Latest news with #Guv
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Peace, normalcy returning to Manipur: Guv
Imphal, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Saturday asserted that peace and normalcy are returning to the state with the collaborative efforts of the government, armed forces and civil society organisations. Peace, normalcy returning to Manipur: Guv He was speaking at an event in Imphal organised to commemorate the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. "Many have lost their lives and thousands have become homeless in the ethnic violence in Manipur. The government has taken various steps to resolve the crisis and restore peace and confidence. Joint operations of combined teams of state police and armed forces have been able to recover numerous firearms and ammunition over the past few months. "Peace and normalcy are returning to the state with the collaborative efforts of the government, armed forces and civil society organisations. Numerous insurgents involved in extortion, including cyber-facilitated schemes and funding militia groups, have been arrested during intensified crackdowns in recent months," he said. Manipur Police have launched an anti-extortion cell and confidential helpline bringing together state police, CFs, Assam Rifles and Army to streamline complaints and protect citizens from unlawful demands, he added. Multiple checkpoints have been strategically established across the hill and valley districts, on the national highways, to ensure essential supplies of food and medicines. These combined efforts alongside community outreach are steadily dismantling armed networks, curbing extortion and restoring civil order, the governor added. "Further, several initiatives are being taken to ensure the displaced people regain hope and skills. Dialogue is underway with civil society organisations from Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Naga communities for voluntary resettlement of internally displaced persons and inclusive safety guarantees," he added. Manipur has been under the President's rule since February 13 this year after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post and the assembly was put under animated suspension. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis in Manipur since May, 2023. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Centre finds death penalty clause in Aparajita Bill ‘excessively harsh', Guv sends it back to state
Kolkata, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has sent the Aparajita Bill back to the state government for consideration of the serious objections raised by the Centre over the proposed changes to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that the legislation seeks, a highly placed source in the Raj Bhavan said. Centre finds death penalty clause in Aparajita Bill 'excessively harsh', Guv sends it back to state The Centre, in its observation, found that the Aparajita Women and Child Bill, passed in the assembly in September 2024, seeks changes in punishment for rape under multiple sections of the BNS that are 'excessively harsh and disproportionate,' the source said. The state government, however, maintained it has no intimation so far from the central government or the governor's office regarding their 'observations' on certain provisions in the Bill. The Bill proposes enhancement of punishment for rape from the existing minimum of 10 years under the BNS to life imprisonment for the remainder of one's life or death. "The Ministry of Home Affairs has flagged multiple provisions in the Bill as problematic. After taking note of the MHA observation, the Governor has referred those for appropriate consideration to the state government," the source told PTI. "The Centre has described the proposal of amendment to Section 64 of the BNS to increase the punishment for rape from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment for the remainder of the convict's life or the death penalty as excessively harsh and disproportionate," he said, referring to the MHA's observation. The other controversial change is the proposed deletion of Section 65, which currently provides stricter penalties for rape of girls aged under 16 and 12. "The removal of this classification undermines the principle of proportionality in sentencing and could reduce legal protections for the most vulnerable victims," he said. However, the clause drawing the sharpest criticism is the one under Section 66, which seeks to make the death penalty mandatory in rape cases where the victim either dies or is left in a persistent vegetative state. "The ministry has raised constitutional concerns, arguing that removing judicial discretion in sentencing violates established legal norms and Supreme Court rulings," the source said. The Bil was recently reserved by Governor Bose for the consideration of the President of India. 'As of now, there is no communication from anyone with regard to the Aparajita Bill. We will consider taking suitable measures, as per requirements in the matter, if and when we receive such intimation," a senior bureaucrat of the state said. The West Bengal assembly had unanimously passed the Bill nearly a month after the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Setback for Guv as Kerala HC rejects appeals over temporary VC appointments at two varsities
Kochi, In a setback to the Kerala Governor, who also serves as the Chancellor of major universities in the state, the High Court on Monday dismissed writ petitions challenging a single judge's verdict that declared the temporary appointments of Vice-Chancellors at J Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala Digital University as unsustainable. Setback for Guv as Kerala HC rejects appeals over temporary VC appointments at two varsities The appeals were filed by the Chancellor and others, against the May 19, 2025 judgment which said the appointments were made without following proper legal procedure. The controversy began after the Chancellor appointed two persons Ciza Thomas to the Kerala Digital University and K Sivaprasad to the J Abdul Kalam Technological University to the temporary posts of VC through notifications issued on November 27, 2024. These appointments were made under the respective University Acts, citing powers to fill the post for a maximum of six months in the absence of a regular VC. However, the state government challenged the appointments, arguing that they did not follow the procedure laid down in the Acts which require a panel of names to be recommended by the government and did not comply with University Grants Commission regulations. The High Court's Division Bench, comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan, upheld the single judge's ruling, agreeing that the notifications lacked legal backing. The court observed that although the appointments were temporary, they still required adherence to the statutory process, including the submission of a panel of at least three eligible names by the government. The judges also emphasised the importance of the VC's role, calling them the "bridge between academic and administrative functions" of a university. They referred to earlier Supreme Court judgments which stressed that VCs must be selected independently, without political or external pressure, and in the best interest of the university. While dismissing the appeals, the court noted the ongoing administrative deadlock in both universities and its negative effect on students. It urged the Chancellor and the state government to act promptly to make regular VC appointments in line with the law and UGC norms. "Considering the stalemate existing in the administration of the Technological University and the Digital University, which is continuing for a considerably long period, and which had an adverse impact on the functioning of the said universities and the interest of the student community, we are of the view that the Chancellor as well as the State Government will have to act pro-actively, to ensure that regular appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor in the said Universities are made, without any further delay," the court said. The court also clarified that the UGC's 2018 regulations regarding qualifications and appointment procedures for university teachers and academic staff would override any conflicting provisions in state legislation. The verdict has come as a relief for the CPI-led Left government, which has been at odds with the Governor over the administration of universities in the state. Welcoming the HC order, Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the court had confirmed that the Governor's actions in appointing Vice-Chancellors were unlawful. She said the High Court's rejection of the Governor's appeal supported what the state government had been saying all along. "The Governor has powers, but when he crosses the limits, it causes problems," the minister said. She also called the Chancellor's move which she claimed could damage the reputation of universities disgraceful. General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty also welcomed the ruling, calling it a win for the government's efforts to ensure transparency in the education sector. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delay in assent to bills: Centre opposes in SC Kerala's stand to withdraw plea against Guv
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned to July 25 the pleas of the Kerala government against Governor over the delay in approving bills passed by the state assembly. Delay in assent to bills: Centre opposes in SC Kerala's stand to withdraw plea against Guv A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar deferred the matter after attorney general R Venkataramani sought time. Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the Kerala government, sought to withdraw the plea saying that the issue had become infructuous in view of the recent judgment passed in the Tamil Nadu Governor case. Venkataramani and solicitor general Tushar Mehta opposed the submission and urged the court to await the top court's decision on the reference of President under Article 143 of the Constitution over the grant of assent to bills. Mehta said the Kerala government's petition could also be referred to be tagged along with the presidential reference. Calling it strange , Venugopal asked how could his plea be opposed. "Why my lords are hesitant for the state to withdraw the petition? There has to be some only means both parties will charge money," he said. The bench then remarked, "We will make it very clear, tentatively there can't be an objection to withdraw." The matter was then posted on July 25. On April 22, the top court said it would examine whether the recent judgement on a plea of Tamil Nadu, fixing timelines for the grant of assent to bills, covered the issues raised by the Kerala government in its pleas. Acting on a plea of Tamil Nadu government, an apex court bench on April 8 set aside the reservation of the 10 bills for President's consideration in the second round holding it as illegal, erroneous in law. The bench, for the first time, also prescribed a time limit for President to decide on the bills reserved for her consideration by Governor. It set a three-month timeframe from the date on which such reference was received. Kerala sought similar directions in its petition. In 2023, the top court expressed displeasure over then Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan "sitting" for two years on bills passed by the state legislature. Khan is currently Governor of Bihar. The top court, on July 26, last year, agreed to consider the plea of opposition-ruled Kerala alleging the denial of assent to bills passed by the legislative assembly. The Kerala government alleged that Khan referred certain bills to President Droupadi Murmu and those were yet to be cleared. Taking note of the pleas, the top court issued notices to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the secretaries of Kerala Governor. The state said its plea related to the acts of Governor in reserving seven bills, which he was required to deal with himself, to the President. Not one of the seven bills had anything to do with Centre-state relations, it argued. The bills were pending with the Governor for as long as two years and his action "subverted" the functioning of the state legislature, rendering its very existence "ineffective and otiose", the state added. "The bills include public interest bills that are for the public good, and even these have been rendered ineffective by the Governor not dealing with each one of them 'as soon as possible', as required by the proviso to Article 200," the plea said. The state government had said the home ministry informed it that President had withheld assent to four of the seven bills University Laws Bill, 2021; Kerala Co-operative Societies Bill, 2022; University Laws Bill, 2022; and University Laws Bill, 2022. The Constitution is silent on how much time the President can take in granting assent to a bill passed by a state legislature and referred to the Rashtrapati Bhavan for presidential consideration or for denying consent. Article 361 of the Constitution says the President, or Governor of a state, shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done or purporting to be done by him in the exercise and performance of those powers and duties. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
RRB NTPC Undergraduate Exam 2025 dates released, check schedule here
The Railway Recruitment Board, RRBs, have released the dates for the NTPC Undergraduate Examinations - 2025. Candidates who have registered for the Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under Graduate) exam can check the schedule on the official websites of regional RRBs. RRB NTPC Undergraduate Exam 2025 dates have been announced. Check the dates here. (Arvind Yadav / HT file) As per the official schedule, the RRB NTPC Undergraduate Exam 2025 will be conducted from August 7 to September 8, 2025. Also read: RRB JE Result 2025 released for CBT 2 for 9 regions, check scorecard here The RRBs stated that the link for viewing the Exam City and Date and downloading of Travel Authority for SC/ST candidates will be available 10 days prior to the exam date on the official websites of all RRBs. In addition, downloading of E-Call letters will start four days prior to exam date mentioned in Exam City and Date intimation link. It may also be mentioned here that Aadhaar linked biometric authentication of candidates will be done in the exam centre prior to entry in the exam hall. Also read: NICL AO Recruitment 2025: Last date today to apply for 266 posts at link here As such, candidates need to bring their original Aadhaar card or printout of e-verified Aadhaar. Candidates are advised to authenticate their identification through Aadhaar verification by logging in with their credentials at Meanwhile, RRBs have released RRB NTPC Answer Key 2025 for CBT 1 of graduate level posts. Candidates who wish to challenge the answer key will be allowed to do so on the official website till July 6, 2025, up to 11:55 PM. Also read: Kerala University VC sparks row by suspending registrar over event attended by Guv The prescribed fee for raising objection is Rs.50 plus applicable Bank Service Charges per question. For more details, candidates are advised to visit the official website of RRBs.
