No state will make any claim until SC verdict: UHM Shah on Maha-K’taka border row

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December 14, 2022

Maharashtra Karnataka Border Dispute Amit Shah Eknath Shinde Devendra Fadavnis — Image: ANI

After chairing a meeting regarding the Maharashtra-Karnataka border row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the two states will not make any claim against each other until the Supreme Court gives its verdict.

Earlier today, the Home Minister chaired a meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde regarding the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue.

While talking to reporters, Shah said “The meeting between Maharashtra and Karnataka on the border issue was held in a positive atmosphere today.”

“I had called Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy CM, Karnataka Chief Minister, Home Minister, and other senior leaders. Keeping a positive approach, Chief Ministers of both states agreed that a resolution should be reached in a constitutional manner,” he said.

Shah said that no party will make any “claim” against each other until the Supreme Court gives a decision on the matter.

“Until the Supreme Court gives the decision in the matter, none of the two states will make any claim on each other. Three ministers from both sides will meet and discuss the issue. The ministers will also resolve other issues pending between the two states,” he said.

He also urged the opposition parties of both states to not “politicise” the issue. “I urge the opposition parties of both Maharashtra and Karnataka not to politicise this issue. We should wait for the outcome of the discussions of the committee formed to resolve this issue and the decision of the Supreme Court. I am confident that NCP, Congress, and the Uddhav Thackeray group will cooperate,” he said.

After the implementation of the State Reorganization Act, of 1956, the Maharashtra government demanded the readjustment of its border with Karnataka. Following this, a four-member committee was formed by both states. Maharashtra government had expressed willingness to transfer 260 predominantly Kannada-speaking 260 villages, but it was turned down by Karnataka.

Now, both the Karnataka and Maharashtra governments have approached the Supreme Court to expedite the matter, and the matter is still pending.

Cong slams BJP’s criticism of ex-RBI Guv and says, “Party that destroyed economy has cheek to question Raghuram Rajan”

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PTI

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December 14, 2022

Bharat Jodo Yatra Congress BJP Raghuram Rajan — Image: PTI

The Congress on Wednesday slammed the BJP for its criticism of former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan after he joined the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying the entire cabinet put together cannot match the abilities of the economist.

The Congress’ attack came after the BJP took a swipe at Rajan over his joining the Rahul Gandhi-led yatra in Rajasthan and said his commentary on India’s economy should be discarded with “disdain” as it is “coloured and opportunistic”.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, is passing through the desert state and it will complete 100 days on Friday.

Slamming the BJP for its criticism, Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera told reporters that the party which has destroyed the economy of this country in the last about eight years has the cheek to question Rajan.

“The entire cabinet put together cannot match the abilities of Mr. Raghuram Rajan. The decision of demonetisation, if they had consulted people like Mr. Raghuram Rajan, believe me, the country’s economy would have been saved of the kind of disaster that Mr. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has pushed it into,” he said referring to BJP IT department head Amit Malviya’s criticism of the economist.

Prime Minister Modi has himself, on some occasions, praised Rajan, Khera claimed. The Congress leader said that a lot of people from different sections of society want to join the Bharat Jodo Yatra and strengthen it. People from the film industry, media fraternity, writers and others from different walks of life, want to still walk with Rahul Gandhi and strengthen the yatra, he said.

Tweeting on Rajan joining the yatra, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “A strong and sound economy is a combination of growth and welfare. Our vision is to reclaim that India. We are glad that former RBI governor and leading economist, Shri Raghuram Rajan, joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra in our endeavour to build an agenda for the future.”

Earlier, BJP’s foreign affairs department head Vijay Chauthaiwale tweeted, “One former RBI governor became head of government and country lost 10 precious years. Thanks to Modi, India will not repeat that mistake. RRR (Raghuram Rajan) can walk from Delhi to Chicago.”

“Raghuram Rajan, former RBI governor, a Congress appointee, joining Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is not a surprise. He fancies himself as the next Manmohan Singh. Just that his commentary on India’s economy should be discarded with disdain. It is colored and opportunistic,” Malviya said on Twitter Rajan, who was appointed as RBI governor during the Congress-led UPA government, has been critical of some aspects of the current BJP government’s policies, including its handling of the economy.

RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said to promote innovation in financial sector

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PTI

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December 14, 2022

Shaktikanta Das,Governor,Reserve Bank — Shaktikanta Das, Reserve Bank | Image : Twitter/@DasShaktikanta

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Wednesday assured financial technology companies (fintech) that the central bank will continue to adopt a participative and consultative approach to facilitate innovation in the financial sector.

The governor held a meeting with select fintech entities, including AgriTechs, and some of their associations, the RBI said in a statement.

Das advised fintech to pay close attention to governance, business conduct, data protection, customer centricity, regulatory compliance and risk mitigation frameworks.

”The Governor reiterated that the RBI will continue to adopt a participative and consultative approach for facilitating innovations in the financial sector,” the RBI said.

In his introductory remarks, Das stated that FinTech initiatives and start-ups are important segments of aspirational India.

They are playing a transformative role in the financial system through digital innovations and innovative means of delivery of financial services, he said.

Das highlighted the proactive and supportive role of the RBI in providing conducive policy environment for responsible innovation.

The meeting was also attended by M K Jain, Deputy Governor, along with a few senior officials of the RBI.

All three accused in acid attack on minor girl arrested: Delhi Police

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ANI

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December 14, 2022

Delhi Police have arrested all three accused for allegedly throwing acid at a 17-year-old girl in the national capital’s Dwarka this morning.

Dwarka DCP M Harshvardhan on Wednesday said that the police have solved the case with the arrest of all three accused.

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly attacked with acid by two bike-borne men in Delhi’s Dwarka district area, police said on Wednesday.

The girl has been referred to Safdarjung Hospital and is currently undergoing treatment. The incident took place at around 7:30 am.

The police, earlier, detained one person in the case after the victim raised suspicion over two people known to her.

Later, another boy emerged as a prime suspect in the acid-attack” acid attack incident on a minor girl in Delhi, the Dwarka DCP said on Wednesday.

“Today information was received at Dwarka’s Mohan Garden Police Station that a 17-year-old girl has been attacked with an acid-like substance by 2 bike-borne boys. She is under treatment and is stated to be stable. She has received 8 per cent burn injuries. One boy has been detained and is being questioned,” DCP Dwarka said.

He added, “Another boy has emerged as a prime suspect during the investigation and multiple teams have been formed to nab the accused. Action is being taken on all leads.”

According to police, a PCR call was received regarding the incident of throwing acid on a girl in the Police Station Mohan Garden area. It was stated that a girl was allegedly attacked using some acid-like substance by two persons on a bike around 7:30 am this morning, police said.

“The girl was with her younger sister at the time of the incident. She has raised suspicion over two persons known to them. One person has been detained and further investigation is going on,” Delhi Police said.

The father of the victim said, “My two daughters were going to school at 7:29 am, but later around 7:35 am my younger daughter returned home and told me that two boys have thrown acid on her elder sister. The accused had their face covered which can be seen in a CCTV footage.”

Her condition is not good and we are very worried. We have spoken to the police, the father added. The mother of the victim said, “My younger daughter came rushing and told me that acid was thrown at her elder sister. Her condition is not good.”

The Bombay HC granted bail to Ex Maha Minister Anil Deshmukh in alleged corruption case

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Web Team

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December 14, 2022

Anil Deshmukh Bombay High Court Granted Bail — Image: PTI

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in an alleged corruption case observing that prima facie, there is nothing but the statement of dismissed cop Sachin Vaze whose tenure as a Police Officer has been “controversial” to show that money was collected from bar owners at the NCP leader’s behest.

The court has also considered his age, 73 years, and ailments, some of which are classified as “de-generative”.

Justice MS Karnik, in a detailed 16-page judgement which was uploaded late last night, granted bail to Deshmukh in the corruption case registered against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on furnishing surety of Rs 1 lakh. He has been directed to cooperate with the investigation.

However, the former minister will not be let out immediately as, following a request from the CBI, the said the bail order will be effective after 10 days.

The court noted that as per the prosecution chargesheet, its case is “mainly based on Sachin Waze’s statement”, who has been granted pardon after turned approver.

“The question of the reliability of Mr. Sachin Waze’s version is a matter for trial,” observed Justice Karnik, adding: “It is a matter of record that Sachin Waze was suspended for 16 years.”

Waze had claimed that Deshmukh had promised to reinstate him in police service. Post reinstatement, Waze claimed to collect money from bar owners and deliver it to Kundan Shinde, Deshmukh’s former aide, as instructed by Deshmukh.

According to Waze, Deshmukh instructed him to collect Rs.3 lakhs each from 1750 Orchestra Bars/Pubs/establishments in Mumbai totaling Rs.40 to Rs.50 crores approximately.

However, the court took note of the ACP Sanjay Patil’s statement, which were pointed out by Deshmukh’s lawyers senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari and advocate Aniket Nikam.

Patil had said that Waze informed him that he is collecting the money for ‘No.1’, and when Patil asked Waze as to who is ‘No.1’, he was informed that it is ‘CP, Mumbai’. CP at the relevant time was Param Bir Singh.

“The statements as they stand, even without testing its veracity, which is a subject matter of trial, creates some doubt as to whose behest the money was collected,” remarked justice Karnik. “I may hasten to add that these are very prima facie observations limited to considering this application for bail.

The court further remarked that “It is a matter of record that Sachin Waze was suspended for 16 years” and that his tenure “as a Police Officer has been controversial”. Waze was arrested for his alleged role in the Antilia bomb scare case and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran. “He is allegedly involved in extortion cases, fake encounter cases, etc,” noted HC.

“Except for Mr. Sachin Waze, none of the statements recorded indicate that it was under the instructions of the applicant that the money was to be collected. It is for the trial Court to look for corroboration in material particulars for relying on the statement of Sachin Waze, the approver,” the court averred.

Former corporators seek CM intervention in BMC functioning

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Web Team

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December 14, 2022

Eknath Shinde BMC Former Corporators — Image: PTI

Around 94 former corporators from the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samajwadi Party and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have written to Chief Minister Mr Eknath Shinde seeking his intervention on the lack of transparency and financial mismanagement in the BMC under state-appointed administrator and civic chief Mr Iqbal Singh Chahal.

A letter alleges that officials are being put under pressure by higher authorities and cites the latest internal transfers of various employees as an example of the same.

According to Mr Ravi Raja, former Leader of Opposition in the BMC, no tenders were invited and contracts were awarded directly for the ongoing beautification works for the G-20 presidency meet.

Thane sees four new COVID-19 cases; active tally at 29

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PTI

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December 14, 2022

Thane Covid 19 Coronavirus Cases — Representative Image

Thane district of Maharashtra has reported four new coronavirus-positive cases, taking its overall infection tally to 7,47,377, a health official said on Wednesday.

These cases were reported on Tuesday and the active infection count in the district is 29 now, he said.

The death toll remained unchanged at 11,967 as nobody succumbed to the infection during the day, while the recovery count has reached 7,36,146, the official added. (PTI)

Maha-Telangana border dispute may escalate after Maha-K’taka border dispute

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ANI

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December 14, 2022

After the Maharashtra-Karnataka border row, a Maharashtra-Telangana border dispute may escalate as 14 villages of Chandrapur district in the western state bordering the Telugu one, have expressed interest to join the latter alleging continuous neglect and lack of development by the former.

Although, all these 14 villages geographically located in remote Jivati tehsil of Chandrapur district are part of Maharashtra the dependence of these villages is more on Telangana.

These 14 hamlets have lagged behind in development due to the government’s negligence and lack of developmental projects.

The villages have to struggle for basic facilities like roads and water; because of this, the local people resent the Maharashtra government.

Earlier Andhra Pradesh and now Telangana (after division) have started giving special attention to these 14 hamlets.

The Telangana government is providing facilities like Gram Panchayat building, school, water tanks and other basic facilities.

The administration of Telangana is constantly reaching out to these people, and villagers are taking advantage of the social welfare scheme of the Telangana government.

Although legally these villages are a part of Maharashtra, the Telangana government is continuously attracting the people of these villages with its schemes. The farmers are also getting benefits from schemes like Rytu Bandhu, on the other hand, financial grants for the marriage of girls, and pensions for the elderly are attracting people.

All these 14 villages figure in the voter’s list of both the states and the people there enjoy dual identity, entitling them to take benefits of all the basic facilities including political status from both Telangana and Maharashtra.

Sudhakar Jadhav, deputy sarpanch of the border Nakewada village, said that most of the people of 14 border villages are connected with Telangana, compared to Maharashtra, the people’s representatives, government and administration of Telangana are paying more attention to these villages, due to which people feel connected with Telangana.

Umaji Jadhav (one of the villagers) said, “The Telangana government gave me the ownership rights of farming and about 50 people of the village got the benefit of this scheme, due to which they got the financial grant, be it a scheme like Rytu Bandhu or the monetary amount being received for the marriage of the girl. Those people are very happy.”

Umaji also believes that the Telangana government is giving what the Maharashtra government did not give in the last 50 years, so now he wants to join Telangana. Vijay Rathod (another resident) said that most of the people of the villages believe that the Telangana government is giving more benefits than the Maharashtra government whether it is agricultural schemes or employment guarantees.

However, Subhash Dhote, MLA of this border area Rajura, Maharashtra, rejected the demand of the people to join Telangana and said 70 to 80 per cent of people of these14 villages are Marathi speaking and they have to remain with Maharashtra.

He believes that some people are definitely attracted to Telangana, but their number is negligent, the government of Maharashtra is working on the development of the border area.

Dhote further informed that recently, these 14 villages got the status of revenue villages, and added that the work of giving ownership rights of farming has also started.

Dhote also referred to a Supreme Court decision, and added that most people are in Maharashtra’s favour.

Bihar man arrested for giving death threats to Sharad Pawar

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ANI

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December 14, 2022

NCP Sharad Pawar Death Threat — Image: PTI

A man who reportedly issued a death threat to Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar was arrested from Bihar, Mumbai Police said on Wednesday.

“A person identified as Narayan Kumar Soni has been arrested from Bihar. He called up NCP President Sharad Pawar’s residence Silver Oak yesterday & threatened to kill him. He will be produced before the court today,” Mumbai Police said.

The police also said that the accused is mentally unstable. He lived in Pune for 10 years. When his wife left him and married another man, the accused told the police, he approached Sharad Pawar in his case.

Soni said, “He (Pawar) did not make any effort”. It was then that Soni got angry and started to threaten him.

Earlier on Tuesday, Police said that NCP President received a death threat over a phone call. “An unidentified person called up NCP President Sharad Pawar’s residence at Silver Oak and threatened to kill him. A case has been registered against an unidentified person. Police registered a case under section 294,506(2) of IPC,” Mumbai Police said on Tuesday.

Further investigations are underway.

DCW issues notice to Delhi Police to arrest attackers over Acid thrown on minor girl

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ANI

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December 14, 2022

DCW Delhi Acid Attack on minor girl — Image: ANI

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Wednesday issued a notice to Delhi Police to arrest the attackers and to give strict punishment to them in case of an acid attack on a school student in Delhi.

Chairperson, Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal said, “We have issued notice to Delhi Police to arrest the attackers and to give strict punishment to them. We are helping the victim and her family. But the biggest question here is why retail sale of acid isn’t banned, even after several notices.”

Meanwhile, National Commission for Women (NCW) is taking cognizance of the acid attack that took place on a girl in Delhi. A team from the Commission will be reaching the hospital to inquire into the matter and to provide every possible help to the victim.

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly attacked with acid by two bike-borne men in Delhi’s Dwarka district area, police said on Wednesday. The girl has been referred to Safdarjung Hospital and is currently undergoing treatment. The incident took place at around 7:30 am. The police detained one person in the case after the victim raised suspicion over two people known to her.

According to police, a PCR call was received regarding the incident of throwing acid on a girl in the Police Station Mohan Garden area. It was stated that a girl aged 17 years was allegedly attacked using some acid-like substance by two persons on a bike around 7:30 am this morning, police said.

“The girl was with her younger sister at the time of the incident. She has raised suspicion over two persons known to them. One person has been detained and further investigation is going on,” Delhi Police said.

The father of the victim said, “My two daughters were going to school at 7:29 am, but later around 7:35 am my younger daughter returned home and told me that two boys have thrown acid on her elder sister. The accused had their face covered which can be seen in a CCTV footage.”

Her condition is not good and we are very worried. We have spoken to the police, the father added. The mother of the victim said, “My younger daughter came rushing and told me that acid was thrown at her elder sister. Her condition is not good.”