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Haj forms to be made available for free; 25 embarkation points this year: MAM
There will be 25 embarkation points for Haj-2023 and forms for going on the pilgrimage will be out very soon with the application being available free of cost, according to the Ministry for Minority Affairs. The ministry said the Haj policy released on Monday will bring financial relief to pilgrims. Haj package costs have been reduced by approximately Rs 50,000 as the money that was deposited with the Haj Committee for foreign exchange and items such as umbrella, bags and bed sheets would not be charged and these things can be arranged by the pilgrims themselves, sources said. Also read: India's Haj quota for 2023 fixed at 1,75,025: Government The New Haj Policy stated that out of the total number of quota allocated to the government of India, 80 per cent will be allocated to the Haj Committee of India and the remaining 20 per cent will be allocated to private operators. "Those who have performed Haj earlier through Haj Committee of India will not be eligible to apply. In the case of 'Mehram' for lady pilgrims and of companions accompanying pilgrims over 70 years of age, repeaters will be allowed on payment of additional charges as applicable from time to time," the policy stated. Woman pilgrims and those over 70 years utilising the service of a repeater as "Mehram" must give a solemn declaration and undertaking to the effect that no first time "Mehram" is available in the family. The Haj application forms can be obtained from state and Union Territory Haj committees free of cost or can be downloaded from the website of the Haj Committee of India at hajcommittee.gov.in or through the android mobile application "HAJ COMMITTEE OF INDIA" available on play store. Application forms are now free for the first time, the ministry said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 February,2023 07:39 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Uttar Pradesh: Man bludgeons mother to death for refusing to buy him bike, held
A 26-year-old man was arrested for allegedly killing his mother after she refused to let him buy a motorcycle, police said on Monday. The weapon used in crime has been seized, they said. On January 17, the blood-stained body of a woman, identified as Farida (75), was found at her house in Premnagar. As the matter was probed, it emerged that Afsar Khan was her adopted son, they said. Also read: Mumbai: NCP workers booked, BJP men detained, let off for separate protests over Adani issue, Awhad's remarks According to police, the mother-son duo had an argument over purchasing a motorcycle for him during which Khan took an iron rod and bludgeoned her to death, they said. Meanwhile, a former district vice president of BJYM Amardeep Chaudhary was shot dead allegedly by his business partners here, police said on Monday. Chaudhary was called late Sunday night by his real estate business partner Rajkumar Malik to his Raja Garden residence where his sons Mandeep and Harshdeep Malik allegedly shot him dead following an argument, SP (city) Swatantra Kumar said. Mandeep fired the first shot hitting Chaudhary in the waist after which Harshdeep shot him twice in the head, he said. The two also fired at Chaudhary's friend Sonu Rathi who had accompanied him to Malik's residence. Rathi managed to escape unhurt and called Chaudhary's brother Badal on the phone and told him about the shooting. When Badal rushed to Malik's home he was also shot at and hurt. Malik and his sons immediately fled the spot. SP (city) Kumar, Circle Officer (city) Manoj Thakur and SP (crime) Rekha Yadav arrived at the spot and rushed Chaudhary and his brother to the district hospital. Chaudhary was declared dead and Badal is still under treatment there for a bullet injury, Kumar said. Some payment related dispute is said to have led to the killing, the SP (city) said. CCTV footage is being scanned and the culprits will soon be arrested, the officer said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 February,2023 06:30 PM IST | Bareilly (UP) | PTI
Maharashtra: Aaditya Thackeray begins 'Shiv Samvad Yatra' in Marathwada
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday launched the seventh edition of the party's Shiv Samvad Yatra, during which he will tour three districts of Marathwada, a party official said. As per a party release, Thackeray will visit the villages of Mubdhegaon, Wadgaon Pingla, Sinnar and Palse during the day and address a party meeting in Nashik. On Tuesday, the Sena leader will travel to Chandori, Vinchur and Nandgaon in Nashik district, before entering Marathwada through Vaijapur (Aurangabad), it said. Also Read: PM Narendra Modi to visit Mumbai on February 10, here’s all you need to know The yatra will cover Somthana, Ram Nagar, Ghansawangi of Jalna followed by Georai in Beed on Wednesday, and culminate on Thursday in Bidkin of Paithan, Patoda in Aurangabad and Nandrabad in Khultabad of Aurangabad district, it was stated. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 February,2023 06:05 PM IST | Aurangabad | PTI
JD(U) suffered after allying with BJP in 2017: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday asserted that the JD(U)'s realignment with the BJP half a decade ago, which came to an abrupt end last year, had been to the detriment of his party. The JD(U) leader was replying to queries from journalists in Banka district, which he visited as part of the 'Samadhan Yatra' mass outreach programme. He was asked about the open letter to the party cadre from disgruntled parliamentary board chief Upendra Kushwaha, who has convened a two-day meeting next week to discuss the gradual erosion of support base of the JD(U) and anxieties over a rumoured deal with the RJD, its current ally. A visibly peeved Kumar sought to remind Kushwaha that the latter has been always rewarded by the party despite having ditched it repeatedly and if he keeps airing his grievances in public then it will be construed as he has other plans for himself. When asked whether he thought Kushwaha was forcing his hand at the BJP's behest, Kumar replied cryptically, You can draw your conclusions. How much publicity this affair is getting I have never seen such spotlight on my party. However, the wily leader indicated that he was giving a long rope to the intransigent party functionary saying, I have said it and so has our national president that nobody needs to react to whatever he (Kushwaha) says. He, however, ridiculed Kushwaha for the repeated claim that the party was growing weak, pointing out that our recent membership drive swelled the party ranks like never before. Also Read: PM Narendra Modi to visit Mumbai on February 10, here’s all you need to know The only instance when the party did suffer harm was during our alliance in 2017, said Kumar, in an obvious reference to the BJP which he did not mention by name. Recounting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls which JD(U) and BJP contested together, along with late Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP and the clean sweep made by the NDA, Kumar referred to the trajectory followed by the saffron party thereafter. We had asked for three to four berths (in the Union cabinet) but they said they will not give more than one, so we did not join. In the assembly polls (in 2020) we supported them but the way a campaign was run against our (JDU) candidateshas there been any such precedent? asked Kumar. The reference was to the rebellion by the LJP, then headed by Paswan's son Chirag, who fielded candidates in all seats contested by the JD(U) vowing to dislodge the CM from power. Many of the candidates of the LJP were BJP rebels, some of them prominent office-bearers, and the JD(U) was hit hard, with its tally plummeting from more than 70 in 2015 to less than 45. Let them (BJP) face the next elections and they will figure out where they stand, said Kumar, who now heads the multi-party 'Mahagathbandhan' and braces for a national role in 2024 Lok Sabha polls wherein, he believes, a united opposition can defeat the seemingly invincible NDA. Kumar also chided Kushwaha for becoming a killjoy for the JD(U) as well as the 'Mahagathbandhan' and asserted, He was with us all through when new formation was taking shapeI wonder what has gone wrong with him in the last couple of months. I have expressed willingness to talk it over if he had any unmet expectations but he seems disinclined. Although Kushwaha had been one of the most combative leaders of the JD(U) in its war of words with the BJP, he has been in a sulk since Kumar made it clear that there would be no deputy CM besides Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD and also declared that the latter will lead the Mahagathbandhan in the next assembly polls. Kushwaha, who had returned to the JD(U) in 2021 merging his Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, in his open letter made a mention of all former workers of the RLSP triggering speculations that it was a call for exit from the party. Kumar, however, seemed unfazed and said, He has deserted the JD(U) twice in the pastif he wants to part ways again, nobody is going to stop him. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 February,2023 05:54 PM IST | Banka | PTI
Protests in J&K against BJP, Adani group; clashes reported at some places
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Monday protested in support of the party's demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the allegations of irregularities against the Adani group, and clashed with police at some places. They also slammed the administration over the ongoing "arbitrary eviction" drive in the Union territory, saying it was great injustice with "landless tillers, small, marginal farmers and the common people". Also read: Protests in Srinagar against 'eviction drive', five arrested in Jammu In Jammu, hundreds of Congress workers, led by senior party leaders Vikar Rasool and working president Raman Bhalla, took out a rally from Shaheedi Chowk to City Chowk near the Life Insurance Corporation and SBI offices. Raising slogans against the government, BJP, and Adnai group, they clashed with the police, with some of them trying to break the barricade to march forward. "Today, we protested from Sansad to Sadakh (inside Parliament and outside it) over the Adani issue. We demand that a JPC be set up to probe it. We also demand a probe by a retired chief justice into it," Bhalla told reporters at the protest. Taking a dig at the BJP government for "investing" LIC and SBI money into the Adnai Group, he said, "How public money has been invested in the group. It is matter of probe." In Srinagar, led by senior party leader Mohammad Anwar Bhat, Congress workers raised slogans in favour of the JPC probe into the allegations of fraud against the Adani Group levelled in a report by US-based short-seller Hindenburg research. "We are protesting against the current situation of the country where the Adani-Ambani have looted the country. The LIC has invested thousands of crores in the Adani group while Jammu and Kashmir Bank also lost Rs 250 crore in it," Bhat told mediapersons inside the PCC headquarters in Srinagar. He also alleged the eviction drive has been launched by the LG administration in Jammu and Kashmir so that the BJP-ruled Centre can give land to the Adani Group to "compensate" for its losses following the release of the Hindenburg report last month. "We will not allow this to happen." Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said in Jammu the issue of "investment" of public money through the LIC and SBI into the Adani Group is a matter of serious concern and the Modi government has been "evading" questions in Parliament. "So a nationwide protest is being held near SBI and LIC offices by the party." According to the Opposition, the meltdown in Adani Group shares is a "scam that involves common people's money as public sector (units) LIC and SBI have invested in them". The Adani Group has maintained it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements. Congress leaders also said the anti-encroachment drive was "great injustice with landless tillers, small, marginal farmers and the common people". This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 February,2023 04:58 PM IST | Srinagar/Jammu | PTI
Sensex declines 334 points as metal, power shares retreat amid FII outflows
Benchmark Sensex dropped 334 points on Monday due to intense selling pressure in metal and power stocks as FII outflows dampened investor sentiment. Besides, a sharp decline in the rupee against the US dollar also put pressure on domestic equities, traders said. After losing nearly 500 points, the 30-share BSE index recovered some lost ground to settle at 334.98 points or 0.55 per cent lower at 60,506.90. During the session, the index touched its intra-day low of 60,345.61. Also read: PM Narendra Modi to visit Mumbai on February 10, here’s all you need to know The broader NSE Nifty dipped 89.45 points or 0.50 per cent to end at 17,764.60 as 34 of its stocks dropped. Tata Steel was the biggest loser in the Sensex pack, falling 2.08 per cent, followed by Kotak Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank, M&M, Ultra Cement and Tata Motors. On the other hand, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, PowerGrid and ITC were among the major winners. Adani group stocks, except for Adani Ports, continued to decline due to weak investor sentiment after US-based activist short-seller Hindenburg Research made a litany of allegations. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones Ltd gained 9.46 per cent after the group said that the promoters will pre-pay USD 1,114 million for the release of pledged shares of its firms ahead of the maturity in September 2024. In the broader market, the BSE midcap gauge rose 0.75 per cent and smallcap index gained 0.49 per cent. Elsewhere in Asia, equity markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong ended in the red, while Tokyo and Seoul settled higher. Equity exchanges in Europe were trading lower in mid-session deals. Markets in the US ended in the negative territory on Friday. International oil benchmark Brent crude rose 0.09 per cent to USD 80.01 per barrel. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded shares worth Rs 932.44 crore on Friday, according to exchange data. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 February,2023 04:30 PM IST | Mumbai | PTI
No proposal to introduce menstruation leave in educational institutions: Edu Min
There is no proposal to bring legislation to ensure menstruation leave in educational institutions, according to the Ministry of Education. The information was shared by Union Minister of Education for State Subhas Sarkar in response to a written question in Lok Sabha. "No such proposal is under consideration in the ministry," he said when asked whether the government will bring legislation to ensure menstruation benefit leave in educational institutions. The minister informed that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced "Guidelines for Basic facilities and amenities for safe, secure environment for Women and Women Cell (for sensitization, policy implementation, monitoring and grievance redressal) in HEIs". Also Read: Over Rs 28 cr spent on five editions of PM's Pariksha Pe Charcha: Education Ministry "The guidelines state that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should ensure easy access to basic sanitation and hygiene facilities for women such as clean, well-maintained and fully functioning separate restrooms equipped with 24 hours tap water supply, soap, covered dustbins, sanitary pad disposal bins and vending machines in all its buildings. "There should be proper sanitary staff deployed to keep the facilities clean and usable at all times. The UGC has also issued an advisory to promote menstrual sanitation and proper disposal of menstrual waste by creating awareness, encouraging every woman to use eco-friendly incinerators and promoting research for a biodegradable alternative," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 February,2023 04:22 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
BREAKING
Kerala: Hospital staffer arrested for allegedly sexually abusing patient
An electrician working in a hospital has been arrested here for allegedly sexually abusing a woman, who was admitted to a Government Medical College Hospital following a failed suicide bid, police said on Monday. Dayalal, an electrician employed at Kodungallur Taluk hospital near here, was arrested on the basis of the woman's complaint. According to the police, the woman, who attempted suicide, was immediately taken to the taluk hospital in Kodungallur. She was later referred to a Government Medical College hospital here. The accused accompanied the woman in the ambulance to the medical college and allegedly abused her when she was admitted to a room in the hospital on Friday, they said. Also Read: Kerala trans man pregnant, transgender couple to welcome baby in March; see pics The matter came to light after the survivor informed the staff and police about the incident. The Kodungallur police caught hold of him and handed him over to the Medical College police, which is investigating the incident. Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George has ordered a probe into the incident. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 February,2023 04:20 PM IST | Thrissur | PTI
PM Modi will do his best to avert discussion on Adani issue in Parliament: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will do his best to avert a discussion on the Adani issue in Parliament, asserting that the country should know what power is behind the billionare businessman. "Modi ji will do his best to avert a discussion on Adani ji in Parliament. There is a reason for it and you know that. I want there should be a discussion on Adani issue and the truth should come out. The lakhs and crores of corruption that has taken place should come out. The country should know what is the power behind Adani," Gandhi told reporters. "For a number of years, I have been talking about the government and 'Hum do, Humare do'. The government does not want and is scared of a discussion in Parliament on Adani ji. The government should allow a discussion in Parliament and there will be attempts to avoid it," he also said. Also Read: Govt running away from answering over Adani issue, says Jairam Ramesh The Congress has stepped up the offensive against the government over the Adani-Hindenburg issue and is seeking a discussion in Parliament. The party has also demanded an impartial investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court or a joint parliamentary committee to probe the charges raised in the Hindenburg report against the Adani Group. The Congress is alleging that the issue involves crores of rupees of common people invested in the Adani Group, whose shares have seen a beating on the stock markets ever since the allegations of "financial malpractices and stock manipulation" came out in the Hindenburd research report. The Congress and other opposition parties have stalled proceedings in both houses of Parliament while seeking a discussion on the issue. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 February,2023 03:59 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Turkey Earthquake: India to send rescue, medical teams to Ankara
India on Monday said that it will despatch rescue and medical teams to Turkey following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed over 500 people and toppled buildings in central Turkey and northwest Syria today. The prime minister's office (PMO) said that a meeting was held and it was decided that the search and rescue teams of NDRF and medical teams along with relief materials would be dispatched immediately in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye. Two teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment, are ready to be flown to the earthquake-hit area for search and rescue operations, the PMO said in a statement. "Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines. Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Turkish government and the Indian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbul," the PMO said. P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister held a meeting in South Block to discuss immediate relief measures. Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines. Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Government of Turkey and the Indian Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General office in Istanbul. The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, representatives of the Ministries of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), NDRF, Defence forces the external affairs ministry (MEA) and well as the ministries of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Also Read: A timeline of major deadly earthquakes in the last two decades The epicenter of the earthquake was near the city of Gaziantep in south-central Turkey. Earlier, Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced a Level 4 alert, which includes a call for international aid. As per the latest estimates, in Syria, at least 237 people were killed and 639 injured, Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported, citing a Health Ministry official. One of the largest earthquakes to hit Turkey in more than a century, caused vibrations throughout the area, caused buildings to collapse, and forced people to flee into the streets. The United States Geological Survey has recorded 24 aftershocks in Turkey. Effects of the earthquake was felt in Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Iraq and as far away as Romania, Georgia and Egypt, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, as cited by the Times of Israel. Condolences poured in from worldwide after reports of the massive quake hit Turkey claiming numerous lives. Earlier in the day Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and condoled the loss of life in Turkey and the nearby areas. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 February,2023 03:46 PM IST | New Delhi | ANI
Protests in Srinagar against 'eviction drive', five arrested in Jammu
Awami Awaz Party on Monday held a protest against the eviction drive launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Administration to free the state land from illegal occupation. Carrying placards, dozens of activists of the party assembled at the Maisuma market to register their anger against the eviction drive. The placards read "Kindly let us live peacefully" and "India is not Israel." Party leader Nadeem Ahmad said the LG administration should stop the demolition drive which has badly affected the poor people. Also read: Pervez Musharraf: Architect of Kargil War, brought Pakistan and India to the brink of war "Who were affected by the demolition drive at Mehjoor Nagar yesterday? Was there any rich and influential person? They are poor people who are living hand to mouth," Ahmad told reporters. He said if the government did not reconsider its eviction drive, the consequences would be very serious. "Is Kashmir not for the people of Kashmir? You are giving land to outsiders while making Kashmiris homeless," he added. Meanwhile, five people were arrested and four detained in connection with stone pelting during an anti-encroachment drive in Jammu last week, police said on Monday. Three policemen were injured in the stone pelting that took place on Saturday during the drive to demolish a vehicle showroom built on encroached land in Malik Market in Narwal bypass area, they said. The owner of the showroom, Sajad Ahmed Beigh, is among those arrested, according to police. "We have arrested five people and detained four others in connection with stone pelting that took place during an anti-encroachment drive here," a senior police officer told PTI. They are being questioned at Trikuta Nagar police station, officials said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 February,2023 03:45 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI