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Wed, 09 October 2024
Ratan Tata Passes Away At 86
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23:59 Ratan Tata Passes Away At 86
Veteran industrialist and Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata passed away on Wednesday evening, PTI reported quoting a police official.
Tata was 86 years old.
Tata had been admitted to a Mumbai-based hospital on Monday, and he had said there was no cause for concern regarding his health and he is undergoing check-ups for age-related medical conditions.
Tata took over as the chairman of Tata Sons in March 1991 and retired on December 28, 2012. During his tenure, the Tata Group's revenues grew manifold, totalling USD 100.09 billion in 2011-12 from a turnover of a mere Rs 10,000 crore in 1991.
He returned as interim chairman of the group and handed over the baton of the group to N Chandrasekaran in January 2017 and moved to his role of Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran put out a statement announcing Ratan Tatas death, and described him as a "truly uncommon leader". You can read the statement here.
Diljit Dosanjh/Courtesy Instagram
23:25 Dancer pulls out Diljit's European tour alleging 'unprofessional' management
A London-based backup dancer has said she withdrew from the European leg of Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh's "Dil-Luminati Tour", accusing the management team of "unprofessional and disrespectful" behaviour.
A source close to the tour team, however, dismissed artist Shilpa Sajan's claim, calling it "baseless and untrue".
Sajan posted a statement on her Instagram handle, Lateafternoonthoughts, on October 3, detailing the alleged unprofessional treatment she received during her time on the tour.
"Recently, I was selected to be a backup dancer for Diljit Dosanjh's DIL-LUMINATI Europe Tour. As a dancer who's been doing this professionally for years, this could have been one of the highlights of my dance career. But I pulled out," she claimed.
The British-Indian dancer then referenced an earlier controversy regarding Dosanjh's US tour over the non-payment of money owed to the dancers in July, an allegation the singer's manager denied at the time.
According to Sajan, she and fellow dancers found out that Dosanjh's team offered 80 GBP (Rs 8,800 approximately) for the tour's European leg. -- PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump/File image
23:19 What Modi told Trump when Pak threatened India
Former US President Donald Trump has revealed what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said when offered help in dealing with a country that threatened India and said the Indian leader remarked "I will do it, I will do it, I will do anything necessary".
Trump made the remarks in a podcast called 'Flagrant' with comedians Andrew Schultz and Akash Singh.
Lavishing high praise on Modi, Trump described him "great", "a friend", "nicest human being" and a leader who is tough in dealing with India's adversaries when required.
Trump spoke about how Modi told him that India can deal with a threatening Pakistan after being offered US support.
Trump imitated Modi's remarks and his tough tone and tenor on the question of dealing with the western neighbour who has been sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
"We have very good relationship. He is nicest human being but we had couple of occasions where somebody was threatening India. I said let me help. (Trump imitating PM Modi). 'I will do it, I will do it, I will do anything necessary. We have defeated them for hundreds of years'....Same country you can probably guess. I said wow what happened there," Trump said.without naming Pakistan.
NC vice president Omar Abdullah after party victory in Srinagar/Umar Ganie for Rediff.com
22:37 J-K: NC legislature party to meet tomorrow to elect leader
The legislature party of the National Conference will meet on Thursday to elect their leader as party president Farooq Abdullah maintained that his son Omar Abdullah will be the first chief minister of the Union Territory.
The NC on Tuesday emerged as the single largest party with 42 seats as results of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls were declared.
The party is comfortably placed to form the government as its alliance with Congress and CPI-M got 49 seats in the 95-member house.
"The National Conference legislature party will meet tomorrow at half-past 12 to elect their leader," the party vice president said. Omar Abdullah said the NC legislature party meeting will be followed by a meeting of the alliance partners to elect the leader of the alliance in the House.
"Then we will go to the Raj Bhavan to stake the claim for government formation and ask the LG to fix a time for swearing in," Omar Abdullah said, adding, "I hope the new government is in place in the next few days".
However, NC president Farooq Abdullah asserted his supremacy over the choice of person who will head the government. -- PTI
File image
22:20 Modi on 2-day visit to Laos for ASEAN-India, East Asia summits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Laos beginning Thursday to attend the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit where improving connectivity and expanding digital public infrastructure are expected to be the key issues on the table.
Modi's visit also commemorates 10 years of the Act East Policy that has seen India build convergences with ASEAN's own outlook for the Indo-Pacific region that has seen China's expansive activities in the South China Sea.
Modi is also expected to meet the newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who will be attending the East Asia Summit -- his first overseas visit since assuming office on October 1.
Territorial tensions in the South China Sea and the civil war in Myanmar will also be on the table.
ASEAN has proposed a peace plan that calls for a ceasefire and mediation among the warring factions in Myanmar.
Briefing the media about the prime minister's visit, Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry said the five-point consensus was an overarching consensus among ASEAN countries and their partners about the situation in Myanmar.
"Our position is very supportive of the five-point consensus of ASEAN," Mazumdar said. -- PTI
Pic: Reuters
21:52 Personal data of 3 cr Star Health customers leaked
Personal data like mobile numbers, PAN, addresses and pre-existing medical conditions of about 3.1 crore customers of Star Health Insurance is allegedly available on a website created by a hacker identified as xenZen.
The hacker claimed that Star Health's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) sold all the data and later tried to change the terms of their deal.
According to the details shared by the UK-based researcher Jason Parker on September 20, a hacker by the name of xenZen has published a website with sample data of Star Health Insurance Company and an email communication with a top official responsible for handling and managing the digital network of the company.
"I am leaking all Star Health India customers and insurance claims sensitive data. This leak is sponsored by Star Health and Allied Insurance Company, who sold this data to me directly," xenZen claimed.
Clarifying on the matter Star Health Insurance in a statement said, a thorough and rigorous forensic investigation, led by independent cybersecurity experts is underway, and the company is working closely with government and regulatory authorities at every stage of this investigation.
"We also timely approached the Madras high court which in an order has directed all including certain third parties to disable access to the relevant information. We are diligently pursuing the implementation of this order," it said.
The company categorically mentioned that the CISO has been duly co-operating in the investigation and has not arrived at any finding of wrongdoing by him till date.
"We also want to emphasise that any unauthorised acquisition, possession, or dissemination of customer data is illegal. We urge all platforms, hosting companies, social media channels and users to take swift and decisive action to halt such activities and comply with the orders of the high court," it said.
21:49 Sreelekha, Kerala's first woman IPS officer, joins BJP
Former DGP R Sreelekha, the first woman IPS officer in the Kerala cadre, joined the BJP on Wednesday.
She took party membership at her Thiruvananthapuram residence from BJP state president K Surendran and district president V V Rajesh.
Expressing happiness over Sreelekha's entry into the party, Surendran said that the BJP will greatly benefit from the experience of the retired DGP, who had an unblemished record as a police officer.
"More and more eminent personalities are now joining the BJP. You (the media) have been trying to portray the BJP as an untouchable party. Now the situation has changed. We are working hard to come to power in Kerala by 2026," Surendran told reporters.
Sreelekha said that it took her three weeks to decide after BJP leaders approached her with a request.
She said it was the aura of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that influenced her to join the BJP.
"I do not expect anything from the party. I see this as another opportunity to serve the people. I am not thinking about any position in the party; I am joining them because I trust their ideology," Sreelekha said.
She also said that she never had any political thoughts after taking the oath as a police officer and had worked neutrally without any political bias.
Sreelekha said that she would continue to work for the people.
Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut/File image
21:36 Raut booked for remarks over MP's Ladli Yojana
The Madhya Pradesh police on Wednesday registered an FIR against Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Sanjay Raut for allegedly making misleading remarks over the state government's flagship Ladli Behna Yojana, an official said.
The case was registered this evening by the Bhopal crime branch after a complaint was lodged by BJP's Mahila Morcha district unit president Vandana Jachak and its vice president Sushma Chouhan, deputy commissioner of police Akhil Patel said.
Raut has been booked under Sections 353 (2) (circulating statements containing false information) and 356 (2) (Defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
The complainants accused Raut of deliberately making a misleading statement that the Ladli Behna Yojana had been shut.
The statement was aimed at maligning the image of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the FIR stated. -- PTI
Representational image
21:07 Probe ordered after Hindu outfit claims U'khand house being used as mosque
An inquiry has been ordered after members of an Hindu outfit staged a protest outside the SDM's office in Berinag in Dehradun demanding removal of an 'illegal' mosque being run in a house, officials said on Wednesday.
According to the protestors, an abandoned house in Berinag has allegedly been converted illegally into a mosque from inside to offer namaaz.
Levelling the allegation, the Hindu outfit Rashtriya Sewa Sangathan staged a protest outside Berinag SDM's office on October 6 demanding removal of the illegal mosque.
An inquiry was ordered into the allegation after a memorandum was received from the organisation, Pithoragarh district magistrate Vinod Girish Goswami said.
"We have demanded removal of the illegal mosque. If it continues to run, we will have to resort to a nationwide agitation against it," Himanshu Joshi, founder-president of the outfit, said. -- PTI
File image
20:43 Vistara's London-Delhi flight gets bomb threat; lands safely in Delhi
A Vistara aircraft flying from London to Delhi received a bomb threat on Wednesday and the plane landed safely at the airport in the national capital, according to sources.
The sources said that a piece of paper with the message about a bomb onboard the plane was found in one of the lavatories and the relevant authorities were immediately informed.
There were nearly 290 passengers in the aircraft, they added.
An airline spokesperson said a security concern was noted by its staff operating the flight UK 018 while it was coming from London to the national capital.
In line with the protocol, the relevant authorities were immediately informed and the aircraft was taken to the isolation bay for mandatory checks, after landing safely at the Delhi airport.
"We fully cooperated with the relevant authorities in completing the necessary security checks," the spokesperson said in a statement. -- PTI
20:29 Ratan Tata continues to be in hospital
Veteran industrialist and Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata continues to be in Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital for age-related ailments, said people aware of the situation.
Comments from the Tata group could not be immediately obtained on his health condition.
On Monday, Tata, known for his philanthropy besides being a respected industry leader, had asserted that there was no cause for concern regarding his health and that he was undergoing check-ups for age-related medical conditions.
Terming reports of his hospitalisation in a Mumbai hospital as "rumours", the 86-year-old Tata said in a post on social media platform X, "These claims are unfounded".
"I am currently undergoing medical check-ups due to my age-related medical conditions," asserted Tata, who led the Tata Group from March 1991 to December 2012 as Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the salt-to-software conglomerate.
"There is no cause for concern. I remain in good spirits," he said, requesting the public and media to refrain from "spreading misinformation".
Reports had claimed that Tata was taken to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital in the early hours of Monday, following a drop in blood pressure.
In his post, Tata said, "I am aware of recent rumours circulating regarding my health and I want to assure everyone that these claims are unfounded".
20:12 Delhi: Acid attack on Syrian refugee, toddler son
A Syrian refugee and his toddler son, as well as a Sudanese national, suffered burns when they were attacked with acid allegedly by a resident in Vikaspuri, police said on Wednesday.
The incident took place on September 30 near the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in the west Delhi area, police said.
The men were discharged the same day but child was kept under treatment as he had received 10 per cent burns in his chest, neck and eyes, they said. He was discharged today.
Rakesh Kumar, a local, has been arrested in the matter, according to a police statement.
The FIR, a copy of which is accessed by PTI, revealed the identity of the victims as 11-month-old Ibrahim, his father Raft Abmohimid, and Nabil Omar Akbar, both aged 28.
"The boy was treated on OPD basis. He was admitted with ten per cent chemical burns around a week or so. He was treated and was shifted from the ICU on October 5 to the ward. The child was discharged today. He will be coming twice a week for dressing," a source from Safdarjung hospital said.
On September 30, during an argument between the refugees and local residents, Rakesh Kumar threw some chemical at the three refugees and the tent where they live, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vichitra Veer said.
The fight and the subsequent acid attack were captured in a CCTV footage recovered from the spot. The attacker was accompanied by two more men, the FIR stated.
The DCP said the liquid has been suspected to be phenyl, but the exact composition will be established only after a chemical examination.
Raft has been living in India for the past few years and moved to Delhi two years ago from Bengaluru with his wife, a Thailand national, and son Ibrahim, a police source said.
Police in a statement said refugees frequent the UNHRC office in Vikaspuri seeking work and shelter and often raise slogans, which has been objected to by some locals.
'Refugees go there from time to time, asking for work and shelter. Many a times, they raise slogans also, which causes disturbance to the local residents. On that day also, there was a heated argument between the refugees and the security guard deployed there, leading to the incident,' the police statement read.
After the incident, Brave Souls Foundation, a south Delhi-based NGO led by acid attack survivors, extended help to Raft and his son.
Shaheen Malik, a founder of the NGO, said police's filing the case under lighter sections betrayed how insensitive they were to refugees.
In the wake of the incident, an FIR under section 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 124(2) (acid attack) was registered at Vikaspuri Police Station.
She said the child has been shifted to a private hospital and that the NGO's advocate Ali Zia Kabir is providing legal aid to Ibrahim's father in the case. -- PTI
The incident took place on September 30 near the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in the west Delhi area, police said.
The men were discharged the same day but child was kept under treatment as he had received 10 per cent burns in his chest, neck and eyes, they said. He was discharged today.
Rakesh Kumar, a local, has been arrested in the matter, according to a police statement.
The FIR, a copy of which is accessed by PTI, revealed the identity of the victims as 11-month-old Ibrahim, his father Raft Abmohimid, and Nabil Omar Akbar, both aged 28.
"The boy was treated on OPD basis. He was admitted with ten per cent chemical burns around a week or so. He was treated and was shifted from the ICU on October 5 to the ward. The child was discharged today. He will be coming twice a week for dressing," a source from Safdarjung hospital said.
On September 30, during an argument between the refugees and local residents, Rakesh Kumar threw some chemical at the three refugees and the tent where they live, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vichitra Veer said.
The fight and the subsequent acid attack were captured in a CCTV footage recovered from the spot. The attacker was accompanied by two more men, the FIR stated.
The DCP said the liquid has been suspected to be phenyl, but the exact composition will be established only after a chemical examination.
Raft has been living in India for the past few years and moved to Delhi two years ago from Bengaluru with his wife, a Thailand national, and son Ibrahim, a police source said.
Police in a statement said refugees frequent the UNHRC office in Vikaspuri seeking work and shelter and often raise slogans, which has been objected to by some locals.
'Refugees go there from time to time, asking for work and shelter. Many a times, they raise slogans also, which causes disturbance to the local residents. On that day also, there was a heated argument between the refugees and the security guard deployed there, leading to the incident,' the police statement read.
After the incident, Brave Souls Foundation, a south Delhi-based NGO led by acid attack survivors, extended help to Raft and his son.
Shaheen Malik, a founder of the NGO, said police's filing the case under lighter sections betrayed how insensitive they were to refugees.
In the wake of the incident, an FIR under section 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 124(2) (acid attack) was registered at Vikaspuri Police Station.
She said the child has been shifted to a private hospital and that the NGO's advocate Ali Zia Kabir is providing legal aid to Ibrahim's father in the case. -- PTI
Representational image. Pic: ANI Photo
20:05 Army commanders to meet in Sikkim's forward area
The two-phase Army Commanders' Conference during which the army will review current operational preparedness and deliberate on critical strategies is set to begin in Sikkim on Thursday.
The second ACC this year is being organised in a hybrid mode, with the first phase planned on October 10-11 in a forward location at Gangtok, the defence ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
Top army commanders will brainstorm conceptual issues, and review and assess the "overall security situation" during the key conference.
"As the nation faces numerous regional security challenges, the upcoming Army Commanders' Conference scheduled to commence in Sikkim tomorrow, assumes significance," it said.
Conducting the conference of senior commanders at a forward location underlines the Indian Army's "focus on ground realities", the ministry said.
The commanders' conclave in a forward area in Sikkim, which is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), comes amid the lingering border row in eastern Ladakh.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh "will deliver a keynote address to the senior leadership at Gangtok and will be briefed on the emerging security challenges and the response of the Army in the security domain," it said.
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, during an interaction session at Bharat Shakti Defence Conclave on September 19, said after the May 2020 incident, his force thought if there was a case of "rebalancing", adding that four years since then, it has gone through its first phase while its second phase is "required".
He had also emphasised that the location of the upcoming conference will be "indicative of our intent".
In the second phase of the conference, the senior hierarchy of the army will congregate in Delhi on October 28-29.
The conference will serve as a forum for senior commanders to "review current operational preparedness, deliberate on critical strategies and outline future directives".
During the first phase of the conference, discussions will focus on critical national security issues and strategic aspects aimed at sharpening the army's warfighting capabilities, the statement said.
Major issues to be deliberated during the two-day session will include the growing importance of a multi-pronged national security strategy that incorporates the integration of civil-military fusion and the Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME) pillars to counter contemporary threats.
19:30 Delhi CMO says CM's residence was forcibly vacated
'Delhi chief minister's residence' at 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines was forcibly vacated at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party as Lt Governor V K Saxena wants to allot it to a saffron party leader, the Chief Mininster's Office alleged in a statement on Wednesday.
There was no immediate reaction to these allegations from the LG office or the BJP.
The belongings of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi were also removed from the residence, which was earlier occupied by her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal, the statement said.
There was plan to allot the bungalow to some important BJP leader, it claimed.
Earlier in the day, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh said that officers were not allotting the bungalow to CM Atishi and her camp office there was also vacated. -- PTI
19:21 Vistara's London-Delhi flight receives bomb threat
A Vistara aircraft flying from London to Delhi received a bomb threat on Wednesday and the plane landed safely at the airport in the national capital, according to sources.
The sources said that a piece of paper with the message about a bomb onboard the plane was found in one of the lavatories and the relevant authorities were immediately informed.
There were nearly 290 passengers in the aircraft, they added.
An airline spokesperson said a security concern was noted by its staff operating the flight UK 018 while it was coming from London to the national capital.
In line with the protocol, the relevant authorities were immediately informed and the aircraft was taken to the isolation bay for mandatory checks, after landing safely at the Delhi airport.
"We fully cooperated with the relevant authorities in completing the necessary security checks," the spokesperson said in a statement.
The number of people in the flight that was operated with a Boeing 787 aircraft could not be immediately ascertained. -- PTI
19:19 BSE Sensex: Top losers today
Among the 30 Sensex companies, ITC, Nestle India, Hindustan Unilever, Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro and HDFC Bank were among the major laggards.
On the contrary, Tata Motors, Tech Mahindra, State Bank of India, Maruti Suzuki India, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv and Bharti Airtel were among the gainers. -- PTI
On the contrary, Tata Motors, Tech Mahindra, State Bank of India, Maruti Suzuki India, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv and Bharti Airtel were among the gainers. -- PTI
19:18 Sensex reverses gains, down by 167 points
Benchmark Sensex reversed its gains and closed lower by 167 points on Wednesday due to profit-taking in select blue-chips in the last hour even as the RBI took the first step towards a rate cut in its monetary policy review.
Erasing its early gains, the 30-share BSE Sensex fell 167.71 points or 0.21 per cent to close at 81,467.1.
The index opened higher and later surged 684.4 points to hit an intraday high of 82,319.21 as RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das left the interest rate unchanged but changed the stance to neutral.
However, sharp gains in blue-chips attracted profit taking by cautious investors ahead of the start of earnings season on Thursday. -- PTI
Erasing its early gains, the 30-share BSE Sensex fell 167.71 points or 0.21 per cent to close at 81,467.1.
The index opened higher and later surged 684.4 points to hit an intraday high of 82,319.21 as RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das left the interest rate unchanged but changed the stance to neutral.
However, sharp gains in blue-chips attracted profit taking by cautious investors ahead of the start of earnings season on Thursday. -- PTI
18:26 Wangchuk claims support of RSS, BJP leaders
Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike for the last four days, on Wednesday said a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh came to him last night, extended his support, and even gave him some mosquito repellent.
Wangchuk, who has been camping at Ladakh Bhawan in the national capital, is yet to be approached by a central government representative, a group member said.
'Someone came around 10.30-11 pm, and brought herbal mosquito repellent for us. He stayed away from the gate, and said he did not want to be captured in any CCTV camera,' Wangchuk, on strike with several of his supporters since Sunday, said on X.
'He said he is with the RSS, and close to BJP. He said we have our sympathy with you, and people of Ladakh, but we cannot come out openly,' he said.
'Yesterday, BJP leader Naresh ji came with a special message from Murli Manohar Joshi ji. This makes us feel people rise above party, religion, when it is about justice. They are not blind followers, they can differentiate between right and wrong,' he added.
According to a member of the group, several protesters had low blood pressure this morning.
Wangchuk with his supporters marched to Delhi from Leh demanding inclusion of Ladakh in the sixth schedule Constitution. They were detained at the capital's Singhu border on September 30 by Delhi Police and released on the night of October 2.
The group is demanding a meeting with top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The sixth schedule of the Constitution includes provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram in northeast India.
It establishes autonomous councils that have legislative, judicial, executive and financial powers to independently govern these areas.
The protesters are also demanding statehood, a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
The march to Delhi was organised by Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been spearheading the agitation. -- PTI
IMAGE: Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk with supporters continue their indefinite fast demanding the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule, at Ladakh Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo
17:58 Karnataka Cong MLA 'mastermind' of Valmiki scam: ED
Karnataka Congress MLA B Nagendra is the 'mastermind' behind the multi-crore Valmiki Corporation alleged scam and the funds diverted from this state government entity were also used for a candidate who contested the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, the ED claimed Wednesday.
The federal agency said it has filed a prosecution complaint or charge sheet in this case sometime ago before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Bengaluru.
The court has taken cognisance of the charge sheet, it said.
"B Nagendra, MLA and former Minister for Scheduled Tribal Affairs, has been named as the primary accused and mastermind behind the scam, allegedly orchestrating it with the help of 24 others, including key associates like Satyanarayana Varma, Etakari Satyanarayana, J.G. Padmanabha, Nageshwar Rao, Nekkenti Nagaraj, and Vijay Kumar Gowda," the Enforcement Directorate said in a statement.
Nagendra was arrested by the ED in this case.
The agency claimed its probe found that 'under the influence of B Nagendra, the account of the Corporation (Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation) was moved to the MG Road Branch without any proper authorisation, where Rs 187 crore, including Rs. 43.33 crore from the state treasury under the Ganga Kalyana Scheme, were deposited without following proper procedures and in violation of government guidelines.
"These funds were subsequently siphoned off through multiple shell accounts and converted into cash and bullion," the ED alleged.
An amount of Rs 20.19 crore of the 'diverted' funds were used to support a candidate contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Bellary constituency, as well as for the personal expenses of B Nagendra, it added.
The ED said 'evidence' of these expenditures was found by it during search operations conducted by it and 'corroborated' by financial analysis and statements.
"Details of these election expenses were retrieved from the mobile phone of Vijay Kumar Gowda, who handled the cash on Nagendra's instructions," it claimed.
The money laundering case stems from an FIR of the Karnataka Police and the CBI where it was alleged that around Rs 89.62 crore were diverted from the accounts of the Corporation's (Valmiki) accounts into 'fake accounts' across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and later laundered through shell entities.
The alleged irregularities came to fore after accounts superintendent of the Corporation, Chandrasekharan P was found dead on May 21.
He wrote a suicide note alleging illegal transfer of money from the Corporation to various bank accounts.
In the suicide note, Chandrasekharan alleged that there was an unauthorised transfer of Rs 187 crore belonging to the state-run Corporation from its bank account.
Additionally, Rs 88.62 crore was illegally deposited into various accounts of some Information Technology (IT) companies and a Hyderabad-based cooperative bank. -- PTI
17:39 PETA India asks Salman to remove donkey from Bigg Boss 18
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India on Wednesday appealed to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to use his influence to remove a donkey from the sets of Bigg Boss 18.
In a letter sent to Khan, PETA India highlighted growing public concern over the use of the donkey, which was introduced on the popular reality show's latest edition as the 19th contestant Gadhraj.
Season 18 of Bigg Boss, hosted by Khan, premiered on Colors TV channel on Sunday.
"We are being inundated with complaints by members of the public who are deeply distressed over the keeping of a donkey in the Bigg Boss house. Their concerns are valid and must not be ignored," read the letter.
Through the letter, penned by its representative Shaurya Agrawal, PETA India asked the Tiger 3 star to use his "influence to urge the show's producers to avoid using animals as props for entertainment".
"This would not only prevent stress to the animals and upset to viewers but also set a powerful precedent," it read.
In the letter, the not-for-profit organisation also requested that the donkey be surrendered to PETA India for "rehoming in a sanctuary", where it could live alongside other rescued donkeys.
The complaints center around the donkey being confined in a small space and exposed to the harsh conditions of a television set, which can be particularly distressing for prey animals like donkeys.
"Bigg Boss is lighthearted entertainment, but the use of animals on a show set is no laughing matter. As prey animals, donkeys are naturally nervous. They, and other animals, would find the lights, sounds and clamor that is standard on all show sets confusing and frightening.
"That a show set is no place for an animal is obvious to viewers who are saddened to see the donkey kept in a small, confined space standing in waste," the letter stated.
BigBasket has instituted the minimum wage policy
17:10 Only two of the 11 e-commerce platforms have minimum wage policy
Only two of the 11 e-commerce platforms have a minimum wage policy that guarantees all their workers earn at least the local hourly minimum wage, according to a survey report by the research organisation Fairwork India.
The latest survey conducted by Fairwork India in association with the University of Oxford, released on Tuesday, evaluated digital platforms offering location-based services based on five parameters: fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and fair representation.
The 11 platforms surveyed are BigBasket, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zomato, BluSmart, Zepto, Amazon Flex, Flipkart, Ola, Porter, and Uber.
Under the Fair Pay criterion, a platform is awarded one point for ensuring that workers earn at least the local minimum wage after costs. It receives an additional point if it ensures that workers earn at least a local living wage after costs. Overall, the companies are scored out of 10.
According to the survey, only BigBasket and Urban Company received the first point under Fair Pay for instituting a minimum wage policy that guarantees all their workers earn at least the local hourly minimum wage after factoring in work-related costs.
In addition to ensuring that payments are made in full and on time, both platforms have a publicly available wage policy that commits to ensuring their workers earn at least the local hourly minimum wage after considering work-related costs such as fuel and vehicle maintenance, the survey noted.
The survey further indicated that there was insufficient evidence to award any platform points for ensuring that workers earn at least a local living wage after expenses.
To determine minimum wages, the survey utilised local government notifications. For instance, in Bengaluru, data from the Government of Karnataka s labour department were used to determine the hourly minimum wage figures for semi-skilled (Rs 78.1) and skilled (Rs 84.3) categories (domestic services).Overall, BigBasket, Swiggy, Urban Company, and Zomato remained at the top, scoring 6 out of 10.BluSmart scored 5 out of 10; Zepto scored 4 out of 10; Amazon Flex scored 2 out of 10; Flipkart scored 1 out of 10; and Ola, Porter, and Uber scored 0 out of 10.
-- Shiva Rajora/Business Standard
Omar Abdullah's sons Zamir and Zahir
17:03 They tried to weaken Abdullah family: Omar's son
Zamir Abdullah, son of Omar Abdullah, criticised the Union government on Wednesday, accusing it of attempting to "weaken" the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and the Abdullah family to exert pressure on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"This is everyone's happiness, the happiness of Jammu and Kashmir. The Central government tried to weaken the J&K National Conference because they know that if they want to pressure the people of J&K, it's the NC that stands in their way. Look at the time of Sheikh and Farooq; why did they try to weaken them? Because they knew that to weaken the people of J&K, they needed to weaken the Abdullah family. Today, the people have responded to them," Zamir Abdullah told ANI.
He also emphasised that the National Conference is committed to fighting for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, as the people of the region have given a clear mandate.
"For us, unemployment and electricity are the main issues. I wouldn't say statehood is an issue; it is a right, just like democracy. We are a democratic country; people have chosen their leader and representative. The Union government should restore full statehood so the people's aspirations can be fulfilled."
Calling for a movement to demand statehood, he added, "In my opinion, securing statehood is the primary fight. Without statehood, nothing else is possible. There should be a movement for this. We will definitely go to court, but alongside that, there must be a movement."
He also criticised Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, alleging that the Union government had appointed him like a king.
"In 2019, they divided us and left us with nothing. They brought in the LG, who is not from here, and made him a king. We don't have any power. But now we will fight. The people are behind us; we have the mandate. We are the legitimate government of J&K. We are the rightful voice to demand statehood, and we will fight for it, as we have done before."
Earlier, JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah had said that the party's vice president and newly-elected MLA Omar Abdullah would be the next Chief Minister of the Union Territory. However, Omar Abdullah stated that the final decision rests with the representatives and the alliance.
16:46 BJP made inroads in Dalit, Jat strongholds to register H'yana victory
The BJP, which pulled off a hat-trick of wins in Haryana by bucking anti-incumbency, managed to make significant inroads into the Dalit seats and Jat strongholds.
The Congress was heavily banking on the Dalit and Jat votes to make a comeback after a decade of being out of power. Not only this, the BJP also managed to retain seats in the Ahirwal region and the GT Road belt to shatter the Congress' comeback plans in Haryana, which went to polls on Saturday and results for which were declared on Tuesday.
While the BJP ended up with its best-ever haul of 48 seats, 11 more than those won by Congress in the present elections, parties like the JJP and AAP were decimated and the INLD managed to win just two seats. Proving wrong exit polls which predicted a comfortable Congress win, the BJP will be forming government in Haryana for the third consecutive term.
Out of 17 Scheduled Caste (SC) seats in Haryana, the BJP won eight assembly constituencies -- Nilokheri, Pataudi, Kharkhauda, Hodal, Bawal, Narwana, Israna and Bawani Khera. From Hodal, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan lost to BJP's Harinder Singh.
The Congress could secure victory in the remaining nine SC seats -- Sadhaura, Shahbad, Ratia, Uklana, Kalanaur, Kalanwali, Jhajjar, Guhla and Mulana -- according to the Election Commission data. In the 2019 assembly polls, the BJP won five SC assembly constituencies, thus improving its performance in the 2024 assembly elections.
16:16 EC to meet Cong delegation on H'yana results today
The Election Commission writes to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. "The Commission has meanwhile noted the statements from your good self and the Leader of Opposition which have termed the Haryana results as "unexpected" and that the INC proposes to analyse the same and approach the ECI with its complaints/grievances. Proceeding on a fair assumption that the statement of the Party President is the formal party position on the electoral outcome, the ECI has agreed to meet the delegation today at 6 pm," reads the letter.
The party had said in a press conference on Tuesday, that the Haryana assembly election results are unexpected and the Congress cannot accept them.
Addressing a press conference, senior party leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera blamed EVMs a usual Congress grouse and said the party had lost on seats "where it had no chance of losing."
Ramesh said: "Ye tantra ki jeet hai aur loktantra ki haar. We have been constantly complaining to the Election Commission since afternoon. We will give our complaints to EC. Serious questions have been raised by our candidates and this result is against the will of the people of Haryana. Under such circumstances, we cannot accept the results."
Failure is an orphan
15:53 Now, UBT's Raut slams Cong for 'overconfidence'
Suggesting that Congress' overconfidence was responsible for its defeat in Haryana, INDIA bloc ally Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday alleged the Congress relies on allies in weak regions but ignores them in its stronghold areas.
A day after the BJP won a third consecutive term in Haryana, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut hinted that the poll outcome could have been different had the Rahul Gandhi-led party accommodated its allies and cobbled up an alliance.
"Wherever Congress is weak it takes help from regional parties, but where it thinks it is strong, the Congress assigns no importance to regional parties," Raut told reporters.
Rejecting talks that the Haryana poll verdict will have any bearing on the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, Raut once again appealed to the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies to declare a chief ministerial face for the upcoming contest.
He argued that the allies won in Jammu and Kashmir as NC leader Omar Abdullah was the face of the opposition. The National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance secured a majority in the assembly in the three-phased elections, with the NC emerging as the single largest party with 42 seats. Congress won six seats.
Describing the Haryana polls results "unfortunate", Raut pointed out that the Jammu and Kashmir elections were won by the INDI alliance.
"Had Haryana polls contested by INDI alliance and seats allocated to Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT), such scenario would have helped the alliance, but Congress thought the battle would be one-sided and it will win on its own," Raut said.
15:34 Chemistry Nobel to three for work on proteins
The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded Wednesday to David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper for their work with proteins. Baker works at the University of Washington in Seattle, while Hassabis and Jumper both work at Google Deepmind in London. Hans Ellegren, secretary general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences that decides on the winner, announced the prize.
15:13 Delhi HC seeks police stand on denial to Wangchuk's protest at Jantar Mantar
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the stand of Delhi police on a plea seeking permission for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and others to hold a peaceful protest at the city's Jantar Mantar.
A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma issued notice on the plea filed by Apex Body Leh to the police and the Delhi government and sought their responses.
"Let response to the petition be filed," said the bench and posted the hearing on October 22. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, who was representing Delhi Police, said there was no urgency in the matter. The plea stated that Delhi Police had failed to provide any valid ground for denying the request for staging of the protest.
Wangchuk and his associates from Ladakh, who were allegedly detained at a Delhi border by the local police on September 30, marched to the national capital to demand the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They were, however, released later.
15:03 AAP shuns 'overconfident' Cong for Delhi polls
The Aam Aadmi Party will contest the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections alone against an "overconfident" Congress, a party member said on Wednesday.
"In Delhi, AAP will contest alone. We are capable of fighting the overconfident Congress and arrogant BJP alone," AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said.
She blamed the Congress for not taking alliance partners seriously in Haryana and ultimately facing a rout due to its overconfidence.
"The Congress has had zero seats in the Delhi assembly for the past 10 years, yet AAP gave Congress three seats in the Lok Sabha polls; still they did not feel necessary to take allies along in Haryana," she said.
Kakkar claimed that Congress thwarted all efforts by the INDIA bloc to forge an alliance in Haryana and "didn't feel it necessary to take its ally along with them."
The AAP and Congress failed to stitch up a pre-poll alliance due to differences over seat sharing. While the AAP lost all seats it contested in Haryana, the Congress fell well short of the majority mark, making way for the ruling BJP to return for a third consecutive time.
The AAP and the Congress had fought Lok Sabha elections together in Haryana. In the election held earlier in the year, the AAP lost the sole seat it contested and the Congress won five out of 10 seats.
Kakkar attributed the AAP's winning one seat in the Jammu and Kashmir to the party's development-driven politics. AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, she said.
14:43 Congress is a factory to spread hatred: PM
A day after the Congress' defeat in the Haryana polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Congress is an irresponsible party and a factory to "spread hatred" which wants to divide Hindus and pit one community against another.
The BJP has won the Haryana assembly elections and it shows the mood of the country, Modi said, adding that "in Maharashtra we have to get a bigger victory."
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wants to weaken Maharashtra to gain power, but the ruling Mahayuti will strengthen the state, he said after virtually inaugurating various development projects of more than Rs 7,600 crore in the state.
Elections to the 22-member Maharashtra assembly are likely to be held next month. Modi said never before has Maharashtra seen the expeditious development of projects. Under the Congress regime, the same speed and scale was witnessed in terms of corruption, the PM said.
"The Congress is an irresponsible party and a factory to spread hatred. The Congress is not concerned about development and legacy, we have paid attention to both," he said.
"Our goal is Viksit Bharat with the development of poor, farmers, youth and women," the prime minister said. The Congress creates fear among Muslims and converts them into its vote bank, Modi said. Further targeting the Congress, Modi said the opposition party wants to divide Hindus and pit one community against another. PTI
14:28 Foolish to seek Article 370 restoration from BJP: Omar
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah Wednesday said hoping for the restoration of Article 370 from the very people who snatched it would be "foolish," but his party would keep the issue alive and continue to raise it.
"Our political stand will not change. We have never said that we will remain silent on Article 370 or that Article 370 is not an issue for us now," Abdullah told reporters here when asked what the stand of the party would be on the matter after government formation. The NC leader expressed hope of getting some special provisions for J-K once a new government gets elected in the country.
"I have said this many times before the elections that hoping for the restoration of Article 370 from the people who snatched it will be foolish," he said.
"But we will keep this issue alive. We will continue to talk on this and hope that tomorrow there will be a change of government in the country, there will be a new setup with whom we can discuss this and get something for J-K," Abdullah added. -- PTI
14:11 Why Hooda is responsible for Congress defeat
Instead of harvesting the wrath against BJP and using it to their advantage by opting for a collective form of leadership, the Congress decided once again to bestow their trust in the Hooda family who were given a free hand in the distribution of tickets. This turned out to be the biggest blunder and this faulty selection was the single factor in the Congress defeat, explains Rashme Sehgal.
Making it count
13:33 Restoration of J-K statehood 1st on agenda: Omar
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the NC-Congress government will pass a resolution demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood in its first cabinet meeting.
"After the formation of the government, I hope in the first cabinet meeting, the cabinet will pass a resolution impressing upon the Centre to restore the statehood. The government should then take that resolution to the prime minister," Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar.
He expressed hope that the government in Jammu and Kashmir will be able to run smoothly unlike in Delhi.
"There is a difference between us and Delhi. Delhi was never a state. No one promised Delhi a statehood. Jammu and Kashmir was a state before 2019. We have been promised the restoration of statehood by the prime minister, the home minister and other senior ministers who have said that three steps will be taken in J-K -? delimitation, election and then statehood. "Delimitation has happened, the elections have now taken place as well. So, only the statehood remains which should be restored," he added.
Asked how important was the need for coordination between the new J-K government and Centre, the NC leader said nothing can be achieved by having a confrontation with New Delhi.
"Let the government be formed first. This question should be posed to the chief minister. There should be a cordial relationship with New Delhi. My advice to him (CM) will be that we cannot address any issues by having a confrontation with the Centre. "It is not that we will accept the BJP's politics, or that the BJP will accept our politics. We will continue to oppose the BJP, but it is not our compulsion to oppose the Centre," he said.
"It will be for the benefit of J-K and for the people of J-K to have a good relationship with the Centre," Abdullah said.
"The people have not voted for a confrontation. The people of J-K have voted because they want employment, they want development, they want the restoration of the statehood, they want to address electricity and other issues and that redressal will not happen by having a confrontation with New Delhi," he added.
Abdullah said the NC would call a meeting of the legislative party on Thursday to start the process of government formation.
"I have spoken to NC president Farooq Abdullah and the party will call a legislative party meeting tomorrow. After that, there will be in a meeting of the alliance partners where the alliance leader will be elected and then we will go to the Raj Bhavan to stake the claim for government formation," he said, adding, "I hope the new government is in place in the next few days". To a question about whether the PDP would be a part of the coalition government, the NC leader said there were no discussions over that as of now.
"There has been no approach made to us by the PDP. We have made no approach to them. Given the results of this election, which I think is quite a setback to them, I think at the moment I can understand that there must be some internal discussion going on. "At some points of time, if a channel of communication opens, we will sit down and talk to them. But it is not a priority for us at the moment," he said.
Abdullah said while he is humbled by the mandate of the people, he is also acutely aware of the responsibility that it places upon them.
"The people of J-K have gone unheard since 2018. Now the time has come for us to work for the benefit of the people of J-K. I am also acutely aware of the fact that there is a sharp divide between Kashmir and Jammu and therefore, the incoming government will have a major responsibility of giving a sense of ownership to the people of Jammu," he said.
The government that comes in in the next few days will not be a government of the NC or of the alliance, or it will not be a government of those that voted for the alliance, it will be a government for every single individual of J-K, regardless of who they voted for, or whether they voted at all, the NC leader said.
"A special emphasis will be laid to give a sense of ownership and voice within the government to those areas from where MLAs in this coalition will be less in number," he added.
13:27 How will history judge my tenure, ponders CJI Chandrachud
With Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud set to retire next month, he said that his mind is heavily preoccupied with fears and anxieties about the future and the past, and ponder over questions whether he achieved everything he set out to do and how will history judge his tenure.
He said the answers to most of these questions lie beyond his control and perhaps, he will never find answers to some of these questions.
The CJI was speaking at the 3rd convocation ceremony of Jigme Singye Wangchuck (JSW) School of Law of Bhutan on Tuesday evening. The event was attended by Bhutan Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, President of JSW School of Law, Lyonpo Chogyal Dago Rigdzin, Chief Justice of Bhutan and other dignitaries.
"Pardon me for being a little vulnerable. I will be demitting office as the Chief Justice of India in November this year, after having served my country for two years. As my tenure is coming to an end, my mind has been heavily preoccupied with fears and anxieties about the future and the past. I find myself pondering over questions such as: Did I achieve everything I set out to do? How will history judge my tenure? Could I have done things differently? What legacy will I leave for future generations of judges and legal professionals?," he said.
CJI expressed a sense of fulfilment while reflecting on his two-year tenure as the head of India's judiciary. He said he found solace in knowing that he consistently gave his best, regardless of the outcome. He took over as the Chief Justice of India on November 9, 2022, and will demit office on November 10.
"The answers to most of these questions lie beyond my control and perhaps, I will never find answers to some of these questions. However, I do know that, over the last two years, I have woken up every morning with a commitment to give the job my fullest and gone to bed with the satisfaction that I served my country with utmost dedication. It is in this, that I seek solace. Once you have this sense of faith in your intentions and abilities, it is easier to not get obsessed with the outcomes. You begin to value the process and the journey towards these outcomes," said the CJI in his convocation address.
13:14 Congress is the new Muslim League: Malviya
BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya, criticized the Congress party for gloating about their vote share in Haryana, claiming that most of their support comes from Muslim-dominated seats.
Coming down heavily on the opposition, the BJP leader called Congress, "new Muslim League", and said that the Hindus have no future, either with the Congress or in the Congress.
"The Congress must stop gloating about their vote share in Haryana. Most of it comes from Muslim dominated seats, where the Congress polled outsized numbers.
"For example, Aftab Ahmed from Nuh polled 91,833 votes and won by a margin of 30%, Mamman Khan, a criminal, polled 1,30,497 votes and his margin was 64%, similarly, Mohammad Ilyas (polled 85,300 votes) won from Punahana and Mohd Israil secured 79,907 votes to triumph from Hathin," Malviya posted on X.
He further compared the results of Haryana with Jammu and Kashmir, saying that not a single Hindu candidate of the Congress won in J-K.
12:45 Now, DKS also blames Cong for overconfidence
Former Congress MP and Karnataka's deputy CM DK Shivakumar's brother, DK Suresh speaking to media on Wednesday said that overconfidence within the party had led to the loss in Haryana assembly elections.
"In J&K, the people have given us a good mandate where the INDIA alliance is going to form the govt. In Haryana, I think we had overconfidence in the election procedure and that we are going to come back. That is the major disadvantage that we are facing. Our party's high command will discuss the length and breadth of the defeat and lapses of the election..." he said.
"Yes, it is a setback in Haryana for us, our high command looking everything how and what happened. High command will react. Our over confidence made us losers. Our party in AICC looking at it. It's an example that over confidence will affect, same thing happened in Haryana. Our party leaders are looking at everything," he added.
BJP won 48 out of 90 seats in Haryana assembly while Congress managed to win 37 seats. Independents won 3 seats and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) secured 2 seats, according to Election Commission data issued on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge termed Haryana's result as 'unexpected', adding that the party will release a 'detailed response' after talking to the party's ground worker and checking the facts.
"The result of Haryana is unexpected. The party is assessing public opinion. After talking to our ground workers, getting complete information and checking the facts, a detailed response will come from the party," the Congress president said.
"We thank the people of Haryana for voting for the Congress party. Our hardworking workers need not feel disappointed. Our fight against dictatorship is a long one," he added in his post. -- PTI
12:36 Netflix sets December release for 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' series
"One Hundred Years of Solitude", a series based on Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez's literary masterpiece of the same name, will start streaming on Netflix in December.
This marks the first screen adaptation of the landmark novel. Published in 1967, it narrates the multi-generational story of the Buendia family, whose patriarch Jose Arcadio Buendia founded the fictitious town of Macondo in Colombia.
The streaming service on Wednesday announced that the series, consisting of two parts of eight episodes each, will debut its first installment on December 11. Billed as one of the most ambitious audiovisual projects in Latin American history, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" was filmed entirely in Colombia, with the support of the Nobel laureate's family.
12:29 RBI retains FY25 growth forecast at 7.2%
The Reserve Bank on Wednesday retained the growth projection for the current fiscal at 7.2 per cent on the back of robust consumption and investment momentum. It, however, lowered the GDP estimate for the second quarter to 7 per cent from 7.2 per cent earlier.
Real gross domestic product (GDP) also grew slower at 6.7 per cent in Q1:2024-25 from earlier projection of 7.1 per cent. Further, RBI revised upwards growth forecast for the third and fourth quarters from 7.3 per cent and 7.2 per cent respectively, to 7.4 per cent.
In August policy also, RBI had projected the real GDP growth at 7.2 per cent for the fiscal. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das while announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy said India's growth story remains intact as its fundamental drivers consumption and investment demand are gaining momentum.
"Prospects of private consumption, the mainstay of aggregate demand, look bright on the back of improved agricultural outlook and rural demand. Sustained buoyancy in services would also support urban demand. Government expenditure of the Centre and states is expected to pick up pace in line with the Budget Estimates," he said.
Investment activity would benefit from consumer and business optimism, the government's continued thrust on capex and healthy balance sheets of banks and corporates.
12:23 5 flights diverted after heavy rains in Goa
Heavy rains coupled with thunderstorms and lightning led to the diversion of five commercial flights from the Goa International Airport at Dabolim, a senior official said on Wednesday.
The flight diversion took place on Tuesday evening due to the bad weather, the official from the Goa airport said.
"The adverse weather conditions forced the airport authorities to redirect flights to alternate airports in Hyderabad and Bengaluru," he said.
While two flights were diverted to Hyderabad, three were rerouted to Bengaluru, the official said. The weather cleared by 12.10 am on Wednesday and the normal flight operations later resumed, he said. The diverted flights - one of Vistara and four of IndiGo - eventually returned to Goa, the official added. PTI
12:18 Cong must think HARD about Haryana defeat: Omar
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah Wednesday said the Congress will have to introspect deep to find reasons for its defeat in Haryana, where the BJP is set to return for a third consecutive term.
The NC and Congress fought the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls as allies.
"I had already said we were only wasting our time with these exit polls. But no one would have thought that the exit polls would be so wrong. Had it been 20 in place of 18 or 22 in place of 20, (we could have understood). But what happened was that 30 became 60 and 60 became 30," the NC leader told reporters in Srinagar.
The exit polls had predicted a majority for the Congress in Haryana.
"The Congress will have to go deep into it and find the reasons for its defeat," Abdullah said. "My job is to run the NC and help the alliance here, which I will," he added. The NC and Congress are set to form a government in J-K -- the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. PTI
12:04 Brand new Metro Line 3 develops snags, no explanation why
Another day, another mess-up for commuters travelling to work.
Services on the newly opened underground Mumbai Metro Line 3 corridor were affected on Wednesday morning due to a technical snag in the train's door closure system at a station on the route, according to passengers.
There were no updates for passengers except an announcement of apologies for the delay, they claimed.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson did not respond to a query in the matter. The services were affected due to a technical snag in the door closure system at Sahar Road station at around 9.30 am, as per sources.
Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Haryana
11:56 Rahul breaks his silence on Haryana debacle
Rahul Gandhi's first statement after the Congress party's debacle in the Haryana polls yesterday. Rahul Gandhi did not make a single comment on X or anywhere else after the loss.
Bucking anti-incumbency, the ruling BJP pulled off a hat-trick of wins in Haryana to retain power and halt the Congress' comeback attempt in the assembly elections, results of which were announced yesterday.
While the BJP ended up with its best-ever haul of 48 seats, 11 more than the Congress, parties like the JJP and the AAP were decimated and the INLD managed to win just two seats. The AAP had contested on its own.
Rahul Gandhi posts on X writing, "My heartfelt thanks to the people of Jammu and Kashmir - India's victory in the state is a victory of the Constitution, a victory of democratic self-respect. We are analysing the unexpected results of Haryana. We will inform the Election Commission about the complaints coming from many assembly constituencies. Heartfelt thanks to all the people of Haryana for their support and to our Babbar Sher workers for their tireless hard work. We will continue this fight for rights, for social and economic justice, for truth, and will keep raising your voice."
Saini gets its mom's blessings after the win yesterday
11:49 Saini meets Modi, will he remain Haryana CM?
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday ahead of his likely swearing-in as the head of the BJP government in the state following the party's remarkable win in the assembly polls.
The BJP had indicated during the elections that Saini, who replaced Manohar Lal Khattar in March and hails from the Other Backward Classes, will be its choice for the top post if it wins.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Saini credited PM Modi's policies for the party's success. He said psephologists might have declared the Congress as the favourite to win the polls but he always insisted that people will put their trust in the BJP due to its government's policies. To a question about the Congress raising doubts on EVMs, he said the opposition party has been building up a storm of lies.
He said, "The credit of this big win goes to Modi who brought such schemes in last 10 years that benefitted the poor, farmers, youth and women. These helped all sections of the society. People love him, and hence the BJP is coming to power for a third time."
Bucking anti-incumbency, the ruling BJP pulled off a hat-trick of wins in Haryana to retain power and halt Congress' comeback attempt in the assembly elections, results of which were announced Tuesday.
While the BJP ended up with its best-ever haul of 48 seats, 11 more than the Congress, parties like the JJP and the AAP were decimated and the INLD managed to win just two seats. The AAP had contested on its own. PTI
11:30 Silent voters played major role in H'yana: Khattar
After the BJP secured a historic third consecutive term in Haryana with 48 seats in the assembly elections, Union Minister and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the support of silent voters played a major role in the party's success and emphasized that the public appreciated the initiatives and policies implemented under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, leading to their favorable response.
"The kind of work that the BJP is doing under the leadership of PM Modi is being liked by the people. People are liking the policies and they are responding to it. Silent votes played a major role," Manohar Lal told ANI.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday night visited his mother and sought her blessings after the BJP won the Haryana assembly polls with an absolute majority.
Saini contested the elections from Ladwa assembly constituency and won with a margin of 16,054 votes against Congress' Mewa Singh and independent candidate Vikramjeet Singh Cheema
."After the election results were declared, I took blessings from Mother. Mother welcomed me by applying a tilak. Mother's love, mother's blessings are the elixir for living life," CM Saini said in a post on X.CM Saini attributed the BJP's win to PM Modi and hailed his leadership.
The BJP is poised to form the government in Haryana for the third successive time.
"I want to thank the 2.80 crore people of Haryana for putting a stamp on the works of BJP for the third time. All this is only because of PM Modi. Under his leadership, we are moving forward. He spoke to me and gave his blessings. I had faith that the poor, farmers and the youth of Haryana would bless me," he said.
"Politics is only a medium of service for us. I assure all the people of Haryana that as always, I will remain present in your service as your servant. The trust of the public is most important for us and we will never let this trust break. We will always strive with the resolve to make our Haryana healthy, happy and developed," he added.
11:06 Arrogance, entitlement: TMC on Cong's H'yana loss
In an apparent jibe at the Congress after its poll rout, Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale on Wednesday said the attitude of not accommodating regional parties in places where they felt they were winning is leading to its electoral losses.
In a post on X, Gokhale, without naming any party, said arrogance, entitlement and looking down on regional parties is a recipe for disaster. "This attitude leads to electoral losses- if we feel we're winning, we will not accommodate any regional party... But in states where we're down, regional parties must accommodate us," the TMC MP said.
"Arrogance, entitlement, and looking down on regional parties is a recipe for disaster," he said.
The remarks came a day after the BJP clinched a stunning hat-trick win in Haryana overcoming anti-incumbency and dashing Congress' hopes of a comeback.
Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had also questioned the Congress poll strategy. The chairperson of the Aam Admi Party (AAP), which was keen on having an alliance with the Congress in Haryana, said on Tuesday that the biggest lesson from the recent round of elections was one should not be "overconfident".
CPI General Secretary D Raja also said the Congress needs to introspect over the poll results in Haryana and take along all INDIA bloc partners in the upcoming polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Trinamool Congress, which is part of the INDIA bloc comprising opposition parties, had fought solo in the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, while the Congress had allied with the CPI(M) and other Left parties. PTI
10:28 RBI keeps policy rate unchanged for 10th time!
The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday decided to keep the policy rate unchanged for the tenth time in a row but changed its stance to 'neutral' that may lead to a cut in the forthcoming policies.
RBI maintained status quo despite the US Federal Reserve lowering the benchmark rates by 50 basis points last month. The central banks of some developed nations have also reduced their interest rates. Announcing the fourth bi-monthly monetary policy for the current financial year, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent.
The RBI has maintained status quo on benchmark interest rate since February 2023. Das said RBI will remain watchful of elevated food inflation even when India GDP growth remains strong.
This was the first meeting of the reconstituted MPC. The three newly appointed external members are Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya and Nagesh Kumar. The MPC was reconstituted by the government last month. -- PTI
10:20 RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5%
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das says the Monetary Policy Committee has decided by a majority to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5%.
Omar's SpongeBob SquarePants emoji yesterday before counting began
10:12 Our responsibility begins now: Omar Abdullah
After a resounding victory in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, National Conference Vice President and newly-elected MLA Omar Abdullah, on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the voters of the union territory saying that voters have performed their duty, now their responsibility begins.
"I am very thankful to the voters of J&K that they utilised their votes despite democracy was not allowed to thrive here for the last 8-10 years. JKNC-Congress alliance received the majority," Abdullah said.
The NC Vice President said that the JKNC-Congress alliance secured a majority, with voters displaying maturity and deliberation, particularly in areas where attempts were made to split votes through Independent candidates and smaller parties.
Abdullah acknowledged the voters' thoughtful participation and said, "Voters voted with due deliberation, especially in the areas where conspiracies were being hatched to divide votes through Independent candidates and small parties. The outer regions of Kashmir and Jammu foiled this conspiracy, but except for 2-3, everyone else had to face defeat. This gives you a sense of understanding of the voters."
"Our responsibility begins now, voters have done heir duty. It is now our duty to work and be worthy of the voters," the NC leader added.
The National Conference-Congress alliance clinched an absolute majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, winning 48 seats in the 90-member assembly. -- ANI
09:56 Akasa to run safety tests on 14 of 25 planes
Akasa Air, whose entire 25 aircraft fleet is made up of Boeing 737s (B737s), will conduct safety assessment of 14 planes, following aviation regulator's direction to Indian airlines to gauge safety of B737s that are equipped with Collins Aerospace's rudder control system.
The low cost airline, however, said that it will not affect its operations.
Akasa Air spokesperson told Business Standard. "Akasa Air has acknowledged the recommendations made by the DGCA and by Boeing. The identified issue does not impact our operations, and Akasa can confirm that there will be no disruptions to our flight schedule as a result of the latest DGCA/ Boeing advisories."
Air India Express too will conduct a similar safety audit of five out of the total 88 planes in its fleet.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had on Monday asked Indian carriers to conduct a safety risk assessment of the B737s aircraft that are equipped with Collins Aerospace's rudder control system.
The regulator has also temporarily barred these B737 planes from using "CAT III B systems' at Indian airports. The CAT III B system is an advanced instrument landing system that allows aircraft to land in extremely low visibility conditions, with decision heights as low as 50 centimeters or even without a decision height, relying on automated controls for safe touchdown.
This means that if the DGCA order remains in effect this winter, these B737 planes will be unable to land at Indian airports on foggy days due to the lack of assistance from the CAT III B system.
Air India Express -- the low-cost airline subsidiary of Air India -- has B737 and A320 family planes in its 88 aircraft-strong fleet.
Its spokesperson said, "The advisory regarding the Boeing 737 rudder system is applicable to only five of the aircraft in our fleet. We have initiated the process of compliance in adherence to the regulatory requirements." SpiceJet on Monday clarified that "none' of its "Boeing 737 NG aircraft are impacted".
On September 26, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued urgent safety recommendations concerning the rudder control system of Boeing 737 aircraft, pointing out potential risks of jamming or restriction in certain 737NG and 737 MAX models.
-- Deepak Patel/Business Standard
09:52 Shah: Highest seats in history in J-K, thank you!
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed gratitude to the people of Jammu and Kashmir after BJP secured the highest ever vote percentage in assembly polls in the valley.
BJP won 29 seats in Jammu and Kashmir elections surpassing its previous highest tally of 25 seats in the 2014 election. As per Election Commission of India data, BJP secured 25.64 per cent vote share.
"Taking to X Amit Shah said, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir have blessed the BJP with the highest percentage of votes in this assembly election and have given the BJP the highest number of seats in its history so far. For this, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Also, I congratulate all the workers of @BJP4JnK for their tireless hard work," Amit Shah said in a post on X.
Shah highlighted BJP's commitment to ensure development and security in the valley.
"Under the leadership of Modiji, BJP is committed to the development and security of Jammu and Kashmir. Making Jammu and Kashmir terror-free and developing it like other parts of the country is the top priority of BJP," Amit Shah said.
Shah also thanked PM Modi over the peaceful and smooth conduct of elections in the valley as he criticised the Congress party for rigging the elections during their previous rule.
"In Jammu and Kashmir, where under the Congress rule, there was only reign of terror and democracy was being murdered every day, under the BJP rule, the great festival of democracy was celebrated with full pomp and peace. The people of Jammu and Kashmir remember the 1987 assembly elections very well, when the Congress made a mockery of democracy by openly rigging the elections.
Democracy has now been revived in the same Kashmir valley. People elected their representatives without any terror and panic. Heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister @narendramodiji for this unprecedented change," he said. -- ANI
09:21 Cong involved in international conspiracies: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that many "national" and "international" conspiracies are being hatched for some time now to weaken India's democracy and alleged that Congress and its allies are involved in this game.
Addressing BJP workers at party headquarters in New Delhi last evening after party's victory in the Haryana assembly polls, he said that people of Haryana have given a "befitting reply" to "every such conspiracy".
"For some time now, many conspiracies have been hatched against India. Many conspiracies are being hatched to weaken India's democracy, its economy and social fabric. International conspiracies are being hatched. I am saying with responsibility....national party like Congress and their allies are involved in this game. Today Haryana has given a befitting reply to every such conspiracy. Every Indian will have to take a pledge that we will not let any such conspiracy succeed. India will not deviate from the path of development," he said.
He accused Congress of weakening the country by "spreading anarchy" and said that they are instigating different sections of society. The Prime Minister said farmers of Haryana gave them a "befitting reply" to Congress.
"Congress wants to weaken the country by weakening the Indian society and spreading anarchy in India, that is why they are instigating different sections. They are constantly trying to ignite a fire. The country saw how attempts were made to instigate farmers, but the farmers of Haryana gave them a befitting reply that they are with the country, they are with the BJP. Many attempts were made to instigate Dalits and OBCs but this society also recognized this conspiracy and said that they are with the country, they are with the BJP," he said.
PM Modi said that the BJP has secured unprecedented victory in Haryana assembly polls as the party is poised to form its third successive government and that the people of the state have created history.
09:06 Bengal govt forms SIT to probe into rape-murder of 10-yo girl
Meanwhile in West Bengal which ushers in the first day of Durga puja today, Shashti, the government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the alleged rape-murder of a 10-year-old girl in the South 24 Parganas district's Kultuli area, an official said.
The SIT will be led by Baruipur SP Palash Chandra Dhali, he said.
"We want to assure the locals of our commitment to ensuring justice and punishing those responsible for this crime," the official said on Tuesday. So far, the police have arrested one person in connection with the case. The incident, which occurred on October 5, sparked widespread protests across the state, with locals setting vehicles ablaze, vandalising a police outpost, and blocking roads in the area after the girl's body was found in a pond. PTI
09:01 Cong parasitic party that swallows its allies: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an all-out attack on Congress on Tuesday and dubbed it a "parasitic party that swallows" its allies.
Addressing party workers at BJP headquarters in Delhi, PM Modi said, "Congress is such a parasitic party that swallows its allies. Congress wants to build a country where people hate their own heritage, doubt their national institutions, and want to tarnish the image of everything that the countrymen are proud of."
"Whether it is the country's Election Commission, the country's police, the country's judiciary, Congress wants to tarnish every institution," he added.
He also apparently referred to Congress not accepting the outcome of Haryana polls.
The Congress has said that the outcome is "totally unexpected, completely surprising, counter-intuitive and against ground-reality".This comes after BJP won Haryana Assembly elections for the third consecutive term winning 48 out of the 90 seats while Congress won 37.
BJP's win broke exit poll predictions that signalled a clean sweep for Congress.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference-Congress alliance registered an absolute victory securing 49 seats and BJP came out as the second largest party winning 29 seats.
Representational image
08:30 Terrorists abduct 2 soldiers in J-K, one escapes
A Territorial Army (TA) soldier was allegedly abducted by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag, sources said on Wednesday.
According to sources, two TA soldiers were allegedly abducted from the forest area in Anantnag, however, one of them managed to escape.
A search operation has been launched by the security forces in the area, they added.
"Two jawans of the Territorial Army were abducted by terrorists in the forest area of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir. However, one of the jawans has managed to come back. Security forces have launched an operation to search for the missing jawan," the sources said.
More details awaited.
01:12 Maha ex-MLA arrested on rape charges; sent to 2-day police custody
Former Maharashtra MLA Bhanudas Murkute was arrested on Tuesday by the police in Ahilyanagar district after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her multiple times since 2019, an official said.
Murkute (83) was apprehended by a team of the Rahuri police in connection with the case when he returned home in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) district from Mumbai, the official said.
A woman on Monday approached the police with a complaint that she had been sexually assaulted multiple times by the former legislator since 2019, he said.
Based on the complaint, a case under IPC Sections 376 (2) (aggravated form of rape committed by public servants), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison or any harmful substance with intent to commit an offence) and 418 (cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may ensue to person whose interest offender is bound to protect), was filed at the Rahuri police station in Ahilyanagar, he said.
Murkute was taken into custody from his residence in Shrirampur in Ahilyanagar, around 325km from Mumbai, in the early hours and admitted to a private hospital.
He was subsequently placed under arrest, the official said.
BJP supporters burn crackers as they celebrate the party's lead in early trends during the counting of votes for the Haryana Assembly elections, at party headquarters in New Delhi, October 8, 2024. -- PTI
File image
00:35 Muslim party submits views in Gyanvapi case before UP court
Lawyers of Anjuman Intezamia Committee on Tuesday submitted their views in the fast track court on a petition filed by the Hindu party demanding survey by the Archeological Survey of India of the remaining parts of the Gyanvapi complex.
After hearing the Muslim side, the court fixed October 10 as the next date of hearing. advocate Madan Mohan, representing the Hindu side, said the lawyers representing the committee had put forth their views before fast-track judge Yughul Shambhu.
The lawyers reportedly submitted before the court that when the Hindu side has appealed to agitate the case in the high court and Supreme Court, there was no point arguing the matter in the trial court.
They also submitted when the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex had been done once already, there was no justification for conducting another survey.
The lawyers of the committee also stated that digging a pit in the mosque premises for the survey was not practical in any way, and could damage the mosque. -- PTI
BSP chief Mayawati/File image
00:22 Mayawati blames 'casteist Jats' for Haryana loss
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Tuesday blamed the "casteist" people of the Jat community of the state for the adverse Haryana assembly election results and advised them to change their mentality.
The BSP had fought the Haryana polls in alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal, the regional party.
The BJP stunned its rivals with its performance, winning the state polls for a third time in a row by bagging 48 seats of 90 seats, while the Congress managed 37 and the INLD scored victory on just two as three went to Independent candidates, according to the Election Commission.
The BSP pocketed 1.82 percent vote share while its ally INLD got 4.14 percent, the data analysis on the EC website showed. Mayawati, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, on Tuesday night took to social media platform X and said, "The BSP and the INLD fought the Haryana assembly general election in alliance. But today's result shows that the casteist people of the Jat community did not vote for the BSP due to which the party candidates lost on some seats by a small margin of votes, although the BSP's entire vote was transferred." -- PTI
00:00 People made Jammu Congress-mukt: Kishan Reddy
Hailing BJP's victory in the Jammu region as "historic", Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said people have shown once again in the assembly polls that Jammu is 'Congress-mukt'.
The BJP's tally in the present J-K election is all-time high, he said in a statement in Jammu.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's comments in J&K that his party's workers have eroded PM Narendra Modi's confidence, he said the people have given an answer to the former's remarks.
The Haryana and J&K election results showed people's faith in the leadership of Modi, he said.
Reddy, who was BJP's incharge of J-K elections, said the BJP has won 29 of the 43 seats in the Jammu region, while Congress could win only one.
BJP leaders in the UT have worked hard under the guidance of the central leadership for the party's victory, he said.
BJP would endeavour for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
The BJP with 29 seats emerged as the second largest party, improving its all-time high tally of 25 in the 2014 elections. It had fielded 62 candidates with a major focus on its strong bastion of Jammu region. -- PTI
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