Jitendra Singh calls on Prez Murmu, briefs her on J&K situation

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Jammu, Oct 18 (IANS) Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS in the PMO, Jitendra Singh, on Saturday called on President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan to exchange Diwali greetings and brief her about recent developments and forthcoming Government initiatives under his Ministries.

An official statement said, “During the meeting, Jitendra Singh also gave an update on the current situation in Jammu & Kashmir, from where he is an elected representative. The Union Minister apprised the President of India of two major upcoming national science events — the 4-day India International Science Festival (IISF-2025) to be held in Chandigarh, and the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025) to be held in New Delhi — both positioned as landmark gatherings aimed at showcasing India’s innovation ecosystem and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”

Speaking about the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025), Jitendra Singh informed the President that the event, scheduled from November 3 to 5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, will mark India’s first integrated platform dedicated to science, technology, and innovation.

The conclave, themed ‘Imagine, Innovate, Inspire for Viksit Bharat 2047’, will convene scientists, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to deliberate on frontier technologies, including semiconductors, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space science, and clean energy.

He highlighted that ESTIC-2025 has been conceptualised with the participation of 13 ministries and departments, embodying a “whole-of-government” approach to fostering innovation.

Jitendra Singh said the conclave will include 11 thematic sessions and feature interactions between researchers, startups, and industry stakeholders to promote actionable collaborations.

He noted that India’s innovation landscape has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past decade, with the country emerging among the top six globally in patent filings and expected to surpass major economies in research publications by 2029.

The Minister emphasised that ESTIC-2025 will serve as a strategic forum to chart India’s long-term scientific and technological roadmap, aligning innovation with national priorities and sustainable development goals.

Updating the President on preparations for the India International Science Festival (IISF-2025), Jitendra Singh said the four-day event, beginning December 6 at Panjab University, Chandigarh, will celebrate the theme ‘Vigyan Se Samriddhi – Science to Prosperity’.

Jitendra Singh conveyed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has entered its most dynamic phase in scientific growth and technological advancement.

He noted that every major address by the Prime Minister — from Independence Day to policy announcements — has underscored the role of science and technology in national progress. Referring to the recently held curtain raisers for both IISF and ESTIC, the Minister said the two events complement each other: while ESTIC focuses on the study and understanding of science, IISF celebrates discovery and innovation.

–IANS

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Illegal mining under political shield? ED targets Mishra-led syndicate in new filing

Ranchi, July 2 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed its fifth supplementary prosecution complaint in the Sahibganj illegal mining and extortion case, further tightening its net around the alleged syndicate masterminded by Pankaj Mishra, a close aide of the Jharkhand Chief Minister.

The complaint, filed before the Special PMLA Court in Ranchi on June 30, names eight individuals and two companies as fresh accused in the money laundering probe, says the agency’s press release issued on Wednesday.

With this, a total of 19 individuals and entities have been arraigned across six prosecution complaints — one original and five supplementary — in connection with the case, which involves proceeds of crime estimated at over Rs 1,000 crore.

Among the newly named accused is Rajesh Yadav alias Dahu Yadav, allegedly a key enforcer in the network who oversaw the illegal transport of stone across the Ganga river, said the release. According to the ED, Yadav also financed a fraudulent ferry tender to aid large-scale smuggling of minerals. He is currently absconding.

Another accused, Heera Lal Bhagat, is alleged to have operated illegal mining activities through his firm M/s Jai Maa Bhavani Stone Works. ED officials recovered over Rs 3.13 crore in unaccounted cash from his premises, believed to be direct proceeds of the illicit operations.

The complaint also highlights the role of Nimay Chandra Shil, who allegedly conspired with Pankaj Mishra and his wife to fraudulently secure a mining lease in exchange for a 50 per cent profit-sharing deal.

Corporate complicity has also come under the scanner. The ED has named M/s Marine Infralink Logistics Pvt. Ltd. and its director Yash Jalan for allegedly providing the vessel M.V. Infralink-III, used for transporting illegally mined stone, said the release. The company reportedly received Rs 2.75 crore sourced from the syndicate’s criminal proceeds.

The ED’s investigation began after an FIR registered by Jharkhand Police against Mishra and his associates under various IPC and Arms Act provisions.

The probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) revealed a politically protected cartel monopolising mining and mineral transport in the Sahibganj region.

So far, the ED has seized and frozen assets including Rs 5.34 crore in cash, an inland vessel, five industrial stone crushers, multiple vehicles, and bank balances exceeding Rs 13.32 crore.

–IANS

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Four held with weapons for robbing passers-by in Gurugram

Gurugram, Feb 2 (IANS) A crime branch team of the Gurugram police has arrested four accused for allegedly trying to commit robbery at gunpoint with illegal weapons here, police said on Sunday.

With the arrest of these criminals, police also claimed on Sunday to have solved 16 cases of theft and Arms Act which the accused had committed in Gurugram.

According to the police, Crime Branch Sector-43 received information through reliable sources regarding four culprits with weapons trying to rob passers-by on the Ghata-Faridabad Road.

The police team acted promptly on the information and formed a special police team and reached the spot, where they arrested all the four accused with weapons.

The accused have been identified as Sonu alias Chidimar of Delhi, Astonish alias Lablu, Ravi Prakash alias Chota Bhola, and Jeetu alias Pubji, all residents of Gurugram.

A pistol, live cartridge, iron rod, and a torch have been recovered from the possession of the accused.

In connection with the matter, a case under relevant sections was registered at the Sector-56 police station.

During police questioning, the accused also disclosed that they had committed 16 other thefts in Gurugram.

“From the perusal of the criminal records of the accused, it was found that seven cases related to theft, the Gambling Act, and the Arms Act were registered against Sonu in Gurugram and three cases related to theft were registered against Astonish in Gurugram and six cases of theft were registered against Ravi Prakash in Gurugram,” Gurugram police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar said.

The accused will be produced before the Court for further proceedings.

An investigation of the case is underway.

Recently, a crime branch team of the Gurugram police had also arrested two accused for allegedly trying to commit robbery at gunpoint with help of illegal weapons with the passers-by on Rewari-Heli Mandi Road.

With the arrest of these criminals, the police claimed to have solved nine cases of theft that they had committed in Gurugram and Rewari.

Apart from this, the Gurugram police had also arrested three Bangladeshi nationals for illegally residing in the Manesar area without valid documents.

The trio had allegedly used fake documents to gain entry into the country and bypass immigration checks, police said.

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–IANS

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UP: CBI arrests tax official and advocate for accepting bribe

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two individuals in connection with an alleged bribery case involving the CGST (Central Goods and Service Tax) department in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Superintendent Nishan Singh Malli and Tax Advocate Amit Khandelwal, were caught for allegedly accepting an illegal bribe of Rs 1,00,000.

The arrest follows an investigation into alleged corruption within the tax administration, highlighting concerns over undue advantages sought in exchange for waiving penalties.

Authorities are continuing their probe to uncover further details related to the case, said a press statement released by the central probe agency.

The alleged acceptance of bribe of Rs 1 lakh was part of a larger demand for Rs 4 lakh to waive a financial penalty imposed on a private company, the statement added.

The case was registered on Monday based on a complaint filed by a businessman managing his family’s company.

According to the complaint, the CGST Superintendent had issued a penalty notice to the company for failing to file its GST returns.

The accused, instead of following due legal process, allegedly sought Rs 4 lakh from the complainant in exchange for waiving the penalty, the statement said.

The Tax advocate, who was supposed to represent the complainant, colluded with the CGST Superintendent and pressured the complainant into agreeing to the illegal payment.

The Superintendent, posted in Gajrola with additional charge in Amroha, allegedly worked closely with the Tax Advocate to execute the bribery.

When CBI officials set up a trap, both the accused were caught red-handed accepting the bribe.

The central agency promptly launched searches at their premises in Amroha and Gajrola in Uttar Pradesh to gather further evidence.

Meanwhile, sources indicate that the investigation is focusing not only on the accused individuals but also on potential systemic corruption within the tax regulatory framework in the region.

Officials are examining whether similar instances of bribery have occurred and whether additional persons are involved in circumventing tax regulations for financial gain.

–IANS

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