Cotton trader among four held hostage at gunpoint by robbers

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January 18, 2019

Four armed robbers allegedly held an elderly cotton trader, his relative and two others hostage at gunpoint inside his bungalow here for three hours, before decamping with cash and valuables worth Rs 5.7 lakh, police said on Friday.

The incident took place on Wednesday morning at the trader’s bungalow located on Apte Road in upmarket Deccan area of the city, police added.

According to police, the robbers held cotton trader Hanskumar Khimji (79), his sister-in-law Hemaji Chheda (63), his domestic aide and caretaker of the bungalow were held hostage.

The robbers barged into the bungalow around 9.30 am on Wednesday and threatened them to hand over cash and valuables by brandishing a gun and sharp weapons, they said.

“When Khimji told them that he did not have enough cash, one of the intruders left for Mumbai with Khimji’s driver to collect Rs 1 crore from the trader’s office,” senior police inspector Bhaskar Jadhav of Deccan Gymkhana police station said.

The remaining three robbers then tied the domestic help and caretaker of the bungalow with a rope.

“They also put Khimji and his sister-in-law into a room on the upper floor of the bungalow with one of the accused keeping a watch on them inside the room,” he said.

It is an old bungalow and Khimjis occasionally come there as they want to sell off the property, he added.

“Around 1.30 pm, one of the robbers, who was keeping a watch on Khimji and Chheda, went out of the room to talk to his accomplice. Seizing the opportunity, Chheda immediately locked the door from inside and raised an alarm and shouted for help from the window,” Jadhav said.

As Chheda started shouting for help, the robbers developed cold feet and fled the house after taking away cash and valuables worth Rs 5.70 lakh, the officer said.

“The three robbers then might have called their fourth accomplice and asked him to run away. The fourth robber, who along with the driver, was about to reach to Kurla, then got down from the car and escaped,” Jadhav said.

“A case has been registered and multiple teams have been formed to trace the robbers. We are also checking the CCTV cameras installed on Apte road,” he said.

The robbers might have conducted a recce of the house before executing their plan, Jadhav said adding that further investigation into the case is on.

Quota meant to reduce backwardness of Marathas: Govt to HC

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January 18, 2019

Standing by its decision to grant 16 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in education and government jobs, the Maharashtra government has told the Bombay High Court that it was meant to alleviate the community from its social and economic backwardness.

The government filed its affidavit in the high court on Wednesday in response to a bunch of petitions challenging the reservation granted to the community.

In the affidavit, the government also asserted that the ceiling of 50 per cent reservation imposed by the Supreme Court cannot be made applicable to all the states.

On November 30, 2018, the Maharashtra legislature passed a bill proposing 16 per cent reservation in education and government jobs for the Marathas, declared as socially and educationally backward class by the government.

The affidavit claimed that the creation of Socially and Educationally Backward Class and the inclusion of Maratha community in the said class and provision of 16 per cent reservation for the community cannot be said to be “excessive or disproportionate”.

The affidavit was filed by Shivaji Daund, Secretary General Administration Department of the Maharashtra government.

“The impugned Act of 2018 is passed within parameters and four corners of the Constitution of India and that there is no violation of any provision of the Constitution of India,” the affidavit said.

“The state government has passed the impugned Act based on data, surveys, facts and figures, statistics, records, analysis, investigations, research and so on,” it said.

The government sought for the petitions to be dismissed at the outset itself.

“The said Act providing for reservation only seeks to fulfil the constitutional duty of ensuring adequate representation to a Socially and Educationally Backward Class of citizens in educational institutions and public services, in order to alleviate the community from its social and economic backwardness,” the affidavit said.

It added that the Act was enacted following recommendations submitted by the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes.

“The commission has taken into consideration each and every aspect of the matter and collected requisite and reliable data concerning the social, educational and economic backwardness of the Maratha community,” the state said.

“…the commission has then come to the conclusion that the Maratha community is socially, educationally and economically backward,” the affidavit said.

It further claimed that the government was the custodian and regulator of social justice and enacted the Act after recognising the plight of the community.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the government to maintain equality and social justice by giving reservation to the socially and educationally backward class,” the affidavit said.

The Supreme Court has imposed an overall cap of 50 per cent on reservations. However, the affidavit said the ceiling of 50 per cent reservation cannot be made applicable to all the states.

“To balance the inequalities and to achieve the adequacy of representation, extra weightage needs to be given to the backward classes by increasing the limit of 50 per cent,” it said.

The government denied the allegations that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis enacted the Act to appease the Maratha voters.

A division bench headed by Justice Ranjit More will take up the petitions for hearing on January 23.

Will bring ordinance to stop dance bars, if needed: Maharashtra FM

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January 18, 2019

The Maharashtra government will issue an ordinance to shut down dance bars in the state if needed, state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said on Friday.

This came a day after the Supreme Court paved the way for reopening of dance bars in the state by relaxing conditions imposed by the government on their licensing and functioning.

In this regard, Mungantiwar said: “After analysing the Supreme Court order and holding discussions on it with the law and justice department, we have decided that if needed, we will issue an ordinance to stop dance bars in Mumbai.”

The apex court on January 17 allowed dance bars to re-open in Mumbai, stating that there cannot be “a total prohibition” on them.

The apex court also relaxed the stringent conditions set by the state government for obtaining a license for running dance bars, but upheld the five-and-a-half hour limit for dance performances.

In its verdict, the apex court also set aside the “vague” conditions of the state government for “putting up CCTV cameras in bars and giving licenses to the people of good character.”

Allowing for an orchestra and tips, the apex court, however, stated that showering performers with cash is not allowed inside the bars.

Quashing the rule that segregates the dancing stage from the bar area where drinks are served, the Supreme Court in its verdict also struck down a condition by which dance bars were supposed to be one kilometre away from educational and religious places.

The Supreme Court, however, upheld a rule of the Maharashtra government according to which working women should have a contract so that she could not be exploited but quashed the rule of a monthly salary for bar dancers.

The Dance Bar Regulation Bill unanimously passed by the Assembly on April 13, 2017, prohibits, among other things, serving liquor in performance areas and mandates that the premises must shut by 11.30 pm.

Give Prakash Ambedkar seats as per his stature: Owaisi tells Cong, NCP

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January 18, 2019

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi said he does not want a single seat in the proposed alliance for Maharashtra if his “elder brother” Prakash Ambedkar is given seats according to his stature.

The statement comes after the Congress, who has allied with the NCP for the Lok Sabha polls, reportedly said they would approach Ambedkar in order to stitch a pre-poll alliance, rather than the AIMIM, an ally of Ambedkar’s Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM).

While addressing a gathering, Owaisi remarked, “You say that you can talk to Prakash Ambedkar but not with MIM, with all seriousness and responsibility I want to tell Congress, NCP’s Sharad Pawar that you talk to my elder brother Balasaheb Ambedkar and you give him seat as per his stature. If you do so then I don’t want a single seat. Tell me Ashok Rao do you take this offer?”

Last month, talks had been reportedly initiated by the Congress with smaller parties in Maharashtra, including the BBM, on forging an alliance.

However, Ambedkar reportedly stated that he would only ally with the Congress if it was ready to accommodate AIMIM.

There are 48 Lok Sabha seats at stake in Maharashtra out of a total of 543 seats.

Rani to lead Indian women’s hockey team for Spain tour

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January 18, 2019

Ace striker Rani Rampal will captain an 18-strong Indian women’s team, while experienced goalkeeper Savita will be her deputy for the season opener in Spain starting Jan 26, Hockey India announced Friday.

The Indian Hockey team is set to play four matches with the Spain and two matches against the Women’s World Cup runners-up, Ireland.

The team will leave on January 24 for the Spain tour from Bengaluru, where they have been based for the past two weeks for the National Camp.

The team includes goalkeepers Savita and Rajani Etimarpu. The Indian team for Spain Tour will feature defender Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam who makes a comeback after missing out on the World Cup and the Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang last year due to injury.

Defender Salima Tete, who led the India U-18 team to a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, has also been named in the team along with experienced Deep Grace Ekka, Reena Khokhar, Nikki Pradhan and drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur who will add strength to India’s defence.

While the midfield features Lilima Minz, Karishma Yadav, Sonika and Neha Goyal, the forward-line will have the experience of Rani, Vandana Katariya, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Udita and Navjot Kaur.

Have seen Sachin get angry but not Dhoni, says Shastri

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January 18, 2019

Ravi Shastri has seen Sachin Tendulkar get “angry at times” but not Mahendra Singh Dhoni, “a once in 40 years player” who will be very difficult to replace once he bids adieu to the game, according to India’s head coach.

The 37-year-old Dhoni, who was panned by critics for 51 off 96 balls in the first ODI against Australia, showed glimpses of his golden days by anchoring India to a series win with scores of unbeaten knocks of 55 and 87 in the next two.

“He is a legend. He will go down as one of our great cricketers. I have never seen an individual so sound. I have seen Sachin at times get angry. Not this man,” Shastri told the ‘Daily Telegraph’.

Shastri made it clear that a player of Dhoni’s calibre can’t be replaced.

“You can’t. Such players only come once in 30 or 40 years. That is what I tell Indians. Enjoy while it lasts. When he goes you will see a void that will be very hard to fill,” he said.

The coach is hopeful that Rishabh Pant would live up to the hype surrounding him but insisted that Dhoni is something else.

It’s not just Dhoni’s role as a batsman that defines him but the master strategist in him that takes a lot of load off skipper Kohli’s shoulders.

An introvert in real sense, Dhoni has not given any proper cricketing interview since 2011, says Shastri.

Neha Tripathi starts 2019 season with win

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January 18, 2019

Beginning the new season in a tremendous fashion, Neha Tripathi held on to her massive lead to script a five-shot win on the final day of the first Leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour, on Friday.

Neha shot a final round of one-over 72 to complete the week in one-under 212 and take home prize purse of Rs 1,44,000.

Amateur Pranavi Urs, who at one stage seemed to be inching close to the leader, ultimately finished second after carding one-under 70 and an aggregate of four-over 217.

Diksha Dagar (73) and Amandeep Drall (72) were third and fourth, while Afshan Fatima shot the day’s best score of two-under 69 to rise to fifth.

Starting the final day with a six-shot lead over the field, Neha did not have the best of starts as she double bogeyed the first. Playing in the lead group with her was Diksha, who parred the hole, and Pranavi, who birdied the hole for a three-shot swing. Pranavi, who was seven behind Neha at the start was now four behind.

When Diksha birdied the second and both Neha and Pranavi parred, Diksha moved to three within the lead.

Neha steadied herself for a string of pars till she had back-to-back bogeys on sixth and seventh. Fortunately for her, neither Pranavi nor Diksha found any birdies. In fact, Diksha dropped shots on fifth, sixth and ninth, while Pranavi bogeyed the eighth.

Neha turned in four-over 39, while Pranavi made the turn in even par 35 and Diksha was two-over 37. At this juncture with the final nine to play, Neha was two-over while Pranavi was five-over and that was the closest anyone came to Neha. Diksha had slipped to third at six-over.

On the back nine, Neha stepped up with a birdie on 10th and a superb eagle on the Par-5 12th. She did drop a shot on Par-4 14th, but a birdie on Par-3 16th ended any hopes her rivals may have had.

Pranavi did fight to get closer, but her three birdies were offset to some extent by two bogeys and she ended five behind Neha. Pranavi’s scorecard of one-under 70 was very creditable and it should hold her in good stead in the coming events on the amateur circuit too.

Big govt announcement for farmers soon: BJP farmers’ wing chief

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January 18, 2019

A senior leader of the ruling BJP on Friday said the Centre will soon announce a “very big decision” aimed at boosting the income of farmers.

Addressing a press conference, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) farmers’ wing president Virendra Singh Mast said the government had taken a number of “historic” decisions for rural development and the agriculture sector.

In the near future, a big decision will be taken for the prosperity of farmers, he told reporters.

There has been speculation that the Union government may announce a scheme to give some kind of an input cost to farmers, depending on their individual land-holdings.

Mast, however, declined to share any details of the likely decision.

He also said the loan waiver was not a permanent solution to the problems facing the farmers of the country.

Mast added that the farmers’ wing of the BJP will hold its national convention at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh next month and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address its concluding session on February 24.

51 women of menstruating age entered Sabarimala after SC verdict: Kerala govt

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January 18, 2019

Kerala government in a note to the Supreme Court on Friday said that that 51 women between 10 and 50 years of age entered the Sabarimala Temple following the verdict of the top court.

“Over 16 lakh devotees have done the online registration for ‘darshan’ in the Sabarimala Temple and out of these 8.2 lakhs have visited the shrine. A total of 7564 women between the age of 10 and 50 have registered for darshan, and as per the digitally scanned records around 51 women in this group have already visited the shrine and had darshan, without any issue. This doesn’t include many others who have come as normal pilgrims and not availed the online facility. A total number of 44 lakh pilgrims visited the temple from November 16, 2018, till date,” a note of Kerala Police chief stated.

Hearing the plea of two women who entered the Ayappa shrine on January 2 amidst ensuing protest against the entry of women of menstruating age, the Supreme Court directed the Kerala Police to provide adequate security to two women, Bindu and Kanakadurga.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said, “They (two women) should be given adequate security. Give them full security and you (Kerala) are fully responsible for their life.”

The apex court, however, rejected their prayer to tag their plea with review petitions.

Nearly four months after the top court’s verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the Temple, the two women aged below 50 entered the Lord Ayyappa temple to offer prayers.

Kanakadurga was hospitalised after being thrashed by her mother-in-law on January 15 following her visit to the temple. The victim said she was hit around 10-12 times with a wooden stick by her mother-in-law as soon as she entered her residence.

A case has been registered by Perinthalmanna police based on Kanakadurga’s complaint under Sections 341 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against her mother-in-law.

The plea filed by both the women sought round-the-clock security to them due to the threat to their life for entering the temple.

They also sought directions to declare all authorities not to conduct the “rite of purification” or to shut the temple on account of any woman of the age of 10-50 having entered the temple, as this ritual is representative of a cleansing ceremony signifies they were impure, violative of their dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.

After their entry, a purification process took place in the temple, while violent protests broke out across the state with agitators pelting stones and blocking the national highways.

On September 28 last year, the apex court lifted the ban on the entry of women aged between 10 and 50 years into the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala.

Urban Affairs Min to organise fortnight-long programme for poorest of poor

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January 18, 2019

The Housing and Urban Affairs ministry will extend the outreach of its flagship project Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana among the poorest of poor in the country through a series of events in the coming month.

The ‘Shehri Samridhi Utsav’, focusing on urban livelihoods, will be held from February 1 to 15, showcasing initiatives of the Deen Dayal Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM), Union Housing and Urban Affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri said at a press conference.

The Mission has made “significant progress” in the last five years, organising 34 lakh urban poor women into self-help groups, besides providing subsidised loans to over 8.5 lakh individuals and groups, the minister said.

“Over 8.9 lakh candidates have been skill trained and certified. Over 4.6 lakh have been placed,” Puri said.

Among other achievements under the mission, 16 lakh street vendors have been identified through a survey and half of them have been given identity cards. More than 1,000 permanent shelters have been set up, creating space for more than 60,000 urban homeless, he said.

A survey named safety net survey’ is being conducted to identify eligible SHG members who are not covered by government programmes, he told reporters.

The minister said a new platform called ‘Shehri Sahabhagita Manch’ has been proposed for regular meetings of the officials of urban local bodies with SHG federations for easy resolution of local issues and identifying gaps in extending basic services in urban poor settlements.

Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra said various activities will be organised in the city, state and at the national level as part of the ‘Shehri Samridhi Utsav’.

A national exhibition will be held in New Delhi from February 8 to 17 along with a national street food festival which will start on February 14, he said. A national conference on street vending will also be held to discuss issues and seek a way forward to support livelihoods of hawkers.

National-level workshop on sanitation and a conference on street vending will also be part of the planned programmes. Further, a rally by SHGs, job melas, loan camps, identity cards for street vendors and other activities will be organised.