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Fact-Check: Are Rahul Gandhi’s claims of farmer loans being waived in Karnataka completely true?

OpIndia Staff
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Fact-Check: Are Rahul Gandhi’s claims of farmer loans being waived in Karnataka completely true?

Congress President Rahul Gandhi may have mastered the art of deceiving the media but he has been exposed yet again to the public after his claim concerning the loan waiver in the state of Karnataka has been proved to be a lie. It has now been discovered that farmers in the state have been slapped with recovery notices by banks.

Nearly twenty farmers of Ganajalkhed village, Kalaburgi district have received recovery notice from Andhra Bank on November 28 for the repayment of farm loans.

However, speaking at an election rally in Jaisalmer district’s Pokhran constituency, Rahul Gandhi had made tall claims. He said, “You may call and ask any farmer in Punjab and Karnataka and check whether their loans have been waived or not by the Congress party. I do not make false promises.”

Similarly, Congress party had tweeted claims that they had fulfilled the promise in Punjab and Karnataka and will also waive off farm loans in Chhattisgarh within 10 days of forming the government.


Shockingly, it has been found that the claim of the Congress is yet another lie as the farmers from Kalaburgi, one of the poorest regions of the state, have been now asked to appear before Permanent Lok Adalat on Saturday for final disposal of the petition filed by the bank.

The farmers had taken crop loans from Andhra Bank in 2011 of about Rs 2 lakh by mortgaging their land. They had repaid the loan and were granted fresh loans in 2013. Then, the farmers could not repay their loans since there was a severe drought in the state for the last few years.

While farmers are being sent recovery notices on one hand, on the other, in an unfortunate incident as reported by News9, a 56-year old farmer named Hampanna Hoogar belonging to the district Bagalkot has been found dead after the debt-ridden farmer committed suicide.

Recently, it was reported that Karnataka state government itself had admitted that Rs 44,000 crore loan waiver had helped only 800 farmers in the state. They had confirmed that only a few of the farmers had benefited from the so-called ‘loan-waiver’. This shatters the claims that have been touted by Congress President Rahul Gandhi repeatedly.

Congress party consider themselves above country, democracy, judiciary and public: PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Congress party consider themselves above country, democracy, judiciary and public: PM Modi

Mounting a blistering attack on Congress for its tendencies to subvert democratic institutions, PM Modi, while addressing a rally at Prayaraj cautioned people to remain safe from such political parties and their leaders. PM Modi was in Prayagraj to attend multiple events in the city. He inaugurated Command and Control Centre for the Kumbh Mela.


PM Modi alleged that the machinations of building pressure on the judiciary have started. He held it important to alert the young generations to be wary of such evil designs by political parties who are trying to undermine the established democratic institutions in the country. Alluding to the recent drubbing of Congress by the Supreme Court, Modi contended that the Congress party has always considered itself above all democratic institutions including judiciary, law and order and the conspiracies hatched by them testifies it.


PM Modi also alleged that it is Congress party’s nature to straitjacket democratic institutions and render them helpless. Modi said that those who don’t capitulate to Congress demands are eventually discredited by them. It is Congress’ privileged sense that is eroding away the foundations of impartial institutions.

Speaking about the ‘Kumbh Parv’, Modi stated that the central government and the state government will ensure that a glimpse into India’s glorious past and luminous future will be showcased through this Parv. Modi said that the Kumbh celebrations are the biggest testament to India and Indianism. The Kumbh festivity inspires us all to end the differences amidst us pertaining to languages, attires and form a unity that is accurately reflects what our country stands for.

Meghalaya High Court judge clarifies his comments in judgement after CPI(M) threatens of impeachment

OpIndia Staff
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Meghalaya High Court judge clarifies his comments in judgement after CPI(M) threatens of impeachment

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has threatened Meghalaya High Court Justice SR Sen of impeachment for his 10 December remark on NRC and partition.

“The CPI(M) is of the opinion that Justice Sen has lost his moral right to continue in the office as a Judge of the High Court. The party will consult other parties in Parliament to consider moving an impeachment motion for his removal.” CPI(M) said in a statement.

They also have made a request to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to oust Justice Sen from his designation. They alleged that Justice Sen’s ideology is akin to RSS and communal in nature. Party said that the judgment is also against the sanctity of the secular nature of the constitution.

After these developments, Justice SR Sen has issued a clarification regarding the judgment. He said the confusion is arising due to misinterpretation of his comments and added that he upholds the secular nature of the constitution. In a clarification issued on Saturday under the same case where he had issued the earlier judgement, he wrote that secularism is one of the basic features of the Indian Constitution and it should not further be divided on the basis of religion, caste, creed, community or language.

“I am not a religious fanatic rather I respect all the religions because to me God is one.” Read the clarification.

On 10 December Justice S R Sen in a judgment had said that India should also have been declared a Hindu country after partition like Pakistan chose to become an Islamic one. The judgment was regarding allotment of domicile certificate to an army recruit.

Justice SR Sen had requested the Prime Minister and other lawmakers to bring a law to allow the Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhist, Parsis, Christians, Khasis, Jaintias and Garos who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to live in this country peacefully and with full dignity. He had also urged the government to provide these groups with unconditional citizenship. Justice had also stated his discontent for ongoing NRC drive in Assam.

The judge noted that the ongoing process to update the NRC in Assam is “defective as many foreigners become Indians and original Indians are left out which is very sad.”

Justice had expressed confidence in present dispensation headed by Modi government, that it will do its best to safeguard interests of the Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhist, Christians, Parsis, Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. He had also cautioned against the transformation of Indian into an Islamic Nation. “I make it clear that nobody should try to make India as another Islamic country, otherwise it will be a doomsday for India and the world,” he wrote.

In the clarification issued, Justice Sen said that:

“I would like to make it clear that when I mentioned the government under Shri. Narendra Modiji it is inclusive of the Hon’ble Ministers and Hon’ble Members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.” He further clarified that remark in judgment also mentioned about the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. He said that his appeal was to all lawmakers and legislators of the country.

The judgment had also mentioned that post-partition Hindus and Sikhs were affected the most. But, while Sikhs managed to rehabilitate, Hindus never got chance. He also had mentioned that while genocide of Jews and horrors of the Holocaust are widely documented and discussed, the plight of Hindus in East Pakistan did not get much attention.

Justice Sen said that he nowhere made remarks against secularism and said that he only cited historical facts, and one can never alter them.

In recent times, this is the second instance when a political party is trying to move impeachment against a sitting judge. In April, seven opposition parties submitted a petition seeking impeachment of Chief Justice Dipak Misra to the Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. But, VP had rejected the motion citing lack of merit in it.

The Prince and his dilemma: A short story

Sanghamitra
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The Prince and his dilemma: A short story

The prince was sitting restlessly. It has been a totally crazy 2 months and the prince has not even had time to catch up on all the lost episodes of Chhota Bheem. Rajnikanth’s 2.0 came to theatres and everyone watched it, but the poor prince was made to keep working, keep travelling and keep giving speech after speech.

“I will not memorise all this stuff. It just too much pressure. Just tell me the city name where I am dropped for a rally and I will promise a mobile factory there”, He had declared long before. They cannot disobey him anyway. So they had agreed.

“But Prince, speeches are supposed to be long, just mobile factory won’t suffice.” The old uncles had tried to reason, but Prince was Prince, “Ok Ok, Rafale, Chowkidar, Ambani, Adani, suit boot, farmers, yuvaon ko rozgar etc etc bol dunga”, the prince had matured in the recent years, he knew how to make speeches.

The Queen beamed with pride. The courtiers had looked at him as the junior artists of Lagaan in the last scene of rainfall after the match has been won.

But today, Prince was visibly agitated. “Ab aur kitna kaam karna hai”, he screamed exhausted. All he wanted to do was order his bags packed and leave for a vacation, as usual. But the oldies have instructed – no more vacations, the Bhakts are mocking it too much. Prince had to stay, damn the Bhakts.

The queen came closer, “Dobbiamo ancora scegliere, mio figlio”. She said with mild authority.

“Ok then. We will choose”, Prince gave in. “Who are the hopefuls? Ask them to line up,” he ordered the courtiers.

The next day, they had all lined up. In the Middle province, the hopefuls for the lordship were Oldie uncle 1984 and buddy boy Jo. The Prince liked buddy boy Jo a lot, for he was a fellow prince too, but oldie uncle 1984 was favoured by many. So, uncle, it was. “Sorry, buddy boy Jo, mom said it had to be the uncle, next time, promise,” he had said to Jo.”

The sandy province was much more difficult. The Aviator dude was another favorite of the Prince, but Jadugar uncle was very powerful. It was going to be tough.

Sandy province people came late. “Are they coming on camels, mom?” The Prince had asked, getting visibly restless.

“Pazienza, mio figlio”, the queen said. “The lordship of the sandy province is an important position to give,” she explained.

“Yes, I would love free camel rides with the aviator dude,” Prince beamed like Yami Gautam after 6 days of trying Fair and Lovely. “He said he will take me to see the sand dunes in Agusta chopper”, Prince declared.

“It’s not about camel rides, mio figlio,” the queen added, avoiding Agusta completely, “we have to keep Robbie in mind while deciding whom to award the lordship, Robbie has landed there. He is a farmer too, remember? You promise you will not disappoint farmers”.

The prince slumped back on his chair. Politics is too much brain work. “When will I understand all these, mom?”, he asked, impatient.

“Soon, mio figlio, as soon as you come of age”, she said. “Are you ready to meet them now?

“Yes, send them in, just explain that camel ride part,” the prince gave in. “When I come of age, every mobile factory in every town will give free packets of potato chips to all farmers, he started thinking, all the MRIs in every state will be connected via Bluetooth, the Chinese will be lining up to buy patilas and locks made in UP and me and buddy boy Jo will go on a world tour in a Rafale Jet flying with an escape velocity of Jupiter.”……He drifted off to a peaceful sleep with a  double dimpled smile.

Disclaimer: All characters and scenarios in this story are completely fictional.

GST implementation enabled increased Household Savings as tax rates came down

OpIndia Staff
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GST implementation enabled increased Household Savings as tax rates came down

As per finance ministry reports, the implementation of Good and Services Tax (GST) has brought down the tax rates and enabled increased Household Savings for the customers. According to the analysis, an average consumer is now saving about Rs 320 monthly on the purchase of commonly used goods including cereals, edible oil and cosmetics post-GST implementation on an expenditure of Rs 8400.

According to the analysis, If a household spends Rs 8,400 a month post GST on 10 goods — cereals, edible oil, sugar, chocolates, namkeen and sweets, cosmetics and toiletries, washing powder, tiles, furniture and coir products and other household products — its monthly savings would be close to Rs 320, the finance ministry source claimed referring to the expenditure analysis. An analysis of the pre and post-GST implementation shows that the tax rates have come down on at least 83 consumer products such as hair oil, toothpaste, soap, washing powder and footwear.

Earlier, before GST, when a consumer spent Rs 8,400 on the daily use items, he/she had to pay Rs 830 taxes but after GST the tax charges have been reduced to Rs 510. The consumer saves effectively Rs 320 on consumption of daily needs goods worth Rs 8,400, as per finance ministry source. In the earlier tax framework, the central government would levy excise duty on a product manufactured in a factory and subsequently the state governments would impose VAT on top of this. This meant that the consumer not only paid VAT on the price of the product but also on the excise duty charged by the centre.

Implementation of GST resulted in uniform tax rates on goods and services and it also removed the tax-on-tax widespread in the previous system. In addition to this, lowered GST rates on a host of products have facilitated increased monthly savings for consumers. According to the government source, wheat and rice have been exempted from tax under GST against 2.5/2.7% tax incidence in the previous framework. Likewise, tax on milk powder is reduced by 1% from 6% to 5% post-GST. Sugar confectionery products were taxed at 21% in earlier tax regime but under GST they have been put under the tax slab of 18%.

The source asserted that there has been a marked reduction in tax rates on scores of goods including milk powder, curd, buttermilk, spices, wheat, rice, nutrition drinks like Horlicks/Bournvita, pasta, idli dosa batter and mineral water, as these products are taxed at a much lesser rate under the GST than previously. The tax rate on washing powder and tiles has come down to 18% from 28% earlier. On furniture goods, the earlier tax rate of 28% has been brought down to 5/18% slabs under GST.

ED to probe the finances of the NGO Good News India facing the charges of sexual harassment and religious conversions

Aditi
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ED to probe the finances of the NGO Good News India facing the charges of sexual harassment and religious conversions

The ill-famed NGO Good News India’s finances and foreign funding sources have come under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate as part of the investigation in the Dhenkanal Shelter Home sexual abuse case.

Earlier this month, the female inmates of the Dhenkanal Shelter Home, owned by Good News India, had complained of sexual abuse. After the complaints of the inmates, the Dream Centre Shelter was sealed and its owners were arrested. The NGO Good News India runs 22 shelters in total including the Dream Centre Shelter at Beltikiri, Dhenkanal. The ED will investigate the financial irregularities and source of foreign funding of all the 22 shelter homes of the NGO, which are illegally running at different places in Odisha.

The ED has also asked the police to provide a copy of the FIR and the charge sheet in the case. “After receiving the charge sheet, we will examine it and if any financial irregularities are found, the investigation will be carried out under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA),” an ED official said.

The Managing Director of the NGO was arrested by the police on the charges of sexual harassment and his bail plea was also rejected by the court. “The ED might seek remand of Good News India managing director Fayaz Rahman under the Foreign Exchange Management FEMA Act (FEMA) for questioning on the money trail of the NGO,” said a senior official.

Apart from the allegations of sexual harassment, the NGO is also facing allegations of carrying out religious conversions of the inmates. The website of the NGO states that their mission is to transform communities by connecting to the “primitive, savages and tribal people to bring social, spiritual and economic transformations in their lives”.

A team of Odisha police has already started investigating the religious conversion angle.

Hindu Jagran Manch calls upon NRC to expurgate illegal Muslim immigrants in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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Hindu Jagran Manch calls upon NRC to expurgate illegal Muslim immigrants in West Bengal

The Hindu Jagran Manch organised a rally on Saturday in Kolkata, where they levelled serious allegations against the incumbent state government run by Trinamool Congress. The HJM accused Mamata Government of turning the state of West Bengal into ‘mini-Pakistan’.

Setting the tone for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the HJM leaders highlighted the West Bengal government’s propensity to support anti-national elements. The leaders pointed to the state patronage the illegal Muslim immigrants enjoyed from the current dispensation led by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.

Hindu Jagran Manch, an offshoot of Vishwa Hindu Parishad demanded an NRC to evict ‘illegal Bangladeshi immigrants’ from the state of West Bengal. “We want NRC (National Register of Citizens) in Bengal so that illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh can be identified and deported back to their country. Hindu refugees from Pakistan and Bangladesh should be accepted. Therefore, we want immediate passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016,” HJM leaders stated.

Sadhavi Saraswati who arrived from Madhya Pradesh to address the rally said, “When I was coming here, I was cautioned that I’m going to mini-Pakistan. There have been numerous illegal immigrants sprawled all over the state and they evidently enjoy state patronage from the TMC government. Many of them hold not one but several Aadhar cards on their name. Such rampant activities that pose a great risk to national security should be reined in.”

She added that in West Bengal when Hindus try to celebrate Saraswati Puja, numerous obstructions are laid down on their path. During Durga immersion, priority is given to Muharram celebrations by TMC government over Goddess Durga’s visarjan. FIRs are lodged against sword-yielding Hindus by the Mamata government during Ramnavami celebrations. She exhorted the people of West Bengal to turn it into a ‘saffron state’.

Recently, Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal government allowed a controversial Bangladeshi Maulvi to address meetings in the state while not permitting BJP to organise Rath Yatra.

Facebook bug exposed non-shared photos of users to third party apps for a period of two weeks

Devanshu Rajput
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Facebook bug exposed non-shared photos of users to third party apps for a period of two weeks

Facebook has hit another row on Friday when Facebook developer Tomer Bar informed users on the blog and apologised to its users for a bug that has affected around 6.8 million users worldwide.

The bug affected those users who had given permission to third-parties to access photos on their timeline through the company’s API or application programming interface. The bug, however, granted permission to third-parties to not only have access to shared photos but also the ones not shared or posted. This way, around 1,500 third-party apps had open access to photos that users, who did not wish to share the photos on their timeline but had kept in account’s storage. This bug was active for two weeks in September, but Facebook only announced it on Friday.

“We have been investigating the issue since it was discovered to try and understand its impact so that we could ensure we are contacting the right developers and people affected by the bug.” The Facebook spokesperson informed CNN about the reason for the delay in the announcement.

This again fueled the debates around data privacy and security of giant social media platforms. Irish Data Protection Commission(IDPC), which is watch-dog of social media platforms operation in the European Union has taken cognisance of the breach and ordered an investigation into it.

Recently, The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) had imposed a penalty of 10 million euros ($11.4 million) on Facebook for illegally harvesting the data of its users for commercial purposes. It had observed that Facebook, without the consent of its users, transfers their data to third-party apps.

In October, the Indian government had asked Facebook to submit an explanation for a breach of 40 million user’s information and login tokens, that took place because of a vulnerability that entered in the platform in 2017. The data breach had granted hackers access to personal information including name, relationship status, search activity and recent location of check-ins. Following which Facebook had to reset the login tokens of 50 million users.

This year, a nexus between Cambridge Analytica and political parties had to come to the surface, which exposed a large-scale harvesting of data by parties for political ends. The government of India had also ordered a CBI investigation into the nexus between Cambridge Analytica (CA) and the Indian National Congress that emerged after claims made by a whistleblower Jamie Bartlett.

Those calling themselves “accidental Hindus” are now flaunting their Janeu and Gotra: Yogi Adityanath

OpIndia Staff
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Those calling themselves “accidental Hindus” are now flaunting their Janeu and Gotra: Yogi Adityanath

Taking a veiled dig at Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s newfound temple love, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said that those who used to call themselves “accidental Hindus” have now started revealing their janeu and gotra.

Yogi was addressing a gathering in Ayodhya after inaugurating the Samrasta Kumbh.

“We have endorsed the Kumbh mela across the world and it has become a trademark. This is why some people have started to mention their gotra now who used to call themselves “accidental Hindus”. This is our ideological victory. If we make a new gotra like Rahul Gandhi then the downfall is going to happen”, Yogi said.

“The people who described themselves as accidentally Hindu are now realising that they are also Hindus. (They are realising) it is not accidental and we are Hindus in the real sense. Now they are remembering their janeyu and Gotra. I think this is the victory of India’s Sanatan faith. This is the victory of our beliefs,” he said.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that the people criticising Kumbh are trying to defame the Hindu culture with the help of foreign funds and the same people were trying to defame Hindu religion over the Sabarimala issue.

Pointing at the people calling the Kumbh Mela as anti-Dalit, he said that people from all castes took part in the Mela. Reminding the contribution of Dalits to the Hindu Dharma, Yogi said that most verses in the Vedas were composed by Dalit saints. “The valmikis told us about Ramayana but they are being discriminated now,” he said.

PM Narendra Modi targets Congress party in Gandhi family’s home turf Raebareli

Shashank Bharadwaj
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PM Narendra Modi targets Congress party in Gandhi family’s home turf Raebareli

Taking the battle to the turf of Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress in Rae Bareli, a stronghold of the Gandhi family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday to inaugurate various development projects, he also inspected the Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli.

Prime Minister Modi began his speech by paying homage to all those who sacrificed their lives during the 1971 war against Pakistan. In his first rally post recent election defeats, Narendra Modi slammed Congress party and its president Rahul Gandhi over development issues in their home turf.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APugAzp9fck]

PM Modi attacked Congress on the issues of Bofors scam and AgustaWestland chopper case. Referring to the extradition of fugitive middleman Christian Michel in the VVIP chopper case, Modi said, “He was brought to India, a few days back. You have seen how Congress had sent one of its own as a lawyer to save him. I want to know whether the Congress party is disturbed that there is no Quattrocchi “mama”, Christian Michel uncle in the defence deals that BJP is doing.” Modi went on to question that if this “constant worry” is the reason behind Congress’ attempts of “creating an atmosphere of distrust over Indian judiciary”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the 900th coach and a Humsafar Rake of Modern Coach Factory. Attacking Congress party, PM Modi said, “This factory (Modern Coach Factory) was approved in 2007. The aim was to make 1,000 new coaches. The factory was ready. But for 4 years, these coaches were taken for painting. The factory was never allowed to function. Only 3 per cent of the machines were working in 2014, after we came to power, in 4 months, we changed this.”

He further added that the country will not forget or forgive UPA government for its attitude towards the Armed forces. The country comes first and not the party for us and we are trying our best that people who have made a sacrifice of their lives shouldn’t face any difficulties, said PM Modi.

“Today there are 2 sides before the country. One side is the govt that is trying to strengthen our forces. The other side that wants to weaken our forces at any cost. Country is a witness that Congress is standing with forces that don’t want our forces to strengthen,” he added. “The people of the party that raises questions on surgical strikes, trust enemy’s claims more than our Army, what can be expected of them?” said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Modi will later visit Prayagraj to review preparations for the Kumbh Mela. He will also inaugurate a state-of-the-art command and control centre at the Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to start in January 2019.

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