Archives for 2023

Chandigarh:A court here on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Haryana Minister Sandeep Singh in connection with a sexual harassment case registered against him last year on the complaint of a junior woman coach.

“The court has granted anticipatory bail to Sandeep Singh,” the minister’s counsel Siddharth Pandit, who along with the accused’s main counsel Rabindra Pandit was present in the court, said.

Additional sessions judge Rajeev K Beri allowed the anticipatory bail plea of the minister, he said.

The court directed that the accused shall surrender before a trial court or area magistrate in Chandigarh within 10 days and will furnish personal bonds and surety, each of Rs 1 lakh, to the satisfaction of the said court.

The Chandigarh Police had last month filed a charge sheet, nearly eight months after the registration of the case.

The case stems from allegations of sexual assault made by a junior athletic coach from Haryana against the BJP leader.

Singh’s counsels contended that he has been falsely implicated in this case whereas the complainant coach’s counsel countered it.

Singh has been charged under IPC sections 354 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354B (assault or criminal force with intent to disrobe), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Singh, the Minister of State for Printing and Stationery, is a first-time MLA and former India hockey captain.

After he was charged, Singh gave up his portfolio on “moral grounds”.

Nasheman.in

Best Out of Waste Intercollegiate Competition. The event saw the comin
together of exceptionally talented and creative students from colleges across Bengaluru
and the campus was abuzz with excitement.

Participating universities and colleges, including NMIMS Bengaluru, T John College,
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru (NIFT), International Institute of
Information Technology, Bengaluru (IIITB), Indus Business Academy, Bengaluru, and
International School of Business & Research (ISBR), brought their best to the
competition.

The AD MAD competition brought together teams of 3-5 students who showcased their
advertising prowess with spontaneous creations on surprise topics. With a maximum of
15 minutes of preparation time, the advertisement performances ranged from 60
seconds to 3 minutes. Judges assessed participants on their spontaneity, content, topic
adherence, on-stage presentation, coordination, and overall appeal. Participants
captivated the audience with their originality and creativity, using various forms of
advertising such as skits, jingles, slogans, banners, and innovative presentations.
In the Best Out of Waste competition, teams of 3-4 students displayed their
resourcefulness by crafting innovative and useful products from household and
stationery waste. The judging criteria included evaluating creativity, innovation,
explanation, and utility. Participants demonstrated their commitment to eco-
friendliness and sustainable practices.

The talented teams from the International School of Business & Research (ISBR) walked
away with all the prizes in both the categories.

The three prizes for the AD MAD contest went to creatively named teams. The first prize
went to Crux comprising Adarsh, Shivam, Saurabh, Vidhi and Ishika; the second prize
went to Kushal, Surya, Somitha, Khushi and Avneet of Black Wings team and the third
prize was won by the Stalwarts team consisting of Abhishek, Ishita, Mehak and Shiffan.
The three teams that won the Best of Waste contest were Tamanna, Samreen, Gnanasri
and Shivangini of Prodigies team, Avishi, Tejal, Grishma and Bhagyashree of Upchay
team and finally Kashish, Shreya, Akansha and Neha of the Trailblazers team.
The first three winning teams of the competitions were awarded cash prizes of Rs.
7,000, Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 3,000 respectively.

The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm, collaboration, creativity and a commitment
to promoting eco-friendly practices. NMIMS Bengaluru is proud to have hosted an event
that encouraged students to think creatively and contribute to a sustainable future.
Dr. Narayani Ramachandran, Deputy Director, NMIMS Bengaluru, said, “AD MAD
and Best out of Waste were not just competitions; they provided a stage for young minds
to spark their creativity and imagination to craft memorable advertisements and innovate

creatively with what we consider waste. I’m thrilled to witness the incredible talent and
innovation showcased by these students. It was a pleasure to witness healthy competition
and camaraderie among students of various institutes. We hope to conduct more such
events to inculcate the importance of collaboration and collective growth.”
About NMIMS Bengaluru

The School of Business Management (SBM) Bengaluru campus has been ranked first in
the “Top B-Schools under Private Universities” category in Karnataka by Open
Magazine. NMIMS Bengaluru was ranked second in the city-wise category by Fortune
India Magazine and was awarded a rating of A+++ by Business India Magazine. Business
Today Magazine ranked NMIMS Bengaluru third in the city-wise category, seventh in
the south-zone category, and 15th among the private B-schools.

India’s retail inflation eased to 6.83% in August from 7.44% in the previous month due to falling food prices, especially vegetables. 

“The trend is anticipated to continue as vegetable prices correct. Core inflation is also on a downward trajectory, reflecting the impact of previous rate hikes,” said analysts from JM Financial. 

Even as the inflation for August came down it was still above the central bank’s 2%-6% target band.

“The cooldown in headline inflation is mainly on account of lower food prices, which we can
clearly it is cooling down. And we expect the food prices to go down considerably from next
month, as vegetable prices have seen sizable corrections in the previous month,” said analysts from Centrum. 

Food prices have been a key concern for policymakers since last year as erratic weather conditions have hurt the output of vegetables, milk and cereals.

“Core inflation (excluding food and beverages, fuel and light and petrol and diesel) eased marginally to 5.06 per cent in August from 5.12 per cent in the previous month, the third consecutive month of decline,” noted analysts from Motilal Oswal.

 Food price decline

The significant decrease in food prices was driven by several factors. However, it’s important to note that during this period, certain essential items such as cereals, pulses, milk, and fruits experienced slight price increases.

The erratic weather conditions across the country have sent food prices on a roller-coaster ride, which play a significant role in calculating inflation. Staples like tomatoes and onions notably experienced substantial price spikes, contributing to the overall rise in retail inflation.

In its efforts to rein in domestic inflation, India’s government banned exports of non-basmati white rice last month and imposed a 20% duty on exports of parboiled rice, while imposing a 40% tax on onion exports. It has banned exports of wheat since last year.

Fortunately, the situation has significantly improved, and experts predict a gradual decline in inflation over the coming months. This development carries significant weight, not just for millions of households but also for numerous businesses struggling with reduced demand due to rising inflation.

Moreover, the August dip in inflation is expected to inject some optimism in domestic markets on Wednesday. Investors had been cautiously awaiting this data, leading to increased volatility during today’s trading session.

However, as these weather conditions began to stabilize, vegetable prices corrected themselves, resulting in a YoY slowdown from 37.39% growth in July to 26.13% in August. 

Additionally, while cereals and spices remained elevated at 11.85% and 23.19.18% respectively, the overall food price surge subsided, contributing to the easing of inflation.

Food and beverages, which accounts for 45.86 per cent of the overall consumer price index (CPI), recorded an inflation rate of 9.19 per cent in August as against 10.57 per cent in July.

“However, deficient rains and depleting reservoir levels may negatively impact Kharif yields and Rabi sowing. Hence we remain cautious of any signs of persisting inflationary pressures in food category,” said analysts from JM Financial. 

Reserve Bank’s target challenge

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been targeting an inflation rate of 4%. Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasized this goal in the recent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. However, the recent spike in food prices, caused by factors like heatwaves and unexpected rainfall damaging crops, temporarily pushed inflation rates higher, making the 4% target appear distant.

Das, in the same MPC meeting, expressed confidence that prices would soon revert to more normal rates in the coming months, given the improved supply conditions.

Industrial output surge

In contrast to the slowdown in inflation, India’s industrial production exhibited robust growth. In July 2023, industrial output grew at 5.65% YoY, a notable increase from June’s 3.76%. This encouraging trend was driven by buoyant demand across major sectors.

The manufacturing sector, which accounts for 77.63% of the index’s weightage, saw growth of 4.59% YoY in July, compared to 3.14% the previous month. Mining output also increased significantly by 10.68% YoY, up from 7.56% in June.

Consumer durables, after briefly growing in May, remained in the contraction zone for the second consecutive month in July. However, within consumer durables, primary goods showed strong growth, recording 7.59% growth YoY, compared to 5.31% in the previous month. Infrastructure also displayed robust growth of 11.36%.

Consumer non-durables posted healthy numbers in July, with a growth rate of 7.41% compared to just 0.34% in June. These positive figures indicate a significant upturn in India’s industrial activity.

With food prices expected to decrease further in the coming months as vegetable prices continue to correct, there is a positive outlook for cooling inflation. Core prices have also shown a slowdown, suggesting that previous rate hikes are having an impact.

“Despite these developments, the RBI is likely to adopt a wait-and-watch approach, as the rise in food prices is primarily due to supply-side issues rather than monetary policy. As such, further tightening measures in the next MPC meeting are not anticipated,” said Centrum in its report. 

The encouraging industrial production figures, coupled with strong domestic demand, indicate that India’s industrial activity is on a positive trajectory, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming months. The Manufacturing PMI and Index of Eight Core Industries have also performed well recently, further supporting this view.

GUWAHATI: Chaos reigned supreme at the Assam assembly on Thursday as opposition MLAs demonstrated, demanding a discussion over the allegation that a company linked to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife got Rs 10 crore as subsidy under a central scheme.

The Congress had given an adjournment motion notice to discuss the matter.

Speaker Biswajit Daimary, at the end of the Question Hour, rejected the notice stating that it was “not in order” and the issue does not merit an adjournment motion.

Refusing to accept the ruling, Congress and CPI(M) MLAs along with Independent legislator Akhil Gogoi stormed into the Well with placards, raising slogans. As the chaos refused to subside, the speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

Mumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the withdrawal of police cases filed against pro-Maratha reservation protesters in Jalna district, the epicentre of the latest round of stir on the issue, and urged quota activist Manoj Jarange to end his indefinite fast.

He has also announced the suspension of three police officials involved in lathi-charge on quota agitators in central Maharashtra’s Jalna district in the first week of September.

The CM made the announcements on Monday after presiding over an all-party meeting in Mumbai held in the backdrop of the ongoing Maratha quota agitation led by Jarange.

The activist is sitting on an indefinite hunger strike since August 29 at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district demanding reservation in government jobs and education under the OBC category for the Maratha community.

Jarange on Monday said he will take a decision on Tuesday afternoon on continuing his hunger strike and asserted he would not succumb to pressure from either the government or the opposition on the quota issue.

CM Shinde told reporters here, “The state government has decided to withdraw police cases filed against Maratha quota protesters. Necessary instructions have been given to officials as well.”

“The state government has decided to suspend three police officials who were involved in lathi-charge on Maratha quota protesters,” the CM said.

The police baton charged and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse a violent mob at Antarwali Sarati after protesters refused to let authorities shift Jarange to hospital on September 1.

The police had filed cases against more than 360 people for their alleged involvement in the violence.

Shinde said all parties attending the meeting passed a resolution requesting Jarange to withdraw his fast.

“Maharashtra is a progressive state. We want harmony and peace among all communities. All parties passed a resolution requesting Manoj Jarange to withdraw his fast. I personally request him to call off his fast. The state government needs time to complete the procedure to make decisions (on quota issue),” he said.

A five-member panel headed by Judge Sandeep Shinde (retired) has been set up to determine the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), including legal and administrative framework, for giving caste certificates to Maratha community members referred to as Kunbis (part of OBCs now) in Nizam-era documents.

This will allow Marathas from the Marathwada region to avail quota benefits under the OBC category. The committee formed by the state government has got down to work and it needs some time to complete its task, said the CM.

“The Justice Shinde Committee has held its first meeting and has been given one month to submit a report. The government has also agreed to most of the demands made by Jarange. I appeal to the protesting people to end their agitation. Jarange is not making any personal demands…he is doing it for his community, but it will take some time for the (quota) issue to be resolved,” Shinde said.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the railways to produce the record pertaining to notices of removal pasted on two mosques at Tilak Marg and Babar Road for being “unauthorised” structures on its land.

Justice Prateek Jalan granted time to the administration to file its response to the petition by the Delhi Waqf Board.

The board has claimed that these notices were “generic” and the mosques — Masjid Takia Babbar Shah near the Railway Bridge at Tilak Marg and Masjid Bachchu Shah, also known as Bengali Market Mosque — are not unauthorised and the land does not belong to the railways.

Asking the central government counsel if he was not “surprised” at the affixation of the notices in their present form that is without specific details, Justice Jalan directed that the relevant record be also brought to the court. “I want to see how the railway administration is issuing notice without mentioning property, date,” the judge said.

The central government lawyer submitted that the notices were issued by railway authorities and “this was done after full knowledge of the concerned persons”. “Let me file an affidavit. I checked the record. Notices have been pasted after giving everyone full knowledge,” he said.

“At the request of counsel for respondent, four weeks are granted for filing counter affidavit. Interim order to continue. Respondent is directed to produce the relevant record,” the court ordered.

On July 26, the court had passed an interim order directing the railways not to take any action pursuant to its notices pasted on the two mosques.

Observing that the notices were not signed, did not mention the authority under which they were issued and could have been pasted on any structure, the court had asked the Centre’s lawyer to take instructions on whether it was issued by the railways.

“It appears that the notice is a generic notice purportedly issued by the railway administration, Northern Railways, Delhi, which calls upon the public to voluntarily remove temples/mosques/mazars from railway land within 15 days failing which they would be removed by railway administration. The said notices are unsigned, undated and do not bear out the authority under which they are issued. For the moment, no action will be taken pursuant to these notices,” it had said.

Counsel for the petitioner had submitted that on July 19 and 20, notices were found to be pasted on the mosques which have been in existence for decades and upon inquiry it was found that the same had been issued from the office of the divisional railway manager.

Apprehending action by the railways, the lawyer had urged the court to “bind the hands” of the authorities in the meantime.

The petition has said the Bengali Market Mosque was approximately 250 years old and the Tilak Marg Mosque is 400 years old and the notices affixed in their walls are liable to be quashed.

“Both the mosques are in existence since centuries and there are two duly registered agreements of 1945 between the Governor General in Council through its agent-Chief Commissioner of Delhi and the Sunni Majlis Auqaf in respect of both the mosques transferring management of those mosques to the Sunni Majlis Auqaf (petitioner’s predecessor) without any limitation as to tenure. The said document shows that the mosques were in existence and were operational in 1945 also,” the petition said.

“Through the impugned notice, the railway administration has urged that the mosque/temples/shrines be removed from their land within 15 days failure to comply with the notice will lead to action by the railway administration to reclaim the land. Thus, the very existence of the aforesaid waqf property is in jeopardy because of the unwarranted, arbitrary and unreasonable impugned action of the respondents,” added the plea.

The petition said that the two mosques cater to a large number of worshippers and are in use for five times daily compulsory prayers besides larger congregational prayers on Fridays and Eid.

“Neither the land underneath the mosques under reference belongs to the respondents nor the mosques under reference are unauthorised”, it has asserted.

The petitioner has also said that in 2023, at least seven waqf properties were demolished overnight in a “brazen display of highhandedness” and in the present case, the apprehension is that the “design is to demolish the mosques/waqf properties somehow”.

The matter would be heard next on January 30.