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Bengaluru: IT employees’ union protests before labour commission against unfair mass layoffs, demotions by IT companies exempt from labour laws

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: IT employees’ union protests before labour commission against unfair mass layoffs, demotions by IT companies exempt from labour laws

In India’s tech capital Bengaluru, employees of the IT/ITeS firms gathered under the flag of the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) to stage a protest march in front of the Karmika Bhavana, the office of the state labour commission on Saturday, March 16.

The employees of the IT/ITeS firms demanded that the exemption given to IT/ITeS companies under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act by the Karnataka state government should be ended. They complained that the IT/ITeS firms are engaging in unfair practices harming the rights of employees because of the state exemption granted to them from the labour laws.

Meeting the labour commissioner, KITU president VJK Nair and general secretary Sooraj Nidiyanga submitted a memorandum stating their demands.

“The IT/ITeS Sector, which employs more than 20 lakh workers in Karnataka, has obtained exemption from the applicability of the IE(SO) Act on more than four occasions. The last exemption was granted on May 25, 2019, and is set to expire by May 25, 2024,” VJK Nair was quoted by Moneycontrol.

KITU, which is a registered union in Karnataka state, stated that taking undue advantage of the exemption under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, IT and ITeS firms in Karnataka have not complied with the conditions imposed on them while obtaining the exemption.

KITU highlighted the non-compliance of the IT/ITeS firms on the major conditions required as per law.

VJK Nair stated that many IT/ITeS firms in the state:

  • Have not constituted Internal Committees as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act 2013.
  • Have not constituted Grievance Redressal Committee as mandated by the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act.
  • Have not made it a practice to inform the labor department regarding cases of disciplinary action, termination, dismissal, or demotion

KITU stated that thousands of employees in the IT/ITeS industry are discharged without notice or inquiry, and sometimes laid off en masse in blatant violation of labour laws.

“KITU asserts that the regulations of conditions of service governing the IT/ITeS/knowledge-based industries shall be defined precisely with the participation of employers and employees in the process. This can only be achieved by ending the exemption and invoking the provisions of the IE(SO) Act, and suitably adapting it to the requirements of the IT/ITeS/Knowledge Industry”, general secretary Sooraj Nidiyanga was quoted by Moneycontrol.

KITU has also filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the exemption granted to the IT/ITeS industry from the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act.

As per government estimates, over 18 lakh people are employed by IT firms across the state. Under existing state government orders IT/ITeS, BPO, and KPO companies are exempt from many labour laws.

Mumbai: Rahul Gandhi distorts Hinduism again, says he wants to fight against Shakti to defeat BJP while concluding his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai: Rahul Gandhi distorts Hinduism again, says he wants to fight against Shakti to defeat BJP while concluding his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

On Sunday (17th March), Congress scion Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ concluded with a rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, which came a day after the Lok Sabha elections were announced.

Referring to Hinduism, he spoke about Shakti (losely translates to energy) and attributed the word to the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul Gandhi said that he wants to fight this Shakti.

​Notably, Shakti is considered to be The Divine Feminine which is the energy present in all beings. In Hinduism, there is no concept of fighting against Shakti, instead, Shakti is what helps fight against evil.

“There is a word ‘Shakti’ in Hinduism. We are fighting against a Shakti. The question is, what is that Shakti? The soul of the King is in the EVM. This true. The soul of the King in the EVM and every institution of the country, in ED, CBI and Income Tax department. A senior leader from Maharashtra left Congress and cried in front of my mother and said ‘Sonia ji, I am ashamed that I don’t have the power to fight this Shakti. I do not want to go to jail.’ Thousands of people have been threatened like this,” Rahul Gandhi said in a shocking distortion of the meaning and value of the concept of Shakti.

He added, “What do you think? People left Shiv Sena and the NCP just like that? No. The Shakti I am talking about grabbed them by their throats and turned towards the BJP. And all of them have gone there out of fear.”

Netizens have been calling out Rahul Gandhi for this bizarre interpretation. The BJP too has called out the INDI bloc’s repeated insult to Hinduism.

Taking to X, BJP leader Amit Malviya wrote, “After DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin called for the annihilation of Sanatan Dharma, it is now Rahul Gandhi’s turn to denigrate Shakti. Maa Durga embodies the diverse aspects of Shakti, or power, known by various names like Sati, Parvati, Uma, Durga, Kali, Gauri, Tripura Sundari, Shivangi, Mahadevi, and more. She is considered the primal power (adi shakti) of the Lord, responsible for creation, sustenance, and destruction. As the creative power (shrishti shakti) of Brahma, the sustaining power (paalan shakti) of Vishnu, and the destruction force (samhaar shakti) of Lord Shiva, she is revered as the mother figure in Hindu belief. Shakti also signifies women empowerment.”

“But Rahul Gandhi speaks of fighting Shakti. He is not just Hinduphobic but also a misogynist. This is the true character of Congress led I.N.D.I Alliance,” Malviya wrote.

Sanjeev Sanyal wrote, “List of those who have fought Shakti before – Shumbha, Nishumbha, Raktabeeja, Chanda, Munda, Mahishasura and……,” as he linked Rahul Gandhi’s address in his tweet.

X user SubbuS wrote, “You don’t fight against Shakti in Hinduism, you fight against evil with Shakti on your side. Don’t learn Hinduism from missionaries!”

Another X handle The Bulls Head posted, “Shakti means Durga. Does he realise what he is talking about? Is he fighting against Shakti? Fir bolega kyu jeet nahi rahe. (He will ask later why he is not winning.)”

Satyanarayan Rao Adiraju posted, “For the benefit of those who missed the Gems of Rahul, the Yuvraj of the Congress said in Mumbai that there is something called Shakti in Hinduism and his fight is not against Narendra Modi or the BJP but against that Shakti. Poor chap seems to be unaware that Narendra Modi is the Upasak of that Shakti and no power in the universe can defeat Shakti because Shakti is that form of Kali, Durga and Uma to which even the Hindu Trinity pray. That’s the power given to Nari Shakti in the Sanatana Dharma and Congress says it’s fight is against that Shakti of Hinduism.”

He added, “Now even a small kid in following Sanatana Dharma knows who stands against Shakti and what was the fate of the Rakshasas who stood against Shakti with an illusion to defeat and in the process they got annihilated. This looks to be a statement to please his dear friend Stalin who was not only present in the dias but also gave him a warm hug and probably the Yuvraj of Congress wanted to please the as the Yuvraj of DMK who said Santana Dharma is like Aids and Leprosy which needs to be eradicated. So it’s for the wise voters to decide if they wish to give a vote in favour of those with whom the blessings and power of Shakti stand or in favour of those who are standing against Shakti.”

Another X user ChronicallyCritical wrote, “Why does this man talk about Hinduism when he knows nothing. From ridiculously using “pandavs” to criticise GST & demonetisation to now “fighting against Shakti.” “Shakti” is the feminine generative power, the consort of bhagwan Shiva, in sanatana. This man is a disgrace.”

Punita Toraskar posted, “Rahul Gandhi, in Hinduism, it is said that without Shakti even Shiva becomes Shava. In 2014 you were harping about women’s empowerment and today you say this. Your HATE for HINDUS is going to consume you SOONER not LATER.”

When a Christian priest already told Rahul Gandhi that Shakti is not a real deity

Rahul Gandhi held the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 2023. During this Yatra, he met a controversial Catholic priest George Ponnaiah in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. A video clip of his conversation with the pastor had gone viral at the time. In this clip, the pastor was seen preaching Christianity to Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi asked George Ponnaiah, “Jesus Christ is a form of God? Is that right?” To this, the priest answered, “He is the real God. God reveals him(self) as a man, a real person…not like Shakti…so we see a human person.” Now Rahul Gandhi has used the Hindu concept of Shakti to put forth as a negative attribute to the central government and PM Narendra Modi, and said that he is fighting against the Shakti.

This is just one example of the several times that Rahul Gandhi has made bizarre, distorted and insulting statements against Hinduism.

Vladimir Putin wins a fifth term as Russia’s President, gets 87% votes in elections

ANI
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Vladimir Putin wins a fifth term as Russia’s President, gets 87% votes in elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin won the presidential elections, receiving 87.17% of the votes based on the result of processing 70% of the electoral protocols, Russia-based TASS reported, citing data from the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation candidate Nikolai Kharitonov secured the second spot with 4.1% of the votes while New People Party candidate Vladislav Davankov stood third with 4.8% votes.

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) candidate, Leonid Slutsky, received a mere 3.15% of the votes counted.

According to preliminary data as of 6 pm (Moscow time) on Sunday, the voter turnout in the presidential elections, which for the first time took place over three days from March 15-17, stood at 74.22%. Voter turnout for the elections held in 2018 was 67.54 per cent.

Putin received more votes in comparison to the 2018 elections where he bagged 76.69% of the total votes counted. The performance of the other candidates was lower than that of the previous competitors of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018, according to reports.

In 2018, Pavel Grudinin, who was the candidate for the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, received 11.77% of the votes while LDPR candidate Vladimir Zhirinovsky (LDPR) bagged 5.65% votes.

All three parties that nominated candidates for the 2024 elections can count on receiving funds from the federal budget, TASS reported, adding that as per law, all parties have the right to funding even if their candidate vying for the post of head of state overcomes the 3% barrier. For each vote, the party will receive 152 Roubles, the report noted.

This was the first time, remote electronic voting was used for the presidential elections in Russia. Residents used the federal platform in 28 regions while people in Moscow cast votes on their own platform.

The final turnout for online voting on the federal platform stood at 94%, meaning that 4.4 million people cast their votes online. In Moscow, almost 3.7 million electronic ballots were issued, including voters who used special terminals at polling stations.

According to the results of remote electronic voting on the federal platform, Putin secured the first spot with 87.41% of the votes while Davankov stood in second place with 6.28 votes. Slutsky followed at 3.75% while Kharitonov received just 2.56% of the votes counted.

Putin won with 89.1% of the votes in Moscow followed by Davankov in second place with 4.4%. Kharitonov and Slutsky were in the third and fourth spots with 3.3% and 3.2% votes respectively.

Putin also secured handsome wins in Donbas and Novorossiya by huge margins. He also posted wins in areas of Ukraine such as Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk, TASS reported.

Based on the results of processing 100% of the protocols, Putin received 88.12% of the votes in the Kherson region, 88.12% votes in Zaporizhzhia, 94.12% votes in the Luhansk People’s Republic, and 95.23% votes in the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to TASS.

Putin arrived at his election headquarters and expressed gratitude to his staff while stressing that Russia must become “even stronger and more effective”. He also thanked the people of Russia who voted while acknowledging the involvement of those in the ongoing military operations against Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters, Putin said the tasks in his new term include the solution of problems within the framework of the Northern Military District and strengthening the country’s defence capability. He stressed that the actions of the Russian military were more than active defence, according to TASS.

Kharitonov said observers from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation did not record any serious violations during the elections, the state agency reported, adding that Slutsky, too, said there were no significant violations and called the incidents reported by the LDPR “very minor rough edges”.

Davankov said he was pleased to take second place according to the results of remote electronic voting, the agency reported.

Putin has served four terms as Russian President. He was first elected President in 2000 and again in 2004, 2012, and 2018.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Bangladesh: Mob led by Sohail attacks Hindu man for keeping his shop open during Ramazan, victim injured with sharp weapon

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Mob led by Sohail attacks Hindu man for keeping his shop open during Ramazan, victim injured with sharp weapon

On Friday (15th March), Islamists attacked a Hindu man named Rajiv Kumar Dey for keeping his shop open during the daytime in the month of Ramzan. The incident took place in Sylhet city of Bangladesh.

As per reports, the accused was identified as Sohail Hassan. He is said to be a member of the Chhatra League (the student wing of the Sheikh Hasina-led-Awami League government).

The victim ran a small shop near the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH). Rajiv Kumar Dey was asked to pay chada (money) by Sohail Hassan and his accomplice from the start of Ramzan but he refused to give in to their demands.

Injured Rajiv Kumar Dey lying on hospital bed, image via Sylhet Today 24

The victim continued to run his business but put up a curtain outside his shop for the sake of Roja (fasting observed by Muslims during Ramzan). He said that he wanted to cater to the Hindu patients who visited the nearby hospital during the daytime.

In the evenings, Rajiv Kumar Dey would also sell iftari (food consumed during iftar) to his Muslim customers. On Friday (15th March) afternoon, Sohail Hassan and his accomplice went to the victim’s shop and accused him of hurting religious sentiments during Ramzan.

They also told him that a Hindu man could not sell iftari to Muslims. The Islamists then attacked Rajiv Kumar Dey with a sharp weapon and vandalised his shop.

The victim was later admitted to the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. The brutal attack resulted in 18 stitches on his head. During the unprovoked attack, Sohail and his men also looted the cashbox.

“They broke my cashbox and took money,” the victim lamented. His employee at the shop was also hurt during the attack. On learning about the matter, a police team lead by Officer-in-charge (OC) Mohammad Moinuddin reached the crime scene. A police case has not been registered so far in connection to the case.

This is however not the first time that a member of the Chhatra League has resorted to persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. In January this year, it came to light that the convenor of the Chhatra League at the Kachua Government Bangabandhu Degree College, Ibrahim Miya, usurped the land of a Hindu family in the Basabaria village of Bangladesh.

Gujarat University clash: Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests 2 persons after Namaz row between foreign students and locals turns violent

ANI
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Gujarat University clash: Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests 2 persons after Namaz row between foreign students and locals turns violent

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested two accused persons in connection with the attack on some overseas students at Gujarat University Hostel.

“In the incident that took place in the Gujarat University yesterday at 10.30 pm, an FIR was registered against a group of 20-25 people. Nine teams were formed to nab the accused…,” Zone 7 Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Tarun Duggal said in a statement on Sunday.

“Two of those accused have been arrested. They have been identified as Hitesh Mewada and Bharat Patel. Search operations to arrest the remaining accused are underway,” the DCP added.

The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, he said adding that those arrested will be handed over to the Gujarat University Police Station for further investigation.

Earlier, on Saturday, as many as unidentified 20-25 people allegedly attacked a group of foreign students, pelted stones and vandalised hostel rooms in the hostel premises of Gujarat University in Ahmedabad while they were offering Namaz.

Describing details of the incident, Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police, GS Malik, said around 300 foreign students study at Gujarat University and around 75 of them stay in the A Block of the hostel.

“Yesterday, around 10.30 pm, a group of students were offering Namaz. Around 20-25 people came and asked them why they were offering Namaz there, adding that they should, instead, do it in a masjid. An argument broke out between them, stones were pelted and their rooms were vandalised by the people who came from outside,” the commissioner said.

“Police took swift action and FIR was registered against 20-25 people. Action will be taken against those involved in the incident. One of these outsiders has been identified. The law and order situation is under control now. Two injured students from Sri Lanka and Tajikistan have been admitted to the hospital,” he added.

The Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, Neerja Arun Gupta, said an FIR has been registered in the matter and the police and the government have taken a serious note of the incident.

“Last night, around 10.30 pm, an incident took place in the hostel where our foreign students stay. Around 300 overseas students study here and 75 of them stay in the hostel’s A block, which is dedicated to foreign students. There was a clash between two groups after which, the issue escalated. Some foreign students were injured. An FIR has been registered. The police and the government have taken serious note of the matter and an investigation is underway. Some videos of the attack have gone viral and the police are in the process of probing what led to the incident,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed that it was in touch with the Gujarat government over the incident.

“The state government is taking strict action against the perpetrators and two foreign students were injured in the clash,” the MEA said in a post on X.

“An incidence of violence took place at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad yesterday. The state government is taking strict action against the perpetrators. Two foreign students were injured in the clash. One of them has been discharged from hospital after receiving medical attention. MEA is in touch with the Gujarat Government,” the MEA’s official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, posted on X. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Lawyer files complaint against Alt News co-founder Md Zubair for ‘spreading misinformation and inciting communal unrest’ over the Gujarat University incident

OpIndia Staff
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Lawyer files complaint against Alt News co-founder Md Zubair for ‘spreading misinformation and inciting communal unrest’ over the Gujarat University incident

On Sunday (17th March), advocate Chandni Shah wrote a complaint letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner seeking legal action against Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair “for spreading misinformation and inciting communal unrest”. Shah has alleged that Zubair attempted to incite communal unrest by deliberate dissemination of misinformation and incomplete facts concerning the Gujarat University clash over namaz in a public place.

Taking to X, advocate Shah shared the complaint letter e-mailed to the Delhi Police Commissioner urging the Police to file an FIR under various sections including 295A in connection with the Namaz row incident in Gujarat University involving foreign students. 

She tweeted, “Filed a complaint with @CPDelhi, @DelhiPolice against Md. Zubair @zoo_bear for attempt to incite communal unrest by deliberate dissemination of misinformation and incomplete facts. At such times when the country is preparing for the Loksabha Elections and is already fighting with misinformation being spread on CAA, we cannot afford another misinformation that has the potential to create communal unrest in any part or whole of the country. #ArrestZubair” 

Content of the complaint letter

In the four-page complaint letter to Delhi CP, the lawyer has sought an “urgent complaint against Mr. Mohammed Zubair for spreading misinformation and inciting communal unrest.”

Advocate Chandni Shah states, “I…hereby lodge a formal complaint against Mr. Mohammed Zubair (@Zoo_bear on “X”) who claims to be an Independent Fact Checker and runs a portal called ALT NEWS, for the deliberate dissemination of misinformation through social media that could potentially incite communal unrest and affect the public order, especially with the impending Lok Sabha Elections.” 

Explaining the context of her complaint, Shah refers to Zubair’s 17th March 2024 post on X in which he wrote – 

“A Student from Afghanistan while speaking to a journalist from @NewsCapitalGJ says, ‘15 Muslim students were praying Namaz inside the Hostal premise in A-Block. Three persons came and asked them not to offer Namaz. After completing their prayers, When the students asked what’s their problem with Namaz, The goons asked them to chant religious slogans and left, After sometime, They came back with at least 200-250 people, pelted stones at them, they were carrying knife and sticks, They pelted stones, broke our bikes, laptops, phones, AC, sound system etc.. Many students are injured but 5-6 students are admitted in hospital, 2 from Africa, 1 from Bangladesh, 1 from Srilanka, 1 from Uzbekistan and 1 from Afghanistan’. When asked if they complained to police, The student responds, ‘No we did not, The police was already here, Thry allowed the goons to go, They did not stop them, Whats the use of complaining, We are not safe here, We request Gujarat University to shift us to a safe place. #Gujarat University. (sic)”

The complaint letter stated that Zubair’s post incorrectly depicted the incident involving a group of students at Gujarat University. This tweet is not only inaccurate but also seemingly intended to provoke communal disharmony, it alleged.

Advocate Shah, as per the complaint letter, has attached video evidence that clearly contradicts the narrative presented by Mr. Zubair. It states that the videos showcase the actual series of events without any form of bias or incitement. 

“The video clearly shows that one of the student who was offering Namaz, stood up and committed an act of violence by slapping the student who can be seen asking the security/warden if it was the right place to offer Namaz. The incidents that followed was the reciprocation of this act of violence initiated by one of the students offering Namaaz. But Mr. Zubair, intentionally hid this information to paint this incident with a communal color,” the complaint letter reads. 

Citing the legal Grounds for the Complaint, Advocate Shah writes, “Mr. Zubair, who is followed by 1 Million people on X and has enough influence to incite communal unrest, his above-mentioned act falls under various sections of the IPC and IT Act, for which I seek legal action.” 

The complainant has sought legal action against Alt News’ Zubair under IPC Sections 

153A, 295A, 504, 505 and Section 66A of the IT Act. 

Through her complaint letter against Zubair, advocate Shah has urged the Delhi Police to –

1. Conduct an expedited investigation into this matter.

2. Compel a retraction and public apology from Mr. Mohammed Zubair.

3. Initiate legal proceedings in accordance with the aforementioned sections of the IPC and IT Act.

It notes that the prompt and resolute handling of the complaint will not only serve justice but will also prevent the erosion of communal harmony and public trust.

The Gujarat University Namaz Row incident 

On Saturday (16th March), a confrontation erupted between foreign and local students at the Gujarat University hostel, resulting in damages to laptops, AC units, and other items in room number 23 of the ‘A’ block, as well as to vehicles parked outside. The incident occurred around 10 PM. A police report was filed today at 12:45 AM, based on the complaint filed by the security personnel responsible for the Gujarat University hostel.

Approximately 300 foreign students, hailing from countries such as Afghanistan, Africa, Sri Lanka, and others, reside in the Gujarat University hostel. Among them, 75 are accommodated in the ‘A’ block. On 16th March, some of these students were offering Namaz in an open area in the hostel ground. A group of around 25 Hindu youths questioned their choice of location, stating that the ground was a public place and that it was neither a mosque nor a madrasa. In response to this, one Afghan student identified as Harun Afghani rushed forward and slapped a Hindu youth. This altercation quickly escalated into a clash.

Stones were pelted and rooms were vandalised during the clashes, resulting in damages to items and injury to some students.

Investigations have revealed that recently, a wall and stage were unlawfully utilised as an open mosque by foreign students. Arabic script reading ‘Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim’ (In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) was written on the wall, where Namaz was performed by foreign students in groups five times a day.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the external affairs ministry said that the government of Gujarat has initiated strict action against the perpetrators who engaged in an incident of violence at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad on Saturday. So far, Police have reportedly booked around 20 people and arrested 2 persons in this case. 

Odisha: 2 brothers arrested for impersonating ED officers and extorting money from government officials

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha: 2 brothers arrested for impersonating ED officers and extorting money from government officials

On Sunday (17th March), the Police officials in Odisha stated that they arrested two brothers in Dhenkenal district for allegedly posing as Enforcement Directorate officers, and extorting money from government officials. They have been arrested based on a complaint lodged by Chhatrapur sub-collector Debadatta Mohanta. 

The Police added that the two accused identified as Tarinisen Mohapatra (30) and Brahmashankar Mohapatra (27) were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the state police from their home in Dhenkanal town on Saturday (16th March). 

According to reports, the accused duo, posing as ED officers, used to take payments through PhonePe and GPay to clear government officers from “charges” levied against them. For this purpose, they used to issue fake “clearance letters” to the officers. 

The officials stated that the brothers borrowed a huge amount of money and were not able to repay the lenders following which they hatched a plan to cheat government employees. 

According to reports, they posed as “Additional Director of ED Bhubaneswar” and contacted about 300 officers of different government departments of the state over the phone. The accused duo succeeded in extorting money from some of the officers. 

“They succeeded in extorting money from some of the officers, and in total payments of more than Rs 16 lakh have been traced. They used to take payments through PhonePe and GPay, and issued fake ‘clearance letters’ to the officers, clearing them of all ‘charges’,” the official said.

An STF officer said that the accused duo was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Chhatrapur sub-collector Debadatta Mohanta. He added that a laptop, a desktop, five mobile phones, bank passbooks and chequebooks, fake ID cards, and 17 ATM cards were seized from them. Further investigation into the case is underway. 

Earlier in February this year, a similar case came to light from Tamil Nadu where five people were arrested for impersonating ED officials, conducting a fake raid at a businessman’s office, and looting Rs 1.69 crore. The culprits had also taken away 

two luxury cars and a couple of costly mobile phones with them in the fake raids. The accused were identified as Vijay Karthick (37), Narendra Nath (45), Rajasekar (39), Loganathan (41), Gopinath (46).

They were arrested based on the complaint filed by a person named Anguraj and his partner Durai in Tiruppur. 

Adani Group to invest ₹1.2 lakh crore in FY 2024-25 through 11 companies, 70% to be in green businesses

ANI
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Adani Group to invest ₹1.2 lakh crore in FY 2024-25 through 11 companies, 70% to be in green businesses

Adani Group plans to invest USD 14 billion (Rs 1.2 lakh crore) in 2024-25 financial year through its portfolio of 11 listed companies, in developing the country’s infrastructure, according to sources.

The projected capital expenditure is 40 per cent higher than its it invested in the current financial year 2023-24, which is estimated at USD 10 billion.

India’s largest infrastructure conglomerate with showcase projects like Navi Mumbai Airport, Ganga Expressway, world’s largest renewable park at Khavda and Mundra Port has committed a USD 100 billion investment over the next 7-10 years.

This investment is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming India’s energy and transportation landscape.

With strong emphasis on green energy transition, it will be allocating more than 70 per cent of this USD 100 billion to its green businesses including renewable power, green hydrogen, green evacuation transmission lines, the sources said.

The conglomerate is building world’s largest renewable park at Khavda, Gujarat, spanning over 530+ square km area.

A large portion of total investments is earmarked for expansion and development of its fast-growing airports business and ports business, the sources added.

With a portfolio boasting 8 airports including the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport and 14 domestic ports, Adani Group wants to further solidify its presence in these sectors.

In the December quarter, it reported record quarterly EBITDA growth of 63.6 per cent year-on-year, taking its twelve-month EBITDA to all time high of USD 9.5 billion (Rs 78,823 crore) in calendar year 2023, led by its investments in previous years.

The net debt to EBITDA at the end of September was 2.5x, which is expected to further reduce by end of 2023-24, due to strong growth.

With higher investments, it is setting stage for an exponential growth in the coming years, said one of the sources.

In a media statement released in February, the group said that increasing cashflows and its robust credit profile has set stage for unrivalled ‘Green Investment.’

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

DMK tries to justify ₹509 crore received from Future Gaming in Electoral Bonds, offers ‘logic’ originally offered by The News Minute editor, here is why that doesn’t cut the ice

Paurush Gupta
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DMK tries to justify ₹509 crore received from Future Gaming in Electoral Bonds, offers ‘logic’ originally offered by The News Minute editor, here is why that doesn’t cut the ice

Hours after fresh data published by the Election Commission revealed that DMK received Electoral Bonds worth Rs 509 crore from Santiago Martin’s Future Gaming, the party responded quickly to claim innocence. 

In a bid to justify the donation that created a political furore and basis for speculative allegations by the opposition against the BJP, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai argued that the ruling political party in Tamil Nadu doesn’t control probing agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), or the Income Tax Department. 

On Sunday (17th March), quoting a PTI tweet regarding the Rs 509 crore donation to DMK from Future Gaming, the DMK’s official Spokesperson, and Joint Secretary – Media Wing, Saravanan Annadurai wrote, “DMK does not control ED, CBI or Income Tax depts. They are under the control of BJP. DMK does not run extortion rackets.”

Pertinent to note that before the disclosure of Future Gaming’s funding to DMK, the opposition and its ecosystem had speculatively alleged that the donations from firms like Future Gaming were received through coercion by probing agencies. They selectively accused the BJP of using government machinery to solicit these donations.  

The opposition parties and its ecosystem have been alleging that the Electoral Bond scheme was a scam, “extortion”. According to their “calibrated” claims, selective donations including the one from firms like Future Gaming were part of a “quid pro quo”. According to their conspiracy theory, the BJP extorted money from scam-tainted firms to provide legal security or frame favourable laws. 

However, the theory provided a safety valve in case of failure. That is, if the same firms had funded opposition parties, it would not implicate opposition parties. They argue that the opposition parties, even in states where they are in power, don’t control ‘agencies’ to coerce or lure firms. 

But all this does not explain why scam-tainted company Future Gaming made such large donations to DMK. If the company could not be coerced by DMK, as per the party’s own claim, it could mean that the company is closely associated with the party.

Conspicuously, the same logic was predominantly peddled by ‘The News Minute’ Editor Dhanya Rajendran on 16th March. Taking to X, she argued, “No one said other parties aren’t making money out of bonds. If there are quid pro quo, everyone should be and will be questioned. But those parties didn’t control law enforcement agencies.” 

According to her own admission, a party allegedly solicited funds from these firms through coercion or allurement, and the same was done either in lieu of ‘drafting favourable policies’ or “helping” them in their legal matters. 

In a tweet that selectively targeted the BJP, she explained, “Party against corruption aka BJP comes to power. Makes changes in many laws, allows companies to donate as much as they want, removes caps, allows Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies to donate. Also increases action by ED, IT etc. Who benefits the most? BJP.” 

The post drew massive criticism as several users, some sarcastically, pointed out how states also enjoy the same capabilities. While states do not have control on ED and CBI, they do have state police and other anti-corruption mechanisms, which they regularly use.

Contrary to the claims, state governments also enjoy executive powers including drafting laws and they also control agencies like CID, Police, ATS, Crime Branch, Vigilance Department, etc. As per the theory peddled by the opposition and its ecosystem, the state government including opposition-ruled ones also has the apparatus for both coercion and the ability to amend or draft laws as part of quid pro quo. 

OpIndia had earlier highlighted the political links of Future Gaming’s Santiago Martin, the largest buyer of electoral bonds with opposition parties including CPIM, DMK, Congress, and TMC. 

As per the speculative theory peddled by the opposition and its cabal, it raises questions about why lottery king Future Gaming donated to the ruling party in Tamil Nadu where lottery is banned. Luck-based lotteries and contests are banned in the state as per the Tamil Nadu Prize Schemes (Prohibition) Act, 1979. In 2022, the Tamil Nadu govt further banned online gambling. This means, Future Gaming has no business presence in the state.

Therefore, it raises the question of whether the company funnelled large sums of money to DMK in an attempt to change the state’s policy to allow it to open lottery business in Tamil Nadu.

Interestingly, while the EC disclosure has revealed Future Gaming’s Santiago Martin’s Rs 509 crore donations to DMK, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin had earlier filed a defamation suit against a publication ‘Vikatan’ for alleging link to ‘Lottery King’ Martin. However, now that link has been proven.

Pakistan: People continue to encounter gas outages at sehri and iftar times during Ramazan in the cash-strapped country

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: People continue to encounter gas outages at sehri and iftar times during Ramazan in the cash-strapped country

Residents of Karachi in Pakistan who were fasting on 12th March endured extreme challenges when they found out that there was either no gas supply or very low gas pressure in practically every area of the city, dispelling the gas utility’s exalted assurances of a perpetual gas supply during Iftar and Sehri in the Islamic holy month of Ramazan.

A few days ago, the gas utility promised the public that there would be a continuous supply of gas for the preparation of Iftar and Sehri. Gas supply will be guaranteed between 3 and 9 am for Sehri, the meal used to obtain vital nutrients for fasting and between 3 and 10 pm for Iftar, the evening meal when the fast is broken, according to an announcement.

Sui Southern Gas Company Limited declared, “SSGC wishes a blessed Ramazan to its esteemed customers and would like to assure them of uninterrupted gas supply for Sehri and Iftaar preparations.” However, a large portion of the city was without gas during Sehri and Iftar, adding to the plight of those who had not made other arrangements due to the gas utility’s repeated promises of uninterrupted supply.

A representative for the gas utility stated that an endless supply of gas was guaranteed during the Iftar and Sehri hours. He claimed that because the nation’s gas reserves were being depleted by about 10% annually, there was a growing disparity between supply and demand. The posh regions Defence Housing Society, Bath Island, Clifton, PECHS and their nearby regions were most heavily impacted.

People from all throughout the city complained about the extremely low pressure, and others expressed that they could access gas by using suction devices, which the gas utility claimed were prohibited. The majority of citizens were compelled by the worsening gas crisis during Ramazan to switch from natural gas to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in order to fulfil their gas needs, which led to an increase in the sale and purchase of gas cylinders.

Additionally, they charged that while many portions of the city received no gas supply, areas near the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited’s infrastructure did receive enough gas supply. Insiders at the power company informed Dawn that one of the primary causes of the city’s low gas pressure was the gas utility’s outdated and inadequate distribution system. However, they claimed that because most people were using stoves at the same time between Sehri and Iftar, the pressure decreased. They argued that low pressure in some areas had also been brought about by the widespread usage of suction pumps.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) cautioned its ally in the Centre that the ongoing gas crisis in Karachi and other parts of Sindh might cause consumers in the nation’s second-most populous province to lose their patience, and that the SSGC would be held accountable for any unfavourable outcome.

Senator Waqar Mehdi, the general secretary of the PPP Sindh, additionally rendered it obvious that his party would support the residents of the province as hundreds of thousands of households were subjected to tests for their fundamental rights during the holy month. He accused, “It’s a sheer incompetence and failure of the SSGC that it has been unable to supply gas even during Iftar and Sehri.”

The Sui Southern Gas Company Limited has also come under heavy fire from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for unexpectedly slashing gas supplies to home customers in different parts of the megalopolis during Ramazan.

On 13th March 13, he remarked that it was a major failure of the gas company as it was unable to adhere to its own load-shedding schedule. He maintained that many customers in different places had their gas supplies abruptly cut off, leaving them to deal with severe hardships and emotional anguish. He added that despite exaggerated promises regarding the gas supply during Iftari and Sehri over the entire month of Ramazan, the SSGCL failed on the first day of the sacred month.

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