An IndiGo Amritsar-Delhi aircraft missed the taxiway after landing at the Delhi airport on Sunday morning, leading to blocking of one of the runways for around 15 minutes, reported news wire PTI. The incident impacted flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. According to the source, the A320 aircraft, operating flight 6E 2221, went to the dead end of the runway 28/10 after missing the designated taxiway at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. As a result of the incident, runway was blocked for around 15 minutes and impacted some flight operations, PTI report added. An IndiGo towing van was deployed soon to tow the aircraft from the dead end of the runway to a parking bay. Comments from IndiGo on the incident are awaited. Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport, is the country's largest airport and handles around 1,400 flights daily. It has four operational runways. In another incident related to IndiGo airlines, a flight from Mumbai to Lucknow was reportedly delayed after a male passenger allegedly said that there was a 'bomb under his seat,' reported the ANI. The incident took place on January 26. According to the Mumbai police, a passenger boarding Indigo flight number 6E 5264 from Mumbai to Lucknow said that there was a bomb under his seat, after which the flight was thoroughly checked. As soon as the information about this incident was received, Mumbai police and airport agencies reached the spot and investigated, the ANI reported. "No suspicious object was found during the investigation," Mumbai Police said. In December last week, hundreds of air passengers were left stranded mid-way as their Bareilly-bound Indigo flight from Mumbai was cancelled due to inclement weather. After a chaotic situation the airline agreed to accommodate them in a Delhi-bound flight but failed to reroute the passengers to their final destination. The stranded passengers told mid-day that they had been left with no choice but to spend from their own pockets to either make a night stay in Delhi or hire a cab to reach Bareilly. Meanwhile, in January first week, in a significant move IndiGo airline- country's largest airlines announced that it will reduce airfares by up to Rs 1,000 on certain long routes. It announced that it has withdrawn fuel charge that was collected from passengers. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
11 February,2024 11:19 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAfter coming out against the high command for the state of affairs within and the heavyweights for turning down the Ram Temple invitation, Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam was expelled from the party for six years over indiscipline and anti-party remarks, according to an official statement issued on Saturday. The decision was taken by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday after a proposal seeking his dismissal from the party was mooted by the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee. "In view of the complaints of indiscipline and repeated statements against the party. Congress President has approved the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee to expel Pramod Krishnam from the party for six years with immediate effect," read an official statement issued by the Congress on Saturday. Of late, Acharya Pramod Krishnam was in the crosshairs of his party with his public statements against the decision of Congress heavyweights--national president Kharge, former presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi--to decline the invitation to the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22. He also came out openly against his party high command over the perceived slackness in its preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the disorder and rising differences in the Opposition bloc--INDIA while praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the decades-old Ram Temple movement to a logical end. Labelling as 'unfortunate' the decision by the Congress top leadership to turn down the invitation, Acharya Pramod Krishnam said, "Ram Sabke Hain (Lord Ram belongs to all)". "Ram sabke hain (Lord Ram belongs to everyone). All that I would say is that turning down the invitation to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony was unfortunate," Acharya Krishnam told ANI in an interview earlier. Heaping praise on PM Modi, the dissident Congress leader said had it not been for him, Ram Mandir would never have been a reality. "From Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehrum till today, the country has seen many PMs. But none made such a big effort to fulfil a long-held demand or wish. I commend the Prime Minister for his leadership and efforts to take the Ram Temple movement to its logical end," he said. Earlier, on January 29, Acharya Krishnam also took a dig at Rahul's ongoing 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', saying that while all other political parties are gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress seemed to be gearing up for the "2029 elections". "Congress has some great and intelligent leaders. While all other parties around them have begun hectic preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress is happy indulging in political tourism and travel. It would seem that the Congress has hit upon a ploy to win the 2024 elections after this year passes. Or rather, it almost looks as if we have already given up on 2024 and are preparating for the 2029 elections. Had we been preparing earnestly for 2024, things wouldn't have come to this," Acharya Krishnam told ANI earlier. After the politically significant exit of Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) Supremo, Nitish Kumar, from the Congress-led INDIA bloc and return to the BJP-led NDA, the now-expelled Congress leader said the Opposition alliance no longer exists. "I believe there is no such thing as INDIA any more. The alliance contracted multiple serious ailments and afflictions at birth. Then it slipped into the ICU and ventilator. Eventually, it was Nitish Kumar (one of the key architects of the Bloc) who performed its last rights in Patna. I don't think it exists any longer," Acharya Krishnam 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
11 February,2024 09:58 AM IST | Delhi | ANIEnforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday issued a fresh summons to Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu, asking him to appear before the agency office in connection with a 'money laundering' case linked to an alleged land fraud. Sahu, on Saturday, was interrogated for nearly 10 hours by the central agency in connection with the BMW (car) recovered from the house of Hemant Soren, located in South Delhi's Shanti Niketan locality. The Rajya Sabha MP Sahu said the recovered BMW car does not belong to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. "It was about the BMW. This is not even a matter. The vehicle does not belong to the (former) CM (Hemant Soren). It belongs to someone else. Investigation is being done regarding the same," Sahu told reporters after coming out of the ED office. Hemant Soren was arrested on the night of January 31 after a seven-hour grilling by the ED in the money laundering case. He resigned as the Chief Minister before that. Earlier, the ED informed that it had recovered cash in excess of Rs 36 lakh from the possession of the JMM chief, along with documents linked to the ongoing investigation into the alleged acquisition of land by 'fraudulent means'. The central agency also said that it had seized two luxury cars from the Delhi-based residence of the JMM leader. Meanwhile, the Income Tax department in December last year had recovered over Rs 300 crores in cash from premises linked to Dhiraj Sahu in his native Jharkhand and neighbouring Odisha. The searches were conducted at Boudh Distillery Private Limited, a company based in Odisha. Facing heat after crores of rupees were unearthed, Congress distanced itself from the matter and said that the party is in no way connected with the businesses of the former and that the lawmaker from Jharkhand should explain the matter. 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
11 February,2024 09:42 AM IST | Ranchi | ANIThe Uttarakhand government, on Saturday, demanded four additional companies of central paramilitary forces to maintain law and order situation in Nainital's Banbhulpura where violence erupted a few days ago during an anti-encroachment drive by the district administration. In a letter written to the Union Home Secretary on Saturday, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi said," In view of the encroachment drive on 08.02.2024 in Malik ka Bagicha under the Banbhulpura police station area of Haldwani city of Nainital district, continuous attempts are being made by anarchist elements to impact law and order, hence there is a need for 04 companies of additional paramilitary forces." Five people died in the violence that erupted after the anti-encroachment drive on Thursday, following which a curfew was imposed in the area. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nainital PN Meena also said three cases were registered in which 19 people have been named. As manyas 5,000 unknown people have were also named in the cases, according to officials. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs rushed four companies of paramilitary forces to Haldwani in Nainital district after violence erupted on Thursday in Banbhoolpura. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Haldwani on Friday afternoon saying the attack on police personnel, including women officers, was highly condemnable. He also mentioned that some people have tried to spoil the atmosphere in 'Dev Bhoomi' and took the law into their own hands. "The anti-encroachment drive has been going on as per the court's direction. Yesterday, when the administration was trying to raze illegal property, violence broke out and our police personnel, including women officers, were attacked and stones were pelted at them. The administration had notified people beforehand. This is highly condemnable," CM Dhami said. The CM also enquired about the status of the women police team and other staff, administration, municipal corporation personnel, and journalists who were injured at the scene. Earlier, CM Dhami on Friday also met the state Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh and apprised him of the law and order situation in the state in the aftermath of the violent clashes in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area. 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
11 February,2024 09:42 AM IST | Dehradun | ANIThe last session of the 17th Lok Sabha, which commenced on January 31, saw a total of 9 sittings over 11 days, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi informed on Saturday.The Budget Session was extended by a day to enable essential government business, the Union minister said, adding that a total of 10 Bills (7 in Lok Sabha and 3 in Rajya Sabha) were tabled during the parliamentary sittings over 11 days.As many 12 Bills were passed by both Houses during the Budget Session, Joshi told media persons on Saturday, adding that 12 more draft legislations were returned by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.The minister informed further that productivity over 11 days of sittings was logged at approximately 148 per cent in the Lok Sabha and 137 per cent approximately in the Rajya Sabha.Also, since this was the first Parliament session this year, President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint sitting of both Houses under Article 87(1) of the Constitution, on January 31.The interim Union Budget for fiscal 2024-25 was presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. A general discussion on the interim Union Budget and interim budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the current fiscal was also held in both Houses during the just-concluded 11-day session.The Finance Bill, 2024 was passed by Lok Sabha on the same day as the interim Budget, the Union Minister said, adding that this scheduled business engaged the Lok Sabha for 10 hours and 18 minutes, with 88 members taking part in the proceedings.In the Upper House, the general discussion on the interim Union Budget and that for Jammu and Kashmir was held on February 7.The Finance Bill, 2024 was also returned by the Rajya Sabha on the same day, the Union Minister said, adding that this business engaged the Upper House for 6 hours and 40 minutes, with 31 members enlisting their participation in the proceedings.On February 9, in the Lok Sabha, a discussion was held under Rule 342 on a motion by Sitharaman on a 'White Paper' on the state of the Indian economy during the tenure of the Congress-led UPA at the Centre and its impact on the lives of the people. The discussion engaged the Lok Sabha for 7 hours and 25 minutes.In Rajya Sabha, the discussion on the subject was held under Rule 176, engaging the House for 3 hours and 50 minutes.Elaborating on the work done during the tenure of the 17th Lok Sabha, the minister said the Lower House saw 274 sittings in which 202 Bills were introduced and 222 were passed. The Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, held 271 sittings during which 31 Bills were introduced and 220 were passed.In total, 221 Bills were tabled and passed by both Houses and subsequently became laws after securing Presidential assent, the minister informed.The inaugural session of the 17th Lok Sabha was historic in many ways as legislations relating to almost all socio and economic activities were passed. A total of 30 Bills were passed by both Houses in that session, which was a record in a single first/effective session after the constitution of the new Lok Sabha.Also, in the 17th Lok Sabha, one of the most important business transacted was the abrogation of certain provisions from Article 370 and Presidential Orders for ensuring equal opportunities to all sections of society in Jammu & Kashmir, with the restoration of applicability of the provisions of the Constitution and all socio-economic legislations thereby ensuring rule of law and equity.Further, to ensure better administration and to curb terrorism, Jammu & Kashmir was reorganised with the formation of two Union Territories--Jammu &Kashmir and Ladakh. 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
11 February,2024 09:21 AM IST | Delhi | ANIChief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, in the annual lecture series organised to commemorate the Supreme Court’s diamond jubilee, stated that women designated as senior advocates will be the torchbearers of change in the future of the legal profession in our society. Addressing an annual lecture series organised to commemorate the Supreme Court’s diamond jubilee, the CJI said that prior to 2024, only 12 women had been bestowed with the title of senior advocate in the entire history of the Supreme Court. “They (female senior advocates) will be the torchbearers of change in the future of the legal profession in our society,” the CJI said “There was once a notion of law which limited us to merely an isolated arena from society. Today, legal fora across the globe are recognising that they cannot view themselves as divorced from the social and political realities and aspirations of the time. This recognition fosters an environment conducive to mutual learning and the exchange of ideas,” CJI said. The SC recently released a handbook to combat gender stereotypes. 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
11 February,2024 05:13 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesSenior BJP leader in Rajya Sabha Sushil Modi on Saturday termed the previous UPA government as the most corrupt regime India has ever seen but the opposition hit back saying common people experience corruption everyday but the current government refuses to see it. Initiating a short duration discussion on ‘White Paper on Indian Economy’ in the Upper House, Modi attacked the Congress for economic mismanagement and scams during the 10 years of the UPA rule. He listed out the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government and reeled out data comparing the progress made during 2014-2024 with that of the UPA regime. “The ten years of UPA was the most corrupt regime which this country has ever seen,” he claimed, citing examples of scams such as the 2G, coal block allocation, Commonwealth Games and Adarsh Housing Society among others. In the UPA regime, Sushil Modi said, seven of its ministers had to either resign or go to jail for corrupt activities. “Corruption was rampant, the banking crisis was massive and stake was too high,” he said, adding that domestic investors went overseas due to policy paralysis, project delays and uncertainties. Sushil Modi said in the 10 years of Narendra Modi government, there has not been one case of corruption either against any of the ministers or against the prime minister. Taking part in the discussion, Fauzia Khan (NCP) said, “More than calling it a white paper on the Indian economy, I would call it a white paper on the upcoming elections.” Arguing that the paper does not speak about corruption, she asserted, “Corruption is on the rise but what can be done if the government refuses to see it. Look at it from the point of view of a common man. Go to a police station, go to a tehsil or go to any education office, you will see corruption there. How can you say there is no corruption when the common man experiences it every day in his life?” she said. Khan further asked, “What about the people who have been called corrupt by the honourable prime minister and then later taken into their party as alliance members?... Is this not corruption?... How does a person become clean in two days?” 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
11 February,2024 05:10 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesSamyukt Kisan Morcha on Saturday welcomed the conferring of Bharat Ratna on Chaudhary Charan Singh and MS Swaminathan but termed it an attempt to divert people’s attention from government’s failure to provide Minimum Support Price for crops as suggested by the Swaminathan committee. In a statement, the SKM also said Singh and Swaminathan will remain alive in people’s memory for their contribution to farmers even without a Bharat Ratna and “denounced” Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to solve the crisis of farmers of India. “SKM welcomes BJP government’s late recognition of Chaudhary Charan Singh and due recognition of Dr MS Swaminathan for their contribution to agriculture and farmers in conferring Bharat Ratna on them. While Chaudhary Charan Singh had a role in implementation of Zamindari Abolition in UP leading to ownership rights for peasantry, as the Chairman of the National Farmers’ Commission, Dr MS Swaminathan made recommendations for income guarantee to farmers,” the SKM said in a statement. “SKM denounces PM Modi for failing to solve the crisis of farmers of India. Farmers are reeling under pressure of high input cost and poor govt infrastructure and services in agriculture, including seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, electricity, diesel, irrigation, machinery, post harvest facilities, storage and cold storage facilities, marketing yards, food processing facilities, marketing,” it said. The SKM and Joint Platform for CTUs have announced a nationwide gramin bandh and industrial strike on February 16. 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
11 February,2024 05:06 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesPrime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple. He will be on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, where he will also hold talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This would be PM Modi’s seventh visit to the UAE since 2015, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday while announcing his recent visit to the Arab nation. "The prime minister will inaugurate Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple, the BAPS Mandir. He will also speak to the Indian community in the UAE during an event in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi," an official statement said. The construction of the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Abu Dhabi began in 2015. The temple symbolizes India's strong cultural and economic links with the UAE, which has a big Indian expatriate community. The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is an architectural wonder that combines traditional Indian craftsmanship and modern design. The finely carved sandstone and marble structure reflects India's rich cultural history. The temple complex comprises a prayer hall, cultural center, and exhibition rooms, offering visitors a unique perspective on Hindu art, philosophy, and spirituality. The BAPS Mandir drew inspiration from historic Indian temple design, with elaborate carvings, handcrafted pillars, and a towering central dome. Built with approximately 10,000 tonnes of hand-carved Italian Carrara marble and Indian sandstone, the temple exemplifies craftsmanship and devotion to traditional design principles. The complex spans 55,000 square metres and comprises a main prayer hall, a multi-purpose hall, educational facilities, and lush gardens. The government has sponsored the temple's development, demonstrating the country's commitment to developing a varied and inclusive community. India and the UAE have deep historical ties, and the inauguration of the Hindu temple demonstrates the strength of the bilateral relationship. The temple symbolizes the two nations' common values and cultural interaction. The grand inauguration ceremony is expected to be attended by dignitaries from both India and the UAE. PM Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the temple, offering prayers and participating in rituals to mark the auspicious occasion. The event is anticipated to draw a significant crowd, including members of the Indian diaspora, religious leaders and government officials. The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is not only a place of worship but also a hub for cultural exchange. It will serve as a platform for promoting understanding and appreciation of Hinduism, Indian traditions, and the values of peace and unity.
10 February,2024 09:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLate Sushma Swaraj, a charismatic leader and former External Affairs Minister (EAM) was born on February 14, 1952, in Haryana's Ambala. Her contributions left an indelible mark on the nation. Sushma Swaraj entered politics at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. A prominent member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she held various crucial positions, showcasing her political acumen and dedication to public service. Sushma Swaraj made history by becoming the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi in 1998. Her leadership skills and commitment to good governance earned her widespread respect. Subsequently, she went on to become the first woman to hold the office of the Minister of External Affairs in India, serving from 2014 to 2019 in the BJP-led government. Sushma Swaraj, as External Affairs Minister, was instrumental in formulating India's foreign policy. Her meetings with world leaders demonstrated her diplomatic skills and commitment to establishing international ties. She worked relentlessly to raise India's worldwide profile and establish ties based on mutual respect and cooperation. Under her leadership, Indian foreign policy made substantial progress, with an emphasis on building bilateral ties, fostering economic diplomacy, and raising India's worldwide profile. Swaraj was instrumental in handling complicated geopolitical challenges while representing India's interests on a global scale. One of the most significant milestones of Swaraj's term occurred in 2019 when she declined to run in the Lok Sabha elections due to health concerns. Her choice to step away from electoral politics was met with widespread astonishment and admiration across the political spectrum. Sushma Swaraj earned the nickname "People's Minister" due to her approachable and empathic demeanor. Her expert use of social media, notably Twitter, to communicate with and support Indians in crisis overseas was greatly praised. She was essential in assisting the evacuation of Indian nationals from conflict zones and natural disaster-affected areas, gaining her praise from people all throughout the country. Sushma Swaraj's sudden death on August 6, 2019, created a gap in Indian politics. However, her legacy lives on via her various accomplishments and the principles she established in politics. Her compassion, commitment to public service, and capacity to connect with people from all walks of life continue to inspire future leaders.
10 February,2024 09:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the backdrop of alleged electoral rigging in Pakistan's general election, tensions have flared between the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), key members of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), as they exchange accusations of past electoral malpractices. Iltija Mufti, daughter and Media Advisor of former Jammu and Kashmir state chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, triggered the exchange Friday with an oblique reference to the role of the National Conference in the alleged rigging of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in 1987, newswire PTI reported. "Sad to see victory snatched from @ImranKhanPTI and elections rigged in Pakistan. For the people of Kashmir, it's reminiscent of the 1987 election followed by mass electoral fraud. Uncanny similarities between the crackdown on Jamaat leaders then and PTI now," Iltija Mufti posted on X. She did not directly name the National Conference in her post and urged the Pakistan Army to “learn from the blood-soaked history of Jammu and Kashmir”. "Lamhon nay khata ki sadiyon nay saza payi (the price of momentary mistakes is paid over centuries). People of J-K continue paying a price with their lives because of the violence triggered by rigged 1987 elections. Pakistan Army should take a leaf from our blood soaked history to understand the consequences of manipulating popular mandate," she added. National Conference spokesperson Ifra Jan reacted to the apparent insinuation. Ifra Jan accused PDP founder and then Union Home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of plunging Jammu and Kashmir into turmoil by appointing Jagmohan Malhotra as Governor of the state in 1990. "It's disheartening to witness Imran Khan's election loss, evoking memories of decades-long struggles against proxy parties targeting JKNC's mandate. The echoes of 1989, when then HM Mufti Sb appointed Jagmohan as Governor, plunging J-K into turmoil, feel hauntingly familiar," Jan posted on X within an hour of the PDP leader's post. "In 1989, the entire cabinet, led by then CM Dr Abdullah, resigned because none of us wanted on our hands what was coming if Jagmohan was appointed the Governor. Yet, the HM was adamant and then the saga of loss hit its highest ebb in 2014. I feel the helplessness of those voters!" Jan added. She was referring to the alliance between PDP and BJP after the 2014 Assembly elections which threw up a hung verdict on Jammu and Kashmir. NC leaders have in the past termed the alliance as a betrayal of people's mandate as one of the main campaign point of the PDP in the 2014 elections was to stop the BJP from coming to power in the state. (With inputs from PTI)
10 February,2024 05:25 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
