Petrol price hike: Bandh may hit normal life today

May 31, 2012

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New Delhi/MumbaI/Chennai, May 31: The BJP and the CPM will come together in a nationwide protest against hike in petrol prices on Thursday. Markets may remain shut and autos and taxis might go off the roads.

Delhi: Traders decide to support BJP's call

Residents of the Delhi may find many markets shut and fewer autos and taxis on the road today, with BJP workers staging demonstrations on arterial roads against the steep hike in fuel prices. The party claims it has the support of over 300 traders' associations and several taxi and auto unions.

While the bandh has been called across India, the introduction of 5% VAT on CNG in Delhi budget is also an issue in the capital. On Wednesday, Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta held a padyatra in Connaught Place asking traders to support the bandh.

On Wednesday, Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta held a padyatra in Connaught Place asking traders to support the bandh. BJP has also decided to disrupt the ongoing budget session in the assembly. Police said that besides 35 extra companies of security personnel, another 50,000 cops would be out on the roads.

"We want to ensure that every major road has police presence. We are aware of a few protest spots and have the resources to rush in to control any situation. We warn people not to flout the law; those found rioting will be charged with destruction of public property," said a senior officer. Despite poor footfalls in the market due to rise in temperature, traders' associations have decided to support the bandh. "We have to stand together. This government has become arrogant and is not concerned about the people, who are suffering. Everything — from food items to gadgets— has become expensive. Still there is no stopping the government from increasing the prices of petrol and CNG. In Delhi, CNG is going to be the main issue," said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of Confederation of All India Traders.

While most traders have decided to support BJP's bandh call, some are said to be doing so out of fear. "We fear that the protestors might get violent if the markets are open. Not wanting to take chances, we have decided to close the market," said a trader from Khan Market. With more than 50,000 BJP workers expected to stage demonstrations at 100-odd locations, BJP is hopeful the government will be forced to rollback petrol and CNG prices. While BJP workers will protest outside, party MLAs are planning a stormy session in the assembly on Thursday.

Senas back bandh, Maharashtra talks tough

Undeterred by the Shiv Sena and MNS lending their political muscle to the BJP-called Bharat bandh over the steep hike in petrol price last week, the state government announced that it would be business as usual in Mumbai on Thursday. Nevertheless, local politicians expect trouble in saffron strongholds and the police have been deployed in full force.

Train services will run as usual and BEST has promised additional services if required. The same cannot be said for autos and taxis. While the bigger unions led by Sharad Rao and A L Quadros said their autos and taxis will ply, Sena-led unions have threatened to enforce the bandh.

"As long as the bandh is peaceful we have no objection. But if politicians indulge in violence and enforce it, we will not tolerate it," home minister R R Patil told TOI. On Wednesday, Patil held a marathon meeting with top police officials even as the saffron alliance charted their strategy to ensure that their bandh is a success.

Bandh expected to evoke poor response in Tamil Nadu

The nation-wide strike called by the NDA and Left parties on Thursday to condemn the hike in petrol price is unlikely to have much impact in Tamil Nadu with the state government taking steps to ensure maintenance of all essential supplies and services to the people.

However, autorickshaws might go off the roads as most of the drivers are affiliated to leftist trade unions.

Though a few milk dealers have supported the strike, sources in the state-owned Aavin said that measures have been taken to ensure uninterrupted milk supply.

"We have made all arrangements to have enough stock of milk in our parlours and outlets to ensure that the public will not be affected," a senior Aavin official said. Government sources assured that all hospitals and public transport will function as usual.

"The full fleet will be pressed into service in the city as well as across the state," an official from transport department said.

Police sources said additional personnel have been deployed at sensitive areas across the state to curb any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, BJP state unit president Pon Radhakrishnan has appealed to all the political parties, commercial establishments and people of the state to support the bandh.

In a release, he said that since the hike in petrol price will test the patience of the people reeling under high inflation, the party had called for a nation-wide strike to condemn the UPA government move.

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News Network
November 12,2024

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The Taliban regime has appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as the acting consul in the Afghan mission in Mumbai, Afghan media has reported.

It is the first such appointment made by the Taliban set up to any Afghan mission in India.

There was no immediate comment from the Indian side on the appointment that came.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has announced the appointment of Kamil as the acting consul in Mumbai, the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources.

"He is currently in Mumbai, where he is fulfilling his duties as a diplomat representing the Islamic Emirate," it said.

The appointment is part of Kabul's efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with India and enhance its presence abroad, the media outlet said

Kamil holds a PhD degree in international law and previously served as the deputy director in the department of security cooperation and border affairs in the foreign ministry, it said.

He is expected to facilitate consular services and represent the interests of Afghanistan in India, the report added.

Kamil's appointment comes days after the external affairs ministry's point-person for Afghanistan held talks with the Taliban's acting defence minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, in Kabul.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban's deputy foreign minister for political affairs, also posted on X about Kamil's appointment.

The appointment of Kamil is seen as part of efforts to facilitate consular services to the Afghan population in Mumbai.

There has been almost negligible presence of diplomatic staff at the Afghan missions in India.

Most of the diplomats appointed by the Ashraf Ghani government have already left India.

In May, Zakia Wardak, the seniormost Afghan diplomat in India, resigned from her position after reports emerged that she was caught at the Mumbai airport for allegedly trying to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth Rs 18.6 crore from Dubai.

Wardak had taken charge as the acting ambassador of Afghanistan to New Delhi late last year, after working as the Afghan consul general in Mumbai for more than two years.

She took charge of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi last November, after the mission helmed by then ambassador Farid Mamundzay announced its closure.

Mamundzay, who was an appointee of the Ghani government, had moved to the United Kingdom.

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News Network
November 21,2024

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After the US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani with bribery and fraud, Congress reiterated its call for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the transactions of the Adani group, and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging an "internal nexus" between him and "his favourite businessman."

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the indictment of Gautam Adani and others by the US Securities and Exchange Commission validates his party’s call for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation.

The Congress has been pushing for the probe since January 2023, raising concerns over alleged irregularities involving Adani and his business dealings, said Ramesh.

Ramesh referred to the party’s “Hum Adani ke Hain” series, where 100 questions were raised about the alleged scams and the links between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gautam Adani.
He noted that the questions remain unanswered, reiterating the need for accountability in the matter.

The US prosecutors have charged Adani with deceiving investors by concealing information about his firm's solar energy project in India, which allegedly involved bribery.

Adani has been charged with securities fraud and conspiracy, according to an indictment unsealed on Wednesday. The case focusses on an agreement between Adani Green Energy Ltd. and another organisation to supply 12 gigawatts of solar power to the Indian government.

'BETRAYAL OF INDIAN INVESTORS'

Congress leader Pawan Khera described the allegations against Gautam Adani and his conglomerate as a “betrayal of Indian investors.”

Taking to X, Khera outlined the US charges, including claims that Adani’s group bribed Indian government officials between 2020 and 2024 to secure contracts. Citing media reports, he also pointed out that Gautam Adani personally met a government official to advance the scheme.

Khera referred to a March 2024 incident where the Adani Group allegedly misled the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange, calling it a “grave violation of investor trust.”

He further highlighted a March 2023 FBI raid on the premises of Sagar Adani, Gautam Adani’s nephew, where electronic devices were seized as part of the investigation.

'SEBI NOT ABLE TO PROVE ANY CHARGES AGAINST ADANI'

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised central probe agencies following US charges against Gautam Adani and others in an alleged bribery case linked to solar energy contracts.

Chaturvedi raised concerns about corporate governance and regulatory oversight in the country. “They talk about corporate governance, responsibility, and accountability. The industrialists should be asked to follow the rules and regulations, but even the agencies were defending him. The SEBI has not yet been able to prove charges against him,” she said, pointing to what she viewed as failures in ensuring accountability.

'BROUGHT DISREPUTE TO INDIA'

On US charges against Gautam Adani, AAP leader Sanjay Singh called for a probe against the industrialist. He said that the probe should be conducted by an investigation agency under the Supreme Court.

"Adani Group has brought disrepute to India. This is a very serious matter. The PM of India should come forward and answer this. All the pending matters against Adani should be probed by an investigation agency under Supreme Court monitoring, and all the corruption done by him, within and outside the country, should come out before the country and action should be taken against him," he said.

BJP DFENDS

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya responded sharply to the Opposition’s criticism regarding allegations involving Adani Green Energy and US-based Azure Power. He pointed out that the charges in the indictment are only allegations and emphasised, “The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”

Malviya argued that the crux of the case concerns agreements to supply 12 GW of power to the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), contingent on SECI securing power purchase agreements with state electricity distribution companies (SDCs).

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News Network
November 15,2024

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Union minister Amit Shah on Friday, November 15, said PM Narendra Modi will amend the Waqf Act despite opposition from leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar.

"Modi ji wants to change the Waqf Board law, but Uddhav ji, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule are opposing it," Shah said, addressing a rally at Umarkhed in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district.

"Uddhav ji, listen carefully, you all can protest as much as you want, but Modi ji will amend the Waqf Act," he said. Shah said there are two camps in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, one of 'Pandavas' represented by the BJP-led Mahayuti and the other of 'Kauravas' represented by Maha Vikas Aghadi.

"Uddhav Thackeray claims that his Shiv Sena is the real one. Can the real Shiv Sena go against renaming Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar? Can the real Shiv Sena go against renaming Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar? The real Shiv Sena stands with the BJP," Shah said.

"Rahul Baba used to say that his government would credit money in the accounts of the people instantly. You were unable to fulfil your promises in Himachal, Karnataka, and Telangana," he said.

Shah said the Mahayuti alliance has promised that women will get Rs 2,100 per month under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. "Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power in the world can snatch it away from us," Shah said.

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