End of no-detention policy: Students failing final exams in Classes 5, 8 will be retained in same grade

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) The Centre has sold 12.41 lakh tonne of ‘Bharat’ dals at subsidised prices to consumers to ease the burden of inflation on households, the government told the Parliament on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, B.L. Verma said in the Lok Sabha that 12.35 lakh tonnes of Bharat chana dal, 5,663.07 tonnes of Bharat moong dal, and 118 tonnes of Bharat masur dal have been sold at subsidised prices till now.

The government introduced Bharat dal in July 2023 by converting chana stock from the price stabilisation buffer into chana dal for retail sale to consumers at a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 60 per kg for 1 kg pack and Rs 55 per kg for 30 kg pack till September 30, 2024.

Bharat chana dal has been extended and expanded by allocating another 3 lakh tonnes of chana stock for retail sale in the form of chana dal and chana whole at MRP of Rs 70 per kg and Rs 58 per kg, respectively, the Minister said in a written reply.

The Bharat brand has also been extended to moong and masur dals.

Moong stock has been converted into moong dal (Dhuli) and moong sabut for retail sale under the Bharat brand at MRP of Rs 107 per kg and Rs 93 per kg, respectively. Bharat masur dal is sold at Rs 89 per kg, he said.

Bharat atta and Bharat rice were also launched on Nov 6, 2023, and February 6, 2024, respectively, to provide atta (wheat flour) and rice to general consumers at subsidised rates.

During Phase 1, Bharat atta and Bharat rice were sold at MRP of Rs 27.50 per kg and Rs 29 per kg, respectively, till June 30, 2024. In Phase 2, these products are now being sold at an MRP of Rs 30 per kg for Bharat atta and Rs 34 per kg for Bharat rice. A total of 15.20 LMT of Bharat atta and 14.58 LMT of Bharat rice were made available to consumers during Phase 1 until June 30, 2024. In current Phase 2, 2,952.25 MT of Bharat atta and 3,413.35 MT of Bharat rice have been sold to general consumers, the Minister also added.

Bharat brand of food items are distributed through own retail outlets and mobile vans of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), Kendriya Bhandar and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF), e-commerce platforms, and big chain retailers, Minister Verma said.

–IANS

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Lucknow, Dec 16 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, while addressing the Winter Session of the Assembly on Monday, accused the Opposition of turning a blind eye to violence against Hindus in Sambhal in the state. Yogi Adityanath stated that 209 Hindus have been killed in communal incidents in Sambhal since 1947.

Yogi Adityanath elaborated on the history of violence in the region, saying, “Riots started in Sambhal from 1947 itself. One person was killed in 1947, six more in 1948. Between 1958 and 1962, several riots took place, and five people were killed in 1976. In 1978, 184 Hindus were burnt alive in mass violence, leading to curfews lasting several months. Riots continued into the 1980s, which claimed more lives — one in 1980, one in 1982, and four in 1986. Violence persisted in 1990-1992, with five deaths, and in 1996, with two more deaths.”

He accused the Opposition of remaining silent during these incidents.

“Since 1947, 209 Hindus have been killed in Sambhal, but not a single word was spoken for the innocent victims. Those shedding crocodile tears today never stood for justice back then,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath also recounted the horrors of the 1978 riots, alleging that a Hindu moneylender who had provided loans to locals was targeted, along with others who had sought refuge in his home.

“They were surrounded, brutally attacked and murdered in the most inhuman ways. Yet, Opposition leaders dare to talk about harmony today,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath also pointed to Uttar Pradesh’s improved law and order situation under his government. Citing NCRB data, Yogi Adityanath said, “From 2017 onwards, there has been a 97–99 per cent reduction in communal riots in Uttar Pradesh. There have been no major riots in the state since 2017, unlike during the Samajwadi Party’s tenure from 2012 to 2017, when 815 communal riots occurred, leading to 192 deaths. Between 2007 and 2011, under the BSP’s rule, there were 616 communal incidents with 121 deaths.”

He also criticised Opposition parties for attempting to create tension over religious matters, particularly in Sambhal.

Referring to recent developments, he said, “On the court’s instructions, a survey was conducted peacefully in Sambhal on November 19, 21, and 24. However, tensions escalated on November 23, following provocative speeches delivered during Friday prayers. The atmosphere deteriorated after that.”

Responding to Leader of the Opposition, Yogi Adityanath said, “Even historical records like the Baburnama mention the destruction of a Harihar temple to build a structure. The Puranas also state that Sambhal will be the site of the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The survey, being conducted under the court’s direction, will reveal the truth.”

He also talked about the historical and cultural connections of the region, asserting, “Even today, many in Sambhal, including Pathans and Sheikhs, acknowledge that their ancestors were Hindus. This ongoing conflict is between Indian and foreign Muslims, this is a struggle for supremacy, not faith.”

CM Yogi accused the Opposition of trying to mislead the public. “The truth cannot be hidden forever. We have said that a judicial enquiry will be conducted and eventually the truth will come out,” he said.

–IANS

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Ranchi, Dec 11 (IANS) A huge political row has erupted in Jharkhand over the lathi-charge on protesting students in Hazaribagh. The students were demanding the cancellation of the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The controversy reverberated in the Jharkhand Assembly here on Wednesday, with Opposition leaders staging protests and calling for a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in the examination process.

Before the Assembly session began, AJSU party MLA, Nirmal Mahto, staged a dharna at the main gate of the Assembly. Representing the Mandu constituency, Mahto demanded a thorough CBI probe into the allegations of exam rigging and the use of force against the protesting students.

Expressing solidarity with the students, he asserted, “Demands were justified and an attempt is being made to suppress the voice of the students.”

Former Chief Minister and BJP MLA, Babulal Marandi, speaking to media persons in the Assembly premises, hit out at the administration for ordering the lathi-charge and called it “the last nail in the coffin” for the government.

He alleged, “The examination process was marred by irregularities, and despite students presenting evidence of malpractices, their grievances were not heard. There has to be a CBI investigation, the government must ensure justice for the students.”

In response, Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu accused the BJP of exploiting the students’ agitation for political gains.

“While protests are a democratic right, disrupting law and order is unacceptable. The government is willing to address the students’ issues but the BJP is using the movement to further its own political agenda,” he countered.

Meanwhile, JLKM (Jharkhand Loktantrik Kranti Morcha) MLA, Jairam Mahato strongly condemned the police action. Detailing the injuries sustained by students during the police action, he said, “Several students are suffering fractures in legs, hands, fingers. I will raise the issue in the House and support the students’ cause both inside and outside the Assembly.”

Mahato attacked the government for dismissing student protests as Opposition conspiracies. He urged the chief minister and ministers to engage directly with the students to resolve their concerns.

“I come from a student movement background, and I stand with them,” he asserted, adding that even leaders from his party were injured in the incident.

–IANS

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