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Maratha Reservation: Maratha community cannot be declared as educationally and socially backward

May 5, 2021

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The Maratha reservation issue was more of a politically motivated agenda than the actual issue of the source of the facility. The Maratha reservation of 12 and 13 per cent in education and jobs had amplified the overall reservation ceiling to 64 per cent and 65 per cent, respectively.

The disadvantage of the reservation including Maratha quota, the total reservation in the Maharashtra caste wise is restored to 52 per cent — Scheduled Castes 13 per cent, Scheduled Tribes 7 per cent, OBC 19 per cent, Special Backward Category 2 per cent, Vimukta Jati 3 per cent, Nomadic Tribes B 2.5 per cent, Nomadic Tribes C Dhangar 3.5 per cent, Nomadic tribe D Vanjari 2 per cent.

Nevertheless, the politics, the question, which is being debated, is why did the apex court not uphold SEBC, created as a separate category to accommodate Marathas with unanimous consent from the state and legislative assemblies. The legal and constitutional challenges to the Maratha reservation will not go recognised.

In November 2018, the Maratha community was given the reservation under the Maharashtra State Socially and Educational Backward Act. The special act was endorsed by Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission and approved in both the assembly and council. The prominence of legislation was to give reservation under SEBC, a legal and constitutional cogency. The legislation proposed by the then BJP-Sena government got undisputed support from then opposition parties Congress and NCP.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Wednesday to strike down the Maratha reservation puts the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in a tough spot as the opposition BJP is sure to project this as the ruling coalition’s fiasco to protect legislation passed in the state Assembly and council.

On August 9, 2016 Marathas under the banner of Maratha Kranti Morcha came together at Aurangabad to protest the rape and killing of a 15-year-old girl in Kopardi village of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. Although Kopardi was the trigger, the Maratha alliance, leading to 58 silent, but massive, rallies across the state between 2016-17, was centred on reservation for the community in government jobs and educational institutions.

Apart from it, the organisation demanded justice for the Kopardi girl and sternest punishment to perpetrators of the crime and loan waiver for farmers among other things. The massive public turnout at the apolitical rallies made inroads from cities to villages to taluka levels across Maharashtra. At the end of every rally, a ten-point charter of demands was presented to the district collector.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLCs formed a rumpus and walked out of the Legislative Council on the issue of Maratha reservation forcing the adjournment of the House. Maratha students were protesting at Azad Maidan, and BJP wanted to raise the question in the House but there were heavy counter-arguments and finally, they walked out in protest.

B onJP leaders held a protest outside the state Assembly on the second of the winter session, over various issues including women’s safety and Maratha reservation. Pravin Darekar alleged that the state government is running away from discussions and is facing strong opposition. The two-day winter session of the state legislature began in Mumbai on December 14, 2020.

Since then, the opposition was hell-bent on twisting this entire issue to their advantage. Maratha reservation is a serious issue and it needs to be addressed in time. If we want Marathi people and culture to survive and thrive then it is important that Maratha survive. Nowhere in India, a single caste makes up more than 30% of the state population.

Still not many outside Maharashtra knew (until this agitation) that this caste exists. For outsiders, Maratha is the same as Marathi, Maratha=Marathi. Yadav’s with just a single-digit population has been dominant in UP and Bihar. But despite such a huge population of Marathas, casteism is not dominant here like UP and Bihar because of the tolerant nature of people.

Maratha for namesake is one community. But it is made of so many social layers from ultra-rich political families to dirt poor laborers who just earn for the day. 52 per cent is reserved which leaves 48 per cent open and it is crowded with progressive people like Brahmins, the business class who can afford tuition, outsiders who are mostly educated people, leaving very little space for Marathas.

The systems of reservation of India are a form of positive discrimination. It follows from the concept of equality of opportunity as enshrined in the Constitution of India. Reservation is the result of laws, guidelines, and administrative action by the different levels of governments in India, and includes reserved or exclusive access to seats in the different legislatures, to government jobs, and enrolment in higher educational institutions.

The target groups are identified based on criteria such as gender, caste, tribe, and linguistic minority status. It is the process of facilitating a person in education, scholarship, jobs, and promotion who has category certificates. Reservation is a form of quota-based affirmative action. Constitutional laws, statutory laws, and local rules and regulations govern reservation. Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), and in some states Backward Classes among Muslims under a category called BC(M), are the primary beneficiaries of the reservation policies under the Constitution – with the object of ensuring a level playing field.

When BJP came to power in 2015, they accused Maratha leaders in the Congress and NCP of orchestrating protests to derail its government’s investigation into several scams, now when BJP is in opposition, they are using the same issue to their advantage and trying to create unrest for Maha Vikas Aghadi. Maratha reservation has become a tool to counter each other in political corridors but no one wants to find a solution.

Fake forwards on the rise; from ways to cure COVID to getting the oxygen & vaccines

Afternoon Voice

May 5, 2021

fake forwards, fake forward, whatsapp forwards, remdesivir, oxygen, covid-19, fake information, fake news, drink water, throat pain, whatsapp forward covid, coronavirus, corona india — Fake forwards on the rise; from ways to cure COVID to getting the oxygen & vaccines 11

As the COVID cases are on the rise across the country and shortage of oxygen, vaccines and Remdesivir vial became news, the spread of dubious claims and wrong information has been prompt on the popular messaging platform – WhatsApp.

While people need to be extra careful of such forwards, we spoke to our readers about their understanding of such fake forwards, they shared different such incidences with us.

Sachin Srivastava an IT professional of Mumbai said, “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit our lives, it is only normal that we look for every source of information to see how best to protect ourselves and our families. But amid the crisis, distortion has gone viral on various messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook and Signal. The other day I received a message stating a number that the vaccine is available there at a cheaper price, when I called the agency, I found out there is something fishy, this is not just irritating; it can be unsafe too.”

Aditi Vinay said, “There are video circulations of one Baba claiming that, if you can hold your breath for 10-seconds, without coughing or difficulty in breathing it indicates the absence of COVID-19 infection in your body. Whereas the truth is that, the claim is absolutely fake as the cough is only one of the few symptoms that people with coronavirus may experience. There could be patients who may be infected and show symptoms such as fever and body ache too.”

Indrayani Manikam, a BARC employee says, “I received a forward that one can beat the virus with drinking warm water, salt or vinegar (vitamin C), This viral message claims that coronavirus, before it reaches lungs, remains in the throat for four days and it is this time that the person begins to cough or have throat pain. I followed this blindly and had a sore throat, my doctor told me that there is no evidence to prove that the virus stays in the throat for four days. Second, gargling is often recommended for a sore throat, however, there is no evidence to suggest that it would prevent infection from COVID-19.”

Then there was one viral post on social media with a screenshot, a person named Ajay Agarwal claimed that he can supply Remdisivir for Rs. 3000. In that screenshot, it was also mentioned that he would ask you to transfer money in advance so that he can deliver the vaccine to you PAN India in just three hours. Many people in need of vaccines tried contacting him but no one was answering the call after receiving the money.

Archana Ashtekar, Professor at Jai Hind college said, “Many such screenshots are claiming that they can supply Oxygen and vaccines, and people fall in the trap. These days there are fake call centres for making such dubious calls. Such bogus messages, of course, had no relevance as the government has announced that they are making Oxygen and vaccines available for the common public.”

A Naturopath Sangeeta Amladi said, “One day I received a forward that claims Rasam, a soup-like brew of various spices, tamarind juice and lentils is the best way to cure this coronavirus. The forwarded message highlighted how years ago when Malaysia was hit by the Nipah virus, Malaysian Indians were not affected as they consumed rasam.” She said, “Turmeric, one of the elements of rasam is an antibiotic, but one cannot conclude that it can kill the deadly virus.”

Suresh Mistry, a retired serviceman said, “I received hundreds of forwards from various groups, but the most fun was that the “COVID-19 virus will be killed at a temperature of 30-35 degrees. Therefore, drink more hot water, go under the sun for a long time. Drinking warm water is effective for almost all viruses. Try not to drink ice. Remember that,” the message said.” Technically, the virus is destroyed at a temperature greater than 60° C and there’s no way the human body can handle that high temperature.”

A priest Santosh Sathe shared his experience with Afternoon Voice “Everyone should ensure their mouth and throat are humid, and should never dry. This advice credited to some Japanese doctors treating COVID-19 cases further reads that take a few sips of water every 15 minutes at least. Why? Even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids will wash them down through your throat and into the stomach. Once there, your stomach acid will kill all the viruses.” I don’t know whose brains are creating such hilarious posts but these forwards are not doing any good to mankind.”

Nitin Hilgude, a Thane resident said, “I received a forward that said eat salt and onions into small pieces and eating without water can cure coronavirus. This false miracle cure also suggests not to drink water instantly and have it only after twenty minutes. And, the patient will be cured of coronavirus.” I did that, but the foul smell in my mouth made me not only breathless but I got a severe headache.”

The Pandemic is taking many lives, 3,780 COVID deaths have been reported till today, the highest in India in 24 hours, with 3.82 lakh fresh cases.

Verified or unverified advisories and orders by the government are another major hit among India’s chronic forwarders. They claim anything to everything in the name of government orders. They claim in the name of Hindu and Muslim, there are false claims made in the name of doctors or researchers. People in India need to be careful of such forwards.

SC strikes down Maratha reservation; terming the law ‘unconstitutional’

Afternoon Voice

May 5, 2021

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down the Maharashtra law granting quota to Marathas in admissions and government jobs, terming the statute as “unconstitutional”.

It also refused to refer the 1992 Mandal judgement, setting a 50 per cent cap on the reservation, to a larger bench for reconsideration.

A five-judge bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan concurred on three major issues, framed during the hearing, and said that no exceptional circumstances or the case were made out by Maharashtra to breach the 50 per cent cap on the reservation.

The top court unanimously refused to refer the Mandal judgement to a larger bench for reconsideration on issues including permitting the state to breach the 50 per cent ceiling on quota in extraordinary circumstances.

The judgement came on a batch of pleas challenging the Bombay High Court verdict which had upheld the grant of reservation to Marathas in admissions and government jobs in the state.

Journalists should be given COVID Frontline worker status

Afternoon Voice

May 4, 2021

journalists, covid frontline, frontline workers, aap, journalists, media personnel, media, uddhav thackeray, maharashtra government, covid, covid-19, photojournalist, journalist died, journalist died covid-19 — Journalists should be given COVID Frontline worker status 26

In recent times more than a hundred journalists have succumbed to the COVID-19 virus, Chief Ministers from Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and West Bengal have announced that all working journalists from their states will be considered as COVID Frontline workers.

Journalists and the Journalist Associations from Maharashtra are also requesting the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led government to include Journalists / Media personnel into the COVID Frontline category. About 55 journalists from Maharashtra have succumbed to the COVID-19 infections as of today. Also, the ministers from Maharashtra are demanding the Thackeray government call journalists as frontline workers and get them vaccinated as a priority.

Sahil Joshi, Executive Editor for India Today told Afternoon Voice, “I do believe all the journalists are frontline workers. They have been working during the whole pandemic year and have been exposed to all the danger pandemic exposes too. Looking at the situation of the second wave it’s high time that they should be given the vaccination at earliest.”

Sumita Chakraborty, Editor for Stardust Magazine said, “It is really a shame that in Maharashtra journalists are not considered COVID warriors more so as there have been so many media personnel who have succumbed to the virus while on duty. Journalists are in the line of fire and they are doing their jobs despite the massive risks to their lives, it’s time our state government recognises this and tags the media under COVID warriors too.”

Sanjay Bhide, Prawartak – Convenor at Aamhi Marathee said, “The Journalists are as brave as other Corona Warriors. They reach all nooks & corners to get the frontal news about the Good and Bad about this deadly disease Corona and catch the attention of the concerned Authorities. They also do deserve the Salute with others! Yes, not all of them may be clean without selfish vested interests. But, by and large, most of them are also the Foot Soldiers against Corona!”

Anita Shukla, a senior journalist for Bhanu Sandesh said, “I think Maharashtra government should also announce journalists as COVID Front line workers as other states have already taken this decision. They should provide better facilities to the fourth pillar of our nation, as these journalists work at ground zero levels to bring up the truth and facts going in the country right now. They should be considered as the priority to be vaccinated.”

“It is essential that journalists and their crew be declared as frontline workers and they get the same vaccination priority as any other frontline workers do because they are out on the field risking their lives to bring news to us daily,” said Preeti Sharma Menon of Aam Aadmi Party.

Suresh Nakhua, Mumbai BJP spokesperson said, “The Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh government has included journalists in the frontline category, so all states must do so and in my opinion, the delivery boys working for essential deliveries be included in this category.”

Atul Tiwari, Editor of Voice of Thane said, “The MVA government is a confused government in the state, no decision making in place. The government needs press and reporters for press release in this pandemic situation where journalist are sacrificing their life in search of right information, collecting info from government and their authorities, but it seems very unfortunate that MVA government is least bothered about the journalist and press workers. It is said to be the Fourth pillar of democracy but Maharashtra government is not considering it.”

Senior Congress leader and Minister of Revenue, Balasaheb Thorat said, “Journalists are constantly out of the house for news. Therefore, they are at higher risk of corona infection. Their families are also at risk. I have requested the Chief Minister to give frontline worker status to all these journalists and vaccinate them immediately.”

Maharashtra TV Journalists Association said, “We are working every day since the start of this pandemic. Though considered as part of essential services, the state government has restricted our movement. We request the CM of Maharashtra to please allow all journalists and not only accredited journalists during this lockdown. Maximum numbers of journalists are not accredited because of its lengthy, complicated procedure. Restricting such a large number of journalists of various news organisations will be unfair & unacceptable.”

Krishna Hegde of Shiv Sena said, “I have written a letter regarding this to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, our Maha Vikas Aghadi government will surely be looking into this request.”

Pramesh Jain, a freelance journalist from Bangalore said, “There was no provision made, despite voice from press and journalist association raised from time to time. The CM announces compensation and journalists pull money to donate to the family of the deceased. But despite repeated pleas and demand, the state governments are yet to include journalists as COVID frontline workers, though it has given an exemption to work under essential services during the lockdown.”

Senior Advocate, Rohini Salian said, “Every person in the entire globe is a COVID warrior if he or she survives the pandemic. God bless the human race.”

In a first such incident, Eight Asiatic Lions test positive for COVID-19 in Hyderabad zoo

Afternoon Voice

May 4, 2021

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In perhaps the first such reported incident, eight Asiatic lions in the zoo have tested positive for COVID-19 after their saliva samples were thoroughly examined by CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Rakesh Mishra, advisor of the premier research institute said on Tuesday.

“The saliva samples of the Asiatic lions were thoroughly tested and they turned out to be positive. As they were living closely it must have been spread among them,” Mishra told PTI.

“Now we are developing a method to test the samples of their faeces. This method would be useful in future as every time it is not possible to collect saliva samples from wild animals,” he added.

He further said the virus which is present in the lions at the Nehru Zoological Park here is not any new variant.

“They have mild symptoms and they are eating well and they are fine,” he said.

Replying to a query, he said there is every possibility of animals contracting the virus as they are also mammals like human beings.

Mishra further said these animals must have got infected through zoo-keeping staff.

A senior official of the zoo said they keep sending the samples of the animals to CCMB from time to time for analysis.

As the lions started showing symptoms such as fever, the zoo officials collected the samples and sent them to CCMB.

The official further said the samples from the wild animals will be collected either by the ‘Squeeze cage’ method or by tranquilising them.

In the ‘squeeze cage’ method, the animal will be confined in a cage without any space so that it cannot move or resist while taking samples.

In view of the rapid spread of the coronavirus in the country, the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change recently issued an advisory to close all zoological parks, national parks, tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries for visitors till further orders to control the spread of the pandemic.

Accordingly, the zoo, Kakatiya Zoological Park, Warangal, Kawal and Amrabad Tiger Reserves, all National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Telangana were closed from May 2, an official release had earlier said.

Twitter suspends account of Kangana Ranaut; ‘I have many platforms to use’ says actress

Afternoon Voice

May 4, 2021

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Twitter on Tuesday said it has permanently suspended the account of Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut for repeatedly violating the platform’s rules.

“We’ve been clear that we will take strong enforcement action on behaviour that has the potential to lead to offline harm. The referenced account has been permanently suspended for repeated violations of Twitter Rules specifically our Hateful Conduct policy and Abusive Behaviour policy,” a Twitter spokesperson said.

In her recent tweets, the ‘Queen’ star demanded President’s rule in West Bengal after Mamata Banerjee-led TMC defeated BJP in the recent elections in the state. Taking to her Twitter handle, the National Award-winning actor used demeaning words against Mamata.

In a series of controversial tweets, Kangana also called her an “unleashed monster”.

From calling out on nepotism, farmer protests to people asking for oxygen due to the COVID-19 crisis, she was involved in all the recent controversies.

Reacting upon the same, Kangana in an official statement, said, “Twitter has only proved my point they are Americans and by birth, a white person feels entitled to enslave a brown person, they want to tell you what to think, speak or do, fortunately, I have many platforms I can use to raise my voice including my own art in the form of cinema but my heart goes out to the people of this nation who have been tortured, enslaved and censored for thousands of years and still there is no end to the suffering.”

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Few minutes after the news of her account suspension broke; she took to her Instagram handle and shared an emotional video message, calling the move “death of democracy”.

Chhagan Bhujbal smashes Chandrakant Patil

Vaidehi Taman

May 3, 2021

chhagan bhujbal, chandrakant patil, chandrakant dada patil, bjp, ncp, ed, enforcement directorate, anjali damania, aap, bhujbal, chhagan, patil, bjp maharashtra, bjp president — Chhagan Bhujbal smashes Chandrakant Patil 31

Chandrakant Patil, once a blue-eyed boy of BJP is irked these days, the veteran public figure aims to become the chief minister of Maharashtra, but his cravings always remained unsatisfied. Born to a Maharashtrian family on 10th June 1959, he grew up in a small neighbourhood in Mumbai. His inclination towards politics began early at the age of 18. Patil is fondly known as Chandrakant Dada who is very sensitive to his party and hardly takes any criticism.

Former Revenue and Public works minister of Maharashtra, he gave tough time to many innocent engineers. He always suspected PWD engineers are Chhagan Bhujbal’s people and all this led to harassment. Somehow, he is out of power and Chhagan Bhujbal too came out of jail. Now Chhagan Bhujbal is in power and Chandrakant Patil always takes Bhujbal as a rival.

Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said that Mamata Banerjee fought like the queen of Jhansi. Mamata had promised that she would not give up her Bengal. PM Modi and Amit Shah were holding meetings for a day. Bhujbal said that 8 to 10 ministers were sitting but it was of no use. He had also criticized the BJP over the Bengal result. In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee’s leadership has proven its spark. Speaking on the issue, BJP state president Chandrakant Patil has warned Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Talking about this, Patil said that Chhagan Bhujbal should react to Pandharpur, he has been released on bail, he has not been acquitted.

So, he should not speak too deafeningly otherwise it will be very expensive for him. Chandrakant Patil alleged that if Mamata wins in West Bengal, EVM is right and if BJP wins in Assam, EVM is wrong. The defeat in Bengal must be sad. It should be noted that despite the defeat, everyone came together against the BJP. For years, there seems to be no one in the government, said Patil.

In 2014, when the public accounts committee of the state legislature filed a report alleging irregularities in some projects of the PWD department while it was under Bhujbal. This included the construction of the Maharashtra Sadan – against a budget outline of Rs 50 crore, the project ended up costing thrice as much, Rs 152 crore.

In 2015, an inquiry was initiated amid allegations that kickbacks were paid to the Mumbai Education Trust, an institute owned by Bhujbal’s, in exchange for the contract. In 2016, the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) chargesheet against 17 people, including the NCP leader. The ED, probing the case as part of a special investigation team with the ACB, arrested Bhujbal for alleged money laundering in the case, claiming the contractor had earned an 80 per cent profit while rules entitled them to only aim for 20 per cent.

The chargesheet stated that Chamankar Associates, the firm that bagged the contract, had transferred money to other companies in the name of people who worked for the Bhujbals and that these companies were used to siphon off the money.

In 2012, Mumbai Educational Trust (MET) filed a criminal complaint against Chhagan Bhujbal, alleging misuse and mismanagement of trust property for family-run furniture business and destruction of evidence in connection. Bhujbal was accused of ‘destroying evidence’.

In a written complaint, the former AAP leader Anjali Damania and her associate Khandekar demanded that the ACB must register a criminal complaint under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Money Laundering Act against Bhujbal, who is a former minister in Maharashtra state PWD department and his family members including his MLA son Pankaj Bhujbal as well as nephew Samir Magan Bhujbal, a former MP. Former CM of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis nod for ACB probe against Chhagan Bhujbal.

Damania in her public interest litigation petition has alleged that the family members of former Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal received kickbacks after the award of contracts, including for the construction of the new Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, and sums of money were credited to the account of Bhujbal Charitable Trust. After two years in jail, nothing could be proven against Bhujbal and he came out on bail. More than two years after he was arrested in a money laundering case, NCP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal won the election in 2019 and against resumed as a cabinet minister.

Today when BJP is in opposition, they time and again try to rake the corruption issue, but this time Bhujbal is not as vulnerable as he was. And Chandrakant Patil also not as influential as he was when in power.

Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com

AAP demands arrest of Chandrakant Patil; Chhagan Bhujbal says BJP should learn to handle criticism

Afternoon Voice

May 3, 2021

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BJP state president Chandrakant Patil made a shocking revelation in a recent interview with ABP Majha, a Marathi news channel on the bail of NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal in a money laundering case.

Chandrakant Patil was quoted saying in the interview, “It is only because of Chhagan Bhujbal’s nephew, Sameer Bhujbal’s insistence, that we went out of our way and ensured that Chhagan Bhujbal is given bail, despite not meriting it. How then, does he have the audacity to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi?”

In reply to Chandrakant Patil’s statements the NCP leader and Cabinet Minister of Food and Civil Supply Chhagan Bhujbal, said, “First of all, my nephew (Sameer Bhujbal) was arrested two months before I was arrested, hence, there is no possibility of me going along with him to meet Chandrakant Patil. If they are talking about my son (Pankaj Bhujbal), even he was summoned by ED and other agencies, so he was away from everyone and was seeking anticipatory bail at that time. This man (Chandrakant Patil) is blatantly telling lies on National Television.”

Also read: Bhujbal attempting to get rid of bad karma

Bhujbal further asked, “Is Chandrakant Patil trying to say that BJP has taken control over agencies like ED, CBI, NAI and now they control the judiciary as well?”

“I have got justice from the Supreme Court of India, it was Justice Rohinton Nariman who amended Section 45 of the ED Act, which gave relief to several others like me. Chandrakant Patil should learn to listen to critics too. West Bengal was a shock for them, now they will have to take many more shocks ahead,” Bhujbal further added.

Chhagan Bhujbal, who has spent over two years in jail in connection with a money laundering case, was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in 2018. Bhujbal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March 2016. He got bail when the Supreme Court struck down a provision that can deny a person bail even if there is reasonable ground to believe that he or she did not commit the offence of money laundering.

Justice Nariman, who authored the verdict, said Section 45(1) was violative of Article 14, both in its discriminatory aspect and its “manifestly arbitrary” aspect. The court found that Section 45(1) does not serve the purpose of PMLA.

When we spoke to Chandrakant Patil about Bhujbal’s claims he said, “Sameer Bhujbal not only approached us but also promised to leave politics if they are left out from the ED and corruption case. I never said Devendra Fadnavis arranged bail. My statements are twisted for political motives.”

Interview of BJP Maharashtra state president Chandrakant Patil to ABP Majha news channel

AAP demands probe against Chandrakant Patil

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed shock and disgust against Maharashtra’s former BJP revenue minister, Chandrakant Patil’s brazen revelation, about influencing the bail of the present minister and PWD scam – accused Chhagan Bhujbal.

Speaking over the same AAP Mumbai leader Preeti Sharma Menon said, “We are shocked and appalled at Chandrakant Patil’s statement, which clearly shows that the former Devendra Fadnavis’ government in Maharashtra, not only interfered with the criminal justice system; but also ensured that Chhagan Bhujbal is given bail.”

Menon further continued, “Moreover, the BJP only woke up when their fragile ego was hurt by Bhujbal’s criticism of Narendra Modi. We demand that Chhagan Bhujbal’s bail be cancelled, Chandrakant Patil be arrested for interfering with the law, and a thorough investigation be conducted, to probe all such instances of political interference during Devendra Fadnavis’ term in government.”

COVID-19: Commission for Protection Child Rights has written to states, UTs over the issue of orphaned children

Afternoon Voice

May 3, 2021

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The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written a letter to the chief secretary of all states and union territories regarding the issue of children who have become orphan due to the death of both parents due to COVID-19.

The commission has requested that if any such information for an abandoned or orphaned child is received by any entity, organisation or NGO then the same can be also be informed to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights either through email (cp.ncpcr@nic.in) or through telephone (011-23478250) for assistance and help to the children.

This information can also be shared with the respective state commissions of the said state and UT for the same. NCPCR said that they have been made aware of instances where it has been seen that many NGOs are advertising about the children who have become orphans after losing both their parents to COVID-19.

“In such a sad situation of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, there are situations arising where the child has lost both its parents or is found to be abandoned. It may be noted that the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 provides for the procedure to be followed for children who have lost their family support and have become a child in need of care and protection,” it said in a letter.

The procedure under the JJ Act, 2015 ensures that the child is provided with all the minimum standards of care and the rights of such child are upheld and protected.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance that these children who have lost their family support must be produced before the child protection authorities of the district and information about these children must be shared with the authorities.

“These children who have lost family support due to COVID-19 or are found to be abandoned due to the loss of parents to COVID-19 are a child in need of care and protection as per the JJ Act, 2015 and such children must be produced before the Child Welfare Committee as per Section 31 of JJ Act, 2015, so that necessary orders for the care of the child can be passed,” it said.

The commission further said that every individual, entity, organisation, NGO must ensure that if any such information is received for orphaned and abandoned children by them during these COVID times, then the same must be informed to the childline helpline number 1098 and the child must be produced before the Child Welfare Committee of the district.

NCPCR is a statutory body constituted under Section 3 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 to protect child rights and other related matters in the Country.

The Commission is further mandated to monitor the proper and effective implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

State Bank of India allocates Rs 70 crore to combat the second wave of COVID-19

Afternoon Voice

May 3, 2021

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The State Bank of India (SBI) has allocated Rs 70 crore to support various initiatives in combating the second wave of COVID-19 and is in talks with various designated authorities to explore partnerships for setting up makeshift hospitals.

The country’s largest commercial bank has dedicated Rs 30 crore to set up 1,000 bed makeshift hospitals, 250 bed ICU facilities and 1,000-bed isolation facilities across some of the worst-hit states.

These facilities will be set up in collaboration with government hospitals and municipal corporations of respective cities, the lender said in a statement on Monday. SBI will also contribute Rs 10 crore for genome-sequencing equipment, lab and vaccine research equipment to the government.

SBI’s other initiatives

Besides, SBI has allocated Rs 21 crore to all its 17 local head offices to address the urgent medical needs of citizens including procuring life-saving healthcare equipment and enhancing oxygen supply to hospitals. It will continue to provide PPE kits, masks, rations and cooked meals.

The bank will also spend Rs 10 crore in partnering with NGOs to undertake community-based testing, strengthening vaccination drives, creating helpline for COVID-19 related matters, providing oxygen supply and other critical activities.

“We are trying our best to make a small contribution to society in the fight against the second wave,” said Chairman Dinesh Khara. “We are committed to contribute funds, resources and reach out to the citizens of India and also join in the government’s efforts in fighting the virus. I urge everyone to offer their support in any form to the people in need and contribute towards making the country Covid-19 free.”

SBI has tied with various hospitals for the vaccination of its employees. The bank has also decided to bear the cost of vaccination for its employees and their dependent family members. SBI has converted 60 of its training centres across the country into isolation/quarantine centres for affected employees and their family members

Last year, SBI had pledged 0.25 per cent of its annual profit to fight the coronavirus outbreak in India and has donated over Rs 108 crore to the PM CARES Fund. In addition, SBI also contributed Rs 11 crore toward supporting the government’s vaccination drive.

SBBI is the largest commercial bank in terms of assets, deposits, branches, customers and employees. The bank has a deposit base of over Rs 35 lakh crore and advances of more than Rs 26 lakh crore with a CASA ratio of about 45 per cent.

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