Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant on Monday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda for his reported comments on the Shiv Sena and said “the psyche that expects end of regional parties” is against democracy and diversity.
In a public meeting on Sunday, Nadda is reported to have claimed that family-run parties, which started off by raising regional aspirations, would perish.
He add also said the Shiv Sena was a family-run party and its end was near. Tweeting on the issue, Sawant, Maharashtra Congress general secretary, said, “Parliamentary multi-party democracy represents country’s geographical, cultural, regional, social and linguist diversity. The psyche that expects end of regional parties is anti-democracy as well as it rejects diversity.”
Slamming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, he alleged the outfit had always opposed the country’s structure as a Union of states. “The RSS has always taken a stand to have one party, one flag and one school of thought. While opposing the democratic processes, the RSS has always nurtured authoritarianism. The BJP’s sole agenda is to achieve what RSS wants to via an authoritarian government,” he said.
“Having one party in the country, like Nadda had said means citizens of this country getting reduced to becoming mere subjects. The people should identify this impending danger,” the Congress leader added.
ED and CBI are run as errand boys of the government 3
The success ratio of ED and CBI investigations is less than 5 present in India. They don’t reach justified conclusions. The cases are not closed, nor end, they are just kept pending, so when arm twisting is to be done to gain political support, just open the files again. It happened in Sahar owners Subroto Roy’s case, Mayawati and bros case, Jayalalitha’s case, Mulayam case, Devilal son’s and thousands. The people in both these institutions are not saints. They might have made lots of illegal money, but the beauty is none of them ever got caught or punished. The supreme courts fall in the same bracket. All these institutions and heads are the ultimate authorities and their judgements can’t be challenged. Let it be UPA or BJP both used CBI to their advantage but since 2014 almost all the central agencies are working as taskmasters for BJP.
Gradually, the opposition parties are deforming under stress, which is growing strong and becoming colossal party. The Indian National Congress has shrunk in size and also in its political clout in the country. The party is finding it difficult to save its President and Vice-President from humiliation even after countrywide protests. The Enforcement Directorate started targeting Robert Vadra, they summoned Vadra several times in the name of investigation but they found nothing against him. ED questioned Rahul Gandhi and Sonia but no conclusion was drawn so far. All the regional parties are gradually finished, BSP, INLD, RLD, RJD, SP, and NCP, are finding it difficult to make their powerful presence. Shiv Sena, too, has joined the group. DMK is surviving, but their end too seems to be near fast. Chandrashekar Rao of TRS is shaking against the might of the BJP. Even if he survives the onslaught, it will be a difficult time for him in the future. BJD and YSRCP are clever, developing a friendship with BJP. Also, these two are quite strong in their states. Mamata Banerjee’s vigour and drive once exhibited are lost now. It is not without reason that all of them fear the BJP and their political strategy.
BJP won back-to-back elections twice. In 2024 to these opposition parties do not seem to do any better. This is worrying them more. They do not have a leader who can challenge Modi. Some of these parties feel their citadel may collapse under the onslaught of the BJP.
Some opposition parties are working on Modi – BJP – RSS hate and some are trying to disturb society by unwanted large-scale unjustified demonstrations, riots etc and inciting communal disturbances, some of which are supported by some states’ inaction in these incidents. Therefore, these parties not having any alternative narrative but working on revenge, blind hatred and indulging in above said activities are destroying themselves. BJP need not do anything as they are self-destruction. Family-run parties will wither away as they don’t have any ideology or plans of development or alternate narrative.
In most of the cases, the searches have proved that they have been successful in unearthing hidden wealth, unaccounted assets and also property, like in the latest case of Tamil Nadu where they found 4.5 kgs of unaccounted gold and 125 crores of investments. The agencies are doing their job but only with opposition leaders. It seems all BJP leaders are honest, no ED inquiry against BJP leaders so far.
Shiv Sena was in alliance with BJP in 2014, five years after they ruled the state, but there was no ED inquiry against Sanjay Raut. Now ED has detained Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut? Hundreds of entrepreneurs left the country in the last five years. The Bharatiya Janata Party has good people as well as business-minded people. Such people are there in all political parties, but the Union government only goes after those who are with the Opposition. This is the death of democracy. The Money Laundering Act restricts ill-gotten gains and their owners. It is to prevent financial turnover in drugs, smuggling, and through hawala channels. However, in our country, only politicians fear being targeted under the Money Laundering Act. Corruption is born out of covering up the misdeeds of a few favoured people. From Sonia Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi, many Opposition leaders are on the radar of the central investigation agencies.
NCP leader Praful Patel was also harassed. If tomorrow, he goes to the ruling party and does what the ruling party wants, he will also become ‘virtuous’. Just like the 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs and 12 MPs from Maharashtra suddenly became righteous. The MLAs and MPs, who left the Uddhav Sena to join the pro-BJP faction, were under the scanner of the ED and Income-Tax authorities and BJP leader Kirit Somayya had planned to send them to jail. However, they have got a clean chit since helping the BJP form the government in Maharashtra.
Patra Chawl case is from 2008. Shiv Sena was in alliance with BJP from 2014 to 2019 so they did not investigate cases against Raut and other leaders who are under the scanner now. 2019 BJP got annoyed because Sena made an alliance with NCP and Congress. What if Shiv Sena would have been in alliance with BJP? I am not stating that the leaders are not corrupt, they could be, but when they were with BJP no one bothered to take action, but why now all of a sudden?
After a rollicking start to the competition, the Indian women’s hockey team will take on hosts England in their third Pool A match at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
India led by Savita began the campaign with a comprehensive 5-0 win against Ghana and then swatted aside the challenge from Wales 3-1.
On the other hand, the English women kicked off their tournament with a 12-0 thumping of Ghana, before defeating Canada 1-0 in the second game. Hosts England go into the game against India at the top of Pool A as they have a greater goal difference than India.
Speaking ahead of the game, Indian captain Savita said, “England are a good team and they have the home advantage as well in Birmingham. It will be a challenging match for us, but we have also been in good form after our first two wins.” In the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the two sides were in Pool A and finished as the top two with India taking second spot due to goal difference.
India defeated England (2-1) in the Pool A game but were handed a 6-0 defeat in the Bronze Medal playoff. More recently, at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022, the Janneke Schopman-coached side held England to a 1-1 draw in their Pool B contest.
“We have played England a few times in the recent past, so both teams know each other quite well. They have won a couple of big matches against us as well, so they’re a strong team, but we have done our homework and it will be all about getting the basics right on the day. It is a crucial game in the competition and we are focused on our targets.” Savita said on Monday.
India and England have a storied rivalry, with one of the most memorable games being played last year at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. India led by Rani played the tournament of their lives as they punched well above their weight, finishing fourth. Unfortunately, though, Great Britain had India’s number at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“We are not looking too much into the past and want to put our best foot forward in the game on Tuesday. It’s one game at a time for us. We have been playing an attacking style of hockey in recent years, and we would look to continue in the same fashion against England as well,” Savita noted.
Savita and India will walk out for their Pool A game against England at 1830 IST on Tuesday, August 2.
Maharashtra never tolerates treachery and the Eknath Shinde-led government will collapse for sure, Yuva Sena chief and former minister Aaditya Thackeray said on Monday.
Addressing Shiv Sena workers during his tour of the Konkan region, he said the Shinde government’s focus is on “dirty politics” and not the welfare of the people.
“This entire political drama is of the one-and-half months. The government will collapse for sure. Maharashtra never tolerates treachery, said Aaditya, son of Shiv Sena chief and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Attacking the Shinde government in which Devendra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the deputy chief minister, Aaditya said the current government’s focus is on “dirty politics” and not the welfare of Maharashtra and the people.
The state witnessed incessant rains and floods, but the government is not bothered, he alleged.
The rebellion by Shinde and 40 MLAs of Shiv Sena led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government last month.
Earlier in the day, ED produced Raut before a special sessions court after his arrest here early this morning in connection with a money laundering case linked to irregularities involving the redevelopment of a chawl in Mumbai.
Sena leader was taken for a medical test at the JJ hospital before being produced before the court. ED officials raided the Shiv Sena leader’s home on Sunday, and after detaining and questioning him for several hours, arrested him in the early hours today.
Raut is a close aide of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Prior to his arrest, Sanjay Raut’s brother said yesterday: “Sanjay Raut has been arrested. BJP is afraid of him and got him arrested. They haven’t given us any document (regarding his arrest). He has been framed.”
Meanwhile, another FIR was registered against Sanjay Raut in Mumbai for allegedly threatening Swapna Patkar, the wife of Sujit Patkar, believed to be a close aide of the Shiv Sena MP.
The case was registered at the Vakola police station under sections 504,506 and 509 of IPC. An audio clip had gone viral in which Raut was allegedly heard threatening Swapna Patkar.
Notably, Swapna Patkar is a witness in the Patra Chawl land case in connection to which the ED detained Raut on Sunday after conducting a raid at his residence.
Meanwhile, security around the ED office and JJ hospital were increased with over 100 officials deployed to get tackle any law and order situation. Additional Director (ED) Satyabrata Kumar was also seen at the site.
According to sources, ED officials seized Rs 11.50 lakhs unaccounted cash from the residence of Raut earlier on Sunday. ED sleuths reached Raut’s residence around 7 am on Sunday and conducted the raid.
Soon after the ED officials detained him in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case, the Shiv Sena leader said that he “won’t be cowed down”.
Speaking to media persons, Raut said, “False charges and documents are being framed against people. All of this is being done to weaken Shiv Sena and Maharashtra. Sanjay Raut won’t be cowed down. I will not leave the party.”
On June 28 this year, Sanjay Raut was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the prevention of the money laundering case pertaining to the Rs 1,034 crore Patra Chawl land scam. Refusing to join the probe and citing the Monsoon Session of Parliament as a reason for not joining the probe, he then dared the probe agency to arrest him.
Later, he reached the ED office. In April this year, the ED had provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 11.15 crore belonging to Raut’s wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of its investigation.
Casino owner Chikoti Praveen and Madhav Reddy grilled by ED 8
Casino organiser Chikoti Praveen Kumar and his aide Madhava Reddy on Monday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with the alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The ED on July 30 raided the farmhouse of Chikoti Praveen Kumar in Kadtal Ranga Reddy district of Telangana along with several other places.
Earlier on July 29, Chikoti Praveen’s residence at IS Sadan of Hyderabad and Madhav Reddy’s residence in Boinpally was raided by the investigative agency.
ED noticed that Chikoti Praveen along with others was organising a casino for VIPs in Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Earlier it was alleged that Chikoti Praveen had organised and conducted a casino in a Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) Minister’s function hall in Gudiwada in Andhra Pradesh at the time of the Sankranti festival in January this year
Kumar was found to be in illegal possession of dozens of exotic animals.
According to the Kandukur Forest Deputy Range Officers, it is illegal to keep wildlife animals as pets, it is a non-bailable offence and strict action will be taken against the persons involved.
“Keeping wildlife animals as pets in farmhouse is a violation and we have noticed that wildlife animals and snakes have been kept as pets in Chikoti Praveen Kumar’s farmhouse in Kadtal of RR District. Non-bailable cases will be registered against organisers of this farmhouse,” Hema, Kandukur Forest Deputy Range Officer said.
The government has undertaken a series of reform measures to make India a global drone hub by 2030, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh told the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Giving a written reply to a query raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Narhari Amin, the Minister further said some of the reform measures taken up by the government in this direction include the step to notify Liberalised Drone Rules, 202 on August 25, 2021.
Drone Airspace Map was published on September 24 last year, opening up nearly 90 per cent of Indian airspace as a green zone for drones flying up to 400 feet, said Singh.
“Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones was also notified on September 30 last year as well as UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework was published on October 24 last year,” said the Minister.
A monetary grant programme for the purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Union Agriculture Ministry on January 22 this year, and all application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 were also made online on the Digital Sky Platform on January 26.
Singh said that the drone certification scheme was notified on January 26 this year and the mission “Drone Shakti” was also announced for supporting drone startups and promoting Drone-as-a-Service (DrAAS) as part of the Union Budget on February 1.
Besides, the drone import policy was notified on February 9, banning the import of foreign drones and freeing up the import of drone components.
Investing In Canada From India Might Be More Profitable. He further mentioned that Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 was notified on February 11, abolishing the requirement of a drone pilot licence.
Now a remote pilot certificate is issued by a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTO) which is adequate for the remote pilot to operate drones.
Giving details of the Drones Rules, 2021 notified on August 25 last year, the Minister said it provides the necessary regulatory framework for the civilian or commercial use of drones.
These rules cover various aspects like type certification, registration and operation of drones, airspace restrictions, research, development and testing of drones, training and licensing, offences and penalties, said Singh.
Given salient features of the Drones Rules, 2021, the Minister said every drone, except for those meant for research, development and testing purposes, is required to be registered and should have a Unique Identification Number (UIN).
“An airspace map of the country segregating the entire airspace into red, yellow and green zones is available on the digital sky platform. The operation of drones in red and yellow zones is subject to the approval of the Central Government and the concerned Air Traffic Control (ATC) authority respectively. No approval is required for the operation of drones in green zones,” the Ministry said.
He said drones are required to have the necessary type certification issued by the DGCA, and that no type certification is however required in case of nano drones (up to 250 gram all-up weight) and model drones made for research and recreation purposes.
The Minister said the owner and operators of drones are required to furnish the necessary personal details including their Indian passport number for issuance of any registration or licence. “Authorisation of RPTO will be done by DGCA within specified time limits,” said Singh. As of July 20, there were 27 RPTOs authorised by DGCA. Of these, three RPTOs are located in Gujarat– Blue Ray Aviation Pvt. Ltd., Kaushalya- The Skill University and Sanskardham Drone Academy
International gold prices are hovering near the USD 1,700-1,760 level per ounce and are expected to trade steady in the coming weeks, a report said on Monday.
There was a small uptick in prices as a result of speculation that the rate hikes by the US Fed may gradually moderate over time.
“The direction of gold prices has been inextricably intertwined with the direction of the US Dollar. The rate hikes by the Fed and the rise in market yields provided the background for the fall in gold prices. As the US Dollar index surged with higher interest rates a natural consequence of the same is that gold prices dropped,” financial advisory firm Emkay Wealth Management said in a note.
Even the persistent inflation could not help any revival in gold prices. It indicates that prices of gold are getting delinking from the level of inflation, one phenomenon that it was known for – a shield against inflation.
“As of now, a minor rise in gold prices is due to the softening of the US Dollar. The US Federal Reserve Chairman stated that the future rate action will be data-dependent, and also added that the US is not near any risk of slipping into a recession. The statement has given hopes that the Fed will slow down the rate hikes post the September meeting,” the note by the advisory firm said.
Gold on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) has been trading in the range of Rs 50,258-52,122 per 10 gram for the past few months.
While it may continue to trade within these broad ranges, the direction of the Indian rupee would be crucial at this juncture, it said.
Notably, the import duty hike imposed by the Indian central government in early July may have kept gold prices largely steady in the domestic markets.
The Central government had raised the import duty on gold from 10.75 per cent to 15.0 per cent. India is the second-largest consumer of gold, and it fulfils a major portion of its demand through imports. India is a net importer of gold.
The upward revision in the import duty was seen as a measure to disincentivize imports amidst the country’s widening trade deficit — meaning a difference between net imports and exports.
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and others on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to quash the proposed amendment to the master plan 2021 for change in land use of the Park near All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at West Ansari Nagar Campus-Zone, New Delhi.
The bench of Justice Satish Chander Sharma on Monday sought a response from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Lieutenant Government of Delhi and the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change and fixed the matter for November 24, 2022, for a detailed hearing.
The petitioner Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Tradition and Promotion of National Awareness through Advocates Vikas Kakkar and Amit Dubey stated that a park is a respite for the relatives of the patients, residents living around, commuters, people who come to the area need space to breathe under shades of the trees.
The trees’ canopy not only captures dust particles but acts as a filter for noise pollution, cots free natural air conditioner, effective smog towers and on top of it maintain the ecological balance by maintaining biodiversity and servicing as a water catchment instrument.
It is astonishing that respondents who have been endowed with responsibility for the all-around development of the Delhi state would conceptualize such a misconceived plan for a change of land use and covert the green area i.e. district Park to a concrete hub, submitted lawyers.
The plea stated that surrounding AIIMS, there are several redevelopment colonies namely Neta Ji Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Narouji Nagar, Mohamadpur and Thayagraj Nagar that are coming up.
The entire traffic of all these colonies would lead to the Ring Road – Mahatma Gandhi Road, which is thoroughly congested and clogged at any point time during the day throughout the year. Even the Barapula Road, which was supposed to ease the traffic towards Noida and Ghaziabad remains fully chocked during peak hours.
The area is busiest in its traffic volume from Gurugram to Noida and Ghaziabad, thus, continues to be the most polluted area in Delhi due to heavy traffic congestion throughout the day.
The petition stated that as per recent Newspaper Reports, 77,700 trees were allowed to be cut in the last three years.
This means hourly 3 trees were cut in the Capital City of Delhi, and another 5995 fully trees and an unspecified number of small trees would be sacrificed after destroying the District Park for the redevelopment of AIIMS.
The plea further alleged that despite in know of the fact of the paucity of land for Green areas, at the same time, it is continuously allowing the development of Commercial Properties and changing land use of the Recreational City Parks, District Parks, which were developed in accordance with earlier the Master Plans.
“This raises the basic questions on the proposed construction as proposed and approved in the public notice. Societal good would outweigh the individual interest, no doubt, but in the given circumstances a deed purportedly, being executed for societal good is bound to cause more harm than good. The copies of the newspaper report stating that there is land scarcity for compensatory afforestation in Delhi,” read the plea.
Congress Lok Sabha four MP's suspension was revoked and given the last chance 13
The suspension of four Congress MPs from Lok Sabha was revoked on Monday following a motion that was passed in the Lower House of Parliament. The Congress members of Parliament – Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, T N Prathapan and S Jothi Mani — were suspended for the rest of the Monsoon Session of Parliament after Speaker Om Birla took a stern view of the continuous disruptions by Opposition MPs since the beginning of the Monsoon Session.
While announcing the cancellation of the suspension of the Congress MPs from Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla said the members were being given a last chance.
He also said that no placards would be brought inside the House or else, “I will listen neither to the government nor the Opposition and will surely take action.”
On July 26, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suspended four Congress members for the rest of the monsoon session for unruly behaviour and disrupting the proceedings of the House.
The suspended MPs, along with other opposition members, were protesting with placards and shouting slogans against price rise and ignored repeated warnings from the Speaker. Earlier, Speaker Om Birla had warned the protesting members, including from the Congress, TMC and DMK, that those who continue to shout slogans and display placards will have to do it outside the House.
After witnessing two repeated adjournments in both Houses of Parliament over ruckus created by Opposition leaders on various issues, Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Pralhad Joshi expressed their concerns over Parliament not being allowed to function normally.
Addressing the media persons today at the Parliament premises, Piyush Goyal said, “The Central Government was ready from the first day to discuss inflation. However, the Opposition wasn’t allowing the House (Lok Sabha) to function normally. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had COVID-19. Knowing that she has just recovered, we are appealing to them for the House to function normally.”
Piyush Goyal said that the Opposition is not letting the House run and is running away from discussing other issues.
“We already decided that the issue of price rise will be discussed on Monday in Lok Sabha and on Tuesday in Rajya Sabha. Despite that, the House wasn’t allowed to run. They’re running away from discussing the issue,” he said.
Goyal added, “Either Opposition MPs should express regret about whatever they have done or their leaders should ensure that they won’t bring placards which are against the rules. In that case, the government is ready to move the motion to revoke the suspension of MPs.”
Pralhad Joshi, too, expressed his concerns in the matter and objected to protesting with placards in the Parliament. “We have many bills to pass but unfortunately, the House is getting adjourned. If the Leader of Congress Parliamentary Party gives assurance in the house that MPs will not come with placards, then, we are ready to withdraw the suspension,” said Pralhad Joshi.
“In spite of that, the Opposition is not cooperating, which means they are running away from the discussion of price rise. If the Opposition is really interested, they should allow the House to function normally,” Joshi further said.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 2 PM for the second time on Monday, after a ruckus by Opposition leaders on various issues. The Lower House was adjourned after Opposition parties demanded the suspension of four Congress MPs be revoked.
In Rajya Sabha, the Opposition continued sloganeering and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a discussion over price rise. To this, Bhubaneswar Kalita, presiding in the Chair, responded that the matter would be taken up tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan is introducing a Bill to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009, in the Lok Sabha.
Union Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar is expected to move the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, in the Rajya Sabha for passing.
Earlier in the day, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon after a ruckus was created by Opposition leaders on various issues.
The Lower House had been adjourned after Opposition leaders demanded the withdrawal of the suspension of four Congress MPs last week.
