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Sydney pitch has huge connection with India says, Pat Cummins

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ANI
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Pat Cummins,Australia | Image : ANI

Australian skipper Pat Cummins expects a “huge connection” between the conditions during the third and final Test against South Africa at Sydney and what his side will face during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in its subcontinent conditions. Australia and South Africa will meet for the final Test at the iconic grounds of the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Aussies will have to make some tricky decisions about team balance for the SCG match as all-rounder Cameron Green, who provides balance with his all-around abilities, is injured and ruled out. Selectors are pushing hard to include Ashton Agar as the second spinner, but reverse swing is likely to be a factor in the match. Also, Australia is aiming to win big in India for the first time since 2004. “It is a huge connection to India,” Cummins said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, while not revealing the final playing eleven for the SCG Test.

“Fast bowling and reverse swing are going to come into it, which we can expect in India. Probably get more spin overs here, and our batters are probably going to face more spin here as well. So it is a really good connection.” “Even personally captaining here might be a little different to the last few Test matches. So it is a really good prep (for Border-Gavaskar Trophy). Whatever you do there is going to be a strong connection to India, which is nice. It is not by purpose, it’s just worked out that way,” concluded Cummins.

If Agar play, having last played the format back in 2017, it will be for the first time since 2016-17 that Australia is including two frontline spinners in a home Test. He can also expect to be a part of the tour to India alongside Nathan Lyon. The squad could include more spinners like Mitchell Swepson and uncapped Todd Murphy. There is an effort to return SCG pitches to something more akin to what they were traditional, spin-friendly. This year, the nature of the surface has been determined by the weather and volume of cricket played. In a Sheffield Shield match played on SCG this season, 23 out of 40 wickets went to spin bowlers. “We are hoping for a traditional SCG pitch,” curator Adam Lewis said.

“It is not quite what we have seen in the past few years. A few of the players have told me it looks like a wicket from about 10 years ago, which gave me a bit of confidence. It is thin on grass, a bit patchy, and probably not the best-looking pitch that we have seen, but we are looking forward to it and we have done the best we can,” added the curator.

Australia is on verge of whitewashing South Africa, already leading the series 2-0. The next seven months will determine how they will be remembered. The team will be rated highly if they win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, ICC Test Championship, and The Ashes.

“We have got a huge year ahead,” he said. “I think even in these three weeks it might be a good time to pause and think about what a great 12 months it’s been for this team. Pakistan and Sri Lanka were two really good subcontinent tours with a third one in India to come. 2023 is going to be a big year,” concluded Cummins.

SC on freedom of speech : Statement cannot be attributed ”vicariously” to the govt

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PTI
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Supreme Court | Image: ANI/Representative

A minister’s statement cannot be attributed ”vicariously” to the government even when applying the principle of collective responsibility, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday and held that there can be no additional restrictions on freedom of speech for public functionaries.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice S A Nazeer said no additional restrictions, except those mentioned under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, can be imposed on a public functionary’s right to freedom of speech and expression. ”Statement made by a minister even if traceable to any affairs of state or protecting the government cannot be attributed vicariously to the government even applying the principle of collective responsibility. “Fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) can be exercised even against other instrumentalities other than the state,” the bench, also comprising Justices B R Gavai, A S Bopanna, V Ramasubramanian, said. Justice B V Nagarathna, who was also part of the bench, agreed that greater restriction cannot be imposed on free speech, in addition to grounds under Article 19.

She, however, said such statements can be vicariously attributed to the government in case a minister makes disparaging statements in his ”official capacity”. Justice Nagarathna said hate speech strikes at the foundational values by making society unequal and also attacks citizens from diverse backgrounds especially ”in a country like us that is ‘Bharat’.” She said freedom of speech and expression is a much-needed right so citizens are well informed and educated on governance.

The court was hearing a plea filed by a man whose wife and daughter were allegedly gang-raped in July 2016 on a highway near Bulandshahr. He was seeking transfer of the case to Delhi and lodging of an FIR against then Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan for his controversial statement that the gang-rape case was a ”political conspiracy”. The judgement came on a question of whether restrictions can be imposed on a public functionary’s right to freedom of speech and expression.

The top court, which reserved its verdict on November 15, had said people holding public offices should exercise self-restraint and not blabber things that are disparaging or insulting to other people in the country. The apex court had said this approach is part of our constitutional culture and there is no need for it to formulate a code of conduct for public functionaries.

The court had noted that irrespective of what Article 19(2) may say, there is a constitutional culture in the country where there is an inherent limitation or a restriction on what people holding responsible positions say. Article 19(2) relates to the powers of the State to make laws imposing reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right to freedom of speech and expression in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of the country, public order, decency, morality etc.

A three-judge bench had on October 5, 2017, referred to the Constitution bench various issues for adjudication, including whether a public functionary or a minister can claim freedom of speech while expressing views on sensitive matters. The need for an authoritative pronouncement on the issue arose as there were arguments that a minister cannot take a personal view and his statements have to be in sync with government policy.

Delhi Woman hit by a car caused death; Amit Shah takes Cognizance into this matter

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Web Team
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Delhi | Image: ANI

Earlier on Sunday a 20- year- old girl was killed as her scooter was hit by a car in Delhi after which she was entangled on the wheels and dragged for hours which caused her death.


The incident was so bad as the woman had been dragged for hours her back was completely ripped off. A video has gone viral on social media which shows women being dragged by the car and killed

The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday in the Kanjhwala area where the girl was been dragged for kilometers as per the reports 5 people who were driving the car were drunk and she was completely ripped off. On this incident, Delhi Commission of Women Chief Swati Maliwal has taken cognizance of the matter and issued notice to Delhi police.

The case has been registered at Sultanpuri police station where they have found the scooty in accidental condition. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also taken Cognizance of this matter.

With Agency Input

Yogi govt signs MoUs with UAE based companies worth Rs 18,590 crore

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ANI
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Yogi Adityanath,Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath | Image : ANI

Uttar Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with six UAE-based companies worth Rs 18,590 crore with six companies of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of the Global Investors Summit to be held in Lucknow in February, according to the statement released by UP government.

According to the statement, this agreement will help in the creation of over 20,000 new employment opportunities. The two companies, Astha Green Energy Venture and Shree Siddharth Infratech and Services will invest in renewable energy worth Rs 4480 and Rs 8000 crore respectively to create 2560 and 4800 new jobs. Meanwhile, another two companies, Sharaf Group and Hindustan Port will invest in the Logistics Park sector.

The investment will be Rs 1300 and Rs 210 crore respectively in the state, providing 1500 and 1000 jobs, the statement reads. Lulu Group will invest Rs 4500 crore in retail and food processing sectors, creating 10000 jobs. While Sobha Realty will invest Rs 100 crore in education and CSR. This will provide employment to 250 people. Investment proposals worth over Rs 7.12 lakh crore were received ahead of GIS 2023, according to the statement.

Ahead of the Global Investors Summit, which will take place in February, eight teams of the Uttar Pradesh government visited 16 countries, receiving investment proposals totaling more than Rs 7.12 lakh crore. The largest share of investment proposals worth Rs 4 lakh crore has been received from the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) In this Global Investors Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Draupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with other prominent Union Ministers will attend.

After inviting investors from 16 major countries of the world to invest in Uttar Pradesh, domestic road shows are going to start in nine major cities of the country from January 5 under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Aditya.

Tunisha death: Will follow jail manual, authorities tell court on plea seeking no haircut for Sheezan Khan

By
PTI
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Tunisha Sharma | Image: ANI

The jail manual on the handling of undertrials will be followed in the case of actor Sheezan Khan, arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of co-actor Tunisha Sharma, authorities informed a court in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Monday.

Sharma, 21, who acted in the show ‘Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul, was found hanging in the washroom on the set of the serial near Vasai in Palghar on December 24. Khan was arrested on December 25. He is currently in judicial custody and lodged in Thane Central Jail.

The submission of the Thane Central Jail’s authorities in the Vasai sessions court came on the application filed by Khan’s counsel Shailendra Mishra requesting that the actor be allowed to keep his hair uncut for continuity in appearance for his serial shoot.

The court had given a stay in this regard till Monday and had sought a report from jail authorities.

As per the submission of the jail authorities, only Sikh inmates can keep their hair long, while Hindus are allowed to keep a ‘choti’ (tuft of hair on the back of the head) and Muslims can sport beards.

The jailor will decide on the cutting of hair, as only Sikhs are allowed to keep their hair long, the jail authorities informed the court.

They also told the court that Khan will be given food as per the jail manual.

On the request of Khan’s counsel to the court that the jail doctor check the accused’s mental state, the submission said his mental state would be evaluated and action taken as per the report of the doctor.

The hearing in the case will continue on Tuesday.

Bomb found near Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s house in Chandigarh

By
ANI
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Bomb found near Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's Residence
Image: PTI

A live bombshell, was found near Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Chandigarh on Monday, an informed Disaster Management official.

A bomb disposal squad was immediately dispatched to the spot from a helipad used by the Punjab Chief Minister.

Sanjeev Kohli, Chandigarh’s Nodal officer, Disaster Management, said, “A live bombshell has been found here. It has been secured with help of the Police and the Bomb Disposal Squad. An Army team has been called in. The area is being cordoned off.”

“Further investigation is underway,” he added.

More than 7,000 resident doctors in govt colleges go on strike in Maharashtra

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PTI
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Image: ANI

More than 7,000 resident doctors at government colleges in Maharashtra went on strike on Monday over a range of issues, including the quality of hostels and the filling of vacant posts of assistant and associate professors.

Talking to reporters, state Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan said he has asked resident doctors to engage in a dialogue and urged them not to stretch the matter further.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), which has called the strike, has claimed that students at government colleges were facing problems due to the poor quality of hostels.

The resident doctors have also pressed for the recruitment of 1,432 senior resident doctors and demanded the filling of vacant posts of associate and assistant professors.

The minister said half of the demands of the striking doctors were being approved immediately, and Rs 12 crore has been given to the public works department (PWD) for repair works.

“We are positive about everything. They (doctors) should have spoken to us before going on strike,” Mahajan said.

Talking to PTI, MARD president Avinash Dahiphale said the association has not received any proposal from the state government for talks.

Resident doctors are a crucial cog in the government and civic body-run hospitals, which see a heavy footfall of patients.

Jairam Ramesh calls out SC decision on demonetisation ‘misleading’ and ‘wrong’

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ANI
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Jairam Ramesh Supreme Court Demonetisation
Image: PTI

MP and General Secretary (Communications) All India Congress Committee, Jairam Ramesh said that the Supreme Court’s verdict on demonetisation has not specified whether the stated goals of this ‘disastrous’ decision were met or not.

Ramesh has issued a statement in reaction to the Supreme Court’s Monday verdict upholding the decision of the Central government taken in 2016 to demonetise the currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations.

Ramesh said in his statement, “The Supreme Court has only pronounced on whether Section 26(2) of RBI Act, 1934 was correctly applied or not before announcing demonetisation on November 8 2016. Nothing more, nothing less. One Hon’ble Judge in her dissenting opinion has said that Parliament should not have been bypassed.”

Ramesh added, “It has said nothing about the impact of demonetisation which was a singularly disastrous decision. It damaged the growth momentum, crippled MSMEs, finished off the informal sector and destroyed lakhs and lakhs of livelihoods” A five-judge Constitution bench dismissed a batch of petitions on Monday challenging the Centre’s 2016 decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes and said the decision, being the Executive’s economic policy, cannot be reversed.

Supreme Court bench said: “There was consultation between the Centre and the RBI before demonetisation. There was a reasonable nexus to bring such a measure, and we hold that the doctrine of proportionality did not hit demonetisation.”

Ramesh has also pointed out, “The verdict has nothing to say on whether the stated objectives of demonetisation were met or not. None of these goals- reducing currency in circulation, moving to a cashless economy, curbing counterfeit currency, ending terrorism, and unearthing black money-was achieved in significant measure.”

“The majority Supreme Court verdict deals with the limited issue of the PROCESS of decision making not with its OUTCOMES to say that demonetisation has been upheld by the Honourable Supreme Court is misleading and wrong,” concluded Ramesh.

BJP hails SC verdict on the demonetisation process as ‘historic’; asks if Rahul will apologise

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PTI
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Image: Agency

The BJP on Monday hailed as ”historic” the Supreme Court order upholding the government’s demonetisation exercise and asked if the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will tender an apology for his campaign against the note ban after the apex court judgment.

The Supreme Court in a 4:1 majority verdict upheld the government’s 2016 decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination notes, saying the decision-making process was not flawed.

Former law minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also asserted that the demonetisation done in 2016 proved to be the ”biggest blow” to terrorism by curbing terror funding. It boosted income tax and cleansed the economy, he claimed.

”It is a historic decision and is in the national interest. The Supreme Court has held a decision taken in the national interest valid. Will Rahul Gandhi now say sorry for his campaign against demonetisation? He spoke against it even abroad,” he said at a press conference.

Prasad also hit out at Congress leaders, especially former Union finance minister P Chidambaram, for highlighting the minority judgment. They are ignoring with impunity the majority verdict to make in charitable and scandalous statements, he said.

The dissenting judge has also said the policy was well-intentioned, Prasad added.

India has become a global leader in digital payment which was boosted after demonetisation, he told reporters, noting that the country notched up over 730 crore digital transactions worth over Rs 12 lakh crore in October this year alone.

A five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court, headed by Justice S A Nazeer, said there has to be great restraint in matters of economic policy and the court cannot supplant the wisdom of the executive by a judicial review of its decision.

Prasad said it is a ”very important” decision and added the whole exercise was undertaken for valid causes, including removing fake currency and curbing terror funding and money laundering.

The court has noted that the government has a right to take a policy decision and rejected the argument that appropriate consultation with the Reserve Bank of India was not done, the BJP leader said.

In sum and substance, the apex court looked at the entire decision-making exercise and found the process fair and reasonable, he said, hitting out at the opposition party for raising a ”big storm” against the demonetisation.

Gandhi understands an issue only after a Supreme Court verdict, Prasad said, in a swipe at the former Congress president.

The former Union minister said Gandhi ”abused” Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his campaign during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls against the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal and stopped after the apex court adjudicated on the matter and rejected the demand for a probe.

He said the BJP government under Prime Minister Modi has been firm in espousing his commitment to the poor’s welfare, and demonetisation was designed to serve their interest as well.

The decision resulted in reducing the share of the informal economy from 52 per cent to 20 per cent, he said, alleging that Congress promoted and protected informal elements of the economy.

The government did not stop at demonetisation and brought the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act in 2015 to curb illicit money, he said, claiming that this resulted in bringing over Rs 65,250 crore under the Income Tax scanner.

Proud to be governor of Maha that boasts of best police force: Guv Koshyari

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ANI
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Image: Twitter/@GuvMaharashtra

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday said he feels proud to be the governor of the state that boasts of the best police force in the country and asked the security personnel to use modern technological tools to tackle challenges coming from the coastal border and issues like cyber security, drug menace and Naxalism.

He was speaking at an event to mark the Maharashtra Police Raising Day where he inspected the ceremonial parade and received a salute by marching columns of the state police.

The day is celebrated to commemorate the presentation of the state police flag on January 2, 1961, by then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The function was organised by Maharashtra Police at the State Reserve Police Force ground at Goregaon in Mumbai.

On the occasion, Koshyari said, ”I feel proud to be the governor of a state that boasts of the best police force in the country.” He called upon the state police to harness Artificial Intelligence and other modern technological tools to tackle emerging challenges like cyber security, drug menace, Naxalism and the challenges coming from the coastal border.

The governor praised the state police personnel for being the frontline COVID-19 warriors alongside doctors and nurses during the pandemic.

Maharashtra Director General of Police Rajnish Seth, Mumbai Commissioner of Police Vivek Phansalkar, other senior serving and retired police officers, jawans and their family members were present. This year, the police band presented a musical ensemble while a team of 46 commandos presented the Silent Arm Drill.

The dog squad also presented an impressive show on the occasion.

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