On Wednesday (18th October), a specially-abled woman named Virali Modi posted on social media platform X about the inconvenience caused to her at the marriage registrar’s office in the Khar area of Mumbai. Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis took cognisance of her complaint and vowed to fix the issue she had highlighted.
Virali Modi registered her marriage at the Khar office on Monday (16th October). She brought it to public notice that there is no provision of lifts for specially-abled persons although the office is located on the second floor of the building. Moreover, the officers did not come down the stairs to sign the necessary documents for the wheelchair-bound woman who also works as a disability rights activist.
Virali Modi wrote, “I am disabled and I got married at the Registrar’s Office at Khar Mumbai on 16/10/23. The office was on the 2nd floor without a lift. They wouldn’t come downstairs for the signatures and I had to be carried up two flights of stairs to get married.”
PLEASE RT!
I am disabled and I got married at the Registrars Office at Khar Mumbai on 16/10/23. The office was on the 2nd floor WITHOUT a lift. They wouldn’t come downstairs for the signatures and I had to be carried up two flights of stairs to get married. pic.twitter.com/ZNCQF3gJRY
As the TEDx speaker described this ordeal on X, Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis himself took cognisance and replied to her saying that appropriate action in this regard would be taken.
Devendra Fadnavis wrote, “First of all many congratulations on the new beginnings and wishing you both a very happy and a beautiful married life! Also, I really am sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. I have personally taken cognisance and will take corrective and appropriate action.”
First of all many congratulations on the new beginnings and wishing you both a very happy and a beautiful married life !
Also I really am sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. I have personally taken cognisance and will take corrective and appropriate action. @Virali01
The marriage registrar’s office at Khar in Mumbai is located in an old building. Buildings in that era would seldom have lifts, but now Devendra Fadnavis is looking to fix this issue.
The decades-long wait of Hindu devotees is going to end in January 2024. The construction work of the Bhavya Ram Mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi is progressing rapidly. In May, the Ram Janmabhoomi temple trust announced that three sculptors are making the Ram Lalla statue to be placed in the Garbhagriha.
A member of one of the three teams, Vipin Bhadouriya recently informed that the 51-inch tall Balswaroop idol will be handed over to the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple trust by 31st October.
Bhadouriya asserted, “The statue of Ramlalla, which will be placed in the sanctum sanctorum of Ayodhya’s Ram temple, is almost complete and will be handed over to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust by 31st October.”
Bhadouriya has been working around the clock with his mentor, Ganesh Bhatt, who is an eminent sculptor from Karnataka. Regarding Ramlalla’s idol, Bhadouriya noted, “Our idol made of black stone will be the world’s most beautiful statue of Lord Ram, more beautiful than what was imagined. The beauty of the idol would leave people mesmerised.”
He further highlighted that the idol depicts a balswaroop Ram, as a five-year-old, standing on a lotus, carrying a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. Additionally, the statue would also have fine carvings and designs. All signs related to Lord Ram are carved on the statue which will be 51 inches tall.
Bhadouriya added, “I am happy that our efforts have yielded some good results. Our work is on the verge of completion. After some finishing touches, the idol will be handed over to the trust by the end of this month.”
(Image Source – X handle of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerthshetra @ShriRamTeerth)
However, he is not the only one who is preparing the Ram Lalla idol. In May, General Secretary Champat Rai said, “The construction work of the idol of Ram Lalla has started. Dr Ganesh Bhatt from Karnataka, Satya Narayan Pandey from Jaipur, and Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka are making idols at three different places on three different stones.”
#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: The construction work of the idol of Ram Lalla has started. Dr Ganesh Bhatt from Karnataka, Satya Narayan Pandey from Jaipur, and Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka are making idols at three different places on three different stones. It is expected that the idol… pic.twitter.com/0PBCgjXbP0
According to the Trust officials, the finest Ram Lalla idol would be placed in the ‘garbhagriha’, while the remaining two would be placed in another temple. The Ram Lalla idols are being made based on the sketch of internationally acclaimed artist Vasudeo Kamath. He hails from Karnataka’s Karkala town and his paintings from the Ramayana series are acclaimed worldwide.
Meanwhile, out of the three sculptors, two — Bhadouriya and his mentor Bhatt, and Arun Yogiraj from Mysore – have used ‘Krishna Shila’ (black stone) from Karnataka to carve the Ram Lalla idol. Krishna Shila is found in the vicinity of Karkala, a small town in Karnataka, approximately 60 kilometers away from Mangalore.
According to the officials, the most attractive and durable sculptures are made with Krishna Shila as it is one of the finest stones used for sculpting. A trust official said, “The stone, weighing 10 tonnes, 6 feet wide, 4 feet thick, and almost one foot long, was specially brought from Nellikaru village in Karkala, almost a month ago.”
Whereas the third team comprising Satya Narayan Pandey and his son Shilpi from Jaipur is carving the Ram Lalla statue from ‘A-class’ stone or marble from Makrana.
Regarding the usage of Makrana marble, Officials said, “Makrana marble is used for its durability, translucency and fine grains. It is ‘weatherproof’, as it is resistant to erosion and weathering, which makes it ideal for outdoor sculptures and statues.”
However, it is important to note that the trust is not using the two Shaligram stones, weighing 14 and 26 tonnes, which arrived from Nepal on 2nd January, for the construction of the Ram Lalla idol.
Regarding this Champat Rai said, “The two Devshilas were gifted to us by Nepal. These stones were calcite and quartzite and were procured from the Gandaki River in the Muktinath area of the Himalayan region. However, after consulting many seers, priests, and experts, the trust decided not to use the Devshila from Nepal. It was a difficult decision to take.” The trust has not yet finalised what will be done with Devshila.
(Image Source – X handle of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi TeerthShetra)
Further, the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust officials also elaborated on the procedure that will be followed prior to the consecration (pran pratishtha) ceremony of the idol, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take part, on 22nd January.
According to the officials, a grand procession will be taken out through the streets of Ayodhya and the Ram Lalla idol will be placed on a special chariot that is under construction.
The trust officials said, “The scholars from Kashi will worship River Saryu and give a holy dip to the idol amid the chants of special mantras and hymns. On the final day, the idol will be installed in the garbhagriha.”
On 18th October (Wednesday), the United States announced sanctions against a group of 10 Hamas-linked entities and financial networks across Gaza, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, and Qatar. The sanctions are aimed at disrupting the funding of the Palestinian Islamist terror outfit, Hamas.
US announces sanctions against a group of 10 Hamas members and its financial network in response to its Israel attack, reports AP
As per the official press release of the US Treasury, this action targets six individuals managing assets in a secret Hamas investment portfolio, a Qatar-based financial facilitator with close ties to the Iranian regime, two members of the terror outfit including a key Hamas commander, and a Gaza-based virtual currency exchange and its operator.
In its official statement, the U.S. Department of Treasury said, “The sanctions, imposed under a terrorism-related executive order, targeted nine individuals and one entity based in Gaza and elsewhere including Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, and Qatar.”
Regarding sanctioning Hamas, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, “The United States is taking swift and decisive action to target Hamas’s financiers and facilitators following its brutal and unconscionable massacre of Israeli civilians, including children.”
She asserted that the U.S. Treasury has a long history of effectively disrupting terror finance and we will not hesitate to use our tools against Hamas. She added, “We will continue to take all steps necessary to deny Hamas terrorists the ability to raise and use funds to carry out atrocities and terrorise the people of Israel.”
As per the US Treasury Press release, the six Hamas operatives are part of Hamas’s investment network in Turkey and Algeria. The sanctioned operatives include –
Musa Muhammad Salim Dudin (Dudin). West Bank-based Dudin manages Hamas’s Political Bureau and Investment Office and is responsible for negotiations to free Hamas members in prison.
Abdelbasit Hamza Elhassan Mohamed Khair (Hamza) is a Sudan-based Hamas financier. He has managed numerous companies in Hamas’s investment portfolio. Previously, he was involved in the transfer of almost $20 million to Hamas. He has facilitated funds for Hamas through a network of large companies in Sudan.
Amer Kamal Sharif Alshawa (Alshawa) – He is based in Turkey and is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Trend GYO. He has served as a board member on several Hamas investment portfolio companies.
Ahmed Sadu Jahleb (Jahleb) – Jahleb is also based in Turkey and serves as the Hamas investment portfolio secretary. He coordinates various activities for Hamas-controlled companies and Hamas officials.
Aiman Ahmad Al-Duwaik (al-Duwaik) – Algeria-based al-Duwaik is a senior Hamas investment portfolio manager.
Walid Mohammed Mustafa Jadallah (Jadallah) – Turkey-based Jadallah, also serves on the boards of several investment portfolio companies along with al-Duwaik.
Two Hamas operatives sanctioned are –
Muhammad Ahmad ‘Abd Al-Dayim Nasrallah (Nasrallah), is a longtime Hamas operative who is based in Qatar. He has close ties with Iranian elements. As per the press release, he recently was involved in the transfer of tens of millions of dollars to Hamas, including Hamas’s military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassim Brigades.
Ayman Nofal (Nofal) was a member of the Izz al-Din al-Qassim Brigades. He was reportedly killed in an airstrike on Tuesday (17th October).
Two entities that were fundraising through virtual currency for Hamas have also been sanctioned. This includes a Gaza-based business Buy Cash Money and Money Transfer Company (Buy Cash). It provides money transfer and virtual currency exchange services, including Bitcoin. Buy Cash has been sanctioned “for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hamas.”
While Ahmed M. M. Alaqad (Alaqad), who is based in Gaza, has acted as Buy Cash’s representative and owner of the Buy Cash financial exchange. As per the executive order, he has also been sanctioned.
The sanctions have been announced in the wake of the attack on a Gaza hospital. Presenting aerial pictures, radar, and telephonic conversation between two Hamas terrorists, Israel revealed that the attack took place after a Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s rocket misfired and struck the hospital’s parking lot killing several civilians.
The sanctions have been announced right after U.S. President Joe Biden met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to terror-struck Israel. During the meeting, Biden asserted that it was the other side (PIJ) that had hit the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza which was followed by the announcement of sanctions against Hamas-linked entities.
On Tuesday (17th October), a lady teacher from a missionary school in Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) was suspended for allegedly pressuring a Class 10 student to engage in physical relations. The student’s father has accused the teacher of attempting to influence his son’s religious beliefs, aiming to convert him from Hinduism to Christianity. Subsequently, ABVP activists held a protest march on October 16th, demanding legal action against the teacher. The school administration responded by suspending the accused teacher.
The incident took place at St. Aloysius’ High School in the Kanpur Cantt police station area. The victim is a class 10 student of St. Aloysius’ High School. According to the victim’s family, their son, who believes in Hinduism, would get irritated even by the ringing of bells during Puja and worship in their house. For about a year, he had stopped respecting gods and goddesses. When the family asked the reason for this, he did not give any satisfactory answer.
Roughly four months ago, upon returning home from school, the child’s parents noticed that his Shikha, a sacred lock of hair, had been cut off. After thorough questioning, the boy revealed that a female teacher from the school had taken him to a church and cut off the Shikha. According to the victim’s father, a recent examination of his son’s phone revealed that the female teacher had been engaging in late-night conversations with the boy. These chats reportedly included the teacher sending explicit messages to the child, pressuring him to engage in physical relations.
The accused teacher, who has been teaching at the school for nearly 37 years, is approximately 60 years old and nearing retirement. The family of the victim has labelled the incident as a ploy to convert their child under the guise of affection. The parents alleged that the children were being brainwashed in the school by calling Hindus beggars. The principal of the school, Walter D’Silva, is said to be the mastermind of this conspiracy of conversion.
Moreover, it has been alleged that the husband and brother of the accused teacher were also complicit in this purported conspiracy. The teacher’s husband and brother also teach in the same school.
The victim’s father had lodged a complaint with the police on 11th October 2023. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad alleged that the school administration wants to suppress the matter, due to which the registration of the FIR is being delayed. On 16th October, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protested over the incident.
The protest march was led by ABVP’s state organisation minister Anshul Vidyarthi. The ABVP demanded strict action against the school administration. The victim’s father also joined the procession. After this march, the school administration suspended the female teacher.
According to the student’s father, P White, a teacher at the school, told his son that Hindus are beggars. Additionally, there were purported restrictions within the school, including a ban on applying tilak on the forehead and tying kalava on the wrist.
The family also claims to have faced pressure to suppress the matter. Vikrant Agnihotri, an office bearer of ABVP, alleged that the school’s syllabus includes a chapter featuring great personalities of the freedom struggle, where a cross symbol is prominently displayed.
प्रकरण में जांच की जा रही है, जांचोपरान्त आवश्यक वैधानिक कार्यवाही की जायेगी।
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE KANPUR NAGAR (@kanpurnagarpol) October 17, 2023
According to Kanpur Police, the matter is being investigated. No arrest has been made so far. Police said in a X post that further action will be taken on the basis of the facts revealed after the investigation.
On 18th October (Wednesday), Union Minister Piyush Goyal slammed NCP chief Sharad Pawar for his ‘preposterous’ statements on India’s stand on the terrorist attack that took place on 7th October in Israel. Taking to X, he asserted that terrorism should be condemned in all its forms. He added that it is a pity that senior politician like Sharad Pawar who had assumed several key positions in various governments has a “casual view” on issues relating to terrorism.
He tweeted, “It is very disturbing when a senior leader like Sharad Pawar makes preposterous statements on India’s stand on a terror attack in Israel. The menace of terrorism has to be condemned in all forms, in any part of the world. It is a pity that a person who has been India’s Defence Minister as well as a Chief Minister many times has such a casual view of issues relating to terror.”
It is very disturbing when a senior leader like @PawarSpeaks ji makes preposterous statements on India’s stand on a terror attack in Israel. The menace of terrorism has to be condemned in all forms, in any part of the world. It is a pity that a person who has been India’s Defence…
Further in his post, Goyal slammed NCP Chief Sharad Pawar pointing out that he was part of the UPA government which didn’t act tough on terror attacks that killed innocent Indians. He also highlighted that the then-UPA government sympathised with the terrorists who were killed in the Batla House encounter episode. He further lambasted Pawar saying that “this rotten mindset has to stop” and advised him to think of the nation first.
He added, “Pawar was a part of the same Government that shed tears on the Batla House encounter and slept while there were terror attacks on Indian soil. This rotten mindset has to stop. I hope Pawar at least now, thinks of the nation first.”
Goyal made this remark in the wake of statements given by Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar on the ongoing developments in the Middle East.
On 15th October (Sunday), while addressing a gathering of NCP workers in Mumbai, Pawar argued that India always stood for the cause of Palestine. He added that former Prime Ministers of India also “stood firmly with Palestine”.
Accusing Israel of being an ‘oppressor’ and a guilty party for the recent turn of events, Pawar claimed that PM Modi shouldn’t have stood with Israel after it faced one of the worst terrorist attacks in recent history in which more than 1,300 unsuspecting Israelis have been killed.
Pawar ranted, “It is very unfortunate that for the first time, our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) stood with Israel, leaving the real issue over there. He neglected the real issue. We should be clear about our stand. The stand of the NCP should be clear. We stand by the people who originally belonged to that land.”
It is important to note that he made this remark claiming that India changed its earlier stance after PM Modi condemned the terrorist attacks on Israel, hours after it unfolded on 7th October.
Following the 7th October terrorist attack, PM Modi expressed solidarity with Israel and condemned the “terrorist attacks” there. PM Modi tweeted, “Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.”
Later, on 10th October, PM Modi reiterated his stance when he received a phone call from his Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. PM Modi said the people of India stand firmly with Israel and expressed strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.
Deeply shocked at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured.
Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern.…
However, it is important to note that on 18th October (Wednesday) PM Modi expressed condolences at the loss of lives in the Gaza hospital explosion. He also expressed concern over the mounting civilian casualties in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war adding that those behind such deaths should be “held responsible”.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan continues to be an infernal place for its religious minorities particularly Hindus whose innumerable sufferings have no end in sight. The country’s police, judiciary and executive act as instruments to strengthen the hands of the extremists and facilitate the exploitation of Hindus. In the latest incident, a Hindu girl named Reeta Meghwar managed to escape from the clutches of Islamists in Sindh’s Badin. Ashiq Ahmadani had abducted her two months earlier and even authorities failed to locate her during the time.
Reeta Kohli expressed her desire to go with her parents, but the court, despite her statement, decided to send her to safe house. She was in tears and protested in court, adamantly stating that she didn't want to go to safe house but rather wanted to live with her parents. 1/2 https://t.co/lRsMHT3RwJpic.twitter.com/kXsbnISYMg
She complained that she was pressurised to embrace Islam and marry a Muslim. Death threats were issued against her family by the accused if she refused to comply with the demands as she endured unimaginable torment at the hands of her abductors. She nevertheless found a way to break free from their prison and make it to the police station. Unfortunately, the police stations and the courts in Pakistan generally serve as means for the radicals to carry out such horrible crimes rather than being institutions to preserve and uphold the rule of law.
She implored the judges to allow her to be with her parents again after she was brought to court. However, the court directed her to be placed in the custody of Dar-al Aman which operates as a refuge for females. These safe shelters are usually regarded as the last resort in cases of contentious custody disputes. The girl pleaded to leave with her family, but the judges turned down the request. To put it plainly, the judiciary’s role looked dubious. She sobbed and begged to be taken home to her mother and father several times and collapsed to the ground in the courthouse courtyard in agony.
A similar instance surfaced in June of this year when a 14-year-old girl named Sohana Sharma Kumari was abducted from her home in the Benazirabad district of Sindh province. She was married off to a Muslim man after being forced to convert to Islam. Her plight was exacerbated when a Pakistani court denied her request to go back to her parents again in spite of her pleadings.
Her tutor and his associates abducted her in front of her mother at gunpoint. Her father Dilip Kumar Sharma reported her horrifying event to the authorities. Later, the victim was manipulated to release a video in which she revealed that she had become a Muslim and wed a guy of the same faith. Her parents however countered that she was a minor. Five days after her abduction and in the wake of significant social media outcry, the authorities found the victim in a house in the district.
According to reports, she gave a statement declaring that she wished to return to her family and after much wrangling a Pakistani court eventually granted her request. It allowed her to reunite with her parents, but it did not take any concrete steps towards apprehending the perpetrators.
On 18th October (Wednesday), Six airports across France were evacuated after they received emails issuing “threats of attack”, a police source told Agence France-Presse (AFP). Lyon, Lille, Toulouse, Paris Beauvais, Nice, and Nantes airports were evacuated after what police described as either bomb threats or suspect packages.
According to sources privy to the matter, the evacuations at these airports near Paris were done to allow authorities to “clear up any doubts” that the threats might be real.
A spokesman for the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) confirmed that there had been “bomb threats” and “terminal evacuations” at four hubs: Lille, Lyon, Toulouse and Beauvais (north of Paris). However, the spokesman was unable to give further details immediately.
Confirming the evacuation, Lille airport tweeted, “Lille airport is being evacuated following a bomb threat. State security services are on site.”
Aéroport de Lille en cours d’évacuation suite à une alerte à la bombe.
Les services de sécurité de l’État sont sur place.
While Nice Airport’s X account stated that it carried out security checks after finding an abandoned baggage item. However, it added that the situation has now returned to normal.
Following an abandoned baggage item in terminal 1, a security perimeter was set up to allow the usual checks to be carried out. The situation has now returned to normal.
The development comes at a time when France has been placed on the highest possible level of security alert since Friday (13th October). Earlier on 16th October (Monday), a school in northern France where a teacher was stabbed to death in an apparent Islamist attack last week was evacuated following a bomb threat. The attacker claimed allegiance to the Islamic State.
The incident took place on 13th October (Friday) when a man later identified as Mohammed Moguchkov killed Dominique Bernard. As per media reports, Bernard was a literature teacher and he was killed outside the Gambetta-Carnot school in Arras.
Screaming ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the attack, Moguchkov also went on to injure three other members of the teaching staff. The fatal knife attack took place on ‘Global Day of Jihad’ which was called by Hamas terrorists on the first Friday since the 7th October terror attack on Israel.
Moguchkov was later detained by the police and France initiated an anti-terrorist investigation into the case as the French government described it as an “Islamist terror attack”.
Similarly, top Paris tourist attractions were also evacuated over the weekend due to fears of a potential attack.
On 14th October (Saturday), visitors were evacuated from the Louvre Museum and Palace of Versailles for security reasons. They are two of the world’s most visited tourist attractions. Officials stated that they received a written message warning that there was a “risk to the museum and its visitors”, according to AFP. The museum decided to evacuate and close for the day in order to carry out “essential checks”.
On Tuesday (17th October) Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma while hitting back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments on Jay Shah and BJP MLA Pankaj Singh over dynasty politics called the Gandhi scion “Anpadh Baccha (illiterate kid). CM Sarma said that, unlike the BJP, the entire Gandhi family is a part of the Congress party.
This comes after Rahul Gandhi while responding to a question regarding BJP’s allegation of “dynasty politics” within the Congress party called for an ‘objective assessment’ and mentioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah who is the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pankaj Singh who is a BJP MLA from Noida and son of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
“You are talking about dynastic politics. What does Amit Shah’s son do? What does Rajnath Singh’s son do? Last I heard, Amit Shah’s son is running Indian cricket. So please be objective, look at the leaders in the BJP. Ask yourselves the question: What are their children doing? You will find that many of their children, including Anurag Thakur, hail from dynasties.”
What does Amit Shah's son do?
What does Rajnath Singh's son do?
Look at the leaders of the BJP and what their children are doing.
This argument unfolded in the backdrop of escalating political campaigns in numerous states ahead of assembly elections.
Responding to this, the Assam CM said, “When it comes to dynastic politics he [Rahul Gandhi] must understand the meaning of that. Amit Shah’s son is not in the BJP, but Rahul Gandhi’s entire family is part of Congress. Today, he criticises everything, but he doesn’t realise that he is the root cause of it all… So, if an entire family, including mother, father, grandfather, sister, and brother, are involved in politics and control a party, where can you draw a parallel to that? Can Rajnath Singh, who is just an MLA from UP, be compared to Priyanka Gandhi? Does he control the BJP? So it is a very difficult mindset. He “
#WATCH | Guwahati: On Rahul Gandhi's statement, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "When it comes to dynastic politics he (Rahul Gandhi) must know the meaning of this. Amit Shah's son is not in politics, but his entire family is in Congress. Today he is slamming… https://t.co/a1BILPyWYjpic.twitter.com/TDnQCW89dt
CM Sarma further took a swipe at the Wayanad MP and said, “You should empower your own parties and then discuss others. If you leave Congress and hand it over to fresh people, then you can talk about ending dynastic politics. How did Amit Shah’s son come here? He thought that the BCCI is a BJP wing. So, the poor, illiterate fellow what he can say more.”
On 18th October (Wednesday), the Union Cabinet approved a 4% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners. With this, the DA/DR has been increased to 46% from the existing 42%. While briefing reporters about the decisions taken by the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told media that the release of the additional instalment of dearness allowance and dearness relief will be applicable from 1st July, this year.
During this season of festivities, the Central Government has taken the cabinet decision to increase the DA (Dearness Allowance) of Government officials and the Dearness Relief to pensioners by 4% from July 1, 2023
During the briefing, Thakur said, “Dearness Allowance for Central government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners has been increased by 4 per cent. The DA hike will be implemented from 1, July 2023.”
The announcement comes in the festive season and is being hailed as a Diwali gift from the government. As a result of this Cabinet decision, central government employees will get increased salaries starting from November, in addition to arrears for the period between July and October.
The Union Minister Anurag Thakur stated that the decision has come during the festival season and will benefit both the central government employees and pensioners. Around 48.67 lakh Central Government Employees and 67.95 lakh pensioners will get benefit from this Cabinet decision. It would cost Rs 12,857 crore annually to the Union government.
The extra monthly income for Central government employees with a minimum basic salary of Rs 18,000 will rise from Rs 7,560 (at a 42% rate) to Rs 8,280 (at a 46% rate). Likewise, for employees with a maximum basic salary of Rs 56,900, their monthly earnings will increase from Rs 23,898 (at a 42% rate) to Rs 26,174 (at a 46% rate).
Notably, the government pays Dearness Allowance/Relief to its employees (DA) and pensioners (DR) to offset the impact of inflation. Taking inflation into account, the government revises the rates of DA and DR every six months.
This announcement comes a day after, the Union government on 17th October (Tuesday) approved ad-hoc (Non-productivity linked) bonuses for Group C and non-gazetted Group B rank central government officials, including paramilitary forces and armed forces. This is equivalent to 30 days of emoluments for the accounting year 2022-23.
In a notification, the Ministry of Finance stated, “The calculation ceiling for payment of ad-hoc bonus under these orders shall be monthly emoluments of ₹7,000/”.
To be eligible for the bonus, a government employee must have been in service as of 31st March 2023, and have worked continuously for at least six months during the fiscal year. Employees who meet these criteria will receive a pro-rata payment based on their duration of continuous service throughout the year.
On Thursday (18th October), the Saket court in Delhi convicted four accused persons in the murder of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan. The fifth accused has also been convicted of other charges related to the case. The court found all of them guilty under the strict MCOCA law.
The court determined that Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Ajay Kumar, and Baljeet Malik murdered the journalist with the goal of robbing her. They were found guilty under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC and also under MCOCA section 3(1)(i).
Ajay Sethi, the fifth accused, has been convicted under Section 411 of the Indian Penal Code for keeping a stolen car. He also supported the group and retained property generated from organised crime. The court found him guilty under sections 3(2) and 3(5) of MCOCA.
STORY | 15 years on, court convicts four for murder of TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan
The murdered journalist’s mother commented on the verdict saying, “We’ve lost our daughter, but this (verdict) will act as a deterrent for others as well.” She said that all the accused convicted deserve life imprisonment as a punishment in this case.
"My daughter is gone but this verdict will act as a deterrent for others": Soumya Vishwanathan's mother.
5 people were today convicted in the 2008 murder case of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan. pic.twitter.com/JVJfHwySNs
In September 2008, the journalist was assassinated in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area. She was killed in her car on Vasant Kunj’s Nelson Mandela Marg. Vishwanathan was working as a journalist with the then-newly launched news channel named ‘Headlines Today’. On September 28, 2008, she was shot and killed on her way home from work.
The Delhi police had invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) due to the accused’s prior involvement in other dreadful cases including the Jigisha Ghosh murder case.
The decision was made by Delhi’s Saket Court 15 years after the murder. The accused were arrested in March 2009, but it took the prosecution 13 years to bring all of the evidence in the case before the court. The trial began in February 2010 and ended today with the accused being found guilty.
Vishwanathan was found murdered in her car on September 30, 2008. It was initially assumed that she died in an accident. However, forensic reports found that Vishwanathan died as a result of a bullet wound to the head. This sparked an investigation into a murder.
According to police investigations, she was followed on her way home and shot by another moving vehicle. CCTV footage tracked her movements and detected a maroon-colored car following her.
The police then conducted an investigation and arrested two people, Ravi Kapoor and Amit Shukla, for their involvement in another case. However, they confessed to having murdered Vishwanathan and described it as a ‘thrilling activity’. All the other accused were then identified and arrested.
The hearing of the case was completed in 2016, however, the verdict was postponed multiple times owing to legal issues.
