May 23, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Pak N-weapon
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi expressed serious concern about Pakistan being close to developing a nuclear weapon and said the US was not doing much to stop the programme. Addressing a press conference in Moscow, Gandhi said that recently, a Pakistani national was caught by the US customs authorities while trying to smuggle out certain triggering devices. But they let him off after levying some charges.
Hijack Attempt Foiled
An anonymous phone call foiled a possible hijack of an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi by three suspected Sikh extremists carrying transistor bombs, officials told PTI. The plane was carrying 88 passengers, including the cine star and Congress (I) MP Sunil Dutt. The plane left after being thoroughly searched, nearly four hours behind schedule.
Soviet Credit Line
India is about to get a massive 1,000 million roubles (about Rs 1,100 crore) of Soviet credit to finance a package of projects in vital sectors like oil, power, and the coal industry under an agreement signed in Moscow by PM Rajiv Gandhi and Soviet Communist Party Chief Mikhail Gorbachev. A second agreement sets out basic guidelines for economic, trade, scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries over the next 15 years.
Expulsion Of Tamils
More than 20,000 Tamils face the prospect of expulsion from a Sri Lankan town. The Times reported that in the wake of last week's massacre at Anuradhapura, the Sri Lankan Army proposed that a whole district between Vavuniya and Anuradhapura should be cleared of Tamils. However, a Sri Lankan cabinet spokesman denied such reports.
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Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Sanjeev Arora replaced ‘dabangai' with devp-oriented governance'
Ludhiana: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president Aman Arora on Saturday said that the party's candidate from Ludhiana (West) Assembly constituency, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, had ushered in a new era by replacing "Dabangai kind of politics" with development-centric governance. Addressing an election meeting at Sarabha Nagar, Aman Arora described Saneev Arora as a refined, honest, and soft-spoken politician. "His campaign is being conducted in a smooth, positive, and people-friendly manner. I am confident that the results will be in his favour," he said, commending Sanjeev for executing significant development works over the last three years. Highlighting the "pro-people" and "pro-industry" approach of the AAP-led Punjab government, Aman Arora said, "Our govt is ensuring the welfare of all sections of society. The policies are entirely people and industry-centric, and the positive outcomes are clearly visible." Urging citizens to exercise their franchise on June 19, he said, "Every vote cast will strengthen Ludhiana's development journey. I also appeal to residents to plan their vacations either before or after polling day to fulfil their civic responsibility." MP Sanjeev Arora said that he had learned a lot from AAP, which was working for his campaign as one family. He acknowledged the dedicated efforts of MPs, MLAs, councillors, and volunteers in his campaign. "Such unity is not only commendable but should also be reflected within our families," he said. Arora reiterated his commitment to public welfare, saying that he had worked "happily" over the last three years and would work with even more responsibility if elected. "Every vote matters. Your support will be a mark of your trust and a symbol of our unity," he said. Punjab minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, Sunil Modi and Arun Sharma were also present at the meeting. Sanjeev Arora also visited Sikh kirtan singer Bhai Harjinder Singh in BRS Nagar and congratulated him on being awarded the Padma Shri. Arora was accompanied by his wife, Sandhya and son, Kavya. MSID:: 121694205 413 |
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
State to use I-T data to weed out ineligible ‘Ladki Bahin' beneficiaries
1 2 3 Pune: State govt is set to conduct a comprehensive verification of beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, leveraging income tax return data from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to ensure that the monthly Rs 1,500 aid reaches only economically weaker women. A notification issued by the CBDT on June 3 authorises the secretary of the state women and child development (WCD) department to access income tax (I-T) data under Section 138 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The department has already formed a team to review the existing list of 2.5 crore applicants. Officials said the verification would help identify and remove ineligible claimants, particularly those from families with higher incomes or tax-paying members. Earlier, a scrutiny of around 2 lakh applications had revealed that 2,289 government employees had registered under the scheme. These names were promptly removed. State WCD minister Aditi Tatkare had described such verification as a routine and necessary process in the implementation of welfare schemes. The Ladki Bahin Yojana is targeted at women from low-income families, including married, widowed, divorced, abandoned and single, between the ages of 21 and 65. Eligible applicants must reside in Maharashtra, have an Aadhaar-linked bank account and belong to families with annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh. Women will be deemed ineligible if their family members are income taxpayers or are employed as regular or permanent staff in govt departments or public undertakings. Those receiving pensions, owning four-wheelers (excluding tractors) or already benefiting from other govt schemes of Rs 1,500 or more per month will also be excluded. Families of current or former MPs, MLAs or individuals holding top positions in govt boards or corporations are similarly disqualified. The officials said the integration of verified I-T data would make the screening process more accurate, reduce fraudulent claims and ensure that benefits reach the right individuals. At present, the department has 2.52 crore beneficiaries. "We have pushed the funds to accounts but it is likely that 2.47 crore would have received it," a source from the department said. Around Rs 3,719 crore was allocated for May under this scheme. CM Fadnavis says there is no diversion of funds from departments CM Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday told TOI that no funds from any govt department were diverted towards Ladki Bahin scheme. A section of ruling party politicians, as well as the opposition, had criticized state govt for alleged diversion of funds from key departments to sustain the Ladki Bahin scheme. On June 5, a social justice department GR stating diversion of Rs 410 crore had triggered further discussions. When asked, Fadnavis in a text message reply to TOI said, "All the schemes in which individual benefit goes to SC and ST are to be shown under tribal and social welfare department respectively. It is the budget principle and deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is also the finance minister, while preparing the budget has showed the same. Hence, the budget given to both departments increased significantly. It's not that their regular funds are being diverted or utilised for this scheme. " Pune: State govt is set to conduct a comprehensive verification of beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, leveraging income tax return data from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to ensure that the monthly Rs 1,500 aid reaches only economically weaker women. A notification issued by the CBDT on June 3 authorises the secretary of the state women and child development (WCD) department to access income tax (I-T) data under Section 138 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The department has already formed a team to review the existing list of 2.5 crore applicants. Officials said the verification would help identify and remove ineligible claimants, particularly those from families with higher incomes or tax-paying members. Earlier, a scrutiny of around 2 lakh applications had revealed that 2,289 government employees had registered under the scheme. These names were promptly removed. State WCD minister Aditi Tatkare had described such verification as a routine and necessary process in the implementation of welfare schemes. The Ladki Bahin Yojana is targeted at women from low-income families, including married, widowed, divorced, abandoned and single, between the ages of 21 and 65. Eligible applicants must reside in Maharashtra, have an Aadhaar-linked bank account and belong to families with annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh. Women will be deemed ineligible if their family members are income taxpayers or are employed as regular or permanent staff in govt departments or public undertakings. Those receiving pensions, owning four-wheelers (excluding tractors) or already benefiting from other govt schemes of Rs 1,500 or more per month will also be excluded. Families of current or former MPs, MLAs or individuals holding top positions in govt boards or corporations are similarly disqualified. The officials said the integration of verified I-T data would make the screening process more accurate, reduce fraudulent claims and ensure that benefits reach the right individuals. At present, the department has 2.52 crore beneficiaries. "We have pushed the funds to accounts but it is likely that 2.47 crore would have received it," a source from the department said. Around Rs 3,719 crore was allocated for May under this scheme. CM Fadnavis says there is no diversion of funds from departments CM Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday told TOI that no funds from any govt department were diverted towards Ladki Bahin scheme. A section of ruling party politicians, as well as the opposition, had criticized state govt for alleged diversion of funds from key departments to sustain the Ladki Bahin scheme. On June 5, a social justice department GR stating diversion of Rs 410 crore had triggered further discussions. When asked, Fadnavis in a text message reply to TOI said, "All the schemes in which individual benefit goes to SC and ST are to be shown under tribal and social welfare department respectively. It is the budget principle and deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is also the finance minister, while preparing the budget has showed the same. Hence, the budget given to both departments increased significantly. It's not that their regular funds are being diverted or utilised for this scheme. "
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra polls were match-fixed, Bihar next: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the Election Commission after the poll watchdog rejected his allegations of rigging in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly election. Reacting to the EC's refutation attributed to the commission officials who spoke on anonymity, Gandhi said, "Evasion won't protect your credibility. Telling the truth will". Also read: 'LOP's desperation over Congress losses on display,' says BJP Sharing his op-ed published in 'The Indian Express', headlined "Match-fixing Maharashtra", on X, Rahul reiterated the allegations he has been making since the poll's result was announced. The 2024 Maharashtra assembly election was a "blueprint for rigging democracy", he said, alleging that this "match-fixing" would next happen in Bihar and "then anywhere BJP is losing". If you have nothing to hide, answer questions in my article and prove it by: publishing consolidated, digital, machine-readable voter rolls for the most recent elections to LS and Vidhan Sabhas of all states Rahul told EC On EC officials rejecting his claims, Rahul said, "Dear EC, you are a constitutional body. Releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not the way to respond to serious questions." "If you have nothing to hide, answer the questions in my article and prove it by: Publishing consolidated, digital, machine-readable voter rolls for the most recent elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas of all states including Maharashtra and by releasing all post-5 pm CCTV footage from Maharashtra polling booths," he demanded. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dad-Approved Ways to Celebrate Father's Day in Costa Mesa - Travel Costa Mesa Travel Costa Mesa Read More Undo Rahul further said, "My article shows how this happened, step by step: Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission. Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll. Step 3: Inflate voter turnout. Step 4: Target the bogus voting exactly where BJP needs to win. Step 5: Hide the evidence." He said, "It's not hard to see why BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra. But rigging is like match-fixing - the side that cheats might win the game, but damages institutions and destroys public faith in the result."
