Home Blog Page 1522

Land-for-jobs scam: Enforcement Directorate issues fresh summons to Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, asked to appear on 5 January

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Land-for-jobs scam: Enforcement Directorate issues fresh summons to Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, asked to appear on 5 January

Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the deputy chief minister of Bihar received a fresh summons from the Enforcement Directorate on 23rd December in relation to a railway land-for-jobs scam. He is reportedly asked to appear on 5th January. The 34-year-old had already been summoned to appear on 22nd December, but he ignored. The Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo and former chief minister of Bihar, his father Lalu Prasad Yadav has been summoned to be present on 27th December at the headquarters of the agency located in Delhi.  

On 20th December the officials informed that the agency sent summons to the father and son duo. The ED office asked that the latter appear before investigators on 22nd December 22 while the former was assigned a date of 27th December to record their statements per the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This is senior Yadav’s first summon in this case while the agency had questioned his son on 1st April.

The Enforcement Department found Rs 600 crore in illicit gains from the RJD first family and unexplained cash worth Rs 1 crore during searches at Lalu and his family members’ homes in March of this year. The agency then conducted searches at twenty-four places finding $1900 in foreign currency, 540 grams of gold bullion, and more than 1.5 kg of gold jewelry.

The most recent summons were sent out one month after Amit Katyal, a close family friend of the Lalu Yadav clan was taken into custody by the agency in November. It previously announced in a statement that he was the director of the business named A K Infosystems Private Limited when it purchased land from candidates “on behalf” of the politician.

The agency mentioned, “The registered address of the company is D-1088, New Friends Colony, New Delhi, which is the house belonging to Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members. Several other lands were also acquired by Amit Katyal in the said company in return for giving undue favours by Lalu Prasad Yadav when he was minister of railways.” It added that in 2014 following the purchase of the land, the company’s shares were “transferred” to Yadav family.

Lalu Prasad Yadav was the railway minister under the Congress-led coalition government from 2004 to 2009 when the land-for-job scam was carried out. According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), appointments were made irregularly in the railways which were going against the established standards and protocols of Indian railroads for hiring. It further stated that those who were employed by the railways as “substitutes” either directly or via family and relations sold land to the union minister’s family at “highly discounted rates” and a linked company named A K Infosystems Private Limited.

The ED case is predicated on a May 2022 CBI FIR on the matter. Furthermore, 12 other individuals who were hired by the Railways in 2008–09 are included in the report besides Lalu Yadav, former chief minister of Bihar and his wife Rabri Devi and their daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav.

The candidates were regularised when they handed land to the Yadav family, but only after being selected as substitutes in group D positions within three days of their “undue haste” application, according to the CBI. It disclosed that the transfers were effected through two gift deeds in the person of Hema Yadav, three sale deeds in the name of Rabri Devi, and one in the identity of Misa Bharti.

Furthermore, the agency claimed that Lalu’s family members purchased 1.05 lakh square feet of land in Patna by paying cash to the sellers. Additionally, a charge sheet against Lalu Yadav and fifteen other people, including Rabri Devi has been submitted by the CBI.

Taken to Delhi, raped at a hotel near Jama Masjid: Minor girl from Bihar raped by a madarsa cleric under the pretext of providing her a job

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Taken to Delhi, raped at a hotel near Jama Masjid: Minor girl from Bihar raped by a madarsa cleric under the pretext of providing her a job

A cleric from a madarsa in Jehanabad, Bihar, is accused of sexually abusing a minor girl. The cleric, identified as Maulvi Abdul Mannan, a teacher at Albanat Ekra Academy in Jehanabad, allegedly took the minor to Patna under the guise of meeting a minister to secure a job for her. Upon reaching Patna, he claimed that the minister was in Delhi and that they needed to travel there. The minor reported that when she resisted going to Delhi, the cleric drugged her and forcibly took her to the city. In Delhi, near Jama Masjid, he brought her to a hotel and raped her.

According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, the minor’s mother and the victim lodged a formal complaint against Abdul at the Jehanabad Nagar police station. The victim claimed that “the accused had lured many girls to Patna with promises of securing them jobs, and I was also convinced to accompany him under this pretence.” Meanwhile, the accused cleric has been on the run since the occurrence of the event.

In her statement, the victim levelled grave accusations against the Investigation Officer (IO), Sunil Kumar Yadav, who is involved in this case. She alleged that Sunil Kumar subjected her to torture and coerced her into not seeking medical treatment. Nonetheless, the IO has refuted these allegations.

The victim said in her complaint, “I left for college on the 7th of December at 10 a.m. The cleric had already said that we would have to go to Patna to get a job. There is a meeting with the Minister. He told me, ‘You take your documents and take the money too. I was thinking that I have to go to Patna, I will come in the evening.’ Since many girls had been taken to Patna earlier, I did not tell our mother.”

She added, “When we reached Patna, he said, ‘The minister is not here, he is in Delhi. We have to go to Delhi.’ I opposed this. Then he fed me something and forcefully took me to Delhi.” In Delhi, the cleric raped the victim.

The victim said that the cleric had committed the same crime with other girls. Demanding justice, she said, “If this matter is not investigated, I will commit suicide and the IO Sunil Kumar who is investigating my case will be responsible for this.”

The victim said that she visited the IO Sunil Kumar for 13 days but he did not take her complaint. Accusing him of torture, the victim said that the officer told her that nobody would marry her if she undergoes medical checkups. She said, “After this, I got scared and gave a statement in the court that nothing happened to me.”

Sunil Kumar said that the allegation made by the girl was false and that he didn’t pressurise her. The victim also said that the people from the family of the accused cleric Maulvi Abdul Mannan issued her death threats and threatened her to make her video viral.

The mother of the victim said that an FIR was lodged against Abdul Mannan by giving a written complaint at the Jehanabad Nagar police station. She said, “It has been more than a week since the FIR was filed, yet Maulvi Abdul Mannan is not arrested by the police. There are many girls whom he did wrong and who do not come forward out of fear, but we want it to be investigated. So that he can not do wrong to anyone else.”

Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rajiv Kumar said, “The girl’s family had filed a kidnapping case. Also, the girl’s family members refused to get the medical checkup of the minor. Therefore, the girl’s medical could not be done. A re-application has been made for medical treatment. The process is going on.”

Karnataka: Congress revokes ‘Hijab ban’ in schools, Minister Priyank Kharge defends decision to undo uniformity in school uniform

ANI
-
0
Karnataka: Congress revokes ‘Hijab ban’ in schools, Minister Priyank Kharge defends decision to undo uniformity in school uniform

Defending his government’s decision to withdraw the hijab ban imposed by the previous BJP government, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said that Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is working as per the law and framework of the Constitution.

“Whatever the Karnataka government is doing is as per the law and framework of the Constitution. Any policy that is detrimental to the development of Karnataka will be reviewed and removed if necessary,” Karnataka Minister said.

On Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s statement to lift the hijab ban, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa termed the step as a “hasty decision to appease the Muslim community”.

“Nobody demanded Siddaramaiah to withdraw this hijab decision. All the communities are together. To attend the classes, the same uniform is required, this has been decided by the court also… Just to please the Muslim community, Siddaramaiah has taken this hasty decision… I condemn that and he must withdraw the decision immediately… This will not affect the Lok Sabha elections… In the coming Lok Sabha elections, people will teach them a lesson,” Yediyurappa said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that the state government will withdraw the order banning hijab in schools and colleges in the state. He stated, “the choice of clothes is one’s own prerogative”.

The Chief Minister said he has directed officials to withdraw the order banning hijab, a headscarf wrapped around the head by some Muslim women, brought in by the previous BJP government in 2022.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge further advised the BJP to look after the issues of his party and said, “The BJP has no work to do; they should set their house in order first.”

“PM Narendra Modi’s sab ka saath-sab ka vikas is bogus. BJP is doing the work of dividing people and dividing society on the basis of clothes, dress, and caste. I have told to withdraw the hijab ban,” CM Siddaramaiah posted on X.

The previous BJP government in the State had imposed a hijab ban on students in educational institutions. The matter reached the Karnataka High Court which also upheld the ban imposed by the then BJP government. In this regard, Supreme Court had delivered a split verdict leading to the Karnataka High Court being upheld.

Further responding on reports of Prime Minister Narendra Modi setting a bigger target than 2019 for 2024 Lok Sabha polls at BJP office bearers’ meet, Priyank Kharge said, “BJP-mukt Dakshin Bharat has already happened. Congress has close to 40 pc in the Hindi heartland. It’s just a matter of time before we come together to come back to power.”

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

France grounds Romanian flight carrying 303 Indians to Nicaragua from UAE on suspicion of ‘Human trafficking’, Indian embassy gets consular access

OpIndia Staff
-
0
France grounds Romanian flight carrying 303 Indians to Nicaragua from UAE on suspicion of ‘Human trafficking’, Indian embassy gets consular access

The Indian Embassy in France informed on Friday (22nd December) that they have secured consular access to Indian nationals detained at a French airport. The development came after a Nicaragua-bound flight carrying 303 passengers, mostly Indians, was held by French authorities when it landed at the airport in Vary city near Paris. As per reports, the passengers are suspected to be victims of “human trafficking“. 

The Paris Vatry Airport has been put on lockdown after the detention of the Airbus A340-300 flight operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, with all departures and arrivals cancelled.

According to the prosecutor’s office, an anonymous tip signalled that the flight was carrying people who could be victims of human trafficking. Additionally, two people were arrested in this suspected case of “human trafficking” on Friday, as per local authorities. 

Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in France stated that it had reached out to the authorities and secured consular access. Ensuring the well-being of passengers, it added that it is investigating the situation. 

The post read, “French authorities informed us of a plane with 303 people, mostly of Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport. The embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring the wellbeing of passengers.”

On Friday, local French media reported that French authorities stated the Airbus A340 plane, which took off from Fujairah airport in the United Arab Emirates carrying 303 Indian passengers, was grounded in France on Thursday over suspected ‘human trafficking.’  The flight landed in Vatry at around 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, after 8 hours of flight. It was supposed to take off again towards Managua, capital of Nicaragua, after refuelling in Paris-Vatry.

French authorities said, “During this technical stopover, at the request of the judicial authority, the Air Transport Gendarmerie Brigade (BGTA) intervened and the aircraft, an A340, was immobilized. The reception hall at Vatry airport has been transformed into a waiting area with individual beds in order to provide passengers with the best possible reception conditions.” They said that “303 passengers of Indian nationality are on board. Some are suspected of being illegal immigrants.”

The French anti-organised crime unit JUNALCO had taken over the investigation, as reported by the ‘Le Monde’ newspaper. Apart from Investigators from a specialised French organised crime unit, border police, and aviation gendarmes are also working on the case. While Indian Embassy said that the people in the flight are ‘mostly Indians’, Le Monde said that all 303 people are Indians.

In a statement, the office of the Paris prosecutor said that special investigators are questioning all those aboard and two people are in custody pending further examination. 

According to the prefecture in the northeastern department of Marne, the flight A340 which is operated by a Romanian company named Legend Airlines, “remained grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing” on Thursday. The Vatry airport is 150 kilometres east of Paris and it serves mostly budget airlines. 

As per reports, the prefecture said that the plane had landed in France for refuelling and was carrying 303 Indian nationals who had probably been working in the UAE. The travel may have been planned by the Indian passengers to reach Central America from where they can attempt to enter the United States or Canada illegally. 

After the flight was grounded, passengers were initially kept on the aircraft, but later they were allowed to disembark and provided with individual beds to sleep in the terminal building on Thursday night. Police have cordoned off the airport. French authorities said that “Identity checks are being carried on the 303 passengers and on the cabin crew.”

Meanwhile, the aircraft operating company, Legend Airlines, through its lawyer denied any involvement in the trafficking. The firm’s lawyer, Liliana Bakayoko told French news channel BFMTV that the firm is ready to cooperate with the French authorities and hoped the plane could be on its way in the next couple of days. 

She said that Legend Airlines “intervenes as a carrier” and the flight was carried out for “a client of the company”.

According to the lawyer, the airline verified “the conformity of the documents presented by the client, who must demonstrate that these people have the right to go to Nicaragua, and have valid passports”. However, she added that the company cannot check the criminal records of the people transported. 

She added, “303 people is not a number that raises alarm. They are not locked in a truck without ventilation and food. The airline is unhappy. It is a significant economic loss, but their image also suffers.” 

As per the Flightradar website, Legend Air has a small fleet of four aircraft.  

In accordance with French law, French border police have the authority to detain a foreign national for an initial period of up to four days upon landing in France if they are prevented from proceeding to their intended destination. This duration can be extended to eight days with judicial approval, and in exceptional circumstances, another eight days can be granted, reaching a maximum detention period of 26 days.

Additionally, Human trafficking attracts a potential sentence of up to 20 years in France.

It is important to note that the UN, along with various national and international agencies, has highlighted numerous cases of individuals being trafficked under the allure of better opportunities in foreign countries, especially in Western nations. When these individuals fail to secure visas to their intended destinations, they often resort to attempting illegal entry into these nations, exposing themselves to life-threatening risks and becoming vulnerable to human traffickers.

Another scam brewing under Kejriwal Govt? Delhi LG VK Saxena seeks a CBI probe into allegations of fake medicines being used in Delhi govt-run hospitals

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Another scam brewing under Kejriwal Govt? Delhi LG VK Saxena seeks a CBI probe into allegations of fake medicines being used in Delhi govt-run hospitals

Arvind Kejriwal is in for yet another big trouble as Delhi LG VK Saxena has sought a CBI probe against his government in the spurious drugs in Delhi Govt hospitals case. According to reports, the Lieutenant Governor has written a letter to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, directing him for an investigation and CBI inquiry into the allegations.

Accusing the Delhi Government of procuring and supplying non-standard drugs to government hospitals and Delhi Mohalla clinics, he directed to immediately remove the fake medicines from these places.

Notably, India Today reported that the Vigilance Department collected 43 samples from various government-run hospitals in Delhi after complaints were received regarding substandard drugs supplied. The report stated that five of the 43 samples did not meet quality standards, which raised serious health concerns for the thousands of citizens receiving treatment at these government-run hospitals and Mohalla clinics.

Punjab: 43,000 calls made from Ferozepur jail by smugglers, seven jail officials face inquiry

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Punjab: 43,000 calls made from Ferozepur jail by smugglers, seven jail officials face inquiry

Punjab’s Prisons Department has launched an investigation about seven jail officials in Ferozepur, including the current superintendent, for major administrative lapses that resulted in three smugglers making over 43,000 phone calls while incarcerated. Two of the smugglers also reportedly received Rs 1.35 crore online in their spouses’ accounts while being in prison. It is being investigated whether the accused sent or received money using phones within the jail.

Reports say that two serving and three retired jail superintendents are among those under investigation. They are Satnam Singh, superintendent of the Central Jail in Ferozepur, Arvinder Pal Singh Bhatti, former superintendent (now suspended), Parvinder Singh, principal of the Punjab Jail Training School in Patiala, and Gurnam Lal, superintendent of the District Jail in Ropar. Parvinder and Gurnam had previously served as superintendents of the Ferozepur jail. Baljeet Singh Vaid, Karanjit Singh Sandhu, and Surinder Singh are the three retired superintendents under investigation.

Even though the government claims that phone jammers are installed in jails, the three smugglers Raj Kumar (Raja), Sonu Tiddi, and Amrik Singh used mobile phones from inside the jail. The phone use was so blatant and unregulated that of the total 43,432 phone calls made by the smugglers, 38,850 were made from Raj Kumar’s phone in just one month (March 1-31, 2019). This equates to an average of 1,295 calls every day and 53 calls every hour. The other phone calls, totaling 4,582, were made over the course of nearly 28 months, between October 9, 2021, and February 14, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court slammed State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) officers and the Investigating Officer (IO) for failing to investigate the role of jail officials in the alleged multi-crore narcotics ring running from the Ferozepur Central Jail.

LiveLaw reported that while questioning the SSOC head, Special DGP, IPS R.N Dhoke, Justice N.S. Shekhawat said, “Can there be any crime more serious than this, Court has reason to believe that the multi-crore drug racket is running from prison…I will send the matter to CBI and ED to investigate…you are party to it. 43,000 calls are being made from jail (in 4 years), not even one jail official is arrayed in FIR.” 

The High Court bench while expressing concern over SSOC’s careless approach noted that meetings held by Special Cells, which are attended by AIGs, are limited to “tea and samosa” only.

PornHub’s parent company admits it made profit by coercing women into performing sex acts on camera and posting it without their consent, fined 1.8 million dollars

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PornHub’s parent company admits it made profit by coercing women into performing sex acts on camera and posting it without their consent, fined 1.8 million dollars

The Parent company of one of the biggest pornographic content websites in the world, PornHub, has acknowledged profiting from sex trafficking. It acknowledged having hosted adult videos in which women were forced to engage in sexual acts on camera; the business subsequently shared the videos online without the women’s consent.

As part of a deferred prosecution agreement reached with federal prosecutors, Aylo, formerly known as MindGeek, would pay a fine of 1.8 million Dollars and compensate the victims of sex trafficking. Aylo, who entered a not-guilty plea to participate in illegal financial transactions involving proceeds from sex trafficking, will be under observation for three years, according to the agreement. The accusations against the corporation will be withdrawn if it abides by the conditions of the contract.

The accusations originate from the fact that the company hosted content and took money from a third party, Girls Do Porn (GDP).

According to court documents, Aylo continued to accept money from the GDP channel even after it was aware of sex trafficking allegations from some of the women appearing in the videos.

Court records stated that Aylo failed to comply with all removal requests and independently checked consent, even after receiving requests from multiple women in 2016 and learning of federal action against the production business in 2017.

The victims said that the GDP forced them to have sex on camera and misled them about how the footage would be disseminated.

According to prosecutors, the company received more than $100,000 from GirlsDoPorn and roughly $764,000 in payments from advertisers attributable to the production company.

In 2021, Aylo, then known as MindGeek, settled with 50 women out of court.

“Aylo received money that Aylo knew or should have known was derived from the GDP Operators’ sex trafficking operations,” the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York alleged.

In all, there were over 400 victims, and GDP producer Ruben Andre Garcia was given a 20-year federal jail sentence in 2021 for forcing women to appear in pornographic recordings.

Later that year, the women gained the rights to the videos in which they had starred, and Garcia was forced to make amends by giving them $18 million.

Notably, in the year 2020, the New York Times published an article levelling allegations that MindGeek’s sites were hosting material depicting rapes and sex involving minors.

The NYT‘s 2020 article read, “Its site is infested with rape videos. It monetizes child rapes, revenge pornography, spy cam videos of women showering, racist and misogynist content, and footage of women being asphyxiated in plastic bags. A search for “girls under18” (no space) or “14yo” leads in each case to more than 100,000 videos. Most aren’t of children being assaulted, but too many are.”

The article sparked intense scrutiny from regulators in several countries, and Visa and MasterCard suspended payment processing.

It may be recalled that at the beginning of the year, Ethical Capital Partners (ECP), a Canadian private equity firm, bought MindGeek, the parent company of PornHub, bringing with it a stable of additional websites including YouPorn. The acquisition has also resulted in a slew of legal issues. 

In June this year, the new owner of PornHub said that the government should take pride in sexual expression instead of cracking down on porn websites. It further urged the governments to help make porn “normal and boring.”

Connecting students with India’s rich, ancient culture: Gujarat to introduce Bhagavad Gita in school syllabus from Class 6 onwards

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Connecting students with India’s rich, ancient culture: Gujarat to introduce Bhagavad Gita in school syllabus from Class 6 onwards

In a major development, Bhagwad Gita will soon be a part of school cirriculum in Gujarat. On the occasion of Gita Jayanti, Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya has declared that schoolchildren will be taught the fundamentals of the sacred text. He disclosed that kids from 6th to 8th grade learn it starting with the upcoming academic session next year.

He also launched books for classes VI to VIII on 22nd December. The minister informed that the teachings of Lord Krishna concerning the universe and the environment will be available for students to learn. He informed that the decision is in line with the National Education Policy launched by the Central Government three years ago.

The cabinet minister also took to X and wrote, “Another education-related decision made by the Gujarati government’s Education Department falls under the purview of the National Education Policy 2020. Thank you very much, Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupendra Patel for incorporating the spiritual ideas and ideals found in the “Shrimad Bhagavad Gita” as an additional textbook into the curriculum for classes 6 to 8.”

He added, “This academic decision will make students feel proud and connected to India’s rich, diverse, ancient culture and knowledge systems and traditions through the teachings of “Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.” This decision taken under the ‘National Education Policy 2020’ under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi will play an important role in developing exemplary life values among students.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader stated during the book launch that a person’s memory of their early schooling lasts a lifetime. Mahatma Gandhi attended a play by Raja Harishchandra when he was a young man. It had a profound impact on his life. He embraced the truth and made it his weapon.

According to the minister, the greatest text in Sanatan Dharma “Shrimad Bhagavad Gita” is the essence of our entire life in which the conscience of spirituality, management, leadership, creativity, culture and karmic excellence are the unique tools for building a superior society. He stressed that the lessons of the Bhagavad Gita are still relevant today.

The material of the Bhagavad Gita for classes 9 to 12 was in the process of completion and would be included in the Gujarati language textbook soon. The government sources reported that rather than receiving a grade for their comprehension of the Bhagavad Gita, pupils “will just be assessed without assigning any marks.”

The state administration previously declared last year that starting with the 2022–2023 academic year, Indian culture and knowledge systems will be taught in schools. The first step is to teach the ideals and concepts of the holy scripture to students in classes ranging from 6th to 12th and they will receive an explanation of the same. Reading the book will be required in accordance with the new school policy. According to a statement issued by the government, elocution competitions, verse singing and literature will also be organised on Bhagavad Gita to help school children understand the text, its knowledge and values.

Jammu and Kashmir: Three individuals found dead after they were questioned by army following Poonch terror attack, massive search operations launched

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Jammu and Kashmir: Three individuals found dead after they were questioned by army following Poonch terror attack, massive search operations launched

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district stated that three men were discovered dead under strange conditions on 22nd December close to the scene of a terrorist attack on Army trucks that killed five troops and injured two others the day before. According to sources, the Army had detained eight individuals including the deceased three for questioning over the incident that occurred on 21st December near Dhatyar Morh which is under the Surankote police station’s jurisdiction and is situated between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz. However, later the three persons were found dead under mysterious circumstances.

43-year-old Safeer Hussain, 27-year-old Mohammad Showket and 32-year-old Shabir Ahmad all residents of Topa Peer village of Bufliazwere identified as the deceased. The cause of their deaths was not immediately established.

Locals protested in the area following the death of the 3 civilians. Internet services have been suspended in the area following the terror attack.

Officials said that while Director General of Police R R Swain and Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, General Officer Commanding of the White Knight Corps based in Jammu examined the ambush scene and assessed the security situation, a massive search operation is underway in the dense forests to find the assailants.

The location was also examined by a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), led by a deputy inspector general-rank officer. However, a senior official stated that the agency has not yet been tasked with investigating the matter. Following the news of the local fatalities, Poonch Deputy Commissioner Choudhary Mohammad Yasin and Senior Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar arrived in Bufliaz. Meanwhile, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar is on his route to Surankote, per the officials.

Late in the afternoon of 21st December, three to four highly armed terrorists attacked an Army vehicle and a Maruti gypsy which resulted in the deaths of five troops and wounded two more. The terrorists stole some of their weapons and disfigured the bodies of at least two soldiers after the attack.

Along with senior Army and police personnel, Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain visited Ground Zero to take stock of the current state of affairs. The officials mentioned that Director General of Police R R Swain went to Poonch and evaluated the security situation along with other top officers such as the Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Anand Jain.

An officer revealed that sniffing dogs have been sent to locate the terrorists and helicopters are also being used to aid with aerial monitoring. “A massive cordon-and-search operation began this morning after a night cordon in the area.” The operation is underway. According to the officer, more troops have been deployed into the region to hunt out the terrorists. Meanwhile, the People’s Anti-Fascist Front or PAFF which is an offshoot of Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack.

Several groups in Jammu, including the Jammu Statehood Organisation staged anti-Pakistan demonstrations and set fire to Pakistan’s effigy. Protests against Pakistan were also organised by the Shiv Sena Dogra Front which also called for a full-scale campaign to drive out terrorists from the region. They pushed for the government to bolster the intelligence network and conduct special operations near forest regions.

Gujarat lifts liquor ban in GIFT City before the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, will allow ‘wine and dine’ facilities

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Gujarat lifts liquor ban in GIFT City before the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, will allow ‘wine and dine’ facilities

On Friday (22nd December), Gujarat’s prohibition department lifted the ban on liquor in the Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT City), exempting it from the statewide prohibition. Gujarat has upheld a prohibition on the production, storage, sale, and consumption of alcohol. However, in a historic move, the state has decided to allow an exemption for GIFT City, lifting this ban to promote an international business climate. This marks the first such exception in Gujarat’s history.

This easing of restrictions occurred just three weeks before the 10th edition of the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Summit. This event is anticipated to feature the inauguration of the offshore campus of Australia’s Deakin University in GIFT City among others.

Gujarat’s prohibition department said in its statement, “The GIFT City has emerged as a global financial and technological hub which is bustling with economic activities. An important decision has been taken on Friday to change rules to allow `wine and dine’ facilities in the GIFT City area to provide a global business ecosystem to global investors, technical experts, and national and international companies.”

It further said, “Under the new system, hotels, restaurants and clubs (existing and that will come up) in the GIFT City area will be given permits for wine and dine facilities. Those officially working in the GIFT City area and their official guests will be able to go to such hotels, restaurants and clubs for wine and dine facilities.”

Owners and employees of firms in GIFT City will be eligible for liquor access permits, while their visitors can obtain temporary permits. These permits will allow them to consume alcohol in designated hotels and restaurants. The state’s prohibition and excise department will oversee the import, storage, and sale of liquor within the city. Currently, visitors from outside Gujarat can purchase alcohol from approved outlets by acquiring a temporary permit.

An official highlighted that, as a global initiative, Gujarat International Finance Tech-City needs to conform to international business norms. He said, “Such rules were previously applicable only to Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and SEZ employees, and the new notification represents a progressive step.”

Hotels, restaurants, and clubs located in or coming to GIFT City will be able to obtain an FL3 license for wine and dine facilities.

The initial proposal to lift the prohibition in Gujarat International Finance Tech-City was submitted in September 2020, emphasising the importance of developing a vibrant evening social life. This move aimed to bring GIFT City’s social offerings in line with those available to professionals in other major financial and tech centres globally.

1...1,5211,5221,523...7,653Page 1,522 of 7,653