Bengal CID team arrives at Trinamool office adjacent to Mamata Banerjee’s residence, stopped by former party MP

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kolkata, June 9 (IANS) A team of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police on Tuesday arrived at a Trinamool Congress party office adjacent to the residence of the former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Kalighat in Kolkata to conduct raid and search operations there.

However, at the entrance of the party office, the CID team was obstructed by the former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Subhasish Chakraborty. He started a heated argument with the CID officials and told them that since neither Mamata Banerjee nor her nephew and Trinamool Congress’ General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee was in Kolkata, he would not be able to allow the CID official to enter the premises.

Subhasish Chakraborty kept on arguing even after the CID official informed him that being investigators, they were not here to wait for his approval but to carry out their scheduled activities as per legal provision.

Later, the CID officials also told Chakraborty that they were there to carry out their duties and they will do that.

“Are you obstructing us from performing our duties?” asked a CID officer to Chakraborty.

“I am not obstructing you. Since I am voluntarily in charge of this office, I just informed you about my position and explained why I am unable to allow you?” Chakraborty replied.

At the time the report was filed, the CID officials present at the spot are waiting for the instructions from their higher authorities in the matter.

Already, some Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel, too, arrived at the spot.

Incidentally, Abhishek Banerjee was intended to appear at the CID’s office at Bhabani Bhavan in South Kolkata by 5 p.m. on Tuesday for questioning in an ongoing case of mismatch of signatures of some Trinamool Congress legislators in a crucial resolution pertaining to important positions in the West Bengal Assembly, which are reserved for the Opposition bench.

This was the third consecutive notice that has been served to Abhishek Banerjee by the CID in the matter.

Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee are reportedly in New Delhi now and both attended the crucial meeting of the Opposition India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc on Monday.

–IANS

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Union Budget will change the face of rural India, encourage citizen-centric investment: Fadnavis

Mumbai, Feb 1 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented a dream budget for the middle class in the country and gave a huge relief to them by making income up to Rs 12 lakh tax-free.

He claimed that the Budget will change the face of rural India and encourage citizen-centric investment.

CM Fadnavis said that the Budget has proposed an allocation of Rs 683 crore for the Maharashtra Rural Connectivity Improvement Project, Rs 100 crore for the Maharashtra Agribusiness Project, Rs 1,094 crore for the Economic Cluster, and Rs 186 crore for the Upsa Irrigation Scheme.

“This is a historic Budget for a developed India, a comprehensive and developed India. It will deepen the economy and further strengthen the economy, providing relief to the middle class, salaried workers, youth and farmers, and hardworking people. The provisions of this Budget will enable many ambitious policies of Maharashtra which will get huge benefits from the new policies, especially since it is the startup capital,” he added.

“Increasing the income tax limit will bring that money into the economy and thus increase demand. The decision to increase the taxable income limit from Rs 7 to Rs 12 lakh is historic. It was under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that this limit was increased from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh. It has now been increased to Rs 12 lakh. This journey is definitely incredible. It is effective for the Indian economy. This will provide great relief to the middle class, salaried workers, and youth. A large share of income will be in the hands of a large class. This will create vitality in the market. Purchases will increase, demand will increase, production will increase, employment will increase, especially the MSME sector will get a boost… This will help strengthen the economy further,” CM Fadnavis said.

He hailed the slew of proposals for the agriculture sector, including special incentive schemes for 100 districts of the country, promotion of oilseed production, and a policy of 100 per cent procurement of goods.

“Fishermen can now get interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh. It is expected that this will encourage them to grow their business. It will increase investment in the agricultural sector, creating new opportunities for agriculture and farmers. The MSME sector is important for young entrepreneurs. The decision to increase the loan limit and frequency criteria is important for them,” the Chief Minister said.

“Maharashtra is the capital of startups. A loan limit of Rs 20 crore has been set for startups. This will strengthen the startup ecosystem and generate employment opportunities. He expressed confidence that the state’s progress in this area will be even stronger,” he added.

“A new infrastructure policy is being prepared for the development of infrastructure projects. The state has also benefitted the most from the 50-year interest-free loan scheme for infrastructure projects and the state will be ahead in this Budget as well. Public-Private Partnership projects will encourage private sector investment, which will lead to huge employment generation,” CM Fadnavis said.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the Budget is an assurance that the dream of a developed India, envisioned by the country’s popular and accomplished Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will come true.

“The relief that the common working class has received in the Budget can only be described as unprecedented. With complete tax exemption on income up to Rs 12 lakh, the footsteps of Lakshmi will not remain unnoticed in every household. I congratulate Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting this Budget that will strengthen an all-round self-reliant India, and I also thank her on behalf of all the working people of Maharashtra,” he added.

“There is no doubt that the country’s progress graph will continue to rise as the three important sectors of education, health, and agriculture will benefit from the innovative provisions in the Budget. This is the roadmap for a strong India. These are auspicious signs that our country has started moving in the direction of prosperity under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,” said Deputy CM Shinde.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the Budget has laid the foundation for a developed India and it will take the country on the path of an economic superpower.

“In the Union Budget, income up to Rs 12 lakh has been exempted from tax, which is a big relief for crores of middle-class people. Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for providing substantial funds for infrastructure projects in Maharashtra from the Union Budget,” he added.

He also said, “Maharashtra is receiving a large development fund from the Union Budget and it will lay a strong foundation for infrastructure projects in the state boosting development. A Budget provides development opportunities to all sections of society — farmers, labourers, traders, entrepreneurs, women, students, and the common man at the centre.”

–IANS

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Election ‘fraud’: K’taka BJP to protest in Bengaluru on Aug 5 to counter Rahul Gandhi’s event

Bengaluru, Aug 2 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP has announced a counter-protest against the protest rally to be led by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in Bengaluru on August 5.

The Congress will stage a protest on August 5 in Bengaluru’s Freedom Park against the alleged voter fraud that has raised a national debate.

The BJP will stage a demonstration at the Mahatma Gandhi statue, dubbing the Congress party’s protest as an attempt to defame constitutional institutions. The party leaders will also submit a memorandum in this regard to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, Jagannath Bhavan, BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra announced that Rahul Gandhi has insulted the voters of the country and the state with his statement alleging electoral malpractice. In protest of his statement and anti-constitutional conduct, the BJP will hold a demonstration on August 5 at 10 a.m. near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in front of Vidhana Soudha.

Vijayendra stated that a memorandum would be submitted to the Governor after the protest. He accused Rahul Gandhi of planning to stage a political drama in Bengaluru on the same day, August 5.

He added that BJP MPs, MLAs, MLCs, former MPs, former MLAs, and former MLCs will participate in the protest.

“The objective is to inform the public about the Congress party’s double standards,” he said.

Vijayendra also alleged that, anticipating Rahul Gandhi’s visit, the state government demolished the compound wall and cut down trees at Freedom Park.

He demanded that Rahul Gandhi and the Chief Minister apologise to the people of the state.

Vijayendra accused the Congress of launching a new narrative in the state and the country, with senior leader Rahul Gandhi, whom he described as a “misguided missile” of the Congress, claiming that electoral fraud occurred in Karnataka and other states during the recent Lok Sabha elections and that the BJP misused the Election Commission.

The BJP leader alleged that Rahul Gandhi is in a state of confusion and, unable to cope with repeated defeats, has begun levelling baseless accusations against constitutional institutions. “Rahul Gandhi, who has failed to earn the trust of the people of this country, has now resorted to staging a deceptive political drama,” he said.

“Rahul Gandhi has stated that he has 100 per cent proof of electoral fraud. If he, along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar—who have echoed his statement—possess any proof of malpractice or misuse of the Election Commission, they should have submitted it to the High Court or the Supreme Court,” Vijayendra argued.

He accused them of trying to create confusion and unrest in the state and country and stated that Rahul Gandhi seems to have lost faith in democratic institutions.

“Rahul Gandhi is deeply frustrated. The consecutive defeats in the 2014, 2019, and 2024 Lok Sabha elections have shaken his confidence and his belief in his own leadership,” he mocked.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to power for the third consecutive time under the leadership of the BJP-led NDA. The nation is progressing under Narendra Modi Ji’s leadership. Rahul Gandhi is unable to digest this. He cannot bear to see Narendra Modi Ji as Prime Minister or accept the country’s progress under him. As a result, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are now acting against democracy and attacking the Election Commission,” he said.

“This is an attempt to mislead the people and drag the nation into chaos,” he warned, calling it a serious issue. Vijayendra asserted that Rahul Gandhi’s planned protest at Freedom Park on August 5 is not a cause for concern, but the Congress party’s behaviour is akin to a strangulation of democracy. “This is an anti-democratic move,” he criticised.

He accused the Congress of attempting to create a situation similar to the one during the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. “After losing in the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi again raised doubts over EVMs. After losing in the Maharashtra elections, he similarly accused the Election Commission but never produced any evidence,” he said.

Vijayendra termed Rahul Gandhi’s actions “anti-democratic and dangerous.”

He pointed out that the BJP-JD(S) alliance won 19 seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections. “D.K. Suresh lost in Bangalore Rural, and now D.K. Shivakumar claims there was malpractice. Our MP, P.C. Mohan, won in Bangalore Central. The Mahadevapura Assembly segment gave the highest lead. He is claiming that malpractice occurred there and in Rajajinagar. But weren’t your own officials in charge of election duties?” he questioned the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.

“Don’t you trust your own officers? Do you not have control over them?” he asked.

Former BJP National General Secretary and MLC C.T. Ravi, former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Rajya Sabha MP Lehar Singh, MP P.C. Mohan, and former MLC Y.A. Narayanaswamy were also present at the press conference.

–IANS

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Jammu-Srinagar national highway will be partially restored tomorrow: Union Minister

Jammu, April 22 (IANS) Union Minister and Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Jitendra Singh, said on Tuesday that the Jammu-Srinagar national highway is likely to be partially restored on Wednesday, and the relief operations for the flash flood-affected families in Ramban district were being carried out.

Dr Jitendra Singh said on X, “The relief operations are in full swing. Administration is doing its best despite the most unfavourable circumstances. DC Mr Baseer Choudhary is personally camping in the affected area. The electricity supply is being restored. Out of 1762 DTs, 1486 DTs have been restored and work on remaining 286 DTs is going on. As for water supply, out of 98, WSS 89 water supply schemes have been made functional and restoration work on remaining 9 schemes is going on.”

He said the National Highway is likely to be restored partially by Wednesday. “I plan to be personally at the district headquarter Ramban tomorrow to work out the further measures with administration,” he said.

For the third consecutive day on Tuesday, the Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed after the massive landslides. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) engineers said the highway is damaged at 22 locations and the restoration work is going on at full swing.

Landslides triggered by flash floods killed three people on Sunday in the Ramban district, while over 100 were rescued. Nearly 4 to 5 km of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was completely washed away, and the debris buried many vehicles under it.

Hundreds of passengers are stranded on the highway as authorities stepped in to provide shelter and food to the stranded passengers.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, braving adverse weather, reached Kali Morh on the highway on Monday to personally supervise the relief operation and assess the damage.

He said the damage was huge, but the disaster happened at a local level and as such, it cannot be declared as a ‘national disaster’.

The CM, however, assured that all possible relief and assistance would be provided to the affected families.

Former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has requested the Centre to step in with relief for the affected families.

Meanwhile, V.K. Bidhuri, divisional commissioner (Kashmir), has again appealed to people in the Valley not to indulge in panic buying as there are sufficient stocks of foodgrains and petroleum products to last for a fortnight. People have been mobbing filling stations across the Valley to buy petrol and diesel much beyond their daily requirement.

–IANS

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