BJP president J P Nadda on Tuesday lauded the party’s performance in the city corporation polls in Karnataka and congratulated the state leadership, including Chief Minister B S Bommai, for a “bigger” win than the last time.
“Thanks to people-friendly policies of PM Narendra Modi, we have won Belagavi City Corporation for the 1st time. It’s a matter of pride that Karnataka BJP has emerged as single largest Party in Hubballi-Dharwad Corporation & performed exceedingly well in Kalaburgi Corporation,” Nadda said in a tweet.
He lauded Bommai, state party chief Nalin Kateel and party workers for ensuring that the “BJP won bigger than it did last time”.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka received a shot in the arm in the elections to the three municipal corporations by getting clear majority in Belagavi, emerged as the single largest party in Hubballi-Dharwad and finished a close second in Kalaburagi.
In Doddaballapur City Municipal Council election in Bengaluru rural district, the BJP emerged as a single largest party while the Congress got absolute majority in Tarikere Town Municipal Council in Chikkamagaluru district.
The elections took place on September 3 and the results were announced on Monday.
apan marked the 76th anniversary of its World War II surrender on Sunday with a sombre ceremony in which Prime Minister Yosihide Suga pledged for the tragedy of war to never be repeated but avoided apologising for his country’s aggression.
Suga said Japan never forgets that the peace the country enjoys today is built on the sacrifices of those who died in the war.
We will commit to our pledge to never repeat the tragedy of the war, he said in his first speech at the event since becoming prime minister.
Suga did not offer an apology to the Asian victims of Japanese aggression across the region in the first half of the 20th century — a precedent set by the country’s previous leader, Shinzo Abe, who was frequently accused of trying to whitewash Japan’s brutal past.
In a largely domestic-focused speech, Suga listed damage inflicted on Japan and its people, including the US atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the firebombing of Tokyo and other cities and the fierce battle of Okinawa, and mourned for them.
Emperor Naruhito, in contrast, expressed deep remorse over his country’s wartime actions in a carefully nuanced speech that followed the footsteps of his father, who devoted his 30-year career to making amends for a war fought in the name of Hirohito, the current emperor’s grandfather. Naruhito also said he hoped that people can put their hearts together to overcome the difficulty of the pandemic while seeking happiness and peace for all.
Amid Tokyo’s surging coronavirus infections, about 200 participants, reduced from about 6,000 before the pandemic, mourned for the dead with a minute of silence. Masks were required, and there was no singing of the national anthem.
Suga vowed to cooperate with the international community in tackling global issues under proactive pacifism , a vision that Abe promoted to allow Japan to play a greater military role in international conflicts.
Beginning 2013, Abe stopped acknowledging Japan’s wartime hostilities or apologize in his August 15 speeches, scrapping a nearly 20-year tradition that began with the 1995 apology of Socialist leader Tomiichi Murayama.
On Sunday, before attending the ceremony at Tokyo’s Budokan hall, Suga laid flowers at a nearby national cemetery for unknown soldiers. While Suga stayed away from controversial Yasukuni shrine, he did send a religious offering to the shrine, Japanese media reported.
Victims of Japanese actions during the first half of the 20th century, especially the Koreas and China, see the shrine as a symbol of Japanese militarism because it honours convicted war criminals among about 2.5 million war dead.
Abe, who stepped down as prime minister last year, prayed at the shrine Sunday, and so did three other members of Suga’s Cabinet. Two other ministers visited the shrine Friday.
The visits sparked criticism from China and South Korea.
On Sunday, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry in a statement urged Japanese officials to show sincere remorse through action so that the countries could develop future-oriented ties .
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said they had lodged stern representations with the Japanese side in Tokyo and in Beijing over the visits to the Yasukuni shrine, noting Suga’s religious offering. Spokeswoman Hua Chunying called on Japan to take actions that would win the trust of its neighbours.
The Delhi High Court Friday declined to grant interim protection from arrest to Navneet Kalra, seeking anticipatory bail in connection with alleged black marketing of oxygen concentrators, agreeing with the reasons given by the trial court while denying him the relief.
A sessions court had on Thursday dismissed Kalra’s anticipatory bail plea, saying the allegations against him were serious and his custodial interrogation was required to “unearth the entire conspiracy”.
“I am persuaded by the reasons given by the trial court which is a valid ground for me not to grant any interim protection now,” Justice Subramonium Prasad said while listing the matter for hearing on May 18.
The observation came after Kalra’s lawyers — senior advocates Abhishek M Singhvi and Vikas Pahwa — urged the court to grant some interim protection if the matter was going to be adjourned till May 18 on the request of Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju.
Singhvi told the court that the police was actively searching for Kalra and was visiting the homes of its relatives and close friends and it ought not to be done when the high court was hearing his plea for anticipatory bail.
He said he was not in a “begging game” with the authorities and was relying on the high court to protect his client’s rights as the police was out looking for him with a “fanaticism” as if he were a “trophy”.
When the hearing commenced on Friday afternoon, ASG Raju urged the high court to hear it on Tuesday, May 18, as he had a lot of material, like information with regard to shell companies, which he needed to place before it and would require some time.
Heavens would not fall if the matter is taken up on May 18, Raju said, adding that there was no need for giving such a preference, like hearing the case on a holiday, to Kalra as his plea for anticipatory bail is just like that of anyone else seeking the same relief.
Singhvi opposed the contention saying it was an attempt to embarrass the court.
He said one of the charges against his client was that he had overcharged for the concentrators and to investigate it, Kalra’s arrest was not required.
He said that under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013, there is a provision for adjusting the overcharged amount or refunding it.
The high court said a number of concentrators were seized from his properties and price stickers, including blank ones, were found at the site.
“Therefore, the question is would it be a violation of the DPCO 2013,” the court said, adding that if so, then can the Essential Commodities Act, under which the DPCO comes, be given the go-by.
It is Kalra’s contention the Essential Commodities Act is not applicable in the instant case as no price was fixed for oxygen concentrators imported from abroad.
The high court also asked Kalra how many concentrators were sold by him prior to seizure of the 105 units from two of his restaurants.
It also said that according to the trial court, Kalra had sold spurious and inferior concentrators at a higher price.
Singhvi said he will provide data regarding sale of the concentrators on the next date.
He also told the high court that if according to the state, the concentrators his client had sold were substandard, then why were the seized units donated to COVID care centres.
The senior lawyer also told the high court that only under ideal conditions would a concentrator give an output of 80-90 per cent, otherwise in normal conditions, it gives around 60-70 per cent.
He also said that his client did not say to any of his buyers that the equipment was of German make and added that most of the concentrators in the market are of Chinese origin,
Kalra had moved the high court for anticipatory bail on May 13 late evening after a sessions court denied him the relief.
After a hearing which went up to 10.00pm, the high court had listed the matter on Friday.
During the previous day’s hearing, the high court had asked Kalra how he could hold on the concentrators or even sell them when he did not have a valid license to manufacture, store, import or sell the same.
While the sessions court denied him anticipatory bail, a magisterial court on May 13 granted bail to an employee of upscale restaurant ‘Town Hall’, owned by Kalra, in connection with the case.
Four employees of Matrix Cellular company, including its CEO and vice president, who were also arrested in the case are also out on bail.
During a recent raid, 524 oxygen concentrators were recovered from three restaurants owned by Kalra — Khan Chacha, Nega Ju and Town Hall — and he is suspected to have left Delhi along with his family. The concentrators are crucial medical equipment used for COVID-19 patients.
Kalra had bought the concentrators from Matrix Cellular which had imported them.
On May 5, a case was registered against Kalra under Section 420 (cheating), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
The FIR, also registered under Essential Commodities Act and Epidemic Diseases Act, for black marketing of oxygen cylinders prescribes maximum punishment for seven years.PTI
The water level in many dams
across Kerala showed a rising trend on Sunday even as cyclone Tauktae moved away from the state’s coast after wreaking havoc.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange alerts –a warning indicating heavy to very heavy rain– on Sunday in three districts-Ernakulam, Idukki and Malappuram.
The catchment areas of many dams in the central Kerala districts have reported heavy rains, prompting the authorities to sound alert warnings before upping their shutters.
The Thrissur district administration said spillway shutters of the Peringalkuthu dam will be opened if the water level crosses the permitted limit of 419.41 metres.
In a statement, the administration has urged the people living on the banks of Chalakudy river to be cautious.
Shutters of Malankara dam in Idukki district will be opened on Sunday, as the water level has increased, the district authorities said.
The administration has directed those people living on the banks of Thodupuzha river, Muvattupuzha river and their tributaries to be cautious.
In the coastal areas, high tidal waves continued to wreak havoc.
Hundreds of families living in coastal areas and low lying areas of the state have been shifted to relief camps.
Indian Navy on Sunday deployed its diving and quick reaction teams in the coastal village of Chellanam in Ernakulam district, which was heavily hit by tidal waves.
The teams, braving harsh weather conditions, undertook rescue and rehabilitation of people who got trapped in houses.
They were shifted to a relief camp at St Mary’s High School in Chellanam, a Navy official has said.
Besides Chellanam in Ernakulam district, rough sea and high tidal waves had wreaked havoc in Kaipamangalam, Chavakkad and Kodungallur in Thrissur, Pallithura in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrikkannapuzha in Alappuzha and Beypore and Koyilandy in Kozhikode districts.
Hundreds of houses were damaged in coastal belts across the state as sea water seeped in following high waves.
According to the state government, at least nine districts have been severely affected by the sea incursion.
A large number of people were shifted to relief camps in various districts, arranged in adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Mumbai Police Commissioner prohibits movement of any person in public using any vehicle, unless a sticker (Red, Green, Yellow colour) of circular shape of 6 inches diameter of the following description is affixed visibly on the front screen and rear screen of the vehicle, and in the case of two-wheelers on a visible portion on the front and rear, for the movement of the vehicle freely in the lockdown areas.
CP/X1(6)/144/(Prohibitory Order)/2021
ORDER
(UNDER SECTION 144 OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE, 1973)
1. WHEREAS, in exercise of powers, conferred under Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, read with all other enabling provisions of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Government of Maharashtra, issued directions vide notification No. DMU/2020/CR.92/DisM1, Dated : I 3th April, 2021 (“Break The Chain”) to take certain emergency measures to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19, and to enforce these measures throughout the state from 8 PM on 14th April, 2021 till 7 AM on I’ May, 2021,
2. Whereas, an order under section 144 of the CrPC has been issued dated 14th April 2021, by the undersigned, to observe the directions issued by the Government of Maharashtra in the above mentioned notification No. DMU/2020/CR.92/DisM-1, Dated : 13th April, 2021 (“Break The Chain”),
3. Whereas, in the notification No. DMU/2020/CR.92/DisM-1, Dated : 13th April, 2021 (“Break The Chain”) issued by the Government of Maharashtra, movement of any person in public place without valid reasons has been prohibited, save for those services and activities that are exempted in that notification, in case of which movement is to be unrestricted,
4. THEREFORE, I, Chaitanya. S., Dy. Commissioner of Police (Operations), Greater Mumbai, and Executive Magistrate, vide powers conferred upon me u/sec 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (Act 11 of 1974) r/w the order of Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai, dated 23/12/1959 u/s 10 sub section (2) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951 (Mah. Act XXII of 1951), with a view to prevent danger to human life, health or safety, do hereby, promulgate an order under section 144 of the CrPC, in the areas under the control of Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai, prohibiting movement of any person in public using any vehicle, unless a sticker of circular shape of 6 inches diameter of the following description is affixed visibly on the front screen and rear screen of the vehicle, and in the case of two-wheelers on a visible portion on the front and rear, for the movement of the vehicle freely in the lockdown areas:
A. Red-colour sticker: For the vehicles related to doctors/medical staff, medical services, ambulances, hospitals, diagnostic centres, clinics, vaccination centres, medical insurance offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, other medical and health services including supporting, manufacturing and distribution units along with their dealers, transport and supply chain; manufacturing and distribution of vaccines, sanitizers, masks, medical equipment, their ancillaries, raw material units and support services, veterinary services/animal care shelters;
B. Green-colour sticker: For the vehicles related to transport of eatables/food items such as groceries, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, bakery products, confectionaries and all types of food items in raw or cooked form;
C. Yellow-colour sticker: For the vehicles related to transportation of officers and staff of central, state and local governments, including their statutory authorities and organizations, all public essential services by local authorities, public transport, press/media, water supply services, electric and gas supply services, municipal services, services required for restoration/maintenance of telecom services, e-commerce (only for the supply of essential goods and services), government and private security services, ATMs/banking/financial/insurance services, cargo services, postal services, petrol pumps/petroleum related products, offices of companies providing essential services, any service designated as essential services by local Disaster Management Authority, and all other activities/services exempted in the notification No. DMU/2020/CR.92/DisM- I , Dated : 13th April, 2021 (“Break The Chain”).
5. The stickers as mentioned in the preceding paragraph must be affixed on vehicles by the owners/users of the vehicles themselves on their own. The Police will also issue such stickers on request at the Nakabandi/Checkpoints free of cost to the vehicle owners as per availability.
6. This order shall come into force, in the areas under the control of Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai, with effect from 7 AM on 18th April 2021 and will remain in force till 7 AM on 1st May, 2021, unless withdrawn earlier.
7. Any person contravening this order or misusing the sticker by affixing the stickers of above description on a vehicle and moving in public in that vehicle for a reason/service/activity not exempted in paragraph 4(A), 4(B) and 4(C) above and the notification No. DMU/2020/CR.92/DisM-1, Dated : 13th April, 2021 (“Break The Chain”), shall be punishable under section 188 IPC and penal provisions under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and National Disaster Management Act 2005 and with other legal provisions as applicable.
8. As the notice cannot be served individually on all concerned, the order is hereby passed ex-parte. It shall be published for the information of the Public, through the Press, or by affixing copies on the Notice Boards of the Police Stations and offices of the Divisional ACsP and Zonal DCsP.
Given under my hand and seal on this 17th day of April 2021 at Mumbai.
Chaitanya. S.
Dy. Commissioner of Police (Operations),
and Executive Magistrate
Greater Mumbai.
Office of the
Commissioner of Police, Brihanmumbai.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal welcomed the decision to cancel CBSE class 10 board exams and postpone class 12 exams in view of surge in COVID-19 cases, saying it will provide a great relief to students and their parents.
“I am glad that the exams have been cancelled/postponed. This is a great relief for lakhs of students and their parents, Kejriwal tweeted.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday cancelled class 10 exams and postponed class 12 exams in view of surge in COVID-19 cases.
The decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The exams were scheduled to be held from May 4.
Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia had on Tuesday appealed to the Centre to cancel board exams, saying going ahead with it can contribute to large scale spread of coronavirus infections
Chadwick Boseman was posthumously honoured with a Golden Golden for his performance as the strong-willed trumpet player Levee who marches to his own beat in the musical period drama “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, the actor’s swansong.
Boseman, who died in August at the age of 43 following a four year-long private battle with colon cancer, won the award in the best performance by an actor in a motion picture category.
Boseman’s wife, Simone Ledward, accepted the award on his behalf in a Zoom call.
“He would thank God. He would thank his parents. He would thank his ancestors for their guidance and their sacrifices,” an emotional Ledward said.
It’s the first Golden Globe win for Boseman, who achieved global stardom as King T’Challa of fictitious African country Wakanda aka superhero Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Much before 2018’s “Black Panther”, the actor had made a name for himself by playing iconic black historical figures like baseball star Jackie Robinson in “42”, singer-songwriter James Brown in “Get on Up” and the first African-American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in “Marshall”.
Gary Oldman for “Mank”, Riz Ahmed for “The Sound of Metal”, Anthony Hopkins for “The Father”, and Tahar Rahim for “The Mauritanian” were the other nominees in the category.pti
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday that his government is eager for talks with Japan to improve relations following years of bitter feuding over historical grievances, adding that those unresolved issues should not stand in the way of developing future-oriented ties.
There have been times where issues of the past weren’t separated from those of the future and became intermingled with each other. This has impeded forward-looking development, Moon said in a nationally televised speech commemorating the anniversary of a 1919 Korean uprising against Japanese colonial rule.
The Korean government is always ready to sit down and have talks with the Japanese government, he said.
South Korea and Japan have been struggling to repair relations that sank to their lowest point in decades in 2019 following South Korean court rulings that ordered Japanese companies to pay reparations to Koreans who were forced to work in their factories during World War II. Those rulings led to further tensions over trade when Japan put export controls on chemicals vital to South Korea’s semiconductor industry.
Another sticking point in relations is the issue of Korean women who were sexually enslaved by Japan’s wartime military, with survivors denouncing the Japanese government for refusing to accept legal responsibility for their slavery.
Japan has insisted that all wartime compensation issues were settled under a 1965 treaty normalizing relations with South Korea and it has reacted angrily to South Korean court rulings saying otherwise. There is a risk for further deterioration of the relationship if South Korean courts eventually order the liquidation of local assets of Japanese companies that have refused to compensate forced labourers.
While Moon said Seoul will continue to support Korean victims of Japanese wartime atrocities, he stressed that the countries must not let the past hold us back.
Moon said improved relations would also benefit the three-way cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the United States, which Washington sees as crucial to dealing with regional issues such as North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and China’s increasing economic and military might.
Moon expressed hope that this year’s Olympics in Tokyo could provide a stage to renew international efforts to resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea.
Seoul has placed much of the blame for bad relations with Tokyo on Japan’s hawkish former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and has hoped that his resignation for health reasons last September could be a diplomatic turning point.
Another notable change came in Washington, where President Joe Biden has signaled a shift from Donald Trump’s America first approach and his foreign policy team includes major proponents of dealing with North Korea and China through cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo.
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul, said Moon may have felt that American pressure to reconcile with Japan was coming and he wanted to appear as the reasonable ally by offering the first olive branch.
The key now will be whether Japanese Prime Minster Suga Yoshihide responds to Moon’s comments with a positive gesture to start a “virtuous cycle, said Easley.
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