is doubt whether this is a government of only 40 of

AI flight smoking: Man refuses to pay ` 25K for bail

First India Bureau Mumbai: A man booked for alleged unruly behaviour and smoking on an Air India flight was sent to jail by a court here after he refused to pay Rs25,000 for bail and instead cited an online ‘search’ to claim the fine payable under the IPC section was Rs 250. A court has granted the accused, Ratnakar Dwivedi, a cash bail,

but he refused to pay the amount and told he was ready to go to jail.

He was booked under section 336 (the act of endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code after he was allegedly caught smoking in the lavatory of Air India’s London-Mumbai flight and behaving in an unruly manner on March 10.

The accused told the court he had read on-

line that the fine payable under section 336 of the IPC is Rs250, which he was willing to pay, but not the bail amount. Following this, the Andheri metropolitan magistrate sent him to jail on Monday. Air India had said a passenger was found smoking in the lavatory of the flight and behaved in an unruly and aggressive manner, despite repeated warnings from attendants.

Council clears bill to extend MESMA term

Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday passed a bill that seeks to extend for five more years the term of an Act that provides for the maintenance of certain essential services in the state.

The Maharashtra Es-

sential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) is generally invoked to ensure smooth functioning of services such as those related to health, transportation and communication, among others.

The Upper House cleared the bill to give a fresh five-year exten-

LAND OF NARANGIS!

sion to the legislation.

The law was first introduced in the early 1990s and since then it has been getting an extension every five years.

The bill was cleared on a day when state government employees launched a strike for the Old Pension Scheme.

The Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act gets an addt’l five years

WHAT HAPPENED

BJP legislators not happy and there are many problems, feels NCP’s Ajit Pawar

the 288 MLAs. Even 105 BJP MLAs are unhappy. They are quiet but there is a lot of unease. They face a lot of problems. And they are told to have patience as it is better than sitting in the opposition,” claimed Pawar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

CRUCIAL READ

BYCULLA THEATRE OPENS AFTER A YEAR, WITHOUT CM IN ATTENDANCE

HC dismisses PIL seeking ‘DA probe’ against Thackerays

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation seeking a disproportionate assets case against former Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family.

Observing that it sought a “roving enquiry”, the HC also imposed a cost of Rs25,000 on the petitioners holding that the PIL was bereft of any evidence and that it was nothing but an abuse of the process of law.

The PIL, filed by city residents Gauri Bhide and Abhay Bhide, sought the court’s direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct a “thorough and impartial” investigation against the ex-CM and his family.

Rejecting the petition, a division bench of justices Dheeraj Thakur and Valmiki Menezes said it provided no evidence that would give a basis to the court to conclude that prima facie a case was made out for an investigation by the CBI or any other central agency.

“On a reading of the complaint and the peti-

tion, it appears that the petitioners are only speculating on the sudden rise in the prosperity index of the private respondents (Thackerays) from their humble beginning. Therefore, entertain a suspicion that the lifestyle maintained by the said private respondents could only be attributed to the corrupt practices in the BMC,” the bench said. Calling herself a “sincere and vigilant” citizen, one of the petitioners said in court she wanted to help the Government of India “un-

Uddhav and his son Aaditya Thackeray.

earthing some more hidden, unaccounted wealth disproportionate to income and also unearth laundered money”.

The plea stated she was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “fight against corruption”.

However, the court termed the PIL “nothing but an abuse of the process of law”, the HC dismissed it with a cost of Rs25,000. It directed the petitioners to deposit the amount in the Advocates Welfare Fund within a period of two months.

Mumbai: The BMC opened the Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe auditorium in Byculla after waiting for months for Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s appointment for the inauguration. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) spent a large sum of money on maintenance while waiting for the CM to inaugurate the auditorium, but the decision to open it without a formal inauguration was taken by top-level officials in the BMC due to the busy schedules of ministers.

BEST RESUMES 369 NON-AC CNG BUSES AFTER A MONTH

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has resumed its services involving 369 out of 400 CNG buses that had been withdrawn last month. These buses operate from depots in Dharavi, Santacruz, Majas and Pratiksha Nagar and are mainly operated on 32 routes in the city and western suburbs. The bus services were withdrawn keeping in mind the safety of passengers after one of them caught fire. However, following an inspection by their manufacturer, Tata Motors, the undertaking decided to gradually resume services with the 400 buses.

PANCHAYAT SAMITI OFFICIAL HELD FOR `2K BRIBE DEMAND

Mumbai: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested an official of a panchayat samiti in the Gondia district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs2,000 and a meal, an official said. The complainant claimed that Rs77,000 was sanctioned to his father under the MGNREA scheme. The official took a Rs5,000 bribe to clear the bill and then demanded Rs3,000 and a meal, the official said. Based on a complaint, the ACB laid a trap and arrested the accused, who is a Class III junior engineer in Goregaon taluka panchayat samiti, he said.

‘Moving hand over back, head of minor not outraging modesty’

Bombay High Court sets aside conviction of 28-year-old, says act done without sexual intent

First India Bureau

Mumbai: While quashing the conviction of a 28-year-old man, the Bombay High Court observed “merely moving hand over the back and head of a minor girl without any sexual intent does not amount to outraging her modesty.”

The case dates back to 2012 when the convict, then 18 years old, was booked on charges of outraging the modesty of a 12-year-old girl.

According to the victim, the accused had moved his hand on her back and head and commented that she had grown up. The order was passed on February 10 and was made available on March 13.

A single bench of Justice Bharati Dangre, while setting aside the conviction, noted there

School in city welcomes girl students after 132 yrs

First India Bureau

THE CASE

As per the prosecution, on March 15, 2012, the appellant, who was then 18 years old, visited the victim’s house when she was alone to give some documents. He then touched her back and head and said she has grown up, and the girl got uncomfortable and shouted for help.

The man, who was convicted by the trial court and sentenced to six months in jail, had filed an appeal against the order in High Court.

Mumbai: Doing away with the 132-year-old tradition of allowing only boys, a school in Mumbai has welcomed girls. The change happened last year bringing 16 girls to Bharda New High School and the management expects to have more girl students in the new academic year. Situated in South Mumbai opposite the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Bharda New High School & Junior College was established in January 1891 by Jalbhai Dorabji Bharda and

Bharda New High School decided to change its policy three years ago

Kaikobad Behramji Marzban.

The school has given India a number of cricketers, including Vijay Merchant, Polly Umrigar and Nari Contractor, as well as wellknown table tennis player Sudhir K Thackersey.

Trustees of Bharda Marzban Educational Trust, which has been managing the institution since 1954, said the

junior college has always been a co-ed institution, but the school was for boys only. However, the trust decided to change its age-old policy three years back.

“The policy to turn the school into a co-educational institution was made three years ago. However, the implementation was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we returned to normalcy, admissions opened to girls last year. We expect more girls to join the school in the upcoming academic year,” said Kersi J Treasurywala, secretary of the trust.

First India Bureau

Pune: A five-year-old boy, Sagar Barela, fell into a borewell in a village in Ahmednagar district on Monday. Despite a rescue operation lasting over nine hours, the efforts proved futile as the child was pulled out dead in the early hours of Tuesday. Sagar was the son of a sugarcane worker from Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh. According to a police, child descended from a bullock cart at approximately 5 pm on Monday in Kopardi village, located in Karjat tehsil nearly 125km away from

In absence of a specific intention being established by the prosecution to outrage the modesty, it is not understood as to how Section 354 has been invoked and even held to be proved, with the specific version that the victim was frightened at the accused touching her on her back and saying that she has grown up. The utterance by the accused definitely indicates he had seen her as a child and, hence, he said that she has grown up.

was no sexual intent on the part of the convict and that his utterance indicated he had seen the victim as a child.

“In order to outrage the modesty of a woman, what is most important is having an intention to outrage the mod-

district

Pune, and subsequently fell into a borewell.

Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local police and district administration personnel, launched an operation to rescue him. Officials had said the boy was trapped at a depth of 15ft in the defunct borewell.

“The boy was pulled out dead from the borewell at around 2 am Tuesday,” a police official said.

Karjat-Jamkhed

MLA Rohit Pawar said farmers should take care to properly cover borewells in their fields.

esty. It is not the case of the prosecution that the accused did something more than what has been alleged, that is, moving his hand over the back and head of the victim,” said Justice Dangre.

“Neither the victim

— Bombay High Court

girl aged 12-13 years spoke of any bad intention on his part, but what she deposed is she felt bad or indicating some unpleasant act, which made her uncomfortable,” the judge said in the order.

The HC further said

the prosecution failed to produce any material to show there was a specific intention on part of the appellant to outrage the modesty of the girl.

The man, who was convicted by the trial court and sentenced to six months in jail, had filed an appeal against the order in HC.

In its order, the HC said the trial court had erred as the present case, prima facie, appeared to be an impromptu action with no sexual intent.

Child marriage: SSC student skips Maths paper

First India Bureau

Aurangabad: A case of child marriage was reported in Maharashtra's Beed district after a girl student skipped her Mathematics paper during the ongoing SSC exams in the state, an official said on Tuesday. Police have registered a case against 13 identified persons and 150-200

Forest Dept traps leopard in resi area

First India Bureau Mumbai: An adult leopard got caught in a trap cage set up by the Forest Department near a residential area in the western suburb of Malad on Tuesday, a forest official said.

The 16-year-old student was married off to a 24-year-old man

guests who had attended the wedding. The country's law prohibits the solemnization of marriage of a boy who is less than 21

15-year-old minor sexually harassed by cousin, kills self

First India Bureau

rescued

The forest department had received complaints about recent sightings of leopards near MHADA colony in Dindoshi and a trap was set up in the radius of the locality, the official added. The animal walked into the trap in the early hours of the day, the official said.

Mumbai: A 15-year-old girl allegedly killed herself on Friday after being repeatedly sexually harassed by her cousin brother, police said on Tuesday. As per the police, the suspect has been booked for alleged sexual harassment and abetment of suicide.

The suspect cousin brother was arrested and will be further interrogated to know whether he has molested the victim’s sister as well.

The police said that the deceased girl lived with her parents,

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD

younger sister and brother. On March 10, the parents had gone to a doctor while her siblings were playing outside. At around 1.30 pm, when her parents returned, they found that children were knocking on the door but their elder daughter (the vic-

tim) was not opening the door. When the door was broken open, they found the girl hanging by the ceiling. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead. The postmortem was carried out which confirmed she died due to asphyxia.

2 MEN HELD FOR RAPING MINOR GIRL

Mumbai: Police have arrested two men for allegedly raping a minor, filming the act and blackmailing her that if she informed anyone, they would circulate the video. DCP (zone IX) Anil Paraskar said, “Two accused men have been arrested in the case. They have been produced before the court and remanded in police custody.” The officer said the incident took place on the afternoon of March 02.

causing skin wounds to Washim’s women workers

Oil released after breaking the outer covering of godambi dry fruit leaves deep scars on their hands

Washim: Women in several villages in Washim district of the state earn a living by breaking “bhilawa”, the outer covering of a nut

called godambi, a dry fruit. But this has an occupational hazard: while breaking the bhilawa, an oil is released which causes wounds on the skin. The oil released by

breaking the “bhilawa” leads to deep scars and marks. As a result, the physical appearance of women is affected due to the oil that comes out. According to the women, it becomes difficult for girls to get married due to this work.

Rupali Tayde, who lives in Amani village of Washim said, “The

oil that flies on the body after breaking “bhilawa” leaves stains, due to which there is a problem in the marriage of girls. Even people from outside do not want to marry their girls in this village. They believe that if they get married in this village, then their girls will also have to do the same work.”

years of age and a girl who is less than 18 years old. The 16-year-old girl did not take her Maths paper on Monday prompting an activist to raise an alert through Childline helpline 1098. When gramsevak (village worker) Dnyaneshwar Mukade reached the girl's place, he learnt about the girl's marriage to a 24-year-

old man, the official said. Mukade tried to seek details about the alleged illegal act but her relatives did not respond to his questions. A case was then registered under the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, the official said. Activist Tatwashil Kamble said the wedding was already over when officials reached.

CRUCIAL READ

TWO KILLED IN ROAD MISHAP AS TRUCK HITS BIKE

Aurangabad: Two persons were killed when a truck hit their motorcycle in Parbhani district on Tuesday, police said. The accident occurred on Kalyan-Nirmal Highway at Manwat bypass around 8.30 am, an official said. The deceased, Rameshwar Kadam and Gangadhar Raul, were working as teachers and were on a motorcycle when a truck travelling from Pathri hit their vehicle, official added.

WOMAN HELD FOR RUNNING FLESH TRADE OPERATION

Thane: A woman has been apprehended by the police in the Thane area for allegedly running a prostitution ring, while her male partner remains at large. Authorities conducted a search in the Narpoli region and rescued two female victims. The woman, along with her missing accomplice, has been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act.

22 ELECTRIC METERS OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING GUTTED IN THANE FIRE

Thane: At least 22 electric meters were destroyed in a fire that broke out in the meter room of a building near Kalwa township in Thane district, civic officials said. No one was reported injured in the incident. A fire broke out in the meter room of a four-story building located in Vitawa, Thane at around 1 am, according to a Thane disaster management cell official. The building was a ground-plus four-storey structure. Fire Brigade personnel quickly arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the flames within an hour.

BLAZE ERUPTS AT HOTEL, RESCUE OP UNDERWAY

Mumbai: A fire erupted at a hotel situated in the suburban Dahisar region of Mumbai. The flames quickly spread across the compound of Shree Krushna hotel, with the Bamboo stock in the vicinity being particularly affected. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials have confirmed that the Mumbai Fire Brigade personnel are currently working to extinguish the blaze.

MAN KILLS WIFE, GOES TO WORK & SURRENDERS LATER

Palghar: A man was arrested for allegedly strangling his wife to death in the Nalasopara area of Palghar district. The incident took place in their home and the man went to work after killing his wife. “A man strangled his wife to death on Monday morning because he suspected infidelity and went to work. After returning from work, the accused husband surrendered himself to the police,” police said.

The case dates back to 2012, when the accused was 18 years old.

Boy pulled out dead after falling in borewell in Ahmednagar

The 5-year-old boy’s body, who could not be

from the borewell. —PHOTO BY PTI

‘Bhilawa’

NO ONE BUT MODI CAN DO IT!

Reconstructing the Construction Construct: Modi’s Projects are Jan Andolans

The narrator proves to us how “Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai” is hundred percent true when it comes to visualizing and implementing seemingly impossible projects. Be it the Statue of Unity, the Mahatma Mandir, golden jubilee celebrations or any other corporate project, PM Modi sees them right through till the end so much so that one is convinced that “No One But Modi Can Do It!”

My conversation with PM Modi veered off in a direction where I believe I mentioned to him something about having a Sardar Patel statue outside the Mahatma Mandir. He asked me “Harshad bhai! Tell me what do you know about Sardar Patel? What have you read about him?” And then his innermost thoughts started pouring out in words that eloquently expressed his reverence for the Iron Man of India. He said “In Gujarat, I will have this statue overlooking the river basin of the Narmada and have it stand tallest amongst the biggest statues of the world. This will be taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York which people look at and are mesmerized. And we will have it located at the Sardar Sarovar dam. And we will create exceptional and memorable tourism experiences there! We must have airports and airstrips, banquet halls - a convention centre where we can hold international conferences and seminars. There will be light and sound shows in the evening to depict the life and times of Sardar Patel.” This is how Narendra bhai visualized his dream project and we got down to making this

BJP chose Narendra Modi as their Prime Ministerial candidate and he became the most loved PM this country has ever had in 2014!

dream a reality. There were several gray areas that needed to be clarified and at the first instance, any project of this magnitude seems impossible. Sometimes we would be engulfed in a deluge of doubts, if we would be even able to do this much!

Well, BJP came up with its memorable slogan “Modi Hai to Mumkin Hai”. Although this came up later, at that time Modiji proved that indeed if he’s there, everything’s possible. When it was time for real time execution of this project, we had to work through the fund allocation worth ` 300 crore. Whatever we had at that time was way too short for a project of this magnitude. But God had other plans for us!

With the kind of persona Narendra bhai possesses, his vision and the dreams that he watches with eyes wide open, they come true and the goddess of destiny is always by his side. BJP chose him as their Prime Ministerial candidate and he became the most loved PM this country has ever had in 2014!

During the golden jubilee celebrations of India’s independence, Narendra bhai’s emotions towards his country, towards Mahatma Gandhi and his ideology, and his personal feelings for Bapu’s thought were manifested through the construction of such a property in Gujarat that would forever stand as a remembrance for Mahatma Gandhi. He decided to have this Mahatma Mandir constructed right opposite the Gandhinagar Secretariat in

Vidhan Sabha region. Now to get some something constructed is a very simple ask for a CM - all he needs to do is put it in a file, sign it and order the concerned department. But when I had a word with Narendra bhai about this, he said “Harshad bhai! I want the people to own this place and I want the youth to associate with this project. I want school students from all the districts and talukas of Gujarat to come to this place in buses, they should bring water and soil from their villages, and with this soil of our state we should lay the foundation of this memorial. He also envisioned the contribution of the youth and the masses in this project. And this is how Narendra bhai realized this dream by involving the people contributing towards its making. This has been his vision towards almost every development project that he has visualized and brought to life! He believes in shramdaan - shramdaan of his people, of the karyakartas, of the youth - so much so that it almost assumes the form of a Jan Andolan!

With Narendra bhai, it is like this - the project has been laid down and is ready, contractors are also ready; they have been appointed and orders have been issued, but completion of the project within the stipulated timelines and dedicating it to the people, often times feels impossible. For instance, even with companies such as L&T, one often doubts if they would be able to meet the targets within the given deadlines or not. But once Narendra bhai has taken a decision, he sees it through and through by being present at every stage personally and he asks for continuous reports and feedback.

And the Mahatma Mandir that he visualized embodies the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi who picked up a pinch of salt and breathed into the freedom struggle a new life, Narendra bhai infused this same spirit in this Mandir. Look at the exhibition of Gandhiji’s life created with assistance of Birla family! It is a world class experience. Creating such a historical and immortal opus in a time as short as 268 time is something that only Modiji can do - it is indeed laudable and simply remarkable!

The golden jubilee celebrations in Gujarat were going on. I made a presentation running into 60 slides on this

WITH MODIJI, THE PROJECTS MEET THE DEADLINES

W ith Narendra bhai, it is like this - the project has been laid down and is ready, contractors are also ready; they have been appointed and orders have been issued, but completion of the project within the stipulated timelines and dedicating it to the people, often times feels impossible. For instance, even with companies such as L&T, one often doubts if they would be able to meet the targets within the given deadlines or not.

issue and reached the CM office. My counterparts who were with me were slightly busy in a meeting and some senior IAS officers were present outside the office. They asked me “Harshad bhai!

How many slides have you prepared?” I replied, “60”.

They said “Suppose you have to make a presentation to the chairman of the company you work for, would you still make a presentation this long and will your chairman watch it too?” They continued “He is the CM of Gujarat! He is Narendra bhai!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

AFFECTION I RECEIVED FROM MODIJI IS THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT EVER

I concluded the golden jubilee presentation telling Narendra bhai that this is what I had in mind about how event must be celebrated and I requested him to pick and choose what he liked. He spoke with affection and his words that day to me, I believe, were greatest compliment or certificate I could have ever received for all my corporate achievements and knowledge. He said “Harshad bhai! This is an extremely professionally crafted and drafted presentation and there is nothing that I wish to delete here! I will implement every single suggestion you have put up to me today!”

Bring down the number of slides to 10 or 12.” But just then I was called into the CM’s office and I went ahead with the presentation I had.

Let me tell you - the meeting lasted 4 hours. I spent 1 minute on every slide and Narendra bhai spoke for 3 minutes about each slide. I concluded the presentation telling Narendra bhai that this is what I had in mind about how the golden jubilee must be celebrated and I requested him to pick and choose what he liked. He spoke with affection and his words that day

to me, I believe, were the greatest compliment or certificate I could have ever received for all my corporate achievements and knowledge. He said “Harshad bhai! This is an extremely professionally crafted and drafted presentation and there is nothing that I wish to delete here! I will implement every single suggestion you have put up to me today!” TO BE

Court

ROUNDUP

SC TO HEAR PLEA AGAINST BAIL TO K’TAKA BJP MLA

Process begun for amendments to major criminal laws: Centre

Rahul’s remarks don’t require an apology: Tharoor

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear plea of Karnataka Lokayukta against grant of anticipatory bail to BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, main accused in the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents contract scam. The plea was initially mentioned for urgent listing before a bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud, who asked the Lokayukta’s counsel to mention the matter before a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kaul.

PLEA AGAINST USE OF LOUDSPEAKERS BY MOSQUES IN GUJ

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has sought the state govt’s reply on a PIL seeking a ban on the use of loudspeakers for reciting ‘azaan’ (call to prayer) in mosques. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav on Monday allowed Shaktisinh Zala, a Bajrang Dal leader, to join the PIL after the original petitioner Dharmendra Prajapati sought to withdraw it citing threats.

DELHI GOVT TOLD TO CONSTRUCT TOILETS FOR TRANSGENDERS

New Delhi (ANI): The government has initiated the process for comprehensive amendments to criminal laws like the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 in consultation with all stakeholders, Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra told the Lok Sabha.

Govt not mulling to create any new state, MoS informs Lok Sabha

Various steps taken to tackle drug smuggling at border areas: Govt

New Delhi (ANI): As the BJP continues to demand an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in London on democracy in India, party MP Shashi Tharoor said that Gandhi has not said anything that requires an apology.

NOT RAHUL BUT CENTRE SHOULD APOLOGISE: ADHIR

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has set a deadline of 8 weeks for construction of toilets for transgenders in the city and warned it will order personal appearance of the top officials concerned of the Delhi govt and NDMC in case of non-compliance. Court noted that as per status report filed by the city govt, while the process of construction was stated to be underway, no toilets have been built for transgenders.

BCI: WILL CONSIDER INCLUDING LAW ON RTE IN CURRICULUM

New Delhi: The Bar Council of India on Tuesday told Delhi High Court that it will consider within “reasonable time” the issue of introducing Right to Education Act as a compulsory subject in law colleges. Court was hearing a PIL, which asserted that RTE Act can be implemented in its true letter and spirit only if it is taught as a compulsory subject in the curriculum.

The Minister made the announcement while giving a written reply to the query of a few parliamentarians. Asked whether the government is in the process of review of the existing many criminal laws including the Indian Evidence Act, of 1872, Mishra said the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its 146th Report had recommended that there is a need for a comprehensive review of the Criminal Justice System of the country.

“Earlier, the Parliamentary Standing

Committee in its 111th and 128th Reports had also stressed the need to reform and rationalize the criminal law of the country by introducing comprehensive legislation in Parliament rather than bringing about piecemeal

Karnataka DGP is ‘nalayak’, should be arrested: Shivakumar

Bengaluru (Agencies): Congress’ Karnataka President DK Shivakumar on Tuesday demanded arrest of the state DGP Praveen Sood for allowing erection of an entrance in the name of Nanje Gowda and Uri Gowda, two historical figures who, as per Hindu activists, had killed erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan.

During the visit of PM Narendra Modi to Karnataka to dedicate Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway, Praveen Sood has allowed distortion of history by allowing an entrance to be named after Nanje Gowda and Uri Gowda. A case should be lodged against him and he has to be arrested,” Shiva-

kumar said.

“This DGP is a nalayak (useless). He had heeded the demands of the government. Immediately, a case should be registered against him.

The Election Commission should transfer him to a different place. He was there in the post for three years. Why is he still there?” he asked.

amendments in respective Acts,” the MoS told the Lower House.

“With a view to making comprehensive changes in the criminal laws of the country to provide affordable and speedy justice to all, create a people-centric

No outreach...

The RSS, in its resolution, has endorsed the leadership of PM Modi saying that the “panchapran” mantra given by him in his Independence Day speech last year could free the nation from the colonial mindset. Hosabale also said that the RSS agrees with the Centre’s view on same-sex marriage, adding that marriage can take place only between two people from opposite genders. On the question of the Sangh’s outreach to Muslims, Hosabale said RSS leaders are meeting Muslim intellectuals and their spiritual leaders on their invitation only. Responding to questions on Gandhi’s remarks in the UK, the RSS leader said, “Those who converted India into a jail have no right to comment on democracy in the country.”

New Delhi: There is no proposal under the Central government’s consideration for creation of any new state, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday by the government. Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Nityanand Rai said this while replying to a written question on whether the government has received any proposal for the constitution of Bundelkhand state.

legal structure, the government has initiated the process for comprehensive amendments to criminal laws like Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 in consultation with all

New Delhi: Government has taken various steps to tackle drug smuggling at the border areas. MoS Nityanand Rai said this in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Rai said, detailed vulnerability mapping has been carried out along the border to strengthen surveillance by deploying additional Special Surveillance Equipment and other available resources in the vulnerable patches.

stakeholders,” Mishra added. He further said that a committee had been constituted under the Chairpersonship of the Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi to suggest reforms in the Criminal laws.

Tharoor further said that Rahul Gandhi expressed concern about the state of democracy and attacks on it by the practices of the ruling government. “Rahul Gandhi hasn’t said anything that requires an apology. He expressed concern about the state of our democracy and attacks on it by the practices of the ruling government,” he said.

The Congress MP said this is nothing what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in foreign countries.

“This is milder than what PM Narendra Modi has said in foreign countries. He has constantly attacked the Congress party, the previous government, and alleged lack of progress before he came to power. This kind of discourse abroad was initiated by PM Modi, not by Congress,” he added.

Non-eligible candidates appointed in Railway: CBI

New Delhi (ANI): The CBI in its chargesheet filed in the land-for-job scam stated that irregular appointments of candidates were made in Central Railway, violating the laid down norms and procedures of Indian Railways for recruitment. As a quid-pro-quo, candidates directly or through their immediate relatives/family members, sold land to the family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav (then Railway Minister) at highly discounted rates up to 1/4th to 1/5th of the prevailing market rates, stated CBI. CBI further stated that investigation has revealed that Lalu Yadav during the period 2007-08. When he was

KCR IS WORRIED ABOUT CONGRESS!

Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: Bharat

Rashtra Samithi leader

K Chandrasekhar Rao is still seen fighting with the Congress. But he is also worried about the Congress. KCR knows that if the Congress fights with more vigor in Telangana, it will benefit the BJP. Congress also understands this, so to keep the pressure on KCR, it is holding rallies and programs in Telangana.

Whether both the parties will coordinate in the compulsion to stop the BJP or not, is a matter on which decision can be taken later, but

for now, KCR has started showing goodwill. In Delhi, his daughter Kavita asked the Congress to give up its stubbornness and join the alliance.

When Kavita asked

the Congress to join the alliance, she was not talking about an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections. She meant to come together in the Telangana elections. Keep in mind that Con-

gress has a good presence in Telangana and Asaduddin Owaisi’s party MIM has influence in a large area. In this way three parties Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Congress and

MIM are doing one vote bank politics. If one vote bank is divided into three parties, then BJP will be benefited. KCR does not want a hung assembly, so, from the beginning, he has been showing harmony with the Congress. His daughter Kavita went on a one-day hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on March 10 and praised Sonia Gandhi fiercely. She thanked Sonia that due to her efforts, the Women’s Reservation Bill could be passed in the Rajya Sabha. After this initiative from her side, some interesting changes can be seen.

of Yadavs were recently raided in Patna and Delhi.

Railways Minister, with the intent to acquire the land parcels situated in Vill- Mahuabagh, Patna and Vill-Kunjwa, Patna which were situated adjacent to the land parcels already owned by his family members; entered into a criminal conspiracy with his wife Rabri Devi, daughter Misha Bharati, Officers of Central Rail-

ways namely Sowmya Raghvan the then General Manager, Kamal Deep Mainrai, the then Chief Personnel Officer, and residents of VillMahjabagh, Patna and Vill-Bindaul, Bihta, Patna and Patna City namely Raj Kumar Singh, Mithlesh Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Dharmendra Kumar and others.

DIPLOMATIC DIALOGUE!

New Delhi: Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Centre should apologise not Rahul Gandhi. “Govt doesn’t want to run the Parliament. Has it ever been witnessed that all the members of a party in power create a ruckus to halt the Parliament?,” he said.

YOUTH CONGRESS PROTESTS IN DELHI AGAINST ADANI ISSUE

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) held a protest outside Lt Governor VK Saxena’s office here, demanding an investigation into allegations made against the Adani group in the Hindenburg research report. Several IYC leaders and workers gathered at Civil Lines, holding banners and raising slogans.

LIE-BASED PERSONAL ATTACK: PITRODA ON RAHUL’S CRITICISM

New Delhi: Amid storm over Rahul’s “democracy” remarks, Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Tuesday said Rahul never invited any foreign countries for help and was being subjected to a ‘well-orchestrated’ personal attack based on “lies and misinformation”.

Nandigram police firing’s 16th anniv: TMC, BJP lock horns

Kolkata (PTI): TMC and BJP locked horns on Tuesday as both parties sought to appropriate the legacy of the antiland acquisition movement at Nandigram on its 16th anniversary.

The BJP, led by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, organised rallies in Nandigram area of Purba Medinipur district to commemorate the day which saw 14 anti-land acquisition protestors killed in police firing in 2007.

“The Nandigram movement was not a movement of any particular party but of the locals. It is a heroic tale of resilience and struggle of the poor people of Nandigram, who fought against the then mighty Left Front,” he said.

The proceedings of Lok Sabha underway during Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Congress MPs stage a protest over various issues including the Adani stocks issue, at Parliament, on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao addressing joint meeting of the BRS Parliamentary Party, Legislature Party and the State Executive, in Hyderabad recently. —FILE PHOTO

A multi-party French delegation led by Jean-Louis Bourlangescalls on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at Parliament House, in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Residences

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY CASE

Tragedy claimed over 3,000 human lives and caused huge environmental damage...

m DEC 2-3, 1984: Leakage of toxic Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal.

m DEC 3, 1984: Police register FIR. Arrests Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL) employees, including Jai Mukund (Works Manager), Satya Chaudhary (Asst Manager), KV Shetty (Plant Supdt) and others.

m DEC 6, 1984: Case transferred to CBI.

m DEC 7, 1984: Chairman of UCIL Warren M Anderson, Chairman of UCIL Keshub Mahindra and Managing Director of UCIL Vijay Prabhakar Gokhle arrested.

m DEC 7, 1984: Warren Anderson released on bail upon a promise to return.

m DEC 9, 1984: CBI takes over the investigation.

m FEB 1985: Indian govt files claim for USD 3.3 billion from UCIL in US court.

m MAR 29, 1985: The Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 passed.

m MAY 12, 1986: US District Court Judge Keenan transfers all Bhopal litigations to India.

m NOV 30, 1987: CBI files charge sheet in the CJM court, Bhopal, charging the accused under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and other charges.

m DEC 1987: CBI files charge sheet against Anderson and others on charges of culpable homicide.

m DEC 1, 1987: CJM, Bhopal issues summons against Anderson.

m NOV 15, 1988: CJM, Bhopal issues bailable warrants against Anderson.

m FEB 1992: Anderson declared fugitive by court.

m APR 10, 1992: Bhopal court issues Non-Bailable Warrant against Anderson.

m JUNE 22, 1992: Bhopal CJM commits the case to the Sessions court against the rest of the nine accused.

m NOV 1994: Despite petitions by survivors, the

Stalin seeks PM’s help for release of TN 16 fishermen from Sri Lanka

Chennai (Agencies):

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the release of 16 fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

In a letter to the PM on Tuesday, the Tamil Nadu CM requested him to initiate diplomatic steps to ensure the release of the fishermen.

“This is the third incident of attack/arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan nationals/Navy within a month and as you are aware, these fishermen are solely dependent on their fishing activity for livelihood and such frequent incidents shatter the livelihood of poor fishermen and also cre-

ate fear psychosis in the minds of poor fishermen from Tamil Nadu.”

He said that 102 fishing boats are in the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy as of date and added that six fishing boats that were released by Sri Lanka are yet to

CRUCIAL READ

be repatriated to India.

Stalin, in the letter, requested the Prime Minister to initiate “necessary diplomatic steps to secure the early release of all 16 fishermen and 102 fishing boats that were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy.”

TN FISHERMEN RUE

CUCUMBER FISHING

Supreme Court allows Union Carbide to sell its stake in UCIL to McLeod Russell (India) Ltd of Calcutta.

m SEPT 13, 1996: SC on plea of accused dilutes the charges framed against them by the trial court and upheld by MP High Court.

m MAY 2003:Indian govt formally conveys to the US its request for extradition of Anderson.

m MAY 2004: A US court says it could order Dow Chemicals to clean soil and ground water in the

abandoned factory site if the Indian government provides a no objection certificate.

m JUNE 2004: The US rejects request for Anderson’s extradition.

m OCT 26, 2004: The Supreme Court sets deadline of November 15 to pay out the rest of USD 470 million paid by Union Carbide as compensation.

m JUNE 7, 2010: After more than 25 years, Bhopal CJM holds guilty all 8 accused and sentences them to two years of jail term. All

convicts were granted bail.

m FEB 28, 2011: The Supreme Court decides to hear on day-to-day basis Centre’s plea for restoration of culpable homicide charge.

m MAY 23, 2011: Delhi court allows CBI plea seeking to extradite Anderson from the US.

m APRIL 13, 2011: The Supreme Court questions delay in filing the curative petition.

m MAY 11, 2011: The Supreme Court dismisses CBI’s curative petition but leaves it to Sessions court to consider strict charges against the accused persons.

m JAN 12, 2023: The Supreme Court reserves verdict on Centre’s curative petition seeking enhancement of compensation to victims.

m MARCH 14, 2023: The Supreme Court dismisses Centre’s curative petition seeking enhancement of compensation to victims.

The Chief Minister also recalled his earlier letters addressed to the Union External Affairs minister who had taken up the matter with the Sri Lanka government and despite all the efforts such incidents are continuing.

Chennai: The fishermen association affiliated with the Congress party, All India Fishermen Congress will conduct a protest march in Delhi in April against the Sea Cucumber fishing ban. The Centre banned fishing of Sea Cucumber in 2001 citing it as an endangered species. The fishermen are demanding to lift the ban on fishing this species. Notably, there is almost one case registered on a daily basis on smuggling of Sea Cucumber from India, especially from the Ramanathapuram coast. The farmers urged the Central govt to lift the ban so that the sale of Sea Cucumbers increases, fetching good profits for fishermen.

New Delhi (Agencies): India has emerged first responder in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) at global level, said Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, in his virtual message to a Workshop on Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief, Risk Mitigation and Disaster Resilience rganized under the aegis of Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), Ministry of Defence today on 14th March, 2023 at New Delhi. The workshop was organized as part of India’s Chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and was attended by speakers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Belarus, Mongolia, Pakistan and China along with speak-

er from Russia in the virtual mode.

“In keeping with our cultural beliefs of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the whole world is one family, India has been playing an important role in providing HADR in the region and beyond”, he added, citing the instances such as Operation Maitri – rescue operations during earthquake in Nepal, Assistance to Sri Lanka

in 2016 during Cyclone Roanu, earthquake in Indonesia in 2018, flooding in Madagascar in January 2020, Supply of Vaccines during the COVID 19 pandemic etc. He further said that timely launch of Operation Dost following the recent earthquake in Turkiye is a testimony to India’s willingness to extend help to all possible corners of the globe.

UP:

5 KILLED, 9 INJURED IN AGRA LUCKNOW

EXPRESSWAY ACCIDENT

Firozabad: In a tragic incident on Tuesday, five people including a woman were killed while nine others in a collision between two four-wheelers on the Agra Lucknow Expressway, the police said. An ambulance on its way also collided with the car and leaving those inside it injured, they added. “The accident happened near pillar number 48 of the Agra Lucknow Expressway, near Thana Nasirpur area,” said Ravi Ranjan, District Officer, Firozabad.

Terrorist held in J&K’s Sopore district

Over 900 Omicron sub-variants detected in last 4 months: Govt

‘Vibrant Prog’ for border villages’ development

27-YR-OLD TRICHY

9

HELD IN T’GANA STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION EXAM PAPER LEAK CASE

Hyderabad: Hyderabad police arrested nine people in Telangana State Public Service Commission’s (TSPSC) public examinations question paper leak, officials said on Tuesday. Police said, “Based on the complaint given by Assistant Secretary of TSPSC on March 11, a case was registered. On March 13, the Commissioner’s Task Force and Central Zone team apprehended nine persons accused of stealing and leaking TSPSC’s Assistant Engineer (AE) Exam Question Papers.”

TEACHERS’ SCAM: TMC EXPELS KUNTAL

GHOSH,

SANTANU BANDOPADHYAY

Kolkata: West Bengal’s ruling TMC on Tuesday expelled youth leaders Kuntal Ghosh (R) and Santanu Bandoopadhyay (L), both arrested in the multi-crore teachers’ recruitment scam in the state. This the second time that TMC has taken such a step in the matter since the central agencies started probing scam. Last July, the party stripped former state Education Minister and Secretary General, Partha Chatterjee of all his ministerial and party portfolios a week after his arrest by ED.

Srinagar: Security forces in Sopore arrested an active terrorist, an official said on Tuesday, adding arms and ammunition were also recovered from him. The terrorist has been identified as Owais Ahmad Mir. Based on specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist in Madina Bagh Moh at Dangerpura area, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Sopore Police and the Army (22RR).

New Delhi (PTI): Omicron and its sub-lineages are the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants in India, the govt informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. During the last four months, more than 1900 Omicron sub-variants have been detected among the samples analysed by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) across the country, Minister of State for Health Bharasti Pravin Pawar said in a written reply. Given the emergence of

MAN DIES WITH COVID SYMPTOMS

variants of Covid-19 virus with variable transmissibility and their possible health implications, INSACOG network laboratories conducts whole genome sequencing of samples for detection of mutant variants of the virus.

Chennai: The sample of a 27-year-old man who died with Covid symptoms in Trichy has been sent for testing to check for the presence of H3N2 virus, officials said on Tuesday. The victim was a resident of Trichy and worked in Bengaluru. Recently, he had gone on a vacation to Goa with his friends, where he fell sick and returned to Trichy on a flight on March 9. He died at GBR private hospital in Trichy on March 10.

New Delhi (ANI): The central government has approved a centrallysponsored scheme ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ for the comprehensive development of the border villages, said Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nisith Pramanik in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The programme aims to develop the villages in 46 border blocks of 19 districts in four States and one Union Territo-

ry viz Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Ladakh (UT) abutting the northern border.

A fund of Rs 4,800 crore has been allocated for the programme for the Financial Year 202223 to 2025-26.

39 of world’s 50 most polluted cities are in India: Report

New Delhi: The Swiss firm IQAir in its ‘World Air Quality Report’ released on Tuesday ranked India the world’s eighth most polluted country in 2022, dropping from fifth place the previous year. In the list of most polluted cities in the world, out of the 50 cities, 39 are in India.

Chad, Iraq, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Kuwait, India, Egypt and Tajikistan were the top 10 most polluted countries while Australia, Estonia,

Finland, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand met the World Health Organization (WHO) PM2.5 guideline (annual average of 5 Aug/m3 or less).

The data from 131 countries was taken from over 30,000 groundbased monitors, govt or non-govt operated.

In India, the transportation sector causes 2035 per cent of the PM2.5 pollution while other sources of pollution are industrial units, coalfired power plants and biomass burning.

After the two top most-polluted cities, Lahore in Pakistan and Hotan in China, Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi is in

THE ‘WORLD AIR QUALITY REPORT’

The report said that worldwide, poor air quality accounts for 93 billion days lived with illness and over six million deaths each year. As per report, 31 cities including 10 cities in Uttar Pradesh and seven in Haryana, have seen a steep percentage decline in pollution levels.

third place and Delhi ranked fourth.

Delhi’s PM2.5 level is almost 20 times the safe limit, the report stated.

Delhi has so far been the most polluted capital in the world and the report made a distinction between ‘greater’

Delhi and New Delhi the capital. Both are in the top 10 and the infamous distinction of being the world’s most polluted capital goes to Chad’s N’Djamena. National Capital’s peripherals-- Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad have seen a decline in pollution levels. The report said that there is a 34 per cent decline in Gurugram to 21 per cent in Faridabad if compared to the average PM2.5 levels reported in previous years.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Prime Minister Narendra Modi

BAN AGAINST SEA

“India is 1st responder in humanitarian aid globally”

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan addresses workshop on Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief, Risk Mitigation & Disaster Resilience.

Kolkata was ranked the most polluted after Delhi.

business BRIEFS

GOLD CLIMBS `480 PER 10 GM; SILVER ZOOMS `2,150/KG

‘AT AN EARLY DATE’

Govt to make India $5 tn economy

National Logistics policy.

First India chip fab set to be launched soon

New Delhi: Gold prices climbed `480 to `57,380 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday amid strong global trends, according to HDFC Securities. It ended at `56,900 per 10 grams on Monday. Silver also zoomed `2,150 to `66,900/kg. “Spot gold price in the Delhi markets was at `57,380/10 grams, up `480/10 grams,” Saumil Gandhi of HDFC Securities, said on Tuesday. In the overseas markets, gold and silver traded higher at $1,909/ounce and $20.80/ounce, respectively. —PTI

NTPC MULLS 5.4 MT COAL IMPORT IN 1ST

HALF OF 2023-24

New Delhi (PTI): The government on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that it is taking steps to make India a $5 trillion economy earlier than the International Monetary Fund’s forecast year of 2026-27. The IMF's Outlook earlier said the size of the Indian economy will increase from $3.2 trillion in 2021-22 to $3.5 trillion in 2022-23 and cross $5 trillion in 2026-27.

"The government has been taking steps to make the country a $5 trillion economy at an early date,"

MoS for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said.

Observing that the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in 2020 and the Rus-

sia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 has impacted the world output, increased inflation in several countries and raised uncertainty in the

WPI inflation eases to over 2-year low of 3.85% in February 2023

New Delhi: State-run power giant NTPC is planning to import around 5.4 million tonnes of coal to meet the supply shortage during the first half 202324 fiscal, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

“NTPC is planning to import around 5.4 million tonnes of coal for its group stations to meet domestic coal supply shortage during the first half of Financial Year 2023-24,” Power Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. —PTI

JLR PARTNERS WITH TATA TECH FOR DIGITAL OVERHAUL

New Delhi (PTI): The wholesale price-based inflation declined to over two-year low of 3.85% in February on easing prices of manufactured items, fuel and power, even though food articles remained expensive.

This is the ninth straight month of decline in the rate of wholesale price-index (WPI) based inflation.

The WPI inflation was 4.73% in January and 13.43% in February, last year. "Decline in the rate of inflation in February 2023 is primarily contributed by

OTHER STORIES

New Delhi: Tata Motorsowned Jaguar Land Rover on Tuesday said it is partnering with Tata Technologies to accelerate its digital transformation. As part of the collaboration, Tata Technologies will deliver end-to-end integrated ERP to transform Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, finance and purchasing modules by bringing data and knowledge from multiple departments into one single source. The first phase will include JLR UK core production facilities, with solutions subsequently deployed to other global locations. —PTI

DEALS PLUNGE BY 60% TO $1.8 BILLION IN FEBRUARY 2023

fall in prices of crude petroleum & natural gas, nonfood articles, food products, minerals, computer, electronic & optical products, chemicals & chemical products, electrical equipment and motor vehicles, trailers & semi-trailers,"

MOST APAC FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NOT TO BE IMPACTED BY US BANK FAILURE: MOODY’S

New Delhi: Most Asia Pacific financial institutions are not exposed to the failed US banks and are not as susceptible to large losses from debt security holdings as Silicon Valley Bank was, Moody’s said on Tuesday. On March 12, US regulators closed Signature Bank, just two days after shutting Silicon Valley Bank, following mass withdrawals of customer deposits from these regional banks. Moody’s Investors Service said these events are likely to result in a tightening of liquidity in debt markets globally as investors grow wary. —PTI

IPPB WANTS TO CONVERT ITSELF TO UNIVERSAL BANK: CEO

New Delhi: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) wants to convert itself to a universal bank as the vast network of post office branches would help in achieving financial inclusion, its MD and CEO J Venkatramu said on Tuesday. He said when the IPPB started operations in 2018, 80% of the transactions would happen in cash. However, with technology adoption, presently only 20% of the transaction happens in cash and 80% digitally. —PTI

FRAGRANCE & FLAVOUR INDUSTRY TO TOUCH OVER $5 BN IN 3-4 YRS

Kolkata: The fragrance and flavour industry of the country is likely to grow around 12% each year and touch over $5.2 billion in three to four years, FAFAI said. This growth will be driven by factors like rising disposable incomes and changing consumer preferences. “The fragrance and flavour industry is growing very fast in the country. The present size of the industry is $3.7 billion in the country”, FAFAI official said. —PTI

OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS

New Delhi: The deepening funding winter that the startups face and the near dry-up of IPOs singed the deal street as the total value of deals plunged by 60% to $1.8 billion in February. According to Grant Thornton, the industry saw just 89 deals worth $1.8 billion in February, which is 60% lower than the year ago period in value terms and down by 54% y-o-y as investors continued to tread cautiously amid macroeconomic uncertainties. —PTI

world economy, he said, "lower uncertainty in the global economic outlook will help India become a $5 trillion-dollar economy earlier".

Some of the important measures taken by the government in the past to boost economic growth include the making of the National infrastructure pipeline of projects, push to capital expenditure, implementation of the PLI scheme, finalisation of the National Monetization Pipeline of public sector assets and formulation of

The minister further said that capital expenditure will be speeded up by PM Gatishakti for integrated planning of infrastructure and synchronised project implementation across all concerned central ministries, departments and state governments.

The Union Budget 202324, Chaudhary said, “further sustains the growth momentum with an increase in capital investment outlay for the third year in a row by 33% to `10 lakh crore (3.3% of GDP)”.

AIR INDIA PARTNERS WITH SALESFORCE

the commerce and industry ministry said on Tuesday. The 3.85% WPI inflation is the lowest since January 2021, when the rate of price rise on wholesale basis was 2.51%.

The decline in the rate of price rise was mainly due to a favourable base effect, economists said, adding that going forward, softening commodity prices would help ease WPI inflation further. However, the future course of food inflation would depend on weather related conditions and timely monsoon.

FB parent Meta slashes another 10,000 jobs

New York (PTI): Facebook parent Meta is slashing another 10,000 jobs and will not fill 5,000 open positions as the social media pioneer cuts costs.

The company said on Tuesday it will reduce the size of its recruiting team and make further cuts in its tech groups in late April, and then its business groups in late May.

“This will be tough and there’s no way around that,” said CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “It will mean saying goodbye to talented and passionate colleagues who have been part of our success.”

The Menlo Park, California, company has invested billions of dollars to realign its focus on the metaverse. The company announced 11,000 job cuts in November.

New Delhi (FIB): Air India on Tuesday announced partnership with Salesforce to transform its customer service technology stack.

Through their work with Salesforce, Air India will be able to optimize the customer experience across all key touchpoints. By working with Salesforce, Air India’s customer-facing staff across all touchpoints will be empowered with a unified data platform for its customers and AI-assisted tools to excel in every customer interaction.

The technology being deployed from Salesforce will allow Air India to track customer interactions across its contact centre, mobile, web, chatbot, email, social media and other channels to provide a single source-of-truth of customer asks.

New Delhi (PTI): The first semiconductor fab will be announced in a few weeks, and India is poised for a vibrant chip industry in the next 3-4 years on the back of enabling policies and the government's firm commitment towards growing the manufacturing ecosystem, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday.

Today, 99% of mobile phones used here are made in India. This is in stark contrast to the situation 10 years ago when out of 100 phones, as much as 99% were imported, the Minister for Electronics and IT said. "And now the ecosystem is also shifting to the country. When it comes to mobile phone manufacturing India is number two in manufacturing, and number three in exports," the minister said.

To spur the supply side, major initiatives have been undertaken by the Centre, including a sharp focus on promoting the ecosystem and ensuring a clearly laid out policy framework that is stable and consistent.

Markets fall for fourth day on the trot; Sensex sinks below 58,000

Mumbai (PTI): Benchmark BSE Sensex declined nearly 340 points to close below the 58,000 level on Tuesday, marking its fourth straight day of losses as auto, IT and financial stocks wilted amid concerns over the fallout of failure of two US-based banks.

The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 337.66 points or 0.58% to settle at anew five month low of 57,900.19. The broader NSE Nifty declined 111 points or 0.65% to end at a five-month low of 17,043.30, with 38 of its scrips ending in the red.

M&M was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack, declining nearly 3 per cent, followed by TCS, Bajaj Finance, Wipro, Kotak Bank, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech and Tata Motors.

VW to invest $193 billion to meet EV target

New Delhi (FIB): Volkswagen plans to invest $193 billion over the next five years in areas including battery production and its North American operations, it said on Tuesday, though the pace of spending will fall from 2025.

The investments come as Volkswagen tries to close a gap with electric vehicle (EV) pioneer Tesla by expanding its slice of the growing market for battery-powered cars.

As it works toward a target of EVs accounting for 50% of its sales globally by 2030, over two-thirds of the

five-year investment budget is allocated towards electrification and digitalisation, up from 56% in a five-

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z The investments come as Volkswagen tries to close a gap with EV pioneer Tesla by expanding its slice of the growing market for batterypowered cars

z The difference from the previous plan is primarily down to more investment in its battery business, raw materials

` FALLS 26 PAISE TO 82.49 AGAINST DOLLAR

Mumbai (PTI): The rupee declined by 26 paise to 82.49 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday amid stronger dollar, negative sentiment in the domestic equity market and unabated foreign fund outflows. At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened lower at 82.27 against the dollar and traded between the range of 82.24 and 82.50 during intra-day. It finally settled at 82.49 (provisional) against the American currency. This is the second consecutive day of decline in the Indian currency. On Monday, the rupee settled at 82.23 against the US dollar.

VIA E-AUCTIONS FCI to sell 10.13 lakh tn of wheat to bulk users

New Delhi (PTI): Stateowned FCI plans to sell 10.13 lakh tonnes of wheat to bulk consumers in the sixth round of e-auction to be held on Wednesday as part of the government's measures to check wheat and atta prices.

year plan it had released a year earlier.

The difference from the previous plan is primarily

down to more investment in its battery business, raw materials, and a $2 billion plant for the Scout brand.

The Centre has announced the sale of 50 lakh tonnes of wheat in the open market to control prices. Of this, 45 lakh tonnes have been earmarked for bulk consumers, including flour millers.

Food Corporation of In-

dia (FCI) has sold 28.85 lakh tonnes of wheat to bulk consumers in the five rounds of e-auction held so far. According to a senior official, FCI will offer 10.13 lakh tonnes of wheat to bulk consumers in the sixth round of e-auction to be held on March 15.

14 LAKH GOVT EMPLOYEES GO ON STRIKE OVER OPS

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Over 14 lakh state government employees seeking restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) went on strike on Tuesday. The move could hamper the functioning of the state administration and affect many services.

Paramedics working in hospitals run by the state government and civic bodies, sanitation workers, and teachers have also joined the strike at a time when examinations for Class X and XII are underway.

The employees resorted to the strike after the talks between the unions and the state government failed on Monday.

On Tuesday, employees raised slogans like “Only One Mission, Restore Old Pension” outside government offices and hospitals.

Vishwas Katkar, the convenor of a committee of nearly 35 unions representing government employees, semi-government staffers and teachers, said their members in all 36 districts are participating in the stir.

“Services in hospitals, educational institutes, government establishments, tax offices and even the district collector offices were com-

pletely shut,” Katkar claimed.

He asserted there will be no compromise on the issue and demanded that the OPS, under which the entire pension amount was given by the government, must be restored.

Since 2004, government employees (barring armed forces personnel) are covered under the National Pension System, a contributory scheme where the payout is market-linked and return-based.

IN NAGPUR AND LATUR..

z Nurses, ward boys and sanitation staff of Government Medical College and Hospitals, and Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, both in Nagpur, joined the strike along with employees of the local civic corporation. They also staged demonstrations in Nagpur in support of the OPS and other demands.

z In Latur in central Maharashtra, thousands of government employees from various departments took out a march and protested against the state administration. The march started from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Park and concluded at the old collector office, and during the protest, agitators held placards and raised slogans like “Only One Mission, Old Pension”.

MAHARASHTRA PTA CALLS OFF STRIKE

Mumbai: The Primary Teachers Association of Maharashtra chose to call off the strike on Tuesday. The organization has about two and a half lakh employees across the state. After withdrawing from the strike, Sambhaji Thorat, President of the Association, said, “We have withdrawn from the strike. The day the government will not give us pension, we will stand on dharna in front of you. If the government is giving, then some problems of the government should be understood. For that, we will again meet the chief minister and the deputy chief minister and will discuss the issues.”

MARCH FOR FAIRNESS IN SOLAPUR

Solapur: The administrative work in Solapur came to a standstill due to the indefinite strike called by the state government and semi-government employees to implement the old pension scheme. Most of the services like education, health, revenue, agriculture, among others, were affected by the strike. In the afternoon, a march was taken out by the Government and Semi-Government Employees Coordination Committee to the collector’s office wherein about 20,000 employees of the city as well as the Solapur district participated.

SATARA’S

BONE OF CONTENTION

Satara: Over 13,500 government employees went on strike in Satara demanding implementation of the Old Pension Scheme. After 46 years, the state government and its employees have come face to face on the issue in Satara. The government has assured that disciplinary action will be taken against the employees participating in the strike. The district’s Health Department, Education Department, municipal corporations, teaching staff, etc, are involved in the strike.

Jayant Patil lashes out at Deputy CM Fadnavis in state Assembly

First India Bureau

Mumbai: During the ongoing Budget Session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Nationalist Congress Party leader Jayant Patil opposed the Budget presented by Deputy Chief Minsiter Devendra Fadnavis.

Criticizing the state government, Patil said

Uddhav backs govt employees on Old Pension

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena - UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray also came out in support of the agitating employees and said the government should restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already extended support to the OPS restoration demand.

Speaking on the government employees’ strike, Thackeray said, “Government employees in the state have gone on strike for the old pension scheme. Many offices have been closed. What is the problem with the government implementing the scheme? Pension is the right of the employees, and they should get it.”

Criticizing the Eknath Shinde-led government, he further stated, “With such a big superpower at its back, the government should not worry about increasing the financial burden. Shiv Sena stands firmly behind government employees and their families. Some states of the country have implemented the Old Pension Scheme. So why is the FadnavisShinde government playing tricks on this? Employees should get what they are entitled to.”

First India Bureau Mumbai: Mumbai police have arrested a 28-year-old man for allegedly duping a citybased electronics retail chain of Rs12 lakh by posing as YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday.

Nagraju Budumuru, who stands accused of cheating 60 companies out of almost Rs3 crore using a consistent method, has been apprehended in the southern state's Srikakulam district after a complaint was filed in the city nearly two months ago, according to an official.

In December last year, an employee of the electronics seller received a call from a man claiming to be the personal assistant of the Andhra CM. The caller said the CM wanted to have a word with the MD, said the anti-cybercrime official.

The staff member, being unaware of the situation, gave out the mobile number of the MD. The culprit then

The accused Nagraju Budumnru faces at least 30 similar cases in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, said cops

demanded a sum of Rs12 lakh from the electronics retail company for sponsoring a cricketer's kit, according to a company official. He had also sent fake documents on behalf of the Andhra Cricket Association and got the amount released, the official said.

After learning that they had been duped, the electronics seller filed a police complaint in January, prompting the cyber cell to launch a probe and subsequently track down the accused. He added that they have recovered Rs7.6 lakh from his bank accounts.

Our own people and ‘outsiders’ tried to derail quest for power: Shankar Jagtap

that fraudulent announcements have been made in the Budget, and “this will not impress the common people of Maharashtra.”

Lashing out at Fadnavis by presenting a poem, Patil said, “Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho, kya gham hai jisko chhupa rahe ho. Aankhon me nami hansi labon par, kya haal hai kya dikha rahe ho.” (What sorrow are you hiding behind your smiles? With tears in your eyes and smile on your lips, what are you trying to

show the world?”)

“Since Fadnavis became the deputy CM, I have realized that when he took oath as 7-8 months ago, he did not know how to hide his facial expressions. Now, he has the technique down. Fadnavis was expected to present a realistic Budget, but he did not do that. That is why I am against it,” said Patil.

First India Bureau Mumbai: In a revelation by former Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Laxman Jagtap’s brother Shankar Jagtap has alleged that members of his own family tried to derail its power.

Speaking at a thanksgiving meeting held to celebrate BJP candidate for Chinchwad by-

DAPOLI RESORT CASE

election Ashwini Jagtap’s victory, Shankar expressed regret that ‘outsiders’ tried to break the Jagtap family.

“Outsiders tried to break the Jagtap family, but our own people also tried that. I wouldn’t wish such a time on even the families of enemies. This sorrow will always remain in my mind. I worked day and

night to make Ashwini’s sister-in-law an MLA,” said Shankar Jagtap.

Hailing the BJP, newly elected MLA Ashwini Jagtap said, “In 2017, the BJP came to power in Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation after 15 years. With the induction of 100 BJP councillors, power was brought to one party. It will happen again.”

Official sent to ED custody till Mar 18; gave illegal nod to project

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A special court dealing with cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on Tuesday remanded a sub-divisional officer in the Dapoli resort case to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till March 18.

SDO Jairam Desh -

pande was arrested by the ED in connection with the Sai Resort case at Dapoli in Ratnagiri district in which Sadanand Kadam, an alleged partner of Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MLC Anil Parab, has already been held.

The agency has alleged that SDO Deshpande misused his po-

sition to illegally grant permission for the conversion of the status of the plot of Sai Resort from “agricultural” to “non-agricultural” to facilitate the construction of twin bungalows. The official has been accused of granting permission for the construction of twin bungalows in a land area

falling under Coastal Regulation Zone III (CRZ III), where construction is prohibited. Despite knowing the regulations, the accused reportedly gave the nod under pressure and influence from former state minister Anil Parab. The permission was granted through a sanction order for a conditional no-objec -

tion certificate (NOC) to enable the construction of the bungalows.

Anil Parab, Sai Resort, Sea Conch Resort, and others are facing a money laundering case due to alleged violations of the Environment (Protection) Act and causing loss to the state government of Maharashtra. The case was filed by the Union

environment and forest ministry and a linked state police FIR against the former minister and others.

Former state minister Anil Parab on Monday moved the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the money laundering case lodged by the ED in connection with the Sai Resort at Dapoli.

Sunlight and shadows make a part of our life, and they teach us to take joy and sadness in our stride.

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

BJP candidate Ashwini Jagtap defeated Nationalist Congress Party candidate Nana Kate in Chinchwad.

Thousands of Mumbai municipal employees protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

Man impersonates Andhra CM, dupes electronics retail chain of `12 lakh

JAIPUR COUTURE SHOW 2023

TWINKLING STARS!

aipur Couture Show felt bigger and busier than ever with a jam-packed schedule featuring a restorative mix of fashion collections. The second day of the three-day Jaipur Couture Show, presented by First India and Bharat24-Vision of New India organised at The Palace on Ajmer HighJagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as the chief guest and congratulated Gaurav Gaur for his great endeavour.

He said "This is the 11th chapter of Jaipur Couture Show 2023 and with each passing year, the benevolence of the fashion show is

growing as the platform to showcase brilliant beauty and talent. We are happy to see the passion and enthusiasm in the participating beauties."

Renowned fashion designers from across the city showcased their collections on the second day of the show. Show Patron JD Maheshwari along with the show's founder Gaurav Gaur, directors Ajit Soni, PN Doody, Ankur Jain, Ronnie Sharma and Nakul Vijay were present. The second day of the show saw a host of Bollywood stars including Bigg Boss fame Tina Dutta, former Mr In-

dia Akash Chaudhary, actor and singer Liza Malik, Bell

Bottom film fame TV actor Anirudh Dave, Bollywood actress Mugdha Godse, The Expose film fame actress Zoya Afroz added to the charm of the show.

The show was inaugurated by designer Anup Choudhary where he made little kids walk the ramp in cute and colourful outfits.

Meanwhile, television celebrity Tina Dutta and former Mr India Akash Chaudhary were the showstoppers for the label Shivayu by Shivani and Aayush Soni.

In the subsequent sequence, actress and model Charvi

Tanya Dutta walked for designer Neelja. After this actress, Lisa Malik was seen doing the ramp walk for the Craft Council of Artisans and Weavers. Anirudh Dave, Gaurav Gaur and Akanksha Bhalla were the showstoppers for House of Skull Baba. Followed by an astonishing collection from Ankit Bagra, who showcased party gowns and robes embellished with soft satin and pure silk handwork on the concept bridesmaid theme. Model Sonakshi Channa was the showstopper for designer Daksh Design Studio in Bhubaneswar. Diva Mugdha Godse was the showstopper for renowned fashion designer Seema Kalavadia. Shweta Raje walked for Heena Belani. While Hashtag Blunt showcased the looks of summer makeup and hair trends, whose showstopper was Muskaan Moolchandani. Tanu Choudhary and Karanvig walk the ramp for Ruchi Pathak from Jaipur. The final walk of the second day was made memorable by actress Zoya Afroz's walk for designer Khushi Chauhan from Dehradun.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

Jagdeesh Chandra with Muskan Mulchandani, Sheena Parashar, Kalpana Gupta and Soni Yadav

Showstopper Tina Dutta walks the ramp with desingers Ayush, Shivani, Akash, Yogesh, Nilanjana, Akanksha, Sumit, Tanu, Aastha, Mahima and Khushi

Gaurav Gaur

Clockwise: Tanu Choudhary, Muskan Mulchandani, Akanksha Bhalla, Shweta Raje and Zoya Afroz

With the continuous progress in the road infrastructure, we have a strong road network in the entire country now. More and more highways, state ways and rural roads are coming up in every state. The rural areas consisting of villages, fields and pasture lands are giving way to the highways that cut across the villages at times and mostly pass close to them. This has caused the lifestyles of the rural population to change with more vehicles being purchased and an increase in everyday mobility from the village to the city for work. The city dwellers too are witnessing the same changes with newer roads and huge flyovers cutting across their markets and living spaces. Sure enough, life has become easier and faster. Yet the almost sudden road infrastructure growth has catalyzed people’s aspirations, auto sales, lifestyles and mindsets in a big way. The rich buy faster and sleeker cars. SUVs and motorbikes are not a luxury any more for the middle class. Every teenager aspires to be a rider.

With such drastic changes at every level, accidents specifically among the youth are in creasing. The Global Status Road Safety Re port and the multiple and exhaustive reports of the World Health Or ganisation tell us 5 to 29 years of young peo

Do Parents Understand the consequences UNDERAGE DRIVING? OF

for accidents that are fatal or have grievous, life-limiting injuries. Before we go on to understand the law about underage driving, it would be wise to understand the reasons leading to accidents. Young people love speed and are not able to manage speed if they are underage, unlicensed drivers.

Underage teens do indulge in drink and driving and drug use at times and they are careless about seat belts and helmets. Distracted driving is common in teens. All these reasons are applicable to adult youth and even middle age groups too. Now to come back to the vital question of AGE and UNDER AGE.

India’s recently amended Motor Vehicle Act 2019 emphasizes underage driving and

tend to 3 years along with a fine of 25, 000/rupees. It further says that such an underage driver will not be permitted to obtain a license till 25 years of age. Now the new laws as stipulated in the MVA are really scary and drastic. A sad fact is in India the laws come into existence yet their applicability remains very low and many times compromised. It is a very sad state of affairs for how can we forget the risk of dangerous and distracted driving when we allow our children under 18 years to drive?

The result of accidents by underage drivers is predictably tragic for the child driver, the occupants in the car, and mostly friends of the car driver's child. Again such accidents

rible crash while his companions were injured seriously. Again on 9th February a 17-year-old driving a car crashed against a two-wheeler, a bike and an immobile car causing serious injury to a woman. Now as the law to makes it explicit, it’s the parents who perpetrate such accidents. How very short-sighted to think that handing over a vehicle to an underage is good fun for the child and is safe for him and safe for others.

I guess the price and the sleek looks of the car which is a status symbol for the family, make them go blind, insensitive and totally irresponsible. Public memory has not yet washed away the infamous case of an actor mauling labourers sleeping on the foot

kind of psyche such parents and such adult perpetrators of crime have. Why should the law condone the guilty parents?

Such human tragedies should make us stop and think. Such a lapse takes away the innocent lives of people on the road as well as the life of the juvenile driver too. Do we really want this happening to our child? Or to any other person? We all have to think and think hard about allowing underage driving is the result of a mindset, a psyche, an erroneous idea of the good life and status that results in deaths on the roads. No child and no human being should be losing their life because of the wayward thinking of certain parents. The right to safety on the roads is paramount for all.

DR. MRIDUL BHASIN Social Activist and Writer

NEW TATTOO

Deepika Padukone, the celebrated Bollywood star has created a massive stir on the internet with her stunning debut at the Oscar awards. The Pathaan actress attended the Oscars 2023 event as one of the presenters, to the much excitement of her fans and Indian film fanatics. As always, Deepika Padukone looked simply gor-

geous in her custom-made black Louis Vuitton gown, which she paired with signature diamond jewellery by Cartier. However, it is her new tattoo, which has now garnered the attention of netizens. The Bollywood diva, who shared some stunning pictures of her look for the Oscar 2023 event on her official Instagram handle, is seen flaunting

Super Stylish ACTOR

inkvilla Style Icon Awards Edition 2 is happening on 7th April 2023. All the AListers of the fashion industry will put their stylish foot forward at the event. And when we think of these stylish celebs, well, the well-deserving fashionistas get awarded the prestigious Style Icon of the Year Male (Reader’s Choice) and Style Icon of the Year Female (Reader’s Choice).

Since the nominations are already open, we take

TAMANNAAH

REFUTES DATING RUMOURS

Actor Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma’s equation has been the buzz of the town for some time now. He has used nicknames for her on his social media posts.

The Baahubali actress even revealed how she calls Varma “Tamatar” via an IG story. Now, the actress broke the silence on her romance rumours and dismissed them immediately.

Tamannaah and Vijay were first rumoured to be dating after a video of them kissing at a New Year’s Eve party went viral on the internet. While it has been months, the two stars did not comment on the rumours.

Refuting the rumours, during a recent interview the 33-yearold actress expressed how it has become a part and parcel of her life. Such gossip is always sparked when two people work together. She said, “We have done a film together. Such rumours keep going around. Clarifying all of them is just not necessary. I have nothing more to say about it.”

neck tattoo. Deepika Padukone got the name of her skincare brand, 82°E (a name that is inspired by the meridian that runs longitudinally through India) inked on the left side of her neck, just below her ear. The minimal yet pretty tattoo also represents Deepika’s personality - a rooted Indian woman with global appeal.

ANANYA exudes glam

a look at the last year’s winner of the Super Stylish Actor (Female) Kiara Advani’s fashion sense. Whether it’s a film promotion or a cas ual day out, Kiara Advani is often snapped cutting a stylish frame. Her sense of style is subtle yet bold which makes her stand out. We have compiled a few of Kiara’s top looks over the last few years that will give you a glimpse of what to ex pect from the actress at this year’s award.

nanya Panday’s cousin Alanna Panday is all set to tie the knot with her longtime boyfriend Ivor McCary on March 16. The pre-wedding festivities kickstarted a few days ago, with a bridal shower, which was attended by Alanna’s brother Ahaan Panday, her cousin Ananya Panday and others. On Tuesday, Alanna Panday was spotted arriving with her mother Deanne Panday for her mehendi ceremony, which is being held at Sohail Khan’s

Ananya Panday looked breathtaking as she arrived wearing a beautiful pastel pink lehenga, paired with a golden off-shoulder blouse. She was seen posing with her mother Bhavana Pandey, who wore a pistachio green ethnic ensemble. Anurag Kashyap’s daughter Aaliyah Kashyap also arrived with her boyfriend Shane Gregoire, while bride-to-be Alanna Panday arrived with her mother Deanne at Sohail Khan’s residence. Alanna looked gorgeous in a green lehenga, while her mom wore a pastel pink lehenga.

KAREENA TWINS WITH TAIMUR

areena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, the power couple of Bollywood, were seen jetting off to an undisclosed location with their sons, Taimur and Jeh Ali Khan on Monday morning. The family was spotted at the Mumbai airport along with the nannies in the early hours of Monday. Saif was seen walking with Taimur, Kareena walked alone and the nanny was seen holding little Jeh in her arms as he was sleepy.

In the video, Bebo was seen twinning with her little one Taimur. The mother-son duo wore white t-shirts and black pants styled with grey hoodies. On the other hand, Saif wore a casual t-shirt

paired with a blue overcoat and trousers. He also wore his flat cap to complete the airport look. Baby Jeh was seen covered with a white blanket-like cloth as he rested in his nanny’s arms.

Deepika Padukone

Her post...

Kiara Advani

Tamannaah Bhatia

Kareena Kapoor Khan

Ananya Panday

SARGUN MEHTA on Punjabi Film Industry S

Suniel Shetty on Sanjay Dutt!

Suniel Shetty recently opened up and revealed intriguing information on the third Hera Pheri instalment. Raju, Shyaam and Baburao's amusing companionship was enjoyed by the audience in the first two instalments, which were a success. The Dhadkan actor expressed his delight in actor Sanjay Dutt joining the group. He predicted that the movie would be a "laugh riot" with Dutt's introduction. Sanjay's fantastic sense of humour, timing, and language will bring "ek aur chaand to this production," according to

Suniel. He further added, "He will take this to another level. We share a fantastic relationship and that will transpire on screen, too." Suniel also revealed how adamant he was with the third instalment and told Akshay that they have to keep this as a priority. He said, "Whenever I had spoken to Akki in the past, I had always told him that this film should be our top priority. He had also agreed to say, ‘Yes, this is a film we should work on’. About the director, as long as Farhad is committed to the script, I don’t think there is a problem at all.

KRISHNA MUKHERJEE marries Chirag Batliwalla

Actress Krishna Mukherjee married her fiance, Chirag Batliwala, in a grand wedding ceremony in Goa. She took to her Instagram page to drop some pictures. The mandap was set overlooking the sea and needless to say, the entire decor looked dreamy. They tied the knot according to Bengali customs in Goa. A picture shows Krishna holding Chirag's face as they sit in a mandap post-sunset, with the beach in the background. Sharing the pictures, Krishna wrote, “And the Bengali girl tied the knot for life with the Parsi Sailor. We seek your blessings & love on our big day.”

The Bengali-styled wedding happened in Goa with her industry friends Aly Goni, Jas min Bhasin, Shireen Mirza, Karan Patel, Arjit Taneja and oth ers in attendance.

Actors Pooja Gor, Aneri Va jani, Abhishek Malik, San gram Singh, Ri dhima Pandit, Chetna Pandit and others con gratulated Krishna and Chirag on the post.

argun Mehta is a name to reckon with in the Punjabi film industry. She has delivered amazing performances back-toback and her films have got the cash registers ringing and how. Happy with her journey so far, the actor wants to continue with her work. It is being said that the Punjabi film industry has this bindass culture and Sargun shares how things work.

“It depends on trust. When studios came there, they wanted an agreement to be signed. I was like I don't remember anyone in Punjab who had signed an agreement and we did not have legal people in our teams because we didn't have any papers to sign. Everyone kept on saying that we had to be disciplined and organised but didn’t do any -

thing. I am somebody who hates structure. Nobody in the theatre is going to see how many days a film was made, they are more interested in the final product. My motto was just to make a great film. My writer sometimes sits on the set and tells them we can do this scene in a better way and he would change the scene completely and we would be making the funniest scene on the set. Something like comedy doesn't come with structure, it comes with what is happening around you. We don't have any formal conversations and we are very cordial with each other,” she shares her working style. Having started her journey with Hindi television, she has come a long way. Her first TV show 12/24 Karol Bagh happened when she was just 20.

After a successful stint on the tube, Sar gun shifted focus to Punjabi cinema. She is also interested in Bollywood and made her debut with Cutt putli. Talking about her stint in the Hindi film industry, she adds, “I am keen as its national presence is huge, at the same time I want simi lar things to hap pen with my Punjabi films. But, I haven't set my goal or myself out there in Bolly wood. Cuttputli was an exception because when I heard about the role and read the script I thought that people would see me in a differ ent light. So, I took it up. For

AMITABH ON 'KANJOOS MAKHICHOOS'

Mega Star Am-

itabh Bachchan extended his best wishes to the producers Anuj Sharma, Kushagra Sharma, and Srishti Sharma and tweeted the trailer of the film ‘Kanjoos Makhichoos’, sharing his excitement.

'Kanjoos Makhichoos' The

comedy-drama is written and directed by Vipul Mehta and stars Kunal Kemmu, Shweta Tripathi, Piyush Mishra, Alka Amin, Rajiv Gupta, and the late Raju Srivastav in prominent roles. According to producer Kushagra Sharma of 'Kanjoos Makhichoos,' Bachchan sir tweeting the trailer of our film is a major morale booster

Priyanka reacts to SRK's comment

he premiere of Priyanka Chopra's forthcoming series Citadel, which will air on Prime Video soon, is almost ready to begin. In a recent interview, Priyanka talked about moving to the West and how she made her way after breaking into Hol

who have come, Hollywood just wastes them. So many desi actors… like Shah Rukh Khan expressed, ‘why should I go there (Hollywood), I’m comfortable here,” said the interviewer.

Priyanka reacted to this and said that for her,

‘comfortable is bor ing’. She said that she isn’t ‘arrogant,’ she is ‘self-as sured,’ adding that she knows what she is do ing when she walks onto a set. “I don’t need the validation of ex ecutives. I am will ing to take auditions, I am willing to work. I do not carry the baggage of my success in one country when I walk into another country,” said Priyanka.

Madhuri Dixit Gets emotional

mother in the movie Gulaab Gang. Madhuri posted a picture with her mom and shared that she will celebrate her life and her memories. Madhuri wrote, “Woke up this morning to find Aai’s room empty. It feels surreal. She taught us to embrace and celebrate life. She gave so much to so many people. We will miss her dearly but she will live on in our memories. Her wit, positivity and grace were infectious. We will celebrate her life together through

our memories. Om shanti om.”

On the work front, she was last in Amazon Prime Video’s Maja Ma in 2022. Directed by Anand Tiwar, the movie also starred Ritwik Bhow mik, Barkha Singh, Ga jraj Rao and Sheeba Chaddha in pivotal roles.

and motivating for us, and we are grateful for this gesture, and we can't thank him enough for his support. ‘Kanjoos Makhichoos’ is a fresh concept and an assured rib-tickling comedy film for the viewers. The film also carries an important message alongside its lighthearted humour. cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Amitabh Bachchan

Shah Rukh Khan

Priyanka Chopra

Her post...

Madhuri Dixit

Her post...

Krishna Mukherjee

Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty

Sargun Mehta