Latest news with #Harichandan
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt examining release plea of Staines murder convict: Min
Bhubaneswar: State govt is currently examining the remission plea of , who was convicted in the 1999 murder case of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Saturday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Harichandan revealed that multiple rounds of discussions have taken place regarding Singh's possible release. "However, the complexity of the case, involving multiple convictions and sentences, posed challenges in the decision-making process," he said. The minister emphasised that any decision on Singh's release would require consultation and consent from the Union govt. "We are carefully examining the matter considering the multiple convictions involved," Harichandan told TOI. The Supreme Court, during a hearing on March 19, expected the govt to reach a decision before the next hearing date. The apex court on May 14 deferred the matter to Aug 11, seeking a counter affidavit by the respondents (state govt and CBI) within eight weeks and a rejoinder affidavit, if any, within four weeks thereafter by the petitioner. Last month, Singh's co-convict, Mahendra Hembram, was released from prison. When asked if this would influence Singh's case, Harichandan maintained that all legal aspects are being thoroughly discussed in different forums. The case dates back to Jan 1999, when Singh was convicted for the murder of Staines and his two young sons, who were burnt alive in Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district. The incident triggered international outrage and widespread condemnation. "The discussion is ongoing, and we will move forward only after reaching a conclusive decision," the minister said. Dara Singh was initially sentenced to death by a CBI court in 2003. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Orissa high court in 2005. He has spent more than 25 years in jail after his arrest in 2000.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Govt to launch awareness drive against illegal drug use, trafficking
1 2 Bhubaneswar: State govt on Friday announced plans to organise an awareness programme to combat illegal drug use and trafficking from May 31 to June 26. The modalities for the programme were finalised during a review meeting held at Kharavela Bhawan here. Excise minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, who chaired the meeting, reported a significant decline in illegal drug trafficking since the new govt took office. "The success is attributed to coordinated efforts between the excise department, police administration and special squads," he said. "While we have made progress, we must intensify our efforts to completely eliminate drug trafficking from our state," said Harichandan, outlining a comprehensive awareness strategy that will extend from schools to village panchayats. Chief secretary Manoj Ahuja proposed engaging self-help groups in rural areas and organising school-level essay competitions to broaden the campaign's reach. The initiative will promote the 'Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs' message through community members. Excise commissioner-cum-secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar presented the orientation and detailed plan for the upcoming awareness programme, emphasising interdepartmental coordination for the success of the initiative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile" TradeWise Learn More Undo Departments have been directed to prepare daily activity schedules to ensure consistent implementation of the campaign. "This reflects our commitment to create a drug-free state through both enforcement and community engagement," the minister said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Odisha to announce new excise policy by June 20: Minister
The Odisha government's new excise policy will be announced by June 20, Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Friday. "We are going to implement a three-year-long excise policy in a calibrated manner. We have formed several teams to study the excise policies of various states, and these teams have already started their visits. That is why the government is taking some time to formulate the new policy," Harichandan told reporters. A team led by the excise secretary is scheduled to visit Andhra Pradesh soon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Liquidação de Vinho faz sucesso e viraliza Vinho Barato Undo "After the team's visit, the new policy will be announced, most likely between June 15 and June 20," the minister added. Previously, the BJD government had prepared an excise policy for each financial year. Live Events While the new BJP government issued a similar one last year, it now plans to implement a policy that will remain in force for three years. Harichandan also announced that the state government will launch a large-scale anti-drug addiction campaign across the state. The campaign will involve students, communities, youth and women. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is scheduled to launch the campaign on World No Tobacco Day (May 31), and it will continue till International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26), he said. Harichandan added that the anti-drug addiction campaign, including public awareness, street play, folk arts, essay and debate competitions, will be organised during the period. It will be organised by the excise department in association with departments like Mission Shakti, Culture, School and Mass Education, Higher Education, and others.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Several States Begin Crackdown On Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants
Several states have begun the process of identifying Bangladeshis staying illegally in various parts, as a part of an exercise to deport the immigrants. In Odisha, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday said the state government has issued a direction to all district collectors, coastal security agencies and formed a Special Task Force (STF) to coordinate the process of identifying the undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants. "The government has taken a tough stand. No foreign national without valid legal status will be allowed to stay in Odisha. The identification process has already begun and will be carried out meticulously in all districts," Mr Harichandan said. He said preliminary discussions with various government branches and agencies such as those employing migrant labourers have been asked to verify their identities and nationalities. "Different engineering departments of the state government have been asked not to engage any Bangladesh or foreign nationals without valid documents," he said. The state government has designated the STF as the nodal agency to coordinate and monitor the developments, besides working closely with district-level officers, coastal security forces and other enforcement units. The districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Ganjam have been identified as possible areas housing illegal migrants. STF Director General Pinak Mishra said that after the identification process is complete, the government will initiate legal proceedings under The Foreigners Act and other relevant laws to deport the illegal migrants. "Since Odisha shares its border with West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh, we are keeping a strict vigil as there is every possibility of infiltration, be it through waterways or roadways," he said. The Maharashtra government is also conducting a similar exercise with the Mumbai Police saying that 300 illegal Bangladeshis have been deported so far in recent times. Police said 766 such illegal immigrants have been arrested so far this year. Eighteen lakh ration cards were cancelled till May 18, officials said, adding that most of the holders were likely illegal Bangladeshi residents. In Mumbai, 4.8 lakh ration cards were cancelled. "Our government will not do injustice to any such government will not do injustice to anyone except Bangladeshi infiltrators. Action will be taken against those who are eligible for action, the general public will not be harassed," Cabinet Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said. Saiddul Sheikh, who says he is from West Bengal, agrees that the police should crack down on illegal entry of Bangladeshis and those who make fake documents but not target labourers like him who have come from the eastern state to make a living. He said he has also made several rounds of the police station for verification. India has adopted a new "push back" strategy to tackle infiltration from Bangladesh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters earlier this month. He said the Centre has deported illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas, from different parts of the country, including from the Matia detention centre in Goalpara - one of the largest facilities in the country housing illegal immigrants. Calling cross-border infiltration a "big issue", Mr Sarma said it will be minimised because of the new "push back" phenomenon. "Earlier, we used to arrest 1,000-1,500 foreigners. We used to arrest them, and they would be sent to jails, and then they would be produced before a court of law. Now, we have decided that we will not bring them into our country, and will push them back," he said. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had on April 30 directed police to launch a campaign against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and to ensure their deportation. Subsequently, a first batch of 148 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants rounded up by police was sent to West Bengal on a special flight, as part of the deportation process, police sources said. "These infiltrators were kept at one of the two detention centres set up in Jaipur. In the first phase of their deportation, 148 have been sent to Jodhpur and dispatched for West Bengal for final deportation," one of them said. The source added that 1,008 "infiltrators" have been detained in the exercise so far in 17 districts of the state.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Any link with spy network will be taken seriously: Min
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday said strict legal action will be taken if anyone is found leaking sensitive information to operatives in Pakistan. Harichandan's statement came amid police investigation into the potential links between a Puri-based YouTuber and Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested on the charge of passing on sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. Speaking to reporters here, Harichandan said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting the probe on sharing sensitive information with the neighbouring country. 'Anyone found connected to this network will face investigation. Strict action will be taken against those involved -- whether they were directly involved in espionage or were assisting such activities in any form. No one will be spared,' the minister asserted. When asked about possible links of the Odisha YouTuber in the alleged espionage case, he said, 'If at all there is a link, the NIA will do its job properly. If any link is established, the matter will be taken very seriously and the situation will be dealt with accordingly.' 'YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested by Haryana Police, had visited Jagannath temple in Puri, besides Konark and Chilka in Odisha. She was in touch with an Odisha-based YouTuber. We are verifying the facts and nothing substantial has come out till now,' IGP, Crime Branch, Sarthak Sarangi said. After the matter came to the fore, in a social media post, the woman YouTuber from Puri, Priyanka Senapati, said, 'Jyoti was just a friend of mine, and I came in contact with her through YouTube. I was unaware of anything which she is accused of. I would not have been in touch with her had I known that she was spying for enemy Pakistan.' 'If any investigative agency wishes to cross-question me, I would provide full cooperation. Nation is above all. Jai Hind,' she wrote in an Instagram post.
