Allahabad HC orders probe into marriage certificates issued by Arya Samaj

The Allahabad High Court has ordered an inquiry into the certificates issued by the Arya Samaj temple

The Allahabad High Court has ordered an inquiry into the certificates issued by the Arya Samaj temple. A division bench of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rajnish Kumar, has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Prayagraj to investigate the manner and methodology of functioning of Arya Samaj at Kydganj in Prayagraj, through its alleged Pradhan, Santosh Kumar Shastri, while issuing a marriage certificate.

The Bench further directed that an inquiry should be conducted as to whether the marriages are being performed or it is just issuing empty certificates of marriage. Santosh Kumar Shastri has also been directed to produce registers of all the marriages solemnised by him over the last five years, particularly ever since the specific restraint order was passed against him in August 2016.

The inquiry in the matter would be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Circle Officer and the report would be submitted in the court at the next date of hearing. “The possibility of an organised racket working for extraneous reasons cannot be ruled out, in which involvement/assistance of others are possible,” the bench observed…Read More

Black ink thrown on farmer leader Tikait in Bengaluru, triggers clashes

Reacting to the incident, Tikait alleged that the ink attack on him was in connivance with the state government.

Miscreants on Monday threw ink on farmer leader Rakesh Tikait during an event organised by a farmers’ organisation at the Gandhi Bhavan here. Soon after the incident, clashes took place between the organisers and the miscreants leading to both sides attacking each other with plastic chairs.

Reacting to the incident, Tikait alleged that the ink attack on him was in connivance with the state government. “The local police is responsible for it and it happened due to the connivance of the government,” Tikait told reporters. Black ink was seen on his turban, face, Kurta, and green shawl around his neck…Read More

ABVP protests in JNU, blames left for not letting mess workers prepare food

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) alleged that stopping mess facilities has created a huge burden on students as they are left in the lurch.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on Thursday staged a protest in Jawaharlal Nehru University, accusing “left organisations” of preventing hostel mess workers from preparing food for students.

Around 30 members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) gathered in the Sabarmati lawn of the varsity and raised slogans against the “left organisations” and demanded good food and other amenities for hostel residents. Meanwhile, the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) has dismissed ABVP claims, saying the sanitisation and mess workers have been observing a strike against the administration and the student union has not prevented anyone from entering the mess area.

In a statement, the ABVP condemned what they termed as an “anti-student and anti-JNU act” by “left organisations”. They alleged that stopping mess facilities has created a huge burden on students as they are left in the lurch. “On May 5, residents of many hostels were not served breakfast and lunch because the Maoist goondas prohibited workers from entering the mess area and forcibly closed the mess. ABVP stands with workers who are crucial stakeholders of university community without whom the university cannot function,” alleged ABVP…Read More

Invesco backs Zee, Sony merger, decides against pursuing litigation

Invesco will continue to monitor the proposed merger’s progress. If the merger is not completed as currently proposed, Invesco retains the right to requisition a fresh EGM, it said

Invesco Developing Markets Fund, which owns 18 per cent stake in Zee Entertainment, has backed the Zee merger with Sony and has decided not to pursue litigation against Zee. In a statement, the company said it is pleased with the Bombay High Court’s ruling, which is an important reaffirmation of shareholder rights in India and the mechanisms under Indian law to hold Boards accountable to their shareholders. “The ruling is a boon for corporate governance in India and a win for shareholder democracy,” it said.

“Since we announced our intention to requisition an EGM and add six independent directors to Zee’s Board of Directors, Zee has entered into a merger agreement with Sony. We continue to believe this deal in its current form has great potential for Zee shareholders. We also recognize that, following the merger’s consummation, the board of the newly combined company will be substantially reconstituted, which will achieve our objective of strengthening board oversight of the company. Given these developments, and our desire to facilitate the transaction, we have decided not to pursue the EGM as per our requisition dated September 11 2021,” it said….Zee Sony Merger

Massive groundwater contamination in 31 districts of Bihar: Economic Survey

The consumption of contaminated water causes skin, liver, kidney and other water-borne diseases.

There is massive chemical contamination in groundwater in large parts of rural Bihar, where drinking water sources are unsafe for consumption and pose a health risk to the population, the state Economic Survey 2021-22 has revealed.

The 16th Bihar Economic Survey Report 2021-22, recently tabled in the assembly by Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad, stated that groundwater in rural areas in 31 of the 38 districts is affected by arsenic, fluoride and iron contamination. “The high concentration of arsenic, fluoride, and iron in groundwater in rural areas in 31 of 38 districts is posing a major health hazard. There is chemical contamination in groundwater in 30,272 rural wards. A total of 4,742 rural wards in 14 districts situated along the Ganga are particularly affected by arsenic contamination,” the report said.

It said that drinking water sources in 3,791 rural wards in 11 districts are affected by fluoride contamination. There is presence of excess iron in nine Kosi basin districts, and a few areas in other districts. The consumption of contaminated water causes skin, liver, kidney and other water-borne diseases. The affected districts include Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, Katihar, Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Munger, Samastipur, Saran, Sitamarhi, Patna, Vaishali, Aurangabad, Banka, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Jamui, Kaimur, Munger, Nalanda, Rohtas, Sheikhpura, Nawada and Araria….Read More

Budget 2022 should boost consumption via tax breaks, fuel tax cuts: Report

In a pre-budget report, India Ratings said it expects the new budget to consolidate and strengthen the plan set out in the last budget

The forthcoming budget needs to delay fiscal consolidation, instead should focus more on supporting the pandemic battered-economy and boost consumption demand by offering income tax soaps and cutting fuel taxes, says a report.

In a pre-budget report, India Ratings said it expects the new budget to consolidate and strengthen the plan set out in the last budget, rather than trying out new things by continue with the revenue and capital expenditure pattern of FY’22 to provide stability and consolidation to the past/ongoing efforts, and to focus on boosting demand by generating employment opportunities in areas/sectors that have been impacted more by the pandemic.

The report therefore expects the finance minister to delay fiscal consolidation and make it to be a gradual and calibrated process, thus ensuring the necessary fiscal support that the economy needs is available till the recovery acquires its own momentum.Calling for tax reliefs to households to boost demand as the purchasing power of households was badly hit since the pandemic, the report said this could be done through some income tax reliefs and lowering taxes on oil products as higher fuel prices has been driving up inflation…Budget 2022

3 drowned, 10 others missing after boat capsizes in Bihar’s West Champaran

At least three persons were drowned and 10 others were missing after an overloaded boat capsized on the Gandak river in Bihar’s West Champaran district

At least three persons were drowned and 10 others were missing after an overloaded boat, on which a tractor was also taken, capsized on the Gandak river in Bihar’s West Champaran district on Wednesday, police said. Police said there were around 20 people, mainly farmers, on the boat, as well as tractor. Nautan police station SHO Kundan Singh said that the accident occurred near Bhagwanpur village around 10 a.m.

“We have rescued around 10 persons from the Gandak river and recovered three dead bodies. State Disaster Response Team personnel are doing search operations in the area,” he said. Majority of the victims were from Nautan, while some of them were also from Vishambharpur and Kuchaikot in Gopalganj district. “The injured persons were admitted to health centres in Nautan,” he said…

PM Modi to host first India-Central Asia Summit virtually on January 27

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the first India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format on January 27, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the first India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format on January 27, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Wednesday. The summit will be held with the participation of the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the MEA said in a statement.

This will be the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders, it said.The first India-Central Asia Summit is a reflection of India’s growing engagement with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of India’s “extended neighbourhood, the MEA said.

Can signboards in Marathi give jobs to Maharashtra youths? asks MP Jaleel

The Lok Sabha MP from Aurangabad said emotive issues are raised only when elections are just around the corner

AIMIM Maharashtra unit president and MP Imtiaz Jaleel on Thursday appeared critical of the state government decision to make it mandatory for shops with fewer than 10 employees to use Marathi signboards, and wondered if the move will create more jobs for Marathi youths.

The Lok Sabha MP from Aurangabad said emotive issues are raised only when elections are just around the corner and termed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s decision as a gimmick. Jaleel tweeted, “when elections come closer then you remember Marathi boards, border dispute with Karnataka, Marathi pride. People are not fool and they understand this gimmick.

Will Marathi boards will give jobs to Marathi youth, is a million dollar question. ” The decision to make it mandatory for shops with fewer than 10 employees to use Marathi signboards was taken by the state cabinet at its meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday. The Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act will be amended for this, Industries Minister Subhash Desai had told reporters after the meeting. The objective was to close a legal loophole which owners of small shops exploit to avoid putting up Marathi signboards (already required for bigger establishments), the minister said.

Foxconn India iPhone plant to reopen on January 12: Govt officials

The Foxconn plant, located in the state of Tamil Nadu, was closed on Dec. 18 following protests over 250 of its workers being treated for food poisoning

Apple Inc supplier Foxconn will reopen an iPhone manufacturing facility in southern India on Wednesday with 500 workers, government officials and a legislator in the region where the plant is located told Reuters. The Foxconn plant, in the town of Sriperumbudur near the Tamil Nadu state capital of Chennai, employed about 17,000 people but was closed on Dec. 18 after protests over 250 of its workers who fell sick with food poisoning.

Apple has since placed the factory on probation after discovering that some dormitories and dining rooms did not meet required standards. Foxconn and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. K Selvaperunthagai, a member of the state assembly for the area, said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin told the assembly late on Friday the plant would reopen on Wednesday with 500 workers.

Government officials have said Foxconn intended to resume production gradually but have not said when the full workforce would be back on the job. Foxconn has been making the iPhone 12 and testing production of the iPhone 13 at the Sriperumbudur facility, its only plant in India, government officials have said. Apple has eight other suppliers in India.