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IMF projects a contraction of 10.3% this year and a growth rate of 8.8% for the Indian economy in 2021

OpIndia Staff
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IMF projects a contraction of 10.3% this year and a growth rate of 8.8% for the Indian economy in 2021

At the release of its World Economy Outlook October 2020 report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made some positive predictions regarding the Indian economy in its ‘World Economic Outlook’ report. The IMF has projected a 10.3% contraction in the Indian economy for this year but it also predicted that the economy is likely to bounce back with an 8.8% growth next year. The growth rate of India in 2019 was 4.9 per cent.

If the Indian economy is able to achieve the growth rate as projected by the IMF, India will regain its position as the fastest growing economy in the world and it will also surpass China whose growth rate for the next year has been projected at 8.2 per cent by the IMF. However, as per the report, China is the only country among the major economies to show a growth rate of 1.9 per cent this year. The report said that the revisions to the forecast are particularly large for India where the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) experienced a much more severe contraction than expected in the second quarter.

The report has predicted the world growth rate to contract by 4.4 per cent this year while it is likely to be 5.2 per cent for 2021. It had projected a contraction of 5.8 percent in the US economy for this year and a growth rate of 3.9 per cent for the next year. Predicting the damage likely to be inflicted on countries due to global warming, the report said that India is among the countries that are likely to suffer the greatest damage from global warming. It added that for India, the total gains from climate change mitigation-relative to inaction-would be up to 60-80 per cent of the GDP by 2100.

The World Bank had predicted last week in the latest issue of its South Asia Economic Focus report that India’s GDP in expected to contract by 9.6 per cent this fiscal year which began in March. It also said that India’s economic situation is much worse that ever seen before. Noting the severe effects of lockdown on the Indian economy, the World Bank said that India needed to continue with critical reforms to reverse the sudden effects of the pandemic.

Law student who had accused former Union minister Chinmayanand of rape turns hostile, set to be tried for perjury

OpIndia Staff
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Law student who had accused former Union minister Chinmayanand of rape turns hostile, set to be tried for perjury

On Tuesday, the 24-year-old law student, who had earlier accused former BJP minister Chinmayanand of sexual assault and harassment has turned hostile after she disowned her own statements before a special court in Lucknow.

According to the reports, the law student had submitted before the court that she had levelled the allegations against the former Union minister “under pressure by miscreants”.

The woman appeared before the court on Tuesday and denied making any allegations of sexual assault against Chinmayanand.

Case of perjury filed against the law student

Following the withdrawal of statement by the law student, the prosecution has moved an application to file a case against her for perjury. The prosecution has moved an application under Section 340 of the CrPC, seeking action against her for perjury.

“The statement of the law student was recorded on Tuesday before Additional District Judge Pawan Kumar Rai. The law student told the court that she had made the allegation of sexual assault on Chinmayanand under pressure from miscreants,” said government counsel Abhay Tripathi.

The prosecution has also sought the court to declare her hostile and also sought permission from the court to cross-examine her. Judge PK Rai has asked the prosecution to register the application and also submit a copy of the application to the victim and the accused.

Accusations of rape against Chinmayanand

In September 2019, a law student from Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur, who was studying at a college run by a trust headed by Chinmayanand, had accused BJP leader Swami Chinmayanand of raping her and “physically exploitation”. She had also alleged that the former MP had recorded videos of her while she was in the bath and used them to blackmail and rape her.

After a huge controversy, Swami Chinmayanand was arrested on September 20 from his Mumuksha Ashram in Shahjahanpur. In February this year, the Allahabad High Court had granted bail to Chinmayanand.

A case was registered against Chinmayanand under section 376-C ( abuse of one’s position by a person in authority to induce or seduce a woman), section 342 (wrongful confinement), section 354-D (stalking) and section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Days later, the student went missing after making allegations against Chinmayanand. However, she was later traced in a Delhi hotel with one of her male friends, who had allegedly made extortion call to Swami Chinmayanand demanding Rs 5 crore. 

A complaint was also registered by Chinmayanand against the girl over allegations that she and her friend had tried to extort Rs 5 crore from him. The law student was also arrested and sent to judicial custody by a local court in Shahjahanpur for allegedly attempting to extort Chinmayanand.

Congress leader Alka Lamba shares fake news on Twitter, gets schooled by Meerut police

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader Alka Lamba shares fake news on Twitter, gets schooled by Meerut police

Former Aam Admi Party (AAP) MLA and currently Congress leader Alka Lamba was schooled by the Meerut police when she was trying to spread fake news on Twitter to attack the Uttar Pradesh government. Lamba who recently rejoined the Congress party after leaving AAP, retweeted a post shared by News Channel News 24 on Twitter attributing it to the state of Uttar Pradesh. The social media post was apparently an advertisement about some person named Jonti Badmaash who was charging money, as mentioned in the post, for criminal acts like threatening, assaulting, causing harm and even murder. The rates for these activities were mentioned against the categories of crimes. News 24 has shared the advertisement and had tagged Meerut police in it.

Alka Lamba’s tweet

Lamba, who is often seeing displaying strange behaviour on social media, did not even bother to verify the news and jumped to conclusion. She commented on the post saying that criminal could advertise like that only under the BJP rule.

Responding to Lamba’s comments, the Meerut police debunked the fake post and clarified that the post did not relate to Uttar Pradesh and if fact it was related to the Congress ruled state of Rajasthan.

Meerut Police schools Alka Lamba

The Meerut police said that the post was shared on Facebook in 2019. It further added that the journalist who wrongly associated this post with Uttar Pradesh has been sent to jail after filing a complaint. The police asked Lamba to stop spreading rumours and to immediately refute the post.

Lamba has spread misinformation earlier too

This is not the first time when Lamba had spread misinformation on social media. Recently, she had shared a four-year old stock image to claim that temples were opened in lockdown to collect donations. She had also posted a sermonising comment on the fake photo about worship and devotion.

After CFO, Mumbai Police summons Republic TV Exec Editor to question him about Hansa Report that named India Today in TRP scam

OpIndia Staff
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After CFO, Mumbai Police summons Republic TV Exec Editor to question him about Hansa Report that named India Today in TRP scam

Mumbai Police has issued a summons to Niranjan Narayanswamy, the Executive Editor of Republic TV, in connection with the TRP scam. Originally, in the FIR related to the case, only India Today was mentioned and not Republic TV. Earlier, Chief Financial Officer of Republic TV – S Sundaram was summoned in connection with the case following which the CFO moved the Supreme Court.

The summons issued to Niranjan Narayanswamy of Republic TV on the 13th of October says, “Whereas on 10/10/2020 Republic TV Channel has telecast a document which purpotedly belongs to Hansa Research Group Pvt. Ltd., and Whereas there are reasonable grounds to believe that you are acquainted with certain facts and circumstances of the said document which purpotedly belongs to Hansa Research Group Pvt. Ltd. and the same is required to be ascertained from you, and Whereas it is necessary to record your statement in this regard, and Therefore, you are directed to provide said document which purpotedly belongs to Hansa Research Group Pvt. Ltd. for the investigation of said case.”

Niranjan Narayanswamy has been asked to present himself before the Mumbai Police on Wednesday at 12.00 pm. Previously, Mumbai police had summoned consulting editor of Republic TV and journalist Pradeep Bhandari for questioning on Friday. A complaint against Bhandari was registered at the Khar police station under Articles 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of IPC and 37(1), 135 of the Bombay Police Act, and he was asked to appear for the investigation of the said crime.

The ‘fake TRP scam’ exposed

The ‘fake TRP scam’ had taken a remarkable turn in less than 48 hours. Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh, in an explosive statement accused Republic TV of ‘TRP manipulation’. In a no-holds-barred attack against Republic TV and Arnab Goswami, the Mumbai CP had claimed, that the channel had illegally paid some households to keep some channels on even if they were not at home to boost their TRP.

However, by the end of the day, it was revealed that in the original FIR, Republic TV did not find a mention anywhere. In fact, it was India Today that had been named in the original FIR. The Joint Commissioner had also admitted that it was indeed India Today that was named in the FIR.

The 7-page Hansa research Group complaint served as the basis for the FIR registered in the TRP scam case. Contrary to the narrative put forth by the Mumbai Police, the complaint categorically mentions India Today on two occasions but does not make any reference to Republic TV or other channels.

The Hansa Research Group Pvt Ltd. had filed the complaint against unknown persons and two of its employees, namely, Vishal Bhandari and Dinesh Vishwakarma. The company informed that they undertake the Panel Home Operations for a metering company MDL to collect raw data of TV viewership for BARC.

‘We withdraw this film keeping in mind hurt sentiments’: Hindus win, Tanishq issues statement

OpIndia Staff
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‘We withdraw this film keeping in mind hurt sentiments’: Hindus win, Tanishq issues statement

Tanishq has issued a statement following the huge controversy created by its ad normalising Love Jihad. The statement said that the ad was withdrawn considering the sentiments that were hurt due to it. It maintained, nevertheless, that its objective was to “celebrate the beauty of oneness”.

Tanishq apologises for Love Jihad ad

Tanishq said in its statement, “We are deeply saddened with the inadvertent stirring of emotions and withdraw this film keeping in mind the hurt sentiments and well being of our employees, partners and store staff.” It also said, “This film has stimulated divergent and severe reactions, contrary to its very objective.”

Earlier, a Tanishq showroom in Gujarat had condemned the ad and apologised profusely to the Hindu community for the sentiments that were hurt. A massive outrage broke over various social media platforms after people called for the boycott of the jewellery brand Tanishq for their latest advertisement. In its advertisement for ‘Ekatvam’ collection, Tanishq showcased a Hindu woman married into a Muslim family, preparing for her ‘god-bharai’ (baby shower). Following the outrage, Tanishq had removed the video from YouTube.

Tanishq ad

The ad released on October 9 showed a pregnant Hindu woman walking with her mother-in-law, who distinctly belonged to the Muslim faith. The Muslim mother-in-law then leads the Hindu daughter-in-law to the garden area, where the god-bharai ceremony has been set up according to Hindu traditions.

When the surprised daughter-in-law wonders about the ritual in ‘their family’, the mother in law smiled and said how ‘keeping daughter happy’ is a universal ritual. Unfortunately, in reality, there have been innumerable cases where Hindu women are forced to convert to Islam and marry Muslim men.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa expresses wish to meet Mamata Banerjee with Ex-Armyman Balwinder Singh’s wife and son to talk about his release

OpIndia Staff
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Manjinder Singh Sirsa expresses wish to meet Mamata Banerjee with Ex-Armyman Balwinder Singh’s wife and son to talk about his release

Days after Balwinder Singh, the Black Cat commando and a veteran of the Kargil war was sent to 8 days of police remand by a local court in Kolkata, Akali Dal leader and President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Manjinder Singh Sirsa has appealed to meet the WB CM Mamata Banerjee with the Ex-Armyman’s wife and son and talk about his release.

The Akali Dal leader shared a picture of Balwinder Singh’s wife standing with folded hands beside her son and urged Mamata Banerjee to provide them with a suitable time tomorrow so that they could meet her and prove the officer’s innocence. Sirsa Tweeted that it was his humble appeal to Mamata Banerjee that justice is provided to the Ex-Armyman.

Balwinder Singh sent to 8 days of police custody by WB court

It may be recalled how WB police, working at the behest of Mamata Banerjee had dragged, assaulted and ripped off the turban of Balwinder Singh during the Nabanna Chalo protests by BJYM and BJP on Thursday. Even though there was a nationwide outrage against disrespecting the Sikh religious headgear by police, the Mamata Banerjee govt had arrested him on the charges of carrying a firearm illegally. The Ex-Armyman was sent to police remand for 8 days.

Calls for justice for Balwinder Singh rises

A delegation led by Manindar Singh Sirsa had also submitted a representation to the West Bengal governor. Calling the act of West Bengal police a grave insult to entire Sikh Community, the delegation demanded justice for Balwinder Singh.

BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga had also filed a complaint against West Bengal Police with the Minority Commission of India for pulling the turban of a Sikh person in Kolkata. 

Protesting against the incident, Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga wrote that ‘what is happening in West Bengal is unforgivable. The brutal attack on security officer Balwinder Singh and disrespect of his turban by West Bengal Police is really shameful and condemnable act’. The BJP leader urged the National Commission for Minorities to take action against the erring police officers as soon as possible, saying that otherwise, they will have no other option but to resort to protest and legal action.

Girl lured into fields and gang raped in Uttar Pradesh, Adil and Bhura arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Girl lured into fields and gang raped in Uttar Pradesh, Adil and Bhura arrested

A shocking incident of gang rape of a minor girl had come to light from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. According to reports, the incident took place in a village falling under Chilkana police station in which a 17-year old girl was lured into fields by the culprits and was gangraped on the night of October 11. The culprits threatened to kill her when she tried to restrict them.

The family of the girl kept looking for her on Sunday night as she suddenly disappeared. She somehow manage to escape from the clutches of the accused and reached her home on Monday morning. The victim was then taken to police station by her family members where filed a complaint against the culprits. SSP Ali Abbas reached the victim’s village to take notice of the situation on receiving the information of the incident.

SHO BS Verma informed that the victim has been sent for medical examination. The police has arrested the accused named Raja alias Bhura and Adil. The police is interrogating the accused. The police have assured that the culprits would not be spared.

Maharashtra: Priests at Shirdi temple protest against Uddhav Thackeray government demanding reopening of temple

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Priests at Shirdi temple protest against Uddhav Thackeray government demanding reopening of temple

Priests at Shirdi Temple in Maharashtra have started a protest against the Uddhav Thackery government for not reopening temples for worship despite Central government allowing opening of religious places back in June, reported Republic TV. The Shirdi Temple priests will begin a hunger strike today.

Talking to Republic channel, Acharya Tushar Bhosle, who is sitting on protest, said that the Central government had issued guidelines on June 8 for reopening the religious places all over the country but the Maharashtra governing did not comply with the guidelines. “Aaj purey desh bhar k mandir k dwar khul chuke hain lekin ye Uddhave Thackeray ji ko sadhu santo se aur dharm se itni nafrat kyo ho gyi hai k Maharashtra me mandir na kholne par vo tul gye hain” (Today, temples all over the country have been reopened but why does Uddhav Thackeray ji have so much hatred for saints and religion that he is adamant on not reopening the temples), said Acharya Bhosle.

Calling the Maharashtra government ‘deaf and dumb’, Acharya Bhosle said that the Maharashtra government is not willing to understand the sensitivities of saints. “Humne purey rajyabhar me ghantanag andolan kiya. Bahut bar maang ki rajyapal mahodaya se mile. Lekin ye Maharashtra ki gungi beheri sarkar hamari samvedanaye samajhne ko taiyyar nhi hai. Sadhu santo ki maharashtra me sadhu santo ki hatya ho rhi hai” (We organised Ghantanag movement across the state. We met the Governor many times. But this deaf and dumb government of Maharashtra is not ready to understand the sensitivities of saints. Saints are being killed in the state of Maharashtra that belonged to saints), lashed out Acharya Bhosle.

Giving the Thackeray government ultimatum, Acharya Bhosle said that the government should take a decision by today evening on reopening of temples. Former trustee of Sai Sansthan Sachin, condemning the Maharashtra government, has said that if the demands of saints are not fulfilled by the government then a more aggressive movement will be started against the government.

BJP workers also organised protests across the state today demanding the reopening of temples. The workers called out the state government for allowing restaurants and bars to reopen but not reopening the temples. Protest were held at several prominent temples of the state including Siddhivinayak temple, Tambdi Jogeshwari temple and Vitthal Rakhumai temple.

Launching a scathing attack on the CM Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh wrote to the Chief Minister seeking reopening of temples.

Punjab burns 4 times more stubble than last year amid fears of Covid crisis getting worse due to pollution

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab burns 4 times more stubble than last year amid fears of Covid crisis getting worse due to pollution

Stubble burning incidents in Punjab has increased by nearly four times in 2020 as compared to last year. According to Anil Sood, Head of ACM division, Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana, they have recorded 2,873 incidents so far between 21st September and 12th October. Last year, during the same period, 755 cases were recorded. In 2018, 510 cases were recorded in Punjab.

Stubble burning and pollution in Delhi

Every year, the national capital faces severe consequences of the stubble burning, especially during the winters. The air pollution during this time increases by several folds. Air pollution has been record-high in Delhi in the last few years with the worst air quality. The residents of northern India, where stubble burning causes a spike in air pollution, face breathing problems, and other health issues.

Several schemes, crores of funds but no result

On 1st October, Union environment minister Prakash Jabadkar met environment ministers of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. They reviewed the situation and steps taken by the state governments in the last few years to control air pollution. The center has allocated Rs.1,700 crore fund for the states. Livemint quoted an environment minister saying, “Currently, 80% subsidy to cooperatives and 50% subsidy to individuals on machineries for stubble is being provided to curb pollution caused due to stubble burning.”

Javadekar said that the state action plans are in place, and they were ready to be implemented. “Delhi government has been directed to take more action on the 13 hotspots in Delhi so as to reduce the air pollution in the capital. 50 teams of CPCB will be deployed in Delhi NCR region to take appropriate action this year,” he added.

Coronavirus crisis could get worse due to pollution

Doctors and environmental experts believe that stubble burning and the subsequent deterioration of air quality could aggravate the COVID-19 situation in north India and pose a major challenge for the government to cope with the effects of worsening pollution on the coronavirus crisis. Coronavirus and the exacerbating air pollution could prove to be a double whammy for COVID-19 patients, who already face breathing issues due to the contagion.

Every year, Delhi and the surrounding places witness a steady deterioration of air quality during the months of winter because of a host of reasons such as unfavourable weather, stubble burning and local sources of pollution. However, this time around, the situation is more serious, considering the country is in the throes of an unprecedented coronavirus crisis, a pandemic known for causing serious respiratory complications.

Hathras case: CBI questions the victim’s brother after inconsistencies in his statements appear

OpIndia Staff
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Hathras case: CBI questions the victim’s brother after inconsistencies in his statements appear

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team is leaving no stone unturned to solve the sensational Hathras case. Earlier in the day, it was reported that the CBI team has reached the crime spot, where the girl was allegedly strangulated. The CBI officials, with the help of the victim’s brother, had reconstructed the crime scene for further investigation. Now, it has been revealed that the victim’s brother has been detained and escorted to an unknown location away from his family for further interrogation.

CBI has reportedly taken this decision after it found some inconsistencies in the victim’s brother’s statements, reports Times Now.

CBI decides to conduct solo interrogation of Hathras victim’s brother following inconsistencies in his statements

Times Now has reported that a CBI source has informed the news channel that the investigating officers have taken the victim’s brother outside the village to an unknown location, where he would be further interrogated.

According to the CBI source, the victim’s brother was brought to the crime scene at around 11.30 am and was kept there for almost two and a half hours. He was asked to re-create what happened on September 14- the day of the alleged crime, when accused Sandeep has attacked his sister. It is being believed that the version of his statements given today in front of the CBI was quite different from what he had confessed in front of UP Police and the SIT team earlier.

Owing to these discrepencies in his statements, CBI has decided to conduct a solo interrogation of the victim’s brother.

It was reported earlier in the day that the CBI team has also been accompanied by a forensic expert team for retrieving ‘destroyed evidence’, given that the crime scene was never sealed by the police. Reportedly, the CBI officials will also be recording the statement of all the victim’s family members.

CBI to study police case diary

Reportedly, the CBI team had taken over crucial documents from the police in connection to the Hathras case. The investigative agency will also study the police case diary for further probe. They are likely to camp in Hathras until the investigation into the case is concluded.

Call records of victim’s brother showed regular contact with the main accused Sandeep

It may be recalled that an exclusive news report published by Zee News on October 6 had claimed that the Hathras victim’s brother was friends with the main accused Sandeep and used to talk with him on phone too. According to the report the Uttar Pradesh police had now found that the number in question was registered in the name of victim’s brother. The details revealed that five hours of conversation took place between the two numbers during the period of October 2019 to March 2020. While the records suggested that the victim’s brother was having talks with Sandeep, he had denied having conversations with the main accused in the Hathras case.

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