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Ration card is for public distribution system not address proof: Delhi HC

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New Delhi: A ration card is issued exclusively for obtaining essential commodities under the public distribution system and it cannot be considered a proof of address or residence, the Delhi High Court has said.

Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, while dealing with petitions by erstwhile residents of Kathputli Colony seeking an alternative accommodation under the rehabilitation scheme following the re-development of the area, held that the requirement of a ration card as a mandatory document to claim benefit under the scheme was arbitrary and illegal.

“As per the definition of the Ration Card, the intent of issuing the same is that it aims to distribute the essential food items by way of the fair price shops. Therefore, it does not amount to becoming an identity proof of residence for any Ration Card holder,” said the court in a recent order.

“There is no mechanism set up by the authority issuing Ration Cards to ensure that the holder of the ration card is staying at the address mentioned in the ration card.

“The aim of the ration card is to ensure that the citizens of this country are provided foodgrains at a reasonable price. Hence, it is not a reliable source of proof of address since the scope is limited to distribution of food items by way of the Public Distribution System,” the court observed.

The petitioners contended that authorities breached their trust and played fraud on Kathputli Colony slum dwellers by suddenly changing the eligibility criteria in 2015 after the demolition of the entire colony as they wrongly mandated the requirement of a separate ration card for the first-floor dwellers of jhuggi.

The court noted that a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2015 itself disallows the use of a ration card as a document of identity or proof of residence, and in Delhi, fresh ration cards were not being issued on account of it having exhausted its state-wise ceiling of number of eligible households as per the 2011 census.

Remarking that authorities should have “introspected” into the intent and motive behind the issuance of ration cards as well as the harassment and pain caused to the petitioners, the court stated, “The requirement of a Ration Card as a mandatory document to be produced before the respondent as a proof to claim that first floor of the jhuggi is a separate dwelling unit is arbitrary and illegal”.

“The respondent should have exercised due caution and care before adhering to such a requirement. It should take a fair and realistic view of the circumstances before it.. the actions of the respondent are in clear violation of the petitioners’ right to shelter as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” stated the court.

The court directed authorities to allocate an alternative dwelling unit in favour of the petitioners, subject to the condition that they produce other relevant documents as per the Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015 and meet necessary requirements.

“This court is also of the view that the petitioners’ right to housing shall be kept at the highest pedestal. It is one of the safeguards provided in our Constitution and the legacy has been carried forward by the writ Court by way of various judicial precedents which reiterate the same,” the court asserted.

Govt extends Rs 300 LPG subsidy for Ujjwala beneficiaries for FY25

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Ahead of general elections, the government on Thursday announced the extension of Rs 300 per LPG cylinder subsidy to poor women under the Ujjwala Yojana for the next fiscal starting April 1.

The government had in October last year hiked the subsidy from Rs 200 per 14.2-kg cylinders for up to 12 refills per year to Rs 300 per bottle. The Rs 300 per cylinder subsidy was for the current fiscal, which ends on March 31.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has now decided to extend this subsidy to 2024-25, Union Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters here.

The move, likely to benefit nearly 10 crore families, will cost the government Rs 12,000 crore.

The general elections are due in April-May.

To make Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), a clean cooking fuel, available to rural and deprived poor households, the government launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in May 2016 to provide deposit-free LPG connections to adult women of poor households.

While the connection was provided for free, the beneficiaries had to purchase LPG refills at market price.

As fuel prices soared, the government in May 2022 provided a Rs 200 per cylinder subsidy to PMUY beneficiaries. This was increased to Rs 300 in October 2023.

Ahead of assembly elections in five states, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the government had in late August cut cooking gas prices by Rs 200 per cylinder. After this, the LPG cylinder price came down to Rs 903.

For Ujjwala beneficiaries, the price was Rs 603 after considering the Rs 300 per cylinder subsidy, which is directly paid into the bank accounts of connection holders.

The targeted support to PMUY consumers encourages them for continuous use of LPG.

The average LPG consumption of PMUY consumers increased 20 per cent from 3.01 refills in 2019-20 to 3.68 in 2021-22.

All PMUY beneficiaries are eligible for the targeted subsidy scheme.

Rs 820 crore UCO bank scam: CBI conducts second round of searches 2 Engineers booked

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New Delhi: The CBI has conducted searches at 67 locations in seven cities of Rajasthan and Maharashtra in connection with the Rs 820-crore Immediate Payment System (IMPS) scam in UCO bank, officials said Thursday.

The searches that started on Wednesday and continued till Thursday pertain to the mammoth scam in UCO Bank that transpired in three days – November 10-13, 2023 – through 8,53,049 transactions spread across 2,874 branches in 41,296 accounts across 35 states and Union territories.

“IMPS inward transactions initiated from around 14,600 account holders of seven private banks were wrongfully posted in the accounts of over 41,000 UCO Bank account holders. This resulted in Rs. 820 crore being credited to UCO Bank accounts without actual debiting from the originating banks,” the CBI Spokesperson said.

The transactions were initiated from IDFC First Bank, Jana Small Finance Bank, Suryoday Small Finance Bank, Fincare Small Finance Bank, Capital Small Finance Bank, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank and ESAF Small Finance Bank, the FIR registered on the basis of UCO bank’s complaint and made public on Thursday alleged.

The CBI has filed the FIR against Avishek Srivastava and Supriya Mallick, Support Engineers in the Mangaluru-based LCode Technologies, it said.

The company was hired to develop and maintain mobile banking applications for the bank, including the IMPS channel, the FIR said.

It is suspected that both were present during the incident and log reports indicate that either of the two changed the port number of IMPS transactions without authorisation from the bank on November 8 at 7 PM, it alleged.

Because of the alleged changes made in the system, the core banking software credited the beneficiary’s account but sent a failed message to the remitter bank through the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the FIR alleged.

“Due to this, the amount got credited in both banks i.e UCO and originating bank customers’ accounts,” it said.

It was also found that several of the account holders misused and made wrongful gains by withdrawing the proceeds from UCO Bank using various banking channels.

The bank also came across various social media posts where the fact has been mentioned that despite the transaction being reversed in the IMPS remitters’ account, the IMPS beneficiary account with UCO bank was being credited.

“The suspected persons and their associates with criminal intent and ulterior motives, have colluded on a large scale, carried these transactions and committed the organised crime against the public sector bank i.e UCO Bank,” it said.

The bank alleged in its complaint, which is now part of the FIR, that several account holders collaborated with others and undertook these illegal transactions in a syndicated manner.

The searches in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, which started on Wednesday and continued till Thursday, focused on people who received the money and withdrew it rather than returning it to the bank, officials said. This is the second round of searches.

In Rajasthan alone, the amount involved was over Rs 766 crore through 7,71,752 transactions spread across 232 branches, followed by Maharashtra, where Rs 11 crore came into dispute.

The bank has recovered Rs 664 crore but Rs 156 is yet to be realised, the bank said.

“Earlier in December 2023, searches were conducted at 13 locations involving private individuals and UCO Bank officials in Kolkata and Mangalore,” the Spokesperson said.

Over 330 police personnel, including 120 from Rajasthan Police, in 40 teams and 80 independent witnesses were involved in the action spread across multiple cities, including Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jalore, Nagaur, Barmer, Phalodi) and Pune (Maharashtra).

“During these operations, approximately 130 incriminating documents related to UCO Bank and IDFC, as well as 43 digital devices (including 40 mobile phones, two hard disks, and one internet dongle) were seized for forensic analysis.

“Additionally, 30 suspects were also found and examined on the spot,” the Spokesperson said.

PM Modi announces Rs 100 cut in LPG cylinder price

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a reduction of Rs 100 in cooking gas cylinder prices on Friday on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

This will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially benefiting “Nari Shakti” (women power), he said in a post on X.

“By making cooking gas more affordable, we also aim to support the well-being of families and ensure a healthier environment. This is in line with our commitment to empowering women and ensuring Ease of Living’ for them,” he said.

In a related decision, the government on Thursday announced the extension of Rs 300 per LPG cylinder subsidy to poor women under the Ujjwala Yojana for the next fiscal starting April 1.

The government in October last year hiked the subsidy from Rs 200 per 14.2-kg cylinders for up to 12 refills per year to Rs 300 per bottle. The Rs 300 per cylinder subsidy was for the current fiscal, which ends on March 31.

In another post on X, Modi greeted people on the International Women’s Day.

“We salute the strength, courage, and resilience of our Nari Shakti and laud their accomplishments across various fields. Our government is committed to empowering women through initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology and more,” he said.

This is also reflected in the government’s accomplishments in the last decade, Modi added. 

India press advantage against desperate England as Rohit, Gill slam hundreds

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Dharamsala: Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill struck sublime hundreds as India pressed the advantage in the fifth Test against England by reaching 264 for one at lunch on day two, here on Friday.

Rohit (102 batting off 160 balls) and Gill (101 batting off 142 balls) walked out in the middle in bright sunshine and milked the conditions to take India well past England’s first innings total of 218 after resuming the innings at 135 for one.

At the break, they led the visitors by 46 runs and were on course for a massive first innings total.

England tried everything to contain them, whether it was employing the leg-slip for Rohit when Shoaib Bashir was in operation or Mark Wood using the odd short ball against the opening duo with as many as six fielders on the leg side.

However, nothing worked for the visitors despite the Barmy Army making a lot more noise than the Indian fans at the stunning HPCA stadium. Rohit and Gill collected 129 runs from 30 overs in the two hours of play.

Rohit and Gill, who were batting on 52 and 26 overnight, gave themselves an over each after start of play before going for their strokes.

Off-spinner Bashir opened the bowling alongside veteran pacer James Anderson and was put under immense pressure by Rohit, who deposited him for a straight six and a four in his second over to set the tone.

Gill, who played some audacious strokes on the opening day, carried on in the same vein as he took two steps forward against the great Anderson for a straight six, which was followed by a square cut.

The only real chance that England had in the session went begging when Zak Crawley could not latch on to a sharp catch offered by Rohit at leg-slip. Mark Wood replaced Anderson and Gill put him under the pump with a square cut and a beautiful cover drive. Sixty runs in 15 overs in the first hour of play summed up India’s intent.

Wood resorted to the short ball tactic against the well-set duo but that did not work either. Stokes first put five fielders on the leg side before adding another one.

The mid-off was left vacant, prompting Rohit to make room and slap Wood in the region for a boundary.

Bashir returned for his second spell but Gill ensured he did not settle down by smashing for a maximum over the bowler’s head. The off-spinner then decided to go round the wicket but to no avail.

Rohit completed his 12th Test hundred and second of the series by flicking Tom Hartley for a single.

Two ball later, Gill followed him into three digits by slog-sweeping Bashir for a four. After completing his second ton of the series, Gill took his helmet off and bowed to the spectators in the stands including his proud father.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan launches India’s first state-owned OTT platform

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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala on Thursday launched India’s first government-owned OTT platform ‘CSpace’ with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan terming it as a decisive step in the onward journey of Malayalam Cinema.

Inaugurating CSpace, managed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), at a function at Kairali Theatre here, the chief minister said this is a pioneering initiative that gives prominence to films with artistic and cultural value without hurting the mainstream film industry.

Noting that earning profit is the prime motive of the private-sector OTT platforms that mostly go for commercial movies, CSpace is set to make a mark as a medium that brings home quality films, he said.

“Private OTT platforms give prominence to films in the most widely spoken language since their prime motive is to maximise profit. The priority of CSpace, on the other hand, is to onboard and stream contents with artistic and cultural values. This will also help the promotion of the Malayalam language and culture,” Vijayan said.

The launch of CSpace also signifies leveraging of the cutting-edge technologies which will define Malayalam Cinema in the future, he said.

The decision that CSpace will only stream films that are already released in theatres signifies that this is not a move that will harm the interests of the film industry. Its aim is to promote good cinema without hurting the interests of the producers and exhibitors, the chief minister said.

Presiding over the function, Culture Minister Saji Cherian said the launch of CSpace aligned well with the government’s policy of supporting art and artists representing diverse traditions, he said.

The films that win state, national and international awards will be streamed on the platform, he said.

General Education Minister V Sivankutty, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil, Antony Raju, MLA, and Mayor Arya Rajendran were also present at the function.

KSFDC Chairman and eminent director Shaji N Karun said CSpace is a novel initiative that seeks to help producers to get back their investment through crowd-funding route.

Total transparency in profit it earns and the number of viewers it attracts are the distinguishing features of the platform, he said.

KSFDC is a state-owned company entrusted with the promotion of Malayalam Cinema and industry, under the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala.

For selection of the content, KSFDC has constituted a 60-member curator panel including eminent cultural personalities like Benyamin, OV Usha, Santhosh Sivan, Shyamaprasad, Sunny Joseph, and Jeo Baby.

Every content that is submitted will be evaluated by the curators considering its artistic, cultural and infotainment merit, before showcasing it on the platform.

A total of 42 films have been selected in the first phase for streaming on CSpace, including 35 feature films, six documentaries, and one short film. Films that have won national or state awards and those exhibited at major film festivals will also be streamed.

Another distinctive feature of CSpace is transparency in its operations and the overall earnings and the revenue share.

The platform, which operates on a pay per view basis, allows viewers to watch a feature film for Rs 75 and shorter contents for a much lesser price. Exactly half of the amount charged goes to the content provider.

Viewers can download the CSpace app from the PlayStore and the App Store from today onwards.

Karnataka govt plans to ban over the counter sales of acid

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Bengaluru: Karnataka government is planning to ban over the counter sales of acid to restrict its availability, Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Thursday, in the wake of an acid attack on three female students in Dakshina Kannada district.

He said it will be ensured that only authorised chemical dealers are given the permission to sell it, adding that the Director General of Police will be writing a letter to the Commerce and Industries department soon in this regard.

“In a couple of days, DG will be writing a letter to the government — to the Commerce and Industries department — stating that there should be no free sales (easy availability) of acid. It should not be available for anyone to go and purchase it anywhere. Only those dealing with chemicals should be given the permission,” Parameshwara told reporters here.

“Police department will be writing a letter to ban (its free sale),” he said.

The government’s move comes within days of the acid attack by a youth at a government Pre-University college in the taluka headquarters town of Kadaba on March four that sparked outrage.

One more feather in cap for BTP Brave Bytarayanapura Traffic PSI Nagaraj AR becomes Lifesaviour Saves Toddler from Drowning in 10 feet Water Sump

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Parmesh S Jain Special correspondent

In an act of exemplary courage and call of duty,a traffic police Sub Inspector jumped into 10 feet water sump and rescued a 2.5 year old boy from drowning .
The Brave life saviour officer who gave rebirth to a two and half year child is Nagaraj AR,50,attached to Byatarayanapura traffic police station the Brave PSI was on his way to duty in Bydarahalli when he heard screams from a nearby three storeyed building at around 3.45 pm. 
He immediately rushed towards the building and noticed a group of women shouting and crying out for help pointing towards the sump . 

One more feather in cap for BTP Brave Bytarayanapura Traffic PSI Nagaraj AR becomes Lifesaviour Saves Toddler from Drowning in 10 feet Water Sump | Country and Politics


Nagaraj asked one of the woman before jumping into the sump without wasting time.
It was 10 feet sump with waist level water he told media persons he explained about the life saving act he said the sump was pitch dark and the residents were shocked and not even making efforts to help,he explained.   
Nagaraj began to grope the tank through his leg and found the boy lying under the water. 
He dragged the boy out and have removed the water before handing over the people to take him to a near-by hospital.The boy was treated at the hospital and said to be out of danger.
There were two men among the crowd in the three storeyed residential building but they were scared to ventured into the tank fearing motor and the wires, Nagaraj,said .
The boy who was in the care of his aunt while his parents had gone out for work,slipped into the tank while playing. 
The lid of the tank reportedly slide open when the boy stepped on the lid and he slipped into the tank,while people looked on. 
Mr.Nagaraj tried to call the boy’s parents but they did not respond,while the residents cheered and thanked him for the brave act. 
He reported the matter to his senior who appreciated and lauded his work.
A native of Kolar,Nagaraj lived with wife and daughter who is pursing her engineering course while the younger son is in 8th standard.” i did my duty and happy that the boy is safe”, Nagaraj, told media persons.
Joint Commissioner of Traffic,MN Anucheth said,Wonderful work by PSI,Nagaraj of Byatarayanapura Traffic Police Station. 
Incident happened at BEL Layout near Byadarahalli at 3:45PM.Mr Nagaraj was returning to duty from his house,when he heard cries for help from a few ladies gathered nearby. 
On enquiry it was found that a 2.5 year old boy has fallen into a 10 feet sump tank.PSI Nagaraj immediately entered the tank and rescued the child. 
The child was unconscious but responded to CPR.He is now recovering in a local hospital.
With the brave and life saviour act who gave a new life to child has won the hearts of billions across nation on social media platforms.
Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda,Joint CP Traffic,MN Anucheth,DCP Traffic West,Anitha B Haddanavar,ACP,Puttamma and other senior officers has highly appreciated and lauded the PSI Nagaraj for his life saviour act who gave rebirth to the child by saving his life without caring but his life he jumped into water sump when two other neighbours feared of getting shocked as it may ground in the water sump tank for the brave and gud Samritian act and life saving act has added one more feather in the Bengaluru City police account for the fearless act and a special reward will be given to PSI Nagaraj AR for his brave and gud Samritian act in saving life he added.

NIA Conducts Raids in 7 States in Connection with Bengaluru Prison Radicalisation Case

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Parmesh S Jain special correspondent

Expanding the ambit of its investigations in the Bengaluru Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) prison radicalisation case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday searched multiple locations in six States and seized a host of digital devices and incriminating documents, along with cash.
NIA teams swooped down on the premises of suspects in various places across Karnataka,Tamilnadu, Telangana,Punjab,Gujarat and West Bengal on Tuesday morning and recovered 25 mobile phones,6 laptops and 4 storage devices,besides various incriminating documents,and cash,apart from the currency notes of various countries.
The raids and searches were carried out on the  premises of Naveed,resident of Mangaluru,Syed Khail, resident of Bengaluru,Bijju,Dakshina Kannada,Mayur Chakrobraborty,South 24 Parganas,West Bengal,Navjot Singh,Gurdaspur (Punjab),Hardik Kumar,Mehsana (Gujarat),Karan Kumar,Ahmedabad (Gujarat),Johnson, Kasargod (Kerala),Musthaq Ahmed Sathikali and Mubith,Ramnathapuram (Tamilnadu) and Hassan Al Bassam,Chennai (Tamilnadu).
NIA is probing the case since October 25,2023,and filed charge-sheet against eight persons on January 12 this year,including absconding accused Junaid Ahmed and Salman Khan,under various sections of IPC,Unlawful (Prevention )Act,Arms Act,and Explosive Substances Act. 
The case relating to radicalisation of inmates in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison,by a LeT terrorist,was originally registered by the Bengaluru City Police following seizure of arms and ammunition, including 7 Pistols,4 hand grenades,one magazine and 45 live rounds along with 4 walkie-talkies. 
The prime accused in the case T Nazeer,a LeT operative,allegedly radicalised these Junaid Ahmed and his associates to carry out terrorist activities. 
Junaid,a gangster is presently on the run and suspected to be hiding in middle east .T.Nazir arrested in connection with the 2008 serial bomb blasts in Bengaluru in the Central Prison of Parappana Agrahara. 
While Junaid was operating his gang from abroad. Junaid Ahmed,the prime accused, is a habitual offender.He is named in many cases,including for murder,robbery and smuggling of Red Sanders.
He was arrested in 2020 in a Red Sanders smuggling case. He was sent to Bengaluru Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara,where he met Nazir again. 
After five months in prison,he secured bail and went abroad in 2021,but was in regular touch with the other accused, according to the police.
He was acting as the handler of the module.He provided logistics support,including weapons and financial aid,through his contacts.
Prime accused Junaid is named in multiple cases and is in hiding out of India.He hatched a plan to carry out subversive activities, and supplied arms and ammunition for the subversive activities.
Further investigations in the case are continuing and efforts are on to nab the absconders.

Making Economic Inclusion of

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Women a Reality

Melody Lopez
Director and Chief of Staff
Crayon Software Experts India

Exclusive Interview with Ms. Melody Lopez, Chief of Staff ...


International Women’s Day serves as a poignant reminder that the path to global progress must
actively include and invest in women. Under the resonating theme, ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women.
Accelerate Progress,’ we underscore the imperative to empower women economically. Economic
inclusion of women is not merely a social aspiration; it is an economic imperative that propels
nations towards prosperity. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report
2022, where 1 refers to parity between men and women, Indian women scored 0.961 in
educational attainment, but the score plummeted to 0.350 for economic participation and
opportunity. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), it will take 217 years to close the
global gender gap in economic participation and opportunity at the current rate of progress. The
WEF’s 2023 global gender gap score is 68.4%, which is a 0.3% increase from the previous year. The
WEF also estimates that it will take over 100 years to close the global gender pay gap. These
numbers indicate how far ahead the world needs to move to get women as active economic
participants. Unless women are actively allowed to participate and contribute to the economy the
world will never reach its optimum potential to achieve stability.
Investing in women means recognizing and unlocking the vast potential that resides in half of the
world’s population. By providing equal opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, and the
workforce, we amplify the voices of women, fostering innovation and resilience. Economic
empowerment of women catalyzes a ripple effect, transforming families, communities, and entire
societies. By dismantling barriers and biases, we pave the way for a future where women can
contribute their talents uninhibited, driving progress for all. On this International Women’s Day, let
us commit to investing in the economic potential of every woman. Let us celebrate not just the
achievements of women, but also the untapped possibilities that await when we truly count her
in—forging a world where women’s economic inclusion is not just a goal but a reality, accelerating
progress for the benefit of all.

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

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