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Sports Ministry revokes WFI suspension, restores Federation’s status as NSF

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New Delhi : The Sports Ministry has revoked the suspension imposed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), ending the months of uncertainty surrounding the sport and paving the way for resumption of activities, including selection trials for the upcoming Asian Championship in Amman.

The ministry had suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023 for lapses in governance and procedural integrity by the new body, which was elected on December 21.

The Sanjay Singh-led body had announced the conduct of Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships in Nandini Nagar, Gonda – the stronghold of former WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh – and the choice of venue irked the government since the former BJP MP was facing charges of sexual harassment.

The ministry, in its order, said that the WFI has taken compliant measures, so in larger interest of the sport and athletes, the ministry has decided to lift the suspension.

“I thank the government for taking this step. It will allow us to function smoothly. It was needed for the sake of the sport. The athletes were suffering for lack of competitions,” Sanjay Singh told PTI.

The ministry, though, has asked the WFI to follow certain directions, such as the federation has to ensure that there is a balance of power among the elected office bearers, and it keeps itself disassociated from the suspended/terminated officials.

It may be noted that Prem Chand Lochab, the new general secretary, was elected from the rival camp and the ministry’s directive could be understood in that context.

“The EC of the WFI must give an undertaking in this regard within 4 weeks.

Any violation of the undertaking will invite appropriate legal action, including the action under the Sports Code,” the ministry said in its order.

It also said that the WFI must ensure that the selection for all international events should be done in a free, fair and transparent manner as per the extant provisions of the Sports Code and the other latest instructions issued in this regard along with regulations issued from time-to-time by the UWW (United World Wrestling),” the order said.

WFI president said there is nothing that can’t be followed.

“We have already shifted to a new office and soon we will call for an EC meeting and also issue a circular for the selection trials. We have no issues in following these instructions,” he said.

The Asian Championship is scheduled to be held in Amman, Jordan from March 25.

The Indian wrestlers missed out on competing in Ranking Series tournaments in Zagreb and Albania due to the ministry suspension and the court cases filed by prominent wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Satyawart Kadian.

The wrestlers, who had led the protest against Brij Bhushan, had contended that the WFI did not have the authority to pick national teams since it was suspended.

The court had directed the Indian Olympic Association to restore the ad-hoc panel for managing the WFI but the sports body had refused, saying UWW, the world governing body, recognises only the WFI and won’t accept entries from the ad-hoc panel.

The UWW had threatened IOA to suspend WFI again if there was interference in its governance.

“We are so relieved that this suspension has been lifted. There was a compete lull, the young wrestlers were suffering for no fault of theirs. They were missing tournaments, there was no national camp. The suspension should have been lifted long back,” said a coach associated with a leading training centre in Haryana.

Day after protest over drop in prices, onion auctions start at Lasalgaon APMC

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Nashik : Onion auctions at Lasalgaon APMC in Maharashtra’s Nashik began on Tuesday, a day after farmers halted the process for sometime and staged a protest by climbing atop a water tank against the drop in prices of the key kitchen staple.

The protesters on Monday demanded that the 20 percent export duty on onions be removed, claiming it as the reason for the drop in prices at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Lasalgaon, which is Asia’s biggest wholesale onion market.

As many as 15 farmers climbed atop a water tank to protest the drop in prices of onion and also stalled its auctions for sometime on Monday.

“There is a drop of Rs 300-500 in the average prices of both red and summer crop of onions. The 20 percent export duty on onions must be removed,” one of the protesters said.

A source at the APMC said 11,500 quintals of onions were brought to the market for auction on Monday.

The prices were Rs 1,000 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,201 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,800 per quintal average for the summer crop of onions.

On the other hand, prices for red onions were Rs 800 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,005 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,700 per quintal average.

“These prices were Rs 2,250-2300 just five days ago. As a result, the farmers protested,” the source said.

The farmers later called off the protest after state Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate assured them that Yeola (in Nashik district) MLA Chhagan Bhujbal will raise the issue in the ongoing budget session of the legislature.

Police also arrived at the spot to pacify the protesters and maintain law and order.

On Tuesday, regular auctions were underway at the APMC.

Nearly 13,000 quintals of onions were brought in 500 vehicles at the APMC in the morning.

As the auction of the summer crop of onions began, the prices were Rs 600 per quintal minimum, Rs 1,951 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,600 per quintal average. The auction of red onions was yet to begin, the source said.

Siddaramaiah requests PM to implement price deficiency payment scheme for red chillies in Karnataka

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Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan requesting for implementation of price deficiency payment scheme under Market Intervention Scheme for red chillies in Karnataka.

In the letter, he expressed deep concern for the lakhs of red chilli farmers in Karnataka, particularly in the Kalyana Karnataka region, who are facing an “unprecedented crisis” due to the drastic fall in market prices.

The Chief Minister noted that the Government of India has approved the Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) scheme under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for Red Chillies (Guntur Variety) in Andhra Pradesh, fixing the Minimum Intervention Price (MIP) at Rs 11,781 per quintal with coverage for up to 25 percent of production.

“While this is a welcome step, the distress faced by Karnataka’s red chilli farmers remains unaddressed,” he stated in the letter dated March 10.

Siddaramaiah highlighted that in Karnataka, the cost of production for Guntur variety of red chillies (Rain fed) has been assessed at Rs 12,675 per quintal by the Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission.

“However, farmers are forced to sell their produce at distress prices as low as Rs 8,300 per quintal in markets like Sindhanur. This not only results in massive financial losses but also threatens their very survival,” he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the Kalyana Karnataka region, one of the most backward and drought-prone areas in the country, is home to thousands of small and marginal farmers dependent on red chilli cultivation.

“The continued neglect of their plight will only deepen the economic distress and push many farmers into a debt crisis. It is therefore imperative that the Union Government extends the Price Deficiency Payment scheme under the Market Intervention Scheme to Karnataka, ensuring parity with Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

In addition, Siddaramaiah strongly urged certain modification to the existing scheme to better serve farmers.

The CM urged the Centre to increase MIP to Rs 13,500 per quintal.

“The current MIP of Rs 11,781 per quintal is inadequate considering the rising input costs and the significantly higher cost of production in Karnataka,” he said.

“Expand coverage to at least 75 percent of production. Restricting the coverage to just 25 percent of production will leave a large number of farmers unprotected. A minimum of 75 percent coverage is necessary to provide meaningful relief,” he said.

Siddaramaiah urged the Union Government to bear the full burden of the price deficiency payment.

According to him, as per the existing scheme, the financial burden is shared between the Centre and State in a 50:50 ratio. The prices of red chillies are largely dependent on the Union Government’s domestic and export policies which directly influence market stability and farmer earnings.

“Therefore, we request the Union Government to bear the full amount of the price deficiency payment to ensure fair compensation for farmers,” he said.

Siddaramaiah said the red chilli farmers of Karnataka deserve the same level of support that their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh are receiving.

“A fair and just intervention by the Union Government at this crucial moment will not only provide immediate relief but will also reaffirm the Centre’s commitment to the welfare of farmers across the country, irrespective of the state they belong to,” he added.

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Smith retires from ODI cricket after Australia’s Champions Trophy exit

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Smith retires from ODI cricket after Australia's Champions Trophy exit
Australia’s stand-in skipper and batting mainstay Steve Smith (PTI)

Dubai: Australia’s stand-in skipper and batting mainstay Steve Smith on Wednesday announced his retirement from ODIs after his team’s semifinal loss to India in the Champions Trophy here.

The 35-year-old, who top-scored in the match with a 96-ball 73, informed his teammates of the decision after the four-wicket loss on Tuesday night, according to a statement from Cricket Australia. He will continue to play Tests and T20 Internationals.

“It feels like the right time to make way. It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said.

“Test cricket remains a priority and I am really looking forward to the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies in the winter and then England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage,” he added.

After making his debut in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder, Smith evolved into one of Australia’s finest ODI batters, amassing 5,800 runs in 170 matches at an average of 43.28, with 12 centuries.

Pollution levels surge in Bengaluru as metro use decreases after fare hike

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Bengaluru: Pollution levels in Bengaluru have witnessed a significant increase following the fare hike for Namma Metro on February 9, with a noticeable shift in travel patterns as commuters turn to road transport options.

Data from the National Air Quality Monitoring Centre reveals a rise in air pollution, coinciding with a drop in metro ridership, a trend also highlighted in ongoing research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), as reported by Deccan Herald on Wednesday.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has confirmed about a 10.5 percent dip in daily ridership since the fare increase. Yashvanth Chavan, official spokesperson, acknowledged the decline, adding that the corporation is still evaluating the full impact.

Commuters like Sathyanarayan M, a content developer, have shifted away from the metro due to the rising cost of travel. “The fare from Yelachenahalli to MG Road has doubled to Rs 66, making it too expensive. I now prefer using my Bullet motorcycle which requires 1 litre of petrol but is still cheaper and convenient,” he told the news outlet.

Research from the IISc’s Sustainable Transportation Lab, led by Professor Ashish Verma, indicates that many former metro riders are now opting for city buses, two-wheelers, and cars. “We will be able to put a number on these changes within the next two days. Empirically, the AQI data suggests the hypothesis that it is correlated to people moving away from Namma Metro to road transport,” he said.

Air quality data recorded during peak hours (10:00 AM and 6:00 PM) before and after the fare hike shows a marked increase in pollutants, added DH. On February 10, the first Monday after the fare hike, the average PM 2.5 levels in the Jayanagar 5th Block area surged to 112-114 microgram/cubic metre compared to 43-54 microgram/cubic metre before the hike.

A senior official noted that traffic congestion and construction dust were major contributors to the rising pollution levels. He said that vehicle movement stirs up dust, exacerbating the pollution problem, adding that this highlights the need to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and shift to public transport.

Yati Narsinghanand calls for armed Hindu groups Like ISIS sparks outrage

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Yati Narsinghanand calls for armed Hindu groups Like ISIS, sparks outrage
Yati Narsinghanand

Moradabad: Hindutva leader Yati Narsinghanand has triggered widespread condemnation after a video surfaced of him calling for the formation of armed Hindu groups similar to ISIS. The footage, recorded at his Dasna temple in Uttar Pradesh, shows him urging Hindus to take up arms, claiming they face threats from Muslims.

Narsinghanand, known for his incendiary speeches, alleged that Hindus were attacked in Moradabad and insisted that self-defence was necessary. He also expressed his intention to seek support from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for arming Hindus.

The video has drawn sharp criticism, with many demanding legal action against him. Senior journalist Dr. Mukesh Kumar accused him of inciting violence and warned that his rhetoric could lead to civil unrest. Kumar also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were shielding figures like Narsinghanand.

AIMIM’s Uttar Pradesh state president Shaukat Ali questioned the police’s inaction, stating that Narsinghanand openly calls for violence yet faces no consequences. The incident has intensified concerns over rising communal tensions and the apparent impunity enjoyed by hate speech offenders.

Cadaver dogs of Kerala Police to join Telangana tunnel collapse rescue operation

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Cadaver dogs of Kerala Police to join Telangana tunnel collapse rescue operation

Thiruvananthapuram: Cadaver dogs of Kerala Police will be joining Telangana tunnel collapse rescue operation, the state government said on Thursday.

The cadaver dogs (that are specially trained to locate missing humans, human bodies) and the officers handling them left for Hyderabad on Thursday morning, Kerala government said in a statement.

The dogs were sent for the rescue operation following a request by the State Disaster Management Authority whose help in the matter was sought by the National Disaster Management Authority, the statement said.

Eight persons — engineers and labourers — have been trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project tunnel in Telangana since February 22 and experts from the NDRF, Indian Army, Navy and other agencies are making relentless efforts to pull them out to safety.

Sri Lanka asks India to stop its fishermen from straying into country’s waters

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Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has requested India to prevent its fishermen from illegally entering the country’s waters for fishing.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayaka said the Indian action would be deeply appreciated by the people in northern Sri Lanka as fishing is the only livelihood for them.

His remarks came ahead of the likely visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka next month.

“We know that India has been helping Sri Lanka a lot. But this help towards the people of Jaffna would be the greatest,” Rathnayaka told Parliament.

“They have no other industry and if you go to Mannar and Thalaimannar you will see”.

Rathnayaka said India was of much assistance to the people of northern Sri Lanka during the country’s armed conflict with the LTTE.

“They gave them protection and we are thankful to India for that,” Rathnayaka stressed.

The biggest service India, the Tamil Nadu government and, their MPs could do is to help the northern people preserve their livelihoods.

“If they cannot extend this help the question would be if their all other assistance was genuine,” Rathnayaka said.

The opposition MP Mano Ganesan said that the Sri Lankan government should include the issue of illegal fishing by Indian fishermen in its agenda for talks with the Indian prime minister.

The Sri Lanka Navy said they arrested over 550 Indian fishermen in 2024 for poaching in Sri Lankan waters. So far this year, over 130 Indian fishermen have been arrested.

Prime Minister Modi is likely to visit Sri Lanka in early April. It would be his fourth visit to the country. Previously, Modi visited Sri Lanka in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

137 illegal migrants identified in Karnataka, says Home Minister G Parameshwara

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Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said 137 illegal migrants, including Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals, have been identified in the state and the government is initiating steps to deport them to their respective countries.

Replying to a question in the Assembly, the minister said 25 Pakistanis are kept in the deportation centres. There are Bangladeshis too in the centres, he added.

“In Karnataka, we have so far identified 137 outsiders, arrested them and initiated steps as per law for their deportation,” the minister said, while replying to a question raised by BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal.

According to him, 84 people were arrested in Bengaluru Urban district, 27 in Bengaluru Rural district, 12 in Shivamogga, 10 in Udupi, three in Hassan and one in Mangaluru. No one was arrested from Vijayapura.

“In 2016, 33 people from Bangladesh were found living there (Vijayapura). After due process, all of them were sent back to their country. Presently there are no Pakistanis and Bangladeshis in Vijayapura,” Parameshwara told the House.

He said the police continuously identify people from Pakistan coming to Karnataka.

“Thousands of people come to Bengaluru. Among them, foreigners come illegally from African countries. They indulge in drug peddling. This is a very big racket. We don’t let them go scot free,” the minister said.

Regarding the Bangladeshis, he said they get a job in the coffee estates in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu. They get ration cards, and all kinds of identity cards, including voter ID cards, the minister said.

He added that the moment police get to know about their stay, they are arrested and sent to the detention centres.

“Our government does not compromise on this issue (illegal migrants). There is no need for it and our intentions are also not like that,” Parameshwara clarified.

Regarding the seizure of fire arms in Vijayapura, he said in 2022, three country pistols and six cartridges were seized; in 2023 three country pistols and 12 cartridges; in 2024, one pistol and one cartridge; and in 2025, 13 country pistols and 28 cartridges were seized.

About the land mafia operating in Vijayapura, the minister said police have registered 27 cases and the legal action is at different stages. In eight cases, charge sheets have been filed. In 10 cases, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) report has been sought. In nine cases, investigation is underway, he said.

Parameshwara said that the police have registered cases against 173 land mafias.

Explaining the modus operandi, he said the land mafia identify and target elderly people. They prepare duplicate ration card, election cards and submit it in the sub-registrar’s office, change the land records and sell it.

Regarding the rice mafia operating in Vijayapura district, he said the dealers clandestinely obtain rice meant to be distributed at the ration shop to the weaker section at subsidised rates, and sell it in the open market.

“Rice mafia is a big network spread across Karnataka. In Vijayapura in 2022, 23 cases were registered and 13.16 tonne of rice were seized. In 2023, 22 cases were registered and 176 tonne were seized; in 2024, 12 cases were booked and eight tonne were seized, This year, only one case has been registered and seven tonne were seized,” the minister said.

Savarkar defamation case: Lucknow court imposes Rs 200 cost on Rahul Gandhi for skipping appearance

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Savarkar defamation case: Lucknow court imposes Rs 200 cost on Rahul Gandhi for skipping appearance
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi

Lucknow: A court here on Wednesday imposed a cost of Rs 200 on Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for skipping appearance in a 2022 defamation case related to his alleged derogatory remarks on freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Alok Verma had in December 2024 asked Gandhi to appear in the court on Wednesday. However, he didn’t, and his legal team filed an application seeking exemption from personal appearance.

The court imposed a cost Rs 200 on him and said the amount would be paid to the complainant’s lawyer. The next hearing was fixed for April 14.

In the application filed during the day, Gandhi’s lawyer said the Leader of the Opposition has had official engagements, including meetings with foreign dignitaries and other scheduled programmes, which prevented him from attending the court in-person.

The defamation case stems from Gandhi’s comments on Savarkar made on November 17, 2022 during his Bharat Jodo Yatra at a rally in Maharashtra’s Akola district.

Advocate Nripendra Pandey filed a complaint, accusing Gandhi of intentionally insulting Savarkar during the rally.

The complainant alleged Gandhi’s remarks were part of a well-planned conspiracy to defame Savarkar, and the comments were broadcast widely across the media.

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