Archives for 2019

Madhya Pradesh was one of the poorest-performing big states in a NITI Aayog report on medical infrastructure and facilities. The state ranked 18, with only Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh faring worse

One of the patients was Sangeeta who had suffered a fracture in her right leg
INDORE, MADHYA PRADESH: 

In a shocking case of apathy, a male and female patient were forced to share a stretcher while being wheeled to the X-Ray room at the Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital in Indore, the largest state-run hospital in Madhya Pradesh.

One of the patients was Sangeeta, who had suffered a fracture in her right leg and had been admitted 12 days ago.

“My wife Sangeeta was admitted to orthopedic ward. Citing shortage of stretcher, she was taken for some medical examination with a male patient. We were helpless as we wanted to get our patient treated due to which we became ready to allow her and the male patient on the same bed,” her husband, Dharmendra, said.

When asked why there were two patients on one stretcher, Sangeeta said it was the doctor’s order. She also admitted that the crowded stretcher is inconvenient.

After a video of the incident went viral, the Hospital’s medical superintendent Dr PS Thakur served show cause notice to on-duty staff, including doctors, nurses and ward boys, and promised strict action. Dr Thakur also admitted there was a shortage of stretchers and other facilities.

Sangeeta’s husband also claimed that the doctor on the duty demanded they visit him only during a given time, as he would not examine patients after close of business hours.

Madhya Pradesh was one of the poorest-performing big states in a report on medical infrastructure and facilities recently released by the NITI Aayog. The state ranked 18, with only Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh faring worse.

Last week an attendant at a government medical college in Jabalpur dragged a patient to the X-ray room on a bedsheet.

On June 15, an elderly man spent a whole night inside the mortuary of a government hospital in the town of Bina after being declared dead. When his body was taken out the following day for a post-mortem, he was found to be alive and breathing. He died later the same day.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s tweet comes a day after Rahul Gandhi posted a long letter making public a decision he had conveyed to Congress leaders last month

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted to her brother Rahul Gandhi on his move to resign
NEW DELHI: 

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Rahul Gandhi announced his resignation in a public letter
2. He called for a “radical transformation” in the Congress
3. “Deepest respect for your decision,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted today

A day after Rahul Gandhi announced his resignation as Congress president in a public letter owning responsibility for the party’s national election defeat, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted: “Few have the courage that you do”.

Rahul Gandhi, 49, posted a long letter on Wednesday making public a decision he had conveyed to Congress leaders last month and asserting that he had resigned as “accountability is critical” for the future growth of the Congress.

“Few have the courage that you do @rahulgandhi. Deepest respect for your decision,” wrote Priyanka Gandhi, who is two years younger to her brother and a Congress leader.

In his letter, Rahul Gandhi had said: “It is a habit in India that the powerful cling to power, no one sacrifices power. But we will not defeat our opponents without sacrificing the desire for power and fighting a deeper ideological battle.”

Calling for “radical transformation” in the Congress, he added: “Rebuilding the party requires hard decisions and numerous people will have to be made accountable for the failure of 2019. It would be unjust to hold others accountable but ignore my own responsibility as president of the party.”

His words indicated he was determined to relinquish his family’s hold on the Congress, which has been mostly headed by generations of leaders from the Nehru-Gandhi family in its 133-year-old history. “Most of my colleagues suggested that I nominate the next Congress president. While it is important for someone new to lead the party, it would not be correct for me to select that person,” wrote Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi, who took over the top post from his mother Sonia Gandhi in 2017, had first told party leaders about his decision to quit at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee on May 25, just days after the second straight election rout for the party compared to a spectacular haul for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP.

Priyanka Gandhi as well as Sonia Gandhi had supported him; Priyanka Gandhi, who joined politics in January as Congress general secretary, had even questioned how strongly other leaders had supported her brother’s campaign.

The Congress chief’s defeat in his traditional constituency of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, which reduced the party to just one in the 80-seat state, also cut deep. Rahul Gandhi made it to parliament only because of his win in the second constituency he contested this time, Kerala’s Wayanad. Priyanka Gandhi had campaigned in Amethi while her brother focused on rallies in other parts of the country.

As the Congress stares at the task of choosing a new leader, several leaders have urged Rahul Gandhi to reconsider his decision, insisting that he would always be their chief.

According to sources, PM Modi said people who welcomed Akash Vijayvargiya after his release from jail on bail should also be removed.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the meeting of the BJP parliamentary party
NEW DELHI: 

A furious Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reportedly expressed his displeasure with Akash Vijayvargiya, the son of senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is out on bail after being arrested for assaulting an official with a cricket bat last week. PM Modi said at a meeting that such people should be expelled from the party, “no matter whose son”, without exception, according to party leaders.

“The PM was very upset. He said nobody has any right to misbehave or take the party for a ride or show arrogance in public. He used a very strong statement and said that any such act is unacceptable,” BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy told NDTV after the meeting of the BJP parliamentary party.

According to sources, PM Modi said the people who welcomed Akash Vijayvargiya after his release from jail on bail should also be removed.

Akash Vijayvargiya, 34, was garlanded by supporters as he stepped out of prison on bail.

Akash Vijayvargiya – a first-time party lawmaker – had assaulted a civic official with a cricket bat in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore last Wednesday. In a video clip shown on TV channels, the 34-year-old was seen chasing the official with the bat and beating him in the presence of policemen, who did nothing. A video of the dramatic scenes was shared widely on social media.

The official was working as part of a team removing encroachments when he was attacked by Akash Vijayvargiya, 34, and his supporters.

Mr Vijayvargiya had justified himself saying the officials had dragged and verbally abused women occupants of a residential building.

BJP legislator Akash Vijayvargiya thrashed an Indore civic body official with a cricket bat last week.

His father Kailash Vijayvargiya, a veteran BJP leader, had downplayed his son’s offence, calling him “kachha khiladi” or a “novice” and insisting that it wasn’t a “big issue”.

Akash Vijayvargiya, who was arrested after the attack, received a grand welcome from his family and supporters as he walked out of a prison on Sunday. Kailash Vijayvargiya, too, was present outside the jail where his son was garlanded by supporters as he stepped out. Supporters even fired shots in the air to celebrate his bail.71 COMMENTS

Mr Vijayvargiya was unapologetic. “I am not guilty or embarrassed about what I did as it was in public interest… I pray to god that I should not be given another opportunity to pick up the bat (I pray to god ki vo dobara ballebazi karne ka avsar na de),” he said after stepping out of prison.

S Jaishankar’s appointment as foreign secretary in January 2015 had evoked a sharp reaction from various quarters over the timing of the government”s decision to remove Sujatha Singh.

S Jaishankar had earlier served as India’s Ambassador to the US and before that to China.
NEW DELHI: 

Former foreign secretary S Jaishankar, a surprise pick in Narendra Modi’s council of ministers, is a seasoned diplomat who was the Indian government’s pointsman for China and the US.

Mr Jaishankar, son of late K Subrahmanyam, one of India’s leading strategic analysts, was a key member of the Indian team which negotiated the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal.

The deal, initiated in 2005, took several years to craft, and was signed by the UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh in 2007.

Mr Jaishankar’s appointment as foreign secretary in January 2015 had evoked a sharp reaction from various quarters over the timing of the government”s decision to remove Sujatha Singh.

The 64-year-old had earlier served as India’s Ambassador to the US and before that to China.

A 1977-batch IFS officer, Mr Jaishankar played a key role in resolving the crisis following the incursion in Ladakh’s Depsang and the Doklam stand-off, handling the tough negotiations with Beijing.

Among other positions, Mr Jaishankar has been India’s High Commissioner to Singapore and Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

Last year, Tata Group appointed Mr Jaishankar, who was Indian foreign secretary from January 2015 to January 2018, as its president for global corporate affairs, within three months of his retirement from the government service.

A graduate of St Stephen’s College, Mr Jaishankar is an MA in Political Science and an MPhil and PhD in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Mr Jaishankar is married to Kyoko Jaishankar and has two sons and a daughter.

In 2019, Mr Jaishankar was conferred with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of the country.

Om Birla’s surprise nomination is seen by many in the BJP as a message from the top leadership that the party will promote leaders who keep a low-profile and work at the ground-level.

Om Birla will succeed Sumitra Mahajan as Lok Sabha speaker
NEW DELHI: 

The BJP’s surprise pick – Om Birla – is all set to become next Lok Sabha Speaker after his candidature on Tuesday was backed by all NDA allies as also by the YSR Congress Party, the Biju Janata Dal and key opposition parties, including the Congress.

A notice was given to the Lok Sabha Secretariat by the BJP, proposing the name of Om Birla, a two-time MP from Kota-Bundi seat in Rajasthan, for the Speaker’s post and bringing a motion for his election, which will be held on Wednesday.

As per sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed 57-year-old Birla’s name for the post. The Rajasthan leader is considered to be close to both PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

Om Birla’s surprise nomination is seen by many in the BJP as a message from the top leadership that the party will promote leaders who keep a low-profile and work at the ground-level.

BJD, YSRCP, JDU, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, National People’s Party, Mizo National Front, Lok Janshakti Party, AIADMK and Apna Dal have given the notice to support Mr Birla’s candidature for the Speaker’s post, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters.

Later, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the party and the UPA allies have also decided to support Mr Birla’s candidature as the Speaker.

Mr Chowdhury also said the Congress has already moved a motion supporting the ruling party candidate.

The decision to support Om Birla’s nomination was taken at a meeting of the UPA allies, where the leaders also discussed the opposition strategy during the Parliament session.

Om Birla, who won his first Lok Sabha election in 2014 and was re-elected from Rajasthan’s Kota-Bundi seat. He defeated Congress’s Ramnaraian Meena with a margin of over 2.5 lakh votes in the recently concluded general elections.

He has also been elected to Rajasthan assembly for three consecutive terms in 2003, 2008 and 2013.

Om Birla will succeed eight-term MP Sumitra Mahajan as the Speaker, a post traditionally held by senior MPs.

However, this will not be for the first time a relative newcomer will hold the position. In 1996, TDP leader G M C Balayogi was also a two-time MP when he was elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker and after his death in a helicopter crash in 2002, Shiv Sena leader and first-time MP Manohar Joshi was appointed to the position.

IMA has allegedly cheated a large number of investors after promising them impressive return on their deposits.

A Special Investigation Team is probing the IMA case.
BENGALURU: 

Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday said that a Bengaluru Development Authority engineer was taken into custody and important documents were seized from his possession in connection with the alleged IMA Jewels financial fraud case.

The head of probe team said they searched three Frontline Pharma shops owned by the IMA Jewels in Bengaluru and seized pharmacy and electronic items worth Rs. 70 lakh along with Rs. 4.4 lakh cash.

“The SIT searched three Frontline Pharma shops owned by IMA and seized pharmacy and electronic items worth Rs. 70 lakh along with Rs. 4.4 lakh cash. A Bengaluru Development Authority engineer was taken into custody and important documents were recovered from him,” he said.

IMA has allegedly cheated a large number of investors, mainly Muslims, after promising them impressive return on their deposits.

IMA founder Mansoor Khan, who is on the run, released a video urging police to arrange his return to India so that he could join the probe.

He disappeared earlier this month after sending an audio clip to some investors threatening to commit suicide due to what he alleged was “harassment” by some politicians and goons.

The SIT had earlier conducted a raid at his office and seized jewellery worth Rs. 20 crore. It had arrested the firm’s auditor Iqbal Khan and seven directors of different entities linked to Khan.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also issued summons to the IMA founder directing him to appear before the agency on June 24, but he failed to appear as he is believed to be in a foreign country.

Over 25,000 complaints have been filed against the company.

Karnataka Congress: Anand Singh resigned first, and hours later Ramesh Jarkiholi gave his resignation to the Speaker

Anand Singh is the legislator from Karnataka’s Vijayanagar.
BENGALURU: 

Two Congress legislators in Karnataka put in their papers today, in fresh trouble for the ruling Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition in the state. Anand Singh resigned first, and hours later Ramesh Jarkiholi gave his resignation to the Speaker.

While the Congress has yet to confirm his resignation, Mr Singh says that he has quit and went to meet the Governor. A senior Congress leader termed his exit “shocking”.

The Congress and the JD(S) are wary of a potential revival of what is referred to as “Operation Lotus”. The term was first used in 2008, when the BJP was accused of inciting several opposition legislators to defect to ensure the stability of its government headed by BS Yeddyurappa.

“I have submitted by resignation as the people of my constituency are agitated over the government’s approval to lease out government land to the Jindals,” Anand Singh told reporters. The state assembly speaker’s office confirmed receiving the legislator’s letter on Monday afternoon.

With two lawmakers gone from the Congress, the party will be down to 77 members in the assembly. The JDS-Congress alliance has 116 lawmakers in the 224-member Karnataka assembly where the majority mark is 113. The BJP has 105, BSP has one and there is one independent.

Earlier this year, Anand Singh was hospitalised with injuries after an alleged fight with a colleague. (File)

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is currently in the US on a private visit. “I’m at Kalabhairaveshwara temple foundation laying ceremony (in New Jersey). I’m watching TV channels. Destabilising government continues to be a daydream of BJP,” Mr Kumaraswamy tweeted.

The BJP in Karnataka is keeping a close watch. “Even I have heard about his (Anand Singh’s) resignation through media. We don’t want to destabilise the government… If the government falls on own its own, we will explore the possibilities of forming the new government but there is no question of fresh elections,” Karnataka BJP chief and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said.

“Anand Singh resignation is shocking to me… I spoke to the Chief Minister. There is no problem in the coalition government,” senior Karnataka Congress leader and minister DK Shivakumar said.

Anand Singh, the legislator from Vijayanagar, was hospitalised earlier this year after he was allegedly thrashed and abused by another lawmaker during their stay at a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru where Congress legislators had been taken for safe-keeping.

It was said that Mr Singh had been involved in dissident activity but that he was convinced to stay with the party at that time.

The Congress has been fighting dissidence since the beginning of the year, with several Congress legislators openly critical of the party and staying away from legislature party meets that had been called.

PM Narendra Modi was felicitated by senior party leaders in the first BJP parliamentary party meeting after the recent Lok Sabha polls during which he had led the BJP to a big win.

PM Modi asked BJP lawmakers to ensure their presence in parliament during the ongoing session
NEW DELHI: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the BJP’s membership drive from Varanasi on July 6 during which, he told party workers, at least five trees should be planted in every booth across the country.

He also told party lawmakers that if anybody brings a bad name to the organisation with their conduct, then it is “unacceptable”, party sources said.

PM Modi’s comments assume significance as they come in the wake of the arrest of senior party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya’s lawmaker son Akash Vijayvargiya for allegedly attacking a government official with a cricket bat.

PM Modi was felicitated by senior party leaders in the first BJP parliamentary party meeting after the recent Lok Sabha polls during which he had led the BJP to a big win. Party chief Amit Shah and its working president JP Nadda were also felicitated, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters.

In his address, PM Modi asked party lawmakers to ensure their presence in parliament during the ongoing session and added that they should also dedicate themselves to people’s service so that they are known for what they have done for the masses, Mr Joshi said.

PM Modi will launch the membership drive on July 6, the birth anniversary of BJP ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Mr Shah will kick off the membership drive in Telangana and other party leaders in different parts of the country.

Azam Khan, while addressing the electorate for the first time since his win in the Lok Sabha elections, kicked up another row by allegedly using foul language against Jaya Prada.

FIR against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Jaya Prada
RAMPUR, UTTAR PRADESH: 

An FIR was registered against Samajwadi Party (SP) lawmaker Azam Khan on Monday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against BJP leader Jaya Prada. Ten other SP leaders have also been named in the FIR.

On June 30, Azam Khan, while addressing the electorate for the first time since his win in the Lok Sabha elections, kicked up another row by allegedly using foul language against Jaya Prada.

The FIR has been registered for obscene acts and intentional insult.

During the Lok Sabha elections too Azam Khan was banned from campaigning for 72 hours by the Election Commission for his remarks against Jaya Prada.

“I brought her (Jaya Prada) to Rampur. You are a witness that I did not allow anyone to touch her body. It took you 17 years to identify her real face, but I got to know in 17 days that she wears khaki underwear,” Mr Khan had said while campaigning in Rampur during Lok Sabha elections.

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, Azam Khan defeated Jaya Prada to win the Rampur Lok Sabha seat.