Tag: thesamikhsya

The issue of alleged ‘Operation Kamala’ launched by BJP in Karnataka to topple JD(S)-Congress government figured prominently in the Lok Sabha with the Congress and saffron party members indulging in charges and counter charges against each other.

The issue was first raised during Question Hour by Congress member K C Venugopal and later by Mallikarjun Kharge during Zero Hour.

Reading out transcripts of the audio that has been reported in a section of media, Mr Kharge claimed senior BJP leaders have been trying to lure Congress legislators and offering them ‘money’ to quit Congress and defect.

Amid strong protest from BJP members Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, Speaker ruled that no names of persons who are not members of the House can be taken.

He was countered by Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation V D Sadananda, who said the Congress leaders are spreading falsehood on the issue as there is intense fighting between JD(S) and Congress and also among the Congress legislators themselves.

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda of JD(S) said BJP has tried their ‘Operation Kamala’ in 2009 also.

“I may not be in House….but something has to be done and save the democracy,” the 86-year-old Mr Gowda said requesting the Speaker Ms Mahajan to urge the central government to discourage such acts in the state.

Union Minister Mr Sadanand Gowda maintained that the ‘fake’ stories are being spread by JD(S) and Congress in the House only to “save the Chief Minister’s chair”.

“There have been so much of infighting in Congress that MLAs indulged in violence against each other and few members had to undergo medical treatment for 10 days,” he said the issue raised by Congress and JD(S) members pertained to state subject and the state assembly was already on in Karnataka.

“They are not able to keep their house in order and blaming the BJP now,” said Mr Gowda, who was also state Chief Minister.

“They are staging nataka (drama),” he alleged adding whatever observations made by Mr Kharge and Mr Gowda were not true.

Mr Kharge, who wanted to speak again, later said his party would stage walkout even as Speaker disallowed him to raise the matter again and moved to next item and allowed resume the inconclusive debate on the Budget. (UNI)

In a fresh attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the ‘Prime Minister facilitated the loot’ to help Anil Ambani.

Extending support to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is sitting on a day-long hunger strike at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in the Nation Capital over the Special Category Status for the state, Mr Gandhi visited him and added that Mr Modi has done injustice to the people of the state.

“I stand with the people of Andhra Pradesh. What kind of a Prime Minister is he? He did not fulfill the commitment made to the people of the state.   Modi tells a lie wherever he goes. He told people of Andhra Pradesh that he will give Special Category Status, he goes to North East and he tells a lie there, he goes to Maharasthra, he tell a lie there.  Modi has absolutely got no credibility left. In a couple of months, the opposition parties will show Modi what exactly the sentiment of the country is”, the Congress president said.

Referring to media reports which claimed that the Modi government waived the anti-corruption clause from the Rafale deal before it signed the inter-governmental agreement with France, Mr Gandhi said, “The Prime Minister became Prime Minister by saying he is going to fight against corruption. Did you read today’s Hindu newspaper? Yesterday’s paper? The ‘chowkidar’ stole money from the people of Andhra Pradesh and gave to Anil Ambani”.

Talking to reporters outside AP Bhavan, the Congress president repeated the allegation and said, “Every defence deal has an anti-corruption clause. The Hindu has reported that the Prime Minister removed the anti-corruption clause. It is clear that the Mr Modi facilitated loot”.

Later, in a tweet, the Congress president said, “NoMo anti-corruption clause. The Chowkidar himself opened the door to allow Anil Ambani to steal 30,000 Crore from the IAF”.

Mr Naidu, on Monday, began his day-long hunger strike ‘Dharma Porata Deeksha’ against Modi government demanding Special Category Status to the state.

Several opposition leaders, including National Conference Leader Farooq Abdullah visited Mr Naidu. It is expected that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav will also visit the agitating leader.(UNI)

In an endeavour to scotch an evil that has destroyed innumerable homes, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath directed police and excise officers to ceaselessly campaign against those selling illicit liquor so that the crime can be stringently checked.
It was learnt through official channels on Monday that the Chief Minister called for the strictest action against bootleggers including destruction of their dens.

“Special vigil must be maintained along state borders as transport of such liquor is likely across them. If any related case comes to light then severe measures shall also be taken against the official in charge of the area concerned,” Mr Nath averred.

Toeing the line of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of death anniversary of RSS ideologue Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, most BJP leaders including Union Ministers on Monday made donation of Rs 1000 to the party fund underlining the point that the Late leader always laid emphasis on ‘honesty’ in public life.

BJP is observing Samarpan Diwas – Dedication Day in honour of Deen Dayal Upadhayay.

“On Samarpan Diwas, contributed to BJP through NaMo App. I urge all our karyakartas and supporters to donate and join the cause of building a New India,” tweeted Union Minister Smriti

Irani.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb also tweeted saying: “On Samarpan Diwas, the Punya Tithi of Adarniya Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay ji, I contribute to the movement to enhance transparency in politics. Urging all to donate to BJP. One can make these donations in an easy way using the NaMo App.”

Former Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy also said, “My humble tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya ji on his Punya Tithi. His ideals and teachings remain a source of guidance and inspiration for us. On Samarpan Diwas contributed to BJP. Urge all the karyakartas and supporters to donate through NaMo App”.

Born on September 25, 1916, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya breathed his last on February 11, 1968.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to RSS ideologue Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya on his death anniversary.

“Remembering Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Ji on his Punya Tithi. His emphasis on ‘Integral Humanism’ inspires millions of people. He was known as an exceptional organiser who mentored several patriotic and hardworking Karyakartas,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

In another missive, Prime Minister said he has contribution of Rs 1000 to the party fund.

“Deen Dayal Ji emphasised on honesty in public life. Today on his Punya Tithi, BJP is starting a movement Samarpan Divas to further transparency and clean money in politics,” he said.

BJP chief Amit Shah also paid tributes to Deen Dayal Upadhayay and tagged the receipt of the contribution made.

Russia has created a system of near-Earth space radiation control and ready to share it with Europe under an existing cooperation agreement, Mikhail Panasyuk, the head of the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics at Lomonosov Moscow State University, told Sputnik in an interview.
“Russia has created a system of radiation control in the near-Earth space at different orbits, from lower to geostationary ones. It is a big achievement,” the researcher said.
The Russian scientists are ready to share the obtained information with European partners who are researching space radiation effects within CRREAT project, Panasyuk added.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday responded to Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn’s letter setting out his five demands for a Brexit deal.

PM May queried his call for the UK to stay in a customs union with the EU, but welcomed more talks with Labour on a Brexit agreement.

May wants the two parties to discuss how “alternative arrangements” to the Irish backstop, a commitment to avoid a hard border, could work.

Writing her response to his letter of last Wednesday,   May told the Labour leader, “It is good to see that we agree that the UK should leave the European Union with a deal and that the urgent task at hand is to find a deal that honours our commitments to the people of Northern Ireland, can command support in Parliament and can be negotiated with the EU – not to seek an election or second referendum.”

This is despite   Corbyn repeatedly saying there should be a general election if   May cannot get a deal through Parliament. He has also faced pressure from some of his MPs to push for another public vote on Brexit.

However, BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said it appears there are some potential stumbling blocks to a deal.

Labour has asked for “a permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union” with the EU, with the same external tariff. It would give the UK a say on any future trade deals that the EU may strike.

May does not agree, and wrote, “I am not clear why you believe it would be preferable to seek a say in future EU trade deals rather than the ability to strike our own deals?”

The existing Political Declaration, setting out the goals for the future relationship between the UK and the EU, “explicitly provides for the benefits of a customs union – no tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions across all sectors and no checks on rules of origin”, Mrs May told Mr Corbyn.

Reliance Realty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Communications will develop the State’s first and the largest Smart Fintech Centre in Navi Mumbai.
The Department of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), granted approval to Reliance Realty for development of the Smart
Fintech Centre at its Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City in Navi Mumbai, under the Government of Maharashtra’s new Fintech Policy, Rcom said in a filing with BSE
As per Government of Maharashtra’s new Fintech Policy, Reliance Realty’s Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City, which is spread across over 132 acres, will have total saleable/leasable area of over 30 million square feet of prime real estate.
Reliance Realty’s saleable area post development will be double the size of the existing commercial area of Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.
Reliance Realty is best positioned to capture the growing demand for Fintech, Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, NBFC, IT& ITES and Knowledge sectors over a period of next 20 years and beyond.
Reliance Realty has already started major infrastructure development initiative in this regard, filing added.(UNI)

Most of roads in the state were blocked by putting up stones, wood and burning objects as protestors against the Citizenship Bill voiced their opposition today.
As hundreds of women started sleeping at the main market areas police resorted to heavy firing last evening resulting in injury of six old women.
People came out in the streets and sat down blocking the roads.
MANPAC the apex body formed against the Bill had called for a 36-hour shut down beginning 5 am today.

MANPAC convenor Yumnamcha Dilipkumar said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh were simply saying that the CAB 2016 will not affect the region when the ground reality was different. The region is witnessing decline in population of indigenous population and increase of population of illegal immigrants.
Members of six student bodies namely, AMSU, MSF, DESAM, SUK, KSA and AIMS, hoisted black flags at most households as a sign of protest. The students of the state were preparing to hand over all the Hindi textbooks to the Governor and the Chief Minister N Biren Singh tomorrow.
Massive security arrangements were taken up as it was feared that protestors may target houses of legislators. Additional forces were rushed to the residences of Ministers, MPs and MLAs today.

All educational institutes were closed down and all inter and intra passenger services were also cancelled today. No shops were opened and the state looked like a deserted place with people remaining indoors.(UNI)

FICCI’s latest Quarterly Survey on Manufacturing presents a better outlook for hiring and production in Manufacturing.
The survey portrays a better outlook for the manufacturing sector in Q-3 (October-December 2018-19) as the percentage of respondents reporting higher production in third quarter were much higher than those reporting higher production in Q-3 of 2017-18.
The proportion of respondents reporting higher output growth during the October-December 2018 quarter was 54 per cent as compared to 47 per cent in Q-3 of 2017-18. The percentage of respondents reporting low production was only 13.5 per cent in Q-3 2018-19 as compared to 15 per cent in Q-3 of 2017-18.
Similarly, on hiring front the outlook for the sector seems to have slightly improved for near future.
While in Q-3 of 2017-18, 70 per cent respondents mentioned that they were not likely to hire additional workforce, this percentage has come down to 65 per cent for Q-3 of 2018-19. Going forward it is expected that hiring scenario will improve further, noted the Survey.
FICCI’s latest quarterly survey assessed the sentiments of manufacturers for Q-3 (October-December 2018-19) for eleven major sectors namely automotive, capital goods, cement and ceramics, chemicals, fertilizers and pharmaceuticals, electronics & electricals, leather and footwear, metal & metal products, paper products, textiles, textile machinery and tyre. Responses have been drawn from over 300 manufacturing units from both large and SME segments with a combined annual turnover of over 2.2 lakh crore.
In terms of order books, 43 per cent of the respondents in October-December 2018 are expecting higher number of orders against 42 per cent in October-December 2017-18.
The outlook for exports is somewhat stable as 36 per cent of the participants are expecting a rise in exports for Q-3 2018-19 and 32 per cent are expecting exports to continue on same path as that of same quarter last year, observed the Survey.
However, rupee depreciation has not led to any significant increase in exports as 78 per cent of the respondents reported that the exports were not affected much by rupee depreciation. Thereby, emphasising that there were other global factors that are restricting the growth of exports of the country.(UNI)

The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran on Sunday said that Iran is ready to boost uranium enrichment and its nuclear capabilities.
Behrouz Kamalvandi, the AEOI’s spokesman said “Based on a decree by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] and the emphasis put on this issue by head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the country is ready to increase its uranium enrichment capacity to 190,000 SWUs, Press TV reported.
Back in January, Ayatollah Khamenei ordered the AEOI to make preparations for the enrichment of uranium up to a level of 190,000 SWUs without any delay.
“It seems from what they say that some European governments expect the Iranian nation to both put up with sanctions and give up its nuclear activities and continue to observe limitations [on its nuclear program]. I tell those governments that this bad dream will never come true,” the Leader said.
US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington in May 2018 from the landmark Iran nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran.
Under the deal, reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Kamalvandi said Iran is also ready to increase the level of its uranium enrichment form 3 to 20 percent if necessary.
He added that Iran has drawn up plans to start re-designing the Arak heavy water reactor given the fact that the signatories to the nuclear deal have failed to fulfill their commitments.
The official further stated that the AEOI plans to use new machines to enrich uranium and has made required preparations in this regard.
Kamalvandi added that the latest achievements of Iran in the field of nuclear technology will be unveiled in the first month of the forthcoming Iranian calendar year (starts March 21, 2019), one of the most important of which is the mass production of Oxygen-18.
Noting that production of Oxygen-18 is a long stride in the country’s nuclear chemistry, Kamalvandi said, “At the present time, increased production of stable atoms of this substance to be used in medicine and treatment of diseases has been put on the agenda [of the AEOI].”
He added that only five countries in the world are capable of producing Oxygen-18, noting that every kilogram of heavy water containing Oxygen-18 is sold for about $30,000, which indicates the high value of this advanced technology.(UNI)

Hyderabad-based CredRight,one of the first FinTech start-ups, focused on chit fund sector , has announced to lend Rs 200 Crores to Indian MSMEs in the next 3 years.
CredRight, the data-driven lending platform partners with chit funds and use a reverse auction to distribute pooled funds across India to acquire customers and to underwrite loan for a customer.
In the coming fiscal year 2019-20, the company plans to further invest in technology and grow from the strength of 13 to 35 in addition to lend Rs 50 crores to MSMEs by December 2019, the company said in a release.
The total size of the chit fund business in the country is estimated to be around Rs 70,000 crores with about 75-80 lakh customers.
There are an estimated 1.6 million registered MSMEs in India, as per Ministry of MSMEs 2017-18 report; but they face a major problem in terms of getting adequate credit for expansion of business activities, the release said.
The report pointed out that the MSMEs received only 17.4 per cent of the total credit outstanding. It is very saddening that in a progressing country like India, only 33-34 per cent of firms from MSME sector have an access to banks and institutional financing channels while rest of them resort to informal channels like friends, family and other personal channels for raising loans, says ASSOCHAM report.
“There are around 50 million registered and unregistered MSME businesses in the country that face a nearly $300 billion credit gap. The lack of adequate finance due to shortage of organized lending from banks and other formal institutes along with absence of transparency poses severe challenges in front of MSMEs to obtain loans”, said Neeraj Bansal, CredRight Co-founder and CEO.
“We are looking to provide loans of above Rs 5 lakh to retailers/small businesses like chicken or barber shops and above Rs 10 lakh to SMEs.
In the last year, the loan band ranged from Rs 1 lakh to maximum of Rs 35 lakh with an average of Rs 9.5 lakh,” Neeraj added.
Collateral-based lending models will have to become more flexible and thoughtful, based on cash flows and commitment of the entrepreneur towards the business, he said.
CredRight has experienced a huge credit pull from small vendors, start-ups, shopkeepers, agencies dealing in commodities and those engaged in numerous other trades in the unorganised sector. The growth of unsecured loans is a reason for hope for the new entrepreneurs, particularly high-skill professionals and those who can part finance their businesses.
By tapping the huge database and strength of the chit fund sector, the Hyderabad-based CredRight is expanding rapidly in extending loans to the small and medium enterprises.

The United States would likely to withdraw its troops from Syria in weeks, General Joseph Votel, the chief commander of US Central Command overseeing troops in the Middle East and Afghanistan, made the remarks while speaking to the media on a military airplane heading to the region.

“Probably weeks. But again, it will all be driven by the situation on the ground,” he said, adding “In terms of the withdrawal … I think we’re right on track with where we wanted to be.”

“Moving people is easier than moving equipment and so what we’re trying to do right now is again to kind of clear out those materials, that equipment, that we do not need,” he added, warning however that the exact timing is still not settled.

Votel told the media that the overall US troops’ number in Iraq “is going to remain more or less steady.”

After taking over as AICC General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh east, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hit the campaign trail as she embarked on her maiden visit to Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

Priyanka will begin her four-day trip to Uttar Pradesh on Monday during which she will be holding a roadshow with Rahul and newly appointed AICC General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh west Jyotiraditya Scindia and also interact with party workers at the state Congress office in Lucknow.

Ahead of the visit by Priyanka, who will be accompanied by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia, there is a huge enthusiasm among local Congress workers, who feel that her active role in campaigning in the state will boost the party’s prospects in the state, as it takes on the formidable challenge posed by BJP and SP-BSP alliance.

In a message to Congress workers ahead of her visit, Priyanka said, ‘I am coming to Lucknow to meet all, of you.. I have a desire in my heart that all of us together will begin an era of New kind of politics where all of you will be stakeholders.

Priyanka will begin her four-day trip to Uttar Pradesh with a roadshow with Rahul and Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday.

The road show will start from Lucknow Airport Mod, passing through Shaheed Path, Tiraha-Avadh Chauraha , Natha Hotel Tiraha – Hussainganj Chauraha , Lalbagh Tiraha-Hazaratganj Chauraha and Vikramaditya Chauraha before reaching the Congress office .

Ahead of the visit, Rahul said he was excited over his meeting with party workers in the state.

‘I am coming to Lucknow, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia will be accompanying me. At around 1200 hrs, a roadshow has been organised from Lucknow airport to the party office. I am very excited over my meeting with all of you,’ Rahul said in a tweet.

Priyanka and Jyotiraditya Scindia will interact with party workers at the state Congress office in Lucknow on February 12, 13 and 14.

Priyanka, who has been made In-charge of 42 of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in UP, will meet the office bearers of various constituencies .

Party sources said that Priyanka’s appointment as the AICC General secretary for Uttar Pradesh east, which encompasses key constituencies like Prime Minister Modi’s seat Varanasi and the state Chief Minister’s stronghold Gorakhpur as well as Congress strongholds Amethi and Rae Bareli, has charged up the local Congress workers, who feel that her active role in campaigning will boost the party’s prospects in the state, as it takes on the formidable challenge posed by BJP and SP-BSP alliance.

An upswing in fortunes of the congress in the state,where Congress won just two Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, will be Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s main political challenge.

The visit by Priyanka, her first to the state after taking over as AICC General secretary for Uttar Pradesh east, is being seen as a virtual launch of the Congress campaign in the key state, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.(UNI)

Kuwait registered a Guinness Book of World Records with world’s longest national flag.

More than 4,000 school students and teachers carried the 2,019-meter-long national flag to claim a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, as part of the Kuwaiti celebrations of the 58th anniversary of the Independence Day, QNA said in a report on Monday.

The ceremony took place with the participation of the various state bodies, including the defense ministry, interior ministry, fire department, Municipality, ministry of public works, information ministry and other institutions.

Kuwait previously set a record for the world’s longest flag in Feb 2016, after a remote-controlled plane pulled the flag during a show held in Mina Abdullah. Kuwait has recently set other flag-related world records.

In December last year, three Kuwaiti army officers broke a Guinness skydiving world record after leaping 13,000 feet while carrying a 63-sq-m Kuwaiti flag. In the same month, Chevrolet achieved a Guinness World Records title for the largest flag flown by a vehicle after a pickup pulled a Kuwaiti flag measuring 433 sq. m for more than 100 m without any part of it touching the ground(UNI)

The Aam Admi Party (AAP) of Karnataka unit demanded a through probe, monitored by the Supreme Court of India, over the alleged bribe offer made by Opposition Leader in the Legislative Assembly B S Yeddyurappa to lure a JD(S) MLA to join the Saffron party.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, AAP State Joint Secretary Darshan Jain said that with the Audio tape released by the Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, also mentioned Judges and the Speaker is a worrisome and needs a through inquiry monitored by the Supreme Court.

“This is the first time in the history of the state that a Chief Minister has made such a serious charges against the Opposition leader in the Assembly and the Chief Minister had also complained it to the Speaker” he added.

The inquiry should also cover the sources of funds, which was allegedly offered by the BJP leader, mentioned in the audio tape, he stated.

Zee Café is all set to premiere the most awaited battle between home chefs, ‘The Chefs’ Line’ season two from February 11.

The never back down attitude of the amateur chefs will be put to test against the professionals.

‘The Chefs’ Line’ is a direct ticket to change the fortune of our home chefs, but it comes with a price.

Our home chefs will go up against the master chefs from the industry.

With a new cuisine every week, the culinary war between the two will have exciting twists and turns.

Four amateur home cooks will fight head on against an entire Chefs’ Line, from one of Australia’s finest restaurants, in the hopes that their determination will triumph over professionals.

Judging the contestants, will be celebrated stars in the culinary industry like internationally renowned Chef Dan Hong, popular food writer Melissa Leong and famous indigenous chef Mark Olive.

Speaking about the show, Chef Mark Olive adds, “The Chefs’ Line is not a show to look at faults, scripted for drama or to feel deflated if something goes wrong, but is an outlet to encourage, support and showcase these techniques they bring from around the globe for all to see.”

Celebrating the diversity, ‘The Chefs’ Line’ will take viewers on a journey of various cuisines as they present varied cultures, people and history associated with them.

The show will premiere from February 11, weeknights at 2100 hrs on Zee Café.(UNI)

Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra on Saturday appeared before Enforcement Directorate for the third time in connection with a probe into allegations of money laundering in purchase of foreign assets.
Vadra reached probe agency’s office at Jamnagar House around 1050 hrs.
The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him.
He was questioned by the probe agency on February 6 and 7 for several hours.

During his last round of questioning on February 7, the investigating team has shown him some property documents and exchange of electronic mail which indicated that he owns the property in London, a reliable source in the agency said on condition of anonymity.

However, he denied having any link with the property in question, the source further said.
His statement would be recorded under section 50 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as it was done on last two occasions.
Vadra is also expected to depose before the ED on February 12 in Jaipur in an another money-laundering case related to a land scam in Bikaner. The Rajasthan High Court has directed him to cooperate with the agency in the case.
He was granted interim bail till February 16 by a Delhi Court.(UNI)

With the death of one more person on Saturday, the death toll in Uttar Pradesh hooch tragedy has climbed to 70.
The victim died at a hospital in Kushinagar.
Report quoting official sources from Saharanpur said that postmortem of 11 bodies has been carried out while family members of seven others performed the last rites without informing the authorities.
The incident came to light on Friday morning after five deaths were reported in Saharanpur’s Umahi village and 19 people were hospitalised in serious condition. Later, 13 others succumbed.
Locals said that they had consumed spurious liquor. Many were taken ill and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. The condition of the other admitted remain critical, a doctor said.
Swinging into action, the district administration and local police have begun investigation, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those who died and Rs 50,000 for those undergoing treatment.
The authorities have suspended more than 20 excise and policemen in both the Saharanpur and Kushinagar district besides the district excise officers of both the districts have also been put under suspension.
The Chief Minister has ordered departmental action against district excise officers of Kushinagar and Saharanpur from where deaths have been reported. He has ordered a 15-day joint drive by excise and police officials against those involved in the spurious liquor trade.
A total of 11 people were killed in a similar tragedy in east UP’s Kushinagar, prompting district administration to suspend nine officials, including local SHO and excise inspector. A case was filed in this connection and one person was arrested. The villagers had consumed spurious liquor during Mauni Amavasya mela.(UNI)

The shooting of movie PM Narendra Modi, a biopic of the current Prime Minister and former Gujarat Chief Minister, was held in Prag Mahal here.

Noted Director Omung Kumar B, who has directed biopics like Mary Kom and Sabarjit is directing the film, He had visited various locations in Gujarat earlier last month.

Actor Vivek Oberoi is playing the role of the Prime Minister.

The shooting of the film was done in Ran area in the last two days and today, it was done here.

In the coming days, the shooting is likely to be done at other locations, including Ahmedabad and Vadnagar, the birth place of Modi.