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Repealing three farm laws shows Modi government’s sensitivity: Karnataka CM Bommai

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Repealing three farm laws shows Modi government's sensitivity: Karnataka CM Bommai

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to repeal the three contentious farm laws showed his sensitivity.

Rejecting the claim that the government bowed to the year-long protest, Bommai said that the three laws were part of the liberalisation and globalisation process started in 1991-92 and were in line with the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s agreement with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

“It is not a question of bowing. This process of liberalisation and globalisation started in 1991-’92. As part of it, various laws were to be formulated. Further, the UPA government had signed an agreement with the WTO. Agriculture Reforms and the Agriculture Marketing Reforms were also part of it,” Bommai claimed.

According to him, the draft bill was pending during the UPA government and a decision was taken after bringing certain changes and taking consensus of all the states to give proper returns to the farmers.

“However, the farmers of Punjab, Haryana and other states insisted for a regulated market system and held protests for one year,” Bommai said.

He also said that Modi tried to convince the farmer leaders but they did not agree.

“The Prime Minister has announced withdrawing all the three laws in the upcoming parliament session. It is a sensitive government. We have responded to the farmers’ demand,” Bommai said.

He denied that the decision to repeal the three laws had anything to do with the forthcoming elections in five states.

“We had won by-elections even in the midst of protests. The decision has no connection with the election in five states. The Prime Minister felt that some more discussions were necessary and accordingly, the government felt that withdrawing the farm laws will build confidence among people,” Bommai explained.

Former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa too welcomed Prime Minister’s decision to repeal the three laws.

“The Prime Minister has announced withdrawing the three laws. The farmers were agitating against them. On behalf of the farmers of the country, I congratulate him,” Yediyurappa told reporters.

On the occasion of 552nd Prakash Parva or the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev on Friday, Modi announced repealing the three contentious laws.

Most of the agitators were holding protests around Delhi and other parts of North India for over a year demanding that the government withdraw the three laws saying they were anti-farmer.

These laws are: The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

Tim Paine resigns as Australia captain after sending explicit messages to female co-worker

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Tim Paine resigns as Australia captain after sending explicit messages to female co-worker

Hobart: Australian Test captain Tim Paine on Friday stepped down from the post after being investigated by Cricket Australia for sending explicit messages to a female co-worker.

The messages date back to 2017, months before Paine was recalled to the Test team after a seven-year absence and a joint Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania investigation cleared Paine at the time.

The development comes weeks ahead of the five-Test Ashes series against traditional rivals England. The first Test begins in Brisbane on December 8.

“Today I am announcing my decision to stand down as captain of the Australian men’s cricket team. It’s an incredibly difficult decision but the right one for me, my family and cricket,” Paine said during a press conference.

“Nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague.

“Although exonerated I deeply regretted in incident at a time and I do so today. I spoke to my wife and family at a time and enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support,” he added.

Paine will, however, continue to be a part of the Australian team.

Reports claimed a Cricket Tasmania employee was offended by “Mr Paine’s sexually explicit, unwelcome and unsolicited photograph of his genitals in addition to the graphic sexual comments.”

The 36-year-old was promoted as captain following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018. The board accepted Paine’s resignation and has started the process of identifying and appointing the next Test captain.

“We thought this incident was behind us. And that I could focus entirely on the team as I have done for the last three or four years.

“However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public. On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain or the wider community,” Paine admitted.

He added, “I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family and to the other party. I’m sorry for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport.

“I believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain effective immediately. I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes series.”

He added, “I will remain a committed member of the Australian cricket team, and look forward with anticipation to what is a huge Ashes tour. Thank you.”

CA chairman Richard Freudenstein indicated Paine’s decision to step down was his own.

“Tim felt it was in the best interests of his family and Australian cricket to take this decision to step down as captain,” Freudenstein said.

CA accepted his resignation.

“While the board acknowledges an investigation cleared Tim of any breach of the code of conduct regarding this matter some years ago, we respect his decision,” CA said in a statement.

“CA does not condone this type of language or behaviour. Despite the mistake he made, Tim has been an exceptional leader since his appointment and the Board thanks him for his distinguished service.”

Paine becomes the second consecutive Australian Test captain in recent years to quit his job owing to a scandal, following Steve Smith’s resignation as the skipper in the wake of the ball-tampering episode in South Africa.

During a correspondence with Australian cricket authorities in June 2018, the woman claimed she was offended by “Mr Paine’s sexually explicit, unwelcome and unsolicited photograph of his genitals in addition to the graphic sexual comments”.

The woman quit her job in 2017.

Victory against injustice: Rahul Gandhi on PM’s announcement to repeal farm laws

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New Delhi: The country’s ‘annadatas’ have made “arrogance bow its head” through ‘satyagraha’, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday and described the Centre’s decision to repeal the farm laws as a “victory against injustice”.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation this morning, announced that the government has decided to repeal the three farm laws, which were at the centre of protests by farmers for the past year.

“Country’s ‘annadatas’ (food providers)

have made arrogance bow its head through satyagraha,” Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

“Congratulations on this victory against injustice!” the former Congress chief said.

“‘Jai Hind, Jai Hind ka Kisan’,” he added.

Many farmers had been protesting and were encamped at Delhi’s borders since November 2020 with a demand that the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and a new law made to guarantee MSP for crops.

The Centre, which has held 11 rounds of formal dialogue with the farmers, had maintained that the new laws are pro-farmer, while protesters claimed they would be left at the mercy of corporations because of the legislations.

Protest will end when farm laws repealed in Parliament: Rakesh Tikait

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He also stressed that the government should talk to farmers over the issue of minimum support price (MSP) of crops and other matters.

The BKU national spokesperson said this on Twitter soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced repealing the three farm laws, which were at the centre of the farmers’ protest since November 26 last year.

“The protest will not be withdrawn immediately, we will wait for the day when the farm laws are repealed in Parliament. Along with MSP, the government should talk to farmers on other issues too,” Tikait tweeted in Hindi.

Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the prime minister said the three farm laws were for the benefit of farmers but “we couldn’t convince a section of farmers despite best efforts”.

The goal of the three farm laws was to empower farmers, especially small farmers, he said.

We have decided to repeal three farm laws: PM Modi

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the government has decided to repeal the three farm laws, which were at the centre of protests by farmers for the past year.

Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the prime minister said the three laws were for the benefit of farmers but “we couldn’t convince a section of farmers despite best efforts”.

The goal of the three farm laws was to empower farmers, especially small farmers, he said.

The agriculture budget has risen by five times with over Rs 1.25 lakh crore being spent annually, Modi said.

He also highlighted his govt’s measures to benefit small farmers.

“I have experienced farmers’ difficulties, challenges from very close quarters in my five decades of public life,” the prime minister said.

We have decided to repeal three farm laws: PM Modi

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New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the government has decided to repeal the three farm laws, which were at the centre of protests by farmers for the past year.

Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the prime minister said the three laws were for the benefit of farmers but “we couldn’t convince a section of farmers despite best efforts”.

The goal of the three farm laws was to empower farmers, especially small farmers, he said.

The agriculture budget has risen by five times with over Rs 1.25 lakh crore being spent annually, Modi said.

He also highlighted his govt’s measures to benefit small farmers.

“I have experienced farmers’ difficulties, challenges from very close quarters in my five decades of public life,” the prime minister said.

Sharad Pawar warns about ‘urban naxalization’ in big cities of Maharashtra

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Gadchiroli: Naxal activities are not limited to only remote areas of eastern Maharashtra but ‘urban naxalization’ is being seen in big cities of the state, NCP chief Sharad Pawar claimed on Thursday.

He was speaking to reporters in Gadchiroli district of the state where at least 27 naxals including senior Maoist leader Milind Teltumbde were killed in an encounter with police last Saturday.

Talking about the naxal menace in the district, which borders on Chhattisgarh, Pawar said the situation was improving.

But there is this “new phenomenon” where some elements are trying to create hatred against the government in other parts of the state too, he said.

“We can call this urban naxalisation,” Pawar said.

“Some such forces are active in Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai and in parts of the Sahyadri ranges, as far as Kerala. There is a section which is trying to create public opinion and hatred against the government,” he said.

Pawar’s party is part of the government in Maharashtra and its minister holds the home portfolio.

“Special caution should be taken about this aspect immediately, otherwise new problems would emerge,” the NCP chief, who was Maharashtra chief minister four times, warned.

Notably, BJP leaders have often used the term “urban naxals” to claim that Maoists have hidden supporters and sympathizers in urban areas.

Pawar, meanwhile, advocated a push to industrial development through mining in Surjagarh in Gadchiroli.

Protests had been staged by locals against mining in the area recently.

To a question about fear that mining will take away local tribals’ livelihood from natural resources, Pawar said farming should be improved to provide new job opportunities.

“I feel that to remove the frustration of the young generation here, they should get job opportunities. Surjagarh will give them this right and opportunity in a big way and an important and permanent industry will develop here,” he added.

BJP drags Congress leader Siddaramaiah’s late son into alleged bitcoin scam

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Bengaluru: As the Karnataka BJP on Thursday tweeted a picture of his late son Rakesh with associates of alleged bitcoin scam accused Srikrishna alias Sriki, senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah hit back at the ruling party accusing it of trying to hide its “corruption” and attempting to get personal to pursue “dirty agenda” in politics.

He also urged Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to order a judicial enquiry into the alleged scam by the Supreme Court judge, including the term of the Congress government headed by him.

“Karnataka BJP is trying to hide their corruption by bringing the name of my deceased son. I urge CM of Karnataka to order a judicial enquiry by Supreme Court to investigate into the bitcoin scam, including our term,” the former Chief Minister tweeted.

“It has been five years since my son left us, but our family is still grieving. It is unfortunate he will not be able to reply to the allegations on him. Karnataka BJP is trying to get personal to pursue their dirty agenda in politics,” he alleged.

He was responding to tweets by Karnataka BJP with a picture of his late son Rakesh Siddaramaiah posing with Hemant Muddappa and Suneesh Hegde.

“Hemant Muddappa and Suneesh Hegde had a close friendship with bitcoin hacker Sriki. It is mentioned in the police document that they had hacked a gaming site and e-portal through Sriki. Please see who is with Suneesh Hegde and Hemant here,” BJP had said in a tweet with the photo.

“It is our belief that you will recognise all those with Hemant Muddappa and Suneesh Hegde in this photo. If that belief is true, the bitcoin hacking scam began during your tenure. Mr Siddaramaiah, you have accurate information about it, right?” the BJP said.

Alleging that illegal activities like drugs and bitcoin were taking place in a hookah bar at a prestigious hotel in Bengaluru, BJP further stated that people like Sriki, Hemant Muddappa and Suneesh Hegde might have “roamed around” Siddaramaiah’s residence.

Hitting back at BJP for alleging that his son Rakesh was seen with Srikrishna’s friend, Siddaramaiah asked, “Then how can we interpret the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Nirav Modi (alleged fugitive) during the 2018 World Economic Forum?”

He further said, “It is alleged that an important Karnataka BJP leader had received bitcoin as quid pro quo for mediating the release of Hemant Muddappa when he was arrested with Srikrishna. Nalin Kumar Kateel (State BJP president) may know who that leader is.”

Rakesh had died of multi-organ failure at a hospital in Belgium in 2016, at the age of 39. Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister then.

There have been speculations for some time now about the involvement of politically-influential people in the alleged scam after CCB officials claimed recovery of bitcoins worth Rs nine crore from a city-based hacker Sriki, who is also accused of hacking into government portals, sourcing drugs through the dark net and paying for it through cryptocurrency.

Congress leaders have alleged the involvement of senior BJP leaders, their family members and senior officials in the scam, and have accused the government of trying a cover-up. The BJP too in its counter has alleged involvement of leaders from the grand old party.

Wankhede ‘framed’ ex-wife’s cousin in drugs case to pressure family not to speak against him: Malik

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Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Thursday levelled fresh allegations against Naroctics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede, saying the officer wrongly framed the cousin of his former wife in a drugs case to pressure her family not to speak against him.

Talking to reporters here, NCP leader Malik said Wankhede also framed another youth, the son of an IPS officer, in a drugs case following a dispute with the latter’s family and the youth was subsequently arrested.

Malik also strongly backed former Maharashtra home minister and party colleague Anil Deshmukh, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, saying he was being “framed” by misusing central agencies.

On Wednesday, NCP president Sharad Pawar also said injustice was being done to Deshmukh, who is currently in judicial custody.

Malik on Thursday continued his tirade against Wankhede, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, who is married to actress Kranti Redkar since 2017. The NCB officer divorced his first wife Shabana Qureshi in 2016.

Wankhede thought his first wife will speak against him. So, through a peddler, Wankhede planted drugs and got her cousin arrested through the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the state police,” the minister alleged.

His first wife’s family was threatened that if they spoke against Wankhede, the entire family will be dubbed as drug peddlers and arrested, he further charged.

Malik has been attacking Wankhede following the NCB’s raid on a cruise party last month following which around 20 people, including actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, were arrested. Aryan Khan and some of the other accused were later released on bail.

The minister has also accused Wankhede of wrongly framing people in drugs cases, and securing government job by forging his documents.

Wankhede’s father recently filed a defamation case against Malik.

On Wednesday, Malik sought the Bombay High Court’s permission to file an additional affidavit with documents to prove his allegations about Wankhede’s caste certificate, saying he wanted to submit the latter’s school admission forms and his primary school leaving certificate.

These documents mention Wankhede’s religion as Muslim, he alleged.

The minister had earlier alleged that the NCB officer was born a Muslim, but secured a central government job claiming to belong to a scheduled caste.

Wankhede has denied the allegations levelled against him.

Vir Das “Two Indias” row: Old video of PM Modi saying Indians were ashamed of being born here, viral

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New Delhi: Amidst the controversy triggered by stand-up comedian Vir Das with his monologue named “Two Indias” an old video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying Indians were ashamed of being born in the country before he assumed office in 2014.

The video is purported to be from 2015 when PM Modi was addressing a set of NRIs. In the video, he is seen saying “Earlier, you felt ashamed of being born Indian, now you feel proud to represent the country.”

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