Category: TOP STORIES

Kolkata, Jan 14 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday welcomed the Calcutta High Court order disposing of the petition filed by the Trinamool Congress accusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of collecting confidential party documents during the simultaneous raids and searches at the Indian Political Action Committee’s (I-PAC) office and at the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain on January 8.

The single-judge bench of Justice Suvra Ghosh, while disposing of the petition, accepted the ED’s submission that the central agency’s officials could not seize anything from the two premises during the operation.

In a statement posted on his official social media handle, BJP’s Information Technology Cell chief and the party’’s central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya described the High Court’s order as a major embarrassment for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“The Calcutta High Court has set aside Mamata Banerjee’s objection against the Enforcement Directorate, delivering a sharp rebuke to her blatant interference. After she brazenly barged into a live ED raid in a coal smuggling and money laundering case, attempting to browbeat central agencies on camera, the Chief Minister has now been firmly put in her place by the judiciary,” Malviya claimed in his social media statement.

Malviya also alleged that the Chief Minister’s actions during the raid exposed her contempt for the rule of law and desperation to shield corruption.

“Constitutional authorities cannot be intimidated by political theatrics, and the High Court has made that amply clear. Over to the Supreme Court now,” Malviya said.

On Wednesday, Justice Ghosh’s bench also adjourned hearing on the main petition filed by the ED accusing the Chief Minister of misusing her constitutional position by allegedly creating hindrances to the official duties of ED officials during the searches on January 8.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju sought an adjournment, stating that an ED petition in the same matter is pending before the Supreme Court.

At the time this report was filed, there was no reaction from the Trinamool Congress.

–IANS

src/pgh

New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) Pakistan’s Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES), published after a gap of six years, exposes the extreme level of poverty in the country with food-insecure households surging from 15.9 per cent in 2018 to 2019 to a staggering 24.4 per cent in 2024 to 2025, according to a report in the local media.

The HIES figures confirm Pakistan’s deepening human development crisis amid shrinking incomes, rising poverty, and widening inequality resulting from the prolonged spell of high inflation, according to a report in the Karachi-headquartered Business Recorder.

“Put simply, one in every four Pakistani families now struggles to meet basic nutritional needs. Nothing signals national distress more clearly than an empty kitchen,” the report stated.

Food insecurity in cities has also more than doubled to 20.6 per cent, while the rural rate, though still higher at 26.7 per cent, is rising more slowly.

Even those technically above the food insecurity line are eating less and eating worse. Per capita consumption of staples, from wheat and milk to poultry and eggs, has dropped. Households are now spending a larger share on cheap carbohydrates such as wheat and sugar, and less on quality proteins such as beef and mutton. This shift is ominous in a country already battling an epidemic of type-2 diabetes, the report further states,

Equally alarming is the plunge in educational spending. Average household expenditure on education has fallen from 4 per cent to just 2.5 per cent of total spending. The long-standing failure of public education left private schools to fill the gap. Now, even that escape route is narrowing, the report lamented.

It points out that behind these trends lies a broader breakdown in savings and investment. Real household income, measured in dollar terms, has fallen by 3.4 per cent over six years, while expenditures edged up by 4 per cent, shrinking household savings by an astonishing 66 per cent. With less to save, there is less to invest, and weaker investment means slower productivity growth.

“Pakistan’s economy, already skewed toward consumption, is consuming itself. That consumption, increasingly, depends on external lifelines. Remittances now account for 7.8 per cent of household income, up from 5 per cent in 2018 to 2019,” the report stated.

The structure of earnings is telling. Self-employment has shrunk from 24.7 per cent to 21.7 per cent, suggesting that small and micro enterprises, the backbone of any vibrant economy, are withering.

The share of wage employees has risen, but without the growth in productive jobs that might make this a healthy transition. The inequality embedded in these shifts is striking. Real income for the bottom quintile has collapsed by 45 per cent, compared to just a 6 per cent decline for the top.

The report states that while lives and livelihoods burn, the state builds underpasses and bridges to nowhere. Federal funds are flowing toward asphalt rather than opportunity, it said, noting that what Pakistan needs is not more concrete, but more capacity in its people, its institutions, and its shared sense of purpose.

Without a redirection of scarce public spending toward employment generation and inclusive growth, the road will, quite literally, lead nowhere, the report warned.

–IANS

sps/vd

Ahmedabad, Jan 14 (IANS) The festival of Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) unfolded with vibrant colours and soaring enthusiasm across Gujarat, as citizens filled terraces and open grounds to celebrate the tradition of kite flying. From Ahmedabad to Surat and Gandhinagar, the state’s top leaders stepped away from official responsibilities for a day and mingled with the public—participating in the festivities not as politicians, but as fellow kite lovers.

As skies across cities turned into a canvas of colourful kites, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel too picked up the manja and enjoyed the festival like any other citizen. Leaving behind the formalities of office, the CM joined residents in competitive kite flying, symbolising the people-first spirit with which he is widely regarded.

In Ahmedabad’s historic Dariapur area, the Chief Minister celebrated Makar Sankranti with the local community at Vadigam. CM Patel interacted warmly with residents, boosting the festive spirit in the bustling neighbourhood.

Extending wishes of happiness, peace and prosperity to all citizens, the CM said he prayed that “just as a kite rises to the heights of the sky, Gujarat too may continue to scale new heights of development.” His presence in the old city drew enthusiastic crowds and added a nostalgic charm to the celebrations.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister attended another major Uttarayan event organised by the Sahay Foundation at the Central Vista Ground in Gandhinagar. Patel inaugurated the festivities by releasing balloons into the sky before joining citizens in flying kites. Children gathered around him as he distributed traditional Mamra Laddus and Sesame Chikki, adding a sweet touch to the day’s celebrations.

The CM once again conveyed Makar Sankranti greetings, urging citizens to celebrate joyfully and responsibly. Elsewhere in Surat, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi celebrated Uttarayan with high energy on the rooftop of Revolut Residency on VIP Road.

Taking a break from his official duties, Sanghavi flew kites with family and friends, matching the enthusiasm of locals as DJ beats filled the air and shouts of “Kaipo Che!” echoed across the neighbourhood. The Deputy CM, known for his easy connect with the public, enjoyed the day like a true Surti—right from tying the kite thread to engaging in spirited patch fights. During the celebration, Sanghavi also delivered a strong message against narcotics, likening the cutting of rival kites to dismantling the drug mafia.

He reaffirmed that the state’s anti-drug campaign would continue with full force and urged people to refrain from using Chinese manja, protect birds, and celebrate safely. Residents of the society were visibly thrilled to see the minister celebrate the festival among them, sharing the rooftop excitement as an equal participant.

–IANS

janvi/uk

Bengaluru, Jan 14 (IANS) Reacting strongly to the alleged abuse of a senior woman Municipal Commissioner by a Congress leader in Chikkaballapur district, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy called up Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh seeking action regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, the BJP has urged the police to book the accused Congress leader under the provisions of the Goonda Act.

It can be noted that the purported audio of a Karnataka Congress leader from Chikkaballapur district abusing and threatening a woman Municipal Commissioner has stirred controversy.

The incident allegedly involves local Congress leader Rajeev Gowda. He is accused of hurling abuses and issuing death threats to Sidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda using derogatory language.

Rajeev Gowda is a KPCC state coordinator and the defeated candidate from the Sidlaghatta Assembly constituency.

Union Minister Kumaraswamy called Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and expressed anger over the incident and forwarded the purported audio clip to her.

He expressed disappointment that, as a woman herself, there appeared to be no protection for female officers working under her administration. He demanded the immediate arrest of the Congress leader involved.

“How can officers function if they are shouted at and abused like this?” he questioned

BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra stated, “The manner in which Congress leaders are behaving like rowdies reflects the true culture of that party. The Sidlaghatta Congress leader has not only committed an illegal act but has also behaved like an unruly thug towards a woman officer who was discharging her official duties, which is completely unacceptable.”

“The party cannot remain silent while intoxicated by power, leaders display arrogance towards common citizens and honest officers. The state government must immediately take strict action against such undisciplined leaders who resort to intimidation against a woman officer. Otherwise, the people themselves will take to the streets and teach an appropriate lesson,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, speaking to mediapersons, said the arrogance of Congress leaders has increased across the state. Their high-handed behaviour has crossed limits.

He demanded that the Chief Minister immediately arrest Rajeev Gowda.

He said that since Gowda openly spoke about taking the law into his own hands, he should be immediately arrested under the Goonda Act. Otherwise, the BJP would take the issue to the state level, he warned.

Questioning whether it is right for Congress leaders to indulge in such hooliganism, he said that sanitation workers have also staged a protest there following the abuse. The BJP will take up the issue on a priority basis, he said, alleging that law and order in the state has completely collapsed.

Narayanaswamy demanded that the Chief Secretary act immediately. He said the Chief Secretary should not dance to the tune of the government and reminded that the office has independent authority. When the government commits mistakes, it is the duty of senior officials to correct it and advise the government, he said, warning that if this is not done, the BJP may be compelled to launch a protest even against the Chief Secretary.

–IANS

mka/rad

Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), Jan 14 (IANS) At least three people, including two women, were killed and two others were injured in a powerful explosion that rocked Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh city on Wednesday evening, police officials said.

The blast occurred in Habib Nagar under the Barabazar TOP police station area at around 5 p.m., triggering panic in the densely populated locality as residents rushed out of their homes after hearing a loud explosion.

The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Saddam, son of Mohammad Yunus, his wife Nanhi Parveen, and Rashida, wife of Mohammad Mushtaq. All three were residents of Habib Nagar.

According to preliminary information, the victims were reportedly cleaning a plot of land near their house when a sudden and powerful explosion took place.

The intensity of the blast was such that people in the surrounding areas were terrified, and a large crowd soon gathered at the spot to see what happened.

Police and administrative teams rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information. The injured were taken to Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared three of them dead.

While police have confirmed the incident, the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear. Investigators are probing whether the blast was triggered by a pre-existing explosive device or due to some other reason.

As a precautionary measure, the area has been sealed off, and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team has been called in to collect evidence. Security has been tightened in the locality.

Jharkhand’s IG, Operations, and police spokesperson, Michaelraj S., said: “Three people, including a husband and wife and another woman, were killed in an explosion in Hazaribagh. The cause and nature of the explosion are being investigated. Police and forensic teams are at the scene.”

Police officials said the exact cause of the blast would be known only after the investigation is completed. Meanwhile, an atmosphere of fear prevails among local residents.

–IANS

snc/skp/vd

Lucknow, Jan 14 (IANS) In a major crackdown on one of Uttar Pradesh’s biggest recruitment exam scams, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday filed a supplementary chargesheet against 18 accused persons. These individuals include alleged mastermind Rajiv Nayan Mishra in the UP Police Constable Recruitment Exam–2023 paper leak case.

The chargesheet was filed before the Special Judge, CBI Court, Lucknow, designated as a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The ED investigation was initiated based on an FIR registered on March 6, 2024, by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) at Kanker Kheda police station in Meerut. During the probe, multiple other FIRs related to the same conspiracy—registered across different dates and police stations—were identified and clubbed with the investigation.

According to the ED, the accused persons hatched a well-organised criminal conspiracy to leak question papers of both the UP Police Constable Recruitment Examination–2023 (UPPCRE-2023) and the UP Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer Examination–2023 (RO/ARO Exam). The leaked papers were allegedly sold to candidates for hefty sums, who memorised the questions and answers before appearing in the exams conducted in February 2024.

Investigators further revealed that money generated from the RO/ARO exam paper leak was used to finance the UP Police Constable exam leak, exposing a layered and self-sustaining fraud network.

As part of the money laundering probe, the ED identified assets worth Rs 1.02 crore as Proceeds of Crime (POC) and attached them through a Provisional Attachment Order dated August 6, 2024, which was later confirmed by the PMLA Adjudicating Authority, New Delhi.

Earlier, Ravi Attri and Subhash Prakash had been arrested by the agency. They were arrested on November 18, 2024. A chargesheet against seven accused, including these two, was filed on January 10, 2025, and the court has already taken cognisance. The case is currently under trial.

The ED stated that further investigation is being conducted. The agency has indicated that more disclosures and legal action may follow in the sprawling exam scam that rocked the state’s recruitment system.

–IANS

brt/uk

Bengaluru, Jan 14 (IANS) Purported audio clips of a Karnataka Congress leader from Chikkaballapur district allegedly abusing and threatening a woman Municipal Commissioner have triggered outrage and raised serious concerns in the state on Wednesday.

The controversy, arising out of the removal of a banner, has proved to be a major embarrassment for the ruling party.

It may be recalled that a clash between BJP and Congress workers in Ballari over a banner recently resulted in the death of a Congress worker. Even before the Congress-led government could recover from that incident, a fresh case of alleged misconduct by a Congress leader against a senior woman officer has triggered widespread anger.

The incident allegedly involves local Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, who is accused of hurling abuses and issuing threats to Sidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda over the phone.

Rajeev Gowda is a KPCC state coordinator and the defeated Congress candidate from the Sidlaghatta Assembly constituency.

According to the allegations, Gowda was enraged over the removal of an illegally-installed banner from the middle of the road and threatened the Commissioner in abusive language. The Municipal Commissioner has filed a complaint stating that the threats were issued after municipal authorities removed the unauthorised banner.

As per the complaint, during the phone conversation, Rajeev Gowda allegedly issued serious threats, stating: “I will set you on fire, beat you with slippers, and incite riots.”

In the first purported audio clip, Gowda is allegedly heard asking the Municipal Commissioner: “Did you order the removal of the banner? If the banner is removed, I will come there and set it on fire. Who removed it? He must reinstall it. Otherwise, I will show who I am.”

At this point, the woman officer, addressing him as “sir”, asks him to mind his language while speaking about officials. She explains that the banner was removed following an accident and has been kept at the office.

Gowda is then allegedly heard saying: “I won’t remain human if I come there. Everyone will be chased out of this taluk.”

The officer asks him to listen and informs him that no permission was taken for the banner and that it was installed illegally. This reportedly angers Gowda further, and he allegedly says that if he decides, no one will be able to work even for a second. The officer again asks him not to use abusive language.

Gowda is also allegedly heard saying that people will beat officers with slippers and that he will show it by coming with people from all wards.

In another purported audio clip, Gowda is allegedly heard telling the officer: “If you disconnect the call, you will face consequences. I know what is happening. I am quiet only because someone from my community is there. I am being patient. If you do not reinstall the banner, you will regret it. There are issues in every ward. I will come with people, stage a dharna, and you will have to run out of this region.”

He further allegedly says: “I am not my father’s son if I do not do this. I will show you what responsibility is. I thought you belonged to my caste and stayed quiet, but you are trying to act smart. I will show you what your responsibility is.”

He is also allegedly heard saying: “If any banner is found installed without permission, I will get you beaten up.” The officer counters him by asking what he means by getting them beaten up.

The issue has sparked a major political controversy in the state, with the BJP demanding the arrest of Rajeev Gowda under the Goonda Act.

–IANS

mka/pgh

Pune, Jan 14 (IANS) In a sensational claim that has stirred Maharashtra’s political circles, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar has accused the previous BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government of inflating the cost of an irrigation project by Rs 110 crore to collect “party funds.”

The allegations come at a time when the NCP is contesting municipal elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad independently, leading to a direct face-off with its state-level ally, the BJP.

Speaking at a press conference in Pune, Ajit Pawar claimed that before the NCP came to power in 1999, the then-government had significantly hiked project costs.

Talking about the Purandar Lift Irrigation scheme, he said, “The Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) was under my jurisdiction. I still have the records.”

“The Purandar scheme was originally estimated at a certain amount, but when I took over, I found the cost had escalated to Rs 330 crore. When I questioned officials about how the cost jumped by Rs 110 crore, they told me that Rs 100 crore was added because ‘party funds’ were required, and officials added another Rs 10 crore on top of that.”

Deputy CM Pawar further asserted that he had cancelled the inflated scheme at the time.

“I have the signed documents as evidence. If I had released these files earlier, it would have caused a massive stir because the signatures are right there,” he added.

The timing of these remarks is significant as NCP is currently in a bitter struggle for dominance in the Pune region against both NCP (SP) and the BJP.

Earlier in the week, Pawar had also targeted the BJP by reminding the public that those who once accused him of a “Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam” are now sitting in power with him.

DCM Pawar’s latest “bomb” is seen as a direct hit on his current cabinet colleagues, as a BJP leader held the Irrigation Department in the 1990s. However, the BJP has reacted sharply to the allegations.

Revenue Minister and former state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule questioned Pawar’s silence for the last 25 years. “We have an agreement that, despite political differences, there should be no personal malice. We don’t understand why Ajit Pawar is acting this way,” Minister Bawankule said.

“Pawar is a senior leader, and we did not expect this from him. If he had these files and evidence in 1999, why did he stay silent until now? He should have disclosed this back then,” Bawankule said.

Minister Bawankule suggested that Pawar’s outbursts might be a result of “negative feedback” regarding the NCP’s prospects in the upcoming Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections.

–IANS

sj/svn

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 14 (IANS) Three-time legislator Ayisha Potty has strongly countered the CPI(M)’s criticism branding her a “class traitor” following her decision to join the Congress, questioning what she called the party’s selective use of labels.

It was on Tuesday that Potty was officially given membership of the Congress party.

She asked whether the same term was applied to leaders such as P. Sarin and Shobhana George, who had earlier moved from the Congress to the CPI(M).

Responding to allegations of betrayal, Potty accused Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal of failing to complete even the development projects she had initiated during her tenure.

She said several of the programmes she conceptualised were either stalled or left unfinished, despite her repeatedly raising the issue with the minister.

“When someone works sincerely and completes responsibilities entrusted by the party on three occasions, and is later told there is no space left, how else should that be described?” she asked.

Incidentally Potty is a three time legislator from Kottarakara starting from 2006 and in 2021 she was not given a renomination and in her place Balagopal was given the seat and he went on to become the Finance Minister.

She also stated that she was deliberately excluded from programmes she herself had launched, and that this marginalisation was now being described as ideological betrayal.

Potty said the CPI(M) should allow individuals the freedom to express grievances openly within the party.

The CPI(M), however, rejected her claims and accused her of being driven by political ambition.

Party General Secretary M.A. Baby said Potty had been given ample opportunities, pointing out that she had served as an MLA three times and as District Panchayat President.

“The claim that she was sidelined has no basis,” he said, adding that her decision to leave the party did not command respect.

He also stated that her exit would not have any significant impact on Kottarakkara or the broader electoral outcome in Kollam district.

Meanwhile, the Congress has moved swiftly to project Potty as a key asset in Kottarakkara.

Party leaders believe her popularity among women and various community organisations, combined with the Congress’ traditional vote base, could tilt the balance in a constituency the UDF has not won in nearly two decades.

–IANS

sg/rad