3 passengers injured as iron pole falls on moving train in Chhattisgarh
3 passengers injured as iron pole falls on moving train in Chhattisgarh Three passengers were injured after an iron pole located near the tracks fell on a coach of a moving train on the outskirts of Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur on Sunday, officials said. The incident took place at around 9.30 am when the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai)-bound Shalimar Express was passing through Urkura railway station ahead of the Raipur station, a rail official here said. As per preliminary information, the trackside iron pole fell on the moving train causing damage to window panes of an AC coach and injuring three passengers, including a boy, he said. After the train reached Raipur station, the Railway Protection Force, Government Railway Police and other rail personnel rushed to the affected coach and administered first aid to the injured passengers, the official said. The injured persons were later shifted to a local hospital, he said. The train left for its destination at around 12 noon, the official said. The utility of the pole near the tracks was yet to be known and an investigation was launched into the incident, he added.
Chhattisgarh CM accuses Priyanka Gandhi of lying about rice distribution under PDS
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had accused Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of spreading lies about the quantity of rice given to people under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state. The Congress habit of lying will not go away so easily, Sai said in a post on X on Saturday night. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Chhatisgarh turncoats to step up BJP campaign against Kumari Selja
RAIPUR: The BJP has reached out to former Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh to campaign against its arch-rival candidate Kumari Selja at Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency in Haryana. Interestingly, most of these ex-Congress leaders have worked with former union minister Selja when she was the party in-charge in Chhattisgarh and now will campaign against her. The saffron party has roped-in at least a dozen leaders who deserted Congress and joined the BJP after the Assembly poll debacle in December last year. After the defeat, several disgruntled Congress leaders, office-bearers and senior cadres of the party organisations had then joined the BJP in Chhattisgarh. Selja succeeded P L Punia in December 2022 as Chhattisgarh state in-charge and after the results of the Assembly polls, was replaced by a former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot on December 23 last year. Congress has nominated its general secretary Selja as its candidate from the SC-reserved Sirsa constituency. She is pitted against the BJPs Ashok Tanwar, who was former Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee and president of Youth Congress. Tanwar joined Aam Aadmi Party in 2022 and later resigned to join BJP in January this year. The political pundits predicted a tough contest between the two former chiefs of the state Congress and as the poll battle remains evenly poised. Both had earlier been elected as the Member of Parliament from Sirsa constituency. The BJP insiders stated that the party will secure positive votes in its favour, but will leave nothing to chance to boost an intense election campaign to clinch maximum Lok Sabha seats. Some of the prominent ex-Congress leaders who left to campaign in Sirsa seat included former MLA Shishupal Sori, ex-JCCJ MLA Pramod Sharma, former general secretary Chandrashekhar Shukla, state president of OBC wing Chauleshwar Chandrakar, ex-Mayor Bilaspur Wani Rao, Tulsi Sahu, Anita Rawte among others.
Man kills five of family including woman who had rejected his marriage proposal; hangs himself
Man kills five of family including woman who had rejected his marriage proposal; hangs himself A 32-year-old man allegedly murdered five members of a family including a married woman who had rejected his marriage proposal and her minor son before committing suicide in Chhattisgarh's Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district on Saturday, police said. The grisly incident took place in the wee hours at Thargaon village under Saliha police station limits, some 200 km from Raipur, district Superintendent of Police Pushkar Sharma told PTI. Those killed were identified as Hemlal Sahu (55), his wife Jagmoti Sahu (50), their daughters Meera Sahu (30) and Mamta Sahu (35), and Meera's son Ayush (5). Accused Manoj Sahu, a resident of the same village, was found hanging in another room, the official said. After being alerted by locals, a police team rushed to the spot and sent the bodies for autopsy, the official said. As per preliminary information, Manoj, armed with an axe, entered the house and killed the victims when they were asleep and then hanged himself with a saree, the SP said. Manoj was a tailor by profession and had proposed marriage to Meera years ago but she had rejected the proposal, Sharma added. ''In 2017, a First Information Report was registered against Manoj for allegedly assaulting Meera and her family members. The trial in the case was underway,'' he added. Meera's husband works in Raipur and she was visiting her parents' house with her son, the police official said. Manoj was unmarried. A case has been registered and further probe is underway, the SP said.
Five Of Family Killed, Man Found Hanging In Chhattisgarh's Sarangarh-Bilaigarh District
The incident took place at Thargaon village under Saliha police station limits, around 200 km from Raipur, district Superintendent of Police Pushkar Sharma said
Enjoy The Latest Punjabi Music Video For 22 De Bande By Bukka Jatt
Get ready to groove to the latest Punjabi song 22 De Bande, a sensational track by the talented Bukka Jatt. With the enchanting music composed by Beatcop and heartfelt lyrics penned by Sewak Raipur, this track will captivate your heart. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the magic of Bukka Jatt in 22 De Bande song. Visit the music videos section of Punjabi ETimes for more exciting Punjabi songs. Explore the musical brilliance of Bukka Jatt and discover the latest Punjabi video songs of 2024, Beatcop songs, Sewak Raipur songs.
Enjoy The Latest Punjabi Music Video For 22 De Bande (Teaser) By Bukka Jatt
Get ready to groove to the teaser of latest Punjabi song 22 De Bande, a sensational track by the talented Bukka Jatt. With the enchanting music composed by Beatcop and heartfelt lyrics penned by Sewak Raipur, this track will captivate your heart. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the magic of Bukka Jatt in 22 De Bande song. Visit the music videos section of Punjabi ETimes for more exciting Punjabi songs. Explore the musical brilliance of Bukka Jatt and discover the latest Punjabi video songs of 2024, Beatcop songs, Sewak Raipur songs.
Salman house firing: Haryana native Singh helped co-accused Chowdhary join Bishnoi gang
Salman house firing: Haryana native Singh helped co-accused Chowdhary join Bishnoi gang Haryana native Harpal Singh, the latest person to be arrested in the Salman Khan residence firing case, had helped co-accused Mohammed Rafique Chowdhary, nabbed for funding shooters in the case, join the Lawrence Bishnoi gang after they became friends on social media, the Mumbai police said. Chowdhary and Harpal Singh alias Harry, who has spent time in jail in separate criminal cases, became friends on social media platform Facebook in 2018. Singh later introduced him to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's fan page, said officials of the Mumbai crime branch, which is investigating the April 14 firing outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's home in Bandra. Singh (34), a resident of Sirsa city in Haryana, was apprehended by a team of the Mumbai crime branch from Fatehabad in his home state on Monday evening (May 13). He is the sixth person to be arrested in connection with the firing incident and he is a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. According to the police, Singh was an important link of communication in the firing episode as he was directly in contact with Anmol Bishnoi, younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, and another gang leader Rohit Gudara. Singh was the one who helped Chowdhary (37), arrested last week for providing financial help to the two shooters involved in the firing, join the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, said an official. He had also added Chowdhary in a WhatsApp group which consisted of other members of the gang, the official informed. Singh was previously arrested in two cases, once in 2022 when there was some issue among the gang members and a case was filed against him. He was in prison for 6 months before coming out. Singh was again nabbed last year in a firing case in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur and spent 11 months in jail, he said. After coming out of the prison, Singh drafted Chowdhary in the gang's plan to fire outside Khan's residence, said the official. Singh had told Chowdhary that if caught, he will be out on bail within three months. Singh was unaware of stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), which make getting bail difficult for an accused, he said. The police have invoked MCOCA in the shooting case. Singh had handed over Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh to Chowdhary to be given to the shooters, Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta, both residents of Bihar. The police were trying to ascertain who had provided this money to Singh, said the official. Chowdhary, who had spent years residing in Mumbai, was aware of the city police's working style and had told Singh that if caught he will take his name, the official said. Chowdhary was given the responsibility to conduct a recce of Khan's residence and finance shooters Pal and Gupta for accommodation and other requirements. Chowdhary, arrested from a village in Nagaur district in Rajasthan, used to regularly speak with Anmol Bishnoi and Gudara on Signal and other calling apps, the official said. He had told shooters that Anmol Bishnoi has given him ''bigger task'' than them, he said. After the firing incident, the Mumbai crime branch arrested the shooters first and then the weapon suppliers. As Chowdhary had warned he would take name Singh's if arrested, the latter left his native place and started staying in Fatehabad by changing his looks and identity. However, the Mumbai crime branch managed to trace Singh and nab him, said the official.
CGSOS Open school result 2024 out for class 10th and 12th: Direct links to check
CGSOS Raipur announces CG Open School results 2024 for 10th and 12th classes on May 15, 2024, available on official websites sos.cg.nic.in and results.cg.nic.in.
Three Sadhus Dead in Road Accident in Uttar Pradesh's Basti
Three Sadhus Dead in Road Accident in Uttar Pradesh's Basti Three sadhus were killed on Wednesday after being hit by a pickup vehicle near Raipur village here, police said. The police identified the victims as Ram Milan Pal (55) of Ayodhya, Achhe Lal (58) of Maharajganj and Ram Bhajan Pal (53) of Maharajganj district. According to police, the victims were going to Katra Kuti Dham from Makhauda Dham, after completing 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama' on foot. They were hit by a vehicle from behind, killing them on the spot, they said. A case was registered and the bodies were sent for postmortem. Efforts are being made to arrest the driver, they added.
IIM Raipur launches executive certificate programme for CEOs
IIM Raipur launches executive certificate programme for CEOs
After Mumbai hoarding crash, Raipur civic body seeks structural report of billboards of ad agencies
After Mumbai hoarding crash, Raipur civic body seeks structural report of billboards of ad agencies In the wake of the Mumbai hoarding tragedy, the Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) has instructed all advertising agencies to submit a structural report of their hoardings installed in the Chhattisgarh capital, officials said on Wednesday. A giant hoarding collapsed in Maharashtra's capital Mumbai on Monday when the city was hit by dust storms and unseasonal rains, leaving at least 14 dead and injuring several others. RMC Commissioner Abinash Mishra on Tuesday chaired a meeting of directors of various ad agencies and the corporation officials and asked to ensure that the Mumbai like tragedy should not happen in Raipur, a public relations department officer said. Mishra instructed the directors and representatives of more than 90 advertising agencies to submit to the RMC within a week the structural report of their hoardings put up in the city, he said. The ad agencies will have to submit a certificate related to the structural probe to the town and country planning department of the RMC, the official said. The commissioner instructed that no untoward incident should take place in Raipur due to hoardings and all necessary measures should be taken to prevent billboards from falling, he said. A discussion was also held in the meeting on the effective implementation of the advertisement policy within the RMC's jurisdiction, he added.
Chhattisgarh: Congress Leader Vikram Bais Shot Dead in Bastar
Raipur: A Congress leader in Narayanpur district under south Bastar in Chhattisgarh was shot dead by the unidentified assailants, police said on Tuesday. According to the police, three to four motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on Vikram Bais (40), who was Narayanpur district unit general secretary of Congress, when he was returning home in his two- wheeler late on Monday night. The incident took place in the Bakhrupara area of Narayanpur town, police said. A bullet hit Bais on the chest, causing him to fall off the two-wheeler, and the assailants then fired a shot at his head, killing him on the spot, police said. Police said that prima facie, the incident did not appear to be the handiwork of the Naxalites, but the probe was being done into all angles.
Unlock your potential and boost your career with the Chhattisgarh State Eligibility Test (CG SET) 2024 conducted by the Chhattisgarh Board of Profession Examination, Raipur. Seize this chance to demonstrate your expertise and qualify for teaching positions in the state of Chhattisgarh. Read on to discover essential details about the application process, important dates, and exam schedule.
Villagers allege Bijapur encounter fake, victims were collecting tendu
In Bijapur, the protest is gaining momentum. Tribal rights activists plan to visit Pidiya village, around 40km from Bijapur and 470km south of Raipur, on a fact-finding mission and Maoists have issued a statement alleging that innocent villagers were killed in police action.Protesters from Pidiya village in Bijapurs Gangaloor region, where the alleged encounter occurred, began arriving at the district headquarters on Saturday.
Raipur: Sahib Singh Hora scores 97.6 per cent in CBSE Class 12 exams, aims to become a psychologist
Raipur: Sahib Singh Hora scores 97.6 per cent in CBSE Class 12 exams, aims to become a psychologist Sahib Singh Hora, a student of Krishna Public School in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, has secured 97.6 per cent in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 examination. The CBSE released the results for the Class 10 and 12 exams on Monday. In the CBSE Board's Class 12 examination, a total of 87.98 percent of students passed this year. Sahib Singh Hora achieved 97.6 percent in Arts and Humanities and he aims to become a psychologist in the future to serve people. I was very happy when I found out that I scored 97.6 per cent. I informed my family about it, and they were all very pleased. I used to prepare for the board exams at night. I would sleep at 6:00 PM and wake up at 12:00 AM to study until 6:00 AM. Since the school authorities said that English is the toughest subject, I focused more on English and Economics. I prepared more for Economics because it's a numerical subject, Hora said. There are many disturbances during the day, and family members also call for various tasks, so I prefer studying at night. In my childhood, I wanted to become many things, but later, observing people around me suffering from depression and psychological illnesses, I decided to become a psychologist. With the world advancing rapidly, there could be many psychological illnesses in the future, so I decided to become a psychologist, he added. Sahib's family has been a pillar of support throughout his academic journey, said his grandmother, Ranjeet Hora. I am very happy that my grandson has scored very well. Sahib has always been very good in studies. Our entire family supported him in his studies. He used to study according to his own schedule, and as long as he wanted to study, he would. It's great that he wants to become a psychologist in the future, and we will strive to make him a doctor, Ranjeet said. His mother, Mona Hora, echoed the sentiment, saying, I am very happy and proud that Sahib has scored so well. The whole family is proud of him. Sahib is a night learner, and we never pressured him to study at a specific time. I wanted Sahib to pursue UPSC, but he wants to become a psychologist. We will support him in whatever he wants to become. We have never put any pressure on him. (ANI)
Cgarh: Maoists use CRPF, COBRA combat uniforms to mislead security forces during encounters: police
Raipur: Maoists use combat uniforms of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), elite counterinsurgency wing of CRPF, to mislead security forces during encounters. The seizure of combat uniforms of CRPF and COBRA at the encounter site in Pedia jungle under Gangaloor police station in Bijapur district under south Bastar in Chhattisgarh on Friday has suggested this. The Fridays encounter between the Maoists and security forces in Pedia forest led to killing of 12 Maoists including two women cadres and injuries to two other ultras and one local villager who was caught in the crossfire. This was the first time combat uniforms of CRPF and COBRA were recovered along with other Naxal materials including weapons at an encounter site in Bijapur district. This suggests that Maoists use them to mislead the security forces during the encounters, Bijapur district superintendent of police Jitendra Kumar Yadav told this newspaper on Saturday. According to him, the counterfeit combat uniforms of CRPF and COBRA are available in the open market. Maoists may have procured them from the open market. A counterinsurgency officer in Chhattisgarh police told this newspaper that The seizure of combat uniforms of the Central paramilitary forces indicated that Maoists have changed their combat strategy to trap security forces in the ambush during encounters. Security forces had also noticed that the Maoists had changed their uniforms to plain clothes during the encounter to pose as villagers. A peculiar thing was noticed. Maoists after being surrounded by security forces were spotted changing their uniforms and wearing the plain clothes to pose as villagers and conceal their identities. Several Maoists in plain clothes were arrested during the search and cordon operation after the encounter, Mr Yadav said. The encounter that took place at nine different places in Pedia forest lasted nearly 12 hours. The Maoists had laid ambushes thrice during the encounter to target the security forces. But, the forces broke the ambushes successfully and came out of them unscathed. The 12 bodies of slain Naxals were identified on Saturday. They carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 31 lakh. The deceased included two platoon commanders and two area committee members.
Notification Withdrawn: AIIMS Raipur Scraps Recruitment Process for Professorial Positions
Exciting news for medical professionals! The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, has released a notification inviting applications for the recruitment of Professor, Assistant Professor, and other vacancies. If you're passionate about academia and clinical practice, and if you meet the eligibility criteria, this could be your chance to join one of the premier medical institutions in the country.
12 Naxalites killed in Chhattisgarh encounter
Raipur: As many as 12 Naxalites were gunned down in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district on Friday, police said, taking the number of left-wing extremists killed so far this year in the State to 103. Two security personnel were also injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast triggered by Naxals [] The post 12 Naxalites killed in Chhattisgarh encounter appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News .
Security forces gun down 12 Maoists in Chhattisgarh
RAIPUR: Security forces on Friday gunned down 12 Maoists during an encounter in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district, taking the number of Left-wing extremists eliminated so far this year in the state to 103. Two security personnel were also injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast triggered by the Naxalites during the operation, police officials said. This was the third major strike on Naxalites by security forces in the past month. On April 16, the forces had killed 29 extremists in an encounter in Kanker district. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated security forces and senior officials for the successful operation. Since we came to power, we have strongly fought against Naxalism. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah want Naxalism to end soon, and we are getting the benefit of double engine sarkar, he said. The latest offensive took place in a forest near Pidia village under Gangaloor police station limits when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxal operation. Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard from Bijapur, Dantewada and Sukma districts, Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and its elite unit CoBRA were involved in the operation, officials said. The operation was launched based on inputs about presence of commander of Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army company No. 2 of Maoists Vella, and Gagaloor area committee secretary Dinesh Modiyam along with 100 to 150 cadres in the forest, official added.
12 Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter, 2024 toll reaches 103
RAIPUR: Security forces on Friday gunned down 12 Maoists during an encounter in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district, taking the number of Left-wing extremists eliminated so far this year in the state to 103. Two security personnel were also injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast triggered by the Naxalites during the operation, police officials said. This was the third major strike on Naxalites by security forces in the past month. On April 16, the forces had killed 29 extremists in an encounter in Kanker district. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated security forces and senior officials for the successful operation. Since we came to power, we have strongly fought against Naxalism. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah want Naxalism to end soon, and we are getting the benefit of double engine sarkar, he said. The latest offensive took place in a forest near Pidia village under Gangaloor police station limits when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxal operation. Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard from Bijapur, Dantewada and Sukma districts, Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and its elite unit CoBRA were involved in the operation, officials said. The operation was launched based on inputs about presence of commander of Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army company No. 2 of Maoists Vella, and Gagaloor area committee secretary Dinesh Modiyam along with 100 to 150 cadres in the forest, official added.
Check Now: AIIMS Raipur Dispensing Attendants & Pharmacist Grade II Result 2024 Out
Exciting career opportunities await at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur! The institution has released a notification for the recruitment of Non-Faculty Group A, B, C positions including Nursing Officer, Pharmacist, Store Keeper-cum-Clerk, and more. If you're ready to embark on a fulfilling journey in the medical sector, read on to discover how you can be a part of this esteemed institution.
8 injured In Explosion After Mortal Shell Went Off In Dehradun Scrap Shop
Eight people were injured, two of them severely, in an explosion on Thursday at a scrap dealer's shop in the Raipur area of the city, police said.
Dehradun Scrap Shop Explosion Leaves Eight Wounded
Dehradun Scrap Shop Explosion Leaves Eight Wounded Eight people were injured, two of them severely, in an explosion on Thursday at a scrap dealer's shop in the Raipur area of the city, police said. The explosion apparently took place when someone was sorting the scrap, according to the Raipur police station. A fire unit and a bomb disposal squad were rushed to the spot, Superintendent of Police (City) Pramod Kumar said, adding that the blast took place after 2 pm. An ordnance factory and a firing range are in the same area and it is suspected that the blast might have been caused by an unexploded mortar shell brought to the shop. Police, however, did not confirm this. Uttarakhand Congress senior vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana, who met with the injured, said the blast took place when a boy tried to break an object with a hammer. Five of the injured were undergoing treatment at the Doon Hospital and the condition of two of them is stated to be serious, Kumar said. Three others who sustained minor injuries were admitted to the Coronation Hospital, he said, adding that investigations were on to find out what led to the blast.
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh high court has held that the live-in relationship is an imported philosophy and considered a stigma in Indian culture. While dismissing a petition seeking custody of a child born from a live-in relationship, a division bench of the high court comprising Justice Gautam Bhaduri and Justice Sanjay S Agrawal observed that the concept of live-in relationship is an imported philosophy contrary to the general expectations of Indian tenets and still considered a stigma in Indian culture. The court has held that such a relationship is preferred over marriage because it gives a convenient escape when things fail to work between partners. The security, social acceptance, progress, and stability which the institution of marriage provides to a person is never provided by live-in relationship, the division bench has observed. The high court in its verdict in the case delivered recently held that The close inspection of society shows that the institution of marriage no longer controls the people as it did in the past due to the cultural influence of the western countries and this significant shift and apathy towards matrimonial duties has probably given rise to the concept of live-in relationship. One Abdul Hameed Siddique of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh had filed a petition in the high court seeking custody of the child born from live-in relationship with Kavita Gupta. The Dantewada family court had earlier rejected such a petition by him, leading the petitioner to move the high court. While seeking custody of the child, the petitioner argued that he and Ms Gupta performed the marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and since he is governed by the Mahomedan law, he is permitted to go for second marriage and hence, his marriage with Ms Gupta was legal. He contended that he is entitled to the custody of the child. Ms Guptas counsel held that the petitioner is not entitled for a second marriage since his first wife was alive and that he cannot claim custody of the child born from live-in relationship. Her counsel argued that the petitioner lacks evidence to provide validity of the marriage. While dismissing the petition, the high court held that provisions relating to more than one marriage of a Muslim man under their personal law cannot be invoked before any court of law unless and until the same is pleaded and proved.
Live-in Relationships Still Taboo in Indian Society: Chhattisgarh High Court Rules
In a recent ruling, the Chhattisgarh High Court refused custody to Abdul Hameed Siddiqui for a child born from his live-in relationship with Kavita Gupta, shedding light on the complexities of interfaith marriages and the burden of proof required. RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh High Court has declined a mans request for custody of a child born out of a live-in relationship, citing the intricate nature of personal laws and the challenges posed by interfaith unions. A bench comprising Justice Goutam Bhaduri and Justice Sanjay S Agrawal remarked that the concept of live-in relationships remains stigmatized in Indian society, conflicting with traditional beliefs. The idea is foreign to our cultural norms, the court stated, underscoring that the rules of personal law cannot be enforced in any court without being substantiated as customary practices. Abdul Hameed Siddiqui, a 43-year-old resident of Dantewada, had petitioned for custody of the child born from his live-in arrangement with 36-year-old Kavita Gupta. After his plea was rejected by a family court in Dantewada in December 2023, Siddiqui sought recourse from the High Court. High Court Rejects Challenges to Maharashtra's Renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad Historic Verdict: Girl Jailed for False Rape Accusation, Innocent Youth Acquitted Top Events Today: PM Modi's Andhra Rally, Uttarakhand Forest Fire Petitions, L&T's Q4 Results and More
68 pc voter turnout recorded in seven Lok Sabha seats of Chhattisgarh
A voter turnout of 68% was recorded in seven out of the 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh during the third and last phase of the general elections. Polling took place between 7 am and 6 pm in seven seats - Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Korba, Janjgir-Champa (reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates), Surguja, and Raigarh (both reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates). The highest voter turnout was recorded in Raigarh at 77.02%, while Bilaspur recorded the lowest at 60.5%.
Chhatisgarh LS Polls: 2 Voters Die in Separate Incidents
Representational picture. Representational picture. RAIPUR: An old man and a young woman on Tuesday died in two separate poll related incidents in Chhattisgarh. While the old man died while standing in a queue in a polling booth under Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency, the woman died after being struck by lighting while returning home along with her mother and brother after casting vote in a polling booth under Surguja Lok Sabha seat. Reports reaching here said that Jartyus Toppo (69) suddenly fell sick and collapsed while standing in a queue at the polling booth at Jamtol under Jashpur district coming under Raigarh LS constituency. He died on the spot. He came to the polling booth along with his son on a bike to cast vote. In another tragic incident, a woman along with her daughter and son was returning home after casting their votes in the polling booth at Kote under Ambikapur Assembly constituency falling under the Surguja Lok Sabha seat when they were struck by lightning. While 21-year-old Kabturi Das died on the spot, her mother and brother suffered severe burn injuries. The chief electoral officers office here has however yet to confirm the two incidents.
Mac Duggal brings his signature style to India
Deccan Chronicle unveils the fascinating journey of Mac Duggal, from his roots in India to global success, and now, his triumphant return to the country of his inspiration. In this exclusive interview, Mac Duggal shares insights into his brand's entry into the Indian market, the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern design, and his vision for the future of luxury fashion in India. Let's find out how Mac Duggal's intricate craftsmanship and attention to details will resonate with Indian women, blending seamlessly with the country's rich cultural heritage and love for glamour. Welcome back to your roots, Mac! How does it feel to finally bring your luxury apparel brand to India, where your design inspiration originated? It feels great to finally come back to the place where it all started! It is almost like homecoming for me, as I was born and raised in India for a good part of my early years. The inception of Mac Duggal stems from my inspiration of the opulent hand-beaded designs and traditional jewelled details. These aspects are very native and reminiscent to Indias rich cultural heritage and its opulent traditions and celebrations, which also presents a fertile ground for luxury fashion. So, after expanding into 51 countries, it was also the emotional connect towards India that drew me towards expanding my footprint and global presence into the country. You have achieved immense success globally, with presence in 52 countries. What made you wait until now to enter the Indian market? It was time we made our foray into India due to its rich cultural tapestry and ever evolving fashion landscape. We observed a growing demand for high-quality designer wear among Indian consumers who like to get their occasionwear off the rack. This growing demographic of discerning fashion enthusiasts in India has encouraged our foray into India Mac Duggal in the occasionwear segment, wherein they want to keep up with the emerging fashion trends. The country's vibrant social scene also creates a significant demand for exquisite designer garments that reflect both elegance and modernity. How do you think your brand's opulent, hand-beaded designs will resonate with Indian women, who are known for their love of luxury and glamour? As a luxury fashion label specializing in opulent, hand-beaded designs, I believe that my brand's creations will resonate profoundly with Indian women, renowned for their appreciation of luxury and glamour. First and foremost, the intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail inherent in our hand-beaded designs align perfectly with the tastes of Indian women. India boasts a rich tradition of exquisite embellishments and artisanal techniques, making our creations a natural fit for the Indian market, coupled with some vibrant colours, bold cutouts and free-flowing drapes. From lavish weddings to high-profile events, Indian women embrace occasions as opportunities to indulge in occasionwear and investing in couture pieces which can be worn off the rack. Our designs, with their lavish beadwork and ornate detailing, cater to this desire for statement-making ensembles that stand the time of trends. In essence, I am confident that our brand's opulent, hand-beaded designs will strike a chord with Indian women, offering them a seamless fusion of luxury and timeless elegance that transcends cultural boundaries and resonates on a global scale. Your brand is synonymous with romantic, edgy modernism. How do you plan to adapt your designs to suit Indian tastes and preferences? We've meticulously crafted our offerings to suit the preferences of Indian customers, incorporating intricate details like sequins, crystals, and pearls, along with vibrant colors that complement Indian skin tones. Our designs feature plenty of drapes and pleats, inspired by India's rich cultural heritage. One aspect of this collection is based on the idea of contemporary dressing and easy, free flowing silhouettes, and is great for day-to-evening dressing. With the fast-paced lifestyle of women in India, our label is all about making ready to wear couture accessible. Each piece marries the rich heritage of Indian craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities. From contemporary short and midi dresses to intricately embellished gowns, the ensembles celebrate femininity with a unique blend of tradition and modernity. You have partnered with some of the world's most renowned luxury stores. Can you share your strategy for India, and which retail partners we can expect to see your brand in? We are expanding worldwide and launching in India, leveraging both offline and online retail channels, through partnerships with top multi-brand outlets (MBOs) across key cities and prominent online marketplaces. We are doing this to strategically position Mac Duggals collections to reach a wider audience. Some of the retail partners that we are expanding into India are The White Crow, Ogaan and Aza Fashions. Specifically looking at the Indian Market, our focus lies in expanding to Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities of India such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Raipur, to name a few. However, in the long term we also aim to set up a standalone stores, further solidifying our presence and accessibility in India. How do you see your brand contributing to the growing luxury fashion market in India, and what sets you apart from existing players? India's fashion landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, propelling it onto the global stage with its rich tapestry of tradition and innovation. We contribute to Indian fashion with our vibrant colours, intricate textiles, and diverse cultural influences through the design language. The intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail inherent in our designs align perfectly with the tastes of Indian women. India boasts a rich tradition of exquisite embellishments and artisanal techniques, making our creations a natural fit for the Indian market. Moreover, our ensembles cater to the inherent desire for grandeur prevalent in Indian culture. Furthermore, India's fashion industry is experiencing a renaissance fueled by globalisation and digitalisation. 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How do you balance traditional craftsmanship with modern, edgy designs, and what's your creative process like when designing a new collection? The process of conceptualizing each collection begins with a thorough exploration of diverse inspirations, ranging from art and culture to contemporary trends. We plan two years in advance, since we operate in a very niche market because the fabrications come from all over the world. The process starts like a science where it's always a pendulum that keeps on moving, the colours transition into orange or tangerine or eventually turn into Brown. So to the eye it might be different each season but when you're designing it, it's a cyclical process each season. While we draw inspiration from prevalent fashion trends, we strive to infuse our collections with a distinct Mac Duggal aesthetic balancing traditional craftsmanship with modern and edgy designs. The collection is well-divided into vignettes wherein a part of the collection focuses on heavy embellishments, inspired by traditional indian designs and motifs. The other part of the collection focuses on drapes, cuts and free-flowing fabrics, perfect for day to evening dressing. Which Indian fabrics, techniques, or elements do you plan to incorporate into your designs, and how will you blend them with your signature style? Infusing my design ethos with elements of Indian heritage allows me to create collections that resonate with clients around the world while maintaining a distinctive identity rooted in tradition. One way I keep my Indian roots alive in my designs is through the use of bold colours, daring cut-outs and opulent hand-beaded work. Fabrics such as chiffon and intricate regal embroideries are hallmarks of Indian craftsmanship. Additionally, I draw inspiration from Indian floral motifs, reinterpreting them in a contemporary context. Ultimately, keeping my Indian roots alive in my design ethos is not just about aesthetics; it's about embracing the values, traditions, and craftsmanship that define Indian culture and integrating them into a global narrative of luxury. I would say my style aesthetic is characterised by a fusion of timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication. Whether it's incorporating floral elements with opulent hand-beaded designs into the structure of a gown or translating the colours of a sunset into a vibrant palette for a cocktail dress, I strive to create designs that captivate the imagination and evoke emotion. Moreover, I believe in the transformative power of luxury fabrics and embellishments, such as intricate embroideries, and dazzling crystals, to elevate my designs. Ultimately, my style aesthetic is about creating designs that are both timeless and contemporary, elegant yet daring, and above all, designed to make a statement and leave a lasting impression. What's next for Mac Duggal in India? Can we expect any exclusive collaborations, pop-ups, or runway shows in the near future? We have just started out with our foray into India and this is just the start! We would be expanding our product offering into India through handbags and footwear, that exudes signature style of Mac Duggal. We also want to solidify our presence further into the country through flagship stores in the future along with launching our own India exclusive website.
Chhattisgarh tribal woman with zero bank balance is Korba candidate
RAIPUR: Shanti Bai Marawi(33), a resident of Bhedrapani village in Gaurella under the Korba Lok Sabha seat, fighting as an independent candidate, has gained fame as zero balance as she has no money in her bank account. Her story also shows the beauty of Indian democracy that any eligible citizen, from the wealthiest to those possessing the fewest assets, can contest the Lok Sabha or state Assembly polls. Belonging to the Baiga community, Shanti decided to contest the parliamentary polls with a grievance that no political parties listened to them. Her husband, Ram Kumar, encouraged Shanti to fight the elections. They were unhappy as neither their issues were heard nor developments seen in the region. They somehow arranged ~12,500 required as a security deposit, which is half the amount earmarked for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe) to contest the elections. Besides our savings earned as farm labourers, we got some financial support from our community members and collected ~12,500, her husband revealed. A fifth class pass, Shanti said, I am contesting keeping in mind the interest of my community. The inhabitants of my village, besides the adjoining 10-12 habitats having Baiga tribal population in the Gaurella Pendra Marwahi district, have pledged to drum up support for me. My fight is with political heavyweights like BJPs Saroj Pandey and Congress Jyotsana Mahant. A housewife and a mother of one, she helps her husband in his agriculture field and works as a farm labourer. Her village is distantly located in a terrain over 30 km from the district headquarters and inaccessible. Broken roads lead to her dwelling, with hardly any public transport bus or local transport facility. Shantis immediate aim is to change the face of her area, where the Baiga community has lived for decades. She is not a novice to what the elections are, as a few years ago, she contested for the post of sarpanch but lost. She was informed by the local administration that ~ 2,000 had been deposited in her other bank account by the state government under the state BJP regimes Mahtari Vandan Yojana. The instalments of Rs 1000 each for two months (February-March) under the scheme were transferred to her other account. A review of an affidavit showed the family had assets worth Rs 97,000.
Chhattisgarh: Former AICC Spokesperson Alleges Abuse By Congress Leader
Raipur : Former AICC spokesman Radhika Khare on Monday alleged that she was abused by a Congress leader here on April 30 and all her pleadings to the senior party leaders for action in the matter went unheeded. Talking to reporters here, Ms Khare, who resigned from Congress on Sunday over the issue, alleged that she was abused by Chhattisgarh Congress media chairman Sushil Anand Shukla in the party office here on April 30 when she went to him to talk about the pending visit of national spokesman of the party Pawan Khera to Raipur the next day. I screamed and shouted at Mr Shukla and others in the room to go down and called for help. But, no one responded. The room was locked and I was abused, she alleged. Ms Khera also alleged that Mr Shukla had offered her alcohol. She alleged that she had taken up the matter with senior party leaders such as Sachin Pilot and Pawan Khera, but she did not get any response. Mr Pilots PA told her to keep silent and not tell anyone about the incident since it was election time, she claimed.Ms Khera said that she had even informed former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on the incident and said that she wanted to quit politics. But, Mr Baghel asked her to leave Chhattisgarh, she alleged.Ms Khera was AICCs communication and media coordinator for Chhattisgarh.
Congress deems Radhika Khera's statements aligned with BJP's rhetoric
Congress deems Radhika Khera's statements aligned with BJP's rhetoric Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij on Monday hit out at his former party colleague Radhika Khera a day after her resignation and accused her of speaking the language of the Bharatiya Janata Party and claimed she deliberately created a controversy before exit. Khera, the AICC's communication and media coordinator for Chhattisgarh for the Lok Sabha polls, resigned from the Congress's primary membership on Sunday, days after her altercation with another leader at the party's state unit office in Raipur. Khera also claimed she was facing opposition in the party for her visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In her resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, she claimed criticism over her visit to Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya led to the denial of justice to her in the incident that happened at the party's Chhattisgarh office last month. Talking to reporters in Raipur, state Congress president Baij alleged the entire resignation episode was a ''pre-planned political plot'' of the BJP and claimed Khera was speaking the saffron party's language. ''It was an in-house matter and linking it with temple (visit) and religion is not appropriate. The issue would have been resolved within the party. But if someone's mentality is to switch (to another party) and deliberately commit such acts, then such acts have no place in democracy,'' he said. Asked about her allegations related to the April 30 altercation with a party colleague, Ram temple visit and denial of justice, Baij noted, ''It was a fabricated story and deliberate attempt to create a new controversy. It was pre-planned and done at the BJP's behest. This planning was going on for long.'' The Congress leader said quitting the party was Khera's personal decision, but she could have waited for the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the matter (of altercation). Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, Khera alleged the Congress party started hating her since she visited Ram Mandir in Ayodhya along with her mother. She alleged Sushil Anand Shukla, the Chhattisgarh Congress communication wing chairman with whom she had an altercation, offered her alcohol during party MP Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the state in February and he used to knock on the door of her room in an inebriated condition. Khera further claimed Shukla abused her on April 30 in the party office in Raipur, but no action was taken against him. Strongly refuting her charges, Shukla maintained the script of Khera's story was written soon after Arvinder Singh Lovely (former Delhi Congress chief) quit the party in April-end. ''She (Khera) tried to assassinate my character. She claimed I offered her alcohol. Media persons know me. Neither I nor any of my family members have ever consumed liquor. I reject such allegations. If she wants to join the BJP, she can do so, my best wishes are with her. She was like my younger sister, but she crossed limits of levelling allegations,'' Shukla told reporters on Monday. Denying allegations that he abused her, Shukla said, ''Khera arrived in my room in the party office on April 30 when four other party leaders were present there. I enquired from her about the scheduled visit of (Chairman, Media & Publicity department, AICC) Pawan Khera on May 1. ''She informed Pawan Khera is scheduled to visit six media houses and she has spoken to editors and heads of those media houses. I objected to her directly contacting those media houses and bypassing the party's communication unit in the state in the process.'' Shukla informed this led to an argument between them. ''She asked why would she seek my permission? I told her to accept my resignation if she wants to do everything on her own. This led to an argument. She started shouting, claiming I am blackmailing the party with the threat of resignation. I denied her claim and said she should not bypass the state communication wing. She threatened to complain against me to the high command. This was the issue,'' he said. Shukla noted the party is investigating the matter. ''When heated arguments took place between us, she recorded the episode on her mobile phone. I challenge her to put that video in the public domain. Everything will become crystal clear. As part of investigation, statements of eyewitnesses and both of us were recorded by Deepak Baij ji. She knew the investigation would expose her therefore she escaped (resigned),'' he said.
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Huge difference between what they say and what they do Chhattisgarh CM criticises Congress after Radhika Khera's resignation Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched a sharp critique on Monday against the Congress party following the resignation of party leader Radhika Khera. Khera resigned from the primary membership of Congress on Sunday, citing mistreatment by party members during a visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. She was insulted by her own people in the Congress Bhawan. They talk about 'Naari Nyay', but there is a huge difference between what they say and what they do. This is the reason why Congress is in such a situation, Sai said. In her letter to the AICC Khera, the Congress leader alleged that justice was denied to her after the mistreatment by party members as she visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It is an established truth since ancient times that those who support religion have been opposed. Examples of this range from Hiranyakashipu to Ravana and Kansa. At present, some people are opposing those who take the name of Lord Shri Ram in the same way. For every Hindu, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram holds great significance with its sacredness and while every Hindu considers his life successful just by seeing Ram Lalla, some people are opposing it, the letter read The opposition to this noble work of mine reached such a level that justice was denied to me in the incident that happened to me in the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress office. I have always fought for the justice of others from every platform, but when it came to my justice, I found myself defeated in the party. Being a devotee of Lord Shri Ram and a woman, I am deeply hurt, the Congress leader added. She further said that she has taken this step after justice was denied to her even after informing all the top leaders. I have taken this step today as I am hurt by the fact that I did not get justice even after informing all the top leaders, Khera said. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai further showed confidence in the party prospects in the state. Wherever we are going, we see a huge enthusiasm in the people in the favour of BJP and BJP is going to win 11 out of 11 seats in the state, Sai said. Polling for 2 of the 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh was conducted in the first two phases of the ongoing general elections. While voters in Bastar, which was considered a Naxal stronghold until recently, exercised their franchise on April 19; polling for Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund, and Kanker was held in Phase 2 on April 26. The third phase of polling in the state will cover Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Surguja, Raigarh, Jangir-Champa and Korba. In 2019, the BJP nearly mopped up all the poll sweepstakes in the state, winning 9 of the 11 seats; while the Congress' tally dropped to just 2. (ANI)
Court Rules Against Chhattisgarh Minister's Wife, Opposition Demands Criminal Investigation
Court Rules Against Chhattisgarh Minister's Wife, Opposition Demands Criminal Investigation The opposition Congress has demanded the registration of a criminal offence in connection with purchase of a land in the name of Chhattisgarh minister Brijmohan Agrawal's wife in Mahasamund district after a local court nullified the sale deed recently. When contacted, the minister, who is also the BJP candidate from Raipur Lok Sabha seat, declined to comment. Citing the court order, state Congress president Deepak Baij on Sunday claimed Agrawal allegedly fraudulently acquired the property, belonging to the state water resources department, in the name of his wife and built a resort there. The land is located in Jalki village under Tumgaon tehsil, near Sirpur - a historical Buddhist site. In its order dated April 23, the additional district and sessions judge (I) Mahasamund quashed the sale deed of the land in question. As per the order, six villagers donated their 4.124 hectares of land in Jalki village to the water resources department in 1994 as a part of ''daanpatra'' (donation for public use) in the erstwhile Madhya Pradesh for the construction of a reservoir. However, the land was never used for the intended purpose. Though the land was acquired by the water resources department, its possession was not changed in the revenue records and its ownership remained in the name of donors, the court said. In 2009, original owners Vishnu Sahu and two others sold this land to Sarita Agrawal, wife of Brijmohan Agrawal, a native of Ramsagar Para (Raipur). The court in its order declared the registration of the land purchase null and void since the beginning (year 2009 when the land was purchased) and directed the buyer to hand over the possession of land to the plaintiff (water resources division, Mahasamund). The water resources department had moved the court challenging the 2009 purchase. ''(Brijmohan) Agrawal was then a minister and he was fully aware that the land located around his then under-construction resort was donated to the water resources department,'' Baij claimed. The Congress leader demanded registration of a case for forgery against the buyer and seller of the land. After the land deal came to light in 2017, the Congress had demanded a high-level probe. Agrawal, who was a minister in the then BJP government also, had in the past refuted the charges of wrongdoing and termed the allegations as politically motivated. Agrawal had said he bought the land from the farmer based on the revenue record as per the rules. He mentioned the property registered in the name of his wife in his election affidavit (during the 2013 assembly polls).
Chhattisgarh: Star campaigners throng rural areas
RAIPUR: Voting for the remaining seven Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh will be held on May 7. The polling in the state saw a voter turnout of 68.3% in the first phase covering the Bastar seat, and 76.24% in the second phase in 3 constituencies of Rajnandgaon, Kanker, Mahasamund. Star campaigners of the ruling BJP and Congress have mostly flocked to rural belts to address poll rallies. Around 76% of the states total population lives in rural areas. Except Korba, the remaining six seats were won by the BJP in the 2019 elections. When the BJP on December 10 last year picked Vishnu Deo Sai as Chhattisgarh chief minister, the choice wasnt difficult to guess. His appointment fits into the BJPs countrywide tribal outreach, particularly seen in the second tenure of the Modi government. Tribal communities have conventionally been perceived as a non-BJP bloc, and one favouring the Congress. The RSS has also been consistently looking to build cadre among the communities. Sangh affiliates, such as the Hindu Jagran Manch are working to try and counter the influence of Maoists and Christian evangelical groups. Religious conversion has emerged as a significant political issue. The areas socio-cultural landscape is dominated by a tug-of-war between different religious groups. There have been concerted efforts to convert the tribal communities to Christianity. BJP has been particularly vocal against Christian missionaries, and has alleged forceful conversion of impoverished tribals. Congress, on the other hand, has faced challenges in navigating this sensitive issue. Its messaging has been weak, trying to balance respect for tribal rights and religious freedom. Congress campaign had focused on development of Devgudis (tribal village temples) and Ghotuls (socio-culture centres of tribals) undertaken by Bhupesh Baghel government in the last five years. The ruling BJP heavily banking on Modis magic besides allegations of corruption against Bhupesh Baghel government, harping on a four-month of good governance and AB Vajpayee governments creation of Chhattisgarh state in the year 2000. The Congress, with strong focus on some swing seats hoping to enhance chances for the party, believes its Nyay manifesto will win the hearts of the people. Out of the seven seats going to polls on Tuesday, two are scheduled tribe (ST) constituencies and one belongs to a Scheduled Caste (SC) category. During the third phase, there are 168 candidates including 26 women in the poll fray. As many as 37 are crorepatis and criminal cases are registered against 16. Women voters outnumber men. The prominent leaders who are contesting include BJP state cabinet minister Brijmohan Agrawal, sitting BJP MP Vijay Baghel, BJP Rajya Sabha member Saroj Pandey (Korba), Congress MP Jyotsana Mahant (Korba), BJPs Chintamani Maharaj (turncoat in fray from Sarguja seat), Congress former state minister Shiv Dehariya (Janjgir-Champa), Congress MLA Devendra Yadav (Bilaspur).
As turncoats fail to make a cut in Chhattisgarh, all eyes on Maharaj
RAIPUR: Past election results show that most of the turncoat candidates, despite being popular, could not gain the confidence of the voters in Chhattisgarh and lost the polls. Among others, Karuna Shukla, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees niece who had left the BJP and joined the Congress, and veteran Congress leader late Vidya Charan Shukla, who had defected to the BJP during the 2004 general elections, could not win elections. Now all eyes are on BJP candidate Chintamani Maharaj, who is counted among the senior politicians in Surguja in north Chhattisgarh. He had left the BJP to join the Congress in 2013 and contested Assembly polls from Samri, and from Balrampur seat in 2018. Chintamani was a Congress MLA twice. After he was denied ticket by the Congress ahead of 2023 Assembly polls, he returned to BJP fold, calling it his ghar vapsi. It remains to be seen if Maharaj gets a favourable response from Surguja voters on May 7 polling. In the 2018 assembly polls, Karuna Shukla was tipped as a formidable Congress candidate from Rajnandgaon assembly constituency, considered as the strong turf of BJP ex-chief minister Raman Singh who earlier won elections twice from there. Even the efforts by the Congress candidate staking claim to the legacy of Vajpayee, who died in August 2018, did not work. She lost the Assembly polls. Later in 2019, BJP candidate face Lakhan Lal Sahu defeated her from Bilaspur Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 17,6436 votes. Karuna Shukla had left the BJP to join the Congress in February 2014. Similarly, VC Shukla, who switched loyalty to the saffron party ahead of the 2004 general elections lost the Mahasamund Lok Sabha seat, where the party gave him an opportunity to contest. First chief minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi, who was the Congress candidate, won against Shukla, getting 1.18 lakh more votes. Shukla, a key contender for the post of chief minister after Chhattisgarh was carved out in November 2000, returned to the Congress later. Shukla died of bullet injuries he sustained during an audacious Maoist ambush in May 2013.
Cgarh: BJP Sweeping LS Polls in Cgarh, Previous Congress Govts Schemes Being Examined: Sai
Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday said that BJP is going to win all the 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Addressing a media conference here, Mr Deo said that the feedback received from across the state has suggested that BJP is going to sweep Lok Sabha polls in Chhattisgarh by winning all the 11 seats. This time, it will be 11 out of 11 in Chhattisgarh. I can say it confidently based on the feedback received from across the state, he said. Mr Sai said that it was his first experience as a chief minister to tour extensively across the state to connect to the masses directly during the electioneering for the party. The third and final phase polling in Chhattisgarh is going to be held on May seven. Campaigning for the third phase polling in the state ended on Sunday evening. Mr Deo has addressed 66 big public meetings, and held workers meetings in all the 11 LS constituencies in the state since March 2020. He had also addressed six public meetings and roadshows in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. He said that BJP went to the people with its vision for the country and the roadmap of development of the country whereas Congress has no issues and the grand old party only indulged in speaking lies. Thats the reason why Congress has lost the trust of the people, he said. He said that many guarantees given for Chhattisgarh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the November 2023 Assembly have been fulfilled by his government within four months of coming to power. Mr Deo indicated that he would review the schemes introduced by the previous Congress government in the state and stop and rationalise the schemes that are found not beneficial to the people. He said that his government has continued the Chhattisgarh Electricity Bill Half Scheme introduced by the previous Congress government. However, the flagship scheme of the Bhupesh Baghel government, Narwa Gharwa Gurva Bari, will be discontinued since it was just a way to fund Congress workers who were part of the government committees.
Chhattisgarh: For BJP, Ram is not for politicisation for seeking votes, but matter of faith: Nadda
Raipur: BJP national president J P Nadda on Sunday said that, for BJP, Lord Ram is not for politicisation for seeking votes, but a matter of faith. Addressing a poll rally in Surajpur falling under Surguja Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh, Mr Nadda said that BJP never did politics over Lord Ram since the party considers Ram as a matter of faith. He said that it was Congress which had filed an affidavit in the court calling Ram as an imaginary character and created all kinds of hurdles in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed all the hurdles when he assumed office in 2014 paving way for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said. Mr Nadda described Congress and the Opposition INDIA bloc as anti-Ram and anti-Sanatan. He said that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi kept silent when a leader of INDIA bloc attacked Sanatan Dharm and made derogatory remarks against it. Mr Nadda was referring to the derogatory remarks made against Sanatan by ruling DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister Udhyaynidhi Stalin. He described the Opposition INDIA bloc as a group of corrupt political dynasties which came together to protect each others interest. He highlighted achievements made during the ten-year-rule of Narendra Modi at the Centre and said that the country has touched a new height of development during the period. He said that Congress has a hidden agenda to rob Dalits, tribals and other backward classes (OBCs) of their reservation quota and transfer it to its vote bank supporters. As long as Mr Modi is the PM and as long as BJP is there, such a design by Congress will not be allowed to materialise, he said. Mr Nadda said that Mr Modi has sought in writing from Congress three guarantees that the grand old party would not tamper with Constitution, that it would not rob the quota of Dalits, tribals and OBCs and that it would not implement reservation on the basis on religion in the Opposition-ruled states.
AICC spokesperson Radhika Khera resigns over injustice in party, invokes Lord Ram
Raipur: AICC spokesperson Radhika Khera on Sunday, May 5, resigned from the party claiming that criticism over her visit to Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya led to the denial of justice to her in the incident that happened at the Chhattisgarh Congress office. Khera also claimed she didnt get justice even after repeatedly informing all Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Congress' Radhika Khera resigns from party, cites opposition to Ram temple visit
NEW DELHI: The Congress' media department national coordinator Radhika Khera resigned from the party's primary membership on Sunday, days after her altercation with another leader at the party's Chhattisgarh state unit office. In her resignation letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Khera also claimed that she was facing opposition in the party for her visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. It is an established truth since ancient times that those who support religion have been opposed. Examples of this range from Hiranyakashipu to Ravana and Kansa. At present, some people are opposing those who take the name of Lord Shri Ram, Khera said in her letter. For every Hindu, the birthplace of Lord Ram holds great significance with its sanctity while every Hindu considers his life successful just by seeing Ram Lalla, some people are opposing it, she said, without taking any names. Can't raise anti-Sanatana slogans: Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh resigns from party Khera further said in the party to which she had given more than 22 years of her life and worked with full honesty -- from the NSUI (National Students' Union of India) to the All India Congress Committee's (AICC) media department -- she had been facing such intense opposition because she could not stop herself from having a 'darshan' of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. The opposition to my noble cause reached such a level that justice was denied in the incident that happened with me in the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress office, Khera said in her letter in Hindi. I have always fought from every platform for the justice of others but, when it came to my own justice, I found myself defeated in the party, she said. Being a devotee of Lord Shri Ram and a woman, Khera said, she was deeply hurt. Hurt by the fact that I did not get justice even after repeatedly informing all the top leaders of the party, I have taken this step today. With great pain, I am resigning the primary membership of the party and resigning from my post, Khera said. Yes, I am a girl and I can fight, and that is what I am doing now. I will continue to fight for justice for myself and for the people of the country, she said in a post in Hindi on X along with the letter. , pic.twitter.com/6hjgSDcXV0 Radhika Khera (@Radhika_Khera) May 5, 2024 Khera and the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress' communication wing chairperson Sushil Anand Shukla on Friday met the party's state unit chief Deepak Baij amid an alleged tussle between the two leaders. Baij said he held separate meetings with Khera and Shukla at Rajiv Bhavan, the party's state office in Raipur, and added that he would send a report on it to the central leadership. I tried to find out what took place. I will inform the AICC about it. Now party leaders in Delhi will decide who is right and who is wrong. Whatever has happened is a matter of the party, Baij told reporters. When asked about the issue, Khera told reporters she has spoken to the state president and will inform about the matter after holding a press conference. According to Congress sources, an argument broke out between Khera and Shukla on April 30 in the party office over the visit of senior leader Pawan Khera the next day. In a post on X, Khera said at the time, A daughter is not safe in Mata Kaushalya's paternal home. People suffering from male chauvinistic mentality are still trying to crush daughters under their feet. I will reveal. Chhattisgarh is believed to be the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya. Hours after Khera's post, a video became widely circulated on social media in which she could purportedly be heard saying that she was resigning due to an insult.
Congress Media Cell Office-bearer Resigns Over Disapproval of Visit to Ram Temple
Congress Media Cell Office-bearer Resigns Over Disapproval of Visit to Ram Temple The Congress' media department national coordinator Radhika Khera resigned from the party's primary membership on Sunday, days after her altercation with another leader at the party's Chhattisgarh state unit office. In her resignation letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Khera also claimed that she was facing opposition in the party for her visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. ''It is an established truth since ancient times that those who support religion have been opposed. Examples of this range from Hiranyakashipu to Ravana and Kansa. At present, some people are opposing those who take the name of Lord Shri Ram,'' Khera said in her letter. ''For every Hindu, the birthplace of Lord Ram holds great significance with its sanctity while every Hindu considers his life successful just by seeing Ram Lalla, some people are opposing it,'' she said, without taking any names. Khera further said in the party to which she had given more than 22 years of her life and worked with full honesty -- from the NSUI (National Students' Union of India) to the All India Congress Committee's (AICC) media department -- she had been facing such intense opposition because she could not stop herself from having a 'darshan' of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. ''The opposition to my noble cause reached such a level that justice was denied in the incident that happened with me in the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress office,'' Khera said in her letter in Hindi. ''I have always fought from every platform for the justice of others but, when it came to my own justice, I found myself defeated in the party,'' she said. Being a devotee of Lord Shri Ram and a woman, Khera said, she was deeply hurt. ''Hurt by the fact that I did not get justice even after repeatedly informing all the top leaders of the party, I have taken this step today. With great pain, I am resigning the primary membership of the party and resigning from my post,'' Khera said. ''Yes, I am a girl and I can fight, and that is what I am doing now. I will continue to fight for justice for myself and for the people of the country,'' she said in a post in Hindi on X along with the letter. Khera and the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress' communication wing chairperson Sushil Anand Shukla on Friday met the party's state unit chief Deepak Baij amid an alleged tussle between the two leaders. Baij said he held separate meetings with Khera and Shukla at Rajiv Bhavan, the party's state office in Raipur, and added that he would send a report on it to the central leadership. ''I tried to find out what took place. I will inform the AICC about it. Now party leaders in Delhi will decide who is right and who is wrong. Whatever has happened is a matter of the party,'' Baij told reporters. When asked about the issue, Khera told reporters she has spoken to the state president and will inform about the matter after holding a press conference. According to Congress sources, an argument broke out between Khera and Shukla on April 30 in the party office over the visit of senior leader Pawan Khera the next day. In a post on X, Khera said at the time, ''A daughter is not safe in Mata Kaushalya's paternal home. People suffering from male chauvinistic mentality are still trying to crush daughters under their feet. I will reveal.'' Chhattisgarh is believed to be the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya. Hours after Khera's post, a video became widely circulated on social media in which she could purportedly be heard saying that she was resigning due to an ''insult''.
Chhattisgarh LS Polls: Battle for 11 Seats Concludes Amidst Discussions of Corruption, Constitution, Naxalism The high-decibel campaign for seven Chhattisgarh Lok Sabha seats that will go to polls on May 7 ended on Sunday, with the ruling BJP and the Congress crossing swords over corruption, change in Constitution, snatching of quotas and Naxalism. The campaign for the seven constituencies ended at 6 pm, and now parties can undertake door-to-door drives before polling on Tuesday, an official said. The BJP's campaign was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the party's president JP Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also addressed rallies. For the Congress, party president Mallikarjun Kharge as well as senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the campaign. PM Modi addressed two rallies as part of the campaign for the third phase of polling, and lambasted the Congress for planning to snatch quotas of Dalits, tribals and OBCs for allotment to Muslims. He attacked the Congress' manifesto over inheritance tax, asked voters to keep in mind that the party declined the invite to the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and also accused it of being soft on Naxalism in the state. Other BJP leaders exhorted voters to give Modi a third term on the basis of development works carried out and welfare schemes introduced since 2014. Congress leaders Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who addressed one rally each, accused the BJP of being ''pro rich'' and claimed the ruling party would change the Constitution and end quotas after retaining power. They also targeted the ruling party over electoral bonds. In their speeches, Congress leaders spoke of caste census, the need for greater participation of Dalits, tribals and backward classes in various sectors of the country, farm loan waiver and financial aid of Rs 1 lakh annually to poor women under the Mahalakshmi yojana. Elections to 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state were scheduled in three phases. Naxal affected Bastar (ST) voted on April 19, Rajanandgaon, Kanker (ST) and Mahasamund on April 26 and the remaining seven, namely Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa (Scheduled Caste reserved), Korba, Surguja (ST) and Raigarh (ST), will vote on May 7. There are 168 candidates in the seven seats on which voting will be held on May 7. There are 1,39,01,285 voters, comprising 69,33,121 men, 69,67,544 women and 620 members of the third gender, as per EC data. The number of voters in the 18-19 age group stands at 3,98,416, the poll official said. ''As many as 15,701 polling booths have been set up in the seven constituencies. The time of polling in all seven seats is from 7 am to 6 pm. Raipur leads with 38 contestants, followed by 37 in Bilaspur, 27 in Korba, 25 in Durg, 18 in Janjgir-Champa, 13 in Raigarh, and 10 in Surguja,'' he said. A total of 202 companies of security personnel have been deployed for the third phase, the official added. The high-profile Raipur seat will see a contest between BJP's influential state minister Brijmohan Agrawal and former Congress MLA Vikas Upadhyay. In Korba, the BJP has fielded its influential woman leader and former MP Saroj Pandey against Congress' sitting MP Jyotsana Mahant, wife of leader of opposition in the Assembly Charandas Mahant. In Durg, the Congress chose a fresh face, Rajendra Sahu, against sitting BJP MP Vijay Baghel. In Bilaspur, Congress has fielded incumbent MLA Devendra Yadav against BJP's Tokhan Sahu, a former MLA. In the lone SC reserved seat Janjgir-Champa, former state minister Shivkumar Dahariya is Congress' nominee. He is up against BJP's woman leader Kamlesh Jangde. Surguja seat will see a contest between BJP's Chintamani Maharaj, who defected from the Congress before the 2023 assembly polls, and Congress' Shashi Singh. The tribal-dominated Raigarh seat will see a contest between BJP's Radheshyam Rathiya and Congress' Dr Menka Devi Singh, who belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Sarangarh. In the three Lok Sabha polls in 2004, 2009 and 2014, the BJP won 10 out of 11 seats. In 2019, the BJP emerged victorious on nine seats and the Congress on two.
Chhattisgarh CM Confident of BJP Victory, Says People Have Lost Faith in Congress
Raipur: C hhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed strong criticism of the Congress on Sunday, stating that not only the country but also the party members have lost faith in them.Asserting the BJP's victory in all 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state, CM Sai declared, The Congress has lost the trust of the nation, its people, and its own members. There is a continuous exodus from the Congress. In Chhattisgarh, thousands of Congress workers have joined the BJP. No matter what they promise, people are not going to trust them anymore, not even their 'Nari Nyay Yojana', which promises to provide Rs 1 lakh annually to women. Confident about the BJP's victory, Sai stated, Sensing the public sentiment during the campaign, I can say with absolute certainty that the BJP will win all 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh. Recently, delegates from four countries visited the state and witnessed the election process. As the first phase of polling in the state approaches on May 7, the CM emphasized, From March 20 to May 4, we have conducted 64 major campaigns, with two more scheduled for today. In the last 45 days, I have interacted with people more than 106 times. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders have campaigned in the state, highlighting the achievements of the central government over the last decade and the three months of our government. Accusing INDIA bloc leaders of resorting to foul language during the campaign, Sai criticized the Congress for its failure to implement housing schemes and pay bonuses to farmers when in power.Highlighting recent paddy procurement and the success of state government schemes like 'Mahtari Vandana Yojana' and 'Ram Lalla Darshan Yojana', he also mentioned the government's initiative to procure standard tendu leaves in tribal-dominated regions. Reaffirming the state government's commitment to making India a developed nation by 2047, Sai listed the benefits of the Centre's 'Ayushman Bharat' healthcare scheme. Encouraging people to actively participate in the elections, he emphasized the importance of empowering the country and bringing Prime Minister Narendra Modi back for a third consecutive term. The ongoing general elections in Chhattisgarh have seen polling for two out of the 11 Lok Sabha seats. While Bastar went to polls on April 19, polling for Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund, and Kanker was held on April 26 in the second phase. The upcoming third phase will cover Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Surguja, Raigarh, Jangir-Champa, and Korba. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won 9 out of 11 seats in Chhattisgarh, with the Congress securing only 2 seats. Iqbal Ansari, Once Key Proponent of Babri Masjid, Supports PM Modi's Leadership NCB Busts Interstate Drug Syndicate in Maharashtra, Over 160 kg of Cough Syrup and 32,000 Tablets Seized Congress MLA Nirmala Sapre Joins BJP Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections
Updated: Revised News Schedule
Updated: Revised News Schedule National news schedule for Sunday, May 5 NATIONAL **** Lok Sabha elections related stories and other political developments NCR *** Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai to address 'Delhi Tamil Samagam' at Talkatora Stadium BJP press conference Stories related to Lok Sabha elections *** NORTH **** PM to address poll rallies in Etawah, Sitapur and hold roadshow in Ayodhya Rajnath Singh to campaign in Lucknow Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to hold roadshow in Kharar Campaigning ends for third-phase seats in UP **** SOUTH ****Election related developments Andhra Pradesh Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh to address poll rallies Telangana: Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah to address election rallies EAST **** PM Modi to reach Odisha on a 2-day tour. BJP president JP Nadda to release party manifesto for twin polls External Affairs minister S Jaishankar to attend meetings in Cuttack and Sambalpur. Bengal: Mamata Banerjee to address rallies in Bardhaman Durgapur, Birbhum, Bolpur Abhishek Banerjee to address two rallies at Krishnanagar and Malda North Third phase campaign end stories from Bengal, Bihar and Assam Poll-related stories from states *** WEST ****BJP president J P Nadda to address poll rally at Surajpur in Surguja Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai to address press conference in Raipur Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij's press conference Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate to address press conference in Ahmedabad Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav to campaign in Vidisha, Guna and Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituencies. Sharad Pawar to address last campaign rally in Baramati in support of his daughter Supriya Sule Congress leader Girish Chodankar to address press conference in Panaji ***
Kochi airport to add six cities to its domestic network
KOCHI : As demand soars, Kochi airport is set to add services to six new domestic destinations this month. Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) will revamp its summer schedule by adding Kolkata, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Raipur, Ranchi, and Lucknow to its network while enhancing its connectivity on established sectors. According to officials, the new routes will enhance connectivity. There has been a steady increase in domestic traffic. Passengers can take advantage of new routes and more flights to existing destinations, a CIAL official said. In 2023-24, CIAL handled a record total of 1.05 crore passengers. Our summer schedule listed 1,628 services every week. To this, we are set to add 60 services, which will begin operations in the first week of May. Air India Express will operate services to Kolkata; IndiGo will fly to Ranchi, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Raipur, and Lucknow; Air India Express will start its services to Pune, and Air Asia to Ranchi and Bagdogra, the official said. CIAL has also increased its daily flights to Bengaluru (20 services), Delhi (13), and Mumbai (10). Additionally, IndiGos Kozhikode-Kochi-Agatti-Kochi service which was kicked off on May 1 has received a good response. At present, Alliance Air operates 10 services a week to Agatti. Meanwhile, Air India has announced that it will increase the number of weekly services to London from three to four. There has been an increase in tourists flying to the East Asian region, including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City, said the official.
Raipur, Chhattisgarh's Lok Sabha constituency, covers various areas including Raipur City and had Sunil Kumar Soni (BJP) as the 2019 MP winner. The upcoming 2024 election is set for May 7.
Man Arrested in Chhattisgarh for GST Fraud Involving Rs 71 Crore
Man Arrested in Chhattisgarh for GST Fraud Involving Rs 71 Crore A man was arrested in Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Saturday for allegedly evading GST through bogus input tax credits worth Rs 71.38 crore, an official said. The Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST) official identified the accused as Sarvesh Kumar Pandey. Pandey connived with one Hemant Kasera who was held last month for creating and managing a web of 13 fictitious firms to avail fake credit amounting to Rs. 62.73 crore, of which Rs. 51.42 crore was passed on to several other recipients till Feb 2024. ''Pandey not only purchased fake bills from Kesara but also from other fraudulent firms. Pandey availed Rs 71.38 crore using bogus ITC to evade GST. He has been remanded in judicial custody,'' the official added.
Not many takers for ECIs initiative on home voting in Chhattisgarh
RAIPUR: The Election Commission of India (ECI) pioneering initiative to facilitate home voting, introduced for the first time, in the parliamentary polls for elderly citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) didn't find many takers in Chhattisgarh. The ECIs plan was intended to make the electoral process all-inclusive and accessible by enabling voting convenient for eligible citizens about 85 years of age and PwDs with 40 percent benchmark disability, giving them an opportunity and a privilege to choose to exercise their right to franchise from home in the new move as part of festival of democracy. Despite the facility of home voting offered by the Commission kept easy, the initiative evidentlycouldn't generate much appeal to persuade or motivatethe eligible voters who were required to complete Form 12D within five days of the election notification and submit it to the returning officer. The PwD voters have to provide a certificate on their baseline disability along with their applications. Elections in Chhattisgarh are in three phasesApril 19, April 26 and May 7. According to the data acquired from the state chief electoral office, in the first phase of the restive Bastar constituency where the elector count of elderly citizens and PwD are 16190, only 254 applications were received and 223 voted sitting at home. The second phase comprising three Lok Sabha seats too didn't evoke a promising response as many were not inspired with the ECs offer. Only 1346 applications were received out of the eligible 67950 voters (16644 were 85+ and 51306 as PwDs) and 1267 of them availed the facility. In the third phase covering 7 constituencies, there are 191196 eligible for home voting out of the 1.39 crore voters. However in this phase the total applications received were 2927 and till 2 May 2687 have voted. Only those voters whose applications were received can only be entitled for home voting facility. The official admitted the response has not been heartening but will surely improve in the coming years. One plausible reason for less applications received could perhaps be that senior citizens or PwDs might like to join as vibrant voter participation, keep the zeal high on polling day to realise it as #DeshkaGarv or f#ChunavkaParv by visiting the polling centres. Still some might be out of their place of living for individual causes or perhaps health reasons, the officer added.
Chhattisgarh: BJP's Tokhan Sahu to contest against Congress leader Devendra Yadav from Bilaspur
Chhattisgarh: BJP's Tokhan Sahu to contest against Congress leader Devendra Yadav from Bilaspur Bilaspur, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bastion for over 3 decades, along with six other Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh will go to polls on May 7 in the third phase of General Elections. The Bilaspur constituency is set to witness a contest between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tokhan Sahu and Congress leader Devendra Yadav. The Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency includes eight Assembly seats, which include Surguja, Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Korba, Bilaspur, Durg, and Raipur. BJP had registered victory in the seat in both the 2019 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Out of 11 seats in Chhattisgarh, the BJP bagged nine seats in the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, while the Congress won two of them. During the 2019 elections, BJP's Arun Sao defeated Congress' Atal Srivastava with a margin of 1,41,763 votes. Sao emerged victorious, receiving 634,559 votes and Congress' Srivastava received 492,796 votes coming in the secondsecond after Sao. In 2019, the Bilaspur constituency had 1,811,606 electors and 1,209,434 valid votes. The total voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha election stood at 73.8%, indicating a significant level of civic engagement in the electoral process. In 2014, BJP's Lakhan Lal Sahu won with 561,387 votes, with Congress' Congress' Karuna Shukla coming in second. Since 1989, the BJP has dominated this region. The BJP has won this seat in eight out of the last nine elections (excluding 1991). BJPs Punnulal Mohle has won four consecutive times from Bilaspur. Earlier, Following the announcement on March 2 of his candidature from Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur for the Lok Sabha polls 2024, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tokhan Sahu, asserted that only Narendra Modi can take the country forward and BJP can fulfil the aspirations of the country. I want to thank the central and state leadership. The whole country has faith in PM Modi. Only Narendra Modi can take this country forward. The government has worked in every sector. Only PM Modi's government can fulfil the aspirations of the country, Sahu said. The first list of 195 candidates released by the BJP on March 2 included the name of all BJP candidates on all 11 seats in Chhattisgarh which include--Chintamani Maharaj, Radheshyam Rathia, Kamlesh Jangde, Saroj Pandey, Tokhan Sahu, Santosh Pandey, Vijay Baghel, Brijmohan Agarwal, Roop Kumari Choudhary, Mahesh Kashyap and Bhojraj Nag. Polling took place in Bastar in the first phase on April 19 while Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund and Kanker voted in the second phase on April 26. Meanwhile, Congress fielded Devendra Yadav, a two-time MLA from the Bhilai Nagar Assembly seat from Bilaspur in its seventh list on March 26. The list also includes the names of candidates, Shashi Singh from Surguja, Dr. Menka Devi Singh from Raigarh and Biresh Thakur from Kanker. After his candidature, Devendra Yadav said, I thank the top leadership of the Congress that they considered me worthy of this. I will fulfil the responsibility given by the party with full morality. Last year, Yadav was chargesheeted by ED in a case related to the alleged coal levy scam. Earlier this month, the Chhattisgarh HC rejected his anticipatory bail plea. The BJP for the rest of the seats in Chhattisgarh, will vote on April 26 and May 7. The counting of votes will be done on June 4. The state of Chhattisgarh grapples with several issues, like inflation and unemployment. To please the voters, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, ahead of the Lok Sabah elections in March, said there will be a 4 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for government officials in the state. Hailing 'Modi Ki Guarantee' (Modi's guarantee), the chief minister said the promise of procuring 21 quintals of paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal has been fulfilled. PM Modi guaranteed the formation of a five-member committee that will review the demands and problems of contractual workers, he said. (ANI)
Pakistan visitors offer prayers to Ram Lalla
250 Sindhi community members from Pakistan visited Ayodhya's Ram temple, welcomed by Champat Rai. They attended Aarti and visited various places before heading to Lucknow and Raipur on their religious tour of India.
Her story: Its a Bhabi vs Didi duel in Korba
RAIPUR : Korba Lok Sabha constituency is a keenly watched contest that evidently turned into a prestige battle for both the women candidates in the poll fray, BJPs Saroj Pandey (56), a Rajya Sabha member pitted against the sitting Congress MP Jyotsna Mahant (70). The constituency, which came into existence in 2009 following delimitation, has turned high profile where Union home minister Amit Shah and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi addressed poll rallies in the past three days. The constituency perceptibly reverberates with the descriptive expression for both the key contestants as a fight between Bhabhi (Jyotsna) and Didi (Saroj). So far, the three parliamentary elections held were won twice by the Congress in 2009 and 2019 while the BJP secured victory in 2014 polls. Jyotsna is said to be banking on her clean image, simplicity, who first time contested elections in 2019 and won despite the Modi wave. However, the BJP has alleged that she has not just been found missing in her own constituency but also in Parliament. Even I couldnt find her in the House (Lok Sabha). Where was she, was the remark by Amit Shah while speaking at the Katghora rally on May 1. Jyotsnas reported failure not to give enough time in her area seemingly goes against her, the BJP believes. Her husband Charandas Mahant was a former Lok Sabha member from Korba, Assembly Speaker and presently leader of opposition campaigning to retain the seat for Congress. The Congress aggressively countered the BJP citing their candidate as outsider. Saroj is seen as a dynamic BJP leader with a long political careertwice Durg city mayor, who won Lok Sabha polls in 2009. In fact she created a record for holding elected positions of MP, MLA and Mayor at the same time in 2009 from Durg district. As a resident of Durg, she cannot vote in Korba constituency. Saroj criticised Charandas Mahant for promoting parivarvad (family first, dynasts mindset) like his party. Among the local issues in Korba, also cited as power hub, figure environment pollution with fly-ash disposal, adequate compensation for land acquired, rehabilitating those displaced owing to mining, power or industrial projects, and creating scope of local employment. Interestingly, women will play a key role in deciding the political future of candidates in the seat where of the 8 Assembly segments the female voters outnumbered men. The women in rural areas are 20% less literate compared to urban female population. Of the eight Assembly constituencies, the BJP has won in six in the last 2023 November elections, while Congress and Gondwana Gantantra party (GGP) bagged one each. The Assembly results of the region offer much confidence to the BJP. In the 2018 Assembly polls, the Congress had won six seats, while the BJP in the remaining two. Among the voters, the strength of Scheduled Tribes is the highest at 44.5%. The SC comprise 9.2%, Muslims 3.5% while the remaining are general and OBC category.
Raipur Lok Sabha constituency: Know polling date, candidates list, past election results
Raipur is one of the 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh. Raipur is Chhattisgarh's capital and an important constituency in the state. Over the years, the constituency has been a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
C'garh liquor scam: ED attaches assets worth Rs 205cr
The attached properties include 14 assets of Tuteja worth Rs 15.82 crore, 115 properties of Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar, worth Rs 116.16 crore, properties of Vikash Agarwal alias Subbu worth Rs 1.54 crore and 33 properties of Arvind Singh worth Rs 12.99 crore, it said in a statement.
AIIMS, Raipur Professor, Asst Professor & Other Recruitment 2024, Last Date Extended For 129 Posts
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200 Members of Sindhi Community from Pakistan to Visit Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya Today
Today, a special event unfolds as 200 members of the Sindhi community from Pakistan are set to pay homage to Ram Lalla at the revered temple in Ayodhya. This visit marks a significant cultural exchange between India and Pakistan. The delegation, hailing from Pakistan's Sindh province, embarks on a month-long religious journey across India. Their pilgrimage takes them through historic sites, with Ayodhya being a pivotal stop. Accompanying them on this sacred journey are 150 members of the Sindhi community from India. Together, they symbolize the spirit of unity and faith transcending borders. Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, extends a warm welcome to the visiting delegation at Ram Ki Paidi. Here, amidst festivities, they'll be embraced with open arms and reverence. Their itinerary includes visits to revered sites such as Bharat Kund and Guptar Ghat, steeped in mythology and spirituality. Special arrangements await them at Udasin Rishi Ashram and Shabari Rasoi, ensuring their comfort and hospitality. As dusk falls, they'll partake in the soul-stirring Saryu Aarti at Ram Ki Paidi, accompanied by members of the Ram Mandir Trust, including Champat Rai himself. Beyond the temple precincts, a special reception awaits them at the Sindhi Dham Ashram, where various Sindhi associations from across India will extend their heartfelt greetings. Accompanying them is Yudhishthir Lal, the Peethadeshwar of Sant Sada Ram Darbar, Raipur. After their enriching visit to Ayodhya, the delegation will journey to Lucknow, marking the next chapter of their spiritual odyssey. From there, they'll proceed to Raipur, carrying with them the blessings and memories of their pilgrimage. Read More: India Sends Sacred Sarayu River Water to Sri Lanka for Seetha Amma Temple President Murmu offers prayers at Hanuman Garhi temple, Ayodhya Film 'Laal Ayodhya' directed by Dushyant Pratap Singh unveiled, Emotionally deep and Unique concept
AP politics delayed Polavaram project: Gadkari
Visakhapatnam : Union minister for roads, Nitin Gadkari, has said politics in Andhra Pradesh delayed the prestigious Polavaram project that was sanctioned by him while he was minister for water resources. Addressing election meetings in Venkampeta as a part of his campaign for Araku Assembly candidate Kothapalli Geetha and Anakapalli LS candidate C.M. Ramesh in Vepagunta area on Thursday, Gadkari said the project cost of Polavaram was then estimated at Rs 60,000 crore. Gadkari said he visited the project site four times when Chandrababu Naidu was chief minister. It was the responsibility of the state government to complete the project, he stressed. When the new government came in 2019, it initiated several inquiries and the end result was the project was delayed, Gadkari said. He said originally three schemes were proposed when 1,300 tmc of water from Godavari was going into the sea as waste. The first scheme was to take water from Godavari to Krishna, Krishna river to Penna and Penna to Kaveri, and taking the tail end to Tamil Nadu. This could have solved the water problem of the entire South India, Gadkari said, blaming the previous governments for wrong policies that led to water disputes. He said as a corrective measure, the NDA government launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchay Yojana to focus on big and medium dams and water conservation measures that would bring socio-economic changes in the rural economy. Agriculture contributes 12 per cent to GDP, manufacturing 22-24 per cent and services 52 to 56 per cent. He said 90 per cent of the population lived in rural areas and later 30 per cent of the population migrated to bigger cities due to the wrong policies of the government that existed after the time of Independence, he said. Now we are focusing on diversion of agriculture to energy and power sector that would save the foreign exchange in importing crude oil and enrich the rural youth, Gadkari said. He said already trial runs were on to make bitumen from broken rice and bio-fuel and aviation fuel from sea molasses, bamboo, broken rice and corn. Very soon vehicles would run on ethanol. Speaking about his contributions to north Andhra as minister for roads, Gadkari said work on Visakhapatnam-Raipur express highway covering a distance on 595 kilometres worth Rs 35,000 crore was on and similarly the Rajamahendravaram-Vizianagaram green express highway covering a distance of 688km was nearing completion. This project costs Rs 22,000 crore. These two roads would be game changer as new developmental activities would be initiated providing employment to thousands of people, Gadkari said.
Five Maoist Top Leaders of Maad Division Gunned Down in Bastar
Manjhi was the eighth BJP leader to have been killed by Maoists in the state in the past one year. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM) Manjhi was the eighth BJP leader to have been killed by Maoists in the state in the past one year. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM) Raipur: Tuesdays encounter in a forest in Abujhmad in south Bastar in Chhattisgarh has led to elimination of five top leaders of Maad division of Maoists while shattering the myth that the area, considered safe sanctuary of ultras, is beyond reach of security personnel, police said on Wednesday. Ten Maoists including three women cadres were killed in an encounter with security forces in a forest near Kakur village under Abujhmad (loosely translated in English as incomprehensible) along the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts in Bastar in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Some senior Naxal leaders from Maharashtra, Telangana and Bastar were among the ten Maoists slain in the April 30 encounter near Kakur, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sunderraj said. Prominent among the Maoist leaders killed in the encounter included Jaganna alias Ghissu alias Cheemala Narsaiah (66), a resident of Jayyaram under Ramagundam police station in Karimnagar district in Telangana. He was military commander of Maad division of Maoists and carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head. Other senior Maoist leaders slain in the incident were Mallesh alias Unga Madkam (41), a resident of Bastar. He was a divisional committee member and carried a bounty of Rs eight lakhs. Two other senior Maoist leaders, Vinay alias Kasaraboina alias Ravi who hailed from Chennur under Adilabad district in Telangana and Suresh, were killed in the incident. Both the Maoists were in the rank of divisional committee members and carried a reward of Rs eight lakh each on their heads. Another slain Maoist leader has been identified as Sangita Donge Atram who was in the rank of commander of an area committee. She carried a reward of Rs five lakh on her head. The counterinsurgency operation in the forest near Kakur village on Tuesday was very significant as it has shattered the long-held myth of Maad being an impregnable sanctuary for Maoists, the police officer said. Significantly, there was no casualty among the security forces in the encounter. A huge cache of arms and ammunition and explosives was recovered at the encounter site. Meanwhile, a jawan of DRG identified as Mangal Mandvi was injured in the bear attack during the encounter. This was the first of its kind incident in Bastar. A herd of bears pounced on the jawan and injured his legs when he was taking position during the encounter with Maoists. He however managed to escape from them. He was airlifted to Narayanpur for treatment.
Modi government didnt use majority to scrap quota in 10 yrs: Shah
RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has refuted allegations levelled by the Congress that the BJP would abolish reservations after gaining a majority in the forthcoming elections. Addressing a poll rally at Katghora in the Korba Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday, he stated, After remaining in power for 10 years, we didnt remove reservations nor will we allow anyone to do so in the future. Modiji used the majority to scrap Article 370 (in Kashmir), construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, triple talaq, and introducing Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Eulogizing the achievements of the BJP-led Centre, he said PM Narendra Modi has a 10-year track record and a 25-year agenda for Viksit Bharat, while seeking the peoples support for his straight third term. Shah claimed that in the second term, the Modi government has eliminated Naxalism from the country but couldnt do so in Chhattisgarh owing to the hindrance of the Congress-led Bhupesh Baghel government. He held the Congress accountable for nurturing terrorism and Maoism in the country for years to win polls. Despite Maoists accepting they suffered a huge loss, the Congress called the encounters fake. After the BJP came to power in the state, 95 Maoists have been neutralized, and 350 cadres surrendered in four months, he added. Reiterating the commitment to get rid of Maoists, Shah assured that the third term for PM will wipe out the banned outfit from Chhattisgarh in the next two years. Shah professed that PM Modi has already scored a century in the first two phases of polling as the BJP surges ahead towards a stage of 400 seats. Citing Korba as a tough seat, he asked the people to support the BJP candidate Saroj Pandey, whom he cited as an accomplished parliamentarian.
Kharge raises Congress poll pitch, says BJP misleading people
RAIPUR: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday, - cusing him of consistently speaking lies and misleading the public while remaining si- lent on the real issues affecting the masses. Speaking at a poll rally in the reserved scheduled caste Lok Sabha seat of Janjgir-Champa, Kharge criticised PM Modi and the BJP for often diverting attention with talk of the figure 400, while neglecting the welfare of marginalized communities such as the backwards, scheduled tribes, scheduled castes, poor, and farmers. Kharge cautioned that if the Constitution and democracy are not safeguarded, it is the people of the country who will be at higher risks, not the leaders. Referring to PM Modi's promises as Modi Ki Guarantee, Kharge labelled them as mere 'jumla' (lies), emphasising that PM Modi has a history of making empty promises without fulfilling them. He warned that allowing PM Modi to continue for another five years would be detrimen- tal to the country, suggesting that his slogan of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' would ultimately lead to 'sabka satyanash'. Kharge described PM Modi as a 'teller of lies' and suggest- ed that recent polling feedback indicated a growing realization among the people against the Prime Minister's deceptive as- surances, with the Congress gaining significant support. He accused PM Modi of resorting to Hindu-Muslim rhetoric when confronted with reality. Highlighting the Congress' track record of welfare schemes during its 55-year rule, Kharge questioned wheth- er the party had ever resorted to divisive tactics such as snatching mangal sutras, im- posing taxes unfairly, or misus- ing central agencies to perse- cute individuals. Kharge also contrasted the Congress' approach of collec- tive responsibility with PM Modi's individual-centric style, noting that while the Congress pledges under vari- ous Nyay guarantees, PM Modi exclusively cites 'Modi Ki Guarantee' without ac- knowledging the role of his party or government. Finally, Kharge urged voters to prioritise unity and not to be swayed by the deceptive rheto- ric of the PM in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Ten Naxalites killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh; second success for security forces in two weeks
RAIPUR, Apr 30: Ten Naxalites including three women were killed in an encounter with security forces on the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday morning, police said. This was a second major blow to the Naxalites within 15 days. The site of Tuesdays encounter was 30 km south of Kalper village in Kanker where 29 Naxalites were killed in a gunfight with security forces on April 16, said a senior police official. Deputy Chief Minister and [] The post Ten Naxalites killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh; second success for security forces in two weeks appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Chhattisgarh: ED arrests ex MARKFED MD in rice miling scam
RAIPUR, April 30: The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday arrested former Chhattisgarh MARKFED managing director Manoj Soni in a money laundering case linked to an alleged rice milling scam worth Rs 175 crore, official sources said. Soni was taken into custody and produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur where []
10 Maoists gunned down in Bastar in a major security strike
Raipur: In the second major strike on the Leftwing insurgents in Bastar in Chhattisgarh in the last fortnight, security forces on Tuesday gunned down ten Maoists including three women in a forest in Abujhmad, a Naxal stronghold in the western tip of the state. An encounter took place between the security forces and Maoists at around six in the morning in a forest across Narayanpur and Kanker districts falling under Abujhmad area of Bastar, leading to the killing of ten Maoists, Bastar inspector general of police P Sunderraj told this newspaper. The encounter site is around 30 km from Chhotebetia in Abujhmad, where 29 Maoists were killed in the biggest ever strike on the ultras in Bastar by security forces on April 16. Abujhmad, a 4,000 sq km area extending from south Bastar to Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, is considered a safe haven for Maoists. The area is run by Maoists jantana sarkar (peoples government). Tough terrain and dense foliage in this area is conducive for Maoist hideout and dump, Mr Sunderraj said. A senior police officer revealed to this newspaper that security forces have discovered some tunnels dug by Maoists to use as their hideout during an attack on the security forces. Details would be known after the search party returned to their camp, the police officer said, unwilling to be quoted. According to the police, acting on specific intelligence inputs on the gathering of a large number of Maoists in the forest between the villages of Tekmeta and Kakur in Narayanpur district, a joint team of district reserve guard (DRG), a tribal counterinsurgency wing of Chhattisgarh police, and Special Task Force (STF) launched search operation in the area early on Tuesday morning. A fierce encounter ensued between them when Maoists hiding in the forest opened fire on the search party. Security forces recovered bodies of ten Maoists including three women cadres along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition and explosives at the spot after the encounter ended. The weapons recovered at the encounter site included one AK 47 and one INSAS assault rifle, police said. The recovery of AK 47 and INSAS rifle indicates that some senior Maoists may have been killed in the encounter, police said. Security forces have recovered all the ten bodies of Maoists. The slain Naxals are yet to be identified, the police officer said.
Now only a few days are left for April to end. After this, the month of May will begin, but do you know how many days banks are going to remain closed this time in May? Probably not, but like every time, this time too there will be bank holidays. In such a situation, it is obvious that you should plan your bank-related work according to bank holidays. Otherwise, you may face problems later. So let us know when the banks of your city will be closed in May. You can see the complete list of holidays for May in the next slides... Banks will remain closed for so many days in May, see the complete list:- Due to May 1st being May Day, there will be a bank holiday in all the states. At the same time, banks will remain closed in Maharashtra also on 1st May due to Maharashtra Day. Then 5th of May is Sunday, so banks across the country will remain closed. May 8 is the birth anniversary of Guru Rabindranath Tagore, due to which there will be a holiday for the banks of Kolkata. Banks will remain closed in Bengaluru on May 10 due to Basava Jayanti/Akshay Tritiya. Banks will remain closed across the country as May 11 will be the second Saturday. There will be a Sunday holiday on 12th May in all the banks of the country. Banks to remain closed in Gangtok on 16th May due to Statehood Day There will be a Sunday holiday on 19th May in all the banks of the country. Banks will remain closed in Agartala, Aizawl, Bhopal, Belapur, Dehradun, Itanagar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, Ranchi, Shimla and Srinagar due to Buddha Purnima on 23 May. May 25 is the fourth Saturday, hence there will be a holiday in banks across the country. (PC: ISTOCK)
ED Detains Former Markfed MD in Rs 140 Crore Custom Milling Scam Case
Raipur: In Chhattisgarh, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has detained the former Managing Director (MD) of Markfed in the custom milling scam case. Manoj Soni, accused in the Rs 140 crore scam case, was arrested by the ED team and brought to their office for questioning. Soni was earlier summoned to the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) office for interrogation in connection with the custom milling scam case. After questioning, the ED team took him into custody and transferred him to the sub-zonal office. According to the ED, the scam involves an illegal recovery of Rs 140 crore, with several officials, from officers to members of the Millers Association, allegedly involved. It is believed that crucial information related to the custom milling case may emerge during Manoj Soni's interrogation, potentially aiding ED in reaching more associates involved in the matter. Initial investigations by the ED suggest that Manoj Soni and his associates had been running this operation for the past two years. The scam involved a team comprising Markfed officers and officials from the Chhattisgarh State Rice Millers Association. Allegedly, the funds were embezzled under the pretext of custom milling, thinning, and thickening of paddy, and converting it into FCI rice. With the arrest of Manoj Soni, the former MD of Markfed, ED is expected to intensify its investigation into the case. The agency has found that the custom milling scam was operated with the collusion of officials, with Manoj Soni allegedly orchestrating the entire operation. Investigations have revealed how officials were instructed by Soni regarding the payment of rice millers' bills and the timing of recovery from them. The Rice Millers Association of the concerned district played a significant role in facilitating this scam. ED estimates that the scam amounts to Rs 140 crore, and further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. Arvind Kejriwal's Health is Fine, Says Bhagwant Mann After Meeting Jalandhar Police Seizes Gold Worth 60 Lakhs in Phillor Area Tragic Suicide: NEET Aspirant Found Dead in Kota
ED Arrests Former MARKFED MD in Chhattisgarh Rice Milling Corruption Case
ED Arrests Former MARKFED MD in Chhattisgarh Rice Milling Corruption Case Chhattisgarh MARKFED managing director Manoj Soni in a money laundering case linked to an alleged rice milling scam worth Rs 175 crore, official sources said. Soni was taken into custody and produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur where the agency will seek his custody for interrogation. The federal agency had last year said in a statement that Rs 175 crore bribes were generated through this alleged scam for the ''benefit of higher powers''. It last raided Soni, some officers bearers of the state rice millers association, including treasurer Roshan Chandrakar, district marketing officers (DMOs) and a few rice millers in October last year as part of a custom rice milling special incentive 'scam' in the central Indian state. The agency has earlier said in a statement that its case stems from a complaint filed by the Income Tax department before a court Raipur where the tax department had alleged that the office bearers of the Chhattisgarh rice millers association ''colluded'' with officers of the state marketing federation Ltd (MARKFED) and ''hatched a conspiracy to misuse the special incentive where Rs 40 per quintal of paddy was paid by the state government to rice millers for custom milling of rice''. The state is known as the rice bowl of the country due to its high volume of paddy production. The ED said this amount of Rs 40 was ''exorbitantly'' increased to Rs 120 per quintal of paddy and this was paid in two instalments of Rs 60 each. ''The office bearers of Chhattisgarh state rice millers association under the leadership of its Treasurer Roshan Chandrakar, in connivance with Manoj Soni MD of MARKFED, started collecting kickbacks amount of Rs 20 per installment for each quintal of paddy milled from the rice millers.'' ''The details of rice millers who have paid the cash amounts were sent by the district rice millers association to the concerned DMO,'' the ED found. The DMOs, upon receiving the bills of rice millers, cross-checked them with the details received from the concerned district rice millers association and this information was then passed on to the head office of MARKFED, it said. The bills of ''only those rice millers who have paid cash amount'' to the association were cleared by the MD, MARKFED for payment, it alleged. Probe found, the ED said, the increase in the special allowance from Rs 40 to Rs 120 per quintal, payments of Rs 500 crore were released, generating ''kickbacks'' of Rs 175 crore which were collected by Roshan Chandrakar with active assistance of MD MARKFED (Soni), for the benefit of 'higher powers'. The agency said it seized ''incriminating'' documents, digital devices and ''unaccounted cash'' of Rs 1.06 crore during the raids. The ED, over the last few months, has claimed to have unearthed a coal levy, a liquor duty and an illegal online betting app (Mahadev app) ''scam'' in the state which is currently being ruled by the BJP after it defeated the Congress party led by chief minister Bhupesh Baghel in the assembly polls held last year. In all these cases, the ED has claimed, kickbacks worth crores were generated through a nexus of local politicians and bureaucrats. It has arrested a number of IAS officers, a police official and some others in these above mentioned cases till now.
Chhattisgarh: Rahul talks about reservation, PSU assets and rights of poor
RAIPUR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asserted that the ongoing Lok Sabha polls are not ordinary elections but meant to stand up to protect the Constitution, democracy, reservations, public sector undertakings and the rights of the poor. Seeking support in a rally for the party candidate in Chhattisgarhs Bilaspur seat, he said that the Constitution is not just a book but ensures the rights of the people, particularly the poor, Dalits, tribals, and the backward. While BJP and RSS want to abolish the Constitution, the Congress is committed to safeguarding it. Many BJP leaders had said that if they retain power, the Constitution and reservation will be abolished. Without the Constitution nothing (rights or voices) will remain for the poor, Dalits, and tribals, he claimed. He further promised to remove the 50% quota cap if the Congress is voted to power at the Centre. Gandhi dared the BJP leaders to pledge they will not privatise PSUs, will end the system of contract workers, and waive off farmers loans. They will never do so because their ideology is not those of Ambedkarji, Gandhiji and Nehruji but instead to help only select 20-22 billionaires. People of India have now understood that the BJP and PM Mod intend to put an end to the Constitution. When we used to talk about it earlier, not many believed us, he said. He said that eventually the people have realised that the attack by the BJP is on the democracy, Constitution, reservations, PSUs and now the present elections have turned into contests for safeguarding them. Earlier PM Modi said 400 paar but now not saying beyond 150 as the people have come to realise that the Constitution will be changed or eliminated by them.., he said. The third phase polling in Chhattisgarh will cover the remaining seven Lok Sabha seats on May 7.
Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan Leader Alok Shukla Honored with Goldman Environmental Prize
Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan Leader Alok Shukla Honored with Goldman Environmental Prize Forest and tribal rights activist Alok Shukla will on Friday receive the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize - 2024 for successfully leading a community campaign that saved 4.45 lakh acres of biodiversity-rich forests from 21 planned coal mines in Chhattisgarh. Also known as the Green Nobel, the prize recognises grassroots environmental heroes from roughly the world's six inhabited continental regions -- Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands & Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America. A statement from the Goldman Environmental Foundation mentioned that the government cancelled the auction of 21 proposed coal mines in Hasdeo Aranya, whose pristine forests -- popularly known as the lungs of Chhattisgarh -- are one of the largest intact forest areas in India. ''This recognition truly belongs to the brave adivasi men, women and children who have been continually fighting to save the rich Hasdeo forests. It will indeed help strengthen the ongoing fight to save Hasdeo and help bring attention to the movement at a global stage. The Hasdeo movement has been a beacon of hope for grassroots struggles all across the world that are trying to tackle the planetary crisis of climate change by protecting our forests, water and land ecosystems,'' Shukla, 43, told PTI. ''The award is also a big responsibility to take this message and generate global solidarity for the various connected struggles that are crucial to save our planet and humanity,'' the activist said. Spread across 657 square miles, the dense and biodiverse Hasdeo Aranya forests form one of India's most extensive contiguous forest tracts. They are also home to 25 endangered species, 92 bird species, and 167 rare and medicinal plant species. Nearly 15,000 tribals depend on the Hasdeo Aranya forests for their livelihood, cultural identity and sustenance. Meanwhile, the region contains one of India's largest coal reserves -- an estimated five billion tons of coal sit under the Hasdeo forests. In 2010, the Union Environment Ministry declared the Hasdeo forests a ''no-go'' zone for mining in recognition of their rich biodiversity but the declaration was never formalised into law and successive governments have attempted to jumpstart mining operations. Shukla, who brought local communities together in a unified movement in 2012 with the creation of the Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, began organising the villagers to protest against the public auction of the 21 proposed coal mines in June 2020. In October 2020, he led local villagers to lobby the village legislative councils to designate 9,45,000 acres as the Lemru elephant reserve, protecting the elephant corridor and its boundaries from planned coal mines, the Foundation said. Sustained community protests led the government to withdraw three mines from public auction in September 2020 and, after a 10-day, 166-mile protest march to Raipur in October 2021 alongside 500 villagers, the process for an additional 14 mines were cancelled. Shukla, the convenor of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, garnered widespread support on social media and digital platforms by using the hashtag #SaveHasdeo. The campaign inspired creative acts around the country, including motorcycle rallies and couples using the hashtag in their wedding invitations. In the spring of 2022, the villagers began an indefinite sit-in and launched tree-hugging protests against the felling of 300 trees that had been cleared for the proposed mines. In July 2022, the state legislature adopted a resolution against mining in the entire Hasdeo Aranya region. The state government cancelled the auction of the remaining of the 21 coal blocks by July 2022. The Goldman Environmental Prize was established in 1989 by late San Francisco civic leaders and philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman. The 2024 prize winners will be celebrated at an in-person ceremony in San Francisco on Monday.
Cgarh: 9 killed, 23 injured as van rams into truck
Raipur : At least nine people, including five women and four children, were killed and 23 others injured when a van carrying them rammed into a mini truck parked roadside in a village under Bemetara district, police said on Monday. The incident took place in the village of Kathia under Bemetara police station at around 2.30 am on Monday, police said. The victims were returning home in the village of Pathre after attending a family function in the nearby village of Tireya when the incident took place, police said. Bemetara district collector Ranveer Sharma and local superintendent of police Ramkrushna Sahu rushed to the spot to oversee the rescue operation. The injured people were admitted to the nearby government hospital.
Cgarh LS polls: This poll is to save Constitution: Rahul Gandhi
Raipur: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the current general elections are not merely to elect the MPs, but to save the Constitution. Addressing an election rally at Sakri in Takhatpur falling under Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh, Mr Gandhi said the Constitution of India is facing serious threat from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). BJP and RSS want to change the Constitution to abolish the reservation system in the country, he said, and added that This poll is very significant as far as preservation of our Constitution is concerned. Mr Gandhi declared that the Congress, if voted to power in the general elections, will remove the 50 percent cap on reservation and increase the quota to accommodate Dalits, tribals and backward classes suitably. He pledged to waive farm loans and accord legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP) of various crops if Congress won the polls. The Congress leader also declared that the Congress, if voted to power, will solve the unemployment problem by bringing the right to apprentice law. He said that the unemployed youths would be provided skill development training and employed for a year for an annual package of Rs one lakh each. Mr Gandhi further said that a woman member in each family would be provided an annual assistance of Rs one lakh under Mahalaxmi Yojana. The Congress leader accused BJP of trying to abolish the reservation system by privatising public sector units in the country. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge is scheduled to visit Janjgir-Champa in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday while AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi is scheduled to address an election meeting in Korba in Chhattisgarh on May two. The final round of the three-phase Lok Sabha polls in Chhattisgarh is going to be held on May seven. BJP had won nine out of 11 LS seats in 2019 while Congress bagged the remaining two seats.
Come home to vote, Chhattisgarh district makes video calls to migrants
RAIPUR : The Mungeli district authorities in Chhattisgarh are contacting people from the area who have migrated to other places in search of a livelihood through video calls and encouraging them to return to exercise their franchise in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Over 22,000 workers, away from their home districts, have been contacted. The vision remains to meet the mandate of the Election Commission under the Systematic Voters Education & Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, but with a unique touch. Mungeli, under the Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency, is about 125 km from Raipur. While analysing the previous polls voter turnout, we found that with many migrant workers being away, the desired high polling could not be achieved. Then a strategy was put into action to connect with such people and encourage them to return and be a part of the festival of democracy, Rahul Deo, Mungeli collector, told this newspaper. The mission Shat Pratishat Matdan Mungeli Ka Abhiman (100% voting for Mungelis pride) was floated among the migrant labourers as the government officials continued to connect with them on video calls. The data of such workers away is available to the election booth-level officers and the gram panchayat secretaries. Why video calling? Such calls by authorities make the receivers realise the significance of voting in democracy besides elevating their self-esteem. The video connected to mobile phones ensures the officials are convincing the right persons during a visit to their habitations. Its heartening to see that the responses have been extremely positive as they pledged to return to vote, said the collector. It was a pleasant surprise when officials called to remind us about our democratic rights. We will come back to vote, said Sampat Marawi, a native of Lormi working in Hyderabad. We acknowledge the efforts of the local authorities to strengthen the voters participation, Krishna Sahu from Patharia tehsil. As an incentive to these migrants for their willingness to return to their polling places, the district has planned to welcome them all.
Bemetara communal flare-up in Chhattisgarh last year: CBI takes over youths murder case
RAIPUR, April 27: The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe into the murder of 22-year-old Bhuneshwar Sahu in communal violence in Chhattisgarhs Bemetara district in April last year. A statement from the Press Information Bureau said the CBI on Friday re-registered a case in connection with the incident on a request of []
Chhattisgarh: Maoists brutally kill Congress leader in Dantewada
Manjhi was the eighth BJP leader to have been killed by Maoists in the state in the past one year. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM) Manjhi was the eighth BJP leader to have been killed by Maoists in the state in the past one year. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM) Raipur: Maoists brutally killed a local Congress leader by slitting his throat in front of his family members in a village in Dantewada district under Bastar in Chhattisgarh, police said on Saturday. A group of suspected Maoists armed with sharp weapons stormed into the house of Joga Podium, former member of the local janpad panchayat, in the village of Potli under Aranpur police station at around 11 pm on Friday and dragged him out of his house, a senior district police officer said. The ultras then attacked him with sharp weapons and also slit his throat killing him on the spot, police said. The slain tribals family members were forced to remain mute spectators to the macabre incident. The rebels later fled into the nearby forest. A team of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) rushed to the spot from their nearby camp and launched a combing operation in the area, the police officer said. However, no Maoist pamphlet was found at the crime scene, police said. Maoists usually leave a pamphlet assigning the reason for killing their target after committing a crime.
LS polls: Brisk Polling in Chhattisgarh, Moderate in MP, Baghel Heckled
Bhopal: Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel was on Friday allegedly heckled by some BJP workers when he was visiting a booth under Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh. Rajnandgaon along with Kanker (ST) and Mahasamund LS constituencies went to polls in the second phase polling in Chhattisgarh on Friday. The incident happened when Mr Baghel who is seeking election from Rajnandgaon seat was visiting the polling booth at Dedesera under his constituency after learning about a clash between workers of BJP and Congress there, a Congress leader in Raipur said. In his post in X, formerly Twitter, Mr Baghel alleged that he was prevented from visiting the booth by some BJP activists who indulged in hooliganism. An average voter turnout of 72.15 percent was recorded in the three LS constituencies that went to polls in the second phase, according to the chief electoral officers office in Raipur. The second phase polling in Madhya Pradesh however recorded moderate voter turnout of 54.83 percent by five pm on Friday. However, the polling percentage may increase since many voters were still seen waiting to exercise their franchise. Six LS constituencies in Madhya Pradesh went to polls in second phase polling on Friday.
Cgarh: Bodies of 3 Covid-19 victims cremated after 3 years
Raipur: The ghost of corona pandemic returned to haunt people here with the cremation of bodies of three people, who died of Covid-19 three years ago, in a crematorium here on Thursday evening. The three bodies, lay unclaimed in morgue of the Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College Hospital here for three years, were cremated in the Devendra Nagar crematorium here in the presence of a team of doctors, officials of local civic body and policemen. The Covid-19 protocols were followed during cremation of the three bodies, Subhra Singh, spokesman of the Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital here said. It was a flashback of the horror of the Covid-19 tragedy when the hearse carrying the three bodies was passing through the thoroughfares of Raipur city to the crematorium, leaving passersby awestruck and terrified. The sight of apron-clad driver carrying the three bodies in hearse with two civic body officials accompanying him was literally a recreation of the horror of the Covid-19 pandemic that had left lakhs of people dead over a period of three years. A senior officer of the hospital, requesting not to be quoted, told this newspaper that the three people died of Covid-19 in 2020-21. The three bodies lay unclaimed in the morgue for three years since their families could not be traced out. The state government has recently constituted a seven-member- team of doctors to probe the matter and trace out the families of the three deceased. The team submitted its report on Tuesday, sources said. While families of two deceased, Jabbar Singh and Dukhalheen Bai, were identified, the kin of the third deceased Pankaj Kumar could not be found, sources said. The kin of Jabbar Singh, resident of Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, and of Dukhalheen Bai, resident of Baloda Bazar in Chhattisgarh, were contacted by the police to take the bodies. They however refused to take bodies of their kin arguing that they were already given bodies in the names of their kin and had cremated them during the Covid-19 pandemic period, a senior officer of the hospital said, unwilling to be quoted. Finally, it was decided to cremate three bodies, he added. However, a bone of the deceased Pankaj Kumar has been preserved for DNA test in future when his family would be traced out, sources said.
Beyond Borders, A Soldiers Perspective on Naxalism
New Delhi (India), April 26:Dr. Vinod Kumar Tandonwas born on July 12, 1981 in Jaitpur village of Raipur district (presently new formed distt. Sarangarh-Bilaigarh). Author completed Graduation from Chhattisgarh College Raipur in the year 2001, Post-Graduated in Public Administration, in 2004 & qualified UGC (NET-JRF). After Completion of Education, the author selected as first Class []
Tragic Accident: Chhattisgarh Cop Killed, Colleague Injured in Accidental Firing at Former MLA's Residence A policeman was killed and another injured due to an accidental discharge of a firearm in the bungalow of a former Congress MLA in Chhattisgarhs capital Raipur on Friday, police said. The incident occurred between 7 am and 8 am when the two personnel of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force were cleaning their service weapons in the barrack at the bungalow of former MLA Devti Karma here in the Civil Lines area, a police official said. As per preliminary information, a bullet accidentally discharged from a pistol pierced through a palm of assistant platoon commander Ram Kumar Dohare and hit the chest of head constable Ajay Singh, he said. The two were shifted to a government hospital where Singh succumbed to the bullet wound. Dohare is undergoing treatment, he said. While Singh belonged to Bijuri, Dohare hails from Bhind in Madhya Pradesh, he said. The two were posted on security duty of Ashish Karma, son of Devti Karma. Prima facie the incident seems to be a case of accidental firing. However, the investigation into it is underway, the official said. On Thursday, a District Reserve Guard (DRG) constable was killed and another policeman injured due to an accidental discharge of a firearm in the states Dantewada district.
Ex-IAS Officer Anil Tuteja Accused of Masterminding Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: ED
Ex-IAS Officer Anil Tuteja Accused of Masterminding Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: ED Retired IAS officer Anil Tuteja is the ''kingpin'' of the liquor syndicate that was operating in Chhattisgarh leading to generation of proceeds of crime worth more than Rs 2,100 crore, the Enforcement Directorate alleged on Thursday. Tuteja, a 2003-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was arrested by the federal anti-money laundering agency in the state capital Raipur last week and is currently in the ED custody. Probe found that Tuteja is the ''kingpin'' of the liquor syndicate operating in Chhattisgarh, the agency claimed in a statement. ''Evidence documenting his direct involvement in managing the state administration for unhindered operations of the syndicate have been gathered and he was also found to be actively engaged with Anwar Dhebar, another co-accused in this matter,'' it said. Anwar Dhebar is the elder brother of Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar. The agency claimed it has gathered evidence that while Tuteja ''was not officially a part of the Excise Department, yet he was actively involved with operations of this department.'' Digital evidence relating to receipt of Rs 14.41 crore by Tuteja has also been discovered during investigation, it said. The agency added that his role in the appointment of Arunpati Tripathi, a co-accused in the case, as the managing director of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited has also allegedly been found. The ''complicit'' actions of Tuteja resulted in ''massive loss'' to the state exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries of the liquor syndicate with more than Rs 2,100 crore illegal proceeds of crime, the ED claimed, adding that Tuteja also received a ''substantial share in this loot''. The IAS officer retired from service last year. His last designation was that of joint secretary in the Industry and Commerce Department of Chhattisgarh. The ED had filed a fresh money laundering case in the alleged liquor scam case after the Supreme Court recently quashed its earlier FIR that was based on an Income Tax Department complaint. The apex court ruled there was no scheduled offence, and hence the money laundering case does not stand. The agency, just before this ruling, had shared details of its probe in the case with the Chhattisgarh EOW/ACB seeking registration of a criminal case and once they filed a FIR, the ED registered a new money laundering case taking cognisance of that complaint. The EOW/ACB registered this FIR on January 17, about a month after the BJP defeated the incumbent Congress government in the assembly polls, and named 70 individuals and companies, including former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, former chief secretary Vivek Dhand and others. As per the ED's estimate, the ''proceeds of crime'' in the case stands at Rs 2,161 crore. Money was ''illegally'' collected from ''every'' bottle of liquor sold in Chhattisgarh and evidence of ''unprecedented'' corruption and money laundering of Rs 2,000 crore generated by an alcohol syndicate led by Anwar Dhebar has been unearthed, the ED had alleged. The alleged liquor scam, which ran between 2019 and 2022, was perpetrated in three broad ways, as per the ED. First was ''commission'' where bribe was collected from the distillers per bottle of liquor procured from them by the CSMCL (the state body for purchase and sale of liquor). The second was 'kacha' (off the books) sale of country liquor where ''not even a single rupee reached the state exchequer and all the sale proceeds were pocketed by the syndicate.'' This country liquor was sold from the state-run shops only, the ED alleged. The third part was ''bribes'' taken from distillers to allow them to make a ''cartel'' and have fixed market share apart from commission from FL-10A License holders who were introduced to earn in the foreign liquor segment, the ED said.
DRG Constable Killed, Colleague Injured in Accidental Firing in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada
DRG Constable Killed, Colleague Injured in Accidental Firing in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada A District Reserve Guard (DRG) constable was killed and another policeman injured due to an accidental discharge of a firearm in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, officials said on Thursday. The incident took place at around 11 pm on Wednesday when a joint team of the DRG and Bastar Fighter, both units of state police, was out on an anti-Naxal operation in Barsoor police station limits, a statement issued by the police said. Acting on an input about the presence of armed Naxalites in Handawada and Hitawada villages along the Dantewada-Narayanpur districts border, the security personnel had launched the operation, it said. ''During patrolling, two DRG constables - Jograj Karma and Parsuram Alami - suffered bullet injuries in an accidental firing,'' the release said. While being evacuated, Karma succumbed to his injuries due to excessive bleeding. Alami was administered preliminary treatment and then airlifted to Raipur for further medication, the police said. The statement did not specify whose weapon accidentally went off and said more details will be shared later.
Mild tremor felt in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh
JAGDALPUR: A 2.6 magnitude tremor was recorded in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district on Wednesday evening, officials said. No damage or casualties were reported from the area, they said. The tremor was recorded around 8 pm with its epicenter located 5 km deep and 2 km in the north-east direction from Jagdalpur, the headquarter of the district, a meteorological department official said in Raipur. Aftershocks were also felt in Jagdalpur town, he said.
Mahadev app: Chhattisgarh probe agency arrests 2 persons
Raipur: Chhattisgarhs Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/Economic Offence Wing (EOW) on Wednesday said it has arrested two persons in connection with the alleged illegal operations of the Mahadev online gaming and betting application that purportedly involved senior politicians and bureaucrats from the state. The duos arrest, made from New Delhi and Goa, came after the state probe Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Chhattisgarh Investigative Agency Nets Suspects in Mahadev Online Betting App Scam
Chhattisgarh Investigative Agency Nets Suspects in Mahadev Online Betting App Scam Chhattisgarh's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/Economic Offence Wing (EOW) on Wednesday said it has arrested two persons in connection with the alleged illegal operations of the Mahadev online gaming and betting application that purportedly involved senior politicians and bureaucrats from the state. The duo's arrest, made from New Delhi and Goa, came after the state probe agency lodged a case on March 4 based on a report submitted to it by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating money laundering angle in the scandal since more than a year. The ED has separately arrested nine persons so far as part of its probe. ''While (accused) Rahul Vakte was located in Delhi, (co-accused) Ritesh Yadav was found in Goa,'' an ACB/EOW statement said. The two were produced on Wednesday in a Raipur court which sent them to custody of ACB/EOW for six days, officials said. The duo was absconding since August last year when an assistant sub-inspector of state police, Chandrabhushan Verma, was arrested (by the ED) in the alleged scam, the statement said. ''Vakte was allegedly engaged in delivering money received through hawala (illegal channel for fund transfer) to Verma. Three firms were registered in the name of Vakte wherein huge amount of cash was deposited. Yadav was allegedly operating panel of the online betting app (Mahadev) and aided Verma and another man Satish Chandrakar after receiving money through Hawala. Rs 43 lakh of hawala money has been frozen,'' it said. Chandrakar was arrested by the ED last year in its money laundering case. Yadav was operating Mahadev betting app panel in Pune (Maharashtra). The state's ACB with support of the Pune police conducted raids there and arrested eight people involved in operating betting app panel. Further action against them is being taken by Pune police, the statement said. The ACB/EOW, in its FIR lodged in the alleged Mahadev betting app scandal, has named former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel of the Congress along with promoters of the app Ravi Uppal, Saurabh Chandrakar, Shubham Soni and Anil Kumar Agrawal and 14 others as accused. The case was registered under sections 120b (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and others of the IPC and sections 7 and 11 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, the ACB/EOW earlier said. The FIR, citing the ED report, had stated that Mahadev book app promoters Uppal, Saurabh Chandrakar, Shubham Soni and Anil Agrawal created online platform for live online betting and indulged in gambling through WhatsApp, Facebook and telegram and other social media platforms. The promoters created different platforms and conducted illegal acts of online betting through panel operators/branch operators. They kept 70 per cent to 80 per cent of illegal earnings with them and distributed the rest of the money to panel operators/ branch operators, the FIR said. The promoters and panel operators garnered around Rs 450 crore per month through the online betting app after the lockdown was imposed in 2020 (following COVID-19 outbreak), it said. The panel operators transferred illegal money to app promoters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through various bank accounts, it said. Several police personnel, administrative officers and influential political persons have misused their positions and acquired illegal assets in the form of protection money from the promoters of Mahadev book app, it said. Provisional attachment of many immovable properties has been done by the ED, it said. In January, former CM Baghel, who lost power in December 2023, had termed the ED's action in the Mahadev betting app case as a ''political conspiracy'' and accused the federal agency of acting at the behest of its ''political masters''. So far, the ED has arrested nine people in the money-laundering-linked case. The ED has filed two chargesheets till now in a Raipur court, including against the two main promoters of the alleged illegal betting and gaming app, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal. It had conducted multiple raids earlier. The projected proceeds of crime in the money laundering case have been pegged at about Rs 6,000 crore, according to the ED.
Modi Slams Congress: Warns Against Inheritance Tax & Religious Reservation
Raipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday waded into the raging debate on inheritance tax, triggered by Congress leader Sam Pitroda, saying that the grand old party wanted to loot the common people Zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi ( during their life time and after their death) by imposing it. Addressing a rally in Ambikapur, district headquarters of Surguja district in Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister also said that the vote bank hungry Congress wanted to implement reservation on the basis of religion. Congress is about to set a dangerous precedent by imposing an inheritance tax which aims to impose unreasonable taxes on everything and anything, depriving people of their resources. This will shatter the financial backbone of the ordinary people, he said. Mr Modi warned that Congress is about to set a dangerous precedent by implementing inheritance tax. Congress wanted to loot the people zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi by implementing inheritance tax, he said. The dangerous intentions of Congress are now out in the open as it toys with the idea of introducing inheritance tax, he said and warned that They (Congress) want to snatch your assets and rights of children. Congress veteran Sam Pitroda has mooted the idea of implementing inheritance tax. His party has however distanced itself from his suggestion, saying that it was his personal view. Taking a dig at Congress for planning to implement reservation on the basis of religion, Mr Modi called it a Muslim League mindset. Today, when I have come to Surguja, I want to present the Muslim League mindset of the Congress in front of the country. When their manifesto was released, on the same day I had said, and am saying today also, that the Congress manifesto has the imprint of Muslim League, he said. He maintained that when the Constitution was being drafted, intellectuals and great personalities under the leadership of Babasaheb Ambedkar decided that there would be no reservation on the basis of religion in India. If there is a reservation, then it will be for my Dalit brothers and sisters and tribal brothers and sisters, he said. But, the vote bank-hungry Congress never bothered about the words of the great personalities, sanctity of the Constitution and the words of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Years ago, the Congress made an attempt to implement reservation on the basis of reservation in Andhra Pradesh. Then Congress has planned to implement it in the entire country, he said. Mr Modi said that the Congress planned to implement 15 percent reservation on the basis of reservation by curtailing the quota of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes. Congress had made similar pledges in its 2009 election manifesto and in the 2014 manifesto and had pledged not to leave the issue, he said and added that Congress would curtail reservation quota of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes to implement reservation on the basis of religion, he added. He said that earlier, a Congress government in Karnataka had implemented reservation on the basis of religion. But, it was quashed by the BJP government there later. The present Congress government in Karnataka has not only implemented reservation on the basis of religion but also included all the castes of the Muslim community into the OBC category, he said. This has hurt the OBC community, he added. Congress trampled social justice, murdered it and killed secularism there (Karnataka). This model of Karnataka is what Congress wants to implement in the entire country. Congress wants to give the rights of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes to its vote bank by changing the Constitution, Mr Modi said. It is BJP which alone can protect reservation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes, he said. Mr Modi said that the Congress has also set its eye on the earnings, houses, farms and other properties of the common people. The Shehzada of Congress (apparently referring to Rahul Gandhi) says they will conduct an X-ray of the property of every house and every family in the country. The Congress will snatch all these things from you and they say that they will equally distribute them, Mr Modi said while addressing the public meeting. Do you know to whom they will distribute it after looting from you? Mr Modi asked to which people replied in affirmative. I need not tell you to whom they will distribute it to, he said.
Now only a few days are left for April to end. After this, the month of May will begin, but do you know how many days banks are going to remain closed this time in May? Probably not, but like every time, this time too there will be bank holidays. In such a situation, it is obvious that you should plan your bank-related work according to bank holidays. Otherwise, you may face problems later. So let us know when the banks of your city will be closed in May. You can see the complete list of holidays for the month of May in the next slides... Banks will remain closed for so many days in May, see the complete list:- Due to May 1st being May Day, there will be a bank holiday in all the states. At the same time, banks will remain closed in Maharashtra also on 1st May due to Maharashtra Day. Then May 5 is Sunday, so banks across the country will remain closed. May 8 is the birth anniversary of Guru Rabindranath Tagore, due to which there will be a holiday for the banks of Kolkata. Banks will remain closed in Bengaluru on May 10 due to Basava Jayanti/Akshay Tritiya. Banks will remain closed across the country due to May 11 being the second Saturday. There will be a Sunday holiday on 12th May in all the banks of the country. Banks to remain closed in Gangtok on 16th May due to Statehood Day There will be a Sunday holiday on 19th May in all the banks of the country. Banks will remain closed in Agartala, Aizawl, Bhopal, Belapur, Dehradun, Itanagar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, Ranchi, Shimla and Srinagar due to Buddha Purnima on 23 May. May 25 is the fourth Saturday, hence there will be a holiday in banks across the country. (PC: ISTOCK)
SCR Announces Cancellation, diversion and Rescheduling of Trains
Visakhapatnam : The South Central Railway has announced the cancellation, diversion and rescheduling of trains due to non-interlocking works for the commissioning of the 3rd line between Bona Kalu-Chinta Kani-Pandillapalli and Errupalem-Tondalagopavaram-Madhira stations over the Kazipet-Vijayawada section. Diversion of trains: Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 20805 (Visakhapatnam-New Delhi) and Train No. 20806 (New Delhi-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted from their existing routes to pass through Vizianagaram, Rayagada, Titlagarh, Raipur, and Nagpur. Stoppages will be eliminated at Anakapalle, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Sirpur Kagaznagar, Balharshah, and Chandrapur stations. Train No. 20803 (Visakhapatnam-Gandhidham) and Train No. 20804 (Gandhidham-Visakhapatnam) will also follow this diverted route, with Stoppages were eliminated at certain stations. Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 18519 (Visakhapatnam-LTT) and Train No. 18520 (LTT-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted through Vijayawada-Guntur-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad route instead of the existing route via Kazipet. Stoppages will be eliminated at Kazipet station. Similarly, other trains like Train No. 18045 (Shalimar-Hyderabad), Train No. 18046 (Hyderabad-Shalimar), Train No. 11019 (CSMT-Bhubaneswar), and Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT) will be diverted via this route, with specific stoppages eliminated. Diversion via Vijayawada-Guntur-Nandyal-Guntakal-Ballari: Train No. 18112 (Yeshvantpur-Tata) will follow this diverted route with stoppages eliminated at Raichur, Yadgir, Chittapur, Tandur, Vikarabad, Lingampalli, Secunderabad, Moula Ali, Warangal, and Khammam stations. Elimination of stoppages: Stoppages at Madhira Station for certain trains, including Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT Konark Exp), Train No. 12861 (Visakhapatnam-Mahbubnagar Exp), and Train No. 12862 (Mahbubnagar-Visakhapatnam Exp) will be eliminated on specific days. Rescheduling of trains: Additionally, there will be rescheduling of trains, including Train No. 20833 (Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad Vande Bharat) and Train No. 20834 (Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat) with varying reschedule times at Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad stations on specific dates. The South Central Railway advises passengers to check updated schedules and plan their travel accordingly, considering the diversions and rescheduling of train services due to the ongoing non-interlocking works.
Cgarh: Congress instigates violence to cover up its corruption, wherever it is in power: PM Modi
Raipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Congress instigated violence to cover up its corruption wherever it was in power. That is why corruption and violence reach their peak wherever Congress is in power, Mr Modi said, while addressing a public meeting at Shyam Tharai under Dhamtari district, part of Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh.The Prime Minister cited the case of the Bhupesh Baghel government to drive his point home. Naxal violence increased during the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh, he said, and added that incidents of Maoist violence and corruption have however been curbed when BJP came to power in the state. What is the connection between violence and Congress? The answer is corruption. Congress increases violence to hide its corruption, Mr Modi said. He said that when Congress was in power in the North East, violent activities could not be checked and as long as it ruled Chhattisgarh, Maoist violence kept on increasing. People kept dying, but Congress kept on filling its coffers, he said. Congress and development cannot go hand in hand. Mr Modi reaffirmed his commitment to root out Naxalism in Chhattisgarh. Maoism has been declining rapidly in Chhattisgarh. I give a guarantee to the parents that I will root out Naxalism. I assure mothers that the lives of their children (those slain Maoist violence) will not go to waste. To protect your child, I assure every mother that I will eliminate Naxalism and Maoism, he said. Training his gun at INDIA bloc, he said that the recent rally held by the grouping in Ranchi in Jharkhand had witnessed violent incidents in which activists of alliance partners were seen breaking each others heads in public.This is the situation in the INDIA bloc, he said. He said that in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, the country has made its mind clear that a strong government is needed to build a development nation and Thats why people have faith in BJP to take the country to the path of development. Mr Modi is going to spend the night in the Raj Bhavan in Raipur on Tuesday.He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Ambikapur under Surguja Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Congress in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday moved the Election Commission registering its opposition to Mr Modis night stay in Raj Bhavan, terming it violation of model code of conduct of elections.
PM Modi LIVE: Narendra Modi Steps Up Campaigning Ahead Of Phase 2, Rally In Chhattisgarh
As the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections approaches, political parties are intensifying their campaign efforts to win over voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold rallies in Chhattisgarh's Surguja, Mahasamund, and Janjgir-Champa on Tuesday and Wednesday.On Tuesday afternoon, PM Modi will arrive in Raigarh and then proceed to the Janjgir-Champa constituency to address a rally in Baradwar village. Following this, he will visit Shyamtarai village in Mahasamund district for another public gathering.After staying overnight at Raj Bhawan in Raipur, PM Modi will head to Ambikapur in Surguja on Wednesday morning for another rally. Later, he will depart for Madhya Pradesh via Raigarh.
Modi Govt has eliminated terrorism from country, Naxalism on verge of ending: Shah
RAIPUR, Apr 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has eliminated terrorism from the country while Naxalism is on the verge of ending. Addressing an election rally in Chhattisgarhs Kanker town, Shah also asked Naxalites to surrender, or else they would be rooted out from the state in two years. He asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that four generations of his family were in power in the country, but what [] The post Modi Govt has eliminated terrorism from country, Naxalism on verge of ending: Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
PM Modi Starts 2-Day Whirlwind Tour of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh Today
Bhopal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to make a two-day whirlwind tour of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh from Tuesday to canvas for BJP for the ongoing general elections. Mr Modi is scheduled to address three public meetings in the equal number of Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh during his two-day-tour of the state. He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Shakti under Janjgir-Champa LS constituency and another election rally in Dhamtari under Mahasamund LS constituency in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Mr Modi is scheduled to spend the night on April 23 in the Raj Bhavan in Raipur. He is scheduled to address a public meeting at Ambikapur under Surguja Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday before winding up his two-day-tour of the state. Mr Modi is scheduled to leave for Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. He is scheduled to address two public meetings and hold a road show in Madhya Pradesh before winding up his days visit to the state on Wednesday night. Mr Modi is scheduled to address an election rally at Bartuma falling under Sagar Lok Sabha seat in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. He had laid foundation stone for construction of a majestic Sant Ravidas temple being built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, around six months ago. He is then scheduled to address a public meeting at Abagaon under Harda district, falling under Betul (ST) LS constituency. He would hold a road show in Bhopal on Wednesday evening.
Cgarh: Congress anti-Ram, anti-Sanatan: Nadda
Raipur: BJP national president J P Nadda on Monday termed Congress as anti-Ram and anti-Sanatan.Mr Nadda recalled that the UPA government-led by Dr Manmohan Singh had filed an affidavit in the court calling Lord Ram as a fiction and also questioned the silence of Congress over Tamil Nadu minister Udaynidhi Stalins offensive remarks against Sanatan religion comparing it with dreaded diseases such as Dengue and AIDS. Addressing three election meetings in Chhattisgarh, Mr Nadda said that Congress had spurned the invitation for the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 because of the partys concern for its vote bank.Congress has always been anti-Ram and anti-Sanatan, he said. He also accused Congress of patronising anti-national forces.Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi had cried when terrorists were killed in the Batla house encounter, Mr Nadda said.The BJP leader also launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc, calling it a group of political dynasties who are out to promote and protect their family members.When Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for rooting out corruption, INDIA bloc leaders say save the corrupt, he said. He underlined various welfare measures undertaken by Mr Modi to uplift the weaker sections of the society such as women, farmers, dalits and tribals and said that the PM planned to create three crore Lakhpati didis (sisters) in the country. Mr Nadda said that the PM has changed the definition and style of politics in the country.Earlier, politics was done on the basis of religion and caste, he said and added that Mr Modi has destroyed it and introduced politics of development in the country. Mr Nadda addressed three rallies at Lormi in Mungeli district, Bhilai in Durg district and Chandkhuri in Raipur district in Chhattisgarh.Chhattisgarh is going to the Lok Sabha polls in three phases. While the first phase of elections was held on April 19, the next two phases are scheduled to be held on April 26 and May three.In the first phase, polls were held for Bastar (ST) Lok Sabha elections in the state .BJP had won nine out of 11 LS seats in the 2019 polls, leaving the Congress to bag the remaining two seats.
