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Pak Govt, Imran Khan’s Party PTI Agree to Continue Talks to Resolve Contentious Issues

By
PTI
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pakistan, pak, pak govt, pti, imran khan, pti party
Pak Govt, Imran Khan's Party PTI Agree to Continue Talks to Resolve Contentious Issues 2

The Pakistan government and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in their maiden meeting on Monday, agreed to continue talks to address contentious issues, including the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.

The long-anticipated talks between the committees representing the government and the PTI were chaired by the National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who had last week announced to facilitate the two sides in their effort to defuse the prevailing political tension.

Those who attended from the government side include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s political aide Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, former premier Raja Parvez Ashraf, former minister Naveed Qamar, lawmaker Farooq Sattar and Privatisation Minister Aleem Khan.

PTI was represented by former speaker Asad Qaiser, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Senator Raja Nasir Abbas.

Sadiq thanked the government’s leadership and senior leaders of the opposition for holding the talks. He announced that the next session would be held on January 2 and PTI’s team would present a charter of their demands in the next meeting.

“We discussed things about past and present and I hope that if we work together for the country’s betterment, it will strengthen the political stability, strengthen democracy and help in dealing with challenges faced by Pakistan,” he said after the meeting.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui read out the communiqué regarding the talks that both sides described the talks as a positive development and emphasised the importance of keeping the negotiations ongoing.

Both committees expressed goodwill, saying that Parliament is the appropriate forum for resolving issues, the handout said.

PTI’s Qaiser informed the members that several members of his committee could not attend due to court proceedings.

It was agreed that both sides stand united in the fight against terrorism. A tribute was also paid to the martyrs for their sacrifice. There was also a declaration of support for standing alongside the forces in the war against terrorism.

The talks began amidst the ongoing political tension between the government and PTI as the latter was demanding the release of all political leaders, including Imran Khan.

Bangladesh Launches $5 Billion Graft Probe Against Sheikh Hasina in Nuclear Power Plant Case

By
PTI
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sheikh hasina, hasina, bangladesh, prime minsiter bangladesh, army coup, army, graft probe, nuclear power plant
Bangladesh Launches $5 Billion Graft Probe Against Sheikh Hasina in Nuclear Power Plant Case 4

An anti-graft panel in Bangladesh has launched an investigation against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling USD 5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant, according to a media report.

Indian companies are participating in constructing the Rooppur nuclear power plant which is being built by Rosatom, Russia’s state-run corporation, in Bangladesh.

The first Bangladeshi nuclear power plant, the Russian-designed Rooppur, is being built 160 km west of the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka.

Along with Hasina, her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Tulip Siddiq, her niece and the UK’s Treasury minister, were also questioned, BDNews reported on Sunday.

There are accusations of embezzling USD 5 billion in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, the report added.

The development came two days after the High Court issued a rule asking why the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) inaction over an alleged transfer of USD 5 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project to a Malaysian bank by Hasina, Joy, and Tulip should not be declared illegal, the report added.

According to ACC documents, the allegations of corruption in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project were brought to light by Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM).

Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 when she fled the country following a massive student-led protest that toppled her 16-year regime.

Her sister Rehana accompanied her. Joy resides in the US, while her niece Tulip is a member of the British parliament.

Bangladesh-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for “crimes against humanity and genocide”.

They are also named in multiple murder cases filed in connection with the demonstrations.

Five Soldiers Killed as Vehicle Falls Into Gorge in J-K’s Poonch

By
PTI
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poonch, army bus, gorge, jammu and kashmir, army accident
Five Soldiers Killed as Vehicle Falls Into Gorge in J-K's Poonch 6

Five soldiers were killed when a vehicle carrying them skidded off the road and rolled down into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Tuesday evening, sources said.

The accident occurred in the Gharoa area when an Army vehicle was on its way to Banoi in the district, they said.

The vehicle plunged into a deep gorge, approximately 300-350 feet deep, resulting in serious injuries to 8-9 jawans, they added.

The Army and police teams rushed to the spot for rescue operation, sources said.

12 IAS Officers Transferred in Maharashtra; Kamble Named BEST GM; Anbalgan Industries Secy

By
PTI
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maharashtra, mantralaya, ias officers, ias
12 IAS Officers Transferred in Maharashtra; Kamble Named BEST GM; Anbalgan Industries Secy 8

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday appointed IAS officer Anbalgan P industries secretary and civil servant Harshdeep Kamble general manager of Mumbai civic transport undertaking BEST as it effected a reshuffle in the bureaucracy with the transfer of 12 officers.

Anil Diggikar, a 1990-batch IAS officer who was GM, Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Divyang Kalyan Department, Mantralaya (state secretariat) in Mumbai, according to an official statement.

Kamble, a 1997-batch officer who was principal secretary (industries), industries, energy and labour department, will replace Diggikar at BEST. Anbalgan, a 2001-batch bureaucrat and Chairman and Managing Director, MAHAGENCO, will succeed Kamble, it said.

Radhakrishnan B, a 2008-batch officer and joint secretary to the Chief Minister, will be the new chairman and managing director of MAHAGENCO, the state-run power generation company.

Collector of Gadchiroli district Sanjay Daine has been named Commissioner (Textile) and posted in Nagpur.

Rahul Kardile, collector of Wardha, has been transferred and appointed the new commissioner of the Nashik Municipal Corporation. Vanmathi C, joint commissioner (state tax), will succeed Kardile in Wardha, according to the statement.

Sanjay Pawar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chandrapur Zilla Parishad, will replace Vanmathi. Avishyant Panda, Commissioner (Textile), Nagpur will be the new Gadchiroli district collector. Vivek Johnson (IAS-2018 batch) will take the place of Pawar in Chandrapur, it informed.

Annasaheb Dadu Chavan, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Pune Division, has been moved to Mumbai where he will take over as Mahtma Phule Jiavandai Arogya Yojna Society CEO. Gopichand Murlidhar Kadam (promoted to IAS cadre from state civil service) has been posted as CEO of Smart City, Solapur, the statement added.

Fraud and Betrayal: The Pooja Khedkar Case Exposes Flaws in India’s Reservation System

By
Vaidehi Taman
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puja khedkar, pooja khedkar, ias, pune ias, khedkar case, ias audi, crime
Fraud and Betrayal: The Pooja Khedkar Case Exposes Flaws in India's Reservation System 10

The legal proceedings in the Pooja Khedkar case have triggered widespread debate across Maharashtra and the nation. Khedkar, a former IAS probationer, allegedly secured her position through fraudulent means, exploiting quotas meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and persons with disabilities. The allegations have raised serious concerns about the misuse of reservation policies and the integrity of public administration.

Khedkar was selected for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through the 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination under quotas for disadvantaged groups. Investigations revealed that she falsified her eligibility by submitting fabricated certificates. It was discovered that Khedkar neither belonged to the OBC category nor qualified as a person with disabilities. Following these revelations, the Delhi Crime Branch registered an FIR based on a complaint from the UPSC.

Khedkar’s petition for anticipatory bail was denied by both the Patiala House Court and the Delhi High Court. On December 23, 2024, Justice Chandra Dhari Singh of the Delhi High Court highlighted the gravity of the allegations, describing Khedkar’s actions as a betrayal of public trust. The court stated, “Her conduct undermines not only the UPSC but society at large,” and emphasised the necessity of custodial interrogation to uncover the extent of the fraud and identify other conspirators.

The case underscores the vulnerabilities in India’s reservation system, designed to provide equitable opportunities for marginalised groups. By allegedly exploiting these provisions, Khedkar jeopardised the credibility of the UPSC and deprived deserving candidates of opportunities. The High Court’s ruling reflected this, stating that the alleged actions constituted a “serious betrayal of the principles of fairness and equality.”

In her defence, Khedkar denied the allegations, asserting the authenticity of her documents. She claimed to be targeted for filing a sexual harassment complaint against a senior official. To support her disability claim, she presented a hospital certificate diagnosing her with an “old ACL tear with left knee instability.” However, both the Delhi Police and the UPSC countered these claims, maintaining that her custody was essential for a thorough investigation.

The case has reignited debates on the effectiveness of current verification mechanisms for reservation benefits. Civil society organisations and policymakers have called for stricter checks to prevent misuse. Public outrage has been fuelled by reports that Khedkar’s affluent and well-connected family may have facilitated the production of fraudulent certificates.

In September 2024, the Union Government dismissed Khedkar from her probationary position, reflecting its commitment to addressing breaches of trust in public service. Justice Singh’s ruling emphasised the judiciary’s role in maintaining accountability and transparency, underscoring the importance of upholding democratic principles.

The Pooja Khedkar case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing India’s reservation system. It highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent similar abuses and ensure that affirmative action policies fulfil their intended purpose. As investigations continue, restoring public trust in the UPSC examination process and the reservation system remains a critical priority.

Police Says CT Ravi Was Shifted to Places While in Custody for Security Reasons, to Maintain Public Order

By
PTI
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ct ravi, bjp, police, karnataka, bjp mla, karnataka mla
Police Says CT Ravi Was Shifted to Places While in Custody for Security Reasons, to Maintain Public Order 12

In the wake of allegations against police for ill-treating Karnataka MLC CT Ravi in custody, the police on Tuesday clarified that the BJP leader was shifted to various places for security reasons and to avoid disrupting public order.

On December 19, Ravi was arrested by the police from the premises of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi for allegedly using a derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in the legislative council hall.

According to a police statement, after registration of case under section 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in Hirebagewadi police station here, Ravi was taken into custody and handed over to the investigating officers.

However, Ravi was shifted to Khanapura police station considering the security aspect and the huge crowd gathered near Hirebagewadi police station.

“In Khanapura too, a large number of media persons, supporters and party workers gathered and created a chaotic atmosphere. There was also the possibility of additional supporters and Congress workers arriving, all these factors also had the potential to disrupt public order,” the police stated.

Keeping in mind Ravi’s safety, he was shifted to Ramadurga, it said.

“Despite all precautions, media and other persons followed the convoy. Keeping in mind the safety of Ravi, the escort force took steps to escape from all of them. Throughout this process, all facilities including food and medical services were provided to Ravi and he was produced in the court,” the police added.

The clarification came from police days after Ravi accused them of “violating” human rights, as he alleged that they took him on rounds the entire night to various places in the district.

The former BJP national general secretary, who had bandages on his head, even claimed that police were behaving on the directions of someone from the “top”, as he hit out at the state government and the administration, calling it “dictatorial”.

Mumbai Air Pollution: BMC Issues New Guidelines, Calls for Strict Adherence

By
PTI
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building, construction, mumbai, bmc, brihanmumbai municipal corporation, air pollution
Mumbai Air Pollution: BMC Issues New Guidelines, Calls for Strict Adherence 14

Mumbai’s civic body on Monday issued fresh guidelines to curb air pollution, particularly due to construction-related and road dust.

In a release, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation instructed its solid waste department officials to strictly follow the guidelines, which come in response to growing concerns over deteriorating air quality in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The fresh measures include prohibiting the use of wood or similar materials as fuel for cooking and the lighting of bonfires at construction sites, the release said.

“The concerned department has been asked to employ vigilance teams and clean up marshals to take prohibitory measures. The Solid Waste Management Department has been tasked with ensuring that dust caused by construction along roads is effectively controlled,” the release said.

The department has instructed all assistant engineers and deputy chief supervisors to strictly adhere to these guidelines and take prompt action, it said, adding that a comprehensive action plan has been devised to address both major and minor factors contributing to air pollution.

Last year, the civic body issued guidelines and best practices for air pollution control, in which specific measures for construction activities have been included now.

Doval Meets Chinese Foreign Minister, Special Representatives Dialogue Resumes

By
PTI
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wang yi, ajit doval, doval, chinese foreign minister, national security advisor
Doval Meets Chinese Foreign Minister, Special Representatives Dialogue Resumes 16

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Wednesday, resuming the Special Representatives dialogue as they sought the restoration of bilateral ties frozen for over four years due to a military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Doval, who is heading the Indian delegation, arrived here on Tuesday to take part in the 23rd round of the Special Representatives’ talks being held after a gap of five years. The last meeting was held in 2019 in Delhi.

The talks began at 10 am China time.

Both the leaders will discuss a range of issues, including the management of peace and tranquillity along LAC and the restoration of bilateral ties stalled for over four years due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

The two officials were expected to discuss a range of issues to rebuild the bilateral ties following the October 21 agreement of disengagement and patrolling in eastern Ladakh between the two countries.

On Tuesday, China expressed optimism about the talks saying that it is ready to work with India to implement the commitments based on the common understandings reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their meeting at Kazan in Russia on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on October 24.

China is prepared to settle differences with sincerity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing here when asked about the Special Representatives (SR) talks.

China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith, and bring bilateral relations back to the track of stable and healthy development as soon as possible, he said.

The two SRs will discuss the management of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and explore a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question, as agreed upon during the meeting of the two leaders in Kazan, the External Affairs Ministry said on Monday.

After the Modi-Xi meeting, which was their first after five years, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil followed by a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC).

The military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020 and was followed by a deadly clash at the Galwan Valley in June of that year resulting in a severe strain in ties between the two neighbours.

Barring trade, relations between the two countries virtually came to a standstill.

The face-off effectively ended following the completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21.

The SRs’ meeting is regarded as significant as it is the first structured engagement between the two countries to restore relations.

Constituted in 2003 to comprehensively address the vexed dispute of the India-China border spanning 3,488 km, the SRs mechanism over the years met 22 times.

While success eluded it in resolving the boundary dispute, officials on both sides regard it as a very promising, useful and handy tool in addressing the recurring tensions between the two countries.

Parliament Scuffle: Police to Record Statement of 2 Injured MPs, Call Rahul Gandhi for Questioning

By
PTI
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rahul gandhi, rahul, mps, member of parliament, bjp, fir, delhi
Parliament Scuffle: Police to Record Statement of 2 Injured MPs, Call Rahul Gandhi for Questioning 18

A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was booked in connection with a scuffle on the Parliament premises, sources said police are likely to record the statements of the two injured MPs on Friday and may also call the opposition leader for questioning.

They said that the Delhi Police was also likely to write to the Parliament secretariat, seeking access to CCTV footage of the area where the alleged incident occurred.

An official said senior police officers may also consider transferring the case to the crime branch from the local police.

A case under sections 115 (voluntary causing hurt), 117 (voluntary causing grievous hurt), 125 (act of endangering life or personal safety of others), 131 (use of criminal force), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered at the Parliament Street police station on Thursday.

Gandhi was booked hours after the BJP filed a complaint, accusing him of physical “assault and incitement” during the scuffle in which its two MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured.

According to a police source, officials may call Rahul Gandhi for questioning and also record the statements of other MPs who witnessed the incident.

The source said a team of police officials may also meet the Sarangi and Rajput at the hospital and record their statements for further investigations.

The reports of their medical certificates will be collected, he said.

On Thursday, BJP MP Hemang Joshi, accompanied by party colleagues Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, visited the Parliament Street police station and filed the complaint.

The Congress strongly rejected the claim, alleging that BJP MPs pushed its chief Mallikarjun Kharge and “physically manhandled” Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress also lodged a complaint in connection with the matter.

A delegation of Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Rajiv Shukla and Pramod Tiwari, filed the complaint visiting the station in person, an officer said.

Search Operation On for 7-Year-Old Boy Missing After Ferry-Navy Craft Crash

By
PTI
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ferry accident, ferry, search operation, ferry-navy craft
Search Operation On for 7-Year-Old Boy Missing After Ferry-Navy Craft Crash 20

The search operation launched by naval boats to locate a seven-year-old boy missing after a Navy craft rammed into a ferry off the Mumbai coast two days ago continued on Friday, an official said.

With the recovery of the body of a 43-year-old man on Thursday evening, the death toll in the December 18 tragedy rose to 14.

The Navy has launched a probe into one of the deadliest crashes in the city’s harbour area.

A naval helicopter and boats of the Navy and Coast Guard were deployed to look for the missing passengers as part of the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, the official said.

Of the 113 persons on board both vessels, 14 died and 98, including two injured, were rescued.

There were six persons on board the Navy craft, of which two survived, the official said.

The tragedy struck when the speeding Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with passenger ferry ‘Neel Kamal’ off the Mumbai coast. The ferry with more than 100 passengers was on its way from the Gateway of India to the Elephanta Island, a popular tourist attraction that has a collection of ancient caves.

According to the documents issued by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), the boat had permission to carry 84 passengers and 6 crew members, but it was overloaded, a police official said.

A case has been registered against the Navy craft driver at the Colaba police station, the official said.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections invoked in the FIR related to the tragedy included those related to causing death by negligence, actions that endanger the personal safety or life of others, rash or negligent navigation of a vessel and acts of mischief that cause wrongful loss or damage to individuals or the public.

The accident-affected craft is in the custody of the Navy and police will demand it whenever needed for investigation, the official said.

The mangled passenger ferry has been taken to Bhaucha Dhakka (a wharf near Dockyard Road) in south Mumbai, another official said.

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