Bihar panchayat members to get arms licences as Cabinet okays key proposals
The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Cabinet has decided to grant arms licences to elected representatives of the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions following a string of attacks on local leaders ahead of assembly polls. It was among a host of decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.The government has instructed all district magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) across Bihar to begin the process of issuing licences to the panchayat representatives.advertisementHowever, the government said that applications for arms licences must be verified promptly and disposed of as per the law.
The move comes amid a string of political murders in Bihar. Last week, a panchayat head and his aide were shot dead in Bihar's Lakhisarai.In February, a JD(U) leader, Mahesh Mishra, was shot dead by armed assailants near his residence in Bihar's Gaya district. Mishra was the block secretary of JD(U) and deputy 'mukhiya' of the Chiraila panchayat.Last year, too, the head of a panchayat in Bihar's Samastipur district was shot dead.According to NCRB data, Bihar ranks only second behind Uttar Pradesh in deaths due to bullet injuries. Ahead of the elections, likely in November, Bihar police have sprung into action, scanning arms licences, and cracking down on illegal arms manufacturing units.advertisementOTHER CABINET DECISIONSAmong other key decisions taken by the Cabinet include the launch of the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Mandap Yojana'. The scheme entails the construction of marriage halls in every panchayat across the state.The Cabinet has sanctioned Rs 4,026.50 crore for the scheme, which will be implemented and operated through 'Jeevika Didis' - women's self-help groups."Our government will construct marriage halls in all panchayats to facilitate the weddings of daughters of poor families in rural areas. Economically weak families will benefit greatly from this initiative," Nitish Kumar tweeted.Moreover, the government's community kitchen initiative, 'Didi Ki Rasoi', has also been revised, with the cost of subsidised meals reduced to Rs 20 from Rs 40 per plate.The government also said that the subsidised meals would now also be provided beyond hospitals and colleges to block, and zonal offices as well.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Beyond the headlines: As HC order on MNREGA gives TMC a boost, BJP says act against ‘corruption' first
After multiple setbacks in court, the TMC-led state government got significant relief as the Calcutta High Court recently directed the Central government to resume the MNREGA scheme in the state from August 1. The BJP, however, has pointed out that while it is 'not against MNREGA scheme,' the onus is on the ruling TMC to first take action against 'corruption' in its ranks. The Centre, through an earlier order dated March 9, 2022, stopped releasing funds for the scheme, citing irregularities under Section 27 of the Act. In May 2023, the Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS), a rural workers' trade union, filed a petition in the High Court challenging the suspension. A Division Bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee noted that while Clause 27 allows the Ministry of Rural Development to withhold funds for a 'reasonable period' in case of irregularities, the scheme in Bengal has been stalled for nearly three years. 'At this juncture, the endeavour of the court is on implementation of the scheme in the state of West Bengal, which has been kept in abeyance for close to three years,' the Bench observed. A senior official in the state administration welcomed the verdict and expressed hope that the Centre would not only release MNREGA funds but also 'unblock' dues under other centrally sponsored schemes, such as PMAY-G. 'The Centre cannot withhold funds for years because of corruption involving a few. The state has Rs 8,000 crore pending under PMAY-G alone. We hope this order will pave the way for resumption of other stalled projects as well,' the official said. TMC leaders termed the HC order as a 'much-awaited relief for the state and its millions of NREGA workers.' In a post on X, the TMC wrote, 'We made a promise to the people of Bengal – that we would fight for their rights with every ounce of strength in our bodies and we reaffirm our commitment to fight for Bengal against the ZAMINDARS in every forum, at every level.' Party MP Abhishek Banerjee also wrote in a post on X, 'The Calcutta High Court's order to restart MNREGA in Bengal is a blow to BJP's politics of revenge. This wasn't governance, it was retribution. The Court's directive to resume the scheme from August 1 is a step toward restoring justice.' However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee struck a more cautious note. 'The Centre is sending teams to Bengal, but they haven't released a single rupee in years. This is public money. People have worked, but they haven't been paid. Who will pay them? We had to pay from state funds. That's why we launched the 'Karmashree' scheme,' she said. Anuradha Talwar, leader of Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity, the organisation that filed the petition, called the verdict a moral victory. It is the reward of the hard work and persistence of PBKMS members who did not give up their struggle despite three frustrating years. Our next task is to now ensure a corruption-free MNREGA in our State and to continue our struggle against BJP's attempts to kill MNREGA.' CPI(M) Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty also welcomed the order.'From the very first day we have been asking… Why are poor labourers suffering because of the fight between BJP and TMC? It is their right. There may be corruption allegations. That can be investigated. But it is not acceptable that, year after year, MNREGA work has been stopped,' he said. BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya, however, maintained a guarded stance. 'We're not against MNREGA. But the TMC government wants to loot public money. The Centre cannot allow that. They've admitted to corruption but haven't taken action against those responsible,' he said. Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More
NDTV
41 minutes ago
- NDTV
Rs 540 Crore Of 'Drug Money' Laundered By Akali Leader, Says Probe Agency
Chandigarh: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday arrested senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia for allegedly laundering more than Rs 540 crore of "drug money". Former minister Bikram Singh Majithia's arrest came after a vigilance team conducted a raid at his residence in Amritsar. The bureau claimed preliminary investigations revealed that more than Rs 540 crore of "drug money" has been laundered through several channels allegedly facilitated by Majithia. A spokesperson of the bureau said in a statement that assets, both movable and immovable, in the names of Majithia and his wife Ganieve Kaur Majithia increased substantially, for which no legitimate sources of income were provided. Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, is already facing a probe in a 2021 drugs case. During the raid, the vigilance team from Mohali faced protests by Majithia and his wife Ganieve Kaur, an Akali MLA, who accused the officers of barging into their house in Green Avenue on Wednesday morning. Sukhbir Badal, his wife and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and many senior Akali leaders also lashed out at the AAP government in Punjab over the raid at Majithia's residence, calling it a "political vendetta". A similar raid was conducted at the couple's Chandigarh residence as well, sources said. Stating that a disproportionate assets case has been registered against her husband, Ganieve Kaur told reporters in Amritsar, "We will continue to fight. People will stand with Majithia." The raid was led by Swarandeep Singh, AIG, Flying Squad, Vigilance Bureau, Mohali, who was reinstated last month after a suspension. Singh is also the complainant in the FIR registered against Majithia at 4:40 am on Wednesday. The fresh FIR stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Punjab Police into the 2021 drug case registered against Majithia. In March, the SIT claimed that it found "suspicious financial transactions" in firms linked to Majithia and his family. The SIT also expanded its investigation to scrutinise financial transactions abroad, it said in March. The vigilance spokesperson said the probe by the SIT and the bureau revealed "massive laundering of drug money facilitated by Majithia amounting to more than Rs 540 crore". It included huge unaccounted cash worth Rs 161 crore deposited in bank accounts of companies controlled by Majithia, channelisation of Rs 141 crore through suspected foreign entities, excess deposition of Rs 236 crore without disclosure or explanation in company financial statements, and acquisition of movable and immovable assets by Majithia without any legitimate source of income, the spokesperson said. The SIT probe indicated that drug money was funnelled into Saraya Industries, which is run by Majithia and his family members, he added. So far, Rs 540 crore of "drug money" has been tracked as having been generated illegally by using the influence of Majithia as a public servant (MLA), holding a Cabinet post in the erstwhile Punjab government, the spokesperson said. The bureau seized more than 30 mobile phones, five laptops, three iPads, two desktops, several diaries, property-related documents, and documents related to Saraya Industries during the raid, sources said. According to the FIR, Majithia accumulated vast wealth, properties and business interests in his name and in the names of his family members, which appear to be grossly disproportionate to his legitimate sources of income. As the news of the raid spread on social media, Akali leaders and supporters headed towards Majithia's residence and raised slogans against the Bhagwant Mann government. However, a heavy police force was deployed on the road leading to Majithia's house, with no one allowed to pass the barricades. As a team of officers entered Majithia's house, Ganieve Kaur asked them, "What is happening? I want to know what is going on... How did you barge into my house without my knowledge?" Majithia also said that the vigilance officers "barged" into his house, "terrorising" his children. The former minister could be heard arguing with a DSP-rank vigilance officer, expressing his dismay over the manner in which they entered his house. "You have forced your way through. This is not the way. Do not come and threaten people at my house... You are barging into my house," Majithia told the vigilance team. Majithia also questioned why the officers were not in uniform, to which one of them replied that vigilance officers remain in civil dress. Majithia was even seen interrupting the DSP-rank officer when he asked about the identity of a man standing in a room, telling him that he won't get affected by the government's "highhandedness". In response, the officer asked Majithia not to lecture him as he sought the Akali leader's cooperation. The officer also objected to Majithia filming the raid. In a video, Majithia lashed out at the Mann government, alleging that the AAP was resorting to such tactics to suppress the voice of the opposition leaders. Claiming that the vigilance department lodged a fresh FIR on Tuesday night, Majithia said, "They forcefully entered my house. If an FIR has been lodged, we are submitted to the law. If they wanted to register an FIR in a DA (disproportionate assets) case, they could have given a notice. It is very clear that they (AAP) are rattled." Majithia also claimed a vigilance team led by an SSP conducted the raid. "Bhagwant Mann ji, understand this... No matter how many FIRs you register, I will not be afraid nor your government can suppress my voice," Majithia said. "I have always talked about the issues facing Punjab and will continue to do so," he added. Before being taken into custody, Majithia met his two children and wife. An SIT of Punjab Police is already probing a 2021 drugs case against Majithia, in which the Akali leader has been summoned and questioned many times. Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on December 20, 2021, when a Congress government was in power in Punjab, led by Charanjit Singh Channi. The Akali leader spent more than five months in Patiala jail before walking out of prison in August 2022 after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Indian Constitution is as Sacred as Bhagavad Gita, Guru Granth Sahib and Bible: Union minister SP Baghel
- KURUKSHETRA: Union minister of state (MoS) for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, SP Singh Baghel on Wednesday described the Indian Constitution as a sacred text on par with the sacred Bhagavad Gita, Guru Granth Sahib, and theBible, emphasising that it must be respected and honoured as the foundation of India's democracy. Notably, the minister did not make any mention of the sacred Quran in his address. He was speaking at a program organised on the occasion of ' Samvidhan Hatya Diwas 2025' (Constitution Murder Day 2025) at the Panchayat Bhawan auditorium in Kurukshetra. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, minister Baghel said that amendments in the Constitution are acceptable if made in the national interest, but any changes made for personal or political gain amount to the murder of the Constitution. He asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is committed to protecting the Constitution and upholding democratic values. Prior to his address, the minister visited a special exhibition organised to depict the events surrounding the Emergency imposed in 1975, a period he said widely viewed as a dark chapter in Indian democracy. During the event, individuals who were jailed during the Emergency and their families were honoured with shawls in recognition of their sacrifices. Baghel highlighted the symbolic importance of Kurukshetra , calling it the land where the eternal struggle between dharma and adharma , and justice and injustice , was first understood. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He said this message, rooted in Indian civilisation, has resonated globally. 'In every age, injustice has ultimately failed. This lesson must not be forgotten, especially by those who attempt to undermine the Constitution,' he remarked. He also underscored India's democratic heritage, stating, 'Our democracy dates back to the Dwapar and Treta Yugas. In contrast, the United States only has the Statue of Liberty to symbolise its democratic ideals, yet it claims the oldest democracy. Today, India's citizens challenge that claim with pride, as India remains the world's oldest and largest democracy. ' The Minister took the opportunity to highlight India's progress on gender inclusion in leadership, stating, 'India has had two women Presidents , while the US is yet to elect a woman President.' Criticising the 1975 Emergency, Baghel called it the only dark blot on Indian democracy. 'It was a time when civil liberties were crushed. Citizens had to go into hiding, businesses were shuttered, farmers could not tend to their fields, and anyone seen outside risked being jailed. Around 1.1 lakh people, including journalists, were imprisoned. Electricity supply was cut off, and mass sterilisations were conducted. None of the conditions required to declare an emergency—external threat, internal disturbance, or financial crisis—existed at the time,' he said. He noted that after the BJP came to power, efforts were made to honour and recognise those who had endured suffering during the Emergency, restoring their dignity in the nation's democratic narrative. The event was attended by several BJP leaders from Kurukshetra.
